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CONCORD TOWNSHIP.
W. J. ABBOTT, farmer; P. O. Urbana ; was born in Shelby Co., Ohio, Jan. 13, 1836, and is a son of James and Susannah Abbott. He was born in Pennsylvania June 21, 1816, and came to Ohio about 1823. His occupation was farming, which he followed in the above-named county, by renting farms, till 1845, when he moved to Champaign Co., Ohio, and, in 1848, purchased 40 acres of land in Johnson Township. His first marriage occurred in 1835, with Susannah Slusser. She was also a native of Pennsylvania, born Sept. 3, 1816, and died Nov. 17, 1838, the mother of two sons William J. and John, the latter deceased. In 1840, he married Matilda Veach. She was born in Virginia, Oct. 19, 1822. The fruits of this union were six children, of whom five survive, viz., Sarah C., now the Widow Carmony, of Johnson Township; Jesse and Margaret (twins), residents of this county; Harriet, now the wife of Dr. George Tate, of Shelby Co., and David H., residing near Millerstown, Johnson Township. James Abbott departed this life March 27, 1853. W. J. received a common school education and also attended the college at Delaware, Ohio, four terms in all. He commenced teaching in 1855, and followed that business about twelve years ; a part of this time he carried on farming also. He has served several years as Township Clerk. In 1867, he purchased 79 acres of land in Sec. 2, of Concord Township, and moved on it March 12, 1878. This was a very wet and rather wild piece of land, but, by considerable draining and clearing, he has made it among the best in the vicinity. Although a cripple, he is a man of remarkable energy and perseverance, and one also who commands the respect and confidence of all around him. On the 13th of May, 1858, he married Emily V. Compton, a native of Jefferson Co., Va., born Feb. 5, 1840. She came to Ohio with her mother in 1852; her father died prior to that time. W. J. and Emily V. Abbott are the parents of nine children, seven of whom are yet living-Charles M., John H., Anna M., Minnie A., Emma Maude, Oma J.and Oro.
JOHN J. ARNOLD, farmer; P. O. Urbana ; was born in York Co., Penn., March 1, 1829, and is a son of John and Mary (Jacob) Arnold, both Pennsylvanians by birth, but of German descent. She was born Jan. 6, 1796, and he Nov. 2, 1794. They were the parents of nine children-David, Jacob, Samuel, Philip (deceased), John J., Daniel, Nathan, Isaac and Alfred. John Arnold departed this life Feb. 14, 1857, and his-wife June 2, 1868. Our subject came to Ohio in 1850, and stopped in Madison Co., where he remained two years, and then came to Champaign Co. In 1854, he emigrated to Grant Co., Ind., and lived at different places in that State until 1866. On the 26th of July 1862, he enlisted in the service of his country to suppress the
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rebellion, as a member of Co. C, 12th Ind. V. I. The first regular engagement in which he participated was at Richmond, Ky., Aug. 30, 1862, under Gen. Nelson. 'The principal engagements following that were at Memphis, Tenn., and on Grant's right wing at Oxford. On the 6th of January, 1863, they fell back to Grand Junction and served as railroad guards. In March they went to Collierville and Germantown on the same duty, and then to Vicksburg, where they remained till July 3, just one day before the fall of that place. They captured Jackson, Miss., July 15, 1863, and, on the 19th, commenced their return march, when they went to Big Black River, Miss., under Sherman. Here our subject was disabled by exposure and over marching, which resulted in the loss of his speech; he has not spoken above a whisper since Dec. 7, 1863, his vocal organs being totally destroyed. He was honorably discharged March 13, 1865. In 1866, he removed to Champaign Co., and settled on See. 22 of Concord Township, where he owns 30 acres of land. Although not in pioneer days, he began here in the woods, in pioneer style ; his house floorless and only partially inclosed. His marriage with Rachel E. Miller was celebrated Dec. 22, 1852. She was born Feb. 8, 1831, and is a daughter of Christian Miller; he was a native of Loudoun Co., Va., born Aug. 15, 1789, of German descent. He came to Ohio in 1810, but went back to Virginia and married Elizabeth Heath. She was of English descent, born Jan. 9, 1794. In 1817, he returned with his family and located on 160 acres of land in Sec. 25, of Concord Township, Champaign Co. Fifteen- children were the fruits of their marriage, nine girls and six boys; eleven of these survived their infancy, viz., Mary A., Louisa (both deceased), Sarah J., Zachariah (deceased), Melinda, Maria, Edith, Rachel E., James Lawson, Cynthia C. (deceased), and Lydia M. Elizabeth Miller died Sept. 14, 1859, and he Aug. 27, 1865. They and their family were members of the M. E. Church. James L. has been a minister of the Gospel since 1860. John J. and Rachel E. Arnold are the parents of eleven children-James M., Cynthia M. E., Charles F. (deceased), Mary M., Lydia M., John K., Oscar Grant and Edgar Colfax (twins), Mahala E., William M. and Samuel M. Mrs. Arnold and three of the children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Arnold, of the German Baptist Church.
J. M. ARNOLD, farmer; P. O. Urbana; a son of J. J. Arnold; was born Dec. 20, 1853. He was raised on a farm, and has followed various occupations. His principal employment, however, has been farming and sheep shearing. He shears upward of 1,500 annually. In 1878, he leased 22} acres in Sec. 22, of Concord Township, on which he has erected a house and made other improvements. He has it all inclosed; keeps "bachelor's hall," and farms the place.
MASON ARROWSMITH (deceased). The history of Champaign Co. would be incomplete without a sketch of this old pioneer, who is now "sleeping the sleep of the just." His parents, Ezekiel and Elizabeth Arrowsmith, natives of Virginia, settled in Mason Co., Ky., where they were married in April, 1797. Of this marriage were born the following children: John, Wesley, Sarah, Ann, Mason, Miller, Cassandra, Jane, Samuel and William. In December, 1801, Ezekiel and wife came to Champaign Co., Ohio, where they spent the balance of their days. Here Mason was born, Jan. 16, 1806, and here he grew to manhood, receiving a good education for those early days. He was married, Oct. 25, 1833, to Margaret Rock, the daughter of Felix Rock, one of the early settlers of Concord Township. Two children were the fruits of this union-William R. and Mary. The former enlisted in the 45th O. V. I.; was taken prisoner at Knoxville, Tenn., and died at Andersonville Prison in April, 1864; the latter is the wife of Elijah Hanna, of Mad River Township. Before marriage he had built and operated a saw-mill on the site of the present mills, and was afterward interested in a woolen-mill at the same place. His wife died in 1836, and, May 31, 1840, he was again married, in Shelby Co., Ohio, to Mary Pool, who was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Sept. 17, 1815. She was the daughter of George and Mercy Pool, natives of Virginia, who came to this county at an early day, where they were married and lived for some time afterward, moving to Shelby Co., where they remained until death. Both
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were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Arrowsmith has had five children-Holly, who is engaged in farming; Margaret, the wife of Aaron Aten ; George P., who now operates the Arrowsmith Mills, and Minerva and Maria, twins, who died in infancy. Immediately after his first marriage, Mason Arrowsmith settled at the place where he died, and lived all his life in sight of his birthplace. His mother was a niece of the noted Simon Kenton, and inherited many of the traits of character for which the Kenton family were distinguished. In 1844, Mr. Arrowsmith erected a flouring-mill, which was operated successfully by him until 1875, when, on account of failing health, he retired from active business, and his son-in-law, Aaron Aten, took charge of it and remodeled it in 1877, making it a very desirable property. It is now operated by George P. Arrowsmith, and is doing a good business and turning out first class flour. In 1826, he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was ever faithful to his early choice. He was always charitable to the poor and afflicted, and generous with his means in building and helping along churches, schools and public institutions of every sort. He was quite successful in life and accumulated a comfortable property, helping all his children generously as far as his means would go. Those who knew Mason Arrowsmith for nearly half a century say that he was a noble, good man, whom every one trusted and revered ; a man of upright, spotless honesty; kind to the sick or needy, an obliging neighbor, a firm friend, a watchful father and loving husband. Such was the character of the old pioneer who died April 9, 1880, leaving an unblemished reputation as an inheritance to his descendants, the richest legacy that Providence can bestow on earth. His widow became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1830, and still fondly clings to that faith, and, while mourning the deep loss of her partner through life's joys and sorrows, still patiently awaits the day when she shall join him in " that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens," and hear the welcome " Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Mr. Arrowsmith's portrait will be found in this book, having been inserted by his children, who still honor and love his memory, and who believe it to be their duty to show him this last mark of love and respect, in placing him among the leading citizens of a county which he helped to build.
PETER BAKER, farmer; P. O. Crayon. To the above-named gentleman we are pleased to grant a space in the biographical album of this work. He is a son of Peter and Mary Rosanna Baker, both natives of Maryland; she was born March 5, 1779, a daughter of John Ortman, who was brought to this country from Germany, and served two years in the Revolutionary war as cook. Peter Baker was born about 1773, but the exact date is not known. In early life, he learned the milling business, but his principal occupation through life was farming. He married in his native State,. and, in 1811, moved to Ohio and lived in Ross Co., near Chillicothe, until 1816, when he moved to Madison Co., where he resided till 1848, when, on the 6th of April, death seized him and called him hence. Thus ended the life of a zealous Christian and consistent member of the M. E. Church. His wife had espoused the cause of Christ at the same time, and their house was for twenty years a place of preaching. She survived till March 4; 1862, residing at the time with her son, Peter, in Champaign Co. She had been identified with the church for over forty years, and was the mother of ten children, eight of whom survived their infancy and grew to maturity-John, Sarah, Samuel, Anna, William, Eli, Eliza and Peter; four of these have since passed away. Peter was born in Madison Co., March 15, 1822, and was raised to agricultural pursuits, which he .still follows; he also deals in stock, with sales ranging from $2,000 to $3,000 annually. He is comfortably situated for life on 70 acres of land, after having given to his children $6,000 in land and money. On the 16th of November, 1843, he married Martha Ann Johnson, a daughter of Thomas and Anna Johnson, who settled here in 182'3, and were also prominent members of the M. E. Church. Martha Ann was born Aug. 14, 1823. Eight children have been given to this union-Emily J., Ann P., Wilson M., Mary M., Levi J., Edwin M., Thomas A. and Martha R;_ the last two died in infancy. Mr. Baker and family are all members of the church.
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FREDERIC N. BARGER, farmer and gunsmith; P. O. Urbana; is a son of Adam Barger, who settled in Concord Township, Champaign Co., about 1$35. He was born Dec. 22, 1784. He married in Virginia, where his wife also died March 9, 1833, at the age of 45 ; his decease occurred Nov. 23, 1869. The subject of this sketch was born in Rockbridge Co., Va., near the Natural Bridge, Feb. 27, 1813, and came to this State in 1836, and located in Concord Township, one and a half miles west of Concord Chapel. He is a natural-born mechanic, but never served an apprenticeship at any trade; his occupation, principally, after his arrival here, was working at the carpenter trade through the summer, and at blacksmithing through the winter. He has also cleared up and improved a small farm. By the assistance of Valentine Russell, he made nearly all the coffins needed in the neighborhood for about twenty years. For the last ten or twelve years, not being able to do much at the carpenter trade, he has been engaged chiefly at gunsmithing. In this time, be has made 145 new rifles and repaired some over 1,000 pieces of different kinds. He now owns 103 acres of land in this township, which is in a good state of cultivation. He was always fond of sport, and, even now, plays the fiddle for pioneer meetings, and for the closing exercises of schools. Notwithstanding his love for hunting and amusements of different kinds, he never neglects his business in the least. We are safe in saying that very few men have ever been as successful in all their undertakings as he has been. The secret of it is, he went at everything with a determination, and has demonstrated "Where there is a will, there is away." Let the young remember that there is a time for amusement and a time for work and to do each at the proper time is a duty. Mr. Barger has been Township Trustee thirteen years, and Township Treasurer four years, by election. He is also Township Librarian, and has been for the last fourteen years. He was united in marriage with Sarah Ann Strayer, Nov. 10, 1840; she was born in Berkeley Co., Va., Jan. 11, 1818, and is a daughter of Nicholas Strayer, who came to this State in 1832, and settled in Logan Co. Frederic N. and Sarah A. Barger are the parents of six children; four of these they raised, and they are still living-Maggie, Fannie and John S. (twins), and Jennie.
DANIEL BRUNER, farmer; P. O. Urbana; was born in Mad River Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, Nov. 30, 1834; he is a son of John and Catharine Bruner, both natives of Virginia; she was born in 1804, and came to this State with her parents in 1817; he was born Sept. 15, 1803, and came to Ohio in 1812, with his parents, Peter and Catharine Bruner, who settled in Clark Co.; for a few years after his marriage, he resided in Champaign Co., but then went to Clark Co., where about forty years of his life were spent; he was the father of eight sons, six of whom survived their infancy, and five are still living, viz., Jacob, Daniel, Lewis, John and Elias. Catharine Bruner died in November of 1857; he survived till November of 1879. Our subject was bred a farmer, and worked on the home farm, in Clark Co., till 1862, when he moved to Champaign Co., where he has since resided ; he owns 80 acres in Sec. 16 in Concord Township, but lives on the farm of John R. Wilson, which he farms in connection with his own. On the 23d of February, 1856, he married Margaret Penton, a native of Fairfield Co., born Oct. 23, 1838; by this union they have had nine children-John W., Laura B. (deceased), Ida C., Smith W., Sarah A., Charlotte B., Emma R., Amanda A. and Claude A.
PHILIP COMER, farmer; P. O. Millerstown; is a son of David and Lucy Comer, both natives of Virginia; she was born Feb. 4, 1801, and was of English descent on her mother's side, and Irish on her father's side; he was of German descent, born May 6, 1789, and came to Ohio about 1804, with his father, Philip Comer, who entered a very large tract of land in Johnson Township, Champaign Co.; David remained at home and assisted in the improvement of the farm until 1812; he served in the war, and in time received a land-warrant. Shortly after the war, he married Lucy Moody, with whom he had five children; four grew to years of maturity, but only two-the eldest, Philip, and the youngest, Phoebe-are still living. Lucy Comer de-
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parted this life April 16, 1857, and he Jan. 8, 1859. The subject of this sketch was born in Johnson Township Aug. 30, 1820; he was raised on a farm, and did a great deal toward the improvement of his father's farm; he got such an education as the times afforded; at the age of 19, he commenced teaching, but was soon obliged to desist on account of his health; he finally improved in health sufficiently to resume his labors as a pedagogue, and followed that business about fifteen years in all ; he also gave instructions in vocal music, by which means he was enabled to have his farm improved. He has held nearly all of the different township offices; was Justice of the Peace about eighteen years, County Commissioner three years, and is Notary Public at the present time. On the 28th of May, 1837, he married Dicy Jenkins ; she was born in this township April 28, 1817, and is a daughter of Russell Jenkins, one of the very early settlers of this township; Philip and Dicy Comer were the parents of nine children-Darius, Mary C., David J., Russell S., Sarah A., Patience C., Martha E., Rebecca J. and William J.; five of these are dead; Darius died in the service of his country, in the civil war, and David J. of disease contracted in the service. Dicy Comer died Nov. 16, 1875, a member of the Baptist Church. In 1876, Sept. 28, he married Julia A. Sturm ; she was born in Shelby Co., Ohio, Sept. 5, 1842; one child- John D.-is the fruit of their marriage. Mr. Comer and daughter, Mary C., are members of the Baptist Church; his daughter Rebecca J., a member of the M. E. Church; and his wife of the Christian Church.
WALLACE DOWNS, farmer; P. O. Urbana; was born in Clark Co., Ohio, Oct. 26, 1846, and is a son of William and Catharine Downs, and a grandson of William Downs, a native of New Jersey, who came here at a very early date and located in Urbana, where he carried on blacksmithing for a number of years. William Downs, the father of our subject, was raised on a farm from the time he was about 15 years of age; he has always followed agricultural pursuits, and now owns something over a half-section of land in this county; he is the father of nine children, seven of whom are living. Catharine Downs departed this life June 28, 1875; she was a daughter of Adam Sanders, a native of Pennsylvania, who settled here very early. Wallace Downs has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1874, Sept. 24, he married Tamzon Miller; she was born in Mad River Township of this county Jan. 13, 1850, and is a daughter of Samuel and Ruth Miller. He was born in Virginia Aug. 7, 1808, and departed this life Feb. 11, 1878; his wife is still living; she was born Sept. 20, 1810, and is a daughter of Joseph Hill, who is mentioned in the biography of J. D. Powell.
THOMAS H. FORD, farmer; P. O. Crayon; was born in Urbana Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, Oct. 16, 1833, and, in 1834, removed, with his parents, Thomas and Rebecca Ford, to Allen County, where they remained till 1846, when he returned to Champaign County; and lived at different places in Concord Township, till the time of his death, June 12, 1854. His wife is still living, and resides in Adams Township. She was born Feb. 26, 1801, and is the mother of fifteen children; fourteen survived their infancy, and grew to years of maturity; nine are still living-Joseph, Maria, Christopher, Thomas H., Harrison, Lorinda, Maley, Edith and Rebecca. Our subject was raised a farmer, and has always followed that occupation. He now owns 135 acres of land in Concord Township, which is under good cultivation. On the 28th of October, 1858, he married Polly Ann Hall. She is a native of this county, born Oct. 12, 1835. The fruits of this marriage are seven children-John Harrison, Sallie F. (deceased), Etna, Franklin W., Miriam V., James J. and Nellie.
GEORGE GOSLEE, farmer; P. O. Urbana; was born, July 30, 1820, on the head-waters of Makachack Creek, one of the tributaries of Mad River, near the line of this and Logan County. He is a son of Job and Elizabeth (Messic) Goslee, who, in 1826, moved to Harrison Township, Champaign Co., and purchased 100 acres of land. At the time of their location there, there were but few and very Small openings in the forest. Their home consisted of a log cabin and small field in the woods. By perseverance and economy, a characteristic of the pioneers, they succeeded in making a
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comfortable home, and added 104 acres to the amount first purchased. They were the parents of ten children, who all grew to the age of maturity, except one son (William), who fell from a tree and was killed, at the age of 9 years. The others were-John, George, James, Nathan, Job, Maria, Elizabeth, Margaret and Mary. Four are living in Nodaway Co.; Mo., and three in this State, Maria and Elizabeth and their parents are deceased. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm, and principally in Harrison Township, this county. His advantages of school were limited, but he got such an education as the times afforded. At the age of 22 he started in life for himself, and worked by the mouth at $9 per month, till he saved enough to buy 80 acres of land in Indiana. This he afterward sold for double what he paid, and then went to Harding Co., Ohio, and purchased 247 acres, which he took from the green and made a comfortable home, with good buildings and 100 acres under cultivation. Since leaving Harding Co., he has resided at different places in Champaign Co., first, in Urbana, and then on the home farm, which he bought after the death of his parents. In 1872, he came to Concord Township, and now owns 186 acres of land. He was united in marriage with Julia Ann Kenton, Aug. 4, 1845. She was born March 25, 1820, and is a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Thomas) Kenton. Elizabeth was a granddaughter of Arthur Thomas, who, with his son John, was murdered at the Big Spring, by the Indians, on their return from Hull's surrender. The Kentons came to this State from Kentucky; about 1810. James was a nephew of Gen. Simon Kenton, and was killed Nov, 27, 1862, in felling a tree.Mr. and Mrs. Goslee are living a very quiet and happy life, but have no children to comfort them in declining years.
JOSEPH GROVES, farmer; P. O. Millerstown. Was born in what is now Page Co., Va., Feb. 17; 1821, and came to this county with his mother, Catharine Groves, 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 Joseph 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 on his farm in See. 33, of Concord Township, and has since been 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 terms, has been Trustee of Concord Township three or four years, and was elected Justice of the Peace last spring for his third term. In August of 1845, he married Polly Houser, by whom he had two children-Lydia A. (now Mrs. John Hits, of Indiana), is the surviving one. Polly Groves departed this life March 11, 1848. In 1850, March 24, he married Mary Strickler, born March 7, 1828, a native of this county, who was raised in Allen Co., Ohio. Joseph and Mary Groves are the parents of four children, three of whom are still living Rebecca J. (now Mrs. W. F. Kizer), Laura M. E. and Minerva C.
ANDREW HANNA (deceased) ; he was born in Nicholas Co., Va., June 5, 1817. He came to this State in 1837, and worked by the month at different places in Champaign Co., first for Rev. Haller. In 1840, May 28, he married Rachel Harbor, a native of this county, born July 31, 1824. She is a daughter of William Harbor, an early settler of Concord Township, who entered the land on which they lived, and which Mr. Hanna owned at the time of his death. They were the parents of three children-Alice A., born Sept. 26, 1841 (now Mrs. Nathan Hinkle, of Illinois), William H., Sept. 26, 1848, and Penninah, Oct. 18, 1850. The latter died in infancy. Andrew Hanna departed this life May 20, 1873. He was a member of the M. E. Church, which he joined in his 19th year. His wife also has been identified with the church since 1843.
JOSEPH HARBOR, farmer: P. O. Urbana -, was born in Concord Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, Sept. 8, 1842, and is a son of Hardin and Sarah (Newcomb) Harbor. She is a native of, New York, born Nov. 9, 1816, and was brought to Ohio by her parents in the following year. They located at Yellow Springs, Clark Co., Ohio,
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where they remained two years, when they removed to Adams Township, Champaign Co. Hardin Harbor was born in Concord Township of the last-named county Feb. 7, 1813, and is a son of Jesse Harbor, who is known to have raised the largest family in this township, and one of the largest, if not the largest, in the county. Hardin received 80 acres of land from his parents. This he improved, and on it spent the remainder of his days, departing this life Sept. 15,1862, He was the father of two children-Harvey and Joseph. The latter survives, and resides on the farm of his nativity, which he now owns. He also owns 40 acres in a separate tract, and does a thriving business. His farm is well improved and under good cultivation. He served in the civil war. Was a member of Co. B, 134th O. N. G., and was Sergeant the entire time. In 1865, March 2, he married Sarah E. Davis, a daughter of James and Leah Davis, both natives of this State. Sarah E. was born March 23, 1845. This union has been blessed with two children-Minneola M. and Oro C. Mrs. Harbor has been a member of the M. E. Church for the last fifteen years.
THOMAS J. B. HOUGH, farmer; P. O. Urbana ; was born in Concord Township, Champaign Co., Nov. 15, 1834, and is a son of Joseph and Rachel (Russell) Hough, both natives of Loudoun Co., Va. She was born Dec. 13, 1800, and he April 11,1798. They came to Ohio about 1830, and settled in the above-named place, where they entered 60 acres of land. This they improved, and afterward added 20 acres to it. They were the parents of seven children-William R., deceased; Mary J., Matilda A., now the widow of 0. P. Russell; Lydia C., now Mrs. Robert Russell; Sarah E., now Mrs. A. Taylor; Thomas J. B., and John H. M., deceased. Joseph Hough departed this life March 28, 1875, and she May 6, 1878. Our subject was bred a farmer, and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He owns 55 acres of land in this township, but resides on a rented farm, which he cultivates in connection with his own. On the 24th of February, 1861, he married Jane Neer, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah Neer, who came from Virginia in 1834, and located in Concord Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, where their last days were spent. They were the parents of twelve children. Nine grew to years of maturity, viz., James, Elizabeth, Ann, Jesse, Sarah, Samuel, Hannah, Joseph and Jane. The last three and Elizabeth are the only ones living at present. Jane was born March 31, 1836. Seven children are the fruits of their marriage, six of whom survived their infancy and are still living-Samuel J., William N., Mary A., Amanda L., James D. and Sarah M. Mr. and Mrs. Hough are members of the M. E. Church.
SHERMAN HUSTON, lumber dealer, Urbana; was born in Richland Co., Ohio, Oct. 16, 1840. He is a son of William and Letitia (Robinson) Huston, both natives of Pennsylvania. She was born Sept. 5, 1814, and he May 2, 1812. He came to Ohio with his parents, William and Elizabeth (Jemison) Huston, in 1825. They located in Richland Co., where he grew up and married. He followed various occupations, but worked principally in flouring and saw mills. In 1863, he and his family moved to Urbana, where he carried on coopering for several years. In 1868, he and son, Sherman purchased the Ward & Loudenback saw-mill, in Concord Township, which they ran till the time of his death. His wife, Letitia, died Oct. 6, 1867, and was the mother of eleven children, eight of whom survived their infancy, viz., William S., Cynthia A., Sherman, John J. (deceased), Franklin, Hamilton, Mary E. and George W. He then, in 1869, married Mrs. Hester A. Heath, with whom he had two children-Viola and Eugene. William Huston departed this life May 6, 1880. The subject of this sketch has been engaged in milling most of his life, except three years that were spent in the civil war. He was a member of Co. E, 102d 0. V. I.; was captured while on Sherman's raid, before the fall of Atlanta, and imprisoned at Cababa, Ala., then at Andersonville, where he remained five months, till the close of the war. He now owns the undivided half of the above-named saw-mill, also one-half of 99 acres of land. He has been a member of the Board of Education for the last three years, and has been Town ship Trustee two terms. On the 2d of November, 1865, he married Letitia Andrews, a
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native of Richland Co., Ohio, born July 26, 1847. She is a daughter of Thomas B. and Marila Andrews, who are residents of the county just mentioned. She is a native of Vermont, born Aug. 10, 1810, and he of Ohio, born May 7, 1807. Sherman and Letitia Huston are the parents of seven children-Thomas D., Marila A., Charles H., Letitia C., Lovina A., Harriet I. and Ids E.
DAVID F. JOHNSON, farmer; P. O. Urbana; was born in Concord Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, Nov. 27, 1843, and is a son of Levi and Elizabeth Johnson. He was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, July 20, 1819, and left an orphan at the age of 10 or 11 years. He started in life under very embarrassing circumstances, being in debt for a necessary wedding outfit. But by energy and frugality, he has succeeded in obtaining a sufficient amount of this world's goods to sustain himself and family, and leave an inheritance for his children. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in January of 1838, was licensed to exhort in 1841, and as local minister in 1861. His marriage with Elizabeth Russell was solemnized Jan. 19, 1843. She was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, July 22, 1822, and is a daughter of Robert Russell, who is mentioned in the sketch of Valentine Russell. On the 19th of October, 1844, they started for Iowa, taking what personal effects they then possessed with them in their wagon. They arrived at Muscatine Nov. 6, 1844. Becoming dissatisfied, they moved back, arriving on the 29th of June, 1845. Elizabeth Johnson departed this life June 16, 1846, the mother of two children, the younger followed her in August of the same year. David F. is the survivor. On the 23d of February, 1847, Levi Johnson married Ellen Leach, residing at the time in the vicinity of Quincy, Logan Co., Ohio. She was born March 1, 18'36. The fruits of this marriage were five children, four of whom are living - Ellen Naomi Etna, Thomas K., Cyrena E. M. and Sarah Avarilla A. Our subject was brought up on a farm, and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits, except about three years spent in the civil war. He enlisted July 30, 1862, in Co. H, 45th O. V. I, and was mustered into service August 19, at Camp Chase. Was in every battle in which his regiment was engaged. He was with Sherman through his campaign, except his march to the sea; was in many hard-fought battles, and made many hair-breadth escapes, one of the most miraculous of which we will record: In the early part of the history of the war, when Col. McCluke was invading Kentucky, he was one of the number who drove him back. Having been in their saddles for nearly forty-eight hours when McCluke crossed the Cumberland River, they were much fatigued and very hungry. A company of four, Lieut. H. Grier, Lieut. B. R. Miller, Solomon G. Brecount and David F. Johnson, proposed to ford the river and hunt something to eat. After considerable of a search, they got a very good supper at a farmhouse among the hills, and after supper started back to camp. It was then well on toward midnight and very dark ; doubly so, on account of the deep gorges and high cliffs peculiar to that country. Being very sleepy and tired, he gave his horse the rein and let him select his own course, but presently his little black pony went on a fly over a precipice into the gorge below. He landed probably fifteen feet beyond where the pony did, among some decayed logs, which made a very soft landing. Neither his horse nor himself was seriously injured, but the remainder of the night was consumed in getting righted up. His comrades estimated the distance he fell at from fifty to seventy-five feet, but he thinks it was between thirty-five and fifty. On the 18th of November, the first day of the investment of Knoxville, he fired 365 shots by actual count. He served till the close of the war, and received an honorable discharge. In 1866, October 9, he married Mary A. Neer, a daughter of James and Penninah Neer, born March 18, 1846. They have never been blessed with children of their own, but are raising two orphans. Mr. Johnson and wife are also members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JAMES T. KITE, farmer ; P. O. Millerstown ; is a son of John and Lydia (Taylor) Kite, both natives of this county. The exact date of her birth is not known. Her decease occurred July 1, 1868. He was born Dec. 20, 1815. His father, Emanuel Kite, came from Virginia when a boy, with his father, Adam Kite, who located in
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Champaign Co. John received 120 acres of land from his father, which he took from a wild state, cleared up and principally improved. He also purchased 30 acres in Johnson Township, besides some town property. He is the father of three children-James T., the only survivor, was born June 1, 1836. He was raised to agricultural pursuits, and is still engaged in that business, and owns 40 acres of the homestead, besides 120 acres in a separate tract. He was elected Justice of the Peace of Concord Township, in 1871, and served a term of three years, but refused the second term. He accepted the office of Township Treasurer, which he filled to the satisfaction of the people, and with credit to himself. He has been a member of the Myrtle Tree Baptist Church for twenty years; has served that body as Deacon for several years, and still holds that position. In July of 1879, the church gave him license to use his talent in exhorting or preaching, and he is now in the work of the ministry, and has many warm friends, both in the church and out of it. He aims to live with "Malice toward none and charity for all." He married Mary C. Comer, March 14, 1858. She is a daughter of Philip Comer, whose biography appears in this work; Feb. 1, 1840, is the date of her birth. James T. and Mary C. Kite are the parents of nine children-Emma J., born June 12, 1859; Francis W., May 31, 1861 ; Clement V., Aug. 7, 1863; Allie B., Jan. 29, 1866; Charlie A., May 9, 1868, and died Oct. 30, 1872 ; Lillia V., May 31, 1870 ; Ettie A., Aug. 24, 1873; Vinnie A., May 10, 1877, and James R., July 19, 1879. Mrs. Kite and the two oldest children are also members of the Myrtle Tree Church.
DANIEL KIZER, farmer; P. O. Urbana; was born in Virginia Dec. 25, 1811; is a son of Joseph and Catharine (Comer) Kizer. She was born Oct. 19, 1783, between the two branches of the Hawksbill Creek, and he, on the banks of the Shenandoah River, opposite the mouth of the Hawksbill, Sept. 5, 1777 . Their marriage was celebrated at the place of their nativity July 25, 1809. Philip Comer, her father, emigrated to Ohio in 1810, and settled in Johnson Township, Champaign Co. In the following year Mr. Kizer came out to visit his father-in-law, and also to see the country. He made choice of a quarter-section of $4 - land, and rode to Washington on horseback to enter it, and in the fail of 1812 moved his family. Their mode of travel was much in contrast with ours of the present. They came through in a wagon, a journey of six weeks. She was to ride on horseback and carry her son, 9 months old, but the horse died on the second or third day, and, as the wagon was heavily loaded, she was frequently obliged to walk while her babe was carried in the wagon. Upon their arrival at the above-mentioned place, he commenced opening a home in the dense forest. On this farm they spent the remainder of their days, and are there interred. They were the parents of eight children, seven of whom grew to the age of maturity. She died March 6, 1858, and he Feb. 15, 1866. Our subject was brought up on a farm; and followed farming until about 27 years of age, when he engaged in teaching, which he followed about ten years in all. In about 1835, he and a brother purchased a farm of 147 acres, and paid for it by farming in the summer and teaching in the winter. Some years after, he sold his interest in the farm, and in 1855 bought 200 acres in Concord Township, where he resided about thirteen years, and then moved to his present residence. On the 18th of February, 1845, he married Mary Barger, a native of Concord Township, born Oct. 10, 1820. The fruits of this marriage are seven children, of whom the following are living, viz., George N., born Dec. 25, 1847, William F., Nov. 9, 1849; Joseph J., Feb. 20, 1855; Samuel P., May 9, 1857, and Cora E., April 2, 1866. Mr. Kizer and wife and one child are members of the M. E. Church.
PHILIP KIZER, farmer; P. O. Urbana; is a brother of Daniel Kizer, in whose sketch proper mention is made of their parents. Philip was born in Johnson Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, Sept. 5, 1815. He was raised to agricultural pursuits, and is still engaged in tilling the soil. He has been a member of the School Board for a number of years, and Township Trustee for about twelve years. Besides the aid he has given his children, he owns 288 1/2 acres of land. In 1838 (September 20), he was united in marriage with Phebe Dagger; she is a native of this township, born
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May 30, 1819. To this union nine children have been given-John J., James A., Elizabeth, Ann C., Matilda J. (deceased), Sarah E., Mary E., Amanda C. and George W. Mr. Kizer and family are members of the M. E. Church.
W. F. KIZER, farmer; P. O. Urbana; was born in Johnson Township, Champaign Co., Nov. 9, 1849, and is a son of Daniel Kizer, who is also a patron of this work. He was raised on a farm, and received a good common-school education. He is engaged in agricultural pursuits, and promises to be a man of usefulness. He has served his township three years as Constable, and, last spring, was elected Trustee of the township. Owing mainly to an asthmatic affection, he remains at home most of his time. He has never been out of the State but once, never had but one oar-ride, never drank a glass of whisky and only a part of a glass of beer. On the 15th of June, 1879, he married Rebecca J. Groves, a daughter of Joseph Groves, whose biography appears in this volume; she was born May 19, 1852. By this union they have one child-Mary Odessa, born April 17, 1880. Mr. Kiser is a member of the M. E. Church, and his wife of the Missionary Baptist Church.
THOMAS R. LONG, farmer; P. O. Millerstown ; is a son of Benjamin and Nancy Long, both natives of Pennsylvania. She was born March 12, 1784, and he Aug. 10, 1780. He was a carpenter by trade, and followed that occupation there till 1836, when he came to Ohio and purchased 60 acres of land in Sec. 34 of Concord Township, Champaign Co. At this time already he was an old man, and did but little toward the improvement of his farm, but worked at the trade for a livelihood. He was the father of fourteen children; eleven of these grew to maturity-Harriet, born May 5, 1803; David, May 16, 1805 ; William, May 14, 1807 ; Mary, Dec. 15, 1809 ; Eliza J., Dec. 10, 1814; Lewis James, Feb. 11, 1817; Adolphus, April 11, 1819 ; Nancy R., May 8, 1821; Caroline, April 29, 1823; Isabella S., June 8, 1825, and Thomas R., Jan. 18, 1828. Benjamin Long departed this life Nov. 22, 1858. His wife survived till July 25, 1865. Our subject did a great part toward clearing up his father's farm, as his older brothers had gone to do for themselves. He now owns the old homestead and 233 acres besides; has his farm in good repair and does a fine business. His marriage with Sarah Ann McCrosky was solemnized April 3, 1856. She was born Oct. 4, 1835. By this union they had five children-Jennetta C., William M., Benjamin F., James B. and John A. Sarah Ann Long died July 21, 1868, a member of the U. B. Church. On the 25th of November, 1869, he married Lydia McCrosky; she was born Jan. 14, 1843. Thomas R. and Lydia Long are the parents of three children-Clement A., Emma E. and an infant daughter. Mr. Long and wife and oldest daughter are members of the U. B. Church.
S. N. LONGFELLOW, farmer; P. O. Urbana; was born in Concord Township, Champaign Co., June 5, 1834, and is a son of Joseph and Martha (Hull) Longfellow; she was a native of Virginia, born Jan. 4, 1796, and, in an early day, came to this State with her parents, who settled near Chillicothe. She married Joseph Crow, with whom she had five children-Ezekiel H., Susanna B. (both deceased), James, Thomas D. and Nathaniel. Joseph Longfellow was born in Delaware Nov. 9, 1766. He came to Ohio in May of 1805, and entered 160 acres of land in Sec. 15, of Concord Township, Champaign Co. This he improved, and on it spent the remainder of his life. He voted at every Presidential election in the United States up to Lincoln's second election; first for Washington and last for Lincoln. His first marriage was with Miss Tracy Merida, who died in the short space of six months. About seven years later, he married Mary Fowler, with whom he had thirteen children, eleven of these survived their infancy, viz., John, Joseph, Anna, Elizabeth, Thomas, Tillman, Mary, Sallie, Margaret, Perry and Rebecca. The first six mentioned and Perry are deceased. Mrs. Mary Longfellow died in 1822, and, in 1826, he married Mrs. Martha Crow. Six children are the fruits of this union, five are still living-Lemuel V., Nathan M., David S., Silas Nelson and Amos M. Martha Longfellow departed this life Aug. 2. 1864: and he Dec. 11, 1875. Our subject owns GC acres of the homestead, and is engaged in
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agricultural pursuits. He also gives instruction in vocal music. In 1857, June 4, he married Minerva A. Russell, a daughter of Valentine Russell. She was born May 27, 1839. The fruits of this marriage are four children-Joseph V., Mary E., Margaret W. and Victor O. Mr. and Mrs. Longfellow and two oldest children are members of M. E. Church.
EMANUEL LOUDENBACK, farmer; P. O. Westville ; was born in Shenandoah Co., Va., on the Shenandoah River, Jan. 29, 1817. He is a son of David Loudenback, who came to this State in the fall of 1817 by means of wagons, a very tiresome and gloomy journey of four weeks, as it rained every day except the first. They located in Concord Township, Champaign Co., where they purchased 320 acres of land, which they improved and afterward bought 35 acres more. Here they spent the remainder of their lives; and here also our subject was raised. He was accustomed to the hardships of the early settlers, and received but a limited education. He owns 198 acres of the home farm, and lives in pioneer style. His father-in-law had taken a lease of his father, David Loudenback, and erected a log house, which they have removed and now occupy. The marriage of Emanuel Loudenback and Anna McCoy, was solemnized June 5, 1841 ; she is a native of Greenbrier Co., Va., born May 10, 1811, and came with her parents to this State in 1836. The fruits of this union are seven children, five of whom survived their infancy-Susan, born Jan. 18, 1842 ; Sarah E.; Oct. 21, 1843; Mary F., June 27, 1847; George R., March 4,1849; John L., Feb. 12,1851. Sarah and Mary are deceased, and were each the mother of one child.
MARTIN LOUDENBACK, farmer; P. O. Westville; was born on the farm where he resides Jan. 18, 1827. He is a son of David Loudenback, who is mentioned in the sketch of Emanuel Loudenback. He has until quite recently owned 85 acres of the homestead farm. On the 31st of May, 1880, he sold his land to his brother, David, but will remain on the farm some time. June 4, 1850, he married Malinda McCoy, a daughter of John McCoy. She was born in Virginia in 1821, and died Nov. 13, 1869; the mother of six children, three of whom preceded her. The survivors are Josephine, born May 8, 1855; Hamilton L., July 4, 1860; and Franklin, Aug. 31, 1864. On the 13th of July, 1870, he married Mary J. Toomire ; she was born in Urbana Aug. 18, 1844, a daughter of William and Rebecca Toomire, both natives of Virginia. She was born Aug. 19, 1817; and he Aug. 25, 1814. Martin and Mary J. Loudenback are the parents of five children. Of these four are still living, viz., Sallie A., born March 16, 1873; Charles T., May 5, 1875; Claude M., Dec. 5, 1876; and Susan R., Feb. 2, 1878.
PERRY LOUDENBACK, farmer; P. O. Westville; is a son oŁ Reuben and Mary Loudenback. He was born_ in Mad River Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, June 6, 1837, and was raised on a farm on Nettle Creek, and has always followed agricultural pursuits. He also engages in stock-raising, and buys and sells. In 1864, he purchased 81 acres of land in Concord Township, and located on it the following March. This was a very wild piece of land, but, by his indomitable energy, he has made a very comfortable home, with good buildings, and has his farm under excellent cultivation. On the 17th of July, 1860, he married Elizabeth J. Zimmerman, who was born in Mad River Township July 24, 1843. She is a daughter of George and Sarah Zimmerman, and a grand-daughter of George and Barbara Zimmerman, who were very early settlers here. Barbara is still living on Nettle Creek, and is in her 97th year. She was a very stout and hardy woman. She assisted her husband in clearing up the farm, and used to chop her side of a tree sooner than he could cut his side. She has also swung the sledge in the smithy for her husband, and has helped to make swords for the war of 1812. George and Sarah Zimmerman are still living, as well as all of their children-Elizabeth J., Clarissa A., Sylvester B., John W. and Hampo Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Loudenback are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and are the parents of one child, Antrum Wait, born May 16, 1862.
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L. C. LOUDENBACK, farmer; P. O. Urbana; born Sept. 15, 1843; is a son of Allen and Elizabeth (Kiblinger) Loudenback, and a grandson of Daniel and Mary (Pence) Loudenback, both natives of Virginia, who were very early settlers in this county, and did much toward its improvement. He died in 1875, at the age of 90. His wife is still living, and resides with her son Allen. Nov. 25, 1791, is the date of her birth. Allen and Elizabeth Loudenback are the parents of nine children-Daniel, deceased; Martha, wife of A. Coffman, resides south of Urbana ; Lewis C. Abraham, living in Mad River Township; Jonas, deceased; Sarah, now Mrs J. Brubaker, of Logan Co.; Mary, now Mrs. William Snyder, of Logan Co.; William and Elizabeth. She is now Mrs. E. Waid, also of Logan Co. L. C. is an enterprising farmer of Con cord Township, where he owns 160 acres of land. His farm is in a high state of cultivation and is well improved. He is engaged somewhat in raising hogs, and also keeps a good amount of other stock about him. Feb. 22, 1866, he married Sarah Nighsander. She was born in Mad River Township Nov. 4, 1843. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and she of the M. E. Church.
S. J. McCULLOUGH, farmer; P. O. Urbana; is a son of James and Frances C. McCullough. James was a grandson of John McCulloch, a Scotch Presbyterian, who emigrated to Ireland in 1740, and located in the district of Ulster; then removed, in 1760, with his family, to Cumberland Co., Penn., where he entered a very large tract of land, and where many of his descendants remained to cultivate the land entered by their paternal ancestor. They had many adventures with the Indians and experienced all the dangers and hardships incident to frontier life. The name was originally spelled McCulloch, and is still so spelled by several branches of the family. The reason for changing to McCullough by other branches has never been satisfactorily explained. James McCullough died in October of 1850, at the age of 48; his wife is still living, resides in Pennsylvania, and is 62 years of age. Samuel J. took an active part in suppressing the rebellion, serving over three years in the army. He assisted in raising a company for the three-months service, of which he was elected First Lieutenant. This company afterward enlisted for three years, and formed a part of the 77th Penn. V. I. At this juncture, there was an opportunity presented to enlist in the cavalry service, by the volunteering of the "Big Spring Adamantine Guards," of Cumberland Co., Penn., and, having a desire to be a cavalryman, he enlisted in that company. It was one of the oldest military organizations in the State, having been organized in 1809, and was present at the battle of Baltimore, in the war of 1812. He also volunteered for Mexico, but was not accepted. James McCullough was Captain of this company for a number of years; was first commissioned Second Lieutenant by Gov. Wolf, of Pennsylvania, in 1833. Samuel J. was commissioned Second Lieutenant of the same company by Gov. A. G. Curtin, of Pennsylvania, in 1863. He has in his possession, both his and his father's commissions, the latter antedating the former by thirty years. On the 15th of August, 1861, the company, numbering 110 men, started for Washington, D. C., where they were mustered into service. S. J. McCullough was appointed to a sergeantship, the only vacant office in the company. They were attached to what was known as "Young's Kentucky Cavalry." Col. Young was dismissed from the service, and Col. W. W. Averill assumed the command of the regiment, which was thenceforth known as the 3d Penn. V. C., and the " Adamantine Guards " as Co. H. Their first winter was spent south of the Potomac, scouting, and occasionally skirmishing. In one of these skirmishes, our subject commanded an advance guard of six men, losing two men wounded, and two horses killed. In March, of 1862, they sailed for the Peninsula with McClellan, and took part in most of the battles of that memorable campaign. With Berdan's Sharpshooters, they led the advance from Fortress Monroe, Great Bethel and Howard's Mills; arriving at Yorktown, they took part in the siege. Again, the 3d Penn. took the advance to Williamsburg, near which town a serious engagement took place, which was terminated by the darkness of night, but was resumed next day. They then moved to Chickahominy, where Samuel J. McCullough was made Sergeant Major of the 3d Penn. by Col.
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Averill. From this time forward, he was with his regiment, participating in the battles of Gaines' Mill, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Glendale and Malvern Hill. Here, by McClellan, his regiment was assigned the honorable duty of covering the retreat from Malvern Hill. They took part in the second battle of Malvern Hill, and, on the 10th of August, covered the retreat from Harrison's Landing to Yorktown, where they embarked on board the steamship Virginia, for Washington, and were next engaged, under McClellan, at the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. In the latter they took a very active part, and were on the extreme right, under Hooker, two of his company being orderlies to Gen. Hooker, when he was wounded. On the 17th of October, they had a severe engagement at Shepherdstown, Va., and were subsequently engaged at Ashly's Gap, Piedmont, Markham Station, Gaines' Cross Roads, etc. Here Col. Averill was made Brigadier General, and Col. John B. McIntosh assumed command of the regiment. Among the other engagements, were those at Rappahannock Station, Kelley's Ford, Rapidan Station, Culpeper, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg; under Gen. Grant, at the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor and the siege of Petersburg. Owing to Early's advance on Washington, although their term had expired, they were again mounted and sent into the valley, where they lost a number of men. The 3d Penn. entered the service with 1,200 men, and was mustered out with 310. Out of 109 of their number who were imprisoned at Andersonville, 101 died there. Samuel J. is now leading a farmer's life in Concord Township, Champaign Co., where be owns 80 acres of land, with excellent improvements, which are the result of his own industry. In 1869, Dec. 7, he married Sarah E. Arrowsmith. She was born Dec. 10, 1841, a grand-niece of Gen. Simon Kenton, of pioneer fame. Four children are the fruits of their marriage - Mary E., born March 10, 1871; Anna B., Jan. 26, 1874; Frances C., March 6, 1876; and Amanda J., June 6, 1878.
THOMAS S. McFARLAND, farmer; P. O. Urbana ; is a son of Robert and Eunice McFarland; he was born in Rockbridge Co., Va., near the Natural Bridge, March 7, 1783; his parents moved to Tennessee in 1796, and for ten years he lived at different places in that State and in Kentucky. In October, 1806, he, in company with Martin Hitt and Joseph Diltz, made an excursion on horseback to Champaign Co., Ohio, where he located in the following year. When he arrived in this county, his goods were unloaded in the woods beside an oak log, and, after paying his teamster, he had 50 cents in money to start with. He rented farms at different places in the county till 1811, when he purchased 80 acres of land in Sec. 14 of Concord Township, which he cleared and improved. He was Township Clerk from 1819 to 1831 ; was Assessor for a number of years, and was also a local minister in the M. E. Church for upward of fifty years. He was the founder of Concord Chapel. His marriage with Deborah Gray was celebrated Dec. 27; 1804. She died Oct. 12, 1814, the mother of five children, two of whom are living William H., living east of Urbana, and Elizabeth, now Mrs. Nichols, of Illinois. On Dec. 3, 1814, he married Elizabeth Kenton, a grandniece of Gen. Simon Kenton, by whom he had three children, viz., Deborah, now Mrs. Kenton, residing in Kansas; Frances, now Mrs. Conroy, of Shelby Co., Ohio, and Rebecca Gibbs, of St. Paris. Elizabeth McFarland departed this life Jan. 8, 1821. On the 23d of August of the same year he was united in marriage with Eunice Dorsey, a native of Maryland, born Feb. 3, 1797. By this union they had eleven children. Eight are still living-Sarah J. Huston, of De Graff, Ohio; John M., of this township; Robert W., of the Ohio State University at Columbus; Cynthia A. Gibbs, of St. Paris, Ohio; Thomas S., James R., of Goshen, N. Y.; Mary C. Pence, of this township, and Benjamin S., living in Kansas. Prof. R. W. McFarland is a natural-born mathematician, and is a thorough scholar. Robert McFarland departed this life December 28, 1863; his wife survived till Sept. 17, 1869. The subject of this sketch was born July 14, 1832. He was raised a farmer's boy, and received a common-school education. His chief occupation has been tilling the soil. He now owns the old home farm and 16 acres besides, making 96 acres in all. He has been public auctioneer for nineteen years,
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counselor for eighteen years, and has been Secretary of the Champaign and Logan Co. Pioneer Association for the last six years. Has been a newspaper contributor for twenty-eight years, and is President of the Editors' and Reporters' Association of this county. He has also been very successful as a detective. In 1856, Sept. 30, he married Ursula H. Evans, of Kentucky, born Dec. 23, 1829. She died Dec. 14, 1864, the mother of one child-Evans White, who met his death April 20, 1871, by a horse falling on him. Thomas S. McFarland and Catharine Evans were married March 20, 1866. She is also a native of Virginia, a sister to Ursula H., born Oct. 13, 1834. The fruits of this marriage are four children-Hattie B., Rebecca J., Sallie De Voe and Thomas D. C.
JAMES NEER (deceased). Mr. Neer was born in Virginia March 31, 1813, and came to Ohio in 1833. He married Penninah Harbor Sept. 15, 1836. She was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, May 2;3, 1813, and is a daughter of William Harbor, one of the early settlers of this (Concord) township. He entered several tracts of land, one of which (160 acres) he gave to his daughter. The only improvement on the land was a small deadening, but by hard work and economy they cleared and improved it. Nine children are the fruits of their marriage-William A., born Dec. 6, 1837; Sarah A. V., May 25, 1839; Ann R. E., March 13, 1841 ; Samuel Jesse, June 14, 1844; Mary A., March 18, 1846; Minerva J., Oct. 18, 1847; Ruth H. and Martha M. (twins), Dec. 13, 1849, and James R., who died in infancy. William A., enlisted in Co. G, 66th O. V. I., but on his way to the scenes of conflict was killed by the cars at Bellaire, Jan. 18, 1862. James Neer departed this life July 13, 1852. His wife is still living, but since Nov. 1, 1879; has been confined to her bed most of the time, and has been an intense sufferer. She and her daughters are members of the M. E. Church. Samuel J., the only son living, resides with his mother and conducts the farm for her.
JOHN P. NEER, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Urbana ; was born April 27, 1842, and is a son of Joseph and Margaret S. Neer. She is a daughter of David and Florence Monroe, born in Harrison Township, of this county, Nov. 27, 1819. Joseph Neer was born in Loudoun Co., Va., Aug. 7, 1804. He came to Ohio about 1826, and, about 1831, purchased Sec. 16, of Concord Township, Champaign Co., but soon sold all but 260 acres in the northeast corner, which he improved, and afterward bought back all but 90 1/2 acres in the southwest corner of the section. He never experienced the inconvenience of moving. Part of the house which he erected is still standing. His marriage was solemnized Nov. 10, 1835, the fruits of which were six sons and six daughters-David C. was born Dec. 28, 1836, and lives in Allen Co., Kan. ; Ann F., wife of J. W. Ellis, near Humboldt, Kan., was born Oct. 12, 1838; Eliza 11., wife of J. V. Offenbacher, was born Aug. 28, 1840, and died in Southern Colorado Oct. 6, 1875 ; Martha J., born March 1, 1844, and died Sept. 16, 1870 ; Nathan A., Dec. 31, 1845, and resides near Los Angeles, Cal.; Sallie C., wife of L. T. Clemens, of La Fayette, Ind., was born June 16, 1848; Joseph F., March 29, 1850, and lives on the home farm ; Mary F., living in Urbana with her mother, was born March 25, 1852; Samuel J., Feb. 8, 1855, now living with J. P. ; Elizabeth A., born June 25, 1857, and died Aug. 25 of the same year; James M., Nov. 24, 1858, and is farming the homestead; David C. is the only one of the boys that is married; Joseph Neer departed this life Jan. 26, 1869. The subject of this sketch was raised to agricultural pursuits, and has always followed farming, except about three years that were spent in the civil war. He enlisted July 30, 1862, and was mustered out June 19, 1865. He served as private a short time only, when from Corporal he was promoted to different offices. For the last year and a half he served as Orderly Sergeant, but was mustered out as First Lieutenant, which was merely a complimentary commission. He was a member of Co. H, 45th O. V. I. At Dutton Hill they were first engaged. He was in the East Tennessee campaign in 1863 ; was besieged at Knoxville; was in the Georgia campaign in 1864; engaged at Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta and Jonesboro. When Sherman started to the sea, they came back and fought Hood at Franklin, under Thomas and Schofield. He was shot through the left lung at Knox-
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ville, which disabled him for a time. With that exception, or when on detached duty, he was never absent from his regiment during the whole of his service. Since the war, he has been farming and dealing in stock. He owns 346 acres of land.
JOHN M. NILES, farmer; P. O. Millerstown ; is a son of Ezra and Louisa Niles. She was born in Londoun Co., Va., Dec. 27, 1801, and came to this State with her parents, John and Rebecca (Morgan) Miller, in 1806. He was born March 20, 1798, and came to Ohio, at a very early date, with his parents, Cyrus and Mary Niles. They came down the Ohio River, on a flatboat to Cincinnati, which was then only a small village, and located on Mill Creek, in Hamilton Co., where they lived for some time on rented farms. Ezra was raised on a farm, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits, principally, all his life. He never learned a trade of any kind, but he helped to construct the first steamboat that was built at Louisville. From Hamilton Co. he moved to Miami Co. and purchased 20 acres of land, which he afterward sold and entered 80 acres in Champaign Co., where be spent the remainder of his life. He was the father of seven children-Sarah A., born Aug. 14, 1822 (deceased) ; John M., April 13, 1824; Thomas J., July 20, 1830 (deceased); Amanda M., born Oct. 24, 1833 (deceased) ; Rebecca J. (deceased); Lewis S. April 9. 1839, and Llewellyn, Jan. 9, 1843. Ezra Niles departed this life Aug. 19, 1871; his wife is still living and resides with her youngest son on the old homestead. Our subject worked at home on the farm until 21 years of age, when he was employed at various kinds of work, but principally at farming. He never served an apprenticeship at any trade, but is handy with tools and does his own carpenter work. He married Amanda Jane Miller Dec. 2, 1852. She was born Oct. 10, 1833, a daughter of Samuel Miller, who is mentioned in the biography of Wallace Downs. In 1853, they moved to Indiana, thence to Kansas in 1857, and in the same year, back to Missouri, where they remained but a short time, when they went to Texas with a view of locating there, but finally came back to Champaign Co., in 1859. In 1864, they returned to Missouri to take possession of the farm they had sold, but had failed to receive the full payment. They repaired the farm, which had been made desolate by the war, and sold again in 1866, and bought 20 acres in Concord Township, Champaign Co., to which he has since added, in the same township, 122 acres, and 190 in Salem Township, besides a house and lot in Millerstown.
GABRIEL NORMAN, farmer; P. O. Millerstown ; is a son of Christian and Mary M. (Zimmerman) Norman. She was a native of Maryland, but moved to Virginia, where she lived at the time of her marriage. He was born in Shenandoah Co., Va., where he learned wagon-making, which he followed there till 1805, when he emi grated to Ohio. He purchased l60 acres of land in Concord Township, and, after erecting a cabin, he located in the following year. His cabin was constructed in the pioneer style, with wooden chimneys, puncheon floors and door of boards riven in clapboard style. After his farm was pretty well cleared up, and there was a demand for wagons, he resumed his trade, which he followed at the time of his death. In course of time, his but was exchanged for a hewed-log house, and it, in turn, for a fine brick that yet stands on the old farm. He had, also, at intervals, purchased land, till he owned 800 acres in this State and 440 acres in Indiana, 1,240 acres in all; 720 acres of this he had deeded to his children. He was drafted in the war of 1812, but furnished a substitute. They were the parents of nine children. One daughter, about 4 years old, fell into a trough of water and was drowned. The eight grew to years of maturity. Christian Norman departed this life Sept. 12, 1851, at the age of 72. His wife survived till July 8. 1854. The subject of this sketch was born in Concord Township, Champaign Co., June 6, 1814. He was raised on a farm and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He owns 243 acres of land in the above-named township, 80 acres of the home farm. On the 24th of November, 1839, he married Rebecca Brubaker. She is a daughter of Samuel and Barbara (Comer) Brubaker both natives of Virginia, who were early settlers here. Rebecca Brubaker was born Julv 12, 1821. Gabriel and Rebecca Norman are the parents of six children. The living are John C.,
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born Jan. 22, 1843 ; Samuel B., June 4, 1847; Mary E., May 10, 1844, and L. Monroe, April 21, 1856.
STEPHEN J. PACKER, farmer; P. O. Urbana; was born in Midway, Clark Co., Ohio, Oct. 7, 1833 ; his parents, Moses and Sarah Packer, came from Pennsylvania about 1830, and located in the above-named county, where they remained till 1838, when they moved to Mad River Township, Champaign Co. Moses Packer departed this life July 17,1843; his wife is still living, and is now Mrs. Michael Nichols, of Concord Township, Champaign Co. The subject of this sketch worked by the month on farms at different places till 21 years of age, when he rented a farm and commenced farming for himself. He is an industrious, enterprising man. His only fortune to begin with was health and energy. In about 1864, he purchased 80 acres of land in Sec. 2 of Concord Township, and, since that time, at intervals, has made purchases, till at present he owns 194 acres, all improved, except about 12 acres. He engages in stock-raising sufficient to consume the produce of his lands. Has served as Township Trustee two terms. In 1854, March 2, he married Mary Miller, daughter of Samuel Miller, who is mentioned in the sketch of Wallace Downs; Nov. 10, 1835, is the date of her birth. The fruits of their marriage are four children ; of these three are living, viz.: Joram D., born Feb. 4, 1855; Mary Corinna, born Dec. 6, 1864; Stephen Leroy, born Feb. 6, 1872.
JAMES DUNLAP POWELL. The grandfather of this gentleman was Abraham Powell, who was born in Virginia Oct. 20, 1754; served with credit in the Revolutionary war, and was married in his native State in August, 1780, to Ann Smith, who was also a native of Virginia, born Sept. 12, 1762 ; of this union, twelve children were born, Elijah, the father of James D., being the fifth in the family. He was born in Virginia, Aug. 20, 1789, and, his parents moving to Kentucky when be was a child, he there grew to manhood, and, in 1812, came with them to Champaign Co., Ohio, settling one mile west of Urbana, where his father died Jan. 3, 1817, and his mother Sept. 19, 1845. Here, in Champaign Co., Elijah was married, Jan. 27, 1818, to Mary Dunlap, the daughter of the Rev. James and Emily (Johnson) Dunlap, natives of the "Old Dominion," where her father was born July 10, 1773, and her mother Oct. 15, 1777. In youth they had moved to Kentucky, where they were married Aug. 29, 1794, and there Mrs. Mary Powell was born Oct. 26, 1800. In 1812, Rev. James Dunlap and family came to Champaign Co., Ohio, and few men were better known in the early pioneer days than this old preacher of the Gospel, who was laid away at rest Feb. 28, 1866. His wife died at Jacksonville, Ill., whither she had gone on a visit. To Elijah and Mary Powell were born eleven children, only three of whom are living, viz.: James D., Jeptha and Edward. The subject of this sketch was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, March 3, 1819, and grew up under the parental roof, attending school a few terms. He had the same disadvantages to fight against that were then the common lot of every poor pioneer family, and few men were so fortunate as he in overcoming the difficulties attending the poor man. He was married Sept. 9, 1845, on the farm he now lives on, to Miss Minerva Hill, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Purcell) Hill, natives of Virginia. Her father was first married in Kentucky, to Mary Oliver, to whom were born eight children. In 1802, they came to Champaign Co., Ohio, settling on the farm where Mr. Powell now resides, and there his wife died. Some time after his wife's death he returned to Kentucky on a visit, where he was married to Mary Purcell, daughter of George and Margaret Purcell, natives of that State. Of this union five children were the fruits, Mrs. Powell being the third in the family. She was born in this county Aug. 26, 1822, and has had six children, as follows: Mary (deceased), Amanda J., Emma E., Elijah H., Sallie A. and Annie M. Mrs. Powell's parents died on the old farm, her father in September, 1861, and her mother July 3, 1869-dying as they had lived, firm adherents of the M. E. Church. Joseph Hill was the first white settler of what is now Concord Township; served in the war of 1812, and, although a poor man when he settled in the woods of Concord Township, he accumulated a comfortable estate. Mr. Powell's father professed the Baptist faith, and was a soldier in the war of
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1812, dying in this county June 11, 1866. His mother resides with her son Edward, at the old homestead, where she went a happy bride, more than sixty-two years ago. She also belongs to the Baptist Church, and, considering that she is in her 81st year, is enjoying fair health, while the lingering sunset of life casts its shadows o'er a happy old age. James D. Powell is what we might justly style a self-made man, for the reason that he began life at the foot of the ladder, and is now the owner of over 800 acres of land, and is considered one of the leading farmers of the county. This success is the result of hard, determined industry in his younger days, and then saving his earnings and investing them judiciously. In all his labors, his wife stood ever ready to lend a helping hand and cheer him in his efforts. He has now one of the finest homes in Concord Township, and there every one will find a warm, genuine greeting of hospitality, without cold formality on the one hand, or utter neglect on the other. Mrs. Powell is a courteous, refined lady, who knows how to make her home a pleasant one, and in her presence there is no constraint. She is a member of the M. E. Church, but Mr. Powell belongs to no denomination, and is politically attached to the Republican party. He is a man of temperate habits, and is in favor of temperance laws. In his business affairs he is a close dealer, but no man is more honest or upright in every transaction. He is a good conversationalist and a well-informed gentleman, pleasant and affable at all times, and highly respected by all good citizens.
VALENTINE RUSSELL, farmer and carpenter; P.O. Urbana ; was born in Virginia, May 24, 1814, and is a son of Robert and Mary (Miller) Russell, both natives of Loudoun Co., Va. She was born May 1, 1788, and he Nov. 18, 1783. They migrated to Ohio in 1818, and soon after located in Concord Township, Champaign Co. He entered 160 acres of land, and his father-in-law, Valentine Miller, entered 160 acres, and gave it to him, making a half-section. He cleared and improved the last named quarter and also a small part of the other. He departed this life March 28; 1873. His wife is still living on the old farm, and is a pensioner of the war of 1812, in which her husband served. She is the oldest of a family of ten children, all of whom lived to be over 60 years of age, except one, who died at the age of 50. The subject of this biography was raised on a farm until 15 years old, when he went to learn the carpenter trade, which he followed principally for forty years. In 1865, he purchased 160 acres of land in See. 9, of Concord Township, where he has since resided, and managed the farm in connection with his work at the trade. He has been Township Trustee two terms and Township Treasurer five years. On the 26th of July, 1836, he married Margaret Hill, a daughter of Joseph Hill, of whom mention is made in the biography of J. D. Powell. She was born in Concord Township, Champaign Co., July 6, 1818. They had nine children, of whom six are living-Robert H., Minerva A., Elizabeth J., James E., John F. and Albert Willie. Mr. Russell and family, except the youngest child, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ROBERT RUSSELL, farmer; P. O. Urbana ; was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, Feb. 17, 1818. He is a son of Robert and Mary Russell, who are mentioned in the sketch of Valentine Russell. He has been a farmer all his life, and was raised principally on the farm where he resides. This has been his home since about 1 year old, except eighteen months that were spent in Iowa. Besides the homestead farm, he owns the old Christian Miller farm of 150 acres, and does a thriving business. On the 24th of October, 1848, he married Mary Sweet, by whom he had one child-Mary M., born Sept. 9, 1849. Mrs. Mary Russell departed this life May 23, 1854, in the 28th year of her age. In 1862, August 28, he married Lydia C. Hough, a native of Loudoun Co., Va., born Oct. 15, 1828. She came to this State, with her parents about 1830. Robert and Lydia C. Russell are the parents of one child-Clinton E., born July 10, 1867. Mr. Russell and family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JOSEPH SNYDER, farmer; P. O. Urbana ; was born in Greene Co., Ohio, May 30, 1826, and is a son of Valentine and Catharine (Martz) Snyder, both natives of Rockingham Co., Va. He was born Dec. 21, 1793, and she April 21, 1795. They
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came to Ohio and located in Greene Co., where they remained till 1836, when they moved to Johnson Township, Champaign Co., where he still resides and owns 199 acres of land. His wife died Dec. 4, 1838, a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. They were the parents of eight children-Isaac, George W., Mary (now Mrs. Presly Jenkins), Joseph, John, Delilah .(now Mrs. Levi Bodey), Simon, and Catharine (now Mrs. Peter Bodey). They are all living, and the youngest past 44 years old. The subject of this sketch is a farmer, and owns 160 acres of land in. Sec. 21, of Concord Township. He assisted in suppressing the rebellion; was a member of Co. B, 134th O. N. G. In 1855, Oct. 18, he married Deborah Harbor, a daughter of Jesse Harbor. She was born Nov. 9, 1838 ; they are the parents of eight children-Elizabeth C. (deceased), Sarah J. (now Mrs. Elmer E. Bowers), Mary V., Joseph, Franklin, William H., Rosa A., John W. and Jesse Hayes.
PRESLY TALBOTT, farmer; P. O. Urbana; is a son of Sampson and Mary Talbott. He was born in Virginia Nov. 22, 1767, and was subsequently the husband of four wives ; his first, Cassandra Jarbo, was a sister of the wife of Simon Kenton. She was the mother of one child, William S. (deceased). Jane Kenton was his second wife. They were the parents of six children-Harvy, born in Kentucky, April 7, 1799; Sallie, May 1, 1801; Celia, born in Champaign Co., Aug. 27, 1804; Benjamin, Aug. 12, 1806 ; D'Movil and Samuel (twins), May 30, 1810. Some time after the death of Jane Talbott, he married her sister, Mary Kenton, by which union they had two children-Presly, born in Concord Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, Aug 8, 1813, and Elizabeth, Feb. 5, 1815. Mary Talbott died Oct 12, 1815, and he married Mrs. Anna Fitch. One child was the fruit of their marriage; Jane, born Nov 2, 1.817. Sampson Talbott died Jan. 5, 1846. The subject of this sketch was bred a farmer's boy, and has spent nearly sixty-seven years on the place of his nativity. He now owns 160 acres of the home farm, and has a very desirable home, with a considerable amount of good stock about him. On the 27th of October, 1842, he married Mary A. Markley. She was born in Madison Co., Ohio, July 20, 18'32. They have four children-Mary R., William M., Emma F. and Laura C. Mary A. Talbott departed this life March 16, 1861. She was an exemplary member of the Baptist Church; her husband and one daughter are also in connection with the same.
OLIVER TAYLOR. Among the solid, enterprising men of Champaign Co., Oliver Taylor stands deservedly high. His father, John V. Taylor, a native of Virginia of Scotch descent, came to this county about 1804, where he was soon after married to Miss Jane Vance, the sister of ex-Gov. Vance. By this union, eight children were born to them, Oliver being the sixth in the family, and the youngest son. John V. Taylor was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving in. the company of Capt. Joseph Vance, who afterward became Governor of Ohio. At the close of that conflict, he settled down again on a farm and followed stock-dealing extensively, driving cattle East across the Alleghanies. He was one of the Commissioners of Champaign Co. for about fifteen years, and was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, to which denomination his wife also belonged, and both died in this county-he Jan. 28, 1858, aged 73, and she Jan. 29, 1869, in her 81st year. The subject of this sketch was born in Champaign Co. Dec. 7, 1818, and here he grew to manhood, following the daily routine of a farmer's son, and attending, during the winter seasons, the primitive log schoolhouse, where he obtained a limited education. He was married, in this county, April 13, 1848, to Miss Catharine Caraway, daughter of John and Jemima Caraway, who were early pioneers of the county. John Caraway was born in Greenbrier Co., Va., and moved to this county about 1802, settling in the southeast part of Urbana Township, where his wife, the mother of Mrs. Taylor, died, Sept. 30, 1823. About 1825, he moved to Concord Township, where he remained until his death, Jan. 22, 1860. He was a man of wonderful energy and indomitable will power, who, coming to this county penniless, accumulated a handsome fortune, the legitimate result of industry and economical habits. Mrs. Taylor was born in this county Nov. 9, 1819, and had three children, viz., John
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C., deceased; Duncan V., deceased; and Charles Oliver Taylor, who resides with his father on the old homestead. Mrs. Taylor died Oct. 7, 1873, a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, of which denomination she had been a life-long adherent. Mr. Taylor also belongs to the Presbyterian Church, and, politically, he is an ardent Republican. He has been a farmer all his life, and has been dealing in fine blooded stock for the past thirty years. He was one of the charter members of the Citizens' National Bank of Urbana, Ohio, was one of the Directors from its organization, and, Feb. 19, 1874, was elected President of that institution, which position of trust and confidence he still occupies. Mr. Taylor is a man of modest pretensions, kind, pleasant and social at all times, straightforward and upright in every relation of life, and is, without doubt, one of Champaign's representative citizens.
ARCHIBALD TAYLOR, farmer; P. O. Crayon; was born in Argyleshire, in the highlands of Scotland, March 9, 1822. His parents, Donald and Mary Taylor, with their family of three children, emigrated to this country in the summer of 1822. They came by ship to Quebec, and from there to Lower Sandusky by schooner and steamboat. From Sandusky they came through in wagons to Champaign Co., where they remained eight years, and then moved to Clark Co. They remained in Clark Co. three years, and then returned to Champaign Co. Donald and Mary Taylor were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are still living, viz.: John, of Urbana; Mary, now the widow McEachran, in Indiana; Archibald; Douglass, living in Iowa ; Margaret. now Mrs. C. Journell, of this township; Jane, now Mrs. A. Himes, of Indiana; and Flora A., now Mrs. Hiram Heath, of Iowa. Donald Taylor departed this life Feb. 27. 1841, at the age of 48. His widow is still living and resides in Iowa. She was born May 15, 1796. Our subject was brought up on a farm, and still follows agricultural pursuits. He also raises and buys stock sufficient to consume the produce of his farm. For the last fifteen years he has resided on Sec. 29, of Concord Township, where he owns 147 acres of land. He has served his township as Trustee several terms. In 1859, Sept. 28, he married Sarah E. Hough. She is a native of this county, born May 15, 1832. The fruits of this union are six children-Mary S. and Daniel H. are the only survivors.
ADAM PRINCE VANCE,* farmer and painter; P. O. Urbana. We propose to our self to challenge the attention of those whom it may concern to the records of one of the most ancient and distinguished families in European genealogy, namely, that of Vance, as it is spelled in Ireland, Vans in Scotland, and, anciently, Vaux in Scotland and England, and De Vaux in France. (The Latin name is De Vallibus.) On the continent of Europe, the De Vaux family have been Dukes of Andrea; Princes of Joinville, Taranta and Altamara ; Sovereign Counts of Orange and Provence, and Kings of Vienne and Arles, as well as Lords De Vaux in Normandy. In 1066, three brothers, Hubert, Rundolph and Robert, the sons of Harold De Vaux, Lord of Vaux in Normandy, accompanied William the Conqueror to England, and there their descendants became Lords De Vaux of Pentney and Brevor, in Norfolk, of Gilliesland, in Cumberland, and of Harrowden, in Northamptonshire. A branch of the English family of Vaux, or Vallibus, settled in the south of Scotland, and became progenitors of several respectable families of that name. It is found in Scotch history that the ancient surname of Vans, in later charters called De Vallibus, is the same with the name of Vaux in England, and is one of the first surnames that appeared there after the conquest. . Hubert De Vaux, the eldest of the three brothers who accompanied the Conqueror into England in 1066, married Gracia, of what family is unknown, and left two sons, Robert and Rundolph. From Rundolph there is a certainty of the first Scotch settler being descended. We might trace the name back to the days of Alaric, one of the monarchs of the Western Goths, in the year 500 of the Christian era. This would be carrying the history of the family back pretty far. For myself, I shall be satisfied with the date of the conquest of the English by the Normans, 1066, This
* Written by himself.
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seems to be very authentic. ev. John Vance, or Vans, A. M., was a Puritan clergyman and a refugee from persecution in Scotland. He emigrated to Ireland in 1617. He was appointed Rector of Kilmacrenan, Donegal, and Diocese of Raphor. Here he labored for forty-five years. He was the father of the numerous Vances now to be found in Ireland and America. Of the Vance family in Ireland was David, my father's great-grandfather; who came to this country and married Sarah Colville. He resided in Loudoun Co., Va. He had two sons, David, my father's grandfather, and Joseph Colville, and three daughters, Ann, Mattis and Jane. David married Sarah Quimby. The fruits of this marriage were six sons-David, Daniel, Ephraim, John, Elisha and Elijah, and three daughters-Elizabeth, Sarah and Jane. My grandfather, whose name was John, married Sarah Perkins ; had three sons and one daughter. From the early history of Washington Co., Penn., among the early settlers there, were David and Joseph Colville Vance. From there they went to Barron Co., Ky., where my father, David Colville Vance, was born Sept. 16, 1805. Father, when quite a small boy, grandfather and great-grandfather, left Kentucky and came to Ohio and settled in the eastern part of Clark Co. The first of the Vance family in Champaign Co. was Joseph C. Vance, in 1805, brother of my great-grandfather and father of ex-Gov. Vance, who was Governor of Ohio from 1836-38, and Congressman from 1821-35 and 1843-47. From Clark Co., grandfather came to Champaign Co. and settled in Concord Township, known as the Marcus Clark farm. When father was about 14 years old, he was apprenticed to John Wiant, of Mad River Township, for seven years, to learn the tanning trade. Soon after reaching his majority, he married Miss Nancy Prince, Oct. 12, 1826. Mother was born in Boyle Co., Ky., Nov. 29, 1808. From this marriage they had four sons-Adam P., John, David C. and William, and three daughters-Sarah, Elizabeth and Mary. Sarah and William died when quite young. The rest are living, and have families of their own. The writer of this sketch was born Aug. 5, 1827. Occupation, school-teacher some twenty years; a ruralist at present. Married, Oct. 3, 1854, Miss Dorcas Malin ; she died Sept. 30, 1855; married again, Oct. 3, 1876, Miss Eliza Jane Russell; have a son living from first marriage; a daughter and son by the last marriage. Father died Oct. 5, 1876. Brothers John and David Colville are ministers of the M. E. Church, Cincinnati Conference. The former has been in the ministry over twenty-six years, and the latter over sixteen years.
JOHN D. WILSON, farmer; P. O. Spring Hills; is a son of John and Maia R. Wilson. She was a native of Kentucky, born Sept. 10, 1801, and is a daughter of William Dickey, a minister of the Presbyterian Church. John Wilson was born in Washington Co., Penn., Oct. 26, 1793. He came to Ohio in about 1817, and, in the following year, located on Sec. 29, of Concord Township, Champaign Co., where he entered 160 acres of land. He married Peggy Runyan, Aug. 27, 1819. She was a daughter of Judge Runyan, one of the early settlers of this county. The fruits of this marriage were two children-Elizs, born Feb. 26, 1820 (deceased), Elisha, born July 17, 1822. Peggy Wilson departed this life Oct. 1, 1823. On May 5, 1825, he married Maia R. Dickey, with whom he had five children; three grew to years of maturity-Margaret, born July 7, 1827 (deceased) ; Rebecca, April 3, 1832, and John D., June 28. 1835. Maia R. Wilson died Feb. 10, 1871. He survived until Oct. 26, 1872. The subject of this sketch was born and raised on the farm where he resides. Farming has always been his business, and for the last twenty-five years he has also been a stock-dealer. He owns 220 acres of land, which is in a high state of cultivation, with excellent improvements. In 1856, May 20, he married Sarah Ferry, a native of Logan Co., born Oct. 17, 1837. By this union they had five children; four are still living - Emma C., Forry, Walter S. and Maia J. Mr. Wilson and wife and two eldest children are members of the Presbyterian Church.