(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 400 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. improved the farm now owned by his son, the same being one of the valuable places of this favored section of the Buckeye state. Our subject received his preliminary educational discipline in the public schools and was thereafter matriculated in Oberlin College, where he continued his studies for a time and then entered Dennison University, where he completed his scholastic training. He left the home farm when seventeen years of age and thereafter was a successful and popular teacher in.. the county for a term of six years. In 1891 he was appointed to his present position as deputy county clerk and his tenure of the office has been consecutive from that time, his thorough knowledge of the affairs of the office and hiS capable management and executive ability having led to his retention by the successive incumbents of the office of county clerk. In politics Mr. Talbot has given an unequivocal support to the Republican party and its principles, and fraternally is identified with the time-honored order of Freemasonry, being a member of Champaign Lodge, No. 525, F. & A. M.; 'Urbana Chapter, No. 34, R. A. M.; and Urbana Council, No. 59, R. & S. M. He and his wife are members of the First Baptist church of Urbana. On the 3d of December, 1885, Mr. Talbot was united in marriage to Miss Lillie M. Zerkel, who was horn in Champaign county, Ohio, the daughter of Solon Zerkel. In April, 1902, Mr. Talbot was nominated to the office of county clerk of Champaign county. EDWARD A. GUY. For many years the subject of this memoir has been classed among the prominent and influential citizens of Champaign county, where he is well known as an agriculturist and as a tile manufacturer. His birth CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 401 occurred in Madison county, Ohio, on the 17th of November, 1829. He is descended from a prominent old Vermont family, his paternal grandfather, James Guy, having been born in that commonwealth, but he became one of the early pioneers of Madison county, Ohio. In the Green Mountain state the father of our subject, William Guy, was also born, and when ten years of age was brought by his parents to Madison county. He was there married to Adelaide Tullington, who came from Vermont, the state of her nativity, to Ohio at the age of ten years, and her father, George Fullington, was also one of the early pioneers of Madison county. She was called to her final rest at the age of eighty) years, and her husband reached the good old age of ninety-three years. They became the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters, all of whom grew to years of maturity with the exception of one son, who died at the age of three years. Edward A. Guy, the first born of the eight children, was reared to years of maturity in Pike township, Madison county, Ohio. After his marriage he took up his abode in Champaign county and on the farm on which he first located he has ever since continued to make his home. At one time his landed possessions consisted of three hundred and ninety acres, but he has since sold a part of that tract and at the present time his homestead consists of only eighteen acres. In 1882, in connection with his farming and stock-raising interests, he embarked in tile manufacturing, and in both lines of trade has been eminently successful. He is a man of uprightness in word and deed, and all who know him or have had business dealings with him speak in the highest terms of his justice and honor. In the year 1854, in Union county, Ohio, Mr. Guy was united in marriage to Adelaide McMullan, a native of Madison county, Illinois, where her father, John McMullan, was among the early pioneers, and Mrs. Guy is the fifth in order of birth of her parents' eight children. 402 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. This union has been blessed with the following children: Lucy, the deceased wife of Ed Hodge; Ida, the wife of James Hanson, of Gallipolis; Clara, the wife of Clark Britton, of Mechanicsburg; Edwin, who is married, and both he and his wife are employed in the Boys' Industrial School at Lancaster, Ohio; Mary, the wife of Thomas Baker, of Mechanicsburg; and Margaret, who is in the Episcopal Hospital at Gallipolis, Ohio. Throughout the years of his manhood Mr. Guy 11 given a loyal support to the Republican party, and on its ticket he was elected to the office of trustee of Goshen township, in which he was the incumbent for twelve consecutive years. For a period of fifteen years he was a director of the County Fair Association, and for a long period was a member of the Central Fair Association, which included the counties of Champaign, Clark, Union and Madison. His sterling worth commands the respect and confidence of all, and he is one of the valued citizens of Champaign county. ELIA S P. BLACK. Elias P. Black, who has been identified with the interests of Rush township, Champaign county, throughout his entire life, was born on the farm on which he now resides on the 3d of September, 1839. His father, Peter Black, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1786, and in 18̊9 he came with his parents, Samuel and Sarah Black, to Rush township, the journey being made with ox teams. In this township the son Peter was reared, and he was here married to Maria A. Hilliard, who was born in Vermont, but when quite young she was, brought to Champaign county. Mr. and Mrs. Black began their domestic life on a farm in Rush township, the work of which was carried on in partnership with a neighbor, and one team, consisting of a bull and a horse, performed the CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 405 labor for both parties for two years. Mr. Black went into Union county, near Byhalia, where he was engaged in making maple sugar,. which he hauled to Cincinnati and sold, using the proceeds to pay for his farm of one hundred and six acres which he had purchased in this township. During a part of this time he was associated in business with Samuel Hanes and a Mr. Coom. After paying for his land he purchased another tract of one hundred acres, which he paid for by making "Black Salts" from the ashes of the timber which had been cut from his land, and later he became the owner of an adjoining tract of fifty acres. He subsequently went to Kansas and purchased seventeen hundred and sixty acres on the Osage river, in Anderson county, which is now owned by his son, Judge F. M. Black, of Kansas City. His life's labors were ended in death when he had reached the age of seventy-three years. His was a remarkable record, and it illustrates in no uncertain manner what it is possible to accomplish when perseverance and determination form the keynote to a man's life. Depending upon his own resources, lie arose from comparative obscurity to a place of prominence in the business world. Mrs. Black reached the age of seventy-five years. This worthy couple became the parents of seven children, four of whom grew to years of maturity, namely : Lydia A. Archer, of Woodstock ;. Frank M., a judge of Kansas City, Missouri; and Harriet H., deceased.. Elias P. Black, of this review, is the sixth child in order of birth; in the above family. He was reared on the farm on which he now resides, and his primary education was received in the primitive log school house of the neighborhood. Later he became a student in the Urbana high school, and afterward received a course in the university at Delaware, Ohio. On account of his father's illness he was obliged. to leave the schoolroom and return to the home farm, and after the. latter's death he continued to care for his aged mother until she, too, was called to the home beyond. In 1885 he added the dairy business to his general farming, and he now keeps about one hundred head of 21 406 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. registered Jerseys, to which he feeds ensilage. He was the first to manufacture this food, of which he now feeds about two hundred and fifty tons a year, and he has three siloes, with a capacity of from seventy-five to one hundred tons each. He'does all of his own separating and ships his cream, this branch of his business yielding him an average IA two hundred dollars a month. He is also a stockholder and now president of the Woodstock Bank, which was organized eighteen years ago. The bank was organized with twelve stockholders, but it now has only three. Mr. Black has ever kept himself well informed on the political issues, and gives an intelligent support to the Democratic party, although he is very liberal in his views. For seven years he served as the trustee of his township, and at one time was nominated for the position of county commissioner on the Democratic ticket, but the county at that time contained a Republican majority of about seventeen hundred and Mr. Black came within sixty votes of winning the election. He has many times served as judge of elections before the Australian ballot system was inaugurated. He is a prominent citizen of the community, and his fine homestead of two hundred and twenty-two and a half acres is one of the desirable places of the county. Mr. Black was united in marriage to Miss L. R. White, of Delaware. Ohio, and they have reared four orphan children. In his social relations he is a member of the Masonic fraternity at Urbana, and of the Junior Order of American Mechanics at Mingo. GEORGE W. CRIFFIELD. George W. Criffield, a farmer residing in King's Creek, after long years of close and honorable connection with agricultural pursuits has now put aside business cares and labors and is enjoying a well merited CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 407 rest. He was born in Salem township, October 2, 1837, and on the paternal side was of Welsh descent, while on the maternal side he is of German lineage. He was reared in the faith of the Society of Friends, his maternal grandfather having been connected with that religious sect. His father, Isaac Criffield, was a native of Virginia and on attaining his maturity left the Old Dominion in order to seek a home upon what was then the western frontier, taking up his abode in Salem township, Champaign county. He was twice married, his first union being with a Miss Leonard, by whom he has three children, but all are now deceased. In Salem township he wedded Margaret Parkes, a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, who came to Champaign county when about twenty years of age with her brother, John Parkes. Mr. Criffield, the father, died at the age of forty-four years. In their family were three children. George W. Criffield, the eldest and the only one now living, is indebted to the public school system of his native township for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. In his youth he assisted in the work of the home farm from the time of early spring planting until the crops were harvested in the autumn. When he had arrived at years of maturity he sought as a companion and helpmate Miss Barbara Herr, and unto them were born four children: Charles A., who married Eva Davis and resides upon the old home farm; Abe H.; Frances, who died at the age of nineteen years; and one who died in infancy. In February, 1902, Mr. Criffield was again married, his second union being with Johanna Bowers, and they are now residing in King's Creek. Mr. Criffield provided for his family by following agricultural pursuits and stock-raising and he remained upon the old homestead until June, 1902. At the time of his second marriage he removed to King's Creek, where he now has a pleasant home. He is yet the owner of two farms, one comprising two hundred and ten acres and the other fifty acres. It is all rich and arable land, located in Salem township, and 408 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. returns to him an excellent income. In politics he is a stanch Republican and takes an active interest in political work. He has served as school director and as a member of the board of education for a num ber of years. For thirty-five years he has held membership in the King's Creek Baptist church and has taken a very active and helpful part in its work. He has held a number of offices in the church and for a nuni ber of years served as superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is a public-spirited and progressive man who never withholds his aid or influence from movement or measure calculated to promote the general good. Energetic, industrious and enterprising, these salient features in his character have won for him creditable success. JOHN WESLEY KENAGA. John Wesley Kenaga., one of the leading representatives of the agricultural interests of Champaign county, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, April .18, 1833. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Kenaga, was one of the early pioneers of this locality, and here he spent the remainder of his life. His son and the father of our subject, John Kenaga, claimed Maryland as the state of his nativity, where he was reared and educated, but when a young man he moved to Berks county. Pennsylvania, where for eleven years he was engaged in the milling business. In 1836 he left his home in that state and came to Champaign county, Ohio, where for the first two years he was engaged in agricultural pursuits and then removed to Urbana City, there securing an interest in a stage business. In 1862, however, he returned to his farm, but shortly afterward again located in the city of Urbana, where he was engaged in the clothing business with Robert Given. Selling his CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 409 interest therein, Mr. Kenaga sought his country home, later again removed to Urbana and there his remaining days were passed, he having closed his eyes in death in 1889. As a companion on the journey of life he chose Miss Frances Bruner, also a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, and her death occurred in Urbana in 1882. This worthy couple became the parents of seven children, namely: John Wesley; William F.; Bruner, deceased; Joseph; Heber, deceased; Brooks, deceased; and Emma. John Wesley, who was the first born, was but four years of age when brought by his parents to this county, and his education was received in the public schools of Urbana. After his marriage he located where he now resides, on a farm consisting of one hundred and twenty-eight acres of valuable and highly improved land, and there is extensively engaged in general farming and stock-raising. His fields are under a most excellent state of cultivation, and everything about the place shows evidence of a thrifty and progressive owner. In 1856 occurred the marriage of Mr. Kenaga with Miss Sally Powell, a native daughter of Champaign county, where her parents were among the early pioneer settlers, they having come to this locality from Kentucky. Unto this union were born three children,—Etta, deceased; Carrie; and Bruner, deceased. Mrs. Kenaga died August 28, 1892. Carrie, the only living child of Mr. and Mrs. Kenaga, was born on the old homestead near Urbana in 1859 and was educated at the Urbana schools. In 1881 she married Dr. Isaac Pearce Owen, who died February 13, 1889, leaving his widow with two children, Etta K. and Isaac Pearce. In 1893 Mrs. Carrie (Kenaga) Owen was united in marriage to Henry Freyhof, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, born in 1870. To this union one child, Earl L., has been born. Mr. Freyhof is a Republican in politics and is now engaged in farming on the old Kenaga homestead. Mr. Kenaga gives his political support to the Republican 410 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. party, having cast his first presidential vote for Fremont in 1856, and for three years he served as the trustee of his township. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in all movements for the betterment of his fellow men he takes a conspicuous and leading part. VESALIUS S. MAGRUDER. Of worthy Scotch ancestry, Vesalius S. Magruder, at present engaged in the real-estate and insurance business in Mechanicsburg, was born in this city May 22, 1846, a son of James L. and Eliza E. (Stafford) Magruder, and grandson of Ninian and Elizabeth (Lyons) Magruder. On both the paternal and maternal sides of the family the emigrating forefathers settled in the Old Dominion state, and at Winchester, Virginia, James L. Magruder was born August 29, 1817. Until his nineteenth year his association with his family remained unbroken, and then, accompanied by a brother-in-law, Filander Maine, they set out for the home of the latter in Vienna Crossroads, Clark county, Ohio, their means of locomotion being a single horse, which between them they "rode and tied." After a year at the Crossroads, Mr. Magruder came to the conclusion that his field of usefulness lay elsewhere, so journeyed to West Liberty, where he learned the trade of harness-making, and where he remained for nearly four years. As early as 1838 he located in Mechanicsburg, and here found employment with William Rutan, one of the pioneers of the town. In 1841 he started an, independent business, and in the shop originally selected for the making of his harness he has since continued to ply his trade, the industry established by him constituting one of the interesting landmarks of the CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 411 locality. A well merited success has crowned his efforts as a business man and citizen, and no other has more happily allied with his industry a delightful and optimistic personality, a finely balanced character, and a high regard for the worth-while things of life. These admirable traits pre-suppose unstinted esteem, and in the case of Mr. Magrudet have brought also popularity and general good will. He was married at West Liberty in 1842, with Eliza E. Stafford, a native of Pennsylvania and of Irish descent. Mrs. Magruder, who died in 1900, at the age of seventy-six, was the mother of two children, a son and daughter, the latter, Sallie E., being now the wife of Jacob Horr, of Mechanicsburg. Politically Mr. Magruder was originally a Whig, and is at present a Republican. It was but natural that Vesalius S. Magruder should early acquire a knowledge of the harness business, and after finishing his education in the public schools, he completed the trade under his father's able instruction. During the Civil war he enlisted for four months, May 2, 1864, in Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and during the service learned enough about war to appreciate the benefit of peace. He has since been a member, and for two terms commander, of the Stephen Baxter Post, No. 88, Grand Army of the Republic. In 1867 Mr. Magruder became interested with his father in the harness business, and continued the association until the present year, when the time-honored shop, with its multitudinous reminders of public appreciation, and of its genial and well loved founder, is about to pass into other hands. In the meantime Mr. Magruder has become interested in real estate and insurance, in which lines of activity success may be predicted, if general business ability is any guide. A wholesome interest in politics has added somewhat to the cares of Mr. Magruder, and he has creditably filled several minor offices, among them being that of corporation clerk of Mechanicsburg, which he held for 412 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. twelve years, and that of a member of the school board for four years. For thirty-five years he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1869 Mr. Magruder married Annie Horr, a native of this town, of which union there is one son, James W., a medical practitioner of Peru, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Magruder are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the former has been connected with the official board for many years. He bears an excellent reputation in the community, and thus it happens that the name of Magruder, through father and son, has come to be regarded as indicative of business and moral strength. FENTON WHETSEL. The tine farm owned and occupied by the subject of this sketch is located in section 12, Mad River township, and he is known as one of the substantial and progressive agriculturists of this favored section of the state. Mr. Whetsel is a native of the Old Dominion, having been born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, on the i8th of February, 1845, the son of Samuel Whetsel, who was born in the same county, where he was reared to maturity and where his marriage occurred, the maiden name of his wife having been Elizabeth Earian. He lived to attain the age of about seventy-six years, and died in Licking county, Ohio, where his widow still maintains her home. They became the parents of eight children, all of whom are living, namely: Uriah, Fenton, Joseph, James, Lemuel, Rufus, Robert and Mary, the last named being the wife of Thomas Horner, of Licking county. Fenton Whetsel was reared and educated in Virginia, where he grew up under the sturdy discipline of the farm. In 1862 he tendered CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 415 his services to the Confederacy, becoming a member of Company K, Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, with which he rendered valiant service until the close of the war, having participated in many of the most notable battles of the great conflict. On two occasions he had his horse shot beneath him and was personally struck twice by the enemy's bullets, but during his entire term of service he was never disabled and was always at his post of duty. Shortly after the close of the war, in 1865, Mr. Whetsel came to Champaign county, and for the following eleven years was employed by the month on various farms in this section of the state. After his marriage he located on a small farm in Concord township, where he remained until 1894, when he took up his residence on his present farm, which comprises about seventy acres, well improved and under most effective cultivation. He has attained independence and definite success through his own efforts, has been indefatigable, energetic and faithful, and has known the meaning of hard work, so that none can begrudge him the prosperity which he has so worthily achieved. He is the owner of property in Licking county, where he showed his filial devotion by purchasing a lot and erecting thereon a comfortable residence for his father and mother, the latter of whom still makes her borne there. In politics Mr. Whetsel gives his support to the men whom he considers the best fitted for office, and fraternally ht is identified with Westville Lodge, No. 433, Knights of Pythias, while he attends the Methodist Episcopal church, being held in the highest esteem in the community. On the 4th of May, 1875, Mr. Whetsel was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Osborn, who was born on the farm where our subject now lives, January 17, 1840, her father having been one of the pioneers of this county. She died on the r rth of October, 19o0, leaving no children. She proved a devoted companion and helpmeet to her husband and was a woman whose gentle and gracious character had endeared 416 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. her to a wide circle of friends. She was a daughter of Noble and Susan (Kenton) Osborn, who located in Champaign county in an early day and here passed the remainder of their lives. JAMES I. BLOSE. In scanning the lives and careers of the citizens of Champaign county, Ohio, it is pleasing to note the exercise of enterprise in every walk of life, and the achievement of success in every department of business and industrial activity. The personal career of the subject of this review has been an active and successful one, and the intelligence and ability shown by him in the management and direction of his business affairs, as well as those pertaining to important public office of which he has been incumbent, and the interest he has always shown in the advancement of measures for the good of the county, have caused him to be classed among the representative citizens of this section of the state, while there are additional points of interest attaching to his career from the fact that he is a native son of the county and a representative of pioneer families of sterling character. Mr. Blose was born on a farm in Mad River township, Champaign county, Ohio, on the i8th of October, 1852, being the son of Daniel and Louisa (Colbert) Blose, the former of whom was born in Virginia and the latter in Champaign county, Ohio, where their marriage was solemnized. Daniel Blose was a mere boy at the time when his parents removed from the Old Dominion state to Ohio, and his father, Henry Blase, thus became one of the pioneer farmers of Champaign county, as was also John Colbert, the maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch. Daniel Blose Was twice married, his first union being CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 417 to a Miss Pence, who bore him three children, while by the second union there were five sons, of whom three are living at the present time. Blose died at the age of fifty-five years, having devoted his active life to agricultural pursuits, and his widow survived him by many years, passing away in 1901, at the venerable age of eighty-two years. James I. Blose remained on the homestead farm until he had attained the age of seventeen years, early beginning to contribute his quota to its work and receiving his preliminary educational training in the district schools and supplementing the same by a course of study in Urbana University. Upon leaving the farm he secured a clerical position in the Urbana office of the Panhandle Railroad, where he remained about a year, and then entered into partnership with John C. Edmiston and engaged in the grain business in Urbana, building up an excellent business and continuing operations under the firm name of Blose & Edmiston about six years. In his political adherency Mr. Blose has ever been arrayed in support of the principles and policies of the Democratic party and he has taken an active interest in public affairs of a local nature. In 1876 he was elected to the office of county treasurer, and so capably and satisfactorily administered the financial affairs of Champaign county that he was chosen as his own successor in 1878, being thus in tenure of the office for two consecutive terms. After retiring from office Mr. Blose resumed his operations as a grain and produce commission merchant, and has ever since been concerned in this important line of enterprise in Urbana, conducting an individual business and handling a large volume of business, buying and shipping grain and handling feed, hav and other products of the farm, while he has also been successful in the-handling of farm properties, as a real-estate operator. He is known as one of the progressive and straightforward business men of his native county. where he is held in uniform confidence and esteem. Fraternally- 418 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Mr. Blase is a prominent member of the Masonic order, being identified with Harmony Lodge, No. 8, F. & A. M.; Urbana Chapter, No. 34, R. A. M.; and Raper Commandery, No. .19, Knights Templar, all at Urbana, while he is also a member of Scottish Rite bodies and the Mystic Shrine at Dayton, taking a deep interest in the affairs of this ancient and time-honored fraternity. On the 28th of December, 1876, Mr. Blase was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Ann Straw, of Carey, Ohio, she having been born in Wyandot county, the daughter of David Straw. Mr. and Mrs. Blose have three children, Corinne, Lucy and Helen. A. G. HOPKINS. A. G. Hopkins, a wide-awake and progressive farmer, living on the Urbana and Mechanicsburg pike in Goshen township, Champaign county, was born in Union county, Ohio, January 22, 1847. His father, George Hopkins, was also a native of Union county, while the grandfather Benjamin Hopkins, was born in England. The last named was a sailor in early life, but when a young man came to America and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Union county, Ohio. The father of our subject was reared and married in that county and there followed the occupation of farming until his death, which occurred when he was about forty-eight years of age. He married Sarah Bates, a native of Logan county, Ohio, born and reared in that portion of the state. Her father was Cranson Bates, a pioneer settler of Logan county. Mrs. Hopkins also died when about forty-eight years of age. By her marriage she had become the mother of six children, all of whom reached adult life. There were two daughters and four sons and Mr. Hopkins of this review was the second child and son. CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 419 Reared in the county of his nativity A. G. Hopkins acquired his early education in the district schools of Union county and remained with his parents until they were called to the home beyond. He was only six years of age at the time of his father's death, after which our subject and his brother, Marion, supported the family until after the inauguration of the Civil war. Both enlisted, the subject of this review becoming a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-Sixth Ohio Infantry in 1864. He joined Company B, and served until the expiration of his term of service. He then returned to Union county, but after a short time removed to St. Petersburg, Pennsylvania, and engaged in speculating in the oil district, being connected with that business for twelve years. On the expiration of that period he sold his interest in Pennsylvania, where he had met with creditable success, and then came to Champaign county, where he purchased the farm upon which he now resides. He has since been engaged in the tilling of the soil and stock raising. He has two hundred and seventeen acres of well tilled land, upon which is a good residence, substantial barns and all modern equipments. Mr. Hopkins is also one of the. stockholders of the Farmers' Bank of Mechanicsburg. In 1882 occurred the marriage of our subject and Miss Nettie Miller, a daughter of James and Emeline (Burnham) Miller. Mrs. Hopkins was born in Madison county, Ohio, and unto this marriage have been born two sons, Roy and Harold. The former is now an illustrator for magazines in New York, while the latter, a lad of nine years, is at home. Mr. Hopkins is a stanch Republican, and for eleven years has held the office of township trustee, discharging his duties with marked fidelity and promptness. He belongs to Mechanicsburg Lodge. F. & A. M., and also to the Order of the Eastern Star of that place. He is likewise a member of Stephen Baxter Post No. 85, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is now serving as commander. He belongs to 420 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. the Methodist Episcopal church, is a member of its board of trustees and takes an active interest in everything pertaining to its growth and upbuilding. His interest in public affairs is broad and helpful. His life has been well spent and as the architect of his own fortunes he certainly deserves credit for what he has accomplished. JOHN G. LOGAN. One of the native sons of Champaign county who holds precedence as one of its influential and successful farmers is Mr. Logan, whose valuable landed estate is located in section 22, Urbana township. He was born in this township, on the 15th of October, 1835, being a son of Elijah Logan, who was born in Kentucky, whence his father, Samuel Logan, removed to Ohio in the year 1812, locating in Urbana township, this county, where he took up a quarter section of government land in what is now section 21, and here his death occurred in the following year. His son Elijah was reared on this pioneer homestead, which has thus been owned by the family for three generations, the same being now an integral portion of the fine estate of the subject of this review. In this township was solemnized the marriage of Elijah Logan to Miss Roxaline Powell, who was born in this township, being a daughter of Samuel Powell, who came from his native state of Kentucky to Champaign county in 1806, becoming one of the first settlers in Urbana township. The mother of our subject died at the age of fifty years, and her husband passed away when about sixty years of age. He was originally a Whig and later a Republican in politics and was one of the prominent men of his township, where he held various official positions. His wife CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 421 was a devoted member of the Baptist church. They became the parents of eleven children, of whom seven attained maturity, while only three are living at the present time, namely : Samuel, who is a resident of Lincoln, Logan county, Illinois; Adell, who resides in Kansas; and John G., the subject of this sketch and now the only member of the family in the county. Mr. Logan was reared on the old homestead and his early educational advantages were such as were afforded in the district schools. With the exception of two years, which he passed in Kentucky, he has passed his entire life in this county and has been consecutively identified with agricultural pursuits. In 1862 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary A. (Rohrer) Blose, who was born in Mad River township, this county, the daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Loudenback) Rohrer, who were representatives of two of the early pioneer families of the county, the father having come from Pennsylvania and the Loudenback family from Virginia. Our subject and his wife have four children, namely : Emma Edith, who is the wife of John L. Woodburn, of Urbana ; Ethelbert R., who married Annette Bailey and resides in this township; Edna Esther, who remains at the parental home; and John Earl, who married Clara Obers and lives in this township. Our subject has resided on his present homestead from his youth up, and is now one of the most extensive land-holders in the county, having at the present time a landed estate of one thousand acres and being one of the most influential and successful farmers of this section of the state. He has one of the finest residences in the county, the dwelling having been remodeled in 1887, while other additions were made at a later date, so that it is specially spacious and attractive. In politics Mr. Logan is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party and is held in the highest confidence and esteem in the county where he has passed practically his entire life. 422 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. JAMES L. CRAIN. Of one of the honored pioneer families of Champaign county is the subject of this sketch a representative, and here he has passed the entire span of his life, now holding prestige as one of the successful farmers and horsemen of Union township and standing as one of the leading citizens of that section of his native county. James Lewis. Crain was born in Pretty Prairie, this county, on the 24th of February, 183o, being the son of Lewis F. Crain, who was born in the state of Kentucky, where he was reared to maturity, and whence, as a young man, he came to Champaign county, and here engaged in the raising of and dealing in horses and hogs. He located a large tract of land on Pretty Prairie, Urbana township, being one of the first settlers in that locality. He was a son of Lewis Crain, who likewise was horn in Kentucky, where he devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, having been a Whig in his political views. Lewis F. Crain w as married, in Clark county, Ohio, to Miss Clara Phifer, who was born in Virginia, in the district of the Greenbrier river, her parents having been of German descent. From Virginia they came to Ohio when their daughter Clara was a child, and located first in Franklin county, whence they later removed to Clark county, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Lewis F. and Clara Crain became the parents of three children,—James L., the subject of this sketch; Lucinda J., the widow of Henry Espey, formerly a prominent banker of Urbana; and Louise Caroline, the widow of John D. Fligger, who was a railroad man Our subject received his educational training in the public schools at Springfield, this county, but left school at the early age of fifteen years, and thereafter remained with his step-father (his own father having died when our subject was only three years of age), William, CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 425 Vance, a brother of ex-Governor Vance of Ohio, and thus he continued until the death of Mr. Vance, in i866. He was but seven years of age when the farm upon which he now resides became his home, and early began to aid in the work of clearing and improving the place. In 1856 he and his step-father erected a gristmill in this township, and the building is still standing. The farm owned by Mr. Crain was purchased in the early '60s. by R. E. Robinson, who secured the property at a public auction, and in 1868 our subject purchased the place of the gentleman named and now has an estate of nearly five hundred acres, upon which he has made the best of improvements. In connection with his diversified farming Mr. Crain devotes special attention to the raising of live stock, particularly horses of the best type, and at the time of this writing has on his farm fifty head of very highly bred animals, and also keeps a stable in Urbana. lie has attained a high reputation as a breeder of fine horses, and takes an enthusiastic interest in this branch of his business. On the 26th of March, 1856, Mr. Crain was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. Todd, who was born in Pennsylvania, and who is a. sister of Mrs. Mary IL Runyon, widow of J. H. Runyon, of whom a memoir appears on another page of this volume. Of this union five children have been horn, namely: Clara A., who remains at the parental home; Caroline J., the wife of Elmer Powell, a successful farmer of Union township, who helps our subject in the training of his horses; William L. and Florence, who are deceased; and a daughter who died in infancy. Mr. Crain is one of the honored veterans of the war of the Rebellion, in which he served with marked loyalty, participating in many of the important battles of that greatest of all civil conflicts. On the 2d of March. 184 he enlisted as a private in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being made second sergeant 22 426 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. of his company, with which he served until the close of the war, receiving his honorable discharge in Urbana. In politics Mr. Crain gives a stanch allegiance to the Republican party, and has been an active worker in the ranks of the same, his first presidential vote having been cast in support of John C. Fremont. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, and he has been for many years a member of the church at Buck Creek, having contributed liberally to the erection of the church building. He is held in the highest esteem in the community and is known as a progressive and public-spirited citizen. CYRUS MILLER. Cyrus Miller was born in Mad River township, Champaign county, Ohio, August 7, 1855. His father, David Miller, was a native of Shenandoah county, Virginia, born August 5, 1813, and came to Ohio when about fifteen years of age making the journey alone. He made his way direct to Champaign county, settling in Mad River township. He was a wagonmaker by trade and began work along that line soon after his arrival, carrying on business at Terrehaute for many years. By his well directed efforts he accumulated a handsome competence and at length was enabled to retire from active business life, passing away at the age of seventy-five years. He gave his political support to the Democracy and was at one time township trustee. He also belonged to the Lutheran church. His record was one commendable and worthy, for he started out in life empty-handed at the early age of fourteen years and steadily worked his way upward until his enterprise and industry had made him a successful and prominent man. He was united in marriage to Keziah Jones, a native of German township, Clark county, Ohio, CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 427 where their marriage was celebrated. Her parents were David and Margaret (Bruner) Jones, who were early settlers of Clark county, taking up their abode there when the Indians were still residents of that district. Mrs. Miller still survives her husband. She was born August 5, 1816, and has therefore passed the eighty-fifth milestone on life's journey. By her marriage she became the mother of five children, of whom Cyrus Miller is the fourth in order of birth and the third son. He is also the only survivor, for the others died in infancy. In his native township Mr. Miller of this review was reared and began his education in the common schools of the district, while later he pursued a high school course for four years. He devoted his energies to educational work, spending three years in Mad River township and one in Clark county, Ohio, as a representative of educational interests there. He remained at home until his marriage, which occurred November 2, 1879, the lady of his choice being Nella Sifers, a native of Mad River township, Champaign county, and a daughter of William and Hester (Hullinger) Sifers, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Champaign county, Ohio. Mrs. Miller was their third child and youngest daughter. She was reared and educated in Mad River township and to her husband she has proved an able assistant on life's journey. Immediately after his marriage Mr. Miller located in Terrehaute, where Ile has since resided. After abandoning the work of an educator he engaged in the operation of a sawmill at this place, continuing in that line for five years. In 1886 he was elected township clerk and served continuously in that office until the 1st of September, 1898. Since 1886 he has been notary public, having been appointed by. Governor Joseph Foraker. He is also interested in the real estate business, owning a number of farms, including forty-four acres which adjoins Terre-haute. Most of his land is in Mad River township, and, in all aggregates four hundred and thirty-eight acres. Mr. Miller has been called 428 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. upon to settle a number of estates, a fact which indicates his well known honesty and proverbial trustworthiness. He also carries on an insurance business and the policies which he writes each year amount to a. considerable sum. In his fraternal relations Mr. Miller is a Mason, belonging to the lodge and chapter at Saint Paris and the commandery at Urbana. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and in his political. views is a stalwart Democrat, taking an active part in everything tending to advance his party's success. He is also actively interested in all movements for the general welfare and as a citizen is known as one who is ever loyal to the public good. In business circles he sustains an unassailable business reputation and his sterling worth is widely acknowledged by many friends who have long known him. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller were born three children: The oldest, David William, was born November 19, 188o, and died September 13, 1881; Mabel, born August 7, 1883, is taking a high school course; Benjamin Franklin, born January 5, 1886, is still at home. SHERMAN S. DEATON. Among the practitioners at the Champaign county bar who have won distinction is Sherman S. Deaton. If honor and success could be won by purchase, many a man who goes through life upon a common plane would rise to a position of eminence, but in a learned profession only unremitting diligence, zeal and strong mentality avail and it has been as the result of these alone that Sherman S. Deaton has become known as a most capable attornev-at-law. He was born in Kosciusko county, Indiana, on the 23rd of February, 1865, his parents being George CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 429 W. and Frances C. (Fortney) Deaton, both of whom were natives of Clark county, Ohio. In the year 1863 they removed to Indiana and settled on a farm in Kosciusko county. They had eight children, seven sons and one daughter, but the eldest son and the daughter are now deceased. Mr. Deaton of this review was the fifth in order of birth. His father died when the son was thirteen years of age and the mother survived for thirteen years, thereafter passing away in death December 12, 1894. Sherman S. Deaton was reared on the home farm and has always retained a deep interest in the people who cultivate the soil and carry on that branch of activity known as agriculture. In the common schools he obtained his early education and being of a studious nature he advanced rapidly in his studies, so that at the early age of seventeen years he secured a certificate and became a teacher. For twelve years thereafter he followed that profession, having been employed during the first five years in the public schools of Indiana, while for seven years he was a teacher in the graded schools of Honey Creek, Jackson township, Champaign county, being principal of the grammar schools and during the last three years of that period also filling the position of superintendent of the schools of Jackson township, being one of the first township superintendents in the county. His early education acquired in the country schools was supplemented by a brief term of study in the Warsaw (Indiana) high school and the Fort Wayne College of the Methodist Episcopal church at Fort Wayne, Indiana. During the summers of 1887, 1888, 1889 and 1890 he also attended the Northwestern Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio. While engaged in teaching school Mr. Deaton studied law and continued his task of mastering the principles of jurisprudence while at Ada. He completed his law studies in the office of the Hon. E. P. Middleton, a prominent attorney of Urbana and now judge of the 430 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. court of common pleas, and was admitted to the bar December 7, 1893, In June, 1894, he opened a law office in Saint Paris, Ohio. On the 6th of October, of the same year, he was nominated by the Republicans as their candidate for the office of prosecuting attorney for Champaign county, receiving the nomination over five other candidates, and was elected on the 6th of November, following, receiving a plurality of twenty hundred and twenty-five votes over his competitors. On thew, 2nd of November, 1897, he was re-elected without opposition, receiving more votes than any other candidate on either county or state ticket. He Made a good record in the office, vigorously prosecuting felonious and malicious criminals, but discouraging a waste of public funds in cases where there was no probability of securing conviction. In June, 1901, Governor George K. Nash appointed Mr. Deaton a member of the state board of pardons, commissioning him for a term of four years. Since January, 1895, he has been associated in the practice of law as a partner of George Waite and this firm has gained a large and desirable clientage, being regarded as one of the strongest law firms in the county. As a lawyer Mr. Deaton has won a most enviable reputation. A student by nature, thorough and painstaking in all litigation, he is also possessed of superior gifts of oratory and is a formidable adversary in the court room. In 1898 Mr. Deaton wedded Miss Mabel West, an accomplished lady, who was reared in Champaign county, and their home is ,celebrated for its generous hospitality. Fraternally Mr. Deaton is connected with Champaign Lodge, F. & A. M., and the Junior Order of American Mechanics. Politically he has always been an enthusiastic Republican and his campaign addresses have been received with interest and in many places have often carried conviction to the minds of his auditors. For six years he served as treasurer of the Champaign county Republican executive committee and was its chairman during the political campaign CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 431 of 1901 and 1902. He has been the architect of his own fortunes. In early life he taught school and with the compensation thus received was enabled to further continue his own education and make preparation for entering the profession of law. With energy and determination he has steadily advanced and for the gratifying success he has achieved deserves no little praise. Of a generous nature, genial and agreeable he makes friends readily and is a most popular and honored resident of Urbana. CALEB JONES, M. D. For many years an active factor in the professional life of Saint Paris and Champaign county, Dr. Jones has gained a wide reputation as a physician of skill and ability. He was born in Piqua, Ohio, June 2, 1851, and on the paternal side is of Welsh descent. His grandfather, Caleb Jones, was a blacksmith by trade, as was also his son, William A. The latter was a native of Ohio, and for many years was employed in making the irons for the locks on the Miami canal. He married Delilah Coats, whose father, David Coats, was a millwright and a member of the Quaker faith. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jones was celebrated in 185o, and they became the parents of two children, and the daughter. Mary Ellen, is now the wife of Wallace Williams and resides in Ohio City, Ohio. Caleb Jones, whose name introduces this review, received his early education in the common schools of his native county, while later he enjoyed superior advantages in the Piqua high school and afterward received the Chautauqua course, in which he now holds a diploma. Desiring to enter the practice of medicine as a life occupation, he accordingly began study under the preceptorship of Dr. William Goodlove,. 432 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY, of Montra, Shelby county, Ohio, who continued as his instructor for three years, on the expiration of which period he attended lectures in the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, graduating therein in the class of 1876. He began the practice of his chosen profession at Harper, Logan county, and on the 13th of February, 1877, he came to Saint Paris, where, in partnership with A. Musselman, he embarked in the drug business, the firm of Jones & Musselman succeeding that of Brown & Henderson. This relationship continued for a period of twelve vears, after which Mr. Jones became associated with Dr. W. S. Cox, now, deceased, in the drug business and the practice of medicine for five years, since which time the business has been carried on under the firm name of Jones & Hunt. In the year 190o Dr. Jones was appointed United States pension examiner for Champaign county, and he is now president of the board. In October of the same year he was made president and medical director of Parkhurst Willow! Bank Institute, of Saint Paris. This institution was established December 1, 'goo, by J. E. McMorran, M. L. Bull, M. W. Thomas, C. H. Darnell and C. Jones, the latter being the medical director in charge and president of the association. He abandoned a lucrative practice to give his undivided attention to those seeking relief from alcoholic drinks. The sanitarium is a mcdern and commodious structure, well adapted to the purpose for which it was designed, and its appointments are all that could be desired. In the building are large reception rooms, a reading room, laboratory and offices, in fact everything for the comfort of the patients, reproducing in a large measure the conveniences of home. On the 25th of January, 1872, Dr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Sadie Morris, and they became the parents of three children,— Mamie, Xerxes and Foster. The wife and mother was called to the home beyond in October, 1879, and in October, 1880, the Doctor married Miss Julia A. Goodin, the eldest of four daughters born unto David CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 433 and Hattie A. Goodin. Six children have blessed the union of Dr. and Mrs. Jones, namely : Cecil V., Oasis G., Caleb, Tracy, Inita and Lowell. The Republican party receives the Doctor's support and co-operation, and he has been elected president of all the Republican clubs organized in Saint Paris. He is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In his social relations he is past district deputy grand master of Saint Paris Lodge, No. 246, I. 0. 0. F.; also past district deputy grand chancellor and past representative of Saint Paris Lodge, No. 344, K. of P.; past master of Pharos Lodge, No. 355, F. & A. M.; and past patriarch of Russell Encampment, No. 141. Throughout the years which mark the period of Dr. Jones' professional career he has met with gratifying success and is recognized as one of the talented members of the profession in the state. He has always stood boldly forth as the champion of progress, and his influence has been exerted at all times on the side of right and truth. Dr. Jones is the author of a volume entitled "Drunkenness or Modern Ideas on the Liquor Habit," which has recently been issued. The volume consists of one hundred and sixty-four pages and has already attracted a liberal sale.   AZRO SMITH. The ancestors of Azro Smith as far back as their history can be traced are noted for their sterling traits of character. Thomas Smith, his paternal great-grandfather, was born in England, but between 173o and 1740 crossed the Atlantic to the new world, locating in Hadley, Massachusetts. His son, Sylvanus Smith, was a native of Connecticut, as was also the latter's second wife, whose maiden name was. Amy 434 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Sprague, and they became the grandparents of our subject. Both passed away in their native state. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, probably serving with the Connecticut troops, in which he held the office of ensign. Sylvanus Smith, Jr., the father of our subject, was one of the two original settlers in Champaign county, the journey from Vermont to this state having been made in a one-horse wagon, and they arrived here in October, 1816, after two months spent upon the road. He was accompanied by his brother Samuel and family. In the fall of 1819 they took up land on the present site of Woodstock, where they erected cabins and there made their home until the following April. Sylvanus Smith proved himself a very useful man in that early day, and creditably filled the office of justice of the peace for thirty years, while for a longer period he filled the position of township treasurer, also holding other local offices,. He was a well educated man for that day, was an excellent mathematician and grammarian and always kept in touch with progressive movements. On first coming to the county he purchased one hundred acres of land, the purchase price being three hundred dollars, and later became the owner of one hundred acres adjoining, for which he paid six hundred dollars, while still later a third tract of one hundred acres was added to the homestead, the latter costing twelve hundred dollars. Both he and his wife were members of the Universalist church, they having assisted in the organization of the church of that denomination in this county in 184o, but it was not until 1844 that the first church edifice was built. In his early life he gave his political support to the Whig party, and after the organization of the new Republican party became a supporter of its principles. During the war of 1812 he served with the minute men from Vermont, participating in the battle of Plattsburg, on Lake Champlain, and for his serv- CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 435 ices received a month's pay forty years afterward, while later he was given a land warrant for Kansas land. On the 2d of April, 1812, Mr. Smith married Thankful Kelsey, and one child, Hiram, was born to them before their journey to the Buckeye state, his birth occurring on the 2d of January, 1814. Mrs.. Smith was a daughter of Giles and Elizabeth (Post) Kelsey, formerly of New Hampshire and later of Vermont. The father, who was a Revolutionary hero, subsequently made his way to Ohio and for a time made his home with his son-in-law. He now lies buried in the Trieles Creek burying ground. His three son, Josiah, Nathan and Stephen, carne to Champaign county in an early day, and here they made their home for many years. Nathan and Josiah both died in Union county, Ohio, and Stephen vas a soldier in the war of 1812, participating in the battle of Plattsburg. His death occurred in this county. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith after their arrival in the Buckeye state,—Myron G., Richard S., Lorena E., Samuel G., Azro and Andrew J., but with the exception of Azro the family are all now deceased. Sylvanus Smith was called to his final rest on the 12th of July, 1872, at the age of eighty-four years, eight months and twenty days. His wife, who was born June 29, 1791, at Newport, Connecticut, passed away December 24, 1876. Azro Smith was born in Champaign county, Ohio, August 20. 1828, and was reared amid the wild scenes of pioneer life. The education which he received in the common schools of the neighborhood vas supplemented by a course of study in a select school at Woodstock, and later for one year he was a student in Antioch College, but illness compelled him to abandon further study. In 1840, at the age of twenty years, he again entered the school room as an instructor, his first work along that line being in the public schools of DeWitt and McLean counties, Illinois, where he taught for three winter terms. Returning to his old home in 436 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Champaign county in 1853, he here followed teaching during the winter months, while through the summer seasons he assisted in the work of the farm, thus continuing until his marriage, which occurred on the 9th of March, 1859, Miss Mary Inskeep becoming his wife. She is a daughter of William and Kittura (Warner) Inskeep. After this event Mr. Smith abandoned the work of the school room to take up the duties of farm life, and from that time until a few years ago he was numbered"! „among the leading agriculturists of Champaign county. In 1890 he removed to Humboldt county, Iowa, where he purchased two hundred and forty-five acres of land, and there made his home for the following five years, on the expiration of which period he returned to his native county and has since lived in quiet retirement at Woodstock. He has ever occupied a front rank among the leading and progressive citizens of the community, and has been honored with all the offices within the gift of his township, having served as its clerk, trustee, assessor and as a justice of the peace. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Smith has been blessed with seven -children, namely : Lillian T., the wife of A. J. Harlan, of Lincoln county, Kansas; Arthur, who resides in Grant county, Minnesota ; Ora A., also of that county ; Lucy, the wife of E. C. Hudson, of Champaign county; Kitty, the wife of Charles Rice, of Bowling Green, Ohio; Edith, the wife of Clay McClurg, of Tiffin, Ohio; and Ethel, the wife of A. J. Greenwald, also of Bowling Green. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Universalist church, and in his fraternal relations Mr. Smith is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Woodstock Lodge, No. 167, which he joined in 1853. Since the formation of the Republican party he has stanchly upheld its principles, and during the Civil war, in 1864, he enlisted for one hundred days' service in Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. .His services were principally in Virginia, where he was engaged in CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 437 picket duty in the vicinity of Petersburg. The regiment served twenty days over its term of enlistment, and was mustered out at Camp Chase; Columbus, on the 29th of August, 1864, Mr. Smith leaving the ranks. as a first lientenant. After his return home he received a captain's commission in the Fourth Regiment, National Guards, with which he was identified both before and after his regular service. A few facts. concerning the uncles of our subject will prove of interest. Justin lived in Vermont and had a large family, which is now scattered over the Union. Aaron also lived in Vermont and reared a large family. Philip moved to Ohio in 1835, and died when over eighty years of age. Samuel is noticed in the sketch of Joseph Chamberlain in another part of this volume. Jesse was a soldier in the war of 1812 and afterward went to Michigan. Stillman was also a soldier in 1812 and was killed by a cannon ball at Niagara. Lester was married in Vermont, came to Ohio in 1828, reared a family and died when over seventy years of age. Dexter, the youngest, came to Ohio about 1830, reared a family and died in this state. MASKELL E. MORGAN. Maskell E. Morgan, who resides in King's Creek, Salem township, was born on the 4th of February, 1830, in the township which is still his place of residence. His father, Edward L. Morgan, was born in Ohio county, Virginia, and was a son of John Morgan, also a native-of that county, and in the year 1813 came to Ohio, taking up his abode in Champaign county, where he was recognized as a leading and influential citizen at an early date. He served as justice of the peace for many years and was celebrated for his impartiality and his fidelity to duty. He was of Scotch and Welsh descent. 438 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Edward L. Morgan, the father of our subject, arrived in Champaign county in 1813. He was then a young man and sought better .business opportunities in the west than could be found in the old district in which he had been reared. In Salem township he entered land from the government, securing a tract in section 3. With characteristic energy he began the' development of a farm and as the years passed the well tilled fields brought forth excellent crops. In politics he was prom-% inent and was a recognized leader in public thought and action. Three times he was chosen to represent his district in the state legislature, and to each question which came up for settlement he gave his earnest consideration, casting his ballot in the way he thought best calculated to advance the interests of his commonwealth. He left the impress of his individuality upon the legislation enacted during his service and well does he deserve to be numbered *among the men of prominence in the early history of Ohio. He also served as associate judge in an early day. His political support was first given to the Whig party and upon its dissolution he cast his right of suffrage independently, and having voted for Abraham' Lincoln and every man who in his judgment was the best man. His death occurred when he was about eighty-three years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Susan Earsom, was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, and there passed the days of girlhood. She came with her parents to Champaign county and was here married to Mr. Morgan. Her father, Simon Earsom, was a native of the Old Dominion and in pioneer times became connected with the development of this portion of the Buckeye state. He was a farmer by occupation and was of German descent. His daughter, Mrs. Morgan, died in the fifty-ninth year of her age. By her marriage she became the mother of eight children, five sons and three daughters, but our subject and his brother are now the only ones living. Maskell E. Morgan was the eldest son and second child in the CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 439 family. When about six years of age he began his education in a log school house in Salem township. It was a primitive structure, the light being admitted through greased paper windows, while the seats were made of slabs and the writing desks formed by placing a number of pins driven into the wall. His primary education, however, was supplemented by study in Urbana and in Delaware, Ohio, and he thus became a well informed man, being equipped for teaching. He entered upon that profession when twenty years of age and followed it during the winter Months for about twenty-one years. During two winters he was employed as a teacher in the schools of Urbana. During the summer months he devoted his attention to farming and surveying. His father was a practical surveyor and had filled the office of county surveyor for a number of years, so that our subject was well drilled in this work. He became a practical and progressive representative of that department of labor and also had a broad and comprehensive knowledge of the science of surveying. On the 6th of March, 1861, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Morgan and Miss Sarah A. Powell, a native of Champaign county, and a daughter of Timothy and Margaret (Taylor) Powell. The former was a native of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia. They became early settlers of Champaign county, taking up their abode in Salem township .after their marriage. In their family were nine children, Mrs. Morgan being the eighth in order of birth. She was reared and educated in Champaign county. Our subject and his bride began their domestic life upon the old home farm in Salem township, where they resided for thirty-nine years, during which time he devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, surveying and teaching, thus providing a comfortable home for his family. Five children were born unto them, hut Edward L. and Mary E. are now deceased. Eliza is the wife of Fred 440 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. M. Madden, of Salem township; Emma E. is the widow of Perry G. Ream and William L. married Alpha Williams. Mr. Morgan gives his political support to the Democracy and has been honored with a number of local offices, having served as trustee for seven years and as assessor for three years, while at the present time he is deputy county surveyor. He is also a prominent Mason, having,' 1 attained to the Knight Templar degree, member of Raper Commandery, No. 19, and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft. His career has been a busy and useful one. He has promoted the intellectual activity in his county and in all departments of business with which he has been connected has shown himself to be thorough and 1 trustworthy. 1 CHARLES H. GANSON. The history of Urband would be incomplete without mention of the Hon. Charles H. Ganson, so inseparably has his life record been interwoven with the annals of this municipality and of Champaign county..Honored and respected by all, he has long been a leader in public thought and opinion and his efforts have been of material benefit in the upbuilding and progress of his city. He was born here October 19, 1836, and. is a son of William H. and Anulette F. ( Toxey) Ganson, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, the former having been born in Chester and the latter in Lancaster county. They were married in the Keystone state and after about a year carne to Ohio, making the journey overland. Taking up their abode in Urbana, they spent their remaining clays here with the exception of a period of about four years during the boyhood of our subject, when they lived on a farm in this county. The father was at first engaged in agricultural pursuits and afterward. CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 443 turned his attention to carriage manufacturing, which he followed for a number of years. He next engaged in the livery business, in which he was succeeded by Mr. Ganson of this review. In his business undertakings he met with a fair degree of success. His political support was given the Democracy in ante-bellum days and later he joined the ranks of the Republican party. He held membership in the Reform Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belonged. Her death occurred in 1847 and he passed away in 1881 at the venerable age of eighty years. In their family were five children : Charles H.; William M., of Illinois; Benjamin F., of Urbana ; Anna E. and Emma. With the exception of a short period spent upon the farm Charles H. Ganson passed the days of his boyhood and youth in his native city, enjoying the privileges offered by the public-school system. When twenty years of age, however, he removed to Illinois and spent ten years in the west, there engaged in farming. On the expiration of that period he returned to Urbana and became his father's successor in the livery business, which he still continues, although his efforts have not been confined to one line, for he is a man of liberal business ability and his labors have been potent elements in the successful conduct of many industries and enterprises. In connection with his .stables he has been for many years extensively engaged in buying and selling horses. For thirty years Major Thomas McConnell, now deceased, was his partner. He has frequently been associated in his business undertakings with his brother, B. F. Ganson, and such relations are now existing between them, being a member of the firm of C. H. Ganson & Company, and also of the firm of McConnell & Company, thus being interested in the ownership of two stables. He also has large and valuable farming interests, owning and operating arable land in both Ohio and Illinois. He has a valuable farm of five hundred acres located twenty miles south of Peoria, Illinois, in one of the richest districts 23 444 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. of that splendid agricultural state. He is also president of and a large stockholder in, the Urbana Electric Light & Power Company. Whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion, brooking- no obstacles that can be overcome by prudence and honorable effort and to-day he occupies a commanding position in business circles, not alone on account of his keen discernment and unfaltering industry, but also because of the honorable methods he has ever followed. In 1857 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ganson and Miss Jennie Rawalt, of Canton, Illinois. and their home has been blessed with two children : Emma and Jonas Randolph. He is connected with the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias lodge, and is a consistent member and liberal contributor to the Swedenborgian church. His deep interest in agricultural affairs has long been manifested in helpful lines, and for twenty years he has been honored with the presidency of the Champaign County Agricultural Society, which has largely benefited by his efforts in its behalf. He has also been president from the beginning—a period of ten years—of the Mad River & Miami Fair Circuit now composed of fourteen fairs. Along these lines he has done everything in his power to stimulate pride in agricultural and stock raising interests, and his labors have resulted largely to the benefit of the farmer. In politics he is a pronounced Republican and no one !teed ever question his position, for while he is never bitterly aggressive he never fears to state with clearness his belief. He has been honored with public office, including that of alderman, having been a member of the city council of Urbana for five years, while for three years of that time he was its presiding officer. His record as mayor is unparalleled in the history of the city, for through sixteen years he has been the ,chief executive of 'Urbana. He filled this office for some years and then after an interval of two years was again chosen and continued as the chief executive until 1898. when he retired from office as he had CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 445 entered it, with the confidence and good will of all concerned. His administration has ever been practical and progressive, has brought many needed reforms and improvements and he has ever exercised his official prerogatives for the benefit of the public and not for self-aggrandizement. Over the record of his public career and private life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil and justly does he deserve the confidence and respect which is uniformly accorded him. JAMES F. McILVAINE. Upon a farm in section 31, Salem township, resides James F. McIlvaine, who is a worthy representative of the great department of labor of which George Washington said: "Agriculture is the most useful as well as the highest occupation of man." He was born in Salem township, on the 26th of April, 1845, and comes of an old Kentucky family. His paternal grandfather, Samuel Mcllvaine, resided in the Blue Grass state and thinking to more rapidly acquire a competence he removed to Ohio, settling in Champaign county, about 1808, in the pioneer epoch of its history. Here he entered land from the government, becoming; the owner of a tract in Salem township, upon which not a furrow had been cultivated, but his. unremitting diligence soon wrought transformation and his farm is to-day a valuable and productive one. Moses Mcllvaine, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky, and was a youth of nine summers when he accompanied his parents to Ohio. He soon understood just what all the hardships and privation as well as the pleasures of pioneer life were, and he assisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm and continued to carry on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred when he was sixty-seven years 446 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. of age. He had passed almost his entire life in Champaign county. He attended and supported the Christian church of West Liberty and in his political views was first a Whig and then a Republican. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Sarah Black, and she, too, was born in Kentucky, a daughter of Alexander Black, who became one of the first settlers of Champaign county, arriving here about 1809. Mir. and Mrs. Mcllvaine made their home in Salem township, where they spent their entire lives from the time of their marriage until they were called to the home beyond. Their union was blessed with six sons and four daughters, and of this family our subject is the youngest and the only one now living. In the township of his nativity James F. Mcllvaine was reared and educated. At the usual age he entered the district school in a log building, where the furnishings were primitive and the methods of instruction almost equally so. He was thus engaged until he had mastered the common branches of English learning. His training at farm labor, however, was not neglected, for he assisted in the cultivation and improvement of the old homestead farm. In 1872 he married Emma Donovan, a native of Franklin county, Ohio, and a daughter of Joseph and Harriet Donovan, who was reared in Franklin county. The young couple began their domestic life upon the old farm homestead and thence came to their present home in Salem township, where Mr. Mcllvaine is successfully carrying on agricultural pursuits. He thoroughly understands farm work in all its departments, giving his attention to the crops best adapted to the climate, and his efforts have resulted in bringing to him a well merited prosperity. He is one of the stockholders of the Farmers' Bank of West Liberty and also owns property in that town. His farm comprises one hundred and forty-two acres of land and his attention to the cultivation of cereals best adapted CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 447 to the climate, as well as his success in the raising of stock, have brought him good returns. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Mcllvaine has been blessed with three children: Arthur Burleigh, who is cashier of the Farmers' Bank of West Liberty; Hattie, deceased, and Harry, at home. Mr. Mcllvaine exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party and he is one of its leading representatives in the county. He has spent his entire life in Salem township, covering a period of fifty-seven years, and his course has been honorable and straightforward, gaining for him the respect of all with whom he has been associated. He has placed his dependence upon industry, perseverance and determination, seeking no outside aid or influence and in his business career has steadily advanced from a humble financial position to one of affluence. JOHN A. SEATON. For many years a representative agriculturist of Champaign county, honored and respected in every class of society, Mr. Seaton has long been a leader in thought and action in the public life of his community. He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, August 7, 1829. His father, William Seaton, was a native of the north of Ireland, and about 1828 crossed the Atlantic to America, locating in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he followed his trade of a stone-mason for some time and afterward embarked in the mercantile business in Washington county, that state. In 1847 he took up his abode in Adams county, Ohio, and there devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred at the age of sixty years. He gave his political support to the Democratic party, and religiously was a member of the 448 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. United Presbyterian church. In his native land he was united in marriage to Jane Patterson, also a native of the north of Ireland, and her death occurred at the age of forty years. This worthy couple were the parents of six children, five daughters and a son, but the daughters are all deceased. John A. Seaton, the only son in the above family, was but one year old when he was taken by his parents to Washington county, Pennsylvania, and there he remained until his seventeenth year, during which time he attended the public schools and assisted in his father's store. Accompanying his parents on their removal to Adams county, Ohio, he there remained until 1853, and from that time until 1856 made his home in Champaign county. In the latter year he went to Illinois, and after spending a year in Hancock and other counties in that state returned to his parents' home in Adams county, Ohio. In 1861, at the outbreak of the Civil war, he nobly offered his services to the Union cause, and as a member of Company I, Thirty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, served as a loyal soldier for two years and ten months. During this period he was sent to St. Louis, Missouri, where he remained for three weeks, when, under the command of General Fremont, he was ordered with his regiment to follow Price through Missouri. In the fall of 1861 our subject became ill at Chillicothe, Missouri, and was ordered to the hospital at Quincy, Illinois. When sufficiently recovered he was there made master of the convalescent ward, after which he was promoted to the position of acting steward, and in 1863 received the appointment of regimental hospital steward, serving in the last named position until his discharge. In the city of Quincy, Illinois, in 1863, he was married to Eliza Jane Wallace, but after a happy married life of only nine months she was called to her final rest. In 1864 Mr. Seaton returned to Adams county, Ohio, where he was employed in a store for a time, and in 1866 came to Champaign county. On his arrival here CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 449 he located in Salem township, where he has ever since devoted his attention to farming and stock-raising. In 1866, in Champaign county, he was united in marriage to Sarah Stewart, born on King's creek, in Salem township, and a daughter of Mathew Stewart. Two sons were born of this union,—Mathew Stewart, who married Effie Pearce and makes his home with his father, and Charles William, at home. The wife and mother was called to the home beyond on the 1st of January, 1902, when she had passed the age of three score years and ten. Throughout the years of his manhood Mr. Seaton has given an unfaltering support to the principles of the Republican party, and on its ticket in 1893 was elected to the position of county infirmary director, continuing an incumbent in that office for six years. For a period of five years he served his township with efficiency as trustee, and one year before his term of office expired he resigned that position to again take up the duties of county infirmary director. He has also served as a school director for nine years. He maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades of the blue by his membership. with W. A. Brand Post, G. A. R., of Urbana. JAMES A. LEE. James A. Lee is a prominent, progressive and intelligent farmer of Mad River township, Champaign county, residing on section 14. He was horn in this township, March 17, 1852. His father, William Lee, was a native of Berkeley county, Virginia, horn March 25. 181o,• and when only three years old was brought by his parents to Champaign county. His father, John Lee, was also a native of the Old Dominion, and in the year 1813 emigrated westward to Ohio, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of this portion of the state. He took up his abode