Skip to main content

Full text of "History of Champaign County, Ohio, its people, industries and institutions"

See other formats 


g-en 


ALLEN  COUNTY  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


3  1833  02399  2958 


Gc 

977.101 

C35m 

657178 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Arciiive 

in  2010  witii  funding  from 

Allen  County  Public  Library  Genealogy  Center 


http://www.archive.org/details/historyofchampai02midd 


HISTORY 


OF 


Champaign  County 

"'"        OHIO 

ITS  PEOPLE,  INDUSTRIES  AND  INSTITUTIONS 


JUDGE   EVAN   P.    MIDDLETON 

Judge    of    the    Court    of    Common    Pleas,     Second    Sub-DWsion'    o'f  i^econtT'Tui^ioial   District  of   Oliio. 

Supervising  Editor 


With  Biographical  Sketches  of  Representative  Citizens  and 
Genealogical  Records  of  Many  of  the  Old  Families 


VOLUME  II 


ILLUSTRATED 


1917 
B.  F.  BOWEN  &  COMPANY,  Inc. 

Indianapolis,  Indiana. 


657178 

CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  I— RELATED  STATE  HISTORY 33 

French  Traders  First  White  Men  to  Set  Foot  In  the  Northwest  Territory — 
LaSalle's  Expedition  of  1670 — Subsequent  Explorations  and  Discoveries — 
Contentions  Regarding  Charters  of  English  Colonies — Indians  Make  Gallant 
Fight  to  Retain  Hunting  Grounds — Tecumseh,  the  Washington  of  His  Race — 
French  and  Indian  War — Pontiac's  Conspiracy — Revolutionary  War  Period — 
First  Surveys  and  Early  Settlers — Ordinance  of  1787 — Organization  of  North- 
west Territory — Representative  Stage  of  Government — Division  of  1800 — 
County  Organization  Within  the  Territory — Indian  Wars  and  the  Treaty  of 
Greenville — Formation  of  a  New  State  and  Location  of  'Capital — Creation 
and  Revisions  of  Constitution — Something  of  Ohio's  Military  Record — Land 
Grants  and  Various  "Purchases" — Connecticut  Reserve,  Virginia  Military 
District,  United  States  Military  Lands,  the  Refugee  Tract  and  Congress 
Lands — Canal  Grants,  Turnpike  Lands  and  Salt  and  School  Sections — Ohio 
Politics  and  a  List  of  the  Governors  of  the  State. 

CHAPTER  II— GEOLOGICAL  AND  TOPOGRAPHICAL  FEATURES 62 

Location  and  Boundaries  of  Champaign  County — Average  Climatic  Condi- 
tions— Drainage  and  the  Influence  of  Mad  River — Dredging  of  the  River  and 
Tributary  Streams,  With  Resultant  Efifect  on  Land  Values — Notable  Flood 
of  1913  and  the  Damage  Created  Thereby — Streams  of  County  and  General 
Soil  Conditions — Valuable  Forest  Tracts — Aboriginal  Mounds  and  Other 
Evidences  of  Former  Presence  of  the  Mound  Builders — "Ludlow  Line"  and 
the  Confusion  It  Has  Created  in  Local  Surveys — Bit  of  Detail  With  Respect 
to   Israel  Ludlow. 

CHAPTER  III— COUNTY   ORGANIZATION _•_ 81 

Act  Erecting  the  County  of  Champaign — Confusion  Regarding  Original 
Bounds — Limits  of  County  Prior  to  1818 — Relation  to  Neighboring  Counties — 
Townships  of  Champaign  'County  and  First  Steps  in  Organization  of 
County — Location  of  the  County  Seat  and  Copy  of  the  Original  Agreement 
Providing  Land  for  the  Same — County  Finances  and  Summary  of  Report  of 
Transactions  of  the  Recorder — Indebtedness  and  Annual  Expenditures  of 
the  County — Population  Statistics  and  Some  Words  in  Conclusion. 

CHAPTER  IV— PUBLIC  BUILDINGS  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY 105 

Story  of  the  Development  of  the  Court  House  from  the  Days  When  Local 
Justice  Was  Administered  in  a  Log  'Cabin — Third  Court  House,  a  Part  of 
the  Present  Building,  and  Details  Regaraing  Changes  in  Original  Plans  and 
Delay  in  the  Occupancy  of  the  Edifice — Additions  to  the  Old  Building  and 
.  an  Enthusiastic  Editorial  Comment  on  the  Same — Development  of  Suitable 
Jail  Quarters  and  Details  Concerning  the  Erection  of  the  Present  Jail — 
County  Infirmary  and  a  Definite  System  of  Poor  Relief — County  Hospital, 
Children's  Home  and  the  Care  of  the  County's  Blind. 


CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  V— ROSTER  OF  COUNTY  AND  STATE  OFFICIALS 132 

Comparison  Made  Between  the  Number  of  Officials  Required  to  Serve  the 
Needs  of  the  People  of  Champaign  County  Today  and  the  Number  Required 
in  the  Days  of  the  Beginning  of  a  Social  Order  Here — List  of  the  Various 
County  Officials  and  of  the  State  Representatives  and  State  Senators  Since 
the  Organization  of  the  County  in  1805— Roster  of  Officials  Serving  the 
County  in  1917  and  a  Statement  of  the  Salary  Attaching  to  Each  of  These 
Offices. 

CHAPTER  VI— TOWNSHIPS   OF   CHAMPAIGN   COUNTY 145 

But  Eleven  Townships  in  the  County  Now,  Though  One  Hundred  Years 
Ago  it  had  TAventy-three — First  Three  Townships  Organized  by  Associate 
Judges,  Since  Which  Time  County  Commissioners  Have  Exercised  That 
Function — The  Eleven  Lost  Townships — Multiplicity  of  Township  Officials 
Under  the  Ohio  System  and  Some  Comment  Thereon — List  of  Township 
Officials  in  1917. 

CHAPTER  VII— MAD  RIVER  TOWNSHIP 150 

Named  for  the  River  Which  Flows  Through  it  from  North  to  South — 
Organized  in  1805  and  Later  Subjected  to  Boundary  Changes,  its  Original 
Bounds  Comprising  Practically  Half  of  the  County — First  Settler  and  Some 
Traditions  Handed  Down  Regarding  William  Owens — Arrival  of  Other 
Settlers  and  First  Election — Presence  of  Indians  a  Constant  Menace,  Leading 
to  the  Erection  by  the  Pioneers  of  a  Stockade — Difficulties  Confronting 
Pioneers — Predominance  of  Virginians  and  Important  "Factors  in  the  Early 
Settlement  of  the  Township — Erection  of  Mills  and  Creation  of  Various  Local 
Settlements,    Including  Westville,    Lochardsville   and   Terre   Haute. 

CHAPTER  VIII— SALEM  TOWNSHIP 172 

One  of  the  Three  Townships  Established  by  the  Associate  Judges  in  the 
Spring  of  1805 — Influence  of  the  "Ludlow  Line"  and  the  Transfer  of  Military 
Lands — Early  Surveyors  Face  a  Prolific  Source  of  Trouble^Drainage  and 
Topography — First  Settler  in  the  County  and  the  Story  of  Dugan  Run — 
Early  Appearance  of  "Squatters"  and  Details  of  Township  Organization — 
Incidents  of  Pioneer  Life  and  of  the  Difficulties  Faced  by  the  First  Settlers — 
Farming  Conditions  and  the  Advantage  of  Good  Roads — Creation  of  Settle- 
ments and  the  Establishment  of  Kingston,  or  Kings  Creek,  and  Kennard. 

CHAPTER  IX— CONCORD   TOWNSHIP 194 

Part  of  the  Original  Bounds  of  Mad  River  Township,  from  Which  it  Was 
Set  OS  in  1811 — Definition  of  Limits  of  Township  and  a  Story  of  the  First 
Election — First  Settlers  and  Some  Other  Early  Arrivals — Prevalence  of 
"Milk-Sickness" — Other  Incidents  Relating  to  the  Life  of  the  Pioneers — Dis- 
position of  School  Lands  and  Early  Confusion  in  Boundaries — Atrocious 
Deed  of  Redskins — Organization  of  Schools  and  Churches  and  the  Establish- 
ment of  Settlements,  Including  Heathtown,  Crayon,  or  Pekin,  and  Eris. 

CHAPTER  X— WAYNE  TOWNSHIP 213 

Part  of  the  Original  Township  of  Salem,  Organized  in  the  Spring  of  1805, 
from  Which  it  Was  Set  Ofif  Prior  to  1811,  the  Township  as  Now  Constituted 
Lying  Wholly  Within  the  Virginia  Military   Survey,   With  the   Exception   of 


CONTENTS. 

Various  Small  portions  in  the  Southwestern  Part  of  the  Township — Area  and 
Topography — "The  Line  of  Least  Resistance" — Old  Military  Surveys  and 
Original  Proprietors — Original  Poll-Book  Record  and  Early  Township 
Officials— Population  Statistics— Early  Settlers  and  Typical  Pioneer  Ex- 
periences—Organization of  Schools  and  Churches  and  Development  of 
Settlements,  Including  Those  of  Cable,  Mingo  and  Middleton. 

CHAPTER  XI— UNION  TOWNSHIP 248 

One  of  the  Townships  Crossed  by  the  Ludlow  Line  and  in  Consequence 
Part  of  its  Surveys  are  Very  Much  'Confused — Part  of  Salem  Township  Until 
Set  Off  from  the  Same  in  1811 — First  Election  and  Names  of  Electors — Early 
Settlers  and  the  Beginning  of  a  Social  Order — Confusion  Regarding  Original 
Surveys — Early  Industries  and  the  Creation  of  Settlements,  Including  Pollock 
Town,   Mutual  and   Catawba. 

CHAPTER  XII— URBANA  TOWNSHIP 261 

Definitely  Established  Some  Time  Between  1811  and  1814,  Though  Date  of 
Original  Organization  is  Not  Known— Drainage  and  Topography — First 
Election  and  Names  of  Electors — Early  Settlement  and  the  Creation  of  the 
County  Seat,  Which  Has  Maintained  Its  Own  Separate  Civic  Career — 
Limits  of  the  City  of  Urbana,  Which  is  the  Dominant  Factor  in  the  Town- 
ship— Village  of  Powhattan  and  Some  of  the  Early  Industries  that  Flourished 
There  in  the  Days  of  Water  Power. 

CHAPTER  XIII— GOSHEN  TOWNSHIP 267 

Lying  Entirely  Within  the  Virginia  Military  Survey,  the  Apparently  Hap- 
hazard Method  of  Laying  Out  Farms  and  Roads  is  Accounted  For — Drain- 
age and  Topography,  List  of  Original  Proprietors  and  Development  of  High- 
ways— One  of  the  First  Townships  in  the  County  to  Attract  Settlers  and 
Contains  the  Second  Oldest  Town  in  the  County,  Mechanicsburg — First 
Settler  to  Leave  any  Official  Record  of  His  Arrival  and  Some  Other  Early 
Pioneers — Platting  of  Mechanicsburg,  Early  Industries  and  Other  Local 
Settlements. 

CHAPTER  XIV— HARRISON  TOWNSHIP 278 

Smallest  Township  in  the  County  Was  Originally  a  Part  of  Mad  River 
Township  and  Did  Not  Acquire  its  Present  Limits  Until  1828 — Drainage 
and  Topography — Early  Settlers  and  Some  Interesting  Incidents  of  Pioneer 
Days — Aboriginal  Occupants  of  the  Land  Still  Present  in  Considerable  Num- 
bers When  the  Township  Was  Entered  by  Whites,  But  the  Redskins  Were 
Uniformly  Peaceful  and  Never  Troubled  the  Settlers — Early  Industries  and 
the  Establishment  of  the  Pleasant  Village  of  Spring  Hills,  Originally  Known 
as  Middleburg,  Which  W^as  Platted  in  1832. 

CHAPTER   XV— JACKSON   TOWNSHIP 288 

Part  of  the  Original  Township  of  Mad  River,  from  Which  it  Was  Set  Off 
in  1817  and  Named  in  Honor  of  the  Hero  of  the  Battle  of  Nev^^  Orleans — 
Boundaries,  Drainage  and  Topography  and  Natural  Resources — List  of 
Original  Landowners  and  the  Names  of  Some  of  Those  Who  Early  Became 
Identified  With  the  Life  and  Development  of  the  Township— Some  of  the 
Township  "Firsts,"   Including  a  Story  of  the   First  Merchant  at  Christians- 


CONTENTS. 

burg  and  Something  Relating  to  tlie  Founder  of  That  Town  and  to  the  Early 
Industries  of  the  Neighborhood — Railroads  and  Electric  Lines,  Changes  in 
Farming"  Methods  and  Something  About  the  Prosperous  'Creamery  at 
Thackery. 

CHAPTER  XVI— JOHNSON  TOWNSHIP 297 

Named  in  Honor  of  Silas  Johnson,  its  First  Permanent  Settler,  it  Was  Set 
Off  from  Concord  Township  When  Population  Warranted  the  Commission- 
ers in  Granting  a  Petition  for  a  Separate  Civic  Identity — Middle  Township 
of  the  Western  Tier  of  Townships  in  County  and  Contains  What  is  Regarded 
as  the  Highest  Point  in  the  State  of  Ohio — Drainage  and  Topography — ■ 
Evidences  of  the  Glacial  Period — Largest  Buckeye  Tree  in  the  State— Some 
of  the  First  Settlers  and  Stories  Relating  to  Pioneer  Conditions — Schools 
and  Churches — First  Commercial  Center  in  the  Township  and  the  Establish- 
ment of  the  Village  of  Millerstown. 

CHAPTER  XVII— RUSH  TOWNSHIP 310 

Originally  a  Part  of  Salem  Township,  Then  of  Wayne  Township,  and  Was 
Set  Ofif  as  a  Separate  'Civic  Unit  in  1828— Prevalence  of  the  Metes-and- 
Bounds  System  of  Survey  in  Consequence  of  Lying  Wholly  Within  the  Old 
Virginia  Military  Survey — Drainage  and  Topography — Original  Landowners 
and  Something  Relating  to  the  First  Settlers — List  of  Early  Voters  and  a 
Story  of  the  First  Election  Held  in  the  Township — Coming  of  the  Railroads — 
Early  Mills  and  the  Creation  of  Two  Social  Centers,  the  Villages  of  North 
Lewisburg  and  Woodstock. 

CHAPTER  XVIII— ADAMS  TOWNSHIP 320 

Last  Township  Organized  in  Champaign  County,  its  Civil  Organization 
Dating  from  1828 — Originally  a  Part  of  Mad  River  Township,  it  Later 
Became  a  Part  of  Johnson  Township  and  so  Remained  Until  it  Set  Up  in 
Business  for  Itself — Drainage  and  Topography — Coming  of  the  First  Settlers 
and  the  First  Record  of  Deed  to  Land  in  the  Township — Bad  Roads  Retard 
Settlement — Early  Mills  and  Milling — Organization  of  Schools  and  Churches 
and  the  Establishment  of  the  Villages  of  Carysville  and  Rosewood. 

CHAPTER  XIX— AGRICULTURE  334 

Comparison  of  the  Methods  of  Farming  Prevailing  During  the  Days  of  the 
Pioneers  and  Those  Which  Lessen  the  Labor  of  the  Farmer  Today — -Nature 
Indulgent  to  Champaign  County — A  Look  Into  the  Days  That  Are  Gone — 
Development  of  the  Crops  During  the  Past  Hundred  Years  and  More  and 
Some  Interesting  Statistics  Relating  to  the  Leading  Crops — Orchard  and 
Garden  Fruits — "Johnny  Appleseed" — The  Cattle  Industry  and  Points  Relat- 
ing to  Live  Stock  in  General — Interesting  Description  of  a  Hog  Drive  in  the 
Old  Days — Patrons  of  Husbandry  and  an  Enumeration  of  the  Granges  in 
the  County — County  Fairs  and  a  Story  Regarding  the  Work  of  the  Cham- 
paign County  Agricultural  Society. 

CHAPTER  XX— THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION 357 

Hardships  Endured  by  the  Followers  of  yEsculapius  During  the  Early  Days 
of  the  County's  Settlement  and  the  Close  Place  Occupied  by  the  Faithful 
Family   Physician   in   the    Homes   of  the    Pioneers — Swamps    and    Lowlands 


CONTENTS. 

Fruitful  Breeders  of  Disease  and  Fever  and  Ague  Proved  the  Scourge  of  the 
Early  Settlements— Every  Family  Had  its  Medicine  Chest  and  Roots  and 
Herbs  Were  Much  Relied  On— First  Physician  to  Locate  at  Urbana  and  a 
List  of  the  Physicians  of  Early  Record,  With  Biographies  of  Many  of  them^ 
County  Medical  Society  in  1917  and  a  List  of  Physicians  Now  Practicing 
in  the  County — County  Hospital  and  a  Word  Regarding  Various  Efforts  to 
Establish  Sanitariums  Here. 

CHAPTER  XXI— BENCH  AND   BAR 385 

Ubiquity  of  the  Lawyer  Consequent  on  Civilization's  Demands  for  His 
Services  as  an  Interpreter  of  the  Ten  Commandments — First  Follower  of 
the  Original  Moses  to  Locate  in  Champaign  County  Also  Was  Moses,  But 
His  Other  Name  Was  Corwin — Since  Then  Many  Lawyers  Have  Come  and 
Gone  and  an  Effort  Has  Been  Made  to  Compile  a  List  of  all  Who  Have 
Practiced  in  the  County  from  the  Very  Beginning  of  its  Civic  Entity  More 
Than  a  Hundred  Years  Ago — Judicial  System  Prior  to  1851 — First  Court  in 
the  County — Associate  Judges — Justices  of  the  Peace — Judges  of  the  Com- 
mon Pleas  Court — Probate  Court  and  the  Jurisdiction  Thereof — Prosecuting 
Attorneys,  the  First  of  Whom  to  Appear  in  This  County  Was  Arthur  St. 
Clair,  Son  of  the  Former  Governor  of  the  Northwest  Territory — Court 
Library  of  Champaign  County. 

CHAPTER  XXII— CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY  JOURNALISM 407 

Wherein  is  Found  an  Account  of  the  Various  Newspapers,  Past  and  Present, 
Which  Have  Been  Influential  in  the  Advancement  and  Development  of  Cham- 
paign County  Since  the  Days  of  the  Beginning — Many  Papers  of  Many 
Names  by  Many  Men — Files  of  Early  Papers  Missing,  Creating  a  Confusion 
of  the  Record,  But  it  is  Believed  That  all  the  Newspapers  That  Have 
Struggled  for  or  Established  an  Existence  Here  Have  Found  Mention  in  This 
Chapter. 

CHAPTER  XXIII^CHURCHES  OF  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY 430 

Importance  of  the  Church  as  an  Institution  in  Creating  Stable  Conditions  in 
the  Community — With  Their  Very  First  Bringings  the  Pioneers  of  Cham- 
paign County  Brought  With  Them  the  Seeds  of  the  Christian  Religion  and 
These  Seeds  Have  Sprouted  and  Flourished  Under  the  Faithful  Cultivation 
of  Those  Who  Came  After  Them — Comparison  of  the  Services  Held  During 
the  "Good  Old  Days"  With  Those  Held  Today— Interesting  Pen  Picture 
of  a  Pioneer  Church  Service — Camp  Meetings  of  Other  Days — List  of  the 
Active  Churches  in  Champaign  County  Today,  With  Brief  Histories  of  the 
Establishment  and  Progress  of  Most  of  Them. 

CHAPTER  XXIV— EDUCATION   530 

Gradual  Growth  and  Development  of  the  School  System  of  the  State  from 
the  Days  When  an  Acquaintance  With  the  Rudiments  of  the  Three  Rs 
Was  Regarded  as  a  Sufificient  Qualification  for  the  Teacher  and  a  Sufficiently 
Wide  Range  of  Knowledge  for  the  Pupil — Growth  of  the  Curriculum,  Con- 
solidation and  Centralization  of  Rural  Schools  and  the  Creation  of  the 
Present  Efficient  School  System — Normal  Schools — List  of  Present  Teachers 
in    County — Beginning   of   the    Common    School   and    Some    Early   Statistics 


CONTENTS. 

Relating-  Thereto — Review  of  Schools  by  Townships — Graduates  of  the 
Urbana  High  School — Moore's  Business  College — Urbana  University— Curry 
Institute. 

CHAPTER  XXV— LITERARY  CLUBS  AND  THINGS  THESPIAN 582 

Review  of  the  Various  Organizations  That  Have  Been  Organized  in  Cham- 
paign County  in  Response  to  the  Cultural  Demands  of  the  People,  Together 
With  a  List  of  Many  Who  Have  Tempted  Fame  or  the  Bubble  Reputation 
Before  the  Footlights  of  the  Stage  or  in  the  Tanbark  Arena  of  the   Circus. 

CHAPTER  XXVI— MUSIC  AND  ART  IN  CHAMPAIGN  COUNTY 597 

Herein  is  Found  a  Review  of  the  Numerous  Musical  Societies  That  Have  at 
One  Time  and  Another  Striven  to  Add  to  the  Pleasure  and  Entertainment 
of  the  People  of  Champaign  County,  Together  With  a  List  of  Those  Who 
Have  Striven  in  the  Difficult  Field  of  Art,  in  Which  Are  Found  the  Names 
of  Some  Who  Have  Achieved  More  Than  Local  Fame,  Including  One  of  the 
Greatest  Sculptors  America  Has  Ever  Produced  and  an  Artist  Whose  Work 
Was  Pronounced  by  Competent  Authorities  to  be  as  Fine  as  Had  Ever  Been 
Produced  in  This  Country. 

CHAPTER  XXVII— PATRIOTIC  ORGANIZATIONS 611 

Four  Posts  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  Several  Corps  of  the 
Woman's  Relief  'Corps,  an  Active  Chapter  of  the  Daughters  of  the  American 
Revolution,  Three  Camps  of  the  Sons  of  Veterans,  a  Woman's  Auxiliary  to 
the  Same  and  a  Command  of  the  Spanish-z\merican  War  Veterans  are  For- 
mally Banded  for  the  Purpose  of  Keeping  Alive  the  Sacred  Flame  of 
Patriotism  Within  the  Borders  of  Champaign  County. 

CHAPTER  XXVIII— FRATERNAL  AND  BENEVOLENT  ORGANIZATIONS  626 
Review  of  the  Various  "Lodges"  That  Have  Been  Formed  in  Champaign 
Count}'  Based  on  the  Noble  Instinct  of  a  Common  Brotherhood  of  Man, 
These  Organizations  Including  Such  Orders  as  Those  of  the  Masons,  the 
Odd  Fellows,  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men,  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks,  the  Knights  of  the  Maccabees,  the  Fraternal  Order  of  Eagles,  the 
Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  the  Knights  of  the  Golden  Eagle,  the  Knights  of 
Columbus,  the  Independent  Order  of  Foresters,  the  Junior  Order  of  Union 
Mechanics  and  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics. 

CHAPTER  XXIX— MILITARY  ANNALS 665 

Beginning  With  the  Expedition  of  General  Harmer  Against  the  Indians  in 
the  Mad  River  Country  in  1790,  Every  Generation  of  the  Dwellers  of  This 
Region  Has  Been  Stirred  by  War's  .-Xlarms  and  in  This  Chapter  There  is  Set 
Out  as  Faithfully  and  Accurately  As  May  Be  an  Account  of  Champaign 
County's  Part  in  These  Successive  Wars,  Including  the  Early  Brushes  With 
the  Aboriginal  Inhabitants  in  the  Days  of  the  Beginning  of  Settlement  here, 
the  War  of  1812,  the  Mexican  War,  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  the  Spanish- 
American  War  and  the  Present  Great  World  War,  the  Account  Carrying  the 
Names  of  Those  from  This  County  Who  Participated  in  the  Civil  War  and 
in  the  Spanish-American  War  and  a  List  of  Those  Who  Registered  for  the 
Selective  Draft  Upon  This  Country's  Declaration  of  War  Against  Germany 
in  the  Spring  of  1917. 


CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XXX— BANKS  AND  BUILDING  AND  LOAN  ASSOCIATIONS-  836 
Review    of   the    Old    Days    of    the    ''Shin-Plaster''    Currency,    "Tokens"    and 
"Sharp-Shins"'  and  a  History  of  the  Various  Banking  Institutions  That  Have 
Been  Founded  in  This  Country,  Together  With  Current  Statements  of  Those 
Now  Doing  Business  Here. 

'CHAPTER  XXXI— TRANSPORTATION:  HIGHWAYS  AND  RAILROADS___  855 
One    of   the    First    and    Most    Important    Problems    Confronting    the    Early 
Settlers  of  This  County  Was  the  Building  of  Roads  and  This   Chapter  Re- 
views the  Development  of  the  Transportation  Facilities  of  the  County  from 
the  Days  of  the  Beginning. 

CHAPTER  XXXII— WOODSTOCK  869 

History  of  the  Village  of  Woodstock  Traced  Back  Nearly  One  Hundred 
Years,  Including  a  Review  of  the  Labors  Necessitated  by  the  Desire  of  the 

Early  Settlers  Thereabout  for  an  Orderly  Social  Center. 

CHAPTER   XXXIII— CHRISTIANSBURG   891 

Herein  is  Found  a  Comprehensive  Review  of  the  History  of  the  Bustling 
Village  Situated  in  the  Southwest  Corner  of  the  County  from  the  Days  of 
Its  Beginning  When  Platted  by  Joshua  Howell  Back  in  the  Fall  of  1817  and 
Named  in  Honor  of  His  Old  Home  Town  in  Virginia. 

CHAPTER  XXXIV— NORTH  LEWISBURG 898 

This  Village  in  the  Northeastern  Corner  of  the  County  Was  Laid  Out  by 
Gray  Gary  in  the  Fall  of  1826  and  the  Historian  Has  Endeavored  to  Present 
a  Faithful  Review  of  its  Progress  and  Development  from  That  Day  to  This. 

CHAPTER  XXXV— MECHANICSBURG  913 

Bustling  Little  City  in  the  Southeastern  Part  of  the  Coimty,  Was  Laid  Out 
by  John  Kain  in  1814  and  in  This  Chapter  There  is  Set  Out  a  Review  of  the 
Progress  and  Development  of  the  Place  During  the  More  Than  One  Hundred 
Years  That  Have  Intervened  Since  Then. 

CHAPTER  XXXVI— ST.  PARIS 936 

David  Huffman,  Who  Platted  and  Founded  St.  Paris  in  the  Fall  of  1831, 
Designed  to  'Call  His  Village  "New  Paris,"  But  Another  Town  in  the  State 
Had  Prior  Claim  to  That  Name  and  He  Changed  the  "New"  to  "Saint"  and 
Under  That  Name  it  Has  Attained  a  Place  of  Importance  Commensurate 
With  its  Aspirations,  all  of  Which  is  Set  Out  in  This   Chapter. 

CHAPTER  XXXVII— URBANA,  THE  COUNTY  SEAT 948 

In  This  Chapter  There  Are  Set  Out  at  Length  Details  of  the  Founding  of 
the  City  of  Urbana,  the  Creation  of  the  County  Seat  of  Champaign  'County, 
the  Names  of  the  Men  Who  Took  a  Prominent  Part  in  the  Establishment  of 
the  City  and  of  Early  Settlers  Therein,  Together  With  a  Comprehensive 
History  of  the  Growth  and  Development  of  the  City  Along  Industrial,  Social, 
Cultural  and  Civic  Lines,  With  Fitting  Details  of  the  Various  Stages  Which 
Have  Marked  That  Growth. 


CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XXXVIII— CITIZENS  OF  A  PAST  GENERATION 1074 

Wherein  is  Set  Out  a  Roster  of  Some  of  the  Men  Known  Aforetime  in 
Champaign  County  Who  by  Virtue  of  Their  Talents  or  Superior  Attain- 
ments Rose  to  Positions  Exalting  Them  Above  the  Level  of  Mediocrity — 
Included  in  This  List  Are  Such  Names  as  Those  of  Joseph  Vance,  Former 
Governor  of  Ohio;  Simon  Kenton,  Pioneer  Explorer  and  Indian  Fighter, 
Who  Wrote  His  Name  Large  in  the  History  of  the  Middle  West;  William 
Ward,  the  Founder  of  Urbana,  and  Numerous  Others  Who  In  One  Way  or 
Another  Placed  This  Generation  Under  a  Debt  of  Obligation  to  Their 
Memories. 

CHAPTER  XXXIX— SIDELIGHTS;  OR  LIFE  IN  OTHER  DAYS 1109 

In  Which  Concluding  Chapter  the  Historian  Has  Assembled  a  Number  of 
Anecdotes,  Some  Grave  and  Some  Gay,  But  All  Interesting  and  Illuminative 
of  Conditions  in  the  Days  Now  Long  Gone,  the  Collection  Setting  Out  in 
Various  Ways,  for  the  Instruction,  Edification  and  Entertainment  of  Readers 
of  the  Present  Generation  a  General  Picture  of  Life  Among  the  Pioneers  of 
Champaign  County,  as  Well  as  Numerous  Points  of  Interest  That  Could 
Not  Well  be  Touched  on  in  the  Chapters  That  Have  Preceded  This. 


HISTORICAL  INDEX 


A 

Abandonment   of   Rural    Schools 531 

Aboriginal   Earthworks   71 

Acetylene-gas  Plant  "Lets  Go" 333 

Act    Establishing    Count}^ 81. 

Active  Churches  in  County 433 

Active  In  Friends  Church  Work 230 

Actors  Reared  In  Champaign  Coun- 
ty     587 

Adventurous  'Career,  An 375 

Adams  Township — 

Arrivals  During  the  '30s 327 

Boundaries    of 320 

Carysville    328 

Drainage  and  Topography 320 

Early    Industries 323 

Early   Settlement    Retarded 323 

First   Settlers 320 

Origin  of  Name 321 

Rosewood    331 

Schools  and  Churches 328,  538 

Tragic   Campaign    Rally 330 

When   Organized 320 

African   M.   E.   Church 469 

x\griculture   334 

Agricultural    Statistics 350 

Altitude,  Highest  In  State 297 

Amusements  of  the  Pioneers 1113 

Ancient    Mystery    Unexplained 255 

Anti-War    Spirit    In    1861 686 

Arions    Glee    Club 599 

Art    and    Artists 597,  603 

Assassination  of  President  Lincoln.  802 

Associated    Charities    of   Urbana 829 

Associate   Judges    393,  394 

Atrocious  Deed  of  Redskins 202 

"A   Wild,    Reckless    People" 317 

B 

Bad    Roads     Retard    Settlement 323 

Baldwin    Mound,    The 74 


Banking  In  the  Old  Days 836 

Banks  of   Champaign   County 836-854 

Banes,    Dr.    Evan 363 

Baptist    Churches 475-489 

Barret,  Abner 274 

Battle    of    Fallen    Timbers 34 

Battle    of    Tippecanoe 33 

Baxter,    Stephen 622 

Bench  and  Bar,  The 385-406 

Beginning    of    Common    School 536 

Benevolent  Organizations 625-664 

Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 

Elks 655 

Big    Four    Railroad 864 

Birth    and    Death    Statistics 102 

Blind  of  Champaign  County 129 

Blockhouses    of    Pioneer    Period 668 

Boy    Commits    Suicide 284 

Boy  Scouts 934 

Boundaries  of  Champaign  County 62 

Boundary    Lines    of    State 60 

Bounties    Paid   Soldiers 790,  797 

Brand,  William  A 411,  618,  753,  1059 

Bridges,  Heavy  Expense  for 855 

Bridges    Over    Mad    River 66 

Breeding    of    Better    Live    Stock 345 

Brown,   'C.    R . 604 

Buckeye    Tree,    Largest    In    State__  299 

Building  and  Loan  Associations 836 

Burden's  Sharpshooters 750 

Burnside,    William 273 

Byrd,  Charles  Willing 39 

C 

Cable,    Village    of i 239 

Camping  Ground  for  Indians 254 

Camp  Meetings  of  Other  Days__ 

432,  446,  472,   1136 

Canal   Grants,   the 56 

Career   Altered   by   Shipwreck 359 

Carysville,    Village    of 328 

Catawba 260 


HISTORICAL   INDEX. 


Catholic    Churches 513,    521 

Cattle     Industry,    The 345 

Centenarians  of  Champaign  County,  1141 

Centennial,   County 1154 

Centralized    Schools 532,    547 

Champaign  County  In  War 665,  835 

Champaign    County    In    World    War 

812-835 

Champaign  County  Journalism 407 

Champaign    Sanitarium    382 

Chance,  Frank 1104 

Chapman,  Jonathan 343 

Characteristic  "Obituary" 415 

Charities,  Associated,  of  Urbana 829 

Chautauqua 927 

Cheney,    Benjamin _ 251 

Chicken  Fanciers 350 

Children's   Home,  The 126 

Chillicothe,    Old    Capital 47 

Chipmuck  Consumes  Mill's  Product-  293 

Christian   Churches    503-507 

Christianity  In  Champaign  County__  433 
Christiansburg,   Village    Of — 

Business   Interests 895 

Indian    "Medicine    Men" 892 

Incorporation  of 893 

McCrea's   Store 891 

Postoffice,  The 896 

Schools 541,  893 

Some  "Firsts" 894 

When    Platted 891 

Churches  of  Champaign   County 430 

Church   of   the    New   Jerusalem 525 

Cider    Press   a    Busy    Industry 256 

Cincinnati,    Founding    of 53 

Circus    Life   Proves   Attractive 593 

City    of    Mechanicsburg 913-935 

City  of  St.   Paris 936-947 

City  of  Urbana     948-1073 

•Civil  War,  The 628-798 

Clifford,     Billy    "Single" 588 

Climatic  Conditions 62 

Clothing    of    the    Pioneers 1109 

Coal    Mine    "Fizzled    Out" 239 

Colored    Baptist    Church 480 

Colored  Secret  Societies 662 

Columbus,   Selected  as   Capital 48 

Common    Pleas    Court 394 

Communities  Stripped  of  Young  Men  744 


Company  D,  Third  Regiment,   Ohio 

National  Guard 806-811,  826,  827 

Comparison  With  "Good  Old  Days"  430 
Concord  Township — 

Churches    and    Cemeteries 208 

Confusion  In  Boundaries 200 

Crayon   210 

Eris  211 

Favorite   Ground   of   Indians 202 

First    Electors 195 

First  Schools 205 

First   Settlers 196 

Heathstown    209 

Limits    of 194 

Northville    208 

Origin   of  Name 194 

Schools    539 

When  Organized 194 

Congress  Lands,  the 55 

Connecticut  Reserve,  the 54 

Conscription    Act    of    1917 812 

Consolidated   Schools 532,    547 

Constitution,  Amendments  of  1912__     60 

Cooley,   James 1093 

Co-operative    Efforts   Among   Farm- 
ers    353 

Corn  Dropped  by  the  Wayside 279 

Corwin,   Moses   B 385,  389,  408 

County  Agricultural    Society 354 

County  and  State  Officials 132 

County  Auditors,    Roster    of 133 

County  Clerks,    Roster    of 132 

County  Expenditures 97 

County  Fairs  353 

County  Farm  in  1847 123 

County  Finances 92 

County  Hospital,  The 124 

County  Infirmary,    The    121-126 

County  Jail 114-120 

County  Limits    Defined 81 

County  Medical  Society 362 

County  Officials   132 

County  Organization    (1788-1810)  — _     43 

County  Organization 81 

County  Population    Statistics 99 

County  Recorders,  Roster  of 134 

County  Seat    Site    Selected 90,    948, 

County     Surveyors,    Roster    of 136 

Count}'  Teachers'    Institute 534 


HISTORICAL   INDEX. 


County  Treasurers,  Roster  of '.-  133 

County's    First    Settler 151,  177 

County's  Indebtedness 96 

County's   Public    Buildings 105 

Court    House 105-114 

Court    Library,    The 405 

Courts    of   the    Older   Day 391 

Cowgill,  Br.  Thomas,  Reminiscences 

of 1118 

Crayon    210 

Creation    of    Early   Counties 84 

Creation  of  Mad  River  Township 150 

Crimville   276 

Creamery    and    Dairy    Statistics 346 

Creamery  at  Thackery 296,  346 

Crop   Development    Reviewed 336 

Curious  Topographical  Study 297 

Currency  In   Pioneer  Times 836 

Curriculum    of    Early    Schools 530 

Curry    Institute 576,  926 

Curry,   Prof.   E.  W.   B 579,  926 

Cushman,    Warren    S 598,  605 

D 

Dairy    Statistics 346 

Dancing  Encroaches  On  Church 317 

Darnell,    Village    of 896 

Daughters  of  American  Revolution-  612 
Daughters  of  Rebekah__643,  645,  648,  650 

Daughters  of  Pocohontas 656 

Davis,  Rev.  Asher  A 871 

Dedication  of  Soldiers'  Monument—  805 

Deeds    and    Mortgages    Filed 95 

Destructive   Flood  of  1913 65 

Detroit,     Toledo     &     fronton     Rail- 
road   867 

Deuel,  Prof.  A.  C 560,  800,  1136 

Development   of   Crops 336 

Development  of  Highways 271 

Devoe,  W.  M. 604 

Diary    of    James    T.    Woodward 706 

Difficulties    Confront    Pioneers 157 

Difficulties  in  Immigration 317 

Disposition    of    School    Lands 200 

Distillery   Did    Big   Business 276 

Division   of   1800 41 

Doctors    of    the    Old    Days 358 

Dohrman's  Grant 56 

Doolittle's  Tavern,  Site  of 614 


Dormant   Churches  In   County 434 

Dorsey,    Charles 289 

Drafting  Soldiers   for  World  War-_  813 

Drainage,  63,  151,  176,  213,  250,  261,  270, 

278,  288,  297,   311,   320 

Dreamed  Name  for  a  Church 481 

Dredging  Increases  Land  Values 65 

Dredging  of  King's   Creek 65 

Dredging    of    Mad    River 64 

Dress  of  the  Pioneers 1112 

Dugan  Run,  or  Town   Branch 67,   177 

Dugan,    Pierre 178 

E 

Early   Activities   of   Militia 667,  679 

Early   Agricultural    Methods 335 

Early   Counties   of   Ohio 84 

Early  Doctors,  a   List  of 360 

Early    French    Settlements 34 

Early  Judicial   System 390 

Early  Roads  of  Champaign  County.  858 

Early  School  Curriculum 530 

Early  School   Statistics 537 

Early  Social   Centers 537 

Early  Sunday  School 447 

Editor   Waxes   Enthusiastic 112 

Education    530 

'"Egged"  a  Drunken  Mob 876 

Eichelberger,    Robert   A 598,  604 

Eighty-Sixth  Regiment 705 

Electric    Railways    867 

Elementary   Schools    552 

Eleven    Lost    Townships,    The 145 

Elliott,  a   "Dream  Town" 306 

English  Traders 35 

Era  of  Prosperity  94 

Eris    211 

Episcopal  Churches 512-513 

Evangelical  Lutheran  Churches 496-501 

Evidences  of  Glacial  Period 298 

Evidences  of  Mound  Builders,  71,  186,255 

Exhibits  of  Farm  Products 353 

Expenditures    of   County 97 

F 

Fair    Grounds 354 

Fallen   Timbers,   the   Battle   of 34 

Fame  Courted  by  Many 591 


HISTORICAL   INDEX. 


Farming  in  the   Old   Days 335 

Farming  Methods,  Changes  In__296,  335 

Father   of  Thirty-two   Children 198 

Files  of  Early  Papers  Missing 408 

Finances    of   County 92 

Fire   of   1901   at   Urbana 1037 

First   Bank  in   County 837 

First  Blacksmith  Shop  in  County —  273 

First     Court    House 105 

First  'Court  in  the  County 391 

First  Jail 114 

First  Lawyer  in  County 385 

First  Newspaper  in  County 408 

First  Orchard  in  County 292 

First  Regiment 691 

First  School  House  in  County 205 

First  Settler  in  County 151,  177 

First    Surveys    Zl 

Fithian,  George 81,  89, 

140,  391,  593,  950,  631,  1116 

Flood  of  1913,  the 65 

Foley-Wilkinson    Fracas,    the 203 

Food   of  the    Pioneers 1110 

Forage    Crops   340 

Forests  of  Champaign   County 70 

Formation  of  New  State 45 

Forty-fifth    Regiment    697 

Forty-Second    Regiment   696 

Founder  of  Christiansburg 292 

Founder  of  Westville 161 

Fraternal    Order   of   Eagles 661 

Fraternal    Organizations    626-664 

Free  and  Accepted  Masons 629-642 

Free    Public    Schools,    Organization 

of  556 

Freed   Sla^•es   Become   Settlers 185 

French   and   Indian   War 35 

French    Grant,   The 53 

French  Traders 33 

Friends  Church 521-524 

"Frog  Pond,"  Old  Mechanicsburg 915 

Ft.   Robinson  283 

Ft.  Sumter,  Fall  of 688 

"Fuson"  Corn,  Origin  of 279 

Fyffc,    Rear  Admiral   Joseph 1098 

G 

Garden    Fruits   and    Orchards 342 

General  Harmar's  Expedition 665 


Geology  of   Champaign  'County 62 

German    Baptist    Church 479 

German    Lutheran  'Church 501 

Girty,   Simon   1083 

Gist,   Christopher   35 

Glacial    Period,    Evidences    of 298 

Good  Indian  Story 303 

Goshen  Township — 

Drainage    gnd    Topography 270 

Development   of   Highways ._  271 

Early  Industries 275 

Local  Settlements   276 

Mills  on  Treacle  Creek 275 

Original   Proprietors 267 

Part  of  Military  Survey 267 

Platting  of  Mechanicsburg 274 

Schools    539 

Some  Early  Settlers 272 

When    Organized   272 

Gourdville    210 

Governors  of  Ohio 58 

Gowey,    John    Franklin 1106 

Graduates  of  Urbana  High  School--  562 

Grand  Army  of  the   Republic 618-623 

Grange,   The    351 

Granite    Boulders    Pay   Well 299 

Graves    of   Revolutionary    Soldiers__  617 

Great   World   War 812-835 

Green,  David  M 965,  1149 

"Greenville  Line,"  The 82 

Greenville  Treaty,  The 80 

Growth  of  School  Curriculum 531 

Guthridge,  Jules  1107 

Guthridgc,    Mrs.    Mary 223 

H 

Hallar,   Rev.   William 1103 

Hamilton,  John 1091 

Harmonic   Quartette   601 

Harrison   Township — 

Apprehension  Regarding  Indians.-  283 

Boundaries  of 278 

Drainage   278 

Early  Industries 284 

Early  Settlers   279 

Ft.   Robinson  283 

Pioneer  Incidents 283 

Schools    540 

Spring   Hills 285 

When  Organized  278 


HISTORICAL   INDEX. 


Harrison,  William  Henry 39 

Hazelton,  a  "Paper"  Town 193 

Heathtown    209 

Hidden  Treasure  1122 

Hides  Money  in  Stump 321 

"High  Cost  of  Living" 93 

Higlrest  Point  in  State 297 

High   School  Work 558,  559 

Highway  Act,   Cass,   The 860 

Highways    and    Railroads 855-868 

Highways    Gradually    Developed 271 

Hill,    Joseph    196 

History  of  Churches  in  County__430-529 

Hitc,    Harrison   603 

Hog    Drive,    Description    of 347 

Hoisington,    Fred    B 1161 

Holmes  Literary   Club 587 

Holt,    Mrs.   Sophia   Sumner 870 

Home  of  One-Time   Governor 181 

lionest  Surveyor's   Graceful  Act 175 

Honesty   of   Pioneers 283 

Honor  Roll  of  Champaign  County__  753 

Horses,    Improved    Strains    of 344 

Hospital  Statistics  124 

Howard  Weaver  Mission,  The 524 

Howell,  Joshua 292,  891,  894 

Hubbell,  Raymond  593,  597 

Hull's  Army  Camps  at  Urbana 671 

Hull's  Trace 187 

Hupp,  Mrs.  O.  C,  Reminiscence  of_^  920 

I 

"I    Am    the    Newspaper" 407 

Inijnigration    Difficulties    317 

Improved  Order  of  Red  Men 655 

Improved  Strains  of  Horses 344 

Improvements  in  School  System 550 

Indebtedness   of   Count}' 96 

Indenture  System,  The 121,   1127 

Independence,   War  for 36 

Independent  Order  of  Foresters 662 

Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows 

642-65 1 

Indiana    Territory    41 

Indian  "Scare"  in  Harrison 283 

Indian    Wars    44 

Indians  a  Constant  Menace 155 

Indians   Kill   Father  and   Son 202 

Industries   of   Urbana 991-1025 

Infirmary,  or  ''Poor   House" 121 


Influence  of  National  Road 233 

Inter-County  Highways 861 

Iroquois    Grant,    The 35 

J 

Jackson  Township — 

Creamery    Industrj-   296 

Drainage    and    Topography 285 

First  Settlers  289 

Founder    of    Christiansburg 292 

Original   Landowners   289 

Origin   of  Name 288 

Pioneer    Incidents    293 

Railroads   and   Trolley   Lines 295 

Schools    541 

Some  Township  "Firsts" 293 

When   Organized   288 

Jail 114-120 

"Johnny  Appleseed"   343 

Johnson,  Silas  300 

Johnson  Township — 

Drainage  and  Topography 297 

Early  Industries 306 

First    Commercial    Center 306 

First  Settlers 300 

Highest   Point  in   State 297 

Millerstown    308 

Pioneer  Incidents 302 

Origin  of  Name 297 

Schools    and    Churches 307,  542 

Smallpox  Scourges   Pioneers 303 

When  Organized  297 

Journalism 407-429 

Judges  of  Probate  Court -.,^^403 

Judiciary,  The 390 

Junior    Order    of    Ignited    American 

Mechanics  658 

lustices   of  the   Peace 389 


Kennard,   Village   of 192 

Kenton,    Simon    115,  392,  608,  1080 

Kings   Creek,  Dredging  of 65 

Kings   Creek,  Village   of 191 

Kingston,  or  Kings  Creek 191 

Kizer,   Squire  Joseph 304 

Knights    of    Columbus 659 

Knights   of  the   Golden    Circle 685 

Knights  of  the   Golden   Fleece 662 


HISTORICAL   INDEX. 


Knights  of   Maccabees 661 

Knights   of  Pythias 651-655 

Knights  Templar 634 

Kosko   Elcne,  the  "Hogman" 151 

L 

Lakes   of   Another    Day 261,  270 

Land  Grants  of  Ohio 52 

Land  Surveys,  System  of 2>1 

Land  Values  Inaccurately  "Guessed"  291 
Land  Values  Increased  by  Dredging     65 

Largest  Buckeye  Tree  in  State 299 

LaSalle,    the    Explorer 33 

Law   Defining  a    Blind   Person 129 

Laws  Relating  to  Schools 533 

Lawyers  of  Champaign  County--385-406 

Lawyers  Taxed  in  Old  Days 388 

Leedom,   John   S 1104 

Legal  Profession,  The 385-406 

Liberty   Loan,   The 812 

Library,   Public,  at  Urbana 1062 

Limits   of  County  Defined 81 

Lincoln's  Assassination 802 

Lincoln's      Funeral      Train      Passes 

Through  Champaign    County —  803 

List  of  Churches  in  County 433 

Literary  Clubs  of  Champaign  County  582 

Lives  Lost  in  Civil  War 753 

Live  Stock  in   Champaign   County.-  344 

Locating  Site  of  County  Seat 90,  948 

Lochardsville 167 

Lodge      Directory      of      Champaign 

County  627 

Logan,  Chief  of  the  Mingos 1084 

Looking   Ahead   to   2017 532 

Lost  Townships  of  County 145 

"Love   Apples"   337 

Low   Tax   Rate 9S 

Loyal  Order  of  "Moose 657 

Ludlow,  Israel 79 

•'Ludlow  Line,"  The 76 

Lutheran   Churches   496-501 

l.ynchings 1143 

M 

Machachee  Creek 67 

Mad   River,   The 63 


Mad   River  Township — 

Boundary   Changes    150 

Churches    167 

Date  of  Organization 150 

Difificulties   of   Pioneers 157 

First   Election   151 

First  Settler  of 151 

Lochardsville   167 

Xettle   Creek  Settlement 160 

Pioneers  of  Note 162 

Schools    542 

Some  of  the  "P'irsts" 164 

Terre  Haute  169 

The   Old  Stockade 154 

Westville    Neighborhood 161.  168 

Marietta,  Old  Capital 47 

Martin,   Erastus    877 

Masonic    Organizations    629-642 

Mathematician  of  Note 207 

Maumee  Road  Lands,  The ^  56 

Mechanicsburg,  City  of — 

Bit   of   Reminiscence 920 

City  Government 929 

Development  of 914 

Early   Industries   916,  928 

Early  Known  as  ''Frog  Pond" 915 

Mimicipal  Equipment 921 

Organization   and    Incorporation...  916 

Pioneer  Conditions   __., 913 

Schools   540,  923 

When  Platted 913 

Medical  Profession.  The 357 

Medicinal   Waters   70 

Tslennonite  Church 528 

Methodist   Episcopal   Churches- -_435-472 

Methodist   Protestant   Church 473 

Mexican   Imbroglio  of   1916-17 810 

Mexican   War,   The 681 

Miami    Company,   The 53 

Middleton.    Capt.    George    S 

388,  401,  811.  826,  829 

Middleton,  Judge  Evan  Perry 396 

Middletown,   Village   of ___  245 

Military    Annals    665-835 

Military  Headquarters  at  Urbana.-.  678 

Military  Lands,  The,  54,  173.  214,  248.  267 

Military  Record  of  State SO 

Militia   Companies  Since  Civil  War-  806 

Militia's    Earlv    Activities 667 


HISTORICAL   INDEX. 


-Milk-Sickness"    198 

Millerstown,   Village    of 306,  308 

Mill  Streams.  270,  27S,  284.  294,  319,  323 

Mingo,   Village   of 242 

"Mingo    vs.    Kennard" 1138 

Ministerial  Lands,  the 57 

Modernization  of  Schools 550 

Modern  Woodmen  of  America 660 

Molly  Kiser,  Captivity  of 183 

Moore's  Business  College 566 

Moravian  Grant,  The 56 

Morecraft,  Mrs.  Hester 228 

Mortgages  and  Deeds  Filed 95 

Mosgrove,  Dr.  Adam 359.  512 

Mosquitoes,  Abundance  of 298 

Mound    Builders    71,  186 

Mounds  of  Chamjiaign  County 

71.  186,  255 

Moved   Goods   on    Sled 232 

Moving-Picture  Houses 595 

Mulberry,  Old  Mingo 242 

Multiplicity  of  Ofncials 146 

Musical  Organizations   597 

Music  and   Art   597 

Mutual,  Village  of 258 

Mc 

McCrea,   William   293,  891,  896 

McDargh,  Charles 1151 

McFarland,    Robert    195,  201 

McFarland,   Thomas    Sims 1105 

McGown,  William 594.  1151 

N 

Nashville 276 

National    Army    813 

Natural   Gas   70 

Nature  Indulges  Champaign   County  334 

Negroes    Barred   by    Pioneers 166 

Nettle   Creek  Settlement 160 

New   Church    Society 523 

New  State,   Formation  of 45 

Newspaper     "Obituarj'''      Extraordi- 
nary   415 

Newspapers    of    Champaign    County 

407-42W 
Xiles  Sanitarium 38.'i 


Ninety-fifth    Regiment 731 

Nobles  of  the  Mj'stic  Shrine 636 

Normal   School  534 

North    Lewisburg,    Village    of — 

Business   Directory   911 

Conditions  in  1836 904 

Incorporation  of 898 

Municipal   Equipment   899,  902 

Notable    "Revival"    Meeting 907 

Officially  Not  "North" 898 

Postoflice    902 

Schools   544,  900 

Situation  in  1850 906 

When   Platted   898 

.Northville    208 

Northwest    Territory    33,  39,  42 

Notable  Fight  of  Other  Days 203 

Notable  -'Revival"  of  1882 907 

O 

( )akdale     Cemetery 1049 

Oats,   Rye  and   Buckwheat 339 

Odd  Fellowship ___642-65l 

Officers'  Training  Camp 825 

Officials  of  Champaign  County 132 

Officials    of    Townships 146 

Ohio  Admitted  to  the  Union 46 

Ohio  Company,  The 35 

Ohio   Conference,   Organization  of_-  439 

Ohio    Governors   58 

Ohio  Land  Company  Purchase 52 

Ohio  Politics 58 

Ohio  State  History ?>?> 

Ohio's  Constitution 48 

Ohio's   Part  in   Civil   War 688,  750 

Oil   Wells   70 

■•O.  K."  Origin  of 1130 

"Old  Simon."  Faithful  Equine 305 

Old-Time  "Revival"  Meetings_--460,  907 

Old  Union   Hall 589 

Olla  Podrida  Club 586 

One   lUuidred  and  Thirteenth   Regi- 
ment    738 

r)nc     Hundred     and     Thirty-Fourth 

Regiment 743 

( )rchard  and.  Garden  Fruits 342 

Orchard,  First  in  Countj' 292 

Order  of  the  Eastern  Star 641 


HISTORICAL  INDEX. 


Order  of  Haymakers 657 

Ordinance  of  1787,  The Z7 

Organization  of  Adams  Township--  320 
Organization   of   Champaign   County    81 

Organization   of  Churches   430 

Organization   of   Concord   Township  194 

Organization  of  Goshen  Township--  266 

Organization  of  Harrison  Township  278 

Organization  of  Jackson   Township-  288 

Organization  of  Johnson  Township-  297 

Organisation  of  Rush  Township 310 

Organization   of  Salem  Township, 

172,  181 

Organization  of  Union  Township —  248 

Organization  of  Urbana  Township-.  261 

Organization  of  Wayne  Township--  212 

Original   Proprietors,   Lists   of,   173,  214, 

248,  268,  289,  310 

Origin  of  Urbana's  Name 948 

Owens,  WilHam 151,  177 

Oxen,  Their  Use  in  Old  Days 344 

P 

Painting   and    Sculpture 598 

Panic   Among   Settlers 283 

Passing  of  the   Rural   School 531 

Past  and  Present  Compared 430 

Patrick,    Judge    William 262,  264. 

671,  686,  951,  993,  1087,  1096 

Patriarchs    Militant   646,  647,  649 

Patriotic    Organizations    611-625 

Patrons  of  Husbandry 351 

Paupers,  List  of  in  1847 124 

Pennsylvania  Railroad 866 

Pensions  for  County's   Blind 130 

Physicians  of  Champaign   County 

357,  382 

Pythian  Sisters 652,  653.  654 

Pigs,  the  Story  of 346 

Pioneer   Church    Burned 486 

Pioneer    Church    Service 431 

Pioneer     Conditions     at     Mechanics- 
burg    913 

Pioneer  Farmer's    Difficulties    334 

Pioneer   Outwits   Redskin 303 

Pioneers  Bar  Negro  Settlers 166 

Pioneers    Menaced   by    Indians 155 

Platting  of   Christiansburg 891 

Platting  of  Spring  Hills 285 


Platting  of  Woodstock 869.  874 

Plumbers'  Union  at  Urbana 662 

"Plumed  Knight"  Glee   Club 600 

Politics   in    Ohio 58 

Poll  Rooks  of  Old  Days 151,  182,  216, 

250,  262,  315 

Pollock  Town   257 

Pontiac's  Conspiracy 36 

Poor  Rehef,  System  of 122 

Population  Statistics 99 

Porter's    Band   601 

Postofifice  Statistics 1147 

Potatoes  and   Minor   Crops 33<> 

Poultry  Culture 349 

Powhattan,    Village   of 266 

Prehistoric   Evidences 71,  186 

Presbyterian   Churches  489-496 

Present  School   System 533 

Present  'County  Officials 143 

Pretty,  Prairie   261 

"Prison    Bounds"    116 

Probate    Court,    The 402 

Prosecuting  Attorneys 404 

Prosperity,   Era  of 94 

Public  Building  of  County 105 

Public   Utilities   of  Urbana 102^. 

Q 

Quebec   Act,   The 36 

Queer  Way  to  "Save"   Sinners 90H 

R 

Race    Suicide    Not    Encouraged 202 

Railroads  and  Transportation 855-868 

Rally  Ends  in  Tragedy 330 

Recollections  of  a  Pioneer 22?i 

Recorder's    Transactions    95 

Red  Cross  Work  in   1917 828.  831 

Refugee    Tract,    The 55 

Reformed    Church    502 

Regiments  from  This  County  in  Civil 

War    684,  751 

Registrants   for  Selective  Draft— 813,  824 

Related    State     History 33-61 

Relation   to   Neighboring   Counties 85 

Religious  Life  in   County 430 

Reminiscence  of  1836 901 

Reminiscence  of  1850 906 


HISTORICAL  INDEX. 


Reminiscence  of  Doctor  Cowgill lil8 

"Revival"  Meetings  in  Old  Days-460,  907 

Revolutionary  Soldiers'   Graves- 617 

Revolutionary  War  Period-- — 36 

Reynolds,  Judge  John 67,  132, 

177,  391,  394,  675,  838,  950,  1058,  1090 

Rival    Republican    Newspapers 413 

Roads  and  Roadmaking 856 

Roberts,  Mound,   The 72 

Roll  of  Honor,  The 753 

Room  for  Religious   Improvement--  431 

Rosewood,  Village  of 331 

Roster  of   Lawyers 386 

Roster   of   Physicians 376 

Roster  of  School  Teachers 534 

Royal  Arch   Masons 633 

Rural  Education.  History  of 530 

Rural   Mail  Delivery 1148 

Rural    Population    Declining 235 

liural  Schools,  Development  of 531 

l-iush  Township — 

Boundaries  of 310 

Coming  of  Railroads 318 

Coming   of   Virginians 314 

Drainage  and  Topography 311 

Early  Election 315 

Early  Industries 319 

Early  Settlement 312 

l="irst   Grist-mill   313 

Group  of  Early  Settlers   317 

Original  Proprietors 310 

Schools    543 

"The    Crossing"    313 

Two  Social  Centers 316 

When  Organized   310 

Russell.  John 1099 

S 

Salaries   of   County   Officials 143 

Salaries  of  Teachers 534 

Saloon,   the    Passing   of 1056 

"Saint  of  the   Diocese" 519 

Salem  Township — 

Changes  of  Boundary 172 

Drainage    176 

Early   Religious   Activities 186 

(•'arming   Conditions   190 

I'irst   Election    182 

First  School  House— -_ 187 


First  Settler ^^.177 

Hazleton    — —  193 

Kennard 192 

Kingston   — — 191 

Military    Land    Survey 173 

Organization  of 181 

Original  Landowners 173 

Pierre  Dugan 178 

Home  of  Governor 181 

Railroads  —  190 

Schools    544 

Some  Early  Settlers 184 

Some    "Firsts" 189 

"Squatters"    180 

Story  of  Dugan  Run 177 

When   Organized   — - —  172 

Salt  Sections  57 

Sanitariums    382 

Saxton,  Joshua  — 408,  411,  618,  686 

School   Attendance   Declining 537 

School  Examiners  Sadly  Deficient--  530 

School  Sections,  The_-_ 57 

Schools  of  Champaign  County 530 

School  Population  of  County 103 

School  Statistics 552 

School  System  of  Today 533 

Scottish    Rite    Masonry 635 

Second  County  Jail . 116 

Second  Court  House 105 

Second  Regiment 691 

Second  Town  Founded  in   County--  271 

Secret  of  Longevity  199 

Secret-  Societies    626-664 

Selective   Draft  of  1917 813 

Settlers   During  the   '30s— 327 

Settlers  in  a  Panic 283 

Settlers  Poor  Judges  of  Land 291 

Settlers'    Precarious    "Bank" 321 

Sewage — Disposal  Plant  at  Urbana-1039 

Shakers,  The 528 

Sheep,  Variable  History  of 349,  1139 

Sheriffs  of  Champaign  County 135 

Shipwreck  Alters  Doctor's   Career—  359 

Shockey,    Abram    158 

Sidelights  On  Life  in  Other  Days 

1109-1161 

Sibley,  Warren  D 872 

Sixty-sixth   Regiment   700 

Skeletons  Provide  a  Mystery . 255 


HISTORICAL    INDEX. 


Smallpox  Scourges  Pioneers 301 

Smith,  Joseph   P 1101 

Social  'Centers  in  Rush 316 

Society  of  Friends,  or  Quakers--521-524 

Society's   Best   Investment 550 

Sodom  Campmeeting  Ground 472 

Soil  of  Champaign  County 69 

Soldier  Relief  During  Civil  War 78^) 

Soldier  Relief  in  1917 798 

Soldier's   Diary   706 

Soldiers    from   This    County   in    Civil 

War 683 

Soldiers'    Monuments    614,  803,  930 

Sons  of  Veterans 624 

Spanish-American  War  807 

Spanish-American  War  Veterans 625 

Spectacular  Campaign   of  1840 330 

Spinning  Wheels.  Manufacture  of —  295 

Spring   Hills,   Village   of 285 

"Squatters"   Early  On   the   Ground--   180 

Squirrels  in   Hordes 183 

St.    Cecelia    Reading    Circle 587 

St.   Clair,   Gen.    Arthur 3') 

St.   Paris,  City   of— 

Additions    to    93') 

Business    Director}-    944 

Industries  945.  947 

Municipal    Improvements   940 

Name,  Alteration  of 936 

Old    Business    Directory 943 

Postofficc    937 

,    Schools    542,  937 

When   Platted   936 

Stage    Coach    Company 1153 

Stanhope,  Richard 1141,  206 

State   Boundary   Lines 60 

State  Constitution,   Growth   of 48 

State  History 33-61 

State  Representatives,   Roster  of 136 

State  Roads  856 

State  Senators,  Roster  of 140 

State's  Military  Record 50 

Statistics   Relating  to   Highways 862 

Statistics   Relating  to  Teachers 552 

"Strangers  In  a  Strange  Land" 516 

Streams  of  Champaign  County 67 

Streams    Provide    Mill    Power-.270,  275, 

284.  294.  319,  323 

Strenuous  Mayoralty  Campaigns 963 


Stockade  in  Westville  Neighborhood  155 
Student  Officers  of  1917 825 

.Subscription    Schools    554 

Suicide   of   Unhappy    Boy 284 

Sunday  Schools  of  the  Older  Day-_  447 

Surrender   of   Hull's   Army 669,  673 

Surveyors  of  the  Old  Days 79 

Surveys,  First  in  Ohio 37 

.Swamps   Retard   Settlement 322 

•Swedcnborgian    Church    525 

.Sweet,  Simeon    604 

Swine,    Statistics    Relating   to .348 

Symmes  Purchase,  The _     53 

T 

Tax  Rate  98 

Teachers'  Contract  in  Early  Days  -     53f>' 

Teachers  in  Champaign  County 534 

Teachers  in  LTrbana  Schools 561 

Tccumseh    33 

Telephone  Service   1048 

I'eniperance    Crusade    933 

i'enijjestuous  City   Aflministration 

965,    1149 

Tcn-r    Haute   169 

Territorial   Capitals   47 

Territorial    Legislature    40 

Thackery,  Village  of 897 

Things  Thespian"  582,  587 

Third   Countj^   Jail 117 

Third    Court    House 107 

Third  Ohio  Cavalry 748 

Thirteenth"  Regiment    692 

Thirty-Second   Regiment 691 

Three-Months'    Regiment    : 690 

Three   Rs,  The 530 

Tippecanoe,  The   Battle  of 33 

Tobacco  and  Forage  Crops 340 

Topography  of  Champaign   County.     62 

Tornado  of  1830 976 

Township    Officials    146 

Township  Schools  537 

Townships  of  Champaign  County.  86.  115 
Tragedy  Marks  Campaign  Rally--  330 
Transplanted    Virginia    Community, 

304,  314 

Transportation     855-868 

"Turn  Back  the  Pages  of  History"--  335 
Turnpike  Lands,  The ^^ 56 


HISTORICAL   INDEX. 


Twelfth   Ohio   Cavalry 749 

Twenty-sixth  Regiment 693 

Typical  Pioneer  Experience 221 

Typical    Pioneer   Journey 318 

U 

"Underground    Railroad"    1132 

Uniforms  of  Early   Militiamen 679 

Union   Township — 

Catawba 260 

Confusion    in    Boundaries 254 

Drainage  and  Topography 250 

Early  Industries 251 

Early  Settlers   251 

First  El«c-tion   249 

Indian   Occupancy 254 

Military  Land  Surveys 248 

Mutual,  Village  of 258 

Pollock  Town  257 

Schools    545 

When    Organized   249 

United   Brethren  Churches 507-509 

United  Presbyterian   Church 494 

Universalist  Churches  509-512 

t^rbana,  City  of — 

Administration,    Present    966 

As  Seen  in  1811 951 

Business   Directory   1069 

Churches    980 

City  Officials   1068 

County  Seat,  Location  of 949 

Directory   of    1858 983 

Financial   Statement   969 

First  Settler   948 

In  1819 1117 

Incorporation   of   961 

Industrial    Development    991 

Municipal    History    961.  1026 

Name,   Origin   of 948 

Public   Utilities   1026 

Review   of   Early   Days 975 

Schools   554-566 

When    Platted   - 949 

Urbana   Choral  Society .599 

Urbana    Guards,   The 806 

Urbana  in  1812 676 

Urbana   Masonic   Club 637 

Urbana    Musical   Union 600 

Urbana  Public   Schools S54-.566 


Urbana  Township — 

City   of   Urbana 265 

Drainage  and  Topography 261 

Early  Settlement  264 

First    Election    262 

Powhattan,  Village  of 266 

Schools     546 

Separate    from   City 263 

Some  Early  Settlers 264 

When   Organized   261 

Urbana  University 527,  566 


Valley  of  the   Mad  River 63  , 

Valuable    Mineral    Waters 70 

Vance.    Joseph    132,  138,  181,  345, 

354,  631,  679,  957,  1075 

Vanished    Lakes    261,  270 

Vicissitudes  of  Early  Farmer 334 

Victims    of    Smallpox    Scourge 301 

"Victory!"   (April  9,   1865) 800 

Village    of    Carysville 328 

Village    of   Christiansburg 891-896 

Village    of    Darnell 896 

Village    of    Kennard 192 

Village  of  Kings  Creek 191 

Village  of  Millerstown 306,  308 

Village  of  Mutual 258 

Village  of  North   Lewisburg 898-912 

Village  of  Rosewood 331 

Village  of-  Spring  Hills 285 

Village  of  Thackery 897 

Village  of  Woodstock 869-890 

Virginia    Military    District,    The 54 

Virginians   Come  in   Numbers 304,  314 

Vital   Statistics    102 

W 

Ward,    John    Quincy    Adams .598,  606. 

1087 
Ward,  William,  90,  133,  606,  948.  1077  1088 

War  Chest  Empty  in  1812 674 

War   Garden   Coiitest 1067 

War    of    1812 668 

War  of  Rebellion 682-798 

War  Records  in  Auditor's  Office 793 

War  Records  of  County 665-835 

War    Statistics    792 


HISTORICAL   INDEX. 


War,  the  Tragedy  of—. 682 

War  With  Germany 812-835 

Way,   Andrew  604 

Wayne  Township — 

Area  and  Topography 212 

Cable    239 

Decline   in   Population 235 

Early  Religious  Services 227 

Early  Settlers   219 

First  Electors  216 

Industries    237 

Middletown    245 

Mingo    242 

Old  Military  Survey 214 

Original  Landowners   214 

Pioneer  Experiences 221 

Population    219 

Schools    and    Churches 236,  546 

When  Organized  212 

Weaver,    Henry   1097 

Westville   168 

Wells  Affected  by  Dredging 65 

Wheat,  the  Story  of 338 

•'White  Dove,"  the  Tale  of 1115 

"White   Pilgrim,"  The 506 

"Wildcat"  Money 836 

Wilkinson,  Ashabel 324 

Williams,  Dr.  James 1102 

Willow  Bark  Institute 382 

Woman  Doctor's  Good  Work 227 

Woman's    Auxiliary,    Sons    of    Vet- 
erans   625 


Woman's  Literary  Club 584 

Woman's  Part  During  Civil  War__-  789 

Woman's  Relief  Corps 623 

Woman's  Tourist  Club 585 

Woodstock,  Village  of — 

Beginnings  of 873 

Business   Directory  889 

Churches  and  Cemeteries 882 

Coming  of  Railroad 880 

Early  Business   Enterprises 876 

First  School  House 872 

Incorporation  of 885 

Industrial  Interests 878 

Location  of 869 

Officers  of 890 

Physicians  of 881 

Schools    536,  543,  882 

Secret  Societies 884 

Service   During  Civil   War 877 

Some  of  Its  "Firsts" 870 

When   Platted  869 

Wright,    Francis    Martin 1102 

Y 
Young.  John    H 1103 


Zane  Sections,  The 

Zanesville,   Old   Capital. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INDEX 


Abbott,  Chester  P 

\bbott,    John    H 

\bbott,    William    J- 

\lcott,  John  M. 

-Vllgyer,    Bishop   S.    E 

\llison,  E.  E. 

\lHson,    Melvin    

Vmbrose,    Frederick    W. 
Anderson,  Isaac  N. 


652 

586 

848 

819 

38 

583 

101 

150 

1025 

Anderson,  John  J. _ 235 

Andrews,  Joel  C.   898 

Apple,  Francis  M.   627 

Apple,    Frank 542 

Apple,   Naaman   L.   711 

\pple.  Otto  F.  100 

Apple,  Solomon   82 

Armbuster,    Peter    231 

Arney,  Jacob  F 450 

Arrowsmith,  Isaac  I.  41 

Xrrowsmith,  James  I. 662 


Bailar,  Cory  E. 533 

Bailey,  Harrison  S. « 971 

Baker,  David  McD. 720 

Baker,  D.  M. 921 

Baker,  Edwin  M. 598 

Baker,   Harry   O.   106 

Baker,  Jacob   P.   444 

Baker,  John  Q. 629 

Baker,   William   D.   601 

Bane,  John  F. . ^^_  524 

Barger,   Charles  T.   1052 

Barger,   Jacob  W.   854 

Barger,   John    L.   232 

Barger,  Samuel  J. 672 

Barnett,   Samuel  1045 

Barnett,   J.    Newton-.. 676 

Batdorf,  Claude  C. 75 


Batdorf,  F.  C.   633 

Batdorf,  John   H. .___  816 

Bates,   G.  S.   F 693 

Bates,   Samuel  J.  C.   365 

Baughman,  Anson  912 

Beatley,  Alden   965 

Beaty,  Elza   R.   610 

Beaty,  Simon  F. 625 

Beck,  James  A. 587 

Beck,  John  W.  689 

Benedict.  Martin  L. 637 

Berry,    Lou    B.    88 

Berry,  Albert  M. 436 

Biddle,  J.  H. 493 

Birkhold,  J.  M. 743 

Black,  Elias  P. 864 

Black,   Henry  M.  680 

Black,  James  S.   498 

Black,  James  W.  371 

Black.  Jasper  F. 949 

Black,  John  R.   2,72, 

Black,  Samuel  F.  245 

Blazer,    Wesley    839 

Blose,  James  I. 145 

Bldfse;  Ei^sffes  Or: 461 

Blue,  David   345 

Bodey,   E.   L.   416 

Bodey,    Carl   774 

Bodey,   Emmet  A.  1057 

Boisen,    Peter   A.   874 

Botkin,   Granville   M.   788 

Botkin,   Jesse    G.   221 

Bowers,  Frank  C. 566 

Bowers,  MrSv  Sarah  A. 72 

Bowers   &  Slagl^^ 115 

Bowers,   W..  J.   .__. -_._  115 

Bragunier,  J.   C.   90 

Brand,   John   F.   56 

Brand,   Major  Joseph  C 820 

Brand,   Thomas   T.    550 

Brand.  William  A. 843 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX. 


Brecount.  Hon.  H.  H. 432 

Breedlovc.  Thomas  E. 176 

Brelsford,  David  O.     762 

Bright,  Alvin  J. 74 

Briney,   Frank   H.    366 

Brown,    Albert    667 

Brown,  John  T. 973 

Brown,  L.  E. 58 

Brown,  William   E.   341 

Brubaker,   Frank  D.   644 

Brunk,  Joseph  W.  435 

Buck,  George   F.   503 

Buckwalter,  Joseph  C. 295 

Bumgardner,   Charles   W.   511 

Bumgardner.  Foster 966 

Burnham,   Daniel   189 

Burnham,   Grant  1016 

Burnham.  P.  J. 794 

Burns,  Charles  V. 925 

Buroker.    Asa    B.    546 

Burris,    Moses   704 

Butcher,  Harry  G.,  D.  D.  S 506 

Byers,  George   L.  806 

Byler.   Christian   H.   591 

C 

Calland,    Joseph    1014 

Calland,   Miles    N.   978 

Carey,  Charles  L. 593 

Carey,    Samuel   W.    388 

Carlo,  Logan 714 

Carr,  .Herman.  H. 910 

Carson,   William  J.   364 

Cartmell,  Minor  397 

Chance,  Samuel,  M.  D. 247 

Cheetham,  James  K. 513 

Cheney,  Albert  853 

Cheney,  W.  H. 932 

Chidester,  Jacob  657 

Church,  Henry  A. 389 

Clark,  Gwynn   H.   287 

Clark,  Jacob  I. 375 

Clark,  Joshua   H.   1061 

Clark,  Ora   M 192 

Clem,   Ivan, . 595 

Clem,   Samuel    69 

Clifford,   Billy   "Single" 962 

Coates,   Fred    164 

Coffev,    William    S.   832 


Colbert,   Gerald  475 

Collins,  Wilbur  T. 927 

Connolly,  Edward 581 

Conover,  Charles  D, 37 

Conrad,  Prof.  Ray  D. 1059 

Cooper,   Charles  J,    952 

Corbet,  Amasa  T.  851 

Corbet,   Marion 885 

Couchman,  Amos   N.    656 

Couchman,   Guy  C.   486 

Couffer,   Christian   N.   161 

Cowgill,  John 1060 

Cowles,    George    904 

Cradler,  Lawrence 895 

Crane,   Edgar  M. 886 

Crawford,    William    759 

Crim,  Thomas  W.  778 

Crim,  William  B. 837 

Crockett,  Will  B.  1058 

Crow,  Horace  M. 217 

Crowl,    Denton    810 

Culbertson,   William   665 

Curl,   Charles   H.   276 

Cushman,   Charles   A.   1033 


Dallas,  William  B. 128 

Darling.   Henry   H.    940 

Davis,  Jasper   N.   645 

Davis,  Joseph   H.   487 

Davis,  Samuel  S. 87 

Ueaton,   Andrew    B.    C.   489 

Deaton,  S.  H. 731 

Deaton,  Sherman   S.   33 

Detweiler,    David    914 

Detweiler,  John   P.   907 

Dctweiler,  Oran  E. 900 

Detweiler,    Rufus   -._     _1 564 

Diltz,  John   M.   847 

Diniond,  John  H.  E. 310 

Dingledine,  A.  E. 920 

Do])bins,    George    W.   620 

Dodge,  George  L.   443 

Darsey,  Michael 871 

Downs,   Sherman   188 

Downs,  William  W.   568 

Dunn,    Hiram    G.    166 

Dye,  T.   E.  239 


BIOGKAPHICAL    IJ^JSEX. 


E 

Earle,  E.  R.,  M.  D.  152 

Eason,  Robert  J. 263 

Eichholtz,  John  M.  223 

Ellis,    Griffith   45 

Ellsworth,    Henry    197 

Ellsworth,  Walter  220 

Erwin,    John    B. ^ 541 

Espy,  Charles  H.  368 

Evans,  James   S.   780 

Evcrhart,   Edgar  S.   118 

Everhart,   Herbert   C.   1054 

Evilsizor,  John  T.   789 

Evilsizor,  John   \\  .   1018 

I'- 

Faulkner,   Charles    I..   __   053 

Fett,   Amos   J.  1046 

Fielder,  Mrs.  Hannah   M.    495 

Finsterwald,  Charles  F..  M.  1) 103 

Fithian,  Judge  Geors^e 696 

Fitzgivens,   James    606 

l-"rank,    McClellan   521 

l-rawley,    John    .__  894 

hrceman,   Floyd   290 

iM-eyhof,    Charles    229 

1-owhl,  John  A. 399 

i'"<).x,   Lawrence  404 

1-udger,   Edward . ^01 

h'udger,  Horace  M.  1044 

F'udger,    Leland    C.   1024 

Fulwider,    David    648 

iMink.  James  L. 339 

G 

Gannon,    l'~red    E.    530 

Gannon.    Michael    800 

Ganson,  Charles  H. 67 

Garard,    Irwin    ¥. 393 

Garrotte,   Floyd   C.   454 

Gaumer.  Charles  E. 251 

Gaumer,  Frank  C. 960 

Gaumer,  Thomas  .M.   993 

Gaver,   Henry  P.   133 

Gehman,  William   M.   153 

Gest,  Truman   B.   212 

Gifford,  George  H.   282 

Glendening,  Allen  M. 191 


(ilendenning,   Abraham   L.   __^ 304 

(ilendenning,  James   M.  141 

Glendenning,   William   P.   123 

Good,   John    P.    348 

Good,  Levi  J. 1031 

Gordin,   W.    H.   899 

Gordon,  Gwyn  T. 60 

Goul,    George    F.   937 

Gowey,   Marcus   C.   ■ 968 

Grandstaff,   William   A.   605 

Grimes,  Robert  Lee,  M.  D. 325 

Griswold,  Obadiah  E. 826 

Grove,  John  H. 950 

Grubb,  Eugene  H.  — 102 

Grubbs,   Benjamin   292 

Grube,    Oliver - 1039 

Guthridgc,    Marion    168 

Guyton,   Edwin   M.    211 

H 

Hall,    Harden    93.^ 

Hall,    Sheppard    942 

Halterman,   Joseph  T.   509 

Hamilton,   Samuel   P.   723 

Mammon,  John   H.   60<) 

Hanagan,  Thomas   M.   875 

Hanger,   Arthur  G.    733 

Hann,    George   W.   114 

Hanna,  Cyle  B. 126 

Hanna,  Edgar  V. 744 

Hanna,  Elijah  J. 214 

Hanna,    Pearl    S.    842 

Hanna,   William    1064 

Hart,  William   607 

Hartzler,  Jonathan  T. 528 

Hawley.  Byron  F 808 

Hawk,  Kendall  S.  140 

Henderson.  Robert.  M.  D 328 

Hess,   Jasper   A.   142 

Hess,  Will  T. 165 

Hesselgesser,   John    488 

Hickey,   Rev.   George 792 

Hines,  Lewis  - -1048 

Hinton,  Maurice  E.  _. --_1015 

Hill,  Charles  A.   651 

Hill,  Jacob  S. __-  597 

Hill,   William    B.    ...575 

Hill,  William  H.,  D.  V.  S. 822 

Hoak,    Noble    O. 473 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX. 


Hodge,  Edgar  W.  1011 

Hodge,  Henry  D. - 1007 

Hodge,  James  R. 1027 

Hodge,  Willis  H. 280 

Hoisington,  Warren  B. 76.S 

Mollis,  John  B. 83 

Hooley,  Clyde  H. 872 

Hooley,  Joseph  A. 5^ 

Hopkins,  Asa  G. 296 

Houser,  Daniel  C,  M.  D. 559 

Houston,    Frank    429 

Houston,   Harold   W.   158 

Houx,  George  W. 552 

Hovey,  Louis  C.  515 

Howard,   Lucius   S.   160 

Howard,   Otto   N.    198 

Hubbard,  Wheeler 410 

Huling,  John   970 

Huling,  Mary  J 948 

Hull,  Harry  B. 424 

Humphreys,  George  H. 413 

Humphreys,   Robert   E.   206 

Hunt,    Grant    S.    579 

Hunt,   William   H.   812 

Hunt,  W.  L. 71 

Hunter,  Albert  L 380 

Hunter,   Clinton  A. 531 

Hunter,  Nathaniel  C. 332 

Hupp,  Alonzo  R.  758 

flupp,   Otway   C.   796 

Hyde.  Willard   B.,   M.  D.   734 

I 

Idle.  Mrs.  Louisa  J. 688 

Inskeep,   Edward  409 

Instine,  William 856 

Ireland,   Anson   471 

Ireland,  James  H. 484 

Ivins.   Alvin   406 

J 

Jamison,  John  M. 385 

Jenkins,    Forest    E.    347 

Jenkins,  Stephen  N. 678 

Jenkins,  Judson 596 

Jenkins,  Thomas  J.  718 

Johnson,    Alfred    908 

Johnson  Family,  The 979 


Johnson,  Fred  N. 702 

Johnson,   Ivan  T. 171 

Johnson,   Otho   G.   755 

Johnson,    Peter 616 

Johnson,  R.  G. 1063 

Johnson,  Ralph  W. 647 

Johnson,   Wesley   613 

Johnson,   Thomas   L.  814 

Johnson,   William  A.   257 

Jones.  Caleb,  M.  D. -  60^ 

Jones,   Pearl  V. 753 

Jordan,    George    314 

Journell,    David    C.    664 

Journell,   James   T.   1 91 

Jonrncll.  John  T. 472 

K 

Kauft'n)an,  Chauncey  D. 694 

Kauffman,  Isaac  J. 888 

Kcesecker,    Edward    N.    757 

Kennedy,  John   W.   233 

Kimball,  David  R. 352 

Kimball,  W.  C. 199 

Kings1:iury,   William   E.   167 

Kingsley,  James  L. 917 

Kirkwood,   William  W.   699 

Kiser,  John  W. 784 

Kiscr,   William    M.   237 

Kite,  Darius  E. 624 

Kite,  Jason  P. 457 

Kite,   Lemuel   628 

Kite,    Romanus   M.   ' 452 

Kite,   Scott   392 

Kizer,  Jason 692 

Kizer,  William  F. 640 

Knight,  John  P, 259 

Knight,  Wilford  O. 736 

Knull,  Hiram 499 

Kohlmeier.  Lawrence  590 

L 

Lane,   William   IBS 

Lee,   Richard .  639 

Lecdom,  Edward  H. 539 

Lecdom,  John   S.  53 

LetTel,  Calvin  S. 617 

J,efTfel,  Morris   504 

Leonard,    Henry    712 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX. 


Leonard,   John 342 

Leonard,  Joseph  P. 476 

Leonard,  Walter  A. 619 

Lewis,  Albert  F.       415 

Licklider,  Mrs.  Emma  A.  739 

Licklider,  William   F.   545 

Lincoln,  Charles  P. 181 

Lincoln,   George   W.   274 

Lincoln,    Ira    122 

Linville,   John   F.  306 

Littlejohn,  Orva  D. 93 

Loffer,  Oliver  C. 99 

Long,  Clement  A. : 747 

l.oudenback,    C.   D.   395 

Loudenback,  Hylas  D.  411 

Loudenbeck,  David  _ 327 

Lovett,  William  W. 63 

Lowry,  W.  A.   456 

Lucas,    Kirby    O.    675 

Mc 

McBeth,   Alex  T.   916 

McBeth,  James   560 

McCarty,  John   S.    203 

McCarty,  Thomas 860 

McColly,   Amaziah   J.    845 

McConnell,   George   316 

McCrea,   Hon.  William    B.   901 

McDaniel,   William  A.   570 

McDaniels,  Charles  A.  929 

McDargh,    Charles   464 

McDonald,  Duncan 407 

McDonald,    Duncan    B.    42 

McDonald,  Henry  D.  208 

Mclnturff,  Charles  F. 695 

McKinney,  TuUey   681 

McLaughlin,  Clarence  M.,  M.  D. 446 

McMorran,   David   40 

McMorran,  Don   92 

McMorran,    John    P.    710 

McMorran,  Simeon   425 

McWilliams,   Marshall   G.   146 

M 

Madden,    T.    C.    279 

Maddcx,  John   M.   649 

Maddex,  Joseph  H.  674 

Maggert,   James   W.   727 

Magrew,    Lemuel   W.   1049 

Mt.gruder,   Vcrsalins   S.   771 


Manning,  E.  Walter 728- 

Marvin,   C.   H.   320 

Mast,   Bishop  Jacob 355 

Mast,  Joseph  K. 358 

Mast,  Christian 355 

Mast,   Daniel   355 

Mast,    Ephraim    M.    359 

Mast   Family,  The 355 

Mast,  Isaac  Wesley 357 

Mast,  Jacob —  355 

Mast,    John    355 

Mast,  John  E. 370 

Mast,  Joseph  F. 562 

Mast,  Miriam  B. 357 

Mast,  P.  P. 355 

Maurice,    Clinton   A.   716 

Maurice,   Herman  C. 505 

Maurice,   Samuel  J.  671 

Maurice,  Wesley  A. 693 

Mays,    Andrew    614 

Mays,  Fred 614 

Metz,    Harry    520 

Metz,  Samuel . 803 

Middleton,  A.  H.,  M.  D 216 

Middlcton,  J.  T 65 

Miley,    Samuel    924 

Millard,   William   T. 349 

Miller,  Clement  V. ' 588 

Miller,  Rees  H. 829 

Miller,   Utah   S.   318 

Miller,  William   H.   144 

Millice,  William  W. 922 

Mitchell,  Claudius  N. 1040 

Mohr,  William  H, 677 

Moody,  Albert  K. 863 

Moody,  C.  Edwin 877 

Moore,  David  H.,  M.  D. 536 

Moore,  John  L. 255 

Moore,  S.  C,  M.  D. 445 

Morris,    Elmer    526 

Morris,    Thomas    463 

Monlton,  Rowland  C. 202 

Mundel,  John  P. 211 

Murphy,   Joseph   976 

Murphey,   Roger  H.   760 

Muzzy,   John    H.    516 


N 


Nagel,    C.    F,    638 

Nagle,  George  D. 84 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX. 


X'eal,  Edwin  J.  501 

Neeld,  Thomas  227 

Neer,  J.  F.  1035 

Neer,  John  P 48 

Neer,  Jonathan  S. 130 

Neer,  Joseph  C. 209 

Neese,    Clinton    A.       363 

Neese,   D.    Irvin 661 

Neese,   Sarah    E.   491 

Neese,   William   N.   351 

Neff,  Albert   C.   21^' 

Nichols,   Frank  953 

Nincehelser,    Grant    107 

Nixon,  William   A.    642 

Norman,  Joseph 537 

Xorthcutt,    Judge    Joseph    I' 80 

X'otestine,   George   W.      070 

Niitt,   WiUiam   A.   267 

O 

Outram,   James 903 

Outram,  John  B. 557 

Overfield,  Joab 278 

Ovcrfield,  Samuel  M.   261 

Owen,  Thomas  B 134 

Owen.  Thomas  N.  992 


I'earce,   Henry   M.,   M.   1).  46 

carcc,    Richard   S.   402 

ence,   Benjamin  F.  722 

encc.    Eli 572 

Tcncc,  B.  F.  A. 61 

I'encc,  George  W. 603 

I 'ence,    George    W.    636 

ce,  Isaac  S.  698 

I'encc,   Jacob    N.    735 

Pence,  John  E. 534 

ence,  Joseph  O.  527 

ence,    Orlando    558 

Pence,   William    I.    632 

Pennock,    Lee    G.    226 

Perkeypile,    Freeman    631 

Perry.    Evan    175 

Perry,   James   111 

Pettigrew,    Elijah    A.    253 

Poling,   Thomas   J.   271 

Polk,  Elmer  G. 928 

Pool.  David  A. 243 


Powell,    Elmer    E.    840 

Powell,  James  A. 336 

Powell,  John  __._■ 584 

Powers,    Roy    L.    470 

Poysell,  James   M. 269 

Preston.  Henry  S.,  M.  D. 1008 

Prince,  Frank  M. 954 

Prince,  Solomon  492 

Prince,   William   E.   535 

I'rintz,    George    H.    77 

Printz,    Jean    P.    1028 

Purk,   Lewis  F. 748 

Putnam,  James    B.   544 

Pylc,  Thomas   E. 669 

R 

RalT.   Levi  S.  249 

Randall,   George   R.   792 

Rawlings,  James  D.   1009 

Rawlings,    Thomas    382 

Rawlings,  William  J.  W. 323 

Reck,  Harvey  S 997 

Reid,   Joseph   896 

\iQ'n\,    Rollie    174 

Rhodes,  John   418 

Rhodes,   Jacob    E.   338 

Rhynard,  Peter 705 

Rhynard,    George   W.   724 

Riddle,   Versailious   G.   951 

Riley,    Samuel   117 

Ritchie,  William  M. 344 

Roberts,  John  D. 79 

Roberts,  Samuel  H. 878 

Robinson,    James    303 

Robinson,   Samuel  J.    850 

Robison,  Samuel  L. 767 

Rock,  John  W.  136 

Rogers,    Henry   C.    828 

Ropp,   George   E.  195 

Ross,    John    R.    728 

l^oss.  Marine  R.  467 

Ross,  William  R. 312 

Runkle,   Darius  T. 248 

Ruiiyan,   Lemuel 420 

Russell,   A.   W.   96 

Russell,  James  E.  496 

Russell,   John    C.    717 

Russell,    Martin    L.    897 

Russell,   Simeon    L.   857 

Rutan,  (jlenn 477 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX. 


s 

Sanders,  Robert 288 

Sarver,  John  T. 765 

Sarver,    William   J.    783 

Sayler,  John   M.,   M.   D.   622 

Sceva,   George  A.  272 

Sceva,  John   C.  555 

Schumm,   Jonathan    726 

Scoby,   Charles   W.   709 

Sessions,  Minard  L. 94 

Shafer,    George   W.    379 

Shaffer,  Joseph  H. 479 

Shambaugh,   Jacob    M.   200 

Sharp,  William  H,  M.  D. 120 

Shaul,    William    R.    869 

Shrigley,  Winfield  T. 263 

Sidders,  John  W. 934 

Siegenthaler,    Gottlieb    . 687 

Siegenthaler,    Samuel    706 

Siegle,    John    H.    159 

Slagle,  William  H. 115 

Smith,    Elmer    612 

Smith,  Fred  B.   129 

Smith,  George  W.  746 

Smith,  Henry  422 

Smith,  Joseph  B.  350 

Smith,  M.  L.,  M.  D. 523 

Smith,  Raymond   H« 988 

Snapp,  Frank 686 

Snarr,    Jacob    H.    592 

South,   Henry   C.    184 

Spain,  Abram   M. 881 

Spain,  Paul  C 32o 

Speece,   David  S.  1056 

Speece,   Thomas   824 

Stabler,  G.  Frank 958 

Stabler,    John    E.    939 

Stabler,   W.    L.    500 

Stadler,   Lewis   A.   460 

Standish,    George   W.    224 

Stansbury,  Chas.   H.   177 

Steinbarger,  Joseph 911 

Stembel,  John  V.  804 

Stcphan,    George    W.    346 

Stephenson,  Alex  C. 930 

Stephenson,    Geor.^c    E.    764 

Stevens,    Maxwell    G.   741 

Stevenson,   Mrs.   Elizabeth  J.   448 

Sticklei',  Smith  F. 455 


Stipp,   H.   M.   510 

Stockwell,  E.  R.,  D.  V.  S. 811 

Stokes,  William  L.   880 

Stone,   John   H.   P.   162 

Stone,  Samuel  L.  P.,  Jr 485 

Stowe,  Isaiah 752 

Stradling,   Silas   M.   85 

Stuart,  Frank   L.   512 

Sweeney,  Dennis  J.   64 

Swisher,   James    L.    861 

Swisher,    James    576 

Sunday,   William ,--  391 

I 

Talbott,  George  A. 440 

Tarbutton,  William  F. 525 

Taylor,    A.    F.    329 

Taylor,    Burton    A.    883 

Taylor,  Charles   O.   751 

Taylor,  David  E. l-:v 4.38 

Taylor,   John,    Family 1065 

Taylor,  Thomas  I. 170 

Tayjor,  Thomas  L.,  D.  V.  S 291 

Thackery,   Joseph   C.   1050 

Thomas,   Edward   B.    574 

,  Thompson,    Edward    M.    834 

Thompson,   Thomas   866 

Thornburg,   William    VV.'  798 

Todd.  David  W.  330 

Todd,  James   R.   300 

Townsend,    Howard    187 

Tritt,   John   M.   308 

Turner,    Edward   775 

Tway,   John  W.   799 

y 

Vance,  Gov.  Joseph 360 

Vance,  Major  Alexander  F. 376 

Van   Meter   Brothers   194 

Van  Meter,  Edwin  K. 194 

Van  Meter,  J.   L.  194 

Vcf-niillion,    William     II.    256 

W 

Waite,   George  386 

Walborn,  George  W.  684 

Walborn,  Thomas  E.   750 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX. 


Walborn,    Solomon    730 

Walters,   Earl   L.   427 

Ward,    Fernando    322 

Ward,   Lorenzo   D.   343 

Ward,    Noah    442 

Ward,  William  3,   795 

Ware   Family,   The   781 

Ware,  Jacob 781 

Ware,  Jacob 781 

Ware,  Joseph 781 

Warnock,    William    R.    51 

Wayre,    Samuel    571 

Weidman,  James   A.   112 

Wcikert,    Glenn    89 

Weller,  John    W.    707 

Werdell,   R.  M.  841 

Wertz,    Charles    E.    553 

West  Family,  The 1020 

West,  Seth  M. 298 

Westfall,   Henry  110 

Whitaker,  William  M. 137 

AVhitmore,    Samuel    B.    359 

Wiant,  Charles  A. 959 

Wiant,   James    B.    458 

Wiant,  Ralph  W. 451 

Wilkins,   Fred   L.   818 

Wilkins,  Jacob   H. 240 

Wilkison,   Gersham   C.  1036 

Wilkinson,   W.    C.    663 

Williams,    Charles   W.    943 

Willis,   L.   E.    1053 

Wilson.  Benoni  R. 148 


Wilson,    Forry    104 

Wilson,  Frank  E. 532 

Wilson,    Harrison   A.   548 

Wilson,  Henry  P. 936 

Wilson,  J.  T.  R. 97 

W^ilson,  W.  W. 384 

Wilson,  Walter  S.  - 582 

Winder,    Seth    S.  -- 264 

Wing,    Charles    B.    482 

Wing,  Joseph   E.   944 

Wing,  Willis  O.  690 

Wolcott,  John   G.   915 

Woodburn,    James    D.    400 

Woodward,   James   T.    480 

Woolenhan,  John   H.   204 

W^ren,   Joseph    L.   776 

Y 

Yinger,  William  A.,  M.  D. 700 

Yinger,  William  H. 701 

Yocom,  William  R. 890 

Yoder,   Alfred  L. 302 

Yoder.  Isaac   P.  790 

Yoder,    Levi    285 

Young,     Chase    831 

Z 

Zerian,    Isaac    N.    _Jl 825 

Zcrkel,    Waldo    E.    635 

Zimmerman,    John    W.    654 

Zimmerman,  Joseph  M. 1038 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


SHERMAN  S.   DEATOX. 

Sherman  S.  Deaton.  head  of  the  law  hrm  of  Deaton,  Bodey  &  Bodey, 
former  prosecuting  attorne\-  for  Champaign  county,  member  of  the  Ohio 
state  Senate,  and  for  many  years  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  influential 
lawyers  at  Urbana.  is  a  Hoosier,  a  fact  of  which  he  never  has  ceased  to  be 
proud,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  Champaign  county  since  the  days  of  his 
}oung  manhood  and  of  Urbana  since  the  year  1894.  Ele  was  born  in  a  little 
log  cabin  on  a  pioneer  farm  in  Kosciusko  county,  Indiana,  February  23,  1865, 
son  of  George  ^\^  and  Frances  (Fortney)  Deaton,  both  natives  of  Ohio, 
whose  last  days  were  spent  on  their  farm  in  Indiana. 

George  W.  Deaton  was  bom  on  a  farm  in  Clark  county,  Ohio,  October 
16,  1833,  son  of  William  and  Catherine  (Leffel)  Deaton,  the  former  of  whom 
was  born  in  Botetourt  count}',  Airginia,  and  the  latter  in  Ohio,  daughter  of 
pioneer  parents  in  Clark  count}'.  AA'illiam  Deaton's  father,  George  Deaton. 
died  in  A^irginia.  at  the  age  of  thirt\'-six  }'ears,  leaving  his  widow,  Susan 
(Reams),  with  nine  children.  She  was  so  bitterly  opposed  to  the  institution 
of  slavery,  the  evil  consequences  of  which  she  had  seen  so  much  in  her  iMine 
state,  that  she  determined  her  children  should  not  grow  up  amid  the  condi- 
tions entailed  by  that  institution.  Accordingly,  she  came  with  her  children, 
AVilliam,  Andrew,  Nathan,  Levi,  George,  Samuel,  Susan,  Mary  and  Martlia, 
to  this  state  and  located  in  Clark  county,  where  she  spent  the  remainder  of 
her  life.  Upon  arriving  in  this  part  of  the  state  the  widow  Deaton  was  prac- 
tically without  money  and  her  sons  at  once  started  out  to  make  a  living  for 
the  famil}-. 

William  Deaton.  the  eldest  of  these  children,  naturally  became  the  main- 
stay of  his  widowed  mother  and  he  did  well  his  part  in  the  work  of  establish- 
ing the  family  in  their  new  home.  He  l:)ecame  a  farmer  and  saw-mill  pro- 
prietor in  Pike  township  and  there  married  Catherine  Leffel,  member  of  one 
of  the  pioneer  families  of  that  neighborhood.  His  farm  and  mill  were 
(3a) 


34  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

located  six  miles  north  of  New  Carlisle  and  there  he  and  his  wife  spent  the 
remainder  of  their  days,  useful  and  substantial  residents  of  that  community. 
William  Deaton  died  at  the  age  of  forty-four  years.  He  and  his  wife  were 
the  parents  of  eight  children,  namely:  George  AV.,  father  of  the  subject  of 
this  biographical  sketch;  John,  who  died  in  1916,  at  the  age  of  eighty-one 
years;  Calvin,  who  died  in  infancy;  James,  who  is  still  living;  Mary,  who 
married  Thomas  Drake  and  is  now  deceased;  Lydia,  still  living,  wife  of  Dr. 
L.  Baker;  Susan,  still  living,  wife  of  Henry  Bright,  and  Elizabeth,  also  still 
living,  wife  of  Ezra  Drake. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  north  of  New  Carlisle,  George  W.  Deaton 
grew  to  manhood  there  and  married  b^rances  Fortney,  who  also  was  born  in 
Clark  county.  May  5,  1835.  ^^fter  his  marriage  he  established  his  home 
on  a  farm  in  that  county  and  remained  there  until  1863.  In  that  year  he 
disposed  of  his  interests  in  this  state  and  moved  to  Kosciuskc^  county,  in  the 
northern  ])art  oi  Indiana,  where  he  established  his  home  on  a  pioneer  farm 
and  where  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  His  death 
occurred  on  June  30.  1878;  liis  widow  survived  him  many  years,  her  death 
occurring  on  Deceml:)er  12,  1804.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children, 
those  besides  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  the  lifth  in  order  of  birth,  being  as 
follow:  William  Sabin.  who  died  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years;  Jacob,  who  is 
living  on  the  old  homestead  farm  in  Kosciusko  county.  Indiana ;  Mary  Belle, 
who  died  in  infancy;  John  Iv.  a  grain  dealer  at  Sidney.  Indiana;  Dr.  U.  S. 
Grant  Deaton.  of  Toledo.  Ohio:  Cyrus,  a  farmer  in  Kosciusko  county;  Indi- 
ana, .and  Charles,  a  merchant  at  Toledo. 

Reared  among  pioneer  conditions  in  Indiana.  Sherman  S.  Deaton  ex})eri- 
enced  all  the  jo}-s  and  pleasures  incident  to  farm  life  as  it  existed  in  Indiana 
at  the  close  of  the  war.  He  cleared  much  swamp  land,  in  which  work  he 
drove  oxen,  of  which  his  f.ather  owned  three  yoke;  he  ;dso  bound  wheat, 
following  the  cradle,  and  performed  many  of  the  arduous  tasks  which  fell 
to  the  lot  of  the  farmer  of  that  period.  He  received  his  elementary  school- 
ing in  the  district  schools  and  supplemented  the  same  by  the  course  given  in 
the  high  school  at  Warsaw,  the  county  seat  of  the  home  county.  He  then 
l)egan  teaching  school,  teaching  during  the  winter  months  and  going  to  school 
in  the  summer,  attending  a  Methodist  college  at  Ft.  Wayne.  Indiana.  While 
attending  the  college,  lie  lived  as  economically  as  possible,  receiving  food 
from  home  and  doing  his  own  cooking.  lie  had  two  young  friends,  who 
were  in  the  same  financial  straits  as  himself,  and  one  of  them.  Harvey  White- 
shield,  a  Cheyenne  Indian,  did  the  mending  for  them  all.  Their  clothing, 
of  the  "hand-me-down"  grade,  was  characterized  by  numerous  patches,  but 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  35 

these  discomforts  did  not  deter  them  from  their  earnest  pnrpose  to  secure  an 
education.  Air.  Deaton  worked  on  Saturdays  from  seven  A.  M.  to  eleven  P. 
Al.  in  the  fruit  house  of  congressman  J-  B.  White,  for  one  dollar  a  day.  At 
first  he  received  onl}-  twenty  dollars  a  month  for  teaching,  but  later  was  given 
Ijetter  wages.  657^178 

Ylv.  Deaton  was  now  twenty-two  years  of  age  and  at  this  point  of  his 
life  l^egan  the  second  chapter  of  his  active  career  in  the  world.  In  1887  ^''^ 
came  to  Ohio  and  began  teaching  in  Jackson  township  in  Champaign  county, 
teaching  during  the  winter  time  and  attending  the  Northwestern  Ohio  Normal 
University  at  Ada.  In  all,  he  taught  seven  years  in  Champaign  county  and 
during  four  summers  of  this  time  (  1887-90)  he  was  in  the  normal  school 
at  Ada,  giving  particular  attention  to  the  study  of  law,  to  which  profession 
he  had  decided  to  devote  his  life.  In  the  summer  of  1889  he  began  the 
systematic  study  of  law  under  the  able  preceptorship  of  Judge  E.  P.  Mid- 
dleton  at  Urbana  and  on  December  7,  1893,  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  He 
continued  teaching  the  rest  of  that  winter  and  in  the  following  June  opened 
an  office  at  St.  Paris  for  the  practice  of  his  profession. 

The  third  chapter  in  the  life  of  Air.  Deaton  had  opened.  As  soon  as 
he  was  fairly  launched  in  the  practice  he  began  to  lav  his  plans  for  the 
nomination  of  prosecuting  attorney  of  the  county.  He  had  been  reared  to 
manhood  in  Indiana  and  in  that  state  politics  plays  an  important  part  in 
e\er}  man's  life.  It  is  said,  and  trul}-  so,  that  there  is  more  politics  in 
Indiana  in  proportion  to  its  population  than  any  other  state  in  the  Union. 
Under  the  iuHuence  of  Hoosier  politicians  and  schooled  in  their  astute 
methods  of  maneuvering.  Mr.  Deaton  secured  the  RejDublican  nomination 
for  prosecutor  of  Champaign  county  and  was  elected  in  the  fall  of  that  year 
Ijy  an  overwhelming  majority,  receiving  two  thousand  and  twenty-five  votes 
more  than  his  opponent.  His  record  in  the  office  was  such  that  he  was  re- 
elected in  the  fall  of  1896,  without  opposition,  leading  the  ticket  in  the 
county. 

His  entry  into  the  political  iield  via  the  office  of  prosecuting  attornev 
induced  him  to  make  the  race  for  a  seat  in  the  upper  house  of  the  General 
Assembly  of  Ohio  in  the  fall  of  1908.  In  order  to  secure  the  nomination 
he  had  to  make  a  campaign  in  the  counties  of  Champaign,  Clark  and  Madi- 
son, these  three  counties  constituting  the  eleventh  senatorial  district.  He 
secured  the  nomination  and  was  triumi)hantly  elected  in  the  fall  of  that 
vear  and  served  with  such  satisfaction  to  his  constituency  that  he  was  re- 
elected in  the  fall  of   19 10  for  a  second  term.     He  was  an  active  member 


36  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

in  the  Legislature  and  took  a  prominent  part  in  the  enactment  of  tem- 
perance measures. 

Another  point  of  interest  in  the  career  of  Mr.  Deaton  was  his  appoint- 
ment in  June,  1901,  by  Gov.  George  K.  Nash  as  a  member  of  the  Ohio 
state  Ijoard  of  pardons,  a  position  which  he  filled  for  four  years.  In  Jan- 
uary, 1895,  Mr.  Deaton  became  associated  with  the  late  George  Waite  in 
the  practice  of  law.  under  the  firm  name  of  Waite  &  Deaton.  which  was 
terminated  by  the  death  of  Mr.  Waite  on  July  2'],  1913.  In  December  of 
the  same  }-ear  Mr.  Deaton  entered  into  a  partnership  with  E.  L.  Bodey. 
under  the  lirm  name  of  Deaton  &  Bodey,  and  that  arrangement  continued 
until  June,  1916,  when  Mr.  Bodey's  son,  Lowell  C,  was  admitted  to  the 
finu,  which  is  now  practicing-  imder  the  name  of  Deaton,  Bodey  &  Bodey, 
with  offices  on  West  Court  street,  across  from  the  court  house. 

Mr.  Deaton  has  Ijeen  active  in  the  councils  of  the  Republican  party 
for  a  quarter  of  a  century.  Even  before  reaching  his  majority,  he  was 
mingling  with  the  politicians  of  Indiana,  than  whom  there  are  no  more 
skillful  in  the  L'nited  States.  From  such  men  as  Oliver  P.  Morton.  Schuyler 
Colfax,  Isaac  P.  Gray,  Benjamin  Harrison.  Thomas  A.  Hendricks,  Conrad 
Baker,  "Blue  Jeans"  Williams  and  other  renowned  men  of  Indiana,  Mr. 
Deaton  learned  his  first  steps  in  political  affairs.  He  remembers  distinctly 
the  campaign  of  1876,  when  Williams  and  Harrison  were  opponents  for  the 
governorship  of  Indiana.  He  was  personally  acquainted  with  the  late  Sen- 
ator Shively,  of  Indiana,  Albert  G.  Porter  and  Ira  Chase,  governors  of 
the  Hoosier  state,  William  H.  Calkins,  congressman  from  the  thirteenth 
district  of  Indiana,  and  many  other  of  the  most  prominent  men  of  the  state. 

While  acting  as  chairman  of  the  Champaign  county  lvepul)lican  com- 
mittee, ]\fr.  Deriton  came  into  contact  with  William  ^IcKinle}-.  Hanna,  Sher- 
man and  Go\ernor  Xash.  He  took  a  very  active  part  in  the  election  of 
Theodore  R.  Burton  to  the  LTnited  States  Senate  when  he  was  in  the  state 
Legislature.  r''or  thirteen  years  Mr.  Deaton  was  a  member  of  the  Repub- 
lican countv  committee,  seven  years  of  which  he  served  as  chairman.  Lie 
was  an  alternate  delegate  to  the  Republican  national  convention  at  Chicago 
in  1912.  As  an  orator  Mr.  Deaton  ranks  not  only  among-  the  best  in  his 
own  community,  but  is  frequently  called  upon  to  make  addresses  in  all  parts 
of  the  state.  Llis  Decoration  Day  address  in  Urbana  in  1917  was  pro- 
nounced one  of  the  best  patriotic  addresses  ever  heard  in  the  city. 

Mr.  Deaton  was  married  to  :\Ial)el  A\>st,  December  2},,  1898.  Mrs. 
Deaton  was  born  in  Jackson  townshi])  and  is  the  daughter  of  George  W. 
and  I-^llen  (  Breslin  )   A\'est,  lioth  of  whom  also  were  born  in  that  township. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  37 

Her  parents  were  members  of  pioneer  families  in  that  part  of  the  county, 
and  spent  all  their  lives  there,  her  mother  dying-  on  March  5,  1916,  at  the 
age  of  fifty-nine  years,  and -her  father  about  five  weeks  later,  April  13, 
191 6.  at  the  age  of  sixty  years. 

Air.  and  ]\Irs.  Deaton  have  a  pleasant  home  at  Urbana  on  Lafayette 
avenue.  They  have  always  taken  an  earnest  interest  in  the  general  social 
and  cultural  activities  of  the  community.  Mr.  Deaton  is  a  Royal  Arch 
Mason,  a  member  of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  of  the 
junior  Order  of  United  American  ^Mechanics. 


CHARLES  D.  CONO\^ER. 

The  Hon.  Charles  D.  Conover,  of  Urbana.  twice  representative  from 
this  county  to  the  Ohio  state  Legislature  and  former  speaker  of  the  House 
of  Representatives,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here 
nearly  all  his  life.  Lie  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Salem  township  on  March  21, 
1881,  son  of  Nicholas  and  Mary  (Murphy)  Conover,  the  former  of  whom 
was  born  in  the  state  of  Mew  Jersey  and  the  latter  in  this  county,  whose 
last  days  were  spent  at  Bellefontaine,  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Logan. 

Nicholas  Conover  was  but  a  lad  when  his  parents  came  to  Champaign 
county  from  New  Jersey  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Salem  township.  There 
he  grew  to  manhood  and  married,  starting  farming  operations  on  his  own 
account  in  Salem  township.  He  later  moved  to  the  adjoining  county  of 
Madison,  but  after  a  brief  residence  there  moved  to  Logan  county  and 
I)egan  farming  in  the  Middlesburg  neighborhood,  but  presently  returned  to 
Salem  township,  this  county,  and  was  there  engaged  in  farming  until  his 
retirement  and  removal  to  Bellefontaine,  where  he  spent  his  last  days,  his 
death  occurring  there  in  February,  1905.  His  widow  survived  him  for 
more  than  twelve  years,  her  death  occurring  on  April  20,  19 17.  They  were 
the  parents  of  five  children,  those  besides  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  the 
fourth  in  order  of  birth,  being  Clarence,  Edgar,  John  and  Mattie. 

Charles  D.  Conover's  earlv  schooling  was  received  in  the  district  schools 
of  Salem  township  and  in  the  high  school  at  Middlesburg,  after  which  he 
for  some  time  was  in  attendance  at  the  Ohio  State  Normal  at  Ada  and  at 
Ohio  Wesleyan  University.  Upon  leaving  college  ]Mr.  Conover  became  en- 
gaged in  teaching  school  and  was  for  ten  years  thus  engaged,  seven  years 
of  which  time  was  spent  as  superintendent  of  the  schools  at  Kings  Creek, 


38  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

tliere  conducting  the  nrst  consolidated  township  school  estabUshed  in  Cham- 
paign county.  Meanwhile,  Mr.  Conover  had  been  giving  considerable  atten- 
tion, to  the  reading  of  law  during  his  vacations  and  was  also  giving  his 
close  attention  to  local  political  affairs  and  the  affairs  of  the  state  in  gen- 
eral. In  1912  he  was  elected  to  represent  this  district  in  the  state  Legislature 
and  his  service  in  the  succeeding  session  was  so  eminently  satisfactory  to 
liis  constituents  and  the  public  at  large  that  he  was  re-elected  in  1914  and 
in  the  following  session  was  elected  speaker  of  the  House,  the  first  time 
such  an  honor  had  ever  been  conferred  upon  a  rejiresentative  from  Cham- 
paign county. 

Jn  1903  Charles  D.  Conover  was  united  in  marriage  to  Florence  Gail 
Stokes,  daughter  of  George  W.  and  Marie  Elizabeth  (Cowgill)  Stokes,  and 
to  this  union  two  children  have  been  born,  Richard  and  one  who  is  deceased. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Conover  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  church 
and  take  a  proper  part  in  church  affairs,  as  well  as  in  the  general  social  and 
cultural  affairs  of  the  community.  Mr.  Conover  is  a  member  of  the  local 
lodge  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs 
of  the  same.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican  and  has  for  years  been  regarded 
as  one  of  the  leaders  of  that  party  in  this  countv  and  throughout  this  part 
of  the  state. 


BISHOP  S.  E.  ALLGYER. 

The  Rev.  S.  E.  xMlgyer,  pastor  of  the  Oak  Gro^•e  Mennonite  church 
in  Salem  township,  this  county,  a  Mennonite  bishop,  field  worker  of  the 
Mennonite  board  of  missions  and  charities  in  the  United  States  and  Canada 
and  for  years  one  of  the  best-known  figures  in  that  communion  in  this 
country,  is  a  native  of  the  old  Keystone  state,  but  has  been  a  resident  of 
this  county  since  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age.  He  was  born  in  Mifflin 
county,  Pennsylvania,  March  8,  1859,  son  of  Joseph  and  Barbara  (Zook) 
AUgyer,  also  natives  of  that  state  and  earnest  members  of  the  Mennonite 
colony  in  Miftlin  county,  who  came  to  this  county  in  1875  and  settled  on  a 
farm  in  Salem  township,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 
Upon  coming  to  Champaign  county,  Joseph  AUgyer  bought  a  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty- four  acres  in  Salem  township  and  there  established  his 
home,  farming  there  until  his  death  in  1884.  His  widow  survived  him  for 
about  eighteen  years,  her  death  occurring  in  1902.  They  were  the  parents 
of  five  children,  four  of  whom  are  still  living,  but  of  whom  the  subject  of 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 


39 


this  sketch  is  the  only  one  now  residing  in  this  county,  he  having  three 
sisters,  Mrs.  Nancy  Harshberger,  Mrs.  Hannah  Mattler  and  Mrs.  Joseph  E. 
Zook,  residing  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Logan. 

S.  E.  Allgyer  was  about  sixteen  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  this 
county  with  his  parents  from  Pennsylvania  in  1875  and  his  schooling  was 
completed  in  this  county.  From  boyhood  he  was  an  earnest  student  and  in 
addition  to  his  labors  on  the  home  farm,  after  he  left  school,  he  continued 
his  studies,  with  particular  reference  to  the  work  of  the  church,  and  in  1905 
he  was  chosen  by  the  congregation  of  the  Oak  Grove  Mennonite  church  to 
serve  them  as  pastor,  and  he  was  formally  ordained  to  the  ministry  of  the 
Mennonite  faith.  In  that  new  relation  he  rendered  such  faithful  and  val- 
uable service,  that  he  soon  began  to  attract  the  attention  of  the  church  at 
large  and  in  1908  he  was  created  a  bishop  in  the  church  at  Oak  Grove.  In 
the  meantime  Bishop  Allgyer  had  been  continuing  his  farming  operations 
on  the  home  place  and  some  time  after  the  death  of  his  mother  bought  the 
interests  of  his  sisters  in  the  place,  becoming  proprietor  of  the  same.  He 
not  only  is  a  good  [ireacher,  but  an  excellent  farmer  and  as  he  prospered  in 
his  operations  added  to  the  home  place  until  he  became  the  owner  of  two 
hundred  and  forty-two  acres  of  excellent  land  there.  In  1912  Bishop  All- 
oyer  retired  from  the  active  labors  of  the  farm  and  has  since  been  devoting 
his  undivided  attention  to  the  affairs  of  the  church,  his  evangelistic  labors 
calling  him  to  all  parts  of  the  country,  his  services  as  bishop  also  taking  him 
into  Canada,  and  he  thus  lias  become  one  of  the  most  widely  recognized 
features  in  that  communion  in  the  countrv.  The  Bishop  also  is  field  worker 
of  the  Mennonite  board  of  missions  and  charities,  an  international  organi- 
zation covering  l)oth  the  United  States  and  Canada.  His  work  consists  of 
looking  after  the  missions  of  the  church  and  soliciting  funds.  The  Men- 
nonites  have  a  strong  organization  at  Oak  Grove  and  during  his  active  min- 
istrations there  Bishop  .\llgyer  has  done  much  to  extend  the  cause  of  the 
church  locally,  as  well  as  throughout  the  country  at  large. 

On  January  18,  1883,  Bishop  Allgyer  was  united  in  marriage  to  Pris- 
cilla  Umble,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Barbara  Umble,  of  Lancaster  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  to  that  union  eight  children  have  been  born,  Eva  May, 
Barbara  E.,  Maude,  J.  Roy,  Anna  M..,  Ruth  E.,  S.  Maurice  and  John  Mark. 
Eva  Allgyer  married  N.  E.  Trover  and  has  two  children.  Luella  and  Ray- 
mond. Barbara  E.  Allgyer  married  Earl  M.  Yoder  and  has  two  children. 
Olive  and  Roy.  Maude  Allgyer  married  Daniel  C.  Yoder  and  has  three 
children,  Geneva,  Richard  and  Marie.  J.  Roy  Allgyer  was  graduated  from 
the  agricultural  department  of  Ohio  State  University  in  191 7  and  then  was 


40  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

chosen  as  instructor  in  agriculttn-e  in  the  schools  at  Plattsburg,  Ohio,  for 
the  following  school  }'ear.  All  the  children  have  had  good  educational  ad- 
vantages and  J.  Roy  and  Barbara  ha\e  taught  school  in  their  home  town- 
ship. The  Bishop  and  his  family  have  a  delightful  home  and  have  ever 
taken  a  proper  part  in  the  general  social  and  cultural  activities  of  the  com- 
munity in  which  they  live,  helpful  in  many  wa}'S  in  promoting  movements 
desioned  to  advance  the  C(immon  welfare  thereabout. 


DAVID  McMORRAN. 


The  biographical  section  of  this  work  will  contain  no  more  interesting- 
account  of  any  citizen  of  Champaign  county  than  that  of  David  McMorran, 
president  of  the  Central  National  Bank  at  Paris,  and  who  for  many  Acars 
engaged  in  general  farming.  He  was  born  in  Johnson  township,  this  county, 
July  i8,  1850,  the  son  of  Christian  and  Sarah  ( Loudenl^ach )  ^^IclMorran. 
Christian  McAb)rran  was  l)orn  in  Jackson  township,  this  count}-,  and  Sarah 
McMorran  was  l)orn  in  Mad  River  township.  Samuel  T.  AIcMorran 
father  of  Christian,  was  born  in  Scotland  and  came  to  the  United 
States  when  a  bow  He  married  in  Indiana  and  some  time  later  set- 
tled in  Jackson  township,  south  of  St.  l^aris.  He  acquired  large  and  val- 
uable tracts  of  land,  north  and  south  of  that  place.  Samuel  McMorran  was 
the  father  of  live  sons  and  one  daughter,  all  of  whom  are  now  deceased. 
He  was  an  active  member  of  the  Baptist  church  and  rendered  valuable  serv- 
ices in  many  directions  to  the  neighborhood  in  general. 

Christian  McMorran  grew  up  in  the  vicinity  where  he  was  born  and 
attended  an  old  log  school  house,  .\fter  his  marriage  he  settled  down  on 
])art  of  his  father's  farm.  He  finally  accumulated  an  excellent  farm  of  aI)out 
six  hundred  acres  of  prime  land  and  became  prosperous  in  all  his  under- 
takings. He  was  the  father  of  eight  children,  as  follow :  Ellen,  who  l)e- 
came  the  wife  of  Jason  Kiser;  David,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Barbara, 
the  wife  of  Sebastian  Nixon,  and  Simeon,  born  to  his  first  marriage.  By 
his  marriage  to  Susan  Loudenbach,  he  became  the  father  of  John  I'.,  of 
Johnson  to\\nship;  Stella,  wife  of  O.  P.  Mitchell,  Huntington  county,  In- 
diana ;  Mary,  wife  of  William  Heater,  of  St.  Paris,  and  Abraham,  deceased. 

David  McMorran  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Johnson  township  antl 
educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the  district.  He  remained  at  home  until 
lie    was   alxmt    twentv-one    and    then    worked    out    at    farming,    being    thus 


yj^^(yv<^  ^//cP  ^i/CoT^T^tt^riy  Sc  M/'i^ 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  4I 

engaged  for  about  two  years.  On  October  26,  1873,  David  McMorran  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Susan  Xorman,  who  was  born  in  Johnson  township 
on  June  24,  1850,  and  who  was  educated  in  the  common  schools.  About 
that  time  Mr.  IMcMorran  liouglit  thirty-six  acres  of  land,  for  which  he  paid 
three  thousand  six  hundred  dollars,  going  in  debt  for  the  purchase  money 
and  paying  interest  at  the  rate  of  ten  per  cent,  for  the  debt.  He  later  added 
ninety-eight  acres  to  his  original  purchase  and  is  nciw  the  owner  of  two 
hundred  and  seventy  acres  of  prime  land. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McMorran  three  children  were  born,  one  of  whom 
died  in  infancv,  the  others  being,  Dollie  B.,  who  became  the  wife  of  C.  A. 
\Viant,  of  Johnson  township,  and  Don,  who  married  I'earl  Perfect  and  now 
lives  in  Jackson  township.  The  McMorran  family  are  members  of  the 
Baptist  church  of  St.  Paris,  of  which  Mr.  McMorran  has  served  as  one  of 
the  deacons  for  several  \ears  and  has  always  been  acti\e  in  church  work. 
He  is  a  Republican  rmd  -has  ser\ed  as  trustee  of  his  township. 

Mr.  McMorran  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Central  National  Bank 
at  St.  Paris  and  helped  to  organize  it.  He  was  the  tirst  president,  which 
official  position  he  siill  holds.  He  is  also  a  director  in  the  St.  Paris  Grain 
C"iim])an\-  and  owns  three  business  rooms  in  the  same  town.  He  is  a  stock- 
holdtr  in  the  National  Insurance  Comi)any  and  is  interested  in  other  local 
business  interests,  also  owning  a  half  section  of  land  in  Texas. 


ISAAC  L  ARROWSAHTH. 

The  late  Isaac  I.  .\rrowsmith,  for  years  one  of  Champaign  county's 
best-known  and  most  substantial  farmers,  who  was  living  retired  hi  the 
city  of  Urbana  at  the  time  of  bis  death  on  November  13,  1913.  was  a  native 
son  of  this  countv  and  was  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  ^\'ar.  He  was 
born  on  a  pioneer  farm  in  Mad  River  township,  February  6.  1844,  son  of 
Wesley  and  Susanna  Arrowsmith.  Wesley  Arrowsmith  was  a  farmer  and 
mill  owner,  living  four  miles  west  of  Urbana,  and  he  and  his  wife  were 
the  parents  of  four  children,  those  besides  Isaac,  the  youngest,  being  Mary 
Jane,  Elizabeth  and  Miller,  all  deceased. 

Upon  completing  the  course  in  the  local  schools.  Isaac  I.  Arrowsmith 
t(j()k  a  course  in  a  commercial  college.  Though  but  a  boy  when  the  Civil 
War  broke  out  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  army  and  served  during 
the  hundred-days  service  as  a  member  of  Company   A,   One  Hundred  and 


42  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OTIKX 

Thirty-fourtli  Ivegiment,  Ohio  \^)hinteer  Infantry.  He  later  became  a 
farmer  on  his  own  account  and  on  Noveml^er  3,  1868,  married  Amanda  J. 
Powell,  daughter  of  James  D.  and  Minerva  (Hill)  Powell,  members  of 
Iiioneer  families  in  Champaign  county  and  further  and  fitting  mention  of 
whom  is  made  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  After  his  marriage  Mr.  Arrow- 
smith  farmed  the  old  Arrowsmith  farm  in  Mad  River  township  until  1909, 
when  he  retired  from  the  active  labors  of  the  farm  and  he  and  his  wife 
luoved  to  Crbana,  where  he  spent  his  last  days,  his  death  occurring,  as 
noted  above,  in  191.^,  and  where  she  is  still  living.  She  is  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  and  has  ever  taken  an  earnest  interest  in  church  work. 
Mr.  Arrowsmith  was  a  Republican  and  e\er  gave  a  good  citizen's  attention 
to  local  political  affairs,  but  was  not  included  in  the  office-seeking  class.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows 
and  took  a  warm  interest  in  the  aft'airs  of  that  organization.  As  a  member 
of  Brand  Post  Xo.  98,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  at  Urbana,  he  took 
tui  active  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  patriotic  organization  and  in  all 
ways  did  his  part  as  a  good  citizen  in  the  promotion  of  the  best  interests 
•of  the  conmumity  in  which  he  spent  all  his  life. 

To  Isaac  I.  and  Amanda  J.  (Powell)  Arrowsmitli  two  children  were 
l)orn,  James  I.,  living  on  the  old  home  place  in  Mad  River  township,  who 
married  Bessie  Craig  and  has  one  child,  a  son.  Marion  Powell  Arrowsmith, 
and  JMinerva  A.,  who  married  Jesse  Lewis,  living  on  the  old  Powell  homestead, 
and  has  two  children,  Emma  Jane  and  Charles  Richard  Lewis. 


DUNCAN  BURTON  McDONALD. 

The  iate  Duncan  Burton  McDonald,  former  treasurer  of  Champaign 
county  and  for  many  years  one  of  the  best-known  merchants  at  Urbana. 
who  died  at  his  home  in  that  city  in  the  summer  of  1915  and  whose  widow 
is  still  living  there,  was  born  in  that  city  and  there  spent  all  his  life,  an 
important  factor  in  the  commercial  and  political  life  of  the  community, 
even  as  his  father  before  him  had  been.  He  was  born  on  April  7,  1844, 
son  of  Duncan  B.  and  Hester  (Heylin)  McDonald,  both  of  whom  were 
l)orn  in  this  state,  the  former  in  Ross  county  and  the  latter  in  Urbana, 
members  of  pioneer  families,  and  whose  last  days  were  spent  in  Urbana, 
the  latter  dying  in  1887  and  the  former  in  1891. 

Elsewhere  in  this  volume,  in  a  memorial  sketch  relating  to  the  senior 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  43 

Duncan  B.  McDonald,  who  for  many  years  was  one  of  the  leading  mer- 
chants of  Urbana,  there  is  set  out  at  considerable  length  the  history  of  this 
branch  of  the  McDonald  famih-  in  America  and  the  reader  is  referred  to 
that  narrative  in  this  connection,  it  being  sufficient  here  to  state  that  the 
senior  Duncan  B.  3»IcDonald  was  a  son  of  Archibald  and  Margaret  (McDon- 
ald) McDonald,  natives  of  Scotland,  the  former  born  in  Glencoe  and  the 
latter  in  Sutherland,  who  were  married  in  this  country  and  Ijecame  early 
residents  of  Ohio,  settling  on  the  banks  of  Paint  creek,  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
present  city  of  Chillicothe,  in  Ross  county,  about  the  beginning  of  the  past 
century,  and  it  was  there,  in  that  pioneer  home,  that  Duncan  B.  McDonald 
was  born  in  1802.  Archibald  McDonald  was  born  in  1759  and  was  but  a 
bo}-  when  he  came  to  the  American  colonies  with  his  parents,  William  and 
Elizabeth  (  Douglas )  McDonald,  also  natives  of  Scotland,  born  in  Suther- 
landshire.  Though  but  sixteen  years  of  age  when  the  colonists  l)egan  their 
war  for  independence,  Archibald  McDonald  shortly  afterward  enlisted  his 
services  in  behalf  of  the  patriots  and  served  in  that  cause  until  the  end  of 
the  war.  When  eighteen  vears  of  age,  in  1820.  Duncan  B.  McDonald  en- 
tered upon  his  commercial  career  at  Urbana.  as  a  clerk  in  the  store  of 
Marcus  Hevlin,  whose  daughter  he  later  married,  and  he  presently  became 
a  part  owner  of  the  store,  later,  in  association  with  his  brothers,  William 
and  Colin  McDonald,  establishing  the  dry-goods  store,  which  came  to  be 
the  leading  mercantile  establishment  in  Urbana.  ^larcus  Heylin,  father  of 
Hester  Heylin.  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  one  of  the  early 
merchants  of  Url)ana  and  in  the  davs  of  the  beginning  (^f  his  commercial 
activities  there,  his  place  was  one  of  the  most  popular  Indian  trading  posts 
in  this  whole  region. 

Reared  in  Urbana,  Duncan  Burton  McDonald  received  his  schooling  in 
that  city  and  upon  leaving  high  school  entered  his  father's  mercantile  estab- 
lishment and  was  for  a  short  time  there  engaged,  but  after  awhile  decided  to 
take  up  farming  as  a  vocation  and  with  this  end  in  view  began  farming  on 
a  (|uarter  of  a  section  of  land  south  of  Urbana  and  was  thus  engaged  for 
se\eral  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  disposed  of  his  farming  interests 
and  moved  to  ]\Iuncie,  Indiana,  where  he  became  engaged  in  the  grocery 
business.  Several  years  later  he  returned  to  Url)ana  and  opened  a  grocery 
store  on  "the  Scjuare"  and  there  continued  actively  engaged  in  the  grocery 
business  until  his  retirement  from  business  thirty  years  later.  In  the  mean- 
time he  had  been  elected  treasurer  of  Champaign  county,'  serving  in  that 
pul)lic  capacitv  for  five  vears.     Not  long  after  his  retirement  from  office  he 


44  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

sold  his  sti)i"c  and  the  rest  of  his  Hfe  was  spent  in  quiet  retirement,  his  death 
occurring  in  July,  1915.  he  then  being  in  the  seventy-second  year  of  his 
age.  During  the  Civil  ^^'ar  l\Ir.  McDonald  participated  in  the  hundred- 
days  service  as  a  member  of  Company  K,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth 
Regiment,  Ohio  A'olunteer  Infantry,  and  was  an  active  member  of  the  local 
post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  in  the  affairs  of  which  organiza- 
tion he  took  a  warm  interest.  Politically,  he  was  a  Republican  and  by  reli- 
gious persuasion  and  inheritance  was  a  Presbyterian,  for  years  serving  as  a 
deacon  of  the  local  congregation  of  that  church. 

In  1866  Duncrui  Burton  McDonald  was  united  in  marriage  to  Laura 
E.  Lamme,  who  was  born  in  P>ethel  township,  in  the  neighboring  county  of 
Clark,  daughter  of  William  A.  and  Eliza  (Harr)  Eamme,  the  former  of 
whom  was  born  in  that  same  township  and  the  latter  in  Urimna,  a  daughter 
of  Daniel  Harr,  a  pioneer  tavern-keeper  at  Urbana,  his  tavern  having  Ijeen 
located  on  the  present  site  of  the  postotifice  in  that  city,  but  who  later  moved 
to  Springfield.  David  Harr  was  a  son  of  James  Harr,  a  soldier  of  the 
]jatriot  armv  during  the  Revolutionary  War.  William  A.  Lamme  was  a 
son  of  John  and  Sarah  Lamme,  natives  of  Virginia,  the  former  of  whom 
took  part  in  the  War  of  181 2,  serving  in  Hull's  army,  and  who  became 
pioneers  of  Clark  county,  this  state.  William  A.  Lamme  continued  farming 
in  Clark  county  until  the  death  of  his  wife,  after  which  he  made  his  home 
with  his  children,  his  death  occurring  at  the  home  of  a  daughter  in  Chicago. 
He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  of  whom  but  three  are 
now  living,  Mrs.  McDonald  having  a  sister,  Caroline,  living  at  Portland. 
Oregon,  and  a  brother,  Edwin  PI.  Lamme.  a  successful  lawyer  at  San  Diego, 
California. 

To  Duncan  1>.  and  Laura  li.  (Lamme)  McDonald  were  l)orn  two  sons, 
Robert  Pleylin  and  William  Lamme,  the  latter  of  whom  died  years  ago. 
Herbert  H.  McDonald  married  Helen  James,  of  Memphis,  Tennessee,  and 
has  two  sons,  Clarence  Pleylin  and  James  Duncan.  Clarence  H.  ]\IcDnnald 
married  Isabel  Wagar  and  has  one  child,  a  daughter,  Fdizabeth  Wagar. 
James  D.  McDonald  married  Irene  Gardner.  Since  the  death  of  her  hus- 
band Mrs.  McDonald  has  continued  to  make  her  home  at  Urbana,  where 
she  is  \er\-  pleasantl}  situated.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
and  has  ever  taken  an  interested  part  in  the  work  of  the  church,  as  well  as 
in  the  general  good  works  and  social  and  cultural  activities  of  her  home 
city,  she  and  liei'  husband  having  been  helpful  in  promoting  such  move- 
ments as  were  designed  to  advance  the  common  welfare  of  the  communitv- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  45 

GRIFFITH  ELLIS. 

The  late  Griffith  EUis,  who  for  years  \vas  (jne  of  the  best-known  mer- 
chants and  pubHc  men  at  Urbana,  who  died  at  his  home  in  that  city  in  tlie 
fall  oi  T912  and  whose  widow  is  still  living-  there,  was  a  native  of  the  prin- 
cipality of  Wales,  but  had  been  a  resident  of  this  country  since  the  clays  of 
his  boyhood,  the  greater  part  of  his  life  having  been  s[)ent  at  L^-bana,  where 
he  entered  upon  his  successful  business  career  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years. 
He  was  born  in  the  year  1830  and  when  ten  years  of  age  came  to  the  United 
States  with  an  uncle,  who  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  \icinity  of  Columbus, 
this  state. 

AVhen  he  was  si.xteen  }ears  of  age  Griffith  Ellis  was  offered  a  position 
as  a  clerk  in  the  old  Gw\nn  mercantile  establishment  at  Urbana  and  ac- 
cepted the  same,  his  residence  at  L^rbana  dating  from  that  time.  Displaying 
an  unusual  aptitude  for  business,  two  ^■ears  later  he  was  given  a  partnership 
in  the  firm  and  se\'eral  }'ears  later  became  the  sole  owner  of  the  store,  which 
he  continued  to  operate  for  a  short  time  and  then  sold  out  and  went  to 
New  York  C\t\,  where  he  became  engaged  in  the  wholesale  shoe  business. 
A  few  years  later  Mr.  fillis  returned  to  Urbana  and  there  opened  a  mer- 
chant-tailoring establishiuent,  which  he  continued  to  operate  until  his  election 
to  the  office  of  county  treasurer  of  Champaign  count}-  in  1880.  He  served 
the  public  in  that  iiuportant  capacity  for  four  years  and  was  then  elected 
clerk  of  court,  a  position  he  occu])ied  for  six  years.  Mr.  Ellis  was  a  stanch 
Republican  and  for  many  years  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  leaders  of  that 
part)-  in  this  state.  He  voted  for  John  C.  b'remont,  the  Repulilican  party's 
first  nominee  for  President,  and  ever  after  took  an  acti\-e  part  in  the  aft^airs 
of  the  party,  serving  for  some  time  as  chairman  of  the  Champaign  county 
central  committee.  Go\-ernor  Foster  appointed  him  a  meml)er  of  the  board 
of  governors  of  the  Ohio  state  penitentiary  and  he  also  ser\-ed  for  some 
time  as  financial  officer  of  the  state  institution  at  Dayton,  later  returning 
to  his  established  home  at  Urbana,  where  he  sjient  his  last  da}-s,  his  death 
occurring  there  in  November,  191 2.  At  one  time  Mr.  Ellis  was  nominated 
by  the  congressional  convention  as  the  Republican  candidate  for  Congress 
from  this  district,  but  he  declined  the  nomination.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  I-"irst  Presb}terian  church  at  Urbana,  a  York  Rite  Mas(ni  and  a  member 
of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

In  1857  Griffith  Ellis  was  united  in  marriage  to  Jane  Hoge  Woods, 
daughter  of  Robert  T.  \\'oods  and  wife,  of  Urbana,  and  to  this  union  nine 


46  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

children  were  born,  of  whom  hve  are  still  living,  namely:  Mrs.  Jennie  E. 
(iiljjjons,  of  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan;  Miss  Sophia  R.  EUis,  a  teacher  of  Latin 
in  the  Brooklyn  high  school  for  girls  at  Brooklyn,  New  York;  Griffith  Ogden 
i'dlis,  of  Detroit.  Michigan,  publisher  of  the  Aiiicrican  Boy.  a  popular  mag- 
azine for  iu^•eniles  and  in  which  com]xuiy  he  owns  the  controlling  stock; 
Miss  Mehina  K.  b^dlis,  of  L'rbana,  and  Mrs.  Louise  R.  Inslee.  a  member  of 
the   facult\-  of  tlie   bjnma  W'illard  School   for  Girls  at  Trov,   Xew  York. 


HEXRV  M.  PEARCE,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Plenry  W.  Pearce,  of  L'rbana.  former  county  physician  and  city 
health  officer  and  for  years  the  local  surgeon  for  the  Pennsyhania  Railroad 
Company,  was  born  in  Urbana  and  has  lived  there  all  his  life,  continuously 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  there  since  receiving  his  medical 
degree  in  1890.  He  was  born  on  December  20,  1868,  son  of  Dr.  Henry 
C.  and  Sarah  Jane  (  Morgan )  Pearce,  the  former  of  whom  for  many  years 
was  one  of  the  l)est-known  physicians  and  medical  instructors  in  the  state 
of  Oliio. 

The  late  Dr.  Henry  C.  Pearce,  who  died  at  his  home  in  Lrbana  on 
December  2,  1891,  also  was  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county,  born  on  a 
farm  in  Cnion  township,  on  April  10,  1833,  son  of  Harve}-  C.  and  Beulah 
(Barrett)  Pearce,  both  of  whom  also  were  l)orn  in  this  county,  members 
of  pioneer  families.  Harvey  C.  Pearce  was  born  in  1805,  son  of  Thomas 
and  Elizabeth  (Cc^llins)  Pearce,  who  were  among  the  very  earliest  settlers 
of  Champaign  county.  Thomas  Pearce,  a  soldier  of  the  patriot  army  dur- 
ing the  Revolutionary  War,  moved  from  New  York  State  to  Maryland 
after  the  war  and  later  came  to  Ohio  and  settled  in  the  then  wilds  of  Cham- 
jjaign  county,  he  and  his  wife  becoming  influential  pioneers  of  the  new  com- 
munit\'  and  here  spending  the  rest  of  their  lives.  Harvey  C.  Pearce  grew 
to  manho(xl  on  tlic  pioneer  farm  (mi  which  he  was  born  and  married  Beulah 
Barrett,  who  also  was  born  in  this  county,  in  1809.  a  daughter  of  Capt.  Abner 
Barrett,  one  of  the  very  early  settlers  of  Champaign  county,  who  later  served 
as  an  officer  during  the  War  of  181 2.  l'\:>r  some  time  after  his  marriage, 
Har\ey  C.  Pearce  continued  farming  and  then  moved  to  Urbana  and  was 
for  many  years  thereafter  engaged  in  the  shoe  business  in  that  city,  the 
rest  of  his  life  being  spent  there,  his  death  occurring  in  1891.  His  wife 
had  preceded  him  about  six  years,   her  death  occurring  in    1885.      Harvey 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


47 


C.  Pearce  took  an  active  interest  in  local  civic  affairs  and  for  some  time 
served  as  justice  of  the  peace  in  his  home  township.  He  \vas  a  duly  licensed 
•'local"  minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  was  widely  known 
hereahout  as  a  preacher  of  convincing  power.  To  him  and  his  wife  eiglit 
children  were  horn,  Henry  Clay,  Lucas  E.,  Ahner  B.,  John  W'.,  William 
Raper,  Mary  E.,  Richard  S.  and  Harvey  C. 

Henry  Clay  Pearce  received  his  elementary  schooling  in  the  local  schools 
and  at  the  age  of  twenty  turned  his  attention  seriously  to  the  study  of  medi- 
cine, under  the  preceptorship  of  Doctor  Carter  and  later  under  Doctor  Daw- 
son, and  thus  duly  prepared  for  entrance  to  college  entered  Starling  Medical 
College  at  Columbus,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in  1863, 
though  for  five  years  previously  he  had  been  engaged  in  practice  during 
vacations  at  Mutual,  this  county.  In  1864  he  opened  an  office  for  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  at  Urbana  and  ever  afterward  regarded  that  as  his 
established  home,  though  for  many  years  much  of  his  time  was  spent  in 
Columbus  as  a  medical  instructor.  From  1866  to  1874  Doctor  Pearce  ser\ed 
as  professor  of  physiology  and  microscopic  histolog}'  in  Starling  Medical 
College  and  then,  for  a  period  of  seventeen  years,  served  as  ]H-ofessor  of 
obstetrics  and  surgical  diseases  of  women  in  Columbus  Medical  College.  L^n- 
many  years  he  was  an  active  member  of  the  Ohio  State  Medical  Society  and 
of  the  American  Medical  Association  and  in  1866  was  appointed  local  sur- 
geon for  the  Pennsylvania  Company,  a  position  he  held  until  his  death,  the 
longest  period  of  such  service  on  the  records  of  that  cumpan)-.  h'or  nine- 
teen years  the  Doctor  was  a  member  of  the  local  school  board  at  Urbana. 
and  for  more  than  a  half  century  he  was  a  consistent  and  active  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Dr.  Henry  C.  Pearce  was  twice  married.  In  1854  he  was  unitetl  in 
marriage  to  Sarah  Jane  Morgan  and  to  that  union  fi\e  children  were  born, 
namely:  Laura  Etta,  who  married  C.  E.  Macher,  of  Piqua ;  Ella,  who 
married  George  E.  Lee  and  is  now  deceased:  Charles  W.,  of  Urbana;  Henry 
M.,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  biographical  sketch,  and  a  daughter,  who 
died  in  infancy.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  in  1872  and  in  the  fol- 
lowing year  Doctor  Pearce  married  Binnie  A.  Keller,  daughter  of  William 
Keller,  former  mayor  of  Urbana,  and  to  that  union  two  sons  were  born. 
Dr.  Frank  C.  Pearce,  deceased,  and  William  K.,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
twenty-two  years.  The  elder  Doctor  Pearce  was  a  Scottish  Rite  Mason  and 
a  Knight  Templar  and  for  years  took  a  warm  interest  in  Masonic  affairs  in 
this  state. 

Henry  M.   Pearce  received  a  practical  education   in  the  schools  of  his 


48  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

home  city  and  early  entered  upon  the  study  of  medicuie  under  the  aljle  pre- 
ceptorship  of  his  learned  father.  Thus  prepared  for  college  he  entered  Star- 
ling- Medical  College  in  1887  and  on  March  4,  1890,  was  graduated  from 
that  institution,  with  the  degree  of  l^octor  of  [Medicine.  Thus  equipped  for 
the  practice  of  his  profession,  Doctor  Pearce  engaged  in  practice  at  Urbana, 
in  association  with  his  father,  and  has  ever  since  remained  in  that  city,  long- 
regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  practitioners  in  this  part  of  the  state.  In  addi- 
tion to  his  general  practice  he  has  served  for  twenty-five  years  as  local 
phvsician  and  surgeon  for  the  Penns}lv;niia  Railroad  Company.  For  eleven 
years  he  served  as  county  pliysician  and  also  for  some  time  in  the  capacity 
of  city  health  officer.  The  Doctor  is  an  active  member  of  the  Champaign 
County  Medical  Society,  the  Ohio  State  Medical  Society  and  of  the  Amer- 
ican Medical  Association  and  in  the  deliberations  of  these  learned  bodies 
takes  a  warm  interest.  He  is  a  York  Rite  Mason  and  takes  an  actixc  interest 
in  Masonic  affairs;  he  is  past  master  of  Champaign  Masonic  lodge  and  is 
past  commander  of  Raper  Comniandery  No.  19,  Knights  Templar.  His 
])(ilitical  allegiance  is  given  to  the  Republican  party.  For  six  years  he  served 
as  member  of  the  school  board,  of  which  he  was  president  for  one  year. 

In  1890  Dr.  Henry  M.  Pearce  was  united  in  marriage  to  Anna  M. 
Sleffel,  a  native  of  Australia,  and  to  this  union  two  children  have  been  born, 
Linda  Etta  and  Edwin  Clay.  Doctor  and  Mrs.  Pearce  are  members  of  the 
IMethodist  Episcopal  church  and  take  a  proper  interest  in  church  work,  as 
A\-ell  as  in  the  general  good  works  and  social  and  cultural  acti\'ities  of  their 
home  town. 


JOHN   PRIXGLE  NEER. 


lohn  Prin.gle  Xeer,  one  of  Champaign  county's  most  substantial  farm- 
ers and  landowners,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  and  former  niem- 
l)er  of  the  board  of  county  commissioners,  now  living-  retired  at  Urbana. 
where  he  lias  extensive  banking  and  manufacturing  interests,  is  a  native 
son  of  this  count\-  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm 
in  Concord  township  on  April  2^,  1842,  son  c5  Joseph  and  Margaret  Susan 
(Monroe)  Neer,  earlv  settlers  in  that  section  of  the  county,  whose  last 
days  were  spent  on  their  farm  there. 

Joseijh  Neer  was  born  in  Loudoun  county.  X'irginia.  August  7.  1804. 
and  there  grew  to  manhood,  remaining  there  until  after  he  had  attained  his 
maioritv.   when,   in    1826.  he  came  over  into  Ohio,   locating  near   Catawba. 


fJ€^^ 


'y'/UJ 


y^^4^. 


CHAMPAIG.\T    COUNTY,    OHIO.  49 

working  as  a  cabinet-maker.  He  returned  to  Virginia  then  in  1831  and 
bought  a  tract  of  school  land  in  Concord  township.  He  set  about  clearing 
and  improving  the  same,  early  becoming  recognized  as  one  of  the  most 
substantial  and  influential  pioneers  of  that  section.  That  pioneer  farm  is 
now  held  by  tlie  subject  of  this  sketch.  Joseph  Neer  was  also  a  Avagon- 
maker  by  trade  and  did  considerable  work  in  that  line  in  early  days,  as 
well  as  a  good  deal  of  carpentering  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  home.  On 
November  10,  1835.  nine  years  after  he  came  to  this  county,  Joseph  Neer 
married  Margaret  Susan  Monroe,  who  was  born  on  November  27,  1819, 
daughter  of  David  Monroe  and  wife,  wdio  came  to  this  county  from  Virginia 
in  pioneer  days,  and  after  his  marriage  he  established  his  home  on  his  Con- 
cord township  farm.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist 
church  and  ever  took  an  earnest  part  in  church  work,  as  well  as  in  the  gen- 
eral good  works  of  the  community  in  which  they  lived.  Mr.  Neer  originally 
was  a  AVhig.  but  upon  the  formation  of  the  Republican  party  espoused  the 
principles  of  the  same  and  cast  his  vote  for  John  C.  Fremont.  His  death 
occurred  on  January  26,  1869,  and  his  widow  survived  him  for  more  than 
ten  years,  her  death  occurring  on  October  8,  1880.  They  were  the  parents 
of  twelve  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  fourth  in 
order  of  birtli.  the  others  being  as  follow-  David  C,  a  successful  farmer 
in  .Vllen  count}-,  Kansas;  Ann  F.,  who  is  now  living  at  Bakersfield,  Cali- 
fornia, widow  of  James  \\\  Ellis;  Eliza  AL,  who  died  in  southern  Colorado 
on  October  6,  1875,  wife  of  Judge  Joseph  Van  Offenbacker,  who  died  at 
Washington,  D.  C,  in  January,  1895;  Martha  J.,  who  died  on  September 
16,  1870;  Nathan  A.,  a  retired  farmer  now  living  at  Pasadena,  California; 
Sallie  C.  living  at  Los  Angeles,  widow  of  Lowell  T.  Clemans;  Joseph  T., 
who  married  Lydia  A.  Bricker  and  is  a  well-known  farmer  in  Concord 
township,  this  coimty;  Mary  F.,  wife  of  Charles  W.  McMaster,  of  Los 
Angeles;  Samuel  J.,  a  fruit  grower  at  Green  River,  Utah;  Elizabeth,  who 
died  in  infanc),  and  James  ^1..  a  farmer  and  stockman  in  Cowley  county, 
Kansas. 

John  P.  Neer  was  reared  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Concord  township, 
receiving  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  neighborhood,  and  was  nineteen 
years  of  nge  when  the  Civil  A\'ar  broke  out.  Ou  August  19,  1862,  then 
being  but  twenty  years  of  age.  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  armv 
as  a  private  in  Compau}-  H,  Fort}-fifth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry, 
being  mustered  into  the  service  at  Camp  Chase  at  Columbus,  and  served 
Avith  that  command  until  he  was  mustered  out  with  the  rank  of  first  lieu- 
(4a) 


50  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

tenant  at  Canip  Harker  in  Tennessee,  June  12,  1865,  the  war  then  Ijeing 
over.  Mr.  Neer's  first  promotion  in  the  ranks  was  to  the  position  of  cor- 
poral of  his  compan_y.  Later  to  sergeant  and  then  to  orderly  sergeant,  serving 
with  that  rank  until  he  received  his  commission  as  first  lieutenant.  During 
his  long  period  of  service  he  was  a  j)articipant  in  some  of  the  heaviest  en- 
gagements of  the  war.  including  the  'liattles  of  Resaca,  Dallas,  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  Pine  Mountain  and  Lovejoy  Station.  One  of  the  first  engage- 
ments in  which  he  took  part  was  the  battle  of  Dutton  Hill,  Kentucky,  and 
he  also  took  part  in  the  pursuit  of  General  Morgan,  the  Confederate  cavalry 
raider,  through  Indiana  and  Ohio.  On  October  20,  1863,  he  was  a  par- 
ticipant in  the  battle  of  Philadelphia,  Tennessee,  in  which  his  regiment  lost, 
in  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  one  hundred  and  sixty-eight  men.  Later 
the  regiment  served  in  the  campaign  in  eastern  Tennessee  and  on  Novemlier 
15  of  that  same  year,  at  Holston  River,  lost  one  hundred  and  one  men. 
including  five  officers.  In  an  engagement  two  davs  later,  November  17. 
they  had  a  brisk  encounter  with  the  forces  of  General  Rongstreet.  \u  that 
latter  engagement  Mr.  Neer  was  shot  through  the  lungs  and  was  taken  to 
a  hospital,  being  unable  to  join  his  regiiuent  until  after  the  siege  of  Knox- 
ville.  P'rom  Tazewell,  Tennessee,  he  then  went  with  his  regiment  to  Cum- 
berland Gap  and  thence  on  to  Mt.  Sterling,  Kentuckv,  where  he  remained 
about  a  month,  in  command  of  a  detail  left  to  guard  the  town;  retin-ning 
thence  to  Tennessee  l:)y  wa}'  of  Knoxville,  he  iinalh'  proceeded  on  with  tlie 
regiment  to  take  part  in  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  was  present  at  the  siege 
of  Atlanta. 

Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  Mr.  Neer  returned  to  hi^ 
home  in  this  county  and  resumed  his  place  on  the  home  farm.  After  the 
death  of  his  father,  in  1869,  he  purchased  from  the  other  heirs  the  greater 
l)art  of  the  old  homestead  and  continued  to  farm  the  same,  gradually  adding 
to  his  land  holdings  until  he  now  is  the  owner  of  six  hundred  and  eighty 
acres  of  well-improved  land.  In  addition  to  his  general  farming  Mr.  Neer 
for  vears  gave  considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of  high-grade  li\e  stock 
and  did  very  well.  In  1881  he  and  a  party  of  men  w^ent  to  England  and 
Scotland  and  imported  a  number  of  fine  horses.  Some  years  ago  he  retired 
from  the  farm  and  moved  to  Urbana,  where  he  since  has  made  his  home. 
Mr.  Neer  is  an  ardent  Republican  and  has  ever  taken  a  good  citizen's  interest 
in  local  political  affairs.  From  1885  to  1891  he  served  as  a  member  of  the 
lioard  of  county  commissioners  and  in  other  ways  has  contrilnited  of  jiis 
time  and  his  abilities  to  the  public  service.  He  is  vice-president  .and  a 
member  of  the  l:)oard  of  directors  of  the  City  National  Bank  of  Urbana,  is 


FARM  HOME  AND  BARX  OF  JOHN  P.  NEER. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  :^l 

connected  with  the  ]\Ianimoth  Furniture  Company  of  that  city  and  is  also 
a  stockholder  and  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Urbana  Pack- 
ing- Compan}\ 

In  1899  John  P.  Neer  was  united  in  marriage  to  Ida  M.  Goble,  of 
Brooklyn.  New  York,  a  daughter  of  Ira  and  Catherine  (Burke)  Goble,  and 
who  died  on  April  5.  191 1.  Mr.  Neer  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  and  for  years  has  been  active  in  church  work.  He  is  a  member 
of  Brand  Post  No.  98,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  at  Urbana.  and  is  now 
serving  his  fifth  term  as  commander  of  the  same,  for  years  having  been 
one  of  the  most  active  members  of  the  local  post  of  that  patriotic  order. 


WILLIAM  R.  WARNOCK. 

The  Hon.  William  R.  Warnock.  a  distinguished  veteran  of  the  Civil 
War,  former  congressman  from  this  district,  former  state  senator,  former 
judge  of  the  court  of  common  pleas,  former  prosecuting  attorney  for  this 
county  and  for  many  }ears  one  of  the  best-known  lawyers  in  this  part  of 
the  state,  now  living  practically  retired  at  Urbana,  was  born  in  that  city 
and  has  lived  there  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  August  29,  1838,  a  son 
of  the  Rev.  David  and  Sarah  A.  (Hitt)  Warnock  and  a  grandson  of  the 
Rev.  Samuel  Hitt,  who  in  1809  had  settled  on  a  farm  that  is  now  included 
within  the  corporate  limits  of  Urbana. 

The  Rev.  David  Warnock  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  born  on  February 
14,  18 10,  who  came  to  this  country  when  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  in 
1828,  and  who  completed  his  education  at  Strongsville  Academy,  in  the 
vicinity  of  Cleveland,  this  state.  In  1832  he  became  a  member  of  the  Ohio 
Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  spent  the  rest  of  his 
life  in  the  gospel  ministry,  one  of  the  best-known  clergymen  of  his  com- 
munion in  Ohio,  his  long  pastorate  having  included  charges  at  Urbana, 
Bellefontaine,  Sidney,  Delaware,  Circleville.  Zanesville,  Columbus,  Cincin- 
nati and  other  places.  In  1837,  at  Urbana,  he  married  Sarah  A.  Hitt,  who 
was  born  there,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Hitt,  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
Champaign  county  and  a  man  of  large  influence  in  his  generation,  and  ever 
after  regarded  Urbana  as  his  established  home,  though  the  itinerar\-  of 
his  ministry  kept  him  much  of  the  time  in  other  cities  throughout  the  state. 
The  Rev.  David  Warnock  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  nine  children. 

\\'illiam  R.  \Varnock  was  reared  at  LTrbana  and  received  his  schoolino- 


52  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

in  the  schools  of  that  city  and  at  Ohio  Wesleyan  University,  from  which 
latter  institution  he  was  graduated  in  1861,  in  the  meantime  having  taught 
school,  devoting  his  leisure  to  the  study  of  law.  In  the  summer  of  1861,  just 
after  leaving  the  university,  he  recruited  a  company  for  service  in  the  Union 
army  to  put  down  the  rebellion  of  the  Southern  states,  and  in  July,  1862, 
was  commissioned  captain  of  a  company  attached  to  the  Ninety-fifth  Regi- 
ment, Ohio  ^^olunteer  Infantry,  and  a  year  later  was  promoted  to  the  rank 
of  major.  In  December,  1864,  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant- 
colonel  and  was  mustered  out  with  that  rank  in  August,  1865. 

Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  Colonel  Warnock  returned 
to  his  home  in  Urbana  and  there  resumed  his  law  studies,  under  the  precep- 
torship  of  Judge  Corwin,  and  in  May,  1866,  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  imme- 
diately thereafter  forming  a  partnership  with  George  M.  Eichelberger  and 
engaging  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Urbana.  In  the  summer  of 
1868  he  married  and  established  his  home  at  Urbana,  which  ever  since  has 
])een  his  place  of  residence.  In  1872  he  was  elected  prosecuting  attorney 
for  Champaign  coimt}-  and  in  1876  was  elected  to  represent  this  district  in 
the  state  Senate.  In  the  fall  of  1879  he  was  elected  judge  of  the  court  of 
common  pleas  and  by  successive  re-elections  was  kept  on  the  bench  for  ten 
years,  or  until  1889.  In  the  fall  of  1900  Judge  Warnock  was  elected  to 
represent  this  district  in  Congress  and  two  years  later  he  was  re-elected, 
thus  serving  as  congressman  from  this  district  from  March  4,  1901,  to 
March  4,  1905  ;  in  the  meantime,  while  not  engaged  in  the  performance  of 
his  official  duties,  continuing  the  practice  of  his  profession.  Since  retiring 
from  Congress,  however.  Judge  Warnock  has  been  living  practically  retired 
from  professional  life,  though  still  often  consulted  in  an  advisory  capacity 
by  his  younger  confreres  of  the  bar.  During  the  many  years  of  his  active 
practice  Judge  Warnock  was  connected  with  many  of  the  important  cases 
tried  in  the  courts  of  this  district  and  the  reputation  he  won  at  the  bar 
entitled  him  to  recognition  as  one  of  the  ablest  lawyers  Champaign  countv 
has  produced  during  its  history  of  more  than  a  hundred  years.  Politically, 
Judge  Warnock  is  a  Republican;  by  religious  persuasion,  a  Methodist:  and, 
fraternally,  is  a  member  of  the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic 
and  of  the  Military  Order  of  the  Loyal  Legion,  and  is  a  Scottish  Rite  Mason, 
one  of  the  few  thirty-second  degree  Masons  in  Urbana. 

On  August  20,  1868,  Judge  Warnock  was  united  in  marriage  to  Kate 
Murray,  of  the  neighboring  county  of  Clark,  and  to  this  union  were  born 
three  children,  Clifford,  Ann  Catherine  and  Elizabeth.  He  represented  the 
Methodist    I"4)isc<i])al   conference  at   Cincinnati,   at   Chicago,   Baltimore,   Los 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 


Angeles  and  Minneapolis.  He  is  commander  of  the  Loyal  Legion,  com- 
mander of  the  department  of  the  Ohio,  Grand  x\i-my  of  the  Republic,  for 
many  years,  and  trustee  of  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  for  twenty-five 
vears. 


TOHN  S.  LEEDOM. 


In  the  historical  section  of  this  work  there  is  set  out  at  length  an  ac- 
ctnmt  of  the  services  rendered  to  this  community  by  the  late  John  S.  Lee- 
dom,  who  has  been  referred  to  as  probably  the  most  brilliant  lawyer  Cham- 
paign county  has  ever  produced  and  whose  participation  in  the  public  affairs 
of  this  county,  including  his  service  during  the  period  of  the  Civil  War, 
for  many  years  exercised  a  potent  and  a  wholesome  influence  upon  all  phases 
of  local  activity  which  his  talents  touched;  so  that  at  the  time  of  his  death, 
in  the  spring  of  1899,  there  was  general  and  sincere  mourning  throughout 
this  entire  section  of  the  state. 

John  S.  Leedom  was  a  native  of  the  old  Keystone  state,  born  in  Bucks 
county,  Pennsylvania.  August  i,  1825,  son  of  Thomas  and  Ann  (Stockton) 
Leedom,  both  also  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  who  were  married  in  that  state 
and  continued  to  make  their  home  there  until  1828,  when  they  came  over 
into  Ohio  and  located  on  a  farm  in  the  neighborhood  of  St.  Paris,  in  this 
count}-,  where  the}-  established  their  home  and  where  and  at  St.  Paris  they 
spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  useful  and  influential  pioneers  of  that 
section.  Thomas  Leedom  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  seven  children. 
Upon  his  retirement  from  the  farm  Thomas  Leedom  moved  to  the  village 
of  St.  Paris,  where  his  last  days  were  spent. 

John  S.  Leedom  ^\-as  but  two  or  three  years  of  age  when  his  parents 
came  to  Champaign  county  and  he  therefore  was  a  resident  of  this  county 
all  of  his  active  life.  Reared  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  St.  Paris,  he 
received  his  early  schooling  in  that  village  and  upon  completing'  the  course 
there  liegan  teaching  school  and  was  thus  engaged  for  several  years,  mean- 
while pursuing  the  course  of  study  in  the  old  Springfield  Academy;  after 
which  he  entered  Indiana  State  University  at  Bloomington,  Indiana,  for 
the  purpose  of  completing  his  law^  studies,  which  he  had  begun  under  Gen. 
John  H.  Young  at  Urbana,  and  was  graduated  from  the  university  in  the 
earl}-  fifties,  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Lav^s.  Upon  receiving  hi 
diploma  Mv.  Leedom  returned  to  Urbana,  where  he  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  and  where  he  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  in  association 


54  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

with  General  Young ;  later  forming  a  partnership  with  James  Taylor  and 
upon  the  dissolution  of  that  partnership  became  a  partner  of  Jesse  Lewis, 
which  latter  mutually  agreeable  arrangement  continued  unbroken  until  his 
death  on  April  19,  1899.  The  story  of  John  S.  Leedom's  connection  with 
the  bar  of  Champaign  county  and  of  his  services  as  county  attorney  and  in 
other  capacities  of  a  i)ulilic  character  is  given  elsewhere  in  this  work,  and 
the  same  therefore  need  not  be  enlarged  on  here,  only  to  say  that  in  all  liis 
service  to  the  public  and  his  practice  in  the  courts,  this  brilliant  lawyer  ever 
had  the  common  good  at  heart  and  his  influence  ever  was  exerted  on  the 
side  of  the  right.  During  the  progress  of  the  Civil  War,  Mr.  Leedom  was 
a  member  of  the  Home  Guard,  popularly  known  at  that  time  as  the  "Squirrel 
Hunters,"  and  from  the  very  beginning  of  the  struggle  between  the  states 
took  an  active  part  in  the  work  of  recruiting,  influencing  many  young  men 
to  go  to  the  front  in  behalf  of  the  Union  cause.  Politically,  he  was  a  Dem- 
ocrat and  for  many  years  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  leaders  of  that  party, 
not  only  in  Champaign  county  and  throughout  this  immediate  section,  but 
throughout  the  state,  and  his  voice  in  the  councils  of  his  party  was  not 
without  weight. 

In  October,  1852,  at  Piciua,  this  state,  John  S.  Leedom  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Louisa  J.  Furrow,  born  on  February  9.  183 1,  daughter  of  Jacob 
and  Elizabeth  Furrow,  and  to  this  union  four  children  were  born.  Anna 
Lawrence,  Elizabeth.  Louisa  and  Charles,  of  whom  Miss  Louisa  Leedom, 
of  LTrbana,  is  now  the  only  survivor.  Anna  Lawrence  Leedom  died  in  in- 
fancy- and  Charles  Leedom  died  at  the  age  of  five  years.  Elizabeth  Leedom 
(deceased),  who  was  the  wife  of  Joseph  Perkins,  had  two  children,  Leedom 
Perkins  and  one  who  died  in  infancv. 


JOSEPH  A.  HOOLEY 


Joseph  A.  Hooley,  one  of  Champaign  county's  progressi\'e  farmers  and 
the  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  in  Salem  township,  where  he  and  his  famil\- 
are  comfortably  situated,  has  been  a  resident  of  this  county  for  the  past 
fourteen  years  and  during  that  time  has  made  many  friends  here.  He  \\as 
born  on  a  farm  in  MitTlin  county,  Pennsylvania,  September  2,  1854,  a  son 
of  John  C.  and  Elizabeth  (Hartzler)  Hooley,  both  natives  of  that  county, 
who  spent  all  their  lives  there,  earnest  and  industrious  members  of  the  large 
Mennonite   connection   in    that   place.      John    C.    Hooley   was    a    substantial 


CHAMPAIGX    COUNTY,    OHIO.  55 

farmer  and  a  great  lover  of  tine  horses,  for  many  years  making  a  specialty 
of  raising  Percherons.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Mennonite 
church  and  their  children  were  reared  in  that  faith.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hooley, 
after  more  than  fift}'  years  of  married  life,  died  in  the  same  month  in  1893, 
Mrs.  Hooley  dying  on  April  8,  of  that  year  and  her  husband  on  April  26. 
They  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  the  tenth  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow :  Leah,  who  married 
Jacob  Kauffman  and  spent  her  last  days  in  Indiana ;  Mar\-,  who  married 
Jacob  Zook  and  who,  as  well  as  her  husband,  died  in  Mifflin  county;  Cath- 
erine, who  is  still  living  in  that  county,  widow  of  Peter  King;  David  H.,  a 
farmer,  who  died  in  Indiana ;  Lizzie,  who  is  still  living  in  Milf lin  county, 
widow"  of  D.  H.  Zook;  Rachael,  who  married  E.  A.  Zook  and  who,  as  well 
as  her  husband,  is  now  deceased;  Levi,  a  retired  farmer,  now  living  at  Fair- 
view,  Michigan;  Sarah,  unmarried,  who  is  still  living  on  the  old  home  place 
in  ]\Iiltlin  county;  S.  M.,  who  is  now  managing  that  place,  and  Fannie, 
iinmarried,  who  also  continues  to  make  her  home  there. 

Until  his  marriage,  at  the  age  of  twenty-six  years,  to  Kate  Hooley, 
daughter  of  David  K.  and  Fannie  (Hartzler)  Hooley,  both  deceased,  who 
was  also  born  in  Alifflin  county.  Pennsylvania.  Joseph  A.  Hooley  made  his 
home  on  the  old  home  farm,  a  \aluable  aid  to  his  father  in  the  labors  of  the 
same,  and  after  his  marriage  he  set  up  housekeeping  and  began  farming  in 
that  county  on  his  own  account,  remaining  there  until  1904,  when  he  came 
o\er  into  Ohio  and  settled  in  this  county,  buying  the  Jacob  A.  Yoder  farm 
of  one  hundred  acres  in  Salem  township  and  there  establishing  his  home. 
Since  taking  possession  of  that  place  he  has  made  numerous  important 
improvements  to  the  same  and  now  has  one  of  the  best-kept  farms  and  pleas- 
antest  homes  in  that  neighborhood. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hooley  have  ten  children,  namely :  L^.  S.,  who  is  now 
farming  at  Elverton,  Oregon:  Christ  C,  who  finished  his  schooling  at 
Goshen,  Indiana,  married  Mrs.  Laura  ^Villiams  and  is  now  farming  in  the 
neighboring  county  of  Clark ;  ^Minnie,  who  is  at  home ;  Bessie,  who  com- 
pleted her  schooling  at  Goshen,  Indiana,  and  married  Milton  King,  of  Logan 
county,  this  state;  Mary,  a  teacher,  who  attended  school  at  Goshen,  Indiana, 
for  two  years  after  her  graduation  from  the  local  high  school;  John,  at 
home;  Mabel,  who  was  graduated  from  the  Kings  Creek  high  school,  took 
a  supplementary  course  at  Goshen,  Indiana,  and  taught  school  for  a  couple 
of  vears;  Sarah,  at  home;  Andrew,  who  was  graduated  from  the  Kings 
Creek  high  school  and  is  now  attending  college  at  Colorado  Springs,  Colo- 
rado, and  Timothy,  who  is  at  home,  engaged  in  operating  the  farm  for  his 


50  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

father.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hooley  have  ever  been  warm  advocates  of  higher 
education  and  their  children  have  been  given  exceUent  opportunities  in  that 
direction.  The  family  have  taken  a  proper  interest  in  the  general  social 
activities  of  their  home  community  since  taking  up  their  residence  in  tliis 
county  and  have  done  their  part  in  promoting  movements  designed  to  advance 
the  common  welfare  throughout  that  part  of  the  county.  They  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Oak  Grove  Mennonite  church  and  take  an  earnest  interest  in  tlie 
various  beneficences  of  the  same. 


JOHN  FRANCIS  BRAND. 

John  F.  Brand,  a  native  and  life-long  resident  of  Champaign  county, 
belongs  to  that  group  of  citizens  who  do  not  hold  themselves  so  close  to 
the  daily  round  of  their  duties  that  they  cannot  see  what  is  going  on  around 
them.  -Man  does  not  live  unto  himself  alone,  and  the  man.  who  sees  in 
his  fellow  citizens  something  of  interest,  something  which  they  do  for  the 
good  of  the  community  as  well  as  himself,  is  the  man  who  makes  for  a 
better  citizenship. 

Such  a  man  is  John  F.  Brand.  Born  in  Union  township  on  June  i8, 
1848,  the  son  of  Major  Joseph  C.  and  Lavinia  (Talbott)  Brand,  he  has  made 
his  home  in  Urbana  since  he  was  three  years  of  age.  He  has  been  a  witness 
to  the  city's  growth  for  more  than  half  a  century  and  in  this  growth  he  has 
borne  a  prominent  part.  Beginning  with  a  year's  service  in  the  Civil  War 
when  he  was  sixteen  vears  of  age.  he  has  been  active  in  business  down  to 
the  present  time,  a  period  of  fifty-foiu-  years. 

His  education  was  secm-ed  in  the  public  schools  of  Url)ana  and  Urbana 
University.  In  1863 — and  he  was  only  fifteen  years  of  age  at  the  time — 
he  became  assistant  engineer  in  the  construction  of  the  Atlantic  &  Great 
Western  railroad,  now  known  as  the  Erie  railroad.  The  following  year  he 
became  clerk  in  the  commissary  department  of  the  United  States  army  and 
served  in  this  capacity  until  July,  1865.  During  this  time  he  saw  service 
in  Virginia  and  Georgia  and  in  a  number  of  other  states,  .\fter  resigning- 
he  returned  home  and  began  clerking  in  a  dry  goods  store,  but  soon  became 
associated  with  his  father  and  brother  in  the  grocery  business.  But  he  was 
not  satisfied  to  settle"  down  to  the  humdrum  career  of  a  grocer  at  the  early 
age  of  nineteen. 

The  vear  1808  found  him  in  Indianapolis,  where  lie  was  private  secre- 


JOHN  F.  BRAND. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  5/ 

tary  to  the  superintendent  of  the  ^lerchants'  Union  Express  Company.  A 
year  later  he  returned  to  his  home  in  Urbana  and  Ijecame  connected  with  the 
Cificcji  and  Ga:ccttc  in  the  capacity  of  bookkeeper  and  compositor.  For  ten 
years  he  remained  Avith  the  paper  and  during  this  decade  he  arose  from  one 
position  to  another  until  he  Ijecame  local  editor  and,  eventually,  business 
manager  of  the  paper.  In  1879  he  retired  froni  the  newspaper  and  for  a 
few  years  engaged  in  the  retail  grocery  trade,  with  stores  at  Urbana  and 
Rellefontaine.  When  W.  H.  Marvin  came  to  Urbana  Mr.  Brand  became 
associated  with  him  in  the  establishment  of  a  wholesale  grocery  company. 
The  Inisiness  was  later  incorporated  as  the  W.  H.  Marvin  Company  and 
Mr.  Brand  maintained  his  connection  with  the  company  until  1905.  He 
still  retains  a  substantial  financial  interest  in  the  firm  and  serves  on  the 
board  of  directors. 

For  many  vears  Air.  Brand  had  been  a  stockholder  and  director  in 
the  \A>stern  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company  and  upon  his  retirement  from 
active  service  with  the  Marvin  company  he  became  general  agent  for  the 
insurance  company.  Later  he  was  elected  treasurer  of  the  company  and  in 
19 1 5  was  elevated  to  the  presidency.  The  company  has  made  substantial 
progress  since  he  became  connected  with  it  in  an  official  capacity  in  1905. 

Mr.  Brand  has  been  and  still  is  identified  with  other  commercial  enter- 
prises of  the  city.  He  is  a  director  in  the  Champaign  National  Bank  and 
the  Urbana  Telephone  Company.  In  all  his  business  connections,  from  his 
boyhood  days  to  the  present,  he  has  never  failed  to  bear  his  part  in  the  life 
of  the  community  about  him.  He  could  always  be  counted  on  to  assist  in 
everydiing  which  was  advanced  with  the  idea  of  bettering  his  city  and  his 
countv.  In  all  things  he  has  been  a  public-spirited  citizen,  never  forgetting 
that  we  are  an  interdependent  society,  not  neglecting  to  give  of  his  time 
and  ability  to  the  general  welfare  of  those  about  him. 

In  his  desire  to  live  up  to  the  highest  standards  of  modern  society  he 
has  not  neglected  the  fraternal,  social  or  religious  factors  of  our  life.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  a  past  master  of  the  local  lodge,  past 
eminent  commander  of  the  commandery,  and  a  meml)er  of  the  Scottish 
Rite  of  the  thirty-second  degree.  He  is  a  member  of  Grace  Methodist 
I^piscopal  church  and  has  been  a  member  of  its  official  board  for  more  than 
thirty  years. 

Mr.  Brand  was  married  on  December  i,  1870,  to  Fannie  E.  Patrick,  a 
daughter  of  Evan  B.  Patrick.  To  this  union  have  been  born  four  children. 
Charles,  Elizabeth,  Ella  and  Joseph  E. 

Charles,  the  eldest  son,  was  born  November  i,  1871,  and  was  educated 


58  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

in  tlie  local  schdols  and  later  attended  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  at  Dela- 
ware. While  attendino-  high  school  he  managed  a  fruit  business  of  his 
own  (luring  the  summer  time  and  evinced  unusual  business  qualifications 
for  a  bo}-  of  his  age.  After  leaving  college  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  busi- 
ness at  Richwood.  Ohio,  f(jr  a  time  and  later  became  connected  witli  the 
\V.  li.  Afarvin  C'ompau}-  as  a  bu)-er  and  salesman.  He  has  now  retired 
from  active  service  with  the  companv,  but  still  retains  a  financial  interest 
in  it.  b'or  a  number  of  years  he  has  engaged  in  farming  in  the  county  on 
an  e\tensi\e  scale,  and  now  owns  and  controls  one  thousand  acres  of  land 
in  the  countA'.  He  is  one  of  the  largest  farmers  in  the  county  and  gives 
hi>  personal  attention  to  all  of  the  details  connected  with  his  extensive  agri- 
cultural interests.  Jle  was  married  on  November  28,  1894.  to  Louisa  J. 
X'ance,  daughter  of  Major  A.  V.  A'ance. 

Joseph  1".,  the  youngest  son,  was  born  July  5.  1888,  and  educated  in 
the  ])ublic  schools  and  Url)ana  University.  In  ic)05  he  went  to  New  York 
('it\-  and  engaged  in  a  w^holesale  grocery  and  Ijrokerage  business  for  a  short 
time  and  later  located  in  Chicago,  where  he  was  similarly  engaged  until 
Kioo.  He  then  returned  to  Urbana  and  became  secretary  of  the  W.  H. 
Marvin  Comi)any,  in  which  capacity  he  is  still  serving.  He  was  married 
on  .\l;i\-  22,   TQi  :;,  to  Helen   l^ucher.  daughter  of  John  E.  Bucher. 


L.   E.   BROWN. 


E.  E.  Brown,  familiarly  known  to  his  friends  b}-  his  middle  name, 
Eugene,  one  of  the  editors  and  proprietors  of  the  St.  Paris  Xc-a's-fJis/^alcli 
and  a  partner  with  W.  W.  Wiant  in  the  publication  of  that  newspaper,  is  a 
native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was 
born  on  a  farm  in  Johnson  township,  a  little  more  than  two  miles  northw^est 
of  St.  Paris,  October  11,  1874,  a  son  of  A.  J.  and  Alice  (Jackson)  Brown, 
the  former  of  whom  was  born  on  that  same  farm  and  the  latter  in  tlie  state 
of  Indiana,  whose  last  days  were  spent  on  the  old  home  place  in  Johnson 
to\vnship  that  had  been  settled  by  Eugene  Brown's  grandfather  back  in  the 
earlv  thirties  and  which  is  still  in  the  possession  of  the  family. 

A.  J.  Brown  was  born  on  that  pioneer  farm  on  November  21,  1837, 
and  was  the  son  of  John  and  Nancy  Brown,  of  German  stock,  who  came 
up  into  this  county  from  Montgomery  county,  they  ha\ing  pre\iously  been 
located   for  awhile  in  the  Davton  neighborhood,  and  established  their  home 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  59 

in  Johnson  township,  not  far  from  the  Miami  count)-  line,  in  the  early 
thirties.  They  were  of  the  Lutheran  faith  and  their  children  were  instructed 
in  the  tenets  of  the  same.  There  were  fifteen  of  these  children,  of  whom  the 
father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  tenth  in  order  of  birth.  A.  T- 
Crown  grew  up  on  the  paternal  farm  in  Johnson  township  and  after  his 
marriage  established  his  home  there  and  there  he  and  his  wife  spent  their 
last  days.  His  wife  was  Alice  Jackson,  who  was  born  in  Benton  count}', 
Indiana,  July  8,  1846,  daughter  of  Abraham  and  Susanna  Jackson,  both  of 
English  stock,  who  had  moved  from  New  Jersey  to  Indiana  and  in  the  latter 
state  died  when  their  daughter,  Alice,  was  but  a  child.  The  latter,  thus 
orphaned,  came  to  Ohio  to  join  kinsfolk  in  this  county  and  grew  to  woman- 
hood in  Jackson  township,  where  she  was  living  at  the  time  of  her  mar- 
riage to  Mr.  Brown,  February  25,  1869.  After  their  marriage  they  took 
up  their  residence  on  the  Brown  farm  and  there  established  a  fine  home, 
for  many  years  being  regarded  as  among  the  leaders  in  all  good  works  in 
that  part  of  the  county.  Mr.  Brown  was  a  Democrat  and  took  an  active 
part  in  local  political  afi:airs  and  became  an  influential  citizen.  He  died  on 
Alay  20,  1916,  in  the  seventy-ninth  year  of  his  age.  His  wife  had  pre- 
ceded him  a  little  more  than  five  years,  her  death  having  occurred  on  Janu- 
arv  22,  1911,  she  then  being  in  the  sixty-fifth  year  of  her  age.  They  were 
the  parents  of  seven  children,  five  of  whom  are  living,  namely  :  b^-ank,  of 
St.  Paris;  Eugene,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Clement,  who  is  engaged  in 
the  seed  and  grain  business  at  St.  Paris ;  Ross,  who  is  lixing  on  and  oi)er- 
ating;  the  old  home  place  in  Johnson  township,  and  Zella,  who  is  li\'ing  at 
Indianapolis,  Indiana. 

Eugene  Bi"own  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  receix'ing  his  element- 
ary education  in  the  district  school  in  the  nieghborhood  of  that  place  and 
sup]jlemented  the  same  by  a  course  in  the  St.  Paris  high  school  from  which 
he  Avas  graduated  in  1893.  He  prepared  himself  for  teaching,  but  did  not 
follow  that  vocation  :  instead,  taking  a  position  as  a  clerk  in  a  grocery  and 
drug  store  at  St.  Paris' and  was  thus  engaged  until  the  year  iC)Oi,  when  he 
and  \y.  W'.  Wiant  formed  a  partnership  and  engaged  in  the  job-printing 
business  at  St.  Louis.  After  the  consolidation  of  the  Nc-:cs  and  the  Dishafch 
[Messrs.  Brown  and  Wiant  felt  that  there  would  be  room  for  another  paper 
at  St.  Paris  and  in  1906  they  established  the  Press.  Two  years  later,  in 
1909,  they  took  over  the  Au-K's-Dispafch  and  have  since  conducted  that  news- 
paper, which  is  widely  circulated  through(^ut  the  eastern  part  of  the  county 
and  in  those  sections  of  the  neighboring  counties  of  Miami  and  Clark,  within 
a  trading  radius  of  St.  Paris.     They  have  made  important  additions  t(;  the 


6o  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

efjuipnient  of  the  printing  plant  since  purchasing  the  newspaper  and  ha\e 
one  of  the  hest-eqnipped  newspapers  and  job-printing  estabhshments  in  this 
part  of  the  state.  Mr.  Brown  is  a  Democrat  and  has  served  as  a  memljer 
of  the  St.   Paris  school  board. 

On  September  17,  1902.  Eugene  Brown  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Anna  Jones,  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  (McMorran)  Jones,  and  to 
this  union  has  l)een  born  one  child,  a  daughter,  Genevieve  A.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Brown  are  members  oi  the  Baptist  church  and  take  a  proper  part  in  church 
\\<vrk,  as  well  as  in  the  general  social  activities  of  their  home  town,  helpful 
in  atlvancing  all  worthy  causes  there.  Mr.  Brown  is  a  member  of  St.  Paris 
Podge  No.  344,  Knights  of  Pvthias,  and  is  past  chancellor  commander  of 
the  same. 


GWVX  T.  GORDON. 


Gwyn  T.  Gordon,  of  L^rbana,  one  of  Champaign  county's  most  sub- 
stantial land(Avners,  was  l)orn  at  Ghillicothe,  this  state,  March  17,  1855,  son 
and  onl}-  child  of  Rufus  Hartley  and  Nancy  (Tompkins)  Gordon,  the  for- 
mer of  whom  was  Ijorn  in  Ross  county,  this  state,  not  far  from  Ghillicothe, 
and  ihe  latter  in  Pexington.  Kentucky,  and  the  former  of  whom  is  still 
lix'ing,  now  a  resident  of  the  state  oi  Texas. 

Rufus  Hartley  Gordon  grew  to  manhood  in  his  home  ccnmty,  receiving 
his  schooling  there,  and  early  entered  upon  a  mercantile  career,  beginning 
as  a  clerk  in  a  hardware  store,  but  shortly  becoming  interested  in  the  tirm 
and  after  some  vears  of  business  activity  in  this  state  moved  to  St.  Joseph, 
Missouri,  where  he  became  engaged  in  business  in  that  same  line,  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  W.  .\1.  \\'vatt  Hardware  Compan\-,  and  was  thus  engaged  until 
his  retirement  from  business  some  vears  ago.  He  is  now  making  his  home 
at  Palestine,  Texas,  at  a  ripe  old  age. 

( iw\n  T.  Gordon  was  but  a  child  when  his  father  moved  from  this 
slate  to  St.  Joseph,  Missouri,  and  in  the  latter  citv  he  grew  to  manhood,  re- 
cei\iiig  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  cit\',  and  early  became  familiar 
witli  the  details  of  the  hardware  business  in  his  father's  store  and  after 
awhile  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  on  his  own  account  in  Nebraska, 
later  mo\  ing  to  Kansas  and  after  some  years  of  business  activity  in  the 
latter  state  went  l^ast  and  was  engaged  in  business  in  Connecticut  until 
1894,  in  which  year  be  returned  to  his  native  state  and  located  at  Urbana, 
where  he  lias  since  resided,  engaged  in  the  management  of  several  fine  pieces 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  6l 

of  farm  propert}-  he  has  acquired  in  the  neighboring  counties  of  Union  and 
Logan. 

()n  October  26,  1881.  Gwyn  T.  Gordon  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mary 
H.  Blickensderfer,  who  was  born  near  Erie,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of 
Nathan  and  Mary  Catherine  (Canheld)  Bhckensderfer.  and  to  this  union 
one  child  was  born,  a  daughter,  Elizabeth,  who  married  Eoster  Twichell  and 
died  in  19 14,  leaving  one  child,  a  daughter.  Mary,  who  is  now^  living  with  her 
maternal  grandparents,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gordon.  The  Gordons  have  a  verv 
pleasant  home  at  Urbana  and  take  a  proper  interest  in  the  general  social 
activities  of  that  city.  They  are  members  of  the  Episcopal  church  and  take 
a  warm  interest  in  church  work  and  in  other  local  good  works. 


F.  A.  PENCE. 


B.  E.  A.  Pence,  one  of  Champaign  county's  best-known  and  most  sub- 
stantial farmers  and  stockmen  and  the  proprietor  of  the  celebrated  "Shade- 
land  Stock  Earm"  in  Jackson  township,  two  and  one-half  miles  southwest 
of  St.  Paris,  on  the  Carlisle  and  Ouincy  road,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign 
county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  pioneer  farm  in 
Johnson  township,  in  the  house  in  which  his  father  also  was  born,  July  17, 
1845,  son  of  Allen  and  Sarah  R.  (Riker)  Pence,  who  were  for  years  regarded 
as  among  the  leaders  in  that  part  of  the  county. 

Allen  Pence  was  born  on  a  pioneer  farm,  the  place  now  o\\  ned  b}-  B.  E. 
Pence,  three  miles  east  of  St.  Paris,  January  29.  18 19,  a  son  of  Isaac  Pence 
and  wife,  the  latter  of  whom  was  a  Wiant,  who  came  to  this  county  frcjm 
Virginia  in  the  early  days  of  the  settlement  of  this  section  of  Ohio  and  here 
spent  their  last  days,  useful  and  influential  pioneers  of  Johnson  township. 
Isaac  Pence  was  twice  married  and  by  iiis  first  wife  had  six  children,  Alex- 
ander, Allen,  Isaiah,  Emanuel,  Eliza  and  Mary,  all  now  deceased.  After 
the  death  of  the  mother  of  these  children  he  married  Martha  Brown  and 
to  that  union  were  born  seven  children,  B.  E.,  James  E.,  John  E.,  Isaac. 
Charles,  Jason  and  Jennie.  Reared  on  the  farm  on  which  he  was  born, 
Allen  Pence  was  from  the  da}s  of  his  boyhood  well  trained  in  the  ways  of 
farming,  and  after  his  marriage  to  Sarah  R.  Riker  continued  to  make  his 
liome  on  the  old  home  place  for  several  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he 
moved  to  a  farm  one-half  mile  south  of  St.  Paris,  established  his  home  there 
and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  coming  to  be  regarded  as  the  fore- 


62  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

most  citizen  of  that  neighborhood,  the  owner  of  seven  hundred  acres  of 
land  and  a  leader  in  all  public  movements.  He  v^^as  one  of  the  first  agita- 
tors in  behalf  of  better  roads  in  that  part  of  Champaign  county  and  the  early 
gravel-road  movement  had  a  powerful  champion  in  him.  For  nine  years 
he  was  a  member  of  the  County  Fair  board,  vice-president  of  the  associa- 
tion for  some  time,  and  did  much  to  promote  the  interests  of  agriculture  in 
this  county.  Politically,  he  was  a  Democrat  and  for  some  time  served  as 
treasurer  of  his  home  township.  He  died  on  October  29,  1895,  and  is 
buried  in  the  Spring  Grove  cemetery,  the  beautiful  burial  ground,  the  loca- 
tion of  which  was  first  proposed  b}'  his  wife,  who  died  in  1885,  and  is 
also  buried  there.  Allen  Pence  and  wife  were  the  i)arents  of  eight  children, 
six  of  whom  are  still  living,  those  l)esides  the  subject  of  this  sketch  being 
George  W.,  a  farmer  in  Jackson  township;  \Vinfield  S.,  now  a  resident  of 
Virginia;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  J.  C.  Martin,  of  Dayton,  Ohio;  Amanda,  widow 
of  J.  G.  Lear  Smith,  of  St.  Paris,  and  Lottie,  wife  of  Wilson  Baker,  of 
Urbana.  The  two  deceased  members  of  this  family  were  Alary,  who  mar- 
ried James  Wiant,  and  Elnora,  who  was  the  wife  of  T.  P.  Kite. 

B.  F.  A.  Pence  was  about  three  years  of  age  when  his  parents  moved 
from  the  old  Pence  place  in  Johnson  township  to  the  farm  on  the  outskirts 
of  St.  Paris,  and  on  this  latter  place  he  grew  to  manhood,  receiving  his 
schooling  in  the  village  schools.  From  the  days  of  his  boyhood  he  was  an 
active  assistant  in  the  labors  of  the  farm  and  early  became  not  only  a  good 
farmer,  but  an  excellent  judge  of  live  stock  and  an  intelligent  fancier  of 
good  horses.  He  remained  on  the  home  farm  until  after  his  marriage  in 
the  summer  of  1867,  he  then  being  somewhat  under  twenty-two  years  of 
age,  and  on  March  10,  1868.  moved  onto  the  farm  on  which  he  is  now  liv- 
ing— beautiful  "Shadeland  Stock  Farm."  southwest  of  St.  l^aris,  and  has 
ever  since  made  his  home  there,  he  and  his  family  being  pleasantly  and  com- 
fortably situated.  Mr.  Pence  is  the  owner  of  three  hundred  and  twenty- 
eight  acres  of  splendid  land  and  has  one  of  the  best  farm  plants  in  the  south- 
western part  of  the  county.  He  has  long  given  his  particular  attention  to 
the  raising  of  fine  live  stock,  with  particular  reference  to  fine  horses  and 
made  two  trijis  to  Europe  for  stock  to  import  to  his  farm.  English  Shires 
and  Cleveland  Bays  being  his  specialty.  As  was  his  father,' Mr.  Pence  ever 
has  been  an  ardent  champion  of  public  improvements  and  has  done  much  to 
help  promote  the  material  development  of  the  county.  He  was  one  of  the 
organizers  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  St.  Paris  and  is  also  a  stockholder 
in  the  Central  National  Bank  of  that  place.  Politically,  Mr.  Pence  is  a 
Democrat  and  is  now  serving  as  trustee  of  his  home  township. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  63 

On  June  12,  1867,  B.  F.  A.  Pence  was  united  in  niarriage  to  Josephine 
R.  Hill,  who  was  born  in  Brown  township,  in  the  neighboring-  countv  of 
Miami,  July  12,  1848,  daughter  of  John  and  Hannah  Hill,  and  to  this  union 
four  children  have  been  born,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  the  others  being 
Georgia  M.,  who  studied  art  in  the  Ohio  W'esleyan  College  at  Delaware, 
and  is  now  the  wife  of  George  Cox,  of  Oberlin,  this  state,  and  Blanche  E., 
also  an  artist,  who  has  done  some  fine  wood  carving  and  who  is  at  home 
with  her  parents.  The  Fences  have  a  very  pleasant  home  at  "Shadeland" 
and  have  ever  given  their  proper  attention  to  the  general  social  and  cultural 
activities  of  the  community  in  which  they  live,  helpful  in  many  ways  in  pro- 
moting" movements  having  to  do  with  tlie  advancement  of  the  common  wel- 
fare thereabout. 


AMLLFVM  W.  LOVETT. 


^^'il]iam  \A'.  Fovett.  a  well-known  farmer  and  the  owner  of  tighty 
acres  of  prime  land,  living  in  Adams  township.  Champaign  county,  was  born 
in  that  township  on  Mrx  24.  1871.  He  is  the  son  of  Joshua  and  Mary  A. 
(  Calland )  LoA-ett.  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Adams  township  and 
iiis  wife,  who  is  the  daughter  of  Joseph  Calland.  was  also  Ijorn  in  Adams 
U  iwnship.     Joshua  Lovett  was  a  son  of  Isaac  Lovett. 

Joshua  Fovett  and  his  wife  settled  on  a  farm  in  .Vdams  township, 
where  he  farmed  in  a  general  way  for  many  years  and  there  the}-  spent  the 
rest  of  their  lives,  worthy  citizens,  respected  by  alFwho  knew  them.  They 
were  active  members  of  the  Cnited  Brethren  church  and  earnestly  inter- 
ested in  all  its  good  works.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  but  had  never 
been  a  seeker  after  office.  Joshua  Fovett  was  the  father  of  the  following- 
children:  ^\'illiam  \V.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Samuel  K..  a  farmer 
li\ing  in  Fogan  county.  Ohio;  Watson,  also  of  Fogan  county;  Joseph,  of 
Fogan  county;  Jennie,  wife  of  Charles  Rosier,  living  in  Shelby  count}'. 
Ohio,  and  Minnie,  wife  of  Charles  Reeder,  of  this  township. 

William  W.  Fovett  attended  the  district  schools  of  his  home  neighbor- 
hood and  worked  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old. 
Two  years  later,  on  October  4.  1894,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Faura 
Miller,  who  was  born  in  Adams  township  in  1876;  she  is  the  daughter  of 
John  and  Eliza  Miller  and  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  antl  in  Jack- 
son Center  schools.  Air.  and  Mrs.  Foxett  are  the  parents  of  two  children. 
Atta,  who  was  graduated  from  the  Rosewood  high  school,  and  Jessie.     The 


64  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

Lovett  family  are  members  of  the  Christian  church  at  Careysville,  Ohio,  Mr. 
l.ovett  being-  one  of  the  trustee  meml)ers  of  the  official  board,  and  he  and 
his  wife  and  children  are  warmly  interested  in  all  good  works  of  the  church 
and  neighborhood. 

Mr.  Lovett  is  a  stanch  supp<n-ter  of  the  Republican  party.  His  party 
elected  him  justice  of  the  peace  in  and  for  Adams  township,  in  which  office 
he  served  for  four  years.  He  is  interested  in  the  cause  of  education  and 
served  as  a  member  of  the  school  board  for  some  time.  He  is  a  member 
of  Rosewood  Lodge  No.  253,  Independent  Order  of  Foresters,  and  takes 
much  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  organization.  Lie  has  a  business  inter- 
est in  the  feed  mill  and  store  at  Careysville,  Ohio,  and  was  actively  connected 
with  the  store  at  Careysville,  Ohio,  for  six  years,  and  in  all  these  interests, 
as  well  as  in  the  general  affairs  of  the  commmiity.  he  gives  of  his  time  and 
energy  without  stint. 


DENNIS  T.  SWEENEY. 


One  of  the  most  promising  of  the  skilled  artisans  and  mechanics  of 
Urbana  during-  the  past  generation  was  the  late  Dennis  J.  Sweeney,  a 
plumber  l)y  trade.  He  was  born  at  Covington,  Ohio,  October  8,  1872.  He 
was  a  son  of  John  and  Julia  Sweeney,  both  natives  of  Ireland,  from  which 
country  they  immigrated  to  the  United  States  when  young  and  they  w^ere 
married  in  this  country.  They  subsequently  moved  to  Darke  county,  Ohio, 
where  they  established  the  family  home  and  lived  until  1881,  when  they 
removed  to  Picjua,  this  state,  spending  the  rest  of  their  lives  there.  They 
had  a  large  family,  Dennis  J.  of  this  memoir,  being  the  second  in  order  of 
birth. 

Dennis  J.  Sweenev  grew  to  manhood  in  Piqua  and  there  attended  tlie 
])u])lic  schools,  and  when  a  young  man  he  took  up  the  plumber's  trade,  at 
A\hich  he  became  an  expert.  AVhen  twenty-one  years  old  he  located  at 
(ireenville.  Ohio,  where  he  followed  the  plumbing  business  three  years  with 
success.  Seeking  a  larger  field,  for  the  exercise  of  his  talents,  he  came  to 
Urbana  in  1896  and  was  employed  in  the  plumbing  trade  by  a  Mr.  Stein- 
barger  until  1902,  giving  his  employer  loyal,  prompt  and  satisfactory  service 
in  every  respect.  He  saved  his  earnings  and  upon  severing  his  connection 
with  Mr.  Steinbarger  he  engaged  in  the  ]ilumbing  business  for  himself, 
which  was  successful  from  the  start.  He  built  up  one  of  the  largest  plumb- 
ing estal)lishments  c\-er  known  in  L'rlian.-i.      He  carried  a  full  line  of  up-to- 


DENNIS   J.    SWEENEY. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  65 

(late  ]iluinl)ing  material  and  ec|uipnient  and  maintained  a  large  and  modern 
shop,  where  all  kinds  of  repair  work  in  this  line  were  promptly  and  skillfully 
d(jne.  He  took  many  large  contracts  and  turned  out  some  big'  jobs,  doing- 
the  ])lnmbing  work  on  many  of  the  best  modern  homes  and  business  blocks 
and  public  buildings  in   L'rbana  and  other  parts  of  Champaign  county. 

Mr.  Sweeiie}-  was  married  in  1893  to  Flora  Conrad,  a  daughter  of 
Silas  S.  and  Kesiah  ( Barns )  Conrad.  To  this  union  iive  children  were 
born,  namely:  Rhea,  Margaret,  Harold.  Owen,  and  Denise.  They  are  all 
single  and  live  at  home  with  their  mother. 

Mr.  Sweeney  was  a  meml^er  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus  and  the 
.\ncient  Order  of  Hibernians.  He  was  an  independent  voter.  He  belonged 
to  the  Catholic  church  at  Urbana.  in  which  he  was  a  trustee  and  active  in 
church  affairs. 


T.  T.  ^HDDLETOX. 


J.  T.  Middleton,  a  former  teacher  in  the  schools  of  St.  Paris  and  since 
1914  assistant  cashier  of  the  First  NaticMial  Bank  of  that  city,  is  a  native 
of  Champaign  countv  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  in  the 
city  of  Urbana  on  December  i,  1884,  son  of  .\rthur  X.  and  Allie  L.  (Tay- 
lor)  Middleton,  the  latter  of  whom  is  still  living  at  St.  Paris. 

Arthur  N.  Middleton  was  born  on  a  pioneer  farm  near  the  village  of 
Cable,  in  Wayne  township,  this  countv,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Macomber) 
Middleton,  who  came  to  this  state  from  Kentucky  and  were  among  the 
l)ioneers  of  the  eastern  part  of  this  county.  He  grew  to  manhood  on  the 
farm  there  and  as  a  }Oung-  man  was  for  some  years  engaged  in  teaching- 
school,  in  the  meantime  giving  his  leisure  to  the  reading  of  law  and  after 
his  marriage  began  the  practice  of  law  in  Urbana  and  was  thus  engaged  at 
tliat  place  until  his  death  on  December  23.  1889.  His  widow,  who  still  sur- 
Aives  him,  was  Allie  L.  Taylor,  born  on  a  farm  in  Mad  River  township, 
this  county,  June  2,  1861,  daughter  of  Darius  and  Barbara  (Zimmerman) 
Taylor,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  on  that  same  farm,  son  of  Benjamin 
and  Sarah  Taylor,  who  came  to  this  county  from  Virginia,  driving  through 
in  a  covered  wagon,  and  settled  on  the  farm  in  Mad  River  township,  where 
Mrs.  Middleton  was  l)orn.  She  later  married  D.  E.  Kite,  of  St.  Paris.  Her 
n-iother,  Barbara  Zinimern-ian,  also  was  born  in  that  township,  a  daughter 
of  John  and  Barbara  (  Costenborder )  Zimmerman,  the  fonner  of  whom  also 
CSa) 


66  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

was  born  in  Mad  River  township,  the  son  of  German  parents,  and  the  hitter 
of  whom  was  but  three  years  of  age  when  she  came  to  this  county  from 
Germany  with  her  parents,  the  family  coming  to  this  county  and  setthng 
in  Mad  River  township.  To  Arthur  X.  Middleton  and  wife  four  clhkh-cn 
were  born,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  third  in  order  of 
l)irtli,  the  others  l)eing  as  follow:  Lulu,  who  died  at  the  age  of  six  years: 
Blanche  M.,  wife  of  L.  D.  Ward,  of  Mad  River  township,  this  county,  and 
Henry  A.  Middleton,  the  latter  of  whom  is  now  a  student  in  the  School  of 
Theology  of  the  Boston  University.  Henry  A.  Middleton  was  graduated 
from  the  Cable  high  school,  in  the  meantime  having  given  his  serious  atten- 
tion to  the  study  of  law,  and  then  entered  the  Ohio  State  University,  where 
he  continued  his  law  studies  and  was  afterward  engaged  in  the  practice  of 
his  profession  at  Columbus  for  three  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he 
decided  to  take  up  the  gospel  ministry  and  with  that  end  in  \iew  entered 
the  School  of  Theology  of  the  Boston  University,  where  he  is  now  ])ursu- 
ing  his  studies  to  that  end.  He  married  Myrtle  jolinson.  of  Wayne  town- 
ship, this  county. 

J.  T.  Middleton  was  1)ut  five  years  of  age  when  his  father  died  and 
he  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Mad  River  township.  com])leting  his  studies  in 
the  high  school  at  West\ille.  When  little  more  than  a  boy  he  began  teach- 
ing school  in  the  district  schools  of  Johnson  township  and  was  thus  engaged 
there  for  four  vears.  He  then,  when  twenty-one  years  of  age.  was  engaged 
as  a  teacher  in  the  graded  schools  of  St.  Paris  and  has  since  made  his  home 
in  that  citw  After  teaching  tliere  for  five  years  and  six  months  liis  services 
were  engaged  as  a  bookkeeper  in  the  h^irst  National  Bank  of  St.  I'aris,  and 
he  began  his  connection  w  ith  that  bank  in  December,  1913.  A  year  later  he 
was  made  assistant  cashier  of  the  bank  and  has  since  been  ser\'ing  in  that 
capacity.  Mr.  Middleton  is  a  Republican,  and  takes  an  active  interest  In 
political  afi'airs. 

( )n  March  31.  \()0(^.  ].  T.  Middleton  was  united  in  marriage  to  Hazel 
.\.  Adlard.  who  was  born  at  P.ellefontaine,  this  state,  daughter  of  William 
and  Clara  (  Stinson )  Adlard.  but  wlio  s])ent  lier  girlhood  in  .Mad  Ri\er 
townsliip,  tliis  countw  where  her  father  was  engaged  in  the  milling  busi- 
ness. To  tliis  union  li\e  cliildren  ha\e  been  ])orn,  naniel\- :  William  A.. 
John.  Geoi-gf  K.,  Clara  b:iizabeth  and  Richard  11.  .Mr.  and  Mrs.  Middle- 
ton  are  members  of  the  JMrst  Baptist  church  and  take  a  proper  part  in 
cliurcb  work,  as  well  as  in  the  general  social  activities  of  their  home  town. 
Mr.  Middleton  is  past  chancellor  commander  of  St.  Paris  Lodge  Xo.  344. 
Knights    of    R\tliia^.    and    has    also    ser\-ed    as    county    (lei)uty    and    as    lodge 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  0/ 

deputy  in  that  order.  He  is  also  past  noble  grand  of  St.  Paris  Lodge  Xo. 
J46,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
ivhorassan,  and  in  the  affairs  of  these  several  organizations  takes  a  warm 
interest. 


CHARLES  H.  GANSON. 


Tlie  history  of  Urbana  would  not  be  complete  without  mention  of  the 
late  Charles  H.  Ganson.  whose  life  was  closely  connected  with  many  phases 
of  the  county's  life  for  a  long  period  of  years.  He  was  honored  and  respect- 
ed by  everyone  who  knew  him,  and  was  recognized  as  a  leader  in  every 
enterprise  to  which  he  directed  his  attention.  His  every  effort  was  in  the 
direction  of  better  citizenship  and  whatever  he  did  was  done  with  a  view  to 
the  improvement  of  the  general  welfare  of  the  county  honored  by  his  resi- 
dence. 

Charles  H.  Ganson  was 'born  at  Urbana  on  October  ic^,  1836.  and  died 
in  that  city  on  October  9.  1916,  he  then  lacking  but  ten  days  of  being  eighty 
years  of  age.  He  was  a  son  of  William  H.  and  Amulette  F.  (Toxey)  Gan- 
son, both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  he  of  Chester  county  and 
she  of  Lancaster  county.  William  H.  Ganson  was  married  in  Pennsylvania 
and  a  year  later  he  and  his  wife  made  the  long  overland  journey  to  Urbana. 
where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  with  the  exception  of  four 
}-ears  spent  on  a  farm  in  this  county.  William  H.  (ianson  for  a  time  after 
coming  to  this  county  was  engaged  in  farming,  but  later  turned  his  attention 
to  carriage  Ijuilding  in  Urbana.  During  the  Civil  War  he  was  a  Democrai, 
but  afterward  he  aligned  himself  with  the  Republican  party.  He  and  his 
wife  were  members  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  church.  ller  death 
occurred  in  1847  ^^^^^  ^^^  survived  her  more  than  thirty  years,  his  death 
occurring  in  1881.  They  were  the  parents  of  ti\e  children,  namely:  Charles 
H.,  the  subject  of  this  review:  William  \l.,  a  resident  of  tlie  state  of  Illinois; 
Benjamin,  living  in  Urbana;  Anna  E..  also  a  resident  of  Url)ana,  widow  of 
Horace  Happersett.  and  Emma,  also  a  resident  of  Urbana,  widow  of  Alatliew 
Weaver. 

Charles  H.  Ganson  was  reared  in  L'rbana  and  on  ihe  farm  wliere  his 
[larents  lived  for  four  vears.  He  was  gi\en  the  best  education  the  local 
schools  afforded  and  remained  at  home  until  he  nioxt'd  to  Mason  county. 
Illinois,  at  the  age  of  twenty.  .\  \ear  later  he  was  elected  justice  of  the 
peace  and  became  a  leader  in  the  life  of  the  communit}'  in  which  he  located. 


68  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

PTe  remained  in  the  West  for  ten  years,  being  engaged  in  farming  most  of 
that  time.  In  [866  he  returned  to  the  city  of  his  liirth  and  joined  his  father 
in  l)usiness.  Major  Thomas  McConnell  being  his  partner  for  tliirty  years. 
He  was  also  associated  with  his  brother.  B.  ¥.  Ganson,  at  chtTerent  times 
and  was  a  member  of  the  firm  of  C.  H.  Ganson  &  Company  at  tlie  time  of 
his  death  in  1916. 

Mr.  Ganson's  most  aljsorbing  interest  was  agricuhnre  and  he  grachia!!}- 
acquired  extensi\e  land  holdings  in  Ohio  and  Illinois:  l)ut  to  whatever  enter- 
prise he  gave  his  attention,  he  always  gave  it  his  individual  attention.  Thu^ 
he  became  known  as  one  of  the  leaders  in  financial  circles  in  the  county,  not 
only  because  of  his  keen  discernment  and  indefatigable  industry,  but  also 
l)ecause  of  his  honorable  methods  of  handling  wide  interests.  He  pro\ed 
his  deep  interest  in  agricultural  affairs  by  freely  giving  his  services ;  for 
lorty  years  as  president  of  the  Champaign  County  Agricultural  Society,  f >  ir 
ten  years  as  president  of  the  Mad  River  and  Miami  Fair  Circuit  and  as 
vice-president  and  later  as  president  of  the  Ohio  State  Board  of  Agricul- 
ture. In  his  ofiicial  position  as  the  head  of  these  organizations.  Mr.  Ganson 
did  everything  in  his  power  to  stimulate  agricultural  affairs.  Nor  was  Mr. 
Ganson's  life  solely  devoted  to  his  private  affairs.  He  took  an  interested 
and  active  part  in  the  public  life  oi  the  city  of  his  1)irth.  Politically,  he  was 
a  Republican  and  ser\-ed  his  party  and  liis  city  as  a  member  of  the  city 
council  for  a  number  of  years.  While  he  made  an  en\iable  record  during 
his  five  years  on  the  city  council,  it  was  as  mayor  of  the  city  of  L'rbana  that 
he  left  a  reputation  for  service  that  has  never  been  excelled  in  the  city,  h'or 
sixteen  years  he  was  at  the  head  of  the  city's  affairs.  He  served  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  and  then,  after  an  inter\al  of  two  years,  was  re-elected  and  con- 
tinued in  office  until  1898.  retiring  from  office  with  the  confidence  and  good 
will  of  the  entire  community. 

On  October  8.  1856.  Charles  H.  Ganson  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Jane  Rewalt,  of  Canton,  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  Major  Jonas  and  Oieda 
(Robins)  Rewalt.  natives,  respectively,  of  Pennsylvania  and  of  Indiana,  who 
were  married  in  Indiana  while  it  still  was  under  a  territorial  form  of  gov- 
ernment and  later  mo\ed  to  Illinois.  Major  Rewalt  served  in  the  l>lack 
Hawk  War  during  the  forties  and  during  the  Civil  War  served  with  the 
Seventh  Illinois  Cavalry.  He  came  of  fighting  stock,  his  ancestors  having 
fought  in  the  Revolutionary  War  and  in  the  War  of  181 2.  Major  Kewalt 
served  in  the  Legislature  of  Illinois  during  the  time  Abraham  Pincoln  was 
a  member  of  that  body  and  was  otherwise  actixe  in  county  and  state  afl'airs 
in   that   state.      Originally    a    Whig,   after   the    formation   of   the    l\ei)ublican 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  69 

party.  lie  gave  his  allegiance  to  the  new  party.  He  died  on  December  22. 
1882.  His  wife  had  preceded  him  {o  the  grave,  her  death  occurring  in 
Octol^er,  1878. 

To  Charles  H.  and  Jane  (Rewalt)  Ganson  two  children  were  born, 
Emma  Amulette  and  Jonas  Randolph,  both  of  whom  are  li\ing,  the  former 
the  wife  of  Theodore  \\\  Cook,  a  retired  banker,  who  for  thirty  years  was 
connected  with  the  Society  for  Savings  at  Cleveland,  Ohio.  Theodore  \\'. 
Cook  was  born  and  educated  in  Cleveland,  a  son  of  Rev.  Charles  A.  Cook. 
Air.  and  Mrs.  Cook  have  three  sons,  Charles  Ganson.  Theodore  Kenyon  and 
Robert,  all  of  whom  are  now  {  1917)  in  college.  Charles  Ganson  Cook  is  a 
student  at  Harvard,  wdiere  he  is  hnishing  the  work  preparatory  to  taking  a 
doctor's  degree.  He  received  his  Bachelor  of  Arts  degree  at  Western  Re- 
serve University,  while  Robert  Cook  is  taking  his  first-year  work  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Michigan,  at  Ann  Arbor.  Jonas  Randolph  Ganson,  only  son  of 
Charles  H.  Ganson  and  wife,  was  educated  at  the  University  of  Urbana  and 
for  nineteen  years  has  been  connected  with  the  Society  for  Savings  at  Cleve- 
land. He  married  Clara  Shumway,  which  union  has  been  without  issue. 
In  closing  this  sketch  of  Charles  H.  Ganson,  it  should  be  added  that  he  was 
an  ardent  Swedenborgian  and  gave  as  generously  of  his  time  to  his  church 
service  as  to  civic  affairs,  and  also  was  for  fourteen  years  a  trustee  and 
tieasurer  of  the  Urbana  University  schools. 


SAMUEL    CLEM. 


Samuel  Clem,  one  of  Salem  township's  best-known  and  most  substan- 
tial farmers,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his 
life.  He  was  born  on  the  farm  one-half  mile  south  of  where  he  now  lives,  a 
part  of  the  large  estate  his  father  accumulated  there,  January  24.  1879,  son 
of  David  and  Romelia  (  Peery )  Clem,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  this 
county  and  the  latter  in  the  state  of  Virginia,  who  are  now  li\'ing  retired 
in  Urbana. 

David  Clem  was  born  on  a  pioneer  farm  in  Johnson  township,  this 
county.  September  30,  1836,  .son  of  Isaac  and  Rebecca  (Crabill)  Clem,  who 
came  to  this  county  from  Virginia  in  1829  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Johnson 
township,  where  they  remained  until  1853,  when  they  mo\ed  to  a  farm  west 
of  St.  Paris,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Isaac  Clem  was 
a  .son  of  Da\id  Clem,  who  was  born  in  Virginia,  son  of  a  German  immi- 


70  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

grant  who  came  to  this  country  in  the  latter  part  of  the  eighteenth  century. 
The  second  David  Clem  grew  up  in  Johnson  township,  receiving-  his  school- 
ing in  the  local  schools  and  after  farming-  for  awhile  took  up  the  shoemaker's 
trade  and  for  six  years  was  engaged  in  that  trade  in  St.  Paris.  He  then 
Ijuught  a  farm  near  Millerstown,  in  Johnson  township  and  ahout  a  year 
later  bought  a  hundred-acre  farm  lying  in  Johnson  and  Adams  townships, 
where  he  remained  for  four  3'ears,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  sold  out  and 
moved  to  Missouri  and  bought  a  farm  in  Davis  county,  that  state.  Not  find- 
ing conditions  to  his  liking  there  he  sold  out  and  returned  to  Champaign 
county  and  Ijought  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  acres  in  Urbana 
township,  five  years  later  buying  a  farm  of  three  hundred  acres  in  Salem 
township,  where  he  established  his  home.  .\s  he  pros])ered  in  his  affairs 
he  added  to  his  land  holdings  until  he  became  the  owner  of  over  one  thou- 
sand acres  of  land,  continuing  his  active  operations  until  his  retirement  and 
removal  to  Urbana,  where  he  and  his  wife  are  now  living.  In  1876  David 
Clem  was  united  in  marriage  to  Romelia  Peery,  who  was  born  In  Virginia, 
daughter  of  George  and  Margaret  (Hensley)  Peery,  and  to  this  union  six 
children  were  born,  those  besides  the  subject  of  this  sketch  being  Joseph, 
Pearl,  Ivan,  Blanche  and  Grace,  the  latter  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Salem  township,  Samuel  Clem  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  and  supplemented  the  same  by  a  course  in  the 
Lima  Business  College,  after  which  he  returned  home  and  renewed  his 
farming  operatic -ns  in  association  with  his  father.  After  his  marriage  in 
191 1  his  father  set  off  to  him  one  hundred  and  sixty-six  acres  of  the  home 
place  and  there  he  established  his  home  and  has  continued  to  reside,  being 
the  proprietcn-  of  one  of  the  best-kept  and  most  profitably  cultivated  farms 
in  that  neighborhood.  In  addition  to  his  general  farming  Mr.  Clem  feeds 
about  fifty  head  of  hogs  annually  and  is  doing  very  well  in  his  operations. 
His  farming  is  carried  on  along  modern  lines  and  his  place  is  equipped  with 
up-to-date  appliances  for  the  most  successful  agriculture.  Mr.  Clem  is  a 
Democrat  and  takes  a  proper  interest  in  local  political  affairs,  but  has  not 
))een  a  seeker  after  public  office. 

In  191  I 'Samuel  Clem  was  united  in  marriage  to  Morence  Lackey,  who 
was  born  in  Virginia,  daughter  of  Horatio  Lackey  and  wife,  who  came 
from  that  state  to  this  county  and  settled  on  a  farm,  and  to  this  union  three 
children  have  been  born,  Lucile,  Melvin  H.  and  a  baby  boy.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Clem  ha\'e  a  pleasant  home  and  take  an  interested  part  in  the  general  social 
activities  of  the  comniunitv  in  which  thev  reside. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 


\\'.  L.  HUNT. 


71 


\\'.  L.  Hunt,  cashier  and  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  St.  Paris,  this  county,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign 
county  and  has  Hved  here  all  his  life,  with  the  exception  of  about  two  years 
spent  in  Chicago,  where  he  gained  his  initial  experience  in  the  banking- 
business.  He  was  born  in  the  village  of  Carysville,  in  Adams  township, 
this  county,  September  11,  1877,  •''O"  of  Dr.  H.  B.  and  Mary  J.  (Leedom; 
Hunt,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Shelby  and 
who  are  now  living  at  St.  Paris,  which  has  l)een  their  place  of  residence 
since  1892. 

Dr.  H.  B.  Hunt,  one  of  the  best-known  physicians  in  the  western  part 
of  this  county,  was  born  on  a  farm  south  of  the  \'illage  of  Palestine,  in 
Shelby  cotmty,  this  state,  November  18,  1846,  son  of  Justus  T.  Hunt  and 
wife,  who  had  come  to  Ohio  from  Connecticut  in  pioneer  da}'s,  first  locat- 
ing in  Butler  county  and  coming  thence  on  up  into  this  part  of  the  state 
and  settling  in  the  Palestine  neighborhood  in  Shelby  county,  where  they 
spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  There  PI.  B.  Hunt  grew  to  manhood. 
He  early  turned  his  attention  to  the  reading  of  medicine  and  in  due  time 
entered  the  Cincinnati  ^ledical  College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
1874.  In  that  same  year  he  married  Mary  J.  Leedom,  who  was  born  at 
I'nlestine  on  April  19,  1850,  daughter  of  Dr.  J.  J.  and  Mary  Jane  (John- 
s<in)  Leedom,  who  had  come  to  this  state  from  Bucks  county,  Penns}l- 
\'ania.  settling  at  Palestine,  where  iov  years  Doctor  Leedom  was  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  a  typical  practitioner  of  the  "old  school," 
and  the  first  of  the  Leedoms  of  that  line  to  settle  in  this  part  of  Ohio.  Upon 
receiving  his  diploma.  Doctor  Hunt  came  over  into  Champaign  count}-  and 
opened  an  ofifice  for  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Carysville,  in  which 
\illc!ge  he  established  his  home  and  where  he  remained  until  1892,  in  which 
Acar  he  moved  to  St.  Paris,  where  he  and  his  wife  are  now  living.  The 
Doctor  is  a  Republican,  and  ever  since  he  came  to  this  county  has  taken  an 
earnest  interest  in  local  political  affairs.  He  is  past  noble  grand  of  the  Odd 
i-^ellow  lodge  at  St.  Paris  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that 
organization.  Doctor  and  Mrs.  Hunt  have  two  sons,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  having  a  brother.  Dr.  V.  W.  Hunt,  a  dentist,  of  Picjua,  this  state. 

Upon  completing  the  course  in  the  schools  at  Carysville,  W.  L.  Hunt 
entered  the  Ohio  State  University  and  was  there  two  years.  He  taught 
school  in  this  county  for  three  years  and  then  went  to  Chicago,   where  he 


y2  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

worked  as  a  clerk  in  the  Continental  and  Commercial  National  Bank  of  that 
city  and  was  thus  engaged  there  for  eighteen  months,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  he  returned  to  St.  Paris  and  hecame  a  clerk  in  the  b'irst  National  Bank 
of  that  city,  with  which  institution  he  ever  since  has  l)een  connected.  Some 
time  after  entering  that  hank  he  was  ]>romoted  to  the  position  of  assistant 
cashier  and  held  that  position  for  ten  years,  or  until  in  January,  1914,  when 
he  was  elected  cashier  of  the  Ijank  and  has  since  then  l)een  serving  in  that 
capacity.  Mr.  Hunt  is  also  a  memher  of  the  Ijoard  of  directors  of  the  hank 
and  has  for  years  gixen  his  attention  to  the  affairs  of  the  same.  The  hirst 
National  Bank  of  St.  Paris  was  organized  in  1880  and  renewed  its  charter 
in  1900.  Its  present  officers  are  as  follow:  President,  I.  P.  Kiser;  vice- 
president,  Frederk  Black ;  cashier,  W.  P.  Hunt :  assistant  cashier,  P  T. 
Middleton,  and  the  board  of  directors,  in  addition  to  the  above-named  olti- 
cers,  include  Miles  Bodey.  of  St.  Paris;  J.  W.  Birkhold.  of  Rosewood,  and 
J.  ^ .  Kiser,  Jr.,  of  Chicago. 

On  November  28,  1901,  W.  P.  Hunt  was  united  in  marriage  to  T^lma 
Kizer,  daughter  of  I.  P.  and  Asenath  (  Cary )  Kizer,  and  to  this  union  one 
child  has  been  born,  a  daughter,  Pauline  L.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hunt  have  a  very 
pleasant  home  at  St.  Paris  and  take  an  interested  i)art  in  the  social  acti\i- 
ties  of  the  cilv,  helpful  in  promoting  all  worthy  causes.  Mr.  Hunt  is  a 
Republican  and  gives  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  political  affairs,  l)ut 
has  not  been  a  seeker  after  public  office. 


MRS.  S.\RAH  A.  BOWERS. 

-Mrs.  Sarah  .\.  Bowers,  one  of  Urbana's  oldest  and  best-known  resi- 
dents and  widow  of  George  \V.  Bo\\ers,  was  born  in  that  city  on  July  20. 
1840,  a  daughter  of  James  M.  and  Christina  (German)  Steward,  natives 
of  Pennsylvania,  who  located  at  Urbana  in  1838  or  1839  and  there  spent 
their  last  davs.  James  AI.  Steward  was  a  saddler  and  harness-maker  by 
trade  and  upon  locating  at  Url)ana  worked  at  that  trade  for  some  time, 
later  I)ecoming  employed  as  a  carriage-trimmer  in  the  carriage  shop  of 
\Yarren  &  Gaumer  and  was  thus  engaged  until  his  death,  one  of  the  best- 
known  residents  of  that  city.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  clun-ch 
and  his  wife  was  a  Methodist.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  of 
whom  Mrs.  Bowers  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as 
follow:      James  (i.,  now  deceased,  who  was  a  building-  contractor  at  Urbana 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OlIKl 


73 


and  was  later  eiigageil  in  the  '^ame  line  in  Cohjrado  and  Kansas:  Alar\  }.. 
also  now  deceased,  who  marrietl  Conrad  Marshall  and  moved  from  Urbana 
to  Illinois  and  thence  to  Kansas:  Daniel  A\\  Steward,  a  well-known  veteran 
»)f  the  ("i\il  War  and  a  carpenter  at  Urlxma.  who  married  Snsan  Skvles: 
Kate  E..  widow  <if  John  Wood,  of  Kansas,  she  being  now  a  resident  of 
Chicago ;  William  Steward,  a  \  eteran  of  the  Civil  War.  now  living  retired 
at  Urbana.  who  married  Martha  Ta\lor.  and  Charles  Steward,  a  carriage- 
trimmer,  now  living  at  l"le\eland.  this  state. 

Sarah  A.  Steward  received  her  schooling  in  the  schools  of  Urbana  and 
for  four  years  after  completing  her  schooling  was  engaged  in  teaching- 
school.  In  the  meantime  her  eldest  brother,  James  C  Steward,  had  gone 
to  Colorado  and  tipon  the  death  of  his  wife  there  he  sent  for  his  sister  Sarah 
to  come  out  and  take  care  of  his  children.  It  was  while  she  was  living  th.ere 
that  she  met  ( icorge  W.  iJowers.  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War.  whom  she 
marrietl  in  that  state,  March  J8,  1882.  George  W.  Howers  was  born  at 
I.ewisburg,  Xorthumberland  county.  I'ennsvlvania.  Septeml)er  25.  1836.  a 
son  of  William  and  Hester  liowers.  both  natives  of  that  same  county. 
William  liowers  was  a  hotel-keei)er  at  Lewisburg  and  also  conducted  a  meat 
market  there.  Me  died  there  when  his  son  (jeorge  was  hfteen  years  of 
age.  leaving  his  widow  and  three  children.  The  widow  afterward  married 
William  I'reeman.  an  luiglishman,  and  moved  with  the  latter  to  W^aukegan, 
Illinois,  where  she  s])ent  the  remainder  of  her  life.  ( Jecjrge  W.  Bowers 
accom_i)anied  his  mother  to  her  new  home,  having,  at  Waukegan.  learned 
the  trade  of  cabinet-maker  and  carpenter.  During  the  Civil  \\'ar  he  re- 
turned to  l'enns\  Ivania  and  served  for  ninet^•  days  as  a  member  of  the 
Two  Hundred  and  Kighth  Regiment.  l*enns\lvania  X'olunteer  Jnfantr\-. 
After  awhile  he  went  West,  working  ;it  his  trade,  and  was  presently  sent 
to  Coiorack)  by  a  Chica.go  bridge  compau)-  to  build  bridges  in  that  state, 
and  while  thus  engaged  worked  in  many  places  in  the  West,  [""or  six  years 
after  his  marriage  to  Sarah  A.  Steward.  Mr.  Bowers  continued  to  make 
his  home  in  Cokjrado  and  then  retiu-ned  to  Waukegan.  where  his  mother 
was  slill  living,  and  in  the  vicinitv  of  that  citv  became  successfully  engaged 
in  farming,  being  thus  engaged  at  that  place  until  his  death,  on  October  28. 
i<)02.  he  then  lacking  one  month  of  being  sixty-six  years  of  age.  Mr. 
iMjwers  was  an  actiAC  memljer  of  the  local  i^ost  of  the  ( irand  Army  of  the 
ivepublic  ai  Waukegan,  in  the  affairs  of  which  patriotic  (.organization  he 
took  a  warm  interest,  and  was  also  atiiliated  with  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows. 

Not  long  after  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Bowers  disposed  of  her 


74  CHAMTAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

interests  in  Illinois  and  returnt'd  to  her  old  home  at  Urhana,  where  she 
since  has  made  her  home  and  where  she  is  very  conifortahlv  situated,  hav- 
ing;- a  \ery  pleasant  home  at  Xo.  324  j^ast  Cdmrch  street.  Mrs.  Bowers  is 
a  niemlicr  ot'  the  Methodist  l'~])isco])al  church,  in  the  various  heneficences 
of  which  she  takes  a  warm  interest,  as  well  as  in  the  general  good  works  of 
the  conimnnity  at  large,  and  her  gentle  influence  ever  is  exerted  in  hehalf 
i\\  con.imunity  l.etterment.  Fler  niemor\-  is  excellent  and  her  recollection 
of  events  co\  ering  the  period  of  her  girlhood  in  Urhana  and  particularly 
•of  sonic  of  the  stirring  incidents  of  ante-bellum  da\s  there  and  of  her 
service  as  a  school  teacher  in  this  cotniuunit\'  many  vears  ago  throw  some 
most  interesting  side]ight>  on  that  period  in  the  development  of  Url)ana  and 
i)f  C"ham[)aign  county. 


AL\1X    1.    11RI(;HT, 


Alvin  j.  Bright,  one  of  the  best-known  lawxers  in  Champaign  county, 
is  a  native  son  of  this  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  six  years  spent  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Dayton,  this  state, 
lie  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Jackson  township,  August  6,  1868,  son  of  Henry 
and  Susan  (Deaton)  Bright,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  on  that  same 
farm  and  there  spent  all  his  life  and  the  latter  is  still  living,  now  a  resident 
of  C'hristiansburg.  Henry  Bright  was  born  on  I'ebruar)-  2,  1832,  son  of 
pioneer  i)arents  and  w^as  reared  on  the  farm  on  which  he  was  born  and 
after  his  marriage  established  his  h.ome  there,  later  buying  from  the  other 
heirs  of  his  father's  estate  one  hundred  and  four  acres  of  the  home  place, 
to  which  he  afterward  added  an  adjoining  tract  of  forty-three  acres  and 
became  one  of  the  substantial  farmers  of  his  neighborhood.  ()n  that  place 
he  spent  his  last  days,  his  death  occurring  on  September  y,  1902.  He  and 
his  wife  were  the  parents  of  two  sons.  Ahin  J.  Bright  having  a  brother. 
Dr.  William  \\.  Bright,  a  well-known  ])hysician  and  surgeon  at  North  Hamp- 
ton, down  in  Clark  county. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Jackson  township.  Alvin  J.  Bright  re- 
ceived h.is  earl\-  schooling  in  the  local  schools  of  that  neighborhood  and  later 
took  a  course  in  the  scientific  department  of  the  State  Normal  School  at 
Ada,  after  which  for  five  years  he  was  engaged  in  teaching  school.  Mean- 
while he  was  giving  much  of  his  leis'ure  time  to  the  study  of  law  and  ])resently 
entered  the  law  department  of  the  State  Normal  at  Ada  and  was  graduated 
from  the  same  in    1900,  with  the  degree  of   Bachelor  of  Laws.      For  some 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  75 

time  he  maintained  his  law  office  at  Christiansburg  and  then,  in  jgoi.  went 
ti)  Davton.  where  he  opened  an  office  for  the  practice  of  his  profession  and 
where  he  remained  for  six  vears.  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  returned  to 
Christiansburg-  and  has  since  resided  there,  he  and  his  mother  making-  their 
home  together.  In  addition  to  his  law  practice  and  his  official  duties  Mayor 
liright  looks  after  the  interests  of  his  late  father's  estate  and  finds  himself 
a  pretty  Inisv  man.  He  is  a  Rei)ublican  and  has  for  years  given  his  close 
attention  to  the  civic  aft'airs  of  his  home  town  and  townshij)  and  of  the 
count}-  at  large.  I'or  some  time  he  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  in  and  for 
Jackson  tiiwnsliip  and  is  now  the  ma}-or  (^f  Christiansburg.  to  the  duties  of 
which  important  office  he  is  gi\ing  his  most  intelligent  attention.  He  is  a 
Jvoval  Arch  and  York  Rite  Mason,  a  member  of  Mt.  Olivet  Lodge  Xo.  226, 
b'ree  and  Accepted  Masons,  at  Christiansburg,  of  which  he  is  past  worshipful 
master,  and  of  the  chapter  at  St.  Paris  and  the  commander\-  at  Trov.  and 
takes  a  warm  and  active  interest  in  Masonic  aff"airs. 

Adam  Bright,  cousin  of  .\l\in  J.,  of  Christiansburg.  came  here  about 
the  time  the  railroad  was  l)uilt  in  the  county;  he  was  a  large  farmer,  owning 
one  thousand  acres  of  land  near  here.  He  built  the  elevator  and  was  one 
of  the  prominent  men  of  these  parts. 


CLAUDE  C.   BATDORF 


Claude  C.  Batdorf.  a  juvjuiinent  and  successful  farmer  and  stockman, 
stockholder  in  several  commercial  enterprises,  living  on  route  3.  St.  Paris. 
Champaign  county,  was  born  in  Jacksfjn  township  on  P^bruar}-  15.  1871,  a 
son  of  David  .and  .\melia  ( Walborn )  Batdorf,  the  former  of  whom  was 
bom  in  John.son  township,  this  count}-,  on  September  20.  1841.  and  the 
latter  in  the  same  township  on  May  22,  184,^5,  both  of  whom  were  farming 
people. 

David  Batdorf  was  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Susanna  ( Xeff' )  Batdorf. 
David  Batdorf  and  his  future  wife.  Amelia  W'alborn.  were  reared  in  Johnson 
township  and  attended  the  public  schools.  They  were  married  in  1857  and 
shortly  afterward  settled  on  a  farm  lying  south  and  east  of  St.  Paris,  and 
are  living  there  at  the  present  time,  practically  retired  from  the  labor  of 
the  farm.  During  his  active  life  David  Batdorf  was  an  industrious  and 
progressive  farmer  and  was  generally  regarded  throughout  this  part  of 
Champaign  countv  as  a  successful  agriculturist.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Batdorf  are 


76  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

inenil)ers  <»f  the  Methodist  I'-piscopal  church  at  St.  Paris  and  are  warmly 
interested  in  all  its  good  works,  and  have  always  given  their  support  to 
e\  ery  worthy  ])urpose  in  the  omniunity  in  which  they  have  heen  residents 
so  long  and  where  thev  are  esteemed  as  good  citizens  and  sincere  friends. 
They  were  the  parents  of  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  living  in  191 7. 
l(jla  M.  and  Claude  C.  !ola  M.  is  a  graduate  of  the  St.  Paris  high  school 
and  later  attended  a  normal  school,  after  which  she  taught  school  for  one 
year.  She  married  drant  Kizer  and  the\-  are  living  two  and  one-half  miles 
north  of  St.  Paris.  The}'  are  the  parents  of  two  children,  Tillie  and  Alta, 
])oth  (jf  whom  are  graduates  of  the  St.  Paris  high  school.  The  elder  is  a 
teacher  in  high  school  and  the  other  is  a  teacher  in  the  schools  of  Concord 
townshi]). 

Claude  C.  Ikitdorf  was  reared  t)n  the  farm  and  educated  in  the  common 
schools,  which  he  attended  up  to  the  age  of  fifteen,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  he  went  to  the  high  school  at  St.  Paris  for  two  years.  At  the  age  of 
t\\entv-h\e  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Alattie  Pence,  who  was  horn  on 
.\ugust  [.  1868.  Their  marriage  took  place  on  Septemljer  23.  1896.  Mrs. 
llatdorf  is  tlie  daughter  of  .\mos  raid  Clarinda  (Browning)  J'ence,  the  for- 
mer of  whom  was  horn  in  Mad  Piver  township  on  May  24,  1822,  and  died 
on  Januarv  2,:;,  1904,  and  the  latter  was  horn  in  Union  township  on  March 
20.  1838.  and  is  now  in  her  eightieth  year,  vigorous  mentally  and  enjoying- 
good  health.  The\-  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  two,  an  infant  and 
Lizzie,  being  dead:  the  others  are  l^lla,  wife  of  Scott  Kite,  of  Mad  River 
township;  Joseph  M.,  a  farmer  in  the  same  township:  Emma,  the  wife  of 
l'"ernando  Ward:  \'ictoria,  who  married  Albert  Berry,  of  Mad  River  town- 
ship: Jennie,  who  married  W.  H.  Batford.  of  Columl)us,  Ohio,  and  Mattie, 
the  wife  of  Clautle  C.  Batdorf.  Mrs.  P>atdorf  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Mad 
l\i\er  townshi])  and  was  educated  in  the  Myrtle  Tree  school,  which  she  at- 
tended until  she  was  stventeen  years  of  age. 

To  -Mr.  and  Mrs.  Batdorf  two  children  were  born,  Clara,  A.,  born  May 
2.  1902,  and  died  January  23,  1904.  and  Geneva  A.,  born  on  November  2^, 
i<;o6.  'I'he  l>atdorfs  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church  at  St.  Paris  and 
are  earnest  and  acti\e  participants  in  all  church  work.  He  served  as  trustee 
(jf  the  Mxrtle  Tree  church  for  several  years.  Mr.  FJatdorf  is  a  supporter 
of  the  Democratic  party  and  served  in  the  offices  of  trustee  and  treasurer. 
He  was  elected  treasurer  of  Jackson  township  and  served  from  1898  to 
1904.  He  was  then  elected  a  trustee  and  served  four  years  in  that  office, 
and  his  last  candidac\-  resulted  in  being  again  chosen  in  1915  as  treasurer 
of  the  townslii[).  which  '»ffice  he  still  holds.      In   all  these  offices  and   in   a 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  'j'J 

great  manv  otlier  ways,  Air.  Batdort  has  given  evidence  of  his  practical 
interest  in  township  and  count}'  affairs.  Me  is  a  member  of  the  Champaign 
county  agricultural  bocU'd,  having-  Ijeen  elected  in  i()i5,  and  to  that  board 
and  also  to  the  aft'airs  of  the  farmers  institutes  he  gives  freely  of  his  time, 
energy  and  advice,  being  among-  the  most  prominent  supporters  of  these 
valual)le  institutions,  establishetl  for  the  benefit  of  the  farmers  of  the  com- 
munity. 

On  his  farm  in  Jackson  township  .Mr.  liatdorf  has  his  eighty-acre  tract 
given  over  to  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  breeds  registered 
Percheron  horses  and  all  his  stock  is  of  high  grade,  and  he  is  regarded  as 
one  of  the  most  successful  farmers  of  the  township.  In  addition  to  his 
agricultural  interests,  he  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Central  National  Bank  at 
St.  Paris;  a  stockholder  in  the  Telephone  Company  of  St.  Paris,  and  a 
stockholder  in  the  National  Fire  Insurance  Company  of  Columbus,  Ohio. 
Air.  Batdorf's  ability  as  a  farmer  and  a  business  man  is  recognized  through- 
out the  county,  and  his  worth  as  a  progressive  citizen  is  appreciated  to  the 
full. 


GKORGE  H.  PRIXTZ. 


George  H.  Printz,  junior  member  of  the  firm  of  J.  I''..  Printz  .Jt  Son, 
tiealers  in  coal  at  St.  Paris  and  one  of  the  most  active  and  enterprising  busi- 
ness men  in  that  cit}-,  is  a  native  son  of  Cliami)aig-n  county  and  has  lived 
here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  at  Steinberger  Mills,  in  Mad  River  township. 
July  II,  1885,  son  and  only  child  of  Jacol)  \\.  and  Catherine  1^.  (Hannan) 
Printz,  the  former  a  native  of  X'irginia  and  the  latter  of  New  Jersey,  wh(j 
came  to  this  count\-  in  the  days  of  their  }'outh,  were  married  at  Urbana 
and  have  ever  since  been  residents  of  this  count}-,  having  made  their  home 
at  St.   Paris  since   1899. 

Jacob  E.  Printz  was  born  in  Page  count}',  \'irginia,  June  12,  1845.  son 
of  Isaac  and  Eliza  (  Printz)  Printz.  bc^h  of  whom  were  born  in  that  same 
state,  where  they  spent  their  lives,  Isaac  Printz  being  a  miller,  as  also  was 
his  father.  Jacob  V..  Printz  grew  up  in  V^irginia  thoroughl}-  familiar  with 
the  details  of  the  milling  business  and  when  a  }-oung  man  came  to  Ohio 
and  at  Urbana  married  Catherine  E.  Hannan,  who  was  born  at  b'lmer.  New 
Jerse\-,  March  9,  1857,  and  wbp  had  come  to  this  count}'  with  her  parents 
in  her  youth.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Eastern  Star  and  i)ast  noble  grand 
of  the  Reljekah,  lodge,      .\fter  their  marriage   Mr.   and   Mrs.    Printz   located 


78  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

en  a  farm  in  the  vicinitx'  ot  Lippincott  Station,  in  Salem  township,  this 
cduntw  where  tlie\-  remainetl  tliree  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  they 
moved  to  .Mad  Iviver  township,  wliere  Mr.  I'rintz  took  charge  of  the  Stein- 
herger  mill  and  operated  the  same  until  1886,  when  he  transferred  his  serv- 
ices to  the  .\rrowsmith  mill  in  Salem  township,  where  he  remained  engaged 
in  milling  until  1899,  when  he  mo\'ed  to  St.  Paris  to  take  charge  of  the 
Hour-mill  at  that  place  and  became  owner  of  the  same.  In  1907  he  sold 
the  mill  to  lialdwin  (!t  Son  and  bought  the  W'alburn  &  Riker  coal  yards  at 
St.  Paris  and  has  since  Ijceu  engaged  in  the  coal  business  at  that  place,  long 
having  been  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of  that  city.  Not 
long-  after  taking-  over  the  coal  business,  Mr.  Printz  admitted  his  sou  to 
partnershi]»  in  the  business,  which  since  has  been  conducted  under  the  lirm 
name  of  j.  \i.  I'rintz  i^  Son.  Mr.  I'rintz  came  to  this  county  in  1874,  a 
poor  young  man  and  by  dint  of  persevering  efiforts  and  good  management 
has  become  one  of  the  well  circumstanced  men  of  the  county.  In  addition 
to  hi^  coal  interests  he  is  -vice-president  of  the  Central  National  Rank  of 
.St.  Paris  and  has  odier  interests  there,  which  place  him  well  uj)  in  the  list 
of  the  men  of  affairs  in  that  part  of  the  county.  Mr.  Printz  is  a  Democrat 
and  for  years  has  taken  an  acti\e  part  in  local  public  affairs,  having  been  a 
mem])er  (.f  the  board  oi  public  works  at  St.  I'aris  ever  since  the  electric- 
light  plant  was  l)uilt  there.  He  is  a  Knight  Templar  and  Royal  Arch  Mason, 
a  member  of  the  blue  lodge  at  St.  Paris  and  of  the  chapter,  council  and 
coiiimander}-  at  Urbana,  and  is  also  an  acti\e  member  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd   Pellows,  having  attained  to  the  encampment  in  that  order. 

( "rcorge  II.  Printz  was  about  thirteen  }ears  of  age  when  his  parents  took 
u])  their  residence  in  St.  Paris  and  he  coinpletetl  his  schooling  in  the  high 
schi/ol  there,  after  which  he  became  engaged  in  the  coal  business  as  a  partner 
of  his  father  in  the  brm  of  J.  E.  Printz  iS:  Son  and  has  ever  since  been  thus 
engaged.  lie  also  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Central  National  P)ank  of  St. 
Paris  aud  is  otherwise  interested  in  the  general  business  aft'airs  of  his  home 
town.  ])eing  regarded  as  one  of  the  "li\-e  wires'"  of  that  ])lace,  acti\e  in  all 
mo\-ements  ha\  ing  to  do  with  the  ad\;incement  of  the  common  interests  of 
the  cit\-;  he  i^  manager  of  the  h'armers  and  Merchants  Telephone  Conipanv. 
.Mr.  Printz  is  a  Democrat  and  takes  an  acti\'e  interest  in  local  political  af- 
fairs, lie  is  ilie  onl\-  thirty-second  degree  Mason  in  St.  Paris  and  takes  a 
warm  intei-est  in  .Masonic  affairs,  lie  became  a  member  of  Pharos  Lodge. 
I-"ree  and  ,\cce])ted  Masons,  at  St.  Paris,  when  twent\-one  \ears  of  age. 
and  at  l\\ent\-four  w;is  high  priest  of  the  local  chai)ter.  Roval  .\rch  Masons, 
and  a  member  of  the  council,   l\o\al  and  Select  Masters,  at  L'rbana.  and  of 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  79 

Ivaper   C'omniaiulery,    Knights   Templar,    in   that   city.      His   affiliation    with 
the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  is  through  the  consistory  at  Davt(jn. 

On  June  22,  1908,  George  H.  Printz  was  united  in  marriage  to  Stella 
W'oolcott.  who  was  horn  near  Lena,  in  Johnson  township,  this  county,  Ma\' 
4,  1886,  and  to  this  union  one  child  has  heen  horn,  a  daughter,  I'A'elyn  W.. 
horn  on  Fehruary  26,  1912.  Mrs.  Printz  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
i^piscopal  church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Printz  have  a  very  pleasant  home  at  St. 
Paris  and  take  an  interested  and  helpful  part  in  the  general  social  activities 
of  their  home  town.  Mrs.  Stella  T^rintz  is  past  noble  grand  of  the  Rebekah 
lodge,  St.  Paris,  and  is  an  officer  and  member  of  Diamond  Chapter.  Order  of 
the  Eastern  Star. 


JOHN  D.  ROBERTS. 


John  D.  Rol^erts,  Civil  War  veteran,  well-known  farmer  and  general 
stockman,  living-  on  rural  route  i  out  of  St.  Paris,  is  a  native  V^irginian. 
born  in  Page  countv,  \'irginia,  July  29,  1844.  He  is  the  son  of  John  and 
Harriet  (  (lood  )  Roberts,  the  former  of  whom  was  l)orn  and  died  in  J'age 
county,  that  state,  and  whose  wife,  flarriet  Cood.  was  also  l)orn  in  the 
same  coimty  and  state ;  she  also  died  there. 

John  J-ioberts  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  of  whom 
two  ;ire  now  li\  ing.  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having  a  sister.  Rebecca,  who 
became  tlie  wife  of  Benjamin  \^'ood  and  who  are  residents  of  Page  county. 
X'irginia.  John  Roberts  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Eutheran  church 
and  e\  er  active  in  its  good  works  throughout  their  lives.  He  was  affiliated 
with  the  old  Whig  party  and  on  the  formation  of  the  Republican  i)arty. 
became  one  of  its  stanchest  supporters. 

jolm  D.  Roberts  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  was  educated  in 
the  excellent  schools  of  Page  count}'.  N'irginia.  He  worked  for  a  time  on 
the  farm  and  when  the  Civil  War  Ijroke  out  he  enlisted  in  Company  C.  of 
White's  Battalion  and  Ross's  Brigade;  he  furnished  his  own  horses  and 
l)ridles.  On  May  6,  1863,  he  was  struck  Ijy  a  shell  in  the  left  knee  at  the 
battle  of  tlie  Wilderness  and  he  suffered  for  sixteen  months  from  the  eff'ects 
of  his  injuries.  In  the  winter  of  1864  he  rejoined  his  command  and  after 
a  short  period  of  serxice  was  discharged,  the  cumniand  with  which  he  had 
l)een  serving  being  disbanded. 

On  the  conclusion  of  his  war  ser\ice  John  D.  Roljerts  returned  to  Ids 
home  and  went  to  work  on  the  farm.     He  was  united  in  marriage  to  Martha 


8o  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Ki'-er.  who  was  a  distant  relative  of  the  late  John  W.  Kiser.  Mr.  Ivoberts 
lixefl  in  X'irt^inia  until  March  5,  1883.  when  he  came  to  this  state  and  located 
in  ("liampaiyn  c( mntv  on  the  farm  on  which  he  now  lives.  He  is  the  owner 
of  one  hundred  acres  of  prime  land,  which  is  in  an  excellent  state  of  ciilti- 
\ation.  In  addition  to  his  work  on  the  farm  he  is  also  extensively  engaged 
in  breeding-  a  hne  strain  of  Jerse}'  cattle.  Duroc-Jersey  hogs  and  I'lymouth 
chickens,  his  produce  in  all  these  various  lines  netting  g(^od  prices  at  market. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roberts  are  parents  of  one  son,  Ernest  C.  Roberts,  l)orn  in 
Se])tcmber.  187c).  He  married  Nora  Ilatdorf  and  they  are  the  parents  of 
two  cliildren.   Irene  and  John  D. 

John  1).  Roljerts  has  been  a  lifelong  supporter  of  the  Republican  party, 
but  has  ne\er  been  a  seeker  after  public  office.  He  and  his  wife  have  a 
p!eas;int  home  in  Jackson  township,  where  they  reside  on  the  place  known 
as  the  "West  Farm."  Mr.  Roberts  is  held  in  warm  regard  bv  his  manv 
friends  in  St.  Paris  and  he  is  admired  for  his  u|)right  character  and  general 
sense  of  justice  in  the  affairs  of  life. 


JUDGI<:  JOSb:PH  P.  NORTHCUTT. 

Judge  Josei)]i  P.  Xorthcutt,  pension  attornev,  justice  of  the  peace  in 
and  i'or  Ur1)ana  townshi[),  former  judge  of  probate  for  Champaign  county, 
an  honored  veteran  of  the  C\y\\  War  and  for  vears  one  of  the  best-known 
residents  of  Url)ana,  is  a  nati\e  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived 
liere  all  his  life.  Me  was  liorn  in  the  hamlet  of  \Vest\-ille,  in  Mad  River 
township,  August  23.  1841,  son  of  I'vunyan  and  Rucinda  (Pence)  North- 
cutt,  the  former  a  nati\e  of  the  state  of  Kentuck\-  and  the  latter  of  this 
county. 

Runvan  .Xorthcutt  was  but  a  child  when  his  parents,  Sh;idrick  and 
Knth  ( Tavlor )  Xorthcutt,  came  to  Ohio  from  Kentucky,  about  the  }ear 
1810.  and  settle<l  on  a  farm  southwest  of  W^estville,  near  Terre  Haute,  in 
this  count\-,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  Shadrack  Xorth- 
cutt liecoming  one  of  the  substantial  ])ioneer  settlers  of  that  i)art  of  the 
count\ .  On  that  p>ioneer  farm  Runvan  Xorthcutt  grew  to  manliood,  re- 
ceiving his  schooling  in  a  little  old  log  school  house  in  .Mad  River  townshi]), 
and  early  became  a  saddler  and  harness-maker,  following  that  \-ocation  at 
W'estxille  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  in  1844.  He  had 
married    Lucinda    Pence,    v.  ho    \\as   born    in    Urbana    townshii),    this   countv. 


JOSEPH  P.  XOKTHCUTT. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  8l 

and  to  that  union  rive  children  \\ere  l)orn,  of  whom  hut  two  are  now  Uving, 
tlie  suhject  of  this  sketch  having-  a  hrother,  Edmond  Northcutt,  Uving  at 
South  Omaha.  Nehraska.  The  other  chiklren  of  that  union  were  John, 
Emily,  who  married  Hugh  Gibhs.  and  William. 

Joseph  V.  Northcutt  was  but  three  years  of  age  when  his  father  died 
and  after  the  death  of  his  mother,  some  years  later,  he  made  his  home  with 
his  maternal  uncle,  Jacob  Pence.  He  completed  his  schooling  in  the  schools 
of  Westville  and  later  entered  a  harness  shop  and  saddlery  at  St.  Paris, 
Avhere  he  learned  the  trade  that  had  been  his  father's  and  was  working  at 
that  trade  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  On  September  9,  1861,  he  then 
being  but  twenty  years  of  age,  Mr.  Northcutt  enlisted  for  service  in  the 
Union  army,  as  a  member  of  Company  G.  Third  Ohio  Cavalary,  and  served 
with  that  command,  attached  to  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  for  more 
than  eighteen  months.  At  the  battle  of  Woodville  Station,  Alabama,  April 
3,  1862,  he  was  wounded  six  times  and  his  horse  was  shot  from  under  him. 
Three  of  the  bullets  he  received  on  that  bloody  day  Mr.  Northcutt  still 
carries  in  his  Ijodv,  the  ami)-  surgeons  having  been  unable  to  reach  them. 
On  Eebruary  20,  1863.  he  then  having  been  fairly  convalescent  from  his 
wcnmds,  Mr.  Northcutt  reci-ived  an  lionorable  discharge  from  service,  on  a 
physician's  certificate  of  i)hysical  disability,  and  returned  home.  He  re- 
sumed his  work  as  a  saddler  and  harness-maker,  but  a  short  time  later  be- 
came engaged  as  a  clerk  in  a  dry-goods  store  at  St.  Paris  and  remained  thus 
connected  for  seventeen  years,  or  until  his  health  began  to  fail,  requiring  a 
more  out-door  mode  of  living.  For  five  years  thereafter  Mr.  Northcutt 
was  engaged  in  buying  cattle,  mostl}-  sheep,  and  was  thus  engaged  at  the 
time  of  his  election  to  the  i^fhce  of  judge  of  probate  for  Champaign  county. 
Following  his  electi<jn  Judge  Northcutt  moved  to  Urbana,  entering  upon  his 
duties  of  his  office  on  Fel~jruar\'  9,  1891,  and  has  ever  since  made  that  city 
his  home.  I'or  six  years  he  served  as  judge  of  probate  and  for  a  short 
time  thereafter  gave  his  perst)nal  attention  t(^  a  farm  he  had  acquired  years 
before  and  which  he  still  owns.  Not  long  afterward  he  became  engaged  in 
the  insurance  business  at  Urbana  and  also  became  active  as  a  pension  attor- 
ney and  is  still  acting  in  the  latter  capacity.  In  191 1  Judge  Northcutt  was 
elected  justice  of  the  peace  in  and  for  Urbana  township  and  is  now  serving 
in  that  important  public  capacity.  He  is  a  Republican  and  for  years  has 
been  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  leaders  of  that  party  in  this  county,  ever 
giving  his  most  thoughtful  attention  to  local  civic  affairs. 

On  November  14.  1866.  Joseph  P.  Northcutt  was  united  in  marriage  to 
(6a) 


82  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Augusta  Richeson,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mary  Ann  Richeson,  and  to 
this  union  one  child  has  been  born,  a  daughter,  Carrie,  wife  of  J.  H.  Cody, 
of  Urbana.  Judge  and  Mrs.  Northcutt  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  and  take  a  proper  interest  in  church  affairs.  The  Judge  is  a  charter 
member  of  the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  at  St.  Paris 
and  served  that  post  as  tpiartermaster  and  as  treasurer.  He  also  was  a 
charter  member  of  the  Masonic  lodge  at  St.  Paris,  but  is  not  now  actively 
connected  widi  that  order. 


SOLOMON    APPLE. 


Solomon  Apple,  cjne  of  the  well-known  and  substantial  farmers  of  Jack- 
son township,  this  county,  and  the  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  thirty  acres  one  mile  south  and  a  half  mile  east  of  St.  Paris,  was  born 
on  a  pioneer  farm  one  mile  south  oi  where  he  now  lives  and  has  lived  in 
that  neighborhood  all  his  Hfe.  He  was  born  on  June  ii,  1835,  son  of  Sol- 
omon and  Catherine  (Snapp)  Apple,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania 
and  the  latter  of  Montgomery  county,  this  state,  who  became  pioneers  of 
Jackson  township  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 

The  elder  Solomon  Apple  came  to  Ohio  from  Pennsylvania  in  the  days 
of  his  young  manhood  and  in  Montgomery  county  was  married  to  Cather- 
ine Snapp,  shortly  afterward  coming  up  into  Champaign  county.  He  entered 
a  tract  of  eighty  acres  of  "Congress  land"  in  Jackson  township  and  there 
established  his  home  and  proceeded  to  develop  and  improve  his  farm,  a  part 
of  which  at  that  time  was  swamp  land.  The  Snapps  settled  in  that  neigh- 
borhood about  the  same  time  and  the  two  families  thus  became  counted  as 
among  the  first  settlers  of  that  part  of  the  county  and  were  iniluential  in 
the  early  work  of  development  thereabout.  Pioneer  Solomon  Apple  pros- 
pered in  his  farming  operations  and  added  to  his  home  farm  until  he  batl 
there  two  hundred  and  forty  acres.  He  also  had  a  farm  of  one  hundred 
acres  in  Johnson  township.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Luth- 
eran church  and  took  an  active  part  in  church  work.  They  were  the  parents 
of  eight  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  now  the  sole  sur- 
vivor. Of  the  others,  William,  Sarah,  Mary,  Noah  and  Sim<3n  grew  to 
maturity  and  two  died  in  infancy. 

Reared  on  the  pioneer  home  farm  in  Jackson  township,  the  younger 
Solomon  Apple  received  his  schooling  in  the  little  old  log  scliool  house  in 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  83 

that  neighborhood  and  from  the  days  of  his  youtli  was  a  helpful  factor  in 
the  development  of  the  home  farm,  remaining  there  until  his  marriage  in 
186 r,  when  he  established  his  home  on  the  place  where  he  is  now  living  and 
has  ever  since  made  that  his  residence,  long  having  been  regarded  as  one  of 
the  substantial  farmers  of  that  community.  Mr.  Apple  is  a  Democrat  and 
has  ever  given  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  political  affairs, .  but  ha^ 
never  held  public  office.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  at  St. 
Paris  and  has  for  many  years  taken  a  proper  part  in  church  work.  Despite 
the  weight  of  his  four-score  years  and  more,  he  retains  much  of  his  former 
vigor  and  continues  to  take  a  warm  interest  in  current  affairs. 

On  September  25,  1861,  Solomon  x\pple  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Frances  Kessler,  who  was  born  in  Johnson  township,  this  county,  and  t(j 
that  union  was  born  one  child,  a  son,  Perry  Franklin  Apple,  born  on  October 
12,  1862,  who  married  Rosa  Prince,  daughter  of  Abraham  Prince,  and  has 
one  child,  a  daughter,  Ota,  who  makes  her  home  with  her  grandfather  on 
the  old  place.  JMrs.  Frances  Apple  died  on  April  18,  1914.  Perry  F.  Apple 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  lived  at  home  always.  He  is  build- 
ing his  own  home  in  Jackson  township,  where  he  will  reside.  He  has  served 
as  president  of  the  school  board,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 


JOHN  B.  HOLLIS. 


John  B.  Hollis.  a  well-known  retired  merchant,  of  Christiansburg,  for- 
mer clerk  and  former  trustee  of  Jackson  township,  is  a  native  son  of  Ohio 
and  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life.  He  was  born  in  the  city  of  Piqua  on 
August  17.  1848,  son  of  Benoni  and  Lydia  (Duffy)  Hollis,  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania. His  father  died  before  he  was  born  and  his  mother  later  married 
Cyrus  Borden.  By  her  marriage  to  Benoni  Hollis  she  was  the  mother  of 
four  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  now  the  only  survivor. 

Thrown  upon  his  own  resources  in  his  youth.  John  B.  Hollis  had  quite 
a  struggle  getting  a  foothold  on  the  path  to  fortune  and  at  the  age  of 
twenty-one  was  practically  without  means  save  a  stout  heart  and  willing 
hands.  .\t  twenty-six  years  of  age  he  became  engaged  in  the  meat  business 
and  for  thirty-live  years  was  thus  engaged,  doing  a  general  meat  business, 
and  did  quite  well.  He  formerly  owned  a  valuable  farm,  but  since  his  re- 
tirement has  sold  the  same  and  is  now  living  undisturbed  by  business  cares. 
Mr.  Hollis  is  a  Democrat  and  has  long  given  close  attention  to  local  polit- 


84  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

ic;il  affairs,  having-  for  several  years  served  as  clerk  of  Jackson  township 
and  as  trustee  of  the  township,  giving  to  the  performance  of  the  duties  of 
these  offices  his  intelligent  attention. 

In  April.  1875.  John  B.  Hollis  was  united  in  marriage  to  Minnie  Spence, 
who  was  horn  in  the  neighlxiring  county  of  Clark,  but  who  was  reared  in 
Champaign  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hollis  have  a  very  pleasant  home  at 
Cliristianshurg  and  have  ever  given  their  thoughtful  attention  to  the  general 
affairs  of  their  home  town.  Mr.  Hollis  is  a  Scottish  Rite  (thirty-second 
degree)  Mason  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  local  chapter 
of  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star,  which  Mrs.  Hollis  has  .served  in  numerous 
official  capacities.  For  twelve  years  Mr.  Hollis  Avas  worshipful  master  of 
Mt.  Olivet  Lodge  No.  226.  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  at  Christiansburg, 
and  his  affiliation  with  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  is  through  the 
consistory  at  Dayton.  He  also  is  a  Knight  Templar  (York  Rite),  affiliated 
with  the  commandery  at  Troy,  and  is  a  Royal  Arch  Mason,  affiliated  with 
the  chapter  (No.  132)  at  St.  Paris,  and  is  also  affiliated  with  the  council. 
I\o)al  and  Select  Masters,  at  Trov.  for  many  vears  having  given  his  earnest 
attention  to  Masonic  affairs. 


GEORGE  D.   NAGLF 


George  D.  Nagle.  a  well-known  cement  contractor  at  Christiansburg 
and  former  assessor  of  Jackson  township,  is  a  native  of  the  great  Empire 
state,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  this  county  since  he  was  about  seven  years 
of  age.  He  was  born  in  the  city  of  Brooklyn,  New  York.  June  2^,  1H62, 
son  of  George  and  Caroline  (Duffern)  Nagle.  natives  of  Germany,  the 
former  born  in  Hamburg  and  the  latter  in  Baden,  who  later  l)ecame  residents 
of  Champaign  county  and  here  spent  their  last  days. 

George  Nagle  was  about  fourteen  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  this 
county  with  his  parents,  the  family  settling  in  Brooklyn  and  there  he  grew 
to  manhood.  I'^or  a  time  he  worked  in  a  grocery  store  and  then  learned  the 
plumber's  trade  and  was  engaged  in  that  lousiness  when  the  Civil  War  broke 
out.  He  enlisted  his  services  in  behalf  of  the  Union  and  went  to  the  front 
as  a  member  of  Company  H,  New^  York  Heavy  Artillery,  and  witli  that 
command  served  for  three  years  and  nine  months.  He  had  married  before 
the  war  broke  out  and  upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  moved 
with  his   familv  to  Canada,   where  he  remained   for  about  three  vears,   or 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  85 

until  1869,  when  lie  came  to  Oliio  and  located  at  Urbana.  In  the  meantime 
he  had  become  a  stone  mason  and  upon  coming-  to  this  county  engaged  as  a 
contractor  in  masonry  and  continued  thus  engaged  until  his  retirement  at 
the  age  of  seventy  years,  making  his  home  on  a  farm  which  he  had  bought 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Urbana.  George  Nagle  and  wife  were  the  parents 
of  nine  children,  seven  of  whom  are  still  living,  those  besides  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  being  as  follow  :  Charles,  a  contractor  in  Jackson  township, 
this  county;  Carrie,  wife  of  Frank  Hubert,  of  Detroit,  Michigan;  Mattie, 
wife  of  William  King,  also  of  Detroit;  Maggie,  wife  of  William  McDonald, 
of  Urbana ;  Willis,  a  contractor  of  cement  work  at  Piqua,  and  Fred,  a  con- 
tractor at  Urbana. 

George  D.  Nagle  was  about  nine  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  this 
county  with  his  parents  and  he  completed  his  schooling  in  the  Urbana 
schools.  He  early  learned  under  the  direction  of  his  father  the  details  of 
stone  masonry  and  when  twenty-one  years  of  age  began  working  along  that 
line  on  his  own  account,  locating  at  Christiansburg.  where  he  presently 
de\'eloped  a  business  as  a  stone  contractor,  e\'entually  taking  up  cement  work 
and  in  the  latter  line  has  since  been  engaged  and  has  been  successful.  Mr. 
Nagle  is  a  Republican  and  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  Champaign  countv 
Republican  central  committee  and  as  assessor  of  Jackson  township.  He  has 
acquired  considerable  real  estate  interests  and  is  quite  well  circumstanced. 

In  1898  George  D.  Nagle  was  united  in  marriage  to  Emma  L.  Warner, 
who  was  born  in  Christiansburg.  Champaign  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nagle 
are  members  of  the  Futheran  church  and  take  an  interested  part  in  church 
work.  Mr.  Nagle  is  past  noble  grand  of  Social  Fodge  No.  339.  Independ- 
ent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  at  Christiansburg,  and  is  past  chief  patriarch  of 
the  local  encampment.  Patriarchs  Militant,  for  years  ha\ing  taken  an  acti\e 
and  earnest  interest  in  Odd  Fellowship. 


SIFAS  M.  STRADFING. 


Silas  M.  Stradling,  one  of  Jackson  township's  well-known  and  sul)- 
stantial  farmers  and  the  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of  eighty  acres  one  and 
one-half  miles  south  of  St.  Paris,  was  born  on  the  farm  on  which  he  is  now 
living  and  has  lived  there  all  his  life.  In  all.  he  owns  one  Iiundred  and  fifteen 
acres.  He  was  born  on  December  i.  1847.  son  of  Henry  and  Fmilv 
(Mitchell)    Stradling.   the   former  a  native  of   Pennsylvania   and   the   latter 


86  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

of  Ohio,  who  came  to  this  county  from  Warren  count}-,  this  slate,  and  estab- 
hshed  their  home  here  about  1845.  spending  the  rest  of  their  hves  here. 

Henry  StradHng  was  born  in  Bucks  county,  Pennsyh'ania,  in  1813, 
and  was  married,  about  the  year  1845,  i^^  Warren  county,  this  state,  to  Emily 
AlitcheU,  who  was  l)orn  in  that  county  in  1823.  Shortly  after  their  mar- 
riage he  and  his  \vife  came  to  Champaign  county  and  settled  on  a  farm  in 
Jackson  township,  making  their  first  home  in  a  little  log  house  that  had 
been  built  by  J.  Zuhle,  a  pioneer  of  that  neighborhood.  Ten  years  later, 
Henry  Stradling  bought  a  tract  of  eighty  acres  adjoining  the  place  on  which 
he  had  been  living  and  in  1866  erected  on  that  farm  the  house  in  which  his 
son,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  now  living.  He  did  not  long  remain  to 
enjoy  his  new  home,  however,  for  he  died  in  1868,  a  little  more  than  a  year 
after  moving  into  his  new  home.  His  widow  survived  him  for  many  years, 
her  last  days  being  spent  in  St.  Paris.  Henry  Stradling  was  a  member  of 
Social  Lodge,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  at  Lena,  and  took  an 
active  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  order.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  par- 
ents of  nine  children,  four  of  w^hom  are  still  living,  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
having  a  brother,  Timothy  Stradling,  a  Jackson  township  farmer,  and  two 
sisters,  Mary,  widow  of  Valander  Ward,  of  Mad  River  township,  and  Effie, 
a  spinster,  living  at  St.  Paris. 

Reared  on  the  farm  on  which  he  was  born,  Silas  ]\1.  Stradling  has  lived 
there  all  his  life.  He  received  his  schooling  in  the  little  old  log  school  house 
in  that  neigh1)orhood  and  from  the  days  of  his  boyhood  was  a  \-aluable 
factor  in  the  development  of  the  home  place.  He  was  not  yet  twenty-one 
years  of  age  when  his  father  died  and  afterward  much  of  the  responsibility 
of  farm  management  fell  upon  his  shoulders.  After  his  marriage  he  bought 
eighty  acres  of  the  home  place  from  his  mother,  established  his  home  there 
and  has  ever  since  continued  to  make  that  his  place  of  residence,  long  having 
been  regarded  as  one  of  the  substantial  and  well-established  farmers  of  that 
neighborhood.  In  addition  to  his  general  farming,  Mr.  Stradling  has  given 
considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of  Duroc-Jersey  hogs  and  has  done 
verv  well.     He  is  a  Republican,  but  has  not  held  public  office. 

In  1874  Silas  M.  Stradling  was  united  in  marriage  to  Elizabeth 
Bidelstter,  who  was  born  on  an  adjoining  farm  on  A])ril  13,  1852,  daughter 
of  George  and  ]\Iarv  A.  { Costenborder )  Bidelstter,  the  former  of  whom 
was  born  in  h^rance  and  the  latter  in  (ireene  county,  this  state,  who  were 
married  in  that  county  and  later  came  to  Champaign  county,  establishing 
their  home  in  Jackson  township,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their 
lives.      Air.    and    Mrs.    Stradling  have   eight   children,    four   sons   and    four 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  87 

daughters,  namely:  Bertha  M..  wife  of  Joliii  Clapp,  of  St.  Paris;  Cory, 
wlio  is  at  home ;  Don.  who  married  'Sia.yy  Heaston ;  Henry,  who  is  unmar- 
ried and  remains  at  home,  helping  with  the  management  of  the  farm;  Mary, 
also  at  home;  George,  who  married  Carrie  Wheaton,  and  Nellie  and  Helen, 
at  home.  The  Stradlings  ha\-e  a  very  pleasant  home  and  have  ever  taken 
an  interested  part  in  the  general  .social  activities  of  the  communitv  in  whicli 
thev  live. 


SAMUEL  S.  DA\TS. 


Samuel  S.  Davis,  a  substantial  retired  farmer  and  landowner  of  Cham- 
paign county,  now  living  at  Mechanicsburg,  is  a  native  of  the  Old  Dominion 
state,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  this  county  since  he  was  twenty  years  of 
age,  having  come  here  with  his  widowed  mother  in  1876.  He  was  born  in 
Warren  county,  Virginia,  September  22,  1855,  son  of  Fenix  and  Adaline 
(Cattlett)  Davis,  both  also  natives  of  the  Old  Dominion,  the  former  born 
in  that  section  now  comprised  within  West  Virginia,  who  located  in  Warren 
county  after  their  marriage  and  there  Fenix  Davis  spent  the  rest  of  his 
life,  following  the  vocation  of  bridge  builder.  He  died  there,  leaving  a 
widow  and  three  children,  the  suliject  of  this  sketch  having  two  sisters, 
Anna,  wife  of  Charles  T.ayton,  a  farmer  living  near  Urbana.  this  county, 
and  Sarah^  wife  of  Percy  Florr,  a  farmer  of  Union  township,  this  county. 
Vox  fifteen  years  before  her  marriage  Mrs.  Horr  was  a  school  teacher  in 
this  county. 

In  1876,  some  time  after  the  death  of  her  husband,  Mrs.  Adaline 
Davis  and  her  children  came  to  Champaign  county  from  Virginia  and  here 
she  spent  the  remainder  of  her  life,  her  death  occurring  on  May  8,  1909. 
As  the  only  son  of  the  family  much  of  the  responsibility  for  the  maintenance 
of  the  family  fell  upon  the  shoulders  of  Samuel  S.  Davis  after  his  father's 
death,  the  father  having  been  a  poor  man  and  unable  to  leave  much  of  a 
patrimony,  and  Samuel  thereafter  took  care  of  his  mother  the  rest  of  her 
life.  L^pon  coming  here  the  family  settled  in  .Nlad  River  township  and  for 
three  years  thereafter  Samuel  S.  Davis  was  engaged  at  farm  labor  there. 
He  then  rented  a  farm  from  Simeon  Taylor  and  his  operations  as  a  farmer 
on  his  own  account  prospered  so  that  he  presently  was  able  to  buy  a  farm 
of  his  own.  That  first  farm  that  he  owned  was  in  Pike  township,  Madi.son 
county,  and  he  paid  for  it  eighty  dollars  an  acre.  When  he  later  was  made 
an  offer  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars  an  acre   for  the  place  he 


»»  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

let  it  go  and  with  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  bought  the  ]\lar(|uis  Grain  farm 
of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  paying  for  the  same  seventeen  thousand 
tloUars.  This  farm  he  later  sold  for  eighteen  thousand  dollars  and  then 
bought  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  ninety-six  acres  in  Union  township,  this 
county,  paying  for  the  same  one  hundred  dollars,  and  this  farm  he  still 
(nvns.  After  taking  possession  of  his  Union  township  farm  ^Ir.  Davis  made 
his  home  there  for  three  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time,  in  1916,  he  retired 
and  moved  to  AJechanicsburg.  where  he  is  now  living.  Mr.  Davis  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat. bVaternally.  he  is  affiliated  with  Homer  Lodge.  Knights  of  Pythias, 
at  Mechanicsburg.  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  lodge. 


LOU  B.  BERRY 


Lou  B.  Berry,  treasurer  of  Champaign  countv  and  for  vears  actively 
engaged  in  the  insurance  business  at  Urbana,  w-as  born  in  that  city  and  has 
lived  there  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  October  25.  1866.  son  of  Thomas  H. 
and  I-uxima  (Hughes)  Berry,  representatives  of  two  of  the  most  prominent 
and  influential  families  in  this  part  of  Ohio. 

Thomas  H.  Berry  also  was  l)orn  at  LTrbana  and  lived  there  all  his  life, 
with  the  exception  of  three  years  spent  at  Chicago  and  at  Danville,  Illinois. 
He  was  Ijorn  on  January  5,  1820,  son  of  Judge  E.  C.  Berry,  one  of  the 
most  i)rominent  and  intiuential  men  of  his  generation  in  this  ccnuity  and 
further  and  iltting  mention  of  whom  is  made  in  the  historical  section  of 
this  work.  Thomas  H.  Berr\'  took-  a  prominent  part  in  the  political,  social 
and  religious  life  of  his  home  town  and  county.  He  was  an  active  Repub- 
lican and  he  and  his  wife  were  earnest  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 
( )n  Aku-  1.  1846:  Thomas  H.  Berrv  married  Luxima  Hughes,  who  was 
born  on  June  28.  1826.  daughter  of  the  Rev.  James  R.  Hughes,  of  Oxford, 
(Jhio.  who  was  the  lirst  Presb}terian  minister  in  Champaign  county  and 
the  hrst  principal  of  Miami  Uni\ersitv.  To  that  union  se\en  children  were 
l)orn.  Mary  Lanuue.  Thomas  C.,  James  H.,  Charles  J..  William  K..  Llarry 
M..  and  Lou  15.      Thomas  H.   Derry  died  on  November  9,   1879. 

Lou  1'..  IJerrv  recei\ed  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  Urbana  and  upon 
completing  his  studies  engaged  in  the  insurance  business  at  Urbana  as  a 
clerk  in  the  office  of  C.  W.  Marshall,  who  at  that  time  was  the  state  agent 
for  the  Jlome  Lisurance  Company  of  New  York.  In  1891  Mr.  Berry 
was  appointed  local  agent    for  that   company  and  has  since   been   thus  en- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  89 

gaged,  also  representing  several  other  tire  and  life  insurance  C(jmpanies,  long 
having  heen  rec(\gnized  as  one  of  the  leading  insurance  men  in  this  part  of 
the  state.  Mr.  Berry  is  an  ardent  Repuhlican  and  from  the  days  of  his 
hoN'hood  has  ta.ken  an  active  part  in  local  political  affairs.  In  the  campaign 
of  J  916  he  \\a>  made  the  nominee  of  his  party  for  the  office  of  treasurer 
lit  Champaign  county  and  was  elected  in  the  fall  of  that  vear  hy  a  large 
majority  and  is  now  serving  as  treasurer  of  this  county,  one  of  the  most 
popular  officials  in  the  cotu't  house.  Mr.  Berrv  is  also  a  member  of  the 
local  school  board  and  has  long  given  his  close  attention  to  the  aft'airs  of 
the  schools,  helpful  in  many  ways  in  extending  the  cause  of  education  in 
his  hon.ie  town. 

( )n  I'\>bruary  23.  1893.  ^-'^^'^  ^'-  l>errv  was  united  in  marriage  to  Carrie 
Hu])l)ell,  daughter  of  John  H.  and  Mar}-  Hubbell,  and  to  this  union  two 
children  ha\e  been  born.  I'hilij)  (deceased)  and  Richard.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Berr)  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  take  a  proper  interest 
in  church  w(M-k,  as  well  as  in  the  general  social  activities  of  the  city  and  are 
helpful  in  prcjmoting  all  worthy  causes.  Mr.  Berry  is  a  Mason  and  a 
memjjer  of  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics  and  in  the 
aft'airs  of  these  two  orcanizations  takes  a  warm  in.terest. 


GLENN  WEIKERT. 


Glenn  \Veikert,  of  Christiansburg,  assessor  of  Jackson  township  and 
one  of  the  best-known  auctioneers  in  Champaign  county,  is  a  native  son  of 
Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the 
vicinity  of  Troy,  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Miami.  December  8,  1880, 
son  of  John  and  Erances  E.  (Robbins)  Weikert.  both  of  whom  were  bor: 
in  that  same  county  and  who  are  now  living  retired  at  Tn^y.  To  John 
W'eikert  and  wife  five  children  were  born,  four  of  whom  are  still  living, 
those  besides  the  subject  of  this  sketch  being  lunmet  1^..  a  Miami  county 
farmer;  Gertrude,  wife  of  lutgene  Rea.sor,  of  Troy,  jind  Nellie  M.,  wife  of 
William  Swails,  also  of  Miami  county. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm,  Glenn  W^eikert  completed  his  schooling  in 
the  public  schools  of  Troy  and  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years  learned  the 
barber  trade  and  for  eleven  years  was  engaged  in  the  barber  business  at 
Troy,  at  the  same  time  acting  as  an  agent  for  the  sale  of  fruit  trees  in  that 
vicinity.     Ab<Hit  i')09  Mr.  ^^^eikert  took  up  auctioneering  as  a  vocation  and 


90  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  , 

has  -ince  been  thus  engaged,  the  calls  for  his  services  in  that  connection 
coming  from  far  and  near  throughout  this  part  of  the  state.  Mr.  Weikert 
moved  from  'rro\-  to  Christiansburg  and  he  and  his  family  are  comfortably 
situated  in  that  \illage.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  is  now  serving  as  assessor 
of  Jackson  township  and  of  the  village  of  Christiansburg. 

On  September  8,  1903.  Glenn  Weikert  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Harriet  i''..  Hoover,  who  also  was  born  in  Miami  county,  and  to  this  union 
ha\e  !)een  born  four  children,  Roswell,  Paul,  Wilson  and  Dorothy  M.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Weikert  arc  members  of  the  Christian  church  and  Mr.  Weikert 
is  clerk  of  the  same,  both  taking  an  earnest  interest  in  church  work. 


T.  C.  BRAGUNIER. 


1.  C.  Bragunier,  a  well-known  traveling  salesman  and  a  resident  of 
Christiansburg,  this  county,  is  a  native  of  the  Hoosier  state,  but  has  lived 
in  Ohio  since  the  days  of  his  boyhood.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the 
vicinity  of  Delphi,  in  Carroll  county.  Indiana,  January  1.  1878,  son  of 
Samuel  and  Melvina  (Ross)  Bragunier.  both  now  deceased,  the  former  of 
whom  was  born  in  Lancaster  county,  in  the  state  of  Maryland,  and  the 
latter  of  Ohio,  a  native  of  Champaign  county,  born  on  the  old  I^oss  farm  in 
jack'-on  township.  Samuel  Ikagunier  was  but  two  years  of  age  when  his- 
parents  moved  from  Maryland  to  Carroll  county.  Indiana,  and  there  he 
grew  to  manhood  on  a  farm  near  Delphi.  There  he  met  and  married  Mel- 
\ina  1'^  Ross,  of  this  count}-,  who  had  gone  to  Carroll  count}-  on  a  \isit  to 
friends,  and  after  his  marriage  continued  to  make  his  home  in  Indiana  until 
i88.|..  when  he  came  with  his  famih-  to  Champaign  county  and  settled  on 
the  old  Ross  farm  in  Jackson  township,  he  and  his  wife  spending  the  re- 
mainder of  their  lives  in  this  count}',  her  death  occurring  on  March  14, 
loi.v  and  his,  Ma}-  22.  1913.  They  were  the  parents  of  hve  children,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  having  four  sisters,  namely:  Kittie.  wife  of  b^rank 
X'andeveer;  ]\[ary  K..  a  stenographer  at  Columbus,  this  state;  Mstella  M.. 
A\-ife  of  J.  H.  Swisher,  and  Addie  M.,  wife  of  C.  W.  Proctor. 

Having  l)een  l)ut  six  }-ears  of  age  when  he  came  to  this  county  with 
his  parents  in  188.].  J.  C.  Bragunier  grew  to  manhood  here  and  received 
hi.->  schooling  in  the  schools  of  this  count\-.  b'or  sexeral  }-ears  he  worked 
on  the  farm  and  then  ])ecame  engaged  in  the  ])utcher  liusiness  at  Christians- 
])urg  and  was  thus  engaged   for  six  vears,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  be- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  .CJl 

came  employed  as  a  traxeling  .salesman  for  the  Moorman  ^Manufacturing 
Company  of  Oninc}'.  Illinois,  representing-  that  company  throughout  western 
Ohio,  and  has  ever  since  been  thus  engaged,  one  of  the  best-known  salesmen 
traveling  out  of  Champaign  count}-.  Since  becoming  thus  engaged  Mr. 
Bragunier  has  continued  to  make  his  headquarters  at  Christianshurg  and 
takes  an  active  interest  in  the  general  affairs  of  that  thriving  village.  He 
is  a  member  of  Alt.  Olivet  Lodge  Xo.  226,  Vree  and  Accepted  Masons,  at 
Christian.sburg,  and  is  the  present  worshipful  master  of  the  same.  Polit- 
icall}-,  he  is  a  Republican  and  has  ever  taken  a  good  citizen's  part  in  the 
political  aft'airs  of  his  home  county. 


TAMES  T.   TOURXELL. 


James  T.  Journell.  a  well-known  general  fariper,  li\ing  three  miles 
south  of  Ouincv,  Champaign  county, 'was  born  in  Adams  township  on  May 
10.   1859,  a  son  of  Anderson  and  Elizabeth   (Heath)   Journell. 

Anderson  Journell  wa,s  born  in  the  state  of  Mrginia  and  i'dizabeth 
Heath  was  born  in  the  state  of  Ohio.  He  came  from  Virginia  and  settled 
in  Ohio  and  there  he  met  and  married  Elizal)eth  Heath;  after  their  marriage 
thev  settled  on  a  farm  in  Concord  township  and  lived  there  for  several 
years.  In  i860  the\-  went  to  Illinois  and  located  in  Cumberland  county, 
that  state,  and  in  that  place  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  They 
were  industrious  farming  people  and  were  ever  interested  in  the  good  works 
of  the  communities  in  which  they  lived. 

James  T.  Journell,  when  he  had  reached  the  age  of  ten  vears,  started 
out  to  work  for  himself,  lieing  employed  by  the  month  in  Illinois.  After  a 
lapse  of  a  few  years  he  returned  to  Ohio,  locating  in  Eogan  countv,  where 
he  also  worked  ])y  the  month  on  farms.  Having  saved  a  little  monev  out 
of  his  earnings,  he  rented  a  farm  for  three  vears.  At  that  time  he  was 
married  to  Elizabeth  Curl,  a  daughter  of  farming  peo])le.  In  1882  Mr. 
Journell  settled  on  the  old  Curl  farm,  which  contains  sixt\--eight  acres  of 
prime  land.  He  has  since  ijeen  carrying  on  general  farming,  his  compact 
holding  being  in  an  excellent  state  of  culti\ation.  and  liis  laljors  ha\'e  been 
rewarded  with  a  marked  degree  of  success.  Since  coming  into  possession 
of  the  farm  Mr.  Journell  and  his  wife  have  continued  to  reside  on  the 
holding  and  are  there  comfortably  circumstanced.  The\-  are  tlie  parents  of 
two    children,    namelv :      Orville,   a    graduate    of    the   common    schools,    who 


92  CHAMPAIGN    C0L:NTY,    OHIO. 

iiiarried  .Mabel  Wilson  and  lives  in  Adams  township,  and  they  are  the  par- 
ents of  three  children.  Wilson,  Agnes  j.  and  Rachel  Iv  :  the  other  child  is 
Loren,  who  attended  the  common  and  high  schools  of  the  township. 

The  Journell  family  are  meml)er-  of  the  Methodist  I'^piscopal  church, 
of  which  Mr.  journell  is  one  of  the  trustees,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  earnest 
supporters  of  the  church  and  its  good  works.  They  also  take  a  warm  in- 
terest in  all  social  matters  having  for  their  object  the  welfare  of  the  com- 
numit\-  and  tlie\  ;ire  held  in  high  esteem  b)-  a  witle  circle  of  friends.  Mr. 
journell  is  an  ardent  su])porter  of  the  Republican  party,  Init  has  never  held 
;in\-  ])olitical  offices.  He  is  well  known  throughout  the  township  in  which 
he  has  so  long  been  residing,  as  a  progressive  and  industrious   farmer. 


DON  McMORRAN. 


Don  Mc^lorran  ranks  among  the  well-known  young  farmers  and  stock- 
men of  Si.  Paris,  Champaign  county.  He  was  born  in  Johnson  township, 
this  county,  on  December  20,  1883,  a  son  of  Da\id  and  Susan  (Norman) 
.Mc.Morran.  David  McMorran  is  a  descendant  of  Christian  McMorran. 
\\h(j  was  among  the  early  settlers  of  Champaign  countw  David  McMorran 
and  wife  were  the  ])arents  of  three  children,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy 
and  the  others  still  living  being  Dolla,  who  became  the  wife  of  Charles 
W'iant,  li\ing  in  Johnson  township,  and  Don,  the  sul)ject  of  this  sketch. 

Don  McMorran  was  reared  on  the  farm  three  miles  northeast  of  St. 
Paris.  Me  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  and  on  the  completion  of 
his  sch(;ol  course  he  worked  on  his  father's  farm  u\)  to  the  time  of  his  mar- 
riage. On  .\pril  2,  1912,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mrs.  Pearl  Perfect, 
who  was  the  widow  of  Piert  \i.  Perfect,  her  name  before  her  first  marriage 
being  Pearl  Parke.  She  was  born  in  Union  county,  Ohio,  in  1879.  and  to 
her  first  marriage  one  daughter  was  born.  Marguerete  Perfect,  now  a 
student  in  the  St.  Paris  schools.  To  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  .Mrs.  Mc.Mor- 
ran two  (Laughters  have  been  born,  Moree,  on  .\ugust  13,  lo'.v  ''ind  .Marcella, 
on  .\ugust  21,    1915. 

.Mr.  .McMorran  and  the  members  of  his  family  are  affiliated  with  the 
Paptist  church  at  St.  Paris.  ^Ir.  McMorran.  in  addition  to  his  farming 
o]ierations.  is  ;i  moderate  feeder  of  cattle  and  hogs,  and  in  this  branch  of 
his  agricultural  activities  he  has  had  some  success.  He  is  a  supporter  of 
the    l\epu1)lican   party,   but   has  never  been   a   seeker  after   public   office. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  93 

OR\A  D.  LITTLEJOHX. 

Orva  D.  Littlejohn.  a  prominent  and  successful  farmer  and  stockman 
of  Jackson  township  and  proprietor  of  the  "Fair  View  Stock  l-'arm,"  con- 
sisting of  sixty-seven  acres  of  prime  land  situated  one-half  mile  south  of 
Christiansburg,  at  the  end  of  the  cow-path  pike,  was  born  in  Clark  county, 
Ohio,  on  September  u,  1867.  He  is  the  son  of  Edward  and  Eliza  (Wag- 
oner) Littlejohn,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Shenandoah  Valley, 
\'irginia,  and  the  latter  was  born  in  Logan  county,  Ohio. 

Edward  Littlejohn.  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  came  from  his 
home  in  Virginia,  accompanied  by  his  mother,  to  Clark  county,  Ohio.  The 
l(jng  journe}'  was  made  in  wagons  and  on  reaching  this  state  they  settled 
near  Springfield,  where  they  engaged  in  farming.  Edward  Littlejohn  was 
twice  married.  I'o  his  first  marriage  three  children  were  born,  George, 
A[aticia  and  Marv,  who  is  deceased.  Of  his  second  marriage  the  following 
children  were  born  :  Isaac.  Josie.  William,  John,  Jacob,  David,  Ann.  Edward 
E.,  Lou  and  another,  twins;  Othelina  and  Roseline,  twins. 

Orva  D.  Littlejohn  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Jackson  township  and 
attended  the  district  schools,  his  opportunities  for  receiving  a  thorough  edu- 
cation lieing  limiied.  He  started  working  for  himself  at  farm  labor  at  an 
earl}'  age  and  when  he  had  reached  the  age  of  twenty-one,  he  had  got  to- 
gether the  sum  of  two  hundred  dollars,  as  the  result  of  his  labor  and  thrifty 
hal)its.  He  commenced  farming  on  his  own  account  by  renting  a  farm  in 
Clark  count}-  and  after  spending  some  time  there  he  rented  for  a  while  in 
-Miami  countv.  In  1906  he  bought  his  present  farm  of  sixty-seven  acres  in 
Jackson  township,  known  as  "h'air  \'iew  Stock  Farm."  Mr.  Littlejohn, 
on  becoming  the  owner  of  this  holding,  started  immediately  to  improve  it 
and  it  is  now  in  excellent  condition  as  the  result  of  his  etTorts ;  the  dwelling 
house  and  outbuildings  are  likewise  in  an  admirable  state,  all  indicating  ear- 
nest attention  on  the  part  of  the  owner.  Mr.  Littlejohn  is  engaged  in  gen- 
eral farming  and  stock  r;iising;  he  breeds  the  big  ty])e  of  Poland  China  liogs 
and  has  high-gratle  stock  of  all  kinds,  his  success  in  this  line  being  no  less 
marked  than  in  his  farm  work,  and  he  is  generally  regarded  in  the  district 
as  a  progressive  and  skillful  husbandman. 

In  Deceml)er,  1891,  Orva  D.  Littlejohn  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Clara  D.  Munford.  who  was  l)orn  in  Clark  county  and  educated  in  the 
common  schools.  She  was  a  daughter  (^f  William  H.  and  Nancy  Munford; 
he  was  a  native  of  Marvland  and  slie  of  Ohio,     '^he^■  li\ed  in   Clark  and 


94  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

-Miami  cciunties.  P>r)th  are  dead;  he  was  a  farmer.  To  this  union  two  chil- 
ch-en  liave  been  born.  Harr}-  C,  liorn  on  October  21,  ]8q2.  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  and  spent  two  years  in  high  school.  He  married  Stella 
Wheaton  and  is  now  farming  in  Clark  county,  this  state.  The  other  child 
is  Emerson  T..  Littlejohn,  born  on  March  3,  1896;  he  attended  the  public 
schools  and  the  liigh  schools  at  Christiansburg  and  Troy.  The  Littlejohn 
family  are  members  of  the  Christian  church  at  Lower  Honey  creek  and  are 
warm  supporters  of  all  its  good  works.  Mr.  Littlejohn  is  a  member  of 
Social  Lodge  No.  136.  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at  Christians- 
I)urg.  He  is  an  ardent  Democrat  and  served  as  superintendent  of  the  gravel 
roads  in  Jackson  township  for  two  years,  and  in  other  wavs  has  given  (^f 
his  time  and  energy  to  the  public  interest. 


MINARD  L.  SESSIONS. 


Minard  1^.  Sessions,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  for  vears 
custodian  of  the  public  school  building  at  Woodstock,  is  a  native  son  of 
Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm 
in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Woodstock,  in  Rush  township,  August  14, 
1842,  son  of  Darius  and  Analine  (Meacham)  Sessions,  the  former  of  whom 
was  a  native  of  the  state  of  Rhode  Island  and  the  latter  of  Massachusetts, 
who  were  married  after  they  came  to  this  county  and  here  spent  the  remainder 
of  their  lives. 

Darius  Sessions  was  trained  as  a  carpenter  in  the  days  of  his  youth  and 
was  a  skilled  builder.  He  came  to  Ohio  and  located  in  this  county  when 
twenty-eight  years  of  age,  having  married  not  long  before  coming  here,  and 
he  and  his  wife  established  their  home  at  Woodstock,  where  Mr.  Sessions 
engaged  in  housebuilding  and  in  trading  the  rest  of  his  life,  his  death  occur- 
ring a  few  years  later,  in  1844.  he  then  being  thirty-one  years  of  age.  His 
widow  survived  him  many  years,  her  death  occurring"  in  1895,  she  then 
being  eighty  years  of  age.  She  Avas  a  member  of  the  Universalist  church. 
Darius  Sessions  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  three  chiUlren.  of  whom  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  now  is  the  only  survivor,  his  two  sisters.  Mrs.  Mary 
Hoisington  and  Cynthia,  wife  of  Newton  Ellsworth,   being  deceased. 

Minard  L.  Sessions  was  but  two  years  of  age  when  his  father  died  and 
he  remained  with  his  mother  until  her  death,  a  thoughtful  and  loving  pro- 
vider after  he  had  readied  the  age  of  self-support.     He  received  but  limited 


CHAMPAIGN    COLXTY.    OHIO.  95 

schooling",  there  never  l^eing  more  tlian  three  months  of  schocil  during  the 
year  in  his  neighborhood  in  the  chiys  of  liis  youth,  and  in  his  youth  he  worked 
on  farms  and  at  various  tasks.  In  September,  1861,  he  then  being-  Imt 
nineteen  years  of  age,  Mr.  Sessions  enhsted  for  service  in  the  l-nion  army 
(ku'ing  the  continuance  of  the  Civil  War  and  went  to  the  front  as  a  private 
in  Company  A,  Second  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry.  His  regiment 
was  attached  to  the  x\rmy  of  the  Cumberland  and  he  thus  saw  much  active 
service,  having  been  a  participant  in  thirteen  battles  and  skirmishes,  includ- 
ing the  battles  of  Stone's  River.  Chickamauga,  Missionary  Ridge,  LcnA-out 
Mountain,  Kenesaw  Mountain  and  others.  .Vt  the  battle  of  Chickamauga 
he  received  a  severe  gunshot  wound  in  the  right  thigh  and  was  sent  to  the 
military  hospital  at  New  Albany,  Indiana,  where  he  was  conhned  from  Sep- 
tember, 1862.  to  January.  1863.  He  then  rejoined  his  regiment  and  was 
with  the  same  until  he  receixed  his  final  honorable  discharge  on  Novemlier 
10,  1864.  at  Columbus. 

Upon  the  completi(Mi  of  his  military  service  Mr.  Sessions  returned  to 
Woodstock  and  a  year  thereafter  became  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  the  store  of 
Joseph  Chamberlain,  in  that  village,  and  was  thus  engaged  for  seven  years. 
He  then  for  two  vears  was  engaged  with  Ne\vton  Chaml^erlain  and  then 
for  fifteen  years  he  was  engaged  in  manufacturing  tile.  After  that  he  was 
variously  engaged  until  1893,  in  which  year  he  w-as  made  the  custodian  of 
the  Woodstock  public  school  buildings  and  he  has  since  then  continued  thus 
engaged,  one  of  the  best-known  men  in  that  village. 

In  1867  Minard  L.  Sessions  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mary  A. 
Reynolds,  who  was  born  "in  Urbana.  this  county,  daughter  of  Harrison  and 
Elizabeth  Reynolds,  of  that  city,  and  to  tlfis  union  six  children  have  been 
born,  namely:  Charles  H.,  Lenora,  Harriet,  Alline,  Perry  and  Blanche. 
Charles  H.  Sessions  received  his  schooling  in  the  \\'oodstock  schools  and 
later  took  up  newspaper  work,  in  whicli  he  has  been  verv  successful,  now 
being  one  of  the  leading  stafT  writers  on  the  Kansas  City  Jotinial.  It  was 
years  ago  that  Charles  H.  Sessions  went  to  Kansas  City,  Missouri,  where 
he  became  employed  on  (3ne  of  the  newspapers  of  that  cit)'  and  has  ever 
since  been  thus  engaged,  having  given  service  to  several  of  the  papers  of  that 
city  before  becoming  emplo}'ed  on  the  Journal.  During  the  incumbenc\'  of 
C Governor  Hoke,  of  Kansas,  he  for  two  years  .served  as  private  secretar\  to 
that  executive.  Charles  H.  was  secretary  of  state  of  Kansas  for  four  years 
and  is  now  secretary  to  Governor  Cappen,  of  Kansas.  He  is  a  thirty-second 
degree  Mason  and  in  his  political  affiliation  is  a  Republican.  Charles  11. 
Sessions  married  Marv  Barker,  of  Kansas  Citv,  and  has  one  child,  a  son. 


96  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Charles  B.  Lenora  Sessions  married  .V.  E.  Van  Doozer,  now  living  at 
San  Francisco,  California,  and  has  two  sons,  Wallace  and  Harold.  Harriet 
Sessions  married  Ellis  Drake,  of  Chicago,  and  has  two  children,  Marjorie 
and  Frances.  Alline  Sessions  married  Malcolm  McNeal  and  also  lives  in 
Chicago.  She  has  one  child,  a  son,  Minard.  Perry  Sessions  also  went 
West  and  has  done  very  well  in  Kansas.  He  served  as  a  soldier  during  the 
Spanish-American  War  and  afterward  located  in  Kansas,  where  he  took  a 
prominent  part  in  political  affairs  and  is  now  in  the  secretary  of  state's  ofiice 
of  the  Sunflower  state.  He  married  Rosa  West  and  has  one  child,  a  son, 
Minard.  Blanche  Sessions  married  Manning  Stoner  and  is  living  in  San 
Francisco. 

Mr.  Sessions  is  an  active  memher  of  l)a\is  Post  No.  612,  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic,  at  Woodstock,  and  for  years  has  been  adjutant  and  (|uarter- 
master  of  the  same,  ever  taking  an  earnest  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that 
patriotic  organization.  He  also  is  a  member  of  Woodstock  Lodge  No.  167, 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs 
of  that  popular  organization.  He  and  his  wife  have  a  pleasant  home  at 
Woodstock  and  have  always  given  their  best  thought  to  doing  what  they 
can  to  advance  the  general  interests  of  their  home  to\vn. 


A.  W^  RUSSELL. 


A.  \\\  Russell,  farmer  of  Concord  townshi])..  was  born  in  this  town- 
.shi[),  near  the  Methodist  church  at  l">is,  April  4.  1859.  He  is  a  son  of 
\'alentine  and  Margaret  (Hill)  Russell,  who  were  married  in  1836.  In 
1842  they  moved  overland  to  Iowa,  being  among  the  early  pioneers  in  that 
state,  where  they  spent  two  years,  returning  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  in 
1844,  and  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  on  a  farm  in  Concord  township.  They 
were  members  of  the  Concord  Methodist  church.  He  was  a  Republican  and 
held  local  offices,  including  that  of  land  appraiser.  He  took  an  active  interest 
in  township  aft'airs.  His  family  consisted  of  eight  children,  namely:  Robert 
11.,  who  lived  in  Luray,  Virginia,  is  deceased;  J.  I''.,  and  John  I'\  both 
make  their  home  on  a  farm  in  Concord  township.  Champaign  county;  Lorin 
v.  died  when  sixteen  years  old;  Minerxa  A.  is  the  widow^  of  Nelson  Long- 
fellow and  she  lives  in  Concord  township;  Mrs.  I^liza  J.  \'ance  lived  in 
Lh-bana,  but  is  now  deceased;  A.  W..  of  this  sketch;  one  child  died  in  in- 
fancv. 


^WM 

B^  .^^^1 

^H  '^->  ^-^  H 

P^l 

pt  i4^H 

H 

A.    W.    UT'SSELL    ANI>    FAMILY 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  97 

A.  W.  Russell  lived  at  home  with  his  parents  until  early  manhood  and 
attended  the  district  schools;  later  he  studied  at  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  Univer- 
sity at  Delaware  for  two  years,  then  took  a  business  course  in  a  Columbus 
commercial  college.  After  finishing-  his  education,  he  returned  home  and 
farmed  with  hi?  father  until  he  inherited  part  of  the  homestead,  and  later 
Ixmght  more  of  it.  There  he  has  continued  to  reside,  the  place  consisting 
of  eighty  acres,  which  he  has  kept  well  improved  and  well  cultivated  and 
the  buildings  well  repaired.  He  has  been  successful  as  a  general  farmer 
and  makes  a  specialty  of  raising  cattle,  hogs  and  horses,  preparing  large 
numbers  annually  for  the  market. 

On  December  6,  1900,  Mr.  Russell  married  Mary  E.  Snarr,  a  daughter 
of  Philip  and  Elizabeth  (Keller)  Snarr,  both  natives  of  Shenandoah  county, 
\'irginia,  where  they  grew  up  and  married,  but  about  a  year  later  they 
moved  to  Hardy  count}-.  West  A'^irginia,  where  they  bought  a  farm  and  spent 
the  rest  of  their  lives.  Nine  children  were  born  to  them,  eight  of  whom 
grew  to  maturity  and  seven  of  them  are  still  living,  namely :  James  and 
John  are  both  residing  in  Hardy  county,  West  Virginia;  Calvin  died  when 
about  five  years  old;  Jacob  H.  lives  in  Concord  township,  Champaign  county; 
Alice  died  in  Hampshire  county,  West  Virginia ;  Martin  S.  fives  in  Salem 
township,  Champaign  county;  Minnie  is  the  wife  of  C.  N.  Robertson,  of 
Hampshire  county,  West  Virginia;  Annie  is  the  wife  of  P.  L.  Walker,  of 
Hampshire  county,  that  .state;  and  Mary  E.,  wife  of  Mr.  Russell  of  this 
sketch.  The  children  of  A.  W.  Russell  and  wife  are:  Philip  B.,  born 
March  19,  1902;  Richard  H.,  born  Eebruary  19,  1906,  and  Marvin  K.,  born 
November  9,  1907. 

Politically,  Mr.  Russell  is  a  Republican.  Plis  wife  and  son,  Philip  B., 
belong  to  the  Concord  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


T.  T.  R.  WILSON. 


J.  T.  R.  Wilson,  a  well-known  substantial  farmer  and  president  of  the 
Farmers  and  Merchants  Bank  at  Christiansburg,  this  county,  was  born  near 
Lexington,  Rockbridge  county,  -Virginia,  on  August  31,  1845.  He  was  the 
son  of  Hugh  and  Mary  (Robinson)  Wilson,  the  former  of  whom  was  born 
in  the  state  of  Virginia  in  June,  18 15,  and  the  latter  in  the  province  of 
Nova  Scotia,  Canada,  in  18 19. 

(7a)  .     . 


98  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Hugh  and  Mary  (Robinson)  Wilson  grew  up  together  on  neighboring 
farms  in  the  state  of  Virginia,  where  Mrs.  \Vilson's  parents  had  taken  her 
when  she  was  one  year  old.  The  Robinson  and  Wilson  families  lived  on 
adjoining  farms  and  the  friendship  formed  between  the  young  couple  cul- 
minated in  marriage,  which  took  place  in  1840.  Hugh  and  Mary  Wilson, 
following  their  marriage,  continued  to  live  in  Virginia  until  1855,  in  which 
year  they  arrived  in  Ohio  and  located  in  Miami  county,  west  of  Christians- 
burg,  where  they  lived  until  his  death.  Mrs.  Mary  Wilson,  following  the 
death  of  her  husband,  moved  to  Troy,  Ohio,  w^here  she  died. 

When  Hugh  Wilson  came  to  Ohio  he  settled  in  Miami  county  w-here  he 
bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  fine  land  on  which  he  carried  on 
general  farming  for  several  years.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of 
nine  children,  three  of  whom  are  living  at  the  present  time :  J.  T.  R.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch;  H.  M.,  of  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  where  he  is  engaged 
as  an  optician,  and  Frank,  an  insurance  man,  of  Troy,  this  state.  Hugh 
Wilson  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  the  good  works  of 
which  he  was  warmly  interested  and  in  which  he  served  as  a  deacon  for 
several  years.      He  was  a  Democrat,  but  never  sought  public  office, 

J.  T.  R.  Wilson  w^as  reared  on  the  farm  in  Miami  county  and  went  to 
the  district  schools.  After  finishing  school  he  remained  at  home  working  on 
the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old.  Some  time  later  he  went  to 
the  state  of  Nevada  and  to  the  Pacific  coast,  where  he  remained  for  about 
three  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  returned  to  Champaign  county. 
In  August,  1873,  he  was  married  to  Nancy  J.  Furrow,  who  was  born  in 
Miami  county.  They  had  been  playmates  from  early  childhood  and  attended 
the  same  schools,  the  acquaintanceship  thus  formed  later  terminating  in  mar- 
riage. After  their  marriage  they  settled  on  a  farm  in  Miami  county,  on 
which  they  continued  to  reside  until  1900. 

Mr.  Wilson  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Farmers  and  Merchants 
Bank  at  Christiansburg  and  was  elected  its  first  president,  which  oftice  he 
still  holds.  The  other  officers  are  J.  R.  Marshall,  vice-president,  and  R.  L. 
Powers,  cashier.  In  addition  to  his  banking  interests  Mr.  Wilson  is  the 
owner  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  acres  of  prime  land  in  Jackson  town- 
ship. Mr.  Wilson  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  also  attends 
the  services  of  the  Christian  church.  His  wife  died  on  April  21,  1916. 
They  were  the  parents  of  five  children  as  follow  :  Blanch,  who  married  O. 
S.  Walker,  of  Dayton,  Ohio;  Eva,  deceased:  Osie,  the  wife  of  W.  H.  Coble, 
of  Christiansburg;  Grace,  a  graduate  of  the  Troy  high  school,  who  married 
Howard  Ellis,  of  Lancaster.  Ohio,  and  Josie,  a  high  school  graduate,  wife 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  99 

of  Frank  Grove,  and  li\^es  with  her  father.  Air.  Wilson  is  a  member  of  the 
Addison  Lodge  No.  139,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  FelloAvs,  and  of  Ad<H- 
son  Encampment  No.  75.  He  is  a  past  noble  grand  and  past  chief  patriarch. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  but  has  never  songht  pnblic  office. 


OLRT.R  C.  LOFFER. 


Oliver  C.  Loffer,  a  well-known  and  progressive  farmer,  living  on  rural 
route  2  out  of  St.  Paris,  Champaign  county,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Logan 
county,  Ohio,  October  16,  1881.  He  is  the  son  of  Henry  D.  and  Elora  M. 
( Apple )   Loffer. 

Henry  D.  Loff'er  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Shelby  county,  Ohio,  and  his 
wife,  Elora  A  J.  Apple,  was  born  in  Champaign  county.  They  married  and 
settled  on  a  farm  in  Logan  county  and  operated  it  up  to  the  time  of  his 
death,  in  1898.  He  was  unable  to  purchase  any  land  and  that  which  he 
worked  was  held  under  rent.  He  was  known  throughout  his  life  as  an 
honest  and  hard-working  farmer  and  he  and  his  wife  were  held  in  much 
resjiect  in  the  district  where  they  resided.  Mr.  Loffer  was  an  active  worker 
in  the  church  and  ever  took  a  warm  interest  in  the  aft"airs  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  and  community.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Loffer  were  the  parents 
of  seven  children,  hve  of  whom  are  living  in  191 7,  these  being  Alice,  the 
wife  of  Rev.  Howard  Watkins,  living  in  Athens,  Ohio;  Viola,  who  married 
Harold  Fuller,  who  is  now  in  the  army ;  Winona,  the  wife  of  Henry  Muth, 
of  Columbus,  Ohio;  Mary,  unmarried,  lives  with  her  mother  in  Columbus, 
Ohio,  and  Oliver  C.  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Oliver  C.  Loffer  was  reared  on  the  farm  held  by  his  father  in  Logan 
comity  and  was  educated  in  the  district  and  high  schools  at  Ouincy,  this 
state,  and  was  graduated  from  the  high  school  with  the  class  of  1902.  He 
then  commenced  farming  for  himself  and  he  is  now  the  owner  of  seventy- 
five  acres  of  prime  land  located  in  sections  14  and  20,  Jackson  township. 
On  his  farm  he  has  been  using  up-to-date  methods  in  operating  and  his 
eft'orts  have  met  with  a  large  measure  of  success. 

On  F'ebruary  22.  1906,  Oliver  C.  Loffer  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Maude  \'.  \\'ilkins,  who  was  born  near  Kenard,  Ohio,  on  x\ugust  27,  1880. 
a  daughter  of  \\ .  G.  Wilkins.  and  was  reared  on  the  parental  farm.  She 
was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  the  neighborhood  in  which  she  lived 
and  later  spent  one  year  in  \\^est  Liberty  high  school.     Her  parents  settled 


lOO  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

on  a  farm  in  Salem  t(j\vnship  and  li\'ed  on  that  place  for  seven  years.  In 
March,  1914.  O.  C.  LofTer  moved  to  Jackson  township  and  has  lived  there 
exer  since.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lofifer  three  children  have  heen 
born,  namely:  Phyllis  K.,  born  March  15.  1907;  Rheba  E.,  September  11, 
iC)09,  and  William  R.,  December  27,  1913. 

Afr.  T.cift'er  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  at  Grafton  chapel,  Ohio,  and  are  active  in  all  church  work,  Mr. 
Loffer  being-  assistant  superintendent  of  the  church.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Knights  of  Pythias  at  Quincy,  Ohio.  He  is  a  supporter  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  but  never  been  a  seeker  after  public  office.  He  is  vice- 
president  of  the  Jackson  rural  district  school  board  and  in  other  ways  has 
oiven  evidence  of  his  practical  interest  in  all  matters  tending  toward  the 
welfare  of  the  public  at  large. 


OTTO  F.  APPLE. 


Otto  F.  Apple,  a  progressive  and  well-known  farmer,  whose  land  is 
located  in  section  3,  Jackson  township,  was  born  on  April  27,  1876,  a  son 
of  Simon  and  Filizabeth  (Loudenback)  Apple,  who  were  farming  people. 
One  of  the  two  children  born  to  this  union,  Otto  F.  Apple  was  reared  on 
the  farm  and,  in  consecpience  of  weakness  in  his  eyesight,  which  prevented 
him  from  attending  the  public  schools,  he  was  educated  at  home. 

Otto  F.  Apple  learned  the  rudiments  of  farming  work  on  his  father's 
farm  and  continued  to  work  there  up  to  the  time  of  his  marriage.  On 
December  24,  1900,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Susan  D.  Bishop,  who 
was  born  in  Mad  River  township  on  November  16,  1882.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Allie  (Overholzer)  Bishop.  Following  his  marriage 
Mr.  Apple  settled  on  a  farm  in  Jackson  township  and  worked  at  farming 
in  that  place  for  nine  years,  at  the  end  of  that  period  coming  into  his  own 
neighI)orhood.  He  also  spent  two  years  in  Clark  county,  this  state,  and 
since  September.  191 2,  he  has  been  living  on  the  tract  of  sixty-nine  and 
one-quarter  acres,  which  forms  part  of  the  old  home  farm.  Here  he  is 
actively  engaged  in  general  farming  and  has  met  with  much  success,  being 
recognized  as  one  of  the  progressive  farmers  in  that  part  of  Jackson  town- 
ship. 

To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Apple  the  following  children,  all 
daughters,  have  been  born,  namelv :     Ruth  E.,  Naomi  A..  Clara  M.,  Ethel  I.. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  Id 

0])al  L.,  Mildred  C.  and  Ida  May,  all  of  whom  are  living"  with  their  parents. 
Two  children  died  in  infancy.'  The  Apple  family  are  earnest  members  of 
the  Lntheran  church  at  St.  Paris,  and  are  actively  interested  in  all  the  good 
works  of  the  congregation,  Mr.  Apple  serving  as  one  of  the  elders  of  the 
church.  He  is  a  supporter  of  the  Democratic  party,  but  has  never  held  any 
public  office.  His  efforts  have  always  been  directed  to  the  cause  of  good 
locrd  government  and  he  is  recognized  throughout  the  township  as  a  citizen 
of  sound  judgment  and  dependable  views  on  matters  appertaining  to  the 
general  welfare  of  the  public.  He  and  his  wife  take  an  active  part  in  the 
work  of  helping  to  make  the  social  conditions  better. 


MELVIN    ALLISON. 


Melvin  Allison,  proprietor  of  "Diamond  Rock  Farm,"  a  well-kept  and 
profitably  cultivated  place  of  one  hundred  and  eighty-six  acres,  two  miles 
west  of  Mechanicsburg,  in  Goshen  township,  this  county,  was  born  on  a 
farm  nearby  and  has  been  a  resident  of  that  community  all  his  life,  making 
his  home  in  this  county  and  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Clark.  He  was 
born  in  Goshen  township  on  August  28,  1862,  son  of  Wilford  and  Ann  C. 
(Melvin)  Allison,  the  former  of  whom  died  in  1865,  leaving  his  widow  and 
three  children,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having  a  sister.  Flora,  wife  of  Alf. 
Jacobs,  of  Clark  county,  and  Frank,  who  married  \Mlbur  Black,  of  near 
Dayton,  Ohio. 

Mrs.  Ann  C.  Allison  was  a  native  of  the  state  of  Virginia,  born  at  Har- 
per's Ferry,  and  was  but  six  years  of  age  when  she  came  with  her  parents 
to  this  part  of  Ohio,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  married.  After 
the  death  of  her  husband  she  moved  down  into  Clark  county  and  there  Mel- 
vin Allison  spent  his  boyhood  and  received  his  schooling.  He  was  but  three 
years  of  age  when  his  father  died  and  he  early  began  working  for  himself, 
at  the  age  of  thirteen  taking  employment  on  a  farm  at  a  wage  of  twenty-tive 
cents  a  day,  later  receiving  eight  dollars  a  month,  and  until  he  was  seven- 
teen years  of  age  w'orked  on  the  farm  he  now  owns.  Upon  reaching  his 
majority  he  inherited  twenty-eight  hundred  dollars,  but  lost  the  same  through 
an  unfortunate  investment  and  had  to  begin  "at  the  bottom."  He  presently 
rented  a  farm  and  by  the  time  of  his  marriage  in  1890  had  a  home  estab- 
lished. Upon  buying  his  present  farm  he  made  a  payment  of  eight  hundred 
dollars  on  the  same  and  as  his  affairs  continued  to  prosper  it  was  not  long 


I02  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

until  he  had  it  all  paid  for  and  well  improved.  In  191 5  he  erected  his  present 
modern  house  and  he  and  his  family  are  now  very  comfortably  situated. 
Mr.  Allison  has  an  excellent  farm  plant,  "Diamond  Rock  Farm"  being- 
regarded  as  one  of  the  model  farms  in  that  neighborhood,  and  his  operations 
are  carried  on  in  accordance  with  modern  methods.  In  addition  to  his  gen- 
eral farming,  he  has  given  considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of  live 
stock  and  has  done  very  well.  Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat,  but  has  never 
given  particular  attention  to  politics,  contenting  himself  with  rendering  to 
the  state  his  duty  as  a  good  citizen  and  a  voter. 

On  March  23,  1890,  Melvin  Allison  was  united  in  marriage  to  Alice 
Morris,  who  was  born  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Madison  on  October 
5,  1866,  and  to  this  union  four  children  have  been  born,  Edna  and  Letha, 
graduates  of  the  common  school;  Catherine,  a  graduate  of  the  Mechanicsburg 
high  school  with  the  class  of  191 7,  and  Walter,  who  was  garduated  from 
the  common  school  in  19 17.  The  Allisons  have  a  very  pleasant  home  and 
have  ever  taken  an  interested  part  in  the  general  social  activities  of  their 
home  community,  helpful  in  promoting  all  movements  having  to  do  with  the 
advancement  of  the  common  welfare.  He  is  a  meml^er  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  at  Mechanicsburg,  Ohio. 


EUGENE  H.  GRUBB. 


Eugene  H.  Grubb,  proprietor  of  a  well-kept  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
seventy  acres  in  Goshen  township,  this  county,  is  a  native  of  the  Old  Dominion 
state,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  this  county  since  the  days  of  his  young- 
manhood,  having  come  here  shortly  after  reaching  his  majority.  He  was 
born  in  Virginia  on  December  24,  1875,  son  of  William  H.  and  Matilda 
(Everharts)  Grubb,  also  natives  of  the  old  Dominion,  who  spent  all  their 
lives  there,  her  death  occurring  in  1914  and  his  in  191 5.  They  were  the 
parents  of  seven  sons,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  sixth  in 
order  of  birth,  the  others  being  Oscar.  Wilbert.  Robert,  Daise.  John  and 
Harry. 

Reared  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Virginia,  Eugene  H.  Grubb  received 
his  schooling  in  the  local  schools  of  that  neighborhood,  going  to  school  until 
he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  from  the  days  of  his  boyhood  was  a  valued 
assistant  in  the  la])ors  of  the  home  farm,  remaining  there  until  he  was  past 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  came  to  Ohio  and  began  working  on  a 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  IO3 

farm  in  Champaign  county.  A  year  later  he  rented  a  farm  and  began  farm- 
ing on  his  own  account  and  two  years  later  rented  a  tract  on  the  J.  J.  Ware 
farm  and  operated  that  place  for  seven  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he 
bought  his  present  farm  of  one  hundred  and  thirty-three  acres  in  Goshen 
township  and  has  ever  since  made  his  home  there,  he  and  his  family  being- 
very  comfortably  situated.  Mr.  Grubb  has  made  all  the  present  substantial 
improvements  on  that  place  and  now  has  an  admirably  equipped  fami  plant. 
In  addition  to  his  general  farming  he  has  given  considerable  attention  to  the 
raising  of  live  stock  and  is  doing  very  well.  Mr.  Grubb  is  a  Democrat,  but 
has  never  given  any  particularly  active  attention  to  political  affairs,  other 
than  performing  a  good  citizen's  duty  of  voting. 

On  April  4,  1901,  Eugene  H.  Grubb  was  united  in  marriage  to  Anna 
Neer,  who  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Mechanicsburg,  this  county,  daughter  of 
N.  O.  Neer,  and  who  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  that  township, 
from  which  she  was  graduated,  and  to  this  union  four  daughters  have  been 
born,  Evaline,  Mildred,  Virginia  and  Marian.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grubb  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  church  and  take  a  proper  interest  in 
church  work  and  in  the  general  good  works  of  their  community.  Mr.  Grubb 
is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  lodge  at  Mechanicsburg  and  takes  a  warm 
interest  in  Masonic  affairs. 


CHARLES  F.  FIXSTERWALD.  M.  D. 

Dr.  Charles  F.  Finsterwakl,  ph\sician  and  surgeon  at  North  Lewisburg, 
was  lK)rn  on  a  farm  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Athens,  in  the  county  of 
that  name,  this  state.  May  2,  1884,  son  of  J.  H.  and  Addie  Finsterwakl,  who 
are  still  living  there.  Reared  on  the  farm,  he  received  his  early  schooling  in 
the  schools  of  Athens,  the  county  seat,  continuing  the  same  in  the  high  school 
at  Hamden.  and  was  graduated  from  the  latter  in  1903.  He  then  attended 
Ohio  University  for  three  }ears,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  was  made  prin- 
cipal of  the  schools  at  Hamden  and  after  serving  in  that  capacity  for  two 
years  was  made  superintendent  of  schools  at  Jacksonville,  in  his  home  county 
and  served  in  that  capacity  for  four  years.  In  the  meantime  he  had  been 
giving  his  attention  to  the  study  of  medicine  with  a  view  to  becoming  a 
physician,  and  he  then  entered  the  medical  department  of  the  Ohio  State 
University,  from  which  he  was  graduated  four  years  later,  in  19 16,  with  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine.      During  this  course  Doctor  Finsterwald  was 


I04  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

an  interne  in  the  state  hospital  for  two  years,  there  securing  the  advantage 
of  a  practical  training  in  his  profession  that  has  proved  of  incalculable  bene- 
lit  to  him. 

Thus  admiarbly  (|ualihed  for  the  jjractice  of  his  profession,  Doctor 
binsterwald  located  at  Athens,  Ohio,  for  a  short  time,  then  to  North  Lewis- 
burg,  August  14,  1916.  where  he  opened  offices  and  where  he  has  since  Ijeen 
engaged  in  practice,  his  acfiuaintance  being  rapidly  extended  throughout  that 
part  of  the  county  and  the  nearby  sections  of  the  neighboring,  counties  of 
Logan  and  Union.  In  his  political  views.  Doctor  b'insterwald  is  an  "inde- 
pendent" and  gives  his  close  and  thoughtful  attention  to  political  issues.  He 
was  vice-president  of  his  class  in  the  university  during  his  senior  year  and 
during  his  college  days  was  an  active  member  of  the  literary  fraternity, 
Delta  Tau,  and  the  medical  fraternity,  Phi  Chi,  in  the  affairs  of  Ixith  of 
which  lively  associations  he  continues  to  take  a  warm  interest. 

On  May  6,  1909.  Dr.  C.  F.  Finsterwald  was  united  in  marriage  to  Maude 
MuUay,  daughter  of  J.  B.  Mullay  and  wife,  of  Portland,  Oregon,  and  to  this 
union  one  child  has  been  liorn,  a  son.  James  l^>ederick.  Doctor  and  Airs. 
Finstervvaldare  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  take  a  proper  interest 
in  church  affairs,  as  well  as  in  other  local  good  works,  and  are  helpful  in  pro- 
moting all  agencies  having  to  do  with  the  advancement  of  the  common  wel- 
fare. They  have  a  pleasant  home  at  North  Lewisburg  and  take  an  interested 
part  in  the  general  social  activities  of  their  home  town. 


FORRY  WILSON. 


l-'orrv  Wilson,  farmer  of  Concord  township.  Champaign  county,  was 
born  just  west  of  where  he  now  resides,  January  i,  i860.  He  is  a  son  of 
John  D.  and  Sarah  (Forry)  Wilson.  The  father  was  born  on  the  same 
farm  where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  first  saw  the  light  of  day,  and  he  was 
a  son  of  John  and  Miah  (Dickey)  Wilson.  John  Wilson  was  born  in 
\\''ashington  county.  Pennsylvania,  where  he  spent  his  boyhood,  but  when  a 
young  man,  in  181 7,  he  threaded  the  wilderness  trails  in  Champaign  comity, 
Ohio,  and  entered  the  land  from  the  government  on  which  John  D.  and 
F(jrry  Wilson  were  born,  in  what  is  now  Concord  township.  The  ct)untry 
was  at  that  time  very  sparsely  settled  and  vast  woods  prevailed,  but  the 
elder  Wilson,  like  all  the  j^ioneers,  was  a  man  of  grit  and  courage,  and  he 
carved  out  a  home  in  the  midst  of  the  forest,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his 


JOHN    D.    WILSON 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  I05 

life.  He  married  a  Miss  Kunyan.  In-  whom  two  children  were  born.  She 
died  in  early  life  and  he  then  married  Aliah  Dickey,  a  native  of  Fayette 
county,  Ohio,  and  to  their  union  three  children  were  born,  of  whom  John  D. 
Wilson  was  the  youngest.  John  Wilson  became  one  of  the  leading  farmers 
and  influential  citizens  of  Champaign  county  in  his  day. 

John  D.  Wilson  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Concord  town- 
ship and  there  he  married  .Sarah  Forry.  who  was  Ijorn  in  Logan  county. 
Ohio.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Rudolph  and  Sarah  Forrv  and  of  Pennsyl- 
vania stock.  He.  enlisted  during  the  Civil  War  in  the  one-hundred-day 
service  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Ohio  X'olunteer  Infantry, 
under  Capt.  Miles  Wilson.  They  saw  active  service  in  \'irginia  and  around 
Cincinnati.  Ohio  (where  they  were  known  as  the  "Sfjuirrel  Hunters"),  to 
stop  Morgan  on  his  famous  raid.  He  contracted  typhoid  fever  and  ne\er 
was  strong  thereafter.  After  his  marriage  John  D.  XA'ilson  remained  on 
the  homestead,  following  general  farming  the  rest  of  his  life  there.  He  was. 
a  Repul)lican.  and  he  and  his  wife  belonged  to  the  Presbyterian  church  at 
S])ring  Hills,  in  which  he  was  an  elder  for  many  years  and  active  in  church 
work  all  his  life.  His  family  consisted  of  six  children,  two  of  whom  died 
in  infanc}-;  those  whcj  grow  up  were  named  as  follow:  lunma.  now  deceased, 
was  the  wife  of  William  Daniels:  l-'orry.  subject  of  this  sketch;  Walter  S. 
li\es  on  the  home  farm  in  ("(^ncord  town~;liip:  Miah  J.ane.  now  deceased,  was 
tlie  wife  of  James  ?*IcCroskev. 

i''orry  Wilson  grew  up  on  the  honie  farm  and  received  his  education, 
in  the  district  schools.  He  lived  at  home  until  his  marriage,  on  March  9, 
1 886,  to  Flora  \'.  Journell,  a  daughter  of  Crocket  and  Margaret  (Taylor) 
Journell.  .\fter  his  marriage  he  located  in  Harrison  township,  but  remained 
there  onl\-  a  short  time,  then  returned  to  the  home  place,  where  he  con- 
tinued to  reside  until  IQO/.  when  he  bought  his  present  farm,  nine  miles 
northwest  of  Uriiana,  Concord  township.  He  owns  two  hundred  and 
sevent\-  acres  in  his  home  farm  and  ninet}-  seven  acres  in  Salem  township. 
Flis  land  is  well  improved  and  well  cultivated  and  he  has  ])een  very  success- 
ful in  general  agricultural  pursuits.  He  makes  a  specialt}-  of  feeding  cattle 
and  hogs,  preparing  large  numbers  annually  for  the  market.  He  has  a 
modern  home  and  substantial  outbuildings,  everything  about  his  place  de- 
noting good  management  and  thrift. 

Three  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilson,  namely:  Alta 
Fern,  died  aged  one  month;  Otto  M.,  married  Lenora  Colbert  and  they  live 
on  the  home   farm,   which  he  helps  his   father   operate :   Leo   B.   is  also   at 


I06  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

liome  and  helpiii.^'  \\  itli  the  farm  work'.     The  mother  of  these  children  died 
■on    Alav  4,    l<)i  I. 

I'ohticalK,  Mr.  Wilson  is  a  Re|)ublican.  lie  is  active  in  local  public 
iiffairs  and  lias  ser\etl  two  terms  as  township  assessor.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Presl)\  Lerian  church  at  Spring  Hills  and  has  been  an  elder  in  the 
same  for  a  numlier  of  vears.      His  wife  also  belonged  to  that  church. 


HARRY  O.  BAKER. 

Harry  O.  Baker  is  one  of  the  younger  and  among-  the  more  progressive 
farmers  oi  jacks(jn  tcnvnship.  Champaign  county,  his  farm  being  located  in 
sectioit  7,  that  township.  He  was  born  in  a  log  cabin  on  the  farm  which  he 
now  owns,  and  which  is  still  standing,  on  januarv  18,  1878.  a  .son  of  Obadiah 
and  l-"diza  (Bowers)  Baker. 

Obadiah  Baker  was  liorn  in  Clark  county.  Ohit),  on  the  farm  owned 
by  his  father,  Jacob  Baker.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm  in  Clark  county, 
which  was  occupied  by  his  father,  and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
of  the  district.  Eliza  Bowers,  his  wife,  was  also  born  in  the  state  of  Ohio, 
educated  in  the  public  schools  and  grew  to  \\'omanhood  in  Champaign 
county.  Obadiah  Baker  and  Eliza  Bowers  were  married  in  this  county  and 
went  to  live  in  a  log  cabin  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  their  son.  Harry  O. 
Baker.  After  a  few  years  of  married  life  they  built  a  substantial  house  on 
the  farm  of  eighty  acres  owned  by  Obadiah  Baker  and  on  which  he  was 
engaged  in  general  farming  for  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  died  in  1885 
and  his  widow  died  in  1896,  their  deaths  being  regretted  throughout  the 
community  in  which  they  had  lived  for  many  years  and  where  they  were 
held  in  high  regard  for  their  qualities  as  good  citizens  and  good  neighbors. 
They  were  earnest  members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  in  the  good  works  of 
which  they  were  warmly  interested.  Obadiah  Baker  and  wife  were  the 
parents  of  seven  children,  six  of  whom  are  living  in  1917:  William  D.,  a 
farmer  living  in  Jackson  township;  Alma,  wife  of  J.  C.  Richardson,  of 
Christiansburg;  Jacob,  a  farmer  li\ing  in  Mad  I'iiver  township;  Sarah,  wife 
of  Charles  Pence,  of  Miami  county,  this  state;  lr\-in.  who  lives  in  Christians- 
burg, and  Harry,  who  lives  on  the  old  home  place. 

Harry  O.  Baker  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  was  educated  in 
the  district  schools  of  Jackson  township,  attending  school  during  the  winter 
jnonths  and  working  f)n  the  farm  during  the  summer  seasons.     His  father 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  IO7 

having-  died  when  he  was  about  six  years  of  age,  he  started  earl^•  in  hfe  to 
help  in  the  upkeep  of  the  home.  Harry  O.  Baker  was  married,  when  he 
had  reached  his  twentieth  year,  to  Edna  M.  Baker,  the  marriage  taking 
place  on  February  24.  [898.  His  wife  was  born  in  Jackson  township,  this 
county,  on  September  3,  1877,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Abigail  (Robbins) 
Baker.  Mrs.  Baker  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Jackson  township. 
Following  his  marriage  Harry  O.  Baker  and  his  wife  settled  on  his 
present  farm,  where  he  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  has  been  suc- 
cessful in  all  his  operations.  They  are  the  parents  of  the  following  children  : 
Vernon  C. ;  Rachel,  attended  the  common  schools  and  is  now  a  student  in 
higli  school;  Wilbur,  wIkt  is  attending  the  common  schools;  Alta, ;  Ada. 
deceased,  and  Waldo.  The  Baker  family  are  members  of  the  Mt.  Zion 
Baptist  church  and  are  warmly  interested  in  all  church  affairs.  Air.  Baker 
is  a  member  of  St.  Paris  Lodge  No.  246,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows, in  which  order  he  is  past  noble  grand.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
encampment  and  fills  the  office  of  junior  warden  in  the  same,  and  in  both  of 
these  popular  organizations  he  takes  a  keen  interest.  Mr.  Baker  is  an 
ardent  supporter  of  the  Democratic  party  and  is  now  a  member  of  the  Jack- 
son township  school  board  and  is  township  committeeman  at  the  present 
time. 


GRANT  NINCEHELSER. 

Grant  Nincehelser,  a  well-known  and  substantial  retired  merchant  and 
farmer,  of  Cable,  this  county,  and  formerly  and  for  years  clerk  of  Wayne 
township,  was  born  in  the  village  of  Cable  and  has  lived  there  all  his  life. 
He  was  born  on  October  i,  1871,  son  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth  (Strohl) 
Nincehelser,  earlv  residents  of  that  coiumunity,  whose  last  days  were  spent 
there. 

Henry  Nincehelser,  who  built  the  first  house  on  the  site  now  occupied 
1)v  the  village  of  Cable,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  Berks  county, 
that  state,  April  8,  1827,  son  of  Jacob  and  Harriet  (  Flart )  Nincehelser,  also 
natives  of  Pennsylvania,  who  later  came  to  Ohio,  driving  through,  and  set- 
tled in  this  county,  arriving  here  with  Init  fifteen  cents  in  cash.  Jacob  Nince- 
helser began  farming  on  King's  creek  and  became  a  substantial  farmer,  he 
and  his  wife  spending  the  remainder  of  their  days  there.  As  a  lad  Henry 
Nincehelser  was  "bound  out"  to  a  blacksmith  in  Pennsylvania  and  served 
a  thorough  apprenticeship   to   that  trade,   remaining  there   and   working  at 


I08  CHAAIPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

that  trade  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  came  to  Oliio 
with  a  view  to  estabHshing  his  home  in  Champaign  county.  Upon  coming 
here,  the  date  of  his  arrival  having  been  May  12,  1849.  Henry  Nincehelser 
found  employment  w-ith  "Jimmie"  Howard,  who  had  a  blacksmith  shop  on 
King's  creek,  near  the  home  of  Henry  Mast.  Presently  the  young  man 
returned  to  Pennsylvania  and  in  the  village  of  Ephrata.  in  that  state,  on 
January  i,  185 1.  was  united  in  marriage  to  Elizabeth  Strohl.  In  the  fall 
of  that  same  year  he  came  back  to  Champaign  county,  bringing  W'ith  him 
his  bride,  and  established  his  home  at  tlie  point  on  King's  creek  where  later 
the  village  of  Cable  sprang  up.  There  was  a  good  well  of  water  at  that 
point,  a  decisive  factor  in  the  location  of  the  new  home  in  the  then  wilder- 
ness, for  at  that  time  the  greater  part  of  that  section  of  the  county  was  an 
unbroken  forest.  Henry  Nincehelser  cleared  a  small  plot  of  ground  and 
there  erected  a  small  house,  the  first  house  built  in  what  later  came  to  be  the 
^'illage  of  Cable,  and  nearby  he  set  up  a  forge  and  established  a  blacksmith 
shop,  a  special  inducement  in  that  direction  having  been  the  promise  of  much 
work  that  would  come  to  him  froiu  Hiram  Cable,  who,  with  his  Ijrother, 
Philander  Cable,  was  a  large  landowner  and  contractor  in  that  neighbor- 
hood and  after  whom  the  village  which,  presently  began  to  take  form  around 
the  blacksmith  shop,  was  given  its  name.  When  the  railroad  construction 
crew  reached  that  point  during  the  time  of  the  later  construction  of  the  Pan- 
handle railroad  through  this  county,  Henry  Nincehelser  and  his  wife  boarded 
the  construction  hands  and  Mrs.  Nincehelser  was  given  the  privilege  of 
riding  on  the  first  train  that  ran  between  Urbana  and  Cable.  The  site  of 
the  house  in  which  the  Nincehelsers  conducted  their  boarding  house  during 
the  days  of  the  railroad  construction  and  w-hich  was  the  first  house  erected 
at  that  point,  occupied  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  Rudisell  Hotel.  Henry 
Nincehelser  continued  in  the  blacksmithing  business  at  Cable  the  rest  of 
his  life  and  was  an  important  personal  factor  in  the  growth  and  develop- 
ment of  the  village  of  which  he  was  the  first  settler.  He  and  his  wife  wore 
among  the  organizers  of  the  Jenkins  Chapel  Methodist  Protestant  church 
and  ever  were  active  in  church  work  and  other  local  good  works.  W^ien 
the  Ci\'il  War  was  at  its  height  Mr.  Nincehelser  enlisted  for  the  hundred- 
day  service  as  a  member  of  Company  F,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth 
Regiment.  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  w-idi  that  command  participated  in 
the  famous  James  River  campaign.  He  had  joined  the  Odd  Fellows  during 
his  residence  in  Pennsylvania  and  later,  when  a  lodge  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows  was  organized  at  Cable  he  became  a  charter  member 
of  the  same.     Originally  a  Whig,  be  became  a  Republican  upon  the  fomia- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  IO9 

tion  of  the  latter  party  and  e\er  remained  an  ardent  supporter  oi  the  same. 
Mrs.  Henry  Nincehelser  hved  to  a  ripe  old  age,  her  death  occurring  at 
Cable  on  August  15,  1905,  she  then  being  seventy-three  years  of  age,  and 
he  survived  for  nine  years,  his  death  occurring  on  August  7.  1914,  he  then 
being  seventy-eight  years  of  age.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  sons,  of 
whom,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  last-born,  the  others  being  as  fol- 
low :  John  J.,  formerly  and  for  years  engaged  in  the  blacksmith  business 
at  Cable,  having  there  taken  over  his  father's  old-established  shop,  Init  now 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in  that  village  and  who  has  been  married 
twice,  first  to  Lizzie  Johnson  and,  secondly,  to  Sadie  Jones;  William  j., 
who  is  now  living  at  Oskaloosa,  Kansas,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  li\ery 
and  transfer  business,  and  Oliver  W.,  a  farmer  and  stockman  at  Cable. 

Grant  Nincehelser  grew  up  at  Cable  and  upon  completing  the  course 
in  the  village  schools  entered  the  college  at  Ada  and  was  graduated  from 
that  institution  with  the  class  of  1893.  For  a  year  thereafter  he  was  employed 
as  a  clerk  in  the  store  oi  Charles  Dempsey,  dealer  in  agricultural  imple- 
ments at  Cable,  and  then  he  engaged  in  business  on  his  own  account,  opening 
a  hardware  store  and  a  house  for  the  sale  of  agricultural  implements  and 
general  farm  machinery  at  Cable,  and  was  thus  quite  successfully  engaged 
until  his  retirement  from  the  mercantile  business  twenty  years  later.  In 
the  meantime  Mr.  Nincehelser  had  acquired  a  valuable  bit  of  farm  land 
near  the  village  and  he  continues  to  give  considerable  per.sonal  attention  to 
the  operation  of  the  same.  He  always  has  given  his  close  attention  to  local 
civic  affairs  and  for  seventeen  years  served  as  clerk  of  Wayne  township, 
during  that  time  rendering  admirable  service  in  behalf  of  the  [jublic. 

In  August,  1899,  Grant  Nincehelser  was  united  in  marriage  to  Rachael 
L.  Patrick,  who  was  born  at  Urbana,  this  count}-,  daughter  of  Alexander 
and  Catherine  (Stewart)  Patrick  and  granddaughter  of  Judge  Patrick,  one 
of  the  most  forceful  of  the  pioneers  of  this  county,  further  mention  of  whom 
is  made  elsewhere  in  this  work.  Alexander  Patrick  was  a  cabinet-maker 
and  later  moved  from  Urbana  to  Cable,  where  he  spent  his  last  days,  his 
death  occurring  in  April,  191 5.  His  wife  had  preceded  him  to  the  grave 
many  years,  her  death  having  occurred  in  October.  1887.  They  were  the 
parents  of  four  daughters,  of  whom  Mrs.  Nincehelser  was  the  second  in 
order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow  :  Jessie,  who  is  now  living  at  Loma. 
this  state,  widow  of  W^illiam  Howard;  Carrie,  wife  of  John  Hollis,  of  Iowa 
Falls,  Iowa,  and  Grace,  who  died  unmarried.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nincehelser 
are  the  parents  of  three  children,  Henry  Stewart,  Ruth  Adelaide  and  Eliza- 
beth.    The  Nincehelsers  have  a  very  pleasant  home  at  Cable  and  have  ever 


no  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

taken  an  interested  part  in  the  general  social  activities  of  their  home  town, 
helpful  in  promoting-  all  agencies  having  to  do  with  the  advancement  of 
the  common  welfare  thereahout.  Mrs.  Nincehelser  is  a  meniher  of  the  Bap- 
tist church  at  Urbana  and  takes  a  proper  interest  in  church  work.  Air. 
Nincehelser  is  a  Mason,  affiliated  with  the  lodge  of  that  order  at  Urbana, 
and  is  a  member  of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows at  Cable,  in  the  affairs  of  both  of  which  orders  he  takes  a  warm 
interest. 


H  I^XRY  WESTFALL. 


Henry  Westlall,  memljer  of  the  general  merchandise  firm  of  Madden  & 
West  fall  at  Woodstock  and  for  many  years  actively  engaged  at  that  place 
in  the  l)uying  and  selling  of  live  stock,  is  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  has  Hved 
in  this  state  practically  all  his  life,  with  the  exception  of  a  couple  of  years 
s])ent  in  the  West  during  the  days  of  his  young  manhood  and  three  years 
later  si)ent  at  Indianapolis,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  railroad  service, 
lie  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Darke  county.  August  12,  1863,  son  of  John  and 
Susanna  Westfall,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  New  England  and 
the  latter  of  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  who  came  with  their  respective  parents 
to  Ohio  in  the  days  of  their  youth,  and  grew  up  in  Darke  county,  where  the\' 
were  married  and  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 

Reared  on  a  farm.  Henry  Westfall  received  his  schooling  in  the  district 
school  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  home  in  Darke  county  and  continued  work- 
ing on  the  farm  until  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age.  when  he  went  West. 
Two  \  ears  later  he  returned  to  Ohio  and  secured  employment  with  the  Penn- 
s\l\ania  Railroad  ("ompan\-  and  was  for  three  years  thereafter  engaged  in 
railroad  work,  during  that  time  being  located  at  Indianapolis.  He  then 
returned  to  Ohio  and  located  at  W^oodstock,  where  he  engaged  in  the  lumber 
business,  which  he  followed  for  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  became 
engaged  tliere  in  the  mercantile  business  and  has  continued  in  that  business, 
ofif  and  on,  for  the  ]jast  thirty  years  or  more,  at  jiresent  l)eing  engaged  in  that 
line  at  Woodstock  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Madden  &  Westfall.  proprietors 
of  what  is  regarded  as  the  leading-general  mercantile  establishment  in  that 
thri\ing  village,  vov  the  past  eighteen  years  Mr.  Westfall  also  has  been 
engaged  in  the  live-stock  business  and  buys  large  quantities  of  cattle  and 
hogs,  shipping  to  outside  markets,  and  has  done  very  well  in  that  line,  being 
widely  known  throughout  this  part  of  the  state  as  a  stock  buyer.      Though 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  HI 

ever  giving-  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  political  affairs.  Air.  Westfall 
is  "independent"  in  his  attitnde  toward  parties  and  has  never  heen  a  seeker 
after  public  office. 

On  l"'el)ruary  22,  1887,  Henry  Westfall  was  united  in  marriage  to  Carrie 
Louden,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Louden  and  wife,  and  to  this  union  nine  chil- 
dren have  l)een  born,  all  of  whom  are  living  save  (jne,  Olive,  the  others  being- 
Ada,  Harry.  Pearl  Mearl.  Ralph,  John,  Howard  and  James.  Ada  West- 
fall,  the  eldest  of  these  children,  married  Than  Aladden.  Harry  Westfall 
married  Jessie  jNIurray  and  has  two  children.  Darling  and  Evelyn,  and  Pearl 
Westfall  married  Carrie  ALcClintock  and  has  one  child,  Helen  Louise.  The 
West  falls  have  a  very  pleasant  home  at  Woodstock  and  have  ever  taken  an 
interested  part  in  the  general  social  activities  of  that  delightful  village,  doing 
much  to  advance  the  general  interests  of  the  town  and  of  the  surrounding- 
country.  Though  starting  on  his  business  career  with  limited  means.  Mr. 
Westfall  has  made  a  substaiitial  success  and  has  long  l^een  regarded  as  one 
of  the  leading  factors  in  the  business  life  of  the  eastern  part  of  the  countv. 


JAMES  PERRY, 


James  Perry,  trustee  of  Union  township  and  a  substantial  farmer  and 
stockman  of  that  township,  living  on  rural  mail  route  No.  i  out  of  Mechanics- 
burg,  ^vas  born  in  the  neighboring  township  of  W^ayne  and  has  lived  in 
Champaign  county  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  April  9.  1855,  son  of  Evan 
and  Elizabeth  ( Middleton )  T'erry.  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  the 
principality  of  Wales  and  the  latter  in  Highland  count}-,  this  state,  who 
became  residents  of  this  county  and  here  spent  their  last  davs. 

Evan  Perry  was  but  a  lad  when  he  came  to  this  country  from  Wales 
with  his  parents,  the  family  locating  in  Delaware  county,  Ohio,  where  he 
grew  to  manhood,  later  coming  to  Champaign  county.  He  married  in  Wayne 
township  and  there  established  his  home,  continuing  actively  engaged  in 
farming  there  the  rest  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  in  1872.  lie  then  being., 
fifty-two  years  of  age.  His  widow  survived  him  for  some  years,  her  death 
occurring  in  1903.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  of  whom  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  George. 
David  L..  Evan,  Charles,  Jane,  Xanc\-  and  Elizabeth. 

James  Perry  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Wayne  township  and  there 
grew  to  manhood,  receiving^  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  neighborlKx^d. 


IIJ  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

He  was  married  when  twenty  years  of  age  and  dien  began  farming  on  his 
o\\  n  account,  renting  a  farm  in  \A'ayne  to\Ynship.  He  later  moved  to  a  farm 
in  Cidshen  township  and  remained  there  until  1906,  \vhen  he  1x)ught  the  farm 
of  one  hundred  and  forty-seven  and  one-half  acres  on  which  he  is  now  living, 
m  Union  township,  and  has  ever  since  made  that  place  his  home,  one  of  the 
hcsi-known  farmers  in  that  part  of  the  county.  In  addition  to  his  general 
fanning,  Mr.  I'erry  has  for  years  given  considerable  attention  to  the  raising 
of  ]i\e  stock,  feeding  all  the  grain  he  raises,  and  is  doing  verv  well  in  his 
operatitins.  He  is  a  Republican,  was  road  supervisor  for  his  district  for 
about  ten  years,  a  member  of  the  local  school  board  for  four  vears  and  is 
now  serving  as  trustee  of  his  home  township,  giving  his  most  thoughtful  and 
intelligent  attention  to  the  duties  of  that  important  office. 

Tn  1875  James  Perry  was  united  in  marriage  to  Viola  Yocum,  daughter 
of  James  and  Hannah  Yocum,  and  to  this  union  nine  children  have  been  born, 
namely :  \\^illiam,  who  married  Mabel  McClemmon  and  had  three  children, 
Stewart,  Lucy  and  \\  ilma ;  Charles,  who  married  Ella  Engle  and  has  three 
children,  Irene.  Hazel  and  Bernice :  Allan,  who  married  Pauline  Weather- 
head  :  lesse.  who  married  Jennie  Kulp  and  has  six  children,  Edna,  Irma, 
Clarence,  MarN,  Yiola  and  Dorotha :  Carrie,  wife  of  Wilfred  Hall;  Nellie, 
W'ho  married  Bert  Hays  and  has  six  children,  Edith.  Maggie,  Bessie,  James, 
Sumner  and  Nettie;  Ivan,  who  is  unmarri.ed ;  Titus,  also  unmarried,  and 
Maggie,  deceased.  The  I'errys  have  a  pleasant  home  on  their  w^ell-kept  farm 
and  have  e^er  given  their  interested  attention  to  the  community's  general 
social  welfare. 


TAMES  A.  WEIDMAN. 


One  of  the  leading  agricitlturists  of  Salem  tc")wnship.  Champaign  county. 
is  T.  A.  Weidman.  who  is  also  president  of  the  Farmers  State  Bank  of  West 
Liberty,  Ohio.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  north  of  Kings  Creek,  in  the  former 
onintv.  March  4,  1840,  a  scion  of  an  honored  pioneer  f:unily,  being  a  son 
of  Abraham  and  Emily  (Dewey)  Weidman,  natives  of  N^irginia  and  Penn- 
sylvania, respectively.  The  father  came  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  in 
1824.  when  twelve  years  old,  with  his  father,  Abraham  Weidman,  coming 
overland  from  Virginia.  They  were  thus  among  the  earliest  settlers  in  this 
locality.  The)-  located  on  W'hat  is  now  known  as  the  Dugan  road,  where 
the  elder  Weidman  bought  land  which  be  developed  into  a  good  farm  in 
the  midst  of  the  wilderness  and  spent  the  rest   of  his  life  here,  becoming 


^OyO^^tAX)  .   LyC.i//-eyL^^^U-^> 


/!Pt^n^x^ 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  II3 

iniluential  in  tl^^e  early-day  affairs  of  Salem  township.  His  son,  Abraham 
W'eidman,  Jr.,  assisted  him  in  developing  the  home  farm,  but  when  yonng- 
he  began  working  at  the  carpenter's  trade,  becoming  especially  adept  at  barn 
building.  He  continued  his  trade  for  about  eight  years,  then  turned  his 
attention  to  farming,  starting  as  a  renter,  but  later  bought  a  forty-acre  farm 
which  he  operated  until  his  death  in  1889.  His  wife  died  in  1884.  They 
were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  only  two  of  whom  are  now  living,  J.  A. 
of  this  sketch,  and  Samuel  W.,  who  makes  his  home  in  Kings  Creek,  this 
count}'. 

J.  A.  Weidman  gre\\'  to  manhood  on  the  farm  and  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools.  In  early  life  he  took  up  farming  for  a  livelihood, 
and  in  1864  went  to  Illinois  and  worked  in  the  western  part  of  the  state  at 
the  carpenter's  and  stone  mason's  trades  for  five  years.  Then  he  returned 
to  his  native  county  and  rented  the  old  James  farm  of  one  thou.sand  acres, 
in  Salem  township,  remaining  there  for  four  years,  during  which  time  he 
was  ver\'  successful  as  a  general  farmer  and  an  extensive  live-stock  feeder. 
He  then  married  and  rented  the  Longworth  place,  containing  two  thousand 
acres,  which  he  oi)erated  with  his  former  success  for  five  years,  then  bought 
one  hundred  acres  in  Salem  t(^wnship  which  he  now  owns  and  where  he 
has  since  resided.  He  also  purchased  at  that  time  a  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  sixtv-four  acres  in  Concord  township  on  the  Mad  river.  He  has  later 
l^ought  additional  land,  until  he  now  owns  three  hundred  and  ninety-six 
acres  in  Salem  and.  Concord  townships.  He  has  brought  his  land  up  to  a 
high  state  of  culti^•atiop.  and  impro\ement  and  has  an  attractive  and  modern 
dwelling — iii  fact,  everything  about  his  ))lace  denotes  thrift,  good  taste  and 
g0(id  n.ianagement.  He  has  ahvays  farmed  on  a  large  scale  and,  being  a 
man  of  sound  judgment  and  executive  ability,  has  succeeded  admirably. 
He  is  now  living  practically  retired  from  the  active  duties  of  life,  living 
(fuietly  on  the  old  home  place  in  Salem  township.  He  is  a  heavy  stock- 
holder in  the  Farmers  State  Bank  at  West  Liberty,  and  was  elected  presi- 
dent of  this  institution  four  years  ago.  He  has  managed  its  affairs  in  a 
manner  that  has  reflected  much  credit  upon  himself  and  to  the  eminent  sat- 
isfaction of  the  other  stockholders  and  patrons  of  the  bank,  which  is  one  of 
the  sound  and  popular  banking  institutions  of  this  section  of  the  state. 

Mr.    Weidman   was   married,   on    March   4.    1875,   to   Sarah   Elizabeth 

Anspaw,  a  daughter  of  Jonathan  Anspaw,  and  to  their  union  three  children 

were  born,  namely :     Bertha,  deceased ;  Charles,  deceased,  and  Lola  Emma, 

who  married   \\'illiam    Madden   and  has   one   child,    Marie.      The   death   of 

(8a) 


114  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

Mrs.  Weidman  occurred  on  .Vugust  12,  1892.  at  the  age  of  forty-two  years. 
Politically,  Mr.  Weidman  is  a  Democrat,  but  he  has  never  been  very 
active  in  public  affairs.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order  and 
to  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  at  Dayton. 
Ohio.  Personally,  he  has  always  been  regarded  as  a  good  citizen  in  the 
best  sense  of  the  word  and  a  man  of  upright  character,  in  every  wav  de- 
serving of  his  material  success  and  of  the  estcen.i  in  which  he  is  held  bv  all 
who  know  him. 


GEORGIA  W.  HANN. 


George  W.  Hann,  one  of  the  best-known  live-stock  dealers  in  Cham- 
paign county,  for  years  engaged  in  that  business  at  Woodstock,  member  of 
the  board  of  directors  of  the  Peoples  P)ank  of  Woodstock  and  otherwise 
prominently  identified  with  the  general  business  affairs  of  that  thriving  vil- 
lage, is  a  native  of  the  old  Buckeye  state  and  also  lived  in  this  state  all  his 
life.  He  was  born  in  the  village  of  West  Jeft'erson,  in  Madison  county. 
January  22.  1864.  ^on  of  George  and  Malinda  (Furrow)  Hann.  who  later 
became  residents  of  this  county,  but  who  later  returned  to  Madison  county, 
where  his  last  days  were  spent.     She  still  lives  at  West  Jefferson. 

George  Hann  was  trained  as  a  butcher  in  his  youth  and  remained 
engaged  in  that  vocation  all  his  life.  On  December  2=^,  1881.  he  left  West 
Jeft'erson  with  his  family  and  located  at  Mechanicsburg,  this  county,  where 
he  engaged  in  the  butcher  business  and  was  thus  engaged  there  for  se\eral 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  returned  to  his  old  home  at  West  Jeffer- 
son, resumed  there  the  retail  meat  business  and  there  spent  his  last  days.  He 
and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  those  besides  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  being  William  (deceased).  Mrs.  Fannie  Sheeders,  Mrs.  j\Tollie 
Bennett  and  Mrs.  Lucy  Dingier. 

George  W.  Hann  received  his  schooling  at  West  Jefferson  and  was  aliont 
eighteen  years  of  age  when  he  came  with  his  parents  to  this  county  and  located 
at  Mechanicsburg.  There  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  retail  meat  business 
until  in  August,  1882,  he  moved  up  to  Woodstock  and  there  estal)lished  a 
meat  market  on  his  own  account.  Two  or  there  months  later  he  married, 
established  his  home  there  and  has  ever  since  made  that  village  his  place  of 
residence.  Mr.  Hann  continued  in  the  butcher  business  for  several  years 
after  locating  at  W^oodstock  and  then  turned  his  attention  to  the  buying  and 
selling  of  live  stock  rmd  has  since  been  very  successfully  engaged  in  that  line. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  II5 

long"  having  been  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  stock  buyers  in  this  part 
of  the  state,  his  operations  in  that  line  covering  a  wide  territory  hereabout. 
His  buying  is  mostly  for  the  Pittsburgh  market  and  he  has  done  very  well. 
In  addition  to  his  live-stock  operations  Mr.  Hann  has  long  given  close  atten- 
tion to  the  general  business  afifairs  of  his  home  town  and  has  for  years  been 
regarded  as  one  of  "live  wires"  of  that  village.  He  is  a  member  of  the  board 
of  directors  of  the  Peoples  Bank  of  Woodstock  and  it  was  largely  through 
his  efforts  that  the  bank  erected  its  present  handsome  bank  building  some 
years  ago.  He  has  taken  an  active  interest  in  politics  since  the  days  of  his 
l)oyhood  and  has  for  years  been  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  leaders  of  the 
Republican  party  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county. 

Mr.  Hann  has  been  twice  married.  It  was  on  November  4,  1882,  that 
he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Clara  Kentield,  daughter  of  Daniel  Kenfield  and 
wife,  and  to  that  union  was  born  one  child,  a  daughter,  Dorothy,  who  mar- 
ried Claude  Dunham  and  has  one  child,  a  daughter.  Claudine.  Mrs.  Clara 
Hann  died  on  September  4,  1913,  and  on  October  22,  191 5,  Mr.  Hann  mar- 
ried, secondly,  Mrs.  A^era  (Miller)  Hewing,  which  union  has  been  without 
issue.  Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Hann  have  a  very  pleasant  home  at  Woodstock  and 
take  a  proper  part  in  the  general  social  activities  of  their  home  town  and  of 
the  community  at  large,  helpful  in  promoting  all  movements  designed  to 
advance  the  common  welfare.  Mr.  Hann  is  a  member  of  the  local  lodge  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  is  past  noble  grand  of  the  same. 
He  also  is  a  member  of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  in  the 
affairs  of  both  of  these  popular  organizations  takes  a  warm  and  active  interest. 


BOWERS  &  SLAGLE. 


W.  J.  Bowers  and  William  H.  Slagle,  owners  of  a  saw-mill  at  Rosewood, 
Champaign  county,  have  been  engaged  in  that  business  as  partners  for  more 
than  seventeen  years  and  are  widely  known  as  dealers  in  lumber  throughout 
this  part  of  the  state,  the  products  of  their  mill  having  an  extensive  market. 

W.  J.  Bowers,  the  senior  partner  in  the  saw-mill  business,  was  born  in 
Hampshire  county,  Virginia,  on  March  28,  185 1,  a  son  of  Uriah  Bowers  and 
wife,  natives  of  that  state,  who  came  from  their  home  state  to  Shelby  county. 
Ohio,  in  1861,  and  located  on  a  farm  in  that  county.  Uriah  Bowers  lived  in 
that  county  for  a  short  time  and  then  went  to  the  state  of  Iowa,  where  he 
lived   for  two  vears.     At  the  end  of  that  period  he  returned  to  Ohio  and 


Il6  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

bought  a  farm  in  Wood  county,  which  he  later  sold  and  returned  to  Shelby 
county,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  continued  at  that  occupation,  up 
to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  met  his  death  through  a  runaway  horse  throwing 
him  out  of  a  wagon  in  1880. 

W.  J.  Bowers  had  been  working  on  a  farm  and  remained  at  home  during 
the  lifetime  of  his  parents.  Some  years  later  he  decided  to  engage  in  the 
saw-mill  business;  he  employed  William  H.  Slagle  as  steam  engineer  to 
run  the  saw-mill  and  the  latter  was  thus  engaged  for  about  five  years.  The 
business  acquaintance  thus  formed  led  to  Mr.  Bowers  and  Mr.  Slagle  enter- 
ing into  a  partnership  in  the  saw-mill  trade  in  the  winter  of  1901,  under 
the  firm  name  of  Bowers  &  Slagle,  and  this  partnership  has  since  been  con- 
tinued, with  satisfactory  results.  They  moved  the  mill  to  Ashland,  Ohio, 
in  April,  1902,  and  operated  there  until  July  of  the  same  }ear,  at  which  time 
they  came  to  Rosewood  and  here  their  mill  has  been  running  ever  since  with 
advantage  to  the  partnership.  Mr.  Bowers  is  a  supporter  of  the  Democratic 
party,  but  has  never  been  a  seeker  after  public  ofitice.  He  has  been  making 
liis  home  with  Mr.  Slagle  for  the  past  twenty  years. 

William  H.  Slagle,  partner  in  the  saw-mill  business  of  Bowers  &  Slagle, 
was  born  on  November  23,  1870,  a  son  of  J.  W.  and  Mary  E.  (Trapp) 
Slagle,  both  of  whom  are  now  dead.  J.  W.  Slagle  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil 
War,  being  a  member  of  Company  C,  Ninety-ninth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry; 
he  saw  much  service  and  was  in  many  important  engagements  during  the 
three  years  he  served  with  the  Federal  forces.  He  was  finally  discharged  at 
Camp  Dennison  for  general  disability.  William  H.  Slagle's  mother  died 
Avhen  he  was  eight  years  old,  at  which  time  he  went  to  live  with  his  grand- 
parents for  about  twelve  months.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and 
on  leaving  school  he  farmed  for  some  time.  In  addition  to  his  interests  in 
the  saw-mill  Mr.  Slagle  is  the  owner  of  a  farm  of  iifty-eight  acres  of  prime 
land  in  Adams  township. 

On  Octoljer  5,  1893,  William  H.  Slagle  was  united  in  marriage  to  Sarah 
E.  Fristoe,  who  was  born  in  Fairfield  county,  Ohio,  but  was  reared  in  Shelb}' 
county.  Her  mother  died  while  she  was  still  a  child,  being  six  years  old 
at  the  time.  She  accompanied  her  father  to  Shelby  county  after  the  death 
of  her  mother,  the  father  settling  in  that  county,  where  he  was  a  farmer. 
Mr.  Slagle  is  a  supporter  of  the  Republican  party,  but  has  never  been  a  seeker 
after  public  oifice,  preferring  to  dev^ote  his  time  to  his  saw-mill  and  farming 
interests. 

Nicholas  Trapp,  maternal  grandfather  of  William  H.  Slagle,  was  a 
soldier  in  the  Ignited  States  army  in  1848  during  the  Mexican  \Var,  serving 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  II 7 

afc  a  captain.  He  also  served  in  the  Civil  War  for  three  months  as  a  hrst 
term  and  on  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  re-enlisted  as  captain  in  Com- 
pany K,  First  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry  and  served  to  the  end  of  the  -.var. 
He  was  in  several  severe  engagements  and  was  wounded  four  times  at  the 
haltle  of  Lookout  ^fountain.  During  the  rush  to  the  gold  fields  of  Cali- 
fornia he  joined  with  a  numher  of  other  "forty-niners"  and  remained  there 
until   185 1. 


SAMUEL  RH.EY. 


Samuel  Riley,  village  councilman,  a  well-known  huilding  contractor  at 
North  Lewisburg  and  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  is  a  native  of  the 
Keystone  state,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  Ohio  ever  since  the  completion  of 
his  service  in  the  Union  army  during-  the  Civil  War,  he  having  located  in  this 
state  at  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  born  in  Bedford  county,  Pennsylvania, 
November  9,  1847,  son  of  John  and  Amanda  Riley,  lx)th  of  whom  also  were 
natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  whose  last  days  were  spent  in  Bedford  count}'. 

Upon  completing  his  studies  in  the  schools  of  his  home  county.  Samuel 
Riley  took  up  farming  with  his  father  and  was  thus  engaged  when,  in  1865, 
he  then  being  eighteen  \ears  of  age,  he  enlisted  ior  service  during  the  con- 
tinuance of  the  Civil  War  as  a  member  of  Company  E,  Second  Regiment. 
.Marvland  N'olunteer  Infantrv.  and  served  with  that  command  for  eighty-four 
da}s.  or  until  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the  w'ar.  Upon  the  completion  of 
his  military  service  Air.  Riley  came  to  Ohio  and  for  eighteen  months  was 
engaged  as  a  farm  hand  in  the  section  lying-  between  Troy  and  Covington. 
He  then  married  and  took  up  the  trade  of  plasterer  at  Covington,  where  he 
established  his  home  and  where  he  remained  for  eleven  years,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  he  came  to  this  county  and  located  at  Cable.  During  a  part  of 
the  time  he  was  living  at  Covington  Mr.  Riley  was  engaged  in  the  railway 
service  and  it  was  while  thus  engaged  that  he  was  sent  to  Cable  to  take  charge 
of  the  gravel  pit  operated  at  that  place  by  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Com- 
pany. Two  years  later  he  moved  to  Woodstock,  where  he  resumed  his  voca- 
tion as  a  [)lasterer  and  bricklaver  and  wdiere  he  remained  for  seven  years, 
at  the  end  of  which  time  he  moved  to  North  Lewisburg.  where  he  opened  in 
lousiness  as  a  general  building  contractor  and  where  he  has  ever  since  been 
located,  a  period  of  more  than  thirty  years,  during  which  time  he  has  exe- 
cuted contracts  in  all  parts  of  the  county,  long  having  been  recognized  as  one 
of  the  leading  contractors  in  this  part  of  the  state.     Mr.  Riley  is  a  Repub- 


Il8  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

lican  and  has  long  i;ivcn  his  earnest  attention  to  local  political  affairs,  and  is 
now  serving  as  a  meniher  of  the  village  council. 

Mr.  Riley  has  been  married  four  times.  It  was  in  1867,  at  Covington, 
that  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Sarah  Earnhardt,  who  died  at  Woodstock. 
To  that  union  five  children  were  born,  of  whom  two  are  now  living,  Mollie, 
\\ho  married  Chwnn  Clark  and  has  three  children,  Herbert,  Charles  and 
George,  and  Maude,  who  married  Charles  Granser  and  has  two  children.  Earl 
and  J.ou.  Following  the  death  of  the  mother  of  these  children  Mr.  Riley 
married  Mrs.  Susan  (Epps)  Smith  and  after  her  death  he  married  Adia 
Heston,  following  whose  death  he  married  Cora  Spain.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Riley 
have  a  pleasant  home  at  North  I.ewisburg  and  give  proper  attention  to  the 
i^'eneral  affairs  of  their  home  town.  Mr.  Riley  is  a  member  of  the  Inde- 
l)endent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  past  noble  grand  of  the  local  lodge  of  that 
order,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  past  chancellor  com- 
mander of  the  local  lodge  of  that  order,  having  for  years  taken  a  warm  inter- 
est in  the  affairs  of  both  these  popular  organizations. 


EDGAR  S.  EVERHART. 


Edgar  S.  Everhart,  one  of  Union  township's  well-known  and  substantial 
farmers,  now  living  practically  retired  from  the  active  labors  of  the  farm  at 
his  i)leasant  home  in  that  township,  where  he  has  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  fifteen  acres,  is  a  Virginian,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  Ohio  since  the 
days  of  his  boyhood  and  of  Champaign  county  since  the  early  eighties.  He 
was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Lovettsville,  in  Louden  county,  Vir- 
ginia, October  11,  1852,  son  of  Israel  and  Maria  (Ropp)  Everhart,  lx)th  of 
German  descent,  who  later  moved  to  Ohio  and  located  in  Clark  count}',  where 
they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 

Israel  Everhart  also  was  born  in  the  vicinity  of  Lovettsville,  in  Louden 
countv,  Virginia,  in  181 1,  and  there  grew  to  manhood,  becoming-  a  building 
contract(^r.  There  he  married  Maria  Ropp,  who  was  born  in  that  same 
neighborhood  in  1817,  a  daughter  of  Nicholas  Ropp,  a  substantial  farmer  of 
that  vicinity,  who  spent  all  his  life  there,  and  who  was  the  father  of  ten  chil- 
dren, those  besides  Mrs.  Everhart  having  been  Polly,  Melissa,  Samuel,  Jacob, 
John,  Emanuel,  Elizabeth,  Eliza  and  Jane.  Israel  Everhart  was  one  of  six 
children  born  to  his  parents,  the  others  having  been  Solomon,  Tillie,  George, 
Nathaniel  and   William,  the  last  two  named  having  been  twins.      In   April, 


CHAMPAIGX    COUNTY,    OHIO.  II9 

t86i.  Israel  I^\'erhart  moved  with  his  family  from  Virginia  to  Ohio  and 
-cltled  on  a  farm  in  the  Catawba  neighborhood,  in  Clark  county,  where  he 
antl  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Israel  Everhart  was  a  mem- 
l)er  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  he  and  his  wife  were  active 
members  of  the  ]\Ieth>odist  Protestant  church.  He  died  in  1883  and  his  widow 
surA-ived  him  for  some  years,  she  having  been  eighty  years  of  age  at  the  time 
of  her  death.  They  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  of  whom  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  the  lifth  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  William, 
Alatilda,  John  A.,  Thomas  and  George.  The  late  William  Everhart  was  for 
}ears  a  well-known  farmer  in  Union  township,  this  county,  and  was  also 
engaged  in  the  grain  business  at  Catawba.  He  married  Virginia  Hunter, 
also  now  deceased,  and  to  that  union  were  born  two  children,  Charles,  a 
farmer,  living  in  Union  township,  this  county,  and  Nilette,  of  Butler  county, 
Ohio.  Matilda  Everhart,  now  deceased,  married  William  H.  Grubb,  of  Vir- 
ginia, also  now  deceased,  and  was  the  mother  of  eight  children,  Oscar,  Wilbur, 
Robert,  John,  Eugene,  Daisy.  Harr}-  and  Grace.  The  late  John  A.  Everhart, 
further  mention  of  whom  is  made  elsewhere  in  this  volume,  was  for  years  a 
well-known  farmer  in  Goshen  township,  this  county.  He  married  Anna  M. 
?\ear,  who  is  now  living  at  Catawba,  and  to  that  union  were  born  four  sons. 
Scott.  Herbert,  Warren  and  Robert.  Thomas  Everhart,  a  farmer  of  Clark 
county,  married  Ella  Kimball  and  has  two  children.  Elton  and  Bessie.  George 
b'verhart,  a  retired  farmer,  now  living  at  South  \'ienna,  married  Margaret 
Beard. 

Edgar  S.  Everhart  was  but  eight  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  Ohio 
with  his  parents  from  \'irginia  in  1861  and  he  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home 
farm  in  the  neighborhood  of  Catawba,  receiving  his  schooling  in  the  schools 
of  that  place  and  becoming  a  practical  farmer.  After  his  marriage  when 
t\\  enty-one  years  of  age  he  began  farming  on  his  own  account  in  Clark  county 
and  was  there  thus  engaged  for  about  nine  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he 
bought  his  present  farm  in  Union  township,  this  county,  created  there  a  fine 
l)lace  and  has  ever  since  made  his  home  there.  This  was  the  old  John  Bald- 
win place  and  when  Mr.  Everhart  bought  it  consisted  of  one  hundred  and 
sovcnt}-three  acres.  He  has  sold  part  of  the  place,  however,  and  now  has 
one  hundred  and  fifteen  acres,  well  improved  and  profitably  cultivated.  In 
1895  -^i^'-  Everhart  erected  his  present  handsome  residence  and  in  1901  built 
a  new  barn.  The  general  farm  plant  is  in  keeping  with  these  substantial 
improvements  and  the  ])lace  has  long  been  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  best- 
kept  farms  in  that  neighborhood.  In  191 3  Mr.  Everhart  practically  retired 
from  the  active  labors  of  the  farm  and  since  then  has  been  in  a  position  to 


I20  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

"take  thins^s  eas}^"  He  is  a  stanch  Republican,  was  for  years  director  of 
schools  in  his  home  district  and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist iVcjtestant  church,  in  the  affairs  of  which  they  for  years  have  taken  an 
earnest   interest. 

On  June  i ,  1 874,  Edgar  S.  h^verhart  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mary  A. 
Gt-ove.  of  Clark  county,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Sarah  (Walkman)  Grove, 
both  of  \  irtrinia  stock  and  early  settlers  in  Clark  county  and  both  long  since 
deceased.  Jacolj  Grove  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  those 
beside  Mrs.  Everhart,  the  second  in  order  of  birth,  having  been  William, 
wlio  tlied  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years ;  David  and  Frank,  the  latter  of  whom 
is  now  deceased.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Everhart  three  children  have  been  b(M-n, 
Albert.  Laura  (deceased)  and  Sarah  B.,  the  latter  of  whom  completed  her 
schooling-  at  Adrian,  Michigan,  and  married  Lew^is  Melvin,  a  bookkeeper  for 
the  Armsted  &  Burk  Milling  Company  at  Springfield.  All)ert  Everhart,  who 
completed  his  schooling  in  the  college  at  Ada,  this  state,  is  now  superintendent 
of  the  plant  of  the  Niagara  Radiator  Company  at  Tonawanda.  New  York. 
}Te  married  Tessie  Warrick  and  has  two  sons.  Howard  and  Edgar. 


WnXTAM  HOWARD  SHARP.  M.   D. 

Dr.  William  Howard  Sharp,  well-known  physician  and  surgeon 
at  Woodstock  and  the  jiroprietor  of  a  well-stocked  drug  store  in  that  thriv- 
ing village,  is  a  native  S(;n  of  the  old  Buckeye  state  and  has  lived  in  this 
state  all  his  life.  He  was  born  at  Pottersburg.  in  the  neighboring"  county 
of  Union.  Julv  15.  1877.  son  and  only  child  of  Dr.  David  W.  and  Lottie 
(Stewart)  Sharj).  both  also  natives  of  this  state  and  both  now  deceased, 
their  last  days  having  been  spent  in  A\  oodstock.  where  the  elder  Doctor 
Sharp  died  about  seven  years  ago. 

Dr.  David  W.  Sharp,  who  for  years  was  a  well-known  physician  and 
druggist  at  Woodstock,  was  born  on  a  farm  near  Middlelnirg.  in  the  neigh- 
boring ccnmty  of  Logan,  and  there  grew  to  manhood,  receiving  his  early 
.schooling  in  t!ie  schools  of  his  home  neighborhood.  He  early  turned  his 
attention  to  the  stud\-  of  medicine  and  after  a  course  in  Delaware  College 
he  entered  the  College  of  Medicine  and  Surgery  at  Cincinnati  and  was  grad- 
uated from  that  institution  in  1875.  For  the  first  three  years  after  receiving- 
his  diploma.   Dr.   David  W.  Sharp  was  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  i)ro- 


DAVID  W.  SHARP.  M.  D. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  121 

fession  at  Potter.sburg  and  then  he  moved  to  Middleburg,  where  he  was 
engajj^ed  in  practice  for  four  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  moved  to 
\\'()odstock  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  Hfe.  lieing  for  years  one 
of  the  ])est-kn()\vn  physicians  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county.  In  addition 
to  liis  genera!  jM'actice.  he  also  was  engaged  in  the  drug  business  and  con- 
(hicted  a  thmg  stcTe  at  Woodstock  until  the  day  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
tliere  in  Xovember.  1910.  Doctor  Sharp  was  a  Republican,  a  member  of 
the  I'hristian  church  and  a  Knight  Templar  Mason,  a  member  of  the  com- 
mander)- at  Urbana.  He  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife.  Lottie  Stewart, 
of  Harrisburg.  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  dving  at  her  home  in 
\V(Jodstock  in  1888.  after  which  he  married  Nellie  T.  Bindon,  of  Wood- 
stock, who  survives. 

Dr.  William  Howard  Sharp's  professional  education  was  received  at 
Starling  Medical  College  at  Columbus,  from  which  excellent  old  institution 
he  was  graduated  in  1904.  From  boyhood  and  during  the  time  he  was 
pursuing  the  course  in  the  Woodstock  schools  he  had  given  his  close  atten- 
tion to  the  study  of  medicine,  his  father's  extensive  medical  library  being 
open  to  him.  Upon  receiving  his  diploma,  the  3^ounger  Doctor  Sharp  re- 
turned home  and  for  three  years  thereafter  was  engaged  in  practice  at 
Woodstock  in  partnership  wath  his  father.  He  then  opened  there  an  office 
of  his  own  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  practice  alone,  being  widely  known 
throughout  that  part  of  the  countr}-  covered  by  his  practice.  In  addition 
to  his  general  practice.  Doctor  Sharp  is  the  owner  of  a  well-stocked  and 
ui)-to-date  drug  store  at  Woodstock  and  does  a  good  business  in  that  line. 
He  is  a  luember  of  the  Champaign  CoimtA'  Medical  Society  and  of  the 
Ohio  State  Medical  Society  and  in  the  deliberations  of  both  of  these  learned 
bodies  takes  a  warm  interest,  ever  keeping  fullv  abreast  of  the  advances 
being  made  in  the  practice  of  his  chosen  profession.  The  Doctor  is  a  Re- 
publican and  takes  a  good  citizen's  interest  in  local  political  affairs,  but 
has  not  been  a  seeker  after  public  office. 

On  December  5.  iqoj.  Dr.  William  H.  Sharp,  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Mabel  Fawm  Kimball,  of  Woodstock,  daughter  of  David  R.  Kimball,  a 
l)iographical  sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  Doctor  and 
Mrs.  Sharp  have  a  very  pleasant  home  at  Woodstock  and  take  an  inter- 
ested part  in  the  general  social  activities  of  their  home  town.  The  Doctor 
is  a  Knight  Templar  Mason,  being  a  luember  of  the  blue  lodge  at  North 
Lewisburg  and  of  the  commandery  at  Urbana.  and  takes  a  warm  interest 
in  Masonic  affairs. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


IRA  LINCOLN. 


The  late  Ira  Lincoln,  who  died  at  his  home  in  Rush  township,  this  county, 
in  1 886.  w^as  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  his  whole  life  was  spent 
here.  He  was  l)orn  on  what  is  known  as  the  old  Lincoln  homestead  in  Rush 
township.  June  4,  1848,  son  of  Charles  and  Allura  (Johnson)  Lincoln,  who 
came  to  this  state  from  Connecticut  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Rush  township, 
this  county,  where  the}-  established  their  home  and  where  they  spent  the 
remainder  of  their  lives,  influential  and  useful  members  of  the  communit}' 
which  the)'  did  much  to  help  develop.  Charles  Lincoln  and  his  wife  were  the 
])arents  of  ten  clhldren  and  elsewhere  in  this  volume  there  is  set  out  at  con- 
siderable length  something"  of  the  history  of  this  important  family,  which  it 
will  hardly  be  necessary  to  repeat  in  this  connection. 

Keared  on  the  home  farm  in  the  Woodstock  neighborhood,  Ira  Lincoln 
received  his  schooling  in  the  district  schools  near  his  home  and  from  l>oyhood 
gave  his  attention  to  farming-.  After  his  marriage,  in  the  spring  of  1876 
he  l)egan  farming  on  his  own  account  and  established  his  home  on  a  farm 
in  l\ush  township,  \\here  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  successfully  engaged 
in  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  was  an  ardent  Republican  and 
ga\e  his  earnest  attention  to  local  political  affairs,  but  was  not  a  seeker  after 
l)ublic  office.  Ira  Lincoln  died  at  his  home  in  Rush  town.ship  on  September 
I-'.  1886,  he  then  being  thirty-eight  years  of  age,  and  his  widow  still  survives 
him,  making  her  home  at  Woodstock,  where  she  is  very  comfortably  situated. 
She  is  a  member  of  the  Universalist  church  and  takes  an  earnest  interest  in 
chin-ch  work,  as  well  as  in  other  good  works  of  the  communit\-  in  which  she 
has  lived  all  her  life  and  in  the  general  social  activities  of  whicii  she  has  ever 
taken  a  useful  and  helpful  part. 

It  was  on  March  30,  1876,  that  Ira  Lincoln  was  luiited  in  marriage,  at 
Woodstock,  to  Martha  E.  Marsh,  who  was  born  in  that  village,  daughter  of 
Charles  W.  and  Laura  E.  (Cranston)  Marsh,  the  former  of  whom  was  born 
in  X'ermont  and  the  latter  in  this  county.  Charles  W.  Marsh,  a  son  of  the 
Rev.  Joseph  [Marsh,  a  minister  of  the  Christian  church,  came  to  this  countv 
from  Virginia  in  the  days  of  his  young-  manhood  and  located  at  Woodstock, 
where  he  became  engaged  in  the  blacksmithing  business  and  where  he  mar- 
ried and  established  his  home.  He  died  on  Eebruary  22.  1869,  leaving  four 
children,  those  besides  Mrs.  Lincoln,  the  eldest,  being  C.  E.  Marsh,  a  retired 
farmer,  now  living  at  Woodstock;  Lucy  D.,  wife  of  William  Kimball,  of 
Wood<;tock,  and  Ilattie,  who  clied  in  childhood.      Charles  \\\   Marsh's  widow 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  1 23 

married,  secondly,  Erastus  i\Iartin  Smith,  of  Woodstock,  who  died  on  Janu- 
ary 22,  i8c;8.  She  survived  for  nearly  twenty  years,  her  death  occurring  on 
February  17.  1917.  she  then  being-  seventy-nine  years  of  age.  To  that  second 
unit)n  one  child  was  born,  a  daughter,  Xina  H.  Smith,  who,  in  191 6,  married 
the  Rev.  Harlan  V..  Glazier,  pastor  of  the  Universalist  church  at  Woodstock. 
The  Rev.  Harlan  E.  Glazier  is  a  native  of  the  Empire  state,  l)orn  in  Court- 
land  county,  New  York.  He  was  graduated  from  Union  College  in  1897 
and  later  became  connected  w^ith  the  Ballon  &  Hobegard  Preparatorv  School 
at  Boston,  as  principal  and  treasurer  of  the  same.  Tie  continued  his  studies 
in  Harvard  and  was  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1904,  with  the  degree 
of  Master  of  Arts.  Later  he  took  up  the  gospel  ministry  and  for  two  Aears 
was  stationed  at  Tacoma.  Washington,  coming  from  there  in  191 5  to  take 
charge  of  the  Universalist  church  at  \\'oodstock,  where  he  is  now  located. 

To  Ira  and  ?klartha  l-^.   (AJarsh)  Lincoln,  one  child  was  born,  a  daugh- 
ter, Ilarriet  L,  born  on  June  3,  t88i,  wdio  died  on  ?^Iay  31.  1909. 


WILLIAM  P.  GLENDENNIXG. 

W'illiam  P.  Glendenning,  one  of  Rush  township's  progressive  farmers 
and  stockmen,  was  born  on  the  farm  on  which  he  is  now  li\ing.  on  rural 
route  No.  i,  out  of  North  Lewisburg,  and  has  lived  there  all  his  life.  He  was 
born  on  November  15,  1862,  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Hawkins)  Glenden- 
ning, influential  residents  of  that  community,  both  now  deceased. 

The  Glendennings  are  an  old  family  in  Champaign  count}-,  the  first  of 
the  name  here  having  been  James  Glendenning.  a  native  of  Scotland,  who 
came  to  Ohio  with  his  family  from  Virginia  in  1829  and  settled  on  a  farm 
in  the  Mechanicsburg  neighborhood,  where  he  established  his  home  and 
created  a  good  farm  property.  James  Glendenning  was  born  in  Scotland 
and  was  but  two  years  of  age  when  his  parents  came  to  this  country  with  their 
family,  about  1795,  and  settled  in  Harrison  county,  Virginia,  in  that  portion 
of  the  Old  Dominion  now  comprised  in  West  Virginia.  There  James  Glen- 
denning grew  to  manhood  and  married  Mary  D.  \"anhorn.  who  was  born 
in  Pennsylvania  about  1793.  In  December,  1829,  James  Glendenning  came 
to  Ohio  with  his  family,  driving  through  with  a  team  and  leading  one  cow. 
and  settled  in  this  county.  After  a  brief  residence  in  Mechanicsburg  he 
bought  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  fifty-five  acres  surrounding  Brush  Lake 
in  Rush  township  and  there  established  his  home.  They  were  members  of 
the  Baptist  church  in  Virginia  and  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  after 


124  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

coming  to  Ohio.  A  log  cabin  was  erected  and  later  a  duuble  cabin.  His  wife 
died  there  at  the  age  of  about  seventy  and  he  later  sold  his  farm  to  his  sons, 
William  and  Webster,  and  thereafter  li\ed  with  his  children,  surviving  to  the 
age  of  eighty-two.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  among 
whom,  besides  \\'illiam,  were  Mar\-.  who  married  Joseph  Ellsworth  and 
lived  in  Missouri :  Margaret,  who  married  John  McColly  and  lived  near 
Cable,  this  county;  J.  Webster,  who  married  Elizabeth  Wilson  and  also 
made  his  liome  in  this  county;  'riK)mas  J.,  wlio  was  hrst  married  to  Hester 
Stover  and  later  to  Matilda  Williams,  and  who  lived  and  died  in  Mechanics- 
burg;  l<]lizabeth,  who  married  Joseph  Black  and  lived  in  Rush  township, 
and  James,  who  died  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years. 

William  Glendenning  was  born  at  Lost  Creek,  in  Harrison  count^•,  now 
in  West  Virginia,  July  8,  1817.  and  was  about  thirteen  years  of  age  when 
he  came  to  Champaign  county  with  his  parents  in  182c;  and  settled  in  Rush 
township.  His  first  term  of  schooling  in  this  county  was  had  at  the  village 
schools  in  Mechanicsburg  and  he  thereafter  attended  the  district  school  in 
the  vicinity  of  his  home  at  Brush  lake.  From  the  da}s  of  his  boyhood  he 
was  a  valued  assistant  to  his  father  and  brother  in  the  labors  of  clearing 
and  developing  the  home  farm  and  upon  his  father's  retirement  from  the 
active  labors  of  the  farm,  he  and  his  brother,  Webster,  bought  the  same.  This 
farm  he  later  sold  to  his  brothers  and  his  last  days  were  sjjent  at  the  home 
of  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Everett,  at  North  Lewisburg,  where  his  death  occurred 
on  .March  2.  1897.  ^^  ^^'''^"^  ^'1*-'  owner  of  seven  hun<lred  acres  of  land,  and 
was  a  stocholder  in  the  Bank  of  North  Lewisburg. 

William  Glendenning  was  twice  married.  In  1842  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Susan  Black,  who  died  in  1850,  leaving  five  children,  namely : 
John  W.,  who  served  for  three  years  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union  during  the 
Civil  War.  a  member  of  Company  H,  Sixty-sixth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  with  which  he  enlisted  on  July  2.  1862,  serving  to  the  close  of 
the  war,  married  Sarah  Foster;  Amy  A.,  who  married  James  Rudisell  and 
after  a  sometime  residence  in  Illinois  returned  to  Cham])aign  county  and 
liere  died  in  1877;  Mary  E..  who  married  Sibley  Coates  and  is  living  in 
k'ush  township,  this  county;  Delilah,  who  died  young,  and  Thomas  J.,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  two  years.  After  the  death  of  his  hrst  wife 
William  (jlendenning  married  Mary  Hawkins,  who  was  born  in  New  Hamp- 
sliire  on  January  23,  1825,  and  who  died  in  this  count}-  on  September  16, 
i()03,  while  living  with  her  daughter.  Mrs.  L.  P.  S])ensely,  of  North  Lewis- 
burg. 1'o  that  union  were  born  eight  children,  the  others,  exclusive  of  Wil- 
li.'im  r.,  being  as  follow:  Margaret  J.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twehe 
vears;  Levi  H.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  three  vears ;  James  M.,  a  farmer  of 


CHAMPAIGN    COL'XTY.    OHIO.  I25 

I\ush  township  and  a  biographical  sketch  of  whom  is  presented  elsewhere 
in  this  \olume;  Martha  C,  wife  of  W.  H.  Everett,  of  Union 
township,  this  county;  Ada  B..  who  died  at  the  age  of  five  years: 
Abraham  L.,  a  farmer  of  Rush  township  and  a  biographical  sketch 
of  whom  is  presented  elsewhere  in  this  volume,  and  Jennie  M.,  who  on 
December  12,  1888,  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lonsdale  P.  Spensely  and  is 
now  living-  at  North  Lewisburg,  this  county.  Lonsdale  P.  Spensely  was 
born  in  Medina  county,  this  state,  November  24,  1849,  son  of  Ray  and  Ann 
(Falshow)  Spensely,  natives  of  England,  who  were  married  there  and  in 
1848  came  to  the  L'nited  States,  locating  in  Medina  county,  this  state,  where 
they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  the  former  dying  in  1862  and  the 
latter  in  1900.  Ray  Spensely  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  of 
whom  Lonsdale  Spensely  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being 
as  follow :  Annie,  born  in  England,  who  married  Hiram  Lackc}-  and  is 
now  living  in  Lawrence  county,  Indiana :  James,  who  married  Alice  Vero- 
man  and  is  living  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Medina  county ;  Rachel,  who  mar- 
ried A.  F.  Taylor  and  lives  on  a  farm  west  of  Urbana,  this  county;  Royal 
F.,  who  was  a  veterinary  surgeon  and  who  died  on  the  old  home  place  in 
Medina  county,  and  another  son,  who  died  in  }()uth.  In  1884  Lonsdale 
Spensely  came  to  Champaign  county  and  six  years  later  Ijought  a  farm  in 
Mad  River  township,  where  he  lived  for  fourteen  years,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  he  sold  that  place  and  bought  the  McF"arland  farm  in  Rush  township, 
Viliere  he  remained  until  retirement  in  1900  and  removed  to  North  Lewis- 
]myg,  where  he  is  now  living. 

WilHam  -P.  Glendenning  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Rusli 
township,  receiving  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  district  No.  4.  and  has 
always  lived  on  the  home  place.  In  addition  to  his  general  farming  he  has 
given  considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of  live  stock,  making  a  specialty 
of  Percheron  horses.  Shorthorn  cattle  and  Poland  China  hogs,  and  has  done 
verv  well  in  his  operations,  long  having  been  regarded  as  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial farmers  of  that  neighborhood.  Mr.  Glendenning  is  a  Republican 
and  has  rendered  public  service  as  a  meml)er  of  the  school  board  for  several 
years. 

On  November  15,  1889,  A\'illiam  P.  filendenning  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Anna  Curran,  who  also  was  born  in  Rush  township,  this  county,  daugh- 
ter of  James  and  Mary  (Spollen)  Curran,  the  former  a  native  of  England 
and  the  latter  of  Ireland,  who  were  married  in  England  and  who  came  t(j 
the  L^nited  States  in  1867,  setthng  in  this  county.  For  two  years  after 
coming  to  Champaign  county  James  Curran  made  his  home  -at  \^'(K)dstock 
and  then  settled  on  a  farm  one-half  mile  east  of  that  village,  where  he  spent 


126  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

the  remainder  of  his  hfe,  his  death  occurring  there  on  September  30,  1912, 
he  then  being  seventy-three  years  of  age.  His  widow  is  now  Hving  at  Wood- 
stock. They  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  of  whom  ]\Irs.  Glendenning 
was  the  third  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow :  John  and  James, 
twins,  the  former  of  whom  is  now  living  at  Milford  Center  and  the  latter  of 
whom  for  the  past  twenty-four  years  has  been  a  conductor  on  the  Erie  rail- 
road, with  headquarters  at  Toledo ;  William,  who  is  a  conductor  on  the 
Pennsylvania  railroad,  with  lieadquarters  at  Columbus,  and  Margaret,  who 
married  P.  J.  Hannegan  and  is  living  at  Urbana. 

To  William  P.  and  -Vnna  (Curran)  Glendenning  five  children  have 
been  born,  namel}':  Hazel,  wife  of  Harry  Earl  Cranston,  a  telegraph  oper- 
ator for  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  at  \\''est\ille ;  Ralph,  who  is 
home,  assisting  his  father  in  the  management  of  the  farm;  Helen  and  Ruth, 
twins,  the  former  of  whom  died  in  infancy  and  the  latter  of  whom  is  the  wife 
of  W.  T.  Augar,  of  Urbana,  and  Paul,  at  home,  who  was  graduated  from 
the  North  Levvisburg  high  school  with  the  class  of  1917.  The  Glenden- 
nings  have  a  very  pleasant  home  and  have  ever  taken  a  proper  part  in  the 
general  social  affairs  of  the  community  in  which  they  live.  They  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  take  an  interested  part  in  church 
work,  as  well  as  in  other  neighborhood  good  works. 


CYLE  BRIGHT  HANNA. 

Cyle  Bright  Planna,  a  well-to-do  retired  farmer  and  former  trustee  of 
Concord  township,  now  living  at  Urbana,  is  a  native  of  Virginia,  but  has 
been  a  resident  of  this  county  since  he  was  thirteen  years  of  age.  He  was. 
born  on  a  farm  in  Nicholas  county,  Virginia,  in  April,  1854,  son  of  Moses 
and  Sarah  (Kellison)  Hanna,  both  also  natives  of  the  Old  Dominion,  the 
former  born  in  Nicholas  county  and  the  latter  in  Pocahontas  county. 

Moses  Hanna  was  a  farmer  and  stock  dealer  and  died  at  his  home  in 
Virginia  not  long  after  the  close  of  the  Civil  War.  He  was  twice  married. 
By  his  first  wife,  Sarah  Kellison,  he  was  the  father  of  five  children,  of  whom 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  last-born,  the  others  being  as  follow : 
Nathan,  deceased;  Elijah  J.,  a  retired  merchant  of  Urbana,  a  biographical 
sketch  of  whom  is  presented  elsewhere  in  this  volume ;  David,  who  died  dur- 
ing the  Cixil  \\'ar.  and  Elizabeth,  of  Kanawha  count}'.  West  Virginia.     Upon 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  12/ 

the  death  of  the  mother  of  these  children  Moses'  Hanna  married  Martha 
H inkle,  of  Nicholas  county,  Virginia,  and  to  that  union  one  child  \\as  horn^ 
a  son,  Abraham  L.,  who  is  living  on  the  old  home  place  in  Nicholas  countw 

Cyle  B.  Hanna  had  small  opportunities  for  schooling  in  his  boyhood,, 
there  being  at  that  time  no  organized  schools  in  the  vicinity  of  his  home  in 
Nicholas  county,  now  a  part  of  West  Virginia.  When  he  was  thirteen  years 
of  age  he  came  over  into  Ohio  to  make  his  home  with  his  elder  brother, 
Elijah  J.  Hanna,  mentioned  above,  who  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness in  Concord  township,  and  until  his  marriage  when  twenty-one  years 
of  age  was  engaged  working  as  a  farm  hand  in  that  vicinity.  After  his 
marriage  ]\Irs.  Hanna  began  farming  on  his  own  account  and  was  thus 
engaged  in  the  townships  of  Salem,  Concord  and  T^'Iad  River  until  his  retire- 
ment from  the  farm  in  April,  1916,  and  removal  to  Urbana,  where  he  and 
his  wife  are  now  living  and  where  they  are  very  comfortably  situated.  Mr. 
Hanna  is  the  owner  of  two  hundred  acres  of  valuable  land  and  during  his 
long  residence  on  the  farm  did  very  well,  in  addition  to  his  general  farming 
having  given  considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of  high-grade  live  stock. 
During  his  residence  in  Concord  township  he  served  for  some  time  as  trus- 
tee of  that  township  and  in  other  wa}s  gave  his  intelligent  attention  tu  local 
pul)lic  affairs. 

It  was  on  March  3,  1875,  that  Cyle  B.  Hanna  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Margaret  Nichols,  of  Westville,  this  county,  a  daughter  of  Augustus 
and  Mary  Ann  (Hoak)  Nicholas,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Virginia 
and  the  latter  in  this  county,  a  member  of  one  of  the  (^Id  families  in  the 
Westville  neighborhood.  Augustus  Nichols  grew  up  in  his  native  Virginia 
and  when  a  young  man  walked  over  into  this  part  of  Ohio  and  settled  in 
Champaign  county,  locating  at  Westville,  where  he  opened  a  shoe  store  and 
was  engaged  there  as  a  shoemaker  until  he  later  bought  a  farm  in  Concord 
township,  where  he  remained  engaged  in  farming  the  rest  of  his  life.  Augus- 
tus Nichols  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Hanna 
was  the  second  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  Laura  A.,  deceased;  Mrs. 
Mary  L.  Bowman,  of  Edna,  Kansas;  John  Henry,  deceased,  and  E.  E. 
Nichols,  of  Columbus,  this  state.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hanna  two  children 
have  been  born,  Emmet  C,  who  died  in  1900,  at  the  age  of  twenty-six  years,, 
and  Pearl  S.,  wife  of  Vatia  Offenbacher,  who  is  now  farming  Mr.  Hanna'.s. 
farm  in  Mad  River  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hanna  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  take  a  ])roper  interest  in  chmrh  work  and 
other  o-ood  w  orks. 


128  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


VVILLlAAl   n.   DALLAS. 


William  \>.  Dallas  has  ]>een  satistied  to  spend  his  life  on  the  home- 
stead, "under  the  r(x)f  that  heard  his  earliest  cry,"  rather  than  seek  un- 
certain fortune  elsewhere.  He  was  ])orn  on  the  farm  he  now  lives  on,  May 
4,  1854.  He  is  a  son  of  William  S.  and  Elizabeth  W.  (Boyd)  Dallas,  both 
natives  of  Big  Si)rings,  Cumberland  county.  Pennsylvania,  the  father  born 
in  1809  and  die  mother  in  1808.  His  parents  brought  him  to  Greene  county, 
Ohio,  in  i8rn,  Init  the  family  remained  there  only  a  short  time.  William  S. 
Dalla>  was  a  son  of  Judge  James  and  Isabelle  (Sprote)  Dallas,  natives  of 
Ireland  and  I 'ennsyh  ania,  respectively.  James  [Dallas  immigrated  to  Amer- 
ica when  a  young  man  and  located  in  Pennsylvania,  where  he  married  and 
engaged  in  farming  until  18 10,  in  which  }ear  he  moved  to  Greene  county, 
Ohio,  later  removing  to  Champaign  county,  locating  on  a  farm  on  the  state 
road.  He  was  industrious  and  a  good  manager  and  became  owner  of  over 
four  hundred  acres.  He  was  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  the  county  in 
pioneer  times.  In  1847  '^^  ^^'^s  appointed  by  the  state  Legislature  as  an 
associate  judge  of  Champaign  count}-.  He  also  served  as  county  commis- 
sioner, holding  that  office  when  the  present  court  house  was  built.  He  also 
helped  build  die  state  road,  which  connects  Cincinnati  with  Cleveland.  He 
look  an  active  part  in  public  affairs  and  did  much  for  the  early  development 
of  the  county. 

To  Judge  James  Dallas  and  wife  nine  children  were  Ijorn.  namely: 
William  S.,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Nancy  J..  Isabelle,  Wilson, 
Samuel,  James,  Lemuel,  Elizabeth  and  Rachael. 

William  S.  Dallas  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  antl  he  attended 
the  early-day  schools  here.  He  devoted  his  life  to  farming  in  Urbana  town- 
ship, becoming  owner  of  a  fine  farm  r)f  f(jur  hundred  and  thirty-two  acres. 
He  was  one  of  the  progressive  and  influential  citizens  of  the  township.  His 
family  consisted  of  five  children,  namely;  Belle  married  Rev.  Rufus  John- 
son; Martha  is  deceased;  James  lives  in  Springfield,  Ohio;  Jennie,  who  is 
deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Ben  Blair;  and  William  B.  of  this  sketch. 

William  B.  Dallas  grew'  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  attended 
the  district  schools.  After  his  marriage,  he  took  up  farming  for  himself, 
remaining  on  the  home  place,  which  he  rented,  but  he  later  bought  fifty-two 
acres  of  the  same,  which  he  has  kept  well  improved  and  w-ell  tilled. 

Mr.  Dallas  was  married,  on  December  5.  1889,  to  Lottie  M.  Hutchin- 
son, and  to  their  union   four  children   have   been   born,   named  as   follows: 


WILLIAM   B.  DALLAS 


MRS.  LOTTIE  M.  DALLAS 


^H 

^,,--. 

1^ 

1^'  ^Ik.,,                   .i^H 

.J^^^^^^^^^^^l 

^^Hl 

iP^ 

^'Hl^lbim^^H 

^^^^^^^l^^l 

^^' 

-  ^P3^|H^HH 

I^^^^^^^^^H 

^. 

T^^^^l 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^''^ 

>^  J 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^t-^' ' 

i 

■1 

CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  I  29 

Russell.  ?joycl,  Hazel  and  Ross.     The  daughter  is  the  wife  of  Frank  Nichols 
and  they  have  one  child,  Xirginia  Margaret  Nichols. 

Politically.  Mr.  Dallas  is  a  Republican,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  church.  The  Dallas  famih-  has  been  one  of  the  best 
known  in  Champaign  county  since  ])ioneer  days  and  have  been  influential 
in  local  affairs. 


I'RKD  B.  SMITH. 


I'Ved  B.  Smith,  treasurer  of  the  village  of  Wo(xlstock.  formerly  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business  there  and  a  substantial  landowner  of  Rush  town- 
ship, now  living-  retired  at  Woodstock,  was  born  in  that  village  on  April  3, 
i860,  son  of  Curtis  and  Mary  R.  (Bennett)  Smith,  the  former  of  whom  also 
was  born  at  Woodstock  and  the  latter  in  the  state  of  Vermont. 

Curtis  Smith  was  a  son  of  Rlias  and  Huldah  Smith,  natives  of  Vermont, 
the  former  of  whom  was  a  son  of  Philip  Smith  and  wife,  Fairzona,  who 
came  to  this  county  from  Vermont  and  settled  on  what  is  now  the  site  of  the 
\illage  of  Woodstock,  where  they  established  their  home.  Elias  Smith  and 
wife  had  three  sons,  of  whom  Curtis  Smith  was  the  first-born,  the  others 
being  Philip  A.  and  Krastus  Smith,  who  became  substantial  farmers  of  the 
Woodstock  neighborhood  and  there  spent  their  last  days.  Reared  on  the 
home  farm  at  Woodstock,  Curtis  Smith  received  his  schooling  in  the  village 
school  and  at  Antioch  College  and  remained  on  the  home  farm,  an  industrious 
and  energetic  farmer,  all  his  life.  During  the  progress  of  the  Civil  War  he 
served  as  a  member  of  the  Home  Guards.  He  was  a  stanch  Repubfican,  but 
was  not  an  office  seeker.  Elias  Smith  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the 
Christian  church  at  Woodstock  and  took  an  active  interest  in  the  various 
beneficences  of  the  same,  as  well  as  in  the  general  good  works  and  social 
affairs  of  the  community.  Curtis  was  an  active  member  of  the  old  Wood- 
stock Cornet  Band.  Curtis  Smith  died  in  1864.  leaving  a  widow  and  two 
sons,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having  had  a  brother,  Orvis  Smith,  who  died 
in  [900.  Orvis  Smith  was  for  years  a  well-known  music  teacher  in  this 
county.  He  married  Florence  Bryan.  Some  time  after  his  husband's  death 
the  Widow  Smith  married  George  W.  Hutchinson  and  moved  to  Missouri, 
later  going  to  Kansas,  but  later  returned  to  Woodstock,  where  she  spent  her 
last  days,  her  death  occurring  there  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years. 

Fred  B.  Smith  was  but  four  years  of  age  when  his  father  died  and  he 
(9a) 


130  CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY.    OHIO. 

was  reared  in  the  home  of  his  (Grandfather  Smith  on  the  old  Smith  home 
place,  where  he  remained  nn.til  he  was  twent\'-one  rears  of  age,  when  he  mar- 
ried Winnie  Standish.,  of  AA'oodstock,  a  meniher  of  one  of  the  old  families 
of  rhampai^n  eonnt\',  further  an.d  htting-  mention  of  which  family  is  made 
elsewhere  in  this  \()lume.  After  his  marriage  Air.  .Smith  hegan  farming  on 
kis  own  account  at  P'ountain  I 'ark  and  there  remained,  activel\-  engaged  in 
farming,  until  11)03,  when  he  hecame  engaged  in  the  mercantile  Inisiness  at 
\A'o(>dstock  in  partnershi])  with  I'rank  W.  .Smith:  continuing  thus  engaged 
until  his  retirement  from  husiness  in  igif).  Air.  Smith  is  the  owner  of  a 
line  home  in  W'oodstock  and  an  excellent  farm  of  one  hundred  and  fort\- 
acres  iri  Rush  township,  lie  is  a  Repuhlican  and  has  served  as  a  memher 
of  the  l(;cal  school  hoard  and  is  the  present  treasurer  of  the  village. 

To  h^red  B.  and  Winnie  {  Standish  )  Smitli  three  children  ha\e  heen  horn. 
\l\h  Al.,  wife  of  William  T..  Alorse.  of  C'olumlms,  Ohio;  Ruhy  W.,  wife  of 
Herhert  Clark,  of  \A'oodstock,  and  Huldah,  who  is  al  home  with  her  i)arents. 
The  Smiths  are  memhers  of  the  ITiiversalist  church  and  take  an  interested 
])art  in  the  affairs  of  the  same.  Mr.  Smith  is  a  memher  of  the  local  lodge 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  l'"ellows  at  Woodstock  and  has  long  taken 
a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  organization. 


JON.ATHAX   S.   XEER. 


Jonathan  S.  Xeer,  ma^or  of  Alechanicshiu-g  and  one  of  the  ])est-known 
dairy  fanners  in  Cham])aign  countw  was  horn  in  Pleasant  t<iwnship,  in  the 
neighboring  county  of  Clark.  Alarch  2^.  1S51,  son  of  Joseph  C"off'e\-  and 
Dorothy  (Smith)  Xeer,  natives  of  that  same  count}-  and  memhers  of  pioneer 
families  in  this  section,  the  former  of  whom,  an  honored  \etei"an  of  the  Oi\il 
War,  spent  his  last  days  in  this  eount\-  and  the  latter  of  whom  died  in 
Kentucky. 

Jose]jh  Coffey  Xeer  also  was  horn  in  Clark  count}',  l'"el)ruar}-  7,  1  <S_'o, 
son  of  Knos  and  Sarah  (  Coff'ey  )  Xeei",  the  latter  of  whom  was  the  hrst 
w'hite  child  horn  in  Pleasant  township,  that  county,  l^nos  Xeer  was  a  \'ir- 
ginian,  horn  in  Loudoun  count}',  who  came  lo  this  section  of  Ohio  with  his 
])arents  when  a  l)o\'  and  grew  u])  in  Clark  countx',  where  he  manned,  estah- 
lished  his  home  in  Pleasant  township,  that  count}',  hecame  a  substantial 
farmer  of  that  neighborhood  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  dxing 
at  the  age  of  se\'entv-h\'e  vcars.      Mis  widow  did  not  long  sur\i\e  him,  her 


CIIAMPAICN     COUNTY,    OHIO.  I3I 

death  (icciirrin<^-  in  the  se\-ent)'-ninth  year  of  her  age.  They  were  earnest 
members  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  chnrch  and  tonk  a  ])r(>minent  part  in  the 
work  of  creating"  proper  social  conchtions  in  tlie  earl}-  days  of  the  settlement 
of  the  community  in  which  the)'  had  their  home.  They  were  the  parents 
of  three  children,  Jose])h  Coffe\-  .\eer  ha\-ing-  had  a  brother,  Nathan,  who 
was  a  farmer  in  Clark  and  Cliampaign  counties,  and  a  sister,  Jane,  who  was 
the  wife  of  X'ewton   Lemmon,   of  Clark  county,   and   who  flied  in   Indiana. 

Being  the  eldest  of  the  children  in  his  familw  Joseph  C.  Neer  was 
ke])t  prett^•  bus\'  on  the  home  farm  in  the  (la}s  of  his  boyhood,  the  task 
of  clearing-  the  place  being  no  inconsiderable  one.  and  he  recei\efl  but  a 
limited  education.  Dm-ing  the  progress  of  the  Civil  War  he  enlisted,  in 
1864,  and  went  to  the  front  as  a  member  of  the  Sixteenth  Ohio,  with  which 
command  he  serxed  for  nine  months,  the  greater  part  of  which  lime  was 
spent  on  guard  dut\-  in  the  citv  of  .\ew-  Orleans.  He  had  married  when  little 
more  than  twent\-  \ears  t^f  age  and  he  continued  to  make  his  home  in  Clark 
countv  until  i(S68,  when  he  came  up  into  Champaign  county  and  settled  on 
a  farm  in  Coshen  township,  ;ibout  three  miles  from  Mechanicsburg.  where 
he  lived  for  nine  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  went  lo  Kentucky, 
where  he  bought  a  farm  and  where  he  li\ed  until  some  little  time  after  his 
wife  died  there,  when  he  disposed  of  bis  interests  in  that  state  and  returned 
to  this  county,  locating  at  Mechanicsburg.  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his 
life,  bis  death  occurring  there  in  Max'.  i()02.  be  then  being  sexenty-two 
xears  of  age.  He  was  a  member  of  the  local  post  of  the  ( irand  .\rmy  of  the 
Republic  and  he  and  bis  wife  were  earnest  memliers  of  the  Methodist  I^pis- 
copal  church.  The\-  were  the  ]jarents  of  six  children,  those  besides  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  being  as  follow:  Sarah  Margaret,  who  died  unn-iarried  ; 
-Vlbert  Iv..  who  is  connected  with  the  offices  of  the  International  Harxester 
Company  at  Columbus;  Fred,  xvho  is  engaged  in  the  creamery  business  at 
Milford  Center,  in  the  neighboring  county  of  L'nion  ;  Maude,  wife  of  Clinton 
Hunter,  a  farmer  living  near  Mechanicsburg.  and  Xettie.  xx  ife  of  Rimer  W'bit- 
more.  now  living-  in  California. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Goshen  toxvnship.  J(»nalhan  S.  Xeer  receix'ed 
his  earlv  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  neighborhood  and  su])plemented 
the  same  by  a  course  in  the  Ohio  Xormal  College  at  Lebanon,  Ohio.  .\t 
the  age  of  txventy-txvo,  after  his  marriage,  be  began  farming  on  his  own 
account,  renting  a  farm  in  Goshen  township,  xvbere  he  made  bi>  home  for 
eighteen  x-ears.  at  the  end  of  xvbich  time  he  bought  a  farm  in  that  townslii]) 
and  there  resided  until  the  time  of  his  a])i)ointment.  in  Kjio,  as  a  meniber 
of  the  board  of  land  appraisers,   when   he   moxed  to   Mechanicsburg.   where 


iJ,J  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

he  ever  since  has  made  his  home  and  where  he  and  his  family  are  ver\'  com- 
fortably situated.  Despite  his  retirement  from  the  active  labors  of  the 
farm",  Mr.  Neer  Continues  to  maintain  one  of  the  finest  herds  of  dairy  cattle 
in  the  state,  having  more  than  sixty  head  of  fine  Jersey  stock,  and  also 
gives  considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of  hogs.  It  was  in  1896  that  he 
began  to  pay  s])ecial  attention  to  dairying  and  he  ever  since  has  devoted 
close  attention  to  that  phase  of  farming,  long  having  had  an  excellent  (lair\ 
on  his  place  near  Mechanicsburg.  In  addition  to  his  service  as  land  appraiser 
Mr.  Neer  has  given  considerable  attention  to  public  affairs  in  other  directions, 
having  served  for  some  years  as  a  member  of  the  school  board,  and  is  now 
serving  as  mayor  of  Mechanicsburg,  to  which  important  executive  ])osition 
he  was  elected  in  November,  191 5. 

It  was  on  October  28.  1875,  that  Jonathan  S.  Neer  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Emma  Darling,  a  school  teacher  of  this  county,  who  was  born  in 
(ioshen  township,  city  of  Mechanicsburg.  a  daughter  of  San  ford  and  Sarah 
(Riddle)  Darling,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia  and  the  latter  of  this 
county,  who  were  well-to-do  farming  people  of  Goshen  township.  San  ford 
Darling  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  those  besides  Mrs. 
Neer  being  Charles,  deceased;  Harry  Darling,  former  mayor  of  Mechanics- 
burg, who  is  engaged  in  the  blacksmith  business  in  that  city,  and  James,  who 
was  killed  in  a  railway  wreck  in  the  South. 

To  Jonathan  S.  and  Emma  (Darling)  Neer  six  cliildren  ha\e  been 
horn,  namely:  l^^thel,  who  was  class  instructor  in  the  Miami  Valley  Mos- 
pital  at  Dayton  and  who  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-four  years;  Doroth\ , 
who  also  was  trained  in  hospital  work  and  is  now  superintendent  of  the 
Robin  Hood  Hospital  at  Toledo,  having  had  a  varied  service  in  hospital 
work,  including  four  years  in  the  City  Hospital'  at  Cincinnati,  head  nurse 
in  the  hospital  at  Springfield  for  ten  years,  one  year  as  superintendent  of  a 
hospital  at  Colorado  Springs.  Colorado,  and  a  period  as  assistant  superin- 
tendent of  the  New  Haven  Hospital  at  New  Haven,  Connecticut ;  h'rank, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  seven  years;  Charles,  who  took  a  course  in  the  State 
Agricultural  College  and  is  now  operating  his  father's  dairy  farm  in  (ioshen 
township,  who  married  Willora  Pratt  and  has  two  cliildren,  P^lizabeth  and 
Virginia;  Alice,  a  former  student  of  the  Ohio  State  Cniversity,  who  mar- 
ried Wilbur  Morgan,  of  Marysville,  this  state,  and  has  one  child,  a  daughter, 
Margaret,  and  Dorris,  a  graduate  of  Ohio  State  University,  who  is  now 
engaged  as  a  teacher  of  domestic  science  in  the  schools  of  Columbus.  The 
Neers  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  church,  in  the  various  bene- 
ficences of  which  they  take  a   proper  interest.      Mr.    Neer  is  a  member  of 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  1 33 

the  Grange  and  has  long  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  organi- 
zation. His  son.  Charles  Neer,  also  is  a  member  of  the  Grange  and  is  like- 
wise a  member  of  the  Mechanicsburg  lodge  of  Masons,  taking  an  active  inter- 
est in  the  affairs  of  both  of  these  organizations;  he  also  is  a  member  of  the 
school  board.  Mr.  Neer  is  a  public-spirited  and  energetic  business  man  and 
his  service  as  mayor  of  Mechanicsburg  has  proved  very  satisfactory  to  the 
people  of  that  progressive  and  hustling  little  city. 


HENRY  P.  GAVER. 


Henr}-  P.  Gaver.  former  trustee  of  Union  township  and  the  proprietor 
of  a  farm  of  ninety-six  acres  on  which  he  is  now  living  retired,  in  that  town- 
ship, is  a  native  of  the  state  of  Maryland,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  Ohio 
since  1883.  He  was  born  in  Fredericks  county,  Maryland.  August  11.  1853, 
son  of  John  P.  and  Elizabeth  ( Kleine )  Gaver,  both  natives  of  that  same 
count}-,  who  spent  all  their  lives  there.  John  P.  Gaver,  who  was  a  farmer, 
was  a  son  of  Peter  Gaver,  a  native  of  Germany,  who  located  in  Fredericks 
county,  Maryland,  upon  coming  to  this  country  and  there  became  an  exten- 
si^■e  landholder,  owner  at  one  time,  it  is  said,  of  all  the  northern  half  of  that 
coimty.  Peter  Gaver  was  ri  man  oi  unbounded  hos])itality  and  generosity 
and  it  is  said  that  he  gave  away  all  but  a  small  portion  of  his  land  to  deserv- 
ing families  of  the  community  in  which  he  lived.  John  P.  (laver  and  wife 
were  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  of  whom  eight  are  still  living,  John  T., 
George  T.,  Elias,  James  L.,  Charles  L..  Henry  P.,  Louisa  and  Rebecca. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  I^Vedericks  county,  Maryland,  Henry  P. 
Gaver  received  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  neighborhood  and  early 
learned  the  cooper's  trade,  following  that  trade  during  the  winters  and  farm- 
ing during  the  summers  and  was  married  there  in  1877.  In  1883  he  came 
to  Ohio  and  began  working  as  a  cooper  at  Dayton,  later  starting  as  a  tobacco 
farmer  in  that  vicinity,  and  remained  there  until  1887,  when  he  moved  to  a 
farm  in  Miami  county.  Four  years  later  he  moved  to  Parke  county  and  was 
there  engaged  in  truck  gardening  for  several  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time 
he  came  to  Champaign  count}-  and  rented  a  farm  in  Salem  township,  making 
his  home  there  for  five  years.  He  then  bought  the  farm  of  ninety-six  acres 
in  Union  township  on  which  he  i-s  now  living  and  continued  engaged  there 
in  general  farming  until  after  the  death  of  his  wife  in  the  spring  of  1916. 
since  which  time  he  has  been  living  retired  from  the  active  labors  of  the  farm. 


134  CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO. 

thont^ii  contiiniinii'  to  make  his  home  there.  Mr.  Gaver  has  a  weh-improxed 
farm,  having  two  sets  of  Iniiklings  on  the  ])hice,  and  is  one  of  the  suhstantial 
citizens  of  that  section  of  t!ie  county.  lie  is  a  Democrat  and  has  taken  an 
interested  jiart  in  the  civic  affairs  of  the  community  and  ser^•ed  for  some  time 
as  trustee  of  L'nion  township. 

In  i('^77.  in  -\hirykmd,  Flenry  1'.  Ciaxer  was  united  in  marriage  to  Cath- 
erine Murle)-,  (kuigliter  of  Moses  and  Mahaki  (  Stottlemever )  Murle\',  and 
lo  this  union  ele\  en  chiklren  were  liorn,  namely:  Charles,  who  married 
.Myrtle  (ieyton  and  has  four  children,  .MeKia,  Bernice,  Cecil  and  Thelma : 
Luther,  who  married  Margaret  Moodv  and  has  one  child,  a  son,  Kenneth: 
Minta.,  wife  of  l-'rank  \\'oods :  Delia,  who  married  Dr.  David  Rowen  and  has 
f(nn-  children,  Catherine,  Rollin,  Ruth  and  Carris:  Maud,  who  married 
Howard  Mumma  and  has  four  children,  Mildred,  Margaret,  Richard  and 
lulgar:  droxer,  who  married  ( ilenna  l^iselstein  and  has  one  child,  a  son, 
Donald:  ISert,  xvho  married  Xellie  \Villiams  and  has  three  children,  Christina, 
Leona  and  a  son:  Walter,  who  married  ^label  l*\aulk  and  has  two  children, 
.Mary  and  a  daughter,  and  Clarence,  (iladvs  and  M.ariorie.  The  mother  of 
tliese  children  died  in  April,   iqt6. 


THOMAS  B.  OWEN. 


Thomas  P..  Owen,  head  of  the  law  hrm  of  Owen,  A\are  &  Owen  at 
L"rbana  and  former  prol)ate  judge  of  Champaign  count}',  is  a  natixe  son 
<if  this  count}-  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  lie  was  horn  in  the  \illage  of 
Mechanicshurg  on  July  13,  !<%/,  son  of  William  V>.  and  Sarah  1 '.  (  Bond) 
Owen,  the  former  of  whom  was  l)orn  in  Ohio  and  the  latter  in  the  state  of 
\'irginia.  W^illiam  H.  Owen  located  at  Mechanicshurg,  where  he  became 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  and  \\here  he  spent  tlie  remainder  of 
his  life,  his  death  occurring  there  in  1897,  he  then  being  eight\-one  _\ear? 
of  age.  Fie  was  a  leader  in  the  Rei)ublican  ])arty  in  this  count}'  and  held 
several  iniblic  offices  at  one  time  and  another.  Me  and  his  wife  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  church  and  were  e\er  acti\e  in  local  good  works. 
They  were  the  jjarents  of  seven  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
Avas  the  fifth  in  order  of  birdi,  the  others  being  Mrs.  Callie  r>ond,  O.  V., 
A.  P.  (deceased),  O.  T.,  of  Indianapolis:  \A'.  1'..,  of  .Mechanicshurg,  and 
Mrs.  Lillian  Matt.  The  mother  of  these  children  is -still  living  at  her  home 
in  Mechanicshurg. 


CIIAMPAICX     COUXTY,    OHIO.  I35 

Uptm  completing-  the  course  in  the  high  school  at  l\Iechanicsl)urg,  Thomas 
B.  Owen  hegan  teaching  school  m  Union  and  Wayne  townships  and  was 
thus  engaged  for  seven  3^ears,  meanwhile  g'i\ing  his  leisure  to  the  study 
of  law  under  the  able  preceptorship  of  judge  E.  P.  Middleton  at  Crlxma, 
and  in  1896  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  In  that  same  year  he  opened  an  office 
for  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Alechanicsburg  and  in  1901  formed 
a  partnership  with  T.  B.  \\'are,  of  that  place,  which  mutually  agreeable 
arrangements  continues  to  this  day,  and  he  remained  in  practice  until  in 
I'^ebruarv,  1903,  when  he  mo\ed  to  Urbana  to  enter  upon  the  duties  ni  the 
<:ffice  of  pr(^bate  judge  of  this  count}-,  to  which  he  has  Ijeen  elected  as  the 
n(Miiinee  of  the  Republicans  of  Champaign  county  and  he  ever  since  has 
remained  a  resident  of  that  city.  l^^)r  six  vears  Judge  Owen  serxed  as 
judge  of  probate  and  he  since  has  been  engaged  in  general  practice.  Jn 
June,  1915,  the  old  established  law  firm  of  Owen  &  Ware  received  an  addi- 
tion in  the  person  of  Judge  Owen's  son,  Marion  Owen,  a  graduate  of  the 
law  school  of  Ohio  State  University,  who  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  that 
month,  and  the  firm  has  since  been  known  as  Owen,  Ware  &  Owen.  Judge 
Owen  is  an  ardent  Republican  and  has  for  years  been  an  acti\-e  campaigner 
in  behalf  of  the  principles  of  his  party,  one  of  the  best-known  and  most 
effectixe  "stump"  speakers  in.  the  state,  his  services  as  a  speaker  being  in 
wide  demand.  He  is  a  meml)er  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  National 
Bank  of  Urbana  and  has  long  gixen  his  close  attention  to  the  general  busi- 
ness alTairs  of  the  cit\-  and  of  the  county  at  large.  I'^or  years  Judge  Owen 
has  been  one  of  the  most  actixe  promoters  of  the  interests  of  the  Champaign 
County  h^air  Association  and  is  now  serving  as  president  of  that  associa- 
tion. He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Aletlu)dist  I'rotestant  church  in 
the  general  good  works  of  their  home  town.  h'raternally.  Judge  Owen  is 
a  Mason,  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  b'ellows  and  of  the 
Knights  of  Pythias  and  in  the  affairs  of  these  sex'eral  fraternal  organiza- 
tions takes  a  warm  interest. 

On  January  i,  1888,  Judge  Owen  was  united  in  marriage  to  Dollie 
McAdams.  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Winnie  (Thompson)  McAdanis.  and  to 
this  unif)n  six  children  have  been  born,  namely:  \\'illiam  C.,  who  died  at 
the  age  of  eighteen  years:  Marion,  who  is  associated  with  his  father  and 
Mr.  Ware  in  the  practice  of  law,  as  noted  aboxe :  .\melia,  who  married  B. 
F.  Miller,  a  well-known  attorne\--at-law  at  Urbana,  and  has  one  cliild.  a  son. 
Thomas  Owen,  and  Benjamin  l-"..  Alice  Irene  and  Dorothy.  Marion  Owen, 
junior  member  of  the  law  firm  of  Owen,  Ware  &  Owen,  was  btjrn  at 
Mechanicsburg  and  recei\-ed  his  earl}-  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  city. 


J3<">  CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO. 

later  attending  high  school  at  Urbana  and  supplementing  the  course  there 
by  a  course  in  Urbana  University,  after  which  he  entered  the  law  department 
of  the  University  of  Obit)  and  there  pursued  his  studies  for  three  years. 
at  the  end  of  which  time,  in  June,  191 5,  and  in  that  same  month  was 
admitted  into  partnership  with  his  father  and  Mr.  Ware  and  is  now  actively 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  He  is  a  member  of  the  college 
fraternity  Phi  Gama  Delta  and  continues  to  take  an  active  interest  in  the 
affairs  of  that  association.  He  married  Edna  Cone  and  has  a  very  pleas- 
ant home  in  Urbana,  he  and  his  wife  taking  an  active  interest  in  the  general 
social  and  cultural  activities  of  their  home  town. 


JOHN  VV.  ROCK. 


The  late  John  \V.  Rock,  a  substantird  landowner  of  Champaign  county 
and  for  years  ont  of  the  best-known  and  most  successful  live-stock  dealers 
in  the  county,  former  county  commissioner  and  at  the  time  of  his  death, 
in  IOCS-  'I  member  of  the  public  service  commission  of  Urbana.  was  a 
native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born 
on  a  pioneer  farm  in  Union  township  on  December  22,  1850,  son  of  John 
\V.  and  .\melia  (Cope)  Rock,  who  came  to  this  county  from  V^irginia  and 
settled  on  a  farm  in  Union  township,  where  they  established  their  home 
and  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  John  W.  Rock  was 
an  energetic  farmer  and  a  successful  business  man  and  became  the  owner 
of  (|uite  a  large  tract  of  land  in  that  part  of  the  county.  Of  the  children 
born  to  him  and  his  wife,  Hve  grew  to  maturity. 

Reared  on  the  i)aternal  farm  in  Union  township.  J.  AV.  Rock  received 
his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  neighborhood  and  from  the  days  of 
his  boyhood  was  a  valued  assistant  to  his  father  in  the  labors  of  improving 
and  developing  the  home  farm.  After  completing  his  schooling  he  con- 
tinued thus  engaged,  farnu'ng  with  his  father,  and  after  the  death  of  his 
parents  he  took  over  the  old  homestead  farm  of  two  hundred  and  eleven 
acres  in  Union  township.  He  there  remained  successfully  engaged  in  gen- 
eral farming  and  stock  raising  until  his  removal  in  1897  to  Urbana.  where 
he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  engaged  in  the  live-stock  business.  In 
i8f)i  Mr.  Rock  had  been  elected  a  member  of  the  board  of  county  commis- 
sioners from  his  district  and  served  in  that  important  public  capacity-  for 
six    \ears.    in    the    meantime   crintinuing   to   develop    his    live-stock    interests. 


.TOHX   W.   ROCK. 


CHAMPAIGX    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


^:!>7 


giving  special  attention  to  the  raising  of  all  iknds  of  livestock.  Upon  the 
completion  of  his  term  of  pnblic  service  he  left  the  farm  and  moved  to 
Urbana,  where  he  e\  er  afterwrird  was  engaged  in  the  bu\ing  and  selling  of 
livestock,  becoming  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  snccessful  dealers  in 
that  line  in  the  ccnmty.  ?\lr.  Rock  was  an  ardent  Repnblican  and  ever  gave 
his  most  earnest  attention  to  local  political  affairs.  In  arldition  to  serving 
as  a  member  of  the  board  of  county  commissioners,  he  for  some  time  serve<l 
as  a  member  of  the  public  service  commission  of  Urbana  and  was  serving 
in  that  latter  capacity  at  the  time  of  his  death,  on  November  17.  191 5.  He 
was  an  active  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  as  is  his  widow, 
and  ever  took  an  earnest  part  in  church  work.  bVaternallv,  he  was  afifil- 
iated  witli  the  local  council  of  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American 
Mechanics. 

On  September  12.  1873.  J.  W.  Rock  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lucy 
\i.  Uraig.  who  also  was  born  in  Union  township,  this  count\-.  a  daughter 
of  X'inccnt  and  Xanc}-  (  Synies  )  Uraig.  natives  of  N'irginia.  who  were  mar- 
ried in  that  state  and  later  came  to  this  county,  settling  in  Union  township. 
where  lhe\-  spcTit  the  rem.'iinder  of  their  lives.  X'incent  Craig  was  a  suc- 
cessful farmer  and  became  a  well-to-do  landowner.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rock 
li\e  cnildren  were  l)orn.  Harry,  .Sylvester  J-.  Francis.  L.  Laylian  and  Emil. 
.Since  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Rock  has  continued  to  make  her  home 
at  Urbana.  where  she  is  verv  ])leasantl\-  situated.  She  is  a  member  of  the 
.Methodist  i^pisco])al  church,  as  noted  above,  and  has  ever  given  her  earnest 
.attention   to   local  good  works. 


WILLLVM  M.  WHnWKER. 

\\'illiam  M.  Whitaker.  a  retired  carriage-maker  living  at  Urbana.  one 
of  the  best-known  citizens  of  that  city,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  \\  ar 
and  for  years  actively  interested  in  the  better  affairs  of  his  home  city,  is  a 
native  "Buckeye"  and  has  lived  in  this  .state  all  his  life,  a  continuous  resi- 
dent of  Urbana  since  the  summer  of  1888.  He  was  born  on  a  pioneer  farm 
in  Miami  county,  near  Piqua,  this  state,  March  13.  1838,  .son  of  James  Irvin 
and  Mary  A.  (  McClure )  Whitaker,  both  also  natives  of  Ohio,  the  former 
born  in  Warren  county  and  the  latter  in  Miami  county,  whose  last  da\s 
were  spent  in  the  latter  county. 

Tames  Irvin  Whitaker  was  a  son  of   lonathan   Mitchell   Whitaker.  who 


138  CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO. 

was  l)(jrn  on  March  10,  17S5,  and  wlio  was  thrice  married,  his  hrst  wife 
lia\-in,^-  l)een  Jane  lr\-in,  oranchiiother  of  the  snhject  of  tliis  sketch;  the  sec- 
ond wife,  Ann  Mclntyre  and  the  third  Ahary  ('"['oily'")  Miller,  lie  was  the 
father  of  t\\el\e  children,  of  whom  James  I.  was  the  hrst-horn,  tlie  others 
hax'ino-  heen  as  follow:  Alary  Ann,  who  married  Alexander  Morrow:  Alary 
H.,  who  died  in  childhood:  Ahiry  Jane,  who  also  died  yonnt^- :  AA'illiam  Alitchell. 
who  married  Sarah  J.  AlcCandless;  Jnlia  Ann,  who  died  in  yonth  :  Sarah, 
who  died  nnmarried :  Daxid  Xewton,  who  also  tlied  nnmarried :  Alartha, 
who  died  unmarried:  Jonathan  M.,  who  married  Rehecca  AlcCandless:  Alar- 
garet,  who  died  unmarried,  and  Airs.  Alar^•  Jane  Reeder.  James  1.  W'hitaker, 
who  remained  a  larmer  in  Aliami  co^mt^■  all  his  life,  was  twice  married 
and  h_\-  his  unio]i  with  Alary  A.  AlcChn-e  had  three  children,  the  snhject  of 
this  sketcli,  the  hrst-horn,  ha\-ing  two  sisters,  Alargaret  Jane,  wife  of  John 
Syp,  and  Alar)-  hdizaheth,  wife  of  Henry  Al_\ers.  .After  the  death  of  the 
mother  of  these  children  he  married  Alartha  Wiley,  hy  which  second  union 
he  had  one  child,  Sarah  Agnes,  who  died  unmarried  in  young  womanliood. 

AA'illiam  Al.  WHiitaker  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  remained  at  home  there 
for  a  year  after  his  father's  death  and  then  made  his  home  with  Jonathan 
Drake,  near  Pitjua  and  there  learned  the  carriage  trade,  remaining  there 
until  he  was  tw'enty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  went  to  Lima  and  there  liecame 
connected  with  Rohert  Bowers  in  the  carriage-making  hu.siness  and  was  thus 
engaged  when  the  Civil  AA'ar  hroke  out.  On  .August  29,  iSru,  Air.  W'hitaker 
enlisted  for  service  in  the  Cnion  ami}-  as  a  memher  of  C'ompau)-  II,  Thirty- 
second  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  with  that  command  until 
it  was  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the  war,  the  history  of  his  serxice  during 
the  war  heing  practically  a  history  of  the  mo\ements  of  that  regiment,  with 
which  he  was  constantlv  associated  save  for  a  hrief  time  in  the  spring  of 
|<S64,  when  he  was  fnrloughed  home  on  sick  lea\e.  (  )n  .\o\emher  1,  i<S()_\ 
two  months  after  his  enlistment,  he  was  promoted  to  die  rank  of  co]-poral 
and  on  A  larch  ly .  1865.  was  made  a  sergeant.  Ah".  W'hitaker  was  with  his 
regiment  during  the  siege  of  A'ickshurg  and  upon  the  fall  of  that  cit\'  was 
stationed  there  on  garrison  dut\-  until  Alarch.  iS(')4,  when  he  was  fui-]oughed 
home  on  account  of  illness.  He  rejoined  his  regiment  at  Resaca,  (Georgia, 
partici])ated  in  the  hattle  at  that  place  and  was  thereafter  with  Sherman's 
armv  during  the  .Atlanta  campaign  until  die  fall  of  .Atlanta,  aflerward  heing 
assigned  to  detail  dutv  and  was  stationed  at  .Xaslnille  until  Sherman  reached 
Savannah.  He  then  received  orders  to  i-ejoin  the  command  and  hastening 
to  New  A'ork  hy  hoat  and  hv  rail  proceeded  South,  rejoining  Sherman  the 
dav  hefore  the  surrender  of  (General  Lee  at  .A[)pomatox  Court  Llouse.  -After- 


CIIAMPAIG.X     COfXTY, 


39 


ward  Mr.  W'hitaker  participated  witli  his  regiment  in  tlie  Grand  Review  at 
W'asliington  and   was  nmstered  out   at   Lduisville,    Kentuckx',    luh'   _'0.    i>^(>^. 

During  the  time  he  was  h^me  on  a  furlough  in  tlie  spring  of  1864.  Mr. 
Wliitaker  had  sold  his  interest  in  the  carriage  factory  and  after  his  return 
to  Lima  upon  the  completion  of  his  military  serxice  did  not  hnd  conditions 
there  wholly  to  his  satisfaction  and  shortly  afterward  moved  o\-er  to  Sidne\'. 
where  for  nineteen  years  he  made  his  home,  l)eing  there  engaged  in  carriage- 
making.  In  June,  1S8S,  he  moved  to  L'rhana,  where  he  engaged  in  the 
same  line  and  was  thus  engaged  there  for  twehe  vears,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  he  retired  from  active  Inisiness  and  has  since  then  heen  taking  things 
comparati\el_\-  "eas}-".  h^)r  se\-eral  years  after  his  retirement  from  l)usi- 
ness  ^Iv.  W'hitaker  ser\-ed  as  local  truant  ofhcer  and  has  in  other  wa\s 
given  his  time  to  the  puhlic  ser\ice.  .Mr.  W'hitaker  is  an  actixe  meml)er 
of  W.  A.  lirand  Post  X^o.  98,  (irand  Armv  oi  the  Repuhlic.  at  L'rhana,  and 
for  eight  }-ears  served  as  adjutant  of  that  ])atriotic  organization.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  church  and  takes  a  pro])er  ])art  in  church  work 
and  in  the  general  good  works  of  his  home  town.  In  i8()(),  at  Lima,  he 
became  a  Mason  and  since  making  his  home  at  L'rhana  has  l)een  afhlialed 
with  the  local  lodge  of  that  ;mcient  order  at  that  ])lace. 

In  Se[)ten]l)er,  i860,  William  M.  \\'hitaker  was  united  in  marriage  to 
-Marv  I'^lizabeth  McCirew,  of  Pi(jua,  a  daughter  of  llar\e\-  AlcOrew,  and 
to  that  union  eight  children  were  born,  namely:  f'jnma  Harrison,  l)orn  on 
October  JO.  1861,  who  married  ("leorge  D.  Devo  and  died  on  December  3, 
1913.  leaving  one  child,  a  son,  Harold:  Edwin  McClure  W'hitaker.  of  Ander- 
son, Lidiana,  born  on  l''el)ruar\-  2!:^.  1863,  wIkj  married  Jessie  M.  IJerry 
and  has  one  child,  a  son.  Berry  M.,  who  is  athletic  director  of  Texas  State 
I'niversity,  and  now  is  in  the  ofhcers  training  camp  at  Leon  Springs,  Texas: 
Ida  Aia\',  April  30,  i86r),  who  married  James  M.  Pearson  and  after  his 
<leath  married  Henrv  S.  Wernicke  of  ( u-eencastle,  Indiana,  and  died  on  June 
25.  191 5:  Charles  L,  January  23,  \S'()J.  who  married  on  June  13  of  that 
same^'ear:  William  Harxey.  l-'ebruar\-  i.  1870,  who  died  on  June  r3,  187^); 
E.stella  Ma}-.  .Vugust  20,  1873,  who  married  iM-ank  S.  Lhance,  freight  agent 
for  the  Erie  Raihva\-  Companv  at  L'rhana.  and  has  two  children,  a  son. 
Harr\-  W'hitaker.  b(jrn  on  December  29.  1899.  and  a  daughter.  Helen  Louise, 
March  3,  1903:  Robert,  December  2y,  '8/4.  who  died  on  July  3,  1873,  and 
Mary  Elizabeth,  January  13,  1878,  who  married  Alfred  L.  Abadden,  a  well- 
nown  traveling  salesman  of  L'rhana.  Mrs.  Mary  b^lizabeth  W'hitaker  died 
on  Se])tember  9,   rc)09. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


Ki<:NDALL  S.  HAWK. 


KeiKlall  S.  Hawk,  former  trustee  of  Union  township,  a  former  well- 
known  teacher  in  this  county  .'Uid  the  ])roprietor  of  a  hne  farm  of  two  hundred 
acres  in  Union  township,  where  lie  has  Uved  practically  all  his  life,  a  portion 
of  that  farm  having^  been  the  tract  on  which  his  father  settled  back  in  pioneer 
days,  was  born  there  on  December  31.  1852.  son  of  Jonathan  and  Margaret 
(  Brunner )  Hawk,  natives  of  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  who  became 
pioneers  of  his  county,  settling  in  the  woods  of  Union  township,  and  here 
spent  their  last  da}s. 

Jonathan  Hawk  was  reared  to  the  trade  of  shoemaker  at  his  home  in 
Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  followed  that  trade  a  good  bit  of  his  time 
after  settling  in  this  county.  It  was  in  1840  that  he  and  his  wife  came  to 
Champaign  county  and  settled  in  the  Kings  Creek  neighborhood  in  Salem 
townshi]),  but  a  short  time  later  he  bought  a  tract  of  twenty-five  acres,  part 
of  the  land  now  owned  by  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  in  Union  township,  pay- 
ing ten  dollars  an  acre  ff)r  the  same,  and  there  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life. 
That  tract  at  that  time  was  wild  woodland  and  Jonathan  Hawk  had  to  clear 
a  spot  for  the  erection  of  a  log  cabin  on  the  same.  He  gradually  cleared 
away  the  woodland  and  got  the  place  under  cultivation,  though  much  of  his 
time  was  given  over  to  shoemaking,  his  shop  proving  a  great  convenience  for 
the  people  of  that  vicinity.  Both  Jonathan  Hawk  and  wife  lived  to  ripe  old 
agt'N.  They  helped  to  (organize  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Montreal, 
Ohio.  .She  died  in  1897  and  he  survived  until  March  21,  1899.  They  were 
the  parents  of  h\'e  cliildren.  of  whoiu  but  two,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  and 
his  sister  Rebecca,  are  now  living,  the  others  having  been  Joseph  L.,  Edward 
and  (^elesta. 

Of  the  above-named  children  of  Jcjnathan  Hawk  and  wife,  Kendall  S. 
hiawk  was  the  last-born.  He  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  in  Union  township, 
receiving  his  schooling  in  the  old  ^^ankee  Hill  school  house,  and  for  four 
years  after  leaving  school  taught  school  during  the  winters.  He  then  attended 
a  special  com^se  in  penmanship  and  bookkeeping  at  Delaware  College  and 
for  five  or  six  years  thereafter  was  engaged  in  conducting  classes  in  penman- 
shij)  and  bookkeeping  throughout  Champaign  and  adjoining  counties  and 
achieved  (piite  a  distinctive  reputation  hereabout  as  an  instructor  in  tho.se 
branches.  Upon  deciding  to  give  his  whole  attention  to  farming  Mr.  Hawk 
bought  the  (jld  home  place,  which  then  consisted  of  fifty-four  acres,  and  began 
farming  on  a  practical  scale,  later  increasing  his  holdings  to  include  his  ])res- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OFIIO.  I4I 

ent  fine  farm  of  two  hundred  acres,  in  Union  townshii).  In  addition  to  his 
general  farming  ^Jr.  Hawk  has  given  considerable  attention  to  the  raising 
of  live  stock  and  has  d<Mie  well.  He  is  an  ardent  champion  of  alfalfa  cul- 
ture and  in  the  summer  of  tqt^  had  seventy  acres  planted  to  this  valuable 
forage  crop.  Mr.  Hawk  is  a  Democrat  and  has  served  the  public  in  the 
\-arious  capacities  of  land  appraiser,  school  director  and  township  trustee. 

In  1886  Kendall  S.  Hawk  was  united  in  marriage  to  Alarv  Mc Adams, 
daughter  of  Samuel  A'IcAdams  and  wife,  and  to  this  union  six  children  have 
been  born.  Howard.  Florence.  Merrill,  Imo,  Ruth  and  Agnes.  Florence 
Hawk  married  Walter  Jones  and  has  two  children.  Richard  and  Robert.  The 
Hawks  have  a  very  pleasant  home  and  have  ever  taken  an  interested  [)art  in 
the  communitv's  general  social  affairs. 


JAMFS  M.  GI.ENDFNNING. 

I^lsewhere  in  this  volume  of  biography  there  is  set  out  at  considerable 
length  the  history  of  the  Glendenning  family  in  Champaign  county,  one  of  the 
oldest  and  most  widely  and  substantially  representative  families  in  the  county, 
the  family  having  been  established  here  in  1829  by  James  Glendenning,  grand 
father  of  the  subject-of  this  sketch,  a  native  of  Scotland,  who  came  here  with 
his  family  in  182c)  from  Virginia  and  settled  on  Brush  lake,  in  Rush  town- 
ship, where  he  established  his  home  and  became  one  of  the  most  substantial 
and  influential  pioneer  farmers  of  that  neighborhood.  He  and  his  wife. 
Alary  D.  Van  Horn,  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  of  whom  William 
Glendenning  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth.  William  Glendenning  was 
born  in  Harrison  county.  Virginia,  now  comprised  in  West  X'irginia,  July  8, 
1 81 7,  and  was  about  thirteen  years  of  age  w-hen  he  came  with  his  parents  to 
this  county.  He  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  in  Rush  townshiji  and  there 
spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  becoming  the  owner  of  more  than  seven  hundred 
acres  of  land,  his  death  occurring;  there  on  March  2,  1897.  He  was  twice 
married  and  was  the  father  of  thirteen  children,  five  by  his  first  marriage  and 
eight  by  his  second  marriage:  a  list  of  these  children  and  something  regarding 
their  lives  being  set  out  elsewhere  in  this  volume,  as  noted  above.  The  second 
wife  of  William  Glendenning  was  Mary  Hawkins,  who  was  born  in  New 
Hampshire  on  January  23.  1825.  and  who  died  at  her  home  in  this  countv  on 
September  16.   1903. 

James  M.   Glendenning.  first-born  of  the  children  l)orn  to   William  and 


14-" 


CIIAArPAIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO. 


Man-  (Hawkins)  ( ".lendeiiniiii;-,  was  l)i>ni  on  the  olcl  Glendennint;-  farm  in 
l\n-h  tnwnship  on  July  12.  1N57.  ar.cl  recei\-e(l  his  schooh'ng  in  the  (h'strict 
:-cli().'l<  "f  tliat  neii^iil)()rh()()(l.  h^roni  the  days  <>i  his  boyhood  he  was  a  valued 
aid  in  the  worl<  of  dexxdopin^-  and  ini])ro\-in^-  the  home  place  and  remained 
at  homt  until  his  marria.^e  at  the  aj^e  of  twenty-four  \-ears.  after  which  h.e 
located  on  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  forl\-ei,^-ht  acres,  known  as  the  Will- 
iam ( iunn  farm,  a  i)art  of  his  present  well-impi-o\  ed  farm,  in  Rush  township, 
;ind  tlu're  estahlished  his  home.  L'])on  taking-  possession  of  that  place  he 
proceeded  to  remodel  the  house,  huilt  three  ])arns  and  other  essential  farm 
buildings  and  othei-wise  impro\ed  the  ])lace.  .\s  he  ])rospered  in  his  affairs. 
Mr.  rilendenmn^in'  added  to  his  land  holdings  until  now  he  is  the  owner  of  a 
line  place  of  two  hundred  and  eij^htx-three  acres  and  one  of  the  best  and  most 
up-to-date  farm  plants  in  that  part  of  the  countw  In  addition  to  his  general 
farming,  Mr.  ("ilendenning  has  gixen  considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of 
li\e  <tock  and  has  done  (pu'te  well,  long  having  been  regarded  as  one  of  the 
leading  farmers  of  that  neighborhood. 

In  i8Si  James  M.  ( ilendenning  was  united  in  marriage  to  ("arrie  l'"inle\ . 
who  was  born  m  the  neighboring  count\-  of  Ldiion,  daughter  of  josejjh  and 
Ann  l-'inlcy,  X'irginians,  and  earl\-  settlers  of  I'nion  cctuntw  and  to  this  union 
three  chiMren  have  been  born,  Lloyd.  Walter  and  C'leo,  all  of  whom  are  ai 
home.  The  <  ilendennings  ha\e  a  \er\-  pleasant  home  and  have  e\er  taken  an 
interested  jiart  in  the  general  social  acti\ities  of  the  community.  Thev  are 
nuMuber.-^  of  the  Methodist  l'4)isco])al  church  and  take  a  proper  part  in  church 
woi'k  and  in  othei'  neighborhood  good  works.  Mr.  (Ilendenning  is  a  Repub- 
lican and  takes  a  good  citizen's  interest  in  local  political  affairs,  but  has  not 
been  a  seek-er  aftei-  ])ublic  office. 


I.\siM':r  a.  iii'.ss. 


The  late  |a-~])cr  A.  Mess,  foi"  years  one  of  the  best-known  farmer-  of 
Wayne  township,  this  county,  but  who,  about  three  \ears  before  his  death  in 
the  summ-r  of  Hji;.  retired  from  the  farm  ;ind  nioxed  to  (."able.  whei-e  his 
widow  is  siiji  living,  was  a  natix'e  son  of  (b.-impaign  countv  and  here  spenl 
all  his  life.  lie  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Wa\ue  township  on  januar\-  7.  iS-l^, 
son  of  (  a])t.  (  ;./orge  ;md  bdiza  (  Dowers)  I  less.  n;iti\es  of  X'irginia,  who  were 
married  in  that  slate  and  later  came  o\ei-  into  (  )bio  and  settled  on  a  faian  in 
W  axiie  township,  this  countw  the  remainder  of  theii'  lives  being  spent   here. 


CHAMPAIGN     COUXTV,    OHIO.  I45 

Capt.  (ieorge  Hess  was  for  vears  ])r()mineiit  in  the  ranks  of  the  ( )hiM  Stale 
Militia  and  served  for  some  time  as  captain  of  the  local  conipan_\-  of  militia. 
Tie  was  the  father  of  two  children,  the  su1)ject  of  this  memorial  sketch  -tnd 
another  .son,  John.  After  the  death  of  Captain  Mess  his  widow  married  Dr. 
(ionld  john-on.  a  ])rominent  pinsician  of  this  conntv,  and  h\-  that  marria.^e 
was  the  mother  of  one  child,  who  died  in  infanc}-. 

iveared  on  a  farm  in  \\'a\ne  township,  jasper  A.  Hess  received  his 
scho(,Hnc;-  in  the  schools  of  that  neighl^orhood  and  from  the  da^'s  of  his  boy- 
IkhhI  was  en-ag-ed  in  farming".  After  his  marriage  in  1867  he  rented  ..  farm 
and  hegan  1  arming  on  his  own  account,  a  few  _\ears  later  huying  a  small 
farm  of  thii'i\-^e\en  acres  and  there  established  liis  home.  lie  was  an  excel- 
lent farmer  and  as  he  prospered  in  his  operations  cidded  to  his  holdings  until 
he  became  the  owner  of  a  tine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  thirt\--se\'en  acres, 
on  which  he  continued  to  make  his  home  until  his  retirement  froni  the  farm 
in  ]')IJ  and  remo\al  to  Cable,  where  his  last  (la}s  were  spent.  hi>  death 
occui"ring  there  on  August  18.  I<;i5.  Mr.  Hess  was  a  Republican  :ind  e\er 
ga\-e  a  go(,d  citizen's  attention  to  local  political  affairs,  but  had  not  been 
included  in  the  office-seeking  class. 

On  Jruiuarv  !,  1807.  J  .\.  Hess  was  united  in  marriage  to  I'^idelia  Town- 
send,  who  w:'s  born  in  the  neighboring  count}-  of  C'lark.  a  daugliler  of  J<jse])h 
and  M;ir\-  (  I.inville  )  Townsend.  the  former  of  whom  was  a  nati\e  of  Oliio 
.md  the  latter  of  l'enns\  Ivania.  who  later  became  well-to-do  residents  of  this 
county.  Jose])h  Townsend  was  ijorn  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  state  and 
there  grew  to  manhood,  learning  the  carpenter's  trade.  lie  later  came  over 
into  this  ]jart  of  the  st.ate  and  located  in  the  Woodstock  neighborhood,  in 
this  county,  becoming  engaged  there  in  the  carpenter  business  and  while  thus 
engaged  helped  to  Imikl  some  of  the  rtrst  houses  in  Cable.  Me  married  in 
Clark  count\-  and  after  living  there  rd)out  a  \ear  after  his  marriage  returned 
to  Champaign  count\-  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  southwestei-n  part  of 
\\'avne  township,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  farming  and  working- 
as  a  carpenter,  fie  became  owner  of  (|uite  an  e\tensi\  e  tract  of  land  and 
was  accounted  one  of  the  substantial  residents  of  that  ])art  of  the  county. 
Joseph  Townsend  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  of  whom 
Mrs.  Mess  was  the  first-born,  the  others  being  Josephine.  Adella.  iMnma. 
Ernest.  Benjamin.  Effie  and  Lydia.  Mrs.  Mess  is  a  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist I'^ijiscoijal  church  and  has  e\er  taken  an  interested  part  in  church  work, 
as  well  as  in  the  general  good  works  of  the  communitx'  in  which  she  li\es. 
Since  the  death  of  her  husband  she  has  continued  to  make  her  residence  at 
Cable,  where  she  is  ver}-  pleasantly  situated. 


144  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

WILLIAM  H.  MILLER. 

William  II.  Miller,  one  of  the  most  substantial  retired  farmers  of 
Wayne  township,  is  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his 
life.  He  was  l)orn  on  a  farm  in  Warren  county  on  May  19,  1842,  son  of 
John  and  Ilannah  ((ireen)  Aliller,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  \'ir- 
i^inia  and  the  latter  in  Warren  county,  this  state.  John  Miller  came  to  Ohio 
with  his  parents  when  he  was  thirteen  years  of  age,  the  family  settling-  in 
Warren  county,  where  he  i>"rew  to  manhood,  married  and  spent  the  rest  of 
liis  life  farmini^,  his  death  occurring  in  1888.  His  wife  had  preceded  him 
to  the  grave  many  \  ears,  her  death  having  (occurred  in  1847.  They  were 
the  parents  of  four  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  and  his 
brother.  James,  were  the  only  ones  to  come  to  Champaign  county.  James 
died  in   190Q. 

William  II.  Miller  was  but  five  years  of  age  when  h's  mother  died.  He 
grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Warren  county,  receiving  his  school- 
ing- in  the  schools  of  that  neighborhood,  and  when  twenty-one  years  of  age, 
in  iSf)^,  came  to  Champaign  county  with  his  brother  James  and  located  on 
a  farm  that  belonged  to  their  father,  in  Rush  township.  There  they  re- 
mained two  years,  at.  tl-ie  end  of  which  time  the}^  moved  up  into  Logan 
county  and  for  a  year  were  located  on  a  farm  in  Zane  township.  William 
II.  Miller  then  returned  to  Champaign  county,  having  married  meanwhile, 
and  settled  on  the  f.arni  in  Wayne  townshij)  on  which  he  is  now  living 
and  where  he  ever  since  has  made  his  home,  being  for  many  years  (jne  of 
the  leading  farmers  and  stockmen  in  that  part  of  the  count}-.  Upon  taking 
])ossession  of  that  farm  the  place  consisted  of  but  ninet}-  acres,  but  Mr. 
Miller  was  a  progressive  and  energetic  former  and  as  he  prospered  in  his 
farming  and  stock-raising  operations  he  added  to  his  holdings  until  he  be- 
canie  the  owner  of  more  than  six  hundred  acres  and  had  created  one  of  the 
Ijest  farm  plants  in  the  county.  He  continued  actively  engaged  in  farming 
unlil  1914,  when  he  retired  and  is  now  "taking  things  eas},"  though  con- 
tinuing to  make  his  home  on  the  place  which  has  been  his  place  of  residence 
for  a  half  century  and  where  he  and  his  family  are  very  comfortably  sit- 
uated. He  is  one  of  the  most  public-spirited  men  in  the  county  and  bears 
the  reputation  of  doing  more  for  other  ])eople  than  an}-  other  man  in  the 
countv.  Mr.  .Miller  is  a  Democrat  and  has  served  as  road  supervisor  for 
his  district. 

Mr.  Miller  has  been  twice  married.     In   b>I)ruar\-,    [865,  be  was  united 


CHAMPAIGX     COUNTY.    OHIO.  I45 

in  marriage  to  Eliza  Stokes,  daughter  of  Daniel  Stokes,  and  to  this  union 
one  child  was  born,  a  son.  Pearl  Miller,  who  married  Rose  Lewis  and  has 
four  children.  \"aughn.  Lorraine,  Hubert  and  Vivian.  Mrs.  Eliza  Miller 
(lied  in  looi  and  Mr.  Miller  later  married  Mrs.  Lavina  Jenkins,  daughter 
of  Jonathan  and  Sabina  Morrison,  of  Chester  county,  Penns3'lvania.  The 
father  was  a  blacksmith  and  wagon-maker,  and  also  a  bell-maker.  Mrs. 
Aliller  has  made  a  dice  quilt  during  her  lifetime  containing  four  thousand 
nine  hundred  and  forty  blocks. 

Mrs.  Miller  was  born  in  1840,  in  Madison  county,  at  Plain  City,  then 
known  as  Pleasant  \'alle}-.  and  remembers  when  the  local  paper,  The  Advo- 
cate, was  published  by  tread  power  operated  by  a  large  Newfoundland  dog, 
I'lic  Advocate  is  now  in  the  hands  of  the  family,  Mrs.  Miller's  niece,  Mrs. 
OUie  Macklin.  being  the  editor. 


TAMES  L  BLOSE. 


James  L  Blose,  for  years  actively  engaged  in  the  grain,  produce  and 
general  real-estate  business  at  Urbana,  is  a  native  son  of  this  county  and  has 
lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Mad  River  township, 
October  18,  1852,  son  of  Daniel  and  Louisa  (Colbert)  Blose,  the  former  of 
whom  was  born  in  Virginia  and  the  latter  in  this  county. 

Daniel  Blose  was  but  a  boy  when  he  came  to  this  county  from  Virginia 
with  his  parents,  Henry  Blose  and  wife,  and  here  he  grew  to  manhood, 
became  a  farmer  in  Mad  River  township  and  there  spent  his  last  days,  his 
death  occurring  at  the  age  of  fifty-five  years.  He  was  twice  married  and  by 
his  first  wife,  who  was  a  Pierce,  was  the  father  of  three  children.  His  second 
wife,  Louisa  Colbert,  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a  daughter 
of  John  Colbert  and  wife,  pioneers  of  this  county.  She  survived  her  hus- 
band for  many  years,  her  death  occurring  in  1901. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Mad  River  township,  James  L  Blose 
received  his  early  schooling  in  die  district  schools  of  that  neighborhood 
and  supplemented  the  same  by  a  course  in  Urbana  University,  after  which 
he  became  employed  in  a  clerical  capacity  in  the  offices  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  Company  at  Urbana  and  was  thus  engaged  there  for  a  year,  at  the 
end  of  which  time  he  entered  into  a  partnership  with  John  C.  Edmiston,  under 
the  firm  name  of  Blose  &  Edmiston,  to  engage  in  the  grain  business  at 
f  loa) 


146  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Urbana;  a  connection  which  continued  until  his  election  six  years  later,  in 
1876,  to  the  office  of  treasurer  of  Champaign  county.  He  served  two  suc- 
cessive terms  as  county  treasurer.  Upon  retiring  from  his  office  in  the  court 
house  Mr.  Blose  resumed  his  former  business  calling,  again  engaging  in  the 
grain  business  at  Urbana,  and  at  the  same  time  became  a  general  produce 
merchant,  which  business  he  has  continued  to  this  day,  long  having  been 
recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  grain  and  produce  dealers  in  this  part  of 
the  state;  doing  an  extensive  business  in  the  buying  and  shipping  of  grain, 
feed,  hay  and  general  farm  produce.  In  addition  to  this,  Mr.  Blose  also 
for  years  has  given  considerable  attention  to  the  general  real-estate  business 
in  and  about  Urbana,  with  particular  reference  to  farm  properties,  and  d(X^s 
an  extensive  business  in  that  line. 

On  December  28,  1876,  James  I.  Blose  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lucy 
Ann  Straw,  who  was  born  in  Cary,  Wyandot  county,  tliis  state,  daughter 
of  David  Straw  and  wife,  and  to  this  union  three  children  have  been  born, 
Corrinn,  Lucy  and  Helen.  Mr.  Blose  is  a  Mason  of  high  degree  and  takes 
an  active  interest  in  Masonic  work,  being  a  member  of  Harmony  Lodge 
No.  8,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Urbana  Chapter  Ncx  34,  Royal  Arch 
Masons;  Raper  Commandery  No.  19,  Knights  Templar,  at  Urbana;  of  the 
consistory.  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  at  Dayton,  and  a  noble  of  the 
Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  affiliated  with  Antioch 
Temple,  at  Dayton. 


MARSHALL  G.   McWILLLAMS. 

Marshall  G.  McWilliams,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  former 
commander  of  Brand  Post  No.  98,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  for 
years  a  craftsman  in  the  railroad  shops  at  Urbana,  now  living  retired  in  thai 
city,  one  of  the  best-known  residents  thereof,  is  a  native  "Buckeye"  and  has 
lived  in  this  state  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Berlin  township. 
Delaware  county,  this  state,  August  17,  1845,  son  of  Edward  Marshall  and 
Clarissa  (Smith)  McWilliams,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  \Varren  count}-. 
New  Jersey,  the  former  in  1802  and  the  latter,  x'Vugust  11,  1826,  whose  last 
days  were  spent  in  this  state. 

Edward  Marshall  McWilliams  was  trained  as  a  stonemason,  but  when 
he  came  to  Ohio  in  1826  he  entered  a  tract  of  land  in  Delaware  county. 
cleared  the  same,  later  established  his  home  there  and  there  spent  the  remain- 
der of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  on  November  12.  1876.     His  widow  sur- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  I47 

vived  him  for  fifteen  years,  her  death  occurring-  on  July  lo,  1891.  They 
were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  their  children  were  reared  in 
that  faith.  There  were  five  of  these  children,  those  besides  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  being  as  follow :  Smith,  who  served  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union 
during  the  Civil  War,  a  member  of  Company  H,  One  Hundred  and  Forty- 
fifth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  for  years  a  school  teacher 
in  Delaware  county  and  city  clerk  of  his  home  town,  who  died  on  January 
13,  1916,  aged  ninety-five;  Lydia  J.,  who  married  Edward  Gregory,  of  Dela- 
ware county;  William,  also  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  a  member  of  the 
Forty-fifth  Ohio,  with  which  command  he  served  for  three  years,  fourteen 
months  of  which  time  he  was  held  in  durance  vile  in  a  Rebel  prison  pen, 
and  who  died  in  1908,  and  Ann,  who  lives  at  Benton  Harbor,  Michigan, 
wife  of  William  L.  Moore,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War. 

Marshall  G.  McWilliams  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  in  Delaware  county 
and  when  sixteen  years  of  age  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  army  during 
the  Civil  War,  going  to  the  front  as  a  drummer  boy  in  Company  C,  Fifth 
Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infant  r)-.  attached  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 
After  eighteen  months  of  service  as  a  drummer  he  was  made  regimental 
postmaster  and  later  was  appointed  brigade  postmaster.  After  the  battle 
of  Gettysburg  he  was  sent  West  and  was  in  the  battle  of  Lookout  Mountain, 
later  joining  Sherman's  army  in  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  then  on  to 
Savannah,  and  was  present  at  the  surrender  at  Goldsborough,  North  Caro- 
lina. Mr.  McWilliams's  service  covered  a  period  of  three  years  and  six 
months  and  he  was  mustered  out  at  Baltimore  at  the  close  of  the  war  in  1865. 

Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  Mr.  McWilliams  returned 
to  his  home  in  Delaware  county  and  remained  there  until  1867,  when  lie 
went  to  Urbana  and  became  engaged  in  the  car  shops  there  and  was  thus 
engaged  as  a  carpenter,  painter  and  car  builder  until  his  marriage  in  the 
summer  of  1872,  after  which  for  three  years  he  made  his  home  on  a  farm 
in  Urbana  township.  He  then  returned  to  Urbana,  established  his  home 
there  and  resumed  his  place  in  the  car  shops,  continuing  thus  engaged  until 
liis  retirement  from  active  labor  in  1906,  since  which  time  he  lias  been  taking 
things  comparatively  "easy." 

It  was  in  June,  1872,  that  Marshall  G.  McWilliams  was  united  in  niai- 
riage  to  Mary  A.  Fulton,  daughter  of  James  W.  and  Ann  (hlick)  Fulton, 
the  former  a  native  of  Virginia  and  the  latter  of  Clark  county,  this  state. 
James  W.  Fulton  was  but  eighteen  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  tliis  count v 
from  Virginia.  He  presently  bought  a  tract  of  land  in  Urbana  township, 
established  his  home  there,  erected  a  large  brick  house  and  there  spent  the 


140  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

remainder  of  his  life.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  and  were  among  the  leaders  in  all  good  works  in  the  com- 
mnnity  in  which  they  lived.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  children,  Mrs. 
McWilliams  having  had  two  sisters,  Catherine,  who  married  Charles  Lay- 
cock  and  is  now  deceased,  and  Fannie,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years. 
Mrs.  McWilliams  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Urbana 
Mr.  McWilliams  is  an  active  member  of  Brand  Post  No.  98,  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic,  at  Urbana,  and  was  commander  of  the  same  for  three  years. 
Marshall  G.  and  Mary  A.  (Fulton)  McWilliams  had  one  child,  a  daughter, 
Fannie,  who  married  Earl  Shofstall,  now  residing  in  Crbana.  They  have 
two  children,  Ethel,  who  married  Dr.  Chauncey  North,  a  dentist  at  Akron, 
and  Kenneth. 


BENONI  R.  WILSON. 


iJenoni  R.  Wilson,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  one  of  Champaign 
county's  best-known  and  most  substantial  farmers,  now  living  practicall)- 
retired  at  Urbana,  which  has  been  his  place  of  residence  since  1902,  is  a 
naii\e  son  of  this  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a 
farm  two  and  one-half  miles  southwest  of  St.  Paris,  in  Jackson  township, 
August  24,  1843,  a  son  of  John  and  Margaret  (Johnson)  Wilson,  the  former 
of  whom  was  born  in  this  state  and  the  latter  in  Virginia,  whose  last  days 
^\  ere  spent  on  their  farm  in  Jackson  township. 

John  Wilson  was  born  on  Buchanan's  Hill,  in  Butler  county,  this  state, 
December  8.  t8o.|.  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Jemima  (Robins)  Wilson,  the 
former  of  whom  was  born  in  the  old  fort  at  Harrodsburg.  Kentucky,  and 
the  latter  in  Butler  county,  this  state.  In  1807  Andrew  Wilson  came  up 
into  Ohio  and  settled  on  Lost  creek,  ten  miles  east  of  Troy,  in  Miami  county, 
and  remained  there  five  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  went  over  into 
Indiana  and  settled  on  a  half  section  of  land  he  had  traded  for  in  Owen 
county.  Tie  later  returned  to  Ohio  with  his  family  and  settled  on  a  farm 
at  the  head  of  Honey  creek,  one  mile  north  of  Christianburg,  in  Jackson 
township,  this  county,  and  there  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their 
]i\-es.  The\-  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  Benoni.  Sarah,  John,  Samuel, 
Abigail.  Robert  K..  Ann,  Elizabeth  and  Andrew. 

By  the  time  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age  John  Wilson  had  cleared 
fi\e  acres  of  land  and  had  thus  earned  his  father's  permission  to  leave  home 
and  start  out  on  his  own  account,  and  in   1821   went  over  into  Indiana  and 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  I49 

in  Owen  county,  that  state,  began  working  in  the  general  store  and  still- 
house  of  a  Mr.  Bigger.  \Vhile  thus  employed  he  was  required  to  make  a 
lri[)  of  twenty-iive  miles  with  an  ox-team  to  a  salt-works  in  the  middle  of 
w  inter  and  on  the  trip  both  of  his  feet  were  severely  frozen.  He  later  made 
a  trip  to  New  Orleans  on  a  flatboat  with  stuff  for  the  Southern  market  and 
while  in  that  city  saw  oysters  for  the  tirst  time.  He  was  told  that  for  twenty- 
fne  cents  he  could  have  all  the  oysters  he  could  eat  and  he  tackled  the  propo- 
sition, but  after  downing  the  first  oyster  concluded  that  he  had  had  his  money's 
W'irth  and  from  that  day  forward  never  again  ate  an  oyster.  In  1825  he 
returned  to  this  county  and  located  at  St.  Paris,  where  he  remained  until  his 
marriage  in  183 1  to  Margaret  Johnson,  who  was  born  in  Giles  county.  Vir- 
ginia, N'ovember  13,  1804.  After  his  marriage  he  located  two  and  one-half 
mil':;s  south  of  St.  Paris  and  there  entered  on  a  contract  to  split  rails  for 
twenty-live  cents  a  hundred.  He  later  bought  a  tract  of  land  near  there, 
paying  live  dollars  an  acre  for  the  same,  and  on  that  tract  established  his 
home  and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  was  a  Republican  and  he  and 
h's  wife  were  members  of  the  Honey  Creek  Baptist  church.  They  had  two 
children,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having  had  a  sister,  Elizabeth  Jane,  who 
die' I  at  the  age  of  eleven  years. 

Benoni  R.  Wilson  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Jackson  township 
and  received  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  neighborhood.  From  the 
days  of  his  early  boyhood  he  was  a  valued  assistant  to  his  father  in  the  lalwrs 
of  developing  and  improving  the  home  farm.  On  Ma}'  2,  1864.  then 
being  but  twentv  vears  of  age.  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  armv,  a 
member  of  Company  T.  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Regiment,  Ohio 
\V)lunteer  Infantry,  and  served  for  three  months,  that  command  being  then 
stationed  at  Point  of  Rocks,  on  the  James  river  in  A'irginia.  Upon  the  com- 
pletion of  his  military  service  he  returned  home  and  after  the  death  of  his 
]jarents  came  into  possession  of  the  home  farm,  where  he  continued  to  live 
until  1902,  when  he  retired  from  the  active  labors  of  the  farm  and  moved  to 
Urbana,  where  he  and  his  wife  are  now  living,  thougli  most  of  their  winters 
are  spent  in  Florida  or  California.  Mr.  Wilson  has  been  successful  in  his 
farming  operations  and  has  a  well-improved  farm  of  three  hundred  and  two 
acres.  He  has  also  given  considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of  tine  horses 
and  a  good  grade  of  cattle,  long  ha^■ing  been  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading 
stockmen  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the  county.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
board  of  directors  of  the  Urbana  Canning  Company  and  has  other  interests. 
Mr.  Wilson  is  a  Republican  and  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  countv  cen- 


150  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

tral  committee  of  that  party,  as  well  as  a  frec[uent  delegate  tt)  the  county  cun- 
^c^tions  of  his  part}'. 

On  i^'el)ruarv  21,  1867.  Beiioni  R.  Wilson  was  united  in  marriage  to 
^lary  h' ranees  Aiaxew  wht)  was  born  near  South  Charlestown,  a  daughter 
oF  John  and  Tliarit}'  (  Starr)  Alaxey,  the  former  of  whom  also  was  born  at 
S(juth  CTtarlcstdwn  and  the  latter  at  Xenia.  this  state.  John  Maxey.  who 
Avas  born  in  i8i-j.  was  a  farmer  and  extensive  stockman  at  South  Charle^- 
tiwn  and  lired  Lhere  all  his  life.  He  was  a  Republican  and  serve<l  for  some 
liiiie  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  county  commissioners  from  his  district. 
Ik-  difd  in  1877  an.d  his  widow,  who  was  born  in  1821,  survived  him  for 
abou*:  live  }('ars,  her  death  occurring  in  1S82.  They  were  earnest  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  their  children  were  reared  in  that 
faith.  There  were  six  of  these  children,  of  w'hom  ■Mrs.  W'^ilson  wa-  the 
second  in  or.ler  oi  hiirtli.  tlie  others  being  as  follow:  Stephen  William,  of 
South  Solon,  this  state:  I'^dizabedi,  \\ho  for  more  than  thirty  years  served  as 
a  missionary  in  C  aJcutta,  Indiana;  Laura,  who  is  living  at  London,  this  state. 
widow  of  ( ieorge  Caiinon :  Charles  S..  of  b'resno.  California,  and  John  W.. 
deceased. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilson  have  one  daughter,  Laura  Jane,  who  married  Dr. 
C.  B.  Forward,  of  Urljana,  and  has  one  child,  a  daughter,  Frances  Lottie. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilson  retain  their  membership  in  the  Honey  Creek  Baptist 
church  and  ha\e  for  \ears  been  active  in  church  work,  as  well  as  in  all  neigh- 
borhood good  works.  Mr.  Wilson  is  a  member  of  Brand  Post  No.  98. 
( Irand  Armv  of  the  Republic,  and  takes  an  active  interest  in  the  affairs  of 
that  patriotic  organization. 


FREDERICK  W.  AMBROSE. 

iM-ederick  W.  Ambrose,  former  superintendent  of  the  Urbana  water- 
works plant,  for  many  years  assistant  cashier  of  the  Champaign  National 
Bank  in  that  city  and  for  years  clerk  of  the  city  school  board,  now  living 
practicall}'  retired  at  his  pleasant  home  in  Urbana.  is  a  native  son  of  that  city 
and  has  lived  there  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  November  22.  1849,  son  of 
Newton  and  Alice  Ann  (Ward)  Ambrose,  both  of  whom  were  born  at 
Urbana,  the  former  on  June  6,  1819,  and  the  latter,  October  16,  1830,  who 
were  for  many  years  among  the  best-known  residents  of  Urbana.  Newton 
Ambrose  having  l)een  postmaster  there  during  the  sixties. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  I51 

Newton  Ambrose  was  a  son  of  P'rederick  Ambrose,  who  was  born  in 
I'^rederick  county,  Virginia,  and  who  came  to  Ohio  in  1799,  settUng  on  the 
Mad  river,  in  that  part  of  the  state  later  comprised  within  the  bounds  of 
Cliampaign  county.  AVhen  Urbana  later  was  laid  out  he  mo\ed  to  town  and 
there  started  a  pottery.  He  also  was  somewhat  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
Ijusiness,  was  quite  active  in  local  politics  and  served  as  one  of  the  early 
slierifTs  of  the  county.  Frederick  .Vmbrose  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife 
having  been  Jennie  Tanner,  of  Irish  descent,  and  his  second  wife,  Mary  Poff, 
of  Kentucky.  By  his  first  marriage  he  was  the  father  of  nine  children  and 
l^y  the  second  marriage,  six  children.  Xewton  Ambrose  grew  up  at  Urbana 
and  his  first  employment  was  as  a  bookkeeper  in  a  mercantile  establishment. 
He  later  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  on  his  own  account  and  also 
for  some  time  Avas  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  glue.  During  the  years 
1860-68  he  served  as  postmaster  of  Urbana  and  was  for  years  one  of  the 
local  leaders  of  the  Republican  party  in  this  county.  His  death  occurred  in 
1884  'iiid  his  widow  survived  him  for  fourteen  years,  her  death  occurring  in 
1898.  They  were  earnest  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and 
dieir  children  were  reared  in  that  faith.  There  were  seven  of  these  children. 
of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  first-born,  the  others  being  as  fol- 
low:  Mary  E.,  wife  of  B.  F.  Ganson;  Alice,  widow  of  Thomas  Sullivan,  of 
Tacoma,  Washington;  Margaret,  wife  of  Edward  H.  Houtz;  Emma,  who  is 
making  her  home  with  her  brother,  Frederick  W. ;  Anna,  wife  of  John  Bene- 
dict, of  Portland,  Oregon,  and  Newton,  who  married  and  is  now  living  at 
AA'interhaA'en,  Florida,  where  he  is  engaged  as  a  traveling  salesman. 

Frederick  W.  Ambrose  received  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  Urbana. 
Much  of  his  youth  was  spent  on  a  farm  and  he  later  became  engaged  in  the 
United  States  postal  service,  being  thus  engaged  for  several  years,  at  the  end 
of  which  time  he  transferred  his  services  to  the  local  office  of  the  United 
States  Express  Company  and  was  thus  connected  until  several  years  later, 
when  he  was  appointed  superintendent  of  the  Urbana  waterworks  plant,  a 
position  he  occupied  for  about  twelve  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time,  in 
1893,  he  was  made  assistant  cashier  of  the  Champaign  National  Bank  of 
Urbana  and  was  thus  connected  until  his  retirement  in  1914.  For  twenty- 
three  years  iN'Ir.  Ambrose  was  clerk  of  the  city  school  board  and  during  that 
long  period  of  service  in  behalf  of  the  schools  did  much  to  advance  the  cause 
of  education  in  the  cit}-,  his  membership  on  the  school  board  having  covered 
the  period  in  which  most  of  the  present  modern  and  highly  efficient  school 
])lant  was  erected. 

On  November  18.  1895,  Frederick  W.  Ambrose  was  united  in  marriage 


152  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

to  Kerin  H.  Patrick,  who  also  was  born  in  Urbana,  daughter  of  E.  B.  Pat- 
rick, a  well-known  furniture  manitfacturer  of  that  city.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Ambrose  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  take  a  proper 
interest  in  church  work  as  well  as  in  the  general  social  activities  of  their  home 
town,  ever  helpful  in  promoting  such  movements  as  are  designed  to  advance 
the  common  welfare. 


E.  R.  EARLE,  M.  D. 

This  is  an  age  of  specialists.  There  have  been  such  gigantic  strides  in 
the  scientific  world  during  the  past  few  decades  that  one  man  can  no  longer 
claim  to  be  proficient  in  many  lines  of  endeavor.  This  is  especially  true  of 
the  medical  profession.  One  of  the  successful  of  the  younger  doctors  of 
Champaign  county  is  Dr.  E.  R.  luirlc,  ear,  eye.  throat  and  nose  specialist  at 
Urbana. 

]>)ctor  Earle  was  !)orn  in  Hopkins  county,  Kentucky,  March  10,  1880. 
He  is  a  son  of  Dr.  Benjamin  P.  and  Mary  (Roberts)  Earle.  both  natives  of 
Kentucky,  where  they  grew  up,  attended  school  and  were  married  and  estab- 
lished their  future  home.  The  father  is  a  physician  and  is  in  the  active 
practice  of  his  profession  near  Dawson  Springs.  Kentucky,  where  he  has 
long  been  well  and  favorably  known. 

Dr.  1{.  R.  Earle  grew  to  maturity  in  Hopkins  county,  Kentucky,  and 
there  received  a  common-school  education.  Later  he  took  a  course  in  the 
Hospital  College  of  Medicine  at  Eouisville.  Kentucky,  in  which  in.stitution 
he  spent  four  vears.  making  an  excellent  record  and  graduating  with  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine,  with  the  class  of  1902. 

After  leaving  college,  he  located  at  Paducah,  Kentuck}',  for  the  practice 
of  his  profession,  and  while  there  served  as  assistant  surgeon  of  the  Illinois 
Central  Railroad  Hospital  for  a  period  of  six  years  and  built  up  an  extensive 
general  practice  in  Paducah.  Upon  leaving  that  city  he  went  to  Vincennes. 
Indiana,  and  took  a  course  in  the  Knapp  Sanitarium,  completing  a  special 
course  of  study  in  treatment  of  the  eye,  ear,  nose  and  throat.  In  1911  he 
located  in  Urbana,  Ohio,  and  has  remained  here  to  the  present  time,  building 
up  a  verv  satisfactor\  and  growing  practice  as  a  specialist. 

Dcjctor  I'^arle  was  married  in  1908  to  b'lise  Wright,  a  daughter  of  Dr. 
Charles  O.  Wright,  and  to  this  union  one  child  has  been  l)orn.  lietty  Isabelle 
Earle. 

Doctor  Earle  is  a  member  of  the  Champaign  Coimty  Medical  Society. 


K.    U.    KAltLE.    M. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 


DO- 


the  Ohio  State  Medical  Society  and  the  American  Medical  Association. 
I'olitically,  he  is  a  Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  Episcopal  church  and  is  a 
member  of  the  vestrv  of  the  same. 


WILLIAM  M.  GERMAN. 

When  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  eighty-first  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  state  of  Ohio  in  connection  with  the  announcement  of  the  death 
of  Hon.  William  M.  Gehman,  late  of  Champaign  county,  formally  resolved 
''that  in  the  minds  of  the  men  who  knew  him  his  memory  is  imperishable, 
and  that  the  community  will  not  forget  his  life  and  ser^•ice  in  the  years  to 
come,"  that  distinguished  body  gave  solemn  utterance  to  a  statement  of 
exact  fact;  and  w4ien  it  further  declared,  in  this  same  connection,  that  "the 
salvation  of  the  American  government  lies  in  the  product  of  such  men ; 
the  preservation  of  our  country  lies  in  their  service  when  with  us,  and  the 
strength  and  inspiration  of  our  youth  lies  in  their  memory  after  they  have 
gone,"  it  meant  just  what  it  said.  Although  those  resolutions  were  adopted 
by  a  Legislature  sitting  twenty  years  after  William  H.  Gehman  had  served 
in  that  body,  there  were  man}'  there  who  new  him  well  and  all  were  familiar 
with  his  services  to  the  state,  so  that  with  one  mind  they  rejoiced  in  the 
ability  thus  to  offer  fitting  testimony  of  the  public's  appreciation  of  the 
service  he  had  rendered  during  the  period  of  his  activities  in  the  public's 
behalf.     For  he  had  done  well  his  part. 

The  late  William  H.  Gehman,  former  representati\'e  in  the  Legislatin-e 
from  Champaign  county  and  for  many  years  a  substantial  farmer  of  this 
county,  was  a  native  son  of  this  county  and  had  lived  here  all  his  life,  a 
continuous  resident  of  the  farm  on  which  he  was  born  and  where  his  widow 
is  still  living,  in  section  i6  of  Salem  township,  the  famil}-  home  adjoining^ 
the  village  of  King  Creek,  the  farm  lying  at  the  edge  of  the  \-illage.  He 
was  born  on  October  23,  1851,  son  of  the  Rev.  Benjamin  W.  and  Eliza- 
beth (Morris)  Gehman,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  who  had  settled  in  Cham- 
paign count}-  in  1842,  the  year  of  their  marriage,  and  here  spent  the  remainder 
of  their  lives,  useful  and  influential  members  of  the  Kings  Creek  commun- 
ity, in  which  for  many  years  the  Rev.  Benjamin  \\'.  Gehman  labored  as  a 
minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  in  which  he  also  acquired 
a  fine  piece  of  farm  property. 

As  noted  above,  the  Rev.   Benjamin  \\'.   Gehman  was  a  native  of  the 


154  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

old  Kentucky  state,  born  in  Lancaster  count}^,  I'ennsylvania,  January  9, 
1820,  son  of  Benjamin  W.  and  Magdalene  (Weaver)  Gehman,  natives  of 
that  same  state,  the  former  born  in  that  same  county,  a  son  of  Benjamin 
W.  Gehman,  a  Hanoverian,  born  in  the  kingdom  of  Hanover  in  1741.  who 
was  but  nine  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  this  country  with  his  ])arents 
in  1750,  the  family  settling  in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  the 
Gehmans  have  ever  since  been  represented.  The  first  Benjamin  ( lehman 
grew  to  manhood  in  that  countv,  married  there  and  established  his  home  on 
a  farm,  spending  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  that  county.  His  son,  the 
second  Benjamin  Gehman,  gre^^'  to  manhood  on  that  farm  and  in  1809  mar- 
ried Magdalene  Weaver.  In  181 3  he  moved  to  the  neighboring  county  of 
Berks  and  there  established  his  home  in  an  old  house  that  had  been  built 
in  1774  and  had  been  occupied  as  a  block  house  during  the  Revolutionary 
War  and  during  the  subsecjuent  Lidian  troubles.  The  stone  walls  of  this 
house  were  three  feet  in  thickness  and  the  small  barred  windows  and  the 
doors  of  double  thickness  of  stout  oak  planks  rendered  it  impregnable  against 
assault.  In  that  house  was  born  Benjamin  W.  Gehman,  third,  and  there 
he  lived  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  his  father  sold  a  portion 
of  the  homestead  tract,  reserving  that  part  of  the  farm  lying  in  Lancaster 
county,  where  he  erected  buildings  and  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life.  The  second  Benjamin  W.  Gehman  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of 
nine   children. 

Early  in  life  the  third  Benjamin  W.  ( rehman  began  to  "do  for  him- 
self." At  eleven  years  of  age  he  was  performing  the  duties  of  a  teamster 
and  was  thus  engaged  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  in  the  meantime 
picking  up  such  schooling  as  the  meager  facilities  in  the  educational  \vay 
in  his  community  afforded,  and  was  then  presented  by  his  father  w  ith  a  horse. 
About  that  time,  in  1837,  there  was  a  call  for  the  assembling  of  a  company 
to  start  from  Iowa  to  lay  out  an  overland  route  to  Oregon,  ^■oung  Ben- 
jamin determined  to  join  that  expedition  and  mounting  his  horse  started 
for  the  Iowa  country,  at  that  time  a  part  of  the  then  x^isl  Territoiy  of 
Wisconsin,  and  rode  through  to  the  point  of  rendezvous.  l'])on  his  arrival 
there,  however,  he  found  that  the  expedition  had  been  abandoned,  there  not 
having  been  a  sufficient  response  to  the  fall  to  form  a  company  strong  enough 
for  the  undertaking.  Nothing  daunted,  however,  he  determined  to  continue 
his  travels  and  before  returning-  to  his  home  in  Pennsylvania  made  a  tour 
of  more  than  four  thousand  miles  on  horseback.  When  sixteen  years  of  age, 
in  January,  1836,  he  had  united  with  the  Methodist  I^piscojjal  church  and 
had  developed   marked   powers   as  an   "exhorter,"    and   in    August.    1840.   at 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


55 


^lorgantown,  Pennsylvania,  was  licensed  as  an  exhorter  Ijv  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  conference.  Two  years  later,  in  Angust,  [842,  he  married  Eliza- 
beth Morris  and  at  once  started  for  the  West,  with  the  intention  of  estab- 
lishing his  home  in  Iowa.  Upon  arriving  in  Champaign  count}',  en  route, 
he  and  his  wife  stopped  to  make  a  visit  to  the  family  of  his  brother-in-law, 
Mr.  Zook,  and  while  here  his  wife  was  taken  seriousl\-  ill.  The  physician 
called  in  the  case  advised  strongly  against  the  continuance  of  the  trip  West, 
friends  and  kinsmen  also  joining  in  this  advice  and  urging  that  the  newlv- 
married  couple  settle  in  this  county,  and  Mr.  Gehman  decided  to  remain  liere. 
In  pursuance  of  that  determination  he  bought  from  the  Re\-.  (ieorge  W. 
Walker,  a  Methodist  minister,  a  tract  of  two  hundred  acres  in  section  16 
of  Salem  township,  adjoining  the  Kings  Creek  settlement,  paying  for  the 
same  eleven  dollars  an  acre,  and  there  established  his  home,  spending  the 
rest  of  his  life  there,  the  place  now  occupied  by  the  widow  of  his  son,  Will- 
iam M.  Gehman.  In  1848  the  Rev.  Benjamin  W.  Gehman  was  licensed  as 
a  preacher  by  the  Methodist  conference  and  in  1856,  at  Ri])le\-,  was  ortlained 
by  Bishop  Ames  and  continued  actively  engaged  in  the  ministr\-  of  the  Meth- 
odist church  until  his  death,  with  a  record  of  more  than  two  hundred  con- 
^•ersions  during  his  ministry.  He  established  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
at  Kennard  (Forbes  Chapel)  and  the  Local  Preachers'  Chapel,  three  and 
one-half  miles  northeast  of  Urbana  and  for  years  was  one  of  the  best-known 
clergymen  of  that  faith  in  this  part  of  the  state.  He  not  only  was  success- 
ful in  the  ministry,  but  was  successful  in  his  farming  operations  and  gradu- 
ally increased  his  land  holdings  until  he  was  the  owner  of  a  hue  farm  of  five 
hundred  and  thirty  acres  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  Fel)ruary,  1882.  The 
Rev.  Benjamin  W.  Gehman  was  twice  married  and  by  his  first  wife  was 
the  father  of  four  children,  Ella  M..  .\nna  M.,  Benjamin  l\  and  William 
M.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  on  Januar\-  31,  1870,  and  on  May  23, 
1878,  he  married  Helena  Brown,  daughter  of  J.  C.  Brown,  who  survived 
him. 

William  M.  Gehman  was  reared  on  the  lK)me  farm  at  Kings  Creek  and 
received  his  schooling  in  the  local  schools,  in  the  Urbana  high  school,  in 
Lancaster  Academy  and  at  the  Ohio  State  University  at  Colum])us,  in  which 
latter  institution  he  spent  three  years.  Upon  leaving  the  academy  he  taught 
school  for  a  while,  earning  money  with  which  to  enter  the  University,  and 
upon  completing  his  studies  there  resumed  teaching  and  was  thus  engaged 
for  eleven  years,  in  the  meantime  spending  his  summers  on  the  lH)me  farm. 
Retiring  from  the  school  room  in  1880  he  thereafter  gave  his  attention  to 
farming  and  after  his  marriage  in  the  fall  of   1882  established  his  lionie  on 


156  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    Olin). 

the  old  home  place  and  there  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  becoming  the  owner 
of  the  farm,  a  fine  place  of  five  hundred  and  thirty  acres,  now  owned  by  his 
widow,  who  continues  to  make  her  home  there.  Mr.  Gehnian  died  on  March 
2,  191 5,  and  was  sincerely  mourned  throughout  the  neighlx)rhood  in  which 
he  had  spent  his  whole  life,  for  he  had  been  a  good  citizen,  doing  well  those 
things  his  hands  had  found  to  do.  In  addition  to  his  legislative  services  he 
had  served  for  some  years  as  trustee  of  Salem  township,  had  helped  to  organ- 
ize the  Kings  Creek  Farmers'  Institute  in  1892,  and  was  for  six  years  pres- 
ident of  that  organization,  and  had  in  other  ways  taken  an  active  part  in 
the  general  affairs  of  his  community,  for  years  being  regarded  as  one  of  the 
big  "all-around"  men  of  his  generation  in  Champaign  county. 

Mr.  Gehman  was  an  ardent  Republican  and  was  for  years  one  of  the 
leaders  of  that  party  in  this  section  of  the  state.  In  1895  he  was  elected  to 
represent  this  county  in  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Seventy-second 
General  Assembly  of  the  state  of  Ohio  and  served  a  term  in  the  House  with 
honor,  his  services  on  behalf  of  tlie  public  being  rendered  with  such  con- 
spicuous ability  and  with  so  high  a  regard  for  the  ]mblic  good  as  to  incur 
the  opposition  of  a  certain  powerful  element  in  the  party  and  it  is  said  that 
when  he  became  a  candidate  for  re-election  in  tlie  succeeding  campaign 
Marcus  Hanna,  the  then  leader  of  the  Republican  part}-  in  Ohio,  sent  three 
thousand  dollars  into  Champaign  county  to  defeat  his  candidacy.  History, 
however,  had  a  different  view  of  Mr.  Gehnian's  services  to  his  state,  and 
upon  the  announcement  of  his  death  in  March,  19^5.  the  Legislature,  then 
in  session,  unanimously  adopted  the  following  resolution  (  H.  R.  36).  otifered 
bv  the  Hon.  C.  D.  Conover,  then  sitting  for  Champaign  county  in  the  house: 
"Relative  to  the  death  and  public  services  of  Hon.  William  M.  Gehman,  of 

Champaign  county,  a  former  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  : 

U'hcrcas,  William  M.  Gehman,  of  Champaign  count}-,  member  of  this 
House  in  the  seventy-second  General   .\ssembl}-,  has  passed  away:  and 

IVhcvcas.  as  a  member  of  the  General  Assembly  and  in  the  various 
l)laces  of  public  service  Mr.  Gehman  ga\e  unusual  evidence  of  a  broad  and 
useful  public  spirit,  and  as  a  leader  of  ])ublic  opinion  in  his  section  of  the 
state : 

IJ'lirrcas,  in  his  passing  the  state  has  lost  the  service  of  a  useful  and 
inlluentia!  citizen  and  the  comnuinity  in  \vhich  he  lived  has  lost  a  dependable 
and  ])atriotic  friend :  therefore,  be  it 

Rcsoknl.  l)y  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  eighty-first  General 
Assembly,  that  our  sympathies  are  extended  to  the  family  *of  Mr.  Gehman 
in  their  hour  of  bereavement,  with   the  assurance  that  in  the  minds  of  the 


ClfAMPAIGX    COUNTY,    OHIO.  1 57 

men  who  knew  him  his  memory  is  imperishable,  and  that  the  community  will 
not  forget  his  life  and  services  in  the  years  to  come.  The  salvation  of  the 
American  government  lies  in  the  product  of  such  men ;  the  preservation  of 
our  country  lies  in  their  service  when  with  us,  and  the  strength  and  inspira- 
tion of  our  youth  lies  in  their  memory  after  they  are  gone ; 

Resolved,  That  these  resolutions  be  adopted  by  a  rising  vote,  that  they 
be  spread  upon  the  Journal  of  the  House,  and  that  a  copy  be  sent  to  the 
family  of  the  deceased." 

On  October  26,  1882,  ^Vi]liam  At.  Gehman  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Martha  E.  Chance,  who  was  born  in  Union  township,  this  county,  a  daughter 
of  William  and  Henrietta  (Jones)  Chance,  both  also  natives  of  this  state, 
the  former  born  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Catawba,  in  Clark  county,  and 
the  latter  born  in  Union  township,  this  county,  and  who  settled  in  the  latter 
township  after  their  marriage.  William  Chance  was  a  son  of  a  native  of 
Wales,  who  came  to  this  country  and  located  on  a  farm  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Catawba,  in  Clark  county,  this  state,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life.  Upon  establishing  his  home  in  this  county  after  his  marriage.  William 
Chance  bought  what  then  was  known  as  the  Jones  farm  in  Union  township 
and  there  lived  until  1893,  in  which  year  he  retired  from  the  farm  and  he 
and  his  wife  moved  to  Urbana,  where  their  last  days  were  spent,  his  death 
occurring  on  November  22,  1904,  and  hers.  August  6.  19  F  2.  They  were  the 
parents  of  eight  children,  four  of  whom  are  still  living.  Mrs.  Gehman  having 
a  brother.  Dr.  Joseph  Chance,  of  London,  this  state,  and  two  sisters,  Ella, 
wife  of  Erank  Magrew,  and  Lulu,  wife  of  William  Berry.  For  some  years 
before  her  marriage,  Mrs.  Gehman  was  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  at 
L'rbana.  She  was  educated  in  the  L'rbana  schools,  under  Prof.  A.  C.  Deuel. 
and  at  Ohio  Wesleyan  Liniversity  at  Dela\\are,  and  upon  completing  her 
university  course  was  recommended  b}-  Professor  Deuel  for  a  position  on 
the  teaching  staff  of  the  Urbana  city  schools  and  was  thus  serving  at  the 
time  of  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Gehman.  To  that  union  four  children  were 
born,  namely:  ^Morris,  who  since  May,  1916,  has  been  connected  with  tlie 
a\'iation  service  of  the  L^nited  States  government,  now  stationed  at  New 
^'ork.  and  who  married  Marie  Miller  and  has  three  children,  Gordon,  Ben- 
jamin and  Louis :  W'alter,  now  a  student  at  Northwestern  Universitv  at 
Evanston;  Ruth,  wife  of  Basil  Sidders,  of  West  Liberty,  and  Ralph,  who 
is  now  managing  the  home  farm  for  his  mother  and  who  married  Elizabeth 
^^'alter  and  has  one  child,  a  daughter.  V>lma.  Mrs.  Gehman  is  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  as  was  her  husband,  and  has  ever  taken 
an    interested   jjart    in   the   general   good    works    and    social    activities   of   the 


150  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

comniunil}-  in  which  she  H\'es.  Mr.  Gehman  was  an  active  worker  in  the 
church  and  was  for  years  one  of  the  leading-  figures  in  the  local  Sunday 
school,  his  influence  ever  being  exerted  in  behalf  of  the  right  training  of 
the  youth. 


HAROLD  VV.  HOUSTON. 

Harold  W.  Houston,  prosecuting  attorney  for  Champaign  county  and 
one  of  Urhana's  l)est-known  and  most  successful  young  lawyers,  was  born  in 
LTrljana  and  has  lived  there  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  January  18,  1886, 
son  of  Dr.  Henry  C.  and  Sarah  ( Warnock )  Houston,  both  of  whom  also 
were  born  in  this  state,  the  former  at  Lebanon  and  the  latter  in  this  county, 
further  and  extended  mention  of  whom  is  made  in  a  memorial  sketch  relat- 
ing to  the  late  Dr.  Henry  C.  Houston,  presented  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

Dr.  Henry  C.  Houston,  who  died  at  Urbana  on  January  8,  1916,  was 
the  son  of  Dr.  AVilliam  M.  Houston,  who  moved  from  Lebanon  to  Urbana 
shortiv  after  the  close  of  the  Civil  War,  in  which  struggle  he  had  served  as  a 
surgeon  of  the  Second  Brigade,  Third  Division,  Sixth  Army  Corps,  and  who 
engaged  in  ]Dractice  in  Url^ana  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his 
son  having  lieen  in  practice  with  him  at  the  time  of  his  death.  The  latter 
v.^as  but  a  lad  when  his  parents  located  in  Urbana  and  he  early  turned  his 
attention  to  the  study  of  medicine  in  his  father's  office.  Upon  receiving  his 
degree  from  the  Cleveland  Homeopathic  College  he  entered  upon  the  practice 
of  his  profession  at  Urbana  and  was  thus  engaged  the  rest  of  his  life.  He 
and  hi-^  wife  were  the  parents  of  three  children,  the  subject  of  this  sketdi 
liaving  an  elder  brother,  Dr.  M.  C.  Houston,  of  Urbana,  the  third  Doctor 
Houston  in  direct  line  in  that  city,  and  a  sister,  Helen,  wife  of  Stockton, 
Ra}'mond,  of  New  York  City. 

Reared  at  I'rbana,  H.  W.  Houston  was  graduated  from  the  high  school 
in  thai  city  in  1905  and  later  entered  the  law  department  of  Ohio  State  Uni- 
versit}',  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1909.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
in  this  countv  in  June  of  that  same  year  and  immediately  thereafter  opened 
an  office  for  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  his  home  city.  In  1910  he  was 
elected  cii\-  s<:)licitor.  in  which  responsible  capacity  he  served  for  two  terms 
and  in  MJ14  was  elected  jirosecuting  attorney  for  Champaign  county.  So 
satisfactor)-  did  his  services  in  that  office  prove  that  he  was  re-elected  in 
1916  and  is  now  ser\ing  his  second  term.  Mr.  Houston  is  a  Republican 
and   is  looked  upon  as  one  of  the   leaders  of  liis   party   in   this  county.      In 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  1 59 

addition  to  his  official  duties  he  has  considerable  interests  in  a  commercial 
and  industrial  way  in  Urbana  and  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of 
the  Citizens  National  Bank  of  Urbana,  vice-president  of  the  Urbana  Ice  Com- 
pany and  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Urbana  Furniture  Com- 
pany. Fraternally,  Mr.  Houston  is  a  Mason  and  a  mem])er  of  the  local  lodge 
of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  in  the  atTairs  of  these  popular  fraternal  organ- 
izatic'Us  takes  a  warm  interest. 

On  September  14,  1912,  H.  W.  Houston  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Pauline  Pratt,  daughter  of  C.  S.  and  Belle  (  Rogers)  Pratt,  and  to,  this  union 
one  child  has  been  born,  a  daughter,  Janet.  Mr.  Houston  is  the  teacher  of 
the  famous  class  Xo.  8  of  the  Sunday  school  of  the  Baptist  church,  a  class 
which  was  organized  by  his  late  father  man}-  years  ago  and  which  is  said 
to  have  been  the  first  Sunday  school  class  regularly  organized  as  a  Men's 
Bible  Class  in  the  United  States.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Houston  have  a  ver}-  pleas- 
ant home  at  Urbana  and  have  e\er  given  their  close  personal  attention  to  the 
general  social  activities  of  their  home  town,  helpful  in  many  ways  in  pro- 
moting movements  designed  to  advance  the  cotumon  welfare  hereabout. 


JOHN  H.  SIEGLE. 

John  II.  Siegle,  sheriff  of  Champaign  count}'  and  one  of  the  best  known 
and  most  popular  residents  of  Urbana,  is  a  native  "Buckeye"  and  with  the 
exception  of  the  time  spent  in  traveling  during  the  consideraI)le  ])eriod  oi 
In's  life  spent  as  a  professional  basel)all  player  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his 
life,  a  resident  of  Urbana  since  he  was  three  years  of  age.  Ide  was  born  in 
h'ranklin  count}-,  this  state,  July  S,  1874.  son  of  John  G.  and  Charlotte  Siegle, 
the  former  of  whom  was  Ixirn  in  that  same  count}'  and  the  latter  in  Musk- 
ingum count}',  this  state.  John  G.  Siegle,  who  is  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War, 
was  trained  to  the  trade  of  a  broom-maker  and  in  1877  moved  with  his  family 
to  Urbana,  where  he  became  engaged  in  broom-making  and  wliere  he  still 
lives,  now  connected  with  the  White- Valentine  Broom  Compan}-. 

Reared  at  Urbana,  John  H.  Siegle  received  his  schooling  in  the  schools 
of  that  citv,  completing  his  schooling  in  the  high  school.  He  early  learned 
the  trade  of  broom-making  and  followed  the  same  until  1900,  in  which  year 
he  took  up  professional  baseball  and  was  connected  with  the  great  American 
game  for  sixteen  years.  For  five  years  he  was  connected  with  the  New  York 
State  League  of  Baseball  Clubs,   for  one  \ear  with  the  Cincinnati  team  of 


l6o  CHAMPAIGI^    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

the  Xational  Leaj^ue.  tor  one  year  with  the  liKhanapohs  team  of  tlie  .Vnieriean 
Association,  for  three  years  with  Nashville.  Tennessee,  team  in  the  Southern 
J.eac^ue,  for  a  x&xr  manager  of  a  team  in  Alaliama.  in  1913  manager  of  the 
Akmn  team  and  was  then  manager  of  the  team  at  Huntington.  West  Vir- 
ginia, until  his  retirement  from  the.  game,  meanwhile  continuing  to  regard 
Urbana  as  his  permanent  home.  Mr.  Siegle  is  a  Republican  and  has  long- 
taken  an  active  interest  in  local  political  affairs.  I^ir  two  years  he  served  as 
<Ie])ut\  sheriff  of  Champaign  county  and  in  i()i6  was  elected  sheriff.  He 
entered  upon  the  duties  of  that  office  on  January  i.  1917.  and  is  now  serving 
in  that  capac!t\-.  one  of  the  most  popular  officials  about  the  court  house. 

In  [006  John  11.  Siegle  was  united  in  marriage  tr)  I-^lla  C.  Michael. 
daughter  of  C'hristo])her  and  Rebecca  Michael.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Siegle  are 
members  of  tlie  Presbyterian  church  and  take  a  proper  interest  in  church 
work,  as  well  as  in  the  general  social  activities  of  their  home  town.  Mr. 
Siegle  is  a  Ivoyal  Arch  and  York  Rite  Mason,  a  member  of  the  blue  lodge, 
the  chapter,  the  council  (Royal  and  Select  Masters)  and  the  commandery  at 
Urbana,  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  Masonic  affairs. 


LUCIUS  S.  HOWARD. 


One  of  the  progressive  and  well-known  business  men  oi  Champaign 
county  is  Lucius  S.  Howard,  secretary,  treasurer  and  general  manager  of 
the  Howard  Paper  Company  of  Urbana.  He  is  a  scion  of  a  sterling"  old 
.Southern  family,  and  was  born  near  Lebanon,  Kentuck}',  \vhere  he  grew  to 
manhood  and  received  his  education,  in  part,  later  attending  Central  College 
at  Danville,  Kentucky.  After  leaving  school  he  became  connected  with 
the  .\etna  P'aper  Mills  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  where  he  soon  mastered  the  various 
phases  of  the  paper  business,  and  remained  with  that  concern  until  he  came 
to  Urbana  in  1909.  He  was  one  of  the  principal  organizers  of  the  Howard 
Paper  Company,  which  beg-an  business  in  Ma}-,  r()JO,  and  which,  under  his 
able  management  and  wise  foresight,  has  had  a  steady  and  satisfactory 
growth  and  is  now  one  of  the  well-known  paper  mills  of  the  Middle  West, 
employing  from  one  hundred  and  fifty  to  two  hundred  people  and  working 
twenty-four  hours  a  day.  The  demand  for  the  products  of  this  popular 
mill  is  always  beyond  the  mill's  capacity,  owing  to  the  high-grade  work  done 
there.  The  products  of  this  mill  are  shipped  all  over  the  United  States,  also 
to  many   of   the   leading   foreign   countries  of   the   world,    including   various 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  l6l 

cities  of  South  America,  England,  France,  India  and  the  Phihppines.  The 
plant  is  modern  in  all  its  equipment  and  has  a  capacity  of  seventy  thousand 
pounds  in  twentx-four  hours.  The  company's  payroll  is  as  large  if  not 
larger  than  any  factory  or  other  establishment  in  the  city  of  Urbana.  Ex- 
cellent facilities  are  enjoyed,  a  spur  of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad  being  built 
to  the  plant.  The  Ho\\'ard  Paper  Company  is  the  largest  manufacturer  of 
one  grade  of  bond  paper  m  the  United  States.  They  make  paper  for  the 
g(j\eriiment,   some  of  which  is  used  in  making  stamped  envelopes. 


CHRISTL^X  N.  COUFFER. 

The  late  Christian  N.  Couft'er,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  for 
years  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  influential  merchants  of  Urbana, 
fomier  president  of  the  Oak  Saddlery  Leather  Company  and  one  of  the 
organizers  of  the  Oak  Leather  Company,  who  died  at  his  home  in  Urbana 
in  1916,  was  a  native  of  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  but  had  been  a  resident 
of  this  state  since  he  was  three  or  four  years  of  age  and  of  Urbana  since  the 
days  of  his  young  manhood.  He  was  born  in  Aiercerburg,  Pennsylvania, 
June  12,  1847,  son  of  William  and  Martha  Couffer,  both  of  whom  were  born 
in  Ohio  and  who  returned  to  this  state  from  Pennsylvania  about  185 1  and 
located  at  Covington,  where  William  Couffer  engaged  in  the  dry  goods 
business  and  where  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 

Reared  at  Covington,  Christian  N.  Couffer  received  his  schooling  in 
the  schools  of  that  place  and  early  acquired  a  liking  for  commercial  pursuits. 
As  a  young  man  he  located  in  Urbana  and  there  started  clerking  in  the  shoe 
store  of  John  Wallace,  later  working  for  A.  E.  Lewis  in  that  same  store 
and  was  thus  engaged  until  he  and  W.  W.  Wilson  bought  the  store  and 
continued  operating  the  same  under  a  partnership  arrangement  for  some 
time.  Air.  Couffer  acting  as  manager.  While  thus  engaged  Mr.  Couffer 
became  interested  in  the  Oak  Saddlery  Leather  Company  and  w-as  made 
president  of  the  same,  a  position  he  held  until  the  concern  finally  went  out 
of  business.  He  later  sold  his  shoe  store  and  engaged  in  the  dry  goods 
business  at  Urbana.  occupying  the  store  room  now  occupied  by  the  Powers 
dr}-  goods  store  and  remained  engaged  in  that  business  until  his  retirement 
from  business  nineteen  years  later.  Mr.  Couffer  also  was  interested  in  other 
business  enterprises  during  his  long  connection  with  the  affairs  of  Urbana 
(iia) 


l62  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

and  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Oak  Saddlery  Leatlier  Company.  He 
was  an  ardent  Republican  and  ever  took  an  earnest  interest  in  public  affairs, 
but  was  not  a  seeker  after  office.  During  the  Civil  War  Air.  Couffer  liad 
enlisted  for  three-months'  service  and  he  was  an  active  member  of  the  local 
post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 

On  March  24,  1875,  Christian  N.  Couffer  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Anna  Pettit,  who  was  born  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Miami,  a  daughter 
of  Henry  and  Nancy  Pettit,  the  former  of  whom  was  l^orn  in  the  state  oi 
New  Hampshire  and  the  latter  at  Dayton,  this  state.  Henry  Pettit  came 
to  this  state  from  New  Hampshire  in  the  days  of  his  young  manhood  and 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Montgomery  count}^,  later  moving  to 
Troy,  in  Miami  county,  where  he  became  a  merchant  and  where  he  spent 
the  rest  of  his  life,  for  years  serving  as  mayor  of  that  city.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Couffer  two  children  were  born,  a  son,  William  N..  who  married  Estelle  M. 
Orewiler,  and  a  daughter,  Martha,  who  married  J.  Carr  Robison.  Since 
the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Couffer  has  continued  to  make  her  home  in 
Urbana,  where  she  is  pleasantly  situated.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal 
church,  as  was  her  husband,  and  has  ever  taken  an  earnest  interest  in  church 
work  and  in  other  local  good  works. 


TOHN  H.  P.  STONE. 


John  H.  P.  Stone,  (jne  of  the  oldest  and  best-known  citizens  of  Urbana 
and  for  many  years  assistant  cashier  of  the  Citizens  National  Bank  of  that 
city,  now  living  retired,  was  born  in  Frederick  county,  V'irginia,  March  30, 
1829,  son  of  Ferdinand  and  Mary  (  Pidgeon)  Stone,  both  of  whom  also  were 
born  in  that  county,  h^rdinand  Stone,  who  was  a  miller,  came  to  Ohio  in 
1847  and  settled  in  this  countw  where  he  engaged  in  milling  and  where  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  both  he  and  his  wife  dying  in  the  eighties. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Lutlieran  church  and  she  was  a  member  of  the 
I'resbyterian  church.  They  were  the  ])arents  of  fixe  children,  of  whom  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  lirst-born.  the  ethers  being  as  follow:  Samuel 
.Stone,  of  Urbana;  Dr.  Joseph  Stone,  who  was  mortally  wounded  in  a  duel 
with  Ciovernor  Bliss,  of  Montana,  and  whcj  died  at  Denver.  Colorado,  he  then 
serving  as  a  member  of  the  historic  "rump"  Legislature  in  Colorado:  herd- 
inand    Stone,    now    deceased,    who   married    Aernes    Pee   and    was    for    \ears 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  163 

engaged  in  the  liardware  Imsiness  at  Urliana,  and  Sarah,  who  (Hed  in  her 
giiUiood. 

Iveared  in  L'rederick  coiintA-,  \'irginia,  John  H.  P.  Stone  completed  his 
schcjoling-  in  the  -Benjamin  Ilalowell  school  at  Alexandria,  that  state.  He 
early  had  some  experience  as  a  clerk  in  a  conntry  store  in  his  home  connt}' 
and  then  went  to  Baltimore,  where  he  was  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  a  store  for 
two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  returned  to  Virginia  and  started  a 
store  at  Wadesville.  In  1858  he  disposed  of  his  interests  there  and  came  to 
Ohio,  locating  at  Urbana",  where  he  became  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  William 
^'onng's  hardware  store  and  was  thus  engaged  for  several  years,  at  the  end 
of  which  time  he  was  employed  l)y  Henry  Weaver  to  open  a  dry-goods  store 
at  Urbana  and  was  thus  engaged  as  manager  of  that  store  for  two  years, 
then  l)ecame  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Rock,  Cohvell  and  Ellis,  running  a  gen- 
eral dry-goods  store.  Then  in  1882  he  was  made  assistant  cashier  of  the 
I'itizens  National  Bank  of  Urbana  and  continued  thus  connected  until  his 
retirement  in  1909. 

On  h'ebruar\'  10.  1864.  John  H.  P.  Stone  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Sarah  McDonald,  of  Urbana,  daughter  of  Colon  and  Nancy  ( McCullick ) 
McDonald,  Ix^th  of  whom  were  born  in  this  state,  the  former  in  Ross  county 
and  the  latter  in  J.ogan  county.  Colon  McDonald  was  one  of  the  early  drv- 
goods  merchants  of  Urbana  and  later  engaged  in  farming  in  the  vicinity  of 
that  city,  both  he  and  his  wife  spending  their  last  days  in  Urbana.  prominent 
and  inriuential  residents  of  that  comnumitv.  They  were  members  of  the 
Presliyterian  church  and  were  ever  helpful  in  local  good  works.  Ten  chil- 
dren were  born  to  them,  six  of  whom  grew  to  maturity,  those  ])esides  Mrs. 
.Stone  being  as  follow:  I'^lizabeth.  widow  of  Samuel  M.  Rock,  of  Urbana: 
Margaret,  widow  of  Thomas  McConnell.  of  Urbana;  Colon,  who  is  living  at 
Columbus,  this  state:  George,  who  died  at  Dubuque.  Iowa,  and  Wilbur,  a 
retired  farmer,  now  living  in  Urbana. 

To  John  H.  P.  and  Sarah  (McDonald)  Stone  four  cliildren  have  been 
born,  namely:  Mary  Louise,  a  graduate  nurse,  at  Forest  Glen.  Maryland; 
Xancy  McDonald,  wife  of  Bartley  Whitaker.  ;i  wholesale  druggist  at  Dayton, 
Ohio;  Samuel  M..  who  married  Alice  Bailey  and  is  living  at  Hartford,  Con- 
necticut, where  he  is  vice-])resident  of  the  Colt's  Patent  h'ire  Arms  Companv, 
and  Joseph  1'^..  who  married  Florence  Foote  and  is  living  at  Chicago,  a  sales- 
man for  the  .Stanley  Rule  and  Tevel  Compan}-  of  New'  Britain,  Connecticut. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stone  are  memlDers  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  have  ever 
given  proj)er  attention  to  church  work  and  the  general  .social  activities  of 


164  CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO. 

their  home  town,  helpful  in  promoting  all  worthy  causes  hereabout.  Mr. 
Stone  is  a  Mason,  a  member  of  Harmony  Lodge  No.  8.  Free  and  Accepted 
]\Tasons,  at  Urbana,  and   for  years  has   taken  a  warm  interest  in   Masonic 

affairs. 


FRED  COAXES. 


Oile  of  the  leading  fanners  of  Rush  township.  Champaign  county,  is 
Fred  Coates,  who  was  born  March  28,  187.^,  in  the  ai)o\e  named  towns!)' 
He  is  a  son  of  Sibley  R.,  also  a  native  of  Rush  township,  this  county,  born 
August  9,  1847,  who  was  a  son  of  George  and  Marion  (Sibley)  Coates, 
Ijoth  natives  of  Champaign  county,  each  representing  pioneer  families  of 
this  locality,  and  they  spent  their  lives  on  a  farm  in  Rush  townshi]).  S 
R.  Coates  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  in  his  native  township  and  there  he 
attended  the  district  schools.  Fie  devoted  his  life  to  general  farming  \v 
Rush  town.ship.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  his  earlier  life  and  later  a  Repub- 
lican. He  served  as  township  trustee  for  six  years.  On  December  20,  i86(j. 
he  married  Mary  E.  Glendenning,  a  native  of  Rush  township,  and  two  chil- 
ilren  were  born  to  them,  namely:  Fred,  of  this  sketch;  and  Glen  VV.,  wlu 
was  born  I'^ebruary  10.  1878,  and  died  March  c),  1904.  The  death  of  Sibley 
R.  Coates  occurred  on  January   15,   1906. 

h'red  Coates  grew  to  manhood  on  the  old  home  place,  and  he  received 
his  education  in  the  local  district  schools.  He  has  always  lived  on  the  home 
farm  and  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  On  December  20, 
i()o6,  he  married  Josephine  E.  Beck,  who  was  bom  in  Union  countw  Ohio. 
She  is  a  daughter  of  Thomas  M.  and  Priscilla  (Craty)  Beck,  the  former  a 
native  of  Loudoun  county,  Virginia,  and  the  latter  of  Cnion  county,  Ohio. 
I**lr.  Beck  left  the  Old  Dominion  when  a  young  man  and  located  in  Union 
county,  Ohio,  and  established  his  home  on  a  farm.  He  was  a  soldier  during 
the  Civil  War.     His  death  occurred  in   19 14.     His  widow  is  still  living. 

Four  children  were  born  to  Fred  Coates  and  wife,  named  as  folk)\v : 
Max  Sibley,  Mary  Pri.scilla,  Ruth  Eloise,  and  Fred,  Jr. 

Mr.  L'oates  is  a  loyal  Republican.  He  has  served  in  a  most  praise- 
worthy manner  as  trustee  of  Rush  township  during  the  past  six  years,  and 
he  takes  an  active  interest  in  political  affairs.  Fraternall}-,  he  belongs  to 
the  Masonic  order  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias  at  North  Lewisburg.  His 
wife  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  his  mother  to  the  Meth- 
odist Protestant  church. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  l6s 

WILL  T.  HESS. 

Will  T.  Hess,  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  substantial  farmers  of 
Mad  River  township,  proprietor  of  "Elmwood  Place,"  a  well-improved  and 
profitably  cultivated  farm  consisting  of  ninety  acres  on  rural  route  No.  9 
out  of  Urbana  on  the  Piqua  and  Urbana  pike,  is  a  native  of  West  Virginia, 
born  on  a  farm  in  Harrison  county,  that  state,  June  16.  1861,  the  son  of 
T.  H.  and  Sarah  J.  (Martin)  Hess,  Ijoth  of  whom  were  natives  also  of 
Harrison  county,  W^est  Virginia. 

T.  H.  Hess  and  his  wife  were  both  born  and  reared  in  West  Virginia, 
where  they  lived  all  their  lives.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Union  army  during 
the  Civil  War,  being  a  member  of  a  company  of  West  Virginia  Volunteer 
Infantry,  serving  from  the  time  of  his  enlistment  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
his  death  occurring  a  few  years  after  his  return  home  from  the  service. 
He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  but  not  active  in  political  affairs,  being  con- 
tent to  look  after  his  farming  interests  and  home  duties.  His  wife  wa^  a 
member  of  the  United  Brethren  church,  in  which  faith  she  lived  and  died. 
She  survived  her  husband  many  years,  her  death  taking  place  on  the  old 
home  place  in  West  Virginia.  T.  H.  Hess  and  wife  were  the  parents  of 
two  sons,  twins,  Sherod  C,  who  died  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  and  Will  T. 

Will  T.  Hess  lived  on  the  home  farm  in  West  Virginia  until  he  readied 
manhood,  receiving  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  home  town- 
ship. After  his  marriage  he  bought  a  farm  in  Harrison  county,  West  Vir- 
ginia, where  he  lived  until  1902,  at  w'hich  time  he  sold  his  holdings  in  West 
Virginia,  and  came  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio.  He  located  first  on  a  farm 
close  to  North  Lewisburg,  which  he  bought,  and  here  he  conducted  a  dairy 
known  as  the  "Elmwood  Dairy."  He  disposed  of  this  farm  later  and  pur- 
chased a  farm  four  miles  south  of  Urbana,  where  he  lived  three  years,  after 
which  he  sold  this  place  and  moved  to  Urbana,  where  he  lived  two  years. 
In  1915  he  bought  the  farm  where  he  is  now  living  in  Mad  River  township, 
and  has  since  made  this  his  place  of  residence.  Here  he  is  engaged  in 
general  farming  and  stock  raising,  and  is  making  a  start  in  the  line  of  pure- 
bred Holstein  cattle.  He  also  conducts  a  dairy  on  this  place  on  a  small 
scale,  and  has  been  very  successful  in  his  farming  operations. 

On  September  19,  1888,  Will  T.  Hess  w-as  married  to  Myrtle  Tetrick. 
who  was  born  and  reared  in  Harrison  county.  West  Virginia.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hess  are  the  parents  of  two  children.  Hardy  W..  who  is  a  graduate  of 
the  high  school  at  North  Lewisburg.  was  a  student  at  the  Ohio  Wesle\an 


l66  CriAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

College  at  Delaware.  Ohio,  and  is  now  teaching-  in  the  schools  at  Westville, 
and  Amy  Berenice,  also  a  graduate  of  the  high  school  at  North  Lewishm-g, 
is  a  talented  musician,  and  is  living  at  home  with  her  parents.  The  famil\ 
are  earnest  and  devoted  members  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Urhana.  and  i)op- 
ular  in  the  social  and  religious  life  of  the  community. 

Mr.  Hess  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  while  warml\-  supporting  all 
measures  having  for  their  object  the  welfare  and  betterment  of  his  home 
community,  yet  is  not  a  partisan  or  seeker  after  public  office. 


HIRAM  G.  DUNN. 


Hiram  G.  Dimn.  a  farmer  of  Rush  township,  Champaign  county,  was 
lH)rn  in  the  house  he  now  lives  in,  November  23,  185 1.  He  has  fully  appre- 
ciated the  opportunity  of  spending  his  life  on  the  home  acres,  a  privilege 
not  granted  to  many.  He  is  a  son  of  Nelson  and  Mary  A.  (Garwood)  Dunn. 
The  father  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1816.  The  mother  was  born  in 
J.ogan  county,  Ohio.  When  a  child  Nelson  Dunn  was  brought  by  his  par- 
ents to  Hampshire  county,  Virginia,  and  about  1840  he  moved  to  Rush 
township,  Champaign  county,  buying  land  where  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
now  resides.  He  cleared  and  improved  about  two  hundred  and  thirty-five 
acres  himself.  He  was  very  industrious,  managed  well  and  became  a  lead- 
ing farmer  of  Rush  township.  He  was  a  Democrat,  and  belonged  to  the 
J 'resbyterian  church.  His  death  occurred  August  25,  i8fj6,  at  the  age  of 
eighty  years.  His  wife  died  April  24,  1876,  at  the  early  age  of  forty-six 
\ears.  He  subsequently  married  for  his  second  wife  Angeline  Warren  Gar- 
wood, a  native  of  Champaign  county.  Ohio.  Her  death  occurred  a  number 
of  years  ago.  Two  children  were  born  to  the  first  union,  namely:  Hiram  C... 
oi  this  sketch,  and  Virginia  A.,  who  married  Wilton  Bales,  first,  and  later 
A\'illiam  Winder,  of  North  T.ouisburg.  this  county:  her  deatli  occurred  on 
l'"ebruary  2J,   '917. 

Hiram  G.  Dunn  worked  on  the  homestead  when  he  was  a  boy,  and  he 
received  a  common  school  education.  He  has  remained  on  the  home  farm 
and  has  ke[)t  it  under  a  fine  state  of  cultivation  and  improvement.  He  car- 
rier on  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  owns  one  hundred  and  eightv 
acres. 

Mr.  Dunn  was  married  on  June  17,  1878,  to  Susie  B.  Cockrell,  who 
was  born  in  Berkley  county.  West  Virginia.     To  Hiram  G.  Dunn  and  wife 


CHAMPAIGX    COUNTY,    OHIO.  167 

one  child,  a  daughter,  Mary  E.,  was  born.  She  is  the  wife  of  LeCIare 
Dukes,  and  ihey  hve  on  a  farm  in  Hancock  county,  Ohio.  They  have  one 
daughter,  Helen  Dukes. 

Politically.  Mr.  Dunn  is  a  Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the 
Kniglits  of  Pythias  at  North  Lewisburg.  He  attends  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church. 

The  Dunn  emigrant  came  to  America  from  England  with  William  Penn 
and  helped  found  the  colony  at  what  is  now  Philadelphia.  Members  of  the 
family  served  in  the  Revolutionary  War  and  descendants  have  been  promi- 
nent in  A^arious  walks  of  life  throughout  the  United  States. 


WILLIAM  E.  KINGSBURY. 

Believing  that  Salem  township.  Champaign  county,  furnished  all  the 
opportunities  for  happiness,  William  E.  Kingsbur3\  a  farmer  of  that  town- 
ship, has  been  content  to  spend  his  life  here.  His  birth  occurred  on  June  8, 
1846,  on  the  old  homestead  in  the  above  named  locality.  He  is  a  son  of 
Samuel  and  Lucinda  (Graves)  Kingsbury.  The  father  was  born  in  Penn- 
sylvania. The  mother  was  a  daughter  of  Asa  Graves,  who  came  to  Cham- 
paign county  in  an  early  day,  locating  on  a  farm  in  the  southeastern  part  of 
Salem  township.  He  also  burned  lime  and  operated  a  stone  quarry  during 
his  latter  years.  The  subject  of  this  review  now  occupies  the  farm  he  owned 
here.  His  family  consisted  of  two  children,  Lucinda,  mother  of  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  and  William,  who  established  his  home  in  the  state  of  New 
York. 

In  earl}-  life  Samuel  Kingsljury  was  a  pilot  on  the  Susquehanna  river 
in  Pennsylvania.  He  came  to  Ohio  with  Asa  Graves  and  they  continued  to 
li\e  in  the  same  house,  in  1850  locating  on  the  farm  now  ow-ned  by  William 
E.  Kingsbur}-  in  Salem  township.  Champaign  county,  the  place  consisting 
of  one  hundred  and  ten  acres.  The  land  was  at  that  time  heavily  timbered, 
but  they  cleared  it  up  and  placed  it  under  cultivation  by  hard  work.  Their 
first  residence  w-as  a  rude  log  house,  which  later  gave  place  to  a  more  com- 
fortable frame  dwelling.  Samuel  Kingsbury  continued  to  live  on  the  place 
until  his  death,  in  1868,  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years,  his  widow  surviving 
until  1882,  dying  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine  years.  They  were  members  of 
Kings  Creek  Baptist  church,  and  he  was  a  Republican.  They  were  parents 
of  seven  children,  named  as  follows:     Emilv,  Harriet,  Lucinda,  Maria  and 


l68  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Eunice,  all  died  single;  Irene  lives  with  tlie  subject  of  this  sketch;  William 
E.,  the  young-est  of  the  family. 

William  E.  Kingsbur}'  grew  up  on  the  home  farm,  and  he  attended  the 
public  schools  in  his  vicinity.  On  November  8,  1877,  he  married  Ann  Hop- 
pock,  who  was  born  in  New  Jersey.  She  is  a  daughter  of  George  and  Eliza- 
beth (Snyder)  Hoppock,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  respect- 
ively. They  came  to  Greene  county,  Ohio,  in  1852,  and  lived  there  during 
the  Civil  War,  then  settled  near  Mount  Tabor,  Salem  township,  Champaign 
county,  living  at  different  places  in  that  locality  until  the\-  bought  a  farm 
near  Mingo  and  were  there  four  years,  then  moved  to  the  tillage  of  Mingo, 
where  Mr.  Hoppock  died  in  1900,  his  wife  having  preceded  him  to  the  gra\e 
in  1874.  They  were  parents  of  seven  children,  named  as  follows;  Matilda 
is  the  widow  of  John  Harvey  and  she  lives  in  Champaign  county;  John  lives 
in  Illinois ;  Ann,  wife  of  Mr.  Kingsbury  of  this  sketch ;  George  lives  in  San 
Diego,  California ;  William  died  at  Mingo,  Ohio ;  James  died  in  Nebrasl<a ; 
Amanda,  who  remained  unmarried,  died  April  12,  191 7. 

Two  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kingsbur}- :  Charles  Edward, 
who  died  in  infancy;  and  Eva  Mary,  who  is  the  wife  of  Chark.s  Linvillc.  of 
Bellefontaine,  Ohio. 

Mr.  Kingsbury  has  always  carried  on  general  farming  on  the  old  iionic 
place.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican  and  he  belongs  to  the  Baptist  church 
at  Kings  Creek. 


MARION  GUTHRIDGE. 


Marion  Guthridge,  a  well-known  merchant  at  Mingo,  an  honored  vet- 
eran of  the  Civil  War,  for  many  years  treasurer  of  Wayne  townshij)  and 
for  a  half  century  owner  and  operator  of  the  saw-mill  at  Mingo,  is  a  native 
son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on 
a  farm  one  mile  south  of  Cable,  in  Wayne  township.  September  20,  1848, 
son  and  only  child  of  William  and  Polly  ( Answorth)  Guthridge,  both  of 
whom  also  were  natives  of  this  county  and  here  spent  all  their  Kves. 

William  Guthridge  was  also  born  in  Wayne  township,  a  son  of  the 
Rev.  John  Guthridge,  a  farmer  and  pioneer  preacher  of  the  Baptist  church 
and  one  of  the  earliest  and  most  influential  settlers  in  the  northern  part  of 
this  county,  further  and  fitting  mention  of  whom  is  made  in  the  historical 
section  of  this  work  in  the  chapter  relating  to  the  church  history  of  the 
county.      Reared  on  a   farm,   William   Guthridge  became   a   farmer  in   turn 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  169 

and  thus  remained  all  his  life,  becoming  one  of  the  sturch'  and  well-to-do 
farmers  of  Wayne  township.  Several  years  after  his  marriage  he  moved 
to  Cable  and  there  lived  the  rest  of  his  life,  operating  his  farm  from  that 
\illage. 

Marion  Gnthridge,  only  son  of  his  parents,  was  but  three  years  of  age 
when  his  parents  moved  to  Cable  and  h.e  received  his  schooling  in  the  schools 
of  that  pleasant  village.  Though  but  a  boy  during  the  progress  of  the  Civil 
War,  he  enlisted  for  the  hundred-da}-  service  as  a  memlier  of  Companv  V. 
One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
upon  the  completion  of  that  service  began  working  in  the  E.  C.  Williams 
saw-mill  at  Mingo.  A  few  years  later  he  bought  that  mill  and  for  hhv 
years  continued  as  owner  of  the  same,  during  forty-two  years  of  which 
period  he  operated  the  saw  personally,  never  missing  a  day  while  the  mill 
was  in  operation.  In  1916  Mr.  Gnthridge  sold  the  mill  an.d  has  since  been 
engaged  in  the  general  merchandise  business  at.  Mingo.  The  saw-mill  he 
ownerl  and  operated  for  a  half  century  was  established  in  1864  and  is  the 
lirst  and  only  saw-mill  ever  operated  at  Mingo.  Upon  selling  his  rdftll  Mr. 
(luthridge  erected  a  store  building  at  Mingo  and  stocked  the  same  with  a 
line  of  general  merchandise,  now  conducting  there  one  of  the  neatest  and 
most  up-to-date  village  stores  in  this  part  of  the  state,  and  is  doing  verv 
well  in  his  business  venture.  Mr.  Gnthridge  is  a  stanch  Republican,  an 
undeviating  su])porter  of  the  principles  of  that  party,  and  for  seventeen 
years  .and  six  months  served  his  home  township  as  township  trustee.  He 
•ilso  for  S(,nne  years  was  a  meml)er  f>f  the  local  school  board  and  in  other 
ways  has  unselhshly  contributed  of  his  time  and  energies  to  the  public 
service. 

In  1873  Marion  Gulhridge  \\as  united  in  marriage  to  Agnes  Hunter. 
daughter  nf  Thomas  and  Xanc)-  Hunter,  and  to  tliat  union  were  born  three 
children,  two  of  whom  are  still  living,  lulgar,  who  married  Edith  Callahan 
and  is  living  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  and  \A'alter,  a  member  of  the  United  States 
Signal  Corps,  now  stationed  at  Seattle,  Washington.  U])on  the  death  of 
the  mother  of  these  children,  Mr.  Gnthridge  married  l^lla  Z.  Robinson, 
daughter  of  Jesse  and  Mary  Robinson,  which  union  has  l)een  without  issue. 
Mr.  an.d  Mrs.  Gnthridge  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
at  Mingo  and  take  an  active  part  in  church  affairs,  as  well  as  in  other  local 
good  works.  Mr.  (iuthridge  having  been  a  member  of  the  board  of  stewards 
of  the  church  for  more  than  a  (juarter  of  a  century.  There  is  no  man  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  county  who  has  a  wider  acquaintance  than  he  and 
he  has  ever  stood  for  progress  and  good  gOA'ernment  in  that  community. 


CHAMPAIGX    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


THOMAS  IRVIN  TAYLOR. 


One  of  the  oldest  native-born  citizens  of  Salem  township,  vl'hanipaign 
•county,  is  Thomas  Irvin  Taylor,  a  well-known  farmer  of  thai  township,  who 
lias  been  content  to  spend  his  life  in  his  native  locality,  believing"  that  here 
existed  all  the  opportnnities  necessary  for  one's  happiness  and  success.  He 
was  born  on  the  old  Ta}lor  homestead  at  Kings  Creek,  Ohio,  October  J3, 
1841.  He  is  a  son  of  Thomas  Taylor  and  wife,  a  pioneer  family  of  this 
vicinity,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  on  another  page  of  this  work. 

Thomas  I.  Taylor  grew  up  on  the  homestead,  where,  like  all  boys  of 
pioneer  parents,  he  found  plent}-  of  hard  work  to  do.  Howe\er.  unlike  p.kjsi 
of  them,  he  had  the  advantage  of  a  good  education,  h-aving  attended  school 
1)oth  at  Urbana  and  Bellefontaine,  Ohio.  He  remained  Oii  the  old  home 
place  until  1875.  Then  he  married,  on  March  8.  1866.  Hannah  Stewart, 
who  was  born  at  Kings  Creek,  Champaign  county.  She  is  a  daughter  of 
Matthew  and  Lucinda  (Martin)  Stewart.  He  was  born  at  Kings  Creek,  and 
lier  birth  occurred  in  Kentucky.  The  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Taylor  was  also 
named  Matthew.  He  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  from  which  country  he  came 
to  America  with  his  parents,  when  twelve  years  of  age,  the  family  locating 
at  Kings  Creek,  and  engaged  in  farming  in  Salem  tow  nshij),  being  thus  among 
the  early  settlers  here.  Grandfather  Stewart's  death  occurred  here  at  the 
advanced  age  of  ninety-three  years.  His  wife  preceded  him  to  the  grave  when 
sixty-nine  }ears  of  age.  They  were  members  of  the  Bai)tisl  church  at  Kings 
Creek. 

Nine  children  were  born  to  Matthew  and  Lucinda  Stewart,  namely : 
Sarah  married  John  Seaton,  of  Salem  township,  and  both  are  now  deceased ; 
Samuel  married  Margaret  Jones  and  they  live  in  Auglaize  county,  Ohio : 
William,  who  followed  school  teaching  for  man}-  years,  married  Addie 
Boone,  and  he  died  in  Salem  township;  Hannah,  who  married  Mr.  Taylor 
of  this  sketch:  Thomas  is  a  plasterer  at  Zanesville,  Ohio;  Charles  married 
Serepta  Taylor,  who  lives  in  Kings  Creek.  Ohio,  he  being  now  deceased; 
John  died  when  two  years  old ;  Eliza  married  J.  K.  Michael  and  they  live  in 
Urbana;  Elizabeth,  who  married  William  Jones  (she  deceased)  lived  in 
Kings  Creek,  Ohio. 

The  following  children  have  been  born  to  Thomas  I.  Taylor  and  wife; 
Barton  A.,  a  banker  at  St.  Paris.  Champaign  county,  married  .\da  Allen, 
and  they  have  two  children.  Burton  A.  and  Martha  E. ;  Cora  G.  married 
O.  K.  West  and  thev  live  in  the  dtx  of  Columbus;  their  daughter,  Madge. 


CHAMPAIGX    COUNTY,    OHIO.  I^I 

married  Floyd  Hoffman,  and  they  have  one  child.  Elizabeth:  Effie  M..  the 
child  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  died  when  nineteen  years  of  age :  Frank 
S.,  who  operates  a  garage  at  Springfield.  Ohio,  married  Iva  Herr,  and  they 
have  one  child,  Neoma  V. ;  Nellie  M.  married  Clifford  Beatley.  of  Columbus, 
and  they  have  three  children,  Cleo.  Carroll  and  Louise :  Blanche  B.  is  at 
home;  Floyd  married  Winifred  Shrigley  and  lives  at  Youngstown,  Ohio. 
The  Taylor  children  all  received  good  educational  advantages,  attending  the 
schools  at  Kings  Creek,  Urbana  and  Columbus. 

Mr.  Taylor  lived  in  Clark  county,  Ohio,  five  years,  and  north  of  Urbana 
two  \ears,  then  spent  six  years  in  Madison  county,  this  state.  He  lived  on 
the  old  home  place  nine  years,  then  purchased  his  present  farm  in  Salem 
township,  known  as  the  J.  Gerard  place.  It  consisted  of  one  hundred  and 
fortv-nine  acres,  but  has  since  added  fifteen  acres,  and  has  been  very  suc- 
cessful as  a  general  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  making  sheep  raising  a  specialty 
for  many  years. 

Politically,  Mr.  Taylor  is  a  Republican.  He  is  acti\e  in  the  aft"airs  of 
liis  community  and  for  some  time  served  as  school  director,  also  as  super- 
visor.    Fie  is  a  memlier  of  Kings  Creek  Baptist  church. 


IV-VN  T.  lOHNSON, 


Ivan  T.  Johnson,  a  farmer  of  Salem  township.  Champaign  county,  was 
born  in  the  locality  where  he  still  makes  his  .home,  on  November  27,  1858. 
He  is  a  son  of  Hiram  M.  and  Margaret  (Brown)  Johnson,  the  mother 
being  a  native  of  Virginia.  The  father  was  born  in  Wayne  township,  Cham- 
])aign  count}',  Ohio.  August  6.  1808,  and  was  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Martha 
( Boggs)  Johnson.  Jacol)  was  born  in  Maryland.  Juh-  J/.  T776.  and  his 
wife  was  born  October  20,  1774.  They  made  the  overland  journey  from 
the  old  Oriole  state  to  Ohio  in  an  early  day,  taking  up  their  residence  in 
the  wilderness  of  what  is  now  Salem  township.  Champaign  county,  in  1804. 
settling  on  land  on  the  east  side  of  King's  creek,  but  a  year  later  moved  to 
the  north  side  of  the  Mingo  valley,  there  clearing  and  develo])ing  a  farm 
which  is  still  in  possession  of  the  Johnson  family.  He  and  his  wife  were 
the  first  white  settlers  in  that  part  of  the  county.  They  endured  the  usual 
hardships  of  frontier  people.  It  was  in  the  midst  of  the  Indian  country, 
however,  the  red  men  disturbed  them  but  little  vmtil  they  were  removed  from 
the  country,  in  1803,  to  Wayne  township.     It  was  on  this  farm  that  the  great- 


172  CHAMPxMGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

grandparents  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  hved  and  died  and  were  buried. 
There  were  no  community  or  pubHc  cemeteries  in  those  days  and  over  one 
hundred  pioneers  were  buried  in  the  old  burying  ground  on  the  Johnson 
farm.  The  great-grandfather  Johnson  died  in  1820,  his  wife  having  pre- 
ceded him  to  the  grave  in  181 7.  Their  son,  Jacob  Johnson,  paternal  grand- 
father, remained  on  the  home  place  until  his  death  in  1845,  l^is  widow  surviv- 
ing until  1854.  Only  nine  acres  had  been  cleared  on  the  original  Johnson 
farm,  which  had  been  done  by  the  Indians,  and  had  been  under  cultivation 
for  some  time.  Jacob  Johnson  became  one  of  the  leading  farmers  and  influ- 
ential citizens  of  Champaign  county  in  his  day.  owning  a  farm  of  four  hun- 
dred and  seventy-eight  acres,  of  which  he  cleared  one  hundred  acres  himself. 
Owing  to  an  accidental  injury  while  hauling  logs,  he  was  not  able  to  farm 
actively  during  the  last  twenty-two  years  of  his  life.  His  family  consisted 
of  nine  children,  only  four  of  whom  grew  to  maturity,  namely :  Mary, 
Hiram,  Nelson  B.  and  Alfred. 

Hiram  Johnson,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  lived  on  the  old 
home  place,  the  three  brothers  holding  the  estate  in  common,  he  remaining 
there  until  he  was  fifty-eight  years  old,  at  which  time  they  owned  a  total  of 
nineteen  hundred  acres  At  that  time  the  property  was  di\'ided,  by  mutual 
consent,  without  the  aid  of  any  legal  advice.  The  total  value  of  the  property 
was  one  himdred  and  twenty  thousand  dollars. 

On  May  15,  1851,  Hiram  Johnson  married  Margaret  Brown,  a  daugh- 
ter of  David  and  Hester  Brown,  and  to  their  union  four  children  were  born, 
namely:     Jacob,  Marie  Theresa,  Nelson  B.  and  Ivan  T.,  of  this  sketch. 

Hiram  Johnson  was  one  of  the  progressive  general  farmers  and  stock- 
men of  his  day  in  this  county,  operating  on  a  large  scale.  He  raised  immense 
quantities  of  grain,  a  large  portion  of  which  was  fed  to  live  stock.  He 
shipped  many  carloads  of  cattle  and  hogs  to  the  markets  every  year. 
He  owned  over  eight  hundred  acres  of  valuable  land,  which  he  brought  up 
to  a  high  state  of  improvement  and  cultivation.  He  established  a  commo- 
dious and  modernly  equipped  home  in  the  midst  of  attractive  surroundings 
and  he  had  a  large  group  of  substantial  outbuildings.  Part  of  his  land  was 
in  Logan  county.  His  death  occurred  in  rqoo.  His  widow  survived  until 
1907.  His  personal  reputation  was  always  that  of  a  man  of  unquestioned 
business  ethics  and  integrity  in  all  walks  of  life.  He  was  public-spirited  and, 
like  his  father  before  him,  enjoyed  the  good  will  and  esteem  of  all  with  whom 
he  came  in  contact. 

Ivan  T.   Johnson,  tlie  inimediatc  subject  of  this  sketch,  grew  to  man- 


CHAMPAIGX    COUNTY,    OHIO.  I73 

hood  on  the  home  farm.  He  received  his  education  in  the  puhHc  schools  of 
Wayne  township.  He  remained  at  home,  farming  with  his  fatlier,  until  he 
was  thirty-three  years  old,  at  which  time  he  and  his  Ijrother,  Xelson  B.. 
began  farming  in  partnership  until  191 1.  Since  then  he  has  been  operating 
liis  own  land  and  has  been  very  successful  as  a  general  agriculturist.  He 
owns  one  of  the  choice  and  most  desirable  farms  in  the  county,  which  con- 
sists of  four  hundred  and  ninety-eight  acres,  in  Salem  and  Wayne  town- 
ships. It  is  highly  improved,  the  best  methods  of  up-to-date,  twentieth  cen- 
tury farmers  being  adopted  in  all  departments.  He  has  a  beautiful  home, 
modern  in  every  appointment.  In  connection  with  raising  large  crops  of 
grain  he  prepares  a  nmnber  of  carloads  of  live  stock  for  the  market  annu- 
ally, always  raising  good  grades  of  stock. 

Ivan  T.  Johnson  was  married  on  October  18,  1892,  to  lona  Igou,  a 
daughter  of  Peter  and  Lucretia  (Bayless)  Igou.  She  was  born  in  L'nion 
township,  Champaign  county,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood,  and  she  attend- 
ed the  local  schools.  Her  parents  were  also  natives  of  this  county,  her  father 
of  Wayne  township  and  her  mother  of  Union  township.  Here  they  grew 
to  maturity,  attended  school  and  were  married,  after  which  the}-  established 
their  future  home  on  a  farm  in  Union  township.  Mr.  Igou  was  one  of  the 
first  to  offer  his  ser\-ices  to  the  Union  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Ci\il  War,  and 
he  ser\'ed  in  an  Ohio  regiment  four  years,  becoming  an  efficient  and  brave 
soldier,  taking  part  in  numerous  important  battles  and  campaigns  in  the 
South.  After  he  was  honorably  discharged  he  returned  to  Champaign  coun- 
ty, married  and  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  here,  successfully  engaged  in  gen- 
eral farming.     His  death  occurred  in  1903. 

The  father  of  Peter  Igou  (subject's  wife's  father)  was  Peter  Igou,  Sr., 
who  was  one  of  the  brothers  of  French  descent  who  were  among  the  first 
pioneers  of  Champaign  county,  Ohio.  Peter  Igou  was  a  farmer  and  finally 
owned  several  hundred  acres  of  land  and  put  up  houses  on  his  several  farms. 
They  were  adherents  of  the  Quaker  church. 

Ten  children  were  born  to  Peter  Ogou  and  wife,  named  as  follows: 
lona,  wife  of  Mr.  Johnson  of  this  sketch ;  Hugo.  Albert.  Richard.  Arnet. 
Effie,  Duward,  Dale,  Edward  and  Maude. 

Eleven  children  have  been  born  to  Ivan  T.  Johnson  and  wife,  named 
as  follows:  Coppiela,  who  married  Rolla  Dagger;  Benjamin  W..  Louis. 
Roger,  Marion.  Alargaret,  Julia  is  deceased:  Alice.  I.sabelle.  Alfred  and 
Lowell. 

!Mr.  Johnson  is  an  independent  voter,  being  liberal  in  his  views  on 
pul)lic  questions.     He  desires  to  see  honest  and  capable  men  in  office,  no  mat- 


1/4  CHAMPAIGX    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

ter  what  their  pohtical  affihations  may  be.  He  lias  never  sought  pohtical 
leadership,  preferring  to  devote  his  attention  to  his  large  farming  interests 
and  to  his  home.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Kings 
Creek. 

The  Johnson  family  has  been  one  of  the  best  known,  most  representa- 
tive and  highly  honored  in  Champaign  county  since  the  early  pioneer  days, 
or  for  one  hundred  and  thirteen  years,  and  their  record  is  eminently  deserv- 
ing of  a  conspicuous  position  in  this  biographical  compendium. 


ROLLIE  REID. 


Ivollie  Keid,  farmer  of  Union  township.  Champaign  cotuity,  was  born  in 
\('rmillion  county,  illinois,  September  4,  1871.  He  is  a  son  of  James  and 
-Mar)  (Savior)  Reid.  The  father  w-as  born  in  Union  township,  Champaign 
county,  Ohio,  and  the  mother  was  a  native  of  Logan  county,  Ohio.  He  grew 
to  manhood  in  his  native  township  and  attended  the  public  schools,  but  left 
school  to  enlist  for  service  in  the  Civil  War,  in  Company  E,  One  Hundred 
and  Thirty-fourth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  which  he  served  one  hun- 
dred days  Ui)on  his  return  home  he  took  up  farming,  but  later  went  to 
Illinois,  locating  in  \'ermillion  county  on  a  farm,  where  he  spent  about 
twent\-  \ears,  then  moved  to  Logan  county,  Ohio,  locating  at  DeGraff,  and 
rL-niained  there  until  he  removed  to  Champaign  county  and  made  his  home 
with  his  son,  Rollie,  of  this  sketch,  until  the  autumn  preceding  his  death, 
when  he  went  West  and  spent  his  last  days  at  the  home  of  his  son,  Charles 
Keid. 

Xine  children  were  Ixtrn  to  James  Reid  and  wife,  six  of  w^iom  are  still 
living,  namely:  Mabel,  who  married  James  Hodge,  of  Union  township; 
(irace,   John,  Charles,  James  C.  and  Rollie. 

Rollie  Keid  was  young  when  his  parents  brought  him  from  Illinois  to 
Dedraff.  Ohio,  where  he  attended  school.  When  a  young  man  he  took  up 
farming  in  the  vicinity  of  DeGraff,  with  his  father,  continuing  general  farm- 
ing and  stock  mising  until  two  years  before  his  marriage.  He  then  farmc' 
as  a  renter  for  one  year,  after  which  he  took  up  the  blacksmith's  trade,  at 
which  he  became  ffuite  proficient  and  followed  the  same  at  DeGraff  for  eight 
years.  He  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  best  blacksmiths  in  this  section  of 
the  country  and  he  drew  his  customers  from  a  wide  territory.  Upon  leav- 
ing DeGraff  he  moved  to  Santa  Fe.  Logan  county,  and  lived  there  itntil  1007. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  1 75, 

w  heii  he  moved  to  Union  township,  Champaign  comity,  and  rented  one  Iiun- 
(h-ed  and  seventy  acres  for  seven  years,  then  moved  to  the  WilHs  Hodge 
place  of  four  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  which  he  still  rents.  He  raises  much 
i^rain,  most  of  which  he  feeds  to  live  stock,  being  a  large  feeder  of  sheep 
and  hogs,  sencUng  a  number  of  car  loads  to  the  markets  every  year. 

In  1895  ^'^1'-  Reid  married  Josephine  Kress,  a  native  of  Logan  count} .. 
Ohio,  and  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Nancy  (Curl)  Kress,  of  Logan  count} . 
Ohio.  He  was  a  farmer  and  butcher.  She  is  dead.  He  is  living  in  Belle- 
fontaine.  Ohio. 

Five  children  have  been  born  to  RoUie  Reid  and  wife,  namely:  Saylor 
C.  is  the  eldest:  Mary  and  Martha  are  twuns;  James  and  Robert. 

Politicall}',  Mr.  Reid  is  a  Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  at  Catawba. 


EVAN  PERRY 


Evan  Perr}-.  farmer  of  Union  township.  Champaign  county,  was  born 
in  \Vayne  township,  this  county.  August  12,  1857.  He  is  a  son  of  Evan 
and  Elizalieth  (  Middleton)  Perry,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  the 
principality  of  Wales,  and  the  latter  in  Highland  county.  Ohio.  They  spent 
their  last  years  in  Champaign  county.  Evan  Perry,  Sr.,  was  brought  to 
America  by  his  parents  when  he  was  a  child,  the  family  locating  in  Delaware 
county,  Ohio,  where  he  grew  to  manhood.  He  finally  located  in  Champaign 
county.  He  married  in  Wa}'ne  township  and  there  established  his  future 
home  on  a  farm,  continuing  actively  engaged  in  farming  there  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  1872.  at  the  age  of  fifty-two  years.  His  widow 
survived  him  many  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children: 
George.  Jane,  Frances  Ann.  Elizabeth.  James.  Evan.  jr..  l)a\id  P..  Charles 
and  Nancy. 

E^■an  Perr}-  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  he  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Wayne  township,  however,  his  education 
was  limited,  for  he  left  home  when  sixteen  years  old  and  began  working  out 
;is  a  farm  hand,  continuing  until  he  was  married.  He  then  rented  the  Wood- 
ward  farm  of  t^vo  hundred  acres,  which  he  operated  for  fifteen  years,  after 
which  lie  moved  to  near  Westville.  but  a  year  later  located  in  Union  town- 
ship on  the  Judge  \^^arnock  place,  which  he  has  been  renting  for  twenty-one 
years.  He  operates  two  hundred  acres  successfully,  carrying  on  general 
f;irnu'ng  and  stock  raising,  feeding  most  of  his  grain  to  live  stock. 


I/O  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

Air.  i'errx-  was  married  in  1879  to  Ella  McAdams,  a  daughter  of  Na- 
thaniel and  lunnia  (Brown)  McAdams,  and  to  their  union  eight  children 
liave  been  l)orn,  namel}- :  Ethel  married  Charles  Blair  and  they  have  four 
children,  'i'helma,  Kenneth.  Arnold  and  Paul;  Claude  died  in  infancy;  Clara 
married  George  Meyers  and  they  have  two  children  Dorothy  and  Lois;  Oma 
married  l^arl  Maddox  but  their  union  has  been  without  issue;  Thurle  mar- 
ried Eva  Albright  and  they  have  three  children,  Coryl,  Louisa  and  Lillian : 
Kent  married  Fannie  Reynolds  and  they  have  one  child.  Gail  Duane;  Frank 
married  V'ernie  Story  and  they  have  one  child,  Richard;  Gail  married  Wilma 
Holmes  and  lives  at  Columbus,  Ohio. 

Mr.  I'erry  is  an  independent  voter.  He  is  a  member  of  the  local  school 
hoard  and  was  formerly  trustee  of  Union  township.  He  belongs  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Mutual.  He  is  active  in  its  afifairs,  being  at 
present  a  trustee  and  assistant  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school. 


THOMAS  E.  BREEDLOVE. 

There  is  no  more  up-to-date  farmer  in  Wayne  township.  Champaign 
c(junty,  than  Thomas  E.  Breedlove,  who  was  born  in  Salem  township,  this 
ccmnty,  Feljruary  13,  1862.  He  is  a  son  of  Henry  C.  and  Mary  J.  (Stone) 
Breedlove.  The  father  was  born  on  March  2,  1836,  in  Ross  county,  Ohio, 
and  his  death  occurred  on  March  12.  1892.  Mary  J.  Stone  was  born  in 
l'\-iirfield  county,  this  state.  Henry  C.  Breedlove  was  twelve  years  old  when 
he  was  brought  to  Champaign  county  by  his  uncle,  Elijah  Breedlove,  with 
whom  he  lived  in  Wayne  township  imtil  he  was  twent}-one  \ears  old,  when 
he  started  out  in  life  for  himself.  About  that  time,  on  April  28,  1859. 
he  married  Mary  J.  Stone,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  F.  and  Mary  Stone,  who 
]i\'ed  on  a  farm  north  of  the  village  of  Cable.  Mr.  Breedlove  followed  farm- 
ing in  Salem  township  for  some  time.  Fie  lived  north  of  Kennard  two  years, 
then  moved  to  Wayne  township,  locating  south  of  Cable  and  later  lived 
northwest  of  Mingo,  where  his  death  occurred.  His  wife  died  in  Piqua, 
Ohio,  at  the  age  of  seventy-three  Avears.  He  devoted  most  of  his  active  life 
to  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  was  a  Republican  and  served  as  town- 
ship trustee.  He  belonged  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Mingo. 
Flis  family  consisted  of  only  two  children,  Efifie,  who  married  Dr.  W.  N. 
Unkefer  lives  in   Pif|ua.  this  state,  and  Thomas  E.,  of  this  sketch. 

Thomas  E.  Breedlove  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  attended 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  I77 

the  district  schools,  later  spending  one  year  in  college  at  Ada,  Ohio.  He 
lived  at  home  until  he  was  twent}-three  years  old.  On  October  22,  1885, 
he  married  Minnie  D.  Hunt,  who  was  born  in  Monroe  township.  Logan 
county,  this  state.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Jacob  D.  and  Samantha  Hunt, 
who  lived  many  years  in  that  county;  the  father  died  there,  and  the  niother 
now  makes  her  home  in  West  Liberty.  Ohio. 

The  death  of  Mrs.  Breedlove  occurred  on  October  12,  1912,  leaving  one 
child,  Inez  Marie,  who  is  now  the  wife  of  Roy  Robinson,  a  farmer,  and 
they  make  their  home  with  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Breedlove  continued  to  live  on  the  old  home  place, 
in  all  for  a  period  of  nearly  fifty  years.  He  kept  the  land  well  tilled  and 
well  improved,  so  that  it  lost  none  of  its  original  fertility.  He  finally  bought 
the  ]£li  Cowgill  i)lace.  where  he  now  resides,  the  farm  consisting  of  forty- 
six  acres.  He  has  retained  his  former  place,  which  consists  of  one  hundred 
and  seventy  acres,  and  has  been  very  successful  as  a  general  farmer  and 
stock  raiser.  He  has  also  bought  stock  to  feed  for  the  market,  handling 
large  numbers  annuall}v,  and  has  been  feeding  livestock  for  years,  pre- 
paring several  different  herds  for  the  market  each  year. 

Politically,  Mr.  Breedlove  is  a  Republican.  His  daughter  is  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  to  which  his  wife  also  belonged. 


CHAS.   H.   STANSBURY. 

Chas.  H.  Stansbury.  one  of  Champaign  county's  best  known  and  most 
substantial  citizens,  a  former  coal  dealer  at  Urbana  and  now  occupied  in 
looking  after  his  considerable  land  interests  in  this  county,  was  born  in 
Urbana  and  has  lived  there  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  November  7,  1854, 
son  and  only  child  of  Alfred  M.  and  Mary  (Kimber)  Stansbury,  the  former 
a  native  of  Maryland  and  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania,  whose  last  days  were 
spent  at  Urbana.  where  Alfred  M.  .Stansbury,  son  of  Dr.  James  B.  Stans- 
biuT,  was  for  some  years  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  having  been 
thus  engaged  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1857. 

Alfred  M.  Stansbury  was  born  in  the  city  of  Baltimore  and  was  but  a 

child  when  his   father,   Dr.  James   B.   Stansbury,  one  of  the  heroes  of  the 

War  of   1812.  came  to  this  county,   in    1835,  and  settled  on  a   farm  three 

miles  east  of  L'rbana,  later  moving  to  Urbana,  where  he  spent  the  remainder 

f  12a) 


1/8  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

of  his  life,  his  death  occurring-  there  on  January  15.  i860,  he  then  being- 
seventy-six  years  of  age.  I'^oUowing  his  death,  in  i860,  a  local  newspaper 
said  of  Doctor  Stansbury  that  in  his  death  "society  has  lost  one  of  its 
brightest  ornaments,  the  town  one  of  its  best  citizens,  and  the  church  one 
of  its  most  valuable  members.  He  was  truly  a  gentleman  of  the  'olden 
time,'  frank,  plain,  modest,  graceful  and  dignified  in  all  his  intercourse  with 
the  world.  His  memory  long  will  be  cherished  by  his  friends  and  neighbors 
(jn  account  of  his  exemplary  deportment,  bis  consistent  life  and  undeviating 
integrity." 

Dr.  James  B.  Stansbury  played  a  distinguished  ])art  in  the  War  of  1812 
and  as  a  young-  merchant  turned  privateersman  in  the  city  of  Baltimore  car- 
ried consternation  into  the  ranks  of  British  shipping  circles,  doing  much  in 
that  war  for  the  maintenance  of  free  trade  and  sailors'  rights.  Having 
sailed  from  Baltimore  in  the  merchant  vessel  "Hannibal"  with  a  cargo  of 
coffee  for  France  in  181 2,  he  was  captured  by  the  British  squadron  then 
blockading  the  coast,  and  under  the  British  "orders  in  council"  was  run  into 
Plymouth  and  his  vessel  and  cargo  confiscated,  leaving  him  penniless.  He 
was  subsequently  returned  to  this  country  by  Great  Britain  as  a  "govern- 
ment pauper,"  in  a  vessel  kept  for  that  purpose.  Having  lost  all  he  had, 
he  determined  to  take  vengeance  in  some  way  on  the  authors  of  his  ruin, 
and  when,  a  short  time  later,  war  was  declared  against  Great  Britain,  on 
account  of  the  repeated  confiscation  of  United  States  vessels,  he,  with  Ca])- 
tain  Boyle  as  commander,  fitted  up  a  vessel  at  New  York,  the  "Chasseur," 
and  sailed  for  the  coast  of  England  as  a  "privateer"  on  their  own  hook.  In 
a  cruise  of  eighteen  months  they  captured  eighteen  brigs,  ships  and  merchant 
vessels,  with  cargoes  worth,  in  the  aggregate,  fifteen  million  dollars ;  l^ut 
they  sank  and  destroyed  the  most  of  these  vessels,  so  that  but  few  were 
brought  back  to  the  port  of  New  York.  While  ofif  the  coast  of  England, 
surrounded  by  British  men-of-war,  brigs  and  frigates,  they  ran  up  into  the 
I'ritish  channel  and  the  Captain  and  himself  issued  the  following  "procla- 
mation" in  the  true  Paul  Jones  style,  handing  it  to  neutral  parties  and 
through  them  having  it  posted  at  Lloyd's  in  London : 

I'ROCLAMATIOX. 

Whereas,  It  has  become  customary  with  the  Admirals  of  (Jreai  r.i'itain.  (■(iiiiiu.iinliii.ur 
smaU  forces  on  the  coast  of  the  United  States,  particuhtrly  with  Sir  .John  Hoslairc  W.u  rcii. 
;iud  Sir  Alexander  Cochran,  to  declare  all  the  coasts  of  tlie  Unileil  States  in  a  stale  «f 
strict  and  rigorous  blockade,  without  possessing  the  power  to  .iustify  such  a  declaration. 
or  stationing  an  adequate  force  to  maintain  said  blockade. 

1   do  therefore,   by    virtue   and   authority   in   me   vested    ( jiossessiiig    sullicient    for<-e.) 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  1 79 

declare  all  the  ports,  harbors,  bays,  creeks,  rivers,  inlets,  outlets,  islands  and  seacoast 
of  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland  in  a  state  of  strict  and  rigorous 
blockade.  And  I  do  further  declare,  that  I  consider  the  force  under  my  command  ade- 
nuate  to  maintain  strictly,  rigorously  and  effectually  the  blockade.  I  do  hereby  re<iuire 
the  resi)ective  otiiccrs  whether  captains,  commanders  or  commanding  otticers  under  my 
(■(immand.  employed  t)r  to  be  employed  on  the  coast  of  England,  Ireland  and  Scotland,  to 
|iay  strict  attention  to  the  execution  of  this  proclamation.  And  I  do  hereby  caution  and 
forbid  the  ships  and  vessels  of  all  and  every  nation  in  amity  and  peace  with  the  United 
States,  from  entering  or  attempting  to  enter,  or  from  coming,  or  attempting  to  come  ont 
of  said  ports,  harbors,  bays,  creeks,  rivers,  inlets,  outlets,  islands  or  seacoast,  imder  any 
Itrotence  whatsoever.  And  that  no  person  may  plead  ignorance  of  this  i^roclamation.  I 
have  ordered  the  same  to  be  made  public  in  England. 

Given  under  my  hand,  on  board  the  '•('hassenr,"  day  and  date  as  above. 

TiioJiAs  Boyle. 

By  command  of  the  commanding  officer. 

J.  B.  Stansisuky,  Secretarj-. 

After  his  return  from  this  successftil  privateering-  expedition  Doctor 
Stansbitry  returned  to  Baltimore  and  on  board  a  schooner  ran  through  a 
blockading  squadron  of  Great  Britain,  joined  Commander  Stockton  on  board 
the  "Comet,"  then  cruising  in  the  Chesapeake  to  protect  American  vessels, 
and  afterward  rendered  important  service  during  the  attack  of  General  Ross 
upon  Baltimore.  The  Doctor's  widow  and  a  large  family  of  children  and 
grandchildren  survived  him.  He  was  twice  married  and  was  the  father  of 
seven  children  l\v  his  first  marriage,  of  whom  Alfred  M.,  father  of  the  sul)- 
ject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as 
follow :  Dickson,  who  early  went  to  Colorado,  but  later  returned  to  Urbana. 
where  he  spent  his  last  days,  for  years  engaged  in  the  internal  revenue 
service;  Charles,  who  went  to  Raritan,  Illinois,  in  the  days  of  his  young 
manhood  and  there  spent  the  rest  of  his  life;  Edward,  who  became  a  well- 
established  merchant  at  Urbana,  where  his  last  days  were  spent;  George, 
a  veteran  of  the  Civil  \Var.  who  went  to  Kansas  upon  the  completion  of 
his  military  experience  and  there  spent  his  last  da\s;  James,  who  engaged 
in  the  real-estate  business  at  Baltimore  and  there  spent  his  last  days,  and 
Joseph,  a  merchant  in  Urbana.  who  died  there.  B)-  his  second  marriage 
the  Doctor  was  the  father  of  three  children.  Marcus,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil 
\Var.  a  member  of  the  Ninety-hfth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry, 
who  married  Jennie  McDonald  and  went  to  Monmouth,  Illinois,  where  he 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business;  Theodore,  also  a  veteran  of  the  Civil 
War,  a  meml)er  of  the  Sixty-sixth  Ohio,  who  settled  at  Paducah,  Kentuckv, 
after  the  war.  and  Lainbert,  a  merchant,  of  Urbana  and  Galesburg,  Illinois. 

Alfred  M.  Stansbury  was  reared  at  Urbana.  having  been  but  a  small 
child    when    his    father   came   here    from   Baltimore,    and   he   completed   his 


l8o  •    CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

scliooling  in  a  college  at  Cincinnati.  As  a  young  man  he  began  his  mer- 
cantile career  as  a  clerk  in  the  Gynne  store  at  Urbana  and  later  became  en- 
gaged in  merchandising  on  his  own  account,  owning  a  store  situated  on  "the 
•^((uare"  in  that  city,  where  he  was  engaged  in  business  until  his  death  i'^ 
icS57,  leaving  a  widow  and  one  child,  a  son,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  the 
latter  at  that  time  but  little  more  than  two  years  of  age.  Alfred  M.  Stans- 
bury  was  a  charter  member  of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows  at  Urbana  and  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church.  The  latter  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  Mary  .\. 
Kimber,  daughter  of  lunmor  and  I'iiocbe  Kimlier.  also  natives  of  Penn- 
sxlvania,  who  came  to  Ohio  in  1835  and  located  at  Pi(|ua.  where  they  re- 
mained until  (837.  when  they  moved  to  Urbana  and  there  established  their 
permanent  home,  spending  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  In  his  early  life 
lunmor  Kimber  was  a  stone  mason  and  \Nas  a  contractor  on  the  Schuylkill 
canal.  While  living  at  Reading.  Pennsylvania,  he  helped  to  establish  the 
First  Methodist  Episcopal  church  there,  buying  an  old  school  building,  which 
he  worked  over  and  fitted  uj)  for  a  church.  He  was  a  strong  Al:)olitionist 
and  after  having  been  for  some  years  a  resident  of  this  county  was  a  can- 
didate for  sheriff  on  the  Al)olition  ticket,  but  received  only  seven  votes,  indi- 
cating the  pro-slavery  sentiment  of  the  community  at  that  time.  During 
tlie  Civil  War  he  served  as  chaplain  of  the  Twenty-sixth  Regiment,  (^hio 
A'olunteer  Infantry,  and  upon  the  completion  of  his  military  serxicc  w 
in  the  coal  business  at  Urbana,  and  there  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  When 
lie  arrived  in  Urbana  in  1837  he  bought  a  quantity  of  the  material  that  had 
entered  into  the  construction  of  the  old  court  house,  situated  in  the  public 
square,  and  with  that  material  built  a  house  for  himself  and  family  at  the 
northwest  corner  of  Miami  and  High  streets,  which  old  house  is  still  stand- 
ing and  in  an  excellent  state  of  repair,  now  the  home  of  his  son-in-law, 
John  J.  Ander.son.  l^mmor  Kimber  died  in  1885.  His  wife  had  preceded 
hill}  to  the  gra\e  about  a  }'ear,  her  death  having  occurred  in  1884.  The\- 
were  the  [larents  of  six  children,  of  whom  Mary,  the  mother  of  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow  : 
Kliza  J.,  who  married  Judge  Corwin,  of  Urbana;  George  E.,  of  Urbana, 
who  served  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union  during  the  Civil  War,  a  member  of 
the  Sixty-sixth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry;  Salome,  who  married 
I.  1\.  Roberts,  of  West  Liberty,  this  state;  Harriet,  E.,  who  married  John  J. 
Anderson,  of  Urbana,  and  Samuel  P.,  who  was  the  first  boy  to  learn 
art  of  telegra[)hy  in  Urbana  and  who  served  with  General  Canby  during 
the  Civil  War  and  afterward  had  charge  of  the  Western  Union  Telegraph 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  I»I 

Company's  construction  work  in  the  West.  After  the  death  of  Alfred  M. 
Stansbury  his  widow  married  Robert  R.  Colwell.  a  cabinet-maker  and  lum- 
l)er  dealer  at  Urbana.  and  to  this  latter  union  one  child  was  born,  a  daughter. 
Anna  Laura,  who  married  Elwood  Dow  Bancroft,  of  Urbana. 

Chas.  H.  Stansbury  received  his  schooling-  in  Urbana  and  at  the  age  of 
eighteen  began  working  in  the  factory  of  Staymen  &  Colwell  and  was  thus 
engaged  for  three  years  or  more,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  engaged  in 
the  coal  business  with  his  grandfather  Kimber  and  later  in  partnership  with 
J.  ].  Anderson,  and  continued  thus  engaged  for  ten  years.  He  then  sokl 
his  interest  in  the  coal  yard  and  ]:)ought  land  in  Wayne  and  Mad  River  town- 
shi])s  an.d  has  since  then  given  his  attention  to  his  farming  interests,  though 
continuing  to  make  his  home  at  Urbana.  Mr.  Stansbury  was  formerly  iden- 
tilied  with  the  Republican  party  but  being-  dissatisfied  with  their  attitude  on 
the  temperance  question  became  a  Prohibitionist  and  for  all  his  life  has 
been  one  of  the  leaders  in  the  teniix^rance  cause  in  this  county,  his  efforts 
ha\'ing  been  earnestly  directed  toward  the  promotion  of  that  cause,  not  onlv 
in  this  count\-,  Init  throughout  the  state  at  large. 


CHARLES  P.  LINCOLN. 

.Vnother  of  the  (jld  and  honored  families  of  Champaign  countv  is  that 
represented  l)y  Charles  P.  I-incoJn,  a  farmer  of  Rush  township.  He  was 
born  .\pril  ij,  184-I.  on  the  old  Lincoln  homestead,  known  as  "Loamland."" 
in  the  above  named  township  and  county.  He  is  a  son  of  Charles  and  Allura 
(Johnson)  Lincoln,  both  natives  of  Hampton.  Connecticut.  Charles  Lin- 
coln was  about  nine  \ears  old  when  he  came  to  this  county  and  here  he  grew 
to  manho(.)d.  He  was  bound  out  to  A.  Howard  of  Union  county,  and  lived 
with  him  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old.  His  wife.  Mlura  Johnson,  was 
a  daughter  of  Josej)h  and  Lydia  (  Cook  )  Johnson,  natives  of  Rhode  Island. 
From  New  England  the}-  removed  to  Champaign  county.  Ohio,  when  their 
daughter.  Allura.  was  eight  months  old.  Llere  she  grew  to  womanhood. 
Her  death  occurred  in  1868  at  the  age  of  tifty-two  years.  Her  parents 
located  their  future  home  in  Rush  township,  Joseph  Johnson  burning  the 
brick  for  his  home  on  his  farm  there.  They  remained  here  until  1859  when 
they  removed  to  Clinton.  Illinois,  where  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives. 
Mr.  Johnson  dying  at  the  age  of  eighty  years.     He  was  a  farmer  and  mill 


l82  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

man,  also  operated  a  distillery  for  some  time.  His  family  consisted  of  six 
children,  namely :     Celinda,  lea,  Eason,  Alhira,  Joseph  and  Lydia. 

Charles  Lincoln  was  a  son  of  George  and  Delia  (Ingles)  Lincoln,  na- 
ti\es  of  New  England.  Their  children  were  named  as  follow:  Samuel, 
(ieorge,  Sallie,  William,  John  and  Charles. 

Charles  Lincoln  had  little  opportunity  to  attend  school.  He  married 
in  Rush  township,  after  which  he  lived  two  years  in  Union  county,  then 
located  on  thte  farm  in  Rush  township  known  as  "Loamland."  The  land 
he  purchased  was  new,  which  he  cleared,  built  a  log  cabin  and,  by  persever- 
ance and  close  application,  developed  a  good  fann  on  which  he  spent  the 
rest  of  his  life,  dying  in  1880,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years,  his  wife  having 
preceded  him  to  the  grave  in  1868.  at  the  age  of  fifty-two  years.  He  had 
become  one  of  the  leading  farmers  and  influential  citizens  of  the  county, 
owning  one  thousand  acres  of  good  land  and  carried  on  general  farming 
and  stock  raising  on  an  extensive  scale.  He  handled  live  stock  in  large  num- 
bers, sending  many  carloads  to  the  market  annually.  While  living  in  Union 
county  he  lost  all  he  had,  but  nothing  daunted,  he  forged  to  the  front  again 
through  his  own  efforts.  He  was  not  only  a  man  of  indomitable  courage  and 
tireless  industry  but  also  of  rare  soundness  of  judgment  and  foresight.  He 
made  a  specialty  of  raising  thoroughbred  Shorthorn  cattle,  which  he  exhibited 
at  fairs  all  over  the  United  States  and  Canada,  winning  many  premiums. 
He  also  bred  Clydesdale  horses,  being  the  first  to  introduce  this  breed  into 
this  section  of  Ohio.  He  was  a  man  of  fine  personal  traits,  honest  and  u])- 
right  in  all  his  relations  with  the  world  and  he  was  respected  and  esteemetl 
l)y  all  who  knew  him.  He  was  a  Republican,  but  never  very  active  in  public 
life.  He  served  as  trustee  of  his  township  at  one  time.  He  attended  the 
Universalist  chiuxh. 

Ten  children  were  born  to  Charles  and  Allura  Lincoln,  namely:  Lydia 
Lincoln  is  the  widow  of  John  Hudson,  a  farmer  of  Rush  township,  thi?- 
county,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War,  dying  during  the  service  at 
Bermuda  Hundred,  Virginia ;  they  had  one  child,  Eugene,  who  lives  at 
GlenuUin,  North  Dakota.  George  Lincoln,  a  farmer  and  stockman  of  Rush 
township,  died  here  in  1885;  he  married  Marcia  M.  Kimball,  who  now  makes 
her  home  in  the  village  of  Woodstock,  that  township.  Harriett  Lincoln  died 
in  young  womanhood,  unmarried.  Charles  P.  Lincoln,  subject  of  this  sketch 
^\■as  fourth  in  order  of  birth.  Oliver  E.  Lincoln,  who  lived  in  Champaign 
county  for  some  time,  later  moving  to  Union  county,  Ohio,  where  his  death 
occurred,  married  Sarah  Coolidge.  who  still  lives  in  that  count}-.  L-a,  who 
remained  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Rush  tow'nship,  was  a  farmer  and  stock- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  183 

man.  and  his  death  occurred  in  1886:  he  married  Martlia  Marsh,  who  is  now 
Hving  in  ^Voodstock.  this  county.  WilHani  Lincoln  followed  farming  in 
Rush  township ;  he  married  IMary  Martin,  who  lives  in  the  village  of  Wood- 
stock: his  death  occurred  in  1912.  Ada  Lincoln  married  Dr.  P.  N.  Pratt 
and  they  make  their  home  in  Woodstock,  Ohio.  Alice  Lincoln  died  in  in- 
fancy.    Dwight  Lincoln,  the  youngest  of  the  family,  also  died  when  a  child. 

Charles  P.  Lincoln,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  review,  grew  to  man- 
hood on  the  home  farm,  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools. 
He  assisted  his  father  with  the  work  on  the  farm  until  his  marriage,  Jan- 
uary 30,  1868.  to  Octavia  Inskeep,  a  native  of  Allen  township,  Union  county. 
Ohio,  and  a  daughter  of  William  and  Keturah  (Warner)  Inskeep,  the  father 
l)()rn  in  Logan  county.  Ohio,  in  1807,  and  the  mother's  birth  occurred  in 
that  county  in  18 12.  They  grew  up  and  were  married  in  their  native  county 
and  later  bought  land  in  Union  county,  Ohio,  where  he  continued  to  reside 
until  i860.  Her  death  occurred  in  1854,  in  which  year  he  removed  to  Rich- 
land county,  Illinois,  and  after  residing  there  five  years  he  returned  to  Ohio, 
locating  at  North  Lewisburg,  Champaign  county,  where  Mr.  Inskeep  died 
in  1888.  His  first  wife  died  at  the  age  of  forty-two  years,  and  he  married 
for  his  second  wife,  Amanda  Stone,  a  native  of  Virginia.  Eight  children 
wore  born  to  his  first  marriage,  namely :  Hope,  who  married  William 
Milligan  of  North  Lewisburg,  are  both  now  deceased ;  Hester  married  Peter 
Young,  after  which  they  removed  to  Illinois  then  to  Iowa  and  died  in  that 
state;  Hepsibeth  married  S.  G.  Smith,  now  deceased,  but  she  is  living  in 
Woodstock,  Champaign  county ;  Delilah  married  Andrew  J.  Smith,  a  farmer, 
and  they  both  died  in  California;  Mary  married  Azro  Smith,  a  farmer  of 
]iear  Woodstock;  Emily  married  M.  C.  Young,  after  which  they  moved  to 
Illinois  and  died  there:  Octavia,  who  married  Mr.  Lincoln  of  this  sketch; 
and  Laura  married  J.  F.  McElroy,  a  farmer  and  they  make  their  home  in 
Oregon.  One  child  was  born  to  William  Inskeep  and  his  second  wife,  May, 
who  married  W.  Hunter,  first,  and  second,  Samuel  Callan.  She  lives  at 
Ml  Blanchard,  Ohio. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  Charles  P.  Lincoln  and  wife,  namely : 
Warren  G.,  who  resides  in  Woodstock,  this  county,  and  is  manager  of  the 
McCoy  Canning  Company,  of  Woodstock,  married  Rena  Dix;  Charles  B.. 
who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Union  county,  Ohio,  married  Lulu  Witter. 

After  his  marriage  Charles  P.  Lincoln  located  on  his  present  farm  in 
Rush  township,  known  as  the  Mitchell  place.  It  was  only  partly  improved, 
being  a  new  farm,  and  iMr.  Lincoln  put  on  the  present  improvements,  build- 
ing at  first  a  small  house  which  he  lived  in  for  fifteen  years,  then  built  his 


l84  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

present  line  home.  He  has  a  productive  and  well-kept  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  twenty-six  acres  in  the  home  place,  also  owns  four  hundred  acres  of 
excellent  land  in  Union  county,  Ohio.  He  is  one  of  the  most  successful 
farmers  and  stockmen  in  his  locality.  He  feeds  large  numhers  of  cattle  and 
hogs  annually  for  the  market  and  is  regarded  as  an  especiall}'  good-  judge 
of  livestock.  He  is  a  man  of  sound  judgment  and  keeps  well  informed 
regarding  the  modern  methods  of  agriculture  and  stock  raising.  However, 
during  the  past  four  years  he  has  merely  overseen  his  farm  in  a  general 
way,  renting  out  his  land.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  he  attends 
the  Universalist  church.  He  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth 
Regiment  during  the  Civil  War. 


HENRY  C.  SOUTH. 


The  veterans  of  the  great  Union  army  that  saved  the  nation  a  half  cen- 
tury ago  are  now  growing  comparatively  few  in  number  and  they  are  monthly 
surrendering  by  hundreds  to  the  only  foe  they  could  not  successfully  meet. 
Those  who  remain  among  us,  like  Henry  C.  South,  a  retired  farmer  of  Salem 
township.  Champaign  count}-,  should  receive  our  every  homage,  for  they 
made  possible  our  present  state  of  prosperity  and  advanced  civilization. 

Mr.  South  was  born,  September  i6,  1841,  near  Baltimore,  Maryland. 
He  is  a  son  of  Henry  H.  and  Hannah  (Walker)  South,  both  natives  of 
Pennsvlvania,  where  thev  grew  up,  married  and  made  their  home  imtil  1861, 
when  they  moved  to  Champaign  coimty,  Ohio,  locating  in  Wayne  townshij).. 
where  Mr.  South  \\as  a  lime  burner  and  farmer.  H^is  death  occurred  in 
Wavne  township,  flis  familv  consisted  of  twelve  children,  four  of  whom 
are  now  living,  nameh- :  Mary  lives  in  Milford  Center,  Ohio;  Samuel  also 
lives  in  Milford  Center;  Joseph,  wh(^  makes  his  home  in  Columbus,  has  been; 
an  engineer  on  the  Pennsylvania  lines  for  the  past  thirty-1i\e  years;  Henry, 
of  this  sketch. 

Henry  South  had  little  chance  to  obtain  an  education.  He  grew  up  on 
the  home  farm  and  lived  at  home  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age.  In  Ma>-, 
1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Eighty-sixth  Ohio  \^olunteer  Infantry,  and 
in  May,  1864,  enlisted  for  a  second  term  in  Com])any  E,  One  Hundred  and 
Thirty-fourth  Ohio  N'olunteer  Infantry,  serving  four  months  in  each  enlist- 
meiU.  He  was  first  sent  to  Maryland  and  later  into  West  Virginia.  Dur- 
ing his  last  term  of  enlistment  he  served  before  Peter.sburg  and  was  in  sev- 


HENRY  C.  SOUTH 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  185 

cval  raids  and  skirmishes.  He  was  honorably  discharged  in  the  fah  of  1804. 
After  the  war  Mr.  South  located  in  Salem  township.  Champaign  count}-. 
Ohio,  and  resumed  agricultural  pursuits.  He  hired  out  as  a  farm  hand  for 
son.ic  time,  in  fact,  worked  for  Andy  Mcllwain  for  a  period  of  ten  years, 
then  farmed  the  Alason  place  for  a  period  of  thirty  years.  In  1909  he 
moved  to  Kinnard.  Salem  township,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home,, 
living  retired  from  active  life. 

Mr.  S()uth  was  married,  tirst,  in  1866,  to  Sarah  Richardson,  who  died 
in  1873,  leaving  two  children,  namely:  Delia,  whose  death  occurred  in  1880,. 
and  Margaret,  wdio  married  Da^  id  ].\Iitchell  and  lives  in  V»^est  Carlton,  Ohio. 
In  1876  Mr.  South  married,  for  his  second  wife,  Frances  Dennell,  who  was 
horn  in  Wayne  township,  Champaign  county.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Hiram 
and  Sarah  Dennell,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  Brown  county,  Ohio,  respectively. 
These  parents  settled  in  Wayne  township.  Champaign  count}-,  in  an  early 
day  and  there  Mr.  Dennell  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  South  by  his  second  wife,  namelv  r 
Nellie,  who  lives  at  home ;  h^arl,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Salem  tow-n- 
ship,  married  Nora  Moyer ;  Sallie  married  Pearl  John.son  and  the}-  live  south 
of  Cable,  Ohio:  and  Ethel,  who  is  clerking  in  Springfield.  Ohio. 

Mr.  South  is  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  at  Urbana, 
Ohio,  and  also  belongs  to  the  Union  League.  His  w-ife  is  a  member  of' the 
MedKMJist  Episcopal  church. 


WILLIAM  LANE. 


William  Lane  is  now  living  in  retirement  in  his  pleasant  home  at  Nortli 
Lewisburg,  Champaign  county,  after  a  very  active  and  successful  life.  He- 
was  born  at  West  Mansfield,  Ohio,  May  17,  1838.  He  is  a  son  of  Levi  and 
M;u-}-  ( Skidmore)  Lane,  the  father  a  native  of  North  Carolina  and  the 
mother  of  Columbiana  count>-,  Ohio.  Levi  Lane  was  four  }-ears  old  whi 
his  parents,  Benjamin  Lane  and  w-ife  brought  him  to  Warren  county,  Ohio, 
the  family  later  moving  to  Logan  county,  where  Levi  grew  to  maturity  and 
there  he  attended  school  and  married.  After  farming  several  years  he 
moved  to  Union  county,  this  state,  dying  there  at  the  age  of  fifty-one  years. 
His  wife  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-five.  He  was  first  a  Whig,  later  a  Repub- 
lican. They  were  lioth  members  of  the  Baptist  church.  Fourteen  children 
were  burn  to  Levi  Lane  and  wife,   namelv:     Ruth   lane,   Marv,   Angeline. 


l86  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

KaclKiel.  Samaiitha,  Serepta  are  all  deceased;  Melinda  lives  in  Michigan: 
]  jenjamin  is  deceased ;  William,  of  this  sketch ;  Joseph  lives  in  Indiana : 
Lemuel  li\es  in  East  Liberty,  Ohio;  Thomas  is  deceased;  John,  of  West 
Afansfield,  Ohio;  the  youngest  child  died  in  infancy  unnamed. 

Williatii  Lane  grew  up  on  the  farm  and  attended  the  district  schools. 
He  lived  at  lidme  until  his  marriage,  April  7,  1859,  to  Emma  Munsell,  a 
native  of  West  Alanstield,  (^hio,  and  a  daughter  of  Alvin  and  Mary  (Strong) 
Mlinsell,  natives  of  the  state  of  New  York.  They  settled  where  West  Mans- 
held  now  ^t^'.nds.  the  country  then  being  a  wilderness.  They  were  among 
the  lirst  settlers  in  that  locality.  Mrs.  Mary  Munsell  was  a  licensed  physi- 
ciaji  and  she  l)uilt  up  a  large  practice.  Mr.  Munsell  devoted  his  active  life 
to  farming.  Thev  both  died  in  Logan  county.  Their  family  consisted  of 
seven  children,  named  as  follow :  Dannie.  William,  Nancy,  Phoebe,  Eliza, 
Caroline  and  iunma.  who  married  Mr.  Lane  of  this  sketch;  she  is  the  onl\- 
one  of  the  family  now  living. 

Ten  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lane,  namely:  Corey 
is  engaged  in  the  insurance  business  at  Bellefontaine,  Ohio ;  Calvin,  who 
was  a  Fi-ee  Will  Baptist  preacher,  later  took  up  farming,  owing  to  failing 
health,  and  he  now  lives  in  Canada;  William  is  engaged  in  the  grocery  busi- 
ness at  ^'ork  Center,  Union  county.  Ohio;  Benjamin  owns  and  operates  a 
large  ranch  in  North  Dakota ;  Laura,  now  deceased,  married  William  Cur- 
ran  ;  James  Ward  is  a  barber  in  .Springfield,  Ohio ;  Asa  died  when  twenty- 
one  years  old;  Obed  is  farming  at  Middleburg,  Ohio;  Zella  is  the  wife  of 
O.  H.  Spain,  of  North  Lewisburg,  Champaign  county;  Herbert  is  employed 
Iw  the  telephone  company  at  Zanesville.  Ohio. 

After  his  marriage  William  Lane  located  on  a  farm  southeast  of  West 
Mansfield,  Laiion  county,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  eleven  years,  then  moved 
to  Logan  countv,  Ohio,  where  he  lived  until  1892,  then  came  to  North 
Lewisburg.  Champaign  county,  where  he  has  since  lived  on  a  farm,  owning 
a  well  impro\-ed  and  attractive  place.     He  is  now  retired  from  active  work. 

Mr.  Lane  enlisted  on  February  16,  1864.  in  Company  C.  Seventeenth 
Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  at  West  Mansfield,  and  was  soon  sent  South,  into 
1'ennessee,  reaching  Missionary  Ridge  just  after  the  battle.  He  took  part 
in  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  was  under  General  Sherman  in  his  march  to 
the  sea.  He  was  taken  sick  at  Ringgold.  Georgia.  He  marched  to  Buzzard 
koost.  then  back  to  Chattanooga.  Tennessee.  He  was  in  the  hospital  at 
Louisville,  Kentucky,  for  five  months.  He  was  a  nurse  in  the  officers  hos- 
])ital  for  eight  months.  Lie  obtained  a  di.scharge  at  his  own  request  and 
started   for  the   front,   and  was  three  months  on   the  road,  endeavoring  to 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  187 

rejoin  his  regiment,  which  lie  reached  April  24.  1865,  '^^  Tallon  Springs. 
He  soon  started  to  Richmond,  then  went  to  W^ashington,  D.  C.  where  he 
took  part  in  the  Grand  Revie^^'.  He  was  lionorably  discharged  July  21. 
1865.  after  which  he  returned  home  and  resumed  farming. 

AJr.  Lane  was  a  member  of  the  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Repuhhc 
at  W  est  ^Mansfield,  and  later  l^elonged  to  the  post  at  Middleburg.  Ohio.  He 
was  formerly  a  member  of  the  Free  Will  Baptist  church,  and  now  belongs 
to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  North  Lewisburg.  Politicalh-,  he  is 
a  Republican. 


HOWARD  TOWNSEND. 


Howard  Townsend.  a  farmer,  near  North  Lewisburg,  Rush  township. 
Champaign  county,  was  born  in  the  northeastern  corner  of  this  county,  July 
22.  1863.  He  is  a  son  of  James  Townsend,  who  was  born  in  1830,  in  Mor- 
gan county,  Ohio.  He  married  LLinnah  Hall,  who  was  born  in  Salem  town- 
ship. Champaign  county,  Ohio.  James  Townsend  was  a  son  of  Joseph 
Townsend,  a  native  of  Harrison  county,  Ohio,  who  later  located  in  Morgan 
county,  this  state,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  married  Elizabeth 
I^)eck.  of  Morgan  county,  and  to  their  union  four  children  were  born,  namelv  : 
Ross,  Anthony,  James  and  Anna. 

James  Townsend,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  grew  up  on  the 
farm  and  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  jNIorgan  county,  Ohio. 
About  1840  he  changed  his  residence  to  Middleburg,  Oliio,  later 
moved  to  Rush  township,  this  county,  where  he  married,  and  there  he  located 
at  North  Lewisburg.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  which  he  followed  all 
his  life,  becoming  quite  an  expert  workman.  He  was  a  Republican.  He 
was  the  first  to  join  the  Masonic  lodge  at  North  Lewisburg.  He  took  an 
active  interest  in  lodge  work.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Universalist  church. 
His  death  occurred  March  31,  1893,  his  widow  surviving  until  August  3. 
i<;oi.  To  these  parents  the  following  children  were  born:  Oscar,  who  lives 
at  North  Lewisburg,  married  Essie  Warner;  Henry,  who  is  farming  in 
L'nion  countv,  Ohio,  married  Lena  Spain ;  Howard,  of  this  review ;  Anna 
married  P.  H.  Dolan  and  they  live  at  North  Lewisburg. 

Howard  Townsend  received  a  common  school  education  at  North 
Lewisburg,  his  schooling  being  somewhat  limited,  in  view  of  the  fact  that 
he  started  out  in  life  for  himself  when  only  eleven  years  old,  working  at  dif- 
ferent  things   during  his  boyhood,   including  the  blacksmith's   trade.        He 


l88  CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO. 

operated  ;i  dvxvj;  store  at  North  Lewisburg"  eight  years,  in  partnership  with 
his  ])rother.  He  has  had  thirty-live  different  stores  in  different  towns  :>. 
was  a  ver)  successful  merchant.  He  also  owned  ele\'ators  at  Mingo,  Irvin 
and  Woodstock.  Ife  has"  been  connected  with  the  State  Fair  Association 
for  the  past  thirtx-four  years.  Me  has  lived  in  Irvin,  Ouincy,  Big  Springs, 
Centerville  and  Columbus,  in  the  latter  three  different  times.  In  July,  1913, 
he  bought  his  present  excellent  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-eight  acres 
near  North  Lewisburg  and  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising. 
His  home  is  an  attractive  one  and  he  has  good  convenient  outbuildings. 
He  still  handles  considerable  hay  and  grain.  He  started  in  life  a  poor  boy 
and  without  aid  from  any  one  he  lias  forged  to  the  front,  being  now  the 
p(jssessor  of  a  comforta])le  comi)etency.  He  has  educated  himself  by  contact 
with  the  world  and  by  wide  miscellaneous  reading. 

Air.  Townsend  has  long  been  prominent  in  Masonry,  belonging  to  the 
blue  lodge  and  chapter  at  North  Lewisburg,  the  commandery  at  Urbana, 
and  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mvstic  Shrine  at  Davton, 
Ohio. 


SHERM.VN  DOWNS. 


An(jther  farmer  of  Rush  township.  Champaign  ceunt}^,  who  employs 
twentieth  century  methods,  is  Sherman  Dtnvns.  who  was  born  near  Mt. 
Tabor  cliurcli  in  Salem  township,  this  county,  Octol)er  J4.  1864.  He  is  a 
son  of  josei)li  and  i^sther  (Usher)  Downs,  the  father  a  native  of  Salem 
township,  Chami)aign  county,  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Cuyahoga  countw 
Jose|)h  Downs.  Sr.,  the  paternal  grandfather,  was  a  native  of  New  Jersev 
and  the  Hrst  memlier  of  the  famil\-  to  come  to  Ohio.  He  was  one  of  the 
early  settlers  near  Mt.  Tabor  church.  C'hampaign  countv,  spending  the  rest 
of  his  life  there  on  a  farm,  his  death  occurring  in  1863.  His  family  con- 
sisted of  ten  children,  all  now  deceased.  Joseph  Downs,  Jr..  was  reared  on 
tile  home  farm  whicli  he  assistetl  in  de\eloping  from  the  wilderness.  He 
attended  school  in  a  little  log  house  in  the  woods.  He  remained  on  the 
homestead  all  his  life,  engaging  in  general  farming,  and  died  there  in  1908. 
After  his  death  his  widow  lived  in  Urbana  a  while  and  now  makes  her  home 
in  Columbus.  Ohio.  He  was  a  Republican.  His  family  consisted  of  four 
children  th;it  grew  to  maturity,  namely:  l*"lnier  died  when  thirtv-eight  years 
old;  Clara,  who  is  deceased.  \\  as  the  wife  of  William  Linville  and  he  lives 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  I89 

near  Cable.  Ohio;  Shernian,  of  this  sketch;  Eugene,  a  bookkeeper,  married 
Miwy  WilHanison;  Ralph  died  in  1863  when  a  child. 

Sherman  Downs  grew  up  on  the  old  home  place  where  he  worked  when 
a  bo}-.  He  received  a  common  school  education  and  lived  at  home  until  his 
marriage  on  May  21,  1895.  to  Emma  Staub.  who  was  born  in  Salem  town- 
shi]>.  Cham])aign  county,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  w-as  educated 
in  the  common  schools.  She  was  a  daughter  of  John  and  Susan  (Black) 
Staub.  who  spent  their  lives  on  a  farm  in  Salem  township,  both  being  now 
<leccased.  The  death  of  Mrs.  Downs  occurred  on  April  30,  191 /.  leaving 
four  children,  namely:  Malcomb  Black,  a  telegraph  operator  who  lives  at 
Springfield.  Ohio ;  Nellie.  Milton  and  Cornelia  all  live  at  home. 

Vfter  his  marriage  Mr.  Downs  engaged  in  farming  in  Logan  and  Union 
counties  for  four  years,  then  moved  to  Wayne  township.  Champaign  countv, 
where  he  farmed  for  fifteen  years.  He  spent  one  year  on  a  farm  near  Wood- 
stock, and  for  the  past  three  years  he  has  operated  three  hundred  acres  of 
the  Miller  farm  in  Rush  township.  He  carries  on  general  farming  and 
raises  a  great  deal  of  grain  of  various  kinds  which  he  feeds  to  live  stock. 

Politically,  Mr.  Downs  is  a  Republican.  His  wife  was  a  faithful  mem- 
ber of  the  ]\Tethodist  Episcopal  church. 


DANIEL  BURNHAM. 


.V  highly  honored  and  successful  farmer  of  Rush  townshij).  Cham- 
paign county,  during  a  past  generation  was  the  late  Daniel  Burnham,  whose 
record  is  well  worth  preserving  on  the  pages  of  local  history.  He  was  born 
on  the  old  Bumham  homestead  in  the  above  named  townshi]).  February  2, 
1826.  Lie  was  a  son  of  Elba  Burnham,  who  was  born  December  25,  1791, 
in  Connecticut.  He  married  Lorenda  Burnham.  also  a  native  of  Connecticut. 
\vb(^se  birth  occurred  March  22.  1803.  She  died  September  14,  1839,  and 
lie  married  for  his  second  wife  Xancy  P>ingham.  who  was  born  in  1789; 
her  death  occurred  July  28.  1866.  She  \\as  also  a  nati\e  of  C\)nnecticut. 
Elba  Burnham  grew  to  manhood  in  New  lingland  and  was  married  there. 
He  devoted  his  life  to  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  was  one  of 
the  early  settlers  in  Rush  township,  Chami)aign  county.  Ohio,  where  his 
grandchildren  now  reside.  He  cleared  a  place  on  which  to  build  his  log- 
cabin,  and  began  life  here  in  typical  pioneer  fashion.  He  persevered  and 
succeeded,  the  log  house  later  giving  wav  to  a  comforta!)le  frame  dwelling. 


190  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

and  here  his  death  occurred  on  November  9,  1861,  at  the  age  of  seventy 
vears.  His  children  were  named  as  follov^' :  Laura,  born  Alarch  2,  1822, 
married  Nathan  Lamborn.  and  they  moved  to  Iowa  in  i860,  where  her  death 
occurred;  Daniel,  of  this  sketch,  was  second  in  order  of  birth;  Charles,  born 
January  23,  183 1.  lived  in  Rush  township  until  he  moved  to  Iowa,  where  he 
spent  the  rest  of  his  life  on  a  farm;  he  married  Elizabeth  Dee.  Martha, 
born  April  7,  1834,  married  R.  Ellsworth,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil 
\Var,  li^•ed  in  Missouri  for  some  time,  but  later  went  to  South  Dakota,  w^here 
he  died;  David,  born  December  10.  1835,  served  in  the  Civil  War.  after 
which  he  lived  in  Missouri.  Kansas  and  Oklahoma,  dying  in  Kansas;  he 
married  Mary  L.  Parke. 

Daniel  Burnham,  subject  of  this  memoir,  grew  up  c^n  the  home  farm 
and  attended  the  early-day  schools.  During  the  Civil  \\'ar  he  enlisted  for  the 
one-hundred-day  service  in  Company  D.  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Ohio 
Volunteer  Infantry;  on  September  9,  185 1,  he  married  Catherine  Hamilton, 
who  was  Ixirn  in  Ross  county.  Ohio,  but  was  reared  in  Union  county.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  James  and  Marie  (Blue)  Hamilton,  natives  of  Virginia, 
from  which  state  they  came  to  Ohio  in  1835,  locating  in  Union  county,  where 
the  town  of  Marysville  is  now  located,  there  being  but  a  few  houses  there 
at  that  time.  Mr.  Hamilton  settled  on  land  just  north  of  the  village,  in  the 
woods,  where  he  put  up  a  cabin,  cleared  and  developed  a  farm  by  hard  work 
and  perseverance,  and  there  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives.  The  follow- 
ing children  were  born  to  them :  John  lived  in  Union  county ;  James  and 
Silas  were  farmers  in  Union  county;  Elizabeth  also  lived  in  that  county; 
Catherine,  wife  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  Alexander,  who  devoted  his 
life  to  farming,  went  to  Illinois,  where  he  died. 

I'ivt  children  were  born  to  Daniel  Burnham  and  wife,  namely:  Lorenda 
Iv,  born  l'"ebruary  3.  1853,  married  Joseph  Perkins,  an  undertaker,  and  they 
reside  in  Alar\s\ille,  Ohio;  Delphine,  born  October  15,  1854,  is  unmarried 
and  lives  at  home;  i^lba  V.,  born  September  ly.  1857,  married  Mabel  Bellers, 
December  31.  1886;  was  married  in  Iowa  but  in  a  short  time  returned  to 
this  township  and  lived  here  about  three  years,  then  returned  to  Iowa,  where 
she  died,  July  24.  1889.  I^lba  \'..  who  married  Mabel  Bellers,  has  one 
child,  Edna,  who  married  R.  L.  Pratt,  b^lnathan  IT.,  born  Noveml)er  14. 
1859,  is  single,  lives  at  home  and  has  always  followed  farming;  Eeroy.  born 
September  0.  1862,  died  Eebruary  12.  1898. 

The  above  named  children  were  educated  in  the  home  schools.  Two 
of  the  sons  and  a  daughter  live  on  the  old  home  place,  which  contains  two 
hundred  and  seven  acres  of   line    farming  land,  and   the\'   lune  kept   it   well 


CHAMPAIGX    COUNTY,    OHIO.  I9I 

improved  and  under  an  excellent  state  uf  cultivation.  They  raise  tine  sheep 
and  a  good  grade  of  cattle,  hogs  and  horses.  They  built  a  large  modern 
home  in  1900,  containing  eleven  rooms.  There  are  also  two  large  barns 
and  other  convenient  outbuildings. 

The  death  of  Daniel  Burnham  occurred  in   1S87. 


AIXEN  M.  GLENDENING. 

Allen  M.  Glendening.  farmer  of  Rush  township,  and  at  this  writing- 
one  of  the  commissioners  of  Champaign  county,  was  born  in  West  Middle- 
burg,  Logan  county,  Ohio,  January  15,  1881.  He  is  a  son  of  John  W.  and 
Sarah  R.  (Foster)  Glendening.  The  father  was  born  in  Rush  township, 
this  county,  and  the  mother  in  Logan  county,  Ohio.  John  \\'.  Glendening- 
grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm,  attended  the  rural  schools,  and  during  the 
C  i\il  War  he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Sixty-sixth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry. 
in  which  he  made  an  excellent  record  as  a  soldier  for  the  Union.  He  re- 
ceived an  honoraljlc  discharge  at  the  close  of  the  war  and  returned  home. 
After  his  marriage  he  settled  on  a  farm  in  Rush  township  where  he  spent 
his  life,  dying  in  1887.  His  widow  survives  and  makes  her  home  in  Belle- 
fdutaine,  Ohio.  To  these  parents  three  children  were  born,  namely:  Stella 
married  Jeff  D.  W>lty,  a  railroad  man  of  Bellefontaine,  employed  by  the 
l>ig  Four  railroad,  and  his  family  consists  of  two  children — Reba  and 
Kichard;  ]£arl  L.,  a  brakeman  on  the  Toledo  &  Ohio  Central  railroad,  living 
at  Cokmibus.  Ohio ;  he  irrarried  Grace  Darnell  and  they  have  three  children, 
and  Allen  M.,  of  this  sketch. 

Allen  AL  Glendening  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm,  and  he  at- 
tended the  district  schools,  but  he  started  out  in  life  for  himself  when  only 
sixteen  years  old,  working  out  by  the  month  for  three  years.  He  went  to 
Bellefontaine  where  he  followed  teaming  for  some  time.  Li  1901  he  mar- 
ried Carrie  G.  Owen,  of  Woodstock,  Ohio.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  .Sarah  Owen,  of  Rush  township,  Champaign  county.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Glendening  eight  children  have  been  born,  named  as  follows:  Robert  X.. 
Dorothy  E.,  Fred  O.,  William  T.,  Donna  E.,  Mary  J.,  Harriet  May.  and 
L)uis,  who  died  in  infancy. 

After  his  marriage  the  subject  of  this  sketch  located  in  Wayne  town- 
ship, this  county,  on  a  farm,  owning  at  one  time  one  hundred  three  and 
one-half  acres  of  the  old  home  place,  buying  out  the  other  two  heirs.     Later 


192  CMAMPAIGX    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

he  traded  tb.e  farm  for  the  brick  livery  barn  in  North  Lewisburg,  and  con- 
(kicted  the  same  for  a  short  time,  but  not  hking  the  livery  business  he  traded 
liis  l)ani  iov  a  farm  in  Logan  county  and  lived  there  three  years,  then  sold 
out  and  bought  one  hundred  and  seventy-two  acres  in  Union  county.  He 
,si)ld  se\'ent}-tive  acres  of  that  place,  then  bought  sixty-one  acres  in  that 
county,  which  was  well  improved.  Returning  to  North  Lewisburg  he  lived 
there  three  }ears  then  rented  three  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Rush  town- 
ship, where  he  has  been  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising  for 
the  past  six  \ears.  Lie  lias  been  very  successful  and  has  a  well  cultivated 
])lace.  He  feeds  a  large  number  of  cattle  and  hogs  annually  for  the  market. 
alxi  makes  a  s])ecialty  of  lireeding  Belgian  horses.  He  now  owns  two  hue 
stallions,  "Indigene  HL'  and  "Major  De  Russelede."  He  also  owns  two 
thoroughbred  inares,  "Alice"  and  "Finna  De  Bars,"  and  several  head  of 
Holstein  cows.  He  also  carries  on  a  small  dairy  business.  He  keeps  Duroc- 
Jersey  red  hogs,  raising  from  one  hundred  and  fifty  to  two  hundred  annually. 
Politically,  he  is  a  Republican.  He  was  elected  commissioner  of  Cham- 
paign county  in  1915  and  is  still  incumbent  of  that  ofhce.  the  duties  of  which 
he  is  discharging  in  an  able  and  satisfactory  manner.  Fraternally,  he  be- 
longs to  the  Masonic  order,  including  the  blue  lodge  and  the  chapter  at 
North  Lewisburg,  and  the  commandery  at  Urbana,  and  the  Knights  of 
Lythias  at  North  Lewisburg.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Grange. 


OR  A  M.  CLARK. 


Ora  M.  Clark,  one  of  the  best-known  sheep  breeders  in  the  L^nited  States, 
proprietor  of  the  grain  elevator  at  Cable,  this  count}-,  dealer  in  coal  at  that 
place  and  a  manufacturer  of  stock  foods,  former  trustee  of  Wayne  township 
and  for  years  actively  identified  with  the  general  business  interests  of  that 
part  of  the  countv.  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here 
all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Wayne  township,  about  two  and  a 
half  miles  south  of  Cable,  May  18,  1877,  scmi  of  Peter  and  Lucy  Clark,  natives 
(if  Virginia,  who  caiue  to  Ohio  after  their  marriage  and  located  in  Cham- 
paign countv,  making  their  home  on  the  farm  above  mentioned  south  of 
Cable,  where  they  still  live,  ir^eter  Clark  was  trained  as  a  carpenter,  but 
upon  coming  to  this  countv  became  .a  farmer  and  was  successful.  Li  addi- 
tion to  his  general  farming,  he  engaged  extensi\el\-  in  raising  live  stock, 
particularl}-  sheep,  .and  did  very  well.     Though  now  living  practically  retired 


ORA    M.    CLARK 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  19^ 

from  the  acti\e  labors  of  the  farm,  he  continues  to  give  considerable  personal 
attention  to  the  sheep  business  and  finds  much  pleasure  in  the  same. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  south  of  Cable.  Ora  M.  Clark  received  his 
education  in  the  schools  of  that  neighborhood  and  from  the  days  of  his  boy- 
hood was  a  valued  aid  to  his  father  in  the  work  of  developing  and  improv- 
ing the  farm  and  in  assisting  in  the  raising  of  the  purebred  Hve  stoclc  his 
father  early  started  on  the  place.  He  early  gave  his  particular  attention  to 
sheep  raising  and  he  and  his  father  became  widely  known  among  the  breed- 
ers of  purebred  Cottswold  sheep  throughout  the  United  States.  When  Mr. 
Clark  decided  to  go  into  the  Cottswold  lin.e  on  an  extensive  scale  he  went  to 
Canada  and  personally  selected  his  stock  from  the  famous  flocks  of  the  Gar- 
butts,  the  Thompsons  and  others  of  equal  note  there  and  thus  stocked  the 
Clark  farm  with  as  good  stock  as  could  be  found.  Consecjuently,  it  was  not 
long  until  he  became  onie  of  the  best-known  "knights  of  the  crook"  in  the 
United  States,  the  products  of  the  Clark  flock  taking  prizes  all  over  the 
country.  In  190 1  ]\Ir.  Clark's  sheep  took  first  prize  and  sweepstakes  at  the 
New  York  state  fair  at  Syracuse  and  they  also  have  taken  firsts  or  seconds 
at  the  state  fairs  in  Illinois,  Indiana,  Iowa,  Minnesota  and  Nebraska.  On 
the  fine  Clark  farm  of  four  hundred  acres  south  of  Cable  there  is  a  flock 
generally  maintained  at  about  two  hundred  head  of  thoroughbreds  and  repre- 
sentatives of  this  flock  are  shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  country,  calls  coming 
from  other  breeders  from  coast  to  coast.  In  1908  Mr.  Clark  engaged  in  the 
coal  and  grain  business  at  Cable  and  there  also  became  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  his  widely  known  stock  food,  "Vermi-Salz".  which  is  in  wide 
demand  among  stock  raisers  throughout  the  country.  Mr.  Clark  also  owns 
elevators  at  Mingo  and  at  Hagenbaugh  and  has  done  well  in  the  grain  business. 

In  1896  O.  M.  Clark  was  united  in  marriage  to  Myrtle  Hinton,  daughter 
of  Taylor  Hinton  and  wife,  and  to  this  union  one  child  has  been  born,  a 
daughter,  Marjorie.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  and  Mr.  Clark  for  years  has  been  an  ofiice  bearer  in  the 
same,  having  held  at  one  time  and  another  nearly  every  office  in  the  church. 
Politically,  Mr.  Clark  is  a  Republican  and  has  long  given  his  earnest  atten- 
tion to  local  civic  affairs.  For  some  time  he  served  as  trustee  of  Wayne 
township  and  in  other  way^  has  done  his  part  in  the  public  service,  ever  help- 
ful in  promoting  movements  designed  to  advance  the  common  w^elfare  in 
the  com.munity  in  which  he  has  spent  his  life  so  usefully.  The  Clarks  have 
a  very  pleasant  home  at  Cable  and  take  a  proper  interest  in  the  general  social 
activities  of  the  village.  Mr.  Clark  is  a  Scottish  Rite  (thirty-second  degree) 
(13a) 


194  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

^lason  and  a  noble  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine,  affiliated  with  the  consistory.  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  in  the 
"valley"  of  Dayton  and  with  the  shrine  at  Dayton,  and  takes  a  warm  interest 
in  Masonic  affairs. 


VAN  METER  BROTHERS. 

Among  the  best  known  and  most  progressive  farmers  and  stockmen 
of  Champaign  county  are  the  Van  Meter  Brothers,  proprietors  of  beautiful 
"Woodbine  Earm,"  in  Union  township,  and  breeders  of  Duroc  hogs,  Ram- 
bouillet  sheep,  also  S.  C.  W.  Leghorn  chickens.  Edwin  R.  and  J.  L.  Van 
Meter  are  representatives  of  one  of  the  honored  old  families  of  this  section 
of  Ohio.  They  are  sons  of  Joseph  R.  and  Sarah  (Bretney)  Van  Meter, 
both  natives  of  Clark  county,  Ohio,  where  they  gre^\-  to  maturity,  atteiiding 
school.  When  a  young  man  the  father  worked  on  the  home  farm,  contin- 
uing there  until  he  removed  to  Union  township,  Champaign  county,  buying 
the  place  where  his  sons,  Edwin  R.  and  J.  L.,  now  reside.  He  improved 
the  place  and  was  successful  as  a  general  farmer  and  was  an  extensive  stock 
raiser.  At  one  time  he  owned  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  fine  farming 
land  in  this  township,  which  he  kept  well  improved,  and  he  ranked  among 
the  leading  agriculturists  of  his  locality.  He  carried  on  active  farming  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1902.  His  wife  preceded  him  to  the  grave  in 
1894.  To  these  parents  four  children  were  born,  namely:  ]ulwin  R.. 
Charles  R.,  L.  Harry  and  J.  L. 

J.  L.  Van  Meter  grew  up  on  the  home  farm,  and  he  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  rural  schools  of  Union  township,  then  took  up  farming  on  the 
home  place,  but  a  few  years  later  he  went  to  Kentucky  one  year,  where  he 
secured  a  position  as  clerk  in  a  store,  finally  coming  back  to  Clark  county. 
Ohio.  After  an  absence  from  home  altogether  of  about  ten  years,  he  re- 
turned to  the  home  farm  in  Union  township.  Champaign  county,  and  as- 
sisted in  operating  the  home  place  until  the  death  of  his  father,  when  he 
and  his  brother,  Edwin  R.,  took  over  the  homestead,  in  1903.  and  they  ha^•e 
since  operated  the  same  in  partnership,  owning  one  hundred  and  forty-six 
acres.  They  have  kept  the  land  under  a  high  state  of  improvement  and  cul- 
tivation. Although  they  carry  on  general  farming  successfully,  raising  a 
large  quantity  of  grain  from  year  to  year,  they  make  stock  raising  their 
chief  business  and  their  fine  stock  is  greatly  admired  by  all,  and  it  finds  a 
very  ready  market  whenever  offered  for  sale,  owing  to  its  superior  quality.. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  I9S 

The\  are  among  the  most  prominent  breeders  of  live  stock  in  Champaign 
and  adjoinmg  counties,  of  the  type  of  which  they  make  a  specialty.  Their 
Duroc  hogs  are  of  the  hnest  and  their  Rambouillet  sheep  are  in  demand  all 
over  the  country  for  breeding  purposes  and  are  shipped  over  a  wide  terri- 
tory. Their  fine  Teghorn  chickens  are  also  in  great  demand.  They  are 
exceptionally  good  judg"es  of  all  kinds  of  live  stock  and,  being  close  students 
of  all  that  pertains  to  this  line  of  business,  they  keep  well  abreast  of  the 
times  in  their  line.  They  have  substantial,  convenient  and  modernly  equipped 
buildings  for  the  i)roper  care  of  their  stock,  and  everything  about  the  place 
denotes  good  management  and  thrift. 

J.  L.  \'an  .Meter  is  unmarried,  but  luhvin  K.  married  Amelia  Van  I'ch. 
a  nati\  e  of  Kentucky,  and  the  daughter  of  Cyrus  N.  Van  Pelt,  who  married 
Mildred  Hope,  of  Clark  county,  Ohio,  she  of  Kentucky.  He  was  a  saddler 
and  in  early  life  worked  in  a  drug  store. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edwin  R.  Van  Meter, 
namely :    Rollin  C.  and  Sarah,  living,  and  Ross  M.  and  Joseph  R.,  deceased. 
■    Politically,  the  Van  Meter  brothers  are  Republicans,  and  they  belong  to 
the  .Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Catawba. 


GEORGE  E.  ROPP. 


One  (jf  the  well-remembered  and  highlv  esteemed  citizens  of  Union 
lownship,  Champaign  county,  during  the  generation  that  is  past  was  the 
late  George  E.  Ropp.  who  devoted  his  life  to  general  agricultural  pursuit - 
He  was  a  scion  of  a  sterling  old  southern  family,  and  his  birth  occurred  in 
Loudoun  county.  Virginia,  April  15.  1848.  He  was  a  son  of  John  W.  and 
Almina  \'irginia  ( Penhorn)  Ropp,  both  natives  of  Virginia,  where  they 
grew  up.  were  married  and  established  their  home  on  a  farm.  They  re- 
mained there  until  removing  to  ('lark  county,  Ohio,  and  later  they  came  to 
Champaign  county  and  bought  the  place  where  the  widow  <jf  George  E. 
Rop]>  is  now  living,  and  here  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  the  death  of 
John  W.  Ropp  occurring  in  1882.  He  had  devoted  his  life  to  general  fa- 
ing.  His  family  consisted  of  three  children,  namely:  George  E.,  Mrs.  B.  E. 
Hull,  and  one  that  died  in  early  life. 

George  E.  Ropp  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  he  helped 
his  father  \\  ith  the  general  work  there.  He  received  a  common  school  edu- 
cation in  Clark  county,  later  was  a  student  at  W'ittenliurg  College  at  Spring"- 


196  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

field,  conipletinji;'  the  law  course  there,  and  receiving"  the  degree  of  Bachelor 
of  Laws. 

Upon  completing  his  education  Mr.  Ropp  located  in  London,  Ohio,  and 
at  the  age  of  twenty-three  was  practicing  law  and  also  served  one  term  as 
mayor  of  London.  However,  not  fancying  the  law  as  a  life  work,  although 
i;i\  ing  promise  of  becoming  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  bar  in  Madison  county. 
he  went  to  Missouri  and  turned  his  attention  to  teaching  school,  becoming 
superintendent  of  schools  at  the  town  of  Holden,  Missouri,  remaining  there 
eight  years,  during  which  time  he  did  much  to  build  up  the  schools,  intro- 
ducing new  and  improved  methods  and  putting  them  under  a  superb  sys- 
tem. He  was  jjopular  with  both  pupils  and  teachers,  and  was  regarded  as 
one  of  the  leading  educators  in  that  section  of  the  state. 

After  his  teaching  career  in  the  West  Mr.  Ropp  returned  to  Ohio  and  took 
up  farming  on  his  father's  farm  in  Union  township,  Champaign  county,  on 
\vhich  he  si)ent  the  rest  of  his  life,  engaging  in  geneial  farming  and  stock 
raising  with  success.  He  became  owner  of  two  hundred  acres  of  good  land, 
which  he  kei)t  well  improved  and  well  cultivated,  and  kept  the  buildings  well 
repaired  and  the  surroundings  attractive  in  general. 

Mr.  Ropp  was  married  at  Holden,  Missouri,  on  July  10.  1883,  to  Anna 
L.  Batsell.  She  was  born  in  Simpson  county,  Kentucky,  July  16,  1864,  an( 
when  young  went  to  Holden,  Missouri.  She  was  educated  in  the  public 
-schools.  She  is  a  daughter  of  John  and  Ellen  (Whiteside)  Batsell.  He 
and  she  both  were  born  in  Simpson  county,  Kentucky,  near  Franklin.  He 
was  a  farmer  all  his  life.  They  lived  most  of  their  lives  in  Kentucky, 
and  she  are  both  dead.  They  had  six  children,  Florence,  Alice,  William, 
Frank,  Anna  L.,  Gordon.  They  were  members  of  the  Baptist  church  at 
Lf olden,  Missouri. 

To  George  F.  Ropp  and  wife  three  children  were  born,  namely :  Ouide 
B.,  married  Mayme  Long  and  they  have  one  child,  George,  a  farmer  on  the 
home  ])lace ;  Kersey  C  who  married  Kate  Smith  and  lives  on  the  home 
jilace;  RoUa  married  lassie  Stipp  and  they  have  two  children,  Horace  F. 
and  Carrol,  who  lives  in  Goshen  township,  a  farmer  and  member  of  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  Ouide  B.  and  Kersey  C.  are  members  of  the 
A'lasonic  order  at  Meehanicsburg. 

Politically,  Mr.  Ropp  was  a  Democrat  and  was  one  of  the  leaders  of 
his  ])arty  in  Champaign  county,  active  and  influential  in  public  affairs.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  school  l)oard.  l'>aternally,  he  belonged  to  the  Masonic 
order  at  Holden,  Missoin-i. 

Mr.  Ropp  was  called  to  his  eternal  rest  on  July  29,  191 5,  and  was  buried 
at  Meehanicsburg,  Ohio. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  I97 

HENRY  ELLSWORTH. 

Henry  Ellsworth,  farmer  of  Rush  township,  Champaign  county,  was 
born  in  Plymonth  county,  Iowa,  in  June,  1861.  He  is  a  son  of  William  and 
Harriet  (Kimble)  Ellsworth,  natives  of  Rush  township.  William  was  the 
son  of  Jacob  Ellsworth,  a  native  of  \''ermont.  who  married  Sarah  Runyon, 
and  they  were  early  settlers  in  Rush  township.  They  reared  a  large  family 
and  several  of  their  sons  were  in  the  Civil  War,  William  being  one  of  the 
younger  children.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  he  married 
in  Rush  township  in  1845.  H^  went  to  Iowa  overland  in  a  wagon  in  an 
early  day,  bought  land  there,  and  his  death  occurred  near  Sioux  City.  His 
family  consisted  of  live  children,  namely:  Frank  is  farming  at  Grand 
X'alley,  South  Dakota ;  Abbie  married  Ezra  Woodward  of  Columbus,  Ohio : 
Walter  is  farming  in  Rush  township;  Henry  of~this  sketch;  and  Mary,  who 
married  Jacob  Swisher  of  Mechanicsburg,  Champaign  county.  The  mother 
of  these  children  were  married  a  second  time,'  her  last  marriage  being  to 
E]:)hraim  Woodward  of  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  he  w'as  an  earh' 
settler  of  Wayne  and  Rush  townships,  this  county.  His  death  occurred  in 
1902  at  the  age  of  ninety-one  ^-ears.  His  wife  died  in  191 1  at  the  age  of 
seventy-four  years.  They  had  one  daughter,  Jane  W^oodward.  who  married 
James  Sparks,  and  they  live  at  Irvin  Station,  Ohio. 

Henr\-  Ellsworth  grew^  up  on  the  home  farm  and  he  received  a  limited 
education  in  the  public  schools.  At  the  age  of  five  years  he  went  to  live 
with  his  aunt.  Mrs.  Lucy  Guy.  of  ^ladison  county.  Her  death  occurred  when 
he  was  thirteen  years  old.  and  he  then  lived  with  his  mother  at  different 
places,  remaining  with  her  until  his  marriage  on  June  10,  1880,  to  Ada  Wil- 
son, who  was  lx3rn  in  Wayne  township.  Champaign  county.  She  is  a  daug'h- 
ter  of  William  and  .\Iac}'  (Winder)  Wilson,  natives  of  Wayne  township. 
Mr.  Wilson  died  at  North  Lev/isburg  in  1913  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine 
years.  His  wife  died  in  Wayne  township  in  1879  at  the  age  of  forty-four 
\ears.  They  were  members  of  the  Friends  church.  Five  children  were  horn 
to  William  Wilson  and  wife,  namely:  Nettie  is  deceased;  Rettie,  deceased, 
was  the  wife  of  John  Peterson;  Thomas  lives  in  Little  Ivock,  Arkansas: 
Charles  is  farming  in  Ru.sh  lownship,  and  Ada.  who  married  the  subject  of 
this  sketch. 

'["wo  children  have  been  born  to  ]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Ellsworth,  namely: 
Mabel  married  Rev.  Charles  Shinn.  a  minister  in  the  Baptist  church  and  a 
leader  in  the  state  Sundav  school  work,  being  secretarv  of  the  Ohio  State 


198  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Sunday  School  .Xssociation  ;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shinn  have  one  son,  Lawrence. 
Pearl  Ellsworth  married  Julia  Hanson  and  they  had  two  children,  namely : 
Catherine  and  Harold,  deceased.  Both  children  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
received  good  educational  advantages. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Ellsworth  settled  on  a  farm  in  Wayne  town- 
sliip  for  a  short  time.  In  1901  he  bought  his  present  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty-three  acres.  It  was  formerly  owned  by  Pearl  Howard  and  is  known 
as  the  "Eazy  Man's  Rest."     He  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising. 

Politicalh',  Mr.  Ellsworth  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
local  school  board.  He  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Eellows. 
Lodge  No.  \6/,  at  Woodstock.     His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Friends  church. 


OTTO  N.   HOWARD. 


Otto  X.  Howard,  proprietor  of  "Oakland  Place,"  Rush  township, 
Champaign  county,  was  born  in  Milford  Center.  Ohio.  May  15.  1868.  He 
is  a  son  of  Nathan  and  Helen  M.  (Hathaway)  Howard.  The  father  was 
born  in  Irwin,  Union  county,  this  state,  where  he  grew  U])  and  attended 
school.  The  mother  was  also  a  nati\e  of  that  count}-  where  she  grew  to 
womanhood  and  received  her  education,  .\fter  their  marriage  they  located 
two  and  one-half  miles  west  of  Milford  Center,  Ohio,  where  they  spent  the 
rest  of  their  lives  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising.  I'olitically,  Nathan 
Ploward  \yas  a  Republican  and  was  active  in  the  affairs  of  his  county.  Pie 
served  as  county  commissioner.  His  father,  WiUiam  How^ard,  was  one  of 
the  first  settlers  at  Irwin.  Union  county.  He  married  Mary  McDonald,  and 
devoted  the  rest  of  his  life  to  farming  there.  He  had  but  three  children — 
Nathan,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  .sketch:  William,  of  Union  county, 
deceased.  191 7.  and  Marv.  who  died  in  infancy. 

Nathan  Howard  and  wife  had  three  children,  namely:  Charles  Mack, 
who  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising  at  Hammond,  Kansas,  married 
Lucy  Reichenecker :  Cone,  who  is  a  farmer  and  stockman  of  near  Milford 
Center,  Ohio,  married  Alice  Hunt;  Otto  N.,  of  this  sketch. 

Otto  N.  Ploward  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  and  he  was  educated  in 
the  schools  of  Milford  Center,  Ohio,  then  attended  the  State  University  at 
Columbus.  After  leaving  school  he  took  up  farming,  finally  buying  the 
I.  I).  Cranston  place  in  Rush  township.  Champaign  county,  one  and  one-half 
miles  nfirth  of  Woodstock,  which  place  consists  of  iixe  hundred  acres.     He 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  199 

also  owns  three  hundred  acres  in  Union  county,  Ohio.  Both  farms  are  under 
a  fine  state  of  improvement,  with  substantial  and  convenient  sets  of  build- 
ing;s  and  the  land  is  kept  well  tilled.  General  farming  and  stock  raising  is 
carried  on  extensively,  large  numbers  of  cattle  and  hogs  being  fattened  each 
year  for  the  market.  He  has  made  a  specialty  of  breeding  Belgian  horses 
since  1914.  He  is  one  of  the  progressive  and  industrious  general  farmers 
of  the  county,  being  an  advocate  of  modern  scientific  methods.  Everything 
about  his  place  denotes  thrift,  good  taste  and  good  management.  He  has 
an  attractive  home  with  up-to-date  conveniences.  He  keeps  well  posted  on  all 
agricultUTal  topics  as  well  as  general  questions  of  public  import. 

Mr.  Howard  was  married  on  March  23,  1892,  to  Eunice  Smith,  of  Rush 
township.  Champaign  county,  and  a  daughter  of  A.  J.  and  Delilah  Smith, 
who  lived  on  a  farm  in  Rush  township  many  years,  but  in  1890  removed 
to  California  w  here  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  his  death  occurring  in 
1894  and  she  died  in  March,   1916. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Howard  three  sons  have  been  born,  namely:  Paul  S., 
~\iax  S.  and  Donald  D.     The  last  named  died  February  21,  1916. 

Mr.  Howard  is  public-spirited  and  always  ready  to  assist  in  any  move- 
ment having  for  its  oliject  the  general  good  of  his  locality,  but  he  does  not 
aspire  to  political  leadership.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  blue 
lodge  and  chapter  at  North  Lewisburg,  also  the  chapter  and  Knights  Tem- 
])lar  at  Urbana,  and  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine  at  Columbus.  He  is  a  man  of  excellent  business  acumen  and  person- 
ally is  neighborly.  companional)le  and  honest  in  all  his  relations  with  his 
fellowmen. 


WILLIAM  C.  KIMBALL. 

William  C.  Kimball,  farmer  and  stockman  at  Woodstock,  Champaign 
county,  was  born  on  December  17,  1862,  in  Rush  township,  this  county.  He 
is  a  son  of  Truman  M.  and  ^lary  Jane  (Chatfield)  Kimball,  natives  of  Ver- 
mont. For  a  record  of  the  Kimball  ancestry,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the 
sketch  of  D.  R.  Kimball,  which  appears  on  another  page  of  this  work.  Tru- 
man M.  and  Mary  Jane  Kimball  were  parents  of  two  children,  namely : 
Romette  married  I.  D.  Howard  and  they  live  in  Colorado  Springs;  William 
C,  of  this  sketch. 

William  C.  Kimball  received  his  education  in  the  home  schools.  He 
began  life  for  himself  in  1883,  continuing  general  farming  on  his  father's 
home  place  until  the  fall  of  1909,  when  he  moved  to  Woodstock  and  built 


200  CilAMPAIGN    COL' NT Y,    OHIO. 

a  beautiful  home.  He  is  now  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  two  hundred  and 
fifty-seven  acres  in  Rush  township,  which  is  well  improved,  including  a  sub- 
stantial set  of  building's.  He  has  been  very  successful  as  a  j^eneral  farmer 
and  stock  raiser. 

On  November  15,  1883,  Mr.  Kimball  married  Lucy  ]).  Marsh,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Charles  and  Laura  E.  Marsh,  who  were  descendants  of  Vermont  stock. 
Three  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kimball,  namely :  Edward 
Marsh  Kimball  was  educated  in  the  home  schools  and  the  Ohio  State  Uni- 
versity, also  the  Bliss  Business  College  at  Columbus;  he  married  Celia  Mar- 
tin, of  Woodstock,  and  to  their  union  three  sons  have  been  Ixjrn,  Robert 
Martin,  William  Henry  and  James  Edward.  Edward  ^f.  Kimball  is  oper- 
ating his  father's  farm  in  partnership,  and  in  connection  with  general  farm- 
ing he  deals  extensively  in  live  stock.  Marjorie  Kim!)all,  second  child  of 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  educated  in  the  home  schools,  later  taking  a 
course  of  two  years  in  domestic  science  at  Athens,  Ohio,  after  which  she 
taught  one  year  in  Woodstock;  on  ^lay  3.  1917,  she  married  Herbert  L. 
Hobert,  a  farmer  of  LInion  county,  Ohio.  Louise  Kimball,  youngest  child 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  unmarried  and  liviwg  at  home;  she  is  receixing 
a  good  education. 

Politically,  Mr.  Kimball  is  a  Republican.  He  is  president  of  the  school 
l:)oard  at  ^^'oodstock,  and  has  been  trustee  for  five  years.  Was  a  member 
of  the  school  board  of  Rush  township  for  five  years.  He  T>eIongs  to  the 
Masonic  lodge  at  North  Lewisburg  and  the  Knights  Templar  at  L^rbana. 

Mr.  Kimball  is  a  stockholder  and  director  in  the  People's  Bank  of  WiuhI- 
stock.  The  wife  of  this  subject  was  educated  at  Woodstock,  Oliio,  and  grew 
to  womanhood  at  this  place.  Her  father  was  a  buggy  maker  and  black- 
smith at  Woodstock  and  died  here  when  the  wife  of  subject  was  small. 
Her  mother  died  February  17,  1917.  They  hafl  three  children.  Martha  I''.., 
Charles  E.  and  Lucy  D.,  wife  of  subject. 


JACOB  M.  SHAMBAUGH. 

Jacob  M.  Shambaugh,  one  of  the  most  progressive  farmers  of  Irbana 
township,  this  county,  and  widely  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  breeders 
of  pure-bred  Poland-China  (large  type)  hogs  in  this  part  of  the  state,  is  a 
native  of  the  old  Keystone  state,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  this  county 
since  the  days  of  his  young  manhood.  He  was  born  in  York  county,  I'enn- 
sylvania,  January  24,  1872,  son  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  ( Burkh.eimer)  Shani- 


CHAMPAIGX    COUXTY,    OHIO.  20I 

baugh,  both  natives  of  that  same  state,  who  spent  their  last  days  tliere.  '1  he 
senior  Jacob  Shambaugh  was  reared  a  farmer  and.  when  a  young-  man,  came 
over  into  Ohio  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Alansfield.  Presently 
he  returned  to  Pennsylvania,  where  he  married  and  settled  down  on  a  farm 
in  York  county,  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  and  his  wife 
were  the  parents  of  five  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
the  third-born,  the  others  being  David,  William,  Minnie  and  Aimie. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  York  county,  Pennsylvania,  Jacob  A  I. 
Shambaugh  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  that  county  and  when 
but  a  boy  began  working  as  a  farm  hand  on  his  own  account.  When  he  was 
nineteen  years  of  age  he  came  to  Ohio  and  began  working  on  a  farm  in  this 
county.  He  was  married  at  the  age  of  twenty-four  and  then  rented  a  farm 
of  four  hundred  and  eightv^  acres  in  Union  township,  where  he  remained  for 
two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  moved  fartlier  north  in  the  count\- 
and  there  rented  a  farm  for  four  years.  Pie  then  rented  a  farm  in  Urbana 
township,  three  years  later  moving  to  the  Pettigrew  place,  in  that  same  town- 
ship, where  he  remained  for  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time,  in  1907,  he 
moved  to  the  Pledges  farm  of  three  hundred  and  sixty-five  acres  in  that  same 
township'  where  he  ever  since  has  made  his  home  and  where  he  has  very 
successfully  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  For  years  Mr. 
Shambaugh  has  given  particular  attention  to  the  breeding  of  Poland-China 
liogs  for  stock  purposes  and  annuall}-  sells  from  one  hundred  to  one  hundred 
and  fifty  hogs  for  this  purpose,  long  having  been  rec<_)gnized  as  one  of  the 
leading  breeders  of  this  type  of  swine  in  Ohio.  With  his  hogs  Mr.  Sham- 
baugh has  won  enough  ribbons  to  form  a  good-sized  blanket,  wliich  he  dis- 
plays with  his  exhibits  at  county  and  state  fairs.  In  1913  lie  carried  ofi:'*the 
first  prizes  for  both  boars  and  sows  in  the  Poland-China  class  at  the  state 
fair  and  has  always  carried  off  honors  at  the  count v  fair — that  is,  ever 
since  he  entered  into  the  breeding  business  on  something  like  an  extensixe 
scale,  about  twelve  years  ago.  Mr.  Shambaugh  is  a  Republican  and  during 
his  residence  in  Union  township  served  for  three  years  as  supervisor  of 
highway  construction  in  that  township. 

In  1896  Jacob  M.  Shambaugh  was  united  in  marriage  to  Jeannette 
Wagner,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Nancy  W^agner,  of  Clark  county,  and  to 
this  union  five  children  have  been  born,  Amos,  Joseph.  Margaret,  Anna 
Mary  and  Minnie,  all  of  whom  are  at  home.  The  Shambaughs  are  meml)ers 
of  the  Baptist  church  and  take  a  proper  part  in  church  work,  as  well  as  in 
the  general  social  activities  of  the  communits'  in  which  they  li\-e.  Mr.  Sham- 
baugh is  a  member  of  the  lodges  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 


202  CH  VMl'Air.N    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

at  Urbana.  of  the  Knights  of  Pytliias  at  Mechanicsburg  and  of  the  Junior 
Order  of  United  American  Mechanics  at  Mutual,  in  which  latter  lodge  he 
has  held  all  the  ''chairs".  He  carries  on  his  farming  in  accordance  with 
up-to-date  methods  and  is  widely  known  throughout  the  county  as  one  of 
the  progressive  agriculturists  of  this  section. 


ROWLAND  COTTON  MOULTON. 

One  of  the  sterling  pioneer  citizens  of  Champaign  county,  whose  name 
is  deserving  of  perpetuation  on  the  pages  of  local  history,  was  the  late  Row- 
land Cotton  Moulton,  of  Rush  townshij).  He  was  born  in  West  Randolph, 
Vermont,  P^ebruary  5,  182 1.  He  was  a  son  (jf  Phineas  and  Mariah  (Cotton) 
Moulton,  natives  of  Vermont,  where  they  grew  up,  married  and  established 
their  home,  spending  their  lives  there  on  a  farm.  Their  family  consisted  of 
two  sons  and  eleven  daughters.  One  of  the  daughters,  Lavinia,  taught  music 
tliree  years  in  Mechanicsburg,  Ohio. 

Rowland  C.  Moulton  grew  to  manhood  in  Vermont  and  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  and  the  academy  at  West  Randolph.  He  read  law  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar.  When  a  young  man  he  went  to  Wisconsin,  being 
a  pioneer  of  that  state,  later  locating  at  Grand  Detour,  Illinois,  where  an 
uncle  had  preceded  him.  He  became  a  successful  lawyer,  specializing  in  set- 
tling estates.  He  subsequently  moved  to  Woodstock,  Champaign  county, 
Ohio,  where  he  did  a  great  deal  of  the  legal  work  of  Erastus  Martin. 

•  Mr.  Moulton  was  married  in  Rush  townshii)  to  Olive  Pearl  Howard, 
who  was  born  in  that  township,  and  there  she  grew  to  womanhood  -  and 
attended  a  private  school  at  Mechanicsburg.  Her  birth  occurred  on  Febru- 
ary 3,  1832.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Anson  and  Olive  (Pearl)  Howard.  Mr. 
Howard  and  wife  were  natives  of  Hampton,  Connecticut.  In  18 17  they 
came  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  locating  among  the  pioneers  of  Rush  town- 
ship, Mr.  Howard  buying  military  land.  He  developed  a  good  farm  and 
became  one  of  the  leading  farmers  and  stockmen  of  his  locality.  He  was 
influential  in  public  affairs,  and  served  as  county  commissioner.  He  also 
took  an  active  part  in  the  Christian  church.  The  brick  house  which  he  built 
on  his  farm  in  Rush  township  is  now  occupied  by  Mrs.  .\[oulton,  widow  of 
the  subject  of  this  memoir.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Howard  spent  die  rest  of  their 
lives  on  this  farm,  dying  here  many  years  ago.  The}-  had  three  sons  and 
one  daughter,  namely:     Anson  Pearl  Howard  married  Elizabeth  Jane  Mc- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  JO;, 

Donald,  became  an  extensive  farmer  in  Rush  townsiiip  where  he  died  some 
time  ago;  George  P.,  deceased;  married  Celesta  Chapman,  of  Woodstock, 
and  she  later  married  a  Mr.  Purcell;  Charles  Philip  died  in  infancy;  Olive 
Pearl,  who  married  Mr.  Monlton,  of  this  sketch. 

Two  children  were  born  to  Rowland  C.  Monlton  and  wife,  namely: 
Olive  Pearl  Monlton,  died  wdien  four  years  old.  and  Mary,  who  married 
Charles  Bell  Whiley,  an  attorney  and  banker  of  Lancaster.  Oliio.  and  they 
have  two  children,  namely :  Dorothy  Bell  Whiley,  who  married  Philip 
Rising  Peters,  a  banker  of  Lancaster,  who  has  three  children,  namely :  MarA' 
Idelle,  Philip  Rising  and  Henry  Charles,  who  were  twin  sons.  Olive  Pearl 
AAHiilc}-  is  single  and  living  at  home. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Monlton  located  on  the  farm  where  his  widow- 
is  still  living,  in  Rush  townsiiip,  and  here  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  He 
was  a  successful  farmer  and  took  great  interest  in  his  fine  stock,  especially 
the  raising  and  breeding  of  Rambouillet  sheep  and  Shorthorn  cattle.  Pie 
^\•as  a  loyal  -RepublTcan.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church.  He 
Avas  a  man  of  honor  and  bore  an  imtarnished  reputation.  The  death  of 
^Ir.  Moulton  occurred  on  May  2y,  1908. 


TOHN  S.  McCARTY. 


John  S.  McCarty.  farmer  of  Rush  township,  (■hampaign  county,  was 
born  on  the  old  home  farm  in  this  township,  Noveml^er  19.  1865.  He  has 
been  content  to  spend  his  life  in  his  native  locality,  rather  than  seek  uncertain 
fortune  in  other  counties  or  states.  He  is  a  son  of  Enoch  and  Rebecca 
(Morgan)  McCarty.  The  father  was  born  on  Januar}^  11.  1833,  in  this 
county,  and  he  was  a  son  of  Stephen  McCarty,  of  Virginia,  from  which 
state  he  came  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  in  an  early  day,  built  a  log  cabin 
in  the  woods,  cleared  and  developed  a  good  farm  and  here  spent  the  rest 
of  his  life.  Rebecca  Morgan  was  born  in  Wayne  township,  this  county,  and 
is  still  living  on  the  home  place.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Abel  Morgan,  who 
tirst  married  Naomi  Cox.  and  secondly  Keziah  Blair,  of  this  county.  Mr. 
Morgan  devoted  his  life  to  farming.  He  went  to  Kansas  in  later  }-ears  and 
died  there.  He  was  the  father  of  eight  children,  four  l)v  each  wife.  To 
Stephen  McCarty  and  wife  six  children  were  born,  namely :  Betsy  Ann, 
who  first  married  John  Stowe,  and  secondly  a  Mr.  Meyers :  James,  who  is 
farming  in  Wayne  township,  married,  first.  Sallie  Ann  Leese,  and  secondly 
Nancy  Johnston ;  John  married  Minerva  Johnston,  moved  to  Auglaize  county. 


204  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Ohio,  and  died  there;  Daniel  married  Angeline  Zimmerman,  of  Auglaize 
county;  Enoch,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and  Thomas,  who  died 
in  early  life. 

Enoch  McCarty  devoted  his  life  to  general  farming  and  stock  raising. 
He  was  a  Republican,  but  was  never  active  in  political  affairs.  His  family 
consisted  of  but  two  children,  namely:  Sarah  Louise,  who  married  John  \\\ 
Katchford,  a  farmer  of  Urbana  township;  John  S.,  of  this  sketch. 

John  S.  McCarty  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools.  He  has  always  lived  on  the  homestead  and  has  devoted 
his  life  successfully  to  general  agricultural  pursuits.  He  owns  a  finely 
improved  and  well  cultivated  farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty-four  acres 
in  Rush  township.  He  has  a  pleasant  home  and  such  outbuildings  as  his 
needs  require.  He  raises  a  good  grade  of  live  stock  and  breeds  a  good  many 
cattle.  He  raises  large  quantities  of  grain  which  he  feeds,  for  the  most  part, 
to  cattle  and  hogs,  preparing  several  carloads  each  year  for  the  market. 

Mr.  McCarty  was  married  on  December  22,  1891,  to  Susie  Cushman. 
of  Woodstock,  this  county,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  attended 
school.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Charles  A.  Cushman,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears 
on  anodier  page  of  this  work,  to  which  the  reader  is  respectfully  directed. 
One  child  has  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCarty,  Charles  E.  McCart}-, 
whose  birth  occurred  on  September  7,   1907. 

Politically,  Mr.  McCarty  is  a  Republican,  but  he  has  never  aspired  for 
office.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Universalist  church  at  Woodstock. 


JOHN  H.  WOOLENHAN. 

John  H.  Woolenhan,  a  well-known  building  contractor  at  Urbana  and 
an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  is  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  has  lived 
in  this  state  all  his  life,  a  resident  of  Urbana  since  1887.  H^e  was  born  on 
a  farm  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Logan  on  September  25,  1840,  son  of 
Joseph  and  Hannah  (Havens)  Woolenhan,  the  former  a  native  of  the  state 
of  Marylrmd  and  the  latter  of  this  state,  whose  last  da\'s  were  spent  in  Logan 
county. 

Josei)h  Woolenhan  came  to  this  state  from  Maryland  in  the  day>  of  liis 
young  manhood  antl  presently  acquired  a  tract  of  unimproved  land  in  Logan 
county  and  proceeded  to  clear  and  de\elop  the  same.  After  his  marriage  lo 
a  flaughter  of  one  of  the  i)i(^neers  of  that  neighborhood  he  estalilished  his 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  205 

Iiome  on  the  place  he  had  taken  and  there  he  and  his  wife  spent  their  last 
days,  useful  and  influential  members  of  that  pioneer  coniniunit\ .  Joseph 
AA'oolenhan  originally  was  a  Whig  in  his  political  affiliations,  hut  upon  the 
organization  of  the  Republican  party  cast  his  lot  and  allegiance  with  tliat 
party  and  remained  a  stanch  Repu1)lican  to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  and 
his  wife  were  earnest  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  were 
helpful  in  all  neighborhood  good  works.  They  were  tlie  ])arents  of  two 
children,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having  had  a  sister,  So])hia.  long  since 
deceased. 

John  H.  Woolenhan  grew  up  on  the  paternal  farm  in  Logan  county  and 
received  a  limited  schooling  in  the  somewhat  primitive  schools  of  that  time 
and  place,  the  school  house  in  which  he  received  his  schooling  having  been  a 
little  old  log  school  house  of  the  type  familiar  in  pioneer  days,  with  slabs 
for  seats  and  but  the  crudest  helps  to  learning.  As  the  onl}-  son  of  tlie  family 
he  w-as  from  the  days  of  his  boyhood  a  xalued  aid  to  his  father  in  the  labors 
of  improving  and  developing  the  home  place  and  w-as  \vorking  at  home  when 
the  Civil  War  broke  out.  Though  but  twenty  years  of  age  at  the  time 
President  Lincoln  issued  his  first  call  for  volunteers  he  enlisted  for  service 
in  the  Union  army,  on  April  22,  1861,  becoming  a  private  of  Company  A. 
Thirteenth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  with  whicli  command  he 
served  until  the  expiration  of  the  three-months  term  of  ser\ice  on  w-hicfi  his 
enlistment  was  based.  Three  days  after  his  return  home  from  that  term 
of  service  he  re-enlisted  and  went  to  the  front  as  a  memljer  of  Company  G, 
First  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Lifantry,  and  was  mustered  into  the  service 
for  the  second  time  at  Dayton,  being  sent  thence  to  Cincinnati  and  later  to 
Louisville,  where  the  command  was  organized  and  attached  to  the  Depart- 
ment of  Ohio.  Later  the  First  Ohio  was  attached  to  the  Fourth  Army 
Corps,  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  under  General  Thomas  and  General  W'ard, 
and  in  that  service  Mr.  Woolenhan  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  the 
siege  of  Corinth,  on  to  Huntsville,  Alabama,  and  then  jjarticipated  in  the 
battle  of  Stone's  River,  in  which  latter  engagement  he  was  taken  prisoner 
by  the  enemy  and  held  for  some  little  time  before  being  exchanged.  After 
rejoining  his  regiment  he  participated  in  the  battles  at  Chickamauga,  Mis- 
sionary Ridge,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Resaca,  Dallas  and  numerous  skirm- 
ishes. He  served  under  Sherman  during  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  at  tlie 
close  of  the  war  received  his  discharge  at  Chattanooga,  Tennessee. 

Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  John  H.  \A  cnilenhan  returned 
home  and  resumed  the  pursuits  of  peace  on  his  father's  farm.  He  married 
in    1866  and  continued  farming,  at  the  same  time  taking  uj)  the  carpenter 


_'06  CHAMPAIGN    COUiXTY,    OHIO. 

trade  and  prtsently  became  an  expert  Iniilder,  after  awhile  giving  his  whole 
attention  to  that  vocation.  In  1887,  seeking  a  wider  held  for  his  building 
operations,  Air.  Woolenhan  moved  to  Urbana,  started  in  business  there  as  a 
Ituilding  contractor  and  has  ever  since  been  thus  engaged  in  that  city,  being- 
one  of  the  best-know  n  builders  in  Champaign  county.  Not  long  after  taking 
up  his  residence  in  Urbana,  Mr.  Woolenhan  was  made  a  member  of  that 
city's  police  force  and  for  fifteen  years  served  in  that  capacity.  He  is  a 
stanch  Republican  and  has  ever  given  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  civic 
aflairs,  an  ardent  advocate  of  good  government. 

In  1866,  in  Logan  county,  John  H.  Woolenhan  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Anna  Ferguson,  of  Rochester,  New  York,  and  to  that  union  three  daugh- 
ters have  been  born,  namely  Jennie,  who  married  Wesley  Smith,  of  Urbana, 
now  residing  at  Cleveland,  where  he  is  serving  as  auditor  for  the  Adams 
Express  Company,  and  has  two  children,  l/'aul  S.  and  Louise ;  Minnie,  pro- 
prietor of  a  millinery  store  at  Urbana,  who  married  Grant  Wooley,  an 
Urbana  traveling  man,  and  Lelah,  who  married  Frank  Conyers,  an  Url^ana 
jeweler,  and  has  one  child,  a  son,  George.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  \Voolenhan  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  take  a  proper  interest  in 
church  work,  Mr.  Woolenham  is  an  active  member  of  W.  A.  Brand  Post  No. 
98,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  in  which  he  has  held  nearly  all  the  otitices 
at  one  time  and  another,  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that 
patriotic  organization. 


ROBliRT  EARL  HUMPHREYS. 

Robert  Earl  Humphreys,  head  of  the  firm  of  Humphreys  &  Son,  pro- 
prietors of  the  oldest  undertaking  establishment  in  Champaign  county,  and 
for  years  one  of  the  best-known  citizens  of  Urbana,  is  a  nati\'e  son  of  Ohio 
and  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinit\ 
of  Enon,  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Clark,  Ma\  11,  1872.  son  of  George 
H.  and  Ida  ]..  (Miller)  Humphreys,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  that  same 
county  and  the  latter  of  whom  is  still  living  at  her  comfortal)le  home  in 
Urbana. 

In  a  memorial  sketch  presented  elsewhere  in  this  \-olume  and  relating  to 
the  late  George  Harvey  Humphreys,  an  Ixjnored  \  eteran  of  the  Civil  War 
and  for  vears  engaged  in  the  undertakmg  business  at  L-'rbana,  who  died  at 
his  home  in  that  citv  on  February  27.  it)i(>.  there  is  set  out  at  c()nsideral)le 
Icngtli   something  of  the  hislory   <>f   the    Huinphre_\s   and    .Miller   families   in 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  20J 

this  part  of  the  state,  and  the  attention  of  the  reader  is  respectfully  called 
to  that  sketch  for  further  details  of  a  genealogical  character  in  this  connec- 
tion. Sufifice  it  to  say,  for  the  purposes  of  this  present  narrative,  that  George 
H.  Humphreys  was  born  in  Clark  county,  this  state,  on  November  27,  1842, 
a  son  of  James  and  Catherine  (Kiefer)  Humphreys,  the  former  of  whom 
was  born  in  Virginia  and  the  latter  in  Maryland,  who  were  married  in  the 
spring  of  1824  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Clark  county,  this  state,  where  they 
became  useful  and  influential  pioneers  and  where  they  spent  the  remainder 
of  their  lives,  the  former  living  to  nearly  eighty  years  of  age.  Of  their  ten 
children,  George  H.  Humphreys  was  the  ninth  in  order  of  birth.  He  left 
Williamsburg  College  when  eighteen  years  of  age  to  enlist  for  service  in 
behalf  of  the  Union  cause  during  the  Civil  War  and  went  to  the  front  with 
the  Sixteenth  Ohio  Batten-,  with  which  command  he  served  from  August,. 
1861,  to  August,  1865,  being  mustered  out  with  the  rank  of  corporal.  After 
his  marriage  in  1868  he  continued  to  live  in  Clark  county,  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, until  1872,  when  he  moved  to  Urbana,  where  he  bought  an  old  estab- 
lished undertaking  establishment  and  continued  engaged  there  as  a  funeral 
director  until  his  retirement  and  transfer  of  the  business  to  his  son  and  for 
years  his  partner,  the  present  head  of  the  business.  George  H.  Humphre}s 
and  wife  were  the  parents  of  two  sons,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having 
had  a  younger  brother,  Harry  French,  born  on  October  8,  1876,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  four  years  and  two  months. 

Robert  E.  Humphreys  was  but  an  infant  when  his  parents  moved  from 
the  farm  to  Urbana  and  he  was  reared  in  that  city,  being  made  familiar  with 
the  details  of  his  father's  business  from  the  days  of  his  boyhood.  Upon  com- 
pleting the  course  in  the  Urbana  high  school  he  entered  Wittenberg  College 
at  Springfield,  and  after  three  years  of  study  there  took  a  course  of  one  year 
at  the  Cincinnati  Business  College,  at  the  end  of  which  course  he  became 
actively  connected  with  his  father  in  the  undertaking  business  at  I'rbana  and 
in  1892  was  made  a  partner  of  his  father,  the  firm  thereafter  1)eing  known 
as  George  H.  Humphreys  &  Son,  that  mutually  agreealjle  arrangement  con- 
tinuing until  in  191 5,  in  which  year  the  elder  Humphreys  retired,  selling  his 
interest  in  the  concern  to  his  son,  who  has  since  continued  the  business, 
which  is  now  conducted  under  the  firm  name  of  Humphre}s  &  Son,  R.  E. 
Humphreys  having  admitted  his  son,  R.  M.  Humphreys.  t<i  ]>artnership  in 
the  concern.  For  ten  years  after  he  became  a  partner  in  the  l)usiness  R.  F.. 
Humphreys  traveled  for  the  Spring-field  Metallic  Casket  Company,  calling 
on  the  wholesale  trade  throughout  the  East.  The  concern  of  which  lie  is 
tlie  head  is  the  oldest  undertaking  estalilishment  in  Champaign  countv  and 


2o8  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

one  of  the  best  equipped  in  the  state.  For  forty-three  years  its  business  was 
carried  on  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Church  and  Main  streets  and  after  Mr. 
Humphreys  bought  out  his  father's  interest  and  assumed  control  of  the 
business  he  bought  the  old  Stadler  home  and  converted  the  same  into  an 
undertaking  establishment,  at  the  same  time  adding  to  his  equipment  until 
he  now  has  eveiything  thoroughly  up  to  date  and  modern  in  appointment. 
Mr.  Humphreys  is  a  Republican.  Fraternally,  he  is  a  member  of  all  the 
local  Masonic  bodies,  including  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  and  Con- 
sistory, of  Dayton  Ohio,  and  is  a  noble  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of 
Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  affiliated  with  Antioch  Temple,  at  Dayton.  He 
also  is  a  member  of  the  United  Commercial  Travelers'  Association  and  of 
the  local  lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  in  the  affairs  of 
all  these  organizations  takes  a  warm  interest. 

On  Noveml>er  24,  1894,  Robert  E.  Humphreys  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Rovilla  Edna  Mumpher,  daughter  of  John  J.  and  Augusta  (Gest)  Mumpher, 
and  to  this  union  one  child  has  been  born,  a  son,  Robert  ^lumphcr  Humi^h- 
reys,  who  is  associated  with  his  father  in  the  undertaking-  business. 


HENRY  D.  McDonald. 

Henr\  D.  McDonald,  one  of  the  Ijest  known  merchants  of  Urbana  for 
half  a  century,  was  born  in  the  city  October  5,  1831.  and  died  here  October 
(J,  1901.  His  whole  career  Avas  spent  in  the  city  of  his  birth  and  such  w'as 
liis  life  that  he  merited  the  high  esteem  in  which  he  was  held  by  all  those  who 
knew  him.  He  was  a  son  of  Duncan  and  Eleanor  (Wallace)  McDonald, 
his  father  being  one  of  the  earliest  merchants  of  the  city.  The  history  of 
the  McDonald  family  from  the  time  they  left  Scotland  until  they  located  in 
Urbana  is  given  in  the  sketch  of  Duncan  McDonald  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

Henrv  D.  AfcDonald  was  reared  in  Urbana  and  educated  in  its  public 
schools.  He  spent  his  boyhood  vacations  in  his  father's  store  and  l)efore 
reaching  his  majority  had  g-ained  an  intimate  knowledge  of  his  father's  busi- 
ness. His  father  retired  from  the  business  in  i860  and  at  that  time  turned 
the  store  over  to  his  sons.  For  forty  years  he  was  engaged  in  business  and 
during  these  two  score  of  years  he  became  as  well  known  by  the  ]ieople  of 
the  county  as  any  man  living  in  it. 

It  seems  Htting  to  make  special  mention  of  his  ability  as  a  buyer  of  dry 
goods.     He  had  gfxxl  taste  and  was  often  offered  positions  in  the  T^ast  while 


ClIAMPAIGX    COUNTY.    OHIO.  20g 

Lu\iiig-  goods,  l)iit  always  refused  them,  preferring  to  remain  in  Qrbana. 
His-  store  had  the  best  goods  which  the  markets  of  New  York  could  provide 
and  in  his  annual  trips  to  that  city  he  selected  the  highest  price  goods  which 
he  thought  could  be  sold  in  the  county.  His  store  set  the  pace  in  fashions 
for  half  a  century  and  it  was  to  his  credit  that  he  educated  the  people  of  the 
county  to  a  realization  of  higher  notions  of  art  in  the  matter  of  sartorial 
raiment. 

Henry  D.  McDonald  was  married  November  i8,  1853.  to  Leah  Read,  a 
daughter  of  Joel  and  Leah  Read.  To  this  union  were  born  six  children : 
Joel  R..  born  August  9,  1854,  died  July  2t,,  1896;  Mary,  born  October  31, 
]856.  married  Charles  Brown;  Emily,  born  May  9,  1864,  died  October  31, 
1897:  she  married  C.  C.  Glessner;  Harry  R.,  born  November  18,  1866;  Leah, 
Ixirn  June  7,  1872,  now  residing  in  Urbana;  William  Wallace,  born  Decem- 
ber 12,  1875,  died  June  i,  1880.  The  mother  of  these  children  died,  May 
15,  1878.  Mr.  McDonald  later  married  Elsie  Critchfield.  a  daughter  of 
Enoch  and  ^Laria  Critchfield. 

Mr.  McDonald  was  a  Republican  in  politics  and  while  he  was  interested 
in  the  general  civic  development  of  his  city  and  county,  yet  he  never  made 
an}-  attempt  to  court  political  favor.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  He  will  be  remembered  by  the  citizens  of  the  older  generation  as  a 
quiet  and  unostentatious  man,  below-  the  medium  height,  of  genteel  appear- 
ance and  a  man  who  always  attended  strictly  to  his  own  affairs.  He  was 
one  of  the  last  of  the  ATcDonalds  to  engage  in  business  and  his  career  was 
a  fitting  close  to  the  example  set  by  the  earlier  members  of  the  family  in 
Champaign  county. 


JOSEPH  CARL  NEER. 

Prof.  Joseph  C.  Neer,  county  superintendent  of  schools  for  Champaign 
count\%  is  a  native  son  of  this  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life  with  the 
exception  of  a  few  months  during  his  childhood  when  he  lived  in  Kansas. 
He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Urbana  township  on  November  16,  1875,  son  of 
Joseph  and  Sarah  (Chance)  Neer.  both  of  whom  also  were  born  in  this 
count}-,  the  former  in  Concord  township  and  the  latter  in  Mad  River  town- 
ship, both  the  Neers  and  the  Chances  being  old  pioneer  families  in  Cham- 
])aign  countv.  Joseph  Neer  was  a  farmer  and  continued  engaged  in  that 
vocation  in  this  county  until  1876,  when  he  moved  with  his  family  to  Kansas, 
■  (14a) 


2IO  CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO. 

where  his  wife  died  the  same  year.  Xot  long  afterward  he  disposed  of  his 
holdings  in  that  state  and  moved  on  down  into  Texas,  where  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  occnrring  some  years  ago. 

Joseph  C.  Xeer  was  luit  eight  months  old  when  his  mother  died  and 
shortly  after  that  sad  event  his  father  sent  him  hack  to  the  old  family  home 
in  this  county  and  he  was  here  reared  1)\  his  uncle  and  aunt,  Thomas  and 
jane  Hupp.  Upon  completing  the  course  in  the  common  schools  he  began 
teaching  in  one  of  the  district  schools  of  Concord  township  and  for  four 
}ears  taught  in  one  district  there,  the  school  being  conducted  in  a  small  one- 
room  building.  Meanwhile  he  was  in  attendance  on  the  summer  courses  in 
Wittenberg  College  at  Springheld  and  upon  completing  the  course  there  was 
graduated  from  that  institution  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  When 
the  schools  of  Concord  township  were  consolidated  Professor  Neer  was 
made  superintendent  of  the  townshiji  high  school  and  held  that  position  for 
four  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  was  called  to  accept  the  principalship 
of  tlie  South  Ward  school  in  Urbana.  a  position  he  occupied  for  seven  years, 
rendering  such  excellent  service  there  that  he  then  was.  made  principal  of 
the  Urbana  high  school  and  was  occupving  that  position  when,  in  1914, 
upon  the  crea.tion  of  the  new  ofifice  of  county  superintendent  of  schools,  under 
the  new  sdiool  law,  he  was  elected  the  first  county  superintendent  of  schools 
for  Champaign  county,  which  position  he  now  occupies  and  in  the  perform- 
ance of  the  duties  of  which  he  has  rendered  a  very  distinct  service  in  behalf 
of  the  schools  of  this  county,  coming  to  be  recognized  widely  as  one  of  the 
leading  school  men  in  this  part  of  the  state.  Professor  Neer  is  a  Repul> 
lican  in  his  political  affiliation  and  has  for  years  given  his  close  attention  to 
local  political  affairs,  a  most  earnest  exponent  of  good  government. 

On  September  8,  1898,  Prof.  J.  C.  Neer  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Avanell  Loudenback,  daughter  of  Elijah  and  Sidney  (Kelly)  Loudenback, 
and  to  this  union  has  been  born  one  child,  a  son,  Robert.  Professor  and 
Airs.  Neer  are  members  of  Grace  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  take  an 
earnest  interest  in  the  general  beneficences  of  the  same,  the  Professor  being" 
a  member  of  the  official  board  of  the  church.  The  Professor  is  a  Knight 
Templar  and  Royal  i\rch  Mason,  present  junior  warden  of  the  local  Masonic 
lodge,  and  is  a  noble  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mvstic 
Shrine,  affiliated  with  Antioch  Temple  at  Dayton,  and  takes  an  active  interest 
in  Masonic  afifairs.  As  the  first  incumbent  of  tht-  office  of  county  superin- 
tendent of  schools  in  Champaign  count)-.  Professor  Neer  faced  a  rather  tax- 
ing task  upon  opening  that  office  and  in  initiating  the  system  under  which 
the  schools  of  the  countv  have  since  done  such  admirable  work,  but  his  km'-- 


CHAMPAIGX    COUNTY,    OHIO.  211 

experience  as  a  school  man  and  his  thorough  famiharity  with  conditions  both 
in  the  city  and  county  schools,  gave  him  the  ability  to  meet  the  task  intelli- 
gently and  with  full  knowledge  of  the  needs  of  the  schools  and  his  course 
as  superintendent  has  met  with  the  warm  approval  not  only  of  the  patrons 
of  the  schools  throughout  the  countv,  but  of  the  local  school  authorities. 


EDWIN  M.  GUYTON. 


Edwin  M.  Guyton,  a  farmer  of  Rush  township,  Champaign  county,  was 
born  north  of  INIutual,  Union  township,  this  county,  November  6,  1864.  He 
is  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Nancy  (Yeazel)  Guyton,  the  father  a  native  of  Clark 
county,  this  state,  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Union  township,  Champaign 
county.  Samuel  Guyton  was  brought  to  Union  tmvnship,  this  county,  when 
young  and  here  he  spent  his  boyhood  days  and  attended  the  common  schools. 
As  a  young  man  he  took  up  farming  north  of  Mutual,  was  married  and  spent 
the  rest  of  his  life  on  a  farm  in  that  vicinity.  His  death  occurred  there  in 
October,  1913,  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  His  wife  died  in  June, 
1905.  They  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  cliurch.  To  these 
parents  six  children  were  born,  namely:  Belle  is  the  wife  of  Henry  Ackles, 
of  Atlantic,  Iowa;  Mary,  unmarried,  is  a  milliner  and  li\es  in  Louisiana: 
Edwin  M.,  of  this  sketch;  Minnie,  who  married  Charles  Black,  is  now 
deceased ;  Nellie  married  Robert  Ray  and  they  live  at  Norwood,  Ohio ; 
Myrtle  is  the  wife  of  Charles  Gaver,  a  farmer  of  I'nion  township,  this 
county. 

Edwin  M.  Guyton  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  he  was 
educated  in  the  Yankee  Hill  school,  in  this  county.  He  continued  to  work 
on  the  home  farm  until  his  marriage,  which  took  place  in  September,  1(88/. 
to  Jennie  Parker,  a  native  of  Union  township,  Champaign  county,  and  here 
she  grew  to  womanhood  and  attended  the  public  schools.  Slie  is  a  daughter 
of  Erank  J.  and  Annie  (Romine)  Parker,  the  father  a  native  of  New  Hamp- 
shire and  the  mother  a  native  of  Goshen  township,  this  county.  Mr.  Parker 
spent  his  boyhood  in  New  England,  coming  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio, 
when  a  young  man  and  located  in  Union  township,  before  the  bi-eaking  out 
of  the  Civil  War.  When  hostilities  began  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Sixt\- 
sixth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  which  he  served  until  the  close  of  the 
war,  proving  to  be  a  brave  and  efficient  soldier  of  the  I'nion.  After  his 
honorable  discharge  he  returned  lionie  and  engaged  in  general   farming  in 


212  CIIAATl'ATGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Union  township  until  his  death  in  1875,  his  widow  surviving  until  i8yo. 
Jennie,  who  married  Mr.  Guyton,  of  this  review,  was  their  only  child. 

Three  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Guyton,  namely :  Gail 
Parker,  born  October  9,  1890;  Lois  Marie,  born  September  ly,  1904,  and 
P^ ranees  died  at  the  age  of  nine  months. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Guyton  located  on  a  farm  in  I'nion  lowtihsip. 
near  Mutual,  where  he  resided  two  years,  then  moved  lo  Rush  township  and 
bought  the  Stephen  K.  Smith  place  of  seventy-three  acres,  and  here  he  has 
carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  ever  since,  with  very  satisfac- 
tory results.  He  keeps  a  good  grade  of  cattle,  hogs  and  horses.  He  moved 
here  in  1891.  He  has  made  many  important  improvements  on  the  place  and 
has  a  good  group  of  buildings. 

Mr.  Guyton  is  a  Republican.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  school  board 
at  W^oodstock  for  some  time  and  is  now  ])i-esident  of  tlie  board.  He  belongs 
to  the  Grange. 


TRUMAN  B.  GEST. 


Truman  B.  Gest,  a  prominent  retired  farmer  and  Hxe-stock  dealer  of 
this  county  and  former  general  manager  of  the  L'rbana  I'acking  Company, 
with  residence  at  Urbana,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived 
here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Mt. 
Tabor  on  February  16,  1855,  son  of  William  B.  and  Harriet  Matilda  (Parke) 
Gest,  he  a  native  of  Greene  county,  this  state,  and  she  a  native  of  New 
Jersey,  and  whose  last  days  were  spent  in  this  county. 

William  B.  Gest  was  a  son  of  Jeremiah  and  Parmelia  Gest,  the  former 
of  whom  was  a  New  Englander  and  the  latter  a  nati\-e  of  (3hio,  wlu^e  last 
days  were  spent  in  Greene  county.  Jeremiah  Gest  was  one  of  the  early  set- 
tlers and  best-known  residents  of  Greene  county,  a  miller  and  large  land- 
owner. He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  three  sons,  the  Hon.  Joseph 
Gest.  one-time  prosecuting  attorney  for  Greene  county,  former  representa- 
tive in  Congress  from  that  district  and  a  large  landowner,  who  took  a  very 
prominent  part  in  the  public  affairs  of  his  home  district;  Truman  B.  Crest, 
who  became  a  wealthy  merchant  tailor,  the  scene  of  his  business  activities 
having  beeji  in  Maryland  and  Virginia  and  whose  last  days  were  spent  in 
Urbana,  where  he  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years,  and  William  B. 
Gest.  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  biographical  sketch.  \\'i]liam  !>.  Gest 
Q-rew  to  manhood  in  his  home  count\-  and  was  there  married.      Aliout    1848 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  213 

lie  came  to  Champaign  county  and  bought  a  farm  in  the  Alt.  Tabor  neigli- 
l)orliood,  where  he  established  his  home  and  where  he  remained  until  his 
retirement  from  the  farm  and  removal  to  Urbana  about  1883.  He  was  one 
of  the  large  landowners  and  stockmen  of  this  part  of  the  state  and  was  wide- 
ly known  on  account  of  his  extensive  operations.  William  B.  Gest  died  in 
1888,  at  the  age  of  sixty-three  years  and  his  widow  survived  him  for  twelve 
years,  her  death  occurring  at  Urbana  in  1900,  she  then  being  seventy-eight 
years  of  age.  She  was  an  active  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
and  was  ever  a  leader  in  local  good  works.  William  B.  Gest  and  wife  were 
the  parents  of  four  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the 
third  child  born,  the  others  being  as  follow :  Augusta,  who  married  J.  J. 
Mumpher,  of  Urbana,  and  has  three  children,  Rovilla,  wife  of  Earl  Humph- 
ries, of  Urbana;  Ethel,  wife  of  Clyde  Brown,  of  Seattle,  Washington,  and 
Helen;  Laura,  who  died  in  1883,  at  the  age  of  thirty-two  years,  and  Belle, 
who  married  J.  F.  Kimball,  of  Mechanicsburg,  this  county,  and  died  in  Feb- 
ruary,  1888. 

Truman  B.  Gest  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  in  this  county  and  early 
began  paying  particular  attention  to  the  live-stock  business.  In  addition  to 
his  extensive  general  farming  he  became  a  large  dealer  in  livestock,  for 
eight  years  buying  cattle  for  Nelson  Morris,  of  Chicago,  and  for  twelve  years 
buyer  for  Alexander  Greenwald.  He  was  one  of  the  most  active  promoters 
of  the  organization  of  the  Urbana  Packing  Company  in  1906  and  was  made 
president  and  general  manager  of  that  concern  upon  its  establishment.  Air. 
Gest  remained  as  manager  of  the  packing  plant  until  19 15.  when  he  retired 
from  active  business.  He  has  a  very  pleasant  home  in  Urbana  and  is  very 
comfortably  situated.  Mr.  Gest  retains  his  \\ell-im[)roved  fann  in  Salem 
township  and  continues  to  take  much  interest  in  the  farming  and  stock-feeding 
operations  carried  "on  there.  He  is  a  Republican  in  his  political  affiliations 
and  has  ever  taken  a  good  citizen's  interest  in  local  civic  affairs,  ])ut  has  not 
been  a  seeker  after  public  office. 

On  December  15,  188 1.  Truman  B.  Gest  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Mamie  B.  Enoch,  of  West  Liberty,  this  state,  daughter  and  only  child  of 
John  and  Amelia  (Taylor)  Enoch,  prominent  residents  of  that  place,  the 
former  of  whom  was  a  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Enoch,  natives  of  Vir- 
ginia and  early  settlers  at  \\'est  Liberty.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gest  five  chil- 
dren have  been  born,  namely:  Laura  E.,'wife  of  George  L.  Thomas,  buyer 
and  assistant  manager  of  the  "Hub""  .store  at  Chicago,  and  who  had  one 
child,  a  daughter.  Catherine  ^^'.,  who  died  on  March  21,  190Q,  at  the  age 
of  seven  years  and  six  months ;  Amelia,  who  married  \\' .  G.  Bailey,  super- 


214  CH\J\1)''AIGK    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

intendent  of  the  Cincinnati  division  of  the  Big  Fonr  railroad,  with  head- 
quarters at  Springfield,  this  state,  and  has  one  child,  a  son,  William  Gest : 
William  B.,  of  Toledo,  this  state,  a  car-route  man  for  the  G.  H.  Hammond 
Company,  of  Chicago;  Belle  K.,  at  home,  and  Harriet  Eliza,  wife  of  Will- 
iam Marvin  Johnson,  of  Urliana,  connected  with  the  W.  B.  Marvin  Com- 
pany and  also  a  farmer  and  stockman.  Mr.  Gest  is  a  Mason  and  a  member 
of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  in  the  affairs  of  both  of  which 
organizations  he  takes  a  warm  interest.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
the  Pres%terian  church  and  have  ever  taken  a  proper  interest  in  church 
work,  as  well  as  in  the  general  good  works  of  the  community,  ever  helpful 
in  promoting  all  mo^-ements  designed  to  advance  the  common  welfare  here- 
about. Mr.  Gest  is  a  public-spirited  citizen  and  has  done  much  to  promote 
tlie  industrial  and  commercial  activities  of  Urbana  and  of  the  county  at 
large.  As  a  stockman  there  are  few  men  in  that  line  in  this  part  of  the 
state  better  known  than  he  and  he  has  done  much  to  advance  the  live  stock 
industrv  throughout  this  section. 


ELIJAH  J.  HANNA. 

Elijah  J.  Hanna,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  a  well- 
known  retired  merchant  of  Urbana,  is  a  native  of  Virginia,  but  has  been  a 
resident  of  this  county  since  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age.  He  was  born  in 
Nicholas  county,  Virginia,  now  a  part  of  West  Virginia,  x\pril  7,  1844,  son 
of  Moses  and  Sarah  (Kelfison)  Hanna,  both  also  natives  of  the  Old  Domin- 
ion, the  former  born  in  Nicholas  county  and  the  latter  in  Pocahontas  count}-. 

Moses  Hanna  was  a  farmer  and  stockman  and  spent  all  his  life  in  his 
native  county,  his  death  occurring  there  not  long  after  the  close  of  the  Ci\il 
War.  He  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife,  Sarah  Kellison,  died  in  1854. 
leaving  five  children,  of  whom  the  sul)ject  of  this  sketch  was  the  second 
in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow :  Nathan,  deceased ;  David,  who 
died  during  the  time  of  the  Civil  War;  Elizabeth,  of  Kanawha  county.  West 
Virginia,  and  C.  B.  Hanna,  a  well-known  retired  farmer  of  Mad  River  town- 
ship, this  county,  now  living  at  Urbana  and  a  biographical  sketch  of  whom 
is  presented  else^vhere  in  this  volume. 

Reared  on  the  farm,  Elijah  J.  Hanna  received  a  limited  schooling  in 
the  primitive  schools  of  his  home  neighborhood.  He  was  ten  years  of  age 
when  his  mother  died  and  when  fifteen  years  of  age,  in  T859.  i-^ame  o\'er  into 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  21 5 

Ohio  and  located  in  this  county,  presently  becoming  engaged  as  a  clerk  in 
a  store  in  Concord  township  and  was  living  there  when  the  Civil  War  broke 
out.  In  the  fall  of  1861  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  army  as  a  mem- 
ber of  Company  C.  Sixty-sixth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  Capt. 
J.  O.  Baird  and  Col.  Charles  Candy,  and  with  that  command  went  to  Vir- 
ginia to  join  Shields'  army.  At  the  battle  of  Cedar  Mountain  Mr.  Hanna 
was  shot  in  the  right  shoulder,  the  bullet  passing  through  his  body  and  com- 
ing out  near  the  backlx>ne.  Thus  seriously  wounded  he  was  taken  captive  by 
the  enemy  and  was  sent  to  Libby  Prison.  About  a  month  later  he  was 
paroled  and  sent  to  Ft.  Delaware,  where  about  six  months  later  he  received 
his  honorable  discharge  on  a  physician's  certificate  of  disability  and  was  sent 
home.  Upon  regaining  his  wonted  health  Mr.  Hanna  re-enlisted  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Twelfth  Ohio  Cavalry  and  with  that  command  went  to  Kentucky, 
thence  to  Tennessee  and  thence  on  with  Sherman  in  that  general's  march  to 
the  sea,  continuing  his  service  until  the  close  of  the  war,  receiving  his  final 
discharge  at  Columbus,  this  state,  in  1865.  Upon  the  completion  of  his  mil- 
itary service  Mr.  Hanna  returned  to  this  county  and  presently  engaged  in 
the  mercantile  business  at  Crayon  and  was  thus  engaged  at  that  place  until 
1903,  in  which  year  he  moved  to  Urbana,  where  he  opened  a  second-hand 
store  and  was  engaged  in  that  line  for  a  couple  of  years,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  he  retired  from  business  and  has  since  been  living  retired,  continuing 
to  make  his  home  in  Urbana.  Mr.  Hanna  is  a  Republican  and  has  ever 
given  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  political  affairs,  but  has  not  been  a 
seeker  after  public  office. 

In  1873,  in  Concord  township,  this  county,  Elijah  J.  Hanna  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Margaret  J.  Crin,  who  was  born  in  that  township  in  Januar}-, 
1854,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Melissa  (Barger)  Crin,  natives  of  Virginia 
and  early  settlers  in  this  county,  and  to  that  union  six  children  were  born, 
namely:  Anna  Frances,  who  married  J.  K.  Bosler,  a  farmer,  who  makes  his 
home  with  Mr.  Hanna  in  Urbana ;  Zeda,  who  married  Mary  Kite  and  is 
living  at  St.  Paris,  this  county,  engaged  in  the  railway  mail  service ;  John, 
who  married  Ella  Fitzpatrick  and  is  engaged  as  a  motorman  on  the  street 
railway  at  Springfield,  this  state ;  Charles  Elmer,  who  also  is  engaged  in  the 
railway  mail  service,  who  married  Hazel  Blose  and  makes  his  home  at 
Urbana;  Commodore,  unmarried,  who  is  a  broom-maker  at  Urbana,  and 
Cecil  Blanch,  also  unmarried,  who  likewise  makes  his  home  at  Urbana.  Mr. 
Hanna  is  an  acti\'e  member  of  Brand  Post  No.  98,  Grand  Army  of  the  Repub- 
lic, at  Urbana,  and  is  the  senior  vice-commander  of  the  same.  He  former- 
ly was  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  but  is  no  longer 
actively  affiliated  with  that  order. 


l6  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


A.  H.  MIDDLETOX,  Al.  D. 


Success  in  any  enterprise  demands  that  some  person  shall  learn  to  do 
some  thing  better  than  it  has  been  done  before.  It  is  especially  true  in  the 
medical  profession.  As  a  successful  general  physician  Dr.  A.  H.  Middleton, 
of  Cable,  Champaign  county,  has  done  much  for  the  cause  of  suffering- 
humanity  and  has  won  the  evidences  of  deserved  success  for  himself.  He 
was  born  two  and  one-half  miles  southeast  of  Cable,  Ohio,  January  24, 
1863.  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  (AlcCumber)  Middleton.  He  is  one  of  the 
best  known  representatives  of  this  generation  of  the  sterling  and  honored 
old  Middleton  "family,  members  of  which  ha^■e  been  prominent  in  the  affairs 
of  this  section  of  the  Buckeye  state  since  pioneer  days.  A  full  history  of 
the  family  will  be  found  in  the  sketch  of  Judge  Evan  P.  Middleton,  editor 
of  this  work,  on  another  page  of  this  \olume. 

Dr.  A.  H.  Middleton  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  community  and 
received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Wayne  township.  He 
began  life  for  himself  by  teaching  school,  which  he  followed  for  five  years 
in  Wayne,  Rush,  Mad  River  and  Adams  townships.  His  services  were  in 
good  demand  and  he  ga\'e  eminent  satisfaction  to  both  pupils  and  patrons. 
iVlthough  giving  ])romise  of  becoming  one  of  the  leading  educators  of  this 
section  of  the  state,  he  finally  decided  that  the  medical  [jrofession  had  greater 
attractions  for  him  and.  aband(ining  the  school  room,  he  entered  the  Cleve- 
land Homeopathic  Medical  College,  where  he  spent  three  years,  making  an 
excellent  record  and  .was  grriduated  witli  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine 
in  1887.  On  May  20th  of  that  year  he  began  practice  at  Cable,  continuing 
until  1890.  when  he  moved  to  Terre  Haute,  this  county,  but  after  a  year 
there  returned  to  Cable  and  has  since  practiced  here.  He  enjoyed  from  the 
first  a  large  and  satisfactory^  patronage  and  takes  high  rank  among  the  med- 
ical men  of  Champaign  and  adjoining  counties.  He  has  remained  a  close 
student  of  all  that  ])ertains  to  bis  jirofession  and  has  kept  well  abreast  of  the 
times. 

D(jCtor  Middleton  was  married,  on  January  1.  r.S88.  to  Alice  Baker,  a 
daughter  of  .\.  J\.  and  Rebecca  (^^'eaver)  Ilaker.  She  was  born  in  Mad 
lvi\er  township,  this  countv.  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  attended 
scIkjoI.  In  that  township  also  her  parents  grew  up  ;ind  married.  Her 
grandparents.  I'rederic  and  Lydia  Baker,  who  came  to  Champaign  county 
from  Maryland,  were  pioneer  settlers  in  Mad  River  township,  where  they 
spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  on  a  farm.      .\.  R.   Baker  also  devoted  his  life  to 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  2 1  ^^ 

farming-  in  AJad  River  townshii).  His  family  consisted  of  fi\c  children,  one 
of  whom  died  in  infancy,  namely:  Harry:  Effic  married  Brown  Seibert : 
Gertrude  married  [Monroe  Berry:  Alice  is  the  wife  of  Doctor  Middleton. 
A.  R.  Baker  died  (m  January  i.  1917,  and  his  wife  died  on  February  I'j, 
190J. 

The  union  of  Doctor  Aliddleton  and  wife  resulted  in  the  birth  of  four 
chiklren.  only  one  of  whom  is  now  living,  Rollin  Perry,  who  married  Nellie 
Gettles,  and  they  have  one  child,  Alice  Jean. 

Politically,  Doctor  Middleton  is  a  Republican  and  has  long  taken  an 
abiding  interest  in  public  affairs.  He  has  held  the  of^ce  of  justice  of  the 
l)eace  and  has  also  been  health  officer  at  Cable  for  a  number  of  years,  dis- 
charging his  duties  in  both  positions  in  an  aljle,  faithful  and  satisfactory 
manner.  He  belongs  to  the  JNIethodi'^t  E])iscopal  church  and  is  a  trustee  in 
the  same. 


HORACi<:   M.   CROW. 

Horace  >l.  Cmw.  city  auditor  of  Urbana,  former  city  solicitor  and  for 
years  a  practicing  attorney  in  that  cit} ,  was  born  in  the  city  of  Cincinnati 
on  April  4.  1855,  son  of  Thomas  D.  and  Henrietta  <  Downs )  Crow,  who 
located  in  Urbana  early  in  the  sixties.  Thomas  D.  Crow  was  an  attorney- 
at-law  and  upon  locating  at  UrbaiKi  engaged  there  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession  and  was  thus  engaged  until  his  death,  the  greater  part  of  that 
time  being  associated  in  practice  \vTth  his  elder  son,  Herman  D.  Crow,  who 
later  moved  West  to  the'  state  of  Vv^rt^ington  and  served  ele\en  years  on 
the  supreme  bench  of  that  state  and  died  on  October  22.  1Q15.  while  in  office. 

Upon  completing  the  course  in  the  Urbana  i)ublic  sclnjols,  Horace  Af. 
Crow  entered  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  and  after  a  course  of  two  years 
there  began  teaching  school  and  was  thus  engaged,  in  Champaign  and  Frank- 
lin counties,  for  three  years,  in  the  meantime  studying  law.  Fie  later  be- 
came a  clerk  in  a  mercantile  establishment  at  Urbana.  but  continued  to  study 
law,  under  the  direction  of  his  father  and  brother,  and  in  December,  1878, 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession  at 
Urbana.  In  the  spring-  of  1881  he  moved  to  \'an  Wert,  was  married  in  the 
fall  of  the  next  year,  and  continued  to  make  his  home  at  \'an  Wert  until 
1884,  serving-  one  term  as  deputy  clerk  of  the  courts  while  living-  there.  Upon 
his  return  to  Urbana  in  1884,  Mr.  Crow  resumed  the  practice  of  law  in  that- 
city  and  was  thus  engagetl  there  until  in  h'ebruary,  1887,  when  lie  moved  to> 


2lH  CHAiMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

C'olumlms,  where  lie  entered  upon  the  duties  of  the  office  of  deputy  in  the 
office  of  the  clerk  of  the  state  supreme  court,  to  which  he  had  been  appointed, 
and  upon  the  com])letion  of  his  service  in  that  capacity  in  1893  returned  to 
Urbana  and  resumed  his  practice.  Tn  1895  he  was  elected  city  solicitor  and 
served  in  that  cap;icity  until  i8o().  in  which  year  he  re-entered  the  practice 
of  the  la\\  and  has  since  been  practicing  alone.  In  1910  Mr.  Crow  was 
elected  cit>-  auditor  and  is  still  serving-  in  that  important  public  capacity.  In 
1893.  npon  the  organization  of  the  Industrial  Building  and  Loan  Associa- 
tion at  Urbana,  Air.  Crow  was  elected  secretary  of  that  association  and  has 
ever  since  occupied  that  position. 

It  was  on  October  19,  1882,  while  living  at  Van  Wert,  that  Horace  M. 
Crow  was  united  in  marriage  to  Frances  Kenaga,  daughter  of  W.  F.  Kenaga 
and  wife.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crow  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  and  take  a  proper  interest  in  church  work,  as  well  as  in  the  general 
>()cial  activities  of  their  home  town.  Mr.  Crow  is  a  member  of  the  local 
-Masonic  lodge  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  same.  He  is 
one  of  Urbana's  active,  public-spirited  citizens  and  has  been  helpful  in  pro- 
moting nunierous  agencies  designed  to  advance  the  common  welfare  here- 
about.  


ALBERT  C.  NEFF 


Albert  Cleveland  Neff,  manager  of  the  Urbana  Telephone  Company 
and  one  of  the  best-known  men  in  Champaign  county,  is  a  native  son  of 
this  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life,  with  the  exception  of  some  years 
spent  in  the  telephone  service  in  the  neighboring  cities  of  London,  Belle- 
fontaine  and  Kenton.  He  was  born  at  Terre  Flaute.  in  Mad  River  town- 
ship, March  26,  1865,  son  of  Jacob  and  Celesta  (Baker)  Neff,  both  of  whom 
were  born  , in  that  same  township,  members  of  pioneer  families  in  that  part 
of  the  county,  the  former  dying  at  his  home  in  Mad  River  town.ship  and 
the  latter  is  living  at  Dayton,  to  which  city  she  moved  after  the  death  of 
her  husband. 

Jacob  Neff  was  born  on  a  pioneer  farm  in  Mad  River  township  on 
(Jctober  2,  1838.  son  of  Samuel  and  Fdizabeth  (  Strickler )  Neff,  who  came 
to  this  county  from  X'irginia  in  1830  and  settled  on  a  I'arm  in  Mad  River 
township,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Sanniel  Neff  be- 
came one  of  the  most  substantial  and  influential  pioneers  of  the  Terre  Haute 
neighborhood  and  for  twenty  years  served  as  trustee  of  his  home  township. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  219 

lie  also  was  elected  to  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace,  I)ut  declined  to  serve 
in  that  capacity.  He  was  one  of  the  leaders  in  the  local  congregation  of  the 
Methodist  church  and  rook  an  active  part  in  all  neighborhood  good  works. 
Samuel  Neff  died  in  1865  and  had  lived  to  rear  the  largest  family  ever  reared 
in  ^fad  River  township,  eighteen  children.  He  was  thrice  married.  By 
his  hrst  wife,  Elizabeth  Strickler,  he  had  ten  children,  five  of  whotn,  Isaac, 
Alary,  Peter,  David  and  Abraham,  were  l)orn  in  \'irginia.  and  live,  John, 
Henry  G.,  Joseph,  Caroline  and  Jacob,  in  this  county.  The  mother  of  these 
children  died  on  March  23,  1840,  and  in  Octoljer  of  that  same  year  .Samuel 
Neff  married  Rachel  Romick,  who  died  in  1845,  leaving  four  children. 
Michael.  Barbara,  Samuel  R.  and  Daniel  W.  After  the  death  of  the  mother 
of  these  children  he  married  Rachael  Landaker,  who  died  in  December, 
1863,  'I'l^l  t"  that  union  were  born  four  children,  Aaron.  Caroline,  Jonas  and 
i'^mma. 

Reared  on  tlie  home  farm,  Jacob  Neff  received  his  sch(x)ling-  in  the 
neighboring  schools  and  early  learned  the  trade  of  wagon-making,  presentlv 
opening  a  wagon  shop  in  the  village  of  Terre  Haute  in  partnership  with 
•Xnanias  Lutz,  which  he  operated  in  connection  v.itli  his  farming,  and  lj€came 
one  of  the  best  known  men  in  that  part  of  the  coun.ty,  his  wagon  shop-ever 
being  a  popular  gathering  place  for  the  farmers  of  that  \icinity  upon  their 
shopping-  trips  to  the  village.  Jacob  Neff  married  Celesta  Baker,  who  also 
was  born  in  that  township,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Ann  Baker,  pioneers 
of  that  neighborhood,  and  to  that  union  three  children  were  born,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  having  a  sister,  Clififie  A.,  who  married  E.  PI.  Foltz,  and  a 
lirothcr,  Adene,  who  is  living  in  Dayton,  Ohio.  Jacob  Neff  died  at  Terre 
Haute  in  1889  and  his  widow  is  still  living  in  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Albert  C.  Neff  grew  up  at  Terre  Haute,  receiving  his  schooling  in  the 
schools  of  that  village,  and  earl}-  i)repared  himself  for  teaching,  for  fifteen 
years  thereafter  being  engaged  as  a  teacher  in  the  schools  of  Mad  River 
and  Jackson  townships  and  in  the  high  school  at  Mutual,  this  county.  In 
1899  he  became  connected  with  the  office  of  the  Central  Pinion  Telephone 
Company  at  P^rbana  and  a  year  later  was  made  manager  of  the  office  of  that 
company  in  the  neighboring-  county  seat  of  Pondon,  remaining  thus  engaged 
in  that  city  for  four  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  was  given  charge 
of  the  offices  of  the  company  at  Belief ontaine  and  Kenton,  serving  as  man- 
ager of  those  offices  until  1904.  He  then  returned  to  Urbana  and  was 
manager  of  the  Central  Union  Telephone  Company,  until  1910,  wheij  the 
Crl)ana  Telephone  Company,  an  independent  concern,  oft'ered  him  the  posi- 
tion of  manager  of  the  office  and  plant  of  that  companv  at  P^rbana  and  he 


220  niAIVIl'AlGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

accepteci,  evt-r  since  ser\  in^-  in  that  capacity.  During  Mr.  Neff's  managerial 
connection  with  the  Url^ana  Telephone  Company  la^e  has  done  much  to 
extend  the  service  in  that  city  and  adjacent  territory  and  by  the  introduction 
of  the  modern  automatic  .system  has  done  wonders  in  the  way  of  populariz- 
ing- the  service  of  the  company  with  which  he  is  connected. 

In  j8.S(^  \ll)ert  C.  Xeff  was  united  in  marriage  to  Ida  B.  Fansler, 
daughter  of  ( icorge  and  Sarah  Fansler,  of  Mad  River  township,  and  to 
this  union  two  cliildren  have  ])een  born,  Esta  and  Hazel,  both  of  whom  are 
at  li(tmc.  The  Xcffs  are  meml)ers  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Mr.  Neff  is  a 
Mason  and  an  Odd  Fellow  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  lodge  affairs.  He 
lias  served  as  nolilc  grand  of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  as  chief  patriarch  of  the  encampinent.  Politically,  he  is  an 
"independent." 


WALTER  ELLSWORTH. 

Walter  Ellsworth,  a  farmer  of  Rush  townshii),  Champaign  county,  was 
born  August  2,  1861,  in  Plymouth  county,  Iowa.  Me  is  a  son  of  \\'illian: 
and  Harriet  (Kimball)  Ellsworth,  both  natives  of  Rush  township.  Champaign 
county.  Ohio.  The  paternal  grandparents  (jf  the  suliject  of  this  sketch  were 
Jacob  and  Sarah  (  Runyon)  Ellsworth,  natives  of  A'ermont,  from  which 
state  they  came  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  in  an  early  day.  locating  on  a 
farm  in  Rush  township.  The}-  reared  a  large  faniilx'.  se\eral  of  their  sons 
serving  in  the  Cnion  army  during  the  Civil  War.  \\'illiam  Ellsworth,  wlio 
was  one  of  the  younger  children,  grew  u])  on  the  home  farm,  and  lie  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  and  was  married  in  Rttsh  township.  In  1845 
he  made  the  overland  trip  to  Iowa  in  wagons.  He  was  one  of  the  pioneers 
of  that  state.  He  owned  a  good  farm,  which  he  developed  from  the  virgin 
prairies,  and  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  in  that  state,  dying  near  Sioux  City. 
His  family  consisted  of  five  children,  namely  :  l-'rank  is  farming  near  Grand 
Valley.  Corson  county.  South  Dakota;  Abbie  married  Ezra  Woodward,  of 
Ccjlumbus.  Ohio;  Walter,  of  this  sketch;  Henry  is  a  farmer  of  Rush  town- 
ship, this  county;  and  Mary  is  the  wife  of  Jacol)  Swislier,  of  .Mechanics- 
burg. 

Tlie  mother  of  the  above  named  children  married  a  second  time,  her 
last  husband  ])eing  b^phraim  Woodward,  of  Chester  county.  Pennsylvania, 
and  an  early  settler  of  Wayne  and  Rusli  townships,  this  county.  His  death 
occurred  in   i<)02  at  the  age  of  ninet\-one  \ears.     His  widow  surxived  until 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  221 

1911,  dying  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years.  One  child,  a  daughter,  was 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Woodward,  namely;  Jane,  who  is  the  wife  of  James 
Sparks,  of  Irwin  Station,  Ohio. 

Walter  Ellsworth  had  little  opportunity  to  obtain  an  education.  He 
was  a  child  when  his  parents  brought  him  to  Champaign  county.  As  a  box- 
he  was  bound  out  for  four  years  to  James  McElroy.  and  he  worked  at  dif- 
ferent places  until  he  was  married,  July  13.  1884,  to  Estella  Smuh,  a  native 
of  \Voodstock,  this  county,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  attended 
school.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Philip  A.  and  ]\Iary  (Hopkins;  Smidi,  who 
spent  their  lives  on  a  farm  in  Rush  to\vnship.  He  died  October  16,  1881. 
She  died  January  22,  19 10.  They  \vere  members  of  the  Christian  church. 
Politically,  Mr.  Smith  was  a  Democrat,  and  he  was  at  one  time  trustee  of 
his  township.  To  these  parents  only  two  children  were  born,  namely :  Leon 
C,  who  is  a  conductor  on  the  Norfolk  &  Western  railroad,  with  headcjuar- 
ters  in  Columbus,  married  Gertrude  Crossan,  and  they  have  one  child,  Philip 
H. ;  and  Estella,  wife  of  Mr.  Ellsworth,  of  this  sketch;  Eannie  Walker  is 
an  adopted  daughter. 

To  Mf.  and  Mrs.  Ellsworth  two  children  have  been  born,  namely: 
Truman,  Avho  is  now  employed  at  the  Dupont  Powder  ^^'orks  in  Washing- 
ton ;  and  Howard,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen. 

After  his  marriage,  Mr.  Ellsworth  located  in  Woodstock,  this  county. 
x\herc  he  continued  to  reside  until  1886,  when  he  bought  his  present  farm  of 
eighty  acres  in  Rush  township,  which  he  has  since  operated  with  gratifving 
results,  carrying  on  a  general  farming  and  dairying  business. 

Politically,  Mr.  Ellsworth  is  a  Republican.  Eraternally,  he  belongs  to 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at  Woodstock.  .Mrs.  Ellswortli  is 
a  member  of  the  Christian  church  at  Woodstock. 


JESSE  G.  ROTKIN. 


Jesse  G.  Botkin,  well-known  florist  and  hot-house  gardener  at  Crbana, 
proprietor  of  the  well-appointed  "East  Lawn  Gardens"  at  the  edge  of  that 
city,  is  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life.  He  was 
born  at  Plattsville,  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Shelby,  .March  5.  1869, 
son  of  Amos  and  Elizabeth  (Vorris)  Botkin,  both  of  whom  also  were  born 
in  that  same  county.  For  a  number  of  years  after  his  marriage  Amos 
Hotkin  remained  in  Shelby  county,  wliere  he  was  engaged  in  farming,  and 


222  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

then  moved  to  Clark  county,  where  he  estabhshed  his  home  on  a  farm  and 
where  he  is  still  living,  being  now  in  the  eighty-fifth  year  of  his  age.  To 
him  and  his  wife  seven  children  were  born,  of  whom  six  are  still  living, 
but  of  whom  only  two  are  residents  of  Champaign  county,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  having  a  sister,  Mrs.  Samuel  NefT,  living  here. 

Having  been  but  a  child  when  he  went  with  his  parents  from  Shelby 
to  Clark  county,  J.  G.  Botkin  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  the  latter 
county  and  in  the  schools  of  that  county  received  his  early  schooling.  He 
supplemented  that  schooling  by  a  course  in  Ohio  VVesleyan  University  and 
two  years  after  leaving  that  institution  took  up  seriously  the  vocation  of 
gardening  and  after  a  careful  study  of  the  technical  side  of  that  dilBcult 
vocation  was  made  ground  keeper  and  gardener  for  the  A^ational  Home  for 
the  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics  at  Tiffin  and  laid  out 
the  present  beautiful  grounds  of  that  institution.  Two  years  later  Mr. 
Botkin  determined  to  go  into  gardening  as  a  business  and  with  that  end  in 
view  came  to  Champaign  county  and  began  gardening  on  a  tract  of  land 
he  secured  near  King's  Creek,  in  Salem  township.  A  year  later  he  moved 
to  Urbana,  where  he  bought  nine  acres  of  land  on  the  edge  of  the  town  and 
there  established  his  ''East  Lawn  Gardens,"  which  have  become  so  popular 
as  a  source  of  supply  not  only  for  choice  garden  products,  but  for  the  choice 
products  of  the  florist's  skill,  among  the  people  of  Urbana  and  the  county 
at  large,  Mr.  Botkin  long  having  been  regarded  as  the  leading  market 
gardener  and  florist  in  Champaign  county.  When  Mr.  Botkin  started  "East 
Lawn  Gardens"  his  financial  means  were  somewhat  limited  and  he  was 
corajx:lled  to  start  in  a  small  way,  his  initial  plant  under  glass  consisting  of 
but  six  hot-beds.  He  now  has  more  than  six  thousand  square  feet  under 
glass  and  more  than  two  hundred  and  fifty  hot-beds  and  in  addition  to  his 
extensive  florist  business  raises  for  market  large  ([uantities  of  celery  and  let- 
tuce and  se\eral  hundred  of  thousands  of  cabbage  plants  annually.  He  has 
his  plant  equipped  with  the  Skinner  irrigation  system  and  has  one  of  tlie 
best-equipped  plants  of  the  kind  in  this  part  of  the  state.  Mr.  Botkin  is  a 
Republican  and  gives  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  political  afifairs,  but  has 
never  been  a  seeker  after  public  office. 

Li  1893,  '^t  Tiffin,  this  state,  J.  G.  Botkin  was  united  in  marriage  to  Ella 
Kramer,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  Kramer,  and  to  this  union  seven 
children  have  been  born,  Wenner,  Esther,  Jesse  Lee,  Ethel,  Morris,  Theodore 
and  Otto.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Botkin  are  members  of  the  First  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  at  Urbana  and  take  an  interested  part  in  church  work  and  in 
the  general  social  activities  of  the  city.     Mr.   Botkin  is  a   Mason  and   is  a 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  223 

Knight  Templar  in  that  ancient  order.  He  is  past  chancellor  commander  of 
the  local  lodge  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  a  member  of  Salem  Grange  at 
King's  Creek  and  an  honorary  member  of  the  Junior  Order  of  United  Ameri- 
can Mechanics,  and  also  past  grand  in  Urbana  Lodge,  Indej^endent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows,  in  the  affairs  of  all  of  which  organizations  he  takes  a  warm 
interest. 


TOHX  AI.  EICHHOLTZ. 


John  M.  Eichholtz,  one  of  the  oldest  and  best-known  retired  farmers, 
of  Champaign  countv,  ncnv  living  at  Urbana,  was  born  in  Lancaster  county, 
l^ennsylvania.  August  i,  1836,  and  was  but  three  years  of  age  when  his  par- 
ent, John  and  Mary  (Alyers)  Eichholtz.  also  natives  of  Lancaster  county, 
drove  across  the  countrv  into  Ohio  seeking  a  new  home  in  1839. 

Upon  coming  lo  this  state  the  elder  John  Eichholtz  rented  a  farm  in 
tlie  neighborhootl  of  Midway  and  lived  there  for  one  season,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  he  moved  to  Salem  township,  this  county,  and  there  bought  a 
tract  of  two  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  partly  improved  land,  paying  for 
the  same  hfteen  dollars  an  acre.  .\l)out  iifty  acres  of  that  tract  had  been 
cleared  and  there  had  been  erected  on  the  same  a  log  cabin  and  a  log  barn. 
John  luchholtz  comi)]eted  the  clearing  of  the  i)lace  and  made  substantial 
improvements  on  the  same,  sjjcnding  there  the  remainder  of  his  life.  His 
widow  spent  her  last  days  in  Urbana.  Thev  were  the  parents  of  nine  chil- 
dren, of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  now  is  the  onl}-  sur\ivor,  the  others 
having  been  Jacob,  Catherine.  Ilenry.  Mary,  Solomon,  Cynthia  and  tw<j  whcj 
died  in  infancv. 

John  M.  I'j'chholtz  \\as  reared  on  the  pioneer  farm  of  his  father  in 
Salem  township,  receiving  his  schooling  in  the  primitive  scIkk^Is  of  that  time 
and  place,  and  from  the  da}s  of  his  boyhood  was  a  \alued  assistant  to  his 
father  in  the  lal)ors  of  developing  and  improving  the  home  place.  He 
remained  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-seven  years  of  age  and  then  went  to 
Dayton,  where  he  l)ecame  employed  in  cooper  shop,  remaining  there  two 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  returned  home,  but  after  a  winter  spent 
there  went  to  Stark  county,  this  state,  where  he  bought  a  small  farm  and 
where  he  was  married.  He  later  established  his  home  on  a  better  farm  in 
that  county  and  there  he  remained  for  twenty  years,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  he  came  to  this  county  and  bought  a  (|uarter  of  a  section  of  land  near 
Kingston,  in  Salem  township,  not  far  from  the  home  of  his  boyhood,  and 


224  ClIAMP.vIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

tliere  he  lived  until  his  retirement  from  the  farm  and  removed  to  Urbana  in 
1016.  Some  time  after  locating"  in  Salem  township  Mr.  Eichholtz  bonght 
the  old  Tallidtt  farm  of  one  hnndred  and  ten  acres  and  in  addition  to  his 
farm  holdings  is  also  the  owner  of  considerable  real  estate  in  the  city  of 
L'rbana  and  is  acconnted  ([uite  well-to-do.  He  has  been  a  hard  worker  all 
his  life  and  is  ver\-  jiroperly  entitled  to  be  called  a  self-made  man,  for  the 
])ro[)erty  he  has  accumnlated  has  been  secnred  through  his  own  well-directed 
efforts. 

As  noted  above,  it  was  shortly  after  he  located  in  Stark  county  that 
John  M.  b'.ichholt.z  was  united  in  marriage  to  Almira  Baer,  of  that  county, 
wh(»  died,  leaving  two  children,  daughters,  .\nna.  who  married  Bruner 
Kcnaga,  who  died,  leaving  two  children,  John  and  Grover,  and  who,  after 
the  death  of  her  first  husband  married  Thomas  Allen,  of  Urbana,  and  died 
leaving  another  child,  a  daughter,  Clara,  who  is  noAV  keeping-  house  for  her 
grandfatlier.  George  Allen,  of  Urbana,  and  Alary,  who  died  unmarried. 


GEORGE  AV.  STANDISH. 

George  W.  Standish,  superintendent  of  the  Champaign  county  infirm- 
ary and  "poor  farm,"  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived 
here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Rush  township  on  February  20, 
i860,  son  of  George  W.  and  Ellen  (Riddle)  Standish,  and  is  a  rep 
five  in  the  ninth  generation  by  direct  descent  from  Capt.  ■Miles  Suhkh-^ii. 
one  of  the  most  famous  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers,  whose  courtship  of  Pnscilla 
Mullens  was  commemorated  by  Longfellow,  in  his  "Courtship  of  Miles  Stan- 
dish," wherein  it  is  pointed  out  that  the  bashful  Captain  Standish  engaged 
the  services  of  his  friend,  John  Alden,  to  present  his  court  to  the  sprightl\- 
Priscilla,  whose  heart,  instead  of  responding  to  the  Captain's  plea,  prompted 
lier  to  hint  c(uite  openly  to  John  that  he  might  fare  well  in  a  similar  suit 
if  he  would  but  speak  for  himself.  Though  Captain  Standish  did  not  get 
the  fair  Priscilla,  he  presently  did  marry  another  of  the  Pilgrim  maiden - 
and  reared  a  family,  the  descendants  of  whom  now  form  a  considerable 
family,  represented  widely  throughout  the  country.  Alexander  Standish 
(eldest  son  of  Captain  Miles  Standish)  married  the  eldest  daughter  of 
John  Alden  and  Priscilla  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  direct  descendant 
of  them.  Capt.  Miles  Standish  came  with  the  Pilgrims  to  America  in  i()20 
and  led  the  exploring  expeditions  to  discover  a  suitable  place  for  settlement. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  225 

He  was  appointed  military  captain  of  the  colony  in  1O61  and  was  thus  the 
first  commissioned  military  officer  in  New  England,  and  rendered  valuable 
service  in  repelling  Indian  hostilities.  In  1625  he  visited  England  as  agent 
of  the  colony  and  returned  with  supplies  in  1626.  Captain  Standish  founded 
Duxbtiry  in  1632;  was  a  member  of  the  executive  council,  and  for  many 
years  treasurer  of  the  colony.  George  W.  Standish  traces  descent  from  ( i ) 
Capt.  Miles  Standish  through  the  latter's  son,  (2)  Alexander,  (3)  Ebenezer. 
(4)  Moses,  (5)  Mo.ses.  (6)  Moses,  (7)  Miles,  (8)  George  W.,  Sr.,  (9) 
George  W.,  Jr. 

The  senior  George  W.  Standish  was  born  in  New  York  City  on  March 
24,  1838,  and  came  to  this  county  in  the  days  of  his  young  manhood,  fol- 
low:itig  here  the  trade  of  butcher  and  settling  in  Rush  township  after  his 
marriage  to  Ellen  Riddle.  When  the  Civil  War  broke  out  he  enlisted  as  a 
member  of  Company  G,  Ninety-fifth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry, 
and  with  that  command  went  to  the  front.  While  thus  serving  he  was  taken 
prisoner  by  the  enemy  and  was  sent  to  Libby  prison,  where  he  remained  until 
exchanged.  He  later  re-enlisted  as  a  member  of  Company  D,  One  Hundred 
and  Thirty-fourth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  w'hile  serving 
with  that  command  died  at  Cumberland,  Maryland,  June  29,   1864. 

The  junior  George  W.  Standish  was  but  four  years  of  age  when  his 
soldier  father  died  and  he  was  reared  at  Woodstock,  in  the  schools  of  which 
village  he  received  his  schooling.  He  early  began  to  work  as  a  farm  hand 
and  after  his  marriage  rented  a  farm  and  began  to  farm  on  his  own  account, 
at  the  same  time  engaging  in  the  buying  and  selling  of  hay  and  straw.  He 
later  bought  a  farm  and  w-as  there  engaged  in  farming  until  1906,  in  which 
year  he  was  appointed  superintendent  of  the  county  infirmary  and  the  quarter 
of  a  section  of  land  surrounding  the  same,  in  which  capacity  he  has  so  well 
performed  the  duties  attending  that  important  commission  that  the  county 
commissioners  "have  ever  since  retained  him  in  that  position.  Since  Mr. 
Standish's  appointment  the  commissioners  have  erected  a  hospital  at  the 
infirmary,  the  same  having  a  capacity  for  twenty-five  persons,  and  Mr. 
Standish  keeps  the  place  in  first-class  condition,  his  methods  of  manage- 
ment conforming  in  all  ways  to  the  latest  and  best-approved  principles  for 
tlie  management  of  eleemosynary  institutions  of  this  class. 

In  1886  George  W.  Standish  w-as  united  in  marriage  to  Martha  Cush- 

man  and  to  this  union  two  children  have  been  born,  daughters  both,  Winnie. 

who  married  James  Zerkle,  and  Louise,  who  married  Floyd  Winner  and  has 

one  child,  a  daughter.  Miriam.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Standish  are  members  of  the 

(15a) 


220  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Universalist  church  at  Woodstock  and  take  a  proper  part  in  church  work, 
as  well  as  in  the  general  good  works  of  the  community  in  w-hich  they  li\e. 
Mr.  Standish  is  a  Republican  and  has  long  been  accounted  one  of  the  lead- 
ers of  that  party  in  his  part  of  the  county.  Fraternally,  he  is  affiliated  with 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  with  the  Patriarchs  Militant 
degree  of  the  same,  and  has  served  his  loyal  lodge  as  noble  grand  and  the 
encampment  as  chief  patriarch,  having  for  years  taken  a  warm  and  acti\e 
interest  in  Odd  Fellowship. 


LEE  G.  PENNOCK. 


Lee  G.  Pennock.  city  treasurer  of  Urbana.  former  postmaster  of  that 
city,  former  member  of  the  city  council,  former  deputy  county  treasurer 
and  for  years  one  of  the  l>est-known  merchants  in  Urbana,  was  born  in  the 
neighboring  county  of  L(\gan,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  Urbana  since  he 
was  seven  years  of  age.  He  was  born  on  Septeml)er  19.  1865,  son  of  John 
W  and  b'liza  (Gordon)  Pennock,  w'ho  moved  from  Logan  county  to  Urbana 
in  the  early  seventies,  John  ]'.  Pennock  becoming  connected  with  the  Hitt 
tS;  Iniller  dry-goods  store  in  that  city,  a  connection  lie  retained  for  vears. 

FTaving  been  but  seven  years  of  age  when  he  moved  to  Urbana  with 
his  parents,  Lee  G.  Pennock  received  all  but  his  primary  schooling  in  tliat 
city  and  upon  leaving  school  began  working  in  the  Gaunier  carriage  factor\- 
and  was  thus  engaged  for  se\eral  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  took 
employment  with  the  Illinois  Car  Compan\-  and  for  a  time  worked  in  the 
plant  of  that  company  at  Urbana.  He  then  began  working  in  the  \\'.  E. 
IJrown  clothing  store  and  was  thus  engaged  for  nine  years,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  he  was  made  de])uty  treasurer  of  the  countv.  serving  during  the 
incumbency  of  D.  P..  McDonald,  county  treasurer.  During  this  time  Mr. 
Pennock  also  served  as  a  member  of  the  city  council  and  during  that  service 
was  the  chairman  of  the  linanre  committee  of  the  council  and  of  the  pur- 
chasing committee.  In  1907  Mr.  l^ennock  was  appointed  postmaster  of 
Urbana,  his  appointment  having  been  sent  to  the  Senate  In-  President  Roose- 
\elt  three  times  l)efore  it  finally  was  confirmed,  and  he  served  in  that  impor- 
tant public  cai)acity  from  H)07  to  .\ugust,  1913.  Upon  the  completion  of 
his  official  service,  Mr.  Pennock  engaged  in  the  retail  lumber  business  at 
Urbana,  but  a  short  time  later  sold  his  business  to  the  Murphy  Lumber 
Company  and  engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  buving  the  old  Berrv  gnx-erv 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  22/ 

Stand  that  was  established  in  1845,  ''»<J  ^'^^^  si"ce  been  thus  enijaged  at  that 
old-estal)hshed  stand,  doing  a  very  good  business.  Mr.  Pennock  is  a  Repub- 
hcan  and  for  years  has  been  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  leaders  of  that  party 
in  this  county.  In  addition  to  the  ])ublic  service  rendered  by  him  and  which 
has  been  mentioned  above,  he  is  now  serving  as  treasurer  of  the  city. 

In  1893  Lee  G.  Pennock  was  united  in  marriage  to  Edna  AI.  Ellis,  daugh- 
ter of  Robert  Ellis  and  wife,  and  to  this  union  one  child  has  been  born,  a 
daughter,  Elizabeth.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pennock  are  members  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian church,  Mr.  Pennock  being  a  deacon  of  the  local  congregation,  and 
take  a  proper  part  in  church  work,  as  well  as  in  the  general  social  affairs  of 
their  home  town.  Mr.  Pennock  is  a  Knight  Templar  and  a  Royal  Arch 
Mason,  a  member  of  Harmony  Lodge  No.  8,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  at 
Urbana;  a  member  of  Urbana  Chapter  No.  34,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  a  mem- 
ber of  Urbana  Council  No.  59,  Royal  and  Select  Masters,  and  of  Raper 
Commandery  No.  19,  Knights  Templar,  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  Masonic 
afifairs,  long  having  served  as  secretary  of  Harmony  lodge,  of  wliich  he  was 
also  past  master. 


THOMAS    NEELD. 


Thomas  Neeld,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  former  trustee  of 
Salem  township  and  one  of  the  best-known  retired  farmers  of  Champaign 
county,  now  living  at  Urbana,  where  he  has  made  his  home  for  the  past 
ten  years  or  more,  is  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his 
life.  He  was  born  at  Waynesville,  in  Warren  county,  this  state,  May  lO, 
1837,  son  of  Joseph  and  Ellen  (  Halloway )  Neeld.  the  farmer  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania  and  the  latter  of  Ohio. 

Joseph  Neeld  was  born  in  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  grew 
to  manhood,  learning  there  the  trade  of  a  shoemaker.  As  a  young  man  he 
came  to  this  state  and  located  at  Waynesville,  where  he  presently  opened  a 
shoe  shop  and  became  quite  successful  in  that  line.  There  he  married  Ellen 
Halloway,  who  was  born  in  that  place,  and  to  that  union  were  born  five 
children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth, 
the  others  being  as  follow :  Martha,  born  on  February  4,  1837,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  eighteen  years;  Lavina,  June  18,  1841,  widow  of  John  Marsh, 
who  is  now  making  her  home  at  Topeka.  Kansas;  Mary  Iv,  June  18,  1844, 
who  married  Alfred  Hale  and  is  also  living  at  Topeka.  and  Eliza  E.,  Novem- 
ber 2^.   1845.  who  first  married  Elias  \\"est  and  after  his  death  married  the 


228  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Rev.  Parker  Moon,  a  noted  preacher  of  tlie  Friends  church,  and  is  now  Hving 
at  Carthage,  Missouri.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  in  the  latter 
forties  and  Joseph  Mundel,  the  father,  survived  her  several  years,  his  death 
occurring  in  1854,  he  then  being  fifty  years  of  age. 

Thomas  Neeld  received  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  W'aynesville  and 
at  the  age  of  eighteen  liegan  farming  in  his  home  county,  continuing  thus 
engaged  until  he  went  to  the  front  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union  in  186 1.  He  was 
married  in  January  of  that  year  and  on  May  17  following,  enlisted  for  ser- 
\'ice  during  the  continuance  of  the  Civil  War  as  a  member  of  Company  .1-', 
Sixtli  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  known  as  the  Gray  Regiment. 
After  some  preliminary  service  in  West  Virginia  Mr.  Neeld  went  widi  his 
regiment  to  Nashville  and  was  later  present  at  the  battle  of  Pittsburg  Land- 
ing and  then  took  part  in  the  siege  of  Corinth.  He  then  was  transferred  to 
the  gunboat  service  and  serving  in  Company  F,  First  Marine  Regiment. 
Mississippi  Brigade,  on  the  gunl)oat  "Baltic,"  took  part  in  tlie  siege  of  Vick.s- 
burg  and  in  some  other  important  engagements  along  the  river,  including 
the  battles  of  Greenville,  Milligan's  Bend.  Fort  Gibson.  General  Banks' 
expedition  up  the  Red  River,  and  numerous  skirmishes,  receiving  liis  hnal 
discharge  at  Vicksburg  on  January  19,  1865. 

Upon  the  completion  of  his  service  Thomas  Neeld  returned  to  his  home 
at  Waynesville  and  presently  moved  from  there  to  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of 
Hillsboro,  in  Highland  county,  this  state,  where  he  remained  for  about  fif- 
teen years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  came  with  his  family  to  Champaign 
county  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Salem  township,  where  he  li\cd,  actively 
engaged  in  farming,  from  1882  to  1906,  in  which  latter  year  he  retired  from 
the  farm  and  moved  to  Url)ana,  where  he  since  has  made  his  home.  Mr. 
Neeld  is  a  Republican  and  has  for  years  taken  an  active  part  in  local  civic 
afifairs.  During  his  residence  in  Salem  township  he  served  for  six  years  as 
trustee  of  that  township  and  in  othei'  ways  contributed  of  his  time  and 
energies  to  the  public  service.  For  four  years  he  served  as  a  member  of  the 
county  infirmary  board  and  during  his  many  years  of  residence  liere  lias 
gained  a  wide  acquaintance  throughout  the  county. 

Thomas  Neeld  has  been  twice  married.  It  was  in  January,  1862.  that 
he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Martha  Atin  Knotts,  who  was  born  in  Fligli- 
land  county,  this  state,  daughter  of  James  and  Flizab«th  Knotts,  and  who 
died  at  her  home  in  Salem  township,  this  county,  in  1901.  To  that  union 
eight  children  were  born,  namely :  Walter,  of  Columbus,  this  state ;  Mary, 
who  married  Perry  Swisher  and  is  now  deceased ;  Charles,  a  carpenter  and 
farmer,  of  Salem  township,   who  married   .Maggie  Derr  and   following  her 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  229 

death  married  Elida  Wadenian  and  by  the  latter  union  has  one  child,  a 
daughter,  Martha  M. ;  Mertie,  who  married  John  Pool  and  died,  leaving  two 
children,  Miller  and  Roscoe;  Lewis,  a  coal  dealer,  of  Springfield,  this  state, 
who  married  Catherine  Gibson  and  has  two  children,  Thomas  and  Martha 
C. ;  William,  who  is  engaged  in  railroad  construction  work  and  who  married 
Louise  Jones  and  has  two  children,  Mabel  and  Joseph ;  Gertrude,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  five  years,  and  Arthur,  who  married  Martlia  Vingard  and  died 
at  the  age  of  twenty-eight  years,  leaving  his  widow  and  four  children,  George 
Perry,  Louis  and  Edna. 

Li  1905.  Mr.  Neeld  married,  secondly,  FA\a  Pangle.  who  was  born  in 
this  county,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Susanna  (Shepard)  Pangle,  who  came 
to  this  county  from  the  neighboring  county  of  Clark,  where  they  originally 
had  settled  upon  coming  from  Pennsylvania  to  Ohio,  and  were  substantial 
farming  people  in  Wayne  township,  this  county.  James  Pangle  and  wife 
were  the  parents  of  six  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Neeld  was  the  second  in 
order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow :  Effie  May,  now  deceased,  was 
was  born  on  August  31.  1864:  William  H.,  November  10,  1868,  al.so  deceased: 
Bert  E.,  March  29.  1871,  who  married  Ella  Racer  and  m.akes  his  home  in 
L'rbana;  Emma.  Januar\-  23,  1875,  deceased,  and  Margaret  R.,  July  29, 
1878,  also  deceased.  Mr.  Neeld  is  an  active  member  of  Brand  Post  No.  98, 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  takes  an  earnest  interest  in  the  affairs  of 
that  patriotic  organization,  in  whicli  he  has,  at  one  time  and  another,  held 
nearh'  all  the  offices  and  is  now  serving  .'is  junior  vice-commander  of  the  post. 


CHARLES  FREYHOF. 


Charles  Freyhof,  well-known  florist  and  market-gardener  at  LJrbana,  is 
a  native  of  Kentucky,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  this  state  since  the  days 
of  his  childhood.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Bardstown,  in 
Bullitt  county,  Kentucky,  not  far  south  of  Louisville.  September  26,  i85(>, 
son  of  John  and  Eva  Freyhof.  both  natives  of  the  Rhine  country  in  Germaiiw 
who  came  to  America  in  the  daws  of  their  youth,  were  married  in  Kentuck}- 
and  there  established  their  home  in  1848.  John  Freyhof  became  a  farmer 
in  the  Bardstown  neighborhood  and  was  making  good  headway  toward  get- 
ting a  good  start  when  Morgan's  raiders  made  a  swoop  down  on  his  farm 
during  the  Civil  War  and  took  his  horses,  leaving  in  the  place  of  the  same 
some  old  "plugs"  that  were  valueless  for  farming  purposes.     This  incident 


230  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

of  war  so  disgusted  him  with  the  location  in  which  he  had  settled  that  he 
decided  to  "pull  up  stakes"  and  get  into  a  city.  With  the  "plugs"  left  by 
the  Morgan  raiders  he  drove  with  his  family  and  his  household  goods  to 
Cincinnati,  settling  there  at  Glendale,  a  suburb  of  the  city,  where  he  began 
working  as  a  gardener  for  General  Thompson,  where  he  remained  until  187  (, 
when  he  came  up  into  this  part  of  the  state  and  located  at  Urbana,  where 
lie  bought  a  twenty-acre  tract  of  ground  on  the  edge  of  the  city  and  began 
market-gardening,  which  vocation  he  followed  there  the  rest  of  his  life, 
his  death  occurring  in  [890.  His  wife  had  preceded  him  to  the  grave  six 
years,  her  death  having  occurred  in  January,  1884.  They  were  the  parents 
of  nine  children,  of  whom  seven  are.  still  living,  but  of  whom  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  is  the  only  one  now  living  in  this  county,  the  others  being  George 
.W.,  William,  Louis,  Kate,  Louise  and  Airs.  Lizzie  Monroe  of  Coldwater. 
Michigan. 

Charles  Freyhold  was  but  a  child  when  his  parents  practically  were  dri\en 
out  of  Kentucky  by  the  Morgan  raiders  and  his  early  youdi  was  spent  in 
Glendale,  where  he  received  his  elementary  schooling.  He  was  twelve  years 
of  age  when  they  moved  to  Urbana  and  he  completed  his  sclnxjling  in  the 
high  school  in  that  city,  later  taking  up  gardening  with  his  father  ami  was 
thus  associated  with  the  latter  until  1884,  when  he  rented  the  home  place 
and  started  to  operate  it  on  his  own  account.  The  same  year  he  married  and 
moved  to  a  farm  near  Urbana,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  tor  six 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  moved  to  Cincinnati.  After  a  year  spent 
in  that  city  Mr.  Freyhof  returned  to  Urbana,  bought  the  market  garden 
where  he  is  now  engaged  in  business  and  has  ever  since  been  thus  engaged 
at  Urbana,  for  years  having  been  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  florists  and 
gardeners  in  Champaign  county.  Upon  starting  in  business  there  Mr.  h'rey- 
hof  had  but  a  few  hot-beds  and  started  in  a  modest  wa\-,  but  lie  now  has 
more  than  three  thousand  square  feet  under  glass  and  has  built  up  an  excel- 
lent business.  Mr.  Freyhof  is  a  Republican  and  takes  a  proper  interest  in 
political  affairs,  but  has  not  been  an  office  seeker. 

It  was  on  September  25,  1884,  that  Charles  Freyhof  "was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Cynthia  Roof  and  to  this  union  three  children  ha\e  been  born, 
Grace,  wife  of  Joseph  Leonard,  Oscar  and  Theodore,  who  married  Alva 
McLaughlin.  The  Freyhofs  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  take 
an  active  part  in  the  various  beneficences  of  the  same,  Mr.  Freyhof  having 
served  for  two  years  as  an  elder  in  the  church,  for  nine  years  as  a  deacon 
and  for  four  years  as  secretary  of  the  official  board.  He  is  a  member  of 
-Vfosgrove  Lodge,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  at  Urbana.  of  which 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  23 1 

lodge  he  is  the  present  noble  grand;  is  past  chancellor  commander  of  the 
local  lodge  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  for  sixteen  years  has  been  secre- 
tary-treasurer of  the  local  "tent"  of  the  Knights  of  the  Maccabees.  He  also 
is  treasurer  of  the  local  encampment  of  the  Odd  Fellows  and  is  a  member  of 
the  relief  committee  of  the  local  lodge  of  that  order. 


PETER  ARMBUSTER. 


Peter  Armbuster.  well-known  manufacturer  of  "stogie"  cigars  at 
Urbana,  is  a  native  of  Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life,  with  the 
exception  of  a  few  years  spent  in  the  West.  He  was  born  in  the  village 
of  Temperanceville,  Belmont  county,  November  2,  1865,  son  of  Peter  and 
Magdalena  (Haren)  Armbuster,  the  former  of  European  birth  and  the  lat- 
ter born  in  Ohio. 

The  elder  Peter  Armbuster  was  born  in  the  kingdom  of  Wurtemburg, 
where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  where  he  was  trained  as  a  carpenter  and 
builder.  As  a  young  man  he  came  to  this  country  and  for  two  years  was 
located  at  Wheeling.  West  Virginia,  where  he  followed  his  trade.  He 
then  came  across  the  river  into  this  state  and  located  at  Temperanceville, 
in  Belmont  county,  where  he  married  Magdalena  Haren,  who  was  born  in 
Monroe  county,  this  state,  and  until  1875  was  engaged  in  the  carpenter  busi- 
ness at  that  place.  He  then  bought  a  hotel  at  Temperanceville  and  contin- 
ued there  in  the  hotel  business  for  more  than  forty  years.  He  also  became 
an  extensive  landowner  in  that  vicinity  and  was  accounted  a  well-to-do  citi- 
zen at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  nine 
cliildren  and  his  widow  and  six  of  these  children  are  now  living  at  Urbana. 

The  junior  Peter  Armbuster  was  reared  at  Temperanceville,  where 
he  received  his  schooling,  and  early  became  employed  on  one  of  his  father's 
farms,  remaining  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he 
went  West,  where  he  remained  for  three  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he 
returned  home  and  in  February.  1890,  became  engaged  in  the  manufacture 
of  "stogie"  cigars  at  Temperanceville,  in  a  partnership,  under  the  firm  name 
of  Dorster  &  Armbuster.  In  June,  1892,  Mr.  Armbuster's  brother,  John 
Armbuster,  bought  Dorster's  interest  the  business  and  in  September  of  that 
same  year  the  brothers  moved  to  Urbana  and  set  up  their  establishment 
in  that  city,  the  date  of  their  arrival  there  being  the  i8th  of  that  month. 
The  business  was  a  success  from  the  start  and  in   1899  the  demand  of  the 


CHA]\IFAIC,N    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


growing  trade  required  the  erection  of  a  new  factory,  a  building  thirty-two 
by  sixty  feet,  two  stories  and  a  basement.  In  1908  the  capacity  of  the 
plant  was  increased  by  the  erection  of  an  additional  story,  which,  with  the 
basement  now  gives  four  working  floors  for  the  busy  estabhshnient.  In, Feb- 
ruary, 19 1 6,  Peter  Annbuster  bought  the  interest  in  the  concern  held  by  his 
brother,  John,  and  is  now  the  sole  owner  of  the  business,  one  of  the  leading 
"stogie"  factories  in  the  country.  When  Mr.  .\rmbuster  started  in  business 
the  capacity  of  the  plant  was  about  fifteen  hundred  "stogies"  a  day.  Xcnv 
the  plant  is  turning  out  more  than  three  hundred  thousand  a  month  and  from 
thirty  to  forty  persons  are  employed  in  the  industry.  Mr.  Armbuster's 
leading  brands  are  the  "1890,"  the  "A.  B.  S.",  the  "A.  B.  C."  and  the  "New 
Armbuster." 

On  April  23,  1896,  about  four  years  after  moving  to  Urbana.  I'eter 
Armbuster  was  united  in  marriage  to  Elizabeth  Thuenker.  daughter  of 
Richard  and  Mary  (Bresnahan)  Thuenker,  and  to  this  union  two  cliilthen 
have  been  born,  Beatrice  and  .Peter  Donald. 


JOHN  L.  BARGER. 


John  L.  Barger,  a  well-known  and  progressive  farmer  of  Harrison  town- 
ship, living  on  rural  route  No.  i,  out  of  West  Lil>erty,  Ohio,  was  born  in 
the  western  part  of  Virginia,  in  Botetourt  county,  on  August  13,  1861,  the 
son  of  William  L.  and  Sarah  E.  (Wilhelm)  Barger,  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  the  same  state,  she  of  Rockingham  county.  William  L.  Barger 
lived  all  his  life  in  Virginia,  his  death  occurring  in  1902.  while  his  witUnv 
still  survives  him,  making  her  home  in  her  native  state.  William  L.  Barger 
and  wife  were  the  parents  of  thirteen  children,  eight  of  whom  are  still  living: 
John  L.,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  brief  review ;  William  C,  a  resident 
of  Charleston,  West  Virginia;  Mrs.  Anna  McPherson.  living  in  Craig  county, 
Virginia :  Fred,  living  in  West  Virginia ;  Ira.  a  resident  of  Charleston.  West 
Virginia;  Frank,  also  a  resident  of  Charleston;  Mrs.  Emma  Rnedelbarger. 
living  in  Virginia,  and  Martin,  also  living  in  Virginia. 

John  L.  Barger  lived  at  home  with  his  parents  until  he  reached  the  age 
of  twenty-two  years,  receiving  his  education  in  the  limited  district  schools 
of  his  home  neighborhood.  In  young  manhood  he  left  his  native  state  and 
came  to  Champaign  county.  Ohio,  and  for  some  time  Avas  employed  b\  the 
month  as  a  farm  hand.     After  his  marriage  he  engaged  in  farming  for  him- 


LEWIS  BARGER 


CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO.  233 

self  and  has  since  been  continuously  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  lie 
is  a  general  farmer  and  stock  raiser  and  has  met  with  a  Aery  commendable 
degree  of  success  in  his  chosen  calling. 

On  January  ii,  1887,  John  L.  Barger  was  united  in  marriage  to  Anna 
M.  Hewling,  who  was  born  in  this  township,  the  daughter  of  Abel  and 
Euphemia  (Ross)  Hewling,  well  known  and  respected  farmers  of  the  town- 
ship, the  latter  of  whom  is  still  living  at  her  home  in  the  township,  while 
the  former  is  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hewling  were  natives  of  Champaign 
county,  Ohio,  he  being  born  on  May  31,  181 3.  His  father,  Joseph  Hewling, 
was  among  the  first  settlers  in  Harrison  township,  coming  from  New  Jersey. 
He  married  Margaret  Johns  and  he  died  aged  eighty  }ears ;  she  died  aged 
eighty-six  years.  Abel  Hewling  became  well-to-do.  owning  five  hundred 
and  four  acres  of  land.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barger  are  the  parents  of  eight  chil- 
dren, as  follow:  John  W.,  living  in  Bellefontaine.  Ohio;  Harry,  of  Spring- 
field, Ohio:  Cecil,  a  farmer  living  in  Johnson  township,  this  county:  Florence, 
at  home :  Lewis,  of  Newport.  Rhode  Island,  is  in  the  United  States  navy, 
in  which  he  enlisted  in  June,  1917,  being  now  in  the  naval  training  station: 
Elizabeth,  living  at  home;  Max  and  Mary,  students  in  the  local  school.  The 
family  are  earnest  and  consistent  memliers  oi  the  Methodist  Episcopal  churcli 
at  Wesley  chapel  in  Harrison  township,  in  which  they  take  an  active  and 
interested  part,  Mr.  Barger  serving  as  trustee  of  the  church.  He  is  a  Demo- 
crat in  politics  and  takes  a  good  citizen's  interest  in  public  affairs,  especially 
those  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  his  home  community. 


JOHN  W.  KENNEDY. 

The  late  John  W.  Kennedy,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  a 
former  well-known  farmer  of  Concord  township,  this  county,  but  who  for 
some  years  prior  to  his  death  in  191 6  had  lived  retired  at  Crbana,  where  his 
widow  is  still  making  her  home,  was  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and 
lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  near  the  village  of  Mutual,  in  Union 
township,  March  2,  1843,  ^o"  of  Daniel  and  Sarah  Kenned}-,  natives  of  Vir- 
ginia, who  became  early  settlers  in  the  Mutual  neighborhood.  Daniel  Ken- 
nedy was  a  miller- and  was  for  years  employed  in  the  Arrowsmith  mills, 
spending  his  last  days  in  that  communit}'.  He  and  his  wife  \\ere  the  parents 
of  eight  children,  namely :  Samuel,  who  died  while  serving  as  a  soldier  of  the 
Cinion  during  the  Civil  War:  George,  deceased:  John  W..  the  subject  r.f  this 


,'34  CHA-MPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

memorial  sketch ;  Kate,  widow  of  Nathan  Elliott,  who  is  now  making  lier 
home  at  Spring  Hill ;  Ella,  who  died  unmarried ;  Daniel,  who  is  living  at 
llellefontaine ;  Thomas,  deceased,  and  one  who  died  in  infancy- 
John  \\'.  Kennedy  received  a  limited  education  in  the  schools  at  Mutual 
and  early  began  working  at  farm  labor  and  in  the  saw-mill,  and  was  thus 
<.Migaged  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  Though  but  eighteen  years  of  age 
when  President  Lincoln  issued  his  first  call  for  volunteers,  he  resix)nded  to 
that  call  and  went  to  the  front  as  a  private  in  Company  C,  Second  Regiment, 
Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  with  that  command  for  three  years, 
participating  during  that  time  in  some  of  the  severest  service  of  the  war. 
His  toes  were  frozen  off  as  the  result  of  a  season  of  dreadful  exposure  during 
the  service  and  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  he  received  a  bullet  wound  in  the 
forehead,  from  which  he  suffered  all  the  rest  of  his  life.  Upon  the  comple- 
tion of  his  military  service  Mr.  Kennedy  returned  to  his  home  in  this  county 
and  resumed  the  peaceful  pursuit  of  farming.  He  presently  acquired  a  fanri 
of  sixty-one  and  one-half  acres  in  Concord  township  and  after  his  marriage 
in  the  summer  of  1883,  established  his  home  there,  remaining  there  until 
his  retirement  from  the  farm  in  1904  and  removal  to  L'rbana,  where  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  there  on  February  19, 
1916.  Mr.  Kennedy  was  an  active  member  of  W.  A.  Brand  Post  No.  98, 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  at  Urbana.  and  ever  took  an  earnest  interest 
in  the  affairs  of  that  patriotic  organization.  He  also  belonged  to  the  Relief 
Corps  in  Concord  township,  and  handled  funds  for  relief  of  widows  and 
<n-phans  of  the  Civil  War. 

It  was  on  June  14,  1883,  that  John  W.  Kennedy  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Katharine  E.  Seibert,  who  was  born  in  a  log  cabin  on  West  Ward 
street,  in  the  city  of  Urbana,  July  5,  1842,  daughter  of  George  and  Ann 
( Remsburg)  Seibert,  the  former  a  native  of  the  state  of  Virginia  and  the 
latter  of  Maryland,  who  were  married  in  Circleville,  Ohio,  and  later  came  to 
Champaign  county.  Upon  coming  to  this  count)-  George  Seibert  bought  a 
farm  in  the  vicinity  of  George's  Chapel,  but  later  disposed  of  his  interest 
there  and  moved  to  Urbana,  where  he  began  clerking  in  the  store  of  George 
Aloore.  Upon  the  outbreak  of  the  Mexican  War  he  enlisted  for  service  and 
went  to  the  front  with  General  Scott's  army,  but  before  the  close  of  the  war 
w^as  discharged  on  a  physician's  certificate  of  physical  disability,  he  having 
<leveloped  a  serious  dropsical  aft'ection.  His  last  days  were  spent  at  Mans- 
field, this  state.  His  wife  died  at  Urbana.  They  were  the  parents  of  three 
children,  Mrs.  Kennedy  having  had  an  elder  sister,  Frances,  now  deceased, 
who  married  John    M.   Carter,   who   also   is   dead,   and   a   younger  brother. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  235 

George  Seibert,  a  well-knoAvn  attorney-at-law  at  Urbana  atul  tornier  clerk  of 
courts  for  Champaign  county.  For  fifty  years  Mrs.  Kennedy  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Episcopal  church  at  Urbana  and  her  life  has  ever  been  devoted 
to  good  works,  always  doing  what  she  could  to  make  better  the  conditions 
of  living  in  the  community  in  which  she  was  born  and  which  she  has  spent 
all  her  useful  life. 


JOHN  T.  ANDliRSON. 


John  J.  Anders(jn,  a  well-known  retired  building  contractor,  of  Urbana. 
former  marshal  of  that  city,  former  jiresident  of  the  city  council  and  an 
lionored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  is  a  native  of  Virginia,  born  in  Augusta 
county,  that, state,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  Urbana  since  the  year  1856. 
He  was  born  on  March  9.  1835.  son  of  John  and  Frances  (Clark)  Anderson. 
l)oth  natives  of  that  same  county,  the  former  of  whom  was  the  son  of  John 
Anderson,  w^ho  was  the  son  of  John  Anderson,  a  native  of  Scotland,  who 
came  to  this  country  and  settled  along  the  Middle  river,  near  the  old  stone 
church,  in  Augusta  county,  Virginia,  where  he  established  his  home  and 
where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is 
therefore  the  fourth  John  Anderson  in  direct  line.  His  grandfather,  John 
Anderson,  son  of  the  Scottish  immigrant,  married  Isabel  King,  of  Virginia, 
and  had  two  children  who  grew  to  maturity.  Isabel,  who  married  Thomas 
Clark  and  spent  her  last  days  near  Middletown,  and  John,  third,  the  father 
of  John  J.  The  third  John  .\nderson  grew  up  on  the  old  Anderson  home 
place  in  Augusta  county  and  farmed  there  all  his  life,  one  of  the  best-known 
citizens  of  that  community,  being  known,  on  account  of  his  connection  with 
the  militia,  as  Captain  Anderson.  From  the  time  he  was  fifteen  years  of 
age  until  his  death  he  was  a  deacon  in  the  Presbyterian  church  and  was  for 
}'ears  local  school  director.  He  married  Frances  Clark,  who  was  [)orn  in 
tliat  same  neighborhood,  and  to  that  union  ten  children  were  l)orn,  namel\- : 
Mary,  now  deceased,  who  married  Greenburg  Rhodes,  of  Augusta  county. 
X'irginia,  also  deceased;  James  W..  an  Urbana  druggist  and  a  notable  worker 
in  the  church,  who  married  Caroline  Baldwin  and  died  in  igi^:  George  D.. 
who  married  Rebecca  Barger  and  who  for  thirty  years  was  a  miner  and 
farmer  in  California,  retiring  then  and  returning  to  his  boyhood  home  in 
\'irginia,  where  he  spent  his  last  da)s;  Jane  C,  who  married  Henry  Korner 
and  both  of  whom  are  dead :  Isabel,  who  married  Daniel  Korner  and  who, 
as  well  as  her  liusband.  died  in  California:  John  J.,  the  immediate  sul)ject  of 


236  C:|[AMPA1GN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

this  biographical  sketch:  Francis,  who  died  in  infancy;  Norvall  W.,  who 
became  connected  with  his  brother,  John  J.,  in  the  Imilding  Hne  in  Urbana 
in  the  latter  fifties  and  who  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  army  during 
the  Civil  War,  going  to  the  front  with  Company  A,  Second  Regiment,  Ohio 
X'olunteer  Infantry,  and  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Stone's  River;  Martha 
l'^.,  who  died  in  infancx'.  and  Sarah  Margaret,  who,  in  1864,  married  George 
Killian,  a  farmer  of  Augusta  county.  \'irginia,  now  deceased,  his  widow 
making  her  home  in  Salem,  N'irginia.  Capt.  John  Anderson,  father  of 
these  children,  died  in  1S56  and  his  widow,  in  company  with  three  of  her 
sons,  James  A\'.,  fohn  J.  and  Norvall  W.,  and  her  youngest  daughter, 
Sarah  Margaret,  came  over  into  Ohio  and  located  at  Urbana.  but  in  i860, 
she  returned  to  her  old  home  in  X'irginia  and  there  spent  her  last  days,  her 
death  occurring  in  1885. 

John  J.  Anderson  was  about  twenty-one  vears  of  age  when  he  located 
in  Urbana  and  there  he  and  his  brother,  Norvall,  engaged  in  carpentering 
and  were  thus  associated  in  business  together  until  the  breaking  out  of  the 
Civil  War,  when  both  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  anny,  the  younger 
brother  later  meeting  a  soldier's  fate  at  the  battle  of  Stone's  River.  It  was 
on  the  President's  first  call  for  volunteers  that  the  Anderson  brothers  enlisted, 
John- J.  going  to  the  front  as  a  member  of  Company  K,  Second  Regiment, 
Ohi(;  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  his  ill-fated  brother  as  a  member  of  Company 
A  of  that  saiue  regiment.  Upon  the  completion  of  the  three-months'  ser- 
vice, in  July,  1 861.  John  J.  Anderson  re-enlisted  and  was  attached  to  Com- 
pany G,  Third  Ohio  Cavalry.  His  first  service  under  fire  was  at  the  battle 
of  Shiloh  and  he  afterward  was  in  many  battles  and  skirmishes,  serving  in 
the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  until  the  close  of  the  war  and  was  a  member 
of  the  command  which  took  Jefferson  Davis,  president  of  the  defeated  con- 
federacy, captive.  Not  long  after  entering  the  service,  Mr.  Anderson  was 
])romoted  to  the  rank  of  first  sergeant,  later  being  raised  to  the  rank  of 
orderly  sergeani.  At  the  battle  of  Murfreesboro,  Tennessee,  he  was  severe- 
ly wounded  and  was  for  some  time  compelled  to  lie  in  the  field  hospital, 
lie  received  his  final  discharge  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  in  the  fall  of   1865. 

Upon  com])leting  his  military  service  John  J.  Anderson  returned  to 
Urbana  and  resumed  his  vocation  as  a  building  contractor.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  the  fall  of  1868  and  continued  working  at  his  trade  until  his  election 
to  the  office  of  city  marshal  in  1872,  serving  in  that  important  capacity  for 
twelve  years.  In  1872  he  stopped  contracting  and  opened  a  store,  handling 
coal,  cement,  and  building  materials.  He  conducted  this  store  until 
he     retired     from     active     business     in     1907.       For     six     years     he     also 


CHAMPAIGN    COU.NTY,    OHIO.  237 

served  as  a  niembt-r  of  the  city  council  and  four  }ears  of  that  time  was  presi- 
dent of  the  council.  For  two  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  city  board  of 
health  and  in  other  ways  has  contributed  of  his  time  and  energies  to  the 
public  service.  Mr.  Anderson  is  a  Republican  and  has  ever  given  his  earnest 
attention  to  local  political  affairs,  an  ardent  champion  of  good  government. 
It  was  on  September  17.  1868.  that  John  J.  Anderson  was  united  in 
marriage  at  Urbana  to  Harriet  E.  Kimber.  who  was  born  in  that  citw 
daughter  of  Amer  and  Phoebe  Kimber.  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  whose  last 
days  were  spent  in  Urbana.  where  Amer  Kimber  for  years  was  engaged  as 
a  stone  mason.  Mrs.  Anderson  died  on  September  23,  1912.  She  was  an 
earnest  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  as  is  Mr.  Anderson,  the 
latter  being  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  local  congregation  of 
that  church.  He  is  a  past  commander  of  Brand  Post  No.  98,  Grand  Armv 
of  the  Republic,  and  has  for  years  taken  an  active  part  in  the  affairs  of  that 
])atriotic  organization,  all  the  offices  in  which  he  has  filled  at  one  time  and 
another.  ]\'Ir.  Anderson  is  the  oldest  Odd  Fellow  in  Urbana,  is  past  noble 
grand  of  the  local  lodge  of  that  order  and  has  for  man\-  vears  taken  an 
active  part  in  lodge  work. 


WILLIAM  M.   KISEK. 


The  late  William  M.  Kiser.  a  well-known  and  substantial  retired  farmer 
of  Champaign  county,  who  died  in  1908  at  his  home  in  Urbana,  where  for 
some  years  he  had  been  living  in  comfortable  retirement,  was  a  native  son 
of  this  county  and  Hved  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  pioneer  farm  in 
:\Iad  River  township  on  Tune  12,  1836,  son  of  George  and  Sarah  (Crabill) 
Kiser,  the  former  of  whom  also  was  born  in  that  same  township  and  the 
latter  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Clark,  prominent  among  the  early  settlers 
of  the  southern  part  of  this  county,  who  spent  their  last  days  there. 

George  Kiser  was  a  son  of  Philip  Kiser  and  wife,  of  German  stock, 
who  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  in  Champaign  county,  having  come  here 
in  the  early  days  of  the  settlement  of  this  part  of  the  state  and  establishing 
their  home  in  Mad  River  town.shii),  taking  a  useful  part  in  the  development 
of  that  region  from  its  primitive  state.  Philip  Kiser  was  a  soldier  in  the 
War  of  1812  and  he  l)ecame  a  large  landowner  in  Mad  Ri\er  township  and 
a  man  of  much  influence  in  the  pioneer  neighborhood  in  which  his  last  days 
were  spent.     George  Kiser  also  became  an  extensive  landowner  in  his  turn 


2  1,S  CH.v:\i.PAlGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

and  hail  a  Ijik-  i)iece  of  farm  property  in  that  same  township.  His  lirst 
land  was  a  tract  he  entered  from  the  government  and  he  gradually  added 
to  that  until  he  became  one  of  the  most  substantial  farmers  in  that  part  of 
the  county.  He  married  Sarah  Crabill,  a  daughter  of  one  of  the  pioneers 
(jf  the  adjoining  county  of  Clark  and  established  a  very  comfortable  home 
on  his  farm.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Baptist  church,  taking 
an  acti\  e  part  in  church  work,  and  their  children  were  reared  in  that  faith. 
They  were  the  j^arents  of  nine  children,  of  whom  Imt  four  grew  to  maturity 
and  of  whom  but  one,  Eiuery  Kiser.  formerly  a  resident  of  Springfield,  died 
in  March.  Kji/.  The  others,  besides  the  subject  of  this  memorial  sketch, 
were  Wilson,  a  farmer  of  Mad  River  township,  w-ho  later  went  to  Pueblo. 
Colorado,  where  he  spent  his  last  days,  and  George,  who  died  years  ago. 

William  M.  Kiser  grew  up  on  the  old  Kiser  farm  in  Mad  River  town- 
ship, receiving  his  schooling  in  the  primitive  schools  of  that  community, 
and  in  turn  became  a  fanner  on  his  ow'u  account  in  that  same  township, 
remaining  on  the  old  home  place,  of  which  he  presently  became  the  owner. 
until  1X07.  when  he  retired  from  the  active  labors  of  the  farm  and  moved 
to  LJrbana,  where  he  bought  a  comfortable  residence  and  where  he  spent 
the  rest  of  his  days.  In  addition  to  his  general  farming  Mr.  Kiser  had  long 
gi\en  consideral>le  attention  to  the  raising  of  high-grade  live  stock  and  had 
done  (|uite  well  in  his  operations,  at  the  time  of  his  retirement  being  regarded 
aN  one  of  the  most  substantial  farmers  of  that  section  of  the  county.  In  his 
])olitical  affiliation  he  was  a  Democrat  and  for  some  time  was  a  member  of 
the  school  Ixjard  in  his  local  district  and  in  other  ways  did  his  share  in  con- 
tributing to  the  public  service.  He  was  a  member  of  the  local  lodge  of  the 
h'ree  and  .\ccepted  Masons  at  Urbana  and  for  years  took  a  warm  interest 
in  .Masonic  affairs.  William  M.  Kiser  died  at  his  home  in  Urbana  on  Octo- 
ber _^  I .  i()o8,  and  bis  widow  is  still  living  there,  being  very  pleasantly  sit- 
uated in  a  delightful  home  at  708  South   Main  street. 

Mrs.  Kiser  was  born.  Sarah  C.  Peck,  in  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania, 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Powers)  Peck,  both  of  whom  were  born  in 
that  same  county  and  who  came  to  Ohio  witli  their  family  many  years  ago 
and  settled  in  Clark  county,  where  Sarah  C.  I'eck  grew  to  womanhood  and 
w here  she  was  living  at  the  time  of  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Kiser.  Her  father. 
h>hn  i'eck.  was  a  blacksmith  and  upon  settling  in  Clark  county  he  estab- 
lished a  smithy  there  and  continued  in  that  vocation  until  his  death,  both 
he  and  his  wife  s])ending  their  last  days  in  that  county.  They  were  the 
])arents  of  five  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Kiser  w^as  the  third  in  order  of 
birth,  the  others  being  as   follow:      h'Jizabeth.   who  married  John   Regie,  of 


T.   E.  DYE. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO..  239 

Clark  count)-,  unci  l.'iter  moved  to  Topeka,  Kansas,  where  she  died ;  Cath- 
erine, wife  of  John  Enoch,  of  Springfield,  this  state;  Ellen,  deceased,  who 
was  the  wife  of  David  Zerkle,  and  Susan,  also  deceased,  who  was  the  wife 
of  James  Rector. 

To  William  M.  and  Sarah  C.  (Peck)  Kiser  five  children  were  born, 
namely;  Pierson,  who  is  now  living  in  the  West;  Serepta,  wife  of  Charles 
Dagger,  a  farmer  of  Concord  township,  this  county;  Mary,  who  died  in 
1887;  Elmer  H.,  a  farmer  of  Mad  River  township,  this  county,  and  Laura, 
who  is  at  home  with  her  mother.  These  children  were  well  educated  and 
are  doing  well  their  respective  parts  in  life.  Mrs.  Kiser  is  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  has  ever  taken  a  warm  interest  in  church 
work  and  in  other  communit)'  good  works,  helpful  in  many  ways  in  pro- 
moting movements  designed  to  advance  the  common  welfare. 


T.  E.  DYE. 


T.  E.  Dye,  chairman  of  the  Democratic  central  committee  in  Cham- 
paign county  and  for  years  actively  and  successfully  engaged  in  the  insur- 
ance and  real-estate  business  at  Urbana,  is  a  native  Hoosier,  but  has  been  a 
resident  of  Urbana  for  the  past  cjuarter  of  a  century  and  is  one  of  the  best- 
known  and  most  influential  citizens  of  Champaign  county.  He  was  born 
on  a  farm  eight  miles  from  the  city  of  Richmond,  in  \\'ayne  county,  Indiana. 
December  19,  1866,  and  was  l)ut  sixteen  years  of  age  when  his  father  died. 
He  later  came  to  this  state  and  became  employed  in  the  plant  of  the  Colum- 
l)us  Buggy  Company  at  the  state  capital,  but  two  years  later  returned  to  his 
boyhood  home  in  Indiana  and  resumed  farming.  Several  years  later  he 
liecame  engaged  in  the  fi^e-insurance  business  in  that  state  and  was  thus 
engaged  there  until  1893,  the  year  following  his  marriage,  when  he  returned 
to  Ohio  and  located  at  Urbana.  where  he  since  has  made  his  home. 

Upon  moving  to  Urbana  Mr.  Dye  bought  an  interest  in  the  old-estab- 
lished insurance  agency  of  Blake  &  Cameron,  of  that  city,  and  later  bought 
the  agency,  which  he  since  has  operated  alone,  having  Ijuilt  u\)  an  extensive 
business  in  the  general  insurance  and  real-estate  line  llu-oughout  this  and 
adjoining  counties.  Mr.  Dye  ha.s  the  local  agency  of  several  oi  the  leading 
insurance  companies  of  the  country,  including  that  of  the  Ohio  Farmers 
Insurance  Company,  and  his  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  agencies  of 
the   latter   company    in   the   state.      Ever   since    taking   uj)   his    residence    in 


J40  ^CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

L'rbana,  Mr.  Dye  has  given  his  close  and  earnest  attention  to  local  political 
affairs  and  has  for  years  been  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  Democrats 
in  this  part  of  the  state.  He  is  now  chairman  of  the  Democratic  county  com- 
mittee for  Champaign  county  and  in  that  capacity  has  rendered  yeoman 
service  in  behalf  of  his  party.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  state  executive 
committee  of  his  part}'. 

In  1892.  the  \car  before  taking  up  his  residence  in  Urbana,  T.  E.  Dye 
Avas  united  in  marriage  to  Anna  Burke,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary 
J'urke,  of  Liberty,  and  to  this  union  three  children  have  been  born,  all  sons, 
T.  (J.  Dye,  of  Rochester,  New  "S'ttrk,  and  Paul  F.  and  Roy  Dye,  who  are 
at  home.  The  Dyes  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church  and  take  a  proper 
part  in  the  general  affairs  of  the  parish.  Mr.  Dye  is  a  member  of  the  local 
lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  has  served  as  noble 
grand,  the  highest  ofiicer  of  the  same.  Fie  takes  an  active  part  in  the  gen- 
eral business  affairs  of  his  home  town  and  has  for  years  been  regarded  as 
one  of  the  most  influential  men  not  only  at  Urbana,  but  throughout  the 
county  at  large.  T.  O.  Dye  is  at  the  officers  training  camp,  Madison  Bar- 
racks, New  York.  I'aul  ]•".  is  at  I-"t.  Benjamin  Harrison,  Indianapolis,  in 
tlie  officers  training  camp. 


JACOB  H.  WILKINS. 


Jacob  FI.  Wilkins,  a  farmer  of  Wayne  township,  Champaign  county, 
was  born  in  Belmont  county,  Ohio,  December  18,  1862.  He  is  a  son  of 
George  W.  and  Sarah  A.  (Pickeral)  Wilkins,  both  natives  of  Randolph 
county,  Virginia.  The  father  grew  up  in  the  Blue  Ridge  nu)untains  of  his 
native  state  and  there  he  was  married.  He  followed  the  trade  of  shingle- 
making  in  the  mountains  until  1855,  when  he  moved  to  Belmont  county,  Ohio, 
where  he  turned  his  attention  to  farming,  renting  a  place  for  .some  time, 
later  buying  a  farm  of  his  own.  He  remained  in  that  count}-  imtil  1876, 
when  he  removed  to  Champaign  county,  kxating  in  Wayne  township  on  the 
farm  where  his  son,  Jacob  H.,  now  resides.  He  rented  the  place  and  spent 
the  rest  of  his  life  engaged  in  general  farming  there,  his  death  occurring  in 
1893.  His  widow  is  still  living,  making  her  home  with  her  daughter.  Jennie. 
Twelve  children  were  born  to  George  W.  Wilkins  and  wife,  six  of  whom 
are  now  living,  namely:  W.  F.,  of  Salem  township;  Jennie;  Albert  lives  in 
Marion,  Ohio;  L.  H.  lives  at  Mingo,  Champaign  county;  Anna  and  Jacob  H. 

Jacob  H.  Wilkins  grew  up  on  the  farm  in  Belmont  county  and  received 


CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO.  24I 

his  education  in  the  public  schools  in  that  county  and  in  Champaign  county. 
He  continued  working  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  his  marriage.  He 
then  moved  to  Columbus,  where  he  operated  a  dairy  for  nine  years  with 
gratifying  results.  He  then  returned  to  Wayne  township,  Champaign 
county,  and  bought  the  old  Cowgill  place,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and 
three  acres,  and  here  he  has  since  resided.  He  has  added  eighteen  acres, 
the  place  now  containing  one  hundred  and  twenty-one  acres.  He  has  kept 
the  land  well  cultivated  and  under  a  fine  state  of  improvement.  He  carries 
on  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  feeding  much  of  liis  grain*  to  live  stock, 
especially  hogs,  marketing  a  large  number  annually. 

Mr.  Wilkins  was  married  in  1884  to  Lydia  L.  Wilkins.  of  Hocking 
county,  Ohio,  and  a  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  Wilkins.  Five  children 
have  been  born  to  Jacob  H.  Wilkins  and  wife,  namely :  Ethel,  who  married 
Floyd  Linville.  has  one  child,  Roy  Harvey ;  Mary,  who  married  Emerson 
Hitter;  Walter  married  Maggie  Ritter:  Agnes  is  single  and  lives  at  home; 
Clara  is  deceased. 

Politically,  Mr.  Wilkins  is  a  Republican  and  served  as  trustee  of  Wayne 
township  for  six  years.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Friends  church. 


TOHN    P.    MUNDEL. 


John  P.  Mundel,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  one  of  the 
best-known  retired  farmers  living  at  Urbana,  is  a  native  of  the  old  Key- 
stone state,  but  has  lived  in  this  county  since  1869,  a  resident  of  Mad  River 
township  until  his  retirement  from  the  farm  and  removal  to  Urbana.  where 
he  is  now  living,  \ery  comfortably  situated.  He  was  born  in  Chester  county. 
Pennsylvania.  July  26.  1842.  son  of  James  and  Ann  (Miller)  Mundel,  both 
natives  of  that  same  county,  where  they  spent  all  their  lives.  James  Mundel 
was  a  potter  and  a  substantial  citizen.  He  was  a  Republican  in  his  political 
affiliations  and  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow:  Isaac,' 
who  was  an  auger-maker  in  Pennsylvania  and  is  now  deceased;  Anna  May, 
who  married  Daniel  Grayson,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  is  also  deceased;  David, 
a  ship  builder,  who  served  during  the  Civil  War  as  a  member  of  the  Eighth 
J  Delaware  Regiment  and  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Seventy-fifth  Pennsylvania 
(i6ar 


24J  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Regiment;  William,  who  came  to  this  state,  and  was  a  mechanic  at  Spring- 
field; Francis  A.,  a  painter,  who  died  in  Indiana;  Granville,  who  came  to  this 
state  and  was  a  potter  at  Mansfield,  and  one  son  who  died  in  infancy. 

Reared  in  his  home  county  in  Pennsylvania,  John  P.  Mundel  received 
his  schooling  there  and  early  learned  the  potter's  trade  under  the  skillful 
direction  of  his  father,  beginning  to  work  in  the  pottery  when  nine  years  of 
age,  and  he  was  thus  engaged  until  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  army 
during  the  Civil  War.  The  date  of  his  enlistment  was  September  5,  1861. 
and  he  wenfto  the  front  as  a  member  of  Company  E.  Purnell's  Legion,  Mary- 
land Volunteers,  being  sent  down  the  eastern  shore  of  Maryland  to  Camp 
Charles,  Virginia,  where  the  command  was  in  camp  from  October,  1861,  to 
February,  1862;  thence  on  to  Harper's  Ferry  and  on  to  Bolivar  Heights, 
where  they  put  up  breastworks,  mounted  cann(jn  and  proceeded  to  shell  the 
city  of  Charlestown,  eight  miles  away.  Later  engagements  participated  in 
by  Mr.  Mundel  included  the  battle  of  Front  Royal,  Virginia,  May  31,  1862; 
Cedar  Creek,  June  i ;  Catlett's  Station,  August  2.  In  the  last-named  engage- 
ment the  command  with  which  he  was  serving  met  with  a  reverse  and  retired, 
forming  a  square  in  the  woods,  later  taking  refuge  in  an  old  freight  ware- 
house at  Catlett's  Station.  There  Mr.  Mundel  was  captured  by  the  enemy, 
but  in  the  confusion  presently  created  by  a  heavy  downpour  of  rain  he  made 
his  escape  and  rejoined  his  command  in  camp,  resuming  the  campaign  in  Vir- 
ginia with  the  battle  of  Gainsville  on  August  28 ;  Groveton,  August  29,  and 
the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run.  August  30.  In  the  latter  battle  Mr.  Mundel 
was  shot  through  the  right  foot  and  was  temporarily  out  of  the  fighting. 
The  only  other  wound  he  received  during  the  war  was  a  bullet  hole  in  his  left 
side,  received  at  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor  in  June,  i8f34,  a  wound  which 
kept  him  confined  in  the  hospital  at  Alexandria  and  later  in  the  hospital  at 
Arlington  for  some  time.  Barring  the  time  thus  lost  recuperating  from  his 
wounds,  Mr.  Mundel  participated  in  all  the  active  service  in  which  his 
regiment  took  part,  including  some  of  the  bloodiest  engagements  of  the  war, 
and  received  his  final  discharge  on  October  24,   1864. 

Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  John  !'.  .VUmdel  returned  Id 
his  home  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  was  married  there  the  next  fall 
and  remained  there  until  1869,  in  which  year  he  came  over  into  Ohio  and 
settled  in  this  county,  taking  up  farming  and  gardening  in  Mad  Rixer  town- 
ship, and  was  thus  engaged  there  until  his  retirement  and  remoxal  to  Urbana. 
Upon  moving  to  Urbana  Mr.  Mimdel  bought  a  house  at  612  Storms  avenue 
and  after  a  residence  of  nineteen  years  there  bought  his  present  house  at  425 
South  Walnut  street,  where  he  since  has  made  his  home  and  where  he  and 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  243 

his  wife  are  very  comfortably  situated.  Mr.  Mundel  is  a  stanch  RepubHcan 
and  for  the  past  twenty  years  has  been  serving  as  assessor.  Since  leaving 
the  farm  he  has  been  quite  extensively  engaged  in  the  sale  of  nursery  stock. 
It  was  on  November  23,  1865.  that  John  P.  Mundel  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Anna  E.  Goss,  of  Boston,  Massachusetts,  and  to  this  union  two  sons 
have  been  born,  Frederick  K.,  who  is  connected  with  a  big  shoe  store  at 
Indianapolis,  Indiana,  and  Francis  A.,  a  cigar-maker  at  Urbana.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Mundel  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  give  proper  atten- 
tion to  church  work.  Mr.  Mundel  is  an  active  member  of  Brand  Post  No. 
98,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  the  afifairs  of 
the  sarne,  having  held  nearly  all  the  offices  in  that  patriotic  organization  at 
one  time  and  another.     He  also  is  a  member  of  the  Union  Veterans'  Union. 


DAVID  A.   POOL. 


David  A.  Pool,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  a  well-known 
retired  farmer  of  this  county,  who  has  been  living  retired  in  Urbana  since 
1909,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life,  with 
the  exception  of  a  few  years  during  the  seventies,  when  he  was  farming 
in  the  neighboring  county  of  Shelby,  and  for  some  time  in  his  youth  when 
the  was  living  in  Logan  county.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Concord  town- 
ship on  September  30,  1845,  so"  of  Thomas  A.  and  Nancy  T.  (Monroe) 
Pool,  who  came  to  this  county  from  Shelby  county  and  later  moved  to  Logan 
county,  where  they  spent  their  last  days. 

Thomas  A.  Pool  was  a  member  of  one  of  the  first  families  of  Shelby 
county,  his  parents,  George  and  Vercy  (Wilkinson)  Pool  having  been  among 
the  early  settlers  of  that  county,  entering  a  tract  of  land  there  from  the 
government  and  establishing  their  home  there  in  pioneer  days,  spending  the 
remainder  of  their  lives  in  that  county.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  chil- 
dren, all  now  deceased,  and  of  whom  Thomas  A.  was  the  second  in  order  of 
birth,  the  others  having  been  as  follow  :  Polly,  who  married  Mason  Arrow- 
smith  and  became  a  resident  of  Champaign  county;  Esther  Jane,  who  mar- 
ried James  Mulford,  of  Logan  county,  later  moving  to  Jay  count} ,  Indiana : 
William,  who  lived  in  Logan  county ;  Samuel,  who  made  his  home  in  Shelb\ 
county;  Gatch,  who  lived  in  Logan  county,  and  Anna,  who  married  Joseph 
R.   Smith  and  also  lived  in  Logan  county. 

Thomas   A.    Pool   was  reared  on  the   i)aternal    farm   in    Shelbv  qjuiUn  , 


244  CHAM  I'.NIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO. 

growing  up  familiar  with  pioneer  conditions  in  that  neighborhood,  and 
remained  there  until  his  marriage,  after  which  he  came  over  into  Champaign 
county  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Concord  townsiiip,  later  moving  up  into 
Logan  county,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  a  well-known  and  influen- 
tial resident  of  the  community  in  which  he  lived.  In  addition  to  his  fann- 
ing oi>erations  he  also  was  for  years  engaged  as  a  Iniilding  contractor  and 
built  numerous  school  houses  and  dwelling  houses.  I"'or  twelve  years  he 
was  a  member  of  the  board  of  county  commissioners  of  Logan  county  and 
was  serving  on  that  lx)ard  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He-  was  a  Republican 
and  was  long  regarded  as  one  of  the  leaders  of  that  part\-  in  Logan  county. 
For  years  he  was  a  class  leader  in  the  Methodist  church  ;uk1  took  an  active 
part  in  church  work  and  in  other  good  works.  He  \\  as  a  well-read  man  and 
was  well  informed  on  general  and  current  matters.  Thomas  .\.  Pool  died 
at  his  home  in  Logan  county  on  March  20.  1869,  he  then  Ijcing  fifty-one  years 
of  age.  His  widow  survived  him  many  years,  her  death  occurring  in  March. 
1910.  She  was  born  in  1821,  a  daughter  of  David  and  Morence  (Taylor) 
Monroe,  and  was  the  third  and  last-born  of  the  children  born  to  that  union, 
the  others  having  been  Angus,  who  went  West  in  the  fifties  and  diere  died, 
and  Susan,  who  married  J.  P.  Neerand  lived  in  Concord  township,  this 
county.  David  Monroe  was  a  farmer  of  Concord  township  and  was  twice 
married,  his  second  wife  having  been  a  E'letcher.  To  that  second  union  three 
children  also  were  born,  Florence,  who  married  a  Wilson  and  lived  at 
Degraff;  Felina,  who  married  Henry  LIuling,  of  Logan  county,  and  Relx-cca. 
who  married  James  McFarland.  To  Thomas  A.  and  Nancy  T.  (  Monroe) 
l*ool  seven  children  were  born,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the 
third  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow :  Philena,  who  married 
Marion  Pegg,  of  Shelby  county;  George  W.,  a  retired  farmer,  now  living 
at  Ouincy,  this  state:  Mary,  who  married  Robert  Moore,  of  Logan  county, 
and  is  now  deceased;  John,  a  carpenter  and  blacksmith,  now  li\ing  at  Saw- 
telle,  California;  ]<"lora,  widow  of  George  Stewart,  who  is  now  making  her 
liome  at  Ouincy,  this  state,  and  Emma,  widow  of  J.  W.  Allinger,  of  Sidney. 
David  A.  Pool  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  completed  his  schooling  in 
the  schools  at  Degraflf.  after  which  he  taught  school  for  a  time.  On  May 
10,  1864.  he  then  being  but  eighteen  years  of  age,  he  enlisted  for  .service 
in  the  Union  army  and  went  to  the  front  as  a  member  of  Conipanv  1*".  One- 
Hundred  and  Thirty-second  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  with  whicli 
command  he  served  until  the  clo.se  of  the  war,  the  greater  part  of  the 
service  being  performed  in  the  line  of  guard  duty  at  Bermuda  Hundred, 
Virginia,  on   llie  James  i-i\er.      I'pon   the  completion  of  his  niilitar\-   scrxicc 


CHAMPAICN     COl^NTY.    OHIO.  243 

Mr.  I'ool  returned  home  and  after  the  death  of  his  father  in  1S69  he  took 
charge  of  the  home  farm.  .Vfter  his  marriage  in  the  spring  of  1871  lie 
located  on  a  farm  in  Shelhy  county,  where  he  remained  for  five  years,  at 
the  end  of  which  time  he  came  to  this  county  and  located  on  a  farm  in  Adams 
township,  later  moving  to  a  farm  in  Salem  township,  where  he  established 
his  home  and  where  he  remained,  quite  successfully  engaged  in  farming,  until 
1909,  in  which  year  he  retired  from  the  farm  and  moved  to  Urbana.  buying 
a  house  at  115  Lincoln  avenue,  where  he  and  his  wife  have  since  made  their 
home  and  where  they  are  very  comfortably  and  \ery  pleasantly  situated. 
It  was  on  March  2,  [871,  that  David  A.  Pool  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Louisa  J.  Harl)our,  who  was  born  in  Concord  township,  this  county, 
(laughter  of  Henry  and  Nancy  Harbour,  pioneer  residents  of  that  community, 
who  spent  their  last  days  there,  and  to  this  union  eight  children  have  been 
born,  namely:  John  H.,  night  clerk  in  the  Lrbana  postoffice,  who  first  mar- 
ried Myrtle  Neeld  and  after  her  death  married  Charlotte  McDarr;  Thomas 
Emmet,  a  mail  carrier  at  Columbus;  Otto,  who  married  Eftie  Powell  and  is 
engaged  in  farming  in  Salem  townshij).  this  county;  Clarence,  who  married 
Lulu  Wood  nancy  and  is  farming  his  father's  farm  in  Salem  township; 
Verdie.  who  married  Fern  Anderson  and  who  since  the  death  of  her  hus- 
band has  been  making  her  home  with  her  parents;  Carl,  unmarried,  who  is 
farming  in  Alberta.  Canada;  Harry,  a  member  of  the  class  of  1918.  North- 
western Medical  College,  Cleveland,  and  Raymond  D.,  who  died  in  1902, 
at  the  age  of  twelve  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pool  are  members  of  Grace  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church  and  take  a  proper  part  in  church  work,  as  well  as  in 
the  general  good  works  of  the  community.  Mr.  Pool  is  a  member  (^f  W.  A. 
Brand  Post  No.  98,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  at  Url,)ana.  and  takes  an 
active  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  patriotic  organization. 


SAMCEl,   E.    BLACK. 


Samuel  E.  Black,  farmer,  v.ho  owns  land  in  l)oth  kust  and  Wayne 
townships.  Champaign  count}-,  was  born  in  Wayne  township,  this  county, 
Xovem])er  26,  185 1.  Me  is  a  son  of  Peter  and  Catherine  (Felgar)  Black, 
who  were  married  March  9.  1850.  I^eter  Black  was  born  in  Wayne  town- 
ship. Champaign  countv.  and  he  w.'is  a  son  of  Peter  Black  of  Pennsylvania, 
who  married  Mary  Hutrhcs  of  that  slate.  He  was  of  German  stock.  He 
was  the  tir>t  of  the  Black   famil}-  to  come  to  Chamijaign  county.  Ohio,  and 


J4^  Cf[AATl'y\TGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

was  an  early  settler  in  Wayne  t(^\vnship.  becoming-  owner  of  one  thousand 
acres  a1  Brush  Lake,  and  here  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  His  family  con- 
sisted of  the  following  children;  Isaac  was  the  eldest;  Sarah  married  Samuel 
Mitchell:  Hannah  married,  first.  J-  Harlan,  and  later  Hartland  Gowey; 
Lydia  married  J<^hn  Chapman:  Peter,  father  of  Samuel  F.  Black  nf  this 
sketch. 

Peter  Black  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  here  and  attended  the  early- 
ilay  schools,  taught  in  a  log  house.  He  went  to  Iowa  about  1849,  locating  in 
Henry  county,  where  he  spent  one  year,  then  returned  to  Champaign  county 
and  bought  a  farm  in  Wayne  township,  on  which  he  spent  the  rest  of  his 
life,  dying  December  26.  1900.  His  wife  died  February  ti.  1907.  He 
became,  like  his  father  before  him.  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  his  locality, 
owning  abotit  one  thousand  acres  of  valuable  land  at  Brush  Lake,  and  car- 
ried on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  on  an  extensive  scale.  His  family 
consisted  of  nine  children,  namely:  Samuel  F..  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Isaac  F..  born  October  3,  1853.  married  January  2,  1876,  Eliza  Corbett.  and 
they  live  near  Mechanicsburg.  this  county:  Henry  E.,  born  January  14,  1856. 
married  Jennie  Swisher,  who  lives  near  Cable,  Champaign  county,  he  being 
now  deceased;  Jasper  A.,  born  September  26,  1858,  died  November  8.  1864; 
Peter  A.,  born  September  25.  1861,  married  ?21sie  Freeman  and  they  live 
in  Rush  township;  Mary  L.,  born  August  28,  1863,  married  William  Berry, 
of  Cable;  Emma,  born  April  2,  t866,  died  December  20,  1891,  she  had  mar- 
ried Joseph  Diltz,  December  2y,  t888:  Charles  B..  born  March  10.  1868,  is 
engaged  in  the  real  estate  business  at  Ithica.  New  York;  he  married  a  Miss 
Giten,  first,  and  later  Bertha  Shistzer;  Cora,  youngest  of  the  seven  children, 
was  born  September  18.  1871.  and  died  February  11,  1896. 

Samuel  F.  Black  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  and  he  attended  the 
district  schools  in  Wayne  township.  He  remained  at  home  until  1876  when 
he  took  up  farming  for  himself  in  Wayne  township  on  rented  land,  later 
bought  his  present  excellent  farm,  in  January,  1907,  on  which  he  has  made 
man)  improvements  and  has  since  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock 
raising  successfully.  He  has  a  good  farm  of  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven 
acres  and  a  fine  home  and  good  outbuildings.  On  September  8.  1890,  he 
married  Laura  G.  Stokes,  of  Salem  township,  this  county,  and  a  daughter 
of  William  and  Margaret  (Petty)  Stokes,  of  Salem  township,  a  sketch  of 
whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work.  Mr.  Black  also  owns  fifty  acres  in 
another  part  of  Wayne  township.  He  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock 
raising  successfully.  He  raises  a  good  grade  of  cattle,  horses,  hogs  and 
sheep.     Politically,  he  is  a  Republican. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  247 

SAMUEL  CHANCE.  Al.  D. 

The  late  Dr.  Samuel  Chance,  formerly  and  for  years  one  of  Urbana's 
best-known  druggists  and  physicians,  was  a  native  of  this  county  and  here 
spent  all  his  life.  Ele  was  born  ii]  the  village  of  Westville  on  September  15, 
1833,  a  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Kenton)  Chance,  the  latter  of  whom  was 
the  daughter  of  Thomas  Kenton.  James  Chance  was  a  native  of  Maryland, 
who  came  to  this  county  in  the  days  of  his  young  manhood  and  later  married 
and  established  his  home  on  the  old  Kenton  homestead,  where  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  life.  ?Ie  was  twice  married,  his  second  wife  having  been 
Deborah  Morris,  widow  of  John  Morris.  By  his  first  marriage  he  was  the 
father  of  four  children  and  by  his  second,  two. 

Reared  on  a  farm,  Samuel  Chance  received  his  early  schooling  in  the 
Westville  schools  and  afterward  taught  school  and  sold  clocks  for  a  time. 
He  then  entered  jNIiami  Medical  College  and  was  graduated  from  that  insti- 
tution in  1859.  He  married  in  that  same  year  and  after  a  year  spent  in 
hospital  work  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Kings  Creek, 
in  this  county,  where  he  was  located  for  five  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time 
lie  moved  to  Urbana.  where  he  opened  a  drug  store  and  was  there  engaged 
in  the  drug  business  and  in  the  ])ractice  of  his  profession  until  his  retire- 
ment in  1888.  After  his  retirement  Doctor  Chance  continued  to  make  his 
home  in  Urbana  and  there  spent  his  last  days,  his  death  occurring  in  1892. 
Doctor  Chance  was  a  Democrat  and  took  an  active  part  in  local  politics. 
He  was  a  Knight  Templar  Mason  and  took  a  warm  interest  in  Masonic 
affairs.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church  and  took  a  proper  interest 
in  church  work. 

It  was  on  June  i,  1859,  that  Dr.  Samuel  Chance  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Elizabeth  Steinbarger,  who  was  born  near  Urbana,  a  daughter  of  David 
and  Lucy  H.  (Gaines)  Steinbarger.  both  natives  of  Virginia,  the  former  of 
whom  was  a  son  of  John  Steinbarger.  a  native  of  Germany  and  a  soldier  in 
the  patriot  army  during  the  Revolutionary  War,  who  first  settled  in  Vir- 
ginia and  later  moved  to  Indiana  Territory  and  settled  near  Taylorsville,  in 
the  White  Water  valley,  where  he  spent  his  last  days.  After  the  death  of 
his  father  David  Steinbarger  came  over  into  Ohio  and  settled  in  this  county, 
engaging  in  the  milling  business  on  Mad  River.  To  Dr.  Samuel  Chance  and 
wife  two  children  were  born,  Lucy,  who  is  at  home  with  her  widowed  mother 
and  who  has  for  years  been  the  assistant  secretary  of  the  Home  Loan  Com- 
])any  of  Urbana.  and  Frank  S..  station  agent  for  the  Erie  Railroad  Company 


248  CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY.    OHIO. 

at  Urbana.  Frank  S.  Chance  was  born  at  Urbana  on  September  15,  1870, 
and  was  graduated  from  the  high  school  there  in  1891.  After  a  year  spent 
in  a  drug  store  at  Dayton  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Erie  at  Urbana  and 
in  19 1 6  was  made  agent  for  the  company  at  that  place.  He  married  Stella 
Whittaker  and  has  two  children,  Harry  and  Helen. 


DARIUS  T.   RUNKLE 


Darius  T.  Runkle,  agent  for  the  Krie  Railroad  Company  at  Mingo,  this 
county,  president  of  the  school  board  of  that  village  and  for  many  years 
actively  identified  with  the  growing  interests  of  that  place,  is  a  native  son 
of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a 
farm  in  the  Mt.  Tabor  neigh Ix:)rhood,  in  Salem  township,  September  22, 
1850,  son  of  Lewis  and  Janet  (  Rarks  )  Runkle.  natives  of  New  Jersey,  who 
were  married  in  that  state,  where  they  remained.  Lewis  Runkle  was  there 
engaged  in  the  blacksmithing  business  tmtil  about  1840.  when  they  came  to 
Ohio  and  settled  in  Champaign  county,  where  thev  .spent  the  remainder  of 
their  lives.  Upon  coming  to  this  county  Lewis  Runkle  l^ought  an  eightx- 
acre  farm  near  Mt.  Tal)or  and  there  established  his  home.  He  was  a  good 
farmer  and  prospered  in  his  operations,  becoming  one  of  the  substantial  and 
influential  farmers  of  that  section  of  the  county,  giving  all  his  children,  after 
their  marriage,  ample  assistance  in  the  way  of  seeming  homes  for  themselves. 
Lewis  Runkle  died  at  his  honre  in  .Salem  tcnvnship  on  February  23,  1901.  and 
his  widow  survixcd  liini  for  eleven  years,  her  death  occurring  in  1912.  The}' 
were  the  parents  of  six  children,  those  besides  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
being  as  follow;  John  IL.  of  Mingo;  Dr.  VV^  S.  Runkle.  of  Washington, 
Kansas:  Don  I*.  Runkle,  of  iVlingo;  Ida,  wife  of  F>ank  Benson,  of  Le  Mars. 
Iowa,  and  Ada,  wife  of  Robert  Kelly. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm,  Darius  '!'.  Runkle  received  his  early  school- 
ing in  the  schools  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  home  and  uiion  completing  the 
course  there  went  to  Columbus,  where  he  took  a  course  in  a  business  college, 
upon  the  completion  of  which  he  w;is  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  the  store  of  J.  L. 
(iuthridge  at  .Mingo.  'I"v,<i  years  later  he  began  working  in  the  local  office 
of  the  Erie  Railroad  C"onipan\-  at  Mingo  and  on  (October  1.  1874,  he  then 
being  twentA-four  years  of  age.  he  was  made  agent  for  the  l'>ie  at  that  station 
and  has  ever  since  occui)ied  that  jjosition,  having  thus  been  in  the  service  of 
the  railroad  conipau}-  longer  than  any  other  station  ;igent  on  that  division  of 


DARIUS    T.   RUNKLE. 


CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY.    OHIO.  24Q 

the  roac!.  .Mr.  Runkie  has  ever  given  his  close  attention  to  the  duties  attend- 
ing- Iiis  .^cr\  ice  with  the  raih-oad  company  and  has  Hkewise  lahored  diHgentlv 
for  the  nplniilding-  of  the  village  in  which  he  so  long  has  made  his  home. 
He  is  now  president  of  the  local  school  hoard  and  in  other  ways  has  con- 
trjhiited  of  his  time  and  energies  to  the  pnhlic  service,  long  having  lieen 
recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Mingo. 

Tn  iS/.;]  Darius  T.  Runkie  was  united  in  marriage  to  I.ouie  J.  Johnson, 
daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Sarah  J.  (  Guthridge )  Johnson,  and  to  this  union 
one  child  has  heen  horn,  a  daughter.  Xellie.  who  married  L.  C.  Petrv  and  has 
one  child,  a  daughter.  Ruth  Mar}-.  .Mrs.  Runkie  <lied  on  Decemher  2i^. 
1902.  Mr.  Runkie  is  a  men-ihcr  of  the  Baptist  church  and  for  forty-five 
years  has  Ijcen  clerk  of  the  local  congregation  (jf  diat  church.  He  also  is  a 
member  of  the  board  of  deacons  of  the  church  and  has  ever  given  his  earnest 
attention  to  church  affairs.  He  is  a  Knight  Templar  Mason  and  gives  his 
close  attention  to  the  affairs  of  the  order. 


LEVI  S.  RAFF. 


Levi  S.  Raff,  an  honored  xeteran  of  the  Cixil  \\  ar  and  a  retired  car- 
penter and  cabinet-maker  living  at  L^rbana.  was  born  in  Wayne  countv.  this 
state.  September  29,  1848.  son  of  Henry  B.  and  Jaut  (Rutter)  Raff,  botli 
of  whom  were  born  in  Lancaster  county.  Pennsylvania,  and  who  had  come 
to  this  state  in  the  days  of  their  youth,  their  last  days  being  spent  in  West 
Liberty. 

Henry  B.  Raff  was  left  an  orphan  when  se\  en  \ears  of  age.  one  of  the 
four  children  left  by  his  parents,  three  sons  and  one  daughtei-.  the  other  sons 
having  been  John  and  Christopher.  He  Jater  came  to  this  state  with  the 
Rutter  family  and  with  them  settled  in  Logan  county.  Fe\i  and  Polly  Ann 
Rutter  and  their  family  being  among  the  early  settlers  of  that  count}-.  The}- 
had  seven  children.  Jay,  James.  Levi.  Josiah.  Louis.  Mattie  and  Jane.  Henr\- 
B.  Raff  grew  to  manhood  in  Logan  county,  receiving  a  limited  schooling  in 
the  primitive  schools  of  that  time  and  place.  He  married  Jane  Rutter. 
youngest  daughter  of  Levi  Rutter.  and  then  located  in  Wayne  comu}-.  h^)r 
.some  time  he  was  engaged  as  a  foreman  in  railroad  work  and  in  185^^ 
returned  to  Logan  county,  where  he  was  living  when  the  Ci\-il  \\';n-  broke  out. 
He  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  army  and  went  to  the  front  as  a  mem- 
ber of  Company   L   Forty-second    Regiment.   Ohio   \^olunteer    Infantry,    and 


.'.^O  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

served  for  three  years  in  the  j\rmy  of  the  Cumberland,  under  General  Grant. 
In  the  meantime  his  wife  and  the  family  moved  to  West  Liberty  and  upon 
the  completion  of  his  military  service  he  rejoined  them  there  and  engaged 
in  the  carpenter  trade  at  that  place,  there  spending  the  rest  of  his  life,  his 
death  occurring  in  1906,  he  then  being  eighty-six  years  and  ten  months  of 
age.  He  was  an  active  member  of  the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Arm}-  of  the 
Republic  at  West  Liberty  and  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children  of  whom  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  fol- 
low :  Jerry,  who  enlisted  for  service  in  the  L'nion  army  during  the  Civil 
War,  a  member  of  Company  I,  First  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  infantry, 
and  died  in  camp  in  Kentucky  in  1862;  Christian,  who  died  in  January, 
1866;  Mary  Jane,  unmarried,  who  is  living  at  West  Liberty;  William,  a 
lawyer,  living  at  West  Liberty:  James  A.,  a  stonecutter,  of  West  Liberty: 
Rosalie,  wife  of  Edward  Mathews,  of  West  Liberty:  Osmer  L.,  a  cigarmaker, 
now  deceased,  and  Elmer,  who  died  at  the  age  of  three  months.  After  the 
death  of  the  mother  of  these  children,  Henry  B.  Raff  married,  secondly, 
Esther  Elder,  of  West  Liberty. 

Levi  S.  Raff  received  his  schooling  at  West  Liberty  and  when  lifteen 
years  of  age  enlisted  at  that  place  for  service  in  the  Union  army  during  the 
continuance  of  the  Civil  War,  going  out  with  Company  C,  Twelfth  Regi- 
ment, Ohio  Volunteer  cavalry.  At  Camp  Cleveland  the  Twelfth  Ohio  was 
divided,  part  of  the  regiment  going  to  Columbus,  another  part  to  Camp 
Denison  and  a  third,  to  Johnson's  Island.  It  was  at  this  latter  station  that 
Mr.  Raff  found  himself  stationed  at  the  beginning  of  his  service  and  he 
remained  there  until  March,  1864,  when  the  detachment  to  which  he  was 
attached  was  sent  to  Camp  Denison  and  was  there  mounted,  equipped  and 
drilled  for  the  cavalry,  a  few  weeks  later  being  ordered  to  Louisville,  Ken- 
tucky, as  a  part  of  the  First  Brigade,  First  Cavalry,  and  was  sent  through 
the  South  on  scouting  service,  being  known  as  Burbridge's  "Night  Owls." 
(^ne  June  9,  1864.  this  detachment  was  in  action  against  Morgan's  raiders 
at  Mt.  Sterling,  Kentucky,  and  on  June  1 1  at  Cynthiana,  thence  back  to  Lex- 
ington, where  it  remained  in  camp  a  few  weeks,  at  the  end  of  which  time  it 
was  sent  on  a  raid  through  Kentucky  and  Virginia,  doing  general  scout  duty. 
On  October  2,  1864,  these  "Night  Owls"  met  with  a  reverse  at  Saltville. 
Virginia,  and  returned  to  their  base  at  Lexington,  later  joining  Stoneman's 
forces  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  a  part  of  the  noted  force  known  as  Stone- 
man's  Raiders,  and  from  Nashville  made  a  dash  through  to  Chattanooga, 
Knoxville,    Strawberry    Plains.    Bean    Station,    thence   on    another   extensive 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    (1T1IO.  25 1 

raid  through  X'irginia.  Georgia,  the  Carolinas.  Alabama  and  Tennessee,  being 
seventy-three  days  in  the  saddle  with  very  little  rest,  operating  on  Sherman's 
extreme  left  wing,  and  were  later  ordered  back  to  Tennesse  to  join  General 
Thomas  and  thereafter  performed  scout  duty  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
During  this  taxing  period  of  service  Mr.  Rafif  was  laid  up  for  nearly  two 
months  with  an  attack  of  typhoid  fever  and  his  health  was  badly  impaired. 
He  was  mustered  out  at  Nashville  on  November  14.  1865.  'i"^'  returned  to 
Ohio,  where  he  received  his  final  discharge. 

Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  Mr.  Raff  returned  to  West 
Liberty  and  there  became  employed  at  cabinet-making.  After  his  marriage 
in  1873  he  located  at  St.  Paris,  in  this  county,  and  five  years  later  moved  to 
Urbana,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  Upon  taking  up  his  residence 
in  Urbana  Mr.  Raff  took  up  his  trade  as  a  carpenter  and  cabinet-maker  and 
continued  thus  engaged  until  his  retirement  from  active  business. 

As  noted  above,  it  was  in  1873  that  Levi  S.  Raff'  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Mary  C.  Long,  of  St.  Paris,  this  county,  daughter  of  Jesse  and 
Nancy  Long,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  tailor,  and  to  that  union  was  born 
one  child,  a  son,  Frank  B.  Raff,  a  telegraph  operator  for  the  Big  Four  Rail- 
road Conipan}'  at  Urbana.  Frank  B.  Raff  married  Victoria  Brown  and  has 
three  children.  Gladys,  Lucille  and  Richard.  He  is  a  Mason  and  a  member 
I  if  the  local  lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at  Urbana.  Mrs. 
Mary  C.  Raff  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


CHARLES   EDMUND  GAUMER. 

It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  the  career  of  a  newspaper  man  is  richer 
in  possibilities  than  practically  any  other  vocation  in  life.  His  business  is 
to  find  out  what  other  people  are  doing,  and  having  found  this  out.  to  present 
such  of  it  to  the  pubHc  as  in  his  judgment  the  public  should  know.  Too 
often  the  editorial  management  finds  itself  in  conflict  with  the  business  man- 
agement of  the  paper.  Jtist  what  shall  be  said  of  the  citizens  of  the  com- 
munity the  paper  serves,  and  just  how  much,  are  two  considerations  that 
the  editor  must  face  day  by  day.  Shall  he  tell  all  he  knows  of  official  short- 
comings or  shall  he  keep  such  facts  out  of  his  paper — if  a  promoter  comes 
to  his  city  with  a  dubious  proposition  shall  he  tell  his  readers  about  it — if 
anything  goes  awry  in   the   community   shall   he   set    forth   the   facts?     In 


2-,2  CHAMPAIGN    COUXTY,    OHIO. 

Other  words,  it  is  a  wise  man  who  can  run  a  paper  these  clays  and  do  full 
justice  to  both  the  editorial  and  business  sides  of  his  paper. 

Charles  E.  Gaumer  is  a  newspaper  man  who  has  tried  to  the  best  of 
his  ability  to  manage  a  paper  from  both  viewpoints,  and  the  results  of  his 
efforts  show  that  he  has  been  attended  with  an  unusual  degree  of  success. 
He  has  been  in  the  business  since  his  boyhood  days ;  in  fact,  it  might  be 
said  that  he  grew  up  in  a  newspa])cr  office,  his  father  before  him  having 
been  a  newspai)er  man.  While  still  in  the  Urbana  high  school  he  was 
helping  his  father  edit  the  Davocrat.  and  immediately  on  his  graduation 
from  the  high  school  in  1894,  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  he  took  over  the  com- 
plete management  of  the  paper.  Mc  continued  as  head  of  the  paper  until 
-August  2^,  1898,  when  he  bought  the  Monticello,  Illinois,  Bulletin.  He 
remained  there  three  years  and  then,  June  10,  190T,  bought  the  Middletown. 
Ohio.  Signal,  which  he  managed  successfully  for  the  following  seven  years. 
His  next  change  took  him  to  Champaign,  Illinois,  where  he  served  on  the 
editorial  staff  of  the  Daily  Sens  from  September  15,  1908,  to  August  i. 
1910.  On  the  latter  date  he  returned  to  his  old  home  at  Urbana.  and  be- 
came associated  with  his  bn^tber.  I'"rank  C..  as  managing  editor  oi  the 
Democrat. 

\\r.  (i.'uuiier  remained  with  the  Dcinucrat  in  the  capacity  of  managing- 
editor  for  seven  \  ears,  leaving  the  paper  in  August.  19 17,  to  become  assistant 
managing  editor  of  the  Marion,  Ohio,  Daily  Star,  of  which  Senator  Warren 
(].  Harding  is  owner  and  publi.sher.  During  his  long  connection  with  the 
local  paper  in  Crbana  he  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  its  circulation  increase 
from  \ear  to  year,  and  no  small  credit  for  this  steady  growth  was  due  to 
his  al)ilit\-  as  editor.  Possessed  of  a  ready  pen  and  a  gift  for  pungent  ex- 
]jression  his  st\ie  was  of  the  kind  which  makes  a  paper  readable.  His  long 
ac(|uaintance  with  the  peo[)le  of  Urbana  was  another  factor  which  enabled 
him  to  write  clearly  of  k»cal  happenings  from  tlay  to  day.  while  he  naturally 
added  to  his  store  of  knowledge  of  local  conditions  with  each  succeeding- 
vear.  However,  he  decided  that  a  change  of  location  would  be  an  advantage 
to  him  and  when  tlie  op])ortunity  presented  itself  to  l)ecome  associated  with 
tile  Marion  Daily  Star  he  deci<led  to  accept  it.  lie  still  retains  his  interest 
in  the  '  iaunier  rublishing  Companx.  1  lis  many  friends  in  L'irljana  regret 
to  see  him  lea\  e  the  citw  and  wish  him  contiiuied  success  in  his  new  field. 

Air.  (laumer  was  born  in  .Marseilles.  Ohio.  Xovember  28.  1876.  a  son 
of  Dr.  Thomas  M.  and  Eliza  M.  Gaumer.  His  father  died  in  1893  and  his 
mother  is  still  residing  in  Urbana.  .\  sketch  of  Doctor  Gaumer  appears  else- 
where in  this  \o|ume  and  the  reader  is  referred  to  it   for  the  genealogy  of 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  253 

the  Gaunicr  family.  l(  might  he  added,  however,  in  this  connection,  that 
Doctor  Gaumer  was  a  practicing  physician  for  several  years  before  he 
engaged  in  newspaper  work.  He  spent  the  hist  several  years  of  his  life  in 
the  editorial  chair.  His  three  sons  have  followed  in  his  footsteps,  each  of 
them  now  being  in  active  newspaper  work. 

Charles  E.  Gaumer  was  married  on  Septeml)er  7.  1898,  to  Effie  Aletta 
Landis,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  W.  and  Jennie  M.  Eandis.  Mrs.  Gaumer  was 
l)orn  in  Urbana  on  -\ugust  17.  1879.  and  is  the  youngest  of  four  children, 
the  others  being  James.  George  and  Earl  E.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gaumer  have 
three  children:  Lois  Mahala,  born  Noveml^er  30,  1899;  Edmimd  Landis, 
b(jrn  January  29,  1901 ;  Robbin  Irene,  born  May  14,  1906.  The  family  are 
members  of  the  Urbana  Lutheran  church.  Mr.  Gaumer  is  a  deacon  in  the 
church  and  was  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  for  the  four  vears 
preceding  1914.  bVaternally,  he  is  a  member  of  Harmony  lodge.  Free 
and  Acce]itc(l   Masons. 


ELIJAH   A.    JM^TTIGREW. 

Elijah  A.  Pettigrew.  a  well-known  and  substantial  retired  farmer  of 
Champaign  county,  now  living  at  Urbana.  where  he  has  made  his  home 
since  1907.  is  a  X'irginian  In  birth,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  this  county 
since  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  was  born  in  Nicholas  county,  in 
West  Virginia.  March  9,  1859,  son  of  Andrew  Jackson  and  Sarah  J. 
(  Stephenson )  Pettigrew.  she  born  in  West  Virginia  and  he  in  X'irginia. 
and  whose  last  days  w^ere  spent  in  Nicholas  county. 

Andrew  Jackson  Pettigrew,  whose  father  was  a  native  of  Dublin,  J  re- 
land,  wdio  had  come  to  this  country  in  his  youth  and  had  established  his 
home  in  X'irginia.  grew  up  in  Rockbridge  county,  that  state,  near  the  "nat- 
ural bridge."  and  became  a  carpenter,  later  moving  to  Nicholas  county,  in 
the  western  i)art  of  the  state,  where  he  began  working  at  his  trade  and  where 
he  married,  established  his  home  and  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  died  many 
}ears  before  his  wife,  wdio  survived  him  until  1914-  ■'^lie  being  eighty-two 
years  of  age  at  the  time  of  her  death.  She  was  a  cousin  of  George  Wesley 
Atkinson,  former  governor  of  XX'est  X'irginia  and  for  years  judg-e  of  the 
L'nited  States  court  of  claims.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Methodi.st  Epis- 
copal church  and  her  husband  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  They 
were  the  parents  of  eleven  sons,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the 
hfth  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow:     David,  who  is  a  farmer 


254 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


living  in  Ashtabula  county,  this  state:  John,  a  carpenter,  who  died  in  Clay 
county,  West  Virginia,  in  1908:  George,  who  died  in  his  youth;  Samuel  F.. 
a  toolmaker,  living  at  Springfield,  this  state;  James,  a  merchant,  of  Sum- 
mersville,  West  Virginia;  Albert,  a  merchant,  of  Jefferson,  this  state;  Harvey 
B.,  a  rural  mail  carrier  living  at  Urbana;  Charles,  a  farmer  living  in  Green- 
briar  county.  West  Virginia ;  Walter,  a  farmer  living  in  Nicholas  countVr 
in  that  same  state,  and  Henry,  a  farmer,  living  at  Akron,  this  state. 

Elijah  A.  Pettigrew  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Nicholas  county,  receiv- 
ing his  schooling  in  the  schools  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  home,  and  re- 
mained there,  farming,  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  when,  in  the 
spring  of  1880,  he  came  to  Champaign  county  and  became  engaged  in  farm- 
ing in  Concord  township  and  was  there  for  three  years,  or  until  after  his 
marriage  in  1883,  when  he  located  in  Mad  River  township.  Two  years 
later  he  moved  on  a  farm  on  Pretty  Prairie,  in  Urbana  township,  and  there 
estal)lished  his  home  and  made  that  his  place  of  residence  until  his  retire- 
ment from  the  active  labors  of  the  farm  and  removal,  in  1907,  to  Urbana, 
where  he  has  since  resided  and  where  he  is  very  comfortabl}-  situated.  Mr. 
Pettigrew  is  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-nine  acres 
on  I'retty  Prairie  and  continues  to  give  his  close  personal  attention  to  the 
general  management  of  the  same.  In  addition  to  his  general  farming  he 
has  given  considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of  live  stock,  including  sev- 
eral race  horses  that  have  attained  more  than  local  fame.  Mr.  Pettigrew  is 
a  Republican  and  gives  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  political  affairs,  but 
has  not  been  a  seeker  after  public  office. 

Mr.  Pettigrew  has  been  thrice  married.  As  noted  above,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  in  1883  to  Elizabeth  Hough,  of  Concord  township,  this  county, 
a  daughter  of  William  and  Margaret  Hough,  and  to  that  union  one  child 
was  born,  a  son,  Floyd  H.,  born  on  .Vpril  15,  1885.  Floyd  H.  Pettigrew. 
who  is  now  engaged  in  the  plumbing  business  at  Hamilton,  Ohio,  married 
Fmma  Johnson  and  has  two  children,  Ruth  and  Helen.  After  the  death 
of  his  first  wile  Mr.  Pettigrew  married  Martha  J.  I'Vance.  of  this  county, 
daughter  of  John  France,  a  cabinet-maker,  and  after  her  death  he  married 
V^erna  E.  Mearns.  of  Summersville.  West  Virginia,  daughter  of  A.  J.  and 
Lola  Mearns.  the  former  of  whom  was  a  merchant  at  that  place.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Pettigrew  have  a  pleasant  home  at  Urbana  and  take  a  ])roper  part  in 
the  general  .social  activities  of  their  home  town.  Mrs.  Pettigrew  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  church  there  and  both  she  and  her  husband  do  their 
])art  in  helping  to  promole  the  general  good  works  of  the  commimit\ . 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  255 

JOHN  L.  MOORK. 

The  late  John  L.  Moore,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  for 
years  a  well-known  bnildin.e^  contractor  at  L'rbana,  who  died  at  his  home  in 
thaf  city  on  February  2,  191 7,  was  a  native  of  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  born 
on  January  2.  1842,  son  of  the  Rev.  William  and  Margaret  ( Tatman )  Moore, 
who  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  memo- 
rial sketch  was  the  eldest,  the  others  being  as  follow :  Kate,  who  married 
David  Chaney  and  lives  at  Wausau,  Wisconsin ;  Sarah,  who  married  John 
Shull  and  lives  at  Riley,  Kansas ;  Samuel,  who  lives  at  South  Blooming- 
ville,  Ohio,  and  Margaret,  who  married  William  Hammond,  and  lives  at 
Portis,  Kansas.  The  Rev.  William  Moore  was  a  minister  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  and  during  the  many  years  of  his  ministrv  preached  in 
Pennsylvania,  in  Ohio  and  in  Kansas. 

John  L.  Moore  early  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter  and  became  a  skilled 
workman  in  that  line,  afterward  engaging  in  building  contracting  on  his  own 
account  and  was  quite  successfully  engaged  until  his  death.  He  was  but 
nineteen  years  of  age  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out  and  there  being  parental 
objection  to  his  participation  in  that  struggle,  he  ran  away  from  home  and 
enlisted  in  Indiana  as  a  private  in  Company  H,  One  Hundred  and  b^ifth  Regi- 
ment, Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  with  that  command  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  Afr.  Moore 
located  at  Chillicothe,  this  state,  where  he  engaged  in  carpentering  and 
where  he  married,  later  moving  to  Dayton,  wliere  he  remained  until  1896. 
in  which  year  he  moved  to  Urbana,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  successfully  engaged  as  a  building  contractor.  His  wife  died  in  Urbana 
in  1899,  three  years  after  moving  there.  Mr.  Moore  was  an  active  member 
of  W.  A.  Brand  Post,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  at  L'rbana.  and  took  a 
warm  interest  in  the  afTairs  of  that  patriotic  organization.  On  his  deathbed 
he  confessed  faith  in  the  Catholic  church  and  received  the  last  rites  of  that 
church.  His  wife  and  children  were  members  of  the  Methodist  b4:)iscopal 
church. 

At  Chillicothe,  this  state,  John  L.  Moore  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Lydia  A.  Atkinson,  who  was  born  at  Albany,  West  Virginia,  July  8,  1854. 
daughter  of  James  and  Margaret  Atkinson,  and  to  that  union  three  children 
were  born.  Minnie  A..  W^illiam  C.  who  died  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years, 
and  Frank  C.  who  also  died  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years. 

Minnie   A.    Moore   was   born   at   Chillicothe.    Ohio,   and    was    united   in 


2^(>  CHAMPAIGN    COUXTV.    OHIO. 

marriage  to  VVilliani  K.  Burton,  wlio  was  horn  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  and  who  at 
the  age  of  three  years  moved  to  Urljana,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  Hfe, 
his  death  occurring-  on  Deceniher  24,  1915.  He  was  a  painter  and  decor- 
ator and  for  years  was  connected  with  the  work  of  the  IlHnois  Car  Company 
at  Urbana.  To  William  K.  and  Minnie  A.  (Moore)  Burton  two  children 
were  born,  William  and  Helen,  both  of  whom  are  making  their  home  with 
their  mother  at  Crbana.  William  Burton  is  a  barber,  at  which  trade  he 
fc^rmerly  worked  at  Cleveland  and  was  at  one  time  the  owner  of  two  barber 
shops  at  Urbana.  On  June  11,  1909,  he  married  Martha  Smith,  of  Ken- 
tucky, and  has  one  child,  a  daughter,  Helen  Marie,  born  on  July  J",   1916. 


WILLIAM  H.  VERMILLION. 

William  H.  Vermillion,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  a  substantial 
farmer  and  dairyman  of  Union  townshi]),  born  on  a  farm  in  the  south- 
west part  of  Union  township  on  March  19,  1844,  son  of  Daniel  and  Eliza 
(Zumbro)  Vermillion,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Muskingum  county, 
this  state,  and  the  latter  in  the  state  of  Virginia,  whose  last  days  were 
spent  in  the  village  of  Mutual,  this  county. 

Daniel  Vermillion  was  but  a  child  when  his  parents,  (ieorge  Vermillion 
and  wife,  natives  of  Virginia,  moved  from  Muskingum  countv  to  Cham- 
paign county  and  he  grew  to  manhood  here  and  was  here  married.  During- 
the  days  of  his  young  manhood  he  had  been  engaged  wcMking  as  a  cabinet- 
maker in  Urbana,  but  after  his  marriage  he  located  on  a  farm  on  Buck 
creek,  in  Union  township,  and  was  for  nine  years  there  engaged  in  farming. 
He  then  moved  with  his  family  to  the  village  of  Mutual  and  became  engaged 
as  a  carpenter,  following-  that  vocation  until  he  was  past  middle  age,  when 
he  took  up  wagon-making  and  was  thus  engaged  at  that  place  the  rest  of  his 
life,  his  death  occurring  there  in  1872.  Daniel  Vermillion  and  wife  w'ere 
the  parents  of  nine  children,  of  whom  five  are  still  living,  those  besides  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  being  John,  Samuel,  Sarah  and  Jane. 

William  H.  Vermillion  received  his  .schooling  in  the  village  of  Mutual, 
the  first  school  he  attended  being  held  in  a  little  log  school  house,  and  at 
the  age  of  twelve  years  he  began  working  on  a  farm.  He  continued  engaged 
at  farm  labor  until  May  2,  1864,  when  he  enlisted  for  service  in  Company 
1^  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Regiment.  Ohio  \^)lunteer  Infantry, 
and  with  that  command  served   for  one  hundred   da\s.      He  then   returned 


WILLIAM  H.   VERMILLION 


CHAMPAIGX    COUNTY,    OHIO.  257 

home  and  re-enlisted  as  a  member  of  Company  E,  One  Hundred  and  Eig-hty- 
lifth  Regiment.  Ohio  Vokmteer  Infantry,  and  with  this  latter  command 
served  for  eight  months,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  returned  to  this  countv. 
After  his  marriage,  in  the  spring  of  1866,  he  established  his  home  on  a  farm 
he  rented,  continuing  as  a  renter  until  he  bought  his  first  land,  a  tract  of 
thirty-six  acres,  a  part  of  his  present  well-improved  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  seventy  acres  in  Union  township,  where  he  ever  since  has  made  his 
home  and  where  he  and  his  family  are  very  comfortably  situated.  All  of  Mr. 
Vermillion's  farm  is  under  cultivation  save  a  small  tract  of  woodland.  For 
years  he  has  devoted  a  good  deal  of  his  attention  to  dairying  and  at  present 
is  maintaining  a  herd  of  thirty-five  dairy  cows  and  has  an  extensive  busi- 
ness in  that  line.     His  place  is  on  rural  mail  route  Xo.  i  out  of  Cable. 

Mr.  Vermillion  has  been  twice  married.  On  March  31,  1866,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Elizabeth  Booth,  daughter  of  John  and  Marian  Booth, 
and  to  that  union  three  children  were  born,  Edwin,  who  married  Matilda 
Gurnis;  Effie,  wife  of  Charles  Smith,  and  Gertrude,  wife  of  Earl  Heller. 
The  mother  of  these  children  died  in  1895  ^^^  ^^^-  Vermillion  later  married 
Mary  Speakman,  to  which  union  two  children  have  been  born,  Gladys  and 
Robert.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vermillion  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Epispopal 
church,  in  which  for  years  Mr.  VermilHon  has  served  as  a  class  leader.  He 
also  is  a  steward  of  the  church  and  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  and 
has  long  given  his  earnest  attention  to  church  affairs.  Mr.  Vermillion  is  an 
active  member  of  the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  at  Urbana 
and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  same. 


WILLIAM  A.  JOHNSON. 

William  A.  Johnson,  a  substantial  landowner  and  stockman  of  this 
county,  former  trustee  of  Union  township  and  former  trustee  of  Wayne 
township,  now  living  at  Cable,  where  he  is  extensively  engaged  in  the 
live  stock  business,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here 
all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Union  township  on  April  22,  1857. 
son  of  James  and  Mary  (Woodard)  Johnson,  both  of  whom  also  were 
born  in  this  county,  the  former  in  Wayne  township  and  the  latter  in  Rush 
township,  and  whose  last  days  were  spent  in  Union  township. 

James  Johnson  was  a  son  of  James  and  Matilda  Johnson,  Virginians, 
(17a) 


258  CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO. 

who  came  to  this  state  after  their  marriage  and  located  in  Champaign  eountw 
setthng  hrst  in  Wayne  township  and  later  moving  down  into  Union  town- 
ship, where  they  established  their  home  and  where  they  spent  the  remainder 
of  their  lives,  useful  and  influential  pioneers  of  that  part  of  the  county. 
The  junior  James  Johnson  was  but  a  lad  when  his  parents  moved  to  Union 
township  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm.  After  his 
marriage  to  Mary  \Voodard,  who  was  born  in  the  neighboring  township  of 
Rush,  daughter  of  pioneer  parents,  he  established  his  home  on  a  farm  in 
Union  township  and  there  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  one  of  the 
best-known  and  most  influential  farmers  of  the  neighborhood  in  which  he 
lived.  His  death  occurred  in  March,  1901.  His  wife  had  preceded  him  to 
the  grave  about  a  year,  her  death  having  occurred  in  1900.  They  were  the 
parents  of  seven  children,  of  whom  but  three  are  now  living,  the  subject  of 
this  .sketch  having  two  brothers,  Olney  and  Charles  Johnson. 

William  A.  Johnson  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  place  in  Union 
township,  receiving  his  schooling  in  the  district  school  in  that  neighborhood, 
and  from  the  days  of  his  boyhood  was  a  valued  assistant  to  his  father  in  the 
laljors  of  developing  and  improving  the  home  farm.  He  later  became  a 
jx'irtner  of  his  father  in  the  operation  of  the  farm  and  after  awhile  bought 
the  home  place  of  one  hundred  and  two  and  one-half  acres  and  there  con- 
tinued farming  and  stock  raising  until  in  March.  1909.  when  he  retired 
from  the  farm  and  moved  to  Cable,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home. 
Upon  leaving  the  farm  Mr.  Johnson  turned  his  attention  to  the  buying  and 
selling  of  live  stock  and  has  since  l)een  engaged  in  that  business,  shipping 
to  the  Pittsburgh  markets.  Xot  long  after  locating  at  Cable  he  bought  a 
fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  ten  acres  in  Wayne  township,  to  the  operation 
of  which  he  gives  considerable  personal  attention.  Some  time  ago  he  sold 
his  farm  in  Union  townshij).  Mr.  Johnson  is  a  Republican  and  for  years 
has  given  close  attention  to  local  political  affairs.  \un  seven  vears  he  served 
as  trustee  of  Union  township  and  for  four  \ears  as  trustee  of  Wayne  town- 
ship and  is  now  serving  as  a  member  of  the  local  school  lx)ard  at  Cable,  in 
that  ca]:)acity  doing  nmch  to  promote  tlie  interests  of  the  schools  in  that 
pleasant  and  flourishing  village. 

On  April  22,  1886,  William  .\.  Johnson  was  united  in  marriage  to  linola 
Durnell,  who  was  born  in  Wayne  townshij).  this  countv.  daughter  of  Booker 
R.  and  Catherine  (Hall)  Durnell,  both  of  whom  also  were  born  in  that  town- 
ship, members  of  pioneer  families,  and  were  there  married.  Booker  R. 
Durnell  was  a  son  of  Hiram  and  Sarah  (Middleton)  Durnell,  Virginians, 
who  came  to  this  countv  at  an  earlv  dav  in  the  settlement  of  the  same  and 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


^59 


btcanie  substantial  pioneers  of  Wayne  township,  where  they  estabhshed 
their  home.  During  the  progress  of  the  Civil  War  Booker  R.  Durnell 
enlisted  for  service  in  behalf  of  the  Union  and  went  to  the  front  as  a  private 
in  Company  K,  One  Hundred  and  Thirteenth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer 
infantr}-,  with  which  command  he  served  valiantly  until  he  met  a  soldier's 
fate  about  a  year  later,  at  the  battle  of  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  ij,  1864. 
iiis  wife  had  died  a  little  more  than  a  year  previously,  her  death  having 
occurred  on  June  16,  1863,  and  their  children  were  thus  orphaned  early. 
There  were  three  of  these  children,  Mrs.  Johnson  having  two  brothers. 
I  firam  and  Kichard  Durnell.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  have  no  children  of 
iheir  own,  but  they  have  reared  four  children  with  as  much  care  and  con- 
sideration as  though  they  had  been  their  own  indeed.  They  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  take  a  proper  interest  in  church 
work  and  in  other  local  good  works.  Mr.  Johnson  is  one  of  Cable's  most 
stil)stantial  citizens  and  is  in  the  forefront  in  all  movements  having  to  do 
with  the  advancement  of  the  general  interests  of  that  thriving  village. 


JOHN  P.  KNIGHT. 


The  late  John  P.  Knight,  for  years  one  of  the  best-known  and  most 
substantial  farmers  of  Champaign  county,  who  died  at  his  home  in  Urbana 
township  in  1905,  was  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  lived  in  this  state  all  his 
life.  He  was  bcjrn  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Miami  on  February  18, 
1839.  a  son  of  William  D.  and  T'^lizabeth  (Palmer)  Knight,  also  natives  of 
that  same  county,  members  of  two  of  the  oldest  families  in  this  part  of 
the  state.  William  D.  Knight's  father  was  a  native  of  Redstone,  Penn- 
sylvania, who  came  to  this  state  in  the  days  of  his  young  manhood,  locating 
near  Cincinnati,  where  he  married  and  reared  his  family  and  died.  On  a 
])ioneer  farm  "William  D.  Knight  grew  to  manhood  and,  with  his  mother, 
moved  to  Miami  county  and  there  later  married  Elizabeth  Palmer,  daughter 
of  ])ioneer  parents,  and  established  his  home  on  a  farm  in  the  neighborhood 
of  her  old  home  near  Casstown.  He  moved  to  Champaign  county  in  1853 
and  settled  on  a  farm  two  and  one-half  miles  south  of  Urbana,  on  the  State 
road.  He  later  retired,  moved  to  Urbana,  where  he  died  in  December, 
i8go.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  of  whom  but 
two  now  surviA-e.  .Sidney  Knight,  of  Urbana.  and  Stephen  Knight,  a  prom- 
inent law>er  at  Chicago,  who  is  now  serving  as  countv  attorney  of  Cook 


26o  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

county;  the  others,  besides  the  subject  of  this  inenKjrial  sketch,  having  been 
Thomas.  Wilford,  Catherine  and  Margaret. 

Reared  on  the  liome  farm  in  Miami  county,  John  P.  Knight  received 
his  earh'  schooHng  in  the  district  school  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  home 
and  supplemented  the  same  l)y  a  course  in  the  Urbana  school,  after  which 
for  seven  or  eight  vears  he  spent  his  winters  in  teaching"  school,  continuing 
meanwhile  to  farm  during  the  sunmiers.  After  his  marriage  in  1865  he 
established  his  home  on  a  farm  in  Urbana  township,  this  county,  and  there 
spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  becoming  a  successful  farmer  and  a  man  of  wide 
influence  throughout  that  part  of  the  county.  Mr.  Knight  was  an  earnest 
Republican  and  for  years  was  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  leaders  of  that 
party  in  his  part  of  the  county,  l-'or  years  he  served  as  director  of  schools 
in  his  local  district  and  did  much  to  advance  the  cause  of  education  there- 
about. He  was  an  ardent  advocate  of  any  proper  movement  that  would 
tend  to  increase  the  efficacy  of  the  scho(;ls  and  took  much  interest  in  educa- 
tional affairs,  giving  his  children  every  opportunity  for  acquiring  liberal 
educations.  Mr.  Knight  was  an  active  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and 
ever  took  an  earnest  interest  in  church  affairs  and  other  good  works.  He 
had  many  warm  friends  throughout  the  county  and  his  death  on  March  12. 
IQ05,  w^as  widely  mourned.  He  enlisted  at  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  War 
for  three  months  service  in  Compan^■  H,  Eightv-sixth  Ohio  \  ohmteer  In- 
fantry. 

It  was  in  the  3-ear  1865  that  John  P.  Knight  was  united  in  marriage 
lo  Jennie  Rawlings.  who  was  born  in  Urbana  township,  this  county,  a 
daughter  of  James  and  Susanna  (McRoberts)  Rawlings.  prominent  residents 
f>f  that  comnuinitw  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Kentucky  and  the 
latter  in  Urbana  township,  this  county,  daughter  of  pioneer  parents.  James 
Rawlings  was  twenty  years  of  age  when  he  came  from  Kentucky  to  Cham- 
]iaign  county,  Ohio,  and  there  he  v,'orked  for  farmers  until  he  married. 
He  then  bought  a  farm  on  I'retty  Prairie,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of 
his  life.  After  the  death  of  his  wife  Susanna  he  married,  secondly.  Mrs. 
Jane  Osborn.  widow  of  James  0.sborn  and  a  daughter  of  David  Todd.  By 
his  fir-st  marriage  James  Rawlings  was  the  father  of  six  children,  of  whom 
iVfrs.  Knight,  the  third  in  order  of  birth,  is  now  the  only  survivor,  the  others 
ha\'ing  been  as  follow:  William  J.  W.,  a  memorial  sketch  of  whom  is  pre- 
sented elsewhere  in  this  volume;  Mary,  who  was  the  wife  of  Mitchell  Todd, 
a  farmer  of  Urbana  township;  Thomas,  who  married  Emma  Humes  and 
was  also  a  farmer  in  ITrbana  township;  James,  who  married  Laura  Townley 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  261 

and   was   also   a    farmer   in    Urbana   township,    and    Douglas,    who   married 
Alice  Townley  and  was  also  a  farmer  in  Urbana  township. 

To  John  P.  and  Jennie  (Rawlings)  Knight  four  children  were  born, 
namely :  William  J.  Knight,  a  graduate  of  Oberlin  College,  now  engaged 
in  the  seed  business  at  Urbana.  who  married  Florence  L.  Dempsey  and  has 
three  children.  Paul  D.,  Robert  P.  and  John  P. ;  Edwin  Knight,  who  served 
in  the  Second  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry  in  the  Spanish- American  war,  and 
was  on  the  firing  line  at  the  battle  of  Santiago,  who  died  in  his  youth ; 
Harley  1^.  Knight,  who  married  Fannie  Clark  and  is  now  farming  the  old 
home  ])lace  in  Urbana  township,  who  has  five  children,  Mrs.  Stella  K. 
(irowden,  Harold  U..  Ruth  H.,  Kenneth  Ray  and  Edwin  Sanford,  and  Earl 
Ivawlings  Knight,  who  received  his  technical  education  at  l\irdue  University 
and  is  now  engaged  as  superintendent  of  an  extensive  electrical  concern,  a 
branch  of  the  .Mlis-Chalmers  plant,  at  Norwood,  a  suburb  of  Cincinnati. 
Mrs.  Knight  is  now  making  her  home  with  her  son,  William  J.  Knight,  at 
Urbana.  She  retains  an  active  interest  in  church  affairs,  having  for  years 
been  a  member  of  the  Methodist  l^piscopal  church,  and  in  other  local  good 
works  and  has  ever  exerted  her  gentle  influence  in  behalf  of  movements 
ha\-in<r  to  d<>  with  communitv  betterment. 


S.\MUEL  M.  OVERMELD. 

.*~^amuel  M.  Overfield,  postmaster  at  Woodstock,  former  mayor  of  that 
village  and  former  member  of  the  village  council,  has  for  years  been  re- 
garded as  one  of  Woodstock's  most  energetic  and  influential  citizens.  He 
was  born  in  this  county  on  July  i,  1862,  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  The 
Overfields  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Champaign  county,  having 
c(ime  out  here  from  \'irginia  in  1826  and  the  family  has  been  widely  repre- 
sented throughout  this  part  of  the  state  in  the  succeeding  generations  since 
then. 

Samuel  Overfield.  great-grandfather  of  Postmaster  Overfield.  was 
the  founder  of  the  familv  in  Ohio.  He  was  born  in  \'irginia.  son  of  a 
Welshman  who  had  come  to  this  country  during  tlie  progress  of  the  Revo- 
lutionarv  War  and  had  been  recutired  before  his  departure  from  his  native 
land  to  take  an  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  crown.  He  landed  on  these  shores 
shortly  before  the  battle  of  \'orktown  and  was  a  witness  to  that  engage- 
ment.     Though  strongh-  sympathetic  toward   the  cause  of  the  colonists,  his 


262  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

(lath  of  feall\-  to  his  kin<^  prt-vented  his  participation  on  the  side  toward 
which  his  heart  went  out.  He  settled  in  \^irginia  and  there  estaWished  his 
lionie,  becoming-  a  well-to-do  citizen.  His  son,  Samuel  Overfield.  became  a 
freifjhter  and  for  some  time  was  engaged  in  hauling-  between  Staunton  and 
Rnmnev,  driving  a  six -horse  team.  He  saved  the  money  thus  earned  and 
presently  bought  a  tract  of  five  hundred  acres  of  ^■'irginia  land,  nine  miles 
from  Clarksburg,  established  his  home  there  and  proceeded  to  clear  and 
develop  his  land.  He  had  made  considerable  prog;ress  toward  the  develop- 
ment and  stocking  of  his  farm  when  one  day  a  man  drove  up  and  informed 
liim  that  he  would  ha\'e  to  vacate  the  land,  that  he  had  no  title  to  the  same, 
the  title  under  which  he  held  possession  having  been  fraudulently  bestowed, 
iiivestig-ation  revealed  the  truth  of  this  statement  and  Samuel  Overfield 
ttiok  his  horses  and  his  movable  belongings  and  came  over  into  Ohio,  driving 
on  out  to  Champaign  county  and  settling  in  Rush  townshij),  where  he  estab- 
lished his  home  and  where  he  sjient  his  last  days,  an  honored  pioneer  of  that 
(•()mmunit\.  lie  and  his  family  suffered  numerous  hardships,  along  with 
their  pioneer  neighbors,  and  some  of  their  horses  were  stolen  l)y  the  Indians, 
))ut  they  persevered  and  finally  found  themselves  well  established.  Samuel 
( )verfield's  wife.  Mary  Butcher,  was  of  English  descent.  She  was  born  at 
Mermantown.  Pennsylvania,  and  was  a  child  living  there  at  the  time  of  the 
])attle  of  Germantown  during  the  Revolutionar}-  War  and  ever  retained  a 
distinct  recollection  of  the  incident  of  the  soldiers  of  the  Continental  army 
l)i]ing  cannon  balls  in  the  dooryard  of  her  father's  home  when  they  left 
for  Virginia.  Vmong-  the  children  born  to  Samuel  and  Mary  (Butcher) 
Overfield  was  Joab  Overfield.  who  was  born  in  Harrison  county,  Virginia, 
in  1803.  'i"^'  ^^"''*'  ^\'<i^  about  twenty-three  years  of  age  when  he  came  to 
(  hampaign  county  with  his  parents.  He  became  a  substantial  farmer  in 
Rush  township  and  there  spent  his  last  days.  He  married  Beers-helba 
Tucker,  also  a  member  of  one  of  the  pioneer  families  in  this  county,  and  to 
ihat  union  six  children  were  born,  namely:  Samuel,  !\lary,  Rebecca,  Di.'uia. 
John  and  Susan. 

Reared  on  a  farm  in  Rush  town>liip,  Samuel  M.  Overfield,  great- 
grandson  of  the  Virginian,  Samuel  Overfield,  who  became  a  pioneer  of 
(hampaign  countv,  received  his  schooling  in  the  district  schools  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  his  home  and  as  a  young  man  was  engaged  for  some  time  in 
farming.  He  then  clerked  in  a  store  at  Woodstock  for  awhile  and  then 
started  a  livery  stable  there  which  he  conducted  for  five  years,  at  the  end 
of  which  time  be  established  a  general  store  in  the  village  and  was  thus 
engaged  in  mercantile  business   for  nine  years.      In    1803   ^1^'   ^^'''^-'^  appointed 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  263 

piistmaster  of  \\'ooc!.stock  and  served  in  that  important  public  capacity  from 
.\u.srust  3,  1893.  to  August  14.  1897,  ^"d  o"  December  9,  1909.  received  his 
second  commission  as  postmaster  of  the  village  and  has  since  been  serving 
in  that  capacity.  Mr.  Overfield  is  an  active  Democrat  and  has  for  years 
been  regarded  as  one  of  the  leaders  of  that  party  in  the  eastern  part  of  the 
county.  For  four  years  he  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  in  and  for  Rush 
ttnvnship.  was  mayor  of  Woodstock  for  two  years  and  also  served  for  some 
time  as  a  member  of  the  village  council,  to  all  of  which  official  duties  he 
l)rought  his  most  thoughtful  attention,  ever  concerned  for  the  welfare  of 
the  pubjic.  Mr.  Oerfield  also  for  twelve  years  held  a  commission  as  a 
notary  public  and  is  widely  known  throughout  that  part  of  the  countv  in 
which  his  life  has  been  spent. 

On  June  19,  1901,  Samuel  M.  Overtield  was  united  in  marriage  to  Alta 
Ruth  Ott,  of  Mechanicsburg.  and  to  this  union  two  children  have  been  born. 
Marion  W.  and  Donald  M.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Overfield  are  members  of  the 
Christian  church  and  give  their  interested  attention  to  church  work  and 
the  general  social  activities  of  their  home  town,  helpful  in  promoting  all 
worthy  causes.  Mr.  Overfield  is  a  Mason,  a  member  of  the  lodge  of  that 
ancient  order  at  Xorth  l,ewisburg.  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  Masonic 
affairs. 


ROBERT  J.  EASON. 

Robert  J.  Eason,  vice-president  of  the  Bank  of  North  Lewisburg  and  a 
well-known  and  substantial  retired  merchant  and  grain  dealer  is  a  native 
of  the  Keystone  state,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  Ohio  and  of  North  Lewis- 
burg since  1873.  He  was  born  at  Pittsburgh.  Pennsylvania,  December  27, 
1854,  son  of  John  and  Anna  (Sly)  Eason,  both  natives  of  England,  born 
at  Castle  Cary,  in  Somersetshire,  who  were  married  there  and  after  their 
marriage  came  to  this  country  and  were  for  a  short  time  thereafter  located 
at  Brooklyn,  New  York,  where  John  Eason  became  engaged  in  the  milling- 
business,  to  which  vocation  lie  had  been  trained  in  his  native  land.  Some 
time  later  he  moved  to  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  further  followed 
the  milling  business  for  several  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  located 
at  Franklin,  in  that  same  state,  where  he  followed  his  trade  until  presently 
he  bought  a  mill  at  Columbus.  Pennsylvania,  and  moved  there.  Not  long 
afterward  he  sold  that  mill  and  bought  another  at  Titusville,  Pennsylvania, 
which  he  continued  to  operate  until  his  death.     John  Eason  came  of  a  famih^ 


264  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

of  millers,  his  father  and  his  grandfather  having  l)een  engaged  in  that  voca- 
tion, and  he  became  quite  successful.  Besides  his  milling  operations  at 
Titusville  he  was  the  owner  of  several  grain  elevators,  including  one  at 
North  Lewisburg,  in  this  county. 

Upon  completing  the  course  in  the  liigh  school  at  Titusville  Robert  J. 
Eason  entered  the  Clinton  Liberal  Arts  Institution  at  Clinton,  New  York, 
and  after  a  course  of  instruction  there  entered  Hamilton  College.  Uj^on 
completing  his  studies  in  the  latter  institution  he  returned  home  and  f<)r  a 
time  thereafter  occupied  himself  in  acquiring  a  further  acquaintance  with 
his  father's  milling  business  and  in  1873,  he  then  being  about  eighteen 
years  of  age,  was  sent  to  North  Lewisburg.  this  county,  to  take  charge 
of  his  father's  grain  elevator  at  that  place,  and  there  he  ever  since  has  made 
his  home,  for  many  years  one  of  the  most  progressive  and  influential  busi- 
ness men  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  county.  For  twenty-fi\e  years 
Mr.  Eason  remained  engaged  in  the  grain  business  at  North  Lewisburg  and 
then  he  sold  his  grain  elevator  and  for  some  time  thereafter  was  engaged 
in  the  real-estate  and  general  merchandising,  being  thus  engaged  until 
his  final  retirement  from  business.  During  all  these  years  he  gave  his  earnest 
attention  to  the  general  business  affairs  of  his  home  town  and  years  ago 
was  elected  vice-president  of  the  Bank  of  Lewisburg.  a  position  vvhicli  he 
still  occupies,  one  of  the  well-known  bankers  in  Champaign  county. 

Robert  J.  Eason  married  Jennie  Hollingsworth.  daughter  of  Doctor 
HoUingsworth  and  wife,  and  to  this  union  two  children  have  been  born,  Carrie. 
who  married  Doctor  Boulger  and  has  two  children,  Robert  and  Janet,  and 
Robert  H.  Eason,  of  North  Lewisburg.  In  his  political  belief  Mr.  Easdu 
is  independent.  He  is  a  Knight  Templar  Mason  and  has  for  years  taken  a 
warm  interest  in  Masonic  affairs. 


SETH   S.   WINDER. 


Seth  S.  Winder,  a  retired  farmer  of  North  Lewisburg.  Champaign 
countv,  was  born  on  December  14,  1841,  in  Zane  township.  Logan  county, 
Ohio.  He  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Hannah  (Wileman)  Winder,  both 
natives  of  Clark  county.  Ohio,  where  they  grew  u])  and  were  married,  in 
1841  they  moved  to  Logan  county,  Ohio,  where  they  spent  the  rest  of  their 
active  lives  on  a  farm.  He  died  at  'he  age  of  seventy-seven  years  and  she 
when  seventv-three  years  old.  They  were  life  members  of  the  bViends  church. 


MR.   AND   MRS.    SETH   WINDER 


CHAMPAIGN    COl'NTY.    OHIO.  265 

Tlieir  family  consisted  of  ten  children,  named  as  follows:  John,  Edward. 
Aaron,  Elizabeth  and  Abner  are  all  deceased ;  William  lives  in  North  Lewis- 
burg,  Ohio:  Maria  W.  is  the  wife  of  Caleb  Lewis  and  they  live  in  North 
Lewisburg-:  Seth  S.,  of  this  sketch:  Deborah  is  deceased:  and  Seneca,  who 
lives  in  Marion,  Indiana. 

Seth  S.  Winder  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  in  i.ogan  county  and  there 
he  attended  the  common  schools.  There  he  engaged  in  farming  until  i8<)S. 
in  which  year  he  moved  to  North  Lewisburg,  Champaign  county,  where  lie 
has  since  resided.  He  sold  his  farm  in  Logan  county  and  bought  his  pres- 
ent home  and  several  lots  where  he  now  lives.  He  has  a  Jinc  cherry  orchard 
and  raises  small  fruits  and  garden  truck. 

Mr.  Winder  was  married  in  the  fall  of  1869  to  Margaret  A.  Linvill, 
who  was  bom  in  Wayne  township,  this  county,  where  she  was  reared  and 
educated.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Hanes  and  Ann  Lin\ill.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Winder  four  children  have  been  born,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy ;  Lena 
M.  married  Frank  Christopher  and  tliev-  reside  in  W'ashington  Court  House. 
Ohio,  and  have  two  children,  Marion  and  Margaret :  Seneca  married  Alberta 
Hadley;  thev  live  in  Marion,  Indiana,  and  have  one  child.  Lowell.  Mr. 
\^'inder  is  an  ardent  supporter  of  the  temperance  cause.  He  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Friends  church  all  his  life. 


wiNi'ib:Ln  T.\\L(^R  shriglI':y. 

Winheld  Taylor  Shriglev.  a  well-known  and  suljstantial  retired  farmer 
of  Wayne  township,  this  county,  and  former  trustee  of  that  township,  now 
living  at  Cable,  was  born  in  Coshocton  county,  Ohio.  August  31.  1847.  son 
of  James  and  Eliza  (  Shafifer )  Shrigley,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native 
of  this  state,  born  in  Noble  county,  and  the  latter,  of  Virginia,  born  in 
Loudoun  county.  They  were  married  in  Noble  c(xinty  and  later  moved  to 
Coshocton  ccnuity,  where  for  }ears  James  Shrigley  was  engaged  in  the 
mines  and  where  he  spent  his  last  days,  his  death  occurring  there  in  1892. 
he  then  being  seventy-two  years  of  age.  His  wife  had  ])receded  him  to  the 
gra\e  a  year,  her  death  having  occurred  in  1891,  she  then  being  seventy- 
three  years  of  age.  Thev  were  the  parents  of  live  children,  of  whom  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  first-born,  the  others  being  as  follow :  John 
v..  a  farmer  and  carpenter,  of  Roscoe.  this  state:  Albert,  a  farmer,  also  of 
Roscoe:  F.milv    [..  deceased,  and  Marw  widow  of   [ohn   Pickerel,  of  Cable. 


266  CHAMPAKiN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

lames  Shriglei  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  having-  served  as  a  member 
lit  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-tliird  Regiment.  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry, 
during  the  huiulred-day  service,  rmd  was  stationed  at  Point  of  Rocks  on 
tlie  James  river. 

Reared  in  (.oshocton  county.  Winfield  T.  Shrigley  received  his  school- 
ing there  and  early  began  working  in  the  mines.  In  the -spring  of  1864,  he 
then  being  hut  sixteen  years  of  age,  he  enlisted  for  service  during  the  con- 
tinuance of  the  Civil  War,  as  a  member  of  C'ompany  F.  Eightieth  Regiment. 
( )hi()  X'olunteer  Infantry,  but  on  account  of  his  youth  and  undersize  he  was 
rejected  and  his  ambition  to  become  a  soldier  thus  was  thwarted.  He  mar- 
ried in  187J  and  contiiuied  to  make  his  home  in  Coshocton  county,  where 
he  Ijecame  engaged  in  farming,  until  the  early  eighties  when  he  came  to  this 
ccjunty  and  bought  a  farm  of  tifty-six  acres  in  Wayne  township,  one  and  a 
lialf  miles  west  of  Cable,  and  there  he  made  his  home  until  the  fall  of  1916, 
when  he  retired  from  the  active  labors  of  the  farm  and- moved  to  Cable, 
where  he  is  now  living  and  where  he  and  his  family  are  very  pleasantly 
situated.  Mr.  Shrigley  is  a  Republican  and  ever  since  coming  to  this  county 
has  given  local  politics  his  earnest  attention.  For  six  years  he  served  the 
public  in  the  capacity  of  trustee  of  Wayne  township  and  in  other  ways  he 
has  given  ungrudgingly  of  his  services  in  behalf  of  the  public. 

Mr.  Shrigley  has  been  twice  married.  It  was  in  1871  that  he  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Martha  Pickerel,  of  \'irginia,  a  daughter  of  William  and 
Sarah  Pickerel,  and  to  that  union  two  chddren  were  born,  Mar}'  Belle,  who 
died  when  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  Mrs. 
Martha  .Shrigley  died  in  1876  and  on  October  19,  1880,  Mr.  Shrigley  mar- 
ried, secondly,  Mrs.  Rebecca  J.  (Foderj  Williams,  widow  of  William  Will- 
iams, of  Coshocton  county.  William  Williams  was  a  farmer  and  saw-mill 
man.  He  died  in  1877,  at  the  age  of  twenty-nine  }'ears,  leaving  three  chil- 
dren, namely  :  Minnie  Fay.  who  married  I'Vjrrest  Gatton,  of  Toledo,  Ohio, 
and  has  two  children,  Mildred  and  Pearl;  .Vlpha  I'^.,  who  married  William 
Morgan,  living  near  King's  Creek,  this  county,  and  has  one  child,  a  .son. 
Wendell,  and  Bertha,  who  married  Wilbur  X'oung.  of  C'able,  and  has  one 
son,  Linville. 

To  Winfield  T.  and  Rebecca  j.  (J.oder)  Shrigley  two  children  have 
been  born,  Wintield,  now  engaged  in  the  insurance  business  at  Springfield, 
this  .state,  who  married  Moy  Taylor  and  has  tw(j  children,  daughters  both. 
I'hyllis  and  Virginia,  and  I  .etha  Ma} ,  who  married  S.  B.  Skidmore,  a  farmer, 
living  near  Cable,  and  has  one  child,  a  son,  Robert  Maxwell.  Mrs.  Shrigley 
is  a  member  of  the  King's  Creek  IVqjtist  church  and  both  she  and  her  hus- 


CHAMPAIGX    COUXTY,    OHIO.  26 


1)cUk1  give  their  earnest  attention  to  the  general  good  works  of  the  commu- 
nity in  which  the}"  live.  Mr.  Shrigley  is  a  member  of  tlie.  local  lodge  of 
the  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics  and  has  for  vears  taken 
a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  order. 


WILLIAM   A.   XUTT. 

The  late  William  A.  Xutt.  f<)r  years  one  of  the  best-known  grain 
dealers  in  this  part  of  the  state,  an  honored  \-eteran  of  the  Civil  War, 
\vho  died  at  his  home  in  L^rbana  in  igii,  was  a  native  son  of  the  old 
Buckeye  state  and  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a 
farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Sidney,  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Shelby. 
March  28,  1843.  a  son  of  Irwin  and  Barbara  (  Persinger )  Xutt,  the  former 
a  native  of  Ohio  and  the  latter  of  Virginia,  who  spent  their  last  days  on 
their  well-established   farm  near  Sidney. 

Irwin  Xutt  was  l)orn  on  January  31,  181 1,  at  Centerville,"  in  Montgom- 
ery county,  this  state,  and  there  grew  to  manhood.  On  February  25.  1834. 
he  married  Barbara  I'ersinger,  who  was  born  on  September  2/,  1812.  in 
Botetourt  county.  Mrginia.  and  who  was  but  three  years  of  age  when  her 
parents  came  to  ibis  state  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Xenia.  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  where  she  was  married.  After 
his  marriage  Irwin  X"^utt  established  his  home  on  a  farm  in  Shelby  count)-, 
not  far  from  Sidne}-.  and  there  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their 
lives,  useful  and  influential  residents  of  that  community  Irwin  Xutt  was 
a  good  farmer  and  developed  a  fine  piece  of  property  there.  He  also  for 
years  was  actively  engaged  in  the  grain  business  and  he  and  his  sons  estab- 
lished a  grain  elevator  at  Pemberton  and  later  at  Ouincy.  Ohio,  doing  a  tine 
business  in  that  line.  He  and  his  wife  uere  active  members  of  the  Metho- 
dist l"^piscopal  church  and  took  an  earnest  part  in  church  work,  as  well  as 
in  the  work  of  developing  the  schools  in  their  home  neighborhood,  and  were 
in  other  wavs  influential  factors  in  promoting  projjcr  social  conditions  there- 
uhouts.  The}'  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  of  whom  but  one,  J*)hn 
Xutt.  of  Los  -\ngeles,  California,  is  now  living. 

W'illiam  A.  Xutt  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Sidne}- 
and  received  his  .schooling  in  the  Sidney  schools.  Upon  President  Lincoln's 
second  call  for  volunteers  to  help  suppress  the  rebellion  of  the  Southern 
states  in  1861  he  went  to  the  front  as  a  memlier  of  Compan}-  F.  Twentieth 


268  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

kegiment.  Ohio  Volunteer  infantry,  attached  to  the  Second  Brigade,  Third 
Division,  which  company  was  commanded  by  his  brother,  Captain  Nutt.  and 
with  that  command  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  being  mustered  out 
with  the  rank  of  sergeant-major.  For  eleven  months  of  this  period  of  serv- 
ice Mr.  Nutt  was  attached  to  the  hospital  staff.  He  had  the  honor  of  march- 
ing with  Sherman  to  the  sea  and  during  his  long  service  participated  in  some 
f)f  the  most  stirring  engagements  of  the  war. 

Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  Mr.  Nutt  returned  home 
and  for  some  time  thereafter  was  engaged  in  the  road-contracting  business. 
\Vhile  thus  engaged  he  was  married  and  later  engaged  in  business  at  Quincy, 
in  partnership  with  (ine  of  his  brothers,  the  firm  operating  elevators,  as  noted 
above,  and  he  was  thus  engaged  at  that  place  until  November  i,  1898,  when 
he  moved  to  Urbana  and  was  there  engaged  in  the  grain  business  until  his 
death  on  November  30.  1911  ;  having  then  been  continuously  engaged  in 
that  line  for  a  period  of  forty-three  years,  during  which  time  he  became 
known  as  one  of  the  leading  grain  men  in  this  part  of  the  state.  Mr.  Nutt 
was  an  ardent  Republican  and  ever, took  an  active  part  in  local  political 
affairs,  but  was  not  a  seeker  after  public  office. 

It  was  on  December  10,  1872,  that  William  A.  Nutt  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Eleanor  (Campbell)  Lilley,  who  was  born  at  Columbus,  this 
state,  April  22,  1852,  daughter  of  Capt.  Mitchell  and  Amanda  (Brooks) 
Lilley,  the  former  of  whom  was  Ijorn  in  Augusta  county,  \'irginia,  July  18. 
1819,  and  the  latter,  near  Paris,  Illinois,  October  4,  1830.  Capt.  Mitchell 
l.illey,  who,  as  noted  above,  was  a  Virginian,  was  reared  at  Columbus,  this 
state,  to  v.'hich  city  he  had  gone  to  make  his  home  with  an  uncle  when  ten 
years  of  age,  his  parents  ha\ing  died  in  Virginia.  When  the  Mexican  War 
broke  out  he  enlisted  for  service  and  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  captain 
in  service.  Upon  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War  he  went  to  the  front  as 
cai)tain  of  a  company  and  served  in  that  capacity  until  his  health  failed  and 
he  was  hcMiorably  discharged  with  the  brevet  rank  of  colonel.  Captain 
I^illey  was  a  bookbinder  by  trade  and  for  years  had  charge  of  the  Ohio  state 
bindery  at  Columbus,  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  influential  residents 
of  that  city.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  thirteen  children,  five  of 
whom  are  still  living,  three  sons,  Alexander,  William  and  Thomas  M.  Lillev. 
and  two  daughters,  Kate,  wife  of  J.  II.  Haller,  and  Anne,  wife  of  VV.  C\ 
Willard.  Mrs.  Nutt  survived  her  husband  for  about  three  years,  her  death 
occurring  at  her  home  in  Urbana  on  March  14,  1914.  She  was  an  earnest 
member  of  the  b"irst  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  as  was  her  hu.sband,  and 
both  were  active  in  local  good  works.     Mr.   Nutt  was  an  active  member  of 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    t)lll().  269 

^\'.  A.  Brand  Post,  Grainl  .\niiy  of  the  l\ei)ul)lic,  at  Urbaiia,  and  over  took 
a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  patriotic  organization.  He  also  was 
a  member  of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Knights  of  Pytliias  and  of  the  Junior 
Order  of  United  American  Meclianics. 

To  William  A.  and  Eleanor  (Campbell)  Nutt  six  children  were  born, 
two  sons  and  four  daughters.  The  sons,  Wilbur  and  Thomas,  both  died 
in  chldhood  and  the  daughters,  the  Msses  Lilley,  Besse.  Harriet  and 
Hazel  Nutt,  are  still  living  at  the  old  family  home  in  Urbana,  where  thev 
are  very  pleasantly  and  very  comfortably  situated.  The  Misses  Nutt  are 
members  of  the  h'irst  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  have  ever  given  their 
earnest  attention  to  church  work  and  other  local  good  works,  as  well  as  to 
the  general  social  activities  of  their  home  town,  and  are  helpful  in  many 
ways  in  helping  to  promote  such  movements  as  are  designed  to  advance  the 
common  welfare  of  the  i^eople  of  the  city  and  of  the  county  at  large. 


JAMES   MAGRUDER   POVSI^T.L. 

James  Magruder  Poysell,  one  of  the  best-known  of  the  older  citizens 
of  Urbana,  a  retired  marble  cutter  and  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War. 
who  has  been  a  resident  of  Urbana  for  the  past  half  centur)-  or  more,  is  a 
native  son  of  Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life.  He  was  born  at 
West  Libert}-  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Eogan,  September  28.  1841,  son 
of  John  and  Sarah  (Stafford)  F^oysell,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania,  of  German  stock,  and  the  latter  in  England,  whose  last  days 
were  spent  in  this  state. 

John  Poysell  was  trained  in  Pennsylvania  as  a  mill  man  and  followed 
that  vocation  all  his  life.  Tie  was  married  in  Pennsylvania  and  later  came 
over  into  Ohio,  driving  througlt  to  Springfield  and  later  moving  up  to  West 
Liberty,  where  he  worked  aliout  a  feed-mill  and  a  saw-mill,  and  there  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  life,  one  of  the  best-known  residents  of  that  place.  For 
fifty  years  he  was  a  class  leader  in  the  Methodist  church  and  was  ever  active 
in  local  good  works.  After  his  death  his  widow  made  her  home  in  Urbana, 
where  she  spent  her  last  days.  They  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  of 
whom  the  subject  of  this  .sketch  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth,  the  others 
being  as  follow:  Samuel,  who  served  three  years  as  a  .soldier  of  the  Union 
during  the  Civil  War,  a  member  of  Company  E,  Ninety-fifth  Regiment,  Ohio 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  met  his  death  by  drowning  in  the  Mississippi  river: 


270  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    (HllO. 

iM-ank,  iKjw  deceased,  who  was  a  printer  at  West  Liberty  and  at  Springfield: 
J(jhn  M..  now  deceased,  who  was  a  miller  at  West  Liberty;  William  VV., 
who  went  t(^  the  front  during  the  Civil  War  as  a  member  of  Company  E, 
Xinety-fifth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  which  he  served  for 
three  years,  during  a  portion  of  which  time  he  was  held  a  prisoner  at  Ander- 
sonville  prison,  and  was  later  drowned  in  the  Mississippi  river,  meeting  death 
at  the  same  time  as  did  his  jirother.  Samuel,  mentioned  above,  both  brave 
soldiers  of  the  I'nion.  and  Sarah,  who  married  William  Taylor  and  is  now- 
deceased. 

James  Ai.  I'cjvsell  was  reared  at  West  Liberty,  receiving  his  schooling 
in  tlie  schools  of  that  town,  and  there  learned  the  trade  of  a  marble  cutter 
and  was  working  at  the  same  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  On  August  7, 
J  862,  then  being  under  twenty-one  years  of  age,  he  enlisted  for  service  in 
the  Union  armv  as  a  private  in  Company  1,  Ninety-sixth  Regiment,  Ohio 
\  (jlivnteer  Infantrw  the  same  regiment  in  which  his  elder  brothers  were 
serving.  He  enlisted  for  the  three-year  service  and  joined  the  regiment  at 
Cincinnati,  under  Capt.  William  Beatty  and  Col.  J.  W.  X'arner,  the  command 
l>eing  assigned  to  the  Second  Brigade.  Inrst  Division,  Thirteenth  Army 
Cori)s,  Armv  of  the  (julf.  Thus  engaged  Mr.  Poysell  participated  in  the 
battles  of  Arkansas  Post,  Bayou  Mississippi,  Ft.  Hinneman,  Port  Gibson, 
Champion  Llill,  Big  Black  River;  w^as  present  for  fifty-tw^o  days  during  the 
-.iege  of  \'icksburg,  then  t(jok  part  in  the  battles  of  Carrion  Crow  Bayou 
and  Crand  Coteau  and  on  .Xovemljer  3.  1863,  was  taken  prisoner  by  the 
eneni\-  and  was  held  a  |)risoner  on  the  Red  river  for  about  five  months  before 
being  exchanged.  After  rejoining  his  regiment  he  participated  in  the  Red 
i-i\er  expedition,  the  regiment  later  moving  to  Mobile  Bay,  he  thus  partic- 
ipating in  the  l)atlles  of  Ft.  Morgan  and  Fi.  (iaines,  in  the  siege  of  Mobile, 
and  in  the  jjattles  at  i^t.  Blakely,  Spanish  l""ort  and  at  Whistler,  Alabama, 
tlie  latter  battle  being  fought  on  April  13,  1865.  four  days  after  the  surrren- 
der  of  (leneral  Lee  at  .Appomatox  Court  House.  Upon  the  conclusion  of 
tile  war  the  Ninet\-sixth  Ohio  was  returned  .Morth  and  on  July  29,  1865, 
at  Cam])  Chase,  tin's  state,  Mr.  I'ovsell  was  mustered  out  with  the  command 
with  which  lie  had  ser\ed   for  one  week  less  than  three  years. 

LIpon  the  completion  of  his  nn'litary  ser\'ice  Mr.  I'oysell  returned  to 
his  home  at  West  1  .ibert^•  and  there  resumed  the  pursuits  of  peace,  taking 
up  his  old  trade  as  a  marble  cutter,  and  there  remained  for  about  eighteen 
months,  at  the  end  of  which  time,  in  1867,  he  moved  to  Urbana,  recognizing 
the  l)etter  o|)portunities  for  the  exercise  of  his  skill  in  that  city.  A  few 
months   later  he   married   and  established   his  ])ermanent   home   in  that   city. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  27I 

continuing"  his  operations  as  a  marble  cutter  until  his  retirement  from  active 
labor  may  years  later,  since  which  time  he  has  been  living  quietly  retired. 

It  was  on  January  7,  1S68,  a  few  months  after  he  located  at  Urbana, 
that  James  M.  Poxsell  was  united  in  marriage  to  Alary  Eliza  Alarsh,  who 
was  born  in  that  city  on  Seprember  1.  1848,  daughter  of  Leonard  and  Anna 
1^.  (  Richardson)  Marsh,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Baltimore.  Mary- 
land, and  the  latter  in  the  city  of  Urbana,  a  member  of  one  of  the  old  fami- 
lies of  Champaign  county.  Leonard  Marsh  was  but  a  boy  when  his  parents 
moved  from  Baltimore  to  Urbana  and  in  the  latter  city  he  grew^  to  man- 
hood, there  learning  the  trade  of  a  tailor,  which  vocation  he  followed  the 
rest  of  his  life,  both  he  and  his  wife  spending  their  last  days  in  Urbana.  To 
James  M.  and  Mary  Eliza  (Marsh)  Poysell  three  children  were  born, 
namely :  Leonard  Ross  Rowsell,  an  electrician,  who  was  accidentally  killed 
at  Stanton,  Illinois.  August  J  6.  1909:  Louella.  who  died  on  April  16,  '^"'^ 
at  the  age  of  nine  years,  six  months  and  live  days,  and  l^aura,  who,  since 
the  death  of  her  mother  on  June  11,  19 16.  has  been  housekeeper  for  her 
father.  Mr.  Poysell  and  his  daughter  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  and  have  ever  given  their  earnest  attention  to  the  affairs  of  the 
church  and  the  general  good  works  of  the  community.  Mr.  Poysell  is  an 
active  member  of  W.  A.  Brand  Po.st  No.  98.  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 
at  Lrbana.  in  the  aft'airs  of  which  patriotic  organization  he  has  for  years 
taken  a  warm  interest,  and  has  filled  nearly  all  the  olHices  in  that  post  at  one 
time  .tnd  another. 


'IHOMAS  I.  POLING. 


Thomas  J.  Poling,  farmer  and  carpenter,  living  in  Rush  township, 
C'hampaign  county,  was  born  in  Union  county.  Ohio.  March  29.  1868.  He 
is  a  son  of  George  W.  and  Sarah  Jane  (Hudson)  Poling.  The  father  was 
born  in  1838,  in  X'irginia.  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Rush  township. 
Champaign  county,  of  an  old  family  of  that  township.  1  le  was  a  son  of 
Samuel  Poling,  a  native  of  \'irginia.  who  moved  here  in  an  early  day.  mar- 
ried here  and  established  the  family  home  in  Rush  township.  Later  in  life 
he  made  his  home  with  his  son,  George  W'..  and  died  there.  His  family 
consisted  of  six  children,  namely :  iunanuel,  who  established  his  home  in 
West  \^irginia;  Daniel  first  lived  in  Rush  township,  this  count}-,  later  moving- 
to  the  state  of  Nebraska;  George  \\'..  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch: 
Minnie  married  Charles  Oliphant  and  the\-  live  in    Iowa:  John,   who  lived 


2/2  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

many  years  in  Rusli  township,  this  county,  died  in  the  village  (if  North 
Lewisburg;  the  youngest  child,  a  daughter,  died  in  infancy. 

George  \\'.  Poling  grew  up  (in  the  home  farm  and  was  educated  in 
the  rural  schools.  He  was  fourteen  years  old  when  his  parents  moved  to 
Rush  t<jwnshi]j.  After  living  in  Union  county,  Ohio,  three  years  he  moved 
hack  to  Rush  township,  then  moved  hack  to  Union  county  and  died  there 
in  1889.  He  devoted  his  active  life  to  general  farming.  His  widow  sur- 
vived twent}-  years,  dying  in  1909.  To  these  parents  three  sons  were  born, 
namely:  Charles  died  when  two  years  old;  O.  H.,  born  in  1866,  died  in 
K)!o.  was  a  carpenter  Ijy  trade  and  lived  at  home;  Thomas  J.  of  this  sketch. 

Thomas  J.  Poling  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  and  was  educated  in  the 
home  schools.  He  continued  to  live  on  the  home  farm  until  the  death  of 
his  mother.  He  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  when  a  young  man  and  has 
'••"''  .led  working  at  it,  becoming  a  highly  skilled  workman  and  his  services 
lia\e  I>een  in  good  demand.  He  has  also  followed  farming  since  his  boy- 
hood. He  owns  a  good  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixteen  acres  in  Rush 
township. 

Mr.  I'oling  was  married  on  November  20,  1910.  to  Mrs.  Bessie  M. 
rieltz.  who  was  born  in  Union  county.  Ohio.  She  was  the  widow  of  Howard 
iJeltz.  and  a  daughter  of  Bert  Moore  and  wife  of  Logan  county,  Ohio.  Mrs. 
I'oling  had  no  children  by  her  first  marriage  but  adopted  a  daughter — 
Nimena,  who  lives  at  home  and  is  attending  school  at  Woodstock. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Poling,  namely :  Clifford. 
who  is  at  home;  and  Richard,  deceased. 

Politically.  Mr.  Poling  is  a  Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at  Woodstock,  Ohio.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist Protestant  church  at  North  Lewisburg. 


GEORGE  A.   SCEVA. 


The  late  George  A.  Sceva,  a  soldier  of  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil 
War  and  for  years  a  substantial  farmer  of  Union  township,  who  died  at  his 
home  in  that  township  on  January  19,  1914.  'i«d  whose  widow  is  still  living 
there,  was  born  on  that  farm  and  lived  there  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on 
August  28,  1839,  son  of  Aaron  and  Mary  Sceva,  both  of  whom  were  born 
in  New  Hampshire.  Aaron  Sceva  came  to  Ohio  in  the  days  of  his  young 
manhood  and  worked  as  a  blacksmith  in  this  countv.      He  married  in  New 


MR.   AND    MRS.    GEORGE   A.    SCEVA 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  J73 

Hampshire  and  later  became  engaged  in  farming  in  Union  township,  remain- 
ing there  until  1848,  when  he  went  to  Utah  on  a  prospecting  trip  and'  there 
died,  leaving  his  widow  with  four  children,  Mary  Jane.  George  A.,  Ange- 
line  and  Charles.     His  wife  died  in  Union  township. 

George  A.  Sceva  was  nine  years  of  age  when  his  father  left  for  the 
West  and  from  the  days  of  his  boyhood,  as  the  elder  son,  he  was  a  valued 
aid  in  the  labors  of  improving  and  developing  the  home  farm.  He  received 
his  schooling  in  what  then  was  known  as  the  Sceva  school  house,  in  the 
neighborhood  of  his  home,  and  continued  at  home  helping  in  the  work  of 
the  farm  until  his  mother's  death,  when  he  and  his  brother  Charles  assumed 
the  management  of  the  place  and  continued  farming  together  until  the  latter's 
death,  after  which  George  A.  Sceva  bought  from  his  sisters  their  interest 
in  the  place  and  continued  farming  the  same  as  sole  proprietor.  He  did  well 
in  his  operations  and  as  he  prospered  added  to  his  holdings  until  he  became 
the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-one  acres  and  was 
accounted  one  of  the  substantial  farmers  of  that  section,  remaining  there 
until  his  death,  on  January  19,  1914.  During  the  Civil  War  Mr.  Sceva 
served  as  a  member  of  Company  E,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty- fourth  Regi- 
ment, Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  an  active  member  of  the  local  post 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  at  Urbana,  in  the  affairs  of  which  patri- 
otic organization  he  took  a  warm  interest.  He  was  a  Republican  and  for 
some  time  served  the  public  very  acceptably  as  trustee  of  Union  township, 
and  was  for  nineteen  years  a  member  of  the  local  school  board,  during  that 
time  doing  much  to  advance  the  cause  of  education  in  his  district.  For  more 
than  thirty  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church  at  Mutual  and 
for  some  years  served  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  same. 

On  March  30,  1871.  George  A.  Sceva  was  united  in  marriage  to  Isadore 
Middleton,  who  was  bom  in  this  county,  in  Wayne  township,  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Susanna  (Hess)  Middleton  and  a  member  of  one  of  tlie  old 
families  of  Champaign  county,  further  and  fitting  mention  of  which  family 
is  made  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  Her  father  was  also  a  native  of  Wayne 
township  and  her  mother  was  a  native  of  Virginia.  They  were  married  in 
Wayne  township,  but  later  moved  to  Union  township,  where  they  spent  the 
remainder  of  their  lives.  They  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  of  whom 
Mrs.  Sceva  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  Amanda 
(deceased),  William,  Jacob  (deceased),  George  and  Rachel.  To  George 
A.  Sceva  and  wife  six  children  were  born,  of  whom  but  three  are  now  liv- 
ing, Henry,  of  Mutual,  who  married  Nora  Leavitt  and  has  three  children, 
(i8a) 


274  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Paul,  Mabel  and  Martha ;  William,  who  married  Emma  McCoy  and  has 
two  children,  Francis  and  Elizabeth,  at  home,  and  Essie,  who  is  at  home 
with  her  widowed  mother  and  is  employed  in  a  millinery  store  in  Urbana. 
The  Scevas  have  a  pleasant  home  in  Union  township  and  have  ever  taken 
an  interested  part  in  the  general  social  affairs  of  the  community  in  which 
they  live.  Mrs.  Sceva  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church  at  Mutual  and 
her  daughter,  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Urbana,  'and  both  take  a  proper  inter- 
est in  the  various  beneficences  of  these  societies. 


GEORGE  W.  LINCOLN. 

In  the  memorial  annals  of  the  Woodstock  neighborhood  there  are  few 
names  held  in  better  memory  than  that  of  George  W.  Lincoln,  for  years  one 
of  the  most  substantial  farmers  of  Rush  township,  president  of  the  Wood- 
stock Bank,  an  extensive  breeder  of  live  stock  and  in  other  ways  actively 
identified  with  the  interests  of  that  community,  and  whose  widow,  Mrs. 
Marcia  M.  Lincoln,  a  member  of  one  of  the  old  families  of  Chamjiaign 
county,  is  still  living  at  her  pleasant  home  in  Woodstock. 

George  W.  Lincoln  was  born  on  the  old  Lincoln  homestead  in  Rush 
township,  this  county,  February  29,  1841,  son  of  Charles  and  Allura  (John- 
son) Lincoln,  both  of  whom,  were  born  at  Windom,  Connecticut,  the  former 
born  on  September  7,  1809,  and  the  latter,  December  19,  18 16,  who  later 
became  pioneer  i-esidents  of  Champaign  county  and  here  spent  their  last 
days,  influential  and  useful  residents  of  the  Woodstock -^ae^hborhood. 
Charles  Lincoln  and  his  wife  came  to  Ohio  and  located  in  this  county  shortly- 
after  their  marriage,  establishing  their  home  on  a  farm  in  Rush  township, 
which  farm  still  continues  in  the  possession  of  the  family,  widely  known  as 
the  old  Lincoln  farm.  Charles  Lincoln  was  a  good  farmer  and  was  also 
largely  interested  in  the  raising  of  cattle,  having  been  one  of  the  leaders  in 
that  latter  line  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county  in  his  day.  He  died  at  his 
fine  farm  home  in  Rush  township  on  January  31,  1868,  and  his  widow  sur- 
vived him  for  twelve  years,  her  death  occurring  on  February  9,  1880.  1  hev 
were  the  parents  of  two  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  niemcjrial 
sketch  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow :  Lydia, 
born  on  November  9,  1838,  now  living  at  Glen  Ullem,  North  Dakota,  widow 
of  John  Hudson;  Harriet  C,  July  21,  1842,  who  died  on  May  24,  18O3; 
Charles   P.,   April  27,    184-I,   a   substantial    farmer   of   Rush    township,    this 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  2/5 

county;  Oliver  E.,  July  4,  i8-|6,  who  became  a  farmer  in  the  neighboring 
county  of  Union  and  there  spent  his  last  days;  Ira,  June  4,  1848,  who  mar- 
ried Martha  Marsh,  of  Woodstock,  and  died  on  September  12,  1880;  Will- 
iam Henry,  August  3,  1850.  who  married  Mary  S.  Martin  and  is  now 
deceased;  Ada  A.,  May  3,  1852,  wife  of  P.  N.  Pratt,  of  Woodstock;  Alice. 
Ju]>-  2,  1856,  who  died  on  November  13  of  that  same  year,  and  Dwight, 
Ma}    12,  1859,  who  died  on  September  8,  i860. 

George  W.  Lincoln  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  receiving  his  school- 
ing in  the  neighborhood  school,  and  remained  at  home,  a  valued  aid  to  his 
father  in  the  work  of  developing  and  improving  the  home  place,  and  there 
remained  until  after  his  marriage  in  the  winter  of  1869,  when  he  began 
farming  on  his  own  account  in  Rush  township  and  gradually  developed 
there  a  very  tine  piece  of  farm  property,  remaining  there,  actively  engaged 
in  farming  and  stock  raising,  until  his  death  on  October  5,  1885.  In  addi- 
tion to  his  farming  operations  Mr.  Lincoln  took  an  active  and  energetic  part 
in  the  general  business  affairs  of  his  home  community  and  was  the  president 
of  the  Woodstock  Bank,  which  financial  institution  he  was  largely  instru- 
mental in  organizing  and  developing.  He  was  an  ardent  Republican  and 
ever  took  an  active  interest  in  politics,  but  was  not  a  seeker  after  public 
office.  He  was  widely  known  throughout  the  eastern  part  of  this  county  and 
in  the  adjoining  counties  of  Union  and  Logan  and  at  his  death  there  was 
sincere  mourning,  for  he  had  done  well  those  things  which  his  hand  had 
found  to  do. 

It  was  on  January  20,  1869,  that  George  W.  Lincoln  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Marcia  M.  Kimball,  who  also  was  born  in  Rush  township, 
daughter  of  Truman  M.  and  Mary  (Fullington)  Kimball,  prominent  resi- 
dents of  the  W^oodstock  neighborhood  and  further  and  fitting  reference  to 
wliom  is  made  elsewhere  in  this  work,  and  to  this  imion  two  children  were 
l>orn,  a  daughter  and  a  son,  Edna  A.  and  Charles  K.,  both  of  whom  are  still 
living.  After  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Lincoln  maintained  her  resi- 
dence on  the  old  home  farm  for  some  time  and  then  moved  to  Woodstock, 
where  she  now  resides,  she  and  her  widowed  daughter  living  together.  ver\ 
comfortably  situated. 

lulna  A.  Lincoln  married  James  H.  McMuUen.  who  was  born  on  a 
farm  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Union  on  June  18.  1867,  son  of  Charles 
A.  and  Martha  (Ilathaway)  McMullen,  both  also  natives  of  Ohio,  the  for- 
mer born  in  Madison  county  on  January  28,  1840,  and  the  latter  born  in 
L'nion  countv,  who  later  came  to  Champaign  county  and  settled  on  a  farm 
in  Rush  township,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Charles  A. 


2/6  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

AlcAlullen  (lying  there  on  September  i,  1901,  his  widow  surviving  him  for 
less  than  one  year,  her  death  occurring  on  August  7.  1902.  Charles  A. 
McMullen  was  a  substantial  farmer  and  he  and  his  wife  were  the  parents 
of  six  children,  those  besides  James  H.,  mentioned  above,  the  third  in  ordgr 
of  birth,  being  as  follow:  Walter  C,  born  on  January  i,  1865,  ^^'ho  died 
<<n  August  17,  1876;  Lydia  F.,  April  31,  1866,  who  died  on  August  21. 
following;  Mar}-  J..,  December  31,  1869.  who  married  Arthur  Marsh  and 
died  on  September  13,  191T,  leaving  one  child,  a  daughter,  Martha;  Anna  H., 
March  7,  1875.  now  living  at  Pueblo,  Colorado,  and  Jane  H.,  May  20,  1876, 
who  died  on  March  3,  1877.  James  H.  McMullen  was  reared  on  the  home 
farm  in  Rush  township  and  comi)leted  his  schooling  in  Antioch  College  and 
in  the  Ohio  State  University.  He  married  Edna  -V.  Lincoln  and  established 
his  home  on  a  farm  in  Rush  township,  remaining  there  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  sheep  raising,  until  his  retirement  in  1909  and  removal  to 
Woodstock,  where  he  spent  his  last  days,  his  death  occurring  on  December 
26,  1915,  and  where  his  widow  still  lives.  James  H.  AlcMullen  was  a  Re- 
i)ublican  in  his  pohtical  affiliation  and,  fraternally,  was  affiliated  with  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  in  the  affairs  of  which  order  he  took  a  warm  interest. 
Charles  K.  Lincoln,  only  soti  of  George  W.  and  Marcia  M.  (Kimball) 
Lincoln,  is  now  living  in  Woodstock,  a  substantial  retired  farmer.  He  mar- 
ried Maud  Chamlicrlain  and  has  two  children,  WillianrC".  and  George   1. 


CHARLES  PL  CURL. 


Charles  H.  Curl,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  a  resident 
of  North  Lewisburg  since  1872,  now  living  retired  in  that  i)leasant  village, 
is  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life.  Pie  was  born 
in  Greene  county  on  July  7,  1844,  son  of  William  and  Hannah  (Borden) 
Curl,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia  and  the  latter  of  "New  Jersey,  who 
liecame  residents  of  Greene  county  in  the  days  of  their  youth  and  were  there 
married. 

William  Curl  was  a  son  of  James  Curl  and  wife,  the  latter  of  whom 
was  a  Brown,  who  early  came  to  Ohio  and  settled  in  Greene  county,  where 
their  last  days  were  spent.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  live 
sons  and  three  daughters.  James  Curl  was  a  cooper  and  his  son,  William, 
learned  that  trade  and  followed  it  until  he  was  thirty-one  years  of  age,  when, 
in    1854,  he  became  a  brakeman  on  die    Panhandle  railroad  between   Xenia 


CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO.  277 

and  Dayton  and  while  thus  employed  was  killed  b}'  a  train  the  next  year. 
1855.  He  left  a  widow,  who  was  Hannah  Borden,  and  four  children.  Of 
these  children  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  first-born,  the  others  being- 
as  follow-:  Franklin,  a  painter,  now  living  in  Florida;  Emma  L..  wife  of 
Edward  Inskeep,  of  North  Lewisburg.  and  Phoebe  Ann,  wife  of  John  Holy- 
cross,  of  North  Lewisburg.  The  Widow  Curl  married,  secondly,  Adam 
Beltz,  of  Union  county,  and  to  that  union  two  children  were  born.  Janet, 
wife  of  William  Hoffman,  of  Urbana,  and  Joseph,  who  joined  the  regular 
army  and  whose  present  W'hereabouts  are  imknown  to  his  family. 

Charles  H.  Curl  was  about  eleven  years  of  age  when  his  father  was 
killed  on  the  railroad  and  at  the  age  of  twelve  he  was  taken  to  rear  by  a 
family  in  Greene  county  and  was  a  member  of  that  household  until  he  was 
eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  began  farming  on  his  own  account  and  was 
thus  engaged  wdien,  in  the  fall  of  1863  he  enlisted  at  Cleveland  for  service 
in  the  Union  army  during  the  continuance  of  the  Civil  War,  as  a  member 
of  Company  I,  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-eighth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry,  with  which  command  he  served  until  the  close  of  the  war  and 
was  discharged  at  Camp  Chase  on  July  13,  1865;  most  of  his  service  having 
been  performed  w^ith  his  regiment  at  Baltimore.  Upon  the  completion  of 
his  military  service  Mr.  Curl  returned  to  Ohio  and  located  at  Zanesville. 
where  he  learned  the  trade  of  plasterer  and  w-here.  in  1867,  he  married, 
remaining  there  until  1872,  in  which  year  he  moved  to  North  Lewisburg. 
this  county,  where  he  since  has  made  his  home  and  where  he  is  now  living 
retired.  He  built  the  home  in  which  he  is  living  and  he  and  liis  family  are 
very  comfortably  situated  there.  Mr.  Curl  is  a  Republican  and  has  ever 
given  his  close  attention  to  local  political  affairs,  but  has  noi  been  a  seeker 
after  public  office. 

It  was  in  1867,  at  Zanes\ille,  that  Charles  H.  Curl  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Elizabeth  McKinney,  of  that  place,  who  was  born  in  West 
Virginia,  daughter  of  John  and  Lucinda  (Curl)  McKinney,  the  former  of 
wdiom  was  killed  by  a  boat  explosion  on  the  Ohio  river,  near  Parkersburg, 
and  the  latter  of  whom  spent  her  last  days  at  Zanesville.  John  McKinney 
and  wife  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Curl  was  the  next 
to  last-born,  the  others  being  as  follow:  Alexander,  who  died  in  1916: 
Sarah,  who  is  living  at  Zanesville;  John,  who  died  in  j868.  and  James, 
of  Zanesville.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Curl  seven  children  have  been  born,  namely : 
Belle,  deceased:  Louisa,  wife  of  Jeft'erson  Goof,  of  Indianapolis;  Dora,  widow 
of  Janites  Iv.  Thompson,  who  is  now  making  her  home  with  her  parents; 
Walter,   wlio  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen  months;   Edward,   of   Ckveland, 


278  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Ohio;  Ralph,  who  died  at  the  age  of  seven  years,  and  William,  who  is 
engaged  in  the  barber  business  at  North  Lewisburg.  Mr.  Curl  is  an  active 
member  of  John  Briney  Post  No.  193,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  at 
North  Lewisburg,  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  patriotic 
order.  He  is  the  oldest  Odd  Fellow  in  North  Lewisburg,  having  become 
a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  on  July  2,  1873,  at 
North  Lewisburg,  and  Mrs.  Curl  is  a  member  of  the  local  lodge  No.  320 
of  the  Daughters  of  Rebekah,  both  taking  a  warm  interest  in  local  Odd- 
fellowship. 


JOAB  OVERFIELD. 


Joab  Overfield,  automobile  dealer  and  proprietor  of  an  up-to-date  garage 
at  North  Lewisburg,  assessor  of  that  village,  former  village  clerk  and  former 
member  of  the  common  council,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and 
has  lived  here  practically  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  two  miles  south- 
west of  North  Lewisburg,  in  Rush  township,  June  30,  1876,  son  of  Samuel 
and  Clarissa  Overfield,  well-to-do  farming  people  of  that  neighborhood  and 
miembers  of  pioneer  families  in  this  county.  Samuel  Overfield  was  a  farmer 
all  his  life.  He  was  a  son  of  Joab  Overfield,  a  Virginian,  who  came  to 
this  county  in  pioneer  days  and  settled  in  Rush  township,  where  he  became 
a  substantial  farmer  and  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  one  of 
tlie  influential  members  of  the  community  in  which  he  lived.  Some  years 
before  his  death  Samuel  Overfield  retired  from  the  farm  and  moved  to 
Woodstock,  among  his  children  after  the  death  of  his  wife,  where  his  last 
days  were  spent,  his  death  occurring  there  in  1914.  His  wife  had  preceded 
him  to  the  grave  twenty  years,  her  death  having  occurred  in  1894.  They 
were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  those  besides  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
being.  Louisa,  Delmar,  Cyrus,  John,  Gould  and  Bursha. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm,  Joab  Overfield  received  his  early  schooling  in 
the  district  school  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  home  and  completed  the  same 
in  the  high  school  at  North  Lewisburg.  Upon  leaving  school  he  worked 
for  five  years  as  a  handle  turner  in  the  factory  of  his  brother  at  Nortli 
Lewisburg  and  at  Xenia  and  then  returned  to  the  home  farm,  which  he 
farmed  for  a  couple  of  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  bought  a  store 
at  Pottersburg  and  \vas  there  engaged  in  the  general  mercan- 
tile business  for  two  years  or  more.  He  then  moved  to  North  Lewisburg, 
where  for  six  years  thereafter  he  was  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  and 


CHAMPAIGN'    COUNTY,    OHIO.  279 

^\here,  in  191 5.  lie  engaged  in  the  automobile  business  and  has  since  been 
very  successfully  engaged  in  that  line.  Mr.  Overfield  is  the  local  agent 
for  the  sale  of  the  Ford  automobile  and  has  built  up  an  extensive  market 
hereabout  for  that  car.  He  has  a  well-equipped  garage,  thirty  by  one 
hundred  and  sixty-five  feet  in  dnnensions  and  in  addition  to  handling  a 
general  line  of  automobile  accessories  has  made  his  place  a  popular  service 
station.  Mr.  Overfield  is  a  Democrat  and  is  now  serving  as  assessor  of  his 
home  town.  For  two  years  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  village  council 
and  for  four  years  as  clerk  of  the  village,  giving  to  his  public  service  his 
most  thoughtful  attention. 

In  1899  Joab  Overfield  was  united  in  marriage  to  Martha  Coffey,  daugh- 
ter of  Joseph  Coffey  and  wife.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Overfield  have  a  pleasant 
home  at  North  Lewisburg  and  take  an  active  interest  in  the  general  social 
affairs  of  the  community,  helpful  in  advancing  all  worthy  causes  there- 
about. 


T.   C.    MADDEN. 


T.  C.  Madden,  lumber  dealer,  at  North  Lewisburg.  this  county,  and 
one  of  the  most  active  and  energetic  business  men  of  that  thriving  vil- 
lage, is  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his  Hfe.  He  was 
born  on  a  farm  in  Clinton  county,  August  13,  1869.  son  of  Cyrus  W.  and 
Jane  (McCray  >  Madden,  the  former  of  Quaker  stock  and  the  latter  of  Scot- 
tish descent,  lx)th  members  of  old  families  in  this  part  of  the  state,  whose 
lives  were  spent  in  Clinton  and  Warren  counties. 

Cyrus  W.  Madden  was  born  in  Clinton  county,  son  of  Solomon  Mad- 
den and  wife,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  son  of  George  Madden,  the  stem 
old  Quaker  who  headed  the  Madden  colony  into  Clinton  county  in  1811, 
coming  over  from  North  Carolina,  which  state  they  left  out  of  their  hatred 
for  the  institution  of  slavery,  arriving  in  Clinton  county  on  the  day  on 
which  the  battle  of  Tippecanoe  was  fought.  George  Madden  became  one 
of  the  most  influential  pioneers  of  Clinton  county  and  his  son  and  grandson 
(lid  well  their  respective  parts  in  developing  the  community  in  which  they 
hxed.  Cyrus  W.  Afadden,  who  was  a  farmer  and  blacksmith,  was  an  ard- 
ent Abolitionist  in  the  days  preceding  the  Civil  War  and  he  and  his  family 
took  a  prominent  part  in  the  operations  of  the  Underground  Railroad., 
through  the  agency  of  which  many  fugitive  slaves  were  enabled  to  make 
their  wav  to  libertv  across  the  Canadian  border.     He  and  his  wife  were  the 


28o  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

parents  of  tight  rhiklren.  live  of  whom  are  still  living,  those  besides  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  l)eing-  as  follow :  W.  H.  Madden,  who  is  engaged  in 
the  lumber  business  at  Waynesville.  this  state:  Clinton  Madden,  aishier  of 
the  I^'armers'  National  Bank  at  Clarksville,  this  state ;  Addie,  who  is  teach- 
ing school  at  Morrow,  Ohio,  and  Rlla.  wife  of  Charles  Crawford,  of  Marion. 
Indiana. 

Reared  on  a  farm,  T.  C.  Madden  received  his  elementary  schooling  in 
the  public  schools  of  Clinton  and  Warren  counties  and  supplemented  the 
same  by  a  course  at  the  old  normal  school  at  Lebanon,  after  which  he 
taught  school  for  several  years  and  then  entered  Wilmington  College, 
working  his  way  through  that  institution  by  teaching  mathematics  in  the 
college,  and  was  graduated  therefrom  in  1902.  He  then  resumed  teaching 
and  was  thus  engaged,  in  Franklin  and  Clinton  counties,  for  six  years, 
four  years  of  which  time  was  spent  as  a  teacher  in  the  high  school  at 
Sabina.  During  his  teaching  career  Mr.  Madden  taught  for  seventeen  years, 
or  until  1908,  when  he  located  at  North  Lewisburg  and  there  started  a 
lumber  yard  and  has  ever  since  been  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  at 
that  place,  having  built  up  an  extensive  business  in  that  line.  His  lumber 
yard  is  well  stocked  and  well  equipped,  several  large  buildings  giving  him 
ample  facilities  for  the  proper  handling  of  his  trade,  and  he  has  done  very 
well,  now  devoting  his  whole  time  to  his  growing  business.  Mr.  Madden  is 
a  Republican  and  gives  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  political  afifairs  and 
to  all  proper  movements  having  to  do  with  the  advancement  of  the  general 
interests  of  his  home  town  and  of  the  county  at  large. 


WJLIJS  H.  HODGE. 


Willis  H.  Hodge,  one  of  Champaign  county's  substantial  landowners. 
the  proprietor  of  the  grain  elcA'ator  at  Catawba  .Station,  a  line  farm  of  six 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Union  township  and  the  tine  ])lace  on  which  he 
lives  at  the  west  edge  of  the  city  of  Mechanicsburg.  is  a  native  son  of  Cham- 
])aign  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  the  farm  he  now 
owns  in  Union  township  on  October  23.  1875,  son  of  J.  H.  and  Miranda 
(Hunter)  Hodge,  l)oth  of  whom  were  born  in  the  neighboring  county  of 
C'lark,  meml)ers  of  pioneer  families  there,  and  whose  last  days  were  spent  at 
Mechanics1)urg.  to  which  place  they  had  moved  upon  their  retirement  froni 
the  farm.  ^ 


J.  H.  HODGE. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  201 

J.  H.  Hodge  was  born  on  January  2,  1834,  a  son  of  James  and  Elizabeth 
Hodge,  who  had  come  up  into  Ohio  from  Kentucky  in  pioneer  days  and  had 
settled  in  Clark  county,  where  they  established  their  home  and  spent  their 
last  days.  On  that  pioneer  farm  J.  H.  Hodge  grew  to  manhood,  remaining 
there  until  after  his  marriage  in  1861  to  Miranda  Hunter,  who  also  was  born 
in  Clark  county,  when  he  came  up  into  Champaign  county  and  bought  a  farm 
in  Union  township  and  there  settled.  He  w'as  an  excellent  farmer  and  a 
good  business  man  and  as  he  de\eloped  his  farm  added  to  the  same  until  he 
became  the  owner  of  about  six  hundred  acres.  He  was  a  Democrat  and  he 
and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  churcli.  he  for  years 
serving  as  a  trustee  of  the  same  and  also  as  an  ofifice  bearer  in  other  capacities 
in  the  church.  In  1891  he  retired  from  the  farm  and  moved  to  Mechanics- 
burg,  uhere  he  and  his  wife  spent  their  last  days.  Her  death  occurred  on 
March  11,  1901,  and  he  survived  a  little  more  than  six  years,  his  death 
occurring  on  October  17,  1907.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  children,  of 
whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  only  survivor,  the  others  having  died 
in  infancy. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Union  township,  Willis  H.  Hodge  received 
his  early  schooling  in  the  district  schools  of  that  neighborhood,  supplement- 
ing the  same  by  a  course  in  the  Mechanicsburg  high  school  and  in  the  business 
tlepartment  of  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  at  Delaware.  He  early  became 
engaged  in  the  grain  business  at  Mechanicsburg,  in  partnership  with  C.  W. 
Gu}-  and  others,  and  in  1901  became  the  sole  owner  of  the  elevator  at 
Mechanicsburg,  continuing  to  operate  the  same  until  he  sold  it  in  1907.  In 
1898,  the  )ear  of  his  marriage,  Mr.  Hodge  bought  the  grain  elevator  at 
Cata^^l)a  Station  and  has  ever  since  continued  to  own  and  operate  the  same, 
being  one  of  the  best-known  grainmen  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  count}'. 
At  the  same  time  he  gives  close  personal  attention  to  the  operation  of  his 
well-kept  farm  of  six  hundred  and  sixt_\'  acres  in  Union  township,  though 
continuing  to  make  his  home  in  Mechanicsburg,  where  he  and  liis  family  are 
very  comfortably  situated.  Air.  Hodge  is  a  Democrat  and  has  ever  given  a 
good  citizen's  attention  to  local  i:)olitical  affairs,  but  has  not  been  a  seeker 
after  office. 

On  December  2^.  1898.  Willis  II.  Hodge  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Irma  Van  Ness,  who  was  born  near  the  \illage  of  Irwin,  in  the  neighboring- 
county  of  Madison.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Jacob  I',  and  Mary  Melinda 
(Brown)  Van  Ness  and  came  with  her  parents  over  into  Champaign  countv, 
the  family  settling  in  the  Eive  Points  neighborhood  in  Goshen  township, 
where  <he  grew  to  womanhood  and  where  she  w-as  living  at  the  time  of  her 


2»2  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

marriage  to  Mr.  Hodge.  To  that  union  a  daughter,  Mary  Frances,  was 
born  on  March  i,  1901.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hodge  are  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  chiu'ch  at  Mechanicsburg  and  take  an  interested  part  in 
church  work,  as  well  as  in  the  general  good  works  and  social  activities  of 
the  place,  Mr.  Hodge  being  a  member  of  the  official  board  of  the  church. 
He  also  is  a  member  of  Homer  Lodge  Xo.  474.  Knights  of  Pythias,  at 
Mechanicsburg,  anrl  takes  a  warm  interest  in  lodge  affairs. 


(;e()rge  eiowland  gii<ford. 

(jeorge  Howland  Gifford,  one  of  the  real  old  settlers  of  Champaign 
county,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  a  farmer  of  Rush  county, 
wlio  for  more  than  a  half  century  has  resided  in  the  house  he  now  lives  in, 
in  the  pleasant  village  of  Woodstock,  is  a  native  of  the  Old  Bay  State,  but 
has  l>een  a  resident  of  Ohio  and  of  Champaign  county  since  he  was  four 
\-ears  of  age  and  is  therefore  as  thoroughly  familiar  with  the  develo|>ment 
of  this  county  during  the  past  three-(|uarters  of  a  century  and  more  as  one 
"native  and  to  the  manner  born."  He  was  born  near  New  Bedford,  Massa- 
chusetts, September  24,  1832,  .son  of  Daniel  and  Catherine  (Wing)  Gifford, 
both  members  of  old  Colonial  families,  who  later  came  to  this  county  and 
here  spent  their  last  days,  both  living  to  ripe  old  age,  useful  and  influential 
pioneers  of  the  Woodstock  settlement. 

Daniel  Gifford  was  the  eighth  in  order  of  birth  of  the  ten  children  born 
to  his  parents,  William  and  Susanna  (Brown)  Gifford,  the  former  of 
whom  was  a  son  of  Recompense  Gifford  and  wife,  who  had  two  other  chil- 
dren, John  and  Ruth.  The  other  children  born  to  William  Gifford  and 
wife,  besides  Daniel,  were  Jedediah.  John,  George,  William,  Sarah,  Ruth, 
Artsa,  Hicks  and  Jason.  On  September  24,  1818,  Daniel  Gifford  married 
(."atherine  Wing,  who  also  was  born  in  the  neighborhood  of  New  Bedford, 
Massachusetts,  and  in  1834  he  and  his  family  came  to  Ohio  and  settled  in 
Champaign  county.  Daniel  Gifford  rented  a  farm  in  Rush  township,  one 
mile  north  of  Woodstock,  and  there  established  his  home  and  proceeded  to 
clear  the  farm  and  make  it  fit  for  cultivation.  He  later  moved  to  Madison 
county  and  located  on  a  farm  seven  miles  south  of  London,  the  county  seat, 
but  later  came  back  to  this  county  and  located  at  W()odstock.  where  he  and 
his  wife  spent  their  last  days.  Daniel  Gift'ord  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-five 
years  and  his  widow  survived  him  many  years,  she  living  to  the  great  age 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  283 

of  ninety-eight  years.  Thev  were  members  of  the  Christian  church,  in 
the  work  of  which  they  ever  took  an  earnest  interest,  and  their  children  were 
reared  in  that  faith.  There  were  five  of  these  children,  of  'whom  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  the  last-born,  the  others  being  .Susan.  Stephen  Wing. 
Almira  and  Daniel  Hicks. 

SiLsan  Gifford,  Ix^rn  on  July  9.  1819.  died  at  her  home  in  Woodstock. 
Mrs.  Susan  Swan,  November  t8.  1891.  She  was  twice  married  and  by  her 
first  husband.  FrankHn  Cushman,  w-as  the  mother  of  four  children,  Julius 
J..  Charles  A.,  Lucy  Lucinda  and  Warren  Sibley.  Julius  J.  Cushman,  who 
was  born  on  September  11,  1838,  enlisted  for  service  during  the  Civil  War 
as  a  member  of  Company  D,  Second  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry, 
and  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Hoover's  Gap.  June  18,  1863.  Charles  A. 
Cushman,  born  on  September  12.  i8'40,  married,  February  18,  1863,  Jw^i'^ 
Standish  and  had  thirteen  children,  Frank,  Martha,  Julius  J..  Margaret  J., 
Susan  B.,  Charles  W..  Harriet,  Arthur,  Jared,  Robert  K..  Sarah.  Warren 
H.  and  Lucy.  Lucy  Lucinda  Cushman  born  on  September  17,  1842,  mar- 
ried. May  15,  1861.  Nicholas  P.  Hewitt  and  had  seven  children,  Susie,  Anna 
May,  Warren  Cushman.  T^icy,  Nellie  F.,  Lena  Almira  and  Georgiana.  She 
died  on  January  16,  1893,  and  her  husband,  who  was  born  on  May  5,  1832, 
survived  until  December  14.  1901.  \Varren  Siblev  Cushman,  born  on  June 
rj,  1844.  married.  March  21,  1867,  Celia  Calender,  who  was  born  on  May 
18,  1848,  and  who  died  on  March  6,  1881.  and  to  that  union  four  children 
were  born,  namely:  Ernest  Scott,  born  on  August  11,  [868,  w'ho  married 
Pattie  Owen  on  October  19,  1893;  ^I^J^el  C.  December  17,  1871,  who  mar- 
ried Thomas  L.  Wright  on  April  16.  1900;  Byron  G..  August  2.  1873,  who 
married  Edna  Milner  on  June  2"],  19 16,  and  Charlotte,  July  23,  1880,  wh<» 
married  Law-rence  Longfellow  on  June  30.  1907. 

Stephen  Wing  Gifford  died  unmarried  on  June  29.   1843. 

-Vlmira  Gififord  married  Franklin  Jackson,  who  was  born  on  June  18, 
1828,  and  who  died  on  June  3,  1858,  and  to  that  union  was  born  one  child, 
a  son,  Josiah  Cross,  bom  on  April  8,  1854,  who  died  on  July  24,  1856. 
Mrs.  Jackson  survived  her  husband  and  son  many  years,  her  death  occurring 
on  Februan-  16,   1900. 

Daniel  Hicks  Gififord.  born  on  October  6,  1830,  married  Mary  Case 
and  had  five  children,  namely :  Katie,  who  married  William  A.  Scoville 
on  December  i,  1880,  and  has  five  children;  Susan,  who  married  Frank 
Fenner  on  Febniary  24,  1881,  and  has  two  children;  Almira,  who  married 
Oliver  Compton  on  April  15,  1885,  and  has  three  children,  Frank  and  Riley 
Clifford.     Daniel  H.  Gifford  died  in  191 5. 


284  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

(ieorge  Howland  Gifford  was  but  four  years  of  age  when  his  parents 
came  to  tliis  county  from  ^Massachusetts  and  he  grew  to  manhood  on  tlie 
home  farm  in  Rush  township,  receiving  his  schoohng  in  the  primitive  sub- 
scription schools  of  that  neighborhood.  He  later  lived  for  awhile  in  Madi- 
son county,  but  returned  to  this  county,  and  for  fifty-four  years  has  been  a 
resident  of  W'oddstock,  living  all  that  time  in  the  house  which  he  now  occu- 
pies. Until  his  retirement  with  the  advance  of  years  Mr.  Gifford  remained 
an  active  farmer  and  did  very  well  in  his  operations.  During  the  progress 
of  the  Civil  War  he  enlisted.  May  8.  1S64,  as  a  private  in  Company  D,  One 
Hundred  and  Thirt}-fourth  Regiment,  Ohio  X'olunteer  Infantry,  and  served 
with  that  command  until  the  following  September,  most  of  this  time  on 
picket  and  guard  dut}-  at  Columbvts  Heights,  bor  }ears  he  has  been  a 
member  of  the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  has  ever 
taken  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  patriotic  organization.  Despite 
the  fact  that  he  now  is  eighty-five  years  of  age  Mr.  Gifford  retains  the 
liveliest  interest  in  current  affairs  and. is  a  keen  observer  of  events.  He 
retains  vivid  recollections  of  the  early  days  in  this  county  and  is  a  veritable 
mine  of  iirf()rmation  with  respect  to  happenings  of  the  days  long  ago. 
Politically,  he  has  held  allegiance  to  the  Re])ublican  ])arty  ever  since  the 
organization  of  that  ]>arl}-  and  has  ever  taken  a  gixxl  citizen's  interest  in 
local  civic  aff'airs,  Imt  has  not  been  included  in  the  ofhce-seeking  class.  His 
wife  is  a  member  of  the  Liniversalist  church  and  both  ha\e  ever  done  their 
part  in  ])roi.noting  agencies  designed  to  advance  the  common  welfare  of  the 
c((mmunity  in  which  they  have  had  their  home  for  so  manv  }ears. 

It  Avas  on  b\'bruary  25,  1862,  that  George  11,  (lift'ord  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Josephine  Myers,  who  was  born  in  'i>ov,  this  state,  August  9, 
[846,  and  to  this  union  nine  children  ha\e  l)een  born,  namely:  Effie  M., 
Daniel  Hicks,  Catherine  Theresa,  George  Augustus.  Walter  Cu.shman.  Laura 
Marsh,  Nicholas  P.  H.,  Edward  Cranston  and  Rosanna. 

I^ffie  M.  (iitT(jrd.  born  on  Decem])er  _•().  i8()j,  marrietl  Daniel  A.  Fox 
on  August  <),  ]88_:^,  and  to  that  union  eight  children  have  been  born,  namelv : 
l-jnery  G..  ])orn  in  June,  1884:  Chester  H.,  Xovember  ri.  1886;  Walter  S., 
I'^ebniary  15.  1880;  Ivan  1!.,  July  17,  1891;  brancis  M.,  January  15,  i8c)4; 
Kenneth  K.,  .September  2,  i8(;6,  who  died  in  September.  1897;  Daniel  D.. 
b'ebruary   14,    1900,  and  Harold,  July  17,   i<;o_'.  who  died  in   1916. 

Daniel  Hicks  (jifford,  l)orn  on  Januar\-  10,  1866,  is  married  and  lives 
at  liellefontaine,  this  state,  v^'here  he  is  engaged  as  a  carpenter. 

Catherine  Theresa  Gifford,  born  on  A])ril  20,  1867,  died  on  April  11, 
:886. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  _'85 

George  Augustus  GiftOrd.  Ix^rn  on  June  30,  i86y.  married  Eva  Spicer, 
June  Q.  1897.  '^'^'1  ^'^'^^  ^^'^  children.  Catherine,  Louise,  Wilbur.  Josephine 
and  Charles. 

Walter  Cushni;ui  Gifford,  horn  on  July  9.  1871.  married  Catherine 
Martin  on  July  23.  1896,  and  has  two  children.  l'h}llis  and  I'hilip.  tie  and 
his  family  now  make  their  home  in  Urbana. 

Laura  Marsh  Gififord.  born  on  April  10,  1874,  died  on  September  20, 
^875. _ 

Nicholas  L.  H.  Giftord.  now  living  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  was  born  on 
August  4,  1876.  On  September  22.  1900,  he  married  Nora  Si>ellman  and 
has  three  children.  Marion.  Paul  and  Donna. 

Edward  Cranston  Gifford,  who  is  a  carpenter  and  builder  at  Woodstock, 
was  born  on  September  15,  1880.  On  April  22,  1907,  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Gatha  Huffman,  who  died  on  May  3.  191 1.  leaving  two  children. 
Opal  F.,  born  on  April  12,  1908,  and  Dorothy  R..  September  6,  1910. 

Rosa^inaGifford,  who  was  born  on  December  2,  1884,  was  united  in  mar- 
riage on  Ma}-  16,  1905,  to  George  F.  Thompson  and  has  six  children,  namely : 
Francilla,  born  on  February  20,  1906;  Robert  O..  September  30,  1907: 
DeWitt,  October  16,  1910,  who  died  on  November  2/,  1910;  Gifford,  born 
on  February  27,   19 14.  and  Grace  Annabelle,  August,   191 6. 


LEVI  YODER. 


Levi  Yoder,  a  well-known  and  substantial  retired  farmer  of  the  -neigh- 
boring county  of  Logan,  now  living  at  North  Lewisburg,  this  county,  is 
a  native  Ohioan  and  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a 
farm  in  Logan  county  on  November  3,  1852,  son  of  Le\i  and  Nancy  (Det- 
wiler)  Yoder,  natives  of  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  who  were  married 
in  that  county  and  lived  there  until  after  four  of  their  children  were  born. 
In  1848  Levi  Yoder  and  his  family  moved  to  Ohio  and  located  in  Logan 
county  where  he  bought  a  farm  in  the  white-oak  woods  and  proceeded  to 
clear  the  same  and  there  establish  his  home.  He  died  there  in  April, 
1852,  leaving  a  w^idow  and  five  children.  Of  these  children  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  the  last-born,  the  others  being  as  follow :  Martha,  w  ho 
died  in  1913;  Jonathan,  who  died  on  January  13,  1917;  Jacob,  who  lives 
in  Iowa,  and  Eli,  who  lives  in  Indiana.  Levi  Yoder  and  wife  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Mennonite  church  and  their  children  were  reared  in  the  simple 


286  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

faith  of  that  church.  The  Widow  Yoder  married,  secondly,  Jacob  K.  Yoder. 
also  of  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  to  that  union  one  child  was  born, 
a  daughter,  Lizzie,  of  West  Liberty,  this  state,  Mrs.  Yoder  died  in  Logan 
county   in  February,    1890,   and   lier  husband   survived  her  until    191 2. 

As  will  be  noted  b}-  a  comparison  of  the  above  dates,  the  junior  Levi 
Yoder  was  a  posthumous  child  of  his  fatl>er  and  his  widowed  mother  named 
him  in  honor  of  her  deceased  husband.  John  C.  Yoder  was  his  guardian 
and  he  was  reared  as  a  farmer.  He  was  married  at  the  age  of  twenty-four, 
and,  in  1877,  he  began  farming  on  his  own  account  in  Salem  township, 
this  county,  and  was  thus  engaged  for  five  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time 
he  returned  to  his  home  county  and  bought  a  farm  in  McCarthy  town- 
ship Xl^ogan  county),  where  he  made  his  home  for  sixteen  years  and  six 
months.  He  then  disposed  of  his  interest  there  and  moved  to  Zane  town- 
ship, same  county, .  where  he  bought  a  farm  and  where  he  remained  for 
fourteen  years,  or  until  in  December,  191 3,  when  he  retired  from  the  active 
labors  of  the  farm  and  moved  to  North  Lewisburg,  where  he  since  has  made 
his  home  and  where  he  and  his  wife  are  very  comfortably  situated.  Mr. 
Yoder  still  owns  his  well-improved  farm  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres 
in  Logan  county  and  continues  to  give  considerable  personal  attention  to  tlic 
operation  of  the  same. 

It  was  on  January  16,  1877,  that  Levi  Yoder  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Rebecca  J.  Hartzler,  who  was  born  in  Logan  county,  Ohio,  a  daughter 
of  Joel  and  Lydia  (Plank)  Hartzler,  natives  of  MifHin  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, who  in  1885  came  to  Ohio  and  located  in  Logan  county,  later  mo\ing 
to  Salem  township,  this  county,  where  Joel  Hartzler  bought  a  farm  and 
where  he  and  his  wife  spent  their  last  days,  his  death  occurring  in  1902 
and  hers  in  1910.  They  were  members  of  the  Mennonite  church  and  their 
children  were  reared  in  that  faith.  There  were  seven  of  these  children, 
of  whom  Mrs.  Yoder  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as 
follow:  Isaac,  deceased;  David,  of  West  Liberty,  this  state;  Samuel, 
deceased;  Benjamin,  deceased;  John,  of  West  Lil^erty,  and  Jonathan,  who  is 
farming  in  this  county.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Yoder  ten  children  have  been  born, 
namely:  Laura,  deceased;  Nannie,  who  married  R.  J.  Eberling,  of  Sandusky 
county,  this  state,  and  has  two  children,  Wilbur  and  Bertha;  Harvey  S.,  wlm 
maTrrcd^  Mary  "Warner  and  died  on  July  30,  1916,  leaving  one  child,  a  son, 
Carlton ;  Eli,  who  married  Corena  Folsenlogan  and  is  now  living  at  Indian- 
apolis, where  he  is  engaged  as  a  bookkeeper;  Rudolph,  a  farmer,  of  Logan 
county,  who  married  Norma  Harding  and  has  one  child,  a  son,  Floyd ;  Lydia 
Ann,  deceased;  Bessie,  who  married  Henrv  Coates,  of  Anderson,  Indiana,  and 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  287 

lias  two  children,  Ivan  and  Russell;  Roy,  deceased;  Emma,  of  Anderson,  Indi- 
ana, and  Dora  May,  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Yoder  are  members  of  the 
Mennonite  church  and  have  long-  given  their  earnest  attention  to  church 
work  and  other  local  good  works. 


GWYNN  H.  CLARK. 


Gwynn  H.  Clark,  a  well-known  liuilding  contractor  at  Woodstock  and 
formerly  and  for  twenty-five  years  a  member  of  the  common  council  of 
that  pleasant  village,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here 
all  his  life.  lie  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Rush  township,  in  the  vicinity  of 
Woodstock,  October  15,  i860,  son  of  George  W.  and  I\)lly  (Kimball) 
Clark,  the  former  of  whom  was  l)orn  in  the  state  of  Massachusetts  and  the 
latter  in  this  state. 

George  W.  Clark  was  but  a  lad  when  he  came  to  Ohio  with  his  parents 
from  Massachusetts,  the  family  locating  near  Brighton,  where  he  remained 
until  some  time  during  the  fifties,  when  he  married  and  came  to  this  count^^ 
settling  on  a  farm  in  the  Woodstock  neighborhood  in  Rush  township,  where 
he  was  living  when  the  Civil  W'ar  broke  out.  He  enlisted  for  service  in 
ihe  Cnion  arm}-  as  a  private  in  Company  G.  Ninety-fifth  Regiment,  Ohio 
\()lunteer  Infantry,  and  served  with  that  command  for  nearly  five  years, 
(luring  that  time  participating  in  some  of  the  most  notable  engagements  of 
the  war.  including  the  siege  of  A'icksburg  and  the  battle  of  Gettysburg. 
During  his  militar}'  service  Mr.  Clark  incurred  physical  disabilities  that  ren- 
dered liini  unfit  for  the  continued  hard  w'ork  of  the  farm  and  some  time 
after  his  return  home  he  gave  up  farming  and  moved  to  Woodstock,  where 
he  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  and  was  thus  engaged  for  about  seven 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  became  a  building  contractor  and  was  thus 
successfully  engaged  until  his  retirement  in  the  middle  eighties.  He  con- 
tinued to  make  his  home  in  \\'oodstock,  where  he  had  become  very  con-i- 
fortably  established,  and  there  he  spent  his  last  days,  his  death  occurring  in 
i<;t4.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  those  besides  the 
sul)ject  of  this  sketch  teing  Carrie   (deceased),  Celia  and  Guy. 

Gwynn  H.  Clark  was  but  a  child  when  his  parents  moved  from  the  farm 
to  Woodstock  and  he  received  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  village. 
As  a  boy  he  learned  the  practical  details  of  the  carpenter's  trade  under  the 
careful  instruction  of  his  father  and  has  e\er  since  followed  that  trade,  for 


288  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

the  piist  t\v:ei;t}-tive  or  thirty  years  lia\  ins;-  )jeen  engaged  as  a  huilding  eon- 
tractor  at  Woodstock.  Dining  that  long  ])eriod  as  an  active  builder  Mr. 
Clark  has  erected  mc^st  of  the  business  houses  at  Woodstock,  as  well  as 
the  larger  part  of  the  dwelling  houses,  and  has  long  been  regarded  as  one 
<»f  the  leading  contractors  in  Champaign  county.  He  is  a  Republican  and 
has  ever  given  his  earnest  attention  to  local  civic  affairs,  for  twenty-five 
years  having  served  as  a  member  of  the  common  council  of  his  home  vil- 
lage, during  which  time  he  did  much  to  promote  the  general  interests  of 
the  town. 

( )n  I'Y'bruary  5.  1888,  Cwynn  H.  Clark  was  united  in  marriage  to 
.\lollie  Riley,  daughter  of  Samuel  Riley,  and  to  this  union  four  sons  have 
l)een  born.  Corwin  (deceased),  Charles.  Herbert  and  George.  Herbert 
Clark  married  Ruby  Smith  and  has  two  children,  Winifred  and  Clairette. 
The  Clarks  are  members  of  the  Universalist  church  and  take  a  proper  interest 
in  church  affcurs.  Mr.  Clark  is  past  noble  grand  of  the  local  lodge  of  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  has  for  years  taken  a  warm  interest 
in  Oddfellowship. 


R0BE:RT  SANDERS 


Robert  Sanders,  a  retired  manufacturer  of  glue  and  soaj)  at  Urbana  and 
■one  ()f  the  best-known  citizens  of  that  city,  is  a  native  of  Scotland,  but  has 
l)een  a  resident  of  this  country  since  1849  and  of  Urbana  since  1853  and  is 
therefore  fully  entitled  to  be  enrolled  aomng  the  real  "old  settlers"  of  Cham- 
Ijaign  county.  He  was  born  in  the  town  of  Linlithgow,  capital  of  the  county 
!if  that  naaie  and  one  of  the  mo.st  interest-ing  county  ?;eats  in  Scotland,  situ- 
ated seventeen  miles  west  of  Edinburgh  and  twenty-eight  miles  north  and  east 
of  Glasgow.  Einlithgow  is  the  seat  of  an  ancient  royal  palace,  supposed 
to  have  been  erected  by  Edward  I  of  England  and  the  .birthplace  of  Mary 
Oueen  of  Scots.  The  old  palace  is  preserved  as  one  of  the  show  places  of 
Scotland  and  Mr.  Sanders  has  been  in  the  room  in  which  the  unfortunate 
-Vlary  was  born  in  1542. 

The  date  of  the  birth  of  Mr.  Satiders  was  January  24.  1826.  His  par- 
ents. Robert  and  Elizabeth  (Forgie)  Sanders,  also  were  born  in  Linlithgow, 
wlicre  they  spent  all  their  lives.  Robert  Sanders  was  a  manufacturer  of 
glue  and  was  a  citizen  of  some  substance.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents 
of  six  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  third  in  order 
of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow  :     John,  who  spent  all  his  life  in  his  native 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  289 

Scotland,  living  lo  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-four  years;  Margaret,  who 
(Hed  in  infancy;  JMary,  who  died  in  Scotland;  David,  a  carpenter,  who  came 
10  the  United  States  in  1850.  coming  on  out  into  Ohio  and  locating-  at 
L'rbana,  where  he  nKule  his  home  for  years,  but  is  now  living  in  Kansas,  and 
janies,  also  a  carpenter,  who  is  now  living  at  Minneapolis,  Minnesota. 

At  the  age  of  twelve  years  Robert  Sanders  left  his  native  Linlithgow 
and  went  over  to  the  neighboring  city  of  Edinburgh,  where  he  served  an 
apprenticeship  of  six  years  in  a  saddlery  establishment,  becoming  thoroughly 
]jroficient  in  that  line  and  also  learned  to  become  a  skilled  craftsman  in  the 
liner  lines  of  wood-working  with  particular  reference  to  the  making  of  violins. 
In  this  latter  line  of  craftsmanship  Mr.  Sanders  retains  to  this  day  a  hearty 
interest,  the  making-  of  violins  continuing"  to  Ije  one  of  the  most  engaging 
"hobbies"  of  the  pleasant  evening  time  of  his  life,  a  happy  means  of  reliev- 
ing- what  otherwise  might  be  a  tedious  retirement  from  the  more  active  labors 
of  life  to  one  who  has  been  as  busy  during  a  long  and  useful  life  as  he  has 
been.  Upon  iinishing  his  apprenticeship  at  Edinburgh  he  returned  to  Lin- 
lithgow and  there  assisted  his  father  in  the  manufacture  of  glue  until  1849. 
when — he  then  being  twenty-three  years  of  age — he  decided  to  come  to  this 
country,  believing  that  he  could  pursue  his  trade  to  more  advantage  and 
I  letter  profits  over  here.  Upon  landing  in  this  country  Mr.  Sanders  came  on 
out  to  Ohio  and  located  at  Chillicothe.  where  for  two  years  he  was  engaged 
in  the  glue  business.  He  then  went  to  Columbus,  where  he  spent  eighteen 
months  in  the  same  line  of  business,  and  then,  in  1853,  located  at  Urbana, 
\\here  he  ever  since  has  made  his  home.  Upon  locating  at  Urbana  Mr. 
Sanders  formed  a  partnership  with  Mosgrove  &  Moore  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  glue  and  soap  and  three  years  later  took  over  the  business  on  his 
own  account  and  until  his  retirement  in  1907  continued  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  those  products,  building  up  quite  an  extensive  establishment  and 
creating  a  wide  market  for  his  products. 

Robert  Sanders  has  been  twice  married.  In  the  fall  of  1853.  the  year 
in  which  he  settled  at  Urbana.  he  was  married  at  Columbus  to  Maria  Andover. 
who  was  born  in  this  state  and  who  died  at  Urbana.  He  later  married 
Christina  McDonald,  who  was  born  in  the  north  of  Scotland,  and  to  this 
union  one  child  was  born,  a  daughter,  Jessie,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr. 
Sanders  built  a  line  brick  house  on  College  Way  and  there  he  and  his  wife 
are  still  living,  very  comfortably  situated  in  their  declining  years.  They  are 
earnest  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  Mr.  Sanders  for  years  has 
1)een  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  same.  In  1847  he  joined  the 
(19a) 


290  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  in  Scotland  and  in  1850  joined  again  at 
Chillicothe.  later  transferring  his  membership  to  the  lodge  at  Urbana,  and 
still  retains  a  hearty  interest  in  Odd  Fellowship,  one  of  the  oldest  continuous 
members  of  that  order  in  Ohio,  his  connecticjn  with  the  order  covering  a 
period  of  sixtv-seven  vears. 


FLOYD  FREEMAN. 


Floyd  Freeman,  well-known  undertaker  and  funeral  director  at  Nortii 
Lewisburg  and  a  former  member  of  the  common  council  of  that  village,  is 
a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was 
born  on  a  farm  near  Mechanicsburg,  in  Goshen  township.  March  28,  1875. 
son  of  G.  L.  and  Sarah  E.  (Moody)  Freeman,  both  of  whom  were  also 
born  in  this  county  and  whose  last  days  were  spent  at  North  Lewisburg. 

G.  L.  Freeman  also  was  born  in  Goshen  township,  son  of  George  and 
Fleasey  (McCarty)  Freeman,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  who  came  to  this 
county  during  the  twenties  of  the  past  century  and  located  on  a  farm  in 
Goshen  township,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  substantial 
and  useful  pioneers  of  that  community.  On  that  pioneer  farm  G.  L.  Free- 
man grew  to  manhood  and  after  his  marriage  to  Sarah  E.  Moody,  who  \\  as 
born  on  a  farm  near  Mutual,  in  Union  township,  established  his  home  (in 
the  home  farm,  which  he  later  came  to  own.  a  very  well-improved  place  of 
one  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  and  there  he  made  his  home  until  1890.  when 
he  moved  to  Mechanicsburg,  where  for  a  short  time  he  was  engaged  in  ihe 
furniture  and  undertaking  business.  He  then  disposed  of  his  business  there 
and  moved  to  North  Lewisburg,  where  he  engaged  in  the  undertaking  busi- 
ness and  was  thus  engaged  in  that  business  there  until  the  latter  nineties, 
when  his  son,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  took  over  the  business  and  he  retired. 
To  G.  L.  Freeman  and  wife  eight  children  were  born,  of  whom  seven  are 
still  living,  those  besides  the  subject  of  this  sketch  being  as  follow :  Maria, 
wife  of  Paul  Hollingsworth ;  Metta,  wife  of  Oliver  J.  Morgan;  Lee,  of 
North  Lewisburg;  Harry,  of  Columbus,  this  state;  Carrie,  also  of  Colum- 
bus, and  Alice,  at  home. 

Floyd  Freeman  completed  his  schooling  in  the  liigh  school  at  North 
Lewisburg"  and  then  began  working  in  the  grain  elevator  at  that  place  and 
was  thus  engaged  until  1898,  when  he  entered  Professor  Renouard's  Col- 
lege at  Columbus  and   took   a   thorough   course  in   embalming  and   the   arts 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  OQI 

pertaining  to  the  undertaking  business,  after  whicli  he  returned  home  and 
took  over  his  father's  undertaking  business,  which  he  ever  since  has  been 
very  successfully  conducting.  Mr.  Freeman's  undertaking  establishment  is 
admirably  equipped,  everything  being  up-to-date  and  in  confonnance  with 
the  latest  advances  in  that  line,  his  equipment  including  a  fine  automobile 
hearse.  Mr.  Freeman  is  a  ReJDublican  and  has  served  the  public  in  the  capa- 
city of  councilman  from  his  ward  in  the  village  council. 

In  1900  Floyd  Freeman  was  united  in  marriage  to  Pauline  R.  Moore, 
daughter  of  J.  F.  Moore  and  wife,  and  to  this  union  one  child  has  been  born, 
a  son,  Leonard.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Freeman  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  and  Mr.  Freeman  is  a  member  of  the  official  board  of  the 
same.  Fraternally,  he  is  affiliated  with  both  the  Masons  and  the  Knights 
of  Pythias  and  is  past  master  of  the  local  Masonic  lodge  and  past  chancellor 
commander  of  the  local  Pythian  lodge,  in  the  affairs  of  both  of  which  popular 
order  he  takes  a  warm  and  active  interest  . 


THOMAS  L.  TAYLOR.  D.  V.  S. 

Dr.  Thomas  L.  Taylor,  veterinarv  surgeon  and  one  of  the  best-known 
residents  of  North  Lewisburg,  this  county,  was  born  at  Norton,  in  Dela- 
ware county,  this  state,  April  j8,  rS/S,  son  of  Dr.  I^^lam  and  Margaret 
Tavlor,  the  former  a  native  of  this  state  and  the  latter  of  New  York  state, 
whose  last  days  were  spent  in  DeL'iware  county. 

Dr.  I^lam  Taylor.  :dso  a  veterinary  surgeon,  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil 
War.  having  served  for  iwo  years  as  a  member  of  the  One  Hundred  and 
Twentv-first  Regiment.  (Jhio  Yolunteer  Infantry,  and  four  of  his  sons,  half 
hrothers  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  served  as  soldiers  of  the  Union  during 
the  struggle  between  the  States,  one  of  these  s(M1s,  Albert  Taylor,  dying  in 
Andersonville  i)rison.  The  othei  soldier  sons  were  j(jel  I')..  Adam  H.  and 
Henry  Tayl(jr.  Dr.  I''.lam  Taylor  was  twice  married.  1)\'  his  first  wife  iiav- 
ing  had  iivc  children,  one  tlaughter.  Mary,  besides  the  sons  above  named. 
Lipon  the  death  oi  the  mother  of  these  children  he  married  again  and  by  his 
wife.  Margaret,  had  sex-en.  children,  those  besides  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
the  last-born,  l)eing  James  !>..  Carrie  1^"..  Hattie  R.,  I'^ffie.  Josephine  and 
Louis. 

U])on  ct)mpleting  the  course  in  the  ])ublic  schools  at  Norton.  T.  L. 
'J'avlor  worked   for  a   few  \'ears  as  a   farm  hand  in   the  neighborhood  of  his 


292  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

home  and  then  Ix-gan  the  study  of  nie(Hcine  in  the  ottice  of  hi.^  half-brother. 
])r.  Joel  B.  Taylor,  at  Broadway,  in  Union  county,  at  the  same  time  liecom- 
ing  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  a  drug  store  at  that  place,  and  was  thus  engaged 
for  nine  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  decided  to  take  up  veterinary 
surgery,  the  profession  to  which  his  father  had  devoted  his  life,  and  with 
that  end  in  view  entered  the  Ontario  Veterinary  College  at  Toronto,  and 
after  a  course  of  two  years"  study  there  entered  the  Grand  Rapids  \'eterin- 
ary  College,  at  Cirand  Rapids,  Michigan,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
ig04,  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  \^eterinary  Surgery.  Thus  admirably 
<iualified  for  the  practice  of  his  profession.  Doctor  Taylor  opened  an  office 
at  North  Lewisburg  in  that  same  year  and  has  ever  since  been  engaged  in 
practice  there,  his  professional  duties  taking  him  through  three  counties,  his 
held  of  operations  extending  into  the  neighboring  counties  of  Logan  and 
Union,  as  well  as  wideh'  throughout  Champaign  county,  where  he  has  an 
extensive  practice. 

In  iQOi,  Dr.  T.  L.  Taylor  was  united  in  marriage  to  .Vrie  Harrington. 
a  daughter  of  Lorenzo  Llarrington  and  wife,  and  to  this  union  two  chil- 
dren have  been  born.,  Bernard  and  Ruth.  Doctor  and  Mrs.  Taylor  have  a 
pleasant  home  at  North  Lewisburg  and  take  a  proper  part  in  the  general 
social  activities  of  their  home  town,  helpful  in  promoting  all  good  causes 
thereabout.  The  Doctor  is  a  Republican  in  his  political  affiliations  and  fra- 
ternally, is  affiliated  with  the  local  lodge  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
in  the  affairs  of  which  order  he  takes  a  warm  interest. 


BENJAMIN  GRLIBBS. 


Benjamin  Grubbs,  a  substantial  retired  farmer  and  lionored  veteran 
of  the  Civil  War,  now  living  at  North  Lewisburg,  where  he  has  resided 
since  1899,  is  a  native  of  Ohio  and  has  resided  in  this  state  all  his  life,  with 
the  exception  of  a  period  during  the  eighties  and  nineties  when  he  was 
engaged  in  farming  in  Kansas.  He  was  born  on  a  pioneer  farm  near  Last 
Liberty,  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Logan,  June  30,  1838,  son  of  Chris- 
topher and  Elizabeth  (Skidmore)  Grubbs,  both  of  whom  were  born  at 
Culpeper  Court  House,  Virginia,  and  who  had  come  to  Ohio  whh  their 
respective  parents  in  the  days  of  their  youth,  the  families  settling  in  this 
part  of  the  state,  the  Grubbses  in  Logan  county  and  the  Skidmores  in  Union 
county. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  293 

Christopher  Grubbs  was  born  at  Culpeper  on  February  19,  1804,  and 
was  but  a  child  when  his  parents,  VViUiam  Grubbs  and  wife,  also  Virginians, 
the  former  born  on  August  20,  1778,  and  the  latter,  November  21,  1778. 
came  to  this  state  in  1806  and  settled  at  Middleburg,  in  Logan  count w 
where  William  Grubbs  opened  a  tavern  and  where  he  and  his  wife  spent 
the  remainder  of  their  lives,  influential  pioneers  of  that  community.  Will- 
iam Grubbs  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  the  others' being  as 
follow:  Mary,  born  in  February,  1807;  Abraham,  December  22,  1809: 
Atlanta,  November  2,  1810;  Evelyn,  July  10,  181 2;  Levi;  Benjamin,  May  i, 
1817;  William,  February  19,  1820,  and  Rebecca  J.,  May  29,  1822.  Chris- 
topher Grubbs  grew  up  on  a  farm  and  after  his  marriage  to  Elizabeth  Skidmore 
established  his  home  on  a  farm  in  the  immediate  vincinity  of  East  Liberty, 
in  Logan  county,  but  later  moved  to  the  adjoining  county  of  Union  and 
there  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  influential  and  useful 
residents  of  the  community  in  which  they  lived,  the  latter  dying  at  the  age 
of  forty-eight  and  the  former  at  the  age  of  tifty-eight.  Christopher  Grubbs 
for  years  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  in  and  for  his  home  township  and  was 
familiarly  known  far  and  near  as  "Old  Squire  Kiffey  Grubbs."  He  was  an 
ardent  Abolitionist  and  was  a  strong  influence  throughout  this  part  of  the 
state  in  behalf  of  the  abolition  movement  during  the  days  when  that  move- 
ment began  to  have  serious  agitation  throughout  the  North.  By  religious 
persuasion  he  was  a  LTniversalist.  His  wife  was  a  member  of  the  Free  Wilt 
Baptist  church.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  of  whom  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  the  sixth  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  fol- 
low: William  S.,  a  farmer,  whose  last  days  were  spent  in  Logan  county, 
this  state;  Atwell,  a  farmer,  who  lived  in  Union  and  Logan  cotmtres;  Lydia 
-\nn,  deceased;  Atlanta,  who  died  in  Kansas;  James  Madison,  who  is  liv- 
ing at  East  Liberty,  at  the  age  of  eighty-one  years;  Thomas  S.,  a  farmer 
and  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  he  having  served  as  a  member  of  Company 
C,  Seventeenth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  who  died  at  North 
Lewisburg;  Evelyn,  who  died  in  Logan  county;  Oliver  H..  a  farmer,  li\- 
ing  at  Holton,  Kansas,  and  Christopher,  a  farmer,  of  Pottersburg.  this 
state. 

Benjamin  Grubbs  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  receiving  his  schooling 
in  the  primitive  subscription  schools  of  his  home  neighborhood  in  Union 
county  and  early  became  engaged  in  farming  on  his  own  account,  being 
thus  engaged  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  On  August  25,  1861,  at 
Middleburg,  he  enlisted  for  service  as  a  private  in  Company  C,  Seventeentli 


_X)4  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO, 

Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  the  hrst  three-year  regiment,  under 
Col.  J.  M.  Connell,  and  after  thirty  days  at  Camp  Dennison  went  to  the 
front,  the  regiment  spendirig  the  following  winter  at  Wild  Cat  Gap  and  at 
Somerset,  Kentucky,  in  the  spring  of  1862  proceeding  to  Nashville  and 
then  to  Pittsburg  Landing  to  help  General  Grant,  and  was  in  every  battle 
of  the  Middle  department,  under  Generals  Rosecrans  and  Thomas.  At  first 
the  Seventeenth  Ohio  was  equipped  with  the  old  Harper's  Ferry  muskets 
and  it  was  some  time  after  it  entered  the  service  before  it  was  properly 
armed.  Among  the  notable  engagements  participated  in  by  Mr.  Grubbs 
were  the  battles  of  Stone's  River,  Shiloh,  Missionary  Rid^e,  Jonesboro,  the 
Atlanta  campaign,  and  he  was  with  Sherman  on  the  march  to  the  sea  and 
thence  to  Washington,  D.  C,  where  he  took  part  in  the  Grand  Review 
at  the  close  of  the  war  and  received  his  discharge  in  July,  1865,  being  mus- 
tered out  with  the  rank  of  sergeant-major.  During  all  that  period  of  ser\'ice 
he  was  absent  from  the  regiment  on  sick  leave  but  thirt\    da}s. 

Upon  the  completion  of  his  militaiy  service  Mr.  Grubbs  returned  home 
and  resumed  the  pursuits  of  peace  on  the  farm.  He  married  in  1866  and 
continued  farming  in  Union  county  until  1882,  when  he  disposed  of  bis 
interests  there  and  moved  to  Kansas,  buying  a  farm  in  Jackson  county,  that 
state,  and  remaining  there  for  seventeen  years,  or  until  i899,  when  he  sold 
his  Kansas  farm  and  returned  to  Ohio,  locating  at  North  Lewisburg.  where 
he  ever  since  has  made  his  home,  now  living  comfortably  retired. 

Mr.  Grubbs  has  been  twice  married.  As  noted  abo\e,  it  was  in  1866 
that  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mary  Norvall,  of  Union  county,  who  died 
in  1880.  To  that  union  one  child  was  born,  a  daughter,  Frances  A.,  wIk^ 
died  at  the  age  of  seven  years.  On  August  ly,  1882,  Mr.  Grubbs  married, 
secondly,  Hester  Good,  who  \vas  born  at  North  Le\visburg.  this  county. 
May  25,  1843,  daughter  of  Dr.  Thomas  and  Flizabeth  (Moore)  Good,  the 
former  a  native  of  Virginia  and  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania.  Dr.  Thomas 
(Tood  was  for  years  one  of  the  best-known  physicians  in  the  northeastern 
part  of  this  county  and  had  a  wide  practice  throughout  the  North  Lewis- 
burg neighborhood.  Fie  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  four  children, 
those  besides  Mrs.  Grubbs  being  Sarah,  Clark  and  Emma.  After  the  death 
of  Doctor  Goo<l  his  widow  married  Jesse  Reems  and  to  that  union  two 
cliildren  were  born,  Harris  and  Lydia.  To  P>enjamin  and  Hester  (Good) 
Crrubbs  one  child  has  been  born,  a  son.  Clark  C.  Grubbs.  of  Dayton.  Ohio, 
a  traveling  salesman  for  Bolding  &  Company,  who  married  Inio  Waymire 
and  has  three  children.  Paul.  William  S.  and  Marv  Hester.     Pieniamin  (Grubbs 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  295 

and  wife  are  earnest  members  of  the  Methodist  church  and  have  ever  given 
proper  attention  to  local  good  works,  helpful  in  all  movements  having  to 
do  with  the  advancement  of  the  best  interests  of  their  home  town  and  of 
the  county  at  large. 


JOSEPH  C.  BUCKW ALTER. 

Joseph  C.  Buckwalter,  head  of  the  Buckwalter  Hardware  Company  at 
North  Lewisburg  and  one  of  the  most  enterprising  and  progressive  young 
merchants  of  that  thriving  village,  is  a  native  of  the  state  of  West  Virginia, 
but  has  been  a  resident  of  Ohio  since  the  days  of  his  infancy,  and  of  Cham 
paign  county  for  the  past  ten  years  or  more.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in 
Hampshire  county.  West  Virginia,  July  23.  1881,  son  of  D.  W.  and  Ellen 
L.  Buckwalter,  both  natives  of  that  same  state,  who  came  to  Ohio  in  1882 
and  located  in  Greene  county.  D.  W.  Buckwalter  was  a  farmer  and  upon 
moving  to  Greene  county  established  his  home  on  a  farm  there  and  there 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Greene  county,  Joseph  C.  Buckwalter 
received  his  schooling  in  the  public  schools  of  that  county  and  after  completing 
his  studies  became  engaged  in  farming  and  was  thus  engaged  for  several 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  left  the  farm  and  became  a  Iwokkeeper 
for  a  mercantile  firm  at  Ottawa,  in  Putnam  county.  Shortly  afterward  he 
A\as  transferred  to  a  store  cnvned  by  that  .same  firm  in  Xenia  and  after  a 
sometime  further  service  as  a  bookkeeper  there  he  went  to  Dayton,  where 
he  was  similarly  engaged  for  four  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  his 
services  were  engaged  by  the  Standard  Oil  Company  and  he  was  sent  back 
to  Ottawa,  where  he  was  employed  in  the  interests  of  that  company  for 
six  months.  He  then  came  to  Champaign  county  and  from  1906  to  1910 
was  employed  with  a  hardware  firm  at  Mechanicsburg.  It  was  in  19 10 
that  Mr.  Buckwalter  located  at  North  Lewisburg,  where  he  formed  a  part- 
nership with  G.  E.  Jordan  and  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  there, 
under  the  firm  style  of  Buckwalter  &  Jordan.  In  1914  Mr.  Jordan  retired 
from  the  firm  and  Mr.  Buckwalter  formed  a  company  and  incorporated  the 
same  as  the  Buckwalter  Hardware  Company  and  under  that  corporate  title 
has  since  continued  to  carry  on  the  hardware  business  at  North  Lewisburg 
and  has  done  very  well,  the  business  annually  assuming  greater  proportions. 
Mr.  Buckwalter's  store  occupies  two  floors  of  a  building  twenty  by  seventy- 
five  feet  in  dimensions,  with  an  ample  warehouse  for  storage  purposes  for 


2Q6  CHAMPAIGX    COUiXTY.    OHIO. 

farm  machinery  maintained  in  connection  with  the  same.  The  store  is  well 
stocked  and  the  business  is  conducted  in  accordance  with  modern  and  up-to- 
date  methods,  Mr.  Buckwalter's  long  experience  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness giving  him  exceptional  advantages  in  that  direction. 

In  1905  Joseph  C.  Buckwalter  was  united  in  marriage  to  Clara  Unken- 
holz,  daughter  of  Frederick  Unkenholz  and  wife,  and*  to  this  union  two 
children  have  been  born.  Joseph  H.  and  Frederick  C.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Buck- 
waiter  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  take  an  actiAe 
interest  in  the  various  beneficerices  of  the''  same,  Mr.  Buckwalter  being  a 
member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  church.  Politicall}'.  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican, giving  his  earnest  attention  to  local  political  affairs,  and,  fraternal]}-. 
he  is  connected  with  the  local  camp  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America, 
in  the  afifairs  of  which  he  takes  a  warm  interest. 


ASA  G.  HOPKINS. 


Asa  G.  Hopkins,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  the  proprietor  of  a 
dairy  farm  on  rural  route  No.  4  out  of  Mechanicsburg,  on  the  Urbana  pike, 
one  and  a  half  miles  northwest  of  Mechanicsburg.  in  Goshen  township,  this 
county,  is  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state  nearly  all  his  life. 
He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Union  on  Januar\- 
22,  1847,  son  of  George  and  Sarah  (Bates)  Hopkins,  the  former  a  native  of 
that  same  county  and  the  latter  a  native  of  the  neighboring  county  of  Logan. 
George  Hopkins  was  a  son  of  Benjamin  Hopkins,  a  native  of  England,  whose 
early  manhood  was  spent  as  a  sailor  and  who.  upon  his  retirement  from  the 
sea,  came  to  this  country  and  settled  in  Union  county,  this  state,  where 
he  established  his  home  and  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  (jeorgc 
Hopkins  grew  to  manhood  and  there  married  and  established  his  home, 
remaining  a  life-long  farmer.  He  and  his  wife  were-  the  parents  of  six 
children,  four  sons  and  two  daughters,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketcli 
was  the  second  in  order  of  birth. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Union  county,  Asa  G.  Hopkins  received 
his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  neighborhood  and  was  living  there  when 
the  Civil  War  broke  out.  Though  but  sixteen  years  of  age  at  that  time. 
his  heart  was  stirred  by  the  appeal  to  arms  and  he  wanted  to  go  to  the 
front,  but  had  to  wait.  Later,  however,  he  was  able  to  enlist  as  a  meml)er 
of   Company   H.    One    Hundred   and   Thirty-sixth    Regiment,    Ohio    Volun- 


HAROLD  M.  HOPKINS. 


JAMES    It.    HOPKINS 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


297 


teer  Infantry,  and  served  with  that  command  until  the  expiration  of  the 
war.  Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  he  retiu-ned  to  his  home 
in  Union  county  and  shortly  afterward  went  to  St.  Petershurg-.  Pennsylvania, 
where  for  twelve  years  he  was  engaged  in  the  oil  business.  In  the  mean- 
time, December  31,  1874,  he  married  and  not  long  afterward  bought  the 
farm  on  which  he  is  now  living,  in  Goshen  township,  this  county,  and  there 
has  made  his  home  ever  since,  he  and  his  family  being  very  comfortab]\ 
situated.  Mr.  Hopkins  has  for  years  given  particular  attention  to  the  dairv 
feature  of  his  farming  and  has  one  of  the  best-equipped  dairy  farms  in 
the  county  and  a  fine  herd  of  Jersey  cows,  the  general  management  of  which 
of  late  years  has  been  tinder  the  direction  of  his  younger  son.  Harold  M. 
Hopkins,  one  of  the  best-known  dairymen  in  this  county.  Mr.  Hopkins  is 
the  ovi^ner  of  two  hundred  and  seventeen  acres  in  the  home  farm  and  he 
and  his  son  have  an  excellent  farm  plant.  In  addition  to  his  farming  and 
dairying  interests,  Mr.  Hopkins  also  gives  considerable  attention  to  the  gen- 
eral interests  of  the  communit}-  and  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors 
of  the  Farmers  Bank  of  Mechanicsburg. 

On  December  31,  1874,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Irwin,  close  to  the  tri- 
county  line,  Asa  G.  Hopkins  was  iniited  in  marriage  to  Nettie  C.  Miller. 
\\ho  was  born  at  what  then  was  known  as  Liverpool,  in  Madison  county, 
daughter  of  James  and  Emaline  (Burnham)  Miller,  who  in  1861  moved 
from  there  to  the  vicinity  of  Irwin,  where  they  established  their  homo. 
James  Miller  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  three  of  whom  are 
still  living,  Mrs.  Hopkins  having  two  brothers,  John  B.  and  Frank  C. 
Miller,  who  are  living  on  the  old  home  place  in  the  neighborhood  of  Irwin. 
Two  sisters  died  in  childhood,  Emma  Z.  at  the  age  of  two  years  and  Clara 
E.  at  the  age  of  seven  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hopkins  have  two  sons,  James 
Roy,  born  on  INIay  17,  1877,  and  Harold  M..  the  latter  of  whom  is  unmarried 
and  is  making  his  home  on  the  old  home  place,  managing  the  dairy  and  also 
giving  his  attention  to  the  afi^airs  of  the  Home  Dairy  and  Standard  Ice 
Cream  Company,  of  which  he  is  a  stockholder  and  manager  of  the  creamery 
and  ice  plant  and  also  of  the  ice  cream  department. 

James  Roy  Hopkins,  an  instructor  in  the  \rt  Academy  ai  Cincinnati, 
has  had  a  distinguished  career  as  an  artisi  and  his  name  is  widely  known  in 
art  circles  both  in  this  country  and  in  Europe.  Following  his  graduation  from 
the  Mechanicsburg  high  school,  he  entered  Ohio  State  Univer'^ity  at  the  age 
of  nineteen  and.  after  two  years  of  attendance  there,  began  to  specialize  in 
his  art  studies  at  the  university.  I'resently  he  entered  the  Cincinnati  Art 
school  and  it  was  not  long  until  his  work  began  to  attract  s])ecial  attention. 


298  CHAMPAIGN    COUXTV,    OHIO. 

He  'later  uent  abroad  and  his  work  was  exhibited  in  both  London  and  Paris, 
the  young-  artist  thus  attaining-  international  fame.  Three  years  ago  he  was 
made  a  member  of  the  faculty  of  the  ( 'incinnati  Art  Vcadem}-  and  now  occu- 
l)ies  that  position,  one  of  the  liest-known  artists  in  that  city.  His  wife,  who 
was  .Mrs.  lulna  (  Beachbcjard  )  I>oies.  and  whom  he  met  at  Cincinnati,  also  is 
an  artist  of  international  reputation,  her  pictures  hanging-  in  some  of  the 
most  noted  art  galleries  in  the  world.  She  was  born  in  Michigan  and  her 
education  in  art  was  completed  in  Paris,  in  which  city  she  made  her  home 
ior  some  \ears.  ller  specialty  is  wood  block  printing.  They  make  their 
liome  in  Cincinnati. 

Asa  (i.  tlopkins  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  b4jisc(^pal 
church  at  Mechanicsburg  and  have  for  years  taken  an  earnest  interest  in  the 
various  beneficences  of  the  .same.  Mr.  Hopkins  being  a  member  of  the  board 
of  trustees  of  that  church.  Mr.  Hopkins  is  a  member  of  the  local  lodge  of 
the  Masons  at  Mechanicsburg.  as  is  his  son,  Harold,  and  both  he  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  Caroline  Chapter  No.  T,i).  Order  of  the  luistern  Star. 
Mrs.  Hopkins  being  ]jast  worthy  matron  of  the  same,  and  all  take  a  \varm 
interest  in  local  Alasonic  affairs,  as  w-ell  as  in  the  general  social  activities  of 
the  community  in  which  they  live,  helpful  in  promoting  all  agencies  having  to 
do  with  the  advancement  of  the  common  welfare  thereabout. 

Mr.  Hopkins  is  a  Republican  and  was  townshi|)  trustee  about  twelve 
years,  being  always  active  in  politics. 


SETH  M.  WEST 


Seth  M.  West,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Ci\il  War  and  a  well-known 
and  substantial  retired  farmer  of  Logan  county,  now  living  at  North  Lewis- 
burg,  which  has  been  his  place  of  residence  since  1S96,  is  a  native  son  of 
(Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life.  He  was  born  in  the  neighbor- 
ing county  of  Union  on.  February  16,  1844.  a  son  of  Frederick  R.  ;ind  Eliza 
(  Norvall)  West,  the  former  a  native  of  the  state  of  Massachusetts  and  the 
latter,  of  Ohio,  whose  last  days  were  spent  in   Union  county,  this  state. 

Frederick  R.  West  was  born  at  Lee,  Massachusetts,  and  there  grew-  to 
manhood,  later  coming  to  Ohio  and  settling  in  Medina  count}-,  presently 
moving  up  into  Union  county,  where  he  married  Eliza  Norvall.  a  member 
of  one  of  the  pioneer  families  of  that  county,  and  there  he  remained  for 
some  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  mo\ed  on  up  into  Logan  county. 


CHAMPAKIN     COUNTY,    OHIO.  299 

where  he  spent  his  last  days,  becoming  a  substantial  farmer.  He  was  a 
Repftibliean  and  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
church  and  their  children  were  reared  in  that  faith.  There  were  eight  of 
these  children,  namely  Henry  D.,  who  is  a  farmer  in  Kansas:  Seth  M., 
tlie  subject  of  this  biographical  sketch;  Alonzo  P.,  deceased;  William  Allen. 
of  Kings  Creek,  this  county:  David  L..  a  Kansas  farmer;  two  who  died 
in  youth,  and  Olive  L. 

Seth  Mt  West  grew  up  on  the  home  farm,  receiving  his  schooling  in 
tlie  local  schools,  and  in  September,  1861,  he  then  being  but  seventeen  years 
of  age,  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  army  during  the  continuance  of 
vlie  Civil  War,  a  member  of  Company  C.  Seventeenth  Regiment,  Ohio 
Volunteer  Infantry.  He  enlisted  at  Middleburg  and  from  Camp  Dennison 
went  with  his  regiment  to  Kentucky,  thence  to  Tennessee  and  then  on  into 
(Georgia,  where  the  command  was  attached  to  General  Thomas's  command, 
[•"ourteenth  Army  Corps.  The  first  engagement  in  wdiich  Mr.  West  par- 
ticipated was  tire  battle  of  Wild  Cat,  Kentucky,  and  in  cjuick  succession  fol- 
lowed the  battles  of  Perryville.  Jonesboro.  Hoover's  Gap,  Tennessee,  and 
then  on  into  the  thick  of  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  was  thus  serving  when, 
on  March  26,  1863,  he  received  his  discharge  on  a  physician's  certificate  of 
disability,  a  severe  attack  of  rheumatism  having  incapacitated  him  from 
further  service.  He  then  spent  the  following  summer  at  home  recuperating 
and  in  September  of  that  same  year.  1863,  re-enlisted  in  his  old  company 
and  rejoined  his  regiment,  which  later  took  part  in  the  Atlanta  campaign, 
under  General  Sherman,  and  was  with  Sherman  on  his  march  to  the  sea 
and  later  on  up  through  the  Carolinas  and  on  to  Richmond.  Mr.  West 
participated  w-ith  his  regiment  in  the  Grand  Review  at  Washington  at  the 
close  of  the  war  and  upon  being  mustered  out  returned  to  his  home  in  Ohio, 
resuming  there  his  place  on  the  farm.  He  was  married  in  the  spring  of 
1872  and  continued  farming  in  Logan  county  until  in  November,  1896,  wdien 
he  retired  from  the  farm  and  moved  to  North  Lewisburg,  where  he  since 
has  made  his  home  and  where  he  is  very  comfortably  situated.  Though 
long  retired  from  the  active  labors  of  the  farm,  Mr.  West  continues  to  retain 
a  close  personal  interest  in  farming  and  gives  considerable  ])ersonal  atten- 
tion to  Ws  well-kept  farm  up  in  Logan  county. 

Seth  M.  West  has  been  twice  married.  It  was  ()n  April  12.  1872.  in 
Logan  county,  that  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lucetta  In.skeep.  who  was 
born  in  that  county,  a  daughter  of  Joel  Inskeep  and  wife,  and  who  died 
on  March  12.  1885.  leaving  one  child,  a  son.  Marshall  C.  West,  now  an 
automobile   dealer   in    Detroit.    Michigan,    who   married    Maude    Mason    and 


300  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

has  one  child,  a  daughter,  Helen.  Sime  time  after  the  death  of  his  hist 
wife  Mr.  West  married  Anna  Waugh,  who  was  born  in  Washington  count) . 
this  state,  daughter  of  WilHam  S.  and  Rebecca  (Graham)  Waugh,  natives 
of  Pennsylvania,  who  were  married  in  that  state  and  later  came  to  Ohio, 
locating  in  Washington  count}^  where  they  remained  until  1880.  when  they 
moved  to  North  Lewisburg,  this  county,  where  they  spent  their  last  days, 
Mr.  Waugh  being  engaged  there  as  a  photographer  and  in  the  inidertaking 
business.  William  S.  Waugh  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  four  children, 
of  whom  Mrs.  West  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being 
James  G.,  Deborah    (deceased)   and  William  E.    (deceased). 

To  Seth  M.  and  Anna  (Waugh)  West  one  child  has  been  born,  a 
daughter,  Rebecca  Jane,  who  married  John  R.  Wilson,  Jr.,  and  is  living  in 
Logan  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  West  have  a  pleasant  home  in  North  Lewis- 
burg and  take  a  warm  interest  in  the  general  social  activities  of  their  home 
town.  They  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  Mr. 
West  is  a  class  leader  and  a  member  of  the  board  of  stewards  of  the  church. 
He  is  an  active  member  of  the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  RepulDlic 
and  a  member  of  King's  Lodge  No.  54,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 
in  the  affairs  of  both  of  which  organizations  he  takes  a  warm   interest. 


JAMES  RAWLINGS  TODD. 

James  Rawlings  Todd,  one  of  Champaign  county's  best-known  and  most 
substantial  retired  farmers  and  dairymen,  former  trustee  of  Union  town- 
ship and  for  years  actively  interested  in  the  public  affairs  of  the  community, 
is  a  native  son  of  this  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born 
on  a  farm  on  Pretty  Prairie,  in  Urbana  township,  March  9,  1863,  son  of 
Thomas  Mitchell  and  Mary  Martha  (Rawlings)  Todd,  the  former  of  whom 
was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  latter  of  this  county,  prominent  resi- 
dents of  the  Pretty  Prairie  neighborhood. 

Thomas  Mitchell  Todd  was  born  in  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  on 
April  17,  1827,  son  of  David  and  Sallie  Todd,  who  came  to  this  state  from 
Pennsylvania  in  1846,  locating  first  in  Warren  county  and  coming  thence, 
in  the  spring  of  1847,  to  Champaign  county  and  settling  in  Urbana  town- 
ship, where  they  established  their  home  and  where  they  spent  the  remainder 
of  their  lives.  Thomas  M.  Todd  was  twenty  years  of  age  when  he  came  to 
this  county  and  on  March  12.  1857,  ten  years  later,  he  married  Mary  Martlin 


CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY,    OIIFO.  _:;OI 

Rawlings,  who  was  born  in  Urbana  township  on  December  25.  1831,  daugli- 
ter  of  pioneer  residents  of  the  Pretty  Prairie  section.  After  his  marriage 
he  established  his  home  on  a  farm  five  miles  southeast  of  Urbana,  where  he 
developed  a  fine  piece  of  farm  property  and  where  he  and  his  wife  continued 
to  make  their  home  until  in  April,  1896,  when  they  and  their  daughter,  Alma, 
moved  to  Urbana.  There  Mrs.  Todd  died  on  December  i,  1905.  Mr.  Todd 
died  in  October,  191 1.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  of  whom 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being 
as  follow:  Susanna,  born  on  March  18,  1858,  who  died  on  December  14, 
1862;  David  Solon,  born  September  8,  i860,  who  after  years  of  successful 
farming  in  Union  township,  moved  to  Urbana,  married  Florence  Engle,  De- 
cember 24,  1884,  and  had  two  children,  Herbert  E.,  bom  on  June  29,  1886, 
and  Wilbur  M.,  born  January  6,  1890;  Alma,  born  October  9,  1864,  who  is 
now  making  her  home  in  Urbana;  Henry  William,  born  August  7,  1867,  who 
died  on  July  16,  1883;  Thomas  Rawlings,  born  March  ly,  1870,  a  well- 
known  Champaign  county  farmer,  who,  on  November  14,  1895,  married 
Laura  V.  Swinley;  Pearl  C,  born  November  18,  1872,  who  died  at  San 
Antonio,  Texas,  March  20,  1909,  leaving  a  widow,  Eveline  (Cartmell)  Todd, 
to  whom  he  was  married  on  September  16,  1902.  and  one  child,  a  daughter. 
Margaret  L.,  born  on  March  23,  1904;  the  widow  and  iier  daughter  now 
living  at  Urbana. 

James  R.  Todd  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  on  Prett\  Prairie,  a 
valued  assistant  to  his  father  and  brothers  in  the  labors  of  improving  and 
developing  the  same,  and  received  his  early  schooling  in  the  neighborhood 
schools,  supplementing  the  same  by  a  two-years'  course  in  Oberlin  College, 
after  which  he  returned  to  the  old  home  place  and  there  continued  engaged 
in  farming  for  about  three  yeai^-s,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  began  farm- 
ing on  his  own  account  and  later  became  a  landowner  in  Union  township, 
establishing  his  home  there  after  his  marriage  and  continued  farming  there, 
his  farm  being  a  part  of  the  old  Todd  farm,  and  there  continued  to  make  his 
home  until  1912,  when  he  moved  to  Urbana  township,  where  he  remained, 
operating  a  daiiy  farm,  until  in  March,  191 7,  when  he  retired  from  the  farm 
and  moved  to  Urbana,  where  he  and  his  family  are  now  living  and  where 
they  are  very  comfortably  situated.  During  Mr.  Todd's  long  residence  on 
the  farm  he  was  quite  extensively  engaged  in  the  raising  of  cattle  and  horses, 
in  connection  with  his  general  farming,  and  did  very  well  in  his  operations. 
He  is  a  stanch  Republican  and  for  twelve  years  served  as  trustee  of  Union 
township.  He  also  served  for  six  years  as  director  of  the  county  infirm- 
ary and  in  other  ways  has  given  his  personal  attention  to  local  public  affairs. 


302  CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY.    OHIO. 

It  was  on  October  6,  1892,  that  James  K.  Todd  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Kate  A.  Preston,  of  Mutual,  this  county,  who  was  born  in  Nelsonville. 
over  in  Athens  county,  this  state,  daughter  of  Dr.  H.  S.  and  Charity  (Hush- 
owa)  Preston,  who  became  residents  of  Mutual  in  1876,  where  the  Doctor 
is  still  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  Doctor  Preston  was  born 
in  Columbus,  this  state,  and  is  a  graduate  of  Sterling  Medical  College  in 
that  city.  It  was  in  March,  1876,  that  he  located  in  Mutual,  where  he  ever 
since  has  made  his  home,  engaged  in  practice  and  in  the  mercantile  business. 
He  and  his  wife  had  four  children,  those  besides  Mrs.  Todd  being  William 
(deceased),  Abba,  wife  of  Frank  Stone,  of  Springfield,  this  state,  and 
Charity,  wife  of  E.  A.  Baker,  of  Springfield. 

To  James  R.  and  Kate  A.  (Preston)  Todd  two  children  have  been  born. 
Elise  Alma,  wife  of  Harry  Carnahan,  head  chemist  for  the  Caldwell  &  Bloos 
Company,  of  Mansfield,  this  state,  and  Imogene,  who  is  at  home  with  her 
parents.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Todd  and  their  daughters  are  members  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church  and  have  ever  taken  a  warm  interest  in  church  afifairs.  as 
well  as  in  the  general  social  activities  of  the  community,  helpful  in  numerous 
ways  in  advancing  such  movements  as  are  designed  to  advance  the  common 
welfare.  Mr.  Todd  is  a  Mason  and  a  member  of  the  local  lodge  of  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  and  in  the  affairs  of  these  popular  organizations  takes 
an  active  interest. 


ALFRED  L.  YODER. 


Farming  in  the  good,  old-fashioned  way  has  been  a  good  enough  occu- 
pation for  Alfred  L.  Yoder,  of  Salem  township,  Champaign  county;  he  has 
been  at  it  since  a  boy.  He  was  born  in  Holmes  county,  Ohio,  September  8, 
1875.  He  is  a  son  of  David  J.  and  Susanna  (Garber)  Yoder,  both  natives 
of  Holmes  county,  this  state,  where  they  grew  up,  at  Wallen  Creek,  German 
township,  and  there  they  were  married  and  established  their  home  on  a  farm, 
where  they  remained  until  1892,  when  they  removed  to  Champaign  county 
and  located  on  the  place  on  which  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  now  making 
his  home.  The  father  bought  sixty  acres  in  Salem  township,  which  he  oper- 
ated until  1907,  when  he  retired  from  active  life  and  is  now  making  his  home 
among  his  children,  of  whom  there  were  five,  named  as  follow:  Joas  D., 
A.  D.,  Elizabeth,  one  died  in  infancy,  and  Alfred  L..  of  this  sketch.  David 
J.  Yoder,  the  father,  was  a  son  of  John  and  Katherine  (Miller)  Ycxler^  both 


CIIAiMl'AlGN'     COUNTY,    OHIO.  303 

natives  of  Pennsylvania,  from  which  state  they  came  to  Ohio  in  an  early  day, 
settling-  in  Holmes  county. 

Alfred  L.  Yoder,  of  this  sketch,  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm,  where 
he  worked  with  his  father  when  he  became  of  proper  age.  He  received  his 
education  in  the  rural  schools  of  Holmes  county.  He  continued  farming 
there  until  1907,  when  the  family  moved  to  Salem  township.  Champaign 
county,  at  which  time  he  began  farming  for  himself  on  the  home  place,  his 
father  retiring  at  the  time,  and  here  he  has  continued  raising  a  g-eneral  line 
of  crops  and  live  stock  of  various  gi-ades,  renting  the  land  from  his  father. 
He  makes  a  specialty  of  fattening  horses  for  the  market,  handling  about 
twenty-five  head  annually,  also  many  hogs. 

The  mother  of  Alfred  L.  Yoder  died  in  1900. 

Mr.  Yoder  was  married  in  1905  to  Elizabeth  Kenegy,  who  was  born 
in  1880.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Levi  Kenegy  and  wife,  natives  of  Logan 
county,  Ohio. 

Three  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Yoder,  namely :  Clara 
Belle,  Laura  Ellen,  and  Lavina  Catherine. 

Politically,  Mr.  Yoder  is  a  Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Mennonite 
church  at  Oak  Grove. 


TAMES    ROBINSON. 


Another  of  the  painstaking  farmers  of  Salem  township,  who  is  con- 
tented to  earn  his  bread  by  the  sweat  of  his  brow,  is  James  Robinson,  who 
was  born  in  Coshocton  county,  Ohio,  July  20,  1854.  PTe  is  a  son  of  George 
and  Lucinda  (Bailey)  Robinson,  both  natives  of  Virginia,  from  which  state 
they  moved  to  Coshocton  county,  this  state,  in  an  earl}-  day,  where  the}' 
spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  dcA^oting  their  active  days  to  general  farming. 
They  had  three  children,  namely:  Elizabeth,  who  married  Michael  Fox: 
Nannie,  who  married  L  S.  Williamson,  and  James,  of  this  sketch. 

James  Robinson  received  a  limited  education  in  the  rural  schools  of  his 
native  community,  leaving  school  when  fifteen  years  old,  and  began  life  for 
himself  as  a  farm  hand,  which  work  he  continued  until  he  came  to  Cham- 
paign county,  in  1 881,  first  renting  sixty-five  acres  in  Wayne  township,  later 
took  charge  of  the  Cowgill  farm  of  six  hundred  acres,  \\hich  he  conducted 
successfully  and  on  an  extensive  scale  for  a  period  of  thirty-one  years,  hi 
T914  he  bought  his  present  farm  of  sixty-one  acres  in  Salem  township, 
known  as  the  old  Seth  Thomas  place,  and  here  he  intends  to  niakc  his  future 


304  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

liome.  He  has  made  up-to-date  improvements  in  general  and  liis  home  is 
pleasantly  located. 

On  September  3,  1885,  Mr.  Robinson  was  married  to  Alice  Metz,  a 
native  of  Wayne  county,  Ohio,  and  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Eliza  Met/, 
who  resided  in  Champaign  county  after  the  Civil  War. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robinson  four  children  have  been  born,  namely  :  Sam- 
uel Milroay.  who  married  Mary  Breedlove,  lives  in  Wayne  township ;  George 
l^rederick,  Edith  and  Mabel,  all  three  li\'e  at  home  with  their  parents,  and 
are  unmarried. 

Politically,  Mr.  Robinson  is  a  Democrat,  but  votes  independently,  en- 
deavoring always  to  put  the  best  men  in  office,  regardless  of  their  party 
affiliations. 


ABRAHAM  L.  GLENDENNING. 

There  are  few  families  in  Champaign  count}'  better  known  or  more 
widely  represented  hereabout  than  the  Glendenning  family,  which  was  estab- 
lished in  this  county  in  1829  and  has  ever  since  been  prominently  represented 
in  the  life  of  the  C(.)unty.  James  Glendenning  was  the  founder  of  the  family 
in  Champaign  county.  He  was  a  native  of  Scotland  and  ^vas  but  two  years 
of  ;tge  when  he  came  to  this  country  with  his  parents  in  1795.  the  famih- 
settling  in  Harrison  county,  Virginia,  in  that  part  of  the  Old  Dominion  now 
comprised  within  the  bounds  of  AA'est  Virginia.  There  he  grew  to  manhood 
and  married  Marv  D.  Van  Horn,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  about  1793. 
After  his  marriage  he  continued  to  make  his  home  in  Virginia  until  1829, 
when  he  drove  through  with  his  family  to  Ohio,  arriving  at  Mechanicsburg 
in  December  of  that  year.  Not  long  afterward  he  settled  on  a  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty-five  acres  on  Brush  lake,  in  Rush  township,  this  county. 
and  there  established  his  home  and  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  living  to  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty-two.  His  wife  died  at  the  age  of  seventy.  They 
were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  a  list  of  whom  is  set  out  elsewhere  in  this 
volume,  where  extended  mention  is  made  of  the  Glendenning  family  in  this 
cdunty. 

Of  the  eight  children  born  to  James  Glendenning,  the  pioneer,  and  wife, 
W  illiam  Glendenning  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth.  He  was  born  in  Vir- 
ginia on  July  8,  J817,  and  died  at  his  home  in  this  county  on  March  2,  1897. 
All  his  life  he  was  a  farmer  and  came  to  be  the  owner  of  more  than  seven 
hundred  acres  of  l;uid.      \V'illiam  Glendenning  was  twice  married  and  by  his 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  305 

first  wife  was  the  father  of  five  children  and  by  his  second  wife,  eight,  as  set 
out  in  the  general  history  of  the  Glendennings  presented  elsewhere  in  this 
volume.  The  second  wife  of  William  Glendenning  was  Mary  Hawkins, 
who  was  born  in  the  state  of  New  Hampshire  on  January  2^,  1825,  and  who 
.survived  her  husband  more  than  six  years,  her  death  (xxurring  on  September 
16.  1903. 

Abraham  L.  Glendenning,  sixth  in  order  of  birth  of  the  eight  children 
born  to  William  and  Mary^  Ann  (HaAvkins)  Glendenning,  was  born  on  the 
old  home  farm  in  Rush  township,  this  county,  July  16,  i860,  and  there  grew 
to  manhood.  He  received  his  elementary  schooling  in  the  district  school  in 
the  neighborhood  of  his  home  and  in  1880  attended  the  Woodstock  schools. 
In  1881-82  he  attended  the  North  Lewisburg  schools  and  during  1883-84  was 
in  attendance  at  Antioch  College.  W^ith  a  view  to  taking  up  the  law  as  a 
profession,  he  then  read  law  for  fifteen  months  in  the  office  of  Lew  Johnson, 
but  later  decided  that  the  medical  profession  would  be  more  to  his  liking  and 
for  eleven  months  read  medicine  in  the  office  of  Dr.  W.  G.  Wagstaff.  Then 
turning  from  the  professions,  Mr.  Glendenning  took  up  practical  fanning 
and  has  ever  since  been  engaged  in  farming,  in  which  vocation  he  has  done 
very  well.  After  his  marriage  in  1890  he  received  from  his  father  the 
Johnson  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  two  and  one-half  miles  north 
of  Woodstock,  in  Ivush  township,  and  has  ever  since  made  his  home  there. 
Since  taking  possession  of  that  place  Mr.  Glendenning  has  made  many  sub- 
stantial improvements  on  the  same  and  has  a  fine  home  and  one  of  the  best- 
c(}uipped  farm  plants  in  the  neighborhood.  In  addition  to  his  general  farm- 
ing, Mr.  Glendenning  has  for  years  given  considerable  attention  to  dairy 
farming  and  the  raising  of  high-grade  live  stock,  being  recognized  as  one 
of  the  most  progressive  and  up-to-date  farmers  in  that  section  of  the  county. 
I'olitically,  he  is  a  Republican  and  has  ever  given  close  attention  to  local  civic 
affairs,  but  has  not  been  included  in  the  office-seeking  class. 

On  February  22.  1890.  Abraham  L.  Glendenning  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Charlotte  E.  Burnham.  who  also  was  born  in  Rush  township,  this 
county,  daughter  of  Capt.  Philo  and  Charlotte  (Perkins)  Burnham,  the 
former  of  whom  was  born  in  that  same  township  and  the  latter  in  the  state 
of  Massachusetts.  Capt.  Philo  Burnham,  who  was  a  substantial  farmer  of 
Kusb  township,  was  a  son  of  Erastus  and  Elizabeth  Burnham.  natives  of 
Massachusetts,  who  drove  through  from  that  state  and  settled  in  Champaign 
county  in  pioneer  days.  During  the  Civil  War  Captain  Burnham  commanded 
a  company  in  one  of  the  Ohio  regiments.  His  wife  originally  was  a  member 
(20a) 


306  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  Imt  later  Ijecame  a  memljer  of  the  Chris- 
tian church.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Glen- 
dennini^  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  l>irth.  the  other  being,  Annette,  who  mar- 
ried Adolphus  Horn  and  is  now  deceased :  William  P.,  for  many  years  a  well- 
known  farmer  and  grain  dealer  in  Rush  township,  who  died  in  1913;  Mary 
O.,  who  married  Janies  M.  McMahill  and  who,  as  well  as  her  husband,  is 
now  deceased,  and  the  Hon.  Phild  G.  Buniham,  a  prominent  attorney  of 
Dayton,  this  state,  who  for  some  time  represented  the  Dayton  district  in  the 
Ohio  state  Senate.  Philo  G.  P>urnham  received  his  early  schooling  in  the 
Woodstock  schools  and  later  attended  Antioch  College  and  the  law  depart- 
ment of  the  University  of  Michig'an  at  .Ann  Arbor.  For  two  years  he  taught 
school  at  Covington,  this  state,  and  then,  twenty  years  or  more  ago,  entered 
upon  the  practice  of  law  at  Dayton  and  has  ever  since  been  located  there. 
He  is  a  stanch  Republican  and  in  addition  to  serving  as  a  memljer  of  the  stale 
Senate,  has  served  as  city  solicitor  for  the  city  of  Dayton.  His  wife,  before 
her  marriage,  was  Erli  C.  Baer. 

To  Abraham  P.  and  Charlotte  \\.  (  Burnham )  (ilendcnning  one  child 
has  been  born,  a  daughter.  Martha  Mary,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  (ilendennino-  are  members  of  the  Christian  Science  church. 


TOHN  F.  LINVILLE 


The  "song  of  the  forge"  has  long  been  pleasant  in  the  ears  of  John  V. 
Linville,  retired  blacksmith  of  Kennard,  Champaign  county.  He  was  born 
in  Wayne  township,  this  county,  September  16,  1856.  He  is  a  son  of  Ellis 
and  Rachael  A.  (Middleton)  Linville.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Lancas- 
ter county,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Champaign  count \. 
Ohio.  The  father  was  brought  to  Ohio  when  three  years  old  by  his  parents. 
Solomon  and  Louise  Linville,  who  first  located  at  Springfield,  where  they 
lived  about  ten  years,  then  moved  to  Champaign  county,  locating  on  a  farm 
in  Wayne  township,  where  he  also  worked  as  a  carpenter,  following  the  two 
occupations  the  rest  of  his  life.  Ellis  Linville  grew  up  on  the  farm  and 
attended  the  common  schools  in  Champaign  and  Clark  counties.  After  lea\  - 
ing  school  he  took  up  the  carpenter's  trade  which  he  learned  under  his  father, 
also  followed  farming  in  Wayne  township,  this  county,  until  1873,  when  he 
moved  to  Salem  township  and  continued  farming,  renting  land  until  \X~(>. 
when  he  took  charge  of  the  Cowgill  farm  of  three  hundred  acres,  whioli  he 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  307 

conducted  until  1897,  when  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Ken- 
nard,  enjoying  a  good  trade,  and  continued  in  that  line  until  1910.  He  then 
sold  out  and  retired  from  active  life,  but  remained  at  Kennard  until  his 
death,  June  15,  1914.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War,  having  enlisted 
in  Company  H,  Forty-fifth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  which  he  served 
faithfully  for  nearly  three  years.  The  fact  that  he  came  home  carrying 
thirteen  bullet  marks  on  his  body  would  indicate  that  he  did  not  spend  those 
three  years  on  a  pleasure  excursion.  The  fact  is,  he  was  in  the  midst  of 
some  of  the  leading  battles  of  the  war,  and,  according  to  his  comrades  and 
officers,  was  a  brave  and  efficient  soldier.  He  was  mustered  into  the  service 
at  Camp  Chase,  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  served  with  that  command  until  he 
was  mustered  out  and  honorably  discharged.  Among  the  engagements  in 
which  he  participated  were  those  of  Resaca,  Dallac,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Pine 
Mountain  and  Lovejoy  Station.  One  of  the  first  engagements  in  which  he 
took  part  was  the  battle  of  Button  Hill,  Kentucky,  and  he  also  took  part  in 
the  pursuit  of  General  Morgan,  the  Confederate  cavalry  raider,  through 
Indiana  and  Ohio.  On  October  20,  1863,  he  w'as  at  the  battle  of  Philadel- 
phia, Tennessee,  in  which  his  regiment  lost  sixty-eight  men,  killed,  wounded 
and  missing.  Later  the  regiment  served  in  the  campaign  in  eastern  Tennes- 
see, and  on  November  15th  of  that  year  at  Holston  River,  lost  one  hundred 
and  one  men,  including  five  officers.  In  an  engagement  two  days  later. 
November  17th,  they  had  a  brisk  encounter  with  the  forces  of  General  Long- 
street.  From  Tazewell,  Tennessee,  the  regiment  went  to  Cumberland  Gap 
and  thence  to  Mt.  Sterling,  Kentucky,  and  finally  on  into  Georgia  to  take 
part  in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  was  present  at  the  siege  of  Atlanta. 

After  his  military  service  Ellis  Linville  returned  to  his  home  in  Cham- 
paign county  and  resumed  farming  and  carpentering,  but  owing  to  his  many 
wounds  he  was  never  a  robust  man  thereafter.  His  family  consisted  of  the 
following  children,  namely :  John,  of  this  sketch ;  Louise,  Sherman.  T-'annie. 
William,  Augustus,  Louis,  Margaret,  Charles  and  Edward. 

John  F.  Linville,  of  this  sketch,  grew  up  on  the  farm  in  Wayne  town- 
ship, and  he  attended  the  rural  schools.  When  a  young  man  he  took  up 
farming  and  carpentering  under  his  father,  continuing  at  these  occupations 
in  his  home  community  until  1883,  when  he  took  up  the  blacksmith's  trade, 
at  which  he  became  highly  skilled,  and  contii^ied  the  work  until  191 7,  when 
he  retired;  however,  he  still  does  a  little  wood  work.  He  was  married  in 
1879  to  Rebecca  F.  Sheppard,  a  native  of  Belmont  county,  Ohio.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  Jeremiah  and  Anna  Mary  (Ball)  Sheppard. 

Three  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Linville.  two  of  whom 


30<S  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

are  deceased;  Richard,  who  married  Ada  Clark,  Hves  in  St.  Paris,  Ohio,  and 
they  have  two  children,  Ethel  Pacola  and  Alice. 

Politically,  Mr.  Linville  is  a  Republican,  and  he  l)elont>-s  to  the  Friends 
church. 


JOHN  M.  TRITT 


John  M.  Tritt,  a  well-known  hardware  enipknee  of  Xorth  Lewishurg. 
this  county,  member  of  the  Buckwalter  Hardware  Company,  former  marshal 
of  that  vilage  and  whoe  wife  is  postmistress  there,  is  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and 
has  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life,  a  resident  of  Champaign  county  since  he 
was  twenty-two  years  of  age.  He  was  born  in  Scioto  county  on  November 
7,  1 861,  son  of  Jacob  and  Margaret  (Rickey)  Tritt,  also  natives  of  this 
state,  the  former  born  in  Columbiana  county  and  the  latter  in  Scioto  county. 

Jacob  Tritt  was  a  son  of  Joshua  Tritt  and  wife,  the  latter  of  whom  was 
a  Deselom.  Joshua  Tritt  also  was  born  in  Columbiana  county,  this  state, 
and  lived  there  all  his  life,  a  substantial  farmer.  He  and  his  wife  were  the 
parents  of  nine  children,  those  besides  Jacob  having  been  John,  Joseph,  Daniel, 
Elizabeth.  Mary,  Esther,  Lucy  and  Matilda.  At  the  age  of  twelve  years 
Jacob  Tritt  went  to  Scioto  county  and  there  grew  to  manhood,  becoming  a 
carpenter  and  farmer.  There  he  married  Margaret  Rickc}".  \\ho  was  born  in 
that  county,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Mary  (Beck)  Rickey,  early  settlers  of 
that  county,  whose  last  days  were  spent  there.  Mrs.  Margaret  Tritt  died 
in  Scioto  county  in  1879,  at  the  age  of  thirty-nine  years,  leaving  six  chil- 
dren, of  whom  the  stibject  of  this  sketch  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth, 
the  others  being  as  follow :  James,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-eight ; 
Ivachael,  who  married  Edward  McGowan  and  lives  in  West  Virginia;  Isaac, 
who  is  a  land  dealer  at  Spokane,  Washington ;  Phoebe,  who  married  Edward 
Mault  and  also  lives  at  Spokane,  and  Margaret,  who  died  unmarried.  Some 
time  after  the  death  of  his  first  wife  Jacob  Tritt  married  Elizabeth  Braine  and 
continued  to  make  his  home  in  Scioto  county  until  1897.  when  he  moved 
to  Spokane,  VV^ashington,  where  he  died  on  October  19.  1915,  and  where 
his  widow  is  still  living.  Jacob  Tritt  was  a  Democrat  in  his  political  atifilia- 
tion  and  by  religious  persuasion  was  a  Methodist. 

John  M.  Tritt  received  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  his  home  county 
and  remained  at  home  there  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  ago,  when 
he  came  up  into  Champaign  county  and  began  farming  in  the  neighlx)rhood 
of  Woodstock,  in  Rush  township,  continuing  thus  engaged  until  1897,  when 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  :^0<> 

he  became  employed  in  the  hardware  business  at  North  Lewisburg",  in  that 
same  township,  in  association  with  Creviston  &  Dominy,  and  later,  with 
Buckwalter  &  Jordan.  By  reason  of  a  reorganization  of  this  latter  concern 
the  firm  name  later  became  the  Buckwalter  Hardware  Company  and  Mr. 
Tritt  has  been  a  stockholder  in  the  same  for  the  past  three  years  or  more. 
Ever  since  locating  at  North  Lewisburg  he  has  given  his  earnest  attention 
to  the  general  business  affairs  of  that  thriving  little  city.  Mr.  Tritt  is  a 
Democrat  and  served  for  one  year  as  marshal  of  North  Lewisburg.  While 
thus  sen'ing  he  was  shot  by  a  yeggman  who  had  broken  into  the  postoffice 
on  the  night  of  November  i6,  1908,  and  received  a  bullet  wound  in  the 
left  knee  which  incapacitated  him  for  more  than  two  years. 

On  November  27,  1903,  at  North  Lewisburg,  John  M.  Tritt  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Elizabeth  L.  D.  Inskeep,  who  was  born  in  that  village,  a 
daughter  of  Isaiah  G.  and  Rachel  (Tallman)  Inskeep,  lx)th  of  whom  were 
born  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Logan.  Isaiah  G.  Inskeep  was  an  honored 
veteran  of  the  Ci\^il  War,  having  gone  to  the  front  as  a  member  of  Compan\' 
C,  Seventeenth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  with  which  command 
he  served  as  corporal  until  the  fall  of  1862,  being  discharged  on  account  of 
disability  incurred  by  reason  of  a  severe  attack  of  measles  suffered  while  in 
the  service.  lie  re-enlisted  September  26,  1863,  and  served  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  At  the  time  of  his  discharge  he  was  first  corporal  of  his  com- 
pany. Mr.  Inskeep  was  for  some  time  the  proprietor  of  a  general  store 
in  Logan  county  and  later  became  engaged  in  the  saw-mill  business  and 
became  a  building  contractor,  many  years  ago  taking  up  his  residence  at 
North  Lewisburg,  where  he  li\ed  for  forty  years,  his  death  occurring  in 
191 5,  he  then  being  eighty  years  of  age.  His  widow  is  still  living  there. 
Isaiah  G.  Inseep  was  a  Republican  and  was  for  Acars  an  active  meml^er  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  F"ellows  and  local  post  of  the  Grand  Arm\' 
of  the  Republic,  in  the  affairs  of  which  patriotic  organization  he  took  a 
warm  interest.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  of  whom 
Mrs.  Tritt  was  the  last  born,  the  others  being  as  follow  :  Ella,  who  married 
Michael  Dehaven  and  is  now  deceased;  Thomas,  who  died  in  infancy;  Charles, 
who  also  died  in  infancy ;  Clyde,  who  died  as  an  infant,  and  Anna,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years. 

In  1909  Mrs.  Tritt  was  appointed  postmistress  of  North  Lewisljurg, 
under  civil  service,  and  has  since  been  sending  in  that  important  public 
capacity.  She  grew  up  at  North  Lewisburg  and  upon  completing  the  course 
in  the  high  school  at  that  place  took  a  supplementary  ccjurse  in  the  college 
at  Ada  and  for  four  years  thereafter  was  engaged  in  teaching  school,  teach- 


310  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

ing  two  years  at  Mingo  and  two  years  in  her  home  town.  She  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  local  branch  of  the  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union.  Mr. 
Tritt  is  a  Democrat  and  takes  an  active  part  in  local  political  affairs.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  takes  a  warm 
interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  same. 


I  JOHN  HENRY  ELSEN  DIMOND. 

John  Henry  Elsen  Dimond,  a  well-to-do  retired  carriage  manufacturer 
and  landowner,  of  Urbana,  former  member  of  the  city  council  and  for 
years  one  of  the  most  active  figures  in  the  business  life  of  that  city,  is  a 
native  of  England,  but  has  lived  on  this  side  of  the  water  since  he  was 
fourteen  years  of  age  and  has  been  a  resident  of  Urbana  since  the  year 
1872.  He  was  born  in  the  town  of  Chudleigh,  in  Devonshire,  son  of  Samuel 
and  Ann  W.  (Elsen)  Dimond,  also  natives  of  that  place,  who  spent  all  their 
lives  there.  Samuel  Dimond,  who  was  the  overseer  of  a  large  estate,  died 
at  the  age  of  forty-two  years.  His  widow  married  William  Chaft'e  and 
lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  eighty  years.  By  her  first  marriage  she  was 
the  mother  of  eight  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the 
last-born,  the  others  being  as  follow :  William,  who  is  a  farmer  in  Canada ; 
Mary  Ann,  who  died  in  England ;  Eliza,  who  also  died  in  England ;  Jack- 
son, who  as  a  boy  joined  the  British  navy,  in  1850  joined  the  new  Argo- 
nauts in  the  search  for  gold  in  California,  made  and  lost  several  fortunes 
in  the  West  and  is  now  in  a  Lutheran  home  on  Puget  Sound;  Elizabeth, 
who  died  in  1916;  Samuel  R.,  who  served  in  the  British  army  and  is  now 
living  retired  at  Manitoba,  Canada,  and  Fannie,  who  married  \\'illiam  Chaft'e 
and  is  living  in  Canada. 

John  H.  E.  Dimond  received  his  early  schooling  in  his  native  town 
of  Chudleigli  and  in  1863,  he  then  being  fourteen  years  of  age,  crossed  the 
Avater  and  joined  his  elder  brother  at  Mitchell,  Canada,  where  he  completed 
his  schooling  in  a  night  school  and  where  he  lived  until  1868,  learning 
there  the  rudiments  of  the  carriage-making  trade.  In  the  year  last  named, 
he  then  being  nineteen  years  of  age,  he  went  to  Detroit,  Michigan,  and  in 
that  city  worked  at  his  trade  until  1871,  in  which  year  he  went  to  Chicago 
and  was  there  engaged  working  at  his  trade  for  a  year,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  he  went  to  Indianapolis  and  after  a  short  stay  there,  in  1872.  lie  came 
over  into  Ohio  and  located  at  Urbana,  where  he  ever  since  has  made  his 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  3II 

home.  Upon  Mr.  Dimoncl's  arrixal  in  Urbana  he  secured  employment  in 
the  carriage  factory  of  Warren  &  Gaumer  and  was  for  four  years  engaged 
in  that  establishment.  He  then  transferred  his  services  to  the  like  estab- 
lishment of  Auginbauch  &  ^IcComb  and  remained  thus  connected  for  four 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  bought  a  carriage  factory  on  South  Main 
street,  later  erected  there  a  three-story  brick  factory  building  and  was  there 
engaged  in  business  on  his  own  account  for  twenty-eight  years,  or  until  he 
rented  his  factory  in  1916  and  retired  from  active  business.  During  all,  the 
years  of  his  connection  with  the  carriage  manufacturing  business  MrjjDimond 
made  a  point  of  the  strictly  hand-made  character  of  his  output  and  his 
buggies  and  carriages  thus  came  to  have  a  distinctive  character  and  qualit}' 
which  strongly  recommended  them  to  the  trade  and  he  built  up  an  extensive 
market  for  the  output  of  his  factory,  becoming  one  of  the  best-known  car- 
riage manufacturers  in  Ohio. 

From  the  time  he  arrived  in  Urbana  in  1872  Mr.  Dimond  has  taken  a 
warm  interest  in  local  affairs  and  as  his  business  interests  there  began  to 
expand,  took  a  gradually  increasing  interest  in  the  development  of  the  city's 
industrial  and  commercial  life,  until  he  presently  came  to  be  accounted  one 
of  the  most  active  and  influential  figures  in  the  business  life  of  the  com- 
munity. When  the  telephone  became  a  practical  adjunct  to  business  and 
social  intercourse,  he  took  an  active  part  in  the  organization  of  the  local 
telephone  company,  helped  to  establish  the  plant  and  has  been  a  member  of 
the  board  of  directors  of  the  local  telephone  company  and  chairman  of  the 
e.Kecutive  committee  of  the  same  ever  since  the  company  was  organized. 
He  also  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Champaign  National  Bank  of  Urbana  and 
the  National  Bank  of  Urbana.  a  stockholder  in  the  Howard  Paper  Com- 
])any.  the  owner  (^f  a  fine  farm  of  two  hundred  and  twenty-seven  acres 
south  of  Urbana  and  has  other  important  interests.  Mr.  Dimond  is  a 
Ivepublican  and  for  fifteen  years  sensed  as  trustee  of  Urbana  township.  He 
also  gave  valuable  service  to  the  public  as  a  member  of  the  Urbana  city 
council  and  was  for  some  time  chairman  of  the  finance  committee  of  that 
])ody.  In  all  movements  having  as  their  object  the  betterment  of  local  con- 
ditions he  has  contributed  of  his  time  and  influence  and  for  some  time  served 
as  the  president  of  the  local  health  league  organized  for  the  purpose  of 
ameliorating  the  living  conditions  of  the  poor. 

On  November  30,  1875.  about  three  years  after  taking  u])  his  residence 
in  Urbana.  John  H.  E.  Dimond  was  united  in  marriage  to  Su.san  A.  Dill- 
inger,  who  was  born  in  Westmoreland  county.  Pennsyhania.  daughter  of 
Joseph  M.  and  Catherine  Dillinger.  natives  of  that  same  county,  who  came 


312  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

()ver  into  Ohio,  lirst  settling-  in  Hancock  county  and  in  1861  coming  t«»' 
'  "hanipaign  county,  where  they  established  their  home.  Mrs.  Dimond  died 
on  -April  24.  1QI7.  Joseph  M.  Dillinger  was  a  carpenter  and  farmer  and 
his  last  davs  were  spent  in  this  county.  His  widow  later  moved  to  Spring- 
field, this  state,  where  her  last  days  were  spent.  They  were  the  parents  of 
six  children,  of  whom  Isabel,  of  Springfield,  is  the  only  survivor,  the  others 
having  been  Nathan.  Mary,  Kittie  and  Martha.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dimond 
had  one  son.  William  E.  Dimond.  who  formerly  was  engaged  in  the  car- 
riage manufacturing  business  with  his  father,  acting  as  a  salesman,  and  who 
is  now  engaged  in  the  live-stock  business  at  Urbana.  William  E.  Dimond 
married  Geneva  Lohr  and  has  three  children,  Lee  E.,  Richard  D.  and  \^'ill- 
iam  E.  The  Dimonds  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church,  of  the  l>oard  of 
trustees  of  which  Mr.  Dimond  has  for  years  lieen  a  member,  and  is  now 
president  of  the  board  and  chairman  of  the  building  committee.  He  is  a 
thirty-second  degree  Mason,  affiliated  with  the  blue  lodge  (Gbampaign 
Eodg^e  No.  525)  at  Urbana  and  with  the  consistory.  Ancient  Accepted  Scot- 
tish Rite,  at  Dayton.  He  also  is  affiliated  with  the  Independent  Order  of 
C^dd  Fellows  and  is  a  past  nolile  grand  of  the  lodge  of  that  order  at  Urbana. 


Wn.LIAM  REYNOLDS  ROSS. 

The  late  William  Reynolds  Ross,  who  was  an  honored  veteran  of  the 
Civil  \^  ar  and  for  years  vice-president  of  the  Champaign  National  Bank  of 
Urbana,  was  born  at  Urbana  and  lived  there  all  his  life,  with  the  exception 
of  the  period  spent  during  his  service  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union  and  a  short 
time  thereafter,  when  he  was  employed  in  a  bank  at  Nashville,  Tennessee, 
lie  was  born  on  Mav  7,  1841,  son  of  Philander  B.  and  Jane  (Reynolds) 
Ivoss.  who  were  the  ]:)arents  of  two  children. 

Philander  Ross  was  but  a  youth  when  he  came  to  Champaign  county 
with  liis  parents  and  for  a  time  after  coming  here  he  lived  on  a  farm,  but 
presently  moved  to  Urbana.  where  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business, 
one  of  the  early  merchants  of  that  city,  and  followed  a  highly  successful 
business  career  the  rest  of  his  life  there,  lie  t(iok  a  very  active  part  in  the 
general  business  affairs  of  the  city  and  was  for  years  one  of  the  most  influen- 
tial men  in  this  county,  long  serving  as  president  of  the  Champaign  National 
Rank,      lie  was  twice  married,  his  .second  wife  having  been  Julia  Slater. 

I\e;ircd  ;it  L'Hiana,  William  R.  Ross  received  his  schooling  in  the  schools 


WILLIAM  R.   ROSS. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  313 

of  that  city  and  was  clerking  in  his  father's  store  there  at  the  time  the  Civil 
War  liroke  out.  He  enlisted  for  serxice  as  a  member  of  Company  K,  Sixty- 
sixth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volimteer  Infantry,  and  with  that  command  served 
for  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  w^as  discharged  on  a  physician's 
certificate  of  physical  disability.  During  the  period  of  his  service  wath  the 
Sixty-sixth  Ohio  Mr.  Ross  participated  in  numerous  of  the  most  important 
battles  <:)f  the  w^ar  and  also  served  for  some  time  in  the  commissary  depart- 
ment. Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  he  returned  hoine,  but 
shorily  thereafter  went  to  Nashville,  Tennessee,  where  for  a  short  time  he 
was  em])loyed  in  a  bank  there,  presently  returning  to  Urbana  to  take  a  posi- 
tion in  the  Champaign  National  Bank,  of  which  his  father  at  that  time  wms 
the  president.  With  that  sound  old  financial  institution  Air.  Ross  remained 
connected  the  remainder  of  his  life,  gradually  rising  from  a  clerkship  to 
the  position  of  vice-president  of  the  l)ank,  a  position  he  held  for  years  and 
which  he  w^as  holding  at  the  time  of  his  death,  on  December  23,  1915,  long" 
hax'ing  been  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  substantial  and  influential  bankers 
and  general  business  men  in  this  part  of  the  state.  Air.  Ross  was  a  Repub- 
lican and  ever  took  a  good  citizen's  interest  in  local  political  altairs,  but  was 
never  a  seeker  after  public  office. 

^^'illiam  R.  Ross  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife  having  been  Margaret 
WeWt  Brand,  daughter  of  J.  C.  Brand,  of  Urbana,  further  and  fitting  men- 
tion of  wh<MU  is  made  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  To  that  union  one  child 
was  born,  a  son,  John  R.  Ross.  Some  time  following  the  death  of  his  first 
wife  Mr.  Ross  married  Ella  Taylor,  daughter  of  William  S.  and  Mary  (Hick- 
man) Taylor,  who  became  residents  of  Champaign  county  about  1830.  Both 
W'illiam  S.  Taylor  and  his  wife  were  born  in  Shepardstown,  \'irginia  (now 
in  West  \'irginia),  and  were  married  there,  -\bout  1830  they  came  o\er 
into  Ohio  and  settled  on  a  farm  on  Buck  creek,  in  this  count)-,  where  they 
remained  until  1853,  when  they  left  the  farm  and  moved  t(^  Crbana,  where 
both  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  Mr.  Taylor  dying  in  1858  and  his 
widow  surviving  until  1871.  They  were  the  parents  of  live  children,  of 
whom  Mrs.  Ross  is  now  the  only  survivor.  The  other  children  were  Lucian. 
Virginia,  Lee  and  Jane.  Mrs.  Ross  is  a  member  of  the  Grace  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  and  has  for  many  years  taken  an  active  interest  in  its  affairs. 
She  is  also  interested  in  the  general  social  activity-  of  her  town  and  has  always 
helped  to  promote  such  agencies  as  were  designed  to  advance  the  general 
welfare  of  the  community  in  which  she  has  spent  practicalh  ;dl  her  life. 

A  concluding  word  should  be  saitl  regarding  the  attitude  of  William  R. 
Ross  toward  his  fellow  citizens,      lie  was  one  of  those  men  who  stood  square 


314  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

(lu  every  proposition  and  never  achanced  an  opinion  without  carefully  weigh- 
ing what  he  had  to  say.  He  was  one  of  the  most  respected  and  at  the  same 
time  one  of  the  most  public-spirited  men  of  the  county.  A\'hether  he  was  on 
the  street,  in  a  business  affair,  or  in  the  church— it  mattered  not;  his  conduct 
was  always  the  same.  If  there  was  a  proposition,  which  looked  doubtful  to 
him  he  had  nothing  to  do  with  it.  In  other  words  he  tried  to  make  his  every- 
day life  square  with  what  he  preached.  He  was  an  active  worked  in  Grace 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  for  over  forty  years  was  a  member  of  its 
offickU  board.  -  I'"or  twenty  years  of  this  time  he  was  superintendent  of  the 
.Sunday  school.  Thus,  taking  e\erything  into  consideration,  William  R. 
i\oss  may  be  set  down  as  one  of  Champaign  coutUy's  truly  emineiU  citizens. 


GEORGE  JORDAN. 


George  Jordan,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  former  recorder 
of  the  neighboring  county  of  Union,  but  for  the  past  ten  years  or  more 
engaged  in  the  grain,  coal  and  hay  business  at  North  LewMsburg,  this  county, 
head  of  the  firm  of  Jordan  &  Sons,  and  owner  of  the  grain  elevator  at  that 
place,  is  a  native  of  Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life.  He  was 
bom  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Union  March  14,  1844,  son  of  William 
and  Nancy  (Westlake)  Jordan,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Scotland 
and  the  latter  in  this  state. 

William  Jordan  was  well  grown  when  he  left  his  native  Scotland  and 
came  to  this  country.  For  a  time  after  his  arrival  here  he  was  located  in 
New  York  state  and  then  he  came  to  Ohio  and  located  in  Union  coimtw 
where  he  presently  married  and  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  liis  life, 
following  his  vocation  of  stonemason,  a  trade  he  had  learned  in  his  youth 
before  coming  to  this  country.  His  widow  survived  him  for  some  years, 
her  last  days  being  spent  in  the  home  of  her  son,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
at  North  Lewisburg.  William  Jordan  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  their  children  were  reared  in  that  faith. 
There  were  nine  of  these  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
the  last-born,  the  others  being  as  follow :  Samuel,  noAv  deceased,  who  was 
a  farmer  in  Union  county ;  John,  who  went  to  California  in  the  days  of 
the  gold  ritsh  and  there  died;  William,  now  deceased,  who  served  as  a 
soldier  of  the  Union  during  the  Civil  War,  a  member  of  Company  C,  Se\- 
enteenth  Regiment.  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantrv.  witli  which  he  served  for  four 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  3I5 

years,  and  was  later  successfully  engaged  in  farming  in  L'nion  and  Cham- 
paign counties;  Isaiah,  deceased;  Mary  A.,  who  married  Calbert  Bergen- 
tine  and  who,  as  well  as  her  husband,  is  dead ;  Elizabeth,  who  married  John 
Corbett,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  a  member  of  Company  C,  Seventeentli 
Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry;  Christine,  who  married  Joel  Burrows 
and  who,  as  well  as  her  husband,  is  dead,  and  Nancy  Jane,  now  deceased, 
who  was  the  wife  of  Adam  Wilford,  a  carpenter. 

George  Jordan  supplemented  the  schooling  he  received  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  home  county  by  a  course  in  a  commercial  college  at  Columbus 
and  in  March,  1862,  just  after  passing  his  eighteenth  birthday,  enlisted  for 
service  in  the  Union  army  and  went  to  the  front  as  a  private  in  Company  C. 
Seventeenth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  being  sent  to  Spring  Hill, 
Tennessee.  The  month  after  his  enlistment  he  took  part  in  the  battle  of 
Shiloh  and  was  in  the  later  battles  at  Corinth.  Mississippi ;  Perryville,  Ken- 
tucky; Hoover's  Gap,  Stone's  River  and  Chickamauga.  In  the  latter  battle, 
September  20,  1863,  Mr.  Jordan  was  shot  through  the  left  forearm,  just 
below  the  elbow,  the  bullet  making  a  very  aggravated  wound.  Crude  first- 
aid  attention  was  given  the  wound  when  Mr.  Jordan  was  taken  back  to 
the  field  hospital  and  he  then  was  taken  in  a  government  wagon  across  the 
mountains  to  a  railway  station  and  thence  by  rail  to  Nashville,  where  he 
was  placed  in  government  hospital  No.  19,  it  being  nine  days  after  receiv- 
ing his  wound  before  it  was  given  proper  medical  and  surgical  attention. 
For  about  five  weeks  thereafter  Mr.  Jordan  was  confined  in  the  hospital 
and  he  then  was  furloughed  home  on  convalescent  leave.  Upon  the  termi- 
nation of  his  furlough  he  reported  at  Camp  Denison  and  after  about  two 
months  there  received  his  final  discharge  and  returned  home. 

Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  Mr.  Jordan  engaged  in 
farming  in  Union  county  and  after  his  marriage  in  the  fall  of  1865  estab- 
lished his  home  on  a  farm  there,  remaining  engaged  in  farming  there  for 
twenty  years,  or  until  his  election  to  the  oflice  of  recorder  of  Union  count}-. 
He  served  six  years  in  that  office  and  upon  the  completion  of  his  term  of 
public  service  came  over  into  Champaign  county,  in  1906,  and  located  at 
North  Lewisburg,  where  he  since  has  been  engaged  in  the  grain,  hay  and 
coal  business,  owner  of  the  grain  elevator  at  that  place,  doing  business  under 
the  firm  name  of  Jordan  &  Sons,  three  of  his  sons  being  engaged  in  busi- 
ness with  him,  and  is  doing  a  fine  business. 

It  was  in  November,  1865.  in  Union  county,  that  George  Jordan  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Nancy  C.  Holycross,  of  that  county,  and  to  this  tmion 
four  children  have  been  born,   namely:     Delmar  N.,   who   married   Clara 


3l6  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

Brown  and  is  now  living  at  Marysville;  Samuel  W'.,  who  married  Edith 
Ballinger  and  is  engaged  in  business  with  his  father;  Frank  A.,  who  mar- 
ried Gertrude  Ballinger  and  is  also  in  business  with  his  father,  and  William 
F..  who  married  Lulu  Gray  and  is  in  business  with  his  father  and  brothers. 
Samuel  A.  and  Frank  A.  Jordan  are  members  of  the  local  lodge  of  the 
Knights  of  Pythias  at  North  Lewisburg  and  William  F.  Jordan  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  The 
Jordans  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  take  a  proper 
part  in  church  work,  as  well  as  in  the  general  good  works  of  the  community 
and  the  general  social  activities  of  their  home  town,  helpful  in  promoting 
all  proper  agencies  for  the  advancement  of  the  common  welfare  thereabout. 
Mr.  Jordan  is  an  active  member  of  John  Burney  Post  No.  193,  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  at  North  Lewisburg.  and  has  held  various  offices  in 
that  patriotic  organization.  He  is  an  excellent  business  man  and  has  done 
much  to  promote  the  general  business  activities  of  the  town  since  taking  up 
his  residence  there  in   1906. 


CxEORGF  McCOX X  IvLL. 


George  ^NlcConnell.  .president  of  the  Desmond-Stephan  Manufacturing 
C'ompanv.  of  L'rliana.  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Citizens" 
X'^ational  Bank  of  that  city,  former  secretary  of  the  I'rbana  WaterwcM'ks 
Company,  and  in  other  ways  interested  in  the  general  business  and  imlus- 
trial  life  <.){  his  home  city,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived 
here  all  l-iis  life.  He  was  born  on  January  i,  1875,  son  and  only  child  of 
.Major  Tiiomas  and  Margaret  (McDonald)  McConnell,  both  of  whom  were 
horn  in  this  state  and  the  latter  of  whom  is  still  living  at  Urbana. 

The  late  Major  Thomas  McConnell.  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Ci\il 
War,  was  a  native  of  Warren  county,  born  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of 
Lebanon  on  January  18,  1839.  son  of  James  M.  and  Eleanor  (Murray) 
McConnell.  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Berks  count}-.  Pennsylvania,  of  Scot- 
tish descent,  and  who  came  to  Ohio  .shortly  after  their  marriage  and  settled 
in  U'arron  county,  later  removing  to  Chaiupaign  county,  where  they  settled 
on  a  farm  and  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  The\-  were 
the  ])arents  of  eight  children,  of  whom  the  Major  was  the  second  in  order  of 
birth.  'I'lic  latter  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  this  county  and  recei\ed 
his  sciiooling  in  tlic  local  sclvx^ls.      L'i)on  tlic  outbreak  of  the  Ci\il   Wai"  lie 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  3IJ 

responded  to  President  Lincoln's  first  call  for  troops  in  April.  iSOi,  and  went 
to  the  front  as  a  private  in  Company  K.  Thirteenth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  with  which  command  he  served  until  the  end  of  his  initial 
term  of  enlistment,  after  which,  in  1862,  he  re-enlisted  for  service  an.d 
returned  to  the  front  as  first  lieutenant  of  Company  A,  Sixty-sixth  Regi- 
ment, Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  later  heing  promoted  to  the  captaincv  of  liis 
company  and  then  to  major  of  the  regiment,  with  which  rank  he  was  mus- 
tered out  at  the  close  of  the  war,  receiving  his  honorable  discharge  on  July 
15,  1865.  During  his  long  service.  Major  McConnell  participated  in  some 
of  the  most  important  engagements  of  the  war.  He  was  in  charge  of  his 
coiumand  at  the  battle  of  Lookout  [Mountain  and  served  all  through  the 
Atlanta  campaign.  At  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville  he  received  a  serious 
wound  and  for  some  time  thei'eafter  was  confined  to  the  hospital.  Upon  the 
completion  of  his  mihtary  service,  Alajor  McConnell  returned  home  and  in 
1868  was  elected  sheriff  of  Champaign  county.  After  four  years  of  ser\ice 
in  that  important  capacity  he  engaged  in  the  livery  business  at  Urbana  and 
was  thus  engaged  the  rest  of  his  life,  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  pro- 
gressive citizens  of  that  place.  The  Major  was  an  active  member  of  the 
local  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  of  the  local  lodge  of  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  in  the  affairs  of  both  of  those  organ- 
izations took  a  warm  interest.  Major  McConnell  died  at  his  home  in 
Urbana  on  September  30,  1901.  His  widow  is  still  living  at  Urbana.  She 
was  born  in  this  county  on  January  26.  1843,  ^largaret  McDonald,  daugh- 
ter of  Colin  and  Nancy  (McColloch)  McDonald,  also  natives  of  this  state, 
the  former  born  in  Ross  county  and  the  latter  in  Logan  county,  and  was 
married  to  ALajor  McConnell  on  June  2S,  1866.  To  that  union  but  one  child 
\\as  born,  a  son,  George  McConnell,  subject  of  this  biographical  sketch. 

George  McConnell  was  reared  at  Urbana  and  upon  completing  the 
course  in  the  schools  of  that  city  took  a  further  course  in  Urbana  Univer- 
sity, after  which  he  entered  the  Eastman  Business  College  at  Poughkeepsie. 
Xew  York.  In  1898,  he  was  made  secretary  of  the  Urbana  Waterworks 
Company,  and  for  about  four  years  thereafter  was  manager  of  the  water- 
works plant.  He  then  became  manager  of  the  Mammoth  Inn-iiishing  Com- 
pany and  was  thus  engaged  for  three  years,  at  the  end  of  whicli  time,  in 
1907,  he  bought  the  plant  of  the  Desmond-Stephan  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany and  has  been  president  of  that  company  and  manager  of  the  manufac- 
turing plant  contrc>lled  bv  the  same  ever  since,  long  having  been  regarded 
as  one  of  the  leading  manufacturers  and  business  men  of  Urbana.  In  addi- 
tion  to  his   manufacturing   interests,    Mr.    McConnell   has   other    important 


3l8  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

connections  in  Urbana.  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Citi- 
zens' National  Bank  of  that  city,  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  tlie 
Urbana  Canning  Company  and  a  director  of  the  Mammoth  Furnishing- 
Company,  and  a  director  of  the  Perpetual  Building  and  Savings  Associa- 
tion, to  the  at^airs  of  all  of  which  concerns  he  gives  his  earnest  personal 
attention.  Mr.  McConnell  is  an  ardent  Republican,  as  was  his  father,  and 
has  ever  taken  an  active  interest  in  local  political  affairs,  but  has  not  been  a 
seeker  after  public  office. 

In  May,  1900,  George  McConnell  was  united  in  marriage  to  Ida  M. 
Stone,  of  Urbana,  daughter  of  S.  L.  P.  and  Julia  (Geiger)  Stone,  and  to 
this  union  two  children  have  been  born,  a  son  and  a  daughter,  Robert  and 
Margaret  Frances.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McConnell  are  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian church,  in  the  various  beneficences  of  which  they  take  an  active  inter- 
est, Mr.  McConnell  being  one  of  the  deacons  of  the  local  congregation.  He 
is  a  Knight  Templar  and  Royal  Arch  Mason,  president  of  the  board  of 
trustees  of  the  Urbana  Masonic  Temple  Association,  and  is  a  noble  of  the 
Ancient  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  ai^filiated  with  Antioch  Tem- 
l)le  at  Dayton,  and  has  for  years  taken  a  warm  interest  in  Masonic  affairs. 


ITTAH  S.  MILLER. 


Utah  S.  Miller,  one  of  Salem  township's  most  progressive  and  substan- 
tial farmers,  was  born  on  the  farm  in  that  township  on  which  he  now  li\es 
and  which  he  owns,  and  which  was  owned  in  turn  by  his  grandfather  and 
his  father,  and  has  lived  there  all  his  life,  one  of  the  best-known  residents 
of  that  part  of  the  county.  He  was  born  on  April  23,  1861,  a  son  of  Josepli 
and  Fannie  ( Herr)  Miller,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia  and  the  latter 
of  Pennsylvania,  for  many  years  prominent  residents  of  the  Kings  Creek 
neighborhood  and  the  latter  of  whom  is  still  living,  now  a  resident  of  Urbana. 

Joseph  Miller  was  born  in  Page  county,  Virginia.  March  2,  1S22,  and 
when  a  young  man  came  to  Ohio  and  helped  in  the  construction  work  at 
the  time  of  the  building  of  the  Sandusky  division  of  the  Big  Four  railroad. 
In  Salem  township,  this  county,  he  married  Fannie  Herr.  who  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania  in  1832,  daughter  of  Abraham  and  Fannie  Herr,  also  natives 
of  Pennsylvania,  who  came  to  this  county  in  the  early  forties  and  settled 
on  a  farm  on  the  state  road  in  Salem  township,  four  miles  north  of  Urbana, 
where  they  established  their  liome  and  where  they   spent  the  remainder  of 


CHAMPAIGN    COUXTY.    OHIO.  ^IQ 

their  lives.  Abraham  Herr  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  seven  cliildren,  those 
besides  Mrs.  Miller  having  been  Abraham,  David.  Benjamin.  Jacob,  Eliza- 
beth and  Barbara.  After  his  marriage  Joseph  Miller  located  on  the  William 
Long  place  and  after  a  sometime  residence  there  m.oved  to  a  farm  near  West 
Liberty,  but  a  year  later  came  back  to  this  county  and  bought  the  old  Herr 
home  place  on  the  state  road  in  Salem  township  and  there  established  his 
home.  He  built  a  new  house  and  made  other  substantial  improvements  to 
the  place  and  continued  actively  engaged  in  farming  there  the  rest  of  his 
life,  his  death  occurring  on  December  6,  1901.  He  was  a  Democrat  and 
served  for  some  time  as  township  trustee.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Kings 
Creek  Baptist  church,  as  is  his  widow,  and  their  children  were  reared  in  that 
faith.  There  were  seven  of  these  children,  those  besides  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth,  being  as  follow:  Benjamin  F.,  who  was 
accidentally  killed  at  Urbana;  Albert  S.,  now  a  resident  of  Columbus,  this 
state,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business;  Abraham  H.,  a  hard- 
ware merchant  at  L^rbana;  William  H.,  of  Detroit,  Michigan;  Charles  Grant, 
who  has  long  been  engaged  in  the  newspaper  business  and  who  is  now  living- 
in  New  York  City,  the  metropolitan  correspondent  of  the  Cleveland  Leader. 
and  Efifie,  wdfe  of  J.  W.  Ambrose,  a  hardware  merchant  at  Crbana. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Salem  township,  Utah  S.  Miller  received 
his  schooling  in  the  local  schools.  He  early  devoted  himself  to  farming  and 
lias  always  remained  on  the  home  farm,  a  fine  place  of  one  hundred  and  nine 
acres,  wdiich  he  now  owns  and  where  he  is  quite  successfully  engaged  in  gen- 
eral farming.  His  farm  plant  is  well  equipped  and  his  farming  is  carried  on 
in  accordance  with  modern  methods  of  agriculture.  He  pays  considerable 
attention  to-  the  raising  of  high-grade  live  stock  and  in  this  latter  line  also 
has  done  quite  well.  In  his  political  affiliation,  Mr.  Miller  is  a  stanch  Dem- 
ocrat and  has  ever  given  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  political  afifairs, 
hut  has  not  sought  public  office. 

On  September  9,  1902,  Utah  S.  Miller  was  united  in  marriage  to  Bertha 
Harvey,  who  also  was  born  in  Salem  township,  a  daughter  of  John  and 
Martha  Harvey,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  son  of  Rev.  James 
P.  Harvey,  a  pioneer  minister  of  the  Kings  Creek  Baptist  churcii. 
John  Harvey,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  was  a  farmer 
all  his  life  and  his  last  days  were  spent  on  his  farm  in  Salem  town- 
ship, where  his  death  occurred  in  February,  1908.  His  widow  is  now  making 
her  home  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller.  During  the  war  John  Harvey  ser\ed 
the  Union  as  a  member  of  Company  E,  Sixty-sixth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  with  which  command  he  served  all  through  the  war.     He  and 


3-;0  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

liis  wife  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  those  besides  Mrs.  Miller,  the 
third  in  order  of  birth,  being  as  follow :  Grant  Harvey,  who  lives  in  Salem 
township ;  William  Harvey,  who  lives  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Logan ; 
Susan,  wife  of  M.  D.  Fox,  of  Wayne  township,  this  county,  and  Edna,  wife 
of  S.  E.  Zook,  of  Logan  county. 

To  Utah  S.  and  Bertha  (Harvey)  Miller  one  child  has  been  born,  a  son, 
Robert,  born  on  May  i8.  1909.  Mrs.  Miller  is  a  member  of  the  Kings 
Creek  Baptist  church. 


C.  H.  MAR\'IX. 


C.  H.  Marvin,  president  of  the  VV.  H.  Marvin  Company,  of  Urbana. 
president  of  tlie  Champaign  National  Bank  of  that  city,  president  of  the 
McCoy  Canning  Company,  president  of  the  Crbana  Telephone  Company, 
formerly  and  for  years  a  member  of  the  local  school  board  and  in  other  ways 
actively  identified  with  the  growing  interests  of  the  city  in  which  he  has  made 
his  home  for  the  past  thirty  years  or  more,  is  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  has 
lived  in  this  state  all  his  life,  a  resident  of  Urbana  since  the  middle  eighties. 
He  was  born  at  Cardington,  in  Morrow  county,  September  11.  i860,  son  of 
William  H.  and  Loretta  F.  (W'olcolt )  Marvin,  both  of  whom  were  born  in 
Genesee  count}-.  New  York,  the  former  at  Lero)'  and  the  latter  at  Oakville, 
whose  last  days  were  spent  at  Urbana,  where  the  elder  Marvin  established 
the  tiourishing  business  which  still  bears  his  name  and  of  which  his  son,  the 
subject  of  this  biographical  sketch  is  now  the  head. 

William  H.  Marvin  was  bom  on  December  15.  1829,  and  was  but  a  lad 
when  he  moved  with  his  parents  from  Genesee  county,  New  York,  to  Mor- 
row county,  this  state,  \\here  he  grew  to  manhood.  When  (if teen  years  of 
age  he  began  his  successful  mercantile  career  as  a  clerk  in  the  store  of  J.  S. 
1>umble  at  Mt.  Gilead,  in  that  county,  and  was  thus  engaged  for  three  years, 
at  the  end  of  which  time,  he  having  meantime  saved  eight  dollars,  he  opened 
a  small  store  of  his  own  in  the  ncighlioring  hamlet  of  Sparta  and  was  thus 
engaged  in  the  latter  place  for  three  years,  during  which  time  he  did  so  well 
that  he  determined  to  embark  in  business  on  a  somewhat  more  extensive 
scale  and,  with  that  end  in  view,  moved  to  Cardington,  where  he  opened  a 
<lry-goods  store  which  proved  to  be  a  very  successful  enterprise.  Mr.  Marvin 
married  and  established  his  home  in  Cardington,  early  in  his  business  career 
there  becoming  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  figures  in  the  commercial 
life  of  that  town.      In  1876  he  aided  in  the  organization  of  the  First  National 


WILLIAM   H.    MARVIN. 


CXXV-- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


321 


I  Sank  of  Cardingtoii  and  was  elected  president  of  the  same.  He  also  became 
interested  in  banking  concerns  at  Shelby,  at  Gahon  and  at  Columbus  and  con- 
tinued to  make  his  home  at  Cardington  until  1886.  in  which  year  he  moved 
io  Urbana,  where  he  engaged  in  the  wholesale  grocery  business,  under  the 
firm  name  of  W.  H.  AJarvin  &  Company,  and  was  thus  actively  engaged  until 
in  1896,  when  the  comi)any  discontinued  the  grocery  end  of  the  business  and 
gaA-e  its  full  attention  to  the  manufacture  of  mince-meat,  the  canning  of  fruit 
and  the  importing  ol  currants  from  Greece  and  in  this  line  Mr.  :\rarvin  con- 
tinued actively  and  very  successfully  engaged  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
at  Urbana  on  May  11,  1898.  He  was  an  active  member  of  the  Episcopal 
church  and  was  a  Royal  Arch  Mason. 

C.  FI.  Marvin  was  reared  at  Cardington,  the  place  of  his  birth,  and  was 
earl\  inducted  into  the  details  of  his  father's  business.  Upon  completing  the 
course  in  the  schools  of  his  home  town  he  took  a  course  at  Kenyon  College 
and  upon  leaving  college  was  given  a  place  in  his  father's  bank  at  Cardington. 
later  transferring  iiis  services  to  the  Morrow  County  National  Bank,  at  Mt. 
(iilead.  the  comity  seat,  and  was  thus  engaged  at  that  place  until  in  1886, 
when  he  moved  with  his  father  to  Urbana  and  there  engaged  with  his  father 
in  the  grocery  business.  Later  he  became  one  of  the  most  important  fac- 
tors in  the  concern  of  W.  H.  Marvin  Company,  canners,  manufacturers  of 
mince-meat  and  importers  of  currants,  and  while  thus  engaged  with  his  father 
became  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  company,  a  position  he  held  until  his 
election  to  the  presidency  of  the  company  in  1915.  which  position  he  now 
occupies.  It  is  perhaps  not  too  much  to  say  that  the  firm  of  W.  H.  Marvin 
Company  has  done  more  to  "put  Urbana  on  the  map"  than  any  other  single 
agency  in  that  cit}-.  During  the  busy  season  it  employs  more  than  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-fi\e  persons  in  its  l)ig  plant  and  its  products  are  shipped  all 
over  the  country,  the  goods  bearing  the  Marvin  stamp  being  widely  known 
and  in  great  demand  on  account  of  their  uniform  excellence.  In  addition  to 
the  extensive  interests  he  represents  as  head  of  VV.  H.  Marvin  Company,  Mr. 
-Marvin  also  has  for  years  taken  an  active  and  influential  part  in  the  general 
business  affairs  of  the  city  and  has  long  been  regarded  as  one  of  the  city's 
most  forceful  "boosters"  and  "live  wires."  Since  the  year  1907  he  has  been 
the  president  of  the  Champaign  National  Bank  of  Urbana,  and  is  also  presi- 
dent of  the  Urbana  Telephone  Company  and  of  the  McCoy  Canning  Com- 
pany. He  is  an  ardent  Republican  and  has  ever  taken  an  earnest  interest  in 
the  general  civic  affairs  of  the  city  and  county,  but  the  only  public  office 
\\  liich  has  had  any  personal  appeal  to  him  was  a  place  on  the  local  board  of 
(2ia) 


2)22  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

education,  his  warm  interest  in  educational  affairs  prompting  him  to  accept 
a  place  on  that  board  and  to  retain  the  same  for  ten  or  twelve  years,  during" 
which  term  of  service  he  was  able  to  do  much  in  the  way  of  advancing  the 
interests  of  the  schools.  Mr.  Marvin  has  always  been  an  advocate  of  public 
progress  and  in  many  ways  has  done  his  part  toward  placing-  Urbjtna  in  the 
front  rank  of  Ohio  municipalities  of  its  class. 

On  January  30,  1889.  C.  H.  Marvin  was  united  in  marriage  to  Amelia 
Talbutt,  daughter  of  J.  G.  Talbott.  and  to  this  union  two  children  have  been 
born,  C.  H.,  Jr.,  and  Kathryn  C.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marvin  are  members  of  the 
Episcopal  church  and  have  ever  taken  an  earnest  part  in  church  affairs,  as 
well  as  in  the  general  social  and  cultural  activities  of  their  home  town,  and 
have  been  helpful  in  many  ways  in  promoting-  the  common  welfare.  Mr. 
Marvin  is  a  Scottish  Rite  (thirty-second  degree)  Mason,  a  member  of  the 
consistory  at  Dayton,  and  is  also  a  noble  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of 
Nobles  of  the  .Mystic  Shrine,  affiliated  with  Antioch  Teiiiple.  at  Dayton,  and 
takes  a  warm  interest  in  Masonic  affairs. 


FERNANDO  WARD. 


Fernando  Ward,  a  farmer  living  on  route  nine,  L'rbana,  Ohio,  was  born 
in  Mad  River  township,  June  17,  1856,  a  son  of  Sylvester  and  Louisa  V. 
(Smith)  Ward.  Sylvester  Ward,  father  of  Fernando  Ward,  was  boni  on 
December  12,  1826,  on  the  old  Ward  farm,  and  he  died  December  30,  189-'. 
He  was  a  son  of  George  and  Barbara  (Strickler)  Ward.  JJoth  he  and  his  wife 
were  natives  of  Virginia  and  lived  there  until  after  their  marriage.  They 
came  to  Ohio  in  18 16  and  settled  in  what  is  now  Mad  River  township.  Me 
entered  land  here  and  built  a  cabin  in  which  he  began  life  in  the  woods. 
They  lived  here  the  rest  of  their  days.  'J'he  children  of  George  and  Barbara 
Ward  were:  Maria,  Barbara,  Jerusha,  Sabra,  Gideon.  Joseph,  Noah.  S\-l- 
vester  and  Sylvenius  (twins),  and  Edemon. 

Sylvester  Ward  grew  to  manhood  in  this  county.  His  marriage  to 
Louisa  Smith  occurred  November  30,  185 1.  They  settled  on  a  farm  where 
they  continued  to  live  the  rest  of  their  days.  Their  children  were:  Phil- 
ander, Fernando,  Lauretta,  Rennetta.  Philander  is  deceased,  Lauretta  be- 
came the  wife  of  Monroe  Frank,  Rennetta  was  the  wife  of  Milton  C.  Harter. 

Fernando  Ward,  our  subject,  was  reared  on  the  old  home  farm  and 
received  his  educatir)n  bv  attending  the  district  schools  in  the  winter  season 


CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO.  323 

when  w  ork  on  the  farm  was  not  pressing.  He  had  no  time  to  attend  .school 
during  the  spring  and  summer  season.  He  was  married  to  Emma  E.  Pence, 
January  ii.  1881.  She  was  born  in  Mad  River  township,  April  6,  i860,  a 
daughter  of  Amos  and  Clarinda  (Browning)  Pence.  Amos  Pence  was  born 
in  Mad  River  township.  May  24,  1822:  his  wife  was  born  in  Delaware  county, 
Ohio.  March  20,  1838.  She  is  still  living  in  St.  Paris,  Ohio.  Her  husband 
died  January  24.  1904.  They  settled  on  a  farm  and  spent  their  active  years 
in  farming  in  IMad  River  township. 

Fernando  Ward  owns  seventy-fi\e  acres  of  land,  a  part  of  the  old  Ward 
farm.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  but  has  never  been  active  in  party 
affairs.  Mrs.  \\'ard  is  a  member  of  the  Myrtle  Tree  Baptist  church.  The\- 
have  no  family. 


WILLIAM  J.  W.  RAWLINGS. 

The  late  William  J.  W.  Rawlings,  for  years  one  of  Champaign  coun- 
ty's best-known  and  most  substantial  farmers,  who  died  at  his  home  in 
Urbana  township  in  the  spring  of  1898,  was  a  native  of  this  county  and 
spent  all  his  life  here.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  on  Pretty  Prairie,  in  Urbana 
township,  April  29,  1830,  son  of  James  and  Susanna  (McRoberts)  Rawl- 
ings, the  former  a  native  of  the  state  of  Kentucky  and  the  latter  of  this 
county,  whose  last  days  were  spent  on  their  farm  on  Pretty  Prairie. 

James  Rawlings  was  but  a  child  when  his  parents  came  to  this  county 
from  Kentucky  and  he  rode  ahead  of  his  father  on  horseback  on  the  jour- 
ney up.  The  family  settled  on  Pretty  Prairie  and  there  James  Rawlings 
grew  to  manhood  and  married  Susanna  McRoberts,  who  was  born  in  this 
county,  a  member  of  one  of  the  pioneer  families  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
county.  After  his  marriage  he  established  his  home  in  that  .same  section  and 
there  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  useful  and  influen- 
tial farming  people.  They  were  active  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  and  their  children  were  reared  in  that  faith.  There  were  six  of  these 
children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  memorial  sketch  was  the  first-born,  the 
others  being  as  follow  :  Mary,  who  married  Mitchell  Todd,  u  farmer,  of  Ur- 
bana township,  and  who  late  in  life  retired  to  LTbana,  where  both  died:  Jane. 
who  married  John  Knight  and  occupied  the  old  home  farm  in  LIrbana  town- 
ship ;  Thomas,  also  a  farmer  in  Urbana  township,  who  married  Emily  Humes 
and  died  at  his  home  in  Urbana  township,  his  widow  spending  her  last  days 
in  LTrbana;  James  Harrison,  also  a  farmer  in  Urbana  township,  who  died 


324  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

after  his  retirement  from  the  farm  and  removal  to  Urbana  and  who  was 
twice  married,  after  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  Laura  Townley,  he  having 
married  Emma  Funk,  and  Douglas,  ho  married  Alice  Townley  and  died 
of  his  farm  in  Clark  county,  his  widow  spending  her /last  days  in  Springtield, 
that  same  county. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  on  Pretty  Prairie,  William  J.  W.  Rawlings 
received  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  neighborhood  and  from  the  da\  s 
of  his  early  boyhood  w^as  a  valued  aid  to  his  father  in  the  labors  of  impro\- 
ing  and  developing  the  home  place.  After  his  marriage  in  the  summer  of 
{863,  he  began  farming  for  himself  in  Urbana  to\vnship  and  became  a  suc- 
cessful and  substantial  farmer  and  landowner,  spending  the  rest  of  his  life 
diere,  actively  engaged  in  farming,  his  death  occurring  on  March  29,  1898, 
he  then  being  just  one  month  under  sixty-eight  years  of  age.  He  was  a 
Republican  and  ever  took  an  earnest  interest  in  local  political  affairs,  but 
had  not  been  included  in  the  office-seeking  class.  As  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church  he  also  took  an  active  interest  in  church  work  and  in  other 
neighborhood  good  works  and  did  his  part  as  a  citizen  iti  promoting  all  good 
<:auses  throughout  that  part  of  the  county. 

It  w^as  on  June  11,  1863,  that  William  J.  W.  Rawlings  w'as  united  in 
marriage  to  Elcetta  M.  Mumper,  of  this  county,  who  was  born  in  Macomb, 
McDon6iigh  county,  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Ann  (AVagner)  Mum- 
per, natives  of  Pennsylvania,  the  former  born  in  York  county,  that  state,  and 
the  latter  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Cumberland,  who  were  married  there 
and  in  1839  went  to  Illinois  and  located  at  JNIacomb,  where  Jacob  Mumper 
engaged  in  the  distilling  business  and  also  owned  a  farm.  Presently  he  met 
Inisiness  reverses  and  lost  practically  all  he  had,  after  which  he  came  with 
his  family  to  this  state  and  located  in  ^liami  county,  where  he  was  engaged 
in  farming  for  three  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  came  over  into 
Champaign  county  and  for  two  years  thereafter  was  engaged  in  farming  on 
a  farm  on  the  Ludlow  road.  After  that  he  W'as  for  six  years  engaged  in 
farming  the  P)akhvin  place  and  then  he  bought  a  farm  on  Pretty  r^-airie.  on 
the  south  county  line,  where  he  established  his  home  and  where  he  s[)ent  the 
remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  in  his  seventy-fourth  year.  His 
widow  later  moved  to  L^bana,  -where  her  last  days  were  spent,  her  death 
occurring  there  in  the  eighty-fourth  year  of  her  age.  They  were  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  their  children  were  reared  in  that  faith. 
There  were  seven  of  these  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Rawlings  was  the  sec- 
ond in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow  :     Jane.  wIk^  married  John 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO 


3^5 


Todd,  a  substantial  farmer  of  Urbana  township,  and  has  seven  children , 
Abram,  a  farmer  of  Clark  county,  who  married  Sarah  Hutton  and  also  has 
seven  children;  John,  a  retired  farmer  living  at  Urbana;  Anna,  widow  of 
E.  P.  Kingsley,  a  commercial  traveler,  who  died  in  March,  191 5,  leaving 
one  child,  a  daughter,  Catherine,  who  married  FYank  Ganson,  an  automo- 
bile dealer,  of  Urbana,  and  they  have  one  child,  a  son,  Kingsley ;  Emma,  wife 
of  Dr.  Luther  Woolford,  of  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania,  and  Ellen,  wife  of 
Charles  Nichols,  of  Urbana. 

To  William  J.  W.  and  Elcetta  M.  (Mumper)  Rawlings  six  children  were 
born,  namely :  Anna,  who  married  Major  Fred  Phelps,  a  retired  ofificer  of 
the  United  States  army,  now  engaged  in  the  recruiting  service,  and  they 
have  one  child,  a  son,  Ralph;  James  D.,  a  retired  farmer  and  stockman,  now 
living  at  Urbana,  who  married  Ida  Willoughby  and  has  four  children,  Marie, 
who  married  Dr.  Arthur  C.  Bible,  a  dentist,  of  Urbana,  and  has  one  child, 
a  daughter,  May  V.,  and  Christine,  Eloise  and  William;  Thomas,  who  mar- 
ried Blanche  Hume,  of  Union  township,  this  county,  and  has  three  children, 
Caroline,  Margaret  and  Corinne;  Ralph  and  Ruelle  (twins),  the  former  of 
whom,  a  traveling  man  living  in  Detroit,  married  Katherine  Van  Meter  and 
has  one  child,  a  son,  Edward,  and  the  latter  of  whom  married  Dr.  E.  W. 
Ludlow,  of  Urbana;  Warren,  now  engaged  with  a  manufacturing  concern 
at  Atlanta,  Georgia,  who  married  Pearl  Minturn  and  has  one  child,  a  son, 
Leslie.  After  the  death  of  her  husband,  Mrs.  Rawlings  moved  to  Urbana, 
where  she  has  since  made  her  home  at  127  West  Market  street  with  her 
two  daughters. 


ROBERT  LEE  GRIMES,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Robert  Lee  Grimes,  of  Westfield,  Ohio,  was  born  in  Carroll,  Mary 
land,  in  i860.     He  is  a  son  of  Dr.  G.  S.  Grimes,  a  citizen  of  Maryland,  who 
died  in  Virginia  in   1876.     For  many  years  he  practiced  his  profession   in 
Maryland. 

Dr.  R.  L.  Grimes  was  left  to  his  own  resources  at  the  age  of  sixteen 
years.  In  1876  he  went  to  Front  Royal,  Virginia,  for  the  purpose  of  taking 
a  course  in  pharmacy.  Later  he  entered  a  medical  college  at  Baltimore, 
Maryland,  completed  the  prescribed  course  of  study  and  graduated  as  a  full- 
tledged  physician.  During  the  time  of  his  college  study  he  secured  the 
means  to  meet  his  expenses  by  working  in  a  drug  store,  and  engaging  \n 
such  other  work  as  opportunity  afforded.     After  his  graduation  lie  engaged 


3-26  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

in  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Montg-omery,  West  Virginia,  and.  in  1892, 
he  came  to  Westvilie,  Ohio.  He  soon  estabHshed  a  successful  practice  here 
and  continued  until  191 2,  when  he  retired  from  practice  on  account  of  his 
health.  He  married  Bertha  R.  Taylor,  daughter  of  Simeon  Taylor.  She 
was  born  near  Westvilie  on  the  old  Taylor  homestead  in  Mad  River  to\\'p- 
ship. 


PAUL  C.   SPAIN. 


Paul  C.  Spain,  one  of  the  best-known  merchants  at  North  Le\visl)urg, 
tl)is  county,  member  of  the  firm  of  Spain  &  Dolan,  dealers  in  general  hard- 
ware and  farm  implements,  and  who  was  former  clerk  of  that  village  and  is 
now  serving  as  treasurer  of  the  same,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county 
and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  North  Lewisburg,  in  Rush  township,  September  11,  i88f,  son 
of  Joseph  W.  and  Flora  E.  (Clark)  Spain,  both  of  whom  also  were  horn 
in  this  county  and  who  are  now  living  in  North  Lewisburg. 

Joseph  W.  Spain  was  born  on  a  pioneer  farm  in  Rush  tcnvnship,  in 
1 85 1,  son  of  Wright  and  Lucy  (Crowder)  Spain,  natives  of  Virginia,  who 
had  come  to  this  county  with  their  respective  parents  in  the  days  of  their 
)'Outh,  grew  up  here,  married  and  established  their  home  in  Rush  town- 
ship and  there  spent  their  last  days.  Joseph  W.  Spain  grcAx  to  manhood 
on  the  home  farm  and  married  Flora  E.  Clark,  a  member  of  one  of  the  old 
families  in  that  part  of  the  county,  and  in  turn  became  a  farmer  in  Rush 
county,  a  vocation  he  ever  since  has  continued,  though  for  some  years  past 
living  practically  retired  from  the  active  labors  of  the  farm  at  his  pleasant 
home  in  North  Lewisburg.  He  and  his  wife  have  three  sons,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  having  two  brothers,  Howard  and  Robert  J.  Spain. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Rush  township,  Paul  C.  Spain  received 
his  early  schooling  in  the  schools  of  North  Lewisburg  and  supplemented  the 
course  there  by  a  course  in  Bliss  Business  College  at  Columbus,  after  which 
for  four  years  he  was  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  the  hardware  store  of  Crevis- 
ton  &  Dominy  at  North  Lewisburg,  thus  acquiring  a  thorough  acquaintance 
with  the  hardware  trade.  He  then  bought  Mr.  Dominy's  interest  in  the 
store,  the  firm  thus  becoming  Creviston  &  Spain,  which  arrangement  con- 
tinued for  about  nine  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time,  in  1913,  Mr.  Crevis- 
ton sold  his  interest  in  the  concern  to  Mr.  Dolan  and  since  then  the  l)usi- 
ness  has  been  conducted  under  the  firm  name  of  Spain  &  Dolan.     The  firm 


CIIAMPAIGX    COUNTY.    OHIO.  ^i^"] 

occupies  a  two-story  store  building,  twenty  by  ninety  feet,  and  an  additional 
warehouse  for  the  storage  of  agricultural  implements,  and  carries  a  large 
and  comprehensive  stock,  including  general  hardware  and  farm  implements, 
together  with  such  other  goods  as  are  usually  carried  in  a  store  of  that  char- 
acter, and  has  a  large  and  growing  business.  Mr.  Spain  is  a  Republican 
and  has  long  given  his  active  attention  to  local  political  affairs,  being  at 
present  a  member  of  the  county  central  committee  of  his  party.  He  served 
for  some  time  as  clerk  of  the  village  of  North  Lewisburg  and  is  now  serving 
as  treasurer  of  the  same. 

In  1905  Paul  C.  Spain  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lenora  A.  Townsend, 
daughter  of  O.  S.  Townsend  and  wife,  and  to  this  union  two  children  have 
been  born,  Dorothy  and  Floriene.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spain  have  a  very  pleasant 
home  at  North  Lewisburg  and  take  an  earnest  interest  in  the  general  social 
activities  of  their  home  town.  Mr.  Spain  is  an  active  Mason,  past  master 
of  the  local  lodge  of  that  ancient  order,  and  is  a  member  of  the  local  lodge 
of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  in  the  affairs  of  both  of  which  organizations  he 
takes  a  warm  interest.  He  is  one  of  the  most  active  and  energetic  business 
men  in  North  Lewisburg  and  has  long  been  recognized  as  among  the  leaders 
in  all  movements  having  to  do  with  the  promotion  of  the  substantial  inter- 
ests of  that  town. 


DAVID  LOUDENBECK. 

David  Loudenbeck  lives  on  a  farm  located  on  rural  route  number  nine, 
^lad  River  township,  Urbana,  Ohio.  He  was  born  on  this  farm  in  March. 
1843,  ^"^  this  has  always  been  his  home.  He  is  a  son  of  Jonas  and  Susie 
(Snyder)  Loudenbeck,  old  residents  of  this  county. 

Jonas  Loudenbeck  was  born,  January  28,  181 6,  on  the  farm  now  owned 
by  Alfred  Taylor,  in  Mad  River  township.  Jonas  was  a  son  of  Daniel  and 
Mary  (Pence)  Loudenbeck.  They  came  from  Virginia,  where  they  were 
horn,  reared,  educated  and  married.  They  came  to  this  county  in  18 10  and 
entered  a  tract  of  government  land,  improved  the  same  and  established  a 
liome,  in  which  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days.  Daniel  Loudenbeck 
\\  as  a  blacksmith  and  worked  at  his  trade  along  with  his  farming  work.  He 
lived  to  be  nearly  ninety  years  old;  the  wife  died  at  the  age  of  ninety-six. 
They  were  the  parents  of  four  children. 

Jonas  Loudenbeck  grew  to  manhood  on  the  old  home  place.  After  his 
marriage  he   removed   to   the   farm   on  which   our   subject   now   lives.      He 


328  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

cleared  up  this  farm  and  put  up  buildings  and  added  improvements  from  time 
to  time  until  he  had  a  farm  in  a  good  condition  for  cultivation  and  for  the 
production  of  good  crops.  He  made  this  his  home  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1903.  His  wife  also  died  in  this  home.  They  had  three  chil- 
dren: David,  our  subject;  Jane,  wife  of  Abraham  Pence,  living  in  Shelln- 
county;  Sarah,  the  wife  of  Isaiah  Smith. 

David  Loudenbeck  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  received  his  education 
in  the  common  schools.  He  remained  at  home  doing  his  share  of  work  on 
the  farm  until  his  marriage.  He  Avas  married  in  1866  to  Roanna  Colliert, 
a  sister  of  Isaiah  Colbert,  whose  biographical  sketch  appears  in.  another 
place  in  this  work.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Loudenbeck  have  three  children :  Edgar. 
living  at  home;  Walter  D.,  at  St.  Paris.  Ohio:  Edna,  wife  of  Walter  Alban. 
of  Springfield,  Ohio. 

Mr.  Loudenbeck  is  a  member  of  Urbana  Lodge,  No.  46,  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat.  His  greatest  interest 
is  centered  in  the  care  and  cultivation  of  his  one  hundred  and  eighty-seven 
acres  of  land,  some  of  the  best  in  the  township.  The  land  is  well  adai)ted 
for  stock  raising  and  for  the  production  of  abundant  crops  of  grain  and 
other  farm  products.  The  condition  of  the  farm  and  of  everything  about 
the  premises  shows  good  taste  and  intelligent  management,  and  that  modern 
methods  are  employed  in  the  operation  of  the  farm. 


ROBERT   HENDERSON,   M.   1). 

Dr.  Robert  Henderson,  one  of  Champaign  county's  best-known  ])li\- 
sicians,  is  a  Virginian,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  Ohio  since  the  latter 
seventies  and  of  the  city  of  Urljana  since  the  year  1884.  being  thus  very 
properly  entitled  to  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  "old  settlers"  of  this  county. 
He  was  born  in  the  city  of  Parkersburg,  Virginia  (now  in  West  Vir- 
ginia), on  March  22,  185 1,  son  of  Richard  H.  and  Ann  Maria  (  Shank- 
lin)  Henderson,  both  natives  of  that  same  state,  and  was  reared  there 
and  in  Wheeling,  in  which  latter  city  he  completed  his  work  in  the  com- 
mon schools.  While  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  a  store  at  Parkerslxirg  he  l)egan 
the  study  of  medicine  and  after  awhile  entered  the  College  of  Physicians 
and  Surgeons  at  Baltimore,  being  graduated  from  that  institution  in    i>^-i^. 

For  a  short  time  after  receiving  his  diploma  Doctor  Henderson  was 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  \\'est  Virginia  and  then  came 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 


3-'' 


to  Ohio,  locating  at  New  Moorefield.  in  Clark  county,  where  he  remained 
until  the  fall  of  1884,  when  he  moved  to  L'rhana,  opened  there  an  otiice 
for  the  practice  of  his  profession  and  has  ever  since  been  thus  engaged  in 
that  city.  Doctor  Henderson  is  a  member  of  the  Champaign  County  Medi- 
cal Society,  a  member  of  the  Ohio  Medical  Society  and  a  member  of  the 
American  Medical  Association,  in  the  affairs  of  which  organizations  he  takes 
a  warm  interest,  ever  keeping  fully  abreast  of  the  ad\ance  being  made  in 
his  profession.  The  Doctor  is  an  active  Democrat  and  during  the  second 
Cleveland'  administration  served  as  a  member  of  tlie  ])ension  examining 
board  for  this  district.  He  is  a  Mason  and  takes  much  interest  in  the  affairs 
of  that  ancient  order. 

In  1875,  several  years  before  coming  to  this  state.  Doctor  Henderson 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Elizabeth  S.  Thomas,  of  Pf)int  Pleasant,  West 
Virginia,  and  to  this  union  two  children  have  been  Ijorn.  Richard  T.  and 
Helen.  Dr.  Richard  T.  Henderson  was  graduated  from  the  Starling  Medical 
College  at  Columbus  in  1900,  having  been  prepared  for  college  by  stud}' 
under  his  father's  preceptorship,  and  is  now  associated  with  his  father  in  prac- 
tice. Helen  married  William  C.  Bonebrake,  a  civil  engineer  of  the  Penns\  1- 
'\"ani;i   railroad   at    Pittsburti'h. 


A,  F.  TAYLOR. 


A.  F.  Taylor  is  a  retired  farmer  and  yet  is  interested  in  farming  under 
the  firm  name  of  A.  F.  Taylor  &  Son,  proprietors  of  the  Hereford  cattle 
farm  consisting  of  two  hundred  and  seventy-five  acres,  heated  three  mile-< 
west  of  Urbana,  on  the  Urbana  and  Piqua  pike. 

Mr.  Taylor  was  born  in  Cambridgeshire,  England,  Xovember  8,  1850. 
He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1854,  locating  in  Ontario  county.  New 
York,  and  came  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  in  1875.  In  1887  he  located 
on  a  farm  one  mile  west  of  \\'oodstock,  in  Chaiupaign  county,  and  three 
years  later  he  came  to  his  present  farm.  He  recei\ed  his  early  education  in 
New  York  state  and  remained  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-one,  when  he 
started  out  for  himself  without  a  dollar.  He  first  took  a  contract  for  fui- 
nishing  plaster  rock,  one  thousand  tons,  at  seventy-five  cents  a  ton.  This 
gave  him  a  little  start,  and  he  came  to  Stnnmit  county  to  engage  in  farmin-. 
He  rented  a  farm  and,  in  connection  with  his  brother,  began  the  experiment 
of  farming  and  stock  raising,  in  which  he  was  quite  successful.     He  after- 


330  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

wards  iKircliased  a  half  interest  in  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres, 
his  brother-in-law  taking  the  other  half.  After  two  years  he  purchased  the 
other  half  interest  and  operated  the  farm  alone. 

Mr.  Taylor  was  married  to  Rachael  Spensly.  She  was  born  in  Medina 
county,  Ohio,  where  she  was  educated  and  engaged  for  some  time  in  teach- 
ing. Edward  T.  is  the  only  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Taylor.  He  was  born  on 
h'ebruary  15,  1878,  and  was  educated  in  the  district  schools,  graduating  in 
the  IJrbana  high  school  and  in  the  agricultural  school  at  Columbus,  Ohio. 
He  married  Mabel  Jenkins,  of  St.  Paris,  Ohio,  who  was  educated  in  the 
graded  schools  and  a  graduate  of  the  St.  Paris  high  school.  They  have  one 
ciiild,  Melvina  A.,  born  June,  1909. 

Mr.  Taylor  is  a  member  of  the  Universalist  church,  of  Westville,  Ohio, 
and  is  one  of  the  trustees  of  that  church.  He  is  a  charter  member  of  Magrcw 
Lodge  No.  433,  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  served  as  treasurer  of  that  order. 
He  is  a  Republican,  but  has  never  taken  an  active  part  in  party  afifairs. 

Mr.  Taylor  is  largely  interested  as  a  breeder  of  Hereford  cattle  and  has 
a  herd  of  three  hundred,  and  is  a  feeder  of  a  large  number  of  hogs. 

Mr.  Taylor's  house  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  19 14  and  he  built  a  modern 
bungalo  in  which  he  now  lives.  It  is  a  very  comfortable  home  and  nicely 
located. 


DAVID  W.  TODD. 


Judge  David  W.  Todd,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  former 
probate  judge  of  Champaign  county,  former  assistant  postmaster  at  Urbana 
and  for  maiiy  years  one  of  the  best-known  lawyers  at  Urbana.  is  a  iiati\-e 
son  of  the  old  Keystone  state,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  Ohio  and  of  this 
county  since  he  was  eleven  years  of  age  and  may  thus  very  properly  be 
accounted  as  one  of  the  real  "old  settlers"  of  Champaign  county.  He  was 
born  in  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  December  31,  1835,  son  of  David 
and  Sarah  (McCormick)  Todd,  both  natives  of  that  same  state,  who  came 
to  Ohio  in  1846  and  in  1847  settled  on  a  farm  on  Pretty  Prairie,  in  Urbana 
township,  this  county,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  useful 
and  influential  residents  of  that  sterling  community,  the  death  of  the  senior 
Todd  occurring  there  in  1868. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  on  Pretty  Prairie,  David  \V.  Todd  receixed 
his  elementary  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  neighborhood  and  supple- 
mented the  same  by  a  course  in  Miami  Univcrsit^•.  at  Oxforrl.  this  state,  from 


D.  W.  TODD. 


CPIAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  33  I 

which  he  was  graduated  in  i860.  Meantime  he  had  been  giving-  close  atten- 
tion to  the  study  of  law  in  private  readings  and  upon  lea\ing  the  univer- 
sity entered  the  law  office  of  Shellabarger  &  Good  at  Springfield  and  there 
completed  his  legal  studies  and  was  qualified  for  practice.  Upon  being 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  1863  he  opened  an  office  for  the  practice  of  his 
profession  at  Urbana  and  in  the  fall  of  that  same  }'ear  he  was  elected  county 
attorney  of  Champaign  county,  in  which  official  position  he  served  so  satis- 
factorily that  he  was  re-elected  in  1865  and  thus  served  as  county  attorney 
for  two  terms.  During  this  time  he  had  given  some  attention  to  the  work 
of  developing  the  industries  of  Urbana  and  in  1873  was  made  general  super- 
intendent of  the  Urbana  Machine  Works,  a  position  whicli  he  occupied 
for  a  couple  of  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  resumed  tlie  practice 
of  his  profession  and  in  1878  was  elected  probate  judge  in  and  for  Cham- 
paign county  and  by  successive  re-elections  was  retained  in  that  office  for 
four  terms,  or  imtil  1890,  since  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession  and  in  looking  after  his  other  interests  in  and 
about  Urbana.  Judge  Todd  has  ever  given  his  earnest  attention  to  local 
civic  affairs  and  for  ten  years  served  as  assistant  postmaster  at  Urbana. 
retiring  in  19 16.  He  is  an  ardent  Republican  and  has  for  many  years  been 
looked  upon  as  one  of  the  leaders  of  that  party  in  this  count}'  and  through- 
out this  part  of  the  state. 

The  above  brief  review  of  Judge  Todd's  professional  and  civic  activi- 
ties has  made  no  reference  to  his  distinguished  military  service  during  the 
progress  of  the  Civil  W^ar.  mention  of  which  has  been  reserved  for  a  separate 
paragraph.  Upon  President  Lincoln's  first  call  for  volunteers  in  that 
memorable  -\pril  of  1861,  Judge  Todd  responded  to  the  call  with  patriotic 
fervor  and  on  April  29  enrolled  his  name  as  a  member  of  Company  F. 
Second  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  at  Springfield,  with  which  com- 
mand he  served  until  the  following  July.  In  1862  he  assisted  in  organizing 
a  Springfield  company  of  recruits  and  went  to  the  front  with  them  as  seconrl 
lieutenant  of  Company  B,  Eighty-sixth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry, 
and  was  presently  promoted  to  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant,  later  becoming 
regimental  quartermaster,  and  was  mustered  out  with  that  rank  at  Camp 
Delaware  on  September  25.  1862.  On  May  6.  1864.  he  was  commissioned 
lieutenant-colonel  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Ohio  and  after 
some  active  service  with  that  command  in  the  advance  on  Petersburg  was 
finally  mustered  out  with  the  rank  on  August  31,  1864.  Judge  Todd  has  for 
years  been  one  of  the  most  active  members  of  W.  A.  P>rand  Post.  Grand 
.\rmy  of  the  Republic,  at  l^rbana.  has  held  numerous  offices  in  that  patri- 


33'-'  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Otic  organization  and  has  long  been  a  familiar  and  enthusiastic  figure  at  tlu- 
annual  encampments  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  Department  of 
Ohio,  and  has  likewise  attended  several  national  encampments  of  the  Grand 
Army. 

Judge  Todd  has  been  twice  married.  It  was  in  1863  that  he  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Virginia  Hamilton,  who  died  in  1868,  leaving  two  sons. 
Lee  H.  Todd,  for  many  years  proprietor  of  a  book  store  at  Urbana,  and 
Robert  M.  Todd.  In  1869  Mr.  Todd  married,  Ella  W.  Hovey  and  to  this 
union  three  children  were  born,  Nancy  H.,  wife  of  Gary  G.  Glessner;  Frank 
\V.  Todd,  who  is  one  of  the  best-known  newspaper  men  in  Urbana,  and 
Helen  Todd,  who  died  at  an  early  age.  Judge  and  Mrs.  Todd  are  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  have  for  years  been  regarded  as  among  the 
leaders  in  the  \^arious  beneficences  of  the  same,  ever  taking  an  earnest  inter- 
est in  church  work,  as  well  as  in  the  general  good  works  of  the  city  and 
county  at  large,  and  have  been  helpful  in  many  ways  in  promoting  such 
agencies  as  have  been  designed  to  advance  the  common  welfare  hereabout. 


NATHANIEL  C.  HUNTER. 

The  late  Nathaniel  C.  LIunter,  for  years  one  of  the  best-known  and 
most  substantial  farmers  and  landowners  of  Salem  township,  this  count}, 
who  died  in  1908  at  his  home  in  Urbana,  where  he  had  been  living  retired 
from  the  active  labors  of  the  farm  for  more  than  twenty  years,  was  a  native 
son  of  Champaign  county  and  all  his  life  was  spent  here.  He  was  born  on 
the  old  Hunter  homestead  place  in  Salem  township  on  November  i,  1825. 
son  of  John  and  Jane  (Humphries)  Hunter,  prominent  residents  of  that 
part  of  the  county,  whose  last  days  were  spent  there. 

John  Hunter  was  a  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Ann  (Porter)  Himter,  natives 
of  Ireland,  who  were  among  the  very  earliest  settlers  in  the  northern  part 
of  this  county  and  who  took  an  influential  part  in  the  work  of  creating  proper 
social  conditions  in  the  formative  period  of  that  now  well-established  and 
prosperous  farming  community.  Nathaniel  Hunter  was  bom  in  County 
Down,  Ireland,  on  a  farm  about  twelve  miles  from  Belfast,  December  4. 
1768,  of  Scottish  descent,  his  forbears  having  crossed  from  Scotland  into 
the  north  of  Ireland  in  1607.  On  February  2,  1790,  he  married  Ann  Porter, 
who  was  born  on  May  15,  1772,  also  of  Scottish  descent,  and  in  1793  he 
.ind  his  young  wile  and  their  baby  daughter.  Mary  Ann.  came  to  this  conn- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUXTV.    OHIO.  33:; 

try  and  located  in  Greenbriar  county,  Virginia,  where  they  estabhshed  their 
home  and  where  they  remained  for  fifteen  years  or  more,  at  tlie  end  of 
which  time  they  disposed  of  their  holdings  there  and  in  1810  came  out  into 
what  then  was  regarded  in  the  East  as  the  "wilds"  of  Ohio.  Chillicothe 
was  their  point  of  destination  in  this  section  and  upon  his  arrival  there 
Nathaniel  Hunter  began  looking  about  a  bit  for  a  suitable  place  for  settle- 
ment. He  presently  bought  a  three-year  lease  to  a  tract  of  hmd  on  I'ossuni 
Run,  eight  miles  south  of  London,  in  Madison  county,  and  the  next  spring 
put  out  a  planting  of  corn  on  that  tract.  He  later  started  out  seeking  a 
place  for  the  establishment  of  his  permanent  home,  finally  deciding  that  in 
Champaign  county  there  were  as  fruitful  possibilities  as  in  any  section  of 
this  part  of  the  state.  So  well  pleased  was  this  stalwart  pioneer  with  the 
appearance  of  things  in  this  county  that  he  bought  nine  hundred  and  fift\ 
acres  of  land  in  Salem  township,  two  miles  west  of  Mt.  Tabor  and  three 
miles  southwest  of  West  Liberty.  Then,  with  the  assistance  of  his  elder 
sons,  he  cleared  a  patch  in  the  forest,  built  in  that  clearing  a  log  house  and 
made  some  other  improvements  on  the  place,  and  in  the  spring  of  1814 
moved  his  family  into  the  new  home.  Meantime,  during  the  family's  resi- 
dence in  Madison  county,  another  baby  had  been  born  into  the  Hunter 
household,  the  last  daughter,  Elizabeth,  and  thus  when  the  new  log  house 
in  the  wilderness  was  furnished  there  was  need  for  the  cradle.  At  that  time 
there  still  were  numerous  Indians  hereabout  and  wild  game  in  abundance 
and  with  the  exception  of  an  occasional  small  settlement  here  and  there  the 
land  was  a  veritable  wilderness.  The  Indians  were  not  troublesome  at  that 
time,  however,  and  the  Hunter  family  was  not  disturbed  in  its  home-making 
there  in  the  woods  of  that  Mt.  Tabor  country,  and  that  home  presently 
came  to  be  recognized  as  one  of  the  best-established  and  most  hospitable  in 
all  that  region  roundabout.  Nathaniel  Hunter  was  a  good  farmer  and 
lived  to  see  his  land,  which  is  still  in  the  ownership  of  the  Hunter  family. 
developed  into  a  fine  bit  of  farm  property. 

To  Nathaniel  and  Ann  (Porter)  Hunter  nine  children  were  Ijorn,  namely: 
Mary  Ann,  born  on  October  9,  1791.  who  married  a  Casebolt ;  Alexander. 
February  11,  1795,  who  became  a  substantial  farmer  in  the  Mingo  neigh- 
borhood; Jane,  November  11,  1796,  who  married  a  Miller;  Thomas,  Jan- 
uary 22,  1799,  who  also  had  his  home  near  Mingo;  John,  March  20,  1801, 
father  of  the  subject  of  this  memorial  sketch ;  Nancy,  April  30,  1803,  who 
died  unmarried:  Samuel.  March  23,  1805,  who  married  Maria  Miller  and 
also  established  his  home  in  Salem  township;  Sallie  J.,  October  13,  180^). 
who  married  a  \Vhitehead  and  moved  to  Michigan,  and  Elizabeth.  March  iS. 


3.U  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

1813,  who  married  a  McFerrin  and  made  her  home  m  Salem  township.  The 
mother  of  these  children  died  not  many  years  after  the  family  took  up 
their  residence  in  Salem  township  and  the  father  married,  secondly,  a  Ward 
and  by  that  marriage  had  two  children,  Maria,  born  on  September  2,  1821. 
wdio  married  James  Funk,  and  Hester  Ann,  March  2,  1825,  who  died 
unmarried. 

John  Hunter  was  twelve  or  thirteen  years  of  age  when  the  family  took 
u]j  their  residence  in  this  county  and  he  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home 
farm  in  Salem  township  and  continued  farming  there  all  his  life.  He  married 
Jane  Humphries,  member  of  one  of  the  pioneer  families  in  that  neighbor- 
hood, and  to  that  union  three  children  were  born,  Nathaniel,  Washington 
C.  and  William  H.  Hunter.  Washington  C.  Hunter  was  born  on  Septem- 
ber 15,  1827,  and  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Salem  township. 
He  married  Agnes  Duel  and  after  spending  some  years  farming  in  this 
county  went  to  Pasadena,  California,  where  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  busi- 
ness and  where  he  is  still  living.  He  and  his  wafe  were  the  parents  of 
two  sons,  both  of  W'hom  are  now  deceased.  Major  William  H.  Hunter, 
who  gained  his  title  while  serving  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union  during  the 
Civil  W'ar,  was  born  on  September  29,  1840,  and  also  grew  to  manhood 
in  this  county.  He  married  a  McDonald  and  made  his  home  in  Salem  town- 
-^liip  and  in  West  Liberty  until  late  in  life,  when  he  went  to  Birmingham. 
Alabama,  where  he  engaged  in  the  real-estate  business  and  where  he  speiil 
liis  last  days,  his  death  occurring  there  on  Jul)^  31,   1904. 

Nathaniel  C.  Hunter  was  reared  on  the  farm  which  his  grandfather 
liad  opened  in  Salem  township  and  completed  his  schooling  at  Delaware,  this 
state.  For  a  time  he  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business'  at  Urbana 
and  at  \Vest  Liberty,  but  later  returned  to  the  old  home  farm  in  Salem 
township  and  there  established  his  home,  engaging  in  farming  there  until 
1885,  in  which  year  he  retired  from  the  active  labors  of  the  farm  and  moved 
to  Urbana,  where  he  spent  his  last  days,  his  death  occurring  there  on  Febru- 
ary 18.  1908.  During  his  many  years  of  residence  on  the  farm  Mr.  Hunter 
was  one  of  the  most  active  and  influential  farmers  in  that  part  of  the  county. 
He  was  a  stanch  Republican  and  held  various  township  offices,  giving  to 
his  public  service  his  most  earnest  thought.  He  was  a  great  reader  and 
kept  fully  informed  on  matters  of  current  interest  and  was  particularly- 
interested  in  matters  of  local  historical  interest.  In  this  connection  he  wrote 
a  history  of  the  Mt.  Tabor  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  which  to  this  da}- 
is  regarded  as  the  most  authoritative  history  of  that  church  and  the  greater 
part  of  which  is  reproduced  iii  the  his"torical  section  of  this  work.     For  sixt\-- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  33:5 

five  years  Mr.  Hunter  was  a  member  of  that  church  and  during  fifty  years 
of  that  time  was  the  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school,  the  last  eight 
years  being  superintendent  in  Urbana.  He  also  held  all  other  offices  in 
the  church  at  one  time  and  another  and  took  great  pleasure  in  the  work 
of  the  church.  He  was  a  busy  man,  energetic  and  practical  and  his  farming 
and  other  interests  prospered  under  his  prudent  management,  so  that  he  came 
to  be  recognized  as  one  of  the  Champaign  county's  most  substantial  citi- 
zens. 

Mr.  Hunter  was  twice  married.  It  was  on  May  17,  1849,  that  he 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Helen  M.  Purdy,  who  was  born  at  Erie  Cit\. 
Pennsylvania,  and  who  died  on  April  20,  1880.  To  that  union  three  sons 
were  born,  John  G.,  Albert  L.  and  William  P.  Albert  L.  Hunter  was  born 
on  August  4,  1852,  and  remained  a  farmer  on  the  old  home  place  in  Salem 
township,  where  he  spent  his  last  days,  his  death  occurring  there  in  August. 
1909.  He  married  Mary  Frances  North  and  to  that  union  four  children 
were  born,  namely:  Grace,  who  married  Quincy  Yocum,  of  Concord  town- 
ship, this  county;  Edna,  wife  of  Alva  Kiser,  of  Troy,  this  state;  Fern  P., 
who  married  the  Rev.  Milton  Swisher  and  died  in  Iowa,  and  Elsie,  who  mar- 
ried Daniel  Leamman,  a  farmer  living  near  St.  Paris,  this  county.  William 
P.  Hunter  was  born  on  March  12,  1855,  and  died  at  San  Antonio,  Texas, 
January  5,  1882.  John  G.  Hunter,  who  was  born  on  June  17,  1850,  moved 
to  Michigan,  where  he  became  a  farmer  and  where  he  spent  his  last  days, 
his  death  occurring  there  on  January  9,  1916.  He  married  Eva  Crookston 
and  was  the  father  of  two  children,  Maud,  wife  of  John  Clapper,  of  Bay 
City,  Michigan,  and  Charles  W.,  who  married  Marybelle  Wilcox  and  is  now 
living  at  Toledo,   Ohio. 

On  January  20,  1883,  Nathaniel  C.  Hunter  married,  secondly,  Mrs. 
Anna  Eliza  (Seaman)  Enoch,  widow  of  Henry  Enoch,  of  West  Liberty, 
who  died  in  1858.  Since  the  death  of  her  liusband  Mrs.  Hunter  has  con- 
tinued to  make  her  home  in  Urbana.  where  she  is  very  comfortably  situa- 
ted. She  reared  two  nieces.  Cora  and  La\inia  Seaman,  who  continue  to 
make  their  home  with  her.  Mrs.  Hunter  was  born  at  Xenia.  this  state.  Sej)- 
tember  2,  1832,  a  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Lavinia  (Smith)  Seaman,  the  former 
of  whom  was  born  in  Frederick  county,  Virginia,  in  1805.  son  of  Jonas  and 
Catherine  (Sheets)  Seaman,  natives  of  that  same  county,  who  came  to  Ohio 
with  their  family  in  18 10  and  located  at  Chillicothe,  a  }ear  later  moving 
to  Clinton  county,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  Jonas  Sea- 
man dying  there  in  1836.  Jonas  Seaman  and  wnfe  were  the  parents  of  eight 
children,  Jonathan,   Philip,  George,  Lewis.  Jonah,    I^Iiza.  Joseph  and  Miles. 


336  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Lewis  Seaman  became  a  blacksmitli  and  left  Clinton  county  to  locate  at 
Xenia,  where  he  remained  engaged  in  that  vocation  until  1836,  when  he 
bought  a  farm  in  Logan  county,  established  his  home  there  and  there  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  was  an  active  worker  in  the  Mt.  Tabor 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  helped  to  build  two  churches.  He  and  his 
wife,  Lavinia  Smith,  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  those  besides  Mrs. 
Hunter  being  as  follow :  Josiah.  who  died  at  the  age  of  four  years ;  Will- 
iam, who  for  some  time  farmed  in  Illinois,  but  later  returned  to  the  old 
home  place  in  Logan  county,  where  he  died,  leaving  a  widow,  Frances 
Bebee.  and  one  child,  a  daughter.  Josephine;  Elisha,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil 
War,  who  served  as  a  member  of  Company  A,  Sixty-sixth  Regiment.  Ohio 
Volunteer  Infantry,  formerly  and  for  years  a  farmer  and  now  living  at 
Columbus,  this  state,  who  had  been  twice  married,  his  first  wife,  Nettie 
V'otaw,  a  native  of  Indiana,  having  died  on  February  7,  1881,  leaving  three 
daughters,  Nettie,  Cora  and  Lavinia,  after  which  he  married  Nellie  Fisher. 
also  of  Indiana,  and  by  that  union  has  three  children,  Anna,  Bertha  and 
Lewis;  Maria  Louise,  who  married  James  Stanton  and  is  now  deceased, 
and  Martha,  who  married  William  Winder  and  died  in  1894  at  Urbana. 
tliis  countv.  leaving  one  daughter,  Florence. 


JAMES    A.    POWELL. 


It  is  a  fine  thing  to  be  permitted  to  spend  one's  life  at  the  old  home- 
stead, about  which  cluster  memories  and  associations  which  cannot  be  found 
elsewhere.  Such  has  been  the  privilege  of  "James  A.  Powell,  farmer,  of 
L'rbana  township.  Champaign  county,  who  was  born  on  the  same  farm  where 
lie  now  resides  on  November  27,  1856.  He  is  a  son  of  Samuel  Smith 
Powell  and  Eliza  A.  (Showers)  Powell,  the  mother  a  native  of  Urbana 
township,  this  county.  The  father  was  a  son  of  Abram  Powell,  who  was 
1)orn  March  2.  1791,  in  Kentucky,  and  in  early  pioneer  days  he  came  to 
Champaign  county,  Ohio,  and  established  the  family  home  in  Urbana  town- 
ship, where  he  devoted  his  life  to  farming,  developing  a  farm  from  the 
virgin  soil.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  181 2.  He  died  at  the  unusual 
age  of  ninety-one  years.  His  wife  was  a  Miss  Osborn.  They  were  parents 
of  the  following  children:  Samuel  Smith,  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  James,  Clay,  Miller  and  Flanders,  all  of  whom  lived  and  died   in 


FLOYD    S.    POWELL 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


337 


Urbana  township ;  Nancy  died  unmarried ;  John  is  still  liA^ing  in  Urbana 
township. 

Samuel  S.  Powell,  mentioned  above,  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in 
Urbana  township  and  he  attended  the  rural  schools  there.  He  burned  the 
brick  that  went  into  the  present  substantial  dwelling  on  his  farm,  and  he 
made  all  other  necessar}^-  improvements.  He  was  a  Republican  and  he 
served  as  school  director  of  his  district  for  some  time.  He  gave  the  ground 
on  which  to  found  Hickory  Grove  church,  which  he  also  helped  build.  He 
was  always  very  active  in  church  affairs,  his  home  being  a  favorite  meeting- 
place  for  church  people.  It  was  his  delight  to  lavish  old-time  hospitality 
and  he  frequently  entertained  at  dinner  as  many  as  one  hundred  guests  at 
a  time.  He  was  very  well  known  throughout  the  county  and  a  friend  to  all 
who  knew  him.  His  death  occurred  in  1886,  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven  years. 
He  was  born  on  July  4,  1819.  His  wife  was  born  on  October  22,  1827,  and 
<lied  in  September,  1876.  They  were  married,  October  22,  1846,  and  their 
children  were  named  as  follows:  George  W.,  born  July  20,  1848,  is  farm- 
ing at  Rosewood,  Ohio;  David  W..  born  December  2^,  1849,  was  a  soldier 
in  the  regular  army  and  died  in  California;  Daniel  W.,  born  March  27, 
185 1,  died  in  early  life;  John  Andrews,  bom  May  13,  1853,  is  deceased; 
Charles  Franklin,  l3orn  December  18,  1854,  is  deceased;  James  A.,  of  this 
sketch;  Mary  Elizabeth,  born  April  27,  1858,  is  deceased;  Martha  Jane, 
lK)'-n  Januar}-  6,  i860,  is  deceased;  ^Villianl  Lincoln,  born  December  30, 
i860,  died  in  Fel)ruary,  191 7,  at  Huntington,  Iowa,  where  he  was  foreman 
in  the  railroad  shops;  Clara  Bell,  born  March  ]i.  1863,  is  deceased;  Emma 
Jane,  born  November  30,  1864,  is  deceased ;  Fannie  Ellen,  born  August  7, 
1866,  is  single  and  living  at  Rosew^ood,  Ohio;  Amanda  Jane,  born  May  7, 
1868,  married  Ben  Sandy,  and  she  is  now  deceased. 

James  A.  Powell  grew  up  on  the  home  fann  and  attended  the  common 
schools.  He  lived  with  his  parents  until  his  marriage  on  October  14,  1879, 
to  Sarah  Ellen  Dye,  a  native  of  Miami  county,  Ohio,  and  a  daughter  of 
James  and  Mary  (Evilsizer)  Dye,  both  natives  of  Ohio,  he  of  Miami  county, 
and  she  of  Champaign  county.  To  James  A.  Powell  and  wife  one  son  was 
born,  Floyd  Smith  Powell,  whose  birth  occurred  on  February  2,  1881.  His 
death  occurred  on  February  26,  191 3.  He  married  Elnia  May  Range,  and 
one  son  was  born  to  them,  James  Wesley  Powell,  whose  birth  occurred  on 
October  10,  1908.  Floyd  S.  Powell  grew  up  on  the  home  place  where  he 
spent  his  life.  He  received  a  good  education  and  was  a  young  man  of  much 
promise,  well  known  and  popular  all  over  the  county.  He  served  as  deputy 
(22a) 


33^  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

sheriff  and  was  finally  elected  to  the  responsihle  office  of  sheriff,  the  duties 
of  which  he  was  ably  and  faithfully  discharging  when  he  died.  •  Frater- 
ally,  he  belonged  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Knight.-;  of 
Pythias  and  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics.     ; 

After  his  marriage,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  dived  on  the  home  farm 
a  short  time,  then  built  his  present  home  on  the  state  road,  known 'as  *'East 
View  Fann,"  his  place  containing  fifty-seven  and.  one-half  acres.  He  makes 
a  specialty  of  belted  Hampshire  hog's  in  connectioii  with  general  farming. 
He  also  farms  other  land  in  his  vicinity  which  he  rents.  He  votes  the 
Republican  ticket.     His  wife  is  a  Baptist. 


JACOB  E.  RHODES. 


Jacob  E.  Rhodes  is  a  farmer,  living  on  rural  route  number  four,  Urbana. 
Ohio,  one  mile  north  of  Terre  Haute,  Ohio.  He  was  born  in  Strasburg, 
Shenandoah  county,  Virginia,  November  20,  1859,  a  son  of  Noah  and  Cath- 
erine (Stover)  Rhodes.  Noah  Rhodes  was  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Cra- 
bill)  Rhodes,  who  were  natives  of  Virginia,  and  spent  their  entire  lives  in 
that  state. 

Noah  Rhodes  was  reared  in  Virginia  and  lived  in  that  state  until  after 
his  marriage.  He  came  to  Champaign  county,  September,  1856,  coming' 
with  his  wife  and  all  his  belongings  conveyed  in  a  covered  wagon.  The 
distance  of  this  journey  was  about  five  hundred  miles  and  it  took  tliein 
twenty-two  days  to  make  the  trip.  They  slept  in  the  wagon  and  cooked 
their  meals  by  the  roadside.  He  had  purchased  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
acres  of  land  in  this  county,  nearly  all  in  the  woods.  Here  he  established  a 
home  and  began  the  work  of  clearing  timber  from  his  land  and  gettitig  it  in 
shape  for  cultivation.  He  afterwards  made  an  additional  purchase  of  land, 
making  in  all  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres  in  the  farm.  He  and  his  wife 
were  members  of  the  Baptist  church  and  active  in  all  church  affairs,  l^uliti- 
caliy,  he  was  a  Democrat  for  the  most  of  his  life,  but  later  affiliated  witli  llie 
Greenback  party.  He  died,  June,  1897;  his  wife  died  June,  1916.  The 
children  of  this  family  born  in  Virginia,  were:  Jacob  E.,  Joseph  (li\ing), 
and. John  E.  (deceased).  One  child,  Joshua,  was  born  in  Champaign 
county,  Ohio. 

Jacob  E.  Rhodes  was  nearly  five  years  old  when  he  came  with  his  par- 
ents to  this  county.     He  was  reared  on  the   farm  and  attended  the  ])ul)lic 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


339 


school  during  the  winter  season.  He  was  married  to  Mary  Cook,  November 
15,  1877.  She  was  born  in  Mad  River  township,  near  Terre  Haute,  Ohio, 
.\pril  3,  1855,  a  daughter  of  Calvin  and  Elizabeth  (Hupp)  Cook.:  Her  par- 
ents were  both  natives  of  Virginia.  Her  father  was  born  April  12,  1819, 
and  died  in  1909;  her  mother  was. born  April  23,  1819,  and  died  in  1905. 
They  had  eleven  children,  six  of  whom  are  living:  William,  of  Mad  River 
township ;  Raper,  of  Rice  county,  Kansas ;  Louis,  of  Urbana  township : 
George,  of  Clark  county,  Ohio;  Samuel,  of  Auglaize  county,  Ohio,  and  Mrs. 
Rhodes. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rhodes  four  boys  have  been  born :  Wilber,  married 
Addie  Neese;  Ona  C,  married  Cora  Alorris,  of  Clark  county,  Ohio;  War- 
ren J.,  married  Mary  Blue,  Mad  River  township;  Carl  P.,  at  home.  Mrs. 
Rhodes  is  a  member  of  the  Harmony  Baptist  church.  Mr.  Rhodes  affiliates 
with  the  Democratic  party.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  school  board  for 
twelve  years,  and  one  of  the  trustees  for  six  years.  He  moved  tO  the  farm 
where  he  now  lives  in  the  summer  of  1878,  and  has  turned  his  attention  to 
general  farming  and  stock  raising. 


JAMES  L.  FUNK.  .   _,    ..,-. 

While  James  L.  Funk,  a  retired  grain  dealer  of  Liberty,  Ohio,  lives 
just  across  the  line  in  Logan  county;  nevertheless,  he  has  long  been  inter- 
ested in  the  affairs  of  Champaign  county  and  his  biography  is  not  out  of 
place  in  a  history  of  the  latter.  He  was -born  on  the  old  Funk  homestead 
in  Salem  township.  Champaign  county,  June  3,  1861.  He  is  a  son  of  Jacob 
S.  and  Sarah  (Long)  Funk,  the  father  a  native  of  Fredericks  city,  Mary- 
land, where  he  was  born  in  181 5.  The  mother  was  a  native  of  Salem  town- 
ship, born  on  August  24,  1822.  When  a  small  boy,  Jacob  S.  Funk  moved 
from  the  Oriole  state  with  his  parents  to  Pennsylvania,  and  when  he  was 
fifteen  years  old  he  accompanied  the  family  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio, 
locating  in  Salem  township  on  the  state  road,  in  1830,  thus  being  one  of  the 
pioneer  families  in  this  locality.  His  parents  were  Joel  and  Elizabeth 
(  Kanagy)  Funk.  Joel  Funk  became  a  leading  citizen  of  his  vicinity.  He 
purchased  land  here,  which  he  cleared,  improved  and  added  to,  until  at  the 
time  of  his  death  he  owned  l.)etween  four  hundred  and  five  hundred  acres  of 
land.  His  family  consisted  of  the  following  children,  namely :  Jacob  S., 
father   of   the    subject   of   this   sketch;    Emily,    who   married   Jacob   Myers: 


340  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Caroline,  who  married  Levi  Share;  Augusta,  who  died  during  the  Civil 
War  of  a. fever  which  she  contracted  while  nursing  a  Union  soldier,  and 
Aaron  Benson  Funk  (deceased),  who  was  a  farmer  in  Salem  township. 

Jacob  S.  Funk  attended  school  in  Pennsylvania,  also  in  Salem  township, 
Champaign  county,  also  attended  a  college  in  the  state  of  Kentuck}-.  Vfter 
leaving  school  he  took  up  farming  in  Salem  township,  locating  on  the  farm 
that  his  son,  James  L.,  and  daughter,  Rovilla.  now  own.  and  here  he  spent  the 
rest  of  his  life  engaged  in  general  farming,  his  death  occurring  on  March  i8. 
{897.  His  widow  survived  until  March  25,  1909.  He  was  well  known  and 
influential  in  his  township  and  county.  He  served  as  road  supervis(,)r  and 
school  director  of  Salem  township.  His  family  consisted  of  live  children, 
namely:  Lee  W.,  who  lives  in  Washington,  D.  C. ;  Theodore  K.,  an  attorney, 
living  in  Portsmouth,  Ohio;  Rovilla  lives  on  the  old  liome  place;  lutgene 
resides  in  Valparaiso,  Indiana,  and  James  L.  of  this  sketch,  [■iovilla  Funk 
attended  Delaware  College,  Ohio,  and  is  a  cultured  lady.  She  has  always 
lived  on  the  home  place  in  Salem  townshij). 

James  L.  Funk  grew  up  on  the  farm  and  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  Salem  township  and  the  high  school  at  Urbana,  from  which  he 
was  graduated.  LTpon  leaving  school  he  returned  home  for  a  short  time, 
and  received  an  appointment  in  the  railway  mail  service  which  position  he 
held  for  over  one  year,  then  returned  home  and  managed  the  farm  until 
1906,  when  he  moved  to  West  Liberty,  Logan  county,  where  he  engaged  in 
the  grain  business  for  a  period  of  nine  years,  when  he  sold  out.  He  has 
since  devoted  his  attention  to  looking  after  his  farms  in  Champaign  and 
Logan  counties.  He  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  for  the  Peoples 
Building  and  Loan  Association  of  West  Liberty. 

Mr.  Funk  was  married  in  June,  1910,  to  Nellie  I'dliott,  a  daughter  of 
Benjamin  and  Martha  Elliott.  Their  union  has  been  without  issue.  Politi- 
cally, Mr.  Funk  is  a  Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order,  embracing 
the  blue  lodge  of  West  Liberty  and  the  Knights  Templar  of  Urbana.  He 
belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  is  a  member  of  the  official 
board  of  the  same. 

Mr.  Funk's  mother,  Sarah  (Long)  Funk,  was  lx)rn  in  Salem  town- 
ship, two  and  one-half  miles  southeast  of  Kings  creek.  She  was  a  daughter 
of  James  and  Martha  (Turner)  Long.  He  was  born  in  Kentucky,  she.  in 
Logan  county,  Ohio.  James  Long  as  a  boy  came  with  his  parents  from 
Kentucky  to  Champaign  county  and  bought  a  farm  in  Salem  township.  They 
were  of  Scotch-Iri.sh  descent.  They  built  a  stone  house,  and  there  James 
Long  grew  to  maturity.     James  Long  became  a  farmer  and  ver)-  well-to-do. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OIIK!.  34I 

iinally  owning-  seven  hundred  acres  of  land.  They  belonged  to  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  and  he  was  a  real  Christian  man.  He  owned  a  stone 
quarry  on  his  farm.  He  built  a  large  brick  house  and  had  it  well  finished 
with  fine  mantels,  woodwork,  etc.  James  Long  was  married  twice,  first,  to 
Martha  Turner,  and  she  died,  leaving  twin  daughters  three  months  old. 
One  was  Sarah  (Long)  Funk.  The  other  girl,  Mary,  died  aged  twenty -five. 
Then  James  Long  married  Susannah  Cheney. 


WILLL\M  E.   BROWN. 


William  E.  Brown,  one  of  Urbana's  best-known  and  most,  substantial 
I)usincss  men.  actively  identified  with  the  commercial  and  industrial  affairs 
of  his  home  town,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here 
all  his  life.  He  was  born  in  this  coimty.  December  29,  1861,  son  of  Harvey 
and  Lucy  (Harper)  Brown,  also  natives  of  this  county  and  members  of 
pioneer  families,  the  former  a  son  of  Emanuel  and  Christine  (Henkins) 
Bmwn.  and  tlie  latter  a  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Wilson)  Harper. 
Virginians,  who  came  to  this  county  about  1820  and  became  substantial  and 
useful  pioneers  of  the  Pisgah  neighborhood.  Both  the  Browns  and  the  Har- 
pers are  of  Scotch-Irish  descent  and  of  Colonial  stock,  and  both  families 
were  honorablv  represented  in  the  struggle  of  the  colonies  for  independence 
dtu-ing  the  Revolutionary  War. 

Bereft  of  his  father  in  the  da^s  of  his  bo} hood,  William  1-^.  Brown  early 
batl  his  own  way  to  make  and  he  was  but  a  boy  when  he  entered  upon  his 
successful  mercantile  career  as  a  clerk  in  a  store  at  Urbana.  From  the  very 
beginning  of  that  career  Mr.  Brown  has  given  his  most  earnest  thought  to 
the  business,  and  it  was  not  long  until  he  found  his  way  clear  to  enter  busi- 
ness on  his  own  account.  As  he  prospered  he  gradually  enlarged  his  stock 
and  his  establishment  grew  in  importance  until  it  has  long  been  recognized 
as  one  of  the  leading  clothing  and  men's  furnishing  establishments  in  this 
part  of  the  state.  Mr.  Brown  now  being  the  oldest  clothing  merchant  in 
coininuous  ser\ice  in  Champaign  count)-.  In  addition  to  his  extensive  mer- 
cantile interests,  Mr.  Jirown  has  other  imjwrtant  commercial  connections  in 
Urbana.  and  has  for  vears  been  regarded  as  one  of  the  real  "live  wires"  of 
that  flourishing  city.  For  several  years  he  was  secretary-  and  treasurer  of 
the  Urbana  Mills  Company,  manufacturers  of  worsted  cloth,  is  a  member  of 
the  board  of  directf)rs  of  the  Champaign  National  Bank,  vice-president  of  the 


34^  CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO. 

People's  Savings  and  Loan  Company  of  Urbana,  a  member  of  the  board  of 
directors  of  the  Ohio  Oil  and  Refining  Company,  and  has  other  interests,  all 
combining  to  make  him  one  of  the  important  personal  factors  in  the  business 
life  of  this  community. 

On  October  15,  1890,  in  the  vicinity  of  Monticello,  in  White  county. 
Indiana,  William  E.  Brown  was  united  in  marriage  to  Marietta  Burns 
daughter  of  William  and  Etna  (Mclntyre)  Burns,  of  Scottish  ancestry  and 
prominent  and  substantial  pioneers  of  that  county,  and  to  this  union  two 
children  have  been  born,  daughters,  Lucy  Burns,  who  was  married  to  J. 
Ivan  Murphy  on  October  28,  1916,  and  Christine  Etna,  who  is  now  a  stu- 
dent at  the  University  of  Wisconsin.  Mr.  Brown  has  a  delightful  home  at 
Urbana  and  has  ever  taken  an  earnest  interest  in  the  general  social  and  cul- 
tural activities  of  his  home  town.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church 
and  for  thirty  years  Mr.  Brown  has  been  the  teacher  of  a  class  of  young 
men  in  the  Sunday  school  of  that  church.  Mrs.  Brown  is  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Science  church  and  at  one  time  was  second  reader.  Mr.  Brown  is 
a  Knight  Templar  and  Scottish  Rite  (thirty-second  degree)  Mason  and  a 
noble  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  affiliated 
with  the  blue  lodge,  the  chapter,  the  council  and  the  commandery  at  Urbana 
and  witK'the  consistory  and  the  shrine  (Antioch  Temple)  at  Dayton,  and  has 
for  years  given  his  earnest  and  active  attention  to  Masonic  affairs. 


i  JOHN   LEONARD. 

[ohn  Leonard,  a  farmer,  living  on  nn-al  route  number  four.  Urbana, 
Ohio,  was  born  on  the  farm  he  now  owns,  September  12,  1864,  a  son  of 
J.  P.  and  Elizabeth  (  Kesler)  Leonard.  The  father  was  born  in  Jackson 
township.  John  Leonard  is  the  oldest  of  a  family  of  four  children.  The 
others  are,  Wilson,  Elmer  and  Charles. 

John  Leonard  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  the  old  home  farm  and 
received  his  education  in  the  district  schools.  He  was  sufliciently  educated 
to  engage  in  teaching  and  he  followed  that  vocation  for  eighteen  years, 
teaching  in  the  schools  of  the  county.  He  was  married,  April  22.  1890, 
to  -Alvirta  Fitzpatrick,  a  daughter  of  \\'illiam  and  Lucinda  (Lemnion) 
Fitzpatrick.  After  marriage  they  settled  down  on  the  farm  where  they 
now  live.  He  bought  thirty-seven  acres  and  has  made  all  the  improvements 
on  the  farm.     Two  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leonard:     Wilbur 


CI1A]\IPATGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  343 

F.,  died  at  the  age  of  eight  months,  born  in  1891 ;  Enier}-  C,  born  Janiiar}- 
9.  1892,  graduate  of  the  schools  at  Thackery  and  Lawrenceville  high  school. 
He  is  also  a  graduate  of  the  Wittenberg  agricultural  school,  and  of  the 
State  University,  receiving  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts  in  the  latter  institu- 
tion, and  is  at  present  one  of  the  instructors  in  the  university.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  St.  Paris  Lodge  No.  355,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  a  member  of 
St.  Paris  Chapter  No.  132.  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  a  past  high  priest  of 
the  Raper  Commandery  No.   19,  Urbana,  Ohio. 

John  Lebtiard  is  a  Democrat  in  his  political  belief.  He  served  for 
live  years  as  justice  of  the  peace  in  his  township.  He  is  a  stockholder  in 
the  Springfield  Building  and  Loan  Company.  He  is  a  mason  by  trade  and 
does  some  work  in  that  line  in  addition  to  his  farming  work. 


LORENZO  D.  WARD. 


On  November  15,  1879,  Lorenzo  D.  Ward  was  born  on  a  farm  adjoin- 
ing the  one  on  which  he  now  lives,  in  Mad  River  township,  Ohio.  He  is  a 
son  of  Philander  and  Mary  E.  (Stradling)  Ward,  both  of  whom  are  natives 
of  Champaign  county,  the  former  born  in  Mad  River  township,  March  10. 
T852;  the  latter  born  in  Jackson  township,  September,  1852.  Mary  E. 
Ward  is  a  sister  of  Silas  Stradling  and  is  still  living. 

Philander  Ward  and  Mary  E.  Stradling  were  married  in  Jackson  town- 
ship and  settled  down  on  a  farm  in  Mad  River  township,  where  Mr.  Ward 
continued  to  live  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  died  July  16,  1904.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Universalist  church  in  Westville.  In  politics  he  was  a 
Democrat.  He  was  the  father  of  three  children,  one  of  whom  died  in 
infancy.  Lottie,  a  sister  of  Lorenzo  D.  Ward,  is  the  wife  of  C.  F.  Louden- 
back,  of  Sidney,  Ohio. 

Lorenzo  D.  Ward  was  reai'ed  on  a  farm  near  where  he  now  lives,  and 
Avas  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  which  he  is  a  graduate.  He  also 
attended  the  Westville  high  school.  On  October  5,  1904,  he  was  married 
to  Mary  B.  Middleton,  daughter  of  Arthur  and  AUie  L.  (Taylor)  Middle- 
ton.  She  was  born  February  16.  1883,  and  was  educated  in  the  Westville 
schools,  graduating  from  the  high  school.  After  their  marriage  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Ward  settled  on  a  farm  in  Mad  River  township  and  have  continued 
to  make  their  home  in  this  township.  They  have  five  children:  Beulah  L., 
liorn  July  16,  1905:  Marjorie  M.,  born  February  19,  1907;  Adelaide  G.,  born 


344  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

lanuary  21,   1909;  Loretta  E.,  born  April  10,   191 1;  Robert  M.,  born  Felj- 
niary  2,  191 3. 

Mr.  Ward  is  a  member  of  Magrew  Lodge,  No.  433,  Knights  of  Pythias. 
WestAnlle,  Ohio.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  poHtics  and  is  trustee  of  the  town- 
ship. He  owns  one  hundred  and  eight  acres  of  land,  a  well  improved  farm 
and  well  adapted  for  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  a  line  of  industrv 
in  which  he  is  extensi\^ely  engaged. 


WILLIAM    M.    RITCHIE. 

The  farm  of  William  M.  Ritchie  lies  in  Goshen  township,  in  the  south- 
eastern corner  of  Champaign  county,  being  known  as  "Goshen  Fruit  Farm." 
Mr.  Ritchie  was  born  in  Loudoun  county,  Virginia.  February  i,  1845.  ^e 
is  a  scion  of  one  of  the  sterling  families  of  the  Old  Dominion,  being  a  son 
of  Solomon  and  Eliza  A.  (Ropp)  Ritchie,  both  natives  of  Loudoun  county, 
Virginia,  where  their  ancestors  settled  in  an  early  day.  There  they  grew 
to  maturity  and  were  married,  then  moved  to  Clark  county,  Ohio,  locating 
on  a  farm  in  Pleasant  township  and  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  there.  The 
father  was  also  a  carpenter  by  trade,  which  he  followed  in  connection  with 
farming.  His  family  consisted  of  six  children,  three  of  whom  are  living  in 
191 7,  namely:  William  M.,  of  this  sketch;  Charles  N..  who  is  farming  in 
Pleasant  township,  Clark  county;  Edward  H.  is  also  engaged  in  farming 
in  that  township  and  county;  one  died  in  childhood;  John  S.  was  a  soldier 
in  the  Civil  War  and  gave  his  life  for  his  country;  Mary  E..  who  married 
Oliver  Young,  is  deceased. 

William  M.  Ritchie  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Clark  count}-, 
Ohio,  and  was  educated  in  the  district  schools.  He  worked  on  the  home 
farm  and  also  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  with  his  father,  remaining  at 
home  until  he  was  twenty  years  old.  He  is  a  mechanic  of  unusual  abilit} . 
In  1879  he  started  a  fruit  farm  in  Goshen  township  and  here  he  has  since 
made  his  home.  He  owns  sixty-one  and  one-half  acres,  which  he  has  placed 
under  excellent  improvements  and  it  is  one  of  the  most  desirable  fruit  farms 
in  the  county.  He  has  made  a  close  study  of  all  phases  of  horticulture,  and 
is  an  authority  in  this  line.  In  connection  with  fruit  growing,  he  is  a 
breeder  of  registered  Duroc  hogs.  He  finds  a  very  ready  market  for  his 
fine  stock  whenever  he  offers  them  for  sale,  owing  to  their  superior  quali- 
ties.    He  bought  his  farm  in  1875. 

Mr.   Ritchie  was  married  on  November  4,    1869,   to  Mary  A.   Brown. 


WILLIAM  M.  RITCHIE 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


;>45 


who  was  born  on  the  farm  where  she  now  Hves,  June  lo,  1850.  She  was 
reared  in  Goshen  township  and  attended  the  district  schools.  To  this  union 
three  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Celia  O.,  is  single  and  lives  at 
home;  John  E.  married  Josephine  Lowe  and  they  live  in  Dayton,  Ohio; 
Anna  L.  is  the  wife  of  A.  J.  Wilson  and  they  live  in  Pleasant  township. 
Clark  county. 

Politically,  Mr.  Ritchie  is  a  Republican.  He  has  served  as  a  member 
of  the  local  school  board  for  many  years,  and  was  for  some  time  chairman 
of  the  board.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
church  at  Mechanicsburg  and  have  long  been  active  in  church  work.  He 
served  as  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  for  a  number  of  years  and 
has  also  been  a  deacon  of  that  church. 


DAVID   BLUE. 


David  Blue  lives  on  his  farm  located  six  miles  southeast  of  St.  Paris, 
Mad  River  township.  It  is  known  as  the  "Sugar  Grove  Earm"  and  consists 
of  sixty-four  acres,  on  rural  route  number  five,  St.  Paris,  Ohio.  David 
Blue  was  born  on  a  farm  south  of  where  he  now  lives,  July  29,  1862,  a  son 
of  Nelson  R.  and  Mary  (Shaffer)  Blue. 

Nelson  R.  Blue  was  also  born  in  Mad  River  township.  Champaign 
county.  His  wife  was  born  in  Virginia  and  came  with  her  parents  in  earl\ 
life  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  whei'e  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was 
married.  After  marriage  Nelson  R.  Blue  and  wife  began  housekeeping  on 
a  farm  adjoining  the  one  on  which  David  Blue  now  lives.  He  owned  a 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  here  and  made  this  his  liome  durni- 
life.  Air.  Blue  was  a  good  farmer  and  a  good  citizen.  He  was  an  advo- 
cate of  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nelson  R.  Blue  six  children  were  born,  one  of  whom 
died  in  infancy.  They  are:  J.  E.  Blue,  a  farmer  in  Mad  Ri\er  townshi]); 
David,  Rosa,  wife  of  Wilson  Leonard,  living  in  Mad  River  township;  Mary 
E.,  widow  of  Ezra  Lutz,  Westville;  Nancy,  deceased,  wife  oi  Silas  Jenkins. 

David  Blue  w^as  reared  and  educated  in  the  old  lionic,  attending  the  dis- 
trict schools.  He  remained  at  home  until  he  was  tweiit}-three  years  of  age. 
working  on  the  farm.  December  20.  1885,  he  was  married  to  Ella  Gabriel, 
a  daughter  of  Samuel  Gabriel.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  David  Blue  began  housekeep- 
ing on  a  farm  and  this  has  been  his  occupation  all  his  life.     Ke  Ijought  the 


346  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

^'arm  which  he  at  present  owns.  He  made  the  purchase  without  any  means 
to  make  a  payment,  going  in  debt  for  the  whole  amount  of  purchase.  Sam- 
uel Deibert  endorsed  his  notes  and  backed  him  in  getting  a  start.  Mr.  Blue 
made  good,  clearing  the  farm  mortgage  and  getting  himself  free  from  debt, 
lie  has  made  all  the  improvements  on  the  farm.  He  built  a  comfortable 
residence  in  1904.  and  a  good  barn  in  191 2.  The  house  in  which  he  lives  is 
a  modern  home  of  eight  rooms,  and  all  conveniences. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Blue  have  two  children:  Edna  L.,  wife  of  O.  C.  Bishop. 
of  Springfield,  Ohio;  Mamie  C,  at  home.  Mr.  Blue  is  a  Republican  in 
politics  and  takes  an  active  part  in  party  affairs.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
I  unior  Order  of  Mechanics,  of  Terre  Haute.  Ohio. 


GEORGE  W.  STEPHAN. 

George  W.  Stephan,  a  well-known  millman  and  dealer  in  hardwood 
lumber  at  Urbana,  is  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state  all 
his  life.  He  was  born  at  Upper  Sandusky,  in  Wyandot  county,  son  of 
Henry  and  Mary  (Weingard)  Stephan,  who  were  the  parents  of  seven 
cliildren.  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Henry  Stephan  was  born  in  the 
kingdom  of  Bavaria  and  upon  coming  to  this  country  proceeded  on  out  to 
Ohio  and  located  at  Springfield,  where  he  became  employed  at  his  trade, 
that  of  a  cabinet-maker,  and  where  he  married,  later  moving  to  Upper  San- 
dusky, but  after  a  sometime  residence  there  returned  to  Springfield,  where 
he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  and  where  for  thirty  years  he  had  charge  of  the 
plant  of  the  O.  S.  Kelly  Company.     He  died  in  December,  1885. 

Upon  completing  his  schooling  in  the  Springfield  high  school,  George 
\V.  Stephan  entered  the  factory  with  his  father  and  after  his  father's  death 
took  the  latter's  place  in  the  same.  For  a  time  he  and  his  brothers,  Henry 
and  Charles,  were  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  and  they  then  moved  to 
Urbana.  where  they  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  and  later  started  the 
Desmond-Stephan  Manufacturing  Company,  manufacturers  of  injectors, 
brass  goods,  emerywheel  dressing  and  certain  other  supplies  of  a  kindred 
character.  Charles  Stephan  later  sold  his  stock  in  the  concern  and  returned 
to  Springfield,  where  he  is  now  engaged  in  the  manufacturing  business, 
and  Henry  Stephan  died  in  1912.  Upon  coming  to  Urbana  in  1899  George 
W.  Stephan  continued  his  connection  with  the  lumber  business  and  has  since 
been  very  successfully  engaged  in  that  line,  operating  several   mills  in   this 


CHAMPAIGN    COUiXTY,    OHIO.  347 

part  of  the  state,  where  the  hardwood  timber  is  still  accessible.  He  has 
ever  taken  an  active  part  in  the  general  bnsiness  affairs  of  his  home  town, 
is  connected  with  the  Citizens  National  Bank  of  Urbana,  and  was  for  some 
time  engaged  in  the  automobile  business  there. 

George  W.  Stephan  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mary  Miller,  of  Spring- 
field. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stephan  have  a  very  pleasant  home  at  Urbana  and  take 
a  proper  part  in  the  general  social  activities  of  their  home  town.  Mrs. 
Stephan  is  an  active  member  of  the  Episcopal  churcli  and  takes  an  earnest 
part  in  the  affairs  of  the  local  congregation  of  that  church,  interested  in 
all  local  good  works.  Mr.  Stephan  is  independent  in  his  political  views, 
but  takes  a  good  citizen's  interest  in  local  civic  affairs  and  is  ever  helpful 
in  promoting-  movements  having  to  do  with  the  general  advancement  of  the 
business  interests  of  the  citv. 


FOREST  E.  JENKINS. 


Forest  E.  Jenkins,  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Jackson  township, 
October  ii,  i860,  and  is  living  on  his  farm  on  rural  route  numl^er  one.  North- 
hampton, Ohio.     He  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Abigail  (Zirkle)  Jenkins. 

Joseph  Jenkins  was  born  near  St.  Paris,  Jackson  township,  Ohio,  in 
1831,  and  died  in  1875.  Abigail  (Zirkle)  Jenkins  was  born  in  Mad  River 
township,  in  1833,  and  died  in  191 5.  Joseph  Jenkins  was  one  of  the  early 
settlers  of  the  township  and  contributed  a  large  share  in  the  development  of 
the  country.  He  was  an  honest,  upright  citizen,  a  man  of  influence  and 
liighly  respected  by  the  people  of  the  community  in  which  he  spent  his  life. 
Their  two  living  children,  Forest  and  Nettie,  live  together  and  they  cared 
for  their  mother  during  her  widowhood.  One  child,  Edward  L.,  died  in 
1868,  aged  two  years. 

Forest  E.  Jenkins  was  born  and  reared  on  the  farm  in  Jackson  town- 
ship, and  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  the  township.  He  married 
Tena  Neese,  in  1888,  who  was  born  in  Mad  River  township,  daughter  of 
Elias  and  Sarah  Foltz  (both  deceased),  who  lived  in  Mad  River  township. 
She  died  March  14,  1906,  and  left  no  children.  They  were  members  of  the 
Lutheran  church  in  which  Mr.  Jenkins  was  a  deacon  for  several  years.  He 
is  a  member  of  Thackery  Lodge  No.  874,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  I' el- 
lows,  and  is  a  past  noble  grand  in  that  order.  Nettie  Jenkins  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Rebekah  lodge,  of  Thackery.  and  is  past  noble  grand  of  the  lodge. 


348  CPIAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

In  his  political  affiliation  Mr.  Jenkins  is  a  Republican.     He  serx^ed  on  the  school 
bt»ard  many  years. 

Forest  E.  Jenkins  and  his  sister  are  the  owners  of  two  hundred  and 
ninety  acres  of  land.  Two  hundred  and  eight  acres  of  this  land  is  the  part 
on  which  they  have  their  residence.  Mr.  Jenkins  is  engaged  in  general  farm- 
ing and  is  also  a  breeder  of  fine  graded  stock.  He  raises  French  horses, 
.Shropshire  shee])  and  Chester  White  hogs.  The  land  which  he  owns  is  w-ell 
.•((lapted  to  this  line  of  industry  and  ])rofitable  returns  are  realized. 


[OHN  P.  GOOD. 


A  public-spirited,  industrious  and  honored  citizen  of  Salem  township. 
Champaign  county,  during  the  generation  that  has  just  passed,  was  the  late 
John  P.  Good,  whose  name  is  deserving  of  a  place  in  this  biographical  and 
historical  compendium.  He  was  born  in  the  above  named  county,  October 
14,  1859.  He  is  a  son  of  Jonas  and  Julia  Good,  early  settlers  in  this  sec- 
tion of  Ohio,  establishing  the  family  home  on  a  farm,  and  there  the  subject 
of  this  memoir  grew  to  manhood  and  assisted  with  the  general  work  on 
the  place  during  the  crop  season.  In  the  winter  time  he  attended  the  district 
.schools. 

John  1'.  Good  continued  working  with  his  father  on  the  homestead  until 
his  marriage,  T^bruary  29,  1888,  to  Eveline  Kavenaugh,  of  Salem  town- 
ship, this  county,  where  .she  was  reared  and  educated  in  the  common  schools. 
She  is  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Margaret  (Hanger)  Kavenaugh,  the 
mother  a  native  of  Virginia  and  the  father  of  Champaign  county.  Mr. 
Kavenaugh's  parents  were  born  in  Ireland,  his  father,  Matthew  Kavenaugh, 
immigrating  from  that  country  to  America  when  a  young  man,  l>efore  his 
marriage,  and  settled  in  Champaign  county,  on  a  farm,  among  the  early 
settlers.  His  family  consisted  of  six  children,  namely:  John,  Francis, 
James.  William,  Samuel  (father  of  Mrs.  Good),  and  Aima.  Peter  Hanger, 
maternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Good,  married  Susan  (iroxes.  He  was  a 
native  of  V^irginia,  from  which  state  he  came  to  Champaign  county,  many 
years  ago,  and  here  he  still  resides.  His  wife  was  born  in  Holland.  Ten 
children  were  born  to  Peter  Hanger  and  wife,  namely:  Fred,  Adam.  Peter. 
Jr..    David,  James,   Elizabeth.   Mary,   Margaret,   Susan   and  Eveline. 

To  Samuel  and  Margaret  Kavenaugh  the  following  children  were  born  : 
Lizzie,  the  wife  of  Hezekiali  Miller,  and  thev  reside  in  Illinois:  Matthew,  who 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


349 


lives  in  Union  county,  Ohio;  Mary  Jane  married  James  Blaycock  and  tliey 
live  near  West  Liberty,  Ohio :  Eveline,  widow  of  Air.  Good,  of  this  sketch  : 
Myra  and  Marjorie  are  twins:  Myra  is  single  and  lives  on  the  home  place: 
Marjorie  is  the  wife  of  Jerry  Shelton  and  they  live  in  Springfield.  Ohio: 
Annie  is  the  wife  of  Robert  Sidder  and  they  live  in  Salem  township.  Cham- 
paign county,  and  William  makes  his  home  with  his  sister,  Mrs.  Good. 

iVfter  his  marriage  John  P.  Good  located  on  the  old  Kavenaugh  farm 
in  Salem  township,  where  he  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising 
until  his  death.  He  took  a  good  deal  of  interest  in  public  affairs  and  was 
influential  in  the  general  upbuilding  of  his  community.  He  was  a  stanch 
Democrat  and  served  for  some  time  as  a  member  of  the  local  school  board. 
Fraternally,  he  belonged  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at  West 
Liberty :  he  held  membership  in  the  Christian  church  and  took  an  abiding 
interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  same. 

The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Good  resulted  in  the  birth  of  one  child, 
John  Denton  Good,  who  farms  the  home  place;  he  married  Lela  Fidler,  of 
Ouincy.  Ohio,  and  they  have  one  child,  John  Franklin  Good.  The  death 
of  John  P.  Good  occurred  on  March  26,  191 5.  He  was  good  to  his  family, 
a  good  neighbor  and  citizen  and  had  a  host  of  friends. 


WILLLAM  T.  MILLARD. 

Among  the  farmers  of  Salem  township.  Champaign  county,  who  believe 
in  employing  advanced  methods  of  tilling  the  soil,  so  far  as  they  apply 
to  this  latitude,  is  William  T.  Millard.  Fie  was  born  in  Cumberland  county, 
Pennsylvania,  August  29,  1877.  He  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Ivy  (Johnsoji) 
Millard.  The  mother  was  born  in  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  and  the  father 
was  a  native  of  Cumberland  county.  Pennsylxania,  xxhere  he  grew  to  man- 
hood and  attended  school,  and  from  there  he  migrated  to  Champaign  count} . 
in  the  latter  seventies.  He  worked  at  dift'erent  places,  principally  at  Urbana. 
His  death  occurred  in  1905.  His  family  consisted  of  seven  children,  named 
as  follows:  Robert  and  Lizzie,  who  both  live  in  Springfield.  Ohio:  Henry, 
in  Warren  county.  Ohio:  Ella.  Lou  and  Xettie,  all  three  reside  in  Spring- 
field, this  state,  and  \\'il]iani  T.,  of  this  skctcli,  who  was  tliird  in  order  of 
birth. 

^\■illiam  T.  Millard  was  a  small  child  when  his  parents  brought  him  to 
<hampaign  county,  and  here  he  grew  to  manhood  and  received  his  educa- 


350  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

tion  in  the  Urbana  public  schools,  but  he  left  school  when  only  eleven  years 
old  and  began  to  work  out  at  whatever  he  could  find  to  do  and  until  he 
was  twenty  years  old  he  followed  various  occupations.  At  that  age  he 
married  Nora  McGuire,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Shafer) 
McGuire,  who  lived  on  a  farm  in  Champaign  county.  The  father  is  now- 
deceased,  but  the  mother  makes  her  home  in  Salem  township.  They  were 
parents  of  nine  children,  namely :  Sallie,  living  at  home  in  Salem  township ; 
Nora,  wife  of  Air.  Millard,  of  this  sketch ;  James,  in  Los  Angeles,  California ; 
Lessre,  in  Kennard,  Champaign  county;  Maggie,  in  Dayton,  Ohio;  Lizzie, 
who  makes  her  home  at  Urbana,  and  Nicholas,  Ollie  and  Theresa,  all  three 
reside  in  Salem  township.  Five  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Millard, 
named  as  follows :  Harley.  Blanche,  Edna  and  Edgar  are  twins,  and  Glenna. 
After  his  marriage  Mr.  Millard  lived  in  Springfield,  Ohio,  for  about 
four  years,  where  he  was  employed  at  the  Kelly  foundry.  He  then  engaged 
in  farming  in  Harrison  township.  Champaign  county,  for  about  nine  years. 
Since  1910  he  has  resided  at  Lippencott,  farming  a  two-hundred-acre  place 
and  he  has  made  a  success  as  a  general  farmer  and  stock  raiser.  Mr. 
Millard  votes  independently— for  the  best  man.  He  has  never  aspired  to 
office  for  himself. 


JOSEPH  B.  SMITH. 

Joseph  B.  Smith,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  and  a  well- 
known  farmer  and  substantial  citizen  of  Johnson  township,  living  on  his  well- 
improved  farm  of  twenty-five  acres  located  on  rural  route  No.  4  out  of  S(. 
Paris,  was  born  in  Page  county,  Virginia,  June  15,  1845,  the  son  of  James 
and  Catherine  (Deeds)  Smith,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  the  Old  Domin- 
ion State,  and  who  are  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  volume  in  connection 
with  the  sketches  of  their  sons,  Henry  and  George  Smith. 

Joseph  B.  Smith  was  the  fifth  child  in  order  of  l)irth  born  to  his  parents, 
and  was  but  a  small  boy  when  brought  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  by  his 
parents,  w'ho  emigrated  in  1857  from  Virginia  to  this  state.  He  received 
his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Johnson  township,  and  grew  to  man- 
hood here.  .  Following  the  example  of  his  two  brothers,  he  enlisted  for 
service  in  the  Lhiion  army  on  October  21,  1863,  when  he  joined  Company 
C,  Twelftli  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Cavalry,  and  served  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  He  saw  much  hard  service  and  was  twice  wounded,  receiving 
a  shot  in  the  right  limb,  and  also  receiving  severe  blow  over  the  head  from 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 


351 


a  revolver.  After  the  close  of  the  war  lie  returned  to  Johnson  tounshii), 
this  county,  after  being  mustered  out  on  November  14.  1865.  at  Nashville, 
Tennessee,  and  engaged  in  farming,  in  which  vocation  he  has  continued  since 
that  time.  He  has  an  attractive  little  place  of  twenty-five  acres  near  the 
village  of  Millerstown,  where  he  is  very  comfortably  located. 

Soon  after  his  return  from  the  army  at  the  close  of  the  Civil  War. 
Joseph  B.  Smith  was  united  in  marriage  to  Eliza  Jane  Nicholas,  and  to 
this  union  five  children  were  born,  namely  Gary,  of  Ouincy,  Ohio:  Laura, 
the  wife  of  David  Moody,  of  Urbana;  Nevada,  unmarried,  the  youngest 
daughter  living,  and  Wilber.  who  married  Hazel  Applegaie.  and  George 
L.,  living  at  home  with  his  father.  The  mother  of  these  ciiildren  died,  Janu- 
ary 26,  1912.  The  family  are  earnest  and  devoted  members  of  the  Baptist 
church,  in  which  they  take  an  active  and  warm  interest.  Air.  Smith  is  a 
Republican  in  politics,  and  while  taking  a  good  citizenship's  interest  m  the 
civic  affairs  of  his  community,  yet  is  not  active  in  political  affairs.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  Post  No.  iii.  St.  Paris. 
Ohio. 


WILLIAM  N.  NEESE. 


William  N.  Neese,  a  farmer  living  on  rural  route  number  fotu",  Urbana, 
Ohio,  was  born  in  Auglaize  county,  Ohio,  Eebruary  9,  J  858,  a  son  of  Josiah 
and  Mary  A.  (Weaver)  Neese.  The  father  was  born  in  Rockingham,  Vir- 
ginia, July  21,  1829.  He  was  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (Bowman) 
Neese. 

Jacob  Neese  was  married  in  Virginia  and  came  with  his  family  to  Ohio. 
He  found  a  location  in  the  south  part  of  Mad  River  township,  and  made 
that  his  home  for  a  number  of  years.  Then  he  sold  that  farm  and  bought 
a  farm  which  William  Deibert  now  owns,  and  there  they  spent  the  remainder 
of  their  days.  He  was  the  father  of  ten  children  :  Josiah,  Josephus.  John. 
Johanna,  Jorem  B.,  Jerome,  Jacob,  Jeremiah,  Jes.se,  Sarah.  Three  of  these 
are  now  living:  Jorem,  Jesse  and  Jeremiah. 

Josiah  Neese,  father  of  our  subject  was  a  carjjenter  by  trade.  He  mar- 
ried Mary  A.  \\^eaver,  November  27,  1855.  She  was  born  near  Terre  Haute. 
Ohio,  January  13.  1835.  a  daughter  of  ^^'illiam  and  Rebecca  Weaver.  She 
was  reared  on  the  farm  and  after  marriage  lived  for  a  time  in  Mad  Rixer 
township,  then  removed  to  Auglaize  county.  Ohio.  The}-  lixed  there  until 
1864,  when  thev   returned   to  this  county  and  settled   in    .\[ad    River  town- 


3^2  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

ship,  where  the}-  spent  the  rest  of  their  days.  'J'hey  \\ere  the  parents  of 
two  children:  \\ilham  N.,  our  suljject:  James  A.,  who  is  a  farmer  and  agent 
for  a  fertiHzer  company. 

WiUiam  N.  Neese  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  received  his  education 
in  the  district  schools,  in  which  he  qualified  himself  for  teaching.  He 
hegan  teaching,  Octoher  4,  1877,  and  continued  in  that  husiness  imtil  April 
21,  1916,  a  period  of  more  than  thirty-nine  }cars.  He  tauglit  nineteen 
years  in  Mad  River  township,  seventeen  years  in  Urbana  township,  and 
three  vears  in  Jackson  township,  all  in  Champaign  county.  With  the  many 
changes  and  innovations  in  methods  of  teaching  during  this  period  it  goes 
without  saying,  that,  in  order  for  a  teacher  to  keep  abreast  of  the  times 
and  meet  the  requirements  of  the  modern  educational  methods,  it  must  he 
necessary  to  continually  apply  himself  to  a  study  of  the  new  metliods.  This 
Mr.  Neese  did,  by  attending  the  normal  school  at  Ada.  Ohio,  in  t88i  and 
1883,  and  by  study  and  attention  to  all  other  educational  advantages.  He 
has  always  been  active  in  educational  matters  and  ardently  devoted  to  the 
cause. 

Mr.  and  Mother  Neese  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episco])al  church, 
of  Terre  Haute,  Ohio,  and  active  w'orkers  in  the  church.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  St.  Paris  Lodge,  No.  246,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and 
a  past  grand  in  that  order.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Pharos  Lodge  No.  355, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  St.  Paris  Chapter  No.  132,  Royal  Arch 
Masons;  Urbana  Council  No.  59,  R.  and  S.  M.,  and  Raper  Commandery 
No.  19,  Knights  Templar,  at  Urbana,  Ohio.     He  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 


DAVID  R.  KIMBALL 


David  R.  Kimball,  of  Woodstock,  well-known  and  substantial  farmer 
and  banker,  proprietor  of  beautiful  "Maple  Hill  l'"arm,'"  two  miles  or  more 
south  of  Woodstock,  in  Rush  township:  former  president  of  the  Woodstock 
Bank  and,  since  the  organization  of  the  Peoples  Bank  of  Woodstock,  presi- 
dent of  that  latter  institution,  former  member  of  the  Champaign  county 
council  and  for  years  actively  identified  with  the  affairs  of  his  home  county. 
is  a  native  son  of  this  county  and  has  lived  here  all  of  his  life.  He  was 
born  on  a  farm  in  Rush  township,  July  2,  1848,  son  of  Truman  M.  and 
Mary  Jane  (Tullington)  Kimball,  the  former  a  native  of  the  state  of  Ver- 
mont and  the  latter,  of  this  state. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  353 

Truman  M.  Kimball  was  bom  at  Stowe,  Vermont,  April  i,  1803,  and 
was  but  a  child  when  his  parents,  Ira  Kimball  and  wife,  came  to  Ohio  and 
settled  in  this  county,  making  their  home  on  a  farm  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Woodstock,  in  Rush  township.  There  Truman  M.  Kimball  grew  to 
manhood  and  1:)ecame  a  large  landowner,  substantial  farmer  and  man  of 
affairs.  He  was  a  Republican  and  for  some  years  served  as  trustee  of  his 
home  township,  doing  much  to  develop  the  general  interests  of  the  same 
and  being  helpful  in  many  ways  in  advancing  the  common  welfare  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  county.  In  addition  to  his  general  farming,  he  was 
widely  known  as  a  stockman  and  did  very  well  in  his  operations,  for  years 
being  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  substantial  citizens  in  that  part  of  the 
county.     His  death  occurred  on  December  19,  1894. 

Truman  M.  Kimball  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife,  who  was 
Mary  Jane  Tullington  and  who  was  born  in  Madison  county,  this  state, 
June  18,  181 3,  died  on  February  27,  1858.  To  that  union  twelve  chil- 
dren were  born,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  eighth  in 
order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow :  Claretta  A.,  born  on  November 
24,  1835,  who  married  John  Mcllroy  and  died  on  July  20,  1868;  Harriet 
E.,  January  29,  1837,  who  married  William  Ellsworth  and  died  in  191 5; 
Lucy  R.,  October  13,  1838,  who  married  Erastus  Guy  and  is  now 
deceased;  Truman  M.,  Jr.,  August  28,  1840,  who  died  in  his  youth;  Susan. 
February  11,  1842,  who  is  now  living  at  Irwin,  in  the  neighboring  county 
of  Union,  widow  of  James  Mcllroy;  Martha  J.,  May  15,  1843,  "<^w  deceased, 
who  married  David  Chatfield  and  after  his  death  married  Thomas  McCarthy; 
Marcia  M.,  August  11,  1845,  "<^w  living  at  Woodstock,  widow  of  George 
Lincoln;  Samuel  P.,  September  6.  1850,  now  living  near  Salem,  Oregon, 
where  he  has  a  large  fruit  orchard;  Jefferson  F.,  October  6,  1852,  a  retired 
farmer  and  banker,  now  living  at  Mechanicsburg,  this  county;  Charles  P., 
February  6.  1855,  w'ho  married  Grace  Cushman  and  is  engaged  in  the  hard- 
Avare  business  at  Woodstock,  and  James  G.,  February  13,  1858,  who  died  on 
August  ID,  1858.  After  the  death  of  the  mother  of  these  children  Mr.  Kim- 
ball married  Mary  Jane  Hunter,  whose  last  days  were  spent  in  Kansas,  and 
to  that  union  two  children  \vere  born,  Rometta,  who  married  Gail  Howard 
and  now  lives  at  Colorado  Springs,  Colorado,  and  William  C.  who  married 
Lucy  Marsh  and  is  now  living  at  Woodstock,  a  retired  farmer. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Rush  township,  David  R.  Kimball  received 
liis  early  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  township  and  supplemented  the  same 
by  a  course  in  Oberlin  College.  After  his  marriage  he  established  his  home 
(23a) 


354  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

on  beautiful  "Maple  Hill  Farm",  two  and  one-half  miles  south  of  Woodstock 
and  there  became  extensively  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising, 
coming  to  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  progressive  and  substantial  farm- 
ers in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county.  On  that  farm  Mr.  Kimball  made  his 
home  until  1907,  when  he  retired  from  the  active  labors  of  the  farm  and 
moved  to  Woodstock,  where  he  built  his  present  handsome  residence  and 
where  he  since  has  made  his  home.  Even  before  leaving  the  farm  Mr.  Kim- 
ball had  long  been  giving  his  active  attention  to  the  general  business  atYairs 
of  the  community  and  was  the  president  of  the  old  Woodstock  Bank  of  Wood- 
stock. In  1906,  the  year  before  his  removal  to  the  village,  he  became  out- 
of  the  organizers  of  the  Peoples  Bank  of  Woodstock  and  was  elected  presi- 
dent of  the  same,  which  position  he  since  has  occupied,  and  in  that  same  year 
erected  the  substantial  building  in  which  the  bank  has  since  been  housed. 
In  other  ways  he  has  also  done  much  for  the  growth  and  development  of  his 
home  town  and  has  long  been  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  men  of  affairs 
of  that  pleasant  and  flourishing  village.  Mr.  Kimball  is  a  Republican  and 
for  six  vears  served  as  a  member  of  the  county  council,  during-  that  incum- 
bencv  giving  the  affairs  of  the  county  his  most  earnest  an.d  thoughtful  atten- 
tion. 

Mr.  Kimi^all  has  been  thrice  married.  On  October  8,  1875,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  May  Smith,  of  Woodstock,  daughter  of  Courtland 
Smith,  for  years  postmaster  of  that  village,  a  shoemaker  by  vocation,  whose 
last  davs  were  spent  at  Milford,  and  to  that  union  two  children  were  born, 
Faimie  Fern,  who  married  Dr.  John  Hathaway,  of  Mechanicsburg,  and  has 
one  child,  a  son,  John,  and  Mabel  Fawn,  wife  of  Dr.  W.  li.  Sharp,  of  \A^ood- 
stock,  a  biographical  sketch  of  wdiom  is  jiresented  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 
The  mother  of  these  children  died  on  Ma}'  4,  1888.  and  on  May  10,  1889,  Mr. 
Kimliall  married  Mary  Hathaway,  of  Union  county,  who  died  in  1906,  after 
which  he  married  Fluldah  Putnam,  of  Washington  county,  this  state.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Kimball  have  a  very  pleasant  home  at  Woodstock  and  take  an  inter- 
ested part  in  the  general  social  activities  of  their  home  town,  helpful  in  pro- 
moting all  proper  causes  there  and  throughout  the  county  at  large.  Mrs. 
Kimball  is  a  member  o\  the  Universalist  church  and  is  a  teacher  in  the  Sun- 
day school  of  the  same.  Mr.  Kimball  is  a  Knight  Templar  and  a  Royal  Arch 
Masf)n  and  takes  nmch  interest  in  Masonic  aft'airs.  He  was  made  a  Mason 
in  the  local  lodge  at  Mechanicsburg  many  years  ago  and  is  connected  with 
the  local  chapter  of  the  Royal  Arch  Masons  at  Urbana  and  with  the  com- 
mandery  of  Knights  Templar  in  that  city. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  355 

THE  MAST  FAMILY. 

There  are  few  families  in  Champaign  county  who  have  had  a  weightier 
influence  upon  the  affairs  of  this  county  or  who  are  more  widely  represented 
than  the  Mast  family,  the  numerous  progeny  of  the  pioneer,  John  Mast, 
who  settled  here  in  1830,  now  forming  one  of  the  most  extensive  connec- 
tfionfe'lin  this  part  of  the  state.  In  his  old  home  over  in  that  sterling  old 
Mennonite  community  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  John  Mast  had  been 
a  farmer  and  school  teacher.  There  he  married  and  six  or  seven  years 
later,  in  1830,  moved  with  his  family  over  into  Ohio  and  settled  in  Cham- 
paign county,  buying  here  a  quarter  of  a  section  of  good  farm  land  at  ten 
dollars  an  acre.  He  had  little  money  to  invest  in  his  land  and  in 
the  necessary  live  stock  and  farming  implements,  and  soon  found  himself 
in  a  financial  struggle,  as  the  markets  for  his  farm  products  gave  no  large 
returns.  The  means  of  transportation  in  those  days  also  were  so  unsatis- 
factory as  to  prove  a  further  discouraging  feature  of  pioneer  living,  and 
he  had  to  haul  his  wheat  over  the  mud  roads  to  Dayton,  where  he  received 
but  thirty-three  cents  a  bushel  for  the  same.  But  as  the  country  became 
more  thickly  settled,  the  land  began  to  increase  in  value  and  the  farmer 
was  given  better  prices  for  his  products,  the  gradually  improving"  roads  also 
affording  better  facilities  for  transportation.  John  Mast  was  not  only  a 
good  farmer,  but  an  excellent  business  man,  and  he  soon  began  to  clear 
off  his  debts  and  it  was  not  long  until  he  came  to  be  recognized  as  one  of 
the  leading  farmers  in  Champaign  county,  as  well  as  one  of  the  foremost 
factors  in  the  work  of  developing  the  community  in  which  he  had  settled.  He 
took  an  active  part  in  the  affairs  of  both  church  and  state  and  established  a. 
family  which  has  ever  been  noted  for  fidelity  to  the  true  principles  of  com- 
munity life  hereabout.  In  1865  John  Mast  retired  from  his  farm  of  three 
himdred  and  twenty  acres,  which  he  divided  among  his  children. 

The  Mast  family  in  America  is  descended  from  Bishop  Jacob  Mast,  a 
leader  in  the  Mennonite  church,  a  Swiss  by  birth,  who  was  born  in  1738 
and  who  was  early  orphaned.  While  he  was  still  in  his  boyhood  he  came 
to  this  country  from  Switzerland  with  his  four  sisters  and  a  younger  brother, 
John,  the  children  being  in  the  care  of  their  benevolent  uncle,  Johannes  Mast, 
and  settled  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  the  family  is  still  influen- 
tially  represented.  It  was  on  November  3,  1750,  that  the  party  landed  from 
the  ship,  "Brotherhood,"  at  the  port  of  Philadelphia,  young  Jacob  Mast 
being   then   twelve   years   of   age.      They   joined   the   .\mish   Mennonites   in 


^^6  CIIAMI-AIGX    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Berks  county  and  there  the  lad  grew  to  manhood,  hnnly  grounded  in  the 
simple  faith  of  his  father  and  of  his  daily  associates.  There  he  married 
Magdalene  Holly  and  there  he  established  his  home,  the  warrant  giving 
him  title  to  his  tract  of  one  hundred  and  seventy  acres  of  land  in  Carnar- 
von township,  that  county,  bearing  date  of  November  19.  1764.  There  he 
erected  a  comfortable  log  house,  "close  to  a  lusty  spring  which  flows  directly 
from  a  stratum  of  limeless  sandstone,"  and  there  he  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life,  diligent  in  all  good  works  and  a  faithful  servant  in  the  Lord 
to  the  people  whom  he  had  been  elected  in  1788  to  serve  as  bishop,  ever 
"sound,  hopeful  and  trustful  in  religious  convictions,  which  had  fitted  him 
admirably  for  his  vocation."  Bishop  Mast  died  in  1808  and  "his  neigh- 
bors carried  his  body  out  of  his  old  home  and  buried  it  in  a  quiet  spot  on 
the  broad  acres  he  had  tended  and  loved."  His  grave  is  marked  with  a 
carved  sandstone  bearing  inscription  near  the  northwest  corner  of  the  wall 
of  what  is  known  as  Pine  Grove  cemetery.  His  widow  survived  him  until 
October  26,  1820,  she  then  being  eighty  years  of  age,  and  is  buried  at  his 
side. 

Bishop  Jacob  Mast  and  his  wife,  Magdalene  Holly,  were  the  parents 
of  twelve  children,  of  whom  it  is  related  that  they  "had  strong  constitu- 
tions and  in  general  had  good  health  and  led  temperate,  moral,  honest  Chris- 
tian lives  and  imparted  these  same  good  qualities  to  their  children  and  grand- 
children, for  whic-h  give  God  the  glory.  During  their  childhood  days  they 
were  commanded  before  retiring  at  night  to  all  repeat  our  Lord's  Prayer  in 
concert."  These  children  were  as  follow :  John  Mast,  who  married  Mary 
Ivurtz ;  Magdelena,  who  married  Christian  Zook ;  Barbara,  who  married  John 
Hochstetler  and  after  his  death,  John  Zuck.  Jacob  Mast,  who  married 
Barbara  Kenage  and  was  the  father  of  John  Mast,  the  Champaign  count} 
pioneer;  David  Mast,  who  married  Mary  Kurtz;  Mary,  who  married  John 
Coffman ;  Nancy,  who  married  Adam  Kurtz ;  Fannie,  who  married  John 
Zuck ;  Elizabeth,  who  married  Christian  LI  oily ;  Christian  Mast,  who  mar- 
ried Susan  Kurtz ;  Esther,  who  married  Christian  Zuck  and  after  his  death. 
Peter  Holly,  and  Daniel  Mast,  who  married  Charity  Zook  and  after  her 
death,  Catherine  Kurtz  and  after  the  death  of  the  latter,  Mary  Morgan. 

Jacob  Mast,  second  son  and  fourth  child  of  the  Bishop  whose  name 
he  bore,  was  born  in  1768  and  died  in  1852  with  infirmities  incident  to  old 
age,  at  his  home,  known  as  the  Petcrshime  farm,  north  of  the  old  Conestoga 
Tavern,  in  Carnarvon  township,  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania.  His  early 
training  was  along  agricultural  lines  and  he  devoted  himself  all  his  life  to 
the  cultivation  of  farms  in  the  Conestoga  valley,  "his  sterling  integrity,  good 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  357 

sense  and  unostentatious  sincerity  of  purpose  winning  for  himself  a  high 
place  in  the  esteem  of  the  people,"  and  he  was  frequently  called  upon  to  fill 
positions  of  honor  and  trust.  On  April  22,  1792,  Jacob  Mast  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Barbara  Kenage,  daughter  of  John  and  Dorothy  (Nafzger) 
Kenage,  the  latter  of  whom  was  a  daughter  of  Matthias  Nafzger,  a  native 
of  Switzerland,  and  to  that  union  eight  children  were  born,  of  whom  John 
Mast,  the  Champaign  county  pioneer,  was  the  first-born,  the  others  being 
as  follow :  Joseph,  who  married  Frances  Plank  and  after  her  death  married 
I'hoebe  Ann  Plank;  Elizabeth,  who  married  John  Zuck;  Mary,  who  died 
unmarried,  at  the  age  of  twenty-seven  years;  Jacob  K.,  who  married  Fanny 
Gehman ;  Isaac,  who  married  Ann  Gehman,  and  Leah,  who  married  the  Rev. 
George  Hunter. 

John  Mast,  grandson  of  the  Bishop  and  eldest  son  of  Jacob  Mast,  was 
born  in  Carnarvon  township,  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  29,  1793, 
and  became  a  farmer  and  school  teacher  in  that  county.  There  on  December 
4,  1823,  he  married  Elizabeth  Trego,  who  was  born  in  Chester  county,  that 
same  state,  January  26,  1804,  daughter  of  Eli  and  Mary  Trego,  and  con- 
tinued to  make  his  home  in  Berks  county  until  1830,  when,  as  noted  above, 
he  came  to  Ohio  and  became  a  permanent  resident  of  Champaign  county, 
his  death  occurring  at  his  home  in  Salem  township  on  March  7,  1881.  For 
forty-three  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  board  of  education,  was  a  class 
leader  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  for  fi[fty-four  years  and  for  forty- 
eight  years  a  steward  and  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  same. 
His  wife  had  preceded  him  to  the  grav€  something  more  than  a  year,  her 
death  having  occurred  on  January  25,  1880.  They  were  the  parents  of 
eight  children,  namely:  Phineas  Price,  Miriam  B.,  Isaac  Wesley,  Anna 
Keemer,  Elizabeth  F.,  Joseph  Kenage,  John  Emory  and   Ephraim   Milton. 

P.  P.  IMast,  former  mayor  of  Springfield,  this  state,  and  for  years  one  of 
tlie  most  prominent  manufacturers  and  business  men  in  that  city,  died  at 
liis  home  there  on  November  20,  1898.  He  was  the  owner  of  much  valuable 
land  in  Springfield,  Ijesides  more  than  three  thousand  acres  of  land  in  Trego 
county,  Kansas,  an  equal  acreage  in  the  peach  belt  of  Georgia  and  the  great 
J3andarita  ranch  in  Mariposa  county,  California.  He  married  Anna  Maria 
Kirkpatrick,  of  Galesburg.  Illinois,  who  died  in  April,   1895.  without  issue. 

Miriam  B.  Mast  died  on  March  20,  1885,  unmarried. 

Isaac  \\''esley  Mast,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  died  at  his 
home  in  Salem  township,  on  March  14,  1882.  He  was  twice  married,  by 
his  first  wife,  Laura  A.  Smith,  having  had  one  child,  a  daughter,  Sarah 
Elizabeth,  who  married  George  H.  Frey,  of  Springfield,  and  has  three  sons. 


358  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Harrison,  John  and  Philip.  By  his  second  wife,  Anne  Keating-  Smith,  he 
had  three  children,  Anna  Maggie,  deceased;  Elizabeth,  who  married  Francis 
Butler  Loomis,  of  Marietta,  this  state,  former  United  States  -^minister  to 
Venezuela,  and  later  to  Portugal,  now  living  at  Springfield,  and  had  three 
children,  of  whom  but  one,  Francis  Butler,  now  survives,  and  Florence,  who 
married  Charles  Kilgore  Rogers,  of  Springfield  and  died  in  that  city  in 
1901,  leaving  one  child,  a  son,  Richard  Harrison,  who  died  in  the  year  fol- 
lowing. 

Anna  Keemer  Mast  married  Alexander  J.  Stewart,  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  War,  and  both  she  and  her  husband  spent  their  last  days  at  Erie, 
Pennsylvania.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  none  of  whom  are 
now  living". 

Elizabeth  F.  Mast,  n(,)W  living  at  Los  Angeles,  California,  is  the  widow 
of  John  R.  Lemen,  whom  she  married  in  this  county  and  who  died  in  South 
Bend,  Indiana,  in  1892,  leaving  two  children,  Eva  Florence,  who  married 
Ezra  E.  Clark,  a  teacher  of  art  at  DePauw  University,  and  has  one  child, 
a  son,  Donald,  and  Edward  Grant,  now  a  manufacturer  and  traveling  sales- 
man at  Chicago,  who  married  Daisy   B.   Morse. 

Joseph  Kenage  Mast,  who  is  still  living  in  this  county,  was  a  farmer 
ir(  Salem  township  until  his  retirement  from  the  farm  in  1910,  since  which 
time  he  has  been  making  his  home  among  his  children,  he  now  being  in 
the  eighty-fourth  year  of  his  age.  He  has  been  twice  married,  his  first 
wife,  Catherine  Eichholtz,  of  Urbana,  dying  in  August,  1883,  after  which 
be  married  Josephine  Anderson,  of  Minneapolis,  Minnesota.  My  that  first 
marriage  seven  children  were  born,  namely:  John  Weslev,  who  was  killed 
when  nine  years  of  age  by  a  fall  from  a  horse ;  Charles  Henry,  a  farmer 
of  this  county,  who  married  Mary  L.  Swisher  and  has  three  children,  Paul 
Harvey,  Avise  Tabitha  and  Adrah  Mary  Louise;  Joseph  h'rank,  a  farmer 
of  Salem  township  and  a  biographical  sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere 
in  this  volume,  who  married  Malinda  Instine,  of  Urbana,  and  has  two 
sons,  Burleigh  Frank  and  Harry  Wright ;  Emma,  who  married  John  Milton 
Strasser,  of  LIrbana,  now  living  at  LaGrange,  Illinois  and  has  five  children, 
Roland  John,  Marie  Jeanette,  Ethelyn  Beatrice,  Florence  Louise  and  Joseph 
Mast;  Elizabeth,  w'ho  married  Clark  A.  Mclnturfif,  of  Urbana,  now  ]i\ing  in 
New  York  City,  and  has  one  child,  a  son,  Joseph  Mast ;  Cicero  Phineas,  a 
soldier  during  the  Spanish-American  War,  now  a  grocer  at  Dayton,  who 
married  Caroline  Schroeder,  of  that  city,  and  Ivy,  wife  of  the  Re\-.  J.  Ernest 
Balmer,  a  clergyman  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  stationed  at  Wil- 
liamstown,  Michigan. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  359 

John  Emory  Mast,  a  biographical  sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere 
in  this  A'olume,  is  still  living  in  this  county,  one  of  the  best-known  and  most 
substantial  farmers  of  Salem  township.  He  married  Minerva  J.  Stone- 
l)raker,  of   King's  Creek,   and  has  eleven  children. 

Ephraim  Milton  Mast,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  a  member 
(if  Company  M,  First  Ohio  Light  Artillery,  died  at  the  home  of  his  son, 
John  C.  Mast,  in  Urbana,  on  April  7,  1910,  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years. 
He  left  this  county  in  the  fall  of  1869  and  had  afterward  lived  in  Illinois, 
Missouri  and  Kansas,  and  was  a  well-to-farmer.  He  married  in  1866  Sallie 
J.  Brown,  of  Urbana,  and  was  the  father  of  four  sons,  namely :  Edgar  Leroy, 
who  married  Sarah  Angeline  Runkle,  of  St.  Paris,  this  county,  and  has 
one  child,  a  daughter,  Cora  Emma ;  John  Clinton,  who  married  Sarah 
Augusta  Klickow,  of  Urbana:  Charles  Clinton,  now  living  in  Florida,  who 
married  Nellie  Blanche  Neer,  of  Westville,  this  county,  and  Alfred  Phineas, 
who  married  Arvesta  Foltz,  of  this  county,  and  has  two  sons,  Roland  and 
Homer. 


SAMUEL  B.  WHITMORE. 

Samuel  B.  Whitmore,  a  farmer  living  on  route  nine,  Urbana,  and  route 
five,  St.  Paris,  Ohio,  two  miles  west  of  Westville.  Ohio,  was  born  on  the 
farm  that  was  entered  by  his  great-grandfather,  John  Whitmore.  He  was 
l)orn  in  Virginia  and  came  to  Ohio  in  an  early  day  and  entered  three  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres  of  land  all  heavily  timbered.  He  cleared  off  a  little 
space  on  which  he  built  a  cabin  and  then  began  the  work  of  cutting  off  the 
timber  and  getting  enough  grotmd  in  sliape  for  cultivation  and  raise  a  crop. 
This  meant  an  immense  amount  of  labor  but  it  was  an  experience  common 
to  all  pioneer  settlers.  In  time  he  had  considerable  ground  under  cultiva- 
tion and  had  a  comfortable  house  in  which  to  live.  He  built  a  barn  on 
the  farm  and  this  barn  is  still  standing.  He  had  three  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter, Jacob,  David.  John  and  Mary.  Jacob  married  Catherine  Zimmerman, 
and  their  children  were.  Barbara.  Sarah,  Elizabeth  and  Simon.  Simon 
married  Elizabeth  Wiant  and  they  had  five  children :  Sylvia,  wife  of  Ross 
Wiant;  Minnie,  w^ife  of  D.  S.  Seibert;  Samuel  B.,  Dottie.  wife  of  William 
(iumpert;  Harry  D.,  a  farmer  in  this  township. 

Simon  Whitmore  settled  down  on  the  farm  on  which  he  was  born. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  worked  on  the  farm. 
He  became  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  ninety-seven  acres  of  land  which 


360  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

he  cultivated  and  improved.  He  was  an  active  member  of  the  Baptist  church 
at  Myrtle  Tree. 

Samuel  B.  Whitmore  was  reared  on  the  old  home  farm  and  recei\cd 
his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  the  neighborhood.  On  December  28, 
1898,  he  was  married  to  Ora  E.  Neff,  who  was  born  in  Alad  River  town- 
ship and  educated  in  the  schools  of  the  vicinit}-  of  her  home.  The  children 
born  to  this  union  were:  S.  Joe,  born  October  13.  1899.  graduate  of  the 
common  schools;  Mary  C,  born  in  1910;  Lulu  died  at  the  age  of  four  years, 
and  one  child  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Whitmore  is  a  charter  member  of  Magrew  Lodge  No.  433,  Knights 
of  Pythias.     In  politics  he  affliates  with  the  Democratic  party. 


GOV.  JOSEPH  VANCE. 

Ever  since  the  period  of  the  incumbency  of  Gov.  Joseph  Vance  in  the 
chair  of  the  chief  executive  of  the  great  state  of  Ohio  in  the  latter  thirties 
the  people  of  Champaign  county  have  been  justly  proud  of  the  fact  that 
this  county  has  furnished  to  the  state  a  governor,  and  it  is  but  proper  and 
fitting  that  in  a  collection  of  biographies  relating  to  the  persons  who  have 
done  well  their  part  in  the  work  of  developing  this  county,  mention  here 
should  be  made  of  this  distinguished  figure  in  the  civic  life  of  the  state  and 
prominent  factor  in  the  pioneer  life  of  Champaign  county. 

The  Hon.  Joseph  Vance,  a  captain  of  militia  during  the  time  of  the  \\''ar 
of  1812,  for  years  a  legislator  from  this  district,  governor  of  the  state  dur- 
ing the  gubernatorial  period  of  1837-39,  member  of  Congress  from  this  dis- 
trict for  eight  terms  and  a  member  of  the  state  constitutional  convention  of 
1851,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  a  later  resident  of  Kentucky,  but 
had  been  a  resident  of  Ohio  since  territorial  days,  having  come  here  in  1801, 
and  of  Champaign  county  since  the  year  in  which  the  county  was  organized 
as  a  civic  unit,  he  thus  having  been  one  of  the  real  pioneers  of  this  county. 
He  was  born  in  the  old  Indian  town  of  "Catfish",  now  the  city  of  Washing- 
ton, Pennsylvania,  March  21,  1786,  a  son  of  Joseph  C  and  Sarah  (Wilson) 
Vance,  natives  of  Virginia,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  soldier  of  the  patriot 
army  during  the  war  for  independence,  and  who  later  moved  to  Ketitiicky. 
coming  thence  up  into  the  then  territory  of  Ohio  and,  after  a  .sometime  resi- 
dence in  the  region  now  comprised  in  Greene  county,  came  up  into  this  sec- 


JOSEPH  VANCE 
Tbii'teentb  Goveruor  of  Ohio. 


ciia;mpAign   couxty.  ohio.  361 

tioii  and  became  one  of  the  organizers  of  Champaign  county,  spending  here 
the  rest  of  his  Hfe,  one  of  the  most  iniluentfal  pioneers  of  this  county. 

Joseph  C.  V'ance  was  the  youngest  of  a  large  family  of  children  born  to 
his  parents  in  Virginia  and  in  the  Old  Dominion  grew  to  maturity.  His 
father,  a  native  of  Ireland,  of  Scottish  ancestry,  had  come  to  the  colonies 
with  a  considerable  number  of  Presbyterians,  emigrating  from  Ireland  with 
a  view  to  setting  up  homes  in  the  new  land  across  the  water,  and  by  the  time 
of  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolutionary  War  had  his  home  well  established 
in  Virginia.  Joseph  C.  Vance  was  old  enough  to  render  service  in  that 
struggle  for  independence  and  served  throughout  the  war  as  a  member  of 
Saul  Vail's  company  with  the  famous  rifle  regiment  of  General  Morgan.  In 
1 78 1,  the  year  the  war  closed,  he  married  Sarah  Wilson,  who  was  born  in 
Loudoun  county,  Virginia,  and  straightway  he  and  his  bride  started  to  what 
then  was  practically  an  unknown  \\''est,  with  a  view  to  setting  up  their  home 
amid  pioneer  conditions,  the  great  western  county  of  Virginia,  Kentucky, 
being  their  objective  point.  When  they  reached  a  point  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  the  old  Indian  village  of  "Catfish",  now  the  city  of  Washington, 
Pennsylvania,  they  made  a  temporary  home  and  there  remained  for  several 
years,  during  which  time,  in  the  spring  of  1786,  in  that  little  village,  was 
born  their  son,  Joseph,  who  later  was  to  become  governor  of  the  state  of 
Ohio.  Two  years  later,  in  1788.  Joseph  C.  Vance  loaded  his  little  family 
and  his  few  belongings  on  a  raft  and  floated  down  die  river  to  a  point  now 
known  as  \'anceburg.  where  he  built  a  house  and  established  bis  home  in  the 
wilderness,  becoming  the  founder  of  the  Vanceburg  settlement.  A  few  years 
later  he  concluded  to  penetrate  farther  into  the  wilderness  and  again  started 
down  the  river,  his  family  and  goods  on  a  flat-boat,  and  stopped  on  the  Ken- 
tuckv  side,  a  few  miles  above  Mays  Lick,  where  he  established  his  home  and 
where  he  developed  a  good  farm.  There,  among  the  Indians  and  amid  con- 
ditions typical  of  a  frontier  settlement,  the  future  governor  of  Ohio  grew  to 
manhood,  becoming  a  sturdy  and  vigorous  man,  inured  to  all  the  hardships 
and  privations  common  to  the  pioneers  of  that  place  and  period.  With  a 
capacity  for  work  and  a  willingness  to  perform  the  hardest  kind  of  manual 
labor,  he  developed  his  body  by  toil  in  the  fields  and  his  mind  by  close  applica- 
t'um  to  the  few  books  that  he  could  command  as  he  sat  about  the  fireside  dur- 
ing the  long  winter  evening.s.  In  1801  Joseph  C.  Vance  again  decided  to 
move  on,  his  true  pioneering  instinct  leading  him  again  to  face  the  wilder- 
ness, and  he  came  with  his  family  across  the  river  and  up  into  the  then  terri- 
tory of  Ohio,  settling  in  the  region  now  comprised  within  the  confines  of 
Greene  county.     Four  \ears  later  he  "pulled  up  stakes"  there  and  came  up 


362  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

into  tilis  section,  thus  being  here  when  Champaign  countv  was  organized  in 
that  same  year.  The  Vance  family  settled  at  Urbana,  which  had  just  a  short 
time  before  been  laid  out,  and  when  it  came  time  to  establish  a  county  seat 
the  father  of  the  future  governor  was  one  of  the  men  instrumental  in  having 
the  local  seat  of  government  located  at  that  place.  Joseph  C.  Vance  was  a 
man  of  much  force  of  character,  possessing  a  vigorous  personality,  and  his 
])ioneer  neighbors  turned  to  him  instinctively  as  a  director  of  afifairs,  he  thus 
becoming  the  first  director  of  the  county.  He  also  was  elected  first  clerk 
of  the  county  and  first  recorder,  and  continued  active  in  local  civic  aiTairs 
until  his  death,  on  August  5.  1809. 

Joseph  \ance  was  eighteen  or  nineteen  years  of  age  when  he  came  to 
this  county  with  his  father  and  he  was  one  of  the  first  young  men  in  the  new 
county  to  apply  for  a  license  to  marry,  the  faded  old  record  of  marriage 
licenses  in  the  court  house  showing  that  on  December  17,  1807,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Mary  Lemon,  the  record  disclosing  that  the  ceremony  was 
performed  by  the  Rev.  John  Thomas.  Before  the  War  of  18 12  began  young 
Vance  had  been  elected  captain  of  a  company  of  local  militia  and  his  com- 
pany was  called  out  on  several  occasions  prior  to  the  actual  opening  of 
hostilities  in  order  to  quell  incipient  Indian  uprising.  Some  time  prior  to 
1 812  he  and  his  company  erected  a  blockhouse  up  in  Logan  county,  near  the 
Ouincy,  which  was  long  known  as  Vance's  blockhouse.  In  the  fall  of  18 12 
Joseph  Vance,  who  meanwhile  had  been  growing  greatly  in  fa\  or  among  his 
pioneer  neighbors,  was  elected  to  represent  this  district  in  the  state  Legis- 
lature and  served  as  a  member  of  the  lower  house  during  the  eleventh  and 
twelfth  sessions  (1812-13).  In  the  fall  of  1815  he  again  was  elected  to  the 
Legislature  and  served  through  the  fourteenth  and  fifteenth  sessions,  his  last 
service  in  the  lower  house  being  rendered  during  the  eighteenth  session, 
1 819.  In  the  succeeding  election,  1820.  he  was  elected  to  represent  this  dis- 
trict in  the  Congress  and  by  successive  re-elections  served  in  that  body  from 
March  4,  1821,  to  March  4,  1833.  six  terms,  during  which  period  of  service 
he  be«ame  one  of  the  best-known  members  of  the  Ohio  delegation  in  the 
national  House  of  Representatives  and  a  man  of  much  influence  in  that  legis- 
lative body.  Jn  the  fall  of  1836  he  was  elected  governor  of  Ohio  and  thus 
served  as  chief  executive  of  the  state  during  the  years  1837-39.  In  the  fall 
<.)f  the  year  following  his  retirement  from  the  governor's  of^fice,  Governor 
Vance  was  elected  to  represent  this  district  in  the  state  Senate  and  served  in 
that  body  during  the  thirty-eighth  and  thirty-ninth  sessions  (1840-41).  He 
then  was  re-elected  a  member  of  Congress  from  this  district  and  returned  to 
Washington,  serving  two  terms  (  1843-47),  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  retired 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  ^6^ 

to  private  life,  with  the  avowed  intention  never  again  to  allow  his  name  to  be 
proposed  for  public  otifice.  However,  when  the  constitutional  convention  of 
[851  was  called.  Governor  Vance  was  found  as  one  of  the  leading  members 
of  that  historic  body  and  it  was  while  in  the  active  performance  of  his  duties 
as  a  member  of  that  convention  that  he  was  suddenly  stricken  with  paralysis 
and  was  compelled  to  relincpiish  his  duties.  He  never  recovered  from  the 
stroke  and  died  on  his  farm,  two  and  one-half  miles  north  of  Urbana,  less 
than  a  year  later,  August  24.  1S52.  he  then  being  in  the  sixtv-seventh  year  of 
his  age. 


CLINTON  A.  NEESE. 


Clinton  A.  Neese,  engineer  of  the  Thackery  Creamery  Company,  was 
born  in  Mad  River  township,  July  26,  1875.  He  is  a  son  of  Reuben  B. 
and  Laura  (Weaver)  Neese.  Reuben  B.  Neese  was  born  in  Mad  River 
township,  a  son  of  Elias  and  Sarah   (Foltz)   Neese. 

The  Neese  family  were  natives  of  Virginia  and  came  to  Ohio  at  an 
early  day.  They  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Champaign  county.  Laura 
Weaver  Neese,  mother  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Mad  River  township,  the 
daughter  of  W.  E.  and  Elizabeth  (Leonard)  Weaver.  The  Leonards  were 
also  of  old  Virginia  stock.  The  father  and  mother  of  our  subject  were 
both  reared  in  Mad  River  township.  After  marriage  they  settled  near 
Terre  Haute  and  he  was  engaged  in  work  at  the  carpenter  trade  for  about 
forty  years.  They  are  now  living  in  the  village  of  Thackery.  They  had 
six  children,  all  of  whom  are  still  living.  They  are :  Clarence,  Tliackery. 
Ohio;  Clinton  A.\  Elliott  S.,  Seattle,  Washington;  Warden  O.,  Hobart. 
Washington;  Thaddeus  K.,  Seattle,  Washington;  Mabel,  wife  of  William 
Hecker,   Mad  River  township. 

Clinton  A.  Neese  was  reared  to  manhood  in  Mad  River  township.  At 
the  age  of  sixteen  years  he  Avent  to  Arkansas,  where  he  was  employed  for 
two  years  working  on  the  farm  for  Jolui  W.  Wea\er.  Then  he  went  to 
Birmingham,  Alabama,  where  he  remained  for  one  year;  then  to  Dallas, 
Texas,  for  four  months.  He  then  went  to  Poplar  Bluff,  Missouri,  where 
he  was  employed  for  sometime  as  hoisting  engineer,  and  in  the  machine  shops 
at  that  place.  In  1900  he  returned  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  where  he 
was  employed  by  McMorran  Brothers  working  in  grain  elevators  for  fifteen 
years.  Then  he  was  with  the  Furnas  Ice  Cream  Company,  at  St.  Paris, 
Ohio,  for  one  year.     In  1916  he  came  to  this  ])lace  and  was  made  engineer 


364  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

of   the  Thackery   Creamery   Company,   and   has  been   thus   employed   since 
that  time. 

On  September  4,  1903.  CHnton  A.  Neese  and  Lottie  B.  Faulkner  were 
united  in  marriage.  She  is  a  daughter  of  George  W.  Faulkner.  Further  men- 
tion is  made  of  the  Faulkner  family  in  another  place  in  this  work.  Mr.  Neese 
is  a  member  of  the  Junior  Order  of  Mechanics,  of  Terre  Haute,  and  is  a 
Republican  in  politics.  Mrs.  Neese  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  at 
Thackerv. 


WILLL\M  T.  CARSON. 


VVliliam  J.  Carson,  an  enterprising  farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  Salem 
township,  Champaign  county,  was  born  in  Ross  county,  Ohio,  April  9,  185 1. 
Me  is  a  son  of  William  and  Martha  (Bradford)  Carson,  both  natives  of  Ohio, 
he  of  Ross  county  and  she  of  Montgomery  county.  The  father  grew  to 
manhood  and  was  married  in  his  native  county,  and  there  he  owned  a  farm, 
which  he  operated  until  1854,  when  he  came  to  Champaign  county,  locating 
in  Urbana  township,  where  he  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  for 
which  he  paid  thirty  dollars  per  acre.  His  means  were  very  limited  when 
he  started  out  in  life,  but  by  perseverance  and  good  management  he  pros- 
pered and  at  one  time  owned  four  hundred  and  twenty-five  acres  of  valuable 
land  here,  carrying  on  farming  on  an  extensive  scale.  He  was  also  one  of 
the  leading  stock  raisers  of  his  locality.  He  was  a  leader  in  public  and 
church  affairs  in  Urbana  township,  being  an  active  worker  in  the  Presby- 
terian church.  He  continued  to  operate  his  farm  here  until  1891,  when  he 
retired  from  active  life  and  moved  to  Urbana,  where  his  death  occurred  in 
1903,  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety  years.  He  was  born  in  1813.  His 
wife  was  born  in  1825  and  died  in  1896.  To  these  parents  four  children 
were  born,  namely:  William  J.,  of  this  review;  Robert,  deceased;  James, 
also  deceased,  and  Anna,  who  is  living  in  Urbana. 

William  J.  Carson  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm,  and  he  recei\'ed 
his  education  in  the  rural  schools  of  Urbana  township.  He  remained  on  the 
home  place,  farming  with  his  father  until  1881,  when  he  was  married  and 
moved  to  Salem  township,  locating  on  one  of  his  father's  farms,  the  same 
place  he  now  lives  on,  which  i)lace  reverted  to  him  upon  the  death  of  his 
father.  He  has  kept  the  land  well  improved  and  well  cultivated.  He  has 
an  attractive  home  and  numerous  convenient  outbuildings.  His  holdings 
embrace  three  hundred  and  fortv-five  acres  and  is  one  of  the  most  success- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  36^ 

fill  farmers  and  stock  raisers  in  his  townsliip.  He  feeds  large  numbers  of 
cattle  and  hogs  annually  for  the  market. 

Mr.  Carson  was  married  in  February.  1881,  to  Ida  fence,  a  daughter 
of  Jacob  and  Sarah  (Dugan)  Pence,  natives  of  Urbana  township,  Champaign 
county,  and  lived  and  died  there.  Mrs  Carson  v,as  born  in  Urbana  town- 
sliip on  her  father's  farm.  To  Mr.  and  ^Irs.  Carson  eight  children  have 
been  born,  namely:  Nellie  lives  in  Columbus,  Ohio;  Maliel,  who  married 
Fred  Pearce,  has  one  child,  Betsy;  Alice  married  Earl  Beatley,  lives  in 
Columbus,  Ohio,  and  has  one  child,  Charles;  Grace  is  the  wife  of  Golden 
Dagger;  they  live  in  Columbus,  Ohio,  connected  with  the  Ohio  State  Uni- 
versity agricultural  extension  department ;  Jeanette  is  the  wife  of  Ray  Wil- 
bur Vorhis;  Beatrice  lives  in  Philadelphia.  Penn.sylvania ;  John  is  single  and 
lives  on  the  farm  with  his  parents;  Marcella  is  at  home,  attending  high 
school.  These  children  were  all  given  excellent  educational  advantages  and 
are  all  graduates  of  the  local  high  school. 

Politically,  Mr.  Carson  is  a  Republican.  He  served  as  a  member  of 
the  school  board  in  his  district  for  ten  years.  He  belongs  to  the  Grange  in 
Salem  township,  and  the  United  Presbyterian  church  at  Bellefontaine,  Ohio. 
His  wife  and  children  lielong  to  the  Baptist  church  at  Kingston. 


SAMUEL  J.  C.  BATES. 


Another  of  the  successful  tillers  of  the  soil  in  Salem  township,  who 
has  been  content  to  spend  his  life  in  Champaign  county,  is  Samuel  J.  C. 
Bates,  who  was  born  on  the  old  Captain  Thomas  farm  here.  September 
13,  1862.  He  is  a  son  of  William  W.  and  Selinda  (Kenton)  Bates.  The 
father  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  Ohio,  and  when  a  young  man  he 
came  with  his  mother  to  Champaign  county,  where  he  subsequently  married 
and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Concord  township,  where  he  lived  a  few  years.  In 
1857  he  settled  in  Salem  township  on  the  James  Kenton  farm  where  his 
son,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  now  lives,  Mr.  Kenton  ha^•ing  been  the  lat- 
ter's  grandfather.  James  Kenton  built  the  brick  house  on  this  place  in  1840, 
burning  all  the  brick  for  the  same  himself.  He  also  built  the  barn  in  1847, 
for  which  he  got  all  the  timber  off  his  own  farm.  William  W.  Bates  and 
w^ife  spent  their  lives  on  the  farm,  his  death  occurring  in  1871  at  the  age 
of  fifty-two,  his  widow  surviving  until  March  18.  1897,  dying  at  the  age 
of  seventv.     In  earlv  life  William  W.  Bates  was  a  miller  and  operated  the 


366  ClIAMPAIGX    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

Vance  mill  tor  some  time.  He  was  lirst  a  Whig  and  later  a  Republican. 
His  wife  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Kings  Creek.  They  were 
well  known  and  highly  respected  in  their  community.  Eight  children  were 
born  to  them  named  as  follows:  Mary,  who  died  in  1868,  married  M.  V. 
Patten  and  they  located  in  Montgomery  county,  Ohio ;  Duncan  died  when 
young  in  years;  Janie  also  died  in  early  life;  James  K.  died  in  1887;  Benja- 
min died  in  1888;  Samuel  J.  C,  of  this  sketch;  Gustaf  lives  in  Spring  Hill, 
Ohio;  Lucy  is  single  and  makes  her  home  with  the  subject  of  this  review. 

Samuel  J.  C.  Bates  grew  up  on  the  home  farm,  where  he  assisted  with 
the  general  work  when  a  boy,  and  he  received  his  education  in  the  district 
schools.  He  has  always  remained  on  the  home  farm,  which  he  has  kept 
well  improved  and  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  rotating  his  crops  and 
carrying  on  diversified  farming  in  such  a  manner  that  the  soil  has  retained 
its  original  fertility.  He  has  never  married,  neither  has  his  sister,  Lucy, 
w'ho  has  also  remained  at  the  old  home  and  keeps  house  for  him.  They  are 
both  members  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Urbana,  and  politically,  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican, but  he  lias  never  been  active  in  public  affairs  nor  aspired  to  political 
office. 


FRANK  HOWELL  BRINE V. 

One  of  the  enterprising  farmers  of  Rush  township,  Champaign  count)-, 
is  Frank  Howell  Briney,  who  was  born  near  Yellow  Springs,  Clark  county. 
Ohio,  in  September.  185 1.  He  is  a  son  of  Mark  DeMoss  Briney,  a  native 
of  Warren  county,  Ohio.  His  grandfather  was  pilot  on  the  Ohio  river. 
Mark  D.  Briney  grew  up  in  his  native  county  and  married  Amanda  E.  Eber- 
sole,  who  was  born  in  Springfield,  Ohio.  Her  people  came  to  America  from 
Holland.  The  Ebersole  family  located  in  Clark  county.  Ohio,  and  there 
the  parents  of  Mrs.  Mark  D.  Briney  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  the  father 
dying  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  and  the  mother  at  the  age  of  seventy  years. 
Mr.  Briney  was  a  preacher  in  the  Christian  church  for  many  years  in  Cham- 
paign and  Clark  counties.  He  was  also  a  school  teacher  and  farmer.  He 
was  first  a  Whig,  later  a  Republican.  Mr.  Briney  moved  to  Champaign 
county  in    1854. 

To  Mark  D.  Briney  and  wife  the  following  children  were  born:  John 
K.,  who  w'as  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War,  was  killed  at  Port  Republic  in  1862. 
while  a  private  in  Company  A,  Sixty-sixth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry ;  Emil}- 
married    Tohn   E.   Emmons,  and  thev  both   died   in   Pennsylvania:   Jennie  is 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  36/ 

the  widow  of  Charles  Emmons  and  she  resides  in  Cleveland,  Ohio;  Horace 
died  when  young ;  Mary  is  single  and  lives  at  Kirkwood,  Missouri ;  Frank 
H.,  of  this  sketch;  Sallie  is  single  and  lives  in  Cleveland;  Rose,  deceased, 
was  the  wife  of  Leroy  M.  Reed ;  Florence  died  in  early  life :  Charles  died 
single,  and  Mark  also  died  single. 

Frank  H.  Briney  grew  up  on  the  farm  and  he  attended  the  Black  school 
in  Rush  township.  He  lived  at  home  until  his  marriage,  September  7,  1880, 
to  Clara  Belle  Smith,  who  was  born  in  Clinton,  Dewitt  county,  Iowa.  She  is 
a  daughter  of  Rozalvo  and  Betsy  (Cranston)  Smith,  both  natives  of  Rush 
township.  Champaign  county,  Ohio.  Rozalvo  Smith  was  a  son  of  Dexter 
Smith  and  wife,  natives  of  Vermont,  from  which  state  they  came  to  Cham- 
paign county,  in  pioneer  days,  locating  at  Woodstock  on  a  farm,  where  they 
spent  the  rest  of  their  lives.  Mrs.  Clara  Belle  Briney  was  their  only  child. 
Rozalvo  Smith  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War,  belonging  to  the  Second  Ohio 
Volunteer  Infantry.  Mr.  Smith  married  a  second  time,  his  second  wife 
being  Elizabeth  Hewett,  and  four  children  were  born  to  their  union,  namely : 
Elmer  M.,  who  lives  in  Chicago;  Ulla  Dell,  of  Rockport,  Illinois,  and  Nora 
and  Mattie,  deceased. 

Five  children  have  been  born  to  Frank  H.  Briney  and  wife,  namely: 
Horace  B.,  died  in  infancy;  H.  Clifford  received  a  good  education  in  the 
Woodstock  schools  and  is  a  graduate  of  Ohio  State  University,  and  he  i.'^ 
now  in  New  York  City  \\ith  the  George  Battin  .\dvertising  Company;  he 
married  Catherine  Stone;  Mabel  C.  who  is  at  home,  was  educated  at  Wood- 
stock and  the  University  of  Urbana.  and  a  graduate  of  ]\Iiami  University, 
and  she  is  now  principal  of  the  Woodstock  schools;  F.  DeWitt,  who  was 
educated  in  the  home  schools,  also  the  high  school  at  Pendleton,  Oregon, 
now  lives  in  that  town ;  Leroy,  who  is  now  assisting  his  father  on  the  home 
farm,  was  educated  in  the  local  schools,  the  schools  of  Coltimlnis.  Oberlin 
College,  and  the  College  of  New  York  City. 

Frank  H.  Briney  has  always  lived  on  the  old  home  place,  which  he  has 
kept  well  improved  and  well  cultivated.  He  has  been  successful  as  a  general 
farmer  and  stock  raiser.  He  keeps  Jersey  cattle  and  does  a  dairy  business: 
also  handles  Percheron  horses  and  Duroc-Jersey  hogs.  Politically,  he  is  a 
Republican,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  church  at 
Woodstock,  Ohio,  and  they  are  active  in  church  work.  Both  were  superin- 
tendents of  the  Sunday  school.  He  was  county  organizer  for  Sunday  schools 
for  five  years.  His  wife  has  driven  over  four  thousand  miles  in  her  Sunday 
school  work.  One  or  the  other  of  them  has  been  vice-president  of  the  County 
and  president  of  the  township  Sunday  School  Associations  for  over  twenty- 


368  CHAMPAlGiY    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

live  years.  He  has  been  clerk  and  deacon  in  the  church,  also  held  other 
offices  in  the  same.  Mrs.  Briney  is  descended  from  one  of  the  oldest  families 
of  the  Buckeye  state.  Her  great-grandfather,  John  Cranston,  a  native  of 
Rhode  Inland,  who  married  a  Miss  Edwards,  came  to  Ohio  in  i<So8  and 
settled  in  Union  county,  where  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives.  Their 
children  were  :  Phoebe,  Stephen,  John  B.,  Ephraim,  Christopher  and  Edward. 
John  B.  Cranston,  Mrs.  Briney's  maternal  grandfather,  married  Betsy 
Lathrop,  of  Connecticut,  and  they  came  to  Champaign  county,  in  pioneer 
times,  locating  in  Rush  township,  where  he  hired  out,  first  receiving  thirty- 
seven  and  one-half  cents  per  day.  He  devoted  the  rest  of  his  life  to  farming 
I'ere.  His  family  consisted  of  the  following  children:  Mary  Ann,  who 
married  Joseph  Johnson;  Peleg,  John,  Dollie,  Betsy,  and  Aim  B.  The  last 
named  is  the  only  one  living  at  this  writing,  1917;  she  makes  her  home  on 
the  old  homestead,  where  she  has  resided  for  seventv-nine  vears. 


CHARLES    H.    ESPY. 


Charles  H.  Espy,  progressive  farmer,  engaged  in  stock  raising  for 
tliirty  years,  and  holder  of  various  public  offices  of  trust,  living  on  route  2, 
Degraff,  Champaign  county,  was  born  on  the  old  Espy  farm  near  Spring- 
hill,  Ohio,  on  March  18,  1861.  a  son  of  David  H.  and  Rebecca  (Kinsinger) 
Espy. 

David  H.  Espy,  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War,  joined  the  Union 
forces  by  enlisting  in  Company  G.  Sixty-sixth  Volunteer  Infantry.  He 
saw  considerable  service  and  was  in  many  engagements  during  that  long 
struggle  between  the  states.  He  received  severe  wounds  at  the  battle  of 
Cedar  Mountain  and  was  removed  to  the  Alexander  hospital,  in  which  insti- 
tution he  died  some  time  later.  His  widow  married  William  Ritter,  who 
is  now  deceased,  and  she  is  living  at  Degraff,  Ohio.  David  H.  Espy  and 
wife  were  the  parents  of  one  child,  Charles  H.  Espy,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch. 

Charles  H.  Espy  was  reared  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Adams  township 
and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the  district.  At  the  age  of  thir- 
teen, and  following  his  mother's  second  marriage,  he  started  to  work  on 
farms  by  the  month  at  ten  dollars  per  month  and  continued  thus  engaged 
for  about  five  years.  He  then  commenced  at  team  work,  at  which  he 
remained  for  another  five  years.     During  those  ten  years  he  was  saving  all 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  369 

available  money  with  the  view  to  acquiring  land  of  his  own.  He  subse- 
quently bought  forty  acres  of  land,  which  he  immediately  put  into  cultiva- 
tion, setting  the  tract  out  to  general  farming.  As  he  prospered  in  his  farm- 
ing operations  he  added  to  his  holdings,  finally  becoming  the  owner  of  two 
hundred  and  twenty-eight  acres  of  prime  land.  In  addition  to  his  farming 
activities,  he  is  also  extensively  engaged  in  the  breeding  and  shipping  of 
live  stock,  with  which  branch  of  agricultural  life  he  has  been  identified  for 
thirty  years,  and  in  both  phases  of  work  he  has  met  with  marked  success. 
He  is  also  the  owner  of  two  nice  residence  properties  in  Bellefontaine,  this 
state. 

On  December  30,  1883,  Charles  H.  Espy  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Mary  Wilson,  who  was  born  in  Adams  township  in  1862,  a  daughter  of 
William  A.  Wilson  and  wife.  She  was  reared  on  her  father's  fann  and 
educated  in  the  common  schools  of  her  home  district.  To  the  union  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Espy  three  children  have  been  born  as  follow :  Ethel,  who  was 
graduated  from  the  Rosewood  high  school  and  is  now  the  wife  of  J.  W. 
Burkhold,  of  Rosewood,  this  county;  Bonnie,  also  a  graduate  of  the  Rose- 
wood high  school,  "who  later  married  F.  E.  Bailor,  and  Raymond,  who  was 
graduated  from  the  high  school  and  is  now  a  student  in  the  State  Univer- 
sity. These  children  are  members  of  the  United  Brethren  church  at  Rose- 
wood. 

Mr.  Espy  has  long  been  a  supporter  of  the  Republican  party  and  has 
ever  taken  a  keen  interest  in  public  affairs.  He  served  for  a  period  of  six 
years  as  county  commissioner  and  for  five  years  was  treasurer  of  Adams 
township.  Later,  he  became  a  member  of  the  district  school  board,  serving 
in  that  capacity  for  eight  years,  and  during  his  incumbency  the  Rosewood 
schools  were  built.  His  services  in  all  of  these  responsible  positions  met 
with  general  approval  and  his  work  on  behalf  of  the  schools  has  always 
l^een  recognized  as  above  the  average,  his  efforts  on  behalf  of  educational 
matters  being  at  once  genuine  and  practical.  His  interest  in  fraternal  organ- 
izations is  not  less  marked.  He  is  a  member  of  Rosewood  Lodge  No.  242, 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  which  order  he  is  a  past  noble  grand. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  the  encampment,  of  which  he  is  past  chief  patriarch. 
He  holds  membership  in  the  Knights  of  Pythias  at  Degraff,  Ohio,  and  in 
ihe  affairs  of  the.se  several  ho<lies  he  takes  a  prominent  part.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
I^spy  display  a  warm  interest  in  all  community  affairs  and  are  ever  ready 
to  assist  in  all  movements  having  for  their  object  the  welfare  of  the  town- 
ship and  county. 
(24a) 


370  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

JOHN  EMORY  MAST. 

John  Emory  Mast,  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  snbstantial  pioneer 
farmers  of  Champaign  connty  and  the  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  in  Salem 
township,  is  a  native  son  of  this  county  and  has  hved  here  all  his  life.  He 
was  born  in  that  township  on  September  12,  1838,  son  of  John  and  Elizal>eth 
(Trego)  Mast,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  the  former  born  in  Berks  county  and 
the  latter  in  Chester  county,  who  became  residents  of  Champaign  county  in 
1830  and  here  reared  their  family  and  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives, 
being  long  accounted  among  the  most  influential  and  useful  residents  of  tlie 
community  which  they  had  helped  to  develop  from  its  wilderness  state. 
Elsewhere  in  this  volume,  under  the  1i€ad  of  "The' Mast  Family",  there  is 
set  out  at  some  length  something  of  the  genealogy  and  the  history  of  that 
well-known  family  in  this  county  and  the  attention  of  the  reader  is  respect- 
fully called  to  that  interesting  narrative  for  additional  information  in  con- 
nection with  the  present  sketch.  The  pioneer  John  Mast  and  wife  were  the 
parents  of  eight  children,  five  sons  and  three  daughters,  of  whom  further 
mention  is  made  in  the  narrative  above  referred  to,  and  of  these  cliildren 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  seventh  in  order  of  birth. 

Reared  on  the  pioneer  home  farm  in  Salem  township,  John  E.  Mast 
has  lived  there  all  his  life,  his  present  fine  farm  including  a  portion  of  the 
old  home  farm  which  his  father  divided  among  his  children  when  he  retired 
from  the  active  labors  of  the  farm  many  years  ago.  On  April  13,  1869. 
at  Mutual,  this  county,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Minerva  J.  Stonebraker, 
who  was  born  in  this  county,  a  daughter  of  ArnoM  S.  and  Sophia  (Rems- 
burg)  Stonebraker,  and  to  this  union  eleven  children  have  been  born,  Ellis 
Heber,  Marie  May,  Lulu  Grace,  Willie  E.,  John  Arnold,  Clayton,  Clarence 
Simpson,  Jennie  Irene,  Cleveland  H.,  Evelyn  Sophia  and  Earl  Talmage. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mast  are  earnest  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  churcli 
at  Kings  Creek  and  their  children  were  reared  in  the  faith  of  that  church. 

Ellis  Heber  Mast,  born  on  May  24,  187 1,  is  now  living  at  Cleveland. 
where  he  is  engaged  as  a  conductor  on  an  electric  railroad  Marie  May 
Mast,  born  on  February  10,  1873,  ^^^^s  married  at  Urbana  on  Januar\-  6 
1901-,  to  William  C.  Brucker,  who  was  born  at  Oketo,  Kansas,  July  12, 
1 87 1,  son  of  Fred  and  Emma  (Zimmerman)  Brucker,  the  former  a  nati\e 
of  France  and  the  latter  of  Prussia.  After  their  marriage  William  C.  I'ruckcr 
and  wife  lived  in  Gage  county,  Nebraska,  for  five  years,  at  the  end  of  which 
time,   in   1906,  they  moved  to  the   farm  on   which  they   are  now   living  in 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  371 

Jewell  county,  Kansas.  Luhi  Grace  Mast,  born  on  January  22,  1875,  was 
married  on  July  29,  1897,  to  David  L.  Thomas,  who  was  born  in  Canada 
on  September  30,  1870,  son  of  David  J.  Thomas,  and  who  is  now  living  at 
Fernhill,  Ontario.  To  them  six  children  have  been  born,  namely :  Mast 
Leroy,  born  on  April  29,  1898;  Glenn  Abner,  September  15,  1899,  who  died 
on  April  25,  1900;  Blanche  Leona.  April  16,  1901 ;  Evelyn  May,  May  20, 
1903 ;  Velma  Feme,  July  lo,  1905,  and  Earl  Theodore,  June  10,  1907. 
Willie  E.  Mast,  born  on  September  8,  1876,  died  on  September  27,  follow- 
ing. John  Arnold  Mast,  born  on  November  25,  1877,  is  now  living  near 
Ozone,  Idaho,  on  a  four-hundred-acre  farm.  Clayton  Mast,  born  on  Decem- 
ber 15,  1879,  died  on  April;  8,  i88o.'  Clarence :  Simpson  Mast,  born  on 
December  15,  1879,  is  now  living  at  Abington,  Illinois,  where  he  is  engaged 
as  teacher  of  science  in  the  Abington  College.  On  August  22,  1906,  at 
Delaware,  this  state,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Clara  Glenn  Buck,  who  wa-^ 
born  on  January  5,  1880,  a  daughter  of  the  Hon.  Henris  Edmund  and 
Jennie  (Glenn)  Buck,  of  Delaware.  Jennie  Irene  Mast  married  Clifford 
Johnson  (deceased)  who  was  born  on  June  29,  1882;  she  lives  at  Coffey- 
ville,  Kansas;  Cleveland  H.  Mast,  born  on  December  13,  1884,  died  on 
December  14,  1886.  Evelyn  Sophia  Mast,  born  on  February  10,  1887,  died 
on  December  18,  1891.  Earl  Talmage  Mast,  born  on  December  29,  1890, 
is  now  living  at  Cleveland. 


JAMES  W.  BLACK. 

James  W.  Black,  farmer  and  banker,  of  Salem  township,  proprietor  of 
ihe  old  Black  homestead  which  was  entered  there  by  his  grandfather,  Capt. 
Alexander  Black,  back  in  1809,  an  extensive  landowner  and  for  years  actively 
engaged  in  the  live-stock  business,  one  of  the  most  substantial  citizens  of 
Champaign  county,  is  a  native  son  of  this  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his 
life.  He  was  born  on  the  place  on  which  he  is  now  living  and  of  which  he 
is  now  proprietor,  a  place  that  has  been  in  the  family  for  more  than  one 
hundred  years,  October  28,  1854,  son  of  James  and  Caroline  (Culbertson) 
Black,  the  former  a  native  of  Kentucky  and  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania, 
who  were  for  years  accounted  among  the  most  influential  residents  of  the 
northern  part  of  this  county. 

James  Black  was  born  in  Clark  county.  Kentucky,  F^ebruary  8,  1798. 
son  of  Capt.  Alexander  and  Jane   (Crockett)    Black.  Virginians,  who  came 


372  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Up  into  Ohio  in  1809  and  settled  in  Salem  township,  this  county,  there 
establishing  the  old  Black  homestead  that  has  ever  since  been  in  the  pos- 
session of  the^'family.  Capt;  Alexander  Black  was  born  in  the  colony  of 
Virginia  on  October  14,  1765,  a  son  of  Capt.  William  Black,  who  became 
captain  of  a  company  in  the  patriot  army  during  the  Revolutionary  War. 
Capt.  William  Black,  who  was  a  son  of  Alexander  Black,  who  had  come 
to  the  Colonies  from  Ireland  and  had  settled  in  the  Old  Dominion,  joined 
the  Continental  army  at  the  age  of  fifteen  and  before  the  War  of  Inde- 
pendence was  at  an  end  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  captain.  He  later 
crossed  the  mountains  into  Kentucijy,  locating  at  Strouds  Ford,  three  miles 
from  Windiester,  where  he  remained  for  three  years  and  during  which  time 
he  became  a  companion  of  Daniel  Boone.  In  1792,  in  Rockbridge  county, 
Virginia,  Capt.  William  Black  married  Jane  Crockett,  a  cousin  of  David 
Crockett,  and  then  returned  to  Kentucky  to  make  his  permanent  home.  He 
served  with  General  Scott's  Kentucky  Volunteers  and  was  with  General 
Wayne  when  the  latter  scored  his  decisive  victory  over  the  Indians  at 
the  battle  of  the  Maumee  in  August.  1794,  being  wounded  in  the  face  in 
that  battle.  In  1809  he  came  up  into  Ohio  with  his  family  and  settled 
in  this  county,  entering  a  tract  of  land  in  Salem  township.  During  the 
War  of  181 2  he  was  given  a  captain's  commission  and  with  his  company 
guarded  the  settlers  against  the  attacks  of  Tecumseh  and  liis  Shawnees 
and  against  Batiste,  who  with  his  Wyandots  had  gone  over  to  the  English. 
Capt.  Alexander  Black  was  a  warm  personal  friend  of  Gen.  Simon  Kenton 
and  had  no  \o\e  for  the  Indians.  He  continued  to  make  his  home  in  this 
county,  a  substantial  and  honored  citizen,  until  his  death  in  1854.  His 
A\'idow  survived  him  for  five  years,  her  death  occurring  in  1859. 

James  Black  was  eleven  years  of  age  when  his  ])arents  came  up  into 
Ohio  and  he  grew  to  manhood  on  the  homestead  farm  in  Salem  township 
and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  one  of  the  leaders  in  the  com- 
munity life  of  this  region,  and  a  very  successful  farmer  and  stockman.  He 
received  excellent  schooling  for  that  period  and  became  a  very  well  informed 
man.  From  the  days  of  his  boyhood  he  took  an  active  part  in  his  father's 
live-stock  operations  and  when  fourteen  ov  fifteen  years  of  age  began  to 
accompany  the  drovers  on  the  long  trips  through  the  wilderness  with  dro\  es 
uf  cattle  or  hogs  for  the  Detroit  market.  He  grew  to  be  a  man  of  powerful 
physique  and  was  accounted  one  of  the  hardiest  pioneers  of  this  section. 
In  early  life  he  was  a  Henry  Clay  Whig,  but  upon  the  formation  of  the 
Republican  party  threw  in  his  allegiance  with  that  party  and  was  ever  there- 
after a  sta«€h  Re])uWican  and  one  of  tlie  local  leaders  in  that  party.     James 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


^75 


Black  lived  to  be  past  eighty-four  years  of  age,  his  death  occurring  on  July 
3,  1882.  His  widow  survived  him  less  than  a  year,  her  deatli  occurring  in 
1883,  she  then  being  eighty-three  years  of  age. 

It  was  in  1832  that  James  Black  was  united  in  marriage  to  Caroline 
Culbertson,  who  was  born  in  Erie  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  26,  1810. 
daughter  of  James  Culbertson  and  wife,  who  became  pioneers  of  Champaign 
county  and  here  spent  their  last  days.  James  Culbertson  was  born  in  Lan- 
caster county,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  Samuel  Culbertson,  a  native  of  Eng- 
land, who  had  served  with  the  patriot  army  during  the  Revolutionary  War 
and  who  settled  in  Lancaster  county,  where  his  last  days  were  spent.  James 
Culbertson  sensed  as  a  private  during  the  War  of  1812  and  later  came  to 
this  coimty,  where  he  died  in  1835.  To  James  and  Caroline  (Culbertson) 
Black  were  born  eight  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the 
last-born,  the  others  being  as  follow:  Jane,  who  married  William  Kiser, 
of  Logan  county,  this  state,  and  died  there,  after  which  her  husband  mar- 
ried her  younger  sister,  Lucy,  who  died  in  Los  Angeles  in  1915;  Susan, 
who  married  John  W.  Staub  and  died  in  Logan  county;  Lucy,  mentioned 
above,  who  died  in  Los  Angeles  in  191 5;  Alexander,  who  married  Mary 
Courts  and  is  now  living  retired  at  Eddyville,  Iowa ;  Caroline,  who  died 
unmarried;  John  R.,  now  deceased,  who  for  years  was  a  partner  of  his 
brother.  James  W'..  and  of  whom  more  extended  mention  is  made  below, 
and  Lizzie,  now  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Daniel  Donovan. 

John  R.-  Black  was  bora  on  the  old  home  place  in  Salem  township  and 
there  grew  to  manhood,  completing  his  schooling  in  the  high  school  at  West 
Liberty.  He  early  took  up  farming  and  stock  raising,  making  a  specialty 
of  the  latter,  and  was  a  partner  of  his  brother,  James  W.  Black,  in  opera- 
tions in  that  line  until  his  retirement  from  business  in  1901.  In  addition 
to  his  extensive  land  interests  in  this  county  he  also  was  the  owner  of  prop- 
erty in  West  Liberty  and  was  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Bank  of  that 
place.  He  ever  gave  his  earnest  attention  to  the  promotion  of  the  agricul- 
tural interests  of  his  home  county  and  was  for  fifteen  years  a  member  of 
the  board  of  managers  of  the  Champaign  County  Agricultural  Society,  foi- 
some  years  serving  as  vice-president  of  the  same.  He  was  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican, ever  giving  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  civic  affairs,  but  was 
not  included  in  the  ofiice-seeking  class.  He  was  a  Knight  Templar  Mason 
and  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  took  a  warm 
interest  in  the  affairs  of  these  fraternal  organizations.  On  December  9. 
1886,  John  R.  Black  was  united  in  marriage  to  Belle  Robbins.  of  Logan 
count^^   who   was  born   in   Hunterdon   county,   New  Jersey.    Septeml)er  21, 


374  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

1856,  a  daughter  of  John  W.  and  Rebecca  (Huff)  Robbins,  the  former  of 
whom  was  born  in  the  state  of  New  York  and  the  latter  in  Hunterdon 
county,  New  Jersey.  John  W.  Robbins  was  a  blacksmith  and  in  1857  came 
to  Ohio  with  his  family  and  settled  in  Logan  county,  where  he  spent  the 
rest  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  at  West  Liberty  in  1887,  at  the  age  of 
fifty-four  years.  He  and  his  wife  had  three  children,  Mrs.  John  R.  Black 
having  a  brother,  William,  who  is  now  living  in  California,  and  a  daughter, 
Mrs.  James  W.  Black.  John  R.  Black  died  on  May  16,  1904,  and  his  widow 
is  now  living  at  West  Liberty.  She  has  three  children,  Maude,  Wayne  C. 
and  Yale  D. 

James  W.  Black  was  reared  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Salem  township 
and  has  lived  there  all  his  life.  He  received  his  schooling  in  the  public 
schools  and  after  his  marriage  in  1882  he  and  his  wife  took  up  their  resi- 
dence in  the  fine  old  house  that  his  grandfather,  Capt.  Alexander  Black, 
had  erected  there  in  181 8.  Upon  beginning  his  farming  operations  on  his 
own  account  James  W.  Black  entered  into  a  partnership  with  his  elder 
brother,  John  R.  Black,  and  this  mutually  agreeable  arrangement  continued 
until  the  latter's  retirement  in  1901,  since  which  time  Mr.  Black  has  carried 
on  the  extensive  operatiojis  begun  by  the  brothers  alone,  continuing  to  make 
a  specialty  of  live  stock.  Mr.  Black  has  about  six  hundred  acres  of  valuable 
iand,  besides  valuable  real  estate  interests  at  West  Liberty  and  is  a  member 
of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  F'armers  Bank  of  West  Liberty,  in  which 
sound  old  concern  he  has  quite  a  goodly  block  of  stock.  Mr.  Black  is  a 
stanch  Republican  and  has  ever  taken  an  active  interest  in  local  political 
affairs,  but  the  only  public  service  he  has  sought  has  been  as  a  member 
of  the  school  board,  in  which  capacity  he  has  rendered  admirable  service 
in  behalf  of  the  local  schools.  Fraternally,  he  is  affiliated  with  Liberty  Lodge 
No.  96,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in 
the  affairs  of  the  same. 

On  December  21,  1882,  James  W.  Black  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Lizzie  Robbins,  who  was  born  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Logan,  March 
8,  1862,  daughter  of  John  W.  and  Rebecca  (Huff)  Robbins  and  sister  of 
Mrs.  John  R.  Black,  mentioned  above,  and  to  this  union  four  children  have 
been  born.  Burr  R.,  Geneva  B.,  Howard  C.  and  Virginia.  Burr  R.  Black, 
born  on  January  15,  1885,  is  now  assistant  cashier  of  the  Farmers  Bank 
of  West  Liberty.  He  married  Hazel  Stickinger  and  has  one  child,  a 
daughter,  Beatrice,  born  in  November,  191 4.  Geneva  B.  Black,  bom  on 
March  9,'  1891,  married  Raymond  F.  Hughes,  who  is  connected  with  the 
J.   W.   Bobbs  wholesale  grocery  firm  at   Columbus,   and  has  two  children. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  375 

Maxine,  born  iti  October,  1914.  and  James  Raymond,  October,  i9i().  How- 
ard C.  Black,  wlio  was  born  on  May  24,  1894,  remains  at  home,  a  valued 
assistant  to  his  father  in  the  management  of  the  home  place.  He  was  gradu- 
ated from  the  West  Liberty  high  school  and  supplemented  that  course  by 
two  years  of  attendance  at  the  State  University  and  a  year  at  Oberlin 
College.  Virginia  Black,  born  on  August  23,  1901,  is  still  in  school.  The 
Blacks  have  a  very  pleasant  home,  one  of  the  historic  old  places  in  the 
county,  and.  have  ever  given  proper  attention  to  the  general  social  activities 
of  the  cotilniunity. 


JACOB    I.    CLARK. 


Jacob  L  Clark,  farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  Salem  township,  Champaigni 
county,  was  born  in  Clarke  county,  Ohio,  January  31,  1872.  He  is  a  son 
of  Jacob  and  Susanna  (Swisher)  Clark,  both  natives  of  Virginia,  where 
they  grew  to  maturity  and  were  married.  Upon  leaving  their  native  state 
they  came  to  Champaign  county,  but  in  a  short  time  went  on  to  Clarke 
county,  where  they  lived  on  a  farm  eighteen  or  twenty  years,  then  returned 
to  Champaign  county,  locating  on  the  Jennings  farm  in  Salem  township, 
where  they  spent  three  years,  then  moved  south  of  Hagenbaugh  village,  buy- 
ing a  farm  there  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-six  acres,  where  they  spent  the 
rest  of  their  lives.  Isaac  Clark,  father  of  Jacob  Clark,  was  also  a  native  of 
Virginia  and  he  came  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  shortly  after  his  son. 
Jacob,  moved  here,  but  later  moved  to  Clarke  county,  where  he  remained  a 
number  of  years,  then  came  back  to  Champaign  county,  locating  in  Wayne 
township,  southeast  of  Cable,  and  there  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  Eleven 
children  were  born  to  Jacob  Clark  and  wife,  seven  of  whom  are  now  living, 
namely:  Joshua,  Gabriel,  Samuel,  Elmer;  Charles  and  John  are  deceased; 
Laura  married  W.  E.  Briggs,  Cora  married  Griffith  Fox,  Eliza  married 
John  Powell,  and  she  is  now  deceased ;  Delia  who  married  xA.be  Hondshall ; 
she  also  is  deceased. 

Jacob  L  Clark,  of  this  sketch,  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  and  he  received 
his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Salem  township.  Champaign  county. 
He  worked  with  his  father  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-five  years  old, 
then  started  farming  for  himself,  buying  a  place  of  one  hundred  and  eleven 
acres  and  he  has  since  made  his  home  on  this  place,  carrying  on  general 
farming  and  stock  raising.  He  later  added  to  his  original  holdings  until  he 
now  has  one  hundred  and  ninety-seven  acres,  which  he  has  brought  up  to  a 


376  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

high  state  of  improvement  and  cultivation.  He  is  a  breeder  of  good  graded 
live  stock.     He  feeds  the  grain  raised  on  his  place. 

Mr.  Clark  was  married  on  December  i6,  1896,  to  Lucinda  Nincehelser^ 
a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Lucinda  (Eicholtz)  Nincehelser.  The  death  of 
Mrs.  Clark  occurred  on  January  27,  19 12,  leaving  one  child.  Mary  von  Clark. 
The  death  of  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  occurred  on  May  6,  1903^ 
but  the  mother  is  still  living,  making  her  home  near  Hagenbaugh,  Salem 
township,  this  county. 

Politically,  Jacob  I.  Clark  is  a  Republican.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
school  board  in  his  district  for  a  period  of  eight  years.  He  is  an  active 
member  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Kings  Creek  and  is  an  ordained  deacon  of 
the  same. 


MAJOR  ALEXANDER  F.  ^^\NCE. 

Major  .Vlexander  F.  Vance,  president  of  the  National  Bank  of  Urbana 
and  for  years  one  of  the  most  active  and  influential  figures  in  the  business  and 
civic  life  of  Champaign  county,  is  a  native  son  of  this  county  and  has  lived 
here  all  his  life  with  the  exception  of  the  period  spent  in  the  service  of  the 
Union  during  the  Civil  War  and  for  about  live  years  afterward  when  he  was 
engaged  in  business  in  New  York  Cit}-.  He  was  born  on  what  is  know^n  as 
the  old  Eichholtz  homestead  in  Salem  township,  this  county.  January  26. 
1840,  .son  of  Judge  Alexander  F.  \'"ance  and  grandson  of  Gov.  Joseph  Vance, 
the  latter  of  whom  was  a  son  of  Joseph  C.  Vance,  a  Virginian  and  a  soldier 
in  the  patriot  army  during  the  Revolutionary  \Var.  Tlie  latter  became  one 
of  the  leading  factors  in  the  organization  of  Champaign  county,  helped  to 
establish  Urbana  as  the  county  seat,  became  the  first  director  of  the  count}-, 
served  as  first  clerk  and  as  first  recorder  and  in  other  ways  did  much  toward 
establishing  a  proper  social  order  hereabout  in  the  days  of  the  beginning  of 
things  out  here  on  w'hat  then  v^-as  practically  the  frontier  of  Western  civil- 
ization. Elsewhere  in  this  volume  in  a  Ijiographical  sketch  relating  to  Gov. 
Joseph  Vance,  the  only  resident  of  Champaign  county  to  become  governor 
of  the  great  state  of  Ohio,  there  is  set  out  at  considerable  length  further 
details  of  the  history  of  the  Vance  famil}',  one  of  the  very  first  families  of 
Champaign  county,  and  the  attention  of  the  reader  is  respectfully  invited  to 
a  consideration  of  that  sketch  in  connection  with  this. 

Judge  Alexander  F.  Vance,  who  served  as  judge  of  probate  of  Cham- 


MAJOll  ALKXANDEK  F.  VANCi:.  .IK 


JUDGE  ALEXANDER  F.  VANCE. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  ^JJ 

paign  count}  longer  than  any  other  man  ever  elected  to  that  office,  was  a 
native  son  of  this  county,  born  on  the  old  Vance  farm  on  August  25,  181 1, 
son  of  Joseph  (afterward  governor)  and  ]\Iary  (Lemon)  Vance.  He  grew 
to  manhood  in  this  county  and  completed  his  schooling  in  old  Miami  Uni- 
versity. On  August  6,  1835,  '^c  married  Mary  R.  Ward,  a  daughter  of  Col. 
William  Ward,  one  of  the  most  prominent  citizens  of  this  section  of  Ohio, 
and  after  his  marriage  established  his  home  on  what  is  known  as  the  old 
Eichholtz  farm,  where  he  remained  for  several  years,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  he  moved  to  Saratoga  and  was  there  iit  charge  of  a  mill  until  a  short 
time  before  his  father's  death  in  the  summer  of  1852,  when  he  returned  to 
the  old  home  and  upon  his  father's  death  received  the  old  homestead.  There 
he  contimted  to  make  his  home  until  1859,  when  he  moved  to  Urbana  and 
there  engaged  in  business,  opening  a  hat  store  in  a  building  at  the  southeast 
corner  of  the  square,  and  was  thus  engaged  at  the  time  of  his  election  to  the 
office  of  judge  of  probate  for  Champaign  county  in  i860,  after  which  he  sold 
his  store.  By  successive  re-elections  Judge  Vance  was  retained  as  judge  of 
probate  until  1879,  a  longer  period  of  service  than  that  of  any  other  incumbent 
in  this  office. 

When  the  Civil  War  Ijroke  out  Judge  Vance  raised  a  company  and  was 
elected  captain  of  the  same.  This  command  was  mustered  in  at  Camp 
McArthur  and  Judge  Vance  tendered  its  services  to  the  governor,  but  the 
state's  quota  at  that  time  was  already  filled  and  the  offer  could  not  be  accepted. 
Circumstances  prevented  Judge  Vance  from  enlisting,  but  he  was  repre- 
sented in  the  w-ar  by  four  sons.  Upon  retiring  from  the  bench  he  continued 
to  make  his  home  in  Urbana  and  there  spent  his  last  days,  ever  active  and 
useful  in  good  works.  He  and  his  wife  were  earnest  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian church,  of  which  he  was  a  ruling  elder  ior  many  years.  The  Judge 
was  a  Royal  Arch  and  York  Rite  Mason  and  a  member  of  the  c<)uncil.  Royal 
and  Select  Masters,  becoming  a  Royal  Arch  ]\]ason  on  May  15.  1845,  and 
a  Knight  Templar  in  1869,  and  for  many  years  was  one  of  the  most  promin- 
ent figures  in  Masonic  circles  in  this  county,  an  active  worker  in  Harmony 
Lodge  of  that  order  at  Urbana.  He  and  his  wife  lived  to  celebrate  their 
golden  w'edding  anniversary  and  were  the  parents  of  thirteen  children,  of 
whom  eight  grew^  to  maturity,  those  besides  the  subject  of  this  biographical 
.sketch  Ijeing  William  W.,  Joseph  C.  John.  C.  H.  Cohvcll.  Mrs.  Rev.  John 
Woods,  Mrs.  Thomas  C.  Berry  and  Ella  P. 

The  junior  Alexander  F.  Vance  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth  of  the 
children  born  to  his  parents  and  was  about  seventeen  years  of  age  when  his 


378  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

1/arents  moved  from  the  old  home  farm  to  Urbana.  where  he  completed  his 
schooHng.  When  eighteen  years  of  age  he  accepted  a  clerkship  in  the  dry- 
goods  store  of  Simon  Weaver  at  Urbana  and  later  became  bookkeeper  in  the 
office  of  his  uncle,  proprietor  of  the  Stony  Point  mills,  serving  in  that  capacity 
until  1862,  when  he  was  made  a  clerk  in  the  paymaster's  department  of  the 
L'nion  army  and  in  January,  1865,  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  pay- 
master, with  the  rank  of  major  of  cavalry.  Upon  the  completion  of  his 
service  in  the  army  Major  Vance  went  to  New  York  City  and  was  there 
engaged  in  the  wholesale  boot  and  shoe  business  for  five  years,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  he  returned  to  this  count}'  and  was  here  engaged  in  farming  until 
January  i,  1875.  when  he  was  elected  teller  of  the  old  Third  National  Bank 
<'f  Urbana.  He  was  afterward  made  assistant  cashier  and,  upon  the  death 
of  1^.  G.  Wiley,  cashier,  on  February  28,  1881,  he  was  elected  cashier,  con- 
tinuing as  such  when  the  Third  National  was  succeeded  by  the  National 
Bank  of  Urbana.  He  was  elected  vice-president  on  January  17,  1910,  and 
])resident  on  January  10,  191 1.  For  several  years  also  the  Major  served  as 
jnesidentof  the- Natural  Gas  Company  and  has  in  other  ways  taken  an  active 
])art  in  the  business  affairs  of  the  city  and  county.  He  is  a  Republican  and 
lias  for  years  been  regarded  as  one  of  the  leaders  of  that  party  in  this  county, 
l)ut  the  only  public  position  he  has  sought  was  that  as  a  member  of  the  board 
of  education,  in  which  capacity  he  served  for  some  years,  rendering  an  admir- 
able service  in  behalf  of  the  schools. 

In  February,  1868,  Major  Alexander  I'.  Vance  was  unitetl  in  marriage 
to  Mary  Glen  Jamieson  and  to  this  union  has  been  born  one  child,  a  daughter, 
Louise,  wife  of  Charles  Brand,  a  well-known  and  substantial  farmer  of  this 
county.  Major  Vance  is  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  distinguished  Masons 
in  the  state  of  Ohio,  being  a  member  of  the  supreme  council  of  Sovereign 
Grand  Inspectors-General  of  the  thirty-third  and  last  degree  of  the  Ancient 
and  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  for  the  northern  Masonic  jurisdiction  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  the  supreme  power  of  the  Rite.  He  became 
affiliated  with  the  consistory,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  on  February 
18.  1873,  and  in  1885  received  the  thirty-third  degree  at  Boston.  In  the 
local  bodies  of  the  Masonic  order  the  Major  has  taken  an  active  part  for 
years  and  has  served  as  master  of  his  lodge;  as  high  priest  of  the  chapter. 
Royal  Arch  Ma.sons;  thrice  illustrious  master  of  the  council.  Royal  and  Select 
Masters,  and  eminent  conuuander  of  the  commander}'.  Knights  Templar. 
He  is  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  influential  Knights  Templar  in  the 
state,  having  served  as  grand  commander  of  the  grand  commandery  of  Ohio. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  j^jqj 

It  is  worthy  of  note  that  in  this  faniilw  grandfatlier.  father  and  son,  the 
snbject,  haA-e  all  been  masters  of  the  Harmony  Lodge  No.  8.  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons  of  Urbana,  Governor  Vance  having  l>een  master  of  this  lodge  in  i8i  s 
and  again  in  1817. 


GEORGE  W.  SHAFER. 


George  W.  Shafer,  one  of  Salem  township's  best-known  and  most 
progressive  farmers  and  stockmen  and  the  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  in  the 
Kings  Creek  neighborhood,  is  a  native  son  of  this  county  and  has  lived 
here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  near  Terre  Haute,  in  Mad  River 
township,  May  25,  1864,  son  of  Nicholas  and  Louise  (Cook)  Shafer,  the 
former  of  whom  was  born  in  Germany  and  the  latter  in  this  county  and 
both  of  whom  are  now  dead. 

Nicholas  Shafer  grew  up  on  a  farm  in  his  native  country  and  remained 
there  until  he  w-as  twenty-six  years  of  age,  when  he  came  to  this  country-, 
landing  here  with  but  a  five-franc  piece  (one  dollar)  in  his  pocket.  For  a 
short  time  after  coming  to  this  country  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand  in  Virginia, 
receiving  for  that  service  twenty-five  cents  a  day.  He  then  made  his  way 
over  into  Ohio  and  stopped  in  the  Terre  Haute  neighborhood,  in  this  county, 
where  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand  until  his  marriage  there  to  Louise  Cook, 
who  was  born  in  this  county,  daughter  of  pioneer  parents,  after  which  he 
bought  a  farm  and  began  farming  on  his  own  account.  His  first  farm  was 
a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  acres,  in  the  Aicinity  of  Terre  Haute, 
where  he  made  his  home  until  1867,  when  he  moved  to  Salem  township  and 
bought  a  farm  of  three  hundred  and  fourteen  acres  at  the  point  then  known 
as  Saratoga.  There  he  established  his  home  and  as  he  prospered  in  his 
farming  operations  added  to  his  holdings  until  he  became  the  owner  of  nine 
hundred  and  seventy-five  acres  of  land  in  Salem  township  and  was  regarded 
as  one  of  the  most  substantial  farmers  in  that  part  of  the  county.  Fie  also 
gave  much  attention  to  the  raising  of  live  stock,  particularly  sheep,  and 
always  had  about  three  hundred  head  of  the  latter  on  his  place.  Nicholas 
Shafer  died  in  1900.  His  wife  had  preceded  him  to  the  grave  about  eleven 
years,  her  death  having  occurred  in  1889.  They  were  the  parents  of  five 
children,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having  two  sisters,  Elizabeth  and  Martha, 
and  two  brothers,  Henry  and  Charles. 

George  W.  Shafer  was  about  three  years  of  age  \\hen  his  parents 
moved  from  Mad  River  township  to  Salem  township  and  in  the  latter  town- 


380  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

sliip  received  his  schooling-  and  grew  to  manhood.  From  the  days  of  his 
boyhood  he  was  a  vahiable  aid  to  his  father  and  brothers  in  the  labors  of 
the  home  farm  and  remained  on  the  home  farm  until  his  marriage  in  1890, 
w  hen  he  began  farming  for  himself  on  a  farm  north  of  the  place  on  which 
lie  is  now  living,  to  which  latter  place  he  moved  in  1904  and  has  ever  since 
made  his  home  there.  Mr.  Shafer  is  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  fifty 
acres,  but  only  farms  one  hundred  and  six  acres  of  this  himself,  renting- 
t)ut  tile  remainder.  In  addition,  to  his  general  farming  he  has  long  given 
considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of  hogs,  feeding  from  one  hundred 
to  one  hundred  and  fifty  head  annually,  and  has  done  very  well.  His  place 
is  well  improved  and  equipped  in  truly  up-to-date  fashion  and  is  regarded 
as  one  of  the  best  farms  in  that  neigh1)orhood.  Mr.  Shafer  is  a  Democrat, 
but  has  not  been  a  seeker  after  public  office. 

On  July  15,  1890,  George  W.  Shafer  was  united  in  marriage  to  Florence 
Slick,  who  also  was  born  in  Randolph  county,  Indiana,  daughter  of  Samuel 
and  Mary  Stick,  and  to  this  union  has  been  born  one  child,  a  daughter, 
Mice,  who  is  at  home  with  her  parents.  The  Shafers  are  members  of  the 
Kings  Creek  Baptist  church  and  take  a  proper  interest  in  the  afifairs  of  the 
same,  as  well  as  in  the  general  good  works  of  the  community,  helpful  in 
advancing-  all  worthy  causes  thereabout.  Fraternally,  Mr.  Shafer  is  affiliated 
w  ith  the  Urbana  lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  takes 
a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  popular  organization. 


.ALBERT  L.  HUNTER. 


The  late  Albert  L.  Hunter,  who  died  at  his  home  in  SaJem  township  in 
1909,  and  whose  widow  is  now  living  at  Kings  Creek,  was  born  in  that  town- 
ship and  there  spent  all  his  life,  becoming  one  of  the  most  substantial  farm- 
ers in  that  community.  He  was  born  on  a  pioneer  farm  in  that  township  in 
1845,  son  of  Nathaniel  C.  and  Helen  M.  (Purely)  Hunter,  prominent  resi- 
dents of  that  community,  the  former  of  whom  also  was  born  there,  on  the  old 
Hunter  homestead,  son  of  John  and  Jane  (Humphries)  Hunter,  the  former 
of  whom  was  born  in  Virginia,  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Ann  (Porter)  Flunter, 
natives  of  Ireland,  who  came  to  this  county  after  their  marriage  and  settled 
in  Virginia,  where  they  remained  until  1910,  when  they  came  to  this  state 
and  after  a  brief  residence  in  Madison  county  came  over  into  Champaign 
comity  and  establi?hi?d  tlteir  home  in  Salem  township,  where  they  spent  the 


CIIAMI'AIGN    COLNTV.    01li(».  3S I 

remainder  of  their  lives.     In  a  memorial  sketch  relating  to  the  late  Nathaniel 

C.  Hunter,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  memorial  sketch,  presented  elsewhere 
in  this  volume,  there  is  set  out  at  considerable  length  something  of  the  his- 
tory of  the  Hunter  family  in  this  county  and  to  that  interesting  narrative 
the  reader  is  respectfully  referred  for  additional  details  in  this  connection. 

Reared  on  the  old  home  place,  Albert  L.  Hunter  received  his  earl\ 
schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  neighborhood  and  supplemented  the  same 
by  a  course  in  the  college  at  Delaware.  From  the  days  of  his  boyhood  he 
had  been  a  valuable  aid  to  his  father  in  the  labors  of  the  farm  and  after  his 
marriage  in  the  late  fall  of  1876  he  established  his  home  on  the  old  home 
place  and  there  continued  farming  for  five  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time 
he  took  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Cable,  where  he  remained  for  nine  years. 
He  then  moved  back  to  the  old  Hunter  farm,  bought  two  hundred  acres  of 
the  same,  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  there 
in  August,  1909,  he  then  being  sixty-two  years  of  age.  AII)ert  L.  Hunter 
was  an  excellent- farmer  and  did  well  at  his  farming  operation.s,  developing  a 
fine  farm.  He  was  a  Republican  and  ever  gave  a  good  citizen's  attention  to 
local  political  affairs,  but  had  not  been  a  seeker  after  public  office.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Mt.  Tabor  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  as  is  his  widow,  and 
took  a  proper  part  in  all  neighborhood  good  works. 

In  November,  1876,  /Vlbert  L.  Hunter  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mar}- 
Frances  North,  who  also  was  born  in  Salem  township,  on  the  old  North  home- 
stead, a  daughter  of  Abel  and  Elizabeth  (Herr)  North,  the  latter  of  whom  is 
still  living,  now  making  her  home  at  Kings  Creek.  The  late  Abel  North  and 
his  wife  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Hunter  was  the 
first-born,  the  others  being  as  follow :  Luc}-.  who  married  J.  S.  Ewing  and 
is  now  deceased;  Adelaide  and  Adrelina,  twins,  the  former  of  whom  mar- 
ried J.  N.  Fields  and  is  now  living  at  Cleveland,  and  the  latter  of  whom  was 
burned  to  death  when  twelve  years  of  age ;  Sarah  Elizabeth,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  seventeen  years;  Charles  L.,  who  is  now  farming  the  old  North  home 
place;  Cora,  now  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Prof.  John  Hamilton,  super- 
intendent of  the  city  schools  at  Cincinnati ;  A\'illiam  North,  a  prominent 
attorney  at  Cincinnati;  Grant,  who  died  in  youth,  and  P>irdie.  wife  of  I'rof. 

D.  C.  Bryant,  principal  of  schools  at  Columbus. 

To  Albert  L.  and  Mary  Frances  (North)  Hunter,  four  children  were 
born,  namely:  Grace,  who  married  Ouinn  M.  Yocum.  a  farmer,  of  Salem 
township,  and  has  two  children,  daughters.  Helen  M.  and  Margaret  E. ; 
Edna,  who  married  Alva  Kiser,  of  Troy,  this  state,  and  has  three  children, 
Truman  A.,  Paul  and  Mary  V. :  Fern  P.,  born  on  No\'ember  22.  1882.  who 


382  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

married  the  Rev.  Milton  S.  Swisher,  a  clergyman  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  now  living  in  Illinois,  and  died  on  November  13,  1905,  leaving  one 
child,  a  daughter,  Dorothy,  who  is  now  making  her  home  with  her  grand- 
mother, Mrs.  Hunter,  and  Sarah  Elsa,  who  married  Daniel  C.  Lemon,  a 
farmer,  living  in  the  neighborhood  of  St.  Paris,  in  this  county,  and  has  two 
children,  Mildred  and  Donald.  Besides  these  children,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hunter 
have  an  adopted  son,  John  Hunter,  who  is  now  farming  the  home  place.  Some 
time  after  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Hunter  moved  to  Kings  Creek, 
where  she  is  now  living  and  where  she  is  very  comfortably  and  very  pleas- 
antly situated. 


THOMAS  RAWLINGS. 


The  late  Thomas  Rawlings,  for  years  one  of  Champaign  county's  best- 
known  and  most  substantial  farmers,  who  died  at  his  delightful  farm  home 
on  Pretty  Prairie,  in  Urbana  township,  in  the  fall  of  1912,  was  a  native  son 
of  this  county  and  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  pioneer  farm  in 
Urbana  township,  August  28,  1836,  son  of  James  and  Susanna  (McRoberts) 
Rawlings,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  the  state  of  Kentucky  and  the 
latter  in  this  county,  whose  last  days  were  spent  on  their  farm  in  Urbana 
township. 

James  Rawlings  was  but  a  child  when  his  parents  came  up  here  from 
Kentucky  and  settled  on  a  tract  of  land  in  Urbana  township,  this  county, 
becoming  useful  and  influential  pioneers  of  the  Prett}'  Prairie  neighborhood. 
He  grew  to  manhood  on  that  farm  and  married  Susanna  McRoberts,  who 
was  born  in  this  county,  daughter  of  pioneer  parents,  and  after  his  marriage 
established  his  home  on  a  farm  on  the  Springfield  pike,  in  Urbana  township, 
and  there  he  and.  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  They  were 
the  parents  of  six  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  memorial  sketch  was 
the  fourth  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow:  William  J.  W.,  now 
deceased,  who  married  Electa  Mumper,  now  living  in  Urbana,  and  a  memorial 
sketch  of  whom  is  presented  elsewhere  in  this  volume;  Mary,  who  married 
Thomas  M.  Todd,  a  farmer  of  Urbana  township,  and  who,  as  well  as  her 
husband,  is  now  dead;  EHzabeth  J.,  widow  of  John  P.  Knight,  a  farmer  of 
Urbana  township  and  a  memorial  sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this 
volume;  James,  now  deceased,  who  was  a  farmer  in  Urbana  township  and 
who  married  Laura  Townley,  who  also  is  now  deceased,  and  Douglas  A\  ., 


CHAMPAIGN    COT-NTY,    OHIO.  383 

also  deceased,  whose  widow,  wlio  was  Alice  Townley,  now  lives  in  Spring- 
field. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Urbana  township,  Thomas  Kawlings  received 
his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  neighborhood  and  from  the  days  of  his 
boyhood  was  a  valued  assistant  to  his  father  and  brothers  in  the  labors  of 
developing  and  improving  the  home  place,  remaining  tiiere  until  his  marriage 
in  the  spring  of  1864,  when  lie  established  a  home  of  his  own  on  a  farm 
on  Pretty  Prairie,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  successful]}- 
engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  long  ago  becoming  recognized 
as  one  of  the  substantial  farmers  of  that  community.  Mr.  Rawlings  was  a 
Republican  and  ever  took  a  good  citizen's  interest  in  local  political  affairs, 
but  was  not  a  seeker  after  public  office.  He  built  up  an  excellent  farm  and 
at  the  time  of  his  death  on  September  18.  1912.  left  his  widow  in  good  cir- 
cumstances. 

It  was  in  March,  1864.  that  Thomas  Rawlings  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Sarah  Emily  Humes,  also  a  native  of  this  county,  Ixirn  on  a  farm  on 
Dugan  Prairie,  in  Union  township,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mary  A. 
( McNeill)  Humes,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Virginia  and  who  came  out 
here  after  their  marriage  and  settled  on  Dugan  Prairie,  becoming  substantial 
and  useful  pioneers  of  Union  township,  and  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  on 
their  well-improved  farms.  Mrs.  Humes  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven  and 
Mr.  Humes  survived  her  for  some  years,  he  being  eighty-four  years  of  age 
at  the  time  of  his  death.  They  were  earnest  members  of  the  Buck  Creek 
Presbyterian  church,  of  which  congregation  Mr.  Humes  was  for  fifty  years 
an  elder,  and  their  children  were  reared  in  the  faith  of  that  commtimon. 
There  were  ten  of  these  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Rawlings  was  the  sixth  in 
order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow :  Sidney  Elizabeth,  who  was  born 
in  Virginia  .shortly  before  her  parents  came  to  this  county  and  who  married 
Charles  Stanbury  and  went  to  Illinois,  where  she  spent  the  rest  of  her  life: 
John  Seymour,  who  married  Caroline  Porter  and  also  spent  his  last  days  in 
Illinois;  Nancy  Margaret,  who  died  unmarried;  Samuel  R.,  who  also  died 
unmarried ;  David  Merrill,  who  went  to  the  front  as  a  .soldier  of  the  Union 
during  the  Civil  War  and  died  in  service;  William  Andrew,  who  married 
Elizabeth  Price  and  is  also  deceased ;  James  Calvin,  who  died  in  his  youth ; 
Mary  Eliza,  who  also  died  young,  and  Edwin  K..  a  retired  farmer,  now 
living  in  Urbana,  who  married  Caroline  ^^lumma  and  has  had  five  children. 
Crystal   (deceased).  Florence.  Blanche.  Bertha  and  Homer. 

Shortly  after  the  death  of  her  hu.sband  Mrs.  Rawlings  rented  her  farm 
of  one  hundred  and  eighty-four  acres  of  land  and  moved  to  I'rbana,  where 


384  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

she  is  now- living"  and  where  she  is  very  pleasantly  situated.  She  has  been 
for  many  years  a  member  of  the  Buck  Creek  Presbtyerian  church,  as  was 
jier  husband,  and  has  ever  taken  an  active  interest  in  church  work  and  in 
other  neighborhood  good  works,  helpful  in  many  ways  in  advancing  the 
cause  of  the  common  welfare  in  the  community  in  which  she  has  lived  all 
lier  life. 


W.  W.  WILSON. 


V\'.  \V.  Wilson,  president  of  the  Citizens  National  Bank  of  Crbana  and 
an  honored  ^•eteran  oi  the  Civil  War,  is  a  native  son  of  this  county  and  has 
lived  here  practically  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Concord  town- 
ship on  May  i.  1842.  son  of  Elias  R.  and  A[ar\-  (Russell)  Wilson,  both  of 
whom  were  born  in  that  same  township.  Elias  R.  ^^'ilson  died  in  1846, 
leaving  his  widow  and  two  sons,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having  a  bnither, 
John  R.  Wilson.  The  widow  Wilson  later  remarried,  but  this  fact  did  not 
materially  increase  the  prospects  of  the  boys  and  when  eight  years  of  age 
\V.  W.  Wilson  found  himself  face  to  face  with  the  serious  responsibilities 
<jf  life,  beginning  then  practically  to  look  after  himself.  He  took  up  farm- 
ing and  was  thus  engaged  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  Later  he  worked 
his  way  through  school  and  was  graduated  from  the  Urbana  high  school. 

Upon  the  first  call  to  arms  in  April,  1861,  W.  W.  Wilson  became  a  mem- 
l>er  of  a  compaii}^  of  Home  Guards,  of  which  A.  ¥.  Vance,  Sr.,  was  captain, 
and  in  September  of  that  year  he  enlisted  for  a  period  of  three  years  as  a 
member  of  Company  G,  Sixty-sixth  Regiment,  Ohio  \'olunteer  Infantry,  and 
in  the  following  January  went  to  the  front  with  his  command,  bearing  the 
rank  of  sergeant.  In  the  following  June,  at  the  battle  of  Port  Republic, 
Virginia,  Mr.  Wilson  received  an  injury  to  one  of  his  legs  which  totally  dis- 
abled him  from  further  service  and  which  later  necessitated  three  different 
stages  of  amputation.  While  thus  sulTering  Mr.  Wilson  was  captured  by 
the  enemy  and  for  four  months  was  held  prisoner,  being  confined  successively 
in  the  Weier's  cave  prison  at  Waynesboro,  in  the  prison  at  Lynchburg  and 
.in  Libby  prison,  until  he  finally  was  exchanged,  and  in  December,  1862,  he 
received   his  honorable  discharge  on   a   physician's   certificate  of  disabiHty. 

Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  Mr.  Wilson  returned  to 
Urbana.  During  the  sessions  of  the  Ohio  Legislature  in  1866  and  1867  he 
.served  as  journal  clerk  for  the  House  of  Representatives  and  in  the  latter 
part  of  1867  was  appointed  U^nitcd  States  revenue  collector  for  this  district. 


W.   W.   WILSON. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  385 

riiat  position  he  liekl  tor  eleven  years,  or  until  the  time  of  his  appointment 
to  the  position  of  cashier  of  the  Citizens  National  Bank  of  Urbana,  a  posi- 
tion he  held  until  his  promotion,  in  1916,  to  the  presidency  of  the  bank,  which 
])Osition  he  now  occupies,  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  influential  figures 
in  financial  circles  in  this  part  of  the  state.  Mr.  Wilson  is  an  active  member 
of  \y.  A.  Brand  Post  No.  08.  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  at  Urbana,  and 
has  for  years  taken  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  patriotic  organ- 
ization. 

In  t868  W.  \V.  Wilson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Anna  Virginia  Rus- 
sell, who  died  in  1898,  leaving  three  children,  William  R.,  Carrie  V.  and 
I'Vank  C.  In  1900  Mr.  Wilson  married,  secondly,  Mrs.  Mary  B.  Murray, 
widow  of  Rev.  James  Murray.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilson  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which  Mr.  Wilson  has  been  a  steward  for 
fifty  vears.  He  al.'^o  for  years  was  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  and 
for  manv  vears  has  been  and  is  still  a  teacher  in  the  same. 


JOHN  M.  JAMISON. 

John  M.  Jamison,  a  well-known  interior  decorator  at  Urbana,  was  born 
in  that  city  and  has  lived  there  the  greater  part  of  his  life.  He  was  born  on 
September  25,  1850,  son  of  David  and  Mary  (Bell)  Jamison,  the  fonner  a 
native  of  the  state  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  latter  of  whom  was  bom  in 
Urbana,  a  member  of  one  of  the  oldest  families  in  this  county,  the  Bells,  of 
Irish  descent,  having  been  among  the  very  first  settlers  in  Urbana.  David 
Jamison  was  a  young  man  when  he  came  to  this  county  from  Pennsylvania 
and  located  at  Urbana,  where  he  married  and  where  he  engaged  in  the  man- 
ufacture of  carriages,  one  of  the  first  persons  thus  engaged  in  that  city.  In 
1852  he  moved  to  Marysville,  Illinois,  and  a  few  years  later  moved  from  that 
place  to  a  farm  in  the  near  vicinity  of  Marysville,  later  called  Potomac,  in 
Vermillion  county,  that  same  state,  where  he  became  a  well-established 
farmer  and  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  and  his  wife  were 
the  parents  of  twelve  children,  four  of  whom  are  still  living,"  the  subject  of 
sketch  having  two  sisters,  Mary  Ellen  and  Belle,  and  a  brother.  Merrill 
Jamison. 

When  his  parents  moved  to  Illinois  J.  M.  Jamison  remained  at  Urbana 
with  his  aunt,  Mrs.  Sarah  Smith,  and  was  reared  by  her  in  that  city.  He 
(25a) 


386  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

received  his  schooling  in  Urbana  and  early  learned  the  trade  of  carriage  paint- 
ing, a  vocation  he  followed  for  years  afterward.  When  eighteen  years  of 
age  he  started  out  as  a  "journeyman"  carriage  painter  and  in  this  capacity 
visited  numerous  cities  throughout  the  country,  in  several  of  the  cities  in 
which  he  worked  being  made  foreman  of  the  shops  in  which  he  was  employed. 
During  all  this  time,  however,  he  kept  in  close  touch  with  his  home  town  and 
m  1891  returned  to  Urbana.  in  order  to  take  care  of  his  cousin,  John  N. 
Smith.  Sarah's  son,  in  his  declining  years,  as  he  had  cared  for  him  in  his 
youthful  days,  and  he  since  has  made  his  home  there.  Upon  his  return  to 
Urbana  Mr.  Jamison  set  up  an  establishment  for  interior  decoration  and 
has  since  been  quite  successfully  engaged  in  that  line,  having  built  up  an 
extensive  business. 

On  September  18.  1869.  J.  N.  Jamison  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Adeline  Keneaster,  daughter  of  Henry  Keneaster  and  wife,  and  to  this 
union  two  children  have  been  born,  Harry,  who  married  Anna  Young  and 
has  one  child,  a  son.  Jack,  and  Marie,  wife  of  Warren  Law.  The  Jamisons 
have  a  pleasant  home  in  Urbana  and  take  a  proper  interest  in  the  general 
affairs  of  the  citv. 


GEORGE   WAITE. 


One  of  the  leading  lawyers  and  esteemed  citizens  of  Champaign  county 
during  the  generation  that  has  just  passed,  was  the  late  George  Waite,  for 
a  long  lapse  of  years  a  well-known  figure  in  the  city  of  Urbana,  where  his 
influence  for  good  in  the  general  welfare  of  the  locality  was  by  no  means  a 
negligible  quantity.  He  was  born  at  Woodstock,  Ohio.  January  12.  1862. 
He  was  a  son  of  Cicero  and  Julia  (McDonald)  Waite,  both  natives  of 
Champaign  county,  where  they  grew  up.  attended  the  common  schools  and 
were  married.  The  mother  was  a  daughter  of  George  and  Rachael  McDon- 
ald. The  father  of  the  subject  of  this  memoir  established  his  home  at  Wood- 
stock, where  he  engaged  successfully  in  the  manufacture  of  tile.  His  first 
wife,  mother  of  George  Waite.  died  there,  and  the  father  later  married  again 
and  spent  the  last  years  of  his  life  in  Union  City.  Indiana,  where  his  death 
occurred.  His  second  marriage  was  without  issue,  and  only  two  children 
were  born  to  his  first  marriage,  George,  of  this  sketch,  and  Cyrus,  now  a 
resident  of  Anderson,  Indiana. 

George  Waite  grew  to  manhood  at  Woodstock,  where  he  received  his 
early  education  in  the  public  schools.     He  began  life  for  himself  as  a  teacher. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  387 

which  profession  he  followed  for  a  period  of  twelve  years  in  Champaign 
and  Union  counties.  He  was  a  very  successful  educator  and  his  services 
were  in  great  demand.  He  was  a  man  of  advanced  ideas  and  introduced  many 
advanced  methods  into  the  schools  where  he  taught.  He  was  always  poi)u- 
lar  with  both  pupils  and  patrons. 

Finally  deciding  that  a  legal  career  held  greater  opportunities  for  hhn. 
Mr.  Waite  abandoned  the  school  room  for  the  bar.  He  had  been  for  some  time, 
during  his  leisure  hours,  perusing  Blackstone  and  Kent,  and  he  read  law 
under  Judge  E.  P.  Middleton,  later  took  the  regular  course  in  the  Cincin- 
nati Law  School,  where  he  made  a  good  record  and  from  which  institution 
he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1892.  Returning  to  Champaign  county 
he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Urbana,  forming  a  partnership  with 
Sherman  S.  Deaton,  the  partnership  continuing  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Waite. 
They  built  up  a  large  and  satisfactory  legal  business.  Mr.  Waite,  with  his 
habits  of  industry,  strict  application  to  business,  natural  aptitude  to  the  legal 
profession,  and  care  in  the  investigation  and  preparation  of  cases,  had  'the 
right  to  confidently  expect  a  larger  and  wider  boundary  for  the  exercise  of 
his  abilities,  and  he  was  not  disappointed ;  his  career  at  the  bar  was  eminently 
satisfactory.  •*   '  -  i  --  :^-  > 

Mr.  Waite  was  married  in  1887,  to  Mollie  Hanley.  of  Woodstock,  Ohio, 
u  here  she  was  reared  and  educated.  She  is  a  daughter  of  David  and  Cath- 
erine Hanley,  wdio  lived  on  a  farm  near  Woodstock  for  many  years,  dying 
there.  To  David  Hanley  and  wife  the  following  children  were  born :  Mar- 
garet, deceased;  Catherine,  living  in  Columbus,  Ohio:  Julia,  living  in  Ander- 
son, Indiana;  David,  who  makes  his  home  at  Urbana,  Champaign  county; 
Mollie,  who  became  the  wife  of  Mr.  Waite,  of  this  review;  Guy,  v/ho  died 
in  Woodstock ;  Ann,  living  at  Anderson,  Indiana,  and  several  other  children 
who  died  in  early  childhood. 

To  George  Waite  and  wife  one  child,  George  Waite,  was  born,  his 
birth  occurring  at  Woodstock,  Ohio,  August  3,  1890.  There  he  spent  his 
childhood,  and  received  his  education  in  the  public  school  of  Urbana,  includ- 
ing the  high  school.  Later,  he  was  a  student  in  Wittenberg  College,  also  the 
Ohio  State  University.  Deciding  early  in  life  to  follow  in  the  footsteps  of 
his  father  in  a  professional  way,  he  began  studying  law  at  home,  when  but  a 
boy,  later  entered  the  Cincinnati  Law  School,  where  he  made  an  excellent 
record,  and  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws,  on  Febru- 
ary I,  1917.  He  is  now  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Urbana 
and  is  making  a  very  promising  start.  He  makes  his  home  with  his  mother. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  January  2.   191 7.     Fraternally,  he  belongs  to 


388  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

the  blue  lodge  of  Masons,  the  Alpha  Tau  Omeoa   fraternity  and   the    I'lii 
Alpha  Delta  legal  fraternity. 

George  Waite,  Sr.,  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  including  the 
chapter  and  council,  also  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Universalist  church.  His  death  occurred  on  July  27,  19 13, 
in  his  fifty-second  year,  while  still  in  the  prime  of  life  and  usefulness. 


SAMUEL  W.  CAREY. 


Samuel  W.  Carey,  one  of  Urbana's  progressive  and  enterprising  florists 
of  Urbana,  is  a  native  son  of  this  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He 
was  born  on  July  14,  1879,  son  of  David  and  Sarah  J.  (Perry)  Carey,  the 
former  of  whom  was  born  in  this  state  and  the  latter  in  Pennsylvania  and 
the  former  of  whom  is  still  living  at  Urbana  at  a  ripe  old  age. 

David  Carey  was  born  in  Defiance,  this  state,  but  when  he  was  a  child 
his  parents  moved  to  Piqua,  where  he  received  his  schooling  and  where  he 
grew  to  manhood.  While  living  in  Miami  county  he  married  Sarah  J. 
Perry,  who  was  born  in  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  wlio  was  but 
four  years  of  age  when  she  came  to  this  state  with  her  parents,  the  family 
first  locating  at  Gallipolis  and  later  moving  to  Piqua,  where  she  was  living 
at  the  time  of  her  marriage.  Shortly  after  his  marriage  David  Carey  came  to 
Champaign  county  and  became  engaged  in  farming  at  Lippincott  Station, 
later  moving  down  in  the  Dugan  Valley  section,  where  for  thirty  years  he 
was  engaged  in  farming.  He  then  moved  to  Urbana,  where  he  is  still  living, 
one  of  the  oldest  and  best-known  residents  of  that  city.  During  his  resi- 
dence on  the  farm  Mr.  Carey  was  quite  extensively  engaged  in  the  raising 
of  broom  corn  and  after  moving  to  Urbana  became  connected  with  the 
Urbana  Broom  Company  and  was  thus  connected  until  his  retirement  from 
business  some  years  ago.  To  him  and  his  wife  seven  children  were  born, 
of  whom  six  are  still  living,  those  besides  the  subject  of  this  sketch  being 
William  N.,  George  E.,  Charles  J.,  Mary  and  Hattie. 

S.  W.  Carey  received  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  Urbana  and  at 
tile  age  of  fourteen  years  began  working  in  the  greenliouse  of  the  Reeser 
Floral  Company,  with  which  he  was  connected  for  about  eight  years,  during 
which  time  he  thoroughly  familiarized  himself  widi  the  details  of  the  florist 
business  and  at  the  end  of  which- time  he  started  a  greenhouse  of  his  own 
and  as  since  continued  in  that  business,  gradually  building  up  his  plant  to  its 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  389 

present  extensive  proportions,  and  has  long  been  recognized  as  one  of  the 
leading  florists  in  this  part  of  the  state.  Upon  starting  in  business  for  him- 
self Mr.  Carey  erected  two  greenhouses,  seventy  feet  in  length,  carrying 
about  two  thousand  square  feet  of  glass;  and  this  has  been  enlarged  as  the 
growing  demands  of  his  trade  warranted  until  he  now  has  seven  greenhouses, 
one  hundred  and  forty  feet  in  length,  carrying  about  fifteen  thousand  square 
feet  of  glass.  His  extensive  plant  is  well  equipped  and  up-to-date  and  his 
tioral  products  cover  a  wide  variety,  suitable  to  all  demands  requisite  to  the 
needs  of  this  section.  Mr.  Carey  is  a  Democrat  and  gives  a  good  citizen's 
attention  to  local  political  affairs,  but  has  not  been  a  seeker  after  public 
office. 

In  1906  S.  W.  Carey  was  united  in  marriage  to  Catherine  A.  Plank, 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  Plank,  and  to  this  union  four  children 
have  been  born,  Howard,  Claude,  Sarah  E.  and  Goldie.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carey 
are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  take  a  proper  interest  in  church 
work,  as  well  as  in  the  general  social  activities  of  their  home  town.  Mr. 
Carey  is  a  Royal  Arch  Mason,  a  member  of  the  blue  lodge,  the  chapter  and 
the  council  at  Urbana,  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  Masonic  affairs.  In  the 
conduct  of  his  business  he  is  energetic  and  enterprising  and  is  accounted  one 
of  the  public-spirited  business  men  of  Urbana. 


HENRY  A.  CHURCH. 


Henry  A.  Church,  superintendent  of  beautiful  Oakdale  cemetery  ai 
Urbana,  is  a  native  of  the  old  Green  Mountain  state,  but  has  been  a  resident 
of  Ohio  and  of  this  county  since  he  was  eight  years  of  age  and  is  therefore 
very  properly  entitled  to  be  numbered  among  the  old  settlers  of  Champaign 
county.  He  was  born  at  Woodstock,  in  Windsor  county,  Vermont,  Novem- 
ber 29,  1847,  son  of  Joel  and  Elizabeth  (Bennett)  Church,  both  natives  of 
that  same  county,  who  in  1855  came  to  Ohio  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Woodstock,  in  Rush  township,  this  county.  There  Joel 
Church  died  on  August  ij,  1861,  about  six  years  after  his  arrival  in  thi>, 
county,  he  then  being  thirty-eight  years  of  age.  His  widow  survived- him 
many  years,  her  death  occurring  in  November,  1907,  she  then  being  in  the 
eighty-fourth  year  of  her  age.  They  were  the  parents  of  two  children,  sons 
both,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  liaving  a  brother,  Charles  B.  Church,  who  is 
engaged  in  the  insurance  business  at  Los  Angeles,  California. 


390 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


Reared  in  this  county,  Henry  A.  Church  received  his  early  schoohng  in 
the  common,  schools  here  and  supplemented  the  same  by  a  course  of  two 
years  in  college  at  Delaware,  this  state.  Upon  leaving  college,  he  took  ser- 
vice with  the  Urbana  Elevator  Company  and  was  engaged  with  that  concern 
for  four  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  entered  the  service  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Railroad  Company  and  was  thus  engaged  at  Urbana  for  two  years. 
He  then  spent  seven  years  engaged  in  the  agricultural-implement  business  and 
was  thus  engaged  from  1877  to  1885,  two  years  as  a  traveling  salesman  and 
Hve  years  locally  connected  with  the  business.  In  February,  1886,  Mr. 
Church  was  appointed  superintendent  of  Oakdale  cemetery  at  Urbana,  a 
position  he  ever  since  has  occupied  and  to  the  duties  of  which  he  has  ever 
given  his  most  thoughtful  attention.  During  his  long  period  of  superin- 
tendency  Mr.  Church  has  succeeded  in  effecting  many  l)eautifying  changes 
in  Oakdale,  which  has  long  been  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  admirable  and 
V)eautiful  cemeteries  in  Ohio,  the  people  of  Urbana  and  of  this  section  being 
v^ery- propferly  proud  of  the  luanner  in  which  this  silent  city  of  the  dead  is 
kept  up.  Mr.  Church  is  a  Republican  and  has  ever  given  a  good  citizen's 
attention  to  local  political  affairs,  but  has  not  been  a  seeker  after  public 
ofifice. 

On  September  ly,  1872,  Henry  A.  Church  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Sarah  E.  Miller,  wiio  was  born  in  Urbana,  a  daughter  of  Sylvanus  and  Mar- 
garet (Pence)  Miller,  who  came  to  this  county  from  Rising  Sun,  Indiana. 
After  a  sometime  residence  in  Urbana,  Sylvanus  Miller  moved  to  Concord 
township,  this  county,  and  upon  his  retirement  from  the  farm  returned  to 
Urbana,  where  he  died  in  1882,  at  the  age  of  sixty-two  years  and  past.  His 
wife  survived  him  many  years,  her  death  having  occurred  in  1914,  she  then 
lieing  ninety  years  of  age.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  those 
besides  Mrs.  Church,  the  last-born,  being  Charles  (deceased).  John 
(deceased),  James  T.  (deceased).  Edward  F.,  of  Toledo.  Ohio;  Fannie 
(deceased),  and  Irene  B.,  of  Springfield,  this  state. 

To  Henry  A.  and  Sarah  E.  (Miller)  Church  five  children  have  been 
born,  four  of  whom,  Harry,  Harley,  Arthur  and  Frank,  died  in  childhood, 
the  survivor  being  Sylva,  who  married  Charles  D.  Siegel,  of  Pittsburgh. 
Pennsylvania,  and  has  two  children,  -Lois  and  Arthur.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Church 
are  members  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Urbana  and  take  an  active  interest  in 
the  various  beneficences  of  the  same.  Mr.  Church  is  a  Knight  Templar  and 
Royal  Arch  Mason  and  is  afifiliated  with  the  Royal  and  Select  Masters,  a 
member  of  the  blue  lodge,  the  chapter,  the  council  and  the  commander}- 
(  Knights  Templar)  at  Urbana,  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  Masonic  affairs. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  39I 

WILLIAM  SUNDAY. 

William  Sunday,  a  retired  farmer,  living  at  Kingston.  Salem  township, 
Champaign  county,  was  born  in  York  county,  Pennsylvania,  December  15, 
1847.  H^  is  a  son  of  John  and  Ann  (Herman)  Sunday,  both  natives  of 
Pennsylvania,  where  they  grew  up,  were  married  and  established  their  home. 
The  father  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  which  he  followed  in  his  native  state 
until  1852,  when  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Miami  county,  Ohio,  where 
they  lived  a  year  or  two  and  then  came  to  Champaign  county,  locating  on  a 
farm  three  miles  southwest  of  Urbana,  which  he  rented.  John  Sunday 
remained  in  this  county  until  1871,  when  he  went  West  and  bought  a  farm 
in  Clay  county,  Illinois,  where  he  farmed  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  in  the 
year  1898.  His  wife  died  in  1904.  They  were  parents  of  eight  children, 
five  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely:  Mary,  Sarah,  Missouri,  Frank  and 
William.  The  last  named  is  the  only  one  of  the  family  now  living  in  Cham- 
paign county. 

William  Sunday  grew  up  on  the  farm,  and  he  attended  school  in  Urbana 
township.  Champaign  county.  When  a  young  man  he  began  farming  here, 
which  he  continued  until  1870,  then  went  to  Clay  county,  Illinois,  where  he 
farmed  a  year,  in  partnership,  then  married  and  began  farming  for  him- 
self, remaining  in  that  county  until  1882,  when  he  returned  to  Champaign 
county,  locating  on  a  farm  four  miles  southwest  of  Urbana,  renting  land 
there  for  some  time,  then  moved  to  Salem  township  and  bought  sevent}- 
acres,  which  he  operated  until  1913,  when  he  retired  from  active  life  and 
moved  to  the  village  of  Kingston,  owning  three  acres  and  a  cozy  home,  and 
here  he  has  since  resided.  Besides  working  his  own  land  he  rents  a  small 
tract  of  corn  land  each  season  in  his  vicinity. 

Mr.  Sunday  was  married  in  1871,  to  Mary  E.  Thackery,  a  daughter  of 
John  and  Racliael  (Hammond)  Thackery,  and  to  their  union  two  children 
ha\e  been  born,  one  of  wliom  died  in  infancy;  Anna  May  is  the  wife  of 
.\.  B.  Swisher,  the  village  blacksmith  of  Kingston,  and  they  have  two  chil- 
dren, Herman  R.  and  John  Harold.  Mrs.  Mar}^  E.  Sunday  was  born  three 
miles  southwest  of  Urbana,  Ohio.  Her  father  came  to  this  country  from 
England,  when  fourteen  years  old,  landing  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
with  his  parents,  the  family  coming  on  to  Champaign  county,  and  locating  in 
the  southwestern  part  of  the  county,  in  the  timber.  Here  John  grew  to 
manhood  and  helped  clear  and  develop  the  farm.  After  his  marriage  he 
moved  to  Mad  River  township,  this  county,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his 


392  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OlttO. 

life  on  a  farm.  She  was  a  native  of  Philadelphia,  from  which  city  she  came 
to  Champaign  county  with  her  parents  at  an  early  date.  Ten  children  were 
born  to  John  Thackery  and  wife,  six  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely:  Martha, 
James,  Mary,  Alma,  Minerva  and  Joseph. 

Politically,  Mr.  Sunday  is  an  independent  Democrat.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Baptist  church,  in  which  he  is  now  a  fleacon.  and  is  active  in  cliurch 
work. 


SCOTT  KITE. 


The  subject  of  this  sketch  lives  on  his  farm  in  Mad  River  township, 
three  and  a  half  miles  east  of  St.  Paris,  and  one-half  mile  north  of  the  Piqua 
and  Urbana  pike.  His  farm  consists  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  lying- 
in  Mad  River  township  and  about  sixtv  acres  in  Jackson  township,  all  fme 
land  and  well  improved. 

Scott  Kite  was  born  nn  this  farm,  in  the  old  brick  house  which  is  still 
standing-,  .April  15,  1856.  He  is  a  son  of  George  W.  and  Nina  (l-'uson) 
Kite.  George  W.,  who  was  born  on  this  farm  and  reared  here,  w'as  a  son 
of  Adam  and  Elizabeth  Kite,  who  came  to  this  county  from  Virginia,  in 
t8o8.  and  settled  here  on  government  land  which  he  entered.  Here  tlie}- 
lived  and  died  and  are  buried  in  the  okl  Kite  burying  ground  on  this  place. 
Nina  Fuson  was  born  in  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  a  daughter  of  Rev.  ^^'ill- 
iam  Tnison,  an  old  pioneer  Baptist  minister  and  circuit  rider.  He  was  one 
of  the  best  known  men  of  his  day.  a  man  of  sincere  convictions  and  with  the 
courage  to  declare  them  anywhere  and  at  all  times.  He  lived  and  died  in 
Jackson  township  and  his  remains  nov.'  lie  in  Mt.  Zion  cemetery  in  this  town- 
ship. 

After  marriage  George  W.  and  Nina  Kite  settled  on  part  of  the  old 
Kite  land,  living  in  a  log  cabin.  Eater  they  built  the  brick  house,  for  which 
they  burned  brick  on  the  place,  this  house  being  the  one  in  which  the  subject 
was  born.  There  they  lived  until  Mrs.  Kite  died,  when  he  removed  to  another 
farm  located  on  the  Piqua-Urbana  pike,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
days.  For  his  second  wife  he  married  the  widow  of  Isaiah  Kite.  George 
W.  and  Nina  Kite  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  of  whom  the  subject  is 
the  only  one  living  and  the  youngest  one  of  the  family.  The  children  were 
named :  Jane.  Angeline,  James.  Diadena.  Sarena.  Thomas  P.,  John,  Scott, 
our  subject ;  Elizabeth  and  William.  The  family  were  members  of  the  Myrtle 
Tree  Baptist  church  and  always  took  an  active  part  in  the  affairs  of  their 


CHAMPAIGN    COIJXTY.    OlilO.  T^g:^ 

church.  The  father  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  pillars  of  the.  churcli.  He 
was  a  man  of  great  industry  and  was  regarded  as  a  successful  man  in  his 
day.  He  accumulated  considerable  means  and  was  the  owner  of  about  four 
hundred  acres  of  land.  In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat,  hut  did  not  take  an 
active  part  in  political  affairs. 

Scott  Kite  was  reared  on  the  old  Kite  farm,  in  .Mad  River  town- 
ship. He  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  the  township  and  lived  at 
home  until  grown  to  manhood.  He  was  married.  .\oveml)€r  5,  1874.  to 
Ella  Fence,  daughter  of  Amos  and  Clarinda  (Browning)  Pence.  After 
marriage  they  set  up  housekeeping  in  the  house  where  they  now  live,  later 
removing  to  the  red  brick  hcnise.  and  then,  after  that  house  began  to  decay, 
they  removed  back  to  the  new  modern  home  which  they  now  occupy,  which 
was  built  in  August,  1902.  It  has  thirteen  rooms  rmd  is  modem,  having- 
electric  lights  and  other  improvements. 

'J\)  ^Ir.  and  Mrs.  Kite  (-hree  children  have  been  horn:  Richard,  who 
died  in  infancy;  Daisy  Ala}'  married  Elmer  .Vpple  and  they  have  two  children, 
Donald  S.  and  Doretha  l'~. :  Grace  Maude  married  \Vill)er  J^^aulkner.  of 
.S{)ringfield.  Ohio,  and  the\-  ha\e  two  sons.  Kite  and  Wilbur. 

Mrs.  Kite  is  a  meml>cr  of  the  Mxrtle  Tree  Baptist  church.  In  politics 
.Mr.  Kite  affiliates  with  the  Democratic  party  and  he  served  six  years  as 
trustee  of  his  township  and  twenty  years  on  the  township  school  board. 


IRWIN  F.  GARARD. 


Agriculture,  in  its  varied  phases,  has  claimed  the  attention  of  Irwin 
F.  Garard,  of  Salem  township.  Champaign  county,  and  he  has  made  a  suc- 
cess of  his  chosen  life  work,  partly  because  he  likes  it  and  partly  because  he 
is  energetic  and  persistent.  He  was  born  in  Fond-du-Lac  county,  Wiscon- 
sin, July  10,  1856.  He  is  a  son  of  John  R.  Garard,  who  was  born  in  Berke- 
ley county,  now  a  part  of  West  Virginia.  In  1845,  when  a  young  man,  he 
came  on  horseback  from  his  native  state  to  Ohio.  The  old  saddlebags  in 
which  he  brought  his  clothes  along  are  still  in  possession  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch.  He  first  stopped  in  Greene  county,  working  in  a  saw-mill  there 
about  a  year,  the  mill  being  bu.sy  getting-  out  timber  with  which  to  build  the 
woodwork  of  the  Big  Four  railroad.  He  then  came  to  Champaign  countw 
locating  on  Pretty  Prairie,  in  Urbana  township,  where  resided  his  sister, 
Ruth,  who  had  married  Hamilton  Hedges.     There  he  took  up  farming  and 


394  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

iiiarried  IVTary  Jane  Osborn,  of  Urbana  township.  Later,  Mr.  Garard  bought 
a  farm  just  south  of  the  town  of  Urbana  and  farmed  there  about  five  years, 
then  went  to  Fond-du-Lac  county,  Wisconsin,  where  he  remained  about  two 
years,  returning  to  Champaign  county  in  1864.  locating  in  Salem  township, 
where  he  bought  a  farm  where  Airs.  Cogal  now  lives  and  stayed  there  five  years, 
then  bought  the  farm  w-here  T.  I.  Taylor  now  lives.  He  built  a  substantial 
home  there  in  1896  and  improved  the  place  in  a  general  way.  He  later 
moved  to  Urbana,  where  his  death  occurred  on  April  9,  1905,  at  the  advanced 
age  of  eighty-two  years.  His  wife  died  in  1885  in  Salem  township.  He  was 
a  Democrat  and  active  in  public  afifairs.  He  made  the  race  for  county  com- 
missioner and  \\  as  only  defeated  by  a  few  votes.  He  also  received  the  nom- 
ination of  his  party  once  for  representative  to  the  state  Legislature.  He 
belonged  to  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  also  took  a  great  deal  of  interest 
in  the  Champaign  county  annual  fairs  and  held  \arious  ofilices  in  the  associa- 
tion. He  did  much  to  make  the  fairs  here  a  success  during  his  lifetime.  He 
was  well  known  throughout  the  county  and  highly  esteemed  by  all  who  knew 
him. 

Nine  children  were  born  to  John  R.  Garard  and  wife,  named  as  follow: 
Mrs.  Nellie  Armstrong,  wdio  died  on  May  30,  1917,  lived  in  California: 
Martha  is  single  and  lives  in  Kingston,  Ohio;  Addie  died  in  February,  191 2: 
Irwin  F.,  of  this  sketch;  Warren  H.  lives  in  Urbana,  Ohio;  Mrs.  Martha 
Miller  lives  in  Findlay,  this  state ;  Sidney  W.  is  engaged  in  mercantile  busi- 
ness at  Kingston,  Ohio;  Frank  M.  and  Mary  F.  are  twins;  Frank  M.  lives 
in  Nashville,  Tennessee,  is  a  lawyer  by  profession  and  now  holds  the  office 
of  assistant  city  attorney  there;  Mary  F.  is  the  wife  of  Aaron  L.  Covault,  a 
train  dispatcher  for  the  Erie  Railroad  Company  at  Marion,  Ohio. 

Irwin  F.  Garard  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  the  coun- 
try, also  spent  one  term  in  school  at  Urbana.  He  and  two  sisters  remained 
at  home  with  their  father  until  the  latter's  death.  On  April  4,  191 1,  he  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Runyan,  of  Clark  county,  Ohio. 

Mr.  Garard  was  a  member  of  the  police  force  at  Urbana,  Ohio,  for 
three  and  one-half  years.  He  was  also  connected  with  the  Urbana  Ice  Com- 
pany for  a  period  of  seven  years  and  spent  one  year  in  the  car  shops  there. 
He  also  worked  one  year  at  concrete  bridge  construction.  On  March  11, 
191 5,  he  located  in  Salem  township,  where  he  has  since  resided,  owning  a 
well-improved  farm  of  eighty  acres. 

Mr.  Garard  is  a  Democrat  and  has  been  active  in  the  affairs  of  his  party 
for  many  years.     He  is  at  present  serving  in  the  office  of  trustee  of  Salem 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


395 


township.  He  at  one  time  made  a  close  race  for  the  office  of  couirty  com- 
missioner. Fraternally,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  His 
wife  belongs  to  the  Baptist  church.  For  two  years,  1897-1899,  Mr.  Garard 
was  a  guard  at  the  Ohio  state  reformatory  at  Mansfield.  Ohio. 


C.  D.  LOUDEN  BACK. 


C.  D.  Loudenback,  cashier  for  the  Northwestern  Light  and  Lower  Com- 
pany, of  Urbana,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here 
all  his  life,  with  the  exception  of  the  time  spent  in  college  and  a  few  years 
spent  in  Arizona  during  the  days  of  his  young  manhood.  He  was  born  at 
Westville,  in  Mad  River  township,  son  of  Eugene  F.  and  Martha  (McCor- 
mick)  Loudenback,  both  members  of  old  families  in  this  county,  the  latter 
of  whom  was  a  daughter  of  Jeremiah  McCormick,  and  both  of  whom  died 
w  hen  their  son,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a  child. 

Eugene  F.  Loudenback  also  was  born  in  Mad  River  township,  son  of 
David  and  Charlotte  M.  (Hebbard)  Loudenback,  who  were  among  the  most 
prominent  of  the  early  settlers  of  that  part  of  the  county,  David,  better  known 
as  Squire  Loudenback,  having  been  one  of  the  wealthiest  and  most  influential 
men  of  his  generation  in  Champaign  county.  Squire  Loudenback  was  a 
Virginian  by  birth,  born  in  Page  county,  in  the  Old  Dominion,  March  20, 
1808,  and  was  nine  years  of  age  when  his  parents.  David  and  Susanna  L. 
Loudenback,  came  with  their  family  to  Ohio  and  settled  in  Mad  River  town- 
ship, this  coimty.  It  was  on  November  i.  18 17,  that  the  Loudenbacks 
arrived  in  this  county  and  the  family  ever  since  has  been  prominently  repre- 
sented here,  other  reference  to  this  family  being  made  elsewhere  in  various 
portions  of  this  work.  The  elder  David  Loudenback  and  wife  were  the 
parents  of  eight  children,  five  sons  and  three  daughters,  Benjamin,  Ann. 
David,  Rebecca,  Emanuel.  Barbara,  John  and  Martin. 

The  junior  David  Loudenback.  the  Squire,  grew  up  on  the  home  farm 
in  Mad  River  township,  and  on  June  I,  1829,  began  teaching  school  there, 
his  pay  for  such  service  l>eing  ten  dollars  a  month,  out  of  which  sum  he  had 
to  pay  his  board,  and  he  taught  for  fourteen  consecutive  terms,  meanwhile 
continuing  engaged  in  farm  work.  He  later  began  clerking  in  a  store  at 
Westville  and  was  thus  engaged  for  three  years,  during  which  time  he  became 
engaged  as  a  money  lender,  or  private  banker,  at  the  same  time  carrying  on 
a  general  real-estate  business,  and  he  gradually  extended  his  operations  along 


396  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

this  line  until  he  presently  came  to  be  recognized  as  probably  the  wealthiest 
man  in  Champaign  county  and  one  of  the  wealthiest  in  this  part  of  the  state. 
At  one  time  Squire  Loudenback  was  the  owner  of  twelve  hundred  acres  of 
land,  all  of  which  he  had  under  cultivation.  He  also  was  one  of  the  chief 
stockholders  in  the  old  Third  National  Bank  of  Urbana,  now  the  Urbana 
National  Bank,  and  had  other  large  interests  hereabout.  During  his  school 
teaching  days  he  had  been  employed  for  some  time  as  deputy  county  surveyor 
and  there  were  few  men  who  had  as  intimate  and  thorough  an  acquaintance 
with  Champaign  county  as  he.  For  ten  years  he  also  served  as  clerk  of  Mad 
River  township  and  in  1842  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  in  and  for 
that  township  and  by  successive  re-elections  was  retained  in  that  magisterial 
office  for  thirty-six  years,  during  which  time  never  was  one  pf  his  decisions 
reversed.  The  Squire  also  was  for  thirty  years  treasurer  of  his  home  town- 
ship and  in  other  ways  did  much  for  the  public  service.  He  was  ever  in 
demand  as  an  administrator  of  estates  or  as  a  guardian  of  minor  wards  and 
it  is  still  said  that  there  never  has  been  in  this  county  a  man  who  was  called 
on  to  administer  as  many  estates  or  to  act  as  guardian  for  as  many  children 
as  was  Squire  Loudenback.  From  1830  until  the  time  of  his  death  he  was 
a  member  of  the  Universalist  church  and  was  largely  instrumental  in  build- 
ing up  the  church  of  that  denomination  at  Westville.  He  cast  his  first  vote 
for  Andrew  Jackson  for  President  and  remained  ever  afterward  a  stalwart 
Democrat,  for  many  years  one  of  the  leaders  of  that  party  in  this  part  of 
the  state. 

Squire  Loudenback  was  twice  married.  It  was  in  1838  that  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Charlotte  M.  Hebbard,  member  of  one  of  Champaign 
county's  pioneer  families,  and  to  that  union  were  l)orn  nine  children,  Eugene 
F..  Hylas,  Noah.  Eliza,  David,  Henrietta,  Charles  G.,  Lucy  A.  and  Devilla. 
The  mother  of  these  children  died  on  June  26,  1857,  and  on  July  22,  1858, 
tlie  Squire  married  Mrs.  Elizabeth  A.  (Custer)  Smith,  to  which  latter  union 
were  born  three  children,  Rienzi,  RoUa  and  Glendora.  The  eldest  of  these 
children,  Eugene  F.  Loudenback,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  com- 
pleted his  schooling  in  Urbana  University  and  afterward  became  associated 
with  his  father  in  the  real  estate  and  loan  business,  making  his  home  at  VVest- 
\'ille.  He  married  Martha  McCormick,  daughter  of  Jeremiah  McCormick 
anfl  wife,  pioneers  of  this  county,  and  to  that  union  were  born  three  children, 
of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  only  one  now  Hving.  Eugene  1\ 
Loudenback  continued  in  business  with  his  father  and  was  quite  successful, 
but  his  promising  business  career  was  cut  short  by  his  early  death.  His 
\vid<t\\'  (lifl  not  long  snrvixe  him. 


CHAMl'AIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  397 

Bereft  of  his  parents  in  liis  youtli.  C.  D.  Loudenback  was  reared  l>y  his 
grandfather,  and  upon  completing  the  course  in  his  home  school,  took  a 
course  in  Miami  University  at  Oxford,  this  state,  during  which  period  of 
study  his  health  began  to  fail  and  he  went  to  Arizona,  seeking  restoration 
in  the  equable  climate  of  that  region.  When  restored  to  his  wonted  healtli 
Mr.  Loudenback  returned  to  this  county  and  w\is  engaged  here  in  looking 
after  his  land  interests  until  in  1907,  when  he  became  connected  with  the 
Northwestern  Light  and  Power  Company  of  Urbana  and  was  made  cashier 
of  the  same,  a  position  he  ever  since  has  held.  Mr.  Loudenback  is  a  Demo- 
crat, as  were  his  father  and  his  grandfather  before  him.  and  has  ever  given 
a  good  citizen's  attention  to  political  affairs,  but  has  not  been  a  seeker  after 
public  office. 

On  May  17,  1897,  C.  D.  Loudenback  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lulu 
B.  Winchester,  daughter  of  Clement  Winchester  and  wife,  and  to  this  union 
has  been  born  one  child,  a  son,  Richard.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Loudenback  are 
attendants  at  the  Universalist  church  and  take  a  proper  interest  in  church 
work,  as  well  as  in  the  general  social  and  cultural  activities  of  their  home 
town,  and  are  helpful  in  promoting  local  good  works.  Mr.  Loudenback  is 
a  member  of  the  Springfield  lodge  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order 
of  Elks  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  organization. 


MINOR  CARTMELL. 

Minor  Cartmell,  one  of  the  l>est-known  of  the  older  residents  of  Urbana. 
dLix  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  a  retired  cabinet-maker  and  wood- 
worker, is  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life.  He 
was  born  on  a  farm  five  miles  west  of  West  Jefferson,  on  the  national  road, 
in  Madison  county,  August  18,  1845,  ^^  son  of  Joseph  H.  and  Rebecca  (Bay- 
less)  Cartmell,  both  of  whom  also  were  born  in  this  state,  the  former  in  this 
county  and  the  latter  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Madison. 

Joseph  H.  Cartmell  was  born  on  a  pioneer  farm  in  Union  township,  this 
county,  on  October  2^,  1809,  son  of  John  Cartmell  and  wife,  the  former  of 
whom  was  one  of  four  brothers  who  had  come  over  here  from  Virginia  about 
the  year  1800  and  had  become  pioneers  of  this  county.  John  Cartmell  set- 
tled in  Union  township  and  there  he  and  his  wife,  Sophia  Lance,  established 
their  home,  early  becoming  recognized  as  among  the  leading  and  most  influ- 
ential pioneers  of  that  section  of  the  county.     They  were  the  parents  of  nine 


398  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

children,  of  whom  Joseph  H.  was  the  secoud  in  order  of  birth,  the  others 
being  as  follow :  Nathaniel,  who  became  a  well-established  farmer  in  Union 
township;  Sarah,  who  married  John  McManaway,  an  auctioneer  of  Clark 
county,  Ohio ;  Nancy,  who  married  David  L.  Tullis ;  John,  a  farmer  and  mer- 
chant, who  died  at  Marysville,  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Union;  Isaiah, 
a  farmer  and  stockman,  of  this  county;  Margaret,  who  married  Seth  Mahill. 
Thomas,  a  farmer  of  this  county,  who  married  Susanna  Longbrake  and  dur- 
ing the  period  of  the  Civil  War  went  to  Illinois,  where  he  s]ient  the  rest  of 
his  life,  and  William,  who  was  a  merchant  at  Marysville.  Joseph  H.  Cart- 
mell  grew  to  manhood  on  the  paternal  farm  in  Union  township  and  after 
his  marriage  to  Rebecca  Bayless,  he  rented  a  farm  in  Madison  county,  Ohio, 
on  the  National  pike  for  five  years,  then  established  his  home  on  a  farm  of 
his  own  in  that  same  township,  becoming  a  well-to-do  farmer  and  stockman, 
and  there  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  on  May  8,  1879, 
he  then  being  sixty-nine  years  of  age.  His  widow  survived  him  for  four- 
teen years,  her  death  occurring  at  the  home  of  her  son.  Minor  Cartmell,  on 
May  4,  1893,  she  being  born  on  January  7,  181 5.  Joseph  H.  Cartmell  and 
wife  were  the  parents  of  four  sons,  those  besides  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
the  second  in  order  of  birth,  being  Joseph  B.,  who  died  of  measles  in  June. 
1863,  while  serving  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union  during  the  Civil  War,  he  then 
being  but  twenty  years  of  age;  Sidney,  who  died  in  Octo1)er.  1863.  at  the  age 
of  sixteen  years,  and  Benjamin  M..  a  farmer,  now  living  at  Columbus. 
Kansas. 

Minor  Cartmell  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  in  L'nion  township  and 
received  his  schooling  in  the  neighborhood  schools.  On  May  2,  1864.  he 
then  being  eighteen  years  of  age.  he  enlisted  for  service  during  the  Civil 
War  as  a  member  of  Company  E,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Regi- 
ment. Ohio  Volnnteer  Infantry,  for  the  hundred-days  service,  and  was  mus- 
tered out  on  August  31  of  that  same  year,  returning  home.  On  February  7, 
1865,  he  re-enlisted  as  a  member  of  Company  E,  One  Hundred  and  Eighty- 
fifth  Ohio,  and  with  that  command  served  imtil  st)me  months  after  the  close 
of  the  war.  receiving  his  final  discharge  on  September  25.  1865.  During 
the  first  period  of  his  service  Mr.  Cartmell  was  located  on  the  James  river, 
near  Richmond,  and  while  there  suffered  a  sc\ere  attack  of  measles,  the  same 
malady  from  which  his  elder  brother  had  died  in  camp  a  year- before.  Upon 
going  out  with  the  One  Hundred  and  Eighty-fifth  he  was  stationed  at  Em- 
inence, Kentucky,  doing  guard  duty,  and  on  May  12,  1865,  marched  with 
his  command  from  Lexington  to  take  a  position  at  Cumberland  Gap,  one 
hundred   and   thirty-seven   miles  distant.      At   that   latter   place   he   was   sta- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  ^gg. 

tioned  until  the  middle  of  September,  when  the  command  marched  back  to 
Lexington  and  from  there  ^\as  returned  to  Columbus,  where  it  was  mus- 
tered out  on  September  25. 

Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  Mr.  Cartmell  returned 
home  and  began  working  as  a  cabinet-maker,  later  taking  up  carpenter  work 
and  wood  turning  and  became  a  skilled  workman  along  those  lines,  later 
opening  a  repair  shop  at  Urbana,  which  he  conducted  until  his  retirement 
from  business,  since  which  time  he  has  been  "taking  things  easy"  at  his 
pleasant  home  in  Urbana.  Air.  Cartmell  is  an  active  member  of  the  local 
post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  has  for  years  taken  an  earnest 
interest  in  the  afifairs  of  that  patriotic  organization.  As  a  member  of  one  of 
the  oldest  families  in  Champaign  county  and  a  continuous  resident  of  this 
county  all  his  long  and  useful  life,  he  is  thoroughly  familiar  with  the  history 
of  the  county  from  pioneer  days  and  his  recollection  of  events  previous  to 
and  during  the  war  and  of  the  later  incidents  which  have  gone  to  make  up 
the  history  of  the  county  is  clear  and  illuminating. 

Mr.  Cartmell  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife,  who  was  Nancv 
Wilson,  also  a  native  of  this  county,  died  on  May  9,  1908,  and  on  September 
15,  1910,  Mr.  Cartmell  married  Eleanor  Hickman,  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  who 
died  on  February  24,  1911.  To  his  first  union  fi\e  children  were  born,  two 
of  whom,  Clifton  W.  and  Florence  M.,  died  in  youth,  the  others  l^eing  Eve- 
line, who  lives  in  Urbana,  widow  of  Pearl  C.  Todd;  Clarence  W.,  teller  in 
the  Champaign  National  Bank  at  Urbana.  and  Olive  Lucile,  who  is  at  home 
with  her  father. 


lOHN  A.  FOWHE 


The  late  John  A.  Fowhl,  for  years  one  of  Urbana  township's  best- 
known  and  most  substantial  farmers,  who  died  at  liis  pleasant  farm  home 
in  that  township  in  the  spring  of  191 2,  was  a  native  of  the  old  Keystone 
state,  but  had  been  a  resident  of  this  county  ever  since  the  days  of  his  young- 
manhood.  He  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  on  October  21,  1848,  a  son  of  Philip 
Fowhl  and  wife,  farmers,  who  spent  all  their  lives  in  that  state. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  his  native  state,  John  A.  Fowhl  received 
his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  the  neighborhood  of  his  home  and  remained 
there  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  when,  in  1869,  he  came  to 
this  county  and  began  working  as  a  farm  hand.  He  was  active,  energetic 
and  enterprising  and  early  began  laying  plans  for  buying  a  farm  of  his  own 


400  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

and  it  was  not  long  until  he  was  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  in  Urbana  township,  where  he  established  his  home  after 
his  marriage  and  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  coming  to  be  recognized 
as  one  of  the  leading  farmers  in  that  part  of  the  county.  Mr.  Fowhl  was 
a  Republican  and  ever  gave  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  political  afifairs, 
but  was  not  a  seeker  after  public  ofhce.  Fraternally,  he  was  affiliated  with 
the  Urbana  lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  took  a 
warm  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  popular  organization.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  as  is  his  widow,  and  gave  proper  atten- 
tion to  church  work  and  other  neighborhood  good  works,  ever  willing  to  add 
the  weight  of  his  influence  to  the  promotion  of  such  movements  as  were 
designed  to  advance  the  common  welfare  in  any  way. 

It  was  in  1875  that  John  A.  Fowhl  was  united  in  marriage  lo  Margaret 
Henry,  who  also  was  born  in  York  county,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Samuel 
and  Mary  Henry,  natives  of  that  same  state,  who  spent  all  their  lives  there. 
Mrs.  Fowhl  is  the  only  member  of  her  family  who  is  a  resident  of  Clrampaign 
county.  Her  husband  died  on  May  20,  19 12,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  same 
year  she  left  her  home  on  the  farm  and  moved  to  Urbana,  where  she  has 
since  resided  and  where  she  is  ver}'  pleasantly  situated.  She  takes  an  active 
interest  in  church  work  and  is  warmly  devoted  to  community  welfare  work. 


JAMES  DALLAS  WOODBURN. 

One  of  the  painstaking  farmers  of  Urbana  townshi[).  Champaign 
county,  is  James  Dallas  Woodburn,  who  was  born  in  Cumberland  county, 
Pennsylvania,  November  14,  1855.  He  is  a  son  of  John  and  Nancy  Jane 
(Dallas)  Woodburn,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  latter  of 
Champaign  county,  Ohio.  She  was  a  daughter  of  one  of  the  pioneer  fam- 
ilies of  Urbana  township  and  here  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was  mar- 
ried, but  not  long  thereafter  she  removed  with  her  husband  to  Pennsyl- 
vania. They  remained  there  only  a  short  time,  returning  to  Champaign 
county,  locating  in  Union  township,  near  Mutual,  where  John  Woodburn 
engaged  in  farming  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1859.  Afterward 
his  widow  moved  to  Urbana  township  and  made  her  home  with  her  father. 
Judge  James  Dallas  (her  mother,  Isabelle  (Sprote)  Dallas,  having  died 
before  this),  who  came  to  Champaign  county  about  the  year  18 10,  locating 
in  the  wilderness,  from  which  thev  carved  out  a  farm  on  which  they  made 


JAMES  D.   WOODBURX 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  40I 

their  future  hoiiie.  In  1847  Mr.  Dallas  was  appointed  by  the  state  Legis- 
lature to  serve  as  associate  judges  in  Champaign  county,  and  he  discharged 
the  duties  of  this  office  in  an  able  and  satisfactory  manner  for  a  period  of 
seven  years.  He  also  served  as  county  commissioner  for  a  number  of  years. 
He  was  largely  instrumental  in  moving  the  court  house  from  the  public 
square  in  Urbana  to  its  present  appropriate  site.  He  helped  build  the  state 
road  from  Cincinnati  to  Cleveland.  He  was  one  of  the  most  popular  men 
of  the  county  in  his  day  and  generation  and  did  much  for  the  general  wel- 
fare of  the  same,  especially  along  material  and  civic  lines. 

Three  children  were  1)orn  to  John  Woodburn  and  wife,  James  D.,  of 
this  sketch,  being  the  eldest;  John  L.,  living  in  Urbana  township,  and  Mar- 
garet Ellen,  who  died  in  1878. 

James  D.  Woodburn  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  received 
his  education  in  the  (Hstrict  schools  of  his  township.  He  remained  at  home, 
assisting  with  the  general  work  on  the  farm,  until,  in  partnership  with  his 
l)rother,  John  L.,  he  began  farming  for  himself  on  a  place  of  sixty-five  acres, 
which  they  purchased ;  also  rented  a  large  acreage.  They  continued  to  farm 
in  partnership  imtil  1901.  They  had  been  very  successful  and  became  well 
known  all  over  the  county  on  account  of  the  excellent  quality  of  the  seed 
corn  they  raised,  known  as  the  Woodburn  corn,  which  is  still  very  exten- 
sively used  in  northwestern  Ohio.  They  were  both  men  of  progressive 
ideas  along  agricultural  lines.  Upon  dissolving  partnership  they  each 
secured  farms  of  their  own.  James  D.  Woodburn  is  now  owner  of  one  of 
the  choicest  farms  of  liis  township,  consisting  of  three  hundred  and  thirty 
acres,  most  of  which  lies  in  the  Mad  River  valley.  It  is  under  a  fine  state 
of  improvement  and  cultivation.  He  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock 
raising  on  an  extensive  scale.  He  has  also  fed  large  numbers  of  cattle  and 
hogs  for  the  market  annually.  He  has  a  comfortable  home  in  the  midst  of 
attractive  surroundings  and  substantial  outbuildings. 

Mr.  Woodburn  was  married  in  1881  to  Amanda  E.  Dickinson,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Duncan  and  Julia  (Carpenter)  Dickinson,  and  to  their  union  five 
children  have  been  born,  namely :  Lemuel  Ansel,  now  working  in  the  Cham- 
l)aign  National  Bank  at  Urbana:  Eva  C,  at  home:  Grace,  Sarah  and  Robert, 
all  deceased. 

Politically,  Mr.  Woodburn  is  a  Republican  and  was  formerly  a  mem- 
l)er  of  the  local  school  board.  He  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
of  which  he  was  at  one  time  a  steward,  and  has  long  been  active  in  church 
affairs. 

(26a) 


402  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    Olliaj 

RICHARD  S.  PEARCE. 

Richard  S.  Pearce.  agent  for  the  Ohio  Fuel  Supply  Company  of  Urbana 
and  former  treasurer  of  Champaign  county,  is  a  native  son  of  this  count}- 
and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  a  few  miles  east  of 
ithe  city  of  Urbana  on  August  31.  1846,  son  of  Harvey  C.  and  Beulah 
(Barrett)  Pearce,  the  former  of  whom  was  the  second  child  born  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  present  site  of  the  city  of  Urbana  and  the  latter  of  whom 
was  a  daughter  of  Capt.  Abner  Barrett,  one  of  the  most  prominent  pioneers 
of  this  county  and  further  and  fitting  mention  of  whom  is  made  elsewliere 
in  this  volume. 

Harvey  C.  Pearce  was  born  on  a  pioneer  farm  covering  the  site  of  the 
present  city  of  Urbana,  January  20,  1805,  son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth 
(Collins)  Pearce,  who  had  come  up  from  Kentucky  and  had  settled  there  in 
the  summer  of  1801,  among  the  very  first  settlers  of  the  region  now  com- 
prised within  the  boundaries  of  Champaign  county.  Thomas  Pearce,  who 
was  a  soldier  of  the  patriot  army  during  the  Revolutionary  War,  was  born 
in  the  City  of  New  York  on  January  i,  1745,  and  on  January  i,  1768,  mar- 
ried Mary  Barnes,  who  bore  him  ten  children,  Joseph,  Lewis,  Elizabeth, 
Thomas,  James,  John,  Jane,  Jesse,  Mary  and  Andrew.  He  made  his  liome 
in  Frederick  county,  Maryland,  and  served  as  a  meml^cr  of  the  regiment  from 
that  county  in  the  army  of  General  Washington  during  the  War  of  Indepen- 
dence and  was  present  with  that  army  at  the  surrender  of  General  CornwalHs 
on  October  19,  1781.  Some  time  after  the  close  of  the  war  his  first  wife 
died  and  on  July  7,  1799,  he  married  Elizabeth  Collins,  who  bore  him  seven 
children,  William,  Milton,  Harvey  C,  Clarissa,  Weslev.  Rhuey  and  Sarah. 
In  the  meantime  he  had  moved  from  Maryland  to  Kentucky  and  at  lor  a 
residence  of  several  years  in  the  latter  state,  came  up  into  Ohio  (in  1801  ) 
and  settled  on  land  now  occupied  by  the  city  of  Urbana,  erecting  there  a 
house  and  establishing  his  home.  That  house,  which  stood  about  where  the 
present  City  Building  stands,  was  the  first  house  built  in  Urbana  and  in  the 
same,  in  1803,  was  born  Milton  Pearce,  the  first  child  born  there,  the  second 
child  born  in  that  vicinity  being  Harvey  C.  Pearce,  father  of  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  who  mms  born  in  a  house  which  Thomas  Pearce  built  on  what 
is  now  known  as  the  Kenaga  farm,  just  east  of  the  city,  in  the- summer  ruid 
fall  of  1803.  On  this  latter  place  Thomas  Pearce  spent  the  rest  of  his  life, 
becoming  one  of  the  substantial  and  useful  pioneers  of  that  section  and  a 
strong  factor  in  the  bringing  about  of  proper  social  and  ecoTiomic  conditions 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


403 


ill  that  then  new  country.  Before  moving  to  his  second  place  he  had  cleared  a 
field  on  his  first  settlement,  including  the  present  Monument  Square  and  the 
business  section  of  the  city  of  Urbana  and  had  there  raised  some  Indian 
corn  and  potatoes;  it  thus  being  undisputed  that  to  this  old  Revolutionary 
soldier  and  stout-hearted  pioneer  belongs  the  honor  of  having  been  the  first 
settler  of  what  is  now  the  populous  and  thriving  county  seat  of  Champaign 
county. 

On  the  pioneer  farm  just  east  of  the  city  Harvey  C.  Pearce  grew  to 
manhood,  living  there  until  his  marriage  on  March  24,  183 l,  to  Beulab 
Barrett,  who  was  born  in  that  same  township  in  August,  1809,  a  daughter 
of  Capt.  Abner  Barrett  and  wife,  who  were  among  the  earliest  and -most 
influential  pioneers  of  this  county.  Aft«r  his  marriage  he  began  farming  on 
his  own  account  on  a  farm  some  miles  east  of  the  city  and  there  remained, 
engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising  until  1863,  when  he  sold  his  farm  and 
moved  to  Urbana,  where  he  engaged  in  the  shoe  business  and  was  thus  quite 
successfully  engaged  until  1870,  in  which  year  he  and  his  eldest  son.  Dr.  H. 
C.  Pearce,  bought  a  farm  and  after  that  he  gave  his  chief  attention  to  the 
farm,  though  continuing  to  make  his  home  in  Urbana,  where  he  spent  his 
last  days,  his  death  occurring  there  on  July  11,  1891,  he  then  being  in  the 
eighty-seventh  year  of  his  age.  His  wife  had  preceded  him  to  the  grave 
some  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  of  whom  four  survived 
to  mourn  their  father's  departure,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  and  his  three 
brothers.  Dr.  H.  C.  Pearce.  Dr.  A.  B.  Pearce  and  J-  W.  Pearce.  A  local 
newspaper  said  of  Harvey  C.  Pearce  after  his  death  in  1891  that  "his  kind 
and  generous  nature  made  it  hard  for  him  to  refuse  any  request  for  aid  or 
assistance  and  as  a  result  he  suffered  many  heavy  financial  losses  by  going- 
security  for  those  in  whom  he  had  the  greatest  confidence.  He  had  a  great 
ambition  to  see  his  children  educated  and  to  assist  them  in  getting  an  educa- 
tion, but  he  was  prevented  from  doing  what  he  most  desired  by  the  financial 
reverses  that  came  upon  him  from  time  to  time  by  the  payment  of  security 
debts.  Notwithstanding  his  reverses  he  never  got  sour  in  his  disposition  nor 
did  he  lose  his  interest  in  the  affairs  of  state,  the  church  or  the  public  schools. 
In  all  of  these  he  took  an  active  part.  He  was  converted  at  a  camp  meeting 
held  at  Mechanicsburg  nearly  sixty-six  years  ago;  at  this  meeting  his  sister, 
Clarissa,  who  is  the  onlv  surviving -member  of  a- family  of  seventeen  chil- 
dren, and  who  was  permitted  to  be  present  at  his  funeral,  was  converted,  as 
was  also  his  sister  Hester  Shyrigh.  He  often  referred  to  his  sister  Clarissa 
and  to  sister  Shvrigh  as  his  twin  sisters.     For  nearly  fifty  years  he  was  a 


404  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

licensed  exhbrter  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  held  some  otticial 
relation  to  the  church  nearly  all  of  the  time  he  was  connected  with  it.  He 
was  greatly'blessed  in  all  his  labors  by  the  assistance  of  a  faithful,  earnest 
and  devoted  Christian  wife,  who  shared  his  joys  and  sorrows  throujjh  a  long 
and  happy  life — of  nearly  fifty-five  years." 

In  1883  R.  S.  Pearce  was  elected  county  treasurer  and  served  in  that 
important  public  capacity  for  four  years.  From  1890  to  1898  he  was  secretary 
and  superintendent  of  the  Central  Gas  Company,  and  from  July.  1898,  to 
January,  1917,  was  agent  of  the  same  company.  Since  January,  1917.  he 
has  been  agent  of  the  Ohio  Fuel  Supply  Compan}-. 


LAWRENCE  FOX. 


Lawrence  Fox,  one  of  Champaign  county's  well-to-do  landowners  now 
living  retired  at  Urbana,  is  a  native  son  of  this  county,  born  on  a  farm  in 
Wayne  township  not  far  southeast  of  Kennard  on  February  25,  1856,  a  son 
of  Patrick  and  Ann  (Boland)  Fox,  natives  of  Leland  and  substantial  farm- 
ing people  in  the  Kennard  neighborhood,  where  their  last  days  were  spent. 

Patrick  Fox  was  born  in  Kings  county  in  the  Emerald  Isle  i^n  March 
17,  1817,  and  he  remained  in  his  native  land  until  he  was  twenty-seven 
years  of  age,  when,  in  1848,  he  came  to  the  United  States  and  made  his 
way  on  out  into  Ohio,  locating  in  this  county,  presently  going  on  down  to 
Springfield,  where  he  acquired  a  bit  of  town  property  and  where  he  married 
Ann  Boland,  also  a  native  of  Ireland,  born  in  Kings  county,  who  had  come 
to  this  country  with  her  widowed  mother  in  1849  and  had  settled  at  Spring- 
field. Not  long  after  his  marriage  Patrick  Fox  returned  to  Champaign 
county,  having  traded  his  property  in  Springfield  for  a  small  tract  of  land 
1»elonging  to  John  Young  southeast  of  Kennard  and  there  he  and  his  wife 
established  their  home.  In  addition  to  his  farming,  Patrick  Fox  also  U>r 
some  time  operated  a  cooper  shop  at  that  [)lace,  and  as  he  prospered  in  his 
operations  added  to  his  holdings  until  he  became  the  owner  of  an  excellent 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  fifteen  acres  and  another  of  eighty-five  acres.  He 
and  his  wife  were  earnest  members  of  the  Catholic  church  and  their  childrei\ 
were  reared  in  that  faith.  He  died  on  January  4,  1908,  and  she  died  on  May 
(2,  1901.  There  were  eleven  of  these  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow :  Mary. 
who  died  on' March  25,  iC)o6,  in  K-ansas;  Michael,  a  farmer,  of  Wayne  town- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


405 


ship,  this  county;  Margaret,  unmarried,  who  continues  to  Hve  on  the  old 
home  place;  John,  also  a  Wayne  township  farmer;  Elizabeth,  who  died  on 
September  16,  1894;  James,  who  died  on  May  16,  1864,  in  his  youth;  Mar- 
cella  and  Martha,  twins,  unmarried,  who  are  still  living  on  the  old  home 
place  in  Wayne  township;  Martin,  a  railroad  man  who  lives  near  Columbus, 
and  Edward,  who  is  farming  the  old  home  place. 

Lawrence  Eox  was  reared  on  the  paternal  farm  in  Wayne  township, 
where  he  was  born,  and  received  his  schooling  in  the  district  school  in  that 
neighborhood.  During  his  young  manhood  he  was  a  valued  assistant  in  the 
labors  of  improving  and  developing  the  home  place,  and  then  began  work- 
ing as  a  blacksmith  in  the  shop  of  Benjamin  Parker  at  Kennard,  where  be 
continued  working  at  that  trade  until  May  5,  1884,  when  he  went  to  Kansas 
and  began  working  at  his  trade  at  Earned.  Two  years  later  he  put  up  a 
blacksmith  shop  of  his  own  in  that  city  and  there  remained  thus  engaged  for 
more  than  twenty-three  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  returned  to  his 
old  home  in  this  county,  prepared  to  retire  from  the  active  labors  of  life. 
That  was  in  1907  and  since  then  Mr.  Fox  has  been  living  at  Urbana,  where 
he  is  very  comfortably  situated.  He  has  invested  in  real  estate  in  that  city 
and  in  the  county  and  besides  owning  property  in  EIrbana  is  the  owner  of 
a  quarter  of  a  section  of  land  on  Pretty  Prairie  in  EIrbana  township  and  a 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  forty-seven  acres  south  of  Kennard.  His  daugh- 
ter, who  makes  her  home  with  him,  is  the  owner  of  a  farm  of  eighty-six 
acres  and  one  of  one  hundred  and  thirty-four  acres. 

l\Ir.  Eox  has  been  twice  married.  By  his  hrst  wife,  who  was  Martha 
MuUins  and  who  died  on  Alarch  9,  1904.  he  was  the  father  oi  three  children,, 
a  daughter,  Neva,  and  two  who  died  in  Kan.sas.  His  daughter.  Neva,  was 
married  on  May  16,  1917.  to  Clarence  Horning,  of  Tndianapojis;  he  is  a 
machinist  by  trade.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  in  1904  and  Mr.  Fox. 
later  married  Alice  Eennessy,  of  E'rbana.  who  died  on  February  3,  191 4. 
and  to  that  union  was  born  a  child,  a  son,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Fox  and 
his  daughter  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church  and  take  a  proper  interest 
in  local  parish  affairs.  Mr.  Fox  is  a  member  of  the  local  branch  of  the 
Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians,  of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias 
and  of  the  Knights  and  Eadies  of  Security,  and  in  the  affairs  of  these  several 
organizations  takes  a  warm  interest.  During  the  first  few  years  of  his  resi- 
dence in  Kansas,  Mr.  Fox  saw  some  mighty  "hard  times,"  but  he  overcame 
the  initial  obstacles  that  confronted  him  and  his  efforts  finally  met  with  sub- 
stantial reward,  so  that  his  later  years  have  been  pretty  well  relieved  of 
material  worries  and  he  has  a  competence  to  provide  for  his  declining  years. 


406  CHAMPAIGN    COUXTV,    OHIO. 

ALVIN  WINS. 

The  late  Alvin  Ivins,  formerly  and  for  years  one  W  Champaign  coun- 
ty's best-known  and  most  substantial  retired  farmers,  who  died  at  his  beau- 
tiful home,  "The  Oaks,"  at  Urbana,  in  August,  1911,  was  a  native  son  of 
Ohio  and  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  imme- 
diate vicinity  of  Lebanon,  in  Warren  county,  January  i,  1856,  son  of  Wesley 
and  Matilda  (Hathaway)  Ivins,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  that  same 
county,  a  son  of  Barzilla  Ivins,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  one  of  the 
earliest  settlers  of  Warren  county,  who  became  an  extensive  landowner  and 
a  large  cattle  dealer  there.  Wesley  Ivins  grew  up  to  the  same  vocation  and 
was  for  years  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  farmers  and  cattlemen  in  and 
about  Lebanon,  a  large  landowner  and  a  man  of  much  influence  in  the  coin- 
niunity  in  which  he  spent  all  his  life. 

Reared  on  his  father's  large  stock  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Lebanon, 
Alvin  Ivins  completed  his  schooling  in  the  Lebanon  Normal  School  and  after 
his  marriage  when  twenty  years  of  age  began  farming  on  his  own  account 
on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Middletown  over  in  the  neighboring  county  of 
Butler,  where  he  established  his  home  and  where  he  remained,  cjuite  success- 
fii-Uy  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  until  his  retirement  from 
the  active  labors  of  the  farm  and  removal,  in  1897,  to  Urbana,  where  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  there  on  August  8,  191 1. 
Upon  moving  to  Urbana,  Mr.  Ivins  bought  "The  Oaks,"  together  with  the 
grounds  thereof,  consisting  of  thirty-four  acres,  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
places  in  the  county,  and  there  he  and  his  family  became  very  comfortably 
established,  his  widow  still  maintaining  her  home  there.  He  was  a  Repub- 
lican in  his  political  affiliation  and  was  ever  interested  in  political  affairs,  but 
had  not  held  public  office,  never  having  been  a  seeker  after  the  rewards  of 
political  service. 

Alvin  Ivins  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lulu  Belle  Surface,  wlio  was 
born  near  Waynesboro,  this  state,  a  daughter  of  Elias  and  Adeline  (Thomas) 
Surface,  both  natives  of  this  state,  the  former  born  near  Springboro,  and  the 
latter  near  Cincinnati.  Elias  Surface  was  a  large  landowner  and  stockman 
and  was  an  active  and  influential  citizen.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of 
the  United  Brethren  church  and  ever  took  an  earnest  interest  in  church  work. 
Sbe  died  in  1878,  and  he  survived  until  February  27,  191 5. 

To  Alvin  and  Lulu  Belle  (Surface)  Ivins  were  born  four  children,  all 
uf   whom   completed   their  schooliii'g   in   tbe   university  at   ITrbana,   namel}- : 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  407 

Beatrice,  who  married  Edward  McLain,  of  Urbana,  and  has  one  child,  a 
daughter,  Mary;  Eva.  who  married  William  Cary,  a  mailing  clerk  in  the 
postoffice  at  Urbana,  and  has  two  sons,  William  and  Richard;  Maude,  who 
married  Ivan  Clark,  a  bookkeeper  in  the  Mad  River  Bank  at  Springfield,  and 
has  three  children,  Helen,  Robert  and  Frederick,  and  Luttie,  who  married 
Samuel  Stone,  a  hardware  merchant  of  St.  Paris,  this  county,  and  has  two 
children,  Ferdinand  and  Nancy.  Mrs.  Ivins  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  and  has  ever  taken  a  warm  interest  in  church  work,  as  well  as  in  the 
general  social  activities  of  her  home  town,  and  has  been  helpful  in  many  ways 
in  promoting  movements  designed  to  advance  the  common  welfare  of  the 
community  at  large. 


DUNCAN  Mcdonald. 


The  McDonald  family  has  been  identified  w'ith  the  history  of  Champaign 
county  since  1820  and  during  all  these  years  have  been  prominent  factors  in 
the  development  of  every  phase  of  the  county.  The  first  member  of  the  fam- 
ily to  come  to  Urbana  was  Duncan  McDonald,  who  settled  here  in  1820  and 
made  this  his  home  until  his  death  in  1891.  Born  in  Ross  county,  Ohio. 
November  5,  1802,  a  son  of  Archibald  and  Margaret  (McDonald)  McDonald, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Scotland,  Duncan  McDonald  had  that  rich 
heritage  of  Scottish  traditions  which  made  the  family  one  of  the  most  highly 
respected  in  the  county. 

To  trace  the  early  history  of  the  McDonald  family  is  to  return  to  Scot- 
land. Archibald  McDonald  was  born  in  Glencoe,  Scotland,  October  1 1 , 
1759,  and  his  wife,  Margaret  McDonald  (of  the  same  name,  but  no  relation) 
was  born  in  the  shire  of  Sutherland,  Scotland,  May  18,  1770.  Archibald 
McDonald  was  a  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Douglas)  McDonald.  Will- 
iam McDonald  was  born  in  1727,  his  wife  in  1730,  and  both  in  Sutherland- 
shire,  Scotland.  William  McDonald  was  married  in  his  native  country  and 
brought  his  family  to  America  before  the  Revolutionary  War.  William  Mc- 
Donald and  wife  were  the  parents  of  Archibald,  John.  William,  Hugh,  Colin, 
Duncan,  James  and  Elizabeth. 

Archibald  McDonald  was  only  sixteen  years  of  age  when  the  Revolution- 
ary W^ar  opened,  but  before  the  war  had  progressed  very  far  he  enlisted  and 
took  an  active  part  in  the  struggle  until  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis  at  York- 
town  in  October,  1781.  Most  of  his  service  was  under  the  famous  Captain, 
Tibbetts  and  it  is  through  his  valiant  service  that  his  descendants  are  entitled 


408  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

to  membership  in  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Re\ohition  and  Sons  of  the 
American  Revolution.  Shortly  after  the  close  of  the  wav  he  was  married  and 
at  once  left  for  the  far  West  to  make  his  home. 

And  so  it  came  about  that  the  first  McDonald  made  his  home  in  Ohio. 
Archibald  and  his  young  wife  finally  located  near  the  site  of  the  present  cit\' 
of  Chillicothe  on  the  banks  of  Paint  creek.  It  was  here  in  the  midst  of  the 
most  primitive  conditions  that  Duncan  McDonald,  the  first  of  the  name,  was 
born  in  1802,  as  before  stated. 

To  continue  the  history  of  Duncan  McDonald  from  the  time  of  his 
arrival  in  Urbana  in  1820  until  his  death  in  1891  would  be  to  follow  the 
industrial  history  of  the  city  for  seventy  years.  Shortly  after  locating  here 
he  began  clerking  in  the  general  store  of  Marcus  Heylin  and,  like  many 
another  clerk  before  him,  eventually  married  the  daughter  of  his  employer. 
This  store  stood  on  the  corner  now  occupied  by  Hatton's  drug  store,  former- 
ly the  site  of  the  Doolittle  tavern,  which  housed  General  Hull  during  the  War 
of  18 1 2.  In  the  course  of  time  McDonald  bought  an  interest  in  the  store  and 
still  later  he  and  his  two  brothers,  William  and  Colin,  became  the  sole  own- 
ers. They  finally  discontinued  the  sale  of  groceries  and  hardware  and  con- 
fined all  their  attention  to  the  sale  of  dry  goods  and  Ixiilt  up  the  largest  mer- 
cantile establishment  in  the  town.  He  retired  from  active  ]iarticipation  in 
business  hi  i860,  but  l^efore  diat  time  had  built  the  present  three-story  brick 
building,  which  is  still  in  the  possession  of  the  Duncan  McDonald  heirs,  ]ia\  - 
ing  come  to  them  through  their  mother,  Esther  Heylin. 

Duncan  McDonald  was  twice  married.  His  first  marriage  was  Ui  Elea- 
nor Wallace  and  by  this  first  marriage  he  had  two  children,  Henry  D.,  born 
in  1 83 1,  and  Sarah,  the  widow  of  the  late  Jeremiah  Dueul.  Some  years  after 
the  death  of  his  first  wife,  Mr.  McDonald  married  Esther  Heylin,  and  to  this 
second  marriage  five  children  were  born:  Marcus,  Jane,  Duncan,  Heylin 
and  Ellen.  Two  of  these  children.  Stansbury  and  Ellen,  are  living  in 
Urbana.     The  two  brothers  died  less  than  one  year  ago. 

The  Heylin  family  was  one  of  the  earliest  to  locate  in  Urbana,  coming 
to  this  city  from  Mercer  county,  Pennsylvania.  Marcus  Heylin,  the  head 
of  the  family,  opened  a  store  on  the  site  of  the  old  Doolittle  tavern,  as  before 
stated.  Plis  store  was  one  of  the  famous  trading  posts  of  the  Indians  in  this 
section  of  the  state  and  there  was  no  merchant  in  tiie  town,  or  in  this  section, 
who  was  able  to  get  along  with  the  Indians  better  than  Heylin.  The  Wyan- 
dotte Indians  were  his  especial  favorites  among  all  the  Indians  who  wandered 
up  and  down  the  Mad  River  valley.     Marcus  Heylin  and  his  wife  were  the 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


409 


parents  of  eight  children:     Isaiah,  Isaac  James,  Newton,   Mhza,   Esther  C, 
Udorah,  Jane  and  Vashti. 

Duncan  McDonald  spent  the  last  few  years  of  his  life  in  retirement. 
After  a  long  period  of  service  in  the  mercantile  held  he  turned  his  business 
over  to  others  and  spent  his  days  in  a  general  supervision  of  his  many  inter- 
ests. He  died  in  1891,  his  wife  having  passed  away  four  years  previously. 
He  was  a  life-long  Republican,  an  active  worker  in  the  Presbyterian  church 
and  for  forty  years  was  an  elder  in  the  church.  At  his  death  the  city  lost 
one  of  its  stanchest  business  men  and  one  who  had  taken  an  active  part  in 
everything  pertaining  to  its  general  welfare. 


EDWARD    INSKEEP. 


Edward  Inskeep,  fonnerly  manager  of  the  plant  and  business  of  the 
McCoy  Canning  Company  at  Urbana  and  for  years  one  of  the  active  and 
influential  factors  in  the  industrial  life  of  that  city,  is  a  native  son  of  Ohio 
and  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life.  He  ^s,  JDorn  in  Brown  county  on 
September  8,  1848,  son  of  Fountain  and  Ella  (VVest)  Inskeep,  both  of  whom 
also  w^ere  born  in  this  state,  members  of  pioneer  families.  Fountain  Inskeep 
was  a  well-to-do  farmer  in  Browm  county  and  there  he  and  his  wife  spent 
their  last  days.  They  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  nine  of  whom  are 
still  living. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm,  Edward  Inskeep  recei\ed  his  schooling  in 
the  common  schools  of  Browai  county  and  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm. 
He  was  married  when  twenty-one  years  of  age  and  began  business  for  him- 
self by  starting  a  lumber  yard  at  Russellville  and  w^as  thus  engaged  in  the 
lumber  business  at  that  place  for  fifteen  years,  the  last  few  years  of  which 
time  he  also  operated  a  lumber  mill  and  a  spoke  and  w^heel  factory  in  con- 
nection with  his  lumber  yard.  His  mill  was  destroyed  by  fire  and  he  did  not 
rebuild,  but  instead  engaged  in  the  flour-milling  business  and  in  the  opera- 
tion of  a  canning  factory  at  Russellville,  remaining  thus  engaged  there  until 
1894,  in  which  year  he  moved  to  Circleville,  wdiere  he  was  engaged  in  the 
canning  business  until  1904,  the  year  in  which  he  transferred  his  residence 
to  Urbana,  where  he  ever  since  has  made  his  home  and  where  he  has  done 
very  well  in  his  business  operations.  Upon  moving  to  Urbana.  \lr.  Inskeep 
organized  the  McCoy  Canning  Company,  the  first  concern  to  engage  in  the 
canning  business  in  that  city,  and  was  made  general  manager  of  the  plant,  a 


4IO  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

position  he  occupied  until  his  retirement  from  active  business  in  1916,  after 
having  been  engaged  in  the  canning  business  for  a  period  of  thirty  years. 

In  1869  Edward  Inskeep  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mary  Myers  and  to 
this  union  six  children  have  been  born,  three  of  whom,  G.  W..  Ira  and 
Myrtle,  are  living.  G.  W.  Inskeep  married  Sarah  Johnson  and  has  one 
child,  a  son,  Harold.  Ira  Inskeep  married  Mary  Retman  and  has  six  chil- 
dren, Eleanor,  Margaret,  Carl,  Alva,  Paul  and  Birdella.  Myrtle  Inskeep 
married  John  Rowe  and  has  six  children,  Helen,  Martha,  Ethelda,  Mar> 
Frances,  Evelyn  and  Wayne.  The  Inskeeps  are  pleasantly  situated  at  Urbana 
and  have  ever  since  taking  up  their  residence  there  taken  a  proper  part  in 
the  general  social  activities  of  the  city.  Mr.  Inskeep  is  a  Mason,  an  Odd 
Fellow  and  a  member  of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  which 
he  has  served  as  chancellor  commander.  He  also  has  served  as  noble  grand 
of  the  Odd  Fellows  lodge  and  in  the  affairs  of  all  the  orders  to  which  he  is 
attached  takes  a  warm  interest.  During  his  active  connection  with  the  busi- 
ness and  industrial  concerns  of  the  community,  Mr.  Inskeep  acted  with 
invariable  public  spirit  and  has  done  well  his  part  in  advancing  the  material 
interests  of  the  citv  of  his  later  choice. 


WHEELER  HUBBARD. 


Wheeler  Hubbard,  well-known  dairyman  at  Urbana,  is  a  native  son  of 
Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life,  a  resident  of  Urbana  since  1884. 
He  was  born  in  the  city  of  Bellefontaine,  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Logan, 
April  20,  1858,  son  of  William  and  Ella  (McCracken)  Hubbard,  both  of 
^vhom  also  were  born  in  the  state,  the  former  at  West  Libert}-  and  the  lat- 
ter in  Muskingum  county.  William  Flubbard  grew  to  manhood  in  West 
Liberty,  receiving  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  place,  and  early  in 
life  engaged  in  newspaper  work  at  Bellefontaine,  for  many  years  being  con- 
nected with  the  old  Logan  Gazette  in  that  city.  He  later  moved  to  Napoleon, 
this  state,  where  he  became  connected  with  the  A^orthzvest,  and  there  he  spent 
his  last  days,  his  death  occurring  in  1872.  His  widow  survived  him  for 
many  years,  her  death  occurring  in  1897.  They  were  members  of  the  Presb 
terian  church  and  their  children  were  reared  in  the  faith  of  that  communion. 
There  were  nine  of  these  children,  of  whom  two  are  now  living,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  having  a  sister,  Margaret,  widow  of  Arthur  Hayes,  of  Belle- 
fontaine. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  411 

Completing  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  Napoleon.  Wheeler  flubbard 
early  became  engaged  working  in  the  woolen  mills  at  that  place  and  in  1875 
returned  to  his  old  home  at  Bellefontaine,  taking  employment  in  the  woolen 
mills  of  that  city,  and  was  there  thus  engaged  until  1884,  two  years  after 
his  marriage,  when  he  moved  to  Urban  and  was  there  connected  with  tht 
work  of  the  woolen  mills  in  that  city  until  1907,  when  lie  started  his  present 
dairy  business  there  and  has  since  been  thus  engaged.  Mr.  Hubbard  has  a 
well-equipped  dairy  farm  on  the  outskirts  of  the  city  and  has  done  very 
well  in  his  operations  in  that  connection.  His  herd  consists  of  a  dozen 
or  more  selected  stock  and  he  has  created  a  wide  and  ])rohtable  demand  for  the 
products  of  his  dairy. 

In  1882  Wheeler  Hubbard  was  united  in  marriage  to  Addie  Edwards, 
who  also  was  born  in  Logan  county,  and  to  this  union  three  children  ha\e 
been  born,  namely:  Jennie,  wife  of  Dr.  Nelson  Rhodes,  of  Urbana,  who  has 
two  children,  Mefford  and  William ;  William,  who  married  Helen  Leonard 
and  is  engaged  in  the  jewelry  business  at  Urbana.  and  Harold,  who  married 
Leanna  McDonald  and  is  errg-aged  in  the  jewelry  business  at  Bellefontaine. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hubbard  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  take  a 
proper  part  in  church  work.  Mr.  Hubbard  is  a  Democrat' afld -has  ever 
given  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  political  affairs. 


HYLAS  DELMARE  LOUDEN BACK. 

The  late  Hylas  Delmare  Loudenback,  for  \ears  a  well-known  grain 
dealer  at  Westville  and  proprietor  of  a  flourishing  phosphate  mill  at  that 
place,  was  a  native  son  of  this  county  and  spent  all  his  life  here.  He  was 
born  in  the  town  of  Westville.  Mad  River  township,  July  2^,  1833,  son  of 
David  and  Charlotte  (Hibbert)  Loudenback.  prominent  and  influenzal  resi- 
dents of  that  community,  the  former  of  whom  by  reason  of  his  long  seiwice 
as  justice  f  the  peace  in  and  ior  Mad  Ri\er  otwnship  was  widely  nown 
throughout  this  section  as  Sciuire  Loudenback. 

Scjuire  Loudenback  was  a  Virginian,  born  on  March  20,  1808.  who 
came  to  this  county  as  a  young  man  and  was  for,  some  time  thereafter 
engaged  in  teaching  school  and  in  conducting  singing-schools,  in  which  latter 
capacity  he  became  widely  known.  He  presently  l>ecame  a  large ,  lapdpwper 
add  rented  his  properties  and  loaned  money,  and  as  he  prospered  added  to 
his  holdings  until  he  became  one  of  the  most  extensive  landowners  in  this 


412  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

county  and  a  man  of  large  and  useful  influence.  For  years  he  served  the 
people  of  Alad  River  township  as  justice  of  the  peace  and  in  that  capacit}- 
his  rulings  and  judgments  were  accepted  as  final  by  the  people  of  that  com- 
munity, for  they  ever  were  based  upon  justice  and  equity.  Squire  Louden- 
back  was  twice  married.  By  his  first  wife  he  had  ten  children  and  by  his 
second  wife,  Bettie  Ann  Smith,  three.  Of  these  thirteen  children  but  three 
grew  to  maturity,  the  subject  of  this  memorial  sketch  and  Eugene  and 
Rolla  Loudenback.  the  latter  of  whom  also  are  now  deceased. 

Reared  on  the  paternal  farm  in  l\lad  River  township,  H.  D.  Loudenback 
received  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  neighborhood  and  upon  leaving 
school  became  engaged  in  the  grain  business  at  Westville  and  later  estab- 
lished a  phosphate  mill  at  that  place,  which  he  operated  successfully  until 
the  time  of  his  death  on  May  12,  1892,  he  then  being  under  forty  years  of 
age.  Mr.  Loudenback  not  only  was  an  excellent  business  man.  but  he  had  man> 
fine  qualities  of  head  and  heart  which  greatly  endeared  him  to  his  family  and 
many  friends  in  this  county  and  his  early  demise  was  sincerely  mourned 
throughout  the  large  circle  of  his  acquaintances.  Tn  his  political  affiliations  Mr. 
Loudenback  was  a  Democrat  and  ever  gave  a  good  citizen's  attention  to 
local  civic  affairs,  but  was  not  a  seeker  after  public  office.  By  religious 
persuasion  he  was  a  Universalist  and  took  an  active  interest  in  the  aft'airs 
of  the  church  of  that  denomination. 

On  October  30.  1873.  H.  D.  Loudenback  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Mary  Stover,  who  also  was  born  in  Alad  River  township,  this  county,  daugh- 
ter of  Elias  and  Elizabeth  {  Sn}-der)  Stover,  the  former  of  whom  was  born 
in  western  Virginia  and  the  latter  in  this  county.  Elias  Stover  was  twenty- 
five  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  tliis  county  and  bought  a  small  farm 
in  Mad  River  township,  where,  after  his  marriage,  he  estal)lished  his  home 
and  where  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  As  he  pros- 
pered in  his  undertakings  he  added  to  his  holdings  and  eventually  became  the 
owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  four  hundred  and  seventy-five  acres.  He  and  his 
wife  were  of  the  most  hosj)itable  character  and  their  comfortable  home 
ever  was  open  to  all  comers,  so  that  it  came  to  be  known  locally  as  the 
"Virginia  Hotel,"  on  account  of  so  many  travelers  and  new  settlers  in  an 
early  day  being  given  the  advantage  of  the  hospitality  of  tlie  Stover  home. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stover  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  those  besides  Mrs. 
Loudenback  being  Johnson.  Daniel,  William,  Catherine.  Joseph,  Lavina  and 
one  who  died  in  infancy. 

To  Hvlas  D.  and  Marv  (Stover)  Loudenback  were  born  two  children. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  413 

Maude  Cliarlotte  and  Harry  Carlton,  the  former  of  whom  married  Harry 
N.  Kirby  and  died  on  September  2"/,  1910,  leaving  two  children,  John  Sher- 
wood and  Edwin  Delmare  Kirby.  Harry  C.  Loudenback  married  Caroline 
W.  Cannon  and  to  this  union  one  child  has  been  born,  a  son,  Donald  C. 
now  deceased.  Some  time  after  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Loudenback 
moved  to  Urbana,  where  she  is  now  living  and  where  she  is  very  comfort- 
ably situated.  She  has  a  pleasant  home  there  and  takes  a  warm  interest 
in  the  general  good  w-orks  of  the  community,  helpful  in  promoting  all  worthy 
causes  for  the  advancement  of  the  general  welfare. 


GEORGE  HARVEY  HUMPHREYS. 

The  late  George  Harvey  Humphreys,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil 
War  and  for  years  a  well-known  undertaker  and  funeral  director  at  Urbana, 
was  born  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Clark,  but  had  been  a  resident  of 
Urbana  since  the  early  seventies,  when  he  engaged  in  business  there  and 
was  thus  engaged  until  the  time  of  his  death  early  in  191 6.  He  was  born 
on  November  27,  1842,  son  of  James  and  Catherine  (Kiefer)  Humphreys, 
substantial  farming  people  of  Clark  count}-,  whose  last  days  were  spent  in 
that  county. 

James  Humphreys  was  born  in  Geneva  county.  Virginia.  September 
12,  1 791,  and  Catherine  Kiefer  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Maryland. 
March  2,  1804.  They  were  married  on  April  15.  1824.  and  settled  on  a 
farm  in  Clark  county,  this  state,  wdiere  the}-  established  a  comfortable  home 
and  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  Mrs.  Humphreys  living  to  the  ag;e  of  nearly 
eighty  years,  her  death  occurring  on  April  3,  1883.  The}-  were  the  parents 
of  ten  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  ninth  in  order 
of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow :  Margaret,  born  on  June  23.  1825, 
who  married  Henry  Grube  on  Septeml)er  21,  1847;  Amanda,  who  on  Decem- 
ber 23,  1852,  married  John  Anderson:  John  Albert  and  George  Kiefer, 
twins,  born  on  July  26,  1830,  the  former  of  whom  on  December  29,  1858. 
married  Margaret  Martin,  and  the  latter  of  whom  died  in  childhood;  Mary 
P...  September  21,  1832,  who  married  John  A.  Lutz  on  June  14.  1855;  Rob- 
ert, now^  deceased,  born  on  Novemlwr  21.  1834.  who  married  Sarah  E. 
Carpenter  on  November  22.  i860;  James  Ward.  Eebruary  24.  1837.  who 
married  Harriet  A.  Holloway  on  November  10.  1864;  Emma,  March  26. 
1840,  who  on  October  30.   1879.  married  Thomas  W.  Lesher  and  after  his 


414  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

death  married  Thomas  Thayer,  and  Charles  Henry,  September  24,  1848. 
who  married  Effie  McDonald  on  October  14,  1869. 

George  H.  Humphreys  was  reared  on  the  paternal  farm  and  was  complet- 
ing his  studies  at  Wittenburg  College  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  Though 
but  eighteen  years  of  age  at  the  time,  he  enlisted  on  August  20,  1861,  as  a 
member  of  the  Sixteenth  Ohio  Battery  and  went  to  the  front,  serving  with 
that  command  until  he  was  mustered  out  on  August  2,  1865,  with  the  rank 
of  corporal.  During  his  long  period  of  service  Mr.  Humphreys  was  in  all 
the  battles  and  .skirmishes  participated  in  by  his  command,  some  of  the 
most  important  engagements  of  the  war,  and  escaped  without  a  serious 
wound,  though  for  a  short  time  he  was  on  the  sick  list.  Upon  the  completion 
of  his  military  service  Mr.  Humphreys  returned  to  the  home  farm  in  Clark 
county  and  after  his  marriage  in  1868  continued  to  live  there  for  a  year,  at 
the  end  of  which  time  he  moved  to  the  Robert  S.  Miller  farm,  wbere  he 
remained  a  couple  of  years.  He  then  took  charge  of  the  Charles  Wilson 
farm  and  .spent  a  year  there,  engaged  in  farming  on  a  large  scale,  and 
then,  in  1872,  moved  to  Urbana,  where  he  bought  an  established  undertaking: 
business  and  continued  conducting  that  business  the  rest  of  his  life,  becoming 
recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  undertakers  and  funeral  directors  in  this 
part  of  the  state.  Mr.  Humphreys  was  a  member  of  the  local  post  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  at  Urbana,  was  a  Knight  Templar  Mason 
and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  the  afYairs  of  all  of  which 
organizations  he  ever  took  a  warm  interest.  He  was  well  known  throughoui 
the  county  and  his  death  on  F'ebruary  27,  1916.  was  widely  mourned. 

It  was  on  December  31,  1868,  that  George  H.  Humphreys  was  united 
in  marriag-e,  in  Clark  county,  to  Ida  L.  Miller,  of  Enon,  that  county,  a 
daughter  of  Robert  Simpson  and  Elizabeth  (Shellenbarger)  Miller,  both 
natives  of  that  same  countv  and  members  of  ])ioneer  families  there.  Robert 
S.  Miller  was  a  landowner  and  a  merchant  at  Enon,  later  moving  to  Day- 
ton, where  for  five  years  he  was  engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  after- 
ward retiring'  from  business  and  moving  back  to  the  farm  at  Enon  and 
then  moved  back  to  Enon,  where  he  and  his  wife  died.  Robert  S.  .Miller 
was  a  stanch  Republican  and  he  and  his  wife  were  originally  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  church,  but  later  became  affiliated  with  the  Methodist  Epis- 
coi3al.c4w.rch.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  daughters,  those  besides 
Mrs.  Humphreys  being  Margaret,  who  married  Dr.  .Alonzo  Becker,  of 
Springfield,  and  who,  as  well  as  her  husband,  is  now  deceased,  and  Bethenia. 
widow  of  Edward  Kiefer,  of  Clark  countv. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  415 

To  George  H.  and  Ida  L.  (Miller)  Humphreys  two  sons  were  born. 
Robert  Earl  and  Harry  French,  the  latter  of  whom,  born  on  October  8. 
1876,  died  at  the  age  of  four  years  and  two  weeks.  Robert  Earl  Humphreys, 
born  on  May  11,  1872,  grew  up  at  Urbana  and  completed  his  schooling 
at  Wittenburg  College  at  Springfield,  afterward  being  taken  into  his  father's 
undertaking  establishment  at  Urbana  as  a  partner  in  the  concern,  and  since 
the  death  of  his  father  has  continued  conducting  the  business.  He  married 
Rovilla  Edna  Mumper  and  has  one  child,  a  son,  Roliert  Mumper  Humphreys. 
Since  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Humphreys  has  continued  to  make 
her  home  in  Urbana.  w-herc  she  is  very  pleasantly  situated,  the  Humphreys 
residence  being  one  of  the  fine  old  homes  on  Sciota  street.  She  is  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  has  for  many  years  given  her  earnest  atten- 
tion to  local  good  works,  ever  helpful  in  promoting  movements  looking  to 
the  advancement  of  the  common  welfare  hereabout. 


.VLBERT  F.  LEWIS. 


Albert  F.  Lewis,  well-known  building  contracl(.)r  at  Urbana,  is  a  native 
son  of  Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life,  with  the  exception  of 
ten  years — 1886  to  1897  at  Chicago,  Illinois.  He  was  born  at  Bowlusville,  in 
the  neighboring  county  of  Clark,  July  28,  1853.  son  of  Cyrus  E.  and  Ann 
(Given)  Lewis,  the  former  a  native  of  that  same  county  and  the  latter 
of  Pennsylvania,  who  later  came  to  this  county  and  after  several  years  spent 
on  a  farm  moved  to  Urbana,  wdiere  they  spent  their  last  days. 

Cyrus  E.  Lewis  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Clark  county  and  received  his 
.schooling  in  the  district  scliool  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  home,  later  tak- 
ing up  farming  with  his  father  and  was  thus  engaged  in  that  county  for 
some  time.  He  married  .Vnn  Given,  who  was  born  in  Lancaster  county. 
Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Taty  Gixen  and  wife,  who  came  to  this  count}- 
when  their  daughter,  Ann.  was  ten  years  of  age  and  settled  on  a  farm  in 
the  southern  part  of  the  county,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their 
lives.  Cyrus  Lewis  was  a  son  of  Britan  Lew-is  and  wife,  the  latter  of  whom 
was  a  Ward.  In  the  early  fifties  Cyrus  E.  Lewis  moved  up  from  Clark 
county  into  Champaign  county  with  his  family  and  here  farmed  for  several 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  mo\ed  to  Urbana,  where  he  engaged  in 
the  teaming  business  and  was  thus  engaged  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  and 
his  wife  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  four     -  whom  are  still  living,  the 


4l6  CIIAMI'AIGN    COUNTV,    OJIIO. 

subject  of  this  sketch  having  a  brother.  George  Lewis,  Hving-  in  Chicago, 
and  two  sisters,  Elizabeth  and  Mary,  Hving  at  Urbana. 

Albert  F.  Lewis  received  his  early  schooling  in  the  schools  of  Tremont 
City,  over  in  Clark  county,  and  at  a  normal  school  in  the  same  town.  He 
early  became  engaged  as  a  carpenter  and  after  awhile  became  a  building 
contractor  on  his  own  account,  a  vocation  he  ever  since  has  followed,  for 
many  years  having  been  one  of  the  best-known  building  contractors  in  this 
county.  In  1894  he  entered  an  architectural  college  at  Chicago,  where  he 
took  a  thorough  course  in  architectural  details  and  drawing  and  has  since  then 
been  the  architect  of  the  most  of  the  buildings  he  has  been  called  on  to  coti- 
struct,  his  designs  being  up-to-date  and  in  full  accord  with  the  mudern 
tendency,  both  in  commercial  and  residential  architecture.  Mr.  Lewis  not 
only  has  erected  some  of  the  most  notable  l)uildings  in  Urbana,  but  many  of 
the  handsomest  residetice  throughout  the  county  and  is  well  established  in 
business.  In  his  political  affiliation  he  is  a  Republican,  l)ut  has  not  been  a 
seeker  after  public  office. 

Mr.  Lewis  has  been  twice  married.  It  was  in  1884  that  he  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Emma  Skeen,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Skeen  and  wife,  and  to 
that  union  was  born  one  child,  a  son.  Dr.  Lawrence  J.  Skeen,  a  well-known 
veterinary  surgeon  at  Urbana.  After  the  death  of  his  first  wife  Mr.  Lewis 
married  Belle  Delhausen,  daughter  of  Jacob  Delhausen  and  wife,  and  to 
this  union  two  children  have  been  born,  J.  Warren  and  Howard  F.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Lewis  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  take 
a  proper  interest  in  church  work,  as  well  as  in  the  general  good  works  and 
social  activities  of  their  home  town. 


E.  L.  RODEY. 


E.  L.  Bodey.  attorney-at-law  at  Url)ana,  a  member  of  the  law  lirm  of 
Deaton,  Bodey  &  Bodey,  former  mayor  of  the  city  of  Urbana  and  one  of  the 
best-known  lawyers  in  this  part  of  the  state,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign 
county  and  has  lived  in  this  comity  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in 
Adams  township,  January  28,  1867,  .son  of  the  Rev.  Christian  and  Naomi 
(Sheppard)  Bodey,  useful  and  infiuential  residents  of  that  community,  the_ 
former  of  whom  also  was  born  in  this  county  and  the  latter  in  Coshocton 
■county,  both  now  deceased. 

The  Rev.  Christian  Bodev,  who  iov  the  las'l  t\\ent\   vears  of  his  active 


E.   L.   BODEY. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY^    OHIO.  ^.ly 

life  was  widely  known  througliout  western  Ohio  as  a  minister  of  the  United 
lirethren  church,  was  Ijorn  on  the  old  Bodey  farm  in  Johnson  township,  two 
and  one-half  miles  north  of  Millerstowai,  a  son  of  Harrison  and  Nancy 
(Long)  Bodey.  the  former  of  whom  had  come  to  this  county  from  Vir- 
ginia with  his  father.  Christian  Bodey,  in  1815,  the  family  settling-  on  land 
acc|uired  from  the  government  by  the  pioneer.  Christian  Bodey,  in  what  later 
came  to  be  organized  as  Johnson  township.  The  pioneer  Christian  Bodey 
was  a  Virginian  and  a  son  of  l-Vederich  Bodey,  who  was  one  of  the  con- 
siderable company  of  soldiers  that  the  government  of  George  III  secured 
from  the  Duke  of  Hesse  t(^  help  the  Bnitkh'troops  in  their  attempt  to  suppress 
the  rebellion  in  the  American  colonies  and  who  had  been  quite  content  when 
linally  compelled  to  lay  dow'n  his  reluctant  arms  to  put  in  his  lot  with  the 
colonists  and  to  become  a  citizen  of  the  great  new  land  on  this  side  of  the 
water.  Frederich  Bodey  settled  in  the  beautiful  Shenandoah  valley  in  V^ir- 
ginia,  married  and  established  his  home  there  and  there  spent  the  rest  of  his 
life,  happily  engaged  in  the  peaceful  pursuit  of  agriculture,  and  one  of  his 
sons,  Christian  Bodey,  grew  up  there  and  when  seeking  a  home  of  his  own 
came  out  into  this  then  new  country  and  settled  in  this  county.  Indians 
still  were  numerous  hereabout  in  those  days,  but,  undaunted,  he  entered  upon 
the  reclamation  of  the  tract  he  had  secured  from  the  government  and  in  due 
time  had  a  well-improved  and  profitably  cultivated  farm  there.  On  that 
farm  Flarrison  Bodey  remained  all  his  life,  a  substantial  farmer  and  there 
his  son  Christian  was  reared,  afterward  locating  on  a  farm  of  his  own  in 
Adams  township  and  continuing  farming  during  his  active  life  in  addition 
to  his  services  to  the  community  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  In  the  later 
}^ears  of  his  life  the  Rev.  Christian  Bodey  retired  from  the  farm  and  moved 
to  St.  Paris,  where  his  last  days  were  spent.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  par- 
ents of  four  children,  three  sons  and  one  daughter,  the  latter  of  whom,  Nellie. 
is  deceased,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having  two  brothers.  Perry  and  Samuel 
Bodey. 

E.  L.  Bodey  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  in  Adams  township  and  sup- 
plemented the  schooling  received  in  the  district  school  in  the  neighborhood 
of  his  home  by  a  course  in  the  higli  school  at  Urbana,  after  which,  in  1886, 
he  began  teaching  school  at  the  old  Comer  school  in  Concord  township  and 
for  fourteen  years  was  engaged  in  teaching  in  this  county,  the  last  seven 
years  of  which  service  was  spent  in  the  school  at  Westville.  In  the  mean- 
time Mr.  Bodey  had  been  pursuing  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  C.  E. 
Buroker.  at  St.  Paris,  and  in  June,  1900,  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  On 
(27a) 


4l8  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

January  2.  1901,  he  opened  an  office  for  the  practice  of  his  profession  at 
Urbana  and  was  there  engaged  in  practice  alone  until  in  December.  191 3. 
when  he  formed  a  partnership  with  S.  S.  Deaton,  under  the  firm  name  of 
]3eaton  &  Bodey,  which  mutually  agreeable  arrangement  continues,  with  the 
addition,  however,  recently,  of  another  member  of  the  firm  in  the  person  of 
Mr.  Bodey's  son,  Lowell  C.  Bodey,  who  was  admitted  to  the  firm  on  July 
I,  19 1 6.  Mr.  Bodey  is  a  Democrat  and  has  ever  taken  an  active  interest 
in  the  political  affairs  of  the  county.  During  his  residence  in  Westville  he 
served  for  some  time  as  justice  of  the  peace  in  and  for  i\'Iad  River  township 
and  in  1907  was  elected  mayor  of  Urbana.  serving  in  that  important  execu- 
tive office  for  two  years,  or  until  January,  19 10.  Fraternally,  he  is  affiliated 
with  the  Masons  "and  has  risen  to  the  Royal  Arch  degree  in  that  ancient  order ; 
he  also  l>elongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 

On  February  14,  1888,  E.  L.  Bodey  was  utii-ted  in  marriage  to  Rachel 
Ai.  Grove,  who  was  born  in  Adams  township,  this  county,  daughter  of" David 
and  Elizabeth  Grove,  and  to  this  union  two  children  have  been  born,  Lowell 
C.  and  Ruth,  who  died  1899.  aged  two  years.  Lowell  C.  Bodey  was  born 
in  1891  and,  following  his  graduation  from  the  Urbana  high  school,  entered 
Wittenberg  College  at  Springfield,  from  which  institution  he  received  his 
bachelor  degree  in  1913.  Thus  equipped  by  preliminary  study,  he  entered 
the  Cincinnati  Law  School  and  was  graduated  from  that  institution  in  June. 
19 1 6.  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws.  In  the  following  month  he  was 
admitted  to  partnership  with  his  father  and  Mr.  Deaton.  Of  the  two  hun- 
dred and  seventy-two  applicants  for  admission  to  the  bar  in  the  state  of  Ohio 
in  1916  Lowell  C.  Bodey  rated  second  in  the  examination  and  was  but  four- 
tenths  of  one  per  cent,  behind  the  first  man. 


TOHX  RFIODES. 


John  Rhodes,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Ci\il  \\'ar  and  a  well-known 
retired  merchant,  of  Urbana,  was  born  in  that  city  and  has  lived  there  all 
his  life.  He  was  born  in  a  house  which  stood  on  the  present  site  of  the 
Clifford  theater,  October  11.  1842.  son  of  Nelson  and  Sarah  J.  (Converse) 
Rhodes,  well-known  residents  of  Urbana  at  that  time.  The  house  in  which 
he  was  born  is  still  standing,  long  ago  having  been  moved  to  South  .Main 
.street,  and  is  still  in  use.  Nelson  Rhodes  was  born  in  this  county,  a  son 
of  John  Rhodes  and  wife,  Virginians,  the  first  of  the  name  to  come  lo  this 
part  of  Ohio. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  4  M) 

John  Rhodes,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812.  came  to  this 
part  of  Ohio  in  pioneer  days  and  cstabhshed  his  home  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  Springiield,  which  then  was  in  Champaign  connty.  and  there  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  liis  hfe.  an  enerijetic  and  inflnential  pioneer  of  that 
community.  Nelson  Rhodes  was  reared  on  the  pioneer  farm  of  his  father 
and  early  began  taking  an  active  part  in  local  political  affairs  in  Champaign 
connty.  He  served  for  years  as  a  justice  of  the  peace  and  also  for  years  as 
clerk  of  courts  for  this  county,  making  his  home  at  Urbana.  He  was  killed 
in  a  runaway  accident,  being  thrown  from  his  buggy,  in  1878,  and  his  widow 
survi\'ed  him  many  years,  her  death  occurring  on  December  13,  191 3.  They 
were  active  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  were  the  parents  of 
four  sons,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  first-born  and  now  the 
only  survivor,  the  others  having  been  William,  a  former  justice  of  the  peace 
and  clerk  of  the  court  for  this  county,  who  also  for  years  was  a  dry-g66ds 
merchant  at  Urbana :  Edwin,  who  was  a  tinner  and  whose  last  d.-ivs  were  s])ent 
in  New  York,  and  Charles,  who  died  in  infancy. 

John  Rhodes  was  reared  at  Urbana  and  received  his  schooling  in  the 
schools  of  that  city.  When  eighteen  years  of  age  he  began  working  as  a 
carpenter  and  was  thus  engaged  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  In  Decem- 
ber. 1863.  he  then  being  twenty-one  years  of  age.  Air.  Rhodes  enlisted  for 
service  in  the  Union  army  and  was  presently  attached  to  the  troop  whicf) 
served  as  a  mounted  body-guard  for  President  Lincoln  and  he  was  thus 
serving  at  the  time  of  the  President's  assassination,  his  static^n  having  been 
at  ^^'ashington.  Mr.  Rhodes  was  the  only  person  from  Champaign  county 
thus  to  be  made  a  part  of  the  President's  personal  guard.  During  that 
period  of  his  service  he  had  one  of  the  finest  horses  in  the  United  States 
cavalry  service  and  this  horse  was  a  great  favorite  of  the  lamented  little 
"Tad"  Lincoln,  the  President's  youngest  son,  and  the  lad  often  was  given 
permission  by  his  father  to  ride  the  horse  in  company  with  Mr.  Rhodes, 
who  thus  became  intimately  acquainted  with  the  President  and  the  Lincoln 
family.  Mr.  Rhodes  received  his  honorable  discharge  from  the  army  in 
September,  1865,  and  upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  returned 
home  and  resumed  his  vocation  as  a  carpenter  at  Urbana,  being  thus  engaged 
until  after  his  marriage  in  the  spring  of  1880,  when  he  engaged  in  the  gro- 
cery business  at  Urbana,  starting  a  store  at  the  corner  of  North  Alain  street 
and  Church  .street  in  July  of  that  year.  For  se\enteen  years  Mr.  Rhodes 
continued  in  business  at  that  corner  and  then  moved  his  store  to  the  Brand 
&  Warnock  building,  where  he  continued  in  business  for  three  years,  or  until 
his  retirement.     Durinsr  much  of  that  time  Mr.   Rhodes,  alwavs  a  lover  of 


4-0  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

fine  horses,  was  engaged  in  the  buying  and  selHng  of  horses  an  l)ecame  recog- 
nized as  one  of  the  best  horsemen  in  this  i^art  of  the  state. 

It  was  on  April  29,  1880,  that  John  Rhodes  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Minnie  Meft'ord,  who  was  born  at  Mt.  Vernon,  in  Knox  county,  this 
state,  daughter  of  Judge  WilHam  M.  and  Sarah  J.  (Patrick)  Mefford,  and 
to  this  union  three  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Dr.  Xelson  M.  Rliodes, 
a  graduate  of  the  Cleveland  Medical  College,  now  practicing  at  Urbana, 
who  married  Jennie  Hubbard  and  has  two  children,  Meliford  and  William ; 
Ada,  who  married  W.  O.  Taylor,  an  electrical  engineer  in  New  York  Cit}-. 
and  Sara  Ward,  a  trained  nurse,  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  ]\^nn.syl- 
vania.  Mrs.  Rhodes  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  takes 
an  earnest  interest  in  church  work.  Mr.  Rhodes  is  an  active  member  of 
Brand  Post  No.  98,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  at  Urbana,  and  has  for 
years  given  his  earnest  attention  to  the  affairs  of  tliat  patriotic  organization. 


LEMUEL  RUN Y AN. 


The  late  Lemuel  Runyan,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  a 
substantial  retired  farmer  of  this  county,  who  died  at  his  home  in  Urbana 
in  the  summer  of  191 5,  was  a  member  of  one  of  the  pioneer  families  of 
this  part  of  the  state,  as  is  his  widow,  the  latter  of  whom,  born  in  this 
county,  is  still  living  at  Urbana.  Lemuel  Runyan  was  born  on  a  pioneer 
farm  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Clark  on  July  2,  1842.  son  and  onl\- 
child  of  T'eter  Lynch  and  Sarah  (Evans)  Runyan,  substantial  residents  in 
;he  neighborhood  of  A.sbury  ciiurch.  Peter  Lynch  Runyan  was  born  in 
that  same  county,  son  of  George  Runyan  and  wife,  the  latter  of  whom  was 
a  Lynch,  natives  of  Virginia,  who  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  in  this 
part  of  the  state,  making  their  home  in  the  neighborhood  of  Asbury  church, 
in  Clark  countv,  in  pioneer  days  and  becoming  useful  and  influential  pio- 
neers in  that  community,  where  their  last  days  were  spent.  (Jeorge  kunyan 
was  the  first  of  his  name  to  settle  in  this  part  of  Ohio.  He  and  his  wif^- 
were  the  parents  of  five  children,  those  besides  Peter  being  George,  John. 
Susan  and  Telitha.  One  of  these  daughters  was  captured  by  the  Indians  wlicn 
a  child  and  was  scalped  by  the  savages. 

Peter  L.  Runyan  grew  up  on  the  pioneer  farm  of  his  father  in  Clark 
county  and  in  turn  became  a  farmer  on  his  own  account,  contiiniing  thus 
engaged  all  his  life.     He  was  twice  married,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  iK'ing 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHKX  42 1 

the  only  child  of  his  union  with  Sarah  Evans.  His  second  wife  was  a 
Hendricks  and  to  that  union  two  children  were  born,  a  son,  Lafayette  Run- 
yan,  who  is  now  living  at  Springfield,  this  state,  and  a  sister.  .Susanna,  who 
married  Frank  Yeazell  and  is  also  living  at  Springfield. 

Lemuel  Runyan  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Clark  county,  receiving 
his  schooling  in  the  local  schools,  and  was  living  there  when  the  Civil  War 
broke  out.  Though  not  yet  nineteen  years  of  age,  he  enlisted  for  service 
in  the  Union  army  in  1861  and  went  out  as  a  sharpshooter  in  one  of  the 
local  regiments,  being  later  transferred  to  the  cavalry,  and  served  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  During  the  latter  part  of  this  service  he  was  severely 
wounded,  but  was  not  permanently  disabled.  Upon  the  completion  of  his 
military  service  Mr.  Runyan  returned  to  his  home  and  was  there  engaged 
in  farming  until  after  his  marriage  in  1874,  when  he  moved  over  into  this 
county  and  bought  a  farm  in  Union  township,  where  he  established  his  home 
and  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  1902,  when  he  retired  from  the  active 
labors  of  the  farm  and  moved  to  Urbana,  where  he  spent  his  last  days,  his 
death  occurring  on  July  17,  1915.  Mr.  Runyan  was  an  active  member  of 
the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  took  much  interest 
in  the  afifairs  of  that  patriotic  organization. 

It  was  on  February  18,  1874,  in  Union  township,  this  county,  that  Lemuel 
Runyan  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lydia  Alice  Bayless.  wlio  was  lx)rn  in 
that  township,  a  daughter  of  William  Cavanaugh  and  Mary  Ann  (Colbert) 
Bayless,  both  of  whom  also  were  born  in  this  country.  William  Cavanaugh 
Bayless  was  born  in  Union  township,  son  of  Hezekiah  Bayless  and  wife, 
the  latter  of  whom  was  a  Stephens,  natives  of  New  Jersey,  who  were  early 
settlers  in,  I'nion  townshi]).  tlie  first  of  the  Baylesses  to  settle  in  this  cotinty. 
Hezekiah  Bayless  and  wife  were  among  the  best-known  pioneers  of  the  south- 
eastern part  of  Champaign  county  and' on  their  pioneer  farm  there  they 
spent  their  last  days.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  of  whom 
William  C.  was  the  first-lx»rn,  the  others  being  as  follow:  John,  who  was  a 
carpenter  and  whose  last  days  were  spent  in  the  vicinity  of  Cincinnati; 
Burris.  who  went  West  and  there  spent  his  last  days ;  Robert,  also  deceased, 
who  was  a  carpenter  at  ]\rechanicsl)urg,  this  county:  Daniel,  also  a  carpenter, 
whose  last  days  were  spent  at  Mechanicsburg;  Mrs.  Susan  N'ocum,  whose 
last  (lays  were  spent  in  Kansas ;  Rebecca,  who  married  Joseph  Cartmell  and 
lived  near  ^lechanicsburg,  and  Mrs.  Sarah  Reynolds,  also  of  this  count}-. 
William  C.  Bavless  grew  up  as  a  farmer  and  continued  thus  engaged  all  his 
life,  one  of  the  substantial  farmers  of  LTnion  township.  He  married  Mary 
Ann  Colbert  and  to  that  union  five  children  were  born,  of  whom  Mrs.  Run- 


422  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

van  was  the  third  in  order  of  l)irth,  the  others  being-  as  follow :  Nelson,  a 
cabinet-maker,  who  married  Lydia  Limbell  and  a  part  of  whose  life  was 
spent  in  the  West,  but  whose  last  days  were  spent  in  Urbana,  this  county: 
Luretha,  now  living  at  Springfield,  widow  of  Peter  Igon;  Elnora,  widow  of 
David  Johnson,  living  near  Union  church,  and  Jennie,  who  married  William 
Smith,  after  whose  death  she  married  Lorenzo  Reid  and  is  now  living  at 
Rockford,  Iowa. 

To  Lemuel  and  Lydia  A.  (Bayless)  Runyan  five  children  were  born, 
namely:  Winifred,  better  known  as  "Win,"  a  member  of  the  Caswell-Run- 
yan  Company,  manufacturers  of  cedar  chests  at  Huntington.  Indiana,  who 
married  Bertha  L.  Howard  and  has  two  children,  Josephine  and  Dick;  Bertha 
May,  who  finished  her  schooling  in  the  college  at  Ada,  married  John  Hcaton 
Linville,  a  railway  mail  clerk  at  Urbana.  and  has  three  children,  Dorothy 
Elizabeth,  Naomi  Ann  and  Rol>ert  Runyan ;  Ralph,  a  contractor  at  Lima,  this 
state,  who  completed  his  schooling  in  the  business  college  at  Urbana.  married 
Nellie  Thomas  and  has  two  children.  Roma  Kathleen  and  Clara  Elizabeth ; 
Mary  Alice,  a  graduate  nurse,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania at  Philadelphia,  and  Ruth  Ann,  who  completed  her  schooling  in  the 
Toledo  Conservatory  of  Music,  at  Toledo,  Ohio,  and  married  Stanley  Kauff- 
man,  a  manufacturer,  of  Bellefontaine.  this  state.  Since  the  death  of  her 
husl)and  Mrs.  Runyan  continues  to  make  her  home  at  Urbana.  where  she 
has  a  very  pleasant  home.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Ivpiscopal 
church  and  has  ever  taken  an  earnest  interest  in  church  work  and  in  other 
local  good  works. 


HENRY  SMITH. 


A  well-known  farmer  of  Johnson  township,  this  county,  living  on  rural 
route  No.  5,  out  of  St.  Paris,  is  Henry  Smith,  who  was  born  in  Craig  county. 
Virginia,  January  29,  1847,  the  son  of  James  and  Catherine  (Deeds)  Smith, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  also  of  Virginia,  where  they  grew  to  maturity 
and  were  married.  About  1857  James  Smith  came  with  his  family  to  Ohio, 
locating  on  a  farm  in  Millerstown.  Johnson  township,  this  county.  He  was 
a  potter  by  trade,  and  made  pottery  at  Millerstown  for  several  years,  after 
which  he  moved  to  Bellefontaine.  Ohio,  where  he  followed  his  trade  for  some 
vears.  He  then  went  south,  where  his  death  occurred,  his  wife  having 
preceded  him  several  years,  her  death  occurring  in  Johnson  township,  this 
county.     The\-  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  seven  of  whom  arc  now 


CIIAMI'AIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  423 

living;  Elizabeth,  the  widow  of  Henry  Pence,  Hving  in  Jackson  township; 
Isabelle,  widow  of  Harvey  Sowers,  now  living  in  Clark  county,  Ohio ;  Nancy, 
the  wife  of  William  Sagers,  of  Fremont,  Ohio;  Joseph  B.,  a  farmer  of 
Johnson  township,  who  served  in  the  Civil  War;  George,  a  truckman  living 
in  Johnson  township,  also  served  in  the  Civil  War;  Henry,  of  this  sketch, 
and  Sarah,  wife  of  George  Baker,  of  Grant  county,  Indiana. 

Henry  Smith  came  with  his  parents  to  Ohio  from  Virginia  when  he 
\vas  about  ten  years  old,  and  attended  the  district  schools  of  his  home  neigh- 
borhood. At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Civil  War 
in  Company  I,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry,  which  was  said  to  be  the  best  drilled  company  in  the  regiment, 
under  Col.  J.  B.  Armstrong,  Lieut. -Colonel  Todd  and  Capt.  J.  F.  Reicard. 
This  regiment  was  on  the  front  line  at  Petersburg,  and  saw  much  hard  service 
during  the  w^ar.  Mr.  Smith  served  until  the  fall  of  1864,  when  he  was 
honorably  discharged  from  the  service.  He  returned  to  his  home  after  being 
mustered  out,  and  resumed  work  on  the  farm,  and  after  his  marriage  located 
in  Johnson  township,  where  for  twenty  years  he  followed  the  carpentering 
and  contracting  business,  but  now  devotes  his  time  to  operating  his  farm  of 
thirty  acres.  He  had  at  one  time  thirteen  acres  of  fruit  of  all  .kinds.  He 
built  his  present  home  in  1886,  and  made  all  the  improvetnents  just  as  they 
stand  and  set  out  all  of  the  trees.  He  is  a  well-to-do  man  and  enjoys  the 
respect  and  esteem  of  all  who  know  him. 

On  September  29,  1869,  Henry  Smith  was  united  in  marriage  to  Vic- 
toria Kite,  who  was  born  in  Miami  county,  Indiana,  on  February  10,  1847, 
the  daughter  of  Alvin  Kite.  Her  parents  came  to  Mad  River  township,  this 
county,  when  she  was  a  girl  of  about  eight  years  of  age,  and  she  received 
her  education  in  the  district  schools  of  this  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith 
are  the  parents  of  three  children  living  and  one  dead:  Elmer,  born  July 
22,  1870,  a  graduate  of  high  school,  taught  school  for  a  time,  after  which 
he  took  the  civil  service  examination  for  the  United  States  railway  mail 
service,  and  is  now-  a  postal  clerk  on  the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  married 
Enmia  Grumpard;  Estella.  born  January  27,  1875,  is  the  widow  of  Frank 
Ofenbacker,  and  Lola,  born  September  30,  1882,  the  wife  of  Frank  Poor- 
man,  living  in  Johnson  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  are  earnest  and 
ilcNoted  members  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Millerstown,  and  are  active  in 
the  alTairs  of  that  congregation.  Mr.  Smith  serving  as  deacon  and  trustee. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  warmly  interested  in  local  public  affairs, 
having  held  several  township  offices,  in  which  he  discharged  his  duties  faith- 
fuUv  and  well.     He  is  a  charter  member  of  H.  C.  Scott  Post  No.  iii,  Grand 


424  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

Army  of  the  Republic,  at  St.  Paris.  Ohio,  and  lias  held  some  of  the  ofhces. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  are  popular  in  the  social  and  religious  circles  of  their 
community,  and  well  known  and  highh^  esteemed  b>'  their  neighbors  and 
friends. 


HARR^'  P..  HULL. 

Harr\-  IJ.  Hull,  surveyor  of  Champaign  county,  was  born  at  Ada.  Ohio. 
September  9,  1885,  son  of  Daniel  J.  and  Jennie  C.  (Slechter)  Hull,  iinih 
also  natives  of  Ohio,  the  former  of  whom  was  Ijorn  in  this  county  and  the  lat- 
ter at  Ada,  who  are  still  living  at  Urbana. 

Daniel  J.  Hull,  former  sheriff  of  Chamjxaign  county  and  one  of  the 
best-known  commercial  salesmen  traveling  out  of  Urbana,  was  I^orn  on  May 
14,  1859,  son  of  George  and  Mary  Ann  1  Stout)  Hull,  both  of  whom  were 
born  in  York  count\-.  New  York,  and  who  came  to  this  county  after  their  mar- 
riage in  New  York  in  1851  and  located  at  Mechanicshurg.  Two  years  later 
they  moved  onto  a  farm  in  Salem  township,  from  which  they  presently  mo\ed 
to  a  better  farm  in  Union  township  and  (in  this  latter  farm  spent  the  remainrler 
of  their  lives.  George  Hull  was  a  blacksmith  as  well  as  a  farmer  and  was 
for  years  one  of  the  l:)est-known  men  in  his  part  of  the  county.  He  was  a 
Republican  and  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  She  died  on  December  26,  1879,  and  he  survived  until  July  21,  190 1. 
Of  the  children  Ixjrn  to  them,  six  grew  to  maturity,  those  besides  Daniel  J. 
being  Louise  C,  Dr.  William  H..  Jesse  E.,  George  C.  and  VVinfield.  U])on 
completing  the  course  in  the  local  schools  Daniel  J.  Hull  took  a  course  in  the 
Northwestern  Ohio  Normal  University  at  Ada  and  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  entered  the  railway  mail  service  and  was  thus  engaged  for  three  years, 
at  the  end  of  which  time  he  became  a  traveling  salesman  and  continued 
engaged  in  that  capacity  until  his  election  to  the  office  of  sheriff  of  Cham- 
paign county.  He  was  re-elected  to  that  office,  serving  two  terms,  and  upon 
retiring  from  office  resumed  his  vocation  as  a  traveling  man  and  is  still  thus 
engaged.  He  was  married  in  January,  1884,  to  Jennie  C.  Slechter,  of  Ada. 
this  state,  and  to  this  union  five  children  have  been  born,  of  whom  the  <u])- 
ject  of  this  sketch  is  the  lirst-born,  the  others  heing  Claudine.  Gladys.  Dean 
and  Elizabeth  Louise. 

Harry  B.  Hull  was  reared  at  Urbana  and  upon  leaving  high  school  tt)ok 
employment  with  the  engineering  corps  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Com- 
pany, his  first  work  in  that  connection  being  performed  in  connection  with 


HARRY  B  HULL 


CHAMPAIGN     COL-XTY.    dlllo.  425 

the  (lonljle-trackiiii;-  of  that  nxul  fnini  Bradt^nxl.  Ohio,  to  Loyansport,  Inch- 
ana.  He  was  thus  engaged  for  one  }ear.  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  began 
working-  in  the  office  of  C".  S.  Tnitt.  former  stn-\eyor  of  Champaign  county. 
Two  years  hiter.  liaving  ac<|uired  a  line  teclmical  knowledge  of  surveying  and 
civil  engineering,  Mr.  Hull  became  engaged  in  private  surveving  and  engin- 
eering on  his  own  account  and  after  two  years  thu^  engaged  entered  the 
county  surveyor's  office,  ihen  under  the  incumbency  of  R.  F.  Darnell,  and 
two  years  later,  in  November,  K)!.;,  was  elected  county  surveyor.  Mr.  Hull's 
services  in  behalf  of  the  jjublic  in  this  important  capacity-  proved  so  satis- 
factory that  he  was  re-elected  in  the  fall  of  IQ16  and  is  now  serving  his  second 
term  as  survevor.  Air.  Hull  is  a  Republican,  as  was  his  father,  and  has  from 
bovhood  taken  an  active  interest  in  local  political  affairs. 

On  June  19,  TQ12,  Harr\-  V>.  Hull  was  united  in  n.iarriage  to  Nina  Grace 
Roberts,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Lillian  Roberts,  of  Bellefontaine.  Ohio.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hull  are  members  of  the  I Vesb\terian  church  and  take  a  proper 
interest  in  the  general  social  and  cultural  activities  of  their  home  town.  Mr. 
Hull  is  a  Knight  Templar  .Mason  and  a  noble  of  the  .\ncient  .\rabic  Order 
of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  antl  is  also  a  member  of  the  local  lodge  of 
the  Knights  of  Pvthias. 


SJMKON  McMORR.\N. 


Simeon  McMorran.  a  well-known  and  substantial  retired  farmer  of 
Johnson  to\vi>ship,  who  for  some  }ears  past  has  been  maknng  his  home  m 
St.  Paris,  where  he  is  looking  after  the  interests  of  his  farm  lands  and  at  the 
same  time  engaged  in  the  real-estate  business,  is  a  native  son  of  this  county 
and  has  Hved  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  one  mile  north  ot. 
St.  Paris,  in  Johnson  township.  March  9,  1856,  son  of  Christian  and  Sarah 
(Loudenback)  McMorran,  bcUh  of  whom  also  were  born  in  this  county  nml 
who  spent  all  their  lives  here. 

Christian  McMorran  was  born  on  a  pioneer  farm  south  of  St.  Pari-,  m 
Jackson  township,  a  son  of  Samuel  :\IcMorran  and  wife,  early  -ettlers  of 
that  part  of  Champaign  county,  who  spent  their  last  days  on  the  old  farm 
north  of  St.  Paris.  Samuel  :\lcMorran  was  a  native  of  the  state  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, wdio  came  into  Ohio  and  after  a  brief  residence  at  Dayton  came  to 
this  county  and  entered  a  tract  of  land  in  Jackson  township,  where  he  estab- 
lished his  home  and  where  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  re>t  of  their  lives,  infiuen- 


426  CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO. 

tial  and  useful  residents  of  that  community.  Samuel  [NIcMorran  set  apart 
a  portion  of  his  farm  for  the  establishment  of  the  Evergreen  cemetery,  and 
in  later  years  deeding  that  farm  to  his  son,  John  McMorran,  created  a 
reservation  for  cemetery  purposes,  this  reservation  later  being  enlarged  by 
John  McMorran  as  the  cemetery  gradually  became  crowded.  On  that  pioneer 
farm  Christian  McMorran  grew  to  manhood  and  after  his  marriage  bought 
from  his  father  a  farm  in  Johnson  township,  one  mile  north  of  St.  Paris 
and  there  established  his  home,  becoming  one  of  the  most  substantial  and 
influential  farmers  in  the  western  part  of  the  county  and  the  owner  of  six 
hundred  acres  of  fine  land.  His  first  wife,  Sarah  Loudenback,  was  born  on 
a  pioneer  farm  in  Mad  River  township,  this  county,  a  daughter  of  Reuben 
and  Sarah  ( Wiant)  Loudenback,  who  had  come  here  from  Virginia  and 
were  early  settlers  in  Mad  River  township.  He  later  married  Susann  Louden- 
back, a  sister  to  the  first  wife,  and  four  children  were  born  of  this  second 
marriage.  Christian  McMorran  was  a  Repubhaui  in  his  political  allegiance 
and  for  some  years  served  as  trustee  of  his  Ikmiic  townshij).  He  and  his 
wife  were  members  of  the  Baptist  church  at  St.  Paris  and  their  children 
were  reared  in  the  faith  of  that  communion.  There  were  eight  of  these 
children,  of  whom  two  are  now-  deceased,  Ellen,  who  married  Jason  Kizer, 
and  Abraham  Lincoln,  the  latter  of  whom  died  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years. 
The  survivors,  besides  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  are  as  follow :  David,  a 
well-known  farmer  of  Johnson  township;  Barbara,  wife  of  S.  C.  Nixon, 
of  Deer  Creek,  Illinois;  John  P..  who  is  living  on  the  old  h.ome  farm  in 
Johnson  township;  Estella,  wife  of  O.  P.  Mitchell,  of  Huntington  county, 
Indiana,  and  Mary  J.,  wife  of  William  Heater,  of  St.  Paris. 

Simeon  McMorran  grew  to  manhood  on  the  paternal  farm  north  of 
St.  Paris  in  Johnson  township,  receiving  his  schooling  in  the -district  school 
in  that  vicinity,  and  after  his  marriage  began  farming  on  his  own  account 
on  a  portion  of  the  home  farm  and  later  became  owner  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  the  same,  which  tract  he  still  owns  and  to  the  operation 
oi  which  he  continues  to  give  a  good  deal  of  his  personal  attention,  although 
lie  retired  from  the  active  labors  of  the  farm  in  1910  and  moved  to  St.  Paris, 
where  he  since  has  made  his  home  and  where,  in  addition  to  looking  after 
his  farming  interests,  deals  quite  extensively  in  real  estate.  Mr.  McMorran 
is  the  vice-president  and  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Earmers 
and  Merchants  Telephone  Company  and  has  done  much  to  extend  the  interests 
of  that  important  public  utility.  Politically,  he  is  a  Prohibitionist  and  has 
for  years  exerted  his  strong  personal  influence  in  behalf  of  the  movement 
against. the  saloon  traffic.     Pie  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist 


CflAMI'AIG.V     COIXTY,    OHIO 


4-V 


Episcopal  church  at  St.  Paris  and  for  years  Mr.  McMorran  ha>  hccu  a 
member  of  the  official  board  of  that  church  and  one  of  the  stewards.  During- 
his  residence  on  the  farm  he  for  years  served  as  a  member  of  the  school 
board  in  his  local  district  and  did  much  to  advance  the  cause  of  the  schools 
there. 

Mr.  McMorran  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife,  who  was  Mora 
McLean,  of  Union  county,  this  state,  died  at  her  home  in  Johnson  town- 
ship six  years  after  her  marriage,  leaving  three  children,  namely:  Neil  A., 
who  is  living  on  the  home  farm;  Sarah  C.  a  graduate  luirse.  living  in  Colum- 
bus, Ohio,  at  Grant  Hospital,  and  Ella  May,  who  is  living  with  her  uncle. 
Jason  Kizer.  at  Millerstown.  On  March  4.  1885.  Simeon  McAIorran  mar- 
ried, secondl}-.  Mary  Janett  McLean  and  to  this  union  two  daughters  have 
been  bom.  Minnie  J.,  wife  of  Floyd  Berry,  of  Mad  River  township,  and 
Ruth,  who  is  at  home  with  her  parents.  The  i\'IcMorrans  have  a  very 
pleasant  home  at  St.  Paris  and  take  a  proper  part  in  the  general  social 
activities  of  their  home  town. 


EARL  L.  WALTERS. 


Among  the  influential  and  prominent  citizens  of  Champaign  county  of 
the  younger  generation  is  Earl  L.  Walters,  the  popular  and  genial  pro- 
prietor of  a  general  store  at  Westville.  Ohio,  who  was  born  in  this  village 
on  August  10,  1881,  the  son  and  only  child  of  Charles  H.  and  Susan 
(Faidkner)  Walters,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  A'irginia.  and  the 
latter  of  this  county. 

Charles  H.  Walters  was  born  at  Martinsburg.  Berkley  county.  Virginia. 
April  21,  1842,  the  son  of  Michael  and  Catherine  \Valters,  who  came  from 
Virginia  to  Clark  county,  Ohio,  in  1854.  when  their  son.  Charles  H..  was  a 
lad  of  twelve  years.  The  family  lived  in  Clark  county  for  a  few  years, 
when  they  moved  to  Champaign  count}-,  locating  first  near  Cable,  and  later 
moving  to  a  farm  in  Salem  township,  where  the  parents  lived  the  remainder 
of  their  lives.  Susan  Faulkner  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Concord  township, 
this  county,  June  16.  1851.  the  daughter  of  Nelson  and  Vnna  (  Neer  )  Faulk- 
ner, the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Cumberland  count\-.  Maryland,  and 
the  latter  at  Harper's  Ferry.  Mrginia.  As  a  young  man  Nelson  Faulkner 
went  from  Maryland  to  Virginia,  where  he  met  and  married  Anna  Neer.  and 
a  few  vears  after  their  marriage,  in    t8^o.   they  came  to  CMiio.  locating  in 


425  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Concord  township.  Champaign  county,  where  he  followed  his  trade  as  a 
carpenter  and  cabinet-maker  until  he  engaged  in  farming,  in  which  vocation 
he  continued  for  a  time,  later  taking  up  his  old  trade  of  carpentering  and 
contracting.  Upon  his  final  retirement  from  active  business  life,  he  and  his 
wife  moved  to  Urbana.  where  they  spent  their  last  days.  Nelson  Faulkner 
and  wife  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  only  three  of  whom  are  now  living: 
Susan,  mother  of  our  subject;  Clara,  of  Dayton,  Ohio,  and  Edward  F.,  of 
Laporte,  Indiana.  After  his  marriage  to  Susan  Faulkner,  Charles  L.  Walters 
lived  in  Kings  Creek  in  Salem  township,  this  county,  where  he  followed  his 
trade  as  a  wagon-maker  for  four  years,  after  which  he  moved  to  Westville. 
Ohio,  where  he  continued  to  work  at  his  trade  for  many  years,  later  engaging 
in  farming,  in  which  he  continued  until  his  death  on  December  12,  1908. 
He  and  his  wife  were  earnest  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
at  Westville,  in  the  affairs  of  which  they  took  a  warm  interest.  Afr.  Walters 
was  identified  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  being  a  charter  member  of  that 
fraternal  organization  at  Westville. 

Earl  L.  Walters  was  reared  in  the  village  of  Westville,  receiving  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  that  place,  graduating  from  the  Westville 
high  school.  After  leaving  school  he  began  life  for  himself  by  clerking  in  a 
store  in  Westville  for  a  time,  after  which  he  went  to  Springfield,  where 
he  worked  as  a  clerk,  thus  thoroughly  equipping  himself  in  the  rudiments 
of  the  mercantile  business.  In  1904  he  returned  to  Westville  and  engaged 
in  the  general  merchandise  business,  in  which  he  has  continued  since  with 
a  very  commendable  degree  of  success.  He  has  built  up  a  large  and  lucrative 
patronage  in  the  village  and  surrounding  community,  and  enjoys  the  conii- 
dence  and  respect  of  all  who  know  him  both  in  a  business  an.d  social  way. 

On  March  16.  1909,  Earl  L.  Walters  was  married  to  Iilizabeth  Ehvell, 
the  daughter  of  Perry  and  Elizabeth  (Galbreath)  Elwell.  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  Ohio.  Perry  Elwell  was  born  in  Putnam  county,  Ohio,  while 
his  wife  was  born  at  West  Liberty.  Logan  comity,  Ohio,  their  marriage 
taking  place  at  DeGraff,  Ohio.  They  made  their  home  in  Putnam  count\- 
for  three  or  four  years,  after  which  they  moved  to  Smith  county,  Kansas. 
where  Mrs.  Walters  was  born  on  January  30,  1889.  In  the  fall  of  1902  the\- 
moved  from  Kansas  to  Kentucky,  where  they  lived  for  a  short  time,  later 
removing  to  a  farm  in  Concord  township,  this  count}'.  In  1905  the  family 
moved  to  Urljana.  Ohio,  where  they  have  since  lived.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Walters  have  been  born  two  children,  Francis  Lcroy.  born  May  6.  191  1, 
and  Lillian  Roberta,  l)om  March  21.  1913.  The  family  are  devoted  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  l^jiiscopal  church  and  take  an  active  interest  in  churcli 


CHAMPAIGX    COUNTY.    OHIO.  42g 

and  Sunday  school  work,  Mr.  Walters  serving  as  a  nienibtr  of  the  hoard 
of  trustees  of  the  church.  He  is  a  niemher  of  Magrew  Lodge  Xo.  33,  Knights 
of  Pythias,  being  past  chancellor  of  his  home  lodge.  Politically,  he  is  a 
Democrat,  and  firm  in  his  belief  of  the  doctrines  and  principles  of  that  part\-. 


FRANK  HOUSTOX. 


In  the  memorial  annals  of  Champaign  county  there  are  few  names  heM 
in  better  remembrance  than  that  of  the  late  Frank  Houston,  for  many  years 
one  of  the  leading  merchants  and  most  influential  citizens  of  Urbana,  the  county 
seat,  whose  passing  in  191 2  was  the  occasion  for  sincere  mourning  throughout 
the  county  and  particularly  in  the  circles  in  which  he  had  for  so  many  years 
quietly  and  effectually  moved,  for  he  had  done  well  in  this  community  those 
things  which  his  hand  had  found  to  do  and  in  all  the  relations  of  life  had 
been  faithful  and  true.  It  was  written  of  him  after  his  passing  that  he  "slipped 
away  as  quietly  as  he  had  lived.  God  called  him  and  he  was  noi.  His 
going  was  on  the  Sabbath,  March  24.  1912.  the  t[uiel  da)  that  he  lo\ed  to 
read  and  rest  and  worship." 

xA.n  appreciation  of  the  life  and  character  of  Mr.  illusion  written  as  a 
memorial  tribute  by  his  son,  William  Flouston.  contains  so  much  of  general 
local  interest  concerning  the  manner  of  man  this  old  merchant  was,  that 
the  present  biographer  is  taking  the  liberty  herew  ith  to  reproduce  a  portion 
of  the  same.  Writing  of  the  father  whom  he  had  known  for  more  than 
forty  years,  William  Houston  said  :  "He  was  a  man  of  faith.  He  believed 
in  a  good  God  Who  was  caring  for  him  and  his  and  in  that  satisfying  faith 
he  faced  the  issues  of  each  day  with  pleasing  hope  and  assuring  confidence. 
He  believed  in  his  fellowmen.  Though  he  T^aw  the  sin  of  men  and  lived  in 
the  midst  of  it,  and  reproved  it  ])\  word  and  example,  it  was  overshadowed 
by  the  good.  After  doing  Inisiness  for  sixt\-  \ears  with  all  kinds  of  men 
and  women  he  was  still  a  believer  in  the  good  in  the  world.  There  was  more 
good  than  e\il.  He  always  believed  the  purpose  and  intentions  of  men 
were  good,  or  would  be.  if  men  were  not  goaded  by  conditions  to  do  what 
they  disapproved.  He  trusted  and  believed  men  because  they  ai-e  children 
<^)f  God.  .  .  .  He  was  a  man  of  prayer,  silent.  ])er.sona!  ])ra_\er.  His 
daily  life  was  sjjent  in  the  heart  attitude  of  prayer,  which  was  obedience  to 
the  known  will  of  God  and  doing  the  things  that  he  belie\ed  were  pleasing 
to   Him.      .  There   was    io\-   in  his  heart.      He   lived    in   the   sunsliine. 


430  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

A  frail  body,  ill  health,  pain,  disappointment,  ])n,'^incss  losses  and  trade 
griefs  never  provoked  a  grumbling,  complaining  or  fault-hnding  word.  He 
was  on  Thanksgiving  avenue  all  the  time.  However  dark  the  day  he  was 
confident  the  morrow  would  be  brighter.  .  .  .  He  was  a  silent  man. 
He  bore  his  sorrows  alone.  He  ne\  er  added  to  the  burden  of  another,  but 
in  silence  and  alone  fouglit  his  battles  and  bore  his  griefs.  If  he  had 
them  he  allowed  no  one  to  share  them  with  him.  Jle  was  gentle,  happy 
and  at  peace  with  the  world  in  which  lie  rejoiced  to  live.  He  loved  his 
fellow-men.  His  sympathy  was  as  broad  and  wide  as  the  world.  He  con- 
sidered not  his  own,  but  his  brother's  interests.  Those  who  new  him  longest 
trusted  him  most  implicitly.  .  .  .  His  personal  integrity  was  absolute. 
The  possibility  of  failing  to  keep  his  agreements  or  meet  his  obligations 
never  occurred  to  him.  No  rew-ard  would  suggest  to  him  any  connection 
with  questionable  acts.  His  ideals  were  high.  He  was  temperate  and  abstem- 
ious in  his  personal  habits  to  the  point  of  austerity.  .  .  .  He  lived 
for  others.  There  was  no  selfish  blood  in  his  veins.  His  whole  life  was  one 
of  service  for  his  family,  his  church,  his  neighbors,  his  cit}  and  his  country. 
Praise  God  for  a  good  man." 

Frank  Houston  was  liorn  in  l''intona.  County  Tyrone.  Ireland.  April 
22,  1833.  son  of  William  and  Margaret  (King)  Houston,  also  natives  of 
Ireland,  the  former  born  in  1795  and  the  latter  in  1794.  who  were  married 
on  the  last  Saturday  of  February,  i8r8,  and  to  whom  were  l)orn  ten  children, 
of  whom  the  subject  of  this  memorial  sketch  was  the  eighth  in  order  of 
birth,  the  others  being  as  follow:  Jdin,  born  on  December  17.  1818,  who 
died  on  T'cbruary  4.  1903;  Isabella  Maria,  December  26.  1820,  who  died 
on  October  10,  ii^2-:,:  Nancy,  January  7,  1823,  who  died  on  August  8.  1900; 
Elizabeth,  May  8,  1825,  who  died  on  October  16  of  that  same  year:  Alex- 
ander. December  21,  1826,  who  died  on  March  4.  1901  :  Christopher,  March 
13.  1829.  who  died  on  February  9.  1892;  Isabella.  July  25.  1831,  who 
died  on  November  8.  1909;  Archibald,  January  18.  T83C),  who  died  April  12, 
[916.  and  Margaret.  January  \2.  1839.  who  died  on  Januarv  8,  1908.  The 
mother  of  these  children  died  at  her  home  in  Ireland  on  Mav  4.  1841.  she 
then  being  forty-seven  years  of  age.  and  the  father  survived  for  many  vears. 
his  death  occurring  on  May  37.  1878.  he  then  being  in  the  eighty-third  vear 
of  his  age. 

It  was  in  the  year  1850  that  h'rank  Houston  and  his  bn^thers.  C'hristo- 
l)lier  and  Alexander,  incited  to  immigrate  by  reason  of  the  abnormal  con- 
ditions created  in  Ireland  by  the  memorable?  famine  of  1846-48,  came  to 
the  United   States  to  seek  homes  amid  conditions  thev  felt  would  be  more 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  4^1 

favorable  tlian  any  they  could  hope  for  at  home.  Sailing-  from  I.iverpool 
they  in  cine  time  arrived  at  the  port  of  Boston  and  thence  came  on  out  to  Ohio, 
locating  in  Columbus,  where  Frank  Houston  remained,  working  as  a  clerk 
in  a  wholesale  grocery  store,  until  1854,  in  which  year  he  moved  to  Urbana 
for  the  purpose  of  entering  business  on  his  own  account.  Ujjon  his  arrival 
in  Urbana  he  opened  a  grocery  store  in  a  small  frame  building  on  the  site 
of  the  present  Lyric  theater  and  there  met  with  such  ])ronounced  success 
that  it  presently  became  necessary  for  him  to  seek  larger  quarters.  With 
this  end  in  view  he  bought  part  of  the  Union  block,  on  the  public  square, 
and  there  was  engaged  in  business  for  ten  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time 
he  bought  the  ground  on  Main  street  on  which  stood  the  Imilding  in  which 
he  had  opened  his  first  store  and  there  erected  the  building  in  which  the  Lyric 
theater  is  now  located  and  moved  his  store  into  the  same.  At  that  location 
Air.  Houston  continued  in  business  for  more  than  thirty  years,  or  until  his 
death,  for  many  years  regarded  as  one  of  the  city's  chief  business  men  and 
most  public-.spirited  citizens.  On  his  arrival  in  Colum])us  in  1850  Mr.  Hous- 
ton had  remaining  of  the  small  sum  with  which  he  had  started  from  his 
native  land  but  fifty  cents.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  regarded  as  one 
of  Urbana's  most  substantial  citizens,  his  years  of  s(|uare  dealing  among 
the  people  of  this  community  having  been  amply  rewarded  in  a  material  way. 
Mr.  Houston  was  a  Republican  in  his  political  afliliations  and  by  religious 
persuasion  was  a  Presbyterian,  the  faith  in  which  he  had  been  reared  in  his 
home  in  Ireland.  He  was  ever  active  in  church  work  and  in  other  local'  good 
works  and  at  his  passing  in  1912  left  a  good  memory  in  the  communit\-  in 
which  for  more  than  a  half  century  he  had  quietly  and  in  all  sincerity  done  his 
part  as  a  man  and  as  a  citizen.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity 
and  ever  took  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  ancient  order. 

It  was  on  April  20,  1864,  some  years  after  he  had  become  firm))-  cstal)- 
lished  in  business  at  L^rbana.  that  Frank  Houston  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Nancy  Tappan,  who  was  born  in  Steubenville,  this  state,  a  daughter  of 
Dr.  Benjamin  and  Oella  (Stanton)  Tappan,  both  of  whom  also  were  born 
in  that  same  city.  Dr.  Benjamin  Tappan  was  a  son  of  United  States  Senator 
Tappan,  senator  from  Ohio  during  the  forties  and  for  years  one  of  the 
strongest  forces  in  the  political  life  of  this  state,  and  In's  wife  was  a  sister 
of  Edwin  M.  Stanton,  secretary  of  war  in  the  cabinet  of  President  Lincoln 
during  the  Civil  War.  Doctor  Tappan  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  five 
children,  those  besides  Mrs.  Houston  being  as  follow  :  Dr.  Benjamin  Tappan, 
Jr.,  who  was  appointed  a  surgeon  in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  \\^ar 


43-  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

and  was  killed  in  service;  Rev.  David  Tappan,  now  living  in  San  l^'rancisco : 
James  Tappan,  of  Kansas  City,  and  Dr.  Luc}>  Tappan,  of  1  Philadelphia. 

To  Frank  and  Nancy  (Tappan)  Honston  were  born  eight  children, 
namely:  Oella  Stanton,  born  on  March  15,  1865,  who  died  on  October  ro. 
1901:  William.  November  8,  1867:  Lncy  Tappan,  March  u.  1870:  lulwin 
Macy  Stanton,  July  5.  1872;  Frances  Taylor,  November  2,  1874:  Isabella; 
March  26,  1877,  who  died  on  July  30,  of  that  same  year;  l-'rank  King. 
May  15,  1878,  and  Nancy  Margaret,  June  ij,  1886.  Since  the  death  c^f 
her  husband  Mrs.  Houston  continues  to  make  her  home  in  the  old  famil\ 
residence  in  L'rbana  and  continues  to  retain  a  vital  interest  in  the  general 
social  activities  of  her  home  town,  in  the  social  and  benevolent  life  of  which 
she  has  been  a  potent  factor  for  many  years.  When  the  Librarv  Hoard 
was  created  in  Urbana  years  ago  Mrs.  Houston  was  made  president  of  the 
same  and  she  ever  since  has  been  retained  in  that  important  position,  in  that 
capacity  having  been  a  very  influential  force  in  the  cultural  activities  of  the 
city.  Not  only  in  her  church  work,  but  in  various  other  ways  Mrs.  Houston 
has  given  her  most  earnest  attention  to  the  development  of  those  phases  of 
social  activity  that  tend  to  the  advancement  of  the  common  welfare  and  has 
thus  ever  been  accounted  among  the  leaders  in  good  works  hereabout. 


HON.  H.   H.  BRFCOUNT. 

The  Hon.  id.  H.  Ijrecount,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Ci\il  War,  former 
representati\  e  from  this  district  to  the  Ohio  General  Assemblx  and  one  of 
(  hampaign  county's  best-known  and  substantial  retired  farmers  and  stock- 
men, is  a  native  son  of  this  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life,  with  the 
exception  of  a  few  years  immediately  following  his  return  froiu  the  army, 
\\hen  he  made  his  home  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Miami.  He  was  born 
at  St.  Paris  on  March  26,  1840,  son  of  Solomon  G.  and  Tamar  (White) 
Hrecount,  who  came  to  this  county  from  Cincinnati  in  1835  and  here  spent 
Uieir  last  days,  active  and  influential  pioneers  of  the  St.  Faris  neighborhood. 

Solomon  (\.  IJrtccnnit  was  born  in  the  village  of  Carthage,  this  state,  a 
few  miles  north  of  ("incinnati,  in  1810,  son  of  John  Brecount  and  wife,  both 
of  whom  were  Ijorn  in  the  vicinity  of  old  J'"t.  Washington,  the  pioneer  station 
that  later  developed  into  the  city  of  Cincinnati.  There  Solomon  G.  Bre- 
count grew  to  manhcxxl,  becoming  a  farmer  and  also  a  merchant  at  Cincin- 
nati, in  which  cit\   he  remained  until  he  was  twenty-iix'e  year^  of  age,  when 


H.   H.    BRECOUNT. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  433 

he  and  his  wife,  in  1835.  came  up  to  this  part  of  the  state  and  settled  in 
Champaign  county,  locating  on  the  farm  now  owned  and  occupied  by  David 
Poc^rman.  There  Mr.  Brecount  opened  a  country  store,  bringing  down  a 
stock  of  goods  from  Carysville,  and  two  years  later  moved  to  St.  Paris, 
where  he  engaged  in  mercantile  business  until  1840,  when  he  moved  to  a 
farm.  He  later  opened  a  store  at  Lena  and  in  other  ways  was  active  in  the 
l)usiness  affairs  of  that  section  of  the  county  during  his  long  residence  there. 
When  the  railroad  was  projected  through  St.  Paris  he  took  a  very  active 
part  in  the  movement  and  v/as  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the 
company  projecting  the  same  and  later  filled  heavy  contracts  in  the  construc- 
tion of  the  road.  .\s  a  business  man  he  was  far-seeing  and  possessed  of 
excellent  judgment,  so  that  his  affairs  prospered  from  the  very  beginning  of 
his  residence  in  this  county  and  it  was  not  long  until  he  became  recognized 
as  one  of  the  leading  men  in  this  part  of  the  state.  He  was  for  some  years 
extensively  engaged  in  the  buying  and  selling  of  horses  for  the  Eastern 
market  and  was  quite  successful  also  in  that  line.  Originally  a  Whig,  he 
became  a  Republican  upon  the  formation  of  that  party  and  for  years  took  a 
])r()minent  part  in  local  political  affairs.  For  some  time  he  served  as  justice 
of  the  peace  and  later  served  for  some  time  as  a  member  of  the  board  of 
county  commissioners  and  in  other  ways  contributed  of  his  time  and  his 
energies  to  the  public  service.  He  always  took  a  prominent  part  in  church 
work,  was  a  member  of  the  Sons  oi  Temperance,  an  organization  of  con- 
>iderable  local  strength  in  its  day,  and  was  for  years  an  influential  force  in 
all  good  works  hereabout.  Solomon  G.  Brecount  died  in  March.  1869.  he 
then  l>eing  fifty-nine  years  of  age,  and  his  widow  survived  him  until  1897. 
she  being  seventy-nine  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  her  death.  They  were 
the  parents  of  four  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  first 
l)orn,  the  others  being  Elmer,  who  went  to  the  front  as  a  soldier  of  the 
l^nion  during  the  Civil  War,  a  member  of  Company  C,  Ninety-fourth  Regi- 
ment, Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Perrysville. 
Kentucky,  October  8,  1862;  Rose,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Doctor 
Deiiiman,  of  Lena,  and  Miranda,  wife  of  Harrison  Toomire. 

H.  H.  Brecount  grew  to  manhood  on  the  paternal  farm  in  Johnson  town- 
ship, this  county,  and  was  living  there  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  In  the 
fall  (^f  1862  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  LInion  army  and  went  to  the  front 
as  a  member  of  Companv  C.  Xinety- fourth  Regiment.  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry,  with  which  command  he  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  being- 
mustered  out  as  a  non-commissioned  officer.  During  this  period  of  service 
(28a) 


434  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Mr.  Brecount  spent  a  good  deal  of  time  on  detached  duty  and  for  eight 
months  was  commis.sary  sergeant  of  the  First  l^rigade.  Upon  the  com- 
pletion of  his  military  service  Mr.  Brecount  returned  home  and  remained 
there  until  the  spring  of  1866,  when  he  moved  over  into  the  adjoining  county 
of  Miami  and  was  there  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising  until  1873, 
when  he  returned  to  the  old  home  place  in  Johnson  township  and  there  estab- 
lished his  home,  continuing-  his  farming  operations  until  his  retirement  from 
the  farm  in  1907  and  removal  to  St.  Paris,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home 
and  where  he  is  very  comfortably  situated.  Mr.  IJrecount  has  a  well- 
improved  farm  of  one  hundred  and  ninety  acres  in  Johnson  townshij)  and 
continues  to  give  the  same  his  general  personal  supervision.  For  years  he 
was  actively  engaged  in  the  buying  and  selling  of  horses  and  is  still  doing- 
quite  a  bit  of  business  along  that  line.  In  addition  to  his  general  farming- 
he  also  gave  considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of  high-grade  cattle  and 
large  draft  horses,  the  latter  being  his  "long  suit."  .Since  his  renio\-al  to 
St.   Paris  he  has  continued  actively  engaged  as  a  cattle  buyer. 

Mr.  Brecount  is  a  Republican  and  from  the  days  of  his  youth  ha^  been 
actively  identified  with  the  political  affairs  of  this  part  of  tlie  state,  for  man\- 
years  having  been  regarded  as  one  of  the  leaders  of  his  party  hereabout.  In 
1897  ^^  ^^'''^-''  elected  representative  from  this  district  to  the  state  Legislature 
and  served  a  term  in  that  important  public  cajjacity,  his  service  in  the  House 
being  marked  by  the  most  careful  and  intelligent  attention  to  the  needs  of  the 
public.  At  the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  movement  for  the  creation  of 
the  Children's  Home  Mr.  Brecount  was  made  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Flome 
and  served  in  that  capacity  for  eleven  years.  In  other  ways  he  also  has  done 
his  part  in  the  public  service,  ever  helpful  in  promoting-  all  movements  hid- 
ing to  do  with  the  advancement  of  the  common  welfare.  He  is  an  active 
member  of  H.  C.  Scott  Post,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  at  St.  Paris,  :ui(l 
has  on  several  occasions  served  as  delegate  from  that  post  to  the  state  encamj)- 
ments  of  that  patriotic  organization.  Mr.  Brecount  was  a  steward  for  fort\- 
one  years  in  the  Methodist  church  at  Pcna.  this  state,  and  has  ahva\s  been 
active  in  church  work. 

On  October  27.  1908.  FI.  H.  Brecount  was  united  in  marriage  to  i-'dwina 
White,  daughter  of  David  W.  and  Caroline  (.Anderson)  \Miite.  members 
of  old  families  in  Ohio.  By  a  former  marriage  Mr.  Brecount  became  the 
father  of  the  following  children:  Oliver  Stanage  Brecount.  who  was  killed 
in  a  railway  wreck  in  1907;  Mary  Jane,  wife  of  Grant  McMorran.  of  St.  Paiis: 
Elizabeth,  wife  of  Frank  Deweese.  of  Conover,  Ohio,  and  Lucy,  wife  of 
George  Baldwin,  of  St.  Paris.    The  branch  of  the  White  family  with  which 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  435 

Mrs.  Brecount  is  connected  is  of  colonial  descent,  dating  back  to  the  days  of 
the  Pilgrim  Fathers,  a  White,  of  that  line,  having  been  governor  of  one  of 
the  first   colonies   established   on   .\inerican   soil. 


JOSEPH  W.  BRUNK. 

Joseph  W.  Brunk,  a  well-known  retired  carpenter  and  contractor  at 
Urbana  and  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  whose  service  was  rendered  in  the 
Confederate  army,  is  a  native  of  the  Old  Dominion,  but  has  been  a  resident 
of  Ohio  most  of  the  time  since  the  close  of  the  Civil  War  and  of  this  county 
since  the  year  1871.  He  was  born  at  Harrisonburg,  Virginia,  January  22, 
1837,  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Frances  (Elliott)  Brunk,  the  former  of  whom 
was  a  native  of  Germany  and  the  latter  of  Scotland.  Joseph  Brunk  came 
to  this  country  in  the  days  of  his  young  manhood  and  settled  in  Virginia, 
where  he  married  and  where  he  spent  his  last  days,  his  death  occurring  there 
about  1 841,  when  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  but  a  child. 

Reared  in  Virginia,  Joseph  \V.  Brunk  received  his  schooling  in  the 
schools  of  that  state  and  when  the  Old  Dominion  withdrew  from  the  Union 
he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  army  of  the  Confederate  States  of  America 
and  went  to  the  front  as  a  pri\'ate  in  Company  FI,  Tenth  Regiment,  Virginia 
Cavalry,  with  which  command  he  served  for  about  four  years,  or  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  being  promoted  to  the  rank  of  sergeant.  He  participated  in 
the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run  and  in  numerous  of  the  most  important  engage- 
ments of  the  war.  Uix)n  the  completion  of  his  military  service,  Mr.  Brunk 
came  to  Ohio  and  located  at  Lancaster,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  hard- 
ware business  for  a  couple  of  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  went  to 
Missouri,  where  he  bought  a  half  section  of  land  and  was  there  engaged  in 
farming  for  a  few  years.  He  then  returned  to  Ohio  and  engaged  in  carpen- 
ter work  at  Dayton,  presently  moving  from  there  to  Salem,  where  he  remained 
until  1 87 1,  in  which  year  he  came  to  Champaign  county  and  bought  a  small 
farm  in  Salem  township,  north  of  Urbana.  F"or  two  years  after  coming  here 
Mr.  Brunk  worked  his  farm,  at  the  same  time  engaging  in  the  work  of  a 
building  contractor,  and  after  a  couple  of  years  of  that  double  form  of  activ- 
it}-  gave  his  whole  attention  to  contracting  and  was  thus  engaged  at  Urbana 
until  his  retirement  from  a  business  a  few  years  ago.  Much  of  his  contract 
work  was  done  for  the  Illinois  Car  Works,  though  he  also  was  quite  success- 
ful in  his  Avork  as  a  general  contractor  and  became  one  of  the  best-known 


436  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

contractors  in  the  building-  line  in  this  part  of  the  state,  many  of  the  import- 
ant buildings  in  Urbana  and  in  Champaign  county  having  l>een  erected  by 
him.  Mr.  Brunk  is  a  Democrat  and  has  for  years  given  his  close  attention 
to  local  political  affairs,  but  has  not  been  a  seeker  after  public  office. 

On  August  16,  1877,  some  years  after  coming  to  this  county,  Joseph  W. 
Brunk  was  united  in  marriage  to  Elizabeth  Englehardt,  of  Salem  townhsip, 
who  was  born  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  who  was  but  a  child  when 
her  parents,  Thomas  and  Phoebe  Ann  (Hines)  Englehardt,  came  to  this 
county  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Salem  township,  where  they  spent  the 
remainder  of  their  lives.  To  this  union  have  been  born  two  daughters  and 
one  son,  Nora,  wife  of  E.  O.  Blose;  Ida  May,  wife  of  Oscar  Sumly,  and 
Pearl,  who  married  Fay  Millner,  who  is  a  machinist  by  trade  and  residing  in 
Springfield,  Ohio.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brunk  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  and  take  a  warm  interest  in  church  work.  They  have  a  pleas- 
ant home  in  LIrbana  and  have  ever  taken  a  proper  interest  in  the  city's  general 
social  acti\'ities,  helpful  in  ])romoting  good  works. 


ALBERT  M.  BERRY. 


A  prominent  farmer  and  substantial  citizen  of  Champaign  county,  who 
has  been  a  life-long  resident  of  the  county,  is  Albert  M.  Berry,  living  on 
his  farm,  one  and  one-half  miles  southwest  of  Westville,  on  rural  route  No. 
9,  along  the  Urbana  and  Troy  road.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  C^oncord 
township,  one  and  one-half  miles  north  of  Millerstown,  October  12,  i8r>o, 
and  is  a  son  of  Achory  and  Angeline  (Kite)  Berry,  lioth  of  whom  were 
:ilso  natives  of  Champaign  county. 

Achory  Berry  was  born  in  Johnson  township,  on  a  farm  near  Millers- 
town,  his  parents  being  among  the  early  settlers  of  this  jjart  of  the  count}-. 
coming  here  from  Virginia.  Angeline  Kite  was  born  in  Mad  River  town- 
ship, her  parents  being  also  among  the  pioneers  of  the  county,  coming  from 
Pennsylvania  in  an  early  day.  After  his  marriage,  Achory  Berry  and  his 
wife  settled  on  a  farm  in  Mad  River  township,  known  as  the  Kite  farm, 
where  they  lived  for  a  few  years,  after  which  they  purchased  a  farm  in 
Concord,  where  they  lived  until  their  son,  Albert  M.,  was  fifteen  years  old. 
at  which  time  the  elder  Berry  purchased  the  farm  where  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  is  now  living,  and  here  they  lived  mitil  the  death  of  Mrs.  Berr\- 
in    [894.     Two  vears  before  his  death,    .\chor\-   r>erry  retired   to  Tremont. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  437 

Clark  county,  Ohio,  where  his  death  occurred  in  the  spring-  of  1903.  They 
were  the  parents  of  live  children,  of  whom  three  are  now  living:  George, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  five  years;  Monroe,  living  in  California;  Albert  M., 
of  this  sketch;  Minnie,  who  died  June  7,  19 17,  was  the  wife  of  Charles 
Straub,  of  Springfield,  Ohio;  Nannie,  who  was  the  wife  of  Frank  Wiant,  is 
deceased.  Achory  Berry  and  wife  were  earnest  and  devoted  members  of 
the  Baptist  church,  and  always  took  an  active  and  interested  part  in  the 
affairs  of  the  Myrtle  Tree  church,  in  which  Mr.  Berry  served  as  deacon 
for  many  years.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  firm  in  his  belief  in 
the  principles  of  that  party,  although  not  an  ofiice  seeker.  He  was  an  indus- 
trious and  successful  farmer,  having  started  out  in  life  with  nothing,  and 
accumulating  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  fine  farming  land  by  his  own 
efforts. 

Albert  M.  Berry  lived  on  the  farm  in  Concord  township  with  his  parents 
until  he  reached  the  age  of  fifteen  years,  receiving  his  elementary  education 
in  the  ptiblic  schools  of  that  township.  He  accompanied  his  parents  when 
the}-  moved  to  the  farm  in  Mad  River  township,  where  he  grew  to  manhood. 
After  his  marriage  he  located  first  on  the  home  farm  where  he  lived  until  1901. 
when  he  moved  to  a  farm  in  Clark  county,  which  he  owned.  In  1903  he 
returned  to  the  home  farm  in  Mad  River  township,  where  he  has  since  lived. 
I  lere  he  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  and  is  verv  suc- 
cessful in  his  chosen  calling.  .v. 

On  September  13,  1884,  Albert  M.  Berry  was  married  to  \  ictoria  Pence, 
the  daughter  of  Amos  and  (!"larinda  (  Browning )  Pence,  and  to  this  union 
two  sons  have  been  born:  Willard  .\.,  l>orn  July  10.  1886,  was  killed  Ijy 
accident  in  191 1,  leaving  a  widow.  Ella  May  Mullcr  and  one  child,  Mar\'  (". : 
Floyd  J.,  farmer,  born  July  27,  1894,  married  Janette  McMorr;ui,  and  they 
have  one  daughter,  Mamie  Victoria.  The  family  iire  all  faithful  memliers 
of  the  Myrtle  Tree  Baptist  chinxh,  in  the  affairs  of  which  they  take  an  active 
and  interested  part.  Mrs.  Berry's  father  was  a  native  of  this  county,  his 
j)arents  having  come  here  from  Virginia  in  an  early  da\-.  Her  mother  was  a 
daughter  of  William  Browning,  who  was  also  a  \irginirm  by  birth,  who 
came  from  that  state  to  Ohio  with  the  early  pioneers,  settling  in  Delaware 
county,  where  VIrs.  Berr\''s  mother  grew  to  womanhood.  She  came  as  a 
young  woman  to  Champaign  count}-,  where  she  met  and  married  .Amos 
Pence. 

VIr.  Berry  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  hut  takes  no  acti\  e  part  in  political 
matters,  although  warmh-  interested  in  all  local  puhlic  aft'airs. 


438  CJIAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

DAVID  E.  TAYLOR. 

D.  E.  Taylor,  a  well-known  and  substantial  farmer  of  Champaign  count}- 
and  former  deputy  county  auditor,  now  living  on  the  old  Sowers  farm  three- 
fourths  of  a  mile  north  of  Westville,  in  Mad  River  township,  was  born  on  a 
farm  not  far  west  of  where  he  is  now  living,  in  that  same  township,  and 
has  lived  in  this  county  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  July  24,  1870,  son  (if 
Simeon  and  Susan  (Ward)  Taylor,  lx)th  of  whom  also  were  born  in  that 
same  township,  Mad  River,  and  the  latter  of  whom  is  still  living. 

The  late  Simeon  Taylor,  former  auditor  of  Champaign  county,  was 
born  on  a  pioneer  farm  in  Mad  River  township,  this  county,  June  7,  1838, 
a  son  of  Benjamin  and  Sarah  (Miller)  Taylor,  the  former  a  native  of  Ten- 
nessee and  the  latter  of  Virginia,  the  Taylors  and  the  Millers  having  been 
among  the  early  settlers  of  Champaign  county.  It  was  in  181 6  that  John 
Taylor,  father  of  Benjamin  Taylor,  came  to  this  county  with  his  famil} 
from  Tennessee  and  settled  in  Mad  River  township  and  in*  that  same  year 
Valentine  Miller  came  with  his  family  from  Virginia  and  also  settled  in  Mad 
River  township,  the  two  families  early  becoming  recognized  as  among  the 
leaders  in  the  pioneer  life  of  that  community.  Reared  on  the  home  farm  in 
Mad  River  township,  Simeon  Taylor  received  his  early  schooling  in  the 
schools  of  that  neighborhood  and  supplemented  the  same  by  a  course  in 
a  business  college  in  Cleveland,  later  becoming  engaged  as  a  school  teacher 
in  his  home  township,  teaching  durig  the  winter  and  farming  during  the 
summers,  and  was  thus  engaged  for  ten  years,  teaching  for  eight  years  in 
one  school.  He  was  ever  active  in  local  j^olitical  affairs,  for  years  a  leader 
in  the  Democratic  party  in  his  part  of  the  county,  and  in  1889  was  elected 
auditor  of  the  county.  While  serving  in  that  public  capacity  Mr.  Taylor 
made  his  home  in  Urbana,  but  upon  completing  his  term  of  service  returned 
to,  his  farm  in  Mad  River  township  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  his  death  occurring  there  on  September  28,  1914.  In  addition  to  his 
extensive  farming  interests  Mr.  Taylor  had  long  given  considerable  atten- 
titm  to  general  business  affairs  and  at  the  time  of  his  deadi  was  presi- 
dent of  the  Citizens  National  Bank  of  Urbana,  a  position  he  had  held  for 
some  years.  He  also  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Peoples  Savings  and 
Building  Association  at  Urbana  and  was  president  of  that  institution.  He 
was  a  past  noble  grand  of  Urbana  Lodge  No.  46.  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  and  a  member  of  the  local  Grange,  and  in  the  affairs  of  both 
of  these  organizations  took  a   warm   interest.      He  had  been   a   member  of 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  439 

the  Alethoclist  Episcopal  church  at  Westville  since  1872  and  for  thirty-eight 
years  had  served  as  superintendent  of  the   Sunday  school  of  that  church. 

It  was  on  October  i.  1863,  that  Simeon  Taylor  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Susan  Ward,  who  also  was  born  in  Mad  River  township,  this  county, 
daughter  of  Noah  and  Lydia  (Smith)  Ward,  both  of  whom  also  were  born 
in  this  county  and  the  former  of  whom  for  some  time  served  as  major  of 
militia.  Major  Noah  Ward  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  of 
whom  Mrs.  Taylor  is  now  the  only  survivor.  To  Simeon  and  Susan  (Ward) 
Taylor  five  children  were  born,  of  whom  two  are  now  deceased,  A.  W. 
Taylor,  who  was  married  (his  w^ife  also  now  being  deceased),  and  Laura, 
who  was  the  wife  of  Gerald  Colbert,  of  Mad  River  township;  the  survivors 
being  Bertha,  wife  of  Robert  Lee  Grimes,  of  Westville;  D.  E.  Taylor,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  and  Floy,  wife  of  Floyd  Garrett,  also  of  Mad  River 
township.  Mrs.  Taylor  is  a  member  of  the  Westville  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  and  has  for  many  years  been  one  of  the  leaders  in  the  good  works 
of  that  congregation. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Mad  River  township,  D.  E.  Taylor  was 
well  trained  in  the  ways  of  farming  during  the  days  of  his  boyhood  and  was 
a  valued  assistant  in  the  labors  of  the  farm.  He  completed  his  schooling 
in  the  Urbana  high  school  and  upon  his  father's  entrance  upon  the  duties 
of  the  ofifice  of  county  auditor  he  was  made  deputy  auditor  and  served  in 
that  capacity  during  the  incumbency  of  his  father.  He  had  married  about 
the  time  of  his  entrance  into  the  auditor's  office  and  upon  the  completion 
of  that  term  of  service  he  returned  to  Westville  and  for  a  year  thereafter 
was  engaged  in  operating  the  grain  elevator  at  that  place.  He  then,  in  1893, 
took  charge  of  a  farm  west  of  Westville,  the  farm  now  occupied  by  Charles 
Buell,  and  was  there  engaged  in  farming  for  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  he  returned  to  the  old  Taylor  home  farm,  where  he  remained  until 
1902.  in  which  year  he  moved  to  the  farm  he  now  occupies,  three-fourths 
of  a  mile  north  of  Westville,  and  there  has  since  made  his  home,  he  and 
his  wife  being  very  comfortably  and  very  pleasantly  situated.  Mr.  Taylor 
is  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty-eight  acres  and  his 
operations  are  carried  on  in  accordance  with  the  most  highly  approved  and 
u]>to-date  theories  of  modern  agriculture.  Mr.  Taylor  is  a  Democrat,  as 
was  his  father,  and  takes  an  active  part  in  local  political  affairs. 

It  was  on  December  20,  1890,  that  D.  E.  Taylor  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Mary  Sowers,  who  was  bom  on  the  farm  on  which  she  is  now  living. 
in  Februarv'.  1870.  daughter  of  Samuel  K.  and  Eunice  (Blose)  Sowers, 
i)rominent  residents  of  the  Westville  neighborhood,  and  to  this  union  three 


440  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

children  have  been  born,  Helen  M.,  Harry  S.  and  Mdgar  S.  Helen  M. 
Taylor,  who  was  born  on  January  22,  1892,  died  on  April  2.  1902.  Harry 
S.  Taylor,  who  was  bom  on  April  9,  1893,  ""^'^^  graduated  from  the  West- 
ville  hig-h  school  and  is  now  a  senior  in  the  Ohio  State  University.  Edgar 
S.  Taylor,  born  on  May  4,  1895,  also  is  a  graduate  of  the  Westville  high 
school.  He  is  a  member  of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  Magrew 
Lodge  No.  433,  of  which  his  father  is  a  past  chancellor  commander.  D. 
E.  Taylor  also  is  a  member  of  Urbana  Lodge  No.  46,  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows,  and  is  past  noble  grand  of  the  same,  as  was  his  father 
before  him.  The  Taylors  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
at  Westville  and  take  an  active  interest  in  church  afifairs,  Mr.  Taylor  being 
a  meml)er  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  local  congregation.  They  have 
a  very  pleasant  home  on  their  well-kept  farm  and  have  ever  taken  a  proper 
and  useful  part  in  the  general  social  activities  of  the  community  in  which 
both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Taylor  have  spent  practically  all  their  lives. 


GKORCtE  ;\.  TALBOTT. 


(jeorge  A.  Talbott,  mayor  of  Urbana.  former  treasurer  of  Cliampaign 
county,  formerly  and  for  years  one  of  Urbana's  best-known  and  most  popu- 
lar newspaper  men,  later  actively  connected  with  the  Firestone  Tire  and  Rul)- 
ber  Company  ;uid  for  years  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  Republican  party  in 
this  county,  is  a  native  son  of  Ohio  :ind  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life,  a 
resident  of  Urbana  since  he  was  twenty  years  of  age.  He  was  born  at 
Barnesville,  over  in  Belmont  county,  in  the  eastern  ])art  of  the  state,  January 
8.  1854.  son  of  William  A.  and  Rebecca  Talbott,  natives  of  that  county  and 
representatives  of  prominent  jiioneer  families  in  that  part  of  the  state. 

Reared  at  Barnesville,  George  A.  Talbott  received  his  schooling  in  the 
.-ch(3ols  of  that  city  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  entered  the  ofifice  of  the  Barnes- 
rillc  Enterprise  and  there  learned  the  "art  preservative  of  all  arts",  remain- 
ing thus  connected  wn'th  that  new.spaper  until  he  was  t\vent^■  years  of  age. 
when  he  came  over  to  this  ])art  of  the  state  and  located  at  Urbana.  securing 
there  a  position,  "on  the  case."  with  the  old  Ci1i::cn  and  Ga'jctte.  It  was  in 
nctober.  1874,  that  Mr.  Talhcjtt  located  at  Urbana  and  he  e\er  since  has  been 
a  resident  of  that  city,  ever  taking  an  active  and  earnest  interest  in  the  affairs 
of  the  same.  When  the  Daily  Citizen  was  founded  he  was  made  city  editor 
of  that  paper  and  continued  in  that  position  tuitil  his  electi(^n  to  the  office  of 


GEORGE  A.   TALBOTT. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  44 1 

count}-  treasurer.  He  entered  upon  the  duties  of  that  ot^ce  in  1895  and  so 
satisfactorily  did  he  perform  these  duties  that  he  was  re-elected  and  thus 
served  two  terms  in  that  important  puhlic  office.  Upon  the  conipletioai  (jf 
his  term  of  puhlic  service  Mr.  Talhott  returned  to  the  C'ifi::cn  oftke  and  was 
made  business  manager  of  the  newspaper,  a  position  he  occupied  for  about 
one  }ear,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  became  connected  with  the  h'irestone 
Tire  and  Rubber  Company  of  Akron,  as  special  representative  of  the  same, 
and  als<^  became  personally  connected  with  Mr.  Firestone  in  the  affairs  of  the 
company,  a  connection  which  proved  (|uite  profitable  and  which  he  continued 
until  his  retirement  from  tb.at  business  in  the  latter  part  of  1915.  In  the 
fall  of  that  same  year  Mr.  Talbott  was  elected  mayor  of  Urbana,  receiving 
in  that  election  the  largest  majority  of  the  votes  of  the  voters  of  the  city  ever 
received  by  a  candidate  for  that  office.  Mr.  Talbott  entered  upon  the  duties 
of  that  ofilice  in  January,  1916,  and  is  still  serving  in  that  capacity.  In  the 
chapter  relating  to  the  history  of  the  city  of  Urbana,  i)resented  elsewhere 
in  this  work,  there  is  set  out  at  some  length  further  particulars  i^f  the  work 
of  Mayor  Talbott's  administration  and  these  details  n.eed  not  therefore  here 
be  set  out.  It  may,  however,  very  properly  be  noted  in  this  connection  that 
during  the  two  years  of  Mayor  Talbott's  incumbency  as  chief  executive  of 
the  city,  greater  advancement  has  been  made  in  the  way  of  public  improve- 
ment and  general  civic  advancement  than  during  any  two-year  period  of  the 
city's  history,  a  fact  to  which  the  many  friends  of  the  Mayor  "point  with 
liride."  ?*Iayor  Talbott  has  for  years  taken  an  active  and  ])rominent  part 
in  the  ])olitical  affairs  of  this  section  of  the  state,  and  is  widely  known  in 
political  circles  throughout  the  sta<:e.  During  the  McKinley  gubernatorial 
.idministration  he  was  chairman  of  the  executive  committee  of  the  Cham- 
])aign  countv  Republican  committee  and  was  a  member  of  the  Ohio  state 
Republican  central  committee,  while  in  other  ways  he  has  gi\en  of  liis  time  and 
service,  unselfishly  and  wholeheartedl}'  to  his  jmrty.  As  an  incidental  side- 
light on  the  ^Mayor's  abstemiousness,  it  may  be  stated  that  he  never  smc^ked  a 
cigar  in  his  life  and  manv  of  his  political  frienils  are  read)-  to  congratulate 
him  upon  that  fact,  in  view  of  the  thousands  of  "campaign"  cigars  he  thus 
has  escaped. 

Mavor  Talbott  has  l)een  twice  married.  ()n  A])ril  u.  1S77.  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  juHa  (".  Ross,  daughter  of  Philander  15.  Ross,  and  to 
that  union  three  children  were  born,  namely:  iM-ank,  who  is  general  man- 
ager for  the  Victor  Rubber  Com])any.  of  Springfield,  Ohio;  Stella,  wife  of 
I3r.  C.  C.  Craig,  and  Philander  V>..  who  is  general  manager  for  the  plant  of 
the  h'irestone  Rubber  Company  at  Karisas  City.     The  mother  of  these  chil- 


44-  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

(Ircn  died  on  Septcniljcr  19,  1894,  and  on  February  17.  1916,  AFayor  Talbott 
was  married  to  Mary  Grant,  of  Clayton,  New  York.  Mayor  Talbott  is  a 
member  of  the  Grace  Methodist  Episcopal  chiirch  and  take  an  earnest  interest 
in  chnrch  work,  as  well  as  in  the  general  social  activities  of  their  home  town, 
helpful  in  man}-  ways  in  advancing  the  common  interest  there.  The  Mayor 
is  a  member  of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and 
has  for  vears  taken  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  same. 


NOAH  WARD. 


One  of  the  esteemed  citizens  of  Westville,  who  has  been  a  life-long 
resident  of  Champaign  county,  is  Noah  Ward,  who  was  born  on  a  farm 
in  Mad  River  township  on  April  19,  i860,  the  son  of  Sylvanus  and  Priscilla 
•(Smith)  Ward,  both  of  whom  were  also  natives  of  this  county. 

Sylvanus  Ward  was  a  son  of  George  and  Catherine  Ward,  who  came 
to  Champaign  county  from  Rockingham  county,  Virginia,  in  181O.  George 
Ward  located  first  in  Mad  River  township,  where  he  had  entered  land  from 
the  government,  and  on  this  farm  Sylvanus  was  born  and  reared.  George 
Ward  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  several  children,  none  of  whom  are 
now  living.  Priscilla  Smith  was  also  a  native  of  Mad  River  township,  the 
daughter  of  David  H.  Smith.  The  Smith  family  were  natives  of  Virginia, 
and  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  this  county.  After  his  marriage,  Syl- 
vanus Ward  and  wife  settled  on  a  farm  in  Mad  River  township,  which 
was  a  part  of  the  old  home  place  belonging  to  his  father,  and  on  this  farm 
they  lived  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  They  were  the  parents  of  twelve 
children,  nine  of  whom  are  now  living:  Frank,  a  farmer  of  Mad  River 
township;  Theodore,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio;  Noah,  the  immedate  subject  of 
this  review;  C.  V.,  of  Westville;  Smith,  living-  on  the  old  home  place  in 
Mad  River  township:  T.  P.,  of  Westville;  C.  H.,  living  in  Clark  county, 
Ohio;  Oren,  living  in  Illinois,  and  Sylvan,  a  resident  of  the  state  of  Penn- 
sylvania. Sylvanus  Ward  and  wife  were  earnest  and  devoted  members  of 
the  Baptist  church,  being  identified  with  the  congregation  at  .\ettle  Creek. 
He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  firm  in  his  belief  of  the  doctrines  and 
principles  of  that  party. 

Noah  Ward  was  reared  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Mad  River  township, 
receiving  his  education  in  the  township  schools.  He  assisted  with  the  work 
of  the   farm,   and  after  his  marriage  operated   the  home   place   initil    1885, 


CHAMPAIC.N    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


44;^ 


when  he  came  to  Westville,  where  he  engai^cd  in  the  threshing-machine 
business  for  many  3-ears.  In  1893  ^e  started  clerking-  in  the  general  store  of 
Broyles  &  Bull,  and  since  1912  in  the  store  of  E.  L.  Walters. 

On  October  19,  1881,  Noah  Ward  was  married  to  Laura  l^  Lutz,  who 
was  born  and  reared  in  Mad  River  township.  In  1903  Mrs.  Ward  died,  and 
in  1905,  Mr.  Ward  was  again  married  to  Susie  R.  Loudenheck,  who  was 
a  native  of  this  county,  reared  on  a  farm  in  Mad  River  townshii>,  Imt  who. 
at  the  time  of  her  marriage,  was  a  resident  of  Sidney-.  Ohio.  Her  death 
occurred  in  1906. 

Mr.  Ward  is  a  member  of  Magrew  Lodge  No.  433,  Knights  of  Pydiias, 
and  holds  the  office  of  past  chancellor  of  this  lodge.  He  is  also  identified 
with  the  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics,  and  is  past  counsellor  of 
Council  No.  56,  at  Urbana.  Ohio.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  a 
warm  supporter  of  all  local  public  matters  having-  for  their  object  the  bet- 
terment of  the  community.  He  served  his  township  two  terms.  1909  and 
19 1 3,  as  trustee. 


GF.ORGE  L.   DODGE. 


George  L.  Dodge,  a  farmer  living-  on  route  No.  4,  Lr[)aiia,  Ohio,  was 
h<:)rn  in  New  York  state,  July  22,  1839,  a  son  of  Daniel  and  Mary  Dodge, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  New  York  state.  Both  parents  are  deceased. 
There  were  fourteen  children  born  to  this  family  and  George  L.  is  the  only 
one  of  this  number  now  living. 

George  L.  Dodge  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Scioto  county.  Ohiti,  and 
received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  that  county.  He  was  engaged  for  a 
time  in  teaching-  school  and  was  thus  engaged  when  the  Civil  War  came 
on.  Responding  to  the  President's  call  for  volunteers,  he  enlisted  in  Company 
A,  Thirty-ninth  Ohio  \'olunteer  Infantry,  and  served  in  that  regiment  for 
three  years.  During-  his  army  service  he  was  always  present  for  duty  and 
was  never  sick  nor  wounded.  At  the  close  of  his  serxice  he  retiu-ned  to 
Scioto  county  and  engaged  in  farming.  July  i,  1866,  he  was  married  to 
Louisa  Tibbs,  who  was  born  in  Virginia,  August  2,  1849.  and  came  with  her 
parents  to  Scioto  county  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dodge 
settled  on  a  farm  after  marriage  where  they  remained  until  .\pril,  1892. 
when  they  bought  the  farm  of  one  hundred  and  forty  acres  on  which  they 
now  live.  Of  the  eleven  children  born  to  them  eight  are  now  living. 
lonathan  and  Emma  live  in  California;  Olive  lives  at  Tro\-,  Oliio;  Cliarles 


444  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

at  liome:  Andrew  in  .\e\a<la:  Elizabeth  in  W'estville ;  I'^ffie  is  a  teacher  in 
Cliica,<4(>.  and  Afarcelhi,  a  daughter,  is  ])resident  of  Lake  I'orest  school  in 
Cliicago. 

George  L.  Dodge  is  a  Republican  and  served  two  terms  as  auditor  of 
Scioto  county.     He  was  a  member  of  the  Grand  Ami}-  of  the  J'iepublic. 

Charles  1\.  D(Mlge  was  born  in  Scioto  county,  Ohio,  January  14,  1864, 
and  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Scioto  count}-.  He 
has  always  been  engaged  in  farming.  He  is  the  owaier  of  forty-four  acres  of 
land  in  Mad  River  township  on  which  he  carries  on  general  farming  and  is 
also  a  breeder  of  tine  stock.  He  raises  thoroughbred  Jerse\-  cattle  and  I'oland 
China  hogs.  Daniel  Dodge  was  a  soldier  in  the  .Spanish- American  war  and 
died  of  fever. 


T-VCOB  P.  BAKER. 


Jacob  P.  Baker  is  a  farmer  living  on  his  farm  in  Mad  River  township, 
rural  route  number  four,  Urbana,  Ohio.  He  was  born  in  Jackson  townshij), 
this  count}^  March  8,  1870,  a  son  of  Obadiah  and  Elizabeth  (Bowers) 
Baker ;  the  father  was  born  in  Clark  county,  the  mother  in  Jackson  town- 
ship, Champaign  countv,  Ohio.  The  father  was  reared  on  the  home  farm 
in  Clark  county  and  came  to  Champaign  county  about  the  time  of  his  mar- 
riage. He  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  now  owned  b\-  Harry  O.  Baker, 
and  on  this  farm  he  made  his  home  during  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

Obadiah  Baker  was  the  father  of  seven  children  of  whom  six  are  now 
living:  William  D.,  a  farmer  in  Jackson  township;  .\lma,  wife  of  Clem 
Richardson;  Jacob  P.,  subject  of  this  sketch:  Sarah,  wife  of  Charles  Pence, 
of  Miami,  Ohio;  Irvin,  of  Christiansl)urg.  ()bio;  Harry  ().,  of  Jackson  town- 
ship. 

Jacob  P.  Baker  was  reared  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Jackson  town- 
ship and  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  the  townshi[).  He 
remained  at  home  working  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one.  June  JO, 
1805,  he  was  married  to  Laura  B.  Conard,  who  was  born  in  .Mad  River 
township  and  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  that  township.  .She  is  ;i 
daughter  of  .A.  R.  Conard,  an  old  resident  of  the  township. 

For  a  few  vears  after  marriage  Mr.  Baker  rented  the  old  home  farm  of 
A.  R.  Conard  and  later  bought  this  farm  of  seventy-hve  acres,  in  IQU  he 
bought  the  farm  of  one  hundred  and  six  acres  on  which  he  now  lives,  iiere 
he  has   a   good  home   and   a   well-improved    farm,   well   adapted   to   general 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  443 

farming  and  stock  raising  in  which  he  is  engaged.  He  raises  Duroc-Jersev 
hogs,  Jersey  cattle.  French  draft  horses  and  carries  on  a  general  farming 
hnsiness. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  llaker  four  chikh-en  ha\e  l)ocn  l)orn  :  I  iarry  L.,  a  gradu- 
ate of  the  common  schools;  Clarence,  at  home;  Raymond,  graduate  ot  the 
common  schools,  at  home;  Sylvia,  graduate  of  the  common  schools;  Ray, 
graduate  of  the  common  schools. 

Mrs.  Baker  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  Baker 
is  a  member  of  Thackery  Lodge  No.  874,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  I-'ellows. 
He  is  a  Democrat  in  his  political  belief.  He  served  two  years  as  townshii) 
trustee.  He  is  a  quiet,  unassuming  man  ;ind  an  upright  citizen,  holding 
the  high  esteem  of  the  people  of  the  community  in  which  he  has  lived  for  all 
these  years,  and  he  has  the  confidence  of  ever}-one  with  whom  he  has  had 
dealings. 


S.  C.  MOORE.  M.  D. 


Dr.  S.  C.  Moore,  of  Urbana,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and 
one  of  the  oldest  practicing  physicians  in  Champaign  county,  is  a  native  of 
the  neighboring  county  of  Logan,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  this  county 
since  1867  and  is.  therefore,  very  properly  accoun.ted  one  of  the  real  "old 
settlers"  of  the  county.  He  was  born  on.  a  farm  in  Zane  township,  Logan 
county,  this  state,  September  21.  1844.  son  of  Edmond  and  Rachel  Moore, 
the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  the  state  of  New  Jersey  and  the 
latter  in  Ohio.  Edmond  Moore  came  to  this  state  from  New  Jersey  in  the 
davs  of  his  youth,  became  a  well-to-do  farmer  in  L(\gan  count}'  and  tliere 
spent  his  last  days. 

Reared  on  the  paternal  farm  in  Zane  townshi]),  in  the  neighl)oring 
countv  of  Logan,  S.  G.  Moore  received  his  early  schooling  in  the  common 
schools  of  that  county  and  when  eighteen  years  of  age,  in  1863.  enli.'^ted  for 
service  in  the  Union  army  during  the  continuance  of  the  Civil  War  and 
Avent  to  the  front  as  a  member  of  Company  C.  One  Hundred  and  Se\  entcenth 
Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  with  that  command  until 
the  close  of  the  war,  participating  in  the  battle  of  Missionary  Ridge,  the 
battle  of  Jonesboro.  all  the  engagements  totaling  thirteen  different  battles, 
and  numerous  skirmishes  and  was  with  Sherman  on  the  march  to  the  sea 
at  the  conclusion  of  the  Atlanta  campaign.  Upon  the  completion  of  his  mili- 
tarv  service  he  returned  home  and  in   1867  began   the  reading  of  medicine 


446  CHAMPAIGX    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

under  the  preceptorship  of  Doctor  Williams  at  North  Lewisburg,  this  county, 
and  presently  entered  the  Cincinnati  Medical  College,  from  which  institution 
he  was  graduated  in  1870.  Thus  admirably  equipped  for  the  practice  of  his 
profession,  Doctor  Moore  began  practice  in  association  with  Doctor  Williams 
at  North  Lewisburg  and  two  years  later,  in  1872.  opened  an  office  of  liis 
own  at  Cable,  over  in  the  adjoining  township  of  Wayne,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  practice  for  twenty-nine  years,  or  until  1901,  when  he  moved 
to  Urbana,  where  he  since  has  made  his  home,  actively  engaged  in  practice  in 
ihat  city.  Doctor  Moore  is  one  of  the  oldest  physicians  in  continuous  prac- 
tice in  Champaign  county  and  is  widely  known  throughout  this  and  adjoin- 
ing counties.  For  three  terms  he  served  as  coroner  of  Champaign  county 
and  has  in  other  ways  taken  an  active  part  in  local  civic  affairs.  The  Doctor 
is  a  member  of  the  Champaign  County  Medical  Society  and  for  years  has 
taken  an  interested  part  in  the  deliberations  of  that  body.  He  is  a  Republican 
and  has  ever  given  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  tiie  political  affairs,  both  of 
the  county  and  of  the  state. 

On  March  10,  1875,  Dr.  S.  C.  Moore  was  united  in  marriage  to  luunia 
F.  Flaherty.  The  Doctor  and  Mrs.  Moore  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  and  have  ever  taken  an  active  part  in  church  work,  as  well 
as  in  the  general  good  works  of  the  community,  helpful  in  advancing  all 
worthy  causes  designed  to  promote  the  common  welfare. 


CLARENCE  M.  McLAUGHLIN,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Clarence  M.  McLaughlin  is  a  native  of  Champaign  c<-)unt)  and 
one  of  the  prominent  physicians  of  Westville,  Ohio.  He  was  born  in  this 
place,  ..August  19,  1864,  a  son  of  Dr.  Richard  R.  and  Charlotte  (  Wilson  ) 
AIcLaughlin.  who  were  among  the  older  residents  of  Westville. 

Dr.  Richard  R.  McLaughlin  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Ohio,  and  when 
a  mere  boy  went  with  his  parents  to  Wisconsin.  The  elder  McLaughlins 
located  near  Madison,  Wisconsin,  and  engaged  in  farming.  Here  Dr.  Richard 
R.  was  reared,  receiving  his  elementary  education  in  the  jniblic  schools 
of  that  neighborhood.  With  a  view  of  fitting  himself  for  the  profession 
and  practice  of  medicine  he  left  his  Wisconsin  home  while  still  a  \-oung 
man  and  returned  to  Clark  county.  Ohio,  locating  at  Tremont  Cit}',  where 
he  entered  the  office  of  his  uncle.  Dr.  A.  C.  McLaughlin.  Fie  began  the 
studv  of  medicine  here  and  continued  this  studv    for  some  time.     Later  he 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


447 


entered  the  Ohio  Medical  College,  at  Cincinnati,  and  took  a  full  course  nf 
lectures  there.  Following  his  graduation  from  this  institution,  he  located 
in  Westville,  Ohio,  and  began  the  practice  of  his  profession.  He  continued 
in  practice  here  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  died  August  17.  i8qi. 
He  was  a  man  well  up  in  his  profession  in  his  day  and  enjoyed  a  \ei-\ 
extensive  practice  throughout  the  count}-.  He  was  also  a  man  oi  promi- 
nence and  influence  in  the  community.  Politically,  he  was  a  radical  Demo- 
crat, and  during  the  Civil  War  took  an  actixe  part  in  the  affairs  of  his 
party.  In  religious  matters  he  was  of  the  Universalist  Ijelief  aiul  was  one 
of  the  active  promoters  and  organizers  of  the  church  of  that  denomination 
in  Westville.  He  was  a  leader  and  a  most  active  worker  in  the  temperance 
cause  and  his  recognized  ability  in  the  advocacy  of  temper;i\ice  brouglii 
him  in  great  demand  for  lectures  in  behalf  of  that  cause. 

Charlotte  (Wilson)  McLaughlin,  mother  of  our  subject,  was  born  in 
Champaign  county.  Ohio,  in  1832.  and  died  at  her  home  here  in  1903.  She 
was  a  woman  of  sound  judgment  and  sterling  qualities.  She  was  reared  in 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  continued  a  faithful  member  of  this  church 
during  her  life.  She  was  the  mother  of  hve  children,  three  of  whom  are 
now  living:  Rev.  Ira  W.  McLaughlin,  a  graduate  of  St.  Lawrence  Uni- 
versity. Canton.  Xew  York,  at  present  a  minister  in  S])ringfield,  Ohio; 
Dr.  Clarence  M.  McLaughlin,  and  Lottie  J.,  the  wife  of  R.  K.  Fox.  of 
Hastings.   Florida. 

Dr.  Clarence  M.  McLaughlin  was  reared  in  Westville,  Ohio,  and 
received  his  early  education  in  the  ])ublic  schools  of  this  village.  loiter 
he  attended  the  Urbana  high  school  and  the  universit}-  at  that  place.  At 
the  age  of  eighteen  he  began  the  study  of  medicine,  and  at  the  age  of 
twenty-one  had  completed  the  course  of  study  in  the  Starling  School  of 
Medicine,  at  Columbus.  Ohio,  receiving  his  diploma  from  that  institution 
in  1886.  The  same  year  he  l^egan  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Westville. 
Ohio,  and  has  been  here  continuously  since  that  time.  In  1897  ^<^  ^^''-^ 
united  in  marriage  with  Nellie  R.  Denny,  of  Logan  county.  Ohio,  who  w.is 
born  in  that  county  in  1873.  She  was  a  student  of  the  Lellfontaine  liigh 
school,  and  a  graduate  of  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University,  at  Delaware,  Ohio. 
She  is  now  a  teacher  of  music  in  Westville.  Her  church  relationship  is 
with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  cliurch,  of  \\'estville.  in  which  she  is  an 
active  worker. 

Doctor  McLaughlin's  fraternal  affiliation  is  with  the  Magrew  Lodge  Xo. 
433,  Knights  of  Pythias,  in  which  order  he  is  a  past  chancellor,  and  has 
twice  represented  the  order  in   the  grand  lodge.      He  is  also  .a  memlxT  of 


448  CllAMl'AUlX     COVSTY.    OHIO. 

Harmony  Lodge  No.  8,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  of  the  Urbana 
Chapter  No.  34.  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  the  Raper  Commandery  No.  19. 
Knights  Templar,  all  of  Urbana.  Ohio.  His  political  affiliation  is  with  the 
Democratic  party,  thongh  he  has  never  taken  much  part  in  party  affairs. 

Doctor  McLaughlin  devotes  a  good  deal  of  time  and  attention  to  agri- 
cultural affairs.  He  is  the  owner  of  three  hundred  and  eighteen  acres  of 
line  land  in  Champaign  county,  part  of  this  is  in  Mad  River  township  and 
part  in  Concord  township.  In  addition  to  general  farming  which  he  carries 
on  according  to  the  most  approved  methods,  he  is  largely  engaged  in  the 
breeding  of  tine  stock,  making  a  specialtx-  of  Jersey  cattle,  of  which  he  has 
a  herd  of  the  highest  registered  merit.  As  a  member  of  the  American  Jersey- 
Cattle  Club,  Doctor  McLaughlin  keeps  himself  well  informed  in  all  matters 
pertaining  to  this  line  of  industry.  He  is  also  fully  abreast  of  the  times  in 
his  chosen  profession.  He  is  a  member  of  the  state,  county  and  .\merican 
medical  associations  and  is  an  active  wt)rker  in  these  associations.  Me  is 
also  interested  in  every  movement  that  has  for  its  object  the  advancement 
of  educational  interests  and  for  the  promotion  of  educational  advantages. 
jVlong  this  line  he  was  among  the  first  to  advocate  the  consolidation  of 
the  smaller  district  schools  with  a  central  graded  school,  where  all  could 
have  the  advantage  of  the  best  facilities  for  advancement.  He  carried  the 
first  petition  in  Mad  River  township  for  the  centralization  of  the  schools 
in  Westville,  and  the  excellent  schools  conducted  here  for  the  benefit  of  the 
township  are  largely  due  to  Doctor  McLaughlin's  interest  and  energy  in  that 
behalf. 


MRS.   KLIZABLTH  J.  STKVKXSON. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  J.  Stevenson,  of  Ming'),  widow  of  I'Mward  O.  Stevenson 
and  one  of  the  most  extensiv^e  landowners  in  Chami)aign  county,  is  a  native 
of  Kentucky,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  this  county  since  1870,  in  which  year 
she  came  here  with  her  son  and  located  at  Mingo,  in  the  neighborhood  of 
which  place  she  and  her  son  acquired  large  farming  interests  and  where  she 
has  since  made  her  home,  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  infiuential  resi- 
dents of  the  northern  part  of  the  county. 

Elizal)etli  J.  Mournoy  was  born  in  Scotl  county,  Kentucky,  daughter  of 
the  Rev.  David  John  and  l^lizabeth  ( Cunningham )  I'lournoy,  both  also 
natives  of  Kentucky,  the  former  born  in  Scott  count}-,  that  state,  and  the 
latter  in  Clark  rountv.      '!1ie  Re\-.    David    jolin    l'"lourno\-  was  a  minister  of 


^ttn*^ 


^ 


^lyMZt 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  449 

tlie  Baptist  cluuxli  cind  a  well-to-do  fanner  of  Scott  count)-,  Kentucky,  who 
later,  on  account  of  his  health,  went  to  Laconia,  Desha  county,  Arkansas, 
where  he  and  his  wife  spent  their  last  days.  They  were  the  parents  of  six 
children,  of  whom  Mrs,  Stevenson  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth,  the 
others  being  as  follow:  Mary  C.  deceased;  Robert  C,  deceased;  Thomas 
^'..  deceased;  David  John,  Jr.,  deceased,  and  Letitia,  who  now  lives  in  Los 
Angeles,  California,  widow  of  Robert  Hume. 

Reared  in  Scott  county,  Kentucky,  Elizabeth  J.  Flournoy  completed  her 
schooling  in  the  old  Georgetown  (Kentucky)  Seminary  and  in  1849  """^r- 
ried  Edward  O.  Stevenson,  who  was  born  in  Ross  county,  Ohio,  in  Novem- 
ber, 1829,  and  who  was  educated  in  the  old  Military  College  at  Georgetown, 
Kentucky,  and  later  read  law  at  Chillicothe,  this  state.  Edward  O.  Stevenson 
died  in  1852,  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years,  leaving  his  widow  and  one 
son,  Edward  Owings  Stevenson,  who  was  born  on  May  11,  1850,  and  \vho, 
twenty  years  later,  in  1870,  came  to  this  county  and  located  at  Mingo. 
Edward  Owings  Stevenson  had  received  his  schooling  at  Frankfort,  Ken- 
tucky, and  upon  coming  to  Champaign  county  became  engaged  in  farming  in 
the  vicinity  of  Mingo,  but  later  returned  to  Kentucky,  where  he  remained 
for  twenty  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  went  to  Washington,  D.  C. 
Later  he  returned  home,  where  he  died  on  October  2,  1916,  and  was  buried 
at  Lexington.  Kentucky.  He  was  an  inventor  of  considerable  note  and  had 
achieved  marked  success  with  some  of  his  inventions.  He  married  Catherine 
Nash,  of  West  Liberty,  Ohio,  who  is  now  living  at  Chicago,  and  to  that  union 
five  children  were  born,  namely:  Edward  O.,  who  died  two  years  ago;  John 
Evans  Stevenson,  who  was  graduated  from  the  Virginia  Military  Listitute 
and  is  now  engaged  as  a  mine  assayer  in  the  republic  of  Costa  Rica,  Central 
America;  Flournoy  D.  J.  Stevenson,  a  progressive  farmer,  who  makes  his 
home  with  his  grandmother,  Mrs.  Stevenson,  at  Mingo,  where  he  is  engaged 
in  looking  after  her  extensive  farming  interests;  John  E.  Stevenson,  who  is 
with  his  mother  in  Chicago,  and  Frederick  Paul  Stevenson,  also  of  Chicago. 

Mrs.  Stevenson  is  the  owner  of  seven  hundred  and  fifteen  acres  of  fine 
land  in  Champaign  county,  besides  the  owner  of  valuable  land  tracts  in  other 
states.  She  is  an  earnest  member  of  the  Christian  church  and  has  for  many 
}ears  taken  an  active  interest  in  church  afifairs.  Despite  her  advanced  years 
she  retains  her  physical  and  mental  vigor  in  a  remarkable  degree  and  con- 
tinues to  entertain  the  liveliest  interest  in  current  afifairs  and  in  the  general 
affairs  of  the  community  in  which  she  has  lived  so  long.  She  has  a  very 
pleasant  home  at  Mingo  and  ever  since  taking  up  her  residence  there  in  1870 
(29a) 


450  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

has  j^iveii  much  earnest  thought  to  the  general  advancement  of  the  welfare 
of  the  community  and  has  done  much  to  promote  moA'ements  designed  to 
that  end. 


JACOB  F.  ARNEY 


Jacob  F.  Arney,  one  of  the  well-known  farmers  in  the  southwestern  part 
of  Champaign  county  and  the  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred 
acres,  the  old  Hupp  farm,  in  Mad  River  township,  on  rural  mail  route 
number  one  out  of  Tremont  City,  was  born  on  that  farm  and  has  lived 
there  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  October  i8,  i860,  son  of  Joseph  and 
Barbara  (Hupp)  Arney,  the  former  of  whom  died  when  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  but  five  years  of  age.  Barbara  Hupp  was  born  in  Virginia  and 
was  eight  years  of  age  when  she  came  into  Ohio  with  her  parents,  the  famil\ 
settling  on  a  farm  in  the  Terre  Haute  neighborhood  in  Mad  River  township. 
this  county,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  married  Joseph  Arney. 
After  his  marriage  Joseph  Arney  established  his  home  on  the  Hupp  place 
and  there  died  in  1865,  he  then  being  thirty-eight  years  of  age.  His  widow 
survived  him  many  years,  her  death  occurring  January  24,  1892,  and  the 
old  home  place  is  now  owned  by  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Joseph  Arney 
and  wife  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  of  whom  Jacob  F.  is  now  the 
only  survivor,  his  only  brother,  Charles,  having  died  at  the  age  of  eiglit 
years;  his  sister,  Florinda  J.,  wife  of  J.  W.  Richmond,  died  in  August. 
1882,  and  his  sister  Mary  Virginia  died  on  Decem]>er   18,    1891. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm,  Jacob  F.  Arney  received  his  schooling  in 
the  Terre  Haute  schools  and  early  asstmied  the  responsibility  of  the  man- 
agement of  the  home  place,  establishing  his  home  there  after  his  marriage 
in  the  spring  of  1882,  and  has  ever  since  made  that  his  place  of  residence, 
he  and  his  family  being  very  comfortably  situated  there.  Mr.  Arnold  has 
developed  a  fine  farm  plant  and  is  doing  well  in  his  agricultural  operations. 
Politically,  he  is  a  Republican  and  has  ever  given  a  good  citizen's  attention 
to  local  political  affairs,  but  has  not  been  a  seeker  after  public  office. 

On  April  13,  1882,  Jacob  F.  Arney  was  united  in  marriage  to  Artie 
A.  Lytz,  who  also  was  born  in  Mad  River  township,  a  daughter  of  VV^illiam 
and  Sarah  (Neese)  Lutz,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born  two  children. 
Roxie  May,  who  was  graduated  from  the  common  schools  and  is  now  the 
wife  of  Walter  H.  Baker,  who  is  in  the  insurance  business  at  Dayton,  this 
state,  and  they  have  one  son,  Herbert  A.,  born  April  22,  1912,  and  Alpha  J.. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


45  f 


unmarried,  who  is  also  a  graduate  of  the  common  schools  and  the  high  school 
at  Tremont,  Ohio  VVesleyan  University,  Wittenberg  College  and  Valparaiso 
University.  He  is  in  Wayne,  Michigan,  in  the  real-estate  business.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Arnev  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Terre  Haute  and 
take  a  proper  interest  in  church  work,  as  well  as  in  other  neighborhood  good 
works  and  the  general  social  activities  of  the  community.  Mr.  Arney  is  a 
Republican  and  takes  an  active  interest  in  party  afifairs. 


RALPH  W.  WIANT. 


Ralph  W.  Wiant,  a  farmer  living  near  St.  Paris,  Champaign  county; 
Ohio,  was  born  on  the  old  Wiant  farm,  in  Mad  River  township,  March 
14,  1883.  He  is  a  son  of  John  and  Barbara  A.  (Miller)  -Wiant.  John 
Wiant  was  born  in  this  township,  March  13,  1832,  and  spent  his  entire 
life  here.  He  was  a  son  of  Adam  and  Mary  (Maggrat)  Wiant,  who  were 
both  natives  of  Virginia.  Each  came  to  this  county  in  early  years  and 
were  married  here,  and  here  they  continued  to  live  for  the  rest  of  their 
lives.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children  :  David,  Julia  A.,  who 
became  the  wife  of  Peter  Smith;  Amanda,  the  wife  of  Isaiah  Colbert; 
Franklin,  William  A.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years:  John.  Isaiah,  Ira 
and  Asa  (twins). 

John  Wiant,  father  of  our  subject,  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Mad  River 
township.  He  received  his  education  in  the  Myrtle  Tree  school,  which  he 
attended  during  the  winter  season  when  the  work  on  the  farm  was  not 
so  pressing.  He  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  Elizabeth  Prince. 
There  were  three  children  by  this  marriage :  Efifie,  wife  of  J.  O.  Northcraft, 
of  Columbus,  Ohio;  Emma,  wife  of  John  Russell:  William  A.,  who  lives 
at  Springfield.  Ohio,  and  is  pastor  of  the  Central  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
of  that  city. 

The  second  wife  of  John  Wiant  was  Bar])ara  A.  Smith  and  there 
were  two  children  by  this  union:  Delmar  O..  who  married  Maime  Hoak. 
and  lives  in  Columbus,  Ohio:  Ralph  W.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  John 
Wiant  died  June  29,  19 16,  aged  eighty- four  years. 

Ralph  W.  Wiant  was  reared  on  the  old  home  farm  and  received  his 
education  in  the  district  schools  and  the  Westville  school.  On  reaching 
manhood  years  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Carrie  Pine,  .\ugust  20, 
1907.     She  was  lx)rn   in  Harrison   township  and   is  a  daughter  of  Joseph 


452  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

T.  and  Clarissa  ( Halterman )  Pine.  She  was  educated  in  the  pubHc  school 
at  Eris,  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  graduating  from  the  high  school  of  that 
place.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wiant  are  the  parents  of  two  boys:  Robert  P.,  born 
June  20,  1912,  and  Joseph  W.,  born  June  20,  1916.  Their  church  rela- 
tionship is  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  Westville,  in  which 
both  are  active  workers.  Mr.  Wiant  is  one  of  the  stewards  of  the  church 
and  is  also  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school. 

Mr.  Wiant  has  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven  acres 
all  of  which  is  well  improved,  with  a  comfortable  and  convenient  home 
and  all  necessary  farm  buildings.  In  addition  to  general  farming  he  is 
largely  interested  in  the  breeding  of  fine  stock,  making  a  specialty  of  Chester 
^vhite  hogs,  headed  by  Frost  King. 

Joseph  and  Clarissa  Pine,  father  and  mother  of  Mrs.  Ralph  Wiant. 
are  both  natives  of  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  and  are  both  still  living  here. 
They  are  the  parents  of  four  children :  Lavella  P.,  a  graduate  of  Eris  high 
school  and  the  wife  of  Walter  Howard,  of  St.  Paris,  this  county;  Carrie 
F.,  wife  of  our  subject;  the  other  two  children  died  in  their  early  years. 


ROMANUS  M.  KITE. 


One  of  the  well-to-do  farmers  and  substantial  citizens  of  Mad  River 
township,  wdio  has  been  a  life-long  resident  of  Champaign  county,  is  Romanus 
M.  Kite,  the  owner  and  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  fort) 
acres  located  three  miles  southeast  of  St.  Paris,  on  the  Runkle  pike.  Mr. 
Kite  was  born  in  Mad  River  township,  on  what  is  known  as  the  old  Zimmer- 
man farm,  November  20,  1866,  and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Catherine 
(Miller)   Kite,  both  of  whom  were  also  natives  of  this  coimty. 

William  Kite  was  a  son  of  Emanuel  Kite,  who  came  in  an  early  day 
to  Champaign  county  from  Virginia,  being  among  the  pioneers  of  Mad  River 
township.  Catherine  Miller  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Concord  township,  this 
county,  the  daughter  of  Christian  Miller  and  wife,  also  pioneers  of  the  count}-. 
After  his  marriage  William  Kite  settled  on  a  part  of  his  father's  farm, 
where  he  lived  for  several  years.  Later  he  traded  this  land  for  a  farm  located 
a  little  farther  west,  where  he  lived  for  some  years,  when  he  moved  to  what 
was  known  as  the  Runkle  farm,  where  he  and  his  wafe  lived  the  remainder 
of  their  days.  Starting  out  in  life  with  practically  nothing,  by  his  own  efforts, 
he  became   a   very   successful   atid   well-to-do   farmer.      He   was   quiet   and 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  453 

unassuming  in  his  manner,  yet  a  far-sighted  and  good  business  man.  He 
and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  seven  of  whom  grew  to 
maturity:  Mary  E.,  the  wife  of  Adam  Neer;  Sarah  E.,  wife  of  James  L. 
Pond;  Glendora,  wife  of  James  I.  Pence;  James  E.,  of  St.  Paris;  R.  M., 
the  immediate  subject  of  this  review;  F.  E.,  of  St.  Paris,  and  Ada,  wife  of 
J.  E.  Straub.  The  family  were  members  of  the  Myrtle  Tree  Baptist  church, 
and  are  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  the  church. 

Romanus  M.  Kite  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Mad  River  town- 
ship. He  received  his  education  in  the  township  schools,  and  lived  at  home 
assisting  with  the  work  on  the  farm  until  his  marriage,  when  he  moved 
to  a  farm  about  one  mile  west  of  his  present  home,  where  he  lived  two 
years,  when  he  returned  to  the  old  home  place,  where  he  has  since  lived 
with  the  exception  of  a  few  months  spent  in  Westville.  Here  he  is  engaged 
in  general  farming  and  stock  raising  and  ranks  among  the  leading  and 
progressive  farmers  of  Mad  River  township.  He  has  a  fine  home,  situated 
in  a  beautiful  grove  of  maple  trees  which  he  planted  himself.  He  helped 
clear  most  of  his  farm,  besides  many  acres  on  two  other  farms.  On  February 
17,  1889,  Romanus  M.  Kite  was  united  in  marriage  to  Arminta  Norman, 
the  daughter  of  Christian  and  Elvira  (Pence)  Norman,  natives  of  this 
county  living  in  Johnson  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kite  are  the  parents 
of  four- children :  Bertha  M.,  wife  of  S.  S.  Stickley,  a  farmer  of  Mad 
River  township;  Don  N..  living  in  Jackson  township,  married  Bertha  Hecker. 
who  died  in  November,  1916;  Paul  W.,  living  at  home,  is  a  student  in  the 
third  year  at  high  school  in  Westville,  and  one  deceased.  The  family  are 
members  of  the  St.  Paris  Baptist  church,  in  the  affairs  of  which  they  take 
an  active  interest. 

Like  his  father  before  him,  Mr.  Kite  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and 
a  firm  believer  in  the  doctrines  and  principles  of  that  party,  and  for  the  past 
eight  years  he  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  education  of  Mad 
River  township,  serving  as  president  of  the  board  since  1912.  He  has 
always  been  deeply  interested  in  the  cause  of  education,  and  since  the  organ- 
ization of  the  county  board  of  education,  he  has  served  as  vice-president 
of  that  board.  Mr.  Kite  has  also  served  as  trustee  of  his  township,  holding 
this  office  continuously  for  seven  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Champaign 
county  fair  board,  representing  Mad  River  township.  Besides  his  farm- 
ing interests,  Mr.  Kite  is  a  director  of  the  Central  National  Bank  of  St. 
Paris.  Fraternally,  he  is  identified  with  Magrew  Lodge  No.  433,  Knights 
of  Pythias. 


454  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

FLOYD  C.  GARRETTE. 

Among  the  younger  generation  of  farmers  of  Champaign  county  is 
Moyd  C.  Garrette.  wlio  has  been  a  life-long  resident  of  the  county,  his  birth 
having  occurred  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives,  two  miles  southeast  of 
Westville,  on  March  28,  1880.  He  is  a  son  of  Waite  and  Margaret  (Pence) 
Garette.  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  'the  latter  of 
Ohio. 

Waite  Garrette  was  born  on  a  farm  near  New  Haven.  Connecticut,  and 
was  there  reared  to  young  manhood,  receiving  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  county.  After  reaching  manhood  he  learned  the  car- 
penter trade,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-four  years,  came  to  Ohio,  locating 
in  Champaign  county,  where  he  followed  his  trade  for  some  years,  forming 
a  partnership  with  Levi  Haukman,  the  firm  engaging  in  general  contracting 
and  building.  After  his  marriage  he  turned  his  attention  to  farming,  renting 
land  for  a  few  years,  after  which  he  purchased  the  farm  he  had  been  renting, 
but  after  living  on  this  place  several  more  years,  he  traded  it  iov  the  farm 
where  his  son,  Floyd  C,  is  now  living,  and  lived  on  this  farm  until  hi,s 
death  on  June  29,  1899.  Flis  widow  continued  to  live  on  the  farm  for  about 
four  years  after  his  death,  when  she  moved  to  Youngstown,  Ohio,  where 
iier  death  occurred  in  July,  1916.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  children, 
all  living :  Edna,  who  was  a  student  in  the  University  of  Wooster,  Wooster, 
Ohio;  Valparaiso  University,  Valparaiso,  Indiana,  and  Oxford  College, 
Oxford,  Ohio,  is  now  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Youngstown,  Ohio; 
Floyd,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  review,  and  Ralph  D.,  a  graduate  of 
the  University  of  Wooster,  now  a  teacher  in  the  schools  of  Chicago,  Illinois, 
married  Mabel  Tilson,  a  native  of  that  city.  W'aite  Garrette  and  his  wife  were 
prominent  and  influential  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Urbana.  in 
^vhich  they  took  an  active  part  for  many  years,  Mr.  Garrette  serving  as  deacon. 
He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics. 

Moyd  C.  Garrette  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Mad  River  town- 
ship, receiving  his  elementary  education  in  the  district  schools  of  the  town- 
ship, and  he  also  attended  the  schools  at  Westville.  Upon  the  death  of  his 
father  in  1899,  he  took  over  the  management  of  the  home  farm,  where  he 
has  since  made  his  home,  being  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock 
raising. 

On.  June  i().  1902,  Moyd  C.  Garrette  was  married  to  Floy  Taylor,  the 
daughter  of   Simeon   and   Susan    (Ward)    Tavlor,   and   to   this   union   three 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  455 

cliildren  have  been  born:  Kenneth  T..  a  student  in  the  schools  at  Westville; 
Robert  W.,  also  in  school,  and  Herman  D.  Mrs.  Garrette  is  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Westville,  Ohio,  and  takes  an  active 
interest  in  the  religious  and  social  life  of  the  community. 

Mr.  Garrette  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  belonging  to  Lodge 
No.  8,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  the  Urbana  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons ; 
Urbana  Council,  Royal  and  Select  Masons,  and  Raper  Commandery  No. 
19,  at  Urbana.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Magrew  Lodge  No.  433,  Knights 
of  Pythias,  holding  the  ofifiice  of  past  chancellor  of  Magrew  Lodge.  Mr. 
Garrette  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  as  was  his  father  before  him,  but  while 
warmly  supporting  all  public  measures  for  the  welfare  and  benefit  of  his 
community,  yet  he  takes  no  active  part  in  political  matters. 


SMITH  F.  STICKLEY. 


Smith  F.  Stickley,  an  auctioneer  and  farmer,  of  Mad  River  township, 
was  born  near  Westville,  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  February  14,  1884.  He 
is  a  son  of  P.  L.  and  Fannie  (Harr)  Stickley.  The  father  of  our  subject 
was  born  in  Shenandoah  county,  Virginia;  the  mother  was  born  in  Spring- 
field, Ohio.  She  died,  August  3.  1906.  The  father  is  now  a  resident  of 
Mad  River  township.  There  were  six  children  born  to  this  union;  Add  V., 
wife  of  E.  C.  Stickley.  living  in  Mad  River  township;  E.  H.  Stickley,  of 
Mad  River  township;  Carrie,  wife  of  A.  G.  Stickley.  of  Strausburg,  Vir- 
ginia; B.  M.  Stickley,  of  Mad  River  township;  O.  B.  Stickley,  of  Concord 
township;  and  S.  F.  Stickley,  our  subject. 

Smith  F.  Stickley  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  a  farm  in  Mad  River 
township,  and  received  his  education  in  the  Westville  schools,  which  he 
attended  until  he  was  nineteen  years  old.  He  then  engaged  in  farming  on 
the  home  place  for  a  few  years.  On  February  14,  1906,  he  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Bertha  M.  Kite,  a  daughter  of  R.  M.  and  Arminda  (Norman) 
Kite.  To  this  union  two  children  were  bom:  Kenneth  K.,  born  March 
10,  1909;  Lowell  L.,  born  September  13,  191 1.  The  family  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  at  Westville.  Mr.  Stickley  is  a  member 
of  Magrew  Lodge  No.  433.  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  a  past  chancellor  of 
this  order.  Mrs.  Stickley  is  a  member  of  the  Pythian  Sisters,  of  St.  Paris. 
Ohio. 

Mr.  Sticklev  is  an  auctioneer  of  some  note  in  this  part  of  Champaign 


456  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

county  and  his  services  are  in  great  demand  at  public  sales  in  all  parts  of 
the  county.  He  is  the  owner  of  seventy-five  acres  of  good  land  in  this  town- 
ship and  devotes  his  time  and  attention  to  modern  methods  of  farming. 
In  addition  to  general  farming  he  is  a  successful  stock  raiser,  handling  some 
of  the  best  grades  of  fine  stock.  The  energy  and  industry  which  he  applies 
to  the  lines  of  business  in  which  he  is  engaged,  bring  commensurate  re- 
turns and  puts  him  in  the  class  of  one  of  the  prosperous  citizens  of  the 
township. 


W.  A.  LOWRY. 


W.  A.  Lowry,  postmaster  at  Urbana  and  formerly  and  for  years  one  of 
the  best-known  school  teachers  in  Cliampaign  county  and  later  connected  with 
the  building  and  loan  department  of  Ohio  at  Columbus,  is  a  native  son  of  this 
county  and  has  lived  here  practically  all  his  life.  He  was  born  in  Union 
township  on  August  6,  1864,  s(Mi  of  William  D.  and  Jane  (Jenkins)  Lowry. 
the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Berkley  county,  Virginia  (now  West  Vir- 
ginia), and  who  was  but  eight  years  of  age  when  his  parents  moved  to  Ohio 
and  settled  on  Buck  creek  m  Champaign  county,  about  1830.  Here  William 
D.  Lowry  grew  to  manhood,  receiving  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  this 
county  and  later  read  law  in  the  office  of  Gen.  J.  H.  Young  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar.  For  some  time  he  practiced  !iis  profession  at  Urbana  and  later 
at  Mutual,  where  he  spent  his  last  days. 

Upon  completing  the  course  in  the  schools  of  his  home  township,  W.  A. 
Lowry  supplemented  that  course  by  a  course  in  the  schools  at  Lebanon  and 
then  l)egan  teaching  school  and  was  for  twenty  years  thus  engaged  in  this 
county,  becoming  one  of  the  best-known  teachers  in  the  county.  For  four 
years  he  taught  school  at  Mutual  and  then  for  six  years  was  engaged  in  the 
rural  schools  in  that  neighborhood,  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county.  He 
then  was  made  principal  of  the  schools  at  McCrea  and  superintendent  of  the 
schools  of  Jackson  township  and  in  that  capacity  served  for  three  years,  at 
the  end  of  which  time  he  was  made  principal  of  the  schools  at  Springhill 
and  was  thus  engaged  at  that  place  for  six  years.  Upon  the  completion  of 
his  long  service  at  Springhill  Mr.  Lowry  traveled  for  awhile  and  then  for  five 
years  was  connected  with  T.  E.  Dye  in  the  insurance  business.  He  then 
received  an  appointment  as  examiner  in  the  building  and  loan  department 
at  Columbus.  Ohio,  and  was  thus  engaged  for  eighteen  months,  at  the  end 
of  which  time,  (in  August  5.  1913,  he  received  his  commission  as  postmaster 


W.  A.   LOWRY 


CHAMPAIGK    COUNTY.    OHIO. 


457 


of  Urbana.  under  appointment  from  President  Wilson  and  has  since  been 
serving  in  that  important  public  capacity. 

On  January  lo,  1892,  W.  A.  Lowry  was  united  in  marriage  to  Emma 
Thompson,  daughter  of  A.  B.  and  Rlla  ( C^gborn  )  Thompson,  residents  of 
Wayne  township.  Champaign  county,  and  to  this  union  has  been  born  one 
child,  a  son,  Ralph  T.  Lowry.  Mr.  Lowry  is  a  Democrat  and  for  years 
has  been  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  leaders  of  that  party  in  Champaign  count\'. 
Fraternally,  he  is  afifiliated  with  the  Masonic  order  and  takes  a  warm  interest 
in  the  affairs  of  the  same. 

A.  B.  Thompson  is  a  prominent  farmer  of  Wayne  township  and  has 
always  been  active  in  politics  since  twentv-one  vears  of  age.  His  wife  died 
about  1895. 


JASON  P.  KITE. 


Jason  P.  Kite,  a  farmer  living  on  his  farm  two  miles  east  of  St.  Paris, 
on  the  Piqua  and  Urbana  pike,  is  a  native-born  .son  of  this  county,  his  birth 
having  occurred  in  Mad  River  township,  November  9,  1842.  He  is  a  son  of 
.\lvin  and  Margaret  E.  (Jones)  Kite,  both  of  whom  were  also  natives  of 
this  county. 

Alvin  Kite  is  a  son  of  William  Kite,  who  was  born  in  this  county,  his 
parents  coming  here  from  Virginia  in  an  early  day.  William  Kite's  father 
operated  the  old  roller  mills  in  Champaign  county,  which  was  one  of  the 
first  mills  in  this  section.  Margaret  E.  Jones,  the  wife  of  Alvin  Kite,  was 
born  in  Mad  River  township.  The  Jones  family  were  also  early  pioneers 
in  the  county,  coming  here  from  Virginia.  Alvin  and  Margaret  E.  (Jones) 
Kite  settled  on  a  farm  in  Mad  River  township  after  their  marriage,  where 
the}'  remained  for  three  years,  when  they  removed  to  Miami  county,  Indiana, 
where  they  lived  for  about  nine  years,  after  which  they  returned  to  Cham- 
paign county,  locating  on  a  farm  in  Mad  River  township.  .Mvin  Kite 
received  an  injur>-  falling  from  a  barn,  from  the  effects  of  which  he  died 
in    1858. 

Ja.son  P.  Kite  was  reared  to  the  life  of  a  farmer,  receiving  his  educa- 
tion in  the  district  schools.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War  in  1861, 
he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  army  by  becoming  a  member  of  Com- 
pany I,  Forty-second  Regiment.  Ohio  \^olunteer  Infantr)-,  which  regiment 
was  under  the  leadership  of  Col.  James  A.  Garfield.  Mr.  Kite  saw  three 
vears  of  hard   service   under  his  enlistment,   at  the  end   of   which   time   he 


458  CHAMPAIGiX    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

returned  to  his  home  in  Champaign  county  and  resumed  farming.  He 
began  Hfe  for  himself  in  1866  by  renting  land  in  Johnson  township,  which 
he  operated  for  several  years,  when  he  bought  his  present  farm  of  forty- 
seven  and  one-half  acres  in  this  township,  which  he  has  improved  and  culti- 
vated until  he  has  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  township. 

On  March  22,  1866,  Jason  P.  Kite  was  married  to  Anna  M.  Wirick, 
who  was  born  at  St.  Paris,  Ohio,  the  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Catherine 
Wirick,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born  five  sons :  Charles,  a  builder  and 
contractor  who  has  worked  in  nineteen  states  as  a  creamery  and  canning 
factory  builder:  Carey  S.,  living  at  home;  J.  E..  of  St.  Paris;  Emmett  W.. 
of  Urbana,  who  was  formerly  clerk  of  Champaign  county,  and  Albert  A., 
a  farmer  living-  in  Concord  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kite  are  earnest  and 
faithful  members  of  the  Myrtle  Creek  Baptist  church,  and  take  an  active 
interest  in  the  afifairs  of  the  local  congregation.  Mr.  Kite  is  a  member  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  holding  his  membership  with  Lodge 
No.  246,  at  St.  Paris.  He  has  passed  all  the  chairs  in  the  local  lodge  and 
is  deeply  interested  in  the  work  of  this  org-anization.  He  also  takes  a  promi- 
nent part  in  all  of  tlie  branches  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  is  a  member  of 
the  encampment,  being  a  past  chief  patriarch  of  that  body.  In  politics,  he 
is  a  Republican,  and  is  interested  in  all  public  matters  having  for  their  object 
the  betterment  of  local  civic  affairs. 

Mr.  Kite's  great-great-great-grandfather,  John  Hamist,  was  a  Revolu- 
tionary soldier  and  is  buried  at  Myrtle  Tree  Cemetery,  being  the  first  person 
buried  there.  Mr.  Kite  has  decorated  his  grave  for  many  years;  also  all 
Dther  soldiers'  graves. 


JAMES  B.  WIANT. 

James  B.  Wiant  is  a  prosperous  farmer  in  Mad  River  township,  living 
one  and  one-half  miles  east  of  Terre  Haute,  Ohio,  on  the  Strome  creek  road, 
rural  route  No.  i,  Tremont  City,  Ohio.  He  was  born  west  of  Westville. 
Ohio,  on  the  Bradbury  Wiant  farm,  in  Mad  River  township.  June  17.  1856. 
He  is  a  son  of  Bradbury  and  Jerusha  (Ward)  Wiant. 

Bradbury  Wiant,  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  at  the  old  home 
near  the  Myrtle  Tree  Baptist  church,  in  Mad  River  to\vnship.  He  was 
the  son  of  John  Wiant,  who  came  to  Champaign  county  from  Virginia, 
and  was  among  the  early  settlers  of  the  county.  He  was  a  tanner  by  trade 
and  the  first  to  engage  in  that  business  in  this  section.      His  tannery  was 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  459 

located  near  the  Myrtle  Tree  Baptist  church,  where  he  operated  the  husiness 
for  several  years.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Jerusha  Ward,  was 
horn  in  Mad  River  township,  and  is  a  daughter  of  George  Ward,  who 
was  also  one  of  the  early  settlers  in  this  township,  coming  from  Virginia 
at  an  early  day.  She  was  born  at  the  home  place,  two  and  a  half  miles 
southwest  of  Westville.  After  marriage  they  settled  on  the  old  home  place 
and  lived  there  for  a  number  of  years.  Then  they  went  to  South  Dakota, 
Avhere  the  husband  died,  and  then  the  wife  returned  to  her  old  home  in  Mad 
River  township,  where  she  spent  the  remainder  of  her  days.  To  them  eleven 
children  were  born,  five  of  whom  are  now  living:  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Simon 
Whitmore.  Mad  River  township;  Jasper,  a  farmer  living  near  Topeka. 
Kansas;  John  B.,  Sidney,  Ohio,  and  James  B.,  our  subject;  Tulley,  Urbana. 
Ohio. 

They  were  members  of  the  Myrtle  Tree  Baptist  church  and  active 
workers  in  the  church.  Mr.  Wiant  w'as  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  a  man 
of  strong  convictions  and  the  courage  to  stand  for  what  he  l>eli"eved  was 
right. 

James  B.  Wiant,  our  subject,  w-as  reared  on  the  old  home  farm  where 
he  grew  to  manhood.  He  received  his  education  in  the  district  school  at 
the  Myrtle  Tree  school  house.  In  April,  1882,  he  left  home  and  went  to 
North  Dakota,  where  he  remained  for  about  one  year.  He  then  returned 
to  his  old  home  in  Mad  River  township,  and  found  employment,  working 
by  the  day,  w-hich  he  followed  for  three  or  four  }ears.  May  25,  1890,  he 
was  married  to  Hannah  Netf,  daughter  of  Michael  and  Elizabeth  Neff,  of 
Mad  River  township.  Michael  Neff  was  born  and  reared  in  Mad  River 
township.  His  parents  were  from  Virginia.  Afr.  Neff  is  dead;  his  widow 
still  lives,  making  her  home  with  her  children. 

i\fter  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  B.  Wiant  lived  for  a  time  in 
Mad  River  township;  then  in  German  township,  Clark  county,  and  after- 
ward at  Eagle  City,  where  they  lived  for  four  years.  They  then  returned 
to  Mad  River  township,  where  Mr.  Wiant  found  employment  working  by 
the  month  for  nine  or  ten  years.  Following  this  for  several  years  he  rented 
farms  in  this  and  Jackson  township,  and  in  IQ14  he  lx)Ught  eighty-one 
acres  of  land,  known  as  the  \\'illow  Dale  farm.  Here  he  has  lived  since 
engaged  in  general  farming,  and  is  also  interested  in  the  breeding  of  a 
tine  grade  of  Holstein  cattle. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wiant  seven  children  have  been  born,  five  of  whom 
are  living.  They  are:  Wilbur  C,  and  Walter  C,  living  in  Jackson  town- 
ship;  Helen,   wife  of  Clement  Baker,  Jackson  township;   AdoU  and   Ruth, 


460  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

in  school;  Hazel,  died  at  the  age  of  four  years.     Donald,  died  at  the  age 
of  six  months. 

Mr.  Wiant  is  a  naeniber  of  Magrew  Lodge  No.  4^^^.  Knights  of 
Pythias,  Westville,  being  a  charter  member  of  that  order.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Democrat ;  served  for  two  years  as  superintendent  of  roads  of  ]\Iad 
River  township.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Myrtle  Tree  church. 


LEWIS  A.  STADLER. 


One  of  the  substantial  citizens  and  leading  farmers  of  this  county  is 
Lewis  A.  Stadler,  farming  a  fine  farm  of  eighty-six  and  one-half  acres 
located  on  the  Piqua  and  Urbana  pike,  four  and  one-half  miles  east  of  St. 
Paris,  about  half  way  between  Urbana  and  the  latter  village.  In  the  early 
days  the  old  farm  house  on  this  place  was  used  as  a  tavern,  known  as  the 
Blue  Bell  Tavern,  situated  half-way  between  the  two  towns,  and  did  a  most 
ilourishing  business  as  a  liostelry  in  pioneer  times. 

Mr.  Stadler  is  a  native  of  this  county,  his  birth  having  occurred  on  a 
farm  in  Salem  township,  on  Kings  creek,  August  20,  1868.  He  is  a  son  of 
Lewis  and  Caradens  (Klickow)  Stadler,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of 
Germany,  born  near  Hanover.  Lewis  Stadler  and  his  wife  both  grew  to 
maturity  in  their  native  land,  and  were  married  in  Champaign  county,  Ohio, 
after  coming  to  this  country  with  their  respective  parents.  After  their  mar- 
riage they  rented  land  in  Salem  township,  this  county,  on  which  they  li\ed 
for  a  number  of  years.  By  means  of  untiring  industry  and  effort,  they  were 
finally  enabled  to  purchase  a  farm  in  Concord  township,  where  they  lived 
for  five  years,  after  which  they  purchased  another  farm  in  Concord  town- 
ship, and  here  they  lived  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  They  were  the  parents 
of  six  children,  five  of  whom  are  now  living:  George,  a  traveling  salesman 
of  Urbana,  Ohio ;  Emma,  living  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Concord  township, 
this  county;  Charles,  a  graduate  of  Cincinnati  Medical  College,  now  prac- 
ticing his  profession  at  Lima,  Ohio;  William,  living  on  the  home  farm; 
Lewis  A.,  of  this  review,  and  Edward,  who  died  in  infancy.  Lewis  Stadler 
and  his  wife  were  both  earnest  and  devoted  members  of  the  Lutheran  church, 
and  Mr.  Stadkr  was  a  Democrat  in  jxilitics.  firm  in  the  principles  and  doc- 
trines of  that  party. 

When  L.  A.  Stadler  was  eight  years  of  age  he  accompanied  his  parents 
to  the   farm   in  Concord   township,   where  he   grew   to  manhood,    receiving 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  461 

his  education  in  the  pubhc  schools  of  the  township,  .\fter  reaching-  manhood 
he  decided  to  follow  farming-  as  a  vocation,  and  started  out  for  himself 
by  renting  land  in  Concord  township,  where  he  remained  twelve  }ears.  after 
which  he  moved  to  the  farm  where  he  is  now  living,  and  liere  he  has  since 
lived,  being  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  making  a  specialty 
of  good  grade  Shorthorn  and  Jersey  cattle,  in  which  line  he  has  been  very 
successful. 

On  January  14,  1900,  L.  A.  Stadler  was  united  in  marriage  to  Darleta 
Comer,  the  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Zarah  (Zimmerman)  Comer,  both 
of  whom  were  natives  of  this  county,  the  former  born  in  Johnson  township, 
and  the  latter  in  Mad  River  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stadler  are  the  parents 
of  six  children,  all  of  whom  are  living:  Robert,  in  high  school  at  West- 
ville;  Lee,  a  student  in  the  seventh  grade;  Paul,  in  the  fifth  grade;  Walter, 
in  the  fourth  grade;  Caradena,  in  the  first  grade,  and  Howard,  three  years 
of  age.  The  family  have  all  been  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Lutheran  church, 
and  take  an  active  interest  in  church  work.  Mr.  Stadler  is  a  Democrat  in 
politics,  and  while  taking  an  active  interest  in  all  local  public  matters,  yet  is 
not  an  office  seeker,  or  prominent  in  political  matters.  He  is  a  warm  sup- 
porter of  all  measures  having  for  their  object  the  betterment  of  his  com- 
munity. 


ERESTES  O.  BLOSE. 


A  -well-known  farmer  and  life-long  resident  of  Champaign  county  is 
Erestes  O.  Blose,  the  owner  and  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of  eighty-eight 
acres  one  and  one-half  miles  south  of  Westville  on  the  valley  pike  in  Mad 
River  township,  on  rural  route  No.  9  out  of  Urbana.  Mr.  Blose  was  born 
on  a  farm  lying  just  east  of  his  present  place,  now  owned  by  J.  I.  Blose,  on 
April  15,  1855,  and  is  a  son  of  Henry  C.  and  Sarah  (Hess)  Blose.  the  former 
of  whom  was  a  native  of  this  county,  and  the  latter  of  Virginia. 

Henry  C.  Blose  was  born  in  Champaign  county,  the  son  of  John  and 
Amelia  Blose,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Virginia,  being  among  the 
early  pioneers  of  this  county.  Sarah  Hess  was  born  in  Rockingham  county. 
\'irginia,  coming  to  Champaign  county  in  an  early  day  with  her  mother, 
her  father  having  died  in  Virginia.  After  his  marriage  Henry  C.  Blose 
rented  land  for  two  years,  after  which  he  bought  the  farm  which  is  no\A 
owned  by  Mrs.  William  Kiser,  of  Urbana,  where  he  lived  for  some  years, 
after  which  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  fortv-seven  acres  of  land,  a  part 


462  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

of  which  is  now  owned  by  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  On  this  farm  he 
lived  the  remainder  of  his  Hfe,  his  wife  surviving  him  several  years,  her 
death  occurring  in  Westville.  Henry  C.  Blose  and  wife  were  the  parents 
of  three  children  besides  E.  O. :  Virdie  O.,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Harr\- 
Talbot,  a  farmer  of  Jackson  township;  Odos  M.,  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  and 
Lydia  B.,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  William  Berry,  of  this  county.  Starting- 
out  in  life  with  nothing,  Henry  C.  Blose  managed  to  acctmuilate  a  good 
farm  and  l>ecame  a  well-to-do  citizen  by  his  own  efforts.  He  was  a  Demo- 
crat in  politics,  and  strong  in  his  belief  of  the  doctrines  and  principles  advo- 
cated by  that  party.  He  served  as  township  trustee  for  several  terms,  and 
also  as  a  member  of  the  township  school  board.  His  wife  was  a  member  of 
the  Nettle  Creek  Baptist  church,  in  the  affairs  of  which  she  took  an  active 
and  interested  part  for  many  years. 

Erestes  O.  Blose  was  five  years  of  age  when  his  father  moved  to  the 
farm  on  which  he  is  now  living,  and  he  was  reared  to  manhood  on  this 
place,  receiving  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  home  township. 
He  assisted  with  the  work  of  the  home  farm,  and  took  up  the  management 
of  this  farm  after  his  marriage,  and  has  always  lived  here.  He  is  a  very 
successful  farmer,  and  besides  raising  all  the  crops  common  to  this  section, 
is  engaged  in  breeding  and  raising  live  stock,  handling  pure-bred  Jersey  cat- 
tle, and  thoroughbred  horses  and  hogs. 

Mr.  Blose  has  been  twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  Rosella  Ward, 
to  whom  he  was  married  on  January  8,  1878.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Gideon 
and  Malinda  Ward,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  this  county,  descendants 
of  old  Virginia  stock.  To  Mr.  Blose's  first  marriage  four  children  were 
born:  Vernon  M.,  living  on  the  home  place;  Evaline  W.,  the  wife  of 
Gerald  Colbert,  a  farmer  of  Mad  River  township;  Grace  L..  the  wife  of 
Waldo  Steinbarger,  also  a  farmer  in  Mad  River  township,  and  Florence 
J.,  the  wife  of  J.  Burton  Williams,  of  this  county.  The  mother  of  these 
children  died  April  9,  1899,  and  on  June  27,  1907.  Mr.  Blose  was  married 
to  Dora  Myrtle  Brunk.  who  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Salem  township,  this 
county,  the  daughter  of  Joseph  Brunk.  Mr.  Blose  is  a  member  of  the  Uni- 
versalist  church  at  Westville.  Ohio,  while  liis  family  are  identified  with  the 
Nettle  Creek  Baptist  church. 

Mr.  Blose  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  has  served  his  township  as 
trustee,  and  also  as  a  member  of  the  school  board.  Fraternally,  he  is  identi- 
fied with  Lodge  No.  46.  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  also  of 
the  Patrons  of  Husbandry  in  Mad  River  township,  having  passed  several  of 
the  chairs  in  the  latter  lodge. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


THOMAS  MORRIS. 


463 


Thomas  Morris,  who  for  many  years  was  engaged  in  the  blacksmith 
business  in  Westville,  is  of  Irish  nativity  and  knows  of  no  reason  why  he 
should  offer  any  apology  for  an  incident  in  his  life  over  which  he  had 
no  control,  nor  is  there  any  reason  that  he  should  be  ashamed  of  the  fact 
that  real,  genuine  Irish  blood  courses  through  his  veins.  It  is  the  Irish 
blood,  brawn  and  muscle;  it  is  the  Irish  industry  and  energ}'  that  have  con- 
tributed so  much  to  the  development  of  this  country  and  to  the  establish- 
ment of  a  good  citizenship  in  an}'  community  of  which  they  form  a  part. 

Thomas  Morris  was  born  in  County  Wexford,  Ireland,  November  9, 
1845.  He  was  a  son  of  William  and  Bridget  Morris,  who  were  both  born 
and  reared  in  Ireland,  and  where  they  were  married.  In  1848  they  came 
to  the  United  States,  landing  in  New  Orleans,  where  the  wife  died  soon 
after  reaching  that  place.  With  a  brother  and  sister  the  husband  came 
to  Hamilton,  Ohio,  and,  while  working  in  the  harvest  field  near  that  place. 
William  Morris  suffered  a  sun  stroke,  from  the  effects  of  which  he  died. 
At  this  time  Thomas  Morris,  our  subject,  was  about  six  years  old,  the  only 
son  of  the  three  children  born  to  the  family.  Thus  deprived  of  both  father 
and  mother  he  was  dependent  upon  the  care  of  others,  a  mere  waif  in  a  strange 
land  and  among  strangers.  But  he  found  some  kind-hearted  people  who  offered 
him  a  home  and  a  place  to  work  on  a  farm  in  Butler  county,  Ohio.  He 
worked  on  the  farm  and  at  whatever  he  could  find  to  do  until  he  was  twenty- 
one  years  old,  when  he  went  to  Brown  county,  Ohio,  and  later  to  Highland 
county,  Ohio.  For  sometime  he  was  engaged  as  section  hand  on  the  Penn- 
sylvania railroad  at  Piqua,  and  then  went  to  Urbana.  Ohio,  where  he  found 
opportunity  to  learn  the  blacksmith  trade.  He  worked  at  this  place  for 
two  years  and  then  was  employed  by  J.  H.  Baker,  wagon  maker,  in  West- 
ville, where  he  worked  for  eight  years.  He  then  started  a  shop  of  his  own 
in  this  village,  associating  with  himself  a  partner  and  operating  under  the 
name  of  Ryman  &  Morris.  Later  he  bought  his  partner's  interest  and 
bought  a  livery  stable  which  he  converted  into  a  lilacksmith  shop.  He  con- 
tinued in  business  here  until  1904.  when  he  sold  out  and.  in  191 4-  retired 
from  business. 

May  6,  1879.  Thomas  Morris  and  Nellie  Lacy  were  united  in  mar- 
riage. The  wife  was  born  in  Piqua,  Ohio,  May  25,  1854,  and  was  reared 
and  educated  in  that  place,  receiving  her  education  from  the  public  schools 
of   Piqua.      Mr.   and   Mrs.    Morris   settled   down   in    the   home   in   Westville 


464  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

where  they  tiow  Hve.  Six  daughters  were  born  to  this  union:  Mary  J., 
a  graduate  of  the  university  at  Athens,  Ohio,  with  high  honors,  and  is  now 
a  high  school  teacher  at  Plain  City,  Ohio ;  Anna,  was  a  teacher  in  the  public 
schools,  a  graduate  of  high  school,  and  took  a  business  course,  now  the 
wife  of  Leo  McCaffery,  of  A'lad  River  township;  Margaret,  a  graduate  of 
the  high  school,  and  of  the  normal  school  at  Athens,  Ohio,  a  teacher  in  the 
normal  training  school  at  Athens;  Elizabeth,  took  a  business  course  at  Moore's 
Business  College,  in  Urbana,  Ohio,  now  the  wife  of  Neil  Baker,  of  Coluni- 
luis,  Ohio;  Nellie,  graduate  of  the  teacher's  course  in  the  normal  school 
at  Athens,  Ohio,  now  teaching  in  Toledo,  Ohio;  Dorotha,  graduate  of  the 
normal  college  at  Athens,  and  of  the  Urbana  high  school,  teacher  in  tlie 
public  schools  at  Mansfield,  Ohio. 

The  church  relationship  of  the  Morris  family  is  with  the  Catholic 
church,  at  Urbana,  Ohio.  Mr.  Morris  is  a  Democrat  in  his  political  faith, 
but  has  never  asked  nor  received  a  reward  for  his  allegiance  in  the  shape 
<jf  public  office.  He  is  the  present  mail  messenger  between  the  postoffice 
and  railroad  station  at  Westville. 

Agelic  Brownwick,  an  officer  in  the  English  army,  and  the  maternal 
great-grandfather  of  our  subject,  bred  the  horse  that  Napoleon  rode  to 
defeat  at  Waterloo. 


CHARLES  McDARGH. 


Charles  McDargh,  engineer  at  the  plant  of  the  Desmond-Stephen  Com- 
jjany  at  Urbana  and  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  popular  veterans  of  the 
Civil  War  living  in  that  city,  was  born  in  Urbana  and  has  lived  there  all  his 
life,  having  therefore  been  a  witness  to  and  a  participant  in.the  development 
of  the  county  seat  of  Champaign  county  for  the  past  half  century  and  more, 
in  which  he  has  taken  an  active  part  in  affairs  there.  He  was  born  in  a  house 
on  West  Reynolds  street  on  April  11.  1845,  son  of  Barney  and  Elizabeth 
McDargh,  natives  of  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  who  were  married  in 
that  county  and  later  came  to  Ohio  and  located  at  Urbana,  where  their  last 
days  were  spent. 

Barney  McDargh  was  a  butcher  by  trade  and  upon  locating  at  Urbana, 
more  than  seventy-five  years  ago,  opened  there  a  meat  market  and  continued 
engaged  in  that  business  the  rest  of  his  active  life.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
were  active,  energetic  persons,  strong  and  vigorous,  and  both  lived  to  a  great 
age,  Barney  McDargh  being  ninety-two  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  death 


CHARLES  McDARGH. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY^    OHIO.  465 

and  his  wife,  ninety-three.  They  were  earnest  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  and  took  an  active  interest  in  church  work  and  other  local  good  works. 
During-  the  Civil  W'ar,  he  at  sixty-two  years  of  age,  enlisted  in  the  Union 
army  and  served  until  he  was  discharged  for  physical  disability.  He  and  his 
wife  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  the 
others,  besides  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  being  as  follow:  Henry,  an  honored 
\eteran  of  the  Civil  War.  now  deceased ;  John,  also  a  veteran  of  the  Civil 
War,  now  deceased,  who  was  for  years  engaged  as  a  contractor  and  plasterer 
at  Urbana;  Edward,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  also  engaged  as  a 
contracting  plasterer,  with  offices  at  Urbana  and  at  Sandusky;  James,  now- 
deceased,  who  was  a  retail  meat  dealer  at  Urbana;  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Miller, 
now  living  in  Michigan;  Jane,  who  married  Frank  Warner  and  is  now 
deceased ;  and  Susan,  who  married  John  Gardner  and  is  also  deceased. 

Charles  McDargh  was  reared  at  Urbana  and  his  opportunities  for 
attending  school  in  his  youth  were  somewhat  limited.  He  had  just  reached 
*'M"  in  his  copy-book  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out  and.  though  but  sixteen 
}ears  of  age  at  that  time,  he  dropped  books  and  thoughts  of  all  else  save  war 
and  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  army,  his  being  the  fifth  name  sub- 
scribed to  the  enlistment  roll  in  Urbana  following  President  Lincoln's  first 
adl  for  volunteers  in  April,  1861.  This  first  enlistment  was  for  the  three- 
months  service  and  young  McDargh  went  to  the  front  with  Capt.  Jap  Powell's 
company  and  with  that  command  participated  in  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run. 
Upon  the  completion  of  that  term  of  service,  he  returned  home  and  immedi- 
ately re-enlisted  and  returned  to  the  front  as  a  member  of  the  Third  Ohio 
<  "a\alry,  attached  to  the  Sixteenth  Army  Corps,  and  served  with  that  com- 
mand, taking  part  in  all  the  numerous  battles  and  engageihents  in  which  it 
])articipated,  until  the  close  of  the  war  and  received  his  final  discharge  at 
Columbus  in  the  fall  of  1865.  The  McDargh  family  throughout  this  part  of 
the  >itate  was  well  represented  in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  War,  there 
]ia\  ing  been  more  than  twenty  of  the  McDarghs  from  Dayton  and  Urbana 
\\  ho  went  to  the  front  during  that  struggle  between  the  states.  Mr.  McDargh 
is  a!i  active  member  of  the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 
in  the  affairs  of  w-hich  he  ever  has  taken  an  earnest  interest,  having  been 
■"th.rough  the  chairs"  in  that  post:  has  been  a  frequent  attendant  at  the  state 
encampments  of  the  department  of  Ohio,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and 
has  a  wide  acquaintance  among  the  veterans  of  this  state.  During  his  service 
in  the  army  Mr.  McDargh  acquired  a  skill  at  shooting  that  was  little  short 
of  marvelous  and  his  hand  and  his  eye  have  retained  much  of  their  old-time 
(30a) 


466  CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO. 

cunning  in  that  reg-ard,  he  still  being  recognized  as  one  of  the  best  "shots'", 
particularly  for  a  man  of  his  age.  in  the  state  of  Ohio.  He  is  a  man  of 
admirable  physique  and  retains  in  a  remarkable  degree  much  of  his  former 
physical  strength  and  vigor,  his  present  activities  being  on  a  par  with  those 
of  many  men  many  years  his  junior. 

Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  Charles  McDargh  returned 
to  Urbana  and  there  became  engaged  as  a  stationary  engineer,  a  vocation  he 
ever  since  has  followed.  His  first  .service  in  that  connection  was  an  engineer 
in  the  grain  elevator  of  Daniel  Blose  at  Urbana  and  he  remained  there  for 
five  years,  also  having  charge  of  the  cattle  yards  during  that  time.  He  then 
was  made  engineer  of  the  plant  of  the  Urbana  waterworks  and  for  thirty- 
seven  ytars  served  the  city  in  that  capacity,  giving  to  that  service  his  most 
thoughtful  and  earnest  attention,  and  since  then  has  been  engineer  in  the 
manufacturing  ])lant  of  the  Desmond-Stephen  Company  at  Urbana.  ?^lr. 
AicDargh  is  an  ardent  Republican  and  for  many  years  has  given  his  earnest 
attention  to  local  political  affairs,  ever  being  interested  in  the  cause  of  good 
government  and  has  done  much  in  behalf  of  clean  politics  in  his  home  town. 
For  the  past  forty  \  ears  Mr.  McDargh  has  been  engaged  in  making  a  col- 
lection of  relics  of  a  miscellaneous  character,  with  particular  reference  to 
relics  that  have  some  connection  with  the  history  of  this  section  of  Ohio,  and 
he  has  accimiulated  one  of  the  best  collections  of  this  sort  in  the  state  of 
Ohio,  the  variety  and  extent  of  the  articles  he  has  picked  up  at  one  place  and 
another  during  this  period  giving  to  his  collection  a  value  that  can  not  well 
be  computed  in  cash  terms.  He  has  been  offered  hundreds  of  dollars  for  his 
collection,  but  has  steadfastly  rejected  all  .such  oft'ers  and  has  announced  that 
at  his  death  his  rnuseum  is  to  go  to  George  McConnell,  of  Urbana.  .Among 
other  things,  he  owns  the  rifle  which  Simon  Kenton,  the  Indian  fighter,  used. 

Tn  1865,  the  year  in  which  he  received  his  final  discharge  from  the  army. 
Charles  McDargh  was  united  in  marriage  to  Jennie  Hejilay.  of  Concord  town- 
shij),  this  county,  who  died  in  February,  1916.  She  was  a  daughter  of  John 
and  Elizabeth  Heplay,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  veteran  of  the  War  of 
t8t2  and  who  came  to  this  county  from  Virginia.  John  Heplay,  who  was  a 
shoemaker,  was  badly  wounded  during  his  service  in  the  War  oi  1812  :md 
from  the  effects  of  that  wound  lost  the  use  of  both  his  arms.  He  and  his 
wife,  who  were  the  parents  of  a  large  family,  spent  their  last  days,  in  Urbana. 
To  Charles  and  Jennie  (Heplay)  McDargh  five  children  were  born,  (leorge, 
Lewis.  Etta.  Lottie  and  Frank.  George  McDargh.  who  is  recognized  as  the 
champion  sharpshooter  of  the  world,  has  traveled  all  over  the  world  gi\"ing 
exhibitions  of  his  marvelous  marksmanship.     He  has  been  twice  married,  his 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  467 

first  wife,  Julia  Fay,  havings  died,  leaving  one  child,  a  son,  Percy,  after  which 
he  married  May  Cogleman,  to  which  latter  union  one  son  also  has  been  born, 
(jlenn.  Lewis  McDargh,  an  engineer  now  employed  at  Cleveland,  married 
h'annie  Downs  and  has  two  children,  Louisa  and  Ralph.  Etta  McDargh 
remains  at  home,  housekeeper  for  her  father.  Lottie  McDargh  married  John 
Pool,  the  well-known  bee  man,  of  Urbana,  and  has  one  child,  a  daughter, 
Margaret.  Frank  lives  in  Urbana.  In  addition  to  his  active  affiliation  with 
the  (irand  Army  of  the  Republic,  mentioned  above,  Mr.  McDargh  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics  and  a  member  of 
tlie  Golden  Eagles,  in  the  affairs  of  both  of  which  organizations  he  is  warmly 
interested.  His  wife  was  an  earnest  member -of  the  Methpdis.t .  Epi^qogal 
church  and  he  has  ever  been  interested  in  local  good  works,  having  in  many 
\\a>s  been  helpful  in  promoting  such  agencies  as  are  designed  to  advance 
the  common  welfare  of  his  home  town  and  the  community  at  large. 


MARINE  R.  ROSS. 


Although  over  three  decades  have  passed  since  the  angel  of  death  closed 
the  interesting  life  chapter  of  Marine  R.  Ross,  for  many  years  one  of  the 
leading  men  of  affairs  of  Champaign  comity,  his  influence  still  pervades 
the  lives  of  many  who  had  the  privilege  of  knowing  him,  for  he  wielded 
a  potent  influence  for  good  in  his  locality  in  a  general  wav.  He  was  a 
man  ^\■ho  delighted  in  keeping  the  even  tenor  his  way  so  far  as  it  was  con- 
sistent with  good  citizenship.  Owing  to  his  probity  of  character,  his  gen- 
uine worth,  and  his  kindly  disposition  he  was  held  in  the  highest  esteem  by 
all  who  knew  him. 

Mr.  Ross  was  born  in  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  on  the  old  Ross  home- 
stead in  Jackson  township,  September  lo,  1835.  being  a  scion  of  one  of 
the  sterling  old  pioneer  families  of  this  county.  He  was  a  son  of  Levi  and 
Mary  Ross,  who  came  from  Virginia  to  Jackson  township  in  an  early  day 
and  established  their  future  home  in  the  wilderness,  developing  a  good  farm 
b\-  their  close  application  and  perseverance,  and  here  the}'  spent  the  rest  of 
their  lives.  The  father  was  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  county  and  was  a 
prominent  Mason,  having  attained  the  thirty-second  degree  in  that  order. 
The  mother  was  an  ardent  worker  in  the  Baptist  church.  To  these  parents 
seven  children,  that  grew  to  maturity,  were  born,  named  as  follows :  Martha, 
married  Rev.   Pit  McCollough,  and  they  lived  for  some  time  in  Christians- 


468  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

l)urg,  Jackson  township,  and  other  places  in  this  section  of  Ohio;  Minerva, 
married  John  H.  Thomas  and  they  estahlished  their  home  in  Christiansbnrg; 
Malvina,  married  Samnel  Brugunier  and  they  hved  in  Christiansburg  and, 
also,  the  state  of  Indiana;  Marine  R.,  of  this  sketch;  Marion  A.,  who  was 
educated  at  Antioch,  Ohio,  was  a  teacher  by  profession,  and  he  was  a  soldier 
in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  War,  being  executed  by  the  Confederates 
at  Atlanta,  Georgia,  during  the  war,  being  captured  while  one  of  the 
Andrews  raiders;  Margaret,  married  Isaac  P.  Pond,  now  deceased,  but  she 
is  living  at  St.  Paris,  Champaign  county;  Maria  L.,  married  Charles  Heckler, 
of  Dayton,  Ohio,  but  she  now  resides  in  the  city  of  Columbus. 

Marine  R.  Ross  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  he  received 
his  education  in  the  early-day  schools  of  his  locality  in  Jackson  township. 
As  a  young  man  he  went  to  Colorado  and  engaged  in  mining  for  about 
seven  years,  with  a  reasonable  measure  of  success.  He  then  returned  home 
and  operated  the  farm,  taking  care  of  his  parents  in  their  old  age.  He 
lingillyjaicuight  the  home  farm,  which  he  kept  well  improved  and  the  buiKlings 
remodeled.  He  also  bought  a  home  in  Christiansburg,  near  the  old  home 
place.  Mrs.  Ross  has  continued  to  reside  in  the  old  home.  It  was  originally 
a  story  and  a  half,  but  is  now  a  modern  twelve  room  house.  Mr.  Ross 
devoted  many  years  of  his  earlier  career  to  general  farming  and  stock 
raising  with  much  success.  Finally  he  started  a  tile  factory  in  partnership 
with  John  Thomas,  which  they  operated  with  very  gratifying  results  for 
many  years,  the  products  of  their  plant  finding  a  ver}-  ready  market  over 
a  wide  territory  owdng  to  the  superior  quality  of  the  tile  the\-  manufactured. 
After  his  death  Mrs.  Ross  continued  to  run  the  plant  one  year.  Mr.  Ross 
was  a  man  of  rare  business  acumen  and  sound  judgment,  ])OSsessing  execu- 
tive ability  of  a  high  order.  These  attributes  together  with  his  habits  of 
close  application,  perseverance,  promptness  and  scrupulous  honesty  resulted 
in  a  large  measure  of  success  attending"  his  efforts  both  as  an  agriculturist 
and  manufactui"er.  He  also  engaged  in  the  nursery  business  for  sonic  time 
with  his  usual  success.  At  his  death  he  left  a  fine  farm  of  one  lunulred 
and  sixty-nine  acres,  which  Mrs.  Ross  later  sold,  retaining  six  and  one-lialf 
acres  surrounding  the  homestead. 

Marine  R.  Ross  was  first  married  to  Martha  Green,  ot  Troy,  ( )hio. 
She  died  in  early  life.  To  their  union  one  child  was  born  that  dietl  in 
infanc}'.  On  December  12,  1881,  he  married  for  his  second  wife.  Rel)ecca 
S.  Warner,  who  was  born  in  Christiansburg.  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  in 
1850.  She  is  a  daughter  of  George  and  Elizabeth  (Fisher)  Warner,  the 
father  a   native  of    Alexandria.    X'irginia,   and   the   mother   of   Georgetown, 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  469 

Kentucky.  George  Warner  was  a  son  of  William  and  Susan  Warner,  of 
Virginia,  from  which  state  they  made  the  long  overland  journey  in  wagons 
to  Ohio  in  early  pioneer  days,  locating  near  Chillicothe,  later  moving  to 
Madison  county,  settling  on  a  farm  near  the  present  city  of  London,  and 
there  William  Warner  and  wife  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  and  their  chil- 
tlren  grew  to  maturity  in  that  county.  They  reared  a  large  family.  William 
Warner  was  twice  married,  his  last  wife  being  Ruth  Trott. 

George  Washington  Warner,  father  of  Mrs.  Ross,  grew  to  manhood  on 
the  home  farm.  He  had  little  chance  to  obtain  an  education,  but  he  was 
a  great  reader  and  became  a  well  educated  man.  He  and  Elizabeth  F"isher 
were  married  in  Springfield,  Ohio,  where  they  lived  for  a  while,  later  moving- 
to  Mechanicsburg,  Champaign  county,  where  he  ran  a  tavern  several  years, 
then  moved  to  Addison  (now  Christiansburg)  in  1848.  After  locating 
there  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  saddle  and  harness-making  business, 
keeping  a  well  patronized  shop  for  many  years,  and  he  was  known  as  a 
very  highly  skilled  workman.  His  customers  often  came  from  long  dis- 
tances. There  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives.  They  were 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  were  active  in  church  work. 
Politically.  Mr.  Warner  was  first  a  Whig,  later  a  Republican  and  was  very 
active  and  influential  in  public  affairs.  He  was  well  known  and  highly 
respected.  His  family  consisted  of  nine  children,  five  of  whom  grew  to 
maturity,  nameh' :  Amanda  S.,  who  married  George  McCullough,  a  mer- 
chant of  Christiansburg,  Ohio,  and  they  are  now  both  deceased;  Emery,  who 
married  Zilpah  Howell,  of  Christiansburg,  but  they  are  now  both  deceased : 
Harrison,  married  Ellen  Gondy,  was  an  agent  during  his  active  life  and  he 
is  now  deceased,  dying  some  time  ago  at  his  late  home  in  Christian*;btirg: 
Elias  McClain,  who  married  Elizabeth  Sills.,  is  a  retired  grocer  in  Chris- 
tiansburg; Rebecca  .S..  widow  of  Mr.  Ross  of  this  sketch. 

Only  one  child  was  born  to  Marine  R.  Ross  and  wife.  Marion  L.  Ross, 
whose  birth  occurred  on  April  19,  1883.  He  grew  to  manhood  at  Christians- 
burg and  there  attended  school,  later  was  a  student  in  Springfield.  He  was 
a  young  man  of  much  promise  and  of  fine  personal  characteristics.  His 
untimely  death  occurred  on  .April  6,    1901. 

Marine  R.  Ross  was  a  stanch  Republican  and  was  infiuential  in  local 
public  affairs.  He  was  a  worthy  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
His  widow  is  also  a  member  of  this  church. 

Marion  L.  Ross,  the  son,  was  a  nephew  and  namesake  of  the  Marion 
A.  Ross,  who  was  one  of  the  Andrews  raiders  during  the  Civil  War,  and  who 
was   captured  and   executed   by  the   Confederates,   at   Atlanta,    Georgia,   in 


4/0  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

1862.  On  May  30,  1891,  a  monument  was  dedicated  to  Ross  and  other 
raiders  who  had  been  executed,  the  monument  having  been  erected  in  the 
National  Cemetery  at  Chattanooga,  Tennessee.  At  this  dedication  the  prin- 
cipal address  was  made  by  Hon.  Joseph  B.  Foraker,  United  States  senator 
from  Ohio,  and  the  honor  of  unveihng-  the  monument  was  given  to  Marion 
L.  Ross,  the  nephew  of  one  of  the  raiders  and  only  son  of  the  subject  of  this 
memoir. 

The  death  of  Marine  R.  Ross  occurred  in   1886. 


ROY  L.  POWERS. 


Roy  L.  Powers,  cashier  of  the  Farmers  and  Merchants  JJank  of  Chris- 
tiansburg,  this  county,  is  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state 
all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Bowersville,  in  Greene 
county,  June  14,  1886,  son  of  Lewis  and  Angeline  (Smith)  Powers,  who 
are  still  living  in  that  county  and  w^ho  are  the  parents  of  four  children,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  having  two  brothers  and  a  sister,  namely :  Wilbur, 
who  is  unmarried  and  w-ho  is  now  managing  the  home  farm  in  Greene  count}- ; 
Orville,  who  was  graduated  from  the  Bowersville  high  school  and  the  Ohio 
State  University  at  Oxford  and  is  now  professor  of  agriculture  in  the  col- 
lege at  Adrian,  Michigan,  and  Nora,  unmarried,  who  is  at  home  with  lier 
parents. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Greene  county,  Roy  L.  Powers  received 
his  schooling  in  the  Bowersville  schools  and  shortly  after  his  graduation 
from  the  high  school  there  was  employed  as  a  bookkeeper  in  the  Bowersville 
Bank.  Not  long  afterward  he  was  made  assistant  cashier  in  the  bank  of  the 
Port  William  Banking  Company  and  continued  thus  engaged  until  in  August, 
19J0,  when  he  was  made  cashier  of  the  Farmers  and  Merchants  Bank  of 
Christiansburg,  which  jjosition  he  has  ever  since  occupied.  Upon  entering 
upon  the  duties  of  that  position  Mr.  Powers  moved  to  Christiansburg  and 
after  his  marriage  two  months  later  established  his  home  there.  The  pres- 
ent organization  of  the  Farmers  and  Merchants  Bank  of  Christiansburg  is 
as  follow:  President,  J.  T.  R.  Wilson;  vice-president,  J.  R.  Marshall;  sec- 
ond vice-president,  J.  W.  Heffner ;  cashier,  Roy  L.  Powers,  and  assistant 
cashier,  Bert  R.  Richardson;  with  the  above  officers  and  Ralph  Foster,  Ezra 
Jenkins,  C.  B.  Lair,  W.  L.  Deaton  and  W.  J.  Drake  constituting  the  board 
of  directors. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  47I 

In  October.  19 lO,  Roy  L.  Powers  was  united  in  marriage  to  Nellie  C. 
Breakfield,  who  was  graduated  from  the  Port  William  high  school  and  later 
attended  college  at  Oxford,  this  state,  and  to  this  union  one  child  has  been 
born,  a  son,  Max  E.,  born  on  April  22,  1915.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Powers  arc 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Christiansburg  and  Mr. 
Powers  is  a  meml>er  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  same  and  assistant  superin- 
tendent of  the  Sunday  school.  He  is  a  member  of  Mt.  Olivet  Lodge  No.  226. 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  is  the  present  treasurer  of  that  lodge. 
Politically,  he  is  a  Republican. 


ANSON  IRELAND. 


Anson  Ireland  was  born  in  the  village  of  Terre  Haute,  May  15,  1870. 
a  son  of  J.  H.  and  Margaret  (Davis)  Ireland.  The  father  of  our  subject 
came  to  this  country  when  but  a  lad  of  eight  years.  Here  he  grew  to  man- 
hood and  was  married.  There  were  fourteen  children  born  to  this  family 
of  whom  nine  are  now  living:  J.  W.,  a  farmer  in  Mad  River  township; 
Anna,  wife  of  Link  Slipliens,  of  Springfield.  Ohio;  Elizabeth  E.,  wife  of 
Charles  Deibert,  of  Springfield,  Ohio;  Anson,  subject  of  this  sketch;  Core 
S.,  assistant  cashier  of  the  Champaign  National  Bank,  in  Urbana,  Ohio,  was  a 
teacher  in  the  public  schools,  served  as  deputy  treasurer,  and  was  sheriff  for 
four  years;  M.  O.,  a  groceryman  at  Kings  Creek,  Ohio;  Mabel,  wife  of  Noah 
Woodruff,  farmer,  Kings  creek;  Hettie.  wife  of  Ed  Dunahew.  living  near 
Kennard,  Ohio. 

Anson  Ireland  was  reared  in  Terre  Haute  and  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  that  place.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  began  to  work  for  himself. 
November  29,  1893,  he  was  married  to  OUie  M.  Zirkle,  a  daughter  of  David 
J.  and  Amanda  (Lutz)  Zirkle.  She  was  born  and  reared  on  a  farm  in 
this  town.ship  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ireland 
began  housekeeping  where  they  now  live.  The  comfortable  house  in  which 
they  now  live  was  built  by  Mr.  Ireland  in  191 3.  Their  two  children  now 
living  are:  Esta.  wife  of  Homer  Dingledine,  living  in  Terre  Haute,  Ohio; 
Robert,  graduate  of  the  high  school,  191 7.  Mrs.  Ireland  and  children  are 
members  of  the  MetlK>dist  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  Ireland  is  a  member 
of  the  Junior  Order  of  Mechanics.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Republican 
party  and  interested  in  the  promotion  of  the  principles  advocated  by  that 


4/2  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

party.      He  has   been  an  active  member  of   the    Republican   county   central 
committee. 

Mr.  Ireland  is  the  owner  of  eighty  acres  of  land  in  this  township,  and 
also  has  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  acres  in  Pike  county.  Ohio.  He  is  a 
dealer  in  live  stock  and  also  a  dealer  in  dressed  meat,  sellinq;  at  wholesale. 


JOHN  TAYLOR  JOURNEI.L. 

John  Taylor  Journell,  one  of  the  prominent  members  of  the  city  council 
at  Urbana  and  who  is  engaged  in  the  general  insurance  and  real-estate  busi- 
ness in  that  city,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here  all 
his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Concord  township  on  July  lo,  1859,  son 
of  Crockett  and  IVIargaret  (Taylor)  Journell,  the  former  a  native  of  the 
state  of  Virginia  and  the  latter  of  this  county,  well-to-do  and  influential  resi- 
dents of  that  part  of  the  county. 

Crockett  Journell  was  born  at  Christiansburg.  Virginia.  April  4,  1828. 
and  was  about  two  years  of  age  when  his  parents,  John  and  Sarah  Journell. 
came  to  this  county  from  Virginia.  John  Journell  bought  a  tract  of  land  in 
Concord  township,  established  his  home  there  and  there  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life,  dying  when  his  son  was  but  five  years  old  and  leaving  the  family 
with  but  little  of  this  world's  goods.  On  the  pioneer  farm  settled  by  his 
father,  Crockett  Journell  grew  to  manhood  and  later  started  farming  on  his 
(jwn  account  in  Concord  township,  where,  after  his  marriage,  he  established 
his  home  and  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  on  April 
3.  1905.  He  was  a  good  farmer  and  an  energetic  and  enterprising  citizen 
and  became  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  four  hundred  and  forty  acres.  He 
was  married  to  Margaret  Taylor  on  October  10.  1850.  He  and  his  wife 
were  the  parents  of  four  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the 
third  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  Mary  Etna,  wife  of  George  N.  Kizer, 
of  Urbana;  Daniel  A\'cbster.  who  married  Sarah  Heath,  and  Flora  \'iolet, 
deceased. 

Donald  Taylor,  maternal  grandfather  of  John  Taylor  Journell, 
was  born  near  Edinburgh.  Scotland,  in  1795.  and  on  February  15,  1815, 
married  Mary  McKerrel.  They  came  to  America  in  1822,  settling  on  Miami 
street  in  Urbana,  Ohio.  Later  they  located  in  Clark  county  eight  miles 
south  of  Urbana,  but  in  a  few  years  returned  to  Cham])aign  county,  settling 
on  what  was  known  as  the  John  S.  Tavlor  farm,  three  miles  northwest  of 


JOHN  T.   JOntNELL 


CROCKETT  JOriLXKLl. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


473 


Urbana,  now  known  as  the  McBeth  farm.  He  died  on  February  27,  1841. 
John  T.  Journell  was  reared  on  the  parental  farm  in  Concord  township 
and  received  his  schoohng  in  the  old  Spring  Run  school  house.  From  the 
(laws  of  his  ])oyhood  he  was  a  valued  assistant  to  his  father  in  the  labors  of 
the  home  farm  and  remained  at  home  until  after  his  marriage  in  1883.  <i^ter 
which  he  began  farming  on  his  cnvn  account  and  was  thus  engaged  in  Con- 
cord tov.nshi])  until  his  retirement  from  th.e  farm  and  removal  to  Urbana  in 
October.  1006.  Shortly  after  locating  at  Urbana.  Mr.  Journell  engaged 
there  in  the  general  real-estate,  loan  and .  insurance  business  and  has  ever 
since  been  thus  engaged,  being  one  of  the  best  known  dealers  in  these  lines 
in  this  part  of  tlie  state,  having  built  up  an  extensive  business.  Mr.  Journell 
is  a  Republican  and  has  ever  given  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  political 
affairs.  He  is  now  serving  his  second  term  as  a  member  of  the  city  council 
and  in  other  ways  has  given  of  his  time  and  energies  to  the  public  service. 

On  October  3,  1883,  John  T.  Journell  was  united  in  marriage  to  Nora 
tianna,  daughter  of  George  Hanna.  Air.  and  Mrs.  J(nu-nell  have  a  very 
pleasant  home  at  Urbana  and  have  ever  taken  a  proper  part  in  the  general 
social  activities  of  their  home  town.  Mr.  Journell  is  a  Mason  and  takes  a 
warm  interest  in  local  Masonic  affairs. 


NOBLE  O.  HOAK. 


Noble  O.  Hoak,  subject  of  this  sketch,  lives  on  his  farm  (jn  rural  route 
No.  9,  Urbana,  Ohio,  and  it  was  in  the  old  home  on  this  farm  that  he  was 
born,  October  29.  1858.  He  is  a  son  of  I.emuel  and  Lucretia  (Walker) 
Hoak. 

Lemuel  Hoak,  father  of  our  subject,  was  l)orn  in  Champaign  countw 
Ohio,  August  28,  1826.  He  was  a  son  of  Jacob  Hoak  who  came  here  from 
Virginia  in  an  early  day  and  entered  a  tract  of  land  in  Johnson  township.. 
where  he  established  his  home  and  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  In's  days.  It 
was  there  Lemuel  Hoak  was  born  and  grew  to  manhood  in  that  home, 
working  on  the  farm  and  getting  such  education  as  opportunity  afforded  in 
the  public  schools  of  the  neighborhood.  His  wife,  who  was  Lucretia  Walker, 
was  born  in  Greene  county,  Ohio.  Fler  mother  was  a  native  of  Boston  and 
came  to  Ohio  in  an  early  day  and  lived  here  the  rest  of  her  life.  After  his 
marriage  Lemuel  Hoak  lived  for  sometime  in  Westville,  where  he  worked  at 
his  trade  as  a  shoemaker  and  harnessmaker.     In    i8!:;6  he  removed   to  his 


474  CIIAMPAIGX    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

farm  north  of  W'estville,  where  he  and  his  wife  Hved  the  rest  of  their  days. 
Lemuel  -Hoak  was  a  man  of  energy  and  industry  and  was  well  to  do  in  the 
way  of  w^orldly  goods.  The  family  were  memhers  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  and  took  an  active  interest  in  church  affairs,  and  in  all  other 
affairs  that  tended  to  the  moral  and  educational  advancement  of  the  com- 
munity. Mr.  Hoak  was  active  in  the  order  of  the  Grange,  and  a  puljlic 
spirited  man  generally.  He  died  in  1910;  his  wife  died  in  1909.  Slie  was 
born- October  12.  1821.  Of  the  seven  children  horn  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lemuel 
Hoak  only  two  are  now  living,  our  subject  and  a  sister,  Lavenia.  the  wife 
of  L.  A.  McGinnis,  living  in  Audubon,  Towa.  .Ml  the  other  children,  except 
one,  lived  to  an  adult  age. 

Noble  O.  Hoak  was  reared  on  the  old  home  farm  and  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools,  which  he  attended  during  the  season  when  farm  work 
was  slack.  lie  remained  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age 
and  then  started  out  for  himself.  He  realized  that  one  of  the  first  essentials 
for  success  in  a  young  man's  life  was  to  find  a  wife,  and  he  addressed 
himself- to  this  important  duty.  He  found  the  object  of  his  ambition  and 
desire  in  the  person  of  Miss  Hattie  Black,  of  Clark  county,  Ohio,  to  whom 
he  was  married,  September  25,  1879.  Miss  Black  was  reared  and  educated 
in  Clark  county,  Ohio.  In  1886  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hoak  went  to  Kansas,  where 
they  lived  for  five  years  and  then  went  to  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa.  In  1896 
they  returned  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  and  settled  on  the  home  farm  in 
Alad  River  township,  where  they  have  since  lived. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hoak  have  four  daughters :  Mamie,  the  wife  of  D.  O. 
Wiant,  living  in  Columbus.  Ohio;  Elsie,  graduate  of  the  common  schools, 
wife  of  O.  B.  Sticklev.  living  in  Concord  township;  Bernice,  wife  of  J. 
W.  Finley,  living  in  Mad  River  township,  Mildred,  unmarried,  living  at 
home.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and 
active  workers  in  church  affairs.  Mr.  Hoak  is  president  of  the  board  of 
trustees  and  active  in  the  work  of  the  Sunday  school. 

Mr.  Hoak  is  a  member  of  Magrew  Lodge  No.  433,  Knights  of  Pythias, 
and  a  past  chancellor  of  that  order.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Grange 
order.  In  politics  he  affiliates  with  the  Republican  party.  He  has  been 
a  member  of  the  board  of  education  of  Mad  River  township  for  eight  years, 
and  is  at  present  clerk  of  that  lx)ard. 

The  farm  owned  by  Mr.  Hoak,  and  on  which  he  has  his  home,  is 
composed  of  eighty-six  acres.  It  is  a  part  of  the  land  entered  by  Thomas 
Iventon,  in  181 2.  and  was  purchased  by  Mr.  Hoak's  father  of  the  Kenton 
heirs,  the  father  being  the  fourth  owner  of  the  land.     It  is  now  a  tine  bodv 


CHAMPAIGX     COUNTY,    OHIO. 


475 


of  land,  well  improved,  with  modern  home  and  farm  hnildings.  Air.  Hoak 
keeps  good  stock  and  everything-  a1)Out  the  place  indicates  that  his  farm  is 
conducted  according  to  modern  farming  methods.  lie  raises  Jersey  cattle 
and  Dnroc-Jersey  hogs. 


GERALD  COLBERT. 


Gerald  Colbert,  a  farmer  living  on  rural  route  Xo.  9,  Urbana,  Ohicj, 
was  born  in  the  old  homestead,  a1x)ut  one-fourth  of  a  mile  from  where  he 
now  resides,  February  27,  1866.  He  is  a  son  of  Isaiah  H.  and  Amanda 
(  Wiant)  Colbert.  The  father  was  born  in  Mad  River  township,  January  31, 
1821 ;  the  mother  in  the  same  township,  February  18,  1827.  Isaiah  Colbert 
was  the  son  of  John  and  Anna  (Smith)  Colbert;  she  was  born  in  Virginia 
and  came  with  her  parents  to  Ohio  when  she  was  twelve  years  of  age. 
Isaiali  Colbert  was  reared  on  the  farm  in  Mad  River  township  and  received 
his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  the  neighborhood.  John  Coll>ert  was 
one  of  the  founders  of  the  Nettle  Creek  Baptist  church,  of  which  he  was  a 
faithful  and  active  member  during  his  life.  He  was  of  English  ancestry, 
his  father,  Jesse  Colbert,  being  a  native  of  that  country  and  came  to  America 
in  an  early  day  settling  near  St.  Paris.  John  Colbert  served  as  a  soldier  in 
the  American  army  in  the  War  of  1812.  His  children  were:  Isaiah  H.. 
Sarah,  John,  Louisa  and  Peter. 

Isaiah  H.  Colbert  married  Amanda  Wiant,  April  16,  1846.  They  had 
SIX  children,  two  of  whom  are  now  (1917)  living:  Rosanna  liecame  the 
wife  of  David  Landenbeck;  Jennie  married  John  W.  Straub;  Benjamin  died 
single;  W.  J.  Harwood  married  Mary  :\T.  and  lived  at  Si)ringfield.  Ohio, 
where  he  died  in  1909. 

Gerald  Colbert  was  reared  in  Mad  River  township  on  a  farm  and  was 
educated  in  the  district  schools  of  the  township.  He  attended  school  until 
he  was  sixteen  years  old  and  remained  at  home  working  on  the  farm  until 
he  was  twenty-three.  August  22.  1889,  he  was  married  to  Laura  O.  Taylor, 
daughter  of  Simeon  and  Susan  Taylor.  She  was  born  in  :Mad  River  town- 
ship a  short  distance  from  the  place  where  she  now  lives.  Her  education 
was  obtained  in  the  district  schools  and  in  the  Urbana  high  school.  .  The 
children  of  this  union  are:  Lulu,  deceased,  was  a  graduate  of  the  Westville 
high  school  and  the  wife  of  Weston  McGill,  to  whom  she  l)ore  one  son. 
Harold  Simeon:  Evan  T.,  a  graduate  of  the  W^estville  high  school,  aiul  was 


476  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

a  student  of  the  State  University;  Madge  G..  a  graduate  of  the  Westville 
high  school  and  a  student  for  one  year  in  the  State  University ;  Donald  H., 
a  student  in  the  \\^estville  high  school.  The  three  last  named  are  now  living 
at  home.  Mr.  Colbert's  first  v^dfe  died  April  6,  191 1,  and  he  married  October, 
1913,  Mrs.  Eva  W.  Zirkle.  who  was  born  in  Mad  River  township,  a  daugh- 
ter of  E.  O.  Bloze  and  widow  of  M.  ].  Zirkle,  h\  whom  she  had  one  son. 
Richard. 

Mr.  Colbert  has  been  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in 
Westville  for  twenty-five  years.  He  is  a  member  of  Magrew  Lodge  No. 
433,  Knights  of  Pvthias,  and  is  a  past  chancellor  of  that  order.  He  was 
the  county  deputy  of  the  order  for  Champaign  county.  Politically,  he 
affiliates  wath  the  Democratic  party,  and  has  filled  townshij)  offices. 

Mr.  Colbert  has  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres  in  Mad 
River  township.  It  is  known  as  "Locust  Knoll"  farm  and  is  located  five 
miles  west  of  Urbana,  on  the  Urbana  and  Piqua  pike.  He  raises  Jersey 
cattle  and  Duroc  hogs.  The  farm  is  well  improved,  with  comfortable  resi- 
dence and  all  necessary  farm  buildings,  and  everything  about  the  place  is 
neat  and  attractive,  indicative  of  thrift  and  prosperity. 


JOSEPH  P.  LEONARD. 


Joseph  P.  Leonard,  a  farmer  living  on  his  farm  in  Mad  River  town- 
ship. Champaign  county,  Ohio,  was  born  in  Jackson  township,  this  county. 
October  i,  1842,  a  son  of  George  and  Catherine  (Zirkle)  Leonard.  The 
father  was  born  in  Rockingham  county,  X'irginia,  and  the  mother  was 
born  in  the  same  county  and  state.  They  botli  grew  up  in  that  state  where 
they  were  married,  .\fter  marriage  they  came  to  Ohi<i.  tirst  in  German 
township,  Clark  county,  then  to  Sandusky.  Ohio,  and  then  they  located  in 
(liampaign  county,  in  Jackson  tcnvnship.  where  thc>  lived  for  several  years. 
The}'  then  came  to  Mad  River  township  and  I)ought  the  farm  where  Jose])h 
l\  Leonard  now  lives,  aud  there  they  lived  during  the  rest  of  their  lives, 
'iliev  were  (juiet,  unassunn'ng  people  and  gox!  citizens.  They  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Lutheran  church.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children, 
(Mdy  two  of  whom  are  now  living:  Josei^h  \\.  and  Caroline,  who  lives 
in  Nebraska,  the  widow  of  William  Jenkins.  1'he  children  of  this  family 
all  grew  to  adult  age.  They  were:  George  G.,  Lewis,  William.  Abe  and 
Joseph  P..  the  boys  of  the  fann"l\-.     Sarah  was  the  wife  of  Nathaniel  Eoltz. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  477 

Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  John  Weaver;  Kmeline,  was  the  wife  of  Henry 
CofTelt. 

Joseph  P.  Leonard  was  reared  on  the  farm  in  Mad  River  townshi[), 
and  was  educated  in  the  schools  that  were  available  in  that  time.  He 
remained  at  home  working-  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of 
age  and  then  started  out  working  for  himself.  He  married  Elizabeth  Kesler 
and  four  children  were  born  to  this  union :  John,  Wilson,  lilmer  and 
Charles.  The  wdfe  died  in  1876  and  Joseph  Leonard  married  Rosa  Long. 
To  this  union  two  children  were  born:  Olie,  the  wife  of  Clarence  Gundolf; 
J^mmett.  a  farmer  in  Clark  county,   Ohio. 

Joseph  1'.  Leonard  owns  one  hundred  and  twent}-  acres  of  land  and 
has  made  most  of  the  improvements  on  his  farm.  He  (nvns  one  hundred 
and  seventeen  acres  in  one  farm  and  seventv-ninc  acres  in  another,  in 
German  township,  Clark  county. 

In  his  political  affiliation  Mr.  Leonard  is  a  Democrat.  He  has  served 
as  supervisor  of  the  township  for  two  years.  He  is  a  quiet,  imassuming 
man  and  an  honorable  and  upright  citizen  of  Mad  River  township,  known 
and  respected  by  the  community  in  which  his  entire  life  has  lieen  spent. 
His  last  wife  died  in  i88s. 


GLENN  RUTAN. 


Glenn  Rutan,  one  of  the  trustees  of  Goshen  township,  tenant  of  a  tine 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  fifty-five  acres  in  that  township,  a  member  of  the 
board  of  directors  of  the  Farmers  Bank  of  Mechanicsburg  and  otherwise 
interested  in  the  general  business  activities  of  the  community  in  which  he 
lives,  was  born  on  the  farm  on  which  he  now  lives,  two  and  one-half  miles 
north  of  Mechanicsburg.  and  has  lived  there  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on 
July  II.  1876.  son  of  Capt.  D.  W.  Rutan  and  Lucy  A.  (Kimball)  Rutan. 
for  years  well-known  residents  of  that  community,  whose  last  da\s  were 
spent  at  Mechanicsburg. 

Capt.  D.  W.  Rutan.  who  was  an  honored  veteran  of  the  C"ivil  War. 
also  was  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county,  born  on  a  i)ioneer  farm  a  half 
mile  north  of  Mechanicsburg  on  April  30.  i83().  his  parents  having  been 
among  the  early  settlers  of  that  communitx-.  Reared  on  the  home  farm  in 
Goshen  township,  he  early  evinced  an  unusual  interest  in  his  studies  and  upon 
completing  his   schooling  in   the   high   school   nt   Marys\ille  began   to   teach 


4/8  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

school  and  was  tlius  engaged  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  In  i86i  he 
enlisted  for  service  as  private  in  Company  D,  Thirteenth  Regiment.  Ohio 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  with  that  command  until  the  close  of  the 
war,  being  successively  promoted  to  the  rank  of  corporal,  second  lieutenant, 
lirst  lieutenant  and  captain  of  his  company,  which  latter  rank  he  held  when 
mustered  out.  Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  ser\ice  Captain  Rutan 
returned  to  the  home  farm  and  resumed  his  calling  as  a  teacher,  following 
the  same  for  years  thereafter,  farming  during-  the  summers,  and  in  1871, 
about  the  time  of  his  marriage,  bought  the  farm  on  which  his  son  Glenn 
is  now  living  and  there  established  his  home,  continuing  to  make  that  his 
place  of  residence  until  his  retirement  from  the  farm  in  1903  and  removal 
to  Medianicsburg,  where  he  spent  his  last  days,  his  death  occurring  there 
in  Octoljer,  1913.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  eiglit 
of  whom  are  still  living,  the  youngest  having  died  at  the  age  of  four  months, 
those  besides  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  the  second  in  order  of  birth,  being 
as  follow :  Warren,  a  farmer,  living  in  the  neighboring  covmty  of  Clark : 
Hiram  E.,  a  retired  farmer  now  living  at  Spring  Valley,  this  state ;  Benjamin 
M.,  a  large  farmer,  now  living  at  Marysville;  Mary,  wife  of  A.  E.  Bullard. 
a  farmer  of  Goshen  township,  this  county;  D.  W.,  of  Dayton;  Nellie,  wife 
of  Dr.  H.  O.  Whittaker,  of  New  Burhngton,  in  Greene  county,  and  Martha 
D.,  who  is  now  living  at  St.  Petersburg,  Florida. 

Glenn  Rutan  has  spent  his  entire  life  in  Goshen  township.  He  received 
his  .schooling  in  the  local  schools,  finishing  in  the  high  school  at  Mechanics- 
burg,  and  from  the  days  of  his  boyhood  was  a  helpful  factor  in  the  lab<jrs 
of  developing  and  improving  the  home  farm.  He  rents  one  hundred  and 
fifty-five  acres  which  he  has  brought  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and 
improvement,  he  and  his  family  being  very  comfortably  situated  there.  Mr. 
Rutan  is  a  Republican  and  has  ever  given  close  attention  to  local  civic  affairs, 
l>eing  now  one  of  the  members  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  Goshen  township. 
He  also  served  for  two  years  as  township  assessor  and  in  other  ways  has 
given  of  his  time  and  energies  to  the  public  service.  In  addition  to  his 
general  farming  operations  Mr.  Rutan  also  gives  .some  attention  to  the 
general  business  affairs  of  the  community  and  is  a  member  of  the  board  of 
directors  of  the  Farmers  Bank  of  Mechanicsburg. 

Mr.'  Rutan  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife,  who  was  Nettie 
Doak,  died  in  October,  1891,  leaving  one  child,  a  daughter,  Gertrude  A., 
l)orn  on  Deceml^er  23.  1890,  who  was  graduated  with  first  honors  from  tlie 
.Mechanicsburg  high  school,  later  took  a  course  in  Oherlin  College  and  is  now 
a   stenographer   in   the  ot'fice   of   the    b^irestone   Rubber   Company   at   Cle\e- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  ^yg 

land.  On  February  14,  1896,  Mr.  Rutan  married  Delia  McAdams,  who  was 
bom  in  Union  township,  this  county,  and  to  this  union  eight  children  have 
been  born,  Roland,  Winifred,  Catherine,  Dewitt.  Fred  (deceased).  Willis. 
Dewey  (deceased),  Daniel  William. 

Winifred  Rutan  married  Wingate  Tullis,  a  farmer  of  Goshen  township. 
The  Rutans  have  a  very  pleasant  home  and  take  an  interested  part  in  the 
community's  general  social  activities.  Mr.  Rutan  is  a  member  of  Honier 
Lodge  No.  474,  Knights  of  Pythias,  at  Mechanicsburg.  and  of  the  local 
lodge  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  .America  at  that  place  and  in  the  affairs 
of  both  of  these  orders  takes  a  warm  interest. 


TOSEPH  H.  SHAFFER. 


Joseph  H.  Shaffer,  a  retired  farmer,  living  in  Terre  Haute,  Ohio,  was 
born  June  11.  1845.  He  was  a  son  of  Jacob  and  .Vnna  (Dangledine)  Shaft"er. 
The  father  w^as  born  in  Shenandoah  county.  A'irginia.  Oct<)!>er  26,  iSa8,  a 
son  of  Abraham  Shaffer,  wlio  was  a  life-long  resident  of  Virginia  and 
died  in  that  state  during  the  Civil  War.  Jacob  Shaft'er  grew  to  manhood 
in  \'irginia  and  was  married  there  to  .\nna  Dangledine.  He  came  to  Ohio 
in  1836  and  located  in  Terre  Haute,  where  he  engaged  in  his  trade  as  a 
l)lacksmith.  being  the  first  blacksmith  in  the  town.  .Some  years  later  he 
removed  to  his  farm.  April.  1849.  where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  days.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  ])olitics.  He  was  the 
father  of  seven  children,  three  of  whom  are  now  living:  John  A.,  a  farmer 
in  Mad  River  township;  Martha,  the  wife  of  Joseph  Cutler,  of  Concord 
township,  and  Joseph  H. 

Jo.seph  H.  Shaffer  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  received  his  eduaition 
in  the  district  schools  of  the  township.  He  remained  at  home  working 
on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age.  September  4.  1870. 
he  was  married  to  Nancy  L.  Davis,  who  was  born  near  Terre  Haute.  After 
marriage  they  settled  on  a  farm  southeast  of  Terre  Haute,  where  the} 
continued  to  live  for  forty-five  years.  The  farm  consisted  of  one  hundred 
and  twenty-six  acres,  southeast  of  town,  and  another  tract  of  si.xty  acres 
King  northwest  of  the  town. 

Three  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shaffer:  Elmer,  born 
November  5,  1871,  married  Lizzie  Zirklc.  is  living  on  the  farm;  Lulu  May. 
born  May  14.   1886.  educated  in  the  public  school  of  Terre  Haute:  Maggie 


480  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

F..  born  December  31,  1876.  died  November  13.  1895.  1'^^"  family  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  Terre  Haute,  and  Mr. 
Shaffer  has  been  a  member  of  the  official  lioard  of  the  church  for  thirty- 
live  years.  He  has  always  been  a  liberal  sujjporter  of  the  church  and  actively 
interested  in  all  its  affairs.  When  the  church  was  torn  down  a  few  years 
ago  he  was  a  memter  of  the  building'  committee  for  the  erection  of  a  new 
church.     In  politics  he  affiliates  with  the  Republican  party. 

At  the  time  of  the  breaking-  out  of  the  Civil  War  Mr.  Shaffer  was  a 
member  of  the  Ohio  National  Guard,  and  on  the  call  for  volunteers  for 
the  regular  service  he  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Ohio 
Volunteer  Infantry,  which  became  a  part  of  the  Army  of  the  I'otomac. 
He  participated  with  his  regiment  in  (Operations  of  the  army  around  Rich- 
mond, in  1864,  and  in  the  many  battles  in  which  they  army  was  engaged 
under  the  general  command  of  General  Grant.  After  the  war  he  served 
in  the  National  Guard  for  five  years.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic  at  Tremont  City.  He  has  served  on  the  school  l)oard.  In 
191 S  he  removed  to  Terre  Haute  and  is  now  retired. 


JAMES  T.  WOODWAKD. 

James  T.  Woodward,  one  of  Urbana's  best-known  citizens,  a  retired 
miller  of  that  city  and  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  was  born  in  the 
neighboring  county  of  Logan,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  Champaign  county 
since  the  early  fifties.  He  was  born  on  January  28.  1845.  son  of  Washing- 
ton and  Janette  (Thompson)  Woodward,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  the  latter  of  this  state,  whose  last  days  were  spent  in  Urbana. 

Washington  Woodward  was  bori!  in  Chester  county.  Pennsylvania,  in 
1 8 13,  son  of  George  and  Alice  ( P>uffing-ton )  Woodward,  both  natives  of  that 
same  countv.  the  latter  of  whom  was  l)orn  on  Septeml)er  11.  1 ']']'],  the  date 
of  the  Ixittle  of  the  lirandywine.  George  Woodward  was  a  miller  and  in 
J 833  left  his  old  home  in  Pennsylvania  and  came  to  this  county,  locating  at 
Urbana,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  par- 
ents of  ten  children.  Gideon,  Jonathan,  Washington,  Ephraim,  William,  John, 
George.  Lydia,  Eliza  and  Ann.  Washington  Woodward  grew  to  manhood 
in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  later  came  to  Ohio  and  settled  in  Union 
township,  this  county,  buying  a  tract  of  land  eight  miles  east  of  Urbana. 
\V'hen  he  bought  that  place  it  had  a  <mall  log  cabin  on  it  and  all  that  was 


JAMES    T.    WOODWARD 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  481 

cleared  was  a  bit  of  a  plot  about  the  cabin.  He  married  Janette  Thompson, 
who  was  born  in  Logan  county,  this  state,  a  daughter  of  James  Thompson 
and  wife,  natives  of  Scotland  and  early  settlers  in  Logan  county,  and  after 
living  for  some  time  in  Logan  county,  established  his  home  on  his  farm  in 
Union  township,  this  county,  and  there  was  successfully  engaged  in  farming 
i.uitil  his  retirement  from  the  active  labors  of  the  farm,  when  he  and  his  wife 
moved  to  Urbana.  where  the\-  spent  their  last  days,  her  death  occurring  in 
1882  and  his.  in  1885,  he  then  being  well  past  seventy  years  of  age.  He  was 
of  Quaker  stock  and  she  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church.  They 
were  the  parents  of  five  children,  of  whom  but  two  grew  to  maturity,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  and  his  brother,  Kemp  C.  Woodward,  born  on  January 
27.  1847,  ^  substantial  farmer  of  this  county,  who  married  Talitha  Morse 
and  died  in  1877,  leaving  two  children.  Katie  and  Florence. 

James  T.  Woodward  was  but  a  boy  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out  and 
not  long  after  he  had  passed  his  eighteenth  birthday  he  enlisted,  July  4,  1863, 
at  Mechanicsburg,  for  service  in  the  Union  army  and  went  to  the  front  as  a 
member  of  Company  L  Eighty-sixth  Regiment.  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry. 
Ins  first  service  being  in  the  expedition  after  Morgan,  the  Confederate  raider; 
later  being  sent  into  Kentucky  and  in  September  took  part  in  the  engagement 
at  Cumberland  Gaj).  Tennessee,  at  which  place  the  division  to  which  he  was 
attached,  wintered.  In  February,  1864.  he  was  mustered  out,  but  at  once 
re-enlisted  and  continued  in  service  as  a  member  of  Company  E,  One  Hun- 
dred and  Thirty-fourth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  taking  part  in 
the  James  River  campaign  and  in  the  battle  of  Peterbsurg  and  on  August 
,^i.  1864,  was  mustered  out  with  his  regiment  and  paid  off  at  Columbus.  For 
three  or  four  years  after  his  return  from  his  military  service  Mr.  Woodward 
taught  school  during  the  winters,  continuing  engaged  in  farming  during  the 
summers,  and  after  his  marriage,  in  the  spring  of  1869,  ^^^  continued  farming 
for  seven  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  moved  to  Woodstock,  where  he 
conducted  the  grain  elevator  and  at  the  same  time  acted  as  agent  for  the  rail- 
way  company  there,  and  was  thus  engaged  at  that  place  for  seven  years.  He 
then  moved  to  Urbana,  w^here  he  ever  since  has  made  his  home.  For  seven 
years  after  locating  at  Urbana  Mr.  Woodward  was  engaged  in  the  milling 
business  in  that  city,  but  of  recent  years  has  been  living  comfortably  retired. 

In  March,  1869.  James  T.  Woodward  was  united  in  marriage  to  Pamela 

Marshall,  who  was  born  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  whose  father. 

a   farmer  and  stockman,   died  in  low-a.   her  mother,   Mrs.   Mary  Marshall. 

afterward  making  her  home  with  Mrs.   Woodward  in  Urbana.   where  she 

(31a) 


482  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

spent  her  last  clays.  Mrs.  Pamela  Woodward  died  on  June  i,  1916.  Mr. 
Woodward  is  a  member  of  Grace  iN'Iethodist  Episcopal  church  at  Urbana  and 
is  an  active  member  of  Brand  Post,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  in  the  affairs 
of  which  patriotic  organization  he  has  for  years  taken  a  warm  interest.  Mr. 
Woodward  is  the  only  Civil  War  veteran  who  is  in  the  public  service  of  his 
county,  having  been  appointed  on  JiinUf'^ry  8,  191 3,  an  inspector  of  weights 
and  measures. 


CHARLES  B.  WING. 


Charles  B.  Wing,  president  of  the  Wing-  Seed  Company  of  Mechanics- 
burg,  this  county,  and  one  of  the  best-known  seed  experts  in  the  United 
States,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life, 
with  the  exception  of  five  years  spent  in  the  West  during  the  period  of  his 
young  manhood.  He  was  born  at  Mechanicsburg  on  April  8,  1878,  son  of 
William  H.  and  Jennie  (Bullard)  Wing,  both  of  whom  \Vere  born  in  Cal- 
taragus  county,  New  York,  who  came  to  Ohio  in  1866  and  settled  on  a 
farm  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Mechanicsburg,  this  county,  where  they 
spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  of 
whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth,  the  others 
being  Edwin,  Joseph  E.,  Willis  O.  and  Jennie  May.  Elsewhere  in  this 
volume  there  is  presented  a  memorial  sketch  of  the  late  Joseph  E.  Wing. 
long  known  as  "Alfalfa  Joe,"  on  account  of  the  wonderful  work  Ik-  did 
in  promoting  the  culture  of  alfalfa  throughout  the  country  and  in  that  same 
sketch  there  is  set  out  at  some  length  the  story  of  how  the  Wing  brothers 
took  up  the  work  of  alfalfa  culture,  beginning  on  the  home  fami  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Mechanicsburg,  a  labor  of  love  which  eventually  led  to  the 
establishment  of  the  present  extensive  seed-distributing  plant  of  the  Wing 
Seed  Company  at  Mechanicsburg. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm,  Charles  B.  Wing  received  his  schooling  in 
the  schools  of  Mechanicsburg  and  was  graduated  from  the  high  school  there 
in  1895.  His  health  not  being  considered  quite  up  to  the  mark  at  that  time 
he  was  sent  West  with  a  view  to  securing  relief  through  a  change  of  climate 
and  he  remained  there  for  five  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  returned 
home  and  became  engaged  as  a  salesman  for  alfalfa  seeds  raised  on  the  home 
farm,  his  brothers  having  in  the  meantime  begun  the  scientific  culture  of 
that  forage  crop.  Presently  he  and  his  brothers  formed  a  partnership  and 
incorporated  a  companv  for  the  sale  of  general  field  seeds  and  grasses  and 


■^^^^" 

to\m»\m«\w\'\«     ,'  '\i,\ 

1 

l^^^iii 

t 

H^^^R^^^^^ 

^L^^J^L 

ft 

Ml 

1 

i 

^^^^K' 

■«fi 

1 

^Hp^^Biw«i8iw''lls^^  ^ 

-1j 

i 

^^B»;v^A''''';.'-^''-''''\'' 

i 

1 

u 

^'m 

I     'l^^^^^^l 

J 

^M 

'i&'^- 

1 

HH^I 

^v>^' 

^M^^^^l 

u 

I'HAltI.ES  B.   WlXCi 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  483 

as  this  line  of  business  grew  and  developed  they  added  to  the  same  flower 
seeds  and  general  vegetable  seeds,  before  long  having  developed  at  Mechan- 
icsburg  one  of  the  most  extensive  seed  establishments  in  the  state  of  Ohio. 
In  191 5,  following  the  death,  of  Joseph  E.  Wing,  Charles  B.  Wing  became 
the  president  of  the  Wing  Seed  Company,  the  other  officers  of  which  now  are 
Willis  O.  Wing,  vice-president;  Andrew  S.  Wing,  secretary  and  treasurer, 
and  Margaret  Leahy,  assistant  secretary. 

When  the  Wing  brothers  incorporated  their  company  they  started  with 
a  capitalization  of  thirty  thousand  dollars,  which  capitalization  has  since 
been  increased  to  one  hundred  thousand  dollars.  The  Wing  Seed  Company 
not  only  handles  seeds  gathered  from  all  parts  of  the  United  States,  but 
imports  largely  from  Europe,  drawing  extensive  supplies  from  England, 
France,  Holland  and  Denmark,  handling  now  about  seven  hundred  varieties 
of  flower  seeds.  The  company  made  its  reputation  as  alfalfa  specialists, 
the  Wing  brothers  being  recognized  as  the  pioneer  alfalfa  growers  of  Ohio, 
but  in  later  lines  has  made  an  equally  secure  reputation,  the  tested  seed  corn, 
soy  beans  and  garden  and  flower  seeds  distributed  from  the  extensive  plant 
of  this  company  at  Mechanicsburg  being  in  wide  demand  throughout  the 
country.  Of  recent  years  the  Wing  Seed  Company  has  made  a  specialty  of 
bulbs  and  at  present  has  probably  the  largest  collection  of  bulbs  in  the  United 
States,  handling  more  than  four  hundred  varieties  of  Peonies,  about  two 
hundred  varieties  of  Iris,  one  hundred  and  fifty  of  Dahlias  and  one  hundred 
and  fifty  of  Gladioli.  The  story  of  the  Ijeginning  of  the  Wing  Seed  Com- 
pany is  as  interesting  as  a  romance.  During  the  days  of  his  young  manhood 
Joseph  E.  Wing  was  working  on  a  ranch  in  Utah  and  was  much  attracted  tn 
the  growth  of  the  alfalfa  raised  there.  He  sent  some  seed  back  to  the 
home  farm  with  instructions  to  his  father  and  brother  to  i)lant  and  nurture 
the  same,  with  a  view  to  determine  whether  the  soil  of  Ohio  was  adapted  to 
the  wonderful  forage  plant.  The  seed  produced  all  right,  but  the  plant 
seemed  to  give  no  promise  of  developing  into  anything  like  the  crop  that 
had  been  described  in  the  enthusiastic  letters  from  the  West.  The  cause  of 
this  apparent  backwardness  was  soon  discovered  to  be  due  to  predatory 
chickens  that  were  eating  the  tops  of  the  plants.  The  Wings  then  carefully 
protected  a  patch  of  selected  plants  and  were  amazed  to  note  the  growtli 
the  crop  made.  They  realized  that  they  had  a  species  of  "clover"  entirely 
new  to  Ohio  and  when  Joseph  E.  Wing  returned  from  the  West  began  the 
scientific  culture  of  their  wonderful  "find."  Joseph  E.  Wing  t(X)k  the  lead 
in  this  work  and  it  was  not  long  until  his  labors  began  to  be  recognized 
by   the  government,   the   agricultural   department   employing  him   to   spread 


484  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

the  .  propaganda  of  alfalfa  broadcast,  his  work  in  this  connection  being" 
of  so  enthusiastic  a  character  that  he  came  to  be  styled  "Alfalfa  Joe,"  a 
sobriquet  that  stuck  to  him  the  rest  of  his  life  and  which  came  very  prop- 
erly regarded  as  a  title  of  honor,  for  he  did  a  wonderful  work  in  the  way 
of  introducing  alfalfa  culture  in  other  part's  of  the  country  and  developing 
the  interest  of  agriculturists  generally  in  that  valuable  forage  crop.  Not 
only  were  his  labors  in  this  behalf  extended  into  nearly  every  state  in  the 
Union,  but  he  made  three  trips  to  Europe  and  one  to  South  America  in  the 
same  behalf  and  likewise  extended  his  propaganda  into  Canada  and  Mexico. 
In  1913  the  first  "alfalfa  picnic"  was  held  at  "Woodland  Farm,"  the  old 
Wing  place  near  Mechanicsburg,  and  there  were  thirty-five  hundred  people 
present,  among  those  who  addressed  the  gathering  being  Governor  Cox.  A. 
P.  Sandles  and  Dean  Price,  of  the  Ohio  State  University. 

On  May  4,  1905,  Charles  Wing  was  united  in  marriage  to  Jeannette 
Monce  and  to  this  union  three  children  have  been  born,  Marguerite  May, 
Gardner  Bullard  and  Charles  Winston.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wing  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  take  a  proper  interest  in  church  work, 
as  well  as  in  the  general  good  works  of  their  home  town  and  in  the  general 
social  activities  of  the  same,  helpful  in  many  ways  in  promoting  all  agencies 
having  to  do  with  the  advancement  of  the  common  welfare  therealx>ut. 


JAMES  H.  IRELAND. 


James  H.  Ireland  was  born  in  Mad  River  township,  Champaign  county, 
Ohio,  October  30,  1839,  and  is  now  living  in  Terre  Haute,  Ohio.  He  is 
a  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Bell)  Ireland. 

William  Ireland  was  born  in  Kentucky,  and  came  with  his  brother, 
Thomas  Ireland,  to  Champaign  county  when  a  }oung  man.  He  was  among 
the  early  settlers  of  this  county.  He  located  in  Mad  River  township  and 
found  employment  working  b)'  the  da}'.  Later  he  engaged  in  the  stock- 
buying  business,  in  which  he  was  quite  successful.  His  wife.  Mary  Bell, 
was  l)om  in  Mad  River  township,  her  parents  being  Kentuckians.  They  had 
also  come  here  among  the  early  settlers  in  Mad  River  township,  locating 
near  to  the  place  where  Richard  Lee  now  lives.  Mary  Bell  was  reared  and 
educated  here. 

William  Ireland  was  engaged  in  the  stock-raising  business,  and.  in  1846, 
the  family  renio\ed  to  southern  Indiana.     While  there  an  epidemic  of  cholera 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  485 

broke  out  and  the  entire  family,  except  James  H.,  died  with  tliis  scourge. 
James  H.  ran  away  from  home  and  found  a  place  with  a  family  by  the 
name  of  Owens,  and  thus  escaped  the  fatal  disease.  He  remained  with  this 
family  one  winter  and  then  returned  to  Mad  River  township  and  found  a 
home  with  the  Bells  where  he  grew  to  manhood. 

James  H.  Ireland  was  married  to  Margaret  A.  Davis,  February  28, 
1861.  She  was  a  daughter  of  John  W.  Davis,  and  was  born  in  Mad  River 
township,  October  29,  1842.  To  this  union  thirteen  children  were  born,  nine 
of  whom  are  now  living:  Rowana,  born  September  11,  1865;  L.  B.,  bom 
December  12,  1861,  now  deceased;  John  W.,  born  June  3,  1863;  EHza,  Anson, 
Fov,  deceased;  Cory,  Elsie,  deceased;  Clifford,  died  in  infancy;  Mina,  Yida 
Mabel,  Maggie  F.,  deceased;  Hettie  C. 

James  H.  Ireland  enlisted  as  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War,  serving  in  Com- 
pany I,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty- fourth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic;  also 
a  member  of  St.  Paris  Lodge  No.  246,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows. His  political  affiliation  is  with  the  Republican  party.  He  has  served 
as  constable  and  as  a  member  of  various  Iwards  in  the  township.  His  wife 
died  November  9,  1903,  at  her  home  in  Terre  Haute,  Ohio. 


SAMUEL  L.  P.  STONE.  JR. 

Samuel  L.  P.  Stone,  Jr.,  hardware  merchant  at  St.  Paris  and  one  of 
the  best-known  and  most  progressive  young  business  men  of  that  city,  is  a 
native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was 
born  at  Urbana  on  May  30,  1884,  son  of  Samuel  L.  P.  and  Julia  (Geiger) 
Stone,  the  former  a  native  of  the  state  of  Virginia  and  the  latter  of  Penn- 
sylvania,  for  years  prominent  and  well-known  residents  of  Urbana. 

The  elder  Samuel  L.  P.  Stone  became  a  resident  of  Urbana  in  the  days 
of  his  youth  and  there  married  Julia  Geiger,  daughter  of  Judge  Geiger,  of 
that  city.  He  first  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  in  that  city  and  later 
formed  an  association  with  his  brother  in  the  hardware  business,  under 
the  firm  name  of  Stone  Brothers,  and  was  thus  engaged  for  about  forty 
years.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  three  of  whom 
are  still  living,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having  a  sister.  Ida,  wife  of  George 
McConnell.  of  Urbana,  and  a  brother,  Levi  G.  Stone,  a  traveling  salesman, 
residing  at  Pittsburgh. 


486  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

Reared  at  Urbana,  the  junior  Samuel  L.  P.  Stone  received  his  schoohng 
in  the  pubHc  schools  of  that  city  and  in  Urbana  University  and  upon  com- 
pleting his  school  work  entered  his  father's  hardware  store  and  there  became 
thoroughly  familiar  with  the  details  of  the  hardware  business,  remaining 
there  as  a  clerk  until  19 13.  in  which  year  he  became  engaged  in  business  for 
himself,  opening  a  hardware  store  at  St.  Paris,  which  he  has  since  been 
conducting  vei'y  successfully,  his  store  being  well  stocked  and  operated 
according  to  up-to-date  methods. 

On  August  12,  1904,  Samuel  L.  P.  Stone,  Jr.,  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Lutie  V.  Ivins,  who  was  born  in  Warren  county,  this  state,  and  to  this 
union  two  children  have  been  born,  Ferdinand  F.,  born  in  Deceml>er,  1908, 
and  Nancy  L.,  born  June,  1916.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stone  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  St.  Paris  and  take  a  proper  part  in  church 
work,  as  well  as  in  the  general  social  activities  of  their  home  town,  hdpful 
in  the  work  of  promoting  all  agencies  having  to  do  with  the  advancement 
of  the  common  welfare.  Mr.  Stone  is  a  Royal  Arch  Mason,  a  member  of 
Champaign  Lodge  No.  525,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  of  St.  Paris 
Chapter  No.  132,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Knights 
of  Pythias,  taking  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs  of  both  of  these  popular 
fraternal  organizations. 


GUY  C.  COUCHMAN. 


Guy  C.  Couchman,  farmer  of  Concord  township,  ClKun[)aign  county, 
was  born  in  the  state  of  Kansas,  August  12,  1886.  He  is  a  son  of  George 
and  EHzabeth  (Craig)  Couchman,  both  natives  of  this  county,  where  they 
spent  their  earlier  years  and  were  married.  They  settled  on  a  farm  in  Salem 
township,  but  finally  sold  out  and  moved  to  Kansas,  where  they  spent  eight 
years  on  a  farm,  then  returned  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  and  here  the 
father's  death  occurred  on  December  21.  1905.  Both  were  members  of 
the  Methodist  church  at  Wesley  chapel,  and  he  was  active  in  the  work  of 
the  same.  Their  family  consisted  of  eight  children,  namely :  Addie  is  the 
wife  of  Perry  Borden ;  Charles  is  farming  in  Logan  county,  Ohio ;  Bert 
is  farming  in  Harrison  township,  this  county ;  Mary  is  the  wife  of  Will 
Calland;  Lulu  is  the  wife  of  Abe  Maburry;  Edith  is  the  wife  of  Newton 
Calland;  Frank  is   farming  in  Champaign  county;  Guy  C.  of  this  sketch. 

Guy   C.   Couchman   was  six  years  old   when   his   parents   brought   him 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  487 

from  Kansas  to  Chaiiipaign  county,  Ohio,  and  here  he  grew  to  manhood  and 
attended  the  district  schools.  He  assisted  his  father  with  the  work  on  the 
home  place  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  when  he  started  farming 
for  himself.  About  this  time  he  was  married  to  Celeste  Vaughn,  on  Novem- 
ber 3,  1906.  She  was  born  in  Champaign  county  where  she  was  reared 
and  attended  school. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Couchman  continued  to  make  his  home  in 
Concord  township,  working  out  for  a  while  by  the  month,  later  lived  in 
West  Liberty,  then  spent  a  year  on  a  farm  in  his  native  county.  He  finally 
purchased  sixty-one  acres  where  he  now  lives  and  here  he  has  made  a  very 
comfortable  living  as  a  general  farmer.    He  raises  a  good  grade  of  live  stock. 

Two  children  have  l3een  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Couchman,  namely  :  Elsie, 
born  on  Septeml>er  lo,  1908,  and  Robert,  born  October  11,  1913. 

Politically,  IMr.  Couchman  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  church. 


JOSEPH  H.  DAVIS. 


Joseph  H.  Davis  is  living  a  retired  life  in  Terre  Haute.  Ohio,  Mad  River 
township.  He  was  born  near  Terre  Haute,  December  6.  1848,  a  son  of 
William  and  Annie  (Weaver)  Davis,  who  were  residents  of  this  county 
for  many  years.  The  father  died  when  Joseph  H.  was  only  five  years  old. 
There  were  six  children  in  this  family  of  whom  four  are  now  living.  The 
children  are:  John,  of  Urbana,  Ohio;  Mary  E.,  deceased;  Lucretia,  widow 
of  Evan  Davis,  Marion  county.  Ohio;  Jane,  deceased;  Joseph  H..  our  sub- 
ject; Nancy,  wife  of  Joseph  Shaffer.  Terre  Haute,  Ohio. 

After  the  death  of  his  parents  Joseph  H.  Davis  lived  with  an  uncle 
and  aunt  in  Mad  River  township.  When  the  Civil  War  came  on  he  enlisted 
first  in  the  Home  Guards,  at  the  age  of  twelve  years.  Later  he  enlisted  as  a 
regular  soldier  in  Company  I,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty- fourth  Ohio  Volun- 
teer Infantry  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  After  the  w^ar  he  returned 
to  his  home  with  his  uncle  and  remained  until  1868,  when  he  was  twenty 
years  of  age.  He  then  went  to  Hardin  county,  Ohio,  to  manage  a  farm. 
While  there  he  met  and  married  Margaret  J.  Baughman,  July  i,  1869.  In 
1875  he  returned  with  his  wife  to  Mad  River  township,  where  he  rented  a 
farm  and  worked  by  day's  work  for  a  few  years.  In  1882  they  removed 
to  Terre  Haute  and  this  lias  been  their  home  ever  since,  while  he  has  con- 
tinued work  as  a  farmer. 


488  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Mr.  Davis  is  a  member  of  the  Junior  Order  of  Mechanics,  of  Mad  River 
township,  and  a  past  master  of  that  order,  having  passed  through  all  the 
chairs.  He  is  a  member  of  Brand  Post.  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  at 
Urbana.  He  is  a  member  of  the  county  board  of  agriculture,  having  had  a 
period  of  fourteen  years  of  continuous  service  on  the  lioard.  He  has  al\va\  s 
been  actively  engaged  in  agriculture  and  endeavors  to  keep  abreast  of  the 
times  in  that  line  of  industry.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  he  has 
always  been  firm  in  the  belief  that  the  principles  on  which  that  party  was 
founded,  and  the  policies  advocated  by  that  party,  are  principles  and  policies 
in  accord  with  those  on  which  the  government  was  founded. 


JOHN   HE.SSELGESSER. 

.\  venerable  retired  farmer  of  Champaign  county  is  John  Hesselgesser, 
now  making  his  home  at  Eris,  Concord  township.  He  was  born  in  Clark 
county,  Ohio,  November  8.  1837,  a  son  of  Richard  and  Elizabeth  (Pence) 
Hesselgesser,  natives  of  Penn.sylvania  and  Clark  county,  Ohio,  respectively. 
When  a  young  man  he  left  his  native  state  and  came  to  Clark  county,  Ohio, 
locating  in  German  township,  Clark  county,  and  there  he  bought  forty  acres 
of  bottom  land.  He  sold  that  and  bought  eighty  acres  near  Tremont  City, 
on  which  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  was  first  a  Whig  and  later  a 
Republican.  He  belonged  to  the  German  Reformed  church.  His  death 
occurred  on  his  farm  in  Clark  county.  May  30.  1869,  at  an  early  age.  His 
widow  survived  him  thirty-three  years,  dying  on  July  4,  1902,  in  Tremont 
City,  Ohio.  Eleven  children  were  born  to  Richard  Hesselgesser  and  wife, 
only  three  of  whom  are  living  in  1917,  nameh":  John,  of  this  sketcli ; 
Samuel  is  farming  in  Miami  county,  Ohio:  Sarah  J.  is  the  wife  of  Granville 
r>eber. 

John  Hesselgesser  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Clark  couiU}-. 
He  attended  school  in  a  log  school  house  in  his  district.  He  remained  at 
home,  assisting  his  father  with  the  general  farm  work  until  he  was  twenty- 
eight  years  old.  During  the  Civil  War  he  volunteered  for  special  military 
duty  at  the  time  of  Morgan's  raid  into  Ohio,  but  did  not  see  active  duty. 
On  March  29,  1866,  he  married  Elizabeth  Kizer,  who  was  born  in  Concord 
township.  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  December  7.  1843.  She  is  a  daughter 
of  Philip  and  Phoebe  (Dagger)  Kizer;  the  latter  was  a  native  of  Virginia, 
and  Mr.   Kizer  was  bom  in  Johnson  township.  Champaign  county,  on  the 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  489 

farm  which  is  now  owned  liy  Jason  Kiser.  His  family  consisted  of  nine 
children,  three  sons  and  six  daughters.  Philip  Kiser  was  for  years  a  leader 
in  the  Concord  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Hesselgesser  located  on  a  farm  in  (ierman  town- 
ship, Clark  county,  but  a  }'ear  later  he  moved  to  the  farm  now  owned  h\- 
J.  W.  Zimmerman,  in  Champaign  county.  His  family  consisted  of  four 
children,  two  of  whom  are  deceased,  namely :  Ada  is  the  wife  of  Elmer 
Offenbacher,  of  Urbana ;  Chester  P.  was  graduated  from  the  Ohio  Wes- 
leyan  University  at  Delaware,  Ohio,  with  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts,  he 
took  special  courses  in  bookkeeping  and  music,  becoming  proficient  in  each  : 
he  lives  on  his  father's  farm.  He  married  Luretta  Hesselgesser  who  grew 
lip  in  Butler  county.  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Hesselgesser  has  devoted  his  active  life  to  farming.  He  owns 
seventy-nine  acres  in  one  place,  eighteen  in  another,  and  one  and  one-half 
in  anoth.er.  He  has  been  living  in  retirement  at  Eris  for  some  time.  Polit- 
ically, he  is  a  Repulilican  and  has  for  some  time  been  active  in  local  public 
matters.  He  is  now  president  of  the  Concord  Townshiji  Cemetery  Asso- 
ciation. He  and  his  wife  belong  to  the  Methodist  church.  He  is  a  fine  tenor 
singer,  and  in  young  manhood  he  did  lots  of  work  as  choir  leader  in 
churches — in  fact,  he  has  followed  work  as  a  chorister  in  every  community 
in  which  he  has  lived.     His  son  has  inherited  his  vocal  talents. 


ANDREW  P..  C.  D EATON. 

Andrew  B.  C.  Deaton  was  born  in  Jackson  township.  Champaign 
county,  Ohio.  May  23.  1856,  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Nancy  (Cannon)  Deaton. 

Samuel  Deaton  was  born  in  Botetourt  county.  Virginia,  March  30, 
1813.  He  learned  to  read  and  write  after  he  had  reached  the  age  of  fifteen 
years,  and  afterwards  learned  a  trade.  His  father  was  an  overseer  of  slaves 
in  \^irginia  during  the  time  that  institution  existed  in  that  state,  and  he 
spent  his  entire  life  in  Virginia.  After  the  death  of  his  father  Samuel 
Deaton  came  with  his  mother  and  family  to  Ohio.  The  family  consisted 
of  six  sons  and  three  daughters.  They  first  settled  in  Clark  county,  Ohio, 
near  Northampton,  where  they  continued  to  live  for  some  time.  In  com- 
ing to  Ohio  from  their  Virginia  home  they  moved  in  a  covered  wagon  in 
which  was  carried  all  their  personal  possessions.  Here  the  five  boys  of 
the  family  grew  to  manhood  and  married.     They  engaged  in   farming  and 


490  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

in  time  I^ecaine  possessed  of  good  farms  and  good  sized  families.  Samuel 
Deaton.  father  of  our  subject,  made  his  start  in  sphtting  rails,  an  occupa- 
tion that  required  hard  labor  for  which  there  was  a  great  demand  in  those 
times  in  that  well-timbered  country.  In  time  he  was  able  to  buy  eighty  acres 
of  land  on  which  he  estahlished  a  home.  He  afterwards  added  tifty-six 
more  acres  to  this  farm,  all  of  which  he  improved  and  continued  to  cultivate 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years.  He  was 
one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  the  township,  and  was  trustee  and  school  director 
for  a  number  of  years.  His  church  affiliation  was  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  in  which  he  was  an  influential  and  active  worker.  He  was 
the  father  of  six  children,  five  of  whom  are  now  living.  They  are :  Samuel 
H.,  a  farmer  in  Jackson  township,  living  on  the  old  Deaton  farm;  James 
M.,  a  farmer,  living  in  Miami  county.  Ohio :  Andrew  B.  C. :  Charlotte, 
widow  of  G.  P.  Helvie ;  Martha,  widow  of  Charles  liowell. 

Andrew  B.  C.  Deaton  was  reared  on  the  old  farm  and  was  educated 
in  the  district  schools.  He  made  his  home  on  the  old  farm  until  he  was 
twenty-five  years  old.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  he  began  teaching  in 
the  district  schools  and  followed  this  vocation  for  sixteen  years.  He  mar- 
ried Ella  Proctor  and  to  this  union  three  daughters  were  born : 

Zilpha.  graduate  nurse  of  the  Flower  Hospital,  of  Toledo,  Ohio; 
Zephyr,  graduate  of  the  Piqua  high  school,  and  student  at  Delaware,  Ohio. 
She  has  been  a  teacher  for  several  terms  in  the  township  schools ;  married 
Neal  McMorran,  lives  near  St.  Paul,  Ohio.  Zola,  graduate  of  Piqua  high 
school,  a  teacher  and  a  student  for  a  time  at  Delaware.  Ohio,  married  A. 
C.  Pence,  principal  of  high  school  at  Coshocton.  Ohio.  Mrs.  Zola  J^ence 
died  on  January  i,  1898.  He  subsequently  married  Nora  Davis  and  they 
have  five  children:  Clifford,  Martha  and  Marlow  (twins),  Herman  and 
Edmund  M.,  all  living  at  home. 

Mr.  Deaton  is  the  owner  of  one  hundred  acres  of  fine  farming  land,  all 
well  improved  and  in  a  fine  state  of  cultivation.  In  addition  to  general 
farming  he  deals  largely  in  fine  graded  stock,  a  line  of  industry  to  which  his 
farm  and  facilities  are  well  adapted.  Fie  is  also  interested  as  a  grain  dealer 
and  is  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Conover  Grain  Company,  at  Conover,  Ohio. 

In  his  fraternal  affiliation  Mr.  Deaton  is  a  member  of  Social  Lodge, 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  at  Addison,  Ohio.  His  political  altilia- 
tion  is  with  the  Republican  party.  He  has  held  official  position  as  trustee 
of  the  township  and  as  a  member  of  the  school  board.  He  has  always  taken 
an  active  interest  in  educational  affairs  and  in  all  other  matters  that  pertain 
to  the  welfare  and  betterment  of  the  communitx-  of  which  he  is  a  citizen. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  49I 

SARAH  E.  NEESE. 

Sarah  E.  Neese  lives  on  her  farm  located  on  the  Tluickery  and  Terre 
Haute  pike,  Mad  River  township,  rural  route  No.  4.  Urbana,  Ohio,  her 
farm  joining  the  west  side  of  Terre  Haute.  She  was  born  on  a  farm  lyin^- 
west  of  Thackery,  in  Jackson  township.  May  16.  1845.  a  daughter  of 
Duncan  and  Susan  (Ray)  Thackery. 

EHxncan  Thackery  was  born  in  Yorkshire,  England,  and  came  with 
his  parents,  John  and  Elizabeth  Thackery,  to  the  United  States  when  he 
was  sixteen  years  of  age.  They  came  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  and 
located  on  a  tract  of  land  one  mile  west  of  where  the  village  of  Thackery 
now  stands.  The  country  was  all  new  and  land  was  very  cheap.  They 
finally  bought  a  small  piece  of  land  on  which  they  put  a  house  of  cheap 
construction,  with  no  doors  nor  windows  in  it,  and  this  is  how  and  where 
the  Thackery  settlement  was  started.  Duncan  Thackery  \^'as  reared  to 
manhood  in  Jackson  township.  His  wife,  Susan  Ray.  was  of  German 
descent.  She  was  born  near  Northampton,  Ohio.  After  marriage  to  Mr. 
Thackery  they  settled  in  Jackson  township  on  a  piece  of  land  which  they 
bought,  and  there  they  began  life  and  continued  to  live  for  a  number  of 
years,  and  reared  a  family  of  nine  children.  They,  like  most  of  the  early 
settlers,  started  out  in  very  poor  circumstances,  as  to  worldly  possessions, 
but  by  industry  and  economy  they  gradually  increased  their  possessions 
until  they  had  accjuired  a  number  of  acres  and  a  good  farm.  Mr.  Thacker}- 
was  a  man  well  known  and  a  highly  respected  citizen.  Mrs.  Thackery 
was  also  a  woman  of  intelligence  and  highly  esteemed  in  the  communit)-. 
a  woman  of  motherly  attributes  and  sincerely  devoted  to  her  home  and 
family.  Through  her  influence  the  family  was  educated  and  trained  in 
right  moral  principles,  and  by  her  economy  and  intelligent  judgment  her 
husband  prospered.  The  nine  children  born  to  this  family  were :  Anna 
Jane,  deceased;  Sarah  E.,  John,  of  Thackery,  Ohio;  Mary,  married  Andrew 
Ryman  and  lives  in  Iowa;  William,  living  in  Clark  county.  Ohio;  Einley. 
living  in  Jackson  township;  Arabella,  wife  of  :\lichael  b'altley.  of  Thack- 
ery ;  Emma,  wife  of  Aaron  Insley,  Clark  county ;  Joseph.  Clark  county. 

The  family  were  members  of  Newsome  Chapel.  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  in  which  Mr.  Thackery  was  one  of  the  most  active  and  influential 
members.  He  was  a  Republican,  but  not  active  in  politics.  He  was  a 
home  man  and  found  his  greatest  delight  in  his  family. 

Sarah  E.  Neese  grew  to  womanhood  in  the  old  home  in  Jackson  town- 


492  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

ship  and  received  her  education  in  the  district  schools  of  the  neighborhood. 
She  was  married  to  John  Neese.  July  i6,  1881.  He  was  born  and  reared 
in  Mad  River  township  and  received  a  good  education  in  the  public  schools. 
After  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Neese  lived  for  a  short  time  on  a  part  of 
the  home  land,  and  about  1883  they  Iwught  the  present  farm.  Mr.  Neese 
died.  February  9,  19 14,  having  lived  here  nearly  all  his  married  life.  The 
farm  now  owned  by  Mrs.  Neese  consists  of  sixty-four  acres.  She  has  been 
a  life-long  member  of  the  Newsome  Chapel.  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


SOLOMON  PRINCE. 


Solomon  Prince,  one  of  the  oldest  native-born  sons  of  Champaign  county 
now  living  in  this  county  and  the  proprietor  of  a  well-kept  farm  of  forty- 
tive  acres  in  Johnson  township,  four  miles  north  of  St.  Paris,  was  born  on 
a  pioneer  farm  in  Mad  River  township,  December  22,  1834.  and  has  lived 
in  this  county  all  his  life,  a  period  of  more  than  eighty  years.  His  parents. 
Martin  and  Elizabeth  (Snapp)  Prince,  natives,  respectively,  of  Virginia 
and  of  Pennsylvania,  were  married  in  the  latter  state  and  then  came  over 
into  Ohio  and  settled  on  a  pioneer  farm  in  Mad  River  township,  this  county, 
where  they  established  their  home,  but  later  moved  to  a  farm  in, Johnson 
township,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  useful  and  inlluen- 
tial  pioneers  of  that  neighborhood.  Martin  Prince  was  a  good  farmer  and 
became  the  owner  of  two  hundred  acres  of  excellent  land.  He  was  a  Demo- 
crat and  took  an  active  part  in  local  political  afifairs.  He  and  his  wife  were 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  active  in  church  work,  and  their  children 
were  reared  in  that  faith.  There  were  thirteen  of  these  children,  five  of 
whom  are  still  living,  those  besides  the  subject  of  this  sketch  being  John, 
of  St.  Paris;  William,  of  Piqua;  Susanna,  wife  of  John  Brown,  of  St. 
Paris,  and  Amanda,  widow  of  Benjamin  Apple,  of  St.  Paris. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Mad  River  township.  Solomon  Prince 
received  his  early  schooling  in  a  little  old  log  school  house  in  that  neighbor- 
hood and  completed  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  Johnson  township.  t<i 
which  latter  township  his  parents  moved  in  the  days  of  his  youth.  He 
remained  at  home  until  his  marriage  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  and  then 
established  his  home  on  the  farm  on  which  he  is  now  living  and  where  he 
ever  since  has  resided,  becoming  very  comfortably  situated  there.  Mr. 
Prince  is  a  Democrat  and  has  ever  taken  an  interested  part  in  the  ccnnUys 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY, 


493 


political  affairs.  For  eight  years  he  served  as  trustee  of  his  iioiiie  township 
and  also  served  for  some  time  as  director  of  his  local  school  district.  Din-inr 
the  days  of  his  young  manhood  Mr.  Prince  was  a  member  of  the  state 
militia  organization,  second  lieutenant  of  his  home  company,  but  was  never 
called  into  active  service.  Having  been  a  continuous  resident  of  Cham- 
paign county  all  his  life,  a  period  of  more  than  eighty  years.  Mr.  Prince  has 
witnessed  the  development  of  this  county  from  pioneer  times  and  has  thus 
seen  some  amazing  changes  in  conditions  of  living.  He  has  a  clear  memor}- 
of  events  of  the  days  of  his  youth  and  is  therefore  one  of  the  best-informed 
men  in  the  county  on  matters  relating  to  the  history  of  Champaign  count\ 
during  the  past  seven  or  eight  decades. 

On  September  4,  1856,  Solomon  Prince  was  united  in  marriage  to  Sarah 
Brown,  who  was  born  in  Johnson  township,  this  county,  August  30,  1839, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Bunton)  Brown,  pioneers  of  that  section 
of  that  county,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born  five  children,  all  of  whom 
are  still  living,  an  unbroken  family,  namely:  Mary,  wife  of  James  Maggerf, 
Clara,  wife  of  Leonard  Snapp,  of  Columbus,  this  .state;  Thomas,  a  farmer, 
who  married  Alta  Howard  and  is  living  at  Columbus,  and  Alice,  wife  of 
James  B.  Putnam,  a  well-known  farmer  of  Johnson  township.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Prince  are  members  of  the  Mt.  Pleasant  Baptist  church  and  have 
ever  taken  an  interested  part  in  church  work,  as  well  as  in  the  general  good 
works  of  the  communitv  in  which  they  have  so  long  resided. 


J.  H.  BIDDLE. 


J.  H.  Biddle,  postmaster  at  St.  Paris,  formerly  and  for  years  engaged 
in  the  grocery  business  in  that  city,  for  ten  years  clerk  of  Johnson  township, 
former  state  deputy  supervisor  of  elections  for  Champaign  county  and  former 
chairman  of  the  Champaign  county  Democratic  central  committee,  was  born 
at  St.  Paris  and  has  lived  there  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  May  11.  1862. 
son  of  John  and  Frances  (Bater)  Biddle,  the  former  of  whom  also  was  a 
native  of  Ohio  and  the  latter  of  the  republic  of  Switzerland,  whose  last  days 
were  spent  at  St.  Paris,  the  latter  dying  there  many  }ears  ago  and  the 
former  surviving  until  the  summer  of  19 16,  a  well-known  retired  merchant 
of  that  city. 

John  Biddle  was  born  on  a  pioneer  farm  near  Marysville,  in  the  neigh- 
boring county  of  Union,  in  1834,  and  there  grew  to  manhood.      At  Spring- 


494  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

tield,  this  state,  he  married  Frances  Bater.  who  was  Ixirn  in  the  city  of 
Basel,  in  the  republic  of  Switzerland,  and  who  was  but  ten  years  of  age 
when  she  came  to  this  country  with  her  parents,  the  family  locating  near 
Kenton,  this  state,  later  moving  to  Springfield,  where  she  grew  to  woman- 
hood and  where  she  married  Mr.  Biddle.  After  their  marriage  they  came 
to  Champaign  county  and  located  at  the  village  of  Christiansburg,  but  pres- 
ently moved  from  there  up  to  St.  Paris  and  there  established  their  permanent 
home.  Mr.  Biddle  had  been  trained  as  a  baker,  but  not  long  after  locating 
at  St.  Paris  engaged  there  in  the  grocery  business  and  was  thus  engaged 
until  his  retirement  from  business  in  1900,  after  which  his  son,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  who  had  for  some  time  been  his  father's  partner,  took  over 
the  business  and  continued  it.  The  elder  Biddle  continued  to  make  his  home 
in  St.  Paris  and  there  his  death  occurred  on  August  10,  1916,  he  then  begin 
eighty-two  years  of  age.  John  Biddle  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife  died 
at  St.  Paris  in  1876,  leaving  five  children,  of  whom  three  are  still  living,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  having  a  brother,  W.  A.  Biddle,  of  Springfield,  and 
a  sister,  Mary  N.,  wife  of  A.  W.  Long,  of  Fostoria,  this  state.  He  married 
for  his  second  wife  Amanda  Losh  and  to  that  union  one  child  was  born,  a 
daughter,  Alice,  widow  of  Pharad  Reed. 

Reared  at  St.  Paris,  J.  H.  Biddle  was  familiar  with  the  details  of  his 
father's  store  from  the  days  of  his  boyhood  and  following  his  graduation 
from  the  high  school  in  1880  he  devoted  his  time  to  the  business  and  in 
1884  was  made  a  partner  of  his  father,  the  business  thereafter  being  con- 
ducted under  the  firm  name  of  Biddle  &:  Son,  and  was  so  continued  until 
the  retirement  of  the  elder  Biddle  in  1900,  after  which  J.  H.  Biddle  operated 
the  store  alone  until  his  appointment  to  the  office  of  postmaster  of  St.  Paris 
in  19 1 4,  since  which  time  he  has  given  his  full  attention  to  his  official  duties, 
fn  addition  to  his  commercial  interests  Mr.  Biddle  is  a  stockholder  in  the 
Central  National  Bank  of  St.  Paris  and  has  for  years  taken  an  active  interest 
in  all  movements  having  to  do  with  the  promotion  of  the  material  interests 
of  his  home  town,  one  of  the  most  persistent  and  consistent  "boosters"  of 
that  city.  Mr.  Biddle  is  a  Democrat  and  for  years  has  been  one  of  the  leaders 
of  that  party  in  this  part  of  the  state.  For  ten  years  he  was  township  clerk 
and  was  also  for  years  state  deputy  election  supervisor  for  Champaign 
county,  serving  in  that  capacity  until  1914.  1*"or  years  he  has  been  an  active 
member  of  the  Champaign  county  Democratic  central  committee  and  during 
three  campaigns  served  as  chairman  of  the  same.  P'raternally,  Mr.  Biddle 
is  a  member  of  Pharos  Lodge  No.  355.  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and 
takes  a  warm  interest  in  local  Masonic  affairs. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  495 

MRS.  HANNAH  M.  FIELDER. 

Mrs.  Hannah  M.  Fielder,  widow  of  the  late  Thomas  I*.  Fielder,  who 
was  a  well-known  farmer  of  Adams  township,  was  ]x)rn  in  Logan  count} . 
this  state,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  (King)  Snapp,  farming  people, 
who  came  to  Logan  county  in  an  early  day. 

William  Snapp  was  born  in  Logan  county,  Ohio,  where  his  parents 
had  come  to  settle.  His  parents  were  natives  of  the  state  of  Virginia  antl 
on  coming  to  this  state  settled  on  a  farm,  where  they  spent  the  remainder 
of  their  lives.  William  Snapp  grew  up  on  the  farm  in  Logan  county  and 
was  there  educated  in  the  public  schools.  He  worked  on  a  farm  when  a 
young  man  and  was  married  to  Mary  M.  King,  of  Logan  county.  After 
their  marriage  they  located  on  a  farm  in  that  county  and  some  time  later 
they  moved  to  Pierceton,  Indiana,  and  lived  on  a  rented  farm  for  a  few- 
years  in  that  place.  They  then  returned  to  Logan  county  and  resumed  farm- 
ing, and  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives  in  that  c(junty.  William  Snapp 
and  his  wife  were  earnest  members  of  the  Dunkard  church  and  were  warmly 
interested  in  all  good  works  of  the  church,  ever  helpful  in  promoting  the 
common  good  of  the  community  in  which  they  lived.  They  were  the  parents 
of  eight  children,  five  of  whom  are  living  in  191 7:  Samuel,  a  well-known 
farmer,  of  Logan  county,  Ohio;  Hannah  M.,  who  became  the  wife  of  Thomas 
P.  Fielder ;  Isaiah,  a  farmer,  of  Adams  township.  Champaign  county ;  Elsie. 
who  lives  in  Logan  county,  and  Lydia  E..  also  living  in  Logan  county. 

Hannah  M.  (Snapp)  Fielder  was  reared  on  her  father's  farm  in  Logan 
county  and  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  her  home  neighborhood, 
continuing  to  reside  with  her  parents  up  to  the  time  of  her  marriage.  On 
April  13,  1876,  Hannah  Snapp  was  united  in  marriage  to  Thomas  P.  Fielder, 
who  was  born  in  Logan  county,  Ohio,  on  April  12,  1846,  and  died  on  May 
28,  1912,  deservedly  regretted  b}-  a  large  circle  of  friends  in  Champaign 
county  and  outside  it.  He  was  a  farmer  during  his  active  life  and  was 
warmly  interested  in  the  progress  of  all  movements  having  for  their  purpose 
the  welfare  of  the  community.  Mr.  Fielder  was  reared  on  his  father's 
farm  in  Logan  county  and  attended  the  common  schools  of  his  home  district. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fielder  commenced  farming  on  the  place  on  which  Mrs. 
Fielder  now  lives.  Mr.  Fielder  was  an  expert  farmer  and  met  with  marked 
success  in  his  agricultural  operations,  all  of  which  were  carried  on  according- 
to  modern  requirements.  He  was  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  church 
in  Adams  township  and  was  active  in  all  departments  of  church  work.     His 


496  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

life  was  an  exemplary  one  and  as  a  husband,  father  and  citizen  he  wa> 
regarded  throughout  the  community  as  a  model  whose  life  might  be  copied 
with  advantage.  He  was  a  supporter  of  the  Democratic  party,  but  had  never 
l)een  a  seeker  after  public  office.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fielder  were  the  parents 
of  two  children,  Albert  C.  born  on  April  29,  1879,  who  married  Daisy 
Friend  and  they  are  parents  of  five  children,  Audrey  M.,  Robert  W..  Bernice 
C.  James  H.,  and  Helen  E. ;  and  Thomas  R.,  who  died  at  the  early  age  of 
fourteen  years.  Mrs.  Fielder  is  a  member  of  the  Mt.  Zion  United  Brethren 
church  and  is  a  close  attendant  on  all  the  services  and  good  works  of  the 
church  and  of  the  community  in  which  she  has  been  so  long  a  resident  and 
where  she  is  held  in  warm  regard  by  a  wide  circle  of  friends. 


TAMES  K  RUSSELL. 


James  E.  Russell,  proprietor  of  a  well-kept  farm  of  sixty-eight  acres  at 
l'>is,  in  Concord  township,  this  county,  and  vice-president  of  the  board  of 
education.  Concord  central  school,  until  January,  1916,  was  born  on  a  farm 
one  and  one-fourth  miles  west  of  Eris  and  has  lived  in  that  neighborhood 
all  his  life,  being  one  of  the  be.st-known  and  most  progressive  residents  of 
tliat  i)art  of  the  county.  He  was  born  on  September  6,  1848,  son  of  Val- 
entine and  Margaret  (Hill)  Russell,  members  of  pioneer  families  in  that 
community,  whose  last  days  were  spent  there. 

X'alentine  Russell  was  born  on  May  24,  1814,  and  was  four  years  of 
age  when  he  came  to  Champaign  county  with  his  parents,  Robert  and  Mary 
(  Miller)  Russell,  from  Virginia,  the  family  settling  in  Concord  township. 
Robert  Russell  was  born  in  Loudoun  county,  Virginia,  November  18,  1783, 
and  was  married  there  in  181 1,  remaining  in  that  county  until  1818,  when 
he  came  over  into  Ohio  with  his  family  and  settled  in  Concord  township, 
this  county,  where  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days,  useful 
and  influential  pioneers  of  that  part  of  the  county.  Upon  settling  in  Concord 
township  Robert  Russell  entered  a  ((uarter  of  a  section  of  land  and  later 
became  the  owner  of  an  additional  quarter  section,  being  a  well-to-do 
farmer.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  church  and  their 
children  were  reared  in  that  faith.  There  were  eight  of  these  children,  those 
besides  Valentine,  the  first  in  order  of  birth,  being  James,  who  married 
Julia  Mitchell;  Sarah,  who  married  David  H.  Neer;  Robert.  Jr.,  who  mar- 
ried  Marv   Sweet  and.   after  her  death,   Lvdia    Huff;   Marv,    who   married 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  497 

}£lias  Wilson  and.  after  his  death.  WilHani  Barger;  Elizabeth,  who  married 
r.evi  Johnson;  Ann,  who  married  Ephraim  G.  Miller,  and  John,  who  mar- 
ried Margaret  Russell. 

As  noted  above,  Valentine  Russell  was  but  four  years  of  age  when  he 
came  to  this  county  with  his  parents  from  Virginia  and  he  grew  to  manhood 
on  the  pioneer  farm  in  Concord  township.  On  July  26,  1836,  he  married 
Margaret  Hill  and  established  his  home  in  that  same  township,  becoming 
a  substantial  farmer,  and  there  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their 
lives.  He  died  on  May  23,  1871,  and  his  widow  survived  him  many  years, 
Iier  death  occurring  in  December,  1903.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight 
children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  fourth  in  order  of 
l)irth.  the  others  being  as  follow :  Robert  H.,  bom  on  June  8,  1837,  who 
married  Almira  J.  Rohrer  and  died  on  September  25,  1911 ;  Minerva  A., 
May  2^,  1839,  wife  of  Silas  N.  Longfellow;  Eliza  J.,  May  12,  1841,  wife 
of  Adam  P.  Vance;  Mary  A.,  who  died  in  infancy;  John  F.,  June  14,  185 1, 
who  married  Emma  Wiant  and  after  her  death,  Amanda  Caldwell;  Loren, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years,  and  All>ert  W.,  April  4,  1859,  who 
married  May  Snarr. 

James  i",.  Russell  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Concord  township, 
receiving  his  schooling-  in  the  local  schools,  and  remained  at  home  until  he 
was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  after  which  he  began  to  farm  on  his  own 
account.  He  was  married  in  1871  and  with  the  exception  of  ten  years  spent 
farming  in  Logan  county  has  lived  all  his  life  in  this  county,  long  having 
been  a  resident  on  his  well-kept  farm  at  Eris,  where  he  is  now  living  and 
Avhere  he  and  his  wife  are  very  comfortably  situated.  Mr.  Russell  is  a 
I\e[)ublican  and  has  for  years  taken  an  active  part  in  local  civic  affairs,  par- 
ticularly with  reference  to  the  schools,  and  is  the  present  vice-president  of 
tile  lx)ard  of  education.  Concord  central  school,  and  has  done  much  to 
advance  the  interests  of  education  in  that  section,  the  Concord  central  school 
being  one  of  the  best  "centralized"  schools  in  this  part  of  the  state. 

Mr.  Russell  has  been  twice  married.  On  December  24,  1871,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Matilda  J.  Kizer,  who  also  was  born  in  this  county 
and  who  died  on  May  9,  1872.  On  April  30.  1879,  he  married  Ann  C. 
Kizer,  who  was  born  on  the  old  Kizer  farm  in  this  county,  April  11,  1846, 
a  daughter  of  Philip  Kizer  and  wife,  and  to  this  union  two  children  have 
been  born,  Charles  E.,  lx)rn  on  July  26,  1880,  and  Lillian  B.,  July  4,  1882. 
Charles  E.  Russell  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  this  county  and 
for  some  time  taught  school.  On  June  6,  1906.  he  married  Zella  Ofifen- 
(32a) 


498  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

bacher  and  to  this  union  two  children  have  been  born.  Blanche  E.,  born  on 
February  4,  1908,  and  Marjorie  F.,  May  31,  1909.  Lillian  B.  Russell  was 
married  on  November  14,  1905,  to  John  W.  El  well  and  died  on  May  6. 
1912,  leaving-  her  husband  and  one  child,  a  son,  Wilham  R.  EKvell,  born  on 
July  27,  1909.  'Mr.  and  Mrs.  Russell  are  members  of  the  Concord  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church,  of  which  Mr.  Russell  is  a  member  of  the  official 
board  and  one  of  the  trustees,  both  takinj^  an  interested  part  in  church  work, 
as  well  as  in  the  general  good  works  and  social  activities  of  their  home 
communitv. 


JAMES  S.  BLACK. 


James  S.  Black,  president  and  g-eneral  manager  of  the  Christiansburg- 
Concrete  Tile  and  Supply  Company,  a  member  of  the  Christiansburg  com- 
mon council,  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  and  Merchants  Bank  of  that  place 
and  one  of  the  most  active  and  influential  business  men  of  that  thriving 
community,  is  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life. 
He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Pike  township,  in  the  neighboring  county  oi 
Clark,  December  31.  1858,  son  of  Matthew  and  Catherine  ( Richardson  1 
Black,  both  of  whom  were  l>orn  in  that  same  township,  members  of  pioneer 
families  there,  and  both  of  whom  are  now  deceased.  Matthew  Black  was 
one  of  a  family  of  ten  children  born  to  his  parents  and  all  of  whom  are  now 
dead.  He  became  a  successful  farmer  and  stockman  and  had  a  good  farm 
plant  down  in  Clark  county.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian church  and  their  children  were  reared  in  that  faith.  There  wer^ 
seven  of  these  children,  four  of  w^hom  are  still  living,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  having  three  sisters,  Emma  C,  Martha  B.  and  Jennie  M.  Black. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm,  James  S.  Black  was  from  the  days  of  his 
boyhood  a  valued  assistant  in  the  labors  of  developing  and  improving  the 
place  and  remained  there  after  his  marriage  in  1884  luilil  his  retirement 
from  the  farm  in  1909  and  removal  to  Christiansburg,  where  he  since  has 
made  his  home.  He  bought  the  old  home  place  of  one  hundred  and  fort\ 
acres  and  still  owns  the  same,  a  well-improved  and  valuable  piece  of  farm 
property.  Mr.  Black  is  a  Democrat  and  for  some  time  during  his  residence 
in  Clark  county  served  as  assessor  of  Pike  township  and  as  a  memlxT  of 
his  local  school  board,  and  is  a  present  member  of  the  common  council 
of  the  village  of  Christian.sburg.  Mr.  Black  is  the  president  and  general 
manager  of  the  Christiansburg  Concrete  Tile  and  Sui)ply  (^ompany.   which 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  499 

was  incorporated  in  1910  with  a  capital  stock  of  eight  thousand  dollars, 
with  the  following  officers :  President,  J.  S.  Black ;  vice-president,  Ralpli 
Foster;  secretary,  A.  J.  Bright;  treasurer,  J.  T.  R.  Wilson,  and  the  above 
officers  and  W.  J.  Drake,  O.  D.  Lamb  and  Ezra  Jankins,  directors.  This 
company  manufactures  drain  tile,  cement  blocks,  brick  fence  posts  and  the 
like  and  also  does  a  general  business  in  plaster  and  cement.  It  has  a  well- 
equipped  plant  for  the  manufacture  of  its  products  and  is  regarded  as  one 
of  the  leading  industries  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the  county.  Mr.  Black 
also  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  and  Merchants  Bank  of  Christiansburg 
and  is  in  other  ways  interested  in  the  general  business  affairs  of  that  thriving 
village. 

On  October  8,  1884,  James  S.  Black  was  united  in  marriage  to  Sarah 
E.  Wallace,  of  Warsaw,  Indiana,  who  died  on  October  14,  1916.  To  that 
union  was  born  one  child,  a  daughter,  Elsie  M.,  wife  of  John  W.  Stott, 
of  Christiansburg.  Mr.  Black  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  church,  one 
of  the  trustees  of  the  same,  and  during  his  residence  in  Clark  county  served 
for  fifteen  years  as  clerk  of  the  Honey  Creek  church  in  that  county. 


HIRAM  KNULL. 


Hiram  Knull.  w'ell-known  proprietor  of  a  thriving  grocery  and  meat 
market  at  St.  Paris  and  a  former  member  of  the  city  council  there,  is  a 
native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was 
born  on  a  farm  in  Jackson  township,  not  far  from  St.  Paris,  September  23. 
1859,  son  of  Daniel  and  Mary  E.  (Schusser)  Knull,  Ix)th  of  whom  also 
were  lx)rn  in  this  state,  of  German  descent,  and  who  were  married  in  this 
county.  Daniel  Knull  was  born  at  Germantown,  but  came  to  this  county 
in  his  youth  and  here  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  on 
his  farm  in  Jackson  township  in  1897.  His  widow  died  April  12,  191 7.  To 
Daniel  Knull  and  wife  four  children  were  born,  those  besides  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  being  Catherine,  wife  of  George  Straddling;  David,  a  fanner 
in  Grant  countv,  Indiana,  and  William,  deceased. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  St.  Paris,  Hiram  Knull 
completed  his  schooling  in  the  St.  Paris  schools  and  was  engaged  at  farm- 
ing and  in  various  other  pursuits  until  after  his  marriage,  when,  in  1893. 
he  became  engaged  in  the  fish  business  at  St.  Paris.  As  his  business  grew 
he  gradually  enlarged  the  same  by  adding  a  meat  market  and  then  a  general 


500  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Stock  of  groceries  and  fruits  and  has  since  been  very  successfully  engaged 
in  that  line,  having  done  very  well,  acquiring  several  bits  of  property  in 
St.  Paris  and  a  fine  farm  near  that  city,  long  having  been  regarded  as 
one  of  the  leading  business  men  in  his  home  town.  Mr.  Knull  is  a  Demo- 
crat and  for  four  years  served  as  a  member  of  the  common  council  of  the 
city  of  St.  Paris. 

It  was  in  the  fall  of  1892  that  Hiram  Knull  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Frances  Baughman,  of  Columbus,  Ohio.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Knull  have  a  pleasant 
home  at  St.  Paris  and  take  a  proper  interest  in  the  general  affairs  of  their 
home  town,  helpful  in  promoting  all  good  works  there.  Mr.  Knull  has 
never  actively  identified  himself  with  any  church  organization,  but  has  been 
a  liberal  supporter  of  movements  backed  by  the  church  and  is  doing  his 
[»art  as  a  citizen  to  advance  the  general  welfare. 


W.  L.  STABLER 


W.  L.  Stabler,  a  progressive  and  substantial  farmer  and  stockman, 
owner  of  sixty-five  acres  of  prime  land  in  Adams  township,  was  lx)rn  in 
that  same  township  on  September  22,  1865.  He  is  the  son  of  C.  G.  and 
Catherine  (Pencil)  Stabler,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  Germany 
and  the  latter  a  native  of  Champaign  county,  Ohio. 

C.  G.  Stabler  was  born  in  Wurtemburg,  Germany,  in  March,  1830.  While 
still  a  young  man  he  decided  to  chance  fortune  in  the  United  States.  He 
left  his  native  land  and  on  arriving  at  port  in  this  country  he  immediately 
came  along  to  the  state  of  Ohio,  locating  in  Degraff,  and  later  in  .\dams 
township,  this  county.  His  first  employment  was  as  a  hired  hand  on  a 
farm  and  he  also  worked  for  a  cooper,  saving  all  the  available  money  he 
could  command  with  the  view  to  engaging  in  farm  work  on  his  own  account. 
He  was  united  in  marriage  in  Champaign  county  to  Catherine  Pencil,  who 
died  on  February  28,  191 5.  Since  the  death  of  his  wife  he  has  been  living 
by  himself.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  fotu-  of  whom  are  still 
alive,  namely:  Mary,  who  became  the  wife  of  Seymour  Young;  Barbara 
C,  deceased;  William  L.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  George  F.,  a  farmer, 
living  in  Adams  township,  and  John  E.,  also  a  farmer  of  Adams  townshij). 
C.  G.  Stabler,  during  his  active  life,  was  engaged  in  farming  and  was  suc- 
cessful in  his  agricultural  operations. 

William   T.    Stabler  was   reared  on   the   farm   and   received   his   cduca- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHKJ.  5OI 

tion  in  the  public  schools  of  Adams  township.  At  the  close  of  his  school 
course  he  worked  on  his  father's  farm  and  remained  at  home  until  he  was 
twenty-four  years  of  age.  He  was  united  in  marriage  on  February  17, 
1 89 1,  to  Anna  Staley,  who  was  born  in  Logan  county,  Ohio,  and  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools  of  that  county.  Following  his  marriage  Mr. 
Stabler  commenced  farming  on  his  own  account,  I>ecoming  a  renter  of  land 
for  some  time.  Succeeding  in  this  direction,  he  subsequently  bought  some 
land  and  he  is  now  the  owner  of  a  compact  and  well-kept  farm  of  sixty-five 
acres  of  choice  land.  His  farm  is  situated  on  route  No.  i.  Quincy,  Adams 
township,  and  here  he  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising, 
in  the  latter  line  raising  some  good  grades  of  all  kinds  of  stock,  and  in 
both  branches  of  his  agricultural  labors  he  has  met  with  marked  success. 
His  farm  and  buildings  are  in  an  excellent  state  and  well  cared  for. 

To  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stabler  three  children  have  been  born 
as  follow:  Nora  C,  who  is  at  home  w-ith  her  parents;  Raymond,  a  student 
in  the  Rosewood  high  school,  and  Jnnieus.  During  Mr.  Stabler's  residence 
in  Champaign  county  he  has  witnessed  many  important  improvements  being 
carried  out  and  in  all  matters  tending  towards  the  public  good  ho  has  always 
taken  the  part  of  a  progressive  citizen.  The  Stabler  family  are  members 
of  the  Lutheran  church  at  Sidney,  Ohio,  and  are  warmly  interested  in  all 
the  affairs  of  the  church,  ever  setting  the  example  of  sincere  and  earnest 
lives.  Mr.  Stabler  is  a  supporter  of  the  Democratic  party,  but  has  never 
been  a  seeker  after  public  office.  Nevertheless,  he  takes  a  gO(^d  citizen's  ])art 
in  supporting  candidates  who  are  calculated  to  serve  the  requirements  (^f  the 
public  in  the  l^est  manner. 


EDWIN  T.  NEAL. 


Edwin  J.  Neal,  a  well-known  and  well-to-do  farmer,  of  Adams  township. 
Champaign  county,  on  route  No.  5,  Sidney,  was  born  on  the  farm  on  which 
he  now  lives  on  November  29,  1850.  He  is  the  son  of  Daniel  D.  and  Eliza 
(Robinson)  Neal.  His  father  was  born  on  the  same  farm  and  in  the  same 
house  about  1820.     Eliza  Robinson  was  born  in  Shelby  county,  Ohio,  in  1819. 

Daniel  Neal,  the  father  of  Daniel  D.  and  grandfather  of  ICdwin  j.  Neat, 
entered  the  land  now  in  the  possession  of  his  grandson  and  was  among  the 
early  pioneers  of  this  part  of  Champaign  county.  He  cleared  the  land  and 
planted  it  to  crops,  enduring  all  the  hardships  of  that  early  day,  when  neigh- 
bors were  scarce  and  wild  animals  numerous.     He  lived  and  died  on  this  farm 


502  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

and  here  his  son,  Daniel  D.,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  also  lived 
and  died.  Daniel  D.  Neal,  following  his  marriage  to  Eliza  Robinson,  settled 
on  the  farm  and  continued  to  develop  it  as  he  went  along.  He  and  his  wife 
Avere  the  parents  of  six  children,  four  sons  and  two  daughters,  as  follow : 
John  T.,  who  served  nearly  four  years  in  the  Civil  War,  is  now  living  in 
Troy,  Ohio;  William  H.,  deceased;  Edwin  J.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch: 
Reuben  H.,  deceased;  Mary  J.,  deceased,  and  Rebecca,  the  wife  oi  George 
Wooley,  of  Lima,  Ohio.  Daniel  D.  Neal  was  an  active  member  of  the 
United  Brethren  church  and  a  warm  supporter  of  its  good  works.  He  was 
a  stanch  Republican,  but  never  was  a  candidate  for  public  office. 

Edwin  J.  Neal  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  the  district.  On  finishing  the  school  course  he  worked 
on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one.  He  then  went  to  Palestine, 
(3hio,  and  spent  about  two  years  in  the  saw-mill  business,  after  which  he 
went  to  Minneapolis.  Minnesota,  and  worked  in  the  lumlier  business  in  that 
state  for  three  years.  Eollowing  his  work  in  the  lumber  ])usiness  he  returned 
to  this  county  and  has  lived  here  ever  since. 

In  1 87 1  Edwin  J.  Neal  was  united  in  marriage  to  Elizabeth  E.  Stockton, 
\vho  was  born  in  Shelby  county,  Ohio.  They  became  the  parents  of  the 
following  children:  Harry  S.,  of  Dayton,  Ohio;  Mabel,  wife  of  luhvard 
Cline,  of  Memphis,  Tennessee;  Wallace,  who  lives  in  Lima,  Ohio.  Mr.  Neal's 
first  wife  died  in  1891.  He  married  Sarah  E.  Werth.  October  16,  1892. 
She  was  born  in  Miami  county,  Ohio,  October  16,  1866.  They  became  the 
parents  of  one  daughter.  Alma  Marie,  born  on  July  11.  1895.  ^'^''''^  attended 
the  common  schools  and  graduated  from  the  St.  Paris  high  school  and  from 
the  State  University  in  1916  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  .Arts.  She 
is  now  a  teacher  in  the  high  school  of  Butler  county,  Ohio. 

The  Neal  family  are  members  of  the  United  Brethren  church.  Mr. 
Neal  is  a  member  of  the  Rosewood  Lodge  No.  253,  Independent  (^rder  of 
Odd  Eellows,  in  which  he  has  been  past  noble  grand,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
encampment  in  the  same  place.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Reliekah 
order,  in  which  his  wife  is  a  past  noble  grand.  He  was  a  charter  member 
of  Ouincy  lodge,  and  he  also  holds  affiliation  with  the  Golden  Eagles ;  and 
in  all  these  orders  he  and  his  v.'ife  are  earnest  members,  ever  wishful  to 
promote  the  good  of  the  community  in  which  they  reside.  In  addition  to 
supporting  the  Republican  party  he  is  also  an  active  Prohibitionist,  being 
a  consistent  opponent  of  the  liquor  traffic.  Mr.  Neal  is  the  owner  of  ninety- 
one  acres  of  choice  land  in  Adams  township,  where  he  carries  on  general 
farming. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  503 

GEORGE  F.  BUCK. 

George  F.  Buck,  a  well-known  general  farmer  and  extensive  .stockman, 
living  on  route  No.  2,  Degraff,  Adams  township,  was  born  in  Johnson  town- 
ship, Champaign  county,  on  August  t8,  1863,  a  son  of  Edward  and  Irene 
(Evisazer)   Buck,   farming  people. 

Edward  Buck,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Johnson 
township,  this  county,  the  son  of  pioneer  parents,  on  April  4,  1832.  His 
wife  was  born  in  Adams  township.  Edward  Buck's  parents  were  Abither 
and  Cynthia  (Wilder)  Buck,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  the  state  of 
A'ermont  and  the  latter  in  the  state  of  New  York.  After  their  marriage 
they  came  to  the  state  of  Ohio  and  entered  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
of  land  in  Johnson  township.  They  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  that 
part  of  the  county  and  at  the  time  they  settled  on  the  farm  there  were  not 
many  neighbors  within  reach.  Abither  Buck  built  a  log  cabin  on  his  farm 
and  he  and  his  wife  continued  to  live  there  to  the  end  of  their  lives,  worthy 
citizens,  who  w'ere  held  in  high  esteem  throughout  the  countryside.  Their 
labors  on  the  pioneer  farm  were  amply  rewarded  and  at  the  time  of  their 
deaths  they  w-ere  in  comfortable  circumstances.  They  were  the  parents  of 
the  following  children :  David,  Edward,  Jeremiah,  Pierson,  Hannah,  Mary 
J.  and  Cynthia.  Hannah  was  married  to  Simon  Snyder,  and  both  are 
deceased. 

Edward  Buck,  father  of  George  F.  Buck,  was  reared  on  his  father's 
farm  in  Johnson  township  and  attended  the  district  schools  of  the  period. 
He  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  for  some  time  and  later  moved  to  Adams 
township  and  farmed  there  for  some  years,  subsequently  going  to  Urbana, 
where  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives.  Edward  Buck  was  engaged  through- 
out his  active  life  at  general  farming  and  made  a  success  of  all  his  agricul- 
tural operations.  He  was  the  father  of  seven  children,  live  of  whom  are 
still  living,  as  follow:  Joseph;  Rebecca,  who  became  the  wife  of  Mr.  Dur- 
wester;  Phoebe  J.,  who  married  John  Tucker;  George  T.,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  and  Margaret,  who  married  John  Roe. 

George  T.  Buck  w-as  reared  on  the  farm  in  Johnson  townshij)  and  was 
educated  in  the  district  schools.  He  worked  on  the  home  farm  until  he  was 
twenty  years  of  age.  He  taught  school  for  seven  years  in  Champaign 
county  and  has  always  taken  a  warm  interest  in  all  that  appertains  to  the 
welfare  of  the  schools.  He  was  united  in  marriage  on  May  12,  1886,  to 
Martha  E.  Preston,  w'ho  was  born  in  this  county.     .After  their  marriage  the\- 


504  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

settled  in  Adams  township  and  Mr.  Buck  commenced  farming  operations  on 
his  own  account.  In  addition  to  his  work  on  the  farm  he  is  also  largely 
engaged  in  the  raising  of  live  stock  of  all  kinds  and  in  this  line  he  has  been 
equally  successful.  They  are  the  parents  of  four  children  as  follow :  Francis 
M.,  at  home;  Estelle,  also  at  home;  Claud  R.,  a  graduate  of  the  Rosewood 
high  school,  a  farmer,  who  married  May  Newman,  and  Mayme  L.,  a  student 
in  high  school. 

Mr.  Buck  supports  the  Democratic  party,  but  has  never  been  a  seeker 
after  public  office.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Crayon  Lodge  No.  297,  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  takes  a  keen  interest  in  all  the  affairs 
of  that  popular  organization. 


MORRIS  LFFFEL. 


Morris  Lefifel.  former  clerk  of  Jackson  township,  county  commissioner- 
elect  and  a  well-known  and  substantial  farmer  of  the  Christiansburg  neigh- 
borhood, was  born  in  the  village  of  Christiansburg  on  November  21,  1869, 
son  of  Martin  S.  and  Catherine  (Huffman)  Leffel,  also  natives  of  Ohio,  and 
both  of  whom  are  now  deceased.  Martin  S.  Leffel  was  ])orn  on  a  pioneer 
farm  in  the  vicinity  of  the  village  of  Enon.  in  Clark  county,  March  18,  1824, 
son  of  James  Leffel  and  wife,  the  latter  of  whom  was  a  Miller,  earnest 
pioneers  of  that  section,  and  was  reared  on  a  farm  south  of  Springfield. 
On  May  4.  1852.  he  married  Catherine  Huffman,  also  a  member  of  a  pioneer 
family,  and,  after  his  marriage,  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  Leffel  section  (A-er 
in  Miami  county;  after  a  while  he  moved  thence  to  Christiansburg.  and 
alternated  his  residence  l)etween  the  farm  and  Christiansburg  until  his  death. 
Ijecoming  one  of  the  well-to-do  citizens  of  that  community.  Martin  S.  Leffel 
died  in  Christiansburg  on  April  4,  1899,  and  his  widow  survived  for  nearly 
eighteen  years,  her  death  occurring  there  on  February  22,  IQ17.  They  were 
the  parents  of  nine  children,  six  of  whom  are  still  living,  those  besides  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  being  as  follow:  Calvin  S..  a  merchant  at  Christians- 
burg; Emma,  wife  of  G.  W.  Sheppard;  Howard  D.,  a  Miami  county  farmer; 
Willis  D.,  a  clerk  in  a  store  at  Dayton,  and  Mavilla.  wife  of  G.  W.  Deaton, 
of  Christiansburg. 

Reared  at  Christiansburg  and  on  the  home  farm  over  in  Miami  county. 
Morris  Leffel  received  his  schooling  in  the  Hill  Grove  district  .school,  the 
Christiansburg  schools,   the  Ur])ana  high   school  and   the   State    .Vormal   at 


MOKltIS  I.EFFEL. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  505 

Ada.  For  two  or  three  years  after  completing  his  schoc )Ung  he  was  engaged 
as  a  clerk  in  stores  at  Christiansburg  and  at  Springfield  and  tiien,  in  1892. 
took  charge  of  his  mother's  farms  and  has  since  been  actively  and  profitablv 
engaged  in  farming.  Mr.  Leffel  is  a  Republican  and  has  f(ir  >ears  taken  an 
active  interest  in  local  political  affairs,  having  been  for  some  time  a  member 
of  the  Republican  county  central  committee  and  a  member  of  the  executive 
committee  of  the  same.  For  some  time  he  served  as  clerk  or  Jackson  town- 
ship and  in  November.  1916.  was  elected  county  commissioner  from  his 
district,  his  term  of  service  to  begin  in  September,  191 7. 

Mr.  Left'el  has  been  twice  married.  On  February  8.  igoo.  he  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Elizabeth  Gillespie,  who  died  on  March  7,  1906,  without 
issue,  and  on  February  8.  1909.  he  married  Mrs.  Savannah  Deaton,  who  had, 
by  her  previous  marriage,  one  child,  a  daughter,  Gladys,  now  the  wife  of 
James  M.  Drake,  of  Springfield,  Ohio.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leffel  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  Mr.  Leffel  is  a  trustee  of  the  same. 
He  is  a  Royal  Arch  Mason,  a  member  of  Mt.  Olivet  Lodge  No.  226  at 
Christiansburg.  of  the  chapter  at  St.  Paris,  and  take-;  a  warm  interest  in 
Masonic  affairs. 


HERMAN  C.  MAURICE. 

Herman  C.  Maurice,  a  farmer  of  Adams  township.  Champaign  county, 
was  born  on  the  adjoining  farm.  May  19,  1886.  He  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and 
Isabelle  (Neese)  Maurice.  The  father  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Ohio,  in 
1846.  He  is  a  son  of  Isaac  and  Caroline  (Davis)  Maurice.  Lsaac  Maurice 
was  born  in  England,  but  was  of  Dutch  descent,  his  ancestors  coming  to 
England  from  Holland.  He  married  his  first  wife  in  England,  a  Miss 
Wike,  and  with  their  three  children  they  started  for  America,  one  of  the 
children  dying  on  the  ocean,  and  the  two  that  survived  are  now  deceased. 
Joseph  Maurice  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Clark  county,  (3hi(>.  and  attended 
the  common  schools.  Lie  was  married  in  that  county,  after  which  he  spent 
a  number  of  years  on  a  farm  there,  then  came  to  Champaign  county  and 
bought  forty  acres  in  Adams  township.  Later  he  purchased  the  adjoining 
farm  and  there  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  His  family  consisted  of  twelve 
children,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  the  others  are  living  in  191 7.  namely: 
Wesley  A.  is  the  eldest;  Delia  is  the  wife  of  Stephen  D.  Bowers:  George 
A.  lives  in  Shelby  county.  Ohio;  Clinton  A.  lives  in  Rosewood,  this  state: 
Vallev  is  the  wife  of   Dr.   David   Connor,  of   Markleville.   Indiana:   Emma 


506  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

is  the  widow  of  George  Licklider;  Ellen  is  the  wife  of  A.  C.  Stephenson; 
Herman  C,  of  this  sketch;  Samuel  J.  is  farming  in  Adams  township;  Eliza- 
beth is  the  wife  of  Homer  B.  Guey  of  Adams  township;  Emerson  E.  is 
farming  in  Adams  township,  Champaign  county. 

Herman  C.  Maurice  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  and  he  received  his 
education  in  the  district  schools.  On  December  21.  1910.  he  married  Thora 
Lemmon,  who  was  born  in  Adams  township.  Champaign  count}-,  in  1890, 
and  she  was  educated  in  the  common  schools.  To  their  union  two  children 
were  born,  namely:  Christena  F.,  whose  birth  occurred  on  March  4.  iqij; 
and  Hazel  M.,  born  May  13,   1916. 

Politically,  Mr.  Maurice  is  a  Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to 
Rosewood  Lodge  No.  250,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  which 
lie  is  past  noble  grand.  He  and  his  wife  are  both  members  of  the  Rebekahs. 
He  belongs  to  the  Carysville  Christian  church.  Mrs.  Maurice  is  a  member 
of  the  United  Brethren  church  at  Rosewood,  Ohio. 


HARRY  G.  BUTCHER,  D.  D.  S. 

Dr.  Harry  G.  Butcher,  of  Urbana.  one  of  the  best-known  and  most 
successful  dentists  in  this  part  of  Ohio,  was  born  in  that  city  and  has  lived 
there  all  his  life,  with  the  exception  of  the  period  spent  in  college  and  for 
a  couple  of  years  during  the  early  period  of  his  professional  career,  when 
he  had  his  dental  office  at  Bellefontaine,  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Logan. 
He  was  born  on  January  i,  1876,  second  in  order  of  birth  of  the  three 
sons  born  to  Dr.  John  Calvert  and  V^eturia  A.  (Pratt)  Butclier.  I)oth  of 
whom  died  in  Urbana. 

The  late  Dr.  John  Calvert  Butcher,  for  many  }ears  one  of  Urbana's 
most  useful  medical  practitioners  and  most  highly  esteemed  citizens,  also 
was  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  all  his  life  was  spent  in  this  state.  He 
was  born  in  Belmont  county  on  April  4,  1846,  son  of  Dr.  J.  M.  and  Nancy 
Jane  (Brock)  Butcher,  the  former  of  whom  later  became  a  practitioner 
in  Champaign  county  and  here  spent  his  last  days,  for  many  years  one 
of  the  most  honored  and  influential  residents  of  the  county.  Dr.  J.  M. 
Butcher  was  a  Virginian,  born  on  September  2^,  i8t6,  and  in  early  life 
learned  the  blacksmith  trade,  which  he  followed  for  some  time ;  finally 
abandoning  the  same  to  devote  his  energies  and  abilities  to  the  [)ractice 
of  medicine,    for  which   he   thoroughly  ]irepare(l   himself.      Ho   became  one 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO 


507 


of  the  pioneer  physicians  of  Ohio,  beginning  his  practice  in  lichnont  cuunlx 
and  presently  moving  thence  to  this  connty  and  opening  an  oftice  for  the 
practice  of  his  profession  at  North  Lewisbnrg,  wliere  he  was  actively  en- 
gaged in  practice  for  many  years,  traveling  a  wide  radius  of  country  in 
his  professional  work  and  endearing  himself  to  the  comniunitv  by  his  nn- 
\arying  kindness  and  sterling  rectitude  of  character.  He  was  one  of  the 
lirst  representatives  of  the  Eclectic  school  of  practice,  was  a  close  student 
and  v^as  eminently  successful  in  his  professional  work,  it  has  been  written 
of  the  elder  Doctor  Butcher  that,  "a  man  of  strong  convictions  and  noble 
attributes,  it  was  but  natural  that  he  should  abhor  the  odious  institution  of 
human  slavery,  and  in  the  crucial  period  culminating  in  the  War  of  the 
Rebellion  he  was  known  as  an  uncompromising  and  fearless  Abolitionist. 
Because  of  his  unwavering  position  and  opposition  to  slavery  he  met  with 
no  little  persecution,  but  his  courage  never  faltered,  though  he  was  com- 
pelled to  go  armed  on  many  of  his  professional  trips  in  order  to  i)rotect 
his  life.  He  tendered  his  ser\'ices  to  the  Union  when  the  war  tinally  began, 
acting  as  surgeon  on  an  Ohio  regiment  and  doing  all  in  his  power  to  further 
the  cause  in  whose  justice  he  so  firmly  believed.  He  was  summoned  into 
eternal  rest  on  January  6,  1891,  honored  by  all  who  knew  him.  and  he 
will  long  be  remembered  as  a  man  who  was  signally  true  and  faithful  in 
all  the  relations  of  life." 

Having  been  but  a  child  when  his  parents  located  at  Xorth  Lewisbnrg. 
John  C.  Butcher  received  his  early  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  village 
and  supplemented  the  same  by  a  course  in  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  at 
Delaware.  For  some  time  thereafter  he  was  engaged  in  mercantile  busi- 
ness at  North  Lewisbnrg.  dealing  in  dry  goods,  but  presently  disposed  of 
his  interests  in  that  line  and  began  devoting  his  attenti(Mi  to  the  study  of 
medicine,  to  which  he  had  been  strongly  inclined  from  the  days  of  his 
vouth,  and  under  the  able  preceptorship  of  his  father  was  ])repare(I  for 
entrance  at  the  Eclectic  Medical  College  at  Cincinnati,  from  which  institu- 
tion he  was  graduated  in  1871.  Upon  receiving  his  dipk-ma.  Doctor  Butcher 
joined  his  father  in  practice  at  North  Lewisbnrg  and  was  thus  engaged 
for  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time,  in  1873.  he  located  at  Urbana 
and  was  thereafter  engaged  in  practice  in  that  city  the  rest  of  his  life,  his 
death  occurring  there  on  June  6,  1902.  Dr.  John  C.  Butcher  was  a  skilled 
physician  and  surgeon  and  was  honored  as  one  of  the  leading  medical 
practitioners  of  the  county.  He  was  for  years  prominent  in  the  councils 
of   the   school   of   practice,    which    he   professed   and    for   one    term    ser\ed 


5o8  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

as  president  of  the  Ohio  State  Eclectic  Medical  Society,  to  which  ofhce  he 
was  elected  by  a  unanimous  vote,  and  he  also  served  for  two  terms  as 
vice-president  of  the  National  Eclectic  Medical  Association,  in  the  delibera- 
tions of  which  body  he  ever  took  an  active  interest.  The  doctor  was  ;i 
member  of  all  Masonic  bodies,  including  Knights  Templar,  and  for  many 
years  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  leaders  in  Masonic  circles  in  Champaign 
county.  In  1873,  the  year  in  which  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Urbana. 
Dr.  John  C.  Butcher  was  united  in  marriage  to  X'eturia  A.  Pratt,  who 
died,  Octoljer  31,  1913,  and  to  that  union  three  sons  were  born,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  having  two  brothers,  Frank  E.  Butcher  and  Cleland  P.  Butcher. 

Harry  G.  Butcher  was  reared  in  Urbana  and  was  graduated  from 
the  high  school  there  in  1894.  For  four  years  thereafter  he  was  engaged 
as  a  traveling  representative  of  the  Otway-Cooper  Hardware  Company  of 
Urbana  and  then  entered  the  dental  department  of  the  University  of  Cin- 
cinnati, from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1900,  with  the  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Dental  Surgery.  Thus  admirably  qualified  for  the  practice  of  the  pro- 
fession to  which  he  has  devoted  his  life,  Doctor  Butcher  ojjened  an  office 
at  Bellefontaine,  but  after  his  father's  death,  two  years  later,  returned 
to  his  home  at  Urbana,  opened  an  office  there  and  has  ever  since  been 
engaged  in  practice  in  that  city,  long  having  been  recognized  as  one  of 
the  leading  dental  surgeons  in  this  part  of  the  state.  Doctor  Butcher  keei)s 
fully  abreast  of  the  wonderful  advances  being  made  in  dental  surgery  and 
his  office  is  admirably  equipped.  The  Doctor  is  the  present  vice-president 
of  the  Mad  River  Dental  Association,  in  the  affairs  of  which  body  he  long 
has  taken  an  active  and  influential  interest.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican 
and  has  rendered  public  service  as  a  member  of  tlie  Urbana  board  of  public 
service. 

On  September  18,  1902,  Dr.  Harry  G.  i^utcher  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Grace  Irene  Flale,  daughter  of  Dr.  D.  B.  and  Marietta  Hale,  of 
West  Liberty,  this  state,  and  to  this  union  three  children  have  been  born. 
Richard  Hale.  Harry  G.,  Jr.,  and  Janis  Irene.  Doctor  and  Mrs.  Butcher 
are  members  of  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  the  Doct(M-  is 
a  member  of  the  official  board  of  the  same.  He  is  a  York  Rite  Mason, 
past  master  of  Harmony  I-odge  No.  8,  Free  and  Accejited  Masons,  at 
Urbana,  a  member  of  Draper  Commandery,  Knights  Templar,  at  that  place, 
and  a  noble  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine, 
affiliated  with  Antioch  Temple  at  Dayton,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the 
local  lodge  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  His  college  fraternity  is  Xi  Xi 
Phi.  in  the  affairs  of  which  he  still  retains  the  warmest  interest. 


L  II  AMPAIGN- COUNTY,    OHIO.  509 

JOSEPH  T.  HALTERMAN. 

Joseph  T.  Halternian,  proprietor  of  the  farm  home  known  as  "Wahiut 
Grove  Farm,"  situated  on  rural  route  No.  i  out  of  Rosewood,  this  count) . 
where  he  has  a  well-kept  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twelve  acres  of  choice 
land,  lying  seven  miles  north  of  St.  Paris,  was  born  in  Adams  township. 
Champaign  county,  on  January  3,  1867.  He  is  the  son  of  Isaac  and  Sarah 
(Hall)  Halterman,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  one  mile  east  of  Rose- 
wood and  the  latter  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  east  of  the  same  place. 

Isaac  Halterman  and  his  wife  were  reared  in  the  same  neighborhood 
and  attended  the  same  schools  in  the  district  of  their  homes.  Some  time 
after  they  had  been  married  they  settled  on  a  farm  east  of  Rosewood.  He 
operated  his  farm  here  and  was  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  general  crops, 
his  industry  and  energy  being  rewarded  by  a  full  measure  of  success,  and 
on  that  farm  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Halter- 
man were  earnest  members  of  the  Christian  church  and  were  ever  active  in 
behalf  of  its  welfare,  in  which  he  was  one  of  the  deacons  for  several  years. 
He  was  a  member  of  Rosewood  Lodge  No.  253,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  was  a  past  noble  grand  of  that  order,  ever  active  in  its  interests. 
He  was  a  lifelong  supporter  of  the  Democratic  party  and  served  as  town- 
ship trustee  for  some  years.  Isaac  Halterman  and  his  wife  were  the  parents 
of  ten  children,  nine  of  whom  are  Hving  in  191 7,  namely:  Emily,  wife  of 
Thomas  H.  Pine;  Clarissa,  who  married  Joseph  Pine;  G.  R.,  a  resident  of 
the  state  of  Arkansas;  Margaret,  wnfe  of  Albert  Stephenson;  Jane,  who 
married  Cliarles  Lemmon,  of  Adams  township;  Dora,  wife  of  Irwin  Neese: 
J.  T..  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Pearl,  wife  of  John  A.  Eong,  and  Charles, 
of  Adams  township.  Clyde  Halterman,  the  tenth  child,  was  killed  by  a 
falling  tree,  February  14,  19 14. 

J.  T.  Halterman  was  reared  on  the  old  home  farm,  east  of  Rosewood. 
He  attended  the  district  schools  at  Rosewood  and  on  the  completion  of  his 
school  course  he  worked  on  his  father's  farm,  remaining  thus  occupied  until 
he  was  twenty-one  years  old.  He  then  started  on  his  own  account  working 
on  neighboring  farms  by  the  month.  On  October  5,  1893,  ^^^  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Emma  Long,  who  was  born  in  Concord  township.  Champaign 
county,  the  daughter  of  T.  R.  Long,  and  was  educated  in  the  district  schools. 
After  his  marriage  Mr.  Halterman  operated  the  old  farm  for  some  time  and 
then  spent  one  year  on  the  Long  farm,  coming  to  his  present  place  in  Adams 
toA\nship  in  April,  1905.     To  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Halterman  no 


5IO  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

children  have  Ijeen  born,  but  they  adopted  and  reared  a  boy,  Fred  Atzel. 
whose  name  is  now  Fred  Halterman.  He  is  a  graduate  of  the  Rosewood 
high  school  and  is  now  attending  a  business  college  at  Urbana,  Ohio. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Halterman  are  members  of  the  United  Brethren  church 
at  Rosewood  and  earnest  supporters  of  all  its  good  works;  Mr.  Halterman 
is  a  member  of  its  official  board.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Rosewood  Lodge 
No.  253,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  which  he  is  a  past  noble 
grand;  he  is  a  member  of  the  encampment,  of  which  he  is  past  chief 
patriarch.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Rel^ekah  lodge,  of  which 
she  is  a  past  grand.  Mr.  Halterman  is  a  warm  supporter  of  the  Democratic 
party  and  served  as  township  trustee  for  many  years,  giving  those  who 
elected  him  to  that  important  position  general  satisfaction. 


H.  M.  STIPP. 

H.  M.  Stipp,  farmer  of  Goshen  township,  Champaign  county,  was  born 
in  Pleasant  township,  Clark  county,  Ohio,  May  31,  1859.  He  is  a  son  of 
Abraham  and  Catherine  (Ropp)  Stepp.  Fie  was  born  in  Loudoun  county, 
Virginia,  June  16,  1818,  and  she  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Ohio,  February 
28,  1828.  Abraham  Stipp's  parents  died  when  he  was  a  boy  and  he  came 
to  Clark  county,  Ohio,  with  his  uncle,  Nathan  Martin,  and  there  he  grew  to 
manhood  and  attended  school.  Fie  remained  with  his  uncle  until  he  was 
grown,  then  began  working  out  by  the  month.  He  first  married  a  Miss 
Arbigast,  who  died  without  issue,  the  year  following  their  marriage.  He 
subsequently  married  Catherine  Stepp.  and  they  established  their  home  on  a 
farm  in  Clark  county,  where  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives.  They  were 
members  of  the  Methodist  church,  and  he  was  a  Republican.  They  were 
]Kirents  of  three  children,  nameh^:  Martin  L.  is  farming  and  lives  near 
Catawba.  Clark  county,  Ohio;  Elizabeth,  who  married  T.  W.  Davidson,  died 
in   1892;  and  H.  M.,  of  this  .sketch. 

FI.  M.  Stipp  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Clark  county,  and  he 
attended  the  district  schools  in  winter,  working  on  the  farm  in  the  summer 
time.  He  remained  at  home  until  he  was  married  on  December  23,  1886,  to 
Belle  Hardman.  who  was  born  in  Clark  county  in  1868.  After  their  mar- 
riage they  continued  to  live  on  his  father's  farm  for  five  years,  then  he 
rented  a  farm  from  his  uncle  for  two  years  and  then  rented  a  farm  in 
another  part  of  the  county  for  three  years.     He  then  moved  with  his  family 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OFIIO. 


511 


to  Champaign  county,  locating  on  a  farm  in  Goshen  township,  renting  one 
year,  then  buying  one  hundred  and  thirteen  and  one-half  acres,  and  here 
he  has  since  been  successfully  engaged  in  general  farming  ^ncJ  stock-raising. 
Prospering  through  his  industry  and  good  management  he  has  added  to  his 
original  holdings  until  he  now  has  a  finely  improved  farni  of  two  hundred 
and  sixty-six  acres.  He  has  made  most  of  the  improvements  himself.  In 
connection  with  general  farming  he  has  always  carried  on  stock-raising. 
paying  particular  attention  to  sheep.  No  small  portion  of  his  annual  income 
has  been  derived  from  the  judicious  handling  of  live  stock.  He  is  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Merchants  and  Mechanics  Bank  at  Springfield,  Ohio. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stipp  one  daughter  has  been  born,  Essie  C,  whose 
birth  occurred  in  1892;  she  was  graduated  from  the  common  schools,  and 
is  now  the  wife  of  Rolla  Ropp.  They  live  on  her  father's  farm,  which  Mr. 
Ropp  helps  cultivate.  They  have  two  sons,  namely:  Horace  E.,  born  in 
1915;  and  Carroll  M.,  born  in   191 7.      Politically,  Mr.  Stipp  is  a  Republican. 


CHARLES  W.  BUMGARDNER. 

Charles  \V.  Bumgardner,  a  farmer  of  Goshen  t()wnshi[).  Champaign 
county,  was  born  in  Pleasant  tow^nship.  Clark  county,  Ohio,  November  18, 
1861.  He  is  a  son  of  Milton  and  Martha  E.  (Ropp)  Bumgardner,  both 
natives  of  the  same  vicinity  in  which  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born, 
and  there  they  grew  to  maturity  and  married.  The  Ropps  were  among  the 
etirly  settlers  of  Clark  county  and  the  name  has  been  well  known  there  from 
that  day  to  this.  After  his  marriage  Milton  Bumgardner  Ijegan  house- 
]-:eeping  in  his  native  locality,  but  a  few  years  later  he  moved  to  Champaign 
county  and  bought  the  farm  in  Goshen  township  where  his  son,  Charles  W., 
now  lives  and  here  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  meeting  death  accidentally 
by  a  traction  engine.  His  wife  died  in  Logan  county,  Ohio.  To  these  parents 
lour  children  w-ere  born,  one  dying  in  early  life,  the  three  living  are,  Ella 
B.,  who  is  the  widow  of  D.  C.  Collins;  Charles  W.,  of  this  sketch:  and  .\. 
C,  who  resides  in  Logan  county,  Ohio. 

Charles  W.  Bumgardner  was  reared  on  the  farm  which  he  now  owns. 
He  attended  district  school  No.  4,  in  Goshen  township.  He  continued  work- 
ing for  his  father  during  crop  seasons  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old. 
He  worked  by  the  month  to  get  money  with  which  to  buy  a  horse,  and 
from  a  modest  beginning  he  has  persevered  until  he  has  become  very  com- 


^12  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHKJ. 

lortably  established,  now  owning  an  excellent  farm  of  one  hundred  and  eightj- 
nve  acres,  which  he  has  brought  up  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  He  has 
first-class  improvements,  and  in  connection  with  general  fanning  he  raises 
a  good  grade  of  live  stock. 

Mr.  Bumgardner  was  married  to  Ida  M.  Davisson,  December  24,  1885. 
She  is  a  native  of  Clark  county,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  attended 
school.  They  have  three  children  living  in  191 7,  namely:  Minor  J.  is  farm- 
ing in  Goshen  township,  this  county;  Willard  makes  his  home  in  Pleasant 
township,  Clark  county;  Evaline  M.  lives  at  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Bumgardner  is  a  Republican  and  is  active  in  local  poli- 
tics. He  is  at  present  township  trustee  and  also  superintendent  of  the 
gravel  roads  of  Goshen  township.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  Catawba  Lodge 
No.  349,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  which  he  is  past  grand. 
Both  his  sons  have  been  through  the  chairs  of  this  lodge.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  Homer  Lodge  No.  474,  Knights  of  Pythias.  Fie  and  his  wife 
belong  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Catawba.  Ohio,  and  he  is  a 
trustee  of  the  same  and  both  are  active  in  church  work. 


FRANK  LFF  STUART. 


Tilling  the  soil  has  been  both  pleasant  and  profitable  to  Frank  Lee 
.Stuart,  of  Salem  township.  Champaign  county,  and  he  never  permitted  the 
allurements  of  metropolitan  life  to  claim  him.  He  was  born  in  Logan 
county,  Ohio.  November  5,  1877.  He  is  a  son  of  Nicholas  Stuart,  also  a 
native  of  Logan  county,  where  he  grew  up  and  married  Carrie  Lee.  of 
Salem  township,  Champaign  count}',  Ohio.  She  is  a  daughter  of  John  and 
Emily  Lee,  early  settlers  of  Champaign  county,  where  they  lived  and  died, 
ini  a  farm.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lee  four  children  were  born,  namely :  Mollie, 
Henry.  Carrie  and  William.  To  \Villiam  Stuart,  paternal  grandfather  of 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  these  children  were  lx)rn.  Susan,  Elizabeth.  Sallie, 
Adam  and  Nicholas.  Nicholas  Stuart  devoted  his  life  to  farming  in  Logan 
county,  this  state.  Retiring  from  active  work  in  his  old  age,  he  moved  to 
West  Liberty,  where  his  death  occurred  at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years. 
His  wife  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years.  He  was  a  Democrat  and  he 
served  as  trustee  of  his  township  and  took  an  interest  in  public  affairs  in 
general.  His  family  consisted  of  three  children,  namely :  Ida  married 
.Vfarion  Green  and  thev  live  in  West  Liberty.  Ohio:  iM-ank  L..  of  this  sketch, 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  51^ 

and  Irwin,  a  painter  and  carpenter  l)y  trade,  who  lives  on  a  farm  near 
West  Liberty. 

Frank  L.  Stuart  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Logan  county 
where  he  assisted  with  the  general  work  when  a  boy.  He  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools,  and  remained  at  home  with  his  parents  until 
he  was  twenty-one  years  old.  He  was  married  on  November  7,  1897.  to 
Dora  Edna  Johnston,  who  was  born  in  Boston,  Massachusetts.  She  was 
the  adopted  daughter  of  Thomas  Johnston  and  wife.  Her  parents  died 
\vhen  she  was  small.  She  and  her  brother,  Charles  Edward,  were  adopted 
l)y  Thomas  Johnston,  of  Logan  county,  Ohio.  She  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stuart  five  children  have  been  born, 
namely:     Sarah,  Nellie,  Earl,  Albert  and  Carroll. 

After  his  marriage  Frank  L.  Stuart  located  on  the  farm  once  owned 
In  his  grandfather  Lee,  in  Salem  township.  Champaign  county.  The  place 
consists  of  one  hundred  and  thirty-six  acres,  and  here  he  has  since  resided, 
keejiing  the  land  under  a  fine  state  of  cultivation  and  well  improved  and  he 
has  been  successful  as  a  general  farmer  and  stock  raiser.  He  has  an  at- 
tractive and  well  furnished  home. 

Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat,  but  has  never  aspired  to  public  office. 
He  and  his  wife  belong  to  the  church  at  Mount  Tabor. 


JAMES  K.  CHEETHAM. 


James  K.  Cheetham,  the  well-known  baker  and  confectioner,  of  Urbana, 
president  of  the  Urbana  Tool  and  Die  Company  and  an  honored  veteran 
of  the  Civil  War,  past  commander  of  the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic,  is  a  native  of  Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his 
life.  He  was  born  at  West  Liberty  on  March  5,  1845,  ^  son  of  Richard 
H.  and  Mary  H.  (McCord)  Cheetham,  he  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  she  born  in  Urbana,  Ohio,  on  the  lot  where  the  Episcopal  church 
now  stands,  whose  last  days  were  spent  in  Urabana,  where  for  years  the 
former  was  engaged  in  business. 

Richard  H.  Cheetham  was  born  in  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  in   181 7, 

of  Scottish  descent,  and  there  learned  the  baker's  trade,  when  he  w^as  twent}' 

years   of  age  he   came   to   Ohio   and   located   at   Urbana,   where   he   began 

working  at  his  trade  and  where  he  presentlv  married   Mary  H.    McCord. 

(33a) 


514  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

daughter  of  John  McCord  and  wife,  of  Pittsburgh,  the  former  of  whom 
was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  18 12  and  the  latter  of  whom  was  a  daughter 
of  Simon  Kenton,  the  famous  old  Virginia  pioneer  and  Indian  fighter, 
whose  last  days  were  spent  in  Urbana,  where  he  was  buried.  Simon  Kenton, 
born  in  1755,  served  as  a  scout  in  the  Colonial  army  until  1778  and  from 
1793  to  1794  commanded  a  Kentucky  battalion.  He  also  was  a  soldier 
of  the  War  of  1812  and  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of  the  Thames  in 
1813.  He  died  at  Zanesfield,  Logan  county,  Ohio,  in  1836.  Not  long 
after  his  marriage  Richard  H.  Cheetham  moved  to  West  Liberty  and  was 
there  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  from  1844  to  1863,  a  period  of 
nineteen  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  returned  to  Urbana  and  bought 
the  bakery  in  which  he  had  begun  to  work  upon  his  arrival  there  as  a  young- 
man  years  before  and  which  had  been  established  in  1838  by  Samuel  McCord. 
his  brother-in-law.  That  business  was  founded  in  the  same  building  which 
it  now  occupies  and  which  is  now  owned  by  the  nephcAv  of  the  founder, 
the  building  ever  having  been  used  as  a  bake  shop,  first  by  the  McCords 
and  then  by  the  Cheethams,  father  and  son,  and  has  thus  ever  been  in 
the  family.  From  the  time  he  bought  that  bake  shop  until  his  death  in 
1882  Richard  H.  Cheetham  continued  to  operate  the  same  and  he  spent 
his  last  days  in  Urbana.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  seven  chil- 
dren, John  A.,  James  K.,  Samuel  O.,  Mrs.  Robert  Young.  Richard  H.. 
George  H.,  and  Mary  Catherine. 

James  K.  Cheetham's  Ijoyhood  was  spent  in  West  Liberty,  the  place 
of  his  birth,  where  he  received  his  schooling.  He  was  but  sixteen  years 
of  age  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out  and  in  1862  he  became  a  member 
of  the  local  company  of  home  guards,  the  famous  "Squirrel  Hunters." 
and  in  1864  enlisted  for  the  hundred-day  service  as  a  member  of  Compan\- 
A,  One  Hundred  and  thirty-fourth  Regiment.  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  with 
which  command  he  served  for  four  months  and  during  which  service  he 
took  part  in  the  siege  of  Petersburg.  It  was  in  Urbana  that  Mr.  Cheet- 
ham enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Ohio,  for  he  had  moved 
to  that  city  with  his  parents  in  1863.  Upon  the  completion  of  his  mil- 
itary service  he  resumed  his  place  in  his  father's  business  establishment 
and  became  thoroughly  familiar  with  the  details  of  the  bakery  and  con- 
fectionery business,  the  concern  doing  both  a  wholesale  and  retail  busi- 
ness, and  following  his  father's  death,  in  1882.  he  took  over  the  business 
with  his  brother  and  sister  under  the  name  of  R.  H.  Cheetham  &  Sons. 
and  nine  years  later  James  K.  bought  out  the  others  and  has  ever  since 
been  conducting  the  same.      In   August,    19 12,   Mr.   Cheetham  became  c<in- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  515 

nected  with  the  Urbana  Tool  and  Die  Company,  manufacturers  of  tools, 
jigs,  dies  and  automobile  parts,  and  on  January  19,  191 3,  became  presi- 
dent and  sole  owner  of  the  concern,  which  he  still  owns.  Mr.  Cheetham 
is  a  Republican,  and  has  ever  given  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local 
political  affairs,  but  has  not-  been  a  seeker  after  public  office.  He  is  an 
active  member  of  W.  A.  Brand  Post  No.  98,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 
in  which  he  has  held  all  offices  save  that  of  chaplain,  and  has  l>een  cot7i- 
mander  of  the  same  three  times. 

In  1868,  about  five  years  after  taking  up  his  residence  in  Urbana, 
James  K.  Cheetham  was  united  in  marriage  to  Laura  J.  Coulson,  daughter 
of  Joseph  C.  Coulson  and  wife,  and  to  this  union  two  children  have  been 
born,  Ada  L.,  who  married  C.  F.  Downey  and  has  had  two  children,  Coul- 
son and  Charles  C.  and  Joseph  Kenton  Cheetham.  who  is  unmarried. 


LOUIS  C.  HOVEY. 


Louis  C.  Hovey,  clerk  of  Champaign  county,  and  one  of  the  most 
popular  officials  in  the  court  house,  is  a  native  son  of  Urbana  and  has 
lived  in  that  city  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  November  22,  1875,  son 
of  David  H.  and  Lillian  (Cox)  Hovey,  both  of  whom  also  were  born 
in  this  county  and  the  latter  of  whom  is  still  living,  now  ;i  resident  of 
Belle fontaine,  where  she  is  making  her  home  with  her  daughter. 

David  H.  Hovey,  who  for  years  was  one  of  Urbana's  best-known 
citizens,  was  a  son  of  Edwin  E.  Hovey.  a  pioneer  of  Champaign  county, 
who  established  the  first  brickyard  in  the  county  and  was  one  of  the  promi- 
nent factors  in  the  development  of  Urbana  in  an  early  day.  David  H. 
Hovey  grew  up  at  Urbana,  and  was  for  some  time  engaged  there  in  the 
service  of  the  United  States  Express  Company.  When  the  Wells-Fargo 
Express  Company  established  an  office  at  Urbana  he  was  made  the  local 
agent  for  the  company  and  served  in  that  capacity  until  his  death  in  1889. 
He  also  for  some  time  was  engaged  in  the  retail  meat  business,  and  was 
widely  known  throughout  the  county.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents 
of  two  children,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having  a  sister,  Mrs.  Florence 
Thompson,  of  Bellefontaine. 

Upon  completing  the  course  in  the  public  .schools  oi  Urbana.  L(3uis 
C.  Hovey  became  engaged  with  a  wholesale  grocery  establishment  in  that 
city  and  later   for  five  years   was  engaged   as  a  traveling  salesman   in   the 


5l6  CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO. 

grocery  line.  He  then  became  engaged  as  an  advertising  man  in  the  office 
of  the  Urbana  Daily  Citizen  and  was  thus  engaged  at  the  time  of  his 
election  to  the  office  of  county  clerk  in  the  fall  of  191 2.  Mr.  Hovey  entered 
upon  the  duties  of  that  office  on  the  first  Monday  in  August,  1913,  and 
in  the  election  of  1914  was  re-elected  to  that  important  office  and  is  now 
serving  his  second  term  as  county  clerk.  Mr.  Hovey  is  a  Republican  and 
for  years  has  taken  an  earnest  part  in  local  politics,  long  having  been 
regarded  as  one  of  the  leaders  of  that  party  in  this  county.  During  the 
sessions  of  the  Ohio  General  Assembly  in  1910-11  he  served  as  sergeant- 
at-arms  of  the  Senate  and  thus  formed  a  wide  political  acquaintance  through- 
out the  state. 

In  1898  Louis  C.  Hovey  was  united  in  marriage  to  Nellie  Kunkel, 
of  Urbana.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hovey  have  a  very  pleasant  home  and  take 
an  earnest  interest  in  the  general  social  activities  of  their  home  town.  They 
are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  take  a  warm  interest  in  church 
affairs.  Mr.  Hovey  is  a  member  of  class  No.  8,  of  the  Sunday  school  of 
the  Baptist  church,  and  for  ten  years  has  been  one  of  the  trustees  of  the 
same.  He  is  a  Royal  Arch  and  Knight  Templar  Mason,  affiliated  with  the 
blue  lodge,  the  chapter  and  the  commandery  at  Urbana;  is  a  meml)er  of 
the  local  lodges  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  of  the  Junior  Order  of  United 
American  Mechanics  and  the  Dramatic  Order  of  Knights  of  Khoras.san 
and  in  these  latter  orders  has  held  all  the  high  offices.  Mr.  Hovey  also 
is  an  active  member  of  the  United  Commercial  Travelers  Association  and 
has  represented  the  local  branch  of  that  association  at  state  meetings  of 
the  same. 


JOHN  HORACE  MUZZY. 

John  Horace  Muzzy,  one  of  Champaign  county's  best-known  and  most 
substantial  retired  farmers  and  the  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  in  Urbana  town- 
ship, who  for  some  time  past  has  made  his  home  in  Url)ana.  where  he 
and  his  wife  are  very  pleasantly  situated,  is  a  native  son  of  this  county 
and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  in  Salem  township  on  October 
13,  1856,  son  of  J.  C.  and  Martha  (Wren)  Muzzy,  prominent  residents 
of  that  part  of  the  county,  both  now  deceased. 

J.  C.  Muzzy,  for  years  one  of  the  most  prominent  farmers  and  stcnrkmen 
in  Champaign  county,  also  was  a  native  of  this  county,  born  on  the  old 
Vance    farm   in   Urbana   townshi[)  on    April   27,    1831.   son   of   PTorace   and 


CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY.    OHIO.  517 

Bridget  (Vance)  Muzzy,  the  former  of  whom,  the  first  of  that  name  to 
settle  in  this  county,  came  here  in  pioneer  times  and  settled  on  a  farm 
east  of  Urbana,  where  he  became  a  substantial  farmer  and  where  he  and 
his  wife  spent  their  last  days,  useful  and  influential  residents  of  that  section. 
T.  C.  Muzzy,  eldest  son  of  his  parents,  grew  to  manhood  on  that  pioneer 
farm  and  in  turn  became  a  farmer  on  his  own  account  and  became  quite 
well-to-do,  a  large  landowner  and  an  extensive  dealer  in  live  stock.  He 
also  built  a  livery  stable  in  Urbana  and  was  there  for  years  connected  with 
the  Taylor  &  Fisher  Company.  He  was  an  active  Republican  and  for 
years  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  leaders  of  that  party  in  this  county. 
On  March  5,  1855,  J.  C.  Muzzy  married  Martha  Jane  Wren,  also  a  mem- 
ber of  one  of  the  old  families  of  this  county,  and  to  that  union  six  children 
were  l>orn.  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  first-born,  the  others 
being  as  follow :  Joseph  Vance  Muzzy,  a  well-known  farmer  and  stockman, 
of  West  Liberty,  this  county;  Ella,  wife  of  William  H.  Craig;  Elizabeth, 
wife  of  S.  M.  Craig,  of  West  Liberty;  William  W.  Muzzy,  who  married 
Addie  Wilcox  and  is  now  engaged  in  the  automobile  Iwsiness  at  Columbus, 
and  Minnie  Alice,  who  died  on  March  29,  1880,  at  the  age  of  sixteen 
years.  J.  C.  Muzzy  died  on  January  30,  1916,  he  then  being  eighty-foui- 
years,  nine  months  and  three  days  of  age.  His  wife  had  preceded  him 
to  the  grave  about  seven  years,  her  death  having  occurred  on  March  10. 
1909.  She  was  an  active  member  of  the  Baptist  church  and  was  ever 
attentive  to  the  good  works  of  the  community. 

John  H.  Muzzy  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Salem  townslri]) 
and  received  the  benefit  of  the  public  schools.  From  Ixjyhood  he  was 
an  able  assistant  to  his  father  in  the  labors  of  developing  and  improving 
the  home  farm  and  in  looking  after  the  extensive  live  stock  interests  de- 
veloped on  that  farm,  and  remained  at  home  until  his  marriage  at  the 
age  of  twenty-four  years,  when  he  farmed  in  Harrison  township  five  years, 
after  which  he  established  a  home  of  his  own  on  a  farm  in  Urbana  township 
and  remained  there,  actively  and  successfully  engaged  in  general  farming, 
stock  raising  and  dairying,  until  his  retirement  from  the  active  labors  of 
the  farm  and  removal  to  Urbana,  where  he  and  his  wife  are  now  living 
and  where  they  are  very  pleasantly  situated.  Mr.  Muzzy  is  a  Republicaii 
and  has  ever  taken  an  earnest  interest  in  local  civic  affairs,  but  has  not 
been  an  aspirant  for  public  office.  For  eight  years  he  was  a  member  of 
the  Champaign  County  Fair  Association  and  in  that  capacity  and  in  liian}- 
other  ways  has  done  much  to  advance  the  cause  of  agricultm-e  and  stock 
raisinsr  hereabout. 


5IO  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

It  was  on  December  i6,  1880,  that  John  H.  Muzzy  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Sarah  AHce  Powell,  who  was  born  in  Concord  township,  this 
county,  daughter  of  James  Dunlap  and  Minerva  (Hill)  Powell,  also  natives 
of  this  county,  members  of  pioneer  families  in  the  central  part  of  the 
county.  James  Dunlap  Powell  was  born  on  a  pioneer  farm  in  Urbana 
township  on  March  3,  1819,  son  of  Elijah  and  Mary  (Dunlap)  Powell, 
the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  the  state  of  Virginia  in  August,  1789, 
the  fifth  in  order  of  birth  of  the  eleven  children  of  Abraham  P.  and  .\nn 
(Smith)  Powell,  both  natives  of  the  Old  Dominion,  the  former  born  on 
October  20,  1754.  and  the  latter.  September  12.  1762.  who  were  married 
in  1780.  Abraham  P.  Powell  was  a  soldier  in  the  patriot  army  during 
the  War  of  the  Revolution  and  during  the  close  of  the  eighteenth  cen- 
tury moved  with  his  family  to  Kentucky,  being  thus  among  the  very  first 
settlers  of  that  then  western  county  of  Virginia ;  remaining  there  until 
1 81 2,  when  he  came  up  into  Ohio  with  his  family  and  settled  in  this 
county,  entering  a  tract  of  land  from  the  government  in  Urbana  town- 
ship, one  mile  west  of  the  present  city  of  Urbana.  where  he  established 
his  home,  one  of  the  very  earliest  settlers  in  the  county,  and  where  he 
and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  his  death  occurring  on 
January  3,  181 7.  he  then  being  sixty-two  years  of  age,  and  hers.  Septem- 
ber 19.  1845,  she  then  being  eighty-three  years  of  age. 

Elijah  Powell  had  attained  his  majority  when  he  came  to  this  county 
with  his  parents  in  181 2  and  he  became  an  active  participant  in  the 
pioneer  life  of  the  new  community  and  on  January  i"].  1818,  married 
Mary  Dunlap,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky,  October  26,  1800.  and  who  was 
but  twelve  years  of  age  when  she  came  to  this  county  with  her  parents, 
the  Rev.  James  and  Emilia  (Johnson)  Dunlap,  natives  of  Virginia,  the 
former  lx)rn  on  July  10,  1773.  and  the  latter,  October  15.  1777,  and  both 
of  v^hom  had  located  in  Kentucky  during  the  days  of  their  youth,  having 
moved  to  that  then  frontier  with  their  respective  parents,  and  were  there 
married  on  August  29,  1794.  The  Rev.  James  Dunlap  early  turned  bis 
attention  to  the  gospel  ministry  and  had  lieen  preaching  in  Kentucky  for 
some  years  before  coming  up  into  Ohio  with  his  family  and  settling  in 
this  county,  in  r8i2.  He  was  one  of  the  pioneer  preachers  in  this  part 
of  the  state  and  remained  here  until  1844.  in  which  year  he  moved  to 
Jacksonville,  Illinois,  where  he  spent  his  last  days,  his  death  occurring  there 
in  1866.  His  widow  survived  until  July  30.  1881.  To  Elijah  and  Mary 
(Dunlap)  Powell  eleven  children  were  born  and  the  family  thus  has  a 
wide  connection  in  this  part  of  the  state. 


CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY.    OHIO.  519 

James  Dunlap  Powell  was  reared  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Urbana 
township  and  received  his  schooling  in  the  primitive  school  which  served 
that  community  in  the  days  of  his  boyhood,  the  school  house  being  a  log 
structure  with  puncheon  floor  and  rough  slabs  for  benches.  He  also  taught 
school  and  became  a  very  able  instructor.  He  became  a  farmer  on  his 
own  account  and  in  September,  1845,  married  Minerva  Hill,  who  was  born 
in  Concord  township,  this  county,  August  26,  1822,  daughter  of  Joseph 
and  Mary  (Percell)  Hill,  both  natives  of  Virginia  and  pioneers  of  this 
county.  Joseph  Hill,  who  was  the  first  white  settler  in  Concord  township, 
this  county,  came  up  here  with  his  family  from  Kentucky,  in  which  latter 
state,  then  a  county  of  Virginia,  he  had  settled  when  a  young  man.  There 
he  married  Mary  Oliver,  by  which  union  he  had  eight  children,  and  later 
came  to  Ohio  and  settled  in  this  county,  being  the  first  permanent  settler 
in  Concord  township;  as  noted  above,  entering  the  tract  of  land  that  later 
1)ecame  the  farm  of  James  D.  Powell.  There  his  first  wife  died  and  he 
then  married  Mary  Percell.  a  member  of  one  of  Champaign  county's  first 
families,  and  to  that  union  five  children  were  born,  of  whom  Mrs.  Powell 
was  the  third  in  order  of  birth.  Joseph  Hill  was  a  soldier  of  the  War 
of  1812,  and  he  and  his  family  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  ever  active  in  local  good  works  and  influential  in  promoting  orderly 
social  processes  in  the  days  of  a  beginning  of  a  social  order  hereabout. 
He  was  a  good  farmer  and  a  man  of  excellent  judgment  in  business  affairs 
and  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  September,  1861,  was  the  owner  of  a  con- 
siderable tract  of  land  in  this  county.  Plis  widow  survived  him  for  about 
eight  years,  her  death  occurring  on  July  3,  1869.  After  his  marriage  James 
D.  Powell  established  his  home  on  the  old  Hill  farm  in  Concord  township 
and  early  l>ecame  recognized  as  one  of  the  best  farmers  and  most  in- 
fluential citizens  of  that  neighborhood.  He  became  the  owner  of  more 
than  eight  hundred  acres  of  fine  land  and  erected  one  of  the  finest  houses 
in  the  county.  He  was  an  ardent  Republican  and  ever  gave  a  good  citizen's 
attention  to  local  political  aft'airs.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  for  many  years  were  accounted  as  among 
the  leaders  in  the  good  works  of  their  neighborhood.  Mrs.  Powell  died  on 
February  9,  1902.  after  a  married  life  of  more  than  fifty  years,  and  Mr. 
Powell  survived  until  January  30,  1909.  They  were  the  parents  of  six. 
children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Muzzy  was  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth,  the  others 
being  Mary,  Amanda  J..  Emma  E.,  Elijah  H.,  and  Anna  M. 

To  John  H.  and  Sarah  A.  (Powell)  Muzzy  two  daughters  have  been 
l)orn,    Ethel,    who  married   A.    W.    Crowl,   now   living   on   the   old   Powell 


520  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

homestead,  and  has  two  children,  John  M..  and  Robert  A.,  and  Martha, 
wife  of  Robert  Feather,  a  druggist,  of  Bellefontaine,  in  the  neighboring- 
county  of  Logan.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Muzzy  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  and  take  an  earnest  part  in  church  work,  as  well  as  in  the  general 
good  works  of  the  community,  helpful  in  promoting  all  agencies  having 
to  do  with  the  advancement  of  the  common  welfare. 


HARR^    MKTZ. 


Harry  Metz.  a  well-known  farmer  and  1:)lacksmith,  of  Salem  township, 
was  born  in  Union  township,  in  the  neighlx)ring  county  of  Logan,  August 
lo,  1869,  .son  of  Samuel  and  Eliza  (Heading)  Metz,  who  were  born  and 
reared  in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  they  were  married  and 
whence,  in  1867,  they  came  to  Ohio  and  settled  in  Wayne  county.  A  year 
later  they  moved  to  Logan  county,  where  they  made  their  home  until  1876. 
when  they  came  down  into  Champaign  county  and  settled  on  the  farm  in 
Salem  township  on  which  their  son,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  now  living. 
After  renting  there  awhile,  vSamuel  Metz  bought  one  hundred  and  eighty- 
four  acres  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  on 
November  [,  IQ15.  he  then  being  seventv-five  vears  of  age.  In  1804  he 
also  bought  one  hundred  and  five  acres  adjoining  his  home  farm,  lie  \\a.^ 
twice  married,  his  first  wife,  Eliza  Heading,  having  died  in  1883.  '^^  ^'i'-' 
age  of  fort3'-two;  after  which  he  married  Addie  Wise,  also  a  native  c^t 
Pennsylvania,  who  died  on  July  4,  1895.  Samuel  and  Eliza  ( Heading ) 
Metz  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  thi';  sketch 
was  the  second  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow:  Alice,  wife  of 
James  Robinson,  of  Salem  township:  William,  deceased:  Andrew  Jackson. 
a  farmer,  of  Salem  township;  Lewis  W.,  a  coal  dealer  at  West  Libert\  :  Ida. 
who  died  in  her  girlhood,  and  Milroy.  a  farmer,  of  Salem  township. 

Harry  Metz  was  about  seven  years  of  age  when  his  parent*^  nmxcd 
from  Logan  county  down  into  this  county  and  he  was  reared  on  the  home 
farm  in  Salem  township,  receiving  his  schooling  in  the  neig-hborhood  schools. 
and  remained  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  After  his 
marriage,  in  the  fall  of  1892,  he  located  on  the  old  Peppermill  jjlaee  .ind 
|)re.sently  moved  from  there  to  a  place  north  of  Mingo,  later  moving  back 
to  the  Peppermill  place,  where  he  remained  until  1895.  when  his  father 
liought  the  subject's  present  place  of  one  hundred  and  five  acres,  the  Willinm 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OJIIO.  52 1 

Williams  place,  where  his  i)arents  first  settled  upon  coining  to  this  county, 
and  there  Harry  ^letz  has  ever  since  made  his  home,  he  and  his  family 
l)eing  very  comfortably  situated.  Mr.  Metz  has  a  blacksmith  shop  on  his 
place  and  for  the  past  ten  years  has  operated  the  same,  in  addition  to  carr\- 
ing  on  his  general  farming  operations.  Politically,  he  is  "independent"  and 
for  some  time  served  as  a  school  director. 

On  October  15,  1892.  Harry  Metz  was  united  in  marriage  to  Minnie 
May  Stokes,  who  was  born  in  Monroe  township.  Logan  county,  this  state, 
daughter  of  Elba  and  Nannie  (Williams)  Stokes,  natives  of  Virginia,  the 
former  of  whom  had  come  to  this  state  with  his  parents  in  the  days  of  his 
boyhood,  the  family  settling  in  this  county,  and  the  latter  of  whom  came 
to  Ohio  with  her  parents  in  the  days  of  her  girlhood,  her  family  settling  in 
Logan  count}-.  In  1870  Elba  Stokes  and  Nannie  W'illiams  were  mapried 
and  after  making  their  home  in  L(\gan  county  for  tw'o  or  three  years  bought 
a  farm  on  tlie  county  line  between  that  county  and  Champaign  county,  later 
retiring  from  the  farm  and  moving  to  Kennard.  where  Mrs.  .Stokes  died  in 
March.  1902.  .Mr.  Stokes  later  returned  to  his  farm.  Ijut  presently  sold  the 
same  and  moved  to  Urbana,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He  and 
his  Vv'ife  had  two  children.  Mrs.  Metz  having  a  brother,  Hiram  Stokes,  who 
married  Margaret  Linbille.  and  is  now  living  in  central  California,  where 
he  is  engaged  as  a  telegraph  operator  in  the  employ  of  the  Union  Pacific 
Railroad.  Mrs.  Stokes  was  reared  as  a  Baptist,  but  later  became  a  member 
of  the  Friends  Meeting.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  VTetz  are  members  of  Mt.  Tabor 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  take  a  proper  part  in  churcli  work.  They 
are  the  parents  of  three  children,  (loldie  M..  William  E.  and  Truman  C. 


McCLELLAN  FRANK. 


McClellan  Frank,  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  substantial  farmers 
of  Johnson  township,  this  county,  Avas  born  in  the  neighboring  town.ship 
of  Jackson,  April  i,  1862,  and  has  lived  in  this  county  all  his  life.  He 
is  a  Democrat  and  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  in  and  for  his  home 
township,  but  declined  to  qualify  for  the  office.  He  has  held  other  town- 
ship ofifices,  however.  Fraternally,  he  is  a  member  of  and  past  chancellor 
of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  at  St.  Paris  and  both  he  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  lodge  of  the  Pythian  Sisters  at  that  place.     He 


522  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

and  his  wife  are  the  owners  of  about  seven  hundred  acres  of  land  in  this 
county  and  have  a  fine  residence  in  Millerstown. 

On  May  26.  1896,  McClellan  I^^rank  was  united  in  marriage  to  Maud 
Xorman,  who  was  born  in  Johnson  township,  this  county.  May  17.  1873, 
daughter  of  John  C.  and  Mary  A.  (Pence)  Norman,  prominent  and  sub- 
stantial residents  of  that  township,  both  of  whom  are  now  deceased.  John 
C.  Norman  was  born  in  Concord  township,  this  county,  January  22,  1843, 
a  son  of  Gabriel  and  Rebecca  (Burbaker)  Norman,  well-to-do  farming- 
l^eople  of  that  township,  the  former  of  v.'hom  also  was  born  in  that  to^vn- 
ship.  a  son  of  Christian  and  Mary  (Zimmerman)  \'orman,  the  former  a 
native  of  Virginia  and  the  latter  of  Maryland,  who  were  married  in  A'ir- 
ginia  and  in  1805  came  over  into  Ohio  and  became  pioneers  of  Concord 
township,  this  county.  Christian  Norman  buying  a  ([uarter  of  a  section 
oi  land  there  and  on  that  place  establishing  his  home,  one  of  the  earliest 
settlers  in  that  part  of  the  county.  Upon,  settling  there  he  put  up  a  log- 
cabin,  which  in  due  time  gave  way  to  a  substantial  brick  house,  and  he 
became  one  of  the  substantial  farmers  of  his  neighborhood,  coming  to  ])e 
the  owner  of  twelve  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land,  four  hundred  and 
forty  acres  of  which  was  situated  in  Indiana.  Before  his  death  he  deeded 
seven  hundred  and  twenty  acres  to  his  children.  Before  coming  to  Ohio 
he  had  been  a  wagonmaker  and  followed  that  vocation  soon  after  coming 
here,  his  establishment  proving  a  great  convenience  for  his  pioneer  neigh- 
bors. During  the  War  of  18 12  he  was  drafted  for  service,  but  sent  a 
substitute  in  his  stead.  He  jyid  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  nine  children. 
The  Normans  are  an  old  family  in  America,  the  first  of  this  line  of  the 
name  in  this  country  having  been  John  G.  Norman,  wIkj  landed  on  the 
shores  of  the  new  land  on  August  21,  1750.  Gabriel  Norman,  one  of  tlie 
sons  of  Christian  Norman  married  Rel)ecca  Brul>aker  and  had  six  children, 
three  sons  and  three  daughters.  One  of  these  sons,  John  C.  Norman,  men- 
tioned above,  was  reared  in  Concord  township,  received  his  scho(^ling  in  the 
local  schools  and  later  became  a  school  teacher,  teaching  for  some  years 
in  Concord  and  Johnson  townships.  He  married  Mary  A.  Pence,  also 
a  member  of  one  of  Champaign  county's  old  families,  settled  on  a  farm  in 
John.son  township  and  became  a  well-to-do  farmer  and  a  man  of  influence 
in  his  community.  His  wife  died  on  February  26.  1909,  and  he  survived 
until  July  24.  1914.  They  were  the  parents  of  two  children,  of  whom  Mrs. 
Frank  is  the  only  survivor,  she  having  had  an  infant  brother,  Charles,  I)orn 
on  June  28,  1876,  who  died  in  the  following  November. 

Maud   Norman   was   reared   at   Millerstown.   receiAing   her   scho(~iling    in 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  ^2  ' 

the  local  schools,  and  was  living  there  at  the  time  of  her  marriage  to  ATcClel- 
lan  Frank.  They  have  one  son,  Dr.  John  W.  Norman,  born  on  July  8,  1890, 
who  supplemented  the  schooling  received  in  the  common  schools  by  a  course 
in  Heidelberg  University  at  Tiffin,  Ohio,  from  which  he  was  graduated, 
with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts,  later  entering  Ohio  Medical  College, 
from  which  he  was  graduated,  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine,  in 
the  spring  of  1917.  He  will  open  an  office  at  St.  Paris,  Ohio.  He  was  mar- 
ried on  July  16,  19 1 7,  by  Rev.  Clififord  Myers,  to  Myrtle  Marie  Harmon,  born 
in  St.  Paris,  Ohio.  She  is  a  daughter  of  All^ert  G.  Harmon.  She  is  a  gradu- 
ate of  Cincinnati  (Ohio)  College  of  Music  and  an  accomplished  musician. 
John  \\''.  Norman  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  at  St.  Paris.  Ohio. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Frank  have  a  very  pleasant  home  at  Millerstown  and  have  ever 
taken  an  interested  part  in  the  general  social  activities  of  the  communitw 
helpful  in  many  ways  in  promoting  movements  looking  to  the  advancement 
of  the  common  welfare  thereabout. 


M.  L.   SMITH,   M.   D. 


One  of  the  well-known  general  physicians  of  Champaign  county  is  Dr. 
M.  L.  Smith,  of  Urbana,  who  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Ohio,  December 
3.  1862.  He  is  a  son  of  Alonzo  C.  and  Ellen  (Wikel)  Smith,  the  father 
a  native  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  the  mother  of  Butler  county,  Ohio. 
Alonzo  Smith's  first  trade  was  that  of  a  buggy  maker,  which  he  followed, 
for  the  most  part,  in  Cincinnati,  and  after  his  marriage  he  located  at  Painters- 
\'ille,  Greene  county,  Ohio,  where  he  followed  his  trade  until  1878,  in  which 
year  he  came  to  Champaign  county,  locating  on  a  farm  north  of  Urbana. 
farming  there  on  rented  land  until  he  bought  a  farm  south  of  Urbana. 
Avhere  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  April  11.  1899.  His  widow  is 
still  living  and  makes  her  home  in  Urbana.  To  these  parents  six  children 
A\ere  born,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  being  the  third  in  order  of  birth. 

Dr.  M.  L.  Smith  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  scIkhjIs 
<»f  Greene  and  Champaign  counties,  later  taking  a  classical  course  of  two 
)'ears  in  Urbana  University.  He  then  taught  school  for  about  ten  years 
in  Clark  and  Champaign  counties,  also  a  short  time  in  Kansas.  He  met 
with  much  success  as  a  teacher  and  bis  services  were  in  good  demand. 
But  he  finally  decided  that  his  true  bent  lay  in  another  direction,  and.  upon 
abandoning  the  school   room,   he  took   up  the   study   of   medicine,   entering 


524  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

the  Cincinnati  College  of  Medicine  and  Surgery,  from  which  institution 
he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine,  with  the  class 
of  1 89 1.  Soon  thereafter  he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Pickrell- 
town,  Logan  count}^  Ohio,  where  he  remained  two  years,  removing  in 
1895,  to  Urbana,  Champaign  county,  whefe  he  has  since  been  engaged 
successfully  in  the  general  practice  of  his  profession. 

Doctor  Smith  was  married  on  June  17,  1899,  to  Carrie  James,  a  daughter 
(jf  Daniel  James.  To  this  union  four  children  have  been  born,  namel\- : 
Clarence,  Margaret,  Lester  and  Gertrude. 

Doctor  Smith  is  a  member  of  the  Champaign  County  Medical  Society 
and  the  Ohio  State  Medical  Society.  Politically,  he  is  a  progressive  Repub- 
lican. He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  lodge,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Meth- 
<)dist  Episcopal  church,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  official  board  of 
the  .same  for  the  past  fifteen  years. 


TOHN  F.   BANE. 


John  V.  Bane,  proprietor  of  "Cedarhurst  Stock  b'arni,"  a  well-kept 
place  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  one  mile  south  of  Mechanicsburg. 
in  Goshen  township,  this  county,  his  place  being  situated  on  the  London 
and  Mechanicsburg  pike,  on  rural  mail  route  No.  3,  out  of  Mechanics- 
burg, is  a  native  of  Jefferson  county,  Virginia,  but  has  been  a  resident  of 
Ohio  since  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  was  born  in  that  part  of 
the  Old  Dominion  now  comprised  in  West  Virginia  on  November  11,  1855. 
son  of  Garrett  W.  and  Virginia  (Melvin)  Bane,  who  were  born  in  that 
same  region  and  there  spent  all  their  lives.  Garrett  VV.  Bane  saw  service 
(luring  the  Civil  War  and  for  damage  done  his  property  during  the  progress 
of  the  war  was  afterward  reimbursed  by  the  federal  government.  He  was 
twice  married. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm,  John  F.  Bane  retains  distinct  childish  mem- 
ories of  the  progress  of  armies  thereabout  during  the  period  of  the  Civil 
War.  He  received  his  .schooling  in  the  schools  of  his  home  neighborhood 
and  remained  at  home,  helping  with  the  labors  of  the  farm,  until  he  was 
eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  struck  out  for  himself  and  came  to  Ohio, 
coming  over  here  without  a  dollar  in  his  pocket.  In  1874  he  found  employ- 
ment on  a  farm  in  Clark  county  at  a  wage  of  twenty  dollars  a  montli  and 
was   thus   crnploved    until    bis   marriage   there   in    1879,    when    he   rented   a 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  5J- 

farm  and  began  farming  on  his  own  acconnt.  .\huut  ten  \cars  later  he 
moved  to  a  farm  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Machson  and  after  a  residence 
of  nine  years  in  that  county  came  over  into  Champaign  count\ ,  in  1899, 
and  bought  the  farm  on  Avhich  he  is  now  Hving,  the  Wren  farm,  in  Goslien 
township,  and  has  ever  since  resided  there,  having  things  \ery  comfortaljlv 
settled  about  him  now,  a  pleasant  home  and  a  well-kept  farm  plant.  Tn 
addition  to  his  general  farming  Mr.  Bane  gives  considerable  attention  to 
the  raising  of  live  stock,  with  particular  reference  to  registered  Duroc-Jersev 
hogs,  Rambouillet  sheep  and  Percheron  horses,  and  is  doing  ver\  well. 
He  has  other  interests  besides  those  connected  with  his  farm. 

In  1879  John  F.  Bane  was  united  in  marriage,  in  Clark  county,  to 
Laura  J.  Palmer,  who  was  born  in  the  state  of  Iowa,  but  who  was  reared 
in  Clark  county,  this  state.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bane  are  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church  and  Mr.  Bane  is  a  member  of  the  official  board  of 
the  same.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican,  but  has  never  taken  a  particularlv 
active  part  in  politics.  He  is  a  Royal  Arch  Mason,  a  member  of  Mechan- 
icsburg  Lodge  No.  113,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  at  Mechanicsburg,  and 
of  the  chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  at  Mechanicsburg,  and  has  for  years 
taken  an  earnest  interest  in  Masonic  affairs,  having  served  in  different 
capacities  as  an  office  bearer  in  his  local  lodge. 


WILLIAM  FRANK  TARBUTTOX. 

One  of  the  thrifty  farmers  of  Goshen  township,  Champaign  county, 
is  William  Frank  Tarbutton,  who  w'as  born  in  Union  township,  this  count}-, 
October  26,  1866.  He  is  a  son  of  James  H.  and  Sarah  (Given)  Tarbutton. 
both  now  deceased.  The  father  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Ohio,  and  the 
mother  in  Salem  township.  Champaign  county.  James  H.  Tarbutton  came  to 
this  county  when  young  and  here  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  and  mar- 
ried, after  which  event  he  located  at  New  Moorelield.  Clark  county,  where 
he  worked  at  his  trade  for  several  years,  then  located  at  Catawba  Station, 
that  county,  where  he  continued  at  his  trade  until  his  death.  He  owned  a 
shop  and  a  dwelling  in  that  town.  During  the  Civil  War  he  served  for 
three  years  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirteenth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry  in 
a  faithful  and  gallant  manner.  He  was  honorably  discharged,  after  which 
he  returned  home  and  resumed  his  trade.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Grand 
Armv  of  the  Republic.      His   family  consisted   of  eleven   children,    nine   of 


5^6  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

whom  are  living  in  19 17,  named  as  follows:  William  Frank,  of  this  sketch: 
John  is  a  supervisor  on  a  railroad;  Laura  is  the  wife  of  George  VVillitt,  of 
Goshen  township;  Charles,  a  railroader,  lives  at  Catawba  Station,  Clark 
county;  Lewis  is  also  a  railroad  man;  Mar}'  is  the  widow  of  Abner  Van 
Skiver,  of  Goshen  township;  Nora  is  single;  Harry  is  a  railroader;  Willard 
is  also  in  railroad  service. 

William  F.  Tarbutton  was  reared  in  Champaign  county  and  he  attended 
the  public  schools ;  his  education,  however,  was  limited,  for  he  began  making 
his  own  way  in  the  world  when  eleven  years  old,  working  out  by  the  month 
for  some  time.  On  November  23,  1898,  he  married  Mary  Rvipert,  a  native 
of  Illinois.  He  had  saved  his  earnings  and  when  he  married  he  rented  a 
farm  for  several  years,  then  bought  his  present  place  of  eighty-five  acres  in 
Goshen  township,  in  191 3,  and  here  he  has  carried  on  general  farming  ever 
since.    He  is  a  breeder  of  a  good  grade  of  live  stock  of  all  kinds. 

Four  children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  have  been  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Tarbutton.  The  survivors  are,  Ralph,  whose  birth  occurred  on 
September  26,  1910;  and  Philip,  born  June  3,  1914. 

Politically,  Mr.  Tarbutton  is  a  Republican.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to 
Lodge  No.  474,  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  and  his  wife  belong  to 
the  Methodist  Protestant  church  at  Mechanicsburg,  Ohio. 


ELMER  MORRIS. 


Elmer  Morris,  farmer  living  in  Goshen  township.  Champaign  county, 
was  born  in  Madison  county,  Ohio,  December  16.  1863.  He  is  a  son  of 
James  and  Elizabeth  (Everett)  Morris.  The  mother  was  liorn  near  Urbana. 
Ohio,  and  her  death  occurred  in  1905.  The  father,  who  is  now  living  in 
retirement,  spent  his  active  life  on  a  farm  in  this  county,  and  made  a  com- 
fortable living  by  his  industry  and  perseverance.  To  James  Morris  and 
wife  six  children  were  born,  four  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely:  lilmer, 
of  this  sketch;  Sherman  is  living  in  Mechanicsburg;  Allie  is  the  wife  of 
Melvin  Allison,  a  farmer  of  Goshen  townshiiK  Minnie  is  the  wife  of  Marion 
Arbagast,  of  .Springfield,  Ohio. 

Elmer  Morris  was  about  sixteen  years  old  when  he  came  with  the  rest 
of  the  family  from  Madison  county.  Ohio,  to  Champaign  county.  He  grew 
up  on  the  fann  where  he  worked  during  the  crop  seasons  and  in  the  winter 
time  he  attended  the  district  schools.     However,  his  education  was  somewhat 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  527 

neglected,  since  he  was  compelled  to  work  hard  when  a  boy  helping  to  sup- 
port the  family.  He  remained  on  the  home  farm  until  he  was  thirty-hve 
years  old.  In  October,  1893,  he  married  Emma  Engle,  who  was  born  in 
Union  township,  Champaign  county,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and 
attended  school,  the  date  of  her  birth  being  July  25,  187 1. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morris  one  child  has  been  born,  Ethel  Morris,  whose 
birth  occurred  on  April  19,  1898.  She  was  graduated  from  the  local  public 
schools,  and  she  is  now  attending  high  school  at  Mechanicsburg,  being  a 
member  of  the  graduating  class  of  191 8. 

Mr.  Morris  has  always  engaged  in  farming.  He  now  owns  thirty 
acres  of  good  land  on  which  he  is  making  a  comfortable  living.  Politically, 
he  is  a  Republican.  He  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  school  board  in 
his  district.  He  belongs  to  Homer  Lodge  No.  474,  Knights  of  Pythias. 
His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Pythian  Sisters,  and  has  l)een  an  officer  in  the 
local  lodge.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  l>elongs  to 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


lOSEPH  O.  PENCE. 


Joseph  O.  Pence,  a  farmer  living  in  Concord  township.  Champaign 
county,  was  born  on  a  farm  near  where  he  now  lives  on  Juh'  12,  1858.  He 
is  a  son  of  George  and  Mary  (Barger)  Pence.  The  mother  was  a  native 
of  Virginia.  George  Pence  was  born  in  1820  in  Champaign  county,  Ohio. 
After  his  marriage  he  lived  in  Concord  township  and  several  yeai-.s  later  he 
went  to  Indiana  and  established  the  future  home  of  the  family.  His  children 
were  named  as  follows:  Catherine  is  the  wife  of  R.  S.  Comer;  John  lives 
in  Chicago;  George  W.,  of  Concord  township;  Adam  is  farming  near  Wood- 
ville,  Ohio;  Jennie  is  the  widow  of  James  Heath  of  California;  Andrew 
J.  is  farming  in  Johnson  township,  this  county;  Joseph  O..  of  this  sketch: 
Emma  is  the  wife  of  Pete  Wilson  and  they  live  in  Rosewood,  Ohio. 

Joseph  O.  Pence  was  reared  on  the  home  farm.  He  attended  the  dis- 
trict schools  until  he  was  thirteen  years  old,  when  he  started  working  out. 
working  in  a  brickyard  for  some  time.  He  was  employed  by  James  Heath 
awhile,  later  returned  home  and  lived  with  his  mother  until  her  death. 

Mr.  Pence  married  Sarah  Woodard,  on  October  6,  1885.  She  was 
born  November  12,  1848.  To  their  union  one  daughter  was  born,  Bertha 
F.    Pence,   whose  birth  occurred  on   February  4.    1890.   she   was   graduated 


5^8  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

from  the  high  school  at  Eris,  Champaign  county,  and  she  is  now  the  wife 
of  Charles  Chester  and  they  live  in  Salem  township,  this  county:  they  have 
two  children,  namely:     Wendall  V.,  and  Boneta  F. 

Mr.  Pence  owns  forty-one  and  one-half  acres  in  Concord  township, 
where  he  is  making  a  very  comfortable  living.  Politically,  he  is  a  Demo- 
crat.    His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Concord  Methodist  church. 


JONATHAX  T.  TT ARTZl.ER. 

Jonathan  V.  Hartzler.  one  of  ("hampaign  county's  substantial  and  pro- 
gressive farmers  and  the  proprietor  of  a  fine  place  in  Salem  township,  is 
a  native  son  of  this  county,  born  on  a  farm  in  Salem  township,  and  has 
lived  in  that  neighborhood  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  February  lo,  1867. 
soil  of  Joel  and  Lydia  (Plank)  Hartzler,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  who 
grew  up  and  were  married  in  that  state  and  later  came  to  Ohio,  locating 
on  a  farm  in  Fogan  county,  where  they  remained  for  two  years,  at  the  end 
of  which  time  they  came  down  into  Champaign  county  and  settled  on  a 
farm  on  the  state  road  in  Salem  township,  where  the  remainder  of  their 
lives  were  spent,   influential  and  useful  residents  of  that  community. 

Upon  coming  to  this  county  Joel  Hartzler  bought  a  farm  of  eighty 
acres,  on  which  there  was  an  old  log  cabin  and  some  tumbledown  improve- 
ments. He  put  up  a  better  house  and  made  other  improvements  to  the  place 
and  soon  had  a  comfortable  home,  remaining  there,  actively  engaged  in 
farming  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  in  1902,  he  then  being 
sev'enty-.seven  years  of  age.  His  widow  survived  him  for  about  nine  years, 
her  death  occurring  in  191 1,  she  then  being  eighty-one  years  of  age.  The^ 
were  earnest  members  of  the  Oak  Grove  Mennonite  church  and  their  children 
were  reared  in  the  simple  faith  of  that  church.  There  were  seven  of  these 
children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  last-born,  the  others 
being  as  follow  :  Isaac,  now  deceased,  who  was  for  years  engaged  in  the 
saw-mill  business  and  who  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife  having  been 
I'.mma  Yoder  and  his  .second,  Ann  Slonacer;  David  K.,  a  farmer  and  mill 
man  at  West  Liberty  and  who  has  been  three  times  married,  his  first  wife 
having  been  Nancy  Yoder  and  his  second  was  Susan  Smucker  and  the  third, 
Lizzie  Zook;  Rebecca,  wife  of  Levi  Yoder,  a  retired  farmer,  now  living  at 
North  Lewisburg,  this  county:  Samuel,  now  deceased,  who  married  Eliz- 
abeth  Yoder  and   lived   in   the   adjoining   count}-   of   Logan;   P>enjamin    F., 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  529 

also  now  deceased,  who  married  Selina  Kauffman  and  was  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  milling  in  this  and  in  Logan  counties,  and  John,  now  living  at  West 
Liberty,  who  has  been  twice  married,  his  first  wife  having  been  Elizabeth 
Hirshberger  and  his  second,  Sarah  StaufYer. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm,  where  he  was  born,  in  Salem  township, 
Jonathan  T.  Hartzier  received  his  schooling  in  the  neighborhood  schools, 
and  from  the  days  of  his  boyhood  was  a  valued  assistant  in  the  labors  of 
improving  the  home  place,  being  carefully  trained  as  a  farmer  and  mill  man, 
and  also  early  began  operating  a  threshing-machine,  in  which  latter  busi- 
ness he  continued  for  thirty  years.  After  his  marriage  in  1891  he  farmed 
liis  father's  place  for  four  years  and  then  moved  to  the  place  on  which  he 
now  resides  in  that  same  township  and  where  he  and  his  family  are  very 
comfortabh'  situated.  Lipon  taking  possession  of  that  place  he  remodeled 
the  house  and  barn  and  made  other  valuable  improvements  and  now  has  a 
\ery  well  equipped  farm  plant  there.  Besides  his  home  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  eighty-six  acres  he  is  the  owner  of  a  farm  of  eighty-eight  acres,  the  old 
LIumphreys  place,  in  Salem  township,  and  has  made  extensive  improvements 
also  to  that  place,  having  remodeled  the  house  and  put  the  farm  buildings 
in  good  sha]5e.  Tn  addition  to  his  general  farming,  Mr.  Hartzier  has  given 
considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of  high-grade  live  stock  and  has  done 
very  well.  For  years  he  also  operated  a  saw-mill  and  during  the  many  years 
lie  was  operating  a  threshing-rig  throughout  Salem  and  adjoining  town- 
ships he  became  one  of  the  best-known  men  thereabout. 

On  February  12,  1891,  Jonathan  T.  Hartzier  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Martha  Hooley,  who  was  born  in  Logan  county,  this  state,  daughter  of 
Jonathan  and  Mary  (Yoder)  Hooley.  who  years  ago  moved  down  from 
Logan  county  into  Salem  township,  this  county,  and  there  spent  their  last 
days,  and  to  this  union  eight  children  have  been  born,  all  of  whom  are  living- 
save  the  first-born,  who  died  in  infancy,  and  Elmer  T.,  the  sixth  in  order 
of  birth,  the  others  being  Mary,  Emmet  J.,  Boyd  C,  Fern  H.,  Roy  A.  and 
Amelia  Blackwood,  a  little  girl  who  makes  her  home  with  the  family,  all 
of  whom  are  at  home  save  ]^lar\-.  who  in  19 16  married  Ira  D.  Hostetler, 
who  was  born  in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  but  who  had  been  living  in 
Logan  county,  this  state,  since  iSqo  and  since  his  marriage  living  on  a  farm 
in  Salem  township,  this  countv.  The  Hartzlers  are  members  of  the  Oak 
Grove  Mennonite  church  and  take  a  proper  part  in  church  affairs,  as  well 
as  in  other  neighborhood  good  works  and  in  the  general  social  activities  of 
their  home  neighborhood.  ^Ir.  Hartzier  helped  to  remodel  the  church  not 
long  ago  and  has  c\'er  >^'\\en  considerable  attention  to  church  work. 
(34a) 


530  '^  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

FRED  E.  GANNON. 

Fred  E.  Gannon,  a  well-known  grocer  of  Mechanicsburg,  is  a  native 
of  the  state  of  West  Virginia,  but  has  been  a  resjdent  of  Champaign  county 
since  the  days  of  his  boyhood.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Hampshire  county, 
West  Virginia,  August  31,  1872,  son  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Huffman) 
Gannon,  both  natives  of  that  same  county  and  both  of  whom  are  now 
deceased,  all  their  lives  having  been  spent  in  their  native  county.  James 
Gannon,  who  was  a  shipper  of  live  stock,  was  an  active  Republican.  He 
and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  live  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being.  John,  of  Roachdale. 
this  state;  Daniel,  of  Keokuk,  Iowa;  Laura,  wife  of  John  Rogers,  and  Chris- 
topher, a  member  of  the  Piedmont  Grocery  Companv  of  Piedmont.  West 
Virginia. 

Reared  in  his  native  county  in  West  Virginia.  h>e<l  \i.  (inumm  re- 
mained there  until  he  was  sixteen  }ears  of  age,  when  he  came  ti)  Ohio. 
and  his  schooling  was  completed  in  Ohio  Northern  University  at  Ada.  in 
which  institution  he  took  the  commercial  course.  In  April.  1890,  he  went 
to  Mechanicsburg,  arriving  there  with  two  dollars  in  his  pocket,  and  for  li\e 
years  thereafter  was  engaged  in  the  gardens  of  John  h".  Mumma.  lie 
later  worked  in  the  celery  gardens  of  J.  B.  Mahan  and  afterward  began 
working  in  the  factory  of  the  Central  Ohio  Whip  Comi)any  and  was  thus 
engaged  for  four  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time,  meanwhile  having  saved 
his  money,  he  engaged  in  the  retail  oil  business  at  Mechanicsburg  and  was 
thus  engaged  until  the  spring  of  1903,  when  he  eng-aged  in  the  grocery 
business  at  that  place  and  has  since  been  thus  engaged,  one  of  the  best- 
known  dealers  in  that  line  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  countw  When  Mr. 
Gannon  opened  his  grocery  store  he  had  a  stock  of  the  value  of  ;ibout 
eight  hundred  dollars,  but  he  has  built  up  his  store  until  he  now  has  a 
well-stocked  and  well-established  place  of  business  and  is  doing  ver\  well. 
Tn  addition  to  his  store  he  owns  a  pleasant  home  in  Mechanicsburg  and 
he  and  his  family  are  very  comfortably  situated.  Mr.  Gannon  formerly 
had  two  himdred  acres  of  land  in  Oklahoma.  l>ut  his  ])artner  'Mid'"  liini 
out  of  the  same. 

On  May  8,  1892.  Fred  E.  Gannon  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lucy 
Harr,  who  was  born  at  Mechanicsburg,  Ohio,  in  1872,  a  daughter  of  I'ieree 
and  Laura  Harr,  and  to  this  union  four  children  ha\e  been  born.  \\u{\\. 
who  was  graduated  from  the  local  high  school:  James,  who  was  graduated 


CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO.  531 

from  Bliss  Business  College  at  Columbus;  Pierce  B..  who  was  graduated 
from  the  local  high  school  in  191 7,  and  Virginia.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gannon 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  Gannon  is  a  Repub- 
lican and  is  a  member  from  his  precinct  of  the  county  central  committee. 
Fraternally,  he  is  affiliated  with  the  local  lodges  of  the  Masons,  the  Knights 
of  Pythias  and  the  Woodmen  and  in  the  affairs  of  all  of  these  organizations 
takes  a  warm  interest. 


CLINTON  A.  HUNTER. 


Clinton  A.  Hunter,  a  farmer  of  Goshen  townshijx  Champaign  county, 
was  born  near  Catawba.  Clark  county,  Ohio,  August  14,  1871.  He  is  a 
son  of  Levi  and  Artemisha  (Bushnell)  Hunter.  The  father  was  born  in 
Clark  county,  Ohio,  and  the  mother  in  Adams  county,  Indiana.  His  death 
occurred  in  1902,  but  she  is  still  living  at  this  writing  at  Mechanicsburg, 
Ohio.  After  their  marriage  they  located  on  a  farm  in  Clark  county,  this 
state,  but  a  vear  later  moved  to  Champaign  count\\  where  Levi  Hunter 
rented  a  fami  and  followed  general  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death, 
also  operated  a  threshing  machine  many  years.  He  owned  one  hundred  and 
seventeen  acres  of  good  land.  He  was  very  successful,  accumulating  a 
comfortable  competency  through  his  own  efforts. 

To  Levi  Hunter  and  wife  ten  children  w-ere  l)orn,  namely :  Clinton 
A.,  of  this  sketch;  Edward  C.  who  is  farming  in  Goshen  township;  Lulu 
is  the  wife  of  Charles  A.  Brown,  of  Plain  City.  Ohio:  Carrie  is  the  wife 
of  Dr.  P.  D.  Longbrake  of  Marysville,  Ohio;  Harry,  deceased;  Bessie  and 
Mary  are  both  single;  the  rest  of  the  children  died  in  early  life. 

Clinton  A.  Hunter  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  and  he  attended  the 
district  schools  and  the  Mechanicsburg  high  school.  He  worked  on  the 
home  farm  with  his  father  until  he  was  thirty-two  years  old.  On  Decem- 
l)er  25.  1903,  he  married  Maude  Neer.  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Dortha 
Neer.     She  was  born,  reared  and  educated  in  this  county. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  PTunter  two  children  have  been  born:  Dorothy 
A..  l)orn  in  1904,  she  was  graduated  from  the  eighth  grade  of  the  local 
public  schools;  Robert,  born  in  1903. 

\lv.  Hunter  has  devoted  his  life  to  general  farming  near  Mechanics- 
burg, where  he  has  a  good  home  and  a  well  improved  farm  of  thirty- 
seven  acres.     He  has  also  followed  threshing  in  Champaign  county   for  the 


53-2  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

past  thirty  years,  being  one  of  the  best  known  threshers  in  the  county.  He 
has  owned  several  machines.  He  is  of  a  mechanical  turn  of  mind  and  has 
many  varieties  of  modern  machinery  commonly  found  on  the  best  farms. 

Politically,  Mr.  Hunter  is  a  Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  is  a  member 
of  Homer  Lodge  No.  474,  Knights  of  Pythias,  in  which  he  has  held  several 
offices.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Grange.  His  wife  belongs  to  the 
Methodi.st  Protestant  church  at  Mechanicsl)urg.  Ohio. 


FRANK  EARI.  WILSON. 

Frank  Farl  Wilson,  farmer  of  Salem  township.  Champaign  county, 
was  Ix)rn  in  Concord  township,  this  county.  January  28.  1879,  and  while 
yet  a  young  man  he  has  won  definite  success  at  his  chosen  life  work.  He 
is  a  son  of  Henry  Page  Wilson  and  Emma  (Couchman)  Wilson,  who 
established  their  home  on  a  farm  in  Concord  township.  A  history  of  this 
family  is  found  on  another  page  of  this  work. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  known  to  his  acquaintances  as  Earl  Wilson, 
was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Concord  township,  and  there  he  received 
a  common  school  education,  then  attended  high  school  at  Lh^bana.  .\fter 
leaving  school  he  continued  farming  on  the  home  place  with  his  father  for 
four  years,  then  began  farming  for  himself  on  the  place  where  he  still 
lives.  He  first  farmed  one  hundred  and  ten  acres  belonging  to  his  father, 
which  he  added  to  by  a  purchase  later  until  the  farm  now  contains  one 
hundred  and  ninety  acres.  His  land  is  well  cultivated  and  well  improved 
and  he  is  making  a  success  as  a  general  farmer  and  stock  raiser.  1  le  feeds 
mo.st  of  his  grain  to  live  stock,  preparing  large  numbers  annuallv  for  the 
markets.  He  has  a  silo  with  a  capacity  of  one  hundred  and  forty  tons.  He 
feeds  about  one  hundred  head  of  hogs  and  forty  head  of  cattle  each  \ear. 

Mr.  Wilson  was  married  in  1900  to  Edna  Craig,  a  daughter  of  I". 
Clay  and  Louise  Craig,  and  to  their  union  two  children  have  been  born, 
namely:  Elizabeth  and  Robert,  lioth  of  whom  are  attending  school  in 
Salem  township. 

Politically.  Mr.  Wilson  is  a  Republican.  He  belongs  to  tlu-  .Masonic 
order,  also  the  Salem  Grange.  He  was  a  member  of  the  local  school  board 
for  a  period  of  eight  years.  He  belongs  to  the  Concord  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  in  which  he  was  formerly  deacon.  He  is  active  in  the  afifairs 
of  the  church. 


CHAMPAIGK    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


CORY  E.  BAILAR. 


533 


Cory  E.  Bailar,  a  prosperous  and  progressive  farmer  and  owner  of  two 
hundred  and  twenty-seven  acres  of  prime  farming  land,  now  living  on  the 
old  Bailar  farm  located  four  miles  west  of  Rosewood,  Adams  township, 
was  born  on  that  farm  on  January  i6,  1861.  He  is  the  son  of  George  \W. 
and  Julia   (Licklider)   Bailar. 

George  W.  Bailar  was  the  son  of  Jonathan  and  Catherine  (Pence) 
Bailar,  early  settlers  of  Champaign  conuty.  Jonathan  Bailar  entered  about 
one  hundred  acres  of  land  and  as  he  succeeded  in  his  farming  operations 
he  made  further  purchases,  finally  becoming  well-to-do.  He  and  his  wife 
spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives  on  the  farm.  George  W.  Bailar  grew 
up  on  his  father's  farm  and  w^as  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the 
neighborhood.  After  his  school  days  were  over  he  worked  on  the  farm 
for  some  years  and  later  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Julia  Licklider. 
He  then  settled  on  the  the  old  Bailar  farm  and  bought  out  the  other  heirs, 
the  land  ever  since  having  remained  in  the  possession  of  a  member  of  the 
family.  He  carried  on  general  farming  with  considerable  success  and  he 
and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives  on  the  farm.  They  were 
the  parents  of  six  children,  three  of  whom  are  living  at  the  present  time, 
namely:  William  P..  a  farmer  living  in  Adams  township;  George  R..  of 
Sidney.  Ohio,  and  Cory  E.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Two  children  died 
in  infancy  and  Charles,  w^ho  also  died  after  he  had  grown  to  maturity. 

Cory  E.  Bailar  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Adams  township 
and  attended  the  public  schools  of  the  district  until  he  was  sixteen  years  old. 
He  then  worked  on  the  home  farm  until  he  was  twenty- four.  On  December 
24.  1884,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Jennie  Putnam,  who  is  a  sister  of 
J.  B.  Putnam.  Air.  and  Mrs.  Bailar  are  the  parents  of  three  children  who 
are  living  and  one,  a  girl,  who  died  in  young  womanhood,  as  follow : 
Franklin  E.,  who  married  Bonnie  Espy  and  lives  east  of  Rosewood;  Lola 
P.,  born  in  July,  1888.  who  married  Ray  Moore  and  lives  on  the  old  farm ; 
Waldo  E..  born  in  1893,  who  married  Nellie  Smith  and  also  lives  on  the 
old  farm,  and  Pearl  E..  who  died  at  the  early  age  of  twenty-two.  Mrs. 
Bailar  died  on  August  25,  1902.  and  w^as  sincerely  mourned  by  a  large 
circle  of  friends  throughout  the  township  and  county. 

Mr.  Bailar  is  engaged  in  general  farming  on  his  holding  which  consists 
of  two  hundred  and  twenty-seven  acres  of  choice  land  and  has  been  suc- 
cessful in  all  his  operations.     His  land  is  of  the  best  quality  and  in  an  excel- 


534  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

lent  state  of  cultivation,  everything-  about  the  place  showing  the  result  of 
rliligence  and  energy.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  church  at  Carysville. 
in  which  he  holds  the  positions  of  deacon  and  trustee  and  he  is  warmly 
interested  in  all  church  affairs.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Rosewood  Lodge 
No.  253,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  takes  an  active  interest 
in  the  afifairs  of  that  organization.  Mr.  Bailar  is  a  supporter  of  the  Denm- 
cratic  party  and  has  always  given  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  pul)lic  affairs. 
He  has  been  a  member  of  the  district  school  board  for  several  terms  and  at 
this  time  is  the  vice-president  of  the  board.  His  interest  in  the  cause  (^f 
education  is  of  long-  standing  and  he  is  an  earnest  advocate  of  all  proper 
movements  to  advance  the  efficiency  of  the  schools  of  his  townshij)  and 
county. 


JOHN  E.  PENCE. 

An  enterprising  and  progressive  farmer  and  life-long  resident  of  this 
county  is  John  E.  Pence,  the  owner  and  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of  eighty 
acres  one  and  one-fourth  miles  northeast  of  St.  Paris,  in  Johnson  township, 
on  rural  route  No.  5  out  of  that  village.  Mr.  Pence  was  born  on  this 
farm  on  May  6,  1852,  the  son  of  Andrew  and  Eliza  (Garringer)  Pence, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Ohio. 

Andrew  Pence  was  born  on  the  same  farm  as  his  son,  John  li.,  on 
March  22,  1830,  and  was  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Sarah  (Nepperd)  Pence. 
Jacob  was  a  son  of  Frederick  Pence,  who  came  in  an  early  tlay  from 
Virginia  to  Ohio,  locating  in  Champaign  county,  among  the  first  settlers 
in  these  parts.  Frederick  Pence  was  a  gunsmith  and  wagonmaker  by  trade, 
and  followed  that  occupation  after  coming  to  Ohio,  living  here  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life.  Besides  John  E.,  there  were  six  other  children  born 
to  the  family  of  Andrew  Pence,  being  as  follow :  Samuel,  a  farmer  of 
Johnson  township ;  Simon,  also  living  in  Johnson  township ;  Allen,  of 
Millerstown,  Ohio;  Mary,  the  wife  of  John  Norman,  of  St.  Paris;  Sarah. 
the  wife  of  Steven  Corwin,  of  Xenia,  Ohio,  and  Ellen,  wife  of  Clarence 
Pressler,  a  farmer  of  Johnson  township. 

John  E.  Pence  was  reared  to  the  life  of  a  farmer,  receiving  his  edu- 
cation in  the  district  schools  of  his  home  neighborhood.  He  assisted  his 
father  with  the  work  on  the  home  farm  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  years,  when  he  started  farming  for  himself  on  the  home  place,  and  he 
has  been  verv   successful    in   his   chosen   calling.      Resides    general    farming 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  53:; 

he  is  engaged  in  the  Ijreeding  and  raising  of  registered  live  stock,  especially 
hogs  and  cattle,  which  branch  of  farming  adds  much  to  his  annual  income. 
He  has  made  many  improvements  on  his  farm,  the  place  being  well  equipped 
for  modern  and  progressive  farming.  The  substantial  brick  house  in  which 
he  lives  was  erected  in  1858,  and  stands  as  a  monument  to  the  house  build- 
ers of  that  period,  being  still  in  fine  condition.  He  built  a  fine  and  com- 
modious new  barn  in  191 5,  which,  together  with  all  the  buildings,  fences 
and  other  equipment  of  the  farm,  makes  it  one  of  the  most  attractive  farms 
of  the  township. 

In  1873  John  E.  fence  was  married  to  Mary  E.  Norman,  who  was 
born  on  a  farm  in  Johnson  township,  September  8,  1852,  the  daughter  of  Lem- 
uel and  Susanna  (Kaufman)  Norman,  and  a  grandniece  of  Christian  Norman. 
To  this  union  three  children  have  been  born:  Clarence,  a  farmer  of  Concord 
township,  this  county,  married  Belle  Jenkins ;  Asa,  a  farmer  living  near  Millers- 
town,  Ohio,  married  Grace  Folts,  and  Fred,  who  is  in  Alaska.  The  family 
are  earnest  and  devoted  members  of  the  Reformed  church,  in  which  Mr. 
Pence  has  served  as  deacon  and  treasurer.  Fraternally,  Mr.  Pence  belongs 
to  St.  Paris  Lodge  No.  446,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in  which 
organization  he  takes  an  active  and  interested  part.  He  is  a  Republican 
in  politics,  and  has  always  been  deeply  interested  in  local  political  matters, 
and  any  measure  having  for  its  object  the  welfare  and  betterment  of  his 
community,  has  his  unqualified  support. 


WILLIAM  E.  PRINCE. 


William  E.  Prince,  an  enterprising  and  progressive  farmer,  and  a  former 
railway  mail  clerk,  living  on  his  place  known  as  "Pleasant  View  Farm." 
in  Johnson  township,  was  born  near  Millerstown,  in  this  township,  on  March 
II,  1868,  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Amanda  ( Deffenbaugh )  Prince,  the  former 
of  whom  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  the  latter  of  Ohio. 

Joseph  Prince  was  born  in  Page  county,  Virginia,  on  June  13,  1822,  and 
came  as  a  lad  of  eight  years  to  Ohio,  where  he  was  reared  to  manhood. 
On  December  20,  1866,  he  was  married  to  Amanda  J.  Deffenbaugh,  who  was 
born  in  Adams  township,  this  county,  on  January  15.  1846.  To  this  union 
the  following  children  were  born:  William  E.,  the  immediate  subject  of  this 
review;  Charles  I.,  an  employee  of  the  United  States  railway  mail  service, 
living  in  Piqua.  Ohio:  Frank  J.,  a  graduate  of  the  Ohio  State  University 


536  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

at  Columbus,  Ohio,  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science,  and  a  graduate 
of  the  Ohio  Medical  University,  now  a  practicing  ph3'sician  and  surgeon 
living  in  Bitter  Root  Valley,  Montana,  and  John  H..  also  a  graduate  of 
the  Ohio  Medical  University,  now  practicing  at  Piqua,  Ohio.  Joseph  Prince 
served  in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  War  as  a  member  of  Compan\- 
I,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry.  He 
enlisted  on  May  13,  1864,  and  served  one  hundred  days,  being  mustered 
out  on  August  31,  1864,  at  Camp  Chase.  Ohio.  He  was  a  Republican  m 
politics,  and  while  interested  in  all  public  matters,  yet  was  not  a  partisan 
in  any  sense  of  the  term,  or  an  ofBce  seeker.  He  was  a  member  of  St.  Paris 
Lodge,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  an  adherent  of  the  Reformed 
church.     His  death  occurred  in  April,  1902,  his  widow  still  surviving  him. 

William  E.  Prince  was  reared  on  the  farm  in  Johnson  town.ship,  receiv- 
ing his  education  in  the  schools  of  Millerstown.  Ohio.  In  his  yoimg  man- 
hood he  clerked  in  a  general  store  for  six  years,  after  which  he  was  engaged 
in  farming.  In  1901  he  took  the  civil  service  examination  for  the  United 
States  railway  mail  service,  and  in  February,  1902.  receiving  his  appointment, 
in  which  capacity  he  served  until  January,  191 2,  since  which  time  he  has 
been  living  with  his  mother  on  the  home  farm,  which  he  is  operating.  The}- 
have  about  sixty  acres  in  the  home  place. and  also  village  lots.  They  raise 
Jersey  cattle,  Berkshire  hogs  and  carry  on  general  farming.  They  now  reiU 
out  the  land.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  takes  an  active  interest 
in  the  public  life  of  his  community. 


DAVID  H.  MOORE.  M.  D. 

One  of  the  most  successful  of  the  younger  medical  men  of  Champaign 
county  is  Dr.  David  H.  Moore,  of  Urbana.  He  was  born  in  .Salem  town- 
ship, this  county,  on  the  old  home  farm,  .\ugust  30.  1883.  He  is  a  son  of 
James  H.  and  Isabel  (Duncan)  Moore,  both  natives  of  Champaign  county 
also,  each  representing  old  families  in  this  locality.  Here  they  grew  to 
maturity,  attended  school  and  were  married.  When  a  young  man  James  H. 
j\loore  went  to  Newark.  Ohio,  where  he  worked  for  a  short  time  nt  (he 
pattern  trade,  later  returning  to  his  native  count}-  and  en.gaged  in  the  im- 
plement business  with  Silas  Sandy,  at  Urijana.  under  the  firm  name  of  Sandy 
&  Moore.  A  few  years  later  he  went  on  the  road  as  a  traveling  salesman, 
and  in    1896  he  and   [ames  Robinson  started  a  new  concern  known  as  the 


DAVID  H.  MOORE.  M.D. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  5  ^;- 

Harchvure  Sui)ply  Company,  which  proved  to  be  a  successful  venture,  grow- 
ing to  large  proportions.  Mr.  Moore  remained  in  that  business  until  I90;>, 
when  he  became  engaged  with  the  McCoy  Canning  Company  of  Urbana, 
with  which  he  remained  until  his  death  in  191-I.  He  was  one  of  the  county's 
well  known  and  successful  business  men  in  his  day.  His  family  consisted  of 
only  two  children,  a  son  and  a  daughter,  namely:  Dr.  David  H.,  of  this 
sketch,  and  Margaret  A. 

David  H.  Moore  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Urbana 
and  was  graduated  from  the  high  school  in  1903.  After  that  he  was  em- 
ployed in  the  drug  stores  of  Urbana  until  the  fall  of  1908,  when  he  entered 
the  Starling  Ohio  Medical  College  at  Columbus,  taking-  the  full  four-years 
course.  He  made  an  excellent  record  there  and  graduated  with  the  degree 
of  Doctor  of  Medicine  with  the  class  of  1912.  After  leaving  college,  he 
at  once  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Urbana  and  has  remained 
here  ever  since.  He  was  successful  from  the  first  and  has  liuilt  up  a  large 
and  lucrative  practice. 

Doctor  Moore  w^as  married  on  June  15.  1915,  to  Muriel  A.  Hatton,  a 
daughter  of  C.  B.  and  Clara  Hatton. 

Doctor  Moofe  is  a  member  of  the  Champaign  County  Medical  Society, 
the  Ohio  State  Medical  Association  and  the  American  Medical  Association. 
He  has  been  secretary  of  the  County  Medical  Society  for  the  past  two 
years.  He  belongs  to  the  Alpha  Mu  Pi  Omega  fraternity,  the  Champaign 
Masonic  lodge,  of  which  he  is  the  present  master,  and  to  the  Presbyterian 
church.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican  and  in  January.  1915.  became  a 
member  of  the  board  of  countv  commissioners. 


JOSEPH  NORMAN. 


Joseph  Norman,  one  of  Concord  township's  best-knuwn  and  most  sub- 
stantial farmers  and  proprietor  of  the  old  Norman  homestead  farm  in  that 
township,  was  born  in  the  fine  old  house  in  which  he  is  now  living  and  in 
which  four  generations  of  the  Norman  family  have  li\ed,  one  and  one- 
fourth  miles  southeast  of  Millerstown,  on  rural  mail  route  No.  5,  out  of 
St.  Paris,  this  county.  He  was  born  on  February  23,  1864.  son  of  Lemuel 
and  Susanna  (Kauffman)  Norman,  tlie  former  of  whom  was  born  on  that 
same  farm,  son  of  pioneer  parents. 

Lemuel   Norman   was   a   son  of   Christian   Norman,   one   of   the   earlv 


5^8  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

settlers  of  Champaign  county,  and  one  of  the  most  influential  tiguves  in 
the  Millerstown  neighborhood  in  the  early  days.  Christian  Norman  was 
a  Virginian,  who  came  over  into  this  part  of  Ohio  in  1805  and  after  pros- 
pecting about  a  bit  selected  a  location  and  went  to  the  land  office  at  Cin- 
cinnati to  file  on  the  same.  The  decisive  factor  in  his  selection  of  the  site 
he  had  in  mind  was  a  fine  flowing  spring,  but  when  he  returned  from  the 
land  office  with  his  papers  he  found  that  the  land  described  in  the  same 
did  not  contain  the  coveted  spring,  after  all.  He  then  made  a  more  accur- 
ate "location"  and  returned  to  Cincinnati,  coming  back  with  a  patent  cover- 
ing- the  "eighty"  which  had  the  spring  c^n  it,  he  thus  starting  here  with 
a  quarter  of  a  section  of  land  instead  of  the  "eighty"  which  he  originally 
had  in  mind.  Upon  locating  on  that  tract  Christian  Norman  cut  out  a 
small  clearing  and  erected  a  modest  log  house  in  which  he  established  his 
liome,  later  putting  up  a  double  log  house,  and  in  1827  erected  the  sub- 
stantial brick  house  which  is  still  serving  as  a  residence  on  the  old  home 
])lace  and  which  is  still  in  a  fine  state  of  preservation.  This  house  was 
built  of  bricks  burned  on  the  place  and  was  finished  with  walnut  timber 
cut  on  the  place  and  hand  carved.  The  substantial  barn  which  is  still  doing 
service  on  the  farm,  built  of  poplar,  walnut  and  oak,  was  raised  in  1814. 
Christian  Norman  became  an  extensive  landowner,  the  possessor  of  con- 
siderable tracts  of  land  in  this  state  and  over  in  Indiana,  and  was  a  man 
of  large  influence  in  the  early  development  of  that  part  of  the  county  in 
which  he  settled.  He  and  his  wife  were  active  in  church  work  and  he  was  an 
active  worker  in  the  ranks  of  the  Whigs.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents 
of  eight  children,  Benjamin,  Gabriel.  Lemuel.  Savilla,  l.eanna,  .Sarah,  Eliza- 
beth and  Lydia. 

Lemuel  Norman  was  reared  on  the  old  home  farm  and  after  iiis  mar- 
riage to  Susanna  Kauffman  established  his  home  there,  spending  there  the 
rest  of  his  life,  his  death  occuring  in  1875.  His  widow  is  living  in  Concord 
township.  Of  the  children  born  to  them,  six  are  still  living,  those  l)esides 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  being  Mary  E.,  wife  of  John  E..  Pence;  John, 
of  St.  Paris;  Rebecca,  a  spinster;  Benjamin  M.,  a  Johnson  township  farmer, 
and  Leanna,  wife  of  F.  B.  Weller,  of  the  neighboring  count}-  of  Shelbv. 

Reared  on  the  old  farm,  Joseph  Norman  grew  to  manhood  there,  from 
the  days  of  his  boyhood  a  valuable  assistant  in  the  labors  of  the  farm,  and 
has  spent  all  his  life  in  the  old  pioneer  brick  house  in  which  he  was  born, 
having  established  his  home  there  after  his  marriage  in  the  spring  of  1884, 
and  has  long  owned  the  old  home  place.  Mr.  Norman  has  done  well  in 
his  farming  operations  and  has  one  of  the  best   farm  plants  in  the  Millers- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  5  >(j 

town  neighborhood.     He  is  a  Repul)lican.  l)ut  has  ne\er  taken  a  jjarticularly 
distinctive  part  in  poHtical  affairs. 

On  May  22,  1884,  Joseph  Norman  was  united  in  marriage  to  Margaret 
May  Berry,  who  was  born  in  Johnson  township,  this  county,  June  15,  1865, 
a  daughter  of  Peter  and  EHzabeth  (Jenkins)  Berr}-,  the  former  of  whom 
was  born  in  that  same  township,  June  25,  1835,  and  the  latter,  in  Mercer 
county,  this  state.  Peter  Berry  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  eight  children, 
those  besides  Mrs.  Norman  being  Wilham  D.,  Mary  M.,  George  M.,  Cora 
A..  Joseph  P.,  and  Savilla.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Norman  have  one  child,  a  daugh- 
ter, Dollie,  born  on  July  21,  1886,  who  married  Edgar  E.  Barger.  employed 
in  the  railway  mail  service  on  the  Pennsylvania  lines,  and  has  one  child, 
a  son,  Hugh  J.,  born  on  July  31,  1909,  living  with  Mr.  Norman.  Mrs. 
Norman  and  her  daughter  are  members  of  the  Reformed  church  at  Millers- 
town  and  Mr.  Norman  is  a  meml>er  of  St.  Paris  Lodge,  No.  344,  Knights 
of  Pythias,  in  the  affairs  of  which  organization  he  takes  a  warm  interest. 


EDWARD  H.  LEEDOM. 


Edward  H.  Leedom,  proprietor  of  "Grain  Farm,"  a  delightful  place 
of  ninety-five  and  one-half  acres  in  Johnson  township,  this  county,  three 
and  one-half  miles  northwest  of  St.  Paris,  on  rural  mail  route  No.  i,  out 
of  that  city,  was  born  in  the  neightoring  county  of  Shelby,  but  has  been 
a  resident  of  Champaign  county  since  he  was  a  child.  He  was  born  on 
a  farm  in  the  Palestine  neighborhood  on  August  6,  1862,  a  son  of  Howard 
and  Nancy  (Apple)  Leedom,  both  also  natives  of  this  state,  who  settled 
in  this  county  in  1866,  the  former  spending  the  rest  of  his  life  here  and  the 
latter  still  living  here  at  a  ripe  old  age. 

Howard  Leedom  was  born  and  reared  in  Ohio  and  at  St.  Paris 
married  Nancy  Apple,  who  was  born  and  reared  in  Johnson  township,  this 
county.  After  their  marriage  they  remained  at  St.  Paris  for  some  time 
and  then  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  Palestine  neighborhood  over  in  Shelby 
county,  where  they  remained  until  1866,  in  which  year  they  returned  to 
Champaign  county  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Johnson  township,  where 
Howard  Leedom  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  there 
in  July,  1908.  His  w^idow  still  sun-ives  him.  Howard  Leedom  was  a 
Republican  and  took  an  active  part  in  political  affairs.  He  was  an  active  ■ 
member  of  the  Methodist  church,  as  is  his  widow,  and  was  a  liberal  con- 


540  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

tributor  to  the  work  of  the  church.  Fraternally,  he  was  affiliated  with  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  took  a  warm  interest  in  the  afifairs 
oi  that  organization.  To  him  and  his  wife  five  children  were  born,  three 
of  whom  are  still  living,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having  a  brother,  Charles 
N.  Leedom,  who  married  Roe  Ann  Berry,  and  is  now  a  resident  of  Dayton, 
this  state,  and  a  sister,  Anna,  wife  of  William  Sotherland.  The  deceased 
children  were  Clara,  who  married  Seward  Lane,  and  another  daughter. 
Victoria. 

Edward  H.  Leedom  was  four  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  this 
county  with  his  parents  from  Shelby  county  and  he  grew  to  manhood  on 
the  home  farm  in  Johnson  township,  receiving  his  schooling  in  the  neigh- 
boring schools.  He  married  when  twenty-one  years  of  age  and  after  his 
marriage  established  his  home  on  the  farm  on  which  he  is  now  living  and 
has  there  resided  ever  since,  developing  there  one  of  the  best  farm  plants 
in  that  part  of  the  county.  Mr.  Leedom  is  a  Republican  and  has  ever 
given  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  political  affairs,  for  some  time 
having  served  as  director  of  his  local  school  district. 

On  September  27.  1883,  Edward  H.  Leedom  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Emma  Sayler,  who  was  born  at  St.  Paris,  this  county,  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Lucinda  C.  (Heaston)  Sayler,  prominent  residents  of  that  city, 
both  now  deceased.  Henry  Sayler  was  born  in  Clark  county,  this  state. 
in  1835,  and  was  reared  on  a  farm.  Being  orphaned  in  the  days  of  his 
youth  he  came  up  into  this  county  and  at  St.  Paris  began  to  "shift  for 
himself;"  doing  so  so  successfully  that  in  time  he  became  the  vice-president 
of  the  First  National  Bank  of  St.  Paris,  of  which  institution  he  was  one 
of  the  organizers  and  chief  stockholders,  and  was  for  years  regarded  as 
(jne  of  the  leading  citizens  of  that  place.  He  was  a  Mason  and  an  Odd 
Fellow  and  took  an  active  interest  in  lodge  work.  He  and  his  wife  were  the 
parents  of  two  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Leedom  alone  survives,  her  brother. 
Albert  R.  Sayler,  being  deceased. 

To  Edward  H.  and  Emma  (Sayler)  Leedom  si.x  children  have  been 
l)orn,  of  whom  five  are  still  living,  namely:  Mary,  a  graduate  of  the  St. 
Paris  high  school  and  a  former  teacher  in  the  schools  of  this  county,  who 
married  C.  V.  Jones  and  is  now  living  at  St.  Paris;  Charles  All)ert.  who 
married  Mary  A.  Wolcott  and  is  farming  in  Johnson  township;  Lucinda. 
who  was  graduated  from  the  St.  Paris  high  school  and  is  now  a  teacher 
in  the  Urbana  schools;  Yardley,  who  is  at  home,  a  valued  assistant  to  his 
father  in  the  labors  of  the  home  farm,  and  Kathleen,  who  is  still  in  school. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  54I 

The  Leedonis  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  St.  Paris 
and  take  a  proper  interest  in  church  work  and  in  the  general  social  activities 
of  their  home  communitv. 


JOHN  B.  ERWIN. 


John  B.  Erwin,  one  of  Johnson  township's  well-known  and  substantial 
farmers,  owner  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-two  acres  of  tine  land  in  that 
township  and  the  possessor  of  a  pleasant  home  on  rural  mail  route  No.  4 
out  of  St.  Paris,  is  a  native  of  the  old  Keystone  state,  but  has  been  a  resi- 
dent of  Ohio  since  the  days  of  his  young  manhood.  He  was  born  on  a 
farm  in  Huntington  county,  Pennsylvania,  September  21,  1843,  son  of 
William  and  Isabel  (Vawn)  Erwin,  also  natives  of  that  same  state,  whose 
lives  were  spent  there.  William  Erwin  owned  an  excellent  farm  in  the  near 
vicinity  of  Rossville,  Pennsylvania.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of 
seven  children,  five  of  whom  are  still  Hving,  those  besides  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  being  Margaret  R.,  widow  of  Wesley  Morgan ;  William  A., 
who  married  Jennie  Parsons;  Agnes  N..  wife  of  Jacob  A.  McMuUen,  and 
Robert  G.,  who  married  Jane  Morgan. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Pluntington  county.  Pennsylvania.  John 
B.  Erwin  received  a  good  common-school  education  and  remained  at  home 
until  he  w^as  eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  came  over  into  Ohio,  in  April, 
1864,  and  for  three  months  thereafter  worked  on  a  farm  in  Richland  county. 
He  then  went  to  Preble  county  and  thence  over  into  Indiana,  later  returned 
to  Miami  county,  Ohio,  and  began  to  work  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of 
Piqua,  but  a  short  time  afterward  returned  to  his  home  in  Pemisylvania, 
where  he  remained  nearly  a  year,  at  the  end  of  which  time,  in  October,  1866, 
he  returned  to  Ohio  and  in  the  following  November  was  married  in  Cham- 
paign county.  After  his  marriage  he  rented  a  farm  over  in  Shelby  county 
and  continued  a  renter  until  presently  he  bought  a  little  farm  of  thirty  acres, 
the  nucleus  of  his  present  valuable  farm  holdings  of  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
two  acres  in  Johnson  and  Concord  townships,  this  county,  where  he  makes 
his  home  and  where  he  and  his  family  are  very  comfortably  situated.  Mr. 
Erwin  has  a  fine  farm  plant  and  has  done  well  in  his  farming  operations. 
Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat,  but  has  never  taken  a  particularly  active  part 
in  politics. 

On  November  6.  1866,  Tohn  B.  Erwin  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mary 


542  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

E.  Blackford,  who  was  born  in  Johnson  township,  this  county,  January  20, 
1850,  daughter  of  WilHani  Blackford  and  Susan  Chapman,  well-known  resi- 
dents of  that  community,  and  to  this  union  six  children  have  been  lx)rn, 
namely:  Willie,  who  died  at  the  age  of  nine  years;  Elnora,  wife  of  William 
Comer,  of  Johnson  township;  Mary  B.,  wife  of  George  York,  a  resident  of 
the  neighboring  county  of  Logan;  George  W.,  who  married  Mary  A.  Robin- 
son and  lives  in  Concord  township;  Lottie  J.,  wife  of  Ira  Pence,  a  grocery 
dealer  at  St.  Paris,  and  Olive  May,  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Erwin  have  a 
very  pleasant  home  and  have  ever  taken  an  interested  part  in  the  general 
social  activities  of  their  home  neighborhood.  Mr.  Erwin  is  past  noble  grand 
of  Crayon  Lodge  No.  397,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  both 
he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  Ethel  Lodge  No.  314,  Daughters  of  Rebekah, 
of  which  Mrs.  Erwin  is  a  past  noble  grand.  Mrs.  Erwin  is  one  of  the  best- 
known  workers  in  the  ranks  of  the  Daughters  of  Rebekah  in  this  part  of 
the  state  and  served  for  some  time  as  installing  officer  and  was  treasurer 
for  ten  years  in  that  order. 


FRANK  APPLE. 


One  of  the  substantial  farmers  of  Johnson  township,  this  county,  who 
has  lived  here  all  his  life,  is  Frank  Apple,  who  was  born  on  the  farm  now 
owned  by  Naaman  L.  Apple,  one  mile  west  of  St.  Paris,  on  February  12. 
1867.  He  is  a  son  of  William  and  Mary  Ann  (Lyons)  Apple,  both  (if 
whom  also  were  natives  of  Champaign  county. 

William  Apple  was  born  in  Jackson  township  on  the  old  home  farm 
which  his  parents  had  entered  from  the  government,  and  was  the  son  of 
Solomon  and  Catherine  Apple,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania, 
who  came  from  that  state  in  an  early  day  to  Montgomery  county,  Ohio, 
locating  first  at  Dayton,  which  at  that  time  was  only  a  small  trading  point, 
containing  only  two  houses.  They  did  not  remain  long  at  Dayton,  how- 
ever, but  came  on  into  Champaign  county,  settling  on  land  in  Jackson  town- 
ship, which  they  had  entered  from  the  government.  This  land  was  wild  and 
unimproved,  had  no  clearings  and  no  buildings  of  any  kind,  while  Indians 
roamed  the  woods  about  them.  However,  with  true  pioneer  spirit,  they 
proceeded  to  clear  and  cultivate  their  land,  literally  hewing  a  home  out  of 
the  wilderness,  and  here  they  reared  their  family  and  lived  the  remainder 
of  their  days,  being  ranked  among  the  sttirdy  pioneers  of  this  district.     Will- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  543 

iam  Apple  and  his  wife  settled  on  the  tract  of  land  which  is  now  known 
as  the  Naaman  Apple  farm,  and  which  was  a  part  of  the  old  homestead 
farm  belonging  to  his  father,  and  here  they  lived  and  died,  and  here  all  of 
their  children  were  born  in  the  original  log  house  which  was  erected  by  Will- 
iam Apple  at  the  time  of  his  marriage.  His  wife,  Mary  Ann  Lyons,  was 
born  in  Johnson  township,  on  a  farm  two  miles  north  of  St.  Paris,  this  farm 
now  being  owned  by  J.  H.  Biddle.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Christian  Lyons 
and  wife,  both  of  w'hom  were  natives  of  Virginia,  who  came  to  Champaign 
county,  Ohio,  about  1812,  locating  in  Johnson  township.  William  Apple 
was  a  very  prominent  and  influential  citizen  in  the  early  days  of  this  section, 
taking  an  active  part  in  the  upbuilding  and  betterment  of  his  community, 
being  a  leader  in  the  locality.  He  served  many  years  as  townshiii  tn.istee. 
and  was  also  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  his  township  for  a  number 
of  years.  He  was  one  of  the  substantial  and  well-to-do  farmers  of  this 
county,  accumulating  more  than  four  thousand  acres  of  land.  He  was  a 
Democrat  in  politics,  and  active  in  the  councils  of  his  party.  He  and  his 
wife  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  two  of  whom  are  living:  Albert 
I..,  who  died  on  June  21.  1917;  Naaman  L.,  living  on  the  old  home  farm  of 
liis  grandfather,  and  Frank,  of  this  review. 

Frank  Apple  was  reared  on  the  old  homestead  farm  in  Jackson  town- 
ship, receiving  his  education  in  the  district  schools,  and  early  in  life  learned 
the  rudiments  of  farming  by  assisting  in  the  work  of  his  father's  farm.  He 
started  out  in  life  for  himself  by  engaging  in  farming  in  Union  township, 
where  he  lived  for  two  years,  but  upon  the  death  of  his  father  in  1900,  he 
returned  to  Johnson  township,  taking  charge  of  aftairs  pertaining  to  his 
father's  estate,  and  has  since  lived  on  his  farm  on  the  St.  Paris  and  Millers- 
town  pike,  three  miles  northeast  of  St.  Paris  and  one  mile  south  of  Millers- 
town,  containing  fifty-eight  and  one-half  acres  of  fine  land.  Mr.  Apple  also 
owns  sixty-three  acres  of  land  adjoining  his  farm  on  the  west,  one  mile 
north  of  St.  Paris. 

On  September  22,  1898,  Frank  Apple  was  united  in  marriage  to  Cora 
L.  Strock,  and  to  this  union  two  children  have  been  born.  Charles  Franklin, 
who  died  in  1912,  at  the  age  of  eleven  years,  and  Ruth  Flizabeth,  born  Januar\- 
25,  1907,  now  in  the  fifth  grade  of  the  district  school.  :\Trs.  Apple  was 
lx)rn  at  Mutual,  Ohio,  in  Union  township,  this  county,  on  July  12,  1875. 
and  is  a  daughter  of  John  and  Jennie  (Goul)  Strock.  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  this  county,  the  former  being  of  Pennsylvania  Dutch  stock.  Jennie 
Goul  was  a  daughter  of  Christian  Goul,  of  Virginia.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Strock 
were  the  parents  of  three  children:     Clay,  who  is  living  at  home  with  his 


544  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

parents;  Charles,  a  resident  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and  Cora  L.,  the 
wife  of  Mr.  Apple.  Mrs.  Apple  was  reared  at  Mutual,  receiving  her  early 
education  in  the  Mutual  schools,  later  attending  college  at  Ada,  Ohio,  tak- 
ing a  business  course  at  the  Ohio  Normal  University.  In  the  fall  of  1894 
the  family  came  to  Johnson  township,  locating  on  a  farm  one  mile  northwest 
of  St.  Paris,  where  she  lived  until  she  married  Mr.  Apple.  The  family  are 
members  of  the  Baptist  church  at  St.  Paris,  in  the  affairs  of  which  they  take 
an  active  interest.     In  politics,  Mr.  /\pple  is  a  Democrat. 


JAMES  B.  PUTNAM. 


James  B.  Putnam,  one  of  Johnson  townshi[)'s  substantial  and  up-to-date 
farmers  and  stockmen  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived 
here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Jackson  township,  November 
2,  1856,  son  of  Henry  and  Margaret  (Wogmoth)  Putman,  substantial 
pioneer  residents  of  that  neighborhood. 

Henry  Putman  was  born  in  Mason  county,  Kentucky,  November  2 1 , 
181 5,  and  was  but  an  infant  when  his  father,  Zecharia  Putnam,  came  to 
Ohio  in  18 16  with  his  family  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Mad  River  township, 
this  county,  where  he  remained  until  1821,  when  he  moved  over  into  Jack- 
son township  and  established  his  home  on  a  farm  there,  spending  the  rest 
of  his  life  a  resident  of  that  township  and  one  of  the  influential  pioneer 
citizens  of  the  same.  On  that  pioneer  farm  Henry  Putnam  grew  to  manhood 
and  after  his  marriage  in  1842  to  Margaret  Wogmoth  established  his  home 
on  a  farm  in  that  same  township,  but  later  moved  to  Johnson  township, 
and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents 
of  six  children,  of  whom  four  are  still  living,  those  besides  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  being  Sarah  J.,  widow  of  Jesse  Pence;  Amanda,  widow  of 
David  Eicher,  and  Charles  Putnam,  the  deceased  children  having  been  Jennie 
and  John  Putnam. 

Having  been  but  a  mere  child  when  his  parents  nioxed  from  Jackson 
to  Johnson  townships,  James  B.  Putnam  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home 
farm  in  the  latter  township  and  received  his  schooling  in  the  local  schools. 
After  his  marriage  in  1878  he  established  his  lK)me  on  the  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  seventeen  acres  on  which  he  is  now  living  and  there  has 
ever  since  resided,  he  and  his  family  being  very  comfortably  situated.  Mr. 
Putnam  is  one  of  the  progressive  farmers  and  stockmen  of  that  neighlwr- 


.  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  545 

hood  and  his  farm  plant  is  one  of  the  best  in  that  part  of  the  county.  Mr. 
Putnam  has  found  time  amid  the  multiplying  duties  of  the  farm  to  give 
his  though ful  attention  to  local  civic  affairs  and  has  held  several  township 
offices  at  one  time  and  another.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  is  looked  upon 
as  one  of  the  leaders  of  that  party  in  his  home  township. 

In  1878  James  B.  Putnam  was  united  in  marriage  to  Alice  Prince,  who 
also  was  born  in  this  county,  a  daughter  of  Solomon  Prince,  further  and 
fitting  mention  of  whom  is  made  elsewhere  in  this  volume,  and  to  this 
union  eleven  children  have  been  born,  five  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely: 
Lloyd,  of  St.  Paris;  Naomi,  wife  of  Leonard  Hull,  and  Mable,  Clara  and 
Clarence,  at  home.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Putnam  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church 
and  take  a  proper  interest  in  church  work,  as  well  as  in  the  general  good 
works  of  the  community,  and  the  family  has  ever  given  its  interested  atten- 
tion to  the  general  social  activities  of  that  community. 


WILLIAM  F.  LICKLIDER. 

William  F.  Licklider,  farmer,  of  Adams  township,  Champaign  county, 
was  born  on  a  farm  in  Johnson  township,  this  county,  February  10,  1859.  .He 
is  a  son  of  William  H.  and  Margaret  A.  (Struble)  Licklider,  he  a  native 
of  Virginia  and  she  of  Shelby  county,  Ohio.  He  had  been  previously  mar- 
ried and  had  one  child  by  his  first  wife,  Mary  E.  Licklider,  who  is  now  the 
wife  of  John  Dorey,  of  Shelby  county,  this  state.  Mary  E.  Licklider  first 
married  John  Pepper  and  several  children  were  born  to  them,  all  being  now 
deceased.  William  H.  Licklider  was  a  member  of  the  Christian  church  at 
Carysville,  Ohio;  in  fact,  was  a  charter  member  of  that  congregation,  and 
was  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  church.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  early  life, 
but  later  voted  the  Prohibition  ticket.  When  starting  out  in  life  for  him- 
self he  lived  for  some  time  in  Johnson  township,  later  moved  to  Adams 
township  and  bought  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  forty  acres.  He  owned  one 
hundred  and  fifteen  acres  in  Johnson  township.  His  family  consisted  of  eight 
children,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  and  four  are  living  in  191 7,  namely: 
William  F.,  of  this  sketch;  Edith,  the  wife  of  Charles  Johnson,  of  Shelby 
county,  Ohio;  Elmer,  living  at  Rosewood,  this  county,  and  Charles  H., 
farming  in  Adams  township. 

William  F.  Licklider  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  in  Johnson  township, 
(35a) 


546  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

being  eighteen  years  old  when  the  family  removed  to  Adams  township.  He 
attended  the  district  schools  and  later  the  Carysville  schools.  He  remained 
at  home  until  he  was  twenty-three  years  old,  the  last  two  years  working  by 
the  year  for  his  father,  also  renting  land  from  him.  He  has  continued 
general  agricultural  pursuits  and  now  owns  a  well-kept  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  fifteen  acres  in  Adams  township. 

Mr.  Licklider  was  married  on  February  22,  1885,  to  Alice  M.  Buroker. 
She  was  born  in  St.  Paris,  Champaign  county,  April  19,  1858,  and  there 
she  grew  up  and  attended  school.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Catherine 
(Snapp)  Buroker.  The  father  was  born  in  Virginia  and  the  mother  in 
Jackson  township,  Champaign  county. 

Three  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Licklider,  namely : 
Gladys,  born  in  April,  1887,  is  single  and  lives  at  home;  Joseph  W.,  who 
was  graduated  from  Rosewood  high  school,  taught  school  several  years;  he 
was  married  on  April  17,  1917,  to  Melvie  Darrow;  they  are  living  with  his 
parents  on  the  farm.     Walter  Licklider  is  single  and  lives  at  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Licklider  is  a  Democrat.  He  served  as  supervisor  of 
his  township  one  year.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Golden  Eagles.  He  is  keeper 
of  the  exchequer  and  has  been  since  it  was  first  organized.  He  and  his 
family  are  members  of  the  Christian  church  at  Carysville.  He  was  trustee 
of  the  church  there  for  ten  or  twelve  years  and  has  always  been  active  in 
church  affairs. 


ASA  B.  BUROKER. 


As  a  successful  educator  Asa  B.  Buroker,  superintendent  of  the  Adams 
township  consolidated  schools  at  Rosewood,  has  long  stood  in  the  front 
rank  of  his  profession  in  Champaign  county.  He  was  born  in  Jackson 
township,  this  county,  April  26,  1864.  He  is  a  son  of  William  and  Leann 
(Wolgamuth)  Buroker.  The  father  was  born  in  Mad  River  township, 
March  29,  1840,  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Jackson  township,  in  Sep- 
tember, 1840.  They  grew  to  maturity  in  Champaign  county,  attended  the 
common  schools  and  here  they  were  married,  after  which  they  established 
their  home  on  a  farm  in  Jackson  township,  but  later  moved  to  Johnson, 
Mad  River  and  Adams  townships,  finally  locating  in  the  town  of  St.  Paris, 
where  he  still  resides,  the  mother's  death  occurring  there  some  years  ago. 
William  Buroker  devoted  his  active  life  to  general  agricultural  pursuits. 
He  was  long  one  of  the  active  members  of  Myrtle  Tree  Baptist  church,  being 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  547 

a  leader  of  the  choir  for  many  years.  He  is  an  excellent  reader  of  music. 
He  served  one  year  as  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school. 

Fourteen  children  were  born  to  William  Buroker  and  wife,  all  but 
two  surviving  at  this  writing,  namely:  Rosa  is  the  wife  of  D.  J.  Pence, 
of  Converse,  Indiana;  Asa  B.,  of  this  sketch;  Charles  is  farming  near  Sims, 
Grant  county,  Indiana;  Mary  is  the  wife  of  Cory  Slusser,  a  farmer  of  near 
Lena,  Ohio;  Elizabeth  is  the  widow  of  Perry  Beatty,  of  St.  Paris,  this 
county;  Simon  and  Miles  are  partners  in  the  butter-making  business  at 
Troy,  Ohio;  Monroe  is  farming  near  Pemberton.  Ohio;  David  is  farming 
in  Shelby  county,  Ohio;  John  is  farming  in  Logan  county,  this  state;  Guy 
is  a  motorman  at  Peru,  Indiana,  and  Edna  is  the  wife  of  J.  W.  Beck  of 
Marion,  Ohio. 

Asa  B.  Buroker  was  reared  on  the  farm  in  his  native  county.  He 
received  his  early  education  in  the  district  schools,  and  when  but  a  boy  he 
began  teaching.  He  later  took  the  course  of  the  old  Urban  Normal  School 
and  also  a  course  in  the  Interstate  Correspondence  School  of  Chicago,  Illi- 
nois. He  has  always  been  a  student  and  has  become  a  highly  educated  man, 
very  largely  through  his  own  efforts.  He  has  kept  abreast  of  the  times  in 
all  that  pertains  to  his  work  and  has  long  been  regarded  as  one  of  the  able 
and  progressive  teachers  in  the  public  schools  of  Champaign  county.  He 
began  teaching  in  1886  in  the  Vance  school  in  Mad  River  township,  and 
continued  teaching  in  district  schools  for  a  period  of  -twenty  years.  He 
was  superintendent  of  the  schools  of  Johnson  township  seven  years.  He  came 
to  Rosewood  in  1907  as  a  teacher  in  the  schools  there  and  he  was  superin- 
tendent of  the  Adams  township  consolidated  schools  for  four  years.  He 
centralized  the  schools  there  and  he  has  been  superintendent  of  them  ever 
since.  As  a  teacher  his  services  have  always  been  in  good  demand,  for  he 
is  not  only  well  ecjuipped  from  an  educational  standpoint  for  his  chosen  life 
w^ork,  but  he  is  also  well  qualified  by  nature  and  training  and  has  given  emi- 
nent satisfaction  everywhere  to  both  pupils  and  patrons.  He  is  painstaking, 
thorough  and  reliable. 

Mr.  Buroker  was  married  in  1889  to  Ida  Rhoades.  a  daughter  of  Thomas 
Rhoades  and  wife.  To  this  union  ten  children  have  been  born,  namely : 
Zelia,  the  wnfe  of  Glenn  Buck,  a  graduate  of  the  Rosewood  schools:  Vista, 
the  wife  of  Cleo  Davis,  of  Napoleon,  Ohio ;  Carroll  is  also  a  graduate  of 
the  Rosewood  schools;  Howard,  a  high  school  graduate,  is  a  merchant  at 
Rosewood;  Willard  was  graduated  from  the  local  high  school  in  191 7; 
Fave  will  graduate  from  the  local  high  school  with  the  class  of  1918:  Nettie 


548  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

is  attending  the  public  schools;  Lloyd  and  Lois  are  twins,  and  Florence  is 
the  youngest. 

Mr.  Buroker  is  a  Prohibitionist  and  has  always  voted  and  worked  for 
temperance.  He  is  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  church  at  Rosewood 
and  is  active  in  church  and  Sunday  school  work. 


HARRISON  A.  WILSON. 

Harrison  A.  Wilson,  former  trustee  of  Harrison  township,  vice-presi- 
dent of  the  Farmers  Banking  Company  of  West  Liberty  and  the  proprietor 
of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  fifty-eight  acres  where  he  is  now  living 
in  Harrison  township,  was  born  on  that  farm  and  has  lived  there  all  his  life, 
one  of  the  best-known  and  most  substantial  citizens  of  the  northern  part  of 
Champaign  county.  He  was  born  on  December  i,  1S62,  son  of  Andrew  and 
Elizabeth  Jane  (Wright)  Wilson,  the  former  of  whom  also  was  born  in  that 
neighborhood  and  the  latter  in  the  state  of  Virginia,  whose  last  days  were 
spent  on  the  farm  on  which  their  son,  Harrison,  is  now  living. 

Andrew  Wilson  was  born  on  December  3,  1813,  son  of  pioneer  parents, 
whose  home  was  on  the  farm  adjoining  the  present  Harrison  Wilson  farm 
on  the  east,  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood  and  married  a  neighbor  girl, 
Elizabeth  Jane  Wright,  who  was  born  in  Virginia  on  April  4,  1829,  and  who 
was  but  a  girl  when  her  parents,  Benjamin  and  Peggy  (Ruddell)  Wright, 
who  were  married  in  Virginia  in  June,  1828,  came  to  Ohio  and  settled  in 
Clark  county,  presently  moving  from  there  up  into  Champaign  county  and 
settling  on  the  farm  just  east  of  the  present  Ben  Wilson  farm  in  Harrison 
township.  In  later  years  Benjamin  Wright  and  his  wife  moved  to  Illinois, 
where  their  last  days  were  spent,  the  latter  dying  there  on  July  3,  1866, 
and  the  former  surviving  for  many  years,  his  death  occurring  on  September 
29,  1894.  After  his  marriage  Andrew  Wilson  settled  on  the  quarter  section 
of  the  old  home  place  now  owned  and  occupied  by  his  son,  Harrison,  and 
there  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  influential  and  useful 
residents  of  that  community.  He  was  a  Republican  and  in  his  younger  days 
took  an  active  part  in  local  politics,  serving  for  several  years  as  trustee 
of  his  home  township.  He  was  one  of  the  leaders  in  the  local  Grange  in  the 
early  days  of  that  organization  and  did  much  to  promote  the  cause  of  the 
same.  His  wife  was  a  member  of  the  Spring  Hill  Presbyterian  church  and 
their  children  were  reared  in  that  faith.     Andrew  Wilson  and  wife  were  the 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  549 

parents  of  ten  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  eighth  in 
order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow:  Sarah  Jane,  born  on  January 
22,  1847,  who  is  the  wife  of  A.  S.  Nelson,  of  Noblesville,  Indiana;  Rebecca 
v.,  October  3,  1848,  who  died  in  March,  1913;  William  H.,  February  27, 
1851,  now  deceased;  Margaret,  April  11,  1853,  who  married  E.  D.  Robinson 
and  is  now  deceased;  Martha  J.,  April  7,  1855,  wife  of  Henry  Lee,  of 
Thackery,  this  county;  Mary  Ann,  February  11,  1857,  now  a  resident  of  West 
Liberty;  Benjamin  W.,  January  27,  i860,  also  a  resident  of  West  Liberty; 
Ellen  E.,  January  19,  1867,  who  married  T.  C.  Hines  and  is  now  deceased, 
and  Charles  F.,  April  11,  1869,  who  died  on  June  19  of  that  same  year. 

Harrison  A.  Wilson  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  on  which  he  was 
born  and  on  which  he  is  now  living.  He  received  his  early  schooling  in  the 
district  schools  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  home  and  was  later  graduated 
from  the  Capital  City  Commercial  College  at  Columbus.  From  the  days  of 
his  boyhood  he  was  a  valued  assistant  in  the  labors  of  improving  and  develop- 
ing the  home  place  and  after  his  marriage  in  the  spring  of  1888  established 
his  home  there  and  has  ever  since  made  that  his  place  of  residence.  Mr. 
Wilson  has  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  fifty-eight  acres  and  has  done 
well  in  his  farming  operations.  For  several  years  he  has  been  identified  with 
the  Farmers  Banking  Company  of  West  Liberty,  a  member  of  the  board 
of  directors  of  the  same,  and  is  now  one  of  the  company's  vice-presidents. 
An  earnest  Republican,  he  has  ever  given  his  thoughtful  attention  to  local 
civic  affairs  and  for  several  years  served  as  trustee  of  his  home  township 
and  for  several  years  as  a  member  of  the  local  board  of  education.  In  addi- 
tion to  his  general  farming,  Mr.  Wilson  has  given  considerable  attention  to 
the  raising  of  high-grade  stock  and  has  some  fine  Shorthorn  cattle,  Poland 
China  and  Duroc  hogs  and  one  of  the  best  flocks  of  sheep  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  county. 

On  March  13,  1888,  Harrison  A.  Wilson  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Julia  A.  Carr,  who  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Degraff,  in  the 
neighboring  county  of  Logan,  daughter  of  Frederick  Carr  and  wife,  and 
to  this  union  seven  children  have  been  born,  namely :  Darcy  A.,  born  on 
January  7,  1889,  who  died  on  May  14  of  that  same  year;  Herman  W.,  August 
16,  1890,  who  is  now  living  six  miles  east  of  West  Liberty;  Ivan  C,  February 
7,  1892,  who  died  on  April  i,  1893;  Bertha,  February  11,  1895,  who  is 
at  home;  Helen,  December  27,  1896,  also  at  home;  Ruth,  December  14, 
1898,  at  home,  and  Warren  A.,  January  26,  1901.  All  the  members  of  this 
family  are  members  of  the  Spring  Hill  Presbyterian  church  with  the  excep- 


550  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

tion  of  Herman,  who  is  a  member  of  the  Wesley  Chapel  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  The  Wilsons  have  a  very  pleasant  home  and  have  ever  given  their 
interested  attention  to  the  communitv's  general  social  activities. 


THOMAS  T.  BRAND. 


Major  Thomas  T.  Brand,  United  States  Army,  retired,  an  honored 
veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  vice-president  of  the  Urbana  National  Bank  and 
one  of  the  best-known  and  most  substantial  capitalists  and  real-estate  investors 
in  this  part  of  Ohio,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here 
all  his  life,  a  resident  of  Urbana  practically  all  the  time  since  the  com- 
pletion of  his  military  service  in  1868.  Major  Brand  is  a  member  of  one 
of  the  oldest  families  in  Champaign  county.  He  was  born  at  Mechanicsburg, 
January  28,  1835,  son  of  Joseph  C.  and  Lavinia  (Talbott)  Brand,  early 
settlers  there  and  further  and  fitting  mention  of  whom  is  made  in  the  historical 
section  of  this  volume.  He  received  his  schooling  at  Urbana  and  in  Spring- 
field, and  was  living  there  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  He  was  one  of 
the  first  to  respond  to  President  Lincoln's  call  for  volunteers,  and  on  April 
17,  1861,  the  day  after  the  fall  of  Ft.  Sumter,  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Com- 
pany K,  Second  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  on  the  day  fol- 
lowing was  elected  first  lieutenant  of  that  company .  On  the  19th  the 
company  started  for  Washington  with  instructions  to  rendezvous  at  Lan- 
caster, Pennsylvania,  where  it  was  mustered  into  service  as  a  part  of  the 
Second  Ohio,  on  the  29th  of  the  same  month.  On  May  2nd  the  company 
arrived  in  Washington,  where  it  was  assigned  to  Schenck's  Brigade,  Tyler's 
Division  of  McDowell's  Army  of  Northeastern  Virginia. 

The  Second  Ohio  remained  on  duty  at  Washington  in  defense  of  the 
capital  until  June,  and  on  the  22nd  of  that  month  Lieutenant  Brand  resigned 
his  commission  in  the  volunteer  service  to  accept  an  appointment  as  first 
lieutenant  in  the  regular  army,  being  attached  to  the  Eighteenth  Regiment. 
United  States  Infantry;  and  from  that  time  until  the  following  December 
was  engaged  in  recruiting-  service  in  behalf  of  that  regiment.  In  December, 
1861,  Lieutenant  Brand  joined  his  regiment  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  in  the 
following  January,  that  command  was  ordered  to  Kentucky,  where  it  was 
assigned  to  the  Third  Brigade  of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio;  and  was  thus  a 
portion  of  the  Third  Army  Corps  until  September  of  that  same  year.  In 
November,   1861,  the  regiment  became  a  part  of  the  Fourth  Brigade,  First 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  55 1 

(Center)  Division  of  the  Fourth  Army  Corps  in  the  Army  of  the  Cuml>erland, 
and  in  the  following  January  was  assigned  to  the  Third  Brigade.  In  Feb- 
ruary, 1862,  the  command  moved  to  Nashville,  and  from  that  city  marched 
to  Savannah,  Tennessee,  to  re-enforce  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee.  From 
March  20,  to  April  6,  while  the  movements  leading  up  to  the  battle  of 
Shiloh  were  taking  place,  his  command  was  engaged  in  an  advance  on 
Corinth,  Mississippi;  later  taking  part  in  the  siege  of  that  city,  which  culmi- 
nated on  May  30  in  the  fall  of  that  city.  He  then  took  part  in  the  pursuit 
of  the  enemy  to  Boonville  and  luka,  Mississippi.  Later,  he  marched  to 
Tuscumbia,  Alabama,  arriving  at  this  place  on  June  22.  He  remained  on 
duty  there  until  July  27,  and  was  then  stationed  at  Deckard,  Tennessee,  until 
August  21,  when  his  regiment  was  transferred  to  Louisville,  Kentucky.  There 
he  was  in  the  command  of  General  Buell.  At  this  time  General  Bragg,  in 
concert  with  General  Lee,  in  the  same  year,  made  his  dash  into  Tennessee 
and  Kentucky,  aided  by  Kirby  Smith.  General  Buell  moved  out  from  Louis- 
ville to  meet  him.  On  October  8,  1862,  the  two  met  at  Perrysville,  Ken- 
tucky, where  Lieutenant  Brand's  command  took  part  in  the  battle.  Later, 
he  marched  to  Nashville,  where  he  joined  the  Regular  Brigade,  First 
Division,  Fourteenth  Army  Corps,  December  25.  On  December 
31,  1862,  and  January  1-2-3,  1863,  the  command  took  a  very  active 
part  in  the  battle  of  Stone's  River.  This  engagement  continued  until  January 
3,  and  afterward  the  regiment  was  on  duty  at  Murfreesborough,  Tennessee, 
until  June.  On  the  23rd  of  that  month  it  began  its  service  in  connection  with 
the  Tallahoma,  or  Middle  Tennessee  campaign,  being  in  action  at  Hoover's 
Gap  on  June  25  and  26,  and  taking  part  in  the  occupation  of  Tallahoma 
on  July  I ;  thereafter  was  in  the  Chattanooga  campaign,  participating  in  the 
battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  19  and  20.  A  few  days  before  that  battle, 
on  September  11,  1863,  Lieutenant  Brand  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of 
captain.  On  the  first  day  of  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  he  received  a 
severe  wound  in  his  left  arm,  which  incapacitated  him  for  further  service 
in  the  field,  and  he  thereafter  served  on  special  detail  in  the  mustering  and 
disbursing  department  of  the  army.  On  March  13,  1865,  for  conspicuous 
bravery  displayed  on  the  field  during  the  battle  of  Stone's  River  and  the  bat- 
tle of  Chickamauga,  he  was  honored  with  the  rank  of  brevet  major.  After 
being  assigned  to  mustering  and  disbursing  duty,  Major  Brand  was  stationed 
at  Madison,  Wisconsin,  until  in  February,  1864,  when  he  was  transferred 
to  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  was  there  engaged  in  similar  service  until  Decem- 
ber, 1865.  He  was  then  stationed  at  Indianapolis  as  chief  mustering  and  dis- 
bursing officer  of  Indiana,  where  he  remained  until  June  I,  1867,  when  he 


552  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

was  appointed  chief  mustering  officer  of  Ohio  and  West  Virginia,  and  so 
continued  until  his  retirement  from  service  on  December  i,  1868. 

On  April  23,  1904,  by  act  of  Congress,  Brevet-Major  Brand  was  raised 
to  the  rank  of  major  in  the  United  States  army,  for  services  rendered  during 
the  Civil  War. 

Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  Major  Brand  returned  to 
his  home  at  Urbana,  where  he  since  has  made  his  home,  for  many  years 
one  of  the  most  active  and  influential  business  men  in  this  part  of  the  state. 
The  Major's  investments  have  proved  quite  profitable  and  he  is  accounted 
one  of  the  well-to-do  citizens  of  his  home  town.  He  is  vice-president  and 
a  director  of  the  Urbana  National  Bank  and  has  other  important  holdings, 
his  various  connections  along  these  lines  making  him  one  of  the  most 
important  figures  in  the  financial  life  of  this  section.  He  is  also  a  director  of 
the  Urbana  Telephone  Company.  The  Major  is  an  ardent  Republican  and  has 
ever  taken  an  active  interest  in  local  political  affairs,  one  of  the  leaders  of 
his  party  in  this  county. 

On  December  28,  1864,  Major  Thomas  T.  Brand  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Eliza  C.  Warnock,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  David  Warnock,  and  to 
this  union  were  born  two  sons.  Dr.  Frank  W.  Brand,  a  physician  at  Urbana, 
and  Dr.  Thomas  T.  Brand,  Jr.,  a  dentist  at  Urbana. 


GEORGE  W.  HOUX. 


Among  the  pioneers  of  the  northern  part  of  Champaign  county,  few 
have  left  a  better  memory  than  did  George  W.  Houx  and  his  wife,  for 
many  years  proprietors  of  "Mt.  Tabor  Farm,"  now  occupied  by  their  son 
and  daughter,  in  Salem  township.  Mr.  Houx  had  been  a  resident  of  this 
county  since  1845  ^n^  was  eighty  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  death  in 
1892.  He  was  born  at  Cumberland,  Maryland,  October  29,  1812,  son  of 
John  Houx  and  wife,  whose  last  days  were  spent  there  and  who  were  the 
parents  of  three  sons,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having  had  two  brothers, 
John,  who  died  in  Maryland,  and  William,  who  located  in  Iowa. 

George  W.  Houx  was  reared  at  Cumberland  and  there  received  his 
schooling.  For  five  years  he  served  in  the  United  States  standing  army 
and  in  1844  came  to  Ohio  and  in  the  spring  of  the  next  year  located  in  this 
county,  where  he  presently  married  Mrs.  Susan  P.  (Turner)  Houk,  a  widow, 
who  was  born  in  Jefferson  county,  Virginia,  July  29,    1809,  a  daughter  of 


GEORGE    W.    IIOUX 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


553 


Anthony  and  Fannie  Turner,  and  who  was  the  owner  of  "Mt.  Tabor  Farm" 
in  Salem  township,  this  county.  ]\Irs.  Houk  was  the  mother  of  four  chil- 
dren, namely:  Eliza,  born  in  1831,  wife  of  H.  Hovey,  of  Urbana,  this 
county;  George  W.  Houk,  who  died  in  his  youth;  Anna  Frances,  who  died 
in  1852,  and  Alexander  P.  Houk,  who  moved  to  Greene  county,  Missouri. 
After  his  marriage  Mr.  Houx  settled  at  "Mt.  Tabor  Farm"  and  there  he 
and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  active  in  all  good  works  in 
that  neighborhood  and  useful  and  influential  members  of  the  community. 
Mrs.  Houx  died  on  November  18,  1884,  and  Mr.  Houx  survived  until 
December  28,  1892,  he  being  past  eighty  years  of  age  at  the  time  of 
his  death.  To  him  and  his  wife  three  children  were  born,  Mary  Ellen,  born 
on  December  30,  1847,  who  died  at  the  old  home  place  on  September  15, 
1905;  Martha  A.,  August  i,  1849,  who  has  always  lived  on  the  old  home 
place,  and  John  H.,  December  14,  1852,  who  also  has  always  made  his  home 
there,  actively  engaged  in  farming  since  the  days  of  his  boyhood. 

John  H.  Houx  has  continued  the  development  and  improvement  of 
"Mt.  Tabor  Farm"  and  he  and  his  sister  Martha  have  a  very  fine  piece  of 
property  there,  one  of  the  best-improved  farm  plants  in  that  neighborhood. 
They  are  members  of  the  Mt.  Tabor  church  and  have  ever  given  proper 
attention  to  neighborhood  good  works,  being  favorably  known  throughout 
that  community.  Mr.  Houx  is  a  Democrat  and  has  ever  given  a  good  citi- 
zen's attention  to  local  political  affairs,  but  has  not  been  a  seeker  after  public 
office.  He  is  a  good  farmer  and  he  and  his  sister  have  done  well  with  their 
inheritance. 


CHARLES  E.  WERTZ. 


Charles  E.  Wertz,  a  well-known  farmer  and  civil  engineer  living  on 
the  Carysville  pike  on  rural  mail  route  No.  i  out  of  St.  Paris,  five  miles 
north  of  St.  Paris,  where  he  has  a  very  pleasant  home  and  where  he  and  his 
family  are  very  comfortably  situated,  is  a  native  of  Ohio  and  has  lived 
in  this  state  all  his  life,  a  resident  of  Champaign  county  since  the  days  of  his 
childhood.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Brown  township.  Miami  county, 
April  17,  1866,  a  son  of  Daniel  and  Eliza  A.  (Pence)  Wertz,  who  later 
became  residents  of  this  county,  still  later  moving  to  Indiana,  where  their 
last  days  were  spent. 

Daniel  Wertz  was  born  on  a  sailing  vessel  on  the  Atlantic  ocean  while 
his  parents  were  on  their  way  to  this  country  to  make  a  new  home.     The\' 


554  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

settled  in  New  Jersey,  where  the  father  died  some  years  later  and  where 
Daniel  Wertz  lived  until  he  was  eleven  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  Ohio 
with  two  brothers  and  after  a  sometime  residence  in  Champaign  county  moved 
over  into  Miami  county,  where  he  learned  the  cooper's  trade  and  where  he 
later  established  a  cooper  shop.  He  married  Eliza  A.  Pence  and  some  time 
later  came  back  into  Champaign  county  and  started  a  cooper  shop  on  Lynn 
street  in  St.  Paris.  When  sixty  years  of  age  he  returned  to  Miami  county, 
but  not  long  afterward  moved  to  Wabash  county,  Indiana,  where  he  spent 
his  last  days.  His  widow  survived  him  for  some  years.  They  were  the 
parents  of  five  children,  four  of  whom  are  still  living,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  having  four  sisters,  Minerva,  wife  of  Seymour  Shanks,  of  North 
Dakota;  Mary,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Al.  Riley,  a  farmer  living  near 
Lena,  this  state,  she  died  in  April,  191 7;  Martha,  wife  of  Daniel  Young, 
of  Lena;  and  Alice,  wife  of  Charles  Doss,  who  lives  near  Conover,  this 
state. 

Charles  E.  Wertz  grew  to  manhood  in  this  county  and  after  his  mar- 
riage in  1889  began  farming  on  his  own  account  and  has  ever  since  been 
thus  engaged,  at  present  farming  a  little  more  than  one  hundred  and  sev- 
enty-five acres  in  Johnson  township,  where  he  has  his  home.  He  owns  tKe 
tract  surrounding  his  home  and  farms  additional  land  adjoining  the  same 
and  is  doing  very  well.  In  addition  to  his  farming  Mr.  Wertz  has  long- 
given  considerable  attention  to  problems  involving  civil  engineering  and  is 
regarded  as  quite  a  "genius"  in  that  Hne.  He  holds  a  government  license 
as  a  civil  engineer  and  is  often  called  into  consultation  in  engineering  mat- 
ters. Mr.  Wertz's  son,  Leo  Wertz,  is  also  a  competent  civil  engineer  and 
has  become  the  patentee  of  several  workable  devices  of  a  mechanical  char- 
acter, including  an  aerial  device,  in  behalf  of  the  development  of  which  he  is 
now  in  the  employ  of  the  government,  working  the  device  out  into  a  more 
practicable  form.  He  enlisted  on  June  5,  191 7,  in  Company  D,  Third  Regi- 
ment, Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry.  Others  of  Leo  Wertz's  patents  also  have 
gained  for  him  wide  recognition  as  an  inventor  of  more  than  usual  ability 
and  his  friends  are  predicting  for  him  a  brilliant  future  in  the  field  of  applied 
science. 

On  August  25,  1889,  Charles  E.  Wertz  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Belle  Neher,  who  was  born  and  reared  near  St.  Paris  in  this  county,  receiv- 
ing her  schooling  in  the  schools  of  district  No.  9.  She  was  born  on  July 
II,  1869,  daughter  of  Martin  and  Mary  J.  (Groves)  Neher,  the  former  a 
native  of  Logan  county,  this  state,  and  the  latter  of  Newark,  Ohio,  and  the 
former  of  whom  is  still  living,  now  a  resident  of  St.   Paris.     To  Mr.  and 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  555 

Mrs.  Wertz  ten  children  have  been  born,  six  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely: 
Herby  Leo,  the  inventor,  mentioned  above;  Mary,  wife  of  Jesse  Shank;  Marie, 
wife  of  Lloyd  Curtner;  Jennings,  of  Piqua,  and  Madaline  and  Allegra,  who 
are  at  home.  Mrs.  Wertz  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church  and  Mr.  Wertz 
is  a  member  of  the  Christian  church  at  Palestine.  He  is  a  Republican  and 
has  ever  taken  a  good  citizen's  part  in  local  political  affairs,  but  has  not 
been  included  in  the  office-seeking  class. 


JOHN  C.  SCEVA. 


John  C.  Sceva,  president  of  the  Farmers  Bank  of  Mechanicsburg  and  one 
of  the  best-known  and  most  substantial  figures  in  banking  and  general  business 
circles  in  Champaign  county,  was  born  at  Mechanicsburg  and  has  lived  there 
and  in  that  immediate  vicinity  all  his  life,  a  part  of  his  boyhood  having  been 
spent  on  a  farm  in  that  neighborhood.  He  was  born  on  November  21,  1838, 
son  of  Nathaniel  and  Rosaline  (Woodward)  Sceva,  natives  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, both  born  in  the  town  of  New  London,  that  state,  who  became  early 
settlers  of  Champaign  county  and  here  spent  their  last  days,  useful  and 
influential  residents  of  Mechanicsburg. 

Nathaniel  Sceva  was  born  at  New  London,  New  Hampshire,  in  the  year 
1808,  son  of  Henry  and  Joanna  Sceva,  also  natives  of  that  state  and  both 
of  English  descent.  ■  As  a  young  man  Nathaniel  Sceva  learned  the  carpenter 
trade,  serving  a  seven-year  apprenticeship  at  the  same.  On  April  3,  1835. 
at  New  London,  he  married  Rosaline  Woodward,  who  also  was  born  at  that 
place,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Dolly  (Dole)  Woodward,  and  almost  imme- 
diately after  his  marriage  came  with  his  bride  to  Ohio  and  settled  in  this 
county,  where  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Their 
journey  was  made  by  lake  and  canal  to  Cleveland  and  thence  to  this  county 
by  wagon,  driving  through  with  a  party  of  thirteen  persons.  Not  long  after 
his  arrival  in  Champaign  county  Nathaniel  Sceva  bought  land  in  the  vicinity 
of  Mechanicsburg  and  there  established  his  home.  In  addition  to  the  general 
direction  of  his  farming  operations  he  also  pursued  the  vocation  of  building 
contractor  and  became  a  well-to-do  man.  He  later  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  at  Mechanicsburg  and  was  thus  successfully  engaged  at  the  time  of 
his  death  on  December  14,  1870.  He  was  a  Democrat  and  from  the  very 
beginning  of  his  residence  in  this  county  took  an  active  part  in  local  political 
affairs,  his  influence  ever  being  exerted  in  behalf  of  good  government.     He 


556  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

served  for  one  term  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  county  commissioners  and 
in  other  ways  gave  of  his  time  and  his  energies  to  the  pubHc  service.  He 
and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Baptist  church.  They  were  the  parents 
of  seven  children,  of  whom  four  are  still  living,  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
having  a  sister,  Jennie,  widow  of  Dr.  Albert  Sidener,  of  Mechanicsburg, 
and  two  brothers,  Horace  M.  Sceva,  of  Tacoma,  Washington,  and  Lewis 
C.  Sceva,  of  New  York  City. 

Reared  at  Mechanicsburg  and  on  the  farm  nearby  the  village,  John  C. 
Sceva  received  his  early  schooling  in  the  schools  of  his  home  village  and 
supplemented  the  same  by  a  two-years  course  in  Ohio  Wesleyan  University 
at  Delaware.  He  early  identified  himself  with  his  father  in  business  at 
Mechanicsburg  and  in  the  management  of  the  farm  and  after  his  father's 
death  continued  in  business  for  himself.  Previous  to  that,  in  1865,  he  had 
married  a  daughter  of  R.  D.  Williams,  organizer  and  for  many  years  presi- 
dent of  the  Farmers  Bank  of  Mechanicsburg,  and  not  long  afterward  became 
connected  with  that  bank,  later  becoming  vice-president  of  the  same.  In 
1900  Mr.  Sceva  was  elected  president  of  the  Farmers  Bank  and  has  since 
occupied  that  position. 

Mr.  Sceva  has  been  twice  married.  In  January,  1865,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Ella  Williams,  daughter  of  R.  D.  Williams  and  wife,  who 
had  come  to  this  county  from  Maryland.  Mr.  Williams  organized  the  first 
bank  at  Mechanicsburg,  originally  a  private  bank,  which  later  was  incorporated 
as  the  Farmers  Bank  of  Mechanicsburg  and  which  he  served  as  president 
from  the  date  of  its  incorporation  in  1865  until  his  death  in  1894.  To  that 
union  two  daughters  were  born,  Anna,  wife  of  F.  M.  Clemans,  cashier 
of  the  bank,  and  Harriet,  wife  of  E.  A.  Roberts,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio.  Mrs. 
Ella  Sceva  died  in  September,  1896,  and  Mr.  Sceva  later  married  Mrs. 
Lide  Sanford  Hinkle,  daughter  of  William  and  Caroline  Sanford.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Sceva  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church  and  take  an  interested 
part  in  church  work,  as  well  as  in  the  general  good  works  of  their  home 
community.  Mr.  Sceva  has  been  a  member  of  that  church  since  the  days  of 
his  boyhood  and  has  for  years  l3een  a  member  of  the  officiary  of  the  same, 
formerly  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  and  now  one  of  the  stewards. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  building  committee  of  the  congregation  at  the  time 
the  new  church  edifice  was  erected  and  has  in  many  ways  contributed  to  the 
progress  and  the  upbuilding  of  the  church.  He  is  a  Democrat,  with  "inde- 
pendent" leaning  on  local  issues,  and  has  served  the  public  in  several  official 
capacities,  having  been  for  nine  years  a  member  of  the  school  board,  for  six 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  1.^7 

years  a  member  of  the  town  council  and  for  six  years  trustee  of  Goshen  town- 
ship, ever  giving  his  most  thoughtful  and  inteUigent  service  in  behalf  of 
the  needs  of  the  public. 


JOHN  B.  OUTRAM. 


John  B.  Outram,  farmer  and  elevator  man  of  Salem  township,  Cham- 
paign county,  was  born  on  December  i8,  1871,  in  Urbana,  Ohio.  He  is 
a  son  of  John  M.  Outram,  who  was  also  born  in  Urbana,  in  September, 
1848,  and  his  death  occurred  in  December,  1877.  He  was  a  son  of  Robert 
Outram,  who  was  born  in  Newark,  England,  from  which  place  he  immi- 
grated to  America  while  yet  a  young  man  and  single,  locating  in  Urbana, 
Ohio,  in  pioneer  days.  He  was  twice  married,  first,  to  Mary  Huffard,  and 
secondly  to  Elizabeth  (Downs)  White,  a  widow.  His  family  consisted 
of  three  sons,  namely :  Timothy,  a  soldier  in  the  Union  army,  died  during 
the  Civil  War;  James,  who  married  Mary  Nincehelser,  estabhshed  his  home 
in  Cable,  Ohio;  and  John  M.,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

John  M.  Outram  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  in  Lebanon, 
Ohio.  He  was  a  school  teacher,  and  at  one  time  was  principal  of  the  school 
at  Woodstock,  Ohio.  He  was  also  a  printer.  He  was  a  worker  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  a  loyal  Republican,  and  was  assessor  in 
Woodstock.  He  married  on  January  26,  1870,  to  Delia  Russell,  who  was 
born  at  Northville,  Ohio.  She  is  a  daughter  of  James  and  Julia  (Mitchell) 
Russell.  Mr.  Russell  w^as  a  native  of  Harper's  Ferry,  Virginia,  but  his  wife 
was  born  at  Northville,  Ohio.  Ele  came  wath  his  parents  to  Salem  town- 
ship. Champaign  county,  when  a  boy.  He  was  a  son  of  Robert  and  Mary 
Russell.  He  devoted  his  life  to  farming.  He  and  his  wife  belonged  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Concord  township.  They  were  parents  of 
eight  children,  namely:  James,  Valentine,  Sarah,  Robert,  Elizabeth,  Ann, 
Mary,  and  John  B. 

The  following  children  were  born  to  James  and  Julia  Russell :  Amanda 
died  when  twenty-one  years  old;  Sarah  E.  married  A.  B.  Funk,  a  farmer 
of  Salem  township,  but  he  is  now  deceased;  Mary  Malissa  died  at  the  age 
of  thfrteen  years;  John  Wesley,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Sixty-sixth  Ohio 
Volunteer  Infantry  during  the  Civil  War,  was  w^ounded  at  the  battle  of 
Antietam;  after  the  war  he  located  on  a  farm  in  Concord  township,  Cham- 
paign county;  he  married  Clara  Zimmerman:  later  in  life  he  moved  to  Dan- 


558  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

ville,  Illinois,  where  his  death  occurred.  Asenath  S.  died  when  twenty  years 
old;  Julia  D.,  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Emma  Helen  died  in 
infancy;  James  Finley  White  Russell  died  when  ten  years  old. 

Two  children  were  born  to  John  M.  Outram  and  wife,  John  B.,  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch;  and  Lilly,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  and  one-half  years. 

John  B.  Outram  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  in  his  community, 
later  was  graduated  from  the  Urbana  high  school  in  1891.  The  two  following 
years  he  attended  school  in  Delaware,  Ohio.  He  then  traveled  for  three 
years,  selling  machinery.  He  then  took  a  business  course  in  a  school  at 
Kingston,  Pennsylvania.  He  has  been  engaged  in  the  grain  and  elevator 
business  at  Lippincott,  Ohio,  during  the  past  seventeen  years.  In  his  earlier 
career  he  ran  a  threshing  machine  many  years.  He  has  been  very  success- 
ful as  a  grain  dealer.  He  is  owner  of  one  hundred  and  ten  acres  in  Salem 
township.     His  land  is  well  improved  and  he  has  a  pleasant  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Outram  is  a  Republican.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to 
the  Masonic  order  at  West  Liberty,  Ohio,  and  the  Commandery  at  Urbana. 
He  also  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  at  Mechanicsburg.  His  mother, 
who  makes  her  home  with  him,  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  at  LTrbana.     He  has  never  married. 


ORLANDO  PENCE.  • 


Orlando  Pence,  one  of  the  best-known  farmers  in  Johnson  township, 
this  county,  and  the  proprietor  of  a  fine  place  on  rural  mail  route  No.  i 
out  of  St.  Paris,  was  born  in  that  same  township  and  has  lived  there  all 
his  life.  He  was  born  on  December  26,  1866,  son  of  Eli  and  Rachel  (Shipp) 
Pence,  both  also  natives  of  this  county,  the  latter  on  the  farm  on  which 
they  are  still  living,  and  to  whom  six  children  have  been  born,  three  of 
whom  are  still  living,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having  a  brother,  William 
F.  Pence,  a  farmer  of  Johnson  township,  and  a  sister,  Ellen,  wife  of  Perry 
Apple,  of  Jackson  township,  this  county.  Of  the  deceased  members  of  this 
family,  Samuel  Pence  married  Clara  Maxim  and  had  one  child;  Thursa 
was  the  wife  of  Frank  Robbins,  of  Johnson  township,  and  Emma  died 
unmarried. 

Reared  on  the  farm  on  which  he  was  born  and  where  his  parents  are 
still  living,  Orlando  Pence  received  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  neigh- 
borhood and  remained  at  home,  a  valued  assistant  in  the  labors  of  the  farm. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  559 

until  his  marriage  in  the  fall  of  1888.  For  four  years  thereafter  he  and  his 
wife  made  their  home  on  one  of  his  father's  farms  and  then  they  moved  to 
the  farm  on  which  they  are  now  living,  in  that  same  township,  and  where 
they  are  very  comfortably  situated.  In  addition  to  his  general  farming,  Mr. 
Pence  has  given  considerable  attention  to  stock  raising  and  has  done  very  well. 
He  is  a  Democrat,  but  has  not  been  a  seeker  after  public  office. 

In  October,  1888,  Orlando  Pence  was  united  in  marriage  to  Dora  E. 
Apple,  who  also  was  born  in  this  county,  daughter  of  Abram  and  Jane 
(Sice)  Apple,  both  of  whom  are  still  living.  Abraham  Apple,  long  recog- 
nized as  one  of  the  most  substantial  farmers  of  the  western  part  of  Champaign 
county,  began  his  farming  operations  on  forty  acres  of  land  and  as  he  pros- 
pered added  to  his  holdings  until  he  had  enough  land  to  give  each  of  his  six 
children  one  hundred  acres  and  still  retained  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres 
for  himself.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pence  have  two  children,  Abraham  Eli  Pence, 
who  married  Delia  Everingham,  and  Romie,  who  is  unmarried  and  still  liv- 
ing on  the  home  place.  Mrs.  Pence  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  at 
St.  Paris  and  Mr.  Pence  is  a  member  of  the  Mt.  Pleasant  Baptist  church. 


DANIEL  C.  HOUSER,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Daniel  C.  Houser,  one  of  the  widely  known  and  successful  general 
physicians  of  Champaign  county,  was  born  in  Johnson  township,  this  county, 
April  I,  1867.  He  is  a  son  of  William  Houser,  who  was  born  in  Schuyl- 
kill county,  Penn.sylvania,  March  9,  1830.  He  followed  the  carpenter's  trade 
for  the  first  thirty  years  of  his  life,  then  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death. 
In  1852  he  removed  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  locating  in  Johnson  town- 
ship, where  he  followed  his  trade  for  some  time,  later  taking  up  general 
farming.  He  married  first  in  1854  Mary  Ann  Merica,  who  died  in  1863.  He 
later  married  Henrietta  Idle,  who  was  born  in  Concord  township,  Champaign 
county,  January  28,  1839.  His  father,  Henry  Idle,  was  an  early  settler  in 
that  township,  coming  to  this  county  from  Virginia.  To  William  Houser 
six  children  were  born,  namely:  John  W.,  Daniel  C,  Louis  H..  J.  P.,  Jerry 
and  Taylor. 

Dr.  Daniel  C.  Houser  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  and  there  he 
assisted  his  father  with  the  general  work  until  he  was  twenty-six  years  old. 
He  received  his   early  education   in   the   common   schools,   and   at  the  age 


560  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

of  eighteen  began  teaching  in  the  pubUc  schools  of  Champaign  county,  teach- 
ing with  success  for  a  period  of  eight  years.  For  five  years  of  that  period 
he  read  medicine  during  his  spare  hours,  under  Doctor  Longfellow,  and 
later  he  entered  Starling  Medical  College  at  Columbus,  where  he  made  an 
excellent  record  and  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine 
on  March  25,  1897.  Soon  thereafter  he  located  at  Millerstown,  Champaign 
county,  where  he  practiced  his  profession  until  in  1906,  enjoying  a  very 
satisfactory  patronage.  He  then  moved  to  Urbana,  where  he  is  still  residing. 
He  has  maintained  a  position  in  the  front  ranks  of  his  professional  brethren 
since  coming  here  and  is  well  known  throughout  the  county. 

Doctor  Houser  was  married  on  October  23,  1893,  to  Florence  M.  Hun- 
toon,  who  was  born  in  Champaign  county,  July  20,  1869.  She  is  a  daughter 
of  Martin  True  Huntoon,  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  from  which  state  he 
came  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  in  an  early  day  and  here  he  married 
Abigail  Minturn,  a  native  of  Columbus,  Ohio. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  the  Doctor  and  wife,  namely:  Lester 
and  Leah. 

Doctor  Houser  is  a  member  of  the  Champaign  County  Medical  Society, 
the  Ohio  State  Medical  Society  and  the  American  Medical  Association.  He 
belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  the  Baptist  church. 
Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat  and  has  long  been  prominent  in  the  affairs  of 
his  party.  Doctor  Houser  is  also  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  lodge 
and  the  Masons  at  Urbana. 


JAMES  McBETH. 

The  late  James  McBeth,  for  many  years  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading 
dealers  in  live  stock  and  who  died  at  his  home  in  Urbana  in  191 1,  was  a 
native  son  of  Ohio  and  spent  all  his  life  in  this  state,  a  resident  of  Cham- 
paign county  since  the  days  of  his  childhood.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in 
the  neighboring  county  of  Lucas  on  November  24,  1834,  and  was  but  a 
child  when  his  parents,  Andrew  and  Susan  (Taylor)  McBeth,  the  latter  of 
whom  was  born  in  Virginia,  came  down  into  Champaign  county  and  settled 
on  a  farm  north  of  Urbana,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives, 
useful  and  influential  residents  of  that  community.  Andrew  McBeth  was 
a  good  farmer  and  became  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  three  hundred  acres, 
which  he  brought  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation.     He  and  his  wife  were  the 


JAMES   McBETH. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  561 

parents  of  three  sons,  the  subject  of  this  memorial  sketch  having  had  two 
brothers,  Alexander  and  Robert. 

As  noted  above,  James  McBeth  was  but  a  child  when  his  parents  came 
to  this  county  in  the  thirties  and  he  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm 
north  of  Urbana,  a  valuable  assistant  to  his  father  and  brothers  in  the  labors 
of  improving  and  developing  the  home  place.  He  supplemented  the  course 
in  the  common  schools  by  a  course  in  college  and  upon  his  return  from  col- 
lege resumed  his  place  on  the  farm  and  there  continued  assisting  his  father 
imtil  his  marriage  in  the  spring  of  1872,  when  he  established  his  home  on 
that  same  place  and  there  remained  for  about  eight  years,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  he  moved  to  Urbana  in  order  to  give  closer  personal  attention 
to  the  growing  interests  of  the  extensive  live-stock  business  he  meanwhile 
had  been  developing,  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death 
occurring  at  his  home  there  on  November  ij,  191 1,  he  then  being  three  days 
past  seventy-seven  years  of  age.  Not  only  was  Mr.  McBeth  one  of  the 
most  extensive  buyers  and  shippers  of  livestock  in  this  part  of  the  state, 
widely  known  among  stockmen  throughout  this  whole  section,  but  he  also 
was  one  of  Champaign  county's  large  landowners,  the  owner  of  two  farms 
of  a  half  section  each  and  another  farm  of  a  quarter  of  a  section,  all  of 
which  he  brought  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  improving  and  developing 
them  in  fine  shape,  and  gave  the  management  of  these  farms  his  close  per- 
sonal attention.  In  addition  to  buying  stock  for  the  market,  he  raised  large 
herds  of  his  own  and  did  very  well  in  his  operations.  Mr.  McBeth  was  a 
stanch  Republican  and  ever  gave  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  political 
affairs,  but  was  not  included  in  the  office-seeking  class.  He  was  a  man  of 
fine  public  spirit  and  was  ever  a  warm  supporter  of  such  movements  as  were 
designed  to  benefit  his  home  town  and  the  county  at  large,  long  having 
been  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Champaign  county. 

On  March  13.  1872.  James  McBeth  was  united  in  marriage  to  Sarah 
Comer,  who  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Concord  township,  this  county,  daughter 
of  Philip  and  Dicy  (Jenkins)  Comer,  both  of  whom  also  were  born  in  this 
state  and  who  were  married  in  this  county  and  here  spent  their  last  days, 
honored  and  useful  residents  of  Concord  township.  Philip  Comer,  better 
known  during  the  later  period  of  his  life  as  'Squire  Comer,  was  a  consid- 
erable landowner  in  Concord  township  and  was  justice  of  the  peace  in  and 
for  that  township  for  eighteen  years.  He  also  served  for  some  time  as  a 
member  of  the  board  of  commissioners  of  Champaign  county  and  was  one 
of  the  best-known  men  in  the  county,  ever  giving  his  best  thought  and  most 
(36a) 


562  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

intelligent  attention  to  the  public  service,  in  many  ways  helpful  in  promoting 
the  advancement  of  the  common  welfare  hereabout.  "Squire  Comer  and 
wife  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  of  whom  but  two  are  now  living, 
Mrs.  McBeth  having  a  sister,  Mary,  also  a  resident  of  this  county.  To 
James  and  Sarah  (Comer)  McBeth  one  child  was  born,  a  son,  Edgar 
McBeth,  one  of  Urbana's  best-known  citizens.  Since  the  death  of  her  hus- 
band Mrs.  McBeth  has  continued  to  make  her  home  at  Urbana,  where  she 
is  very  pleasantly  and  very  comfortably  situated. 


JOSEPH  FRANK  MAST. 

Elsewhere  in  this  volume  under  the  head  of  "The  Mast  Family"  there 
is  set  out  at  considerable  length  something"  of  the  genealogy  of  the  Mast  fam- 
ily, together  with  the  history  of  John  Mast,  a  pioneer  of  Champaign  county, 
and  of  his  descendants.  John  Mast  was  a  grandson  of  Bishop  Jacob  Mast,  a 
native  of  Switzerland  and  a  pioneer  of  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  who  be- 
came bishop  of  the  Mennonite  church  and  was  a  man  of  large  influence  through- 
out the  Conestoga  valley  in  the  early  days  of  the  settlement  of  that  region. 
He  married  and  reared  a  numerous  family  and  the  descendants  of  that  family 
are  now  found  doing  well  their  respective  parts  in  all  parts  of  the  United 
States.  John  Mast  was  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Barbara  (Kenege)  Mast,  the 
former  of  whom  was  the  fourth  child  and  second  son  of  the  Bishop  and  his 
wife,  Magdalene  Holly.  John  Mast  married  Elizabeth  Trego,  also  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1830  came  to  Ohio  and  settled  in  the  Kings  Creek 
neighborhood,  in  Salem  township,  this  county,  becoming  a  large  landowner 
and  an  influential  resident  of  that  community,  living  there  until  his  retirement 
from  the  farm.  He  was  the  father  of  eight  children,  of  whom  Joseph  Kenege 
Mast  was  the  sixth  in  order  of  birth. 

Joseph  Kenege  Mast,  who  is  still  living  in  Clark  county.  Ohio,  being  now 
in  the  eighty-fourth  year  of  his  age,  remained  on  the  old  homestead  farm, 
which  he  bought  in  1868  and  on  which,  nine  years  later,  he  erected  a  fine  new 
brick  house,  one  of  the  handsomest  and  most  substantial  cotintry  residences  in 
the  county  at  that  time.  He  was  a  successful  farmer  and  during  the  active 
years  of  his  life  a  man  of  wide  influence  in  the  community  in  which  he  was 
born.  He  has  been  twice  married.  By  his  first  wife,  Catherine  Eichholtz,  of 
Urbana.  he  had  nine  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the 
third  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow :     John  Wesley,  who  was 


CHAM  I'AicN  couNiY,  OHIO.  563 

killed  by  a  fall  from  the  barn  when  nine  years  of  age :  Charles  Henry,  who 
married  ]\Iary  L.  Swisher  and  lives  at  Kings  Creek ;  Emma,  wife  of  John  M. 
Strasser,  now^  living  at  Joliet,  Illinois ;  Clara,  unmarried,  who  is  now  employed 
as  librarian  in  the  city  library  at  Grand  Rapids,  Michigan;  Alta,  now  living 
at  Los  Angeles.  California ;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Clark  A.  Mclnturff,  of  Streeter, 
Illinois;  Cicero  Phineas,  who  married  Caroline  Schroeder  and  is  now  living 
at  Ottawa,  Illinois,  and  Ivy,  wife  of  the  Rev.  J.  Ernest  Balmer,  a  clergyman 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  now  stationed  at  Fillmore,  New-  York. 
The  mother  of  these  children  died  on  August  26,  1883,  'i"*^'  the  father  later 
married  Josephine  Anderson,  of  Minneapolis.  Minnesota. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  the  Kings  Creek  neighborhood,  where  he 
was  born  on  July  15,  1860,  J.  F.  Mast,  better  known  among  his  friends  as 
Frank,  received  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  district  and  from  boyhood 
was  a  valued  aid  to  his  father  and  brothers  in  the  labors  of  the  home  farm. 
During  the  days  of  his  young  manhood  he  made  a  trip  to  eastern  Kansas,  with 
a  view  to  a  possible  location  in  that  part  of  the  country,  Imt  after  nine  months 
spent  in  looking  around  there  came  to  the  conclusion  that  there  was  no  place 
(|uite  so  good  as  Ohio  and  he  came  back  to  Champaign  county.  Early  in 
1886  he  married  and  for  twehe  years  thereafter  he  made  his  home  on  the 
farm  of  his  grandfather,  John  Eichholtz,  in  Salem  township,  and  did  lots  of 
hard  w^ork  in  the  further  development  and  improvement  of  the  place.  He 
then  left  the  farm  and  moved  to  \\'est  Liberty,  where  for  two  years  he  was 
engaged  in  the  agricultural-implement  business,  under  the  firm  name  of  Yoder 
&  Mast,  and  then  bought  his  present  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres, 
the  old  Instine  place,  in  Salem  towniship,  where  he  since  has  made  his  home. 
That  place  is  the  scene  of  the  old  Instine  tavern,  notal)le  in  the  early  history 
of  this  part  of  the  state,  and  for  years  was  one  of  the  central  points  of  interest 
in  that  part  of  the  county.  In  1903  Mr.  Mast  tore  down  the  old  tavern  and 
on  the  site  of  the  same  erected  his  present  handsome  residence,  at  a  cost  of 
twenty-six  hundred  dollars,  and  at  the  same  time  made  other  permanent  and 
\aluable  improvements  on  the  place,  including  buildings  for  his  son.  at  the 
further  cost  of  forty-five  hundred  dollars,  and  now  has  one  of  the  best-im- 
proved places  in  that  section.  Since  1910,  on  account  of  failing  health,  Mr. 
Mast  has  been  living  practically  retired  from  the  active  labors  of  the  farm  and 
the  operations  of  the  same  are  being  carried  on  very  successfully  by  his  young- 
est son,  Harry  W.  Mast.  Mr.  Mast  is  a  Democrat  and  has  ever  given  a 
good  citizen's  attention  to  local  political  affairs,  but  has  not  been  a  seeker  after 
public  office. 

It  was  on  February  17.  1886.  that  J.  F.  :\Iast  was  united  in  marriage  to 


564  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Melinda  Instine,  who  also  was  born  in  Salem  township,  this  county,  daughter 
of  Henry  and  Melinda  (Benjamin)  Instine,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in 
that  same  township,  son  of  Michael  Instine  and  wife,  who  kept  the  pioneer 
ta\ern  above  referred  to  on  the  place  where  the  Masts  are  now  making  their 
home.  Henry  Instine  was  a  successful  farmer  and  he  and  his  wife  died  on 
that  place.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Mast  was 
the  last-born,  the  others  being  as  follow:  Samuel,  now  living  at  Urbana; 
Joseph,  a  farmer,  of  Salem  township;  Mary,  wife  of  Benjamin  Connelly,  a 
farmer  of  the  West  Liberty  neighborhood;  Kate,  wife  of  William  Goss,  of 
Urbana,  and  Henry  and  William,  twins,  the  former  of  whom  is  a  farmer  in 
l>bana  township  and  the  latter  of  whom  is  living  at  Kings  Creek. 

To  I.  F.  and  Melinda  (Instine)  Mast  two  sons  have  been  born,  Burleigh 
Frank,  who  married  Florence  Otto  and  is  now  living  at  Cleveland,  this  state, 
and  Harry  Wright,  who  is  farming  the  home  place.  Harry  Wright  Mast 
married  Guytana  Mays  and  has  one  child,  a  son,  Arthur  Frederick.  The 
Masts  have  a  very  pleasant  home  and  have  ever  taken  a  proper  part  in  the 
general  social  activities  of  the  community  in  which  they  live,  helpful  in  many 
ways  in  helping  to  promote  the  best  interests  of  that  community. 


RUFUS  DETWEILER. 


Rufus  Detweiler,  one  of  Salem  township's  best-known  and  most  progres- 
si\'e  farmers  and  stockmen,  is  a  native  of  the  old  Keystone  state,  but  has  been 
a  resident  of  this  state  since  he  was  a  boy.  He  was  born  in  Huntingdon 
county,  Pennsylvania,  October  25,  1870,  son  of  Eli  B.  and  Rachel  S.  (Greer) 
Detweiler,  both  natives  of  that  same  state,  the  former  born  in  Mifflin  county, 
a  son  of  Jonathan  Detweiler,  a  substantial  farmer.  Eli  B.  Detweiler  was  early 
trained  as  a  carpenter  and  bridge  builder  and  at  these  vocations  worked  in 
Pennsylvania  until  in  the  middle  eighties,  when  he  came  over  into  Ohio  and 
began  farming.  For  a  couple  of  years  after  coming  to  this  state  he  was  located 
on  the  Benjamin  Harris  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  West  Liberty,  and  then  came 
"ver  into  Champaign  county  and  began  farming  in  the  neighborhood  of  Ken- 
nard,  in  Salem  township.  He  later  moved  to  another  farm  in  that  same  town- 
ship and  remained  there  until  his  retirement  from  the  farm  and  removal  to 
Kings  Creek.  His  wife  died  in  that  village  on  June  26,  1909,  and  he  later 
made  a  trip  back  to  his  old  home  in  Pennsylvania  and  while  visiting  there 
was  taken  ill  and  died  on  October  3  of  that  same  year.     To  him  and  his  wife 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  565 

were  born  fourteen  children,  of  whom  nine  grew  to  maturity,  those  besides 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  being  as  follow :  John,  a  Salem  township  farmer ; 
William,  who  lives  at  Marysville,  this  state ;  David,  a  Salem  township  farmer ; 
Oran  E.,  a  farmer  and  horseman,  of  Salem  township;  George,  who  died  in 
191 5;  Anna,  wife  of  Harry  Cooper,  a  Salem  township  farmer;  Margaret, 
wife  of  Clinton  Boyer,  also  of  Salem  township,  and  Ella  May,  wife  of  Marion 
Goul,  of  that  same  township. 

Rufus  Detweiler  was  about  fifteen  years  of  age  when  he  came  from  Penn- 
sylvania to  this  state  with  his  parents  and  his  schooling  was  completed  here. 
He  early  began  working  on  his  own  account  and  was  thus  engaged,  at  farm 
labor,  until  his  marriage  in  1896,  when  he  rented  the  Carson  farm,  south  of 
I7rbana,  and  for  seven  years  made  his  home  there,  a  ciuarter-section  farm,  on 
which  he  did  very  well.  He  then  bought  the  Clinton  Black  place  of  one  hun- 
dred acres  and  after  farming  that  place  for  a  couple  of  years  traded  for  the 
Samuel  Black  farm  of  ninety-two  and  one-half  acres,  on  which  he  is  now 
living.  Since  taking  possession  of  that  place  Mr.  Detweiler  has  increased  his 
land  holdings  until  now  he  is  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
thirty-two  and  one-half  acres,  all  of  which  is  under  cultivation  and  well  im- 
proved. He  has  made  numerous  improvements  on  the  place  and  has  a  fine 
looking  place,  well  kept  and  up-to-date  in  its  equipment.  In  addition  to  his 
general  farming  Mr.  Detweiler  has  for  years  given  considerable  attention  to 
the  raising  of  high-grade  hogs  and  annually  feeds  from  eighty  to  ninety  head, 
and  has  done  very  well  in  his  operations.  He  is  a  Republican  and  gives  a  good 
citizen's  attention  to  local  political  aft'airs,  but  has  not  been  a  seeker  after 
public  office. 

In  1896  Rufus  Detweiler  was  united  in  marriage  to  Minnie  Pearce,  who 
was  born  in  this  county,  daughter  of  Dr.  A.  B.  and  Ella  (Shepard)  Pearce, 
for  years  prominent  residents  of  Kings  Creek.  Dr.  A.  B.  Pearce  was  born  in 
Goshen  township,  this  county,  son  of  Henry  C.  and  Beulah  (Barrett)  Pearce, 
pioneers  of  that  section  of  the  county.  He  was  born  on  October  8,  1836,  and 
was  graduated  from  the  Urbana  high  school,  after  which  he  began  teaching 
school  and  was  for  four  years  thus  engaged.  In  the  meantime  he  had  been 
gi\ing  his  leisure  to  the  study  of  medicine  and  presently  entered  Sterling  Med- 
ical College  at  Columbus,  from  which  lie  was  graduated  in  1863.  For  fourteen 
years  Doctor  Pearce  was  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Kings 
Creek  and  he  then  moved  to  Urbana,  where  he  remained  in  practice  for  six 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  moved  to  Vincennes.  Indiana,  where  he 
remained  for  six  years.  He  then  retired  from  practice  and  returned  to  this 
county,  in  1891.  and  settled  on  his  farm  in  Salem  township,  where  he  lived 


566  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

ii\e  years  and  died  at  South  Bend,  Indiana,  in  191 1.  On  September  17,  1867, 
Doctor  Pearce  was  united  in  marriage  to  Ella  Shepard,  who  still  survives  him. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Detweiler  have  four  children,  Helen,  Beulah,  Howard  and  Law- 
rence. They  have  a  very  pleasant  home  and  take  a  proper  interest  in  the  gen- 
eral social  activities  of  the  community  in  which  they  live,  helpfvd  in  all  good 
works  thereabout. 


FRANK  CLEMENT  BOWERS. 

Frank  Clement  Bowers,  of  Urbana,  deputy  county  treasurer,  former 
superintendent  of  the  Urbana  township  rural  centralized  schools,  former 
justice  of  the  peace  in  and  for  Jackson  township,  a  member  of  the  board  of 
county  school  examiners,  president  of  the  Champaign  County  Teachers  Asso- 
ciation, past  president  of  the  Addison  Pioneer  Association,  and  for  years  one 
of  the  best-known  and  most  influential  teachers  in  Champaign  county,  is  a 
native  of  this  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm 
one  mile  east  of  Christiansburg,  in  Jackson  township,  July  19,  1886,  son  of 
Andrew  and  Susan  L.  (Richeson)  Bowers,  both  of  whom  also  were  born 
in  the  vicinity  of  Christiansburg  and  the  latter  of  whom  is  still  living. 

Andrew  Bowers  was  born  on  a  pioneer  farm  in  Jackson  township  in 
1844,  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Susan  (Zerkle)  Bowers,  natives  of  Pennsylvania, 
who  became  early  residents  of  this  county  and  spent  their  last  days,  sub- 
stantial and  influential  residents  of  the  Christiansburg  neighborhood.  On  the 
home  farm  in  Jackson  township  Andrew  Bowers  grew  to  manhood  and  in 
turn  established  his  home  there.  He  married  Susan  L.  Richeson,  who  also 
was  born  in  the  vicinity  of  Christiansburg,  in  1854,  daughter  of  John  J. 
and  Martha  (Deaton)  Richeson,  Virginians,  who  had  settled  in  that  neigh- 
borhood and  had  become  substantial  residents  of  the  same.  Andrew  Bowers 
was  a  well-to-do  farmer  and  for  several  years  served  as  trustee  of  Jackson 
township,  taking  an  active  and  helpful  part  in  the  general  public  afifairs 
of  his  community.  For  more  than  thirty-two  years  he  was  an  active  member 
of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  and  took  a  warm  inter- 
est in  Masonic  affairs.  He  died  at  his  home  near  Christiansburg  in  1904 
and  his  widow  is  still  living  there.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  children, 
Harry  L.  Bowers,  a  wholesale  shoe  merchant  at  Cleveland,  Ohio;  one  who 
died  in  infancy,  and  the  subject  of  this  biographical  sketch. 

Frank  C.  Bowers  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Jackson  township 
and  was  graduated  from  the  Addison  high  school.     His  latter  schooling  has 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  567 

been  received  in  Wittenberg  College  at  Springfield,  where  he  has  taken 
academic  and  collegiate  work.  When  seventeen  years  of  age  Mr.  Bowers  began 
his  career  as  a  teacher,  his  first  term  of  school  having  been  taught  in  the 
Lutz  district  school  in  Mad  River  township,  this  county,  in  the  winter  of 
1903-4.  He  then  for  three  years  was  engaged  in  teaching  district  school 
in  Jackson  township  and  then  was  called  back  to  Addison  as  a  teacher  in 
the  grammar  department  of  the  schools  of  that  place  and  served  in  that 
capacity  for  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  was  promoted  to  the 
position  of  principal  of  the  Addison  high  school  and  served  in  that  capacity 
for  a  year.  After  that  time  Mr.  Bowers  became  connected  with  the  schools 
at  Thackery  and  after  a  year  in  the  grammar  department  there  was  pro- 
moted to  the  high  school  and  for  two  years  supervised  the  Jackson  township 
schools.  He  then  for  three  years  served  as  superintendent  of  the  Concord 
township  schools  and  acting  in  that  capacity  established  the  centralized  school 
in  that  township.  He  then  was  elected  superintendent  of  the  Urbana  town- 
ship rural  centralized  schools  for  a  term  of  two  years,  but  after  serving  for 
one  year  in  that  position  resigned  the  same  in  order  to  accept  the  position 
of  deputy  county  treasurer  and  in  that  capacity  served  during  the  incumben- 
cies of  W.  W.  Rock  and  L.  B.  Berry.  Mr.  Bowers  is  a  holder  of  a  life 
elementary-teacher's  certificate.  In  191 5  he  was  appointed  a  member  of  the 
Champaign  county  board  of  school  examiners  and  still  holds  that  position. 
He  is  the  present  (1917)  president  of  the  Champaign  County  Teachers  Asso- 
ciation, in  the  affairs  of  which  he  for  years  has  taken  an  active  interest,  and 
is  also  affiliated  with  the  Central  Ohio  Teachers  Association  and  with  the 
Ohio  State  Teachers  Association.  He  was  the  first  president  of  the  Addi- 
son Alumni  Association  and  for  three  years  served  as  president  of  the  Addi- 
son Pioneers  Association.  Mr.  Bowers  is  a  Republican  and  in  1911-13  served 
as  justice  of  the  peace  in  and  for  Jackson  township.  During  the  time  of 
the  taking  of  the  census  of  1910  he  served  as  enumerator  for  the  Addison  pre- 
cinct, including  Christiansburg. 

On  February  10,  1907,  at  St.  Paris,  by  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Gibson,  Frank 
Clement  Bowers  was  united  in  marriage  to  Grace  Mae  Dibert,  who  also 
was  born  in  this  county,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Terre  Haute,  November  5, 
1885,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Jennie  (Towler)  Dibert,  the  former  of  whom, 
born  on  May  14,  185 1,  is  still  living,  and  the  latter  of  whom,  born  on  April 
II,  1858,  died  on  December  28,  1906.  Isaac  Dibert  and  wife  were  the 
parents  of  four  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Bowers  was  the  third,  the  others 
being  an  infant  who  died  in  1878;  Minnie  Estella,  wife  of  Harry  V.  Jenkins, 
and  Harry  Emmet  Dibert,  telegraph  operator  at  Thackery.     Mr.  and  Mrs. 


568  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Bowers  have  one  child,  a  daughter,  Zelpha  I.,  born  on  December  18,  1907. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bowers  are  members  of  the  Christian  church  at  Addison.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  men's  Bible  class  of  the  Grace  Methodist  Episcopal  Sun- 
day school  at  Urbana  and  a  singer  in  the  choir  of  that  church.  He  is  a 
Royal  Arch  Mason,  a  member  of  Harmony  Lodge  No.  8,  at  Urbana,  and 
of  the  chapter  at  that  place  and  in  the  latter  is  now  serving  as  master  of  the 
first  veil  and  in  the  former  as  junior  steward.  He  also  is  a  member  of  Social 
Lodge  No.  139,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  in  1908  served 
as  noble  grand  of  the  same,  and  for  some  time  was  a  member  of  Addison 
Encampment,  Patriarchs  Militant.  He  formerly  was  a  member  of  the  local 
lodge  of  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics  at  Christiansburg 
and  in  1904  was  past  councillor  of  the  same,  but  demitted  his  membership 
when  the  lodge  at  that  place  was  discontinued.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bowers  have 
a  very  pleasant  home  at  610  South  Main  street,  Urbana,  and  take  a  proper 
interest  in  the  city's  general  social  activities. 


•       WILLIAM  WALLACE  DOWNS. 

The  late  William  Wallace  Downs,  for  years  one  of  the  best-known 
citizens  of  Urbana,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  a  retired  farmer 
and  saw-mill  man,  who  also  conducted  a  feed  store  in  Urbana,  in  which  city 
he  died  in  the  summer  of  1912,  was  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  lived  in  this 
state  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  near  Springfield,  in  the  neighbor- 
ing county  of  Clark,  October  20,  1846,  son  of  William  and  Catherine  (San- 
ders) Downs,  the  latter  of  whom  was  born  in  Concord  township,  this  county. 

William  Downs  was  a  substantial  farmer  and  he  and  his  wife  were 
the  parents  of  seven  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  memorial  sketch 
was  the  second  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow :  Eliza,  now 
deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Levi  Williams,  of  Lima,  this  state;  Samuel, 
who  spent  his  last  days  in  South  Dakota;  Emma,  widow  of  Charles  A. 
Taylor,  of  Urbana;  Frank,  a  salesman,  now  living  at  Denver,  Colorado; 
Harry,  a  hotel  man,  of  New  York  City,  and  Elmer,  who  died  at  Urbana. 

William  W.  Downs  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  going  to  school  at 
the  neighborhood  school,  and  from  the  days  of  his  boyhood  was  a  valuable 
help  in  the  work  of  the  farm.  Though  but  a  boy  when  the  Civil  War  broke 
out,  his  patriotic  impulses  were  deeply  stirred  and  he  enlisted  at  Northville 
for  service  as  a  member  of  Company  G,  Sixty-sixth  Regiment,  Ohio  Vol- 


WILLIAM   W.    DOWNS. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  569 

unteer  Infantry,  with  which  command  he  served  for  three  years  and  four 
months,  a  portion  of  which  time  was  spent  as  a  prisoner  of  war  in  Libby 
prison.  During  the  latter  part  of  that  service  he  participated  with  his  regi- 
ment in  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  was  with  Sherman  on  the  march  thence 
to  the  sea.  Upon  receiving  his  final  discharge  at  the  close  of  the  war  Mr. 
Downs  returned  home  and  resumed  the  pursuits  of  peace  on  the  farm, 
helping  on  the  home  place  until  after  his  marriage  in  the  fall  of  1874,  when 
he  began  farming  on  his  own  hook  on  a  part  of  the  home  place  and  not  long 
afterward  bought  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres,  which  he  pro- 
ceeded to  improve  and  to  develop  and  on  which  he  was  quite  successfully 
engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising  until  his  retirement  from 
the  active  labors  of  the  farm  in  1888  and  removal  to  Urbana,  where  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Upon  locating  in  Urbana  Mr.  Downs,  in 
partnership  with  Charles  O.  Taylor,  bought  a  saw-mill  in  that  city  and  was 
engaged  in  the  milling  business  for  a  number  of  years.  He  also  conducted 
a  feed  store  for  some  time.  Mr.  Downs  was  a  Republican  and  ever  took  a 
good  citizen's  interest  in  local  political  affairs,  but  was  not  a  seeker  after 
public  office.  He  was  an  active  member  of  the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic  and  after  his  death  at  his  home  in  Urbana,  in  June,  1912, 
his  comrades  of  that  patriotic  organization  accompanied  his  remains  to 
their  last  resting  place  in  Oakdale  cemetery. 

On  September  24,  1874,  William  Wallace  Downs  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Tamzon  H.  Miller,  who  was  lx)rn  on  a  farm  in  Mad  River  town- 
ship, this  county,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Ruth  (Hill)  Miller,  the  former 
of  whom  was  born  in  the  state  of  Virginia  and  the  latter  in  Concord  town- 
ship, this  county.  Samuel  Miller  was  but  ten  years  of  age  when  he  came 
to  this  county  with  his  parents  from  Virginia  and  he  grew  to  manhood  on  a 
pioneer  farm  in  Mad  River  township,  later,  after  his  marriage,  establishing 
his  home  on  a  farm  in  that  some  township.  He  and  his  wife  died  in  Con- 
cord township,  having  been  influential  and  useful  residents  of  that  com- 
munity. Mr.  Miller  was  a  Democrat  and  for  years  was  looked  upon  as  one 
of  the  leaders  of  that  party  in  his  section  of  the  county.  He  died  in  1878, 
at  the  age  of  sixty-nine  years,  and  his  widow  survived  him  but  two  years, 
her  death  occurring  in  1880,  she  also  being  sixty-nine  years  of  age  at  the 
time  of  her  death.  They  were  earnest  members  of  the  Baptist  church  and 
their  children  were  reared  in  that  faith.  There  were  nine  of  these  children, 
of  whom  Mrs.  Downs  was  the  eighth  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being 
as  follow :  Joseph,  who  died  in  early  youth ;  Amanda  Jane,  who  married 
John  M.  Miles  and  after  a  sometime  continued  residence  in  this  county  moved 


570  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

to  Missouri;  jMary  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Stephen  J-  Packer,  of  Concord  town- 
thip,  this  county;  James  Marion,  who  died  in  his  youth;  Mildred,  who  mar- 
ried Samuel  J.  Bosler  and  who,  as  well  as  her  husband,  is  now  deceased; 
John,  who  died  in  the  days  of  his  childhood ;  Margaret  S.,  wife  of  Llewellyn 
Miles,  of  Urbana,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  who  went  to  the 
front  from  his  farm  home  in  Concord  township,  when  a  boy  of  fifteen  years, 
as  a  member  of  Company  G.  Sixty-sixth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry, 
with  which  command  he  served  for  more  than  three  years,  during  which 
time  he  participated  in  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  was  with  Sherman  to  the 
sea.  Upon  completing  his  military  service  he  returned  home,  completed 
his  schooling  and  then  engaged  in  school  teaching,  ever  since  making  his 
home  in  Urbana;  Samuel  L.,  who  died  in  infancy,  and  Samuel  W.,  who  also 
is  now  deceased. 

Since  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Downs  has  continued  to  reside 
in  Urbana,  where  she  has  a  very  comfortable  home.  She  is  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  church  and  has  for  many  years  taken  an  earnest  interest  in 
church  affairs  as  well  as  in  other  local  good  works. 


WILLIAM  A.  McDANIEL. 

Among  the  hard-working  farmers  of  Salem  township.  Champaign 
county,  is  William  A.  McDaniel,  who  was  born  in  West  Virginia,  April  5, 
1868.  He  is  a  son  of  Presley  and  Malissa  McDaniel,  both  natives  of  West 
Virginia,  where  they  grew  up,  were  married  and  established  their  home, 
spending  their  lives  there  on  a  farm.  They  have  been  deceased  a  number  of 
years.  Their  family  consisted  of  seven  children,  namely:  E.  E.,  C.  A.,  A.  J., 
H.  C,  W.  A.,  Anna  and  Margaret. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  his 
native  state  and  there  he  attended  the  neighborhood  schools.  When  a  young 
man  he  took  up  farming  for  himself  for  a  short  time,  then  began  working  in 
the  mines  and  in  1897  took  a  position  with  the  Consolidated  Coal  Company 
as  a  clerk  in  one  of  their  mining  stores  at  Enterprise,  West  Virginia,  remain- 
ing there  three  years,  then,  having  performed  his  duties  promptly,  faithfully 
and  in  a  courteous  manner,  he  was  promoted  to  manager  of  one  of  the  com- 
pany's stores  at  Meadow  Brook,  and  remained  there  three  years,  then  took 
charge  of  a  large  store  at  Berryburg,  which  he  managed  six  years.  He  was 
then  transferred  to  Kentucky,  locating  near  Vanlear,  taking  charge  of  the 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  57I 

company's  stores  in  that  vicinity,  remaining  there  five  years.  During  this 
protracted  period  he  served  his  company  ably  and  in  a  highly  satisfactory 
manner.  Upon  severing  his  connection  \Aith  the  Consolidated  Coal  Com- 
pany he  came  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  locating  on  the  old  Hooley  farm, 
which  he  purchased  a  number  of  years  ago.  It  consists  of  ninety-three  acres 
and  is  well  improved.  He  has  just  finished  a  fine  new  home  and  his  out- 
buildings are  in  good  repair.  In  connection  with  general  farming  he  raises 
about  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  head  of  a  good  grade  of  hogs  for  the 
market  annually,  also  a  small  herd  of  cattle. 

Mr.  McDaniel  was  married  in  1898,  at  Enterprize,  West  Virginia,  to 
Emma  Rittenhouse,  a  daughter  of  Justin  and  Margaret  Rittenhouse.  natives 
of  West  Virginia. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McDaniel  the  following  children  were  born :  Zalpha, 
Robert,  Joseph,  Thomas,  James. 

Politically,  Mr.  McDaniel  is  a  Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  blue 
lodge  of  Masons  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Kennard  and  has  been  steward 
of  the  same  a  number  of  times  and  is  now  a  trustee. 


SAMUEL  WAYRE. 


Another  of  the  representative  farmers  of  Salem  township.  Champaign 
county,  who  has  been  contented  to  spend  his  live  in  his  native  locality  is 
Samuel  Wayre,  who  was  born  on  a  farm  three  miles  north  of  where  he  now 
lives  on  January  9,  1854.  He  is  a  son  of  John  and  Rebecca  (Lantz)  Wayre. 
The  father  was  born  in  Hessel  Darmstadt,  Germany,  and  the  mother  was 
born  in  Mefflin  county,  Pennsylvania.  John  Wayre  was  a  year  old  when 
his  parents  brought  him  to  America,  the  family  locating  in  Miftlin  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood  and  resided  until  1851.  After 
his  marriage  he  came  to  Champaign  county,  renting  land  which  he  farmed 
until  1859,  when  he  bought  eighty  acres,  in  Salem  township.  He  followed 
farming  there  until  about  ten  years  prior  to  his  death,  when  he  retired 
from  active  Hfe.  He  was  born  March  31,  1824,  and  died  in  1905.  His 
wife  was  born  February  i,  1826,  and  died  in  1905.  He  was  among  the 
first  Mennonites  to  settle  in  Champaign  county,  and  was  the  first  ordained 
minister  in  the  local  church  of  this  denomination,   which  is  now  the  Oak 


572  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Grove  Mennonite  church.  His  family  consisted  of  five  children,  namely; 
Samuel,  Jonathan,  Joseph,  Solomon  and  Nattie. 

Samuel  Wayre  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  and  he  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools.  He  engaged  in  farming  with  his  father  until 
he  was  twenty-six  years  old,  then  married  and  began  farming  for  himself, 
renting  land  for  four  years,  then  bought  ninety  acres,  which  he  operated 
two  and  one-half  years,  then  sold  out  and  bought  seventy  acres  which  he 
operated  twelve  years,  then  sold  out  and  rented  for  six  years,  then  bought 
the  sixty-acre  farm  on  which  he  now  resides.  It  is  all  under  cultivation  and 
he  and  his  son  Edwin  carry  on  general  farming  on  the  same.  It  is  well 
improved  and  on  it  are  to  be  seen  two  sets  of  buildings.  They  also  rent 
sixty-five  acres  additional,  which  they  operate.  They  raise  all  kinds  of  grain 
and  live  stock  and  feed  about  one  hundred  head  of  hogs  annually  for  the 
market. 

Mr.  Wayre  was  married  in  1880  to  Emma  Kauffman.  a  daughter  of  Chris 
Kauffman  and  wife,  and  to  their  union  three  children  were  born,  namely: 
Maude,  who  married  Harry  Goode,  has  two  children,  Dorothy  and  Alice; 
Edwin  married  Lola  Johnson ;  John  is  single  and  at  this  writing  is  attending 
college  at  Goshen,  Indiana. 

Mr.  Wayre  is  an  independent  voter.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Mennonite 
church,  and  has  been  deacon  in  the  church  since  1890. 


ELI  PENCE. 


Eli  Pence,  a  farmer  of  Johnson  township.  Champaign  county,  was  born 
two  miles  north  of  St.  Paris,  Ohio,  January  20,  1842.  He  is  a  representative 
of  one  of  the  old  families  of  this  county,  where  he  has  spent  practically  all  of 
his  life  of  seventy-five  years  during  which  he  has  seen  many  important  changes 
in  a  material  way.  He  is  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  in  which  he  fought 
gallantly  for  the  Union. 

Mr.  Pence  is  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  A.  (Howard)  Pence,  and  a 
grandson  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  Pence,  who  came  to  Champaign  county 
from  Virginia  in  early  pioneer  times,  settling  in  Jackson  township,  where  they 
carved  a  home  from  the  wilderness  and  spent  the  rest  of  their  li\^es.  They 
were  parents  of  the  following  children  :  Elizabeth,  who  married  Jacob  Kib- 
binger;  Susan,  who  married  David  Gump;  William,  who  married  Zenella 
McDaniel;  Amos,  who  married  Clarinda  Browning;  Eli,  who  married  Marv 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  573 

Grove;  Sarah,  who  married  WilHam  Rusk;  Samuel,  father  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch. 

Samuel  Pence  devoted  his  active  hfe  to  farming  in  Champaign  county. 
His  family  consisted  of  the  follov^'ing  children:  B.  F.  died  in  childhood; 
Isaiah  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War;  Sarah  J.  married  John  Apple;  Susan 
married  Daniel  Poorman ;  Elizabeth  married  Samuel  Heck;  Samuel.  Ji"-.  died 
when  a  boy. 

Eli  Pence  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  the  home  farm  in  Johnson  township, 
and  there  he  attended  the  rural  schools,  but  only  for  a  short  time,  in  fact,  he 
had  little  opportunity  to  obtain  an  education.  On  August  5,  1862,  he  enlisted 
in  Company  H.  Forty-fifth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  he  saw  considerable 
hard  service  in  the  Fourth  Army  Corps,  later  being  transferred  to  the  Twenty- 
third  Army  Corps.  He  was  in  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  under  General  Sher- 
man on  his  march  to  the  sea.  He  was  wounded  in  the  right  shoulder  at  the 
battle  of  Resaca,  Georgia,  and  was  away  from  his  regiment  three  months 
thereafter,  and  he  still  carries  the  bullet.  He  rejoined  his  regiment  at  Nash- 
\ille,  Tennessee,  and  was  under  General  Thomas  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
Although  wounded  he  was  never  in  the  hospital.  He  was  mustered  out  and 
honorably  discharged  in  June,  1865.  He  had  been  a  very  faithful  and  loyal 
soldier  according  to  his  officers  and  comrades. 

x^fter  his  army  career  Mr.  Pence  returned  to  Champaign  county  and  has 
since  resided  on  a  farm  in  Johnson  township.  He  has  lived  on  his  present 
farm,  five  miles  northwest  of  St.  Paris,  since  1867.  He  has  been  very  success- 
ful as  a  general  farmer  and  stock  raiser.    He  is  now  living  in  retirement. 

Mr.  Pence  was  married  on  March  4,  1866,  to  Rachel  Srofe,  who  was 
born  on  the  farm  where  they  now  live,  her  parents  being  early  settlers  in  John- 
son township,  and  here  she  has  spent  her  life.  She  is  a  daughter  of  George  W. 
and  Isabelle  (Grimes)  Srofe.  Her  maternal  grandfather,  Benjamin  Grimes, 
was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  18 12.  He  lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  one  hun- 
dred and  thirteen  years. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pence  six  children  have  been  born,  named  as  follow  : 
Orlando  married  Dora  Apple  and  they  live  in  Johnson  township ;  William  F. 
married  Flora  Hamilton ;  Samuel,  now  deceased,  married  Clara  Maxin ;  Mary 
is  the  wife  of  Perry  E.  Apple ;  Emma  E.  is  deceased ;  Mrs.  Thursa  Hobbins  is 
deceased.     There  are  six  grandchildren. 

Politically,  Mr.  Pence  is  a  Democrat.  He  has  served  as  school  director 
and  supervisor.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Mt.  Pleasant 
since  1868,  and  is  a  deacon  and  trustee  in  the  same,  and  at  one  time  served 


574  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

as  treasurer,  and  was  a  member  of  the  building  committee.  He  has  always 
been  active  in  tlie  church,  in  fact,  has  been  one  of  the  pillars  of  the  same  for 
nearly  fifty  years.  For  a  period  of  eleven  years  he  was  treasurer  of  the  Mad 
River  Association. 


EDWARD  B.  THOMAS. 

Edward  B.  Thomas,  a  farmer  of  Salem  township,  Champaign  county, 
was  born  November  25,  1875.  in  the  locality  where  he  still  resides.  He  is 
a  son  of  Ivan  B.  and  Lucretia  (Burnett)  Thomas.  The  father  was  also 
born  in  the  above-named  township  and  county,  but  the  mother  was  a  native 
of  Tuscarawas  county,  Ohio.  Ivan  B.  Thomas  was  born  in  1832.  He  was 
a  son  of  early  pioneers  in  this  section  of  the  Buckeye  state,  and  he  grew  to 
manhood  here  on  the  farm,  amid  pioneer  conditions.  He  received  a  limited 
education  in  the  early-day  schools,  and  when  a  young  man  took  up  farming 
on  his  father's  place,  later  starting  in  life  for  himself  as  a  farmer  here,  buy- 
ing forty  acres.  He  was  a  man  of  rare  industry  and  good  judgment  and, 
prospering  with  advancing  years,  he  added  to  his  original  holdings  until  he 
became  owner  of  si.x  hundred  acres  of  valuable  land  and  ranked  among  the 
leading  general  farmers  and  stock  raisers  of  his  county.  He  also  owned  nine 
hundred  and  thirty-eight  acres  in  the  state  of  Florida.  He  devoted  his  life 
to  agricultural  pursuits  and  was  also  interested  in  the  grain  business.  He, 
with  two  other  men,  William  Gest  and  T.  A.  Cow^gill,  built  the  elevator  at 
Kennard,  which  he  later  bought  for  himself  and  operated  successfully  for 
over  forty  years,  in  connection  wath  farming.  His  father,  John  Thomas, 
came  to  Champaign  county  in  1809,  locating  in  Salem  township,  where  he 
developed  a  good  farm  and  became  one  of  the  prominent  men  of  the  county 
in  his  day.  He  w^as  one  of  the  earliest  settlers.  The  family  of  Ivan  B. 
Thomas  consisted  of  four  children,  namely :  Edward  B.  of  this  sketch ; 
Robert  w^as  next  in  order ;  Marie  married  L.  E.  Baldwin ;  Roy  was  the  young- 
est. The  father  of  these  children  died  in  1912  at  the  age  of  eighty  years. 
The  mother,  who  was  a  school  teacher  in  her  younger  years,  died  in  1908. 
She  was  a  daughter  of  Edward  Burnett  and  wife,  who  w^ere  natives  of  Con- 
necticut. The  parents  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  first  met  w^hile  she  w^as 
teaching  school  at  Kennard,  Ohio. 

Edward  B.  Thomas  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Salem  town- 
ship, and  he  attended  the  common  schools.  When  a  young  man  he  began 
in  the  grain  business,  assisting  in  the  management  of  the  elevator  at  Kennard, 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


575 


continuing-  successfully  in  that  line  for  a  period  of  fourteen  years,  then  took 
up  farming  on  his  present  place,  which  consists  of  ninety-five  acres,  in  Salem 
township.  He  has  a  well-kept  farm  and  is  raising  considerable  grain  which 
he  feeds  to  large  numbers  of  live  stock  annually. 

Mr.  Thomas  was  married  in  1903  to  Anna  Wilkins,  a  daughter  of 
Howard  Wilkins,  and  to  their  union  four  children  have  been  born,  namely : 
Harold,  Dorothy,  Mildred  and  Ruth. 

Politically,  Mr.  Thomas  is  a  Republican.  He  was  road  supervisor  for 
four  years,  and  township  assessor  for  fourteen  years,  and  was  for  three 
and  one-half  years  postmaster  at  Kennard,  Ohio,  until  the  rural  free  mail 
deliverv  was  established. 


WILLIAM  B.  HILL. 


William  B.  Hill,  manager  of  the  Furnas  Ice  Cream  Company's  establish- 
ment at  St.  Paris,  is  a  native  of  the  Hoosier  state  and  has  been  a  resident  of 
St.  Paris  since  1913.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  Westfield  neighborhood, 
in  Hamilton  county,  Indiana,  December  4,  1873,  a  son  of  Henry  B.  and  Lu- 
cinda  H.  (Bond)  Hill,  both  also  natives  of  Indiana,  born  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Newcastle,  in  Henry  county,  where  they  grew  up  together  and  were  mar- 
ried, later  settling  on  a  farm  in  the  old  Quaker  settlement  about  Westfield,  in 
Hamilton  county,  where  they  reared  their  family  and  spent  the  remainder  of 
their  lives,  substantial  and  useful  members  of  that  community.  Henry  B. 
Hill  was  a  practical  farmer  and  became  quite  well-to-do.  He  was  for  years 
active  in  the  work  of  farmers  institutes  in  Hamilton  and  neighboring  counties 
and  did  much  to  advance  the  movement  toward  better  rural  conditions  in  that 
part  of  the  state.  He  was  a  Republican  and,  fraternally,  was  a  member  of  the 
Knights  of  Honor.  Henry  B.  Hill  died  at  his  home  in  Hamilton  county  on 
March  30,  1892.  and  his  widow  survived  him  for  more  than  ten  years,  her 
death  occurring  on  June  25,  1903.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children, 
of  whom  four  are  still  living,  those  besides  the  subject  of  this  sketch  being 
Charles  Hill,  of  Indianapolis,  a  graduate  of  the  old  Union  High  Academy  at 
Westfield;  Alice,  who  was  graduated  from  the  same  academy  and  married 
Charles  Pruitt  and  now  lives  in  Boone  county,  Indiana,  and  Robert  J.  Hill, 
who  is  now  living  at  Columbus,  Indiana,  foreman  of  the  plant  of  Hege  & 
Company  at  that  place. 

Reared  on  a  farm,  William  B.  Hill  received  his  schooling  in  the  district 
school  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  home  and  remained  on  the  farm  until  he 


576  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

was  fifteen  years  of  age,  when  he  turned  his  attention  to  mechanical  work. 
In  1897  he  engaged  in  the  milk  business  at  Westfield  and  in  1899  formed  a 
connection  with  the  Furnas  Ice  Cream  Company  and  was  agent  for  that  con- 
cern's interests  at  Westfield  until  191 2.  He  then  represented  the  company  at 
Noblesville,  Indiana,  for  about  a  year  and  in  191 3  was  made  manager  of  the 
company's  establishment  at  St.  Paris  and  has  ever  since  been  thus  engaged  in 
that  city,  doing  much  to  add  to  the  popularity  of  the  Furnas  products  there 
and  throughout  this  part  of  the  state.  Mr.  Hill  is  a  Democrat  and  is  now 
serving  as  a  member  of  the  St.  Paris  town  council,  helpful  in  all  ways  in 
promoting  the  general  interests  of  his  home  town. 

On  February  14,  1898.  William  B.  Hill  was  united  in  marriage  to  Clora 
E.  Cook,  of  Hortonville,  Indiana,  who  was  born  and  reared  in  Hamilton 
county,  that  state,  and  is  a  graduate  of  the  old  Union  High  Academy,  and  to 
this  union  two  sons  have  been  born,  Merrill  E.  and  Harold  H.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hill  are  members  of  the  Friends  church  at  Westfield.  Fraternally,  Mr.  Hill 
is  a  member  of  Westfield  Lodge  No.  800,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
and  in  191 2  was  a  representative  from  that  lodge  to  the  grand  lodge  of  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  in  the  state  of  Indiana. 


JAMES  SWISHER. 

James  Swisher,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  former  county 
surveyor  of  Champaign  county,  former  city  civil  engineer  of  Urbana,  a 
member  of  the  state  engineering  corps,  resident  engineer  on  the  Mechanics- 
burg  pike,  and  one  of  the  best  known  citizens  of  Champaign  county,  is  a 
native  son  of  this  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life  with  the  exception  of 
the  period  he  spent  in  the  army  during  the  Civil  War  and  a  later  period, 
during  the  days  of  his  young  manhood,  spent  in  Mexico  and  the  West, 
where  for  some  }ears  he  followed  an  adventurous  career  and  during  which 
time  he  achieved  the  honor  of  having  a  county  in  Texas  named  after  him. 
He  was  born  on  a  farm  a  short  distance  south  of  Cable,  in  Wayne  town- 
ship, June  6,  1849,  ^  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Hess)  Swisher,  well-to-do 
farming  people  of  that  neighborhood,  whose  last  days  were  spent  there. 

Joseph  Swisher  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  Octo- 
ber 7,  1827,  and  was  but  a  child  when  his  parents,  James  H.  Swisher  and 
wife,  came  to  this  county  in  1832  and  settled  on  a  pioneer  farm  in  Wayne 
township,   becoming  influential  and  useful   pioneers   of   that   neighborhood. 


JAMF]S    SAYISHER. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  577 

James  H.  Swisher  was  born  on  November  25,  1800,  and  grew  up  as  a 
farmer  in  his  native  Pennsylvania,  remaining  there  until  he  came  with  his 
family  to  this  county,  becoming  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Wayne  town- 
ship, where  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  On  that 
pioneer  farm  Joseph  Swisher  grew  to  manhood,  learning  the  practical  ways 
of  farming.  He  married  Mary  Hess,  who  was  born  at  Martinsburg,  Vir- 
ginia, and  who  had  come  to  this  county  with  her  parents  in  the  days  of  her 
youth,  and  after  his  marriage  established  his  home  on  a  farm  in  Wayne 
township  and  there  spent  the  rest  of  his  hfe  farming,  his  death  occurring 
on  May  28,  1889.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  those 
besides  the  subject  of  this  sketch  being  Perry,  Elizabeth,  Jane,  Jacob  and 
Warren. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Wayne  township,  James  Swisher  received 
his  education  in  the  schools  of  that  neighborhood  and  was  living  there  when 
the  Civil  War  broke  out.  He  was  a  big,  husky  boy  and  the  call  to  arms  so 
fired  his  zeal  for  service  in  behalf  of  his  country  that  before  he  was  fourteen 
years  of  age  he  ran  away  from  home  and  proceeded  to  Columbus,  where  he 
succeeded  in  having  himself  enrolled  as  a  member  of  Company  A,  Sixty- 
sixth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry.  Two  days  later  his  father  ap- 
peared on  the  scene,  having  got  trace  of  the  runaway  lad,  and  took  him 
home.  There  he  remained  until  in  March,  1863,  when  he  again  made  his 
way  to  a  recruiting  station  and  on  the  23rd  of  that  month,  under  the  as- 
sumed name  of  James  Jackson,  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  E,  Fifth- 
Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  with  that  command  achieved  his 
desire  to  get  to  the  front,  serving  with  the  same  for  two  years  and  eleven 
months,  or  until  after  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  mustered  out  with  the 
rank  of  first  lieutenant,  which  rank  he  had  borne  during  the  last  eleven 
months  of  his  service,  having  steadily  risen  from  the  ranks.  Mr.  Swisher's 
command  was  attached  to  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  and  with  that  army 
he  saw  some  of  the  most  active  service  of  the  war,  having  participated  in 
the  battles  of  Missionary  Ridge,  Chickamaugua,  the  Atlanta  campaign  and 
then  on  with  Sherman's  army  to  the  sea,  taking  part  in  the  reduction  of 
Savannah  and  on  up  through  the  Carolinas,  upon  the  cessation  of  hostil- 
ities being  sent  to  Camp  Dennison  at  Cincinnati,  where  he  was  mustered 
out. 

Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  Mr.  Swisher,  who  was  then 
under  seventeen  years  of  age,  returned  to  the  home  farm  and  that  same  fall 
entered  Delaware  College,  now  known  as  Ohio  Wesleyan  Universitv.    After 
(37a) 


578  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

a  term  of  schooling  there  he  taught  a  term  of  school  in  this  county  and  then 
went  to  Mexico  to  join  his  uncle,  Jacob  Hess,  who  was  engaged  in  mining 
there,  but  eleven  months  later  was  compelled  to  leave  that  country,  the 
Mexican  government  having  refused  to  renew  his  uncle's  mining  concession, 
thus  closing  the  mines.  Thus  thrown  out  of  employment,  Mr.  Swisher 
started  with  several  others  to  walk  to  Stockton,  California,  fifteen  hundred 
miles  away.  After  an  adventurous  and  perilous  trip  Mr.  Swisher  arrived 
at  Stockton  and  after  a  brief  stay  there  joined  the  rush  for  Carson  City, 
Nevada,  where  he  worked  in  a  saw-mill  for  three  years,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  he  was  appointed  assistant  surveyor  under  James  E.  Oliver,  of  the 
government  survey,  and  was  thus  engaged  for  three  years  running  lines 
throughout  that  part  of  the  country.  He  then  took  service  under  United 
States  Surveyor  Wheeler  and  helped  to  lay  out  counties  in  Utah  and  Texas, 
one  of  the  counties  in  northwestern  Texas  being  named  in  his  honor  while 
he  was  thus  engaged.  The  last  census  report  gave  Swisher  county,  Texas, 
a  population  of  more  than  four  thousand  and  since  then  it  has  developed 
rapidly;  hence  Mr.  Swisher  has  no  reason  to  feel  other  than  proud  of  the 
distinction  accorded  his  name  by  the  pioneers  who  named  the  county  in  his 
honor.  After  six  years  of  government  service,  in  the  surveying  department, 
Mr.  Swisher  located  in  Bullion  City,  Utah,  and  was  shortly  afterward  ap- 
pointed surveyor  of  Piute  county.  Other  civic  honors  were  quickly  thrust 
upon  him  and  during  the  three  years  he  lived  there  he  served  not  only  as 
county  surveyor,  but  as  county  clerk,  assistant  county  recorder  and  as  as- 
sistant postmaster,  a  record  of  office-holding  to  make  the  average  Ohio 
office-seeker  turn  green  with  envy. 

Along  in  the  early  eighties  Mr.  Swisher  began  to  permit  his  thoughts 
to  turn  back  to  the  scenes  of  his  childhood  and  he  presently  returned  to 
this  county,  resuming  the  work  here  as  a  school  teacher  that  had  been  inter- 
rupted years  before  by  his  departure  for  Mexico.  For  two  years  he  taught 
school  in  Salem  township  and  for  three  years  in  Wayne  township.  In  the 
fall  of  1886  Mr.  Swisher  was  elected  surveyor  of  Champaign  county,  taking 
office  in  the  following  January  and  serving  until  November  24,  1902,  at 
the  same  time  serving  also  as  city  engineer  from  1889  to  1901.  He  was 
re-elected  to  the  office  of  county  surveyor  and  continued  to  serve  in  that 
capacity  until  September  4,  191 1,  later,  being  appointed  resident  engineer 
on  the  Mechanicsburg  pike,  as  a  member  of  the  state  engineering  corps,  a 
position  he  ever  since  has  held,  and  in  connection  with  which  he  has  ren- 
dered admirable  service,  since  his  appointment  to  that  corps  having  super- 
vised   the    construction    of    seven    or    eight    important    bits    of    road    work 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  579 

throug-hout  this  district.  Mr.  Swisher  is  a  RepubUcan  and  has  ever  taken 
an  active  part  in  local  political  affairs.  He  has  business  interests  in  Urbana, 
was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Urbana  Packing  Company,  of  which  he  is 
one  of  the  directors,  and  is  treasurer  of  that  company. 

On  September  6,  1891,  James  Swisher  was  united  in  marriage  to  Ella 
G.  Smith,  daughter  of  John  B.  and  Malinda  (Wilson)  Smith,  he  a  native 
of  Vermont  and  she  being-  born  at  Marietta,  Ohio.  To  this  union  three 
children  have  been  born,  Mark,  who  married  Clara  Loomis  and  is  now 
engaged  as  an  engineer  in  the  maintenance  of  way  department  of  the  New 
York  Central  Railroad  Company,  between  Cleveland  and  Toledo,  and  Mary 
and  Ruth,  who  are  at  home  with  their  parents.  The  S wishers  are  members 
of  the  Baptist  church  and  Mr.  Swisher  is  an  office-bearer  in  the  same.  He 
is  an  active  member  of  the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Armv  of  the  Republic 
and  is  now  quarter-master  of  the  post.  Mr.  Swisher  is  a  thirty-second- 
degree  Mason  and  a  noble  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine,  affiliated  with  the  blue  lodge  at  Urbana,  the  consistory.  An- 
cient Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  at  Dayton,  and  with  Syrian  Temple  of  the 
Shrine  at  Cincinnati.  He  also  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  a  member  of  the  Patriarchs 
Militant,  affiliated  with  the  subordinate  lodge  at  Cable  and  with  the  encamp- 
ment at  Urbana.  He  likewise  is  affiliated  with  the  Junior  Order  of  United 
American  Mechanics  and  in  the  affairs  of  all  of  these  fraternal  organiza- 
tions takes  a  warm  interest. 


GRANT  S.  HUNT. 


An  enterprising-  and  progressive  farmer  of  Harrison  township  is  Grant 
S.  Hunt,  living  on  his  fine  farm  of  eighty  acres  located  in  section  6  of  this 
township  on  rural  route  No.  i  out  of  West  Liberty,  Ohio.  Mr.  Hunt  is  a 
native  of  the  county,  his  birth  having  occurred  on  a  farm  in  Adams  township 
known  as  the  old  AV'oolley  farm,  where  the  Rosewood  centralized  school  now 
stands,  on  July  23,  1865.  He  is  a  son  of  Isaac  W.  and  Emmeline  (Woolley) 
Hunt,  the  former  a  native  of  New  York  state,  and  the  latter  of  Warren 
county,  Ohio. 

Isaac  W.  Hunt  came  from  New  York  to  Butler  county,  Ohio,  when  a 
mere  boy,  where  his  parents  lived  a  number  of  years,  later  removing  to  Shelby 
county,  Ohio,  and  from  there  to  Adams  township.  Champaign  county,  near 
Rosewood,  where  the  father's  death  occurred.     The  mother's  death  occurred 


580  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

at  the  same  place  some  years  later.  The  Hunt  family  were  of  English  descent, 
locating  in  New  York  state  in  an  early  day.  Emmeline  ^Voolley  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  Tiley  Woolley,  who  came  from  New  Jersey  to  Warren  county,  Ohio, 
in  an  early  day,  later  remo\'ing  to  Champaign  county,  and  being  among  the 
pioneers  of  this  part  of  the  state.  Both  the  Hunt  and  Woolley  families  are 
of  good  old  Colonial  stock,  the  Woolleys  being  of  Quaker  descent,  while  the 
Hunt  history  has  been  traced  back  many  generations  to  one  of  the  famous 
"Minute  Men"  of  Revolutionary  War  fame  in  the  battle  of  Lexington.  After 
his  marriage  to  Emmeline  Woolley,  Isaac  W.  Hunt  and  his  wife  lived  on  the 
Woolley  farm  in  Adams  township  for  a  period  of  fifteen  years,  when  they 
removed  to  a  farm  located  just  north  of  that  in  the  same  township,  and  lived 
on  this  farm  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  with  the  exception  of  five  years 
which  they  spent  in  the  village  of  DeGraff,  Ohio.  They  were  the  parents  of 
six  children,  three  of  whom  are  still  living :  Mrs.  Nancy  A.  Street,  of  Quincy, 
Ohio ;  Mrs.  Hannah  A.  Hines,  living  in  Salem  township,  this  county,  and 
Grant  S.,  of  this  review.  By  a  previous  marriage,  Isaac  \A'.  Hunt  was  the 
father  of  three  children,  none  of  whom  survive.  The  family  were  charter 
members  of  the  Christian  church  at  Careysville,  Ohio.  Isaac  W.  Hunt  was  a 
Republican  in  politics,  having  belonged  to  the  old-time  Whig  party  while  it 
was  in  existence,  afterward  voting  the  Republican  ticket,  and  always  took  an 
interested  part  in  local  public  affairs.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order, 
being-  identified  with  Quincy  lodge. 

Grant  S.  Hunt  was  reared  to  manhood  on  the  farm  in  Adams  township, 
receiving  his  education  in  the  district  school  of  his  home  neighborhood,  after- 
wards graduating  from  the  high  school  at  DeGraff  in  1884.  He  taught  school 
from  1885-1891.  He  lived  at  home  with  his  parents  until  his  marriage,  when 
he  started  to  farm  for  himself,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  that  occupation 
on  the  farm  where  he  is  now  living,  with  the  exception  of  two  years,  when  he 
lived  on  a  farm  in  Adams  township. 

On  August  24,  1887,  Grant  S.  Hunt  was  married  to  Hattie  B.  Craig,  a 
daughter  of  India  Craig,  of  Harrison  township.  Mrs.  Hunt  was  born  and 
reared  on  the  farm  where  she  now  lives,  and  has  lived  here  all  her  life  with 
the  exception  of  two  years,  1887-89,  when  the  family  lived  on  a  farm  in  Adams 
township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hunt  are  the  parents  of  three  children:  Samuel  C, 
a  graduate  of  the  West  Liberty  high  school,  married  Ruth  Post,  of  Salem 
township.  Champaign  county,  Ohio ;  Samuel  C.  was  a  student  for  two  years  at 
Ohio  Wesleyan  University,  at  Delaware,  Ohio;  John  E.,  also  a  graduate  of 
the  West  Liberty  high  school,  is  now  a  student  in  his  third  year  in  the  Ohio 
State  Universitv  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  where  he  is  taking  a  course  in  mechanical 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  581 

engineering;  Laura  AL.  the  wife  of  Harry  Harrington,  living  on  the  home 
farm.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Wesley 
Chapel,  in  which  church  Mr.  Hunt  is  serving  as  steward  and  trustee. 

Politically,  Mr.  Hunt  is  a  Republican,  and  takes  a  good  citizen's  interest 
in  all  public  affairs,  especially  those  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  his  home 
community.  He  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  township  school  board,  and 
in  the  fall  of  1914  was  elected  to  fill  the  office  of  county  commissioner.  Fra- 
ternally, he  is  a  member  of  Gauntlet  Lodge,  No.  322,  Knights  of  Pythias,  of 
which  he  is  past  chancellor  commander ;  also  a  member  of  Mad  River  Lodge, 
No.  161,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  at  West  Liberty,  Ohio. 


EDWARD  CONNOLLY, 


Edward  Connolly,  one  of  Salem  township's  well-known  farmers  and 
the  proprietor  of  a  well-kept  farm  of  sixty  acres  there,  the  old  Gest  farm,  was 
born  in  Allen  township.  Union  county,  and  moved  to  Logan  county,  where 
he  was  reared,  until  1909,  when  he  came  to  this  county,  where  he  has  estab- 
lished a  very  comfortable  home.  In  addition  to  farming  his  own  place  he 
farms  other  land  in  that  vicinity  and  is  doing  very  well.  His  father,  Thomas 
Connolly,  is  still  living  in  Logan  county,  on  his  old  home  farm,  at  a  ripe  old 
age,  the  place  being  operated  by  two  of  his  sons. 

Thomas  Connolly  was  born  in  Madison  county,  this  state,  a  son  of 
Edward  Connolly  and  wife,  the  latter  of  whom  was  a  Wilson,  lx)th  natives 
of  Ireland,  who  were  married  in  this  state  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Marysville,  in  Union  county,  where  they  reared  their  family. 
They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  Thomas,  Edward,  John,  Benjamin, 
George,  Mary  Ann.  Charlotte,  Maria,  Catherine,  and  AHce,  all  of  whom 
lived  to  maturit}'.  Thomas  Connolly  was  reared  in  Union  county  and  there 
married  Martha  Agnes  Michael,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  who 
died  in  August,  1913.  at  the  age  of  sixty-three  years.  Thomas  Connolly 
was  reared  a  farmer  and  has  always  been  engaged  in  that  vocation,  for 
more  than  thirty  years  a  resident  of  Monroe  township,  over  in  the  neighbor- 
ing county  of  Logan.  To  him  and  his  wife  were  born  four  sons,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  having  three  brothers,  Frank,  who  is  at  home;  Harry,  who  is 
employed  in  the  steam-shovel  works  at  Marion,  and  Fred,  who  is  assisting 
his  brother,  Frank,  in  operating  the  home  farm. 

Edward  Connollv  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  received  his  schooling  in 


582  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

the  district  schools.  From  the  days  of  his  boyhood  he  was  a  valued  assistant 
to  his  father  in  the  labors  of  the  home  farm  and  after  his  marriage  at  the 
age  of  twenty-three  continued  farming-  the  home  place  for  seven  years,  at 
the  end  of  which  time  he  became  manager  of  the  creamery  at  Mingo,  Cham- 
paign county,  and  continued  thus  engaged  for  three  years.  Then  he  rented 
a  farm  in  Salem  township  for  six  years,  then  bought  his  present  farm  in 
Salem  township,  where  he  since  has  made  his  home.  Since  taking  possession 
of  that  place  he  has  made  extensive  improvements  on  the  place  and  now  has 
a  very  well-equipped  farm  plant  and  is  doing-  cjuite  well. 

On  February  i,  1899,  Edward  Connolly  was  united  in  marriage  to  Adella 
May  x\dams,  who  was  born  in  Putnam  county,  this  state,  and  to  this  union 
three  sons  have  been  born,  Merrill  Edward,  Clair  Adams  and  Paul,  the  latter 
of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Connolly  are  members  of  the  Union 
Chapel  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Logan  county  and  take  a  proper  part 
in  church  work  as  well  as  in  other  local  good  works.  Mr.  Connolly  is  a 
member  of  the  local  Grange  at  Kings  Creek  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  the 
affairs  of  the  same.  Politically,  he  is  "independent,"  but  is  usually  a  Demo- 
crat. 


WALTER  S.  WILSON. 


Walter  S.  Wilson,  farmer  of  Concord  township.  Champaign  county, 
was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives,  September  2^^,  1864.  He  has 
been  contented  to  spend  his  life  at  home,  rather  than  seeking  uncertain 
fortune  in  some  remote  county  or  city.  He  is  a  son  of  John  D.  and  Sarah 
D.  (Forry)  Wilson.  The  father  was  born  on  the  same  farm  as  his  son, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch.  He  was  a  son  of  John  Wilson,  who  came  to 
Ohio,  from  Pennsylvania,  entering  the  land  from  the  government,  where 
Walter  S.  Wilson  now  lives.  He  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  here,  and 
he  carved  out  a  home  from  the  wilderness  and  spent  the  rest  of  his  life 
here.  His  son,  John  D.  Wilson,  remained  on  the  home  place  all  his  life. 
The  latter  kept  the  land  well  improved  and  was  a  successful  general  farmer. 
He  was  a  Republican.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at 
Spring  Hill,  in  fact,  was  for  many  years  an  elder  and  a  pillar  in  the  same. 
He  was  always  active  in  church  affairs.  His  family  consisted  of  four  chil- 
dren, namely:  Emma,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  William  Daniels  of  Har- 
rison township,  this  county;  Forry  lives  in  Concord  township;  Walter  S., 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  583 

of  this  sketch;  Jennie,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  James  McCoskey,  of 
Urbana. 

Walter  S.  Wilson  grew  to  manhood  on  the  homestead.  He  attended 
the  pubhc  schools  in  his  district.  He  assisted  with  the  work  on  the  farm 
until  his  marriage  on  November  20,  1885,  to  Emma  Abbott,  a  daughter 
of  W.  J.  Abbott  and  wife,  who  formerly  lived  in  Concord  township,  but 
are  now  residing  in  Urbana. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilson,  namely:  Marie 
is  the  wife  of  George  Russell  and  they  live  in  Harrison  township,  this 
county,  and  have  three  children,  Lloyd  Russell,  Raymond  and  Ruth;  Adrie 
is  at  home. 

Mr.  Wilson  owns  a  well  improved  and  well  managed  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Concord  township,  near  the  line  of  Harrison 
township.  In  connection  with  general  farming,  he  raises  hogs  on  an  exten- 
sive scale,  preparing  large  numbers  annually  for  the  market,  selling  about 
two  hundred  head  annually.  He  built  the  present  barn  and  other  improve- 
ments on  the  place. 

Politically,  he  is  a  Republican.  He  and  his  wife  belong  to  the  Metho- 
dist church  at  Concord. 


E.  E.   ALLISON. 


E.  E.  Allison,  farmer  of  Concord  township.  Champaign  county,  was 
born  in  Mad  River  township,  this  county,  Eebruary  8,  1874,  on  a  farm  near 
the  village  of  Terre  Haute.  He  is  a  son  of  N.  J.  and  Sarah  E.  (Allen) 
Allison.  The  father  was  born  also  near  Terre  Haute,  Ohio,  on  the  old 
Allison  homestead.  His  wife,  Sarah  E.  Allen,  was  also  a  native  of  Mad 
River  township.  Their  parents  located  in  that  locality  in  an  early  day  and 
there  they  grew  to  maturity,  attended  the  pioneer  schools  and  were  married. 
In  1878  the  AlHson  family  moved  to  Concord  township,  living  on  a  farm 
there  nine  years,  then  moved  to  Urbana  township,  where  they  spent  the 
rest  of  their  lives,  the  mother  dying  on  ]\Iarch  17,  19 16.  The  father  still 
lives  in  Urbana  township.  To  N.  J.  Allison  and  wife  eleven  children  were 
born,  eight  of  whom  survive  at  this  writing,  namely :  Miles  lives  in  Concord 
township;  Elnora  is  the  wife  of  Gus  Mailing,  and  they  live  in  Urbana, 
Ohio;  Mrs.  Ida  Fritz  lives  in  Urbana;  E.  E.,  of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  Cecelia 
Jurkins  lives  in  Urbana;  Marion  lives  in  Springfield,  Ohio;  Mrs.  Rachael 


584  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Pence  is  deceased;  Homer  lives  in  Topeka,  Kansas;  William  lives  in  Spring- 
field, Ohio;  Walter  and  Alma  died  in  infancy. 

E.  E.  Allison  left  home  when  a  small  boy  and  he  grew  to  manhood 
in  Mad  River  township,  on  a  farm  in  the  northern  part  of  the  township. 
He  worked  out  both  by  the  day  and  by  the  month,  saving  his  earnings  until 
he  could  get  a  start  in  life.  On  February  20,  1892,  he  married  May  Jenkins, 
a  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Malinda  Jenkins  of  Concord  township,  where  she 
was  reared  on  a  farm  and  attended  school. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Allison  continued  to  work  out  by  the  month 
for  a  period  of  eighteen  years,  being  in  the  employ  of  A.  O.  McBeth.  In 
19 10  he  purchased  the  farm  on  which  he  now  resides,  which  place  con- 
sisted of  seventy-six  acres.  He  has  since  added  twelve  acres,  making  him 
a  farm  of  eighty-eight  acres  of  excellent  land,  and  here  he  is  successfully 
engaging  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  has  worked  hard  and 
persevered  until  he  has  finally  come  into  possession  of  a  good  farm  and  a 
comfortable  home,  through  his  own  efforts. 

Politically,  he  is  a  Republican.  He  belongs  to  Garnet  Lodge,  Knights 
of  Pythias,  at  West  Liberty,  Ohio. 


JOHN  POWELL. 

The  late  John  Powell,  for  years  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  sub- 
stantial farmers  of  Salem  township,  whose  widow  is  still  living  on  the  home 
farm  there,  was  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  hved  here  all  his 
life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  west  of  Urbana  in  1823,  a  son  of  Timothy 
and  Margaret  (Taylor)  Powell,  the  former  a  native  of  Kentucky  and  the 
latter  of  Virginia,  both  of  whom  had  come  to  this  county  with  their  re- 
spective parents  in  the  days  of  their  childhood,  and  whose  last  days  were 
spent  here. 

Timothy  Powell  was  a  substantial  farmer  and  in  his  day  took  an  active 
part  in  local  affairs.  He  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife,  Margaret 
Taylor,  was  a  daughter  of  John  and  Catherine  (Osborne)  Taylor,  who 
came  to  this  county  in  1804  with  their  family  from  Virginia  and  settled  at 
what  is  now  Kings  Creek,  where  John  Taylor  established  a  grist-  and  saw- 
mill and  tannery  and  also  became  a  large  landowner,  one  of  the  most  in- 
fluential pioneers  of  that  part  of  the  county.  To  that  union  were  born  nine 
children,  John.  Timothy,  Benjamin,  Samuel,  Elijah,  Madison,  Sarah,  Emory 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  585 

and  Jane,  all  of  whom  are  now  dead.  After  the  death  of  the  mother  of 
these  children  Mr.  Powell  married  Mrs.  Eliza  Bales,  a  widow,  and  also  a 
native  of  Kentucky,  and  to  that  union  two  children  were  born,  Charles,  of 
Lima,  Ohio,  and  Margaret,  now  Mrs.  Nugent,  of  Toledo,  Ohio. 

John  Powell  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  received  a  common-school 
education.  After  his  marriage,  in  the  spring  of  1862,  he  continued  to  live 
on  the  home  place  for  a  year,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  moved  to  the 
Rose  place,  near  Urbana,  and  some  time  afterward  bought  the  place  of  one 
hundred  and  eight  acres  in  Salem  township  on  which  he  spent  the  rest  of 
his  life  and  where  his  widow  is  still  living.  He  was  a  good  farmer  and  did 
well  in  his  farming  operations,  a  steady,  sturdy,  home-loving  citizen,  who 
did  well  his  part  in  the  upbuilding  of  the  community.  Though  a  stanch 
Republican,  ever  taking  a  good  citizen's  part  in  local  political  affairs,  he 
was  not  an  office-seeker,  preferring  the  comfort  of  his  home  to  the  more 
active  affairs  outside.  He  was  an  earnest  member  of  the  Kings  Creek 
Methodist  church,  as  is  his  widow,  and  was  ever  interested  in  local  good 
works,  helpful  in  promoting  any  agency  designed  to  advance  the  common 
welfare.  His  death  occurred  in  1894.  he  then  being  seventy-one  years  old, 
and  there  was  sincere  mourning  on  the  part  of  his  many  friends  in  this 
county. 

On  April  9,  1862,  John  Powell  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mary  Jane 
Dawson,  who  was  born  in  Wayne  township,  this  county,  March  20,  1839,  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Kidd)  Dawson,  natives  of  Virginia,  who 
were  born  and  reared  in  Berkeley  county,  now  in  West  Virginia,  where  they 
were  married,  shortly  afterward  coming  to  Ohio  and  settling  in  this  county. 
Upon  coming  here  John  Dawson  and  his  wife  first  located  in  Wayne  town- 
ship, later  moving  to  Salem  township,  where  they  lived  on  a  farm  for  some 
time,  later  taking  up  their  residence  at  Kings  Creek,  at  which  place  they 
lived  until  their  removal  to  a  farm  on  Dungan  road,  later  moving  to  Pretty 
Prairie.  John  Dawson  was  a  farmer  and  teamster  and  met  death  in  a 
runaway  accident  in  1858.  His  widow  survived  him  many  years,  her  death 
occurring  at  the  home  of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Powell,  in  1883.  She  was  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  church.  John  Dawson  and  wife  were  the  parents 
of  six  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Powell  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth  and 
the  only  one  now  living,  the  others  having  been  William,  who  lived  at  Day- 
ton; Samuel,  who  lived  in  Indiana;  David,  who  lived  in  Urbana;  Margaret, 
who  also  lived  in  Urbana,  and  John,  who  lived  at  Dayton. 

To  John  and  Mary  Jane  (Dawson)  Powell  were  born  two  children,  a 
son  and  a  daughter,  Grant,  who  died  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  and  Effie 


586  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

May,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years.  Since  the  death  of  her  husband 
Mrs.  Powell  has  continued  to  reside  on  her  farm,  where  she  has  a  very 
comfortable  home  and  where  she  is  very  pleasantly  situated.  She  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  church  at  Kings  Creek  and  has  ever  taken  an 
interested  part  in  the  various  beneficences  of  that  church,  as  well  as  in 
other  neighborhood  good  works.  Despite  the  fact  that  she  is  now  nearing 
the  eightieth  milestone  on  the  journey  of  life,  she  retains  an  active  interest 
in  current  affairs.  She  has  witnessed  the  development  of  her  home  county 
from  the  days  of  the  pioneers  and  her  memory  of  early  events  is  clear  and 
accurate,  her  reminiscences  concerning  events  of  the  days  now  long  gone 
being  full  of  information  most  interesting  to  her  young  friends  of  the 
present  generation. 


JOHN  H.  ABBOTT. 


John  H.  Abbot,  farmer  of  Concord  township,  was  born  near  where 
he  now  lives,  June  26,  1863.  He  is  a  son  of  W.  J.  and  Emily  V.  (Comp- 
ton)  Abbott.  The  father  was  born  in  Johnson  township,  Champaign  county, 
Ohio,  January  13,  1836,  his  parents  being  pioneer  settlers  in  this  locality. 
He  grew  upon  the  farm  in  his  native  township  and  after  his  marriage 
settled  in  Concord  township,  where  he  developed  a  good  farm  and  made 
his  home  until  191 1,  when  he  retired  from  active  life,  moved  to  Urbana, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  His  wife  died  on  February  11,  1917.  They 
were  parents  of  ten  children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy;  those  living 
are,  Charles  M.,  of  Chicago;  John  H.,  of  this  sketch;  Annie  M.,  is  the 
wife  of  Walter  S.  Wilson  and  they  live  in  Concord  township;  Minnie  is 
the  wife  of  Dr.  W.  H.  Hinkle  of  DeGraff,  Ohio;  Emma  Maude  is  the  wife 
of  D.  H.  Taylor  of  Urbana.  Ohio;  Oma  J.,  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  C.  E.  Stadler, 
of  Lima,  Ohio;  Mrs.  Ora  M.  Barger  lives  in  Urbana  township,  this  county; 
and  Chester  P.  makes  his  home  in  Concord  township. 

Politically,  W.  J.  Abbott,  father  of  the  above  named  children,  is  a 
Republican  and  he  has  long  been  active  and  influential  in  local  public  affairs. 
He  was  formerly  a  member  of  the  Concord  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
but  now  belongs  to  Grace  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Urbana.  His 
wife  was  also  a  member  of  these  churches. 

John  H.  Abbot  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Concord  township. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools.  He  assisted  his  father 
with  the  work  on  the  home  farm  until  his  marriage,  which  took  place  on 


CHAMPAIGN    CQUNTY,    OHIO.  587 

June  II,  1911,  to  Cleo  V.  Hanna,  a  daughter  of  William  H.  and  Margaret 
Hanna,  of  Concord  township,  in  which  they  were  born,  reared,  educated,  and 
in  fact,  have  always  made  their  home. 

Mr.  Abbott  has  devoted  his  life  to  general  farming.  He  owns  a  well 
kept  and  productive  farm  of  eighty  acres  five  and  one-half  miles  northwest 
of  Urbana.  He  devotes  a  great  deal  of  time  and  attention  to  raising  and 
feeding  hogs,  preparing  large  numbers  for  the  market  annually.  He  handles 
an  excellent  grade  of  hogs.  He  also  raises  cattle  and  is  now  preparing  to 
devote  more  attention  to  cattle  raising  in  the  future  than  formerly. 

Politically,  Mr.  Abbott  is  a  Republican  and  is  more  or  less  active  in 
township  politics.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Concord  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church. 


JAMES  A.  BECK. 


James  A.  Beck,  a  well-to-do  farmer  of  St.  Paris,  Champaign  county, 
owner  of  a  compact  farm  of  one  hundred  and  five  acres  of  prime  land,  was 
born  seven  miles  south  of  St.  Paris,  Jackson  township,  on  September  24, 
1871.  He  is  the  son  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Smith)  Beck,  the  former  of 
whom  was  born  in  England  in  1820  and  the  latter  in  the  same  country  in  1833. 

James  Beck,  the  grandfather  of  James  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
came  with  his  family  to  the  United  States  from  England.  On  the  voyage 
across  the  Atlantic  he  was  injured  and  died  from  the  effects  of  his  injuries 
in  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania.  His  widow  came  with  her  two  children  to 
Springfield,  Ohio,  and  after  a  short  stay  in  that  city  she  moved  to  Jackson 
township.  Champaign  county.  Here  James  Beck,  the  father  of  James  A., 
grew  to  manhood  and  some  time  later  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Smith, 
who  was  born  in  Yorkshire,  England. 

After  his  marriage  James  Beck  settled  on  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  in 
Jackson  township,  at  that  time  having  the  sum  of  sixteen  hundred  dollars 
to  his  credit,  and  following  his  mother's  death  he  bought  out  the  interests 
of  his  sister,  Prudence.  He  started  his  farming  operations  on  the  eighty- 
acre  tract  and  as  he  prospered  in  his  agricultural  labors  he  increased  his 
land  holdings  from  time  to  time,  until  he  finally  acquired  six  hundred  acres, 
thus  becoming  one  of  the  largest  and  most  substantial  farmers  of  Jackson 
township.  Apart  from  the  value  of  his  land  he  was  worth  in  money  about 
ninety-five  thousand  dollars.  In  addition  to  his  farming  operations,  he  also 
dealt  in  cattle  and  met  with  considerable  success  in  that  line.     James  Beck 


588  CHAMPAIGN.  COUNTY,    OHIO. 

was  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  Repubhcan  party  and  had  always  been  active 
m  pubhc  affairs.  He  served  one  term  as  assessor  of  Jackson  township.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  was  a  liberal  benefactor 
to  its  support  and  to  the  building  of  the  church  erected  by  the  congregation. 
To  James  Beck  and  wife  twelve  children  were  born,  seven  of  whom  are 
living  in  1917:  Mary  J.,  who  married  Ed  Ontoon;  Maria;  Prudence,  wife 
of  Maxwell  Stephens,  of  Jackson  township;  Charles  R.,  of  Jackson  town- 
ship; Anna,  wife  of  William  Jenkins;  John  W.,  of  Jackson  township,  and 
James  A. 

James  A.  Beck  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  attended  the  district 
schools  until  he  was  nineteen  years  old.  He  remained  working  on  his  father's 
farm  up  to  the  age  of  twenty-three.  On  February  15.  1893,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Millie  Stone,  who  was  born  in  Cumberland,  Pennsylvania, 
February  14,  1874.  She  is  the  daughter  of  George  and  Emma  (Arnold) 
Stone,  both  of  whom  came  from  Mechanicsburg,  Pennsylvania,  to  Champaign 
county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beck  are  the  parents  of  one  child,  a  daughter,  Mamie 
A.,  born  on  February  6,  1895,  living  with  her  parents.  The  Beck  family 
are  members  of  the  Mewson  chapel,  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which 
Mr.  Beck  is  one  of  the  trustees  and  also  active  in  the  work  of  the  Sunday 
school,  and  in  the  general  affairs  of  the  township  he  takes  an  earnest  and 
prominent  part,  ever  ready  to  help  all  good  causes.  He  is  a  strong  supporter 
of  the  Republican  party,  but  has  never  been  a  seeker  after  public  office. 


CLEMENT  V.  MILLER. 


Clement  V.  Miller,  who  lives  in  Concord  township,  is  one  of  the  enter- 
prising farmers  of  Champaign  county.  He  was  born  near  where  he  now 
lives,  on  what  is  known  as  the  old  John  Miller  place,  which  at  that  time 
belonged  to  John  C.  Miller,  January  10,  1868.  He  is  a  son  of  John  C. 
and  Sarah  (Idle)  Miller.  The  father  was  born  in  Page  county,  Virginia. 
When  twelve  years  old  he  left  there,  with  his  parents,  the  family  removing 
to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  locating  on  a  farm  in  Concord  township,  being 
among  the  early  pioneers  here.  They  established  their  future  home  in 
the  wilderness,  cleared  and  developed  a  farm  through  long  years  of  hard 
work.  Here  John  C.  Miller  grew  to  manhood,  on  the  home  farm,  and 
here  he  married  Sarah  Idle,  who  was  born  in  Concord  township,  this  county. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  589 

Her  parents  came  from  Virginia  in  an  earl}^  day  and  located  on  a  farm 
here,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood.  These  parents  attended  the  local 
rural  schools  of  the  early  days.  After  their  marriage  they  began  house- 
keeping on  his  father's  place.  He  continued  to  reside  there  the  rest  of  his 
life.  He  kept  the  place  well  improved  and  well  cultivated  and  was  a  suc- 
cessful general  farmer,  in  fact,  became  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of 
his  township.  He  accumulated  about  four  hundred  acres  of  good  farming 
land  and  farmed  on  an  extensive  scale.  He  was  always  active  in  public 
affairs  and  one  of  the  leading  Democrats  of  his  vicinity. 

Eight  children  were  born  to  John  C.  Miller  and  wife,  namely:  Clara 
A.  is  the  wife  of  Charles  AI.  Huntoon  of  Jackson  county,  Alabama;  Mary 
Jane,  married  William  Reed,  both  dead;  Lizzie  M.,  married  Will  Lecount, 
she  deceased;  Laura,  dead,  married  Van  Scott;  Nettie,  dead,  married  Alfred 
Poorman;  William,  deceased;  Clement  V.,  of  this  sketch,  and  May,  deceased, 
married  Elmer  Magart. 

Clement  V.  Miller  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Concord 
township  and  there  he  attended  the  common  schools.  He  lived  at  home 
until  his  marriage,  which  occurred  on  December  26,  1890.  to  Mary  Elizabeth 
Irvin,  a  daughter  of  Allen  and  Mary  A.  (Zimmerman)  Irvin,  he  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  she  of  Concord  township.  Champaign  county,  Ohio. 
Allen  Irvin's  parents  died  when  he  w'as  a  little  boy.  He  grew  up  on  a 
farm  in  Pennsylvania  and  when  grown  came  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio, 
and  worked  as  a  farm  hand  in  Concord  township.  Finally  bought  a  farm 
of  his  own  in  the  south  part  of  the  township,  where  he  lived  until  his  death. 
His  wife's  parents  were  Isaac  and  Delilah  (Loudenback)  Zimmerman,  na- 
tives of  A^irginia  and  among  the  first  settlers  in  Champaign  county. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Miller  located  on  his  present  farm,  which  con- 
sists of  one  hundred  and  five  acres  in  Concord  township,  on  the  Concord 
pike.  He  has  made  a  number  of  important  improvements  on  the  place 
and  is  carrying  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  successfully.  His 
first  home  was  a  half  mile  north  of  the  road,  but  in  19 12  they  moved  to 
their  present  home. 

Five  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Miller,  namely ;  Law- 
rence, married  Stella  Pence  and  they  live  on  a  farm  in  Johnson  township; 
Clara  lives  at  home;  John  died  when  twelve  years  old;  Ola  and  Fern  are 
in  school. 

Politically,  Mr.  Miller  is  a  Democrat,  but  he  is  inclined  to  vote  in- 
dependently in  local  affairs. 


590  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


LAWRENCE  KOHLMEIER. 


Lawrence  Kohlmeier,  a  well-known  and  substantial  retired  retail  dealer 
in  meats,  living  at  Urbana,  which  has  been  his  place  of  residence  since  the  year 
1873,  is  of  European  birth,  a  native  of  the  kingdom  of  Bavaria,  but  has  been 
a  resident  of  this  country  since  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age.  He  was  born 
on  June  3,  1853,  son  of  Anton  and  Eva  (Nagle)  Kohlmeier,  also  natives  of 
Bavaria,  the  former  a  cooper  by  trade,  who  spent  all  their  lives  in  their  native 
country  and  who  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  the  last-born,  and  his  sister,  Elizabeth,  the  first-born,  were  the  only 
ones  to  come  to  this  country,  the  others,  Dora,  Kate  and  John,  remaining  in 
their  native  land.  Elizabeth  Kohlmeier  came  to  the  United  States  in  1853 
and  located  at  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania,  where  she  married  John  Gehring. 

Upon  completing  the  elementary  course  in  the  schools  of  his  native  Ba- 
^-aria,  Lawrence  Kohlmeier  was  apprenticed  to  a  cabinet-maker  and  spent  three 
vears,  without  wages,  learning  that  trade.  When  seventeen  years  of  age,  in 
1869,  he  came  to  this  country  and  proceeded  on  to  Ohio,  locating  at  Piqua, 
where  he  obtained  employment  in  a  butcher  shop.  There  in  the  spring  of 
1873  he  married  and  in  that  same  year  moved  to  Piqua,  where  he  became 
employed  in  the  retail  meat  establishment  of  Happersett  &  Hovey,  remaining 
thus  connected  for  ten  years  and  five  months,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he 
opened  a  retail  meat  shop  of  his  own  in  South  Main  street,  that  city.  Air. 
Kohlmeier  in  the  meantime  had  become  an  expert  in  his  line  and  his  venture 
into  business  on  his  own  account  was  a  success  from  the  very  start.  L-pon 
beginning  business  he  killed  all  of  his  own  meat,  but  later  used  cold-storage 
meat  and  his  place  always  made  a  point  of  supplying  the  best  the  market  could 
afford.  During  his  long  connection  with  the  meat  trade  in  Urbana  Mr.  Kohl- 
meier occupied  several  different  stands  in  South  Main  street  and  remained  in 
Ijusiness  until  191 5,  when  he  retired,  turning  the  business  over  to  his  sons,  and 
is  now  taking  things  "easy."  Mr.  Ivohlmeier  came  to  this  country,  a  poor  boy 
in  a  strange  land,  and  by  habits  of  thrift  and  industry,  together  with  good  man- 
agement, succeeded  in  building  up  a  profitable  business,  earning  a  competence 
upon  which  he  is  abk  to  retire  from  active  labor  in  the  pleasant  "evening  time" 
of  his  life. 

It  was  in  April,  1873,  at  Piqua,  this  state,  that  Lawrence  Kohlmeier  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Caroline  Mattmiller,  also  of  European  birth,  born  in 
the  grand  duchy  of  Baden  on  July  4,  1848,  daughter  of  George  and  Theresa 
(Klein)  Wegarnd.  natives  of  Baden,  the  former  a  stone-cutter  by  trade,  who 
spent  their  lives  in  their  native  land.     Mrs.  Kohlmeier  had  a  sister,  Josephine, 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO,  59I 

who  also  came  to  this  country  and  who  married  Frank  Bergemeier,  but  who, 
as  well  as  her  husband,  is  now  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kohlmeier  have  four 
children,  namely :  Bertha,  who  married  Edward  Galloway,  of  Springfield, 
this  state,  and  has  four  children,  Nina,  Lawrence,  Dwight  and  Lucile;  Otto, 
a  retired  meat  dealer,  of  Urbana,  who  married  Marie  Dahill  and  has  one  child, 
a  daughter,  Marcella,  and  William  and  Anna,  twins,  the  former  of  whom,  a 
meat  dealer  at  Urbana,  married  Amelia  C.  Burk,  and  the  latter  of  whom  mar- 
ried Bert  LeNear,  of  Springfield,  and  died,  leaving  one  child,  a  son,  Harold 
Lawrence,  who  has  been  adopted  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kohlmeier,  the  lad's  grand- 
parents. The  Kohlmeiers  are  members  of  St.  Mary's  Catholic  church  at  Ur- 
bana and  have  ever  given  proper  attention  to  parish  affairs  and  to  other 
community  good  works,  helpful  in  advancing  all  worthy  causes  in  their  home 
town. 


CHRISTIAN  H.  BYLER. 

The  old  Keystone  state  has  furnished  many  good  farmers  for  Champaign 
county,  among  whom  may  be  mentioned  Christian  H.  Byler,  of  Salem  township, 
He  was  born  in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  3,  1855.  He  is  a  son 
of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Hartzler)  Byler,  both  natives  of  Mifflin  county,  where 
they  grew  up  and  were  married,  and  there  they  devoted  their  lives  to  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  dying  on  their  farm  there  many  years  ago,  the  father  in 
1866  at  an  early  age,  the  mother  in  191 5,  age  eighty-nine  years.  To  these 
parents  seven  children  were  born,  namely :  Eli,  Joseph,  Eri,  Christian,  Mary, 
Hannah  and  John.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  only  member  of  the 
family  now  living  in  Champaign  county.  He  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  in 
his  native  state,  where  he  worked  with  his  father  when  a  boy,  and  he  attended 
the  district  schools  during  the  winter  months,  but  only  for  a  few  years.  He 
worked  on  farms  by  the  month  after  his  father's  death  in  1866  in  Mifflin 
county,  Pennsylvania,  when  a  young  man,  remaining  there  until  1876,  when 
he  came  to  Champaign  covmty  and  worked  out  as  a  farm  hand  until  1881, 
when  he  went  to  Missouri  and  worked  in  that  state  a  few  years,  then  went 
to  Kansas,  w'here  he  farmed  rented  land  for  five  years,  after  which  he  returned 
to  Missouri  and  continued  farming  there  until  1897,  in  which  year  he 
returned  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  and  took  up  farming  in  Salem  town- 
ship on  the  place  where  he  is  now  living,  which  he  first  rented,  later  pur- 
chasing it,  buying  only  forty  acres  at  first,  but  he  has  added  to  the  same 
until  he  now  has  one  hundred  and  eleven  acres,   which  is  all  under  culti- 


592  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

vation,  and  he  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  has  a  good 
dwelhng,  a  fifty-five  ton  silo  and  convenient  outbuildings. 

Mr.  Byler  was  married  in  1887  to  Sadie  Zook,  who  was  born  in  Mifflin 
county,  Pennsylvania,  but  she  went  West  with  her  parents  when  young.  She 
attended  the  common  schools.  She  is  a  daughter  of  David  J.  and  Lydia 
Zook,  who  spent  their  earlier  years  in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  later 
moving  from  that  county  to  Kansas,  but  they  did  not  remain  long  in  the 
latter  state,  returning  to  Pennsylvania  soon  after  the  marriage  of  their 
daughter  Sadie  to  Mr.  Byler,  and  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  in  the 
Keystone  state,  dying  there  some  time  ago. 

Ten  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Byler,  namely :  Oliver, 
who  married  Rosa  Stoltzfus;  Maude,  John  (died  age  three  years),  Mayme, 
Nellie,  Paul,  Mark,  Earl,  Milford,  and  Mildred. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  well-known  and  popular  minister  in  the 
Mennonite  church  and  preaches  regularly  in  the  church  of  this  denomination 
at  West  Liberty,  Ohio.  He  was  ordained  in  the  year  1899  at  West  Liberty, 
Ohio.  He  is  well  versed  in  the  scriptures,  besides  being  a  well-read  man 
generally,  and  is  an  earnest,  forceful  and  interesting  speaker  and  he  has 
greatly  strengthened  the  church  of  which  he  is  pastor. 


JACOB  H.  SNARR. 


Jacob  H.  Snarr,  farmer,  of  Concord  township,  was  born  in  Hardy 
county,  West  Virginia,  June  18,  1862.  He  is  a  son  of  PhiHp  H.  and  Eliza- 
beth (Keller)  Snarr,  both  natives  of  Shenandoah  county,  Virginia,  the  former, 
of  German  parentage  and  the  latter,  of  English.  They  grew  to  maturity 
in  Shenandoah  county  and  were  married  there,  later  removing  to  what  is 
now  Hardy  county,  West  Virginia,  where  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives. 
They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  named  as  follows :  James  L.  lives 
in  Hampshire  county.  West  Virginia;  John  W.  lives  in  Hardy  county,  that 
state  Jacob  H.,  of  this  sketch;  Calvin  died  in  infancy;  Alice,  who  remained 
unmarried,  died  in  Hardy  county,  West  Virginia,  in  October,  1915;  Martin 
S.  lives  in  Champaign  county,  Ohio;  Minnie  B.  is  the  wife  of  Charles  Robin- 
son, of  Hampshire,  county,  West  Virginia;  Annie  C.  lives  in  Hardy  county, 
that  state;  and  Mary  E.,  who  married  A.  W.  Russell,  of  Concord  township, 
Champaign  county. 

Jacob  H.   Snarr  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  countv  and   there  he 


^^^^^K^^"^^^^ 

f^M 

^Ki^li 

HK^'-              ^^f«MM|^^H 

r     ^*'^ 

m    ^.                      "  '*^ '"       ^ 

^RI^^^^^^H 

fcA                         '"-^1 

w^M 

^^^M 

MR.   AND   MRS.   JACOB    H.    SXARR 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  593 

attended  the  public  schools.  When  a  young  man  he  went  to  Shenandoah 
county,  Virginia,  where  he  spent  three  years,  working  for  an  uncle.  In 
1884,  when  twenty-one  years  old,  he  came  to  Champaign  county,  locating  in 
Concord  township,  where  he  hired  out  to  H.  P.  Wilson,  remaining  in  his 
employ  five  years.  On  Januar}^  9,  1889,  he  married  Mary  C.  Packer,  a 
daughter  of  Stephen  J.  and  Mary  E.  (Miller)  Packer.  After  his  marriage 
he  rented  the  farm  he  now  owns,  for  fifteen  years,  then  his  wife  inherited 
part  and  he  bought  the  rest  of  it.  He  has  since  lived  here  and  has  made  a 
very  comfortable  living  as  a  general  farmer.  His  place  consists  of  seventy- 
six  acres.  He  also  owns  forty-five  acres  in  another  part  of  Concord  town- 
ship.    He  has  placed  modern  improvements  on  his  land  and  has  a  cosy  home. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Snarr,  namely :  Mary 
E.,  the  wife  of  Clinton  Hanger;  Helen  is  the  wife  of  Waldo  Zerkel ;  Dorothy 
and  Donald,  twins,  are  both  in  school. 

Politically,  Mr.  Snarr  is  a  Democrat  and  served  as  township  trustee  and 
as  assessor.  He  was  a  memljer  of  the  township  board  of  education  until  in 
January,  19 16,  having  been  a  member  of  the  same  for  a  period  of  twenty 
years.  He  is  now  (June,  191 7)  president  of  the  county  board  of  education. 
He  takes  a  great  interest  in  local  educational  affairs  and  has  done  much  toward 
giving  the  county  better  schools.  As  a  public  servant  he  has  discharged  his 
duties  in  an  able,  faithful  and  highly  commendable  manner.  He  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  Concord  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  is  a 
steward  in  the  church  and  has  been  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  for 
many  years.  He  is  a  useful  and  highly  esteemed  citizen  in  his  home  locality, 
where  he  is  well  known. 


CHARLES  L.  CAREY. 


Charles  L.  Carey,  a  farmer  living  in  Harrison  township,  near  West 
Liberty,  Ohio,  was  born  just  west  of  his  present  home,  August  26,  1864. 
He  is  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Mary  J.  (Sill)  Carey.  The  father  was  born  in 
Adams  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  5,  18 13,  and  the  mother  was  born 
in  Cumberland  county,  Maryland,  on  February  11,  1823.  They  grew  to 
maturity  and  were  married  on  February  10,  1842,  in  Gettysburg,  Adams 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  shortly  thereafter  removed  to  Champaigii  county, 
Ohio,  migrating  in  a  wagon,  locating  in  Concord  township  in  1853,  renting 
land  there  for  a  few  years,  then  moved  to  Harrison  township  and  bought 
(38a) 


594  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

the  home  place  of  eighty  acres  on  which  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  hves, 
her  death  occurring  on  May  23,  1908,  aged  eighty-five;  he  died  April  28, 
1903,  aged  eighty-nine  years.  They  were  parents  of  twelve  children,  all 
surviving  but  two  in  1917,  namely:  Emeline  is  the  widow  of  Thomas 
Hunter  and  she  lives  in  Harrison  township;  Daniel  S.  also  lives  in  Harri- 
son township;  John  is  deceased;  EHza  is  the  wife  of  Dennis  Gray  and  they 
live  in  Missouri ;  Ellen  is  the  widow  of  William  Danner  and  she  lives  at  West 
Liberty,  Ohio;  Alice  C,  widow  of  William  Wren,  lives  in  Michigan;  Jacob 
E.  is  farming  in  Liberty  township,  Logan  county;  James  W.  lives  in  Con- 
cord township,  this  county;  B.  L.  lives  in  Harrison  township.  Champaign 
county;  Charles  L.,  subject  of  this  sketch;  Mattie  is  the  widow  of  Doctor 
Crampton  of  Shawnee,  Oklahoma;  one  child  died  in  infancy. 

Jacob  Carey,  the  father,  was  a  Democrat.  He  and  his  wife  belonged 
to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  for  many  years,  but  late  in  life  they  trans- 
ferred their  church  letters  to  the  Glady  Creek  Christian  church. 

Charles  L.  Carey  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Harrison 
township  and  he  was  educated  in  the  district  schools.  After  his  graduation 
from  the  common  schools  he  continued  to  work  on  the  home  farm  until 
he  was  nineteen  years  old ;  then  began  working  at  the  carpenter's  trade,  but 
remained  at  home.  He  was  married  on  January  3,  1903,  to  Amanda  Louise 
Carr,  who  was  born  February  9,  1864,  in  Missouri.  She  was  a  daughter  of 
Frederick  and  Mary  (Hoffman)  Carr,  who  were  farmers  in  Logan  county, 
Ohio,  both  now  long  deceased. 

Mr.  Carey  became  a  highly  skilled  workman  and  his  services  as  a 
carpenter  were  in  good  demand.  He  has  continued  his  trade  in  connection 
with  farming.  He  owns  thirty-eight  acres  in  Harrison  township,  two  miles 
west  of  West  Liberty,  to  which  place  he  moved  on  January  13,  191 3.  He 
has  lived  in  this  township  and  at  Spring  Hill  ever  since  his  marriage. 

Politically,  Mr.  Carey  is  a  Democrat.  He  has  served  as  township  clerk 
for  eleven  years  and  as  road  superintendent  for  the  past  four  years.  He 
was  clerk  of  the  board  of  education  for  three  years.  Fraternally,  he  belongs 
to  the  Knights  of  the  Golden  Eagle,  Lodge  No.  no,  also  to  the  True 
Knights  of  Bethel,  Post  of  the  Noble  Chief  at  West  Liberty.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  Tecumseh  Tribe  No.  70,  Lnproved  Order  of  Red  Men  at  West 
Liberty,  of  which  he  is  past  sachem.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
United  Brethren  church  at  Salem,  Harrison  township.  For  thirty-five  years 
he  operated  a  threshing  machine  and  is  well  known  in  that  capacity  Mr. 
Carey  is  influential  in  fraternal  and  other  circles  in  his  community,  and  is 
always  ready  to  help  in  movements  for  the  general  good. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  595 

IVAN  CLEM. 

A  farmer  of  progressive  ideas  is  Ivan  Clem  of  Salem  township,  Cham- 
paign county,  in  which  township  he  was  born,  October  17,  1883.  He  is  a  son 
of  David  and  Romelia  (  Peery)  Clem,  the  father  a  native  of  this  county  and 
the  mother  a  native  of  Virginia.  David  Clem  was  born  in  Johnson  township, 
September  30,  1836.  He  and  his  wife  are  both  of  German  descent.  His 
great-grandfather  emigrated  from  Germany  to  America  the  latter  part  of  the 
seventeenth  century.  He  was  the  father  of  David  Clem,  the  grandfather  of 
David  Clem,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Isaac  Clem  was  the  father 
of  David  Clem,  father  of  Ivan  Clem.  Isaac  Clem  came  to  Champaign  county, 
Ohio,  in  1829,  among  the  earliest  pioneers,  and  located  on  land  in  Johnson 
township  where,  by  hard  work  and  close  application  he  developed  a  farm  from 
the  wilderness.  He  continued  to  reside  here  until  in  1853,  when  he  sold  out 
and  bought  a  place  west  of  St.  Paris  on  which  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life. 
He  married  Rebecca  Crabill,  a  native  of  Virginia. 

David  Clem,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  received  his  education 
in  the  early-day  schools  of  Johnson  township.  After  leaving-  school  he  worked 
out  bv  the  month  for  some  time,  then  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade  in  St. 
Paris,  Ohio,  at  which  he  worked  for  about  six  years,  then  bought  a  farm  in 
Johnson  township,  near  Millerstown,  where  he  lived  about  nine  years,  then 
bought  one  hundred  acres  in  Johnson  and  Adams  townships  which  he  farmed 
for  four  years,  then  sold  out  and  moved  to  Caldwell  county,  Missouri.  He 
later  bought  a  farm  in  Daviess  county,  that  state,  but  after  remaining  there 
only  a  short  time,  sold  out  and  returned  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  buying 
one  hundred  and  thirty-five  acres  in  Urbana  township,  which  he  operated  five 
vears,  then  moved  to  Salem  township  and  bought  three  hundred  acres,  where 
he  farmed  on  an  extensive  scale  until  he  retired  from  active  life,  moving  to 
Urbana  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He  was  very  successful  in  a 
business  way  and  at  one  time  owned  over  one  thousand  acres  of  valuable  land. 
He  started  out  as  a  poor  boy  and  forged  to  the  front  unaided  and  through 
his  own  perseverance  and  good  management.  In  1876  he  married  Romelia 
Peery,  a  daughter  of  George  and  Margaret  (Hensley)  Peery,  and  to  their 
union  six  children  were  born,  namely :  Joseph,  Samuel,  Pearl,  Ivan,  Blanche 
and  Grace,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Ivan  Clem  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  where  he  worked  hard  when  a  boy, 
and  he  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Salem  township,  mostly 
at  the  Lippincott  school.  After  leaving  school  he  took  up  farming  with  his 
father  with  whom  he  remained  until  his  marriage,  then  rented  a  farm  in  Con- 


596  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

cord  township,  but  a  year  later  moved  to  the  farm  where  he  is  now  residing 
and  where  he  is  successfully  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising, 
owning  a  productive  and  well  improved  place  of  two  hundred  acres.  There 
is  no  more  up-to-date  farmer  in  his  township. 

Ivan  Clem  was  married,  June  2,  191 2,  to  Madrid  Bates,  a  daughter  of 
Theodore  and  Clara  Bates,  and  to  their  union  two  children  ha^'e  been  born — 
Beatrice  and  Ruby.    Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat. 


JUDSON  JENKINS. 


Judson  Jenkins,  the  owner  and  proprietor  of  a  garage  at  Thackery,  Ohio, 
is  a  native  of  this  county,  his  birth  having  occurred  on  a  farm  in  Jackson 
township,  January  15,  1879.  He  is  a  son  of  John  and  Martha  (Furrow) 
Jenkins,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  Clark  county,  Ohio,  and  the 
latter  of  Champaign  county. 

John  Jenkins  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Pike  township,  Clark  county,  Ohio, 
his  parents  being  of  old  Virginia  stock,  who  came  as  pioneers  to  Clark  county, 
Ohio,  in  an  early  day.  Martha  Furrow  was  born  in  Jackson  township,  this 
county,  but  moved  with  her  parents  to  Clark  county  as  a  young  girl,  where 
she  met  and  married  John  Jenkins.  After  their  marriage  they  located  on  a 
farm  in  Pike  township,  that  county,  and  lived  there  three  years,  after  which 
they  came  to  Jackson  township,  this  county,  locating  on  a  farm  north  of 
Christiansburg,  where  they  lived  a  number  of  years,  after  which  they  moved 
to  the  city  of  Piqua,  where  they  lived  for  eight  years,  when  they  returned  to 
their  farm  in  Pike  township,  Clark  county,  where  they  now  reside.  They 
were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  five  of  whom  grew  to  maturity :  Alice, 
the  wife  of  Arch  McKinney,  of  Piqua,  Ohio;  Frank,  who  died  in  January, 
1916;  Effie,  the  wife  of  Charles  Berkshire,  of  Piqua,  Ohio;  Oscar,  of  Piqua; 
Judson,  of  this  review,  and  Elva,  the  wife  of  Guy  Shipley,  a  farmer  of  Pike 
township,  Clark  county.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Emanuel  Reformed 
church,  in  which  they  take  an  active  interest.  John  Jenkins  is  a  Democrat  in 
politics,  and  while  interested  in  public  affairs,  yet  takes  no  active  part  in  polit- 
ical matters.    Fraternally,  he  is  identified  with  the  township  grange. 

Judson  Jenkins  was  reared  on  the  farm  in  Jackson  township,  receiving 
his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  home  neighborhood.  He  continued 
to  live  at  home  until  his  marriage,  assisting  his  father  with  the  farm  work. 
Upon  starting  out  in  life  for  himself,  he  decided  to  leave  the  farm,  and  engaged 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  597 

in  the  grocery  business  for  two  years  in  Pike  township,  Clark  county,  Ohio, 
after  which  he  farmed  for  two  years  in  that  county,  when  he  came  to  Thackery, 
this  county,  where  he  was  employed  in  an  implement  store  for  three  years, 
after  which  he  engaged  in  the  implement  business  for  himself  for  three  years, 
when  he  disposed  of  this  business  and  opened  a  garage,  which  he  has  been 
very  successfully  conducting  for  the  past  two  years. 

On  August  20,  1907,  Judson  Jenkins  was  married  to  Julia  Shell,  the 
daughter  of  Frederick  and  Rosie  Miller,  of  this  county,  and  to  this  union  four 
children  have  been  born,  Harold  M.,  Martha  E.,  Thelma  and  Lois  R.,  the  two 
eldest  being  now  in  school.  Mrs.  Jenkins  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church 
in  Thackery,  and  takes  an  active  part  in  church  and  Sunday  school  work.  Mr. 
Jenkins  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  878,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
in  which  organization  he  takes  a  warm  interest,  and  is  past  noble  grand  of 
the  local  lodge.     Like  his  father,  he  is  a  Democrat  in  politics. 


JACOB  S.  HILL. 


One  of  the  leading  farmers  of  Alad  River  township,  this  county,  is  Jacob 
S.  Hill,  the  owner  and  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  located  on  the  La-bana  and 
Northampton  pike,  one-half  mile  southwest  of  Terre  Haute,  Ohio.  He  is  a 
son  of  Jacob  and  Catherine  (Shaffer)  Hill,  and  was  born  on  October  4,  1874. 

Jacob  Hill  was  born  in  Donnelsville,  Clark  county,  Ohio,  in  1831,  the 
son  of  Jacob  and  Xeilie  (Robinson)  Hill,  both  of  whom  were  born  during 
Washington's  administration  as  president  of  the  United  States,  the  latter  born 
in  Bedford  county,  Pennsylvania.  Jacob  Hill,  Sr.,  came  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
from  LuBeck,  West  Virginia,  where  he  was  born  and  reared,  in  1820,  and 
from  there  came  on  to  Clark  county,  Ohio,  and  still  later  to  Champaign  county, 
locating  in  Mad  Ri^'er  township  on  a  farm  located  on  the  Valley  pike,  where 
he  lived  until  1847,  "^vhen  he  moved  to  Allen  county,  where  his  death -occurred. 
This  family  of  Hills  are  descended  from  a  son  of  the  Irish  aristocracy,  who 
was  shipped  to  Massachusetts  from  his  native  land  and  sold  there  for  his  pas- 
sage to  America  during  the  Revolutionary  War.  Catherine  Shaffer,  the 
mother  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Shenandoah  county,  Virginia,  and  came 
as  a  young  girl  with  her  father,  Solomon  Shaffer,  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio, 
in  1832,  locating  in  Mad  River  township,  on  a  farm  near  where  the  village  of 
Terre  Haute  now  stands.  Jacob  Hill  and  Catherine  Shaffer  were  married  in 
1873,  locating  at  once  on  the  farm  where  their  son,  J.  S.,  now  lives,  and  on 


598  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

this  place  Jacob  Hill's  death  occurred  in  191 1.  His  widow  still  survives  him, 
making  her  home  with  her  son,  the  subject  of  this  brief  review,  who  was  the 
only  child  of  his  parents.  Jacob  Hill  was  a  good  man  in  all  senses  of  that 
term,  and  highly  respected  in  his  community,  a  Republican  in  politics,  but  never 
a  partisan,  being  liberal  in  his  view  of  men  and  affairs.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  famous  "Squirrel  Hunters'"  band,  who  did  splendid  service  in  going  after 
the  noted  Morgan  raiders  in  1864. 

Jacob  S.  Hill  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  receiving  his  education  in  the 
district  schools  of  his  home  neighborhood.  After  reaching  manhood,  he  mar- 
ried and  decided  to  make  farming  his  life  work,  settling  at  once  on  the  old 
home  farm,  where  he  has  since  lived.  He  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
stock  raising,  and  ranks  among  the  progressive  and  enterprising  farmers  of 
his  township. 

On  December  28,  1899,  J.  S.  Hill  was  united  in  marriage  to  Ursula 
Kreitzer,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Hannah  Kreitzer,  residents  of  Kansas,  and 
to  this  union  four  children  have  been  born :  Ralph  L.,  a  graduate  of  the 
Terre  Haute  high  school  in  1917;  Mildred  B..  now  a  student  in  the  first  year 
of  high  school ;  Kathryn,  attending  school  at  Terre  Haute,  in  the  sixth  grade, 
and  Wayne  Theodore.  Mrs.  Hill  is  an  earnest  and  consistent  member  of  the 
German  Baptist  Brethren  church,  and  actively  interested  in  church  and  Sunday 
school  work. 

Like  his  father  before  him,  Mr.  Hill  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  but  is 
not  active  in  political  affairs,  although  always  warmly  supporting  all  public 
measures  having  for  their  object  the  betterment  of  his  communitv. 


EDWIN  M.  BAKER. 


Edwin  M.  Baker,  one  of  the  most  progressive  farmers  of  Concord 
township.  Champaign  county,  was  born  in  Madison  county,  Ohio,  October 
16,  1852.  He  is  a  son  of  Peter  and  Martha  Ann  (Johnson)  Baker.  The 
father  was  also  a  native  of  Madison  county,  this  state.  He  was  a  son 
of  Peter  Baker,  Sr.,  who  was  probably  of  German  birth,  as  was  also  his 
wife.  They  both  came  from  Germany  to  Virginia,  and  later  made  the 
overland  journey  to  Madison  county,  Ohio,  in  an  early  day.  Four  Baker 
brothers  immigrated  to  the  United  States  at  the  time  of  the  French  revo- 
lution. In  1856  Peter  Baker,  Jr.,  who  had  grown  to  manhood  and  married 
in   Madison  county,   moved  to   Champaign   county,   locating  on   a    farm    in 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  599 

Concord  township,  buying  the  farm  where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  now 
hves,  and  where  the  old  home  still  stands,  and  here  Peter  Baker,  Jr.,  and 
wife  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  years  in 
Urbana.  He  was  one  of  the  successful  farmers  and  stockmen  of  his  day 
in  this  township.  He  was  a  strong  Republican  and  in  later  years  was  an 
ardent  advocate  of  prohibition.  He  was  very  religious  and  always  practiced 
family  worship.  He  and  his  wife  belonged  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  holding  their  membership  at  Neer's  Chapel,  in  Concord  township. 
Their  family  consisted  of  eight  children,  six  of  whom  grew  to  maturity, 
namely:  Emily  Jane  is  now  deceased;  Anna  P.,  widow  of  Charles  Harbour 
and  lives  in  Quincy,  Ohio;  Wilson  M.  makes  his  home  in  Urbana,  this 
county;  Mary  M.  is  the  wife  of  Harrison  Craig  of  Urbana;  John  is  farming 
in  Concord  township;  and  Edwin  M.,  of  this  sketch. 

Edwin  M.  Baker  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Concord  township, 
and  educated  in  the  district  schools  there  and  the  high  school  at  Urbana, 
then  studied  one  year  in  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  at  Delaware.  He  then 
began  teaching,  which  he  continued  with  much  success  for  a  period  of  seven 
years  in  Urbana,  Adams  and  Concord  townships.  Champaign  county,  being 
regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  instructors  in  the  public  schools  of  this 
county  and  he  gave  eminent  satisfaction  to  both  pupils  and  patrons  every- 
where. He  continued  to  live  at  home  until  his  marriage  on  September  2, 
1874,  to  Lucinda  Pence,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Sarah  Pence.  After  his 
marriage  he  continued  to  teach  for  awhile,  then  went  to  college  at  Dela- 
ware, Ohio,  one  year,  after  which  he  located  on  the  home  farm  in  Concord 
township,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  has  been  very  successful  as  a 
general  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  farming  on  an  extensive  scale  and  employ- 
ing modern  methods.  He  owns  one  hundred  and  fifty-five  acres  in  the 
home  place,  also  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  in  another  farm  in  Concord 
township  and  eighty-eight  acres  in  Harrison  township.  His  land  is  all 
well  improved  and  under  a  fine  state  of  cultivation.  He  has  a  modernly 
appointed  home  and  everything  about  his  place  denotes  good  management 
and  prosperity.  He  raises  large  numbers  of  cattle  and  hogs  annually,  which 
he  fattens  for  the  market,  feeding  most  of  the  grain  he  raises. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baker  five  children  have  been  born,  namely :  Laura 
May,  widow  of  Harry  Howard,  lives  at  home;  Leonard  Watson  and  John 
C.  are  farming  in  partnership  in  Concord  township;  Clarence  C.  and  Paul 
E.  are  living  at  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Baker  is  independent,  but  he  is  an  ardent  advocate  of 


600  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

prohibition,  and  was  one  of  the  first  in  Concord  township  to  cast  his  vote 
for  temperance.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the  Neer's  Chapel,  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  in  fact,  has  long  been  regarded  as  one  of  the  pillars  of 
the  same.     His  family  also  belong  to  this  church. 


JOHN  H.  HAMMON. 

John  H.  Hammon,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  a  well- 
known  and  substantial  farmer  of  Champaign  county,  now  living  retired  at 
his  pleasant  farm  home  in  Salem  township,  is  a  native  son  of  this  county 
and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  pioneer  farm  in  Wayne 
township  on  October  24,  1838,  son  of  John  and  Mary  Ann  (Pickern)  Ham- 
mon, both  of  whom  -were  born  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
where  they  grew  up  and  were  married,  later  becoming  pioneers  of  this 
county,  settling  in  Wayne  township,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of 
their  lives.  John  Hammon  was  a  shoemaker  and  followed  that  vocation 
all  his  life.  He  died  in  1874,  then  being  sixty-nine  years  of  age.  His  wife 
died  in  1869,  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine.  They  were  members  of  the  Baptist 
church  and  their  children  were  reared  in  that  faith.  There  were  nine  of 
these  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  eighth  in  order 
of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow:  Rachel,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife 
of  John  Thackery;  James,  who  went  to  Illinois,  thence  to  California  and 
thence  to  Australia,  where  his  family  lost  trace  of  him;  Martha,  who  mar- 
ried Thomas  Harris  and  lived  in  the  neighboring  counties  of  Clark  and 
Logan;  Elizabeth,  who  married  Jesse  Williams  and  lived  in  this  county  and 
in  the  neighboring  county  of  Union;  Richard,  who  married  Jessie  Audry 
and  lived  at  various  places;  Matilda,  who  married  George  Eastwood,  of 
Clark  county;  Mary,  unmarried,  who  has  always  made  her  home  with  her 
brother,  John,  and  Edward,  who  was  a  soldier  during  the  Civil  War,  a 
member  of  the  First  Ohio  Battery,  and  died  at  Baltimore. 

Reared  in  Wayne  township,  John  H.  Hammon  received  a  limited 
schooling  there,  having  to  walk  a  mile  through  the  woods  to  the  neighbor- 
hood school  house.  He  remained  with  his  parents,  as  did  his  sister,  Mary, 
until  their  death  and  since  then  the  brother  and  sister  have  kept  house 
together.  On  August  11,  1862,  John  H.  Hammon  enlisted  for  service  in 
the  Union  army,  a  member  of  Company  H,  Forty-fifth  Regiment,  Ohio  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  at  Urbana.  and  with  that  command  was  sent  to  Lexington, 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  6oi 

Kentucky,  where  the  winter  was  spent,  the  command  later  joining  the  Fourth 
Army  Corps  at  Danville,  in  that  same  state.  For  the  first  year  of  its  service 
this  command  was  mounted.  Mr.  Hammon  served  all  through  the  Atlanta 
compaign  and  was  in  numerous  battles  and  skirmishes.  For  some  time 
during  his  service  he  was  quite  ill,  but  always  stayed  with  his  company  and 
did  service.  He  received  his  discharge  on  June  12,  1865,  the  war  then 
being  over.  Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  Mr.  Hammon  re- 
turned home  and  took  up  farming  in  Wayne  township,  making  his  home 
there  until  1901,  when  he  bought  his  present  farm  of  one  hundred  two  and 
one-half  acres  in  Salem  township,  the  same  being  known  as  the  J-  H.  Yoder 
place,  where  he  and  his  sister  have  since  lived  and  where  they  are  very 
pleasantly  situated.  Since  1913  Mr.  Hammon  has  been  living  practically 
retired  from  the  labors  of  the  farm,  though  he  continues  to  give  some  super- 
visory attention  to  the  place.  He  is  a  stanch  Republican  and  he  and  his 
sister  are  members  of  the  Kings  Creek  Baptist  church,  in  the  various  benefi- 
cences of  which  thcA'  take  a  warm  interest. 


WILLIAM  D.  BAKER. 


A  prominent  farmer  of  Jackson  township,  this  county  is  William  D. 
Baker,  living  on  his  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  acres  in 
section  3,  on  rural  route  No.  3,  out  of  St.  Paris.  Mr.  Baker  was  born 
in  this  township,  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  his  brother,  H.  O.  Baker,  on 
January  6,  1863,  the  son  of  Obadiah  and  Elizabeth  (Bowers)  Baker,  both 
of  whom  were  natives  also  of  the  Buckeye  state. 

Obadiah  Baker  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Ohio,  on  a  farm,  in  1833, 
the  son  of  John  and  Barbara  (Friemood)  Baker.  John  Baker  was  a  native 
of  Virginia,  coming  with  his  parents  to  Clark  county,  Ohio,  when  he  was 
a  lad  of  eighteen  years.  The  family  located  on  a  farm  in  German  township, 
that  county,  and  here  the  elder  Bakers  lived  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 
Barbara  Friemood  was  also  a  native  of  Virginia,  coming  with  her  parents 
when  but  a  small  child  to  Clark  county,  Ohio.  Obadiah  Baker  grew  to 
manhood  on  his  father's  farm  in  Clark  county,  and  came  as  a  young  man 
to  Jackson  township,  this  county,  where  he  met  and  married  Elizabeth 
Bower,  who  was  born  and  reared  in  Jackson  township,  her  parents  living 
on  the  farm  now  owned  by  John  Hook.  Her  parents  were  natives  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  were  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  this  section.     After  his  mar- 


602  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

riage,  Obadiah  Baker  and  his  wife  settled  on  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  which 
he  received  from  his  father,  and  here  they  Hved  the  remainder  of  their 
hves,  his  death  occurring  in  1885,  when  he  was  a  comparatively  young 
man,  his  widow  surviving  him  a  number  of  years,  passing  away  in  1906. 
They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  six  of  whom  are  now  living: 
Jasper,  who  died  in  infancy;  William  D.,  the  immediate  subject  of  this 
review;  Alma,  the  wife  of  J.  C.  Richeson,  a  business  man  of  Addison,  Ohio; 
Jacob,  a  resident  of  Mad  River  township;  Sarah,  the  wife  of  Charles  Pence, 
of  Miami  county,  Ohio;  Irving,  of  Christiansburg,  this  county,  and  Harry 
O.,  a  farmer  of  Jackson  township.  The  family  were  members  of  the  Luth- 
eran church,  and  Obadiah  Baker  was  prominent  and  influential  in  church 
affairs  in  his  community.     He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics. 

William  D.  Baker  was  reared  to  the  life  of  a  farmer  on  the  old  home 
place,  receiving  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  township,  al- 
though his  opportunities  for  schooling  were  limited,  owing  to  his  father's 
early  death,  and  William,  being  the  eldest  child  living,  very  early  in  life 
assumed  the  responsibilities  incident  to  the  management  of  the  farm  work. 
He  started  out  in  life  for  himself  after  his  marriage  by  locating  on  a  small 
farm  close  to  the  homestead  place,  where  he  lived  for  two  years.  He  then 
moved  to  Rosewood,  in  Adams  township,  locating  on  a  farm  of  two  hun- 
dred and  forty  acres,  where  he  remained  until  1897,  when  he  purchased 
seventy-nine  acres  of  land  where  he  is  now  living,  and  moved  to  this  place, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  Mr.  Baker  is  a  successful  and  up-to-date  farmer, 
and  besides  raising  all  the  crops  common  to  this  section  of  the  state,  he. 
is  also  engaged  in  buying  and  feeding  cattle  for  the  markets,  and  also  raises 
full  blooded  hogs,  making  a  specialty  of  the  Spotted  Poland  China  variety. 
He  has  gradually  added  to  his  holdings  until  he  is  now  the  owner  of  one 
hundred  and  seventy-five  acres  of  fine  farming  land,  all  of  which  has  been 
made  by  the  untiring  efforts  of  himself  and  wife,  who  has  been  a  true 
helpmate  to  him  in  every  sense  of  the  term. 

On  August  24,  1889,  William  D.  Baker  was  married  to  Rosetta  Bal- 
lentine,  the  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  (Clark)  Ballentine,  who  were 
residents  of  Clark  county,  Ohio.  To  this  union  nine  children  have  been 
born:  Cora  May,  the  wife  of  Delbert  C.  Davidson,  of  Clark  county;  Clement 
C,  a  farmer  of  Jackson  township,  this  county;  Charles  A.,  of  Springfield, 
Ohio;  Mary  E.,  wife  of  Walter  C.  Wiant,  a  farmer  of  this  township; 
Delbert  C,  at  home;  Eva  I.,  A.  J.,  Pauline  M.  and  Maynard  C,  the  last 
four  named  being  students  in  the  district  schools  of  the  township.  The 
family  are   all   earnest  and   devoted   members   of   the    Methodist   Episcopal 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  603 

church  at  Grafton,  and  take  an  active  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  local 
congregation,  Mr.  Baker  now  serving  as  president  of  the  board  of  trustees. 
Mrs.  Baker's  parents  lived  on  a  farm  in  German  township,  Clark  county, 
Ohio,  where  her  father  was  born  and  reared,  while  her  mother  was  a  native 
of  Randolph  county,  Indiana.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  all 
of  whom  are  living:  John  W.,  of  Springfield,  Ohio;  Emma,  the  wife  of 
Moses  Overholser,  of  Clark  county;  Rosetta,  the  wife  of  Mr.  Baker; 
Marietta,  the  wife  of  D.  C.  Snyder,  of  Springfield ;  C.  S.,  a  farmer  of  ]\Iad 
River  township,  this  county;  T.  H.,  living  in  Clark  county;  Clifford,  of 
Springfield;  Albertus,  of  Clark  county,  and  Alpha,  a  resident  of  Clark 
county. 

Mr.  Baker  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  is  actively  interested  in  the 
civic  welfare  of  his  community,  having  serA^ed  his  township  as  supervisor 
for  a  number  of  years.  He  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  344,  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  at  St.  Paris,  and  interested  in  the  work  of  this 
fraternal  organization. 


GEORGE  W.  PENCE. 


George  \\^  Pence,  a  well-known  and  substantial  farmer  of  Concord 
township,  living  on  his  son's  farm  of  eighty  acres  located  four  miles  east 
of  Millerstown,  on  rural  route  No.  9,  out  of  Urbana.  is  a  life-long  resident 
of  this  county,  his  birth  having  occurred  on  a  farm  in  Concord  township, 
known  as  the  Joe  Pence  farm,  on  August  16,  1844.  He  is  a  son  of  G.  W. 
and  i\Iary  (Barger)  Pence,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Virginia. 

G.  W.  Pence  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley  in  Vir- 
ginia, and  came  as  a  lad  with  his  parents  to  Ohio,  the  family  being  among 
the  earlv  pioneers  of  this  county.  Mary  Barger  was  also  a  native  of  the 
Shenandoah  valley,  Virginia,  who  came  with  her  parents  in  an  early  day 
to  Ohio.  The  Pence  family  and  the  Barger  family  settled  on  adjoining 
farms  in  Concord  township,  and  the  children  were  all  brought  up  together. 
Each  of  these  families  consisted  of  a  large  number  of  children,  who  all 
grew  to  manhood  and  womanhood,  being  among  the  sturdy  pioneers  of 
this  part  of  the  county.  After  the  marriage  of  G.  W.  Pence  and  Mary 
Barger.  they  settled  first  on  the  old  Pence  homestead  with  the  former's 
father,  whose  wife  had  previously  died,  and  where  they  lived  for  some 
time,   looking  after  the  management  of  the  home   farm.      In    1854.   G.   W. 


604  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

and  his  family  went  to  Allen  county,  Indiana,  where  they  located  on  a 
farm  near  Monroeville.  This  farm  consisted  of  eighty  acres  of  raw,  unim- 
proved land  in  the  wilderness.  Here  they  erected  a  log  cabin  in  true  pioneer 
style,  with  neither  door  nor  windows,  and  proceeded  to  clear  and  improve 
their  farm  and  make  a  home.  After  having  cleared  and  improved  a  goodly 
part  of  this  farm,  the  family  returned  to  Ohio,  where  they  rented  land 
in  Concord  township,  locating  first  on  what  was  known  as  the  George  Zim- 
merman place.  After  leaving  this  farm  they  moved  to  the  old  James  Russell 
place  in  this  same  township,  where  they  lived  two  years,  after  which  they 
moved  to  the  Jesse  Kite  place  east  of  Millerstown.  and  here  G.  W.  Pence 
and  his  wife  lived  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  They  were  the  parents 
of  eight  children,  all  of  whom  are  now  living:  Kate,  widow  of  Russell 
Cornet;  John,  living  in  the  West;  George  W.,  the  immediate  subject  of 
this  sketch;  James  A.,  a  farmer  of  Concord  township:  Jennie,  widow  of 
James  Heath,  now  living  in  the  West;  Andrew  Jackson,  a  farmer  of  John- 
son township,  this  county;  Emma,  the  wife  of  Peter  Wilson,  a  farmer  of 
Adams  township,  and  Joseph,  a  farmer  of  Concord  township. 

George  W.  Pence,  Jr.,  was  reared  to  the  life  of  a  farmer,  receiving  his 
education  in  the  district  schools.  He  lived  at  home  with  his  parents  until 
his  marriage,  when  he  engaged  in  farming  for  himself,  locating  on  a  part 
of  the  old  Miller  farm  in  Mad  River  township,  where  he  lived  four  years, 
after  which  he  moved  to  a  farm  in  Concord  township.  In  1881  he  pur- 
chased a  piece  of  land  in  Concord  township,  where  he  lived  for  two  years, 
after  which  he  bought  a  farm  in  Mad  River  township,  where  he  lived  for 
the  next  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  bought  the  farm  where 
he  now  lives,  and  has  lived  here  since.  This  farm  consists  of  eighty  acres 
of  fine  land,  well  improved  and  cultivated.  Mr.  Pence  has  always  been 
engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  and  has  met  with  a  very 
commendable  degree  of  success.  At  the  present  time  he  is  not  operating 
his  farm  actively  himself,  being  content  to  live  in  comfortable  and  pleasant 
retirement  enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  many  years  of  active  farm  Hfe. 

On  August  19,  1875,  George  W.  Pence  was  married  to  Elizabeth 
Miller,  the  daughter  of  Jacob  Miller.  She  was  born  and  reared  in  Mad 
River  township,  this  county.  To  this  union  three  children  have  been  born : 
Claude,  a  farmer  of  Mad  River  township;  George  G.,  living  at  home, 
who  is  an  employee  of  the  United  States  railway  mail  service,  and  Emma 
A.,  the  wife  of  Augustus  Jenkins,  a  farmer  of  Concord  township.  Mr. 
Pence  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  takes  a  good  citizen's  interest  in  the 
civic  affairs  of  his  communitv. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  605 

\MLIJAM  A.  GRANDSTAFF. 

One  of  the  influential  citizens  of  Salem  township  is  William  A.  Grand- 
staff,  a  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  who  has  lived  in  Champaign  county  for  nearly 
a  quarter  of  a  century.  He  was  born,  July  15,  1869,  in  Shenandoah  county, 
V^irginia.  He  is  a  son  of  Joseph  B.  and  Isabella  (Larkins)  Grandstaff,  both 
also  natives  of  the  county  and  state  in  which  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
born,  and  there  they  grew  to  maturity,  were  married  and  established  their 
home,  in  fact,  spent  all  their  lives  in  their  native  county.  The  father  was  a 
millwright  by  trade  in  his  early  life,  and  later  also  followed  the  trade  of  wagon 
maker.  His  death  occurred  on  February  7,  1897,  at  the  age  of  seventy-three 
years.  His  wife  died  in  April,  19 10,  reaching  seventy-three  years  of  age. 
She  belonged  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  To  these  parents  nine  chil- 
dren were  born,  namely :  John  B.  is  a  carpenter  and  lives  in  Shenandoah 
county,  Virginia ;  Elizabeth  Henrietta  is  deceased ;  Fannie  E.  is  deceased ;  the 
fourth  child  died  in  infancy;  Victoria  V.  lives  in  Cumberland,  Maryland; 
William  A.,  of  this  sketch;  James  Richard  lives  in  Shenandoah  county,  Vir- 
ginia; the  next  child  died  in  infancy;  and  Howard  L.  is  engaged  in  farming  in 
Shenandoah  county. 

W^illiam  A.  Grandstaff'  received  his  education  in"  the  common  schools, 
lived  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  old,  assisting  with  the  work  on 
the  farm.  On  March  11,  1895,  he  came  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  and  for 
two  years  worked  at  farming  at  Westville,  then  east  of  Urbana  for  six  years, 
then  north  of  that  town,  in  Salem  township. 

On  February  19,  1903,  Mr.  Grandstaff  was  married  to  Jennie  L.  Lay- 
cock,  who  was  born  in  Urbana  township.  Champaign  county,  where  she  was 
reared  and  attended  school.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Charles  F.  and  Catherine 
(Fulton)  Laycock.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Loudoun  county,  A^irginia, 
from  which  he  came  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  when  a  young  man,  locating 
in  Cnion  township,  later  moving  to  Urbana  township  where  he  married,  his 
wife  being  a  native  of  Champaign  county.  Mr.  Laycock  devoted  his  earlier 
life  to  blacksmithing,  later  was  a  farmer.  Llis  first  wife  died  on  January  17, 
1905,  at  the  age  of  fifty-four  years,  and  he  married  for  his  second  wife,  Mollie 
Tillit,  a  native  of  Loudoun  county,  Virginia,  where  she  and  Mr.  Laycock  now 
make  their  home.  Three  children  were  born  to  his  first  marriage,  namely : 
Jennie  L.,  wife  of  Mr.  Grandstaff'  of  this  sketch;  Annie  is  the  wife  of  Edward 
Stallsmith  and  they  live  in  Urbana  township,  Champaign  county ;  Nellie  is 
the  wife  of  Wilmer  Fling  and  they  live  near  Custer,  Illinois. 

In   19 14  Mr.   Grandstaff'  bought  his  present  farm  in   Salem  township. 


6o6  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

known  as  the  Gorden  farm.  It  contains  two  hundred  and  thirty-six  acres,  of 
which  one  hundred  and  eighty-six  acres  are  in  fine  tilth  and  all  is  well  im- 
proved. The  farm  is  well  located  two  and  one-half  miles  northeast  of  Urbana. 
He  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  his  township.  He  is  a  good 
business  manager  and  has  been  successful. 

Politically,  he  is  a  Republican  and  of  recent  years  has  been  active  in  local 
party  affairs.  He  has  filled  the  office  of  trustee  of  Salem  township  the  past 
four  years  in  a  very  creditable  and  satisfactory  manner.  He  belongs  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Kings  Creek. 


JAMES  FITZGIVENS. 


A  prominent  farmer  and  stockman  of  Concord  township,  who  has 
been  a  long-time  resident  of  Champaign  county  is  James  Fitzgivens,  living 
on  his  fine  farm  of  two  hvmdred  and  eighty-seven  acres  located  on  the 
Muddy  Creek  Pike  four  miles  northwest  of  Urbana.  He  was  born  at 
Mechanicsburg,  Ohio,  November  22,  1867,  the  son  of  John  and  Mary 
(Russell)   Fitzgivens.  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Ireland. 

Both  John  Fitzgivens  and  his  wife  came  from  Ireland  to  the  United 
States  as  children  with  their  respective  parents,  the  families  locating  in 
New  York  state,  and  here  they  both  grew  up  and  were  married.  A  few 
years  after  their  marriage  they  came  to  Mechanicsburg,  Ohio,  where  they 
lived  for  some  years,  after  which  they  moved  to  Clark  county,  this  state, 
where  they  lived  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  They  were  the  parents  of 
thirteen  children,  of  whom  only  six  are  now  living:  Michael,  AX'illiam, 
Margaret,  James,  Edward  and  Charles. 

James  Fitzgivens  lived  at  home  with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty- 
one  years  of  age,  after  which  he  made  his  home  with  his  ])rother,  John, 
now  deceased,  who  lived  in  Madison  county,  Ohio,  until  he  married  and 
started  out  in  life  for  himself.  He  first  rented  land  in  Clark  county  after 
his  marriage,  where  he  lived  for  a  few  years,  after  which  he  purchased 
a  farm  near  Mechanicsburg,  this  county,  where  he  lived  until  1908,  when 
he  moved  to  Urbana,  where  he  lived  until  1912.  at  which  time  he  purchased 
the  farm  where  he  is  now  living,  and  has  since  made  this  place  his  home. 
He  is  a  very  successful  farmer  and  stockman,  specializing  in  blooded  stock, 
such  as  Percheron  horses,  and  a  good  grade  of  cattle  and  hogs. 

In  January,   1890,  James  Fitzgivens  was  married  to  Nettie  Jones,  who 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  607 

was  born  and  reared  in  Clark  county,  Ohio,  the  daughter  of  Josiah  and 
Mary  (Dow)  Jones.  To  this  union  have  been  born  three  children,  two  of 
whom  are  hving :  Donald,  Hving  at  home,  and  Lawrence,  now  in  his  third 
year  in  high  school.  The  family  are  prominent  and  popular  in  the  social 
and  religious  circles  of  their  community,  Mrs.  Fitzgivens  being  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Concord  township. 

Mr.  Fitzgivens  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  takes  an  active  interest 
in  the  civic  affairs  of  his  county.  In  1914  he  served  as  a  member  of  the 
county  board  of  equalization.  Fraternally,  he  is  a  member  of  Homer 
Lodge  No.  394,  Knights  of  Pythias,  at  Mechanicsburg,  and  also  of  Wildy 
Lodge,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  at  Mechanicsburg,  and  is  a 
past  noble  grand  of  the  latter  lodge.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Champaign 
county  fair  board.  Mr.  Fitzgivens  lives  on  the  farm  known  as  C.  O. 
Tavlor  farm. 


WILLIAM  HART. 


One  of  the  substantial  and  progressive  farmers  of  Champaign  county 
is  William  Hart,  living  on  his  well-tilled  farm  of  eighty-eight  acres  in  Jack- 
son township  three  miles  south  of  St.  Paris.  He  was  born  on  September 
20,  185 1,  in  Audrain  county,  Missouri,  the  son  of  Gottleib  and  Annie 
(Luckenbill)  Hart,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Switzerland. 

Gottleib  Hart  and  his  wife  were  both  born  in  Switzerland  and  came 
as  children  with  their  respective  parents  to  America  in  an  early  day,  locating 
first  in  Holmes  county,  Ohio,  where  they  grew  to  maturity  and  were  mar- 
ried. Shortly  after  their  marriage  they  went  west  to  Missouri,  where  Gott- 
lieb Hart  followed  his  trade  as  a  cabinet  and  coffin  maker  for  a  few  years 
when  his  death  occurred,  and  his  widow  returned  with  her  family  to  Holmes 
county,  Ohio,  where  she  married  again  and  afterwards  went  to  live  in  Stark 
county,  Ohio,  where  she  lived  the  remainder  of  her  life.  By  her  first  mar- 
riage to  Gottleib  Hart  there  were  two  children  born,  William  and  Gottlieb, 
the  latter  of  whom  died  while  young.  To  her  second  marriage  were  born 
seven  children,  two  of  whom  are  living:  George  Hoffman,  of  Holmes 
county,  Ohio,  and  Mrs.  Henrietta  Strubill,  living  in  Michigan. 

x\fter  his  mother's  return  from  Missouri,  William  Hart  lived  with 
his  grandfather  in  Holmes  county,  Ohio,  receiving  his  education  in  German 
in  the  district  schools  of  that  county.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  started 
out  in  life   for  himself  by  learning  the  carpenter  trade,   in  which  vocation 


6o8  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

he  was  engaged  for  a  number  of  years.  In  1890  he  decided  to  take  up 
farming,  and  moved  with  his  family  from  Holmes  county  to  Champaign 
county,  locating  at  Mt.  Tabor,  and  has  lived  in  this  county  continuously 
since  that  time  with  the  exception  of  two  years,  which  he  spent  in  Paulding 
county,  Ohio,  on  his  farm  there.  In  19 10  he  purchased  his  present  farm 
which  he  has  improved  in  many  ways  until  he  now  has  a  very  attractive 
piece  of  farm  property.  Here  he  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  the 
breeding  and  raising  of  live  stock  for  the  markets. 

On  December  25,  1875,  William  Hart  was  married  to  Catherine  Kendle, 
daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Troyer)  Kendle,  who  is  a  native  of  Holmes 
county,  Ohio,  her  parents  having  come  from  Pennsylvania.  To  this  union 
have  been  born  seven  children,  four  of  whom  are  now  living :  Savilla,  widow 
of  Fred  Wade,  of  Urbana,  Ohio;  John,  a  resident  of  this  county;  Charles, 
living  in  Clark  county,  this  state;  Ella,  the  wife  of  Jacob  Stayrook,  a  farmer 
of  Mad  River  township,  this  county;  William  B.,  Edward  N.  and  Mrs. 
Bertie  D.  Brennon,  the  last  three  named  being  deceased.  Both  Mr.  Hart  and 
his  wife  were  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  German  Reformed  church,  and 
take  an  active  interest  in  church  work.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and 
a  firm  believer  in  the  principles  of  that  party,  although  not  an  office  seeker. 


CALEB  JONES,  M.  D. 


Dr.  Caleb  Jones,  one  of  the  oldest  and  best-known  practicing  physi- 
cians and  surgeons  in  Champaign  county,  proprietor  of  the  St.  Paris  Insti- 
tute, for  the  treatment  of  inebriety  and  drug  addiction;  head  of  the  firm 
of  C.  Jones  &  Son,  druggists,  at  St.  Paris,  president  of  the  Farmers  and 
Merchants  Telephone  Company  of  that  city  and  in  other  ways  actively  iden- 
tified with  the  general  business  life  of  the  city,  is  a  native  of  Ohio  and  has 
lived  in  this  state  all  his  life.  He  was  born  at  Piqua  on  June  2,  185 1,  son 
of  William  A.  and  Delilah  (Coates)  Jones,  the  former  of  whom  also  was 
born  in  that  city,  of  Welsh  descent.  William  A.  Jones  was  a  blacksmith 
and  founder  and  he  made  the  spikes  which  entered  into  the  construction  of 
the  locks  of  the  old  Erie  canal.  In  his  later  days  he  moved  to  Shelby  county, 
this  state,  and  there  spent  his  last  days.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents 
of  three  children,  of  whom  two  are  still  living,  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
having  a  brother,  the  Rev.  Joshua  Jones,  of  Jackson  Center,  in  Shelby 
county. 

Reared  near  Jackson  Center,  Doctor  Jones  attended  three  three-months 


CALEB  JONES,   M.   D. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  609 

schools.  He  was  a  close  reader  and  an  earnest  private  student  and,  follow- 
ing his  graduation  from  the  Chautauqua  Institute,  he  began  the  study  of 
medicine  in  the  office  of  Doctor  Goodlove  at  Montera,  Shelby  county,  and 
under  that  able  preceptorship  was  prepared  for  college.  He  then  entered 
the  Cincinnati  College  of  Medicine  and  Surgery  and  was  graduated  from 
that  institution  in  1876.  Thus  admirably  equipped  for  the  practice  of  his 
profession,  Doctor  Jones  first  located  at  Harper,  Logan  county,  where  he 
practiced  three  years  and  in  1877  he  opened  an  office  in  St.  Paris,  where  he 
ever  since  has  been  located,  having  thus  been  continually  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession  in  this  county  for  more  than  forty  years.  Not 
long  after  locating  at  St.  Paris  Doctor  Jones  engaged  in  the  drug  business 
there  in  a  partnership  concern,  but  presently  sold  his  interest  in  the  same 
and  started  a  drug  store  of  his  own  which  he  ever  since  has  conducted,  the 
business  now  being  conducted  under  the  firm  name  of  C.  Jones  &  Son,  the 
Doctor's  son,  C.  V^.  Jones,  being  a  partner  in  the  concern.  In  1899  Doctor 
Jones  established  at  his  home  in  St.  Paris  an  institute  for  the  treatment  of 
inebriety  and  drug  addiction,  he  having,  after  careful  study,  hit  upon  a 
formula  for  the  treatment  of  these  distressing  scourges  of  mankind.  From 
the  very  start  he  was  successful  in  the  operation  of  the  same,  more  than  two 
thousand  persons  having  been  treated  in  that  institution,  the  Doctor  giving 
that  feature  of  his  practice  special  attention.  Doctor  Jones  is  the  author  of 
two  valuable  treatises  bearing  upon  the  subject  to  which  for  years  he  has 
given  such  careful  thought,  one  on  the  theme  "Opisthophorus,"  the  name 
of  a  disease  caused  by  the  use  of  alcohol,  and  the  other,  "Modern  Ideas  on 
Drunkenness,"  both  of  which  have  attracted  much  attention  among  students 
of  that  phase  of  social  and  economic  discussion.  The  Doctor  is  a  Repub- 
lican and  has  ever  given  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  political  affairs. 
He  is  a  Mason,  past  master  of  the  Masonic  lodge  at  St.  Paris;  an  Odd 
Fellow,  past  noble  grand  of  the  local  lodge  of  that  order,  and  a  member  of 
the  local  lodge  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  past  chancellor  commander  of  the 
same,  and  in  the  afl^airs  of  all  these  organizations  takes  a  warm  interest.  For 
some  years  the  Doctor  was  a  member  of  the  pension  examining  board  for 
this  district.  He  is  president  of  the  Farmers  and  Merchants  Telephone 
Company  of  St.  Paris  and  has  done  much  to  extend  the  telephone  service 
throughout  this  part  of  the  state. 

Doctor  Jones  has  been  twice  married.     His  first  wife,   Sarah  Morris, 
died  in  the  fall  of  1879,  leaving  three  children,  namely;     Mayme,  who  was 
graduated   from  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  at   Delaware   and   married 
(39a) 


6lO  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

the  Rev.  W.  L.  Y.  Davis,  now  living  at  Los  Angeles,  California;  Dr.  X.  A. 
Jones,  of  Detroit,  Michigan,  and  Charles  F.  Jones,  a  gold  miner  in  Alaska. 
Doctor  Jones  married,  for  his  second  wife,  Julia  A.  Goodwin,  of  Belle- 
fontaine,  this  state,  and  to  this  union  six  children  have  been  born,  as  follow : 
C.  V.  Jones,  of  the  firm  of  C.  Jones  &  Son,  druggists,  at  St.  Paris;  O.  G. 
Jones,  Ph.  D.,  formerly  and  for  four  years  superintendent  of  schools  in 
the  Philippine  Islands  and  now  professor  of  political  science  and  sociology 
in  Morningside  College  at  Sioux  City,  Iowa ;  C.  G.  Jones,  an  inspector  in 
the  Ford  factory  at  Detroit;  the  Rev.  Tracy  K.  Jones,  a  graduate  of  theology 
at  Boston  and  now  the  religious  secretary  for  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association;  Annetta,  now  at  home,  who  has  been  a  student  of  Ohio  Wes- 
leyan  University  and  who  has  traveled  across  the  continent,  and  Lowell  K., 
who  is  now  a  student  at  Ohio  Wesleyan  University,  enlisted  in  the  Ohio 
Wesleyan  Hospital  Corps,  and  will  go  to  France,  if  any  of  the  Ohio  militia 
goes.  Doctor  Jones  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  and  the  Doctor  for  years  has  been  a  member  of  the  official 
board  of  the  same. 


ELZA  R.  BEATY. 


Elza  R.  Beaty,  a  well-known  and  substantial  farmer  of  Jackson  town- 
ship, this  county,  the  owner  and  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  four  miles  south- 
west of  St.  Paris,  on  rural  route  No.  2,  was  born  on  this  farm  on  January 
25,  1870,  the  son  of  Elias  and  Elizabeth  (Robbins)  Beaty,  both  of  whom 
were  natives  of  Ohio. 

Elias  Beaty  was  born  in  Jackson  township,  this  county.  May  13,  1820, 
and  died  August  19,  1896.  He  was  a  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Baker) 
Beaty,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Virginia,  but  who  came  as  children 
with  their  respective  parents  to  Ohio,  where  they  were  afterward  married. 
John  Beaty's  father  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  as  was  his  mother,  and  it  is 
thought  that  they  came  in  an  early  day  to  Virginia  from  their  native 'land. 
Both  the  Beaty  and  the  Baker  families  were  pioneer  settlers  of  Jackson 
township.  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  coming  into  the  county  while  it  was 
still  almost  a  wilderness.  Indians  still  roamed  the  woods,  and  it  is  related 
that  John  Beaty  as  a  boy,  became  lost  in  the  woods  at  one  time,  and  was 
found  by  a  friendly  Indian,  who  took  the  lad  to  his  lodge  and  kept  him  over 
night,  returning  him  to  his  anxious  parents  the  next  day.  Elizabeth  Robbins, 
the   mother   of   Elza   R.    Beaty,   was   a   daughter   of   Benoni   and    Susanna 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  6X1 

(Thomas)  Robbins,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Hamilton  county, 
Ohio,  but  who  came  to  Miami  county,  Ohio,  as  a  young  man,  where  he 
met  and  married  Susanna  Thomas,  who  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  but 
who  came  to  Miami  county,  Ohio,  with  her  parents  when  a  small  girl. 
Benoni  Robbins  and  wife  were  also  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  this  region, 
bringing  up  their  family  in  true  pioneer  style,  and  suffering  all  the  priva- 
tions and  hardships  of  pioneer  times.  The  women  of  the  family  did  all 
of  the  spinning  and  w^eaving  for  the  family  clothing  and  bedding,  and 
indeed  all  their  wants  being  supplied  in  the  most  primitive  fashion.  Elias 
Beaty  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  Rebecca  Fuson,  the  daughter 
of  Rev.  William  Fuson,  one  of  the  early  pioneer  Baptist  ministers  who 
was  a  circuit  rider  of  the  early  days  in  these  parts.  After  his  marriage 
Elias  Beaty  and  his  wife  settled  on  their  farm  of  one  hundred  acres,  which 
at  that  time,  was  wholly  unimproved  and  uncleared  land.  They  had  to 
chop  a  clearing  in  order  to  find  a  spot  on  which  to  erect  their  first  log 
cabin,  which  they  built  in  1834,  and  here  they  lived  together  for  seventeen 
years.  To  this  union  four  children  were  born,  two  of  whom  are  now  living, 
George  W.,  of  Lima,  Ohio,  and  Elcena,  the  wife  of  A.  W.  Downey,  of 
Rosewood,  Ohio.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  in  1851,  and  after- 
wards Elias  Beaty  married  Elizabeth  Robbins,  and  to  this  union  one  son 
was  born,  Elza  R.,  the  subject  of  this  review.  Elias  Beaty  was  a  Democrat 
in  politics,  but  never  active  in  political  matters.  He  was  a  faithful  and 
earnest  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  actively  interested  in  church 
work. 

Elza  R.  Beaty  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm,  receiving  his  educa- 
tion in  the  district  schools  of  his  home  neighborhood.  He  was  reared  to 
the  life  of  a  farmer,  besides  which  he  had  much  experience  in  sawmill  and 
lumber  w^ork,  his  father  having  operated  an  old-time  sawmill  in  addition  to 
his  farming  interests.  This  mill  was  an  oldtime  water  power  mill,  operating 
on  the  old  up  and  down  system,  taking  shifts  of  three  boys  at  night  and 
three  in  daytime,  at  times  when  the  water  power  was  used  and  when  the 
water  was  plentiful.  Mr.  Beaty  now  has  a  modern  and  up-to-date  sawmill 
outfit,  which  he  operates  in  connection  with  his  farm.  He  owns  one  hun- 
dred and  forty-five  acres  of  land,  one  hundred  where  he  lives,  and  forty- 
five  on  Dog  Leg  pike,  all  located  in  Jackson  township,  and  is  very  success- 
ful in  his  business  transactions,  being  a  thoroughly  modern  up-to-date 
farmer. 

On  October  13,  1896,  Elza  R.  Beaty  was  married  to  Emma  Jones, 
the  daughter  of  Harvey  and  Martha   (Rosser)   Jones,  both  of  whom  were 


6l2  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

natives  of  Parkersburg,  West  Virginia,  where  they  grew  up  and  were  mar- 
ried. After  their  marriage  they  came  directly  to  Greene  county,  Ohio,  locat- 
ing near  Cedarville,  and  there  they  lived  for  a  period  of  tifty  years,  and 
Mrs.  Beaty  was  born  at  that  place.  In  1893,  the  family  came  to  Champaign 
county,  locating  in  Jackson  township,  where  the  parents  both  died.  Harvey 
Jones  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  seven  of  whom  are 
now  living:  John,  of  West  CarroUton,  Ohio;  William,  of  Sidney,  Ohio; 
Alex,  of  CarroUton,  Ohio;  James,  living  near  Troy,  Ohio;  Harvey,  living  in 
Clinton  county,  Ohio;  Jennie,  who  makes  her  home  with  her  sister,  Mrs. 
Beaty;  Emma,  wife  of  Mr.  Beaty.  Those  deceased  are  David,  Benjamin, 
Sarah  Jane  and  Caroline  M.  Mrs.  Beaty  is  a  devoted  and  earnest  member 
of  the  Mt.  Zion  Baptist  church,  and  takes  an  active  interest  in  the  affairs 
of  the  church.  Mr.  Beaty  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  served  his  town- 
ship seven  years  on  the  school  board. 


ELMER  SMITH. 


Elmer  Smith  is  a  general  merchant  doing  business  in  the  village  of 
Thackery,  Jackson  township,  Champaign  county,  Ohio.  He  was  born  in 
this  township,  west  of  where  the  substation  now  stands,  July  22,  1865. 
He  is  a  son  of  R.  W.  and  Ann  Jane  (Thackery)    Smith. 

R.  W.  Smith,  father  of  our  subject  was  born  in  England,  and  lived 
in  that  country  until  he  was  ten  years  of  age  when  he  came  with  his  parents 
to  the  United  States,  locating  in  Springfield,  Ohio.  The  family  remained 
here  for  a  few  years  and  then  came  to  Jackson  township.  Champaign  county. 
Here  R.  W.  married  to  Ann  Jane  Thackery,  daughter  of  Dunac  Thackery, 
whose  family  history  is  mentioned  in  the  sketch  of  Mrs.  Sarah  Neese,  in 
another  place  in  this  work.  To  R.  W.  and  Ann  Jane  Smith  five  children 
were  born,  two  sons  and  three  daughters :  Florence,  died  young ;  Elmer,  our 
subject ;  Osber,  living  in  Mad  River  township :  Clara,  married  Ed  Kelly, 
of  Jackson  township;  Blanche,  wife  of  Charles  Baker,  Clark  county,  Ohio. 
Mrs.  Smith  died  on  the  home  farm  in  Jackson  township;  after  her  death 
Mr.  Smith  removed  to  Clark  county  where  he  died.  They  were  members 
of  the  Newsome  Chapel,  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  were  interested 
in  all  the  church  activities.  For  many  years  Mr.  Smith  was  one  of  the 
trustees  of  the  church  and  one  of  the  leading  and  influential  members. 

Elmer  Smith,  our  subject,   was  reared  on  the  home   farm  in  Jackson 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  613 

township  and  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools.  He  continued 
to  hve  at  home  and  assist  in  the  work  on  the  farm  until  January  7,  1892. 
On  this  date  he  was  married  to  Lennie  Welchbans,  daughter  of  Daniel 
and  Amanda  Welchbans.  She  was  born  in  Clark  county,  where  she  was 
reared  and  educated.  After  marriage  they  lived  at  the  home  of  Mr.  Smith's 
father  for  one  year;  then  went  to  Dalton,  where  he  had  charge  of  a  general 
merchandise  store  for  five  years.  In  1900  he  came  to  Thackery  and  bought 
a  business  here  and  has  been  in  business  here  since  that  time. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  are  the  parents  of  two  children;  Naomi  A.,  at 
home,  graduate  of  schools  at  Thackery  and  Springfield,  Ohio;  Lea  E.,  at 
home,  also  a  graduate  of  schools  at  Thackery  and  Springfield,  Ohio.  The 
family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  at  Thackery.  Mr.  Smith  is 
a  member  of  the  United  Commercial  Travelers,  at  Springfield,  Ohio.  He 
is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  Jackson 
township  for  eight  years.  He  is  principal  owner  of  the  Thackery  Creamery 
Company,  and  is  president  and  general  manager  of  that  industry.  He  is 
the  owner  of  real  estate  here  and  also  has  property  in  Springfield,  Ohio. 


WESLEY  JOHNSON. 


A  well-to-do  farmer  of  Champaign  county  is  Wesley  Johnson,  who 
is  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  six  acres  in  Jackson  town- 
ship, located  on  the  old  Troy  road  three  and  one-half  miles  southwest  of 
St.  Paris,  on  rural  route  No.  i.  Mr.  Johnson  is  the  son  of  W.  T.  and 
Nancy  (Camp)  Johnson,  and  was  born  March  18,  1846,  on  a  farm  in 
Jackson  township,  just  north  of  his  present  home. 

W.  T.  Johnson  was  born  on  a  farm  east  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  in 
Hamilton  county,  and  was  there  reared  to  manhood  and  married  in  that 
county.  After  his  marriage  he  and  his  wife  came  at  once  to  Champaign 
county,  locating  on  the  farm  in  Jackson  township,  where  Wesley  Johnson 
was  born.  About  ten  years  later  they  sold  this  farm,  purchasing  another 
tract  of  land  near  by,  now  owned  by  Frank  Brubaker,  and  it  was  on  this 
farm  that  the  wife  and  mother  died,  after  which  the  elder  Johnson  purchased 
a  small  tract  of  ten  acres,  where  he  lived  the  remainder  of  his  life.  W.  T. 
Johnson  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  seven  of  whom  grew 
to  maturity,  and  five  of  whom  are  now  living:  Mary,  who  died  in  Kansas; 
Wesley,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  review;  Oliver,  of  Richmond,  Indiana; 


6l4  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Elizabeth,  deceased ;  Edward,  living  in  Darke  comity,  Ohio ;  Hester,  who 
died  in  Indiana;  George  W.,  of  Covington,  Ohio;  and  Amanda,  the  wife  of 
George  Apple,  a  farmer  living  near  Covington,  Ohio. 

Wesley  Johnson  was  reared  on  the  farm,  receiving  his  education  in 
the  public  township  schools,  and  early  in  life  learned  the  lessons  of  in- 
dustry and  frugality,  which  served  him  well  in  later  years.  After  reaching 
manhood  he  engaged  in  farming  for  himself  on  part  of  his  father's  farm, 
where  he  lived  for  a  number  of  years,  after  which  he  moved  to  his  present 
home,  where  he  is  well  and  comfortably  situated. 

On  June  27,  1869,  Wesley  Johnson  was  married  to  Mary  Ann  Oram, 
the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Catherine  (Shaffer)  Oram,  who  were  natives 
of  Montgomery  county,  Ohio,  coming  to  Champaign  county  when  Mrs. 
Johnson  was  but  a  small  girl,  and  settling  on  a  farm  in  Jackson  township, 
known  as  the  Wilson  land.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  are  the  parents  of  three 
children:  E.  Albert,  a  farmer  of  Jackson  township;  Ida  May,  the  wife  of 
Emery  Ullery,  of  Clark  countv,  Ohio,  and  Jacob  Ellsworth,  who  died  in 
infancy.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Lena,  Ohio,  in 
which  they  are  deeply  interested.  Mr.  Johnson  is  a  Republican  in  politics, 
and  has  always  been  active  in  local  public  matters,  having  served  his  town- 
ship as  school  director,  and  for  the  past  eleven  years  has  been  ditch  super- 
visor  of  the   township. 


FRED  AND  ANDREW  MAYS. 

.'vmong  the  substantial  and  progressive  farmers  of  Jackson  township,  this 
county,  few  ha^'e  a  wider  acquaintance  in  that  neighborhood  than  the  Mays 
Inothers,  Fred  and  Andrew,  who  are  proprietors  of  a  well-kept  and  profitably 
conducted  farm  about  two  miles  southwest  of  the  city  of  St.  Paris,  which  they 
bought  in  1914,  after  ha\ing  spent  some  years  engaged  in  the  baking  business 
at  St.  Paris,  and  on  which  they  have  since  made  their  home ;  Andrew  Mays, 
who  is  unmarried,  living  with  his  elder  and  married  brother,  Fred  Mays. 

The  Mays  brothers  were  born  on  a  farm  two  miles  east  of  Springfield, 
in  the  neighboring  county  of  Clark,  sons  of  Jacob  and  Sarah  (Overs)  Mays, 
both  of  whom  spent  their  last  days  in  this  county,  the  former  dying  on  his 
farm  in  Salem  township  and  the  latter  in  the  city  of  St.  Paris.  Jacob  Mays 
was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  l^orn  in  the  vicinity  of  Butler,  in  Armstrong 
county,  that  state,  not  far  from  the  city  of  Pittsburgh,  and  there  grew  to 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  615 

manhood.  He  later  came  over  into  Ohio  and  located  in  this  county,  becoming 
engaged  in  farming  in  Urbana  township  and  not  long  after  locating  there 
married  Mrs.  Sarah  (Overs)  Hannan,  widow  of  Jacob  Hannan,  the  latter  of 
whom  had  died  on  October  14,  1856,  at  the  age  of  twenty-six  years,  leaving 
his  widow  and  one  child,  a  daughter,  Hannah  C.  E.,  born  on  March  9,  1857, 
who  married  Jacob  Printz,  of  St.  Paris.  Sarah  Overs  was  born  in  the  state 
of  Pennsylvania,  but  was  reared  in  New  Jersey,  from  which  latter  state  she 
later  came  with  her  parents  to  Ohio,  the  family  first  locating  at  Bellefontaine 
and  then  coming  to  this  county  and  settling  on  a  farm  west  of  the  old  fair 
grounds,  near  Urbana. 

For  a  time  after  his  marriage  Jacob  3tlays  continued  to  make  his  home 
in  Urbana  township  and  then  moved  to  Clark  county,  where  he  farmed  for 
some  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  returned  to  this  county  and  after 
farming  for  a  time  soutluACst  of  Urbana  bought  a  farm  in  Salem  township 
and  in  1876  established  his  home  on  that  place  and  there  spent  the  rest  of  his 
life,  a  quiet,  unassuming  man  and  substantial  citizen,  his  death  occurring-  there 
in  1900.  His  widow  later  moved  to  St.  Paris,  where  she  spent  her  last  days, 
her  death  occurring  in  1909.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  namely : 
Maggie  Etta,  born  on  June  9,  1867,  who  died  on  December  26,  1872;  Fred, 
born  on  August  20,  1869;  Lydia  Anna,  December  30,  1871,  who  married  John 
Heck  and  died  on  January  27,  1900,  and  Andrew,  March  9,  1875. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Salem  township,  Fred  and  Andrew  Mays 
received  their  schooling  in  the  district  school  in  the  neighborhood  of  their 
home  and  remained  there  until  two  years  after  the  death  of  the  father,  when, 
in  1902,  they  left  the  farm  and  moved  to  St.  Paris,  where  Fred  Mays  engaged 
in  the  baking  business.  In  1905  his  brother  Andrew  became  a  partner  in  the 
business  and  the  brothers  were  thus  engaged  until  May  i,  1913,  when  they 
sold  their  bakery  and  retired  from  business.  Not  long  afterward  they  bought 
the  old  Noe  farm  of  eighty  acres,  in  Jackson  township,  two  miles  southwest 
of  St.  Paris,  on  rural  mail  route  No.  2  out  of  that  city,  and  on  March  4,  1914, 
moAed  onto  the  same  and  have  ever  since  m.ade  that  place  their  home,  quite 
successfully  engaged  in  farming.  The  brothers  are  Republicans  and  both  take 
a  warm  interest  in  local  political  affairs,  but  neither  has  been  a  seeker  after 
public  office.  Fred  Mays  is  a  member  of  St.  Paris  Lodge  No.  344,  Knights 
of  Pythias,  and  Andrew  Mays  is  a  member  of  Moss  Grove  Lodge  No.  764, 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  both  taking  an  active  interest  in  the  affairs 
of  their  respective  lodges. 

Fred  Mays  has  been  twice  married.  He  was  united  in  marriage  to  Emma 
B.   Unkefer,   who  died  in   Salem  township,   leaving  one  child,   a  daughter. 


6l6  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Guytaiiana.  who  married  Harry  Mast  and  is  living  on  a  farm  in  Salem  town- 
ship, a  little  more  than  two  miles  north  of  Urbana.  On  March  26,  1914,  Fred 
Mays  married,  secondly,  Mary  V.  Bosler,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Ruth 
Bosler,  who  came  to  this  county  from  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  years 
ago.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mays  have  a  very  pleasant  home  and  take  a  proper 
interest  in  the  general  social  activities  of  the  community  in  which  they  live. 


PETER  JOHNSON. 


The  late  Peter  Johnson,  who  for  years  was  regarded  as  one  of  the 
most  successful  grocers  and  retail  meat  dealers  in  Urbana  and  who  died  at 
his  home  in  that  city  in  the  summer  of  19 13,  was  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and 
lived  in  this  state  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Montgomery 
county  on  September  13,  1861.  son  of  Alexander  and  Maria  Johnson,  well- 
to-do  farmers  of  that  county  and  the  former  of  whom  is  still  living,  now 
making  his  home  at  Tippecanoe,  in  Harrison  county,  over  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  state. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Montgomery  county,  Peter  Johnson  re- 
ceived his  schooling  in  the  local  schools  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  home  and 
from  the  days  of  his  boyhood  was  a  valued  assistant  to  his  father  in  the 
labors  of  improving  and  developing  the  home  farm.  After  his  marriage, 
in  1886,  he  continued  his  labors  on  the  home  farm  and  there  continued  thus 
engaged  until  shortly  before  his  departure  from  Montgomery  county  and 
removal  to  Urbana,  where,  in  1897,  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  retail 
meat  business  and  was  thus  engaged  the  rest  of  his  life.  Upon  his  arrival 
in  Urbana  in  1897  Mr.  Johnson  opened  a  grocery  store  and  meat  market 
on  North  Russell  street,  at  the  stand  now  occupied  by  J.  B.  Method,  and 
there  continued  in  business  until  his  death,  on  July  4,  191 3.  Mr.  Johnson 
was  an  enterprising  and  energetic  merchant  and  built  up  one  of  the  most 
extensive  grocery  stores  in  Urbana,  his  methods  and  the  up-to-date  char- 
acter of  his  store  attracting  a  large  trade.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
church,  as  is  his  widow,  and  was  ever  a  liberal  contributor  to  the  various 
beneficences  of  the  local  congregation  of  that  church  and  otherwise  helpful 
in  local  good  works.  By  political  aftiliation  he  was  a  Republican  and  ever 
gave  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  civic  affairs,  an  earnest  supporter 
of  the  cause  of  good  government,  but  was  not  a  seeker  after  public  office. 
Energetic  in  the  management  of  his  own  extensive  business  affairs,  he  was 


TETER   JOHNSON 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  617 

public  Spirited  and  in  the  general  commercial  and  industrial  affairs  of  the 
€rty  ever  took  an  active  interest,  a  consistent  "booster"  of  all  movements 
designed  to  advance  the  business  interests  of  his  home  town  and  the  county 
at  large. 

On  January  6,  1886.  Peter  Johnson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Louise 
Reuss,  who  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  in  the  city  of  Dayton,  a 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Regina  Reuss,  natives  of  Germany,  who  had  come 
to  this  country  in  the  days  of  their  youth  and  had  located  with  their  re- 
spective parents  at  Dayton,  where  they  were  married.  Henry  Reuss  was  a 
butcher  and  for  many  years  was  very  successfully  engaged  in  that  line  at 
Davton.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  of  whom  five 
are  still  living,  those  besides  Mrs.  Johnson  being  Elizabeth,  Kate,  Laura 
and  Adam.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  one  child  was  born,  a  son,  Stephen 
Arthur  Johnson.  Since  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Johnson  has  con- 
tinued to  make  her  home  at  Urbana,  where  she  is  very  pleasantly  situated. 


CALVIN  S.  LEFFEL. 


One  of  the  leading  citizens  and  enterprising  business  men  of  Christians- 
burg,  this  county,  is  Calvin  S.  Leffel,  who  has  been  engaged  in  the  general 
merchancHse  business  in  this  village  since  February,  191 3.  He  w'as  born  on  a 
farm  three-fourths  of  a  mile  west  of  Christiansburg.  in  what  is  known  as  the 
Leffel  section  in  Miami  county,  Ohio,  on  May  18,  1855.  and  is  a  son  of  Martin 
S.  and  Catherine  (Huffman)  Leffel.  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of 
Ohio,  and  the  latter  of  Virginia. 

Martin  S.  Leffel  was  born  on  a  farm  south  of  Springfield,  Ohio,  in  Clark 
county,  the  son  of  James  P.  Leffel,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  that  section. 
The  latter  came  to  Ohio  from  Pennsylvania  when  a  lad  of  sixteen,  locating 
first  in  Clark  county,  where  he  followed  the  trade  of  a  miller,  operating  a  mill 
for  many  years  just  south  of  Springfield,  near  Enon.  His  health  failing  in 
later  years,  he  retired  from  active  life  in  the  mill,  locating  on  his  farm,  where 
he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  was  a  well-known  and  influential  man 
in  his  community,  being  a  self-made  man  in  the  truest  sense  of  the  ^^'ord. 
Starting  in  life  with  an  entire  capital  of  about  sixteen  dollars,  he  amassed  a 
fortune  in  his  own  right  by  reason  of  his  able  and  successful  business  manage- 
ment. Catherine  Huffman,  the  mother  of  Calvin  Leffel,  was  born  in  Vir- 
ginia, the  daughter  of  Philip  Huffman,  coming  to  Clark  county,  Ohio,  when  a 


6l8  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

young  girl  with  her  parents,  the  latter  of  whom  were  of  German  ancestry, 
her  father  having  been  born  and  reared  in  that  country.  xA.fter  their  marriage, 
Martin  Leffel  and  wife  settled  on  the  farm  just  west  of  Christiansburg,  in 
Miami  county,  where  their  son,  Calvin  S.,  was  born.  They  lived  on  this  farm 
until  1867,  when  they  retired  from  active  farm  life  and  moved  to  Christians- 
burg for  eight  years  and  then  back  on  the  farm  ten  or  twelve  years  and  back 
to  Christiansburg  where  they  died,  his  death  occurring  April  4,  1899,  while 
his  widow  survived  him  some  years,  passing  away  on  February  22,  1917.  They 
were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  of  whom  six  are  now  living:  Calvin  S.,  of 
this  review;  Emma,  wife  of  George  Sheppard ;  Howard  D.,  living  on  the  old 
homestead  farm;  \A^  D.,  of  Dayton,  Ohio;  Villie,  wife  of  George  W.  Deaton, 
of  Christiansburg;  Maurice,  of  Christiansburg,  and  Mattie,  Warren  D.,  Mamie 
Riley  Meeks  and  Minerva,  the  last  three  being  deceased. 

Calvin  S.  Leffel  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm,  receiving  his  education 
in  the  district  schools  of  the  township  and  in  the  schools  of  Christiansburg. 
He  assisted  his  father  with  the  work  of  the  farm  until  his  marriage,  when  he 
took  entire  charge  of  the  home  place,  operating  it  for  nine  years,  after  which 
he  moved  to  what  is  known  as  the  Enoch  Smith  farm  in  the  same  township, 
where  lie  ]i\'ed  until  1900,  when  he  moved  to  Christiansburg,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  buying  and  selling  of  live  stock  and  tobacco  raising.  Later  he  pur- 
chased the  hotel  in  the  village,  which  he  conducted  for  about  two  years,  after 
which  he  again  engaged  in  the  li^'e  stock  business,  in  which  line  he  continued 
until  February,  19 13,  when  he  engaged  in  the  general  merchandise  business  in 
Christiansburg,  which  he  is  still  successfully  operating.  Besides  his  store,  Mr. 
Leffel  also  supervises  the  operation  of  his  farm  of  seventy-eight  acres  in  this 
vicinity. 

On  February  26,  1888,  by  Rev.  Nixox,  Calvin  S.  Leffel  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Sallie  J.  Long,  the  daughter  of  Moses  and  Martha  Howell  Long. 
The  Ho  wells  were  among  the  very  earliest  settlers  of  this  vicinity,  coming  here 
from  Virginia,  in  the  early  days,  and  donated  the  land  for  the  townsite  of  the 
present  village  of  Christiansburg.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leffel  are  the  parents  of  two 
children  :  Edna  M.,  the  wife  of  J.  E.  Robinson,  a  resident  of  the  village  here, 
and  Scott  R.,  who  is  employed  with  his  father  in  the  store.  Mrs.  Leffel  is  an 
earnest  meml:)er  of  the  H^oney  Creek  Baptist  church,  taking  an  active  interest 
in  church  affairs. 

Air.  Leffel  is  a  member  of  Social  Lodge,  No.  139,  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  and  also  of  the  encampment.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  char- 
ter members  of  Sweet  Home  Chapter  No.  524,  Daughters  of  Rebekah, 
and  Mrs.  Leffel  is  a  past  worthy  grand,  both  being  warmly  interested  in  the 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  619 

affairs  of  this  organization.  Mr.  Leffel  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  an 
ardent  supporter  of  the  principles  of  that  party.  Besides  his  store  and  farm 
interests,  Mr.  Leffel  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  and  Merchants  Bank  at 
Christiansburs;. 


WALTER  A.  LEONARD. 

Walter  A.  Leonard  lives  in  Thackery,  Jackson  township,  Champaign 
county,  and  his  business  occupation  is  the  operator  of  a  thresher  and  a 
saw-mill.  He  was  born  near  Terre  Haute,  December  19,  1872,  a  son  of 
Abram  and  Mary  Jane  (Jenkins)   Leonard. 

Abram  Leonard  was  born  in  Crawford  county.  Ohio,  and  came  to  this 
county  when  but  a  small  boy.  His  parents  were  George  and  Catherine 
Leonard,  both  of  whom  were  born  and  reared  in  Virginia,  and  were  married 
in  that  state.  They  came  to  Champaign  county  in  an  early  day  and  located 
first  in  Jackson  township,  near  the  Grayton  church.  They  remained  there 
only  a  short  time  and  then  came  to  Mad  River  township,  were  Abram 
grew  to  manhood. 

A/fary  Jane  Jenkins  was  born  in  Terre  Haute,  Ohio.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  Morgan  L.  and  Rebecca  (Galine)  Jenkins,  a  native  of  New 
Hampshire  and  of  Scotch  ancestry.  Abram  Leonard  and  wife  began  house- 
keeping on  Nettle  creek,  on  the  old  Abe  Hess  farm,  as  renters.  They 
remained  there  one  year  and  then  went  to  Newton,  Illinois,  and  rented 
a  farm  near  that  place,  remaining  there  for  two  years.  Then  they  returned 
to  Champaign  county  and  rented  a  farm  for  awhile  in  Mad  River  town- 
ship; then  removed  to  Urbana  township  and  rented  the  George  Deo  place 
for  one  year;  then  came  back  to  Mad  River  township  and  lived  for  two 
years;  then  to  German  township  in  Clark  county  where  they  lived  for  one 
year.  In  1880  they  bought  a  farm  in  Mad  River  township  and  lived  on 
it  until  1905,  when  they  sold  it  and  returned  to  Clark  county,  Ohio.  There 
the  wife  died  about  one  year  later  and  the  husband  returned  to  Champaign 
county  and  lived  with  Walter,  our  subject,  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1908. 

Abram  Leonard  was  the  father  of  ten  children,  nine  of  whom  grew 
to  adult  age  and  eight  are  now  living.  They  are :  B.  F.,  living  in  Terre 
Haute;  Alice,  wife  of  Zachariah  Zirkle,  Mad  River  township;  Albert,  Thack- 
ery; Alma,  wife  of  Perry  Shaffer,  Mad  River  township;  Artie,  deceased, 
wife  of  J.  W.  Shaffer;  Rebecca,  wife  of  Ed.  Zirkle;  Walter  A.;  Charlotte, 


620  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

deceased;  Morgan,  Jackson  township;  Charles  O.,  Columbus,  Ohio.  Mrs. 
Leonard  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  Terre  Haute, 
Ohio.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  pohtics,  not  active  in  party  afifairs  but  firm 
in  the  belief  that  the  principles  and  policies  of  that  party  were  right. 

Walter  A.  Leonard  was  reared  to  manhood  on  the  farm  in  Mad  River 
township,  and  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  the  town- 
ship, and  in  Terre  Haute.  He  remained  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-three 
years  of  age.  October  29,  1896,  he  was  married  to  Ola  F.  Deaton,  daughter 
of  S.  H.  Deaton,  of  Jackson  township.  The  Deaton  family  history  receives 
further  mention  in  another  place  in  this  work. 

To  Walter  Leonard  and  wife  three  children  have  been  born,  one  of 
whom  died  in  infancy.  The  two  living  are:  Alfred  F.,  in  school  at  Thack- 
ery;  Lottie  E.,  in  school  at  Thackery.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leonard  are  members 
of  the  Lutheran  church  of  Thackery.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and 
has  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  in  Jackson  township.  He  is  a  member 
of  Thackery  Lodge  No.  874,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  past 
noble  grand  of  that  order.     For  the  past  four  years  has  been  lodge  deputy. 


GEORGE  W.   DOBBINS. 


One  of  the  enterprising  and  progressive  Imsiness  men  of  Christians- 
burg,  this  county,  is  George  W.  Dobbins,  who  is  engaged  in  the  lumber 
and  sawmill  business  and  the  manufacture  of  lumber.  He  was  born  at 
Conover,  Miami  county,  Ohio,  on  September  10.  1869,  and  is  a  son  of 
William  and  Molly  (Brown)  Dobbins,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  the 
Buckeye  state. 

William  Dobbins  was  born  in  Ross  county.  Ohio,  and  came  with  his 
parents  to  Miami  county  when  a  small  boy,  and  was  reared  on  a  farm  there, 
early  in  life  learning  the  lessons  of  diligence  and  frugaUty.  After  leaving 
the  farm  he  started  in  a  small  way  in  the  lumber  business  in  Miami  county, 
later  coming  to  Champaign  county,  locating  in  Christiansburg,  where  he 
started  a  mill  near  the  county  line  between  this  county  and  Miami  county. 
Later  he  purchased  the  mill  which  had  already  been  established  in  Christians- 
burg previous  to  his  coming  there,  and  was  conducting  a  very  successful 
business  here  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  and  he  enlisted  for  service 
in  the  Union  army  by  joining  Company  C.  Thirteenth  Regiment,  Ohio 
Volunteer  Infantry,  on  May  24,   1862.     He  was  honorably  discharged  from 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  62  [ 

the  service  on  August  i,  1862,  but  again  re-enlisted  and  served  with  honor 
until  the  close  of  the  war  in  1865.  After  returning  from  the  army,  he  again 
engaged  in  the  sawmill  business  for  many  years,  retiring  from  active  busi- 
ness operations  only  about  three  years  before  his  death,  which  occurred 
September  11,  191 5.  Molly  Brown  was  a  native  of  Miami  county,  Ohio, 
born  on  a  farm  southwest  of  Troy,  the  daughter  of  George  Brown  and 
wife,  who  were  pioneers  of  that  county.  William  Dobbins  and  wife  were 
the  parents  of  five  children,  all  of  whom  grew  to  maturity,  and  four  are 
now  living:  George  W.,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  review;  Effie,  de- 
ceased, was  the  wife  of  Charles  Gruber,  of  Troy,  Ohio;  Alonzo,  employed 
in  the  sawmill  at  Christiansburg;  Arthur,  a  miller  of  Shandon,  Ohio,  and 
Osie,  who  is  the  wife  of  Clifford  Jenkins,  of  Christiansburg.  The  family 
were  earnest  and  faithful  members  of  the  Christian  church.  William  Dob- 
bins always  took  an  active  interest  in  the  welfare  of  his  old  comrades  of 
Civil  War  days,  and  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Marion  A.  Ross  Post, 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  at  Christiansburg.  He  was  also  a  member 
of  Mt.  Olivet  Lodge  No.  226,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  He  was  a  Demo- 
crat in  politics,  and  prominent  in  the  councils  of  his  party  in  local  public 
matters. 

George  W.  Dobbins  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Miami  and  Champaign  counties,  and  from  boyhood  was  employed  in  his 
father's  mills,  being  actively  identified  with  the  business  in  connection  with 
his  father  for  many  years,  or  until  the  latter's  retirement  from  active  busi- 
ness life,  at  which  time,  1905,  G.  W.  Dobbins,  formed  a  partnership  with 
Adam  Bright,  which  partnership  lasted  until  191 1,  or  until  the  death  of 
Mr.  Bright,  when  Mr.  Dobbins  took  over  the  entire  business  himself,  since 
which  time  he  has  conducted  it  alone.  At  one  time  he  conducted  both  a 
stationar)^  and  portable  mill,  but  is  only  operating  one  mill  at  the  present 
time,  and  has  been  very  successful  in  his  line  of  business.  Besides  his  mill 
property,  Mr.  Dobbins  is  the  owner  of  some  town  property  in  the  village 
of  Christiansburg. 

On  March  4,  1898,  G.  W.  Dobbins  was  united  in  marriage  to  Laura 
Long,  the  daughter  of  Volney  and  Sybia  (Johnson)  Long,  the  former 
of  whom  was  born  in  Miami  county,  Ohio,  and  the  latter  in  Champaign 
county,  near  Christiansburg.  The  Johnson  family  came  from  Clermont 
county,  Ohio,  to  Champaign  county,  at  an  early  date,  while  the  Long  family 
originally  came  from  Blount  county,  Tennessee,  Moses  Long  coming  here 
as  a  young  man.  where  he  met  and  married  Martha  Howell,  whose  family 


622  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

were  the  first  settlers  of  this  community  from  Christiansburg,  Virginia, 
whence  the  village  gets  its  name.  Volney  and  Sybia  (Johnson)  Long  were 
the  parents  of  two  children,  Laura,  the  wife  of  Mr.  Dobbins,  and  Charles, 
of  Mansfield,  Ohio.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Long  are  still  living  and  make 
their  home  in  Christiansburg,  where  they  have  spent  the  most  of  their  lives. 
Mr.  Long  is  a  member  of  the  Order  of  Owls  at  Springfield.  Ohio. 

Mr.  Dobbins  has  been  a  member  of  the  Sons  of  Veterans  since  his 
young  manhood,  belonging  to  George  A.  Baker  Camp,  No.  268.  At  one 
time  he  was  color  sergeant  and  camp  guard,  as  well  as  chaplain  of  the  local 
lodge.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  loyal  in  his  support  of  the  prin- 
ciples of  that  party.  He  is  identified  with  the  Christian  church,  while  his 
wife  attends  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  both  are  prominent  and 
active  in  the  social  and  religious  life  of  their  communitv. 


JOHN  M.  SAYLER,  M.  D. 

Dr.  John  M.  Sayler,  a  well-known  and  popular  physician  and  surgeon 
of  Christiansburg,  Champaign  county,  who  has  been  in  the  active  practice 
of  his  profession  for  the  past  fourteen  years,  was  born  near  Salem,  Mont- 
gomery county,  Ohio,  on  March  23,  1878,  the  son  of  John  and  Hattie 
(Wampler)   Sayler. 

John  Sayler  was  a  native  of  Maryland,  born  in  Carroll  county,  that 
state,  near  Union  Bridge,  on  June  18,  1842.  He  was  a  son  of  Reuben 
and  Hannah  (Smith)  Sayler,  both  of  whom  spent  their  lives  in  Maryland. 
John  Sayler  left  home  when  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty  years,  locating 
at  Dayton,  Ohio,  in  1862,  where  he  remained  for  three  years,  learning  the 
milling  business.  On  April  18,  1865,  he  was  married  to  Hattie  Wampler, 
after  which  he  engaged  in  farming  north  of  Dayton,  renting  land  for  two 
years.  He  then  purchased  the  farm  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  his  death  occurring  on  November  29,  191 5,  at  the  age  of  seventy-three 
years.  During  his  active  farming  operations,  he  specialized  in  live  stock, 
and  also  operated  a  dairy  farm,  which  was  called  the  "Crystal  Spring  Dairy 
Farm."  It  was  he  who  introduced  Jersey  cattle  into  his  vicinity,  being 
the  first  man  of  his  neighborhood  to  import  thoroughbred  cattle  of  this 
variety,  the  nucleus  of  his  herd  being  brought  in  from  New  York  state. 
Although  a  cjuiet,  unassuming  man,  yet  he  was  well  known  and  ranked 
among  the  leading  farmers  and  stockmen  of  his  community.     He  and  his 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  623 

wife  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  all  of  whom  are  now  living:  Jessie, 
widow  of  Rue  Esery,  living  in  Portland,  Oregon,  where  her  daughter  is 
studying  voice  culture;  Charles,  of  Dayton,  Ohio;  Lloyd,  of  Brookville, 
Ohio;  Howard  L.  Cogswell,  a  graduate  of  the  Starling  Medical  College, 
now  practicing  his  profession  in  North  Dakota,  and  John  M.,  of  this  sketch. 

John  M.  Sayler  was  reared  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm,  receiv- 
ing his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Salem,  Ohio.  He  was  a 
student  of  the  high  school  at  Englewood,  Ohio,  and  after  his  graduation 
entered  Starling  Medical  College  in  the  fall  of  1899  from  which  excellent 
institution  he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  in 
April,  1903.  On  May  nth  of  the  same  year  he  engaged  in  the  active 
practice  of  his  profession  at  Christiansburg,  and  has  since  made  this  his 
home  and  field  of  labor.  Here  he  has  built  up  an  extensive  practice  in 
the  town  and  surrounding  countr}',  and  has  done  very  well  indeed  in  his 
chosen  profession,  as  he  keeps  fully  abreast  of  all  modern  advances  in 
the  science  of  medicine  and  the  healing  art. 

On  April  23,  1902,  Dr.  John  M.  Sayler  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Rose  Matilda  Laukhuff,  who  was  born  in  Dayton,  Ohio,  the  daughter  of 
Theodore  and  Margaret  (Baldwin)  Laukhuff,  and  to  this  union  have  been 
born  two  children :  Paul  Theodore,  born  September  4,  1903,  now  a  stu- 
dent in  the  public  schools,  and  Geneva  Margaret,  born  May  27,  1906,  also 
a  student  in  the  public  schools  of  Christiansburg.  Mrs.  Sayler  and  the 
children  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  actively  in- 
terested in  church  affairs  in  the  community. 

Theodore  Laukhuff  was  born  in  Wurtemburg,  Germany,  January  6, 
1832,  and  grew  to  maturity  in  his  native  land,  receiving  his  education  there. 
After  reaching  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  came  to  America,  locating  at  once 
at  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  His  father  had  been  a  pipe  organ  builder  in  his  native 
land,  and  the  firm  of  which  the  elder  Laukhuff  was  head  is  still  in  existence 
in  Werkersheim,  Germany.  After  coming  to  Cincinnati,  Theodore  Lauk- 
huff" engaged  in  painting  and  decorating  work,  in  which  line  he  was  very 
successful.  Margaret  Baldwin,  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Sayler.  was  born  in 
Dornheim,  Germany,  on  January  14,  1839,  and  came  with  her  parents  as 
a  girl  of  fourteen  to  the  United  States,  locating  at  fronton,  Ohio,  where 
she  lived  until  her  marriage  to  Theodore  Laukhuff.  After  their  marriage 
Theodore  Laukhuff  and  wife  lived  in  Cincinnati  for  one  year,  after  which 
they  removed  to  Dayton,  Ohio,  where  they  lived  for  fifteen  years,  after 
which  they  went  to  Englewood,  Ohio,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of 
their  lives.     They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  five  of  whom  are  still 


624  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

living:  Bertha,  the  wife  of  L.  A.  Alhert,  of  Englewood.  Ohio;  Larisa,  the 
wife  of  Charles  Leiber,  of  Englewood,  Ohio;  William  T.,  of  Chicago,  Illi- 
nois; Rose  M.,  wife  of  Doctor  Sayler,  and  F.  E.,  of  Dayton,  Ohio.  The 
family  were  all  earnest  and  faithful  members  of  the  German  Lutheran 
church,  and  active  and  prominent  in  church  work. 

Besides  his  practice,  Doctor  Sayler  is  the  owner  and  proprietor  of 
the  Sayler  garage  in  Christiansburg.  He  is  prominent  and  active  in  all 
public  measures  for  the  good  of  his  locality,  and  has  held  the  office  of 
township  health  officer  twelve  years.  He  was  twice  elected  township  treas- 
urer. He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics.  Fraternally,  he  is  a  member  of  Mt. 
Olivet  Lodge  No.  226,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  holds  his  mem- 
bership on  the  Chapter,  Council  and  Commandery,  Royal  Arch  Masons 
and  Royal  and  Select  Masters  at  Troy,  Ohio,  and  both  he  and  Mrs.  Sayler 
are  charter  members  of  the  Order  of  Eastern  Star  at  Troy,  Ohio. 


DARIUS  E.  KITE. 


One  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  Champaign  county  now  living  a  com- 
fortable life  of  retirement  in  his  pleasant  home  in  the  village  of  St.  Paris, 
and  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  ninety  acres  in  Mad  River 
township,  is  Darius  E.  Kite,  who  is  a  native  of  the  county,  his  birth  having 
occurred  on  a  farm  in  Mad  River  township,  on  March  23,  1863.  He  is  a 
son  of  David  and  Sarah  Jane  (Frank)  Kite,  both  of  whom  were  also  natives 
of  the  county. 

David  Kite  was  born  March  21,  1829,  and  died  on  January  24,  1912, 
while  his  wife,  Sarah  Jane  Frank,  was  born  on  July  22,  1831,  and  died  on 
September  19,  19 13.  Their  marriage  took  place  in  1848,  and  to  them  were 
born  eight  children :  Andrew,  who  died  at  the  age  of  forty-three  years,  was 
a  farmer  of  Mad  River  township;  Louisa,  living  in  St.  Paris;  Charles  B., 
of  Greenville,  Ohio;  Lemuel,  of  St.  Paris,  who  is  mentioned  elsewhere  in 
this  volume;  William  I.,  who  died  in  Dayton,  Ohio;  Darius  E.,  the  immediate 
subject  of  this  sketch;  Eunice,  the  wife  of  H.  C.  Brokshire,  of  Dayton,  and 
Mary,  who  was  the  sixth  in  order  of  birth,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen 
years.  David  Kite  was  a  prosperous  and  influential  man  in  this  section  of 
the  county  and  at  one  time  owned  six  hundred  acres  of  land  in  these  parts. 
He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  stanch  in  his  belief  in  the  principles  of 
that  party,  although  never  an  office  seeker. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  625 

Darius  E.  Kite  was  reared  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm  in  Mad 
River  township,  receiving  his  education  in  the  township  schools,  and  assisting 
liis  father  with  the  work  of  the  home  farm.  When  his  parents  moved  to 
St.  Paris  in  1892,  he  took  entire  charge  of  the  farm,  which  he  successfully 
operated  until  the  fall  of  1907,  when  he  and  his  family  moved  to  St.  Paris, 
where  they  have  since  resided.  On  Mr.  Kite's  farm  in  Mad  River  tOAvn- 
ship  was  established  the  first  cane  sorghum  mill  in  this  section.  This  was 
known  as  the  Ivite  sorghum  mill  and  was  operated  very  successfully  for  a 
number  of  years  by  Mr.  Kite.  This  mill  was  one  of  the  old  land-marks  of 
the  county,  its  use  being  discontinued  about  five  years  ago. 

On  January  20,  1892,  D.  E.  Kite  was  married  to  Mrs.  AUie  (Taylor) 
Middleton,  the  widow  of  Arthur  Middleton,  of  this  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Kite  are  earnest  and  devoted  members  of  the  Baptist  church,  in  whose  wel- 
fare they  are  deeply  interested.  Mr.  Kite  holds  membership  in  Lodge  No. 
344,  Knights  of  Pythias,  at  St.  Paris,  and  takes  an  active  interest  in  the 
work  of  this  fraternal  organization.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  has 
served  as  a  member  of  the  Mad  River  township  school  board.  Mr.  Kite's 
life  has  been  a  very  active  one,  and  he  has  accomplished  much  that  is  worthy 
of  note  in  the  life  of  any  man,  he  and  his  wife  being  highly  respected  and 
esteemed  in  the  social  and  religious  life  of  their  home  community. 


SIMON  F.  BEATY. 


One  of  the  enterprising  farmers  and  a  life-long  resident  of  Champaign 
county  is  Simon  F.  Beaty,  who  owns  a  fine  farm  of  ninety-six  acres  three 
miles  south  of  St.  Paris  on  the  Springfield  and  St.  Paris  pike.  He  was 
born  on  this  farm  on  April  22,  1836,  the  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Baker) 
Beaty,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  the  latter  of 
Virginia. 

John  Beaty  come  to  the  United  States  from  Ireland  with  his  parents 
when  a  boy,  the  family  locating  first  in  Virginia,  where  they  remained  two 
years,  when  they  came  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  settling  on  a  farm  in 
-Jackson  township,  being  among  the  earliest  pioneers  of  these  parts.  They 
made  the  journey  from  Virginia  to  Ohio  in  a  covered  spring  wagon  drawn 
by  one  horse,  and  this  outfit,  together  with  the  sum  of  twenty-five  cents, 
constituted  the  wordly  means  of  this  worthy  pioneer  family.  There  were 
Indians  all  about  them  in  their  new  home,  but  with  true  pioneer  spirit, 
(40a) 


626  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

they  proceeded  to  clear  their  land,  eighty  acres  of  which  they  entered  from 
the  government.  With  praiseworthy  industry  and  taking  advantage  of  the 
low  prices  of  land  during  the  early  days,  John  Beaty,  Sr.,  gradually  added 
to  his  holdings  until  he  was  the  owner  of  six  hundred  and  thirty-five  acres 
of  fine  land.  He  and  his  wife  lived  on  their  first  farm  all  their  lives,  and 
the  first  house  that  was  erected  on  the  farm  is  still  standing.  Elizabeth 
Baker,  the  wife  of  John  Beaty,  Jr.,  and  the  mother  of  Simon  F.,  was  born 
in  Virginia  in  Rockbridge  coimty,  and  came  here  as  a  girl  with  her  parents, 
who  were  also  pioneers  in  the  county.  John  and  Elizabeth  (Baker)  Beaty 
were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  of  whom  Simon  is  the  only  one  now  sur- 
viving, being  the  youngest  of  the  family,  the  others  being  Elias,  Polly,  Sarah, 
Elizabeth,  John  A.,  Ezra,  William  and  David.  He  and  his  wife  were  earnest 
and  devoted  members  of  the  Baptist  church,  Mr.  Beaty  being  largely  in- 
strumental in  the  erection  of  the  Mt.  Zion  church  of  that  denomination,  in 
which  he  was  a  leading  member  for  many  years,  serving  on  the  board  of 
trustees  for  a  long  period  of  years.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and 
was  always  a  firm  adherent  to  the  principles  of  that  party,  although  never 
an  office  seeker.  He  served  his  country  in  the  War  of  1812,  being  a  member 
of  Captain  Miles  C.  Cronise's  company.  The  latter  was  taken  sick  and 
died  while  on  duty,  and  Mr.  Beaty  was  made  captain  of  the  company  in 
his  place,  being  discharged  at  the  end  of  his  service  with  that  rank. 

Simon  F.  Beaty  was  reared  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm,  receiving 
his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  home  neighborhood,  although 
his  opportunities  for  schooling  were  somewhat  limited.  He  started  in  life 
for  himself  after  his  marriage  on  the  home  place,  and  has  lived  here  since. 
He  has  been  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising  and  has  met 
with  a  very  commendable  degree  of  success  in  his  chosen  calling. 

On  December  23,  1866,  Simon  F.  Beaty  was  married  to  Ellen  Robbins, 
daughter  of  Benoni  and  Susanna  (Thomas)  Robbins,  and  to  this  union  have 
been  born  two  children,  Cora,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  John  Heaston, 
a  farmer  of  Jackson  township,  leaving  one  son,  Pearl,  who  farms  the  old 
homestead,  and  Otto  E.,  who  married  Angle  Baterall.  and  lives  on  the  home 
farm,  and  they  have  one  son,  James.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Mt. 
Zion  Baptist  church,  and  take  an  active  interest  in  church  affairs,  Mr. 
Beaty  serving  as  deacon  of  this  church  about  forty-five  years.  Mr.  Beaty 
is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  is  always  interested  in  the  civic  welfare  of 
his  community,  although  not  a  seeker  after  public  office.  He  is  a  quiet, 
unassuming  man.  attending  strictly  to  his  own  affairs,  and  highly  esteemed 
among  his  neighbors  and  friends. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  627 

FRANCIS  M.  APPLE. 

One  of  the  enterprising  citizens  and  a  life  long  resident  of  this  county 
is  Francis  M.  Apple,  the  owner  and  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  ten  acres  in  Jackson  township,  located  just  east  of  the  Bellefontaine 
and  Carlyle  pike,  about  two  miles  south  and  one  mile  east  of  St.  Paris. 
Mr.  Apple  was  born  in  the  township,  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Otto 
F.  Apple,  October  lo,  1872,  the  son  of  Simon  and  Elizabeth  Ann  (Louden- 
beck)  Apple,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Ohio. 

Simon  M.  Apple  was  born  on  the  old  Apple  farm  in  this  township, 
and  lived  his  entire  life  on  the  old  home  place.  He  was  a  son  of  Solomon 
Apple,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  but  who  came  with  his  parents  in 
an  early  day  to  Ohio,  locating  first  near  Dayton.  Solomon  Apple  grew 
to  manhood  in  Montgomery  county,  Ohio,  later  coming  to  Champaign 
county,  and  here  he  married  a  Miss  Snapp.  He  and  his  wife  were  the 
parents  of  eight  children,  six  of  whom  grew  to  maturity,  William.  Sarah, 
Solomon,  Jr.,  Mary,  Noah  and  Simon.  Solomon  Apple  became  a  large 
landowner  in  this  county,  at  one  time  owning  three  hundred  and  eighteen 
acres  of  fine  farming  land,  all  of  which  he  had  acquired  through  his  own 
effort.  When  he  first  moved  to  the  county,  his  land  was  virgin  forest, 
not  enough  being  cleared  upon  which  to  even  erect  a  cabin,  but  with  true 
pioneer  spirit  he  quickly  cleared  a  space  and  erected  his  first  rude  log  cabin, 
in  the  center  of  which  one  large  stump  was  left,  which  was  used  for  a  fire 
place  until  it  burned  out.  After  his  marriage  to  Elizabeth  Ann  Loudenbeck, 
Simon  Apple  continued  to  reside  on  the  old  home  farm,  on  which  he  spent 
his  entire  life,  his  death  occurring  on  July  12,  1912.  His  widow  survived 
him  two  years,  passing  away  in  January,  19 14.  They  were  the  parents 
of  five  children,  only  two  of  whom  are  now  living.  Otto  and  Francis  M. 

Francis  M.  Apple  was  reared  on  the  farm,  receiving  his  early  educa- 
tion in  the  district  schools  of  Jackson  township,  and  later  attended  the 
State  Normal  School  at  Ada,  Ohio,  having  also  been  a  student  at  the  Capitol 
Normal  School  at  Columbus,  Ohio.  After  leaving  school  he  engaged  in 
farming  on  his  own  account,  and  has  long  been  recognized  as  one  of  the 
leading  agriculturists  of  his  communitv.  Besides  his  farming  interests,  Mr. 
Apple  is  interested  in  the  Farmers  and  Merchants  Telephone  Company. 

Francis  M.  Apple  was  united  in  marriage  to  Clara  Stephenson,  and  to 
this  union  have  been  born  five  sons,  Paul,  Luther,  Albert,  Robert  and  Charles, 
the  two  eldest  being  at  home,  and  the  three  youngest  living  at  St.   Paris. 


628  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

On  February  12.  1913,  he  married  Julia  A.  Beaver,  a  daughter  of  Lewis 
and  Nettie  (Eaton)  Beaver.  The  family  are  members  of  the  St.  Johns 
Lutheran  church  at  St.  Paris,  and  take  an  active  interest  in  church  affairs. 
Mr.  Apple  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  actively  interested  in  all 
matters  pertaining  to  the  civic  welfare  of  his  community.  He  has  served 
as  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  his  township;  was  township  treasurer  for  two 
years,  and  at  the  present  time  is  serving  as  clerk  and  treasurer,  of  the  town- 
ship school  board.  Mr.  Apple  has  always  been  deeply  interested  in  edu- 
cational affairs,  and  was  largely  instrumental  in  securing  the  centralized 
school  in  this  township.  For  many  years  Mr.  Apple  served  as  a  member 
of  the  Champaign  County  Fair  Association,  in  which  organization  he  was 
actively  interested. 


LEMUEL  KITE. 


Lemuel  Kite,  who  is  now  living  in  comfortable  retirement  in 
his  pleasant  home  at  St.  Paris,  Ohio,  is  a  native  of  Champaign  county,  his 
birth  having  occurred  on  a  farm  in  Alad  River  township,  five  miles  south- 
east of  the  village  of  St.  Paris,  on  September  28,  1855.  He  is  a  son  of 
David  and  Sarah  Jane  (  Frank)  Kite,  both  of  whom  were  also  natives  of 
this  county,  the  father  having  been  born  on  the  same  farm  in  Mad  River 
township. 

David  Kite  was  born  March  21,  1829,  and  died  on  July  24,  1902.  He 
was  a  son  of  Benjamin  and  Sarah  Kite,  both  of  whom  were  born  and 
reared  in  old  Virginia,  but  who  came  to  Ohio  in  an  early  day,  being  among 
the  pioneer  settlers  of  Mad  River  township,  this  county.  Sarah  Jane  Frank 
was  born  on  a  farm  in  Mad  River  township,  two  miles  east  of  St.  Paris, 
the  daughter  of  Martin  Frank  and  wife,  who  were  also  A'irginians  by  birth, 
and  among  the  pioneers  of  Champaign  county.  After  his  marriage  David 
Kite  and  his  wife  settled  on  the  old  home  place  in  ^Mad  River  township 
and  lived  there  for  some  years,  or  until  they  moved  to  St.  Paris,  where 
he  engaged  in  the  stove  and  tin  shop  business,  in  which  line  he  continued 
until  failing  health  forced  him  to  retire  from  active  business  life.  He  and 
his  wife  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  five  of  whom  are  now  living: 
Louisa  Ann,  the  widow  of  Isaac  C.  Dovel,  now  living  with  her  brother, 
Lemuel,  at  St.  Paris;  Charles  B.,  of  Greenville,  Ohio;  Lemuel,  the  immediate 
subject  of  this  brief  review;  D.  E.,  of  St.  Paris;  Emmie  E.,  wife  of  Hydson 
Brookshire  of  Dayton,  Ohio.     The  mother  of  these  children  was  a  faithful 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  629 

and  earnest  member  of   the   Baptist  church,   being  actively   identified   with 
the  Myrtle  Tree  congregation. 

Lemuel  Kite  was  reared  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm  in  A'lad  River 
township,  receiving  his  education  in  the  township  schools.  When  his  parents 
moved  to  St.  Paris,  he  accompanied  them  to  this  village,  where  he  has  since 
lived.  On  February  i8,  1887,  he  and  his  brother,  W.  I.,  now  deceased, 
engaged  in  the  implement  business,  and  this  partnership  continued  for  three 
years,  after  which  he  became  engaged  in  other  lines,  being  in  the  fence 
business  for  about  thirteen  years.  In  1914  Mr.  Kite  retired  from  active 
business  life,  since  which  time  he  has  been  looking  after  his  various  business 
interests  in  and  around  St.  Paris.  Like  his  father  before  him,  he  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics,  and  a  firm  believer  in  the  doctrines  and  principles  of 
that  party.  He  is  an  earnest  member  of  the  Baptist  church  at  St.  Paris, 
in  the  affairs  of  which  he  is  warmlv  interested. 


TOHN  O.   BAKER. 


John  O.  Baker,  head  of  the  firm  of  Baker  &  Van  Culin,  general  insur- 
ance agents  at  St.  Paris,  and  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  is  a 
Virginian,  born  in  Rockingham  county,  in  the  Old  Dominion,  October  7, 
1842,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  Ohio  since  the  days  of  his  boyhood  and  of 
St.  Paris  since  early  in  the  year  1866,  having  taken  up  his  residence  there 
shortly  after  completing  his  service  in  the  Union  army.  He  was  about 
nine  years  of  age  when  his  parents,  Isaac  and  Anna  (Showalter)  Baker 
moved  from  Virginia  to  Indiana  in  185 1  and  settled  in  Elkhart  county, 
in  the  latter  state.  There  they  remained  for  something  more  than  two 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  they  came  to  Ohio  and  located  in  Allen 
county,  where  they  were  living  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  John  O. 
Baker  enlisted  for  service  as  a  member  of  Company  G.  Eighty-first  Regi- 
ment, Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  with  that  command  for  three 
years. 

Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  John  O.  Baker  returned 
to  his  home  in  Allen  count}',  but  shortly  afterward  came  down  into  Cham- 
paign county  and  on  January  3,  1886,  located  at  St.  Paris,  where  he  ever 
since  has  made  his  home  and  where  for  years  he  has  been  successfully 
engaged  in  the  insurance  business,  for  more  than  twenty  vears  having  had 
as  a  partner  in  that  business  his  son-in-law,  John  D.  Van  Culin.  Not  long 


630  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

after  taking  up  his  residence  in  St.  Paris  John  O.  Baker  was  united  in 
marriage  there  to  Susanna  Huffman,  who  was  born  at  St.  Paris,  a  member 
of  one  of  the  oldest  famiHes  in  Champaign  county,  and  to  this  union  one 
child  has  been  born,  a  daughter,  Emma,  wife  of  John  D.  Van  Culin.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Baker  are  members  of  the  Reformed  church  and,  politically,  Mr. 
Baker  is  a  Democrat.  He  has  for  many  years  given  his  close  attention  to 
local  civic  affairs  and  is  now  serving  as  justice  of  the  peace  in  and  for 
Johnson  township.  He  is  an  active  member  of  H.  C.  Scott  Post  No.  iii, 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  at  St.  Paris,  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in 
the  affairs  of  that  patriotic  organization. 

John  D.  Van  Culin  was  born  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia  on  March 
16,  1857,  son  of  John  D.  and  Jane  (Priest)  Van  Culin,  the  former  of 
whom,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  was  l^orn  in  that  same  city, 
of  Dutch  descent,  the  founder  of  his  family  in  this  country  having  come 
over  here  and  locating  in  lower  Philadelphia  shortly  after  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Penn  Colony  there.  He  was  a  printer  by  trade  and  spent  all 
his  life  in  Philadelphia,  his  death  occurring  there  in  1891,  he  then  being 
sixty-five  years  of  age;  his  final  illness  having  been  aggravated  as  a  result 
of  a  severe  wound  he  received  at  the  battle  of  Antietam  while  serving  as 
a  soldier  of  the  Union  during  the  Civil  War,  his  service  having  been  ren- 
dered as  a  member  of  Company  K,  Seventy-second  Regiment  (Baxter's 
Zouaves),  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry.  His  wife,  Jane  Priest,  of 
English  descent,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Jerseyshore  in  Lycoming  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  was  visiting  at  Philadelphia  when  she  met  and  married 
Mr.  Van  Culin.  To  that  union  were  born  thirteen  children,  of  whom  but 
four  grew  to  maturity. 

The  junior  John  D.  Van  Culin  was  reared  in  Philadelphia  and  re- 
ceived his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  city,  remaining  there  until  1893, 
when  he  came  over  into  Ohio  and  engaged  in  the  photograph  business 
at  St.  Paris.  In  August,  1894,  he  there  married  Emma  Baker,  daughter 
and  only  child  of  John  Q.  and  Susanna  (Huffman)  Baker,  noted  above,  and 
to  this  union  two  sons  have  been  born,  Paul  B.,  a  graduate  of  the  St.  Paris 
high  school,  who  is  now  employed  by  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company, 
and  Carl  D.,  who  is  still  in  school.  Not  long  after  his  marriage  Mr.  Van 
Culin  became  engaged  with  his  father-in-law  in  the  insurance  business, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Baker  &  Van  Culin,  and  has  since  been  thus  engaged, 
the  firm  doing  a  large  business  in  that  line  throughout  this  and  adjoining 
counties.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Van  Culin  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  and  take  an  earnest  interest  in  church  work  and  in  the  general  social 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  -  63 1 

activities  of  their  home  town.  In  1881,  while  still  living  in  Philadelphia, 
Mr.  Van  Culin  became  a  member  of  the  order  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias 
and  since  taking  up  his  residence  in  St.  Paris  has  been  a  member  of  Lodge 
No.  344  of  that  order  at  that  place  and  is  past  chancellor  commander  of 
the  same.  He  is  a  Knight  Templar  and  Royal  Arch  Mason,  past  master 
of  Pharos  Lodge  No.  355,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  at  St.  Paris;  past 
high  priest  of  St.  Paris  Chapter  No.  132,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  a  member 
of  Urbana  Council  No.  59,  Royal  and  Select  Masters,  and  of  Raper  Com- 
mandery  No.  19,  Knights  Templar,  at  Urbana,  and  in  the  affairs  of  all 
these  several  departments  of  Masonry  takes  a  warm  interest.  Politically, 
Mr.  Van  Culin  is  a  Republican,  ever  taking  a  proper  interest  in  local  civic 
affairs,  and  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  pubhc  works  of  the 
city  of  St.  Paris. 


FREEMAN  PERKEYPILE. 

Freeman  Perkeypile,  a  farmer  and  stock  buyer  living  at  Rosewood, 
Champaign,  county,  was  born  in  Adams  township,  this  county,  in  March, 
1865.  He  is  a  son  of  Jeremiah  and  Louisa  (Evans)  Perkeypile.  The 
mother  was  born  in  Champaign  county,  but  the  father  was  a  native  of  Penn- 
sylvania. He  was  a  son  of  David  Perkeypile,  who  made  three  trips,  in 
wagons,  from  his  home  in  that  state  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  in  early 
days,  finally  establishing  his  future  home  here.  His  son,  Jeremiah,  was 
a  young  man  when  the  family  moved  here.  The  latter  was  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania in  October,  18 19.  Louisa  Evans  was  his  second  wife.  Several 
children  were  born  of  his  first  marriage,  three  of  whom  are  living  in  1917, 
namely :  Leonard  lives  in  Urbana,  Ohio ;  Douglas  lives  on  a  farm  in  Adams 
township,  this  county;  and  George  W.,  who  makes  his  home  in  Chicago. 
Two  children  were  born  to  the  second  marriage,  namely:  Freeman,  of  this 
sketch;  and  D.  P.,  who  lives  in  Red  Key,  Indiana. 

Freeman  Perkeypile  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Adams  township 
and  he  attended  the  district  schools  until  he  was  fifteen  years  old,  then 
started  out  in  life  for  himself.  When  seventeen  he  began  trading  in  live  stock, 
buying  and  feeding  stock  for  the  market.  He  soon  became  an  excellent 
judge  of  stock  and  has  become  one  of  the  best  known  buyers  in  his  county. 
For  many  years  he  has  shipped  a  great  number  of  carloads  of  cattle  to 
the  central  markets  and  also  at  home.  He  has  been  very  successful  as  a 
stock  man  and  general   farmer,   and  he  now  owns  a  finely  improved  and 


632  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

productive  farm  of  one  hundred  and  five  acres  in  Adams  township.  He 
feeds  most  of  the  grain  he  raises  to  his  Hve  stock. 

On  November  19,  1885,  Mr.  Perkeypile  was  married  to  Anna  Over- 
holtzer,  who  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Ohio,  in  1868,  w^here  she  grew  up. 
Her  death  occurred  in  19 14,  leaving  one  child,  Mertie,  whose  birth  occurred 
on  February  i,  1892;  she  was  educated  in  the  local  public  schools,  and 
she  is  now  the  wife  of  Jesse  Armstrong;  they  make  their  home  with  her 
father,  Mr.  Armstrong,  assisting  with  the  operation  of  the  home  farm. 

Politically,  Mr.  Perkeyville  is  a  Democrat,  but  he  has  never  aspired 
to  public  office.  He  was  formerly  a  member  of  the  anti-horse  thief  asso- 
ciation. He  is  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  churches,  but  does  not  affiliate  with 
any  special  one.  He  is  charitably  inclined  and  tries  to  lead  a  helpful  and 
useful  life. 


WILLIAM  I.  PENCE. 


Among  the  enterprising  farmers  of  Champaign  county  is  William  I. 
Pence,  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  on  the  Runkle  road  about  one  mile  south  and 
one  mile  east  of  St.  Paris,  on  rural  route  No.  3.  Mr.  Pence  was  born  in 
Mad  River  township,  this  county,  September  8,  1836,  the  son  of  Aaron  and 
Rebecca  (Runkle)  Pence,  and,  with  the  exception  of  six  years  spent  in 
Hardin  county,  Ohio,  he  has  lived  in  this  county  all  his  life. 

Aaron  Pence  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  his  parents  having  come  to  this  state 
in  an  early  day  from  Virginia.  Rebecca  Runkle  was  a  native  of  the  Old 
Dominion  state,  and  came  with  her  parents  as  a  small  child  to  Ohio.  Her 
father,  Peter  Runkle,  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  south  part  of  Jackson  town- 
ship, this  county,  where  he  and  his  wife  lived  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 
A  few  years  after  his  marriage,  Aaron  Pence  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land, 
this  being  the  same  farm  where  William  I.  Pence  now  lives,  and  here  he  and 
his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight 
children,  only  three  of  whom  are  now  living:  William  I.,  of  this  review; 
Mrs.  Ella  Zimmerman,  of  Urbana,  Ohio,  and  Mariah,  the  widow  of  Simon 
Snapp. 

William  I.  Pence  was  reared  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm,  receiving 
his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  home  neighborhood.  In  1861  he 
moved  to  Hardin  county,  this  state,  where  he  lived  six  years.  In  February, 
1867,  he  returned  to  the  old  home  place  in  this  county  on  account  of  his 
father's  failing  health,  and  after  the  latter's  death,  in  March  of  that  year,  he 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY^    OHIO.  633 

took  active  charge  of  the  farm,  and  has  since  made  this  place  his  home, 
ahhough  in  later  years  Mr.  Pence  has  turned  over  the  active  management  of 
the  farm  to  his  two  sons.  Besides  his  farming  interests,  Mr.  Pence  engaged 
extensively  in  the  manufacture  of  tile,  having  started  one  of  the  first  tile 
factories  in  these  parts.  For  many  years  he  supplied  the  neighboring  farm- 
ers with  tile  with  which  to  drain  their  lands. 

On  April  22,  1858,  William  I.  Pence  was  united  in  marriage  to  Cath- 
erine Walgamuth,  who  was  born  on  a  farm  in  this  township  and  who  grew 
up  in  the  same  neighborhood  with  her  husband.  They  were  the  parents  of 
twelve  children,  nine  of  whom  are  now  living:  Douglas,  a  farmer  living  in 
Mad  River  township,  this  county;  Elmer,  of  St.  Paris,  Ohio;  McClelland,  a 
farmer  of  Jackson  township ;  Charles,  living  in  Miami  county,  Ohio ;  Emmet, 
at  home;  Fletcher,  at  home;  John,  a  resident  of  Jackson  township;  Rose, 
the  wife  of  McClellan  Fitzpatrick,  of  Jackson  township;  Emma  and  Hattie, 
at  home ;  Lydia  and  Ada,  both  deceased.  The  mother  of  these  children  died 
on  January  20,  191 1,  loved  and  mourned  by  all  who  knew  her.  The  two 
sons,  Fletcher  and  Emmet,  have  active  charge  of  the  farm  work,  and  are  very 
successful  in  their  farming  operations. 

Mr.  Pence  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  but  not  active  in  political  matters, 
although  taking  a  warm  interest  in  local  public  matters.  Mrs.  Pence  is  a 
member  of  the  Myrtle  Tree  Baptist  church  and  Emma  and  Hattie  are  mem- 
bers of  Mt.  Zion  Baptist  church. 


F.  C.  BATDORF. 


F.  C.  Batdorf,  of  the  firm  of  Batdorf  &  Berry,  dealers  in  dry  goods  and 
shoes,  at  St.  Paris,  this  county,  was  born  in  that  city  and  has  lived  there 
all  his  life,  with  the  exception  of  a  period  during  his  youth  when  his  parents 
were  living  on  a  farm  in  that  neighborhood.  He  was  born  on  May  18,  1867, 
son  of  J.  H.  and  Johanna  (Bowersock)  Batdorf,  both  of  whom  were  born 
in  this  county  and  both  of  Pennsylvania-Dutch  stock,  members  of  pioneer 
families  in  this  section  of  the  state. 

J.  H.  Batdorf  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Johnson  township  on  December 
13,  1839,  son  of  Samuel  and  Susan  Batdorf,  who  had  come  here  from 
Pennsylvania,  and  on  the  pioneer  farm  of  his  parents  he  grew  to  manhood. 
He  married  Johanna  Bowersock,  who  was  born  at  Carysville,  in  Adams  town- 
ship in  October,   1843,  daughter  of  Samuel  Bowersock  and  wife,  who  also 


634  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

had  come  out  here  from  Pennsylvania  and  had  at  first  settled  on  a  farm 
near  Fletcher,  over  in  Miami  county,  but  who  later  moved  over  into  this 
county  and  settled  at  Carysville,  where  Samuel  Bowersock  engaged  in  the 
general  mercantile  business,  a  few  years  later  moving  to  St.  Paris  and  estab- 
lishing a  store  on  the  site  of  the  store  now  operated  by  Batdorf  &  Berry. 
For  a  time  after  his  marriage  J.  H.  Batdorf  made  his  home  in  St.  Paris 
and  then  moved  to  a  farm  in  Jackson  township,  where  he  continued  to  make 
his  home  until  1887,  in  which  year  he  returned  to  St.  Paris.  In  the  mean- 
time, in  1885,  he  had  become  connected  in  the  dry  goods  business  at  St.  Paris, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Mitchell  &  Batdorf,  and  continued  connected  with 
that  business  until  1902,  when  both  he  and  his  partner  retired,  the  business 
at  that  time  being  taken  over  by  the  present  firm  of  Batdorf  &  Berry,  which 
has  since  been  very  successfully  conducting  the  same.  J.  H.  Batdorf  was 
quite  active  in  the  political  affairs  of  the  community  during  the  period  of 
his  activities  and  served  for  many  years  as  assessor  of  Jackson  township, 
and  was  long  regarded  as  one  of  the  local  leaders  of  the  Democratic  party 
in  that  part  of  the  county.  He  and  his  wife  were  both  active  members  of 
the  Baptist  church.  They  were  the  parents  of  two  children,  sons  both, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  having  an  elder  brother,  W.  H.  Batdorf,  now  living 
at  Columbus,  the  state  capital. 

F.  C.  Batdorf  was  reared  on  the  farm,  receiving  his  schooling  in  the 
neighborhood  schools,  and  remained  there  until  his  parents  removed  to  St. 
Paris  in  1887,  when  he  became  identified  with  the  affairs  of  the  store  with 
which  his  father  was  connected  and  has  ever  since  been  thus  engaged  in 
association  with  his  partner,  having  taken  over  the  business  when  his  father 
and  Mr.  Mitchell  retired  in  1902,  the  store  since  then  being  conducted  under 
the  firm  name  of  Batdorf  &  Berry.  Mr.  Batdorf  is  an  energetic  and  enter- 
prising business  man  and  has  ever  since  becoming  connected  with  the  busi- 
ness interests  of  St.  Paris  given  his  earnest  attention  to  the  general  develop- 
ment of  the  material  interests  of  that  town.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  takes 
a  good  citizen's  interest  in  local  politics,  but  has  not  been  a  seeker  after 
public  office. 

On  April  10,  1890,  F.  C.  Batdorf  was  united  in  marriage  to  Susan 
Brown,  daughter  of  Levi  and  Maria  Brown.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Batdorf  have 
a  pleasant  home  at  St.  Paris  and  give  proper  attention  to  the  general  social 
activities  of  their  home  town,  helpful  in  the  promotion  of  all  worthy  local 
causes.  Mr.  Batdorf,  is  a  charter  member  of  St.  Paris  Lodge  No.  344, 
Knights  of  Pythias,  and  is  past  chancellor  commander  of  the  lodge,  in  the 
affairs  of  which  he  has  ever  taken  a  warm  and  active  interest. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  635 

WALDO  E.  ZERKEL. 

One  of  the  successful  educators  of  Champaign  county,  who  has  won 
distinctive  prestige  in  his  chosen  vocation  while  yet  a  young  man  is  Waldo 
E.  Zerkel,  superintendent  of  the  Concord  consolidated  schools.  He  was 
born  in  Bebee,  Arkansas,  December  4,  1890.  He  is  a  son  of  E.  C.  and 
Rebecca  (Leonard)  Zerkel,  both  natives  of  Mad  River  township,  Cham- 
paign county,  and  there  they  grew  to  maturity  and  attended  the  public 
schools.  Later  E.  C.  Zerkel  taught  school  for  some  time  in  the  schools 
of  his  native  count}^  He  finally  removed  with  his  family  to  Arkansas, 
where  he  continued  teaching.  Upon  returning  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio, 
he  again  resumed  teaching  but  eventually  turned  his  attention  to  farming. 
He  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  ablest  teachers  in  the  common  schools  in 
his  day  and  his  services  were  in  good  demand.  He  is  now  living  near 
Thackery,  Ohio.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  he  and  his  wife  belong  to  the 
Methodist  church  at  Terre  Haute,  Ohio.  They  are  parents  of  five  children, 
named  as  follow:  Waldo  E.,  of  this  sketch;  Elva,  who  was  educated 
in  the  high  school  at  Thackery,  is  single  and  lives  at  Tremont  City,  Ohio; 
Nettie,  who  was  also  educated  in  the  Thackery  high  school,  is  the  wife  of 
Gail  Brenner  and  they  live  at  Bellefontaine,  Ohio;  Samuel  is  a  student 
in  the  high  school  at  Terre  Haute,  Ohio;  and  Erma.  who  is  now  (1917) 
four  years  old. 

Waldo  E.  Zerkel  was  eighteen  months  old  when  his  parents  brought 
him  from  Arkansas  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio.  Here  he  grew  to  manhood 
and  when  a  boy  attended  the  high  school  at  Thackery,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  1909.  He  then  entered  Wittenberg  College  at  Springfield, 
Ohio,  where  he  made  an  excellent  record  and  from  which  he  was  graduated, 
receiving  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  He  has  since  done  post-graduate 
work  there.  After  leaving  college  he  followed  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father 
in  a  professional  way  and  took  up  teaching  which  he  has  continued  to  the 
present  time,  being  very  successful  from  the  start.  He  has  remained  a  deep 
student  and  has  therefore  kept  fully  abreast  of  the  times  in  all  that  pertains 
to  his  profession.  As  superintendent  of  the  Concord  consolidated  schools  he 
is  giving  entire  satisfaction  to  the  board,  the  pupils  and  patrons.  He  has 
introduced  various  new  and  modern  methods  and  has  everything  under  a 
superb  system.  He  gives  promise  of  ranking  among  the  leading  men  in 
educational  affairs  in  the  state  in  future  years. 

Mr.  Zerkel  was  married  in  July  12,  1916,  to  Helen  Snarr,  a  native  of 


636  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Champaign  county,  and  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Carena  (Packer)  Snarr. 
She  has  enjoyed  excellent  educational  advantages.  After  graduating  from 
the  Urbana  high  school  she  took  the  normal  training  course  in  Wittenberg 
College  at  Springfield,  after  which  she  taught  school  successfully  until  her 
marriage.     They  have  one  child,  Leonard  Snarr,  born  May  11,   1917. 

Politically,  Mr.  Zerkel  is  a  Democrat.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Concord 
Methodist  church,  and  is  teaching  the  young  men's  class  in  the  Sunday  school. 


GEORGE  W.  PENCE. 


One  of  the  well-known  farmers  of  Jackson  township,  this  county,  is 
George  \A'.  Pence,  the  owner  and  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of  two  hundred 
and  thirty  acres  on  the  Kirkpatrick  road  two  miles  south  of  St.  Paris.  He 
was  born  on  what  is  known  as  the  old  Brubaker  farm,  one  mile  south  of  St. 
Paris,  January  22,  1848,  the  son  of  Allen  and  Sarah  (Riker)  Pence,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  this  county. 

Allen  Pence  was  born  on  the  old  Pence  homestead  farm  in  Johnson  town- 
ship, this  county,  east  of  St.  Paris,  the  son  of  Isaac  Pence,  who  came  from 
Virginia  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  being  among  the  early  settlers  of  the 
county.  After  his  marriage  to  Sarah  Riker,  Allen  Pence  continued  to  live  on 
the  old  home  farm  for  a  few  years,  two  of  their  children  being  ])orn  there. 
They  then  moved  to  Jackson  township,  where  they  lived  the  remainder  of 
tlieir  li\-es.  Allen  Pence  was  a  successful  and  well-to-do  farmer  and  stock- 
man, and  during  his  lifetime  accumulated  about  seven  hundred  acres  of  land, 
always  investing  any  surplus  capital  he  had  in  land,  this  being  in  his  judgment 
the  safest  investment.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  active  in  the  coun- 
cils of  his  party,  being  a  man  of  strong  convictions.  He  and  his  wife  were 
the  parents  of  eight  children,  six  of  whom  are  now  living :  Mary,  deceased, 
who  was  the  wife  of  James  Wiant,  also  deceased;  B.  E.  A.,  a  farmer  of  Jack- 
son township;  George  W.,  of  this  review;  Winfield.  living  in  Maryland;  Elen- 
ora,  deceased;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  James  Martin,  of  Dayton,  Ohio;  Mandy, 
widow  of  Leer  Smith,  of  St.  Paris.  Ohio,  and  Lottie,  wife  of  Wilson  Baker, 
of  Urbana,  Ohio. 

George  W.  Pence  was  reared  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm  in  Jackson 
township,  receiving  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  home  township. 
After  his  marriage  he  started  out  in  life  for  himself  on  eighty  acres  of  land  in 
Jackson  township,  and  has  since  made  this  place  his  home,  on  the  old  Grafton 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  637 

farm.  Here  he  has  carried  on  general  fanning  and  stock  raising,  and  that 
lie  has  been  unusually  successful  in  his  chosen  calling  is  attested  by  the  fact 
that  he  added  to  his  land  holdings  until  he  became  the  owner  of  three  hundred 
and  thirty  acres  of  fine  farming  land  in  the  township.  However,  he  now  has 
but  two  hundred  and  thirty  acres,  having  divided  one  hundred  acres  between 
his  two  children.  For  many  years  he  and  his  brother,  B.  F.  A.  Pence,  were 
engaged  in  importing  and  breeding  thoroughbred  Shire  horses,  in  which  they 
were  very  successful.  However,  Mr.  Pence  has  discontinued  that  branch  of 
farming,  and  now  devotes  his  attention  to  the  breeding  and  selling  of  thor- 
oughbred Polled  Durham  cattle  and  hogs.  Besides  his  farming- interests,  Mr. 
Pence  is  a  stockholder  and  director  in  the  St.  Paris  Grain  Company. 

On  March  i,  1873,  George  W.  Pence  was  united  in  marriage  to  Minerva 
Long,  daughter  of  Sampson  and  Elizabeth  Long,  residents  of  Johnson  town- 
ship, and  to  this  union  have  been  born  two  children :  Cory,  living  on  part 
of  her  father's  farm,  married  Dove  Ward,  and  is  the  mother  of  two  children, 
Grace  and  Harold;  and  Otie,  the  wife  of  Ira  E.  Hance,  of  Indianapolis,  In- 
diana, is  the  mother  of  two  children,  Richard  and  Georgotta. 

Mr.  Pence  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  but  has  never  taken  a  very  active 
part  in  political  matters,  although  interested  in  the  social  and  civic  betterment 
of  his  communitv. 


MARTIN  LUTHER  BENEDICT. 

Martin  Luther  Benedict  lives  on  his  farm,  rural  route  number  eleven, 
near  Tremont  City,  Champaign  county,  Ohio.  He  was  born  in  Benton 
county,  Indiana,  February  10,  1864,  a  son  of  Levi  and  Mahala  (Kolb) 
Benedict.  His  father  was  born  in  Ohio  and  his  mother  in  Indiana.  Levi 
Benedict  is  a  son  of  Martin  Benedict,  who,  with  his  family  moved  to  Benton 
county,  Indiana,  in  an  early  day.  Here  Levi  was  reared  and  educated 
and  was  married,  and  continued  to  live  until  his  death,  in  19 12.  His  wife 
is  still  living  in  Benton  county,  Indiana.  They  were  farmers  and  were  the 
parents  of  seven  children,  four  of  whom  are  still  Hving:  Martin  L.,  our  sub- 
ject; John  F.,  a  farmer  in  Colorado;  Albert,  a  farmer  in  Benton  county, 
Indiana;  Hattie,  unmarried,  living  at  home. 

Martin  L.  Benedict  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Benton  county,  Indiana, 
and  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  that  county.  After  arriv- 
ing at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  he  rented  a  farm  and  engaged  in  farming  on 
his  owai  account.     March  3,   1891,  he  was  married  to  Emma  Jordan,  who 


638  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

was  born  in  Pike  county,  Ohio,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood.  After 
marriage  they  settled  on  a  rented  farm  in  Benton  county,  and  continued 
to  hve  there  until  19 14,  when  they  bought  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty- 
three  acres  in  Mad  River  township,  north  of  Springfield,  Ohio.  They 
removed  here  and  have  since  made  this  their  home.  They  have  one  son. 
Orville,  J.,  born  January  15,  1892.  He  graduated  in  the  schools  at  Oxford, 
Indiana,  in  the  class  of  1909.  He  married  Ellen  M.  Edwards,  of  Benton 
county,  Indiana,  June  8,  191 5.  He  is  a  member  of  Oxford  Lodge  No.  191, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Martin  L.  Benedict  are  members  of  the  Church  of  Christ, 
of  Springfield,  Ohio.     He  affiliates  with  the  Democratic  party. 


C.  F.  NAGEL. 


C.  F.  Nagel,  contractor  and  farmer,  living  near  St.  Paris,  Jackson 
township.  Champaign  county,  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  New  York,  in  August, 
1858.  He  is  a  son  of  George  and  Carlena  (Dutfrin)  Nagel,  both  natives 
of  Germany,  from  which  country  they  immigrated  to  New  York  City  when 
young  and  there  they  were  married  and  began  housekeeping,  living  in  Brook- 
lyn for  some  time.  The  father  worked  at  his  trade  of  coppersmith.  Later 
he  moved  to  Canada  and  there  learned  the  stone  mason's  trade.  After 
spending  three  years  in  Canada  he  moved  to  Ohio,  locating  on  a  farm  near 
Urbana,  which  he  bought,  and  he  carried  on  general  farming  and  his  trade 
of  stone  mason.  He  finally  erected  three  buildings  in  Urbana  and  moved 
thereto,  spending  the  rest  of  his  life  there.  He  and  his  wife  belonged  to 
the  German  Lutheran  church.  They  were  parents  of  eleven  children,  namely : 
C.  F.,  of  this  sketch;  George  D.  lives  at  Christiansburg,  Ohio;  Carrie  is 
the  wife  of  Frank  Hubert  of  Detroit,  Michigan;  Mattie  is  the  widow  of 
Will  King  and  she  lives  in  Detroit;  Maggie  is  the  widow  of  Will  McDonald 
and  she  makes  her  home  in  Urbana,  Ohio ;  Fred  lives  in  Urbana ;  \Vill  is 
a  contractor  of  Piqua,  this  state. 

C.  F.  Nagel  was  about  thirteen  years  old  when  he  came  to  Cham- 
paign county.  He  received  a  common  school  education  in  Canada  and  in 
this  county.  He  learned  the  stone  mason's  trade  under  his  father,  and  when 
twenty-one  years  old  started  out  in  life  for  himself,  locating  in  Jackson 
township  and  he  has  continued  to  make  his  home  here,  working  at  his 
trade.     On  November  28,   1880,  he  married  Emma  Johnson,  a  daughter  of 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  639 

Samuel  C.  Johnson  and  wife.  She  was  born  October  22,  1862,  on  a  farm 
just  across  the  road  from  the  Nagel  homestead  and  there  she  grew  up.  She 
attended  the  pubhc  schools.  Two  children  were  born  to  this  union,  namely : 
Bennie  died  at  the  age  of  two  years;  and  Vannie,  born  in  1882,  was  gradu- 
ated from  the  common  schools,  and  she  is  now  the  wife  of  F.  C.  Slusser; 
they  make  their  home  with  her  father.  Samuel  C.  Johnson,  who  was  one 
of  the  pioneers  of  Jackson  township,  reclaimed  this  land  from  the  wilder- 
ness and  here  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  walked  from  Cincinnati,  carry- 
ing his  ax,  with  which  he  cleared  a  place  large  enough  for  his  log  cabin, 
then  returned  to  Cincinnati  and  brought  his  mother  and  sister  and  their  few 
household  effects  overland  in  a  one-horse  wagon.  Later  he  returned  to 
Cincinnati  a  second  time  for  his  bride  and  married  Mary  A.  Fitzpatrick,  who 
was  at  that  time  only  sixteen  years  old.  She  has  lived  on  the  home  place 
here  sixty-five  years  and  has  survived  her  husband  thirty-three  years,  Mr. 
Johnson's  death  having  occurred  in  1884.  She  has  lived  to  see  the  country 
transformed  from  a  sparsely  settled  wilderness  to  one  of  the  leading  agri- 
cultural sections  in  Ohio. 

Politically,  Mr.  Nagel  is  a  Republican.  He  and  his  wife  and  Mrs. 
Mary  A.  Johnson  are  members  of  the  Universalist  church  at  Conover,  in 
which  Mr.  Nagel  is  a  deacon  and  has  long  been  active. 


RICHARD  LEE. 


Richard  Lee,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Mad  River  town- 
ship, June  15,  1844.  He  is  living  on  his  farm  known  as  "Locust  Hill  Farm," 
consisting  of  two  hundred  and  thirty-seven  acres,  located  in  Mad  River 
township.  Champaign  county,  eight  miles  southwest  of  Urbana,  Ohio.  He 
is  a  son  of  John  G.  and  Mary  (Idle)  Lee.  John  G.  Lee  was  born  near 
Mount  Tabor,  this  county,  and  his  father  died  before  he  was  born.  John 
G.  was  born,  April  8,  1816.  His  wife  was  born  May  18,  181 5  ;  they  were  mar- 
ried July  10,  1842.  He  died  February  9,  1865;  she  died  January  22,  1894. 
When  they  were  married  he  had  one-fifth  interest  in  eighty  acres  of  land. 
During  his  life  he  increased  his  acreage  until  he  had  six  hundred  and  seventy 
acres  of  land,  the  richest  landowner  in  the  township. 

Richard  Lee,  being  the  oldest  in  the  family,  took  the  responsibility 
and  care  of  the  family.  He  remained  at  home  until  September  9,  1865, 
when  he  moved  here  into  an  old  log  house.     He  lived  here  until  his  father's 


640  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

death,  when  he  rented  the  old  farm.  He  built  his  house  in  1879,  and  his 
barns  about  1904.  He  married  Victoria  Kiser,  who  was  born  in  the  Mad 
River  valley,  August  2,  1845,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Yarnell) 
Kiser,  she  of  Maryland  and  he  of  this  county.  They  have  one  son,  Ward 
J.,  born  October  i,  1871.  He  was  a  student  of  the  Urbana  high  school, 
and  was  a  teacher  for  eight  years.  He  married  Mary  B.  Leber,  of  Tre- 
mont  City,  Ohio.  He  farmed  and  was  in  the  automobile  business.  He 
then  went  to  Los  Angeles  and  Long  Beach,  California,  an  official  of  the  Pacific 
Electric  railroad.  They  have  two  children,  Richard  and  Nellie.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Knights  of  Pythias, 
and  an  Elk. 

Mrs.  Lee  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Terre  Haute.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at  St.  Paris,  and  in 
political  matters  he  affiliates  with  the  Democrats,  though  he  does  not  take 
an  active  part  in  politics.  His  farming  interests  are  sufificient  to  occupy 
his  time  and  he  devotes  his  attention  and  his  activities  in  that  direction. 


WILLIAM  F.  KIZER. 


William  F.  Kizer,  farmer,  of  Concord  township,  was  born  in  Johnson 
township,  this  county,  on  a  farm  two  and  one-half  miles  north  of  St.  Paris, 
November  9,  1849.  He  is  a  son  of  Daniel  and  Mary  (Barger)  Kizer.  The 
mother  was  born  in  this  county  about  1820,  her  family  having  settled  here 
in  early  pioneer  times.  Daniel  Kizer,  son  of  Joseph  and  Catherine  Kizer, 
was  born  in  Shenandoah  county,  \'irginia,  in  18 11,  and,  when  a  child,  his 
parents  brought  him  by  wagon  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  the  family  being 
among  the  pioneer  settlers  here.  Here  Daniel  Kizer  grew  to  manhood, 
helped  to  clear  and  develop  the  home  farm,  and  after  his  marriage  he  settled 
two  and  one-half  miles  north  of  St.  Paris  in  Johnson  township  and  lived 
there  until  he  moved  to  Concord  township.  He  started  out  on  a  small  scale, 
but  bv  industry  and  good  management  he  became  one  of  the  leading  farmers 
of  his  locality,  accumulating  by  his  own  efforts  a  valuable  farm  of  three  hun- 
dred and  forty  acres.  He  was  a  Democrat,  and  was  active  in  church  affairs. 
His  family  consisted  of  five  children,  three  of  whom  are  living  in  1917, 
namely:  William  F. ;  Joseph  J.;  Samuel  P.  died  on  May  22,  191 7;  Cora  is 
the  wife  of  A.  C.  Thacher  of  Urbana,  this  county;  George  N.,  deceased. 

William  F.  Kizer  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  where  he  worked  when 


-MU.    AM>    MRS.    WILLIAM    F.    KIZEK 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  64I 

a  boy,  and  in  the  winter  time  he  attended  the  district  schools  in  Concord 
township,  where  his  parents  moved  when  he  was  four  years  old.  He 
remained  at  home  with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old.  In 
June,  1879,  he  married  Rebecca  J.  Grove,  who  was  born  in  Johnson  town- 
ship, Champaign  county,  and  there  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  attended  the 
common  schools.  Her  father,  Joseph  Grove,  is  mentioned  specifically  in 
later  paragraphs.  After  his  marriage  Mr.  Kizer  located  on  his  present  farm 
and  has  been  here  ever  since.  He  owns  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
excellent  land,  six  miles  northwest  of  Urbana,  in  Concord  township,  where 
he  has  carried  on  general  agricultural  pursuits  with  gratifying  results. 

Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kizer,  namely :  Mary 
O.  is  the  wife  of  Blair  Stickley;  D.  J.  married  Ethel  Johnson;  James  L., 
who  is  single,  lives  at  home  and  is  assisting  with  the  work  on  the  farm; 
Elmer  C.  is  also  working  on  the  home  place. 

Politically..  Mr.  Kizer  is  a  Democrat  and  is  at  present  one  of  the  trustees 
of  Concord  township.  He  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at 
Concord  and  is  a  member  of  the  official  board. 

Joseph  Grove  was  born  in  what  is  now  Page  county,  Virginia,  February 
17,  1 82 1,  and  came  to  this  county  with  his  mother,  Catherine  Grove,  in  1826. 
They  located  in  Jackson  township  and  remained  there  till  1837,  when  he 
went  to  learn  wagon-making  with  John  Turner,  of  Mad  River  township. 
He  moved  to  Millerstown  in  1838,  where  he  completed  his  trade  in  1841  and 
then  for  two  years  worked  at  carpentering  and  cabinet-making.  In  1843  he 
resumed  his  former  trade  which  he  followed  at  Millerstown  till  1870,  when 
he  moved  onto  his  farm  in  section  33,  of  Concord  township,  and  was  there- 
after engaged  at  various  kinds  of  work,  clearing,  building  and  working  some 
at  his  trade.  He  was  postmaster  at  Millerstown  about  twenty  years,  was 
treasurer  of  Johnson  township  several  years,  trustee  of  Concord  township 
three  or  four  years  and  was  justice  of  the  peace  several  terms.  He  died  in 
Concord  township,  aged  about  sixty-six  years. 

In  August,  1845,  Mr.  Grove  married  Polly  Houser,  by  whom  he  had 
two  children,  Lydia  A.  (now  Mrs.  John  Heitz,  of  Indiana)  is  the  surviving 
one;  Polly  Grove  departed  this  life  on  March  11,  1848.  On  March  24,  1850, 
Mr.  Grove  married  Mary  Strickler,  who  was  born  on  March  7,  1828,  a  native 
of  this  county,  but  who  was  reared  in  Allen  county,  Ohio,  and  who  died  at 
the  age  of  sixty-four  years.  Joseph  and  Mary  Grove  became  the  parents 
of  four  children,  namely:  Rebecca  J.  (now  Mrs.  W.  F.  Kizer),  Elisha  J., 
Laura  M.  E.  and  Minerva  Catherine. 
(41a) 


642  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

WILLIAM  A.  NIXON. 

William  A.  Nixon,  of  the  firm  of  Fromme  &  Nixon,  furniture  and  under- 
taking, at  St.  Paris;  president  of  the  Nixon  Remedy  Company  of  that  city, 
former  city  treasurer,  former  city  councilman,  for  nine  years  president  of 
the  city  school  board,  a  director  of  the  Farmers  Telephone  Company  and 
in  other  ways  identified  with  the  civic  and  business  interests  of  his  home 
town  and  of  Champaign  county  in  general,  is  a  Virginian,  but  has  been 
a  resident  of  this  state  since  the  days  of  his  young  manhood  and  of  St. 
Paris  since  the  middle  eighties.  He  was  born  at  Boothsville  in  Taylor  county. 
West  Virginia,  then  a  part  of  the  Old  Dominion,  June  13,  1854,  son  of 
Robert  P.  and  Catherine  (Hayhurst)  Nixon,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  that 
county  and  the  latter  of  whom  is  still  living  there  at  the  advanced  age  of 
ninety-two  years. 

Robert  P.  Nixon  was  born  on  January  10,  18 18,  and  grew  up  at 
Boothsville,  where  he  married  Catherine  Hayhurst,  who  was  born  at  that 
same  place  on  May  23,  1825  and  there  he  established  his  home,  spending 
his  whole  life  there  on  a  farm,  his  death  occurring  in  June,  1896;  and  there 
his  widow  is  still  living.  Robert  P.  Nixon  completed  his  schooling  in  the 
university  at  Morgantown  and  was  one  of  the  best-educated  men  in  his  com- 
munity. For  forty  years  he  taught  school,  helped  to  establish  the  free-school 
system  in  his  community  and  was  ever  helpful  to  the  youth  of  the  region  over 
which  his  admirable  influence  was  for  so  many  years  exerted  in  all  good 
ways.  He  also  for  some  time  served  as  county  surveyor  and  in  that  capacity 
helped  lay  out  most  of  the  public  roads  in  that  county  in  the  early  days.  He 
and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Baptist  church  and  took  an  active  part 
in  church  work.  When  the  question  of  secession  reached  its  crisis  in  Vir- 
ginia Robert  P.  Nixon  was  one  of  the  Union's  most  ardent  champions  in 
that  state  and  was  one  of  the  leaders  in  his  community  in  the  movement 
that  presently  resulted  in  the  creation  of  the  new  state  of  West  Virginia 
in  1863  as  a  protest  against  the  secession  of  the  Old  Dominion  and  he 
and  Governor  Pierpont  organized  the  first  company  sent  from  that  new  state 
to  aid  the  Union  cause,  Mr.  Nixon  going  to  the  front  and  doing  his  duty  as 
a  soldier  of  the  Union  until  the  close  of  the  war.  To  Robert  P.  Nixon  and 
wife  thirteen  children  were  born.  Of  these  children  ten  grew  to  maturity 
and  eight  are  still  living,  all  past  fifty  years  of  age.  The  ten  who  grew  to 
maturity  are  as  follow:  S.  A.  Nixon,  of  Deer  Creek,  Illinois;  the  Rev. 
A.  B.  Nixon,  a  minister  of  the  Baptist  church,  who  died  at  the  age  of  sixty- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  643 

seven  years;  the  Rev.  H.  A.  Nixon  a  minister  of  the  Baptist  church,  who 
also  was  sixty-seven  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1916;  WilHam 
A.,  the  subject  of  this  biographical  sketch;  Mrs.  Ella  C.  Robinson,  John  S. 
Nixon,  Mrs.  Addie  N.  Cornwell,  Harvey  R.  Nixon  and  Mrs.  Alice  Robinson, 
.all  of  Deer  Creek,  Illinois,  and  Wayland  L.  Nixon,  of  Tulsa,  Oklahoma. 

Upon  completing  the  course  in  the  common  schools  of  his  home  county 
William  A.  Nixon  took  a  course  in  the  West  Virginia  College  at  Farmington. 
He  taught  three  terms  of  school  in  his  home  state  and  then,  at  the  age  of 
twenty-one  years,  came  over  into  Ohio  and  entered  the  National  Normal 
School  at  Lebanon,  teaching  school  during  the  winters  and  attending  the 
normal  during  the  summers,  and  was  thus  engaged  for  three  years,  at  the 
end  of  which  time  he  began  clerking  in  a  general  store  at  Troy,  this  state. 
A  year  later  he  was  made  manager  of  a  store  at  Kirkwood  and  remained 
at  that  place  for  two  years,  at  the  same  time  acting  as  postmaster  of  Kirk- 
wood. He  then  came  over  into  Champaign  county  and  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business  at  St.  Paris,  doing  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Nixon  & 
Frazier,  an  arrangement  which  continued  for  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which 
time,  on  January  16,  1887,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  his  brother-in-law, 
Albert  Fromme,  in  the  furniture  and  undertaking  line  at  St.  Paris,  the  two 
taking  over  the  old-established  concern  of  Frederick  Fromme  and  has  ever 
since  been  engaged  in  that  line,  the  firm  doing  business  under  the  firm  style 
of  Fromme  &  Nixon,  one  of  the  leading  furniture  and  undertaking  concerns 
in  that  part  of  the  state.  Mr.  Nixon  is  a  Republican  and  ever  since 
he  came  to  this  county  has  taken  an  active  interest  in  political  affairs. 
For  two  terms  he  served  as  treasurer  of  the  city  of  St.  Paris,  served  three 
terms  as  a  member  of  the  city  council  and  for  nine  years  as  president  of 
the  local  school  board,  in  all  of  these  important  public  capacities  giving  his 
most  intelligent  attention  to  the  needs  of  the  city.  Mr.  Nixon  is  a  member 
of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Farmers  Telephone  Company  at  St.  Paris 
and  president  of  the  Nixon  Remedy  Company  of  St.  Paris,  an  incorporated 
concern  established  by  himself. 

On  September  22,  1886,  William  A.  Nixon  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Clara  Fromme,  who  was  born  at  St.  Paris,  daughter  of  Frederick  and  Frances 
P>omme,  the  former  of  whom  for  years  was  one  of  the  leading  merchants 
of  that  city  and  proper  and  fitting  mention  of  whom  is  made  elsewhere  in 
this  volume,  and  to  that  union  three  children  were  born,  namely :  Nellie, 
wife  of  Prof.  O.  Garfield  Jones,  of  Sioux  City,  Iowa;  Herman  W.,  who  is 
living  at  Redland,  California,  where  he  is  connected  with  the  Mutual  Orange 
Distributors  Association,  and  Jessie  Mav,  who  is  at  home.     The  mother  of 


644  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

these  children  died  on  October  9,  1903,  and  on  September  22,  1907,  Mr. 
Nixon  married  Susie  May  Nitchman,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Rosetta  Nitch- 
man,  of  St.  Paris,  and  to  this  union  two  children  have  been  born,  daughters, 
Ruth  Virginia  and  Mary  Lucile,  twins,  born  on  July  4,  1909.  Air.  and  Mrs. 
Nixon  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church,  Mr.  Nixon  being  a  deacon  of  the 
local  congregation,  and  take  a  proper  part  in  local  church  work,  as  well  as 
in  the  general  social  activities  of  their  home  town,  helpful  in  promoting 
all  worthy  causes.  Mr.  Nixon  is  a  member  of  Pharos  Lodge  No.  355,  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons;  of  St.  Paris  Lodge  No.  344,  Knights  of  Pythias  and 
of  St.  Paris  Lodge  No.  246,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in  the 
affairs  of  all  of  which  organizations  he  takes  a  warm  interest.  He  is  past 
noble  grand  of  the  Odd  Fellow  lodge  and  is  a  member  of  the  encampment 
of  that  order. 


FRANK  D.  BRUBAKER. 


Frank  D.  Brubaker,  an  enterprising  and  leading  citizen  of  St.  Paris,  and 
one  of  the  largest  landowners  in  Champaign  county,  was  born  in  St.  Paris, 
Ohio,  November  23,  1880,  the  son  of  Daniel  J.  and  Mary  A.  (Wibel)  Bru- 
baker, natives  of  Johnson  township,  this  county. 

Daniel  J.  Brubaker  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Champaign  county,  the  son  of 
Jacob  Brubaker,  who  came  in  an  early  day  from  Virginia,  being  one  of  the 
early  pioneers  of  this  section.  He  was  of  German  ancestry  and  traced  his 
family  back  to  the  Fatherland.  He  was  a  comparatively  poor  man,  and  lived 
and  died  here  in  this  county.  Daniel  J.  Brubaker  started  out  in  life  for  him- 
self on  a  small  tract  of  land,  but  by  diligent  effort  and  far  sighted  manage- 
ment, he  gradually  acquired  a  large  amount  of  good  farming  land  in  this 
county,  and  in  1869  moved  to  St.  Paris,  where  he  engaged  in  the  elevator  busi- 
ness, establishing  the  firm  of  Welcanmode  &  Brubaker,  which  was  later  merged 
into  that  of  Brubaker  &  McMorran,  and  this  firm  was  afterwards  changed  to 
S.  &  D.  Brubaker,  which  continued  until  the  death  of  Daniel  Brubaker.  He 
was  a  well-known  and  influential  citizen,  being  always  interested  in  the  welfare 
of  his  community,  a  Baptist  in  faith,  and  always  loyal  to  the  church,  being 
for  years  an  officer  in  the  local  congregation.  Besides  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  Daniel  J.  Brubaker  had  four  sons  by  a  previous  marriage,  these  being 
as  follow :  Charles,  living  in  Missouri ;  Samuel  W.,  of  Urbana,  Ohio ;  Monroe, 
of  Osborne,  Ohio,  and  Gifford,  also  living  in  Missouri. 

Frank  D.  Brubaker  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  St.  Paris,  and 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  645 

at  an  early  age  entered  his  father's  employ  in  the  elevator  business,  learning 
the  business  from  all  angles.  Prior  to  his  father's  death,  for  a  period  of  three 
years,  he  had  full  charge  of  the  business,  and  continued  in  this  line  after  his 
father's  death,  to  1912,  taking  over  the  entire  business  after  purchasing  the 
interests  of  the  other  heirs,  and  since  that  time  he  has  devoted  his  time  ex- 
clusively to  his  many  business  interests.  His  father  owned  about  eleven  hun- 
dred acres  of  land  at  the  time  of  his  death,  part  of  which  was  located  in  Mis- 
souri, and  Mr.  Brubaker  devotes  much  time  and  attention  to  his  farm  holdings. 
Besides  his  elevator  business  and  land  interests,  he  is  also  a  stockholder,  and 
at  one  time  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank,  of  St.  Paris,  of  which  his 
father  ^^•as  for  years  a  stockholder  and  director,  the  elder  Brubaker  having 
served  as  president  of  this  financial  institution  several  years. 

Frank  D.  Brubaker  was  united  in  marriage  to  Myrtle  Musselman  on 
July  3,  1912.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Anderson  A.  and  Harriet  (Williams) 
Musselman,  who  were  former  citizens  of  Logan  county,  this  state.  In  later 
years,  howe\'er.  thev  mo-\'ed  to  Champaign  county,  where  Mr.  Musselman's 
death  occurred,  his  widow  now  living  in  St.  Paris. 

Fie  is  independent  in  politics,  preferring  to  vote  for  measures  rather  than 
for  men,  and  whatever  makes  for  the  betterment  of  his  community  has  his 
warm  and  ardent  support. 


JASPER  N.  DAVIS. 


Among  the  enterprising  and  progressive  farmers  of  Jackson  township, 
Champaign  county,  is  Jasper  N.  Davis,  owner  of  a  well-kept  and  compact 
farm  of  seventy-five  acres  situated  on  rural  route  No.  3  out  of  St.  Paris. 
Mr.  Davis  was  born  in  Shelby  county,  Ohio,  on  July  10,  185 1,  the  son  of 
Ananiah  and  Phoebe  (Sutton)  Davis,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in 
Virginia  in  1818  and  the  latter  in  Pike  township,  Clark  county,  Ohio,  in  18 19. 

Ananiah  Davis  came  with  his  parents  to  the  state  of  Ohio  in  an  early 
lay,  they  being  farming  people.  The  son,  Ananiah,  settled  on  a  farm  in 
Shelby  county  and  proceeded  to  engage  in  farming  operations.  Some  time 
after  he  married  Phoebe  Sutton  they  came  to  Jackson  township,  this  county, 
in  1854  and  located  near  where  Jasper  N.  Davis  now  lives.  The  land  was 
all  in  woods  and  they  commenced  the  task  of  breaking  and  preparing  it  for 
the  cultivation  of  crops,  living  the  while  in  a  log  cabin  and  battling  cheer- 
fully with  the  disadvantages  of  pioneer  life  and  the  absence  of  neighbors. 
His  efforts  to  extract  a  living  from  the  soil  were  successful  and  as  the  children 


646  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

grew  up  they  helped  in  the  labors  of  the  farm.  He  later  built  a  substantial 
frame  house  to  supplant  the  log  cabin  which  had  done  service  for  a  residence 
for  some  years,  and  on  this  land  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  In  his 
later  years  he  and  his  wife  became  members  of  the  ]\It.  Zion  Baptist  church 
and  were  earnest  supporters  of  all  its  good  works.  They  were  the  parents 
of  eleven  children,  four  of  whom  are  living  in  191 7:  Charity,  the  widow 
of  David  Beatty,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War  and  died  from  the 
effects  of  the  wounds  he  received  in  that  struggle;  J.  N.  Davis,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch ;  Albert  Davis,  a  farmer  living  in  Indiana,  and  Jerry  Davis, 
of  Casstown,  Ohio. 

J.  N.  Davis  was  reared  in  Jackson  township  and  educated  in  the  dis- 
trict schools  of  Honey  Creek,  working  on  the  farm  during  the  summers  and 
attending  school  during  the  winters  until  he  was  seventeen  years  old.  At  the 
age  of  eighteen  he  started  to  make  his  own  way.  He  worked  on  farms  and 
at  other  occupations.  AVhen  he  was  nineteen  he  went  to  Grant  county, 
Indiana,  and  bought  forty  acres  of  land,  one  and  one-half  miles  south  of 
Sims,  for  seven  hundred  dollars.  The  land  was  in  a  wilderness  state.  He 
paid  down  three  hundred  dollars  of  the  purchase  money  and  worked  by 
the  day  and  month  to  wipe  out  the  balance  of  the  debt.  He  then  com- 
menced to  clear  the  land  of  the  timber  and  brought  it  into  a  state  suitable 
for  the  planting  of  crops. 

On  August  2,  1874,  Jasper  N.  Davis  was  united  in  marriage  to  Elsie 
G.  Talbert  and  remained  in  Jackson  township  for  about  two  years.  In 
October,  1876.  he  went  to  his  farm  in  Grant  county,  Indiana,  and  lived  there 
about  three  years.  He  improved  his  land,  ditched  it  and  planted  it  to  crops, 
and  at  the  end  of  three  years  he  returned  to  Jackson  township.  On  his 
return  he  became  a  renter  and  worked  on  the  farm,  continuing  on  rented 
land  for  six  years.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  seventy-hve  acres  of  prime 
land  and  is  successfully  engaged  in  general  farming.  They  were  the  parents 
of  one  child,,  a  son,  Osie  Elliott,  who  died  at  the  early  age  of  four  years. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davis  are  members  of  the  Mt.  Zion  Baptist  church,  he 
being  affiliated  with  that  church  since  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age.  He 
is  one  of  the  trustees  and  also  acts  as  treasurer  of  the  church,  he  and  his 
wife  being  ever  active  in  promoting  all  good  works  in  connection  with  the 
organization  and  the  community  at  large.  Mr.  Davis  has  always  been  a 
consistent  supporter  of  the  Democratic  party  and  has  filled  the  office  of  town- 
ship ditch  commissioner  for  some  years  and  in  other  ways  he  has  given 
freely  of  his  time  and  energy  in  the  interests  of  the  common  good,  ever 
being  regarded  as  a  progressive  citizen. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  647 

RALPH  W.  JOHNSON. 

Ralph  W.  Johnson,  a  farmer  hving  in  Concord  township,  Champaign 
comity,  was  born  July  14,  1888,  on  the  farm  he  now  owns.  He  is  a  son 
of  Silas  and  Sarah  E.  (Wiedman)  Johnson.  The  mother  was  born  at 
Kings  Creek,  Champaign  county,  August  2,  1845,  and  died  May  26,  191 5. 
The  father  was  born  April  17,  1845,  and  his  death  occurred  on  April  12, 
1909.  They  were  both  members  of  the  Methodist  church  in  which  they 
were  active  workers.  He  was  also  identified  with  local  politics,  being  a 
strong  Democrat.  They  spent  their  lives  on  a  farm  in  Concord  township, 
and  they  were  parents  of  seven  children,  five  of  whom  are  living  in  191 7, 
namely :  Fred  N.  is  farming  in  Harrison  township,  this  county ;  Leila  is 
the  wife  of  Fred  Herst  and  they  live  in  this  county;  Charles  A.  is  farming 
in  Salem  township;  Emma  is  the  wife  of  Charles  Bear  and  they  live  on  a 
farm  west  of  Urbana;  Anna,  now  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Joseph  Hewling 
and  they  had  two  children;  Frank  died  when  eighteen  years  old,  and  Ralph 
W.,  of  this  sketch. 

Ralph  W.  Johnson  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Concord  town- 
ship and  there  he  attended  the  public  schools,  also  Kings  Creek  high  school. 
On  December  25,  1908,  he  married  Lula  E.  Robinson.  She  was  born  in 
Adams  county,  Ohio,  July  24,  1888.  She  received  a  good  education  in  the 
public  schools  and  Kings  Creek  high  school.  Before  her  marriage  she  taught 
school  for  some  time.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Jesse  E.  and  Anna  B.  { Ather- 
ton)  Robinson,  both  natives  of  Ohio,  he  of  Adams  county  and  she  of  Brown 
county.  They  came  to  Champaign  county  on  December  13,  1902,  and  here 
established  their  future  home  on  a  farm,  but  are  now  farming  in  Miami 
county,  this  state. 

Two  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson,  namely :  IMerrill 
R.,  born  November  30,  1909;  and  Esther,  born  October  14,  1915. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Johnson  moved  to  Logan  county,  Ohio,  where 
he  purchased  a  farm.  Two  years  later  he  sold  out,  returned  to  Champaign 
county  and  bought  the  old  home  farm  in  Concord  township,  which  con- 
sists of  two  hundred  acres  of  excellent  land.  He  has  kept  it  well  improved 
and  under  a  fine  state  of  cultivation.  In  connection  with  general  farming 
he  carries  on  stock  raising  and  is  a  breeder  of  high  grade  stock  of  all  kinds. 
He  finds  a  very  ready  market  for  his  stock  whenever  offered  for  sale  owing 
to  their  high  quality. 

Politically,  he  is  an  independent.  He  and  his  family  attend  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church  at  Kings  Creek. 


648  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

DAVID  FULWIDER. 

Among"  the  successful  farmers  and  highly  respected  citizens  of  Salem 
township,  Champaign  coimty,  of  a  generation  ago,  whose  names  are  worthy 
of  perpetuation  on  the  pages  of  local  history,  was  David  Ful wider,  who, 
like  many  other  pioneer  settlers  of  the  county,  hailed  originally  from  the 
Old  Dominion.  He  was  born  in  Greenbrier  county,  Virginia,  August  5, 
1803,  and  his  death  occurred  on  March  3,  1886.  He  was  a  son  of  Henry 
and  Ann  (Klein)  Ful  wider,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  from  which  state 
they  finally  moved  to  Virginia  where  they  were  married,  and  there  devoted 
their  lives  to  farming.  The  father  was  also  an  extensive  stock  raiser  for 
those  early  times.  The  only  member  of  the  family  who  ever  came  to  Cham- 
paign county,  Ohio,  was  David  of  this  memoir.  He  came  here  when  a 
young  man  and  settled  in  Urbana,  where  he  was  married  on  April  29,  1830. 
In  1833  he  moved  to  Salem  township,  buying  one  hundred  acres  of  land, 
where  his  son,  George,  and  two  daughters,  Nancy  Ann  and  Mary  E.,  are 
now  living.  He  cleared  and  developed  the  place  from  the  wilderness,  later 
adding  eighty  acres  to  his  original  tract,  and  here  he  established  a  com- 
fortable home,  in  which  he  reared  his  entire  family.  His  wife,  known  as 
Elizabeth  P.  Mayse  prior  to  her  marriage,  was  born  January  4,  18 12,  and 
her  death  occurred  on  August  21,  1900.  She  was  a  daughter  of  William 
and  Nancy  (Burgiss)  Mayse.  To  David  Fulwider  and  wife  ten  children 
were  born,  namely:  Henry,  William  M.,  George,  John  R.,  David  A.,  Nancy 
Ann,  Mary  E.,  Vashti,  Dr.  Robert  M.  and  James.  The  mother  of  these 
children  was  an  infant  when  her  parents  brought  her  to  Champaign  county, 
in  1812,  the  family  making  the  long  journey  on  horseback,  being  thus  among 
the  early  pioneers  of  this  section  of  Ohio.  The  Mayses  first  settled  in  the 
Kings  creek  valley,  where  they  spent  two  }'ears.  then  sold  out  and  bought  a 
farm  on  the  Ludlow  line,  remaining  there  until  18 17,  when  they  moved  to 
town,  where  Mr.  Mayse  followed  his  trade  of  tanner  and  also  conducted  a 
butcher  shop,  continuing  in  these  pursuits  until  his  death.  His  family  con- 
sisted of  ten  children,  Elizabeth  P.,  who  married  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
being  the  eldest  child. 

George,  Nancy  Ann  and  Mary  E.  Fulwider,  who  are  now  living  on  the 
old  home  place,  where  they  were  born,  are  the  oldest  natives  in  Salem  town- 
ship. Thev  were  born  in  a  log  cabin  and  they  have  lived  on  the  same  farm 
all  their  lives,  keeping  the  place  well  improved  and  well  cultivated.  During 
the  Civil  W?r  George  enlisted  in  Company  G,   One  Hundred  and  Thirty- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  649 

second  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Capt.  Henry  Patterson,  serving  four 
and  one-half  months.  The  home  farm  noAv  contains  two  hundred  and  forty- 
four  acres,  all  under  cultivation  except  twenty-five  acres.  George,  Nancy 
Ann  and  Mary  E.  are  now  growing  old,  but  they  are  well  preserved  and 
active,  although  not  now  actively  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  merely 
looking  after  the  place  in  a  general  way.  Everybody  knows  them  and  es- 
teems them  highly,  for  they  have  lived  quiet,  honorable  and  helpful  lives, 
doing  what  they  could  for  the  betterment  of  their  locality  in  any  way. 
None  of  the  three  have  ever  married.  In  religious  belief,  Mary  E.  is  a 
Methodist  and  Nancy  Ann  is  a  Lutheran. 


JOHN  M.  MADDEX. 


John  M.  Maddex,  former  mayor  of  Mechanicsburg,  former  president 
of  the  school  board  there,  a  former  member  of  the  town  council,  former 
trustee  of  Goshen  township  and  formerly  justice  of  the  peace  in  and  for 
that  same  township,  formerly  and  for  years  engaged  in  the  grain  business 
at  Mechanicsburg,  later  serving  for  some  years  as  assistant  cashier  of  the 
Farmers  Bank  of  Mechanicsburg,  but  who  since  19 12  has  been  engaged  in 
farming  on  the  F.  M.  Clemans  farm,  on  the  Mechanicsburg  and  London 
pike,  four  miles  southeast  of  Mechanicsburg,  in  Goshen  township,  is  a  native 
of  the  Old  Dominion  state,  was  reared  in  Virginia  and  has  been  a  resident 
of  Champaign  county  since  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age.  He  was  born 
in  Clark  county,  Virginia,  September  25,  1857,  son  of  James  S.  and  Amanda 
(Melvin)  Maddex,  whose  last  days  were  spent  at  Uvilla,  West  Virginia. 

James  S.  Maddex  was  a  cooper  by  trade  and  followed  that  trade  all 
\iis  life.  He  was  married  in  Clark  county,  Virginia,  and  some  years  later, 
Ci  1858,  moved  to  Uvilla,  in  Jefferson  county,  same  state,  and  was  living 
there  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  He  threw  in  his  allegiance  to  the 
forces  of  the  South  and  for  three  years  served  as  drum-major  in  the  famous 
brigade  of  "Stonewall"  Jackson.  He  was  a  Democrat  and  he  and  his  wife 
were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  South,  in  the  faith  of 
which  their  children  were  reared.  There  were  twelve  of  these  children,  of 
whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth,  the  others 
being  as  follow:  Joseph  H.,  of  Goshen  township,  this  county;  Butler  L., 
of  Union  township,  this  county;  James  J.,  of  Richwood.  Ohio;  L.  Dowell, 
who  died  in  Maryland;  Mary  E.,  deceased;  Catherine,  who  died  in  Jefferson 


650  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

county,  West  Virginia;  Lee,  who  also  died  in  that  county;  Amanda,  who 
died  at  the  same  place;  Jennie,  wife  of  Thomas  Link,  of  that  same  county; 
Rose,  wife  of  Byrn  Maddex,  of  that  same  county,  and  Ewell,  now  a  resi- 
dent of  Maryland. 

John  M.  Maddex  was  less  than  a  year  old  when  his  parents  moved 
from  his  birthplace  in  Clark  county,  Virginia,  to  Jefferson  county,  same 
state,  which  county  became  comprised  within  the  boundaries  of  West  Vir- 
ginia when  that  state  was  created  in  1863,  and  in  that  latter  county  he  grew 
to  manhood,  received  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  Uvilla,  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Dufhelds.  When  twenty-two  years  of  age,  in  1879,  he  came  to 
Ohio  and  began  working  on  the  farm  of  Henry  Wood,  in  Goshen  township, 
this  county,  and  on  November  29,  1882,  was  united  in  marriage  to  Ella 
Wood,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Catherine  Wood.  After  his  marriage  he 
began  working  in  the  Hunter  elevator  at  Mechanicsburg  and  was  thus 
engaged  until  Mr.  Hunter's  death  in  1884,  when  he  became  a  partner  in  the 
management  of  the  grain  business  at  that  elevator,  continuing  thus  engaged 
until  the  elevator  was  sold  in  1909.  Upon  retiring  from  the  grain  business 
in  1909,  Mr.  Maddex  became  the  assistant  cashier  of  the  Farmers  Bank 
at  Mechanicsburg  and  served  in  that  capacity  until  his  retirement  from  the 
bank  in  191 2  and  removal  to  the  farm  on  which  he  is  now  living  and  where 
he  since  has  made  his  residence.  Mr.  Maddex  is  a  Democrat  and  has  for 
years  given  his  close  attention  to  local  political  affairs.  He  served  for  one 
term  as  a  member  of  the  town  council  while  living  at  Mechanicsburg  and 
later  a  term  as  mayor.  He  also  served  two  terms  as  president  of  the  city 
school  board  and  in  other  ways  gave  of  his  time  and  energies  to  the  public 
service.  He  has  also  served  one  term  as  trustee  of  Goshen  township  and  a 
term  as  justice  of  the  peace  in  and  for  that  township  and  in  consequence 
of  his  long  continued  public  service  is  one  of  the  best-known  men  in  that 
part  of  the  county. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Maddex  have  three  children,  two  sons  and  a  daughter, 
Walter  O.,  who  is  farming  four  miles  north  of  Mechanicsburg;  H.  Carl,  who 
is  now  living  at  Jackson  Center,  in  the  adjoining  county  of  Shelby,  and 
Almeda,  wife  of  Harry  Fitzgiven,  of  Goshen  township.  They  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Protestant  church  at  Mechanicsburg  and  take  an  active 
interest  in  church  work,  Mr.  Maddex  having  served  on  the  official  board  of 
the  church.  He  is  a  Mason,  as  was  his  father  and  as  are  his  two  sons,  and 
has  for  years  taken  an  active  interest  in  Masonic  affairs,  having  attained 
to  the  Royal  Arch  and  the  York  Rite,  past  master  of  the  local  lodge  of  the 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


I'ree  and  Accepted  Masons  at  Mechanicsburg,  a  member  of  the  chapter, 
Royal  Arch  Masons,  at  that  place,  and  of  Raper  Commandery  No.  19, 
Knights  Templar,  at  Urbana. 


CHARLES  A.  HILL. 


Charles  A.  Hill,  the  enterprising  shoe  merchant  of  Christiansburg,  who 
for  many  years  has  been  actively  identified  with  the  business  life  of  the  village, 
was  born  in  this  county,  December  27,  1853,  the  son  of  Henry  and  Mary 
(Benton)  Hill,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Cambridgeshire,  England. 

Henry  Hill  was  born  in  the  town  of  March,  England,  and  was  reared  to 
manhood  in  Cambridgeshire,  and  there  he  learned  the  trade  of  boot  and  shoe- 
maker, and  worked  at  this  business  while  still  living  in  his  native  land.  Mary 
Benton,  his  wife,  was  also  a  native  of  Cambridgeshire,  and  their  oldest  child 
was  born  in  England.  In  1851,  or  thereabouts,  they  came  to  America,  locating 
first  in  Piqua,  Ohio,  where  Mr.  Hill  entered  the  employ  of  a  manufacturer  of 
hand-made  shoes,  and  with  whom  he  remained  for  about  two  years.  In  Octo- 
ber, 1853,  he  came  with  his  family  to  Christiansburg,  this  county,  where  he 
engaged  in  the  business  of  shoemaking  on  his  own  account,  in  which  he  con- 
tinued until  1876,  wlien  he  took  his  son,  Charles  A.,  into  partnership  in  the 
business,  the  latter  taking  active  charge  of  the  store,  while  his  father  engaged 
in  the  fruit  tree  and  nursery  business,  in  which  he  continued  the  remainder  of 
his  life,  his  death  occurring  in  April,  1887.  His  widow  survived  him  for  some 
years,  passing  away  in  April,  1899.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children, 
six  of  whom  grei,r  to  maturity  and  are  still  living:  Eliza,  the  wife  of  Charles 
Carver,  of  DeGraff,  Ohio;  Jennie,  deceased;  Charles  A.,  the  immediate  sub- 
ject of  this  review;  ^Villiam  H.,  of  Christiansburg;  John,  also  a  resident  of 
Christiansburg;  Harry,  of  Christiansburg,  and  Frank,  of  Spring  Hills,  Ohio. 
Henry  Hill  and  wife  were  earnest  and  faithful  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  always  taking  a  warm  interest  in  all  church  affairs.  Mr. 
Hill  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  strong  in  his  belief  and  support  of  the 
principles  of  that  party. 

Charles  A.  Hill  was  reared  in  the  village  of  Christiansburg,  receiving  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  the  village.  From  his  boyhood  he  was  em- 
ployed in  his  father's  shoe  business,  and  is  thoroughly  well  acquainted  and 
experienced  in  all  the  details  of  the  shoe  business,  and  has  made  a  success  in 
his  line,  having  a  large  patronage  in  the  village  and  surrounding  country. 


652  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

On  April  3,  1879,  Charles  A.  Hill  was  married  to  Clara  Robinson,  who 
was  born  in  Miami  county,  Ohio,  near  Lena,  but  came  to  Champaign  county 
as  a  girl  with  her  parents.  To  this  union  were  born  three  children :  Zaidee, 
who^died  in  May,  1899,  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years;  Charles  Otto,  who  is 
employed  with  his  father  in  his  store,  and  Mary  Cora  Bright.  The  mother  of 
these  children  died  Januai-y  21,  1899.  She  was  a  faithful  and  loving  wife  and 
mother. 

Mr.  Hill  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  all  local 
public  matters.  He  served  as  postmaster  of  Christiansburg  from  1888  to 
1890,  and  was  also  township  treasurer  for  four  successive  terms.  Fraternally, 
he  is  a  member  of  Mt.  Olivet  Lodge  No.  226,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and 
served  as  treasurer  of  this  lodge  for  a  period  of  twenty  years.  He  also  holds 
membership  in  St.  Paris  Chapter  No.  85,  Royal  Arch  Masons. 


CHESTER  P.  ABBOTT. 


Chester  P.  Abbott,  a  farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  Concord  township, 
Champaign  county,  was  born  March  12,  1882,  in  the  locality  where  he  still 
resides.  He  is  the  owner  of  "Cedar  Lawn  Farm,"  his  place  consisting  of 
sixty-three  and  one-half  acres.  He  is  a  son  of  William  J.  and  Emily  V. 
(Compton)  Abbott,  whose  history  is  given  in  full  in  another  part  of  this 
volume,  is  residing  in  Urbana. 

The  family  of  William  J.  and  Emily  Y.  (Compton)  Abbott  numbered 
ten  children,  eight  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely:  Charles  is  living  in 
Chicago,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  real-estate  business;  Anna  is  the  wife  of 
Walter  Wilson,  of  Concord  township,  Champaign  county;  John  H.  lives 
in  Concord  township;  Minnie  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  William  Hinkle  lives  in 
Degraff,  Ohio;  Maude  is  the  wife  of  D.  H.  Taylor,  of  Urbana.  Ohio;  Ona 
is  the  wife  of  Dr.  C.  E.  Stadler,  of  Lima,  Ohio;  Ora  is  the  wife  of  Dr. 
F.  F.  Barger,  of  Urbana  township,  this  county;  and  Chester  P.  of  this  sketch; 
the  other  two  children  died  in  early  life. 

Chester  P.  Abbott  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Concord  town- 
ship, and  he  received  his  education  in  the  local  rural  schools.  He  worked 
on  the  home  farm  with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old  when 
he  started  out  in  life  for  himself. 

Mr.  Abbott  was  married  on  March  12.  1902,  to  Zola  M.  Coleman,  who 
was  born  in  Concord  township,  the  date  of  her  birth  being  June  3.  1882.     She 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  653 

is  a  daughter  of  James  and  Ida  (Bruner)  Coleman.  She  was  reared  in 
Missouri,  Kansas  and  Ohio  and  attended  school  in  all  those  states,  and  was 
graduated  from  the  common  schools.  She  attended  the  high  school  in 
Eris  for  a  while. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Abbott  located  on  a  farm  in  Concord  town- 
ship, Champaign  county,  living  on  the  Taylor  place  until  1910,  when  he 
moved  to  his  present  farm  of  sixty-three  and  one-half  acres,  six  miles  north- 
west of  Urbana.  He  is  carrying  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  He 
also  buys  and  feeds  stock  by  the  carload.  He  is  an  excellent  judge  of  all 
kinds  of  live  stock. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Abbott  one  daughter  has  been  born,  Clara  L.,  whose 
birth  occurred  on  April  24.  1903.     She  is  in  school  at  Eris. 

Politically,  Mr.  Abbott  is  a  Republican.  He  attends  the  Methodist 
church  at  Concord  of  which  his  wife  is  a  member. 


CHARLES  E.  FAULKNER. 

Charles  E.  Faulkner,  former  sheriff  of  Champaign  county,  a  farmer 
living  on  rural  route  No.  4,  Urbana,  Ohio,  was  born  in  Mad  River  town- 
ship, this  county,  August  2,  1866,  a  son  of  George  W.  and  Mary  (West) 
Faulkner,  both  natives  of  Jackson  township,  Champaign  county,  Ohio.  The 
father  was  born  in  1844. 

George  W.  Faulkner,  father  of  our  subject,  was  a  leading  politician 
in  the  county,  affiliating  with  the  Republican  party  and  actively  interested 
in  the  promotion  of  his  party  principles.  He  was  the  father  of  six  children, 
five  of  whom  are  now  (1917)  living:  Charles  E.,  our  subject;  John  E., 
of  Mad  River  township;  Lottie,  wife  of  Clinton  Neese,  of  Mad  River  town- 
ship; Willie  G.,  a  farmer  of  Mad  River  township;  Ellen,  widow  of  George 
Davis. 

Charles  E.  Faulkner,  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  reared  on  a  farm  in 
Mad  River  township,  receiving  his  education  in  the  district  schools  which 
he  attended  during  the  winter  season.  He  remained  at  home  working  on  the 
farm  until  he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age.  December  25,  1889,  he  was 
married  to  Joanna  Jenkins,  who  was  born  in  Terre  Haute,  Mad  River  town- 
ship, October  i,  1872.  After  marriage  Mr.  Faulkner  worked  by  the  day 
at  ditching  for  a  few  years,  and  at  such  other  farm  work  as  was  afforded 
in  the  neighborhood.     He  afterward  bought  a  small  tract  of  ground  which, 


654  ,  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

with  Other  rented  ground  he  cultivated,  farming  in  Concord  township.  He 
was  appointed  deputy  sheriff  under  Floyd  Powell  and  served  in  this  capacity 
for  about  two  years,  and,  on  account  of  the  death  of  the  sheriff  Mr.  Faulkner 
was  appointed  to  that  office  and  served  the  unexpired  time.  In  19 14  he  was 
elected  sheriff  and  served  in  that  office  from  June  i,  191 5,  to  January  i, 
191 7.  In  1914  he  purchased  a  farm  of  ninety  acres  in  Mad  River  township 
and  after  retiring  from  the  sheriff's  office,  in  191 7,  he  removed  to  this 
farm,  where  his  home  now  is.  It  is  known  as  the  Henry  Runyan  farm  and 
is  a  fine  body  of  land. 

There  were  twelve  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Faulkner,  nine  of 
whom  are  now  living:  Wilbur  L..  who  married  Gladys  Lee;  Alpha  C,  mar- 
ried Edith  Enlsizor,  and  lives  in  Mad  River  township;  Russell  P.,  single, 
living  at  home;  Theresa  F.,  single,  living  at  home;  Goldie  B.,  of  Urbana, 
Ohio;  Mary  M.,  single,  living  at  home;  George  W.,  at  home;  Howard  C.  and 
Nellie  F.,  living  at  home.     Three  children  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Faulkner  is  a  member  of  Magrew  Lodge  No.  433,  Knights  of 
Pythias,  of  Westville.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican  and  has  always  taken 
an  active  part  in  political  campaigns. 


JOHN  W.  ZIMMERMAN. 

John  W.  Zimmerman,  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  substantial 
farmers  and  stockmen  of  Concord  township,  this  county,  and  the  proprietor 
of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty-one  acres  on  rural  mail  route  No.  7 
out  of  Urbana,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here  all 
his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Mad  River  township  on  March  21, 
1850,  son  of  George  W.  and  Sarah  (Berry)  Zimmerman,  both  members 
of  pioneer  families  in  this  county,  whose  last  days  were  spent  here. 

George  W.  Zimmerman  also  was  born  in  this  county,  son  of  George  W. 
and  Barbara  (Norman)  Zimmerman,  natives  of  Virginia,  who  came  to  Ohio 
in  1808  and  became  prominent  pioneer  settlers  in  the  west  central  part  of 
this  county,  where  they  reared  their  family.  The  elder  George  W.  Zim- 
merman was  a  son  of  Adam  Zimmerman,  who  was  one  of  the  Hessian  sol- 
diers sent  over  to  this  country  to  help  the  British  during  the  Revolutionary 
War.  Adam  Zimmerman  was  captured  by  patriot  troops,  later  swore  alle- 
giance to  the  revolutionary  cause,  enlisted  in  General  Washington's  army 
and  served  with  that  command  until  the  close  of  the  war,  afterward  settling 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  655 

in  Rockingham  county,  Virginia,  where  he  married  and  spent  the  rest  of 
his  hfe.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  three  children,  Barbara, 
Christina  and  George  Washington,  the  latter  of  whom  married  Barbara 
Norman  and  emigrated  to  this  county.  At  the  same  time  his  sister,  Chris- 
tina, married  Christian  Norman,  a  brother  of  Barbara,  and  the  Normans 
also  came  to  this  county,  the  two  families  settling  in  what  is  now  the  lower 
part  of  Concord  township,  in  the  southwest  corner  of  the  same.  The  pioneer 
George  W.  Zimmerman  presently  erected  a  water  mill  in  Mad  River  town- 
ship, having  there  one  of  the  first  saw-mills  in  western  Ohio,  and  John  Nor- 
man erected  a  grist-mill,  and  at  his  saw-mill  the  timber  which  entered  into 
the  erection  of  the  first  houses  built  at  Urbana  and  at  St.  Paris  was  sawed. 
He  died  at  his  home  in  Mad  River  township  in  1840,  of  smallpox.  He  and 
his  wife  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  John,  Joseph,  George  W.,  Isaac 
and  Katie,  the  latter  of  whom  married  Jacob  Whitmore.  The  junior  George 
W.  Zimmerman  grew  up  on  the  pioneer  farm  in  Mad  River  township  and 
lived  there  all  his  life,  a  well-known  and  substantial  farmer  and  miller.  He 
married  Sarah  Berry,  a  daughter  of  David  Berry  who  had  a  farm  and  a 
carding  mill  for  the  local  wool  growers.  Her  parents  were  pioneers  of  this 
county,  and  to  that  union  were  born  five  children,  those  besides  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  being  Elizabeth  J.,  Clarissa  A.,  Sylvester  B.  and  Ampy  W. 
George  W.   Zimmerman   was  a  prominent  beekeeper. 

John  W.  Zimmerman  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Mad  River  town- 
ship, receiving  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  neighborhood,  and  has 
always  been  a  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  now  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty-one  acres  in  Concord  township,  which  he  has  created 
one  of  the  best  farm  plants  in  that  part  of  the  county.  He  has  a  good  home 
and  his  own  electric  light  plant  in  his  house.  Mr.  Zimmerman  is  a  Republican 
and  has  ever  given  his  earnest  attention  to  local  political  affairs,  but  has 
not  been  included  in  the  ofifice-seeking  class.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  Paris 
Lodge  No.  246,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  of  Russell  Encamp- 
ment No.  141,  Patriarchs  Militant,  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  Odd  fel- 
lowship, one  of  the  active  workers  in  both  the  lodge  and  the  encampment. 

On  March  26,  1872,  John  W.  Zimmerman  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Amanda  M.  Neer,  also  a  member  of  one  of  Champaign  county's  pioneer 
families,  and  to  this  union  three  children  have  been  born,  of  whom  but  one 
is  now  living,  a  daughter,  Anna  C,  who  married  Theodore  Idle  and  has 
one  child,  a  daughter,  Lolela.  Of  their  other  children,  one  died  in  infancy 
and  Oliver  B.  died  at  the  age  of  five  years.     Mr.  Zimmerman  is  a  member 


656  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

of  the  Concord  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  takes  a  proper  interest  in 
church  work,  as  well  as  in  other  neighborhood  good  works  and  in  the  gen- 
eral social  activities  of  the  community  in  which  they  have  lived  all  their 
lives.     Mrs.  Zimmerman  died  September  21,  191 3. 


AMOS  N.  COUCHMAN. 


During  his  life  of  more  than  three  score  years  in  Salero  township, 
Amos  N.  Couchman,  well-known  farmer,  has  seen  a  great  transformation 
in  his  vicinity  and  Champaign  county.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  this 
township,  two  miles  south  of  West  Liberty,  February  26,  1843,  ^  scion  of 
one  of  our  pioneer  families,  being  a  son  of  Michael  and  Elizabeth  (Neer) 
Couchman.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Berkeley  county,  in  what  is  now 
West  Virginia,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  learned  the  blacksmith's 
trade.  In  an  early  day  he  moved  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  and  worked 
in  different  places.  During  the  latter  part  of  his  life  he  resided  south  of 
West  Liberty  on  a  farm,  known  as  the  Reynolds  place.  However,  he  finally 
bought  a  farm  in  Harrison  township,  where  he  died,  after  which  event  his 
widow  went  to  live  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  H.  P.  Wilson,  in  that  town- 
ship, and  there  her  death  occurred.  Michael  Couchman  was  an  active  worker 
in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  was  twice  married,  first,  in  Vir- 
ginia, to  which  union  four  children  were  born,  namely:  Mary,  deceased; 
Henry,  deceased;  Sarah,  who  lives  at  Van  Wert,  Ohio,  and  Rebecca,  de- 
ceased. Mr.  Couchman's  second  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Elizabeth 
Neer,  had  previously  been  married  to  a  Mr.  Demory,  by  whom  she  had  four 
children,  namely :  John,  Sarah,  Susan  and  Matilda.  The  following  children 
were  born  to  Michael  Couchman  and  his  second  wife :  Jacob,  deceased, 
married  Mariam  Daniels  and  they  made  their  home  in  Indiana;  Amanda 
is  the  widow  of  John  Edwards  and  she  lives  in  Missouri;  George,  now 
deceased,  married  Lizzie  Craig,  and  they  lived  in  Salem  and  Harrison 
townships,  Champaign  county;  James,  now  deceased,  married  Mary  Hen- 
derson, and  they  had  one  child.  May;  Lewis  married  a  Miss  Davis  and 
they  make  their  home  in  Topeka,  Kansas;  Emma,  who  married  H.  P. 
Wilson,  is  deceased;  Amos  N.,  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Amos  N.  Couchman  was  reared  on  the  old  home  farm  and  received 
an  excellent  education  in  the  local  schools.  He  remained  with  his  parents 
until  he  was  twenty-four  years  old,  then  married  Fidelia  Rose,  of  Delaware 


> 

> 

O 

1 

i 

If' 

2J 

y 

U 
Q 

a 
> 

y 

a" 

^-^ 

/ 

CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  ■  65/ 

county,  Ohio,  whose  death  occurred  on  February  2,  19 17.  To  their  union 
four  children  were  born,  namely :  Vernon,  who  is  single  and  lives  at  home, 
has  been  a  dealer  in  woven  wire  for  many  years  and  is  an  expert  fence 
builder;  Ch'de  M.,  who  lives  in  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  married  Lizzie  Mock, 
now  deceased:  Emma  married  Lawrence  Hemenway  and  they  live  in  West 
Liberty,  Ohio;  Milton  died  in  infancy. 

In  his  early  career  Mr.  Couchman,  of  this  sketch,  followed  school  teach- 
ing with  pronounced  success  for  a  period  of  fourteen  years.  After  his  mar- 
riage he  located  in  Harrison  township.  Champaign  county,  and  lived  on 
various  farms  in  different  places  until  he  purchased  his  present  farm  of 
sixty-six  acres  in  Salem  township,  in  1877.  He  has  made  all  the  improve- 
ments now  to  be  seen  on  the  place  and  he  has  a  comfortable  home.  He  has 
been  associated  with  his  son  for  many  years  in  dealing  in  woven  wire 
fencing. 

Politically,  Mr.  Couchman  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  Wesley 
chapel,  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  Harrison  township.  He  has  always 
been  active  in  school  affairs  and  has  served  on  the  school  board  in  his  dis- 
trict, and  was  trustee  for  six  years.  He  is  a  well  posted  man  on  all  current 
topics  and  a  leader  in  public  affairs  in  his  locality. 


JACOB  CHIDESTER. 

Jacob  Chidester,  one  of  Champaign  county's  best-known  farmers  and 
"old  settlers,"  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  proprietor  of  a 
fine  farm  on  the  Milford  pike  in  Goshen  township,  one  and  a  half  miles  north- 
east of  Mechanicsburg,  is  a  native  son  of  this  county  and  has  lived  here  all 
his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  pioneer  farm  on  Tickle  creek,  in  Goshen  town- 
ship, May  8,  1838,  son  of  Isaac  and  Mary  (Mitchell)  Chidester,  natives 
of  Virginia,  who  came  to  Ohio  in  the  early  thirties  and  settled  in  Champaign 
county,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 

Isaac  Chidester  was  born  in  Harrison  county,  Virginia,  June  17,  1806, 
and  there  grew  to  manhood  and  married  Mary  Mitchell,  who  was  born  in 
that  same  county  on  July  26,  1805.  In  the  early  thirties  Isaac  Chidester 
and  his  wife  and  the  three  or  four  children  that  were  born  to  them  in 
Virginia  moved  to  Ohio,  driving  through  in  a  covered  wagon,  and  settled 
in  Champaign  county,  establishing  their  home  on  what  is  now  the  Wing 
(42a) 


658  .  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

farm  in  the  neighborhood  of  Mechanicsburg,  and  later  on  the  Thomas  Doug- 
las farm.  Later  Isaac  Chidester  moved  into  the  village  of  Mechanicsburg  and 
was  there  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  the 
early  forties.  By  political  persuasion  Isaac  Chidester  was  a  Democrat,  but 
never  took  a  particularly  active  part  in  political  affairs.  He  and  his  wife 
were  devoted  members  of  the  Baptist  church  and  for  some  years  he  served 
as  a  "local"  preacher,  being  widely  known  in  his  day  as  an  expounder  of 
the  Baptist  faith  hereabout.  •  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  nine 
children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  seventh  in  order  of  birth, 
the  others  being  as  follow:  Jesse,  born  on  September  15,  1827,  who  served 
as  a  soldier  of  the  Confederate  army  during  the  Civil  War  and  spent  his 
last  days  in  his  native  Virginia;  Prudence,  September  28,  1828,  wife  of  New- 
ton Guthridge,  of  Lima,  Ohio;  Amos  Franklin,  September  30,  1829,  who 
died  in  Missouri;  Johanna,  November  23,  1830,  who  died  unmarried  at 
Flora,  Illinois;  Isaac,  February  15,  1832,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  a 
member  of  the  Sixty-sixth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  now  living 
at  Eureka  Springs,  Arkansas;  Abraham,  January  16,  1837,  who  also  served 
as  a  soldier  of  the  Union  during  the  Civil  War,  his  service  being  rendered 
during  the  latter  part  of  the  war;  Mary,  February  4,  1840,  who  married 
Richard  Lansdale,  who  was  killed  in  battle  while  serving  as  a  soldier  of  the 
Union  during  the  Civil  War,  and  Granville  Lawler,  1841,  who  enlisted 
as  a  soldier  of  the  Union  during  the  Civil  War  and  was  killed  at  the  battle 
of  Port  Republic  and  lies  in  an  unknown  grave  at  the  scene  of  that  battle. 
Jacob  Chidester  was  but  two  or  three  years  of  age  when  his  father  died 
at  Mechanicsburg  and  he  was  reared  in  the  household  of  an  uncle  on  a  farm 
on  Brush  lake  in  Goshen  township,  this  county,  receiving  his  schooling  in 
the  school  of  that  neighborhood  and  early  becoming  a  practical  farmer, 
compelled  to  "do  for  himself"  from  the  time  he  was  twelve  years  of  age. 
He  was  working  as  a  farm  hand  in  that  vicinity  at  the  time  the  Civil 
War  broke  out  and  on  August  7,  1862,  he  enlisted  for  service  and  went 
to  the  front  as  a  member  of  Company  I,  Sixty-sixth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  and  was  transferred  the  following  July  to  the  Tenth  Regi- 
ment, Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  by  general  orders,  and  served  with  that 
command  until  the  close  of  the  war,  being  honorably  discharged  on  July 
17,  1865.  After  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  Mr.  Chidester  was  transferred 
with  the  sick  and  wounded  to  New  York  City,  where  he  was  on  duty  during 
the  time  of  the  famous  draft  riot  in  that  city.  Later  he  was  detailed  as 
a  mounted  orderly  to  one  of  the  generals  in  Washington,  D.  C.  and  was 
serving  in  that  capacity  in   that  city  when  the  war  came  to  a  close.      On 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  659 

the  night  of  the  assassination  of  President  Lincohi  Mr.  Chidester  was 
present  at  the  performance  in  Ford's  Theater,  which  Mr.  Lincohi  was 
enjoying  at  the  time  of  his  assassination,  and  he  thus  is  one  of  the  very 
few  surviving  witnesses  to  that  tragedy.  Some  years  ago  there  was  pub- 
lished in  The  Ohio  Farmer,  together  with  a  portrait  of  Mr.  Chidester,  his 
own  personal  account  of  that  historic  tragedy  and  the  same  is  regarded  as 
so  interesting  and  informative  that  it  is  here  reproduced,  as  follows : 

After  the  battle  of  (iettyshiu-g  I  was  sent  to  New  York  with  the  sick  and  woiindecl, 
as  I  was  ill.  I  soon  recovered  and  was  detailed  as  General  DeWitfs  moimted  orderly. 
Onr  headquarters  iu  Washington,  D.  C,  were  at  the  corner  of  I  street  and  Pennsylvania 
avenue.  As  Lee  had  surrendered,  the  city  was  very  .ioyful  the  14th  of  April.  ISCo.  and  all 
orders  had  been  rescinded,  so  that  guards  were  very  lenient,  letting  people  go  and  come 
almost  as  they  pleased. 

The  headlines  of  the  papers  that  morning  read  something  like  this:  "The  President 
and  Mrs.  Lincoln,  General  and  Mrs.  Grant,  will  attend  Ford's  Theater  tonight,  where  'Our 
American  Cousin'  will  be  played."  General  and  Mrs.  Grant  were  unrble  to  be  present, 
hut  Major  Kathburn  was  in  the  box  with  the  President  and  Mrs.  Lincoln. 

As  there  were  no  orders  that  night  I  \A-as  given  iiermission  to  go  to  the  theater,  and 
of  course,  went  to  Ford's, 

I  sat  in  the  middle  aisle,  about  half  way  back,  and  could  see  Lincoln  very  plainly 
when  he  lea.ned  for\^-ard.  The  American  flag  was  draiied  ar(umd  the  box  seit  which  he 
occupied  and  he  was  sitting  with  his  chin  in  his  hand  several  times  when  I  looked  at 
him.  He  was  at  the  right  of  the  stage  and  there  were  a  few  steps  leading  directly  from 
the  sidewalk  to  his  box  seat.  This  theater  was  on  the  ground  floor  and  as  Booth  was 
an  actor  he  was  well  acquainted  with  the  building.  In  addition,  as  all  orders  had  been 
rescinded  for  the  day  because  of  Lee's  surrender,  the  President  was  not  so  closely  gu:irded 
and  peoi)le  were  permitted  to  go  and  come  quite  freely, 

I  do  not  remember  the  leading  woman's  name,  nor  what  scene  it  was,  but  she  w;!s 
on  the  stage  alone.  When  a  shot  rang  out  everybody  thought  it  a  part  of  the  play  for 
an  instant,  until  we  saw  the  actress  throw  up  both  hands,  with  her  eyes  on  Lincoln, 
who  had  fallen  a  little  forward.  I  think  Major  Rathburn  caught  him  in  his  arms.  I 
think  that  Lincoln  was  sitting  erect  Avhen  shot,  though  I  could  not  see  him  when  he 
leaned  back  and  did  not  see  Booth  fire  the  shot.  I  doubt  if  anyone  did  unless  it  was  the 
actress.  Booth,  crying  something  in  Latin  (.v/c  .sniincr  ti/rainiis),  jumped  from  the  box 
but  caught  his  spur  in  the  flag  and  fell  onto  the  stage,  breaking  the  small  bone  in  his 
leg.  He  gralibed  the  actress  ■•  nd  dragged  her  across  the  stage  to  a  back  door  through 
which  he  made  his  escaiie. 

When  Booth  jumped  there  were  dozens  of  revolvers  drawn,  but  no  one  could  shoot, 
as  he  very  carefully  kept  the  woman  in  front  of  him.  The  people  became  frantic  and  I 
conld  hardly  move.  I  knew  that  I  must  get  out  as  soon  as  possible  and  report  to  head- 
quarters, as  I  was  needed,  but  it  was  impossible  for  quite  a  while.  When  I  finally  did 
get  out  I  ran  all  the  way  to  headquarters,  on  the  corner  of  I  street  and  Pennsylvania 
avenue,  but  the  word  was  there  before  me  and  the  whole  regiment  was  in  line  for  duty. 
The  excitement  was  becoming  intense  and  peoiile  were  wilcl. 

As  soon  as  I  arrived.  General  DeWitt  asked  me  if  it  were  true.  I  told  him  that  it 
wa,s.  as  I  had  been  in  the  theatre.     He  said.  "Go  tell  Major  Bowers."     T  went  and  had 


660  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

to  waken  him.  He  was  so  grieved  lie  did  not  linow  what  to  do  for  a  few  minutes  and 
flu;il]y  burst  out  crying  lilve  a   little  boy. 

The  road  wbicli  Booth  took  after  the  assassination  passed  over  Eastern  Branch  bridge 
into  Maryland  and  previously  had  been  very  closely  guarded.  The  guards  had  been 
ordered  to  let  people  pass  without  examining  them  and  when  notified  that  Lincoln  had 
been  shot  by  Booth  they  replied  that  a  man  had  just  passed  whom  they  halted  but  let 
pa^s.  Pie  immediately  urged  his  horse  into  a  run  and  as  long  as  they  could  hear  the 
clatter  of  the  horse's  feet  it  was  going  as  fast  as  it  could.  This  had  aroused  their  sus- 
picion, but  it  was  too  late. 

I  did  not  sleep  that  night,  as  I  rode  carrying  orders  until  morning.  There  were  few 
in  Washington  that  did  sleep  that  night  of  April  14,  ISG.j.  when  our  l)eloved  Abraham 
Lincoln  was  laid  low. 

Upon  the  completion  of  his  mihtary  service  Jacob  Chidester  returned 
to  his  home  in  this  county  and  resumed  the  pursuits  of  peace,  as  a  farmer. 
After  his  marriage  in  1869  he  rented  a  small  farm  and  he  and  his  wife 
engaged  in  the  dairy  business  and  were  thus  engaged  for  five  years,  at 
the  end  of  which  time  they  moved  to  the  Lewis  Britton  farm,  the  place  on 
which  Mrs.  Chidester  was  reared,  and  there  established  their  permanent 
home,  Mr.  Chidester  ever  since  having  been  successfully  engaged  in  farm- 
ing there.  Mr.  Chidester  is  a  Republican  and  has  ever  given  a  good  citi- 
zen's attention  to  local  political  affairs,  but  has  not  been  a  seeker  after  ptiblic 
office.  He  is  an  active  member  of  Baxter  Post,  Grand  Army  of  the  Repub- 
lic, and  has  for  years  taken  an  earnest  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  patriotic 
organization. 

On  November  17,  1869,  Jacob  Chidester  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Margaret  Britton,  who  was  "born  in  this  county,  daughter  of  Lewis  and 
Elizabeth  (Britton)  Britton,  and  who  died  on  April  19,  1895,  leaving 
three  children,  Walter  S.,  now  a  resident  of  Punta  Gorda,  Florida;  Edith, 
who  is  secretary  of  the  Continental  Dorset  Club,  an  influential  organization 
that  was  effected  by  the  late  Joseph  Wing,  and  Emma,  who  is  at  home  with 
her  father.  Mr.  Chidester  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  church 
at  Mechanicsburg,  as  was  his  wife,  and  has  ever  taken  an  interested  part 
in  church  work  as  well  as  in  other  local  good  works.  His  daughters  also 
are  members  of  that  church,  in  the  affairs  of  Avhich  they  take  an  earnest 
interest,  as  well  as  in  the  community's  general  social  and  culttu"al  affairs. 
Mr.  Chidester  is  the  oldest  living  member  of  the  Mechanicsburg  lodge  of 
the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  having  been  raised  a  master  Mason  in 
1865,  and  he  and  his  daughters  are  members  of  Caroline  Chapter  of  the  Order 
of  the  Eastern  Star.  He  and  his  daughters  are  also  members  of  the  local 
Grange  and  in  the  affairs  of  that  organization,  as  well  as  in  Masonic  affairs, 
have  long  taken  a  warm  interest. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  66l 

D.  IRVIN  NEESE. 

A  well-known  farmer  of  Adams  township,  living-  on  his  farm  located 
on  the  Urbana  pike  about  one  mile  east  of  Rosewood,  on  rural  route  No.  i, 
is  D.  Irvin  Neese,  who  was  born  on  September  lo,  1864,  on  a  farm  in  Mad 
River  township,  just  east  of  Thackery,  the  son  of  Elias  and  Sarah  (Foltz) 
Neese,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Virginia. 

Elias  Neese  was  born  in  the  Shenandoah  valley,  Virginia,  and  lived 
there  until  he  reached  the  age  of  eighteen,  when  he  came  alone  to  Champaign 
county,  Ohio.  After  arriving  here  he  worked  at  farm  labor  until  his  mar- 
riage to  Sarah  Foltz,  who  was  also  a  native  of  Virginia,  but  who  had  come 
with  her  parents  from  that  state  to  Clark  county,  Ohio,  where  they  lived 
until  she  reached  the  age  of  fifteen  years,  when  the  family  moved  to  a  farm 
near  Thackery  in  Mad  River  township,  this  county,  where  her  parents  lived 
the  remainder  of  their  lives.  After  his  marriage  Elias  Neese  located  on  a 
farm  in  Mad  River  township  and  here  he  lived  the  rest  of  his  life.  After 
his  death  his  wife  lived  with  her  children  until  her  death  occurred.  They 
were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  of  whom  six  are  living:  Isabel,  the  widow 
of  Joseph  Maurice,  of  Carysville,  Ohio;  Reuben,  of  Thackery;  Emma,  wife 
of  Allen  Zirkle,  a  farmer  of  Mad  River  township;  Viola,  wife  of  George 
Cook,  living  in  Clark  county,  Ohio,  and  Irvin,  of  this  review. 

Irvin  Neese  was  reared  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Mad  River 
township,  receiving  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  home  neigh- 
borhood. He  remained  at  home  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-one  years, 
when  he  started  out  to  farm  for  himself  in  partnership  with  Allen  Zirkle, 
with  whom  he  operated  a  farm  in  Adams  township,  living  on  this  place  for  a 
period  of  fourteen  years,  after  which  he  moved  to  his  present  home.  Here 
he  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  in  which  occupation  he 
has  met  with  a  very  commendable  degree  of  success  and  ranks  among  the 
progressive  and  up-to-date  farmers  of  Adams  township. 

On  November  13,  1889,  D.  Irvin  Neese  was  married  to  Dora  Halter- 
man,  the  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Sarah  (Hall)  Halterman,  and  to  this  union 
two  children  have  been  born,  a  son  and  a  daughter :  Florence,  the  wife 
of  Raymond  Persinger,  living  on  a  farm  five  miles  northwest  of  Rosewood, 
Ohio,  and  Forest,  a  farmer  of  Harrison  township,  this  county.  Mr.  Neese 
is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  at  Thackery,  while  his  wife  and  children 
are  members  of  the  United  Brethren  church  at  Rosewood.  Fraternally,  Mr. 
Neese  is  identified  with  the     Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  holding 


662  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

membership  in  Lodge  No.  253.  at  Rosewood,  where  he  holds  the  office  of 
past  noble  grand.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Patriarchs  Militant,  and  is 
past  chief  patriarch  of  the  local  encampment,  while  both  he  and  Mrs.  Neese 
are  members  of  the  White  Lily  Lodge  No.  449,  Daughters  of  Rebekah, 
wherein  Mrs.  Neese  holds  the  office  of  past  noble  grand.  Politically,  Mr. 
Neese  adheres  to  the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party. 


JAMES  L  ARROWSMITH. 

James  L  Arrowsmith,  well-known  farmer  and  stockman  of  Mad  River 
township,  this  county,  living  on  rural  mail  route  No.  7  out  of  Urbana,  was 
born  on  the  farm  on  which  he  is  now  living  and  has  lived  there  all  his  life. 
He  was  born  on  October  29,  1881,  son  of  Isaac  L  and  Amanda  J.  (Powell) 
Arrowsmith,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  on  that  same  farm  and  the  latter 
on  a  farm  west  of  Urbana  in  Urbana  township,  and  the  latter  of  whom  is 
still  living,  now  a  resident  of  Urbana,  where  she  has  resided  since  1905  and 
where  she  is  very  comfortably  situated. 

Isaac  I.  Arrowsmith  was  born  on  February  6,  1844,  son  of  Ezekiel 
Arrowsmith  and  wife,  substantial  pioneer  residents  of  Mad  River  township, 
the  former  of  whom  died  about  1887.  Reared  on  the  farm  on  which  he  was 
born  and  on  which  his  son  is  now  living,  Isaac  I.  Arrowsmith  completed 
his  schooling  in  a  commercial  college  at  Dayton  and  after  his  marriage  to 
Amanda  J.  Powell,  who  was  born  in  the  neighboring  township  of  Urbana 
on  October  16,  1848,  established  his  home  on  that  farm  and  there  con- 
tinued to  make  his  home  until  1905,  when  he  retired  from  the  active  labors 
of  the  farm  and  moved  to  Urbana,  buying  a  residence  on  Sciota  street, 
where  he  died  November  13,  19 13,  aged  sixty-nine  years,  and  where  his 
widow  is  still  living.  Isaac  I.  Arrowsmith  was  a  Republican  and  was  a 
member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  and  his  wife  were 
the  parents  of  two  children,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having  a  sister,  Minnie, 
wife  of  J.  E.  Lewis,  of  Concord  township,  this  county. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm,  where  he  was  born,  James  I.  Arrowsmith 
received  his  schooling  in  the  Westville  schools  and  from  the  days  of  his 
boyhood  was  a  valued  aid  to  his  father  in  the  labors  of  improving  and 
developing  the  home  farm.  After  his  marriage  in  the  fall  of  1905,  his 
parents  retiring  from  the  farm  and  moving  to  Urbana  in  that  year,  he 
established  his  home  on  the  old  home  place  and  has  since  been  managing 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  663 

the  farm,  not  only  farming  the  home  place  of  one  hundred  and  four  acres, 
but  an  "eighty"  in  Concord  township.  In  addition  to  his  general  farming, 
Mr.  Arrowsmith  is  giving  considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of  live  stock, 
with  particular  reference  to  hogs,  and  is  doing  very  well. 

On  October  26,  1905,  James  I.  Arrowsmith  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Bessie  E.  Craig,  who  was  born  in  Salem  township,  this  county,  daughter  of 
E.  C.  Craig  and  wife,  and  to  this  union  has  been  born  one  child,  a  son, 
Marvin  P.,  born  on  April  24,  1906.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Arrowsmith  have  a  very 
pleasant  home  and  take  an  interested  part  in  local  social  activities.  Mr. 
Arrowsmith  is  a  member  of  Magrew  Lodge  No.  433,  Knights  of  Pythias, 
and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  local  Grange  at  Westville, 
in  the  affairs  of  which  they  take  a  hearty  interest. 


W.  C.  WILKINSON. 


William  C.  Wilkinson,  a  retired  farmer,  now  living  at  Rosewood,  Adams 
township,  Champaign  county,  was  born  on  a  farm  one  and  one-half  miles 
north  of  Rosewood,  October  21,  1861.  He  is  a  son  of  Asahel  and  Mary  (Cal- 
land)  Wilkinson.  The  father  was  also  born  on  the  same  farm  as  his  son 
W.  C,  his  father  being  one  of  the  early  pioneers  here.  He  was  of  English 
ancestry.  Mary  Calland  was  born  and  reared  in  /Vdams  township  also.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  William  Tipton  Calland,  a  native  of  Scotland  where  he 
grew  up  and  married,  afterwards  immigrating  with  his  wife  to  America. 

After  his  marriage  Asahel  Wilkinson  began  housekeeping  on  his  father's 
farm  in  Adams  township  and  there  he  remained  the  rest  of  his  active  life, 
carrying  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  successfully.  He  finally  moved 
to  Logan  county,  Ohio,  where  the  death  of  his  wife  occurred.  Later  he  re- 
turned to  Champaign  county  and  died  at  Rosewood.  To  these  parents  four 
children  were  born,  namely :  Susanna,  who  married  Edward  Ulrich,  is  de- 
ceased ;  G.  C.  lives  on  the  old  home  place ;  Nancy  Ellen,  who  married  Peter 
Keesecker,  is  deceased ;  and  W.  C.  of  this  sketch. 

Asahel  Wilkinson  and  wife  were  members  of  the  Laiited  Brethren  church, 
holding  membership  for  many  years  at  Union  Chapel,  and  later  were  mem- 
bers of  Degraff  Methodist  church.     Politically,  he  was  a  Republican. 

W.  C.  Wilkinson  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  in  Adams  township,  in  fact, 
spent  forty-seven  years  on  the  same  farm.  He  attended  the  rural  schools  in 
his  district.    He  was  married  in  July,  1881,  to  Sallie  E.  Heath,  who  was  born 


664  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

near  Heathtown,  Concord  township,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  was 
educated.  To  their  union  two  daughters  have  been  born,  namely :  Maude  is 
the  wife  of  Pearl  Sarver,  a  farmer  of  Harrison  township;  and  Blanche,  who 
married  J.  I).  Wright  and  they  are  living  in  Urbana,  Ohio,  where  he  is  an 
automobile  dealer,  handling  the  "Reo"  car. 

Mr.  Wilkinson  owns  a  well  improved  farm  of  ninety-one  acres,  a  portion 
of  the  old  home  place.  There  he  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising, 
making  a  comfortable  living  and  keeping  the  land  from  becoming  worn  out 
by  continued  cropping.  He  retired  from  active  work  in  1908  and  moved  to 
Rosewood,  where  he  and  his  wife  have  since  resided. 

Politically,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  he  is  at  present  trustee  of  Adams 
township.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  Rosewood  Lodge  No.  253,  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  which  he  is  at  present  noble  grand.  He  also  be- 
longs to  Anderton  Encampment,  Lodge  No.  292,  at  Rosewood,  of  which  he 
is  now  chief  patriarch. 


DAVID  C.  JOURNELL. 


David  C.  Journell,  farmer,  of  Concord  township,  was  born  in  Cumber- 
land county,  Illinois,  August  22,  1864,  and  is  a  son  of  Anderson  and  Eliza- 
beth (Heath)  Journell.  The  father  also  was  born  in  Concord  township  and 
was  a  son  of  John  Journell,  who,  with  his  family,  came  from  Virginia  to 
this  township  in  pioneer  days.  They  cleared  and  developed  a  farm  from  the 
woods,  on  which  John  Journell  spent  the  balance  of  his  life  and  where  his 
son  Anderson  grew  to  manhood  and  married  Elizabeth  Heath,  who  also  was 
a  native  of  Concord  township.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Wilibel  Heath,  whose 
family  came  here  in  pioneer  times,  Heathtown  being  named  for  them.  After 
his  marriage  Anderson  Journell  settled  on  a  farm  in  Concord  township,  where 
he  resided  about  ten  years,  then  moved  to  Cumberland  county,  Illinois,  remain- 
ing there  about  ten  years,  or  until  his  death.  His  widow  also  spent  the  rest 
of  her  days  there.  Ten  children  were  born  to  them,  only  four  of  whom  are 
now  living,  namely:  J.  T.  is  farming  near  Quincy,  Ohio;  Etna  is  the  widow 
of  Calvin  Jenkins,  of  Urbana,  Ohio;  David  C,  of  this  sketch,  and  U.  S.  G., 
who  lives  at  Quincy,  this  state. 

David  C.  Journell  was  five  years  old  when  his  father  died  and  the  follow- 
ing year  he  went  to  hve  with  his  uncle,  Crockett  Journell,  who  lived  in  Con- 
cord township.  Champaign  county.  He  remained  with  him  until  he  was 
fourteen  years  old,  then  started  out  in  life  for  himself.     He  hired  out  by  the 


MRS.    OLIVE    JOURNELL 


^v 

I^^M 

^■^ 

Hi^^ 

^^^^^^^^^^^L        -oO'^k 

DAVID    C.    JOURNELL 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  665 

day  and  the  month,  at  anything-  in  which  he  could  make  an  honest  dollar. 
He  had  the  grit  that  wins  and,  by  perseverance  and  close  application,  he  suc- 
ceeded. 

Mr.  Journell  was  married  on  October  22,  1889,  to  Olive  Comer,  a 
daughter  of  Russell  and  Sarah  Catherine  (Pence)  Comer.  Mr.  Comer  died 
on  February  8,  1910,  and  his  widow  lives  with  a  son  in  Concord  township. 
The  old  Pence  homestead  was  in  Concord  township,  near  D.  C.  Journell's 
present  farm.  The  Comers  were  natives  of  Champaign  county  and  were  the 
parents  of  six  children.  After  his  marriage  Mr.  Journell  continued  to  work 
by  the  month  for  two  years.  In  1891  he  bought  his  present  farm,  which 
was  heavily  timbered.  He  worked  hard,  cleared  and  developed  it  into  a  good 
farm  and  here  he  has  continued  to  reside  and  has  made  a  good  living  as  a 
general  farmer  and  stock  raiser.  He  owns  one  hundred  and  thirty-six  acres. 
He  raises  large  numbers  of  hogs  annually  for  the  market,  having  long  made 
a  specialty  of  that  line  of  endeavor. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Journell  five  children  have  been  born,  namely :  Ethel 
is  the  widow  of  James  Stemble  of  Urbana,  Ohio;  Elmer  is  assisting  his  father 
on  the  home  farm ;  Mamie  is  in  school ;  Oma  is  also  attending  school,  and 
Raymond  is  at  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Journell  is  a  Republican.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the 
Millerstown  Baptist  church. 


WILLIAM  CULBERTSON. 

William  Culbertson,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Culbertson  Brothers, 
carriage  manufacturers  and  automobile  agents  at  Mechanicsburg,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  city  council,  was  born  at  Mechanicsburg  and  has  lived  there  all  his 
life.  He  was  born  on  August  17,  1861,  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Hen- 
derson) Culbertson,  who  were  for  years  among  the  best-known  residents  of 
that  city. 

The  senior  William  Culbertson  was  born  in  the  state  of  New  York  and 
was  but  a  child  when  he  came  with  his  parents,  James  and  Margaret  Culbert- 
son, to  Ohio,  the  family  settling  at  Warren,  in  Trimble  county.  James  Cul- 
bertson and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Ireland,  of  Scottish  descent,  and  were 
married  in  their  native  land,  almost  immediately  afterward  coming  to  this 
country.  She  died  at  Warren,  this  state,  and  he  later  located  at  Mechanics- 
burg, where  his  last  days  were  spent.     Their  son.  William,  grew  to  manhood 


666  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

at  Warren  and  there  learned  the  trade  of  a  wood  worker  and  carriage  maker, 
which  he  followed  the  rest  of  his  life,  becoming  a  successful  manufacturer. 
As  a  }'oung  man,  in  1854,  he  moved  to  Mechanicsburg  and  engaged  in  the 
carriage-manufacturing  business  there,  as  the  head  of  the  firm  of  Culbertson 
&  Murray,  which  arrangement  continued  for  some  years,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  the  firm  became  Culbertson  &  Barr.  Later,  the  firm  became  William 
Culbertson  &  Company  and  the  business  was  being  carried  on  under  that  firnf 
style  at  the  time  of  the  death  of  the  senior  William  Culbertson,  since  which 
time  it  has  been  carried  on  by  his  sons,  under  the  firm  name  of  Culbertson 
Brothers.  The  senior  William  Culbertson  took  an  active  part  in  the  general 
upbuilding  of  his  home  town  and  was  for  years  regarded  as  one  of  the  most 
progressive  and  public-spirited  citizens  of  Mechanicsburg.  He  was  a  Repub- 
lican and  served  for  many  years  as  a  member  of  the  town  council.  Frater- 
nally, he  was  affiliated  with  the  Mechanicsburg  lodge  of  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  of  whom 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being 
Carrie,  widow  of  P.  Benton  Owen,  of  Mechanicsburg;  John  J.,  the  junior 
member  of  the  firm  of  Culbertson  Brothers;  Minerva,  of  Mechanicsburg,  and 
Dollie  W.,  wife  of  Ernest  James,  of  Delaware,  this  state. 

The  junior  William  Culbertson  grew  up  at  Mechanicsburg,  the  place  of 
his  birth,  receiving  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  city,  and  from  the  days 
of  his  boyhood  took  an  active  interest  in  his  father's  carriage  factory,  prac- 
tically growing  up  in  the  same  and  from  youth  familiar  with  the  details  of 
the  business,  becoming  a  member  of  the  company  some  time  before  his  father's 
death  and  after  that  event  the  general  manager  of  the  concern,  which  since 
then  has  been  operated  under  the  firm  name  of  Culbertson  Brothers,  he  and 
his  brother,  John  J.  Culbertson,  carrying  on  the  business,  one  of  the  oldest 
and  most  firmly-established  industrial  concerns  in  the  city  of  Mechanicsburg. 
Culbertson  Brothers  also  are  county  agents  and  distributors  for  the  Ford  Auto- 
mobile Company  of  Detroit  and  have  done  a  large  business  in  this  latter  line. 
William  Culbertson  is  a  Progressive  and  is  now  a  member  of  the  city  council 
from  his  home  ward.  He  formerly  served  for  a  period  of  ten  years  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  coimcil  and  after  a  period  of  two  years  was  re-elected,  in  January, 
1 91 6,  and  is  now  serving  his  second  period  of  service  in  that  office,  a  position 
his  father  also  held  for  many  years. 

In  June,  1890,  William  Culbertson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Carrie 
Hustler,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Hustler  and  wife,  of  Mechanicsburg,  and  to 
this  union  has  been  born  one  child,  a  son,  William  L.  Culbertson,  born  on 
February  28,  1892,  who  is  now  associated  with  his  father  and  uncle  in  busi- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  667 

ncss.  The  Ciilbertsons  hrive  a  very  pleasant  home  at  Mechanicsburg  and  have 
ever  taken  an  interested  part  in  the  city's  general  social  affairs.  Mr.  Culbert- 
son  is  a  member  of  Wildey  Lodge  No.  271,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows, at  Mechanicsburg,  and  is  a  past  noble  grand  of  the  same. 


ALBERT  BROWN. 


Albert  Brown,  a  veteran  railway  locomotive  engineer,  now  living  on 
his  well-kept  farm  of  seventy  acres  on  the  Catawba  and  Mechanicsburg 
pike,  two  miles  south  of  Mechanicsburg,  in  Goshen  township,  this  county, 
is  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state  considerably  more  than 
half  of  his  life,  for  twenty-five  years  having  been  a  resident  of  Galesburg, 
Illinois,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  railroad  service.  He  was  born  at  Yel- 
low Springs,  in  Greene  county,  Ohio,  March  11,  1856,  son  of  John  and  Mar- 
garet (Black)  Brown,  the  latter  of  whom  was  born  in  Scotland,  a  native  of 
the  shire  in  which  Robert  Burns  was  born,  and  who  was  but  seven  years 
of  age  when  her  parents  came  to  this  country  and  settled  in  Greene  county, 
this  state,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  married  John  Brown,  who 
was  born  in  this  state,  of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  To  that  union  five  children 
were  born,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  fourth  in  order  of 
birth,  the  others  being  Samuel,  who  died  at  Springfield,  Ohio;  Mrs.  Mary 
J.  Wallace,  of  Oakland,  California;  Jennie,  widow  of  Henry  Philbrick, 
also  of  Oakland,  and  Horace  Mann,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eight  years. 
John  Brown  died  at  his  home  in  Greene  county  about  the  year  i860  and  his 
widow  survived  him  many  years.  She  was  a  life-long  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Bereft  of  his  father  when  but  a  boy,  Albert  Brown,  at  the  age  of  nine 
years,  began  to  make  his  home  with  the  family  of  Van  Davis,  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Mechanicsburg,  this  county,  and  remained  there,  receiving  his 
schooling  in  the  Mechanicsburg  schools,  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age, 
when  he  started  out  "on  his  own  hook"  and  went  to  Cleveland,  where  he 
was  engaged  in  a  factory  for  three  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time,  when 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  he  returned  to  Mechanicsburg.  There,  a  year 
or  tw^o  later,  he  married  and  then  went  to  Springfield,  this  state,  wdiere  he 
became  employed  as  a  fireman  on  the  old  Indianapolis,  Bloomington  & 
Western  road,  now  a  part  of  the  "Big  Four"  system,  and  three  years  later 
was  given  an  engine  and  transferred  to  Galesburg,   Illinois,  where  he  was 


668  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

engaged  as  a  railway  locomotive  engineer  until  his  retirement  from  the 
road  and  return  to  Mechanicsburg  in  1912.  Upon  his  return  to  this  county 
Mr.  Brown  established  his  home  on  his  present  farm  in  Goshen  township 
and  there  has  since  resided,  he  and  his  wife  being  very  comfortably  situated 
there.  Mr.  Brown  is  a  Republican,  but  the  only  public  office  he  ever  has 
held  was  that  of  marshal  of  the  village  of  Mechanicsburg,  which  office  he  held 
for  two  years  during  the  time  of  his  residence  there  many  years  ago. 
During  his  residence  in  Galesburg  he  was  for  many  years  an  active  member 
of  the  local  division  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers  at  that 
place  and  Mrs.  Brown  was  an  active  member  of  the  woman's  auxiliary 
to  that  brotherhood,  serving  for  some  time  as  president  of  the  same. 

Mr.  Brown  has  been  twice  married.  On  May  14,  1879,  at  Mechanics- 
burg, he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lula  Raudebaugh,  daughter  of  David 
and  Cynthia  (Baker)  Raudebaugh,  who  lived  in  that  village  for  about  four 
years,  during  which  time  Albert  Brown  and  his  uncle.  Major  Baker,  were 
engaged  in  the  dairy  business,  and  to  that  union  two  children  were  born, 
both  of  whom  are  still  living,  Margaret,  wife  of  Alfred  Blick,  of  Gales- 
burg, Illinois,  and  Walter,  who  is  engaged  in  the  tailoring  business  at 
Marion,  Ohio.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  in  1889  and  on  Sep- 
tember 5,  1893,  Mr.  Brown  married  Mary  Kingsley,  a  daughter  of  Lewis 
and  Catherine  (Blue)  Kingsley,  and  to  this  union  one  child  has  been  born, 
a  son,  Lewis  Kingsley  Brown,  born  on  June  5,  1896,  who  is  now  engaged 
in  the  railway  service  at  Galesburg,  Illinois.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Universalist  church  at  Galesburg.  He  is  a  Republican  and  a 
member  of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Masons  at  Mechanicsburg.  Mrs.  Brown 
is  a  member  of  Rebecca  Parke  Chapter,  Daughters  of  the  American  Revo- 
lution, at  Galesburg,  through  descent  from  Capt.  William  Howard,  one 
of  the  pioneers  of  this  section  of  Ohio.  Captain  Howard  served  as  a 
minute  man  during  the  period  immediately  preceding  the  beginning  of  the 
War  of  Independence,  was  present  at  the  battle  of  Lexington  and  was  after- 
ward commissioned  a  captain  of  the  Continental  army,  serving  with  distin- 
guished valor  during  the  Revolutionary  War.  Upon  the  beginning  of  the 
settlement  in  this  part  of  Ohio  Howard  came  out  here  and  did  a  good  work 
in  the  development  period  of  this  section.  He  was  a  Mason  and  did  much 
to  promote  the  cause  of  that  ancient  order  hereabout  during  the  early  days. 
On  the  Fuller  line  of  her  Kingsley  ancestry  Mrs.  Brown  traces  her  descent 
back  to  the  Fuller  who  was  a  member  of  the  devoted  band  that  landed  on 
the  shores  of  this  country  from  the  "Mayflower". 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  669 

THOMAS  E.  PYLE. 

Thomas  E.  Pyle,  a  former  well-known  teacher  in  the  schools  of  Cham- 
paign county  and  now  a  substantial  farmer  living  in  Adams  township,  was 
born  in  that  same  township  on  March  12,  1866.  He  is  the  son  of  H.  D. 
and  Margaret  (Speece)   Pyle,  both  natives  of  the  state  of  Ohio. 

H.  D.  Pyle  was  born  in  Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  and  his  wife,  Margaret 
Speece,  was  born  in  Harrison  township,  Champaign  county.  Both  are  now 
living  in  St.  Paris,  this  county,  where  they  are  comfortably  situated,  living 
a  retired  life  after  years  of  activity  on  the  farm  on  which  they  spent  the 
greater  part  of  their  lives.  H.  D.  and  Margaret  Pyle  were  the  parents  of 
six  children,  one  of  whom  is  deceased  and  the  others  are  Thomas  E.  Pyle, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch;  William  Pyle,  a  farmer  and  trader,  living  in 
Colorado;  Hezekiah  L.,  a  minister  of  the  Congregational  church  in  Phila- 
delphia, who  graduated  from  Ada  Westerville  College  and  Yale  College; 
C.  E.,  a  farmer  living  in  Adams  township,  and  Sarah,  wife  of  E.  F.  Brown, 
of  St.  Paris,  who  is  engaged  in  the  grocery  business. 

Thomas  E.  Pyle  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Adams  township  and 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the  district.  He  later  went  through 
a  course  in  the  high  school  at  Urbana  one  winter.  He  taught  school  for 
two  years  in  Concord  township,  this  county.  At  the  end  of  that  period 
he  went  west  and  taught  school  near  Vernon,  in  the  state  of  Colorado.  The 
school  there  was  conducted  in  a  sod  house  which  Mr.  Pyle  helped  to  build. 
After  remaining  in  Colorado  for  some  time  he  returned  to  Champaign 
county  and  commenced  his  life  as  a  farmer.  During  the  period  that  Mr. 
Pyle  was  engaged  in  teaching  he  was  generally  recognized  as  an  efficient 
instructor,  ever  interested  in  imparting  the  elements  of  the  subjects  he 
taught  to  the  pupils  in  his  charge. 

On  May  25,  1892,  Thomas  E.  Pyle  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lottie 
May  Wilson,  who  was  born  in  Shelby  county,  this  state,  and  the  daughter 
of  James  Wilson.  After  his  marriage  he  settled  on  the  farm  of  one  hun- 
dred acres  of  land  which  he  owns  in  Adams  township  and  on  which  he  now 
lives.  He  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  his  efforts  have  met  with  con- 
siderable success.  He  adopts  modern  methods  in  his  agricultural  labors,  to 
insure  the  best  results,  and  his  buildings  are  kept  in  excellent  condition,  the 
whole  tract  showing  evidence  of  continuous  care  and  attention. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pyle  are  members  of  the  United  Brethren  church  at 
Rosewood  and  are  active  in  all  church  work.     He  is  a  member  of  Crayon 


670  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Lodge  No.  297,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in  which  order  he  is 
past  noble  grand.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  auxihary,  being  afifiliated 
with  Anterton  Encampment  No.  397,  of  which  he  is  past  chief  patriarch.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Pyle  are  members  of  the  Rebekah  lodge,  and  in  the  affairs  of  all  these 
orders  he  takes  a  warm  interest.  He  is  a  supporter  of  the  Republican  party 
and  has  filled  the  office  of  township  assessor  for  one  year,  giving  the  people 
satisfactory  service  in  this  important  position.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pyle  have 
reared  a  boy  whose  name  was  Hunter,  but  is  now  known  as  John  Pyle, 
and  who  has  lived  with  them  sii-tce  he  was  five  years  old.  He  was  gradu- 
ated from  the  Rosewood  high  school. 


GEORGE  W.  NOTESTINE. 

George  W.  Notestine,  farmer  of  Adams  township.  Champaign  county, 
was  born  six  miles  southeast  of  the  village  of  DeGraff,  Logan  county,  Ohio, 
November  11,  1846.  He  is  a  son  of  John  and  Catherine  (Neer)  Notestine. 
Tlie  father  was  born  in  Perry  count}',  this  state,  but  when  a  young  man  he 
came  to  Logan  county,  where  he  married  and  settled  on  a  farm.  His  wife, 
Catherine  Neer,  was  bom  in  Licking  county,  this  state,  but  when  young  her 
parents  brought  her  to  Logan  county  and  there  she  grew  to  womanhood. 
John  and  Catherine  Notestine  located  on  a  farm  in  Logan  county  and  spent 
the  rest  of  their  lives  there,  both  being  now  deceased.  They  became  parents 
of  fourteen  children,  six  of  whom  are  still  living,  ten  growing  to  maturity, 
the  survivors  are :  Elizabeth  is  the  widow  of  Gabriel  Krouse  and  she  li\-es  in 
Bellefontaine.  Ohio:  George  W.,  of  this  sketch;  Nancy  is  the  widow  of  Lewis 
\\' alcott  an.d  lives  at  DeGraff,  Ohio ;  John,  Thomas  and  Noah  all  make  their 
home  in  Logan  county,  this  state. 

George  W.  Notestine  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Logan  county  and 
there  he  attended  the  district  schools.  When  a  young  man  he  went  to  Owen 
count\',  Indiana,  and  he  spent  four  vears  in  Indiana,  Illinois  and  Kentucky, 
then  returned  liome.  On  Octolier  19.  1876,  he  married  Lizzie  Jane  Naugle.  a 
native  of  Clark  county,  Ohio,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  attended 
schools.     Her  mother  died  when  she  was  but  a  child. 

In  February,  1877,  Mr.  Notestine  and  wife  moved  to  Champaign  county 
and  finally  bought  their  present  farm  of  ninety-three  acres  in  .\dams  township 
and  here  they  have  since  resided.  They  lived  on  rented  land  the  first  nine 
vears  lhc^'  were  in  tlie  localitv  in  wliich  thev  now  reside.     Thev  have  a  well 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  67I 

cultivated  farm  and  a  comfortable  home  and  engage  in  general  farming  pur- 
suits. 

One  child  has  been  born  to  Mr.  and  ]\lrs.  Xotestine,  namely :  Emmett 
Vance,  who  married  Carrie  Wise  and  they  live  in  DeGraff,  Logan  county, 
where  he  is  in  the  garage  business.  They  have  two  children,  Mildred  and 
Ruth,  both  now  in  school. 

Politically.  Mr.  Xotestine  is  a  Republican.  He  belongs  to  Lodge  292, 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  She  belongs  to  the  Christian  church  at  Logans- 
\ille,  Ohio. 


SAMUEL  J.  MAURICE. 


Samuel  J.  Maurice,  farmer  of  Adams  township.  Champaign  county,  was 
born  on  a  part  of  the  farm  on  which  he  is  noAV  living,  May  19,  1888,  and  he  is 
regarded  as  one  of  the  most  promising  of  our  younger  husbandmen.  He  is  a 
son  of  Joseph  and  Isabelle  (Neese)  Maurice.  The  father  was  born  near 
Springfield,  Clark  county,  Ohio,  May  27,  1846.  He  was  a  son  of  Isaac 
Maurice,  who  immigrated  from  England  to  Ohio  in  an  early  day,  locating  in 
Clark  county,  and  there  his  first  wife  died,  he  then  married  Caroline  Davis,  a 
native  of  Virginia,  who  came  to  Clark  county  when  a  girl.  Isaac  Maurice 
spent  the  rest  of  his  life  on  the  farm  on  which  Joseph  Maurice  was  born,  hav- 
ing remained  on  the  same  place  he  selected  when  first  locating  in  the  Xew 
World.  Isabelle  Xeese  was  born  on  a  farm  just  east  of  Thackery,  Mad  River 
township,  Champaign  county,  Ohio.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Elias  X^eese, 
who  came  to  Ohio  with  his  parents  when  a  boy. 

After  their  marriage  Joseph  Maurice  settled  in  German  township,  Clark 
count}-,  where  they  remained  ten  years,  then  came  to  Adams  township  and 
bought  forty  acres  and  there  they  established  their  future  home.  Their  son, 
Samuel  J.,  of  this  sketch,  was  born  on  that  place.  The  family  resided  there 
ten  yeai-s,  then  the  father  bought  the  farm  where  his  son  Joseph  now  lives, 
and  here  the  father  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  on  May  28,  1908.  His 
widow  is  still  living  on  this  farm.  To  Joseph  Maurice  and  wife  twelve  children 
were  born,  all  still  living  but  one.  Marion  :  W.  A.,  of  Rosewood,  Ohio;  Adeela 
is  the  wife  of  Stephen  Bowers  and  they  live  in  Adams  township;  George  lives 
in  Shelby  county,  Ohio ;  C.  A.  lives  at  Rosewood,  Champaign  county ;  Valdora 
is  the  wife  of  Dr.  Connor  of  Markleville,  Indiana;  Emma  is  the  widow  of 
George  Licklider,  of  Carysville,  Ohio ;  Ellen  is  the  wife  of  Alex  C.  Stephenson, 
of  Adams  township.  Champaign  county ;  Herman  is   farming  on  the  home 


672  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

place;  Marion  died  in  infancy;  Samuel  J.,  of  this  sketch;  Lizzie  is  the  wife  of 
Homer  Geuy  and  they  live  on  the  home  place ;  and  Emerson  also  lives  on  the 
home  farm. 

Samuel  J.  Maurice  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  where  he  worked  when 
a  boy.  He  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools.  He  has  remained 
on  the  home  farm  and  has  been  very  successful  as  a  general  farmer  and  stock 
raiser.  The  place  consists  of  two  hundred  and  thirty  acres.  He  has  kept  his 
fields  well  cultivated  and  well  improved 

Mr.  Maurice  was  married  on  December  19,  1909,  to  Laura  Geuy,  a 
daughter  of  Steward  and  Alice  (Spellman)  Geuy,  of  Johnson  township,  this 
county.  To  Mr.  Maurice  and  wife  two  children  have  been  born,  namely: 
Alice  Isabelle  is  attending  school;  and  Mildred  Ruth,  who  died  when  two 
months  old. 

Politically,  Mr.  Maurice  is  a  Democrat,  but  is  inclined  to  vote  inde- 
pendently, not  being  a  biased  partisan.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at  Rosewood.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Christian 
church  at  Carysville. 


SAMUEL  T.  BARGER. 


Samuel  J.  Barger,  a  farmer  and  truck  grower  of  Concord  township, 
Champaign  county,  was  born  in  the  locality  where  he  now  resides,  February 
21,  1863.  Fie  is  a  son  of  John  and  Martha  (Graves)  Barger,  whose  family 
consisted  of  the  following  children:  Melissa  is  deceased;  F.  M.  is  deceased; 
John  F.  lives  at  St.  Paris,  this  county;  Joseph  M.  is  a  retired  farmer  living  in 
Logan  county,  Ohio;  Sarah  E.  is  the  wife  of  Robert  Valentine;  Samuel  J., 
of  this  sketch,  and  Mary  C,  who  married  Harrison  Jenkins  and  lives  in  Har- 
rison township. 

John  Barger  was  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Polly  (Bousman)  Barger,  who 
were  married  at  the  historic  Natural  Bridge  in  Virginia,  October  9,  1809. 
They  came  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  in  181 3,  locating  among  the  early 
pioneers  in  Concord  township,  a  half  mile  northwest  of  the  present  site  of 
Concord  centralized  school.  Here  they  cleared  the  primeval  forest  and 
developed  a  good  farm,  on  which  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives.  A  part 
of  the  old  orchard  they  set  out  is  still  living  and  bearing  fruit.  His  death 
occurred  on  May  i,  1863,  and  she  died  on  May  22,  1841.  To  Jacob  and 
Polly  Barger  twelve  children  were  born,  named  as  follow :  John,  father  of 
Samuel  J.;  Madison,  born  September  30,  1812,  died  October  9,  1873;  Sarah, 


MR.    AND    MRS.    SAMUEL    J.    BARGER 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  673 

born  September  i,  1814,  died  September  17,  1856;  Deborah,  born  November 
7,  1816,  died  November  10,  1852;  William,  born  November  9,  1818,  died 
February  16,  1896;  Mary,  born  October  10,  1820,  died  January  28,  1906; 
George,  born  September  ii,  1822,  deceased;  Samuel  B.,  born  August  5, 
1824,  died  October  18,  1846;  Jacob,  Jr.,  born  September  26,  1826,  died 
November  25,  1847;  Nancy  A.,  born  September  9,  1828,  died  February  23, 
1873;  Leonard,  born  September  21,  1830,  died  October  22,  1907;  Philander 
R.,  born  January  22,   1835,  died  in  April,   191 7. 

John  Barger  was  born  near  the  Natural  Bridge  in  Virginia,  January  20, 
181 1,  and  his  death  occurred  on  January  2j,  1892.  He  was  two  years  old 
when  his  parents  made  the  long  overland  trip  in  wagons  from  the  Old 
Dominion  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio.  He  grew  to  manhood  amid  pioneer 
conditions  in  Concord  township  and  assisted  his  father  with  the  work  on  the 
farm  until  he  was  a  young  man.  Here  he  married  Sarah  Hall,  who  died 
on  February  15,  1850,  in  early  life,  and  on  November  14th  of  that  year  he 
married  Martha  Graves,  a  native  of  Champaign  county.  To  this  second 
union  the  following  chilrden  were  born:  A  daughter,  born  July  15,  1852, 
died  in  infancy;  Mary  C,  born  October  31,  1853,  is  the  wife  of  Harrison 
Jenkins;  a  son  born  January  6,  1862,  died  in  infancy;  Samuel  J. 

Samuel  J.  Barger  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Concord  township 
and  he  attended  the  district  schools  until  he  was  twenty  years  old,  working 
on  the  farm  during  the  summer  months.  He  has  followed  farming  and  stock 
raising  all  his  life  and  has  remained  on  the  home  place,  which  he  purchased 
and  which  he  has  kept  well  improved,  having  rebuilt  the  dwelling  and  erected 
good  outbuildings.  His  place  consists  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres,  the 
land  being  well  cultivated.     He  raises  a  good  grade  of  live  stock. 

Mr.  Barger  was  married  on  February  2,  1890,  to  Celesta  E.  Looker, 
who  was  born  in  Johnson  township,  this  county,  April  7,  1871,  a  daughter  of 
Hampton  and  Rebecca  Looker.  She  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Adams 
township  and  attended  the  district  schools.  The  following  children  have 
been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barger:  Lawrence  H.,  born  November  17,  1890, 
was  graduated  from  the  Concord  high  school  and  he  is  at  present  serving 
his  township  as  justice  of  the  peace;  Lyman  C,  born  August  18,  1893,  and 
Alta  H.,  born  November  21,  1908. 

Politically,  Mr.  Barger  is  a  Republican  and  has  been  a  notary  public  for 

twenty-four  years.     His  papers  have  always  been  very  accurately  and  neatly 

drawn,  none  of  them  having  ever  been  rejected  on  account  of  irregularities 

in  them.     He  is  a  member  of  Pharo  Lodge  No.   355,  Free  and  Accepted 

(43a) 


6/4  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Masons,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Up-to-Date  Grange,  Lodge 
No.  1873.  Mr.  Barger  organized  diis  lodge,  of  which  he  is  past  master,  and 
his  wife  and  son  are  charter  members  of  this  lodge. 

For  six  years  Mr.  Barger  has  operated  a  home  canning  plant  and  has 
sold  all  his  goods  within  a  radius  of  twelve  miles  of  home.  He  cans  all  kinds 
of  fruits  and  vegetables  and  even  rabbit  meat,  twenty  varieties  of  canned 
goods  in  all.  There  has  been  more  of  a  demand  for  the  canned  goods  than 
he  can  supply. 


JOSEPH  H.  MADDEX. 


Joseph  H.  Maddex.  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  three 
acres  in  Goshen  township,  this  county,  on  the  Mechanicsburg  and  Catawba 
pike,  t\\  o  and  one-half  miles  south  of  Mechanicsburg,  on  rural  mail  route  No.  2 
out  of  that  city,  is  a  native  of  Virginia,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  Ohio  since 
he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age.  He  was  born  in  the  Shenandoah  valley,  in 
that  part  of  the  Old  Dominion  now  comprised  within  the  borders  of  West 
Virginia,  May  22,  1849,  ^on  of  James  S.  and  Ann  Amanda  (Melvin)  Maddex, 
the  former  a  native  of  Maryland  and  the  latter  of  Virginia. 

James  S.  Maddex  was  born  in  Harford  county,  Maryland,  and  was  but 
a  boy  when  his  parents  moved  into  the  Shenandoah  valley  in  upper  Virginia, 
where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  married  Ann  Amanda  Melvin,  who  was  born 
in  that  valley,  her  parents  having  settled  there  upon  moving  from  Pennsyl- 
vania. Her  father,  Joseph  Melvin,  was  of  Pennsylvania-Dutch  stock.  To 
James  S.  Maddex  and  wife  \^ere  born  twelve  children,  of  whom  ten  grew  to 
maturity,  those  besides  the  subject  of  tliis  sketch  being  as  follow  :  Lorenzo  D., 
who  died  in  Maryland ;  Mary  E.,  who  married  William  Brantner  and  died  in 
\Vest  Virginia,  leaving  five  children;  Hannah  V.,  widow  of  Thomas  Link,  of 
West  Virginia;  John,  a  well-known  farmer  of  Goshen  township,  this  county; 
Butler  L.,  also  a  resident  of  this  county;  Sarah  C.,  deceased;  Rosa  B.,  wife  of 
Bine  Maddex,  of  West  Virginia;  James  J.,  of  Union  county,  this  state,  and 
Benjamin  N.,  a  resident  of  Maryland. 

Reared  in  his  native  state,  Joseph  H.  Maddex  received  a  common-school 
education  and  remained  there  until  he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age,  when  he 
came  to  Ohio  and  began  working  at  farm  labor  in  Clark  county,  not  far  from 
Catawba.  In  the  spring  of  1888  he  married  and  established  his  home  on  a* 
rented  farm  in  Goshen  township,  this  county,  continuing  as  a  renter  until  in 
1907,  when  he  bought  the  farm  on  which  he  is  now  living  and  where  he  ever 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  675 

since  has  made  his  residence.  Mr.  Aladdex  has  a  well-improved  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  three  acres  and  is  doing  well  in  his  farming  operations.  He  is  a 
Democrat  and  has  served  the  public  in  the  capacity  of  supervisor  in  his  home 
township. 

On  May  14,  1888,  Joseph  H.  Maddex  was  united  in  marriage  to  Anastasia 
Gault,  who  was  born  in  Goshen  township,  this  county,  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Johanna  Gault,  and  to  this  union  two  children  have  been  born,  Ruie  J., 
wife  of  Edw^ard  Young,  of  Detroit,  Michigan,  and  James  Paul,  who  married 
Mary  Carr,  of  the  neighboring  county  of  Madison,  and  is  assisting  his  father 
in  the  management  of  the  home  farm.  Mr.  Maddex  was  made  a  Mason,  a 
member  of  Elk  Branch  Lodge  No.  13,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  at  his  old 
home  in  West  Virginia,  before  coming  to  Ohio,  and  has  always  maintained  his 
connection  with  that  order,  many  years  ago  having  transferred  his  member- 
ship to  the  local  lodge  of  Masons  at  Mechanicsburg,  and  takes  a  warm  interest 
in  Masonic  afifairs.  He  and  his  family  have  a  pleasant  home  on  the  farm  and 
have  ever  taken  an  interested  part  in  the  community's  general  social  activities. 


KIRBY  O.  LUCAS. 


Kirby  O.  Lucas,  living  on  a  farm  on  route  No.  7.  out  of  Urbana, 
Ohio,  was  born  in  Luray,  Virginia,  April  6,  1878,  a  son  of  James  F.  and 
Isabella  (Prince)  Lucas.  Both  his  parents  were  natives  of  Virginia  and 
are  still  living  in  that  state,  where  our  subject  was  reared  and  educated  and 
grew  to  manhood.  There  were  eight  children  in  this  family,  seven  of  whom 
are  now  living.  J.  D.  Lucas  lives  in  Cincinnati,  C.  J.  and  H.  F.  Lucas  live 
in  Virginia,  Charles  and  Edward  live  in  Virginia. 

Kirby  O.  Lucas  remained  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of 
age  when  he  started  out  for  himself.  He  found  a  wife  in  the  person  of 
Miss  Nellie  G.  Kite,  who  was  also  a  native  of  Virginia.  They  were  married 
in  1900,  and  they  came  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  in  1904,  and  located 
in  Westville.  He  worked  on  a  farm  for  three  years  and  then  rented  a  farm 
which  he  cultivated  for  nine  years.  He  then  bought  a  farm  of  sixty-two 
acres  and  a  half  on  which  he  established  a  home  and  in  which  he  has 
since  lived.  They  have  two  daughters,  Linda  and  Clara,  both  in  the  schools ' 
at  Westville.  Mr.  Lucas  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church ;  Mrs.  Lucas 
is  a  member  of  the  New  School  Baptist  church.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Westville  Grange,  and  his  political  affiliation  is  with  the  Republican  party. 


6^6  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

J.  NEWTON  BARNETT. 

J.  Newton  Barnett,  the  owner  and  proprietor  of  a  general  store  in  the 
village  of  Spring  Hill  in  Harrison  township,  this  county,  was  born  in  Paris, 
Edgar  county,  Illinois,  on  May  24,  1868,  the  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Mary 
(Rawlings)  Barnett,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  Kentucky  and  the 
latter  of  Ohio. 

Nathaniel  Barnett  was  but  a  small  lad  when  he  accompanied  his  parents 
from  Kentucky  to  AlcLean  county,  Illinois,  and  there  he  grew  to  maturity 
and  married  Mary  Rawlings,  who  was  born  in  Quincy,  Ohio,  but  went  as  a 
young  girl  with  her  parents  to  McLean  county,  Illinois.  After  his  marriage, 
Nathaniel  Barnett  and  his  wife  settled  in  Edgar  county,  Illinois,  where  they 
lived  for  some  years,  and  where  their  three  cliildren  were  born,  as  follows: 
J.  N.,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  review;  Harriett,  deceased,  who  was  the 
wife  of  Perry  Body,  of  Adams  township,  and  Emma,  the  wife  of  Elwood 
Forshee,  of  Sidney,  Ohio.  Prior  to  his  marriage,  Nathaniel  Barnett  served 
as  a  soldier  in  the  Union  army,  enlisting  from  McLean  county,  Illinois.  On 
June  15,  1882,  when  J.  Newton  was  but  a  lad  of  fourteen  years,  the  widowed 
mother  came  with  her  family  to  Quincy,  Ohio,  locating  immediately  afterward 
in  Adams  township,  this  county.  In  November,  1882,  Mrs.  Barnett  was  mar- 
ried to  Cornelius  Houseman,  with  whom  she  lived  until  his  death  in  1898. 
They  removed  to  Spring  Hill  in  1897.  Her  death  occurred  on  February  19, 
1917.  To  this  union  three  children  were  born:  Bessie,  the  wife  of  T.  Ruddy, 
of  Tippecanoe  City,  Ohio ;  Clarence,  deceased,  and  Merrill,  of  Dayton,  Ohio. 
The  mother  of  these  cliildren  was  a  faithful  and  consistent  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  which  faith  she  had  been  reared. 

J.  Newton  Barnett  lived  at  home  with  his  parents  until  he  was  nine  years 
of  age,  and  spent  fi^'e  years  in  the  Soldiers  Orphans  Home  in  Bloomington, 
Illinois,  where  he  received  most  of  his  early  education.  As  stated  above, 
when  fourteen  years  of  age,  he  accompanied  his  mother  and  the  rest  of  the 
family  to  Ohio,  and  on  September  10,  1888,  came  to  Harrison  township,  where 
for  the  next  six  years  he  lived  with  the  family  of  William  Mohr.  In  1888-9  '"^^ 
was  a  student  in  the  commercial  course  at  Valparaiso  University,  at  Valparaiso, 
Indiana.  He  afterwards  worked  out  by  the  month  in  Harrison  township,  and 
after  his  marriage  engaged  in  farming  for  two  years,  renting  land  and  working 
out  by  the  day.  On  February  13,  1895,  he  came  to  Spring  Hill,  where,  in 
partnership  with  Edward  Mohr,  he  engaged  in  the  general  mercantile  busi- 
ness for  a  period  of  seven  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time,  Mr.  Barnett  took 
over  the  entire  business,  and  has  been  very  successfully  conducting  the  same 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  677 

ever  since.  In  191 1  he  erected  a  new  store  building-  into  which  he  moved  his 
stock  the  same  year.  Mr.  Harnett  has  a  large  and  lucrative  patronage  in  the 
village  of  Spring  Hill  and  surrounding-  community,  and  ranks  among  the 
leading  citizens  of  his  township. 

On  June  5,  1892,  J.  Newton  Barnett  was  united  in  marriage  to  Anna 
Mohr,  a  daughter  of  Fred  and  Sarah  (Brinser)  Mohr,  and  to  this  union  three 
children  have  been  born:  Carrie,  the  wife  of  Harry  Garver,  of  Spring  Hill; 
Grace,  who  died  in  infancy,  and  Ethel,  a  student  in  the  public  schools.  The 
family  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Spring  Hill  and  Mr.  Bar- 
nett is  serving  as  deacon  of  the  local  congregation. 

Mr.  Barnett  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  has  always  taken  an  active 
interest  in  local  political  affairs,  serving  as  township  treasurer  for  eight  years, 
and  is  now  serving  as  assessor  of  the  village  of  Spring-  Hill.  He  is  also  a 
notary  public,  and  has  been  for  the  past  six  years.  Fraternally,  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  order,  and  also  holds  membership  in  Hamlet  Lodge  No. 
242,  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  is  past  chancellor  of  that  lodge  at  DeGraff,  Ohio. 


WILLIAM  H.  MOHR. 


William  H.  Mohr,  a  farmer  of  Spring  Hill,  Harrison  township.  Cham- 
paign county,  was  born  one  mile  southeast  of  his  present  home,  his  present 
farm  being  a  part  of  the  old  Mohr  estate,  on  February  4,  i860.  He  is  a  son 
of  Conrad  and  Catherine  (Forry)  Mohr. 

Conrad  Mohr  was  born  in  Germany,  from  which  country  he  came  to 
America,  when  a  boy,  with  his  parents,  Frederick  Mohr  and  wife.  The  family 
located  in  Logan  county,  Ohio,  later  moving  to  Champaig'n  county,  being 
among  the  early  settlers  in  this  section  of  the  state.  Catherine  Forry  was 
also  of  German  descent,  but  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  when  a  girl  she 
came  with  her  parents  to  this  section  of  Ohio.  After  his  marriage  Conrad 
Mohr  located  in  Logan  county,  but  later  moved  to  Harrison  township  Cham- 
paign county,  where  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives.  Their  family  consisted 
of  seven  children,  all  of  whom  survive  at  this  writing,  but  one,  namely:  John, 
who  is  deceased;  Mary,  Martha,  Fred,  Chris,  Kate  and  William  H.  The 
father  of  these  children  was  a  successful  farmer  and  accumulated  a  large 
acreage  of  valuable  land  and  other  property.  He  was  one  of  the  leading  men 
of  his  township  in  his  day.  Politically,  he  was  a  Democrat  but  never  sought 
public  leadership,  being  a  quiet  home  man.     He  and  his  wife  were  members 


678  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

of  the  German  Baptist  church  in  Logan  county  and  active  in  the  work  of  the 
same. 

Wilham  H.  Mohr  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  Jarm  in  Harrison  town- 
ship and  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  and  he  Hved  at  home  until  he 
married  Clara  E.  Leffler,  in  1883.  They  located  a  half  mil'e  east  of  the  old 
home  farm  and  remained  there  a  few  years,  then  moved  back  to  the  homestead 
and  spent  three  years  there,  after  which  he  returned  to  the  farm  he  first  occu- 
pied after  his  marriage.  He  remained  there  until  191 1,  when  he  moved  to 
Spring  Hill,  where  he  has  since  resided  and  where  he  built  a  pretty  home. 
He  owns  one  hundred  and  seventy-nine  acres  of  excellent  land  in  Harrison 
township  and  is  carrying  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  with  gratifying 
results.     He  has  a  good  farm  and  a  well-kept  group  of  buildings. 

Three  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mohr,  namely :  Brooks, 
who  died  when  eighteen  months  old ;  Oakland,  who  married  Mabel  Speece, 
lives  on  the  home  place,  which  he  helps  his  father  operate,  and  Harvey,  attend- 
ing school. 

Politically,  Mr.  Mohr  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  treasurer  of  the  Spring  Hill 
Cemetery  Association.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at 
Spring  Hill. 


STEPHEN  N.  JENICINS. 

Among  the  sturdy  sons  of  the  pioneer  farmers  of  this  county  is  Stephen 
N.  Jenkins,  a  resident  of  Millerstown,  who  was  born  in  Concord  township, 
on  April  26,  1864,  the  son  of  Presley  and  Mary  (Snyder)  Jenkins,  the  former 
of  whom  was  a  native  of  this  county,  and  the  latter  of  Shenandoah  county, 
Virginia. 

Presley  Jenkins  was  born  in  Concord  township  in  the  early  twenties,  and 
was  a  son  of  Jesse  and  Annie  (Pence)  Jenkins,  both  of  whon.i  were  natives 
of  Virginia,  who  came  to  Ohio  in  an  early  day,  settling  in  Champaign  county,] 
on  a  farm  in  Concord  township,  where  Elijah  Jenkins,  an  uncle  of  Stephen  N. 
Jenkins,  now  lives,  the  land  still  being  in  the  family  name.  Mary  Snyder  wasJ 
the  daughter  of  Valentine  Snyder,  who  came  with  his  family  from  Virginia] 
to  Champaign  county  in  the  early  days,  settling  on  a  farm  in  Johnson  town- 
ship, this  land  lying  just  north  of  where  the  village  of  Millerstown  now  is.  I 
After  his  marriage  Presley  Jenkins  and  his  wife  settled  on  a  farm  in  Concord 
township,  two  miles  north  of  the  old  home  place,  where  they  lived  until  1865,] 
wlien  they  renxn-ed  to  a  farm  in  Johnson  township,  known  as  the  Isaac  Bru- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  679 

baker  farm,  where  they  hved  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Jenkins  in  1881.  His 
widow  survived  him  until  1893,  making  her  home  with  her  children  after  her 
husband's  death.  Presley  Jenkins  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  seven  children  : 
Rebecca  C.  wife  of  John  M.  Burkholder,  of  Rosewood,  Ohio;  Elijah  W., 
deceased;  T.  J.,  a  farmer  living  in  Johnson  township,  represented  elsewhere 
in  this  ^vork ;  Jane  A.,  widow  of  David  Jenkins,  of  Terre  Haute,  Ohio;  Willis 
P.,  a  resident  of  Johnson  township;  Stephen  N.,  the  immediate  subject  of  this 
re\'ievv',  and  Mary  Etta,  deceased.  The  family  were  earnest  and  devoted  mem- 
bers of  the  Nettle  Creek  Baptist  church,  being  among  the  leaders  of  the  Old 
School  Baptist  faith  in  this  vicinity.  Presley  Jenkins  ranked  among  the  lead- 
ing pioneers  of  his  community,  and  was  a  self-made  man  in  the  truest  sense 
of  the  word,  as  he  started  out  in  life  with  nothing,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
was  the  owner  of  o\'er  four  hundred  acres  of  land  which  he  had  acquired  by 
his  own  honest  endeavor  and  with  the  help  of  his  family.  He  was  a  man 
who  attended  strictly  to  his  own  affairs,  and  while  deeply  interested  in  public 
matters,  yet  was  never  an  office  seeker,  preferring  rather  his  home  life. 

Stephen  N.  Jenkins  was  reared  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm,  receiv- 
ing his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  home  neighborhood.  After 
reaching  maturity  he  continued  to  operate  the  home  farm  for  some  years,  and 
in  1893  ^^6  "^  partnership  with  Charles  Heck,  engaged  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness in  Millerstown,  in  which  line  he  was  continuously  engaged  for  a  period 
of  thirteen  years.  In  1906  this  firm  disposed  of  their  business  in  Millerstown, 
since  which  time  Mr.  Jenkins  has  been  engaged  in  looking  after  his  various 
business  interests. 

On  November  22,  1885,  Stephen  N.  Jenkins  was  married  to  Lizzie  A. 
Sturm,  who  was  born  at  Galion,  Ohio.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jenkins  two  children 
have  been  born  :  Carrie  A.,  the  wife  of  Walter  Pence,  of  St.  Paris,  Ohio, 
and  Byron  G.,  who  was  in  the  employ  of  the  government  at  Washington, 
D.  C.  He  is  now^  (July,  191 7)  a  sergeant  of  the  first  class,  attached  to  the 
medical  department  of  the  Reserve  Corps,  located  at  base  group,  American 
expeditionary  force,  France. 

Mr.  Jenkins  is  independent  in  politics,  preferring  to  vote  for  measures 
rather  than  for  men,  and  is  not  bound  by  any  party  ties.  He  is  a  stockholder 
and  director  in  the  Farmers  and  Merchants  Telephone  Company,  of  St.  Paris, 
and  at  one  time  served  as  vice-president  of  the  organization.  He  is  also  a 
stockholder  in  the  Central  National  Bank  of  St.  Paris.  Mr.  Jenkins  is  also 
much  interested  in  bee  culture,  having  more  than  fifty  hives  of  fine  Italian 
bees  on  his  home  place. 


i 


680  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


HENRY  MILLER  BLACK. 


The  late  Henry  Miller  Black,  former  agent  for  the  Pennsylvania  Rail- 
road Company  at  St.  Paris  and  for  years  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank 
of  that  city,  of  which  concern  his  son,  Fred  Black,  is  now  the  vice-president, 
was  a  native  of  Ohio  and  spent  all  his  life  in  this  state.  He  was  born  on  a 
farm  near  Hillsboro,  in  Highland  county,  September  15,  1848,  and  was  but 
a  child  when  his  father  died.  His  mother  later  came  to  this  county  and 
located  at  Cable,  in  Wayne  township,  where  he  received  his  schooling,  later 
moving  with  his  mother  to  New  Madison,  in  Darke  county,  where  he  took 
employment  as  a  brakeman  on  the  Pennsylvania  railroad.  While  thus 
engaged  he  turned  his  attention  to  telegraphing  and  upon  becoming  qualified 
as  a  telegrapher  was  given  a  station  on  that  road,  finally,  in  1876,  being 
stationed  as  agent  and  telegraph  operator  for  the  Pennsylvania  Company 
at  St.  Paris,  where  he  at  once  took  an  active  part  in  the  affairs  of  that  town, 
making  that  his  permanent  residence  and  there  spending  the  remainder  of 
his  life,  his  death  occurring  in  the  fall  of  191 5. 

When  the  First  National  Bank  of  St.  Paris  was  organized  Mr.  Black 
became  a  stockholder  in  the  new  institution  and  later  became  a  member  of 
the  board  of  directors.  In  1888  he  was  made  cashier  of  the  bank  and  served 
in  that  responsil>le  capacity  until  his  retirement  from  the  bank  in  1913.  The 
remainder  of  his  life  was  spent  in  quiet  retirement  in  St.  Paris,  his  death 
having  occurred  at  a  sanitarium  in  Marion,  Ohio.  He  died  on  November 
10,  19 1 5,  leaving  a  good  name,  for  he  had  done  well  his  part  in  the  general 
business  and  social  life  of  the  city  and  had  done  much  to  extend  th-e  interests 
of  the  town  in  various  ways.  Politically,  Mr.  Black  was  a  Republican  and 
ever  gave  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  civic  affairs,  but  was  not  a  seeker 
after  public  office.  He  was  an  earnest  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  as  was  his  wife,  and  ever  did  his  part  in  church  work.  Fraternally, 
he  was  a  member  of  Pharos  Lodge  No.  355,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  at 
St.  Paris,  and  the  commandery  of  Knights  Templar  at  Urbana.  and  took  a 
warm  interest  in  Masonic  affairs. 

On  October  4,  1880,  Henry  M.  Black  was  united  in  marriage  at  Cable, 
this  county,  to  Mary  E.  Fuson,  who  was  born  near  that  village  on  August  21, 
1853,  daughter  of  William  and  Elnora  (Keller)  Fuson,  the  former  of  whom 
was  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  the  latter  in  Maryland,  of  German  descent. 
To  that  union  two  children  were  born,  Fred,  vice-president  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  St.  Paris,  and  Fannie,  who  is  making  her  home  with  her 


HI-:XRY   M.   BLACK. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  68l 

brother.     The  mother  of  these  children  died  on  July  i,  19 15,  preceding  her 
husband  to  the  grave  by  a  little  more  than  four  months. 

Fred  Black  was  born  on  May  2,  1882,  and  was  graduated  from  the  St. 
Paris  high  school  in  1901.  He  then  learned  telegraphy  and  was  engaged  as 
a  telegraph  operator  in  the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company 
until  1907,  when  he  became  engaged  in  farming  in  Jackson  township,  this 
county,  and  was  there  engaged  until  his  return  to  St.  Paris  in  19 14.  After 
his  father's  death  he  represented  the  latter's  interest  in  the  First  National 
Bank  of  St.  Paris  and  in  1916  was  made  vice-president  of  the  bank,  to  the 
duties  of  which  office  he  now  gives  his  close  attention.  On  May  2,  1907, 
Mr.  Black  married  Elizabeth  McMorran,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Sarah 
McMorran,  who  died  on  August  8,  19 14.  Mr.  Black  is  a  Mason,  as  was  his 
father,  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  Masonic  affairs.  Miss  Fannie  Black 
was  graduated  from  the  St.  Paris  high  school  and  later  attended  Oberlin  Col- 
lege for  two  years.  She  is  now  keeping  house  for  her  brother,  the  two  living 
in  the  old  Black  home,  where  they  are  very  pleasantly  situated. 


TULLE Y  McKINNEY. 


Tulley  McKinney,  former  postmaster  of  Mechanicsburg,  an  honored  vet- 
eran of  the  Civil  War  and  formerly  and  for  years  engaged  in  the  contractor 
business  at  Mechanicsburg.  where  he  is  now  living  retired,  one  of  the  best- 
known  "old  settlers"  of  Champaign  county,  is  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  has 
lived  in  this  state  all  his  life,  with  the  exception  of  about  four  years  during 
the  latter  sixties,  when  he  lived  in  Illinois.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the 
neighboring  county  of  Clark  on  November  3,  1838,  a  son  of  Francis  and 
Margaret  (Lennox)  McKinney,  natives  of  the  Old  Dominion  state,  who  be- 
came pioneers  of  this  part  of  Ohio  and  here  spent  the  remainder  of  their 
lives. 

Francis  McKinney  was  born  in  Jefferson  county,  Virginia,  son  of  Tulley 
McKinney,  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  came  to  this  country  in  1765  and  settled 
in  Virginia,  where  he  was  living  when  the  colonists  began  their  struggle  for 
independence.  At  the  beginning  of  that  struggle  he  enlisted  his  services  in 
behalf  of  the  patriot  cause  and  served  with  the  Colonial  army  for  five  years. 
The  family  founded  in  this  country  by  this  Revolutionary  soldier  is  still  rep- 
resented in  Virginia  and  has  a  wide  connection  throughout  the  country  at  large. 
Francis  McKinney  grew  to  manhood  in  Virginia  and  there  married  Margaret 


682  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Lennox,  who  also  was  born  in  Jefferson  county,  a  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Len- 
nox, a  native  of  Scotland,  \vho  had  come  to  this  country  in  1785  and  one  of 
whose  sons  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  United  States  army  during  the  War  of 
181 2.  In  1836  Francis  McKinney  and  his  wife  came  to  Ohio  from  Virginia 
and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Clark  county,  where  they  spent  their  last  days,  the 
death  of  the  former  occurring  in  1864.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  chil- 
dren, all  of  whom  grew  to  maturity  save  two  and  of  whom  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  and  Washington  are  the  only  survivors. 

Tulley  McKinney  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Clark  county, 
receiving  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  neighborhood  and  during  his 
yoi;th  served  his  apprenticeship  as  a  carpenter  and  was  working  at  that  trade 
when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  On  the  President's  first  call  for  volunteers 
in  April,  1861,  he  responded  and  on  April  2-^  enlisted  his  services  as  a  member 
of  Company  F.  Sixteenth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  with 
that  command  until  honorably  discharged  at  the  completion  of  that  term  of 
service  on  August  11,  1862.  Upon  receiving  his  discharge  Mr.  McKinney 
re-enlisted  as  a  member  of  Company  A,  Ninety-fourth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  and  with  this  latter  command  served  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
being  mustered  out  on  June  5,  1865. 

Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  Mr.  McKinney  returned  home 
and  resumed  the  pursuits  of  peace,  taking  up  his  work  as  a  carpenter,  and 
after  his  marriage  in  the  summer  of  the  following  year  went  to  Clay  county, 
Illinois,  where  he  made  his  home  for  four  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he 
returned  to  Ohio  and  with  his  family  settled  at  Mechanicsburg,  where  he 
ever  since  has  made  his  home  and  where  he  was  actively  engaged  as  a  builder 
until  his  retirement  from  that  vocation.  Mr.  McKinney  is  an  ardent  Repub- 
lican and  has  e\  er  taken  an  active  interest  in  local  political  affairs.  On  June 
19,  1898,  he  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Mechanicsburg  and  served  in  that 
important  office  for  eight  years.  Mr.  McKinney  is  an  active  member  of 
Stephen  Baxter  Post  No.  88,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  has  for  years 
taken  an  earnest  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  patriotic  organization. 

On  July  19,  1866,  Tulley  McKinney  was  united  in  marriage  to  Sarah 
Alcinda  Wilkinson,  who  was  born  on  a  pioneer  farm  in  Pleasant  township, 
Clark  county,  this  state,  June  17,  1839,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Hannah 
(Ellsworth)  Wilkinson,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia  and  the  latter  of  this 
state,  a  member  of  one  of  the  first  families  to  settle  in  this  part  of  Ohio. 
Joseph  Wilkinson  was  born  on  August  20,  1803,  and  was  but  a  boy  when  he 
came  with  his  parents  from  Virginia  to  Ohio-,  the  family  settling  in  Adams 
county,  where  he  grew  up  and  became  a  school  teacher.     As  a  young  school 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  683 

teacher  he  found  service  in  the  schools  of  Clark  county  and  while  thus  engaged 
there  met  and  married  Hannah  Ellsworth,  who  was  born  in  Pleasant  town- 
ship, that  county.  May  20,  1805,  a  daughter  of  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in 
that  section.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McKinney  the  following  children  have  been 
1)orn :  Forest,  of  Mechanicsburg ;  Charles,  who  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-one 
years ;  Alary,  who  died  at  the  age  of  four  years ;  Effie  May,  who  was  grad- 
uated from  the  high  school  at  Mechanicsburg  and  from  the  Western  Reserve 
University  at  Cleveland  and  is  now  teacher  of  Latin  in  Stivers  high  school 
at  Dayton ;  Dorothy,  who  was  graduated  from  the  Mechanicsburg  high  school 
and  from  Ohio  W'esleyan  University  at  Delaware,  later  becoming  teacher  of 
German  in  Steele  high  school  at  Dayton  and  who  married  K.  S.  Carlisle,  a 
law^-er,  and  is  now  living  at  Oklahoma  City,  Oklahoma,  and  Bertha,  who  also 
w  as  graduated  from  the  Meclianicsburg  high  school  and  was  teaching  her  third 
term  of  school  at  the  time  of  her  death  at  Mutual,  this  county,  she  then  being 
twenty-one  years  of  age.  jMrs.  McKinney  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  at  Mechanicsburg. 


WESLEY  A.  MAURICE. 


Wesley  A.  Maurice,  one  of  the  enterprising  business  men  of  Rosewood, 
Champaign  county,  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Ohio,  March  3,  1872.  He  is  a 
son  of  Joseph  and  Isabelle  (Neese)  Maurice.  The  father  was  born  in  Clark 
county  in  May.  1847.  His  father  was  a  native  of  England  who  came  to  Clark 
countv,  Ohio,  in  1836  and  there  he  married  Carolina  Davis,  a  native  of  that 
county.  They  established  their  home  in  that  county  and  spent  the  rest  of  their 
lives  there.  Isabelle  Xeese  was  born  in  ]\Iad  River  township.  Champaign 
county,  near  the  village  of  Thackery,  in  1849.  Her  people  came  to  Clark 
county,  this  state,  from  Pennsylvania,  and  later  moved  to  Champaign  county. 
Joseph  and  Isabelle  Maurice  located  on  a  farm  in  German  township,  Clark 
county,  after  their  marriage  and  continued  to  reside  there  until  in  1881,  when 
they  moved  to  Adams  township.  Champaign  county,  locating  on  a  farm  south 
of  Rosewood,  but  no  town  had  been  started  at  that  time.  There  Mr.  Maurice 
operated  his  farm  successfully  until  his  death  in  1909.  His  widow  still  owns 
the  place,  but  makes  her  home  with  her  daughter  at  Carysville.  To  Joseph 
Maurice  and  wife  twelve  children  were  born,  namely:  Wesley  A.,  of  this 
sketch;  Adella  I.  is  the  wife  of  S.  Bowers  of  Adams  township;  George  A. 
lives  in  Shelbv  countv.  Ohio ;  Clinton  A.  lives  in  Rosewood ;  Sarah  V.  is  the 


684  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

wife  of  David  Conner  and  they  live  at  Markleville,  Indiana;  Marion  died  in 
early  childhood;  Emma  A.  is  the  wife  of  George  Licklider  of  Carysville;  Ellen 
is  the  wife  of  Alex  Stephenson  of  Adams  township ;  Herman  C.  lives  in  Adams 
township ;  Samuel  lives  on  the  home  farm ;  Lizzie  B.  is  the  wife  of  Homer  Guy 
and  they  live  in  Adams  township;  and  Emerson  E.,  who  lives  on  the  home 
place. 

Wesley  A.  Maurice  was  nine  years  old  when  his  parents  located  in  Adams 
township  and  here  he  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  attended  school. 
He  lived  at  home  until  his  marriage,  June  4,  1893,  to  Stella  P.  Conner,  who 
was  born  and  reared  in  Adams  township  and  here  she  attended  the  common 
schools.  Her  birth  occurred  in  1873.  Slie  is  a  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Eliza 
(Ward^  Conner. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Maurice  one  son  has  been  born,  Forrest  J.,  whose  birth 
occurred  on  January  10,  191 5. 

Mr.  Maurice  has  control  of  the  home  place,  which  consists  of  two  hun- 
dred and  thirty-one  acres,  which  he  has  kept  well  improved  and  under  a  fine 
state  of  cultivation.  He  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  suc- 
cessfully, or  rather  has  it  done,  for  he  is  connected  with  the  Procter  &  Sturgeon 
Implement  Company  at  Rose\\ood. 

Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat.  He  was  treasurer  of  Adams  township  for 
a  period  of  six  years.  He  is  prominent  in  local  fraternal  circles,  belonging  to 
Rosewood  Lodge  No.  253,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  which  he 
is  past  noble  grand;  also  belongs  to  Pharos  Lodge  No.  355,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  and  St.  Paris  Chapter  No.  137,  Royal  Arch  Masons. 


GEORGE  W.  WALBORN. 

George  W.  Walborn,  superintendent  of  the  three  thousand-acre  tract  of 
land  belonging  to  the  estate  of  the  late  John  Kiser,  lying  in  Champaign  and 
Shelby  counties,  Ohio,  was  born  in  Jackson  township,  this  county,  on  January 
7,  1867,  the  son  of  John  H.  and  Elizabeth  (Parker)  Walborn,  both  natives 
also  of  Champaign  county. 

John  H.  Walborn  was  born  on  the  same  farm  in  Jackson  to\\nship  as 
was  his  son,  George  W.,  and  was  a  son  of  Abraham  Walborn,  who  was  born 
in  Pennsylvania,  of  German  parents  who  came  to  this  country  in  an  early 
day.  Abraham  Walborn  came  with  his  parents  from  Pennsylvania  to  Ohio 
in  an  early  day,  locating  first  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  and  a  few  years  later  they  came 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  685 

to  Champaign  count}',  ^vhere  they  settled  in  Jackson  township,  where  George 
was  born,  and  this  farm  is  still  in  the  Walborn  name  and  ownership,  and  is 
the  origin  of  the  Walborn  settlement  in  the  county.  Elizabeth  Parker  was 
born  at  Terre  Haute,  this  county,  of  pioneer  parents.  Her  father  was  a  miller 
by  trade,  and  after  her  mother's  death,  which  occurred  "while  Elizabeth  was 
still  a  ^  ery  young  girl,  her  father  moved  to  Jay  county,  Indiana,  and  later  to 
Missouri,  where  his  death  occurred.  After  her  marriage  to  John  H.  Walborn, 
the  young  couple  settled  on  the  old  home  place  in  Jackson  township,  where 
they  li^'ed  for  several  years,  moving  from  there  to  Van  Wert  county,  Ohio, 
where  Mrs.  Walborn  died.  John  H.  Walborn  then  went  to  Jay  county,  In- 
diana, but  in  his  later  years  returned  to  Champaign  county,  where  his  death 
occurred.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  five  of  whom  are 
li\'ing:  George  W.,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  review;  Edward,  who  lives 
on  the  H.  H.  Brecount  place  in  Johnson  township,  this  county;  Minnie,  the 
widow  of  William  Betz,  of  Bluff'ton,  Indiana;  Anna,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
fourteen  years ;  Solomon,  a  farmer  of  Johnson  township,  and  Emma,  the  wife 
of  Charles  Stapleton,  of  Columbus,  Ohio. 

George  W.  Walborn  was  reared  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm  in 
Champaign  and  Van  Wert  counties,  Ohio,  receiving  his  education  in  the  rural 
schools  of  home  townships,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  he  returned  to  Cham- 
paign county  and  worked  for  three  years  on  the  farm  of  Edwin  Carlo,  in 
Johnson  township.  After  his  marriage  he  rented  property  in  St.  Paris,  Ohio, 
for  one  year,  and  then  bought  property  there,  living  in  the  village  for  a  period 
of  nine  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  operated  the  farm  of  Henry  M. 
Black  in  Jackson  township  for  five  years,  after  which  he  purchased  a  farm  of 
one  hundred  and  eighty-one  acres  in  Mad  River  township,  where  he  lived  for 
five  years.  He  then  came  to  his  present  location  to  take  up  the  work  of  super- 
intending the  large  estate  of  the  late  John  Kiser,  and  is  now  living  on  that  part 
of  this  estate  known  as  the  Furrow  Farm,  about  a  half  mile  north  of  St.  Paris, 
and  here  he  is  discharging  the  duties  of  his  responsible  position  with  very 
commendable  success,  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  patrons.  He  still  owns 
his  farm  in  Mad  River  township,  which  is  operated  by  reliable  tenants. 

On  February  19,  1888,  George  W.  Walborn  was  married  to  Mary  Desh, 
the  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Lydia  Desh,  both  of  whom  died  when  Mrs.  Wal- 
born was  only  a  small  child  of  ten.  George  W.  Walborn  and  wife  are  the 
parents  of  three  children :  Clara,  the  wife  of  Harry  Zirkle,  a  farmer  living 
four  miles  north  of  Urbana ;  Bessie,  the  wife  of  George  Bruner,  a  farmer  of 
Mad  River  township,  and  Frank,  living  at  home.     The  family  are  members 


686  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

of  the  St.  John's  EvangeHcal  Lutheran  church,  in  the  affairs  of  which  they  take 
an  active  interest.  Air.  Walborn  is  a  Democrat  in  pohtics,  but  is  very  hberal 
in  his  views,  and  any  movement  for  the  betterment  of  his  community  receives 
his  hearty  su])port. 


FRANK  SNAPP. 


Among  the  well-known  agriculturists  of  Champaign  county  is  Frank 
Snapp,  extensive  farmer,  stock  dealer  and  shipper,  who  resides  on  a  fine  farm 
in  Jackson  township  east  of  St.  Paris.  He  was  born  in  Jackson  township. 
Champaign  county,  on  December  12.  1845,  the  son  of  Daniel  and  Margaret 
(Barnhart)  Snapp,  early  settlers  in  that  neighborhood. 

Daniel  Snapp  was  born  in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania  and  when  three  years 
old  came  with  his  parents  to  Dayton,  Ohio,  and  continued  to  reside  there  for 
some  years.  He  married  Margaret  Barnhart,  near  Dayton,  and  when  about 
the  age  of  twenty-one  he  had  not  sufficient  money  to  purchase  eighty  acres 
of  land,  which  he  desired  to  acquire.  However,  the  man  by  whom  he  was 
employed  at  six  dollars  a  month,  loaned  him  the  money  and  he  presently  en- 
tered his  first  holding  of  eighty  acres  of  land.  Later,  Mr.  Snapp  acquired 
another  eighty,  his  mother  assisting  him  in  the  purchase  by  making  and  sell- 
ing maple  sugar.  His  investments  in  land  were  successful  and  as  he  prospered 
he  continued  to  add  to  his  holdings  until  he  finally  became  the  owner  of  eleven 
hundred  acres  of  excellent  land,  being  generally  recognized  as  one  of  the  most 
substantial  farmers  in  or  about  St.  Paris. 

I^aniel  and  Margaret  (Barnhart)  Snapp  were  the  parents  of  ten  children, 
all  of  whom  grew  to  maturity.  Of  these  children  but  two  are  now  living, 
Frank,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and  Catherine,  wife  of  Jonathan  Schrumm, 
of  Jackson  township.  Daniel  Snapp  was  a  devout  member  of  the  Lutheran 
church  and  a  liljeral  contributor  to  its  upkeep  throughout  his  life.  Some  years 
before  his  death  he  divided  his  land  among  his  children,  reserving  for  him- 
self a  quarter  section,  on  which  he  continued  to  reside  to  the  end  of  his  life. 

Frank  Snapp  was  reared  on  the  farm  which  he  now  owns,  in  Jackson 
township,  and  attended  the  schools  of  the  district  until  he  was  seventeen  years 
old.  He  enlisted  in  Company  I,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Ohio  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  May  2,  1864,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  in 
one  skirmish  with  the  enemy  forces  and  on  being  mustered  out  at  the  close 
of  the  war,  returned  to  Jackson  township  and  resumed  operations  on  the  farm. 

On  December  2y,  1866,  Frank  Snapp  was  united  in  marriage  to  Susanna 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  "  68/ 

Batdorf,  and  they  became  die  parents  of  one  child,  a  son,  V.  E.  Snapp,  who 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Jackson  township  and  in  1887  mar- 
ried Martha  Wiant.  Frank  Snapp  is  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  ninety 
acres  of  prime  land  in  Jackson  and  Mad  River  townships.  Portion  of  the 
land  now  occupied  by  Frank  Snapp  was  in  woods  and  water  when  his  father 
acquired  it.  The  latter  reclaimed  and  brought  it  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation. 
He  still  ships  live  stock  and  is  an  active  and  industrious  farmer.  Mrs.  Snapp 
died  on  June  18,  1916. 

Frank  Snapp  is  vice-president  of  the  Spring  Grove  cemetery,  which  was 
organized  by  Daniel  Snapp  and  Allen  Pence,  both  of  whom  bought  the  land 
and  donated  it  for  cemetery  purposes.  Mr.  Snapp  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
church,  as  was  his  wife.  In  political  faith  he  is  a  Republican,  but  has  never 
been  a  seeker  after  office. 


GOTTLIEB  SIEGENTHALER. 

The  little  republic  of  Switzerland  has  sent  a  large  number  of  good  citizens 
to  our  various  states,  where  they  have  readily  assimilated  our  methods  and 
customs  and  readily  grasped  the  opportunities  offered.  Among  this  number 
in  Champaign  county  is  Gottlieb  Siegenthaler,  farmer  of  Harrison  township. 
He  was  born  in  Canton  Bern,  Switzerland,  September  22,  1845.  He  is  a  son 
of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Wirthmiller )  Siegenthaler,  both  natives  also  of  the 
vicinity  in  which  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born.  There  they  grew  to 
maturity,  were  married  and  established  their  home.  Their  progenitors  were 
of  German  stock.  John  Siegenthaler  was  born  on  May  5,  18 17,  and  died  on 
January  17,  1885.  His  wife  was  born  on  February  14.  1816,  and  died  on 
February  13,  1899.  They  spent  their  lives  on  a  farm  in  Switzerland.  They 
were  parents  of  ten  children,  six  of  whom  grew  to  maturity,  four  dying  in 
infancy,  and  five  are  living  at  this  writing,  namely :  John,  who  was  born  on 
November  5,  1840,  came  to  America,  located  on  a  farm  in  Harrison  township. 
Champaign  county,  and  died  there  on  February  26,  191 3;  Mary,  born  in  No- 
vember, 1843,  is  the  wife  of  Jacob  Snider  and  they  live  in  Canton  Bern,  Swit- 
zerland;  Gottlieb,  of  this  sketch;  Jacob,  May  31,  1850,  lives  in  Switzerland; 
EHzabeth,  November,  1851,  is  the  wife  of  Otto  Linn  and  they  live  in  Cleve- 
land, Ohio,  and  Samuel,  November,  1855,  lives  in  Oklahoma. 

Gottlieb  Siegenthaler  grew  to  manhood  in  Switzerland  and  there  he  at- 
tended the  common  schools.  In  March,  1870,  he  married  Anna  Moser,  and 
before  leaving  their  native   land  three  children  were  born  to  them.      Thev 


688  '  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

immigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1882,  and  after  a  long  and  tedious  journey 
they  landed  at  Bellefontaine,  Ohio,  March  25  of  that  year.  They  came  on  to 
Champaign  county,  locating  in  Harrison  township  and  here  they  have  since 
engaged  in  farming.  In  1890  he  moved  to  his  present  farm.  Although  he 
does  not  farm  on  a  large  scale  he  is  a  scientific  tiller  of  the  soil  and  makes  his 
small  acreage  produce  as  much  as  some  larger  farms.  In  1892  he  fixed  up 
the  old  mill  in  his  vicinity  and  operated  it  awhile. 

Mr.  Siegenthaler  has  three  children,  namely  :  Gottlieb,  Jr.,  born  on  June  4, 
1871,  lives  at  West  Liberty,  Ohio;  Samuel,  March  9,  1873,  is  operating  the 
mill  on  his  father's  place  in  Harrison  township  and  mention  of  him  is  made  in 
a  separate  sketch  in  this  work;  Anna,  the  third  child,  is  the  wife  of  Clarence 
Frantz,  and  they  live  in  Logan  county,  this  state."  The  mother  of  these  children 
died  on  September  20,  1908. 

Politically,  Mr.  Siegenthaler  is  a  Republican.  He  joined  the  Presby- 
terian church  in  Harrison  township  in  1887  and  has  since  been  a  member  of 
the  same. 


MRS.  LOUISA  J.  IDLE. 


One  of  the  useful  and  neighborly  women  in  Concord  township  is  Mrs. 
Louisa  J.  Idle,  widow  of  the  late  Wesley  Idle.  She  was  born  in  the  locality 
where  she  now  resides  on  February  24,  1846,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and 
Catherine  (Harshmann)  Kiser,  both  natives  of  Virginia,  where  they  grew  to 
maturity,  attended  the  early-day  school  and  were  married.  From  that  state 
they  made  the  overland  trip  on  horseback  to  Ohio,  locating  in  Clark  county, 
where  they  spent  several  years  on  a  farm,  then  came  to  Champaign  county, 
locating  on  a  farm  in  Concord  township.  Here  they  began  life  in  typical 
pioneer  fashion.  He  built  a  log  cabin  in  the  woods,  cleared  his  land  and 
developed  a  farm  on  which  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  his  death 
occurring  in  1845.  Their  family  consisted  of  eleven  children,  namely:  One, 
who  died  in  infancy;  Elijah,  John,  Betsey,  Sallie,  Benjamin,  Ruhama,  Mary, 
George,  Cinderella  and  Louisa  J.  The  only  ones  living  at  this  writing  are 
Benjamin  W.,  Cinderella  and  Louisa  J. 

Louisa  J.  (Kiser)  Idle  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and  received  her 
education  in  the  public  schools.  On  October  21,  1879,  she  married  Wesley 
Idle,  who  was  born  in  Concord  township.  Champaign  county,  October  20, 
1841.  He  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  and  attended  the  early-day  rural 
schools  here.     He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War,  enlisting,  on  October  22, 


WESLEY    IDLE 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  689 

1863,  in  Company  C,  Twelfth  Ohio  Cavalry,  in  which  he  served  faithfully 
for  over  two  years,  being  honorably  discharged,  November  14,  1865,  at 
Nashville,  Tennessee.  He  took  part  in  a  number  of  important  battles  in  the 
South.  After  the  war  he  returned  home  and  worked  at  the  carpenter's 
trade,  at  which  he  was  quite  expert,  and  he  made  this  his  chief  occupation 
throughout  his  active  life.  He  also  devoted  considerable  attention  to  farm- 
ing, owning  a  good  farm  of  ninety  acres  in  Concord  township.  He  was  a 
Republican  and  he  belonged  to  the  Methodist  church,  to  which  his  widow 
also  belongs.  She  is  still  living  on  the  home  farm,  with  her  daughter,  AUie 
G.  Loudenback,  who  was  born  on  April  24,  1867. 


JOHN  W.  BECK. 

John  W.  Beck,  a  prominent  and  successful  farmer,  living  all  his  life  in 
Champaign  county,  was  born  within  one-half  mile  north  of  where  he  now  lives 
in  Jackson  township  on  March  16,  1868,  a  son  of  English  parents,  both  being 
born  in  that  countr}'. 

James  Beck,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  left  England  with 
his  parents  to  come  to  the  United  States.  On  the  voyage  out  he  was  unfor- 
tunate enough  to  lose  his  father,  whose  death  occurred  aboard  the  ship  and  he 
was  buried  at  sea.  The  widow,  her  son,  James,  and  a  daughter  came  along  to 
the  state  of  Ohio  and  settled  in  this  county  in  Jackson  township.  His  mother 
acquired  a  tract  of  land  on  which  the  family  settled  and  on  which  she  spent 
the  remainder  of  her  life. 

James  Beck  was  sixteen  years  old  when  his  mother  came  to  Champaign 
county  and  he  was  a  valuable  help  to  her  in  the  work  of  operating  the  farm. 
Some  years  later  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Elizabeth  Smith,  also  a  native 
of  England.  He  prospered  in  his  farming  operations  and  continued  to  add 
to  his  land  holdings,  finally  acquiring  six  hundred  acres  of  prime  land  and 
also  other  property  and  was  reputed  to  be  the  richest  farmer  in  Jackson  town- 
ship. His  farm  work  was  conducted  on  an  extensive  scale  and  continued 
actively  engaged  thereat  almost  to  the  end  of  his  life,  being  at  the  time  of  his 
death  an  octogenarian  of  eighty-three  years.  He  was  regarded  throughout 
the  community  as  a  citizen  w^ho  ever  threw  the  weight  of  his  influence  on  the 
side  of  what  was  best  for  the  welfare  of  the  township  and  county  in  which 
he  lived.  To  James  Beck  and  wife  ten  children  were  born,  seven  of  whom 
(44a) 


690  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

are  still  living,  namely:  Mary  J.,  who  became  the  wife  of  Edward  Montoon; 
Alaria ;  Prudence,  who  married  Maxwell  Stevens ;  Charles ;  Anna,  wife  of 
William  Jenkins;  John  W.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and  James,  a  farmer, 
of  Jackson  township.  James  Beck  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  .Metho- 
"  dist  Episcopal  church  and  were  active  in  all  matters  appertaining  to  the  welfare 
of  the  church  and  its  good  works.  He  was  a  supporter  of  the  Repul)lican 
party,  but  had  never  been  a  seeker  after  public  office. 

John  W.  Beck  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  has  spent  his  entire  life  in 
Jackson  townsliip.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the  district  and 
worked  on  his  father's  farm  for  several  years.  He  is  now  engaged  in  gen- 
eral farming  and  is  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  choice  land, 
all  of  which  is  kept  in  an  up-to-date  state  of  cultivation,  modern  methods  of 
farming  being  notable  factors  in  bringing  about  success. 

On  March  26,  1898.  John  W.  Beck  was  united  in  marriage  to  Pearl 
Warner,  who  was  born  in  Miami  county,  Ohio.  They  are  the  parents  of  the 
following  children :  Lizzie,  James  R.,  Irene,  Mildred  and  Myrtle.  The  Beck 
family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  which  Mr.  Beck 
serves  as  a  steward.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  lodge  and  takes  a 
warminterest  in  the  work  of  that  order.  He  is  a  Republican  in  political  mat- 
ters, but  has  never  been  a  seeker  after  public  office.  Mr.  Beck  is  well  known 
throughout  Champaign  county  as  a  progressive  farmer  and  as  a  citizen  he  is 
regarded  as  measuring  up  to  a  standard  which  represents  all  that  is  good  and 
wholesome  in  the  affairs  of  life. 


WILLIS  O.  WING. 


Willis  O.  Wing,  a  member  of  the  Wing  Seed  Company,  further  and  fit- 
ting mention  of  which  is  made  in  this  volume,  and  one  of  the  best-known  and 
most  progressive  agriculturists  in  Champaign  county,  part  proprietor  of 
"Woodland  Farm,"  one  mile  southeast  of  Mechanicsburg,  in  the  township 
of  Goshen,  was  born  in  the  house  in  which  he  now  lives  on  that  farm  and  has 
lived  there  practically  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  May  14,  1871,  son  of 
William  H.  and  Jane  (BuUard)  Wing,  natives  of  New  York  state,  who  came 
to  Champaign  county  in  1865  and  established  their  home  on  a  farm  in  Goshen 
township,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 

William  H.  Wing  was  born  in  Rensselaer  county,  New  York,  in  1818, 
son  of  William  and  Miriam  Wing,  also  natives  of  that  state,  who  spent  all 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  69I 

their  lives  in  their  native  state.  The  Wings  are  of  old  Colonial  stock,  the 
founder  of  the  family  in  this  country  having  been  a  Quaker  who  came  here 
from  Holland,  the  family  originally  having  gone  from  England  to  Holland. 
In  Rensselaer  county,  New  York,  William  H.  Wing  grew  to  manhood  and 
there  married  Jane  Bullard,  also  of  an  old  Colonial  family,  the  Bullards  being 
of  "Mayflower''  descent.  ,  She  was  born  on  a  farm  not  far  from  Geneva,  New 
York.  After  his  marriage  William  H.  Wing  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  and  in  the  early  sixties  he  came  to  Ohio  on  a  little  vacation  trip  and 
was  so  deeply  impressed  with  the  appearance  of  things  in  Champaign  county 
that  he  decided  to  locate  here.  Returning  to  New  York  he  disposed  of  his 
interests  there  and  with  his  family  came  back  here  and  bouglit  a  "forty"  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Mechanicsburg,  the  nucleus  of  the  present  celebrated 
"AA^oodland  Farm,"  widely  known  in  consequence  of  the  astonishing  results 
achieved  there  in  the  way  of  alfalfa  culture.  William  H.  Wing  was  not  only 
a  good  farmer,  but  a  careful  and  prudent  manager  and  in  time  he  built  up  an 
excellent  piece  of  property  there,  adding  to  his  holdings  until  he  became 
the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  ninety-seven  acres.  The  story  of  the  work 
done  by  himself  and  his  sons  in  the  way  of  alfalfa  culture  and  the  dissemina- 
tion of  the  knowledge  of  the  best  means  of  obtaining  satisfactory  returns  in 
the  cultivation  of  that  valuable  forage  crop  is  told  elsewhere  in  this  volume 
and  need  not  be  repeated  here.  The  story  of  the  establishment  of  the  Wing 
Seed  Compan}^,  growing  out  of  the  demand  made  upon  the  Wings  for  alfalfa 
seed,  also  is  told  elsewhere  and  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  features  of  the 
agricultural  development  of  Champaign  county.  Since  the  death  of  the  late 
Joseph  Wing,  first  president  of  the  company,  who  died  in  191 5,  Charles  Wing, 
another  of  the  sons  of  William  H.  Wing,  has  acted  as  president  of  the  same. 
The  Wings  now  control  about  five  hundred  and  sixty-five  acres  of  excellent 
land  in  this  county  and  seven  hundred  and  forty-five  acres  in  the  neighboring 
county  of  Madison  and  their  seed-supply  station  at  Mechanicsburg  has  grown 
from  its  humble  beginning  in  1909  to  its  present  extensive  proportions.  William 
H.  Wing  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  of  whom  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow : 
Edwin,  of  Clifton,  Ohio ;  Joseph,  former  president  of  the  Wing  Seed  Com- 
pany, who  died  on  September  7,  1915,  and  a  biographical  sketch  of  wdiom  is 
presented  elsewhere  in  this  volume ;  Jennie  May,  deceased,  and  Charles,  born 
on  April  8,  1878,  present  president  of  the  Wing  Seed  Company. 

Willis  O.  Wing  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Mechanics- 
burg and  upon  completing  the  course  in  the  high  school  in  that  city  took  a 
supplementary  course  in  Ohio  Wesleyan  Uni\'ersity  at  Delaware.     From  the 


692  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

days  of  his  boyhood  his  active  labors  have  been  identified  with  the  affairs  of 
"Woodland  Farm"  and  upon  the  development  of  the  seed  business  which  grew 
out  of  the  propagation  of  alfalfa  on  that  farm  under  the  capable  direction  of 
Joseph,  his  brother,  he  turned  his  attention  to  that  line  and  has  ever  since  been 
connected  with  the  Wing  Seed  Company,  first  in  charge  of  the  seed  station 
at  Mechanicsburg,  and  actively  engaged  in  extending  the  interests  of  the  con- 
cern through  the  various  channels  it  controls. 

On  October  21,  1908,  Willis  O.  Wing  was  united  in  marriage  to  Eva  M. 
Guy,  daughter  of  W^  H.  and  Sarah  (Oyler)  Guy,  and  to  this  union  three 
children  have  been  born,  William  Guy,  James  Guy  and  Phyllis  May.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Wing  are  members  of  the  Episcopal  church  at  Mechanicsburg  and 
take  an  active  part  in  church  work  and  in  the  community's  general  social  activ- 
ities. Mr.  Wing  is  a  A^ason  and  a  member  of  the  local  Grange  and  takes  a 
warm  interest  both  in  the  affairs  of  the  Masonic  lodge  and  of  the  Grange. 


JASON  KIZER. 


The  unusual  distinction  of  having  been  born  on  a  farm,  seventy-two 
years  ago,  which  he  now  owns,  belongs  to  Jason  Kizer,  who  lives  on  rural 
route  4  out  of  St.  Paris,  Champaign  county.  He  was  born  on  April  2,  1845, 
the  son  of  Charles  and  Hannah  (Handback)  Kizer,  the  former  of  whom  was 
born  and  reared  on  a  farm  in  Johnson  township.  Charles  Kiser  was  the  son 
of  Joseph  and  Catherine  (Comer)  Kizer  and  was  born  on  January  28,  1818, 
and  lived  on  a  farm  throughout  his  life.  Joseph  Kizer  was  born  on  September 
5,  1777,  and  his  wife,  on  October  19,  1783.  Joseph  Kizer  was  the  father  of 
the  following  children,  Peter,  Daniel,  Benjamin,  Mary,  Philip,  Charles,  Cor- 
nelius and  Martin. 

Charles  and  Hannah  (Handback)  Kizer  were  the  parents  of  the  following 
children :  Barbara.  Elizabeth,  Ellen,  Jason,  Mary,  Lydia,  Plarriett,  John  and 
George.  Ellen  married  John  Bear,  who  lives  in  Fletcher,  Ohio ;  Jason  is  the 
subject  of  this  sketch ;  Mary  became  the  wife  of  Isaac  Amons,  of  Christians- 
burg,  and  Harriett  married  Jacob  Pfeister,  of  St.  Paris. 

Jason  Kizer  was  reared  on  the  farm  he  now  owns  and  was  educated  in 
the  district  schools  of  the  neighborhood.  He  remained  at  home  until  he  was 
twenty-five,  engaged  in  work  about  the  farm.  He  was  married  to  Ellen 
McMorran  on  April  22,  1869,  and  settled  on  the  old  farm  and  continued  to 
live  there  until  he  was  forty  years  of  age.     He  then  went  to  Miami  county, 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  693 

Ohio,  and  purchased  eight  hundred  and  sixt}^  acres  of  land  on  which  he  set- 
tled and  continued  to  live  for  fourteen  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  sold  it 
and  bought  the  old  home  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  moved  back 
on  to  it  and  has  here  resided  ever  since. 

To  Jason  Kizer  and  wife  four  children  were  born,  two  of  whom  are  now 
deceased,  the  others  being  Charles  C.  born  on  August  29,  1871,  who  married 
Nannie  Howell  and  lives  in  St.  Paris,  and  David  P.,  born  on  September  5, 
1877,  who  married  Margaret  Heuling,  of  St.  Paris.  Mr.  Kizer's  wife  died 
on  April  18,  1913.  Their  grandchildren  are  Olive  Marie  and  Joseph  Hanson. 
Mrs.  Kizer's  niece,  Ella  May  McMorran,  daughter  of  Simeon  McMorran, 
was  taken  at  the  death  of  her  mother  and  reared  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kizer. 
The  adopted  daughter,  who  was  but  three  weeks  old  at  the  death  of  her  mother, 
was  born  on  January  22,  1890,  and  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Johnson 
township.     She  is  now  Mr.  Kizer's  housekeeper. 

Jason  Kizer  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Reformed  church  at  Millers- 
town,  Ohio,  and  he  acted  as  elder  of  that  congregation  for  several  years.  He 
is  a  Democrat,  and  for  ten  years  was  a  trustee  of  Johnson  township,  and  for 
fourteen  years  served  as  a  member  of  the  school  board  in  Miami  county,  Ohio. 
Mr.  Kizer  now  rents  his  land.  He  raised  some  very  fine  horses  and  was  a 
breeder  of  Berkshire  swine  for  fifty  years  and  of  Jersey  cattle.  He  always 
carried  on  a  general  farming  business. 


G.  S.  F.  BATES. 


G.  S.  F.  Bates,  farmer,  of  Harrison  township,  his  farm  lying  along 
the  line  of  Champaign  and  Logan  counties,  was  born  four  miles  north  of 
Urbana,  Ohio,  on  the  old  homestead  in  Salem  township,  the  place  now 
known  as  the  Bates  farm,  on  October  13,  1865.  He  is  a  son  of  William 
W.  and  Celinda  (Kenton)  Bates.  The  father  was  born  near  Meadville, 
Pennsylvania,  and  when  eighteen  months  old  his  parents  brought  him  over- 
land by  w^agon  and  team  to  Champaign  county,  locating  on  a  farm  in  Con- 
cord township,  near  Northville.  Here  William's  father,  Adam  Bates,  cleared 
land  and  farmed  for  some  time,  later  moving  to  Indiana,  where  his  death 
occurred.  When  a  young  man  William  W.  Bates  went  to  Clark  county, 
Ohio,  where  he  learned  the  miller's  trade,  finally  returning  to  Salem  town- 
ship. Champaign  county.  He  operated  a  mill  owned  by  Governor  Vance. 
Later,  he  moved  to  a  farm,  which  he  purchased  in  Salem  township  and  there 


694  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

spent  the  rest  of  his  hfe.  His  family  consisted  of  eight  children,  only  three 
of  whom  are  now  living",  namely:  Samuel  J.  C,  living  in  Salem  township; 
G.  S.  F.,  of  this  review,  and  Lucy  Belle,  who  makes  her  home  with  her 
hrother,  Samuel.  The  father  of  these  children  was  a  Republican  and  was  an 
influential  factor  in  township  and  county  politics.  He  was  a  Universalist 
in  religious  belief. 

G.  S.  F.  Bates  grew  to  manhood  in  Salem  township,  and  he  attended  the 
district  schools  of  that  township.  He  worked  on  the  home  farm  until  his 
marriage,  which  took  place  on  November  22,  1887,  to  Cora  E.  Rowley,  a 
daughter  of  James  Rowley  and  wife. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Bates  located  at  Lippincott,  Salem  township,  and 
a  year  later  moved  northeast  of  that  place,  continuing  to  reside  in  Salem 
township  three  or  four  years.  He  then  moved  to  Harrison  township  for  a 
year;  then  lived  in  Urbana  township,  where  he  worked  three  years  for  John 
Muzzy,  after  which  he  returned  to  Salem  township,  but  a  short  time  there- 
after he  went  to  Concord  township,  and  a  little  later  back  to  Urbana  township 
for  another  year.  He  then  bought  a  farm  in  Harrison  township  on  which 
he  lived  five  years.  On  February  4,  1904,  he  bought  his  present  farm  of 
eighty  acres.     He  is  making  a  very  comfortable  living  as  a  general  farmer. 

Three  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bates,  namely :  Pearl, 
the  wife  of  Thomas  Draper,  a  teacher  in  the  schools  of  Christiansburg,  Ohio; 
William  A.,  assisting  his  father  with  the  work  on  the  home  place,  and  John 
H.,  living  in  Logan  county,  this  state.     Politically,  Mr.  Bates  is  a  Republican. 


CHAUNCEY  D.  KAUFFMAN. 

Chauncey  D.  Kauffman,  one  of  Champaign  county's  well-known  young 
school  teachers,  living  on  rural  mail  route  No.  3  out  of  West  Liberty,  was 
born  on  a  farm  in  the  West  Liberty  neighborhood  and  has  lived  in  that 
vicinity  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  August  15,  1896,  son  of  Nicholas  B. 
and  Alice  E.  (King)  Kauffman,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Penn- 
sylvania, and  the  latter  in  Ohio. 

Nicholas  B.  Kauffman  was  born  in  Mififlin  county,  Pennsylvania,  April 
14,  1866,  son  of  Levi  and  Fannie  (Byler)  Kauffman,  who  years  ago  moved 
from  that  county  to  Ohio,  and  here  spent  their  last  days.  Nicholas  B. 
Kauffman  grew  to  manhood  in  this  state  and  married  Alice  E.  King,  who 
was  born  in  Sidney,  Ohio,  December  29,  1866,  daughter  of  David  and  Leah 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  695 

(Kauffman)  King,  who  also  had  come  to  this  state  from  Mifflin  county. 
Pennsylvania.  To  that  union  five  children  were  born,  a  daughter,  now 
deceased,  and  four  sons,  who  are  all  living  in  the  vicinity  of  West  Libertv. 
Nicholas  B.  Kauffman  died  on  February  14,  1904,  and  his  widow  is  living 
two  and  one-half  miles  east  of  West  Liberty. 

Chauncey  D.  Kauffman  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  was  graduated  from 
the  grade  schools  at  Mt.  Tabor  in  191 1,  after  which  he  entered  the  Kings 
Creek  high  school  and  was  graduated  from  the  latter  in  19 15,  since  which 
time  he  has  been  engaged  in  teaching  school  in  this  county.  In  191 1  he 
became  a  member  of  the  Oak  Grove  Mennonite  church,  in  the  affairs  of 
which  he  takes  a  warm  interest. 


CHARLES  F.  McINTURFF. 

Charles  F.  McLiturtt',  stock  buyer  and  shipper  at  Rosewood,  Champaign 
county,  was  born  in  Concord  township,  this  county,  November  i,  1878.  He 
is  a  son  of  Thomas  F.  and  Anna  (Norris)  Mclnturff.  The  father  was  born 
near  Little  Fort.  Shenandoah  county,  Virginia,  and  the  mother  was  born 
near  Troy,  Ohio.  The  father  came  to  Champaign  county,  A\hen  twelve  years 
old  and  settled  in  Concord  township  with  his  parents,  and  here  he  grew  to 
manhood  and  married.  He  became  one  of  the  leading  stock  breeders  and 
farmers  of  his  township.  He  was  the  first  man  in  the  township  to  own  im- 
ported horses.  He  also  operated  a  horse-power  threshing  machine  for  a 
period  of  thirty-two  years,  being  one  of  the  best  known  threshers  in  the  county 
in  pioneer  days.  He  was  a  Republican  and  supported  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal church.  He  belonged  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellov.'S  at  Spring- 
hill,  and  was  past  noble  grand  and  was  active  in  the  work  of  the  lodge.  His 
death  occurred  on  November  14,  1913.  His  family  consisted  of  five  chil- 
dren, all  living  in  1917  but  one,  namely:  Charles  F,  of  this  sketch;  Elizabeth, 
the  wife  of  Frank  G.  Mohr;  Louisa,  who  has  remained  unmarried;  Frank, 
a  farmer,  and  Nelle,  deceased. 

Charles  F.  Mclnturff  spent  his  boyhood  in  Concord,  Harrison  and  Adams 
townships.  He  received  his  education  in  the  local  district  schools  and  the 
high  school.  He  worked  with  his  father  on  the  home  farm  until  reaching 
his  majority.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Spanish-American  War  he  enlisted 
in  Company  D,  Third  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  on  April  26,  1898,  and,  after 
becoming  a  proficient  soldier,  was  mustered  out  on  October  26th  of  that  year. 


696  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Mr.  Mclnturff  returned  to  Harrison  township,  Champaign  county,  after 
his  experience  in  the  army  and  in  a  short  time  bought  a  meat  market  at 
Degraff,  Logan  county,  which  he  conducted  two  years ;  then  returned  to  Cham- 
paign county  and  has  since  made  his  home,  engaging  in  buying  and  ship- 
ping hve  stock  to  the  markets.  He  has  shipped  many  carloads  of  cattie  and 
hogs  annually,  and  is  one  of  the  best  known  stockmen  in  the  county.  He  is 
an  exceptionally  good  judge  of  live  stock.  For  a  period  of  eleven  years  he 
traveled  on  the  road,  and  bought  cattle  in  the  Chicago  market,  which  he  sold 
in  Pittsburgh,  Penn.sylvania. 

Mr.  Mclnturff  was  married  in  the  fall  of  1901  to  Jennie  Kessler,  a 
nati\'e  of  Jackson  township.  Champaign  county,  where  she  grew  to  woman- 
hood and  attended  school.  Six  children  were  born  to  this  union,  five  now 
living,  namely:  Paul,  Ralph,  Rodney,  Thomas,  deceased,  Floyd  and  Beulah. 

Politically,  Mr.  Mclnturff  is  a  Republican.  He  belongs  to  Rosewood 
Lodge  No.  246,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 


JUDGE  GEORGE  FITHIAN. 

The  act  of  February  20,  1805,  creating  the  county  of  Champaign,  desig- 
nated the  house  of  George  Fithian  in  Springfield  as  the  temporary  seat  of 
justice.  Later  in  that  same  year  George  Fithian  moved  to  the  site  now 
occupied  by  the  city  of  Urbana,  erected  there  a  hewed-log  house  and  opened 
in  that  primitive  structure  a  tavern.  He  helped  lay  out  the  townsite  and  in 
1806  his  inn  became  the  first  "store"  of  the  village,  Samuel  McCord  being  the 
storekeeper.  The  site  occupied  by  that  historic  old  tavern  is  now  occupied 
by  the  Grace  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  the  congregation  of  which  has 
long  owned  the  corner.  In  1821  the  Legislature  elected  George  Fithian 
associate  judge  of  Champaign  county  and  in  that  judicial  capacity  and  in 
many  other  useful  ways  his  services  proved  of  great  value  to  the  new  com- 
munity during  the  formative  period,  his  efforts  in  behalf  of  good  government 
during  the  time  of  the  creation  of  a  proper  social  order  out  here  in  the  then 
wilderness  of  western  Ohio  having  been  of  incalculable  benefit  to  the  settlers 
and  proper  and  fitting  mention  of  which  is  made  in  the  historical  section  of 
this  work. 

Judge  Fithian  was  an  Eastern  man,  a  New  Englander,  and  his  children 
were  reared  in  the  new  settlement  at  Urbana.     Years  later  Judge  Fithian  was 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  697 

appointed  to  a  government  position,  with  headquarters  at  Danville,  Illinois, 
to  which  place  he  moved  with  one  of  his  sons,  Dr.  William  Fithian,  and  a 
daughter,  his  wife  meantime  having  died,  and  there  he  spent  his  last  days,  he 
and  his  family  becoming  well-established  in  the  Danville  community,  the 
town  of  Fithian,  a  few  miles  west  of  Danville,  taking  its  name  from  its 
founder,  one  of  Judge  Fithian's  sons.  James  Fithian,  another  son  of  the 
Judge,  married  Ellen  Holland  and  with  his  bride  rode  horseback  from  the 
East  and  established  his  home  in  Urbana,  picking  out  a  lot  in  that  then 
straggling  village  at  what  is  now  300  Sciota  street,  built  a  log  house  on  that 
site  and  there  started  a  tailor  shop,  probably  the  first  tailor  shop  in  the  vil- 
lage. His  wife  was  a  skilled  seamstress  and  in  addition  to  aiding  her  hus- 
band in  his  tailoring  work  also  did  a  thriving  business  as  a  dressmaker  there 
in  an  early  day.  She  survived  her  husband  many  years,  her  death  occurring 
at  her  old  home  in  Urbana  in  1861,  she  then  being  seventy-six  years  of  age. 
James  Fithian  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
and  took  an  active  part  in  church  affairs  and  in  the  general  good  works  of 
the  community  during  their  day.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children. 
George,  Milton,  James,  Eliza,  Harriet  and  three  who  died  in  infancy.  George 
Fithian  became  a  printer  and  for  years  worked  on  The  Plow  Boy  at  Colum- 
bus. He  later  moved  to  Natchez,  Mississippi,  where  he  died.  Milton  Fith- 
ian, who  married  Caroline  McGrew,  spent  his  life  in  Urbana,  where  he 
became  engaged  in  farming  and  later  in  the  brokerage  business.  He  was  a 
well-to-do  landowner.  James  Fithian,  Jr.,  followed  his  father's  vocation  as 
a  tailor  and  spent  his  life  in  Urbana.     He  was  unmarried. 

Eliza  Fithian,  born  on  April  i,  1820,  spent  all  her  life  at  the  old  home. 
300  Scioto  street,  where  she  was  born  and  there  died  on  July  10,  1904,  she 
then  being  eighty- four  years  of  age.  For  many  years  she  conducted  the 
leading  millinery  store  at  Urbana,  women  coming  from  all  parts  of  the  county 
to  buy  their  millinery  goods  from  her.  She  married  Isaac  Pence,  who  was 
born  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Clark  and  who  long  preceded  her  to  the 
grave,  and  to  that  union  four  children  were  born,  John,  George,  Charles  and 
Ella.  John  Pence,  now  deceased,  was  a  printer  and  spent  his  life  in  Urbana. 
He  married  Katherine  Langhoff  and  had  one  son,  George  E.  Pence,  now  a 
resident  of  Toledo.  George  Pence,  who  died  in  the  fall  of  19 14,  was  a  well- 
known  carpenter  at  Urbana.  Charles  Pence,  now  retired,  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  War,  has  also  been  a  lifelong  resident  of  Urbana.  Miss  Ella  Pence, 
who  continues  to  occupy  the  old  home  place  at  300  Sciota  street,  has  always 
lived  there.     She  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  has 


698  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

ever  given  her  earnest  attention  to  church  work,  as  well  as  to  the  general 
social  actiA'ities  of  her  home  town  and  has  been  helpful  in  many  ways  in  pro- 
moting movements  having  to  do  with  the  advancement  of  the  general  wel- 
fare of  the  community  at  large. 


ISAAC  S.  PENCE. 


One  of  the  native-born  sons  of  Champaign  county,  who  has  lived  all  his 
life  on  his  present  farm,  is  Isaac  S.  Pence,  who  was  born  in  Johnson  town- 
ship, on  February  3.  1857,  the  son  of  Isaac  and  Martha  (Brown)  Pence,  the 
former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  the  latter  of  Champaign  county. 

Isaac  Pence,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Shenandoah  county,  Virginia,  in  1797,  and 
was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  state,  where  he  grew  to  young  manhood, 
and  served  his  country  in  a  Virginia  regiment  during  the  War  of  1812.  As 
a  young  man  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Champaign  county,  where  the  family 
became  identified  with  the  earliest  settlers  of  this  county.  At  that  time  Urbana 
was  but  a  trading  point  with  but  two  houses  in  the  town  and  very  few  settlers 
in  the  county.  Indians  and  wild  game  abounded  in  the  almost  unbroken  for- 
ests, and  after  arriving  at  Urbana,  the  Pence  family,  which  consisted  of  four 
brothers  and  two  sisters  with  their  parents,  proceeded  to  the  land  which  the 
father  had  entered  from  the  government,  and  it  required  two  weeks'  time  to 
cut  .their  way  through  the  trackless  woods  to  the  land,  which  was  all  in  timber. 
Plere  they  began  the  task  of  clearing  and  cultivating  their  farm  and  making  a 
home  in  the  wilderness,  and  here  the  wife  and  mother  died.  Afterwards  Isaac 
Pence  married  Martha  Brown,  the  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  whose 
parents  were  also  among  the  early  settlers  of  these  parts,  and  who  was  born 
near  Terre  Haute,  Mad  River  township,  this  county.  Her  parents  were  also 
natives  of  the  Old  Dominion  state.  To  Isaac  and  Martha  (Brown) 
Pence  seven  children  were  born,  six  of  whom  are  living :  B.  F.,  a  farmer  living 
in  Johnson  township;  James  E.,  of  Johnson  township;  John  W.,  a  resident  of 
Concord  township;  Isaac  S.,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  review;  Jennie, 
the  wife  of  John  Bedell,  of  Celina,  Ohio;  Charles,  living  in  Seattle,  Washing- 
ton, and  Jason,  who  died,  leaving  five  children.  Isaac  Pence,  Sr.,  was  an 
earnest  member  of  the  old  Reformed  church,  and  was  a  Democrat  in  politics. 

Isaac  S.  Pence  was  reared  on  the  old  home  farm,  receiving  his  education 
in  the  rural  schools  of  his  county,  and  assisting  with  the  work  of  the  farm 
during  the  summer  seasons.     After  his  marriage  he  and  his  brother,  B.  F., 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  699 

divided  the  honie  farm,  and  Isaac  S.  mo\ed  to  that  part  of  the  farm  where 
he  is  now  hving.  Here  lie  owns  seventy-five  acres  of  fine  land,  as  well  as 
fifty-five  acres  adjoining-  it.  He  has  a  well-equipped  farm  in  every  particular, 
with  good  buildings  and  machinery,  and  has  made  a  very  commendable  suc- 
cess of  his  chosen  calling. 

On  December  7,  1877,  Isaac  S.  Pence  was  married  to  Rebecca  Offen- 
bacher,  who  was  born  in  Johnson  township,  this  county,  on  a  farm  about  two 
miles  west  of  where  she  is  now  living,  and  who  is  a  daughter  of  Isaiah  Offen- 
bacher.  Her  father  was  also  a  native  of  Johnson  township,  his  parents  coming 
to  the  county  among  the  early  settlers  from  Virginia.  Isaac  S.  Pence  and  wife 
are  the  parents  of  four  children,  three  of  whom  are  now  living :  Otto,  a  resi- 
dent of  Johnson  township,  married  Blanche  Berry,  and  they  are  the  parents 
of  one  son,  Donald ;  Walter,  of  St.  Paris,  Ohio,  married  Carrie  Jenkins,  and 
they  have  one  son,  Herbert ;  Willard,  living  on  the  home  farm,  married  Ethel 
Body.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Myrtle  Tree  Baptist  church  in  Mad 
River  township.  Mr.  Pence  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  deeply  interested 
in  all  movements  which  have  for  their  object  the  betterment  of  his  community. 


WILLIAM  W.  KIRKWOOD. 

William  W.  Kirkwood,  farmer  of  Harrison  township.  Champaign  county, 
was  born  not  far  from  where  he  now  lives,  but  across  the  line  in  Liberty 
township,  Logan  county,  on  August  27,  1848.  He  is  a  son  of  David  M. 
and  Marianne  (Baird)  Kirkwood,  and  a  grandson  of  William  Kirkwood, 
the  latter  a  son  of  David  Kirkwood,  who  was  a  pioneer  resident  of  Cham^ 
paign  county  where  he  secured  a  land  grant,  entering  a  tract  of  land  from 
the  government  in  181 7,  and  here  he  established  the  family  home  in  the 
wilderness,  built  a  log  cabin,  cleared  and  developed  a  farm,  on  which  David 
M.  Kirkwood  grew  up  and,  in  fact,  lived  and  died  here.  His  wife,  Marianne 
Baird,  was  a  native  of  Logan  county,  a  half-mile  east  of  the  present  Kirk- 
wood home.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Robert  and  Margaret  Baird,  who  were 
early  settlers  of  Logan  county,  coming  to  Ohio  from  Virginia.  Nine  children 
were  born  to  David  M.  Kirkwood  and  wife,  five  of  whom  are  still  living, 
namely:  W.  W.,  of  this  sketch,  the  eldest  of  the  family;  Robert,  living  in 
Urbana;  Ira,  in  West  Liberty,  Ohio;  Emma  J.,  in  Akron,  Minnesota,  and 
Addie,  wife  of  J.  W.  Simpson,  also  lives  in  Akron,  Minnesota. 

Politicallv,  David  M.  Kirkwood  was  a  Republican,  but  was  not  a  biased 


700  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

partisan.  He  and  his  wife  belonged  to  the  Presbyterian  church  at  West 
Liberty,  Ohio.  His  death  occurred  on  February  14,  1881,  and  she  died  on 
July  3,   1902. 

W.  W.  Kirkwood  was  reared  on  the  home  fann  and  he  attended  the 
common  schools.  After  his  marriage  he  located  on  a  farm  in  Monroe  town- 
ship, Logan  county,  where  he  spent  four  years,  then  bought  a  farm  south- 
west of  Spring  Hill  in  Harrison  township,  Champaign  county,  and  lived 
there  sixteen  years.  In  November,  1905,  when  he  removed  to  the  home 
place,  where  he  owns  sixty-two  acres  which  he  has  kept  well  improved  and 
well  tilled. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kirkwood  three  children  have  been  born,  namely : 
Annie,  the  wife  of  Guy  Speece,  of  Harrison  township;  Charles  M.,  in 
Toledo,  Ohio;  Elisha  L.,  at  home  and  is  helping  to  operate  the  farm. 

Politically,  Mr.  Kirkwood  is  a  Republican.  He  served  as  justice  of  the 
peace  several  terms,  giving  eminent  satisfaction  to  all  concerned.  He  also 
served  on  the  local  school  board.  His  wife  belongs  to  the  Methodist  church, 
as  do  also  her  children. 


WILLL^M  A.  YINGER,  M.  D. 

One  of  the  leading  young  physicians  and  surgeons  of  Champaign  county 
is  Dr.  William  A.  Yinger,  of  Rosewood,  Adams  township.  He  was  born 
on  the  home  farm  near  the  village  of  Rosewood,  Ohio,  February  4,  1877. 
He  is  a  son  of  William  H.  and  Mary  J.  (Clark)  Yinger,  the  father  a  native 
of  Shelby  county,  Ohio,  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Adams  township,  Cham- 
paign county.  -They  were  married  in  this  county  and  still  reside  here,  making 
their  home  on  a  farm  not  far  from  Rosewood.  To  these  parents  five  chil- 
dren have  been  born,  namely  :  Charles,  farming  in  Adams  township ;  Dr. 
William  A.,  of  this  sketch;  Lulu  F.,  the  widow  of  Daniel  Mitchell;  C.  B., 
farming  in  Adams  township,  and  E.  E.,  also  a  farmer  of  Adams  township. 

Dr.  William  A.  Yinger  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  the  home  farm 
where  he  worked  during  the  crop  seasons,  when  he  became  of  proper  age, 
and  in  the  winter  time  he  attended  the  district  schools  of  Adams  town- 
ship, also  studied  at  the  local  high  school  and  the  Urbana  high  school. 
When  a  young  man  he  taught  school  in  his  native  county  three  years,  then 
entered  Starling  Medical  College  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  where  he  spent  four 
years,  and  made  an  excellent  record,  graduating  with  the  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Medicine.     He  not  only   prepared  himself   for  the   general   work   of   a 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  7OI 

physician,  but  also  specialized  as  a  surgeon.  After  his  graduation  he  returned 
to  Champaign  county  and  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Rosewood 
in  1904  and  here  he  has  since  remained.  He  has  built  up  a  large  and  lucra- 
tive practice  and  has  been  very  successful.  He  has  remained  a  student  of  all 
that  pertains  to  his  profession  and  has  therefore  kept  well  abreast  of  the 
times.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Champaign  County  Medical  Society,  the  Ohio 
State  Medical  Society  and  the  American  Medical  Association. 

Dr.  Yinger  was  married  in  September,  1900,  to  Minnie  Cisco,  a  native 
of  Adams  township,  this  county,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood,  and  she 
was  graduated  from  the  local  high  school,  after  which  she  taught  school 
one  year. 

To  the  Doctor  and  wife  two  children  have  been  born,  namely :  Starling, 
born  in  Columbus,  Ohio,  February  21,  1903,  and  Beulah,  born  on  December 
II,   1905. 

Politically,  Dr.  Yinger  is  a  Republican.  He  is  at  present  serving  as 
health  officer  for  his  district.  He  is  a  member  of  Mt.  Zion  United  Brethren 
church,  and  his  wife  belongs  to  the  Christian  church  at  Carysville. 


WILLIAM  H.  YINGER. 


William  H.  Yinger,  a  farmer  living  near  Rosewood  in  Adams  township, 
Champaign  county,  was  born  in  Miami  county,  Ohio,  August  17,  1847.  He 
is  a  son  of  Casper  and  Nancy  (Burton)  Yinger.  The  father  w^as  born  in 
Shenandoah  Valley,  Virginia,  and  was  a  son  of  Henry  and  Deborah  (Deaver) 
Yinger.  He  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents  when  young,  the 
family  locating  in  Maryland,  but  later  moved  to  Virginia,  where  they  lived 
until  Casper  Yinger  was  twelve  years  old,  when  the  family  moved  to  Mont- 
gomery county,  Ohio.  He  later  came  to  Shelby  county,  where  he  married 
and  rented  land  for  some  time,  later  buying  a  farm  in  that  county  and 
there  Casper  and  Nancy  Yinger  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives.  They  were 
parents  of  seven  children. 

William  H.  Yinger  grew  up  on  the  farm.  He  started  out  in  life  for 
himself  at  an  early  age,  his  parents  dying  when  he  was  young.  He  went 
to  live  with  Fleming  Hall  who  reared  him  and  sent  him  to  school  and 
with  him  Mr.  Yinger  remained  until  he  was  twenty-five  years  old,  at  which 
time  he  married  Mary  J.  Clark  and  located  on  one  of  the  farms  of  Fleming 
Hall,  on  which  he  remained  three  years;  then  moved  to  Adams  township, 


702  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Champaign  county,  where  he  bought  eighty  acres  on  which  he  still  lives, 
and  to  which  he  has  added  until  the  place  now  consists  of  three  hundred 
acres.  He  has  prospered  through  perseverance  and  good  management  and 
is  one  of  the  foremost  general  farmers  of  his  township.  His  place  is  well 
improved  and  he  has  a  modernly  equipped  home  and  numerous  substantial 
outbuildings.  He  raises  a  large  amount  of  grain,  but  feeds  most  of  it  to 
live  stock,  preparing  several  carloads  of  hogs  and  cattle  annually  for  the 
market.  He  is  deserving  of  a  great  deal  of  credit  for  what  he  has  accom- 
plished, which  has  been  through  his  own  efforts  and  in  the  face  of  discourag- 
ing early  environment. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Yinger  the  following  children  have  been  born :  Charles 
E.,  married  and  is  farming  in  Adams  township;  Dr.  William  A.,  who  is  a 
graduate  of  the  local  schools  and  the  Starling  Medical  College  at  Columbus, 
Ohio,  a  practicing  physician  at  Rosewood,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  on 
another  page  of  this  volume;  Lulu  F.,  who  was  graduated  from  the  town- 
ship schools,  is  the  widow  of  Daniel  Mitchell  and  she  has  three  children; 
C.  B.,  who  was  graduated  from  the  local  high  school,  is  married  and  lives 
on  a  farm  in  Adams  township,  and  E.  E.,  also  a  graduate  of  the  local  schools 
and  is  now  engaged  in  farming  in  Adams  township. 

Politically,  Mr.  Yinger  is  a  Republican.  He  served  as  trustee  of  Adams 
township  for  a  period  of  twelve  years,  discharging  his  duties  very  ably  and 
acceptably.  While  he  does  not  affiliate  with  any  special  church  organization, 
he  is  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  churches  and  has  helped  to  build  different 
church  edifices. 


FRED  N.  JOHNSON. 


Fred  N.  Johnson,  proprietor  of  a  well-kept  farm  two  and  one-half  miles 
south  of  Spring  Hill,  on  rural  mail  route  No.  i  out  of  West  Liberty,  on  the 
Urbana-Spring  Hill  pike,  in  Harrison  township,  this  county,  is  a  native  son 
of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm 
in  Concord  township  on  July  ii,  1876,  son  of  Silas  and  Sarah  (Weidman) 
Johnson,  both  also  natives  of  this  county,  the  former  born  on  a  pioneer  farm 
in  the  vicinity  of  Cable  and  the  latter  in  Salem  township,  whose  iast  days  were 
spent  in  the  county  of  their  birth. 

Silas  Johnson  was  a  member  of  one  of  the  old  families  in  Champaign 
county.  He  was  born  in  1845  ^i""^  was  but  six  years  of  age  when  his  father 
ilied.     When  ten  years  of  age  he  left  the  home  farm  in  the  Cable  neighbor- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  703 

hood  and  moved  with  his  mother  and  sister  to  Concord  township.  After  his 
marriage  to  Sarah  Weidman  he  hved  for  a  year  on  a  farm  south  of  Lippen- 
cott,  in  Salem  township,  and  then  estabHshed  his  home  on  a  farm  in  Concord 
township,  where  Ralph  Johnson  now  lives,  and  there  he  and  his  wife  spent 
the  remainder  of  their  lives,  his  death  occurring  in  1909  and  hers  in  1915. 
They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  the  third  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow :  Anna,  now- 
deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Joseph  Hewling;  Frank,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  nineteen;  Leila,  wife  of  Fred  Hurst,  of  Union  township,  this  county; 
Charles  A.,  w^ho  is  living  on  a  farm  south  of  Kennard;  Emma,  wife  of  Charles 
Bair,  of  Mad  River  township,  and  Ralph  W.,  who  is  living  on  the  old  home 
place  in  Concord  township.  Silas  Johnson  and  wife  were  members  of  Wes- 
ley Chapel  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  he  for  years  served  as  a  trus- 
tee of  that  church.  Politically,  he  was  a  Democrat  and  had  served  the  pub- 
lic as  trustee  of  his  home  township. 

Fred  N.  Johnson  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Concord  township, 
receiving-  his  schooling  in  the  local  district  school  and  in  the  high  school  at 
Kings  Creek,  and  remained  at  home  until  his  marriage  when  twenty-four 
years  of  age,  after  which  he  established  his  home  on  the  Callend  place,  his 
wife's  old  home,  and  after  three  years  of  residence  there  built  the  house  in 
which  he  is  now  living,  on  the  old  Joseph  Callend  place  and  has  ever  since 
made  his  home  there,  he  and  his  family  being  very  comfortably  situated. 
In  addition  to  the  tract  of  one  hundred  and  thirty-eight  acres  which  Mr. 
Johnson  is  farming  there,  he  owns  a  further  tract  of  one  hundred  and  fifty- 
seven  acres  across  the  road  from  his  home  place  and  is  regarded  as  one  of 
the  substantial  farmers  of  that  neighborhood.  Politically,  Mr.  Johnson  is  a 
Democrat  and  is  at  present  serving  as  a  member  of  the  township  board  of 
education. 

On  December  25,  1900,  F.  N.  Johnson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Nellie 
Callend,  who  was  born  in  Harrison  township,  this  county,  daughter  of  Joseph 
and  Isabel  (Wilson)  Callend,  and  to  this  union  three  children  have  been 
born,  namely:  Joseph  N.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  one  month;  Robert  C, 
born  on  August  25,  1906,  and  Sarah  Isabel,  March  22,  191 1.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Johnson  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Spring  Hill  and  take 
a  proper  interest  in  church  work  and  other  neighborhood  good  works.  Mr. 
Johnson  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  lodge  at  West  Liberty  and  of  the  Knights 
of  Pythias  lodge  at  Degrafif  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs  of  both 
of  these  fraternal  organizations. 


704  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

MOSES  BURRIS. 

Moses  Burris,  a  well-known  farmer  of  Rush  township,  now  living  prac- 
tically retired  at  North  Lewisburg-,  was  born  in  the  neighboring  county  of 
Union  on  August  12,  1850,  son  of  Amos  and  Polly  Ann  (Amerine)  Burris, 
both  also  natives  of  this  state,  the  former  a  native  of  Adams  county  and  the 
latter  of  Union  county,  the  former  of  whom  is  still  living  on  his  well-improved 
farm  in  that  latter  county. 

Amos  Burris  grew  up  on  a  farm  in  Adams  county,  where  he  was  born 
in  1825,  receiving  his  schooling  in  that  c®unty,  and  as  a  young  man  moved 
to  Union  county  and  began  farming  near  Marysville.  There  he  married 
Polly  Ann  Amerine,  whose  parents  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Union 
county,  and  after  his  marriage  established  his  home  on  a  farm  near  Marys- 
ville, where  he  is  still  living,  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  ninety-two  years.  His 
wife  died  in  1913.  They  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  four  of  whom 
are  still  living,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having  two  brothers,  Randolph  and 
Edgar  Burris,  and  a  sister,  Mrs.  Martha  Reed. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Union  county,  Moses  Burris  received  his 
schoolings  in  the  public  schools  of  that  vicinity  and  upon  reaching  manhood 
began  farming  on  his  own  account.  After  his  marriage  he  rented  a  farm  in 
the  neighborhood  of  his  old  home  and  there  made  his  home  for  a  couple  of 
years.  In  the  spring  of  1877  he  moved  to  another  farm  and  remained  there 
ten  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  moved  to  Logan  county  and  rented  a 
farm  north  of  North  Lewisburg,  where  he  lived  for  several  years.  He  then 
came  down  into  Champaign  county  and  rented  the  Lincoln  farm  in  Rush 
township,  where  he  made  his  home  for  fourteen  years,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  he  left  the  farm  and  moved  to  North  Lewisburg,  where  he  bought  a 
small  tract  of  land  on  the  edge  of  the  village  and  where  he  since  has  made 
his  home,  although  he  continues  to  give  his  personal  attention  to  the  old 
Lincoln  farm  in  Rush  township.  Besides  the  property  he  owns  in  North 
Lewisburg  Mr.  Burris  is  the  owner  of  a  farm  of  sixty-eight  acres  in  Union 
county.  In  addition  to  his  general  farming  he  long  has  given  considerable 
attention  to  the  raising  of  live  stock  and  has  done  very  well.  He  is  a  Repub- 
lican and  has  always  given  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  political  affairs, 
Init  has  not  been  a  seeker  after  public  office. 

Air.  Burris  has  been  twice  married.  In  1874  he  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Alice  Smith,  who  died  in  1888  without  issue  and  on  August  28,  1891,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Nellie  Burris,  who  was  born  in  Huntington  county, 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  705 

Indiana,  daughter  of  Martin  and  Narcissa  (Forest)  Burris,  the  former  of 
whom  was  born  in  this  state,  and  the  latter  in  the  state  of  Indiana.  Martin 
Burris  was  but  a  lad  when  he  moved  from  this  state  to  Indiana  with  his  par^ 
ents  and  he  became  a  well-to-do  farmer  in  Huntington  county,  that  state. 
He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  five  of  whom  are  still 
living,  those  besides  Mrs.  Burris  being  Rosa,  wdfe  of  Daniel  Quinn;  Josie, 
wife  of  John  Worm  and  Chester  and  Clarence  Burris.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burris 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  take  an  active  interest 
in  church  work  and  in  other  local  good  works.  Mr.  Burris  is  past  chancellor 
commander  of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  takes  a  warm 
interest  in  Pythian  affairs.  He  and  his  wife  have  an  adopted  daughter, 
Alma,  who  married  Sherman  Hall  and  has  one  child,  a  son,  Harold.  The 
Halls  make  their  home  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burris. 


PETER  RHYNARD. 


Peter  Rhynard,  farmer,  of  Johnson  township.  Champaign  county,  was 
born  in  the  same  locality  where  he  now  lives,  on  what  is  now  known  as  the 
John  W.  Kiser  farm,  on  the  Piqua  and  Urbana  pike,  February  15,  1858.  He 
is  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  (McKinley)  Rhynard.  The  father  was  born  in 
Darke  county,  Ohio,  where  he  was  reared  and  educated.  He  was  a  son  of 
Peter  Rhynard,  of  Persian  descent,  Peter's  father  having  been  born  in  Persia. 
Samuel  Rhynard  left  home  when  eighteen  years  old  and  went  to  Covington, 
Miami  county,  Ohio,  where  he  spent  a  few  years  and  learned  the  saddler's 
trade,  then  came  to  St.  Paris,  Champaign  county,  and  began  business  for  him- 
self, but  later  he  went  overland  in  wagons  to  Iowa,  engaging  in  farming  two 
or  three  years  near  Cedar  Rapids.  He  then  returned  to  Champaign  county, 
locating  in  Johnson  township,  but  in  a  short  time  he  again  launched  out  in 
business  at  St.  Paris,  remaining  there  three  or  four  years,  then  bought  the  old 
McKinley  farm,  where  Orlando  Pence  now  lives.  He  continued  to  reside  there 
until  1879,  when  he  moved  to  the  farm  w^here  G.  W.  Rhynard  now  lives, 
remaining  there  until  1883,  when  he  retired  from  active  life,  locating  in  St. 
Paris,  where  he  lived  until  his  death  in  1888.  His  wife  died  on  the  farm  in 
1878.  They  were  parents  of  six  children,  namely:  William  A.,  deceased; 
Sarah,  who  married  William  Mills,  of  Pike  county,  Ohio ;  Peter,  of  this  sketch; 
G.  W.,  in  Johnson  township,  this  county;  Albert  A.,  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and 
(45a) 


706  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Elmer  E.,  making  his  home  in  Ithaca,  New  York.  The  father  of  these  chil- 
dren was  a  Republican  and  he  and  his  wife  belonged  to  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows 
in  his  earlier  years. 

Peter  Rhynard  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Johnson  township,  and 
he  was  educated  in  the  district  schools.  He  assisted  his  father  with  the  gen- 
eral work  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-three  years  old,  then  began  working 
out  by  the  month,  continuing  for  two  years,  then  farmed  on  the  home  place. 
He  rented  land  until  1889,  when  he  bought  eighty  acres  in  Johnson  township, 
near  the  town  of  St.  Paris  and  here  he  has  since  resided.  He  has  a  well-kept 
and  productive  farm  and  is  engaged  in  general  agricultural  pursuits. 

Mr.  Rhynard  was  married  in  September,  1883,  to  Lillie  M.  Apple,  a 
daughter  of  Daniel  and  Catherine  (Watkins)  Apple,  the  former  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania  and  she  was  born  near  Xenia,  Ohio.  They  settled  northwest 
of  St.  Paris;  he  was  a  farmer  and  he  died  in  1900.  She  died  in  March,  1892. 
They  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  of  St.  Paris.  They  had  eight 
children. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rhynard  six  children  have  been  born,  namely :  Minnie 
E.,  the  wife  of  Sylvester  Landenburg,  and  they  live  in  Jackson  township; 
Elizabeth  C,  the  wife  of  Foster  H.  Van  Skiver  and  they  live  in  Jackson  town- 
ship; Bessie  E.,  single  and  lives  in  Piqua,  Ohio;  Oda  B.,  at  home;  E.  Viola, 
attending  school,  and  Mildred,  who  died  when  seven  years  old.  Politically, 
Mr.  Rhynard  is  a  Republican. 


SAMUEL  SIEGENTHALER. 

Samuel  Siegenthaler,  who  is  operating  a  mill  in  Harrison  township, 
Champaign  county,  was  born  in  Canton  Jura,  Switzerland,  March  9,  1873. 
He  is  a  son  of  Gottlieb  and  Anna  (Moser)  Siegenthaler,  both  natives  of 
Canton  Bern,  Switzerland,  where  they  grew  up,  married  and  lived  on  a  farm 
until  1882,  when  they  came  to  America,  locating  in  Champaign  county,  Ohio, 
and  the  father  has  since  resided  on  a  farm  in  Harsison  township.  He  is 
mentioned  in  a  separate  sketch,  which  appears  on  another  page  of  this  work. 
The  mother  is  deceased. 

Samuel  Siegenthaler,  who  is  the  second  of  a  family  of  three  children, 
grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  in  Harrison  township,  and  he  received  his 
education  in  the  district  schools.     He  lived  at  home  until  his  marriage,  which 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  707 

took  place  on  October  4,  1905,  to  Sylvia  Neal,  who  was  born  in  Concord 
township,  this  county,  June  15,  1885,  and  here  she  grew  to  womanhood  and 
attended  school,  receiving  most  of  her  education  in  the  schools  of  Mad 
River  township.  She  is  a  daughter  of  James  T.  and  Anna  B.  (Long)  Neal, 
who  located,  in  1900.  on  a  farm  in  Harrison  township,  where  the  family 
has  since  resided. 

After  his  marriage  Samuel  Siegenthaler  lived  one  year  in  Harrison 
township,  then  in  the  fall  of  1906  he  moved  to  Ouincy,  Ohio,  where  he  lived 
two  years;  then  returned  to  Harrison  township,  where  he  has  since  resided. 
He  is  operating  the  mill  on  his  father's  farm.  His  family  consists  of  six 
childern,  namely:  Pauline,  born  on  April  24,  1906;  Grant  E.,  June  27,  1908; 
Bonnie,  August  3,  1910;  Laura,  October  9,  1912;  James  Wilson,  October 
2,  1914,  and  Thelma,  August  23,  1916,  died  on  February  i,  1917.  The 
three  eldest  children  are  in  school  at  this  writing. 

Politically  Mr.  Siegenthaler  is  a  Republican  and  he  is  active  in  public 
affairs  and  influential  in  his  party  in  this  count}'.  When  a  young  man  he 
served  as  constable  of  Harrison  township,  then  was  township  assessor  during 
1902  and  1903.  In  191 1  he  was  elected  township  clerk,  which  office  he 
has  since  filled.  He  has  also  been  a  member  of  the  board  of  education  of 
Harrison  township  since  1911,  also  is  treasurer  of  the  board.  He  has  filled 
these  public  offices  in  a  manner  that  has  reflected  much  credit  upon  himself 
and  to  the  eminent  satisfaction  of  all  concerned,  being  faithful  and  reliable. 
He  and  his  family  belong  to  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Spring  Hill.  He 
is  active  in  church  affairs  and  is  leader  of  the  choir. 


JOHN  W.  WELLER. 


One  of  the  oldest  native-born  citizens  of  Champaign  county,  who  for 
many  years  was  a  well-known  contractor  and  bridge  worker,  is  John  W. 
Weller,  now  hving  at  his  comfortable  home  on  rural  route  No.  4.  out  of 
St.  Paris.  Mr.  Weller  was  born  on  what  is  known  as  the  John  Weller 
farm  in  Johnson  township,  on  March  7,  1847,  and  is  the  youngest  of  seven 
children  born  to  John  and  Anna  (Pirkey)  Weller. 

John  Weller  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  his  birth  having  occurred  in 
Augusta  county,  that  state,  on  March  5,  1806.  Anna  Pirkey  was  also  a 
Virginian  by  birth,  having  been  born  in  Rockingham  county  on  November 
3,    1805.      Both   were    reared   to   maturity   in   their   native   state,    and   were 


708  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

married  there  on  July  7,  1830,  and  six  )^ears  later  they  came  to  Champaign 
county,  Ohio.  Here  they  purchased  what  was  known  as  the  Christian  Miller 
farm,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres.  This  farm  had  originally 
contained  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  but  Christian  Miller  and  his  brother, 
John,  had  each  given  ten  acres  of  land  for  the  townsite  of  Millerstown.  On 
this  farm  John  Weller  and  his  wife  located,  living  here  the  remainder  of  their 
lives,  he  passing  away  in  June,  1858,  while  his  widow  survived  him  many 
years,  her  death  occurring  on  February  9,  1889.  John  Weller  was  well 
known  and  highly  respected  in  the  early  days  of  the  county,  and  took  a 
prominent  part  in  the  development  and  welfare  of  their  community.  He 
was  a  Republican  in  politics  and  active  in  the  councils  of  his  party.  Both 
he  and  his  w^ife  were  earnest  and  active  members  of  the  Reformed  church, 
in  the  early  development  of  which  they  were  deeply  interested.  They  were 
the  parents  of  seven  children,  only  three  of  Avhom  are  now  living:  J.  C, 
of  Telluride,  Colorado;  Maggie,  wife  of  Octavus  Morgan,  residents  of  Los 
Angeles,  California;  John  W.,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  review,  Amariah, 
born  on  January  15,  1833,  deceased;  Ananias,  March  17,  1840,  died  on  Feb- 
ruary 20,  1866;  William  H.,  September  21,  1842,  died  on  April  8,  1892; 
Jenetta  C,  wife  of  G.  W.  Heck,  April  21,  1835,  died  on  October  3,  1914. 

John  W.  Weller  was  reared  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm,  and  early 
in  life  learned  to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world,  his  father  dying  when  he 
was  but  a  lad  of  eleven  years.  He  assisted  his  mother  in  the  operation  of 
the  home  place  until  his  marriage,  when  he  started  in  to  farm  for  himself. 
He  moved  to  Logan  county,  Ohio,  shortly  after  his  marriage,  where  he 
farmed  for  three  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  Millerstown,  where  he 
engaged  in  the  saw-mill  business  for  two  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time 
he  took  up  mason  contracting  and  bridge  work,  in  which  business  he  was 
very  successfully  engaged  for  many  years,  Avith  the  exception  of  the  year 
1 880- 1 88 1,  during  which  time  he  was  in  Colorado. 

On  June  7,  1869,  John  W.  Weller  was  united  in  marriage  to  Sarah 
A.  Printz,  who  was  born  in  the  northwestern  part  of  Johnson  township,  this 
county,  on  October  31.  1847,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Abram  and  Lucy 
Printz,  both  of  whom  were  also  natives  of  this  county,  but  descendants 
of  old  Virginia  stock.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Weller  were  the  parents  of  two  chil- 
dren: M.  Frank,  who  married  Elvie  Jenkins,  is  a  resident  of  Millerstown, 
and  the  father  of  two  children,  Walter  A.  and  Charles  D. ;  Addie  V.,  the 
wife  of  B.  M.  Norman,  of  Millerstown,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  two 
children,  Paul  L.  and  Dan.     The  mother  of  these  children  died  on  May  2, 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  709 

1905.  She  was  a  devoted  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  always  taking 
an  active  part  in  the  affairs  of  the  local  congregation.  Mr.  Weller  is  a 
member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at  Crayon,  Ohio,  while 
politically,  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Republican  party. 


CHARLES  W.  SCOBY. 


Charles  W.  Scoby,  a  farmer  of  Harrison  township.  Champaign  county, 
was  born  in  Greene  township,  Shelby  county,  Ohio,  July  i,  1872.  He  is  a 
son  of  Edward  and  Ann  (Stephenson)  Scoby.  Edward  Scoby  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania,  possibly  Bucks  county,  and  from  there  he  came  with  his  parents, 
w^hen  a  boy,  to  Shelby  county,  Ohio,  making  the  trip  in  wagons,  and  in  that 
place  the  family  established  their  future  home  on  a  farm,  but  finally  moved 
to  the  vicinity  of  Troy,  Miami  county,  where  the  grandparents  died.  Edward 
Scoby  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  in  Shelby  county  and  there  he  married 
Ann  Stephenson,  who  was  a  native  of  Logan  county,  and  a  daughter  of 
Charles  Stephenson,  who  came  to  Ohio  from  West  Virginia,  being  one  of 
the  early  settlers  of  Logan  county.  After  his  marriage  Edward  Scoby  set- 
tled on  a  farm  in  Shelby  county  and  lived  there  many  years,  or  until  he 
moved  to  Johnson  township,  but  eventually  moved  to  Rosewood,  Adams 
township,  where  Mr.  Scoby  died.  His  widow  is  still  living  there.  He  made 
a  success  as  a  general  farmer  and  was  a  man  of  good  reputation.  Politically, 
he  w^as  a  Democrat.  While  living  in  Shelby  county  he  served  as  trustee  of 
Greene  township  for  several  terms.  He  was  also  trustee  of  Johnson  town- 
ship. Champaign  county,  for  three  terms ;  he  made  an  excellent  trustee  in  both 
counties.  Three  children,  all  living  at  this  writing,  were  born  to  Edward 
Scoby  and  wife,  namely:  Lizzie  is  the  wife  of  Joseph  Atkinson  of  Sidney, 
Ohio;  Charles  W.,  of  this  sketch;  and  Edward  G.,  a  carpenter  by  trade,  lives 
in  Rosewood  and  often  works  in  Sidney. 

Charles  W.  Scoby  was  fourteen  years  old  when  his  parents  moved 
to  Johnson  township,  this  county.  He  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  where 
he  worked  during  the  crop  seasons  and  he  attended  the  district  schools  in 
the  winter  time.  On  December  25,  1895,  he  married  Pearl  Commer,  a 
daughter  of  Russell  and  Kate  (Pence)  Commer.  After  his  marriage  he 
began  farming  on  rented  land  in  Adams  township.  After  living  there  four 
years  he  nioved  to  Johnson  township,  where  he  farmed  for  seven  years,  four 
years  of  which  were  spent  on  the  C.   B.   Mahan  place.      In    1907  he  pur- 


yiO  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

chased  his  present  farm  of  ninety-six  acres  in  Harrison  township,  two  miles 
southwest  of  Spring-  Hill.  He  has  a  well-kept  place  and  a  good  set  of 
buildings.  He  is  making  a  very  comfortable  living  as  a  general  farmer. 
Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Scoby,  all  living  at  this 
writing,  namely:     Warren,  Gladys,  Hazel,  and  Charles,  all  at  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Scoby  is  a  Democrat.  In  19 lo  he  was  elected  township 
trustee  and  he  has  been  incumbent  of  this  office  since  January  i,  191 1,  and 
is  now  president  of  the  board.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  Paris  Lodge  No.  344, 
Knights  of  Pythias.  . 


JOHN  P.  McMORRAN. 

John  P.  McMorran,  one  of  Johnson  township's  well-known  and  sub- 
stantial farmers  and  the  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  eighteen 
acres  one  mile  northwest  of  St.  Paris,  was  born  in  the  house  where  he  is  now 
living  on  May  6,  i860.  He  is  a  son  of  Christian  and  Susanna  (Loudenback) 
McMorran,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  on  September  17,  1822,  in  Penn- 
sylvania, and  the  latter  on  November  6,  1830,  in  Ohio. 

Christian  McMorran  was  a  son  of  Samuel  McMorran,  who  came  to  Day- 
ton, Ohio,  from  Pennsylvania,  in  an  early  day.  He  did  not  remain  long  at 
Dayton,  moving  into  this  county,  where  he  located  on  a  farm  in  Johnson 
township,  now  known  as  the  Naaman  Apple  farm.  After  living  on  this  place 
for  a  short  time,  he  bought  land  south  of  St.  Paris,  in  Jackson  township,  and 
on  part  of  this  farm  the  cemetery  now  stands.  After  leaving  this  farm  he 
moved  to  tlie  place  where  John  P.  McMorran  now  lives,  and  here  he  and  his 
wife  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  his  death  occurring  on  July  18,  1884,  while 
his  widow  survived  him  several  years,  passing  away  in  1908.  They  were  the 
parents  of  five  children,  four  of  whom  grew  to  maturity:  John  P.,  of  this 
sketch;  Estella,  the  wife  of  O.  P.  Mitchell,  of  Huntington  county,  Indiana; 
Abraham  L.,  deceased  ;  Mary  ].,  the  wife  of  William  Heater,  of  St.  Paris,  and 
James,  who  died  in  infancy.  The  family  were  earnest  members  of  the  First 
Baptist  church  at  St.  Paris,  taking  an  active  interest  in  church  affairs,  Mr. 
McMorran  serving  as  trustee  of  this  church  for  many  years.  He  was  a  well 
known  man  in  this  section,  taking  a  prominent  and  active  part  in  the  social, 
civic  and  religious  life  of  the  community,  and  was  very  successful  in  his  busi- 
ness aft'airs. 

John  P.  McMorran  was  reared  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm,  receiving 
liis  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  township.     He  has  always  remained 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  7II 

on  the  old  homestead  farm,  caring  for  his  parents  while  they  lived,  and  oper- 
ating the  farm  on  a  partnership  basis  up  to  his  father's  death,  since  which  time 
he  has  owned  and  operated  the  same  on  his  account.  His  father  had  been 
very  successful  in  his  business  affairs,  accumulating  over  six  hundred  acres  of 
fine  land,  and  ranked  among  the  leading  citizens  of  the  township. 

Like  his  parents,  Mr.  McMorran  takes  an  active  interest  in  church  affairs, 
and  is  now  serving  as  trustee  of  the  Baptist  church  at  St.  Paris.  He  is  a 
Republican  in  politics,  and  while  not  an  ardent  partisan,  yet  he  takes  a  proper 
interest  in  all  civic  matters  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  hi^;  liome  community. 
Fraternally,  he  is  a  member  of  St.  Paris  Lodge  No.  246,  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows,  and  also  holds  membership  in  Russell  encampment,  holding 
the  office  of  past  chief  patriarch  in  that  organization.  He  is  also  a  member 
of  the  Daughters  of  Rebekah,  and  of  Lodge  No.  144,  Luproved  Order  of  Red 
Alen,  in  all  of  which  societies  he  is  deeply  interested. 


NAAMAN  L.  APPLE. 


Naaman  L.  Apple,  farmer,  of  near  St.  Paris,  Johnson  township.  Cham- 
paign county,  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  still  makes  his  home,  October 
14,  1865.  He  is  a  son  of  William  and  Maiy  (Lyons)  Apple,  both  representa- 
tives of  old  families  of  this  locality.  The  father  was  born  two  miles  south 
of  St.  Paris,  in  Jackson  township.  He  was  a  son  of  Solomon  Apple,  one  of 
the  early  settlers  in  Champaign  county,  having  moved  here  from  Montgomery 
county,  Ohio.  He  cleared  a  farm  in  the  midst  of  the  wilderness  of  Jackson 
township  and  there  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  becoming  one  of  the  successful 
pioneer  farmers  there.  William  Apple  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm 
in  Jackson  township.  His  wife,  Mary  Lyons,  was  born  in  Johnson  township, 
this  county.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Christian  Lyons,  w^ho  located  in  that  town- 
ship on  a  farm  in  an  early  day,  migrating  to  this  county  from  Virginia.  He 
too,  cleared  the  virgin  soil  and  developed  a  good  farm  here  on  which  land 
he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  After  their  marriage  William  and  Mary  Apple 
located  on  a  farm  one  and  one-half  miles  northeast  of  St.  Paris  and  here  they 
spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  his  death  occurring  first.  They  had  a  good  home 
and  were  highly  respected  throughout  the  neighborhood.  Their  family  con- 
sisted of  five  children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Those  living  are, 
Albert  L.,  w^ho  lived  at  St.  Paris,  this  county,  and  died  in  June,  1917;  Naaman 
L.,  of  this  sketch,  and  Frank,  who  lives  in  Johnson  township.- 


712  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Politically,  William  Apple  Avas  a  Democrat  and  was  always  active  in  party 
affairs.  He  served  as  township  trustee  for  some  time.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Lutheran  church.    His  wife  belon.ged  to  the  Reformed  Lutheran  church. 

Naaman  L.  Apple  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  at  St.  Paris.  He  attended 
the  district  schools.  He  assisted  with  the  general  work  on  the  place  when  he 
became  of  proper  age.  On  August  i8,  1898,  he  married  Lois  Burroughs,  a 
daughter  of  William  and  Celestine  (Epps)  Burroughs.  After  their  marriage 
they  located  near  the  homestead,  but  in  a  short  time  moved  onto  the  home 
place,  where  they  have  since  resided.  He  has  kept  the  farm  well  cultivated 
and  under  excellent  improvements.  He  owns  in  all  two  hundred  and  thirty- 
four  acres,  two  hundred  of  which  comprise  the  home  farm.  He  has  kept  the 
land  all  in  shipshape  and  has  been  very  successful  as  a  general  farmer  and 
stock  raiser.  He  fattens  large  numbers  of  hogs  and  cattle  annually  for  the 
market,  feeding  to  his  stock  most  of  the  grain  that  the  place  produces. 

Three  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Apple,  namely :  Clela  A., 
attending  high  school;  Trixie  M.,  also  in  high  school;  Naaman  L.,  Jr.,  in  the 
public  schools  of  St.  Paris,  where  the  local  high  school  is  also  located. 

Politically,  Mr.  Apple  is  a  Democrat,  but  is  not  especially  active  in  public 
affairs.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Reformed  church  at  St.  Paris,  and  is  an  elder 
in  the  same.  He  has  for  some  time  been  active  in  church  work.  His  wife 
also  belongs  to  this  church. 


HENRY  LEONARD. 


Among  the  older  residents  of  Urbana  and  of  Champaign  county  there 
are  few  names  held  in  better  remembrance  than  that  of  the  late  Henry  Leo- 
nard, who  died  at  his  hom.e  in  Urbana  in  1898,  at  the  great  age  of  ninety-one 
years  and  six  months,  after  a  residence  of  more  than  thirty  years  in  that  city, 
where  and  throughout  the  county  he  held  extensive  real-estate  interests,  hav- 
ing come  to  this  county  and  settled  at  Urbana  after  his  retirement  from  busi- 
ness in  Cincinnati,  in  whirh  city  he  had  lived  since  the  days  of  his  childhood. 

Henry  Leonard  was  born  in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  but  was  but  a 
child  when  his  parents,  Philip  Leonard  and  wife,  the  former  of  whom  also 
was  born  in  that  state,  moved  to  Cincinnati,  where  they  spent  the  rest  of 
their  lives.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  the  subject  of  this 
memorial  sketch  having  had  two  brothers,  Daniel  and  John,  and  a  sister, 
Sarah.     Having  been  but  a  boy  when  his  parents  moved  to  Cincinnati,  Henry 


I'U    -Z^C^nrDv/ 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  7I3 

Leonard  acquired  a  limited  schooling  in  that  city  and  early  became  connected 
with  the  pork-packing  industry  there,  a  business  in  which  he  later  embarked 
on  his  own  account  and  in  which  he  became  very  successful,  for  forty  years 
being  one  of  the  best-known  figures  in  that  line  of  industry  in  the  Central 
West.  During  the  period  of  the  Civil  War  Mr.  Leonard  was  a  liberal  con- 
tributor to  the  food  needs  of  the  soldiers  passing  that  way  and  was  ever  a 
stanch  friend  of  the  "boys  in  blue" ;  not  only  giving  them  large  quantities  of 
the  products  of  his  packing  house,  but  being  alert  to  their  other  needs,  lodg- 
ing them  and  otherwise  contributing  to  their  comfort  as  the  need  arose.  In 
1870  Mr.  Leonard  retired  from  business  in  Cincinnati  and  moved  with  his 
family  to  Urbana,  where  he  made  extensive  investments  in  real  estate  and 
also  bought  considerable  tracts  of  land  in  this  county,  and  until  the  day  of 
his  death  in  1898  took  a  hearty  interest  in  the  general  business  affairs  of  the 
city  and  county,  helpful  in  many  ways  in  promoting  and  advancing  the  same. 
His  widow  survived  him  more  than  a  year,  her  death  occurring  in  1900,  she 
then  being  eighty-three  years  of  age. 

Henry  Leonard  was  united  in  marriage  to  Eliza  Myers,  who  was  born 
in  the  village  of  Aberdeen,  over  in  Ohio  county,  Indiana,  not  far  down  the 
river  from  Cincinnati,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  Myers  and  wife,  who  were  the 
parents  of  four  children,  Mrs.  Leonard  having  had  three  sisters,  Charlotte, 
Sarah  Jane  and  Mary,  and  to  this  union  were  born  six  children,  of  whom  but 
one,  Mrs.  Agnes  Scheldt,  of  Urbana,  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth,  now  survives, 
the  others  having  been  as  follow  :  Mary  Jane,  who  died  unmarried ;  George, 
who  died  in  St.  Louis,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  livery  business ;  William, 
who  was  killed  while  serving  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union  during  the  Civil  War 
and  who  was  the  father  of  Capt.  George  Leonard,  jeweler,  of  Urbana;  Eliza, 
who  married  John  Legner  and  spent  her  life  in  Cincinnati,  and  John,  who 
spent  his  last  days  as  a  farmer  in  Clark  county,  this  state. 

Miss  Agnes  Leonard  remained  with  her  parents,  faithfully  and  devotedly 
attentive  to  their  needs  during  the  declining  years  of  their  lives,  and  after 
their  death  continued  to  reside  at  the  old  home  in  Urbana.  On  May  17, 
191 7,  Miss  Leonard  was  united  in  marriage  to  John  F.  Scheldt,  who  was 
born  in  Zanesville,  this  state,  but  who  has  resided  in  Urbana  since  1884;  he 
and  his  brother,  Charles  Scheldt,  being  engaged  there  in  the  sheet-metal  busi- 
ness, under  the  firm  name  of  Scheldt  Brothers.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schedit  reside 
at  the  old  Leonard  home,  where  they  are  very  comfortably  and  very  pleasantly 
situated.  Mrs.  Scheldt  owns  considerable  property  in  Cincinnati,  as  well  as 
a  good  deal  of  real  estate  in  Urbana  and  several  valuable  farms  in  this  county, 
and  takes  an  active  interest  in  the  general  affairs  of  the  city  and  county. 


714  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

The  benefactions  of  her  father,  who  was  a  very  generous  and  open-handed 
man,  ever  had  her  sympathetic  approval  and  all  good  works  in  this  com- 
munity continue  to  find  in  her  a  friendly  and  liberal  supporter.  She  has 
ever  taken  a  proper  interest  in  the  general  social  activities  of  her  home  town 
and  has  been  able  to  help  in  many  ways  in  the  betterment  of  general  conditions 
hereabout. 


LOGAN  CARLO. 


Logan  Carlo,  lawyer  and  farmer  of  St.  Paris,  Ohio,  one  of  the  native- 
born  sons  of  Champaign  county,  was  born  on  the  old  home  farm,  one  mile 
east  of  St.  Paris,  on  the  Piqua  and  Urbana  pike,  on  September  8,  1872. 
He  is  a  son  of  Edwin  and  Virginia  (Hattery)  Carlo,  both  natives  of  Ohio. 

Edwin  Carlo  was  born  on  the  same  farm  where  his  son,  Logan,  is  now 
living,  in  1836,  the  son  of  Dr.  William  Moritz  Carlo,  who  was  born  in 
Dresden,  Germany,  in  the  kingdom  of  Saxony.  Doctor  Carlo  grew  to  man- 
hood in  his  native  land,  and  began  the  study  of  medicine  there,  taking  a 
university  course  in  the  old  country.  After  completing  his  studies  in  Ger- 
many, he  came  to  the  United  States  as  a  young  man,  locating  in  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  first,  continuing  in  the  active  practice  of  his  profession  there  for 
some  time,  and  was  there  married.  Lie  then  came  to  Miamisburg,  Ohio, 
where  he  lived  for  a  short  time,  later  removing  to  the  vicinity  of  St.  Paris, 
where  he  started  the  first  store  in  the  village,  which  was  then  called  New 
Paris,  but  later  through  the  influence  of  Doctor  Carlo,  the  name  was  changed 
to  St.  Paris.  He  conducted  this  store  and  practiced  medicine  in  this  com- 
munity for  many  years,  purchasing  the  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
acres  in  Johnson  township,  where  Logan  Carlo  now  lives  shortly  after  arriv- 
ing in  the  county.  This  farm  was  all  new  land  at  that  time,  being  all  in 
woods  with  no  improvement  whatever.  In  later  years,  Doctor  Carlo  moved 
to  this  farm,  and  continued  his  practice  while  living  on  the  farm,  and  here 
he  remained  until  his  death.  Edwin  Carlo  was  the  second  child  and  oldest 
son  of  Doctor  Carlo,  in  a  family  of  fifteen  children.  He  grew  to  manhood 
on  the  home  farm,  and  after  his  marriage,  bought  the  place  and  located 
here.  As  a  young  man  of  eighteen  he  left  home  and  went  to  California  during 
the  time  of  the  gold  rush  to  that  state,  where  he  remained  fourteen  years. 
At  the  end  of  that  time  he  returned  to  Champaign  county,  married,  and 
settled  down  on  the  old  home  place.  His  wife,  Virginia  Hattery,  was  a 
daughter  of  Edward  and  Amanda  Hatterv,   who  trace  their  ancestrv  back 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  _  715 

to  French-Irish  origin.  Virginia  Hattery  was  born  in  Van  Wert  county, 
Ohio,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood,  and  after  finishing  her  education  in 
the  schools  there,  became  a  teacher  in  the  schools  of  that  county,  and  it  was 
while  on  a  visit  to  Van  Wert  county  that  Edwin  Carlo  met  her.  They  were 
the  parents  of  two  children:  Logan,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  review; 
and  Nellie,  the  wife  of  Major  B.  H.  Greiner,  who  is  connected  with  the 
Culver  Military  Academy,  of  Culver,  Indiana.  Edwin  Carlo  was  a  Demo- 
crat in  politics,  and  always  took  an  active  interest  in  local  political  matters. 
He  served  his  township  in  various  offices  for  over  a  period  of  forty  years, 
acting  as  township  treasurer  and  land  appraiser  for  forty  years  and  also 
as  director  on  the  school  board  for  many  years. 

Logan  Carlo  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm,  and  received  his  early 
education  in  the  district  schools.  He  graduated  from  the  St.  Paris  high 
school  and  in  1895  from  Ohio  Wesleyan  College  at  Delaware,  Ohio,  after 
which  he  entered  the  Cincinnati  Law  School,  graduating  from  that  insti- 
tution in  1898  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws,  and  received  the  degree 
of  Master  of  Arts  from  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  immediately  after- 
ward. He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Ohio  in  1898,  and  in  1899  was  admitted 
to  the  practice  at  the  bar  of  Illinois,  taking  up  the  active  practice  in  Chicago, 
where  he  continued  until  1905,  when  he  returned  to  Champaign  county  to 
take  charge  of  the  old  home  farm  for  his  parents,  and  has  continued  to 
live  here  ever  since.  After  his  graduation  from  the  law  school  in  Cincin- 
nati in  1898,  he  returned  to  his  home  and  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Third 
Regiment,  Ohio  A^olunteer  Infantry,  and  served  in  the  Spanish  War  until 
he  was  mustered  out  in  the  same  year,  being  in  camp  at  Tampa,  Florida. 

Logan  Carlo  is  one  of  the  young  and  progressive  farmers  of  the  county, 
and  is  actively  interested  in  all  that  pertains  to  the  betterment  of  his  com- 
munity, both  in  social  and  civic  affairs.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  is 
serving  at  the  present  time  as  township  treasurer.  He  was  the  choice  of  his 
party  for  the  nomination  for  probate  judge  in  1916,  carrying  over  half  of 
the  county  vote.  He  also  takes  a  very  active  interest  in  lodge  matters,  being 
a  member  of  Pharos  Lodge  No.  355,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ;  he  is  at  pres- 
ent master  of  Pharos  lodge  and  now  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason.  He 
also  belongs  to  St.  Paris  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  St.  Paris  Lodge 
No.  344,  Knights  of  Pythias.  Mr.  Carlo  is  an  earnest  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church,  taking  a  warm  interest  in  church  affairs,  and  is  serv- 
ing at  the  present  time  as  trustee  of  the  church  at  St.  Paris.  On  April  i, 
191 7,  he  took  up  his  residence  in  St.  Paris,  Ohio.  He  is  now  candidate  for 
mayor.     He  has  a  law  office  at  St.  Paris. 


7l6  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

CLINTON  A.  MAURICE. 

Clinton  A.  Maurice,  the  janitor  at  the  centraHzed  schools  at  Rosewood, 
Champaign  county,  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Ohio,  August  lo,  1876.  He 
is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Isabelle  (Neese)  Maurice.  The  father  was  also  a 
native  of  Clark  county,  this  state,  the  date  of  his  birth  being  May  28,  1846. 
He  is  a  son  of  Isaac  W.  and  Caroline  (Davis)  Maurice.  Isaac  W.  was  a 
son  of  William  Maurice,  a  native  of  Dudley,  England,  in  which  country  he 
spent  his  life,  never  coming  to  America.  Isaac  W.  Maurice  grew  to  manhood 
in  England  and  there  married  a  Miss  Weldon.  They  immigrated  to  the 
United  States  in  1832,  locating  at  Springfield,  Ohio.  He  w^as  a  printer  by 
trade  and  he  worked  on  a  Springfield  newspaper  for  some  time,  later  mov- 
ing to  a  farm  near  Dialton,  not  far  from  the  Champaign  county  line,  and 
there  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  His  first  wife  died,  leaving  three 
children,  all  of  whom  grew  to  maturity,  but  all  are  now  deceased.  He  later 
married  Caroline  Davis  and  to  their  union  five  children  were  born,  one  of 
whom  is  living  at  this  writing,  namely :  Van  Horn  Maurice,  who  lives  in 
Clark  county,  Ohio. 

Joseph  Maurice,  fatlier  of  the  subject  of  this  review,  was  reared  on  the 
home  farm  in  Clark  county.  In  1881  he  moved  with  his  family  to  a  farm 
in  Adams  township.  Champaign  county,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until - 
his  death  in  May,  1909.  His  widow-  has  remained  on  the  farm.  To  tliese 
parents  twelve  children  were  born,  all  but  one  survive  at  this  writing,  namely : 
Wesley  A.,  die  eldest;  Delia  I.,  the  wife  of  Stephen  D.  Bowers;  George  A., 
a  farmer  in  Shelby  county,  Ohio;  Clinton  A.,  of  this  sketch;  Vallie  S.,  the 
wife  of  Dr.  D.  N.  Conner,  of  Markleville,  Indiana;  Emma  A.,  the  widow  of 
George  B.  Licklider;  Ellen,  the  wife  of  A.  C.  Stephenson,  of  Adams  town- 
ship Champaign  county;  Herman  C,  farming  in  Adams  township;  Samuel 
J.,  farming  in  Adams  township;  Elizabeth  B.,  the  wife  of  H.  B.  Geny,  a 
farmer  of  Adams  township,  and  Emerson  E.,  farming  in  Adams  township. 

Clinton  A.  Maurice  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  and  educated  in  the 
district  schools.  He  assisted  his  father  with  the  general  farm  work  until 
he  was  twenty-six  years  old,  when  he  started  out  in  life  for  himself.  On 
August  27,  1902,  he  married  Melva  L.  Conner,  and  to  their  union  one  child 
has  been  born,  Mary  Keitha  Maurice,  whose  birth  occurred  January  28,  19 15. 

Mr.  Maurice  followed  school  teaching  for  eleven  years  in  his  earlier 
career,  in  the  district  schools,  and  he  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  successful 
educators  of  his  locality.  He  was  ever  a  close  student  and  progressive  in 
his  methods  and  ideas.     He  was  elected  janitor  of  the  consolidated  schools 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  717 

at  Rosewood.  Adams  township,  in  191 1,  which  position  he  has  continued  to 
hold  until  the  present  time,  discharging  his  duties  very  faithfully  and  accepta- 
bly to  all  concerned. 

Politically,  Mr.  Maurice  is  a  Democrat.  He  served  as  clerk  of  the  local 
school  board  for  a  period  of  thirteen  years,  and  for  nine  years  of  that  period 
he  also  served  as  township  clerk.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  Rosewood  Lodge, 
No.  253,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  which  he  is  past  noble  grand. 
He  also  belongs  to  the  Encampment,  Lodge  No.  292,  and  is  treasurer  of  the 
same.  He  is  a  member  of  the  L^nited  Brethren  church  in  which  he  is  trustee 
and  treasurer  and  has  long  been  active  in  church  work.  He  is  also  a  teacher 
in  the  Sunday  school,  having  a  class  of  fifty  now. 


JOHN  C.  RUSSELL. 


John  C.  Russell,  farmer  of  Harrison  township,  Champaign  county,  was 
born  in  Adams  township,  this  county,  on  a  farm  two  miles  northwest  of 
Rosewood,  January  18,  i860.  He  is  a  son  of  William  and  Emily  (Johnson) 
Russell.  The  father  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  community.  His 
father,  William  Russell,  Sr.,  came  from  Virginia  to  Champaign  coimty,  Ohio, 
making  the  long  journey  in  wagons.  He  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  in 
Adams  township,  where  the  Russell  family  has  been  well  known  for  nearly 
a  century.  Here  he  built  a  log  cabin  in  the  wilderness  and  cleared  a  farm. 
Emily  Johnson  was  born  in  Union  county,  Ohio  where  she  grew  to  woman- 
hood. She  came  alone  to  this  county,  her  parents  remaining  the  rest  of  their 
lives  in  Union  county.  After  his  marriage  William  Russell,  Jr.,  settled  on 
land  of  his  own  and  devoted  the  rest  of  his  life  to  farming  in  Adams  town- 
ship. His  family  consisted  of  six  children,  named  as  follow:  William 
Clinton,  living  in  Adams  township;  Mary,  who  married  James  Cole  and  they 
live  in  Bellefontaine,  Ohio;  J.  C,  of  this  sketch;  Ehzabeth,  the  wife  of 
John  Chambers,  of  Adams  township,  and  Charles,  Frank  and  Duncan  all 
live  in  Adams  township.  The  father  of  these  children  was  a  man  of  ability 
and  industry  and  he  ranked  among  the  leading  farmers  and  stockmen  of  the 
county  for  a  number  of  years.  He  became  owner  of  about  six  hundred  acres 
of  valuable  land  in  Adams  township.  He  was  a  Republican  and  a  man  .of 
public  spirit.     He  was  widely  and  favorably  known. 

John  C.  Russell  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Adams  township. 
He  attended  the  rural  schools  in  his  community,  and  continued  -on  the  home 


7l8  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

farm  with  his  parents  until  his  marriage  in  July,  1880,  to  Alice  Bodey,  a 
daughter  of  Andrew  Bodey  and  wife,  of  Johnson  township.  She  grew  up 
in  his  native  locality  and  attended  the  common  schools. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Russell  continued  to  engage  in  farming  in 
Adams  township  until  1900,  when  he  moved  to  Harrison  township,  and  he 
has  since  resided  on  the  same  place,  successfully  engaged  in  general  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising.  He  owns  one  of  the  choice  farms  of  the  township, 
which  consists  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  well-improved  and  produc- 
tive land.     He  has  a  good  home  and  such  outbuildings  as  his  needs  require. 

To  John  C.  Russell  and  wife  two  children  have  been  born,  namely: 
Charles,  born  in  1881,  died  on  February  18,  1904;  George  William,  August 
18,  1883,  was  married  in  1907  to  Marie  Wilson,  a  daughter  of  Walter 
Wilson,  of  Concord  township.  To  George  W.  Russell  and  wife  four  chil- 
dren have  been  born,  namely :  Lloyd,  attending  school ;  Raymond,  deceased ; 
John  R.,  in  school,  and  Ruth,  at  home. 

Mr.  Russell  is  a  Republican.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  school 
board.     He  and  his  family  belong  to  the  United  Brethren  church  at  Salem. 


THOMAS  J.  JENKINS. 


Thomas  J.  Jenkins,  a  prosperous  farmer  living  in  Johnson  township  one- 
half  mile  northwest  of  Millerstown,  was  born  in  Concord  township,  this 
county,  September  25,  1853.  He  is  a  son  of  Presley  and  Mary  (Snider) 
Jenkins,  both  of  whom  were  also  natives  of  Champaign  county. 

I'resley  Jenkins  was  born  in  Mad  River  township  in  1825,  and  was  a 
son  of  Jessie  and  Annie  (  Pence)  Jenkins.  Jesse  Jenkins  was  the  son  of 
Thomas  and  Nelly  (Fisk)  Jenkins,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Virginia, 
who  came  to  this  county  in  t8o6,  locating  in  Mad  River  township  in  the  wilder- 
ness, their  log  cabin  being  among  the  very  first  erected  in  the  township  along 
Owens  creek.  Here  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Jesse  Jenkins 
and  Annie  Pence  were  married  in  181 5;  and,  after  the  death  of  his  father, 
they  moved  to  a  farm  in  Jackson  township,  where  his  death  occurred  in  1869; 
his  wife's  death  occurring  a  few  years  later.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven 
children,  only  two  of  whom  are  now  living :  Elijah,  a  farmer  living  in  Con- 
cord township,  and  Thomas,  of  Quincy,  Ohio.  Presley  Jenkins  moved  with 
his  parents  to  a  farm  in  Concord  township,  where  he  grew  to  manhood,  and 
where  he  was  married  to  Mary  Snider.     After  his  marriage,  he  and  his  wife 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  7I9 

lived  for  a  few  years  in  Concord  township,  and  then  they  moved  to  a  farm 
in  Johnson  township,  near  where  his  son,  T.  J.,  now  lives,  and  here  they 
lived  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Mary  Snider  was  the  daughter  of  Valen- 
tine and  Catherine  (Martz)  Snider,  who  came  to  Ohio  from  Virginia  in 
an  early  day,  locating  in  Greene  county,  this  state,  about  1825.  In  1835  they 
came  to  Champaign  county,  locating  in  section  3,  Johnson  township.  They 
were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  and  were  descendants  of  German  ancestry. 
He  served  in  the  War  of  1812,  enlisting  from  Rockingham  county,  Virginia. 
He  lived  to  a  ripe  old  age,  passing  away  in  1885.  Presley  and  Mary  (Snider) 
Jenkins  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  five  of  whom  are  now  living : 
Catherine,  wife  of  John  Birkholder,  of  Rosewood,  Ohio;  Elijah,  deceased; 
Thomas  J.,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  review;  Jane  A.,  widow  of  David 
R.  Jenkins,  of  Terre  Haute,  Ohio;  W.  P..  of  Millerstown;  S.  W.,  of  Millers- 
town,  and  Mary  Etta,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Charles  Ginn.  The 
family  were  earnest  members  of  the  Old  School  Baptist  church,  taking  an 
active  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  denomination. 

Thomas  J.  Jenkins  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Johnson  township, 
receiving  liis  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  home  county.  After  his 
marriage  he  began  to  farm  for  himself  in  this  township,  living  on  one  place 
for  nine  years.  In  August,  1888,  he  moved  to  the  farm  where  he  is  now 
living,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  fifty-two  and  one-half  acres  of  fine  land, 
on  which  he  has  placed  many  modern  improvements.  He  is  progressive  and 
up-to-date  in  his  methods  and  has  met  with  obvious  success  in  his  chosen 
work. 

On  February  23,  1879,  T.  J.  Jenkins  was  married  to  Emma  Alice  Comer, 
who  was  born  June  2,  1863,  on  a  farm  within  a  stone's  throw  of  where 
she  is  now  living.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Amanda  J.  (Smith) 
Comer.  Her  father  was  born  in  Johnson  township,  the  son  of  Reuben  and 
Eletha  Comer,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Virginia,  who  came  to  Ohio 
at  an  early  date.  Isaac  Comer  grew  up  on  his  father's  farm  in  Johnson 
township,  and  in  1858,  married  Amanda  J.  Smith,  who  was  a  native  of 
Virginia.  After  his  marriage  he  farmed  for  a  time,  and  then  he  engaged 
in  the  general  merchandise  business  at  Millerstown  under  the  firm  name  of 
Norman  &  Comer.  He  was  very  successfully  engaged  in  business  for  some 
years,  later  retiring  from  active  life  to  look  after  his  numerous  business 
interests.  Isaac  Comer  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  three  children,  two 
of  whom  are  now  living:  Benjamin  A.,  who  died  in  infancy;  Mary,  wife 
of  Robert  Barger,  of  Johnson  township,  and  Emma  A.,  wife  of  Mr.  Jenkins. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jenkins  are  the  parents  of  five  children,  two  of  whom  are 


720  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

now  living :  Estella,  who  died  at  the  age  of  seven  years ;  Ozella,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  three  years;  Walter  J.,  who  married  Eva  Weller,  is  a  gradu- 
ate of  the  high  school  at  St.  Paris,  received  the  M.  D.  degree  at  Miami 
Medical  College  of  Cincinnati  in  191 7,  and  is  now  located  at  Anna  Station, 
Ohio,  where  he  is  practicing  medicine;  Retha  Blanche,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  eight  months,  and  Thirza,  the  wife  of  Edward  Brown,  a  resident 
of  Mad  River  township. 

Mr.  Jenkins  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  the  doctrines  and  creed  of  which 
party  he  strongly  advocates. 


DAVID  McDANIEL  BAKER. 

David  McDaniel  Baker,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  the 
proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-one  acres  at  the  north 
edge  of  Spring  Hill,  in  Harrison  township,  on  rural  mail  route  No.  4  out  of 
Degraff,  is  a  native  of  Virginia,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  Ohio  since  the 
days  of  his  boyhood,  with  the  exception  of  a  couple  of  years  spent  in  his 
boyhood  in  Indiana.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Rockingham  county,  Vir- 
ginia, April  10,  1844,  son  of  Isaac  and  Anna  (Showalter)  Baker,  both  of 
whom  were  born  in  that  same  county  and  whose  last  days  were  spent  in 
Ohio,  the  former  dying  in  this  county  and  the  latter  in  Allen  county. 

Isaac  Baker  was  the  son  of  Rudolph  Baker,  who  left  Rockingham  county, 
Virginia,  in  181 7,  when  Isaac  was  a  boy  of  nine  years,  and  came  to  Ohio, 
settling  in  Clark  county,  v.'here  Rudolph  Baker  and  his  wife  spent  their  last 
days  and  where  Isaac  Baker  grew  to  manhood,  remaining  there  until  he  was 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  returned  to  Virginia  and  presently  there 
married  Anna  Showalter,  who  also  was  born  In  Rockingham  county,  a  daugh- 
ter of  David  and  Agnes  (Linville)  Showalter,  who  had  moved  to  that  county, 
where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  After  his  marriage  Isaac 
Baker  continued  to  make  his  home  in  Rockingham  county  until  in  April, 
1852,  when  he  moved  from  Virginia  to  Indiana  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Elk- 
hart county,  in  the  latter  state.  Two  years  later,  however,  in  1854,  he 
returned  to  Ohio  and  settled  on. a  farm  west  of  Lima,  in  Allen  county,  where 
he  lived  for  twelve  years  and  where  his  wife  died.  He  later  married  again 
and  in  1866  moved  from  Allen  county  to  Champaign  county  and  settled  on  a 
farm  in  Mad  River  township,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his 
death    occurring    there,    he    then    being    past    ninety    years    of    age.      By 


DAVID  WcD.  BAKER 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  721 

his  marriage  to  Anna  Showalter,  Isaac  Baker  was  the  father  of  seven  chil- 
dren, of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth, 
the  others  being  J.  O.  Baker,  of  St.  Paris,  this  county ;  Mrs.  Rebecca  Downey, 
deceased;  Agnes,  wife  of  J.  I.  McFarland,  of  Bucyrus,  this  state;  Ehzabeth, 
wife  of  Frederick  Gronwalt,  of  Bowen,  IlHnois;  Frank,  deceased,  and  Sarah, 
wife  of  Edward  Barnes,  of  Thackeray,  this  county.  By  his  second  mar- 
riage Isaac  Baker  was  the  father  of  two  children,  neither  of  whom  is  now 
living. 

David  McD.  Baker  was  but  a  boy  when  his  parents  settled  in  Allen 
county  and  there  he  completed  his  schooling  and  grew  to  manhood.  Though 
hardly  more  than  a  boy  during  the  progress  of  the  Civil  War  he  enlisted 
for  service  in  that  struggle  and  went  to  the  front  as  a  member  of  Company 
A,  One  Hundred  and  Eightieth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  under 
Captain  Holland,  and  with  that  command  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  Mr.  Baker  returned  to  Allen 
county  and  when  his  father  moved  to  Champaign  county  in  1866  he  accom- 
panied him  here  and  began  to  help  in  the  work  of  developing  and  improving 
the  home  place  in  Mad  River  township.  In  the  meanwhile  he  had  been 
teaching  school  during  the  winters  and  also  working  variously  at  carpen- 
tering and  at  shoemaking,  in  both  of  which  trades  he  had  become  proficient. 
After  his  marriage  in  the  spring  of  1875  Mr.  Baker  established  his  home  on 
a  farm  in  Jackson  township  and  there  lived  for  nine  years,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  he  moved  to  a  farm  in  Clark  county  and  there  made  his  home 
for  nine  years.  He  then  returned  to  Champaign  county  and  bought  the 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-one  acres  on  which  he  is  now  living,  in 
Harrison  township,  and  there  has  ever  since  made  his  home,  one  of  the 
best-established  farmers  in  that  section  of  the  county. 

On  April  14,  1875,  in  Champaign  county,  David  McD.  Baker  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Hester  Thackeray,  daughter  of  John  and  Rachel 
(Hammond)  Thackeray,  of  this  county,  and  to  that  union  two  children  were 
born,  daughters  both,  Mary  Edith  and  Ethel  R.,  who  received  their  school- 
ing in  the  schools  of  Clark  county  and  of  this  county.  Mary  Edith  Baker 
married  J.  Walter  Phenegar  and  is  now  living  at  Springfield,  this  state. 
Ethel  R.  Baker  married  F.  G.  Piatt,  who  is  now  operating  the  Baker  home 
place,  Mr.  Baker  being  practically  retired  from  the  active  labors  of  the 
farm.  To  Air.  and  Mrs.  Piatt  two  children  have  been  born,  Martha  Isabel, 
who  died  in  infancy,  and  Dorothy  Marie,  born  on  October  21,  19 14.  Mrs. 
Hester  Baker  died  at  her  home  in  Harrison  township  on  October  7,  191 5. 
(46a) 


722  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Mr.  Baker  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
a  member  of  the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  at  Christ- 
iansburg,  an  Odd  Fellow  and  a  member  of  the  Patriarchs  Militant,  affiliated 
with  the  Odd  Fellow  lodge  and  the  encampment  at  St.  Paris,  and  in  the 
afifairs  of  these  several  organizations  takes  a  warm  and  active  interest. 


BENJAMIN  F.  PENCE. 


Among  the  well-known  and  substantial  farmers  of  Johnson  township, 
who  has  lived  in  the  county  all  his  life,  is  Benjamin  F.  Pence,  who  was  born 
on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives,  December  21,  1851,  the  son  of  Isaac  and 
Martha  (Brown)  Pence,  the  former  of  whom  Avas  born  in  Virginia,  and 
the  latter  in  Champaign  county,  Ohio. 

Isaac  Pence  was  born  in  Shenandoah  county,  Virginia,  in  1797,  and  was' 
reared  to  manhood  in  his  native  state.  He  served  with  a  Virginia  regiment 
during  the  War  of  1812,  and  upon  returning  from  that  service,  came  as  a 
young  man  to  champaign  county,  Ohio,  with  his  parents,  who  entered  land 
from  the  government  in  the  then  almost  trackless  wilderness  of  this  section. 
He  also  entered  land  on  his  own  account  and  started  to  clear  and  cultivate 
the  place,  making  a  home  for  himself  in  the  new  country.  Here  he  married 
Sarah  Wiant,  and  to  this  union  six  children  were  born,  none  of  whom  are 
now  living.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  and  afterwards  Isaac  Pence 
was  married  to  Martha  Brown,  and  to  this  second  union  were  born  seven 
children,  six  of  whom  are  now  living:  Benjamin  F.,  the  subject  of  this 
review;  James  Ezra,  living  in  Concord  township;  Joseph  W.,  a  farmer  of 
Concord  township;  Isaac  S.,  whose  sketch  appears  elsewhere  in  this  volume; 
Sarah  J.,  the  wife  of  John  Bedell,  Mercer  county,  Ohio;  Charles  M.,  living 
in  the  state  of  Washington,  and  William  J.,  deceased. 

Benjamin  F.  Pence  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  receiving  his  educa- 
tion in  the  district  schools  of  the  county,  and  lived  with  his  parents  until 
his  marriage,  when  he  started  farming  for  himself.  He  has  been  success- 
ful in  his  chosen  calling  and  is  now  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  thirty 
acres  of  fine  farming  land,  his  farm  being  well  equipped  with  good  build- 
ings and  the  best  of  modern  farming  machinery. 

On  October  14,  1876,  Mr.  Pence  was  married  to  Rosetta  Ward,  the  daugh- 
ter of  Edemond  and  Christina  (Smith)  Ward.  Mrs.  Pence  was  born  and 
reared  in  this  county,  as  were  her  parents  before  her.     Her  grandparents 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  723 

came  from  Virginia  in  an  early  day,  and  were  among  the  early  settlers 
of  this  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pence  are  the  parents  of  two  children :  Edward, 
living  on  the  home  place,  married  Pearl  Group,  and  Pearl  married  Wheelock 
Bingham,  who  is  employed  b}-  the  A^an  Camp  Condensing  Company,  of  Water- 
town,  Wisconsin. 

Mr.  Pence  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  active  in  the  councils  of  his 
party.  He  is  one  of  the  wide-awake,  substantial  farmers  of  this  section, 
and  lends  his  hearty  support  to  any  movement  having  for  its  object  the 
betterment  of  his  community. 


SAMUEL  P.  HAMILTON. 

Among  the  leading  farmers  of  Johnson  township.  Champaign  county, 
Ohio,  is  S.  P.  Hamilton,  living  on  his  farm  four  miles  northwest  of  St.  Paris, 
on  rural  route  No.  i.  He  was  born  in  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania,  on 
July  26,  1844,  the  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Carter)  Hamilton,  the  former 
a  native  of  New  Jerse}',  and  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania.  He  died  on  Novem- 
ber 9,  1890;  she  died  on  April  i6,  1900.  Elizabeth  Carter  was  born  on 
July  28,   1823. 

John  Hamilton  was  born  and  reared  at  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  coming 
as  a  young  man  to  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  met  and  married 
Elizabeth  Carter.  In  the  late  forties  they  came  west  to  Ohio,  locating  first 
in  Warren  county,  where  they  rented  land  for  some  years.  In  1858  they 
moved  into  Miami  county  close  to  the  Champaign  county  line,  where  they 
lived  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children, 
only  three  of  whom  are  now  living:  Samuel  P.,  the  immediate  subject  of 
this  brief  review;  Mary,  widow  of  Adam  Medles,  of  Helena,  Ohio;  Rebecca, 
deceased;  Lewis,  who  died  in  infancy,  and  Kate,  the  wife  of  Samuel  Hughes, 
of  Piqua,  Ohio.  John  Hamilton  and  wife  were  faithful  and  earnest  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and 
always  took  a  warm  interest  in  the  civic  affairs  of  his  home  community. 

Samuel  P.  Hamilton  was  a  lad  of  fourteen  years  when  his  parents  moved 
to  Miami  county,  and  here  he  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm.  Answer- 
ing the  call  of  his  country  for  service  in  the  Civil  War,  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany E,  One  Hundred  and  Tenth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry, 
in  September,  1862,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  being  discharged 
in  1865.     His  regiment  was  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  under  Generals 


724  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Meade  and  Grant,  and  participated  in  many  of  the  hard-fought  battles  of 
that  great  struggle.  At  the  close  of  the  war,  he  returned  to  his  home  in 
Miami  county,  remaining  on  the  home  farm  until  1868,  at  which  time  he 
began  operating-  saw-mills  in  different  parts  of  Johnson  township,  in  which 
business  he  was  engaged  until  1893,  when  he  purchased  his  present  farm, 
on  which  he  has  been  living  ever  since. 

On  February  27,  1868,  S.  P.  Hamilton  was  married  to  Hannah  Bunker, 
the  daughter  of  Henry  and  Jane  (Chapman)  Bunker,  and  to  this  union  four 
children  have  been  born :  Elliott,  living  on  the  home  place ;  Flora,  the  wife 
of  William  Fence,  a  farmer  of  Johnson  township;  Lewis,  deceased,  and 
Bessie  J.,  the  wife  of  Frank  Ludrick,  of  Johnson  township.  Henry  Bunker, 
Mrs.  Hamilton's  father,  was  of  Scotch  descent;  his  parents,  who  were  natives 
of  Scotland,  came  to  the  United  States  in  an  early  day,  locating  at  Piqua, 
Ohio,  and  here  Mr.  Bunker  grew  to  maturity.  Mrs.  Bunker  was  born  in 
Miami  county,  her  parents  being  old  settlers  in  that  vicinity.  They  were 
the  parents  of  one  child,  Mrs.  S.  P.  Hamilton. 

Mr.  Hamilton  and  his  family  are  earnest  members  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren church  at  Rosewood,  and  take  an  active  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the 
local  congregation,  Mr.  Hamilton  having  served  as  class  leader  at  this  place 
for  several  years.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  is  actively  interested 
in  all  local  political  matters.  He  is  also  warmly  interested  in  the  affairs 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  being  a  member  of  H.  C.  Scott  Post,  at 
St.  Paris,  Ohio. 


GEORGE  W.  RHYNARD. 

One  of  the  enterprising  and  progressive  farmers  of  Johnson  township, 
the  owner  a!id  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of  eighty  acres  two  miles  west  of 
St.  Paris,  on  the  Piqua  and  Urbana  pike,  is  George  W.  Rhynard,  who  was 
born  on  an  adjoining  farm  March  11,  i860,  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  A. 
(McKinley)  Rliynard.  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Ohio. 

Samuel  Rhynard  was  born  in  Darke  county,  Ohio,  near  Stelvideo,  and 
was  a  son  of  Peter  and  Mary  (Martindale)  Rhynard,  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  A-Iaryland.  Peter  Rhynard  was  of  German  ancestry,  and  came 
as  a  young  man  to  Miami  county,  Ohio,  settling  near  Troy.  There  he  met 
and  married  Mary  Martindale,  who  was  of  Scotch  descent,  coming  from 
Maryland  A\ith  her  parents  in  an  early  day  to  Miami  county,  Ohio.     After 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  725 

their  marriage,  Peter  Rhynard  and  wife  located  in  Darke  county,  Ohio,  where 
they  Hved  the  remainder  of  their  Hves,  and  there  their  son,  Samuel,  was 
born,  and  reared  to  manhood.  As  a  young  man,  Samuel  Rhynard  learned 
the  saddler's  trade  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  coming  from  there  to  St.  Paris,  where 
he  engaged  in  the  harness  business  for  three  or  four  years.  At  the  end  of 
that  time  he  moved  to  Iowa  and  entered  land  from  the  government  near  Cedar 
Rapids  of  that  state.  Later  the  family  returned  to  Ohio,  and  purchased  the 
old  McKinley  farm  in  Johnson  township,  this  county,  where  he  and  his  wife 
lived  until  her  death,  when  he  moved  to  the  farm  where  his  son,  George,  now 
lives.  Later  he  moved  to  St.  Paris,  where  his  death  occurred.  Mary  A. 
McKinley  was  born  on  the  McKinley  farm  just  south  of  the  one  where  George 
W.  Rhynard  now  lives,  the  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  McKinley.  Will- 
iam McKinley  was  a  native  of  Georgetown,  Kentucky,  coming  from  that  state 
to  Ohio  in  an  early  day,  where  he  entered  land  from  the  government  in  John- 
son township,  this  county.  Here  he  married  and  lived  the  remainder  of  his 
life.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812,  serving  under  Gen.  Andrew  Jack- 
son. Samuel  Rhynard  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  six  children:  William 
A.,  deceased;  Sarah  E.,  the  widow  of  William  Mills,  w^ho  was  a  resident  of 
Pike  county,  Ohio;  Peter,  a  farmer  in  the  north  part  of  Johnson  township; 
George  W.,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  review;  Albert,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio; 
and  Ira  Elmer,  living  in  east  New  York  state.  The  family  were  earnest  and 
faithful  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  St.  Paris,  and  actively 
interested  in  church  work.  Samuel  Rhynard  was  a  Republican  in  politics, 
and  was  always  much  interested  in  the  school  work  of  his  township,  serving 
on  the  township  school  board  for  many  vears. 

George  W.  Rhynard  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm.  He  received  his 
education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  home  neighborhood,  living  at  home 
until  his  marriage.  Then  he  started  farming  on  his  own  account,  renting 
the  farm  where  he  now  lives  for  six  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  pur- 
chased the  farm,  and  has  continued  to  live  here  ever  since.  He  has  been 
very  successful  in  his  farming  operations,  breeding  and  selling  a  great  deal 
of  live  stock  for  the  markets. 

George  W.  Rhynard  was  united  in  marriage  on  October  8,  1884,  to 
Hattie  A.  Apple,  who  was  born  in  Johnson  township,  the  daughter  of  Abra- 
ham and  Phoebe  Jane  (Sise)  Apple,  and  to  this  union  three  children  were 
born,  of  whom  are  living:  Nellie,  born  in  1885,  married  Edward  Lemman. 
a  farmer  of  Johnson  township ;  one  who  died  in  infancy :  and  Adal  Eva  Lucile, 
born  in  1903,  now  a  student  in  school.     The  family,  with  the  exception  of 


726  '  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Mr.  Rhynard,  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  at  St.  Paris,  Ohio,  tak- 
ing- an  active  part  in  church  affairs.  He  is  a  member  of  the  RepubUcan  party, 
and  takes  a  proper  interest  in  all  public  affairs,  always  supporting  all  measures 
which  have  for  their  object  the  betterment  of  his  community. 


JONATHAN  SCHIJMM. 


One  of  the  substantial  citizens  and  enterprising  farmers  of  the  county  is 
Jonathan  Schumm,  the  owner  and  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of  two  hundred 
and  fifteen  acres  located  one  and  one-half  miles  east  of  St.  Paris  in  Johnson 
township.  Mr.  Schumm  was  born  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania.  August 
29,  1836,  a  son  of  Jacolj  and  Catherine  (Walburn)  Schumm,  both  of  whom 
were  natives  of  PennsyK-ania. 

Jacob  Schumm  and  his  wife  grew  up  and  were  married  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  lived  in  that  state  all  their  lives,  his  death  occurring  in  1842,  his  widow 
sur^•iving  him  many  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  three  of 
whom  are  living:  Mary,  the  wife  of  Samuel  Seibert,  residents  of  Lebanon 
county,  Pennsylvania :  Priscilla.  wife  of  John  Parsons,  also  living  in  Penn- 
sylvania, and  Jonathan. 

Jonathan  Schumm  was  left  an  orphan  by  the  death  of  his  father  vvdien 
he  was  but  a  lad  of  six  years,  and  lived  in  the  home  of  his  maternal  grand- 
parents until  he  reached  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  at  which  time  he  came  to 
St.  Paris,  Ohio,  with  fifty  cents  in  his  pocket.  He  went  to  work  with  a  will 
doing  anything  he  could  find  to  do  to  make  an  honest  living.  He  hired  out 
to  cut  cord  wood  at  thirty-five  cents  a  cord,  and  part  of  the  money  which  he 
earned  at  this  job  is  still  owing  to  him.  However,  he  was  not  discouraged, 
having  youth  and  health  on  his  side,  but  continued  to  work  with  vigor  at 
dift'erent  vocations,  being  employed  for  two  years  on  a  farm  at  one  hundred 
and  ten  dollars  a  year,  receiving  for  his  third  year's  labor  the  sum  of  one 
hundred  and  forty- four  dollars.  He  also  worked  in  the  saw-mills  in  the  early 
days,  and  learned  the  plasterer's  trade,  at  which  he  worked  four  years.  In 
[860  he  began  farming  on  the  place  where  he  now  lives,  and  that  he  has  been 
successful  in  his  calling  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  he  owns  two  hundred  and 
fifteen  acres  of  fine  land,  well  improved  and  cultivated.  He  is  also  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Central  National  Bank  of  St.  Paris,  and  has  long  been  ranked 
among  the  influential  and  substantial  citizens  of  his  community. 

On  August  25.  1859,  Jonathan  Schumm  was  married  to  Catherine  Snapp, 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  727 

a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Margaret  Snapp.  Mrs.  Schiimm  was  born  April  3, 
1840,  and  was  reared  on  the  farm  where  she  is  now  living,  and  has  always 
been  a  resident  of  this  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schumm  are  the  parents  of 
one  child,  Maude  E.,  born  on  March  26,  1867.  She  is  the  wife  of  C.  S. 
Bolinger.  of  St.  Paris,  Ohio,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born  four  children : 
Walter,  a  graduate  of  the  high  school  at  St.  Paris ;  C.  S.  Bolinger,  Jr. ;  Mamie, 
a  graduate  of  the  high  school  at  St.  Paris,  and  Fannie,  also  a  graduate  of  the 
St.  Paris  high  school,  is  now  a  student  in  the.  State  University  at  Columbus, 
Ohio,  graduating  with  the  class  of  191 7. 

Mr.  Schumm  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  takes  an  active  part  in  the 
councils  of  his  party  in  local  public  affairs,  having  served  as  township  trustee 
and  assessor.  He  is  treasurer  of  what  is  known  as  the  Spring  Grove  Ceme- 
tery Association,  which  is  incorporated  with  the  following  officers :  H.  D. 
Pyle,  president;  Frank  Snapp,  vice-president;  PL  E.  Harmon,  secretary,  and 
Jonathan  Schumm,  treasurer.  Two  citizens  of  the  township,  Daniel  Snapp, 
the  father  of  Mrs.  Schumm,  and  Allen  Pence,  bought  the  land,  which  is  used 
as  a  cemetery,  and  donated  it  to  the  people  of  this  community,  the  association 
taking  hold  of  the  project  in  a  business-like  way,  laying  the  land  out  in  lots 
for  sale,  and  thus  they  have  succeeded  in  making  a  beautiful  place  of  this 
"citv  of  the  dead." 


JAMES  W.  MAGGERT. 


James  W.  Maggert,  a  well-known  farmer  and  enterprising  citizen  of 
Johnson  township,  and  a  life-long  resident  of  this  county,  the  owner  and 
proprietor  of  "Cabauba  Farm,"  located  about  three  and  one-half  miles  north- 
west of  St.  Paris,  on  rural  route  No.  i  out  of  St.  Paris,  was  born  on  this 
farm  April  11,  1858,  the  son  of  Henry  and  Emmeline  (Baker)  Maggert, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Ohio. 

Henry  Maggert  was  the  son  of  Abraham  Maggert,  who  was  a  native 
of  Virginia,  coming  from  that  state  to  Ohio  in  an  early  day,  and  locating 
on  a  farm  about  two  miles  east  of  St.  Paris,  where  he  lived  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  Henry  Maggert  grew  up  and  was  married  in  this  county,  coming 
to  the  farm  where  James  W.  Maggert  now  lives  in  1842.  This  land  at  that 
time  was  in  timber  and  largely  swamp,  but  with  indomitable  energy  the 
elder  Maggert  set  to  work  and  ditched,  drained  and  cleared  eighty  acres, 
which  has  been  cultivated  and  improved  until  it  is  one  of  the  best-producing 
farms   in   the   township.      Henry   Maggert   and   wife   were   the   parents   of 


728  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

eight  children,  six  of  whom  are  Hving:  Mary,  wife  of  Alexander  Snyder; 
Nancy,  the  wife  of  James  Campbell;  Rosa,  wife  of  Jesse  Jenkins;  Alice, 
wife  of  Harvey  Harding;  Jane,  wife  of  William  Genett,   and  James  W. 

James  W.  Maggert  was  reared  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives,  receiving 
his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  home  neighborhood.  He  remained 
at  home  assisting  his  father  with  the  work  on  the  farm  until  he  reached 
the  age  of  twenty-two  years,  when  he  married  and  started  farming  for  him- 
self. For  the  first  four  years  he  rented  land  in  the  neighborhood,  after 
which,  for  two  years,  he  rented  the  home  farm.  In  the  meantime,  his  father 
having  died,  he  bought  the  interests  of  the  other  heirs  in  the  home  place, 
where  he  has  since  continued  to  live.  Here  he  is  engaged  in  general  farming 
and  stock  raising,  and  is  very  successful  in  his  chosen  calling. 

On  January  22,  1880,  James  W.  Maggert  was  married  to  Mary  E. 
Prince,  who  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Johnson  township,  on  May  18,  1857. 
To  this  union  was  born  one  child,  Nellie  B.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eleven 
years. 

Mr.  Maggert  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  while  taking  a  good  citi- 
zen's interest  in  civic  affairs,  yet  is  not  a  partisan  or  seeker  after  public  office. 


JOHN  R.  ROSS. 


The  late  John  R.  Ross,  formerly  assistant  cashier  of  the  Champaign 
National  Bank  of  Urbana  and  later  and  for  years  secretary  of  the  Urbana 
Egg  Case  Company  and  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  progressive  busi- 
ness men  in  Urbana,  who  died  at  Phoenix,  Arizona,  in  the  fall  of  1908, 
and  whose  widow  is  still  living  in  Urbana,  was  born  in  Urbana  and  there 
spent  all  his  active  life,  remaining  there  until  ill  health  prompted  him  to 
move  to  Arizona,  where  it  was  hoped  the  more  equable  climate  of  that  region 
would  have  a  beneficial  effect  upon  his  condition.  He  was  born  on  April 
22,  1868,  son  and  only  child  of  William  R.  and  Belle  (Brand)  Ross,  both 
members  of  old  families  in  Champaign  county. 

William  Reynolds  Ross,  who  was  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War 
and  who  for  years  served  as  vice-president  and  also  cashier  of  the  Cham- 
paign National  Bank,  a  position  he  was  holding  at  the  time  of  his  death  on 
December  23,  1915,  also  was  born  in  Urbana  and  lived  there  all  his  life, 
for  manv  vears  one  of  the  most  active  and  influential  business  men  in  that 


JOHN  E.  ROSS. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  729 

city.  In  a  memorial  sketch  presented  elsewhere  in  this  volume  there  is  set 
out  at  some  length  the  history  of  William  Reynolds  Ross  and  of  the  Ross 
family  in  this  county,  and  the  reader  is  respectfully  referred  to  the  same  in 
this  connection,  it  being  sufficient  to  set  out  here  that  William  R.  Ross  was 
a  son  of  Philander  Ross,  one  of  the  early  merchants  of  Urbana  and  for 
years  president  of  the  Champaign  National  Bank  of  that  city.  William  R. 
Ross  was  clerking  in  his  father's  store  at  Urbana  at  the  time  of  the  breaking 
out  of  the  Civil  War  and  he  enlisted  for  service  as  a  member  of  Company 
K,  Sixty-ninth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  with  which  command 
he  served  for  two  years,  or  until  his  discharge  on  a  physician's  certificate 
of  disability.  Not  long  afterward  he  became  connected  with  his  father's 
bank  at  Urbana,  the  Champaign  National,  and  with  that  institution  re- 
mained connected  the  rest  of  his  life,  rising  from  a  clerkship  to  the  position 
of  vice-president,  and  this  latter  position  he  was  occupying  at  the  time  of 
his  death. 

John  R.  Ross  grew  to  manhood  in  Urbana.  receiving  his  schooling  in 
the  schools  of  that  city,  and  early  became  connected  with  the  Champaign 
National  Bank,  of  which  his  grandfather  had  been  president  and  of  which 
his  father  was  vice-president  for  many  years,  and  after  a  while  was  made 
assistant  cashier  of  that  institution,  a  position  he  resigned  to  become  sec- 
retary of  the  Urbana  Egg  Case  Company,  with  which  company  he  remained 
connected  in  an  executive  capacity  until  failing  health  compelled  his  retire- 
ment from  business.  Entertaining  the  hope  that  a  change  of  climate  might 
prove  beneficial  Mr.  Ross  moved  to  Phoenix,  Arizona,  but  the  hope  was 
vain  and  he  died  there  on  October  5,  1908,  he  then  being  in  the  forty-first 
year  of  his  age. 

In  1893  John  R.  Ross  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lydia  Spain,  daughter 
of  J.  Fletcher  and  Ella  R.  Spain  and  a  member  of  one  of  the  oldest  families 
in  Champaign  county,  the  Spains  having  come  over  here  from  Virginia  in 
1805,  establishing  their  home  here,  as  set  out  elsewhere  in  this  volume, 
where  further  and  fitting  mention  is  made  of  the  Spain  family  and  their 
connection  wath  the  pioneer  history  of  this  county.  To  this  union  one  child 
was  born,  a  son,  Reynolds  Spain  Ross,  who  is  now  (1917)  a  student  at 
Urbana  University.  John  R.  Ross  was  an  active  member  of  the  Episcopal 
church,  as  is  his  widow,  and  was  serving  as  a  member  of  the  vestry  at  the 
time  of  his  death.  He  was  a  Scottish  Rite  Mason  (thirty-second  degree) 
and  a  noble  of  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine, 
affiliated   with   Antioch   Temple   at   Dayton,   and   took   a  -warm   interest   in 


72>'^  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Masonic  affairs.  In  his  political  allegiance  he  was  a  Republican  and  ever 
gave  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  civic  affairs,  helpful  in  many  ways 
in  promoting  movements  having  to  do  with  the  cause  of  good  government 
and  the  general  advancement  of  the  common  welfare. 


SOLOMON  WALBORN. 


Solomon  Walborn,  a  well-known  and  progressive  farmer  of  Johnson 
township,  this  county,  living  two  miles  northwest  of  St.  Paris,  where  he  is 
very  successfully  operating  one  hundred  and  eighty-two  acres  of  land,  was 
born  in  Van  Wert  county,  Ohio,  on  March  9,  1875.  He  is  a  son  of  John 
H.  and  Elizabeth  (Parker)   Walborn,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Ohio. 

John  H.  Walborn  was  a  native  of  Champaign  county,  having  been  born 
on  a  farm  in  Jackson  township,  the  son  of  Abraham  Walborn,  the  latter 
of  whom  came  at  an  early  date  to  this  county  from  Pennsylvania,  and  here 
lived  the  remainder  of  his  life.  John  H.  Walborn  and  Elizabeth  Parker 
were  married  in  this  county  near  Terre  Haute,  and  after  their  marriage, 
lived  for  some  time  in  Jackson  township  on  the  home  place  of  his  father. 
Later,  they  moved  to  Van  Wert  county,  Ohio,  where  they  located  on  land 
of  their  own,  and  it  was  in  that  county  that  Mrs.  Walborn  died.  To  them 
were  born  seven  children,  five  of  whom  are  now  living:  George  W.,  a  farmer 
of  Johnson  township,  represented  elsewhere  in  this  work;  T.  E.,  also  farming 
in  Johnson  township;  Minnie,  the  wife  of  William  Betz,  of  Bluffton,  Indiana; 
Anna  Jane,  deceased;  one  child,  who  died  in  infancy  unnamed;  Solomon, 
the  immediate  subject  of  this  review,  and  Emma,  the  wife  of  Charles  Staple- 
ton,  of  St.  Paris,  Ohio. 

Solomon  Walborn  was  reared  to  the  life  of  a  farmer,  receiving  his 
education  in  the  district  schools.  When  but  six  years  of  age,  he  moved 
with  his  father's  family  to  Jay  county,  Indiana,  where  they  lived  eleven 
years  after  leaving  their  home  in  Van  Wert  county,  Ohio.  At  the  end  of  this 
time  the  family  returned  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  where  the  father  spent 
the  remaining  years  of  his  life.  It  was  in  1892  that  Solomon  Walborn 
returned  to  Champaign  county,  and  for  three  years  after  coming  here,  he 
worked  as  a  farm  hand  in  Jackson  township,  after  which  he  was  employed 
by  W.  I.  Kite,  of  Jackson  township,  where  he  remained  for  four  years. 
At  the  end  of  that  time  he  came  into  the  neighborhood  where  he  is  now 
living,   where   he    farmed   nine   years    for   himself,    and   on    September    11, 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  73 1 

1901,  he,  with  his  family  moved  to  the  farm  where  he  is  now  Hving  in 
Jackson  township.  Here  he  is  very  successfully  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock  raising,  in  which  line  of  endeavor  he  has  met  with  a  very  com- 
mendable success. 

On  December  23,  1894,  Solomon  Walborn  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Minnie  Tullis,  who  was  born  in  Jackson  township,  the  daughter  of  William 
and  Elizabeth  Tullis.  To  this  union  have  been  born  six  children :  Harry, 
a  farmer  of  Johnson  township,  married  Leota  Slusser;  Grace,  a  graduate 
of  the  St.  Paris  high  school,  now  a  student  in  her  first  year  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Wooster,  Wooster,  Ohio;  Earl,  a  student  in  the  high  school  at 
St.  Paris;  Herman,  attending  the  neighborhood  district  school,  an  infant, 
deceased,  and  Edith,  living  at  home  with  her  parents.  Mr.  Walborn  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  church,  while  the  family  is  affiliated  with  the  Reformed 
church,  both  of  St.  Paris,  Ohio. 

Mr.  Walborn  is  a  Democrat  in  poHtics,  and  is  now  serving  his  fourth 
year  as  trustee  of  Johnson  township,  and  is  senior  member  and  president 
of  the  township  board. 


S.  H.  DEATON. 


One  of  the  substantial  citizens  and  leading  farmers  of  this  county  is 
S.  H.  Deaton,  the  owner  and  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  in  Jackson  township,  located  on  what  is  locally  known  as  the 
cowpath  pike,  one-half  mile  south  and  one  mile  east  of  Addison.  Mr.  Deaton 
was  born  on  a  farm  south  of  his  present  home  in  the  edge  of  Clark  county, 
Ohio,  on  April  5,  1846,  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Nancy  (Carmin)  Deaton, 
the  former  being  a  native  of  old  Virginia,  and  the  latter  of  Ohio. 

Samuel  Deaton  came  to  Ohio  with  his  parents  when  a  lad  of  twelve 
years  of  age,  the  family  locating  on  a  farm  in  Clark  county,  near  North- 
hampton, just  south  of  the  Champaign  county  line.  There  he  grew  to  man- 
hood and  married  Nancy  Carmin,  who  was  born  and  reared  in  Clark  county. 
After  his  marriage  he  engaged  in  farming  for  himself  on  rented  land  for 
a  time,  after  which  he  purchased  a  small  tract  of  land  in  Clark  county, 
where  he  lived  for  a  short  time.  He  then  came  with  his  family  to  Champaign 
county,  where  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Jackson  township,  which 
at  that  time  was  new  land,  all  in  timber ;  and  here  the  family  lived  for  several 
years  in  the  rude  log  cabin  of  the  pioneers.     Later  a  new  house  was  erected. 


732  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

where  S.  H.  Deaton  now  lives.  Samuel  Deaton  was  a  hardworking  and 
industrious  farmer,  and  successful  in  his  chosen  work,  gradually  adding  to 
his  land  holdings  until  he  was  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres  of 
good  farming  land  in  this  county.  He  and  his  wife  were  earnest  and  devoted 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  always  took  an  active  inter- 
est in  church  affairs.  He  was  a  well  educated  man  for  the  period,  and  had 
l^een  a  school  teacher  before  coming  to  this  county.  He  and  his  wife  were  the 
parents  of  five  cliildren  :  William,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-eight  years; 
S.  H.,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  review;  Charlotte,  widow  of  George  Hel- 
vie,  of  Addison,  Ohio;  Martha,  widow  of  Charles  Howell,  of  Addison;  and 
A.  B.  C.  D.,  of  Jackson  township.  Samuel  Deaton  was  a  Republican  in 
politics,  and  firm  in  his  belief  in  the  principles  of  that  party.  He  served  his 
township  as  trustee  for  a  number  of  years,  and  was  a  prominent  and  influential 
man  in  the  community. 

S.  H.  Deaton  was  reared  to  manhood  on  the  farm  where  he  is  now  liv- 
ing, coming  with  his  parents  when  but  a  small  boy  from  Clark  county.  Ohio; 
and  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Jackson  township.  After 
reaching  manhood,  he  started  life  for  himself  by  engaging  in  farming  on 
land  l}'ing  close  to  the  home  farm,  which  he  rented  and  here  he  lived  for  one 
year.  He  then  moved  to  a  farm  in  Miami  county,  about  three  miles  west  of 
his  present  farm,  and  he  remained  three  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he 
returned  to  Champaign  county  and  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Jackson 
township  adjoining  his  present  home,  and  here  he  remained  for  a  period  of 
ten  years.  He  then  moved  to  Clark  county,  Ohio,  where  he  lived  on  a  farm 
belonging  to  his  wife's  father  for  fourteen  years,  after  which  he  returned  to 
Champaign  county  and  purchased  the  old  home  farm,  \\here  he  has  since 
lived. 

In  1869  S.  H.  Deaton  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Jenkins,  the  daughter 
of  Wiley  Jenkins,  a  resident  of  Clark  county.  Ohio;  and  to  this  union  were 
born  six  children,  fi\e  of  whom  grew  to  maturity :  Samuel,  deceased ;  W'ilev 
J.,  a  farmer  of  Jackson  township;  Ola.  the  wife  of  Walter  Leonard,  of  this 
county;  Ellen,  the  wife  of  Charles  Warner,  of  Addison,  Ohio;  William, 
a  resident  of  Jackson  township,  and  C.  O.,  a  farmer,  also  of  Jackson  town- 
ship. The  mother  of  these  children  died  on  September  20.  19 13,  loved 
and  mourned  by  all  who  knew  her. 

Mr.  Deaton  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  an  ardent  supporter  of  the 
doctrines  and  principles  of  this  party.  He  has  always  been  actively  interested 
in  the  ci\'ic  welfare  of  his  community,  and  served  his  township  as  supervisor 
for  some  vears. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  733 

ARTHUR  G.  HANGER. 

Arthur  G.  Hanger,  farmer  of  Harrison  township,  Champaign  county, 
was  born  on  the  Spring  Hill  and  West  Liberty  pike,  in  Harrison  township, 
August  27,  1 88 1,  a  son  of  Henry  H.  and  Sarah  Hanger.  The  father  was 
born  on  a  farm  northwest  of  West  Liberty,  Logan  county,  Ohio,  in  1841. 
He  is  a  son  of  Adam  Hanger,  who  was  a  son  of  Peter  Hanger.  The  last 
named  and  two  brothers,  immigrated  from  England  to  America  in  Colonial 
days.  Peter  Hanger  settled  in  Virginia,  where  he  married,  and  in  later 
life  he  moved  to  Champaign  county,  locating  among  the  pioneer  settlers 
in  Salem  township,  but  he  spent  the  last  of  his  life  in  Harrison  township, 
dying  there. 

After  his  marriage  Adam  Hanger  settled  in  Logan  county,  but,  when 
his  son  Henry  H.  was  a  small  boy,  he  moved  with  his  family  to  Harrison 
township  and  here  Adam  Hanger  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  on  a  farm.  Sarah 
Gerard,  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  from  which  state  she  came  to  Cham- 
paign county,  when  }'oung,  with  her  parents,  Jonas  and  Armina  (Flem- 
ming)  Gerard,  who  were  of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  After  his  marriage  Henry 
H.  Hanger  lived  many  years  on  a  farm  in  Harrison  township,  locating 
on  his  father's  old  farm  and  there  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  Five  chil- 
dren were  born  to  Henry  H.  Hanger  and  wife,  namely :  Carrie,  the  wife 
of  William  Scarborough,  of  West  Liberty,  Ohio;  Loretta,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  four  years;  Edna,  the  wife  of  Charles  Circle,  and  the}^  live  on  the 
old  home  place  in  Harrison  township;  Arthur  G.,  of  this  sketch,  and  Alillie, 
living  in  West  Liberty,  Ohio. 

Henry  H.  Hanger  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War,  first  a  private,  later 
a  corporal,  and  finally  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  sergeant.  He  served 
three  years  and  two  months  in  Company  G,  Sixty-sixth  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry,  taking  part  in  seven  important  battles  and  was  wounded  five  times. 
According  to  his  superior  officers  and  the  men  under  him  he  was  a  brave  and 
efficient  officer.  He  was  honorably  discharged  at  the  close  of  the  war  and 
became  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  He  was  a  Republi- 
can and  always  took  an  active  interest  in  the  aft"airs  of  his  party.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Glady  Crook  Christian  church,  in  which  he  was  a  pillar 
and  active  worker  for  many  3'ears.  His  wife  also  belonged  to  that  church. 
His  death  occurred  on  December  15,  1911. 

Arthur  G.  Hanger  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Harrison  township, 
and  he  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools.     On  October  9,   1902, 


734  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

he  was  married  to  Grace  Emery,  a  daughter  of  John  and  MeHssa  (Stemble) 
Emery,  and  to  this  union  three  children  have  been  born,  namely :  Henry 
Russell,  born  on  December  24,  1903,  is  attending  school;  Bernice  Helen, 
December  18,  1905,  is  also  in  school,  and  William  Dwight,  May  11,  191 5. 

John  Emery,  father  of  Mrs.  Hanger,  was  born  in  Harrison  township, 
Champaign  county,  June  8,  1850.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  com- 
munity and  attended  the  common  schools.  He  has  devoted  his  life  to  gen- 
eral farming  in  this  locality.  He  died  on  March  17,  1901,  and  his  wife 
died  on  April   14,   1902. 

After  his  marriage  Arthur  G.  Hanger  began  farming  for  himself.  He 
is  owner  of  a  good  farm  of  sixty  acres  in  Harrison  township,  on  which  he 
is  making  a  very  comfortable  living.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican.  He 
belongs  to  the  Christian  church  at  West  Liberty,  Ohio. 


WILLARD  B.  HYDE,  M.  D. 

One  of  the  younger  citizens  of  Christiansburg,  this  county,  who  is  suc- 
cessfully winning  a  place  in  the  front  ranks  as  a  physician  and  surgeon  is 
Dr.  W.  B.  Hyde,  who  was  born  at  Summerville,  on  Boke's  Creek,  Ohio, 
February  14,  1881,  the  son  of  Dr.  William  F.  and  Sarah  A.  (^lonroe)  Hyde, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Union  county,  Ohio. 

Dr.  William  F.  Hyde  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Union  county,  Ohio,  near 
Boke's  Creek,  December  23,  1856,  and  was  reared  to  manhood  on  the  farm, 
receiving  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools.  As  a  young  man,  he 
decided  to  make  the  practice  of  medicine  his  profession,  and  studied  under 
Dr.  S.  B.  Drake,  of  Broadway,  Ohio.  Later  he  entered  the  Columbus 
Medical  College,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in  1889.  He 
located  the  same  year  at  Boke's  Creek,  Ohio,  where  he  actively  practiced  his 
profession  until  1893,  when  he  came  to  Christiansburg,  and  has  been  in  the 
active  practice  here  ever  since.  Sarah  A.  Monroe,  the  mother  of  Doctor  Wil- 
lard  B.  Hyde,  was  also  born  in  Union  county,  Ohio,  and  grew  up  on  a  fann 
adjoining  that  on  which  her  husband.  Dr.  W.  F.  Hyde,  was  reared.  They 
are  the  parents  of  four  children,  three  of  whom  are  now  living:  Lacy  Marie, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  seventeen  months;  Willard  B.,  of  this  sketch;  Stella 
Atlanta,  wife  of  A.  H.  Chronaberry,  of  Conover,  Ohio,  and  Maud,  the  wife 
of  A.  L.  Dobbins,  of  Christiansburg. 

Dr.  W.  B.   Hyde  received  his  early  education  in   the  public  schools  of 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  735 

his  home  townsliip,  and  came  as  a  lad  of  twelve  with  his  parents  to  Christians- 
burg.  Here  he  graduated  from  the  high  school,  studied  medicine  with  his 
father  until  1899,  wdien  he  entered  the  Ohio  Medical  University  at  Columbus, 
Ohio,  from  which  institution  he  graduated  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Medicine  in  1904.  At  once  he  returned  to  Christiansburg,  where  he  took 
up  the  active  practice  of  his  profession,  and  has  since  remained  at  this  place. 
He  has  a  large  and  constantly  increasing  patronage  in  the  village  and  sur- 
roundiu-g  country. 

On  November  30,  1905,  Dr.  W.  B.  Hyde  was  married  to  Leo  A.  Robin- 
son, the  daughter  of  C.  A.  Robinson,  of  Miami  county,  and  to  this  union  two 
children  have  been  born  :  Virginia,  a  student  in  the  public  schools,  and  Charles, 
at  home.  The  doctor  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  at  Christiansburg,  and  take  an  active  interest  in  all  church  and  social 
affairs  of  the  village.  Doctor  Hyde  is  a  member  of  Social  Lodge  No.  139, 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  also  of  the  Encampment,  No.  75. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  politics ;  is  warmly  interested  in  all  public  matters  per- 
taining to  his  home  town,  and  is  now  serving  as  councilman  on  the  town 
board. 


JACOB  N.  PENCE. 


Among  the  substantial  citizens  and  progressive  farmers  of  Johnson  towm- 
ship,  this  county,  is  Jacob  N.  Pence,  living  on  his  well-improved  and  highly 
cultivated  farm  of  forty  acres  four  miles  northwest  of  St.  Paris,  on  rural 
route  No.  i.  He  was  born  in  this  township,  on  September  22,  1865,  the 
son  of  Wesley  and  Lydia  (Amnion)  Pence,  and  was  one  of  nine  children 
born  to  his  parents,  only  six  of  whom  are  now  living:  Delelia  A.,  the  wife 
of  Rastus  Mercia,  of  St.  Paris,  Ohio;  Russell,  of  Johnson  township;  Jane, 
the  wife  of  Orin  Decker,  of  St.  Paris;  John  W.,  of  St.  Paris:  Millie,  the 
wafe  of  Jacob  Robbins,  a  farmer  of  Johnson  township,  and  Jacob  N.,  of 
this  sketch. 

After  his  marriage  Wesley  Pence  and  wife  located  on  the  farm  now 
owned  by  Jacob  Robbins  and  Russell  Pence,  where  he  lived  the  remainder 
of  his  life,  after  which  his  widow  moved  to  St.  Paris,  where  her  death 
occurred  some  years  later.  They  were  rnembers  of  the  Baptist  church, 
and  actively  interested  in  the  affairs  of  the  local  church  of  that  denomina- 
tion. In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat,  but  never  took  an  active  part  in  political 
affairs. 


736  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Jacob  N.  Pence  was  but  a  boy  when  his  father  died,  and  early  in  life 
learned  the  habits  of  industry  and  frugality.  He  was  reared  to  the  life 
of  a  farmer,  receiving  his  education  in  the  township  schools  of  his  home 
neighborhood.  After  his  marriage  he  and  his  wife  lived  in  the  old  home- 
stead for  two  years,  when  they  moved  to  a  farm  of  their  own,  which  they 
had  purchased.  On  February  27,  1907,  they  moved  to  their  present  farm  of 
forty  acres,  which  they  had  purchased  the  year  previously,  and  here  they  have 
since  made  their  home.  His  farm  is  well  equipped  for  modern  farming, 
having  good  buildings  and  machinery. 

On  November  28,  1886,  Jacob  N.  Pence  was  united  in  marriage  to  Cora 
Ellen  Poorman,  a  native  of  Johnson  township,  the  daughter  of  Daniel  and 
Susanna  (Pence)  Poorman.  To  this  union  have  been  born  five  children, 
only  one  of  whom  grew  to  maturity,  Zetta  Ellen,  who  was  born  on  August 
13,  1888.  She  received  her  education  in  the  township  schools,  and  after  leav- 
ing school,  became  the  wife  of  Jasper  Leon  Scott,  a  farmer  of  Johnson  town- 
ship.    Mrs.  Scott  died  June  5,  191 5,  leaving  one  son,  Stanage  Asa. 

Mr.  Pence  and  his  wife  are  earnest  and  devoted  members  of  the  Zion 
Lutheran  church,  at  St.  Paris.  Ohio,  in  which  Mr.  Pence  is  serving  as  deacon. 
He  is  a  member  of  St.  Paris  Lodge  No.  246,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  Lodge  No.  469,  Daugh- 
ters of  Rebekah. 


WILFORD  OWEN  KNIGHT. 

The  late  Wilford  Owen  Knight,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War 
and  a  substantial  farmer  of  Champaign  county,  who  for  some  years  before 
his  death  in  1909  had  been  living  retired  at  his  pleasant  home  in  Urbana, 
where  his  widow  still  resides,  was  born  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Miami, 
but  had  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  life  in  this  county,  his  parents  having 
moved  over  here  from  the  former  county  many  years  ago.  He  was  a  son 
of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Palmer)  Knight,  of  English  stock,  who  had 
settled  in  the  ^'icinity  of  Troy,  in  Miami  county,  upon  coming  to  Ohio  and 
later  had  come  to  Champaign  county  and  had  established  their  home  on  a 
farm  opposite  tlie  county  infirmary.  There  William  Knight  had  engaged 
in  farming  until  his  retirement  from  the  farm  and  removal  to  Urbana, 
where  he  and  his  wife  spent  their  last  days.  They  were  the  parents  of  six 
children,  of  whom  but  two  are  now  living,  Stephen  Knight,  an  attorney-at- 
law,  living  in  Chicago,  and  Sidney,  unmarried,  a  resident  of  Urbana;  the 


^ 

^       1 

■ 

■  ..*.#^r    ^^^^HH 

/^  ^H 

1 

-:'"^^  ^H 

j^_r    .  ,gMj|,  >^:,^; 

WILFORD   O.   KXIfiHT. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  737 

Others,  besides  the  subject  of  this  memorial  sketch,  having  been  John,  who 
Hved  in  this  county;  Catherine  S.,  who  Hved  at  Troy,  and  Margaret. 

Reared  on  the  paternal  farm,  Wilford  O.  Knight  grew  to  manhood  in 
this  county,  receiving  his  schooHng  in  the  local  schools,  and  from  boyhood 
was  a  valued  aid  to  his  father  in  the  labors  of  the  home  farm.  For  some 
time  after  reaching  manhood's  estate  he  was  engaged  in  the  insurance  busi- 
ness. During  the  Civil  War  he  was  a  member  of  the  famous  "Squirrel 
Hunters''  organization  and  also  served  for  a  year  or  more  as  a  member  of 
the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry. 
After  his  marriage  in  1870  he  established  his  home  on  a  farm  and  was 
acti^'ely  and  successfully  engaged  in  farming  until  his  retirement  and  re- 
moval to  Urbana,  v/here  he  spent  his  last  days,  his  death  occurring  there 
on  Alay  6,  1909.  Mr.  Knight  was  an  active  member  of  the  local  post  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  in  the  affairs  of  which  patriotic  organi- 
zation he  ever  took  an  earnest  interest.  By  religious  persuasion  he  was  a 
Presbyterian  and  took  a  warm  interest  in  church  affairs  and  was  otherwise 
helpful  in  local  good  works.  For  years  a  member  of  the  Masonic  frater- 
nity, he  took  an  active  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  ancient  order,  and  in 
other  ways  did  well  his  part  as  a  neighbor  and  as  a  citizen. 

As  noted  above,  it  was  in  1870  that  Wilford  O.  Knight  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Sarah  J.  McDonald,  who  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  Urbana,  a  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Sarah  (Smith)  McDonald,  the 
former  of  whom  was  born  at  Chillicothe,  this  state,  and  the  latter  in  the 
state  of  Pennsylvania.  Hugh  McDonald  was  a  substantial  farmer  and 
stockman  and  had  an  excellent  farm  on  the  Springfield  road  five  miles  south 
of  Urbana,  where  he  made  his  home  until  his  retirement  from  the  farm 
and  removal  to  Urbana,  where  his  last  days  were  spent.  He  was  a  stanch 
Republican  and  ever  took  an  active  part  in  local  political  affairs,  though  not 
a  seeker  after  public  office.  He  and  his  wife  were  earnest  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  and  their  children  were  reared  in  that  faith.  There 
were  eight  of  these  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Knight  was  the  sixth  in  order 
of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow:  Jane,  deceased;  Margaret,  who  died 
unmarried  in  19 10;  the  Rev.  James  McDonald,  a  minister  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church,  who  died  in  California;  Duncan,  who  was  killed  in  battle 
while  serving  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union  during  the  Civil  War;  Blair,  now 
deceased,  who  was  a  farmer;  Mary,  who  died  unmarried,  and  Efifie,  who 
is  making  her  home  with  her  sister,  Mrs.  Knight,  at  Urbana.  Since  the 
death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Knight  has  continued  to  make  her  home  at  Ur- 
(47a) 


738  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

bana,  where  she  is  very  pleasantly  situated.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church  and  has  for  years  taken  an  active  interest  in  local  good 
works,  helpful  in  promoting  all  worthy  causes  designed  to  advance  the 
common  welfare  of  the  community  in  which  she  has  spent  all  her  life. 


E.  WALTER  MANNING. 

One  of  the  substantial  citizens  and  leading  farmers  of  Johnson  town- 
ship is  E.  Walter  Manning,  the  owner  and  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  three 
miles  west  of  St.  Paris,  on  the  Piqua  and  Urbana  pike,  who  was  born  in 
the  house  where  he  is  now  living  on  February  8,  i860.  He  is  a  son  of 
Isaac  and  Hannah  (Graham)  Manning,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native 
of  Ohio,  and  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania. 

Isaac  Manning  was  born  in  Miami  county,  Ohio,  about  three  miles 
north  of  Lena,  on  December  21,  1823,  and  died  February  5,  1862.  He 
was  a  son  of  Clarkson  and  Phoebe  Manning,  both  of  whom  were  natives 
of  New  Jersey,  coming  to  Miami  county,  Ohio,  in  an  early  day,  being  among 
the  earliest  pioneers  of  that  county.  Hannah  Graham  was  born  in  Bucks 
county,  Pennsylvania,  May  7,  1831,  and  died  July  14,  1905.  She  came  to 
Miami  county  with  her  parents  in  an  early  day,  who  located  on  a  farm  just 
north  of  Lena,  Ohio,  in  the  same  neighborhood  where  Isaac  Manning  was 
reared.  After  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Manning  the  young  couple  purchased  the 
farm  of  eighty-seven  acres  in  Johnson  township,  this  county,  on  which  their 
son,  Walter,  now  lives,  where  they  lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
when  he  was  still  a  young  man.  Isaac  Manning  and  wife  were  the  parents 
of  four  children:  Rose  Ellen,  born  on  April  26,  1850,  died  on  January 
26,  1892;  Charles  W.,  September  23,  1854,  died  on  August  30,  1859;  John 
C.,  March  14,  1859,  and  Walter  E.,  the  subject  of  this  review.  After  the 
death  of  Isaac  Manning,  his  widow  and  family  continued  to  live  on  the  home 
farm  until  Mrs.  Manning's  marriage  to  John  Sergeant,  when  they  moved 
to  Shelby  county,  Ohio,  near  Palestine.  To  this  second  union  there  were 
born  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  now  living:  Cory  Elwood,  who  died 
while  young;  Dora  May,  the  wife  of  William  Princehouse.  of  Sidney,  Ohio, 
and  Thomas  Lee,  a  resident  of  Shelby  county,  Ohio. 

E.  Walter  Manning  was  reared  to  the  life  of  a  farmer,  making  his  home 
with  his  mother  and  stepfather  after  his  father's  death,  and  receiving  his 
education  in  the  district  schools  of   Shelby  county,   Ohio.     Upon  reaching 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  739 

the  age  of  twenty-one,  he  started  out  in  hfe  for  himself  by  working  by  the 
month  on  neighboring  farms,  which  he  continued  for  three  or  four  years. 
After  his  marriage  he  settled  on  the  home  place  for  a  short  time,  but  later 
removed  to  Miami  county,  where  he  lived  for  some  time,  but  eventually 
returned  to  his  father's  old  home  farm,  where  he  has  since  lived.  He  is  a 
progressive  farmer  and  good  citizen  of  his  home  community,  where  he  ranks 
high  in  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  neighbors  and  friends. 

On  October  ii,  1884,  E.  Walter  Manning  was  married  to  Mary  Rowena 
Wheaton,  the  daughter  of  William  and  Jane  (Williams)  Wheaton.  She 
is  a  native  of  Champaign  county,  having  been  born  on  a  farm  just  south 
of  her  present  home  on  August  7,  i860.  To  this  union  two  children  have 
been  born:  Otto  Isaac,  born  on  October  i,  1886,  died  on  May  22,  1893,  and 
Harry,  born  March  2,  1890.  The  latter  is  a  graduate  of  the  St.  Paris  high 
school,  and  was  a  student  for  several  summer  terms  at  Wittenberg  College, 
Springfield,  Ohio.  He  married  Ola  May  Merritt.  and  is  now  living  at 
Arlington,  Ohio,  where  he  is  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools. 

Mr.  Manning  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  takes  a  proper  interest  in 
all  public  and  political  matters.  Fraternally,  he  is  a  member  of  Industry 
Lodge  No.  256,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  at  Lean,  Ohio,  while 
his  wife  holds  membership  in  Mt.  Olive  Lodge  No.  469,  Daughters  of 
Rebekah,  at  St.  Paris,  Ohio.  They  are  earnest  and  faithful  members  of 
the  Baptist  church  at  Lena,  Ohio. 


MRS.  EMMA  A.  LICKLIDER. 

Mrs.  Emma  A.  Licklider.  a  well-known  and  esteemed  woman  of  Carys- 
ville.  Champaign  county,  was  born  in  Adams  township,  this  county,  March 
9,  1883,  and  here  she  has  spent  her  life.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Isabelle  'M.  (Neese)  Maurice.  Her  father  was  born  in  German  township, 
Clark  county,  Ohio,  May  2/.  1846.  He  is  a  son  of  Isaac  and  Caroline 
(Davis)  Alaurice.  Isaac  ^Maurice  was  a  native  of  England  and  there  he 
grew  up  and  married  Eliza  Weldon.  They  immigrated  to  America  and 
located  in  Clark  county,  Ohio,  in  1844  and  established  their  future  home  on 
a  farm.  They  were  parents  of  five  children,  three  of  whom  were  born  before 
they  left  England,  namely:  John,  who  is  deceased;  William,  who  died  while 
crossing  the  ocean  on  the  voyage  of  the  family  to  the  United  States ;  Jere- 
miah, who  died  in  Clark  county,  Ohio;  Isaac  W.,  deceased;  David,  deceased. 


740  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

After  the  death  of  the  mother  of  the  above  named  children,  Isaac  Maurice 
married  Caroline  Davis,  who  was  born  in  Virginia,  from  which  state  she 
came  to  Clark  county,  Ohio,  with  her  parents,  when  seven  years  old.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Davis  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  on  a  farm  in  Clark  county.  Six 
children  were  born  to  Isaac  and  Caroline  (Davis)  Maurice,  three  of  whom 
grew  to  maturity,  and  only  one.  Van  Horn,  who  lives  on  the  old  home  place 
in  Clark  county,  is  living,  in  191 7. 

Joseph  Maurice,  a  child  by  his  father's  second  marriage,  grew  to  man- 
hood on  the  home  farm  in  Clark  county,  and  he  attended  the  district  schools 
there.  Upon  reaching  manhood,  he  married  Isabelle  Neese,  who  was  born 
in  Mad  River  township,  southeast  of  Thackery,  in  Champaign  county,  Jan- 
uary 14,  1849.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Elias  and  Sarah  (Foltz)  Neese, 
both  natives  of  Virginia,  from  which  state  they  came  with  their  parents  to 
Clark  county,  Ohio,  when  they  were  young.  There  they  were  subsequently 
married  and  spent  the  rest  of  their  active  lives  on  the  farm  where  Homer 
Jenkins  now  lives.  There  Mr.  Neese  died,  his  widow  later  dying  in  Mad 
River  township,  Champaign  county. 

Joseph  and  Isabelle  Maurice  lived  on  a  farm  in  Clark  county  for  ten 
years  after  their  marriage,  then  moved  to  Adams  township,  this  county, 
and  bought  a  farm  on  which  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  his  death 
occurring  there  on  May  28,  1908,  after  a  very  successful  and  useful  life. 
His  family  consisted  of  twelve  children,  namely:  W.  A.,  who  lives  in 
Rosewood,  Ohio;  Delia,  who  is  the  wife  of  Stephen  Bowers,  of  Adams 
township,  this  county;  George  A.,  who  lives  in  Shelby  county,  Ohio;  C.  A., 
who  resides  at  Rosewood;  Sarah  V.,  who  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  Connor  of 
Markleville,  Indiana;  Marion,  who  died  when  eighteen  months  old;  Emma  A., 
of  this  sketch;  Ellen,  who  is  the  wife  of  A.  C.  Stephenson,  of  Adams 
township;  H.  C,  who  lives  in  Adams  township;  Samuel  J.,  who  resides  on 
the  home  farm;  Lizzie  B.,  who  is  the  wife  of  Homer  B.  Geny,  of  Adams 
township,  and  Emerson,  who  lives  on  the  home  place. 

Emma  A.  Maurice  grew  to  womanhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Adams 
township,  where  she  received  her  early  education  in  the  district  schools. 
She  was  graduated  from  the  local  high  school  in  1901.  On  April  11,  1906, 
she  married  George  B.  Licklider,  who  was  born  in  Johnson  township,  this 
county,  July  23,  1867.  He  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  here  and 
attended  the  common  schools.  On  May  i,  1896,  he  was  married  to  Blanche 
Neal  of  Adams  township,  who  died  October  26,  1903;  but  to  this  union  no 
children  were  born.  He  was  a  son  of  William  and  Margaret  J.  (Struble) 
Licklider.     The  father  was  born  in  Virginia,  from  which  state  he  came  to 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  74I 

Champaign  county,  Ohio,  when  a  boy,  with  his  parents,  the  family  locat- 
ing in  Johnson  tow^nship  on  a  farm.  The  death  of  William  Licklider  oc- 
curred November  7,  1905,  his  widow  dying  January  15,  191 1. 

The  union  of  George  B.  and  Emma  (Maurice)  Licklider  resulted  in  the 
birth  of  four  children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy;  those  surviving  are, 
Nelson  M.  and  Virgil  F.,  both  attending  school. 

George  B.  Licklider  continued  farming  on  the  home  place  after  his 
marriage  and  was  making  a  pronounced  success  as  a  general  agriculturist, 
being  a  good  manager  and  a  hard  worker.  There  his  death  occurred  on 
February  23,  1914,  and  was  buried  in  Rosedale  cemetery.  Since  his  death 
Mrs.  Licklider  has  made  her  home  in  Carysville.  She  is  a  member  of  the 
Christian  church  there,  as  was  her  husband,  both  having  been  reared  in 
this  faith. 


MAXWELL  G.  STEVENS. 

One  of  the  substantial  farmers  who  has  lived  almost  his  entire  life  in 
the  county  is  Maxwell  G.  Stevens,  the  owner  and  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm 
of  one  hundred  and  fort3'-six  acres  in  Jackson  township,  located  five  and 
one-half  miles  south  of  St.  Paris  and  two  and  one-half  miles  east  of  x\ddi- 
son  on  the  cow  path  pike.  Mr.  Stevens  was  born  in  Jackson  township,  on 
a  farm  two  and  one-half  miles  west  of  where  he  is  now  living  on  March  20, 
i860,  the  son  of  Riley  and  Susan  (Deaton)  Stevens,  the  former  a  native 
of  Missouri  and  the  latter  of  Virginia. 

Riley  Stevens  was  born  in  Missouri,,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and 
married  Susan  Deaton,  a  Virginian  by  birth,  but  who  had  come  as  a  small 
child  with  her  parents  to  Springfield,  Ohio,  and  thence  on  West  to  Mis- 
souri. Her  father  died  in  Missouri,  and  her  mother  returned  to  Cham- 
paign county,  Ohio,  where  she  spent  her  remaining  days.  Her  death  occurred 
in  19 16,  after  she  had  reached  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-three  years.  After 
his  marriage,  Riley  Stevens  lived  for  a  short  time  in  Missouri,  and  then, 
with  his  family,  came  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  locating  on  a  farm  one 
mile  south  of  Christiansburg.  A  little  later  he  purchased  forty  acres  of 
land  near  where  Maxwell  G.  Stevens  now  lives.  After  living  on  this  farm 
a  few  years,  Riley  Stevens  sold  the  forty  acres  and  bought  a  farm  in  Mad 
River  township,  two  miles  north  of  Thackery,  where  his  death  occurred  in 
1873.  His  widow  remained  on  this  farm  where  she  reared  her  family. 
After  leaving  the  farm  in  later  years,  she  lived  for  a  short  time  in  Thackery, 
and  then  she  went  to  live  with  a  daughter  in  Springfield,  Ohio.    Riley  Stevens 


742  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

and  wife  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  four  of  whom  are  now  Hving: 
J.  H.,  deceased,  a  former  resident  of  Mad  River  township;  Frank,  deceased, 
who  formerly  lived  in  Kansas;  S.  D.,  deceased,  who  lived  in  Jackson  town- 
ship, this  county;  Maxwell,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  review;  Laura, 
the  wife  of  Dr.  Charles  Gaines,  of  Covington,  Ohio;  L.  W.,  of  Springfield, 
Ohio;  and  Ida,  widow  of  James  Hartman,  of  Springfield,  Ohio.  The  family 
were  all  earnest  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  which  they 
took  an  active  interest. 

Maxwell  Stevens  was  five  years  of  age  when  his  parents  moved  to  the 
farm  in  Mad  River  township,  this  county,  where  he  Avas  reared  to  manhood, 
receiving  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  that  neighborhood.  Since 
his  father's  death  occurred  when  he  was  but  a  lad  of  fifteen,  very  early 
in  life  he  assumed  the  duties  and  responsibilities  of  the  farm.  When  he 
reached  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  he  started  to  learn  the  carpenter  trade. 
He  followed  this  occupation  until  1884,  when  he  engaged  in  farming  by 
renting  land  one  mile  north  of  Thackery,  where  he  remained  one  year.  He 
then  moved  to  a  farm  in  Jackson  township,  south  of  St.  Paris,  where  he 
lived  four  years,  and  then  moved  to  Johnson  township,  where  he  lived  three 
years.  In  1899  he  purchased  his  present  farm,  and  has  since  made  this  his 
home.  He  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  making  a 
speciaky  of  Shorthorn  cattle  and  thoroughbred  Poland  China  hogs,  and 
has  been  very  successful  in  this  branch  of  farming. 

On  October  23,  1884,  Maxwell  G.  Stevens  was  married  to  Prudence 
Beck,  the  daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Smith)  Beck,  both  of  whom 
were  natives  of  England.  To  this  union  one  son  has  been  born,  Marley 
F.,  born  October,  1885,  who  is  living  at  home  with  his  parents.  He  is 
a  graduate  of  the  district  schools  of  his  township,  and  has  also  passed 
the  Boxwell  examination.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stevens  have  also  reared  three 
other  children:  Elisha  McCoy,  whom  they  took  into  their  home  at  the 
age  of  nine  years,  and  who  remained  until  he  was  eighteen  years  old;  Charles 
Pine,  who  came  into  their  home  when  he  was  eleven  years  of  age.  and 
died  at  the  age  of  fifteen;  and  William  Bippincott,  who  has  been  with  them 
four  years,  and  is  now  fourteen  years  of  age.  Mr.  Stevens  and  wife  are 
earnest  and  devoted  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Newson 
Chapel,  and  the  former  is  now  serving  on  the  board  of  trustees  of  that  con- 
gregation. He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  always  takes  a  warm  interest 
in  all  local  public  matters.  He  served  two  successive  terms  as  trustee  of 
his  township,  and  in  1895  was  superintendent  of  the  gravel  roads  of  Jackson 
township. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  743 

J.  M.  BIRKHOLD. 

J.  M.  Birkhold,  retired  merchant  and  farmer  living  in  Rosewood,  Cham- 
paign county,  was  born  May  5,  1852  in  Wurtemburg,  Germany.  He  is  a 
son  of  John  M.  and  Barbara  (Schoen)  Birkhold,  both  born  in  Wurtem- 
burg, where  they  were  reared  and  married.  There  the  father  followed  the 
weaver's  trade,  becoming  an  expert  cloth  maker.  In  1853,  he  brought  his 
family  to  America.  After  spending  a  short  time  in  New  York  City,  they 
started  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  but  their  money  gave  out,  and  they  were  put 
off  the  train  at  Monroeville,  Huron  county,  Ohio.  They  remained  in  that 
county  from  1853  until  1861,  and  then  moved  to  Paulding  county,  this 
state,  where  they  bought  forty  acres  on  which  they  spent  the  rest  of  their 
lives.  The  father  was  a  man  of  grit  and  courage,  and,  by  hard  work  and 
perseverance,  he  forged  to  the  front,  although  starting-  out  with  nothing. 
He  became  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  and  was 
one  of  the  well-to-do  men  of  his  township  when  he  died.  He  was  a  Demo- 
crat and  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Eleven  children  were  born 
to  John  M.  Birkhold,  Sr.,  and  wife,  all  still  living  but  one,  namely :  Christian, 
living  in  New  Haven,  Ohio;  J.  M.,  of  this  sketch;  D.  C,  who  lives  in  Paine, 
Ohio;  J.  E.,  deceased;  Tina,  the  widow  of  Marion  Stephenson,  living  in 
Shelby  county,  Ohio;  George,  who  lives  in  Paulding  county,  Ohio;  Mrs. 
Lena  Cress,  living  in  Van  Wert,  Ohio;  Henry,  who  lives  in  Paine,  Ohio; 
William,  living  in  Edgerton,  Indiana;  Lucinda,  the  wife  of  Dr.  John  Herrod, 
deceased,  of  Ft.  Wayne,  Indiana,  and  Mary  Ann,  wife  of  Samuel  Stabler, 
living  in  Paulding  county,  Ohio. 

J.  M.  Birkhold  was  reared  on  the  farm  in  Paulding  county,  this  state. 
He  received  a  common  school  education,  and  remained  on  the  home  farm 
until  he  was  married  on  December  24,  1874,  to  Rebecca  C.  Jenkins,  who  was 
born  and  reared  in  Johnson  township,  Champaign  county,  Ohio.  After 
his  marriage,  Mr.  Birkhold  bought  forty  acres  in  Paulding  county,  to  which 
he  later  added  another  forty  of  timber  land.  A  little  later,  however,  he 
removed  to  Johnson  township.  Champaign  county,  and  rented  a  farm,  and 
then  went  to  Shelby  county  and  bought  another  forty  acres.  After  a  short 
residence  there  he  returned  to  Johnson  township  and  bought  eighty  acres, 
living  there  from  1881  to  1894.  He  then  moved  to  what  is  now  the  village 
of  Rosewood  and  erected  the  first  building,  in  which  he  opened  up  a  general 
store.  He  built  up  a  good  trade  with  the  surrounding  country.  He  was 
appointed  postmaster  in  1895,  which  position  he  held  until   1899.     He  was 


744  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

reappointed  in  1914  and  is  still  incumbent  of  the  office,  his  record  having 
ever  been  eminently  satisfactory  to  both  the  postoffice  department  and  the 
people.  He  owns  one  hundred  and  thirteen  acres  of  good  land  in  Union 
county,  Ohio,  also  fifteen  acres  in  Adams  township,  Champaign  county.  He 
is  a  stockholder  in  the  First  National  Bank  at  St.  Paris  and  is  a  director  in 
that  institution.  He  has  managed  well,  and  his  perseverance  and  good 
judgment  have  brought  him  a  large  measure  of-  material  success.  He  has  an 
attractive  home  in  Rosewood. 

To  J.  M.  Birkhold  and  wife  seven  children  have  been  born,  namely: 
Rebecca,  the  wife  of  R.  E.  Hicks,  of  Kirkwood,  Ohio;  Jennie,  the  wife  of 
C.  L.  Armstrong,  of  DeGraff,  Logan  county,  Ohio;  Jason  P.,  who  died  at 
the  age  of  twenty-four  years;  J.  W.,  in  business  in  Rosewood;  Mary,  the 
wife  of  Charles  Cookston  of  Rosewood;  Oscar  F.,  living  at  home;  and 
Fairy,  the  wife  of  Raymond  Curl,  a  farmer  of  Adams  township. 

Politically,  Mr.  Birkhold  is  a  Democrat.  He  served  as  justice  of  the 
peace  for  a  period  of  twelve  years  in  an  able  and  highly  commendable 
manner.  He  is  at  present  township  trustee.  He  belongs  to  the  Lutheran 
church.  He  is  one  of  the  public-spirited  and  influential  men  of  his  com- 
munity. 


EDGAR  V.   HANNA. 


One  of  the  leading  farmers  and  substantial  citizens  of  Mad  River 
township,  and  a  life-long  resident  of  Champaign  county,  is  Edgar  V.  Hanna, 
living  on  the  farm  where  he  was  born,  one  and  one-fourth  miles  north  of 
Westville,  consisting  of  two  hundred  and  forty-eight  acres  of  fine  land 
located  in  Mad  River  and  Concord  townships.  Mr.  Hanna  was  born  on 
July  7,  1868,  the  son  of  Elijah  and  Mary  (Arrowsmith)  Hanna,  the  former 
of  whom  was  a  native  of  West  X^irginia,  and  the  latter  of  Ohio. 

Elijah  Hanna  was  born  in  Nicholas  county.  West  Virginia,  May  7, 
1824,  and  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  that  county.  When  a  young  man  he 
came  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  where  he  worked  at  farm  labor  by  the 
month  during  the  summer  seasons,  cutting  wood,  or  doing  anything  he 
could  find  to  do  to  make  a  start  in  life,  as  he  had  come  here  a  poor  young 
man,  with  nothing  but  good  health,  industry  and  willing  hands  to  make  a 
place  for  himself  in  life.  He  was  twice  married,  his  first  wnfe  being  Emily 
Haller.  and  to  this  union  three  children  were  born,  only  one  of  whom  is 
now  living,   William,  a   farmer,   of   Corning,   Iowa.      His   second  wife   was 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  745 

Mary  Arrowsmith,  who  was  a  native  of  Champaign  county,  having  been 
born  on  a  farm  in  Mad  River  township  on  December  15,  1834.  Her  father, 
Mason  Arrowsmith,  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  this  county,  a  son  of  Ezekiel 
and  EHzabeth  Arrowsmith,  who  came  here  in  December,  1801,  and  it  was 
while  Elijah  Hanna  was  helping  to  build  a  saw-mill  for  her  father  that  he 
met  and  married  Mary  Arrowsmith.  jNIason  Arrowsmith's  father,  Ezekiel 
x\rrowsmith,  upon  coming  to  this  county  from  Virginia,  entered  land  from 
the  government.  He  and  his  wife  erected  a  rude  log  cabin  in  the  wilder- 
ness, which  the  family  occupied  for  many  years.  It  then  was  replaced  by  a 
brick  house,  built  in  1824,  which  still  stands.  He  made  the  brick  and  lime 
and  with  his  own  hands  made  the  frames  and  doors  out  of  walnut.  This 
old  house  is  still  in  good  condition,  though  it  was  one  of  the  earliest  brick 
houses  erected  in  these  parts.  They  died  in  this  house.  When  Ezekiel 
Arrowsmith  and  his  family  first  settled  on  this  land,  it  was  still  virgin  forest, 
wild  game  of  all  kinds  abounding  in  the  woods,  and  bears  and  Indians  being 
seen  occasionally:  but  with  true  pioneer  spirit  they  proceeded  to  hterally 
hew  a  home  out  of  the  wilderness.  In  this  brick  house  built  in  1824  Ezekiel 
Arrowsmith  spent  their  last  days. 

After  his  marriage  to  Mary  Arrowsmith  on  March  26,  1862,  Elijah 
Hanna  settled  on  the  farm  which  he  had  purchased  from  his  first  wife's 
father,  and  here  they  lived  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  He  was  a  well- 
to-do  and  prominent  farmer  and  made  a  success  of  his  chosen  calling.  He 
and  his  wife  were  earnest  and  devoted  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  at  Westville,  and  took  an  active  and  interested  part  in  the  affairs 
of  the  church.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  children :  Edgar  V.,  of  this 
review;  Frank,  who  died  at  the  age  of  forty-eight  years;  Charles,  who  died 
in  1901,  and  Laura  L.,  who  is  living  with  her  brother  on  the  home  place. 
Elijah  Hanna  died  on  September  23,  1901,  and  his  widow  survived  him  for 
more  than  ten  years,  her  death  occurring  (Hi  .\!;i\^  9,   19 r3. 

l'".(l,L';ir  \'.  I  ianiia  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  where  he  has  lived  al' 
his  life,  receiving  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  the  township,  and 
assisted  with  the  work  of  the  home  farm.  After  leaving  school  he  con- 
tinued to  work  on  the  farm,  and  upon  the  death  of  his  father,  took  over 
the  entire  management  of  the  place.  He  built  his  present  home  in  1902. 
He  is  a  successful  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  having  now  (191 7)  a  herd  of 
forty-seven  Shorthorn  cattle  and  has  fine  horses.  He  and  his  sister  are 
very  comfortably  and  pleasantly  situated  on  part  of  the  old  homestead. 
Eike  his  father  before  him,  he  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  but  takes  no  active 
part  in  political  affairs. 


746  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

GEORGE  W.  SMITH. 

George  W.  Smith,  a  truck  gardener  and  fruit  grower  living  on  his  farm 
of  seven  acres  of  well  tilled  and  well  improved  land  one  mile  east  of  St. 
Paris,  Ohio,  was  born  in  Craig  county.  Virginia,  December  i6,  1839,  the 
son  of  James  and  Catherine  (Deeds)  Smith,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of 
Virginia. 

James  Smith  was  born  in  Rockingham  county,  Virginia,  and  his  wife 
was  a  native  of  the  same  count}',  where  they  grew  up  and  were  married. 
Later,  they  moved  to  Craig  county.  Virginia,  and  in  the  spring  of  1852,  they 
came  with  their  family  to  Ohio,  locating  in  Millerstown,  this  county,  where 
James  Smith  worked  as  a  cabinet-maker  and  at  pottery  making  for  several 
years :  later,  he  moved  to  Bellefontaine,  Ohio,  where  he  followed  his  trade. 
In  later  years  he  returned  to  Virginia,  where  his  death  occurred,  his  wife 
having  passed  away  previously  in  this  county.  They  were  the  parents  of 
the  following  children :  Elizabeth,  widow  of  Henry  Pence ;  Mary  Jane ;  George 
W.,  of  this  review;  Susanna;  Isabelle,  widow  of  Harvey  Sowers;  Nancy,  wife 
of  William  Sagers.  of  Fremont,  Ohio:  Henry,  who  is  mentioned  elsewhere 
in  this  volume ;  Joseph,  living  north  of  Millerstown,  Ohio,  and  Sarah,  v/ife 
of  George  Baker,  of  Grant  county,  Indiana. 

George  W.  Smith  came  with  his  parents  from  Virginia  when  he  was 
a  lad  of  thirteen  years  of  age,  and  received  part  of  his  education  in  the  dis- 
trict schools  of  this  countv.  although  he  had  attended  school  to  some  extent 
in  an  old  log  school  house  in  Virginia,  of  which  he  retains  a  picture.  He  also 
has  a  picture  of  the  old  farm  house  in  Virginia  where  his  birth  occurred, 
which  he  prizes  very  highly.  After  leaving  school  he  worked  on  a  farm  for 
his  uncle,  and  also  learned  the  harness  trade  from  another  uncle  in  Shelby 
county,  Ohio,  wliich  occupation  he  followed  for  some  years.  On  January  2, 
1862,  George  W.  Smith  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  army  in  Company 
K,  Fifty-first  Regiment  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  with  which  he  served  until 
he  was  mustered  out  at  Camp  Chase,  Columbus,  Ohio.  There  he  took  the 
measles  and  was  removed  to  a  hospital,  where  he  lay  ill  for  some  time,  finally 
reaching  home  in  a  very  weakened  condition.  Later,  he  again  joined  the  army, 
but  on  account  of  his  ill  health,  was  mustered  out  in  the  fall  of  1862.  After 
lea\-ing  the  ser\ice,  he  returned  to  Champaign  countv,  where  he  engaged  in 
farming,  anfl  has  since  made  that  his  principal  occupation.  Fie  has  been 
\'ery  successful  as  a  fruit  grower  and  truck  gardener,  and  has  a  very  com- 
fortable and  attractive  home  on  the  edge  of  the  village  of  St.  Paris. 

On   September  24,    1865.   George   W.    Smith   was  married   to   Amanda 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  747 

Offenbacher,  who  was  horn  in  Johnson  township,  November  7,  1846,  the 
daughter  of  John  Ofifenbacher  and  wiie.  To  this  union  was  born  one  son,  Will- 
iam C,  born  November  22,  1880.  William  C.  Smith  is  a  graduate  of  the 
high  school  at  St.  Paris,  and  of  the  Urbana  Business  College  at  Urbana,  now 
employed  l^y  the  heat  and  light  department  at  Columbus,  Ohio.  On  August 
31,  191 6.  he  married  Catherine  McCormack,  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  they 
make  their  home  in  that  city. 

Air.  and  Airs.  Smith  are  earnest  and  devoted  members  of  the  Baptist 
church  at  Alillerstown,  in  which  they  take  an  active  interest.  Mr.  Smith  is 
a  member  of  the  lodge  of  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men  at  St.  Paris,  in 
wliicli  he  holds  the  ofhce  of  past  sachem.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and 
lias  alwavs  taken  an  active  part  in  the  civic  life  of  his  community,  having 
served  as  township  trustee,  supervisor  and  also  as  constable. 


CLEMENT  A.  LONG. 


One  of  the  substantial  citizens  and  prosperous  farmers  of  Concord 
township,  this  county,  is  C.  A.  Long,  the  owner  and  proprietor  of  "Poplar 
Lane  Farm,"  situated  one  and  one-half  miles  north  of  Millerstown.  He  was 
born  in  Concord  township  on  February  23,  1872,  and  is  a  son  of  Thomas 
R.  and  Lydia  (McCroskey)  Long,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  the  latter  of  Adams  township,  this  county. 

Thomas  R.  Long  came  from  his  native  state  to  Ohio  in  an  early  day,  and 
was  here  married  to  Lydia  McCroskey  in  1870.  He  located  on  a  farm  north 
of  the  present  home  of  C.  A.  Long  in  1839,  remaining  on  this  place  for  many 
years,  but  in  later  life  moved  to  Johnson  township,  where  his  death  occurred 
November  14,  1900.  His  widow  is  still  living.  They  were  the  parents  of 
four  children,  of  whom  C.  A.,  is  the  eldest,  the  others  being  Emma,  wife 
of  Thomas  Halterman;  Mary,  wife  of  Wallace  Comer,  and  Homer. 

Clement  A.  Long  was  reared  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm,  receiving 
his  education  in  the  district  schools,  remaining  at  home  until  he  was  twenty- 
one  years  of  age,  when  he  started  to  farm  on  his  own  account.  That  he 
has  met  with  very  commendable  success,  is  attested  by  the  fact  that  he  is 
now  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  eight  acres  of  land  in  Concord  township, 
all  of  which  is  in  a  fine  state  of  cultivation,  with  good  buildings  and  all  the 
modern  equipment  necessary  to  progressive,  up-to-date  farming.  Mr.  Long 
is  engaged  largely  in  buying  and  feeding  live  stock  for  the  markets,  deriving 


748  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

a  considerable  income  from  this  branch  of  farming.  Besides  his  farming 
interests,  Mr.  Long  is  a  stockholder  in  the  United  Telephone  Company,  of 
Bellefontaine,  Ohio. 

On  September  27,  1894,  C.  A.  Long  was  married  to  Anna  Abbott,  who 
was  born  in  Millerstown,  this  county,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  one  son, 
Loren  A.,  who  was  born  on  July  29,  1905.  The  latter  is  now  a  student 
in  the  public  schools.  The  family  are  earnest  and  devoted  members  of 
the  United  Brethren  church,  and  take  an  active  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the 
local  church  of  that  denomination  at  Rosewood.  Mr.  Long  is  a  member 
of  Lodge  No.  397,  Lidependent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  is  a  past  noble 
grand  of  that  order.  He  also  holds  membership  in  the  encampment,  where 
he  has  reached  the  office  of  past  chief  patriarch,  and  is  at  present  the  dis- 
trict deputy  grand  master  of  district  "B".  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Long  are 
active  members  of  the  Daughters  of  Rebekah,  in  which  order  Mrs.  Long 
is  past  noble  grand.  Mr.  Long  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  is  actively 
interested  in  local  civic  affairs,  being  a  warm  supporter  of  all  movements 
having  for  their  object  the  betterment  of  the  community.  At  one  time  Mr. 
Long  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  of  his  township,  and  is  now  a  member 
of  the  Concord  township  board  of  education. 


LEWIS  F.   PURK. 


A  well-known  citizen  of  Adams  township  living  in  CarysviUe,  the  owner 
and  proprietor  of  a  general  store  in  that  village,  and  the  owner  of  one 
hundred  and  fourteen  acres  of  land,  is  Lewis  F.  Purk,  who  was  born  in 
Adams  township,  on  a  farm  west  of  Rosewood,  January  21,  1871,  the  son 
of  Levi  and  Emeline  (Klinger)  Purk.  The  former  was  a  native  of  this 
county,  and  the  latter  of  Van  Wert  county,  Ohio. 

Levi  Purk  was  born  on  a  farm  one  mile  south  of  Rosewood,  near  where 
his  son,  Lewis,  now  lives,  on  June  28,  1842,  and  was  the  son  of  Jeremiah 
and  Polly  (Rusk)  Purk,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  the  vicinity 
of  Shades  Furnace,  Pennsylvania,  who  came  with  his  parents  to  Cham- 
paign county,  among  the  early  pioneers  of  Adams  township.  Jeremiah  Purk 
lived  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  this  township,  spending  his  last  days  in  the 
village  of  CarysviUe,  where  his  death  occurred.  He  was  a  son  of  William 
Purk,  a  native  of  Maryland,  who  came  to  Pennsylvania  in  an  early  dav, 
where  he  married  a  woman  by  the  name  of  Purkeypole.     His  wife's  name 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  749 

was  the  same  as  his  own,  and  at  that  time  was  spelled  and  used  that  way; 
but  later  the  last  two  S3'llables  of  the  name  were  dropped.  Polly  Rusk, 
the  wife  of  Jeremiah  Purk,  was  born  in  this  county,  her  parents  having 
come  into  the  county  in  an  early  day  from  the  East.  Emeline  Klinger, 
the  mother  of  Lewis  F.  Purk,  was  born  in  Van  Wert  county,  Ohio,  the 
daughter  of  Abraham  and  Julia  Ann  (Heckard )  Klinger,  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Van  Wevt 
county. 

As  a  young  man,  Levi  Purk  enhsted  for  service  in  the  Union  army  in 
Company  B,  Sixty-sixth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Lifantry,  and  served 
three  years  at  the  front.  During  the  time  of  his  service,  he  saved  money, 
which  he  sent  home  and  purchased  the  farm  where  Lewis  F.  is  now  living. 
After  his  return  from  the  war,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Emeline  Klin- 
ger on  April  3,  1865,  and  they  located  first  on  a  farm  south  of  Rosewood, 
where  they  lived  a  few  years.  Later  they  sold  this  place  and  bought  another 
farm  just  north  of  them,  where  he  lived  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Levi 
Purk  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  two  dying  in  infancy;  those 
reaching  maturity  are:  Corey,  an  engineer  living  in  Iowa;  Diana,  wife  of 
John  C.  Woolley,  a  farmer  of  Johnson  township;  Charles  B.,  living  near 
Rossburg,  Shelby  county,  Ohio;  Lewis  F.,  the  immediate  subject  of  this 
review;  Sarah,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Berton  Chaney,  of  Lima, 
Ohio;  Stephen  A.,  of  Minneapolis,  Minnesota;  Alice  V.,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  twenty-two  years,  and  John  W.,  of  Carysville,  Ohio.  Levi  Purk  and 
his  wife  were  earnest  members  of  the  Christian  church,  in  which  they  took 
an  active  interest.  He  was  a  member  of  Spring  Hills,  Ohio,  lodge.  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  always 
taking  an  active  interest  in  political  affairs. 

Lewis  F.  Purk  was  reared  to  manhood  on  the  farm  in  Adams  town- 
ship, receiving  his  early  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  township, 
and  he  supplemented  this  by  taking  a  business  course  in  the  National  Normal 
University  at  Lebanon,  Ohio.  In  1896  he  engaged  in  the  general  mercantile 
business  at  Carysville,  Ohio,  to  which  he  devoted  his  entire  time  and  atten- 
tion for  some  years,  and  in  which  he  was  very  successful,  having  built  up 
a  large  and  lucrative  patronage  in  Carysville  and  the  surrounding  commun- 
ity. In  later  years,  however,  he  has  devoted  much  of  his  time  and  atten- 
tion to  his  farming  interests,  although  still  engaged  in  the  general  merchandise 
business. 

On  May  22,  1907,  Lewis  F.  Purk  was  married  to  Emma  A.  Ward,  the 
daughter  of  Lewis  and   Catherine    (Journell)    Ward,   pioneers   of  Johnson 


750  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

township,  who  came  to  this  county  in  an  early  day  from  the  East.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Purk  are  the  parents  of  one  daughter,  Zehna  Ruth,  who  is  a 
student  in  the  schools  at  Rosewood.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Chris- 
tian church  at  Carysville,  and  take  an  active  and  interested  part  in  the  affairs 
of  that  demonimation,  Mr.  Purk  having  served  as  trustee  of  the  local  church 
for  the  past  eight  years. 


THOMAS  E.  WALBORN. 

T.  E.  Walborn,  an  enterprising  farmer  now  living  on  the  H.  H.  Bre- 
count  farm  of  one  hundred  and  ninety  acres  three  miles  west  of 
St.  Paris,  was  born  in  Jackson  township,  this  county,  September  4,  1868,  the 
son  of  John  H.  and  Elizabeth  (Parker)  Walborn,  who  are  mentioned  else- 
where in  this  voluiue  in  the  sketch  of  Solomon  Walborn. 

John  H.  Walborn  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  five  of 
whom  are  now  living.  Among  the  seven  are  the  following:  G.  W..  living 
on  the  J.  W.  Kiser  farm  in  Johnson  township;  Thomas  E..  the  immediate 
subject  of  this  brief  review ;  Minnie,  the  widow  of  William  Betz,  living  at 
Bluffton,  Indiana;  Annie  Jane,  who  died  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years;  Solomon, 
a  farmer  of  Johnson  township ;  and  Emma,  the  wife  of  Charles  Stapleton, 
of  Columbus,  Ohio. 

T.  E.  Walborn  was  but  three  years  of  age  when  he  moved  with  his 
parents  to  Van  Wert  county,  Ohio,  where  they  lived  for  the  next  fourteen 
years,  and  there  he  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools.  When 
he  was  seventeen  years  of  age,  the  family  moved  to  Jay  county,  Ind.,  with 
the  exception  of  the  mother,  who  died  in  Van  Wert  county,  Ohio.  He 
remained  in  Indiana  for  six  3'ears,  during  which  time  he  was  married.  In 
1 89 1  he  returned  to  Champaign  county,  locating  in  St.  Paris,,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  the  teaming  and  dray  business  for  eleven  years ;  from  there  he 
moved  to  the  rented  farm  where  he  is  now  living. 

Mr.  Walborn  has  been  thrice  married,  his  first  wife  being  Mary  J. 
Brighton,  whom  he  married  in  Indiana,  and  to  this  union  three  children 
were  born :  Charles,  living  near  Westville,  this  county ;  William,  living  on 
the  Kiser  farm  in  Johnson  township,  and  Carl,  living  on  the  Leonard  Hall 
farm  in  Johnson  township.  After  the  family  returned  to  St.  Paris,  the 
wife  and  mother  died.  Ad^r.  Walborn  then  married  Elina  White,  and  to 
them  one  son  was  born,  J.  Roger,  now  a  student  in  the  public  schools.     After 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  751 

the  death  of  his  second  wife,  and  while  he  was  still  living  in  St.  Paris,  Mr. 
Walborn  was  married  to  Clare  Batdorf,  in  May,  191 1.  She  is  a  daughter 
of  George  and  Margaret  (Watkins)  Batdorf,  and  was  born  and  reared  in 
St.  Paris,  Ohio.  Mrs.  Walborn  is  a  member  of  the  Reformed  church  at 
St.  Paris,  as  were  her  parents  before  her,  who  lived  and  died  in  this  village. 
Mr.  Walborn  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  has  always  taken  an  active 
interest  in  local  public  matters.  While  living  in  St.  Paris,  he  served  as  coun- 
cilman of  the  village  board  for  two  years. 


CHARLES  O.  TAYLOR. 


The  late  Charles  O.  Taylor,  for  years  a  well-known  hardware  mer- 
chant of  Urbana  and  a  substantial  landowner  of  Champaign  county,  who 
died  at  his  home  in  Urbana  in  the  fall  of  1906  and  whose  widow  is  still 
living  in  that  city,  was  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  lived  here 
all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  the  Mad  River  farm  in  Concord  township 
on  August  12,  1852,  son  of  Oliver  and  Catherine  (Caraway)  Taylor,  both 
of  whom  also  were  born  in  this  county,  members  of  old  families,  and  who 
spent  all  their  lives  here.  Oliver  Taylor  was  born  on  a  pioneer  farm  at 
Spring  Hills  and  there  grew  to  manhood  and  was  married.  He  continued 
a  farmer  and  stockman  all  his  life,  his  death  occurring  on  the  old  home 
place.  He  was  a  man  of  much  energy,  a  leader  in  his  community  and  was 
for  years  president  of  the  Citizens  National  Bank  of  Urbana,  and  was  one 
of  the  best-known  and  most  influential  bankers  in  the  county.  He  and 
his  wife  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  he  was  a  deacon  of 
the  local  congregation.  Three  children  were  born  to  Oliver  Taylor  and 
wife,  Charles  O.  Taylor  being  the  only  one  who  grew  to  maturity. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  on  Mad  River,  Charles  O.  Taylor  received 
his  early  education  in  the  schools  of  Concord  township  and  supplemented 
the  same  by  a  course  in  Gundray  Commercial  College  at  Cincinnati.  From 
the  days  of  his  youth  he  took  an  active  interest  in  the  work  of  the  farm 
and  upon  leaving  college  returned  to  the  home  farm.  Later  he  located  on 
a  farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty-three  acres,  where  he  established  his 
home  and  became  actively  engaged  in  stock  raising,  a  breeder  of  fine  stock, 
his  specialty  being  Percheron  and  Norman  horses.  He  made  several  trips 
to  Scotland  to  import  those  breeds,  his  efforts  in  this  connection  doing 
much  to  improve  the  strain  of  horseflesh  throughout  this  part  of  the  state. 


752  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

In  1892  Mr.  Taylor  retired  from  the  farm  and  moved  to  Urbana,  where 
he  engaged  in  the  general  hardware  business  and  was  thus  successfully 
engaged  until  his  retirement  from  business.  He  continued  to  make  his 
home  in  Urbana  and  there  he  spent  his  last  days,  his  death  occurring  on 
November  12,  1906,  about  two  years  after  his  retirement  from  business. 
Mr.  Taylor  was  an  active  Republican  and  was  a  member  of  the  local  lodge 
of  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 

On  March  29,  1876,  Charles  O.  Taylor  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Emma  E.  Downs,  daughter  of  William  and  Catherine  (Saunders)  Downs, 
and  to  this  union  three  children  were  born,  namely :  William  Oliver  Taylor, 
who  married  Adah  Rhodes  and  is  now  living  in  New  York  City;  Vance, 
who  married  Gladys  Blackmer,  of  St.  Gonis,  where  they  live,  and  has  two 
children,  Catherine  and  Caroline,  and  Elizabeth,  who  married  William  M. 
Dixon,  of  Urbana,  and  has  one  child,  a  daughter,  Catherine  Caraway.  Mrs. 
Taylor  is  still  living  at  Urbana,  where  she  is  very  pleasantly  situated. 


ISAIAH  STOWE. 


Isaiah  Stowe,  a  well-known  and  substantial  retired  farmer  of  Wayne 
township,  this  county,  and  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  is  a  native 
son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life,  having  made  his 
home  at  North  Lewisburg  for  the  past  fifteen  years  or  more.  He  was  born 
on  a  pioneer  farm  in  Wayne  township  on  November  7,  1843,  son  of  William 
and  Julia  Ann  (Tucker)   Stowe,  whose  last  days  were  spent  in  this  county. 

William  Stowe  was  born  in  Virginia  and  was  but  five  years  of  age 
when  he  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents,  John  and  Sallie  (Spain) 
Stowe,  who  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Wayne  township,  where  they 
established  their  home  in  the  heavy  timber,  clearing  off  a  small  tract  upon 
which  to  erect  an  humble  log  cabin  when  they  settled  there,  and  there  they 
spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  influential  and  useful  pioneers  of  that 
part  of  the  county.  John  Stowe  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  seven 
children,  William,  John,  Edwin,  Joel,  Richard,  Patsy  and  Polly.  William 
Stowe  grew  to  manhood  on  that  pioneer  farm,  receiving  his  schooling  in 
the  old  log  school  house  in  that  neighborhood,  and  after  his  marriage  to 
Julia  Ann  Tucker,  also  a  member  of  a  pioneer  family  in  that  section,  set- 
tled on  the  old  home  farm,  later  moving  to  Union  county  and  after  some 
years  spent  there  returning  to  this  county  and  locating  on  a  farm  south  of 


ISAIAH    STOWE 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  753 

North  Lewisburg,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  Hfe.  For  years  he 
was  constable  for  his  home  township  and  also  served  in  the  local  militia 
for  several  years.  He  and  his  wife  w^ere  members  of  the  Methodist  church 
and  their  children  were  reared  in  that  faith.  There  were  four  of  these 
children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  first-born,  the  others 
being"  as  follow:  Sarah,  who  died  unmarried;  Lavina,  widow  of  Jacob 
Fisher,  a  Champaign  county  farmer,  who  has  one  daughter,  Chloe,  wife  of 
Lewis  Rowell,  of  Urbana,  and  Diantha,  who  lives  in  North  Lewisburg. 

Reared  on  the  farm,  Isaiah  Stowe  received  his  schooling  in  the  neigh- 
borhood schools  and  from  the  days  of  his  boyhood  was  a  valued  assistant 
to  his  father  in  the  labors  of  improving  and  developing  the  home  farm.  On 
May  2,  1864,  in  his  twentieth  year,  Mr.  Stowe  enlisted  for  service  during 
the  hundred-day  term  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union,  a  private  in  Company  D, 
One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
was  engaged  in  several  important  engagements  and  skirmishes  of  the  Civil 
War;  the  greater  part  of  his  service,  however,  being  performed  on  guard 
duty  near  Petersburg,  Virginia.  Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service 
he  returned  home  and  took  up  the  duties  of  the  farm  and  continued  farming 
that  place  until  about  1902,  when  he  retired  from  the  farm  and  moved  to 
North  Lewisburg,  where  he  is  now  living,  in  comfortable  retirement.  Mr. 
Stowe  owns  a  comfortable  hoiise  and  two  acres  of  land  at  the  west  edge  of 
North  Lewisburg  and  his  sister,  Mrs.  Fisher,  keeps  house  for  him,  the 
two  being  very  pleasantly  situated. 


PEARL  V.  JONES. 


Pearl  V.  Jones,  farmer  of  Urbana  township,  Champaign  county,  was 
born  on  June  17,  1874,  in  Union  township,  this  county,  on  a  farm  two 
miles  north  of  the  village  of  Mutual.  He  is  a  son  of  John  and  Elizabetli 
(Nincehelser)  Jones.  The  father  was  born  in  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  and 
the  mother  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  He  was  a  son  of  William  Jones, 
a  native  of  Virginia,  where  he  grew  up  and  married,  finally  making  the 
overland  journey  from  the  Old  Dominion  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  being 
among  the  first  settlers  in  the  Muddy  Creek  district.  Concord  township,  where 
he  cleared  and  developed  a  farm.  His  wife  was  Elizabeth  Swan  before 
her  marriage.  Their  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  the  following  children : 
(48a) 


754  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Lewis  E.,  who  established  his  home  in  Cahfornia,  died  there;  Miles,  who 
lived  in  Bryan,  Ohio,  where  he  died ;  Mrs.  Jennie  Van  Zant,  who  lived 
for  many  years  in  Indiana,  but  she  died  in  Cable,  Ohio;  Mrs.  Margaret 
Crozier,  who  died  in  Springfield.  Ohio;  John,  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  the  youngest  of  the  family. 

John  Jones  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Concord  township, 
and  there  attended  the  rural  schools  of  the  early  clays.  He  first  married 
a  Miss  Mullholland,  who  died  in  Union  township,  this  county.  By  their 
union  five  children  were  born,  Emery,  a  farmer  in  Nebraska ;  Loren,  living 
in  Columbus,  Ohio;  Charles,  who  lives  in  Cable,  Ohio;  Jennie,  who  married 
W.  T.  Busser,  of  Piqua,  Ohio,  and  William,  who  lives  in  Butte,  Montana. 

John  Jones  married  for  his  second  wife,  Elizabeth  Nincehelser,  and 
by  their  union  two  children  were  born,  Pearl  V.,  of  this  sketch,  and  Mary 
E.,  wife  of  William  E.  Ward,  a  farmer  of  Urbana  township,  a  sketch  of 
whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work.  After  starting  out  in  life  for  him- 
self, Mr.  Jones  continued  to  live  awhile  in  Concord  township,  later  moving 
to  Urbana  township,  and  finally  to  Union  township,  where  he  resided  until 
his  removal  to  Urbana  township,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  He 
died  in  1897  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  His  second  wife  died  in 
1906  at  the  age  of  seventy  years.  Politically,  he  was  a  Republican.  He 
served  as  justice  of  the  peace  for  some  time.  He  belonged  to  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church. 

Pearl  V.  Jones  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm.  He  attended  the 
common  schools  of  Urbana  township,  and  continued  to  live  at  home  with 
his  parents  until  they  died.  In  November,  1903,  he  married  Keren 
Toomire,  who  was  born  in  Jackson  township,  this  county,  where  she  was 
reared  and  educated.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Harrison  and  Maranda  E. 
(Brecount)  Toomire.  Her  father  was  also  a  native  of  Jackson  township, 
and  a  son  of  Wesley  Toomire,  who  was  born  in  Concord  township,  this 
county,  but  was  of  a  Pennsylvanian  family.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  Jones 
was  a  daughter  of  Solomon  G.  Brecount,  a  native  of  the  state  of  New 
York,  and  an  early  settler  in  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  locating  at  St.  Paris. 
He  engaged  in  farming  and  contracting,  building  part  of  the  Pennsylvania 
railroad  in  this  county.  Harrison  Toomire  engaged  in  farming  in  Jackson 
township  until  he  moved  to  Urbana,  retiring  from  active  life.  His  death 
occurred  in  1892.  His  widow  still  lives  in  Urbana,  and  is  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  church  to  which  he  also  belonged.  To  these  parents  four 
children  were  born,  namely:     Hattie  A.,  now  deceased,  the  wife  of  Lemuel 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  755 

W.  Hyatt,  who  lived  in  Urbana ;  Catherine  L,  wife  of  Sherman  Thompson, 
of  Urbana;  Keren,  wife  of  Mr.  Jones  of  this  sketch;  Romie,  wife  of  Harry 
L.  Greenbank  of  Piqua,  Ohio. 

Mr.  Jones  has  always  engaged  in  farming.  He  now  owns  sixty-six  and 
one-half  acres,  a  part  of  the  old  homestead.  He  keeps  a  number  of  good 
dairy  cows.  Politically,  he  is  a  stanch  Republican,  but  has  never  sought 
or  held  public  office.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  at  Urbana. 


OTHO  G.  JOHNSON. 


Otho  G.  Johnson,  well-known  stockman  and  substantial  retired  farmer, 
of  Mingo,  this  county,  former  trustee  of  Wayne  township  and  for  years 
one  of  the  most  active  factors  in  the  general  business  life  of  that  com- 
munity, is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life. 
He  was  born  on  the  old  Johnson  homestead  place  north  of  Mingo,  in  Wayne 
township,  October  23,  1859,  son  of  Alfred  and  Elizabeth  (Stone)  Johnson, 
the  former  of  whom  was  born  on  that  same  place  and  the  latter  in  the  state 
of  Virginia,  her  death  occurring  in  July,  191 7.  Their  last  days  were  spent 
here,  where  they  were  useful  and  influential  residents  of  the  neighborhood. 

Alfred  Johnson  was  the  son  of  Jacob  Johnson  and  wife.  The  latter 
a  member  of  the  Boggs  family  who  came  to  Ohio  from  Maryland  in  1805 
and  settled  in  Wayne  township,  this  county,  early  becoming  recognized  as 
among  the  leading  pioneer  families  of  that  part  of  the  county.  At  the  time 
Jacob  Johnson  established  his  home  in  Wayne  township,  Indians  still  were 
plentiful  hereabout  and  his  family  was  reared  amid  real  pioneer  conditions. 
He  and  his  sons  developed  a  fine  piece  of  property  there  and  the  old  home 
place  is  still  in  the  possession  of  the  family  after  a  lapse  of  more  than  a 
century.  Jacob  Johnson  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  three 
sons  and  one  daughter,  namely :  Hiram,  who  established  his  home  on  a 
farm  on  the  Ludlow  road;  Nelson,  who  married  Eliza  Gilbert  and  established 
his  home  one  mile  east  of  Mingo;  Polly,  who  married  Colonel  Thomas  and 
lived  in  Salem  township,  and  Alfred,  the  last  born,  now  dead. 

Reared  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Wayne  township,  Alfred  Johnson 
established  his  home  there  after  his  marriage  and  there  spent  all  his  life, 
becoming  one  of  the  most  extensive  farmers  and  stockmen  in  that  part  of 
the  county,  a  man  of  large  influence  in  his  community.  He  was  a  Republican 
and  took  an  active  part  in  political  affairs,  becoming  one  of  the  leaders  of 


756  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

his  party  in  his  section.  His  wife  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church  and 
their  children  were  reared  in  that  faith.  There  were  seven  of  these  children, 
of  whom  Otho  G.  Johnson  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being 
as  follow:  Thomas  L.,  a  well-known  lawyer  at  Cleveland;  John  B.,  who 
is  a  farmer  in  the  neighborhood  of  DeFuniak  Springs,  Florida;  Martha, 
who  is  living  at  Marion,  this  state,  Avidow  of  Daniel  W.  Strayer;  Charles 
N.,  who  for  twenty  years  was  connected  with  the  Kansas  City  stock  yards 
and  is  now  a  prosperous  farmer  in  Salem  township,  this  county;  Fred, 
formerly  a  conductor  on  the  Wabash  railroad,  who  was  killed  in  a  wreck 
in  1913,  and  Merton  R.,  a  well-known  resident  of  Mingo. 

Brought  up  on  the  old  home  farm  established  by  his  grandfather,  Otho 
G.  Johnson  received  his  schooling  in  the  neighborhood  schools  and  from 
the  days  of  his  boyhood  was  a  valued  assistant  in  the  labors  of  developing 
and  improving  the  place  and  in  helping  his  father  in  the  latter's  extensive 
live  stock  operations,  thus  early  becoming  a  practical  farmer  and  stockman. 
He  married  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  and  made  his  home  on  the  west  part 
of  the  old  homestead  place.  He  remained  there  until  igio,  in  which  year 
he  left  the  farm  and  moved  to  Mingo,  for  the  better  management  of  the 
extensive  live  stock  interests  he  had  been  developing,  and  there  he  has  since 
made  his  home.  For  twenty  years  or  more  Mr.  Johnson  has  been  engaged 
in  the  buying  and  selling  of  live  stock,  shipping  mostly  to  the  Cleveland 
yards,  and  has  made  a  specialty  of  raising  on  his  farm  Poland-China  hogs 
and  Percheron  horses,  for  many  years  having  been  recognized  as  one  of 
the  leading  stockmen  in  this  part  of  the  state.  He  and  his  brother,  Thomas 
L.  Johnson,  are  the  owners  of  more  than  five  hundred  acres  of  excellent 
land.  Mr.  Johnson  is  a  Republican  and  for  some  time  served  as  trustee  of 
his  home  township. 

In  1880  Otho  G.  Johnson  w^as  united  in  marriage  to  Laura  Thomas,  who 
was  born  on  the  old  Thomas  farm  in  Salem  township,  this  county,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Josephus  and  Jane  (Downs)  Thomas,  and  to  this  union  four  chil- 
dren have  been  born,  as  follow :  Nellie,  wife  of  Arthur  Johnson,  of  Belle- 
fontaine,  Ohio;  Alfred,  a  progressive  young  farmer  living  one-half  mile 
east  of  Mingo,  who  married  Ruth  Gilbert  and  has  two  sons,  Claude  and 
Otho;  Lulu  May,  wife  of  Edward  Warye,  of  Salem  township,  this  county, 
and  Mary,  who  married  Blaine  Watkins,  who  is  farming  the  old  Johnson 
homestead  farm,  and  has  one  child,  a  daughter,  Elsie,  a  representative  of 
the  fifth  generation  of  the  same  family  in  continuous  occupancy  of  that 
place.     Mrs.  Johnson  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church  and  both  she  and 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  757 

Mr.  Johnson  have  ever  been  attentive  to  local  good  works,  helpful  in  many 
ways  in  promoting  such  movements  as  were  designed  to  advance  the  com- 
mon welfare  of  the  community  in  which  they  have  lived  all  their  lives  and 
in  which  their  respective  families  have  been  prominently  represented  since 
pioneer  days. 


EDWARD  N.  KEESECKER. 

Edward  N.  Keesecker,  well-known  and  progressive  merchant  at  Cable, 
this  county,  and  the  oldest  business  man  continuously  engaged  in  business 
in  that  village,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here  all 
his  life.  He  was  born  in  the  village  of  Mutual,  in  the  neighboring  town- 
ship of  Union,  July  12,  1861,  son  of  Martin  and  Catherine  (Craft)  Kee- 
secker, natives  of  Virginia,  who  came  to  Ohio  shortly  after  their  marriage 
and  settled  in  the  village  of  Mutual,  where  Martin  Keesecker  resumed  work 
at  his  trade,  that  of  a  shoemaker.  Later  he  moved  to  Cable  and  about 
twenty  years  ago  moved  from  that  village  to  Greenville,  where  he  is  still 
living.  To  him  and  his  wife  six  children  were  born,  of  whom  two  are 
now  living  in  Champaign  county,  Edward  N.  Keesecker  having  a  sister  here, 
Ella,  wife  of  C.  M.  Graham. 

Edward  N.  Keesecker  was  about  five  years  of  age  when  his  parents 
moved  from  Alutual  to  Cable,  and  in  the  latter  village  he  received  his 
schooling.  He  began  work  as  a  farm  hand  upon  leaving  school,  going  to 
work  at  a  wage  of  eight  dollars  a  month,  and  was  thus  engaged  for  three 
or  four  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  began  clerking  in  the  general 
store  of  Dunham  &  Chrisman  at  Cable  and  has  ever  since  been  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business  in  that  village,  having  been  proprietor  of  his  own 
store  for  twenty-two  years,  a  period  of  continuous  business  connection  ex- 
ceeding that  of  any  other  business  man  in  the  village.  For  ten  years  Mr. 
Keesecker  continued  clerking  for  Dunham  &  Chrisman  and  then  he  con- 
cluded to  start  in  business  for  himself,  and  in  the  fall  of  1895  he  opened 
a  small  store  on  the  north  side  of  the  railroad  track.  He  did  so  well  there 
that  at  the  end  of  a  year  he  was  ready  for  larger  cjuarters  and  a  more 
extensive  stock  of  goods;  accordingly  he  moved  his  store  to  the  Odd  Fellow 
building  w^here  he  remained  for  six  years,  continuing  to  do  an  excellent 
business.  He  then  bought  the  place  in  which  he  had  begun  his  mercantile 
career  as  a  clerk  years  ago,  a  two-story  building,  forty  by  sixty  feet  in 
extent,  and  has  ever  since  occupied  that  building,  having  there  one  of  the 


758  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

most  up-to-date  general  stores  in  Champaign  county.  Mr.  Keesecker  handles 
a  well-selected  general  line  and  spares  no  pains  to  meet  the  demands  of 
his  growng  trade. 

In  1888  Edward  N.  Keesecker  was  united  in  marriage  to  Esther  More- 
craft,  daughter  of  John  Morecraft  and  wife,  and  to  this  union  one  child 
has  been  born,  a  son,  Raymond.  Mr.  Keesecker  is  a  Republican  and  has 
ever  given  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  political  affairs,  but  has  not 
been  included  in  the  office  seeking  class.  He  is  a  member  of  the  local  lodge 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in 
the  affairs  of  that  popular  organization. 


ALONZO  R.  HUPP. 


Alonzo  R.  Hupp,  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  substantial  farmers 
of  Urbana  township,  this  county,  was  born  in  the  neighboring  county  of 
Clark,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  this  county  since  the  days  of  his  boyhood, 
his  parents  having  moved  up  into  this  county  in  1874,  settling  on  a  farm 
in  Union  township.  The  place  of  his  birth  was  a  farm  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  the  old  Deer  school,  west  of  Bowlusville,  and  the  date  thereof 
was  Eebruary  18,  1863.  His  father,  Michael  Hupp,  was  born  in  \"irginia 
and  his  mother,  Phoebe  (Morris)  Hupp,  was  born  in  Clark  county,  a 
member  of  one  of  the  old  families  of  this  section  of  the  state.  Michael 
Hupp  i&  still  living  and  now  resides  with  his  son  Alonzo  and  further  and 
fitting  mention  of  whom  is  made  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  The  twelve 
children  born  to  them,  of  whom  nine  are  still  living,  are:  William,  A.  R., 
Jennie,  Albert,  Irvin,  Charlie,  Frank,  Laura,  Doc,  Marley,  Roy  and  Elmer. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  the  southern  part  of  this  county,  Alonzo 
R.  Hupp,  better  known  among  his  friends  as  "Lon"  Hupp,  received  his 
schooling  in  the  neighborhood  schools  and  from  the  days  of  his  boyhood 
was  a  valued  assistant  in  the  labors  of  the  home  place,  remaining  at  home 
until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  then  took  up  the  carpenter  trade 
and  followed  it  more  or  less  for  about  fourteen  years,  farming  some  mean- 
while. About  thirty  years  ago  he  rented  a  farm  and  engaged  in  farming 
on  his  own  account.  About  thirteen  years  ago  Mr.  Hupp  bought  the  farm 
on  which  he  is  now  living  and  has  ever  since  made  that  place  his  home,  he 
and  his  family  being  very  comfortably  situated.  In  addition  to  his  general 
farming,  Mr.  Hupp  also  for  years  operated  a  threshing-rig  in  season  through- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  759 

out  his  part  of  the  county  and  is  widely  known  thereabout.  He  is  a  Demo- 
crat and  has  for  years  given  his  close  attention  to  local  political  affairs  and 
is  a  member  of  the  school  board  in  his  district. 

In  1895  Alonzo  R.  Hupp  was  united  in  marriage  to  Elizabeth  Ashing, 
daughter  of  Jacob  Ashing,  of  this  county,  and  to  this  union  one  child  has 
been  born,  a  daughter,  Glennie  Mae.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hupp  are  members 
of  the  Grace  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Urbana  and  take  a  proper  inter- 
est in  church  affairs,  as  well  as  in  the  general  good  works  of  the  community 
in  which  they  live. 


WILLIAM  CRAWFORD. 


William  Crawford,  agent  for  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  at 
Cable,  this  county,  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  that  flourishing  village 
and  in  other  ways  actively  identified  with  the  growing  interests  of  the  town, 
is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county,  a  member  of  one  of  the  old  families 
of  this  county,  further  and  fitting  reference  to  which  is  made  elsewhere 
in  this  volume.  He  was  born  at  Woodstock,  in  Rush  township,  February 
10,  1866,  and  was  reared  in  that  village,  receiving  his  schooling  there  and 
early  taking  up  farm  work  in  that  vicinity.  Incidentally,  he  learned  tele- 
graphing and  in  1894  was  made  railway  telegraph  operator  at  Fountain 
Park,  this  state,  where  he  remained  for  about  fifteen  years.  At  the  end 
of  that  time  he  was  transferred  to  Urbana,  later  to  Piqua  and  then,  in 
191  o,  to  Cable,  the  Pennsylvania  company  making  him  station  agent  there, 
where  he  has  since  made  his  home,  one  of  the  most  active  and  energetic 
residents  of  that  hustling  village.  Mr.  Crawford  is  a  Republican  and  is 
a  member  of  the  school  board,  in  this  capacity  having  been  largely  instru- 
mental in  bringing  about  the  construction  of  the  fine  new  consolidated 
school  building  at  Cable,  one  of  the  best  buildings  of  this  type  in  Cham- 
paign county. 

Mr.  Crawford  has  been  twice  married.  In  1893  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Lucy  Cushman,  who  is  now  deceased,  and  to  that  union  two 
children  were  born,  Pearl  and  Harriet.  In  1909  he  married,  secondly, 
Eliza  Leonard,  which  union  has  been  without  issue.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Craw- 
ford are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Cable  and  take 
an  earnest  interest  in  church  work.  They  are  also  closely  connected  with 
the  other  good  works  and  in  the  general  social  activities  of  their  home 
town.     Mr.  Crawford  is  a  York  Rite  and  Royal  Arch  Mason,  a  member  of 


760  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

the  blue  lodge,  the  chapter  and  Knights  Templar  at  Urbana,  and  takes 
a  warm  interest  in  Masonic  affairs.  Since  taking  up  his  residence  in  Cable 
he  has  done  much  to  advance  the  general  interests  of  the  town  in  a  mate- 
rial way  and  is  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  "live  wires"  of  that  section  of 
the  county. 


ROGER  H.  MURPHEY. 


Roger  H.  Murphey,  the  well-known  veteran  florist  at  Urbana  and  for- 
mer postmaster  of  that  city,  was  born  in  Urbana  and  has  lived  there  all  his 
life,  one  of  the  best-known  citizens  of  Champaign  county.  He  was  bom 
on  December  23,  1853,  son  of  Charles  H.  and  Sophia  B.  (Lang)  Murphey, 
the  former  a  native  of  Scotland  and  the  latter  of  the  kingdom  of  Bavaria, 
who  became  residents  of  Urbana  in  1852,  the  year  of  their  marriage,  and 
there  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  Charles  H.  Murphey  for  years 
having  been  engaged  in  the  nursery  business  in  that  city. 

Charles  H.  Murphey  was  born  in  Kirkcudbright,  Scotland,  January  12, 
181 7,  his  birthplace  being  about  two  miles  from  that  of  Robert  Burns.  He 
grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  land,  where  he  was  trained  as  a  landscape 
gardener  and  where  he  also  learned  the  details  of  the  distillery  business. 
In  1843.  li^  then  being  twenty-six  years  of  age,  he  came  to  this  country, 
his  point  of  destination  being  Cincinnati,  whence  he  presently  went  to 
Peoria,  Illinois,  where  for  some  years  he  was  engaged  working  in  one  of 
the  big  distilleries  in  that  city.  He  also  worked  in  one  of  the  Indiana  dis- 
tilleries awhile  and  then  came  over  into  Ohio,  settling  on  Mad  river,  where 
he  distilled,  and  was  thus  engaged  until  after  his  marriage  in  1852,  when 
he  moved  to  Urbana  and  there  was  given  charge  of  the  laying  out  of  a  new 
cemetery  which  a  company  of  prominent  citizens  had  established  there  and 
which,  according  to  th&  best  present  recollection,  was  to  be  known  as  "Oak- 
dale."  That  cemetery  proposition,  however,  was  soon  dashed,  for  a  law 
was  enacted  not  long  afterward  forbidding  the  establishment  of  cemeteries 
within  the  corporate  limits  of  Ohio  cities  and  the  cemetery  project  was  thus 
perforce  abandoned.  Mr.  Murphey,  however,  had  learned  to  love  the  plot 
of  ground  on  which  he  had  been  working  and,  recognizing  the  possibilities 
of  a  properly  conducted  nursery  at  Urbana,  he  bought  the  tract  from  the 
cemetery  association  and  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  Peter  H.  Murphey, 
engaged  there  in  the  nursery  business  and  continued  thus  engaged  until  his 
retirement  in  1875,  his  son.  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  at  that  time  taking 


ROGER  H.  MURPHFA'. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  761 

over  the  business.  After  his  retirement  Charles  H.  Murphey  continued  to 
make  his  home  in  Urbana  and  there  spent  his  last  days,  his  death  occurring 
on  January  13,  1891,  the  day  following  the  seventy-fourth  anniversary  of 
his  birth.  His  widow  survived  him  for  twenty  years,  her  death  occurring  in 
191 1.  She  was  born,  Sophia  Lang,  in  the  kingdom  of  Bavaria,  and  was 
but  six  years  of  age  when  she  came  to  this  country  with  her  father,  who 
located  in  Cincinnati,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  where  she  was 
living  at  the  time  of  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Murphey.  To  that  union  six 
children  were  born,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  first-born, 
the  others  being  Charles  H.,  Ella,  wife  of  Joseph  Stokes,  Walter  T.,  George 
C.  and  Thomas  L. 

Reared  at  Urbana,  Roger  H.  Murphey  received  his  schooling  in  the 
schools  of  that  city  and  from  the  days  of  his  boyhood  was  a  valued  assistant 
to  his  father  in  the  labors  of  operating  the  nursery  plant.  Upon  completing 
his  studies  he  was  sent  by  his  father  to  France  to  visit  the  great  greenhouses 
of  that  country  with  a  view^  to  learning  something  of  the  methods  so  effect- 
ively used  by  the  florists  of  France,  and  after  thoroughly  familiarizing  him- 
self with  these  methods  he  returned  home  and  in  1875  bought  from  his 
father  the  greenhouse  business  the  latter  had  been  gradually  working  up  in 
connection  with  his  nursery.  In  1878  Roger  H.  Murphey  abandoned  the 
latter  department  of  the  business  and  has  since  devoted  his  entire  attention 
to  the  florist  business,  in  that  time  creating  one  of  the  largest  and  most 
admirably  equipped  greenhouses  in  the  state  of  Ohio  and  becoming  recog- 
nized as  one  of  the  six  largest  dealers  in  the  United  States  following  the 
particular  line  to  which  he  has  given  his  most  careful  thought.  That  line 
is  the  cultivation  of  small  rose  plants  for  sale  wholesale  to  other  florists  over 
the  country.  He  grows  these  plants  until  they  are  six  or  eight  inches  in 
height  and  then  ships  them  on  demand.  At  the  opening  of  the  present 
season  Mr.  Murphey  had  one  million  of  these  growing  plants  in  his  green- 
houses to  supply  the  enormous  demand  that  has  been  created  for  them.  He 
cultivates  two  hundred  different  varieties  of  roses  and  is  thus  prepared  to 
fill  almost  any  kind  of  an  order  in  that  direction.  When  he  began  to  enlarge 
his  florist  business  Mr.  Murphey  had  but  about  three  hundred  and  sixty 
scjuare  feet  under  glass.  Now  his  great  greenhouses  cover  more  than  sixty- 
seven  thousand  square  feet  and  his  equipment  in  every  respect  is  complete 
and  up-to-date,  his  plant  covering  eleven  acres  of  ground.  Mr.  Murphey  is 
a  Republican  and  has  ever  given  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  political 
affairs.  In  June,  1897,  he  was  appointed  by  President  McKinley  to  the 
position  of   special  agent   in  connection   with   the   rural   free   delivery   mail 


762  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

service  and  eighteen  months  later,  in  April,  1899,  was  appointed  postmaster 
of  Urbana,  which  important  position  he  occupied  for  eight  years. 

In  1878  Roger  H.  Alurphey  was  united  in  marriage  to  Anna  C.  Keller, 
daughter  of  Maurice  Keller  and  wife,  and  to  this  union  four  children  have 
been  born,  namely:  Charles  R.,  who  married  Lillian  Harmon  and  has  one 
child,  a  son,  Robert  C. ;  William  M.,  who  married  Marie  Hurd  and  died  on 
March  29,  19 16,  leaving  a  widow  and  one  child,  a  daughter,  Anna  Belle; 
E.  l<"rank,  who  married  Mayme  Murray,  and  Mary,  who  married  George 
Henderson  and  died  on  May  2I1,  19 16,  leaving  her  husband  and  two  children, 
Dorothy  and  Calvin.  The  Murpheys  have  a  very  pleasant  home  at  Urbana 
and  have  ever  taken  an  interested  part  in  the  general  social  activities  of  their 
home  town.  Mr.  Murphey  is  a  Knight  Templar  Mason,  a  member  of  the 
blue  lodge  and  the  commandery  at  Urbana,  and  is  also  a  noble  of  the  Ancient 
Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  afifiliated  with  the  temple  at 
Davton,  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  Masonic  affairs. 


DAVID  ORRIN  BRELSFORD. 

Every  man  must  be  the  architect  of  his  success.  If  he  has  the  right 
mettle  in  him  he  cannot  be  kept  down;  if  he  is  made  of  inferior  material 
he  cannot  be  kept  up,  though  all  the  world  try  to  elevate  him.  David  Orrin 
Brelsford,  one  of  the  progressive  educators  of  Champaign  countv,  knew 
at  the  beginning  of  his  career  that  if  he  succeeded  he  would  have  to  be 
industrious,  capable  and  conscientious,  and  so  he  has  forged  ahead  because 
of  these  qualities. 

Mr.  Brelsford,  the  present  superintendent  of  the  Jackson  centralized 
schools,  was  born  at  Millerstown,  Johnson  township,  this  county,  January  9, 
1870.  He  is  a  son  of  Charles  and  Mary  E.  Brelsford.  The  father  was 
born  at  A^Tadison,  Wisconsin,  in  1845;  the  mother  was  born  in  Johnson 
township.  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  July  4,  1846.  The  paternal  grandparents 
of  David  O.  Brelsford  were  natives  of  England,  and  the  maternal  grand- 
parents lived  at  Aberdeen,  Scotland,  of  the  clan  of  Scott.  To  Charles  and 
Mary  E.  Brelsford  two  children  were  born:  David  O.,  of  this  sketch;  and 
Rev.  Millard  Brelsford,  now  a  resident  of  Granville,  Ohio. 

David  O.  Brelsford  received  his  early  education  in  the  common  schools 
of   Shelby  county,   Ohio,   and   later  spent   several   terms   in   Ohio   Northern 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  763 

University,  taking  a  mixed  course.  Thus  exceptionally  well  equipped  for 
his  chosen  life  work,  he  began  teaching  at  St.  Paris,  Champaign  county, 
where  he  spent  fifteen  years  in  this  work;  seven  years  of  which  were  in 
the  high  school.  He  was  then  superintendent  of  the  Salem  township  schools 
for  seven  years.  He  was  then  elected  superintendent  of  the  Jackson  cen- 
traHzed  schools,  which  position  he  still  occupies.  He  was  county  examiner 
for  two  terms.  He  also  served  as  president  of  the  County  Teachers'  Asso- 
ciation for  two  years,  and  was  a  member  of  the  executive  committee  several 
terms  for  the  teachers'  institute.  In  all  these  positions  he  has  discharged 
his  duties  in  a  manner  that  has  reflected  much  credit  upon  himself  and  to 
the  eminent  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  Being  faithful,  conscientious 
and  painstaking  in  his  work,  and  having  remained  a  close  student  of  all 
that  pertains  to  educational  affairs,  he  has  kept  fully  abreast  of  the  times. 
He  has  done  as  much,  if  not  more,  to  bring  the  schools  of  Champaign  county 
up  to  a  high  and  efficient  standard  than  any  other  man,  having  introduced 
from  time  to  time  new  methods  and  ec[uipment.  Since  the  schools  of  which 
he  has  had  charge  have  been  placed  under  such  a  superb  system  of  manage- 
ment, they  have  continued  to  do  excellent  work  and  very  favorably  compare 
with  the  best  schools  in  the  rural  districts  over  the  state  of  Ohio. 

Mr.  Brelsford  is  owner  of  a  well  improved  and  productive  farm  of 
eighty  acres  in  Champaign  county. 

On  December  30,  1892,  Mr.  Brelsford  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Minnie  Slack,  who  was  born  on  August  6,  1872,  in  Johnson  township.  Cham- 
paign county,  and  there  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  received  a  common 
school  education.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Cornelius  and  Ann  Slack,  who 
were  the  parents  of  two  children,  a  son  and  a  daughter,  namely :  Minnie, 
who  married  Mr.  Brelsford  and  Charles  Slack. 

Three  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brelsford,  they  are : 
Lowell,  born  March  23,  1895;  Edith,  born  April  8,  1904;  and  Charles  G., 
born  August  14,   1906. 

Politically,  Mr.  Brelsford  is  a  Republican.  Fraternally,  he  belongs 
to  St.  Paris  Lodge,  No.  355,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  St.  Paris  Knights 
of  Pythias,  Lodge  No.  344,  which  he  served  as  chancellor  commander  and 
delegate  to  the  grand  lodge  for  two  years.  Religiously,  he  belongs  to  the 
First  Baptist  church  at  St.  Paris.  He  is  a  man  of  commendable  personal 
attributes  and  is  well  known  and  popular  throughout  the  county,  a  plain 
unpretentious  gentleman,  whose  chief  aim  in  life  is  to  promote  better  edu- 
cational facilities  and  to  be  a  useful  citizen. 


764  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

GEORGE  E.  STEPHENSON. 

George  E.  Stephenson,  secretary,  treasurer  and  manager  of  the  Rose- 
wood Grain  Company,  which  operates  an  elevator  at  Rosewood,  Adams 
township,  is  one  of  the  best  known  grain  men  in  Champaign  county.  He 
was  born  in  the  above  named  township  and  county,  April  9,  1867.  He  is 
a  son  of  Thomas  and  Hettie  (Whitmer)  Stephenson.  The  father  was 
born  in  Clark  county,  this  state,  in  1830.  He  was  a  son  of  David  and 
Anna  (Kiser)  Stephenson,  both  natives  of  Virginia,  where  they  grew  up 
and  married.  They  removed  to  Clark  county,  Ohio,  among  the  early  settlers 
and  lived  there  many  years,  finally  removing  to  Logan  county,  this  state, 
and  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  there. 

Thomas  Stephenson  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and  educated  in 
the  district  schools.  When  a  young  man  of  twenty  years  he  left  Clark 
county  for  Logan  county  and  lived  there  with  his  parents  until  he  went  to 
Indiana,  where  he  spent  several  years.  He  then  returned  to  Ohio  and  bought 
a  farm  in  Adams  township.  Champaign  county,  and  here  he  remained, 
engaged  in  general  farming,  until  he  retired  from  active  life.  He  finally 
moved  to  Rosewood,  where  he  died.  His  family  consisted  of  six  children, 
four  of  whom  are  living  at  this  time,  namely:  Clara  B.,  who  is  the  wife 
of  David  Weimer  of  Shelby  county,  Ohio;  Charles  D.,  who  lives  in  Crowell, 
Texas;  George  E.,  of  this  sketch;  and  T.  J.,  who  lives  on  the  home  place  in 
Adams  township. 

George  E.  Stephenson  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Adams 
township,  received  his  early  education  in  the  district  schools,  and  later  studied 
at  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  at  Delaware,  this  state.  After  leaving  college 
he  took  up  teaching,  which  he  followed  with  much  success.  His  services  were 
in  demand  and  he  was  popular  with  both  pupils  and  patrons  and  ranked 
among  the  leading  educators  of  this  section  of  the  state.  He  kept  well 
abreast  of  the  times  in  all  that  pertained  to  his  profession  and  was  active 
in  institute  work.  He  was  superintendent  of  schools  at  Woodstock  for  three 
years,  and  superintendent  at  St.  Paris  for  seven  years,  after  which  he  spent 
two  years  in  Sidney,  Ohio.  In  1906  he  came  to  Rosewood  and  turned  his 
attention  to  the  elevator  business  for  himself.  He  continued  thus  for  two 
years  and  in  1908  organized  the  Rosewood  Grain  Company,  of  which  he 
has  been  secretary,  treasurer  and  manager  ever  since.  The  business  has 
constantly  grown  under  his  able  management  until  it  has  become  one  of 
the  best  known  elevators   in  Champaign  and   adjoining  counties.      A   large 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  765 

amount  of  grain  is  handled  annually.  Mr.  Stephenson  also  owns  a  fine 
farm  of  one  hundred  acres  in  Adams  township,  w^here  he  carries  on  general 
farming. 

Mr.  Stephenson  was  married  on  December  22,  1893,  to  Minnie  Laurer 
of  Conover,  Miami  county,  Ohio,  and  to  their  union  two  children  have 
been  born,  namely:  Mabel  PI.,  who  was  graduated  from  the  high  school  in 
Adams  township,  then  attended  the  Ohio  State  University  at  Columbus, 
from  which  she  was  graduated,  and  is  now  teaching  English  in  the  local 
high  school;  Laura  W.,  who  was  graduated  from  the  high  school  in  Adams 
township,  April  28,   19 17. 

Politically,  Mr.  Stephenson  is  a  Democrat.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
school  board  in  Adams  township  for  a  period  of  eight  years.  He  is  promi- 
nent in  fraternal  circles  of  the  county  and  belongs  to  the  following  lodges : 
Pharos  Lodge  No.  255,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  which  he  is  past 
master;  St.  Paris  Chapter,  No.  137,  Royal  Arch  Masons;  Urbana  Council, 
Royal  and  Select  Masters;  St.  Paris  Order  of  Eastern  Star;  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  at  St.  Paris,  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at  Rose- 
wood.    His  wife  belongs  to  the  Universalist  church  at  Conover. 


JOHN  T.  SARVER. 


John  T.  Sarver,  retired  farmer  and  stockman,  now  living  at  Spring 
Hills,  and  the  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres 
in  Harrison  township,  this  county,  was  born  in  that  township  and  has  lived 
there  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  October  11,  1843.  son  of  Jacob  and 
Barbara  (Pence)  Sarver,  who  were  both  members  of  pioneer  families  in 
Champaign  county  and  whose  last  days  were  spent  here. 

Jacob  Sarver  was  born  on  November  6,  18 16,  son  of  Jacob  and  Nancy 
(Robinson)  Sarver,  who  came  to  this  county  in  1808  and  settled  in  Harrison 
township,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  and  were  numbered 
among  the  most  useful  and  influential  pioneer  residents  of  that  community. 
The  elder  Jacob  Sarver  was  born  on  March  16,  1779,  and  his  wife  was 
born  on  November  15,  1776.  Upon  coming  to  this  county  the  pioneer, 
Jacob  Sarver,  entered  a  quarter  of  a  section  of  land  in  what  is  now  Har- 
rison township  and  there  established  his  home.  He  was  an  energetic  man, 
and,  as  his  afifairs  prospered,  he  gradually  added  to  his  holdings  until  he 
became  owner  of  enough  land  to  give  each  of  his  children  a  quarter  of  a 


766  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

section  as  they  grew  to  maturity.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  nine 
children,  six  of  whom  grew  to  maturity  and  estahHshed  homes  of  their  own. 
The  senior  Jacob  Sarver  died  on  May  20,  1844,  and  his  widow  survived  him 
many  years,  her  death  occurring  in  January,  1872.  They  were  members 
of  the  United  Brethren  church  and  took  an  active  interest  in  church  work, 
and  in  the  development  of  the  social  side  of  the  community  in  pioneer  days. 

The  junior  Jacob  Sarver  grew  up  on  the  pioneer  farm  on  which  he 
was  born  in  Harrison  township  and  after  his  marriage  was  given  a  quarter 
of  a  section  of  land  by  his  father  on  which  to  establish  his  home.  He  was 
a  good  farmer  and  did  well  in  his  operations,  gradually  added  to  his  hold- 
ings until  he  became  a  well-to-do  landowner  and  a  man  of  much  influence 
in  his  community.  His  wife,  who  was  Barbara  Pence,  a  member  of  one 
of  the  pioneer  families  of  this  county,  died  on  January  i,  1895,  and  he 
survived  her  for  a  little  more  than  seven  years,  his  death  occurring  on 
March  13,  1902,  he  then  being  past  eighty-five  years  of  age.  He  and  his 
wife  were  the  parents  of  six  sons,  those  besides  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
the  second  in  order  of  birth,  being  as  follow:  Samuel-  C,  born  on  August 
12,  1841,  who  is  now  living  at  Topeka,  Kansas;  Jacob  S.,  June  2,  1847,  who 
is  now  living  in  Rosewood;  David  H.,  June  15,  1849,  o^  Oklahoma;  Isaac 
J.,  June  9,  1855,  of  near  Bradford,  Ohio,  and  William  E.,  November  26, 
1857,  of  Quincy,  this  state. 

John  T.  Sarver  was  reared  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Harrison  town- 
ship, receiving  his  schooling  in  the  neighborhood  schools,  and  from  the  davs 
of  his  boyhood  was  a  valuable  assistant  in  the  labors  of  developing  and 
improving  the  home  place.  When  he  "started  out"'  for  himself  he  received 
one  hundred  and  thirty  acres  of  the  home  place  and  continued  to  impro\-e 
and  cultivate  the  same  until  his  retirement  from  the  active  labors  of  the 
farm  on  December  27,  191 5,  and  removal  to  Spring  Hill,  where  he  and  his 
wife  are  now  living  and  where  they  are  very  comfortably  situated.  Mr. 
Sarver  continues  to  own  his  farm  and  has  rented  the  same  to  advantage. 
He  is  a  Republican,  but  has  never  held  public  office. 

On  May  11,  1902,  John  T.  Sarver  was  united  in  marriage  to  Susanna 
Neal,  who  was  born  in  Concord  township,  this  county,  June  11,  1868,  daugh- 
ter of  James  R.  and  Barbara  (Taylor)  Neal,  and  who  was  reared  on  a 
farm  in  that  township  and  received  her  schooling  in  the  common  schools. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sarver  are  members  of  the  Salem  United  Brethren  church  in 
Harrison  township  and  take  a  proper  interest  in  church  work  and  in  other 
movements  for  the  community's  welfare. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  767 

SAMUEL  L.  ROBISON. 

The  sterling  pioneer,  Samuel  L.  Robison,  is  eminently  worthy  of  having 
his  life  record  perpetuated  on  the  pages  of  local  history,  for  he  led  a  life 
of  usefulness  and  honor,  and  did  his  share  of  the  work  in  his  locality 
in  paving  the  way  for  the  present-day  progress  and  prosperity.  He  was 
born  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  Jnly  31,  181 7.  He  was  a  son  of 
David  and  Nancy  (Hunter)  Robison,  both  natives  of  that  county.  There 
they  grew  up,  married  and  spent  their  lives  on  a  farm. 

The  following  children  were  born  to  David  and  Nancy  (Hunter)  Robi- 
son :  Jane,  who  married  Thomas  Walker  and  they  located  in  Chester  county, 
Pennsylvania;  Esther  who  married  James  Simpson;  Eliza,  who  married 
James  McClune,  a  teacher  in  the  high  school  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
where  they  resided  for  a  number  of  years,  later  established  their  home  in 
Chester  county,  that  state;  John,  a  merchant,  farmer,  lime  and  coal  dealer  at 
different  periods  of  his  life,  who  married  first,  Catherine  Myers,  and  secondly 
Isabella  Lang,  his  death  occurring  in  Pennsylvania;  Samuel  L.,  of  this  sketch; 
William,  a  merchant  in  Pennsylvania;  Hunter,  a  mechanic  by  trade,  who 
went  West  in  the  early  days  and  died  in  California  in  1849;  and  the  youngest 
child,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Samuel  L.  Robison  grew  up  in  his  native  county  and  attended  the 
early-day  schools  there.  In  1852  he  came  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio, 
and  engaged  in  the  clothing  business  in  Urbana  with  Robert  Given,  later 
buying  a  farm  of  one  hundred  acres  on  Pretty  Prairie,  Urbana  township, 
where  his  son,  John  A.,  and  the  latter's  sister.  Ann  M.,  now  make  their 
home.  He  put  up  all  the  buildings,  made  other  good  improvements 
and  developed  an  excellent  farm,  which  he  operated  until  1870,  when  he 
retired  from  active  life.  He  continued,  however,  to  live  there  until  his  death, 
December  26,  1910,  at  the  unusual  age  of  ninety-three  and  one-half  years. 
His  wife  died  on  December  3,  1914,  aged  eighty-seven  years.  They  were 
a  fine  old  couple  and  had  the  esteem  and  good  will  of  all  who  knew  them. 
They  were  worthy  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Before  coming  to 
this  county  Mr.  Robison  followed  the  mercantile  business  in  different  places, 
and  taught  school. 

The  following  children  were  born  to  Samuel  L.  Robison  and  wife: 
William  H.,  who  married  Rebecca  E.  Dunlap,  and  is  engaged  in  farming 
in  Urbana  township,  Champaign  county;  David  T.,  who  graduated  trom 
Hanover  College  and  engaged  in  teaching  several  years,  died,  single,  at  the 


768  ■  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

age  of  twenty-six;  Catherine,  who  died  in  Pennsylvania;  Sarah,  deceased; 
John  A.,  born  on  the  old  home  place  and  here  has  continued  to  reside  and 
carry  on  general  farming;  Anna  M.,  also  born  on  the  home  farm  in  Urbana 
township  and  here  has  always  resided;  James,  formerly  engaged  in  the  hard- 
ware and  grain  business  in  Urbana,  Ohio,  who  married  Lida  Hedges.  John 
A.  and  Anna  M.  Robison  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  and  were  educated  in 
the  common  schools  of  their  neighborhood.  She  owns  property  in  Urbana, 
and  he  owns  one  hundred  and  seventy  acres  of  the  homestead  and  three 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  another  part  of  Urbana  township.  He  has 
been  very  successful  as  a  general  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  but  now  rents 
out  his  land  on  which  he  set  out  over  a  mile  of  catalpa  trees  in  1888,  and  is 
living  in  retirement.  He  is  a  Republican  and  he  and  his  sister  belong  to 
the   Presbvterian  church   at  Urbana. 


WARREN  B.  HOISINGTON. 

One  of  the  progressive  agriculturists  of  Rush  township,  this  county,  is 
Warren  B.  Hoisington,  who  was  born  on  his  father's  old  home  place  in  that 
township,  January  17,  1847.  He  is  a  son  of  William  W.  and  Olive  (Kim- 
ball) Hoisington.  The  father  was  also  a  native  of  Rush  township,  where  his 
family  located  in  pioneer  times.  William  W.  Hoisington  was  a  son  of 
Abisha  and  Lucinda  (Hastings)  Hoisington,  the  former  born  on  January  9, 
1769,  and  the  latter  on  August  3,  1768.  They  were  natives  of  Vermont,  where 
they  spent  their  earlier  years;  making  the  long  and  somewhat  hazardous 
journey  from  New  England  to  Ohio  in  181 7,  coming  most  of  the  way  to 
Champaign  county  in  a  wagon  drawn  by  an  ox-team.  They  were  typical 
pioneers  and  erected  their  cabin  in  the  woods  of  Rush  township,  clearing 
and  developing  a  farm  by  hard  work  and  perseverance.  Abisha  Hoisington 
married  for  his  second  wife  Tucinda  Hastings,  December  13,  1792.  She 
was  born  on  May  19,  1771,  and  died  on  September  13,  1825.  His  first  wife, 
Olive  Parkes,  was  born  on  August  3,  1768,  and  died  on  May  1 1,  1792.  Abisha 
Hoisington  became  the  father  of  eight  children,  namely :  Olive,  born  on 
October  26,  1793;  Sabrina,  June  8,  1796;  Harriet,  January  5,  1798;  Marie, 
July  14,  1800;  John  Milton,  January  4,  1806;  Mary  Ann,  April  5.  1809; 
Eleanore  Dean,  September  18,  181 1,  and  William  Wallace,  April  7,  1816. 
All  the  above-named  children  were  by  Mr.  Hoisington's  second  wife,  Lucinda 
Hastings. 


FRED   B.   HOISINGTON 


'  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  -769 

William  W.  Hoisington,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  grew  up 
amid  pioneer  conditions  on  the  home  farm  in  Rush  township.  He  assisted 
with  the  general  work  of  clearing  the  virgin  land  and  raising  crops  until  he 
started  out  for  himself.  He  first  married  Pollie  Franklin,  a  native  of  Ver- 
mont, and  after  her  death  married  Olive  Kim.ball,  a  daughter  of  B.  and  Electa 
(Guthridge)  Kimball.  William  W.  Hoisington  was  the  father  of  six  chil- 
dren, of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth. 
John  G.  Hoisington,  the  first-born  of  these  children  and  the  only  child  by 
the  first  marriage  of  his  father,  was  born  on  May  6,  1843.  ^^  ^^s  a  soldier 
of  the  Union  during  the  Civil  War,  a  member  of  Company  A,  Second  Regi- 
ment, Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  stationed  at  Washington,  D.  C, 
for  some  time.  He  was  first  in  the  three-months  service,  then  re-enlisted. 
He  took  part  in  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run  and  later  served  with  the  Army 
of  the  Cumberland  in  Kentucky  and  Tennessee.  He  was  three  times  mar- 
ried; first,  to  Mary  Sessions,  then  to  Mary  Foster  and,  lastly,  to  Emma 
Brann'on.  After  the  war  he  located  on  a  farm  near  Woodstock,  in  this 
county,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  on  March  21,  1907.  Fred 
B.  Hoisington,  born  on  July  6,  1844,  also  served  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union 
during  the  Civil  War,  having  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Ninety-fifth  Regiment, 
Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry  and  while  serving  in  the  South,  in  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland,  he  was  captured  by  the  Confederates  and  was  for  some  time  a 
prisoner  at  Andersonvilie,  Georgia,  and  in  Florence,  Alabama.  After  the 
war  he  returned  home  and  married  Angela  Kerr,  of  North  Lewisburg,  Ohio. 
He  was  in  the  drug  business  for  awhile,  and  in  1898  was  appointed  special 
government  land  appraiser  under  President  McKinley,  later  holding  the 
responsible  position  of  general  land  agent.  His  death  occurred  on  September 
18,  1916.  Amy  L.  Hoisington,  born  on  March  22,  1849,  has  remained 
unmarried  and  continued  to  live  on  the  old  home  place  in  Rush  township. 
Celia  E.  Hoisington,  born  on  September  26,  1853,  died  when  three  years  old. 
William  W.  Hoisington,  Jr.,  born  on  October  19,  1857,  married  Mary 
Arnold  and  is  engaged  in  the  carpenter's  trade  at  Woodstock. 

In  connection  with  the  late  Fred  B.  Hoisington's  appointment  in  1898 
to  a  government  position  there  is  an  exceedingly  interesting  story,  which  is 
told  in  the  following  special  dispatch  from  Columbus  to  the  Cincinnati  Com- 
incrcial  Tribune,  dated  May  19  of  that  year: 

President  McKinley  has  made  one  appointment  to  which  not  even  the  most  rabid 
Mugwump  will  object.  The  recipient  of  that  appointment,  a  Champaign  county  man, 
passed  through  Columbus  the  other  day  on  his  way  to  Washington  to  thank  the  Presi- 

(49a) 


770  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

dent  personally.  It  was  through  ex-Secretary  of  State  Samuel  M.  Taylor  that  Ma.ior 
McKiuley  heard  of  the  existence  of  the  appointee.  During  the  Major's  first  term 
as  governor,  he  spoke  at  the  G.  A.  R.  campflre  in  northern  Ohio.  There  were  several 
in  the  Columbus  party,  including  Lieutenant-Governor  Harris  and  Secretary  Taylor, 
who  spoke  after  the  Governor. 

Taylor  was  not  a  soldier  and  felt  awkward  in  trying  to  address  veterans.  So^ 
in  lieu  of  a  speech,  he  told  a  story  about  a  man  in  his  county,  a  private  in  the  Ninety- 
fifth  O.  V.  I.  He  told  of  the  incarceration  in  Andersonville  of  this  young  Ohio  soldier 
and  a  fellow  private  of  his  company;  how  both  wasted  away  under  the  Andersonville- 
ordeal.  The  Champaign  county  man's  friend  was  weaker  and  near  to  dying  on  the  day 
when  the  list  of  prisoners  to  be  exchanged  was  read  out.  The  crowd  of  skeletons 
strained  their  ears,  each  with  the  fierce  hope  of  hearing  his  name.  The  Champaign 
county  man's  name  was  read,  but  Fred  compressed  his  lips  and  did  not  answer.  The- 
list  was  finished  and  Bill's  name  was  not  on  it.  Then  only  did  Fred's  lips  relax.  He 
said  quickly:  "Bill,  answer  to  my  name.  You  can't  stand  this.  I'll  pull  through." 
Bill  did  and  was  exchanged.  Nine  months  later  Fred,  weighing  ninety  pounds,  was 
exchanged.     He  had  weighed  160  when  captured. 

On  the  way  back  from  the  campflre  the  Governor  said :  "Taylor,  I  wish  you  would 
write  out  that  story  and  let  me  have  it."  Taylor  did  so,  and  the  iMa.ior  used  it  in  his 
speech  at  Grant's  tomb  on  Memorial  Day,  1894. 

Not  long  before  the  inauguration  Secretary  Taylor  was  in  Canton,  when  the 
President-elect  remarked:  "By  the  way,  Taylor,  what's  become  of  your  Andersonville 
prisoner?"  Taylor  told  McKinley  what  Fred  was  doing  and  added :  "He  ought  to  be 
remembered."  The  other  day  Fred  Hoisington,  of  Champaign  county,  ex-private  Ninery- 
fifth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  was  appointed  appraiser  of  abandoned  mineral  oper:itions.. 
at  $8  a  day  and  expenses.     Sam  Taylor  was  here  today  and  told  the  story. 

Warren  B.  Hoisington  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  in  Rush  township, 
and  attended  the  local  district  schools,  later  taking  a  commercial  course  at 
Oberlin.  He  remained  on  the  home  farm  with  his  parents  until  his  marriage 
on  June  28,  1877,  to  Eliza  Lepert,  who  was  born  at  North  Lewisburg,  this 
county,  a  daughter  of  C.  B.  and  Elizabeth  (Davis)  Lepert,  who  came  to 
Champaign  county  from  one  of  the  Eastern  states.  Mr.  Lepert  was  a  car- 
penter and  followed  that  trade  for  many  years  at  North  Lewisburg.  He  was 
born  on  February  10,  181 7.  His  wife  was  born  on  November  19,  1821,  and 
died  on  June  9,  1863. 

Mr.  Hoisington  has  always  followed  general  farming  and  stock  raising. 
He  owns  a  well-kept  and  productive  farm  in  Rush  township,  where  he  has 
made  a  comfortable  living,  having  been  on  this  farm,  which  consists  of  eighty- 
eighty  and  one-half  acres,  since  1877.  His  wife  died  on  September  11,  1916, 
leaving  one  child,  Edna,  who  was  educated  in  the  local  public  schools  and  the 
high  school  at  Mechanicsburg.  later  attending  the  Normal  School  at  Ada. 
Ohio,  then  the  Normal  School  at  Marion.  She  was  court  stenographer  for 
Judge  E.  P.  Middleton  at  Urbana  for  a  period  of  ten  years,  her  long  reten- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  771 

tion  indicating  that  her  services  were  of  a  high  order  and  not  only  ably  but 
faithfully  performed. 

Politically,  Mr.  Hoisington  is  a  Republican.  He  has  served  as  trustee 
of  Rush  township,  also  as  land  appraiser  and  is  at  present  assessor  of  his 
township.  As  a  public  servant  he  has  given  entire  satisfaction  to  all  con- 
cerned, being  prompt  and  loyal  to  the  best  pubHc  interests. 


VERSALINS  S.  MAGRUDER.  ,  ■ 

Versalins  S.  Magruder,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  former 
corporation  clerk  of  the  city  of  Mechanicsburg  and  for  years  actively  en- 
gaged in  the  insurance  and  loan  business  in  that  city,  one  of  the  best- 
known  business  men  in  that  line  in  Champaign  county,  is  a  native  son  of 
this  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  in  the  house  which 
stood  on  the  site  of  his  present  office  building  in  Mechanicsburg,  May;  22, 
1846,  son  and  only  child  of  J.  L.  and  Anna  E.  (Stafford)  Magruder,  who 
were  among  the  best-known  and  most  influential  of  the  earlier  residents  of 
that  then  ambitious  village. 

J.  L.  Magruder,  who  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1906  enjoyed  the  dis- 
tinction of  having  been  in  business  at  Mechanicsburg  longer  than  any  other 
man  there,  was  a  Virginian.  He  was  born  at  Magruder's  Mills,  east  of  the 
Shenandoah  river,  at  the  foot  of  the  Blue  Ridge  mountains,  in  Clarke  county, 
in  the  Old  Dominion,  August  29,  1817,  son  of  Ninian  and  Elizabeth  (Lyons) 
Magruder,  the  former  of  whom  had  settled  there  with  his  parents  in  1775 
and  who  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  there,  his  death  occurring  in  1S30. 
J.  L.  Magruder  was  thirteen  years  of  age  when  his  father  died  and  when 
he  was  seventeen  he  came  to  Ohio  in  company  with  his  brother-in-law, 
Emanuel  Mayne,  who  settled  at  Springfield.  Among  the  first  efforts  of 
the  young  man  to  gain  a  livelihood  in  his  new  home  was  the  grubbing  of 
the  stumps  from  the  first  lot  cleared  on  the  townsite  of  the  village  of 
Vienna,  east  of  Springfield.  He  then  drove  an  ox-team  and  assisted  in  the 
difficult  task  of  grubbing  and  clearing  out  the  right-of-way  of  the  National 
road  in  the  vicinity  of  Springfield.  In  the  following  fall  he  made  arrange- 
ments with  Abner  Riddle,  of  West  Liberty,  to  learn  the  saddle  and  harness- 
making  trade.  After  an  apprenticeship  of  four  years  at  that  trade  and 
after  working  as  a  journeyman  at  the  same  for  a  year,  he  located  at  Rush- 
ville,  in  Fairfield  county,  where  his  mother  then  was  residing,  and  started 


77-2  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

a  small  shop  in  that  village.  Not  long  afterward,  however,  he  received  a 
letter  from  his  old  employer  at  West  Liberty  containing  an  offer  of  a  partner- 
ship in  the  latter's  business  at  Mechanicsburg,  which  he  at  once  gladly  ac- 
cepted. Later  he  engaged  in  business  for  himself.  April  25,  1841,  he 
married  Ann  E.  Stafford,  of  West  Liberty,  and  established  his  home  in 
Mechanicsburg,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  In  1867  Mr. 
Magruder  took  his  only  son,  V.  S.  Magruder,  into  partnership  with  him, 
under  the  firm  name  of  J.  L.  Magruder  &  Son,  and  that  mutually  agree- 
able arrangement  continued  until  in  the  spring  of  1903,  when  the  younger 
Magruder  engaged  in  the  insurance  business.  J.  L.  Magruder  was  engaged 
in  the  harness  and  saddlery  trade  for  the  long  period  of  seventy-one  years, 
sixty-two  years  of  which  time  was  spent  in  business  at  Mechanicsburg.  Dur- 
ing all  that  time  his  place  of  business  was  on  the  one  lot,  the  site  of  the 
present  office  building  of  his  son,  V.  S.  Magruder.  J.  L.  Magruder  died 
on  November  8,  1906,  he  then  being  in  the  ninetieth  year  of  his  age,  active 
in  business  to  the  very  last. 

Reared  at  Mechanicsburg,  V.  S.  Magruder  received  his  schooling  there 
and  was  living  there  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  On  May  2,  1864,  he, 
then  being  twenty  days  under  eighteen  years  of  age,  enlisted  in  the  hundred- 
day  service  and  went  to  the  front  as  a  member  of  the  One  Hundred  and 
Thirty- fourth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  then  proceeded  from 
Cumberland,  Maryland,  to  Petersburg,  Virginia,  being  mustered  out  at  Co- 
lumbus, this  state,  in  the  following  September.  For  some  time  before  going 
to  the  front  he  had  been  serving  as  deputy  postmaster  at  Mechanicsburg, 
under  Postmaster  J.  W.  Legge,  but  upon  the  completion  of  his  military 
service  did  not  re-enter  the  postoffice  service,  entering  school  instead.  On 
April  10,  1867,  he  was  made  a  partner  of  his  father  in  the  harness  and 
saddlery  business  at  Mechanicsburg,  under  the  firm  name  of  J.  L.  Magruder 
&  Son,  and  continued  thus  engaged  until  on  May  i,  1903.  At  that  time 
he  began  giving  more  attention  to  the  insurance  and  loan  business  which 
he  had  started  in  1901,  at  that  same  site,  though  continuing  connected  with 
his  father's  business  for  nearly  two  years  thereafter.  He  has  ever  since 
been  actively  engaged  in  the  insurance  and  loan  business,  having  built  up 
a  wide  connection  in  that  line  throughout  this  and  neighboring  counties. 
Mr.  Magruder  is  a  Republican  and  has  ever  given  a  good  citizen's  attention 
to  local  political  affairs.  For  nearly  fifteen  years  he  served  as  corporation 
clerk  of  the  city  of  Mechanicsburg  and  for  three  years  as  a  member  of  the 
board  of  directors  of  the  city  schools.  In  other  ways  he  has  also  done  well 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  "JT-}, 

his  part  in  promoting  the  pubHc  service  in  his  home  town,  ever  helpful  in 
advancing  all  causes  designed  to  further  the  common  welfare. 

On  December  30,  1870,  at  Mechanicsburg,  V.  S.  Magruder  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Anna  Horr,  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  (Cone)  Horr, 
of  that  city,  and  to  this  union  one  child  has  been  born  a  son,  Dr.  James 
William  Magruder,  who  is  now  engaged  in  the  insurance  and  loan  business 
with  his  father  at  Mechanicsburg.  Doctor  Magruder  is  a  graduate  of  the 
Mechanicsburg  high  school,  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  and  of  the  Miami 
Medical  College  at  Cincinnati.  For  nine  years  after  receiving  his  diploma 
he  was  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Peru,  Indiana,  and  spent 
the  winter  of  1905-06  in  Florida.  In  the  following  summer  he  returned 
to  his  old  home  at  Mechanicsburg  and  has  ever  since  been  engaged  there 
in  business  with  his  father,  relieving  the  latter  of  much  of  the  detail  work 
of  the  office.  On  December  30,  191 5,  the  forty-fifth  anniversary  of  the 
marriage  of  his  parents,  Doctor  Magruder  was  united  in  marriage  to  AHce 
M.  Goode,  of  Wyoming,  this  state;  the  marriage  being  a  happy  culmination 
of  a  college  romance. 

The  Magruders  have  a  very  pleasant  home  at  Mechanicsburg  and  have 
ever  given  their  earnest  attention  to  the  general  social  and  cultural  activities 
of  their  home  town.  V.  S.  Magruder  has  been  a  m.ember  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  of  Mechanicsburg  since  he  was  thirteen  years  of  age  and 
was  for  a  number  of  years  the  leader  of  the  choir  in  that  church,  both  he 
and  his  wife  ever  taking  an  active  interest  in  church  affairs  and  other  local 
good  works.  Mr.  Magruder  is  a  member  of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  is  also  affiliated  with  the  encampment 
of  that  order  and  with  the  Daughters  of  Rebekah.  For  twenty-five  years 
he  served  as  financial  secretary  of  the  Odd  Fellow  lodge  and  for  twenty- 
five  or  twenty-six  years  served  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of 
the  same,  ever  interested  in  promoting  the  cause  of  the  order  throughout 
this  part  of  the  state.  A  lifelong  resident  of  Mechanicsburg,  Mr.  Magruder 
has  been  a  witness  to  and  a  participant  in  the  development  of  that  town 
from  the  days  of  his  early  boyhood,  and  during  his  long  and  active  life 
has  contributed  no  small  part  to  that  development.  For  more  than  three 
score  years  and  ten  he  has  lived  in  Mechanicsburg  and  there  is  probably  no 
one  in  the  town  more  intimately  acquainted  with  the  history  of  the  place 
than  he,  his  vivid  recollection  of  events  through  all  these  years  proving 
a  veritable  mine  of  information  regarding  the  history  of  that  part  of  the 
cfiuntv. 


774  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

CARL  BODEY. 

One  of  the  native-born  sons  of  Champaign  county  and  a  Hfe-long  resi- 
dent of  the  farm  where  he  is  now  living  three  and  one-half  miles  north  of 
St.  Paris,  Ohio,  in  Johnson  township,  is  Carl  Bodey,  who  was  born  on  this 
farm  where  he  now  resides  on  August  21,  1873,  the  son  of  Henry  and  Eliza- 
beth (Vincent)  Bodey. 

Henry  Bodey  was  also  born  on  the  same  farm,  the  son  of  Adam  Bodey, 
a  native  of  Virginia,  who  came  to  these  parts  in  an  early  day,  making  the 
original  Bodey  settlem.ent  in  Johnson  township.  Adam  Bodey  is  a  descendant 
of  a  Bodey  who  came  to  the  United  States  as  a  Hessian  soldier  during  the 
Revolutionary  War.  Adam  Bodey  married  Mary  Brubaker,  a  native  of 
Champaign  county,  Ohio,  of  German  descent,  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
Barbara  Brubaker,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  April  27,  1784,  and  the 
latter  on  October  8,  1786.  The  Johnson  family  first  cleared  and  developed 
the  farm  which  Carl  Bodey  now  owns,  and  here  Mary  Brubaker  was  born 
and  reared,  and  settled  after  her  marriage  to  Adam  Bodey.  They  were 
the  parents  of  nine  children,  all  of  whom  are  now  deceased :  Hannah. 
Daniel,  Rebecca,  Samuel,  Henry,  Mary,  Isaac,  Barbara  and  Ellen.  After 
his  marriage  to  Elizabeth  Vincent,  Henry  Bodey  settled  on  the  old  home 
place,  having  purchased  the  rights  of  the  other  heirs.  They  were  the  parents 
of  six  children:  Etta,  the  wife  of  Charles  Pence,  residents  of  Redmond, 
Washington;  Lottie,  deceased;  Carl,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Emmet  A.,  formerly  a  farmer  of  Johnson  township,  this  county;  Annie,  of 
Seattle,  Washington,  and  Mary,  deceased.  The  mother  of  these  children 
died  when  young,  but  her  husband  remained  single,  and  lived  on  the  home- 
stead farm  with  his  children  until  his  death  on  May  8,  1906.  He  was  a 
quiet,  imassuming  man,  attending  strictly  to  his  own  affairs,  and  well  liked 
and  highly  esteemed  among  those  who  knew  him  well  and  intimately. 

Carl  Bodey  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  where  he  was  born,  receiving 
his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  the  township.  Early  in  his  life  he 
decided  to  follow  the  vocation  of  his  forefathers,  and  he  has  one  hundred 
acres  of  the  old  home  place.  It  is  safe  to  say  that  there  is  no  farmer  in 
the  county  who  has  made  more  of  a  success  than  Mr.  Bodey  in  his  chosen 
work,  for  he  is  modern  and  up-to-date  in  his  methods  of  agriculture.  He 
specializes  in  the  growing  of  wheat,  and  grew  enough  of  this  cereal  on  his 
farm  to  pay  for  it.  He  is  said  to  have  the  banner  wheat  farm  in  Cham- 
paign county,  having  had  one  crop  which  averaged  forty-two  and  one-half 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  775 

bushels  to  the  acre,  his  farm  never  yielding  less  than  twenty-eight  to  thirty 
bushels  to  the  acre.  Moreover,  he  raises  some  stock-grade  cattle,  and  he 
has  an  excellent  bank-barn,  forty-eight  by  seventy,  which  he  erected  in  19 lo. 
On  March  23,  1893,  Carl  Bodey  was  married  to  Minnie  Ammon,  and 
to  this  union  four  children  were  born:  Blanche,  born  November,  1895, 
now  living  in  Urbana;  Ruth,  born  October,  1897;  Ilo,  born  April  14,  1899, 
and  Paul,  born  April  23,  1901,  died  January  25,  1903.  The  mother  of 
these  children  died  on  December  31,  1903,  and  on  March  29,  1910,  Mr. 
Bodey  was  united  in  marriage  to  Eva  Maude  Buroker,  the  daughter 
of  Ephraim  and  Teresa  (Ammon)  Buroker.  To  this  union  one  son  has 
been  born,  Carl  Jr.,  who  is  now  a  student  in  school.  Mrs.  Bodey 's  mother 
is  the  widow  of  Harley  B.  Counts,  whom  she  married  February  22,  1894. 
After  their  marriage  they  lived  on  a  farm  in  Miami  county,  Ohio,  but  later 
moved  to  a  farm  in  Adams  township,  this  county,  where  Mr.  Count's  death 
occurred,  April  13,  1905.  One  son  was  born  to  this  union,  Forest,  born 
August  29,  1895.  He  is  a  graduate  of  Rosewood  high  school,  and  is  now 
attending  Wittenberg  College  at  Springfield,  Ohio.  Mrs.  Bodey  was  reared 
in  the  faith  of  the  United  Brethren  church,  while  Mr.  Bodey  retains  his 
membership  in  the  Baptist  church.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  taking  a 
proper  interest  in  all  local  political  affairs,  and  all  movements  having  for 
their  object  the  betterment  of  his  township  and  community,  have  his  warm 
support. 


EDWARD  TURNER. 


Scattered  here  and  there  on  farms  over  Ohio  and  other  states  are 
men  originally  from  the  British  Isles  who  came  to  our  republic  in  order 
to  find  greater  opportunities  for  agricultural  pursuits.  One  such  in  Cham- 
paign county  is  Edward  Turner  of  Rush  township,  who  was  born  in  Eng- 
land, March  10,  1840.  He  was  a  son  of  Edmond  and  Martha  (Freeman) 
Turner,  both  natives  of  England,  where  they  grew  up,  married  and  resided 
until  1848  when  they  brought  their  family  to  America,  locating  at  Watkins, 
Union  county,  Ohio.  There  the  father  worked  in  a  pottery  a  short  time, 
then  rented  a  farm  near  Marysville,  that  county,  which  he  operated  a  num- 
ber of  years,  then  located  on  a  larger  place  and  continued  farming  in  Union 
county  until  his  death.  His  family  consisted  of  seven  children,  four  of 
whom  are  living  at  this  time,  Edward  being  the  only  one  in  Champaign 
county. 


776  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Edward  Turner,  of  this  review,  was  eight  years  old  when  his  parents 
brought  him  to  the  United  States.  He  attended  the  common  schools  in  Eng- 
land and  in  Union  county,  Ohio.  When  the  Civil  War  broke  out,  he  en- 
listed from  Marysville,  Union  county,  to  fight  for  the  integrity  of  his  adopted 
country,  serving  three  years.  He  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  until  his 
marriage,  then  rented  a  farm,  in  fact,  continued  renting  in  Union  and  Madi- 
son counties  until  1882,  when  he  moved  to  Champaign  county.  He  first 
located  in  Goshen  township,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  about  twelve 
years,  then  bought  a  farm  of  eighty-five  acres  in  Rush  township,  and  tliere 
he  continued  general  farming  and  stock  raising  until  1915.  At  that  time 
he  retired  from  active  life  and  moved  to  Mechanicsburg,  where  he  is  still 
making   his   home. 

On  February  23,  1865,  Mr.  Turner  married  Sarah  Parthemer,  a  native 
of  Marysville,  Union  county,  Ohio,  the  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Marv 
(Shuster)  Parthemer,  both  of  whom  were  of  Pennsylvania-Dutch  parent- 
age, born  in  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  who  came  to  Union  county, 
Ohio,  in   1839. 

Nine  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Turner,  namely:  Hattie, 
Elmer,  Charles,  Arthur,  Walter,  Fred  and  Frank,  who  are  twins.  Howard, 
who  is  deceased  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  All  the  living  children  are 
married  except  one,  Fred. 

Politically,  Mr.  Turner  is  a  Republican.  While  living  on  the  farm, 
he  served  as  road  supervisor.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal    church. 


[OSEPH  L.  WREN. 


Joseph  L.  Wren,  now  a  retired  farmer,  owner  of  land  in  Logan  county 
and  in  Harrison  township,  this  county,  was  born  in  Harrison  township  on 
February  17,  1842.  He  is  the  son  of  Joseph  M.  and  Lucy  (Davis)  Wren, 
both  of  whom  were  born  near  Mechanicsburg,  this  county.  They  went  to 
the  same  school,  knew  each  other  from  early  childhood  and  were  married  in 
the  place  of  their  birth. 

Joseph  M.  Wren  had  moved  to  Harrison  township  previous  to  1842. 
He  lived  in  that  place  until  1880,  when  he  changed  his  residence  to  Vt. 
Wayne,  Indiana,  and  in  that  city  he  kept  a  hotel  for  some  years.  On  giving 
up  the  hotel  he  moved  to  Bloomingdale  and  occupied  a  little  farm  near  Ft. 


JOSEPH  L.  WREN 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  'J'JJ 

Wayne,  where  he  spent  his  last  days.  His  remains  were  brought  to  Union 
township,  Logan  county,  Ohio,  where  the  interment  took  place.  J.  M.  Wren 
and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  seven  of  whom  are  deceased, 
the  two  living  ones  being  Anna,  the  wife  of  William  Cooper,  of  Springfield, 
Ohio,  and  Joseph  L.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Joseph  M.  Wren  was  a 
Universalist  in  religious  belief. 

Joseph  L.  Wren  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  home  dis- 
trict and  in  early  life  commenced  work  on  a  farm,  at  which  he  continued 
up  to  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War.  He  then  joined  the  Union  forces  and 
enlisted  in  Company  G,  Ninety-fifth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry. 
On  August  15,  1862,  with  which  command  he  served  for  some  time.  This 
company  mobilized  at  Camp  Chase  and  six  weeks  after  they  enlisted  had 
their  first  engagement  at  Richmond,  Kentucky,  where  they  were  attacked 
by  the  rebel  general,  Kirby  Smith,  with  a  force  of  twenty-five  thousand  men. 
Mr.  Wren's  whole  regiment — the  Ninety-fifth— were  captured  except  three 
hundred  men.  With  seven  thousand  Union  men  they  fought  the  rebels  all 
day  and  then  were  captured.  Mr.  Wren,  through  the  leadership  of  a  Major 
Brock  of  Kentucky,  with  three  hundred  men  (Mr.  Wren  included),  es- 
caped. They  had  all  volunteered  to  defend  a  bayonet  charge  and  followed 
the  channel  of  a  creek  to  Boonsboro,  where  they  crossed  the  Kentucky  and 
awav  from  the  rebels.  After  the  regiment  was  paroled  and  exchanged,  it 
went  to  Memphis,  Tennessee,  and  engaged  in  the  campaign  along  the  Mis- 
sissippi for  a  year,  then  went  into  Missouri,  chasing  General  Price  for  fif- 
teen hundred  miles.  Thev  fought  at  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  and  were  also 
at  the  three-days  battle  of  Nashville.  Mr.  Wren  later  was  transferred  to 
the  Sixteenth  Army  Corps,  commanded  by  General  A.  J.  Smith,  and  served 
to  the  close  of  the  war.  During  the  period  of  his  service  he  spent  five 
months  in  the  hospital  owing  to  illness.  On  the  close  of  his  military  service, 
and  after  he  had  recuperated,  he  returned  to  Champaign  county  and  settled 
down  to  the  life  of  a  farmer. 

On  April  9,  1868,  by  the  Rev.  Alexander  Tillard,  at  the  home  place  of 
the  bride's  parents,  Joseph  L.  Wren  was  united  in  marriage  to  Martha  A. 
Cooper,  who  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Ohio,  on  December  23,  1846.  She 
was  the  daughter  of  Sample  and  Mary  (Eaches)  Cooper  and  came  with 
her  parents  when  nine  years  old  to  Champaign  county.  Some  years  later 
they  went  to  Pennsylvania  and  lived  with  grandparents  until  the  close  of 
the  war,  when  they  returned  to  this  county  and  settled  on  the  old  farm, 
where  they  continued  to  live  up  to  the  time  of  their  daughter's  marriage. 


778  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wren  seven  children  were  born,  live  of  whom  are 
now  Hving,  namely:  Sample  C,  of  Belief ontaine ;  Sadie,  who  is  deceased; 
Joseph,  a  farmer  in  Logan  county,  this  state;  Harry,  a  farmer,  also  of  Logan 
county;  Will,  deceased;  James  A.,  living  in  DeGrafif,  this  county,  and  Lucy, 
who  is  the  wife  of  Ernest  Harbor.  Mr.  Wren,  his  wife  and  the  members 
of  his  family  are  earnest  adherents  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Spring  hill, 
of  which  congregation  he  is  an  elder.  Mr.  Wren  is  also  interested  in  the 
Sunday  school  attached  to  the  church  and  has  been  a  teacher  in  the  same 
lor  several  years.  He  is  an  honored  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic.  He  is  an  ardent  Republican  and  for  some  years  was  treasurer 
of  Harrison  township.  Mr.  Wren  owns  one  hundred  and  fifty-three  acres 
in  Logan  county  and  thirty-eight  acres  in  Harrison  township,  this  county. 


THOMAS  W.  CRIM. 


Thomas  W.  Crim,  a  well-known  retired  farmer  and  school  teacher  of 
Champaign  county,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  for  thirty-five 
years  assessor  of  Goshen  township  and  for  many  years  a  member  of  the 
school  board  of  that  township,  now  living  at  Mechanicsburg,  where  he  and 
his  family  are  very  comfortably  situated,  is  a  native  of  the  Old  Dominion, 
but  has  been  a  resident  of  this  county  since  he  was  twenty-one  years  of 
age.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Loudoun  county,  Virginia,  May  29,  1842, 
son  of  William  and  Cecelia  (White)  Crim,  both  of  whom  also  were  born 
in  that  county  and  who  spent  all  their  lives  on  their  farm  there.  The  former 
died  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years  and  the  latter  at  the  age  of  seventy.  They 
were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  those  besides  Thomas  W.  Crim,  being 
as  follow:  Mary  E.,  deceased;  John  Wesley,  who  is  still  living  in  Loudoun 
county,  Virginia;  Susan  N.,  deceased;  Samuel  Randolph,  deceased;  Trenton 
Jackson,  deceased;  Benjamin  P.,  of  Loudoun  county,  and  Dollie  Jane,  of 
that  same  county. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  his  native  county,  Thomas  \V.  Crim  re- 
mained there  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  In  the  meantime  he 
had  fitted  himself  as  a  school  teacher  and  taught  two  terms  in  his  native 
state  until  the  schools  were  closed  on  account  of  the  war.  He  then  left 
Virginia  and  came  to  Ohio  to  escape  being  drafted  into  the  rebel  army, 
settling  in  Champaign  county.  April  16,  1863.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  he 
was  married.     On  May  2,  1864,  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  army 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  779 

during  the  continuance  of  the  Civil  War  and  was  sent  to  Cumberland,  Mary- 
land, as  a  member  of  Company  C,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Regi- 
ment, Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry.  Not  long  after  entering  the  service,  Mr. 
Crim  became  very  ill  with  a  combination  of  measles  and  typhoid  fever  and 
for  some  time  lay  at  the  point  of  death  in  the  United  States  government 
hospital,  and  in  October,  1864,  received  his  honorable  discharge  from  service 
on  a  physician's  certificate  of  disability.  Upon  receiving  his  discharge  he 
returned  home  and  resumed  farming  in  Goshen  township  and  resided  on 
his  farm  there  until  1907,  when  he  retired  from  active  agricultural  pursuits 
and  moved  to  Mechanicsburg",  where  he  and  his  family  are  now  living. 
Mr.  Crim  is  an  ardent  Republican  and  for  more  than  thirty-five  years  served 
as  assessor  of  Goshen  township.  He  also  was  a  school  director  for  many 
years  and  in  other  ways  did  his  part  as  a  good  citizen  in  the  work  of  promot- 
ing his  home  community's  best  interests.  Mr.  Crim  is  the  owner  of  a  well- 
improved  place  of  fifteen  acres  in  Goshen  township  and  has  four  acres  sur- 
rounding his  pleasant  home  in  Mechanicsburg.  In  addition  to  his  other 
activities,  Mr.  Crim  has  for  fifty  years  been  clerk  for  the  public  sales  of 
the  vicinity.  Undoubtedly  he  has  served  the  public  in  this  capacity  more  than 
any  other  man  in  Champaign  county. 

It  was  on  November  12,  1863,  that  Thomas  W.  Crim  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Mary  E.  Evans,  who  was  born  in  Goshen  township,  this  county, 
January  27,  1844,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mary  Ann  (Myers)  Evans, 
both  of  whom  were  born  in  Loudoun  county,  Virginia,  Mr.  Crim's  birth- 
place, and  who  came  to  this  county  in  1836  and  settled  in  Goshen  town- 
ship, where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Samuel  Evans  was 
a  farmer  and  cooper  and  became  one  of  the  best-known  men  in  Goshen 
township.  He  died  in  1907.  His  wife  had  preceded  him  to  the  grave  about 
a  year,  her  death  having  occurred  in  1906.  They  were  members  of  the 
Methodist  church  and  their  children  were  reared  in  that  faith.  There  were 
six  of  these  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Crim  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth, 
the  others  being  as  follow :  William  L.,  a  retired  farmer,  now  living  at 
Mechanicsburg;  Jacob  T.,  now  living  at  North  Lewisburg;  Sarah  Alice, 
who  married  L.  Lyons  and  who  is,  as  her  husband,  now  deceased;  James  S., 
of  Mechanicsburg,  and  Melvina,  who  married  John  O.  Bolton  and  is  now 
deceased. 

To  Thomas  W.  and  Mary  E.  (Evans)  Crim  six  children  have  been 
born,  namely :  Ella,  wife  of  James  Woolford,  of  Urbana ;  William  Burton, 
who  married  Kate  Woodward  and  is  now  district  superintendent  of  schools 
in  several  townships;  Elnora  C,  wife  of  Evan  Perry,  of  Goshen  township; 


780  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Magdalena,  at  home;  Samuel  E.,  who  married  Minerva  Goul  and  is  now 
engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  and  the  youngest  child,  a  daughter,  who 
died  in  infancy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crim  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Protes- 
tant church  and  take  a  proper  interest  in  church  work,  as  well  as  in  the 
general  good  works  of  their  home  town  and  the  community  at  large.  Mr. 
Crim  is  an  active  member  of  the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Re- 
public and  takes  an  earnest  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  patriotic  organi- 
zation. 


JAMES  S.  EVANS. 


James  S.  Evans,  a  well-known  and  substantial  retired  farmer  of  Goshen 
township,  this  county,  now  living  at  Mechanicsburg,  was  born  in  that  town- 
ship on  June  17,  1852,  son  of  Samuel  and  Marj;-  Ann  (Myers)  Evans, 
natives  of  Virginia  and  useful  pioneers  of  this  county,  who  settled  in  Rush 
township  upon  coming  here  and  later  moved  to  Goshen  township,  where 
they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  both  living  to  ripe  old  ages. 

Samuel  Evans  grew  to  manhood  in  Virginia,  his  native  state,  and  was 
there  married.  x\lmost  immediately  after  their  marriage,  he  and  his  wife 
drove  through  to  this  county,  the  journey  requiring  almost  three  weeks. 
Upon  coming  here  Samuel  Evans  bought  a  farm  of  one  hundred  acres  in 
Rush  township  and  lived  there  for  a  few  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time 
he  sold  that  place  and  moved  to  the  adjoining  township  of  Goshen,  where 
he  bought  another  hundred-acre  farm  and  there  established  his  home,  and 
became  a  quite  well-to-do  farmer.  He  was  at  one  time  constable  of  Goshen 
township.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
church.  She  died  in  1904,  at  the  age  of  eighty-eight,  and  his  death  occurred 
the  next  year,  when  he  was  ninety-two  years  of  age.  Both  were  cared  for 
until  their  deaths  by  their  son,  James  S.  Evans.  He  and  his  wife  were  the 
l)arents  of  seven  children.  William,  Jesse,  Esther,  Jacob,  Sarah,  James  and 
Melvin. 

James  S.  Evans  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Goshen  township 
and  received  his  early  education  in  the  schools  of  that  neighborhood.  From 
the  days  of  his  boyhood  he  was  a  valuable  assistant  in  the  labors  of  develop- 
ing and  improving  the  home  place  and  after  finishing  his  schooling  con- 
tinued farming  with  his  father.  He  was  thus  engaged  until  the  latter's 
death,  when  he  took  over  the  home  farm,  a  well-improved  place  of  one  hun- 
dred and  ten  acres!     As  he  continued  to  prosper  he  added  to  his  holdings 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OJIIO.  7J^J 

until  he  became  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres,  and  was  suc- 
cessfully engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising  there  until  his  retirement 
from  active  labors  on  the  farm,  and  removal  to  Mechanicsburg,  where  he 
i?  now  living.  Mr.  Evans  is  a  Republican  and  has  ever  taken  a  proper 
interest  in  political  affairs,  but  has  not  been  a  seeker  after  office. 

On  January  8,  1914,  J.  S.  Evans  was  united  in  marriage  to  Hulda 
Freeman,  who  also  was  born  in  Goshen  township,  this  county,  a  daughter 
of  John  H.  and  Emeline  (Romine)  Freeman,  the  former  of  whom  also 
was  born  in  that  township  and  the  latter  in  the  neighboring  county  of 
Madison.  John  H.  Freeman,  who  was  born  in  1839,  was  for  twenty  years 
a  school  teacher  in  this  county,  having  started  teaching  in  1856  and  con- 
tinuing in  the  profession  until  1876,  when  he  started  farming.  He  re- 
mained a  farmer  until  1884,  when  he  retired  and  moved  to  Mechanicsburg. 
His  wife,  who  also  was  born  in  1839,  died  in  1903,  and  he  is  now  making 
his  home  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Evans  at  Mechanicsburg.  To  John  H.  Free- 
man and  wife  were  born  five  children,  those  besides  Mrs.  Evans  being 
Josephine,   Mary  Elsie,   Rebecca  A.,   and   Ethel   Gayle  Bowen. 


THE  WARE  FAMILY 


Joseph  Ware  came  from  England  in  171 5  and  purchased  five  hundred 
acres  of  land  near  Salem,  New  Jersey.  Jacob  Ware,  his  grandson  married 
Sarah  Read,  and  was  the  father  of  Jacob  Read  Ware,  who  was  born  October 
8,  1806,  and  Anna  Read  Ware  was  their  only  daughter.  These  two  children 
with  their  mother  and  stepfather,  French  Rambo,  moved  to  Ohio  in  18 18 
and  settled  on  Kings  creek.  In  1820  Jacob  R.  Ware  helped  drive  a  herd 
of  beef  cattle  to  Philadelphia,  walking  the  entire  distance  there  and  back. 
He  used  to  say  that  the  happiest  day  of  his  life  was  when,  on  his  return 
from  this  trip,  he  jumped  the  low  rail  fence  in  front  of  his  mother's  cabin 
and  rushed  into  her  arms. 

In  1823  the  Ware  family  moved  to  Springfield,  Ohio,  where  Jacob 
R.  Ware  received  most  of  his  schooling.  In  1825  he  and  his  stepfather 
brought  an  old  stock  of  goods  from  Springfield  to  Mechanicsburg,  Cham- 
paign county,  and  there  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits.  In  1834  Mr.  Ware 
and  Solomon  McCorkle  opened  a  store  on  the  southeast  corner  of  lot  No. 
II,  the  site  of  the  little  log  store  room,  the  first  building  erected  in  the 
corporation  of  Mechanicsburg.     The  site  is  now  occupied  by  the  store  of 


782  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Boulton  &  Ware.  At  the  end  of  ten  years,  Ware  and  McCorkle  had  made 
ten  thousand  dollars  each.  Mr.  Ware,  foreseeing  the  sure  increase  in  realty 
values  invested  his  money  in  land  costing  from  eight  to  fifteen  dollars  an 
acre.  The  land  being  brushy  and  undrained,  sheep  were  used  to  browse  in 
the  underbrush  and  in  this  way  he  grew  to  be  an  extensive  dealer  in  sheep 
and  wool.  He  concentrated  his  efforts  in  accumulating  land,  saying  that 
his  children  could  improve  it.  His  youngest  son,  Joseph  Ware,  took  charge 
of  the  lands  in  1875  ^"^  ^'-^^  cleared,  drained  and  managed  them  in  such 
a  way  that  they  have  been  brought  up  to  a  high  state  of  improvement  and 
now  give  but  little  indication  of  their  primitive  condition. 

Jacob  R.  Ware  was  united  in  marriage  to  Amira  Wallace,  a  descen- 
dant of  Sir  William  Wallace,  in  1829.  Three  of  their  six  children  are 
living,  namely:  Mrs.  Anna  Sabine,  of  Cambridge,  Massachusetts;  Mrs. 
Emma  Burnham,  of  Mechanicsburg,  Ohio,  and  Joseph  Ware,  also  of  Me- 
chanicsburg.  There  are  seven  grandchildren,  as  follows :  Wallace  C. 
Sabine,  a  professor  in  Harvard  University;  Mrs.  Anna  Ware  Siebert,  a 
distinguished  miniature  painter  and  wife  of  a  professor  in  the  Ohio  State 
University;  Thomas  B.  Ware,  an  attorney;  Mrs.  Enid  Ware  Foster,  also 
an  attorney;  Whittier  Burnham,  assistant  cashier  of  the  Farmers  Bank  at 
Mechanicsburg;  Rolla  Burnham,  a  traveling  salesman;  and  Archie  W.  Burn- 
ham, a  photographer  at  Springfield,  Ohio. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jacob  W^are,  both  of  whom  had  strong  convictions  and 
stood  true  to  their  principles,  were  very  public-spirited  and  were  such  people 
as  reformers  are  made  of.  They  were  ardent  abolitionists  and  kept  one  of 
the  stations  on  the  underground  railroad  in  slavery  times.  Later  they  entered 
with  the  same  zeal  into  the  temperance  movement.  Mr.  Ware  may  properly 
be  called  the  father  of  the  free  public  school  system  in  Mechanicsburg.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Ware  were  almost  life-long  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  Mrs.  Jacob  Ware  died  in  1881,  and  Jacob  Ware  passed  away  in 
[904  at  the  very  unusual  age  of  ninety-seven  and  one-half  years. 

Joseph  Ware  was  born  in  1841  and  he  is  still  active  and  robust,  remark- 
able for  his  physical  strength  and  endurance.  Notwithstanding  the  care 
of  the  large  estate,  he  has  found  time  to  enter  into  all  the  public  movements 
of  the  times,  having  superintended  the  Methodist  Protestant  Sunday  school 
in  his  home  city  for  a  period  of  fifty-six  years  without  an  interval.  He 
inherited  a  taste  for  literature  and  is  the  author  of  a  number  of  books,  "The 
Divine  Man,"  "Links  of  Gold,"  "Love's  Decision,"  and  poems,  "My  Star," 
"My  Heaven,"  "The  Voyager,"  and  many  other  shorter  writings.  In  rec- 
ognition of  his  literary  work,  the  degrees  of  Doctor  of  Literature  by  Potomac 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  78^ 

University,  and  Master  of  Arts  by  the  Kansas  City  University,  have  been 
conferred  upon  him. 

In  1862  Joseph  Ware  was  united  in  marriage  with  Josephine  Jones, 
a  daughter  of  Dr.  Thomas  Jones.  To  this  union  two  children  were  born, 
namely :  Thomas  B.  Ware,  a  prominent  and  well-known  attorney  of  Cham- 
paign coiinty ;  and  Mrs.  Enid  Ware  Foster.  There  are  also  two  grand- 
children, Ferryl  and  Joseph  Ware  Foster. 

All  members  of  the  Ware  family  are  public-spirited  and  interested  in 
everything  for  the  betterment  of  their  community. 


WILLIAM  J.  SARVER. 


William  J.  Sarver,  one  of  Harrison  township's  well-known  and  sub- 
stantial farmers  and  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
four  miles  southwest  of  West  Liberty,  on  rural  mail  route  No.  i,  out  of 
that  city,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Concord  township,  this  county,  July  4, 
1870,  eldest  child  of  Jacob  S.  and  Etna  (Johnson)  Sarver.  He  was  but  two 
years  of  age  when  his  parents  moved  from  Concord  township  to  Harrison 
township,  where  he  has  lived  ever  since. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Harrison  township,  William  J.  Sarver 
received  his  education  in  the  neighborhood  schools  and  remained  at  home, 
a  valued  assistant  in  the  labors  of  developing  and  improving  the  home  place, 
until  his  marriage  in  the  fall  of  1896,  when  he  was  twenty-six  years  of 
age.  He  then  began  farming  on  his  own  account  in  Harrison  township 
and  in  1902  located  on  the  farm  he  now  owns  in  that  township.  Since  then 
he  has  made  his  home  there,  he  and  his  family  being  very  comfortably  situ- 
ated. In  addition  to  his  home  farm  of  a  quarter  of  a  section  of  fine  land, 
Mr.  Sarver  is  the  owner  of  a  "forty"  in  Concord  township  and  is  regarded 
as  one  of  the  leading  farmers  in  that  part  of  the  county,  carrying  on  his 
farming  operations  in  accordance  with  modern  methods.  He  has  a  fine, 
up-to-date  farm  plant. 

On  November  25.  1896,  William  J.  Sarver  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Queen  E.  Idle,  who  was  born  in  Concord  township,  this  county.  May  21. 
1874,  daughter  of  Thomas  B.  and  Eliza  J.  (Journell)  Idle,  both  of  whom 
also  were  born  in  this  county,  the  former  in  Concord  township  on  June 
3,  185 1,  and  the  latter  in  Johnson  township,  November  22,  1850.  Thomas 
B.  Idle  was  a  substantial  farmer  of  Concord  township  and  was  one  of  the 
best-known   citizens   of  that   part   of   the   county.      He   died   on   August   8, 


784  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

1915,  and  his  widow  is  still  living.  To  them  four  children  were  bornj 
those  besides  Mrs.  Sarver  being  Cora  E.,  wife  of  Alva  Stayman,  of  Con- 
cord township;  Theodore  J.,  also  of  that  township,  and  Walter  W.,  a  me- 
chanic living  at  St.  Paris,  Ohio.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sarver  have  four  living 
children,  Blanche,  born  on  November  9,  1900,  who  was  graduated  from 
the  common  schools  in  1917;  Harold  J.,  April  10,  1903;  Ivan  W.,  December 
13,  1905,  and  Ruby  F.,  September  3,  1913.  The  Sarvers  are  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  the  affairs  of  which  they  take  a  proper 
interest.  Fraternally,  Mr.  Sarver  is  a  member  of  Crayon  Lodge,  No.  392, 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in  the  affairs  of  which  organization 
he  takes  an  active  interest.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican,  but  has  never 
taken  a  particularly  active  part  in  political  affairs.  Mrs.  Sarver  was  gradu- 
ated from  the  business  department  of  the  National  Normal  School  at  Leba- 
non and  for  a  year,  before  her  marriage  taught  school,  and  has  ever  taken 
an  interested  part  in  the  general  social  and  cultural  activities  of  her  neigh- 
borhood. 


JOHN  W.  KISER. 

There  have  been  many  men  born  in  Champaign  county  who  have 
achieved  distinction  in  some  particular  line.  There  have  been  men  high  in 
army  and  navy  circles,  eminent  men  in  political  affairs,  bankers,  musicians, 
artists,  and  men  prominent  in  many  other  lines  of  activity,  but  in  the  field 
of  finance  there  is  one  figure  which  so  far  overshadows  all  others  that  there 
is  no  comparison.  This  man,  a  native  of  Champaign  county,  was  the  late 
John  W.  Kiser.  To  have  started  in  with  nothing  and  build  up  a  fortune 
of  eight  millions  is  but  one  of  the  features  of  the  life  of  this  man,  but  the 
fact  that  he  did  it  is  sufficient  evidence  that  he  was  a  man  of  extraordinary 
ability. 

John  W.  Kiser,  one  of  the  financial  leaders  of  Chicago  for  several  years 
prior  to  his  death,  was  l^orn  in  Johnson  township.  Champaign  county,  Ohio, 
June  20,  1857,  and  died  at  the  Blackstone  Hotel,  Chicago,  October  31,  1916. 
He  was  a  son  of  George  R.  and  Margaret  (McVay)  Kiser,  early  settlers 
in  Champaign  county,  and  residents  of  the  county  at  the  time  of  their  death. 

George  R.  Kiser  was  born  in  Shelby  county,  Ohio,  December  10,  1829, 
a  son  of  Nicholas  and  Margaret  (Kiser)  Kiser,  natives,  respectively,  of 
Tennessee  and  Pennsylvania.  Nicholas  Kiser  died  in  1843,  leaving  his  widow 
with  twelve  children.     The  widow  lived  until  her  eightieth  vear.     Of  these 


tm:c 


^L^^^^ 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  785 

twelve  children — one  had  died  before  the  death  of  the  father — all  reached 
maturity  but  one,  and  ten  of  the  number  married.  George  R.  Kiser,  the 
seventh  child  and  the  fourth  son,  started  out  to  make  his  way  in  the  world 
at  the  age  of  sixteen,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  one  of  the  wealthiest 
men  in  Champaign  county.  He  was  first  a  farm  hand,  later  operated  a 
saw-mill,  then  engaged  in  the  buying  and  shipping  of  livestock — all  in 
Johnson  township,  this  county.  He  located  in  St.  Paris  in  1866  and  lived 
there  until  1875,  when  he  moved  to  one  of  his  farms  near  Millerstown  in 
the  same  township.  In  1886  he  returned  to  St.  Paris,  where  he  lived  until 
his  death.  His  estate  included  about  twelve  hundred  acres,  two  hundred  in 
Shelby  county  and  the  remainder  in  Champaign  county.  He  was  married 
in  1856  to  Margaret  McVay,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Susan  (Stockton) 
McVay.  George  R.  Kiser  and  wife  had  two  children,  twins,  John  William 
and  Mary  Belle. 

John  W.  Kiser  received  his  early  education  in  the  school  of  St.  Paris 
and  later  was  graduated  from  Wittenberg  College,  Springfield,  Ohio,  in 
1884.  Marrying  the  same  year,  he  located  in  Springfield  and  got  his  first 
business  experience  as  a  special  collector  for  Reinhardt,  Ballard  &  Company, 
of  that  city.  Later  he  became  collector  for  the  Springfield  Thresher  Com- 
pany, being  placed  on  the  road  and  given  charge  of  the  collections  of  several 
states.  He  next  associated  himself  with  the  Chandler-Robbins  Sewing  Ma- 
chine Company,  of  Chicago,  and  it  was  while  with  that  company  that  he 
conceived  the  idea  of  going  into  the  manufacturing  business  for  himself. 

The  next  step  in  his  career  took  him  to  Chicago,  the  city  of  opportu- 
nity. He  arrived  in  the  city  in  1889,  full  of  enthusiasm,  and  with  five  years 
of  practical  experience  behind  him.  He  continued  in  the  sewing-machine 
business  for  three  years,  meanwhile  keeping  his  eyes  open  for  an  opportunity 
to  engage  in  some  manufacturing  venture  of  his  own.  In  the  early  nineties 
the  bicycle  craze  struck  the  country  and  Mr.  Kiser  felt  that  here  was  his 
opportunity — and  so  it  proved. 

In  1892  he  organized  the  Monarch  Bicycle  Company  in  Chicago  and 
soon  made  it  one  of  the  strongest  and  largest  bicycle  companies  in  the  world. 
The  money  rolled  in  as  his  wheels  rolled,  in  ever  increasing  thousands,  up 
and  down  the  highways  of  the  entire  world.  When  the  business  began  to 
show  signs  of  waning  he  had  the  shrewdness  to  know  when  to  dispose  of 
his  interests  in  it,  and  thus  he  averted  the  financial  disaster  of  many  other 
bicycle  manufacturers  who  could  not  see  the  handwriting  on  the  wall. 

Mr.  Kiser's  next  venture  was  in  the  field  of  horseshoe  manufacturing. 
(50a) 


786  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

The  Phoenix  Horseshoe  Company  had  already  been  organized,  its  main  mills 
being  at  Poughkeepsie,  New  York,  and  Joliet,  Illinois.  When  he  became 
identified  with  this  company  in  1002  the  main  stockholder  was  E.  H. 
Miller,  but  within  five  years  Mr.  Kiser  was  controlling  most  of  the  stock 
and  in  1907  became  president  of  the  company.  At  the  same  time  the  capital 
stock  was  increased  to  three  million  dollars,  and  within  a  short  time  Mr. 
Kiser  was  practically  the  sole  owner  of  the  company.  In  1910  he  secured 
control  of  the  Cincinnati  Horeshoe  and  Iron  Company  and  maintained  his 
connection  with  this  company  until  his  death,  continuing  in  active  charge 
of  his  extensive  business  interests  until  a  short  time  before  his  death. 

Mr.  Kiser  never  forgot  his  old  home  in  Champaign  county,  and  he 
liked  to  spend  as  much  of  each  summer  as  possible  in  St.  Paris.  There  he 
built  one  of  the  finest  homes  in  the  state  of  Ohio  in  1912,  a  home  which  was 
always  open  to  the  friends  of  his  boyhood  days.  This  home  is  pointed  out 
as  one  of  the  most  beautiful  in  the  state,  not  only  as  regards  its  external 
features,  but  also  because  of  its  beautiful  appointments  within.  Mr.  Kiser 
was  a  man  of  rare  tastes  and  liked  to  surround  himself  with  beautiful 
things.  In  19 15  Mr.  Kiser  bought  a  fine  country  home  at  Port  Chester, 
New  York,  about  thirty  miles  from  New  York  City.  He  intended  to  make 
it  his  permanent  summer  home,  but  when  he  became  seriously  ill,  he  sold  it. 
He  also  built  a  fine  home  in  Chicago,  at  3357  Michigan  avenue,  but  the 
encroachments  of  business  caused  him  to  give  it  up  as  a  residence.  After 
closing  his  home  Mr.  Kiser  and  his  wife  went  to  New  York  City,  where 
they  leased  an  apartment  at  the  Ritz-Carlton,  but  the  increasing  seriousness 
of  Mr.  Kiser's  condition  caused  them  to  return  to  St.  Paris.  They  remained 
in  St.  Paris  for  four  months  and  then  went  to  Chicago  and  made  their 
home  at  the  newl}'  opened  Blackstone  Hotel.  Mr.  Kiser  was  under  the  care 
of  the  best  obtainable  medical  talent,  but  he  lived  only  a  few  months  after 
he  and  his  wife  returned  to  Chicago. 

One  of  John  W.  Kiser's  favorite  recreations  was  farming.  He  bought 
so  much  land  in  Champaign  and  adjoining  counties  that  his  Chicago  friends 
were  always  joking  him  about  buying  the  whole  state  of  Ohio.  At  any  rate, 
his  land  holdings  were  so  extensive  that  he  was  described  in  Chicago  papers 
after  his  death  as  the  "owner  of  counties."  In  addition  to  being  president 
of  the  largest  horeshoe  manufacturing  company  in  the  world  and  having 
hundreds  of  acres  of  valuable  land  to  look  after,  Mr.  Kiser  also  was  inter- 
ested in  a  number  of  other  business  enterprises  in  which  he  had  large  hold- 
ings.    He  was  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Chicago  and  a  large 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  787 

Stockholder  in  the  Miehle  Press  &  Manufacturing  Company,  of  Chicago.  His 
vast  estate  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  estimated  at  eight  milHons,  all  of 
which  is  now  in  the  competent  hands  of  his  only  son,  John  W.  Kiser,  Jr. 

John  W.  Kiser  was  married  in  1884,  the  year  of  his  graduation  from 
college,  to  Thyrza  W.  Furrow,  daughter  of  Ezra  H.  Furrow,  the  first  large 
merchant  of  St.  Paris.  She  was  born  in  St.  Paris,  June  29,  1858.  They 
were  the  parents  of  two  sons:  John  W.,  Jr.,  and  Furrow  John.  The  latter 
was  killed  accidentally  on  April  29,  1902.  John  W.  Kiser,  Jr.,  was  born 
on  June  10,  1889,  in  Chicago.  He  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools;  Howard  school,  of  Chicago;  Lawrenceville  school,  Lawrenceville, 
N'ew  Jersey;  University  High  school,  Chicago;  University  of  Chicago,  and 
was  graduated  from  Yale  University  in  19 15  with  the  degree  of  Ph.  B. 
He  at  once  actively  took  charge  of  his  father's  business.  Although  young 
in  years,  he  had  already  had  sufficient  experience  to  enable  him  to  take  up 
the  management  of  the  wonderful  business  which  his  father  had  developed. 
He  has  already  shown  business  capacity  which  indicates  that  he  will  be  a 
worthy  follower  of  his  father  in  the  field  of  finance.  He  is  now  president 
of  the  Phoenix  Horseshoe  Company  and  a  director  in  the  Miehle  Printing 
Press  and  Manufacturing  Company,  Chicago,  and  also  a  director  in  the  First 
National  Bank  of  St.  Paris,  Ohio.     He  makes  his  home  in  New  York  City. 

The  private  life  of  John  W.  Kiser  was  without  a  blemish.  Devoted 
to  his  family,  he  was  loved  by  his  business  associates  as  a  friend  to  whom 
they  could  always  turn  for  assistance.  When  the  news  of  his  death  was 
received  at  his  offices  at  209  South  LaSalle  street,  there  was  the  most  pro- 
found sorrow  at  his  passing.  His  religion  was  the  simple,  unostentatious 
kind,  but  none  the  less  sincere.  In  politics  he  was  an  independent  Demo- 
crat, and  as  a  member  of  the  city  council  in  Chicago  for  two  terms  he  made 
a  good  record  in  behalf  of  his  constituency.  He  was  a  member  of  the  fol- 
lowing clubs :  Union  League,  Chicago  Athletic,  Mid-day,  Glen  View,  South 
Shore,  Country  and  Chicago  Gold  Club,  at  Chicago;  the  Blind  Brook  Coun- 
try Club,  New  York;  the  Automobile  Club  of  America,  the  Ohio  Society  of 
New  York  and  the  Chicago  Historical  Society. 

Such,  in  brief,  is  the  career  of  Champaign  county's  most  famous  finan- 
cier. But  he  was  more  than  a  mere  maker  of  money.  He  was  loyal  to 
his  home  county  as  long  as  he  lived;  he  was  loyal  to  those  friends  of  his 
who  were  less  fortunate.  In  all  things  he  lived  a  large  life,  a  life  in  which 
he  tried  to  the  best  of  his  ability  to  make  those  around  him  happier.  His 
life  is  ended  on  earth,  but  the  good  things  he  did.  the  kind  words  he  said. 


7oo  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

will  remain  as  a  heritage  to  those  with  whom  he  was  associated  in  life. 
Champaign  county  is  proud  to  honor  him  as  one  of  its  most  illustrious  citi- 
zens. 


GRANVILLE  M.  BOTKIN. 

The  efforts  of  Granville  M.  Botkin  as  a  tiller  of  the  soil  having  been 
amply  rewarded,  he  is  now  spending  his  declining  years  in  leisure  in  Me- 
chanicsburg.  He  was  born,  February  29,  1840,  in  Pleasant  township,  Clark 
county,  Ohio,  ten  miles  east  of  Springfield.  He  is  a  son  of  Abraham  and 
Sarah  (Wilkinson)  Botkin.  The  father  was  born,  October  15,  1808  in 
Clark  county,  this  state,  devoted  his  life  to  farming,  and  died,  June  13, 
1898.  The  mother  was  born  in  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  on  March  17, 
1808,  and  died  May  29,  1876.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church,  while  Mr.  Botkin  belonged  to  the  Methodist  Protestant  church. 
He  was  a  stanch  Republican.  Eight  children  were  born  to  Abraham  Botkin 
and  wife :  George,  now  deceased,  who  served  three  years  in  the  Civil  War 
in  Company  C,  First  Kentucky  Volunteer  Infantry;  William,  who  was  also 
a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War,  a  member  of  Company  K,  Forty-fifth  Ohio 
Volunteer  Infantry,  died  in  Andersonville  prison;  Wallace,  who  served  in 
the  same  company  and  regiment  with  William  in  the  Union  army  and 
was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Nashville,  Tennessee;  Elizabeth;  Granville  M.,  of 
this  sketch;  Joseph,  who  served  four  years  during  the  Civil  War  in  Com- 
pany F,  Forty-fourth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  lives  in  Mexico,  Mis- 
souri; Lycurgus,  who  served  one  year  in  the  Eightieth  Regiment,  Ohio 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  lives  in  Centralia,  Missouri ;  and  Eliza,  the  youngest 
child,  who  makes  her  home  in  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Granville  M.  Botkin  received  only  a  limited  education  in  the  public 
schools,  and  he  lived  with  his  parents  until  they  died.  After  the  death 
of  his  mother  he  moved  to  Mechanicsburg,  Champaign  county  in  1876,  where 
his  parents  had  moved  a  year  before.  There  the  father  died.  Mr.  Botkin 
was  married,  January  14,  1909,  to  Mrs.  Louisa  Henry,  of  Clark  county, 
Ohio.  She  is  a  daughter  of  William  and  Nellie  (Cook)  Roach,  both  natives 
of  Wyoming  county,  West  Virginia.  The  death  of  the  father  occurred 
in  Clark  county,  Ohio. 

Granville  M.  Botkin  has  always  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  which 
he  followed  with  success  in  Clark  county,  Ohio,  until  1876,  when  he  moved 
to  Champaign  county,  and  has  since  lived  in  the  vicinity  of  Mechanicsburg. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  789 

On  May  2,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-sixth 
Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  from  Clark  county.  He  was  sent  into  West 
Virginia,  where  he  participated  in  several  skirmishes.  At  the  close  of  the 
war  he  was  honorably  discharged.  He  and  his  wife  belong  to  the  Method- 
ist Protestant  church.  His  grandfather,  George  Botkin,  was  a  son  of 
Charles  Botkin,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 


JOHN  T.  EVILSIZOR. 


John  T.  Evilsizor,  farmer  of  Urbana  township,  Champaign  county,  was 
born  in  Jackson  township,  this  county,  November  6,  1852.  He  is  a  son 
of  Squire  and  Christiana  (Comer)  Evilsizor,  natives  of  the  Shenandoah 
valley,  Virginia,  from  which  locality  they  came  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio, 
when  young  with  their  parents.  Here  they  grew  to  maturity  and  were 
married,  locating  on  a  farm  near  St.  Paris.  At  first  Squire  Evilsizor  worked 
out  as  a  farm  hand,  but  later  he  farmed  for  himself,  finally  moving  to 
Urbana  township,  where  he  died  in  Fremont  City  at  the  advanced  age 
of  eight-four  years,  and  his  wife  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine  years.  They 
were  members  of  the  Hickory  Grove  church.  The  father  was  first  a  Whig 
and  later  a  Republican.  To  Squire  and  Christiana  Evilsizor  eleven  children 
were  born,  namely:  Mary,  the  wife  of  James  Dye,  the  former  of  Marion 
county,  Ohio,  but  later  of  Nebraska,  where  her  death  occurred;  Solomon 
who  was  a  farmer  in  Urbana  township,  this  county,  died  in  191 5;  Rebecca, 
who  first  married  Joseph  Bisseth  of  Pennsylvania,  and  secondly  Joshua 
Zerkle.  both  are  now  deceased;  Lewis,  who  served  in  the  Civil  War,  estab- 
lished his  home  in  Fremont  City,  Ohio;  Eliza,  wife  of  John  Fanning,  West- 
ville,  Ohio;  John  T.,  of  this  sketch;  Isaac,  a  farmer  in  Clark  county,  Ohio; 
Sarah,  who  married  Andrew  Shafer,  of  Quincy,  Ohio;  Rose  Etta,  wife  of 
Thomas  Nitchman,  of  Terre  Haute,  Ohio;  Charles  Wesley,  retired  farmer 
o^^  Fremont  City,  this  state;  and  Jasper,  who  died  in  infancy. 

John  T.  Evilsizor  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  and  received  a  limited 
education  in  the  public  schools,  being  compelled  to  go  two  and  one-half 
miles  through  the  woods  to  the  school  house  in  his  district.  He  helped  his 
father  on  the  home  place  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  then  worked 
for  Christopher  Metz  in  Urbana  township  for  a  period  of  twenty-four 
years.  In  1872  he  married  Permetta  Metz,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Martha 
Metz,  who  were  pioneer  farmers  of  Champaign  county.     Their  family  con- 


790  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

sisted  of  eight  children,  namely:  Permetta,  the  wife  of  John  T.  Evilsizor; 
Kate,  Letitia,  Ellen,  Emma,  Edward,  Otto  and  Richard. 

Eight  children  were  born  to  John  T.  Evilsizor  and  wife,  namely: 
Frank,  a  farmer  in  Clark  county,  Ohio;  Ida,  the  wife  of  Alfred  Garard, 
of  Springfield,  Ohio;  Carrie,  who  married  Worden  Hupp,  of  Fremont  City, 
this  state;  Walter,  living  in  Urbana  township.  Champaign  county;  Clarence, 
at  home,  a  farmer  and  railroad  man;  Lottie,  wife  of  Philip  Geron,  of 
Clark  county,  Ohio;  Christopher,  at  home;  and  Ethel,  who  married  Fred 
Weimer,  a  farmer  of  Urbana  township,  this  county. 

The  mother  of  the  above  named  children  died  on  January  6,  1913. 

Politically,  Mr.  Evilsizor  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Junior  Order  of  American  United  Mechanics.  He  has  served  as  trustee  of 
Urbana  township  for  a  period  of  nine  years  in  an  able  and  satisfactory  man- 
ner. At  present  he  resides  on  a  farmer  in  Urbana  township,  where  he  has 
lived  forty-two  years,  his  place  consisting  of  ninety-three  acres.  He  is  well 
and  favorably  known  throughout  the  county. 


ISAAC  P.  YODER. 


Isaac  P.  Yoder,  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  eighty-four  acres  in  Harrison 
township,  this  county,  two  and  one-half  miles  southwest  of  West  Liberty, 
on  rural  mail  route  No.  i,  out  of  that  place,  is  a  native  of  the  old  Key- 
stone state,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  Ohio  since  the  days  of  his  early 
manhood.  He  was  born  in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  13,  1853, 
son  of  the  Rev.  C.  K.  and  Catherine  (Plank)  Yoder,  natives  of  that  same 
county,  the  former  born  on  March  2,  1829,  and  the  latter,  October  13. 
1830,  who  became  residents  of  Logan  county,  this  state,  where  their  last 
days  were  spent. 

The  Rev.  C.  K.  Yoder  was  a  minister  of  the  Mennonite  faith,  who 
came  to  Ohio  with  his  family.  After  a  sometime  residence  in  Wayne 
county  he  moved,  about  1874,  to  Logan  county,  where  he  established  his 
home  and  where  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  the 
latter  dying  in  1896  and  the  former  surviving  until  in  May,  191 1.  They 
were  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  all  of  whom  are  living  save  one,  John, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  seven  years,  the  others  besides  Isaac  P.  Yoder 
being  as  follow:  Levi,  of  Logan  county;  Malinda,  wife  of  John  J.  King, 
of   West   Liberty;   Samuel   P.,   of   Logan   county;    Nancy,   wife  of   A.    Y. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  79I 

Hartzler,  of  West  Liberty;  Emma,  wife  of  John  W.  Zook,  also  of  West 
Liberty;  Amos,  of  Logan  county;  Chris,  of  Toledo;  Catherine,  wife  of 
Rudolph  Yoder,  of  Portage  county,  this  state,  and  Minnie,  of  West  Liberty. 

Isaac  P.  Yoder's  boyhood  was  spent  in  Wayne  county,  Ohio,  having 
come  to  that  county  when  two  years  of  age.  His  schooling,  however,  was 
completed  in  Logan  county,  this  state,  to  which  county  his  parents  had  moved 
in  the  days  of  his  youth.  His  father  owned  a  farm  in  that  county  and 
he  grew  up  a  trained  farmer,  continuing  that  occupation  in  that  county 
after  his  marriage  in  1879  until  1910.  In  that  year  he  moved  down  into 
Champaign  county  and  located  on  the  farm  of  eighty-four  acres  in  Harrison 
township,  which  he  now  owns  and  where  he  has  since  made  his  home,  he  and 
his  family  being  very  comfortably  situated  there.  Mr.  Yoder  is  a  Repub- 
lican, but  has  never  given  any  particularly  active  attention  to  political  af- 
fairs. He  has  a  well-kept  farm  plant  and  is  looked  upon  as  one  of  the 
substantial  farmers  of  his  home  community. 

On  January  29,  1878,  in  Logan  county,  this  state,  Isaac  P.  Yoder 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Martha  Kauffman,  who  was  born  in  that  county 
on  August  27,  1857,  and  who  was  left  without  a  mother  when  twelve  years 
of  age.  To  that  union  have  been  born  twelve  children,  namely :  Milton, 
born  on  January  5,  1879,  formerly  a  high  school  teacher,  now  engaged  in 
the  lumber  business  at  Belle  Center;  Katie,  July  18,  1880,  at  home;  Alta, 
October  19,  1882,  wife  of  E.  J.  Hilty;  Lewis,  May  6,  1884,  who  was 
graduated  from  the  high  school  and  is  now  secretary  and  general  manager 
of  the  "Farmers  Equity"  at  Nampa,  Idaho;  John,  October  9,  1885,  who 
was  graduated  from  the  Grand  Rapids  Veterinary  College  and  is  now  in 
the  employ  of  the  United  States  government,  stationed  at  Lewiston,  Louis- 
iana; Fred,  March  17,  1887,  who  is  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  at  Lake 
View,  this  state;  Elmer  and  Ellen  (twins),  January  21,  1889,  both  of  whom 
were  graduated  from  the  West  Liberty  high  school,  the  latter  graduating 
from  the  Mennonite  Normal  College  at  Goshen,  Indiana,  and  now  a  teacher 
in  the  West  Mansfield  high  school,  and  the  former  of  whom,  still  living 
at  home,  is  a  graduate  auctioneer;  Clara,  January  5,  1890,  also  a  graduate 
of  the  West  Liberty  high  school,  wife  of  J.  O.  King;  Aquila,  December 
18,  1893,  a  graduate  of  the  West  Liberty  high  school  and  a  former  school 
teacher,  who  is  now  engaged  in  the  lumber  business;  Mary  M.,  February 
13,  1895,  a  graduate  of  the  West  Liberty  high  school,  who  is  now  engaged 
in  teaching  school,  and  Mark.  October  '24,  1896,  a  graduate  of  the  West 
Liberty  high  school,  who  is  at  home.  The  Yoders  are  members  of  the 
Mennonite  church  at  West  Liberty  and  have  ever  taken  a  proper  part  in 


792'  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY/  OHIO. 

church  work,  as  well  as  in  the  general  good  works  and  social  activities  of 
the  community  in  which  they  live,  helpful  in  many  ways  in  promoting 
causes  having  to  do  with  the  advancement  of  the  general  welfare  there- 
about. 


REV.  GEORGE  HICKEY. 

The  Rev.  George  Hickey,  pastor  of  St.  Mary's  Catholic  church  at 
Urbana,  is  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life,  a 
resident  of  Urbana  since  his  appointment  as  pastor  of  St.  Mary's  in  1903. 
He  was  born  at  Glendale,  a  suburb  of  Cincinnati,  in  1868,  and  received  his 
elementary  schooling  in  the  Catholic  parochial  school  of  that  place,  upon 
completing  the  course  in  which  he  entered  St.  Francis  Xavier  College  at 
Cincinnati,  graduating  in  1888.  Having  early  consecrated  his  life  to  the 
priesthood  he  then,  with  the  holy  office  in  view,  pursued  his  studies  at  Mt. 
St.  Mary's  Seminary  in  Cincinnati,  being  ordained  in  1892.  After  his  ordi- 
nation he  spent  two  years  studying  at  the  Catholic  University. 

In  September,  1894,  Father  Hickey  was  appointed  assistant  to  the 
pastor  at  St.  Brigid's  church,  Xenia,  this  state.  In  1895  he  was  appointed 
pastor  of  the  church  at  Eaton  and  after  two  years  of  effective  labor  there, 
in  1897,  was  appointed  pastor  of  the  church  at  Mil  ford,  in  Clermont  county, 
where  he  remained  until  his  appointment  as  pastor  of  the  parish  of  St. 
Mary's  at  Urbana  in  1903,  since  which  time  he  has  been  a  resident  of  Urbana 
and  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  influential  clergymen  in  that  city. 


GEORGE  R.  RANDALL. 


A  well  known  farmer  in  Urbana  township,  Champaign  county,  is  George 
R.  Randall,  who  was  born  in  Mad  River  township,  this  county,  June  18,  1861. 
He  is  a  son  of  Reuben  and  Elizabeth  (Preece)  Randall.  The  father  was 
born  in  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  mother  was  born  in 
Somersetshire,  England.  She  was  a  daughter  of  James  Preece,  a  native 
of  England,  from  which  country  he  brought  his  family  to  America  about 
1850,  locating  in  Urbana,  Ohio,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  He 
was  a  butcher  by  trade.  He  first  married  Elizabeth  Bacon,  by  whom  lie 
had  only  one  child,  Jemima,  who  came  to  this  country  with  her  father  and 
married  Richard  LeMar,  and  they  are  now  living  in  Urbana  township  oti 


REV.  GEORGE  HICKET. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  793 

a  farm.  Later  James  Preece  married  Mrs.  White,  a  widow  from  England^ 
but  this  union  was  without  issue. 

Reuben  Randall's  father,  Robert  Randall,  was  a  native  of  Maryland, 
from  which  state  he  went  to  Pennsylvania  when  young-  and  married  there,, 
establishing  his  home  in  that  state.  Four-  of  his  children  came  to  Cham- 
paign county,  Ohio,  namely :  Reuben,  mentioned  above ;  Agnes,  who  mar- 
ried William  Parlett,  and  they  e.stablished  their  home  on  a  farm  west  of 
Urbana ;  Ruth  married  Benjamin  Bosley,  and  they  reside  in  Concord  town- 
ship; Mary  lives  on  North  Main  street,  Urbana. 

Reuben  Randall  was  born  in  1833.  He  received  a  limited  education 
in  the  common  schools  of  his  day,  but  he  was  a  self-taught  man,  becom- 
ing in  time  a  good  scholar  by  wide,  miscellaneous  home  reading.  He  came 
to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  with  his  parents  about  the  year  1850.  As  a 
young  man,  he  followed  engineering  and  the  saw-mill  business,  but  in  later 
life  he  was  a  farmer.  His  wife  was  born  in  1830.  They  were  members 
of  Nettle  Creek  Baptist  church.  His  death  occurred  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
five,  and  his  wife's  at  the  age  of  eighty.  They  were  parents  of  five  children, 
Mary  E.,  deceased,  remained  single;  George  R.,  of  this  sketch;  Jemima, 
died  when  seventeen  years  of  age;  James  R.,  who  married  Alice  Stein- 
barger,  and  they  live  at  West  Milton,  Ohio;  Edward  L.,  who  marriel  Adella 
Fenton  and  is  a  farmer  in  Urbana  township,  this  county. 

George  R.  Randall  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm,  and  he  at- 
tended the  district  schools.  On  December  27,  1887,  he  married  Serepta 
Fenton,  a  native  of  Urbana  township,  this  county,  and  a  daughter  of  John 
and  Emeline  (Evilsizor)  Fenton.  Mr.  Fenton  was  born  in  Clark  county, 
Ohio,  but  he  established  his  home  in  Champaign  county,  first  living  in  Mad 
River  township,  then  in  Urbana  township.  He  was  always  a  farmer.  During 
the  Civil  War  he  served  in  the  Union  army.  His  wife  was  born  in  Mad 
River  township,  Champaign  county.  They  now  reside  in  Urbana  town- 
ship. Seven  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fenton  named  as  follows : 
Serepta,  wife  of  Mr.  Randall;  Alonzo,  who  lives  in  Mad  River  township: 
William  E.,  living  in  Union  City.  Indiana;  Burton,  deceased;  Delia,  deceased; 
John,  who  lives  in  Coshocton  county,  Ohio;  Olive,  deceased. 

Six  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrsi  Randall,  named  as 
follows:  Reuben,  who  married  Alta  Russell,  a  farmer  in  Urbana  town- 
ship; x\lonzo  A.,  who  married  Eva  Boyer  and  they  live  in  Urbana;  Emer- 
son, who  is  in  railroad  service,  living  in  Tremont,  Ohio,  and  he  married 
Edna  Broadstone;  Mary  Ethel,  wife  of  Fay  Stillings,  and  they  live  in 
Oswego,    New   York;    Mabel   Emma,    wife   of   Roy   Brown,    and   they   live 


794  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

on  a  farm  in  Urbana  township,   this  county;   George   Howard,    who  Hves 
at  home  and  assists  with  the  farm  work. 

After  his  marriage  George  R.  Randall  located  on  a  farm  in  Urbana 
township,  spending  the  first  year  on  the  Knight  farm.  He  then  tilled  the 
John  Newell  place  one  season,  after  which  he  operated  the  Brooks  farm 
five  years,  then  spent  ten  years  on  the  McDonald  farm.  He  bought  his 
present  farm  in  1910,  in  Urbana  township.  It  consists  of  fifty-seven  acres, 
on  which  he  is  making  a  comfortable  living.  Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat, 
and  his  wife  belongs  to  the  United  Brethren  church. 


P.  J.  BURNHAM. 


P.  J.  Burnham,  cashier  of  the  Central  Bank  of  Mechanicsburg,  Cham- 
paign county,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Madison  county,  Ohio,  on  July  26, 
1852.  He  received  a  common  school  education,  which  has  been  greatly 
supplemented  in  later  years  by  contact  with  the  world  and  by  wide  and  mis- 
cellaneous home  reading. 

Mr.  Burnham  has  been  engaged  in  the  banking  business  in'  Mechanics- 
burg for  the  past  forty-two  years,  during  which  period  he  has  done  much 
toward  the  general  upbuilding  of  the  town  and  is  one  of  the  best  known 
and  influential  men  in  Champaign  county's  financial  circles.  He  first  entered 
the  Farmers  Bank,  and  after  ten  years'  faithful  service  with  that  institution, 
he  resigned  and  was  appointed  assignee  of  the  Mechanicsburg  Machine  Com- 
pany. After  settling  up  the  business  of  this  firm  in  a  manner  satisfactory 
to  all  concerned,  he  organized  the  Central  Bank  of  Mechanicsburg  and  has 
been  its  cashier  for  the  past  twenty-seven  years.  The  bank  which  is  one 
of  the  most  popular  in  this  section  of  Ohio,  has  had  a  steady  and  satisfactory 
growth  owing  to  his  judicious  counsel  and  management  of  its  affairs.  It 
has  weathered  a  number  of  panics  and  stormy  periods  in  the  financial  world 
successfully  with  Mr.  Burnham  at  the  helm.  A  general  banking  business  is 
carried  on  and  the  bank  has  a  modernly  equipped  home  where  everything 
is  managed  under  the  most  approved  twentieth-century  banking  methods. 

Mr.  Burnham  has  been  very  successful  in  a  business  way  and  is  one 
of  the  substantial  men  of  the  eastern  part  of  Champaign  county.  He  is 
financially  interested  in  the  leading  enterprises  of  Mechanicsburg.  He  is 
a  heavy  stockholder  in  both  the  local  banks,  also  in  the  gas  company  and 
telephone  company  of  his  home  town.     He  is  also  one  of  the  most  extensive 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  795 

landowners  in  Goshen  township.  His  farms  are  well  improved  and  under 
a  high  state  of  cultivation.  He  has  a  commodious  home  in  the  midst  of 
attractive  surroundings. 

In  February,  1887,  Mr.  Burnham  was  married  to  Laura  B.  Hunter, 
and  their  union  has  been  blessed  by  the  birth  of  two  sons,  namely :  Vincent, 
living  at  Redando  Beach,  California;  and  John,  , who  is  assisting  his  1  father 
in  the  Central  Bank  at  Mechanicsburg. 


WILLIAM  E.  WARD. 


One  of  the  enterprising  young  farmers  of  Urbana  township  and  a 
veteran  of  the  Spanish-American  War  is  William  E.  Ward,  who  has  for 
some  time  taken  more  than  passing  interest  in  the  affairs  of  Champaign 
county.  He  was  born  in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  March  4,  1877,  the  son 
of  Thomas  O.  and  Helen  Elizabeth  (Haskell)  Ward.  The  maternal  grand- 
father gave  the  land  on  which  to  establish  the  Granville  Seminary.  Thomas 
O.  Ward  was  born  in  Licking  county,  this  state  and  there  he  grew  up  and 
married.  He  came  to  Urbana,  Ohio,  in  1880,  and  was  a  car  builder  in  the 
car  shops  there  for  a  period  of  twenty-five  years.  In  1906  his  wife  died, 
and  soon  after  that  bereavement  he  went  to  Wellsville,  Kansas  and  later 
to  Oklahoma,  where  he  is  now  living  on  a  farm.  He  is  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  War,  having  enlisted  in  1861  in  a  Kansas  regiment  of  cavalry,  and 
he  served  four  years  in  a  very  creditable  manner,  taking  part  in  a  number 
of  important  engagements.  He  was  honorably  discharged  at  the  close  of 
hostilities.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  at  Urbana, 
where  he  belonged  to  the  First  Presbyterian  church,  in  which  he  was  an 
elder  and  was  very  active  in  church  work.  His  family  consisted  of  three 
children,  namely :  Edward,  living  north  of  Urbana,  a  broom  maker  by 
trade,  who  has  been  twice  married,  first  to  Kate  Freyhoff,  and  secondly 
to  Clara  Warren;  William  E.,  subject  of  this  biography,  and  Carrie,  the 
wife  of  Thad  Cox,  living  in  Bellingham,  Washington. 

William  E.  Ward  grew  up  on  the  home  farm,  acquired  his  early  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools  in  his  community,  and  in  the  Urbana  high 
school.  On  April  16,  1898,  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Spanish- American 
War,  in  Company  D,  Third  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was 
sent  to  Tampa,  Florida,  where  he  spent  three  months.  Later  he  was  three 
months  at  Fernandina.  that  state,   and  also  spent  three  months  at  Hunts- 


796  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

ville,  Alabama.  He  was  in  training  most  of  the  time;  but  since  the  war 
terminated  sooner  than  was  expected,  he  had  no  opportunity  to  engage 
in  any  of  the  battles.  Returning  to  Ohio  after  the  war,  he  was  mustered 
out  on  November  i,  1898,  and  honorably  discharged.  Not  long  thereafter, 
he  began  learning  the  broom  maker's  trade,  also  worked  as  bill  clerk  in  a 
broom  factory  for  five  years. 

On  September  15,  1901,  Mr.  Ward  married  Mary  E.  Jones,  a  daughter 
of  J.  W.  and  Elizabeth  Jones,  who  lived  most  of  their  lives  in  Union  town- 
ship, Champaign  county,  on  a  farm.  Mr.  Jones  is  now  deceased.  His  family 
consisted  of  but  two  children:  Mary  E.,  wife  of  Mr.  Ward,  of  this 
sketch,  and  Pearl  V.,  a  son,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Urbana  town- 
ship. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ward  was  born  one  child,  a  daughter,  Helen  Elizar 
beth.  After  his  marriage,  Mr.  Ward  located  on  the  Squire  Ogden  place 
just  east  of  Urbana,  where  he  spent  seven  years;  then  bought  the  eighty 
acre  farm  known  as  the  William  Robison  place,  where  he  now  resides  in 
Urbana  township.  He  has  made  many  improvements  in  a  general  way  and 
he  has  an  attractive  home.  In  connection  with  general  farming  he  makes 
a  specialty  of  raising  Poland-China  hogs.  He  is  president  of  the  Urbana 
Township  Community  Club  and  takes  a  great  deal  of  interest  in  township 
affairs.  He  is  now  a  member  of  the  school  board  in  his  district.  He  is  a 
Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Sons  of  Veterans  of  Urbana.  The 
Ward  family  belongs  to  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Urbana,  which  they 
attend  regularly. 


OTWAY  C.  HUPP. 


Otway  C.  Hupp,  a  well-known  undertaker  and  dealer  in  furniture  at 
Mechanicsburg,  this  county,  was  born  at  Mechanicsburg  on  September  16, 
1851,  son  of  Major  George  W.  and  Mary  J.  (Guthridge)  Hupp,  for  many 
years  prominent  residents  of  that  city.  The  former  was  engaged  in  busi- 
ness there  from  an  early  day,  he  having  established  the  business  which  his 
son,  Otway  C.  Hupp,  has  successfully  carried  on  for  years. 

Major  George  W.  Hupp,  whose  title  was  gained  through  his  connection 
with  the  Ohio  State  Militia  back  in  pioneer  days,  was  a  native  of  Virginia, 
born  near  Newmarket,  in  the  beautiful  Shenandoah  valley,  February  22, 
[813.  When  he  was  about  seventeen  years  of  age,  his  father  died  and  his 
widowed  mother  later  came  into  Ohio  with  her  family  and   settled  on  the 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  797 

Mad  river,  in  this  county,  where  she  estabhshed  her  home  on  a  farm  which 
the  family  developed.  For  fifteen  years  George  W.  Hupp  remained  on  that 
farm  and  then  he  moved  to  Urbana,  where  he  took  up  the  cabinetmaker's 
trade.  After  he  became  proficient  in  that  trade,  he  moved  to  Mechanics- 
burg,  where  he  started  a  furniture  factory,  later  engaging  in  the  under- 
taking business  in  connection  with  the  same.  Thus  was  he  engaged  until 
his  retirement  from  business,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  his  son,  Otway  C. 
Hupp,  who  has  since  continued  the  business,  though  the  manufacturing  of 
furniture  long  ago  was  discontinued,  since  the  present  needs  of  the  trade 
in  that  territory  are  supplied  by  a  well  selected  stock  of  up-to-date  furni- 
ture from  the  leading  factories  of  the  country.  Major  Hupp  retained  his 
farming  interest  and  after  his  retirement  continued  to  give  some  attention 
to  the  same,  though  continuing  to  make  his  home  in  Mechanicsburg,  where 
his  last  days  were  spent,  his  death  occurring  there  on  Februarv  i8,  1904. 
Major  Hupp  was  twice  married.  On  May  21,  1835,  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Margaret  Millice,  who  died  on  December  30,  1843,  leaving  two 
sons,  George  W.  and  Abner  C.  On  July  15,  1844,  he  married  Margaret 
J.  Guthridge,  who  died  on  January  12,  1889,  and  to  that  union  were  born 
five  children,  of  whom  Otway  C.  Hupp  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth, 
the  others  being  Llewellyn  J.,  Albert  G.,  Oscar  B.  and  Nettie.  Major  Hupp 
was  a  Republican,  a  Mason  and  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church  and 
took  an  earnest  interest  in  political,  church  and  lodge  affairs. 

Otway  C.  Hupp  completed  his  schooling  in  the  high  school  at  Marys- 
ville,  from  which  he  was  graduated.  After  leaving  school  he  was  engaged 
in  working  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  twenty-eight  years  of  age. 
when  he  joined  his  father  in  the  latter's  place  of  business  at  Mechanicsburg, 
giving  his  personal  attention  to  undertaking.  He  started  in  a  small  way 
and  was  compelled  to  go  in  debt  for  his  fixtures,  but  the  character  of  his 
service  quickly  brought  him  prosperity  and  it  was  not  long  until  he  had  paid 
off  his  debt  and  added  a  small  line  of  furniture.  As  his  business  grew  Mr. 
Hupp  extended  his  operations  and  now  has  a  large  brick  building  of  his 
own,  in  which  he  carries  a  complete  line  of  furniture,  and  one  of  the  most 
complete  and  up-to-date  undertaking  establishments  in  the  county.  Long 
has  he  been  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  business  men  in  Mechanicsburg, 
active  and  progressive  in  his  methods  and  a  helpful  factor  in  promoting  all 
agencies  having  to  do  with  the  advancement  of  the  general  interests  of  his 
home  town. 

In  1878  Otway  C.  Hupp  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lulu  Bates,  who 
also  was  born  in  this  county,  a  daughter  of  Ansel  Bates,  and  to  this  union 


798  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

have  been  born  three  children.  Wallace,  Walter  F.  and  Dollie.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hupp  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  Mr.  Hupp 
is  a  member  of  the  board  of  stewards  of  the  same.  He  is  a  Republican  and 
is  now  serving  as  trustee  of  his  home  township,  giving  his  most  thoughtful 
attention  to  this  public  service.  Fraternalty,  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  with  the 
Improved  Order  of  Red  Men  and  in  the  affairs  of  all  of  these  organizations 
takes  a  warm  and  active  interest. 


WILLIAM  W.  THORNBURG. 

William  W.  Thornburg,  farmer  of  Urbana  township.  Champaign 
county,  was  bom  in  Highland  county,  Ohio,  October  6,  1850.  He  is  a  son 
of  Edward  and  Rachael  (Wright)  Thornburg,  both  natives  of  Highland 
county,  where  they  grew  up,  attended  school,  were  married  and  established 
their  home  on  the  farm,  the  father  becoming  one  of  the  leading  farmers 
of  that  county,  owning  five  hundred  acres  of  good  land  there.  His  family 
consisted  of  eleven  children,  namely:  Mary,  William  W.,  Silas,  Matilda, 
Emma,  Fannie,  Hattie,  Milton  and  Charles,  who  are  living,  and  Hannah 
and  Lydia,  deceased. 

The  paternal  grandfather  was  also  named  William  Thornburg.  He  was 
a  native  of  North  Carolina,  from  which  state  he  made  the  long  and  some- 
what hazardous  overland  journey  across  the  mountains  to  Highland  county, 
Ohio,  in  1810  and  was  thus  one  of  the  earliest  pioneers  in  that  section  of 
the  Buckeye  state,  remaining  there  the  rest  of  his  life. 

William  W.  Thornburg,  of  this  sketch,  grew  to  manhood  on  the  old 
home  farm  in  Highland  county,  where  he  received  a  common  school  edu- 
cation, later  attending  Earlham  College  at  Richmond,  Indiana.  After  leav- 
ing college,  he  taught  school  at  Clinton,  Ohio,  one  year,  then  returned  home 
and  farmed  the  home  place  until  1874.  In  that  year  he  married  and  started 
farming  for  himself,  although  remaining  on  the  home  place,  fifty-three  acres 
of  which  he  bought  in  1883.  In  1898  he  moved  to  Grant  county,  Indiana, 
and  took  up  truck  gardening  there  which  he  continued  five  years,  then  moved 
to  Summit  coimty.  Ohio,  and  bought  eighty-eight  acres.  He  farmed  there 
for  six  years,  then  moved  to  Logan  county,  renting  a  farm  there  one  year, 
after  which  time  he  purchased  the  M.  B.  Saxbe  farm,  a  tract  of  one  hun- 
dred  and   seventy-three  acres  in  Urbana   township,   Champaign   county,   on 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  799 

which  place  he  has  since  resided.  In  connection  with  general  farming  he 
raises  a  large  number  of  Jersey  cattle  and  Jersey  Red  hogs  for  the  market 
annually.     His  place  is  well  improved,  including  a  fifty  ton  silo. 

Mr.  Thornburg  married  Victoria  A.  Hyatt,  a  daughter  of  Amos  J. 
and  Martha  Hyatt,  and  to  their  union  ten  children  have  been  born,  namely  : 
Stella,  Ethel,  Rachael,  Clarence,  who  married  Beda  Arnott  by  whom  he 
has  six  children:  Inez,  Bernard,  Virgil,  Carlyn,  William  and  Marvin;  Leo, 
single;  Herbert,  married,  living  in  Montana;  Clinton,  who  married  Anna 
Darrow,  having  one  child,  Lucile;  Carl,  at  home;  Howard,  who  married 
Mabel  Essman;  and  Russell,  the  youngest  of  the  family. 

PoHtically,  Mr.  Thornburg  is  an  independent  voter.  He  was  assessor 
of  his  township  two  years.  He  belongs  to  the  Friends  church  in  Urbana, 
and  is  an  elder  in  the  same. 


JOHN  W.  TWAY. 


Having  worked  hard  and  managed  well  in  his  early  life,  John  VV. 
Tway  is  spending  his  old  age  in  honorable  retirement  at  Mechanicsburg, 
Champaign  county,  enjoying  a  well  earned  respite.  He  was  born  November 
7,  1844,  in  Bartholomew  county,  Indiana.  When  four  years  old  he  went 
to  live  with  his  uncle,  William  Tway  of  Mechanicsburg,  a  stockman,  who 
had  no  sons.  The  lad  rode  most  of  the  way  from  his  father's  to  his  uncle's 
home  on  horseback  behind  his  uncle,  who  drove  a  large  herd  of  cattle  from 
Bartholomew  county  to  Mechanicsburg.  The  mother  of  John  W.  Tway 
died  when  he  was  a  small  child.  He  grew  to  manhood  at  the  home  of  his 
uncle  in  Mechanicsburg,  where  he  received  a  limited  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools.  He  proved  his  patriotism  during  the  Civil  War  by  enlisting 
on  December  i6,  1863,  in  Company  K,  One  Hundred  and  Thirteenth  Ohio 
Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was  sent  to  Georgia  and  fought  under  General 
Thomas,  "The  Rock  of  Chickamauga."  He  was  an  active  participant  in 
all  the  battles  of  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  also  was  at  the  Chattanooga. 
During  the  one  hundred  days  campaign  around  Atlanta  he  became  very  ill 
and  was  sent  back  to  Ohio,  to  the  field  hospital  at  Columbus.  Upon  his 
recovery  he  was  sent  to  New  York  City  to  help  quell  riots  there.  From 
there  he  went  by  ship  to  North  Carolina  where  he  joined  the  army  under 
General  Sherman,  at  Goldsboro,  and  marched  from  there  to  Washington, 
D.  C,  at  the  close  of  the  war  and  took  part  in  the  Grand   Review.     He 


800  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

was  then  sent  by  rail  to  Parker sburg,  West  Virginia,  and  from  there  he 
took  a  boat  on  the  Ohio  river  to  Louisville,  where,  after  spending  a  short 
time  in  camp,  he  went  to  Columbus,  Ohio,  being  honorably  discharged  at 
the  last  place  named  in  August,  1865.  He  had  served  his  country  faithfully 
and  well. 

After  his  career  in  the  army  Mr.  Tway  returned  to  Mechanicsburg, 
Champaign  county,  and  engaged  in  farming  until  1871.  He  then  conducted 
a  dray  line,  and  later  worked  in  a  machine  shop  where  he  was  badly  injured 
by  falling  from  a  third  floor.  The  last  years  of  his  active  career  were  spent 
in  the  grocery  business. 

On  November  8.  1871,  Mr.  Tway  was  married  to  Loretta  Davis,  a 
daughter  of  Cheney  Davis  and  wife,  of  Champaign  county.  To  this  union 
two  daughters  were  born,  namely :  Martha,  who  married  Fred  Thompson, 
a  farmer  of  Goshen  township,  Champaign  county;  and  Lizzie,  who  married 
Raymond  Folk,  of  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Mr.  Tway  is  a  stanch  Republican,  believing  implicitly  in  the  doctrines 
of  that  political  creed.  He  belongs  to  Stephen  Baxter  Post,  No.  88,  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic  at  Mechanicsburg.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  church. 


MICHAEL  GANNON. 


Michael  Gannon,  one  of  the  best-known  retired  railroad  men  in  Urbana, 
is  a  native  of  Ireland,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  this  country  since  the  days 
of  his  young  manhood.  He  was  born  in  County  Mayo  on  September  25, 
1835.  son  of  James  and  Bridget  (Monahan)  Gannon,  both  also  natives  of 
County  Mayo  and  who  spent  all  their  lives  there.  James  Gannon  was  a 
well-to-do  farmer  and  he  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  seven  children, 
of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  now  the  only  survivor.  Reared  on  a 
farm,  Michael  Gannon,  after  completing  his  schooling,  followed  farming 
in  his  native  land  until  the  year  1863,  when  he  came  to  this  country  and 
proceeded  on  out  to  Ohio,  locating  at  Springfield,  where  he  became  engaged 
with  the  Erie  Railroad  Company  helping  in  the  work  of  grading  the  right- 
of-way  from  Springfield  to  Dayton.  In  1864  he  entered  the  government 
employ  and  was  sent  South  on  government  construction  work,  but  a  short 
time  afterward  returned  to  Ohio  and  resumed  work  for  the  Erie,  being 
stationed  at  Urbana,  and  was  engaged  in  the  employ  of  that  company,  the 
most  of  the  time  as  foreman  of  the  local  section  of  the  railroad,  until  1882, 


MR.  AND  MRS.  MICHAEL  GANNON. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  8oi 

after  which  he  worked  for  the  IlHnois  Car  Company  at  Urbana  until  his 
retirement  from  active  labor  in  1887,  since  which  time  he  has  been  living 
practically  retired,  "taking  things  easy."  Mr.  Gannon  is  a  Democrat  and 
has  ever  given  his  close  attention  to  local  political  affairs,  but  has  not  been 
a  seeker  after  office. 

Mr.  Gannon  has  been  twice  married.  It  was  in  1868  that  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Mary  McLaughlin  and  to  that  union  eight  children 
were  born,  James,  John,  Mary,  Kate,  Anthony,  Margaret,  Agnes  and  Nelle, 
all  of  whom  are  living  at  Urbana  with  the  exception  of  James,  who  is  living 
at  Evanston,  Illinois,  and  Margaret,  of  Springfield,  this  state,  and  John, 
who  lives  in  Chicago,  Illinois.  The. mother  of  these  children  died  on  July 
27,  1882,  and  Mr.  Gannon  married,  secondly,  Margaret  Kelly,  and  to  this 
union  one  child  was  born,  a  daughter,  Bessie.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gannon  are 
earnest  members  of  the  Catholic  church,  in  the  various  beneficences  of  which 
they  take  a  warm  interest,  and  Mr.  Gannon  is  a  member  of  the  Holy  Name 
Society  of  the  local  parish.  Mrs.  Margaret  Gannon  died  on  January  25, 
191 5.  Despite  the  burden  of  his  more  than  four  score  years  Mr.  Gannon 
is  alert  and  vigorous  and  retains  an  active  interest  in  afifairs.  He  is  one 
of  the  veterans  of  the  railway  service  hereabout  and  has  many  an  inter- 
esting tale. to  tell  of  railroading  in  years  gone  by. 


EDWARD  FUDGER. 


Edward  Fudger,  a  well-known  and  substantial  retired  farmer  of  this 
county,  now  living  at  Mechanicsburg,  where  he  and  his  wife  are  very  com- 
fortably situated,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  Hved  here 
all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Goshen  township  on  March  31,  1844, 
son  of  Peter  M.  and  Esther  (Davis)  Fudger,  the  former  of  whom  was  born 
in  the  state  of  New  Hampshire  and  the  latter  in  Franklin  county,  this  state. 

Peter  M.  Fudger  was  but  a  boy  when  he  came  to  this  county  with  his 
parents  from  New  Hampshire,  the  family  settling  on  a  farm  in  Goshen 
township,  about  three  and  one-half  miles  northeast  of  Mechanicsburg,  be- 
coming substantial  pioneers  of  that  neighborhood.  Peter  M.  Fudger  grew 
to  manhood  in  that  community  and  there  married  and  established  his  home. 
He  became  a  well-to-do  farmer,  and  there  spent  his  last  days,  his  death 
occurring  in  1896,  when  he  was  eighty-two  years  of  age.  He  was  twice 
(51a)    . 


802  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

married.  By  his  first  wife,  Esther  Davis,  he  was  the  father  of  three  chil- 
dren, Minerva,  who  married  Erastus  Guy  and  is  now  Hving  in  Allen  county, 
this  state;  Leroy,  who  died  at  the  age  of  four  years,  and  Edward,  the  subject 
of  this  biographical  sketch.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  in  1850, 
when  she  was  twenty-eight  years  of  age.  Peter  M.  Fudger  later  married 
Sophia  Perry,  to  which  union  three  children  were  born,  Aljanson,  a  well-to-do 
farmer  of  Goshen  township  and  former  county  commissioner,  who  died  in 
1914;  Sarah,  wife  of  Thomas  Thompson,  of  Mechanicsburg,  a  biographical 
sketch  of  whom  is  presented  elsewhere  in  this  volume,  and  Horace  M.,  who 
is  farming  the  old  Fudger  farm  in  Goshen  township. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Goshen  township,  Edward  Fudger  received 
his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  neighborhood  and  remained  on  the  farm, 
a  valued  aid  to  his  father  in  the  labors  of  developing  and  improving  the 
same,  until  his  marriage  in  the  spring  of  1883.  He  then  moved  to  his  farm 
two  and  one-half  miles  north  of  Mechanicsburg,  where  he  established  his 
home  and  where  he  remained,  actively  and  successfully  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, until  1915.  In  that  year  he  retired  from  the  active  labors  of- the  farm 
and  moved  to  Mechanicsburg,  where  he  has  a  very  pleasant  home  and 
where  he  and  his  wife  are  quite  comfortably  situated.  Mr.  Fudger  is  a 
Republican  and  has  ever  given  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  political 
affairs,  but  has  not  been  a  holder  of  public  office. 

It  was  on  April  18,  1883,  that  Edward  Fudger  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Lina  D.  Swisher,  who  also  was  born  in  Goshen  township,  this  county, 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Amanda  (Bamberger)  Swisher,  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania, who  came  to  this  county  with  their  respective  parents  in  the  days 
of  their  youth  and  grew  up  and  were  married  in  Goshen  township.  Later 
Joseph  Swisher  moved  to  North  Lewisburg  and  thence  to  Belle fontaine  and 
is  now  living  at  Degraff.  For  thirty  years  he  was  a  teacher  in  thfe  public 
schools  of  this  county  and  of  Logan  county ;  for  some  years  was  recorder 
of  Logan  county  and  later  acted  as  deputy  recorder  of  that  county.  He 
is  a  stanch  Republican  and  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church.  Joseph 
Swisher  has  been  twice  married.  By  his  first  wife,  Amanda  Bamberger,  he 
had  four  children:  Lina  D.,  wife  of  Edward  Fudger;  Argus  B.,  of  Marys- 
ville;  Linnie,  wife  of  I.  L.  Mitchell,  of  Urbana,  and  Will  B.,  who  is  engaged 
in  the  insurance  business  at  Newark.  After  the  death  of  the  mother  of 
these  children  Mr.  Swi.sher  married  Mrs.  Henrietta  Scott,  a  widow,  and 
to  this  union  one  child  was  born,  a  son.  Don  B.  Swisher,  of  Columbus. 

To  Edward  and  Lina  D.  (Swisher)  Fudger  two  children  have  been 
born,  daughters.     One  of  them,  Edna  Gail,  widow  of  Versailles  Middleton. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  803 

now  makes  her  home  with  her  parents  in  Mechanicsburg,  and  who  has  two 
children,  Mildred  M.  and  Harold  V. ;  the  other  is  Glenna  M.,  who  married 
Joseph  M.  Coffey,  a  well-known  farmer  of  Goshen  township,  and  has  one 
child,  a  son,  Carl  Edward.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fudger  have  ever  given  proper 
attention  to  the  general  social  activities  of  their  home  community  and  have 
been  helpful  in  promoting  good  works  thereabout. 


SAMUEL  METZ. 


The  late  Samuel  Metz,  who,  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  the  fall  of 
19 1 5,  was  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  substantial  farmers  of  Salem 
township,  this  county,  was  a  native  of  the  old  Keystone  state,  but  had  been 
a  resident  of  this  state  since  1867  and  of  Champaign  county  since  1876, 
in  which  year  he  settled  on  a  farm  in  Salem  township,  where  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  life.  There  he  was  one  of  the  useful  and  influential  resi- 
dents of  that  community. 

Samuel  Metz  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania, 
and  there  grew  to  manhood.  There  he  married  Eliza  Heading,  who  also 
was  born  in  that  county,  and  in  1867  he  and  his  wife  came  to  Ohio  and 
located  in  Wayne  county.  A  year  later  they  moved  down  into  Champaign 
county  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Salem  township.  Not  long  afterward 
Samuel  Metz  bought  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  eighty-four  acres  in  that 
township  and  there  established  his  home.  Prosperity  having  smiled  upon 
his  operations,  he  improved  his  farm,  and  at  the  tme  of  his  death  on  Novem- 
ber I,  1915,  it  was  considered  among  the  well-improved  and  profitably  culti- 
vated farms  of  the  township.  At  present  the  farm  is  being  operated  by  his 
sons,  Andrew  and  Milroy  Metz,  two  of  the  most  progressive  young  farmers 
in  that  part  of  the  county. 

Samuel  Metz  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife,  Eliza  Heading,  died 
in  1883,  at  the  age  of  forty-two  years,  and  he  then  married  Addie  Wise, 
who  also  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  who  died  in  July,  1896.  By 
his  first  wife,  Samuel  Metz  was  the  father  of  seven  children,  namely:  Alice, 
who  married  James  Robinson,  a  well-known  farmer  of  Salem  township; 
Harry,  also  a  farmer  of  Salem  township  and  a  biographical  sketch  of 
whom  is  presented  elsewhere  in  this  volume;  William,  deceased;  Andrew, 
who,  with  his  brother,  Milroy,  is  operating  the  old  home  place ;  Lewis,  a 
coal  dealer  at  West  Liberty ;  Ida  May.  who  died  in  her  girlhood,  and  Milroy. 


804  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

who  with  his  brother  Andrew  is  engaged  in  farming  the  old  home  place. 
In  191 1,  Milroy  Metz  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lena  Mae  Ream,  a  daughter 
of  William  Ream,  of  this  county,  and  to  this  union  two  children  have 
been  born,  Orpha  Naomi  and  P"ranklin  Waldo. 

Andrew  and  Milroy  Metz  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  where  they 
are  now  living,  and  in  the  neighborhood  schools  received  their  schooling. 
From  boyhood  they  were  valuable  assistants  to  their  father  in  the  labors 
of  developing  and  improving  the  home  place  and  continued  to  live  there, 
running  the  farm  in  their  father's  old  age,  his  death  occurring  in  his  seventy- 
fifth  year.  After  his  death  they  took  over  the  home  farm  and  are  now 
Very  successfully  operating  the  same,  carrying  on  their  farming  operations 
in  accordance  with  modern  methods,  and,  as  a  result  have  an  excellent  and 
thoroughly  up-to-date  farm  plant,  being  accounted  two  of  the  most  progres- 
sive and  wide-awake  farmers  in  that  neighborhood.  Both  are  independent 
in  their  political  views,  but  take  a  proper  interest  in  local  civic  affairs, 
being  stanch  supporters  of  all  movements  looking  to  good  government  and 
the  betterment  of  conditions  in  the  community  in  which  they  live  and 
have  lived  all  their  lives. 


JOHN  V.  STEMBEL. 


John  V.  Stembel,  a  well-known  farmer  living  four  miles  southwest  of 
West  Liberty,  Harrison  township,  this  county,  was  born  on  the  farm  on 
which  he  now  lives  in  that  township,  on  July  24,  1855.  He  is  the  son  of 
Joseph  and  Mary  (Zeigler)  Stembel,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  on 
July  29,  1828,  in  Frederick  county,  Maryland. 

Joseph  Stembel  was  the  son  of  John  and  Elenora  (Sweringen)  Stembel, 
both  of  whom  were  born  in  Frederick  county,  A^Iaryland,  where  they  grew 
to  maturity  and  were  married.  They  came  to  this  county  in  1830  and 
settled  in  Urbana,  making  the  trip  in  covered  wagons.  They  lived  there 
from  the  spring  of  that  year  until  the  fall  and  then  settled  on  a  farm  one 
mile  east  of  where  their  grandson,  John  V.  Stembel,  now  lives.  John 
Stembel  bought  two  hundred  acres  of  land  and  immediately  proceeded  to 
bring  it  into  a  state  of  cultivation  and  presently  planted  a  few  crops.  At 
the  time  he  settled  on  this  tract  of  land,  the  district  was  but  sparsely  popu- 
lated and  neighbors  were  not  very  numerous.  John  Stembel  was  among 
the  early  pioneers  of  Champaign  county  and  was  ever  regarded  as  among 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  805 

the  best  and  most  progressive  men  of  the  period  in  which  he  Hved.  At  the 
time  that  he  settled  here,  wild  animals  were  numerous  and  settlers  had 
to  be  constantly  on  guard  against  their  depredations. 

John  Stembel  was  an  active  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  the  church 
services  being  held  in  his  home  for  a  few  years  and  sometimes  in  his  barn. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  and  was  always  warmly  interested 
in  the  affairs  of  that  fraternal  organization.  During  his  active  years,  he 
was  an  ardent  supporter  of  the  Democratic  party  and  had  been  ever  active 
in  its  councils.  His  death  occurred  in  1861.  He  was  the  father  of  twelve 
children,  six  of  whom  died  in  infancy  and  six  Hved  to  maturity,  Joseph 
Stembel  being  the  only  one  living  in  19 17. 

Joseph  Stembel  was  two  years  old  when  he  came  to  this  county  from 
Maryland  with  his  parents.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  attended  the 
subscription  schools  of  the  district,  the  present  public  school  system  not  being 
in  operation  when  he  was  a  boy.  After  his  school  days  he  worked  on  the 
farm  his  father  had  entered  in  1830  and  remained  there  up  to  the  time  of 
his  marriage. 

Joseph  Stembel  was  married  to  Mary  M.  Zeigler  on  January  3,  185 1. 
She  was  born  in  Perry  county,  Ohio,  on  December  14,  1827,  and  died  on 
January  23,  1911.  In  185 1  he  built  the  house  in  which  he  now  lives  and 
which  he  has  occupied  since  that  date.  To  Joseph  Stembel  and  wife  the 
following  children  were  born :  George,  deceased,  who  lived  in  the  state 
of  Indiana;  John  V.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Albert  F.,  deceased;  William 
H.,  of  Newport,  Kentucky;  Melissa,  deceased;  Mary  L.,  who  married  Robert 
Kirkwood;  Catherine  E.,  wife  of  John  Duff,  and  Addie  E.,  who  married 
Samuel  Brubaker.  Mr.  Stembel  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  and  earnestly  devoted  to  its  good  works.  He  is  a  supporter  of  the 
Democratic  party,  but  has  never  been  a  seeker  after  public  office.  Mr. 
Stembel  has  in  his  possession  two  swords  and  uniforms  worn  by  his  ma- 
ternal grandfather,  who  fought  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution  and  greatly 
prizes  these  tw^o  reminders  of  the  days  when  the  patriot  army  carried  on 
the  struggle  successfully  for  independence.  Joseph  Sweringen  was  a  captain 
under  General  Taylor  in  Florida  and  was  an  uncle  of  Mr.  Stemble. 

John  V.  Stembel  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Harrison  township.  He  worked  on  the  farm  for  some  years 
by  the  month.  On  June  18,  1879,  he  was  married  to  Emma  E.  Barger, 
who  was  born  on  November  13,  1858,  in  Concord  township,  where  she  at- 
tended school  and  was  reared.  To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stembel 
six   children  were  born,    four  of   whom   are   now  living,   namely :      Addie, 


8o6  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

the  wife  of  Frank  Bishop;  Maudie,  who  married  Godlieb  Siegenthalor ; 
Mattie,  the  wife  of  Clarence  Roberts,  and  Willie,  who  married  Leota  Mason, 
of  Springfield,  Ohio.  Mr.  Stembel  is  a  member  of  Mad  River  Lodge  No. 
i6i,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  is  a  warm  supporter  of  that  order. 


GEORGE  L.  BYERS. 


George  L.  Byers,  a  well-known  retired  building  contractor  of  Mechan- 
icsburg,  former  member  of  the  common  council  of  that  city,  former  city  mar- 
shall,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  lieutenant  of  Company  B,  Forty- 
eighth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  for  many  years  one  of  Cham- 
paign county's  best-known  citizens,  is  a  native  of  the  old  Keystone  state,  but 
has  been  a  resident  of  Ohio  since  he  was  eight  years  of  age.  He  was  born  on 
a  farm  in  Clearfield  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  29,  1840,  a  son  of  George 
and  Harriet  (Fry)  Byers,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  son  of  Joseph  Byers  and 
wife,  also  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  who  spent  all  their  lives  in  that  state. 

George  Byers  was  reared  in  Pennsylvania  and  there  learned  the  trade 
of  blacksmith,  becoming  a  skilled  workman.  He  married  Harriet  Fry  and 
continued  to  make  his  home  in  Pennsylvania  until  1848,  when  he  came  to 
Ohio  with  his  family  and  settled  in  Delaware  county,  establishing  a  blacksmith 
shop  at  Norton.  From  the  fruits  of  his  labor  at  the  forge,  he  made  enough 
money  to  buy  a  farm  where  he  established  his  home  and  set  up  a  smithy.  He 
was  thus  engaged  as  a  farmer  and  smith  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  He 
enlisted  for  service,  as  did  four  of  his  sons,  Lee  W.,  T.  M.,  A.  G.  and 
George  L.,  and  died  in  service  at  Memphis,  Tennessee.  T.  M.  and  A.  G. 
Byers  served  in  the  hundred-days  service.  Lee  W.  Byers  enlisted  in  the 
company  in  which  his  father  and  brother  George  were  enlisted,  and  was 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  sergeant.  At  the  battle  of  Sabine  Cross  Road  he 
was  captured  by  the  enemy  and  languished  for  six  months  in  a  Confederate 
.prison.  Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service,  he  returned  home 
and  some  time  later  was  accidentally  drowned.  The  senior  George  Byers, 
who  died  while  in  the  service  of  his  country  during  the  Civil  War,  was  one 
of  the  founders  of  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  at  Delaware  and  the  family 
still  holds  a  life  scholarship  in  that  institution. 

George  L.  Byers  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Norton 
and  early  became  a  skilled  mechanic  under  the  direction  of  his  father.  He 
received  his  early  schooling  in  the  local  schools  and  supplemented  the  same 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  807 

by  attendance  at  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  and  was  in  his  second  year  in  that 
institution  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  On  September  17,  1861,  he 
enHsted  as  a  private  in  Company  B.  Forty-eighth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and,  upon  the  organization  of  that  company,  was  made  a  corporal. 
After  the  battle  of  Shiloh  he  was  promoted  for  meritorious  conduct  on  the 
field  of  battle  to  the  post  of  first  duty  sergeant  and  after  the  battle  of  Arkansas 
Post,  as  a  reward  of  further  meritorious  service  in  the  field,  was  made  orderly 
sergeant.  In  December,  1864,  he  was  further  promoted  to  the  rank  of 
first  lieutenant  of  his  company  and  with  that  rank  was  mustered  out  at  the 
close  of  the  war,  after  a  service  of  four  years  and  seventeen  days,  during 
which  period  he  never  was  on  sick  leave.  Lieutenant  Byers  was  twice 
wounded  in  battle,  first  at  the  battle  of  Jackson,  Mississippi,  and  again  in 
an  engagement  near  Pittsburg  Landing.  His  company  took  part  in  twenty- 
two  battles.  After  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg  it  was  encamped  on  Jefferson 
Davis's  plantation  in  Mississippi  and  while  there  Lieutenant  Byers  found  his 
way  into  the  library  of  the  President  of  the  Confederacy  and  retained  as 
souvenirs  of  his  visit  a  set  of  Byron's  poetical  works  and  a  Webster's  Dic- 
tionary; these  he  brought  home  with  him  and  he  still  possesses,  the  books 
still  being  in  an  excellent  state  of  preservation.  Upon  being  mustered  out, 
Lieutenant  Byers  received  from  his  lieutenant-colonel  a  letter  which  he  still 
has  and  which  he  prizes  very  highly,  commending  his  courage,  patience  and 
bravery,  with  particular  mention  of  his  conspicuous  services  during  the 
battle  of  Shiloh  and  during  the  siege  of  Vicksburg. 

Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service,  Lieutenant  Byers  returned 
to  his  home  in  Delaware  county  and  not  long  afterward  became  engaged 
there  as  a  general  building  contractor,  giving  particular  attention  to  bridge 
construction.  He  was  thus  engaged  there  until  1870,  the  year  of  his  marriage, 
when  he  came  to  Champaign  county  and  located  at  Mechanicsburg,  where  he 
every  since  has  made  his  home  and  where  he  was  actively  engaged  as  a  build- 
ing contractor  until  his  retirement  in  191 3,  a  period  of  more  than  forty  years. 
For  many  years  Lieutenant  Byers  was  one  of  the  best-known  building  con- 
tractors in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county  and  many  buildings  in  and  about 
Mechanicsburg  bear  the  substantial  marks  of  his  handiwork,  among  these 
being  the  K.  of  P.  Hall,  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  the  C.  L.  Burn- 
ham  livery  barn  and  others  of  the  best  buildings  in  that  city.  Lieutenant 
Byers  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  has  ever  given  his  earnest  attention  to  local 
political  affairs.  For  six  years  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  common  council 
of  his  home  city  and  also  served  for  some  time  as  city  marshal. 

On  October  5,  1870,  Lieutenant  George  L.  Byers  was  united  in  marriage, 


8o8  champaIgn  counIpy,  ohio. 

in  Delaware  county,  this  state,  to  Hattie  E.  Difany,  who  was  born  in  that 
county,  and  to  this  union  three  children  have  been  born,  John  T.  Byers,  a 
commercial  salesman,  now  traveling  out  of  Cincinnati;  Edward  L.  Byers, 
who  is  engaged  in  the  furniture  business  at  Mechanicsburg,  and  Mary  E., 
wife  of  J.  W.  Grubbs,  of  Columbus,  Ohio.  Lieutenant  Byers  is  an  active 
member  of  Stephen  Baxter  Post,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  at  Mechanics- 
burg, and  has  for  many  years  taken  an  earnest  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that 
patriotic  organization.  He  also  is  a  member  of  Wildey  Lodge  No.  271, 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  at  Mechanicsburg,  and  is  a  past  noble 
grand  of  the  same. 


BYRON  F.  HAWLEY. 


Belonging  to  Champaign  county's  enterprising  class  of  twentieth- 
century  agriculturists  and  stockmen,  Byron  F.  Hawley,  one  of  the  repre- 
sentative citizens  of  Rush  township,  is  deserving  of  specific  mention  in 
these  pages.  He  was  born  in  Union  county,  Ohio,  July  3.  1855.  His 
father,  John  Hawley,  Jr.,  was  born  in  Stark  county,  this  state,  in  181 5,  and 
was  a  son  of  John  Hawley,  Sr.,  a  native  of  northern  Ireland,  from  which 
country  he  immigrated  to  America  in  an  early  day.  He  married  a  Miss 
Gregory,  who  was  of  Scotch  descent.  He  was  a  weaver  by  trade.  After 
living  for  some  time  in  Stark  county  he  moved  to  Union  county,  Ohio, 
locating  two  and  one-half  miles  southeast  of  Milford  Center,  where  he  be- 
came owner  of  twelve  hundred  acres  of  valuable  land  and  there  engaged  in 
general  farming  on  an  extensive  scale  until  his  death.  His  family  consisted 
of  the  following  children:  Gregory,  who  spent  his  life  in  Union  county; 
John,  Jr.,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  George,  who  spent  his 
life  on  a  farm  in  Union  county ;  Samuel,  who  was  a  practicing  physician  in 
Kankakee,  Illinois,  where  he  died;  Harvey,  also  deceased,  and  Peggie  (oldest 
of  the  children),  who  married  Doctor  Wood,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of 
Marysville,  Ohio,  and  is  also  now  deceased. 

John  Hawley,  Jr.,  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Union  county 
and  there  he  attended  school.  He  was  twice  married,  first,  to  Zelphya 
Maynard,  a  native  of  this  state,  and  to  their  union  three  children  were  born, 
namely:  Belle,  widow  of  George  Davis,  now  living  at  Marysville;  Delia C. 
who  followed  teaching  for  many  years  and  is  now  making  her  home  with 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and  Rose,  now  deceased,  who  was  the  life  of 
Edward  Bergen,  of  Bellefontaine.     The  second  marriage  of  John  Hawley, 


BYRON   F.  HAWLEY. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  809 

Jr.,  was  to  Melinda  VV.  Fulton,  and  to  their  union  two  children  were  born, 
namely:  Byron  F.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and  Dora,  born  in  1857,  who 
married  Herbert  Fay,  and  now  lives  in  Columbus,  Ohio.  The  mother  of 
these  children  died  on  April  14,  1902,  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years,  and 
the  father  died  a  few  months  later,  December  17,  1902,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-seven. 

Melinda  Fulton  Flawley,  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a 
native  of  Livingston  county,  New  York.  She  came  to  Union  county,  Ohio, 
in  1826.  She  was  a  daughter  of  John  Fulton,  a  cousin  of  Robert  Fulton, 
inventor  of  the  first  steamboat.  John  Fulton  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  from 
which  country  he  immigrated  to  Nova  Scotia,  Canada,  where  he  learned 
the  shipbuilder's  trade.  Later  he  came  to  the  United  States  and  worked  in 
the  ship  yards  in  New  York  City,  finally  coming  West  and  locating-  in  Union 
county,  Ohio,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  on  a  farm.  He  married 
Nancy  Wise,  a  native  of  Livingston  county,  New  York.  Three  children 
were  born  to  them.  Mrs.  Hawley's  sister  married  John  Ross,  a  kinsman 
of  Betsy  Ross,  who  made  the  first  American  flag. 

Byron  F.  Hawley  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Union  county. 
He  attended  the  rural  schools  and  also  those  in  Marysville,  which  he  attended 
four  vears,  then  studied  three  years  in  the  Ohio  State  University  at  Colum- 
bus. After  leaving  college  he  turned  his  attention  to  farming  in  Rush  town- 
shi]),  Champaign  county,  living  two  years  on  the  Johnson  place  and  on  the 
Kimball  place  for  eight  years.  He  remained  on  the  old  home  place  in  Union 
county  until  188.^.  His  parents  resided  with  him  until  their  death  in  1902. 
During  the  past  twenty-three  years  Mr.  Hawley  has  operated  the  E.  C. 
Miller  place  in  Rush  towmship,  known  as  the  "Pleasant  Run  Farm,"  two 
miles  south  of  North  Lewisburg  and  two  miles  north  of  Woodstock.  He 
engages  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising  on  an  extensive  scale.  He  is  a 
breeder  of  Shorthorn  and  Polled  Angus  cattle  and  Poland  China  hogs  of 
the  large  type,  also  Norman  horses.  He  was  the  first  man  to  raise  "baby 
beef"  in  Champaign  county.  His  fine  stock  always  find  a  ready  market 
owing  to  their  superior  qualities.  He  is  one  of  the  best-known  stockmen 
in  the  county  and  is  regarded  as  an  exceptionally  good  judge  of  livestock 
of  all  kinds.  He  has  been  very  successful  as  an  agriculturist,  and  has  fol- 
lowed general  farming  all  his  life  with  the  exception  of  three  seasons,  during 
which  he  worked  as  a  civil  engineer  in  Union  county  when  a  young  man. 
He  raises  a  fine  grade  of  corn  and  has  made  exhibits  at  corn  shows  for 
many  years. 

Mr.  Hawley  was  married  on  February  28,  1878,  to  Nellie  F.  Johnson, 


8lO  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

a  native  of  Champaign  county,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  attended 
school.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Horatio  and  Jane  (Bates)  Johnson,  who  came 
here  from  one  of  the  Eastern  states  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Goshen  town- 
ship. 

J'olitically,  Mr.  Hawley  is  a  Repubhcan  and  is  active  in  local  political 
life.  He  is  a  member  of  the  A'lasonic  order,  belonging  to  Rising  Star  Lodge 
No.  126,  at  North  Lewisburg;  Roper  Commandery  No.  19,  Knights  Tem- 
plar, at  Urbana ;  and  the  Ancient  Arabic  Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic 
Shrine  at  Dayton.  Mrs.  Hawley  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church. 


DENTON  CROVVL. 


Denton  Crowl,  who  has  spent  his  entire  life  in  this  county,  a  sub- 
stantial and  progressive  farmer  engaged  in  the  general  raising  of  all  kinds 
of  stock  was  born  in  Harrison  township  on  August  I,  1851.  He  is  the 
son  of  William  and  Ruth  (Chew)  Crowl,  the  latter  being  William  Crowl's 
second  wife.  Ruth  Crowl  died  in  1852  when  Denton  Crowl  was  but  thir- 
teen months  old.  She  was  also  the  mother  of  John,  living  in  Urbana,  and 
of  Anna,  who  became  the  wife  of  A.  J.  Pitts.  Mr.  Pitts  served  as  a  soldier 
in  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  War.  He  enlisted  in  the  Sixty-sixth 
Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry  and  served  to  the  end  of  the  war,  seeing  much 
active  service  while  with  the  colors.  He  was  a  sergeant  and  flag  bearer. 
William  Crowl,  who  was  an  active  farmer  all  his  life,  raised  his  motherless 
son,  Denton. 

Denton  Crowl,  who  has  spent  his  entire  life  in  Harrison  township,  was 
educated  in  the  schools  of  Springhills,  and,  on  the  completion  of  his  school 
course,  he  taught  school  for  one  term.  He  assisted  in  the  work  of  cuhivating 
his  father's  farm  and  here  learned  valuable  lessons  in  agricultural  matters 
which  proved  useful  to  him  when  he  engaged  in  farming  for  himself. 

Denton  Crowl  remained  at  home  up  to  the  time  of  his  marriage  when 
he  commenced  farming  operations  on  his  own  account  and  in  all  his  work 
in  agriculture  he  has  met  with  a  commendable  measure  of  success.  He 
is  now  the  owner  of  three  hundred  and  five  acres  of  land  of  the  best  qiiality 
to  be  found  in  Harrison  township  and  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
stock  raising.  In  the  latter  line  he  is  actively  engaged  in  the  raising  of 
horses,  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs  and  finds  a  ready  market  for  the  same. 
Mr.  Crowl  has  been  twice  married.     His  first  wife  was  Sarah  Calland  and 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  8ll 

they  became  the  parents  of  three  children,  namely :  Edward  S.,  of  Michi- 
gan; Carrie  Belle,  who  was  graduated  from  high  school  and  later  from 
Wooster  College,  was  a  teacher  for  four  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time 
she  became  the  wife  of  L.  M.  Norris,  of  Owensboro,  Kentucky,  and  Frank 
D.,  also  a  graduate  of  high  school  and  of  Wooster  College,  also  of  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  and  is  now  a  practicing  physician  and  surgeon 
at  Dayton,  Ohio.  Mrs.  Sarah  Crowl,  the  mother  of  these  children,  died  on 
July  17,  1910,  and  on  September  5,  1912,  Denton  Crowl  married  Hester 
Basore  for  his  second  wife.  To  this  second  union  two  children  were  born, 
Donald  R.  and  John  N. 

The  Crowl  family  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Springhills, 
this  county,  and  are  earnestly  interested  in  church  affairs.  Mr.  Crowl  was 
clerk  of  the  congregation  for  several  years  and  has  been  one  of  the  elders 
of  the  church.  He  has  always  been  active  in  the  work  of  the  church,  and 
has  been  a  teacher  in  the  Sunday  school  for  a  considerable  period.  Mr. 
Crowl  was  a  supporter  of  the  Republican  party,  and  of  late  years  he  has 
been  an  independent  in  his  political  views.  He  has  always  taken  a  warm 
interest  in  local  government  and  for  fifteen  years  served  as  a  member  of 
the  school  board  and  is  a  persistent  advocate  of  all  that  stands  for  efficiency 
and  progress  in  the  schools  of  the  district  and  county. 


E.  R.  STOCKWELL,  D.  V.  S. 

Dr.  E.  R.  Stockwell,  veterinary  surgeon  at  Mechanicsburg  and  one  of 
the  best-known  practitioners  in  that  line  in  Champaign  county,  is  a  native 
of  tTie  great  Empire  state,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  this  county  since  1898. 
the  year  of  his  graduation  from  veterinary  college.  He  was  born  at  East 
Wilson,  in  Niagara  county,  New  York,  June  5,  1871,  son  of  Herbert  R. 
and  Mildred  (Turner)  Stockwell,  the  former  of  whom  is  still  living  there, 
at  a  ripe  old  age. 

E.  R.  Stockwell  grew  up  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  his  home  village. 
East  Wilson,  and  received  his  early  education  in  the  schools  of  that  place. 
He  early  learned  the  trade  of  farrier  and  became  an  expert  horseshoer  and 
gradually  also  became  deeply  interested  in  the  treatment  of  the  various  ail- 
ments to  which  horseflesh  is  heir,  soon  becoming  locally  known  as  a  self- 
taught  veterinarian  of  considerable  skill.  After  working  for  eleven  years 
as  a  horseshoer  he  entered  the  Ontario  Veterinary  College  at  Toronto,  where 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 


he  took  a  full  course  and  was  graduated  in  1898,  with  the  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Veterinary  Surgery.  The  year  following  his  graduation,  Doctor  Stock- 
well  opened  an  office  for  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Mechanicsburg, 
this  county,  and  has  ever  since  been  located  there,  having  built  up  an  exten- 
sive practice  throughout  the  territory  adjacent  to  that  city.  Doctor  Stock- 
well  keeps  fully  abreast  of  modern  advances  in  his  important  profession  and 
added  to  his  earlier  training  by  taking  a  post-graduate  course  in  the  McKillip 
Veterinary  College  at  Chicago.  The  Doctor  is  the  owner  of  the  establish- 
ment he  has  built  up  at  Mechanicsburg,  besides  other  property  in  that  city. 
Doctor  Stockwell  has  been  twice  married  and  by  his  first  marriage  has 
one  child,  a  daughter,  Mildred,  born  on  December  25,  1890.  In  June,  1898, 
the  year  in  which  he  located  at  MeGhanicsburg,  the  Doctor  married  Rate 
Pease,  who  was  born  at  Wilson,  New  York,  was  educated  in  the  schools  of 
that  place  and  who  for  some  years  before  her  marriage  had  been  engaged 
in  teaching  school.  To  this  union  two  children  have  been  born.  Donna,  born 
on  September  6,  1899,  and  Herbert  R.,  December  25,  1901,  both  now  stu- 
dents in  the  Mechanicsburg  high  school.  The  Stockwells  have  a  very  pleasant 
home  at  Mechanicsburg  and  take  an  interested  part  in  the  city's  social  activi- 
ties. The  Doctor  is  a  Republican  and,  fraternally,  is  affiliated  with  Mechan- 
icsburg Lodge  No.  113,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  with  Homer  Lodge 
No.  475,  Knights  of  Pythias,  at  that  place.  He  takes  a  warm  interest  in 
the  affairs  of  both  of  these  organizations. 


WILLIAM  H.  HUNT. 


William  li.  Hunt,  chairman  of  the  board  of  county  commissioners  of 
Champaign  county,  a  retired  merchant  of  Mechanicsburg,  for  years  a  resi- 
dent of  that  city  and  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  influential  citizens  of 
this  county,  is  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life. 
He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Clark  on  December 
15.  1868,  son  of  James  and  Elizabeth  Catherine  (Welsh)  Hunt,  the  former 
also  a  native  of  this  state  and  the  latter,  of  the  state  of  Virginia,  she  hav- 
ing come  to  Ohio  with  her  parents  when  a  girl  and  later  returning  to  Vir- 
ginia, where  she  was  living  when  she  was  married.  After  his  marriage 
James  Hunt  returned  with  his  wife  to  Ohio  and  became  established  on  a 
farm  in   Clark  county.     There  he  made  his  home  until  about   1876,   when 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  813 

he  came  with  his  family  up  into  Champaign  county,  where  he  became  a 
well-to-do  farmer.  He  also  for  years  followed  the  calling  of  auctioneer  and 
became  one  of  the  best-known  men  in  the  county.  He  and  his  wife  were 
members  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  church.  They  were  the  parents  of 
eight  children,  of  whom  six  are  still  living,  those  besides  William  H.  Hunt 
being  John,  Frank  George,  Ella  K.,  wife  of  John  F.  Wright,  and.  Sarah, 
wife  of  John  W.  Murray,  of  Urbana. 

Having  been  but  eight  years  of  age  when'  his  parents  moved  from 
Clark  to  Champaign  county,  William  H.  Hunt  has  spent  practically  all  of 
his  active  life  in  this  county.  Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  the  vicinity  of 
Mechanicsburg,  he  received  his  early  education  in  the  schools  of  that  city. 
From  the  days  of  his  boyhood  he  was  a  valued  assistant  to  his  mother  in 
the  labors  of  developing  and  improving  the  home  farm  and  after  his  mar- 
riage in  1890  established  his  home  on  that  farm  and  continued  to  live  there 
until  1892.  In  that  year  he  moved  to  Mechanicsburg,  where  he  ever  since 
has  resided.  Upon  moving  to  Mechanicsburg  Mr.  Hunt  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business  at  that  place  and  was  thus  quite  successfully  engaged  until 
May  I,  191 1,  when  he  sold  his  store.  In  the  meantime  he  continued  to 
look  after  the  management  of  his  farm,  which  he  still  owns,  and  still  gives 
the  place,  a  well-improved  farm  of  one  hundred  acres  in  Goshen  and  Union 
townships,  considerable  of  his  personal  attention.  Mr.  Hunt  has  been  a 
successful  business  man  and  in  addition  to  his  farming  and  other  interests 
in  and  about  Mechanicsburg  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Bank  of  that 
place  and  in  the  local  building  and  loan  association,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
board  of  directors  of  the  latter  institution. 

Mr.  Hunt  is  an  ardent  Republican  and  for  years  has  been  regarded  as 
one  of  the  leaders  of  that  party  in  Champaign  county,  being  the  present 
vice-chairman  of  the  county  Republican  central  committee.  In  1897  ^^ 
was  elected  marshal  and  street  commissioner  of  Mechanicsburg  and  in  1913 
was  appointed  to  fill  the  unexpired  term  of  A.  P.  Fudger  as  a  member  of 
the  board  of  county  commissioners  from  his  district.  By  successive  elec- 
tions has  been  retained  in  that  office,  present  chairman  of  the  board,  a  position 
he  has  held  for  three  years.  During  the  incumbency  of  Mr.  Hunt  on  the 
board  of  commissioners,  Champaign  county  has  effected  numerous  important 
public  improvements,  including  many  concrete  bridges,  the  completion  of  the 
county  hospital,  new  equipment  for  the  county  treasurer's  office,  a  much- 
needed  extension  of  the  court  house,  valuable  drainage  extension  and  other 
public  improvements  of  value  to  the  entire  county.     Mr.  Hunt  has  taken  an 


8l4  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

active  part  in  the  Ohio  State  County  Commissioners  Association  and  has 
served  as  a  member  of  the  executive  and  finance  committee  of  the  same.  He 
also  has  served  as  vice-president  of  the  local  anti-tuberculosis  association  of 
A'ladison,  Clark,  Green  and  Champaign  counties,  and  in  other  ways  has 
given  of  his  time  and  energies  to  the  public  service. 

On  October  17,  1890,  William  H.  Hunt  was  united  in  marriage  to  Jen- 
nie McLaren,  who  was  born  in  Morrow  county,  this  state,  December  24, 
1870,  and  to  this  union  tivo  children  have  been  born,  Florence  E.,  born  on 
August  31,  1895,  who  is  now  a  student  in  Denison  University,  and  Louise, 
March  31,  1903.  now  a  student  in  the  IMechanicsburg  high  school.  The 
Hunts  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  church  and  have  for  years 
taken  an  interested  part  in  church  work  and  in  other  local  good  works.  Mr, 
Hunt  is  a  member  of  Mechanicsburg  Lodge  No.  113,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  and  also  of  Homer  Lodge  No.  474,  Knights  of  Pythias,  at  Mechan- 
icsburg, and  is  past  chancellor  commander  of  the  latter  lodge.  For  years  he 
has  taken  a  warm  interest  both  in  Masonic  and  Pythian  affairs. 


THOMAS  LYNN  JOHNSON. 

The  year  1803,  two  years  before  Champaign  county  was  organized, 
saw  the  first  members  of  the  Johnson  family  locating  in  the  county.  In 
this  volume  is  given  a  very  interesting  review  of  the  family  from  the  time 
its  first  members  came  here  and  located  in  the  Mingo  valley  in  Wayne 
township,  and  the  reader  is  referred  to  that  sketch  for  a  detailed  history 
of  the  family,  as  a  whole,  during  its  connection  with  the  county  for  the 
past  one  hundred  and  fourteen  years.  One  of  the  several  members  of  the 
family  who  left  the  county  of  their  nativity  and  went  forth  into  the  world 
to  make  a  name  for  themselves,  is  Thomas  Lynn  Johnson,  now  a  practic- 
ing attorney  of  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Thomas  L.  Johnson,  a  son  of  Alfred  and  .Ann  Elizabeth  (Stone)  John- 
son, was  born  in  the  Mingo  valley  of  Champaign  county  on  May  29,  1855. 
The  father  was  born  on  the  same  farm,  June  10,  18 17.  and  died  there 
on  September  9,  1905 ;  the  mother  was  born  in  Perry  county,  Ohio,  Sep- 
tember 21,  1829.  and  died  at  Marion,  Ohio,  June  28,  1917.  The  complete 
genealogy  of  the  family,  as  above  stated,  is  given  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

Thomas  L.  Johnson  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  spent  his 
boyhood  davs   in   a  manner   similar  to   all   bovs   reared   on   the   farm.      He 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  815 

attended  the  rural  schools  and  then  entered  the  National  Normal  School, 
at  Lebanon,  Ohio,  graduating  therefrom  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Science.  He  at  once  became  a  student  at  Boston  University,  Boston,  Mass- 
achusetts, where  he  took  up  the  study  of  law,  graduating  in  due  course 
of  time  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws.  He  was  then  twenty-four 
■years  of  age,  a  graduate  of  one  of  the  leading  law  schools  of  the  country,, 
and  ready  to  begin  the  practice  of  his  chosen  profession.  The  question 
was  where  should  he  locate. 

After  looking  over  the  situation  from  every  angle,  he  concluded  to 
begin  his  legal  practice  in  the  city  of  Cleveland,  Ohio.  Accordingly,  the 
year  1879  found  him  located  there,  being  admitted  to  the  bar  in  that  city 
in  the  same  year.  At  first  he  devoted  himself  to  general  practice,  but 
as  the  years  went  by,  he  gradually  became  more  interested  in  corporation 
and  insurance  law.  During  the  past  few  years,  he  has  given  the  major 
portion  of  his  time  to  "Trade  Marks"  and  "Unfair  Competition."  He  prac- 
ticed alone  until  1900,  in  which  year  he  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
White,  Johnson  &  Cannon.  In  1914  the  firm  was  enlarged  by  the  addition 
of  C.  A.  Neff,  and  since  that  year  the  firm  has  been  White,  Johnson,  Cannon 
&  Neff.    The  oftices  of  the  firm  are  in  the  Williamson  Building. 

The  career  of  Mr.  Johnson  as  a  lawyer  has  been  one  of  quiet  and 
undeviating  devotion  to  his  profession.  He  has  never  cared  to  take  an 
active  part  in  political  affairs,  although,  as  a  citizen  interested  in  good  gov- 
ernment, he  has  always  been  ready  to  co-operate  in  measures  looking  toward 
better  civic  conditions.  For  this  reason,  he  prefers  to  class  himself  as  an 
independent  voter  with  Republican  tendencies.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Cleveland  and  the  American  Bar  Associations,  and  for  two  years,  1912-1914, 
he  was  president  of  the  former.  In  addition  to  his  legal  activities,  he  finds 
time  to  be  a  director  in  several  corporations  and  is  a  stockholder  in  about 
a  dozen  more. 

Mr.  Johnson  was  first  married  to  Isabelle  Wilder,  who  was  born  at 
Medina,  Ohio,  April  13,  1856,  and  died  October  27,  1900.  To  this  marriage 
was  born  one  son,  Roy  Wilder  Johnson.  The  son  was  born  at  Cleveland 
on  March  4,  1882,  and  after  completing  the  work  in  the  public  schools  of 
his  home  city,  became  a  student  in  Dummer  Academy,  South  Byfield,  Mass- 
achusetts. He  completed  his  education  by  graduating  from  Harvard  Uni- 
versity and  then  started  out  in  newspaper  and  magazine  work  after  leaving 
college.  For  a  time  he  was  on  the  editorial  staff  of  Printers'  Ink,  New  York 
City,  but  he  severed  his  connection  with  this  magazine  in  February,    19 17, 


8l6  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

to  enter  business  as  a  trade  mark  adviser  and  expert.  He  maintains  offices 
at  32  Nassau  street,  New  York  City.  Roy  W.  Johnson  was  married  to 
Josephine  Summer,  a  daughter  of  John  L.  Summer  of  Marysville,  Ohio. 
They  have  two  children,  aged  six  and  four.  Their  home  is  in  New  Rochehe, 
New  York. 

Thomas  L.  Johnson  was  married  a  second  time  on  February  20,  1912, 
at  Springfield,  Ohio,  to  Stella  Reid  Crothers,  a  daughter  of  W.'  B.  and 
Martha  Reid,  of  Jackson,  Michigan. 


JOHN  HENRY  BATDORF. 

John  Henry  Batdorf,  one  of  Champaign  county's  best-known  and  most 
substantial  retired  farmers  and  merchants,  now  living  at  St.  Paris,  where 
he  has  extensive  property  interests,  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of 
the  Central  National  Bank  of  St.  Paris,  and  in  other  ways  identified  with 
the  business  interests  of  that  city,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and 
has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Johnson  township  on 
December  13,  1839,  son  of  Samuel  and  Susanna  (Neff)  Batdorf,  promi- 
nent and  influential  residents  of  that  -township,  whose  last  days  were  spent 
there. 

Samuel  Batdorf  was  bom  in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania  and  came  to  this 
state  with  his  parents  in  the  days  of  his  youth,  the  family  settling  in  John- 
son township,  this  county.  There  his  father,  John  Batdorf,  bought  a  farm 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  west  of  St.  Paris,  established  his  home  there  and 
there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  a  substantial  pioneer  of  that  commu- 
nity. Samuel  Batdorf  married  Susanna  Neff,  a  resident  of  the  Dayton 
neighborhood,  and  established  his  home  in  Johnson  township,  where,  in 
addition  to  his  general  farming  he  became  extensively  engaged  in  the  buying 
and  selling  of  livestock  and  became  a  quite  well-to-do  citizen.  He  also  was 
an  auctioneer  and  crier  of  public  sales  and  in  that  capacity  became  one  of 
the  best-known  men  in  this  section  of  the  state.  He  was  cut  down  in  the 
very  midst  of  his  activities,  being  killed  by  a  train,  caught  at  the  railway 
crossing  on  his  way  home  from  St.  Paris  one  day.  He  and  his  wife  were 
the  parents  of  eight  children,  three  of  whom  are  still  living,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  having  two  brothers,  David  Batdorf,  a  well-known  farmer  of 
Jackson  township,  this  county,  and  Samuel  M.  Batdorf.  a  manufacturer  of 
brick  and  tile  at  Burlington.  Kansas.     The  deceased  members  of  the  family 


:\IK.  AND  MRS.  JOHN  H.  BATDORF. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  817 

were  Mary,  who  was  the  wife  of  Samuel  BoHnger;  Elizabeth,  who  died 
unmarried;  Susanna,  who  died  in  1916,  was  the  wife  of  Frank  Snapp; 
Elmira,  who  was  the  wife  of  Asa  Brelsford,  and  Isabel,  also  deceased. 

John  H.  Batdorf  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  west  of  St.  Paris,  re- 
ceiving his  schooling  in  the  public  schools,  and  remained  at  home,  a  valued 
assistant  in  the  labors  of  the  home  farm,  until  after  his  marriage  in  1864, 
when  he  established  his  home  on  an  eighty-acre  farm  he  had  bought  in  Jack- 
son township,  and  there  he  lived  until  November  16,  1887,  when  he  retired 
from  the  farm  and  moved  to  St.  Paris,  where  he  engaged  in  the  dry-goods 
business  in  a  partnership,  under  the  firm  name  of  Mitchell  &  Batdorf,  and 
was  thus  quite  successfully  engaged  until  his  retirement  from  business  in 
March,  1903,  since  which  time  he  has  occupied  his  time  looking  after  his 
various  property  interests  in  St.  Paris  and  other  business  interests  he  has 
acquired  meantime,  never  having  ceased  his  business  activities,  despite  his 
nominal  retirement.  Mt.  Batdorf  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Central 
National  Bank  of  St.  Paris  and  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of 
the  same.  The  history  of  that  bank,  together  with  its  present  officiary,  is 
set  out  at  length  in  another  place  in  this  work.  Mr.  Batdorf  also  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Farmers  and  Merchants  Telephone 
Company  and  has  done  much  to  extend  the  telephone  service  throughout  this 
[)art  of  the  state  during  his  connection  with  that  company.  He  is  the  owner 
of  several  business  buildings,  besides  other  real  estate,  in  St.  Paris,  and  is 
one  of  the  well-to-do  citizens  of  that  town,  in  the  affairs  of  which  he  ever 
has  taken  a  warm  interest.  Mr.  Batdorf  is  a  Democrat  and  during  the  time 
of  his  residence  in  Jackson  township  served  for  some  time  as  assessor  of 
that  township. 

On  October  2j,  1864,  John  H.  Batdorf  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Johanna  Bowersock,  who  was  born  in  Adams  township,  this  county,  Sep- 
tember 26,  1843,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Cory)  Bowersock,  the 
former  of  whom  was  born  near  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  latter, 
near  Dayton,  this  state,  and  who  moved  from  Adams  township  to  St.  Paris 
in  1859  and  there  spent  their  last  days,  Mrs.  Bowersock  dying  on  December 
25,  1879,  and  Mr.  Bowersock,  March  25,  1881.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Batdorf 
have  two  sons,  William  H.,  born  on  August  30,  1865,  who  married  Jennie 
Pence  and  now  lives  at  Columbus,  this  state,  and  Frank  C,  May  18,  1867, 
who  married  Susanna  Brown  and  is  engaged  in  the  dry-goods  business  at 
St.  Paris.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Batdorf  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church,  of 
(52a) 


8l8  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

which  he  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  and  a  deacon.  He  has  been 
active  in  church  work  and  has  helped  to  build  two  churches,  having  been 
a  member  of  the  building  committee  at  the  time  of  the  erection  of  the 
Baptist  church  at  St.  Paris  and  a  member  of  a  similar  committee  at  the  time 
of  the  erection  of  the  Myrtle  Tree  Baptist  church. 


FRED  L.  WILKINS. 


The  farmer  has  a  chance  to  enjoy  life  to  a  greater  extent  than  any 
other,  for  reasons  that  are  too  obvious  to  bt  enumerated  in  detail.  Knowing 
this,  Fred  L.  Wilkins,  of  Salem  town.ship.  Champaign  county,  has  been 
content  to  spend  his  life  amid  rural  scenes.  He  was  born  in  Belmont  countx . 
Ohio,  October  21,  1869.  He  is  a  son  of  Howard  and  Rebecca  (Martin) 
Wilkins,  both  natives  of  Virginia,  in  which  state  they  grew  up  and  married, 
later  establishing  their  home  in  Belmont  county.  Ohio,  where  they  continued 
to  reside  until  1880  when  they  moved  to  Champaign  county  and  settletl  in 
Salem  township  on  a  farm.  Howard  Wilkins  devoted  his  life  to  general 
agricultural  pursuits.  He  voted  the  Republican  ticket  and  took  an  active 
interest  in  the  affairs  of  his  neighborhood.  His  death  occurred  on  Februarx 
23,  1903.  His  widow,  however,  is  still  living,  making  her  home  among  lier 
children,  of  whom  there  are  eight  in  number,  named  as  follows:  William 
G.,  a  retired  farmer  of  Kennard,  Ohio;  James  W.,  also  a  retired  farmer 
of  Kennard;  Maggie,  wife  of  J.  T.  Woodruff,  of  Salem  township,  Cham- 
paign county;  Minerva,  who  married  C.  S.  Unkerfer,  of  Salem  townshi]); 
Fred  L.,  of  this  sketch;  Dora,  wife  of  I.  J.  Kauffman,  a  farmer  of  Salem 
township;  Annie,  who  married  E.  B.  Thomas  and  lives  in  Salem  town.ship: 
Charles  G.,  who  married  Ethel  Powell,  living  in  Salem  township. 

Fred  L.  Wilkins  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  in  Salem  township,  wheic 
he  was  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  remained  at  home  with  his 
parents  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  old.  On  November  8,  1892,  he  mar- 
ried Maggie  Sheehe,  born  at  Mingo,  Ohio.  May  7.  1876.  a  daughter  of 
Michael  and  Catherine  (McGraw)  Sheehe,  both  natives  of  Ireland,  from 
which  country,  they  came  to  America  while  young.  They  were  marrietl 
in  this  country  and  .settled  in  Mingo,  Ohio.  Mr.  Sheehe  was  a  mason  In 
trade,  but  devoted  most  of  his  later  life  to  farming,  his  death  occurrint^  in 
1878  and  that  of  his  wife  in  April,  1910. 

After   his   marriage   Mr.    Wilkins   located    at    Mingo,    C^hio,    where    he 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  8 19 

worked  out  by  the  day  for  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  moved  to 
Wayne  township,  Champaign  county,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  until 
1900,  tlien  moved  to  Salem  township,  locating  on  the  I.  B.  Thomas  farm, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  During  his  residence  here  of  sixteen  years,  he 
has  made  a  success  as  a  general  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  feeding  each  year 
a  large  number  of  cattle  and  hogs.  He  farms  two  hundred  and  eighteen 
acres. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilkins  ten  children  have  been  born,  namely :  Walter 
M.,  born  on  November  i8,  1895,  married  Edith  Howison,  farming  with  his 
father  in  Salem  township;  Wilbur  M.,  born  July  18.  1898;  Lillian  R.. 
March  24,  1901 ;  Linnie  F.,  August  23,  1903;  Howard  F.,  September  24, 
1905;  Arthur  T.,  December  19,  1907;  Roy  J.,  May  15,  1910;  John,  May 
8,  1912;  Raymond,  October  2,  1914;  and  Norma  May,  born  July  27,  1894. 
and  died,  August  18,  1894. 

Politically,  Mr.  Wilkins  is  a  Republican,  and  in  the  principles  and 
doctrines  of  which  party  is  a  strong  believer.  He  has  served  the  community 
in  an  official  way,  being  a  member  of  the  school  board  in  Wayne  township. 
He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Friends  church,  where  they  are  regular 
attendants. 


JOHN  M.  ALCOTT. 


John  M.  Alcott,  farmer,  of  Harrison  township,  Champaign  county,  was 
born  on  a  farm  in  Liberty  township,  Logan  county,  Ohio,  November  4, 
1873.  He  is  a  son  of  John  T.  and  Jane  (Secrist)  Alcott.  The  father  was 
born  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Liberty  township,  Logan  county,  in  1836, 
where  his  parents  were  pioneer  settlers.  He  devoted  his  life  to  farming, 
and  died  in  1874.  He  had  only  two  children,  George  A.,  who  is  farming 
on  the  old  homestead,  and  John  M..  of  this  .sketch,  .\fter  the  death  of  John 
T.  Alcott,  his  widow  married  D.  S.  Pool  and  they  established  their  home 
at  Bellefontaine,  Ohio. 

John  M.  Alcott  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  and  he  attended  the 
district  schools  in  Logan  county.  He  was  only  nine  months  old  when  his 
father  died,  and  he  remained  with  his  mother  until  he  was  twenty-five  years 
old,  assisting  in  supporting  the  family.  He  has  devoted  his  life  to  general 
farming  and  now  owns  a  well  kept  and  productive  tract  of  eighty  acres 
in  Harrison  township,  where  he  has  resided  since  1899. 

Mr.   Alcott  was  married  on    September   21.    1898,   to   Gertrude   Clark. 


\ 

820  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

a  native  of  Union  township,  Logan  county,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood 
and  attended  school.  To  their  union  two  daughters  have  been  born,  twins, 
Irene  and  Imogene,  the  date  of  whose  birth  was  January  6,  1900.  They 
are  now  attending  high  school  at  West  Liberty. 

Politically,  Mr.  Alcott  is  a  Republican.  .  He  is  prominent  in  lodge  cir- 
cles, belonging  to  Mad  River  Lodge  No.  196,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
and  also  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at  West  Liberty,  in  which 
lodge  he  is  the  present  noble  grand.  He  belongs  to  Bellefontaine  Chapter 
No.  60,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Order  of  Eastern  Star  at  West  Liberty. 


MAJOR  JOSEPH  C.  BRAND. 

In  the  memorial  annals  of  Champaign  county  there  are  few  names 
held  in  better  remembrance  than  that  of  Major  Joseph  C.  Brand,  former 
member  of  the  state  Legislature  from  this  district,  an  honored  veteran 
of  the  Civil  War,  a  consular  officer  in  Europe  during  the  Grant  admin- 
istration, clerk  of  the  common  pleas  and  district  courts  of  this  district  at 
the  time  of  the  adoption  of  the  new  state  constitution  and  for  many  years 
one  of  the  most  active  and  influential  business  men  in  Urbana. 

Major  Joseph  C.  Brand  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  but  had  been  a 
resident  of  this  county  since  the  days  of  his  young  manhood,  having  located 
at  Urbana  in  1830.  His  grandfather.  Dr.  James  Brand,  was  a  native  of 
Scotland  and  was  graduated  from  the  Edinburgh  Medical  University  about 
1756,  after  which  he  came  to  this  country  and  located  at  Frederick  City, 
Maryland,  where  he  practiced  his  profession  for  a  number  of  years,  at 
the  end  of  which  time  he  moved  to  Ringold's  Manor  and  thence  to  Augusta 
county,  Virginia,  where  he  died  at  the  age  of  ninety-six  years.  Dr.  James 
Brand  was  the  father  of  several  children,  one  of  whom,  Thomas  Brand, 
father  of  the  Major,  was  born  in  Maryland  and  with  his  parents  moved 
to  Virginia,  where  he  remained  until  1808,  in  which  year  he  went  to  Ken- 
tucky and  was  there  married  to  Fannie  Carter,  who  also  was  born  in  Mary- 
land and  who  had  moved  to  Kentucky  with  her  parents  in  the  days  of  her 
childhood.  Of  the  eight  children  born  to  that  union  Major  Brand  was 
the  eldest.  He  received  an  excellent  education  in  Kentucky  and  for  a 
time  followed  teaching  there  and  then,  in  1830,  came  up  into  Ohio  and 
located  at  Urbana,  where  he  became  engaged  in  the  drug  business  with  his 


JOSEl'H   C.  Bit  AND. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  821 

uncle,  Dr.  Joseph  S.  Carter,  and  was  thus  engaged  until  the  time  of  his 
marriage  in  1832,  when  he  moved  to  Mechanicsburg  and  there  became  en- 
gaged in  mercantile  business  in  association  with  Dr.  Obed  Horr;  remain- 
ing there  until  1837,  in  which  year  he  bought  a  farm  on  Buck  creek  and 
was  there  engaged  in  farming  until  185 1,  when  he  returned  to  "Urbana, 
established  his  home  there  and  there  continued  to  reside  until  his  death, 
with  the  exception  of  the  time  spent  in  the  army  and  the  time  spent  in 
the  foreign  consular  service. 

Upon  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War  Major  Brand  was  one  of  the 
active  factors  in  obtaining  the  order  for  the  creation  of  the  gallant  Sixty- 
sixth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  assisted  industriously  in  re- 
cruiting and  organizing  that  regiment,  and  served  with  that  command  until 
it  finally  was  mustered  out,  a  period  of  three  years  and  ten  months.  He 
was  promoted  in  service  from  captain  to  Ihe  position  of  commissary  of 
subsistence  of  volunteers  and  saw  much  active  service,  his  command  being 
present  at  and  participating  in  many  of  the  most  notable  engagements  of 
the  war,  and  he  was  present  at  the  surrender  of  Lee  at  Appomattox.  He 
was  mustered  out  at  the  end  of  the  war  with  the  brevet  title  of  major, 
"for  distinguished  service  during  the  war,"  and  upon  the  completion  of 
his  military  service  returned  to  Urbana.  Not  long  afterward  he  was  ap- 
pointed by  President  Grant  United  States  consul  at  Nuremberg,  Bavaria, 
and  with  his  wife  and  two  daughters  made  his  residence  in  that  city  for  three 
years. 

Major  Brand  was  an  ardent  Republican  and  ever  took  an  active  part 
in  local  civic  affairs.  He  filled  several  county  offices  at  one  time  and  another 
and  represented  this  district  in  both  the  House  and  the  Senate  of  the  Ohio 
state  Legislature,  serving  on  important  committees  in  both  houses  during 
that  important  period  of  service.  He  also  took  an  active  part  in  the  gen- 
eral business  affairs  of  the  community  and  his  energy  and  public  spirit 
did  much  toward  promoting  a  better  business  condition  hereabout  in  his 
day.  He  was  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  old  Atlantic  & 
Great  Western  Railroad  Company  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  establish- 
ment of  the  road  through  this  part  of  the  country.  In  the  trying  days  pre- 
ceding the  Civil  War  he  was  a  valued  contributor  to  the  abolition  move- 
ment and  took  a  no  small  part  in  the  operation  of  the  "underground  rail- 
road" in  this  part  of  the  state,  in  that  capacity  taking  active  participation 
in  what  came  to  be  locally  celebrated  as  the  "Greene  county  rescue  case," 
an  incident  arising  out  of  the  arrest  of  several  Champaign  county  men 
who  had  expressed   sympathy   for  a   fugitive  slave  named   Addison   White 


822  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

and  who  were  rescued  from  the  custody  of  a  United  States  marshal  while 
en  route  through  Greene  county  for  Cincinnati,  further  and  more  detailed 
reference  to  which  incident  is  made  in  the  historical  section  of  this  work. 
Major  Brand  was  an  earnest  Methodist  and  he  and  his  wife  were  ever 
leaders  in  local  good  works. 

As  noted  above,  it  was  in  1832  that  Major  Brand  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Lavina  Talbot,  who  was  born  at  Shepherdstown,  Virginia,  and 
to  that  union  nine  children  were  born,  namely:  Thomas  T.,  a  captain  in 
the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  War,  who  was  retired  on  account  of  wounds 
received  at  the  battle  of  Chickamaugua ;  Joseph  C,  who  became  deputy 
collector  and  chief  clerk  in  the  United  States  revenue  service,  with  head- 
quarters at  Bellefontaine;  William  A.,  for  many  years  co-editor  with  Joshua 
Saxton  of  the  Citizen  and  Gazette  at  Urbana,  and  postmaster  of  Urbana  at 
the  time  of  his  death;  Belle,  wife  of  William  R.  Ross;  Mary,  wife  of  Rev. 
E.  D.  Whitlock ;  John  F. ;  Ella,  wife  of  Charles  A.  Ross,  of  Urbana,  and 
Ellen  and  Irva,  who  died  in  young  womanhood. 


,  WILLIAM  H.  HILL,  D.  V.  S. 

Dr.  William  H.  Hill,  the  well-known  veterinary  surgeon  living  at  Chris- 
tiansburg,  this  county,  is  a  native  of  that  village,  his  birth  having  occurred 
there  on  August  15,  1857,  the  son  of  Henry  and  Mary  (Benton)  Hill, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  England. 

Henry  Hill  was  born  in  Derbyshire,  England,  in  December,  1828,  and 
grew  to  maturity  in  that  country,  receiving  his  education  in  the  English 
schools.  After  reaching  manhood  he  learned  the  trade  of  a  shoemaker, 
and  there  he  married  Mary  Benton,  who  was  born  in  Cambridgeshire  in 
October,  1828.  One  daughter  was  born  to  them  while  still  living  in  Eng- 
land, and  soon  afterward  they  came  to  the  United  States,  locating  hrst  at 
Piqua,  Ohio,  where  they  lived  a  few  years,  after  which  they  removed  to 
Christiansburg,  this  county,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives 
his  death  occuring  on  April  21,  1887,  while  his  widow  survived  him  twelve 
years,  her  death  occurring  on  April  20,  1899.  They  were  the  parents  of 
eight  children,  seven  of  whom  grew  to  maturity,  but  only  six  of  whom  are 
now  living:  Eliza  G..  widow  of  Charles  Garver,  of  DeGraff,  Ohio;  Alice- 
Jane,  decea.sed,  who  was  the  wife  of  Judson  J.  Long,  also  deceased,  formerly 
residents   of   Christiansburg;    Charles    A.,   who   is   engaged    in   business    in 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  823 

Christiansburg ;  William  H.,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  review;  John 
and  Harry,  both  of  Christiansburg;  one  who  died  in  infancy,  and  Frank  of 
Spring  Hills,  Ohio.  Henry  Hill  and  wife  were  earnest  and  faithful  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  for  years  he  was  identified 
with  the  lodge  of  Odd  Fellows  in  Christiansburg.  In  politics  he  was  a 
Democrat,  firm  in  his  belief  of  the  principles  of  that  party,  and  was  always 
an  enthusiastic  and  influential  worker  for  the  cause  of  prohibition.  For 
many  years  he  was  engaged  in  the  shoe  business  in  Christiansburg,  also 
carrying  on  an  extensive  trade  in  the  tree  and  nursery  business. 

William  H.  Hill  was  reared  in  the  village  of  Christiansburg,  receiving 
his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  that  place  and  in  the  Normal  school 
at  Lebanon,  Ohio.  After  leaving  school  he  taught  school  for  a  period  of 
seven  years,  two  years  in  Christiansburg  and  vicinity,  and  it  was  while 
thus  engaged  that  he  became  interested  in  veterinary  work,  making  an 
exhaustive  study  of  animal  diseases  and  their  treatment,  and  promptly  be- 
came a  practitioner,  in  which  he  has  been  very  successful  and  has  acquired 
a  large  and  lucrative  patronage  in  this  vicinity. 

On  November  21,  1889,  William  H.  Hill  was  married  to  Lola  M. 
Merritt,  daughter  of  William  and  Tabitha  (West)  Merritt,  and  to  this  union 
one  son  was  born,  Herman  M.,  born  on  May  11,  1891,  who  died  on  April 
2,  1903. 

Mr.  Hill's  parents  were  descendants  of  some  of  the  early  pioneers  of 
Champaign  county,  her  father,  William  Merritt,  being  born  in  this  county, 
July  16,  1828,  his  parents  coming  in  an  early  day  from  Virginia.  Tabitha 
West,  mother  of  Mrs.  Hill,  was  born  in  Jackson  township,  this  county,  and 
was  a  daughter  of  John  W.  West,  a  very  prominent  man  in  the  county  in 
the  early  days.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  always  active  in  the 
councils  of  his  party  and  served  the  county  as  sheriff  for  a  number  of  years, 
his  portrait  now  hanging  on  the  walls  of  the  sheriff's  office  in  the  court 
house  at  Urbana.  William  Merritt  was  a  man  of  quiet  and  unassuming 
demeanor,  conservative  in  his  judgment,  and  well  known  and  highly  esteemed 
in  his  community.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  three  daughters : 
Laura  B.,  wife  of  Charles  Gruver,  of  Troy,  Ohio;  Lola  M.,  wife  of  Doctor 
Hill,  and  Elizabeth,  wife  of  L.  D.  Baker,  of  New  York  City. 

Doctor  Hill  is  a  member  of  Mt.  Olivet  Lodge  No.  226,  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  and  of  St.  Paris  Chapter  No.  85.  Royal  Arch  Masons, 
while  both  he  and  his  wife  hold  membership  in  Diamond  Chapter  No.  84, 
Order  of  the  Eastern  Star.     The  Doctor  is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  takes 


824  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

an  active  interest  in  all  local  political  matters.  He  served  his  township 
ten  years  as  township  clerk,  and  is  now  a  member  of  the  Jackson  township 
board  of  education.  In  1886  and  1887  he  served  as  assistant  postmaster 
of  Christiansburg,  under  C.  A.  Hill. 


THOMAS  SPEECH. 


Thomas  Speece.  a  well-known  farmer  and  the  owner  of  two  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  prime  land  in  Harrison  township,  this  county,  was  born 
in  that  township  on  March  8,  1839.  He  is  the  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth 
(Mclntire)  Speece,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Shelby  county,  Ohio, 
and  the  latter  in  Harrison  township,  this  county. 

William  Speece  came  to  Harrison  township  when  a  young  man  and 
was  married  to  Elizabeth  Mclntire  here.  They  settled  in  this  township  and 
lived  on  a  farm  for  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  When  William  Speece 
came  to  this  township  he  was  in  poor  circumstances,  but  by  steady  industry 
and  thrift  he  added  to  his  land  holdings  and  accumulated  over  four  hun- 
dred acres  of  choice  land  and  was  generally  recognized  as  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial farmers  of  Harrison  township.  He  was  a  member  of  the  United 
Brethren  church  and  took  a  very  general  interest  in  all  church  afifairs.  He 
was  affiliated  with  the  Democratic  party,  but  was  never  a  seeker  after  office. 
William  Speece  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  eight  of  whom 
are  living  in  1917,  namely:  Thomas  Speece,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Sarah  A.,  the  wife  of  David  Taylor ;  Samantha,  the  widow  of  W.  R.  Hoff- 
man; Margaret,  who  married  H.  D.  Pyle;  W.  H.  Speece,  of  DeGrafif,  Har- 
rison township;  Cyrene,  wife  of  Albert  Clark;  Etna,  wife  of  Joseph  Barger, 
and  Jacob  P.,  deceased. 

Thomas  Speece  was  reared  on  the  farm  in  Harrison  township  and 
attended  the  public  schools  of  the  district.  On  finishing  his  time  at  school 
he  worked  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  then 
married  Lydia  A.  Robinson  on  September  16,  1858.  His  wife  was  born  in 
Harrison  townshijj,  Champaign  county,  a  daughter  of  Ros'-^.iter  and  Mary 
(Withers)  Robinson. 

Following  his  marriage  Thomas  Speece  and  bis  wife  began  liouse- 
keeping  in  Harrison  township  on  rented  land,  which  be  continued  to  operate 
for  a  few  years.  He  then  bought  eighty  acres  on  which  he  farmed  in  a 
general    vvriy  and   as  lie   prospered   in   the   work,   bo   continued   to  add    lau'l 


THOMAS  SPEECE 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  825 

until  he  finally  I'ccame  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  fine 
land.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Speece  two  sons  were  born,  namely :  Thomas  N.,  who 
is  the  owner  of  iifty  acres  of  land,  married  Alinnie  Stayrnan,  and  now  lives 
ni  Harrison  township,  and  William  R.  Speece,  who  married  Amanda  V. 
Stover,  and  who  now  lives  in  the  state  of  Oregon.  Thomas  N.  Speece  is 
the  father  of  the  following  children:  Fay,  who  married  Ernest  Wilkeson; 
Hezie,  deceased;  Mabel,  wife  of  W.  O.  Mohr;  Eva,  who  married  Francis 
Buck,  of  Adams  township ;  Zolu,  who  married  Emerson  Cheney,  of  Spring 
Hill;  Edith  and  Millard.  Mrs.  Thomas  Speece  died  on  November  15,  1912. 
Thomas  Speece  is  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  church  and  has 
served  as  class  leader  and  trustee.  He  has  been  superintendent  of  the  Sun- 
day school  for  several  years.  He  was  a  member  of  Spring  Hill  Lodge  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  Mr.  Speece  is  a  supporter  of  the 
Democratic  party  and  has  been  prominent  in  its  affairs  for  several  years. 
He  served  as  trustee  of  Harrison  township  for  six  years,  was  a  member  of 
the  school  board  for  a  considerable  period,  and  was  township  assessor  for 
six  years,  and  in  each  of  those  offices  gave  general  satisfaction.  He  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Champaign  county  fair  board  for  the  long  period  of 
thirty  years  and  is  still  active.  For  several  years  he  has  been  one  of  the 
directors  of  the  board  and  his  long  experience  in  that  direction  has  been 
of  the  greatest  benefit  to  the  managers  of  the  annual  fairs. 


ISAAC.  N.  ZERIAN. 


Isaac  N.  Zerian,  a  farmer  of  Harrison  township,  Champaign  county, 
was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  Ohio.  January  4,  1841.  He  is  a  son  of 
Daniel  and  Mary  (Trago)  Zerian,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio,  respec- 
tively. When  a  young  man.  the  father  came  to  Washington  county,  this 
state,  where  he  was  married,  later  bought  a  farm  in  Jackson  county  on 
which  place  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives.  He  was  a  Republi- 
can and  active  in  party  afifairs.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church 
for  many  years.  To  Daniel  and  Mary  Zerian  eleven  children  were  born, 
five  of  whom  survive  in  19 17.  namely:  Daniel,  Jr.,  who  was  a  soldier 
in  the  Civil  War,  died  in  ^Memphis,  Tennessee,  while  in  the  senace;  John 
E..  who  went  to  Texas  and  died  in  that  state;  William,  a  farmer  in  Liberty 
township.  Jackson  county.  Ohio ;  George,  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War,  dying 
from   wounds  received   in  battle;   Charles,  who  lives  in   the   West;   Asa  I.. 


826  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

living  in  Columbus,  Ohio;  Mary  J.,  the  wife  of  James  Walker  and  livhig 
ill  California;  and  Isaac  N.,  of  this  sketch. 

Isaac  N.  Zerian  was  about  eight  years  old  when  his  parents  brought 
him  to  Jackson  county,  Ohio,  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home 
farm.  He  had  little  opportunity  to  obtain  an  education.  When  twenty-one 
years  old  he  went  to  Ross  county,  this  state,  and  later  to  Jackson  county, 
Missouri.  Six  years  later  he  returned  to  Ohio,  locating  in  Madison  county 
where  he  engaged  in  farming  until  1901  where  he  took  up  his  residence  in 
Champaign  county.  He  now  owns  a  good  farm  in  Harrison  township,  con- 
sisting of  two  hundred  fifty-one  and  one-half  acres.  He  is  carrying  on 
general  farming  and  stock  raising  on  an  extensive  scale  and  has  a  well- 
improved  and  well-kept  farm,  a  good  home  in  the  midst  of  attractive  sur- 
roundings. 

Mr.  Zerian  was  married  in  1871  to  Charlotte  Watson,  a  native  of  Ohio, 
and  to  their  union  six  children  have  been  born,  namely:  i\lta  B.,  the  wife 
of  W.  S.  Shipley;  Ora  F.,  the  wife  of  Joseph  J.  Busick;  Nettie  A.,  the  wife 
of  Pearl  Chaney,  and  living  in  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania;  Iva  M.  and  Imo- 
gene,  who  are  single  and  living  at  home ;  Arno  N.,  also  unmarried  and  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Zerian  is  a  Republican  and  he  has  been  active  in  party 
affairs  for  .some  years. 


OBADIAH  E.  GRISWOLD. 

Obadiah  E.  Griswold,  one  of  the  oldest  native  born  citizens  of  Cham- 
paign county,  most  of  whose  eighty-five  years  has  been  spent  in  his  home 
locality,  in  which  he  has  seen  many  important  changes  take  place,  is  a 
link  between  the  pioneer  epoch  and  the  present.  He  was  born  here  on 
January  22,  1832,  on  the  old  homestead  in  Goshen  township.  He  is  a  son 
of  James  and  Polly  (Beales)  Griswold.  natives  of  Vermont,  where  they 
grew  up  and  married.  They  remained  in  New  England  until  181 2,  when 
they  came  to  Marietta,  Ohio,  traveling  most  of  the  distance  by  boat,  the 
trip  requiring  nearly  a  year.  They  were  delayed  chiefly  by  an  attack  of 
smallpox  while  on  their  way.  Later  they  located  near  Columbus.  Ohio, 
and  in  1816  came  to  Champaign  county,  settling  in  the  wilds  of  what  is 
now  Goshen  township.  There  they  built  a  cabin,  cleared  and  developed  a 
farm,  and  endured  the  usual  hardships  and  privations  of  pioneer  life.  The 
death  of  James  Griswold  occurred  at  Irwin  Station  and  there  his  wife  also 
spent  her  last  days.     They  were  ])arents  of  eight  childicn,  namely;  Boland, 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  827 

living  in  Union  county,  two  miles  west  of  Milford;'  Mary,  wife  of  Mark 
Malonea,  who  died  at  Irwin  Station;  Sarah,  who  married  Samuel  Harris 
of  Leroy,  Illinois,  where  he  died,  after  which  event  she  moved  to  Texas; 
Hosea,  who  moved  to  Illinois,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life ;  Phedora 
Jane,  who  died  in  1842;  Sylvania,  wife  of  William  Brown,  who  lived  in 
Illinois  and  later  in  Union  county,  Iowa,  where  her  death  occurred;  Olive 
Rebecca,  wife  of  Ira  Jones,  of  Van  Buren  county,  Iowa,  and  Obadiah 
E.,  of  this  sketch. 

Obadiah  E.  Griswold  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  where  he 
worked  hard  when  a  boy.  He  received  a  limited  education  in  the  pioneer 
schools  of  Goshen  township.  He  lived  at  home  until  he  was  eighteen  years 
old.  On  January  22,  1863,  he  married  Abigail  D.  Kimball,  who  was  born 
in  Union  county,  Ohio,  in  1837,  the  daughter  of  Hiram  D.  and  Catherine 
(Culver)  Kimball,  natives  of  Stowe,  Vermont,  and  New  York  state,  re- 
spectively, the  latter  being  born  on  Lake  Champlain.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kimball 
came  to  Union  county,  Ohio,  in  1818,  locating  on  a  farm  near  what  is 
now  Milford  Center,  and  later  moved  to  Goshen  township,  Champaign 
county,  where  he  established  the  family  home  on  a  farm,  which  he  de- 
veloped from  the  virgin  soil  by  perseverance  and  hard  work.  After  several 
years  the  family  moved  back  to  Union  county.  Hiram  Kimball's  death 
occurred  in  Champaign  county,  after  which  his  widow  went  to  Kansas  and 
died  there.  Five  children  were  bom  to  Hiram  Kimball  and  wife,  namely: 
Abigail  D.,  wife  of  Mr.  Griswold  of  this  sketch ;  Silas,  who  was  killed 
at  the  battle  of  Shiloh  during  the  Civil  War,  being  a  member  of  Company 
F,  Thirteenth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry;  N.  J.,  who  served  three  years  in 
the  Thirty-second  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  after  the  war  lived  in  Union 
county  for  some  time,  then  moved  to  Medicine  Lodge,  Kansas,  where  he 
now  resides;  Lucy  A.,  the  widow  of  D.  W.  Rutan,  a  farmer  and  stockman, 
and  now  making  her  home  at  Mechanicsburg,  Ohio;  Ira  C,  who  served 
two  years  in  the  Civil  War,  after  which  he  located  in  Eldorado,  Kansas. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Obadiah  E.  Griswold,  one  son  was  born,  William  J. 
Griswold,  whose  birth  occurred  in  1872.  He  was  reared  on  the  home  farm 
in  Rush  township,  and  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools.  He 
has  always  lived  at  home  and  is  carrying  on  general  farming,  stock  raising 
and  dairying. 

Obadiah  E.  Griswold  located  in  1863  at  Irwin  Station,  Ohio,  not  far 
from  the  Champaign  county  line.  After  staying  there  for  a  period  of 
thirteen  years,  he  located  on  the  old  Kimball  homestead  in  Goshen  town- 
ship for  a  while.     Later  he  moved  to  Union  county,  Iowa  and  engaged  in 


828  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

farming  there  nine  years,  then  returned  to  Champaign  county,  locating  on 
the  A.  J.  Smith  place  in  Rush  township.  In  1890  he  bought  the  eighty 
acres  where  he  now  lives  in  Rush  township  and  has  since  carried  on  general 
farming  and  dairying  there. 

Mr.   Grisuold  is  a  Republican;  however,   he  has  never  been  active  in 
public  Hfe. 


HENRY  C.  ROGERS. 


Henry  C.  Rogers,  secretary  and  manager  of  the  Home  Telephone  Com- 
pany of  Mechanicsburg  and  one  of  the  best-known  farmers  and  stockmen 
in  the  vicinity  of  that  city,  was  born  on  the  farm  which  he  still  owns  in 
the  immediate  vicinity  of  Mechanicsburg,  this  county,  September  i,  1863, 
son  of  Russell  B.  and  Lydia  (Griffin)  Rogers,  the  latter  of  whom  is  still 
living. 

Russell  B.  Rogers  was  born  in  the  state  of  Virginia  and  was  but  six 
months  of  age  when  his  parents  came  to  Champaign  county  and  settled  on 
the  farm  now  owned  by  Henry  C.  Rogers.  There  he  grew  to  manhood,  a 
valued  assistant  to  his  father  in  the  labors  of  improving  and  developing 
the  home  place.  He  received  his  schooling  in  the  local  schools  and  became 
a  school  teacher,  and  he  taught  for  some  years  in  his  home  community.  After 
his  marriage  to  Lydia  Griffin,  he  established  his  home  on  the  old  home  place 
and  there  he  contiued  to  live  until  his  retirement  from  the  farm.  He  removed 
to  Mechanicsburg,  where  he  spent  his  last  days,  his  death  occurring  in  1893, 
and  where  his  widow  is  still  living.  Russell  B.  Rogers  was  a  successful 
farmer  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  the  owner  of  six  hundred  acres  of 
excellent  land.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  two  sons,  Henry  C.  and 
Francis  R.  Rogers,  now  a  resident  of  Gotobo,  Oklahoma. 

Henry  C.  Rogers  was  reared  on  the  old  home  farm  from  the  days 
of  his  boyhood  gave  close  attention  to  the  management  of  the  farm,  becoming 
a  practical  farmer.  He  received  his  early  education  in  the  local  schools  and 
remained  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age.  He  then  went 
to  California  and  for  seven  years  thereafter  was  a  resident  of  the  West, 
engaging  there  in  a  variety  of  pursuits.  After  the  death  of  his  father  in 
1893,  he  returned  to  the  home  farm  and  took  over  the  management  of  the 
same.  Mr.  Rogers  is  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  excellent 
land  and  makes  a  specialty  of  the  growing  of  alfalfa  and  the  feeding  of  hogs, 
shipping  the  latter  in  carload  lots.  He  has  found  much  profit  in  alfalfa  cul- 
ture  and   annually   cultivates   from    seventy-five   to   one   hundred    and    fifty 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  •  829 

acres  in  this  admirable  forage  crop,  producing  three  tons  to  the  acre.  Mr. 
Rogers  has  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  planted  to  catalpa  trees 
and  has  sold  from  the  same  thousands  of  fence  posts  and  telephone  poles. 
He  is  the  first  man  in  this  region  to  plant  high-priced  agricultural  land 
to  trees  as  a  business  proposition  and  has  found  the  venture  profitable.  Mr. 
Rogers  was  the  organizer  of  the  Home  Telephone  Company  of  Mechanicsburg 
and  is  secretary  and  manager  of  the  same,  having  developed  the  plant  from 
its  initial  standing  of  two  hundred  subscribers  to  its  present  list  of  more  than 
one  thousand  subscribers. 

In  1 9 14  Henry  C.  Rogers  was  united  in  marriage  to  Elsie  Bumgardner, 
who  was  born  in  Mechanicsburg,  Ohio,  and  who  was  graduated  from  the 
local  high  school.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rogers  have  a  very  pleasant  home  and 
take  an  interested  part  in  the  general  social  activities  of  the  community  in 
which  they  live.  Mr.  Rogers  is  an  "independent"  in  his  political  views  and 
takes  an  active  interest  in  local  civic  affairs. 


REES  H.  MILLER. 


The  late  Rees  H.  Miller,  a  soldier  of  the  Union  during  the  Civil  War 
and  for  years  one  of  Wayne  township's  best-known  and  most  substantial 
farmers,  who  died  at  his  home  in  that  township  in  the  fall  of  1909,  was 
born  on  that  same  farm,  the  old  Miller  homestead,  settled  by  his  grand- 
father, John  Miller,  in  1830,  and  which  place  is  still  in  the  possession  of  the 
family,  and  there  resided  all  his  life.  He  was  bom  on  July  18,  1839,  son 
of  Joshua  and  Lavina  (Wade)  Miller,  substantial  residents  of  that  com- 
munity, whose  last  days  were  spent  there. 

Joshua  Miller  was  born  in  eastern  Pennsylvania  in  1805,  son  of  John 
and  Margaret  (Rees)  Miller,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  who  came  to 
Ohio  in  1830,  driving  through  with  several  other  families  that  were  seeking 
new  homes  in  this  section  at  that  time,  and  settled  on  what  has  since  been 
known  as  the  Miller  place  in  Wayne  township,  this  county,  where  they  estab- 
lished their  home  and  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  It 
was  on  December  5.  1830,  tlrat  John  Miller  and  his  family  arrived  in  Wayne 
township.  The  land  on  which  they  settled  had  been  granted  by  the  govern- 
ment to  two  Revolutionary  soldiers  for  services  rendered  in  the  war  and 
from  their  assignees  was  deedfed  to  John  Galloway,  the  old  parchment,  now 
in  the  possession  of  the  Miller  family,  bearing  the  signature  of  James  K. 
Polk,  President  of  the  United  States.     John  Miller  was  the  first  to  make 


830  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

improvements  on  the  place,  which  was  in  its  virgin  state  when  he  took  pos- 
session, and  the  log  cabin  he  erected  there  in  1830  is  still  standing  and  in  a 
good  state  of  preservation,  a  priceless  relic  of  pioneer  days  in  that  part  of 
Champaign  county.  John  Miller  was  of  the  sturdy,  self-reliant  type  of 
])ioneers  and  early  became  an  influence  for  good  in  his  community,  taking 
an  active  part  in  all  proper  movements  having  to  do  with  the  development 
of  the  community  at  large.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  thirteen 
children,  all  of  whom  made  their  homes  in  Wayne  township.  Of  these 
children,  Joshua  was  the  eldest,  the  others  being  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Creviston, 
Mrs.  Rebecca  Pipple,  Thomas,  Joshua,  Mrs.  Polly  Thompson,  Ruth,  Emma, 
Jane,  Rees,  Lydia,  David  and  Margaret.  Joshua  Miller  became  a  sub- 
stantial farmer  in  Wayne  towmship  and  spent  his  last  days  on  the  old  Miller 
homestead  place.  He  and  his  wiie  (Lavina  Wade)  were  the  parents  of 
five  children,  Delila  Wilson,  John  Garland,  Rees  H.,  Lydia  A.  Williams 
and  Mary  Jane  Devore. 

Rees  H.  Miller  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  receiving  his  schooling 
in  the  local  schools  and  was  living  at  home  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out. 
He  took  part  in  that  struggle  as  a  member  of  Company  F.  One  Hundred 
and  Thirty-fourth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  attached  to  Grant's 
army  in  Virginia,  participating  in  the  activities  of  that  command  during  the 
hundred-days  service.  I'pon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  he  re- 
turned to  the  home  farm  and  after  his  marriage  in  1868  established  his 
home  there,  both  he  and  his  wife  spending  the  rest  of  their  lives  there,  her 
death  occurring  on  October  i,  1906,  and  his.  October  2,  1909,  he  then  being 
past  seventy  years  of  age.  Rees  H.  Miller  was  a  stanch  Republican.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  at  North 
Lewisburg  and  took  an  active  interest  in  the  afifairs  of  the  same.  In  local 
civic  afifairs  he  also  took  an  active  interest  and  for  years  was  a  member  of 
the  .school  board,  doing  much  to  advance  the  cause  of  education  in  his 
communit)'.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Friends  church  and  his  wife  was  a 
Rapti.st. 

It  was  on  December  15,  i8f)8.  in  the  adjoining  county  of  Union,  that 
ivets  11.  -Viillcr  was  united  in  marriage  to  Hope  Devore,  who  was  born  in 
tliat  county,  a  daughter  of  Morris  and  Rachael  (Inskeep)  Devore,  natives 
of  Pennsylvania  and  early  settlers  in  Union  county,  whose  last  days  were 
si>ent  in  the  adjoining  count}-  of  Logan.  Morris  Devore  and  wife  were  the 
parents  of  ten  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Miller  was  the  last-born,  the  others 
being  as  follow :  Newton,  who  moved  to  Illinois ;  Nelson,  whose  last  days 
were  spent   in   Logan  countv,   this  state:   John,   who  died   in   Iowa:   Aaron. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  83 1 

who  became  a  substantial  farmer  of  Wayne  township,  this  county;  Hester, 
who  lived  in  the  West;  Mary  Jane;  Margaret  Elizabeth,  of  Marysville,  this 
state,  and  Amazetta,  who  lives  in  Kansas. 

To  Rees  H.  and  Hope  (Devore)  Miller  were  born  six  children,  namely: 
C.  V.  Miller,  who  is  farming  the  old  home  place,  where  he  always  has  made 
his  home,  and  who  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias 
lodge,  former  trustee  of  Wayne  township  and  present  member  of  the  school 
board;  Effie  M.,  who  died  on  August  9,  1896;  Rollin  J.,  a  farmer,  also 
living  on  the  old  home  place;  Lauzetta  C,  who  for  the  past  twenty  years 
has  been  a  member  of  Champaign  county's  efficient  teaching  force,  one  of 
the  leading  teachers  in  the  county,  now  teaching  in  the  Kings  Creek  schools, 
and  who  also  continues  to  make  her  home  on  the  old  home  place;  Lillian  M., 
also  a  teacher,  engaged  as  a  meml^er  of  Champaign  county's  teaching  force 
for  the  past  fifteen  years,  teaching  at  Mingo  and  Belle  Center,  and  who  also 
continues  to  make  her  home  on  the  old  home  place,  and  Dorothy,  wife  of 
Stanley  Strayer,  of  Akron,  this  state.  Mrs.  Strayer  also  was  engaged  in 
teaching  before  her  marriage  and  for  three  years  was  a  teacher.  The  Millers 
have  a  very  pleasant  home  in  W^ayne  township  and  have  ever  given  their 
close  attention  to  the  general  social  and  cultural  activities  of  the  community, 
helpful  in  many  ways  in  advancing  movements  designed  to  promote  the  gen- 
eral \velfare,  and  are  held  in  high  esteem  throughout  the  county. 


CHASE  YOUNG. 


Chase  Young,  a  farmer  of  Union  township,  Champaign  county,  was 
born  in  Rush  township,  this  county,  November  5,  1874,  a  son  of  Thomas 
and  Anna  (Linville)  Young,  the  former  a  native  of  Clark  county,  Ohio, 
and  the  latter  of  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania.  Thomas  Young  grew 
to  manhood  in  Clark  county  and  attended  the  common  schools  there  and 
married  a  Miss  Hale.  Not  long  thereafter  they  moved  from  Clark  county 
to  Champaign  county,  locating  in  Wayne  township,  on  a  farm  near  Cable, 
which  Mr.  Young  rented  and  farmed  there  until  the  death  of  his  first  wife. 
He  presently  married  again  and  rented  a  farm  west  of  Woodstock  for 
eight  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  Wayne  township,  where  he  farmed 
for  three  years,  then  located  in  Union  township  on  a  rented  farm,  but  later 
bought  sixty-three  acres  in  Wayne  township,  where  he  continued   farming 


832  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

until  his  death  in  1913.  His  widow  survived  until  1916.  To  these  parents 
four  children  were  born,  namely :    Hayes,  Wilbert,  Chase  and  Elizabeth. 

Chase  Young  grew  up  on  the  farm  and  attended  the  public  schools  in 
Union  and  Wayne  townships.  He  assisted  his  father  with  the  work  during 
the  crop  seasons  when  a  boy,  and  after  leaving  school  he  began  life  for 
himself  as  a  farmer,  renting  a  place  in  Wayne  township  for  two  years; 
then  moved  to  the  W.  S.  Madden  farm,  in  Union  township,  which  con- 
sisted of  two  hundred  and  nineteen  acres,  and  here  he  has  remained  to  the 
present  time,  carrying  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  with  very 
satisfactory  results.  He  raises  considerable  grain  each  year,  most  of  which 
he  feeds  to  live  stock,  principally  hogs,  fattening  an  average  of  one  hun- 
dred head  for  the  market  every  twelve  months.  He  is  a  breeder  of  a  good 
grade  of  live  stock. 

Mr.  Young  was  married  December  6,  1900,  to  Kate  Beaty,  a  daughter 
of  W.  C.  and  Alverna  Beaty,  and  to  this  union  two  children  have  been 
born,  namely:  Paul,  born  on  September  16,  1903,  and  Howard  Young,  June 
6,  1905.  W.  C.  Beaty,  father  of  Mrs.  Young,  died  in  1908  and  his  widow 
makes  her  home  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Young. 

Politically,  Mr.  Young  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the  county 
fair  board  and  of  the  local  school  board.  He  belongs  to  the  Grange  and 
is  overseer  of  the  local  lodge. 


WILLIAM  SHERMAN  COFFEY. 

William  Sherman  Coffey,  auditor  of  Champaign  county,  is  a  native 
son  of  this  county  and  has  lived  here  practically  all  his  life.  He  was  born 
on  a  farm  in  Goshen  township,  January  3,  1866,  son  of  Joseph  and  Lydia  M. 
(Moody)  Coft'ey,  well-known  and  influential  residents  of  that  township, 
the  former  of  whom  is  still  living  there.     Mrs.  Coffey  died  in  19 15. 

Joseph  Coffey,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  also  was  born  in 
Goshen  township  and  has  lived  there  all  his  Hfe.  He  was  born  in  1838, 
son  of  Tatom  and  Rebecca  (Rubard)  Coffey,  early  settlers  in  that  part  of 
Champaign  county.  Tatom  Coffey,  of  English  and  Scottish  descent,  was 
born  in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  15,  1800,  and  was  but  two 
years-  of  age  when  his  parents,  Joseph  and  Sarah  Coffey,  came  over  into 
this  part  of  Ohio  and  settled  in  what  later  became  organized  as  Clark  county, 
being  the  second  family  to  settle  within  the  present  boundaries  of  that  county 


WILLIAM   S.   COFFEY. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  833 

It  was  on  May  6,  1802,  that  they  settled  there  and  on  a  pioneer  farm  there 
Tatom  Coffey  grew  to  manhood.  When  twenty  years  of  age  he  married 
Rebecca  Rubard,  who  was  one  of  the  first  persons  born  in  Clark  county, 
and  in  1829  he  and  his  wife  came  up  into  Champaign  county  and  settled 
in  Goshen  township,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  thtir  lives,  influen- 
tial and  useful  residents  of  that  community.  Tatom  Coffey  died  on  March 
21.  1877.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  two  sons  and 
seven  daughters,  of  whom  Joseph  was  the  last  born. 

Reared  on  the  paternal  farm  in  Goshen  township,  Joseph  Coffey  was 
living  there  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  He  enlisted  as  a  member  of 
Company  I,  Sixty-sixth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  with  that 
command  saw  much  active  service,  the  battles  and  skirmishes  in  which  he 
was  engaged  including  Port  Republic,  Gettysburg,  Cedar  Mountain,  An- 
tietam,  Chancellorsville,  the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run  and  Dumfries.  He 
then  was  transferred  to  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  and  was  in  the  battles 
at  Lookout  Mountain,  Missionary  Ridge,  Ringgold,  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
participated  in  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  was  with  General  Sherman  on  the 
march  to  the  sea,  receiving  his  honorable  discharge  at  Savannah  on  Decem- 
ber 22,  1864.  Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  Mr.  Coffey  re- 
turned to  his  home  in  this  county  and  on  April  13,  1865,  was  married  to 
Lydia  M.  Moody  and  established  his  home  in  that  township,  where  he  ever 
since  has  lived,  a  well-to-do  farmer.  Joseph  Coffey  is  an  ardent  Repub- 
lican and,  fraternally,  is  affiliated  with  the  Masons,  a  member  of  the  lodge 
of  that  order  at  Mechanicsburg. 

William  S.  Coffey  received  his  elementary  schooling  in  the  district 
schools  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  home  in  Goshen  township  and  at  the  age 
of  sixteen  entered  the  high  school  at  Mechanicsburg.  He  later  took  a  com- 
mercial course  in  the  normal  school  at  Ada  and  then  went  to  Kansas,  where 
from  1889  to  1893  he  was  engaged  in  teaching  school.  He  then  returned 
to  this  county  and  for  thirteen  years  was  engaged  in  teaching  here,  two 
years  of  that  time  being  spent  as  superintendent  of  the  schools  at  Lewisburg 
and  two  years  as  a  teacher  in  the  schools  near  Mutual.  In  1903  Mr.  Coffey 
became  engaged  in  business  at  North  Lewisburg  and  was  thus  engaged 
when  he  was  elected,  as  the  nominee  of  the  Republican  party,  in  the  fall 
of  19 14,  to  the  office  of  auditor  of  Champaign  county.  Upon  taking  office 
Wr.  Coffey  moved  to  Urbana  and  has  since  made  his  home  there.  So  satis- 
factory did  his  service  as  county  auditor  prove  that  he  was  re-elected  to 
that  office  in  the  fall  of  191 6  for  another  term  of  two  years.  Mr.  Coffey  is  a 
(53a) 


834  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Republican  and  for  years  has  given  his  earnest  attention  to  local  political 
affairs.  For  four  years  he  served  as  treasurer  of  Rush  township  and  all 
his  public  service  has  been  animated  by  an  earnest  desire  to  advance  the 
interests  of  the  community  at  large. 

On  August  "26,  1 89 1,  William  S.  Coft'ey  was  united  in  marriage  to- 
Mertie  Clark,  daughter  of  George  W.  Clark  and  wife,  and  to  this  union 
three  children  have  been  born,  Clark  V'..  who  married  Esther  Gordon;  Rn: 
who  married  Elmer  Louden  and  has  two  children,  Harold  Eugene  and  Mary 
Elizabeth,  and  Edward.  Mr.  Coffey  is  a  Mason,  a  member  of  the  com- 
mandery  at  Urbana,  and  is  a  member  of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Knights  of 
Pvthias.  in  the  affairs  of  both  of  which  orders  he  takes  a  warm  interest. 


EDWARD  M.  THOMPSON. 

Edward  M.  Thompson,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  arid  the- 
proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  the  old  John 
Devore  place,  in  Wayne  township,  where  he  has  made  his  home  since  i86c), 
is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county,  born  in  Wayne  township,  and  has 
(lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  small  farm  just  south  of  the 
village  of  Cable  on  September  30,  1844,  son  of  Abraham  and  Susan  (Mid- 
dleton)  Thompson,  natives  of  Brown  county,  this  state,  who  were  married 
in  their  native  county  on  August  5,  1831,  and  who  later  came  to  Cham- 
paign county  and  settled  south  of  Cable,  where  Aliraham  Thompson  got 
a  piece  of  land  and  put  up  a  log  cabin  in  the  woods,  establishing  his  liome 
there. 

Abraham  Thompson  was  a  cooper  b}'  trade  and  he  ])ut  up  on  his 
place  a  cooper  shop,  in  which  he  worked  during  the  winters  and  during 
such  times  as  he  could  not  profitably  be  engaged  on  his  farm,  but  he  was 
not  able  to  make  more  than  a  meager  living  and  when  he  died  in  Octol)t'r. 
1849,  he  left  his  widow  and  eight  children,  the  youngest  of  whom  was  but 
seven  months  of  age,  in  sadly  straitened  circumstances.  The  Widow 
Thompson  was  an  expert  weaver  and  after  the  death  of  her  husband  she 
set  up  a  loom  in  his  cooper  shop  and  made  a  meager  living  l)y  weaving 
linsey-woolsey,  a  fabric  of  linen  and  wool — linen  warp  and  woolen  filling 
— much  used  by  the  pioneers.  She  was  of  the  true  type  of  pioneer  mother 
and  reared  her  children  with  a  high  regard  for  their  future  welfare,  keeping 
them  in  school  and  praying  with  them  night  and   morning  at  the  humble 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  835 

family  altar.  She  survived  her  husband  many  years,  her  death  occurring 
in  1888,  she  then  being  seventy-six  years  of  age.  To  Abraham  Thompson 
and  wife,  twelve  children  were  born,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  being  the 
sixth  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  who  grew  to  maturity  being  as  follow : 
James,  who  married  Sarah  Hatfield,  became  a  well-to-do  farmer  in  Rush 
township  and  died  in  1904;  Lillie,  who  died  in  1849;  Winifred,  who  mar- 
ried Samuel  McAdams  and  lived  in  Union  township,  this  county;  Thomas, 
a  well-known  resident  of  Mechanicsburg  and  a  biographical  sketch  of  whom 
is  presented  elsewhere  in  this  volume;  William  H.  H.,  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  War,  who  is  farming  south  of  Cable,  in  this  county;  Susanna,  wife 
of  J.  C.  Light,  of  Lima,  Ohio,  and  Abraham  B,  a  farmer  of  Urbana  town- 
ship, who  has  been  twice  married,  his  first  wife  having  been  Ellen  Osborne 
and  his  second,  Lillie  Noyes. 

Edward  M.  Thompson  received  his  schooling  in  the  little  old  log  school 
house  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  boyhood  home  south  of  Cable  and  early 
began  to  perform  his  share  in  the  labors  of  family  maintenance,  his  mother 
having  been  left  a  widow  when  he  was  but  four  or  five  years  of  age.  He 
was  but  a  boy  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out,  but  his  patriotic  fervor  was 
strong  and  in  May,  1862,  he  then  being  but  seventeen  years  of  age,  he 
enlisted  at  Urbana  for  service  as  a  member  of  Company  H.  Eighty-sixth 
Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  with  that  command  for  four 
months,  on  duty  at  Clarksburg.  West  Virginia,  guarding  the  Baltimore  & 
Ohio  Railroad.  In  June,  1863.  he  enlisted  for  a  second  time  and  again  went 
to  the  front,  serving  with  Company  I,  Eighty-sixth  Ohio,  until  mustered 
out  on  February  10,  1864.  in  this  latter  service  aiding  in  the  capture  of 
Morgan's  raiders,  participating  in  the  skirmish  at  Eaglesport.  escorting  pris- 
oners of  war  to  Columbus  and  taking  part  in  the  expedition  against  Curnbier- 
land  Gap  and  the  capture  of  that  important  point.  On  May  2,  1864,  Mr. 
Thompson  again  enlisted  and  returned  to  the  front  as  a  member  of  Com- 
pany F,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Ohio,  attached  to  the  middle  de- 
partment. Eighth  Army  Corps,  going  with  that  command  to  Cumberland, 
Maryland ;  thence  to  Washington,  D.  C,  White  House  and  City  Point,  and 
was  attached  to  Pond's  Brigade,  South  Division,  Eighteenth  Army  Corps, 
Army  of  the  James,  from  June  to  August,  chiefly  on  fatigue  duty.  After 
the  engagement  at  Port  Walthall  he  moved  with  his  company  to  the  south 
side  of  the  James  and  at  Deep  Bottom  was  on  further  fatigue  duty,  operat- 
ing with  the  Army  of  the  James  during  the  siege  of  Petersburg  and  Rich- 
mond, until  August  28,  when  the  command  was  returned  to  Camp  Chase, 
where  he  was  for  the  third  time  mustered  out,  August  31,   1864.     y\fter  a 


836  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

bit  of  a  respite  at  home  Air.  Thompson  again  enlisted  in  behalf  of  his  coun- 
try's cause,  on  January  20,  1865,  becoming  attached  to  Company  D,  One 
Plundred  and  Eighty-sixth  Ohio,  with  which  comm.and  he  went  to  Louis- 
ville, then  to  Nashville  and  from  there  to  Cleveland,  where  he  was  on 
duty  until  May  2,  when  the  force  with  which  he  was  operating  was  assigned 
to  a  second  (separate)  brigade  and  after  the  battle  of  Etowah  river,  Georgia, 
went  to  Dalton  and  thence  to  Chattanooga,  where  the  company  was  on  duty 
until  July  20,  protecting  the  railroad  and  then  was  stationed  at  Nashville, 
where  it  was  held  on  duty  for  some  time  after  the  war  had  closed.  Mr. 
Thompson  receiving  his  discharge  there  on  September  18,  1865. 

Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  Edward  M.  Thompson 
returned  to  his  home  in  this  county  and  remained  with  his  mother  until 
his  marriage  in  the  summer  of  1867,  when  he  made  his  home  at  Mingo, 
where  he  remained  about  two  years,  or  until  1869,  in  which  year  he  bought 
the  old  John  Devore  place  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Wayne  town- 
ship and  has  ever  since  made  his  home  there,  one  of  the  substantial  farmers 
and  influential  residents  of  that  neighborhood.  In  addition  to  his  general 
fanning,  Mr.  Thompson  has  given  considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of 
high-grade  live  stock  and  has  done  well  in  his  operations.  He  is  a  stanch 
Republican  and  has  ever  given  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  political 
affairs,  for  six  years  serving  as  trustee  of  Wayne  township  and  for  four 
years  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  county  infirmary.  He  is 
an  active  member  of  the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic 
at  North  Lewisburg  and  has  for  years  taken  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs 
of  that  patriotic  organization. 

Mr.  Thompson  has  been  twice  married.  In  August,  1867,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Sarah  E.  Euans,  of  Hardin  county,  this  state,  and 
to  that  union  three  children  were  born,  Dana  Pearl,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  six  months;  Anna  Belle,  who  died  at  the  age  of  nine  years,  and  Dr. 
Charles  E.  Thompson,  now  a  practicing  physician  at  Cincinnati.  Doctor 
Thompson  was  reared  in  this  county  and  began  his  medical  studies  at  the 
Ohio  Medical  College  at  Columbus,  later  entering  the  medical  college  of 
Nashvile,  Tennessee,  from  which  he  was  graduated.  Upon  receiving  his 
diploma,  he  was  appointed  an  interne  at  the  Nashville  City  Hospital  and 
after  a  period  of  valuable  practical  experience  there  returned  home,  remain- 
ing at  home  for  a  year,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  opened  an  office  for 
the  practice  of  his  profession  at  North  Lewisburg.  Four  years  later  he 
moved  to  Urbana  and  was  for  some  time  engaged  in  practice  there,  or  until 
his  removal  to  Cincinnati,  where  he  is  now  engaged  in  practice  and  has  been 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  837 

quite  successful.  Doctor  Thompson  was  for  some  time  a  member  of  the 
board  of  pension  examiners  for  this  district  and  while  thus  engaged  had  the 
honor  of  being  the  youngest  pension  examiner  in  the  United  States.  He 
has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was  Maggie  Pence  and  his  second, 
Catherine  McMillan.  Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Thompson  died  in  October,  1894,  and 
on  July  19,  1900,  Mr.  Thompson  married  Bertha  S.  Ramsey,  who  was  born 
at  Cable,  a  daughter  of  Albert  and  Sophia  Ramsey,  natives  of  Virginia, 
who  became  early  settlers  at  Cable,  Albert  Ramsey  becoming  a  substantial 
farmer  of  that  neighborhood.  Albert  Ramsey  died  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
four  years  and  his  widow  is  still  living,  being  now  in  the  ninety-second  year 
of  her  age,  hale  and  hearty,  a  great  reader  and  keenly  interested  in  the 
current  events  of  the  day.  Mrs.  Ramsey  attended  the  funeral  at  Simon 
Kenton  at  Zanesville  and  retains  distinct  recollections  of  that  event,  as 
well  as  of  many  of  the  leading  events  in  the  pioneer  history  of  this  section 
of  the  state,  and  is  a  most  interesting  conversationalist  on  matters  relating 
to  the  earlier  days  of  this  region.  She  and  her  husband  were  the  parents 
of  ten  children,  of  whom  five  are  still  living,  those  besides  Mrs.  Thomp- 
son being  Gustavus,  of  Columbus,  this  state ;  Cromwell,  of  Grove  City, 
Pennsylvania;  Endora.  of  Urbana,  and  Benjamin  F.,  of  Cable. 


WILTTAM  B.  CRIM. 


One  of  the  well-known  and  efficient  educators  of  Champaign  county  is 
\Villiam  B.  Crim,  at  present  incumbent  of  the  office  of  district  school  super- 
vi.sor.of  Union,  Wayne,  Johnson  and  Harrison  townships.  He  was  bom 
in  Goshen  township,  this  county,  on  April  18,  1870.  He  is  a  son  of  Thomas 
W.  and  Mar\^  E.  (E^'ans )  Crim.  The  father  is  a  retired  farmer  and  school 
teacher  of  Mechanicsburg,  this  county.  He  is  also  a  veteran  of  the  Civil 
War,  and  for  a  period  of  thirty-five  years  he  was  assessor  of  Goshen  town- 
ship. Thomas  W.  Crim  was  born  in  Loudoun  county,  Virginia,  May  29, 
1842.  and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Cecelia  (White)  Crim,  who  sj^ent  their 
lives  in  the  last-named  county  and  state.  They  were  parents  of  eight  chil- 
dren, Mary  E.,  John  Wesley,  living  in  Virginia;  Susan  N.,  Samuel  Randol]>h, 
Trenton  Jackson,  Benjamin  P>anklin,  Dollie  Jane  and  Thomas  W. 

When  twenty-one  years  old  Thomas  W.  Crim  left  his  native  state  and 
came  to  Ohio,  in  .\pril,  1863,  locating  in  Champaign  county.  A  year  later 
he  enlisted  in  Company  B.  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Regiment.  Ohio 


838  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Volunteer  infantry,  but  he  was  prevented  from  active  service  by  illness  and 
was  discharged  in  October,  1864,  for  disability.  He  had  received  a  good 
education  and  took  up  teaching  upon  coming  to  Ohio,  which  work  he  re- 
sumed upon  his  reco\ery  and  he  followed  teaching  and  farming  in  Cham- 
paign county  until  1Q07,  since  which  time  he  has  lived  in  retirement  in 
Mechanicsburg.  On  November  12,  1863,  he  married  Mary  E.  Evans,  a 
native  of  Goshen  township,  this  county,  and  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
AIar\'  Ann  (Myers)  Evans,  both  natives  of  Loudon  county,  Viriginia,  but 
who  removed  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio  in  1836,  locating  in  Goshen 
township  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  They  had  six 
children.  Mrs.  Crim  being  the  second  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being- 
William  L.,  Jacob  T.,  Sarah  Alice,  James  S.  and  Melvina. 

To  Thomas  W.  Crim  and  wife  live  children  were  born,  namely :  Ella, 
wife  of  James  Woolford,  of  Urbana;  William  Burton,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  Elnora  C.  wife  of  Evan  Perry  of  Goshen  township;  Magdalena, 
who  is  at  home,  and  Samuel  E.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  grocery  business. 

William  B.  Crim  received  his  early  schooling  in  the  common  schools  of 
Goshen  township  and  later  attended  the  high  school  at  Mechanicsburg.  After 
leaving  school  he  taught  for  fifteen  years  in  the  public  schools  of  Goshen 
township  and  two  years  in  Rush  township,  and  since  1905  has  been  teaching  in 
Union  township,  spending  eight  years  of  that  period  at  Mutual.  In  1913 
he  was  elected  district  supervisor  of  schools,  the  duties  of  which  responsible 
and  exacting  position  he  has  continued  to  discharge  in  an  able,  faithful  and 
eminently  successful  manner,  doing  much  to  improve  the  schools  in  this  sec- 
tion, for  he  is  a  man  of  progressive  ideas  and  has  kept  well  abreast  of  the 
times  in  all  that  pertains  to  educational  matters.  He  has  also  remained  a 
diligent  student  and  is  one  of  the  most  proficient  educators  in  Champaign 
county.  During  his  long  years  of  teaching  his  services  have  been  in  great 
demand  and  he  has  been  popular  with  both  pupils  and  patrons.  He  has 
introduced  improved  and  modern  methods  in  the  schools  and  placed  iheni 
under  a  superb  system.  Through  his  efforts  quite  a  number  of  the  district 
schools  have  been  consolidated.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  county  board 
of  examiners  since  1905.  He  is  the  third  oldest  school  teacher,  in  point  of 
service,  in  Champaign  county,  having  taught  in  all  thirty-three  years. 

In  1893  M'"-  Crim  was  married  to  Kate  Woodward,  a  daughter  of  Keni]) 
and  Talitha  (Morse)  Woodward,  natives  of  Goshen  township,  this  county. 
Kemp  Woodward  died  in  1875  and  his  widow  married  William  Craig  and 
now  resides  on  a  farm  in  the  north  part  of  Goshen  township.  Two  children 
have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crim,  namelv :     Mabel  and  Harold. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  839 

Mr.  Crim  is  a  Republican.  He  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  for  four 
years,  making  an  excellent  record,  his  decisions  being  noted  for  their  fairness 
to  all  parties  concerned  and  showing  a  profound  knowledge  of  the  basic 
principles  of  jurisprudence.  He  belongs  to  the  local  lodge  of  the  Knights 
of  Pythias,  of  which  he  is  past  chancellor  commander.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Protestant  church,  in  which  he  is  a  deacon,  and  is  active  in  church 
work. 


WESLEY  BLAZER. 


Wesley  Blazer,  a  fanner  of  Union  township,  this  county,  was  born  on 
a  farm  in  Stony  Creek  township,  Madison  county,  Indiana,  April  25,  1862, 
a  son  of  Frank  and  Melissa  (Goul)  Blazer.  The  father  was  a  native  of 
Madison  county,  and  the  mother  of  Champaign  county,  but  they  were  mar- 
ried in  Madison  county.  Frank  Blazer  spent  his  life  in  his  native  county, 
where  he  followed  farming.  His  death  occurred  when  his  son  Wesley  was 
a  small  child.  Frank  Blazer  and  wife  had  five  children,  John,  Martha, 
AVesley.  Kate  and  Rachael. 

Wesley  Blazer  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  in  Madison  county.  He 
attended  the  rural  schools  there,  and  when  a  young  man  he  worked  as  a 
hand  on  the  home  place  until  1881,  in  which  year  he  came  to  Champaign 
county  and  hired  out  as  a  farm  hand  for  one  year,  then  returned  to  Mad- 
ison county  for  two  years,  then  again  came  to  Champaign  county.  After 
his  marriage  here  he  went  to  Harper  county,  Kansas,  where  he  resided  five 
years  on  a  fann.  then  returned  to  this  county  and  located  in  Goshen  town- 
ship, where  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand  one  year,  then  farmed  as  a  renter 
three  years.  He  then  lived  a  year  in  Indiana,  after  which  he  rented  a  farm 
for  two  3^ears  in  Goshen  township,  this  county.  He  then  bought  sixty-nine 
acres  in  Union  township  and  here  he  has  since  resided  and  has  been  suc- 
cessful as  a  general  farmer  and  stock  raiser.  He  has  added  to  his  original 
jjlace  until  he  now  owns  one  hundred  and  seven  and  one-half  acres,  all  of  ■ 
wliich  is  under  cultivation  except  a  few  acres  of  timber.  He  bought  the 
l)lace  in  1809.  He  has  kept  it  well  improved  and  has  a  comfortable  home 
and  good  outbuildings.  For  a  number  of  years  he  also  operated  a  saw-mill 
nrid  threshing-machine,  operating  the  latter  all  over  the  county. 

Mr.  Blazer  was  married  on  September  12.  t886,  to  Binnie  C.  McAdams. 
a  native  of  Union  townsln'p  and  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Jane  (Doak) 
AFc.X'Iams.  nati^-cs  of  Chrimpaign  county.     Mr.   McAdams  still  lives  on  the 


840  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

home  place.  Mrs.  Jane  U.  Ale  Adams  died  in  1865.  Samuel  Mc  Adams 
served  all  through  the  Civil  War,  enlisting-  from  Union  township. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Blazer  four  children  have  been  born,  namely :  John 
F.,  who  married  Jennie  Goul  and  has  two  children,  Lloyd  and  Mildred : 
Ada  Dell,  wife  of  Frank  Ogg;  Owen,  who  is  single  and  living  at  home,  and 
Charles,  who  died  at  the  age  of  five  weeks. 

Mr.  Blazer  is  a  Republican  and  was  formerly  a  member  of  the  local 
school  board.  FTe  belongs  to  the  Junior  Order  nf  .Vmerican  Mechanics, 
and  is  now  ser\-ing  as  trustee  of  that  (irder.  He  belongs  to  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church. 


ELMER  E.   POWELL. 


Elmer  E.  Powell,  a  farmer  of  LTnion  township.  Champaign  count}', 
was  born  in  Mad  River  township,  this  county.  September  9,  1861,  a  .son 
of  .Samuel  T.  and  Mary  E.  (Talbott)  Powell,  both  natives  of  Mad  River 
township.  There  the  father  grew  to  manhood,  attended  school,  and  engaged 
in  general  farming  until  he  retired  from  active  life  and  moved  to  Urbana, 
where  his  death  occurred  in  1905.  His  widow  is  still  living  there.  The 
father  of  Samuel  Powell  immigrated  to  Champaign  county  in  an  early  day 
and  was  one  of  the  ])ioneers  of  Mad  River  township,  where  he  spent  the 
rest  of  his  life. 

Elmer  E.  Powell  grew  to  manhood  at  L'rbana,  and  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  there.  After  leaving  school  he  worked  at  Urbana  in  the  hay 
and  grain  business,  until  he  was  married;  then,  in  March,  1893,  took  up 
farming  in  Union  township,  and  has  continued  fanning  with  gratifying- 
results  to  the  present  time.  He  is  now  farming  on  an  extensive  scale,  oper- 
ating about  six  hundred  acres.  He  raises  large  quantities  of  grain  which 
he  feeds  to  livestock,  preparing  a  number  of  carloads  of  cattle  and  hogs 
for  the  market  each  year,  and  for  twenty-five  years  he  has  been  a  prominent 
breeder  of  race  horses,  keeping  some  of  the  best  stock  in  this  section  of 
the  state.  He  is  an  exceptionally  good  judge  of  live  stock  of  all  kinds, 
especially  horses,  and  has  owned  such  notable  horses  as  "Robert  Milton,"* 
2:08^4;  'A^andola,"  2:09^,  and  "Kitty  Kingston,"  2:161-4,  ^is  well  as 
\'arious  other  fine  horses,  including  "Sir  Milton,"  2:0514;  "Florence  Stan- 
ton," 2:1314;  "Lady  Espy,"  2:i5V|;  "Dorcas  Moore.  2:14^4:  "Lucile  V.." 
2:10^;  "Edna  the  Great,"  2:1514;  "Angle  Berry,"  2:104,  and  "Aha  W.,"' 
2:083^.  Mr.  Powell's  fine  horses  are  always  greatly  admired  by  all  who 
see  them,  and  he  has  gained  a  national  reputation  in  his  line,  being  one  of 
the  best-known  horsemen  in  the  cotmtrv.     He  has  exhibited  his  fine  stock 


CHAMPAIGN    C<U-NTY.    OHIO.  84  r 

throughout  the  state,  is  one  of  the  best  of  the  present-day  drivers  and  has 
traveled  a  great  many  of  the  race  circuits  in  the  United  States.  PoHticalh". 
Mr.  Powell  is  a  Republican. 

On  ^larch  24,  1893,  Elmer  E.  PoAvell  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Carrie  J.  Grain,  daughter  of  James  L.  and  Martha  Ann  (Todd)  Grain,  of 
this  county,  both  now  deceased,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  this  county 
and  the  latter  in  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  fourteen  miles  from  tlie 
city  of  Harrisburg,  the  capital  of  that  state.  James  E.  Grain  was  born  on 
Pretty  Prairie,  in  L^rbana  township,  this  county,  son  of  Lewis  Fisher  Grain, 
who  was  born  near  Flemingsburg,  Kentucky.  Lewis  Fisher  Grain  married 
Glara  Phifer,  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  then  came  to  Ohio,  spending-  the 
rest  of  his  life  in  this  part  of  the  state.  He  died  in  1834  and  his  widow 
died  in  185Q.  They  were  the  parents  of  eig-ht  children.  James  L.  Grain 
died  on  March  26,  1904.  His  wife  had  preceded  him  to  the  grave  eight 
years  before,  lacking  one  da}-,  lier  death  having  occurred  on  March  25, 
1896.  They  were  the  parents  of  live  children,  of  whom  but  two  are  now- 
living-,  Mrs.  Powell  having  a  sister.  Miss  Glara  A.  Grain.  Mrs.  Lucinda  J. 
Espy,  of  Grand  Rapids,  Michigan,  and  Mrs.  Louise  G.  Phleger.  of  Springfield, 
this  state,  are  sisters  of  the  late  James  L.   Grain. 


R.   M.  WERDELL. 

R.  M.  Werdell,  manager  of  the  Urbana  Ganning  Gompany  at  Urbana, 
was  born  in  Pickaway  county,  Ohio,  December  17,  1868,  a  son  of  John 
and  Mary  (Glearwater)  Werdell,  the  former  a  native  of  England  and  the 
latter  of  Pennsylvania.  John  Werdell  immigrated  to  the  United  States  when 
a  young  man  and  settled  in  the  state  of  New  York,  where  he  worked  out  as 
a  farm  hand  for  some  time,  later  moving  to  Ohio  and  locating  in  Pickawa)' 
count}',  where  he  married  and  bought  a  farm,  on  which  he  spent  the  rest 
of  his  life,  dying  in  1914,  at  an  advanced  age.  His  wife  died  in  1881. 
They  were  parents  of  nine  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is 
the  only  one  living  in  Ghampaign  county. 

R.  M.  Werdell  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Pickaway  count}-. 
where  he  worked  during  the  summer  months.  He  received  his  education 
in  the  rural  schools,  and  after  leaving  school  continued  farming  with  Iiis 
father  for  a  short  time,  then  worked  on  the  railroad  for  three  years,  after 
which  he  returned  to  farming  and  rented  a  place  for  two  years.  He  then 
engaged  in  the  carriage  manufacturing  business  for  a  short  time  and  then 
became   connected   with   the   canning   factory   business   at   Gircleville,   Ohio, 


842  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

remaining  there  until  1904,  in  which  }'ear  he  located  in  Urbana  and  helped 
to  organize  the  McCoy  Canning  Company,  with  which  he  remained  until 
1916,  when  he  resigned,  and  in  March,  191 7,  became  manager  of  the  Urbana 
Canning  Company,  and  is  now  operating  the  same  with  his  usual  industry 
and  success,  building  up  a  large  and  satisfactory  business  and  equipping  the 
plant  with  the  most  modern  devices  for  rapid  and  high  grade  work.  He 
understands  the  canning  business  thoroughly. 

In  1899  Mr.  Werdell  was  married  to  Mary  Catherine  Reid,  a  daughter 
of  Andrew  and  Catherine  Reid,  and  to  this  union  three  children  have  been 
Ijorn,  Elouise,  Delmar  and  Elden.  Mr.  Werdell  is  an  independent  voter. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


PEARL  S.  HANNA. 


Pearl  S.  Hanna,  a  well-known  farmer  of  Mad  River  township,  this 
county,  living  on  rural  mail  route  No.  i,  out  of  Tremont,  was  born  in  that 
township  on  March  23,  1878,  son  of  C.  B.  and  Margaret  (Nichols)  Hanna, 
who  are  now  living  retired  at  Urbana.  C.  B.  Hanna  was  born  in  Virginia. 
a  son  of  Chyle  Hanna  and  wife,  who  came  into  Ohio  during  the  Civil  War 
period,  later  returning  to  Virginia,  but  after  a  while  came  back  into  Ohio 
and  became  residents  of  Champaign  county,  where  C.  B.  Hanna  grew  to 
manhood  and  married,  settling  on  a  farm  in  Mad  River  township,  moving 
thence,  after  a  while  to  a  farm  in  Concord  township,  wdiere  he  remained  until 
his  retirement  and  removal  to  Urbana  in  1916.  To  him  and  his  wife  two 
children  were  born,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having  had  a  brother,  Emmet 
Hanna,  who  died  when  twenty-three  years  of  age. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm.  Pearl  S.  Hanna  received  his  schooling  in 
the  .schools  of  Concord  township  and  after  his  marriage  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
two  years  settled  on  a  farm  in  Concord  townshii).  where  he  remained  until 
1911,  when  he  moved  to  the  farm  on  which  he  is  now  living,  in  Mad  River 
township,  and  where  he  and  his  family  are  very  comfortabh  situated.  .Mr. 
Planna  is  a  Republican  and  gives  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  political 
affairs,  but  has  not  been  a  seeker  after  public  office. 

On  June  6,  1900,  Pearl  S.  Hanna  was  united  in  marriage  to  Zalia  IV 
Offenbacher,  who  w^as  born  in  Concord  township,  this  county,  and  to  this 
union  three  children  have  been  born.  Homer,  born  on  March  28.  1904;  Lucile, 
July  4,  1907,  and  Warren,  December  11,  1908.  The  Plannas  have  a  pleasant 
home  in  Mad  River  township  and  take  a  proper  interest  in  the  general  social 
activities  of  their  home  neighborhood. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  843 

WILLIAM  A.  BRAND. 

No  volume  of  biography  in  Champaign  county  would  be  complete  with- 
out fitting  reference  to  the  life  and  the  services  to  this  community  of  Will- 
iam A.  Brand,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  formerly  and  for 
years  editor  of  the  old  Urhana  Citizen  and  Gazette  and  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  in  the  spring  of  1879,  postmaster  of  Urbana,  for  he  was  for  years 
one  of  the  leaders  in  all  proper  movements  hereabout,  a  man  of  large  in- 
fluence in  civic  and  social  affairs  and  a  citizen  who  ever  had  the  welfare 
of  the  public  very  close  to  his  heart;  so  that  at  his  passing  he  left  a  good 
memory,  a  memory  still  precious  to  the  old  settlers  of  this  county  and  to 
which  the  biographer  here  pays  passing  tribute  in  order  that  the  present 
generation  may  know  something  of  the  life  and  character  of  this  brave  soldier 
and  fearless  editor. 

William  A.  Brand  was  a  native  son  of  Champaign  count)-  and  here 
spent  all  his  life  save  those  hard  and  trying  years  spent  in  the  service  of 
his  country  in  camp  and  on  the  battle  fields  of  the  South  during  the  days 
of  the  Civil  War.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Union  township,  July  9. 
1837,  a  son  of  Joseph  C.  and  Lavina  (Talbot)  Brand,  the  former  a  native 
of  Kentucky  and  the  latter  of  Virginia,  for  many  years  regarded  as  among 
the  most  influential  residents  of  this  county  and  further  and  fitting  mention 
of  whom  is  made  in  a  memorial  sketch  of  Major  Joseph  C.  Brand,  presented 
elsewhere  in  this  volume,  together  with  additional  details  concerning  the 
Brand  family  in  this  county  and  some  interesting  genealogical  data  along 
that  line.  When  William  A.  Brand  was  but  a  boy  his  parents  moved  from 
the  farm  to  Urbana  and  there  he  received  his  early  schooling.  Upon  com- 
pleting the  course  in  the  public  schools  he  entered  Ohio  Wesleyan  Universit}' 
at  Delaware  and  after  a  comprehensive  course  there  took  up  the  study  of 
law  under  the  able  preceptorship  of  Judge  John  H.  James  and  there  quali- 
fied for  entrance  to  the  Cincinnati  Law  School,  from  which  he  was  gradu- 
ated in  1858.  Shortly  afterward  he  formed  a  partnership  for  the  practice 
of  his  profession  with  Hon.  Moses  Corwin  and  that  mutually  agreeable 
arrangement  continued  until  the  latter's  death.  On  July  12,  1859,  Mr. 
Brand  was  united  in  marriage  to  Frances  R.  Saxton,  daughter  of  Joshua 
Saxton,  founder  of  the  Citizen  and  Gazette,  now  known  as  the  Urhana 
Daily  Citizen,  and  established  his  home  at  Urbana,  where  he  was  living, 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  the  law,  when  the  Civil  W^ar  broke  out. 

Responding  to   the   call    of   the   President    for   volunteers,    Mr.    Brand 


844  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

enlisted  tor  service  with  the  Sixty-sixth  Regiment,  Ohio  Vohniteer  Infantry. 
which  his  father,  Major  Brand,  had  helped  to  organize,  and  in  January. 
1862,  accompanied  that  regiment  to  the  field.  He  served  with  that  com- 
mand in  every  campaign  in  which  it  engaged  and  was  gradually  promotetl 
until  he  attained  the  rank  of  regimental  quartermaster,  which  commission 
he  resigned  after  the  declaration  of  peace  and  while  the  regiment  was  at 
Washington  waiting  to  he  mustered  out.  During  his  long  service  at  the 
front  Mr.  Brand  was  a  regular  correspondent  of  one  of  the  home  papers, 
writing,  under  the  anagramatic  iioui  de  plume  of  "D.  N.  Arbaw,"  truthful 
and  graphic  description  of  some  of  the  most  important  campaigns  and 
battles  of  the  war,  a  historical  service  that  was  greatly  appreciated  by  the 
readers  of  that  paper  and  which  was  regarded  as  so  valuable  a  review  of 
the  war  from  the  view  point  of  the  talented  correspondent  that  his  articles 
were  widely  copied  by  the  newspapers  of  the  state.  The  experience  gained 
in  that  service  fitted  Mr.  Brand  for  a  further  service,  which  he  entered 
upon  some  years  after  his  return  from  the  army — that  of  compiling  a  his- 
tory of  some  of  the  more  important  campaigns  in  which  he  had  participated, 
and  a  portion  of  this  valuable  extension  of  his  war-time  letters  had  been 
prepared  and  published  at  the  time  of  his  death;  it  being  a  matter  of  lasting- 
regret  among  his  Grand  Army  comrades  and  the  public  at  large  that  he 
did  not  live  to  complete  the  peculiarly  illuminating  series. 

Upon  his  return  from  the  army  Mr.  Brand  decided  to  turn  his  talents 
to  newspaper  work  and  to  that  end  purchased  a  half  interest  in  the  Citiscn 
and  Ga:iCtte  and  in  association  with  his  father-in-law,  Joshua  Saxton,  be- 
came editor  of  that  sterling  old  publication,  a  service  he  continued  until 
his  death  and  in  connection  with  which  service  he  became  an  invaluable 
personal  factor  in  the  promotion  of  the  cause  of  the  Republican  party  in 
this  count}-  rmd  throughout  the  state,  his  strong  editorial  influence  making 
of  his  paper  one  of  the  most  influential  organs  of  that  party  in  the  state. 
In  the  latter  seventies  Mr.  Brand's  health  began  to  fail  and  thinking  a 
change  from  his  long  and  arduous  editorial  labors  might  prove  beneficial 
he  accepted  a  commission  as  postmaster  of  Urbana,  the  first  and  only  civil 
office  he  ever  held  (for  he  had  never  aspired  to  public  office,  ever  feeling 
that  his  duties  as  an  editor  were  more  imperative  than  any  others  that 
could  be  imposed),  and  he  entered  upon  the  duties  of  that  office  in  Jan- 
uary, 1878,  and  was  serving  as  postmaster  of  Urbana  at  the  time  of  his 
death  on  May  14,  1879,  he  then  lacking  a  little  less  than  two  months  of 
being  forty-two  years  of  age. 

No  man  of  his  period  was  held  in  higher  regard  in  Urbana  and  through- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  845 

out  this  county  than  was  William  A.  Brand  and  when  the  local  post  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  was  organized  in  Urbana  in  the  eighties  that 
post  was  given  the  name  it  still  bears,  in  his  honor  and  as  a  fitting  tribute 
to  his  memory  on  behalf  of  his  comrades.  As  a  man,  William  A.  Brand 
was  chivalrous,  generous,  charitable  and  high-minded  and  was  a  friend  to 
all,  a  constant  and  consistent  promoter  of  all  good  works.  He  was  active 
in  the  work  of  several  of  the  local  fraternal  organizations  and  was  a  rec- 
ognized leader  in  all  with  which  he  was  connected.  He  had  served  as  the 
great  sachem  for  the  state  of  Ohio  of  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men, 
was  a  past  chancellor  commander  of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  was  prominent  in  the  ranks  of  the  Odd  Fellows,  a  member  of  the 
encampment  of  that  order,  and  was  a  past  master  of  the  Ancient  Order 
of  United  Mechanics. 


AMAZIAH  J.  McCOLLY. 

The  late  Amaziah  J.  McCoUy,  who  died  at  his  home  in  Wayne  town- 
ship, this  county,  March  3,  1891,  was  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  lived  in  this 
state  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Logan 
on  March  8,  1847,  son  of  John  and  Margaret  McColly,  the  former  of  whom 
was  born  in  that  same  county  and  the  latter  in  the  state  of  Virginia,  she 
having  come  to  Ohio  with  her  parents  in  the  days  of  her  youth,  the  family 
settling  in  Logan  county.  John  McColly  died  in  1877  and  his  widow  sur- 
vived until  1886.  They  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  of  whom  four 
are  still  living,  namely:  James,  of  Hartford  City,  Indiana;  Anna,  widow 
of  WilHam  Johnson,  who  is  now  Hving  at  Mansfield,  this  state;  Etta,  widow 
of  John  Jones,  of  Huntington,  Indiana,  and  Wellington,  of  this  county. 

Amaziah  J.  McColly  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Logan  county 
and  remained  a  farmer  all  his  life.  He  received  his  schooling  in  the  schools 
of  the  neighborhood  of  his  home  and  remained  at  home  until  his  marriage 
in  the  fall  of  1870,  when  he  located  on  the  farm  on  which  his  widow  is  no\^ 
living  in  Wayne  township,  this  county,  and  there  he  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life,  one  of  the  progressive  and  well-to-do  farmers  of  that  neighbor- 
hood, his  death  occurring,  as  noted  above,  on  March  3,  1891.  Mr.  McColly 
was  an  ardent  Republican  and  took  an  active  interest  in  political  affairs,  ever 
doing  his  part  as  a  good  citizen  to  promote  the  cause  of  good  government 
in  the  community  in  which  he  lived,  and  was  for  many  years  director  of 


846  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

schools  in  his  home  district.  Fraternally,  he  was  affiliated  with  the  local 
lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at  Cable  and  took  an  active 
interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  organization,  as  well  as  in  the  general  affairs 
of  the  communit}^ 

On  September  i,  1870,  Amaziah  J.  AIcColl}-  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Cinderella  Wilson,  who  was  born  on  the  farm  on  which  she  is  now  living, 
in  Wayne  township,  this  county,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Lockey  Wilson, 
the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  on  April  4,  1802,  and  the 
latter,  in  Adams  county,  this  state,  August  9,  1807.  Thomas  Wilson  was 
married  in  Adams  county  and  in  1830  he  and  his  wife  came  to  this  county 
and  settled  on  the  farm  on  which  Mrs.  McColIy  is  now  living  in  Wayne 
township,  starting  their  housekeeping  in  a  double  log  house  he  erected  in  a 
clearing  there,  and  set  about  the  difficult  task  of  clearing  a  farm  in  the  woods. 
In  1845  he  erected  the  brick  house  which  still  serves  as  a  residence  on  the 
place,  burning  the  lime  and  the  bricks  for  the  same  on  the  place,  and  there 
he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  useful  and  influential 
pioneers  of  that  neighborhood,  Thomas  W^ilson  dying  in  December,  1873, 
his  widow  surviving  until  July  3,  1879.  They  were  members  of  the  Baptist 
church,  holding  membership  first  in  the  Kings  Creek  church,  then  in  the 
church  at  Middleton  and  later  at  Mingo,  and  ever  took  an  interested  part  in 
church  work,  Mr.  Wilson  for  years  serving  as  a  deacon.  Politically,  he  was 
a  Democrat  Pie  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  of  whom 
Mrs.  McCoUy  was  the  eighth  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow ; 
James,  who  married  Marietta  W^ilson  and  spent  his  last  days  on  his  farm 
in  Wayne  township;  Hiram,  also  now  deceased,  who  married  Maria  Barley 
and  lived  on  the  old  homestead  place;  William,  also  now  deceased,  who 
married  Macy  Winder  and  lived  in  Wayne  township;  Catherine,  who  mar- 
ried Washington  Wilson  and  died  at  Laporte,  Indiana ;  Isaac,  who  was  a 
.soldier  of  the  Union  during  the  Civil  War,  serving  as  a  member  of  the  One 
Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  who 
died  unmarried;  David,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years;  Plannah, 
widow  of  Charles  McColly,  who  is  now  living  at  North  Lewisburg,  and 
Margaret,  who  died  at  the  age  of  six  years.  Charles  McColly,  who,  mar- 
ried Hannah  Wilson,  was  a  well-known  farmer  of  Wayne  township,  who 
died  on  April  14,  1913.  During  the  Civil  War  he  served  for  three  years  and 
eleven  days  as  a  member  of  Com])any  E,  Ninety-iifth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  and  after  the  war  settled  on  a  farm  in  Wayne  township.  He 
and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  three  children,  John,  who  died  in  1873,  at 
the  age  of  six  years:  Pena,  wife  of  John  MoKillip,  cif  Brooklyn.  New  York, 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  847 

and  Albert,  a  farmer  and  stockman,  of  Rush  township.  Albert  McCoUy  has 
been  twice  married,  his  first  wife  having  been  Victoria  Bates  and  his  second, 
Maude  Enoch,  and  has  two  children,  Irene  and  Charles. 

Of  the  three  children  born  to  Amaziah  J.  and  Cinderella  (Wilson) 
McColly,  William  R.  and  Isaac  Green  are  still  living.  William  R.  McCollv 
was  born  on  the  old  homestead  in  W^ayne  township  on  July  i,  1871,  and  is 
now^  farming  the  home  place.  He  is  a  member  of  the  local  lodge  of  the 
Knights  of  Pythias.  He  has  two  children.  Ruth  Lucile  and  Don.  Isaac 
G.  McColly  was  born  on  April  18,  1875,  and  has  been  engaged  in  farming- 
all  his  life,  in  addition  to  which  he  also  operates  a  threshing-rig  in  season. 
He  married  Edna  Grubb  and  has  two  children,  Walter  D.  and  Dorothy 
Dale.  Another  child,  Irene,  died  at  the  age  of  eleven  vears.  Mrs.  Cinderella 
McColly  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church  and  has  ever  taken  an  interested 
part  in  church  work,  as  well  as  in  the  general  good  works  of  her  home 
community  and  in  the  general  social  activities  of  the  neighborhood,  helpful 
in  numerous  ways  in  promoting  the  general  welfare  of  the  community  in 
which  she  has  li^•ed  all  her  life. 


TOHN  M.  DILTZ. 


John  M.  Diltz,  a  farmer  of  Union  township,  this  county,  was  born  in 
the  locality  where  he  still  resides  and  has  been  content  to  spend  his  life  in 
his  own  community.  He  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Millage)  Diltz,  the 
father  a  native  of  West  Liberty,  Union  county,  Ohio,  and  the  mother,  of 
Rush  township,  Champaign  county.  When  fourteen  years  old  Joseph  Diltz 
came  to  Champaign  county  and  worked  out  as  a  farm  hand  until  the 
breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Sixty-sixth 
Regiment,  Ohio  A^olunteer  Tnfantr} ,  in  which  command  he  served  for  four 
\ears  and  eleven  months,  during  which  he  took  part  in  many  of  the  leading 
battles  of  the  war  and  he  was  regarded  by  his  comrades  and  ofificers  as  a 
brave,  efficient  and  loyal  soldier  for  the  Union.  He  was  a  prisoner  for  five 
months  at  Andersonville.  Georgia,  and  was  also  a  prisoner  for  some  time 
at  Wilmington,  North  Carolina.  Antietam  was  one  of  the  principal  engage- 
ments he  was  in.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  honorably  discharged  and 
returned  to  Champaign  countv  and  turned  his  attention  to  farming  in  Union 
township,  remaining  there  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  July  29,  1910. 
at  an  advanced  age.     He  had  lieen  successful  as  a  general  farmer  and  tor)k 


848  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

ail  interest  in  the  affairs  of  his  neighborhood.     His  faniih-  consisted  of  hve 
children,  three  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely :    Joseph,  Elmer  and  John. 

John  Diltz  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Union  townshi[), 
this  county,  where  he  worked  when  he  becam.e  of  proper  age.  and  in  the 
winter  time  he  attended  the  rural  schools  in  his  district.  When  a  young  man 
he  worked  out  as  a  farm  hand  for  some  time.  Upon  the  death  of  his  father 
he  took  over  the  home  place  of  sevent3'-two  acres,  which  he  has  since  operated, 
keeping  it  well  cultivated  and  well  improved.  He  was  married  in  19 12  to 
Elizabeth  Perry,  a  daughter  of  George  Perry  and  wife.  Politically,  he  is 
a  Republican. 


WILLIAM   I.  ABBOTT. 


William  J.  Abbott,  for  many  years  one  of  Concord  township's  besr- 
Ivnovvn  and  most  substantial  farmers,  now  living  retired  at  Urbana,  is  a 
native  of  the  neighboring  county  of  Shelby,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  this 
county  since  he  was  nine  years  of  age.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  S.helbv 
county  on  January  17,  1836,  son  of  James  and  Susan  (Slusser)  Abbott,  the 
former  a  native  of  the  state  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  latter  of  this  state. 

James  Abbott  was  the  son  of  William  and  Catherine  Abbott,  also  natives 
of  Pennsylvania,  who  came  over  into  this  section  of  Ohio  in  the  early  days 
of  the  settlement  of  the  same  and  for  some  years  thereafter  operated  a  tavern 
north  of  Sidney,  later  moving  to  a  farm  near  St.  Paris,  but  still  later  return- 
ing to  Shelby  county,  where  they  spent  their  last  days.  William  Abbott  and 
wife  were  the  parents  of  five  children.  James  Abbott  was  but  a  child  when 
he  came  to  this  state  with  his  parents  and  he  grew  to  manhood  on  the  paternal 
farm  in  Shelby  county.  There  he  married  Susan  Slusser,  who  died  in  iS^^j. 
leaving  two  sons,  John  and  the  subject  of  this  biographical  sketch.  John 
Abbott  served  through  the  Civil  War  as  a  member  of  the  Sixty-sixth  Regi- 
ment, Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  later  became  a  substantial  farmer.  He 
married  Ella  Kiser,  who  after  his  death  in  1875,  married  a  Mr.  Bear  and  is 
now  living  at  Lena,  this  state.  After  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  James  Abbott 
married  Matilda  Veach,  of  Virginia,  and  in  1845  came  over  into  Champaign 
county  and  settled  on  a  farm  north  of  St.  Paris,  where  he  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  By  his  second  marriage  he  was  the  father  of  five  children,  nrunely  : 
Catherine,  who  married  Jerry  Carmony  and  after  his  death  married  a  Mr. 
Houton,  who  also  is  now  deceased:  Jesse,  a  veteran  of  the  Ci\il  War,  wIid 


^w^^ 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  849 

iiiarried  .Vngeline  Evingham  and  whose  last  days  were  spent  at  Millerstown, 
where  he  was  engaged  as  a  blacksmith;  Margaret,  who  is  now  living  near 
Millerstown,  widow  of  David  Kessler;  Harriet,  who  married  Doctor  Tait 
and  is  now  deceased,  and  David,  also  now  deceased,  who  married  Jennie 
Jenkins  and  was  a  farmer  near  Millerstown.  James  Abbott  was  a  Whig  in 
his  political  affiliation  and  by  religious  persuasion  was  a  member  of  the 
Reformed  church. 

As  noted  above,  William  J.  Abbott  was  but  nine  years  of  age  when  his 
father  moved  to  this  county  and  he  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  iti  the  vicinity 
of  St.  Paris.  He  completed  his  schooling  at  the  Delaware  Academy  and 
at  the  age  of  nineteen  years  began  to  teach  school  and  was  thus  engaged, 
during  the  v/inters,  for  twelve  years.  In  the  meantime,  in  1877,  he  bought  a 
farm  of  se\'enty-nine  acres  in  Concord  township  and  after  his  marriage  in 
the  spring  of  1878  established  his  home  there  and  continued  to  reside  there, 
actively  engaged  in  farming,  until  191 1,  when  he  retired  from  the  farm  and 
moved  to  Urbana,  \\here  he  is  now  living,  very  comfortably  situated.  Mr. 
Abbott  is  a  Republican  and  during  his  residence  on  the  farm  was  for  many 
years  a  member  of  the  school  board  in  his  local  district. 

It  w^as  on  May  13,  1858,  that  William  J.  Abbott  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Emily  V.  Compton,  who  was  born  at  Harper's  Ferry,  Virginia,  in  1840. 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Susanna  (Weer)  Compton,  of  Virginia.  Samuel 
Compton  was  a  carpenter.  He  died  in  the  city  of  Baltimore  and  his  widow 
and  her  six  children  in  1852  came  to  Ohio  and  located  in  Concord  town- 
ship, this  county,  where  she  spent  the  remainder  of  her  life,  her  death  occur- 
ring at  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Abbott  in  her  eighty-third  year.  Of  the 
six  children  of  Samuel  Compton  and  wife  above  referred  to,  Mrs.  Abbott 
was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow :  George  IL, 
deceased;  David  H.,  who  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Ft.  Donelson,  Tennessee, 
while  serving  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union  during  the  Civil  War;  Samuel,  a 
^■eteran  of  the  Civil  War,  and  Ann  and  James,  who  died  unmarried. 

To  William  J.  and  Emily  V.  (Compton)  Abbott  ten  children  were  born, 
namely :  Charles,  who  is  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business  at  Chicago ;  John 
H.,  a  farmer  in  Concord  township,  this  county;  Anna  M.,  who  married  W. 
S.  Wilson,  of  Concord  township:  Minnie,  wife  of  Dr.  W.  H.  Hinkle,  of 
DeGraff;  Emma  Maude,  wife  of  D.  H.  Taylor,  of  Urbana;  Oney  J.,  wife 
of  Dr.  C.  E.  Stadler,  of  Lima ;  Walter,  deceased ;  William,  deceased ;  Ora. 
wife  of  Dr.  T.  E.  Barger,  of  Urbana,  and  Chester  P.,  a  farmer  in  Concord 
to\vn-hip.  Mrs.  Abbott  died  on  February  12,  1917. 
f54a~) 


850  CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY,    OJIIU. 

SAMUEL  J.  ROB]  XSOX. 

Samuel  J.  Robinson,  a  well-known  l)lack.sn]itli  and  manufacturer  at 
Mechanicsburg,  is  a  native  of  New  York  state,  l)ut  has  lieen  a  resident 
of  Ohio  since  he  was  three  or  four  years  of  age  and  of  Champaign  count\- 
since  he  was  seven  years  of  age,  having  come  to  this  county  with  his 
parents  from  Cincinnati  in  ]86i.  He  was  liorn  on  Se])tember  j6,  1854.  son 
of  James  A.  and  Margaret  (Sullivan)  Robinson,  the  former  of  whom  was 
a  native  of  Ireland,  born  at  Stewartstown,  County  Armagh,  in  1815,  and 
who  grew  tip  there,  becoming  a  stonemason,  remaining  in  his  native  land 
until  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age.  when  he  came  to  this  country  and 
located  in  New  York  City.  Not  long  after  coming  to  America.  James  A. 
Robinson  married,  in  New  York,  Margaret  Sulli\an,  and  after  his  marriage 
continued  to  make  his  home  in  that  state  until  1858.  in  that  year  he  moxed 
with  his  family  to  Cincinnati,  where  he  rem;iined  until  1861.  When  lie 
came  to  Champaign  county,  he  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  imniedi;Ue  \  icinit\ 
of  Mechanicsburg,  living  there  until  his  retirement  from  the  farm  and  re- 
moval to  Mechanicsburg.  where  he  bought  a  home  and  where  he  spent  llie 
remainder  of  his  life.  He  was  a  Republican.  He  and  his  wife  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  which  faith  they  reared  their  eight 
children,  of  whom  six  are  still  living,  those  besides  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
being  as  follow:  Mary  J.,  wife  of  W.  R.  Ta}'lor;  lilizabeth  _\.,  wife  of 
S.  F.  Snyder;  Lucy  E..  widow  of  Henry  Waldron ;  Klla.  wife  of  Josejih 
Boler,  and  William,  of  Springfield,  this  state. 

As  noted  above,  Samuel  J.  Robnson  was  Imt  a  small  child  when  he 
came  to  Ohicj  with  his  parents  from  New  York  and  was  about  seven  year> 
of  age  when  the  family  moved  from  Cincinnati  to  .Mechanicsburg.  Me 
grew  to  manhood  at  the  latter  place,  receiving  his  early  education  in  the 
local  schools.  When  tw^enty  years  of  age,  he  began  to  learn  the  trade  of 
blacksmith  in  the  shop  of  J.  N.  Shawl  at  Mechanicsl)urg,  and  was  engaged 
in  that  shop  for  fourteen  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  bought  tlie 
place  from  the  proprietor.  Later  he  sold  that  shop  and  then  built  the 
well-established  place  just  at  the  edge  of  the  corporation  line  which  he  since 
has  been  conducting  and  in  the  operation  of  which  he  has  been  quite  suc- 
cessful. In  addition  to  his  general  blacksmithing,  Mr.  ivol)inson  does  (|uile 
a  business  in  the  manufacture  of  combination  racks  and  is  doing  very  well. 
Mr.  Robinson  is  a  Republican  and  takes  a  good  citizen's  interest  in  jjublic 
affairs,  but  has  not  been  a  seeker  after  of^ce. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  85 1 

On  March  30,  1879,  Samuel  J.  Robinson  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Minnie  Owen,  who  was  born  in  Mechanicsburg-.  To  this  union  five  children 
have  been  born,  namely:  Cherry  A.,  wife  of  Z.  E.  Rutan;  Nelhe,  wife 
of  J.  W.  Lanon;  J.  Bruce,  who  married  Lulu  Neer  and  is  engaged  in  the 
blacksmithing  business  with  his  father;  Effie  E.,  wife  of  Clay  Rutan,  and 
Nancy  B..  who  is  at  home  with  her  parents.  The  Robinsons  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Protestant  church.  Mr.  Robinson  is  a  member  of  the 
local  lodges  of  the  Masons  and  the  Odd  Fellows,  being  past  noble  grand 
of  the  latter  lodge,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  local  lodge 
of  the  Daughters  of  Rebekah. 


AMASA  T.  CORBET. 


Amasa  T.  Corbet,  a  farmer  of  Wayne  township,  was  born  on  the  old 
homestead  near  Brush  Lake,  Rush  township,  this  county,  July  4,  1849,  ^  son 
of  Amasa  and  Experience  (Walburn)  Corbet.  The  father  was  born  in 
the  state  of  New  York,  but  his  parents  brought  him  to  Champaign  county, 
Ohio,  when  he  was  a  child,  the  family  locating  in  the  wilderness  near  Brush 
Lake,  where  they  began  life  in  true  pioneer  fashion  and  cleared  and  de- 
veloped a  farm.  The  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  had  one  brother, 
who  died  when  eight  years  of  age,  and  one  sister,  Julia,  who  married 
James  Bay,  of  Bloomington,  Illinois.  John  and  Matilda  Walburn,  the  ma- 
ternal grandparents  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  were  also  pioheers  of 
Goshen  township,  this  county,  spending  the  rest  of  their  lives  on  a  farm 
there.  They  had  three  children,  namely :  Experience,  mother  of  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch;  a  daughter,  and  John. 

Amasa  Corbet,  Sr.,  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Rush  town- 
ship. He  received  an  excellent  education  in  the  home  schools,  and  he  lived 
at  home  until  his  marriage.  He  devoted  his  life  to  general  farming  in 
Rush  township,  dying  there  in  September,  1861,  at  the  age  of  fifty-eight 
vears.  His  wife  also  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-eight,  January  6,  1863.  The}- 
were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  first,  but  later  joined  the 
Methodist  Protestant  church.  Politically,  he  was  a  Republican.  To  these 
parents  ten  children  were  born,  namely :  David,  who  married  Lorenda 
Stowe,  located  on  a  farm  in  Rush  township  and  died  there  in  May,  1892; 
John,  who  engaged  in  farming  near  North  Lewisburg,  this  county,  married 
J^lizabeth    Jordan :    Lewis,    who    first    married    Marinda    Bonsel,    and    later 


852  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Rosanna  Good  and  established  his  home  on  a  farm  in  Rush  township;  Ohve, 
who  married  John  Swisher,  a  farmer  of  Rush  township ;  Martha,  who  mar- 
ried Oliver  Colweh  and  who,  as  well  as  her  husband,  is  deceased;  Benjamin, 
who  married  Susan  Swisher  and  farmed  for  some  time  in  Champaign  county, 
finally  moving  to  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  where  he  died;  William,  a  former 
farmer  and  teacher  of  Wayne  township,  Champaign  county,  who  married 
Sarah  Wilson,  and  who  as  well  as  his  wife,  is  now  deceased;  Marion,  whu 
married  Rebecca  Wilson  and  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Wayne  township; 
Mary  Eliza,  who  died  when  three  years  of  age.  and  x\niasa  T.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch. 

Amasa  T.  Corbet  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  received 
his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  township  and  in  Urbana.  He 
remained  on  the  home  farm  until  the  death  of  his  parents,  working  on 
the  farm  during  the  crop  seasons.  He  followed  school  teaching  for  a  period 
of  thirteen  years,  in  Rush  and  Wayne  townships,  also  in  Cable  and  Mid- 
dleton,  giving  eminent  satisfaction  to  both  pupils  and  patrons,  ranking  among 
the  popular  and  efficient  educators  of  the  county  during  that  period,  and 
his  services  were  in  demand. 

On  October  17,  1869.  Amasa  T.  Corbet  married  Nancy  J.  Wilson,  who 
was  born  in  Wayne  township,  this  county,  July  i,  1841,  a  daughter  of 
David  K.  and  Elizabeth  (Creamer)  Wilson,  both  natives  of  Clark  county. 
Ohio.  The  Wilsons  came  to  Champaign  county  about  1839,  locating  in 
Wayne  township,  where  they  developed  a  farm  from  the  wilderness  and 
spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  there.  They  were  members  of  the  Baptist 
church.  To  David  K.  Wilson  and  wife  the  following  children  were  born : 
Sarah,  who  married  William  Corbet,  of  \\^ayne  township;  Rebecca,  who 
married  Marion  Corbet,  of  Wayne  township;  Nancy  J.,  who  married  the 
subject  of  this  sketch ;  Laura  Alice,  who  died  when  eleven  years  of  age ; 
Christine,  who  married  A.  W.  Devore.  of  Wayne  township;  Margaret, 
widow  of  James  Harris,  of  Wayne  township;  Nettie,  who  married,  first. 
Homer  Spain,  and,  secondly  James  H.  Beltz,  and  is  living  at  North  Lewis- 
burg,  Ohio,  and  Emma,  who  married,  first,  Oliver  T.  Haines,  and,  secondly. 
Reuben  P.  Bruce,  of  Wayne  township. 

After  his  marriage  Amasa  T.  Corbet  located  on  his  pre.sent  farm,  know  n 
as  the  John  Hale  place,  in  Wayne  township,  and  here  he  has  been  suc- 
cessfully engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising  ever  since.  He 
owns  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres,  all  well  improved  and  under  a  fine  state 
of  cultivation.  He  has  an  attractive  home  in  the  midst  of  beautiful  sur- 
roundings.    He  raises  fine  sheep,  Poland  China  and  Jersey  Red  hogs. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  853 

Mr.  Corbet  is  a  Republican  and  was  justice  of  the  peace  for  nine  years, 
discharging  his  duties  in  an  able,  faithful  and  highly  acceptable  manner. 
He  has  also  served  as  school  director  and  has  long  been  active  and  influential 
in  local  public  affairs.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  at  Cable,  of  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics  at 
Mingo  and  of  the  Grange  at  Woodstock.  He  belongs  to  the  Methodist 
Protestant  church.  He  is  well  and  favorably  known  throughout  the  locality 
where  he  has  spent  his  life. 


ALBERT  CHENEY. 


Having  been  successful  as  a  general  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  Albert 
Cheney  is  now  spending  his  declining  years  in  the  quiet  of  his  cosy  home 
in  Mechanicsburg.  He  was  born  in  Union  township,  this  county,  August 
8,  1841,  and  here  he  has  been  content  to  spend  his  life,  having  lived  to  see 
many  important  changes  "come  over  the  face  of  the  land"  since  he  was 
a  bo}-.  He  is  a  son  of  Jonathan  and  Rachael  (Williams)  Cheney,  the  latter 
a  native  of  Maryland  and  the  former  of  Vermont,  they  having  removed  to 
Champaign  county  single,  with  their  respective  parents,  in  their  youth.  The 
)\'illiams  family  located  in  Goshen  township,  among  the  early  settlers  and 
the  Cheney  family  in  Union  township.  It  was  in  that  neighborhood  that  the 
parents  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  were  married  and  established  their  home 
on  the  farm.  Both  the  Williams  and  the  Cheney  families  became  well  and 
favorably  known  in  their  respective  communities.  The  older  members  of 
these  families  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  in  Goshen  and  Union  townships. 
B.  F.  Cheney,  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a  native  of 
\^ermont.  Jonathan  Cheney,  mentioned  above,  devoted  his  active  life  to 
general  farming  in  Union  township.  His  death  occurred  at  the  early  age 
of  forty-seven,  but  his  widow  survived  to  the  age  of  seventy-three.  She  was 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  To  these  parents  ten  children 
were  born,  namely:  William,  a  soldier  in  Compau}  E,  One  Hundred  and 
Thirt}^- fourth  Ohio  A'olunteer  Infantry,  during  the  Civil  War,  tecoming- 
captain  of  his  company,  and  who  died  a  few  years  after  the  war ;  John,  also 
deceased;  James  Henry,  who  served  in  the  war  between  the  states  in  the 
same  company  and  regiment  with  his  brother  William,  and  who  also  is  now 
deceased;  Albert,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Edwin  D.,   deceased;  Rachael 


854  CPIAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Ann.  deceased;  Emily,  deceased;  Jonathan  M.,  deceased;  Austin,  who  is 
hving  in  Springfield.  Ohio,  and  Minerva  J.,  deceased. 

Albert  Cheney  received  a  common-school  education  and  lived  at  home 
until  he  was  twenty- four  years  old.  In  May,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  CompanA' 
E,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Regiment,  Ohio  \''olunteer  Infantry, 
of  which  his  brother  William  was  captain.  He  was  sent  into  Virginia  and 
served  under  General  Butler,  seeing  service  on  the  James  river  and  at  Cum- 
berland, Maryland.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  honorably  discharged  and 
retvirned  home,  operating  the  homestead  in  Union  township  for  two  vears, 
then  rented  a  farm  a  year,  then  bought  a  farm  of  forty-seven  and  one-half 
acres  north  of  Mechanicsburg,  on  which  he  lived  for  six  years,  at  the  end 
of  which  time  he  sold  out  and  bought  one  hundred  and  fiftv-seven  acres  in 
Clarke  county.  After  living  there  five  years  he  bought  ninety-three  acres, 
a  part  of  his  father's  old  farm  in  Union  township.  Champaign  count}-,  where 
he  continued  farming  with  his  usual  success  until  1883,  when  he  moved  tu 
Mechanicsburg  and  has  since  looked  after  his  farm  and  the  live-stock  business. 

Mr.  Cheney  was  married  in  Clark  county,  Ohio,  to  Ruhamah  Bumgard- 
ner,  who  was  born  and  reared  in  that  county.  Mr.  Cheney  is  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican. He  belongs  to  the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  at 
Mechanicsburg.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  there, 
of  which  he  has  served  as  trustee,  and  has  long  been  active  in  church  work. 
He  is  well  and  favorably  known  throughout  the  count}'. 


JACOB  W.  BARGER. 


rhe  late  Jacob  \\  .  Barger,  for  years  a  well-known  and  substantial 
farmer  and  stockman  of  Concord  township  and  former  township  trustee, 
who  died  at  his  home  m  that  township  in  the  spring  of  191 2,  and  whose 
widow  is  now  living  at  Crbaiia.  was  a  native  son  of  Champaign  count}-, 
l)orn  in  Concord  township,  and  all  his  life  was  spent  there.  He  was  born  on 
Wovember  14,  (854,  son  of  Mathew  and  Sarah  Barger,  the  former  of  wliom 
was  born  in  Virginia  and  the  latter  in  this  county,  wdiose  last  days  were 
spent  in  Concord  township.  Mathew  Barger's  mother  died  when  he  was  but 
an  infant  and  he  was  Imt  two  years  of  age  when  his  father  came  from  \'ir- 
ginia  to  Ohio  and  settled  in  Champaign  county,  becoming  a  pioneer  farmer 
of  Concord  townshij).  There  !\larliew-  Barger  grew  to  manhood,  became 
a    fanner  on  liis  own  account,  married,  established  a  comfortable  home  and 


CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO.  855 

spent  his  last  days.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  three  children,  the 
subject  of  this  memorial  sketch  having  had  two  sisters,  Belle  and  Mary. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Concord  township,  Jacob  W.  Barger  re- 
ceived his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  neighborhood  and  early  became 
a  valued  assistant  to  his  father  in  the  labors  of  developing  and  improving 
the  home  place.  After  his  marriage  he  bought  a  farm  of  two  hundred  acres 
in  Concord  township  and  began  farming  on  his  own  account.  From  the 
beginning  of  his  operations  he  was  successful  and  he  later  bought  an  adjoin- 
ing forty,  becoming  one  of  the  most  substantial  farmers  in  that  neighbor- 
hood. In  addition  to  his  general  farming,  Mr.  Barger  gave  considerable 
attention  to  the  raising  of  high-grade  live  stock  and  cUd  very  well,  contin- 
uing actively  engaged  in  his  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death  on  Marcb 
t6,  1912,  he  then  being  in  the  fifty-eighth  year  of  his  age.  Mr.  Barger 
took  an  active  interest  in  the  civic  affairs  of  his  community  and  for  one  temi 
served  as  trustee  of  his  home  township.  Politically,  he  was  an  ardent  Prohi- 
liitionist  and  an  uncompromising  foe  of  the  liquor  traffic.  He  was  a  mem- 
1)er  of  the  Concord  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  had  served  as  class 
leader,  steward,  trustee  and  superintendent  of  the  Sundav  school,  for  manv 
years  one  of  the  leaders  in  the  local  congregation. 

In  1887  Jacob  W.  Barger  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mary  Taylor, 
who  was  bom  in  Concord  township,  this  county,  daughter  of  Archibald  and 
Sarah  (Hough)  Taylor,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Scotland  and  the 
latter  in  this  county,  a  member  of  one  of  the  pioneer  families  of  Concord 
tov\mship.  Archibald  Taylor  was  but  a  boy  when ,  he  came  to  this  country 
from  Scotland  with  his  parents,  Donald  Taylor  and  wife,  about  1822,  the 
family  settling  in  Champaign  county.  Not  long  afterward  Donald  Taylor 
moved  down  into  Clark  county  with  his  family  but  presently  returned  to 
Champaign  county  and  settled  in  Concord  township,  where  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  in  1841.  He  and  his  wife  were 
the  parents  of  nine  children,  of  whom  Archibald  was  the  third  in  order  of 
liirth.  Archibald  Taylor  grew  up  in  this  county,  married  here,  established 
his  home  on  a  farm  in  Concord  township  and  there  spent  the  rest  of  his 
life,  a  substantial  farmer.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  six  children, 
of  whom  two  are  still  living,  Mrs.  Barger  having  a  brother.  Daniel  H. 
'[^aylor,  of  Urbana. 

To  Jacob  W.  and  Mary  (Taylor)  Barger  were  boni  three  children, 
nan.ielv :  ]\Iabel.  who  married  John  C.  Baker  and  has  three  children,  Mar- 
i^aret,  Donald  and  Roljcrt;  Charles,  who  married  Clara  Bodev,  and  Ruth, 
wlio  married   Arlic  Bro\vnfield  and  has  one  child,  a  daughter,  ^^^anda.     Since 


856  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Barger  has  been  making  her  home  in  Urbana. 
where  she  is  very  comfortably  situated.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
church  and  has  ever  taken  an  interested  part  in  clmrch  works,  as  well  as  in 
other  local  good  works. 


WILLIAM  INSTINE. 


For  many  years  William  Instine  was  actively  engaged  in  general  agri- 
cultural pursuits  in  Salem  township,  Champaign  county,  and,  accumulating 
a  competency,  he  has  retired  from  life's  strenuous  endeavors  and  is  now- 
making  his  home  in  the  village  of  Kingston,  Ohio.  He  was  bom  in  the 
above-named  township  on  February  23,  1859,  a  son  of  Henry  and  Malinda 
Instine,  both  also  natives  of  Champaign  county,  where  they  grew  up,  attend- 
ing school  and  were  married,  after  which  they  established  their  permanent 
home  on  a  farm  in  Salem  township.  As  a  young  man  the  father  worked 
as  a  laborer,  helping  clear  land,  and  also  helped  build  the  old  Instine  Tavern, 
which  long  stood  on  the  state  road  in  Salem  township.  He  burned  most 
of  the  brick  that  went  into  that  building.  After  his  marriage  he  followed 
farming  exclusively  for  himself,  but  at  the  same  time  conducted  the  tavern, 
after  his  father's  death,  which  occurred  in  1854.  His  father  was  Michael 
Instine,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  from  which  state  he  came  to  Champaign 
county,  in  an  early  day,  and  it  was  he  who  started  the  Instine  Tavern,  a 
well-known  hostelry  in  pioneer  times.  He  also  bought  and  sold  live  stock, 
frequently  driving  droves  of  hogs  to  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania. 

Henry  Instine,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  on  Febru- 
ary 12,  1824,  and  died  on  September  i,  1902.  His  wife  was  born  on  May 
19,  1 82 1,  and  died  on  August  25,  1893.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine 
children,  seven  of  whom,  Samuel,  Joseph,  Henry,  William,  Mary,  Cathe- 
rine and  Malinda,  are  still  living.     Caroline  and  Elnora  are  deceased. 

William  Instine  grew  up  on  the  home  place  and  attended  the  common 
schools.  He  remained  at  home,  continuing  to  work  with  his  father  at  gen- 
eral farming  until  the  latter's  death,  when  he  bought  one  hundred  and  sev- 
enty-five acres,  which  he  operated  five  Acars,  then  moved  to  Kingston  and 
retired.  In  connection  with  general  farming  lie  carried  on  stock  raising, 
feeding  about  one  hundred  head  of  hogs  annually  for  the  market.  He  was 
married  in  1887  t(j  Anna  E.  Mover,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Catherine 
Moyer.  She  was  a  native  of  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  also 
occurred  the  birth  of  her  parents,  who  were  married  there.     Jacob  Mover 


MR.   AND  MRS.   WILLIAM   IXSTINE. 


CHAMPAIGN    COITNTV,    OHIO.  857 

\v.as  born  in  1833.  He  was  a  son  of  Daniel  and  Leah  Moyer,  also  of  Snyder 
^omity,  Pennsylvania,  where  they  spent  their  last  days.  Jacob  Moyer  received 
his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native  county,  after  which  he  began  teach- 
ing, following  that  profession  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  county  for 
six  years,  and  meanwhile  serving  as  justice  of  the  peace.  He  came  to  Cham- 
j)aign  county  in  1881  and  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death  in  1884.  He 
was  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  His  family  consisted 
of  the  following  children:  Anna  E.,  Leah  Catherine,  Margaret,  Martin  L., 
John  D.,  Ida,  Mae,  Effie  and  Norah. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Instine  have  three  children,  namely :  Ruth,  who 
married  Robert  Duncan :  Jeanette,  who  married  Rush  Harvey  and  lives  at 
King's  Creek,  and  John,  who  married  Florence  Yates  and  has  one  son,  Wil- 
liam Joseph,  who  JiAes  with  his  grandparents,  our  subject  and  wife. 


SLMEON  L.  RUSSELL. 


The  older  residents  of  the  Mingo  neighborhood  in  the  northern  part  of 
this  county  have  not  forgotten  Simeon  L.  Russell,  who  in  the  latter  sixties 
\\-as  a  merchant  at  Mingo  and  for  some  years  afterward  a  farmer  in  that 
community,  who  later  moved  to  Cleveland,  where  he  died  in  the  summer  of 
1878.  His  widow,  who  is  still  living,  for  years  a  resident  of  North  Lewis- 
burg,  this  county,  is  a  native  of  this  part  of  the  state,  and  retains  ver\- 
vivid  recollections  of  the  earlier  days  in  this  section. 

Simeon  L.  Russell  was  born  in  Belmont  county,  over  in  the  eastern 
part  of  Ohio,  August  15,  1841,  sun  of  Wesley  and  Edith  Russell,  both 
of  whom  were  born  in  that  same  count)-  and  both  of  \'irginian  parentage, 
their  respective  parents  having  been  early  settlers  of  that  county,  moving 
over  there  from  V'irginia  in  pioneer  days.  Wesley  Russell  was  a 
substantial  farmer  and  he  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  thirteen  chil- 
dren, eleven  of  whom  grew  to  maturity  and  four  of  whom  are  still  living, 
namely:  Luther,  who  is  living  near  Mingo,  this  county;  Everett,  of  lola, 
Kansas ;  Jeremiah,  who  continues  to  live  in  Belmont  county,  Ohio,  and 
Nora,  of  lola,  Kansas. 

Reared  on  the  liome  farm  in  Belmont  county,  Simeon  L.  Russell  re- 
ceived his  schooling  in  the  common  schools  of  his  home  county  and  was 
living  there  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  He  enlisted  for  service  in  1862, 
in  l^ehalf  of  the  L^nion,  and  went  to  the  front  as  a  member  of  Company  B, 


858  CHAMPAIGN    COl'NTV,    OHIO. 

One  Hundred  and  Twenty-sixth  Regiment,  Ohio  X'olunteer  Infantry,  in 
the  army  of  General  Grant,  and  with  that  command  served  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service,  in  1865,  -^^i"- 
Russell  came  over  into  this  part  of  the  state  and  located  at  ]\'Iingo.  in  this 
ccnnity,  where  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  l)usiness.  Two  years  later,  in 
1867,  lie  married  and  after  l)eing  engaged  in  merchandising  for  three  years 
rented  a  farm  in  the  Mingo  neighljorhood  and  was  there  engaged  in  farming 
for  five  yCcirs.  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  moved  u\)  to  Cleveland  and  i;i 
that  vicinity  became  actively  engaged  in  cultivating  a  vine}ard  and  was  thus 
engaged  until  his  death  on  July  26.  1878.  he  then  lacking  less  than  ;i  month 
of  being  thirty-seven  years  of  age.  Thougli  reared  a  Quaker,  Mr.  Russell 
<lied  in  the  faith  of  the  Methodist  church. 

On  October  8,  1867,  Simeon  I..  Russell  was  united  in  marriage  to  Anna 
M.  Hunter,  who  was  born  in  the  Mingo  valle}-  on  Se])tember  2"/,  1842,  a 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Nancy  (Johnson)  Hunter,  the  former  of  whom 
was  born  in  Greenbriar  county,  \''irginia,  and  the  latter  in  Guernsey  county, 
this  state,  who  were  among  the  most  useful  and  inlUiential  residents  of  the 
Mingo  neighborhood  at  that  time.  Thomas  Hunter  was  Ijut  a  boy  when 
his  parents,  Nathaniel  and  Ann  Hunter,  natives  of  Scotland,  came  from 
\Mrginia  to  Ohio  in  1820  and  settled  in  Logan  county,  wdiere  they  estal)- 
lished  their  home  and  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  Nathaniel 
Hunter  becoming  a  substantial  farmer.  He  and  his  wife  reared  their  chil- 
dren in  the  faith  of  the  Methodist  church.  There  were  six  of  these  children. 
Alexander,  Jane,  Thomas,  John,  Elizal^eth  and  Samuel.  Thomas  Hunter 
grew  up  in  the  Mingo  valley  and  from  the  days  ()f  his  boyhood  gave  much 
attention  to  educational  affairs.  He  became  a  prosperous  farmer  and  w-as  one 
of  the  founders  of  Delaware  College,  to  the  funds  of  which  he  was  a  lil)eral 
contributor.  He  was  an  earnest  Methodist  and  gave  liberally  to  the  estal)- 
lishment  of  churches,  both  for  white  and  colored  worshipers,  and  was  for 
years  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  Methodist  church  at  Mingo.  He  was  one  of 
the  first  four  persons  to  vote  the  Abolition  ticket  in  this  section  of  the  state 
and  during  ante-bellum  days  was  an  acknowledged  leader  of  the  .Vbolition 
forces  throughout  this  part  of  the  state,  ever  licl])ful  in  the  cause  of  the 
freedmen. 

Thomas  Hunter  was  twice  married.  Mis  first  wife,  Mary  Itvans,  died 
eight  years  after  marriage,  leaving  two  children,  l)oth  of  whom  are  now 
deceased.  In  1840  he  married,  secondly,  Nancy  Johnson,  who  was  born  in 
Guernsev  countv,  this  state,  daughter  of  lames  .and  Margaret  Johnson,  nati\es 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  859 

of  that  same  county,  who  hiter  became  early  settlers  and  substantial  farm- 
ers of  the  Mingo  neighborhood  in  this  county.  James  Johnson  and  wife 
were  the  parents  of  five  children,  Nancy,  Elizabeth,  Margaret,  William  and 
Isaac.  To  Thomas  and  Nancy  (Johnson)  Hunter  seven  children  were  born, 
of  whom  Mrs.  Russell  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being- 
as  follow:  Margaret,  deceased;  Sarah  E.,  wife  of  Col.  M.  L.  Dempsey,  of 
Cleveland,  Ohio;  Frances,  now  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Leroy  Wright, 
of  Vermont;  Thomas,  former  representative  in  the  Legislature  from  this 
district,  who  married  Emma  Robinson,  of  Marion,  this  state,  and  is  now 
living  the  life  of  a  retired  farmer;  Hale,  a  former  well-known  lawyer  at 
Urbana,  who  is  now  practicing  his  profession  at  Cleveland,  and  i\gnes,  now 
deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Marion  Guthridge,  a  well-known  merchant  at 
Mingo. 

To  Simeon  L.  and  Anna  M.  (Hunter)  Russell  were  born  three  sons, 
Harry  C,  Frank  G.  and  Kirk  L.,  all  of  whom  are  living.  Harry  C.  Russell, 
formerly  a  farmer  in  the  Mingo  neighborhood,  is  now  keeping  hotel  at  Mingo. 
He  married  May  McCartney,  of  Mingo,  and  he  and  his  wife  take  an  active 
part  in  the  general  affairs  of  that  pleasant  village.  Frank  G.  Russell  married 
Myrtle  Sprinkle,  of  Huntington,  Indiana,  and  for  the  past  eleven  years  has 
been  engaged  as  traffic  manager  for  the  International  Harvester  Company, 
with  headquarters  at  Akron,  this  state,  where  he  and  his  wife  make  their 
home.  Kirk  T.  Russell,  who  married  Leola  Gilliland,  is  now  living  at  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  where  he  has  been  connected  with  the  postoffice  department 
for  the  past  nine  or  ten  years.  He  formerly  was  a  telegraph  operator  at 
Mingo  and  was  afterward  for  some  time  an  operator  in  the  United  States 
naval  service.  Mrs.  Russell  returned  to  her  old  home  at  Mingo  not  long  after 
her  husband's  death  and  has  ever  since  made  her  home  in  this  county,  now 
a  resident  of  North  Lewisburg.  She  has  been  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
church  since  she  was  sixteen  years  of  age  and  has  ever  taken  an  interested 
part  in  church  work,  as  well  as  in  the  general  good  works  and  the  various 
social  and  cultural  activities  of  her  home  community.  She  was  educated  at 
Delaware  College  and  for  ten  years  before  her  marriage  and  for  several 
years  afterward  taught  school  in  her  home  neighborhood,  many  of  the  then 
youngsters  of  that  community  having  cause  to  hold  her  in  grateful  remem- 
brance. Mrs.  Russell's  recollections  of  former  days  in  the  Mingo  valley  are 
clear  and  distinct  and  there  are  few  thereabout  who  have  a  more  accurate 
knowledge  of  the  history  of  that  region  since  the  days  of  the  middle  of 
the  past  centurA'  than  she. 


86o  CHAMPAIGN    COLTNTY,    OHIO. 


THOMAS  Mccarty. 


Thomas  McCarty,  well-known  farmer  of  Wayne  township,  was  born 
near  Brush  Lake,  Rush  township,  this  county,  September  5,  1849,  and  he 
has  been  contented  to  spend  his  Hfe  in  his  home  community.  He  is  a  son 
of  James  and  Sarah  Ann  (Leese)  McCarty,  both  natives  of  Virginia.  The 
father  came  to  Champaign  county  with  his  parents,  Stephen  and  Deborah 
McCarty,  when  he  was  young,  the  family  locating  in  Rush  township,  among 
the  early  settlers.  Stephen  McCarty  developed  a  good  farm  from  the  wilder- 
ness near  Brush  Lake,  first  building  a  log  cabin,  and  he  and  his  family 
endured  the  usual  hardships  and  privations  incident  to  life  on  the  frontier. 
Here  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives.  They  were  parents  of 
six  children,  James,  Elizabeth,  John,  Daniel,  Enoch  and  Thomas. 

The  maternal  grandparents  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  were  William 
and  Susan  (Hudson)  Leese,  both  natives  of  Virginia  from  which  state 
they  immigrated  to  Ohio  in  an  early  day,  settling  in  Rush  township.  Cham- 
paign county,  where  they  cleared  a  farm  and  made  a  home  by  hard  work 
and  perseverance.  They  were  parents  of  four  children,  Jacob,  Thomas,  Sarah 
Ann  and  a  daughter  who  died  in  early  life. 

James  McCarty,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  review,  grew  to  man- 
hood on  the  home  farm,  where  he  worked  hard,  as  did  all  sons  of  pioneers. 
He  received  a  meager  education,  attending  school  in  the  old  log  school 
house  in  his  community.  He  lived  at  home  until  his  marriage,  then  located 
on  a  farm  in  Wayne  township,  where  his  son  Thomas,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  now  resides.  He  moved  to  this  place  in  1853.  He  later  went  to 
Auglaize  count)',  Ohio,  where  he  bought  a  farm  on  which  he  resided  for  a 
period  of  sixteen  years,  then  returned  to  this  county,  locating  (^n  a  farm  near 
Cable,  in  Wayne  township,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  His  first  wife 
died  in  Auglaize  county  while  living  there,  and  he  subsequently  married  Nancy 
Johnson,  a  native  of  Champaign  county.  The  following  children  were  born 
by  his  first  wife  :  Elizabeth,  now  deceased,  who  married  A.  Stratton;  Thomas, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch;  John,  who  died  when  eight  years  of  age,  and 
Deborah,  the  widow  of  ;\bner  Stansley.  of  Mechanicsburg.  Five  children 
were  born  by  the  second  marriage,  two  of  whom  died  in  earl\-  life,  the  other 
three  being  George,  who  lives  in  Bellefontaine.  William  and  Augusta 
( deceased). 

Thomas  McCartv  was  reared  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm,  where  he 
\\orked  wht-n  he  l)ecamc  of  ])roper  age.     ?Te  attended  school  in  the  old  log 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  86l 

school  house  in  his  district,  which  was  equipped  with  the  usual  puncheon 
seats  and  greased  paper  for  window  panes.  He  continued  to  hve  at  home 
until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old.  He  has  been  twice  married,  first,  to  Mrs. 
Martha  (Kimball)  Chatfield,  of  Rush  township,  this  county.  Her  death 
occurred  in  1908.  She  had  two  children,  Eva,  the  wife  of  Lyman  Wheeler, 
of  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  Susie,  who  died  in  early  life.  Mr.  McCarty  was 
married  a  second  time,  on  January  17,  1908,  to  Anna  Uncles,  of  Columbus, 
this  state,  a  daughter  of  John  H.  and  Susan  A.  (Harvey)  Uncles,  both  now 
deceased.  Mr.  Uncles  was  a  mechanic  by  trade  and  a  fine  workman.  Mr. 
McCarty's  second  marriage  has  been  without  issue. 

After  his  first  marriage  Mr.  McCart}^  in  1891,  located  on  his  present 
farm  in  Wayne  township,  known  as  the  Lambern  place,  consisting  of  fift}- 
acres,  on  which  he  has  made  a  very  comfortable  living.  Politically,  he  is 
a  Republican.  He  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Protestant  church  at  Jenkins 
Chapel. 


JAMES  L.  SWISHER. 


The  late  James  L.  Swisher,  who  died  at  his  home  in  Union  t<jwnship 
in  1888  and  whose  widow  is  still  living  there,  was  born  in  that  township 
and  had  lived  in  Champaign  county  all  his  life,  with  the  exception  of  seven- 
teen years  spent  farming  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Logan.  He  was 
born  on  June  9,  1833,  son  of  John  H.  and  Lucinda  (Lowry)  Swisher,  the 
former  of  whom  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  the 
latter  in  this  county.  John  H.  Swisher  came  to  Champaign  county  as  a  young 
man  and  was  here  married  about  the  year  183 1.  He  established  his  home 
on  a  farm  and  was  getting  a  good  start  toward  the  creation  of  a  good  farm- 
ing property  when  he  died  in  1838.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of 
three  children,  of  whom  James  L.  was  the  first-born,  the  others  being  Joseph 
and  Eliza  J. 

Reared  on  a  farm  in  Union  township,  James  L.  Swisher  received  his 
schooling  in  the  district  schools  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  home  and  early 
became  a  practical  farmer.  After  his  marriage  in  the  spring  of  1861  he 
became  engaged  in  farming  on  his  own  account,  renting  a  farm  in  this  county, 
but  two  years  later  moved  to  Logan  county  and  for  seventeen  years  there- 
after w^as  engaged  in  farming  in  that  county.  He  then  returned  to  Cham- 
paign count}-  and  located  on  a  farm  in  Union  township,   later  moving  to 


852  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

what  then  was  known  as  the  Perry  farm  nn  the  Ludlow  pike,  and  there  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  Hfe,  his  death  occurring  on  Fe1>ruary  21,  1888.  he 
then  being  in  the  fifty-fifth  year  of  his  age. 

On  April  9,  1861.  James  L.  Swisher  was  united  in  marriage  to  Nancy 
McCuUoch,  who  was  horn  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Logan,  a  daughter 
of  George  A.  and  Sophia  (Mason)  McCuUough,  both  of  whom  were  born 
in  that  same  count}-  and  who  spent  all  their  lives  there.  George  A.  McCul- 
loch  was  jjorri  on  a  pioneer  farm  on  the  Big  Darl:)y,  near  Zanesfield,  and 
became  a  successful  farmer  and  extensive  stockman.  He  and  his  wife  were 
the  parents  of  eleven  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Swisher  was  the  first-born,  the 
others  being  Samuel  C.,  Catherine,  John.  George,  Benjamin,  vSidney.  Solomon, 
Mary,  Minerva  and  William. 

To  James  L.  and  Nancy  (McCuUoch)  Swisher  eight  children  were 
born,  six  of  whoiu  are  still  living,  namely:  Clara,  who  married  W.  G.  J. 
Clark  and  had  one  child,  a  daughter.  Nancy  V^irginia;  John  H.,  who  married 
Myrtle  B.  Snyder;  George  L..  who  married  Emma  Capsidal  and  has  one 
child,  a  daughter,  Ethel ;  Perry,  who  married  Eva  Keef  and  has  three  chil- 
dren. Frank  K..  Hugh  and  Angus  M. ;  William,  who  married  Ella  Snyder 
and  has  tliree  children,  Marjorie,  Ruth  and  Lois,  and  Eliza  Jane,  who  married 
^^^illiam  Thomas  and  has  one  child,  a  son.  John  \\^illis. 

Perry  Swisher,  the  fourth  child  in  order  of  birth  of  the  children  born 
to  James  L.  Swisher  and  wife,  was  born  in  Logan  county  on  November 
29,  1868.  and  was  Ijut  a  boy  when  his  parents  returned  to  this  county  and 
established  their  home  in  Union  township.  He  completed  his  schooling  in 
the  .schools  of  that  township  and  early  took  up  farming  as  a  vocation. 
WHien  t\\ent\-li\-e  years  of  age  he  began  farming  on  his  own  account  and 
in  1903  bought  the  place  on  which  he  is  now  living,  his  widowed  mother 
making  her  home  with  him  and  his  famih".  and  has  ever  since  made  that 
his  ];iacc  of  residence,  he  and  his  family  ])eing  very  comfortably  situated. 
.Mr.  Swisher  has  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  se\'enty-five  acres,  all  of 
which  i>  under  cultiAation  save  about  twenty-hve  acres  of  woodland,  and 
he  has  an  excellent  farm  ])l;int,  his  operations  being  carried  on  in  accordance 
with  up-to-date  methods.  He  h.as  given  considerable  attention  to  the  rais- 
ing of  live  ^tock  and  is  doing  well.  He  makes  a  specialty  of  Duroc-Jerscy 
hogs,  having  about  a  hundred  head  a  year,  and  also  raises  excellent  Red 
foiled  cattle  and  I'ercheron  horses.  Mr.  Swisher  is  a  member  of  the  Union 
Township  Grange  and  has  for  years  taken  an  active  part  in  the  affairs  of 
that  organization  and  in  all  movements  having  to  do  with  the  advancement 


champai(,;n  county,  omio.  863 

of  the  county's  agricultural  interests,  having  served  for  some  time  as  a 
member  of  the  county  fair  board.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  has  rendered 
public  service  as  a  member  of  the  school  board.  Mrs.  Swisher  is  a  member 
of  the  Union  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


ALBERT  KINSMAN  MOODY. 

The  late  Albert  Kinsman  Moody,  who  died  at  his  home  in  Union 
township,  this  county,  February.  1905,  was  born  in  New  Hampshire,  but 
had  been  a  resident  of  this  count)-  from  the  time  he  was  fourteen  years 
of  age.  He  was  born  on  December  6,  1828,  son  of  John  and  Betsy  Moody, 
both  natives  of  New  Hampshire,  who  left  their  home  in  that  state  with 
their  family  in  1842  and  drove  through  by  ox-team  to  Ohio,  settling  m 
Champaign  county,  where  the\-  s])eni  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Upon 
coming  to  this  county,  John  Moody  bought  a  considerable  tract  of  land 
in  Union  township,  where  Don  C.  Moody  now  lives,  and  became  a  sub- 
stantial and  influential  resident  of  that  part  of  the  county,  one  of  the  men 
who  helped  make  that  township  one  of  the  banner  townships  of  the  county. 
He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  of  whom  the  subject 
of  this  memorial  sketch  was  the  first-born,  the  others  being  Orin,  Moses, 
Nancy  and  Eliza,  and  elsewhere  in  this  volume  there  are  found  further 
references  to  this  well-known  family  in  Champaign  county. 

As  noted  above,  Albert  K.  Mood\-  was  about  fourteen  years  of  age 
when  he  came  to  Champaign  county  with  his  parents  and  he  completed 
his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  this  county.  From  the  days  of  his  boy- 
hood he  was  a  valued  assistant  to  his  father  in  the  labors  of  developing 
and  improving  the  home  place  in  Union  township  and  in  due  time  bought 
one  hundred  and  seventy  acres  of  the  home  tract  and  liecame  an  extensive 
farmer  on  his  own  account,  later  increasing  his  holdings  to  two  hundred 
and  forty  acres.  He  also  dealt  extensively  in  land  and  made  a  specialty 
of  raising  high-grade  live  stock,  doing  much  to  promote  the  introduction 
of  better  strains  in  the  herds  of  this  county.  On  that  well-established  farm 
in  Union  township  Albert  K.  Moody  spent  his  last  days,  his  death  occurring 
there  on  February  18,  1905.     He  was  a  Democrat. 

Mr.  Moody  was  twice  married,  and  by  his  first  wife,  who  was  Jennie 
Groves,  was  the  father  of  four  children,  William,  of  Springfield,  Ohio: 
Frank,  of  Hamilton,  Ohio ;  Bettv,  dead,  and   Harrv,  dead.      Following  the 


864  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

death  of  the  mother  of  these  children,  Mr.  Moody  married  ]\Iargaret  (Hen- 
dricks) Alexander,  widow  of  Robert  Alexander,  and  to  that  union  were 
l)orn  four  children,  namely:  Don  C.  Moody,  a  well-known  farmer  and 
former  member  of  the  school  board  of  Union  township,  who  married  Alice 
Rupert  and  has  three  children,  Eletha.  Lloyd  and  Hazel;  Arthur  Moody, 
also  a  farmer  in  Union  township,  who  is  unmarried  and  makes  his  home 
with  his  brother,  Don;  Albert,  a  Alechanicsburg  farmer  and  stock  buyer, 
who  married  Florence  Woodward  and  has  three  children,  Eva,  .  Christina 
and  James;  Mary,  wife  of  James  Mumma,  of  Clark  county.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Mumma  four  children  have  been  born,  Harold,  Nancy,  Margaret  and 
Roland,  all  of  whom  are  living  save  Roland.  Don  C.  Moody  is  successfully 
engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising  and  is  one  of  the  substantial 
residents  of  Union  township.  He  is  a  Democrat,  but  has  never  aspired  to 
public  office.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Me- 
chanicsburg  and  of  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics  at 
Mutual. 


ELIAS  P.  BLACK. 


One  of  the  best  remembered  citizens  of  Champaign  county  of  a  past 
generation,  whose  name  is  deserving  of  perpetuation  on  the  pages  of  local 
history,  was  the  late  Elias  P.  Black,  of  Rush  township.  He  was  born  in  the 
above-named  township,  September  3,  1839,  a  son  of  Peter  Black,  who  was 
born  in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1786.  When  he  was  four 
\ears  of  age,  Peter  Black's  parents,  Samuel  and  Sarah  Black,  came  with 
their  family  to  this  section  of  Ohio,  making  the  overland  trip  by  ox-team, 
and  settled  on  a  tract  of  land  in  what  later  came  to  be  organized  as  Rush 
township,  in  this  county,  where  Peter  Black  grew  to  manhood  amid  pioneer 
conditions,  the  family  being  one  of  the  first  in  this  part  of  Ohio,  this  being 
still  an  Indian  country  at  that  period.  Here  he  married  Marie  Ann  Hilliard, 
a  native  of  Vermont,  from  which  state  she  came  to  Champaign  county  with 
her  parents  when  young.  After  his  marriage  Peter  Black  and  wife  began 
farming  in  Rush  township,  in  partnership  with  a  neighbor.  They  had  but 
one  team  between  them,  this  "team"  consisting  of  a  bull  and  a  horse,  which 
they  worked  for  two  years.  Llis  partner,  Mr.  Coon,  then  moved  to  Union 
county,  locating  near  Byhalia,  and  there  they  engaged  in  making  maple  sugar 
which  he  hauled  to  Cincinnati,  using  the  proceeds  from  the  sale  of  the  sugar 
to  pay  for  his  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.     He  was  a  partner  with 


^  p  /^w. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  865 

Samuel  Harris  and  Mr.  Coon.  After  paying  for  his  farm  he  bought  another 
tract  of  wild  land,  containing  one  hundred  acres,  which  he  paid  for  by  mak- 
ing and  selling  "black  salts",  which  was  made  from  the  ash  of  the  timber 
which  he  cut  from  his  land.  Later  he  purchased  fifty  acres  more  land.  He 
finally  went  to  Kansas  and  bought  seventeen  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  the 
Osage  river,  in  Anderson  county,  which  tract  was  later  owned  by  Judge  F. 
M.  Black,  of  Kansas  City,  Missouri.  His  death  occurred  at  the  age  of 
seventy-three  years.  His  wife  died  at  the  age  of  seventy -five.  They  were 
parents  of  seven  children,  five  of  whom  grew  to  maturity,  namely:  Mrs. 
Lydia  A.  Archer,  Judge  Francis  F.,  Delilah,  Harriet  H.  and  Elias  P.  of  this 
memoir.  Judge  Francis  M.  Black  became  a  prominent  attorney  in  Kansas 
City,  where  he  was  a  judge  for  eight  years.  He  married  Susan  Geiger,  of 
Dayton,  Ohio,  and  four  children  were  born  to  them  Helen  (deceased),  Susan, 
Francis  and  Arthur. 

Elias  P.  Black  was  the  sixth  child  born  to  his  parents.  He  was  reared 
on  the  home  farm  and  attended  the  common  schools,  then  conducted  in  a 
log  house,  and  later  was  a  student  at  the  Urbana  high  school  and  the  Ohio 
Wesleyan  University  at  Delaware,  but  owing  to  his  father's  failing  health 
he  left  school  before  graduation  and  returned  home.  After  his  father's 
death  he  took  charge  of  the  estate  and  remained  with  his  mother  until  her 
death  in  1885.  He  carried  on  general  farming  successfully  and  added  dairy- 
ing. At  one  time  he  had  one  hundred  head  of  registered  Jersey  cows.  He 
was  the  first  man  in  his  township  to  feed  ensilage  to  cattle.  He  was  a 
stockholder  in  the  Woodstock  Bank  and  was  for  some  time  president  of  the 
same.  He  was  one  of  the  most  progressive  men  of  affairs  in  his  township. 
Politically,  Mr.  Black  was  a  Democrat.  He  served  as  trustee  of  Rush  town- 
ship for  a  number  of  years  and  also  was  judge  of  elections  at  various  times. 
He  was  active  and  influential  in  public  affairs  in  Rush  township. 

In  1872  Elias  P.  Black  married  Leah  R.  White,  who  was  born  in  Dela- 
ware county,  Ohio.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Rosannah  (DeVore) 
White,  both  natives  of  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania.  The  Whites 
were  early  settlers  in  Delaware  county,  Ohio,  where  Mr.  White  built  a  log 
cabin,  cleared  and  developed  a  farm  by  hard  work,  and  there  he  and  his  wife 
spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  engaged  in  general  farming.  They  were  parents 
of  six  children,  namely:  Mary,  who  married  Henry  Fegley,  of  Delaware 
county;  Catherine,  now  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  John  McWilliams, 
of  Independence,  Iowa;  Sylvanus  W.,  who  lives  at  Charlottesville,  Virginia; 
Leah  R.,  who  married  Mr.  Black,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Jacob  D.,  who 
fSSa) 


866  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

married  Josephine  Hurd  and  lives  at  North  Lewisbnrg,  and  Wilham  Wes- 
ley, who  lives  on  the  old  home  place  in  Delaware  county.  He  first  married 
a  Miss  Knapp,  later  Emma  Wheeler.  The  death  of  Elias  P.  Black  occurred 
on  July  12,  1912,  he  then  being  nearly  seventy-three  years  of  age. 

Mrs.  Black  is  a  taxidermist  of  considerable  note,  and  was  formerly  an 
excellent  shot  with  a  rifle  and  shotgun.  She  has  written  several  songs  and 
composed  music.  She  has  written  a  great  deal  of  poetry.  .  She  is  a  woman 
of  diversity  of  talents,  well  read;  not  only  along  current  lines,  but  is  acquainted 
with  the  world's  best  literature  and  science.  She  is  well  preserved  in  body 
and  mind  and  her  friends  are  numbered  only  by  the  limits  of  her  acquaintance. 


THOMAS  THOMPSON. 


Thomas  Thompson,  of  Mechanicsburg,  one  of  Champaign  county's 
honored  veterans  of  the  Civil  War  and  who  is  the  bearer  of  a  Medal  of 
Honor  voted  to  him  by  the  Congress  for  conspicuous  service  to  the  Union 
rendered  on  the  field  of  battle,  is  a  native  son  of  this  county  and  has  lived 
here  all  his  life  with  the  exception  of  the  time  spent  in  the  service  of  his 
country  during  the  sixties.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Wayne  township  on 
May  27,  1839,  son  of  Abraham  and  Susan  (Middleton)  Thompson,  the 
former  a  native  of  this  state  and  the  latter  of  Kentucky,  whose  last  da\s 
were  spent  in  Wayne  township,  this  county. 

Abraham  Thompson  grew  to  manhood  in  Brown  county,  this  state, 
the  county  of  his  birth  and  was  there  married  to  Susan  Middleton,  who  had 
moved  with  her  parents  from  Kentucky  to  that  county.  Some  time  after 
their  marriage  he  and  his  wife  came  to  this  county  and  settled  on  a  farm  in 
Wayne  township,  where  they  became  useful  and  influential  pioneers  and 
prominent  in  the  work  of  the  Christian  ( Campbellite)  church.  Both  died 
in  that  township.  Abraham  Thompson  is  buried  in  the  Roher  cemeter\ 
and  his  wife  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Jenkins  Chapel.  They  were  the 
])arents  of  twelve  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the 
seventh  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow :  John,  Margaret, 
James,  Lettie,  Winifred  and  Tallitha,  all  now  deceased,  and  William,  who 
is  living  at  Cable,  this  county;  Edward,  living  near  ]Mingo;  Susan,  who  lives 
at  Lima,  in  Allen  county :  Cieorge,  deceased,  and  .\braham,  of  Wayne  town- 
ship. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  W'ayne  townsliip,  'I'honias  ']Mioni]ison  recci\ei] 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  867 

his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  neighborhood  and  remained  at  home  until 
he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  when,  in  1857,  he  went  to  London,  in  the 
neighboring  county  of  Madison,  where  he  learned  the  trade  of  plasterer,  and 
was  there  engaged  in  working  at  that  trade  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out. 
Responding  to  President  Lincoln's  first  call  for  volunteers  to  aid  in  the 
suppression  of  the  rebellion  of  the  Southern  states,  Mr.  Thompson  enlisted 
on  April  15,  1861,  as  a  private  in  Company  C,  Eagle  Guards,  and  with 
that  gallant  command  was  sent  into  Virginia.  That  enlistment  was  for 
the  three-months  service  and  upon  the  completion  of  that  term  of  service 
Mr.  Thompson  returned  home  and  at  Urbana  re-enlisted  as  a  private  in  Com- 
pany A,  Sixty-sixth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  again 
sent  to  Virginia.  With  the  gallant  Sixty-sixth  Ohio  Mr.  Thompson  served 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  participating  in  all  the  battles  and  campaigns  in 
which  his  regiment  took  part,  and  thus  experienced  service  in  some  of  the 
most  important  engagements  of  the  war.  Not  long  after  going  to  the  front 
he  was  promoted  to  corporal,  later  to  sergeant,  and  on  July  13,  1865,  two 
days  before  his  final  discharge,  the  war  then  being  ended,  was  promoted  to 
the  rank  of  second  lieutenant,  with  which  rank  he  was  mustered  out  on  July 
15,  1865.  At  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  May  2,  1863,  Mr.  Thompson 
was  one  of  four  volunteers  who  brought  in  a  number  of  wounded  Con- 
federate soldiers  under  fire.  From  these  prisoners  valuable  information  was 
obtained  and  in  recognition  of  that  conspicuous  service  in  behalf  of  the 
Union  the  Congress  voted  to  Mr.  Thompson  on  July  11,  1892,  the  nation's 
Medal  of  Honor,  a  distinction  which  the  brave  old  soldier  prizes  beyond 
the  power  of  words  to  express.  Mr.  Thompson  served  with  his  command 
in  defense  of  the  upper  Potomac  and  was  later  on  duty  for  a  while  in  New- 
York  City  quelling  the  draft  riots.  His  regiment  was  in  the  thickest  of  the 
fray  in  some  of  the  most  important  engagements  of  the  war  and  he  thus 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Port  Republic,  Middleton,  Cedar  Mountain, 
Kettle  Run,  Antietam,  Charleston,  Dumphries,  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg, 
Kelly's  Ford,  Duck  River  Bridge,  Lookout  Mountain,  Missionary  Ridge, 
Pea  Vine  Creek,  Ringold,  on  the  expedition  down  the  Tennessee  river  to 
Gunnstonville,  the  Atlanta  campaign,  including  the  engagements  at  Rocky 
Ford  Ridge,  Resaca.  Dallas,  Pumpkinvine  Creek,  New  Hope  Church,  Burnt 
Hickory,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Pine  Mountain,  Pine  Knob,  Kulp's  Farm, 
Marietta,  Chattahoochie  River,  Pearl  Tree  Creek  and  the  siege  of  Atlanta. 
He  was  wounded  in  the  left  side  at  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  was  hit 
in  the  left  thigh  by  a  fragment  of  a  shell  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  was 


868  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

hit  in  the  left  knee  at  the  battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek  and  during  the  close 
of  the  Atlanta  campaign  was  bit  by  a  scorpion  and  was  compelled  to  lie 
for  some  time  in  a  hospital  at  Atlanta  in  consequence.  During  the  service 
Mr.  Thompson  contracted  rheumatism,  which  has  left  him  badly  crippled 
in  his  old  age.  Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  Mr.  Thompson 
returned  home  and  for  thirty  years  thereafter  was  engaged  at  his  trade  as  a 
plasterer,  but  of  late  years  has  not  been  able  to  perform  active  labors  and 
has  been  living  retired.  In  1905  he  and  his  wife  moved  to  Mechanicsburg, 
where  they  are  now  living  and  where  they  are  very  pleasantly  situated.  Mrs. 
Thompson  is  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  acres  in  Goshen 
township  and  another  farm  of  seventy  acres  in  the  neighborhood  of  Mutual. 

Thomas  Thompson  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife,  who  was 
Martha  L.  Suver,  of  London,  this  state,  died  in  1875,  without  issue,  and  in 
September,  1877,  Mr.  Thompson  married  Sarah  U.  Fudger,  who  was  born 
in  Goshen  township,  this  county,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Sophia  (Perry) 
Fudger,  the  former  a  native  of  New  Hampshire  and  the  latter  of  Franklin 
county,  this  state.  Peter  Fudger  was  but  a  child  when  his  parents  moved 
from  New  Hampshire  to  Ohio  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Goshen  township, 
this  county,  about  two  and  one-half  miles  northeast  of  Mechanicsburg,  where 
he  grew  to  manhood  and  where  he  became  a  substantial  and  influential  farmer 
in  turn.  Peter  Fudger  was  twice  married  and  by  his  first  wife,  Esther 
Davis,  was  the  father  of  three  children,  Edward,  Minerva  and  Leroy.  By 
his  second  wife,  Sophia  Perry,  he  also  was  the  father  of  three  children, 
those  besides  Mrs.  Thompson  being  Alanson,  a  well-known  farmer  and 
former  member  of  the  board  of  county  commissioners  of  Champaign  county. 
who  died  in  July,  1914,  and  Horace  M.  Fudger.  who  is  farming  the  old 
Fudger  farm  in  Goshen  township. 

To  Thomas  and  Sarah  M.  (Fudger)  Thompson  three  children  have  been 
born,  Sophia,  who  died  at  the  age  of  six  years;  Frederick  Earl,  a  Goshen 
township  farmer,  who  married  Mattie  Tway  and  hasi  fSttr  children,  Sarah 
L.,  Earl,  Pearl  and  Martha,  and  Naomi,  who  married  Fay  Anderson  and 
is  living  at  Springfield.  Mr.  Thompson  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  and  Mrs.  Thompson  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
church.  Mr.  Thompson  is  an  active  member  of  the  local  post  of  the  Grand 
:\rmy  of  the  Republic  and  has  for  years  taken  an  earnest  interest  in  the  affairs 
of  that  patriotic  organization.  He  is  a  Mason  and  a  member  of  the  local 
lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  in  the  affairs  of  these 
organizations  also  takes  a  warm  interest. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  6O9 

WILLIAM  R.  SHAUL. 

William  R.  Shaul,  a  well-known  retired  merchant  of  Cable,  this  county, 
an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  one  of  the  oldest  citizens  of  Cham- 
paign county,  is  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life. 
He  was  born  on  a  fami  about  twelve  miles  west  of  Springfield,  in  Clark 
county,  February  27,  1836,  son  of  Jeremiah  and  Elizabeth  (McMillan)  Shaul, 
iDOth  of  whom  also  were  born  in  this  state,  the  former  in  Clark  county  and 
the  latter  in  Trumbull  county,  who  later  became  residents  of  Champaign 
county  and  here  spent  their  last  days. 

Jeremiah  Shaul  was  a  son  of  Mathew  Shaul,  a  Virginian  and  one  of 
the  pioneers  of  Clark  county,  this  state,  who  became  a  substantial  farmer 
in  that  county  and  a  man  of  local  influence  in  the  early  days.  Mathew 
Shaul  was  twice  married,  his  children  by  his  first  marriage  having  been 
Solomon,  Cyrus,  Amos,  Jeremiah  and  Lemuel,  and  by  his  second  marriage, 
William,  Emma,  Amanda  and  Rosanna..  Jeremiah  Shaul  displayed  unusual 
proficiency  in  his  studies  in  his  youth  and  JDCcame  a  school  teacher,  teaching 
school  during  the  winters  and  farming  during  the  summers.  While  living 
in  Clark  county,  where  he  was  reared,  he  married  Elizabeth  McMillan,  daugh- 
ter of  one  of  the  pioneer  families  of  that  section,  and  after  his  marriage 
continued  to  make  his  home  there  until  1849,  when  he  came  up  into  Cham- 
paign county  with  his  family  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Wayne  township, 
where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  there  in  1885, 
he  then  being  seventy-six  years  of  age.  His  wife  has  preceded  him  to  the 
grave  about  six  years,  her  death  having  occurred  in  1879.  They  were  the 
parents  of  six  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  third 
in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow :  John  M.,  for  years  a  merchant 
at  Urbana,  who  died  in  1894;  Joseph,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  a 
farmer  in  Wayne  township,  this  county,  who  died  in  1869;  Minerva,  who 
married  Eli  Smith,  of  Clark  county,  this  state,  and  who,  as  well  as  her  hus- 
band, is  now  deceased;  Mary  Jane,  who  married  Joseph  Coe,  of  Wayne 
township,  and  who,  as  well  as  her  husband,  is  now  deceased,  and  Lucinda, 
^vho  married  John  Nitchman  and  died  in  Kansas. 

William  R.  Shaul  was  about  thirteen  years  of  age  when  his  parents 
moved  up  from  Clark  county  into  Champaign  county  and  he  grew  to  man- 
hood on  the  home  farm  in  Wayne  township,  completing  his  schooling  in  the 
schools  of  that  neighborhood,  and  remained  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-one 
vears  of  age,  when  lie  began   farming  on  his  own  account,  and  was  living 


8/0  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

in  that  township  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  In  July,  1862,  at  Cable, 
he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  armv  as  a  member  of  Company  E,  Ninety- 
fifth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  joined  his  regiment  at  Camp  Chase 
and  with  that  command  went  South,  shortly  afterward  participating  with 
that  command  in  the  battle  of  Richmond,  Kentucky,  in  which  engagement 
nearly  the  whole  of  the  Ninety-fifth  Ohio  was  captured  or  scattered.  Mr. 
Shaul  being  among  those  captured  by  the  enemy.  He  was  not  exchanged  , 
until  1863,  and  he  then,  after  a  furlough  of  three  months,  rejoined  his 
regiment,  which  meantime  had  been  recruited  up  to  fighting  strength,  at 
Memphis;  later  being  sent  to  Grand  Gulf,  Louisiana,  and  was  with  Grant 
at  the  battle  of  Jackson,  May  14,  1863,  and  later  at  the  siege  of  Vicksburg. 
At  the  later  battle  of  Guntown,  Mississippi,  Mr.  Shaul  again  was  captured 
by  the  enemy  and  was  confined  in  Andersonville  Prison,  where  he  was  com- 
pelled to  remain  for  nine  months  and  twenty  days,  or  until  March  28,  1865, 
when  he  was  sent  to  the  rear  of  Vicksburg,  still  as  a  prisoner,  and  after  four 
weeks  in  camp  there  was  put  on  board  the  ill-fated  steamer  "Sultana,"  which 
blew  up  in  the  Mississippi  on  April  27,  1865.  with  a  loss  of  more  than  seven 
teen  hundred  lives.  When  the  explosion  occurred  Mr.  Shaul  was  fortunate 
in  being  able  to  lay  his  hands  on  a  detached  cabin  shutter  and  with  this 
support  was  able  to  make  his  way  to  the  Tennessee  shore,  where  he  presenth- 
was  picked  up  by  the  relief  boat  "Silver  Spray"  and  with  other  survivors 
of  that  dreadful  disaster  was  safely  landed  at  Memphis,  which  place  he  left 
on  April  29  and  on  the  steamer  "Belle  of  St.  Louis"  was  transported  to 
Cairo,  Illinois,  whence,  by  way  of  the  Illinois  Central  railroad,  he  was  trans- 
ported to  Mattoon,  Illinois,  and  thence  to  Indianapolis  and  from  the  latter 
city  to  Columbus,  the  capital  of  his  home  state,  where  he  arrived  on  May 
6,  1865,  and  where  he  received  his  final  discharge  from  the  army  on  May 
20,  the  war  then  being  over. 

Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service,  William  R.  Shaul  returned 
home  and  resumed  the  pursuits  of  peace,  engaging  in  farming  for  some  time 
thereafter ;  but  he  presently  gave  up  the  farm  and  moved  to  Cable,  where 
he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  and  where  he  remained  thus  engaged 
for  thirty  years,  or  until  his  retirement  from  business  in  r()o().  since  which 
tirhe  he  has  continued  to  make  his  home  at  Cable,  living  there  in  quiet  retire- 
ment. Mr.  Shaul  was  quite  successful  in  business  and  was  also  formerly 
the  owner  of  two  excellent  farms  in  this  county.  One  of  these  farms  he  sold, 
but  is  still  the  owner  of  the  other,  a  well-improved  place  of  one  hundred 
and  thirty-one  and  one-half  acres  in  Wayne  township.  Though  he  now  is 
well  jiast  eighty  years  of  age,  Mr.  Shaul  retains  much  of  his  old-time  vigor 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  871 

and  continues  to  take  an  active  interest  in  current  affairs.  He  is  a  great 
reader,  is  blessed  with  a  clear  recollection  of  the  past  events  of  his  long  and 
busy  life  and  keeps  well  posted  on  passing  events.  He  formerly  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  at  Urbana  and  for 
years  took  an  active  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  patriotic  organization,  but 
of  late  years  has  not  felt  the  physical  inclination  to  keep  up  with  some  of 
his  former  forms  of  activity. 

In  November,  1862,  William  R.  Shaul  was  united  in  marriage  to  Anna 
McMahill,  daughter  of  James  McMahill,  of  Cable,  a  farmer  and  carpenter, 
of  that  place,  and  to  that  union  were  born  four  children,  namely:  William, 
James  Monroe.  Jennie  and  Frank  T.,  all  of  whom  are  still  living.  The  mother 
of  these  children  died  on  February  12,  1882.  William  Shaul  is  now  living 
in  the  West,  where  he  has  been  for  years.  James  M.  Shaul,  postmaster  at 
Cable,  has  also  for  years  been  engaged  as  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of 
that  place.  Jennie  Shaul,  who  also  is  living  at  Cable,  has  been  twice  mar- 
ried, her  first  husband,  George  J.  Brown,  having  died,  after  which  she  mar- 
ried Benjamin  Madden,  a  farmer  of  Cable.  Frank  T.  Shaul,  now  a  resident 
of  Latonia,  Kentucky,  is  engaged  in  the  railway  postal  service,  his  run  being 
between  Cincinnati  and  Indianapolis. 


MICHAEL  DORSEY. 


Michael  Dorsey,  farmer  of  Union  township,  Champaign  county,  was 
born  in  County  Wexford,  Ireland,  December  15,  1850.  He  is  a  son  of  John 
and  Mary  (Dawson)  Dorsey,  both  natives  of  Ireland,  where  they  grew  up. 
married  and  established  their  home;  in  fact,  spent  their  lives  in  their  native 
land.  To  these  parents  three  children  were  born,  Michael,  Patrick  and 
Sarah.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  only  member  of  the  family  to  come 
to  America. 

Michael  Dorsey  grew  to  manhood  in  Ireland  and  there  attended  the 
common  schools.  When  a  young  man  he  located  in  the  city  of  Dublin,  where 
he  drove  a  delivery  wagon  for  about  seven  years.  He  immigrated  to  the 
United  States  in  1871,  locating  at  Morristown,  New  Jersey,  reaching  there 
on  May  nth  of  that  year.  After  working  as  a  farm  hand  in  that  vicinitv 
about  a  year  he  went  to  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  found  employ- 
ment in  one  of  the  large  iron  works  there,  remaining  in  that  work  for  three 
years;  then  went  to  Buffalo,  New  York,  where  he  resided  two  years,  and 


872  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

from  there  to  Youngstown,  Ohio,  where  he  followed  his  trade  in  the  iron 
works  three  years.  Upon  leaving  that  city  he  came  to  Champaign  county 
and  turned  his  attention  to  farming  in  Union  township,  working  out  as  a 
farm  hand  the  first  five  years.  He  then  rented  a  farm  near  Lippincott  and 
carried  on  farming  as  a  renter  for  eleven  years.  He  then  moved  to  Union 
township  and  rented  the  farm  he  is  now  living  on  for  five  years,  then  bought 
it.  The  place  consisted  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres,  which  he  later 
added  to  until  he  now  has  a  fine  farm  of  two  hundred  and  thirty  acres, 
which  he  has  brought  up  to  high  state  of  improvement  and  cultivation  and 
has  been  very  successful  as  a  general  farmer  and  stock  raiser.  Since  ic;i4 
he  has  been  living  practically  retired  from  active  life. 

Mr.  Dorsey  was  married  in  1884  to  Alary  Lawless,  a  daughter  of 
Michael  and  Margaret  Lawless.  To  their  union  nine  children  have  Ijcen 
born,  Anna,  Sarah.  Joseph,  Mary,  John,  Ellen.  Catherine,  William  and 
Edward.  Only  two  of  these  children  are  married.  Mary  is  the  wife  of 
Mahlem  Fudger.  Joseph  married  Margaret  Gardner  and  they  have  two 
children,  Margaret  and  Ruth.  John  Dorsey  volunteered  for  service  in  the 
national  army  in  May,  191 7,  and  was  under  instruction  in  the  officers 
training  camp  at  Et.  Benjamin  Harrison,  in  Lidiana.  Politically,  Mr.  Dorsey 
is  a  Democrat,  but  he  has  never  been  active  in  public  afi^airs.  He  and  his 
family  belong  to  the  Catholic  church. 


CLYDE  H.  HOOLEY. 


The  present  able  and  pojnilar  representative  in  the  Legislature  of  Ohio 
from  Champaign  county,  Clyde  H.  Hooley,  whose  chief  life  work  has  been  in 
connection  with  agriculture,  is  deserving  of  special  mention  in  a  work  of  the 
nature  of  the  one  in  hand,  partly  because  of  his  public  spirit  and  popularitv 
as  a  citizen  and  partly  because  of  his  excellent  personal  reputation.  He  was 
born  on  November  24,  1887,  in  Salem  township  and  here,  by  his  own  efforts, 
he  has  forg-ed  to  the  front  while  still  a  young  man.  He  is  a  son  of  Jonas  and 
Elizabeth  (Riehl)  Hooley,  the  mother  a  native  of  Union  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania.' Jonas  Hooley  was  born  in  the  same  locality  as  was  his  son  Clyde,  and 
here  he  grew  to  manhood,  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of 
his  native  township  and  began  life  for  himself  as  a  farmer,  remaining  on  the 
home  place  until  his  marriage,  when  he  bought  the  homestead  of  one  hundred 
and  thirty  acres,  later  increasing  his  holdings  to  two  hundred  acres.     He  is 


CLYDE    H.    HOOLEY 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  873 

Still  successfully  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  making  a 
specialty  of  breeding  Percheron  horses.  He  is  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Martha 
Hooley,  who  came  to  Champaign  county  in  an  early  day  from  Mifflin-  county, 
Pennsylvania,  locating  in  Salem  township,  on  land  which  now  constitutes 
the  farm  of  their  son.  It  was  in  the  year  1847  that  Jacob  Hooley  established 
his  home  here  and  here  he  resided  until  his  death  in  1898.  His  wife  died  in 
1897.  They  were  parents  of  seven  children,  Jonas  being  the  sixth  in  order 
of  birth.  To  Jonas  Hooley  and  wife  six  children  were  born,  namely:  Clar- 
ence, Clyde,  Carrie,  Clayton,  Chester  and  Bessie. 

Clyde  H.  Hooley  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  received  his 
early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  district  and  in  the  high  school  at 
Kings  Creek.  He  continued  to  work  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  1912, 
when  he  attended  the  Ohio  State  University,  specializing  in  the  agricultural 
course.  Thus  well  equipped  for  a  life  as  a  scientific  farmer  he  returned  home 
and  bought  fifty  acres  in  Salem  township  which  he  farmed  successfully  until 
the  spring  of  191 7,  when  he  sold  most  of  it.  In  191 3  he  took  charge  of  the 
exhibits  for  the  state  at  the  county  fairs  throughout  the  state,  demonstrating 
the  work  of  the  state  agricultural  experiment  stations,  a  work  in  which  he 
had  been  engaged  for  four  years  previously,  and  he  has  given  eminent  satis- 
faction in  this  connection,  having  done  much  to  stimulate  better  scientific 
farming  throughout  the  state.  He  has  also  been  instrumental  in  organizing 
the  b\-irmers  Lecture  Course,  which  was  the  first  attempt  along  this  line  ever 
made  in  this  country,  and  through  his  able  direction  and  perseverance  he  has 
made  it  a  pronounced  success.  He  has  been  interested  in  the  state  institute 
work  for  a  number  of  years,  working  independently  as  well  as  for  the  state, 
b(jlh  as  a  speaker  and  as  a  judge.  He  was  employed  as  judge  of  fruits 
and  vegetables  at  a  number  of  countv  fairs  in  1916.  ■  He  keeps  well  abreast 
of  the  times  in  all  that  pertains  to  advanced  methods  of  agriculture  and 
horticulture,  being  widely  read  on  all  subjects  pertaining  to  these  lines  of 
endeavor.  He  is  Iw  nature  well  equipped  for  such  work  and  is  best  content 
when  working  with  ^rops  along  scientific  lines. 

Mr.  Hooley  has  also  become  prominent  in  public  affairs  and  is  one  of 
the  leaders  in  the  Republican  party  in  this  section  of  the  state.  He  served 
for  some  time  as  central  committeeman  for  his  party  in  Salem  township,  also 
served  a  term  as  road  supervisor  in  his  town.ship.  At  the  general  election 
in  November,  19 16,  he  was  elected  representative  to  the  state  Legislature, 
having  the  distinction  of  being  the  youngest  man  ever  elected  to  this  important 
(jffice  from  Champaign  county.  During  the  following  session  of  the  Legis- 
lature he  made  a  most  commendable  record.     He  introduced  a  bill  regulating 


874  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

the  salaries  and  duties  of  the  county  surveyors,  which  was  passed,  but  was 
included  in  the  White-Mulcahy  bill.  Mr.  Hooley's  bill  has  for  its  object  a 
threat  saving  in  funds  to  all  the  counties  of  Ohio.  While  in  the  Legislature 
he  served  as  a  member  of  the  public  highway  and  agricultural  committees, 
being  secretary  of  each.  He  was  also  on  the  constitutional  amendment 
(initiative  and  referendum)  committee.  He  did  his  work  most  faithfully 
and  conscientiously  in  all  these  positions  of  trust.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
( Grange. 

Mr.  Hooley  is  unmarried.     Personally,  he  is  a  young  man  of  pleasing 
address  and  of  unquestioned  integrity. 


PETER  A.  BOISEN. 


Peter  A.  Boisen,  a  substantial  landowner  of  Urbana  township,  former 
trustee  of  that  township  and  now  superintendent  of  the  Champaign  County 
Childrens  Home  at  Urbana,  is  a  native  of  the  kingdom  of  Denmark,  but 
has  been  a  resident  of  this  county  since  1881,  in  which  year  he  came  to  the 
United  States  and  with  his  brother,  Hjironimos  Boisen,  who  had  come  to  the 
United  States  eight  years  before,  proceeded  on  out  to  Ohio  and  setded  in 
this  county.  Hjironimos  Boisen,  who  married  Ella  Koffeberger,  bought  a 
farm  four  miles  east  of  Urbana,  in  Union  township,  and  there  established 
his  home.  These  two  Boisen  brothers  were  the  only  children  of  their  parents. 
Hans  and  Magdalena  (Peterson)  Boisen,  also  natives  of  Denmark,  farming 
people,  who  spent  all  their  lives  in  their  native  land,  their  home  having  been 
in  the  southern  part  of  the  kingdom. 

Upon  coming  to  this  county  in  1881,  Peter  A.  Boisen,  who  then  was 
seventeen  years  of  age,  he  having  been  born  on  June  24,  1864,  became  engaged 
in  farm  labor  and  after  some  years  bought  a  farm  of  seventy-one  acres, 
lying  two  and  one-half  miles  west  of  Urbana.  After  his  marriage  in  1892 
he  established  his  home  on  that  farm  and  there  lived  until  the  fall  of  1906. 
when  he  sold  that  place  and  bought  another  one,  in  1909,  one  mile  south- 
east of  Urbana,  but  lived  on  a  rented  farm  one  mile  east  of  Urbana.  until 
March,  19 16,  when  he  was  appointed  superintendent  of  the  Champaign 
County  Childrens  Plome  at  Urbana  and  entered  upon  the  duties  of  that 
position,  a  position  which  he  still  occupies,  he  and  his  wife  making  their 
home  at  the  Home,  to  the  affairs  of  which  they  give  their  most  earnest 
attention,  doing  all  in  their  power  to  make  comfortable  the  position  of  the 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  875 

children  who '  are  under  their  charge.  Mr.  Boisen  has  for  years  taken  a 
hearty  interest  in  local  political  affairs.  He  is  a  Republican  and  during  his 
residence  on  the  farm  served  for  some  time  as  a  member  of  the  school 
board  in  his  local  district  and  also  served  for  some  time  as  trustee  of  Urbana 
township. 

As  noted  above,  it  was  in  1892  that  Peter  A.  Boisen  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Fannie  E.  Fox,  who  was  born  in  Union  township,  this  county, 
a  daughter  of  Amos  and  Matilda  (Diltz)  Fox,  both  of  whom  also  were 
born  in  this  county,  members  of  pioneer  families,  their  respective  parents 
having  come  here  from  Virginia  at  an  early  day  in  the  settlement  of  Cham- 
paign county.  Amos  Fox  was  a  well-to-do  farmer  and  he  and  his  wife  are 
now  both  dead.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Boisen  have  one  child,  a  daughter,  Marv 
Helen.  They  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Urbana  and  take 
an  interested  and  proper  part  in  church  work,  as  well  as  in  other  community 
good  works.  For  several  years  Mr.  Boisen  has  been  an  active  member  of 
the  Grange  and  he  also  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  lodge  at  Urbana,  in  the 
affairs  of  both  of  which  fraternal  organizations  he  takes  a  warm  interest. 


THOMAS  M.  HANAGAN. 

Thomas  M.  Hanagan,  well-known  cement  contractor  at  Urbana  and 
proprietor  of  an  extensive  gravel  pit  there,  was  born  in  that  city  and  has 
lived  in  Champaign  county  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  April  9,  1874,  son 
of  Thomas  and  Bridget  (O'Melia)  Hanagan,  both  natives  of  Ireland,  who 
were  married  in  this  county  and  here  spent  their  last  days. 

Thomas  Hanagan  was  born  in  County  Kildare,  Ireland,  January  26. 
1826,  a  son  of  Richard  Hanagan  and  wife,  the  latter  of  whom  was  a  Doyle, 
and  who  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Morris,  who  came  to 
this  country  in  1848  and  settled  in  Champaign  county,  where  he  became  a 
substantial  farmer  and  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life;  Thomas, 
father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Peter,  who  also  became  a  resident  of 
this  county  and  here  died  unmarried;  Richard,  also  a  resident  of  this  county, 
who  died  unmarried;  Mar\-,  who  died  unmarried,  and  Patrick,  who  also 
came  to  this  county  and  here  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  army  during 
the  Civil  War  and  while  serving  with  his  command  died  in  a  Southern  hos- 
pital. The  father  of  these  children  died  in  his  native  land  and  in  1853  the 
Widow  Hanagan  and  her  son,  Thomas,  and  his  two  younger  brothers  and 


876  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

the  sisier  came  to  the  United  States  to  join  the  elder  son  and  brother,  Morris 
Hanagan.  who  had  located  in  this  county  in  1848.  Here  the  family  estab- 
lished their  home  and  here  the  Widow  Hanagan  spent  her  last  days. 

Upon  coming  to  Champaign  county  Thomas  Hanagan  became  engaged 
in  farming  and  in  1863  married  Bridget  O'Melia,  also  a  native  of  Ireland, 
l)orn  in  Kings  county,  who  had  come  to  this  country  in  i860.  After  his 
marriage  Thomas  Hanagan  farmed  at  several  different  places  before  finally 
establishing  his  home  in  Wayne  township,  where  he  spent  his  last  days,  his 
death  occurring  there  in  1906,  he  then  being  eighty  years  of  age.  His  widow 
spent  her  last  days  in  Urbana,  her  death  occurring  there  on  October  14,  1911, 
she  then  being  seventy-two  years  of  age.  They  were  earnest  members  of  the 
Catholic  church  and  their  children  were  reared  in  that  faith.  There  were 
seven  of  these  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  fifth 
in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow :  Peter  J.,  formerly  a  Cham- 
l)aign  county  farmer,  now  conducting  a  restaurant  and  barber  shop  in  Urbana. 
who  married  Margaret  Curran  and  has  six  children,  Frances,  Helen,  Anna, 
Morris,  Joseph  and  Thomas;  Mary,  who  married  John  Regan  and  has  three 
children,  John,  Loretta  and  Rosa;  Frances,  who  died  in  infancy;  Eliza  M.,  who 
died  unmarried  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years;  Francis  P.,  who  is  unmarried 
and  who  is  engaged  in  the  cement-contracting  business  with  his  brother. 
Thomas  M.,  at  Urbana,  and  Rose,  who  married  James  A.  Hearn  and  died 
in  1903,  leaving  one  child,  a  son,  Thomas. 

Thomas  M.  Hanagan  received  his  schooling  in  the  public  schools  of  this 
countv  and  remained  at  home,  assisting  in  the  labors  of  the  farm,  until  he  was 
thirt}--six  years  of  age,  when,  about  1900,  he  moved  to  Urbana  and  there 
became  engaged  in  other  lines  of  work  and  for  some  years  past  has  been 
engaged,  in  association  with  his  brother,  Francis  P.  Hanagan,  in  the  cement- 
contracting  business  in  that  city.  The  Hanagan  brothers  also  have  a  valuable 
gravel  ])it  at  Urliana  and  are  well  equipped  for  any  undertaking  in  the  cement 
line.  In  1913  Thomas  M.  Hanagan  held  the  office  of  state  inspector  of  cement 
work  and  is  widclv  known  among  cement  contractors  throughout  the  state. 
I'dliticalh,  he  is  a  Democrat  and  takes  an  active  interest  in  local  political 
affairs,  lie  and  his  ])rother  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church  and  are 
afliliated  with  the  Knights  of  Columbus  and  with  the  Ancient  Order  o\ 
Hilternians,  in  the  affairs  of  which  organizations  they  take  a  warm  interest. 

Thomas  M.  tianagan  was  married  on  April  26,  19 10,  to  Agnes  Gannon, 
a  daughter  of  I\lichael  and  Mary  (McLaughlin)  Gannon,  both  natives  of 
Ireland,  who  came  to  the  United  States  as  young  people  and  were  married 
in  Champaign  countv.      Michael  Gannon  became  a   section   foreman  on  the 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  877 

Erie  railroad  and  located  at  Urbana.  He  retired  several  years  ago  and  has 
his  home  and  a  tract  of  farm  land  at  the  edge  of  Urbana.  His  first  wife 
died  in  1882  and  he  later  married  to  Margaret  Kelly.  Mrs.  Thomas  M. 
Hanagan  was  born  in  Urbana  in  1880  and  attended  St.  Mary's  parochial 
school  there.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hanagan  have  two  children,  John  Joseph,  born 
in  191 1,  and  Angeline  Marie,  born  in  1914. 


C.  EDWIN  MOODY. 


C.  Edwin  Moody,  a  former  Champaign  county  school  teacher  and  pro- 
prietor of  a  fine  farm  of  eighty-three  acres  in  Union .  township,  his  home 
being  located  on  rural  mail  route  No.  i,  out  of  Mechanicsburg,  was  born  on 
the  farm  on  which  he  is  now  living  and  has  lived  there  the  greater  part  of 
his  life.  He  was  born  on  August  10,  1869,  son  of  John  R.  and  Serepta  A. 
(Bowen)  Moody,  both  of  whom  also  were  born  in  Champaign  county,  mem- 
bers of  pioneer  families  in  this  part  of  Ohio. 

John  R.  Moody  was  a  son  of  Moses  and  Maria  (Guy)  Moody,  the 
former  a  native  of  New  Hampshire  and  the  latter  of  Canada,  who  came  to 
Champaign  cotmty  in  pioneer  days  and  settled  in  Goshen  township,  later 
moving  to  Union  township,  where  they  established  their  home  and  where 
they  spent  their  last  days.  Moses  Moody  was  one  of  the  leading  men  of 
Champaign  county  in  his  generation  and  was  a  member  of  the  board  of  county 
commissioners  at  the  time  of  his  death.  During  the  days  of  his  young- 
manhood  John  R.  Moody  was  for  some  years  engaged  in  teaching  school 
during  the  winters,  farming  during  the  summers,  and  his  wife  also  was  a 
school  teacher  for  some  years  during  the  period  of  her  young  womanhood. 
In  addition  to  his  general  farming,  John  R.  Moody  was  extensively  engaged, 
in  cheese-making  and  was  widely  known  throughout  this  and  neighboring- 
counties  on  account  of  the  industry  he  built  up  in  that  connection.  He 
became  the  owner  of  two  hundred  acres  of  land  and  was  long  regarded  as 
one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  Union  township.  He  and  his  wife  were 
the  parents  of  six  children,  those  besides  the  subject  of  this  sketch  being- 
Lulu,  Margaret,  Laura,  Earl  and  Lawrence. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Union  township,  C.  Edwin  Moodv  received 
his  schooling  in  the  district  school  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  home  and  in 
the  high  school  at  Mechanicsburg  and  for  three  years  after  leaving  school 
was  engaged  in  teaching  during  the  winters,  meanwhile  continuing  his  labors 


878  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

on  the  farm  during  the  summers.  After  his  marriage  in  1895  he  estabUshed 
his  home  on  a  rented  farm  and  began  farming  on  his  own  account,  later 
buying  lifty  acres  of  the  old  home  place.  This  tract  he  later  added  to  by  the 
purchase  of  additional  land  and  is  now  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  eighty- 
three  acres,  besides  which  he  farms  additional  land,  now  carrying  on  his 
operations  on  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-seven  acres.  In  addition 
to  his  general  farming,  Mr.  Moody  gives  considerable  attention  to  the  rais- 
mg  of  pure-bred  Jersey  cattle  and  is  doing  well.  He  is  a  Republican  and 
takes  a  good  citizen's  interest  in  local  political  affairs,  but  has  not  been  an 
office  seeker. 

In  1895  C.  Edwin  Moody  was  united  in  marriage  to  Nona  Carpenter,  who 
was  born  in  Schuyler  county,  Missouri,  daughter  of  George  and  Mildred 
(Coffey)  Carpenter,  ■  and  to  this  union  two  children  have  been  born.  Earl 
and  Mary  Louise.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moody  are  members  of  the  Church  of 
Christ  (Scientist)  and  take  an  active  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  same.  Mr. 
Moody  is  a  Mason  and  a  Granger  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs 
of  these  two  organizations. 


SAMUEL  H.  ROBERTS. 


The  late  Samuel  H.  Roberts,  for  years  a  well-known  farmer  and  stock- 
man in  the  vicinity  of  Mutual,  this  county,  who  died  at  Los  Angeles,  Cali- 
fornia, in  191 2,  and  whose  widow  is  now  residing  at  Mechanicsburg,  was 
a  native  son  of  this  county,  born  on  the  farm  on  which  he  spent  all  his  active 
life.  He  was  a  son  of  Ephraim  and  Jane  (Harper)  Roberts,  who  came  to 
this  county  from  Harper's  Eerry,  Virginia,  and  settled  near  Mutual,  where 
they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  u.seful  and  influential  pioneers  of  that 
neighborhood.  They  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  nine  of  whom 
grew  to  maturity,  those  besides  the  subject  of  this  memorial  sketch  having 
been  Joseph,  Calvin,  John,  Mary,  Harriet,  Jennie,  Emily  and  Ann. 

Reared  on  the  old  home  farm  near  Mutual,  Samuel  H.  Roberts  received 
his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  neighborhood  and  from  the  days  of  his 
boyhood  was  a  valued  assistant  to  his  father  in  the  labors  of  improving  and 
developing  the  place.  After  his  marriage  he  established  his  home  there  and 
continued  to  make  that  his  place  of  residence,  becoming  one  of  the  most  sub- 
stantial farmers  and  stockmen  in  that  part  of  the  county  and  a  landowner  of 
considerable  means.      During  the   progress   of  the   Civil  War   Mr.    Roberts 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  879" 

enlisted  for  service  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Regiment,  Ohio 
Vohinteer  Infantry,  and  with  that  command  served  vahantly  until  mustered 
out.  He  was  one  of  the  active  members  of  the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic  at  Urbana  and  ever  took  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs  of 
that  patriotic  organization.  Three  of  his  brothers  also  served  as  soldiers 
of  the  Union  during  the  Civil  War.  Mr.  Roberts  also  was  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  lodge  at  Mechanicsburg  and  took  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs 
of  that  organization.  While  he  and  his  wife  were  enjoying  a  sojourn  in  the 
beautiful  city  of  Los  Angeles,  California,  in  the  winter  of  1911-12,  Mr. 
Roberts  was  taken  ill  there  and  died  on  February  8,  19 12,  he  then  being 
in  the  sixty-ninth  year  of  his  age.  His  body  was  brought  to  his  old  home 
in  this  county  and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Mutual,  the  memory  of 
the  deceased  there  receiving  fitting  parting  tribute  on  the  part  of  his  friends 
in  that  neighborhood  and  formal  recognition  on  the  part  of  his  comrades 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  his  brother  Masons.  Mr.  Roberts 
not  only  was  a  successful  farmer  and  stockman,  but  he  had  done  well  his 
part  in  his  various  relations  to  the  public  weal  and  he  left  a  good  memory  in 
the  community  in  which  he  was  born  and  in  which  his  long  and  useful  life 
was  spent. 

It  was  on  November  28,  1894,  at  Detroit,  Michigan,  that  Samuel  H. 
Roberts  was  united  in  marriage  to  Emma  J.  Harper,  who  was  born  on  a 
farm  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Roberts  farm  near  Mutual,  a  daughter  of  Cun- 
ningham and  Sarah  (Minturn)  Harper,  both  of  whom  also  were  born  in 
this  state,  the  former  near  Lancaster,  in  Fairfield  county,  and  the  latter, 
near  Mutual,  in  this  county.  Cunningham  Harper  was  a  substantial  and 
well-to-do  farmer  in  the  neighborhood  of  Mutual  and  he  and  his  wife  spent 
their  last  days  there.  They  were  earnest  members  of  the  Buck  Creek  Presby- 
terian church  and  their  children  were  reared  in  the  faith  of  that  church. 
There  was  six  of  these  children,  those  besides  Mrs.  Roberts,  the  fourth  in 
order  of  birth,  being  as  follow :  Belle,  widow  of  John  A.  Dowell,  of  New 
York  City,  who  has  two  children,  Blanche  and  Ethel;  Edward,  of  Mechanics- 
burg, a  well-known  farmer  of  that  neighborhood;  William  A.,  who  lives 
in  Virginia;  Carrie,  of  Mechanicsburg-.  and  Minerva  L..  also  of  Mechanics- 
burg, widow  of  Edward  Baumgardner,  who  has  one  son.  Edgar  H.  Baum- 
gardner.  In  1912,  after  the  death  of  her  husband,  Mrs.  Roberts  left  her 
home  in  Mutual  and  moved  to  Meclianicsburg.  where  she  bought  a  handsome 
residence  on  East  Sandusky  street  and  where  she  is  now  living,  very  com- 
fortabl}-  and  very  pleasantly  situated.     She  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 


88o  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

church,  as  was  her  husband,  and  has  ever  taken  a  close  personal  interest 
in  church  work,  as  well  as  in  other  local  good  works,  and  has  been  a  help- 
ful assistant  in  the  work  of  promoting  various  causes  designed  to  advance 
the  common  welfare  of  the  community  in  which  most  of  her  life  has  been 
spent. 


WILLIAM  L.  STOKES. 


Having  made  a  success  as  a  general  farmer  and  stock  raiser  William  L. 
Stokes,  of  Salem  township,  this  county,  is  now  able  to  spend  his  declining 
years  in  retirement.  He  has  spent  his  life  in  the  same  vicinity,  being  con- 
tent with  his  native  environment,  and  is  still  living  in  the  house  in  which  he 
was  born  on  November  lo,  1846.  He  is  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Nancy 
(Thomas)  Stokes.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Virginia  and  the  mother  was 
born  in  this  county. 

Samuel  Stokes  was  born  in  1806  and  remained  in  the  Old  Dominion 
until  1829  when  he  came  here  with  his  parents  and  lived  with  them  until  his 
marriage,  after  which  he  and  his  wife  established  the  family  home  at  what 
was  then  known  as  Cabletown,  now  known  as  Cable.  After  remaining  there 
two  years,  they  moved  to  the  place  on  which  their  son  William  L.  is  now 
living,  in  Salem  township.  Here  they  endured  the  privations  and  hardships 
of  pioneer  life,  cleared  and  developed  a  good  farm  from  the  wilderness,  and 
here  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives.  The  death  of  Samuel  Stokes  occurred  on 
November  21,  1879.  His  family  consisted  of  seven  children,  onlv  two  of 
whom  are  living  at  this  writing,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having  a  sister, 
Mary,  who  married  William  Russell.  The  Stokes  family  made  the  overland 
journey  from  Virginia  to  Ohio  in  wagons,  the  trip  requiring  weeks,  for  there 
were  few  good  roads  then. 

William  L.  Stokes  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  received 
his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Salem  township.  He  continued  to 
work  with  his  father  on  the  homestead  even  after  his  marriage,  and  upon 
the  death  of  his  father  he  took  charge  of  the  .same.  He  now  has  eighty  acres 
nf  productive  land.  He  has  rotated  his  crops  and  looked  after  his  land  so 
well  in  a  general  way  that  the  soil  has  not  lost  any  of  its  original  fertility. 
He  has  also  kept  the  farm  buildings  well  repaired. 

Ml-.  Stokes  was  married  in  1868  to  Margaret  Petty,  a  daughter  of  Will- 
iam and  Elizabeth  (Lippincott)  Petty,  and  to  their  union  six  children  have 
been  born,  namely :  Fannie,  who  married  E.  McDonald  and  has  three  chil- 
dren, Charles,  Flora  and  Ruth:  Laura,  who  married  Samuel  Black;  Samuel 


MR.   AND   MRS.   WILLIAM   L.    STOKES. 


CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO.  OOI 

Stokes,  who  married  Ida  Grubl)s  and  has  four  children,  Lawrence,  Norman, 
Merrill  and  Genora ;  Mary,  who  married  Joe  Walker ;  Sara,  who  married  Ora 
Stratton,  and  Andrew,  who  married  Elizabeth  Plank  and  has  five  children, 
Laura,  Gladys,  Harold,  Joe  and  Fannie  Margaret. 

Politically,  Mr.  Stokes  is  a  Democrat,  but  he  has  never  been  an  office 
seeker  or  active  in  public  affairs. 


ABRAM  M.  SPAIN. 


Another  of  the  retired  farmers  of  Rush  township.  Champaign  county, 
is  Abram  M.  Spain,  who  is  spending  his  declining  years  quietly  and  in 
the  midst  of  plenty  as  a  result  of  his  earlier  years  of  strenuous  endeavor. 
He  was  born  on  the  county  line  in  the  edge  of  Rush  township.  May  21. 
1839,  and  has  been  contented  to  spend  his  nearly  four-score  years  in  his 
native  locaHty.  He  is  a  son  of  Lemuel  and  Elizabeth  (Millice)  Spain.  The 
father  was  born  in  Rush  township  and  the  mother  in  Mechanicsburg,  this 
county.  They  each  represented  early  pioneer  famihes.  Lemuel  Spain  was 
a  son  of  Willis  Spain,  who  was  born  in  Dinwiddle  county,  Virginia,  from 
which  he  came  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  in  1805,  driving  overland  in 
covered  wagons.  This  country  was  still  a  wilderness,  when  neighbors  were 
few  and  far  between.  Thomas  Spain,  a  brother  of  Willis  Spain,  had  preceded 
him  to  this  locality  and  bought  one  thousand  and  sixty-three  acres  at  what 
is  now  the  northwest  edge  of  North  Lewisburg.  He  then  returned  to 
Virginia  and  brought  out  several  families  who  desired  to  settle  here.  They 
built  a  block  house  in  the  woods  to  insure  safety  in  case  of  an  Indian  attack. 
The  forest  was  cleared  and  farms  developed.  Each  family  built  a  log- 
cabin.  Indians  were  then  numerous  throughout  the  country.  The  Spains 
were  typical  pioneers  and  endured  the  hardships  and  privations  of  the  first 
frontiersmen.  Willis  Spain  lived  to  be  eighty-five  years  old.  During  the 
latter  part  of  his  life  he  bought  another  one  thousand  acres  of  good  land. 
He  became  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  the  county  in  his  day  and  genera- 
tion, was  w^ell-to-do  and  public-spirited,  helping  in  many  ways  to  introduce 
the  evidences  of  modern  civilization  in  the  wilderness,  such  as  schools, 
churches,  etc.  He  w-as  a  self-made  man,  having  had  little  opportunity  to 
obtain  an  education,  but  he  became  well  informed,  having  read  extensively 
in  later  life.  He  helped  build  the  first  Methodist  church  in  his  locality, 
(56a) 


882  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

which  was  of  logs.  His  family  consisted  of  seven  children,  namely  :  Lemuel. 
Henry,  Fletcher,   Newton,   Wright,   Betsy  and   David. 

Lemuel  Spain,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  grew  up  amid  pioneer 
conditions,  and  he  worked  hard  when  a  boy  helping  develop  the  home  farm. 
He  attended,  for  a  short  time,  the  early-day  subscription  schools.  After 
his  marriage  to  Elizabeth  Millice  at  Mechanicsburg.  he  located  on  a  farm 
in  Rush  township,  the  land  having  but  a  small  clearing  on  it.  He  finished 
preparing  the  place  for  the  plow,  built  a  home  and  other  substantial  build- 
ings and  soon  had  a  good  place.  He  built  the  tirst  frame  barn  in  his  local- 
ity. He  met  death  by  a  runaway  team  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years.  His 
widow  made  her  home  with  their  son,  Abram  M.  Spain,  until  her  death  at 
the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  Lemuel  Spain  was  a  Republican  and  he  and 
his  wife  belonged  to  the  Methodist  church.  Their  family  consisted  of  eight 
children,  as  follow:  Abram  M..  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  John,  who  lives 
in  Union  county,  Ohio;  Christopher  W.,  deceased;  David.  ("leorge,  I\oss 
and  Ben  P.,  all  of  North  Lewisburg,  and  Amos,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Abram  M.  Spain  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  attended 
the  local  rural  schools,  taught  in  a  log  school  house,  equipped  with  puncheon 
seats,  a  chimney  built  of  sticks  and  mud  and  with  greased  paper  for  window 
panes.  He  began  working  out  at  the  age  of  sixteen.  He  worked  in  Mechan- 
icsburg two  years.  He  hired  to  his  uncle,  Fletcher  Spain,  for  fifteen  dollars 
a  month.  On  December  ii,  i860,  he  married  Mary  Jane  Hutchings,  a  native 
of  Saratoga  county.  New  York,  from  which  she  came  to  North  Lewisburg, 
Champaign  county,  Ohio,  with  her  parents,  Ephraim  Hutchings  and  wife, 
when  young.  They  were  among  the  early  pioneers  here,  and  the  parents 
.spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  in  this  locality.  Mrs.  Spain  died  in  early  life, 
leaving  two  children,  Dora,  who  married  Ross  Albright,  a  farmer  of  Ivush 
township,  and  Ora,  who  died  in  1887.  Mr.  Spain  married  a  second  time, 
in  New  York  City,  to  Henrietta  DeGroff,  a  native  of  the  state  of  New 
York.  When  young  she  came  alone  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio.  Three 
children  were  born  of  Mr.  Spain's  last  marriage,  namely :  Lewis,  who  is 
engaged  in  farming  near  North  Lewisburg,  married  Florence  Darrow,  atid 
has  one  daughter,  Clift;  Ward,  a  traveling  salesman,  with  headf[uarters  in 
Chicago,  married  Clara  Smith,  and  has  two  children,  Walter  and  Henrietta, 
and  Chauncey,  who  is  farming  on  part  of  his  father's  i)lace  in  Rush  townsliin. 
married  Zella  Lain,  and  has  two  children.  Mary  L.  and  Ora  L. 

After  his  first  marriage  Mr.  Spain  lived  with  his  grandfather  a  \ear, 
then  moved  to  Logan  county,   this  state,   rctiu-ning  a   year  later  to   Cham- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  883 

paign  county,  locating  on  the  farm  where  he  has  since  resided  in  Rush 
township.  He  has  one  hundred  and  two  acres  in  the  home  place  and  ninety- 
nine  acres  where  his  son  lives,  also  another  farm  of  seventy-four  acres. 
His  home  place  is  known  as  "Sugar  Grove  Farm."  He  has  been  very  suc- 
cessful as  a  general  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  and  his  land  is  all  under  a 
splendid  state  of  improvement  and  cultivation.  He  formerly  bought  and 
sold  live  stock  in  this  and  adjoining  counties  extensively.  He  is  now  living 
practically  retired. 

Mr.  Spain  is  a  loyal  Republican  and  has  long  been  active  in  local  public 
affairs.  He  was  trustee  of  Rush  township  for  nine  years.  He  has  attended 
many  political  conventions  and  has  been  judge  of  elections.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  is  a  well-preserved  man  for 
his  ag-e,  having  retained  his  faculties,  and  is  as  active  as  many  men  are  at 
middle  age.  He  has  always  had  a  splendid  constitution  and  has  lived  a 
careful  and  upright  life. 


BURTON  A.  TAYLOR. 


Burton  A.  Taylor,  cashier  of  the  Central  National  Bank  of  St.  Paris, 
this  county,  and  former  auditor  of  the  neighboring  county  of  Madison,  is 
a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here  and  in  the  adjoining 
county  of  Madison  all  his  life,  a  resident  of  St.  Paris  since  1906,  in  which 
year  he  aided  in  the  organization  of  the  Central  National  Bank  of  that  place 
and  has  since  been  serving  as  cashier  of  the  same.  He  was  born  on  a  farm 
in  Salem  township,  this  county,  August  16,  1867,  son  of  Thomas  I.  and 
Hannah  (Stewart)  Taylor,  both  of  whom  also  were  born  in  this  county, 
members  of  pioneer  families,  and  who  are  still  living  at  their  home  in  Salem 
township,  honored  old  residents  of  that  section  of  the  county.  To  Thomas 
I.  Taylor  and  wife  seven  children  were  born,  namely:  Burton  A.,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  biographical  sketch;  Cora,  wife  of  O.  K.  West,  of  Columbus, 
this  state;  Efifie,  deceased;  Frank,  of  Springfield,  this  state;  Nellie,  wife  of 
C.  H.  Bentley,  of  Columbus;  Floy,  wife  of  W.  F.  Shrigley,  of  Springfield, 
and  Blanche,  who  is  at  home  with  her  parents. 

Reared  on  the  paternal  farm  in  Salem  township,  Burton  A.  Taylor 
received  his  early  schooling  in  the  district  school  in  the  neighborhood  of  his 
home  and  supplemented  the  same  by  a  course  in  the  Urbana  high  school, 
after  which  for  two  years  he  was  engaged  as  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools 


884  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

of  his  home  township.  He  then  went  over  to  Plain  City,  in  the  neighbornig 
county  of  Madison  and  there  became  engaged  as  a  bookkeeper  in  the  Farm- 
ers Bank  of  that  place.  He  presently  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  assistant 
cashier  of  the  bank  and  later  to  the  position  of  cashier,  remaining  with 
that  bank  for  eleven  years,  or  until  his  election  to  the  office  of  auditor  of 
Madison  county  in  1898.  Upon  entering  upon  the  duties  of  that  office  in 
1899  Mr.  Taylor,  who  in  the  meantime  had  become  married,  moved  to  Lon- 
don, the  county  seat,  where  he  made  his  home  until  the  completion  of  his 
official  service.  He  was  re-elected  auditor  and  thus  served  for  two  terms,  a 
period  of  six  years,  his  term  of  service  expiring  at  the  end  of  the  year  1905. 
Shortly  afterward,  in  1906,  Mr.  Taylor  returned  to  this  county  and  located 
at  St.  Paris,  where  he  aided  in  the  organization  of  the  Central  National 
Bank  of  that  place  and  was  made  cashier  of  the  same,  a  position  he  ever 
since  has  occupied.  Upon  the  organization  of  that  bank  David  McMorran 
was  elected  president  and  G.  Lear  Smith,  vice-president.  The  present  officers 
of  the  bank  are  as  follow:  President,  David  McMorran;  vice-president, 
J.  E.  Printz;  cashier,  Burton  A.  Taylor,  and  assistant  cashier,  G.  G.  Jones, 
the  directors  of  the  bank,  besides  the  officers  above  named,  being  J.  H. 
Batdorf,  Charles  Heck,  R.  M.  Kite  and  Cephas  Atkinson.  Mr.  Taylor  is 
a  Republican  and  during  his  residence  in  Madison  county,  besides  serving 
as  county  auditor,  was  for  some  time  clerk  of  Darby  township  in  that  county. 
In  1893,  at  Plain  City,  Burton  A.  Taylor  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Ada  Delano,  who  was  teaching  school  at  that  place  at  that  time.  She  was 
born  in  Iowa  and  is  a  graduate  of  the  Plain  City  high  school  and  of  Western 
College  at  Oxford.  Two  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Taylor. 
B.  Allen,  who  was  graduated  from  the  St.  Paris  high  school  and  is  now  a 
student  at  Wooster  College,  and  Martha  E.,  who  is  a  student  in  the  high 
school  at  St.  Paris.  The  Taylor  are  members  of  the  First  Baptist  church 
and  take  an  active  interest  in  the  various  beneficences  of  the  same,  Mr.  Taylor 
being  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  church  and  a  teacher  in  the  Sunday  school. 
He  is  a  Royal  Arch  Mason,  having  affiliated  with  the  Masons  while  living 
at  Plain  City,  and  is  past  master  of  the  lodge  at  that  place  and  a  member 
of  Adoniram  chapter.  Royal  Arch  Masons,  at  London.  He  also  is  a  member 
of  St.  Paris  Lodge  No.  344,  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  takes  a  warm  interest 
in  both  Masonic  and  Pythian  affairs.  Since  taking  up  his  residence  in  St. 
Paris  Mr.  Taylor  has  given  his  earnest  attention  to  the  general  business 
interests  of  that  city  and  is  widely  known  in  financial  circles  throughout 
this  part  of  the  state. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  885 

MARION  CORBET. 

Marion  Corbet,  a  farmer  of  Wayne  township,  this  county,  was  born 
in  Rush  township,  this  county,  in  1847,  a  son  of  Amasa  and  Experience 
(Walburn)  Corbet.  The  father  was  born  in  the  state  of  New  ^ York,  but 
when  young  his  parents  brought  him  to  Ohio,  the  family  locating  on  a  farm 
at  Brush  Lake,  in  Rush  township,  Champaign  county.  Amasa  Corbet  had 
one  brother,  who  died  when  eight  years  old,  and  one  sister,  Julia,  who 
married  James  Bay  of  Bloomington,  Illinois.  John  and  Matilda  Walburn, 
the  paternal  grandparents  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  were  also  pioneer 
settlers  in  Rush  township,  where  they  spent  their  last  days  on  a  farm.  They 
had  three  children.  Experience,  who  married  Amasa  Corbet;  a  daughter, 
and  John. 

Amasa  Corbet  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Rush  township, 
amid  a  pioneer  environment.  He  helped  to  clear  and  improve  the  home 
farm  and  attended  the  early-day  schools,  receiving  an  excellent  education 
for  those  early  times.  He  remained  at  home  until  his  marriage,  then  took 
up  farming  for  himself  in  Rush  township,  continuing  successfully  thus  en- 
gaged until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  September,  1861,  at  the  age  of 
rtfty-eight  years.  His  widow  also  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-eight,  June  6. 
1863.  They  were  originally  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
but  later  became  connected  with  the  United  Presbyterian  church.  Politically. 
Amasa  Corbet  was  a  Republican.  His  family  consisted  of  ten  children, 
namely :  David,  who  married  Lorinda  Stowe  and  established  his  home  on 
a  farm  in  Rush  township,  died  in  1892 ;  John,  who  married  Elizabeth  Jordan 
and  established  his  home  on  a  farm  at  North  Lewisburg,  this  county;  Lewis, 
who  first  married  Marinda  Bonsel,  and  later  Rosanna  Good,  established 
his  home  on  a  farm  in  Rush  township;  Olive,  the  wife  of  John  Swisher. 
a  farmer  of  Rush  township;  Martha,  who  married  Oliver  Colwell  and  who 
now,  as  well  as  her  husband  is  deceased;  Benjamin,  who  married  Susan 
Swisher,  devoted  his  early  Hfe  to  farming  and  died  in  Indianapolis,  Indiana, 
where  he  had  located;  William,  who  was  a  farmer  and  teacher  of  Wayne 
township.  Champaign  county,  married  Sarah  Wilson  and  they  are  now 
both  deceased;  Marion,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Mary  Eliza,  who  died 
when  three  years  of  age,  and  Amasa  T..  who  is  farming  in  Wayne  town- 
ship, this  county. 

Marion  Corbet  was  reared  on  the  old  home  place  and  received  his 
education  in  the  common  schools.     He  remained  at  home  until  the  death  of 


886  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

his  parents.  In  1867  he  married  Rebecca  Wilson,  of  Wayne  township,  and 
a  daughter  of  D.  K.  Wilson  and  wife.  To  this  union  one  child  has  been 
born,  Wilbert  Corbet,  now  engaged  in  farming  in  Wayne  township,  who 
married  Ella  Blue,  and  has  two  children,  Marion  and  Ethel. 

After  his  marriage  Marion  Corbet  located  on  the  Wilson  farm  in 
Wayne  township,  later  moving  to  his  present  farm,  known  as  the  Hale 
place,  in  that  same  township,  where  he  still  resides.  He  has  a  productive  and 
well-improved  farm,  owning  one  hundred  and  fifteen  acres  of  valuable  land, 
on  which  he  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  making  a  specialty 
of  Shorthorn  cattle  and  Jersey  red  hogs. 

Mr.  Corbet  is  a  Republican  and  has  served  on  the  local  school  hoard. 
He  is  a  member  of  Jenkins  Chapel,  Methodist  Protestant  church. 


EDGAR  M.  CRANE. 


In  this  age  brains  count  for  more  in  farming  than  brawn,  but  in 
pioneer  times  perhaps  the  reverse  was  true.  One  of  the  intelligent  tillers 
of  the  soil  in  Salem  township,  this  county,  is  Edgar  M.  Crane,  who  was 
born  in  Urbana,  Ohio,  March  21,  1870.  He  is  a  son  of  Marcus  H.  and 
Efifie  (Muzzy)  Crane.  The  father  was  born  in  Caldwell,  New  Jersey,  No- 
vember 10,  1843.  He  was  a  son  of  Zenas  and  Mary  (Harrison)  Crane, 
an  old  family  of  Caldwell,  New  Jersey,  where  they  lived  and  died  on  a 
farm.  Their  family  consisted  of  the  following  children :  Marcus  H.,  father 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Caleb,  who  is  still  living  in  Caldwell,  New 
Jersey,  and  Anna,  who  still  lives  in  New  Jersey,  widow  of  L.  G.  Lockward. 

Marcus  H.  Crane  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  state  and  there 
attended  the  public  schools  and  the  Plainfield  Academy.  He  remained  in 
New  Jersey  until  1862  when  he  came  to  Ohio,  where  he  secured  a  position 
in  the  foundry  of  Moore  &  Whitehead,  at  Urbana,  later  taking  an  interest 
in  the  firm  and  finally  buying  out  the  concern,  operating  the  business  himself 
successfully  for  some  time.  He  also  turned  his  attention  to  farming,  buying 
one  hundred  and  sixty-three  acres  east  of  Urbana,  also  a  farm  of  two  hundred 
and  seventy  acres  north  of  Urbana.  He  became  one  of  the  progress! \e 
and  well-to-do  citizens  of  this  locality. 

On  May  28,  1869,  Marcus  H.  Crane  married  Efiie  Muzzy.  She  was 
born  at  New  Carlisle,  Clarke  county,  Ohio,  February  13,  1848.  .She  was 
one  of  five  children  born  to  Joseph  and  Eliza    (Hunt)    Muzzy,   the   former 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  887 

a  native  of  Springfield,  Ohio,  and  the  latter  of  Whitehall,  Vermont.  Joseph 
Muzzy  was  a  boy  when  his  parents  removed  with  their  family  from  New 
England  to  Clark  county,  Ohio,  locating  near  Springfield.  There  Joseph 
Muzzy  died  and  his  wife  m.arried  a  second  time,  her  last  husband  being 
a  Mr.  Armstrong.  To  the  first  marriage  four  children  were  born,  Joseph, 
Horace,  Franklin  and  James.  Joseph  Muzzy  grew  up  in  Springfield,  Ohio, 
and  there  attended  school.  He  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business  during 
his  earlier  years,  later  conducting  a  grocery  store.  His  death  occurred  in 
1879.  His  wife  died  in  1863.  They  were  parents  of  the  following  chil- 
dren: Richard  Hunt,  deceased;  Lucinda,  the  wife  of  Dr.  Silas  Edgar,  of 
Atlanta,  Georgia;  Francis,  of  Springfield,  Ohio,  and  Effie,  -who  married 
Marcus  H.  Crane,  and  Wallace,  who  lives  in  Pennsylvania.  Three  chil- 
dren were  born  to  Marcus  H.  Crane  and  wife,  namely:  Edgar  Melvin, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Frances,  wife  of  Joseph  Hitt.  of  Urbana,  and 
Maria  Steel,  who  died  when  fifteen  years  of  age. 

The  death  of  Marcus  H.  Crane  occurred  in  1909,  and  his  wife  passed 
away  on  April  24,  191 7,  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine.  She  had  lived  in  Urbana 
forty-eight  years.  She  was  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  church 
and  an  ardent  worker  in  all  its  branches,  and  was  one  of  the  leaders  in  the 
missionary  movements.  She  was  at  one  time  a  teacher  in  the  Sunday 
school.  She  was  at  one  time  president  of  the  local  Literary  Club,  a  promi- 
nent member  of  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution,  and  was  closely 
identified  with  all  forward  movements  taken  up  by  the  women  of  Urbana. 
Marcus  H.  Crane  was  also  an  active  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
church,  with  which  he  was  affiliated  for  more  than  thirty  years,  and  for 
some  time  was  a  deacon  in  the  same.  Fraternally,  he  belonged  to  the  Ma- 
sonic order,  including  the  Knights  Templars.  He  also  belonged  to  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at  Urbana.  He  was  well  known  and 
respected  by  all  who  knew  him. 

Edgar  M.  Crane,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  review,  grew  to  man- 
hood in  Champaign  county.  He  received  excellent  educational  advantages, 
attending  the  local  public  schools  and  the  Urbana  high  school,  and  later 
spent  two  years  in  the  University  of  Wooster,  at  Wooster,  Ohio.  After 
leaving  college  he  began  his  business  career  by  accepting  a  position  with  the 
Citizens  Bank  of  Urbana,  but  he  decided  that  a  business  career  that  would 
keep  him  indoors  was  not  so  fascinating  as  agricultural  pursuits,  in  which 
»ie  could  lead  a  simpler  and  more  wholesome  fife;  so  he  abandoned  banking 
md  turned  his  attention  to  general  farming  on  land  east  of  Urbana,  where 
he  remained  twelve  vears,  or  until    1910.      He  then   located  on  his  present 


855  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

fine  farm  of  three  hundred  and  seventy-five  acres,  known  as  the  old  Jennings 
farm,  in  Salem  township.  He  has  made  many  important  improvements  on 
the  place,  and  keeps  his  fields  in  excellent  condition,  everything  denoting 
that  a  gentleman  of  industry  and  good  management  is  at  the  helm.  In 
connection  with  general  farming,  Mr.  Crane  pays  a  great  deal  of  attention  to 
stock  raising,  feeding  a  large  number  of  cattle  annually  for  the  market. 

Mr.  Crane  was  married  in  April,  19 15,  to  Goldie  Brinnon,  who  was 
born  in  Union  township,  this  county,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood,  a 
daughter  of  Charles  and  Nora  Brinnon.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crane  one  child, 
a  daughter,  has  been  born,  Dorothy  M.  Crane. 

Fraternally,  Mr.  Crane  is  a  Royal  Arch  Mason,  affiliated  with  Har- 
mony lodge  and  the  chapter  at  Urbana.  He  belongs  to  the  Presbyterian 
church  and,  politically,  is  a  Republican. 


ISAAC  J.  KAUFFMAN. 


Fanning  is  both  profitable  and  pleasant  when  skillfully  done,  as  in  the 
case  of  Isaac  J.  Kauffman  of  Salem  township,  this  county.  He  was  born 
in  Clearfield  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  14,  1870,  a  son  of  Charles  and 
Keziah  (Dunlap)  Kaufifman,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  the  father  of 
Lancaster  county  and  the  mother  of  Clearfield  county.  Charles  Kauffman 
was  fourteen  years  old  when  he  left  school  and  went  to  work,  earning  his  own 
living.  Later  he  went  to  Clearfield  county,  where  he  was  married  and  there 
he  worked  for  some  time  in  the  timber  and  about  saw-mills.  In  1877  he 
came  to  Ohio  and  settled  in  Salem  township,  Champaign  county,  first  living 
on  the  Abel  North  farm  one  year,  also  spent  a  year  on  the  B.  M.  Madden 
farm,  then  moved  to  the  I.  B.  Thomas  farm  where  he  resided  for  a  period 
of  fifteen  years.  From  there  he  moved  to  the  William  Gamon  place  where 
he  spent  two  years,  then  moved  to  Wyandotte  county,  this  state,  where  he 
made  his  home  for  seven  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  Champaign  county, 
locating  near  Woodstock,  on  the  Pete  Black  place,  where  he  lived  three 
years,  then  moved  to  Zanesfield,  Logan  county,  where  his  death  occurred  in 
December,  1914,  at  the  age  of  sixty -nine  years.  His  widow  is  still  living 
there.  Ten  children  were  born  to  Charles  Kauffman  and  wife,  namely : 
Isaac  J.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  John  \\\,  who  lives  in  Indianapolis. 
Indiana,  and  has  been  an  engineer  on  the  Pennsylvania  railroad  for  the  past 
twenty-one  vears ;   Stephen   G.,  an   electrical   ccMitractor  of   Columbus,   Ohio; 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  889 

Charles  M.,  who  is  farming  in  Monroe  county,  Michigan;  Myrtle,  who 
lives  in  Fremont,  Ohio;  Edward,  who  is  a  steam-shovel  engineer  and  lives 
in  Newark,  Ohio;  Hoad,  who  is  farming  in  Salem  township,  this  county; 
Nora,  who  lives  in  Columbus,  this  state;  Walter,  who  lives  in  Columbus, 
where  he  works  as  an  electrician,  and  Morris,  who  lives  at  home  with  his 
mother. 

Isaac  J.  Kauffman  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  received  a  common- 
school  education  at  Kennard.  He  lived  at  home  until  his  marriage  on  Janu- 
ary 28,  1892,  to  Dora  A.  Wilkins,  who  was  bom  in  Belmont  county,  Ohio. 
She  is  a  daughter  of  Howard  and  Rebecca  (Martin)  Wilkins,  natives  of  Vir- 
ginia, from  which  state  they  came  to  Ohio  in  an  earh'  day,  locating  in  Salem 
township.  Champaign  county,  where  they  engaged  in  farming,  the  father 
dying  here  in  1903.  His  widow  is  still  Hving  in  Salem  township.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Wilkins  eight  children  were  born,  namely:  William  G.,  who  is  a 
retired  farmer  and  lives  at  Kennard,  this  county;  James  W.,  who  lives  in 
Salem  township,  this  county;  Margaret  Belle,  wife  of  Jacob  Woodruff,  of 
Salem  townsbip;  Sarah  Minerva,  wife  of  C.  S.  Unkefer,  of  Salem  township; 
Fred  L.,  wbo  also  lives  in  Salem  township;  Dora  A.,  wife  of  Mr.  Kauff- 
man,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Anna  S.,  wife  of  Edward  B.  Thomas,  of 
Salem  township,  and  Charles  G.,  who  also  lives  in  Salem  township. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kaufifman  seven  children  have  been  born,  namely; 
Freda,  who  married  Marshall  Miller,  a  farmer  of  Salem  township,  and  has 
one  child,  John,  and  Ray.  Emmett,  Naomi,  Ralph,  Nellie  and  Alfred.  These 
rliildren  are  all  at  home  but  the  eldest. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Kauffman  located  on  the  Abel  North  farm  in 
Salem  township,  where  he  spent  three  years,  then  moved,  to  Kennard,  where 
he  resided  for  nine  years,  engaging  in  teaming  and  hay  bailing.  In  1904 
he  moved  to  the  place  on  which  he  now  lives,  known  as  the  Fulweider  farm, 
which  consists  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  where  he  has  made  many 
important  improvements  and  has  been  very  successful  as  a  general  farmer 
and  stock  raiser.  He  has  worked  hard  and  managed  well  and  is  one  of  the 
leading  young  farmers  of  his  township. 

Mr.  Kauffman  is  a  Democrat  and  has  for  some  time  been  more  or  less 
active  and  influential  in  public  affairs.  He  has  served  as  trustee  of  Salem 
township  for  the  past  eight  years,  his  long  retention  in  this  office  indicating 
that  he  has  discharged  his  duties  in  a  highly  acceptable  manner,  honestly 
.'uid  conscientiously  looking  after  tlie  best  interests  of  the  people.  He  is  a, 
member  of  the  Friends  church. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


WILLIAM  R.  YOCOM. 


A  venerable  agriculturist,  now  living  in  retirement,  in  Wayne  town- 
ship, being  now  in  his  eighty-third  year,  is  William  R.  Yocom,  who  has 
always  been  a  well-known  and  highly  esteemed  citizen  of  Champaign  county. 
He  was  born  December  12,  1834,  in  the  above-named  township,  and  Is 
therefore  one  of  the  oldest  native-born  citizens  in  the  county,  which  he 
has  lived  to  see  develop  from  a  pioneer  settlement  to  one  of  the  leading 
farming  sections  of  the  country. 

The  first  member  of  this  family  in  America  was  Solomon  Yocom  of 
Virginia,  who  removed  to  Kentucky  in  1802,  settling  near  Mount  Sterling, 
and  in  1820  came  to  Ohio,  locating  at  Urbana.  After  buying  horses  and 
other  live  stock  there  for  some  time  he  settled  two  miles  east  of  Granite 
Hill  and  opened  up  Sulphur  Springs,  clearing  and  developing  the  land 
round  about  that  place.  His  first  building  was  a  log  caljin.  Later  he  moved 
to  Urbana  on  account  of  the  prevalence  of  malaria  at  Sulphur  Springs. 
He  finally  bought  land  near  George's  Chapel,  and  later  died  while  living 
with  his  son,  John  W.  Yocom,  his  death  occurring  there  in  1855.  His 
wife  had  preceded  him  to  the  grave  in  1838.  He  was  a  harnessmaker 
and  saddiemaker  by  trade.  He  was  also  a  local  preacher  and  often  preached 
to  the  Indians  in  the  early  days,  with  Sol  Hinkle.  He  was  a  Methodist. 
Seven  children  were  born  to  Solomon  Yocom  and  wife,  namely :  Kate,  Nancy, 
Sallie  M.,  John  Wesley,  Betsy,  Caroline  and  Lucy  Ann.  Kate  Yocom 
married  John  Miller  and  three  children  were  born  to  them,  Si^lomon,  who 
married  Pruetta  Studebaker ;  Nancy,  who  married  Peter  Kenn\-,  and  Robert. 
Nancy  Yocom  married  Levi  King,  and  they  were  parents  of  two  children, 
Polly,  who  married  Daniel  Baylor,  of  Union  township,  and  after  his  death 
married  Thomas  Middleton,  of  Wayne  township,  and  Charles  K.,  who  lives 
in  Springfield,  Ohio.  Sallie  M.  Yocom  married  Reuben  Adams  and  these 
children  were  born  to  them:  Eliza,  who  married  Levi  Elliot,  a  soldier  in 
the  Union  army,  who  established  his  home  in  this  county;  Marv  Ann,  wIk,- 
married  John  W.  Diltz,  who  established  his  home  in  Union  township,  this 
county;  Caroline,  who  married  Alex  Miller  and  located  in  Goshen  town- 
ship, this  county;  John  W.,  who  died  when  young;  Lucy  Ann,  who  married 
James  Edge  and  moved  to  Indiana;  Solomon,  who  lived  at  Mutual,  and  who 
was  killed  in  a  saw-mill ;  Sarah,  who  now  lives  in  London,  Ohio,  the  widow 
of  Andrew  J.  Stone,  a  soldier  in  Company  C,  Sixty-sixth  Regiment,  Ohio 
Volunteer   Infantry,    dm-ing   the   Civil    W'nw    wlio   died    in    December,    i8()8. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  89 1 

John  Wesley  Yocom,  the  only  son  in  the  family,  is  mentioned  in  succeeding 
paragraphs  in  this  article.  Betsey  Yocom  married  John  Worrell,  who  lo- 
cated in  Urbana,  and  they  had  the  following  children :  James,  who  was  a 
machinist  in  Springfield,  Ohio,  and  later  in  Richmond,  Indiana;  Frank,  who 
was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War,  and  who  died  at  Memphis,  Tennessee,  after 
serving  in  the  war;  Adam,  also  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War  and  a  locomotive 
engineer,  who  died  in  Indiana;  William,  also  a  Union  soldier,  and  a  loco- 
motive engineer,  also  lived  in  Indiana;  Moses  B.,  a  blacksmith,  who  served 
in  the  Union  army  and  after  the  war  located  in  Ohio.  Caroline  Yocom 
married  James  Bailey,  of  Urbana,  Ohio,  and  had  one  child,  Charles,  who 
lived  with  his  grandfather,  Solomon  Yocom,  until  he  was  twenty  years 
old,  then  went  to  Madison  county,  Ohio.  He  married  Sallie  Crawford. 
Lucy  Ann  Yocom,  the  seventh  and  youngest  child,  married  Davidson  Bayless, 
a  farmer  of  Union  township,  this  county,  and  they  became  parents  of  four 
children :  Susie,  widow  of  David  Syler,  of  Miami  county,  Ohio,  now  making 
her  home  in  the  city  of  Cleveland;  Lemuel,  who  married  Martha  Craig 
and  located  first  in  Union  township,  this  county,  but  now  makes  his  home 
in  Logan  county,  Ohio;  Louisa,  who  married  John  Syler,  of  Miami  county, 
Ohio,  and  who,  as  well  as  her  husband,  is  now  deceased,  and  Gould  who 
lives  in  Michigan. 

John  Wesley  Yocom,  father  of  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  the  only  son  of  Solomon  Yocom  and  wife,  and  the  fifth  child  in  order 
of  birth.  He  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1805.  He  spent  his  boyhood  in 
the  Blue  Grass  state,  being  fifteen  years  of  age  when  his  parents  brought 
him  to  Champaign  county,  in  1820.  He  helped  clear  and  develop  the  home 
farm  here,  working  hard  and  enduring  the  usual  privations  of  pioneers. 
He  remained  at  home  until  1827,  when  he  married  Susanna  Watson.  She 
was  a  native  of  the  vicinity  of  London,  Ohio,  and  a  daughter  of  David  and 
Betsey  (Helvestine)  Watson.  David  Watson  was  born  in  1770.  When 
a  boy  he  followed  the  sea  six  or  seven  years,  later  settling  in  Virginia, 
finally  came  to  Madison  county,  Ohio,  where  he  was  one  of  the  first  settlers, 
locating  southwest  of  London,  where  he  cleared  and  developed  a  farm  in 
the  wilderness,  when  settlers  were  few  and  trading  centers  far  remote.  He 
was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812.  He  and  his  wife  both  died  in  Madison 
county,  this  state.  Their  children  were  named  as  follows :  Susanna,  born 
in  1808;  Jesse,  who  lived  on  a  farm  in  Madison  county;  Betsy,  who  mar- 
ried Joseph  Surves,  who  established  his  home  in  Madison  county;  Samuel, 
who  married   Nancv  Crider  and  established  his  home  in  Madison  countv ; 


892  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Isabella,  who  married  Samuel  Crider,  of  Madison  county;  Stephen,  who 
married  Alma  Dungan,  and  they  also  lived  in  Madison  county;  David, 
who  married  Elizabeth  Jones  and  also  lived  in  ^^ladison  county;  Mrs.  Jose- 
phine Brown,  also  of  Madison  ccnmt}-,  and  the  two  yonn.sfest  children,  daugh- 
ters, who  died  in  infancy. 

John  Wesley  Yocom  had  little  opportunity  to  obtain  an  education, 
attending  for  a  short  time  the  pioneer  rural  schools.  After  his  marriage 
he  moved  to  the  old  camp  ground  in  Champaign  county,  where  he  lived  four 
years;  then  to  a  farm  in  Wayne  township,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his 
life.  His  widow  survived  until  November  20,  1892.  He  became  one  of 
the  leading  farmers  and  stockmen  of  his  locality.  He  was  a  Republican. 
He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Union  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
which  congregation  often  held  services  in  their  home  before  the  church 
was  built,  and  he  was  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  church.  His  family  con- 
sisted of  eight  children:  James  W..  Mary  Jane,  Hester,  William  R.,  Caro- 
line, Isabella.  Louisiana  and  Emily.  James  W.  Vocom,  who  was  for  many 
years  a  teacher  in  the  schools  of  Union  township  and  who  died  in  1898, 
married  Mrs.  Hannah  (Millice)  Elsworth  and  had  five  children,  namely: 
Viola,  who  married  James  Perry,  of  Union  township;  John,  who  married 
Lulu  Reams,  also  of  Union  township;  Elmer,  who  married  Fannie  Corbett 
and  lives  in  Union  township;  .Vlfred,  who  married  a  Miss  Beltz  and  lives 
in  Marion.  Ohio,  and  Jesse,  who  died  when  fourteen  years  of  age.  Mar\- 
Jane  Yocom,  who  died  in  1894,  was  the  wife  of  John  Best.  They  estab- 
lished their  home  in  Wayne  township,  this  county,  and  three  children  were 
born  to  them,  namely:  Enola,  who  married  Statin  Middleton  and  Ijves  in 
Wa)aie  township;  Carrie,  wife  of  David  Perry,  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  and 
John  Wesley,  of  Wayne  township,  who  married  a  Miss  Shaul.  now  deceased. 
Hester  Yocom  died  in  1845.  William  R.  Yocom,  the  immediate  subject 
of  this  sketch,  was  the  fourth  child  in  order  of  birth.  Caroline  Yocom 
married  O.  S.  Barber  and  lives  in  Urliana.  Isabella  Yocom  died  unmarried 
in  1858.  Louisiana  Yocom.  now  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  William  Yeazell. 
Emily  Yocom  married  Benjamin  Millice  and  lives  near  Mechanicsburg.  Mr. 
and  ]\Irs.  Millice  have  two  children.  Cora,  who  married  William  Romanic. 
of  iMechanicsburg,  and  William,  who  married  Lulu  Moody,  and  lives  near 
Mechanicsburg. 

\\'illiam  R.  Yocom  grew  to  manhood  on  the  liome  farm  in  his  native 
c(juntv  and  attended  tlie  old-time  subscription  schools  in  his  community, 
receiving  a  limited  education,  walking  three  miles  to  the  school  house,  which 
was  <if  logs,  about  one-half  the  way  Ijeing  through  the  heavy  woods.      He 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OTIIO.  893 

has  become  a  well-informed  man  on  general  topics  by  wide  miscellaneous 
reading.  He  remained  at  home,  assisting-  with  the  work  on  the  farm,  until 
he  was  twenty-seven  years  old.  On  March  26,  1862.  he  married  Martha 
Chedister,  who  was  born  in  Wayne  township,  this  county,  a  daughter  of 
Holdridge  and  Mary  Chedister,  pioneers  of  that  township.  Mrs.  Yocom 
lived  only  six  months  after  her  marriage,  dying  on  October  7,  1862.  and 
Mr.  Yocom  subsequently  married  IMargaret  Linville,  who  was  born  in  Penn- 
sylvania in  1849,  and  whose  parents  brought, her  to  Champaign  county  when 
she  was  eight  years  old.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Linville  and  wife. 
To  this  second  marriage  four  children  were  born,  namely:  Quinn  M.. 
who  is  farming  in  Mad  River  township,  this  county,  and  who  married 
Grace  Hunter  and  has  two  children,  Helen  and  Margaret;  Jason  C,  who 
is  farming  in  Union  township,  and  who  married  Elvie  Johnson  and  has 
three  children,  William  H.,  Robert  and  Clyde;  Jesse,  who  died  unmarried 
at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years,  and  Samuel  L.,  who  lives  at  home,  operating 
the  home  farm,  and  who  married  Laura  Cooper  and  has  one  son,  Raymond. 

After  his  marriage  William  R.  Yocom  located  near  the  old  home  farm 
in  Wayne  township,  buying  one  hundred  acres.  Not  long  after  his  second 
marriage  he  bought  the  farm  on  which  he  now  lives.  He  was  a  man  of 
industry,  good  management  and  sound  judgment  and,  prospering  with  ad- 
vancing years  he  has  become  the  owner  of  one  thousand  acres  of  excellent 
farming  land  in  Wayne  and  Union  townships,  and  has  long  been  regarded 
as  among  the  leading  general  farmers  and  stock  raisers  in  Champaign  and 
adjoining  counties.  He  farmed  on  an  extensive  scale  for  many  years,  but 
now  that  old  age  has  come  on  he  has  turned  the  operations  of  his  great 
estate  over  to  his  son,  for  the  most  part.  He  always  raised  large  herds  of 
live  stock  and  fed  a  number  of  carloads  of  stock  annually  for  the  market, 
dealing  especially  in  hogs,  sheep  and  horses.  He  has  an  attractive  and 
commodious  residence  in  the  midst  of  picturesque  surroundings,  and  numer- 
ous modern  and  substantial  outbuildings;  in  fact,  his  lands  are  well  improved 
in  every  respect,  everything  alwut  his  place  denoting  thrift  and  good  man- 
agement. 

Mr.  Yocom  is  a  Repuljlican,  but  he  has  never  been  especially  active 
in  political  affairs,  nor  aspired  to  public  leadership.  However,  he  has  served 
as  township  trustee  and  as  a  member  of  the  local  school  board.  He  has 
been  a  member  of  the  local  Methodist  Episcopal  church  for  the  past  sixty- 
eight  years,  and  has  been  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  church  and  active  in  its 
general  affairs,  having  served  as  steward  and  class  leader. 

Mr.   Yocom   is  exceptionally  well   preserved   for  one   of  his   advanced 


894  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

years.  He  has  lived  a  careful  and  abstemious  life,  been  watchful  of  his 
relations  with  the  world  in  general  and  lived  an  honest,  upright  and  clean 
life.  His  hearing  and  sight  are  good  and  he  has  a  remarkable  memory; 
in  fact,  he  has  retained  all  his  faculties.  He  is  widely  and  favorably  known 
throughout  the  county. 


JOHN  FRAWLEY. 


John  Frawley,  retired  farmer  of  Wayne  township,  this  county,  is  the 
I)ossessor  of  many  of  the  commendable  traits  of  the  people  with  Celtic  blood 
in  their  veins.  He  was  born  in  County  Limerick,  Ireland,  February  28, 
1847.  He  is  a  son  of  Edward  and  Mary  (Welsch)  Frawley,  both  natives 
of  Ireland,  where  they  grew  up,  married  and  established  their  home  on  a 
farm,  where  they  resided  until  immigrating  to  the  United  States  in  1852. 
first  locating  in  the  state  of  New  York,  but  in  a  short  time  they  came  to 
Delaware  county,  Ohio,  where  the  father  worked  on  the  section  gang  of 
the  Big  Four  railroad  for  awhile.  In  1857  he  moved  to  Cable  in  this 
county,  and  worked  on  the  Pennsylvania  railroad  for  a  number  of  years, 
then  bought  ten  acres  south  of  Cable.  He  worked  hard  and  continued  to 
add  to  his  holdings  there  until  he  owned  eighty  acres,  on  which  he  carried 
on  general  farming  until  his  death  in  1893.  His  wife  died  later  there. 
They  were  parents  of  five  children,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  being  the 
only  one  now  living. 

John  Frawley  was  five  years  old  when  his  parents  brought  him  to 
.\merica.  He  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  in  Champaign  county  and 
received  a  common  school  education.  When  a  young  man  he  began  working 
for  the  Panhandle  Railroad  Company,  with  which  he  remained  ten  years, 
during  the  winter  months,  working  as  fireman  and  brakeman,  farming  in 
the  summer  time  the  meanwhile.  After  leaving  the  employ  of  the  railroad 
he  took  up  farming  in  Logan  county,  Ohio,  as  a  renter,  for  a  number  of 
years,  then  moved  to  Wayne  township,  this  county,  renting  land  until  1893. 
His  father  dying  at  that  time  he  inherited  the  homestead,  which  he  has 
ojierated  ever  since,  keeping  the  place  well  tilled  and  well  improved,  all 
of  the  eighty  acres  being  under  cultivation.  He  is  now  living  ])ractically 
retired,  his  son,  William,  doing  the  actual  work  on  the  place. 

Jolin  hrawlcy  was  married  in  1875  to  Ellen  Powers  a  daughter  of 
William  and   I'ridget  Powers.  To  their  union  seven  children  have  been  born. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  895 

of  whom  those,  MoUie,  Edward  and  Emniett,  are  deceased,  the  survivors 
being  John,  who  married  Anna  Billock  and  has  three  children,  Ellen,  Robert 
and  William;  Nellie,  who  married  William  Dorsey  and  has  three  children, 
Kenneth,  Catherine  and  Margaret;  William,  who  married  Sylvia  Taylor 
and  has  two  children,  Mildred  and  Richard,  and  Edward,  who  married  Nellie 
Dorsey  and  has  four  children,  Helen,  Mary  Louise,  Madeline,  and  Edward 
The  wife  of  Mr.  Frawley  and  mother  of  the  above  named  children,  died 
on  November  27,  1906.  Mr.  Frawley  is  a  Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the 
Catholic  church  at  Urhana. 


LAWRENCE  CRADLER. 


Lawrence  Cradler,  farmer,  of  Wayne  township,  this  county,  was  born 
in  Union  county,  Ohio,  March  20,  1872,  a  son  of  Christian  and  Mary 
(Mutlar)  Cradler,  both  natives  of  Germany.  Christian  Cradler  immigrated 
to  America  when  a  young  man  and  located  near  Marysville,  Union  county, 
Ohio,  where  he  worked  out  as  a  farm  hand  for  some  time.  He  saved  his 
earnings  and  later  bought  a  small  farm,  which  he  operated  the  rest  of  his 
life.  His  family  consisted  of  nine  children,  five  of  whom  are  living  at 
this  writing,  namelv :     John  W^,  Ninna,  Frederick,  Lawrence  and  Lewis. 

Lawrence  Cradler  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Union  county, 
where  he  assisted  with  the  general  work  when  he  was  of  proper  age,  and 
in  the  winter  time  he  attended  the  rural  schools  in  his  home  district.  He 
was  the  onlv  member  of  his  family  to  move  to  Champaign  county. 

After  leaving  school  Mr.  Cradler  began  life  for  himself  as  a  teacher, 
which  profession  he  followed  Avith  success  for  a  period  of  ten  years  in  the 
public  schools  of  Union  county.  His  services  were  in  demand  and  he  was 
one  of  the  popular  teachers  of  his  county.  He  remained  a  close  student 
himself  and  kept  well  abreast  of  the  times  in  all  that  pertained  to  his  work. 
Finally  deciding  that  an  outdoor  life  was  more  to  his,  taste  than  school 
teaching,  j\Ir.  Cradler  came  to  Champaign  county  and  l)ought  the  Newton 
Diltz  farm  of  ninety-one  acres  in  Wayne  township,  which  he  has  operated 
successfully  ever  since.  He  has  kept  his  land  well  improved  and  well  cul- 
tivated and  engages  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising.  Politically,  Mr. 
Cradler  is  a  Republican. 

Mr.  Cradler  has  been  twice  married.  In  1902  he  was  united  to  Ethel 
Carren,  a  daughter  of  William  Carren,  and  to  that  union  six  children  were 


896  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

born:  Frank.  Albert.  Lucile,  Addie,  Vivian Amd  Harold.  The  mother  of 
these  children  died  on  March  20,  1914,  and  in  December,  1914,  Mr.  Cradle 
married  Hattie  B.  McFarland.  daughter  of  Thomas  S.  McFarland. 


JOSEPH  REID. 


The  late  Joseph  Reid,  who  was  for  many  \ears  a  progressive  farmer 
in  Wayne,  township,  this  county,  was  a  man  whom  everybody  liked,  for 
he  was  honest,  public-spirited  and  neighborly.  He  was  born  in  Ireland 
and  had  many  of  the  winning  quahties  of  his  Celtic  progenitors.  He  was 
born  in  1845  and  spent  his  childhood  in  the  fair  Jimerald  Isle,  immigrating 
to  America,  with  his  parents,  when  twelve  years  old.  the  family  coming  to 
Ohio  and  locating  on  a  farm  in  Wayne  township,  this  county.  Here  Joseph 
Reid  grew  to  manhood.  He  received  a  limited  education  in  the  public 
schools.  Here  he  married  Bridget  Bahan,  a  native  of  Rush  township,  this 
county,  and  a  daughter  of  Darby  Bahan  and  wife,  both  natives  of  Ireland, 
where  they  spent  their  earlier  years,  finally  coming  to  America  and  estab- 
lishing their  home  on  a  farm  in  Rush  township,  this  county. 

Joseph  Reid  devoted  his  active  life  to  general  farming.  After  spend- 
ing many  years  on  a  farm  in  Wayne  township  he  moved  to  Madison  county, 
where  he  farmed  for  fifteen  years,  then  returned  to  Champaign  county, 
l)uying  the  Sylvester  Spain  farm  in  \^'ayne  township,  on  which  he  spent 
the  rest  of  his  life.  His  widow  now  lives  in  North  L^wisburg.  He  was 
a  successful  self-made  man.  He  managed  well  and  was  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial citizens  of  his  locality,  at  his  death  lea^•ing  quite  an  estate.  He 
died  on  July  3,  191 5,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years. 

To  Joseph  Reid  and  wife  eleven  children  were  born,  namely:  Thomas, 
who  lives  at  Marion,  Ohio,  and  is  a  conductor  on  the  Erie  railroad;  Gus, 
who  also  left  this  county;  Joseph,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  this  count)-; 
Frank,  who  lives  at  Marion,  Ohio,  and  is  a  conductor  on  the  Erie  railroad ; 
Amos,  who  is  farming  on  the  old  homestead  in  Wayne  township ;  Edward 
P.,  who  is  farming  in  Wayne  township;  Mar}-,  who  lives  in  London,  Ohio; 
Nellie,  deceased;  Annie,  deceased;  Emma,  who  lives  in  Hamilton.  Ohio,  and 
Ruth  makes  her  home  with  her  mother. 

Edward  P.  Reid  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and  he  received  a  common 
school  education.  He  assisted  his  father  with  the  worl-;  on  the  farm  until 
he  took  up  railroading,  working  one  vear  as  brakeman  in  the  lailroad  yards 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  897 

at  Youngstovvn,  Ohio.  For  the  past  three  years  he  has  engaged  in  farming 
on  part  of  the  old  home  place  in  Wayne  township.  In  January,  19 13,  he 
married  Catherine  Connor  of  North  Lewisburg,  this  county.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  Michael  and  Bridget  Connor.  Two  children  have  been  born  to 
Edward  P.  Reid  and  wife,  namely:  William  and  Bernard  Edward.  The 
Reids  are   members  of   the   Catholic   church  at    North   Lewisburg^. 


MARTIN  L.  RUSSELL. 


There  is  no  more  painstaking  tiller  of  the  soil  in  Wayne  township, 
this  county,  than  Martin  L.  Russell,  who  was  born  in  Belmont  county,  Ohio, 
August  12,  1849.  He  is  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Edith  (Kirk)  Russell,  both 
natives  of  Belmont  county,  Ohio,  where  they  grew  to  maturity,  were  mar- 
ried and  spent  most  of  their  lives  on  a  farm  there.  In  1865  they  moved 
to  Iowa,  but  returned  to  Belmont  county  a  year  later,  and  in  1867  went 
to  Iowa  a  second  time,  spending  the  rest  of  their  lives  in  that  state,  dying 
there  many  years  ago.  They  were  members  of  the  Baptist  church.  Their 
family  consisted  of  twelve  children,  namely:  Simeon  L.,  Rachael  Ann,  Levi 
K.,  Minerva  and  Sarah  A.,  all  now  deceased;  Martin  L.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  Jeremiah,  who  lives  in  Belmont  county,  Ohio;  William  A.,  who 
is  farming  in  the  vicinity  of  Mingo,  this  county;  Arthur,  deceased;  Everett, 
who  lives  at  Bronson,  Kansas;  Nora,  who  lives  at  lola,  Kansas,  and  one 
child,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Martin  L.  Russell  grew  to  manhood  in  Belmont  county,  Ohio,  and  there 
attended  the  common  schools.  When  sixteen  years  old  he  started  to  work 
out  by  the  month  and  continued  thus  for  a  period  of  eleven  years,  at  the 
end  of  which  time  he  married  and  located  in  Salem  township,  this  county, 
where  he  farmed  two  years;  then  moved  to  Wayne  township,  where  he  con- 
tinued farming  fourteen  years  on  the  Johnson  place,  then  farmed  in  Logan 
county  four  years,  and  then  three  and  one-half  years  on  the  Inskeep  place. 
For  the  past  eleven  years  he  has  operated  four  hundred  and  eight  acres 
of  the  Johnson  farm  in  Wayne  township,  carrying  on  general  farming  and 
stock  raising  extensively,  also  feeding  considerable  stock  annually.  He  raises 
mixed   stock,   paying  considerable  attention   to   draft  horses. 

Mr.  Russell  was  married  in  December,  1879,  to  Elizabeth  Hunt,  of 
Logan  county,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Phoebe  Hunt.     Four  children  have 


898  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Russell,  namely  :  Carrie  E.,  who  married  Morris- 
Hill  and  lives  in  ^ogan  county ;  John  W.,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in 
Rush  township,  this  county,  and  who  married  Clara  Newman;  William  A., 
who  lives  at  home  and  farms  with  his  father,  and  Frank,  also  living  with 
his  parents  and  helping  with  the  farm  work. 

Mr.  Russell  is  a  Republican  and  has  for  years  been  actively  interested 
in  local  public  affairs,  having  served  as  trustee  of  Wayne  township  during 
the  past  four  years.  His  wife  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
at  Mount  Tabor. 


JOEL  C.  ANDREWS. 


The  late  Joel  C.  Andrews,  for  years  a  well-known  farmer  in  Urbana 
township,  who  died  in  the  fall  of  1909  and  whose  widow  is  still  living  in 
her  comfortable  farm  home  in  that  township,  was  a  native  son  of  Cham- 
paign county  and  had  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the 
Pisgah  neighborhood  on  January  10,  1847,  son  of  John  and  Anna  (Raw- 
ley)  Andrews,  natives  of  Rockingham  county,  Virginia,  who  came  to  this 
section  of  Ohio  in  1844  and  after  a"  brief  residence  in  the  neighborhood 
of  North  Hampton  located  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Pisgah,  where  the\- 
spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  John  Andrews  was  born  in  1814  and 
died  in  1867.  His  widow  survived  him  many  years,  her  death  occur  ring- 
in  1899.  She  also  was  born  in  the  year  1814.  They  were  the  parents  of 
six  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  memorial  sketch  was  the  third 
in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  John,  Noah,  Ezra,  Mary  and  Martha. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  IMsgah.  Joel  C.  Andrews 
received  his  schooling  in  the  local  schools  in  that  neighborhood  and  from 
the  days  of  his  boyhood  was  a  valued  assistant  in  the  labors  of  developing 
and  improving  the  home  farm.  After  his  marriage  in  1874  he  began  farming 
on  his  own  account,  renting  a  farm,  and  in  1881  bought  the  jjlace  of  thirtv- 
four  acres  on  which  his  widow  is  now  li\  ing,  in  Url)ana  township,  and 
there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Jn  addition  to  cultivating  that  tract 
Mr.  Andrews  tilled  considerable  adjoining  land,  renting  the  same  and  con- 
tinued actively  engaged  in  farming  until  his  retirement  about  two  years  before 
his  death,  his  death  occurring  on  October  3,  1909,  he  then  being  in  the 
sixty-third  year  of  his  age.  Mr.  Andrews  was  an  independent  Democrat 
in  his  political  faith  and  by  religious  persuasion  was  a  Haptist,  a  member 
of  the  Hickorv  Grove  church,  of  which  his  widow  also  is  a  member. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  899 

On  December  29,  1874,  Joel  C.  Andrews  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Sallie  Steinbarger,  who  also  was  born  in  this  county,  daughter  of  Alfred 
and  Margaret  (Alyers)  Steinbarger.  The  Steinbargers  are  an  old  family 
in  Champaign  county.  Alfred  Steinbarger's  father  having  been  the  founder 
of  the  old  Steinbarger  mill  which  for  so  many  years  was  a  familiar  land- 
mark on  Mad  river,  and  further  and  fitting  mention  of  this  pioneer  family 
is  made  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  John  Andrews,  a  brother  of  the  subject 
of  this  memorial  sketch,  married  Efiie  Steinbarger,  sister  of  Joel  C.  Andrews' 
widow,  and  to  that  union  were  born  three  children,  Flora,  Pearl  and  Mar- 
garet, the  latter  of  whom  married  Freeman  Snyder.  John  Andrews  died 
in  1 90 1  and  his  widow  died  on  June  29,  19 14.  Their  eldest  daughter.  Flora, 
is  now  making  her  home  with  Mrs.  Joel  Andrews  at  the  latter's  pleasant 
home  in  Urbana  township. 


W.  H.   GORDIN. 


VV.  H.  Gordin,  dealer  in  grain  and  live  stock,  Westville,  Ohio,  was 
born  in  Madison  county,  Ohio,  January  11,  1878,  a  son  of  R.  B.  and 
Amanda  (Carr)  Gordin.  The  father  and  mother  are  both  natives  of  Ohio, 
the  former  born  in  Madison  county  and  the  latter  in  Fayette  county.  Both 
are  now  living  in  Springfield,  Ohio,  where  Mr.  Gordin  is  engaged  as  a 
dealer  in  live  stock. 

W.  H.  Gordin  is  the  second  of  three  children  in  his  father's  family. 
He  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of 
the  township  and  in  the  South  Solon  high  school.  He  remained  at  home 
and  worked  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old.  Afterward 
he  operated  an  elevator  at  Irwin  Station  in  Union  county,  for  five  years. 
Then  he  went  to  Buffalo,  New  York,  where  he  was  employed  in  the  stock 
yards  for  two  years.  Following  this  he  spent  one  year  in  Pittsburgh,  then 
came  to  Westville  and  purchased  the  elevator  at  this  place  and  has  continued 
the  business  here  since  December  i,  1910.  He  added  the  live  stock  busi- 
ness to  his  other  business  and  has  had  large  dealings  in  that  line.  He  also 
deals  in  wood  in  season,  as  a  side  line.  He  is  married  and  has  two  sons. 
Edwin,  a  student  in  the  Westville  high  school,  and  Dana,  in  the  graded 
schools. 

Mr.  Gordin  is  a  member  of  Mechanicsburg  Lodge  No.  113,  Free  and 
Accepted   Masons,    and    of    Magrew    Lodge   No.    433.    Knights   of    Pythias. 


900  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

of  Westville.  He  also  is  a  member  of  the  United  Commercial  Travelers 
Association.  He  is  a  Republican  but  does  not  take  an  active  part  in  politi- 
cal matters. 


ORAN  E.  DETWEILER. 


Oran  E.  Detweiler,  one  of  Salem  township's  best-known  young  farmers 
and  also  widely  known  throughout  the  county  as  a  horseman,  was  born  in  Lan- 
caster county,  Pennsylvania,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  this  state  since  he 
was  six  years  of  age.  He  was  born  on  April  14,  1880,  son  of  Eli  B.  and 
Rachel  S.  (Greer)  Detweiler,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  who  came  to 
Ohio  in  1886  and  spent  their  last  days  here. 

Eli  B.  Detweiler  was  a  son  of  Jonathan  Detweiler  and  wife,  substan- 
tial farming  people  of  Mififlin  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  grew  up  there  and 
early  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter  and  bridge  builder,  which  vocation  he 
followed  until  after  his  marriage,  when  he  came  to  Ohio,  in  1886,  and  located 
in  the  neighborhood  of  West  Liberty.  For  the  first  year  or  two  after  coming 
to  this  state  he  was  employed  on  the  farm  of  Benjamin  Harris,  near  West 
Liberty,  and  then  he  came  down  into  Champaign  county  and  settled  on  a 
farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Kennard,  in  Salem  township,  later  moving  to  another 
farm  in  that  same  township,  where  he  established  his  home  and  became  a 
substantial  farmer,  remaining  there  until  his  retirement  from  the  farm  and 
removal  to  Kings  Creek.  His  wife  died  in  that  village  on  June  29,  1909,  and 
he  later  made  a  visit  back  to  his  old  home  in  Pennsylvania,  where  his  death 
occurred  on  October  3,  following.  Eli  B.  Detweiler  and  wife  were  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  their  children  were  reared  in  that 
faith.  They  were  the  parents  of  fourteen  children,  of  whom  nine  grew  to 
maturity,  those  besides  the  subject  of  this  sketch  being  as  follow :  Rufus. 
a  farmer,  of  Salem  township;  John,  also  a  Salem  township  farmer;  William, 
now  living  at  A-Iarysville.  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Union;  David,  a 
Salem  township  farmer;  George,  who  died  in  19 15;  Anna,  wife  of  Harry 
Cooper,  a  Salem  township  farmer;  Margaret,  wife  of  Clinton  Boyer,  also 
of  Salem  township,  and  Ella  May,  wife  of  Marion  Goul.  of  that  same  town- 
ship. 

Reared  on  the  farm.  Oran  E.  Detweiler  received  his  schooling  in  the 
neighborhood  schools  and  early  began  working  as  a  farm  hand  on  his  own 
account,  for  six  years  being  thus  engaged  on  the  farm  of  J.  F.  Weidman 
and   for   four  years  on   the   farm  of  William  Carson.      After  his  marriage 


WILLIAM    BELL   McCREA 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  9OI 

in  1904  he  made  his  home  at  Kings  Creek,  where  he  remained  for  eight 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  moved  to  Lippincott,  where  he  remained 
two  years,  after  which  he  moved  to  his  present  place  of  residence,  known 
as  the  Edward  Morgan  farm,  in  Salem  township,  where  he  and  his  family 
are  very  comfortably  situated.  In  addition  to  his  general  farming  Mr. 
Detweiler  has  long  given  his  especial  attention  to  horses  and  is  widely 
recognized  as  one  of  the  most  skilful  horse  trainers  in  this  part  of  the  state. 
For  seven  years  he  has  given  particular  attention  to  that  line  and  during 
that  time  has  '-broke"  more  than  four  hundred  horses,  the  thoroughness 
of  this  work  in  that  line  bringing  him  customers  from  all  over  this  part 
of  the  countr}^  Mr.  Detweiler  gives  close  attention  to  local  civic  affairs 
and  in  his  political  views  is  inclined  to  be  "independent". 

On  December  2,  1904.  Oran  E.  Detweiler  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Nellie  Henrietta  Weidman,  who  was  born  in  this  county,  a  daughter  of 
J.  F.  and  Martha  J.  (Blair)  Weidman,  the  former  of  whom  also  was  born 
in  this  county,  son  of  pioneer  parents  living  west  of  King's  Creek,  and  the 
latter,  in  Licking  county,  this  state.  J.  F.  Weidman  was  a  substantial  farmer 
of  Champaign  county.  He  died  in  February,  19 17,  and  his  widow  is  now 
living  at  King's  Creek.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Detweiler  have  four  children,  Frank 
Maskel,  Mary  Ola,  Rachel  Elizabeth  and  Jessie  Irene.  They  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  take  a  proper  interest  in  church 
affairs,  as  well  as  in  the  general  social  activities  of  the  community  in  which 
they  live  and  are  helpful  in  promoting  all  good  causes  thereabout. 


HON.  WILLIAM  BELL  McCREA. 

In  the  memorial  annals  of  Champaign  county  and  particularly  in  the 
southwestern  part  of  the  county,  there  are  few  names  held  in  better  remem- 
brance than  that  of  the  Hon.  William  Bell  McCrea,  a  pioneer  merchant 
at  Christiansburg,  a  member  of  the  state  Legislature  during  the  forties 
and  for  many  years  one  of  the  most  influential  factors  in  the  development 
of  the  community  in  which  he  had  settled  when  little  more  than  a  boy, 
and  the  summers  of  whose  last  years  were  spent  at  Christiansburg,  his  old 
home  there  being  now  occupied  by  his  widowed  daughter,  Mrs.  Belle  Mc- 
Crea Shofstall.     He  died  at  Dayton,  Ohio. 

William  Bell  McCrea  was  a  native  of  the  state  of  New  York,  born 
in  the  Kattskills  on  September  6,   1806,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth   (Bell) 


902  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

McCrea,  who  later  came  to  this  county,  by  way  of  Cincinnati,  and  here 
spent  the  remainder  of  their  hves  influential  and  useful  pioneers  of  the 
Christiansburg  community.  John  McCrea  was  born  in  Scotland,  a  son 
of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Montgomery)  McCrea,  the  latter  of  whom  was 
connected  by  some  afifinity  of  lineage  with  the  Scottish  royal  family.  Being 
of  a  somewhat  independent  nature,  John  McCrea  came  to  America  with 
his  parents  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years  to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world. 
For  several  years  after  his  arrival  in  this  country  he  remained  in  New  York 
City  and  there  he  married  Elizabeth  Bell,  who  had  come  to  this  country 
with  her  parents  when  but  a  babe  in  arms.  After  his  marriage  John  McCrea 
bought  land  in  the  Kattskill  country  and  there  established  his  home.  His 
parents  later  came  from  Scotland  and  joined  him  there,  spending  the  rest 
of  their  lives  there.  John  McCrea  became  a  well-to-do  landowner  in  the 
Kattskills,  remaining  there  until  1812,  in  which  year  he  disposed  of  his 
interests  there  and  with  his  wife  and  children  came  to  Ohio  and  located 
at  Cincinnati,  where  he  engaged  in  the  construction  of  the  first  waterworks 
system  built  in  that  city  and  was  made  superintendent  of  the  same.  He 
was  a  fine  mason.  In  that  city  John  McCrea  and  family  remained  until 
r820,  when  they  came  up  into  this  part  of  the  state,  seeking  a  new  home 
on  the  fine  land  then  attracting  settlers  in  this  county.  John  McCrea  pre- 
viously, in  18 1 7,  had  entered  a  tract  of  land  in  Jackson  township  and  estab- 
lished his  home  there  and  there  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  oi 
their  lives,  helpful  factors  in  the  upbuilding  of  that  community. 

When  William  Bell  McCrea  came  up  into  this  county  with  his  parents 
in  1820  he  was  but  fourteen  years  of  age  and  he  entered  heartily  into 
the  pioneer  life,  but  after  being  here  about  four  years  he  began  to  recognize 
the  need  of  further  schooling  and  to  realize  the  lack  of  educational  facili- 
ties in  this  section.  He  therefore,  when  eighteen  years  of  age.  returned 
to  Cincinnati  and  wliile  completing  his  studies  there  became  engaged  as  a 
clerk  in  a  general  store  and  was  thus  engaged  for  four  years,  or  until 
[828.  in  which  year  he  was  sent  up  here  in  quest  of  wood  ashes,  which  at 
that  time  were  a  marketable  commodity  and  of  which  there  was  a  plentiful 
supply  hereabout,  the  residue  from  the  huge  fireplaces  of  the  pioneers  or 
from  the  great  log-rollings.  At  that  time  the  then  hamlet  of  Christians- 
burg consisted  of  six  huts.  Mr.  McCrea  had  learned  the  drug  business  and 
his  experience  in  the  store  at  Cincinnati  convinced  him  that  the  promising 
hamlet  ofifered  an  excellent  opportunity  for  one  engaging  in  the  mercantile 
business  there  and   he  opened  a  general  store   in  a  log  hut  there.      Later 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  903 

erecting  for  that  purpose  the  first  frame  building  put  up  in  Jackson  township 
and  he  also  erected,  nearby  the  store,  the  first  frame  residence  there,  he  and 
his  wife,  who  was  Sarah  Hall,  establishing  their  homes  there  and  becoming 
important  factors  in  the  task  of  creating  proper  social  and  economic  con- 
ditions in  the  formative  period  of  that  now  prosperous  and  well-established 
community.  Mr.  McCrea  was  successful  in  business  and  took  an  active 
part  in  the  civic  affairs  of  the  county.  In  1840  he  was  elected  a  member 
of  the  state  Legislature  from  this  district  and  served  in  that  important 
capacity  for  three  years,  declining  the  re-nomination  in  1844.  In  1851 
he  enlarged  the  sphere  of  his  business  activities  by  entering  into  a  partner- 
ship in  the  general  merchandise  way  with  a  concern  in  Dayton  and  moved 
with  his  family  to  that  city,  remaining  there  the  rest  of  his  life,  he  being 
seventy-six  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  death.  His  wife  died  at  the 
age  of  seventy-two.  He  retired  from  business  in  1875  and  thereafter  lived 
comfortably  retired,  spending  his  winters  in  Dayton  and  his  summers  at 
Christiansburg.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
and  their  children  were  reared  in  that  faith.  There  were  seven  of  these 
children,  namely:  Charles  T.,  who  died  in  1915,  a  retired  hardware  mer- 
chant, of  Cincinnati;  Julia  Caroline,  who  died  on  March  9,  1917;  Rollin 
Hall  McCrea,  who  died  at  Indianapolis,  where  for  many  years  he  was  en- 
gaged in  the  wholesale  milliner)^  business  as  a  member  of  the  wealthy  firm 
of  Fahnley  &  McCrea;  William  W.  McCrea,  of  Indianapolis,  a  retired  mem- 
ber of  the  firm  of  Fahnley  &  McCrea;  Belle,  now  Hving  in  the  old  home  at 
Christiansburg,  widow  of  Silas  C.  Shofstall,  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil 
War,  who  was  born  in  Urbana  and  was  a  former  merchant  there;  Emma  A.. 
wife  of  Winslow  Phelps,  a  wholesale  grocer,  of  Dayton,  this  state,  and 
Frank  F.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  insm-ance  business  at  Indianapolis. 

It  was  in  1872  at  Dayton,  that  Belle  McCrea  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Silas  C.  Shofstall,  an  Urbana  shoe  merchant,  who  died  at  his  home  in 
Wisconsin.  Silas  C.  Shofstall  was  but  seventeen  years  of  age  when  the 
Civil  War  broke  out  and  despite  the  age  limit  of  eighteen  years  set  for 
volunteers  in  the  Union  service  he  succeeded  in  enlisting  and  starting  for 
the  front.  He  was  brought  back  by  his  parents,  but  when  he  reached  the 
age  of  eighteen  he  re-enlisted  and  went  to  the  front  as  a  member  of  Com- 
])any  A,  Sixty-sixth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  with  which  he 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  quite  a  period  of  that  service  being  spent 
as  a  prisoner  of  war  in  Libby  prison  at  Richmond.  He  later  was  on  duty 
in  the  inspector-general's  office.     After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.   Shof- 


904  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Stall  continued  to  live  at  Urbana  until  after  the  l:)irth  of  their  son  early  in 
1874,  when  they  moved  to  Dayton,  maintaining  a  home  thereafter  both 
there  and  at  Christiansburg,  and  since  the  death  of  her  husband,  Mrs. 
Shof stall  has  been  making  her  home  at  the  old  McCrea  home  in  Christians- 
burg, where  she  is  very  comfortably  situated.  Her  son,  Rollin  McCrea 
Shof  stall,  who  was  born  on  February  6,  1874.  married  Stella  Roberts  of 
Dayton,  and  he  and  his  wife  make  their  home  in  Denver,  Colorado. 


GEORGE  COWLES. 


The  late  George  Cowles.  for  many  decades  a  well-known  and  highly 
esteemed  citizen  of  Champaign  county,  was  a  product  of  pioneer  times, 
spending  his  boyhood  in  the  early  environments  of  the  frontier,  and  he  lived 
to  see  and  take  part  in  the  wondrous  changes  in  this  locality,  doing  what 
he  could  toward  the  general  upbuilding  of  the  county. 

Mr.  Cowles  was  born  in  Wayne  township,  this  county,  November  27, 
1831.  He  was  a  son  of  Solomon  B.  and  Mary  (Crowder)  Cowles.  The 
father  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  but  he  left  New  England  for  what  was 
at  that  time  known  as  "the  West",  coming  to  Ohio  between  the  years  18 10 
and  181 5,  and  locating  in  Wayne  township,  this  county,  three  miles  west 
of  the  present  site  of  North  Lewisburg.  The  country  then  was  sparsely 
settled  and  he  began  life  in  true  pioneer  fashion,  through  hard  work  and 
perseverance  carving  out  a  home  and  a  farm  from  the  wilderness.  His  family 
consisted  of  the  following  children :  Sarah,  who  died  in  young  womanhood, 
unmarried;  Melissa,  who  married  George  Millice  and  is  now  deceased;  Levi, 
who  was  next  in  order  of  birth ;  Solomon  B. ;  George,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  and  Osiah. 

George  Cowles  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  there  he 
assisted  with  the  general  work  when  a  boy,  attending  the  rural  schools  of 
the  early  days  during  the  brief  winter  terms.  He  remained  with  his  parents 
until  he  was  nineteen  years  old.  On  April  3,  1851,  he  married  Elizabeth  C. 
Spain,  only  daughter  and  youngest  child  of  Willis  and  Nancy  E.  Spain.  She 
was  born  August  3,  183 1,  near  what  is  now  North  Lewisburg,  and  there  .she 
grew  to  womanhood  and  attended  the  rural  schools.  Her  parents,  who 
came  to  Champaign  county  from  Virginia  in  1805,  were  among  the  earliest 
pioneer  settlers  in  this  section  of  the  state,  which  was  then  a  vast  wilderness, 
the  domain  of  the  Indian  and  wild  beasts.     The  Spains  settled  in  what   is 


GEORGE   COWLES 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  g05 

now  Rush  township  and  later  Hved  in  Wayne  township.  They  cleared  a 
farm  from  the  wilderness  and  by  hard  work  and  perseverance  they  estab- 
lished a  comfortable  home  and  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  on  a  farm  here, 
Mr.  Spain  dying  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years.  Their  family  consisted  of 
the  following  children :     Henry,  Wright,  Newton,  Lemuel  and  Elizabeth  C. 

After  his  marriage  George  Cowles  located  in  Rush  township,  where  he 
cleared  and  improved  a  good  farm,  and  there  he  continued  to  carry  on  gen- 
eral agricultural  pursuits  until  1862,  when  he  moved  to  North  Lewisburg 
and  bought  a  tract  of  land.  There  he  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  with 
success  for  a  number  of  years.  His  death  occurred  on  May  8,  igo8.  Politi- 
cally, he  was  a  Republican.     His  wife  died  on  October  10,  1905. 

To  George  Cowles  and  wife  four  children  were  born,  namely:  Nancy 
E.,  born  on  January  7,  1852,  who  married  Frank  Wehe  in  1875,  ^"d  died 
on  January  9,  1917,  leaving  two  children,  Linna  and  Frances;  Sarah  Jane, 
who  has  always  lived  at  the  old  home  in  Rush  township;  Melvin,  a  Rush 
township  farmer,  who  married  Fannie  Hyatt  and  has  one  son,  George  Hyatt, 
also  a  farmer  of  Rush  township,  who  married  Zola  Harshfield  and  has  one 
.son,  Milton,  and  Fletcher,  born  on  February  2,  1863,  who  remained  on  the 
home  farm  near  North  Lewisburg,  with  his  sister,  Sarah  Jane,  and  is  keeping 
the  farm  under  a  fine  state  of  cultivation  and  improvement.  He  is  unmar- 
ried. Miss  Cowles  is  a  member  of  the  local  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and 
she  and  her  brother  take  a  warm  interest  in  the  general  good  works  of  the 
community. 


JAMES  OUTRAM. 


The  late  James  Outrani,  of  Wayne  township,  was  for  many  years  one 
of  the  highly  respected  and  representative  citizens  of  Champaign  county. 
He  was  born  on  August  23,  1846,  near  Urbana,  Ohio,  a  son  of  Robert  and 
Mary  (Hubbard)  Outram.  The  father  was  born  in  England,  where  he 
spent  his  boyhood,  being  sixteen  years  old  when  he  came  to  America,  with 
his  parents,  Timothy  and  Mary  Outram,  the  family  locating  near  Cable, 
this  county,  with  an  old  friend,  a  Mr.  Pickrel.  Timothy  Outram  later 
bought  a  farm  near  Urbana,  on  the  ridge  in  Wayne  township.  About  1870 
he  went  to  live  with  his  daughter,  who  lived  north  of  Urbana  and  he  and 
his  wife  died  there.  Their  children  who  came  to  America,  were  Thomas, 
Robert  and  Mary.  Thomas,  who  lived  north  of  Urbana,  married  first, 
a   Miss   Clark   and   later  a   Miss    Budd.      Robert    was    also   twice   married; 


yo6  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

first,  to  May  Hubbard,  and  later  to  Airs.  (Downs)  White.  Robert  was 
an  engineer.  Mary  married  Robert  Singleton,  and  they  established  their 
home  north  of  Urbana.  The  following  children  were  born  to  Robert  Outram 
and  wife:  Timothy,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War,  and  died  while 
in  the  service;  James,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and  John,  who  married 
Delia  Russell  and  died  in  Urbana.  For  many  years  John  Outram  was  one 
of  the  well-known  teachers  in  the  public  schools  of  this  county,  and  was 
for  some  time  principal  of  the  Woodstock  schools.  His  widow  now  lives 
in  Salem  township. 

fames  Outram  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  was  educated 
in  the  Urbana  public  schools.  He  made  his  home  on  a  farm  in  Salem  town- 
ship, north  of  Urbana,  until  his  marriage,  which  took  place  on  March  19, 
[874,  to  Mary  E.  Nincehelser,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  a  daughter 
of  John  and  Hannah  (Longabough)  Nincehelser,  natives  of  Lancaster 
county,  Pennsylvania,  where  they  grew  up  and  were  married.  The  Nince- 
helsers  lived  in  Reading,  Pennsylvania  live  years,  then  located  in  the  city  of 
Scranton.  Mr.  Nincehelser  was  foreman  of  railroad  shoi)s  and  superin- 
tendent of  car  shops  at  Scranton.  In  1857  he  moved  with  his  family  to 
Dubuque,  Iowa,  where  he  took  a  position  in  the  car  shops,  on  construction 
work  for  the  Pacific  railroad.  On  May  10,  1859,  he  located  on  a  farm  one 
mile  south  of  Cable,  this  county,  and  there  he  engaged  in  farming  until 
[896,  when  he  retired  from  active  life  and  moved  to  Cable.  His  wife  died 
in  1885.  To  these  parents  three  children  were  born,  namely:  Mary  E.. 
who  married  Mr.  Outram.  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  George,  who  married 
Rachael  Diltz,  and  is  farming  in  Wayne  townshi]),  this  county,  and  Dr.  O. 
-\.  Nincehelser,  who  resides  in  Mechanicsburg. 

After  his  marriage  James  Outram  lived  in  Url)ana  two  years.  He 
engaged  in  farming  until  1876,  and  he  also  devoted  a  number  of  years  to 
teaching  school,  in  which  work  he  gave  eminent  satisfaction. 

To  James  Outram  and  wife  the  following  children  were  Ijorn:  Mrs. 
Bertha  Thomas,  who  lives  in  Marion,  Ohio,  and  has  two  children,  bAigene 
O.  and  George  Watson  Thomas;  Oran  R.,  a  carpenter  and  contractor, 
living  in  Wayne  township,  this  county,  who  married  Alga  Taylor  and  has 
three  children,  Elizabeth,  Robert  and  Oran,  and  Charles  W.,  a  farmer,  of 
Wayne  township,  who  married  Hattie  Swisher  and  has  three  children,  .\1- 
leyne.  James  and  Stanford. 

James  Outram  was  a  Republican.  He  was  a  strong  advocate  of  tem- 
perance and  did  what  he  could  in   furthering  the  cause  of  prohi!)ition.     He 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  907 

was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  church  and  took  an  interest  in 
the  affairs  of  the  same.  His  death  occurred  on  August  23,  1896,  on  his 
fiftieth  birthday.  After  his  death  Mrs.  Outram  continued  to  reside  on  the 
home  farm  in  Wayne  township  until  1912,  managing  the  place  successfully. 
She  then  bought  a  cosy  home  in  the  village  of  Cable,  where  she  has  since 
resided,  but  she  still  owns  her  farm  of  sixty-five  acres. 


JOHN  P.  DETWEILER. 


John  P.  Detweiler,  a  careful  farmer  of  Salem  township,  was  born  in 
Allensville,  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  25,  1872.  He  is  a  son  of 
Eli  B.  and  Rachael  (Greer)  Detweiler,  both  of  whom  grew  to  maturity 
and  were  married  in  Mifflin  county,  and  there  the  father  worked  at  the 
carpenter's  trade  and  as  a  bridge  builder  until  he  moved,  in  1885,  to  Ohio, 
locating  in  Salem  township,  Champaign  county.  During  the  first  year  of  his 
residence  here  the  father  worked  out  as  a  farm  hand.  In  1889  he  moved 
to  near  Kennard.  After  working  in  that  vicinity  for  a  short  time  he  located 
on  a  farm  near  Kings  creek,  in  Salem  township,  where  he  established  his 
home.  There  his  wife  died  in  June  29,  1909.  Shortly  afterward  he  went 
to  Pennsylvania  on  a  visit  to  his  old  home  and  died  there  on  October  3,  of 
the  same  year.  He  was  a  son  of  Jonathan  Detweiler,  who  devoted  his 
life  to  farming  in  Pennsylvania.  Fourteen  children  were  born  to  Eli  B. 
and  Rachael  Detweiler,  eight  of  whom  are  living  at  this  writing,  namely  : 
Rufus,  of  Salem  township;  John  P.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  William, 
of  Marysville,  Ohio;  David,  a  farmer  of  Salem  township;  Orin,  who  also 
lives  in  Salem  township;  Anna,  wife  of  Harry  Cooper;  Margaret,  who 
married  Clint  Boyer,  and  Ella,  wife  of  Marion  Gaul. 

John  P.  Detweiler  spent  his  early  boyhood  in  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
attended  school.  He  also  attended  school  after  moving  with  the  rest  of 
the  family  to  Champaign  county.  In  1888  he  left  school  and  began  working 
out  as  a  farm  hand  for  William  J.  Carson,  of  Salem  township,  with  whom 
he  remained  three  years,  then  worked  at  different  things  for  some  time. 
After  his  marriage  he  located  at  Kings  Creek  and  worked  at  the  trade  of 
hanging  wall  paper,  also  at  carpenter  work,  continuing  these  trades  until 
1907,  when  he  turned  his  attention  to  farming,  buying  a  farm  of  thirty- 
two  acres,  but  later  sold  it  and  owned  different  farms  until  he  bought  the 
tract  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-three  acres  which  he  now   operates  and 


9o8 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


which  he  has  greatly  improved  b}'  expending  about  seven  thousand  dollars 
on  the  same.  He  is  making  a  success  as  a  general  farmer  and  stock 
raiser,  feeding  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  hogs  for  the  market  annually, 
and  also  runs  a  small  dairy.  .  He  has  two  large  silos  of  seventy  tons  each, 
a  large  barn  and  other  convenient  outbuildings. 

Mr.  Detweiler  was  married  in  1892,  to  Rose  Taylor,  a  daughter  of 
Job  and  Henrietta  (Woodruff)  Taylor,  and  to  their  union  eight  children 
have  been  born,  namely:  Ruth,  wife  of  Watson  Russell;  Naomi,  Clara. 
Mabel,  Warren,  John,  Henrietta,  who  died  at  the  age  of  one  year  and  six 
days,  and  Grace,  who  died  at  the  age  of  five  days. 

Mr.  Detweiler  has  been  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
since  1889  and  has  been  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  for  fifteen 
years.  He  also  has  filled  the  offices  of  steward,  treasurer  and  trustee  in 
his  church  and  has  long  been  active  and  influential  in  church  affairs.  Politi- 
cally, he  is  a  Republican.  He  has  been  very  successful  in  life,  considering 
the  fact  that  he  started  out  with  nothing  and  has  had  to  forge  his  own 
way  to  the  front. 


ALFRED  JOHNSON. 

Alfred  John.son,  farmer,  of  Wayne  township,  this  county,  was  born 
in  the  vicinity  where  he  still  resides,  July  5,  1884,  and  while  still  a  young 
man  has  won  a  definite  degree  of  success  in  his  chosen  life  work.  He  is 
a  son  (jf  Otho  and  Laura  (Thomas)  Johnson.  Otho  G.  Johnson,  a  retired 
former  of  Wayne  township,  has  spent  his  life  in  Champaign  county.  He 
was  born  near  Mingo,  October  23,  1859,  and  is  a  son  of  Alfred  and  Eliza- 
beth (Stone)  Johnson,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  on  the  same  place 
as  his  s(jn,  Otho  G.,  his  parents  having  been  among  the  earliest  pioneers 
in  this  section  of  Ohio.  Alfred  Johnson,  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  the  son  of  Jacob  Johnson,  who  came  to  Champaign  county 
from  Maryland  in  1805,  and  settled  in  the  woods  in  Wayne  township.  In- 
dians still  were  plentiful  in  this  locality  at  that  time.  He  and  his  sons  cleared 
and  developed  a  good  farm,  which  is  still  in  possession  of  the  Johnson 
family  after  a  lapse  of  more  than  a  century.  Jacol)  Johnson  and  wife  were 
parents  of  four  children,  Hiram,  Nelson,  Polly  and  Alfred.  Reared  on  the 
home  farm  in  Wayne  township,  Alfred  Johnson  established  his  home  there 
after  his  marriage  and  there  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  becoming  one  of 
the  leading  general  farmers  in  the  township.     His  family  consisted  of  seven 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  909 

children,  of  whom  Otho  G.,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the 
third  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow:  Thomas  L.,  a  lawyer. 
of  Cleveland;  John  B.,  who  is  farming  in  Florida;  Martha,  who  makes  her 
home  at  Marion,  Ohio,  and  is  the  widow  of  Daniel  VV.  Strayer;  Charles 
N.,  who  formerly  was  connected  with  the  stockyards  at  Kansas  City,  Mis- 
souri, and  is  now  farming  in  Salem  township;  Fred,  formerly  a  conductor 
on  the  Wabash  railroad,  who  was  killed  in  a  wreck  in  191 3,  and  Merton 
R.,  who  makes  his  home  at  Mingo. 

Otho  G.  Johnson  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  and  attended  the  schools 
of  his  neighborhood.  He  worked  with  his  father  on  the  farm  when  a  boy 
and  learned  the  various  phases  of  agricultural  and  stock  raising  pursuits. 
When  twenty-one  years  old  he  married  and  located  on  a  portion  of  the 
home  farm,  remaining  there  until  1910,  when  he  left  the  farm  and  moved 
to  the  village  of  Mingo,  but  continued  to  engage  in  the  live-stock  business 
and  there  he  has  since  resided.  For  over  twenty  years  he  has  been  engaged 
in  buying  and  shipping  live  stock,  shipping  mostly  to  the  Cleveland  vards. 
and  has  made  a  specialty  of  raising  on  his  farm  Poland  China  hogs  and 
Percheron  horses,  long  having  been  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  stock- 
tnen  in  the  eastern  part  of  Champaign  county.  He  and  his  brother,  Thomas 
L.  Johnson,  own  more  than  five  hundred  acres  of  excellent  farming  land. 

In  1880  Otho  G.  Johnson  married  Laura  Thomas,  who  was  born  and 
reared  in  Salem  township,  a  daughter  of  Josephus  and  Jane  (Downs) 
Thomas,  and  to  this  union  four  children  have  been  born,  namely :  Nellie, 
wife  of  Arthur  Johnson,  of  Bellefontaine,  Ohio;  Alfred,  the  immediate  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch;  Lulu  May,  wife  of  Edward  Warye,  of  Salem  town- 
ship, and  Mary,  who  married  Blaine  Watkins,  a  farmer,  who  is  living  on 
a  part  of  the  old  Johnson  home  place. 

Alfred  Johnson  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Wayne  town- 
ship and  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  home  com- 
munity, at  the  old  Johnson  school  house.  After  finishing  school  he  took 
up  farming  with  his  father  until  he  was  married,  March  10,  1909,  to  Ruth 
Gilbert,  a  daughter  of  George  and  Emma  Gilbert,  to  which  union  tvt^o  chil- 
dren have  been  born,  Claude  G.,  and  Otho  G. 

After  his  marriage  Alfrec\  Johnson  began  farming  for  himself  by  rent- 
ing the  B.  R.  Tallman  place  and  has  remained  there  ever  since.  The  farm 
consists  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-four  acres.  He  raises  considerable 
grain,  which  he  feeds  to  live  stock,  preparing  large  numbers  of  cattle  and 
hogs  for  the  market.     Politically,  he  is  a  Republican. 


9IO  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

HERMAN  H.  CARR. 

A  skillful  tiller  of  the  soil  in  Salem  township,  this  county,  is  Herman  H. 
Carr,  who  was  born,  April  9,  1867,  near  Bellefontaine,  Ohio.  He  is  a  son 
of  Joseph  E.  and  Nancy  (Douglas)  Carr,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and 
of  West  Virginia,  respectively.  As  a  boy  Joseph  E.  Carr  came  with  his 
parents  to  Logan  county,  Ohio,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  married. 
He  bought  a  farm  there  and  spent  most  of  his  life  there.  He  lived  at 
Kings  Creek,  Champaign  county,  for  awhile,  owning  the  mill  there,  but 
farming  was  his  main  occupation  throughout  his  active  life.  His  death  oc- 
curred at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  His  wife  died  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
five  years.  They  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  was  a  Demo- 
crat. They  were  parents  of  ten  children,  two  of  whom,  Edith  and  Laura, 
died  in  early  life,  and  eight  of  whom  are  still  living,  named  as  follows: 
Josephine,  who  married  Henry  Anstine,  and  lives  in  Logan  county,  Ohio; 
Samuel  E.,  who  is  fanning  in  Hardin  county,  Ohio;  Mary  Ellen,  who  mar- 
ried Lewis  Curl  and  lives  in  Logan  county;  Arthur  E.,  who  is  farming  in 
Logan  county;  Lucy,  who  married  Abraham  Moore,  a  farmer  of  DeGraff. 
Ohio;  Earl  Douglass,  a  traveling  salesman,  with  headquarters  in  Columbus. 
Ohio;  Herman  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and  George,  a  salesman,  who 
lives  in  Columbus. 

Herman  H.  Carr  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm,  where  he  worked 
during  the  summer  months  when  he  became  of  proper  age.  and  in  the 
winter  time  he  attended  the  rural  schools  in  his  vicinity.  Later  he  operated 
the  home  farm  for  his  parents.  He  was  married  in  October,  1892,  to  Mary 
Elizabeth  Askern,  who  was  born  in  Auglaize  county,  Ohio.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  David  and  Mary  E.  (Negley)  Askern,  the  latter  of  whom  was 
born  in  Marion  county,  Indiana,  the  daughter  of  the  Rev.  George  Negley, 
a  pioneer  Methodist  minister.  David  Askern  was  a  native  of  Logan  county. 
Ohio,  a  son  of  Rev.  John  A.skern.  a  pioneer  Baptist  minister.  David  Askern 
learned  the  trade  of  cabinetmaker,  but  after  his  marriage  followed  farm- 
ing. He  was  a  youth  when  his  ])arents  moved  to  Auglaize  county,  Ohio. 
He  later  worked  at  his  trade  in  Urbana  and  at  Indianapolis,  where  lie 
met  and  married  his  wife.  He  lived  there  two  vears  more  and  then  re- 
turned to  the  Askern  homestead  in  Auglaize  county.  David  .\skern  lived 
rliere  imtil  he  died  in  1874.  His  widow  is  still  living  at  the  age  of  eighty 
years,  residing  in  Bellefontaine,  Ohio.  David  Askern  had  seven  children, 
namely:     Mrs.   Ida  Ellen;  Martin,  who  lives  at  Aztec,  New  Mexico:   Tames 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  9II 

Negley,  who  lives  at  Herford,  Texas;  Mrs.  Hattie  L.  Brubaker,  of  Man- 
chester, Georgia,  wife  of  Doctor  Brubaker;  John  Edwin,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  twenty-four  years;  Mary  EHzabeth,  who  married  Mr.  Carr;  Mrs. 
Georgia  Grace  Carr,  of  Cokunbus,  Ohio,  and  David  W.  Askern,  a  very  suc- 
cessful wholesale  fruit  and  produce  merchant,  of  Belle fontaine.  Four 
children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carr,  namely:  Herbert  A.,  who 
completed  a  two-year  college  course  at  Denison  University  and  is  now  a 
traveling  salesman  and  lives  at  Bellefontaine :  Joseph  Trueman.  Herman 
Wesley  and  Mary  Ellen,  at  home. 

After  his  marriage  Herman  H.  Carr  located  in  Logan  county,  Ohio, 
four  miles  from  Bellefontaine,  and  there  he  engaged  in  farming  for  seven 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  moved  to  Champaign  county  and  bought 
one  hundred  and  twenty-seven  acres  in  Salem  township,  where  he  has  since 
resided.  He  has  made  many  important  improvements  on  the  place  and 
has  been  successful  as  a  general  farmer  and  stock  raiser.  Politically,  Mr. 
Carr  is  a  Democrat.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  at 
West  Liberty.  Ohio.  He  and  all  the  family  belong  to  the  church  at  Mt. 
Tabor.  He  takes  an  active  interest  in  public  affairs,  and  for  a  period  of  nine 
years  served  as  a  member  of  the  local  school  board,  also  a?  a  member  of 
the  countv  board  of  education. 


JOSEPH   STELMBARGER. 

Champaign  county  has  been  quite  a  good  enough  place  for  Joseph 
Steinbarger  to  spend  his  life  in.  the  wanderlust  spirit  having  never  lured  him 
away  to  seek  his  fortune  in  other  lands,  and  he  has  lived  to  see  and  take 
joart  in  many  changes  during  his  life  of  over  three-score  years  here. 

Mr.  Steinbarger,  who  is  farming  in  Urbana  township,  was  born  in 
Mad  River  township,  this  county.  September  4,  1845,  ^  son  of  Alfred  and 
Margaret  (Myers)  Steinbarger.  The  father  was  born  on  the  old  Abe 
Shocky  place  in  Mad  River  township,  where  his  parents  settled  in  early 
pioneer  days.  The  mother  was  born  in  Ross  county,  Ohio.  Alfred  Stein- 
barger grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  township,  on  the  home  farm,  and 
attended  the  early  day  schools.  When  a  young  man  he  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  the  milling  business,  in  partnership  with  his  father,  the  old  Stein- 
barger mill  being  well  known  all  over  this  and  adjoining  counties,  draw- 
ing its  customers  from  remote  sections  of  the  countrv.     Tn   181^8  he  moved 


912  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

to  Urbana  township  and  bought  one  hundred  acres,  the  place  on  which  his 
son  Joseph  now  resides,  and  there  he  carried  on  general  farming  ui 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  February,  1882.  His  widow  survived  until 
1897.  Alfred  Steinbarger  was  a  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Pence)  Stein- 
barger,  both  natives  of  Virginia,  where  they  grew  up  and  married,  coming 
to  Ohio  shortly  thereafter  and  settling  on  a  farm  on  Nettle  creek,  in  Cham- 
paign county,  buying  a  tract  of  land,  including  the  Abe  Shocky  farm.  The 
elder  Steinbarger  improved  his  land,  put  up  a  mill,  operated  by  water  power 
and  conducted  it  many  years;  later  moved  farther  down  Mad  river,  where 
he  built  a  large  mill,  which  became  popular  all  over  this  locality.  There  he 
remained  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1852.  To  Alfred  Steinbarger 
and  wife  eight  children  were  born,  four  of  whom  are  now  living,  namely  : 
Jennie,  who  married  James  Perkins ;  Joseph,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ; 
Sallie,  widow  of  the  late  Joel  C.  Andrews,  and  James  M. 

Joseph  Steinbarger  grew  up  in  Mad  River  township  and  attended  the 
common  schools  there  and  in  Urbana  township.  He  farmed  with  his  father 
until  the  latter's  death,  then  began  farming  for  himself,  Init  has  continued 
on  the  same  farm  to  the  present  time. 

In  March,  1898.  Mr.  Steinbarger  was  married  to  Mrs.  Virginia 
(Hedges)  Shellenbarger,  a  daughter  of  Newton  and  Eliza  (Todd)  Hedges. 
To  this  union  one  child  has  been  born,  a  daughter,  Ruth,  who  is  now  attend 
ing  high  school.  Politically,  Mr.  Steinbarger  is  a  Republican.  He  was 
at  one  time  road  supervisor.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Hickory  Grove  Baptist 
church  and  was  the  first  person  baptised  in  that  church. 


ANSON  BAUGHMAN. 


Anson  Baughrnan,  one  of  Salem  township's  progressive  farmers  and 
stockmen,  now  farming  the  Clayton  farm,  and  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  over 
in  the  neighboring  township  of  Harrison,  was  born  in  the  adjoining  county 
of  Union,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  this  county  for  the  past  fifteen  years  or 
more  and  during  that  time  has  gained  a  wide  acquaintance  throughout  the 
northern  part  of  the  county.  He  was  l)orn  on  July  31,  1865,  son  of  John 
and  Anna  (Lehman)  Baughnian,  the  former  a  native  of  Fairfield  county. 
Ohio,  and  the  latter  of  \'irginia,  whose  last  days  were  spent  in  Union  countv. 

John  Baughrnan  came  from  his  native  county  of  Fairfield  when  he  was 
a  young  man  and  settled  in  Union  county,  where  he  presently  married  and 
established  his   home.      For   some  time  after   coming  to   Union   county   he 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  9I3 

engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  potash  and  later  took  up  farming,  spending 
the  rest  of  his  hfe  on  a  farm.  He  Hved  to  be  ninety-two  years  of  age.  He 
was  born  in  1813  and  died  in  1906.  His  wife  had  preceded  him  to  the  grave 
many  years,  she  having  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-six.  They  were  the  parents 
of  eleven  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  last-born, 
the  others  being  as  follow :  Elizabeth,  deceased ;  William,  deceased ;  Bar- 
bara, who  married  James  Gray,  Hving  in  Union  county;  Kate,  who  married 
John  E.  Bright  and  is  also  living  in  Union  county;  Lydia  Ann,  deceased; 
John,  who  is  now  living  in  Marion  county,  this  state ;  Leroy,  deceased ;  Sam- 
uel, who  died  in  youth;  Joseph,  of  Marysville,  this  state,  and  Samantha, 
wife  of  Perry  C.  Converse,  of  Plain  City,  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Madi- 
son. 

Anson  Baughman  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Union  county  and  received 
his  schooling  in  the  common  schools.  He  remained  on  the  farm  until  his 
marriage  in  the  fall  of  1890,  after  which  he  made  his  home  in  Marysville, 
county  seat  of  his  native  county,  where  for  eleven  years  he  was  engaged  in 
the  employ  of  the  Robinson,  Curry  &  Rousch  Manufacturing  Company. 
In  March,  1902,  he  came  over  into  Champaign  county  and  located  on  the 
Samuel  D.  Clayton  farm  in  Salem  township,  where  he  is  now  living  and 
where  he  ever  since  has  made  his  home.  Mr.  Baughman  is  farming  there 
two  hundred  and  twenty  acres  and  is  carrying  on  his  operations  on  a  some- 
what extensive  scale.  He  feeds  all  he  raises,  besides  buying  considerable 
hay  and  grain  for  his  live  stock  and  has  done  well  as  a  stockman.  He  is 
the  owner  of  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-two  and  one-half  acres 
in  Harrison  township  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  substantial  farmers 
of  his  neighborhood.  He  is  "independent"  in  his  political  views,  believing 
that  in  local  affairs  the  voter  should  be  guided  by  his  desire  to  see  only 
the  fittest  men  in  office. 

On  September  9,  1890,  Anson  Baughman  was  united  in  marriage,  in 
Union  county,  to  Hattie  M.  Robinson,  who  also  was  bom  in  that  county, 
daughter  of  John  Mordel  and  Harriet  E.  (Taylor)  Robinson,  the  former 
of  whom  also  was  born  in  Union  county  and  the  latter  at  Kings  Creek,  this 
county,  both  now  deceased.  John  M.  Robinson  was  a  substantial  citizen 
and  a  well-known  merchant,  farmer  and  stockman  in  Union  county.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Baughman  have  one  child,  a  daughter,  Madeline,  who  married 
Carl  Dorman  and  lives  in  Urbana.  They  also  had  a  son,  Hugh  Taylor,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  three  months  on  January  3,  1893.  The  Baughmans  are 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  Mr.  Baughman  is  a  member  of  the 
fraternal  order  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 
(58a) 


914  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

DAVID  dp:tweiler. 

A  painstaking  and  successful  farmer  of  Salem  township  is  David  Det- 
vveiler,  who  has  long  been  interested  in  the  general  development  of  Cham- 
paign county.  He  was  born  in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  December  y. 
1877,  a  son  of  Eli  B.  and  Rachael  S.  (Greer)  Detweiler.  The  father 
also  was  born  in  Mifflin  county,  where  he  grew  up  and  learned  the  car- 
penter's trade  He  also  followed  bridge  Imilding,  working  at  both  trades 
in  Pennsylvania  until  he  came  to  Ohio  in  1885,  and  located  in  Salem  tov.-n- 
ship,  Champaign  county,  working  out  as  a  farm  hand  the  hrst  year.  In 
1889  he  worked  near  Kennard  for  a  short  time,  then  settled  in  Kings 
creek.  He  died  in  Pennsylvania  while  on  a  visit  there,  October  3.  1909. 
His  wife  had  preceded  him  to  the  grave  only  a  few  months,  her  death 
having  occured  on  June  29  of  that  same  year,  b^li  W.  Detweiler  was  a 
son  of  Jonathan  Detweiler,  who  engaged  in  farming  in  Pennsvlvania  all 
his  life,  l-'ourteen  children  were  l)orn  to  Eli  B.  Detweiler  and  wife,  eight 
of  whom  are  now  living,  namely  :  Rufus,  of  Salem  township,  Champaign 
county;  John  P.,  a  farmer,  of  Salem  township;  William,  of  Marysville, 
Ohio;  David,  the  subject  of  this  review;  Orin,  who  lives  in  Salem  town- 
ship ;  Anna,  who  married  Harry  Cooper ;  Margaret,  who  married  Clint  Boyer. 
and  Ella,  who  married  Marion  Gaul. 

David  Detweiler  spent  his  boyhood  in  Pennsylvania  and  there  attended 
the  public  schools.  He  also  went  to  school  after  coming  with  the  rest 
of  the  family  to  Champaign  county.  After  leaving  school  he  worked  out 
as  a  farm  hand  from  the  age  of  hfteen  to  twenty-two.  He  then  married 
and  rented  a  farm  of  seventy-seven  acres,  two  and  one-half  miles  from  Kings 
creek,  for  two  years;  then  moved  to  near  Hagenbaugh,  where  he  rented 
a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres.  A  year  later  he  located  on  the 
Carson  farm  south  of  Urbana,  which  place  consists  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  and  there  he  farmed  four  years ;  then  moved  back  to  Salem 
township  and  farmed  the  J.  R.  Block  place  of  eighty  acres  for  three  years, 
then,  in  1909,  bought  thirty-two  acres  east  of  Kings  creek,  which  he  operated 
three  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  sold  it  and  rented  one  hundred  and 
eighty  acres  in  Harrison  township,  remaining  there  for  four  years.  In 
March,  191 7,  he  moved  on  the  Tritt  farm  in  Salem  township,  where  he  is 
now  carrying  on  general  farming  operations. 

Mr.  Detweiler  was  married  in  1900  to  Anna.  Clark,  a  daughter  of 
James  and   Amanda    (Gorley)    Clark,   and   to   this   union    fi\e   children    ba\c 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  9l'5 

been  born,   Esta,   Pauline,  James.   Raymond  and  Francis,  all  of  whom  are 
attending  school  in  Salem  township  at  this  writing. 

Mr.    Detweiler  is  an   independent  voter.      He  belongs   to   the   Grange, 
and  holds  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Kings  Creek. 


JOHN  G.  WOLCOTT. 


The  late  John  G.  Wolcott,  who  died  in  the  summer  of  191 7,  was  one 
of  the  well-known  farmers  living  in  the  western  part  of  this  county  and 
was  the  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of  eighty-two  acres  on  rural  mail  route 
No.  I,  out  of  St.  Paris,  three  and  one-half  miles  west  of  that  city  and 
one  mile  east  of  Lena.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Brown  township,  in  the 
neighboring  county  of  Miami,  February  20,  185 1,  son  of  Benjamin  L.  and 
Jane  E.  (Boyd)  Wolcott,  prominent  residents  of  that  community.  Ben- 
jamin L.  Wolcott  was  born  in  Warren  county,  this  state,  and  his  wife  was 
born  in  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania.  They  were  married  in  Miami  county 
and  after  their  marriage  located  on  a  farm  in  Lost  Creek  township,  that 
county,  but  three  years  later  moved  to  a  farm  in  Brown  township,  same 
county,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Benjamin  L.  Wol- 
cott was  a  carpenter  as  well  as  a  farmer.  Politically,  he  was  a  Republican 
and,  fraternally,  was  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 
He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Lena  Baptist  church  and  their  children 
were  reared  in  the  faith  of  that  communion.  They  had  five  children,  those 
besides  the  subject  of  this  memorial  sketch  being  Louis,  a  farmer,  living- 
near  Conover;  Emma  J.,  wife  of  John  Michaels,  of  Lena;  Jared,  who  is 
farming  the  old  home  place,  and  William,  who  died  at  the  age  of  three 
years. 

Reared  on  a  farm,  John  G.  Wolcott  early  became  a  practical  farmer 
and  continued  engaged  in  that  vocation  all  his  life,  becoming  the  owner 
of  a  well-improved  farm  of  eighty-two  acres,  which  he  brought  up  to  an 
excellent  state  of  cultivation.  He  had  other  interests  besides  those  of  his 
farm  and  was  a  stockholder  in  the  Central  National  Bank  of  St.  Paris. 
In  addition  to  his  general  farming  he  also  gave  considerable  attention  to 
the  raising  of  live  stock  and  did  very  well.  Politically,  Mr.  Wolcott  was 
a  Republican,  but  was  not  an  ofiice  seeker.  He  was  a  member  of  the  official 
board  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Lena  and  was  treasurer  of  the 
same.      Fraternally,   he   was   affiliated    with    Industry    Lodge   No.    256,    Tn- 


9l6  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

dependent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  was  a  past  noble  grand  of  the  same. 
Mr.  Wolcott  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife,  Hannah  L.  Wells, 
died  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years,  leaving  two  children,  Maude  D.. 
wife  of  Harvey  Coddington,  and  Harley,  who  died  at  the  age  of  three 
years.  On  March  5,  1885,  he  married,  secondly,  Rosella  M.  Hewitt  and 
to  this  union  two  children  were  born,  Stella  B.,  wife  of  George  H.  Printz, 
of  St.  Paris,  and  Mary  A.,  wife  of  Albert  Leedom.  Mrs.  Wolcott  is 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  takes  an  active  interest 
in  church  work,  as  well  as  in  the  general  good  works  and  social  activities 
of  the  community  in  which  she  lives. 


ALEX  T.  McBETH. 


The  late  Alex  T.  McBeth,  for  years  one  of  the  best-known  and  must 
prosperous  farmers  in  Harrison  township,  the  owner  of  a  choice  parcel 
of  land  containing  three  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  the  best  quality  and  a 
breeder  and  shipper  of  stock,  was  born  in  the  house,  located  in  Harrison 
township,  where  he  died  on  May  19,  19 17.  •  He  was  born  on  November 
26,  1865,  a  son  of  Robert  and  Mary  J.  (Black)  McBeth,  who  were  farm- 
ing people;  the  father  a  brother  of  Alex  McBeth,  who  was  well  known 
throughout  the  county. 

Robert  McBeth  was  one  of  the  most  extensive  farmers  of  Champaign 
county  in  his  day.  He  was  widely  known  as  a  stock  buyer  and  shipper, 
and  was  among  the  pioneer  farmers  and  breeders  in  this  part  of  the  state. 
He  was  a  general  farmer  and  his  land  was  always  kept  in  a  high  state  of 
cultivation.  In  the  days  when  he  shipped  cattle  to  all  parts  of  the  country', 
transportation  facilities  were  limited  as  contrasted  with  the  railroad  facilities 
of  today.  Large  numbers  of  cattle  and  hogs  were  driven  over  roads  which 
were  not  of  the  standard  now  enjoyed,  and  some  of  the  journeys  would 
occupy  several  days  before  the  destination  was  reached.  Robert  McBeth 
died  on  the  farm  on  which  he  was  born,  July  16,  1895. 

Alex  T.  McBeth  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  early  displayed 
a  desire  to  follow  the  life  of  a  farmer.  It  was  on  his  father's  farm  that 
he  was  born.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Harrison  townshij) 
aftd  ori  the  completion  of  his  school  course  he  worked  on  the  home  farm 
for  several  years.  Some  time  later  he  was  married  and  commenced  farming 
on  his  own  account  and  was  successful  along  that  line.     His  fine  farm  of 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY^    OHIO.  917 

three  hundred  and  forty  acres  was  brought  up  to  an  excellent  state  of 
cultivation,  the  outbuildings  and  the  farm  equipment  being  of  an  up-to-date 
class.  He  bought  and  shipped  cattle  on  a  large  scale  and  was  generally  re- 
garded as  one  of  the  progressive  and  substantial  farmers  in  the  township. 

On  October  17,  1889,  Alex  T.  McBeth  was  united  in  marriage  to  Ida 
Craig,  the  daughter  of  William  B.  and  India  Anna  (Hess)  Craig,  the  former 
born  in  Berkeley  county,  Virginia,  and  the  latter  in  Champaign  county, 
Ohio.  William  B.  Craig  died  in  1886,  and  his  wife  died  in  1911,  at  the 
age  of  eighty-four.  As  a  boy  William  B.  Craig  located  in  Muskingum 
county,  Ohio,  coming  from  Virginia.  Later  he  came  to  Champaign  county. 
He  had  only  fifty  cents  when  he  married  and  finally  owned  four  hundred 
acres.  He  had  a  farm  on  the  edge  of  Urbana  at  first.  He  then  located 
in  the  southeast  corner  of  Harrison  township.  He  was  a  stanch  Republican. 
He  and  his  wife  belonged  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

To  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McBeth  two  children  were  born.  Flor- 
ence, the  eldest,  is  the  wife  of  Walter  Scott,  the  county  surveyor  of  Logan 
county,  Ohio,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  children,  Virginia  and  Dorothy. 
Taylor  McBeth,  the  other  child,  was  graduated  from  the  Wesley  Chapel 
school  and  is  now  engaged  at  farming.  Mr.  McBeth  was  a  supporter  of 
the  Republican  party,  but  was  never  a  seeker  after  office,  preferring  to 
devote  his  time  to  his  farming  interests.  The  brick  house  in  which  he 
spent  his  life  was  built  of  brick  made  on  the  farm.  The  house  was  erected 
by  his  grandfather,  Andrew  McBeth  and  is  in  good  condition,  although 
more  than  one  himdred  years  have  elapsed  since  it  was  erected.  Mrs. 
McBeth  is  still  living  there,  very  comfortably  situated  and  has  a  host  of 
friends,  by  whom   she  is  held  in  the  highest  regard. 


TAMES  L.  KINGSLEY. 


lames  L.  Kingsley,  one  of  the  well-known  and  substantial  farmers  of 
Goshen  township,  this  county,  and  the  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  on  rural  mail  route  No.  2,  out  of  Mechanicsburg, 
where  he  and  his  sister,  Miss  Louise  R.  Kingsley,  have  a  very  pleasant 
home,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life, 
formerly,  and  for  years,  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  the  county.  He 
was  born  on  a  farm  two  and  one-half  miles  south  of  Mechanicsburg  on 
September   23,    1865,    son  of   Lewis  and  Catherine    (Blue)    Kingsley,   both 


yiS  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

members  of  pioneer  families  in  this  part  of  the  state,  the  latter  a  daughter 
of  Jacob  and  Nancy  Blue. 

Lewis  Kingsley,  who  for  years  was  one  of  the  best-known  residents 
of  the  Mechanicsburg  neighborhood  and  for  thirty-nine  years  a  school 
teacher,  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  born  in  the  village  of  Scotland  Society, 
in  Windham  county,  that  state,  June  21,  1829,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Eleanor 
(Howard)  Kingsley,  also  natives  of  that  county  and  both  of  old  New  Eng- 
land stock,  the  former  a  son  of  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  who  left  their 
native  state  in  1835  and  came  to  Ohio,  settling  in  Union  township,  this 
county.  Five  years  later,  in  1840,  Jonathan  Kingsley  moved  with  his  family 
over  into  Madison  county,  but  in  1846  returned  to  Champaign  county  and 
located  at  Mechanicsburg,  where  his  wife  died  in  that  same  year.  He  sur- 
vived her  six  years,  his  death  occurring  in  1852,  he  then  being  sixty-six 
years  of  age.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  all  of  whom  are 
now  deceased,  those  besides  Lewis,  the  youngest,  having  been  William,  Maria 
and  Harriet. 

The  Champaign  county  Kingsleys  are  of  a  distinguished  family,  dating 
back  to  the  year  1183,  when  Raueulfh,  the  first  to  bear  the  name,  was 
made  hereditary  forester  of  the  king's  forest  in  the  count  of  Chester,  by 
King  Henry  of  England,  and  was  called  Raueulfh  de  Kingsley,  or  Ralph 
of  the  king's  land;  "ley"  being  Saxon  for  land,  which  accounts  for  the 
name.  That  he  was  of  good  repute  is  evidenced  by  the  marriage  of  his 
daughter,  Mabilla,  to  the  heir  of  the  Mostyn  family,  which  is  now  repre- 
sented by  Lord  Mostyn.  The  Kingsley  family  was  on  the  side  of  the  com- 
monwealth during  the  civil  war,  after  the  death  of  Charles.  Of  two 
brothers,  the  elder  was  an  officer  in  Cromwell's  army.  The  younger,  John 
Kingsley,  came  to  the  American  colonies  about  1635,  from  the  county  of 
Lancashire,  England.  Charles  Kingsley,  the  distinguished  author  and  divine, 
was  descended  from  the  elder  brother.  This  John  Kingsley  located  in 
Massachusetts  and  was  one  of  the  seven  founders  of  the  Church  of  Dor- 
chester, founded  in  1635  by  the  Rev.  Richard  Mather.  He  was  married 
before  leaving  England  and  died  in  1679.  leaving  several  children.  One. 
Elad,  was  a  member  of  the  first  Baptist  church  formed  in  Massachusetts. 
He  was  born  in  1638  and  died  in  1679,  leaving  among  other  children.  John, 
who  was  born  in  1665.  In  1704  John  Kingsley  moved  to  Scotland  Society. 
Connecticut,  where  he  died  on  March  17,  1773.  One  of  his  sons,  Ezra, 
had  a  son,  Solomon,  born  on  Sejitember  27,  1723,  who  married  Lydia  Burgess, 
of  Canterbury,  Connecticut.  From  Scotland  Society  he  moved  to  East 
Windsor,    Connecticut;   thence   to    Granville,    Massachusetts,    and   thence    to 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  919 

Cazenovia,  New  York,  where  he  died  in  1812,  at  the  age  of  ninety  years. 
He  had  a  family  of  eight  sons  and  four  daughters,  one  of  whom,  Jonathan, 
died  in  Scotland  Society  on  September  12,  1832,  at  the  age  of  eighty  years. 
Of  the  children  of  this  Jonathan,  three  grew  to  maturity  and  were  married, 
the  youngest  of  these  having  been  Jonathan  Kingsley,  who  married  Eleanor 
Howard  and  in  1835  came  to  Ohio,  as  set  out  in  the  preceding  paragraph, 
and  here  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

Having  been  only  six  years  of  age  when  he  came  with  his  parents  to 
this  county  from  his  native  Connecticut,  Lewis  Kingsley  was  reared  in  this 
county  and  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Madison  and  completed  his  school- 
ing in  the  schools  of  Mechanicsburg.  He  early  evinced  an  unusual  interest 
in  his  studies  and  qualified  himself  for  the  important  profession  of  teaching, 
which  he  followed  for  thirty-five  years,  at  the  same  time  carrying  on  his 
agricultural  operations,  and  became  a  substantial  farmer.  He  was  a  Republi- 
can and  ever  took  an  interested  part  in  local  political  affairs,  his  influence 
ever  being  exerted  in  behalf  of  good  government.  He  was  a  charter  member 
of  Wildey  Lodge  No.  271,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  at  Mechanics- 
burg, and  was  past  noble  grand  of  the  same.  Lewis  Kingsley  died  on 
January  31,  1905.  His  wife  died  on  March  25,  1898.  They  were  the  parents 
of  seven  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  second  in  order 
of  birth,  the  others  being  NeUie,  wife  of  F.  P.  Elsworth ;  Charles  L.,  deceased; 
Mary,  wife  of  Albert  Brown;  Louise  R.,  who  makes  her  home  with  her 
brother  James  on  the  farm  in  Goshen  township;  William  H.,  deceased,  and 
Elizabeth,  wife  of  Andrew  Mueller. 

James  L.  Kingsley  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Mechanicsburg  and  completed  his  schooling  in  the  high  school  at  Mechan- 
icsburg, after  which  he  began  teaching  school  and  for  thirteen  years  was 
thus  engaged,  meanwhile  continuing  his  labors  on  the  farm  during  the  sum- 
mers, his  last  term  of  school  being  conducted  in  the  winter  of  1897-98, 
since  which  time  he  has  devoted  his  whole  time  to  the  duties  of  the  farm, 
with  the  exception  of  four  years,  1901-05,  during  which  period  he  served 
as  deputy  sheriff  of  Champaign  county,  serving  under  Sheriff  Dan  J.  Hull.  He 
has  a  well-kept  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  and  is  doing  well  in 
his  farming  operations.  He  and  his  sister  have  a  very  pleasant  home  and 
take  an  interested  part  in  the  general  social  activities  of  the  community. 
Miss  Kingsley  is  a  member  of  the  local  chapter  of  the  Daughters  of  the 
American  Revolution  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  same. 
She  also  is  a  member  of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Daughters  of  Rebekah  and 
is  past  noble  grand  of  the  same  and  a  member  of  the  Ohio  grand  lodge  of 


920  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

that  order.  Mr.  Kingsley  is  a  past  noble  grand  of  Wildey  Lodge  No.  271. 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  at  Mechanicsburg,  of  which  lodge  his 
father  was  a  charter  member  and  a  past  noble  grand,  and  has  also  served 
as  noble  grand  of  that  lodge  and  is  a  member  of  the  Ohio  grand  lodge  of  the 
Independent  Carder  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  also  is  a  member  of  the  local 
Grange  and  has  for  years  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  same, 
both  he  and  his  sister  giving  their  earnest  attention  to  all  movements  having 
to  do  with  the  advancement  of  the  general  welfare  of  their  home  community. 


A.  E.  DINGLEDINE. 


A.  E.  Dingledine  is  a  farmer  living  on  his  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
eighty  acres  in  Mad  River  township,  on  the  St.  Paris  and  Springfield  road, 
eight  miles  southeast  of  St.  Paris,  rural  mail  route  No.  4,  out  of  Urbana. 
He  was  born  on  this  place,  but  not  in  the  house  now  standing,  August  i, 
1856,  a  son  of  Nicholas  and  Catherine  (Zirkle)  Dingledine. 

Nicholas  Dingledine.  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Virginia  and 
grew  to  young  manhood  at  his  home  in  that  state.  He  came  to  Ohio  and 
found  employment  working  as  farm  laborer  in  this  county  for  a  few  years. 
Here  he  was  married  to  Catherine  Zirkle,  who  was  born  in  Clark  county  and 
was  reared  and  educated  in  Champaign  county.  After  marriage  Nicholas 
Dingledine  bought  this  place  and  he  and  his  wife  established  a  home  here,  and 
here  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  They  had  nine  children,  namely  : 
John,  who  died  in  October,  1915,  in  Van  Wert  county,  Ohio;  Sarah,  wife  of 
Isaac  Neese,  of  Van  Wert  county;  Lemuel,  of  Jackson  township,  this  county; 
Emeline,  wife  of  Samuel  R.  Neff ;  Martha  J.,  wife  of  Henry  Dibert,  of  Mad 
River  township;  Mary,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Robert  Fowler,  of 
Terre  Haute,  this  county;  Catherine,  wife  of  Frank  Gebhart,  of  Springfield. 
Ohio;  Hannah,  wife  of  Sol.  Walborn.  of  Jackson  township,  and  A.  E.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch.  Nicholas  Dingledine  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
church.  He  died  at  the  age  of  forty-seven  years.  He  was  a  very  successful 
farmer.     He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics. 

.v.  R^.  Dingledine  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  the  neighborhood.  He  lived  here  until  his  marriage  t(i 
Margaret  Brown,  a  daughter  of  Nathan  Brown,  who  was  born  and  reared  in 
Champaign  county.  After  marriage  he  and  his  young  wife  set  up  house- 
keei)ing  here  and  continued  to  make  this  their  home.      To  them  seven  chil- 


ME.  AND  MRS.  A.   E.  DINGLEDINE. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  92 1 

dren  have  been  born,  all  of  whom  are  living:  Cella,  who  married  Charles 
Bishop;  Bert;  Tressie;  Elizabeth,  who  married  Wesley  vShafer;  EUet,  of 
Bloomington.  New  York;  Homer,  of  Mad  River  township,  and  Emmet,  at 
home. 

Airs.  Dingledine  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at 
Terre  Haute.  Mr.  Dingledine  is  an  honorary  member  of  the  Junior  Order 
of  Mechanics,  at  Terre  Haute.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  served  one 
term  as  school  director  of  his  township.  He  is  engaged  in  general  farming 
and  gives  a  good  deal  of  attention  to  cattle,  hog  and  sheep  raising. 


D.  M.  BAKER. 


D.  M.  Baker,  a  retired  farmer,  now  living  at  St.  Paris,  this  county, 
was  born  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Johnson  township,  September  lo,  1847, 
a  son  of  John  and  Eve  (Bruner)  Baker,  the  latter  a  native  of  Ohio  and 
the  former  of  Rockbridge  county,  Virginia.  John  Baker  came  to  Ohio 
with  his  parents  in  an  early  day.  the  family  settling  in  Mad  River  town- 
ship. Champaign  county,  buying  a  farm  where  Joshua  Rhodes  now  lives. 
There  John  Baker  grew  to  manhood,  assisting  in  the  clearing  and  the  de- 
velopment of  the  home  farm  and  there  he  married  Eve  Bruner.  They 
settled  near  Mt.  Zion  church,  on  a  farm  in  Johnson  township,  becoming 
very  comfortably  established  through  their  industry  and  close  application 
to  general  agricultural  pursuits,  and  there  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives. 
Their  family  consisted  of  eight  children,  five  of  whom  are  living  in  19 17. 
namely:  WiUiam,  who  lives  on  a  farm  in  Jackson  township;  D.  M.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch ;  Lemuel,  who  is  farming  in  Jackson  township ;  Ruth, 
the  widow  of  Ham  Stephens  and  Laura,  the  wife  of  John  Leathley,  a 
farmer  of  Jackson  township.  Among  those  deceased  was  Peter  Baker, 
who  was  a  soldier  of  the  Union  during  the  Civil  War.  was  wounded  in 
battle,  died  in  Nashville,  Tennessee,  and  was  buried  there. 

D.  M.  Baker  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Jackson  township  and 
received  his  education  in  the  district  schools.  He  assisted  his  father  with 
the  work  on  the  home  farm  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  old.  On  Novem- 
ber 28,  1869,  he  married  Anna  Runyon,  who  was  born  on  December  20. 
1847.  in  Mad  River  township,  this  county,  where  she  grew  to  womanhoofl 
and  attended  school. 

After  his   marriage   Mr.    Baker    farmed   on    rented   land   a    few   vears. 


922  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

then  in  1872,  bought  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Johnson  township,  on  which 
he  resided  for  a  period  of  forty-four  years,  tiuring  which  time  he  made 
a  very  comfortable  hving  as  a  general  fanner  and  stock  raiser.  He  also 
owns  property  in  St.  Paris  and  is  one  of  the  stockholders  in  the  First 
National  Bank  of  St.  Paris.  By  his  own  efforts  he  forged  to  the  front 
from  a  beginning  none  too  promising.  His  family  consisted  of  seven  chil- 
dren, five  of  whom  are  living  in  191 7,  namely:  Lola,  wife  of  Perry  Whea- 
ton;  Carrie,  wife  of  J.  C.  Heaston,  of  St.  Paris;  Sylvia  and  Sylvan,  twins, 
the  former  of  whom  is  now  the  wife  of  John  C.  Burnsides,  of  Troy,  Ohio, 
and  the  latter  of  whom  married  Alice  Bray  and  lives  on  a  farm  in  Jackson 
township,  and  Maude,  the  wife  of  D.  Huff,  of  Troy,  Ohio.  The  other  two 
children  died  in  early  life. 

Politically,  Mr.  Baker  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  Grafton 
Chapel  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  has  spent  his  life  in  his  native 
locality  and  has  taken  an  active  part  in  its  development  in  a  general  way 
and  bears  an  unblemished  reputation  for  citizenship. 


WILLIAM  W.  MILLICE. 

William  W.  Millice,  a  well-known  and  substantial  farmer  of  Goshen 
township,  this  county,  and  one  of  the  most  progressive  citizens  of  the  Mechan- 
icsburg  neighborhood,  was  born  on  the  farm  on  which  he  is  now  living,  the 
old  Christopher  Millice  place,  and  has  lived  there  all  his  life.  He  was  born 
on  January  21,  1874,  son  of  Benjamin  A.  and  Emily  (Yocum)  Millice, 
who  are  still  living  there,  substantial  and  honored  "old  settlers''  of  that 
community. 

Benjamin  A.  Millice  was  born  on  that  same  farm  in  1835.  a  son  of 
Christopher  and  Mar}'  Magdalene  (Rhinehart)  Millice,  the  former  of 
whom  was  a  son  of  Henry  Millice,  who  came  to  Ohio  from  T^ennsylvania 
back  in  pioneer  days  and  bought  a  thousand  acres  of  the  .\rbuckle  grant 
in  Goshen  township,  this  county,  established  his  home  there  and  l^ecame  one 
of  the  most  useful  and  influential  pioneers  of  that  section  of  the  county,  the 
family  now  being  widely  represented  hereabout  in  the  fifth  generation.  Henry 
Millice  was  born  and  reared  in  Pennsylvania,  a  son  of  Henry  Millice,  a  native 
of  Germany  and  a  soldier  of  the  patriot  army  during  the  Revolutionary 
War.  The  senior  Henry  Millice  had  come  to  this  country  in  Colonial  days 
with  a  brother;  and,  when  the  Revolution  broke  out,  both  he  and  his  lirothcr 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  923 

joined  the  patriot  forces  to  fight  for  the  independence  of  the  colonies.  Dur- 
ing the  progress  of  the  war,  the  brothers  were  separated  and  Henry  Millice 
never  again  heard  from  his  brother.  The  junior  Henry  MiUice  was  an 
excellent  farmer  and  a  good  business  man,  who  did  well  his  part  in  the 
labors  of  developing  the  community  in  which  he  settled  in  this  county  in 
pioneer  days.  He  established  a  comfortable  home  and  lived  to  see  the 
greater  part  of  his  extensive  tract  of  land  developed  into  good  farms.  The 
old  home  place,  which  was  in  turn  farmed  by  his  son  Christopher  Millice, 
is  still  in  the  possession  of  the  family,  owned  by  Christopher's  son  Benjamin 
and  managed  by  the  latter's  son,  William  W.  Millice.  Christopher  Millice  was 
born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  reared  on  the  farm  in  Goshen  township.  After 
his  marriage  to  Mary  Magdalene  Rhinehart,  also  a  member  of  one  of  the 
pioneer  families  of  this  section,  he  established  his  home  in  Goshen  town- 
ship and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  a  well-to-do  farmer  and 
stockman.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  of  whom 
Benjamin  A.  was  the  seventh  in  order  of  birth.  Among  the  others  are 
Samuel;  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Spain;  Jonathan  N.,  a  well-to-do  farmer  of  Goshen 
township;  George,  of  Mechanicsburg;  Mrs.  Susanna  Spain,  of  that  same 
township;  Hannah,  who  married  Morris  Yocum,  and  Rosanna,  twin  sis- 
ter of  Benjamin,  who  died  in  her  infancy.  As  the  youngest  son  of  the 
family,  Benjamin  A.  Millice  remained  on  the  home  farm,  where  he  is  still 
living;  and  about  a  year  after  his  marriage  established  his  home  there, 
becoming  the  mainstay  of  his  aging  parents,  and  has  ever  since  made  that 
place  his  home.  He  married  Emily  Yocum,  who  also  was  born  in  this 
county,  August  17,  1847,  ^^^  parents  having  been  substantial  farmers  in  the 
vicinity  of  Cable,  in  Union  township.  To  this  union  two  children  were 
born,  William  W.  Millice  having  a  sister,  Cora,  wife  of  William  J.  Romine, 
of  Mechanicsburg.  During  the  progress  of  the  Civil  War.  Benjamin  A. 
Millice  served  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union,  enlisting  in  1864  and  going  to  the 
front  as  a  member  of  the  Company  C,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty- fourth 
Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  serving  with  that  command  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  He  is  a  member  of  Stephen  y\.  Baxter  Post  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  at  Mechanicsburg  and  has  for  years  taken 
an  earnest  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  patriotic  organization.  He  and  his 
wife  are  life-long  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Mechanics- 
burg, and  have  ever  taken  an  active  part  in  church  work.  Politically,  he 
is  a  RepubHcan. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm,  William  W.  Millice  has  lived  there  all  his 
life,  an  active  and  progressive  farmer.     He  completed  his  schooling  in  the 


924  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Mechanicsburg  schools  and  was  married  when  twenty-one  years  of  age,  he 
and  his  wife  estabHshing  their  home  on  the  old  Millice  place,  where  they 
have  continued  to  make  their  home.  It  was  on  September  i8,  1895,  that 
William  W.  Millice  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lula  Moody,  who  also  was 
born  in  this  county,  daughter  of  John  R.  and  Serepta  (Bowen)  Moody,  and 
to  this  union  two  daughters  have  been  born,  Cora  Margaret  and  Laura  Irene, 
both  of  whom  are  now  students  in  the  Mechanicsburg  high  school.  Mr. 
Millice  is  a  Republican  and  gives  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  civic 
afifairs.  He  is  a  Royal  Arch  Mason,  past  master  of  the  local  lodge  at 
Mechanicsburg,  former  high  priest  of  the  chapter  at  that  place,  and  both 
he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  Caroline  Chapter  No.  39,  Order  of  the 
Eastern  Star.  They  are  identified  with  the  First  Church  of  Christ  (Scientist) 
at  Mechanicsburg  and  take  an  earnest  interest  in  the  afifairs  of  the  same. 


SAMUEL  MILEY. 


Samuel  Miley,  a  farmer  of  Adams  township.  Champaign  county,  was 
born  near  Westville,  in  Mad  River  township,  this  county,  March  4,  1843. 
He  is  a  son  of  John  and  Arlena  (Dennett)  Miley,  both  natives  of  Virginia, 
he  of  Shenandoah  county  and  she  of  Page  county.  He  was  a  son  of  John 
Miley,  Sr.  John  Miley,  Jr.,  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  state  and  when 
a  young  man  he  moved  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio  and  married  here, 
Arlena  Dennett,  who  came  here  with  her  parents  when  young.  After  his 
marriage  he  settled  on  a  farm  near  Westville,  but  finally  moved  to  Concord 
township,  then  to  Johnson  township,  this  county,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of 
his  life.  He  started  out  with  nothing  but  he  became  owner  of  a  fine  farm 
of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  He  was  a  Democrat ;  and  an  active  member 
of  the  Baptist  church.  His  family  consisted  of  four  children,  namely : 
Dr.  Joel,  who  is  practicing  medicine  near  Camden,  Missouri,  and  was  gradu- 
ated from  the  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  Medical  College;  Samuel,  of  this  sketch; 
Dr.  Isaiah,  also  a  graduate  of  the  Cincinnati  Medical  College,  a  practicing 
physician  at  Anderson,  Indiana;  and  Mary  E.,  unmarried,  and  lives  at  Millers- 
town,  Ohio. 

Samuel  Miley  grew  to  manhood  on  tne  home  farm  in  Johnson  town- 
ship, where  he  attended  the  district  schools.  He  worked  with  his  father  on 
the  home  farm  until  he  was  twenty-five  years  old.  On  June  10,  i86g,  he 
married  Elizabeth  J.  .\mmon.  a  native  of  Millerstown,  Ohio,  and  a  daughter 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  92 ^ 

of  Jacob  Amnion.  She  grew  up  in  her  native  community  and  was  educated 
in  the  pubHc  schools.  After  his  marriage  Mr.  Miley  moved  on  the  farm 
he  now  owns  in  Adams  township,  where  he  owns  eighty  acres ;  he  also  owns 
another  eighty  acres  in  Johnson  township.  As  a  general  farmer  and  stock 
raiser,  Mr.  Miley  has  been  very  successful.  Four  children  have  been  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miley,  namely;  Elnora,  the  widow  of  William  McNeal  who 
has  one  daughter,  Harlena,  a  teacher  in  the  Rosewood  school;  Minnie,  the 
wife  of  Charles  Burns  of  Adams  township;  Arlena,  who  married  O.  D. 
Clark;  Walter  D.,  who  is  single  and  lives  at  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  Miley  is  a  Democrat,  and  in  the  creed  of  this  party 
he  is  a  strong  believer.  He  is  at  present  a  member  of  the  local  school  board, 
and  had  served  Adams  township  as  trustee  for  nine  successive  years.  The 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  has  in  Mr.  Miley  an  active  member,  for 
he  belongs  to  Crayon  Lodge  No.  397,  of  which  he  is  past  noble  grand,  and 
was  secretary  for  twenty  years;  he  also  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  141.  St. 
Paris  Encampment,  of  which  organization  he  is  past  patriarch.  In  addition 
to  this,  he  and  his  wife  are  both  members  of  the  Daughters  of  Rebekah. 
Not  only  is  Mr.  Miley  prominent  in  fraternal  circles,  but  he  is  also  an  active 
and  influential  member  of  the  Millerstown  Baptist  church,  as  is  his  wife. 
Of  this  church  he  has  been  clerk  for  forty  vears  continuouslv. 


CHARLES  V.  BURNS. 


One  of  the  farmers  of  Adams  township,  Champaign  county,  who  believes 
in  following  twentieth  century  methods  in  lieu  of  those  of  the  pioneers  is 
C.  V.  Burns,  who  was  born  at  Spring  Hill,  Harrison  township,  this  county. 
July  12,  1871.  He  is  a  son  of  Jezekiah  and  Eliza  (Bradshaw)  Burns. 
These  parents  were  born  in  Bath  county,  Virginia,  where  they  grew  to 
maturity.  They  were  married,  however,  in  Cumberland,  Maryland,  and 
at  once  they  came  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio.  They  located  on  a  farm 
in  Harrison  township,  renting  the  old  Baldridge  place  for  a  few  years,  then 
moved  to  Spring  Hill,  where  Mr.  Burns  turned  his  attention  to  the  road 
contracting  business.  After  he  followed  this  with  success  about  seven  years, 
he  bought  part  of  the  old  Baldridge  farm  and  again  moved  thereto.  On 
seUing  out,  he  moved  to  a  farm  in  Johnson  township,  east  of  St.  Paris, 
where  he  continued  general  farming  with  his  usual  success,  until  the  spring 
of  1916.     In  that  year  he  moved  to  St.  Paris,  where  he  remained  until  his 


926  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

death,  which  occurred  in  that  village  on  January  4,  191 7.  His  widow  still 
lives  there.  To  these  parents  three  children  were  born,  namely :  Ida,  the 
wife  of  Edward  Piatt,  a  farmer  of  near  Spring  Hill,  Harrison  township: 
C.  \".,  of  this  sketch;  and  Bertha,  wife  of  John  P.  Kite. 

During  the  Civil  War,  Jezekiah  Burns  served  in  the  Union  army  as  a 
member  of  Company  B,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry,  proving  a  faithful  and  efficient  soldier  and  taking  part  in  numerous 
engagements.  He  was,  in  after  years,  a  member  of  the  post  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic  at  St.  Paris.  For  many  3'ears  he  was  a  member  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  he  and  his  wife  were  life-long 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  In  his  younger  days  he  was 
a  local  preacher  of  this  denomination  and  always  took  an  active  interest 
in  church  affairs.  He  was  one  of  the  useful  and  inHuential  men  of  his 
locality. 

C.  V.  Burns  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Harrison  township,  where 
he  attended  the  district  schools.  On  December  30,  1891,  he  married  Minnie 
Miley,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Jane  (Ammons)  Miley.  After  his  mar- 
riage, he  remained  on  the  home  farm  one  year,  then  moved  to  the  Mile\' 
place  in  Johnson  township,  but  a  year  later  moved  back  to  the  home  place. 
In  the  next  )'ear  he  moved  to  the  Harshman  farm  in  Adams  township,  remain- 
ing there  five  vears.  then  moved  to  the  Mclnturff  farm  in  Harrison  town- 
ship. After  living  four  years  there,  he  moved  to  the  Harshman  farm  again, 
remaining  there  three  years,  and  then  moved  to  St.  Paris,  where  he  con- 
ducted a  livery  stable  under  the  firm  name  of  Burns  &  Mattoon  for  five 
years,  and  for  four  years  more  under  the  firm  name  of  Burns  &  Malmsbury. 
At  the  end  of  that  time  Mr.  Burns  sold  out  his  interest  and  conducted  an 
automobile  business  in  St.  Paris  for  three  years,  and,  although  he  sold  out 
some  time  ago,  he  is  still  agent  for  the  Ford  cars  in  Adams  and  Johnson 
townshif)s.  During  the  period  of  his  residence  in  St.  Paris,  he  still  operated 
the  Harshman  farm,  and  in  the  spring  of  1916  he  purchased  his  present 
farm  of  eighty  acres,  three  miles  southeast  of  Rosewood,  in  Adams  town- 
ship. In  connection  with  his  own  farm  he  still  operates  the  Harshman  farm, 
conducting  in  all  two  hundred  acres,  on  which  he  raises  a  large  quantity 
of  grain  and  large  numbers  of  live  stock  annually,  especially  hogs,  feeding 
several  carloads  for  the  market  each  year.     He  also  deals  in  horses. 

To  Mr.  Burns  and  wife  two  children  have  been  born,  namely;  Hazel 
M.,  who  attended  the  St.  Paris  schools,  later  graduating  from  the  Moore's 
Business  College  at  Urbana,  Ohio,  and  now  in  the  emplov  of  the  H.  B. 
Hole  Poultry  Company,  of  St.  Paris;  and  Cleome  I.,  at  home. 


\ 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  92/ 

Politically,  Mr.  Burns  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Knights 
of  Pythias  at  St.  Paris,  also  Crayon  Lodge  No.  317,  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows  of  St.  Paris,  of  which  he  is  past  noble  grand,  and  was 
financial  secretary  for  about  five  years ;  he  also  belongs  to  the  Russell  Encamp- 
ment at  St.  Paris. 


WILBUR  T.  COLLINS. 


Wilbur  T.  Collins,  a  substantial  and  progressive  farmer,  owner  of  one- 
hundred  and  twenty- four  acres  of  choice  land  and  also  engaged  in  the 
raising  of  high  grade  stock,  lives  in  Jackson  township,  two  miles  south 
and  three-quarters  of  a  mile  east  of  St.  Paris.  He  was  born  in  Mad  River 
township,  Champaign  county,  on  December  28,  1867,  a  son  of  Capt.  S. 
and  Sarah  J.   (Kiser)  Collins. 

Capt.  Tandy  S.  Collins  was  born  in  Orange  county,  Virginia,  on 
October  12,  1832,  and  died  in  February,  1907.  His  wife,  Sarah  L.  Kiser. 
was  born  in  Mad  River  tow^nship,  this  county,  on  March  28,  1842,  and 
died  on  October  6,  19 16.  They  were  earnest  members  of  the  Baptist  church 
and  always  displayed  a  warm  interest  in  its  services  and  good  works,  at 
the  same  time  supporting  all  movements  having  for  their  object  the  welfare 
of  the  community.  They  were  regarded  as  excellent  citizens  and  their  deaths 
left  a  void  in  the  hearts  of  a  large  circle  of  friends.  Captain  Collins 
and  wife  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  five  of  whom  are  living  in  191 7: 
Charles,  of  Tremont,  Ohio;  Ida,  wife  of  Daniel  Prince,  of  Springfield: 
John  P.,  who  lives  in  Tremont;  Wilbur,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and 
Irwin  S.,  who  lives  in  Jefferson  City,  Missouri. 

Wilbur  T.  Collins  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Mad  .River  township  and 
attended  the  district  schools  in  that  township  until  he  was  fourteen  years 
of  age.  On  the  completion  of  his  school  course  he  worked  on  the  farm  and 
remained  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-eight  years  old.  He  then  married 
Ada  D.  Apple,  the  marriage  taking  place  on  January  23,  1896.  She  was 
born  in  Jackson  township,  a  daughter  of  Noah  and  Catherine  (Seibert) 
Apple.  Noah  Apple  was  born  in  Jackson  township  on  May  21,  1840,  and 
died  on  February  20,  1910.  His  wife,  Catherine  Seibert,  was  born  in 
Johnson  township,  three  miles  northwest  of  St.  Paris,  on  August  16,  1842, 
and  is  still  living  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-five  and  in  the  enjoyment 
of  good  health. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Collins  settled  on  the  farm  which  they  now  occupy  and 


928  CIIAMI'AIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO. 

here  Mr.  Collins  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising  of  all 
kinds,  his  produce  in  the  latter  line  always  finding  a  ready  market,  the 
quality  being  of  high  grade.  His  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-four 
acres  is  in  an  excellent  state  of  improvement,  the  dwelling  house  and  out- 
buildings being  substantial,  well-built  structures.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Collins  are 
the  parents  of  three  children,  Helen,  born  on  October  31,  1900.  who  is 
now  a  student  in  the  eighth  grade  in  the  public  schools;  Mary  C,  February 
17,  1907,  and  Dorothy,  August  23,  1909.  Mrs.  Collins  is  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  church  at  St.  Paris  and  is  active  in  all  church  affairs,  as  well  as 
taking  an  earnest  part  in  the  general  social  life  and  in  the  well-being  of 
the  community.  Mr.  Collins  leans  toward  the  Democratic  party  in  political 
matters,  but  is  generally  found  voting  independently,  believing  that  the  quali- 
ties and  qualifications  of  candidates  are  of  more  importance  to  the  public 
interests  than  mere  party  afifiliation.  He  has  never  been  a  seeker  after  public 
office. 


ELMER  G.  POLK. 


Elmer  G.  Polk,  a  farmer  living  in  Concord  township,  this  county,  was 
born  near  Ouincy,  Logan  county,  Ohio,  November  28,  1867.  He  is  a  son 
of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  (Wren)  Polk,  and  a  grandson  of  Geba  Polk,  a 
kinsman  of  President  James  K.  Polk,  who  came  to  Ohio  from  Maryland  in 
1802.  Geba  Polk  settled  in  Logan  county,  Ohio,  in  a  very  early  day,  taking 
up  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  from  the  government,  just  south  of  Black 
Lake.  There  he  built  a  log  cabin  in  the  forest.  Indians  were  still  numerous 
in  that  country.  He  carved  out  a  farm  from  the  wilderness  through  years 
of  hard  work  and  privation.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812  and 
was  active  in  the  affairs  of  his  community,  helping  develop  his  locality  along 
all  lines.  He  was  an  earnest  church  member.  His  family  consisted  of  six 
children,  Robert,  Laton,  William,  Sarah,  Margaret  and  Mary. 

Robert  Polk  was  born  on  the  home  fami  in  Logan  county,  where  he 
was  reared,  working,  as  did  all  pioneer  children.  He  received  a  limited 
education  in  the  early-day  schools.  He  first  married  a  Miss  Harper,  by 
whom  one  child  was  born.  His  second  marriage  was  to  Elizabeth  Wren, 
by  whom  nine  children  were  born,  six  of  whom  are  living  in  1917,  namely: 
Ada,  wife  of  S.  E.  Caldv^'ell,  of  Stark  county,  Ohio;  Charles,  who  followed 
teaching  a  number  of  years  and  is  now  a  rural  mail  carrier  out  of  Zanesfield, 
Ohio;  Mary,  wife  of  John  Barger  of  Salem  township,  this  county;  Elmer 


ELMER   G.   POLK 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  929 

G.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Eva,  widow  of  Otho  Frields  and  graduate 
of  the  Ohio  Northern  University  at  Ada,  Ohio,  now  hving  in  Quincy,  IIU- 
nois,  where  she  is  a  successful  teacher,  being  at  this  writing  superintendent 
of  the  Chaddock  Boys  School,  and  Joseph,  who  is  farming  in  Concord  town- 
ship, this  county. 

Elmer  G.  Polk  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Logan  county, 
and  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools,  which,  however,  was 
limited;  in  view  of  the  fact  that  he  began  life  for  himself  when  only  twelve 
years  old,  w^orking  out  by  the  month  for  a  number  of  years.  He  saved  his 
earnings  and  finally  had  enough  to  start  farming  on  his  own  account.  He 
now  owns  eighty  acres  of  well-improved  and  productive  land.  In  connection 
with  general  cropping  he  raises  a  good  grade  of  live  stock,  in  fact,  has  made 
most  of  his  annual  income  for  many  years  on  hogs,  preparing  large  num- 
bers for  the  market. 

Mr.  Polk  was  married  on  June  22,  1893,  to  Hattie  Myers,  a  native  of 
Kentucky.  She  received  excellent  educational  advantages,  passing  through 
the  common  schools  and  graduating  from  Augusta  College.  After  finishing 
her  education  she  engaged  successfully  in  teaching  for  many  years.  Her 
death  occurred  in  19 12.     She  left  no  children. 

Mr.  Polk  is  a  Republican.  He  belongs  to  Launcelot  Lodge  No.  107, 
Knights  of  Pythias.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  to  which  his 
wife  also  belonged. 


CHARLES  A.  McDANIELS. 

Charles  A.  McDaniels,  farmer  of  Wayne  township,  this  county,  was 
born  in  Harrison  county.  West  Virginia,  March  8,  1862.  He  is  a  son  of 
Presley  and  Malissa  (Moore)  McDaniels.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Barbour 
county,  now  in  West  Virginia,  but  formerly  of  the  Old  Dominion,  and  the 
mother  was  born  in  Pennsylvania.  They  located  on  a  farm  in  the  former 
state  where  they  spent  their  lives.  Seven  children  were  born  to  them,  E. 
E.,  Charles  A.,  A.  J.,  H.  C,  W.  A.,  Anna  and  Margaret. 

Charles  A.  McDaniels  grew  to  manhood  in  West  Virginia  and  attended 
school  in  Harrison  and  Marion  counties.  After  leaving  school  he  continued 
farming  on  the  home  place  for  a  number  of  years,  then  began  working 
in  the  coal  mines,  where  he  remained  for  nine  years,  first  employed  by  the 
Hutchinson  Coal  Company,  later  by  the  Fairmount  ConsoHdated  Company. 
C59a) 


930  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

He  came  to  Ohio  in  1904  and  bought  a  farm  of  ninety-seven  acres  in  Wayne 
township,  Champaign  county,  and  began  improving  the  place  by  building 
a  fine  new  home  and  a  large  barn.  Here  he  has  since  engaged  in  general  farm- 
ing and  has  increased  his  holdings  to  one  hundred  and  forty-seven  and  one- 
half  acres.     He  prepares  for  market  a  large  number  of  hogs  annually. 

Mr.  McDaniels  was  married  in  1883  to  Ida  Miller,  daughter  of  Cyrus 
Miller  and  wife.  To  that  union  one  child  was  born,  Lonnie  Carl  McDaniels,. 
who  married  Mae  McCarty,  and  has  two  children,  Mildred  and  an  infant. 
After  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  Charles  A.  McDaniels  married  Ella  King, 
a  daughter  of  Green  and  Tena  King,  and  to  this  union  five  children  have 
been  born,  namely:  Alma,  who  married  Guy  Black  and  has  four  children. 
Vernon,  Earl,  Sherline,  Curtis,  and  Ray,  Gepsey,  Earl,  Cladda,  who  are  living 
at  home. 

Politically,  Mr.  McDaniels  is  a  Republican,  b'raternally,  he  belongs  to 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  is  a  past  noble  grand  of  the 
local  lodge  of  that  order.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  local  school  board  for 
the  past  ten  years  and  is  at  this  writing  president  of  the  same.  He  is  deserv- 
ing of  a  great  deal  of  credit  for  what  he  has  accomplished,  for  he  started 
out  in  life  with  very  little  means,  as  his  father  died  when  he  was  but  a  bov. 
and  he  has  had  his  own  way  to  make  in  the  world ;  but  by  perseverance  and 
close  application  he  has  become  very  comfortably  established. 


ALEX  C.     STEPHENSON. 

One  of  the  progressive  and  u])-to-date  farmers  of  Adams  township,  this- 
connty,  is  Alex  C.  Stephenson,  the  owner  and  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of 
one  hundred  and  sixteen  acres  located  on  the  Sidney  and  West  Liberty  pike, 
on  rural  route  No.  i,  out  of  Peniberton,  Ohio.  Mr.  Stephenson  was  born 
on  this  farm  on  October  16,  1866,  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Lydia  (Johnston) 
Stephenson,  toth  of  whom  were  natives  of  Ohio. 

Joseph  Stephenson  was  l)orn  in  Logan  county,  Ohio,  May  16,  1830, 
and  died  on  May  13,  1916.  He  was  a  son  of  Charles  Stephenson,  who 
came  to  Logan  county,  Ohio,  as  a  young  man  from  Green  Briar  county. 
Virginia,  being  among  the  early  pioneers  of  that  part  of  the  state.  He  also 
lived  in  Clark  county,  Ohio,  in  the  early  days.  The  Stephenson  family  are 
supposed  to  be  originally  of  Irish  descent,  and  Charles  Stephenson  married 
Rachel  Johnson,  whose  parents  were  also  Virginians,  and  among  the  early 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  ,      93] 

pioneer  settlers  of  Logan  county,  Ohio;  although  on  their  way  from  Virginia, 
they  stopped  and  lived  for  a  short  time  in  Clark  county,  Ohio.  Joseph 
Stephenson  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Logan  county,  and  after 
reaching  manhood  was  married  to  Lydia  Johnston,  who  was  born  on  the 
farm  where  A.  C.  Stephenson  now  lives,  on  August  15,  1832,  a  daughter 
of  Walter  and  Sarah  (McCrosky)  Johnston.  Walker  Johnston  was  a  native 
of  Kentucky,  who  came  with  his  father,  Silas  Johnston,  to  Ohio  when  a  small 
lad.  Silas  Johnston  was  the  first  white  settler  in  Johnson  township,  this 
county,  the  township  deriving  its  name  from  his.  He  entered  land  from 
the  government  just  north  of  where  the  village  of  Millerstown  now  stands, 
and  here  he  lived  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Walter  Johnston  came  as  a 
young  man  to  Adams  township,  and  entered  one  hundred  and  seventy-six 
acres  of  government  land  in  that  district,  and  on  this  farm  he  lived  the  rest 
of  his  life.  After  his  marriage,  Joseph  Stephenson  and  his  wife  started 
farming  for  themselves  by  renting  land  in  different  places  in  this  and  Shelby 
county,  Ohio,  but  in  1850  they  settled  on  the  old  Johnston  home  place,  where 
thev  lived  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  They  were  the  parents  of  five 
children,  of  whom  only  one  son,  the  subject  of  this  review,  is  now  living. 
The  others  were  as  follow:  Charles,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years; 
Martha,  who  died  at  the  age  of  three  years,  and  two,  who  died  in  infancy. 
Joseph  Stephenson  was  a  Baptist  in  his  religious  faith,  while  his  wife  was 
an  adherent  of  the  United  Brethren  faith.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics, 
and  active  in  the  councils  of  his  party  in  the  early  days  of  the  township, 
.serving  as  trustee  of  the  township  for  several  terms. 

Alex  C.  Stephenson  was  reared  to  the  life  of  a  farmer,  receiving  his 
education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  home  township.  After  reaching 
manhood  he  started  to  farming  on  his  own  account  on  the  home  farm,  where 
he  has  always  lived.  He  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising. 
and  ranks  among  the  prominent  and  progressive   farmers  of  the  township. 

Mr.  Stephenson  has  been  twice  married,  his  first  wife  having  been 
Laura  J.  McCarty,  to  whom  he  was  married  on  February  5,  1891,  and  to  that 
union  were  born  two  children :  Ethel,  of  Shelby  county,  Ohio,  and  Harry, 
who  is  living  at  home  with  his  father.  The  mother  of  these  children  died 
on  February  3.  1907,  and  on  January  9,  1910,  Mr.  Stephenson  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Ellen  M.  Maurice,  the  daughter  of  Jcseph  and  Isabelle  ( Neese) 
Maurice,  to  which  union  has  been  born  one  child,  a  son,  Charles  Claire, 
born  on  July  14.  1917.  The  family  are  earnest  and  consistent  members 
of  the  Christian  church  at  Carysville. 

Politically.  Mr.   Stephenson  is  a  Democrat,  but  is  broad  and  liberal  in 


932       .  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

his  public  views  of  men  and  affairs.  In  1916  he  was  the  Democratic  nominee 
for  county  commissioner.  He  has  served  his  township  as  a  member  of  the 
board  of  education  for  a  number  of  years,  and  was  township  trustee  for  four 
years.  In  1900  he  served  as  land  appraiser,  and  in  1914  and  1915  as  assessor 
of  his  township,  and  for  years  has  been  a  member  of  the  Democratic  town- 
ship committee. 


W.  H.  CHENEY. 


W.  H.  Cheney,  president  of  the  common  council  of  the  city  of  Mechanics- 
burg,  one  of  the  most  active  and  progressive  residents  of  that  city  and 
the  owner  of  a  line  farm  of  five  hundred  and  twenty-six  acres  in  Goshen 
township,  not  far  from  the  city,  was  born  in  Mechanicsburg  and  has  lived 
there  all  his  life,  one  of  the  best-known  citizens  of  that  part  of  Champaign 
county.  He  was  born  on  November  28,  1875,  son  of  James  H.  and  Beatrice 
S.  (TuUis)  Cheney,  both  members  of  old  families  in  this  county,  whose 
last  days  were  spent  in  Mechanicsburg. 

James  H.  Cheney  was  born  on  a  pioneer  farm  in  Union  township,  this 
county,  December  i,  1839,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Rachel  (Williams)  Cheney 
and  grandson  of  Benjamin  and  Sarah  (Cochran)  Cheney,  the  latter  of 
whom  came  from  their  native  Virginia  to  this  part  of  Ohio  in  1808  and 
settled  on  a  tract  of  "Congress  land"  in  Union  township,  this  county.  Benja- 
min Cheney  was  one  of  the  most  forceful  and  influential  pioneers  of  Cham- 
paign county  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1834  had  accumulated  land  hold- 
ings here  in  excess  of  two  thousand  acres.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents 
of  seven  children  and  the  Cheney  family  is  thus  largely  represented  in  this 
part  of  Ohio  in  the  present  generation. 

Jonathan  Cheney,  one  of  the  children  of  Benjamin,  was  born  on  that 
pioneer  farm  in  Union  township  in  18 16.  For  upward  of  twelve  years  he 
represented  this  district  in  the  Ohio  state  Legislature  and  for  an  equal 
period  of  time  acted  as  justice  of  the  peace  in  and  for  his  home  township. 
He  became  a  man  of  substance  in  the  community,  living  there  until  his 
death  on  March  6,  1864.  In  1836  he  married  Rachel  Williams,  also  a  member 
of  one  of  the  pioneer  families  of  Champaign  county,  a  daughter  of  John 
W.  and  Eleanor  (Duval)  Williams,  and  to  that  union  were  born  eleven 
children,  eight  sons  and  three  daughters.  James  Henry  Cheney,  one  of  the 
sons  of  this  union,  grew  to  manhood  on  the  Cheney  farm  and  was  living 
there  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out.  He  enlisted  for  service  as  a  member 
of  Company  E,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-first  Regiment,   Ohio  Volunteer 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  933 

Infantry,  and  in  later  years  was  an  active  member  of  Stephen  A.  Baxter 
Post,  Grand  Army  of  the  RepubHc,  at  Mechanicsburg.  In  i860  James 
H.  Cheney  married  Beatrice  S.  Tullis,  also  a  member  of  one  of  Champaign 
county's  first  families,  a  daughter  of  Ezra  C.  and  Sarah  E.  (Edmonston) 
Tullis,  natives,  respectively,  of  this  county  and  of  the  state  of  Maryland,  the 
latter  having  come  to  Champaign  county  when  a  child  of  four  years  with 
her  parents,  who  settled  on  the  farm  in  Goshen  township  now  owned  by 
the  subject  of  this  sketch.  In  1875  James  H.  Cheney  moved  with  his 
family  to  Mechanicsburg  and  there  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of 
their  lives.  They  were  active  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
he  for  years  being  a  member  of  the  official  board  of  the  same  and  she  for 
many  years  a  singer  in  the  choir.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  children, 
of  whom  the  subject  ol  this  sketch  was  the  last-born,  the  others  being 
E.  E.  Cheney,  a  well-known  lawyer  at  Urbana;  Brooks  E.,  who  died  in 
1890,  and  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Marion  Burnham,  mayor  of  the  city  of  London, 
county  seat  of  the  neighboring  county  of  Madison. 

W.  H.  Cheney  was  reared  in  Mechanicsburg  and  upon  completing  the 
course  in  the  high  school  there  took  a  supplementary  course  in  Ohio  Northern 
University  at  Ada.  From  the  days  of  his  young  manhood  he  has  been 
attentive  to  the  affairs  of  the  farm  and  is  now  the  owner  of  a  well-improved 
and  profitably  cultivated  farm  of  five  hundred  and  twenty-six  acres  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Mechanicsburg,  in  Goshen  township,  operating  the  same  from 
his  established  residence  in  Mechanicsburg.  Mr.  Cheney  has  always  given 
his  earnest  attention  to  local  civic  affairs  and  to  such  movements  as  are 
designed  to  advance  the  general  welfare  of  his  home  town  and  the  com- 
munity at  large  and  is  one  of  Mechanicsburg's  most  public-spirited 
"boosters."  For  the  past  twelve  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  com- 
mon council  from  his  ward  and  for  the  past  six  years  has  been  president  of 
the  same,  giving  to  his  official  duties  his  most  thoughtful  and  intelligent  atten- 
tion. He  is  a  Republican  and  has  long  been  regarded  as  one  of  the  leaders 
of  that  party  in  that  section  of  the  county. 

One  June  i8,  1902,  W.  H.  Cheney  was  united  in  marriage  to  Agnes 
Alberta  Hodge,  who  was  born  in  Union  township,  this  county,  October  ^3, 
1875,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Amanda  Hodge,  and  to  this  union  three  chil- 
dren have  been  born,  but  one  of  whom  is  now  living,  a  daughter,  Isabel,  born 
on  February  2,  1906.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cheney  have  a  very  pleasant  home  in 
Mechanicsburg  and  take  an  interested  part  in  the  general  social  activities  of 
their  home  town.  Mr.  Cheney  is  a  member  of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons  and  takes  an  active  interest  in  Masonic  affairs. 


934  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

JOHN  W.  SIDDERS. 

John  W.  Sidders,  farmer,  of  Salem  township,  this  county,  was  born 
on  June  19,  1856,  in  Hunterdon  county,  New  Jersey.  He  is  a  son  of  James 
and  Sarah  (Robbins)  Sidders,  both  also  natives  of  Hunterdon  county, 
where  they  grew  up  and  married.  In  1867  they  came  to  Ohio  and  bought 
a  farm  on  the  state  road,  five  miles  north  of  Urbana,  in  Salem  township, 
Champaign  county,  the  place  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-seven 
acres,  and  there  they  engaged  in  farming  the  rest  of  their  lives,  the  father 
dying  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  and  the  mother  when  sixty-seven  years  old. 
They  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  West  Liberty.  Their 
family  consisted  of  twelve  children,  namely :  George,  now  deceased,  who 
married  Ada  J.  Parke,  who  lives  in  Salem  township;  Alice,  widow  of  Eli 
Glover,  who  now  lives  in  Nebraska;  John  W.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Sylvester  R.,  now  deceased,  who  lived  in  Nebraska  and  married  Jennie  Case; 
Elizabeth,  wife  of  Dr.  John  H.  Wolf,  of  DeGraff,  Ohio;  Annie,  wife  of 
Orin  R.  Tritt,  a  banker  of  Urbana;  Charity,  wife  of  Ellery  Robbins,  of 
Trenton,  New  Jersey;  Jersey  Belle,  who  died  when  fourteen  years  of  age; 
James,  who  is  farming  in  Logan  county,  Ohio ;  Mary,  who  died  in  infancy : 
J.  M.,  who  lives  in  Harrison  township,  this  county,  a  farmer,  and  D.  L., 
who  is  farming  in  Salem  township  and  who  married  Hattie  Croft. 

John  W.  Sidders  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  and  he  attended 
the  rural  schools  in  his  district,  remaining  with  his  parents  until  he  was 
twenty  years  old,  when  he  stai'ted  out  for  himself,  farming  in  Harrison  town- 
ship for  seven  years.  In  1884  he  went  to  Hamilton  county,  Nebraska,  and 
bought  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  for  which  he  paid  fifteen 
dollars  an  acre.  He  became  very  active  in  Democratic  politics  there.  He  put 
up  a  house,  barn  and  two  wind-mills  and  other  necessary  improvements  and 
lived  there  fifteen  years,  hail  storms  and  drouths  finally  ruining  him,  and 
he  lost  all  he  had,  but  he  persevered  in  the  face  of  difficulties  and  subse- 
quently made  enough  to  buy  the  old  home  place  in  Salem  township,  this 
county,  paying  one  hundred  dollars  per  acre  for  one  hundred  acres.  Return- 
ing here  in  1907  he  has  operated  the  place  to  the  present  time,  keeping  it 
well  improved  and  well  cultivated. 

Mr.  Sidders  has  been  twice  married,  first,  in  1877,  to  Sarah  V.  Thomas, 
of  Salem  township.  To  that  union  five  children  were  born,  namely :  Harry 
Clifford,  of  Lincoln,  Nebraska,  now  in  the  employ  of  the  International  Har- 
vester Company  and  who  was  elected  county  auditor  of  Hamilton  county. 


CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO.  935 

Nebraska,  fifteen  days  after  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age;  Lelah  Elenore, 
who  taught  school  four  years  and  worked  as  a  stenographer  four  years  and 
married  Bert  Miller  and  lives  in  Urbana;  Claude  Thomas,  who  was  a  cham- 
pion wrestler  for  many  years  and  is  now  farming  at  Lodge  Pole,  Nebraska ; 
Sarah  Mary,  who  married  Harry  Saxby  and  lives  in  Urbana,  and  James, 
who  is  farming  in  Salem  township.  The  mother  of  the  above-named  chil- 
dren passed  away  in  April,  1907,  and  in  November,  19 16,  Mr.  Sidders  mar- 
ried Catherine  Minnich,  widow  of  John  Minnich.  She  was  born  in  Cincinnati, 
Ohio.  She  owns  fifty-five  acres  in  Salem  township,  six  miles  north  of  Urbana, 
•  where  the  family  now  resides.  Politically,  Mr.  Sidders  is  a  Democrat.  He 
belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 


HARDEN  HALL. 


One  of  the  enterprising  and  successful  farmers  of  Adams  township, 
who  has  lived  in  the  county  all  his  life,  is  Harden  Hall,  living  on  his  farm 
of  sixty-five  acres  located  on  the  DeGraffe  and  St.  Paris  pike  about  seven 
miles  northeast  of  St.  Paris,  on  rural  route.  No.  4.  He  was  born  on  the  old 
Hall  homestead  in  .Vdams  township,  where  his  brother,  Sheppard  Hall,  now 
lives,  on  November  18.  1840,  the  son  of  German  and  Ruth  (Newcomb) 
Hall,  a  sketch  of  whose  lives  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work  in  the  sketch 
of  Sheppard  Hall.  German  Hall  came  as  a  small  child  from  Virginia  with 
his  parents,  John  Hall  and  wife,  who  settled  on  a  farm  about  one  and  one- 
half  miles  east  of  where  Harden  Hall  now  lives,  in  Concord  township,  and 
here  John  Hall  lived  the  remainder  of  his  life.  German  Hall  was  reared  on 
this  farm  and  after  reaching  manhood,  married  Ruth  Newcomlj,  who  was 
born-  and  reared  in  Adams  township,  this  county.  German  Hall  and  wife 
were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  six  of  whom  are  living:  Henry,  living  in 
Starke  county,  Indiana;  Harden,  of  this  review;  Joel,  a  resident  of  Logan 
county,  Ohio;  Liza  Ann,  the  wife  of  Thomas  Wirt,  a  farmer  of  Adams  town- 
ship; Oliver,  living  in  Whitley  county,  Indiana,  and  Sheppard,  who  is  men- 
tioned elsewhere  in  this  work. 

Harden  Llall  was  reared  to  the  life  of  a  farmer,  receiving  his  education 
in  the  district  schools  of  his  home  township,  and  lived  on  the  home  farm 
until  his  marriage.  He  then  started  farming  for  himself  by  renting  land  in 
Adams  township,  but  after  a  few  years,  he  purchased  the  farm  of  sixty- 
five  acres  where  he  is  no\\    living,  and  has  since  made  his  home.     He  is  a 


936  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

general  farmer  and  stockman,  and  progressive  and  up  to  date  in  his  methods. 
On  February  18,  1864,  Harden  Hall  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mary 
Ann  Mc  Alexander,  the  daughter  of  David  and  Elizabeth  (Idle)  Me  Alexan- 
der, who  were  pioneer  farmers  of  the  county.  To  this  union  four  children 
were  born:  Joseph,  a  farmer  of  Adams  township;  Elmer,  living  at  home: 
Lizzie,  the  wife  of  Sylvester  Harris,  a  farmer  living  in  Harrison  township, 
and  Bessie,  living  at  home.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  on  March 
24,  1913.  She  was  a  faithful  and  consistent  member  of  the  United  Brethren 
church,  in  which  church  her  husband  still  holds  membership.  Mr.  Hall  is 
a  Democrat  in  politics,  but  has  never  lieen  active  in  political  matters,  although 
always  ready  to  lend  his  warm  support  to  all  measures  having  for  their  ol)ject 
the  betterment  of  his  community. 


HENRY  PAGE  WILSON. 

Henry  P.  Wilson,  a  farmer  of  Concord  township,  this  county,  was  born 
in  Salem  township,  June  3,  1853,  ^  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Lvicinda  (Muzzy) 
Wilson.  The  father  was  born  in  Harrison  township,  this  county,  March 
10,  1821.  He  was  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Eleanor  (Fullengton)  Wilson,  who 
came  to  Ohio  in  pioneer  days,  locating  in  Harrison  township,  and  there  they 
spent  the  rest  of  their  lives.  He  was  first  a  Whig,  later  a  Republican.  He 
belonged  to  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  which  he  was  an  elder,  an  active 
worker  and  liberal  contributor.  His  family  consisted  o'f  the  following  chil- 
dren:  Miles,  Henry,  Ebenezer,  Joseph,  James  F.,  Eliza  J.,  and  Ellen.  .All 
these  children  but  the  eldest  were  born  after  the  family  came  to  Cham- 
paign county. 

Ebenezer  Wilson  was  reared  on  the  farm  in  Harrison  township.  He 
was  a  son  of  Joseph  Wilson  and  his  first  wife.  The  father  was  married 
a  second  time  and  the  following  children  were  born  to  his  last  union :  Nancy, 
Thomas,  Sarah,  Mary,  Price  and  David.  Ebenezer  Wilson  was  married  in 
Salem  township,  and  nine  children  were  born  to  him,  three  of  whom  are 
living  in  1917,  namely:  Henry  Page,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Jennie,  who 
has  remained  unmarried  and  lives  in  Urbana,  and  Nellie,  also  single,  who 
also  lives  in  Urbana. 

Henry  P.  Wilson  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and  attended  the 
district  schools  until  he  was  nineteen  years  old.  He  remained  on  the  farm, 
assisting  his  father  with   the   work  on  the   same   until  he  was  married,   in 


MR.   AND  MRS.   HENRY   PAGE   WIL?!<^N. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  93/ 

March,  1877,  to  Harriet  E.  Couchman,  by  whom  he  had  four  children, 
namely:  Frank  Earl,  born  on  January  28,  1879,  who  married  Edna  Craig 
and  is  now  living  on  a  farm  in  Salem  township,  this  county;  Lucinda  E., 
who  married  Leroy  Craig  and  who  died  in  1910;  Blanche,  also  deceased, 
and  Helen,  also  deceased.  Mrs.  Harriet  E.  Wilson  died  on  January  22, 
1903,  and  in  August,  1904,  Mr.  Wilson  married  Alta  Delma  Fidler,  by 
whom  one  child  was  born,  which  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Wilson  has  been  very  successful  as  a  general  farmer.  He  owns 
one-third  interest  in  a  two-hundred-and-forty-acre  farm,  also  owns  two- 
thirds  interest  in  another  farm  of  one  hundred  and  ten  acres  in  Salem  town- 
ship.    He  raises  graded  stock  of  all  kinds. 

Mr.  Wilson  is  a  Republican.  He  belongs  to  Urbana  Lodge  No.  46, 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  belongs  to  the  Methodist  church 
of  Concord,  of  which  he  is  treasurer  and  a  member  of  the  official  board. 
He  has  been  active  in  politics  and  is  now  serving  his  second  term  as  trus- 
tee of  Concord  township.  He  also  has  served  on  the  school  board  and  on 
the  county  fair  board,  of  which  latter  organization  he  was  for  twenty  years 
treasurer. 


GEORGE  F.  GOUL. 


George  F.  Goul,  proprietor  of  a  well-kept  farm  of  seventy-nine  acres 
in  Goshen  township,  this  county,  the  same  being  situated  three  and  one-half 
miles  north  of  Mechanicsburg  on  the  Mechanicsburg  and  Bellefontaine  pike, 
rural  route  No.  i  out  of  Mechanicsburg,  was  born  on  that  farm  and  has  lived 
there  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  April  25,  1857,  son  of  John  and  Susan 
(Coffinbarger)  Goul,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  this  county  and  the 
latter  in  the  state  of  Maryland. 

John.  Goul  was  born  on  what  is  now  the  James  Perry  farm,  two  and 
a  half  miles  northwest  of  Mutual,  in  Union  township,  in  1833,  a  son  of 
Christopher  Goul  and  wife,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Rockbridge 
county,  Virginia,  September  6,  1804,  and  who  was  but  a  boy  when  he  came 
to  Champaign  county  with  his  parents,  Adam  and  Elizabeth  Goul,  who 
became  useful  and  influential  pioneers  of  Goshen  township.  Adam  Goul 
was  of  European  birth  and  was  but  eleven  years  of  age  when  he  departed  from 
his  native  land  with  his  parents,  the  family's  destination  being  the  shores 
of  America.  Both  of  the  parents  and  a  daughter  died  en  route  and  were 
buried  at  sea.     Young  orphaned    \dam  landed  at  the  i)ort  of  Philadelphia  and 


938  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

was  there  temporarily  cared  for,  and  "bound  out,"  later  going  to  Virginia. 
He  grew  to  manhood  in  Rockbridge  county  and  there  married,  later  coming 
with  his  family  to  Champaign  county,  as  noted  above,  and  settling  in  Goshen 
township,  where  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives  and  where 
they  are  buried.  Christopher  Goul  was  reared  on  the  pioneer  farm  in  Goshen 
township  and  after  his  marriage  settled  in  the  Mutual  neighborhood  in 
Union  township,  where  he  reared  his  family  and  spent  his  last  days.  His 
son  John  grew  up  there  and  married  Susan  Coffinbarger,  who  was  born  in 
1835  in  the  state  of  Maryland,  where  her  father  died,  leaving  a  widow  and  five 
children,  two  sons  and  three  daughters.  Later  the  Widow  Coffinbarger 
came  with  her  children  to  Ohio,  driving  through  with  a  covered  wagon, 
Susan  then  being  but  twelve  years  of  age,  and  settled  with  her  little  family 
in  this  county.  After  his  marriage  John  Goul  for  a  time  made  his  home 
on  his  father's  farm,  which  is  still  in  the  possession  of  the  family,  and  then, 
about  1862,  moved  to  a  farm  in  Union  township,  remaining  there  for  several 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time- he  moved  back  to  the  old  home  farm,  where 
he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  on  Decemlier  11,  1909. 
During  the  latter  part  of  the  Civil  War  John  Goul  enlisted  as  a  member 
of  Company  E,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-first  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  served  with  that  command  for  three  months.  He  was  a 
Republican  and  he  and  his  wife  were  active  members  of  the  Methodist 
church,  he  for  many  years  acting  as  class  leader  of  the  local  congregation. 
To  John  Goul  and  wife  five  children  were  born,  two  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters, of  whom  but  two  are  now  living,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having  a 
brother,  Walter  S.  Goul,  now  a  resident  of  Springfield,  Ohio.  Of  the  daugh- 
ters, Isabel  R.  died  at  the  age  of  tvventy-one  years,  Ella  died  in  infancy  and 
Parthenia  died  when  eight  or  ten  years  of-  age. 

George  F.  Goul  was  reared  on  the  farm,  receiving  his  schooling  in  the 
schools  of  Union  and  Goshen  townships,  and  remained  at  home  until  his 
marriage  in  1882,  when  he  and  his  wife  started  to  housekeeping'  in  a  little 
log  house  on  the  farm  on  which  they  are  now  living  and  which  presently 
was  taken  away  to  make  place  for  their  present  substantial  farm  house,  and 
they  ever  since  have  resided  there.  Mr.  Goul  is  the  owner  of  seventy-nine 
acres  of  excellent  land  and  his  place  is  well  improved  and  profitably  culti- 
vated. He  is  a  Republican  and  has  ever  given  a  good  citizen's  attention  to 
local  civic  afifairs,  but  has  never  been  particularly  active  in  "politics."  He 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Treckles  Creek  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
and  take  an  active  interest  in  church  affairs,  Mr.  Goul  being  a  member  of 
the  board  of  trustees  of  the  same  and  for  several  vcars  clerk  of  the  board. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  939 

On  February  23,  1882,  George  F.  Goul  was  united  in  marriage  to  Olive 
Ann  Wynant,  who  was  born  in  Madison  county,  Indiana,  daughter  of  Will- 
iam and  Mary  (Goul)  Wynant,  the  former  a  native  of  the  state  of  Virginia 
and  the  latter  of  Ohio,  whose  last  days  were  spent  in  Indiana.  William 
Wynant  was  born  in  Rockbridge  county,  Virginia,  in  181 1  and  wlien  a  voung 
man  came  with  his  parents  to  Ohio,  the  family  settling  in  this  county,  whence 
he  presently  went  over  into  Indiana  and  in  Madison  county,  that  state,  met 
and  married  Mary  Goul,  who  was  born  in  Ohio,  but  who  had  gone  to 
Indiana  with  her  parents  when  but  a  girl.  After  their  marriage  William 
Wynant  and  his  wife  settled  on  a  farm  in  Madison  county,  Indiana,  there 
reared  their  family  and  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  They  were  the 
parents  of  four  children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  the  others  still  sur- 
viving, Mrs.  Goul  having  a  sister,  Zilpha,  wife  of  Granville  Smith,  of  Pendle- 
ton, Indiana.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Goul  have  an  adopted  daughter,  Rosa  E.,  who 
married  Bailey  Vermillion,  of  Springfield,  Ohio,  and  has  three  children. 
George  R.,  Samuel  E.  and  James  Daniel,  besides  one  child,  a  daughter, 
Margaret  O.,  deceased. 


JOHN  E.  STABLER. 


One  of  the  enterprising  farmers  living  in  Adams  township  is  John  E. 
Stabler,  the  owner  and  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of  sixty-four  acres  located 
on  the  Rosewood-Ouincy  pike,  on  rural  route.  No.  i,  out  of  Quincy,  one  and 
one-half  miles  due  north  of  Rosewood,  Mr.  Stabler  was  born  in  this  town- 
ship on  a  farm  about  a  half  mile  west  of  his  present  home  on  December  2. 
1872,  the  son  of  C.  G.  and  Catherine  (Pencil)  Stabler,  the  former  of  whom 
was  a  native  of  Germany,  and  the  latter  of  Ohio. 

C.  G.  Stabler  was  born  in  Wurtemburg,  Germany,  and  lived  in  that 
country  until  he  reached  the  age  of  seventeen  or  eighteen  years,  when  he 
came  to  the  United  States,  coming  direct  to  the  village  of  Degraff,  in  Ohio, 
looking  for  an  uncle  of  his  who  had  previously  emigrated  to  this  country. 
At  that  time  Degrafif  consisted  of  a  few^  straggling  houses,  and  the  country 
surrounding  it  only  very  sparsely  settled.  Mr.  Stabler  found  his  uncle  for 
whom  he  was  looking,  in  Logan  county.  Ohio,  and  remained  with  him  for  a 
short  time,  when  he  came  down  into  Champaign  county,  where  he  met  and 
married  Catherine  Pencil,  who  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  Ohio,  her 
parents  being  of  German  ancestry.     After  his  marriage  C.  G.  Stabler  located 


940  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

on  the  farm  where  John  E.  Stabler  was  born,  and  where  he  is  now  living, 
and  here  they  made  their  home  for  many  years.  C.  G.  Stabler  is  still  living 
on  the  old  home  place,  his  wife  having  passed  away  some  years  ago.  To 
them  were  born  five  children,  four  of  whom  are  living:  Mary  B.,  the  wife 
of  B.  S.  Young,  of  Rosewood;  Barbara,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty 
years;  William,  a  farmer  of  Adams  township:  Frank,  also  a  resident  of 
Adams  township,  and  John  E.  The  family  were  earnest  and  faithful  mem- 
bers of  the  Lutheran  church  at  Sidney,  Ohio. 

John  E.  Stabler  was  reared  to  the  life  of  a  farmer,  receiving  his  edu- 
cation in  the  district  schools  of  his  home  township.  After  reaching  manhood 
he  started  out  in  life  for  himself  by  renting  land  in  Adams  township,  which 
he  farmed  for  two  years,  after  which  he  purchased  the  old  home  farm  in 
1892,  and  has  since  made  this  his  home.  He  is  a  progressive  and  up-to-date 
farmer  and  is  making  a  success  of  his  chosen  calling. 

On  July  2,  1899,  John  E.  Stabler  was  married  to  Minnie  E.  Scoby, 
the  daughter  of  Thomas  Scoby  and  wife.  Mrs.  Stabler  was  born  in  Shelby 
county,  Ohio,  near  Pasco,  and  grew  to  womanhood  in  that  county,  making 
her  home  with  a  sister  in  later  years  near  Quincy,  Ohio,  in  Logan  county. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stabler  are  the  parents  of  one  child,  a  son,  Charles  L.,  who 
is  now  a  student  in  the  sixth  grade  in  the  schools  at  Rosewood. 

Mr.  Stabler  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  always  taken  an  active 
interest  in  local  political  affairs,  and  is  now  serving  his  fourth  year  as  a 
member  of  the  Adams  township  board  of  education.  He  is  a  member  of 
Rosemont  Lodge  No.  253,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  also 
of  Anderton  Encampment  No.  292,  at  Rosewood. 


HENRY  HARRISON  DARLING. 

Henrv  Harrison  Darling,  former  mayor  of  Mechanicsburg,  this  county. 
and  for  years  a  well-known  farrier  and  general  jobber  in  blacksmithing  in 
that  citv,  was  born  at  Mechanicsburg  and  has  lived  there  practically  all  his 
life,  with  the  exception  of  a  couple  of  years  spent  in  business  at  Irwin,  this 
state.  He  was  born  on  June  6,  1857,  son  of  Isaac  S.  and  Sarah  (Riddle) 
Darling,  for  years  well-known  residents  of  Mechanicsburg. 

Isaac  S.  Darling  was  born  in  the  state  of  Virginia  and  was  but  two 
years  of  age  when  his  parents  left  that  state  and  came  to  Ohio,  settling  in 
Knox  c'ountv.  where  he  erew  to  manhood  and  where  he  learned  the  trade 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  94T 

of  a  cabinet-maker.  In  1840  Isaac  S.  Darling  moved  to  Mechanicsburg, 
where  he  began  working  in  the  cabinet  shop  of  Daniel  Neal,  but  not  long 
afterward  he  branched  out  for  himself  and  in  a  small  way  became  a  building 
contractor,  which  business  he  followed  at  Mechanicsburg  the  rest  of  his  life, 
his  death  occurring  there  on  August  26,  1906.  His  wife  had  preceded  him 
to  the  grave  several  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  of 
whom  five  grew  to  maturity,  those  besides  the  subject  of  this  sketch  being 
Emma,  wife  of  J.  S.  Neer,  of  Mechanicsburg;  C.  W.,  who  died  at  Mechan- 
icsburg in  May,  1906;  James  C,  who  was  killed  in  an  accident  in  the  South 
in  1882,  and  George  W.  Darling,  of  Mechanicsburg. 

Reared  at  Mechanicsburg,  H.  H.  Darling  early  began  working  and 
from  the  time  he  was  twelve  years  of  age  until  he  was  eighteen  was  employed 
during  the  school-vacation  periods  in  a  local  brick  yard.  He  then,  on  Janu- 
ary 4,  1876,  began  an  apprenticeship  in  a  blacksmith  shop  and  upon  the 
completion  of  the  same  worked  as  a  journeyman  blacksmith  until  1885, 
when  he  set  up  an  establishment  of  his  own,  making  a  specialty  of  first-class 
horseshoing,  and  has  ever  since  been  thus  engaged  at  Mechanicsburg,  with 
the  exception  of  two  years  spent  in  the  same  line  of  business  at  Irwin.  Mr. 
Darling  is  a  Republican  and  has  for  years  given  close  attention  to  local 
political  affairs.  For  two  years  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  town  council 
from  his  ward,  for  two  terms  as  corporation  clerk,  for  seven  years  as  mem- 
ber of  the  local  school  board  and  from  1908  to  1914  as  mayor  of  Mechanics- 
burg, to  the  duties  of  all  of  which  branches  of  the  public  service  he  devoted 
his  most  thoughtful  and  intelligent  attention. 

On  October  18,  1883.  H.  H.  Darling  was  united  in  marriage  to  Laura 
D.  Ball,  who  was  born  in  the  city  of  Lebanon,  Indiana,  daughter  of  Thomas 
Ball  and  wife,  the  latter  of  whom  was  a  Blue,  and  who  died  on  July  22. 
1902,  leaving  two  children,  a  son  and  a 'daughter,  James  T.,  born  on  Sep- 
tember 25,  1884,  and  Inez  M.,  June  i,  1887,  both  of  whom  are  at  home 
with  their  father.  Mr.  Darling  is  a  Royal  Arch  Mason,  a  member  of  the 
blue  lodge  and  the  chapter  at  Mechanicsburg,  and  is  a  past  master  of  the 
former.  He  also  is  a  member  of  Wildey  Lodge  No.  271,  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  of  Goshen  Encampment  No.  137,  Patriarchs 
Militant,  at  Mechanicsburg.  past  noble  grand  of  the  former  and  past  chief 
patriarch  of  the  latter,  and  is  likewise  a  member  of  Lotus  Lodge  No.  501, 
Daughters  of  Rebekah,  at  that  place.  He  also  is  past  chancellor  commander 
of  Llome  Lodge  No.  474,  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  past  sachem  of  Tioga 
Tribe  No.  91,  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men,  at  Mechanicsburg,  and  in  the 
afifairs  of  all  these  several  fraternal  organizations  take  a  warm  and  active 


942  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

interest.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  church  and  takes 
an  interested  part  in  church  work,  as  well  as  in  other  local  good  works, 
helpful  in  promoting  all  movements  having  to  do  with  the  advancement  of 
the  common  welfare  in  the  community  in  which  he  has  spent  practically  all 
of  his  busv  life. 


SHEPPARD  HALL. 


Sheppard  Hall,  a  well-known  and  enterprising  farmer  of  Adams  town- 
ship, living  on  his  farm  three-fourths  of  a  mile  east  of  Rosewood,  located 
on  the  Sidney-Urbana  pike  on  rural  route  No.  i,  out  of  Rosewood,  was  born 
on  the* same  farm  where  he  now  lives  on  October  6,  1856,  the  son  of  German 
and  Ruth  (Newcomb)  Hall,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  Virginia, 
and  the  latter  of  this  county. 

German  Hall  was  but  an  infant  of  nine  months  when  his  parents  came 
to  Champaign  county,  the  family  settling  on  a  farm  in  Harrison  township, 
where  the  father  lived  the  remainder  of  his  life.  German  Hall  was  reared 
to  manhood  on  the  farm  in  Harrison  township,  where  he  lived  until  after 
his  marriage  to  Ruth  Newcomb,  who  was  born  and  reared  on  a  farm  in 
Adams  township,  this  county,  south  of  Rosewood.  He  and  his  wife  located 
at  once  on  the  farm  where  Sheppard  Hall  now  lives,  and  lived  there  the 
remainder  of  their  lives.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  six  of 
whom  are  now  living:  Henry,  a  resident  of  Starke  county,  Indiana;  Oliver, 
living  in  Whitley  county,  Indiana;  Harden,  a  farmer  of  Adams  township: 
Eliza  A.,  wife  of  Thomas  Wirt,  a  farmer  living  south  of  Carysville,  Ohio; 
Joel,  living  in  Logan  county.  Ohio,  and  Sheppard.  the  immediate  subject 
of  this  review.  German  Hall  and  wife  were  earnest  and  consistent  members 
of  the  Christian  church  at  Carysville,  Ohio,  taking  an  active  part  in  church 
affairs.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  but  l)eing  a  quiet,  unassuming  man. 
took  no  active  part  in  politics. 

Sheppard  Hall  was  born  and  reared  on  the  farm  where  he  is  now 
living,  and  has  lived  all  his  life.  He  was  a  student  in  the  district  schools 
of  his  home  township.  After  his  marriage  he  settled  on  the  home  place, 
which  is  a  fine  farm  of  forty  acres  where  Mr.  Hall  is  very  successfully 
engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  ranking  among  the  progress- 
ive and  up-to-date  farmers  of  Adams  township. 

In  January.  1880.  Sheppard  Hall  was  united  in  marriage  to  Philena  J. 
Pine,  a  flaughter  of  \Villiam  and  Mariah    fine,   farmers  of  Harrison  town- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  943 

ship,  this  county,  and  to  this  union  three  children  have  been  born :  Marion 
D.,  a  farmer  of  Johnson  township,  this  county;  Etna  Belle,  wife  of  Charles 
Chambers,  a  farmer  of  Adams  township,  and  Clarence  E.,  who  lives  at 
home  with  his  parents,  and  is  employed  in  Rosewood,  Ohio.  The  family 
are  active  members  of  the  United  Brethren  church  at  Rosewood,  in  which 
church  Mr.  Hall  has  served  as  class  leader  for  years.  He  is  a  Democrat 
in  politics,  and  takes  an  active  interest  in  all  local  public  affairs,  having 
served  his  township  as  clerk  for  two  years.  Fraternally,  he  is  a  member  of 
Lodge  No.  253,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  is  past  noble  grand 
of  that  order  at  Rosewood. 


CHARLES    WILLLAM   WILLLAMS. 

The  late  Charles  W^illiam  Williams,  for  years  one  of  the  best-known 
and  most  progressive  merchants  of  Mechanicsburg,  who  died  at  his  home 
in  that  city  on  May  6.  1905.  and  whose  widow  is  still  living  there,  was  a  native 
of  the  state  of  Ohio,  born  at  Mechanicsburg  on  May  4,  184?,  son  of 
Richard  Duxal  and  Jane  (Cleggett)  Williams.  He  early  became  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business,  continuing  in  that  business  at  Mechanicsburg 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  May  8,  1905.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  was  for  years  regarded  as  one  of 
the  most  active  supporters  of  the  work  of  the  local  congregation,  his  fa-ther 
before  him  also  having  been  an  active  worker  in  the  church.  Politically, 
he  was  a  Republican  and  had  ever  given  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local 
civic  affairs,  interested  in  all  movements  having  to  do  with  the  general 
ui)buil(ling  of  his  home  community. 

Mr.  Williams  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife,  who  before  her  mar- 
riage was  ReJjecca  Guy,  died,  leaving  three  children,  Edwin,  now  of  New 
York  City;  Alta  Rebecca,  wife  of  Charles  \\\  Martin,  of  Mechanicsburg, 
and  Frances  G.,  a  music  teacher  at  Columbus,  this  state.  On  September 
26,  1878,  C.  W.  \\'illiams  married  Alary  H.  Horr,  who  was  born  at  Ale- 
chanicsburg,  in  the  propert\-  now  owned  by  Alilton  Cheney.  Alarch  7,  1854. 
daughter  of  W^illiam  and  Alary   (Cone)   Horr. 

Both  W'illiam  Horr  and  his  wife  were  born  in  the  village  of  Denmark, 
not  far  from  C^arthage,  in  Lewis  county.  New  A^ork,  where  they  grew  up 
and  were  married.  .Vot  Ion;;-  afterward  they  drove  through  to  Ohio  and 
located  at  Mechanicsburg,  where  William  Horr  bought  a  farm  in  the  vicinit\- 


944  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

of  the  same,  in  Goshen  townshi]:),  and  tliere  estahhshed  his  honif,  he  and 
his  wife  spending  the  remainder  of  their  li\cs  th.ere,  useful  and  inlluential 
members  of  that  community.  They  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Protest- 
ant church  and  were  active  in  g-oofl  works.  Air.  Horr  was  a  Repiiblican. 
])ut  was  not  particularly  active  in  political  affairs.  He  and  his  wife  were 
the  parents  of  eight  children,  of  whom  six  grew  to  maturit\-;  th(jse  besides 
Mrs.  Williams  being  Pierce,  wdio  died  on  the  old  home  place  in  Goshen  town- 
ship, which  place  is  still  in  th.e  possession  of  the  family;  Jacob,  who  died 
at  Mechanicsburg ;  A_nna,  wife  of  V.  S.  Magruder,  of  Mechanics! uirg:  Lewis, 
of  St.  Joseph,  Missouri,  and  William,  of  Richmond.  Indiana.  Mary  H. 
Plorr  completed  her  schooling  in  the  Mecli.anicsburg  high  school  and  grew 
to  womanhood  on  the  home  farm,  where  she  was  li\ing  at  the  time  of  her 
marriage  to  Mr.  Williams.  To  that  union  were  born  four  children,  namel)- : 
Richard,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years  and  six  months:  May.  wife  of 
E.  W.  Johnson,  who  is  making  her  home  with  her  mother  in  .Mechanicsburg: 
Helen  J.,  wife  of  J.  B.  McConica,  of  Luceland.  Canada,  and  Howard  H.,  a 
graduate  of  Harvard  University  in  1913.  aged  twenty-one  years,  enlisted  in 
May,  191 7,  at  New  York  City,  in  the  Reserve  Engineering  Corps,  now  in 
France,  a  first  sergeant. 


JOSEPH   E.   WING. 


The  late  Joseph  E.  Wing,  popularly  known  througlunit  this  section 
of  Ohio  as  "Joe,  the  Alfalfa  King,"  on  account  of  his  ardent  and  intelligent 
advocacy  of  alfalfa  culture,  state  lecturer  for  farmers  institutes  and  long  a 
staff  correspondent  of  The  Breeders  Gazette,  was  a  native  of  the  great 
Empire  state,  but  had  been  a  resident  of  this  county  since  he  was  five  years 
of  age,  having  come  here  with  his  parents  in  1866,  the  family  settling  on 
the  place,  Woodland  Farm,  in  the  vicinity  of  Mechanicsburg,  which  he 
owned  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  191 5  and  where  his  widow  is  still  living — 
one  of  the  best-cultivated  farms  in  the  state  of  Ohio.  He  was  born  on 
September  14,  1861,  son  of  William  H.  and  Jane  (BuUard)  Wing,  natives 
of  New  York  state,  who  were  married  near  Hinsdale,  that  state,  remaining 
there  until  1866,  when  they  came  to  Ohio  and  settled  on  an  eighty-acre 
farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Mechanicsburg,  in  Goshen  township,  this  county, 
where  they  established  their  home.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children, 
of  whom  the  subject  of  this  memorial  sketch  was  the  second  in  order  of 
birth,  the  others  being  Edwin,  Charles  B..   Willis  O.  and  Jennie  May. 


"Xx 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  ;945 

As  noted  abo.ve,  Joseph  E.  Wing  was  but  a  child  when  he  came  to 
this  county  with  his  parents  from  New  York  and  he  grew  to  manhood  at 
"Woodland  Farm,"  where  his  last  days  were  spent.  He  received  his  early 
schooling  in  the  local  schools  and  completed  the  same  in  the  academy  at 
Elmira,  New  York.  In  the  days  of  his  young  manhood  he  took  a  trip 
West  and  in  Utah,  while  acting  as  foreman  on  a  large  cattle  ranch,  first 
became  attracted  to  the  wonderful  possibilities  that  awaited  the  farmer  who 
would  give  intelligent  attention  to  the  culture  of  alfalfa  and  he  sent  home 
some  seed  of  this  excellent  forage  plant,  which  his  father  and  brothers 
planted.  At  first  it  seemed  that  the  new  plant  would  prove  a  failure,  but 
when  it  was  discovered  that  the  chickens  were  eating  the  tops  of  the  plants, 
the  Wings  protected  some  selected  plants  with  an  open  barrel  and  when  they 
found  the  alfalfa  growing  out  beyond  the  top  of  the  barrel  they  knew  they 
had  something  worth  while.  In  the  meantime  Joseph  E.  Wing  had  returned 
from  the  West,  and  upon  his  arrival  home  he  took  personal  charge  of  the 
alfalfa  culture  and  the  success  of  his  first  field  in  the  following  year  convinced 
him  that  the  soil  of  Ohio  was  admirably  adapted  to  the  growing  of  the  then 
new  plant  and  he  was  soon  spreading  alfalfa  propaganda  far  and  wide, 
beginning  among  the  farmers  of  Champaign  and  neighboring  counties.  Mr. 
Wing's  intelligent  promotion  of  the  new  crop  soon  attracted  the  attention 
of  agricultural  leaders  the  country  over  and  he  presently  was  employed  as  a 
lecturer  to  carry  alfalfa  news  elsewhere,  and  in  this  connection  made  trips 
to  all  sections  of  the  country,  while  he  also  was  widely  employed  as  a  lec- 
turer before  the  farmers  institutes  of  this  state  and  adjoining  states,  his  care- 
fully-worked-out  theories  giving  him  a  wide  standing  as  a  soil  expert.  He 
also  ..became  attached  to  the  staff  of  the  Breeders  Gazette  and  his  propa- 
ganda work  was  widely  advanced  by  that  journal,  several  trips  to  Europe 
being  made  in  the  interest  of  the  Gazette.  During  the  Taft  administration 
Mr.  Wing  was  sent  to  the  Argentine  republic  as  a  member  of  the  American 
tariff  committee  to  study  agricultural  and  industrial  conditions  in  that  coun- 
try with  especial  relation  to  the  production  of  wool,  and  was  engaged  for 
nine  months  on  that  important  mission.  Mr.  Wing  was  the  author  of  the 
following  books  which  are  accepted  as  authoritative  on  the  lines  touched  by 
him:  "Alfalfa  in  America",  "Sheep  Farming",  "Meadows  and  Pastures" 
and  "Foreign  Fields",  the  latter  book  dealing  with  his  observations  made 
during  his  three  trips  of  observation  and  study  in  Europe  and  his  trip  to 
South  America.  In  addition  to  these  journeys  he  also  studied  soils,  crops 
and  animals  in  nearly  everv'  state  in  the  Union  and  in  Canada  and  Mexico. 
(6oa) 


946  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Among  the  various  lectures  Mr.  Wing  prepared  for  the  instruction  of  farm- 
ers institutes  were  those  entitled,  "Limestone,  the  Mother  of  Fertility" ; 
"Alfalfa  Farming",  "Story  of  'Woodland  Farm',"  "Story  of  a  Hundred- 
Bushel  Corn  Crop",  "Money  in  Lambs",  "Stories  of  Farm  Life"  and  "In 
Foreign  Lands".  When  but  a  young  man  Mr.  Wing  began  contributing 
articles  to  the  farm  papers  in  relation  to  his  farm  experience  and  it  was  not 
long  until  he  was  formally  engaged  as  staff  correspondent  of  the  Breeders 
Gazette,  thousands  of  the  readers  of  which  eagerly  watched,  week  by  week, 
to  see  "what  Joe  Wing  has  written  now".  Mr.  Wing  very  properly  was 
referred  to  as  "the  poet  farmer  of  Ohio".  He  had  the  heart  of  an  artist 
and  the  soul  of  a  poet  and  could  see  the  beauty  of  country  life  and  the  pos- 
sibilities of  country  living.  He  was  an  inspiring  and  captivating  speaker, 
with  a  delightfully  informal  style  and  an  earnest  manner,  carrying  his 
audience  along  with  him,  convincing  and  instructing  while  he  entertained. 
His  clear  vision  and  ability  to  see  the  brighter  side  of  farm  life  was  what 
most  endeared  him  to  the  hearts  of  his  farmer  friends.  For  many  years 
Joseph  E.  Wing  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  best  farmers  in  Ohio  and  his 
example  as  a  farmer,  sheep  breeder  and  horticulturist  exerted  a  wonderful 
influence  hereabout,  undoubtedly  advancing  the  cause  of  agriculture  greatly. 
As  he  prospered  he  and  two  of  the  brothers.  Willis  O.  and  Charles  B.,  added 
to  their  holdings  until  they  became  the  owners  of  three  hundred  and  forty 
acres,  beautiful  "Woodland  Farm",  that  has  been  referred  to  as  "one  of 
the  milestones  of  American  agriculture"  and  which  is  now  owned  by  his 
widow  and  Willis  O.  Wing.  Mr.  Wing  died  on  September  lo,  191 5,  and 
was  widely  mourned  throughout  the  community,  for  he  had  done  well  those 
things  his  hands  had  found  to  do. 

On  September  19,  1890,  Joseph  E.  Wing  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Florence  E.  Staley,  who  was  born  at  Mechanicsburg  in  September,  1865, 
daughter  of  Stephen  S.  and  Emily  (Rathbun)  Staley,  both  also  natives  of 
this  county  and  members  of  pioneer  families  hereabout.  Stephen  S.  Staley 
was  born  at  Mechanicsburg  on  November  15,  1833,  son  of  Andrew  and 
Mary  (Shepherd)  Staley,  the  latter  of  whom  was  a  native  of  Kentucky 
who  had  come  to  this  county  with  her  parents  in  pioneer  days  and  had  here 
married  Andrew  Staley,  a  millwright,  who  had  come  here  from  Virginia, 
his  native  state,  about  1823.  and  was  engaged  in  erecting  mills  at  desirable 
sites  along  the  streams  of  Champaign  county,  .\mong  the  mills  built  by 
Andrew  Staley  was  one  at  Mechanicsburg  and  there  he  Anally  made  his 
permanent  home,  spending  his  last  days  there,  one  of  the  most  active  and 
influential  pioneers  of  that  part  of  the  county,  helpful  in  promoting  all  good 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  947 

causes.  He  and  his  wife  were  earnest  church  workers  and  active  in  good 
works.  They  had  four  children,  Margaret,  Sarah.  EHzabeth  and  Stephen 
S.,  the  latter  of  whom  completed  his  schooling  in  the  National  Normal 
School  at  Lebanon  and  w^as  for  some  years  engaged  in  teaching  school  in 
this  county.  Stephen  S.  Staley  was  a  stanch  Republican  and  was  for  some 
time  employed  in  the  state  treasurer's  office  at  Columbus.  Fraternally,  he 
was  a  Mason.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  namely: 
William  C,  who  is  now  engaged  as  traffic  manager  of  the  Missouri  Pacific 
Railroad  Company,  with  headquarters  at  Chicago,  in  which  city  he  makes 
his  residence;  Paul  A.,  a  patent  attorney,  with  his  office  and  residence  at 
Springfield,  this  state,  and  also  an  officer  or  stockholder  in  many  of  the 
industrial  enterprises  of  that  city;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Martin  A.  Sacksteder 
and  who  for  some  time  before  her  marriage  was  a  teacher  in  the  schools  of 
Champaign  county,  and  Florence  E.,  who  was  graduated  from  the  Mechan- 
icsburg  high  school  and  was  engaged  in  teaching  school  before  the  time  of  her 
marriage  to  Mr.  Wing.  To  that  union  three  sons  were  born,  Andrew  S., 
l:iorn  on  August  26,  1892,  who  was  graduated  from  the  Mechanicsburg  high 
school  and  from  the  Ohio  State  University  and  is  now  secretary-treasurer 
of  the  Wing  Seed  Company  at  Mechanicsburg;  David  G.,  March  17,  1896, 
who  also  was  graduated  from  the  local  high  school  and  is  now  a  student  at  the 
Ohio  State  University,  and  William  C,  February  4,  1902,  who  is  now  a 
high-school  student.  Mrs.  Wing  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church,  as 
was  her  husband,  and  has  ever  taken  a  proper  part  in  church  and  Sunday 
school  work  and  in  other  local  good  works.  Mr.  Wing  was  one  of  the 
trustees  of  the  church  and  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  same.  Fraternally, 
he  was  affiliated  with  the  local  lodge  of  the  Masons.  In  addition  to  his 
other  activities  he  took  an  active  interest  in  sheep  breeding  and  was  secre-, 
tary  of  the  Continental  Dorset  Club  and  of  the  American  Romney  Asso- 
ciation, doing  much  in  that  capacity  to  promoting  the  breeding  of  high- 
grade  sheep  throughout  the  country.  But  alfalfa  culture  was  his  special 
work  and  so  earnest  was  his  interest  in  that  direction  that  it  was  said  of 
him  that  "clovers  bloom  afterward  wherever  he  has  set  foot".  The  first 
great  alfalfa  picnic  was  held  at  Joseph  E.  Wing's  home,  "Woodland  Farm." 
in  191 1  and  thirty-five  hundred  people  were  in  attendance.  These  alfalfa 
picnics  are  held,  annually  at  one  or  another  of  the  various  well-known  alfalfa 
farms  in  the  state,  and  the  interests  of  alfalfa  culture  have  been  greatly 
advanced  at  these  interesting  annual  meetings  of  those  particularly  interested 
in  the  propagation  of  this  valuable  forage  crop. 


948  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

MARY  J.  RULING. 

Mrs.  Mary  J.  Huling,  widow  of  James  H.  Huling,  who  has  long"  made 
her  home  in  Adams  township,  Champaign  county,  where  she  was  born  Sep- 
tember 10,  1835,  is  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Cory)  Bowersock. 
Her  father  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  from  which  state  he  came  to  Ohio 
with  his  parents  when  four  years  old,  the  family  locating  in  Champaign 
county,  where  Samuel  grew  to  manhood,  assisted  in  clearing  and  developing 
a  farm.  Here  he  married  Sarah  Cory,  a  native  of  Miami  county,  Ohio, 
coming  to  Champaign  county  when  young  with  her  parents.  After  his  mar- 
riage, Samuel  Bowersock  settled  on  a  farm  in  Adams  township  where  he 
remained  a  number  of  years,  later  moved  to  Carysville,  then  to  St.  Paris 
where  he  and  his  wife  spent  their  last  days  and  died.  He  was  a  successful 
farmer  in  his  earlier  life,  but  after  moving  to  town  he  conducted  a  store,  and 
bought  live  stock  for  the  market.  Frank  Batdorf  now  runs  the  store  he 
started  in  St.  Paris.  Mr.  Bowersock  was  a  successful  business  man  and  a 
useful  citizen;  and  he  was  a  Democrat  and  very  active  in  public  affairs, 
filling  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  for  a  number  of  years.  With  his  wife 
he  belonged  to  the  Baptist  church  at  St.  Paris.  Plis  family  consisted  of  nine 
children,  all  living  in  1917  but  four,  namely:  Mary  J.,  widow  of  Mr.  Huling 
and  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch;  John,  who  was  captain  of  Com- 
pany E,  One  Hundred  and  Thirteenth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  during  the 
Civil  War,  killed  at  the  battle  of  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Georgia ;  Johanna,  the 
wife  of  J.  H.  Batdorf  of  St.  Paris;  Margaret,  the  wife  of  Thomas  Mitchell 
of  St.  I^aris;  Cory,  an  attorney,  living  in  Chicago. 

Mary  J.  Bowersock  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Champaign  county. 
and  she  attended  there  the  district  schools.  On  January  10,  1856,  she  mar- 
ried James  M.  Huling,  a  native  of  Virginia,  who  when  eleven  years  old,  left 
his  native  state  and  came  to  Fairfield  county,  Ohio,  and  later  to  Adams  town- 
shi[).  Champaign  county.  After  his  marriage  here  he  settled  on  the  farm 
in  that  town,ship  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  becoming  one  of  the 
substantial  and  progressive  general  farmers  and  stock  raisers  of  his  locality, 
and  the  owner  of  three  hundred  and  thirty  acres  of  productive  :uk1  valuable 
land,  upon  which  he  placed  modern  improvements.  He  was  an  excellent 
judge  of  live  stock  and  he  fed  large  numbers  annually  for  the  market.  His 
death  occurred  on  July  15,  1896.  His  family  consisted  of  nine  children, 
namely:  Sarah,  the  widow  of  Samuel  Guy  of  Sidney,  Ohio;  John  H.,  who 
married  Jennie  Ward,  farming  in  Adams  township;  Orpha,  widow  of  John 
Harvey,  living  in  Buffalo,  New  York;  Laura  D.,  the  wife  of  Kdward  Ash- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  949 

more  of  Sidney,  Ohio;  Clara  B.,  the  wife  of  Frank  Zuber  of  Columbus, 
Ohio;  Margaret,  who  married  Jason  Kizer,  St.  Paris,  Ohio;  Mary  J.,  the 
wife  of  William  Williams  of  Columbus;  Nora,  who  has  remained  single, 
living  at  home  with  her  mother;  Charles  A.,  a  farmer  in  Adams  township, 
married  Jovilla  Berr)'. 

Mrs.  Mary  J.  Huling  has  remained  on  the  home  farm  which  she  owns 
and  has  looked  after  successfully  since  the  death  of  her  husband.  She  is 
a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  church  at  Rosewood;  and  is  a  woman  of 
strong  character,  neighborly,  helpful  and  has  a  host  of  friends  throughout 
Adams  township,  where  her  long  life  of  eighty-two  years  has  been  spent. 


JASPER  F.  BLACK. 


Jasper  F.  Black,  one  of  Goshen  township's  well-known  farmers,  was 
born  in  Rush  township,  on  rural  mail  route  No.  i  out  of  MecHaflicsburg, 
three  and  a  half  miles  north  of  that  city,  and  has  lived  there  all  his  life.  He 
was  born  on  April  2,  1880,  son  of  Isaac  and  Eliza  (Corbit)  Black,  both 
of  whom  also  were  born  in  this  county  and  are  still  living  here  in  Goshen 
township.  ~  ; 

Isaac  F.  Black  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Rush  township,  son  of  Peter 
Black  and  wife,  pioneer  settlers  of  that  township,  and  there  grew  to  manhood. 
He  married  Eliza  Corbit,  who  was  born  on  a  farm  between  Brush  Lake 
and  Fountain  Park,  a  daughter  of  David  Corbit  and  wife.  After  his  mar- 
riage Isaac  Black  settled  on  a  farm  in  Rush  township,  renting  the  same  for 
seven  or  eight  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  bought  the  place  in 
Goshen  township  now  occupied  by  his  son,  Jasper  F.  Black.  Isaac  F.  Black 
prospered  in  his  farming  operations,  and,  in  addition  to  his  general  farming, 
for  years  gave  considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of  high-grade  live  stock. 
As  he  prospered,  he  added  to  his  land  holdings  until  he  now  is  the  owner 
of  three  hundred  and  forty-six  acres  in  Rush,  Union  and  Goshen  townships. 
To  him  and  his  wife  three  children  were  born,  of  whom  two  are  living, 
Jasper  F.  Black  having  a  brother,  David  P.  Black,  living  on  the  farm  in 
Union  township.     A  daughter,  Verna,  wife  of  Walter  Turner,  died  in  1905. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm,  Jasper  F.  Black  attended  the  old  Five  Points 
school  and  the  high  school  at  Mechanicsburg,  and  from  the  days  of  his 
boyhood  was  a  valued  aid  to  his  father  in  the  labors  of  developing  and  improv- 
ing the  home  place.     There  he  established  his  home  after  his  marriage  in 


950  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

1902  and  has  continued  living  there  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  pro- 
gressive farmers  in  that  neighborhood.  Mr.  Black  is  a  Republican,  as  is 
his  father,  and  both  take  an  earnest  interest  in  local  political  affairs. 

On  August  12,  1902,  Jasper  F.  Black  was  united  in  marriage  to  Dollie 
Gordon,  who  was  born  in  Putnam  county,  Ohio,  daughter  of  Charles  and 
Nettie  (Richards)  Gordon,  the  former  born  in  Perry  county,  Ohio,  and 
the  latter  in  Union  county,  who  lived  in  Union  county  until  coming  to  this 
county  in  1893,  moving  from  here  to  Wendall,  Minnesota,  in  February,  1910. 
To  this  union  two  children  have  been  born.  Ruth,  born  November  5,  1904. 
and  Margaret,  born  December  15,  1912.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Black  are  members 
of  the  local  Grange  and  take  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  same. 
Mrs.  Black  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


JOHN  H.  GROVE. 


John  H.  Grove,  proprietor  of  beautiful  "Groveland  Farm,"  on  the 
Springfield  and  Mechanicsburg  pike,  one  mile  southwest  of  Mechanicsburg, 
in  Goshen  township,  this  county,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and 
has  lived  here  all  his  Hfe.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Union  township, 
August  31,  1844,  son  of  John  and  Hannah  (Hull)  Grove,  for  many  years 
well-known  and  substantial  residents  of  that  community,  whose  last  days 
were  spent  there. 

John  Grove  was  born  in  Monroe  county,  Virginia,  in  1798,  and  there 
grew  to  manhood,  later  coming  to  Ohio,  where  he  married  Hannah  Hull, 
a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Union  township,  this  county, 
becoming  one  of  the  useful  and  influential  residents  of  that  neighborhood 
and  a  well-to-do  farmer.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  five  children, 
of  whom  three  are  still  living,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having  a  sister. 
Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Gordon,  of  Mechanicsburg,  and  a  brother,  A.  J.  Grove,  also 
a  resident  of  that  city.  John  Grove  was  a  Democrat.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Protestant  church  and  his  wife  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
church. 

J.  H.  Grove  was  reared  on  the  home  place  in  Union  township,  receiv- 
ing his  schooling  in  the  local  schools,  and  remained  at  home  until  he  was 
twenty-five  years  of  age,  when  he  began  farming  on  his  own  account  and 
presently  bought  the  place  on  which  he  is  now  living,  "Groveland  Farm," 
a  well-kept  and  profitably  cultivated  place  of  one  hundred  and  forty  acres. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  95 1 

where  he  and  his  wife  are  very  pleasantly  and  very  comfortably  situated. 
Mr.  Grove  is  a  Democrat  and  has  ever  given  a  good  citizen's  attention  to 
local  civic  affairs,  but  has  never  been  particularly  active  in  "politics." 

In    1899  J.   H.   Grove   was  united   in  marriage   to   Esther  Longbrake, 
daughter  of  G.  R.  Longbrake,  of  Mechanicsburg. 


VERSAILIOUS  G.  RIDDLE. 

VersaiHpus  G.  Riddle,  superintendent  of  the  plant  of  the  Mechanics- 
burg Gas  Light  Company,  vice-president  of  the  Mechanicsburg  Telephone 
Company,  formerly  a  member  of  the  common  council  of  that  city  and  for 
years  actively  engaged  there  in  the  plumbing-  and  heating  business,  was 
born  in  Mechanicsburg  and  has  lived  there  since  his  birth.  He  was  born  on 
November  13,  1858,  son  of  James  and  Jane  (Thompson)  Riddle,  the  former 
a  native  of  Indiana  and  the  latter  of  Ohio,  who  established  their  home  in 
Mechanicsburg  after  their  marriage  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  their 
lives. 

James  Riddle  was  born  at  Vevay,  on  the  Ohio  river,  in  Switzer- 
land county,  Indiana,  in  June,  18 18,  of  Scottish  descent,  his  paternal  ancestors 
having  come  to  this  country  from  Scotland,  settling  in  Virginia,  whence  his 
branch  of  the  family  moved  to  Indiana  in  pioneer  days  and  settled  at  Vevay. 
that  state.  There  James  Riddle  was  reared,  and  when  a  young  man  came 
over  into  Ohio  and  at  Urbana  learned  the  trade  of  tinner.  Upon  completing 
his  apprenticeship,  in  1837,  he  located  at  Mechanicsburg,  where  he  opened 
a  shop  and  established  a  business  in  which  he  continued  actively  engaged  the 
rest  of  his  life,  one  of  the  best-known  business  men  of  an  early  day  at  that 
place.  Not  long  after  locating  in  Mechanicsburg,  James  Riddle  married 
Jane  Thompson,  who  was  born  in  the  Huntsville  neighborhood,  up  in  Logan 
county,  Ohio,  and  established  his  home  in  the  village  where  he  had  begun 
business,  and  there  he  and  his'  wife  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives.  They  were 
members  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  church  and  ever  took  an  interested  part 
in  local  good  works.  Mr.  Riddle  was  a  Republican  and,  fraternally,  was 
affiliated  with  Mechanicsburg  Lodge  No.  113,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  of  whom 
three  grew  to  maturity.  Stephen,  who  died  at  Mechanicsburg  in  1891 ;  Mary, 
widow  of  John  Reasner.  of  Galipolis,  this  state,  and  Versailious  G.  Riddle. 

V.  G.  Riddle  was  reared  at  Mechanicsburg,  the  place  of  his  birth,  com- 


952 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


pleted  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  place,  early  learned  the  tinning 
and  plumbing-  trade  in  his  father's  establishment,  and  has  ever  since  been 
connected  with  the  same,  continuing  the  business  in  his  own  name  after  his 
father's  death;  he  has  now  associated  with  him  in  the  business  his  son, 
Frank  M.  Riddle.  In  1882  Mr.  Riddle  was  made  superintendent  of  the 
plant  of  the  Mechanicsburg  Gas  Light  Company  and  has  ever  since  occupied 
that  position,  a  period  of  thirty-five  years  of  continuous  service  in  behalf 
of  the  company.  He  also  is  vice-president  of  the  Mechanicsburg  Tele- 
phone Company,  and  to  the  affairs  of  both  of  these  important  public-service 
concerns  gives  his  most  thoughtful  and  intelligent  attention.  Mr.  Riddle 
is  a  Republican  and  for  years  has  given  his  interested  attention  to  local  civic 
affairs,  for  thirteen  years  having  served  as  a  member  of  the  common  council 
from  his  home  ward. 

On  June  i,  1881,  V.  G.  Riddle  was  united  in  marriage  to  Margaret 
McClaren,  who  was  born  at  Iberia,  in  Morrow  county,  this  state,  daughter 
of  Daniel  McClaren  and  wife,  natives  of  Scotland;  and  to  this  union  two 
children  have  been  born,  Frank  M.,  who  married  Ethel  Culp  and  is  asso- 
ciated with  his  father  in  the  plumbing  business  at  Mechanicsburg;  and 
Irmah,  wife  of  Robert  Everhart,  a  farmer  living  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Mechanicsburg,  in  Goshen  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Riddle  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Protestant  church  and  have  ever  taken  an  interested  part 
in  church  work  and  in  other  local  good  works.  Mr.  Riddle  is  a  member  of 
the  local  lodge  of  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  and  has  for  years  taken 
an  active  part  in  Masonic  affairs. 


CHARLES  J.  COOPER. 

Charles  J.  Cooper,  farmer  of  Concord  township,  this  county,  was  born 
in  Pike  county,  Ohio,  near  the  town  of  Piketon,  April  7,  1872,  a  son  of 
John  and  Martha  (Roberts)  Cooper.  The  father  was  born  in  Virginia, 
and  the  mother  in  Pike  county,  Ohio.  When  a  young  man  John  Cooper 
came  to  Pike  county,  Ohio,  where  he  married  and  located  on  a  farm,  con- 
tinuing to  reside  there  until  1875.  when  he  moved  to  Champaign  county, 
locating  on  a  farm  south  of  Urbana.  and  lived  there  several  years.  His 
family  consisted  of  twelve  children,  ten  of  whom  are  living  in  1917,  an 
equal  number  of  sons  and  daughters,  namely :  George,  John,  Harry,  Ro\-. 
Charles  J.,  Minnie,  Dora,  Laura,  Mary  and  Ida.     They  are  all  married. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  955 

Charles  J.  Cooper  was  three  years  old  when  his  parents  brought  him 
to  Champaign  county,  and  here  he  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm, 
where  he  worked  when  a  boy,  and  in  the  winter  time  he  attended  the  dis- 
trict schools.  He  remained  at  home,  helping  his  father  with  the  farm  work, 
until  he  was  twenty-five  years  old.  On  March  3,  1897,  he  married  Anna 
Humes,  who  was  born  near  Urbana,  on  the  farm  where  she  grew  to  woman- 
hood, receiving  her  education  in  the  district  schools. 

Mr.  Cooper  started  out  in  life  with  very  little  capital,  but  he  persevered 
and  is  now  owner  of  a  valuable  and  well-improved  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  forty-one  acres  in  Concord  township,  on  which  he  is  carrying  on  general 
farming  and  stock  raising.     He  has  owned  and  sold  three  different  farms. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cooper  one  child,  a  daughter,  Thelma  Cooper,  has 
been  born,  her  birth  occurring  on  August  19,  1907.  Politically,  Mr.  Cooper 
is  a  Republican.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church  at  Concord. 


FRANK  NICHOLS. 


The  youngest  school  superintendent  in  Champaign  county  is  Frank 
Nichols.  He  was  born  in  Salem  township,  this  county,  December  24,  1891, 
a  son  of  James  F.  and  Margaret  Anna  (Moyer)  Nichols.  His  father  was 
born  in  Logan  county,  Ohio,  September  12,  i860,  and  was  a  son  of  William 
and  Catherine  (Criffield)  Nichols.  His  mother  was  born  in  Snyder  county, 
Pennsylvania,  September  26,  1863,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Catherine 
(Pressler)  Moyer.  James  F.  Nichols  and  wife,  both  of  whom  are  now 
living  in  Salem  township,  are  the  parents  of  five  children  :  Iva  F.,  Frank, 
Charles  Martin,  McKinley  and  Margaret  Elizabeth.  All  of  the  children 
are  living  in  the  county  with  the  exception  of  Charles  M.,  who  is  now  living 
in  Birmingham,  Alabama. 

Frank  Nichols  received  his  early  education  in  the  common  schools  of 
Salem  township,  and  then  completed  the  high-school  course  in  Urbana. 
Later  he  was  a  student  in  Doane  Academy,  following  which  he  spent  two 
years  in  Denison  University.  F>efore  reaching  his  majority  he  began  teach- 
ing and  has  spent  seven  years  in  the  school  room  as  a  teacher.  The  first 
three  years  found  him  engaged  in  the  rural  schools,  and  this  was  followed 
by  two  years  (1913-15)  as  superintendent  of  schools  at  Corwin,  Ohio: 
then  one  year  as  principal  of  the  Woodstock  high  school,  then  one  year  as 
prmcipal  of  the  Cable  high  school,  and  he  is  now  superintendent  of  Urbana 


954  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

township  schools.  He  has  spent  two  of  his  summer  vacations  m  the  capacity 
of  a  bookkeeper  for  the  Champaign  National  Bank  of  Urbana.  The  record 
which  Mr.  Nichols  has  made  in  the  school  room  stamps  him  as  one  of  the 
coming  teachers  of  his  county.  Though  young  in  years,  he  has  evinced 
unusual  aptitude  for  the  profession  to  which  he  has  devoted  his  career  thus 
far.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Champaign  County  Teachers"  Association,  and 
of  the  Ohio  State  Teachers'  Associations,  and  in  other  ways  keeps  in  close 
touch  with  the  best  educational  thought  of  the  day. 

On  December  29,  1914,  Frank  Nichols  was  married  to  Hazel  Elizabeth 
Dallas,  a  daughter  of  Willliam  Boyd  and  Charlotte  Margaret  (Hutchison) 
Dallas.  Mrs.  Nichols  was  born  in  Urbana  township,  this  county,  March 
6,  1893.  Her  father  was  born  on  May  4,  1854,  and  her  mother,  October  23, 
1866.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dallas  are  the  parents  of  four  children :  William 
Russell,- -Hazd  Elizabeth,  Matthew  Boyd  and  John  Ross.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Nichols  have  one  child,  a  daughter.  AMrginia  Margaret,  born  (in  January  j6, 
1916. 

Mr.  Nichols  is  a  Republican  and  takes  a  keen  interest  in  general  prob- 
lems of  government,  but  the  nature  of  his  profession  has  kept  him  from 
active  political  work.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Kings  Creek  Baptist  church. 


FRANK  M.  PRINCE. 


Frank  M.  Prince,  head  of  the  Prince  Motor  Car  Company,  of  Urbana, 
and  proprietor  of  one  of  the  best-equipped  garages  and  service  stations  in 
this  part  of  the  state  and  local  distributor  for  several  popular  makes  of 
automobiles,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his 
life,  a  resident  of  Urbana  since  1910,  in  which  year  he  engaged  in  the  auto- 
mobile business  in  that  city.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Mad  River  town- 
.*^hip  on  August  5,  1880,  son  of  Peter  W.  and  Mary  (Browning)  Prince, 
the  former  of  whom  also  was  born  in  this  county  and  the  latter  in  Morrow 
county,  this  state,  and  the  latter  of  whom  is  still  living,  now  a  resident  of 
St.  Paris. 

Peter  W.  Prince  was  born  on  the  old  Prince  home  farm  in  Mad  Iviver 
township,  of  which  he  later  became  the  owner,  and  there  spent  all  his  life, 
except  four  years,  his  death  occurring  there  on  April  26,  1910.  He  was  a 
son  of  Capt.  William  and  Sarah  (Norman)  Prince,  both  members  of  in- 
fluential pioneer  families.     Capt.  William  Prince,   who  was  in  command  of 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.'  955 

a  local  militia  company  during  the  forties,  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1807, 
a  son  of  Adam  and  Eve  (Buroker)  Prince,  natives  of  Virginia,  who  emi- 
grated from  that  state  to  Kentucky  in  1805  and  from  the  latter  state  to 
Ohio  in  1809,  settling  in  Mad  River  township,  this  county,  where,  in  that 
same  year  or  in  the  year  1810,  he  entered  a  c[uarter  of  a  section  of  govern- 
ment land,  the  deed  to  which  bore  the  signature  of  James  Madison,  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States.  That  land  later  was  conveyed  to  Capt.  William 
Prince  and  then  to  the  late  Peter  W.  Prince,  and  is  still  in  the  family,  hav- 
ing been  thus  held  since  its  original  conveyance  to  Adam  Prince  nearly  a 
hundred  and  twenty  years  ago.  Upon  coming  to  this  county  seeking  a  loca- 
tion for  a  home,  Adam  Prince  was  attracted  to  the  spot  he  located  in  Mad 
River  township  by  the  presence  on  the  same  of  a  fine  spring,  x^notlier 
settler  had  also  become  attracted  by  the  desirability  of  that  same  location 
and  had  started  for  the  land  office  at  Cincinnati  to  make  his  entry  the  day 
before  Adam  Prince  had  decided  to  go.  The  latter,  however,  by  riding 
all  night,  passed  his  neighbor  on  the  way,  reached  Cincinnati  in  good  time, 
made  his  entry  and  was  on  his  way  home  when  he  met  his  neighbor,  whom 
he  informed  that  the  tract  in  question  no  longer  was  open  to  entry.  During 
the  War  of  18 12  Adam  Prince  passed  six  months  on  the  frontier  in  the 
northwestern  part  of  the  state,  leaving-  his  family  during  that  time  in  the 
charge  of  a  neighbor.  The  Prince  tract  originally  was  covered  by  a  mag- 
nificent growth  of  hard  timber  which  gradually  was  cleared  away  to  make 
a  tillable  farm.  In  addition  to  being  a  good  farmer,  Adam  Prince  also  was 
a  locally  noted  mechanic  and  manufactured  barrels,  wooden  locks  and  all 
needed  farm  implements;  his  locks,  particularly,  being  marvels  of  ingenuity 
and  much  in  demand  among  his  pioneer  neighbors.  Adam  Prince  prospered 
in  his  pioneer  farming  operations  and  was  able  to  provide  all  his  children 
with  tracts  of  land  when  they  came  to  make  homes  for  themselves.  His  wife 
died  in  1828  and  he  survived  her  twenty-one  years.  Thc}^  were  members 
of  the  Lutheran  church  and  their  children  were  reared  in  that  faith.  There 
were  four  of  these  children,  Elizabeth,  Mary,  William  and  Nancy.  Eliza- 
beth Prince  was  twice  married,  her  first  husband  having  been  Isaac  Smith 
and  her  second,  James  Crabill.  She  reared  a  large  family  and  her  de- 
scendants are  now  a  numerous  connection  of  the  Prince  family.  Mar}- 
Prince  married  Adam  Pence  and  also  reared  a  large  family,  the  Pence  con- 
nection throughout  this  part  of  the  state  being  a  considerable  one.  Nancy 
Prince,  the  youngest  daughter,   married   David  A^-ince,   a  kinsman   of   Gov- 


956  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

ernor  Vance,  and  reared  five  children,  two  of  whom,  John  and  David,  be- 
came ministers  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

William  Prince,  only  son  of  the  pioneers,  Adam  and  Eve  Prince,  grew 
up  on  the  pioneer  farm  in  Mad  River  township  and  made  the  most  of  the 
scholastic  opportunities  presented  in  his  early  environment,  becoming  locally 
noted  as  an  excellent  mathematician  and  a  fine  penman.  In  1827  he  married 
Sarah  Norman,  daughter  of  Christian  Norman,  who  had  emigrated  from 
the  Shenandoah  valley  to  this  county  in  1805,  the  year  in  which  Champaign 
county  was  created,  and  who  became  one  of  the  substantial  pioneers  of  this 
section  of  the  state.  In  1833  William  Prince  came  into  possession  of  the 
land  that  had  been  entered  from  the  government  by  his  father  and,  in  addi- 
tion, became  the  owner  of  considerable  tracts  of  Western  land.  In  1841 
or  1842  he  received  a  commission  as  captain  of  the  local  militia  company 
and  held  the  same  until  the  company  eventually  was  disbanded.  Captain 
Price  was  a  man  of  large  and  helpful  influence  in  his  community  and 
tliroughout  this  section  of  the  state  generally  and  did  much  to  promote 
the  common  welfare,  a  firm  and  consistent  supporter  of  all  local  good  works. 
He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  six  of  whom,  Mary, 
David  N.,  Peter  W.,  Elizabeth,  Benjamin  F.  and  Lydia,  grew  to  maturity. 
Mary  Prince  married  Rhinehart  Snapp,  who  died  six  years  later,  after  which 
.she  made  her  home  in  Jackson  township.  David  N.  Prince,  who  married 
Mary  Jones,  was  a  soldier  of  the  Union  during  the  Civil  War  and  was 
mustered  out,  after  more  than  three  years  of  active  service  as  captain  of 
Company  I,  Forty-second  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  later  making 
his  home  in  Shelby  county.  Elizabeth  Prince  married  John  Wiant  and  died 
in  1873.  Benjamin  Prince,  now  living  at  Springfield,  this  state,  for  many 
years  professor  of  history  and  political  science  in  Wittenberg  College,  was 
graduated  from  that  institution  in  1865  and  at  the  opening  of  the  next 
session  proceeded  to  the  study  of  theology.  In  the  spring  of  1865  he  was 
appointed  tutor  in  the  college;  in  1869  was  made  principal  of  the  prepara- 
tory department  and  assistant  professor  of  Greek;  in  1873  was  made  pro- 
fessor of  natural  history;  in  1878.  professor  of  Greek  and  history,  and 
later  professor  of  history  and  political  science.  In  18617  Professor  Prince 
married  Ella  Sanderson,  daughter  of  J.  Sanderson,  a  Philadelphia  lawyer 
and  editor  of  the  Daily  Nczvs  of  that  city,  and  has  ever  since  made  his  home 
in  Springfield. 

As  noted  above.  Peter  W.  Prince  was  reared  on  the  (ild  home  farm 
in  Mad  River  township  and  later  liecame  owner  of  the  same,  making  man\- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  957 

substantial  improvements  on  the  place.  There  he  spent  the  rest  of  his 
active  life,  upon  his  retirement  moving  to  St.  Paris,  where  he  died  four 
years  later,  a  well-to-do  and  influential  resident  of  that  community,  his  death 
occurring  on  April  26,  1910.  His  widow  is  now  living  at  St.  Paris.  She 
was  born,  Mary  Browning,  in  Morrow  county,  this  state.  To  Peter  W.  and 
Mary  (Browning)  Prince  were  born  five  children,  namely:  John,  who  is 
farming  in  Mad  River  township;  Minnie,  deceased;  William,  deceased,  and 
Benjamin  and  Frank  M.    (twins),  the   former  of  whom  is  deceased. 

Frank  M.  Prince  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Mad  River  township 
and  received  his  school  in  the  common  schools.  He  was  married  in  the 
spring  of  1904  and  continued  to  make  his  home  in  Mad  River  township, 
farming  there  and  in  Concord  township,  until  19 10,  in  which  year  he  left 
the  farm  and  moved  to  Urbana,  where  he  engaged  in  the  automobile  busi- 
ness, founding  the  Prince  Motor  Car  Company  and  establishing  a  place 
of  business  on  East  Court  street,  remaining  at  that  location  until  in  De- 
cember. 1914,  when  he  bought  his  present  garage  building  at  117  West 
Water  street,  and  has  since  then  been  doing  business  at  the  latter  number. 
Mr.  Prince  has  a  building  one  hundred  feet  by  forty  feet  in  dimensions 
and  has  there  an  admirably  equipped  garage  and  general  service  station. 
"Service"  is  his  motto  and  his  many  pleased  customers  testify  to  the  appro- 
priateness of  the  same.  Upon  engaging  in  business  at  Urbana  Mr.  Prince 
secured  the  agency  for  one  of  the  most  popular  cars  then  on  the  market 
and  has  since  acquired  the  agency  for  two  other  well-known  cars.  He 
carries  besides  a  full  line  of  automobile  accessories  and  supplies  for  motor- 
ists and  makes  a  specialty  of  the  high  character  of  the  repair  work  turned 
out  of  his  garage.  Mr.  Prince  was  raised  a  Democrat  and  voted  that  way 
until  1914,  since  then  he  has  been  a  Republican,  but  has  not  given  special 
attention  to  political  afifairs.  Fraternally,  he  is  affiliated  with  the  lodge  of 
the  Knights  of  Pythias  at  Westville  and  with  the  local  lodge  of  the  Junior 
Order  of  United  American  Mechanics  at  Urbana. 

On  May  25,  1904,  Frank  M.  Prince  was  united  in  marriage  to  Grace 
1.  Stover,  who  also  was  born  in  Mad  River  township,  a  daughter  of  Joseph 
and  Lucy  Stover,  who  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  those  besides 
Mrs.  Prince  being  Leander  Stover,  of  Springfield,  this  state;  Laura,  who 
is  now  living  in  Louisiana,  and  Lulu,  of  St.  Louis.  Missouri.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Prince  are  members  of  Grace  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Urbana 
and  give  proper  attention  to  the  various  beneficences  of  the  same,  as  well 
as  to  other  local  good  works. 


958  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

G.  FRANK  STABLER. 

G.  Frank  Stabler,  a  well-known  and  enterprising  farmer  of  Adams 
township,  the  owner  and  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of  eighty  acres  located 
on  rural  route  No.  i,  on  the  Ouincy-Carrysville  pike,  two  and  one-half  miles 
north  of  Carysville,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Adams  township,  December 
23,  1870,  the  son  of  C.  G.  and  Catherine  (Pencil)  Stabler,  the  former  of 
whom  was  a  native  of  Germany,  and  the  latter  of  Montgomery  county,  Ohio. 

C.  G.  Stabler  was  born  in  Wurtemburg,  Germany,  and  lived  in  his 
native  country  until  he  reached  the  age  of  seventeen  or  eighteen  years,  when 
he  came  to  the  United  States,  coming  direct  to  Logan  county,  Ohio,  where 
he  had  an  uncle,  and  with  whom  he  worked  for  some  years.  There  he  met 
and  married  Catherine  Pencil,  who  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  Ohio, 
her  parents  being  also  of  German  ancestry.  After  his  marriage,  he  and 
his  wife  located  on  the  farm  in  Adams  township,  near  where  his  son,  G. 
Frank,  now  lives,  and  here  the  wife's  death  occurred.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  five  children,  four  of  whom  are  now  living:  Mary  B.,  wife  of 
B.  S.  Young,  of  Rosewood,  Ohio;  Barbara,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty 
years;  William,  a  farmer  of  Adams  township;  G.  Frank,  the  immediate 
subject  of  this  review,  and  John  E. 

G.  Frank  Stabler  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm,  receiving  his  educa- 
tion in  the  district  schools  of  his  home  neighborhood,  and  early  in  life  learned 
the  rudiments  and  principles  of  good  farming.  For  two  years  after  his 
marriage,  he  lived  on  the  home  place  with  his  father,  but  in  the  spring  of 
1904,  he  purchased  fifty-se^^en  acres  of  land,  where  he  is  now  living,  making 
a  total  of  eighty  acres  which  he  owns  at  the  present  time,  and  has  since 
made  this  place  his  home.  He  carries  on  a  general  system  of  farming  and 
stock  raising,  and  ranks  amung  the  progressive  and  successful  farmers  of 
his  township. 

On  August  12,  1902,  G.  Frank  Stabler  was  united  in  marriage  to  Daisy 
I).  Stem,  who  was  born  in  Logan  county,  Ohio,  May  30,  1882,  the  daughter 
of  William  J.  and  Mary  M.  (Willard)  Stem,  both  of  whom  were  natives 
of  Frederick  county,  Maryland,  the  former  born  in  1839,  and  the  latter 
in  1844.  They  were  married  in  Maryland  in  1861,  and  in  1865,  they  came 
to  Logan  county,  Ohio,  where  Mr.  Stem's  death  occurred  on  October  22. 
1901.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stem  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  nine  of  whom 
are  now  living:  William  Farl,  of  Shelby  county,  Ohio:  Ida  A.,  wife  of 
.\rmor  Deitrick.  of  Loor.'in  countv,  Ohio:  J<ihn,  livinsj  in  the  state  of  ^^'ash- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  959 

ington;  Minnie,  also  a  resident  of  Washington,  the  wife  of  Charles  Moore: 
Clara,  wife  of  Van  Ford,  of  Logan  county,  Ohio;  Charles,  also  a  resident 
of  Logan  county;  Eva,  wife  of  Alva  Armstrong,  living  in  Michigan;  Daisy 
D.,  wife  of  Mr.  Stabler,  and  Joseph  G.,  of  Illinois.  The  mother  of  these 
children  is  still  living  in  Logan  county,  Ohio. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  G.  Frank  Stabler  are  the  parents  of  two  children:  Marv 
Catherine,  born  December  lo,  1905,  now  a  student  in  the  second  grade  in 
the  Rosewood  schools,  and  Lillian  Isabelle,  born  May  24,  191 1,  a  student  in 
her  first  year  in  the  Rosewood  schools.  Mr.  Stabler  is  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  church,  while  Mrs.  Stabler  is  an  adherent  of  the  United  Brethren 
church.  Politically,  Mr.  Stabler  is  a  Republican,  but  is  broadminded  and 
liberal  in  his  judgment  of  men  and  affairs. 


CHARLES  A.  WIANT. 


Charles  A.  Wiant,  a  farmer  of  Johnson  township,  this  county,  was 
born  in  Mad  River  township,  this  county,  November  28,  1870.  He  is  a 
son  of  Isaiah  and  Nancy  (Smith)  Wiant,  both  also  natives  of  Mad  River 
township,  the  father  having  been  born  on  the  same  farm  as  was  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  the  old  Wiant  place  having  remained  in  possession  of  the 
family  several  generations,  dating  back  to  the  pioneer  days.  The  parents 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  grew  to  maturity  in  Mad  River  township,  and 
there  they  married  and  established  their  home,  near  Westville,  and  where 
they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives,  Isaiah  Wiant's  death  occuring  on  February 
17,  1895.  They  were  members  of  tlie  Myrtle  Tree  Baptist  church,  in  which 
they  were  both  active.  He  was  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  church  for  many 
years.  He  was  a  Democrat,  and  served  for  some  time  as  trustee  of  Mad 
River  township. 

To  Isaiah  Wiant  and  wife  the  following  children  were  born  :  F.  R., 
who  is  a  carpenter  at  Springfield,  Ohio;  A.  E.,  who  lives  at  St.  Paris,  this 
county;  Frank  E.,  who  lives  at  Springfield,  Ohio,  and  is  employed  as  motor- 
man  by  the  street  railway  company;  Mary  C.  the  wife  of  T.  E.  Lutz,  of 
Urbana;  Martha  E.,  wife  of  V.  E.  Snapp;  Charles  A.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  Anna  E.,  the  wife  of  Warren  E.  Neer,  of  Tremont  City,  Clarke 
county,  Ohio,  and  Minnie  O.,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Charles  A.  Wiant  was  reared  on  the  farm  in  Mad  River  township, 
attending   the   district   schools   and   continued    working   with    his    father   on 


960  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

the  home  place  until  he  was  twenty-seven  37ears  old.  On  June  2,  1897,  he 
married  Dollie  B.  McMorran,  a  daughter  of  David  and  Susan  (Norman) 
McMorran,  who  lived  on  a  farm  in  Johnson  township,  where  Mrs.  Wiant 
grew  to  womanhood  and  attended  the  district  schools.  She  was  born  on 
May  28,  1878.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wiant  began  housekeeping  on  the  Norman 
farm,  renting  the  place  at  first,  then  bought  the  place,  consisting  of  eighty 
acres.  In  the  year  1909  Mrs.  Wiant's  parents  transferred  to  them  the  ad- 
joining eighty-acre  tract  where  they  now  reside,  the  original  quarter  section 
there  having  been  formerly  owned  by  Benjamin  Norman,  Mrs.  Wiant's 
maternal  grandfather. 

The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wiant  consists  of  five  daughters,  namely: 
Nevo  B.,  born  on  January  u,  1899,  who  was  graduated  from  the  St.  Paris 
high  school  with  the  class  of  1917;  Gertrude  I.,  November  20,  1901,  who 
is  attending  high  school:  Susan  N.,  August  8.  1909,  who  is  attending  the 
district  schools;  Martha  C,  April  7,  1913,  and  Mary  E.,  October  2,  1916. 

Mr.  Wiant  is  a  Democrat.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Myrtle 
Tree  Baptist  church,  in  which  he  is  clerk  and  a  deacon  and  one  of  the  most 
active  members  of  the  church. 


FRANK  C.  GAUMER. 


In  a  peculiar  sense  newspaper  men  are  like  poets ;  they  are  born  rather 
than  made.  Theirs  is  a  gift  in  somewhat  the  same  sense  that  the  ability 
to  write  poetry  is  a  gift.  The  trite  expression — "a  nose  for  news" — means 
all  that  it  says,  and  he  who  is  not  born  with  the  newspaper  nose  never  attains 
the  highest  pinnacle  of  newspaper  success.  The  operation  of  a  newspaper 
at  the  present  time  is  a  far  different  proposition  from  what  it  was  in  the 
days  of  Benjamin  Franklin,  and  the  part  the  newspaper  man  plays  in  the 
life  of  the  community  served  by  his  paper  is  constantly  increasing  in 
importance.  It  is  his  duty  to  follow  the  life  of  his  fellowman  from  the  time 
he  was  born  until  his  death;  to  chronicle  both  events,  and  set  forth  for 
the  public  eye  all  that  he  does  between  these  two  important  dates.  It  may 
be  said  that  no  man  in  the  community  knows  more  about  what  is  going  on — 
it  is  a  part  of  his  business  to  know — and  the  best  newspaper  man  is  the 
one  who  comes  the  nearest  to  being  in  touch  with  all  phases  of  the  life  of 
the  people  he  seeks  to  serve ;  in  other  words,  he  must,  in  a  sense,  be  omnis- 
cient; he  must  be  a  cosmopolite. 

That  Frank  C.  Gaumer  measures  up  to  a  high  standard  in  the  newspaper 


FRANK   C.    GAUMER. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  961 

world  is  evidenced  by  the  success  which  has  come  to  him  in  the  management 
of  the  Urbana  Daily  Democrat.  For  eighteen  years  he  has  been  the  manager 
of  the  Democrat,  has  seen  it  grow  from  a  weekly  to  a  bi-weekly,  from  a 
bi-weekly  to  a  tri-weekly.  from  a  tri-weekly  to  a  daily.  Beginning  his  con- 
nection with  the  paper  in  1899,  when  only  twenty  years  of  age,  he  has 
so  conducted  its  affairs  that  he  has  made  it  the  strongest  paper  in  the  county, 
by  all  odds.  This  is  all  the  more  remarkable  when  it  is  taken  into  considera- 
tion that  the  county  is  strongly   Republican. 

When  Mr.  Gaumer  took  charge  of  the  paper  in  1899  it  was  a  small 
affair,  humbly  housed,  with  a  wavering  circulation,  with  meager  equipment, 
and  with  little  prestige  in  the  community.  Under  his  skillful  guidance  it 
has  grown  to  such  proportions  that  it  was  necessary  during  the  present  year 
to  erect  a  large  building  to  handle  the  immense  amount  of  business  which 
had  been  developed.  From  a  mediocre  sheet  of  uncertain  circulation  it 
has  grown  to  a  point  where  the  daily  edition  of  the  paper  enjoys  a  circu- 
lation of  five  thousand.  At  the  same  time  he  has  made  it  an  advertising 
medium  second  to  none  in  the  county,  and  one  of  the  best  in  the  state  for 
a  city  the  size  of  Urbana. 

Many  newspaper  men  are  content  to  center  all  their  efforts  on  their 
newspaper,  but  the  best  men  count  this  only  a  part  of  their  work.  ,  The 
wideawake  newspaper  man  now  makes  more  money  out  of  his  job  print- 
ing than  he  does  out  of  his  newspaper  proper.  It  is  in  this  field  that  Mr. 
Gaumer  has  made  a  distinct  success.  In  his  new  building  he  has  a  room 
set  aside  for  what  he  denominates  the  comm.ercial-printing  department.  Here 
may  be  found  two  Mergenthaler  linotype  machines,  there  being  four  others 
in  the  building,  and  both  of  these  machines  are  devoted  exclusively  to  cata- 
logue work  and  miscellaneous  job  printing,  including  the  setting  of  the 
type  for  the  American  Friend,  the  Friends'  national  weekly  publication,  and 
the  Missionary  Advocate,  the  Friends'  monthly  missionary  journal.  The 
development  of  this  department  has  been  Httle  short  of  phenomenal  during 
the  past  few  years,  and  its  present  standing  is  a  glowing  tribute  to  the 
energy  and  business  acumen  of  Mr.  Gaumer. 

Such,  in  brief,  is  the  career  of  Frank  C.  Gaumer  in  the  newspaper 
world.  He  is  still  a  young  man  and  the  future  holds  still  more  good  things 
for  him.  With  his  beautiful  new  printing  house,  and  with  the  place  which 
!ie  now  holds  in  his  profession,  there  is  no  reason  for  not  presaging  for 
him  in  the  years  to  come  a  niche  high  among  the  newspaper  men  of  his 
state.  He  has  recently  acquired  the  Urbana  Daily  Citizen,  the  Republican 
(6ia) 


962  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

organ  of  the  county,  and  will  print  it  and  conduct  its  business  policy,  its 
editorial  management  remaining  in  the  hands  of  a  Republican  editor.  How- 
well  he  may  succeed  in  this  sort  of  an  arrangement,  only  the  future  can  tell. 
The  intricacies  of  the  newspaper  history  of  the  county  are  set  forth  in  detail 
in  the  chapter  relating  to  newspapers  in  the  historical  section  of  this  work, 
and  in  that  connection  may  be  traced  the  relation  of  Mr.  Gaumer  to  the 
complicated  newspaper  situation  of  Urban  a. 

A  brief  personal  mention  of  Mr.  Gaumer  is  in  order.  He  was  born  at 
Adamsville,  Ohio,  December  16,  1879,  a  son  of  Dr.  Thomas  M.  and  Eliza 
M.  (Cone)  Gaumer.  A  sketch  of  Doctor  Gaumer  appears  elsewhere  in 
this  volume,  to  which  the  reader  is  referred  for  the  genealogy  of  the  family. 
Frank  C.  Gaumer  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Urbana,  and  as 
soon  as  he  was  graduated  from  the  high  school  he  entered  the  printing 
office  of  his  father  in  the  city.  While  he  has  centered  his  energies  on  his 
newspaper,  he  has  found  time  to  take  an  active  part  in  the  every-day  life 
•  if  the  community  which  his  paper  serves. 

Mr.  Gaumer  was  married  on  September  20,  191 7,  to  Sarah  Rhodes,  a 
daughter  of  John  C.  and  Minnie  Rhodes.  With  his  marriage,  Mr.  Gaumer 
enters  upon  life  with  a  new  vision  of  things,  and  with  the  inspiration  of 
his  accomplished  wife  to  aid  him  in  his  chosen  profession,  it  can  truly  be 
said  that  his  work  will  henceforth  be  more  pleasant  for  him.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  his  wife  a  member  of  the  Episcopal 
church.  He  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason,  and  a  member  of  the  .\ncient 
Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  at  Dayton. 


BJUA'  "SINGLE"  CLIFFORD. 

Shakespeare  employed  his  diversified  talents  to  delineate  more  traits  of 
character  and  to  sound  depths  of  deeper  passions  than  ruy  man  who  ever 
lived.  In  his  plays  may  be  found  more  than  a  thousand  different  char- 
acters, and  there  is  not  an  emotion,  not  a  passion,  that  is  not  giAcn  expres- 
sion by  one  of  these  hundreds  of  characters  of  the  Bard  of  Avon.  Trul\, 
as  Shakespeare  sa}-s,  ".'Ml  the  world's  a  stage,  and  all  the  men  and  women 
merely  players.'' 

One  of  these  players  was  born  and  reared  in  Urbana.  and  is  known 
throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  nation  as  ^ne  who  can  say,  "Let 
me  play  the   fool;  with   mirth   and  laughter  let   did   w  i-ink1es  come."      if  an 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  963 

Urbanian  were  asked  to  name  the  one  man  of  the  city  who  has  done  more 
to  spread  sunshine  over  the  country  and  cause  two  smiles  to  spread  where 
only  one  spread  before,  there  would  be  but  one  answer — Billy  "S."  Clifford. 

Let  him  who  will,  explain  why  a  man  with  a  decent  Christian  name 
trades  it  off  for  a  second-hand  patronymic;  it  is  one  of  the  inscrutable 
stage  mysteries.  Be  that  as  it  may,  there  was  born  in  Urbana  on  January 
24,  1869,  William  Clifford  Shyrigh,  so  called  by  his  parents,  Levi  and 
Sarah  Shyrigh,  long  residents  of  the  city.  But  to  the  people  of  the  United 
States  at  large  he  is  known  as  Billy  Clifford,  or  Billy  "Single"  Clifford, 
the  middle  appellation  being  acquired  in  the  course  of  his  varied  stage  career. 
Some  wise  man  has  said  that  as  the  twig  is  bent  so  grows  the  tree,  and. 
Iiy  analogy,  Billy  Clifford,  while  still  a  twig  was  a  show  boy  and  as  the 
twig  growls  to  treehood,  so  did  the  boy  grow  to  be  a  showman. 

On  the  site  of  the  present  theater  bearing  his  name,  Billy  Clift'ord 
staged  his  first  show  while  still  a  boy  in  his  teens — more  than  thirty  years 
;igo.  He  must  have  been  a  lineal  descendant  of  old  Thespis.  for  if  buskined 
sock  ever  fit  a  youth  of  Urbana,  it  fit  this  youthful  follower  of  Aristophanes. 
It  was  but  a  step  from  the  stage  in  the  old  barn  to  his  first  entry  into  real 
theatrical  circles.  And  he  has  stepped  in  his  buskins  like  unto  him  who 
wore  the  seven-league  boots — big  steps  and  ever  advancing  steps.  He  started 
out  with  the  Miles  Orton  circus,  but  the  experience  he  acquired  during  three 
seasons  with  this  company  brought  him  to  a  realization  that  there  were  better 
things  in  store  for  him.  Accordinglv,  when  he  was  nineteen  vears  of  age  he 
welcomed  the  opportunity  to  associate  himself  with  George  Fuller  Golden, 
one  of  America's  foremost  monologue  artists  of  his  day. 

During  the  three  years  Clifford  was  with  Orton,  he  served  in  the  triple 
capacity  of  snare  drummer,  ticket  seller  and,  finally  and  terpsichorially,  he 
had  a  song-and-dance  turn.  While  with  the  circus  Clifford  became  interested 
in  the  acrobatic  work  of  George  Marsh,  one  of  his  fellow  townsmen,  better 
known  by  the  enigmatical  title  of  "Moats.''  This  Moats  possessed  an  un- 
usually supple  pair  of  legs,  and  Clifford  conceived  the  idea  that  he  and 
Moats  might  make  a  good  team  on  the  stage.  After  a  thorough  course  in 
the  beating  of  a  bass  drum.  Moats  was  ready  to  join  Clifford,  and  the  two 
drummers  joined  in  a  singing  and  dancing  act  which  was  sufficiently  attrac- 
tive from  a  box-office  standpoint  to  keep  them  in  stead}-  employment.  It 
may  be  added  that  Moats  became  the  principal  clown  of  Ringling  Brothers 
circus,  and  was  with  them  at  the  time  of  his  accidental  death  in  a  railroad 
accident. 


964  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Clifford  and  Golden  were  together  for  years,  and  played  in  the  lead- 
ing vaudeville  houses  throughout  the  United  States.  They  had  a  simple 
skit,  but  so  skillfully  and  artistically  was  it  staged  and  acted  by  these  two 
gifted  comedians,  that  it  never  failed  to  win  hearty  applause.  They  had  a 
combined  song-and-dance  turn,  to  which  they  added  an  old-fashioned  clog 
dance,  while  their  fihale  consisted  of  a  dashing  boxing  exhibition  of  three 
rounds.  This  fistic  encounter  usually  terminated  in  favor  of  Clifford,  who, 
being  smaller  and  more  active  on  his  feet,  was  able  to  dance  around  his 
heavier  and  slower  opponent. 

After  Clifford  and  Golden  dissolved  partnership,  Clifford  joined  Al  G. 
F'ields  and  remained  with  the  latter's  show  several  seasons.  His  next  step 
took  him  into  vaudeville  with  Maude  Huth  as  a  partner,  and  they  toured 
the  United  States  with  one  of  the  largest  vaudeville  companies  on  the  road. 
So  famed  did  this  company  become  that  it  made  a  trip  to  Europe,  and  there 
Billy  and  his  partner  spread  sunshine  and  laughter  before  delighted  audiences 
of  thousands.  For  several  years  Clifford  was  starred  under  dift'erent  man- 
agements in  musical  comedy,  while  for  the  past  few  seasons  he  has  had  a 
company  of  his  own  on  the  road.  During  the  season  of  1916-17  he  headed 
his  own  company  in  "Linger  Longer  Lucy,"  a  bright,  sparkling,  tnusical 
comedy  of  his  own  production. 

But  despite  his  wanderings  over  the  world.  Billy  still  calls  Urbana 
his  home.  It  is  here  that  he  comes  to  spend  his  summer  vacations,  and 
it  is  here  that  he  intends  to  spend  his  days  when  he  forsakes  the  footlights. 
He  has  his  beautiful  theater  here,  which  he  built  in  1905,  one  of  the  largest 
and  best  appointed  theaters  in  the  country  in  a  city  the  size  of  Urbana.  He 
has  installed  a  moving  picture  outfit  in  his  theater  and  it  is  open  every 
night  in  the  year  except  Sunday.  During  the  theatrical  season  every 
year,  a  number  of  high-class  shows  appear  in  the  city,  but  every  night  not 
so  taken  finds  a  goodly  audience  v^^atching  the  silent  drama. 

Billy  Clifford  has  done  much  for  his  city,  but  nothing  in  which  the 
city  takes  more  pride  than  in  his  theater.  His  many  friends  follow  his 
career  from  year  to  year  and  rejoice  with  him  in  the  success  which  has 
come  to  him.  It  has  not  all  been  a  flowery  bed  of  roses;  he  has  worked 
hard  and  faithfully  to  reach  the  place  he  has  in  the  theatrical  world.  That 
he  is  widely  known  as  a  clever  dancer  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  one  of 
the  stars  on  the  Keith  circuit  in  the  summer  of  1917.  who  has  a  turn 
calling  for  a  reproduction  of  the  characteristic  dances  of  famous  comedians, 
starts  his  program  every  night  with  the  words — "I  will  first  give  an  iniita- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  965 

Lion  of  the  cane  dance  of  my  friend  Billy  *S.'  Clifford.'"  In  the  years  to 
come  Clifford  will  be  remembered  as  one  of  the  sons  of  Urbana  who  have 
gone  forth  to  win  fame,  and  who,  by  sheer  merit,  won  a  place  for  himself 
in  the  realm  of  things  theatrical. 


ALDEN  BEATLEY. 


Salem  township,  this  county,  being  an  excellent  wheat  country,  the 
elevator  business  has  necessarily  followed  and  has  been  engaged  in  with 
gratifying  results  by  such  men  as  Alden  Beatley,  of  Urbana.  He  was  born 
in  Franklin  county,  Ohio,  November  26,  1852,  a  son  of  Benjamin  and 
Sarah  (Alger)  Beatley.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Maryland,  but  the 
mother  was  born  in  Franklin  county,  Ohio,  to  which  county  Benjamin  Beat- 
ley  migrated  from  the  old  Oriole  state  when  he  was  nineteen  years  old, 
and  worked  out  as  a  farm  hand  and  there  he  was  married.  He  had  little 
to  start  with,  but  being  a  hard  worker  he  forged  ahead  by  his  own  efforts 
and  cleared  a  farm  in  Franklin  county,  becoming  owner  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  acres,  which  he  operated  until  1869,  when  he  moved  to  Cham- 
paign county,  buying  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Salem  township.  After 
farming  here  a  number  of  years  he  sold  out  and  moved  to  Urbana,  retiring 
from  active  life,  and  there  his  death  occurred  in  1893.  His  wife  had  pre- 
ceded him  to  the  grave  in  1892.  They  were  parents  of  seven  children,  three 
of  whom  are. living  at  this  writing,  namely:  Mrs.  Almina  Shaul,  who  makes 
her  home  in  Chicago,  Illinois ;  Mrs.  Alice  Seibert.  who  resides  in  Urbana,  and 
Alden,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Alden  Beatley  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  and  he  worked  hard  assisting 
his  father  with  the  general  crops.  He  received  most  of  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Franklin  county.  He  removed  with  his  parents  to  Cham- 
paign county  and  remained  on  the  farm  in  Salem  township  until  he  was 
twenty-one  years  old,  when  he  took  up  farming  for  himself,  renting  a  farm 
until  the  fall  of  1884,  when  he  began  working  at  the  Payne  warehouse  at 
Kings  creek,  continuing  there  engaged  for  a  period  of  nine  years; 
then, -in  1897,  he- leased  the- elevator  at  Kings  creek,  in  partnership  with 
Woodcock,  which  partnership  continued  until  1900,  when  the  firm  pur- 
chased the  elevator,  continuing  to  operate  the  same  in  partnership  until 
1 9 10  Avhen  Mr.  Woodcock  died,  leaving  Mr.  Beatley  sole  owner.  He  has 
since   operated   the   same   alone   and    with    ever-increasing   success,    enjoying 


966  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

an  extensive  trade  with  the  surrounding  country.  He  not  only  buys  wheat 
and  all  kinds  of  grain,  but  also  handles  flour,  feed,  hay,  coal  and  fencing. 
His  business  in  all  Hues  is  constantly  increasing  as  a  result  of  his  careful 
management,  industry  and  honest  dealings  with  his  customers.  The  ele- 
vator has  a  capacity  of  twelve  thousand  bushels.  An  elevator  has  been  on 
this  site  for  a  period  of  more  than  fifty  years  and  is  one  of  the  best  known 
elevators  in  Champaign  and  adjoining  counties. 

In  1873  Alden  Beatley  was  married  to  Nancy  J.  Herr,  a  daughter  of 
.Abraham  Herr  and  wife,  and  to  their  union  four  children  have  been  bom, 
namely:  Harry,  who  married  Ethel  Burke  and  has  one  child,  Philip;  Clif- 
ford, who  married  Nellie  Taylor  and  has  three  children,  Cleo,  Carroll  and 
Louise;  Estella,  wife  of  Ernest  Shafer,  and  C.  Earl,  who  married  Alice 
(.arson  and  has  one  child,  a  son,  Charles  E. 

Mr.  Beatley  is  a  Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Order,  and  is 
a  Knight  Templar.  He  belongs  to  the  Baptist  church  at  Kings  creek.  Dur- 
ing his  long  residence  in  this  locality  he  has  become  widely  and  favorably 
known. 


FOSTER  BUMGARDNER. 

Foster  Bumgardner,  one  of  Champaign  county's  best-known  and  most 
progressive  farmers  and  the  proprietor  of  a  fine  place  of  one  hundred  and 
fourteen  acres  on  the  Jefferson  pike,  rural  mail  route  No.  3  out  of  Mechanics- 
burg,  in  Goshen  township,  is  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state 
all  his  life.  He  was  born  over  the  line  in  Pleasant  township,  in  the  neighbor- 
ing county  of  Clark,  October  3,  1876,  son  of  E.  P.  and  Mahala  (Clymer) 
Bumgardner,  the  former  of  whom  is  still  living,  now  a  resident  of  Spring- 
field, this  state. 

E.  P.  Bumgardner,  who  for  years  was  one  of  Champaign  county's 
substantial  farmers,  also  was  born  in  Clark  county,  in  that  section  locally 
known  as  "The  Knobs,"  a  son  of  the  Rev.  Abraham  and  Nancy  (Runyan  ) 
Bumgardner,  for  many  years  among  the  most  influential  residents  of  this 
part  of  the  country,  both  members  of  old  families  hereabout,  the  Buni- 
gardners  and  the  Runyans  having  been  among  the  first  settlers  in  Clark 
county  and  originally  owners  of  nearly  all  that  part  of  the  county  known 
as  "The  Knobs,"  the  two  families  having  bought  the  same  from  the  govern- 
ment not  long  after  land  in  this  section  of  Ohio  was  opened  for  settlement. 
The  Rev.  Abraham  Bumgardner  was  a  widely-known  minister  of  the  Metho- 


CHAMPAIGX    COUNTY,    OHIO.  967 

dist  Episcopal  church  and  in  his  da}-  was  one  of  the  most  popular  circuit 
riders  in  this  part  of  the  state.  He  also  was  a  good  farmer  and  became  the 
owner  of  much  land.  As  his  children  grew  up  and  started  out  "on  their 
own"  he  gradually  distributed  his  holdings  in  "The  Knobs"  and  then  bought 
a  large  farm  nearby  the  Pleasant  Chapel  church  in  Pleasant  township, 
Clark  county,  which  place  is  still  known  as  the  old  Bumgardner  farm,  and 
there  he  and  his  wife  spent  their  last  days,  full  of  years  and  honor.  They 
were  the  parents  of  nine  children  and  the  Bumgardner  connection  is  thus 
a  large  one  hereabout  in  the  present  generation. 

After  his  marriage  to  Mahala  Clymer,  also  a  member  of  one  of  the  old 
families  of  Clark  county,  E.  P.  Bumgardner  settled  on  a  farm  adjoining  the 
old  Bumgardner  home  in  Pleasant  township  and  there  made  his  home  until 
1890,  when  he  moved  up  into  this  county  and  bought  a  farm  in  Goshen 
township.  On  this  latter  place  his  wife  died  in  1896  and  he  then  returned 
to  the  old  Bumgardner  place,  adjoining  the  farm  he  still  owned  in  Pleas- 
ant township,  and  took  over  the  management  of  both  farms,  continuing  there 
until  his  retirement  and  removal  to  Springfield,  where  he  is  now  living,  past 
seventy-two  years  of  age.  E.  P.  Bumgardner  has  ever  taken  an  active 
interest  in  the  work  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  is  now  one  of 
the  influential  workers  in  the  Belmont  avenue  church  at  Springfield.  He 
formerly  and  for  years  was  one  of  the  leaders  in  the  work  of  the  Pleasant 
Chapel  church,  in  the  affairs  of  which  the  Bumgardners  have  been  deeply 
interested  ever  since  the  establishment  of  the  same.  In  his  more  active 
years  he  also  took  considerable  interest  in  the  work  of  the  local  lodge  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  which  he  was  a  member.  To 
him  and  his  wife  were  born  five  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  the  third  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  Sherwin,  who  is  living  on 
a  farm  nearby  the  old  Bumgardner  home  in  the  Pleasant  Chapel  neighbor- 
hood; Georgia  L.,  wife  of  George  Turner,  also  of  Pleasant  township;  Lil- 
lian, who  died  at  the  age  of  thirty  years,  and  Nellie,  wife  of  Howard  Ritchie, 
of  Pleasant  township. 

Foster  Bumgardner  was  fourteen  years  of  age  when  he  came  up  into 
Champaign  county  with  his  parents,  the  family  settling  in  Goshen  town- 
ship, and  when  his  father  returned  to  Clark  county  he  remained  here  and 
upon  his  marriage  shortly  afterward,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  he  rented 
a  farm  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  place 
on  which  he  is  now  living  and  (^n  that  farm  made  his  home  for  eleven 
^-ears,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  bought  a  farm,  intending  to  move  onto 
the  same,  but  before  he  could  complete  his  arrangements   for  moving,  ac- 


968  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

cepted  an  advantageous  offer  and  sold  the  place.  He  then  rented  another 
two  hundred  and  fifty  acre  farm  m  that  vicinity  and  moved  on  to  it, 
making  his  home  there  for  seven  years.  Meanwhile  he  had  bought  the  farm 
on  which  he  is  now  living,  a  quite  desirable  place  of  one  hundred  and  four- 
teen acres,  and  in  1916  erected  a  comfortable  house  on  the  same.  In  the 
spring  of  191 7  he  moved  into  that  house  and  he  and  his  family  are  now  very 
comfortably  and  very  pleasantly  situated  there.  In  addition  to  his  general 
farming  Mr.  Bumgardner  has  long  paid  considerable  attention  to  the  rais- 
ing of  good  live  stock  and  has  done  well  in  his  operations.  He  carries  on 
his  farming  in  accordance  with  up-to-date  principles  and  his  farm  plant  is 
one  of  the  best  equipped  in  that  neighborhood. 

On  November  24,  1897,  Foster  Bumgardner  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Mary  Alice  Reedy,  of  Union  township,  this  county,  and  to  this  union 
five  children  have  been  born,  Alta  May,  Millie,  Lewis  E.,  Almeda  and  Mar- 
garet, all  of  whom  are  attending  the  Mechanicsburg  schools,  the  three  elder 
in  the  high  school.  Mr.  Bumgardner  is  a  Republican,  but  has  not  been  :m 
ofifice  seeker.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  his  connection  with  the  church  remaining  at  Pleasant  Chapel,  and 
hers  in  the  Mutual  circuit,  and  both  take  an  interested  part  in  church  work, 
as  well  as  in  the  general  good  works  and  social  activities  of  their  home  neigh- 
borhood, helpful  in  promoting  all  agencies  having  to  do  with  the  advance- 
ment of  the  common  welfare  thereabout. 


MARCUS  C.  GOWEY. 


Marcus  C.  Gowey,  a  prominent  attorney  of  North  Lewisburg,  was  born 
at  North  Lewisburg,  Ohio,  December  25,  1848,  the  son  of  Hartland  D. 
and  Eliza  A.  (Willey)  Gowey.  His  paternal  ancestry  is  of  Dutch  lineage, 
the  family  being  founded  in  America  in  1630  by  his  ancestors,  who  came 
to  New  York.  His  father's  grandfather,  John  Gowey,  a  native  of  Vermont, 
was  born  in  Arlington,  December  29,  1791.  His  wife,  whom  he  married 
on  October  7,  1811,  was  Fannie  Judson,  a  member  of  the  Judson  family, 
which  is  of  English  extraction  and  was  established  in  .America  on  the  Con- 
necticut river  above  Hartford,  Connecticut.  In  182 1  his  grandparents,  who 
had  been  living  in  Arlington,  Vermont,  since  their  marriage,  removed  to 
New  York,  and  there  made  their  home  until  1837  when  they  became  resi- 
dents of  Ohio.     In  1852  John  and  Fannie  Gowey  went  to  Iowa  and  located 


HARTLAND    D.    GOWEY 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  969 

on  a  farm  where  they  lived  their  remaining  days.  To  them  were  born  ten 
children,  of  which  the  second  child  and  eldest  son  was  Hartland  D.  Gowey. 
the  father  of  Marcus  C.  Gowey. 

Hartland  D.  Gowey  received  his  early  education  in  the  pine  woods 
of  Alleghany  county,  New  York.  When  his  parents  removed  to  Ohio  in 
1837,  he  located  with  them  in  Licking  county,  Ohio.  There  he  began  teach- 
ing school  and  remained  in  the  profession  for  twenty  years.  In  1844  he 
came  to  Champaign  county  and  located  in  North  Lewisburg,  where  he  busied 
himself  with  the  upbuilding  of  the  educational  interests  of  this  section  of 
the  state,  was  postmaster  for  thirty-three  years,  was  elected  mayor  two  terms, 
and  justice  of  the  peace,  recorder  and  city  clerk  for  thirty  years.  His  sterHng 
integrity  and  fidelity  to  his  principles  throughout  his  long  residence  in  North 
Lewisburg  caused  his  fellow  townsm.en  to  confer  official  trusts  upon  him. 
and  endeared  him  to  his  neighbors.  After  these  many  years  of  service  to  his 
community,  he  died  on  September  8,  1909.  In  1846  he  married  Eliza  A. 
Willey,  and  to  them  were  born  two  sons.  The  elder  of  these,  John  Franklin 
Gowey,  was  born  in  North  Lewisburg,  December  7,  1846.  In  the  legal 
profession,  in  political  circles  and  in  business  affairs,  he  achieved  a  national 
reputation.  He  died  while  consul-general  at  Yokohama,  Japan,  March  12, 
1900. 

The  younger  son,  Marcus  C.  Gowey,  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  He 
spent  his  boyhood  days  in  North  Lewisburg,  where  he  received  his  early 
education  in  the  public  schools.  He  decided  to  enter  the  legal  profession 
and  studied  law  in  the  office  of  his  brother.  Soon  he  entered  upon  the 
work  on  his  own  account,  and  in  his  practice,  which  has  been  most  suc- 
cessful, his  conduct  of  his  cases  has  been  with  highest  justice  to  his  client 
and  with  a  strong  conviction  of  his  profession's  mission  to  society.  Even 
though  Mr.  Gowey  has  reached  the  age  when  many  men  think  that  it  is 
time  to  retire  from  active  business  or  professional  lite,  he  is  yet  actively 
engaged  in  his  profession. 

On  January  3,  1872,  Marcus  C.  Gowey  married  Miranda  L.  Mumford, 
the  daughter  of  M.  H.  and  Lydia  (Bennett)  Mumford,  who  died  August 
5,  1904.  On  the  27th  day  of  October,  1906,  he  married  Alona  H.  Sanders, 
his  present  wife.  They  now  live  in  their  beautiful  home  on  Townshend 
street.  Mr.  Gowey  is  a  strong  advocate  of  fraternal  organizations,  and 
in  one  of  these,  the  Masons,  he  has  advanced  quite  far.  Lie  is  a  member 
of  Masonic  Blazing  Star  Lodge  No.  268,  of  North  Lewisburg.  forty-five 
years;  of  Star  Chapel  No.  126,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  Raper  Command- 


970  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

ery  No.   19  Knights  Templar  of  Urbana.     He  is  also  a  member  of  Launce- 
lot  Lodge  Knights  of  Pythias,  of  Urbana. 

By  virtue  of  his  gifts  as  a  public  administrator,  Mr.  Gowey  has  been 
chosen  repeatedly  by  his  neighbors  and  the  people  of  the  county  to  fill  offices 
of  trust.  Over  his  record  during  his  public  service  like  that  of  his  pro- 
fessional life  falls  no  shadow  of  wrong  or  suspicion  of  evil.  In  politics 
Mr.  Gowey  has  always  been  a  Republican. 


TOHN  Hl'LING 


John  Huling,  a  farmer  of  Adams  townshi]).  Champaign  county,  was 
l>orn  in  this  township  on  December  28,  i(S58.  He  is  a  son  of  James  M.  and 
Mary  Jane  (Bower^ox)  Huling.  The  father  was  born  in  Shenandoah 
county,  Virginia,  and  when  a  boy  he  came  with  his  father,  Samuel  Huling, 
to  Adams  township,  Champaign  county,  the  father  buying  a  farm  on  which 
he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  and  which  farm  is  still  in  the  possession  of  the 
Huling  family.  On  this  farm  James  M.  Huling  also  spent  the  rest  of  his 
life.  Mary  Bowersox  was  born  on  this  farm,  near  Mosquito  creek,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  Bowersox,  who  came  here  from  Pennsylvania  in  pioneer  days, 
buying  the  above  mentioned  farm  and  became  one  of  the  leading  farmers  in 
Adams  township.  He  finally  moved  from  his  farm  to  Carysville.  where  he 
conducted  a  store,  and  in  later  years  lived  in  St.  Paris,  operating  a  store  and 
a  private  bank. 

After  their  marriage  the  parents  of  John  Huling  settled  on  the  farm 
where  he  now  resides,  and  there  the  father  carried  on  general  farming  suc- 
cessfully until  his  death  which  occurred  on  this  place,  where  he  had  spent  all 
his  life.  He  was  a  Democrat;  and  he  and  his  wife  belonged  to  the  United 
Brethren  church  at  Carysville,  later  at  Rosewood.  Nine  children,  all  still 
living,  were  born  to  James  M.  Huling  and  wife,  namely :  Sarah,  the  wife 
of  Samuel  Guy  of  Sidney.  Ohio:  John  of  this  sketch;  Orpha  A.,  the  widow 
of  John  Harvey  of  St.  Paris;  Laura,  the  wife  of  Ed  Ashmore  of  Sidney, 
this  state;  Clara,  the  wife  of  Frank  Suber  of  Columbus,  Ohio;  Margaret, 
who  married  David  Kizer  of  St.  Paris;  Jennie,  the  wife  of  William  Williams 
of  Columbus;  Nora,  at  home;  and  Charles  A.,  living  in  xAdams  township. 

John  Huling  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Adams  township,  and  he 
attended  the  schools  at  Carysville.  On  May  5,  1888,  he  married  Sarah  V. 
Ward,  a  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Catherine  ( Journell)   Ward,  the  fonner  of 


CHAMPAIGN    COUXTV,    OHIO.  971 

whom  was  born  in  Johnson  tow nship,  this  county,  and  was  the  son  of  James 
and  PoUy  Ward,  who  came  from  Virginia  when  young  and  here  were  mar- 
ried and  estabhshed  their  home  on  a  farm  in  Johnson  township  where  they 
died.  Catherine  Journell  was  born  in  Johnson  township,  Champaign  county, 
.where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  attended  school.  She  is  a  daughter  of 
Charles  and  Mary  Journell,  who  were  of  French  descent,  having  come  to 
Champaign  county  with  their  parents  from  France.  Charles  and  Mar>' 
Journell  spent  their  active  lives  on  a  farm  in  Johnson  township,  where  they 
died. 

To  Lewis  Ward  and  wife  six  children  were  born,  namely  :  Alice,  the 
wife  of  Allen  Poorman  of  Perry  township,  this  county;  Enmia,  who  married 
L.  F.  Purt  of  Carysville;  Sarah  V.,  the  wife  of  John  Huling;  Daisy,  now- 
deceased,  the  wife  of  Charles  Evans  of  Lima,  Ohio;  Theresa,  the  wife  of 
Frank  Johnson  of  Beaverton,  Michigan;  Charles,  who  lives  in  Pensacola. 
I^lorida. 

/Vfter  their  marriage  John  Fluling  and  wife  located  on  their  present 
farm  west  of  Carysville  in  Adams  township  and  here  they  have  continued 
to  reside.  To  their  union  one  child  has  been  born,  Thurman  H.  Huling,  who 
was  graduated  from  the  St.  Paris  high  school  and  later  from  the  engineer- 
ing department  of  the  Ohio  State  LTniversity  at  Columbus.  He  i*;  now^  \\\- 
ing  at  Chanute,  Kansas,  being  mechanical  engineer  in  charge  of  the  Ash 
Grove   Portland   Cement   Company.      He  married   Agnes   Hawthorne. 

PoHticallv.  Mr.  Huling  is  a  Democrat;  he  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Carvsville  Christian  church. 


HARRISON  S.  BAILEY. 


Harrison  S.  Bailey,  one  of  Champaign  county's  best-known  and  most 
successful  horsemen  and  the  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of  three  hundred  and 
seven  acres  on  Jumping  Run  creek  on  the  Woodstock  pike,  one  and  one- 
quarter  miles  northeast  of  Mechanicsburg,  in  Goshen  township,  was  born 
on  the  David  Watson  farm,  four  miles  south  of  London,  in  the  neighboring 
county  of  Madison,  and  has  resided  on  his  present  place  since  his  marriage 
in  1885.  He  was  born  on  January  ii,  1856,  son  of  John  Rives  and  Char- 
lotte (Suver)  Bailey,  the  latter  of  whom  was  born  in  that  same  county. 

-    John  Rives  Bailey  was  but  a  child  w^hen  his  parents  settled  in  Madi- 
son county  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood  and  married  Charlotte   Suver, 


972  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

member  of  one  of  the  old  families  of  that  county,  and  who  died  in  1858, 
leaving  three  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  young- 
est and  then  but  two  years  of  age,  the  others  being  Joseph  S.  Bailey,  who 
after  the  death  of  his  mother  was  reared  in  the  family  of  his  uncle,  James 
Suver,  of  Madison  county,  and  is  now  living  in  the  state  of  Illinois,  and 
Laura,  who  also  was  reared  in  the  family  of  James  Suver  and  married  Ellis 
Bolton,  of  Mechanicsburg.  About  two  years  after  the  death  of  his  first 
wife  John  R.  Bailey  married  Ellen  McCurdy  Watson  and  moved  to  Coving- 
ton, Indiana,  and  after  a  sometime  residence  there  moved  to  Watseka, 
Illinois,  where  he  established  his  permanent  home. 

As  noted  above,  Harrison  S.  Bailey  was  about  two  years  of  age  when 
his  mother  died  and  until  his  father's  second  marriage  he  was  cared  for 
by  his  maternal  grandparents.  He  then  was  taken  by  his  father  to  the  latter's 
new  home  in  Covington,  Indiana,  and  later  to  Watseka,  Illinois,  in  which 
latter  city  he  completed  his  schooling  and  remained  until  he  was  past  fifteen 
years  of  age,  when  he  came  back  to  Ohio  and  began  working  on  his  own 
account  in  Madison  county  and  after  a  while  was  able  to  rent  a  farm  there 
and  go  to  farming.  Two  years  later  he  married  and  then,  in  the  spring  of 
[885,  established  his  home  on  the  place  on  which  he  is  still  living,  in  Goshen 
township,  this  county,  where  he  owns  a  fine  farm  of  three  hundred  and 
seven  acres  and  where  he  and  his  wife  are  very  comfortably  and  very  pleas- 
antly situated.  For  years  Mr.  Bailey  had  given  his  special  attention  to  the 
raising  of  fine  horses  and  has  probably  raised  as  many  high-grade  horses 
as  any  man  in  the  county,  the  products  of  his  well-equipped  stock  farm 
being  in  wide  demand.  During  the  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  horse 
l)usine?s  he  has  trained  quite  a  few  of  his  most  promising  colts  for  the 
track  and  has  had  considerable  success  on  the  Grand  Circuit,  among  the 
l)est-kn()\vn  of  his  race  horses  having  been  "Red  Light,"  with  a  record  of 
2:133-4;  "Minnie."  2:12^2;  and  "Mary  S.,"  2;ii].4-  I"  addition  to  his 
general  farming  and  live-stock  interests  Mr.  Bailey  has  also  given  consid- 
eral)lc  attention  to  the  general  business  interests  of  his  home  community 
and  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Bank  at  Mechanicsburg.  Politically, 
he  is  a  Democrat,  but  has  not  been  a  seeker  after  public  office. 

On  January  21,  1885,  Harrison  S.  Bailey  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Mary  Olive  Millice,  who  was  born  in  Goshen  township,  this  county,  a 
daughter  of  John  N.  and  Susanna  (Coile)  Millice,  the  former  of  whom  was 
born  in  that  same  township  and  the  latter  in  Shenandoah  county,  Virginia. 
John   N.    Millice   was  a   son   of  Christopher  and   Mary   Magdalene    Millice. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  973 

substantial  pioneers  of  Goshen  township,  and  he  grew  to  manhood  in  that 
township.  His  wife  was  but  two  years  of  age  when  her  parents  moved 
from  Virginia  to  Ohio,  driving  through  in  a  covered  wagon,  the  family 
settling  on  the  county  line  between  Knox  and  Morrow  counties,  where  she 
grew  to  womanhood  and  where  she  was  living  at  the  time  of  her  marriage 
to  Mr.  Millice,  she  then  being  twenty-one  years  of  age.  To  that  union 
were  born  two  daughters,  Mrs.  Bailey  having  a  sister,  Etna  Clara,  who 
married  Orin  Bolton,  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  has  one  child,  a  son,  Calvin 
R.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bailey  have  a  very  pleasant  home  and  have  ever  taken 
an  interested  part  in  the  general  social  affairs  of  their  home  community. 
Mr.  Bailey  is  president  of  the  Mechanicsburg  Matinee  Club  and  is  a  member 
of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at  Mechanics- 
burg and  a  charter  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  lodge  at  that  place, 
taking  a  warm  interest  in  lodge  affairs. 


JOHN  T.  BROWN. 


When  Governor  Cox  was  making  up  his  extraordinary  commission  to 
promote  and  conserve  the  food  conditions  of  Ohio  in  conformance  with  the 
necessities  created  by  the  declaration  of  war  against  Germany  in  the  spring 
of  191 7  he  appointed  John  T.  Brown,  of  Goshen  township,  as  a  member 
of  that  important  commission  for  the  county  of  Champaign  and  the  appoint- 
ment gave  general  satisfaction  throughout  the  county,  for  it  was  conceded 
that  it  was  a  fitting  appointment.  As  lecturer,  under  appointment  of  the 
State  University  authorities,  before  the  farmers  institutes  of  Ohio  Mr.  Brown 
had  for  years  given  his  close  attention  to  the  needs  of  the  agriculturists  of 
this  state  and  to  the  methods  whereby  the  output  of  the  farms  of  the  state 
might  be  enlarged,  and  was  therefore  eminently  qualified  for  the  responsi- 
bilities and  duties  resting  upon  and  attending  the  new  and  highly  important 
war  food  commission.  Mr.  Brown  not  only  is  a  good  farmer  and  stock 
raiser,  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  in  Goshen  township,  having  a  thorough 
practical  and  technical  knowledge  of  the  subject  of  agriculture,  but  has  long 
been  regarded  as  a  soil  expert,  fully  conversant  with  the  possibilities  of 
Champaign  county  as  a  food-producing  center;  and,  as  such,  fully  competent 
to  accept  the  responsibilities  of  the  new  honors  thrust  upon  him  by  the  state. 

John  T.  Brown  is  a  native  son  of  Ohio  and  has  lived  in  this  state  all 
his  life.     He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Plain  City,  in  the  neigh- 


974  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

boring  county  of  Madison,  March  14,  1876,  son  of  David  and  Sarah  E. 
(Taylor)  Brown,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  that  same  county,  and  the 
latter  of  whom  is  still  living,  still  a  resident  of  Madison  county.  David 
Brown  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Summerford  township,  Madison  county,  this 
state,  April  8,  1833,  and  there  spent  all  his  life,  a  substantial  and  reputable 
citizen.  He  served  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union  during  the  latter  part  of  the 
Civil  War  and  was  for  years  justice  of  the  peace  in  and  for  his  home  town- 
ship. He  was  a  Republican  and  ever  gave  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local 
political  affairs.  His  death  occurred  on  August  6,  191 3,  and  his  widow,  who 
was  born  on  September  19,  1843,  is  still  living.  She  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  her  children  were  reared  in  that  faith.  There 
were  twelve  of  these  children,  of  whom  eleven  are  still  living,  those  besides 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  being  as  follow:  Frank  I.,  who  is  the  ofhcia! 
stenographer  for  the  courts  of  Montgomery  county;  Clara,  wife  of  Charles 
Ackley,  of  Plain  City;  Ida  B.,  who  is  unmarried;  Charles  D.,  of  Plain  City, 
former  representative  from  that  district  in  the  Ohio  Legislature;  Eva  G., 
wife  of  W.  H.  Sidener,  of  West  Jefferson,  this  state;  Nell,  wife  of  Ralph 
Demmitt,  of  Montgomery  county;  Bessie  F.,  unmarried,  who  is  at  home  with 
her  mother;  Lulu  C,  wife  of  Ashton  Gregg,  cashier  of  the  West  Jefferson 
Bank;  Lucile,  wife  of  Frank  Kimble,  of  Salida,  Colorado,  and  Russell  H.. 
who  is  looking  after  the  home  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Mechanicsburg.  B\ 
a  previous  marriage  David  Brown  was  the  father  of  one  son,  Will  E. 
Brown,  who  was  a  resident  of  California  for  thirty  years  previous  to  his 
death  in  July,  19 17. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm,  John  T.  Brown  received  his  early  schooling 
in  the  schools  of  his  home  neighborhood  and  was  graduated  from  the  common 
schools  in  the  first  class  following  the  operation  of  the  Box  well  law.  At 
the  age  of  seventeen  years  he  began  to  teach  school  and  later  entered  the 
National  Normal  School  at  Lebanon,  from  which  he  was  graduated  with 
the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science  in  1899;  later  resuming  teaching,  and 
for  two  years  taught  in  the  grade  school  and  in  the  high  school  at  Mechanics- 
burg. After  their  marriage  in  the  fall  of  1901  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  estab- 
lished their  home  on  the  old  Davis  homestead,  which  they  still  retain,  a  farm 
of  one  hundred  acres  in  Goshen  township,  and  have  continued  to  make  that 
their  place  of  residence.  This  farm  is  known  as  "Pleasant  View  Farm,"' 
two  and  a  half  miles  south  of  Mcchanicsbxn-g.  They  have  one  of  the  best 
farm  plants  in  that  part  of  the  count}  and  the  agricultural  operations  there 
are  carried  on  in  accordance  with  the  latest  and  most  approved  methods. 
As  noted  ab<)ve,   Mr.   Brown  is  a  niem1)er  of  the  Grange  and  has  I'lng  been 


CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO.  975 

a  lecturer  in  that  behalf,  as  well  as  a  lecturer  before  farmers  institutes 
throughout  the  state,  this  latter  position  being  under  appointment  from  the 
State  University  authorities,  he  thus  being  one  of  the  most  widely-known 
agricultural  authorities  in  the  state.  It  seemed  therefore  but  fitting  that 
Governor  Cox  should  name  him  as  a  member  from  this  county  of  the  Ohio 
state  food  commission  upon  the  appointment  of  that  body  following  the 
declaration  of  war  in  the  spring  of  1917.  In  addition  to  his  general  farming. 
Mr.  Brown  gives  considerable  attention  to  the  breeding  of  registered  Duroc- 
Jersey  hogs  and  is  doing  very  well  in  his  operations.  He  is  a  stockholder 
in  the  Farmers  Bank  of  Mechanicsburg  and  has  ever  given  close  attention 
to  the  general  business  afifairs  of  his  home  community,  one  of  the  active 
factors  in  the  promotion  of  such  movements  as  are  designed  to  advance  the 
welfare  of  the  community  as  a  whole.  He  is  a  Republican  and  has  rendered 
further  public  service  as  a  member  of  the  local  school  board. 

On  October  8,  1901.  John  T.  Brown  was  united  in  marriage  to  Ella 
D.  Davis,  who  was  bom  in  Goshen  township,  this  county.  July  24,  1875. 
daughter  of  John  E.  and  Sylvia  J.  (  Fox)  Davis,  and  who  was  graduated 
from  the  Mechanicsburg  high  school  in  1894  and  later  was  graduated  from  a 
college  of  art  at  Columbus.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  have  a  very  pleasant 
home  and  take  an  interested  part  in  the  community's  general  social  activi- 
ties. They  are  mem1>ers  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  Mr.  Brown 
is  a  member  of  the  official  board  of  the  same.  He  is  a  member  of  Homer 
Lodge  No.  474.  Knights  of  Pythias,  at  Mechanicsburg.  and  takes  a  warm 
interest  in  Pythian  affairs.  Mrs.  l^>rown  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcoi)al  church  at  Mechanicsbtu-m.  a  member  of  the  local  chapter  of  the 
Order  of  the  Eastern  Star  and  a  menil)er  of  Advance  Grange. 

John  E.  Davis,  father  of  Mrs.  Brown,  was  born  on  the  farm  on  which 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  now  make  their  home.  August  31,  1844.  and  died  on 
February  i,  191 1.  His  widow,  who  still  survives  him,  was  born  in  Madison 
county,  this  state,  August  9,  1847,  ^"^  grew  up  at  Tradersville.  where  she 
was  married.  On  December  23.  1863,  he  then  being  Ijut  nineteen  years  of 
age.  John  E.  Davis  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  army,  a  member  of  Com- 
])anv  K.  One  Hundred  and  Thirteenth  Regiment.  Ohio  \'olunteer  Infantry, 
and  with  that  command  ser\  ed  imtil  the  close  oi  the  war.  During  this  service 
he  was  wounded  three  times  and  at  the  battle  of  Kenesaw  Mountain  v.-as 
shot  through  the  left  shoulder.  Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service 
Mr.  Davis  returned  home  and  was  actively  engaged  in  farming  until  his 
retirement  in  1897  "^"^^  remmal  to  Meclianicsburg,  where  he  spent  the  rest 
of   his   life:    continuing^   to    manajje    the    farm,   however,    until    Mr.    Brown- 


9/6  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

took  charge  of  it  in  1901.  Mr.  Davis  was  an  active  member  of  Stephen 
Baxter  Post,  Grand  Army  of  the  RepubHc,  at  Mechanicsburg-,  was  for  many 
years  commander  of  the  post  and  ever  took  an  earnest  interest  in  the  affairs 
of  that  patriotic  organization.  He  was  a  member  of  the  official  board  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  was  a  member  of  the  local  lodge  of 
Masons.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  two  children,  Mrs.  Brown 
having  had  a  sister,  Luluona,  who  died  at  the  age  of  three  years  and  six 
months.  The  house  on  "Pleasant  View  Farm."  now  occupied  by  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Brown,  was  erected  by  the  latter's  father  in  1872,  but  has  since  been 
extensively  remodeled  and  improved. 


JOSEPH  MURPHY. 


There  are  many  industries  in  our  modern  life  which  were  absolutely 
unknown  before  the  Civil  War.  Changing  conditions  demand  new  indus- 
tries, and  each  year  sees  hitherto  unknown  industrial  establishments  making 
their  api)earance.  In  the  davs  when  Champaign  county  was  still  heavily 
forested  there  would  have  been  no  demand  for  such  an  establishment  as 
the  modern  lumber  company.  The  first  company  of  this  kind  to  make  its 
appearence  in  Urbana  does  not  date  back  more  than  four  decades,  but 
since  that  time  the  city  has  seen  the  location  of  a  number  of  such  concerns. 
For  the  past  fifteen  years  the  largest  establishment  in  the  city  devoted  to 
the  handling  of  lumber  and  building  supplies  has  been  the  Murphy  Lum- 
ber Company,  and  for  years  it  has  been  the  only  concern  of  the  kind  in 
the  city.  This  company  has  enjoyed  a  prosperous  career  from  the  year 
of  its  organization,  and  its  founder  and  moving  spirit,  Joseph  Murphy, 
rightl}-  deserves  a  high  place  among  the  men  of  Urbana  who  have  been 
interested  in  its  industrial  development. 

Joseph  Murphy  is  one  of  that  large  group  of  men  who  have  risen  to 
a  place  in  the  world's  activities  through  the  exercise  of  their  individual 
talents.  Some  men,  as  it  were,  have  a  business  thrust  on  them;  others 
develop  the  business  which  brings  them  before  the  world.  To  the  latter 
class  belongs  Mr.  Murphy.  Born  in  Miami  county,  Ohio,  on  August  6, 
i860,  a  son  of  William  H.  and  Mary  Murphy,  lx)th  of  whom  were  natives 
of  this  state,  he  has  spent  his  life  thus  far  in  the  state  of  his  birth.  When 
he  was  five  years  of  age  his  parents  moved  to  Versailles,  Darke  county, 
where  his  father  establi.shed  a  lumber  and  hardware  business,  which  he 
continued  until  his  death. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  977 

Mr.  Murphy  received  his  schooHng  in  Versailles,  and  upon  completing 
the  course  in  high  school,  began  teaching  in  the  district  schools  of  Darke 
county,  and  was  thus  engaged  for  five  years.  He  spent  his  summer  vacations 
assisting  his  father  in  the  lumber  business,  and  at  the  end  of  that  time  became 
a  member  of  the  lumber  firm  of  Kusnick  &  Murphy,  with  which  his  father 
was  connected,  at  Versailles.  Some  time  later  he  moved  to  Covington  and 
there  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  on  his  own  account,  remaining  thus 
engaged  at  that  place  until  in  1902,  when  he  moved  to  Urbana  and  there 
embarked  in  the  lumber  business,  under  the  firm  name  of  the  Murphy  Lum- 
l)er  Company.  He  still  owns  and  operates  a  lumber  yard  at  Covington 
tinder  the  firm  name  of  the  Covington  Lumber  Company.  Starting  in 
a  small  way,  Mr.  Murphy  has  built  up  a  business  which  is  the  largest  of 
its  kind  in  the  county,  and  one  of  the  largest  in  this  section  of  the  state. 
In  connection  with  his  extensive  lumber  yard  he  also  operates  a  planing- 
mill  and  a  cement-block  factory,  and  is  thus  equipped  to  supply  all  the  needs 
of  the  community  for  building  material.  His  large  plant  on  Miami  street, 
adjoining  the  Big  Four  depot,  covers  more  than  an  acre  of  ground,  the  main 
building  covering  twelve  thousand  one  hundred  and  twelve  square  feet,  while 
the  separate  sheds  bring  the  feet  under  cover  to  eighty  thousand. 

Mr.  Murphy  was  married  in  1884  to  Emma  L.  Worch,  and  to  this 
union  have  been  born  five  children :  Opal,  the  wife  of  Rodney  W.  Martin, 
of  Dayton,  Ohio;  Chalmer  W.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  at 
Xenia,  Ohio;  Hazel,  the  wife  of  Dr.  C.  D.  Elder,  of  Marietta,  Georgia; 
Joseph  Ivan,  who  married  Eucy  B.  Brown,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
W.  E.  Brown,  of  Urbana;  and  Charles  H.,  who  is  still  living  with  his 
parents. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Murphy  are  members  of  the  Christian  church.  Mr. 
Murphy  is  a  Knight  Templar  Mason  and  a  member  of  the  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  of  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  afifiliated  with  the  temple  of  this 
latter  order  at  Dayton.  In  politics  he  is  identified  with  the  Democratic 
party,  but  has  never  been  a  seeker  after  political  preferment.  The  family 
residence  on  Scioto  street  is  a  beautiful  stone  structure,  finely  furnishd. 
and  ranks  as  not  only  the  finest  in  the  city,  but  also  stands  as  one  of  the 
finest  in  the  state.  The  yard  presents  a  very  attractive  appearance.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Murphy  took  it  upon  themselves  to  supervise  the  planting  of  the 
ornamental  shrubbery  in  their  yard,  and  the  result  shows  that  they  used 
excellent  taste  in  their  work.  One  cannot  find  more  attractive  yards  in  the 
large  cities.  In  the  rear  of  the  house  is  a  fine  stone  garage,  which  comports 
in  general  architectural  design  with  the  house.  Mr.  Murphy  is  a  firm 
(62a) 


978  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

believer  in  the  old  fashioned  gardens,  but  his  garden  combhies  the  merits 
of  the  ordinary  garden  with  all  the  floral  beauty  which  an  artistic  eye  can 
arrange.  In  fact,  everything  about  the  Murphy  home  bears  witness  to 
the  quiet  taste  of  its  owner. 

Thus  briefly  has  been  sketched  a  recital  of  the  main  facts  of  Mr. 
Murphy's  life.  The  fifteen  years  which  Mr.  Murphy  has  spent  in  the  city 
of  Urbana  has  given  the  public  at  large  the  opportunity  to  judge  of  his 
value  to  the  community  honored  by  his  residence.  During  all  these  years 
he  has  been  active  in  all  the  movements  which  have  been  advanced  for 
the  betterment  of  the  city,  and  every  worthy  cause  has  found  in  him  a 
worthy  advocate.  Whether  it  was  the  pa^nng  of  the  street,  the  improve- 
ment of  any  of  the  many  public  utilities,  or  the  erection  of  public  build- 
ings, Mr.  Murphv  has  always  been  at  the  forefront  of  the  group  of  public- 
spirited  citizens  who  do  things.  In  his  personal  relations  he  has  been  found 
true  to  the  highest  ideals  of  good  .American  citizenship:  honest  in  his  con- 
vections, fearless  in  adhering  to  them,  zealous  in  advancing  them,  he  has  in 
all  things  endeavored  to  fulfill  to  the  best  of  his  ability  the  duties  of  a  patri- 
otic citizen  of  the  Commonwealth.  Such  a  man  is  Joseph  Murphy,  and 
it  is  such  men  who  are  the  hope  of  our  nation  today. 


MILES  N.  CALLAND. 


Miles  N.  Calland.  one  of  Harrison  township's  well-known  and  sul)- 
stantial  farmers  and  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
on  rural  mail  route  No.  i,  out  of  West  Liberty,  was  born  in  that  to^mship 
and  has  lived  there  all  his  life.  He  w^as  born  on  December  8,  1877,  son 
of  Joseph  and  Sarah  (Wilson)  Calland,  both  natives  of  Champaign  county. 
and  the  latter  of  whom  died  in  December,  1892.  To  Joseph  Calland  and 
wife  four  children  were  born,  three  of  whom  are  still  living,  all  residents 
of  Harrison  township,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having  a  brother.  William 
A.  Calland,  a  Harrison  township  farmer,  and  a  sister.  Isabel,  wife  of  Fred 
M.  Johnson,  also  a  farmer  in  that  same  townhip. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Harrison  town.shi]).  Miles  X.  Calland, 
received  his  schooling  in  the  neighborhood  schools  and  from  the  days  of 
his  boyhood  was  a  valued  help  in  the  labors  of  improving  and  developing 
the  home  place.  After  his  marriage  in  1900,  he  then  being  twenty-three 
years  of  age,  Mr.   Calland  established  his  home  on  the  quarter  section  he 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  979 

now  owns  and  has  ever  since  lived  there,  he  and  his  family  being  pleasantly 
and  very  comfortably  situated.  Mr.  Calland  has  an  excellent  farm  plant 
and  is  doing  very  well  in  his  agricultural  operations,  carrying  on  the  same 
in  accordance  with  modem  methods  and  in  strictly  up-to-date  fashion. 

On  December  24,  1900,  Miles  N.  Calland  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Edith  A.  Couchman,  who  was  born  in  Salem  township,  this  county,  Sep- 
tember I,  1881,  and  to  this  union  three  sons  have  been  born,  Gilbert  A., 
born  on  March  8.  1903,  who  wa.s  graduated  from  the  common  schools  in 
T917;  Joseph  N.,  June  6,  1907,  and  Donald  C,  August  7,  191 1.  Mr.  Cal- 
land is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  Mrs.  Calland  is  ;i 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican, 
ever  taking  a  good  citizen's  interest  in  local  civic  affairs;  and  fraternally, 
is  a  member  of  the  local  Grange,  to  the  affairs  of  which  organization  he 
has  for  years  given  his  earnest  attention. 


THE  JOHNSON  FAMILY  OF  CHAM  PA  I  (IN  COUNTY. 

By    Thomas    L.    Johnson. 

The  ancestors  of  the  branch  of  the  Johnson  family,  who  were  early 
settlers  in  Champaign  county,  came  from  Great  Yarmouth,  England.  One. 
Thomas  Johnson,  in  1700,  eloped  with  a  chancery  ward,  Mary  Baker,  and 
settled  in  Calvert  county,  Maryland,  on  St.  Leonard's  creek.  Though  he 
had  committed  a  penal  offense  in  running  away  with  a  ward  of  court,  he 
braved  the  dangers  of  apprehension  by  the  authorities  and  started  back 
to  England.  The  ship  was  captured  by  the  Spanish,  but  he  finally  suc- 
ceeded in  escaping  and  returned  to  America  by  way  of  Canada,  to  find 
his  home  burned  by  the  Indians.  He  lived  but  a  few  years  after  his  return. 
He  left  an  only  son,  Thomas,  born  on  February  2.  1702.  who  at  an  early 
age  married  Dorcas  Sedgwick.  Eleven  children  were  born  to  this  couple, 
and  upon  the  death  of  his  wife.  Thomas  took  unto  himself  a  second  wife, 
whose  maiden  name  is  not  known. 

.SONS   OF   THOMAS   JOHNSON. 

In  1738  Thomas  Johnson  moved  to  Washington  county,  Maryland. 
In  1732  his  eldest  son  was  born,  named  for  his  father.  This  son  studied 
law   at    Annapolis,    was   a   member   of   the    Continental    Congress   and    was 


980  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

chosen  governor  of  Maryland  in  1777.  In  1791  he  became  an  associate 
justice  of  the  United  State  supreme  court.     He  died  in  18 19. 

The  second  son,  James,  was  born  in  1736  and  died  in  1809.  He  dis- 
covered iron  ore  in  Washington  county  and  built  several  furnaces.  During 
the  Revolutionary  War  he  cast  a  large  number  of  cannon  and  "furnished 
the  Continental  army  with  one  hundred  tons  of  bombshells." 

Joshua  Johnson,  the  fourth  son,  was  born  in  1743.  In  early  life  he 
went  to  England,  and  after  the  Revolution  was  appointed  first  American 
consul  by  President  Washington. 

John  Johnson,  the  fifth  son,  born  in  1745,  became  a  physician.  He 
died  in  181 1.  Baker  Johnson,  born  in  1749,  also  a  lawyer,  died  in  1811. 
He  commanded  a  battalion  of  infantry  during  the  Revolutionary  War.  Roger 
Johnson,  born  in  1750.  became  interested  in  the  iron  business. 

WILLIAM    JOHNSON,    HEAD  OF   THE   FAMILY   IN    CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY. 

William  Johnson,  the  third  son,  was  born  in  1742  at  Hancock,  Mary- 
land, on  the  Potomac  river,  about  thirty-five  miles  from  Ft.  Cumberland. 
His  early  life  was  the  usual  life  of  the  pioneer  boy,  so  far  as  we  know, 
shortly  after  his  birth,  and  from  about  the  year  1750,  there  began  to  be 
much  interest  in  the  western  country,  all  through  Virginia  and  Maryland. 
That  same  year  Christopher  Gist  left  Old  Town,  Virginia,  on  a  voyage  of 
discovery  for  the  Ohio  company.  In  1754  James  McBride  and  party  passed 
down  the  Ohio  in  canoes  and  a  few  years  later  came  stories  of  the  beauty 
and  fertility  of  Kentucky,  which  later  so  well  deserved  the  name  of  the 
"dark  and  bloody  ground."  A  great  movement  set  in  that  way  following 
the  mighty  Daniel  Boone. 

For  a  long  period  of  time  it  was  generally  understood  that  the  ter- 
ritory lying  to  the  north  and  west  of  the  Ohio  belonged  to  the  Indians, 
while  that  on  the  south  and  east  was  open  to  the  white  man.  However,  the 
spirit  of  adventure  and  conquest  was  not  willing  to  forego  the  virgin  lands 
of  the  Muskingum  and  Miami  valley,  and  sundry  frontiersmen  of  treacher- 
ous and  bloodthirsty  temper,  such  as  Cresap  and  Greathouse,  cruelly  murder- 
ing the  family  of  the  Indian  chief,  Logan,  and  other  innocent  Indians, 
brought  on  a  condition  of  hatred,  suspicion  and  open  warfare,  which  ren- 
dered existence  to  the  frontier  of  the  utmost  hazard.  Finally  Lord  Dun- 
more  organized  an  army  to  punish  these  Indian  aggressors  and  a  bloody 
battle  was  fought  October  10,  1774,  at  Point  Pleasant,  which  was  most  dis- 
astrous  to   the   Indians.      This   victory    for   the    frontiersmen    was    speedily 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  981 

followed  by  a  treaty  of  peace  on  the  Pickaway  plains  and  served  to  weaken 
the  confidence  of  the  Indian  as  to  his  ability  to  cope  with  his  paleface  foe, 
and  likewise  admonished  him  that  the  white  man  would  seek  out  the  fertile 
places  where  he  had  so  long  made  his  home. 

In  1770  Col.  Ebenezer  Zane  and  his  two  brothers,  Silas  and- Jonathan, 
had  settled  at  a  place  on  the  Ohio  called  Wheeling  Fort,  and  a  center  was 
established  where  began  a  colony  of  pioneers.  In  1784  Virginia,  which  had 
hitherto  made  claims  to  the  Northwest  Territory,  ceded  all  rights  to  the 
new  government  called  the  United  States.  In  1788  Cutler  and  Sargent 
located  upon  their  purchase  at  Marietta.  The  year  1785  had  seen  a  set- 
tlement made  where  Portsmouth  is  now  located  by  four  families  from  Red- 
stone, but  the  Indians  were  unfriendly  and  too  powerful,  and  they  had  to 
abandon  the  enterprise.  Shortly  after  the  settlement  was  made  at  Marietta, 
and  during  the  same  year,  some  adventuresome  spirits  had  gone  down  to 
the  Symes  purchase,  a  few  miles  above  Cincinnati.  They  began  a  clearing 
in  the  forest,  and  very  soon  thereafter  at  Ft.  Washington,  now  Cincinnati, 
and  at  South  Bend,  a  few  miles  down,  the  river  flatboats  landed,  and  cabiii>; 
began  to  be  built.  In  1790  some  French  frontiersmen  located  at  Gallipolis, 
.so  that  before  the  opening  of  the  new  century,  there  were  quite  a  number 
of  cabins  on  the  Ohio  river. 

These  events  profoundly  affected  William  Johnson,  who  seemed  to 
possess  a  more  restless  spirit  than  his  brothers.  In  1765  he  was  married  to 
Ellen  Mills,  who  had  reached  the  mature  age  of  seventeen  years,  and  they 
began  to  carve  out  their  own  destiny  in  the  world,  which,  to  them,  was  so 
full  at  that  time  of  stirring  events  and  important  issues.  Jacob,  their  first 
child,  was  born  in  1767,  and  other  children  followed:  Hannah,  Ellen,  Lydia 
and  Jane,  and  two  sons,  Barnett  and  Otho. 

WILLIAM   JOHN.SON   GOES   WEST. 

The  restless  spirit  of  the  times  seemed  to  possess  William  and  he  feh 
that  he  must  get  away  from  present  surroundings  and  become  a  party  of  that 
hardy  throng  which  braved  all  dangers  and  hesitated  at  no  hardship  to 
reach  the  unknown  West.  But  he  had  an  invalid  mother,  not  his  own  mother, 
but  one  who  had  come  in  and  cared  for  the  brood  she  found  in  the  home. 
This  mother,  being  unable  to  travel,  there  was  much  discussion  in  this  valley 
cabin  as  to  what  should  be  done.  This  nev.'.  rich,  alluring  West  must  be 
seen  and  some  of  the  prizes  it  offered  to  the  early  comer  secured ;  so  William, 
his  wife,  his  small  children,  his  eldest  boy,  Jacob,  being  twelve  years  old. 


982  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

and  the  helpless  grandmother,  decided  to  go  out  to  this  great  West.  They 
at  once  made  preparations  to  travel  over  the  road  cut  out  of  the  forest 
by  the  unfortunate  Braddock,  toward  the  Ohio  country.  Their  few  pos- 
sessions were  gathered  up,  a  litter  was  constructed  between  the  pack  mules 
into  which  the  helpless  grandmother  was  placed  and  goodbye  was  said  to 
the  old  home.  Thus  they  moved  out  to  find  the  new  home  beyond  the 
Alleghenies.  This  move  was  in  the  fall  of  1778,  and  when  they  came  near 
Redstone  Old  Fort,  an  important  place  on  this  famous  road,  and  where 
it  first  reaches  the  Monongehela,  a  halt  was  made  and  the  new  home  chosen. 
The  grandmother  did  not  live  to  see  the  waters  of  the  Ohio,  for  she  died 
during  the  winter  of  1780.  Redstone  Old  Fort,  or  as  it  was  sometimes  called, 
Ft.  Burd,  was  at  the  junction  of  Redstone  creek  and  the  Monongehela,  and 
is  now  the  site  of  the  busy  city  of  Brownsville.  William  did  not  long  remain 
here.  He  crossed  over  into  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  west 
side  of  the  river,  and  busied  himself  for  some  ten  years  in  the  business 
of  clearing  up  the  forest,  making  occasional  visits  to  surrounding  settlements, 
but  all  the  while  hearing  the  call  of  the  great,  splendid  West  to  come  out  and 
be  one  of  her  sons — to  start  as  her  child  in  the  most  primitive  way.  and 
to  live  in  a  close  and  intimate  relationship. 

The  records  show  that  William  Johnson  enlisted  in  the  Revolutionary 
War  in  1777,  and  served  until  June,  1778.  In  January,  1780,  he  received 
a  Virginia  certificate  for  a  tract  of  land  "situate  on  the  waters  of  Charteris 
creek."  It  was  surveyed  and  contained  three  hundred  and  ninety-one  acres. 
The  patent  was  obtained  November  20,  1786.  On  May  6,  1795,  he  sold  this 
land.    In  April,  1786,  he  was  appointed  justice  of  the  peace. 

Jacob,  the  eldest  son  of  William  Johnson,  now  grown  to  manhood,  was 
a  vigorous,  healthy,  young  man,  fond  of  travel  and  anxious  to  see  what 
was  happening  down  in  this  great  valley  of  the  Ohio.  Accordingly  he 
sought  some  experience  as  a  boatman.  The  river  on  which  he  had  spent 
liis  boyhood,  the  beautiful  Potomac,  was  not  such  a  great  ."Stream  as  the 
Ohio  and  the  Ohio  swept  away  in  the  West,  and  the  Mississippi,  and  far 
off,  at  the.  end  of  a  five-months  trip,  was  that  fabled  city  on  the  other  siflc 
of  the  world  New  Spain,  New  Orleans. 

In  the  fall  of  1798,  William  and  Jact)b  Johnson,  father  and  son,  pos- 
sessed by  this  spirit  which  truly  harried  men  out  of  the  Eastern  settlements, 
must  needs  go  to  a  country  in  Ohio,  called  the  "Mad  river  country."  So 
they  procured  .some  boats  and,  trusting  to  the  river  current,  committed  theni- 
.selves  to  the  Monongehela,  and  in  due  season  reached  Cincinnati,  or  Ft. 
Washington.     Thev  came  up  the  Miami,  and  into  this  "Mad  river  country," 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  983 

concerning  which  the  Indians  told  such  good  things.  Shortly  before  they 
came,  Isaac  Zane  had  purchased  a  large  tract  of  land  and  was  living  in  his 
blockhouse  on  the  present  site  of  Zanesfield,  Logan  county,  and  William  and 
Jacob  visited  him,  spending  a  day  or  two. 

A  very  early  settler  in  Logan  county  was  on  one  Job  Sharp,  who  had 
located  about  midway  between  East  Liberty  and  Middleburg,  and  having 
heard  that  a  man  by  the  name  of  Johnson  and  his  son  were  stopping  at 
Zane's  a  pressing  invitation  was  sent  that  they  partake  of  the  Sharp  hos- 
pitality, and  they  accordingly  stayed  over  night  with  Mr.  Sharp.  There 
were  a  goodly  number  of  Indians  in  the  Mad  river  country  and  the  house 
of  Isaac  Zane  and  his  half-breed  Wyandotte  wife  was  a  favorite  place 
of  rendezvous. 

The  Johnsons  looked  over  the  place  they  came  to  see,  and  were  greath- 
pleased  with  its  apparent  fertility,  and  also  felt  that  they  could  live  here 
without  too  much  crowding.  On  this  expedition  William  and  Jacob  called 
at  McPherson's  store,  kept  by  an  Indian  trader  about  six  miles  south  of 
the  present  site  of  West  Liberty.  They  saw  the  valley  of  Kings  creek, 
and  all  the  beautiful  land  lying  to  the  west,  and  felt  that  here  somewhere 
would  be  an  ideal  spot  for  a  home.  This  country  was  then  the  Northwestern 
Territory  and  the  population  within  the  bounds  of  what  is  now  Champaigii 
and  Logan  counties  did  not.  exceed  a  dozen  white  families. 

I  have  mentioned  Jacob's  tendency  to  see  something  of  the  world,  and 
on  one  of  the  trips  down  the  Ohio,  in  the  vicinity  of  Wheeling  Fort,  he 
met  a  young  widow  by  the  name  of  Martha  Boggs  McFarland,  and,  though 
he  had  grown  to  the  mature  age  of  thirty-two  without  having  fallen  under 
the  spell  of  feminine  wiles,  this  Ohio  Valley  woman  captured  his  affections 
and  being  of  a  frank  disposition,  he  immediately  inquired  if  he  might  not 
claim  her  as  his  wife;  without  needless  waiting  they  were  married  in  1799. 
Whether  Jacob  first  met  the  noble  woman  who  became  his  wife  when  he 
Was  on  the  trip  to  the  Mad  river  country,  or  on  some  prior  visit,  this 
chronicler  cannot  say. 

Capt.  W^illiam  Boggs.  father  of  Martha,  was  a  true  pioneer.  He  was 
born  in  Berkley  county,  Virginia,  and  married  Jane  Erwin.  Just  when 
they  left  Virginia  is  not  known,  but  Martha  was  born  the  year  of  Lord 
Dunmore's  War.  1774,  at  Laurel  Hill.  Pennsylvania,  near  the  summit  of 
the  Alleghenies  on  the  Braddock  road.  Captain  Boggs  moved  down  to 
the  vicinity  of  Wheeling,  and  Martha  was  in  the  fort  at  the  time  the  Indians 
attempted  to  capture  it.  and  it  was  with  kindling  eye  and  animated  face 
that  she  used  to  recite  to  her  children  the  story  of  that  vivid  incident  in 


984  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

her  girl's  life.  Captain  Boggs  lived  in  the  vicinity  of  Wheehng  Fort  for 
several  years,  later  moving  to  an  island  in  the  Ohio  just  below  Wheeling, 
which  was  called  Boggs'  Island.  Here  his  wife  fell  sick  and  died  in  the 
night.  Having  no  neighbor  nearer  than  Wheeling  Fort,  the  eldest  daugh- 
ter, Lydia,  a  girl  of  sixteen,  took  a  canoe  and  alone  in  the  darkness,  on 
this  great  river,  paddled  up  to  the  fort,  arousing  the  sleeping  inmates  in 
order  that  some  of  the  good  women  might  come  to  care  for  the  body  of  her 
dead  mother.  At  the  time  of  the  death  of  his  wife,  Captain  Boggs  had 
eight  children,  Lydia,  the  sixteen-year  old  girl,  being  the  eldest.  A  widow 
by  the  name  of  Barr,  taking  pity  on  his  helpless  condition,  consented  to 
come  and  be  mother  in  his  household  and  she  accordingly  came  as  she 
promised  bringing  along  her  own  family  of  eight  children.  To  this  num- 
ber of  sixteen  were  later  added  two.  So  well  did  the  Boggs  and  Barr 
families  agree,  that  two  weddings  were  had  without  going  out  of  the  family, 
two  of  the  Boggs  children  marrying  two  of  the  Barr  children.  Shortly 
after  the  marriage  of  Jacob  Johnson  and  Martha  Boggs,  Capt.  William 
Boggs  moved  to  the  Pickaway  Plains,  being  the  first  pioneer  settler  and 
suffering  much  hardship.  He  settled  within  a  few  rods  of  the  spot  where  the 
treaty  of  peace  was  made  at  the  close  of  Dunmore's  War.  He  and  his 
descendants  were  prominently  identified  with  the  settlement  and  develo]i- 
ment  of  that  locality. 

WILLIAM    AND   JACOB    JOHNSON    COME    TO    CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY. 

Upon  the  marriage  of  Jacob  Johnson  and  Martha  Boggs,  they  went 
back  to  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  on  January  26,  1800. 
their  first  child,  Mary,  was  born.  Jacob  was  thirty-four  years  of  age  and 
Martha  twenty-six,  and  this  crowded  Washington  county  was  no  place  to  get 
on  and  make  a  home  for  the  little  ones.  So  a  family  council  was  called, 
the  father,  William,  acting  as  chief  adviser.  He  and  Jacob  told  the  others 
about  the  rich  "barrens"  of  Mad  river,  Macochee  and  Kings  creek,  near 
Avhere  the  Mingoes  lived,  and  how  much  better  it  would  be  there  than  in 
hilly  Washington  county.  The  wives  thought  that  though  it  was  a  long 
way  from  old  friends,  it  would  be  better,  while  the  children  danced  in  glee 
in  anticipation  of  the  long  journey  which  was  to  form  one  enlarged  picnic. 

So  in  the  spring  of  1803  we  find  them  launching  a  flatboat  and  putting 
aboard  the  household  goods  of  three  families,  William  Johnson.  Jacob  John- 
son, his  son,  and  Robert  Russell,  a  son-in-law.  JacolVs  family  consisted  of 
his  wife,  Martha,  the  two  boys,  who  bore  the  name  of  McFarland :  Mary,  their 


Ki^  MEiVIGRfAL  -3  --  niiMORY.OF  JACO 
^  MARTtiA  •  BCC^3  .jQHMSOM  ,  AND  MARK 
:  SPOT  WHERE  laBBpHC  STOC 

J  WHICH  THE:y  Moi^lPRfl  1, 1805.  WIT 
ER  PIONEERS  THETCAME  ASTHEINDIp^I 
'ARTED  AND  WORTHILY  BORE  THEIR  PAR 
mSDUING  THE  WfLDERNESS/THEY  AN 
:m  OfREGT  DESCENDANTS-HAVE  OCCUPIE 
'  ^^R  ACEMT0RY  ANOTHISMEMORl^: 
^»  0^^     ■  ■•*  QRATEFUi  HIiEM8RANCE, 


INSCRIPTION  ON  THE  PLATE   IN  THE   STONE   WHICH  WAS   SET  AT  THE   SITE 

OF  THE  INDIAN  CABIN  INTO   WHICH  JACOB  AND   MARTHA 

JOHNSON  MOVED  AI'RIL  1,  ISO"). 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  985 

first  born,  and  Lydia,  a  second  daughter.     Robert  Russell  had  married  a 
sister  of  Jacob,  and  they  were  also  coming  to  Ohio. 

Pushing  away  in  their  commodious  flatboat  in  the  early  spring  of  1803, 
when  the  current  was  swift,  one  can  imagine  the  light,  happy  hearts  of 
all  the  company  as  they  floated  down  the  noble  river  with  eager  anticipa- 
tions of  the  goodly  country  in  the  Mad  river  valley.  Of  course,  sharp 
lookouts  had  to  be  kept  for  the  perils  of  the  navigation,  and  dangers  from 
the  lurking  Indian  and  the  river  pirates.  The  beauty  of  the  blossoming 
killikinic  and  the  snowy  dogwood  appealed  to  theni  as  they  swept  between 
the  heights  of  the  lower  Monongehela.  How  eager  were  they  all,  especially 
the  women  and  the  younger  children,  to  see  old  Ft.  Duquesne,  now  newly 
named  Ft.  Pitt ;  and  how  interested  they  all  were  when  William  and  Jacol> 
pointed  out  the  mouth  of  Yellow  creek,  where  the  Logan  family  had  been 
so  brutally  murdered ;  and  wnth  what  interest  was  noted  all  that  Martha  had 
to  tell  when  they  reached  Wheeling  Fort,  of  her  girlhood  and  her  friend- 
ship with  the  hero  of  Indian  warfare,  Lewis  Wetzel,  and  the  heroic  defense 
of  the  little  fort :  how  they  landed  at  the  island  in  midriver  for  a  last  look 
at  the  lonely  grave  of  Martha's  mother;  of  the  eagerness  to  see  where  the 
"Yankees"  had  settled  at  Marietta,  and  what  progress  they  had  made  in 
founding  a  New  England  in  the  Ohio  wilderness;  the  great  desire  to  see 
Point  Pleasant  at  the  mouth  of  the  Kanawaha,  where  the  Indian  slaughter 
took  place  October,  1774;  and  doubtless  they  all  joined  in  sinking  its  com- 
memoration song: 

"Let    us    mind    the    tenth    daj-    of    October, 
Seventy-four,  which   caused  our  woe: 
The    Indian    savages    they    did    cover 
The  pleasant  banks  of  the  Ohio." 

We  do  not  know  how  much  time  was  consumed  in  this  journey.  If 
all  conditions  were  favorable,  ten  days  time  was  considered  a  quick  trip  from 
Pittsburgh  to  Cincinnati,  floating  by  night  as  well  as  by  day. 

Reaching  Cincinnati,  they  pre])ared  to  come  to  their  new  Ohio  home. 
They  passed  through  Dayton,  on  the  Miami,  where  there  was  a  mill  and 
where  thev  could  get  "flour  for  bread."  They  ])assed  through  what  is  now 
Springfield,  and  probably  stopped  at  the  public  house  kept  by  Griffith  Foos. 
Later  they  came  through-  the  site  of  Urbana  and  here  were  four  log  cabins. 
They  were  a  little  indefinite  a.s  to  just  where  they  would  finally  locate  their 
habitation.  The  low  land  at  that  time  was  very  productive  of  "chills  and 
fever,"  and  the  early  settler  chose,  if  wise,  some  more  elevated  place  for 
building  his  home.     So  they  passed  over  the  bottoins  or  flat  land  and  came 


986  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

Up  the  south  branch  of  Kings  creek  and  haltefl  (jn  the  gravelly  bluft'   just 
south  of  the  creek,  and  a  few  rods  east  oi  the  present  Ludlow  road. 

Here  they  all  remained  during  the  fall  of  1803  and  all  of  1804,  and  the 
winter  of  1805.  They  had  very  few  neighbors.  Upon  the  site  of  the  house 
formerl}'-  occupied  by  Col.  John  Thomas,  lived  a  man  1)\-  the  name  of  Davis, 
1)ut  no  other  white  inhabitants  occu])ied  tltis  smiling  \alle\-  at  that  time. 

JACOB    JOHN.SON    SETTLES    IN     MINGO    VALLEY. 

During"  the  winter  of  1805,  ]ac()l>  [)lanned  to  move  to  Alingu  valley 
and  arrangements  were  made  for  the  purchase  of  the  Denn}-  and  Tarl)ell 
surveys  containing  four  hundred  and  seven  tv-eight  acres  on  the  north  side 
of  the  valley,  where  the  Indians  had  lived.  In  pursuance  of  this  plan,  on 
April  I,  1805,  Jacob  and  Martha  with  their  five  children  came  across  the 
prairies  from  Kings  creek  and  occupied  the  log  cabin  out  of  which  the 
Indians  had  moved.  There  was  very  little  timber  of  much  size  in  the 
valley,  and  standing  where  the  old  Johnson  cabin  stood,  one  could  look 
across  the  valley  to  the  higher  land  at  the  south.  Martha  in  telling  her 
children  of  one  of  one  of  the  incidents  of  the  moving  chu ,  said  that  in  the 
valley  were  a  great  many  wild-plum  trees  and  that  she  remembered  well 
how  beautiful  they  looked  with  the  snowy  burden  of  IjIooui  that  April  after- 
noon from  this  new  home. 

The  Indian  cabin  into  which  the}  moved  was  not  a  suitaljle  place  for 
this  mother  to  bring  up  her  daughters,  who  must  he  good  housewives,  so 
a  new  cabin  had  to  be  built.  During  the  early  fall  of  that  year  the  father 
and  other  members  of  the  family  were  busy  in  getting  ready  the  new  house, 
so  as  to  be  comfortable  for  the  winter,  as  well  as  to  have  the  newest  and 
linest  house  in  the  valley.  The  chimney  was  the  last  part  of  the  house  to 
be  finished  and  great  anxietv  v/as  manifested  by  the  good  liousewife  that 
they  might  be  able  to  have  supper  in  the  new  house  the  day  they  moved. 
There  was  some  uncertaintv  about  the  chimnev.  but  fortunately  it  had  been 
finished  as  the  day  closed,  and  there  was  no  doul)t  that  the  supper  could 
lie  prepared  in  the  new  home.  .\s  .she  looked  uj)  from  her  work  of  putting 
things  on  the  table,  lo!  there  stood  Mr.  Davis,  their  nearest  neighbor,  who 
liad  come  two  miles  to  sit  with  them  at  their  fu-stmeal  in  the  new  house. 

The  "Indian  field'"  had  been  cleared  and  cultivated,  but  it  was  of  com- 
l)aratively  small  area.  So.  Jacob  went  l)usil\-  at  wc^rk,  clearing  away  the 
l)rush  and  small  timber  in  the  "barrens. ""  as  it  was  called,  so  as  to  ])e  able  to 
jiut  in  the  crops.     His  father,  WilliauL  dm-ing  the  \ear  of    1805,  purchased 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  98/ 

three  hundred  and  seventy-five  acres  immediately  south  of  Jacob's  purchase, 
and  in  the  spring  of  1806,  WiUiam  moved  from  Kings  creek  to  the  south 
side  of  the  valley  and  erected  a  house.  A  short  distance  east  of  the  house 
built  by  William,  his  son,  Barnet,  erected  a  house  and  later  the  youngest 
son,  Otho,  who  lived  there  until  the  year  1838,  when  he  moved  to  Illinois. 

Here  Jacob  and  Martha  faithfully  did  their  duty  toward  making  a 
home  and  getting  on  in  the  world.  The  neighborhood  began  to  fill  up  and 
relatives  began  to  locate  in  the  vicinity.  The  usual  pioneer  development 
went  steadily  forward.  The  lives  these  pioneers  led  were  very  simple.  They 
were  ambitious  to  get  the  farms  cleared  and  put  under  cultivation.  Their 
personal  wants  were  few.  They  were  very  much  interested  in  their  neighbors 
and  there  was  a  feeling  of  brotherhood  that  is  little  known  today.  When 
misfortune  came  there  was  no  lack  of  sympathetic  friends,  who  came  with 
hearts  full  of  help  and  comfort.  There  was  a  feeling  of  mutual  interest 
through  the  entire  community.  The  lives  of  our  pioneer  ancestors  were 
doubtless  narrow  and  their  contact  with  the  great  outside  world  was  limited, 
but  they  were  honest  and  sincere  men  and  women,  and.  though  the}'  knew 
nothing  of  fashionable  society  and  their  clothing  did  not  hang  as  on  the 
tailor's  model,  vet  thev  worthilv  wore  the  habilaments  of  true  manhood  and 
womanhood. 

The  fall  of  1805  found  this  couple  installed  in  the  new  house,  and  the 
Indian  cabin  abandoned.  As  was  the  fashion  in  those  old  days,  each  two 
years  found  a  new  baby  in  the  home,  and  Mary  had,  as  she  thought,  no 
end  of  cradle  rocking,  and  the  trundle  bed  kept  getting  more  crowded  year 
by  year.  God  was  good :  the  rains  came ;  the  sun  shone :  seed  time  always 
came  around,  and  harvest  invariably  followed.  Assuredly,  this  home  was 
the  dwelling  place  of  peace  and  of  filial  and  jtarental  love. 

THE   CALAMITY   OF    1 82 1. 

The  children  were  growing  up.  Mary  had  been  married  at  the  age 
of  seventeen  and  Hiram  and  Nelson  were  A'igorous,  healthy  boys  able  to 
do  quite  a  little,  when  a  calamity  came  to  the  family.  On  Christmas  eve 
of  1 82 1,  the  father,  Jacob,  was  hauling  some  logs,  having  one  end  loaded 
upon  a  sled,  the  other  end  dragging  upon  the  ground.  One  of  the  horses 
was  young  and  spirited.  He  was  driving,  walking  behind  the  sled,  when 
suddenly  the  free  end  of  the  log  slid  round,  catching  his  foot  between  the 
heavy  log  and  a  tree  stump.  He  stopped  the  team  and  called  to  Nelson 
to  come  and  release  him.  but  the  horses  became  restive,  and  he  could  not 


988  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

control  them,  and  consequently  his  foot  was  pulled  round  as  the  team  started, 
the  bones  broken,  and  the  tendons  badly  torn.  Here  at  this  Christmas  time 
was  a  calamity  indeed;  the  father  wholly  incapacitated  and  three  boys  to 
do  the  work  and  pay  for  the  farm,  the  eldest  of  whom  was  barely  thirteen. 
Every  effort  was  made  to  save  the  foot,  but  surgery  in  those  days 
was  only  in  its  infancy,  and  so  it  was  finally  decided  that  the  leg  must 
be  amputated.  1  wish  an  artist  could  paint  the  scene  as  it  has  been  pictured 
to  me,  so  that  it  might  be  put  upon  the  wall  of  some  great  hospital  to  tell 
the  story  of  the  progress  made  in  surgery  during  the  years  intervening. 
This  was  long  before  the  blessed  days  of  chloroform,  and  nothing  was 
known  of  antiseptics.  The  day  was  fixed  to  take  off  the  leg  of  Jacob 
Johnson,  and  it  happened  to  be  a  bitterly  cold  day  in  February.  The  whole 
countryside  was  interested,  and  everybody  came  for  ten  or  more  miles.  The 
house  was  small  and  could  not  contain  all  who  came,  so  big  heaps  of  logs 
were  made  outside  and  set  on  fire  to  provide  warmth  for  the  neighbors. 
Doctor  Mosgrove,  from  Urbana,  Doctor  Carter,  and  a  student,  Doctor  Lord, 
were  in  charge  of  the  operation.  A  large  table  was  brought  near  the  middle 
of  the  room  and  upon  this  the  patient  was  placed.  The  room  was  crowded 
with  people.  Upon  a  bed  opposite,  so  as  to  see  that  all  was  going  well, 
sat  Martha,  and  by  her  side  the  youngest  son,  Alfred,  then  about  five  years 
old.  Near  them  were  interested  and  sympathetic  neighbors.  ,  The  surgeons 
began  the  work,  and  to  many  it  seemed  grewsome,  but  when  they  vacated 
their  places,  others  eagerly  sought  them.  Sitting  by  the  side  of  the  five-year- 
old  boy  was  a  near  neighbor,  Thomas  Lindsay,  who,  like  some  others, 
feeling  that  such  exhibitions  are  not  wholesome,  fell  over  in  a  faint.  The 
work  stopped  for  a  moment  while  the  fainting  man  was  carried  into  the  open 
air.  The  patient  was  of  stoic  mould,  and  bore  the  pain  unflinchingly;  except 
once,  he  groaned  when  an  unusually  painful  period  came.  I  say  I  should 
like  to  .see  some  artist  faithfully  put  this  scene  on  canvas — the  face  of  him 
so  brave  under  the  knife;  the  lineaments  of  rugged  old  Dr.  Mosgrove,  a 
name  so  long  honored  in  this  county ;  the  face  of  her  sitting  on  the  bedside, 
looking  into  the  future  as  .she  thought  of  the  battle  with  the  wilderness; 
the  face  of  the  five-year-old  lad  as  he  sat  with  his  hand  in  that  .of  his  mother, 
fear  and  wonder  alternately  running  across  his  child's  countenance;  the 
features  and  expression  of  the  curious,  and  yet  kindly  sympathetic  friends 
and  neighbors,  anxious  to  help  this  helpless  man  in  his  awful  trouble,  and 
this  woman  in  what  seemed  to  them  worse  than  widowhood.  Such  a  picture 
by  a  competent  artist  would  tell  a  story  which  this  generation  can  only  know 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  989 

as  it  comes  to  it  from  those  who  hved  in  the  period  of  die  "cabin  and  the 
clearing." 

The  year  of  1822  finds  this  family  with  the  father  disabled,  but  the 
blow  became  softened  by  time.  The  boys  grew  up  and  the  mother  became 
cheery  and  happy,  having  learned  as  a  girl,  the  necessity  of  making  the  best 
of  everything.     Thus  things  assume  a  more  cheerful  aspect. 

The  boys  as  they  grew  up  toward  manhood  felt  that  they  must  make  a 
success  in  life,  and  while  the  father  could  not  be  of  any  actual  physical  help, 
he  was  ready  with  wise  advice  and  suggestion.  Hard  and  faithful  work 
counted  in  those  days,  as  always,  and  it  was  evident  that  the  farm  would  be 
paid  for  and  all  would  go  well.  So  it  was  decided  that  they  would  have 
a  new  house,  and  that  a  part  of  it,  at  least  should  be  of  brick.  During  the 
summer  and  fall  of  1832,  the  brick  was  made  and  the  house  completed.  It 
was  a  one-story  house,  with  a  low  attic,  and  it  had  the  large  rooms  and 
cavernous  fireplaces  of  the  day.  Later,  a  frame  part  of  substantially  the 
same  size  was  built.     This  house  was  occupied  by  the  family  until  1870. 

THE  SONS  OF  JACOB  JOHNSON. 

I  have  spoken  of  the  three  boys  working  together,  and  this  they  did 
to  an  unusual  degree,  for  all  they  had  was  in  common  and  all  tliere  was 
belonged  to  each.  Somehow,  each  seemed  to  feel  it  a  duty  to  remain  at 
the  family  hearthstone.  When  Hiram  reached  the  age  of  forty-three,  he 
concluded  he  was  sufficiently  mature  to  take  a  wife,  but  he  waited  until 
after  the  father  had  passed  out  of  life,  and  it  was  evident  that  Nelson  and 
Alfred  could  and  would  care  for  the  aged  mother.  Jacob  died  on  July  4, 
1845,  lacking  but  eight  days  of  having  reached  the  age  of  seventy-nine 
years.  On  March  6,  1854,  death  came  and  ended  the  busy  life  of  Martha — 
it  had  indeed  been  a  busy  life  during  the  eighty-one  years  of  its  existence. 

Three  years  before  her  death,  in  185 1,  Hiram  had  married,  and  now 
Nelson  and  Alfred  were  alone  in  the  world.  Alfred,  being  younger  and 
more  venturesome  perhaps,  insisted  that  there  must  be  a  housewife  and  one 
who  had  more  interest  than  the  mere  housekeeper.  He  took  into  the  house 
very  shortly  after  his  mother's  death  as  his  wife,  one  who  had  ministered 
unto  that  mother  in  her  last  months  of  life.  A  new  farm  was  bought  and 
Hiram  went  and  occupied  it,  and  Nelson  and  Alfred  stayed  on  in  the  old 
house.  Other  farms  were  bought  and  whatever  was  purchased  was  the 
property  of  the  three  brothers.  The  common  money  bought  the  dresses  of 
the  wives,  and  the  clothing:  of  the  children;  whatever  was  had.     What  they 


99©  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

possessed    belonged   to   the   three.     They   did   business   as    H.,    N.    and    A. 
Johnson,  or  more  famiharly  "the  Johnson  boys." 

They  had  bought,  from  time  to  time,  large  amounts  of  land,  so  they 
owned  at  one  time  something  like  two  thousand  acres,  and  were  largely 
engaged  in  the  live-stock  business.  In  1868  Nelson  married  Anne  E.  Gil- 
bert, and  went  to  live  on  the  farm  about  a  mile  east  of  the  village  of  Mingo, 
Hiram  sometime  prior  having  moved  to  a  farm  south  of  Kings  Creek,  near 
the  Ludlow  road.  About  the  time  of  Nelson's  marriage,  as  the  children  of 
Hiram  and  Alfred  were  growing  up,  it  was  thought  best  that  a  division  oi 
their  property  be  made.  This  was  done  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  each, 
and  the  only  necessity  for  calling  in  a  lawyer  was  to  take  the  acknowledg- 
ments to  the  respective  quit-claim  deeds.  [  think  I  am  warranted  in  saying 
the  business  dealings  of  these  brothers  were  somewhat  unusual.  They 
were  partners  for  forty  years  without  a  serious  difference,  and  they  divided 
a  large  property  without  a  word  of  dispute. 

CHILDREN   OF  JACOB  AND  MARTHA  JOHNSON. 

Mary,  the  eldest  child  of  Jacob  and  Martha  Johnson,  was  born  in 
Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  26,  1800.  At  the  age  of  seven- 
teen she  married  Robert  Blair.  To  this  marriage  two  children  were  born. 
Jacob  and  Alonzo,  both  of  whom,  inheriting  the  pioneer  instinct,  in  early 
manhood  sought  their  homes  in  Illinois.  In  183 1  Mary  married  Col.  John 
Thomas,  and  for  many  years  resided  near  Kennard.  Three  children  were 
born  to  this  second  marriage,  and  two.  Ivan  and  Marion  Thomas,  were 
long  prominent  citizens  of  this  county.  Mary  Thomas,  familiarly  called 
by  the  neighbors  ".Aunt   Polly,"  died  in  January,    1884. 

Lydia,  second  child  of  Jacob  and  Martha,  was  born  in  1802,  and  mar- 
ried James  O'Neal.  The  newer  West  had  great  attractions  for  them,  and 
in  1830  they  moved  to  Indiana.  Lydia  died  in  1868.  Lavinia.  the  third 
cliild  born  in   i8c6,  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen. 

Hiram,  the  eldest  son  to  reach  manhood,  was  born  on  August  6,  1808. 
He  was  a  stalwart  man.  standing  something  over  six  feet  and  possessing 
great  strength.  In  1851  he  married  a  neighbor  girl.  Margaret  Brown,  who 
was  a  helpmate  to  him  in  every  sense.  They  lived  on  a  farm  aliout  a  mile 
east  of  Mingo  until  i86S.  when  they  moved  to  a  farm  recenth-  purchased, 
east  of  the  Ludlow  road,  about  four  miles  northeast  of  Urbana.  Here  they 
lived  out  their  lives,  wi^rthy  of  the  great  respect  in  which  they  were  held 
by  their  neighbors.  Hiram  died  in  October.  1900.  and  in  a  few  years  Mar- 
garet  followed.      Four  of   their  children   grew   to   adult   years.      Jacob,   the 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  99I 

youngest,  died  in  early  manhood.  Maria  married  EUwood  McClellan  and 
now  resides  a  short  distance  north  of  Urbana,  and  Boggs  Johnson,  still 
unmarried,  resides  with  his  sister,  Mrs.  McClellan.  The  youngest  son. 
Ivan,  lives  near  the  old  farm  on  the  Ludlow  road. 

Nelson  Johnson,  second  son  of  Jacob  and  Alartha.  was  born  July  i, 
1810.  He  was  a  great  lover  of  books  and  reading,  and  especially  of  history. 
and  had  a  great  interest  in  the  lore  of  the  early  settler.  He  possessed  a 
remarkable  memory  and  was  fond  of  telling  Alfred's  children  stories  of  the 
early  days.  The  story  of  many  of  the  incidents  narrated  in  this  sketch  came 
from  his  lips.  In  1868  he  married  Anna  E.  Gilbert,  and  in  this  marriage 
he  had  the  good  fortune  to  secure  a  wife  who  admirably  fitted  his  nature  and 
temperament.  He  died  in  August.  1895.  His  widow  still  resides  at  the 
old  home  east  of  Mingo,  and  with  her  lives  their  only  daughter.  Mary. 
Their  two  sons  died :  Rodney,  in  early  childhood,  and  Amos,  in  recent 
years,  in  the  prime  of  young  manhood. 

Alfred,  the  youngest  son  of  the  pioneers,  Jacob  and  Martha,  was  born 
June  10,  1817.  He  was  of  a  quiet  disposition,  but  active  and  energetic,  a 
man  of  unusually  deep  feeling  and  affection;  but  was  brought  up  in  the 
old  school  which  preached  the  doctrine  that  the  exhibition  of  all  feeling 
should  be  stifled,  lest  it  be  an  expression  of  weakness. 

Of  the  three  brothers,  Alfred  was  the  more  active  in  meeting  the  public 
in  the  conduct  of  their  business.  Shortly  after  his  mother's  death  in  1854. 
he  married  Ann  Elizabeth  Stone,  and  they  lived  together  for  over  fifty- 
one  years  in  a  most  happy  companionship.  It  was  his  earnest  desire  that 
he  should  live  to  help  commemorate  the  one-hundredth  anniversary  of  the 
settlement  of  his  parents  on  the  farm  at  Mingo,  and  that  wish  was  grantetl. 
He  died  September  9,  1905,  and  at  his  request  his  l)ody  was  taken  to  the 
little  cemetery  on  the  farm,  where  lie  four  generations  of  his  famih".  His 
widow  continued  to  reside  in  ]\Iingo,  until  the  last  few  years,  when  failing 
health  prompted  her  to  make  her  home  with  her  daughter  in  Marion  during 
the  winter.  She  was  always  eager  to  get  "back  home"  among  her  friends 
in  the  village.  On  June  28,  1917.  at  the  age  of  almost  eighty-eight  years, 
she  passed  into  the  Beyond,  and  she  sleeps  in  the  little  cemetery  on  the 
"Johnson  farm." 

CHILDREN    OF    ALFRED    AND    ANXK    1-:[.IZ  ATVKT 1 1     JOHN.SON. 

The  children  born  to  Alfred  and  "Lizzie"  Johnson  were  as  follow  ; 
Thomas  L.  Johnson,  the  eldest  son,  became  a  lawyer,  went  to  Cleveland 
as  a  young  man,  and  is  now  a  practicing  attorney  in  that  city. 


992  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

John  B.,  the  second  son,  Hved  for  some  years  in  Kansas,  and  then  in 
Chicago,  and  has  recently  moved  to   DeFuniack   Springs,   Florida. 

Otho  G.  lived  for  many  years  on  the  old  farm,  but  now  resides  in  the 
village   of    Mingo. 

Martha,  eldest  daughter,  married  Daniel  VV.  Strayer.  and  resided  in 
DegrafT  for  a  few  years,  and  later  moved  to  Marion,  Ohio. 

Charles  N.  until  recently  lived  in  Kansas  City,  where  he  was  engaged 
in  the  live-stock  business.  He  recently  returned  to  this  county,  and  now 
resides  on  the  John  Enoch  farm,  near  West  Liberty. 

Alfred,  the  youngest  son,  lived  in  the  West  and  died  at  Mexico,  Mis- 
souri, in   1912. 

Merton,  the  youngest  child,  married  Adolphus  Russell,  and  now  resides 
in  the  village  of  Mingo. 


THOMAS  N.  OWEN. 


Thomas  N.  Owen,  a  farmer  of  Rush  township,  this  county,  was  born  in 
that  same  township  on  July  i,  1837,  a  son  of  John  Owen,  also  a  native  of 
that  township,  whose  parents  came  here  from  Virginia,  locating  in  Rush 
township  in  pioneer  days.  There  they  cleared  and  developed  a  farm  and 
spent  the  rest  of  their  lives.  They  had  only  one  son,  John  Owen,  father  of 
the  subject  of  this  sketch.  John  Owen  married  Margaret  Hazel.  After  his 
death  she  married  Samuel  Rogers  and  four  children  were  born  to  that  union, 
namely:  Catherine,  Maria,  Emily  and  Frank.  John  Owen  followed  farm- 
ing on  the  homestead,  the  place  where  his  son  Thomas  N.  now  lives.  The 
father  spent  his  life  there  from  the  age  of  seven  years.  His  death  occurred 
in  1889  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years..  His  wife  was  a  native  of  Cham- 
paign county,  where  she  was  reared.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Isaac  Hazel  and 
wife,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  who  came  to  Rush  township,  this  county  in 
an  early  day  and  devoted  their  lives  to  farming  here.  They  were  parents  of 
six  children,  namely :  Thomas,  James,  Augusta,  Sarah,  Margaret  and  /\rte- 
misia.  To  John  Owen  and  wife  were  born  four  children,  of  whom  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  Arte- 
misia, who  married  Richard  Swisher  and  after  living  in  Rush  township  for 
some  time  moved  with  her  husband  to  Kansas,  where  both  died ;  Sarah,  now 
deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Henry  Swisher ;  Nancy  Ann,  who  died  in 
young  womanhood,  unmarried. 

Thomas  N.  Owen  grew  up  on  the  home  farm  and  attended  the  rural 


THOMAS  N.  OWEN. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  993 

schools  in  Rush  township.  He  remained  at  home  until  his  marriage  and 
later  bought  the  old  home  place  of  two  hundred  and  twenty-two  acres.  He 
was  married  in  November,  1858,  to  Margaret  Clark,  who  was  born  in  Hutit- 
ington,  Pennsylvania.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Asa  Clark,  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, who  was  an  early  settler  in  Union  county,  Ohio. 

Mr.  Owen  has  devoted  his  life  to  active  agricultural  pursuits  and  has 
been  very  successful.  He  has  kept  the  home  place  well  improved  and  well 
cultivated  and  raises  a  great  deal  of  grain  annually,  most  of  which  he  feeds 
to  live  stock  for  the  market.     He  has  kept  the  buildings  well  repaired. 

P'ive  children  have  been  born  to  Thomas  N.  Owen  and  wife,  namely : 
Pearl,  a  son,  who  married  Ella  Saxby  and  is  farming  in  Rush  township, 
this  county,  and  has  three  children,  Thomas,  Bart  and  William;  Ida  Belle, 
who  married  Oscar  McAdams  of  Union  township,  and  who  died  some  time 
ago,  leaving  three  children,  James,  Merton  and  Thomas;  John,  who  is  oper- 
ating the  old  home  place  in  Rush  township,  married  Carrie  Bower,  a  nati\-e 
of  Warren  county,  Illinois,  and  has  four  children,  Wilford,  Ben,  Howard 
and  Claire;  Asa,  who  is  farming  in  Rush  township,  married  Josephine  Cush- 
man,  and  has  three  sons,  Clark,  Ralph  and  Arthur ;  Jennie,  who  married  Ben 
Rutan,  of  Marysville,  Ohio,  and  has  three  children,  Glen,  Lucy  and  Milton. 

On  May  2,  1865,  Mr.  Owen  enlisted  in  Company  D,  One  Hundred  and 
Thirty-fourth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  at  Woodstock,  and  was 
sent  with  the  troops  to  Bermuda  Hundred,  Virginia,  remaining  there  until 
he  was  mustered  out  and  honorably  discharged.     Mr.  Owen  is  a  Republican. 


THOMAS  MELANCTHON  GAUMER. 

The  late  Thomas  M.  Gaumer  was  born  in  Adamsville,  Ohio,  February 
2,  1848,  a  son  of  Jonathan  and  Mahala  (Barrett)  Gaumer;  a  grandson  of 
Daniel  Gaumer  and  a  great-grandson  of  Jacob  Gaumer.  The  Gaumer  family, 
which  has  numerous  members  in  many  parts  of  the  United  States,  is  of 
German  origin ;  however,  the  coming  of  the  founder  of  the  family  to  the  New 
World  was  at  so  early  a  period  that  the  date  of  that  immigration  is  not 
known.  The  known  history  of  the  Gaumer  family  in  the  United  States  begins 
with  Jacob  Gaumer,  Sr.,  whose  family  lived  at  various  times  in  Virginia, 
Maryland,  and  in  Lehigh  and  Somerset  counties,  Pennsylvania;  in  which 
latter  state  he  was  born  about  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century.  Some 
(63a) 


994  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

time  after  the  "embattled  farmers  stood  and  fired  the  shot  heard  round  the 
world"  at  Concord  bridge,  Jacob  Gaumer  left  his  farm  and  those  dear  to 
him  to  follow  the  martial  fortunes  of  Washington,  from  Ft.  Du  Quesne 
to  Yorktown,  as  drum  major.  In  1806  Jacob  Gaumer  and  his  family  pushed 
out  of  Ohio  from  Somerset  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  settled  on  a  tract  in  the 
unbroken  wilderness,  eight  miles  north  of  Zanesville,  in  Muskingum  count}-. 
Later,  however,  he  moved  to  another  tract  in  the  woods  near  Adamsville, 
in  the  same  county.  At  the  latter  place  his  death  occurred  in  1820,  and 
that  of  his  wife  in  18 14.  Jacob  Gaumer's  son,  Daniel,  and  his  family 
remained  back  in  the  Keystone  state  when  his  father  came  out  to  Ohio  in 
1806;  but  in  1809  he,  too,  found  the  lure  of  the  West  irresistible  and  fol- 
lowed his  father  to  Ohio  with  his  family  and  settled  near  Adamsville,  in 
Muskingum  county.  His  death  occurred  there  in  1859,  and  that  of  his  wife, 
Hannah  (Baughman)  Gaumer,  in  1874.  All  four  of  these  pioneers,  as 
well  as  Dr.  Thomas  M.  Gaumer  and  many  others  of  the  family,  are  buried 
in  the  New  Hope  Lutheran  cemetery,  near  Adamsville,  Ohio,  the  land  for 
which  was  given  by  Jacob  Gaumer  from  his  farm  soon  after  he  located  at 
that  place.  Daniel  Gaumer,  too,  heard  the  call  of  his  country  in  the  time 
of  its  need  and  went  forth  to  do  or  die  in  the  War  of  18 12.  He  was  the 
father  of  fourteen  children,  the  eleventh  of  whom  was  Jonathan  Gaumer. 
the  father  of  Dr.  Thomas  M.  Gaumer. 

Jonathan  Gaumer  was  born  in  Ohio,  in  1822,  and  died  in  1895.  ^^^ 
wife,  Mahala  Barrett,  the  mother  of  Doctor  Gaumer,  was  born  in  1823 
and  died,  November  9,  19 15,  in  the  ninety-second  year  of  her  age.  The 
father  of  Doctor  Gaumer  devoted  his  whole  life  to  agriculture,  but  he  was 
often  called  to  fill  local  offices.  Lie  was  the  father  of  nine  children,  and 
among  them  are  the  following:  Dr.  Thomas  M.,  the  eldest;  Charles  N.. 
a  prominent  citizen  and  newspaper  man  of  Mansfield.  Ohio;  Hannah  J.: 
Rachel  V.;  Daniel  H.,  who  is  deceased;  Mary;  Martha;  and  Cidda.  The 
Gaumer  family  has  been  one  of  prominence  and  influence  in  Muskingum 
county.  Two  of  Doctor  Gaumer's  brothers  have  been  members  of  the  Ohio 
Legislature,  and  Charles  N.  Gaumer,  of  Mansfield,  was  a  member  of  the 
national  House  of  Representatives  from  1890  to  1894.  Daniel  H.  Gaumer, 
of  Zanesville,  was  a  representative  in  1888-89,  '^  state  senator  in  1890-91, 
and  was  postmaster  in  Zanesville  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1898, 

While  still  young  in  years,  Thomas  M.  Gaumer  removed  with  his 
parents  to  a  farm  in  Muskingum  county,  which  continued  to  be  his  home 
until  1876.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  at  Denison  Univer- 
sity at   Granville,   and   subsequently  taught   school    for   a  number   of   years. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  ggc^ 

Having  determined  to  devote  his  life  to  the  practice  of  medicine,  he  entered 
the  Ohio  Medical  College  of  Cincinnati,  and  was  graduated  therefrom  in 
1876.  The  year  previous  he  married  Eliza  M.,  daughter  of  Barton  and  Julia 
(Walker)  Cone,  and  thus  became  allied  with  a  family  as  meritorious  as 
his  own.  Barton  Cone  was  born  in  Monroe  township,  Muskingum  county, 
Ohio,  August  23,  1824,  and  was  a  son  of  Jared  Cone,  a  pioneer  of  Mus- 
kingum county.  Jared  Cone  was  the  son  of  Jared,  the  son  of  Mathew,  the 
son  of  Jared,  the  son  of  Daniel,  who  was  born  in  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  in 
1626,  came  to  America  with  two  brothers  in  1660,  and  settled  in  Haddam. 
Connecticut,  where  he  died  in  1706. 

Mrs.  Gaumer's  paternal  grandmother,  Eliza  (Schoff)  Cone,  was  the 
daughter  of  Philip  Schoff,  one  of  the  heroes  of  the  Revolution,  and  Eliza- 
beth (Ramsey)  Schoff.  Through  these  Mrs.  Gaumer  is  descended  from 
a  long  line  of  ancestors  who  were  numbered  among  the  founders  of  this 
great  country,  and  who  sprang  from  the  ancient  families  of  Europe,  now 
celebrated  in  song  and  stoiy.  Philip  Schoff,  Sr.,  a  pioneer  of  Guernsey 
coutrty,  Ohio,  was  a  hero  of  three  wars,  and  was  probably  the  youngest 
soldier  whose  name  appears  upon  the  official  records  of  the  War  of  the 
American  Revolution.  When  a  lad  of  scarcely  nine  years,  in  1778,  he  car- 
ried a  gun  in  helping  to  defend  a  little  frontier  settlement  in  Pennsylvania 
(where  he  was  born),  from  an  attack  by  British  and  Indians.  During  the 
"Whiskey  Insurrection'"  in  1794,  he,  as  a  young  man,  made  the  memorable 
march  over  the  mountains  to  western  Pennsylvania  where  anarchy  was 
quelled  and  peace  and  order  restored.  During  the  War  of  1812  he  served, 
from  Guernsey  county,  in  the  Ohio  militia. 

In  Indianapolis.  Indiana,  there  is  a  patriotic  organization,  a  chapter  of 
the  United  States  Daughters  of  the  War  of  1812,  which  has  been  named 
in  honor  of  this  hero  of  three  wars,  the  Philip  Schoff  Chapter  of  Marion 
County.  The  Indiana  state  society,  as  well  as  the  Marion  county  chapter 
of  the  United  States  Daughters  of  1812,  was  organized  by  Philip  Schoff's 
great-granddaughter,  Mrs.  Fanny  R.  W.  Winchester;  and  both  organiza- 
tions have  done  much  valuable  patriotic  and  historical  research  work,  recog- 
nized powers  for  all  that  is  uplifting  and  beneficial  in  the  life  of  the  com- 
munity. Philip  Schoff's  father  was  also  a  Revolutionary  War  patriot,  and 
he  laid  down  his  life  for  the  cause  of  American  independence.  He  crossed 
the  Delaware  with  General  Washington  and  fought  at  Trenton  and  Princeton 
in  that  dark  winter  of  1776-77  when  the  patriot  cause  was  at  its  lowest  ebb. 

The  Schoffs  of  Ohio  are  descendants  of  one  of  the  ancient  families  of 
German  nobility.  They  were  among  the  earliest  crusaders  to-  the  Holy 
Land,  and  later  the   family  took  a  lively  part  in   the  Protestant  Reforma- 


996  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

tion  which  followed  Luther's  nailing  of  the  ninety-five  theses  to  the  door 
of  the  Wittenberg  church.  Mrs.  Charles  Peabody  Wilder,  a  granddaughter 
of  Philip  Schoff,  born  in  Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  and  who  died  in  Indian- 
apohs,  Indiana,  began  the  compilation  of  the  Schoff  family  history.  She 
died  long  before  the  necessary  data  had  been  gathered  for  the  work,  but 
her  daughter,  Mrs.  Fanny  R.  W.  Winchester,  has  resumed  the  work  where 
her  mother  left  off  and  will  soon  have  ready  for  publication  a  valuable 
contribution  to  Ohio's  genealogical  lore. 

Through  Elizabeth  Ramsey,  the  wife  of  Philip  Schoff",  Sr.,  Mrs.  Eliza 
M.  Gaumer  is  descended  from  one  of  the  most  ancient  and  illustrious  fami- 
lies of  Scotland,  which  dates  from  the  time  of  David  I,  of  Scotland,  in  1140. 
Sir  Walter  Scott,  who  had  a  high  regard  for  the  Ramsey  family,  makes 
honorable  mention  of  their  valiant  services  in  Scotland's  cause  in  one  of  his 
historical  novels,  "Fortunes  of  Nigel."  Fordoun,  the  historian,  and  many 
other  writers  have  eulogized  the  members  of  this  famous  family  of  Scotland's 
nobility.  Through  her  Schoff  ancestry  Mrs.  Gaumer  has  three  Revolution- 
ary sires,  for  Elizabeth  (Ramsey)  Schoff's  father  was  an  officer  in  the 
patriot  army.     Moreover,  Mrs.  Gaumer's  father  served  in  the  Civil  War. 

After  his  marriage  and  graduation,  Thomas  M.  Gaumer  located  in 
Wyandot  county,  Ohio,  and  after  practicing  medicine  for  a  time  removed 
to  Adamsville,  which  continued  to  be  his  home  until  1882.  In  the  meantime 
his  aspirations  had  undergone  a  change,  and  he  seems  to  have  found  less 
enjoyment  in  his  profession  than  he  expected.  At  any  rate,  after  weighing 
the  chances,  he  decided  in  favor  of  journalism,  and  thereafter  medical  science 
knew  him  only  as  an  erstwhile  practitioner.  After  purchasing  the  Chafiipaic/n 
Democrat  at  Urbana,  he  edited  and  published  the  same  for  about  a  year, 
and  then,  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  D.  H.  Gaumer,  published  the 
Zanesville  Signal,  a  daily  paper.  After  disposing  of  his  interests  in  the  Signal 
in  1887,  he  repurchased  the  Champaign  Democrat,  and  from  then  until  the 
time  of  his  death,  September  30,  1893,  his  energies  were  devoted  to  making 
this  sheet  a  practical  and  interesting  news  dispenser.  He  was  a  stanch 
Democrat,' a  keen  observer  of  men  and  events,  and  had  the  faculty  of  find- 
ing out  what  the  public  wanted  to  know.  His  editorials  evinced  a  world 
of  common  sense,  and  an  intelligent  understanding  of  all  sides  of  prevailing 
public  conditions.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  was 
fraternally  associated  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  His  wife, 
who  survives  him,  is  the  mother  of  three  sons:  Charles  Edmund.  Frank 
Cone,  and  Bruce  Barton.  Mrs.  Gaumer  is  a  member  of  the  Independent 
Bible  Students  Association,  of  which  the  late  Pastor  Russell  was  president. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  997 

HARVEY  S.  RECK. 

Harvey  S.  Reck,  who  has  been  connected  with  the  Pennsylvania  Lines 
for  the  past  thirty  years,  was  born  near  Gettysburg,  Darke  county,  Ohio, 
October  8,  1866.  He  is  a  son  of  Wilkins  and  Eunice  B.  (Hoover)  Reck, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  the  same  county.  Wilkins  Reck,  a  son  of 
Michael  and  Mary  (Warwick)  Reck,  was  born  on  November  14,  1841,  near 
Gettysburg,  Ohio,  and  was  married  to  Eunice  B.  Hoover  on  August  ro, 
1865,  shortly  after  he  was  honorably  discharged,  with  the  rank  of  sergeant, 
from  Company  H.  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-second  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry. 

Michael  Reck  was  a  son  of  John  William  and  Ann  (  Hiner)  Reck,  and 
was  born  near  Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania,  being  one  of  eleven  children.  John 
W.  Reck  was  born  in  Adams  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  a  farm  near  Gettys- 
burg, in  the  year  1785.  John  W.  was  the  first  of  the  family  to  locate  in 
Ohio,  coming  to  Darke  county  with  his  wife  and  children  in  1828.  He 
entered  nine  hundred  and  twenty-eight  acres  of  land  in  that  county  on 
November  14,  1828,  and  lived  in  the  county  until  his  death.  He  became  one 
of  the  wealthiest  men  in  the  county  and  had  the  honor  of  laying  out  and  nam- 
ing the  town  of  Gettysburg  in  his  adopted  county.  The  family  have  been 
prominently  identified  with  Darke  county  for  the  past  ninety  years. 

It  was  there  that  Michael  Reck,  the  grandfather  of  Hai-vey  S.  Reck, 
located  with  his  parents  when  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  Michael  was 
married  on  November  23,  1836.  to  Mary  Warwick,  his  second  wife,  and 
to  this  union  were  born  ten  children.  As  stated  above,  AVilkins,  the  father 
of  Harvey  S.,  was  one  of  these  ten  children.  Wilkins  and  his  wife  became 
the  parents  of  six  children.  Harvey  S.,  the  oldest  of  the  six  children,  was 
reared  on  the  old  Reck  homestead  and  received  his  elementar}'  schooling 
in  the  district  schools  and  completed  his  education  in  the  high  school  at 
Covington,  Ohio.  Upon  reaching  his  majority,  in  1887,  he  decided  to  learn 
telegraphy,  and  with  this  end  in  view  became  a  student  in  the  telegra])h 
office  of  the  Pennsylvania  Lines  at  Bradford,  Ohio.  Within  a  year  he  was 
fully  qualified  to  take  charge  of  a  telegrapher's  key  and  was  given  a  tempo- 
rary position  in  the  office  at  Bradford,  for  three  months.  In  November, 
1888,  he  was  transferred  to  a  telegraph  office  at  Piqua.  remaining  there  for 
four  years. 

In  1 89 1  Mr.  Reck  was  married  and  the  same  year  was  promoted  t(i  a 
responsible  position  in  the  Pennsylvania  office  at  Piqua,  where  he  was  sta- 


998  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

tioned  for  the  next  nineteen  years.  In  April,  1910,  he  was  appointed  agent 
of  the  Pennsylvania  station  at  Covington,  Ohio,  being  given  full  charge 
of  the  office.  That  his  work  was  eminently  satisfactory  to  the  company 
is  shown  by  the  fact  that  two  years  later,  February  i,  19 12,  he  was  placed 
in  full  charge  of  the  office  at  Urbana,  Ohio,  where  he  is  now  stationed.  It 
is  not  too  much  to  say  that  the  company  does  not  have  a  more  efficient  and 
trustworthy  employee  than  Mr.  Reck.  The  responsibilities  of  the  position  in  a 
city  the  size  of  Urbana  are  very  exacting  and  demand  a  man  of  unusual 
executive  ability.  That  Mr.  Reck  meets  every  requirement  of  such  a  position 
is  evidenced  by  his  retention  in  the  office  here  where  his  administration  of  its 
manifold  duties  are  equally  satisfactory  to  the  company  and  to  the  people 
of  the  community  which  he  serves. 

Mr.  Reck  was  married  on  March  15,  1891,  to  Hattie  G.  Fall.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  Joshua  and  Phoeba  (Eirhart)  Fall,  and  was  born  on  September 
2,  1871.  They  have  two  daughters:  Hazel  K.,  born  on  September  13, 
1892,  and  Thelma  E.,  born  on  April  13,  1894.  Both  daughters  are  gradu- 
ates of  the  Urbana  high  school,  and  make  their  home  with  their  parents. 


RAYMOND  H.  SA'IITH. 


Raymond  H.  Smith,  the  son  of  Frank  and  Anna  (Hewett)  Smith, 
was  born  in  Woodstock,  Ohio,  March  9,  1886.  Mr.  Smith  spent  his  early 
years  in  the  village  of  Kis  birth,  and  it  was  there  he  received  his  common 
and  high  school  education.  The  perspective  acciuired  from  his  early  train- 
ing, his  own  talents,  and  the  opportunities  for  men  of  superior  training 
filled  him  with  the  desire  to  acquire  a  higher  education.  Accordingly  he 
entered  Ohio  State  University  at  Columbus,  and  took  the  course  in  civil  engi- 
neering. After  he  graduated  from  the  university,  he  speedily  found  places 
where  his  training,  coupled  with  his  own  natural  ability,  was  in  demand. 

When  an  engineer  was  needed  for  the  very  important  task  of  instal- 
ling the  sewage-disposal  plant  at  Urbana,  the  superior  ability  of  Mr.  Smith 
commended  him  to  the  city  authorities  for  the  task,  and  he  was  employed 
to  take  charge  of  that  undertaking.  The  plant  was  completed  in  due  time, 
and  is  now  considered  the  best  in  the  state,  in  a  town  the  size  of  Urbana. 
Advancement  followed  Mr.  Smith's  completion  of  this  engineering  project, 
and  he  is  now  deputy  county  surveyor  of  Champaign  county,  and  also  serves 
most  acceptably  as  highway  superintendent.      His   very  careful  and   expert 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  999 

administration  of  his  duties  in  these  capacities  has  met  with  such  approval 
on  the  part  of  the  voters  of  Champaign  county,  that  it  is  quite  probable 
the  next  election  will  find  Mr.  Smith  elevated  to  the  ofiice  of  county  surveyor. 
While  in  the  university  Mr.  Smith  was  captain  of  Company  B,  Field  Bat- 
talion, Ohio  Signal  Corps,  and  has  seen  considerable  active  service  in  the 
field. 

On  September  22,  1915,  Mr.  Smith  married  Mary  Francis  Robison, 
the  daughter  of  James  S.  Robison  and  Lida  (Hedges)  Robison.  Mr.  Smith 
is  a  quiet,  unostentatious  man,  who  impresses  one  with  the  strength  of 
his  personality.  He  always  attends  strictly  to  business,  which  he  trans- 
acts with  dispatch,  deliberation  and  exactitude.  Whenever  he  has  served 
the  public,  he  has  done  so  with  his  whole  soul.  His  career,  begun  under 
such  favorable  portents,  promises  well  for  a  life  full  of  unstinted  and  valu- 
able service  to  his  fellowmen. 

The  history  of  the  Smith  family  has  been  traced  back  to  1700  by  Ray- 
mond H.  Smith  and  shows  a  prodigious  amount  of  research  on  his  part. 
The  family  have  been  connected  with  Champaign  county  for  nearly  a  cen- 
tury, being  one  of  the  first  families  to  locate  in  the  Woodstock  communitv. 
It  is  probable  that  there  are  few  families  in  the  county  whose  genealogy- 
has  been  more  carefully  worked  out  than  this  one  of  the  Smith  family. 
The  genealogy  as  worked  out  by  R.  H.  Smith  is  given  in  the  succeeding 
paragraphs.  It  wnll  be  noticed  that  there  are  some  names  and  dates  which 
are  missing,  it  being  impossible  in  several  cases  to  get  exact  information. 

THE    SMITH    FAMILY    IN    CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY. 

Thomas  Smith  was  born  in  England  about  1700  and  crossed  the  Atlan- 
tic, settling  at  Hadley,  Massachusetts,  between  1730  and  1740.  He  had 
four  sons,  Aaron,  who  was  killed  in  the  Revolutionary  War;  Stillman,  Jesse 
and  Sylvanus.  His  son,  Sylvanus  Smith,  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and 
was  twice  married,  his  second  wife  being  Amy  Sprague.  Sylvanus  served  as 
a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  as  ensign.  His  children  were  Sylvanus 
Jr.,  Justin,  Aaron,  Philip,  Samuel,  Jesse,  Stillman,  Lester  and  Dexter.  Justin 
lived  in  Vermont  and  raised  a  large  family,  as  did  Aaron;  Philip  came  to 
Ohio  in  1835  (aged  eighty  years)  ;  Jesse  served  in  the  War  of  1812  and 
afterward  went  to  Michigan:  Stillman  was  also  in  the  War  of  1812  and 
was  killed  by  a  cannon  ball  at  Niagara ;  Lester  married  in  Vermont  and  came 
to  Ohio  in  1828  (aged  seventy  years).  He  was  the  father  of  a  large  family; 
Dexter,  the  voungest,  came  to  Ohio  in  1830,  where  he  reared  a  large  family. 


lOOO  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

His  children  were  Clark,  Elias,  Sylvanus,  Dexter  Pearl,  Rosalvo  and  Alice. 
Dexter  Pearl  Smith's  children  were  Byron,  Henry,  Cora,  Harry,  Ora,  Lena, 
Ernest  and  Dolly.  They  have  all  been  married  and  live  in  or  near  Wood- 
stock. Dexter  Smith  died  in  Ohio :  Samuel  Smith  married  Phoebe  Mc- 
Cutcheon,  who  was  of  Scotch  descent.  They  were  natives  of  Vermont, 
coming  to  Woodstock  in  1815.  Samuel  was  born  in  1792  and  died  at  the 
age  of  thirty  due  to  unhealthy  conditions  of  the  country.  Phoebe  died 
in  1878  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven.  Their  children  were  Cyrus,  who  was 
born  in  Vermont  before  1820;  Jesse,  Lois,  Stephen  and  Amy.  all  l>ein^- 
born  in  Champaign  county,  with  exception  of  Cyrus. 

Sylvanus.  Jr.,  came  to  Champaign  county  from  \'ermont  in  October, 
1 816,  accompanied  by  his  brother,  Samuel.  Sylvanus,  Jr.,  was  a  Whig  and 
later  joined  the  Republican  party.  He  served  with  the  minute  men  from 
Vermont  in  the  War  of  1812  and  w-as  in  the  battle  of  Plattsburg  on  Lake 
Champlain.  He  married  Thankful  Kelsey  (Dutch),  April  2,  1812.  Their 
son,  Hiram,  was  born  in  Vermont,  January  2,  18 14,  while  Myron  G., 
Richard  S.,  Lorena  A.,  Samuel  G.,  .Vzro  and  Andrew  J.,  were  lx>rn 
in  Ohio.  They  are  all  dead  except  .Vzro,  who  was  born  Augxist  20,  1828. 
Sylvanus  Smith,  Jr.,  died  on  July  12,  1872,  aged  eighty-four  years,  eight 
months  and  twenty  days.  His  wife,  Thankful  Kelsey,  born  on  June  29. 
1 79 1,  at  Newport,  Connecticut,  died  on  December  24.  1876.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  Giles  and  Elizabeth  (Post)  Kelsey,  of  New  Hampshire.  Giles 
was  a  Revolutionary  soldier  and  lived  wdth  his  son-in-law  in  Ohio  until 
his  death.  He  is  buried  at  Treacles  Creek  cemetery.  His  three  sons,  Josiah, 
Nathan  and  Stephen  live  in  Champaign  county.  Nathan  and  Stephen,  who 
served  in  the  War  of  18 12,  died  in  LTnion  county,  Ohio. 

Azro  Smith  attended  common  school  and  .\ntioch  College.  During  tlic 
winter  he  taught  school  in  IlHnois  and  later  taught  in  his  home  town.  He 
was  married  to  Maiy  Inskeep  in  March.  1859.  she  being  the  daughter  ct 
William  and  Kittura  (Warner)  Inskeep,  and  in  1890  moved  to  Humboldt 
county,  Iowa,  where  he  purchased  two  hundred  and  forty-five  acres  of  land. 
After  living  there  for  five  years  he  returned  to  Woodstock,  Ohio.  The 
seven  children  bom  to  this  union  were:  Lillian  T.,  wife  of  A.  J.  Harlan, 
of  Lincoln  county,  Kansas,  who  has  one  daughter.  Mabel ;  Arthur,  of  Grant 
county,  Minnesota;  Ora  A.,  also  of  that  county;  Lucy,  wife  of  E.  C.  Hudson, 
of  Champaign  county,  now  in  the  West:  Kitty,  wife  of  Charles  Rice,  of 
Bowling  Green,  Ohio;  Edith,  wife  of  Clay  McClurg.  of  Tiffin,  Ohio;  luliel, 
wife  of  A.  J.  Greenwald.  also  of  Bowling  Green.  ,\zro  was  a  member  of 
the   Universalist   church    and    of   Woodstock    Lodge   No.    167.    Independent 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  lOOI 

Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  was  a  Republican  and  enlisted  in  Company 
D,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  for 
the  one  hundred  days  service  in  the  Civil  War.  He  w^as  in  Virginia,  at 
Petersburg,  and  was  mustered  out  on  August  29,  1864,  as  first  lieutenant, 
serving  twenty  days  over  time.  He  afterwards  received  a  captain's  com- 
mission in  the  Fourth  Regiment,  Ohio  National  Guard. 

Samuel  G.  Smith,  brother  to  Azro,  was  born  in  Rush  township,  Sej)- 
tember  5,  1826.  He  was  a  surveyor  and  engineer.  He  married  Hepsic 
J.,  daughter  of  William  Inskeep,  on  December  29.  1853.  but  had  no  chil- 
dren. They  raised  True  ]\IcIlroy,  who  belonged  to  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows,  Lodge  No.  167.  His  brother.  Andrew,  was  born  near 
Woodstock  in  the  year  1832.  He  married  Delilah  Inskeep,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam, in  1855.  They  had  nine  children:  Jesse,  Jossie,  Lora.  Fanny,  Hattie. 
Mattie,  Eunice,  Dale  and  Maud.  Mrs.  Smith  was  born  in  Union  county. 
December  31,  1836.  Mr.  Smith  belonged  to  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  Lodge  No.   167,  and  was  a  Universalist  in  faith. 

Stephen  A.  Smith  was  a  son  of  Cyrus  and  Lydia  Smith  and  was  born 
in  1840.  Cyrus  was  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Phoebe.  He  first  married 
Lydia  Hall  in  1836.  Their  children  were:  George  W.,  Stephen  A.,  Sarah 
L.,  Wilhard  H.,  EHsha  D.  and  Howard.  Mrs.  Smith  died  in  1854  at  the 
age  of  thirty-nine  years.  He  then  married  Mrs.  Fannie  (Smith)  Har- 
rington on  April  6,  1856.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows,  Lodge  No.  167,  and  a  Universalist.  He  was  also  a  mem- 
ber of  Company  D,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Regiment,  Ohio  Na- 
tional Guard,  of  one  hundred  men.  He  died  on  June  25,  1880.  Stephen 
A.  enlisted  in  April,  1861,  iov  the  three  months  service  in  Company  K, 
Second  Ohio  National  Guard,  and  was  in  the  battle  of  Bull  Run.  After 
his  discharge  he  returned  home  and  on  October  15,  1862.  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany F,  Fifty-fourth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  Second  Brigade. 
Second  Division  and  Fifteenth  Army  Corps.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Shiloh, 
Arkansas  Post,  Siege  of  Vicksburg,  Jackson,  Champion  Hill,  Mission  Ridge. 
Lookout  Mountain,  Atlanta,  Jonesboro  and  was  with  General  Sherman  on 
the  march  to  the  sea.  He  veteranized  on  January  1,  1864,  at  Belief onte. 
Alabama,  and  was  mustered  in  at  Larkensville,  Alabama,  January  22,  1864. 
He  was  discharged  on  July  25,  1865,  having  served  four  years.  He  mar- 
ried Susan  Epps,  July  25,  1867.  and  two  children  were  born  to  this  union. 
Harvey  J.  H.,  and  Laura  E. 

Erastus  M.  Smith  was  born  at  Woodstock  in  1842,  and  was  the  son 
of  Elias  and  Huldah  (Swift)   Smith.     His  father  was  born  at  Stowe.  Ver- 


I002  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

mont,  in  the  year  1811.  Huldah  was  born  in  Rochester,  Massachusetts,  in 
1842.  Erastus  died  on  F'ebruary  28,  1871.  They  had  four  children,  two 
of  whom  are  Hving,  PhiHp  and  Erastus  M.  The  others  were :  Curtis 
B.,  who  died  in  1863,  aged  twenty-eight,  leaving  a  wife  and  two  children. 
Frederick  and  Orvis  E.,  one  dying  in  infancy.  His  grandparents,  Philip 
and  Rosina  Smith,  came  here  in  1836.  He  died  in  1866,  aged  eighty.  She 
died  in  1858,  aged  seventy-three.  They  had  three  children:  Susan,  Elias 
and  Abel.  They  belonged  to  the  Christian  church.  Erastus  M.  enlisted  in 
Company  D,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Regiment,  Ohio  National 
Guard,  on  May  2,  1864,  and  was  discharged  on  September  i  of  the  same 
year.  He  married  Mrs.  Laura  (Cranston)  Marsh,  daughter  of  Edward 
Cranston.  They  had  one  daughter,  Nina  H..  born  on  June  14,  1880,  who 
died  in  June,  191 7,  who  married  Rev.  Harlan  Glazier,  a  Universalist  min- 
ister. By  his  wife's  (Laura)  previous  marriage  with  Charles  W.  Marsh, 
she  had  the  following  children:  Mattie.  Charles  D..  Lucy  and  Hattie, 
deceased.  Mr.  Marsh  died  in  February,  1869.  His  son,  Jesse,  married  Mai-y 
M.  (or  Minen^a)  Thomas,  daughter  of  Gardner  and  Thankful  Thomas, 
from  Stowe,  Vermont.  They  came  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  in  1834, 
and  located  in  Rush  township.  He  was  in  the  War  of  18 12  and  was  at  the 
battle  of  Plattsburg.  He  moved  to  Illinois  and  died  there  at  the  home 
of  a  son.  Jesse  and  Mary  had  ten  children.  They  moved  to  Indiana.  Jesse 
died  in  1800  and  Mary  in  1872.  Their  children  were:  Helen  Harriet, 
Calvin,  Phoebe  T.,  Eliza  A.,  Charles  A.,  Ida  L.,  Clarence  M.  J.,  Carrol  and 
Solon  H. 

Harriet  Smith  married  Joseph  Chamberlin  on  January  16,  1859.  Joseph 
Chamberlin  was  born  in  Livingston  county.  New  York,  on  May  9,  1834, 
a  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Bodine)  Chamberlin,  also  of  New  York  and 
descendants  of  old  Colonial  families.  The  founder  of  the  family  came 
from  England  with  his  wife  and  three  children.  He  was  drowned  in  a 
whirlpool  off  the  coast  of  New  Jersey.  One  of  his  sons  located  in  New 
England,  one  in  New  Jersey  and  one  in  a  Southern  state.  Joseph's  great 
grandparents  were  Joseph  and  Amy  Chamberlin.  Their  son,  William, 
Joseph's  grandfather,  was  born  in  Hunterdon  county,  New  Jersey,  in  Octo- 
ber, 1773,  and  married  Elizabeth  Duckworth,  June  10,  1793.  They  had 
twelve  children,  eight  sons  and  four  daughters.  He  located  at  Vienna,  Trum- 
bull county,  Ohio,  in  1834.  He  died  on  March  19,  1851,  aged  seventy-eight 
years.  Joseph's  father,  John,  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  March  to,  1796. 
and  married  Sarah  Bodine,  March  3,  18 17.  They  were  the  parents  of 
twelve  children:     Matilda,  Marv.  Elizabeth,  Ann,  Sarah   Jane,    lohn  V.  R., 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  IOO3 

Emma  and  Hope,  of  Illinois;  Joseph,  of  Ohio;  Effie,  Angelina  and  William. 
both  of  Kansas.  The  family  came  to  Champaign  county  in  1854.  locating 
at  Woodstock.  Joseph  enlisted  in  the  Sixty-sixth  Ohio  Regimental  Band 
and  served  until  1862.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
in  Virginia.  He  was  elected  sheriff  of  this  county  in  1880.  The  chil- 
dren of  this  union  were:  Charles,  born  on  October  2,  1859,  who  died  on 
October  14,  i860;  Sarah,  August  24,  1861,  who  married  Lincoln  Burnham, 
of  Goshen  township,  Champaign  county,  and  has  two  children,  Ralph  and 
Helen.  Helen  is  married  to  George  Lincoln,  son  of  William  and  Man- 
(Martin)    Lincoln,   of   Rush  township.      Helen  and  George  have   one  son, 

Richard,   and  one   daughter,   .      Lincoln   Burnham's   father   was 

Andrew  Burnham.  He  has  a  brother,  Grant,  and  a  sister,  Lida ;  Jessie 
Helen,  born  on  June  4,  1865,  died  on  August  10,  1865;  Harriet  Maude, 
December  9.  1874,  married  C.  Kent  Lincoln,  son  of and  Mar- 
garet Lincoln.  Kent  has  one  sister,  Edna  (Mrs.  Mac  McMullin),  Maude 
and  Kent  have  two  children,  William  and  George,  all  now  living  at  Wood- 
stock; Bell,  born  on  June  3,  1881,  died  on  July  21,  1881.  Joseph  Chamber- 
lin  was  a  charter  member  of  Champaign  Lodge  No.  525,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  of  Urbana;  of  Woodstock  Lodge  No.  167,  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  and  a  charter  member  of  the  W.  A.  Brand  Post,  Grand  Army 

of  the  Republic,  at  Urbana.     He  was  a  Republican.     He  died . 

Stephen  K.  Smith,  the  son  of  Samuel  Smith,  and  brother  to  Jesse, 
was  born  in  Champaign  county  on  January  30,  1822.  He  married  Rebecca 
Baldwin,  daughter  of  Jeremiah  Baldwin,  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  in  1842. 
Stephen  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Ninety-fifth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, on  August,  1862,  and  twenty  days  afterward  participated  in  the 
battle  of  Richmond,  Kentucky,  and  was  a  prisoner  in  Andersonville  prison 
a  short  time,  then  was  paroled  and  sent  home ;  was  exchanged  in  five  months : 
then  participated  in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg.  His  regiment  went  to  Mis- 
souri, but  on  account  of  sickness  he  remained  at  Memphis  until  his  regiment 
returned.  They  raided  through  Tennessee  and  Mississippi.  He  was  in 
the  battles  of  Guntown.  Tupelo  and  Franklin,  Tennessee;  thence  to  Mobile, 
siege  of  Spanish  Fort  and  finally,  at  Mobile.  Alabama,  were  apprised  of 
Lee's  surrender.  He  was  also  in  several  skirmishes,  being  wounded  several 
times.  He  was  mustered  out  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  x\ugust  19.  1865,  after 
seeing  just  three  years  of  service.  He  was  regimental  quartermaster  ser- 
geant. After  the  war  he  put  up  a  tile  factory  at  North  Lewisburg.  He 
was  a  Universalist  in  religion  and  a  Republican  in  politics.  He  belonged 
to  Lodge  No.    167,   Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.     The  children  of 


I004  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

this  marriage  are  as  follow:  John  M.,  Lora  E.,  Timothy  D.,  Emma  C 
Velma,  deceased ;  Frank  W.  and  Elizabeth,  deceased. 

John  married  Phoebe  Elvira  Smith  Darrow,  who  was  a  sister  to  Alan- 
drus  and  Sylvanus  Darrow,  deceased.  John  and  Phoebe  had  a  daughter,  Iva. 
who  married  Bruce  Craig  of  this  county.  The  Craig  family  had  two  daugh- 
ters, Alice  and  Ethel.  John  entered  the  Civil  War  at  the  age  of  nineteen 
years,  serving  in  the  same  regiment  as  his  father.  Timothy  married  Josie 
Smith.  They  have  one  daughter,  Helen,  who  married  William  Zimmer. 
and  they,  in  turn,  have  one  daughter,  Lora,  who  married  John  M.  Hatfield,  of 
this  county.  Their  children  were :  Charles,  deceased ;  Hattie,  deceased : 
Frank  and  Burley,  who  lost  their  health  while  at  Tampa.  Florida,  during 
the  Spanish-American  War  of  1898,  and  died  a  short  time  after  they  came 
home.  They  are  buried  at  Jenkins  Chapel.  Frank  was  a  sergeant,  and  both 
belonged  to  Company  D,  Third  Regiment,  Ohio  V^olunteer  Infantry;  Martha, 
who  married  Ross  Dix,  of  this  county,  a  brother  to  Mrs.  W'arren  Lincoln, 
of  Woodstock.  They  now  live  at  Greeley,  a  short  distance  from  Denver, 
Colorado.  They  have  five  children:  Emma,  who  married  Sylvanus 
Darrow,  and  Velam,  who  married  Alandrus  Darrow,  a  brother  to  Sylvanus. 
Emma  and  Sylvanus  have  one  daughter,  Nellie,  who  married  Eugene  Varley, 
of  Los  Angeles,  California,  where  they  and  their  mother,  Emma,  live  with 
their  one  daughter,  Dorothy.  Sylvanus  having  died  there.  Velma  and 
Alandrus  have  two  daughters,  Florence  and  Eva  Lois.  Florence,  who  mar- 
ried Lewis  Spain,  of  North  Lewisburg,  and  they  have  one  daughter,  Cliff. 
They  are  all  living. 

Frank  W.  Smith  was  born  February  19,  1854.  In  1886  he  married 
Anna  M.  Hewitt,  who  was  born  on  December  18,  1863.  They  moved  to 
Grey  Center  county,  Kansas,  where  they  lived  for  six  years,  returning  thence 
to  Woodstock.  Anna  M.  Hewitt  was  the  daughter  of  Nicholas  Pease  Hewitt 
(born  on  May  5.  1832,  in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania)  and  Lucy  L. 
(Cushman)  Hewitt  (born  on  September  17,  1842,  in  Woodstock,  Ohio,  dying 
January  16,  1893),  Nicholas  P.  was  the  son  of  George  Llewitt,  born  on  Feb- 
ruary 15,  1805,  in  Pennsylvania,  dying  on  August  9,  1870,  in  Wayne  county, 
Ohio,  at  the  age  of  sixty-five,  and  Anna  Engle  Hewitt,  born  on  July  23,  1807. 
in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania.  She  died  in  Wayne  county,  in  I90r. 
aged  ninety-two  years.  Her  mother's  name  was  Pease.  They  came  to  Ohio 
and  settled  in  Wayne  county  when  Nicholas  P.  was  only  six  months  of  age, 
in  1832.  Fie  had  the  following  I;)rothers,  he  being  the  fourth  voungest :  John 
— married  Nett  Myers;  James,  Samuel,  David  and  Elizabeth  Nicholas  took 
up  the  trade  of  making  all  kinds  of  wheel  vehicles  and  located  in  Woodstock 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  IOO5 

in  1853,  building  there  a  shop  in  conjunction  with  a  man  named  Welsh.  He 
later  went  into  business  for  himself  until  machine-made  vehicles  put  him  out 
of  business.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  the  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry  Regimental 
Band,  to  which  he  belonged  during  his  term  of  service.  He  was  in  an  en- 
gagement at  Ft.  Republic,  in  which  his  regiment  lost  heavily.  He  was  dis- 
charged in  July,  1863,  and  returned  home,  but  soon  after,  in  1864,  re-enlisted 
in  Company  D  of  the  same  regiment  and  saw  much  active  service  in  the 
vicinity  of  Richmond  and  Petersburg.  He  engaged  in  the  grocery  business 
in  conjunction  with  his  manufacturing  business.  He  later  became  postmaster. 
His  wife,  Lucy,  was  the  daughter  of  Frank  and  Susan  (Gifford)  Cushman. 
Their  children  were :  Annie,  Warren,  Lucy,  Nellie,  Georgie,  and  Lina  and 
Susie  (both  deceased). 

Warren  married  May  Felton,  an  English  woman.  He  has  been  the 
resident  physician  at  the  Ohio  Sailors  and  Soldiers'  Orphans  Home,  at  Xenia, 
for  years.  Lucy  married  William  E.  Lattimer,  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  who 
moved  to  Woodstock  and  started  a  general  merchandise  store.  They  have  two 
children,  Funtobelle  and  Wilbur.  Funtobelle  is  a  graduate  of  the  Ohio  Uni- 
versity, in  music.  Nellie  married  Pearl  Clark,  of  North  Lewisburg,  son  of 
Shepherd  Clark.  They  have  two  children — Harold  and  Roger.  Harold  is 
married  and  has  one  child  and  they  are  all  living  at  Albany,  New  York; 
Roger  is  a  student  at  the  United  States  Naval  Academy,  at  Annapolis.  Pearl 
is  the  editor  of  a  newspaper  at  Norwich,  New  York.  Georgia  married  Nel- 
son H.  McClellan,  son  of McClellan,  of  Cable.     They  have  two 

sons — Robert  and  George — and  live  at  Marysville,  Ohio,  where  he  is  a  whole- 
sale candy  and  tobacco  merchant. 

Frank  and  Anna  (Hewett)  Smith  have  two  children — Raymond  H.. 
born  on  March  9,  1886,  and  Lillian  A.,  April  18,  1887.  Raymond  is  a  grad- 
uate of  Ohio  State  University  in  civil  engineering.  He  was  captain  of  Com- 
pany B,  Field  Battalion,  Ohio  Signal  Corps.  On  September  22.  191 5,  he 
married  Mary  Francis  Robison  (born  on  August  17,  1886,  daughter  of 
James  S.  Robison  and  Lyda  (Hedges)  Robison).  James  S.  was  the  son  of 
Samuel  L.  Robison,  (born  on  July  31,  181 7,  who  died  on  December  26,  19 10. 
aged  ninety-four  years)  and  Mary  Ami  Myers  (born  on  April  27.  1827,  who 
died  on  December  3,  1914,  aged  eighty-eight  years).  Samuel  L.  was  the  son 
of  Davis  Robison  (born  on  March  17,  1775,  in  Honeybrook,  Pennsylvania, 
who  died  on  January  29.  1849,  aged  seventy-three  years  and  ten  months)  and 
Nancy  Hunter  (born  on  May  4,  1778,  at  Honeybrook,  Pennsylvania,  who 
died  on  January  13,  1849,  aged  seventy  years  and  ten  months).  They  were 
married  in  December,  1800,  and  had  the  following  children  :     Jane,  Esther. 


I006  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

William,  Eliza,  Hunter,  John  and  Samuel.  Esther  married  James,  son  of 
David  and  Mary  (Anderson)  Simpson,  (who  came  to  America  in  1792)  in 
the  year  1845.     To  this  union,  two  children — James  and  John — were  born. 

Mary  Ann  Myers  was  the  daughter  of  John  Myers,  (born  on  May  5, 
1871,  who  died  in  October,  1871,  aged  ninety  years  and  five  months),  and 
Catharine  Bear  (born  on  August  23,  1791,  who  died  on  September  13,  1875, 
aged  eighty-four  years  and  twenty  days).  They  had  the  following  children: 
Eliza,  Harriet,  Susan,  Abner,  John,  Catherine,  Jacob,  Mary  Ann  and  Sarah. 

Samuel  L.  and  Mary  Ann  Robison  had  the  following  children :  Wil- 
Ham  H.,  David  T.,  Catherine  E.,  Sarah  J.,  John  A.,  Anna  Mary  and  James 
S.  William  H.  Robison,  born  on  October  25  1846  married  Rebecca  E. 
Dunlap,  November  11,  1874.  She  died  on  February  21,  1899.  Their  child- 
ren were:  Maude,  Pearl,  William,  Mary  and  Waldo.  Maude  married  O.  J. 
F.  Anderson.  She  died  on  October  7,  1902,  aged  twenty-seven  3'ears.  Their 
children  are  Ruth  and  Donald.  Pearl  married  Elvie  Engles  and  the  follow- 
ing children  were  born  to  them:  Anna  (deceased)  aged  thirteen;  Frank, 
Helen,  Mary;  William,  married  to  Margaret  Kulp,  w^hose  children  were 
Thaddeus,  Richard.  Hazel  (deceased)  two  years;  and  Crystal. 

Waldo  married  Susan  Kulp,  sister  to  Margaret.  They  have  the  follow- 
ing children :  Kenneth,  Esther,  James  and  Martha.  All  are  living  near 
Urbana. 

David  T.  Robison,  born  on  October  27,  1843,  died  on  February  27. 
1875;  attended  Hanover  College  in  1875,  receiving  his  Bachelor  of  Arts  de- 
gree there.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Sigma  Chi  fraternity.  He  never  mar- 
ried. Catherine  E.  was  born  on  January  i,  185 1,  and  died  on  September  11. 
1851;  Sarah  J.  was  born  on  November  15,  1852,  dying  on  March  i,  1853; 
John  A.,  December  31,  1854;  Anna  Mary,  August  i,  1857.  John  and  Anna 
are  living  on  the  old  home  place,  "The  Catalpas,"  on  the  Pretty  Prairie  pike, 
in  Urbana  township. 

James  S.,  born  on  October  10,  1859,  married  Lida  Hedges  in  1882. 
They  had  three  children,  the  first  dying.  The  two  remaining  are :  Harry 
and  Mary  F.  Harry  was  born  on  July  27,  1884,  in  Salem  township.  Lyda 
was  the  daughter  of  Harrison  and  Mary  (Soverigns)  Hedges.  Harrison  was 
a  Civil  War  veteran.  He  and  Mary  had  seven  children;  William,  Lyda. 
Viola,  Eva,  Emma  and  two  dying  in  infancy.  William  Hedges  married 
Mrs.  Ward  and  they  have  no  children;  Viola  Hedges  married  John  Wierman. 
Both  of  their  children  are  dead;  Eva  Hedges  married  Walter  Phillips  and 
they  have  one  daughter,  Sarah  Jane;  Emma  married  J.  S.  Sidders,  their  two 
children  being  Rov  and  William. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  ICQ/ 

HENRY  D.  HODGE. 

Elsewhere  in  this  vokime  of  biograph}-  there  is  set  out  at  considerable 
length  something  of  the  history  of  the  Hodge  family  in  Champaign  count} 
and  of  the  great  farm  plant  created  by  the  late  Samuel  M.  Hodge  in 
Union  township,  long  operated  by  the  senior  Hodge  and  his  sons,  under  the 
firm  name  of  S.  M.  Hodge  &  Sons,  the  business  now  being  carried  on  by  the 
firm  of  Hodge  Brothers,  of  which  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  member. 

Henry  D.  Hodge,  member  of  the  firm  of  Hodge  Brothers,  farmers  and 
stockmen,  of  Union  township,  and  one  of  the  best-known  residents  of  that 
township,  was  born  in  that  township  on  February  15,  1855,  son  of  Samuel 
M.  and  Amanda  Al.  (Roberts)  Hodges,  natives  of  the  neighboring  county 
of  Clark,  the  former  of  whom  died  in  September,  1898,  and  the  latter  of 
whom  is  still  living  at  her  old  home  in  Union  township.  It  was  in  the  spring 
of  1856  that  Samuel  M.  Hodge  came  to  Champaign  county  and  settled  in 
Union  township.  He  was  not  only  an  excellent  farmer,  but  a  very  capable 
manager  and  in  time  became  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  eleven  hundred 
acres  in  this  county,  which,  after  his  sons  grew  up.  he  operated  under  the 
firm  name  of  S.  M.  Hodge  &  Sons,  continuing  actively  engaged  in  the  man- 
agement of  that  great  farm  until  his  death,  one  of  the  most  substantial  citi- 
zens of  Champaign  county.  Samuel  M.  Hodge  and  wife  were  the  parents 
of  ten  children,  of  whom  seven  are  still  living,  Edgar  W.,  Samuel  E.,  James 
R.,  Henry  D.,  Sarah,  Agnes  and  Catherine;  the  deceased  being  Elizabeth, 
John  and  Francis  I. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Union  township,  Henry  D.  Hodge  received 
his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  neighborhood  and  upon  growing  to  man- 
hood was  taken  into  the  firm  of  S.  M.  Hodge  &  Sons  and  has  ever  since  been 
actively  identified  with  the  work  of  the  great  farm,  which  since  1903  has 
been  carried  on  under  the  firm  name  of  Hodge  Brothers ;  which  firm  is  now 
operating  a  farm  plant  covering  seventeen  hundred  acres  of  excellent  land, 
producing  five  or  six  hundred  acres  of  corn  and  the  same  acreage  of  small 
grain  annually,  besides  five  or  six  hundred  head  of  sheep  and  hogs  and  sev- 
eral carloads  of  cattle.  Henry  D.  Hodge  is  a  Republican  and  was  for  a 
number  of  years  a  member  of  the  local  school  board.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Goshen  Township  Grange  and  has  for  years  taken  an  earnest  interest  in 
the  affairs  of  the  same.  He  also  gives  his  close  attention  to  the  general  busi- 
ness affairs  of  the  community  and  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors 
of  the  Mutual  Insurance  Company  of  Mechanicsburg. 

In  October,   1884,  Henry  D.  Hodge  was  united  in  marriage  to  Emma 


1008  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

G.  Kennedy,  daughter  of  Dr.  George  and  Jimma  (Swain)  Kennedy,  and 
to  this  union  four  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Rowland,  deceased; 
Howard,  who  married  Ethyle  Gardner  and  has  one  child,  a  son,  Edgar ; 
Agnes  E.,  who  married  Roy  McAdams  and  has  one  child,  a  daughter,  Mary 
Jane,  and  James  D.,  who  is  unmarried  and  at  home.  The  Hodges  have  a 
very  pleasant  home  and  have  ever  given  their  interested  attention  to  the  gen- 
eral social  activities  of  the  communitv  in  wliich  they  live. 


HENRY  S.  PRESTON.  M.  D. 

Dr.  Henry  S.  Preston,  for  many  years  a  well-known  physician  of 
Mutual,  this  county,  now  retired  from  active  practice  and  devoting  his 
attention  to  his  general  mercantile  business  in  that  village,  former  president 
of  the  Champaign  County  Medical  Society,  former  postmaster  of  Mutual 
and  former  treasurer  of  Union  township,  is  a  native  Hoosier,  but  has  been 
a  resident  of  Ohio  ever  since  the  days  of  his  early  childhood.  He  was 
born  in  the  city  of  Indianapolis  on  February  14,  1844,  ^on  of  Willard  B. 
and  Angeline  Preston,  natives  of  the  state  of  Vermont,  who  were  married 
in  their  native  state  and  later,  in  1838,  came  to  Ohio,  locating  in  Columbus, 
where  for  several  years  Willard  B.  Preston  was  engaged  in  the  dry-goods 
business.  In  1842  he  moved  to  Indianapolis,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
the  mercantile  business  for  several  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he 
returned  to  Ohio,  bought  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Columbus,  in  Franklin 
county,  and  there  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 
They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  biog- 
raphical sketch  was  the  first-born,  the  others  being  Adeline,  Francenia,  Ida, 
Rose,  Prentice  and  Corrella. 

Having  been  but  a  child  when  his  parents  returned  from  his  native 
Indianapolis  to  Ohio  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Columbus,  in 
Franklin  county,  Henry  S.  Preston  grew  to  manhood  on  that  farm  and 
received  his  elementary  schooling  in  the  schools  of  Franklin  county.  He 
early  turned  his  attention  to  the  study  of  medicine  and  in  due  time  entered 
Columbus  Medical  College,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in 
1876,  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  Upon  receiving  his  diploma 
Doctor  Preston  came  to  Champaign  county  and  opened  an  office  for  the 
})ractice  of  his  profession  at  Mutual,  where  he  ever  since  has  made  his  resi- 
dence, for  manv  vears  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  influential  residents 


1 

^^H 

"  '*■ '  ■  yj''''rS  •i-vT^^^HI 

■ 

^^^^^H 

f 

I  ~  ^ 

^^^^^B 

V 

? 

^^^^^^^^^^»~^yy. 

!. 

W^. 

^r^^H 

CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  IOO9 

of  that  section  of  the  county.  Doctor  Preston  continued  actively  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession  until  1905,  when  he  retired  from  practice  and 
has  since  been  devoting-  his  attention  to  his  mercantile  interests  in  the  vil- 
lage, he  being  the  proprietor  of  a  well-stocked  general  store  there.  Until 
his  retirement  from  practice,  Doctor  Preston  was  an  active  member  of  the 
Champaign  County  Medical  Society  and  had  served  that  body  as  its  presi- 
dent. He  is  a  Republican  and  has  ever  given  his  earnest  attention  to  local 
civic  affairs,  having  served  the  public  as  township  treasurer  and  for  nine 
terms  as  postmaster  at  Mutual  in  the  days  before  that  thriving  village  lost 
its  postoffice  and  became  a  part  of  rural  mail  route  No.  5  out  of  Urbana. 
In  addition  to  his  mercantile  interests  the  Doctor  is  the  owner  of  consider- 
able real  estate  in  and  about  Mutual.  He  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic 
lodge  at  Mechanicsburg. 

In  1867  Dr.  H.  S.  Preston  was  united  in  marriage  to  Charity  Hush- 
ower,  and  to  this  union  four  children  have  been  born,  namely :  Catherine, 
wife  of  J.  R.  Todd,  of  Urbana;  Willard,  who  died  at  the  age  of  thirty- 
eight;  Adeline,  wife  of  Frank  M.  Stone,  of  Springfield,  Ohio,  and  Charity, 
wife  of  Edwin  A.  Baker,  also  of  Springfield.  The  Doctor  and  Mrs.  Pres- 
ton have  a  very  pleasant  home  at  Mutual  and  have  ever  taken  a  proper  inter- 
est in  the  general  social  and  cultural  affairs  of  the  village. 


JAMES  D.  RAVVLINGS. 


James  D.  Rawlings,  of  Urbana,  one  of  Champaign  county's  most  suc- 
cessful farmers  and  stockmen,  now  living  retired  from  the  active  labors 
of  the  farm,  but  still  actively  engaged  in  the  buying  and  selling  of  live 
stock,  is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life. 
He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Urbana  township  on  February  26,  1866,  son 
of  William  J.  W.  and  Elcetta  (Mumpher)  Rawlings,  prominent  residents 
of  that  part  of  the  county,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  that  same 
township  and  the  latter,  who  is  still  living,  in  the  state  of  Illinois. 

William  J.  W.  Rawlings,  who  died  at  his  home  in  this  county  in  1896 
and  a  memorial  sketch  of  whom  is  presented  elsewhere  in  this  volume,  was 
born  on  a  farm  on  Pretty  Prairie  on  April  29,  1830,  son  of  James  and 
Susanna  (McRoberts)  Rawlings,  prominent  pioneers  of  that  part  of  the 
county.  James  Rawlings  was  a  Kentuckian.  who  had  come  to  this  county 
(64a) 


lOIO  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

with  his  parents  when  but  a  child,  the  family  settling  on  Pretty  Prairie, 
and  his  wife  was  born  in  this  county,  daughter  of  pioneer  parents.  After 
their  marriage  they  located  on  a  farm  on  Pretty  Prairie  and  there  spent 
the  remainder  of  their  lives,  useful  and  influential  residents  of  that  sterling 
community.  Of  their  six  children,  further  mention  of  whom  is  made  else- 
where in  this  volume,  William  J-  W.  Rawlings  was  the  first-born.  He 
grew  up  on  the  home  farm  on  Prett}-  Prairie  and  after  his  marriage  in 
the  summer  of  1863,  he  began  farming  for  himself  in  that  same  neighbor- 
hood and  became  one  of  the  most  substantial  farmers  in  that  part  of  the 
county.  There  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  occuring  on 
March  29,  1898,  he  then  being  just  one  month  under  sixty-eight  years  of 
age.  His  widow  is  now  living  at  Urbana.  She  was  born,  Elcetta  A'lumpher. 
in  Macomb,  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Ann  (Wagner)  Mumphei. 
natives  of  Pennsylvania,  who  were  married  in  that  state  and  in  1839  located 
at  Macomb,  Illinois,  where  thev  remained  for  some  years,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  they  came  to  Ohio  and  after  a  sometime  residence  in  the  neigh- 
boring county  of  Miami  came  to  this  coimty  and  here  spent  their  last  days, 
Jacob  Mumpher  dying  on  his  farm  on  Pretty  Prairie  in  the  seventy-fourth 
year  of  his  age.  His  widow  afterward  moved  to  Urbana,  where  she  died 
at  the  age  of  eighty-three.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  of 
whom  Mrs.  Rawlings  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth.  To  William  J. 
W.  and  Elcetta  (Mumpher)  Rawlings  six  children  were  born,  of  whom  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth  and  all  of  whom 
are  still  living,  further  mention  of  them  being  made  elsewhere  in  this 
volume. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Urbana  township,  James  D.  Rawlings  re- 
ceived his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  township  and  remained  at  home. 
a  valued  assistant  in  the  labors  of  improving  and  developing  the  home 
place,  until  after  his  marriage,  when  he  established  a  home  of  his  own  in 
that  same  township  and  there  became  a  successful  farmer  and  stockman. 
Mr.  Rawlings  not  only  is  a  progressive  and  up-to-date  farmer,  but  he  has 
done  very  well  in  his  live  stock  operations,  having  long  given  particular  atten- 
tion to  the  raising  of  Percheron  horses  and  Hereford  cattle.  As  he  prospered 
in  his  farming  operations  he  added  to  his  land  holdings  until  he  now  is  the 
owner  of  two  fine  farms  in  this  county,  one  of  two  hundred  acres  and  another 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty-seven  acres,  and  is  also  the  owner  of  a  scvcn- 
hundred-and-sixty  acre  ranch  in  Kansas.  In  1905  Mr.  Rawlings  moved  from 
the  farm  to  Urbana,  in  order  that  he  might  there  give  closer  personal  at- 
tention to  his  extensive   live   stock  interests  and  has  since  made  his  home 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  lOI  I 

there,  being  actively  engaged  in  the  buying  and  shipping  of  Hve  stock,  one 
of  the  best-known  and  most  successful  stockmen  in  this  part  of  the  state. 
He  continues,  however,  to  manage  his  farms  and  has  brought  the  same 
up  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation. 

On  December  25,  1889,  James  D.  Rawlings  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Ida  Willoughby.  daughter  of  James  and  Mary  (Maxwell)  Willoughby,  of 
this  county,  and  to  this  union  four  children  have  been  born,  Marie,  Christine, 
Eloise  and  William,  the  former  of  whom  married  Dr.  Arthur  C.  Bible, .of 
Urbana,  and  has  one  child,  a  daughter,  Marie  Virginia.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Raw- 
lings  have  a  very  pleasant  home  at  Urbana  and  have  ever  given  proper 
attention  to  the  general  social  activities  of  the  community,  helpful  in  all 
good  works.  Mr.  Rawlings  is  a  Republican  and  has  ever  given  a  good  citi- 
zen's attention  to  local  political  affairs,  but  has  not  been  a  seeker  after 
public  office  and  has  not  held  office. 


EDGAR  W.  HODGE. 


Edgar  W.  Hodge,  of  Union  township,  former  president  of  the  board 
of  county  commissioners  of  Champaign  county  and  for  twenty  years  a 
member  of  the  board  of  education  of  Union  township,  who  is  the  senior 
member  of  the  firm  of  Hodge  Brothers,  farmers  and  stockmen  and  pro- 
prietors of  perhaps  the  most  extensive  farm  plant  in  Champaign  county,  is  a 
native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was 
born  in  Union  township  on  October  30,  1856,  son  of  Samuel  M.  and  Amanda 
M.  (Roberts)  Hodge,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  the  neighboring  count}- 
of  Clarke,  members  of  old  families  there,  who  were  married  in  that  county 
and  afterward  came  up  into  Champaign  county,  settling  in  Union  town- 
ship, where  they  established  their  home.  There  they  were  accounted  among 
the  most  useful  and  influential  residents  of  that  community.  Samuel  M. 
Hodge  was  a  son  of  James  H.  and  Elizabeth  (Sailor)  Hodge,  the  former  a 
native  of  Kentucky  and  the  latter  of  Virginia,  who  were  substantial  pioneer 
residents  of  Clarke  count}-.  James  H.  Hodge  was  a  son  of  Andrew  and 
Isabelle  (Mateer)  Hodge,  who  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  that  county. 
Andrew  Hodge,  when  but  a  boy,  joined  his  brother,  Hamilton,  in  Kentucky 
and  remained  there  until  1808,  when  he  came  up  into  Ohio  and  entered 
a  haf  section  of  land  in  Pleasant  township,  Clark  county,  a  part  of  which 
land  is  still  in  the  possession  of  the  Hodge  family.     He  died  there  in   1857. 


IOI2  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

at  the  age  of  eighty-six  years.  Andrew  Hodge  served  as  a  soldier  during 
the  war  of  1812.  He  was  a  Democrat,  and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  He  was  twice  married,  and  by  his  first  wife  was  the  father  of 
six  children:  William,  John,  Samuel,  James  H.,  Sarah  A.  and  Jane  M.  His 
second  wife  was  Jane  McClintic,  who  came  from  Virginia  to  this  state.  That 
marriage  was  without  issue.  James  H.  Hodge  grew  to  manhood  in  Clark 
county  and  there  spent  all  his  life,  becoming  an  extensive  farmer  and  stock 
raiser.  He  died  on  September  23,  1878,  and  his  widow  survived  him  about 
five  years,  her  death  occurring  on  August  10,  1883.  They  were  the  parents 
of  six  children,  Samuel  M.,  John  H.,  James  M.,  Sarah  Jane  and  two  who  died 
in  infancy. 

Samuel  M.  Hodge  was  reared  a  farmer,  and,  upon  coming  to  this 
county  in  April,  1856,  engaged  here  in  farming.  In  i860  he  bought  a  tract 
of  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  in  Union  township  and  from  the  very  begin- 
ning of  his  operations  there,  made  a  success  of  the  same,  gradually  enlarging 
his  land  holdings  until  he  was  the  owner  of  eleven  hundred  acres  of  excel- 
lent land  and  one  of  the  best-improved  farm  plants  in  the  county.  As  his 
sons  grew  up  and  became  actively  identified  with  the  operations  of  the  farm, 
he  took  them  into  partnership  and  thereafter  the  business  was  carried  on 
under  the  firm  name  of  S.  M.  Hodge  &  Sons,  and  continued  so  for  some 
time  after  the  death  of  the  head  of  the  firm,  which  occurred  in  September. 
1898.  The  widow  of  Samuel  M.  Hodge  is  now  making  her  home  with  the 
family  of  her  fourth  son,  James  R.  Hodge.  She  and  her  husband  were 
the  parents  of  ten  children,  of  whom  seven  are  still  living:  Edgar  W., 
Samuel  E.,  James  R.,  H.  Douglas;  Sarah,  wife  of  E.  C.  Price,  of  Springfield, 
this  state;  Agnes,  wife  of  W.  H.  Chaney,  of  Mechanicsburg;  and  Catherine, 
unmarried,  who  is  making  her  home  with  her  mother.  The  deceased  are : 
Elizabeth,  who  died  in  1869;  John,  who  died  in  1878,  and  Francis  I.,  who 
died  on  July  13,  1903.  Samuel  M.  Hodge  was  a  Republican  and  .served 
for  some  time  as  township  trustee  and  as  a  member  of  the  school  board. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Union  township,  Edgar  W.  Hodge  received 
his  elementary  education  in  the  local  schools  of  that  neighborhood  and  early 
became  activelv  associated  with  his  father  in  the  management  of  the  large 
liome  farm.  In  due  time  the  farming  operations  came  to  be  directed  under  the 
firm  name  of  S.  M,  Hodge  &  Sons  and  this  arrangement  continued,  even 
after  the  death  of  the  head  of  the  firm,  until  1903,  when  the  firm  name  was 
changed  to  that  of  Hodge  Brothers  and  has  so  continued  to  this  day,  the 
members  of  this  firm  being  Edgar  W.,  Harry  D.  and  James  R.  Hodge.  The 
farm  plant  of  the  Hodge  Brothers  is  about  the  most  extensive  concern  of  its 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  IOI3 

kind  in  the  county,  now  comprising  seventeen  hundred  acres  of  land,  whicli 
is  being-  cultivated  in  accordance  with  the  latest  methods  approved  in  modern 
agriculture.  Edgar  W.  Hodge  has  for  years  given  his  earnest  attention  t" 
local  civic  affairs  and  has  done  much  to  advance  the  interests  of  good  govern- 
ment in  the  community  in  which  he  lives.  For  three  years  he  served  as  trus- 
tee of  Union  township,  for  six  years  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  board 
of  county  commissioners  from  his  district,  two  years  of  which  period  he 
was  president  of  the  board,  and  for  twenty  years  served  as  a  member  of 
the  board  of  education  for  Union  township.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  church  at  Mechanicsburg  and  is  also  afifiliated  with  the  Masonic 
lodge  at  that  place,  having  taken  the  Fellowcraft  degree. 

Edgar  W.  Hodge  has  been  thrice  married.  In  1883  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Lucy  A.  Guy,  daughter  of  Edwin  A.  and  Adelaide  (McMullen) 
Guy,  and  to  that  union  two  children  were  born,  William  Guy  Hodge,  who 
assists  his  father,  and  Helen  May  Hodge,  who  married  Nathan  E.  Bum- 
gar.dner  and  is  living  at  Springfield,  this  state.  The  mother  of  these  chil- 
dren died  in  igoi  and  Mr.  Hodge  later  married  Sarah  L.  Horr,  daughter 
of  Pierce  and  Laura  E.  (Baxter)  Horr,  and  to  that  union  one  child  was  born, 
a  son,  John  Horr  Hodge.  Mrs.  Sarah  L.  Hodge  died  on  July  31,  1910,  and 
on  October  30,  19 13,  Mr.  Hodge  married  Lillian  R.  State,  who  was  born 
at  Springfield,  this  state,  daughter  of  John  and  Harriet  (Watkins)  State, 
and  who  for  twenty-three  years  before  her  marriage  had  been  engaged  in 
teaching  school  at  Springfield.  John  State  was  a  mechanic  at  Springfield, 
and  his  wife,  Harriet  Watkins,  whom  he  married  in  185 1.  was  born  in  Cham- 
paign county  in  1832,  a  daughter  of  Richard  and  Catherine  (Hedges)  Wat- 
kins, pioneers  of  this  section  of  the  state.  Richard  Watkins  was  born  at 
Annapolis,  Maryland,  and  was  a  soldier  of  the  War  of  1812,  who  answered 
the  call  of  the  governor  of  Virginia  when  the  British  attacked  Washington 
and  who  served  at  Baltimore  when  the  British  threatened  that  city.  He 
later  came  to  Ohio  and  in  183 1,  at  Springfield,  married  Catherine  Hedges, 
who  had  become  a  resident  of  that  city  the  year  before,  having  come  over 
from  Virginia  in  1830.  Richard  Watkins  and  his  wife  had  seven  children, 
all  of  whom  died  in  youth,  save  Mrs.  State  and  one  son,  Richard  Thomas 
Watkins,  the  latter  of  whom  died  at  New  Orleans,  of  yellow  fever,  October 
2-].  1858,  he  then  being  twenty-two  years  of  age.  To  John  State  and  wife 
six  children  were  born.  Of  these  Mrs.  Hodge  was  the  fourth  in  order  of 
birth,  the  others  being  as  follow:  Ralph  E.,  of  Chicago;  Fred,  who  died 
at  his  home  in  Davton.  this  state,  in  August,    IQ04:  Tsabelle.   who  resided 


IOI4  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

with  her  mother;  Will  C,  who  is  living  at  Akron,  and  Eugene  J.,  of  East 
Liverpool,  this  state.  Fred  State  married  Mamie  Wiley,  of  Loudoun  county, 
Virginia,  and  was  the  father  of  four  children. 


JOSEPH  CALLAND. 


Joseph  Calland,  a  substantial  and  progressive  farmer,  who  has  lived  in 
this  county  for  more  than  seventy  years,  and  who  farms  in  Harrison  town- 
ship, was  born  in  Adams  township  on  September  21,  1846.  He  is  the  son 
of  William  and  Elnore  (Robinson)  Calland,  the  former  of  whom  was  born 
in  Adams  township.  Champaign  county. 

William  Calland,  grandfather  of  Joseph  Calland,  was  born  in  Scotland, 
in  which  country  he  was  married  and  there  one  of  his  children  was  born. 
Some  years  after  his  marriage  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  on 
reaching  this  country  he  came  along  to  Ohio,  and  subsequently  settled  in 
Adams  township,  Champaign  county.  Here  the  remainder  of  his  children 
was  born,  four  boys  and  five  girls,  as  follow :  Agnes,  Lizzie,  Mary,  Susan, 
Sarah,  William,  Joseph,  Samuel  and  Gresham.  He  was  one  of  the  pioneer 
farmers  of  this  county  and  was  generally  regarded  as  an  industrious  and 
painstaking  agriculturist,  his  early  acquired  habits  of  Scotch  thrift  lieing  no 
small  factor  in  his  success. 

William  Calland,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in 
Adams  township,  this  county,  and  attended  the  early  schools  of  the  district 
in  which  he  lived.  He  helped  his  father  in  the  work  of  the  farm,  later 
securing  land  on  his  own  account,  which  he  worked  to  considerable  advan- 
tage. He  was  married  to  Elnore  Robinson  and  they  became  the  parents 
of  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  living  in  1917,  Joseph,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  and  William,  a  retired  farmer,  of  Bellefontaine,  Ohio.  William 
Calland,  like  his  father,  was  an  industrious  farmer  and  he  and  his  wife 
were  justly  regarded  as  worthy  citizens  of  the  township  and  county. 

Joseph  Calland  left  Adams  township  and  came  to  Harrison  township 
at  the  age  of  twelve  years.  He  attended  the  district  schools  of  both  town- 
ships and  attained  a  fair  degree  of  education  for  those  early  days.  He 
worked  on  his  father's  farm  up  to  the  time  of  his  marriage.  On  Novem- 
ber 9,  1872,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Sarah  L  Wilson,  who  was  born 
in  Harrison  township,  this  county,  and  died  in  1892.  They  were  the  parents 
of  four  children,  namely :     William,  who  married  Alay  Couchman  and  thev 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  1015 

are  the  parents  of  four  sons;  Nellie,  wife  of  Fred  Johnson,  of  Harrison 
township,  and  who  has  two  children,  Robert  C.  and  Sarah  Isabelle;  Miles 
N.,  who  married  Edith  Couchman  and  lives  in  Harrison  township  and 
has  three  children,  Gilbert,  Joseph  and  Donald,  and  one  child  that  died  in 
infancy, 

Mr.  Calland  is  the  owner  of  over  four  hundred  acres  of  prime  land 
in  Harrison  township,  all  of  which  he  has  acquired  by  his  own  energy  and 
perseverance,  and  where  he  is  engaged  in  general  farming,  success  attending 
all  his  efforts.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  is  one  of  the 
deacons  in  the  church.  He  was  formerly  a  consistent  supporter  of  the 
Republican  party  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln  for  Presi- 
dent, but  in  1896  changed  his  political  views  and  became  a  stanch  Demo- 
crat and  has  remained  with  that  party  ever  since.  He  has  furnished  oxen 
for  barbecues,  first  in  1896  and  on  four  occasions  since.  He  served  as 
trustee  of  Harrison  township  for  some  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Helmet 
Lodge  No.  2,  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  has  ever  been  warmly  interested  in 
the  affairs  of  that  fraternal  organization. 


MAURICE  E.  HINTON. 


Maurice  E.  Hinton,  one  of  the  well-known  and  substantial  farmers 
of  Champaign  county  and  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  nearly  two  hundred 
acres  in  the  neighborhood  of  Woodstock,  is  a  native  of  the  great  Keystone 
state,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  Champaign  county  since  the  days  of  his 
early  childhood,  having  come  here  with  his  parents  from  Pennsylvania  in 
1861.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  2, 
1858,  son  and  only  child  of  Owen  B.  and  Mary  S.  (Finger)  Hinton,  the 
former  of  whom  was  born  at  Morgantown,  Pennsylvania,  January  i,  1835, 
and  the  latter,  in  Chester  county,  same  state,  July  11.  1835.  Owen  B. 
Hinton  was  a  son  of  John  and  Sarah  Hinton.  He  was  married  in  his  native 
state  and  remained  there  until  1861,  when  he  came  to  Ohio  and  settled  in 
Champaign  county,  M'here  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives, 
useful  and  influential  residents  of  the  Woodstock  neighborhood.  Mrs.  Hin- 
ton died  on  February  8,  1907,  and  Owen  B.  Hinton  survived  until  Septem- 
ber 3,  19 1 5,  he  then  being  past  eighty  years  of  age. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Woodstock,  Maurice  E. 
Plinton  has  alwavs  been  a  farmer  and  has  done  well  in  that  vocation,  his 


IOl6  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

farm  plant  on  his  well-kept  place  of  one  hundred  and  ninety-six  acres  in 
Rush  township  being  one  of  the  most  up-to-date  in  its  general  equipment 
of  any  in  that  part  of  the  county.  Mr.  Hinton  has  for  years  given  close 
attention  to  the  general  agricultural  affairs  of  Champaign  county,  long  a 
member  of  the  subordinate  grange  in  his  community  and  of  the  county 
grange,  and  is  now  master  of  the  county  grange.  Politically,  he  is  affiliated 
with  the  Republican  party,  but  has  not  been  a  seeker  after  public  office.  In 
the  general  business  affairs  of  his  home  community  he  takes  an  active  inter- 
est and  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Bank  of  Mechanicsburg. 

On  October  31,  1879,  Maurice  E.  Hinton.  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Mella  F.  Middleton,  who  was  born  in  this  county,  May  13,  1861,  daughter  of 
William  and  Estavilla  Middleton,  who  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children, 
those  besides  Mrs.  Hinton  living  at  this  time  being  Cyrus,  Rachel  and  Tilla. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hinton  seven  children  have  been  born,  namely :  t'  Warren 
Brooks,  who  married  Maud  Bay  and  died  in  1902;  Grace,  who  married  Harr)- 
Borst,  of  Woodstock,  and  has  four  children-^ Glen,  now  living  near  Mechanics- 
burg, who  married  Bertha  Douglas  and  has  three  children  ;^Kate,  who  mar- 
ried Levi  Keeran,  of  Cable,  and  has  three  children; 5 Mabel,  wife  of  Dell 
Rutan,  of  Mechanicsburg !r  Ross,  of  Woodstock,  who  married  Ethel  Darrow, 
and 'Homer,  who  died  on  September  9,  1915.  The  Hintons  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  have  ever  taken  a  proper  interest 
in  the  various  beneficences  of  the  same.  They  have  a  very  pleasant  home  and 
have  always  taken  an  interested  part  in  the  general  social  activities  and  good 
works  of  their  home  community. 


GRANT  BURNHAM. 


Grant  Burnhani,  a  well-known  and  progressive  farmer  of  Goshen  town- 
ship, this  county,  was  born  on  the  farm  on  which  he  is  now  living,  on  the 
Mechanicsburg  and  Woodstock  pike,  three  miles  north  of  Mechanicsburg, 
on  rural  mail  route  No.  i  out  of  Woodstock,  and  has  lived  there  practically 
all  his  life,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  years  immediately  following  his  mar- 
riage, when  he  made  his  home  in  Union  county.  He  was  born  on  September 
30,  1864,  son  of  Andrew  and  Virginia  E.  (Crawford)  Burnham,  both  of 
whom  also  were  born  in  Ohio,  the  former  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Union 
and  the  latter  in  the  village  of  Woodstock,  this  county. 

Andrew  Burnham,  a   son  of   Eliphas   Burnham   and   wife,   pioneers   of 


CHAxMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  lOI/ 

Union  county,  was  reared  in  that  county  and  married  Virginia  E.  Crawford, 
who  was  born  at  Woodstock,  this  county,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  J.  R.  Crawford, 
for  years  one  of  Champaign  county's  best-known  physicians.  After  his 
marriage  he  settled  on  the  farm  n(nv  owned  and  occupied  by  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  in  Goshen  township,  and  there  estabhshed  his  home,  becoming 
the  owner  of  a  tine  farm  of  two  hundred  acres  and  long  recognized  as  one 
of  the  leading  farmers  of  that  neighborhood.  .Vndrew  Burnham  was  twice 
married.  Mrs.  Virginia  Burnham  died  on  the  home  farm,  leaving  three 
children,  who  are  still  living,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having  two  brothers. 
T.  E.  Burnham,  of  Mechanicsburg,  and  Lincoln  Burnham,  of  Urbana.  After- 
ward Andrew  Burnham  married  Nancy  M.  Amy,  who  died  in  August,  1907. 
and  to  that  union  one  child  was  l)orn,  a  daughter,  Lydia  A.,  wife  of  J.  P. 
Bennett,  of  Columbus,  Ohio.  Andrew  Burnham  was  a  Republican  and  ever 
took  an  interested  ])art  in  local  political  affairs.  He  died  while  on  a  visit  at 
Dayton,  this  state. 

Grant  Burnham  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  where  he  is  now  living, 
and  completed  his  schooling  in  the  high  school  at  Mechanicsburg.  Upon 
leaving  school  he  continued  his  lal)ors  on  the  home  farm  and  after  his  mar- 
riage in  1896  made  his  home  for  a  year  in  Union  county.  He  then  moved 
to  the  Kimball  farm  in  Goshen  t(nvnship,  this  county,  and  there  continued 
to  reside  until  in  1906,  when  he  moved  back  to  the  old  home  farm  in  that 
same  township,  where  he  has  since  resided  and  where  he  and  his  family  are 
very  comfortably  situated.  Mr.  Burnham  is  doing  well  in  his  farming  opera- 
tions and  is  also  giving  considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of  live  stock, 
having  a  tine  herd  of  pure-bred  Guernsey  cattle.  He  owns  one  hundred  and 
six  acres  and  has  an  excellent  farm  plant.  Mr.  Burnham  is  a  Republican, 
but  is  not  particularly  active  in  political  affairs. 

On  October  14,  1896,  Grant  Burnham  was  united  in  marriage  to  Maud 
C.  Child,  who  was  born  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Union  on  January  3, 
1867,  daughter  of  Simeon  B.  and  Susanna  (Michael)  Child,  the  former  a 
native  of  the  state  of  Vermont  and  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania.  Simeon 
B.  Child  was  but  a  small  boy  when  he  came  with  his  parents  from  Vermont 
to  Ohio,  the  family  settling  in  Greene  county,  where  he  grew  to  manhood, 
the  family  later  moving  to  Union  county,  where  he  met  and  married  Susanna 
Michael,  who  had  come  to  Ohio  as  a  girl  with  her  parents  from  Pennsylvania. 
After  his  marriage  Simeon  B.  Child  estabhshed  his  home  on  a  farm  in  Union 
county  and  there  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  They 
were  the  parents  of  hve  children,  Carrie  and  Kate,  who  died  in  youth;  Arthur. 
who  is  now  living  at  Milford   Center:   Maud,   wife  of   Mr.    P.urnham.   and 


IOl8  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Lottie,  wife  of  L.  C.  Burnham.  Mrs.  Child  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
church  and  Mr.  Child's  belief  was  in  the  Seventh-Day  Adventists  church, 
though  he  attended  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  During  the  last  year 
of  the  Civil  War  he  had  served  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union,  member  of  an 
Ohio  regiment,  and  was  a  member  of  the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic  at  Milford  Center.  He  also  was  a  member  of  the  local  lodges  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  at 
that  place.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burnham  have  two  daughters,  Al^ildred  E.,  born 
on  July  29,  1900,  who  was  graduated  from  the  Mechanicsburg  high  school 
with  the  class  of  1917,  and  Dorothy  C,  May  13,  1905.  The  Burnhams  lean 
to  the  Universalist  faith  in  their  religious  belief.  They  have  a  very  pleas- 
ant home  and  take  an  interested  part  in  the  general  social  activities  of  their 
home  community.  Mr.  Burnham  is  a  member  of  Woodstock  Lodge  No. 
167,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  is  a  past  noble  grand  of  the 
same, 


JOHN  W.  EVILSIZOR. 

One  of  the  best-known  and  leading  farmers  of  Champaign  county  is 
John  W.  Evilsizor,  living  in  his  beautiful  home  on  "Spring  Run  Farm,"  a 
place  constisting  of  one  hundred  and  sixty-five  and  a  quarter  acres  of  fine 
farming  land  located  two  miles  north  of  Terre  Haute,  in  Mad  River  town- 
ship on  rural  route  No.  4  out  of  Urbana,  Ohio.  Mr.  Evilsizor  was  born 
in  this  county,  December  31,  1865,  and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Julia  Ann 
(Lee)  Evilsizor,  both  of  whom  were  also  natives  of  Champaign  county, 
Ohio. 

William  Evilsizor  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Mad  River  township,  this 
county,  September  9,  1837,  and  died  on  July  20,  1895.  He  was  a  son  of 
William  Evilsizor,  Sr.,  who  was  born  in  Kanawa  county,  Virginia,  June  8, 
1808,  and  died  on  July  25,  1892.  William  Evilsizor.  Sr.,  came  as  a  lad  of 
six  years  with  his  parents  to  Ohio  in  1814,  where  he  was  reared  to  manhood. 
He  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  Nancy  Jenkins,  to  whom  he  was 
married  in  1829,  and  to  this  union  thirteen  children  were  born.  The  mother 
of  these  children  died,  and  he  again  married  Frances  Jane  Allison,  and  to 
this  second  union  seven  children  were  born.  He  was  of  the  Baptist  faith, 
and  always  took  an  active  part  in  the  affairs  of  the  church.  William  Evil- 
sizor, Jr.,  married  Julia  Ann  Lee,  who  was  born  in  Champaign  county,  the 
daughter  of  William  Lee,  who  accompanied  his  parents  to  this  county  from 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  IOI9 

Virginia  when  an  infant,  the  Lee  family  being  among  the  pioneers  of  this 
county.  WiUiam  Evilsizor,  Jr.,  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  eleven  chil- 
dren, six  of  whom  are  now  living:  Laura  A.,  wife  of  George  Shaffer,  a 
farmer  of  Mad  River  township ;  John  W.,  of  this  sketch;  Emory  T.,  a  resident 
of  Mad  River  township;  Marley  E.,  living  on  the  old  home  place;  Verna 
A.,  of  Mad  River  township,  and  Oran  W.,  a  farmer  living  in  Jackson  town- 
ship, this  county. 

John  W.  Evilsizor  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Mad  River  town- 
ship, receiving  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  home  neighbor- 
hood, and  lived  at  home  until  his  marriage,  when  he  started  farming  for 
himself  on  the  place  where  he  is  now  living,  but  in  a  different  house,  where 
he  lived  four  years.  He  then  moved  to  Clarke  county,  Ohio,  where  he 
rented  land  for  three  jears,  after  which  he  lived  on  a  farm  on  the  Valley 
pike  in  Mad  River  township  for  three  years.  In  1900  he  purchased  his 
present  farm,  where  he  has  since  lived,  and  here  he  is  very  successfully 
engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock  raising,  making  a  specialty  of  the 
breeding  and  raising  of  blooded  live  stock,  such  as  Jersey  cattle,  Percheron 
horses  and  Duroc  hogs.  That  he  has  made  a  success  in  his  chosen  calling  is 
evidenced  by  the  fact  that  he  has  one  of  the  most  attractive  farm  homes  and 
well-equipped  farms  in  the  county.  His  buildings  are  all  new  and  modern 
and  beautiful  in  appearance,  all  being  painted  white.  He  has  a  modern  and 
convenient  home  of  eight  rooms,  a  large  barn  seventy-six  by  forty-five  feet 
in  dimensions,  and  both  house  and  barn  are  well-lighted  by  an  acetylene  gas 
plant.  His  farm  is  well-equipped,  naturally  for  live  stock,  having  natural 
spring  water  running  through  it;  this,  with  the  modern  and  scientific  system 
with  which  Mr.  Evilsizor  operates,  makes  his  farm  one  of  the  best  in  the 
county. 

On  September  12,  1888,  John  W.  Evilsizor  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Amanda  Gentis,  the  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Clarissa  (Netchman)  Gentis. 
and  to  this  union  seven  children  have  been  born,  four  of  whom  are  living: 
Alpha,  a  farmer  of  German  township,  Clarke  county,  Ohio,  who  married 
Nellie  H.  Foster;  Edith,  the  wife  of  Alpha  C.  Faulkner,  a  farmer  living 
west  of  Westville,  in  Mad  River  township ;  Ethel,  at  home,  and  Ada,  now 
in  her  second  year  in  the  high  school  at  Terre  Haute.  Ohio.  The  family 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  while  Mr.  Evilsizor  is  of  the 
Baptist  faith,  being  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Harmony  Baptist  church  at 
Terre  Haute,  Ohio. 

Mrs.  Evilsizor  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Mad  River  township.  January  18, 
1886,  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Clarissa  (Netchman)  Gentis,  the  former  being 


1020  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 

a  native  of  Clark  county,  Ohio,  and  the  latter  of  Champaign  county.  They 
were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  the  six  who  are  living  are:  Frank,  a 
farmer  living  in  Jackson  township;  Tully,  of  Terre  Haute,  Ohio;  Justin, 
also  a  resident  of  Terre  Haute;  Clifford,  a  farmer  living  on  the  Valley  pike 
in  Mad  River  township;  Ernest,  of  Thackery,  this  county,  and  Amanda,  the 
wife  of  John  W.  Evilsizor,  the  subject  of  this  review. 


THE  WEST  FAMILY. 


One  of  the  oldest  families  in  Champaign  county  is  the  West  family, 
which  is  of  English  descent  and  has  been  represented  in  this  county  since 
the  year  1802,  three  years  before  the  organization  of  the  county.  One 
member  of  the  family,  in  this  generation,  Miss  Jennie  West,  still  occupies 
the  old  West  homestead  in  Jackson  township,  living  in  the  same  house  in 
\vhich  she  was  born  seventy-seven  years  ago,  and  which  was  built  by  her 
father,  Stockett  West. 

Basil  West,  a  native  of  Maryland,  was  born  on  April  10,  1745.  and  he 
and  his  three  brothers  served  as  patriots  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  He 
was  a  slaveholder,  and  with  his  wife  lived  successively  in  Maryland,  Geor- 
gia, the  Carolinas  and  Kentucky,  finall}'  crossing  into  Ohio  in  1802,  where 
he  took  a  land  claim  one-half  mile  south  of  Westville.  He  later  moved  to 
Jackson  township,  building  a  log  cabin  home  just  north  of  what  is  now 
known  as  Bollinger's  fish-pond.  Basil  and  his  wife,  who  was  a  Stockett  of 
Virginia,  were  the  parents  of  seven  children :  Stockett,  John,  Mary,  Jere- 
miah, Basil,  Damaris  and  Phoebe.  These  young  people  all  were  married 
in  Ohio,  but  the  pioneering  spirit  of  their  parents  was  strong  within  them 
and,  with  the  exception  of  Stockett.  they  went  farther  west  to  establish 
new  homes.  John,  who  married  Azubah  Wilson,  settled  in  Warren  county. 
Indiana,  and  was  the  father  of  eleven  children,  the  eldest  of  whom,  George, 
was  a  captain  in  the  Civil  War. 

Jeremiah  West,  who  married  Matilda  Wilson  of  Miami  county,  also 
settled  in  Indiana,  becoming  a  very  prosperous  farmer  near  Crawfordsville. 
and  later  a  merchant  in  that  city.  He  reared  a  family  of  four  children,  who 
in  turn  felt  the  call  to  go  west,  and  at  the  presen  day  Judge  Jere  West,  of 
the  Montgomery  county  circuit  court,  is  the  on!}'  descendant  left  in  Craw- 
fordsville, his  six  brothers  and  sisters  all  living  in  the  state  of  Washington. 
Letitia  West  Lee,  the  (~)nly  daughter  of  Jeremiah,  is  living  in  Oregon,  hav- 


CHAMPAIGN     COUNTY,    OHIO.  I02L 

ing  passed  her  eighty-fifth  year.  Her  two  daughters  married  brothers. 
Maurice  and  Will  Thompson,  authors  and  poets,  who  came  North  after  the 
Civil  War.  Maurice  Thompson,  in  his  book,  "Alice  of  Old  Vincennes,'" 
named  the  heroine  for  his  wife. 

Basil  West's  daughters,  Mary  and  Damaris.  married  brothers,  Isaac 
and  John  Brier.  Isaac  owned  and  lived  on  the  Jackson  township  farm  now 
owned  by  Charles  Slack,  but  later  moved  with  his  family  to  what  was  then 
known  as  Grande  Prairie  in  Indiana.  His  grandson  lives  there  today  on 
the  old  Brier  homestead. 

Basil  West,  Jr.,  married  Lillian  Noe,  who  soon  died.  He  then  married 
Rachel  Pond  and  they,  too,  lived  in  Indiana  for  a  few  years;  later  going 
to  Washington,  then  to  California.  They  were  the  parents  of  eleven  chil- 
dren whose  descendants  are  scattered  through  many  of  the  Western  states. 

Stockett  West,  the  eldest  son  of  Basil  West,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Mary- 
land, April  20,  1790.  He  first  came  into  Ohio  with  his  uncle,  Adamson 
Cowhick,  Avho  erected  a  small  pole  cabin  at  Big  Spring  on  Honey  creek.  A 
little  later  Stockett  West  entered  a  tract  of  land  in  the  southwestern  part 
of  Champaign  county,  where  he  lived  for  several  years,  clearing  and  improv- 
ing the  land,  and  becoming  one  of  the  most  influential  factors  in  the  early 
development  of  that  section  of  the  county.  He  sold  this  land  to  Mr.  Fields. 
and  in  1826  entered  another  tract  nearby,  where  he  and  his  wife  spent  the 
remainder  of  their  lives,  creating  from  the  woodland  wilderness  a  home 
which  was  and  has  continued  to  be  one  of  the  famous  centers  of  hospitalit}- 
in  the  county.  Basil  West  and  his  wife  passed  their  last  years  on  this 
place  with  their  son,  Stockett,  and  finally  were  laid  to  rest  in  the  old  Honey 
Creek  cemetery. 

Stockett  West  was  a  tall,  strongly-built  man;  he  was  raised  a  farmer 
but  was  a  good  blacksmith  and  carpenter;  he  could  spin  and  weave  with 
great  skill.  The  old  home  which  he  built  shows  many  marks  of  his  skill  in 
wood-working.  He  was  a  Whig  and  took  an  active  part  in  local  civic  afifairs. 
serving  his  township  as  treasurer  and  trustee.  He  was  a  great  reader  of  the 
Bible  and  both  he  and  his  wife  were  identified  with  the  Honey  Creek  Bap- 
tist church.  While  Stockett,  John,  Basil  West  were  dyed-in-the-wool  Bap- 
tists, their  brother,  Jeremiah,  and  many  of  their  close  friends  were  just  as 
stanch  Universalists.  William  and  Wallace  McCrea,  Van  Cox,  Joseph  Woods. 
Henry  Merritt,  Sam  Bright,  Rev.  Thomas  Price  and  Rev.  David  Scott 
frequented  this  home,  and  many  heated  religious  discussions  arose  among 
these  intimate  friends. 

On  May  30.   1816.  Stockett  West  married  Elizabeth  Merritt,  who  was 


I022  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

born  in  Virginia,  July  13,  1792,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Margaret  Merritt. 
The  Merritts  were  Virginians  of  German  descent,  coming  to  Champaign 
county  in  1813,  where  John  entered  nine  quarter-sections  of  land,  which  he 
afterward  divided  among  his  eight  children,  giving  each  child  a  quarter 
section  and  keeping  one  for  himself.  Elizabeth  was  a  splendid  woman,  and 
was  familiarly  known  as  "Aunt  Betty"  by  the  many  friends  who  loved  her 
for  her  kindliness.  Stockett  West  died  on  July  4,  1852,  and  his  wife  lived 
until  October  2,  1876. 

To  Stockett  and  Elizabeth  West  were  born  nine  children :  John,  Will- 
iam, David,  Sarah,  James,  Henry,  Jeremiah,  Mary,  and  Jane.  Five  of 
these  died  in  their  early  twenties.  William,  Henry  and  Jerry  lived  long, 
useful  lives,  each  being  well  past  eighty  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  death. 
Jennie,  the  youngest  of  all.  and  the  sole  survivor,  owns  and  occupies  the  old 
homestead. ,  She  is  a  very  capable  woman  and  a  most  charming  hostess.  For 
many  years  she  has  managed  her  farm,  and  has  had  great  success  in  the 
breeding  of  fine  Jersey  cattle. 

Henry  West,  who  never  married,  always  lived  at  the  old  home  with  Jen- 
nie, and  was  a  most  devoted  companion.  He  was  a  well-read  man,  and 
an  interesting  talker  on  many  subjects.  He  was  a  Civil  War  veteran.  His 
death  occurred  on  Jvme  14,  191 3. 

Jerry  West,  who  married  Harriet  Simpson,  of  Madison  county,  lived 
on  a  farm  adjoining  the  home  place.  He  was  a  very  kind,  good  man.  Be- 
sides his  work  as  a  successful  farmer,  he  spent  a  great  deal  of  time  in  the 
study  and  growing  of  fine  fruits.  Jerry  died  on  April  21,  1912;  his  widow 
died  on  January  26,  191 7.  They  were  the  parents  of  two  sons,  John  Simp- 
son West  and  James  Clyde  West.  John  S.  West  was  educated  at  Ohio 
Normal  University  at  Ada  and  for  several  years  was  employed  by  the  Erie 
Railroad  Compan)-.  Later  on  he  and  Clyde  West  took  up  scientific  farm- 
ing on  their  father's  farm.  Both  were  exceptionally  fine  young  men,  but 
unfortunately  passed  away  in  their  ^arly  manhood.  Clyde  died  on  March 
21,  1907,  aged  twenty-four.  John  died  on  October  22,  191 1,  aged  thirty- 
four.     Both  were  married  but  left  no  children. 

William  West,  the  second  son,  of  Stockett  West  was  born  on  July  13. 
1818,  and  lived  on  the  old  homestead  until  his  marriage  to  Hester  Cowden 
Grafton,  b^ebruary  3,  1848.  His  wife  also  was  born  in  Jackson  township, 
on  November  22.  1822,  a  daughter  of  Ambrose  and  Elizabeth  Kelley  Graf- 
ton, the  fourth  of  a  family  of  thirteen  children.  Her  grandparents,  Thomas 
and  Hester  Cowden  Grafton,  were  sturdy  pioneers  who  came  from  Vir- 
ginia to  this  section  among  the  earliest  settlers. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  IO23 

Throughout  his  long  Hfe,  William  West  was  a  farmer.  Purchasing  a 
farm  one  mile  east  of  his  father's  place  at  the  time  of  his  marriage,  he  and 
his  wife  established  their  home  and  commenced  their  life  work  of  making  it 
an  ideal  farm,  which  work  was  later  carried  on  Ijy  their  sons.  William  West 
was  a  strong,  active  man;  a  substantial  farmer  and  stockman;  a  man  of 
influence  in  his  community;  a  Republican  in  his  political  affiliation.  He 
was  at  one  time  a  member  of  the  Honey  Creek  Baptist  church.  His  wife 
was  a  life-long  member  of  the  Grafton  Methodist  church,  of  which  her 
grandfather  was  a  founder  in  an  early  day. 

Three  sons  were  born  to  William  West  and  wife:  John,  who  died  in 
early  childhood;  George  Washington  and  Henry  Clay.  William  West  died 
on  April  28,  1900.  His  widow  survived  until  July  3,  1905,  living  at  the  old 
home  with  their  youngest  son,  Henry,  who  spent  his  entire  life  on  the 
farm  and  helped  bring  it  up  to  the  high  standard  in  which  it  was  kept.  He 
was  born  on  July  17,  1857,  and  died  on  October  20,  1907. 

George  W.  West  was  born  on  the  home  farm  of  his  parents,  January 
16,  1855,  and  there  grew  to  manhood,  receiving  his  education  in  the  schools 
of  that  neighborhood.  Following  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father,  he  became 
a  practical  farmer.  After  his  marriage,  he  built  a  house  on  the  "lower 
eighty"  of  the  home  farm  and  there  he  and  his  wife  established  a  beautiful 
home,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  carrying  on  in  their 
own  home  the  hospitality  for  which  the  West  homes  have  ever  been  noted. 
George  West  was  an  excellent  farmer  and  took  much  pride  in  bringing 
and  keeping  his  land  up  to  a  high  degree  of  cultivation,  developing  one  of 
the  best-kept  farm  plants  in  Champaign  county.  He  was  an  ardent  Republi- 
can and  took  a  good  citizen's  interest  in  local  political  affairs,  having  served 
his  township  in  the  capacity  of  treasurer  and  as  a  member  of  the  school 
board. 

On  October  17,  1878,  George  W.  West  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Ellen  Breslin,  daughter  of  James  and  Bridget  (^lurphy)  Breslin.  The 
Breslins  were  natives  of  Ireland,  both  born  in  County  Mayo,  who  came  to 
this  country  in  their  youth.  Ellen  was  the  eldest  of  eleven  children  and  was 
born  in  St.  Paris,  Ohio,  March  21,  1856.  She  was  a  beautiful  girl,  a  sweet 
and  gracious  woman,  greatly  loved  for  her  unselfishness  and  thoughtfulness 
for  others.  She  died  on  March  5,  1916,  and  her  husband  survived  her  but 
little  more  than  a  month,  his  death  occurring  on  April  13,  of  the  same  year. 

George  W.  and  Ellen  (Breslin)  West  were  the  parents  of  two  daugh- 
ters, Mabel  and  Blanche.  Mabel  Hester  West,  who  was  born  on  August  6. 
1879,  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  in  the  Ohio  Normal  Uni- 


I024  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

versity  at  Ada.  She  married  Sherman  S.  Deaton,  a  biographical  sketch  of 
whom  appears  in  this  edition.  Blanche  West,  who  was  born  on  January  22, 
1885,  was  graduated  from  the  St.  Paris  and  Urbana  schools  and  later  became 
a  teacher  in  the  St.  Paris  schools.  On  December  25,  1909,  she  was  married 
to  Edward  Griswold  Johnston,  a  civil  engineer  in  the  employ  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Railroad  Company.  Mr.  Johnston's  headquarters  are  at  Pittsburgh* 
and  he  and  his  family  reside  in  Sewickley,  Pennsylvania.  They  are  the 
parents  of  one  son.  Robert  West  Johnston,  born  on  July  22,   191 3. 


LELAND  C.  FUDGER. 


Leland  C.  Fudger,  one  of  the  progressive  young  farmers  of  Goshen 
township,  this  county,  was  born  on  the  place  on  which  he  is  now  living,  on 
the  Woodstock  pike,  three  miles  north  of  Mechanicsburg,  and  has  lived 
there  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  May  20,  1888,  son  and  only  child  of 
Alanson  P.  and  Lucy  (Donley)  Fudger,  the  latter  of  whom  is  still  living 
at  Mechanicsburg. 

The  late  Alanson  P.  Fudger  \\as  l)orn  on  what  is  now  the  H.  M. 
Fudger  farm  in  Goshen  township  and  spent  all  his  life  in  that  township,  a 
well-known  and  substantial  farmer  and  influential  citizen.  The  Fudgers 
are  an  old  family  in  Champaign  county  and  further  and  fitting  mention  of 
the  family  is  made  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  Alanson  P.  Fudger  was  an 
active  and  influential  Republican,  for  years  one  of  the  leaders  of  that  party 
in  this  county,  served  for  some  time  as  a  member  of  the  county  Republican 
central  committee,  and  also  as  county  commissioner  for  four  years.  He 
also  took  an  earnest  interest  in  the  general  agricultural  afifairs  of  the  county 
and  for  some  years  was  a  member  of  the  county  fair  board.  He  was  a 
Royal  Arch  and  York  Rite  Mason,  affiliated  with  the  blue  lodge  and  the 
chapter  at  Mechanicsburg  and  with  the  commandery  at  Urbana,  and  took 
an  active  interest  in  Masonic  afifairs.  By  religious  persuasion  he  was  a 
Universalist,  and  took  a  proper  part  in  the  afifairs  of  the  church.  His  widow 
is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  church  at  Mechanicsburg.  She 
is  a  daughter  of  William  W.  and  Mary  E.  (Redd)  Donley,  natives  of 
Virginia,  the  former  born  at  Winchester  and  the  latter  at  Newton,  both 
members  of  slave-owning  families.  They  were  married  in  that  state  in 
1846  and  later  came  to  Ohio,  locating  at  Lebanon,  where  William  W.  Don- 
ley engaged  in  the  retail  meat  business,  later  coming  to  Champaign  county 


ALANSON  P.   FUDGER 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  IO25 

and  locating  at  Westville,  from  which  place  they  presently  moved  to  Mechan- 
icsburg,  where  the  rest  of  their  lives  were  spent,  Mr.  Donley  conducting  a 
hotel  there  until  the  time  of  his  retirement  from  business.  During  the  Civil 
War,  William  W.  Donley  served  for  four  years  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union, 
having  enlisted  at  Lebanon  as  a  member  of  Company  B,  Seventy-ninth 
Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  with  which  command  he  served  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  He  died  in  1883.  His  widow  survived  him  for  more 
than  ten  years,  her  death  occurring  on  May  10,  1895,  she  then  being  sixty- 
six  years  of  age.  Mr.  Donley  was  a  member  of  the  Universalist  church  and 
his  wife  was  a  Baptist.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  five  of  whom 
grew  to  maturity,  those  besides  Mrs.  Fudger  being  Sarah  (deceased),  Edgar. 
Frank  and  Elmer. 

Leland  C.  Fudger  was  reared  on  the  farm  on  which  he  is  now  living, 
a  fine  place  of  two  hundred  and  seventy  acres,  and  from  the  days  of  his 
boyhood  was  a  valuable  factor  in  the  labors  of  developing  and  improving 
the  place.  On  February  24,  1916,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mary  Dor- 
sey,  who  was  also  born  in  this  county,  a  daughter  of  Michael  Dorsey  and 
wife,  the  latter  of  whom  was  a  Lawless,  and  after  his  marriage  established 
his  home  on  the  home  place  and  has  continued  to  operate  the  same,  carry- 
ing on  his  farming  operations  in  accordance  with  modern  principles  of  agri- 
culture. Mr.  Fudger  has  a  well-improved  farm  plant  and  is  doing  well. 
Politically,  he  is  a  Republican,  inheriting  from  his  late  father  a  deep  belief 
in  the  basic  principles  of  that  party  and  is  an  ardent  and  enthusiastic  sup- 
porter of  the  same,  being  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  active  and  influen- 
tial young  Republicans  in  that  part  of  the  county.  His  wife  is  a  member 
of  St.  Michael's  Catholic  church  at  Mechanicsburg  and  takes  an  earnest 
interest  in  parish  affairs. 


ISAAC  N.  ANDERSON. 


Isaac  N.  Anderson,  one  of  Urbana  township's  best-known  farmers,  is 
a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was 
born  on  a  farm  in  Mad  River  township  on  August  28,  1850,  son  of  Joseph 
and  Louisa  (Steinbarger)  Anderson,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  on  that 
same  farm,  but  whose  last  days  were  spent  at  Tremont,  this  state. 

Joseph  Anderson  was  born  in  Mad  River  township,  this  county,  a  son 
of  John  and  Nancy  (Lower)  Anderson,  natives  of  Virginia,  who  were  mar- 
(65a) 


I026  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

ried  in  their  native  state  and  then  came  over  into  Ohio,  about  1816,  and  settled 
on  a  farm  in  Mad  River  township,  this  county,  where  they  Hved  until  their 
retirement  from  the  farm  and  removal  to  Urbana,  where  their  last  days  were 
spent.  John  Anderson  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  those 
besides  Joseph  having  been  James,  Betsy,  William,  Albert,  Marion,  Louise, 
Susanna  and  one  daughter  who  died  in  childhood.  Reared  on  the  pioneer 
home  farm  in  Mad  River  township,  Joseph  Anderson  established  his  home 
on  a  part  of  that  farm  after  his  marriage  and  there  continued  to  reside  until 
his  removal  years  later  to  Tremont.  this  state,  where  his  last  days  were 
spent,  his  death  occurring  there  in  1909.  he  then  being  eighty  years  of  age. 
Joseph  Anderson  was  twice  married  and  by  his  first  wife,  Louisa  Stein- 
barger,  was  the  father  of  six  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  the  first-born,  the  others  being  as  follow :  Erastus,  a  resident  of  Tre- 
mont; George,  a  farmer  of  Union  township,  this  county;  Wiley,  of  Tremont; 
Jasper,  who  is  now  living  in  Nebraska,  and  Elmer,  of  Mechanicsburg,  this 
county.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-one  years, 
and  Joseph  Anderson  later  married  Mary  Overhulser,  who  survives  him  and 
is  still  making  her  home  at  Tremont.  To  that  union  were  born  three  chil- 
dren, Anna,  Susanna  and  Charles,  the  two  former  of  whom  are  deceased 
and  the  latter  of  whom  is  now  living  at  Urbana. 

Isaac  N.  Anderson  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Mad  River  town- 
ship and  in  the  neighborhood  schools  received  his  schcjoling.  After  his  mar- 
riage in  the  spring  of  1876  he  continued  farming  in  his  home  township  for 
twenty  years  or  more,  or  until  in  1900,  when  he  bought  the  Busser  farm  of 
fifty  acres  in  Urbana  township,  where  he  is  now  living  and  where  he  ever 
since  has  made  his  home.  Since  taking  possession  of  that  place  Mr.  Ander- 
son has  made  many  notable  improvements  on  the  same  and  now  has  a  well- 
improved  and  profitably  cultivated  farm  and  one  of  the  best  farm  plants  in 
that  neighborhood.  In  addition  to  his  general  farming  Mr.  Anderson  gives 
considerable  attention  to  stock  raising  and  dairying  and  is  doing  very  well, 
his  farming  being  carried  on  in  accordance  with  progressive  methods  with 
a  view  to  getting  the  best  possible  results  from  a  small  farm  intensiveh' 
cultivated.  Mr.  Anderson  is  a  Republican  and  has  held  some  of  the  townshi]) 
offices  from  time  to  time,  in  that  connection  giving  his  earliest  attention  to 
the  public  service. 

On  March  5,  1876.  Isaac  N.  Anderson  was  united  in  marriage  to  i^^lla 
Mitchell,  who  was  born  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Clark,  and  to  this  union 
has  been  born  one  child,  a  son,  Harvey  Allen  Anderson.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Anderson  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Urbana  and  take  a  proper 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  102/ 

interest  in  church  work,  as  well  as  in  other  neighborhood  good  works.  Mr. 
Anderson  is  a  member  of  the  Urbana  lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs  of  that  popular  fra- 
ternal organization. 


TAMES  R.  HODGE. 


James  R.  Hodge,  of  the  great  farming  plant  of  Hodge  Brothers,  in 
Union  township,  this  county,  was  born  in  that  township  and  has  lived  there 
all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  February  5,  1866,  son  of  Samuel  M.  and 
Amanda  M.  (Roberts)  Hodge,  useful  and  influential  residents  of  that  com- 
munity and  further  and  fitting  mention  of  whom  is  made  elsewhere  in  this 
volume. 

Samuel  M.  Hodge  was  born  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Clark,  as  was 
his  wife.  In  April,  1856,  they  came  up  into  Champaign  county  and  settled  in 
Union  township,  where  in  i860  Samuel  M.  Hodge  bought  a  tract  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty  acres  and  entered  upon  the  agricultural  operations  that 
presently  caused  him  to  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  successful  and  exten- 
sive farmers  in  this  part  of  the  state,  the  owner  of  eleven  hundred  acres  of 
land  and  an  extensive  stockman.  As  his  sons  grew  to  manhood  Samuel  M. 
Hodge  took  them  into  partnership  with  him  and  carried  on  the  farming-  op- 
erations under  the  firm  name  of  S.  M.  Hodge  &  Sons.  He  died  in  Septem- 
ber, 1898,  and  in  1903  the  firm  name  was  changed  to  that  of  Hodge  Broth- 
ers, the  subject  of  this  sketch  being  associated  in  business  with  his  brothers. 
Edgar  W.  Hodge  and  Harry  D.  Hodge,  the  firm  now  operating  seventeen 
hundr-ed-  acres  of  land,  on  which  there  is  raised  annually  something  like  four 
or  five  hundred  acres  of  corn  and  the  same  acreage  of  small  grain,  besides 
five  hundred  head  of  sheep,  six  hundred  head  of  hogs  and  several  carloads 
of  cattle.  The  widow  of  Samuel  M.  Hodge  is  now  making  her  home  with 
her  son  James,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  She  and  her  husband  were  the 
parents  of  ten  children,  of  whom  seven  are  now  living.  Edgar  W.,  Samuel 
E..  Tames  R.,  Harrv  D..  Sarah,  Agnes  and  Catherine:  the  three  deceased  be- 
ing Elizabeth,  John  and  Francis  T. 

Tames  R.  Hodge  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Union  township  and 
received  his  schooling  in  the  Wild  Rose  school.  He  early  became  actively 
identified  with  his  father  and  brothers  in  the  management  of  the  big  farm,  as 
a  member  of  the  firm  of  S.  M.  Hodge  &  Sons,  and  after  his  father's  death 
continued  with  his  brothers  in  the  operation  of  the  farm,  being  made  man- 


1028  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

ager  of  the  plant  upon  the  change  of  hrm  name  to  Hodge  Brothers  in  1903, 
and  since  occupied  that  position,  one  of  the  most  progressive  agriculturists 
in  this  part  of  the  state.  Mr.  Hodge  is  a  Republican  and  takes  a  good  citi- 
zen's interest  in  local  civic  affairs,  but  has  not  been  a  seeker  after  public  office. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  county  fair  board  for  several  years. 

In  1906  James  R.  Hodge  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mabel  Reid,  daugh- 
ter of  James  C.  and  Mary  (Sailor)  Reid,  further  mention  of  which  family 
is  made  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  The  Hodges  have  a  very  pleasant  home 
in  Union  township,  on  rural  mail  route  No.  4  out  of  Mechanicsburg,  and  take 
a  proper  interest  in  the  community's  general  social  activities. 


JEAN  P.   PRINTZ. 


One  of  Mad  River  township's  best-known  and  most  progressive  farm- 
ers, living  on  his  fine  farm  of  two  hundred  acres  on  the  Piqua  and  Urbana 
pike  one-half  mile  east  of  Westville,  is  Jean  P.  Printz,  who  was  born  at 
Luray,  Paige  county,  Virginia,  on  January  6,  1883,  the  son  of  Isaiah  and 
Ida  (Pence)  Printz,  both  of  whom  were  natives  also  of  the  old  Dominion. 

Isaiah  Printz  was  a  son  of  John  Printz,  who,  in  turn  was  a  son  of 
George  Printz.  The  latter  was  aide-de-camp  to  Gen.  George  Washington  in 
the  Revolutionary  War  and  lived  long  enough  to  be  a  captain  in  the  War 
of  1812.  The  wife  of  Isaiah  Printz  was  Ida  Printz,  her  mother  being  Rebecca 
Lincoln,  a  first  cousin  of  President  Abraham  Lincoln.  Isaiah  Printz  and 
wife  were  both  born  and  reared  in  Shenandoah  county,  Virginia.  After 
their  marriage  they  located  on  a  farm  in  Paige  county,  Virginia.  They 
became  the  parents  of  eight  children,  all  of  whom  are  now  living:  Esta- 
lene,  the  widow  of  Frank  W.  Bird,  lives  in  Paige  county,  Virginia;  Jean 
P.,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  brief  review;  Anna,  the  wife  of  J.  T. 
Campbell,  of  Luray,  Virginia;  Virginia,  the  wife  of  John  Stewart,  of  Paige 
county,  Virginia;  Cecil,  a  farmer  living  near  Monticello,  Indiana;  Mamie, 
the  wife  of  C.  L.  Rhoades,  of  Rockbridge  county,  Virginia;  Rexford,  unmar- 
ried, a  farmer  near  Bloomington,  Illinois,  and  Elaine,  living  at  home  with 
her  mother.  Isaiah  Printz  was  a  prominent  factor  in  the  life  of  his  home 
community  during  his  life,  being  very  active  in  the  political  life  of  the  time. 
During  the  period  when  the  Farmers  Alliance  and  Populist  parties  were  active 
in  the  country,  he  was  the  nominee  of  that  faction  for  the  state  Legislature 
from  his  county,  and  was  defeated  by  only  one  vote  at  the  succeeding  elcc- 


^'  ^ 


c 


^ 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  IO29 

tion,  which  fact  indicates  his  popularity  among  his  fellow  citizens.  He  was 
active  in  the  affairs  of  the  Lutheran  church,  of  which  his  wife  is  still  a 
member. 

Jean  P.  Printz  was  reared  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm  in  Virginia, 
receiving  his  elementary  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  home  neigh- 
borhood, afterwards  attending  the  high  school  and  academy  in  Luray,  Vir- 
ginia. He  was  also  a  student  of  Washington  University,  Washington,  D. 
C,  for  a  time,  but  was  forced  to  discontinue  his  studies  at  the  latter  insti- 
tution on  account  of  failing  health.  In  search  of  health,  for  the  next  three 
years  he  traveled  over  the  West,  and  in  1909  came  to  Champaign  county, 
Ohio,  coming  direct  to  Westville,  where  he  remained  for  a  short  time,  after 
which  he  returned  to  his  old  home  in  Virginia,  where  he  remained  for  one 
year,  then  came  back  to  Champaign  county,  locating  on  his  present  farm. 
Here  he  is  very  successfully  engaged  in  farming,  making  a  specialty  of 
feeding  cattle  for  the  market.  He  is  also  starting  in  to  specialize  in  a  line  of 
pure-bred  Belgian  horses.  Besides  his  farming  interests,  Mr.  Printz  is  a 
stockholder  in  the  Urbana  Building  and  Loan  Association  and  the  Citizens 
National  Bank  of  Urbana.  On  December  7,  1910,  Mr.  Printz  was  married 
to  Elizabeth  Magrew,  daughter  of  Hamilton  and  Elizabeth  (Snyder)  Magrew. 
Mrs.  Printz  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Urbana  and  is  popular 
among  the  religious  and  social  circles  of  her  community.  She  was  born 
on  November  19,  1885.  Mr.  Printz  is  a  member  of  Magrew  Lodge  No. 
433,  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  is  a  past  chancellor  of  that  lodge.  He  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics. 

The  Magrew  family  have  been  prominent  in  Champaign  county  for 
more  than  a  hundred  years.  Hamilton  Magrew,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Printz, 
was  born  in  Mad  River  township,  on  January  31,  1834.  His  father,  Archi- 
bald, was  born  in  Adams  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1792,  and  came  to  Cham- 
paign county  in  1810  with  his  parents,  his  father,  Archibald,  Sr.,  then  enter- 
ing all  of  section  1 1  in  Mad  River  township.  Since  the  arrival  of  the  family 
in  the  county  in  18 10  they  have  been  influential  factors  in  every  phase  of 
the  county's  development.  Archibald  Magrew,  Sr.,  laid  out  the  village 
of  Westville,  the  original  plat  of  which  is  still  in  existence.  He  married 
Ruth  Miller,  also  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  they  became  the  parents 
of  five  children:  Archibald,  John,  William,  Matthew  and  Mary.  Archi- 
bald Magrew,  Jr.,  was  married  on  February  25,  1813,  to  Mary  Taylor,  a 
daughter  of  John  Taylor,  of  Salem  township,  this  county.  They  were  the 
parents  of  ten  children:  Margaret,  who  became  the  wife  of  Amos  Rupert; 
Mary   J.,   who   married   Jacob   Aulabaugh;   Caroline,    who   married    Milton 


I030 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO. 


Fithian;  Lemuel,  who  married  Linda  Miller;  Matthew,  who  died  in  the 
days  of  his  youth;  Hamilton,  who  married  Elizabeth  Snyder  and  had  three 
children,  Luella,  who  married  William  F.  Ring,  an  attorney,  of  Urbana : 
Cyrus  H.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years,  and  Elizalieth  H..  who  mar- 
ried Jean  P.  Printz. 

Daniel  Snyder,  father  of  Mrs.  Hamilton  Magrew,  was  born  in  Shenan- 
doah county,  Virginia,  and  came  to  Champaign  county  in  1815  with  his 
parents,  Daniel  and  Barbara  (Pence)  Snyder,  who  located  on  a  farm  south 
of  Westville,  in  Mad  River  township,  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  their 
lives,  Daniel  Snyder  dying  on  February  17,  1849,  ^t  the  age  of  sixty-four 
years;  his  widow  surviving  until  April  14,  1866,  she  being  seventy-eight 
years  of  age  at  the  time  of  her  death.  They  had  four  children,  Daniel. 
Sarah,  Susan  and  Elizabeth. 

Daniel  (Jr.)  and  Anna  (Kiser)  Snyder  were  the  parents  of  fourteen 
children,  all  of  whom  grew  to  maturity  and  married,  namely :  John,  who 
married  Caroline  Magrew  and  located  in  Mad  River  township,  where  both 
he  and  his  wife  spent  their  last  days;  Cyrus,  who  married  Sabra  Ward  and 
was  a  practicing  attorney  at  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  and  at  Washington, 
D.  C,  and  who  died  on  May  30,  1906;  Eliza  Jane,  who  married  Dr.  John 
Noble  Beach,  of  West  Jefferson,  this  state,  and  who  died  in  1908;  William, 
who  married  Melissa  Ogden  and  died  on  the  old  home  farm  south  of  West- 
ville; Minerva,  who  is  now  living  in  Louisiana,  widow  of  Dr.  N.  B.  Free- 
land;  EHzabeth,  who  married  Hamilton  H.  Magrew;  Mary  Ann,  who  mar- 
ried Enos  Johnson  and  who,  as  well  as  her  husband,  died  at  Sidney,  this 
state;  Martha,  whose  last  days  were  spent  in  Pennsylvania;  David,  who 
married  Roanna  Chance;  Margaret,  now  living  at  West  Jefferson,  who  has 
been  twice  married,  after  the  death  of  her  first  husband,  John  Houx,  having 
married  John  Roberts ;  Dr.  Charles  Snyder,  of  London,  this  state ;  Laura,  now 
deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Joseph  Nevin,  of  Dayton,  this  state;  Bal- 
four, who  married  Carrie  Rainey  and  is  now  connected  with  the  Snyder- 
Chaffe  Candy  Company  of  Columbus,  this  state,  and  Josephine,  wife  of 
William  Foye,  a  druggist,  of  Marion,  this  state.  Daniel  Snyder  took  a 
prominent  part  in  the  general  affairs  of  the  community  during  the  earh- 
days  of  the  settlement  of  this  part  of  the  state,  commanded  a  company  of 
home  guards  during  the  time  of  the  Indian  trouble,  was  one  of  the  organ- 
izers of  the  Champaign  County  Agricultural  Society  and  was  president 
of  the  old  Westville-Dayton  Turnpike  Company.  Hamilton  Magrew  was 
a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Citizens  National  Bank  of  Urbana 
and  was  one  of  the  managers  of  the  Champaign  County  Agricultural  Society. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  IO3I 

He  was  a  member  of  the  local  lodges  of  the  Masons  and  of  the  Knights 
of  Pythias  at  Westville  and  the  lodge  of  the  latter  order  at  that  place  was 
named  in  honor  of  himself  and  his  brother  Lemuel.  His  wife,  Elizabeth 
Magrew,  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Urbana.  Hamilton 
Magrew  died  on  December  30,  1907. 

Anna  Kizer,  wife  of  Daniel  Snyder,  was  a  daughter  of  Philip  and 
Elizabeth  (Kite)  Kizer,  natives  of  Virginia,  who  came  up  into  this  part  of 
Ohio,  by  way  of  Cincinnati,  and  settled  in  Clark  county.  Philip  Kizer  became 
a  prominent  factor  in  the  early  life  of  that  community  and  was  for  some 
time  captain  of  the  local  company  of  state  militia.  After  his  death  his 
widow  moved  with  her  children  up  into  Champaign  county  and  settled  in 
Mad  River  township,  where  her  last  days  were  spent. 


LEVI  J.  GOOD. 


.  Among  the  pioneer  families  of  Champaign  county  there  are  few  names 
better  known  than,  those  of  the  Goods  and  the  Spains,  these  two  families 
having  been  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  that  part  of  the  county  now  com- 
prised within  the  bounds  of  Wayne  township.  It  was  in  1805  that  the 
Goods  and  the  Spains  drove  through  from  Dinwiddle  county,  Virginia,  to 
the  then  new  state  of  Ohio  and  settled  in  Champaign  county,  which  had  just 
been  established  as  a  civic  unit  in  that  year.  Both  the  Goods  and  the  Spains 
were  cultivated  families  and  their  influence  in  the  early  days  of  the  Wayne 
township  settlement,  in  which  the}'  located,  was  from  the  very  beginning 
exerted  in  behalf  of  good  citizenship,  good  schools  and  the  highest  measure 
of  social  cuhure  that  could  be  accomplished  in  a  wilderness.  Thomas  Good, 
the  pioneer,  and  his  wife,  Frances,  established  their  home  in  the  woods  in 
what  later  came  to  be  organized  as  Wayne  township,  settling  on  the  tract 
ever  since  known  as  the  old  Good  homestead,  now  occupied  by  their  great 
granddaughter,  Eliza  Good  and  her  brother,  James  Elwood  Good,  and  there 
they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  useful  and  influential  pioneers  of 
that  community.  Upon  settling  there  Thomas  Good  put  up  a  log  cabin  and 
set  about  the  task  of  clearing  his  wilderness  tract.  He  later  built  another 
log  cabin  and  still  later  a  frame  house  and  in  due  time  had  a  well-improved 
farm.  He  and  his  wife  were  Methodists  and  from  the  beginning  of  their 
residence  here  took  an  active  ])art  in  the  religious  life  of  the  new  community, 
doing  much  to  extend  the  same,  and  were  helpful  in  the  work  of  organizing 
A-arious  church  bodies  in  that  part  of  the  county. 


1032  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Among  the  children  born  to  Thomas  Good  and  his  wife  was  Theo- 
derick  S.  Good,  who  was  born  on  that  pioneer  farm  in  Wayne  township  on 
January  22,  1806,  not  long  after  his  parents  had  settled  there.  He  grew 
to  manhood  on  that  place  and  married  his  neighbor,  Mary  G.  Spain,  who 
was  born  on  the  adjoining  farm,  daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  Spain, 
who  had  accompanied  the  Goods  over  from  Dinwiddle  county,  Virginia,  in 
1805  and  had  settled  in  this  county,  as  above  noted.  Elsewhere  in  this 
volume  there  is  set  out  at  greater  length  something  of  the  history  of  the 
Spain  family  in  this  county,  together  with  an  account  of  the  descendants 
of  the  pioneer  pair  above  mentioned.  After  his  marriage  Theoderick  Good 
established  his  home  on  the  old  home  place  and  there  spent  the  rest  of  his  life, 
a  substantial  and  industrious  farmer.  Among  the  children  born  to  him 
and  his  wife  was  Levi  J.  Good,  the  subject  of  this  memorial  sketch. 

Levi  J.  Good  was  born  on  the  old  Good  homestead  in  Wayne  township 
on  August  27,  183 1,  and  there  spent  all  liis  life,  his  death  occurring  on 
March  31,  1882,  he  then  being  in  the  fifty-first  year  of  his  age.  Despite 
the  limited  facilities  for  schooling  in  the  days  of  his  youth,  the  log  school 
house  then  being  the  seat  of  learning  in  that  neighborhood,  Levi  J.  Good 
acquired  an  excellent  education  through  home  help  and '  wide  reading  and 
was  a  proficient  Latin  scholar.  Reared  a  Democrat,  he  espoused  the  cause 
of  the  Republican  party  upon  the  organization  of  the  same  and  voted  for 
Abraham  Lincoln  for  President  in  i860,  ever  afterward  remaining  an  ardent 
Republican  and  for  years  being  regarded  as  one  of  the  leaders  of  that  party 
in  this  county.  He  held  numerous  township  offices  and  other  positions  of 
trust  and  responsibility  in  the  community  and  did  much  to  advance  the  cause 
of  local  good  government  in  his  generation.  In  addition  to  his  general  farm- 
ing operations  Mr.  Good  was  extensively  engaged  in  the  raising  of  high 
grade  live  stock  and  was  a  constant  and  successful  exhibitor  at  the  county 
fairs,  in  the  affairs  of  which  he  took  an  active  interest  and  in  the  promotion 
of  which  he  took  a  useful  part.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the 
Methodist  church  and  their  children  were  reared  in  that  faith.  There  were 
six  of  these  children,  namely :  Eliza,  who  was  born  on  the  old  Good  home- 
stead and  is  still  living  there;  Sale,  who  married  Ida  M.  Thompson  and  is 
now  a  resident  of  Dayton,  connected  with  the  great  works  of  the  National 
Cash  Register  Company  at  that  place;  Polly  Ann,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
eighteen  months ;  James  Elwood,  who  has  always  lived  on  the  old  home  |)lace 
and  is  now  managing  the  same;  Ai,  who  lived  at  home  until  1Q03,  when  he 
moved  to  Urbana,  where  he  is  now  engaged  in  the  contracting  business,  and 
Ivan  T.,  who  married  Esther  Smith  and  is  now  living  at  Springfield,  r)]ii(). 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 


1033 


where   he   is  connected   with   the   inaiHn,o:  department   of   the   plant   of   the 
Fireside  Magasine. 

Miss  EHza  Good,  who  has  always  made  her  home  on  the  old  home 
place,  which  was  established  by  her  great  grandfather,  Thomas  Good,  back 
m  1805,  the  year  of  the  erection  of  Champaign  county,  is  widely  known 
throughout  the  county  and  has  hosts  of  warm  friends  hereabout.  She  has 
preserved  many  relics  of  the  pioneer  period  of  her  family  in  Wayne  town- 
ship and  takes  an  earnest  interest  in  the  general  history  of  the  pioneers 
of  this  section  of  the  state.  Among  the  relics  of  the  days  of  the  beginning 
of  her  family  in  this  county  that  she  has  preserved  is  an  old  flint-lock  musket 
and  two  flint-lock  pistols  that  her  great  grandfather  Spain  brought  out  here 
with  him  from  Virginia  in  1805;  the  ancient  musket  having  been  carried 
back  and  forth  between  here  and  Virginia  on  twelve  trips  made  by  James 
Spain  after  he  located  here.  Miss  Good  also  has  the  pioneer's  old  saddle- 
bags, besides  numerous  household  utensils  preserved  since  pioneer  days  in 
the  Good  and  Spain  families,  all  of  wln'ch  form  a  most  interesting  collec- 
tion in  these  days,  more  than  a  hundred  years  after  they  had  their  original 
uses  here. 


CHARLES  A.  CUSHMAN. 

An  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  W^ar  and  a  substantial  retired  farmer 
of  Woodstock,  Champaign  county,  is  Charles  A.  Cushman,  who  has  been 
content  to  spend  his  life  of  seventy-seven  years  in  his  home  community.  He 
was  born  here  on  September  12,  1840,  and  is  a  son  of  Frank  and  Susan 
(Gifford)  Cushman,  also  natives  of  this  county,  each  representing  old  pioneer 
families,  the  Cushmans  coming  to  Woodstock  from  New  England  in  a  very 
early  day.  Frank  Cushman  was  a  son  of  Harvey  Cushman.  a  physician  and 
attorney,  who  was  also  engaged  in  various  lines  of  business;  he  was  twice 
married.  His  death  occurred  at  Piqua,  Ohio.  There  were  five  children  by 
his  first  wife,  namely:     Frank,  Abigail,  George,  Harriet  and  Aurora. 

Frank  Cushman,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  received  a  good 
education  for  his  day,  and  when  a  young  man  took  up  the  marble  cutter's 
trade,  also  that  of  stone  mason,  and  he  built  many  of  the  old  brick  houses 
in  and  around  Woodstock.  He  burned  his  own  brick  and  made  the  lime  he 
used.  He  was  also  a  successful  trader.  He  was  a  patent-right  man,  and 
patented  a  machine  to  cut  shingles.  Politically,  he  was  a  Whig,  later  a  Re- 
publican.    He  was  a  member  of  the  Universalist  church.     He  and  his  wife 


1034  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

both  died  in  Woodstock.  They  were  parents  of  the  following  children:  Julius 
J.,  wlio  was  a  soldier  in  Company  A,  Second  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  was  killed  at  Hoover's  Gap;  Charles  A.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  Warren,  a  noted  sculptor,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this 
work;  Lucy  L.,  who  married  M.  P.  Hewett,  and  who,  as  well  as  her  husband, 
is  now  deceased,  and  Harry,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Charles  A.  Cushman  received  a  limited  education,  attending  school  in 
the  old  log  school  house  in  his  community.  He  lived  at  home  until  the  breaking 
out  of  the  Civil  War  and  then  enlisted  April  17,  1861,  among  the  first  to  volun- 
teer in  any  of  the  states.  He  was  a  private  in  Company  K,  Second  Regiment, 
Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Capt.  William  Baldwin  and  Col.  W.  W. 
Wilson.  His  enlistment  was  for  three  months,  and  he  took  part  in  the  first 
battle  of  Bull  Run.  He  re-eniisted  in  Company  D,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty- 
fourth  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  one-hundred-day  service,  being 
located  at  Bermuda  Hundred,  Virginia,  and  served  faithfully  until  .Vugust 
4,  1864,  when  he  was  honorably  discharged.  His  third  enlistment  was  on 
February  6,  1865,  in  the  Second  Ohio  Cavalry.  He  was  sent  to  Philadelphia, 
Washington  City,  Alexandria.  Virginia  and  Harper's  Ferry,  then  back  to 
Washington.  From  there  he  was  sent  with  his  regiment  seventy  luiles  down 
the  Potomac  river  to  Port  Tobacco,  then  back  to  Washington,  landing  in  that 
city  the  day  following  the  Grand  Review.  He  was  again  sent  into  Virginia, 
and  on  to  Parkersburg,  West  Virginia,  thence  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  by 
boat,  and  from  there  home,  and  was  finally  mustered  out  of  the  service  and 
honorably  discharged  in  June,  1865. 

Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  Mr.  Cushman  located  at 
Woodstock,  this  county,  and  there  engaged  in  various  pursuits,  including  that 
of  butcher  and  farmer.  In  February,  1863,  he  married  Julia  Standish,  a 
native  of  New  York  City  and  a  daughter  of  Samuel  Standish,  wlio  was  a 
son  of  Miles  Standish,  and  whose  wafe  was  a  Pierce,  of  New  York  state. 
Mrs.  Cushman  was  eleven  years  old  when  she  came  to  Champaign  county, 
with  her  parents  in  1857.  Her  father  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and  an 
expert  with  edge  tools.  He  also  made  many  steel  traps  for  the  Indians. 
He  and  his  wife  spent  their  latter  lives  in  Woodstock. 

To  Charles  A.  Cushman  and  wife  thirteen  children  have  been  born,  ten 
of  whom  survive  at  this  writing,  namely:  Frank  P.,  a  carpenter,  living  in 
San  Francisco,  who  served  tw'o  years  in  the  United  States  army  and  took 
part  in  the  Spanish- American  War;  Mattie,  the  wife  of  George  Standish, 
superintendent  of  the  Champaign  County  Infirmary,  and  a  sketch  of  whom 
will  be  found  elsewhere  in  these  pages;  J.  J.,  a  carpenter,  who  lives  in  Salt 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  IO35 

Lake  City,  Utah;  Josephine,  the  wife  of  Asa  Owen,  a  farmer,  and  trustee  of 
Rush  township;  Susan,  the  wife  of  J.  S.  McCarty,  a  farmer,  of  Rush  town- 
ship; Lucy,  who  married  WiUiam  Crawford,  station  agent  at  Woodstock;  C. 
W.,  who  is  farming  in  Rush  township;  Jerrard,  a  carpenter  in  Salt  Lake 
City,  Utah;  Arthur,  who  is  farming  near  Woodstock,  and  Warren,  who  is 
a  blacksmith  in  the  employ  of  the  Dayton  Street  Car  Company,  at  the  O'Neill 
car  barns.  Mr.  Cushman  is  a  member  of  Harry  Davis  Post  No.  612,  Grand 
Army  of  the  RepubHc,  at  Woodstock,  and  has  passed  all  the  chairs  in  the 
same. 


T.  F.  NEER. 


J.  F.  Neer,  one  of  the  best-known  members  of  the  present  generation  of 
this  honored  old  family  of  Champaign  county,  was  born  on  the  farm  now 
owned  by  J.  P.  Neer,  a  mile  and  a  half  east  of  Heathstown,  in  Concord  town- 
ship, March  29,  1850.  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Margaret  S.  (Monroe)  Neer. 
The  father  was  a  native  of  \'irginia  and  at  an  early  date  came  with  his  parents 
to  this  county,  the  family  thus  being  among  the  early  pioneers  of  Concord 
township,  and  well  known  here  for  a  century.  Margaret  S.  Monroe  was 
born  in  Harrison  township,  this  county,  of  which  her  parents  were  also 
pioneers,  coming  here  from  Pennsylvania.     They  were  of  Scottish  descent. 

After  his  marriage  Joseph  Neer  settled  on  the  farm  in  Concord  town- 
ship, where  his  son,  J.  F.  Neer,  was  born  and  there  he  and  his  wife  spent 
the  rest  of  their  lives.  He  was  one  of  the  successful  farmers  and  useful 
citizens  of  his  township,  becoming  quite  well-to-do  for  those  days,  through 
his  able  management  and  close  appHcation.  He  was  a  Republican,  and  a 
member  of  the  Concord  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  which  he  was  a  pillar 
for  many  years.  His  family  consisted  of  twelve  children,  namely :  Flora, 
now  living  in  California,  widow  of  J.  W^  Ellis;  David  C,  who  lives  in  Allen 
county,  Kansas;  Mrs.  Tillie  Oppenbacker,  deceased;  John,  who  lives  in 
Urbana;  Mrs.  Mollie  Neer,  deceased;  Nathan,  who  lives  in  Pasadena,  Cali- 
fornia; SaUie,  the  wife  of  L.  Clemmon;  J.  F.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Mrs. 
Mary  McMaster,  who  lives  in  Los  Angeles,  California;  Samuel,  who  lives  in 
Green  River,  Utah;  James,  who  lives  in  \A'infield,  Kansas,  and  one  child  who 
died  in  infancy  unnamed. 

J.  F.  Neer  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and  received  a  common  school 
education.  He  remained  with  his  parents  until  his  marriage,  June  26,  1881. 
to  Lydia  A.  Bricker,  a  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Martha  J.    (Clark)   Bricker. 


1036  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Mr.  Bricker  was  born  in  the  Shenandoah  valley,  Virginia,  and  there  he 
spent  his  boyhood.  When  a  young  man  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Cham- 
paign county,  Ohio,  the  trip  being  made  overland  in  an  old-fashioned  covered 
wagon.  He  was  one  of  nine  children.  The  family  located  in  Concord  town- 
ship and  here  he  met  and  married  Martha  Clark,  who  was  a  native  of  Adams 
township.  Champaign  county,  where  her  parents  settled  in  pioneer  days. 

After  his  marriage  J.  F.  Neer  went  to  lola,  Allen  county,  Kansas,  where 
they  remained  a  year,  then  returned  to  Champaign  county  and  located  on  a 
farm  near  the  old  home  place  in  Concord  township,  buying  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres,  ]:)ut  he  remained  there  only  one  year  then  bought  the  place  he 
now  occupies,  and  has  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising  here 
with  success.  His  farm  is  well  improved  and  well  adapted  to  general  agri- 
cultural purposes  and  he  raises  considerable  live  stock.  Three  children  have 
been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Neer,  namely:  Charles  F.,  who  married  Nettie 
Jenkins,  and  lives  in  Rosewood,  this  county;  Samuel,  who  is  at  home,  assist- 
ing his  father  with  the  work  on  the  farm,  and  John  P.,  who  died  when  eleven 
years  of  age.  Mr.  Neer  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Concord 
Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


GERSHAM  C.  WH.KISON. 

One  of  the  enterprising  and  progressive  farmers  of  Adams  township, 
this  county,  is  Gersham  C.  Wilkinson,  who  lived  on  his  fine  farm  of  one  hun- 
dred acres  located  two  and  one-half  miles  northeast  of  Rosewood.  Mr. 
Wilkison  was  born  on  this  farm  December  25,  1853,  the  son  of  Asel,  Jr., 
and  Mary  (Calland)  Wilkison,  both  of  whom  were  also  natives  of  this 
county. 

y\sel  Wilkison,  Jr.,  was  a  son  of  Asel  and  Nancy  (Tipton)  Wilkison, 
and  was  born  on  the  same  farm  in  Adams  township  where  his  son,  Ger- 
sham C,  now  lives.  Mary  Calland  was  torn  and  reared  in  Adams  town- 
ship, the  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  Calland,  who  came  directly  to 
Champaign  county,  Ohio,  from  Scotland,  and  were  pioneers  of  this  county. 
Asel  Wilkison,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Virginia  and  came  to  Ohio  when  a  young 
man,  being  the  first  white  settler  in  Adams  township,  this  county.  He 
entered  land  from  the  government  in  the  then  unsettled  wilderness,  which 
he  improved  and  developed,  and  a  part  of  which  is  now  the  old  home  place, 
where  Gersham   C.  M^ilkison  lives.      Asel,    jr.,  was  one  of  the  two  children 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  IO37 

born  to  Asel  and  Nancy  (Tipton)  Wilkison,  the  latter  of  whom  was  a 
native  of  this  state,  but  whose  parents  came  in  an  early  day  to  Ohio  from 
Virginia. 

The  father  of  Nancy  (Tipton)  Wilkison  was  Thomas  Tipton,  who 
served  as  a  soldier  of  the  patriot  army  during  the  Revolutionary  War.  He 
was  born  near  Baltimore,  Maryland,  but  at  the  outbreak  of  the  war  he 
resided  in  Fairfax  county,  Virginia,  about  seven  miles  from  Mount  Vier- 
non.  About  the  last  of  June  or  the  first  of  July,  1776,  he  enlisted  from 
Fairfax  county.  At  his  second  enlistment  he  went  from  near  Winchester, 
Frederick  county,  Virginia,  and  at  his  third  from  Botetourt  county,  Vir- 
ginia; in  all  serving  four  years.  He  retreated  with  General  Washing- 
ton across  New  Jersey  before  King  George's  hireling  Hessians.  Later  he 
fought  under  General  Gates,  and  at  the  siege  of  Yorktown  was  first  ser- 
geant in  Capt.  John  Galloway's  Company,  which  was  attached  to  Colonel 
Lewis's  regiment.  He  was  also  with  General  Morgan  in  the  famous  battle 
in  the  "buckwheat  field,"  where  he  received  several  bullet  holes  through  his 
hat.  Several  times  during  the  lulls  in  the  campaign,  he  went  home  to  see 
his  wife  and  three  children.  Under  the  act  of  June  7,  1832,  which  granted 
pensions  to  Revolutionary  soldiers,  his  application  was  allowed,  he  then  being  a 
resident  of  Adams  township,  this  county,  and  at  that  time  one  hundred 
years  old.  He  lived  to  reach  the  extraordinary  age  of  one  hundred  and 
eleven  years,  nine  months  and  nine  days. 

When  his  parents  died  Asel  Wilkison,  Jr.,  took  charge  of  the  home 
farm,  after  purchasing  the  interests  of  the  other  heirs,  and  here  he  remained 
the  rest  of  his  life.  He  married  Mary  Calland,  who  was  born  and  reared  in 
Adams  township,  and  to  this  union  four  children  were  born.  Two  of  these 
are  now  living:  Gersham  C,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  review,  and 
William,  who  is  living  in  Rosewood,  this  county. 

Gersham  C.  Wilkison  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and  received  his 
education  in  the  district  schools.  After  reaching  manhood,  he  went  to 
Oakland,  Illinois,  near  which  place  he  farmed  for  four  years,  after  which 
tirhe  he  went  to  the  Ozark  mountains  in  Arkansas,  where  he  was  occupied 
as  a  sheepman  for  three  years.  Later  he  lived  in  Kansas  for  a  year,  after 
which  he  returned  to  Ohio,  living  for  a  time  on  the  home  farm.  He  then 
moved  to  Rosewood,  where  he  lived  until  he  returned  to  the  old  home  farm, 
where  he  lives  at  present.  While  in  the  West,  Mr.  Wilkison  was  engaged 
with  a  harvester  company  at  Fargo,  North  Dakota,  for  a  few  years. 

In  1876  Gersham  C.  Wilkison  was  united  in  marriage  to  Flora  Heath, 
daughter  of  Nelson  and  Hester   (Davis)   Heat,  and  to  this  union  five  chil- 


1038  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

dren  have  been  born,  namely:  Pearl,  deceased;  Ernest  S.,  a  farmer  of 
Shelby  county,  Ohio;  T.  B.,  a  farmer  of  Adams  township,  this  county; 
Bessie,  wife  of  William  Friend,  a  farmer  of  Adams  township,  and  Ray, 
who  is  living  at  home.  The  family  are  earnest  and  consistent  members 
of  the  United  Brethren  church,  Mr.  Wilkison  having  served  for  some  years 
as  steward  and  class  leader  of  the  local  church  of  that  denomination  in 
Adams  township.  He  is  a  Republican,  takes  a  good  citizen's  interest  in 
public  affairs,  and  always  lends  his  hearty  support  to  any  movement  having 
for  its  object  the  Ijetterment  of  his  community. 


JOSEPH  M.  ZIMMERMAN. 

Joseph  M.  Zimmerman,  a  farmer,  of  Concord  township,  Champaign 
county,  was  born  in  Mad  River  township,  this  county,  September  17,  1846. 
He  is  a  son  of  Isaac  and  Eliza  (Miller)  Zimmerrnan,  and  a  grandson  of 
George  Zimmerman,  who  came  to  the  United  States  from  Germany,  locat- 
ing in  Pennsylvania,  later  coming  to  Ohio,  and  settling  in  Champaign  county. 
After  his  marriage  to  Barbara  Norman  he  settled  in  the  Nettle  Creek  com- 
munity, in  the  forest,  clearing  and  developing  a  farm  there  by  hard  work. 
He  built  a  crude  log  cabin,  which  later  gave  place  to  a  better  frame  resi- 
dence, and  there  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  His  family  consisted  of  the  fol- 
lowing children  :     Catherine,  John,  George.  Joseph-  and  Isaac. 

Isaac  Zimmerman  grew  up  on  the  home  farm;  in  fact,  spent  his  life 
there.  He  attended  the  early-day  schools,  which  were  conducted  in  a  log 
cabin  during  the  few  months  in  winter  allotted  to  schools  in  the  country  dis- 
tricts. Pie  married  Eliza  Miller,  and  to  their  union  the  following  children 
were  born:  Joseph  M.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Ira,  who  is  farming  in 
Kansas;  Isaac,  who  lives  in  Mad  River  township,  this  county;  Barbara,  the 
wife  of  Fred  Maggert,  and  Jane,  wife  of  Adam  Pence. 

Joseph  M.  Zimmerman  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and  attended  the 
district  .schools.  He  married  Mary  J.  Maggert  and  to  that  union  six  chil- 
dren were  born,  two  of  whom  are  living  in  1917,  namely:  Frank,  who  mar- 
ried Ida  Knobs  and  lives  on  the  home  farm  in  Concord  township,  and  Farmer, 
who  married  Oda  Dovell.  and  lives  on  a  farm  in  Concord  township.  In 
TQOi  Mr.  Zimmerman  married,  secondly.  Julia  Poorman.  who  was  born  in 
Johnson  township,  this  county.  May  21.  1853,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Nancy 
(Nichols)  Poorman.     Jacob  Poorman  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  from  which 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  1039- 

State  he  came  to  Ohio,  where  he  married  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Johnson 
township,  this  county,  living  for  many  years  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  W. 
A.  Nixon.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  at  St. 
Paris.  Their  daughter,  Julia,  grew  to  womanhood  in  her  native  communit}- 
and  received  a  common  school  education.  She  belongs  to  the  Millerstown 
lodge  of  the  Daughters  of  Pocahontas,  auxiliary  to  the  Improved  Order  of 
Red  Men,  and  was  for  years  very  active  in  the  work  of  the  same,  passing 
all  the  chairs.     She  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  at  St.  Paris. 

Mr.  Zimmerman  has  devoted  his  life  to  general  farming  and  is  now  owner 
of  one  of  the  choice  farms  of  Concord  township,  consisting  of  two  hundred 
and  thirty  acres,  which  he  has  brought  up  to  a  high  state  of  improvement  and 
cultivation.  He  has  been  very  successful  as  a  general  farm.er  and  stock  raiser. 
He  is  a  member  of  Urbana  Lodge  No.  46,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows, also  the  Encampment  at  Urbana.  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  local  lodge  of  the  Daughters  of  Rebekah  there. 


OLIVER  GRUBE. 


Oliver  Grube,  farmer,  of  Johnson  township.  Champaign  county,  was 
born  a  mile  north  of  St.  Paris,  Ohio,  November  6,  1858.  He  is  a  son 
of  Simon  and  Cordelia  (Lewis)  Grube.  The  father  was  born  in  Lancaster 
county,  Pennsyhania,  but  when  a  boy  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Ohio, 
the  family  locating  in  Clark  county,  north  of  the  village  of  LaGrvmdy,  where 
the  father  devoted  the  rest  of  his  life  to  farming.  Cordelia  Lewis  was  born 
in  Virginia,  and  when  a  girl  her  parents  brought  her  to  Clark  county,  Ohio, 
where  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  married  Simon  Grube.  Shortly  there- 
after they  came  to  Champaign  county,  locating  on  a  farm  in  Johnson  town- 
ship, where  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives.  Their  family  consisted  of 
nine  children,  seven  of  whom  grew  to  maturity,  namely :  Edward,  who 
lives  in  Johnson  township;  Charles  W.,  who  lives  in  New  Moorefield,  Ohio: 
Oliver,  the  subject  of  this  sketch:  Jacob,  who  lives  in  Johnson  township; 
loan,  the  wife  of  Charles  Davis,  of  Miami  county,  Ohio;  Samuel,  who 
lives  in  Johnson  town.ship.  Champaign  county,  and  Ida,  the  wife  of  Albert 
Wirbel.  of  Adams  township,  this  county.  The  other  two  children  died  in 
early  life. 

Oliver  Grulje  was  reared  on  tlie  home  farm  in  Johnson  township,  and 
was  educated   in   the  district   schools.   He  lived   at  home  until   his  marriage. 


I040  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

May  6,  1880,  to  Martha  Ellen  Apple,  a  daughter  of  A.  J.  and  .\rtie  M. 
(Flowers)  Apple.  After  his  marriage  Mr.  Griibe  lived  on  the  home  place 
of  his  father-in-law  about  thirteen  years,  the  first  year  both  families  living 
together,  then  he  built  a  residence  of  his  own  on  another  part  of  the  Apple 
farm.  About  1893  Mr.  Grube  moved  to  Montgomery  county,  Ohio,  where 
he  rented  a  farm  until  1896,  then  returned  to  the  Apple  farm  in  Champaign 
county,  but  remained  there  only  a  short  time,  then  moved  to  the  farm  where 
A.  J.  Putnam  now  lives.  A  little  later  he  bought  a  farm  in  Johnson  town- 
ship and  lived  there  eleven  years,  then  sold  out  and  moved  to  St.  Louis, 
Missouri,  where  he  spent  seven  years.  He  then  returned  to  Champaign 
county  and  bought  one  hundred  and  eleven  acres  in  Johnson  township  on 
which  place  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He  has  a  well-kept  farm  and 
raises  considerable  live  stock  to  which  he  feeds  most  of  the  grain  the  place 
produces. 

Mr.  Grube  has  four  children,  named  as  follow :  Mrs.  Bertha  Jenkins, 
who  is  living  at  St.  Paris,  Champaign  county;  Adam,  who  is  farming  in 
Miami  county,  Ohio,  and  Tillie  and  Ora,  both  of  whom  live  at  home.  Po- 
litically, Mr.  Grube  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  at  St.  Paris. 


CLAUDIUS  N.  MITCHELL. 

Claudius  Newton  Mitchell,  a  well-known  landowner  of  Champaign  county 
and  dealer  in  live  stock  at  Mechanicsburg,  of  which  city  he  has  been  a  resi- 
dent since  1886,  former  member  of  the  common  council  of  that  city  and 
a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Central  Bank  of  Mechanicsburg, 
is  a  native  son  of  Champaign  county  and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He 
was  born  on  a  farm  in  Goshen  township  on  January  i,  1852,  son  of  Chandler 
and  Elizabeth  (Hendrix)  Mitchell,  both  now  deceased,  the  former  of  whom 
was  lx>rn  on  that  same  farm,  the  place  now  owned  by  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  entered  from  the  government  by  the  latter's  grandfather  back  in 
pioneer  days. 

Chandler  Mitchell,  former  president  of  the  Central  Bank  of  Mechanics- 
burg and  for  many  years  one  of  the  best-known  dealers  in  live  stock  in 
Champaign  county,  was  born  on  that  pioneer  farm  in  Goshen  township 
on  May  22,   1828,   son  of  Claudius  and   Nancy    (Lambert)    Mitchell,   who 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  IO4I 

were  among  the  early  settlers  of  that  part  of  Champaign  county,  having 
come  up  here  from  Cincinnati.  Claudius  Mitchell  was  born  in  Vermont  on 
January  6,  1794,  and  in  that  state  grew  to  manhood,  later  coming  West 
and  settling  at  Cincinnati,  afterward  going  to  work  in  the  salt  works  on  the 
Ohio  river.  About  the  time  of  his  marriage  (181 5)  he  entered  a  tract  of 
four  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  "Congress  land"  in  Goshen  township, 
this  county,  where  he  established  his  home,  becoming  a  useful  and 
influential  pioneer  of  that  community,  and  there  he  spent  the  rest  of  his 
life,  this  death  occurring  on  May  17,  1886.  Claudius  Mitchell  was  twice 
married.  It  was  on  October  10,  1815,  that  he  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Nancy  Lambert,  who  was  born  on  December  25,  1795,  and  to  that  union 
were  born  nine  children,  of  whom  Chandler  Mitchell  was  the  seventh  in 
order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow :  Sarah,  who  was  born  on  March 
15,  1817;  Lavina,  January  28,  1819;  Martha  Ann,  May  24,  1821;  Joshua, 
May  22,  1823;  Lucy,  December  13.  1825;  Claudius,  November  23,  1830; 
Nancy,  October  15,  1832,  and  Almira.  December  6,  1^34.  The  mother 
of  these  childern  died  on  October  24.  1839,  and  on  April  6,  1840,  Claudius 
Mitchell  married  Mary  A.  Reed,  who  was  born  in  Loudoun  county,  Virginia, 
August  10,  1803,  and  who  was  but  three  years  of  age  when  her  parents 
came  to  Ohio  and  settled  in  Champaign  county  in  1806.  To  that  union 
two  children  were  born,  John  M.,  who  died  on  February  26,  1847,  at 
the  age  of  three  years,  and  Newton,  who  died  on  November  27,  1849,  at 
the  age  of  eight.  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Mitchell  survived  her  husband  a  little 
less  than  two  years,  her  death  occurring  on  March  5,  1888. 

Reared  on  the  old  home  farm  on  which  he  was  born.  Chandler  Mitchell 
there  grew  to  manhood,  carefully  attentive  to  the  details  of  farm  manage- 
ment, and  after  his  marriage  in  the  spring  of  1849  established  his  home 
there.  His  father  had  developed  a  considerable  live  stock  industry  in  con- 
nection with  the  farm  and  this  was  enlarged  by  Chandler  Mitchell,  who 
for  years  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  extensive  shippers  of  cattle, 
sheep  and  hogs  in  Ohio.  He  also  gave  much  attention  to  the  general  busi- 
ness affairs  of  the  community,  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Central  Bank 
of  Mechanicsburg,  was  first  president  of  the  same  and  continued  as  president 
of  that  bank  until  his  death,  on  September  25,  1893. 

On  March  29,  1849,  Chandler  Mitchell  was  united  in  marriage  to 
EHzabeth  Hendrix,  who  died  on  February  4,  1901.  To  that  union  were  born 
three  sons,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  only  survivor,  his 
(66a) 


IG42  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

brother,  William  C,  born  on  January  ii,  1850,  having  died  on  January 
7,  1861,  and  Charles  L.,  born  on  May  22,  1861,  also  being  deceased. 

Claudius  N.  Mitchell  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  the  place  that 
was  entered  from  the  government  by  his  grandfather  and  which  he  now 
owns,  and  early  began  to  give  careful  attention  to  the  details  of  farm  man- 
agement and  the  shipping  of  stock.  Upon  completing  the  course  in  the 
local  schools  he  took  a  course  in  the  college  at  Akron  and  later  was  gradu- 
uated  from  a  business  college  at  Cincinnati.  After  his  marriage  in  the 
fall  of  1878  he  established  his  home  on  the  home  farm  and  there  remained 
until  the  spring  of  1886,  when  he  moved  to  Mechanicsburg,  where  he  since 
has  made  his  home  and  where  for  years  he  has  been  acti^'ely  engaged  in 
the  live  stock  business,  one  of  the  best-known  dealers  in  that  line  in  Cham- 
paign county.  Besides  his  live  stock  business  and  the  general  management 
of  his  well-kept  farm  Mr.  Mitchell  has  other  interests  in  and  about  Me- 
chanicsburg and  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Central  Bank, 
of  which  his  father  was  for  years  the  president.  He  is  a  Republican  and 
has  ever  given  his  close  attention  to  local  civic  affairs,  having  served  as  a 
member  of  the  common  council  of  his  home  city  and  as  a  member  of  tlic 
school  board. 

On  October  30,  1878,  Claudius  N.  Mitchell  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Frances  E.  Hunter,  who  was  born  in  the  city  of  Urbana,  this  county. 
July  16,  1857,  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Rebecca  (Cadden)  Hunter,  the 
former  also  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  in  Clark  county,  November  14,  181 7. 
and  the  latter  a  native  of  Ireland,  born  at  Castle  Drumgarrow,  Enniskillen, 
in  the  north  of  Ireland,  May  10,  1827,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1850  and  was  married  in  this  county,  she  and  her  sister  Sarah  having 
come  here  in  the  spring  of  that  year  on  a  visit  to  their  uncle,  Dr.  Adam 
Mosgrove,  at  Urbana.  The  Caddens  are  of  Scottish  descent,  the  first  of 
that  name  to  settle  in  the  north  of  Ireland  having  been  the  great-great- 
great-grandfather  of  Mrs.  Mitchell,  a  soldier,  who,  with  six  brothers,  was 
sent  into  Ireland  with  the  army  of  King  James  II  during  the  time  of 
the  Revolution,  and  took  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  defense  of  Enniskillen, 
for  gallantry  of  conduct  being  made  a  "freeman,"  or  "free  huntsman.'" 
with  license  to  carry  on  business  unrestricted  in  Ireland.  This  Cadden, 
who  was  the  only  one  of  the  seven  brothers  who  could  be  accounted  for 
after  the  Revolution,  settled  on  a  farm  place  a  mile  out  of  Enniskillen  and 
there  erected  a  considerable  stone  house,  which  to  this  day  retains  the 
name  of  Castle  Drumgarrow,  which  he  gave  it,  and  there  his  descendants 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  IO43 

have  ever  since  maintained  residence.  Rebecca  Cadden  was  born  in  that 
castle,  one  of  the  seven  children  born  to  her  parents,  James  and  Sarah 
(Mosgrove)  Cadden,  the  others  being  John,  Jane,  Robert,  James,  Sarah 
and  Isabel  Ann.  James  Cadden,  father  of  these  children,  was  in  direct 
descent  from  the  founder  of  Castle  Drumgarrow  and  was  a  man  of  fine 
physique,  six  feet  tall,  of  fine  frame  and  handsome  countenance,  brown  hair 
and  brown  eyes,  and  was  a  man  of  influence  and  distinction;  and  after 
his  death  was  carried  to  his  grave  shoulder  high,  a  mark  of  honor  be- 
fitting his  station. 

To  Lewis  and  Rebecca  (Cadden)  Hunter  were  born  six  children,  of 
whom  Mrs.  Mitchell  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being 
Sarah  J.,  born  on  February  12,  1856;  James  A.,  May  16,  1859;  Mary  Ann, 
February  9,  1861 ;  Julia  B.,  April  18,  1863,  and  Rebecca  M.,  November 
18,  1866.  In  1867  the  Hunters  left  this  county  and  went  to  Springfield. 
Missouri,  later  going  to  Baxter  Springs,  Kansas,  but  later  returned  to  Ohio 
and  Mrs.  Mitchell's  schooling  was  completed  at  Urbana,  she  being  a  gradu- 
ate of  the  high  school  at  that  place  and  of  the  Chautauqua  (New  York), 
having  been  graduated  from  the  latter  in  1889. 

To  Claudius  N.  and  Frances  E.  (Hunter)  Mitchell  three  children  have 
been  born,  James  C,  born  on  October  7,  1887,  who  is  an  assistant  to 
his  father  in  the  latter s  business  afifairs,  and  Juliet  and  Robert  (twins). 
May  2"],  1890,  the  latter  of  whom  was  graduated  from  the  Mechanicsburg 
high  school  and  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  at  Delaware  and  is  now  assistant 
cashier  of  the  Central  Bank  of  Mechanicsburg.  Juliet  Mitchell  also  was 
a  studettt:  at  the  Ohio' Wesleyan  University  and  finished  her  musical  educa- 
tion at  Boston.  She  married  Edward  W.  Jewell,  of  Cincinnati,  and  is  now 
living  at  Norwood,  Ohio.  The  Mitchells  have  a  very  pleasant  home  at 
Mechanicsburg  and  have  e\'er  taken  an  interested  part  in  the  general  good 
works  and  social  activities  of  that  place  and  of  the  community  at  large.  Mr. 
Mitchell  is  a  York  Rite  Mason,  a  member  of  the  local  lodge  at  Mechanicsburg 
and  of  the  commandery  at  Urbana,  and  takes  a  warm  interest  in  Masonic 
afifairs.  Mrs.  Mitchell  is  a  charter  member  of  the  local  chapter  of  the 
Order  of  the  Eastern  Star  and  is  past  worthy  matron  of  the  same  and 
deputy  grand  matron,  for  years  an  active  figure  in  the  state  meetings  of 
that  organization.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
and  is  a  charter  member  of  the  Ladies  Literary  Tourist  Club,  in  the  affairs 
of  which  she  has  taken  a  warm  interest  since  the  days  of  its  organization. 


I044  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,  •  OHIO. 

HORACE  M.  FUDGER. 

Horace  M.  Fudger,  a  farmer,  of  Goshen  township,  proprietor  of  "Lake 
View  Farm,"  which  is  pleasantly  situated  two  and  one-half  miles  north  of 
Mechanicsburg,  was  born  on  the  farm  he  now  owns,  August  5,  1858,  and  he 
has  been  content  to  spend  his  life  in  Champaign  county.  He  is  a  son  of  Peter 
M.  and  Sophia  (Perry)  Fudger.  The  father  was  born  in  New  Hampshire  in 
18 1 6,  and  a  year  or  two  later  his  parents  brought  him  on  the  long  overland 
journey  from  New  England  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  the  family  locating 
in  the  wilderness,  carving  out  a  farm  and  a  home  by  hard  work  and  perse- 
verance and  enduring  the  hardships  and  privations  of  frontier  life.  Amid 
such  environment  Peter  M.  Fudger  grew  to  manhood  and  in  fact,  spent  the 
rest  of  his  life,  engaging  successfully  in  general  farming,  dying  in  1897. 
His  wife  was  born  in  the  state  of  New  York  in  18 18,  and  when  a  child  her 
parents  brought  her  to  Franklin  county,  Ohio,  where  she  grew  to  woman- 
hood. Peter  M.  Fudger  and  Sophia  Perry  were  married  in  1853,  after  which 
they  located  on  the  farm  where  their  son,  Horace  M.,  now  resides,  and  the}- 
spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  there.  He  became  one  of  the  leading  farmers 
of  the  county  in  his  day,  accumulating  about  six  hundred  acres  of  good  land, 
on  which  he  carried  on  general  farming  extensively.  Politically,  he  was  a 
Republican,  but  he  never  aspired  to  office.  He  was  a  Universalist  and  took  an 
active  interest  in  church  affairs.  He  was  twice  married,  three  children  being 
born  to  each  union.  Those  by  his  second  marriage  were  named  as  follow : 
A.  P.,  who  devoted  his  life  to  farming  in  Champaign  county,  which  he 
served  for  several  years  as  commissioner,  is  now  deceased;  Sarah  U.,  the 
wife  of  Thomas  Thompson,  of  Mechanicsburg,  and  Horace  M.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch. 

Horace  M.  Fudger  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  and  he  received  his 
education  in  the  common  schools  and  high  school  at  Mechanicsburg.  He 
has  always  lived  on  the  home  farm,  which  he  has  kept  well  tilled  and  w-ell 
improved.  He  owns  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  and  has  made  a  pro- 
nounced success  as  a  general  farmer  and  stock  raiser.  He  raises  a  good 
grade  of  live  stock,  and  prepares  large  numbers  annually  for  the  market. 
He  is  one  of  the  stockholders  in  the  Farmers  Bank  at  Mechanicsburg. 

Mr.  Fudger  was  married  on  May  3,  1899,  to  Alta  Van  Ness,  who  was 
born  in  Union  county,  Ohio,  but  who  came  to  Champaign  county  when  young 
and  attended  high  school  at  Mechanicsburg.  from  which  she  was  gradu- 
ated m   1897.     To  Mr.  and  Mrs.   Fudger  one  child  has  been  born,   a   son. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  IO45 

Donald  M.,  whose  birth  occurred  on  March  i8,   1900.      He  is  now   (1917) 
in  his  sophomore  year  in  high  school. 

Mr.  Fudger  is  a  RepubHcan  and  is  at  this  writing  incumbent  of  the 
office,  of  township  assessor.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  Lodge  No.  113,  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons  at  Mechanicsburg,  of  which  he  is  a  past  master,  and 
also  belongs  to  the  local  chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons.  Mrs.  Fudger  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Mechanicsburg. 


SAMUEL  BARNETT. 


The  late  Samuel  Barnett,  one  of  Champaign  county's  best-known  and 
most  substantial  farmers,  who  died  on  January  28,  191 7,  was  a  native  son 
of  Ohio  and  had  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  pioneer 
farm  in  Butler  county,  October  4,  1831,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  (Mitchell) 
Barnett,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  and 
whose  last  days  were  spent  in  Springfield,  this  state. 

The  elder  Samuel  Barnett  was  a  miller  as  well  as  a  farmer  and  when 
he  moved  with  his  family  from  Butler  county  to  Springfield  in  1841,  in  order 
that  his  children  might  there  receive  the  advantage  of  better  schools,  he 
erected  a  mill  and  engaged  in  the  milling  business,  the  Barnett  mills  soon 
becoming  known  far  and  wide  over  the  state.  He  died  at  Springfield  at 
the  age  of  seventy-eight  years  and  his  son,  William  A.  Barnett,  for  many 
years  continued  the  milling  industry,  the  business  being  conducted  under  the 
firm  name  of  Warder  &  Barnett.  The  elder  Samuel  Barnett's  wife  had 
preceded  him  to  the  grave,  her  death  having  occurred  when  she  was  sixty- 
two  years  of  age.  They  were  earnest  members  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
church  and  were  long  regarded  as  among  the  leaders  of  the  congregation 
with  which  they  were  affiliated.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  six 
sons  and  four  daughters,  all  of  whom  grew  to  maturity  and  five  of  whom 
were  present  at  a  family  reunion  held  in  1901. 

The  younger  Samuel  Barnett  was  nine  years  of  age  when  his  parents 
moved  from  Butler  county  to  Springfield  and  in  that  city  he  grew  to  manhood, 
receiving  his  schooling  in  the  public  schools.  Upon  leaving  school  he  was 
employed  in  his  father's  mill  until  his  marriage  in  1856.  when  he  came  to 
this  county  and  established  his  home  on  a  farm  in  section  34  of  Union  town- 
ship, and  there,  with  the  exception  of  one  year  spent  in  Urbana  (1865)  and 
one  year  spent  in  Springfield   (1866),  he  lived  until   190Q.  when  the  family 


1046  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

moved  to  Urbana.  Mr.  Barnett  carried  on  a  dairy  business  in  connection  with 
his  general  farming  and  did  very  well,  becoming  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  Mr.  Barnett  and  his  wife  were  members  of 
the  First  Presbyterian  church  at  Urbana  and  for  many  years  he  was  one 
of  the  elders  of  that  congregation,  both  taking  an  earnest  interest  in  church 
work.  Mr.  Barnett  died  at  Miami,  Florida,  where  he  had  gone  to  spend 
the  latter  part  of  the  winter,  January  28.  1917.  Mrs.  Barnett  died  on  January 
13,  1885. 

It  was  on  October  11,  1855,  that  Samuel  Barnett  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Mary  Campbell,  who  was  born  in  Belmont  county,  this  state,  October 
26,  1 83 1,  a  daughter  of  Jesse  Campbell  and  wife,  who  became  pioneers  of 
Champaign  county,  and  to  that  union  were  born  five  children,  four  of  whom, 
John  C,  Carrie  B.,  Mary  Lillian,  and  Laura  L.,  are  living,  and  one,  a  daugh- 
ter, Fannie,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eight  months.  Miss  Carrie  B.  Barnett 
was  graduated  from  the  Cook  County  (Illinois)  Hospital  Training  School 
for  Nurses  at  Chicago  in  1893  and  was  for  a  few  years  superintendent  of 
the  Mitchell-Thompson  Hospital  at  Springfield.  Laura  L.  Barnett  was  mar- 
ried to  James  S.  Ewing,  April  19,  1912.  John  C.  Barnett,  who  was  born 
in  1856,  and  who  for  twenty-two  years  was  editor  of  the  Farm  and  Fireside, 
a  semi-monthly  agricultural  journal  of  national  circulation,  published  at 
Springfield,  and  who  returned  to  the  old  home  farm  in  1910;  married  Essie 
Christian,  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  one  child,  a  son,  Alan 
Barnett.  born  in  1892,  who  is  now  an  officer  in  the  United  States  navy. 


AMOS  J.  FETT. 


Amos  J.  Fett,  a  well-known  and  progressive  young  farmer  of  Harrison 
township,  living  on  his  farm  located  on  the  Spring  Hill  pike  on  rural  route 
No.  I,  out  of  West  Liberty,  Ohio,  was  born  in  Union  township,  Logan 
county,  Qhio,  on  October  3,  1880,  a  son  of  John  and  Nancy  (Yoder)  Fett, 
the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  Germany  and  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania. 

John  Fett  remained  in  his  native  land  until  he  reached  the  age  of 
fifteen  years,  when  in  company  with  one  of  his  brothers,  he  came  to  America 
to  seek  his  fortune.  His  parents  lived  and  died  in  Germany.  Later  another 
brother  carne  to  this  country,  these  three  being  the  only  ones  of  the  family 
who  came  to  the  United  States.  After  reaching  manhood,  John  Fett  married 
Nancy  Yoder,  who  was  born  in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania,  but  who  was 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  IO47 

brought  when  an  infant  of  three  months  to  Logan  county,  Ohio,  her  parents 
being  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  that  county.  John  Fett  and  his  wife  hved 
on  a  farm  in  Union  township,  Logan  county,  until  1910,  when  they  moved 
to  West  Liberty,  Ohio,  where  his  death  occurred  on  October  i,  19 12.  They 
were  the  parents  of  six  children,  all  of  whom  are  living :  Anna,  wife  of  Jacob 
Kauffman,  living  on  the  old  home  place  in  Logan  county;  Emma,  wife  of 
J.  L.  Troyer,  of  West  Liberty,  Ohio;  Amanda,  wife  of  Isaac  Hartzler,  of 
Logan  county,  Ohio;  Catherine,  wife  of  Menno  Yoder,  of  West  Liberty. 
Ohio;  Dora,  wife  of  E.  B.  Smacker,  of  Orville,  Wayne  county,  Ohio,  and 
Amos  J.,  the  subject  of  this  review.  John  Fett  and  wife  were  earnest  and 
consistent  members  of  the  Mennonite  faith. 

Amos  J.  Fett  was  reared  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm  in  Logan 
county,  receiving  his  early  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  home 
neighborhood,  later  attending  the  Lower  Institute  at  West  Liberty;  and 
was  also  a  student  for  a  time  in  the  Elkhart  Institute,  at  Elkhart,  Indiana. 
He  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising  for  himself  after  his  marriage, 
living  on  his  father's  place  until  in  January,  19 10,  when  he  moved  to  his 
farm  of  two  hundred  and  twenty-two  acres  in  Harrison  township,  where  he 
has  since  lived.  He  has  placed  many  improvements  on  this  place  since 
coming  here,  and  has  erected  two  silos  among  other  additions  to  his  farm,  as 
he  is  a  breeder  of  live  stock,  horses,  hogs  and  cattle,  dealing  mostly  in  the 
last-named  animals. 

On  April  10,  1909,  Amos  J.  Fett  was  married  to  Mary  E.  Spiker,  the 
daughter  of  John  and  Amanda  (Smiley)  Spiker,  the  former  of  whom  was 
a  native  of  Lawrence  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  latter  of  Wayne  county, 
Ohio.  Mrs.  Fett's  parents  are  now  living  in  Wooster,  Ohio.  They  also  were 
adherents  of  the  Mennonite  faith.  Besides  Mrs.  Fett,  they  were  the  parents 
of  seven  children,  as  follow:  Chauncey,  of  Canton,  Ohio;  Catherine,  wife 
of  Amos  Conrad,  of  Wayne  county,  Ohio;  Roy,  of  Canton,  Ohio,  and  Delta, 
Ora,  Viola  and  Ralph,  the  last  four  of  whom  are  still  living  at  home  with 
their  parents.  Mrs.  Fett  received  her  early  education  in  the  district  school 
at  Smithville,  and  later  was  a  student  at  Goshen  Normal  School,  Goshen. 
Indiana. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fett  are  the  parents  of  three  children :  Mary  Eleanor, 
born  on  February  10,  1910;  John  Crosby.  June  23,  1914.  and  Emil  Richard. 
August  8,  191 6.  Mr.  Fett  and  his  wife  are  active  members  of  Spring  Hill 
Presbyterian  church,  in  which  the  former  is  serving  as  deacon. 

Mr.  Fett  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  takes  a  good  citizen's  interest 


1048  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

in  all  public  affairs,  especially  those  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  his  home 
community.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  holding  membership  in 
West  Liberty  Lodge  No.  161,  Free  and  Accepted  Masons. 


LEWIS  MINES. 


Twentieth-century  methods  in  agriculture  and  stock  raising  are  followed 
by  Lewis  Hines,  of  Salem  township,  this  county.  He  was  born  in  York 
county,  Pennsylvania,  November  25,  1854.  a  son  of  Christian  (who  spelled 
the  name  Heintz).  The  father  was  born  in  Germany,  from  which  country 
he  came  to  America  when  a  young  man,  locating  in  York  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  married  Henrietta  Jacobs.  He  was  a  cabinet  maker  by  trade. 
He  moved  from  the  old  Keystone  state  to  Logan  county,  Ohio,  in  1856,  but 
after  remaining  there  only  six  months  came  on  to  Champaign  county,  locating 
at  Spring  Hill,  working  at  his  trade  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War, 
when  he  proved  his  loyalty  to  his  adopted  country  by  enlisting  for  service 
in  the  Union  army.  He  died  while  at  the  front  and  was  buried  there.  His 
widow  later  married  Henry  Newfarmer  and  they  established  their  home  in 
Logan  county,  Ohio.  They  were  all  members  of  the  Dunkard  church.  Seven 
children  were  born  to  Christian  and  Henrietta  (Jacobs)  Heintz,  namely : 
John,  who  was  killed  on  a  railroad  in  Chicago  when  a  young  man ;  the  second 
child  died  in  infancy;  Frank  died  when  twenty-one  years  old;  Lewis,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch;  Dan,  who  died  in  1891 ;  Christian,  who  died  in  191] . 
and  Thomas,  who  is  farming  in  Logan  county,  Ohio.  Five  children  were  born 
to  Henry  Newfarmer  and  wife,  namely:  Effie,  who  lives  in  Ada,  Ohio; 
Edward,  who  makes  his  home  in  Logan  county,  this  state ;  Walter,  who  moved 
to  Kansas  and  died  there;  and  the  two  youngest  children,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Lewis  Hines  received  only  a  limited  education  in  the  common  schools, 
for  when  only  fifteen  years  of  age  he  began  making  his  own  living  by  hir- 
ing out  as  a  farm  hand,  continuing  thus  until  he  was  married,  in  1874,  to 
Hannah  A.  Hunt,  who  was  born  in  Adams  township,  this  county,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Isaac  and  Emeline  Hunt,  who  lived  on  a  farm  in  Adams  township  for 
many  years.  Eight  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hines,  nameh- : 
Chase,  who  is  farming  in  Logan  county  and  who  married  Purdy  Cookston ; 
Charles,  who  engaged  in  farming  and  married  Anna  Swisher,  died  in  1907; 
William  Clarence,  at  home ;  Ernest,  who  is  engag'ed  in  farming  in  Champaign 
countv,  married  Marie  Harner;  Isaac  Forrest,  who  attended  a  business  00]- 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  IO49 

lege  in  Urbana,  is  working  as  stenographer  for  a  milling  company  at  Mans- 
field, Ohio ;  Lettie  Pearl,  who  lives  at  home ;  Raymond,  who  is  now  serving 
in  the  United  States  navy;  and  Ethel  Marie,  at  home,  and  who  is  now 
(1917)  attending  high  school  at  King's  Creek.  These  children  have  all 
received  good  practical  education  in  the  home  schools. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Hines  located  on  a  farm  in  Harrison  township, 
where  he  lived  for  five  years,  then  moved  to  Rush  township,  this  county, 
where  he  lived  four  years:  then  farmed  again  in  Harrison  township  for 
eight  years,  and  in  January,  191 3.  bought  his  present  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  eighteen  acres  in  Salem  township,  known  as  the  S.  B.  Thomas  farm, 
on  which  he  has  made  many  improvements.  He  carries  on  general  farming 
and  raises  horses,  cattle  and  hogs. 

Mr.  Hines  votes  the  Republican  ticket  and  he  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  King's  Creek. 


LEMUEL  W.  MAGREW. 

Lemuel  W.  Magrew  is  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  pioneer  families  ol 
Champaign  county.  The  Magrew  family  has  been  identified  with  the  growth 
and  development  of  the  county  from  the  earliest  times  and  no  history  of  the 
county  would  be  complete  without  some  mention  of  the  name,  and  some  credit 
given  for  the  work  in  which  the  Magrew  family  had  so  large  a  part. 

The  grandparents  of  our  subject,  Archibald  and  Mary  Magrew,  were 
among  the  first  settlers  of  Mad  River  township,  coming  to  this  county  from 
Pennsylvania,  the  state  in  which  Archibald's  father  was  born  and  where  he 
lived  and  died.  Archibald  and  Mary  Magrew  were  a  worthy  couple  and 
commanded  the  higest  respect  and  esteem  of  the  community  in  which  they 
spent  their  lives.  They  settled  east  of  Westville.  where  they  made  their 
home  and  reared  several  children,  one  of  whom  is  the  father  of  the  subject 
of  this  sketch.  He  has  always  been  in  the  agricultural  and  stock  business 
and  an  energetic  business  man.  He  removed  to  Delaware,  Ohio,  for  the 
purpose  of  educating  his  children.  He  was  wedded  to  Zelinda  Miller,  of 
Union  county.  Ohio,  in  1854,  and  to  this  union  six  cliildren  were  born,  five 
of  whom  are  living,  namely:  Archie  M.,  Lemuel  W..  Mary,  Minnie  and 
Clara.  Archie  married  Eva  Pence.  May  20,  1880:  Lemuel  married  Mary 
Harwood.   September  26,   1877. 

Lemuel  \\^  Magrew  was  born  in  Mad  River  township,  July  27.   1857. 


I050  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

a  son  of  Lemuel  and  Zelinda  (Miller)  Magrew.  He  was  reared  on  the 
farm  and  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  and  the  Urbana  high  school. 
He  lived  at  home  until  his  marriage,  September  26,  1877,  to  Mary  A.  Har-, 
wood,  of  Springfield,  Ohio.  To  this  union  four  children  were  born :  Blanche, 
who  married  Julius  Luther,  of  Wilmington,  Illinois;  Nellie,  wife  of  G.  L. 
McGracken,  of  Youngstown,  Ohio;  Bertha,  wife  of  T.  E.  Russell,  of  Urbana, 
Ohio,  and  Pearl,  wife  of  Harry  Pemberton,  of  New  Vienna,  Ohio.  After 
marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Magrew  moved  to  the  home  which  they  have  since 
occupied,  known  as  "The  Ridge." 

Lemuel  Magrew  has  always  been  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  breed-, 
ing,  in  which  he  has  been  quite  successful.  He  makes  a  specialty  as  a  breeder 
of  registered  Jersey  cattle  and  has  a  fine  herd  of  the  best  in  the  country. 

In  his  fraternal  associations  Mr.  Magrew  is  a  member  of  the  Urbana 
Lodge  No.  46,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  is  past  noble  grand 
of  that  lodge  and  past  chief  patriarch  of  Champaign  Encampment  No.  29, 
Patriarchs  Militant.  He  is  also  past  chancellor  of  Magrew  Lodge  No.  433, 
Knights  of  Pythias,  and  a  member  of  Westville  Grange.  His  church  affilia- 
tion is  with  the  UniversaHst  church,  of  Westville,  and  he  is  a  trustee  of 
that  church.  Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat.  He  served  five  years  as  school 
director  of  the  township  and  was  the  prime  mover  in  the  proposition  for 
the  centralization  of  the  schools,  and  it  was  largely  through  his  efforts  that 
this  was  accomplished. 


JOSEPH  C.  THACKERY. 

Joseph  C.  Thackery  is  one  of  the  largest  landowners  in  Champaign 
county.  His  farm  consists  of  fourteen  hundred  and  five  acres,  located 
in  Mad  River  and  Urbana  townships.  His  residence  is  on  this  farm,  rural 
route  four,  Urbana,  Ohio.  He  was  born  on  the  place  where  he  now  lives, 
December  27,  1855,  ^  son  of  John  and  Rachel  (Hammon)  Thackery,  who 
were  natives  of  England  and  Pennsylvania,  respectively. 

John  Thackery  was  born  in  Yorkshire,  England,  May  26,  1818,  and 
came  with  his  parents  to  the  United  States,  locating  in  Jackson  township. 
Champaign  county,  Ohio.  They  were  among  the  early  settlers,  locating  in 
the  woods  where  they  built  a  log  house  and  began  the  work  of  clearing  out 
a  farm,  the  father  doing  his  full  share  in  the  arduous  work  incident  to  those 
pioneer  times.     John  Thackery  was  a  stone  mason  by  trade  and  he  worked 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  I05I 

at  his  trade  until  he  had  accumulated  fifty  dollars  to  pay  dowi)  on  a  tract 
of  eighty  acres  of  government  land,  which  he  purchased  for  one  dollar  and 
twenty-five  cents  per  acre.  They  lived  and  died  in  Jackson  township.  To 
John,  Sr.,  and  wife  were  born  nine  children,  of  whom  John,  Jr..  was  the 
first  child. 

Rachel  Harmon  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  where  she  lived 
during  her  early  years,  and  her  parents  came  to  this  county  when  Rachel 
was  a  young  woman.  After  her  marriage,  she  and  her  husband  settled 
on  a  farm  which  they  rented.  He  died  at  the  age  of  forty-six  years.  They 
had  ten  children,  six  of  whom  are  living:  Martha,  single,  hving  at  Kings 
Creek,  Ohio;  Mary,  wife  of  William  Sunday,  Kings  Creek,  Ohio;  James. 
Broadway,  Ohio;  Alma,  wife  of  S.  C.  Hovey,  Urbana,  Ohio;  Minerva, 
wife  of  Joseph  Overs,  Urbana  township;  Joseph  C,  our  subject.  The 
family  were  members  of  the  Baptist  church,  belonging  to  the  Kings  Creek 
congregation  of  that  denomination.  He  was  a  Republican  but  took  little 
part  in  political  matters. 

Joseph  C.  Thackery  was  only  eight  or  nine  years  old  when  the  death 
of  his  father  occurred.  His  mother  was  left  with  a  family  of  children,  of 
whom  our  subject  was  the  youngest.  "She  kept  them  all  together  and  they 
grew  up  on  this  place.  The  mother  died  in  1902.  Joseph  C.  Thackery  was 
married,  July  i,  1890,  to  Margaret  G.  Stone,  daughter  of  John  T.  and 
Maria  (Eacott)  Stone,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Hamilton,  Ohio, 
and  his  parents  were  natives  of  Virginia,  coming  from  that  state  to  Ohio. 
Mr.  Stone  spent  his  boyhood  days  around  Hamilton,  his  birthplace.  When 
the  Civil  War  broke  out,  he  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Sixty-seventh 
Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry  and  served  out  the  whole  term  of  enlistment.  Mrs. 
Stone  was  born  in  Lehigh  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1841,  coming  with  her 
parents  in  wagons  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  in  1853.  Here  she  grew  to 
womanhood  and  was  married  to  John  T.  Stone  at  Hamilton,  Ohio,  March 
31,  1864.  After  the  death  of  the  latter  on  January  5,  1867,  Mrs.  Stone 
and  her  daughter,  now  Mrs.  Thackery,  lived  in  Hamilton  until  1876,  when 
they  came  to  Urbana.  The  daughter,  Mrs.  Thackery,  was  educated  in  the 
high  schools  of  Urbana  and  Cincinnati,  and  later  taught  school  in  Champaign 
county  and  in  the  high  school  of  Urbana. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thackery  eight  children  have  been  born,  five  of  whom 
are  living:  Ruth  E.,  wife  of  Harry  S.  Earsom,  Urbana.  Ohio:  Ernest  G., 
at  home;  Ralph  H..  in  Springfield:  John  T.,  Champaign  county,  and  Mar- 
garet  S.,   in   school. 

Mr.    Thackery,    by   previous   marriage,    to   Minnie   M.    Pllper.    was    the 


1052  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

father  of  two  children:  Mary  R.,  wife  of  Mark  Russell,  of  Columbus, 
Ohio;  and  James  W.,  Mad  River  township,  who  is  married  and  has  two 
children,  Joseph  C,  Jr.,  and  Charlotte  A. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thackery  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church.  She  was  born 
and  reared  in  the  Presbyterian  church  to  which  her  people  belonged.  Mr. 
Thackery  is  a  Republican  in  politics.  He  is  a  director  in  the  Urbana  Land 
and  Lumber  Company,  also  in  the  Urbana  Furniture  Company. 


CHARLES  T.  BARGER. 

Charles  T.  Barger,  a  farmer,  of  Concord  township,  Champaign  county, 
is  a  young  man,  but  is  making  good  at  his  chosen  life  work.  He  has  been 
content  to  spend  his  life  in  his  native  community,  being  born  on  the  place 
where  he  still  resides.  May  31,  1891.  He  is  a  son  of  Jacob  W.  and  Mary 
(Taylor)  Barger.  The  father  was  also  born  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by 
his  son,  Charles  T.,  and  the  mother  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Concord  town- 
ship, this  county,  and  is  now  living  in  Urbana.  Jacob  W.  Barger  was 
reared  on  the  home  farm  and  attended  the  district  schools  in  his  community. 
He  was  a  son  of  A^Tatthew  Barger,  whose  father  came  to  Ohio  from  Virginia 
in  pioneer  days  and  entered  a  large  tract  of  land  fi-om  the  government. 
The  father,  grandfather  and  great  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
all  spent  their  lives  on  the  same  farm  in  Concord  township,  and  here  they 
each  became  successful  farmers  and  highly  respected  citizens.  Three  children 
were  born  to  Jacob  W.  Barger  and  wife,  namely:  Mabel,  the  wife  of  J. 
C.  Baker,  of  Concord  township,  this  county;  Charles  T.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  and  Ruth,  wife  of  Orlie  Brownfield,  of  Salem  township.  The  death 
of  the  father  occurred  in  March,  1911. 

Charles  T.  Barger  was  reared  on  the  homestead  and  he  attended  the 
district  schools  and  the  high  school  at  Eris.  He  remained  on  the  home 
farm  until  his  marriage  on  July  17,  1916,  to  Clara  Bodey.  a  daughter 
of  John  and  Elna  Bodey.  of  Millerstown,  where  Mrs.  Barger  was  reared 
and  attended  school. 

Mr.  Barger  owns  eighty-eight  acres  in  Concord  township,  but  he  is 
operating  four  hundred  acres,  and  is  thus  engaged  in  farming  and  stock 
raising  on  an  extensive  scale.  He  is  paying  particular  attention  to  raising 
hogs  and  sheep  and  keeps  a  good  grade  of  stock.  No  inconsiderable  propro- 
iion   of    his    income    each    year    is   derived    from    the    judicious   handling   of 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  IO53 

live  stock.  He  has  a  comfortable  home  a  half  mile  west  of  Eris.  Politi- 
cally, he  is  a  Republican.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias 
and  the  Knights  of  Khorassan.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church 
at  Concord. 


L.  E.  WILLIS. 


L.  E.  Willis,  owner  of  the  North  Lewisburg  Telephone  Company  and 
proprietor  of  an  up-to-date  garage  at  that  place,  is  a  native  son  of  Ohio, 
and  has  lived  in  this  state  all  his  life.  He  was  born  at  Sabina,  in  Clinton 
county,  June  28,  1865,  son  of  W.  E.  and  Jane  Willis,  both  of  whom  also 
were  born  in  Clinton  county,  and  who  in  1873  moved  to  Broadway,  in 
Union  county,  where  they  still  make  their  home.  For  some  years  after 
moving  to  Bi-oadway.  W;  E.  Willis  had  charge  of  a  saw-mill  there  and 
during  the  Cleveland  administration  served  as  postmaster  of  that  town.  To 
him  and  his  wife  seven  children  were  born,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  is  the  only  one  living  in  Champaign  county. 

Reared  at  Broadway,  he  having  been  but  seven  or  eight  years  of  age 
when  his  parents  moved'  to  that  place,  L.  E.  Willis  received  his  schooling 
at  that  place  and  there  learned  the  art  of  telegraphing.  Upon  completing 
the  course  in  the  high  school  he  began  working  for  the  Erie  Railway  Com- 
pany as  a  telegraph  operator  and  in  1889  was  stationed  at  Marion,  this  state, 
as  the  company's  operator  at  that  place.  In  i8gi  Mr.  Willis  was  trans- 
ferred to  Kennard.  as  agent  for  the  Erie  at  that  place,  and  was  thus  engaged 
there  for  ten  years,  or  until  1901,  in  which  year  he  moved  to  North  Lewis- 
burg and  there  became  engaged  in  the  furniture  and  undertaking  business. 
Three  years  later  he  disposed  of  his  business  in  that  connection  and  set 
about  promoting  the  organization  of  the  North  Lewisburg  Telephone  Com- 
pany and  establishing  a  telephone  plant  there.  Mr.  Willis  was  cjuite  suc- 
cessful in  that  undertaking  and  succeeded  in  the  construction  of  an  admir- 
able plant,  which  is  now  serving  more  than  three  hundred  and  seventy-five 
subscribers,  and  of  which  plant  Mr.  Willis  is  now  sole  owner  and  manager. 
In  19 1 2  Mr.  Willis  engaged  in  the  automobile  business  at  North  Lewisburg 
and  erected  a  substantial  and  up-to-date  garage,  which  he  since  has  been 
conducting  quite  successfully.  He  is  the  local  agent  for  the  sale  of  the 
Maxwell  car  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  best-known  and  most  energetic 
automobile  men  in  the  county.  Mr.  Willis  is  a  Democrat  and  ever  since 
taking  up  his  residence  in  this  county  has  given  his  earnest  and  thoughtful 


I054  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

attention  to  local  civic  affairs.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Champaign  county 
election  board  and  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Champaign 
County  Childrens'  Home,  in  the  affairs  of  which  institution  he  takes  a  deep 
interest. 

In  December,  189 1,  L.  E.  Willis  was  united  in  marriage  to  Zora  Col- 
lins, daughter  of  William  Collins  and  wife,  of  Broadway,  this  state,  and 
to  this  union  live  children  have  been  born,  namely :  Burrill,  who  married 
Nela  Bates  and  has  one  child,  Klair ;  Alonzo,  who  married  Madge  Parrish, 
of  Lawrtnce.  Kansas,  and  Mary,  Leahbelle  and  James.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Willis 
have  a  very  pleasant  home  at  North  Lewisburg  and  take  a  proper  interest 
in  the  general  social  activities  of  their  home  town.  They  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopl  church  and  are  active  in  church  work,  Mr.  Will-is 
being  secretary  of  the  official  board  of  the  church.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  local  lodge  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  past  chancellor  commander  of 
the  same,  and  has  for  vears  taken  a  warm  interest  in  Pvthian  affairs. 


HERBERT  C.  EVERHART. 

Herbert  C.  Everhart.  trustee  of  Union  township  and  one  of  Champaign 
county's  well-known  and  progressive  }'Oung  farmers,  was  born  on  a  farm 
in  the  neighboring  county  of  Clark,  son  of  John  A.  and  Melissa  Ann  (Near) 
Everhart,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia  and  the  latter  of  Ohio,  who  later 
became  resident  of  Champaign  county,  John  A.  Everhart  becoming  a  sub- 
stantial farmer  in  the  Mechanicsburg  neighborhood,  where  he  spent  his  last 
days.    His  widow  is  now  making  her  home  at  Catawba. 

John  A.  Everhart  was  born  in  Loudoun  county,  Virginia,  and  was  a 
young  man  when  he  came  to  Ohio  with  his  parents,  Israel  and  Maria  (Ropp) 
Everhart.  also  nati\'es  of  the  same  county,  the  former  born  in  181 1  and 
the  latter  in  1817.  It  was  in  the  spring  of  1861  that  the  Everharts  came 
to  this  state  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  Catawba  neighborhood,  in  Clark 
county,  where  Israel  Everhart  and  his  wife  spent  their  last  days,  the  former 
dying  in  1883  and  the  latter  some  years  later,  she  having  been  eighty 
years  of  age  at  the  time  of  her  death.  They  were  the  parents  of  six  children, 
further  mention  of  which  family  is  made  elsewhere  in  this  volume,  John 
A.  Everhart  liaAnng  had  four  brothers,  William,  Thomas,  Edgar  S.  and 
George,  and  one  sister,  Matilda,  the  family  becoming  widely  known  in  upper 
Clark  county  and  in  the  eastern  part  of  this  countv.     Israel  Everhart  was 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  IO55 

a  building  contractor  at  his  old  home  in  Virginia,  but  upon  settling  in  Clark 
county  became  a  farmer  and  followed  that  vocation  the  rest  of  his  life.  He 
and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  church  and  their 
children  were  reared  in  that  faith. 

Not  long  after  taking  up  his  residence  in  Clark  county  John  A.  Ever- 
hart  married  Melissa  Ann  Near,  who  was  born  in  that  county,  a  daughter 
of  Mahlon  and  Nancy  M.  (McConkey)  Near,  substantial  farming  people  of 
Clark  county,  whose  last  days  were  spent  there  and  who  were  the  parents 
of  nine  children,  those  besides  Mrs.  Everhart  having  been  Jane,  Sarah  (T. 
and  Nancy  E.  (twins),  Nathan  O.,  Charles  O.,  Mary  and  two  who  died  in 
youth.  After  his  marriage  John  A.  Everhart  continued  to  make  his  home 
in  Clark  countv,  being  there  engaged  in  farming  until  1898,  in  which  year 
he  moved  with  his  family  to- Champaign  county  and  located  on  the  Lay  ton 
farm  in  Union  township.  Later  he  bought  a  farm  one  mile  west  of  Me- 
chanicsburg  and  there  he  continued  farming  the  rest  of  his  life,  his  death 
occurring  there  in  1908,  he  then  being  sixty-eight  years  of  age.  His  widow 
is  now  living  at  Catawba.  John  A.  Everhart  was  a  stanch  Republican  and 
he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  church.  They 
were  the  parents  of  four  sons,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the 
second  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow :  Scott,  who  married 
Ida  Taylor  and  is  still  living  in  Clark  county,  where  he  is  engaged  in  farming : 
Warren,  a  farmer,  of  Union  township,  this  county,  who  married  May  Meyers 
and  has  one  child,  a  son,  Otis,  and  Robert,  also  a  Union  township  farmer, 
who  married  Emma  Riddle  and  has  one  child,  a  daughter,  Margaret  Ann. 

Reared  on  the  farm,  Herbert  C.  Everhart  early  became  a  practical 
farmer  and  upon  completing  his  schooling,  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years. 
engaged  in  farming  in  partnership  with  his  father  on  the  home  place  west 
of  Mechanicsburg  and  was  thus  engaged  for  several  years,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  he  became  connected  with  the  work  in  the  grain  elevator  at 
Catawba.  In  the  fall  of  19 14  Mr.  Everhart  located  on  the  Michael  farm, 
in  Union  township,  this  county,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home  and  where 
he  and  his  family  are  very  comfortably  situated.  In  addition  to  his  general 
farming,  Mr.  Everhart  raises  some  high  grade  live  stock  and  is  recognized 
as  one  of  the  progressive  and  up-to-date  farmers  of  that  neighborhood.  He 
is  an  active  Republican  and  for  the  past  four  years  or  more  has  been  serving 
as  trustee  of  Union  township,  giving  his  most  thcnightful  and  intelligent 
attention  to  the  duties  of  that  important  local  office. 

In  the  fall  of  1902  Herbert  C.  Everhart  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Bertha   Michael,   who   was  born   in  Union   township,   this  county,   daughter 


1056  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

of  W.  F.  and  Elizabeth  Michael,  natives  of  Maryland  and  both  of  whom 
are  now  deceased,  and  to  this  union  four  children  have  been  born,  Roger, 
deceased,  Mildred,  Marion  and  John.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Everhart  are  members 
of  the  Buck  Creek  Presbyterian  church  and  Mr.  Everhart  is  a  member  of 
the  local  lodge  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  at  Mechanicsburg. 


DAVID  S.  SPEECE. 


David  S.  Speece,  a  member  of  one  of  the  pioneeji-  families  of  Cham- 
paign county  and  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of  thxee-iiundred  acres  in  Har- 
rison township,  twelve  miles  northwest  of  Urbana,  on  rural  mail  route  No.  2 
out  of  that  city,  was  born  on  a  farm  adjoining  that  on  which  he  lives  and 
has  lived  in  that  neighborhood  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  June  11,  1854, 
a  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Mclntire)  Speece,  both  of  whom  were  born 
in  that  same  township,  members  of  pioneer  families  in  that  part  of  the 
county. 

William  Speece  was  a  son  of  Peter  Speece,  who  also  was  reared  in 
Harrison  township,  a  son  of  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  that  neighborhood, 
his  father  having  brought  his  family  over  here  from  Virginia  in  the  early 
days  of  the  settlement  of  Champaign  county  and  established  his  home  in 
the  Millerstown  neighborhood.  Peter  Speece's  father  was  a  native  of  Ger- 
many and  for  some  time  after  coming  to  this  county  taught  a  German 
school  near  Millerstown.  Peter  Speece  reared  his  family  in  Harrison  town- 
ship and  later  moved  to  Wells  county,  Indiana,  where  he  spent  his  last  days. 
His  son.  William  Speece,  grew  up  in  Harrison  township,  married  Elizabeth 
Mclntire,  also  a  member  of  one  of  the  pioneer  families  of  that  neighbor- 
hood, and  established  his  home  in  that  same  township,  on  a  farm  adjoining 
that  on  which  David  S.  Speece  now  lives.  Pie  and  his  wife  were  the  parents 
of  ten  children,  eight  of  whom  are  still  living,  those  besides  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  being  as  follow:  Thomas,  also  a  resident  of  Harrison  township; 
Sarah,  wife  of  David  Taylor;  Samantha,  wife  of  William  Hoffman;  Mar- 
garet, wife  of  H.  Pyle,  of  St.  Paris;  William  H.,  of  Degraff;  Etna,  wife 
of  J.  M.  Bargu,  also  of  Degraff,  and  Rena,  wife  of  L.  A.  Clark,  of  Con- 
cord township. 

David  S.  Speece  was  reared  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Harrison  town- 
ship, receiving  his  schooling  in  the  schools  of  that  neighborhood,  and  from 
the  days  of  his  boyhood  was  a  valued  assistant  in  the  labors  of  improving 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  IO57 

and  developing  the  home  place.  When  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  began 
farming  on  his  own  account,  renting  a  portion  of  the  home  acres,  and  after 
his  marriage  in  1880  established  his  home  on  the  place  on  which  he  is  now 
living,  adjoining  the  old  home  place,  and  where  he  owns  three  hundred  acres 
I )t  well-tilled  and, profitably  cultivated  land.  He  has  a  fine  house  of  twelve 
rooms  and  a  basement,  v.'ith  a  hot-water  heating  plant,  which  he  erected  in 
1897,  'i^d  the  other  buildings  which  go  to  make  up  his  excellent  farm  plant 
are  in  keeping  with  the  same.  In  addition  to  his  general  farming,  Mr. 
Speece  has  for  years  given  special  attention  to  the  feeding  of  live  stock 
and  has  done  very  well  in  his  operations,  long  having  been  regarded  as  one 
of  the  most  substantial  farmers  and  stockmen  in  that  part  of  the  county. 

On  September  26.  1880,  David  S.  Speece  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Margaret  DeVVeese,  who  was  born  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Shelby  in 
September,  1858,  and  to  this  union  four  children  have  been  bom,  namely: 
William  M;,  who  married  Catherine  Carey  and  lives  at  Rosewood;  Erma, 
wife  of  B.  A.  Phineger,  of  Harrison  township;  Cora,  wife  of  Fred  Heir- 
ingberg,  of  Urbana,  and  Frank  T.,  who  is  at  home  assisting  his  father  in 
the  operation  of  the  stock  farm.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Speece  are  members  of  the 
United  Brethren  church  at  Rosewood  and  Mr.  Speece  is  a  member  of  Rose- 
wood Lodge  No.  213,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  Politically,  he 
is  a  Democrat,  but  has  never  been  particularly  active  in  political  affairs, 
though  ever  giving  a  good  citizen's  attention  to  local  civic  afifairs,  and  has 
done  his  part  in  the  general  upbuilding  of  the  community  in  which  he  has 
lived  all  his  life. 


EMMET  A.  BODEY. 


Among  the  younger  farmers  of  Johnson  township,  this  county,  who 
have  proved  themselves  progressive  and  scientific  in  their  methods,  is  Emmet 
A.  Bodey,  who  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives,  one  and  one-half 
miles  west  of  Millerstown.  on  April  14,  1875.  He  is  a  son  of  Henry  and 
Elizabeth  (Vincent)  Bodey,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Ohio,  the  father 
having  been  born  in  this  county,  and  the  mother  in  Logan  county. 

The  Bodey  family  were  among  the  early  pioneer  settlers  of  this  part  of 
Ohio,  Adam  Bodey,  the  father  of  Henry  Bodey,  coming  to  Ohio  at  an  early 
date  from  Virginia.  The  family  are  of  German  descent.  Henry  Bodey  and 
wife  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  of  whom  four  are  now  living:  Hen- 
rietta, the  wife  of  Charles  Pence,  residing  in  Washington;  Lottie,  deceased; 
(67a) 


1058  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

Anna  V.,  of  Redmond,  Washington ;  Mary,  deceased ;  Carl,  a  resident  of 
Johnson  township,  and  Emmet  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Emmet  A.  Bodey  was  born  and  reared  on  the  farm  just  north  of  where 
he  is  Hving,  which  was  a  part  of  the  old  Bodey  home  place.  He  received  his 
education  in  the  rural  schools  of  his  home  township,  and  at  the  age  of  six- 
teen, went  to  Oregon,  where  he  was  employed  at  farm  labor  for  three  years. 
At  the  end  of  that  time  he  returned  to  Champaign  county,  remaining  on 
the  home  place  eighteen  months,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  again  went 
West,  his  destination  being  Seattle,  Washington.  He  secured  employment 
in  the  lumber  woods  and  was  thus  engaged  for  three  years,  during  wbiich 
time  he  acquired  twenty  acres  of  land  in  that  state.  Upon  the  death  of  his 
father  he  returned  to  Champaign  county  to  take  charge  of  the  home  farm, 
and  has  since  lived  there,  carrying  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising. 

Emmet  A.  Bodey  has  been  twice  married,  his  first  wife  having  been 
Rosa  Smith.  To  that  union  six  children  were  born,  only  two  of  whom  are 
now  living,  Mary  and  Dale,  both  of  whom  are  living  at  home  with  their 
father.  After  the  death  of  the  mother  of  these  children  Mr.  Bodey  married 
Ada  Kautz,  the  daughter  of  Charles  Kautz  and  wife,  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  Ohio.  Mr.  Kautz  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  three  children, 
two  of  whom  are  now  living,  Harry,  of  Urbana,  Ohio,  and  Ada,  the  wife 
of  Mr.  Bodey.  Mr.  Bodey  is  an  independent  voter.  He  is  an  up-to-date, 
progressive  farmer,  and  ranks  high  in  the  esteem  of  his  neighbors  and  friends. 


WILL  B.  CROCKETT. 


Will  B.  Crockett,  a  farmer,  of  Harrison  township,  this  county,  was  born 
on  September  23,  1864,  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives.  He  is  a  son  of 
Newton  L  and  Rachel  J.  (Baker)  Crockett,  the  fonner  of  whom  was  born 
on  the  farm  where  his  son.  Will  B.,  now  resides.  The  mother  was  born 
in  Dayton,  Ohio,  a  daughter  of  J.  H.  and  Catherine  (Altick)  Baker.  Her 
parents  moved  to  Wabash,  Indiana,  when  she  was  eight  }'ears  of  age.  and 
there  she  grew  to  womanhood  and  married.  She  received  a  good  education 
and  taught  school  a  number  of  years  in  Wabash  county,  Indiana.  After  his 
marriage  Newton  I.  Crockett  located  on  the  farm  where  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  now  lives,  but  three  years  later  moved  back  to  Wabash  county,  Indiana, 
where  he  died,  in  1868,  after  which  his  widow  brought  her  children  to  Cham- 
paign county  and  located  on  a  farm  in  Harrison  township,   the  old  home 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY.    OHIO.  IO59 

place.  Later  she  married  H.  A.  Crockett,  a  brother  of  her  first  husband. 
To  her  first  marriage  two  children  were  born,  namely:  Olive  A.,  the  wife 
of  J.  M.  Pittman,  of  Harrison  township,  and  Will  B.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch.  The  mother  of  these  children  is  still  living,  being  now  well  advanced 
in  years. 

Will  B.  Crockett  grew  up  on  the  home  farm,  attended  the  district  schools, 
and  has  spent  his  life  in  Harrison  township,  remaining  on  the  old  home- 
stead, which  he  has  kept  well  improved  and  well  cultivated,  and  now  owns 
one  hundred  and  thirty-four  acres  of  good  land.  On  April  24,  1882,  Mr. 
Crockett  was  married  to  Mary  B.  Lapp,  who  was  born  in  Union  township, 
Logan  county,  Ohio,  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  (Yoder)  Lapp,  who 
make  their  home  near  West  Liberty,  this  state.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lapp  are  parents 
of  fourteen  children,  four  sons  and  ten  daughters,  namely :  Emma,  the 
wife  of  Ezra  Kaufifman;  Malinda,  next  in  order  of  birth;  Lydia,  the  wife 
of  John  Musser;  Jacob,  an  architect,  who  lives  in  Dayton,  Ohio;  Fannie, 
the  next  child;  Sadie,  the  wife  of  J.  A.  Zook;  John  H.,  who  lives  in  New 
Philadelphia,  Ohio;  David  A.,  who  married  Fannie  Hartzler;  Mary  B.,  wife 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Catherine,  the  wife  of  A.  F.  Yoder;  Alva,  who 
married  a  Miss  Auxbarger;  Nellie,  the  wife  of  Edward  Shoemaker;  Celesta, 
the  next  in  order  of  birth,  and  Saloma,  the  wife  of  George  Harmon.  Mr. 
Crockett  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  lodge 
at  St.   Paris.     His  wife  belongs  to  the  Christian  church  at  West  Liberty. 


PROF.  RAY  D.  CONRAD. 

Prof.  Ray  D.  Conrad,  of  Woodstock,  one  of  the  best-known  members  of 
Champaign  county's  efficient  teaching  force,  is  a  native  son  of  this  county 
and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  September  20.  1888,  son 
of  Firman  Oliver  and  Alberta  (Collins)  Conrad,  both  of  whom  are  still 
living  in  this  county.  Firman  Oliver  Conrad  Avas  born  on  July  30,  1863, 
son  of  Howard  and  Amelia  Jane  Conrad,  of  American  birth,  and  his  wife 
was  born  at  Tremont  City,  in  the  neighboring  county  of  Clark ;  October  29, 
1867,  daughter  of  Margaret  and  Thomas  Collins,  also  of  American  birth. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Conrad  have  two  children,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having  a 
sister.  Mrs.  Nellie  Pence,  also  a  resident  of  Champaign  county. 

Ray  D.  Conrad  was  graduated  from  the  Westville  high  school  in 
i<)07:  from  the  LTrbana  high  school  in   IQ08.  and  from  the  Wittenberg  Col- 


I06p  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

lege  at  Springfield  in  19 14,  receiving  from  the  latter  institution  the  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  In  the  spring  of  191 7  Wittenberg  College  conferred 
upon  him  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts.  Upon  leaving  high  school  Pro- 
fessor Conrad  began  teaching  and  has  since  been  thus  engaged,  save  for 
the  period  spent  in  completing  his  studies  in  college,  his  summer  vacations 
from  his  teaching  service  in  this  county  being  spent  as  an  instructor  in  the 
Culver  Military  Academy  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  in  Indiana.  The  Professor 
is  a  stockholder  in  the  Hermine  Operating  Company,  of  Pittsburgh,  Penn- 
sylvania. Politically,  he  is  a  Republican.  By  religious  persuasion  he  is  a 
Methodist  and  is  affihated  with  the  church  of  that  communion  at  Terre  Haute, 
this  county.  Fraternally,  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  his  connection  being  with  the  lodge  of  that  order  at  Christians- 
burg. 

On  December  24,  191 3,  at  Westville.  this  count)-,  Prof.  Ray  D.  Conrad 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Abbie  Keith,  who  also  was  born  in  this  county, 
February  11,  1889,  daughter  and  only  child  of  Elbert  Lewis  and  Mary 
Keith.  Elbert  Lewis  Keith,  who  was  born  in  1849.  died  in  1902.  His 
widow,  who  was  born  in  1852,  is  still  living.  Professor  and  Mrs.  Conrad 
have  two  children,  Dorothy  Mae,  born  on  October  16,  1914,  and  David, 
June  29,  19 1 6.  They  have  a  very  pleasant  home  at  Woodstock  and  take  an 
interested  and  helpful  part  in  the  general  social  and  cultural  activities  of 
the  community  at  large. 


JOHN  COWGILL. 


John  Cowgill,  one  of  the  careful  farmers  of  Salem  township,  this 
county,  was  born  on  May  12.  1856,  in  the  same  locality  where  he  now  resides, 
and  has  been  content  to  spend  his  life  in  his  native  county.  He  is  a  son  of 
Thomas  and  Alatilda  Ann  (Watkins)  Cowgill.  the  former  a  native  of  Co- 
lumbiana county,  Ohio,  and  the  latter,  of  Logan  county,  this  state.  Thomas 
Cowgill  was  about  six  years  old  when  his  parents  brought  him  to  Champaign 
county.  He  was  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Anna  Cowgill.  The  former  was 
born  in  Frederick  county,  Virginia,  July  27,  1777,  and  his  death  occurred 
in  Champaign  county,  Ohio.  September  14.  1846.  His  wife  was  born  in 
Stafford  county,  Virginia,  September  16,  1780,  and  her  death  occurred  in 
Champaign  county.  Ohio.  June   18,    1868.      To  Thomas  and   Anna   Cowi^ill 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  I061 

eleven  children  were  born,  of  whom  Thomas,  Jr.,  was  the  sixth  in  order 
of  birth. 

Thomas  Cowgill,  Jr.,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in 
Salem  township,  this  county,  in  1811,  grew  to  manhood  amid  pioneer  condi- 
tions, attended  the  old-time  schools  here  and  assisted  his  father  clear  and 
develop  a  farm  from  the  wilderness.  When  a  young  man  he  took  up  surveying 
and  later  practiced  medicine,  a  country  doctor  of  the  old  school,  and  became 
one  of  the  most  prominent  and  successful  general  physicians  in  Champaign 
county  in  his  day  and  generation,  practicing  his  profession  here  for  many 
years.  He  became  well-to-do  and  was  owner  of  a  large  tract  of  valuable 
farming  land.  He  was  a  man  of  many  commendable  personal  characteristics, 
a  fine  example  of  a  successful  self-made  man,  and  was  popular  throughout 
the  county.  His  family  consisted  of  but  two  children,  of  whom  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  alone  survives. 

John  Cowgill  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Salem  township 
and  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools.  He  has  devoted  his  life 
to  general  farming  and  stock  raising  on  a  portion  of  the  old  homestead, 
but  he  has  of  late  years  not  been  as  active  as  formerly.  He  married  Doschia 
Slaughter,  and  to  their  union  five  children  have  been  born,  namely:  Goldie 
Ruth,  Pearl  Mae,  Mary  Ehzabeth,  Doschia  and  John  Henry.  Mr.  Cowgill 
is  a  Republican.     He  belongs  to  the  Quaker  church. 


JOSHUA  H.  CLARK. 


Joshua  H.  Clark,  of  Urbana,  one  of  Champaign  county's  best-known 
farmers  and  former  trustee  of  Salem  township,  who  for  the  past  seven  or 
eight  years  has  made  his  home  in  Urbana,  is  a  native  son  of  this  county 
and  has  lived  here  all  his  life.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Urbana  township 
on  November  23,  1855,  son  of  Jacob  A.  and  Susanna  (Swisher)  Clark, 
natives  of  Virginia,  who  had  come  to  this  county  in  that  same  year  and 
the  latter  of  whom  is  still  living,  an  old  resident  of  Salem  township. 

Jacob  A.  Clark  was  the  son  of  Isaac  and  Mary  (Ambrose)  Clark, 
also  natives  of  Virginia,  who  drove  through  to  Urbana  some  little  time  after 
their  son  Jacob  had  settled  in  this  county  and  settled  on  a  farm  south  of 
Urbana,  later  moving  to  the  Cable  neighborhood  in  Wayne  township,  where 
their  last  days  were  spent.  Isaac  Clark  and  wife  were  the  parents  of  seven 
children,   Joseph,   Jacob  A.,   Joshua,   John,   Peter,   Harrison  and  Margaret. 


I062  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

It  was  in  1855  that  Jacob  A.  Clark  and  wife,  shortly  after  their  marriage, 
came  to  this  county  from  Virginia.  For  some  time  after  coming  here  he 
lived  on  a  rented  farm  and  then  bought  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
three  acres  in  Salem  township,  where  he  established  his  home  and  where 
he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  in  May,  1901.  His 
widow  is  still  making  her  home  on  that  farm,  where  she  is  very  comfortably 
situated.  To  Jacob  A.  Clark  and  wife  were  born  nine  children,  of  whom 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  first  born,  the  others  being  as  follow^: 
Gabriel,  who  married  Minnie  Gusness  and  is  farming  in  Union  township; 
Samuel,  who  married  Lizzie  McKee  and  is  living  at  Cary,  where  he  is 
engaged  in  carpentering;  Eliza,  who  married  John  Powl  and  is  now  deceased; 
Jacob,  who  married  Louise  Nanceyhaufer  and  is  engaged  in  farming  in  the 
King's  Creek  neighborhood;  Laura,  wife  of  William  Briggs,  of  Urbana; 
Delia,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  J.  K.  Hougyshell;  Elmer,  a  carpenter 
and  bridge  builder,  now  living  at  Bluffton,  Indiana,  and  Cora,  wife  of 
Griffith  Fox,  of  Urbana. 

Joshua  H.  Clark  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  Wayne  town- 
ship, to  which  his  parents  had  moved  from  Urbana  township  when  he  was 
a  boy,  and  he  received  his  schooling  in  the  district  school  in  that  neighbor- 
hood. Being  the  eldest  son  he  was  a  valued  assistant  to  his  father  in  the 
labors  of  developing  and  improving  the  home  place  and  he  remained  at  home 
until  his  marriage  when  twenty-six  years  of  age,  after  which  he  began  farm- 
ing for  himself  on  a  farm  on  the  Urbana  and  Cable  pike,  four  miles  north- 
east of  Urbana,  in  Salem  township,  and  there  resided  until  he  presently 
bought  the  Captain  Diltz  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-four  acres,  on  the 
line  between  Urbana  and  Wayne  township,  and  there  remained  for  seven 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  sold  that  place  and  bought  ten  acres  of 
the  Will  Long  estate  in  Salem  township,  where  he  made  his  home  for  eleven 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time,  in  1910,  he  moved  to  Urbana  and  has  since 
been  residing  there  in  a  house  at  837  North  Main  street  which  he  had  bought 
in  1907,  known  then  as  the  Jennings  property,  and  where  he  and  his  wife 
are  very  comfortably  situated.  In  addition  to  looking  after  the  farming  inter- 
ests of  his  own  place  Mr.  Clark  has  been  farming  his  father's  old  home 
place  for  the  past  fifteen  years  or  more  and  is  doing  very  well.  He  is  a 
Republican  and  during  his  residence  in  Salem  township  gave  his  earnest 
attention  to  local  political  afifairs.  serving  for  five  years  as  trustee  of  that 
township.  He  also  served  for  some  time  as  a  member  of  the  school  board 
in  Wayne  township  during  his  residence  in  that  township. 

It  was  on  July  20,  1882,  that  Joshua  H.  Clark  was  united  in  marriage 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  IO63 

to  Amanda  Birks.  who  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Concord  township,  this 
county,  a  daughter  of  Adam  and  Hannah  (Heller)  Birks,  the  former  of 
whom  was  born  in  Germany,  a  native  of  Hesse-Darmstadt,  and  who  upon 
coming  to  this  country  had  proceeded  on  out  to  Ohio  and  after  a  sometime 
residence  near  West  Liberty,  had  come  to  this  county  and  located  in  Con- 
cord township,  where  he  spent  his  last  days,  his  death  occurring  in  1871. 
His  widow  survived  him  for  twenty-eight  years,  her  death  occurring  in 
1899.  They  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  their  children  were 
reared  in  that  faith.  There  were  nine  of  these  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Clark 
was  the  eighth  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being  as  follow :  Henry,  a 
mechanic,  of  Springfield,  this  state ;  Margaret,  wife  of  Joseph  Irestine,  of 
Salem  township,  this  county;  Mary,  deceased;  William,  a  carpenter,  living 
at  Springfield ;  John,  of  Urbana ;  Frank,  deceased ;  Charles,  deceased,  and 
Anna,  of  Urbana.  who  married  William  Pangle  and  after  his  death  married 
Willard  Stewart,  who  also  is  now  deceased. 

To  Joshua  and  Amanda  (Birks)  Clark  have  been  born  two  children, 
both  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  ]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Clark  are  members  of  Grace 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Urbana  and  take  a  proper  interest  in  church 
work,  as  well  as  in  the  general  good  works  of  their  home  town,  helpful  in 
many  ways  in  promoting  movements  designed  to  advance  the  common  wel- 
fare. 


R.   G.    JOHNSON. 


Although  yet  a  young  man.  R.  G.  Johnson,  who  is  teaching  school 
at  Cable,  Champaign  count}-,  has  won  a  large  measure  of  success  in  one  of 
the  most  exacting  of  professions  and  gives  promise  of  accomplishing  still 
greater  good  as  an  educator  in  the  future. 

Mr.  Johnson  was  born  in  Union  township,  this  county,  December  14. 
1889,  a  son  of  John  W.  and  SepHa  (Wooley)  Johnson.  The  father  grew 
to  manhood  on  the  farm  in  this  county,  and  received  his  early  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  Union  township.  He  began  farming  when  a  young 
man  in  Union  township,  continuing  there  in  general  agricultural  pursuits 
until  he- was  fifty  years  of  age,  when  he  moved  to  Wayne  township,  later 
locating  in  Cable,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  in  that  village. 
His  widow  is  still  living,  making  her  home  at  Urbana.  To  these  parents 
two  children  were  born,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  and  Roy. 

R.  G.  Johnson  grew  to  manhood  in  Union  township  and   received  his 


1064  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  that  township,  and  in  the  high 
school  at  Mechanicsburg-,  which  latter  he  attended  for  a  short  time ;  then 
studied  at  Miami  University,  finishing  his  work  there  in  19 10.  During  the 
year  191 5  he  attended  Wittenberg  College  at  Springfield,  Ohio,  and  is  now 
planning  to  take  a  special  course  in  that  institution. 

Mr.  Johnson  has  been  teaching  since  191 1.  He  taught  his  first  term 
at  the  White  school  house  in  Union  township,  spending  one  year  there : 
then  taught  two  years  at  Middletown  and  two  years  at  Mingo.  At  this 
writing,  191 7,  he  is  engaged  in  teaching  at  Cable,  where  he  has  been  en- 
gaged for  another  year  also.  He  has  been  very  successful  from  the  first 
as  an  instructor  and  now  ranks  among-  the  popular  teachers  of  Champaign 
county.  He  is  a  diligent  student  himself  and  keeps  well  abreast  of  the 
times  in  all  that  pertains  to  educational  work.  He  has  introduced  many 
new  and  approved  methods  in  the  schools  of  which  he  has  been  in  charge, 
and  has  been  popular  with  both  pupils  and  patrons. 

On  May  29,  1916,  Mr.  Johnson  was  married  to  Alice  Black,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Edward  and  Jennie  Black.  Politically,  Mr.  Johnson  is  a  Republican. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  is  past  noble 
grand  of  the  local  lodge  of  that  order.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church. 


WILLIAM  HANNA. 


The  biographies  of  enterprising  men,  especially  good  men,  are  instruc- 
tive as  guides  and  incentive  to  others.  The  examples  they  furnish  of  patient 
purpose  and  steadfast  integrity,  strongly  illustrate  what  is  in  the  power  of 
each  to  accomplish,  when  they  have  courage  and  right  principles  to  control 
their  course  of  action.  Such  a  man  was  the  late  William  Hanna,  one  of 
the  most  progressive  agriculturists  and  highly  esteemed  citizens  of  Cham- 
paign county,  during  the  generation  that  has  just  passed. 

Mr.  Hanna  was  a  scion  of  one  of  the  sterling  old  pioneer  families 
of  the  above  named  county,  and  he  was  born  on  the  Hanna  homestead  west 
of  Urbana,  in  Concord  township,  September  26,  1847.  He  was  a  son  of 
Andrew  and  Rachael  (Barber)  Hanna,  who  were  among  the  early  settlers 
in  Concord  township.  Andrew  Hanna  came  here  from  Virginia  when  young. 
His  wife's  parents  were  also  from  Virginia,  but  she  was  a  native  of  this 
township,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood. 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  I065 

William  Hanna  married  Margaret  Barger,  who  was  born  on  the  old 
Barger  farm  a  half  mile  west  of  Eris  in  Concord  township,  on  the  place 
where  Charles  Barger  now  lives.  After  their  marriage  William  and  Mar- 
garet Hanna  settled  on  a  farm  on  the  line  between  Mad  River  and  Concord 
townships,  and  there  Mr.  Hanna  carried  on  general  farming  and  stock  raising 
in  a  successful  manner  until  1906,  when  he  removed  to  the  farm  in  Concord 
township  on  which  his  son,  Walter  W.  Hanna,  now  lives.  There  he  con- 
tinued agricultural  pursuits  until  19 10,  when  he  went  to  Colorado,  where  he 
spent  three  or  four  years;  then  returned  to  Concord  township  and  died 
here  in  June,  1916.     His  wife  had  preceded  him  to  the  grave  in  1899. 

To  William  Hanna  and  wife  six  children  were  born,  three  of  whom 
are  living  at  this  writing,  namely:  Cleo  V.,  the  wife  of  John  H.  Abbott, 
a  farmer  of  Concord  township;  Walter  W.,  who  was  born  on  the  line  be- 
tween Mad  River  and  Concord  township,  December  21,  1882,  resides  on 
what  is  known  as  the  old  F.  N.  Barger  farm  in  Concord  township,  and 
Benjamin  E.,  who  makes  his  home  in  Colorado. 

In  his  earlier  years  William  Hanna  was  a  Republican,  but  in  later 
life  was  not  a  biased  partisan,  being  more  of  an  independent  voter.  He 
took  an  active  interest  in  public  affairs  all  his  life.  He  was  one  of  the 
first  members  of  Lodge  No.  46,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  at 
Urbana.  He  and  J.  C.  Thackery  were  the  originators  of  the  plan  for  dredg- 
ing Mad  river,  and  their  efforts  finally  resulted  in  the  accomplishment  of 
this  task,  which  proved  to  be  a  great  advantage  to  the  people  of  this  section 
of  the  state.  He  took  an  abiding  interest  in  whatever  made  for  the  develop- 
ment of  his  locality  in  any  legitimate  way.  His  wife  belonged  to  the  Concord 
Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


JOHN  TAYLOR'S  FAMILY. 

In  the  Baptist  church  at  King's  creek  there  is  a  beautiful  memorial  win- 
dow sacred  to  the  memory  of  John  Taylor,  an  honored  pioneer  of  Champaign 
county,  who  donated  the  land  on  which  that  church  stands  and  whose  efforts 
in  behalf  of  a  proper  social  order,  in  the  days  of  the  beginning  of  the  settle- 
ment in  that  neighborhood  had  very  much  to  do  with  the  orderly  establishment 
of  the  community  on  its  present  sound  basis.  John  Taylor  was  one  of  the 
first  settlers  in  that  part  of  the  county  and  one  of  the  most  influential  factors 
in  bringing  about  proper  conditions  there  in  the  early  days.     A  Virginian  by 


I066  CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO. 

birth,  he  liad  been  carefully  reared  and  both  he  and  his  wife  brought  out  here 
to  the  then  wilderness  fine  ideas  concerning  the  needs  of  a  new  community  and 
it  is  undoubted  that  their  influence  in  those  early  days  had  very  much  to  do 
with  the  firm  establishment  of  the  King's  Creek  settlement. 

John  Taylor  was  born  on  March  ii,  1769,  a  son  of  William  and  Mary 
(Buckels)  Taylor,  substantial  residents  of  what  then  was  Berks  county,  Vir- 
ginia, now  Jeffersmi  county,  West  Virginia.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  that 
community  and  there  married  Catherine  Orsborn,  who  was  born  on  June  4, 
1773.  After  his  marriage  he  remained  in  that  community  until  in  the  spring 
of  1804,  when  he  came  out  into  the  then  new  state  of  Ohio,  this  state  having 
just  been  admitted  to  statehood  the  year  before,  and  established  his  home  in 
Champaign  county,  where  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives, 
honored  and  useful  pioneers,  ever  devoted  to  the  common  good.  With  them 
came  seven  children  that  had  been  born  to  them  in  Virginia  and  after  taking 
up  their  home  in  this  county  three  other  children  were  born  to  them.  All  of 
these  children  grew  to  maturity  and  all  married  and  had  children  save  one, 
hence  the  Taylor  family  presently  became  one  of  the  most  numerous  in  this 
section,  gradually  growing  with  the  succeeding  generations,  until  now  the 
progeny  of  this  pioneer  pair  in  this  part  of  Ohio  form  one  of  the  most  numer- 
ously represented  families  hereabout. 

It  was  in  April,  1804,  that  John  Taylor  came  over  from  Virginia  into  the 
new  state  of  Ohio  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  King's 
Creek,  in  Salem  township,  this  county.  From  Isaac  Zanes,  the  white  chief 
of  the  Wyandots,  he  bought  there  a  section  of  land  containing  six  hundred 
and  forty-three  and  eight  hundredths  acres  and  on  that  practically  unimproved 
tract  established  his  home  and  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  later  bought  from 
the  government  the  west  quarter  of  section  8,  township  5,  range  12,  his  deed 
to  the  same  being  signed  by  James  Monroe,  President  of  the  United  States. 
July  13,  1819.  He  also  bought  other  lands  hereabout  and  in  time  became  the 
owner  of  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-eight  acres  of  land,  giving 
to  each  of  his  children  a  quarter  of  a  section  of  land  before  he  died.  A  prac- 
tical miller.  John  Taylor  had  brought  out  here  with  him  upon  coming  from 
Virginia,  the  machinery  for  a  grist-mill  and  at  King's  Creek  he  set  up  the 
first  grinding-mill  in  that  section,  his  mill  early  becoming  the  central  point  for 
the  settlers  for  miles  about.  He  also  erected  a  tannery  and  saw-mill  and  as 
the  head  of  these  three  industries  performed  an  admirable  service  in  the  new 
community.  He  and  his  wife  were  ardent  Baptists  and  upon  the  organiza- 
tion of  a  consjres^ation  of  that  communion  at  Kini?-'s  Creek  he  donated  to  the 


CHAMPAIGN    COUNTY,    OHIO.  1 06/ 

congregation  the  tract  of  land  on  which  the  church  stands  to  this  day  and 
also  a  tract  for  cemetery  purposes.  In  that  cemetery  his  body  was  laid  away 
after  his  death  on  August  21,  1825,  and  in  the  handsome  church  edifice 
which  now  marks  the  site  of  the  first  primitive  church  building  he 
helped  to  erect,  there  is  a  beautiful  memorial  window  testifying  to  John  Tay- 
lor's distinctive  service  in  behalf  of  the  church.  His  wife  had  preceded  him 
to  the  grave  several  years  and  she  was  buried  in  the  old  cemetery  at  Urbana. 
When  the  family  desired  to  have  her  remains  removed  to  the  cemetery  at 
King's  Creek,  after  John  Taylor  had  donated  a  tract  for  such  purpose,  her 
grave  could  not  be  satisfactorily  identified  and  her  body  still  lies  in  its  original 
resting  place,  though  the  monument  erected  at  John  Taylor's  grave  just  north- 
west of  the  church  at  King's  Creek  bears  her  name  as  well  as  his. 

As  noted  above  John  and  Catherine  (Orsborn)  Taylor  were  the  parents 
of  ten  children,  these  children,  in  order  of  birth,  being  named  William,  David, 
Mary,  Samuel,  Levi,  Margaret,  Thomas,  Ruhama,  Blanche  and  Elizabeth,  or 
"Betsy."  William  Taylor  married  Elizal)eth  Morgan  and  had  nine  children. 
David  Taylor  married  Ann  Hendricks  and  had  two  children.  Mary  Taylor 
married  Archibald  Magrew  and  had  ten  children.  Samuel  Taylor  was  mar- 
ried three  times  and  was  the  father  of  seven  children.  His  first  wife,  Sarah 
Phillips,  was  the  mother  of  five  children,  four  of  whom  grew  to  maturity.  His 
marriage  to  Rachel  Gray  was  without  issue.  His  third  wife,  Susan  Reynolds, 
was  the  mother  of  two  children.  Levi  Taylor,  who  was  born  in  Virginia  on 
March  24,  1800,  and  who  was  therefore  but  four  years  of  age  when  his  parents 
settled  in  this  county,  grew  up  here  and  on  June  16,  1825,  married  Mrs.  Sarah 
Lowery.  born  Chamberlain.  Of  the  ten  children  born  to  that  union  but  four 
lived  to  maturity,  John,  Sarah  Ann,  Elias  and  Job,  all  of  whom  married. 
Sarah  Chamberlain  was  thrice  married,  her  first  union  having  been  contracted 
in  Cavuga  county.  New  York,  with  Robert  Worden,  who  died  two  years  later, 
leaving  one  child,  a  son.  Alvin  Worden.  who  was  born  in  that  same  county. 
After  the  death  of  her  husband  the  Widow  Worden  moved  with  her  parents 
to  Indiana  and  at  Lawrenceburg,  that  state,  she  married  John  Lowery,  after- 
ward coming  to  this  state  and  locating  at  Urbana,  where,  after  the  death  of 
Mr.  Lowery,  she  married  Levi  Taylor.  Margaret  Taylor  married  Timothy 
Powell  and  had  eight  children.  Thomas  Taylor  married  Lucy  Chamberlain 
and  had  nine  children.  Ruhama  Taylor,  who  did  not  marry,  made  her  home 
during  the  later  years  of  her  life  with  her  younger  sister,  Blanche,  who  mar- 
ried John  Miller  and  had  six  children.  The  last-born  child  of  John  Taylor, 
Elizabeth,  or  "Betsv"  Tavlor.  married  Charles  Mathes  and  had  two  children.