(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 450 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. in the midst of the grown forest, where he developed an excellent farm, upon which he spent his remaining days. His remains were then interred in the old cemetery near the Children's Home north of Urbana. It was in Mad River township that William Lee was reared and educated. He lost his father when only about six years old and his mother then came to this township, settling in the midst of the forest, upon a farm now owned by Le Roy Bowers. There she reared her four 'sons and one daughter, of whom William Lee was the second in order of birth. Throughout his remaining days he was identified with agricultural interests in Mad River township and through seventy-five years he traveled life's journey an honored and respected man. After arriving at years of maturity he married Susanna Blose, who was born in Virginia and with her parents came to Champaign county, the family settling in Mad River township during her early girlhood. Her father, John Blose, was born in Virginia and in pioneer days became an active factor in the early development of this portion of the state. His daughter, Mrs Lee, died in her sixty-ninth year. By her marriage she had become the mother of fifteen children, six sons and nine daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity, with the exception of two sons that died in infancy. Of the remainder only one had passed away before the death of the mother: James A. Lee is the youngest son and twelfth child. He was reared in Mad River township and the district schools afforded him his educational privileges, while his training at farm work was received in field and meadow. On the 2nd of February, 1881, was celebrated his marriage to Rachel R. Dredge, who was born in Springfield township, Clark county, Ohio, March .15, 1858, her parents being John and Frances (Wingert) Dredge, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, in which state they were reared and married, coming thence to Clark county, Ohio, in the year 1853. The father was a miller by occupation. CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 453 Mrs. Lee was their 'fifth child and third daughter and in Clark county she was reared and educated, completing her studies in the high school at Lawrenceville, after which she engaged in teaching for about two years. The Lee home is one of the best residences in the township and was erected in 1890. It was planned and designed by our subject and is a monument to his architectural skill as well as to his business thrift. He has one hundred and six acres of land under a high state of cultivation and in connection with general farming is engaged in the manufacture of butter. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have no children of their own, but have reared two children, who are now married and at the present time they have a boy living with them, Eugene Gudten, who will be 'taken care of by our subject. Wilber Falk, whom our subject reared, is now married to F. F. Cook. He also reared Elba Shrader, who married Samuel Edwards, and they at present have no children. Mr. Lee gives his political support to the Democracy and 'has been a member of the school board for several years. His wife is a member of Brethren in Christ church and both are highly esteemed throughout the community, where their circle of friends is almost co-extensive with their circle of acquaintances. JOHN H. CLARK, M. D. A name inseparably associated with the highest development of medical science in Champaign county is that of John H. Clark, who was born on a farm in Union township, this county, September 28, 1829, and died. in Mechanicsburg, the city for whose all around well being he had so faithfully labored, in 1901. Stephen Clark, the father of .john H., was one of the very first white children born in Champaign county, whither his parents, John 454 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. and Phoebe (Mintern) Clark, had removed from New Jersey at a very early day. The family is of English descent, and the emigrating ancestor came to America long before the Revolutionary war. Stephen Clark was a farmer by occupation, and spent his early life in Ohio, although he eventually removed to Illinois, and died there at the age of sixty-two years. He married Hannah Jones, also a native of Champaign county,. and a daughter of Abraham and Mrs. (Howard) Jones, Quakers from Pennsylvania, and pioneers of this county. Of the children born to Stephen Clark and his wife, John H. was perhaps the most ambitious, his natural energy and aggressiveness being evinced on the home farm when he was yet a boy. He attended the public schools of his neighborhood, and later the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, and his professional training was received at the Starling Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1853. His first practice was undertaken at Mutual, in his native county, and in 1859 he located in Decatur, Illinois, removing two years later to his permanent home in Mechanicsburg. During the Civil war the Doctor served for three months on the United States Sanitary Commission, and from March 1, 1874, until May of 1876, he was medical superintendent of the Asylum for the Insane at Dayton, Ohio. With the exception of these two absences Dr. Clark had been continuously associated with pro-. fessional work in Mechanicsburg, and he arose to a truly enviable position as a physician and surgeon. He was a member of the Champaign County and Ohio State Medical Societies, as well as the American Medical Association, and was an occasional contributor to medical journals. In 1870 he was president of the County Medical Society. In political affiliation he was a Democrat, and he was a member of the Episcopal church. Fraternally he was associated with the Masons. In 1852 Dr. Clark married Elenor, daughter of William Williams, a most estimable pioneer of Champaign county. Mr. Williams was CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 455 born in Maryland March 30, 1810, a son of John W. and Eleanor (De Vail) Williams, natives of Maryland,. and of Welsh and French descent. respectively. In. 1834 Mr. Williams married Ann Clegett, born in Maryland in 1811, and soon after their marriage the parents came to Champaign county. where the father engaged in mercantile business in Mechanicsburg with considerable success. His wife died in 1862, and-his second wife was formerly Elizabeth Boswell. Mr. Williams died in 1887, and his wife died a few years after. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a stanch believer in Republican prin ciples. The county contained no more honored or respected citizen. Mrs. Clark, who survives her husband, has one son living, William by name, who is now operating in the lead and zinc mines of Missouri. Dr. Clark was president of the Farmers' Bank at Mechanicsburg for-many years. CAPT. CHARLES WARREN GUY Captain Charles W. Guy, a prominent representative of the busi-- ness interests of Mechanicsburg and a member of the Farmers' Elevator Company-, was born in Madison county, Ohio, November 8, 1843, and is a son of William and Adelaide (Fullington) Guy, whose history will be found in the sketch of E. A. Guy in this volume. Our subject was reared to years of maturity in Pike township, Madison county, Ohio,. and in its public schools he received the educational advantages which it was his privilege to enjoy in his youth, while later he became a student in the Mechanicsburg high school and the Delaware University. When eighteen years of age, in 1862, he voluntarily offered his service for three years to the Union cause, entering the army as a member of Company D, Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He entered the ranks as a pri- 456 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. vate, but for meritorious conduct on the field of battle was soon promoted to the position of first sergeant, later was made first lieutenant of Company G, and subsequently became captain of Company K, serving in the latter capacity until his discharge from the service at the close of the struggle in 1865.. During his military career he participated in the hard-fought battles of the war in which his regiment took part, including those of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ringold, Georgia, and was with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea. He was on duty continually from the time he entered the service until the struggle had passed, and during that time, although he was ever in the thickest of the fight, he was never wounded or captured. He was ever found at his post of duty, loyally upholding the starry banner, and his war record is one of which he has every reason to be proud, having re-enlisted with the regiment in 1864, thereby becoming a veteran soldier. After his return to the old homestead Mr. Guy at once resumed the labors of the farm, and is now the owner of his father's old homestead, which consists of two hundred and eighty acres, and he and his wife also own another tract of two hundred and twenty acres, which is the old Kennedy homestead. Be continued to make his home in Pike township until 1894, when he removed to Mechanicsburg and took charge of the Farmers' Elevator, of which he is now one of the stockholders and managers, and is also a stockholder and director in the Central Bank of Mechanicsburg. His reputation in all trade transactions is above question and to an unusual degree he enjoys the confidence and regard of those with whom he has been brought in contact through business dealings. He is a close student of the questions and issues of the day, and his political support is given to the principles of the Republican party. While residing in Madison county he served for a time as a CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 457 justice of the peace, and also as trustee of Pike township. For two years he served as president of the school board of Mechanicsburg. The marriage of Mr. Guy was celebrated in 1879, when Miss Florence E. Kennedy became his wife. She, too, is a native of Madison county and is a daughter of john H. and Abigail (Mitchell) Kennedy, who were members of pioneer families and large land owners of that county. Mrs. Guy is the eldest of their three children, and the knowledge which she received in the public schools of her native county was supplemented by a course in the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, where she enjoyed superior advantages. By her marriage to Mr. Guy she has become the mother of two children, a son and a daughter. The elder, Earl W., received his education in the Ohio State University at Columbus, Ohio, and is now assisting in the duties of the farm. The daughter, Irma Belle, is a graduate of the Mechanicsburg high school, of the Ohio Wesleyan University, of Delaware, Ohio, and the Cincinnati School of Music. In his social relations Captain Guy is a member of the Stephen Baxter Post, No. 88, of Mechanicsburg, of which he has been commander. He is also identified with the Masonic fraternity,. holding membership in the blue lodge, chapter and Raper Commandery of Urbana. He is a broad-minded, progressive man and a public-spirited citizen, and in all life's relations is found true to the duties of business and social life. MRS. HESTER WEST. Mrs. Hester West, one of the most highly esteemed residents of Jackson township, Champaign county, is the widow of -William West. The West family has been identified with the history of Champaign county almost since its organization. The great-grandfather of William 458 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. West was governor of Maryland under the British crown, and the family is of English descent. The grandfather, Byel West, was born in Maryland, and was a soldier under Washington throughout the period of the Revolutionary war. He with three brothers served for seven years, and when they finally- returned to their home they found that their parents had passed away in death. Stockwell West, the father, was born in Maryland in 1790, and in 18o8 he came with an uncle, Adamson Cowhick, to Champaign county, Ohio, where they erected a small pole cabin at what is now Big Spring, on Honey creek, Jackson township. About 1812 the family located on another branch of Honey creek. Mr. West took the place of a younger brother in the war of 1812, in which he :served as a private, and during that struggle he assisted in building Fort .McCarty. In this neighborhood the Indians murdered three men, and Mr. \Vest assisted in their burial. He spent nearly his entire life in Jackson township, and cleared and improved the farm now owned by a Mr. McCarty and others. He was a well known and influential resident of his locality, and long served as a superintendent and trustee of his township. His political support was given the Whig party, and on the -place where he had so long resided he passed away in death on the 4th of July-, 1852, dying in the faith of the Baptist church, of which he was a worthy and consistent member and for a long period served as deacon of the Honey creek church. On the 30th of May, 1816, in Jackson township, Stockwell West was united in marriage to Elizabeth Merritt, a native of Virginia and a daughter of John and Margaret (Stroup) Merritt. The latter was born in Germany, her father having been a burgomaster there, and she was a very handsome woman. When a child she was brought by her mother to America. John Merritt was born in Virginia, where he was a member of a prominent old family, and about 1810 he came to Champaign county, Ohio, where he entered nine quarter sections of land in Jackson CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 459 township, which he afterward divided among his children, giving to each a quarter section and retaining the same amount for himself. He was one of the oldest settlers of the locality, and his death occurred at the age of ninety-two years. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stockwell West located on the farm on which Mrs. William West now resides, and there the father passed away at the age of sixty-two years, but the mother reached the age of eighty-six years. This worthy couple became the parents of nine children, five sons and three daughters, namely : John, who died at the age of twenty-five years; William, who reached the good old age of eighty-four years; Sarah, who died at the age of twenty-four years; David, who passed away at the age of twenty-five years; James, deceased at the age of twenty-four years; Mary, who died at the early age of twenty-two years ; Henry, a resident of Champaign county; and Jerry, the youngest of the family. William West, the second son in the above family, was born in Jackson township, Champaign county, Ohio, July 13, 1818, and in the place of his birth he spent his entire life. Throughout his active business career he followed the tilling of the soil, and in his political views he was a Republican, having on its ticket been elected to many positions of honor and trust. As a companion on the journey of life he chose Miss Hester Grafton, who was also born in Jackson township, Champaign county, November 18, 1822. Her father, Ambrose Grafton, was a native of Virginia, and was one of the early pioneers of this county, He, too, was a farmer by occupation, and he lived to the age of seventy-nine years. He married Elizabeth Kelley, also a native of the Old Dominion, but in her girlhood she Was brought by her parents to Champaign county. They became the parents of thirteen children, of whom Mrs. West is the fourth in order of birth, and all were born in this county. In 1848 Mrs. West gave her hand in marriage to William West, and they had three children,—John, who died at the age of five 460 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. years; George W., a farmer of Jackson township; and Henry C., who makes his home with his mother. The mother of this family has now reached the age of eighty years, and she still resides. on the old West homestead in Jackson township, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, the work of which is carried on by her sons. Her many admirable qualities and social nature render her popular among a large circle of friends in Jackson township. Mr. West was called from the scenes of earth's activities in 1900, but his memory is still enshrined in the hearts of his many friends. AARON B. FUNK. For more than two-thirds of a century Aaron B. Funk has been a. resident of Champaign county, and his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present, for he has not only watched with interest the progress of others, showing the trend of civilization and improvement, but has borne his part in the work of advancement. He now resides in section 23, Salem township, and it was in this township that his birth occurred on the 8th of October, 1833. His father, Joel Funk, was a native of Maryland and was there reared, also spending a portion of his youth in Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Funk, died in Maryland or Pennsylvania.. He was descended from one of the three brothers that came from Rolland at a very early period in the history of this country and settled on the Atlantic coast. The father of our subject was married in Maryland and there took up his abode, following the occupation of milling for some time. In the year 1816 he arrived in Ohio, coming to this state on a visit, but being pleased with the prospect he returned to make it his permanent residence, in 1829, bringing his family. The journey CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 463 was made by teams and they were twenty-nine days in crossing the country. He settled in Salem township, where he secured a tract of wild land and began the development of a farm, and as the years advanced this land returned to him an excellent income. There his remaining days were spent and he departed this life in 1861, at the age of seventy-two years. He was a very prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, active in its work and a liberal contributor to its support. He voted the Whig ticket until the organization of the Union party, when he became a Republican and continued one of its earnest supporters until his demise. He filled the office of justice of the peace and was a delegate to the Baltimore convention that nominated Bell and Everett in 186o. His interest in politics was deep and sincere and as all American citizens should do he kept well informed concerning the issues of the day. He married Elizabeth Kanaga, a native of Pennsylvania, where she was reared and married. She was brought up in the faith of the Mennonite church, but became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. She lived to be about eighty-four years of age. Her father was Christopher Kanaga, who was of German lineage, and thus the blood of German and Holland ancestors flows in the veins of our subject. His parents had a family of eight children, five of whom reached adult age, three sons and two daughters, but only two of the number are now living, the sister being Mrs. Caroline Share, of Minnesota. Mr. Funk, of this review, was the seventh child and fifth son and is the only representative of this family in the county. He was reared in his native township, pursuing his education in the log school house of the early days. He remained at home during the days of his youth, assisting in the cultivation and development of the home farm and thus his experience well fitted him. to carry on agricultural pursuits on his own account. 24 464 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY On the 13th of November; 1860, Mr. Funk was united in marriage to Sarah Russell, a native of Champaign county, who was born in Concord township January 31, 1836. Her parents were James and Julia (Mitchell) Russell. Her father was a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, and Was about a year old when brought by his parents to Champaign county, Ohio, the former settling in Concord township. There he was married and made his home through most of his remaining days, but died in Salem township in 1897, at the ripe old age of eighty-five years. His wife reached even a more extreme old age, departing this life at the age of eighty-eight. In their family were nine children, of whom two are now living, Mrs. Funk and Mrs. Berne Outran, who makes her home with her son in Salem township. Mrs. Funk was the second of the nine children and was reared in Concord township, the public schools of that locality furnishing her early educational privileges, and later she became a student in the school of Belle Fountain. Our subject and his wife began their domestic life upon the farm where they are still living. They have no children of their own, but have cared for some adopted children. Mr. Funk has given his attention to the conduct of his farm, which comprises one hundred and forty :acres. He has also been engaged in the grain business, buying and selling grain to a considerable extent in connection with his farming operations. His entire life has been passed in Salem township, with the exception of a period of seven years, during which time he was engaged in the grain and stock business in Urbana, when he rented his farm. He is a stanch Republican, giving his unfaltering support to the principles of the party. As a member of the craft he belongs to King Creek Lodge, F. & A. M., which he joined at the time of its organization. He now has been a good Mason for forty-five years. For some years previous he was a member of the West Liberty Lodge in Logan county. He is identified through membership relations with the Methodist Epis- CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 405 copal church at Kings Creek is serving as one of its board of trustees and is a most active worker in its behalf, doing all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. Mr. Funk has led a useful and upright life and has gained the high regard of young and old, rich and poor. He is a worthy representative of an honorable pioneer family and at all times his career has been such as to reflect credit upon an untarnished family name. Abner Riddle was a nephew of Mrs. Elizabeth Mitchell, Mrs. Arom being a cousin a third removed. The Riddles were a very old and honored family of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. JOHN R. MOODY. The life history of him whose name heads this sketch is closely identified with the history of Champaign county, which has been his home throughout nearly his entire life. His career has been one of untiring activity, has been crowned with a degree of success, and none more than he deserves a fitting recognition among the men in this section of the state. Mr. Moody was born in Mechanicsburg, Ohio, June 3, 1848, a son of Moses U. and Mariah (Guy) Moody, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Canada. The father came with his parents to Champaign county in a very early day, and the mother's people were also among the pioneers of this locality, and both became prominent and successful school teachers, teaching in both Madison and Champaign counties. Their marriage was celebrated in Madison county, and they became the parents of five children, our subject being the second child and only son. The father was called to his final rest at the age of fifty-three years, but the mother reached the age of three score years and ten. The educational advantages which Mr. Moody, of this review, received in his youth were those afforded by the district schools of Union 466 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. township, and after completing his studies he was for five years engage& in teaching in those same schools, while for one year he was employed in the school at Mutual. After his marriage he located on a farm in Union township, but after a time removed to Mechanicsburg. He carried on agricultural pursuits on the old home farm in Union township, there remaining until the fall of 1891, when he removed to Schuyler county, Missouri. After a short residence there of two years he returned to the Buckeye state, locating on the farm which he now owns and occupies. His landed possessions now consist of one hundred and ninety acres, one hundred and fifty-seven of which are located in Union and the remainder in Goshen township. By close application and earnest labor he has worked his way steadily upward, until to-day he stands among the foremost representatives of agricultural interests in his section of the Buckeye state. In September, 1868, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Moody and Miss Serepta Bowen. She, too, is a native of Goshen township, Champaign county. Unto this union have been born four living children, as follows : Carl E., who is married and resides on a farm in Union township ; Lula, the wife of Will Millice, a farmer of Goshen township ; and Maggie and Laura, at home. In politics Mr. Moody is a stanch Republican and keeps well informed on the issues of the day. He has served his township as its trustee, and has ever taken an active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his locality. JOHN ENOCH. John Enoch, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Redstone Fort, near Uniontown, Pennsylvania, August 2, 1773, when the *Indians had it under siege. At the age of twenty he was married to CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 469 Miss Mary Tucker, of Elizabethtown, New Jersey. In the fall of 1797 he descended the Ohio river in a flat-bottomed boat, landing at Fort Washington, now the city of Cincinnati. He settled on a farm near Middletown, Butler county, Ohio. It was at this place that the subject of this biography was born, in the territory of Ohio, on the 12th of June, 1802, in a Buckeye cabin. In 18o8 Mr. Enoch moved to a farm near Franklin, Warren county, Ohio, and built mills there. In the fall of 1810 he moved to a farm five miles west of Springfield, Ohio, near a small town called New Boston, the birthplace of the famous Shawnee Indian chief, Tecumseh. In the fall of 1812 he moved to his estate, comprising three thousand acres, in the Mad river and Macachuk vallies, to the place where General A. S. Pratt's mill stands. In that day very few advantages of civilization were enjoyed by the settlers in this locality. Mr. Enoch sent his wheat to a mill on the site where the village of Kingston is situated, following an Indian trail, they being the only outlined paths in the country. The mill was operated by a Mr. Taylor. The prairie fires swept the country annually, destroying all vegetation. There was but one habitation from Macachuk to Kingston, and that was a cabin occupied by a Mr. Smith. War was declared shortly after Mr. Enoch's arrival at Macachuk, which created great alarm among the settlers. Much of their property was pressed into the service and Mr. Enoch shared this misfortune largely with the other settlers. In the fall of 1813 he moved his family to Urbana, and resided in a two-story log house on the present site of Grace Methodist Episcopal church. In March, 1814, he returned to Macachuk. In 1815 he moved to the place where West Liberty is located and built a mill and residence there, both of which are standing intact to-clay. In 1817 he gave the land and laid out the town, the plat being drawn by Thomas Thompson. Previous to Mr: Enoch's arrival at Macachuk a great many Indians resided in this part of the state, representing the Shawnee, Seneca 470 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. and Wyandotte tribes. One of their towns was located on Mr. Enoch's estate, called Macachuk, situated a short distance from his home, on the site where Mr. Nash's residence stands. Wappatomica was situated near the village of Zanesfield. These towns were deserted when Mr. Enoch came to Macachuk. A mound is still distinguishable on Mr. Enoch's farm where the young warriors performed their athletic sports or tested the speed of their horses, while the older members of the tribes sat on the mound to witness and pass judgment on their skill and dexterity. At the declaration of war the friendly Indians moved to the northern part of Ohio, making Upper Sandusky their nucleus. Mononcue was the head chief of the Wyandotte tribe. Between-the-Logs and Jocco were other chiefs of the same tribe. The subject of this sketch told me he was personally acquainted with them and frequently met them when he visited Upper Sandusky. In 1833 he was a guest of Chief Jocco, who entertained him in the most hospitable manner. His residence was neat and comfortable in all of its appointments.. In the evening before retiring he called all of his household together and offered up a most earnest and devout invocation to the "Great Spirit." Mr. Enoch was a lover of fine horses and owned several fine representatives of the race course. His son remarked to me that the first service he ever performed was to take stems out of corn blades to feed his father's race horses. Mr. Enoch learned the trade of milling in his father's mill at West Liberty, and served a large patronage, many of them being Indians. In 1820 Mr. Enoch cut the first road from Bellefontaine to Fort Finley. In this undertaking his son aided him by carrying supplies and superintending the preparation of them for use. At this period Mr. Enoch's business career began under the espionage of his father, who sent him to the markets on the northern frontier with herds of beef cattle to be disposed of by him at Monroe, Browns Town and Detroit, Michigan, to French and British traders. These journeys in- CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 471 volved much danger and many hardships, but Mr. Enoch's undaunted courage and strong determination carried him through successfully. At one time he was obliged to cross his cattle at the head of Lake Erie over the ice a distance of seven miles. This was a hazardous venture, but he succeeded without harm. On July 25, 1822, Mr. Enoch married Miss Elizabeth Kelly, a native of Augusta county, Virginia. She was born April 9, 1803, and was of German extraction, endowed, with rare qualities of mind and heart, a woman of remarkable powers of administration, and one in whose character the Christian graces were beautifully illustrated all through her long, active and useful life. A short period after their marriage they established a permanent home on a tract of four hundred acres in the Macachuk valley, in Salem township, Champaign county. Here Mr. Enoch followed his chosen vocations of farming and stock raising. By reason of his industry, keen foresight, strong purpose and unfaltering energy he became the possessor of one of the finest stock and grain farms in the state of Ohio, besides a desirable farm in Illinois. In the early period of his career he traveled extensively over the states of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, buying herds of cattle and driving them to his home farms, where they were fed and grazed for the eastern markets. Before the day of railroads Mr. Enoch drove several of his herds to the markets at Philadelphia and New York City. These journeys required a duration of over two months, leaving his home usually about the first of April and reaching their destination the middle of June. Mr. Enoch followed his business of preparing some of the best herds of beef cattle that went from this part of the west to the eastern markets for over a half century. He was a fine judge of a bullock, and his judgment and opinions were sought after and had high standing during the whole of his long life given to this business, In conjunction with Governor Vance and other noted stockmen he was conspicuous in breeding 472 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Shorthorn cattle, and in encouraging the farmers to improve their stock. He was a lover of well-bred .horses and owned many specimens of that class, and few men could handle a team with the skill or sit a saddle horse with the grace and elegance that Mr. Enoch could. At the age of eighty years a lady friend decorated his horse in the streets of West Liberty with a wreath of beautiful flowers as an expression of her admiration of his high order of horsemanship. The subject of this sketch had natural fitness for other pursuits. His intelligence, high character, prominent and wide acquaintance, coupled with his great energy and fine social qualities, would have made him a favorite candidate for political honors in his party, but he shrank from such notoriety. He took, however, an active part in political matters and did all that a liberal-minded, honorable man could to promote the welfare of his party. As a Whig he voted his first presidential ticket for John Quincy Adams in 1824, and continued to vote for Whig candidates until the dissolution of that party. He then became an enthusiastic member of the Republican party, probably never allowing an election to pass without recording his vote during his long and active life. The same golden principle that distinguished him as a business man characterized him as a Christian and made him a sincere and reliable citizen in all the walks of life. Mr. Enoch's educational facilities were limited, but his strong common sense and keen powers of observation overcame this defect in a large degree and made him a most agreeable conversationalist and fair scholar. He was of Welsh extraction and was said to bear a strong resemblance to that type. In personal appearance John Enoch was tall and commanding, having a strong body, well organized in every way to endure .the active outdoor life which he led and which was not interrupted by any illness worthy of mention for a period of over three-quarters of a century. He was a man of courtly manners and warm friendships, and had a pleasant-greet- CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 473 ing for all he met. In his home a generous hospitality and warm welcome was extended to all by himself and his amiable wife. The last twelve months of his life he was confined to his room by severe illness, with much suffering, which he bore patiently until the end, which came one peaceful Sabbath day, the 7th of July, 1889, when he passed over to where "the wicked cease to trouble, and the weary are at rest," closing a good and useful life at the age of four score and seven years. JOHN P. KNIGHT. We of this electrical twentieth century, with its strenuous energies and magnificent potentialities, can not afford to hold in light esteem the record of worthy lives and noble deeds, and it is duty for every man to be mindful of those of his ancestors who have wrought well in the days past. The subject of this review is one of the representative citizens of Urbana township, Champaign county, where he has spent the greater portion of his life, being now a retired farmer. His genealogy is such as to offer to him a source of just pride and gratification, and in this article a resume of the same will be given. John P. Knight traces his lineage back through three generations to Rev. John Corbly, the father of his great-grandmother, Priscilla (Corbly) Knight. Rev. John Corbly was born in England, in 1733, and, emigrating to America in his youth, he became identified with those early Christian pioneers who labored amid the dangers of a new country to establish the gospel. He first labored in Virginia, and here he was not only persecuted in diver's ways for his preaching, but was also thrown into jail. But the jail bars could not confine his missionary ambition nor restrain his zeal, for he preached from the jail to thousands who 474 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. were, attracted by his native eloquence and unabated enthusiasm. The violence of his persecution in Virginia finally becoming intolerable, he removed into southwestern Pennsylvania, which was then a veritable wilderness, and there he assisted his colaborers in the establishing of churches. This necessitated the dangerous task of traveling from place to place through forests infested by the treacherous Indians. On one Sunday morning he and his wife and five children started from their home at Grand Station, near Redstone Fort, to hold services at a meeting-house about one and one-half miles distant. Before they had reached their destination Mr. Corbly discovered that he had forgotten his hymn book, and returned to his home for the same, his family in the meanwhile continuing on their way to the church. During the short period of his absence his unprotected wife and five children were fired upon by Indians concealed in the woods, and all were shot except two daughters, who were caught, scalped and left for dead. These two girls, named Elizabeth and Delilah, aged six and eight years respectively, were afterward found and resuscitated, this tragic event occurring about the year 1788. John Corbly died about 184 having had a very successful ministry, despite the obstacles that were imposed in his pathway. He was married three times. The wife thus killed was his second wife, and the five children were all born of this marriage. His third wife surived him and became the wife of Matthias Corwin, father of Hon. Thomas Corwin, the distinguished statesman of Ohio, who served as governor of the state, as United States senator and as secretary of the treasury. Of the two daughters who survived the massacre, Elizabeth never married, while Delilah became the wife of Levi Martin. and they were the grandparents of Delilah Martin Knight, wife of Stephen Knight, who lived in Troy, Ohio, where his death occurred July 6, 1895, while she passed away in 1836. The lineage of John P. Knight, the subject of this sketch, thus goes. CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 475 back to Priscilla Corbly, daughter of Rev. John Corbly and his first wife.. His great-grandfather, William Knight, married Priscilla, and of their children we are enabled to incorporate the following data: John, who first married a Miss Wilson, and after her death a Miss Green; David, who married Patsey Clark ; Elizabeth, who married Paul Fensler; Rachel, who married James Frazer; Jonathan, who married Catherine James; William C., who married Matilda Frizell; Priscilla, who married General John Webb ; Nancy, who married George W. Green; Mary, who married John Corry; and Delilah, who married Enoch McFarland. William and Priscilla Knight lived at Redstone Fort, Pennsylvania.. whence they eventually removed to Hamilton county, Ohio, this being at the period when General Wayne was here in conflict with the Indians.. William Knight here died in 1815 or 1816. John F. Knight's grandparents in the agnatic line were Jonathan and Catherine (Tames) Knight, whose children were as follows: William D., who married Elizabeth Palmer, they being the parents of the immediate subject of this review; Stephen, who married Delilah Martin; Paul, who married Charlotte Enseminger; Corbly, who married Catherine Babb; Mary Ann, who married John Green; Elizabeth, who married Isaac Clyne; and Priscilla, who married George Clyde. Jonathan Knight died in Hamilton county in 1822, and after his death his widow and their six children were induced by William C. Knight, a brother of the deceased husband and father, to come to Miami county, where the children eventually all married and settled, except William D., who removed to Champaign county in 1853, his son John P., the subject of this sketch, being fourteen years of age at the time. Of the children of William I). and Elizabeth (Palmer) Knight we incorporate the following brief record: John P., who married Jennie Rawlings; Wilford 0., who married Sallie McDonald, daughter of Hugh and Sarah McDonald, of Urbana; Stephen C., who was first mar- 476 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. ried to Elizabeth Morgan, of Champaign, Illinois, and later to Jennie Doty, of the same place; Catherine, who married Ezekiel Sayres, of Miami county ; Sidney, who remained unmarried; and Maggie, who died in August, 1879, at the age of twenty-three years. William D. Knight died in December, 189o, and his wife, Elizabeth (Palmer) Knight, still survives him, being in her eighty-second year at the time of this writing (May, 1902). She is a daughter of John and Margaret (Hance) Palmer, the former of whom was born near Bristol, England, on the 19th of September, 1791, having been the eldest son of Robert and Hannah (Anthony) Palmer; his death occurred December 11, 1882. From the time of his father's removal from Miami to Champaign -county, in 1853, John P. Knight has been a resident of Urbana township. He began his independent career as a school teacher, giving inception to his pedagogic endeavors at the age of nineteen years. He was considered to be very successful, holding at the close of his five years of service as a teacher the best certificate offered by the school examiners -of Champaign county, and having risen to the position of principal of the Central-ward school in the city of Urbana. On March 17, 1864, he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie E. Rawlings, daughter of James and Susana ( McRoberts) Rawlings, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work, in connection with the sketch of their son Thomas. Soon after his marriage Mr. Knight removed to the farm where he now lives, this being the homestead upon which Mrs. Knight's father settled in his early manhood, in 1829, moving into a log house of those primitive times. Mr. Knight has always been an exemplary citizen, standing ready at all times to lend his aid in fortifying every good cause, whether it be social, religious or political in its nature. He has never aspired to gain the honors or emoluments of public office; nevertheless he has been a member of the board of education in Urbana township for a period of thirty years, being at the CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 477 present time the president of that body. He was elected and served as. decennial land appraiser for the township in 1900. John P. and Jennie R. Knight are the parents of four children. William J., the eldest, was educated at Oberlin College, where he completed the classical course and was graduated as a member of the class of 1889. Soon after finishing his education he abandoned professional ambitions, on account of failing health, and settled on the home farm. Since regaining his health he has become a member of the firm called the Urbana Hardware & Supply Company, located at Urbana, Ohio, where he is doing a nice business. In 1899 he married Florence Dempcy, born December 29, 1 864, daughter of Ezra L. and Lucretia (Pennington) Dempcy, and of this union one child has been born,—Paul Dempcy Knight. Edwin Stanton, the second son of John P. and Jennie R. Knight, is at present a resident of Chemulpo, Korea, Asia, where he is with the Oriental Consolidated Mining Company as superintendent of transportation. Though only a little past thirty years of age he has traveled over all parts of the United States. At the time when the Spanish-American war was precipitated he was a resident of the city of Chicago and enlisted in the First Illinois Infantry, with which he proceeded to Cuba, having been on the fighting line at Santiago when the city capitulated. Harley E., the third son, born January 18, 1872, married, in his twentieth year, Fannie Clark and settled on the home farm. They are the parents of three promising children,—Stella, Harold and Ruth. Earl R., the youngest son, born April 3o, 1876, was educated at Purdue University, at Lafayette, Indiana, where he completed the course in electrical engineering and was graduated in 1899. He has since been incumbent of two good positions, being at the present time employed as assistant chief draftsman with the Bullock Electrical Manufacturing Company at Cincinnati. He is not married. John P. Knight, though a retired farmer, still remains on the farm 478 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. which has been the family homestead for three-quarters of a century. He has taken great pride in improving it with excellent buildings and all the modern conveniences pertaining to the business of agriculture. CLARENCE M. McLAUGHLIN, M. D. The father of the subject of this review was numbered among the pioneer physicians and surgeons of Champaign county and attained distinct prestige in his profession, while he was honored as one of the sterling citizens of the county, devoting his life unreservedly to relieving suffering and distress and gaining the affection of an exceptionally wide circle of friends. He maintained his home in Westville and was here engaged in active practice for more than thirty years, and it is most consonant that the work which he laid down after the years of earnest toil and endeavor should be taken up by his son, who is one of the representative young medical practitioners of the county and who figures as the immediate subject of this brief sketch. Dr. Clarence M. McLaughlin was born in Westville, where he now maintains his home, the date of his nativity having been August 19, 1864. He is a son of Dr. Richard R. McLaughlin, who was horn in Clark county, this state, and who was reared on a farm in Green county, Wisconsin, whither his parents removed from Indiana, where they had lived for about six years. When he was a child of about ten years, and after attending the common schools of the period and place, he began reading medicine under the preceptorage of his uncle and thus prepared himself for the active work of his profession, and began the practice in Illinois, and then in Wisconsin. In 1861 he established himself in the practice of medicine in Westville, and here he continued his zealous and beneficent labors until his death, in the year 1891, representing a period of thirty-three years. He was one of the leading physicians of the county and his practice extended over a wide radius of country and implied the endur- CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 479 ance of many hardships, but he never refused to go to the bedside of the suffering, no matter how distant or how tempestuous the weather or dark the night or seemingly impassable the road. The old time "country doctors" should be held in grateful memory for all time, for their lives were self-abnegating and selfishness was foreign to their natures in the average case. The senior Dr. McLaughlin was a member of the Champaign County Medical Society and one of its organizers, while he ever commanded the confidence and high regard of his professional confreres. His religious faith was that of the Universalist church, and he was one of the charter members of the church in Westville, ever taking a deep interest in its work and in all that conserved the welfare of his fellowmen. He was a prominent temperance worker, and in this line made many able speeches throughout the county. He married Charlotte S. Wilson, who was born in Champaign county, the daughter of Rezin C. Wilson, who was one of the pioneers of this county, whither he is supposed to have emigrated from Virginia. Mrs. McLaughlin survives her honored husband and makes her home with her son, the subject of this review. She became the mother of two sons and three daughters, one of the daughters dying at the age of two years. Of the other children we enter brief record as follows : Minnie B. became the wife of Charles D. Ogden, of Columbus, Ohio, where she died on the 8th of July, 1900; Rev. Ira W. is a clergyman of the Universalist church and is now residing in North Hatley, Quebec, Canada; Clarence M. is the subject of this sketch ; and Lottie J. is the wife of Richard K. Fox, a photographer of Dayton, this state. Dr. Clarence M. McLaughlin received his preliminary education in the public schools of Westville and thereafter continued his literary studies in the Urbana University. In fortifying himself for the work of his chosen profession he was matriculated in Starling Medical College, at Columbus, where he completed a thorough technical course in medicine and surgery and was graduated as a member of the class of 480 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 1886, receiving his coveted degree of Doctor of Medicine. He forthwith became associated with his father in practice, and this professional alliance continued until the death of the latter, since which time our subject has carried forward the work individually, his unmistakable ability and the prestige of the name having enabled him to build up a large and representative practice, while he enjoys marked popularity and esteem in the community where practically his entire life has been spent. The Doctor is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixtyseven acres in Mad River township, and here he devotes special attention to the raising of thoroughbred Jersey cattle, his farm having a high reputation in this line, while he takes great interest in the same. He is a member of the Champaign County Medical Society and of the Universalist church, while fraternally he is identified with Harmony Lodge, No. 8, A. F. & A. M.; Urbana Chapter, No. 34, R. A. M., at Urbana ; with Magrew Lodge, No. 433, Knights of Pythias, and with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, in Urbana. lie is a Democrat in his political proclivities, but in local affairs maintains an independent attitude, giving his support to men and measures rather than being guided' by strict partisan lines. On the 1st of September, 1897, Dr. McLaughlin was united in marriage to Miss Nellie B. Denny, the daughter of Dennis and Sally (Nichols) Denny, natives respectively of Logan and Champaign counties, Ohio, and now residents of .Logan county. SAMUEL L. P. STONE. In this age of colossal enterprise and marked intellectual energy the prominent and successful men in any community are those whose abilities, persistence and courage lead them into undertakings of large scope, and to assume the responsibilities and labors of leaders in their respective: CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 483 vocations. Success is methodical and consecutive,—the result of the determined application of one's abilities and powers along the rigidly defined line of labor. Prominent among the progressive and representative business men of the city of Urbana is numbered Mr. Stone, who stands at the head of the extensive hardware house conducted under the firm name of Stone Brothers and who has been consecutively identified with this enterprise for more than a quarter of a century, the interest of his deceased brother, the late Ferdinand F. Stone, being still retained in the business, which involves both wholesale and retail operations and which is one of the most important of the sort in central Ohio. Indefatigable, honorable and well directed industry has been the conservator of the marked success which has attended the efforts of our subject, and he has long been a factor in the commercial and civic life of Urbana, where he commands unequivocal confidence and esteem, by reason of his sterling manhood and useful life. Samuel Lukins Pigeon Stone is a native of the Old Dominion, having been born in Hampshire county, Virginia, on the 24th of July, 1838, the son of Ferdinand and Mary (Pigeon) Stone, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania, of German lineage, and the latter in Lynchburg, Virginia, her ancestral line tracing back to English origin, while both were birthright members of that gentle and noble religious sect, the Society of Friends. They became the parents of five children, !lamely : John H. P., a prominent citizen 'of Urbana; Joseph S., who was a leading physician of Denver, Colorado, and who is now deceased; Sarah E., who died at the age of eight years; Ferdinand Fairfax, who was associated with our subject in business and who died in 1898; and Samuel L. P., to whom this sketch is dedicated. The father was born in 1803 and died in Urbana in 1874, his widow, who was born in 1804, passing away in 1884. They came to Urbana in July, 1858, and here passed the remainder of their lives, the father having been engaged in 25 484 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. the milling business here during the entire period of his residence. He was a Democrat in his political proclivities, and his religious faith was that of the Lutheran church, while his wife, though .a Quaker by birth, became a devoted member of the Presbyterian church. Samuel L. P. Stone was a youth of nineteen years when the family came to Urbana, and his educational discipline involved the curriculum of the public schools of the day, and this was effectively supplemented by a course of study in Edwards College, at Piedmont, Virginia, where he was graduated prior to his coming to Ohio. He learned the milling trade under the effective direction of his father, being connected with the enterprise in Urbana for four years, at the expiration of which he here engaged in the grocery business, under the firm name of Stone & O'Connor, thus continuing one year, after which he individually continued in the same line of enterprise for the ensuing decade, from 1862 to 1872, in which latter year was given inception to the important business of which he is now the head. He was associated with his brother Ferdinand in the establishing of a hardware business, under the firm name of Stone Brothers, which has ever since been maintained, the enterprise being capably managed and expanding in scope and importance with the development of the city and county. It is now one of the best equipped concerns of the sort in this section of the state and the business has extensive ramifications, being both wholesale and retail in character and implying the handling of a most complete and comprehensive stock, including heavy and shelf hardware, glass, paints and oils, builders' supplies, implements, glass, etc. The commodious headquarters are most eligibly located at 107 North Main street, where three stories of a substantial business block are utilized, and also a two-story warehouse, giving an aggregate floor space of sixty-one thousand square feet, from which statement may be gleaned an idea as to the stock carried. As has been well said of Mr. Stone, he "has during his active business CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 485 career won a measure of popularity, confidence and respect in Urbana that is second to that of no other member of the commercial circles of this progressive city." He has other important local interests aside from that already mentioned, being a member of the directorate of the Citizens' National Bank ; treasurer of the Perpetual Building & Loan Association, of which he was one of the organizers ; and is treasurer of the Urbana Art Ice Company. Ever alive to the duties of citizenship, and maintaining a distinctive interest in all that concerns the progress and material prosperity of his home city, Mr. Stone is known as a thoroughly generous and public-spirited citizen. He gives an uncompromising allegiance to the Democratic party and has been an active advocate of its cause. He was appointed postmaster of Urbana during Cleveland's first administration and served in that capacity for nearly five years, doing much to promote the efficiency of service and giving an able administration of the affairs of the office. In the spring of 1902 Mr. Stone received the Democratic nomination for mayor of Urbana and was elected by a majority of sixty-three votes, and when we revert to the fact that the average Republican majority in the city is about four hundred votes, the significance of Mr. Stone's election becomes the more pronounced and indicates the strong hold he has upon popular confidence and esteem in his home city. During the war of the Rebellion Mr. Stone was a member of Company A, of the Ohio Horne Guards, with which he continued to be identified for a period of five years, his company- having been in active service at the time of Morgan's memorable raid. Fraternally he is prominently identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, holding membership in both the lodge and encampment and having represented the same in the respective grand bodies of the order in the state, while he is also a member of the lodge and uniform rank of the Knights of Pythias. On the 27th of September, 1871, Mr. Stone was united in marriage 486 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. to Miss Julia F. Geiger, daughter of the late Judge Levi Geiger, one of Urbana's distinguished citizens, and they have four children living: Ida May, the wife of George McConnell, of Urbana; Levi G. and Ferdinand F., who remain at the parental home, being able assistants in the store of their father; and S. L. P., Jr. WILLIAM CROWL. Prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Champaign county is William Crowl, who was born in Washington, D. July 19, 1819. His father, Jacob Crowl, was a native of the same city, and there spent his entire life. He was married in the capital city to Miss Mary Paine, who was born and reared in Maryland, and about 1853 she came to Champaign county, Ohio, where she spent the remainder of her life. This union was blessed with three children,—William, deceased; William, of this review ; and Lizzy, also deceased. All were born in Maryland. William Crowl became a resident of this county in 1848, when twenty-eight years of age, spending the first year here in Urbana, on the expiration of which period he purchased seventy-nine acres of land in Harrison township, where he cleared and improved a good farm. Four years later he sold his possessions there and in 1854 purchased the place which he now owns. He has followed the tilling of the soil as a life occupation, and in this line of endeavor has met with a high and well merited degree of success. He has been identified with the interest of this locality since early pioneer days, and throughout his long and active career has enjoyed the confidence and high regard of all with whom his business dealings have brought him in contact. The Republican CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 487 party receives his active support and co-operation, and for a number of years be served his township in the capacity of trustee. Mr. Crowl was first married in Virginia, to Miss Barbara Bare, who was born in that state, and for his second wife he chose Ruth Chue. She, too, was born and reared in that state. He was afterward married to Elizabeth Twadell, a native daughter of Champaign county, and for his fourth wife he chose Ann McCoy. She was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and was there reared and educated. His present wife bore the maiden name of Margaret Jane Pitz. She, too, was born in Champaign county, and in its district schools she received her education. Her father, Andrew Pitz, was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsvlvania. About 1831 he came to Champaign county, Ohio, locating on a farm in Harrison township. Prior to his removal to this state he was married to Mary Ann Yancey, a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. They became the parents of seven children, two sons and five daughters, and Mrs. Crowl was their sixth child in order of birth. The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with ten children, but the first born died in infancy. The others are: Ann Heland, John W., Denton, Joe, Joseph, Samuel, Mary E., Elizabeth M. and Allen D. Two of the sons, Joe and Jashwa, are also deceased. The family are members of the Presbyterian church at Spring Hill. Mrs. Crowl has been a member about fifty years, while Mr. Crowl is not a member, he has always lent his support to the church since its organization. Mrs. Crawl's youngest brother, Andrew J., enlisted in December, 1861, at the age of eighteen years, in the Sixty-sixth Regiment, Company G, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and gallantly served his country unto the end of the war. He participated with his regiment in the following engagements : Port Republic, June 9, 1862; Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862; Antietam, September 7, 1862; Dumpries, December 27, 1862; Kelley's Ford, July 20, 1863 ; Lookout Mountain, No- 488 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. vember 24, 1863; Mission Ridge, Georgia, November 25, 1863; Ringold, Georgia, November 27, 1863; Mill Creek Gap, May 4, 1864; Resaca, May 15, 1864; Cassville, May 20, 1864 ; Dallas, May 24 to June 2, 1864; Pine Hill, June 15 to 17, 1864; Noon Day Creek, June 19, 1864; Bald Knob, June 27, 1864; Mannette Pike, June 3o, 1864; Peach Tree Creek, July 20, 1864; siege of Atlanta, July 27 to September 4, 1864; siege and capture of Savanna, December II to 21, 1864 ; then Raleigh, North Carolina, January 27 to April 14, 1865. He was wounded at Cedar Mountain August 9, 1862, and on this account did not participate in the battle of Chancellorsville. Mrs. Growl's brother John also enlisted under the last call for one hundred days and served out his term of enlistment. WILLIAM THOMAS. The name of William Thomas has been inscribed high on the roll of Champaign county's honored pioneers, and the part which he has taken in the development of the county well entitles him to prominent mention in this volume. He is one of Ohio's native sons, his birth having occurred in Salem township, Champaign county, March 21, 1821, and on the paternal side he is descended from a prominent family of Maryland, his grandfather having been born in that state. His father, Colonel John Thomas, was born in Washington county, that state, near Hancock, and in 1803 came to Pickaway county, Ohio, where he was among the early pioneers. Three years later, in 1806, he took up his abode in Salem township, Champaign county, where he secured about seven hundred acres of land near Kings Creek, and there his death occurred when he had passed the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten. He was numbered among the early pioneers and leading citizens CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 491 of Champaign county. In an early day he gave his political support to the Whig party and after the organization of the Republican party became an active worker in its ranks, for thirty-five years holding the position of justice of the peace. He was a brave and loyal soldier in the war of 1812. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Mary Morris, was horn, reared and educated in Pickaway county, Ohio, and her death occurred in Salem township, Champaign county. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas was blessed with twelve children, six of whom grew to mature years, but only two of the number are now living, our subject and his brother Josephus. William V. died in West Liberty, Logan county, Ohio, when over ninety years of age; Ezekiel died in Fillmore county, Minnesota, when past his eighty-fourth year ; Samuel died when forty-five years of age ; Nancy Stokes, reached the age of forty-five years; and Susan died at the age of thirty years. The father of these children was twice married, and for his second wife he chose Polly ( Johnson) Blair, who bore him six children, but three of the number died when young and only one is now living, I. B., whose sketch will be found on another page of this volume. William Thomas, whose name introduces this review, was reared near the head waters of Kings creek, in Salem township, and he received his education in the log school-house of the neighborhood. Assisting his father in the work of the home farm until his marriage, he then located on the place on which he now lives in Wayne township, and here has made his home for fifty-two years, (luring which time he has devoted his time to farming and stockraising with success. His homestead now contains one hundred and forty acres of rich and fertile land, all of which he has placed under a fine state of cultivation. As the years passed by prosperity has rewarded his efforts and he is now enabled to live in quiet retirement, in the enjoyment of the fruits of former toil. Since attaining to years of maturity he has been active in the ranks of the Republican 492 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. party, and the first office which he ever held was that of justice of the peace, remaining therein for twenty-one years, while for six years he was a notary public. During the Civil war he was an incumbent of the office of township trustee, was county commissioner for one term, and during the earlier years was often solicited to settle estates. He is a charter member of Cable Lodge, No. 395, I. O. O. F., with which he has been identified since 1872; and is very active in the work of the order. In March, 1841, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Thomas and Miss Huldah Downs. She is a native of Salem township, Champaign county, and a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Thomas) Downs, early pioneers of this county. Mrs. Thomas was called to her final rest in 1893, when she had reached the age of seventy-two years, and their only child died in infancy. For fifty-two years Mr. and Mrs. Thomas traveled life's journey together, their mutual love and confidence increasing as the years passed by. For eighty-one years Mr. Thomas has lived and labored among the people of Champaign county, and throughout this long period has been closely connected with the progress and advancement of this section. JOHN H. THOMAS. One of the best known and most generally loved citizens of Champaign county was John H. Thomas, whose life was almost entirely passed in this section. Though he has passed to his reward, the influence of his conscientious, just career, his kindly, generous heart and sympathetic manner abides. He was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, August 6, 1823, but when a lad of six. or seven years came with his parents to Ohio, the family locating- four miles east of Addison, in Jackson township. He was a son of John and Barbara (Harnest) Thomas, also CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 493 natives of the Old Dominion, where they were married, and on the land on which they located after coming to the Buckeye state they spent the remainder of their lives. Both were earnest Christian people, the father a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and the mother of the Baptist church. John H. Thomas, of this review, received but a common-school education, and until his twentieth year remained at home and assisted his father in the farm work. At that time he removed to Christiansburg, where he learned the tanner's trade, carrying on that occupation for a number of years in connection with stock dealing. He was also successfully engaged in the manufacture of tile for a long period, and in these various occupations his well directed efforts were abundantly rewarded. Early recognizing the fact that industry is the key which unlocks the portals of success, he found the reward of earnest labor and his prosperity was well merited. He was also recognized as a progressive, public-spirited citizen, true to every duty devolving upon him, and his political support was given to the Republican party, but he was never a seeker after public preferment. Mr. Thomas was twice married, first in 1847, to Elizabeth Grafton, and she bore him two children,—Virginia, now Mrs. Ruffner, of Illinois, and William, deceased. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1851, and two years later the father was again married, Miss Minerva J. Ross becoming his wife. Her father, Levi Ross, was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, in 1792, was a soldier of the war of 1812, stationed at Harper's Ferry, and was there married to Miss Mary Ruffner. In 1827 they came to Champaign county, Ohio, locating on the present site of Addison, and there they spent the remainder of their lives. In early life the father was a mechanic, but after his marriage gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ross were born nine children, as follows : Martha A., Minerva J., 494 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Mary C., Marion A., Melvina E., Marine R., Morgan L., Margaret E. and Maria L. In 1861 the son Marion A. enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company A, Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private from Antioch College. On one occasion he was made a member of a squad of twenty-three, known as the celebrated Mitchell raiders, who, under Captain Andrews, were detailed to capture a train at Big Shanty, Georgia. The detachment, however, was taken by the enemy, and late in the following April was confined in the Chattanooga prison for a time, after which they were taken to Atlanta, and there, with six others, he was executed on the 21st of June. He was a young man of exceptional promise, brave as a lion and a true and noble soldier. The last words which he sent to his people were: "I did it for my country, and regret it not." Levi Ross was a charter member of Mount Olivet Lodge, F. & A. M., of which he was the first master. His death occurred in 1865, and his wife passed away in 1863. By his second marriage Mr. Thomas became the father of two children,—John M., who is connected with the Columbus Buggy Company, and makes his home in Columbus, and Estella, who became Mrs. Means, and is now deceased. Mr. Thomas was also a charter member of Mount Olivet Lodge, F. & A. M., which he joined more than fifty years ago, and attained to the Royal Arch degree. For many years he was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but withdrew his membership from that fraternity. On the 18th of January, 1866, he was converted to the Christian faith and joined the Missionary Baptist church, and from that time until the close of his earthly career he improved every opportunity to better the spiritual and moral conditions of his fellow men. His enthusiasm for the cause of his Master never flagged, although at times the way appeared dark and uncertain, and he made the Golden Rule the text of his life, thus becoming a tower of strength in his community. For some years he served as superintendent CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 495 of the Sunday-school, and was active in whatever line of work fell to his lot. He was a good citizen, a loyal neighbor, an affectionate and devoted husband and father and throughout his entire Christian life was unsurpassed in his free distribution of the "good seed" which when springing up grows into everlasting life. He passed away January 25, 1902, but in the hearts of his friends are enshrined many pleasant memories of him, and his influence for good remains with those who knew him. SILAS JOHNSON. Success has been worthily attained by Silas Johnson, who is to-day accounted one of the prosperous farmers of Champaign county. To his energy, enterprise, careful management and keen discrimination this is attributable. He was horn in Goshen township, this county, on the 17th of April, 1846. His father, John Johnson, settled in Champaign county when a young man, but subsequently removed to Madison county, Ohio, where he was married to Martha Rafferty, a native of Kentucky, and she was there reared and educated, coming to this county in middle life. Her parents were also natives of that commonwealth, and her grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were born five children,—Silas, Molly, Virginia, Clinton and John, all of whom were born in Champaign county, but all but the two eldest are now deceased. The father gave his political support to the Whig party, and his death occurred in 1855. Silas Johnson, of this review, removed to Madison county, Ohio, when about five years of age, and there attended school for one term, returning thence with his father to Champaign county. He completed his education in the schools of Northville, putting aside his text-books 496 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. at the age of fifteen years, and enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment, National Guards, on the 18th day of January, 1863, being discharged April 29, 1864. Returning to the old home farm, he was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1873, when he removed to the farm on which he now resides, the place then consisting of one hundred and seventy-two acres of timber land. He immediately began the arduous task of clearing and improving his farm, and as time passed not only improved the place but has added to its boundaries until he is now the owner of a valuable homestead of two hundred and eighty-five acres, all of which is under cultivation. He has given special attention to the raising of cattle, horses and hogs, and in former years was also engaged in the raising of sheep. Energy is one of his most marked characteristics, and he prosecutes his labors with a zeal that has brought him rich returns. Substantial buildings, the latest improved machinery, well kept fences and good grades of stock,—these are among the accessories of the Johnson farm. On the 11th of June, 1867, in Champaign county, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Johnson and Miss Sarah Weidman, who was horn in this county and has here spent her entire life with the exception of a short period when she was a resident of Marshall county, Illinois. Her father, Abram Weidman, was a native of Virginia, but when about twenty years of age came to Champaign county, where he was numbered among the early pioneers. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Emily Dewey, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was there reared and educated. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Weidman was celebrated in Champaign county, and they became the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters : James, William, Mary, Sarah, Martha, Samuel, Fannie and Frank, all born in this county. Mr. Weidman gave his political support to the Democracy, and was an active worker for his party. Unto the union of our subject and wife have been born seven CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 497 children, namely : Anna, who became the wife of Joseph Hewlings, and both are now deceased; Frank, also deceased ; Frederick, a farmer of Harrison township, Champaign county ; and Leila, Charles, Emma and Ralph, at home. In his political views Mr. Johnson is an independent Democrat, and on that ticket has been elected to many public positions, for several years holding the office of township trustee, and is now occupying the position of ditch superintendent. He is a member of the Wesley Chapel Methodist church, of which he has served as a deacon for some time. Almost his entire life has been passed in Champain county, and he has a wide acquaintance among her best citizens, many of whom are included within the circle of his friends. CHARLES LAUPPE. From the biography of every man may be gleaned lessons of genuine value, and the life of Charles Lauppe has been marked by all that goes to make up useful and upright manhood, while he has attained success through legitimate and well directed effort, being now numbered among the representative business men of the thriving city of Urbana, where he has passed the greater portion of his life and where he is engaged in the saddlery and horse-collar business, as a manufacturer and retail dealer. Mr. Lauppe traces his lineage back to stanch old German stock, and from this source has been derived an element of the best citizenship in our great American republic,— one ever appreciative of practical values and one which stands for unswerving integrity, industry, enterprise and sterling worth. Mr. Lauppe is a native of the city of Newark, New Jersey, where he was born on the 2d of September, 1838, being the son of Charles and Sarah Lauppe, both of whom were born in Germany. 498 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. In the spring of 1854 they came to Dayton, Ohio, where they remained three and one-fourth years, and then came to Urbana, Ohio, where they passed the remainder of their lives, honored for their intrinsic worth of character and for their unvarying kindliness. The mother of our subject entered into eternal rest in 1874, at the age of sixty-nine years, being survived by her husband, who passed away in 1892, at the age of seventy-eight. He was a collarmaker by trade, and to this vocation devoted the greater part of his active business life. The subject of this sketch was nineteen years of age at the time of the family's removal to Urbana, and his early educational discipline was such as was afforded in the public schools of his native city, where also he learned the trade of manufacturing horse collars, under the careful direction of his honored father. His intrinsic patriotism and loyalty prompted him to tender his services to the Union at the time when its integrity was threatened by armed rebellion, and on May .2, 1864, he 1 enlisted for a term of one hundred days as a corporal in Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He continued in active service for a period of four months, three of which were passed at Petersburg Virginia, then received his honorable discharge and was duly mustered out. His continued interest in his old comrades of the Rebellion is shown by the fact that he retains membership in that ever honored organization, the Grand Army of the Republic, being one of the popular members of W. A. Brand Post, No. 98, in which he has long held official positions. In August, 1866, Mr. Lauppe purchased a collar business in Urbana, and here he has since continued, during a period of more than a quarter of a century, in the manufacturing of horse collars and in the general saddlery business. He now conducts a retail enterprise, but formerly manufactured for the wholesale trade, while he has also dealt largely in hides, tallow and leather. He began operations on a modest scale, but CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 499 by well directed effort, high-grade workmanship and honorable dealing has attained success and definite prosperity. In politics Mr. Lauppe is a stalwart supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and fraternally is identified with Harmony Lodge, No. 8, F. & A. M. For a period of six years he served as a member of the board of directors of Oakdale cemetery, was re-elected as director for a term of three years, and has ever taken a deep interest in all that concerns the welfare of his home city, where he is well known and highly esteemed. JOSEPH S. MOSES. The subject of this review is one of the native sons of the Buckeye state and is entrusted with official duties of importance in connection with the govermental affairs of Champaign county, where he has passed practically his entire life, owing his advancement to his own efforts and ever commanding the confidence and high regard of those with whom he has been thrown in contact in the various relations of life. In a work of this character lie is clearly entitled to representation among, others of the able officials of the county. Joseph S. Moses was born in Miami county, Ohio, on the 26th of August, 1856, was reared in Jackson township, Champaign county, early beginning to contribute his quota to farm work and receiving such educational advantages as were afforded in the public schools in the vicinity of his home. He continued to be identified with the great basic art of agriculture in an active way until his election to the office of which he is now the incumbent, and lie still owns his excellent farm in Jackson township. In political. matters Mr. Moses has always had well defined and amply fortified views and has given an active and stal-