(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 550 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. unto them were born two sons. John Franklin Gowey, the eldest of these, was born in North Lewisburg, December 7, 1846, and pursued his education in the Ohio Wesleyan University. On the loth of May, 1869, he was admitted to the bar and attained prominence in his profession. From 1873 until 1875 he was a member of the Ohio legislature and from 1876 until 1880 was prosecuting attorney of Champaign county. Later he was appointed registrar of the United States Land Office at Olympia, Washington, acting in that capacity from 1882 until 1886, and from 1887 until 1888 was a member of the territorial legislature. He attained prominence not only in political circles there but also in business life and in 1888 was chosen president of the First National Bank of Olympia. On the 25th of April, 1867, he married Clara McDonald, a daughter of James and Rachel McDonald, of Woodstock, Champaign county, Ohio. They had one son, Franklin McDonald, born June 4, 1869. Mr. Gowey was married the second time, November 3, 1886, to Georgiana Stevens, who was born at Lowell, Massachusetts, September 23, 1852, a daughter of Dearborn and Olive B. (James) Stevens. Mr. Gowey died at Yokohama, Japan, while serving as consul-general, in 1900. He was a prominent thirty-third degree Mason and had attained a position of distinction in national affairs and in business life. Marcus C. Gowey, the younger son of our subject, was born in 1848, became a prominent attorney and is now living in North Lewisburg. He was married January 3, 1872, to Marando L. Mumford, daughter of M. H. and Lydia (Bennett) Mumford, and they are now living in their beautiful home on Townsend street which they have occupied for the last ten years. Mr. Gowey is still practicing law in this village. He has been a member of Masonic Blazing Star Lodge, No. 268, of Lewisburg, for thirty years, of Chapter Star, No. 126, R. A. M., CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 551 Raper Commandery, No. 19, of Urbana, and also a member of Launcelot Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of Urbana. At the present time our subject is filling the position of observer for the government weather bureau, making reports each week. He is a very prominent Mason, served as master of his lodge for eight years and for two years was high priest of Star Chapter, R. A. M. He is one of the best known men of the county and his labors have contributed in a large measure to the public progress and improvement. His worth is widely acknowledged, for in public office he was ever a faithful custodian of the affairs of the town and county, so that over the record of his career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. OLIVER P. JENKINS. Oliver Perry Jenkins, one of the best known and most highly esteemed pioneers of Wayne township, Champaign county, was born in what is now Cable, in this county, December 116, 1816. His paternal grandfather, Richard Jenkins, was born in Virginia, but in a very early day took up his abode in the Buckeye state, and his death here occurred in Fayette county. His son and the father of our subject. William Jenkins, was born, reared and married in the Old Dominion, and in 1810 came to Wayne township, Champaign county, where for a time he rented a farm of a Mr. Taylor. In 1818 he located on the place on which our subject now resides, but the land was then covered with dense woods, and its only improvements consisted of a small log cabin. On this old homestead he spent the remainder of his life, being called to his final rest at the age of seventy-two years. He was a life-long farmer, and a few years before his death united with the Christian church.. 352 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. In the early days he gave his political support to the Whig party and after the organization of the new Republican party he joined its ranks and ever afterward remained a true and loyal supporter of its principles. Mr. Jenkins was twice married, choosing for his first wife a Miss Williams, by whom he had two daughters and three sons, but all are now deceased. After her death he married Miss Anna Spillers, a native also of the Old Dominion, and there her death occurred at the age of fifty years. Unto this union were born three children, two sons and a daughter. Oliver R Jenkins, the only son and the second child of the above family, was but two years of age when the family located on the farm on which he now resides, and during his youth he attended the old log school house in the neighborhood.. On this old homestead he has lived -for eighty-three years, and he, too, has been a life-long farmer, his labors in his chosen calling having brought to him a handsome competence. Mr. Jenkins was first married in August, 1838, when Miss Julia Elsworth became his wife, and they had four children, namely: William, deceased; Mary, the wife of Jasper Hess, of Iowa; Susan, also deceased; and Julia Ann, who is yet unmarried and makes her home in Champaign county. On the 28th of June, 1846, Mr. Jenkins was united in marriage to Catherine Sallie, a native of Clark county, Ohio. Six children have blessed this union: Richard, James, John W., Lorana, Etta and Charlie. All of the children were born in the old family home where the Jenkinses have so long resided. Our subject united with the Methodist Protestant church in 1839, and is still an honored member of that denomination, in which he has long held the office of steward. He donated the land on which the present church now stands, and in the churchyard he has a family vault. In political matters he has been a life-long Republican, and prior to the organization of that party he voted with the Whigs. His first presidential vote was cast for General CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 553 Harrison in 1840. He is one of the most honored and highly esteemed citizens of his community, and it is safe to say that no man in Wayne-township has a wider circle of friends and acquaintances than Oliver-Perry Jenkins. CHARLES DAGGER. Charles Dagger, a well known farmer residing in Concord township, is one of Champaign county's native sons, born in Concord township May 7, 1823. His paternal grandfather, Peter Dagger, was a. native of Pennsylvania, but his death occurred in Virginia. He was a Revolutionary hero, having served for about three years under General. Washington. John Dagger, the father of our subject, was a native of Botetourt county, Virginia, and when about twenty years of age-removed to Miami county, Ohio, where he made his home with his maternal grandparents for about one years. In the spring of 1816 he came to Champaign county, taking up his abode in Concord township, on Anderson's creek, where he cleared and improved a farm of one hundred. and eight acres. About 183o he entered another tract, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres, which he also cleared and improved, except four acres of woodland. In Miami county, Ohio, Mr. Dagger was united in marriage to Elizabeth Bousman, a native of Rockbridge• county, Virginia. In a very early day, however, she came with her parents to the Buckeye state, they being among the earliest settlers of the county. The union was blessed with nine children, as follows: Mary, Phebe and Peter, deceased; Charles, of this review; Lawrence, also deceased; Sarah; Angeline; Jane, deceased; Armenta. Mr. Dagger passed away in death in Urbana in 1871, at the ripe old age of sev enty-six. He was born in 1795. He was a Whig in his political belief and was a supporter of John Fremont. 554 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Charles Dagger, whose name introduces this review, attended the schools of his native township until his twenty-second year, but during that time had also served as an instructor, and after putting aside his text-books he assisted in the work of the home farm. In 1844 he drove a team to Virginia, where he remained for about three weeks, and after his return home again gave his father the benefit of his services. When about twenty-five years of age he left the parental roof, purchasing and removing to a farm of seventy acres in Concord township, on which he made his home from 1849 until 1858, after which he sold that place and purchased a farm in Shelby county, Ohio. In addition to his farming property he also owned an interest in a warehouse in that county, but after a residence there of one year he returned to the old Dagger homestead, where he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits for the following four years. On the expiration of that period he located on one hundred and fifty-seven acres of his present farm, to which he has since added until its boundaries now contain two hundred and thirty-seven acres of excellent land, on which he has erected many substantial and valuable improvements. Mr. Dagger was married in 1848, when Miss Barbara Whitmore became his wife. She was born in Mad River township, Champaign county, June 8, 1828, and in the county of her birth her entire life has been passed. Her parents were both natives of the Old Dominion, but in a very early day they came to this county. They were the parents of six children, four of whom are now living, and all were born in Champaign. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dagger have been born ten children, namely: John, deceased ; Katherine, who is the wife of A. W. Grumurman, a farmer of Mad River township; Elizabeth, deceased ; Jacob ; Frank ; Emma, Jane and Simon, also deceased ; Charles ; and Anna, deceased. All were born in Champaign county with the exception of Emma, who had her nativity in Shelby county, Ohio. The family are members of the Method- CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 555 ist Episcopal church. The Republican party has always found in Mr. Dagger a stalwart supporter of its principles and his aid has never been withheld from any enterprise which he believed calculated to advance the moral, intellectual or material welfare of his township or county. WILLIAM CALLAND. From an early period in the history of the development of Champaign county the name of Calland has been prominently connected with the agricultural interests of this locality. The subject of this review is one of the county's adopted sons, his birth having occurred in Noble county on the 25th of August, 1819. His father, William Calland, was a native of the far-off country of Scotland, and was there reared and educated. After his marriage he came to the United States, in about 1800, and upon his arrival in this country made his way to Monroe county, Ohio, where he made his home for about fifteen years. For the following year he made his home in Bellefontaine, this state, coming thence to Champaign county in 1832, where he followed the tilling of the soil until his life's labors were ended in death, at the age of seventy-eight years. During his residence here he cleared and drained much valuable land, and in many ways assisted in the development and progress of the county, In his native land he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Armstrong, who was there born and reared, and her death also occurred in Champaign county, Ohio. Nine children were born to bless this union, four sons and five daughters, and the three eldest were born in Scotland. During the journey to this country the mother carried her babe in her arms for five hundred miles. Mr. Calland was a stanch Republican in his political views. He was a worthy member 556 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. of the Presbyterian church, in which he long held the office of deacon, and he assisted in the erection of the house of worship at Spring Hill. William Calland, whose name introduces this review, was eleven years of age when with his parents he located in Adams township, Champaign county, and to its public school system he is indebted for the educational privileges which he received in his youth. After his marriage he brought his bride to Harrison township, and on the farm on which they first located after their arrival here they continued to make their home until 1898, when they came to their present place. His homestead now consists of two hundred and sixty acres of rich and well improved land, and from his well tilled fields he annually reaps golden harvests. Throughout his entire life he has been identified with the history of the Buckeye state, and now in his declining years is living, in retirement at his pleasant home in Harrison township, crowned with the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded an honorable old age. When twenty-five years of age Mr. Calland was united in marriage to Eleanor Robinson, a native of Harrison township, Champaign county. Her father, Ralph Robinson, was born in Kentucky, and he was the second man to locate in Harrison township, where he cleared and improved a farm of two hundred acres. Wild was the region into which he came. Its forests stood in their primeval strength, the prairie land was still unbroken and the Indians roamed through the dense woods. He was here married to Hannah Concland, who was born and reared in Virginia. Of their eight children Mrs. Calland was the fourth in order of birth and only three are now living. Five children have been born unto our subject and wife, but two are now deceased, Samuel and Edna, and those now living are,—Joseph, Sarah and William. All were born in Champaign county. The family are members of the Pres- CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 557 byterian church at Spring Hill, and Mr. Calland assisted materially in the erection of its house of worship. He gives his political support to the Republican party. WILLIAM ROUSE. It is our privilege to pay a brief tribute to the memory of William Rouse. An honorable, broad-minded, Christian gentleman in the best sense of the term, he commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he came in contact, and the memory of his upright life is an. inspiration to the many friends who knew him well and were familiar with his virtues. He was a native son of Champaign county, his births having here occurred on the 14th of January, 1821. His father, James M. Rouse, was also a native of this county, who in 1.830 came to Concord township and located on the present Rouse homestead. He cleared. a part of his land and place many improvements thereon, and at his death left an excellent farm of two hundred acres. Here his death occurred in 1849. In the county of his nativity he was married to Mary Weaver, also a native of this locality, and they became the parents of eight children, seven sons and a daughter. William Rouse, the eldest of the children, assisted his father in the work of the home farm until the latter's death, after which he took charge of the old home farm and added many substantial improvements. At his death he left to his family a valuable estate of one hundred and twenty acres. Both he and his father gave their political support to the Republican party, and both took an active and commendable interest in the public life of the county. In 1849 our subject was united in marriage to Christiana Keller. She was born in Pennsylvania, but when an infant was taken by her parents to Maryland, where she was reared and 29 558 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. received her education. At the age of sixteen years she accompanied her parents on their removal to Urbana, Ohio, and later moved with them to a farm in Concord township, which is still in the possession of the family as their homestead. Her father, George Keller, was born in Pennsylvania, and was there reared and educated. In his early life he gave his political support to the Whig party and after the organization of the new Republican party joined its ranks. When this section of the country was yet new and wild he took up his abode in Champaign county, and here spent the remainder of his life, passing away in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church. While yet a resident of Pennsylvania, in 1813, he was married to Mary Long, and she, too, was native of that commonwealth. Six children blessed that union, Mrs. Rouse being the fourth in order of birth. By her marriage to Mr. Rouse she also became the mother of six children, namely : Mary, the wife of Smith Bell, who is engaged in business in Urbana; Ella, at home; Francis and Harriett, deceased; Emma, wife of Charles Herr, a farmer of Concord township; and William, who married Elizabeth Crowl, and is a farmer in Harrison township. All were born on the old .Rouse homestead in Champaign county. Of the eight grandchildren of Mrs. Rouse, Harry Bell, Ethel Herr, Edthis and Harold Rouse were also born on the old homestead. The family are members of the Meth. odist Episcopal church at Northville, of which Mr. Rouse was one of the organizers and for many years an officer therein. In his fraternal relations he was a member of the Masonic order at West Liberty. His last clays were spent at his pleasant home in Concord town. ship, and there he closed his eyes in death on the 13th of September, 187o. Through the period of early development he was an important factor in the improvement and advancement of this section of the state, and in his death the community mourned the loss of one of its truest and best citizens. CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 559 JOHN C. BUTCHER, M. D. The atmosphere of Champaign county, Ohio, seems fitted for the production of a cultivated and progressive body of physicians, the spirit of the people being in harmony with the aspirations of the constituent members of the profession for the highest possible attainment in the noble science of healing. Among the urbane and thoroughly skilled physicians and surgeons of this section of the Buckeye state Dr. Butcher holds a prominent position, having a representative practice and enjoying marked popularity. Additional interest attaches to his career from the fact that his father was one of the pioneer physicians of the state, a man of strong character and noble impulses and one whose life was one of signal self-abnegation and distinctive usefulness, his memory being revered by hundreds to whom he ministered so unreservedly and kindly during the long years of his active practice. John C. Butcher is a native son of Ohio, having been born in Belmont county on the 4th of April, 1846, the son of Dr. J. M. S. and Nancy Jane (Brock) Butcher. Dr. J. M. S. Butcher in early life learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed for some time, finally abandoning the same to devote his energies and abilities to the practice of medicine, for which he thoroughly prepared himself. He was one of the pioneer physicians of Ohio, coming here in an early clay and locating in Belmont county, whence he later removed to Champaign county, locating at North Lewisburg, where he was actively engaged in practice for many years, traversing a wide radius of country in his professional work and endearing himself to the community by his unvarying kindness and sterling rectitude of character. Be was one of the first representatives of the Eclectic school of practice, was a close student and was eminently successful in his professional work. A man of strong convictions and noble attributes, it was but natural that he should abhor the 560 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. odious institution of human slavery, and in the crucial period culminating the war of the Rebellion he was known as an uncompromising and fearless abolitionist. Because of his unwavering position and opposition to slavery he met with no little persecution, but his courage never faltered, though he was compelled to go armed on many of his professional trips. in order to protect his life. He tendered his services to the Union when the war finally began, acting as surgeon in an Ohio regiment and doing all in his power to further the cause in whose justice he so firmly believed. He was summoned into eternal rest some years ago, honored by all who knew him, and he will long be remembered as a man who was signally true and faithful in all the relations of life. Dr. John C. Butcher received his early educational discipline in the public schools of North Lewisburg and thereafter continued his literary studies for one year in the Ohio Wesleyan ,University, in the city of Delaware. He returned to his home and for a time was engaged in the dry-goods business in North Lewisburg, disposing of his interests in this enterprise by reason of impaired health, which rendered it necessary for him to seek less sedentary employment. He finally began the technical study of medicine, under the able direction of his honored father, and then entered the Eclectic Medical College, in Cincinnati, where he was graduated in 1871. Thereafter he was engaged in practice at North Lewisburg for two years, at the expiration of which, in 1873, he came to Urbana, where lie has now continuously followed the work of his profession for nearly thirty years, holding marked precedence as a thoroughly skilled physician and surgeon, retaining a representative patronage and being known and honored as one of the leading medical practitioners of the county. He is prominent in the councils of the school of practice to which he belongs, being a prominent member of the Ohio State Eclectic Medical Society, of which he was president for one year, having been elected to this office by a unanimous vote, while he served CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 561 two terms as vice-president of the Nationail Eclectic Medical Association. The Doctor is an assiduous student, keeping in close touch with the advances made in the sciences of medicine and surgery and, without intolerance, utilizing such remedial agents, methods, accessories, etc., as appeal to his judgment. Dr. Butcher is prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in the local lodge, chapter and council of the order. In 1873 he was united in marriage to Miss Vetura A. Pratt, and of this union three sons have been born,—Frank E., Harry G. and Cleland F. JOHN W. TOOMIRE. The Toomire family is one of the oldest in Champaign county. It was founded on American soil by the grandfather of our subject, William Toomire, who was born in Germany, but when fourteen years of age left his little home across the sea and came to the United States, taking up his abode in West Virginia. On the 25th of August, 1814, with his family, he came by way of the Ohio river to Brown county, Ohio, and in 1820 located in Jackson township, Champaign county, where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in the spring of 1856. In political matters he upheld the principles of the Democracy, and he was a soldier in the war of 1812. Ere leaving his southern home he was united in marriage to Sarah Moody, a native also of Virginia, and they became the parents of thirteen children,—Henry, William, Rachel, Mary, Bryant, J. Wesley, Sarah, Malinda, Moses, Aaron, Marguerite Daniel and Emeline. With the exception of the two eldest all were horn in Champaign county, and two are still living,—J. Wesley and Aaron. William Toomire, Jr., the father of our subject, was a native of 562 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. western Virginia, and was only six months old when brought by his parents to Ohio. When six years old. he accompanied them on their removal to Champaign county, where he received his education in the district schools, and during the summer months assisted in the work of the home farm. When a young man he began work at the cooper's trade, thus continuing until his thirtieth year, and then began agricultural pursuits on a rented farm in Mad River township. In 1870 he purchased one hundred acres of land in Concord township, to which he added from time to time until at his death he was the owner of one hundred and sixty-two acres,. all of which he placed under a fine state of cultivation. He, too, was a stanch supporter of the principles of Democracy, and for a time served as the trustee of his township. His fraternal relations connected him wth the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and religiously he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In Champaign county, in 1835, Mr. Toomire was united in marriage to Rebecca Decios, a native of Virginia. Her father died in that commonwealth, and when thirteen years of age she came with her mother to Champaign county. The latter was born in Virginia, and her death occurred in this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Toomire were born eight children, namely : Joseph, who served as a soldier in the Civil war for nearly four years, and was killed at the battle of Missionary Ridge; Henry also was a soldier and served his country nearly four years, helping to close up that hard struggle; Sarah Ann, deceased; Mary Jane; Emily E.; Elmanda, deceased; and Cora Olive, deceased. All were born in Champaign county, and here they all grew to years of maturity with the exception of the youngest. John W. Toomire, the immediate subject of this review, was born in Westville, Ohio, September 26, 1840, and in the schools of Mad River and Concord townships received his early education. At, the age of seventeen years he put aside his text-books and began work on his CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 563 father's farm, and after the latter's death, in 1885, located on the farm on which he now resides, the land having been purchased by his father in 1870. Success has crowned the well directed and enterprising efforts of Mr. Toomire, and he has long been numbered among the leading and substantial agriculturists of Champaign county. In politics he is a stalwart Democrat, taking an active interest in the party work, and he is a member of Magrew Lodge, No. 433, Knights of Pythias, of Westville, being the second member to join this lodge, and has taken special interest in the same since its organization ten years ago. For ten years he was also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and with the family, who are members, supports the Methodist Episcopal church at Westville. He is popular and respected in all circles. THOMAS B. OWEN. A native son whose promising legal career is viewed with justifiable pride by the residents of Mechanicsburg, is Thomas B. Owen, representative of a family long identified with Champaign county. He was born July 14, 1867, and is a son of William and Sarah P. (Bond) Owen, natives respectively of Indiana and Virginia. William B. Owen came to this county when a young man, and for many years engaged in the mercantile business in Mechanicsburg, where his reputation for progress and integrity strengthened with the passing years. As became one vitally interested in surounding undertakings, politics played no small part in his calculations, and as a stanch supporter of Republican principles and issues he filled several important offices, among them that of justice of the peace for many years. With his wife he was devoted to the Methodist Episcopal church, and died in the faith of that de- 564 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. nomination in 1897, at the age of eighty-one. His wife, who still lives in this town, is the mother of seven children. Having qualified as a teacher in the public schools of Mechanicsburg, Thomas B. Owen engaged in educational work from the time that he was eighteen years old up to 1897. However, the law had long been the Mecca towards which his most ardent ambitions turned, and in -connection with his last years of teaching he studied in the office of Judge E. P. Middleton, of Urbana, and was admitted to the bar in 1898. Since that time he has forged his way to the front professionally and generally, and has shown pronounced administrative ability as mayor of the city for one term, and as township clerk for three terms. Fraternally he is associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and with the Mechanicsburg Lodge, No. 113, F. & A. M. He was married in 1888 to Dollie McAdams, and has an interesting family of five children. In April, 1902, Mr. Owen was nominated for probate judge of Champaign county on the Republican ticket. JOHN E. TODD. One of the honored pioneer citizens and representative farmers of 'Champaign county is John Eli Todd, whose residence is on section 7, Urbana township, and who has maintained his home in this county for more than half a century, having been energetic and progressive in 'his methods and having accumulated a valuable property through his well directed efforts. It is with pleasure that we incorporate in this volume a brief review of his personal and ancestral history. Mr. Todd is a native of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, where he was born on the 29th of December, 1828, being the son of David Todd, CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 565 born and reared in the same county, being a son of James Todd, who likewise was a native of Pennsylvania and of Scotch-Irish lineage, the family having been established in the old Keystone state in the early colonial epoch of our national history. David Todd was married in Pennsylvania, whence he came to Ohio in the year 1846, locating in Warren county, where he remained until the following year, when he came to Champaign county and took up his abode on the farm now occupied by his son, the subject of this sketch. In 1859 he removed to another farm in this county, and there maintained his home until his death, in 1867, at the age of seventy-seven years. He originally gave his support to the Whig party, but identified himself with the Republican party at the time of its organization and remained one of the stanch advocates of its principles. He was a devoted member of the Presbyterian church, in which he held the office of elder for many years, being a man of inflexible integrity and sterling character. He married Sarah McCormick, who likewise was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, the date of her nativity having been November 6, 1795, while she died on the 23d of March, 1884, in her eighty-ninth year. She was a daughter of Henry McCormick, a native of Pennsylvania and of Scotch-Irish descent. David and Sarah Todd became the parents of seven sons and five daughters, and four sons are living at the present time, namely : Thomas M., John E., David and James S., the last mentioned being a clergyman of the Presbyterian church and being a resident of California. John E. Todd was about eighteen years of age when the family came to Champaign county, and he had received his educational training in the public schools of Pennsylvania, having also attended a district school in Warren county, Ohio, during one winter. He remained at the parental home until his marriage, in 1859, and thereafter continued in agricultural pursuits on the old homestead, of which he event- 566 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. ually became the owner, and here he has ever since made his home, having been successful in his efforts and carrying on diversified farming and stock-raising. He now has a fine estate of two hundred and fifty acres, and upon the same he has made extensive improvements, so that the place is one of the best in this section of the county. In politics. Mr. Todd is one of the leading members of the Prohibition party in the county and has been an active worker in its cause, having been a delegate to its local conventions and also to the state convention. For forty years he has been a member of the school board of his district, his tenure of this office having been longer than of any other man in the county, and at all times his influence has been given to the support of all measures tending to advance the general welfare of the community. He is well known in the county and is honored as one of its sterling pioneer citizens. In the year 1859 Mr. Todd was united in marriage to Miss Jane M. Mumper, who was born in Pennsylvania, whence she accompanied her parents on their removal to Champaign county when she was a. child. She was summoned into eternal rest on the 11th of January, 1900, having been the mother of eight children, of whom we enter the follow-. ing brief record: Scott married Cozette Calvert and is a resident of Cincinnati, being vice-president of the William Resor Company, the oldest stove manufacturing concern in the city; Clarence M. is deceased;. Sarah M., unmarried, remains at the paternal home; John H., who is a graduate of the University of Michigan, is a member of the Chicago News Bureau of the New York Herald; Annie M. is deceased; Marion R. married Miss Laura Pence, and is a resident of West Liberty, Logan county, Ohio; Percy C. is a jeweler of Hamilton, this state; and Jennie M: remains at the old home. Mr. Todd removed from the farm to the city of Urbana in March, 1902. CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 567 JOHN H. HODGE. John H. Hodge is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Ohio which throughout the nineteenth century in different generations. have been factors in the upbuilding and substantial development in the central portion of the state. Mr. Hodge, of this review, is now numbered among the leading, progressive and intelligent agriculturists of Champaign county, his home being on the Springfield pike, Goshen township. Hie was born in Pleasant township, Clark county, Ohio, January 2, 1835. His father, James H. Hodge, was a native of Kentucky, his birth having occurred in Mount Sterling, Montgomery county, whence he came to Ohio at the early age of eight years in company with his parents, Andrew and Isabell (McTeer) Hodge, who located in Clark county, Ohio. The father secured a tract of land in Pleasant township and there developed and improved a farm. He aided in laying-broad and deep the foundation for the present prosperity and progress. of his portion of the state and was an honored and respected pioneer. His son, James H. Hodge, was born in 11800 and was reared in Clark county, from the age of eight years becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He married. Elizabeth Sayler, who was born in Claremont, Brown county, Ohio. At an early age she was left an orphan and was reared by an uncle, William Curl, in Clark county. Mr. Hodge, the father of our subject, gave his attention to agricultural pursuits throughout his active business life. He died in his seventy-eighth year and his wife passed away in her eighty-first year. His political support was given to the Democracy and he filled a number of local offices in his township. In the family were six children, but two of the number died in infancy. Two are still living—John H. and Sarah J.—the latter residing with our subject.. John H. Hodge was reared in the county of his nativity, and the 568 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. schools of the neighborhood afforded him his educational privileges. During the summer months he worked in the fields and in the winter months mastered the branches of learning taught in the educational institution near his home. After starting out in life on his own account he sought as a companion and helpmate for the journey, Miss Miranda Hunter, their wedding taking place on the 17th of January, 1861. She, too, was born in Pleasant township, Clark county, a daughter of John W. and Mary A. (Ingle) Hunter, who were early residents of the county and highly respected people. Mrs. Hodge was born March 11, 1839, and after a long married life of almost forty years passed away on the 15th of April, 1901. Of her three children, two had died in infancy. Their surviving son, Willes A., is a prominent grain dealer of Mechanicsburg. He was born in Union township, Champaign county, October 23, 1876, and has become a leading business man of his portion of the state. He has an elevator in Mechanicsburg and also one at Calaba Station, and is well known for his marked business ability and keen discernment. It was in the year 1861 that John H. Hodge came to Champaign county, taking up his abode in Union township, where he followed agricultural pursuits for over forty years. He built his present residence near the corporation line of Mechanicsburg and has since made his home -at this place. He carries on agricultural pursuits on a very extensive scale, owning and operating about five hundred and seventy-five acres of rich and well improved land in Union township. Much of this, however, is rented, but to the supervision of his property he gives his attention. He is likewise one of the stockholders of the Farmers Elevator Company of Mechanicsburg and one of the stockholders and directors of the Farmers Bank. A strong temperance man, he takes a deep and active interest in promoting that cause and at state and national elections votes for the Prohibition candidates, while at local elections he casts an CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 569 independent ballot. For a quarter of a century he was a member of the -school board and the cause of education found in him a warm friend. He is also a leading and prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, is one of its earnest workers and is serving as steward. His business interests have been so capably conducted that he has won creditable success and is to-day accounted one of the most substantial citizens of Champaign county. His life has ever been true to manly principles and loyalty in citizenship and is well worthy of emulation. SAMUEL BARNETT. In section 34, Union township, is located the fine farm of Mr. Barnett, who is one of the representative members of the agricultural community of Champaign county, where he is held in the highest esteem by all who know him. Mr. Barnett is a native son of the old Buckeye state, having been born in Butler county, on the 4th of October, 1831, the son of Samuel Barnett, who was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, whence he emigrated to Ohio in an early day, locating in Butler county. In the spring of 1841 he located in Springfield, Clark county, making this change in order to afford his children better educational advantages, and there he erected the Barnett mills, known throughout the state. He continued in the milling business for many years and was succeeded by his son William A., who continued the enterprise under the firm name of Warder & Barnett. He died in the city of Springfield at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. He was a devoted member of the United Presbyterian church, in which he was an active worker and liberal supporter, while his political support was given to the Republican party from the time of its organization. The 570 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. maiden name of his wife was Mary Mitchell, and she was born in the same county as was he, her death occurring at the age of sixty-two years. They became the parents of ten children, six sons and four daughters, all of whom attained years of maturity and of whom five are living at the present time,--three sons and two daughters,—the subject of this review having been the youngest child. At a family reunion held in Bellefontaine, Logan county, in January, 1901, each of the ten children was represented with the exception of one. Samuel Barnett, the subject of this sketch, was but nine years of age at the time when the family removed to Springfield, and there he was reared to maturity, receiving his education in the public schools of that place. After leaving school he was employed in his father's mills until his marriage, in 1855, and he then located on his present homestead farm, having purchased a portion of the same prior to his marriage. Here, with the exception of two years, he has consecutively maintained his home from the early days, and has developed a fine property, the farm having the best improvements and being under a high state of cultivation. He passed one year in Springfield and one in Urbana. In the homestead are comprised one hundred and sixty acres, and here our subject devotes his attention to diversified agriculture and to the dairy business, having been particularly successful in both departments of his farming enterprise. Mr. Barnett is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Urbana, having been for many years an elder in the same and taking a deep interest in the church work. On the 11th of October, 1855, Mr. Barnett was united in marriage to Miss Mary Campbell, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, on the 26th of October, 1831, being the daughter of Jesse Campbell, who became one of the pioneer farmers of Champaign county, where Mrs. Barnett was reared and educated. Our subject and his wife have one son and three daughters, namely: John C., who was born in 1856; Carrie CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 571 B., who is a graduate of the Cook County Hospital Training School, of Chicago, and is now head nurse of the Mitchell-Thomas Hospital, at Springfield; Mary L., who remains at the parental home, as does also Laura L. One daughter, Fannie, died at the age of eight months. John C. Barnett, the only son, was married about nine years ago to Essie Christian, born in Pennsylvania, and has one son, Allen Barnett, who is his only child. For fourteen years he held the position as associate editor and chief editor of Farm and Fireside, a semi-monthly paper published at Springfield, Ohio, by the Crowl Publishing Company, and has kept a copy of each issue, which he has had hound each year until the volumes amount to fourteen in number. Our subject voted with the Whig party until the organization of the Republican party in 1856, when he became a member of the latter and has continuously supported its policies to the present time. BENJAMIN F. HULL. Though himself a native of the state of Illinois, the subject of this sketch, who is one of the progressive and representative farmers of Union township, Champaign county, is a member of one of the pioneer families of the old Buckeye commonwealth, as will be noted further on in this context. Benjamin Franklin Hull was born in DeWitt county, Illinois, on the 22d of February, 1848, and thus he has the distinction of having been ushered into the world on the anniversary of the birth of the immortal Washington, while the further distinction is his of having been named in honor of his grandfather and Uncle Franklin. Alfred Augustus Hull, the father of our subject, was born in Madison county, 572 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Ohio, on the 18th of January, 1821, from which fact it is evident that the family was here located in the early pioneer epoch. He was reared and educated in his native county, where he remained until some time in the '40s, when he removed to DeWitt county, Illinois, where he was engaged in teaching until 1849, when he returned to Madison county,. Ohio, and in 1855 took up his abode in Champaign county, Ohio, locating on a tract of land at the head waters of Buck creek, in Union township, where he maintained his home until his death, which occurred February 2, 1886. He was a man of distinct individuality, noble character and high intellectuality, having been for a quarter of a century a successful teacher in the district schools, while for nine years he was a member of the school board of Union township. He was a zealous advocate of the principles of the Democratic party and was influential in public affairs of a local nature. For three years he was incumbent of the office of justice of the peace, and also served several years as township trustee, commanding the unqualified confidence and respect of all with whom he came in contact in the various relations of life. On the 9th of March, 1843, Alfred A. Hull was united in marriage to Margaret Kirkley, who was born in Madison county Ohio, on. September 5, 1818, the daughter of William and Mary Kirkley, natives respectively of Virginia and Maryland and honored pioneers of Madison county. Mr. Kirkley assisted in raising the first log house erected in what is now the city of Urbana, Champaign county. The cherished and devoted wife and mother was summoned into eternal rest on the 26th, of December, 1886, and three of her children yet survive, the subject of this review having been the second in order of birth. Benjamin F. Hull was but one year of age when his parents re-. turned from Illinois to Madison county, and was eight years old when, in 1855, they came to Champaign county, as has already been mentioned, so that he has here passed practically his entire life, receiving. CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 573 his educational discipline in the public schools and so applying himself as to become eligible for pedagogic honors, as is evident when we revert to the fact that he was for nearly twenty years a successful teacher in this county, gaining marked prestige in this profession. His marriage occurred in 1873, and he continued to teach for nine years thereafter, then locating on his present finely improved farmstead in Union township, the same now comprising four hundred and fourteen acres and being one of the best properties of the sort in this section of the state. Here he has a fine modern residence and other excellent buildings, while his progressive methods and marked business discrimination have enabled him to attain exceptional success in his farming enterprise. He is one of the substantial and influential men of this. locality and is held in the highest esteem as a man and a citizen. In politics he accords a stanch allegiance to the Democratic party, though he has no political ambition in the matter of desiring official preferment. He has been a member of the board of trustees of the Champaign County Children's Home for thirteen years, and is a director of the Farmers' Bank, at Mechanicsburg. Fraternally he is identified with both the lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. On the 24th of December, 1873, Mr. Hull was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Rapp, who was born in Virginia May 2, 185o, the daughter of John W. and Almira V. (Penhorn) Ropp, who came to Clark county, Ohio, when she was a child of four years and settled in Champaign county in 1882. Mr. Ropp and his wife there spent the remainder of their lives, the former passing away in 1894 and his. wife in 1890. They were the parents of three children, namely : George E., Sarah J. and Camelia. Mr. and Mrs. Hull have one son, Esten C., who was born September 6, 1876, and is now a traveling salesman for the celebrated concern of W. H. Baker & Company, manufacturers of cocoa and chocolate, of New York City. He attended the Willis Com- 30 574 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY mercial College, at Springfield, Ohio, and the Literary College situated at Ada, Hardin county, finishing his education in 1894, then came home and has been a commercial salesman since, being at the head of this class in the state. TULLEY McKINNEY. The genial postmaster of Mechanicsburg has many claims upon the kindly consideration of his fellow townsmen, not the least of which is his contribution towards the development of the town as a builder and contractor, his praiseworthy career as a Republican politician, and his long and meritorious service as a soldier in the Civil war. In his ancestral relations Mr. McKinney is closely allied with the momentous events of Revolutionary times, and with the struggle for English supremacy along the Canadian border in 1812. He was born on the paternal farm in Clark county, Ohio, November 3, 1838, a son of Francis and Margaret (Lennox) McKinney, natives of Jefferson county, Virginia. The family was first represented in America by the paternal grandfather, Tulley McKinney, who emigrated from Ireland about 1765, and settled in West Virginia. The woes of the colonists so dramatically hastened to a climax by the Boston Tea Party found a ready response in the heart of the Irish emigrant, and he not only completed a service of two years in the Colonial army, but afterward re-enlisted for five .years. During the seven years among the tents and armament and ceaseless strife of the Revolution he stacked his musket upon many a blood-soaked battlefield, and because of his courage and heroism in the face of danger richly earned the right to the peaceful agricultural life afterward spent in Jefferson county, West Virginia. On the maternal side Mr. McKinney is related to another family long identified with the Old CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 575 Dominion state, for his grandfather, Nathaniel Lennox, with his brothers, Robert and Thomas, settled there after coming from Scotland, about 1785. Of the sons of Nathaniel Lennox, John Lennox served in the war of 1812. The parents of Mr. McKinney removed from Virginia to Ohio in. 1836, and settled in Clark county, where they engaged in farming, and where the father died in 1864, and the mother a year later, just as peace was settling over the country after the Civil war. There were seven children in the family, five of whom are living, but one being a resident of Champaign county, Ohio. The youth of Tulley McKinney was uneventfully passed on the farm in Ohio and his common-school education was supplemented by an apprenticeship to a carpenter. April 23, 1861, he enlisted for three months in Company E, Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and after his honorable discharge August 11, 1862, re-enlisted with the call for thirty thousand volunteers, in Company A, Ninety-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. During a service which extended to June 5, 1865, he saw much of the terrible and grewsome side of warfare, and among other important engagements participated in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Phillipi, Chickamauga and Carrick's Ford, engaging also in the Atlanta campaign and Sherman's march to the sea. Thence the regiment marched through the Carolinas, and witnessed the surrender of General Joe Johnston, and after taking part in the grand review in Washington was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio. Since the war Mr. McKinney has been a member of the Stephen Baxter Post, No. 88, Grand Army of the Republic. Upon returning to his home in Ohio, Mr. McKinney was married the same year to Sarah Alcinda Wilkinson, and the latter part of 1865 removed to Illinois, where he remained until locating in Mechanicsburg in the spring of 1870. To himself and wife have been born five children, Forest O., Charles J., Effie M., Dollie and Bertha A. From the first of 576 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. contracting, and many of the important public and private buildings are due to his skill and ingenuity. As a stanch Republican he has cooperated with his colleagues in furthering the best and most intelligent interests of his party, his faithfulness and ability receiving substantial recognition by his appointment as postmaster, June 17, 1898. His administration has been well received throughout, and in the discharge of his responsibilities, Mr. McKinney is credited with singular fairness and tact. He is not associated with any church, although his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. He is one of the citizens of Mechanicsburg indebted solely to their own energy and well directed efforts for their success in life, and his career is worthy of emulation, and of the high regard accorded him by the community at large. DUNCAN B. McDONALD. In the early pioneer days of the Buckeye state the McDonald family became identified with its history, and the colonial epoch of our national history stands as the period in which the family had its foundation on American soil, while records extant show that the subject of this review is in line of direct descent from one of the valiant patriots who did yeoman service as a soldier in the Continental line during the war of the Revolution. Industry, energy, honesty and fidelity have been among the marked characteristics of the family, as may be inferred from the fact that it is of stanch Scottish extraction, and the elemental strength of character in our subject shows that these sterling qualities are predominant in his nature. He rendered efficient service to his country in the war of the Rebellion, has ever been true to the duties of citizenship and has long been numbered among the prominent and representa-  CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 577 live business men of the beautiful little city of Urbana, where he has practically passed his entire life. Mr. McDonald was born in Urbana, Champaign county, on the 7th of April, 1844, the fourth in order of birth of the six children of Duncan and Hester (Heylin) McDonald. The former was born in Ross county, Ohio, in the year 1804, and thence removed to Urbana in 1820, this city thereafter continuing to be his home until the time of his death, in 1891, at the venerable age of eighty-seven years. He was for several years engaged in the dry-goods business here, but during the latter part of his life was retired from active business pursuits. His parents, Archibald and Margaret (McDonald) McDonald, were both born in Scotland, and though of the same name were not related. The family of the latter came to America prior to Mr. McDonald's emigration, in colonial days, and here the marriage of the grandparents of our sub•ect was solemnized, Mr. McDonald having been a soldier in the war of the Revolution. In that early epoch when Ohio was on the very frontier of civilization he emigrated to this section of the Union and located in what is now Ross county, where he developed a farm from the sylvan wilds and there engaged in agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his life. His son Duncan, the youngest of the children and the father of the immediate subject of this review, was reared on the old homestead farm, and as a youth carne thence to Urbana and secured a clerkship in the mercantile establishment of Marcus Heylin, who was one of the pioneer merchants of the town. Mr. McDonald eventually married Hester, the daughter of his employer, and a few years later became associated with his brothers, William and Colin, in the general mercantile business, the enterprise subsequently involving the handling Of dry goods alone and the business becoming one of the most important in the place. Mr. McDonald was a Republican in politics and a stanch advocate of its principles and policies, while both he and his 578 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. wife were devoted members of the Presbyterian church, the death of Mrs. McDonald occurring in the year 1887. They were the parents of three sons and three daughters, namely : Henry D., deceased; Sarah McArthuer Deuel, of Urbana; Mary J. H. Stansbury, also of this city Duncan B., the subject of this review ; Captain I. H., of Philadelphia, Ohio; and Miss Ellen E., of Urbana. Duncan B. McDonald was reared and educated in Urbana, and here began his business career by entering upon a clerkship in his father's store. In May, 1864, when a few weeks less than twenty years of age, Mr. McDonald gave manifestation of his loyalty by enlisting as a private in Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was with his regiment in active service until the expiration of his term, in the fall of the same year, when he received an honorable discharge. He retains a lively interest in his old comrades in arms and is a charter member of W. A. Brand Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, in Urbana. Mr. McDonald was married in 1866, and shortly afterward located on a farm in Urbana township, this county, where he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits for the ensuing decade, at the expiration of which he returned to Urbana and engaged in the grocery business, having for the past twenty years been associated with J. B. Houtz, under the firm name of Houtz & McDonald. The firm have a fine establishment, with all modern accessories and conveniences, carry a large and select stock of staple and fancy groceries, table delicacies, etc., and cater to a representative and discriminating patronage, theirs being one of the leading mercantile enterprises in the city. In politics Mr. McDonald renders an unswerving allegiance to the Republican party, taking an active interest in its cause, while he has ever been known as one of the public spirited citizens and popular business men of his native city, where his friends are in number as his ac- CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 579 quaintances. He and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian church and take an active part m its work. On the 2nd of January, 1866, Mr. McDonald was united in marriage to Miss Laura Lamme, who was born in Clark county, the daughter of W. A. Lamme, and they have one son, Herbert H., who is now a resident of Montgomery, Alabama. SIMON KENTON. One of the most picturesque figures on the pages of American. history is Simon Kenton, the explorer and Indian fighter and pioneer, who made his way into the "dark and bloody ground" of Kentucky and also led the way into the wildernesses of Ohio, planting the seeds of civilization which in later years have borne rich fruit. Simon Kenton was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, April 3, 1755, and died in Logan county, Ohio, in 1836, near the place where he once narrowly escaped death at the hands of the Indians. At the age of sixteen he became entangled in a love affair which brought him in contact with a rival with whom he had an affray, and supposing that he had slain his antagonist, fled to the wilds of Kentucky, west of the Alleghanies. He assumed the name of Simon Butler, became an associate of Daniel Boone and took an active pai t with Boone and others in border life on the frontier. The life was well adapted to develop an adventurer's true character, and young Kenton showed remarkable courage, sagacity and endurance. These virtues recommended him to the notice of Governor Dunmore, by whom he was employed as a spy. In 1782, learning that his adversary, whom he supposed he had left dead, was still alive, he returned to his native place and by his rep- 580 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. resentation of the country west of the mountains, induced his father to remove with him to Kentucky. As a scout and spy he had traversed nearly every part of Ohio before he settled in it. He had many thrilling experiences with the Indians in his adventures, being several times captured and as many times experiencing narrow escapes from death. He settled in Urbana in 1802, was identified with the interests and perils of the people of Champaign county, and no wrong treatment, of which he thought himself the victim, swerved for an instant his loyal mind. He was as generous and kind hearted as he was brave, and was thoroughly honest. THOMAS RAWLINGS. As a representative of one of the prominent and honored pioneer families of Champaign county, where he has passed his entire life and where he is recognized as one of the successful and progressive farmers of this favored section, it is certainly consistent that a record of the career and antecedents of Mr. Rawlings be given in this work. He was born at the old homestead. in section 18, Urbana township, on the 28th day of August, 1836. His father, James Rawlings, was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, on the 28th of May, 1803, and came thence to Champaign county when he was about twenty years of age and became one of the early settlers of Urbana township, where he took up a tract of government land, founding the home where he lived to an honored old age the life of a prosperous farmer, settling his children, six in number, on farms around him so that the smoke of their chimneys-could be seen from the old homestead and he could mount his horse and pay them all a morning call, returning to his home in time for dinner. Here he died October 21, 1886, in the fullness of CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 583 years, secure in the esteem of all who had known him. In politics he was a Whig, until the organization of the Republican party, when he identified himself with the latter, and ever remained a stanch supporter of its principles. His father was Thomas Rawlings, of Loudoun county, Virginia, whose father, Pressley Rawlings, came to this country from England when a young man, accompanied by his brother Moses. They located in Virginia and served in the Revolutionary war, fighting in the interests of the colonies. Moses was never heard of after the war. Pressley removed to Kentucky, being among the earliest settlers of the Blue Grass state. There he purchased a tract of timber land and cleared a farm, upon which he spent the remainder of his days. His son Thomas was the oldest of seven children. Upon attaining manhood he married Miss Mary Tribbe, of Kentucky. She inherited a tract of land and four slaves; her inheritance joined that of her husband. They became the parents of nine children, of whom James was the fifth. James Rawlings, father of our subject, married Susannah Irby McRoberts, in 1829. She was born September 16, 1810, while her parents were on their way from Kentucky to Ohio. Her father, William McRoberts, was born in Kentucky, his father having been a native of Ireland, whence he emigrated to America and became a pioneer of -Kentucky. William McRoberts married Martha Irby Winn, daughter of John and Myrtilla Winn. John Winn was born December 31, 1759, in Virginia, and came to Fleming county, Kentucky, in 1796, in an ox cart with one negro boy and his cattle. He was well educated and taught in the neighborhood. When he left Kentucky he freed his negroes and became responsible for their good behavior. Removing to Ohio, he entered land on Pretty Prairie in Champaign county, some of which is still held by his descendants. He died at his home in Springfield, Ohio, September 14, 1838. He was married to Myrtilla .Minor en Friday. December 14. 1787, by Rev. Thomas Grimes. She 584 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. died August 1, 1822. Martha Irby Winn was born July II, 1790, and died December 19, 1848. The above were the maternal grandparents of our subject, Thomas Rawlings. James and Susannah (Irby) Rawlings were the parents of six children, .viz : William J. W., Mary M., Jane E., Thomas, James H. and Douglas W. William married Miss Elletta Jumper in 1863 and founded a home on Pretty Prairie, where he lived a useful and prosperous life, in his home, community and church, until March 29, 1898, when he died, leaving a fair inheritance to his children, six in number, who with their mother still survive him. His home, like those of his brothers and sisters, has always been in the neighborhood of his birth place, and he bent the whole energy of his strong character to the prosecution of the vocation to which he was born, and it was only a matter of course that he attained early in life to the front rank of Champaign county's foremost farmers. While yet a young man he united with the historic Buck Creek church, which he served as an elder for many years. In politics he was a Republican and he took broad and liberal views of citizenship, his influence being known and felt throughout the county. Mary M. married T. M. Todd and their residence is also near the old homestead, where they have reared five children, four sons and one daughter ; two, a son and daughter, died in early youth. She and her husband and her children are connected with Buck Creek, church.. Jane E. married John P. Knight and they now occupy the old home which was the father's. Here they have reared a family of four sons, one of whom remains with them on the old farm, and the other three are out in the world filling responsible positions. James H. married Miss Laura Townley, of Wyandotte county, Ohio, daughter of Rev. Gilbert Townley, a Methodist minister of the Cincinnati Conference,. and Elizabeth (Hedges) Townley, daughter of Seton Hedges. Mr.. CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 585 Townley was a native of New York. His death occurred in November, 1854, leaving a wife and three daughters. James H. was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion and served with honor in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Ohio National Guard. They were the parents of eight children, two of whom died in infancy. They settled on a fine farm not far from the old homestead. Mrs. Rawlings died August 7. 1892. James, in later years, removed to Urbana, where he now resides. Douglas W. married Miss Alice Townley, sister of Laura, and to them were born two sons and two daughters, the eldest of whom, Charles, died in early youth. Douglas W. also served his country in the war of-the Rebellion, first as a member of the Eighty-sixth Ohio 'Volunteer In fantry and afterward in the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Ohio National Guard. At the close of the war he settled on a farm near his father, just across the line in Clark county. Here he lived for years, built a beautiful home and followed the vocation of the rest of the family.. He was known as a successful and progressive farmer, but having been, always interested in politics he in mature life turned his attention that way and served for six years as county commissioner of Clark county.. He was the eldest representative of the county and at the close of his first term was nominated and elected state senator from the district composed of the counties of Champaign, Clark and Madison. While serving as senator he came into prominence as the author of the "Rawlings bill,' which created such consternation among the manufacturers of the state. After his retirement he lived a quiet life at his beautiful home on Pretty Prairie. He died March 14, 1894, at the age of fifty-one years, leaving a widow, two daughters and a son, Douglas, Jr., to mourn the loss-of a devoted husband and loving father. These brothers, children of James Rawlings, Sr., were all Republicans in politics, but were somewhat divided theologically. The eldest two, William and Thomas, were 586 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Presbyterians, serving as officers in the old Buck Creek church for years. The youngest two, Tames and Douglas, were Methodists, and also served in official capacities in that denomination. Thomas Rawlings was born and reared on the old homestead, now owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. John P. Knight, and received his educational training in the district schools, making good use of such ad--vantages as were available in those days. He left the home farm in 1865 and located on his present farm near that of his brother William. He improved and added to the original area and is now living at ease, where he has spent the energies of his active and successful career, as a progressive and up-to-date farmer. His political affiliations are Republican and he has since youth been an influential member of the Buck Creek church, of which he has been treasurer and trustee for the past twenty years. His wife is also a devoted member of the same historic old church. On the 16th of March, 1864, Mr. Rawlings was united in .marriage to Miss Sarah Emily Humes, the daughter of Samuel and Mary .A. ( McNeill) Humes. She was born in Union township, Champaign county, January 27, 1835. Her parents were natives of Virginia, whence they came as pioneers to Champaign county, where they passed the remainder of their days. They had ten children, five of whom are living .at the present time, four of them in the same community where the pioneer parents settled. Mr. and Mrs. Rawlings have no children, but there are many now in homes of their own who embrace every opportunity to visit the farm which was home to them in their youth and to whom the large-hearted owners were far more than friends and employers. LYMAN ELLSWORTH BAKER, M. D. One of the most promising and popular of the exponents of homeopathic science in Mechanicsburg is Lyman Ellsworth Baker, a native of Richwood, Union county, Ohio, and born February 14, 1870. His CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 587 parents, Lyman G. and Mary (Manson) Baker, are also natives of the Buckeye state, and are now living in Marysville, Ohio, where the father is retired from his former activity as a farmer and stock-raiser. As the youngest but one in a family of five children, Dr. Baker was reared on the paternal homestead, and his arduous duties around the. farm, were varied by attendance at the district schools, especially during the greater leisure of the winter months. This preliminary training was supplemented by a course at the Richwood high school, from which he was graduated in 1891, after which he engaged in educational work for a year. A commendable ambition reached beyond the well tilled. acres comprising the home possession, and a careful survey of capabilities and inclinations resulted in a systematic course of study under the direction of Dr. J. S. Lunger, of Prospect, Ohio, and later entrance at the Cleveland (Ohio) Homeopathic Medical College, from which he graduated in the class of 1895. Immediately thereafter he located in Mechanicsburg as a possibly desirable field for professional activity, and the correctness of his surmise has been repeatedly and happily demonstrated without dimunition during the succeeding years. The marriage of Dr. Baker and Ada 0. Taylor, of Marysville,. Ohio, occurred in 1896, and of this union there are two children, Fontabelle and Robert E. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are members of the Methodist Protestant church, and are variously connected with the social interests in which the town abounds. The Doctor is a member of the Ohio State Homeopathic Medical Society, and the school which he represents has no more conscientious, painstaking and thoroughly adaptive disciple. As a diagnostician and prescriber he has successfully combatted with many intricate and apparently hopeless complications, and has thus met with a deserved appreciation while ministering to the physical woes of the community. By those who recognize his high professional ideals and realize the additional benefit of a pleasing and tactful personality,. 588 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. and inborn humanitarian instincts a future of exceeding brightness, merit and usefulness is predicted. Dr. Baker is fraternally associated with the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he is politically identified with the Republican party. FERDINAND F. STONE. A work of this nature exercises its highest function when it enters .a memoir of a man who stood representative of the best citizenship and maxims of usefulness in connection with the practical activities of life and whose lineage was of that distinguished order which can not but be a source of pride and satisfaction to every worthy scion. In the envious and laborious struggle for an honorable competence and solid career on the part of the average business man, fighting the every-day battles of life, there is but little to attract the idle reader in search of a sensational chapter; but for a mind thoroughly awake to the reality and meaning of human existence there are noble and enduring lessons in the life of a man who conquers fortune and gains not only the temporal rewards of his toil and endeavor, but also that which is greater and higher, the respect and confidence of those with whom, he has come in contact. Ferdinand Fairfax Stone was an able business man, a public-spirited citizen, a loyal friend and one who enriched the world by his services and his example. In noting those who have been prominent and honored in the business and social circles of Urbana there is imperative necessity that due tribute be paid to one whose life was of so signal honor and usefulness. As detailed record concerning the genealogy of Mr. Stone is entered in the sketch of his brother, S. L. P. Stone, on other pages of this work, it will not be necessary to recapitulate at this point, since ready reference may be made to the article mentioned. CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 589 Ferdinand F. Stone was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, on the 2d of April, 1841, the son of Ferdinand and Mary (Pigeon) Stone. He continued to reside in his native county until he had attained the age of seventeen years. After duly profiting by such advantages as were afforded in the common schools he pursued his studies for a time in the college at Emmitsburg, Maryland, thus securing a good practical education as the basis for an active business career. He was employed as clerk in a mercantile establishment in 1858, and resigned this position to accompany his parents on their removal to Urbana, Ohio, in that year. Here he soon afterward secured a clerkship in the hardware establishment of William M. Young, but in 1863 he went to the far west, becoming one of the pioneer hardware merchants of Colorado and Montana, which were then on the very frontier of civilization, and remaining in that section until 1868, when he returned to Urbana, where he remained until the fall of the following year, when his marriage occurred, and soon afterward he removed to Mansfield, Ohio, where he was successfully engaged in the hardware business until 1872, when he came again to Urbana and here associated himself with his brother, Samuel L. P. Stone, in the establishing of a hardware business, under the firm name of Stone Brothers, which has been continued to the present time, the enterprise having grown to be one of wide scope and importance and being one of the principal ones of the sort in this section of the state. Our subject gave to the undertaking the benefit of his mature judgment, practical and effective methods and inflexible integrity of purpose, and through his efforts to a large extent was gained the high reputation which the house has ever enjoyed, his interest in the same being still retained by his family. Mr. Stone continued to be actively identified with this enterprise until the close of his useful and honorable life, his death occurring on the 3oth of August, 1898. He was held in the highest esteem in the community and was one of the popular citizens 590 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. of Urbana. In politics he gave his allegiance to the Democratic party, but never consented to accept official preferment of any sort. He was• prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, in which he rounded, the circle of the York Rite, having been a member of the local commandery of Knights Templar. On the 12th of October, 1869, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Stone to Miss Agnes A. Lee, who was born in Livonia, New York, the daughter of Dr. Enoch M. and Mary (Chamberlain) Lee, who became residents of Urbana in 1858, and here the father continued in the active practice of dentistry for two score years, his death occurring on December 23, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Stone became the parents of two children,—Montana, who is the wife of Dr. E. W. Ludlow, of Urbana; and Lee Ferdinand, who married Miss Catherine Squares and who is identified with the business of the firm of Stone Brothers, being one of the able and popular young business men of this city. GABRIEL KENTON. One of the old and representative citizens of Mad River township, where he has a well improved farmstead in section 2, it is signally consistent that a sketch. of the career of Mr. Kenton be incorporated in this work. He has passed practically his entire life in the county, and is now one of the oldest native-born residents of Mad River township, while his name has ever been a synonym for honor and integrity in all the relations of life. Mr. Kenton was born in this township on the 1st of October, 1815, being the son of Mark Kenton, who was born in Kentucky and who was about seventeen years of age when he came to Champaign county, CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 591 arriving here on the 2d of May, 1802, and thus becoming one of the early settlers. He lived for nearly a half century in Mad River township and his death occurred in 1851. He was a son of William Kenton, who was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, and was numbered among the first settlers of Champaign county, there having been but two houses in what is now the city of Springfield at the time when he erected his little log domicile in Mad River township, where he continued to reside until his death, at the age of about eighty-four years. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Susan Markley, who was born near the city of Baltimore, Maryland, and died at the age of about sixty-six years. Mark and Susan ( Markley) Kenton became the parents of five sons and two daughters, all of whom grew to maturity and three of whom are living at the present time, the subject of this sketch having been the eldest in the family. He was reared on the parental farmstead in section 6, this township, and his educational advantages were such as were afforded in the little log school house, with its slab benches, puncheon floor, wide fireplace and oiled paper for windows. He attended school during the three winter months and devoted the remainder of his time to assisting in the reclaiming and cultivation of the pioneer farm. He continued to be engaged in farming and stock raising on the old homestead until he had attained the age of about forty years, when,. in August, 1854, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Bryan,. who died a few years later, as did also their one child. Subsequently Mr. Kenton married Mrs. Rachel A. Bryan, the widow of Parker Bryan and a native of the state of Virginia. By her first marriage she was the mother of six children, namely : Levi, Mary, Irene, Jennie, John H. and Frank. Jennie is the wife of John Dunlap; Mary is the wife of George' Ward; Irene is deceased ; Levi married Jennie Powell; Frank married Alice Minich; John H. married Nancy Walker and resides on the old homestead with our subject, having charge of the operation of the 31 592 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. farm. Mr. Kenton is the owner of eight hundred acres of as good land as can be found in this section of the state and the greater portion of the same is under a fine state of cultivation. In addition to his fine landed estate in his native county he also owns six hundred and forty acres in Texas, and a farm of forty-three acres in Edgar county, Illinois. By good management and indefatigable application he has attained a high degree of success, and is known and honored as one of the sterling pioneer citizens of Champaign county. He was originally a Whig in politics, having cast his first presidential vote for Henry Clay, in 1836, and he transferred his allegiance to the Republican party at the time of its organization and has voted for each of its presidential candidates since that time having ever been a stanch supporter of its cause. The success which crowns his efforts in his venerable years is the more pleasing to note from the fact that it, represents the result of his own labors. He started out as a poor boy, having few advantages, and has not only attained marked prosperity but has become a man of broad information -through reading and practical association with men and affairs during a -long and useful life. DAVID FRANK. One of the venerable and honored representatives of one of the early pioneer families of Champaign county, where he has passed his entire life, on this score alone would it be incumbent to accord to Mr. Frank consideration in these pages, hut aside from this he is personally one of those sterling characters who command respect by reason of intrinsic worth, and he has contributed his quota to the development of this section of the state, true to all the duties of citizenship, kindly and generous in nature, and one who has "borne the heat and burden of the day," and CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 593 now, at the venerable age of more than four score years, rests secure in the comforts which his years of toil and endeavor have granted, and in the honors which accompany venerable years and worthy lives. Mr. Frank has one of the well improved and valuable farm estates of the county, the same being located in section 29, Mad River township, in which township he was born, in the little log-cabin home of the pioneer epoch, at a point one-half mile distant from his present attractive and modern residence, the date of his nativity having been December 26, 1819, so that we may believe that he was cordially welcomed as a somewhat belated Christmas guest in the little cabin home. His father, Martin Frank, was born in the state of Virginia, in the year 1796, and thence, as a young man, emigrated to Ohio and located in Champaign county, as one of its earliest pioneers, as may well be inferred from the mere fact that it was nearly a century ago that he here established his little log cabin home in the midst of the forest wilds. He located on a tract of government land in what is now Mad River township, and here he literally hewed out a farm, clearing his land to a large extent and becoming one of the prominent men of the locality, where he was honored for his sterling worth of character and where he passed the residue of his life. He was of German descent, the family having been long established on American soil. On the 24th of September, 1815, Martin Frank was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Argerbright, who was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, and she lived to attain the age of about sixty years. In the family were twelve children, and of this number only four are living at the time of this writing, the subject of this sketch having been the eldest. David Frank has been an eye witness of the transitions which have marked the development of this county from a veritable sylvan wilderness to its present position as a rich and well populated section of one of the foremost states in the Union, and from his youth up he rendered 594 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. assistance in the work which stood for the founding of the prosperity which has been cumulative in the succeeding years and which he continued to further by his zealous and well directed efforts. His early educational advantages were such as were afforded in the little log schoolhouse, with its meagre equipments, and he continued to assist in the work of the parental homestead until his first marriage, to Mary Kyte, who lived to be about sixty-eight years of age. He later was united in marriage to Sarah Armstrong, who was born in Berkeley county, Virginia (now West Virginia), in November, 1834, being the daughter of Jacob and Nancy Armstrong, who came to Champaign county When she was twelve years of age. She was educated in the public schools of Urbana, and that she profited well by her advantages and effectively supplemented them by private study, is evident when we revert to the fact that for forty years she was one of the honored and particularly successful teachers in the schools of this county, having been for half of this period engaged as teacher in the city schools of Urbana. She became widely known throughout the county and here her friends are in number as her acquaintances, while there are many of her former pupils who have attained distinction in the various vocations of life and who retain for her a sincere esteem and affection. Mrs. Frank continued in the pedagogic profession until her marriage to our subject, on the 8th of June, 1893. Mrs. Frank was the second in a family of nine children, and only four of the number are now living. The father of Mrs. Frank lived to attain the age of eighty-one years, his devoted wife having passed away at the age of seventy-seven. The subject of this review is one of the oldest of the surviving native sons of Champaign county, has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits, in which he has not been denied a high measure of success, and he is still exceptionally alert and active for one of his advanced age. In politics he has given an unqualified support to the principles and policies of the Democratic party from the time of CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 595 attaining his legal majority, and for more than a score of years he has been a devoted and influential member of the Baptist church at Nettle Creek. His farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres, and is one of the valuable properties of this section, having the best of permanent improvements, all of which have been made by Mr. Frank, while his careful management and progressive ideas are shown in every detail, for without such care he could not have attained so marked success nor have developed so attractive an estate. ABRAHAM SHOCKEY. In the best development of Champaign county Abraham Shockey has borne an important part. He has been identified with its agricultural interests since pioneer days, and while promoting the material welfare of the community he has also given an active and liberal support to those measures which tend to advance the intellectual and moral status. His birth occurred in Mad River township, Champaign county, December 16, 1841. His paternal great-grandfather was a brave and loyal soldier during the Revolutionary war, serving from the beginning of the struggle to its close, and his services were principally in North Carolina. His son, Abraham Shockey, came to Champaign county, Ohio, in 1802 from Kentucky. with his wife and one child. The wife and child came on the one horse and Mr. Shockey walked. He located on section 3, Mad River township, where he cleared a farm from the dense woods. 'Wild animals and Indians were then very numerous in this locality, and he was one of the earliest pioneers of the county. His son also named Abraham, became the father of our subject. He was born in this locality in 1816, and was reared, married and died in the same locality. For his wife he chose Elizabeth Neff, who was born in Virginia, but when a young 596 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. woman she came with her father, Abram Neff, to Clark county, Ohio, and from there to Champaign county, where she passed away in death at the age of fifty-five years, while her husband reached the age of seventy-six years. Abraham Shockey, his parents' only child, has spent his entire life on the farm where he now lives, and the district schools of the neighborhood afforded him his educational advantages in youth. Throughout his entire life he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, and his landed possessions now consist of three hundred and sixteen acres of rich and fertile land, his fields beingunder an excellent state of cultivation and adorned with many substantial and valuable improvements. In 1866 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Shockey and Miss Cinderella Kiser. The lady was born and reared in Harrison township, Champaign county, Ohio, her parents being Jacob and Catherine Kiser, prominent and early settlers of that locality. Six children have blessed the union of our subject and wife, namely : Weldon R., who married Lydia R. Mitzel and resides in Urbana ; Elijah F., who married Mabel Miller, and resides upon a part of his father's farm ; John P. and Livonia E., at home. Two children are now deceased—Catherine E. and Abraham. Prior to the Civil war Mr. Shockey gave his political support to the Democracy, but since that time has been a stanch supporter of Republican principles. He is a man of enterprise and public spirit and is thoroughly identified in feeling with the growth and prosperity of th county which has so long been his home. ISAIAH H. COLBERT. The life history of him whose name introduces this review is closely identified with the history of Champaign county, which has been his home for more than eighty years. He began his career in CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 597 the early pioneer epoch of the county, and throughout the years which have since come and gone he has been closely identified with its interests and upbuilding. He is a native son of Champaign county, his birth having occurred in Mad River township on the 31st of January, 1821 His paternal grandfather, Jesse Colbert, was born in the famous old Blue Grass state, but became one of the early pioneers of Champaign county, Ohio, where he took up his abode in Mad River township. He was of English descent. The father of our subject, John Colbert, was born on the line separating the state of Virginia and Kentucky. and when about eighteen years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to Champaign county, Ohio. After his marriage . he located in the woods of Mad River township, where he erected a log cabin and began the arduous task of clearing his land and placing it under cultivation. His life's labors were ended in death at the age of eighty-two years. He was a charter member of the Nettle Creek Baptist church, having assisted in the organization of that denomination and was a liberal contributor to its support. In political matters he was a life-long Democrat, and during the war of 1812 was a brave and loyal soldier. In Mad River township, Champaign county, Mr. Colbert was united in marriage to Anna Smith, who was also a native of the Old Dominion, who, when twelve years of age, in company with her parents, made the journey by wagon and flat boat to Champaign county, Ohio, where she passed away in death at the ripe old age of ninety-one years. Her father, Peter Smith, was thought to be of German nativity, and he, too, became one of the early pioneers of this locality. He faithfully served his adopted country in its struggle for independence. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Colbert was blessed with six children, four sons and two daughters, namely : Isaac, deceased; Sarah, who was accidentally killed by a falling tree while making her way home from school through a 598 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. storm ; Louisa, the deceased wife of Daniel Blose; Isaiah H., of this review ; John and Peter, both deceased. Isaiah H. Colbert, the only surviving member of this once large family, pursued his education in the old pioneer schools of the neighborhood, with their greased paper windows, puncheon seats and rude slab desks, and after putting aside his text-books remained at home and assisted his father in the work of the farm until his marriage. Throughout his entire business career he has followed the tilling of the soil, and is now the owner of one hundred and twenty-three acres of well improved and productive land in Mad River township, on which he has placed many substantial and valuable improvements. His residence is one of the landmarks of Champaign county, it having been erected in 1827 and in an early day was used as a tavern, known far and wide as the Blue Bell Tavern. It was also one of the first brick houses erected in the county, and was built by his uncle, Isaac Smith. Since attaining to years of maturity Mr. Colbert has given an unfaltering support to the principles of Democracy, and on its ticket he has been elected to many positions of trust and responsibility, having served for many years as the township assessor and also as a trustee. His has been a noble Christian life, in harmony with the teachings of the Baptist church, he having been long a member of the Nettle Creek Baptist church in Mad River township. The marriage of Mr. Colbert was celebrated on the 16th of April, 1846, when Amanda Wiant became his wife. She, too, was a native of this locality, her birth having occurred on the 18th of February, 1827. Her father, Adam Wiant, was a native of Virginia, as was also his father, Adam Wiant, .Sr. The former came to this locality in the pioneer days, and on a farm here he spent the remainder of his life, passing to his final reward at the age of eighty-four years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Magart, was also a native of the Old Domin- CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 599 ion and they became the parents of nine children, of whom Mrs. Colbert was the third in order of birth. She, too, received her education in the primitive log school house of that day. Unto the union of our subject and wife have been born six children, three sons and three daughters, as follows : Rowena, the deceased wife of David Loudenback, of Mad River township, by whom. she has six children, Carrie (deceased), Edgar, Edna, Walter, Frank and Wilbur ; Benjamin, deceased; Fernando, deceased; Melissa, the wife of W. J. Harwood, of Springfield, Ohio, and they have two children, Nellie M. and Frank Lee; Jennie, who became the wife of J. W. Straub, by whom she had two sons, Walter and Harold, the latter now deceased, as is also Mrs. Straub; Gerald, who married Laura 0. Taylor, whose father's history will be found on .another page of this volume, and they have four children, Lula A., Evan T., Madge G. and Donald H. Mr. and Mrs. Colbert also have one great-grandchild, Donald A., the son of W. D. Loudenback. Few men have more devoted friends than our honored subject and none excel him in unselfish devotion and unswerving fidelity to the worthy recipients of his confidence and friendship. DANIEL C. HOUSER, M. D. Among the prominent physicians of Champaign county is Dr. Daniel Carry Houser, of Millerstown. He was born in Johnson township, two miles northwest of this city, April 1, 1867. His father, William Houser, was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, on the 9th of March, 1830, and was there reared and educated in the German tongue. During the first thirty years of his life he followed the carpenter's trade, after which he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1852 he