50 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. tenant at Camp Harker in Tennessee, June 12, 1865, the war then being over. Mr. Neer's first promotion in the ranks was to the position of corporal of his company, later to sergeant and then to orderly sergeant, serving with that rank until he received his commission as first lieutenant. During his long period of service he was a participant in some of the heaviest engagements of the war, including the battles of Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Pine Mountain and Lovejoy Station. One of the first engagements in which he took part was the battle of Dutton Hill, Kentucky, and he also took part in the pursuit of General Morgan, the Confederate cavalry raider, through Indiana and Ohio. On October 20, 1863, he was a participant in the battle of Philadelphia, Tennessee, in which his regiment lost, in killed, wounded and missing, one hundred and sixty-eight men. Later the regiment served in the campaign in eastern Tennessee and on November 15 of that same year, at Holston River, lost one hundred and one men, including five officers. In an engagement two clays later, November 17, they had a brisk encounter with the forces of General Longstreet. In that latter engagement Mr. Neer was shot through the lungs and was taken to a hospital, being unable to join his regiment until after the siege of Knoxville. From Tazewell, Tennessee, he then went with his regiment to Cumberland Gap and thence on to Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, where he remained about a month, in command of a detail left to guard the town ; returning, thence to Tennessee by way of Knoxville, he finally proceeded on with the regiment to take part in the Atlanta campaign and was present at the siege of Atlanta. Upon the completion of his military service Mr. Neer returned to his home in this county and resumed his place on the home farm. After the death of his father, in 1869, he purchased from the other heirs the greater part of the old homestead and continued to farm the same, gradually adding to his land holdings until he now is the owner of six hundred and eighty acres of well-improved land. In addition to his general farming Mr. Neer for years gave considerable attention to the raising of high-grade live stock and did very well. In 1881 he and a party of men went to England and Scotland and imported a number of fine horses. Some years ago lie retired from the farm and moved to Urbana, where he since has made his home. Mr. Neer is an ardent Republican and has ever taken a good citizen's interest in local political affairs. From 1885 to 1891 he served as a member of the board of county commissioners and in other ways has contributed of his time and his abilities to the public service. He is vice-president and a member of the board of directors of the City National Bank of Urbana, is CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 51 connected with the Mammoth Furniture Company of that city and is also a stockholder and a member of the board of directors of the Urbana Packing Company. In 1899 John P. Neer was united in marriage to Ida M. Goble, of Brooklyn, New York, a daughter of Ira and Catherine (Burke) Goble, and who died on April 5, 1911. Mr. Neer is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and for years has been active in church work. He is a member of Brand Post No. 98, Grand Army of the Republic, at Urbana, and is now serving his fifth term as commander of the same, for years having been one of the most active members of the local post of that patriotic order. WILLIAM R. WARNOCK. The Hon. William R. Warnock, a distinguished veteran of the Civil War, former congressman from this district, former state senator, former judge of the court of common pleas, former prosecuting attorney for this county and for many years one of the best-known lawyers in this part of the state, now living practically retired at Urbana, was born in that city and has lived there all his life. He was born on August 29, 1838, a son of the Rev. David and Sarah A. (Hitt) Warnock and a grandson of the Rev. Samuel Hitt, who in 1809 had settled on a farm that is now included within the corporate limits of Urbana. The Rev. David Warnock was a native of Ireland, born on February 14, 1810, who came to this country when he was eighteen years of age, in 1828, aanndho completed his education at Strongsville Academy, in the vicinity of Cleveland, this state. In 1832 he became a member of the Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church and spent the rest of his life in the gospel ministry, one of the best known clergymen of his communion in Ohio, his long pastorate having included charges at Urbana, Bellefontaine, Sidney, Delaware, Circleville, Zanesville, Columbus, Cincinnati and other places. In 1837, at Urbana, he married Sarah A. Hitt, who was born there, daughter of the Rev. Samuel Hitt, one of the pioneers of Champaign county and a man of large influence in his generation, and ever after regarded Urbana as his established home, though the itinerary of his ministry kept him much of the time in other cities throughout the state. The Rev. David Warnock and wife were the parents of nine children. William R. Warnock was reared at Urbana and received his schooling 52 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. in the schools of that city and at Ohio Wesleyan University, from which latter institution he was graduated in 1861, in the meantime having taught school, devoting his leisure to the study of law. In the summer of 1861, just after leaving the university, he recruited a company for service in the Union army to put down the rebellion of the Southern states, and in July, 1862, was commissioned captain of a company attached to the Ninety-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and a year later was promoted to the rank of major. In December, 1864, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel and was mustered out with that rank in August, 1865. Upon the completion of his military service Colonel Warnock returned to his home in Urbana and there resumed his law studies, under the preceptorship of Judge Corwin, and in May, 1866, was admitted to the bar, immediately thereafter forming a partnership with George M. Eichelberger and engaging in the practice of his profession at Urbana. In the summer of 1868 he married and established his home at Urbana, which ever since has been his place of residence. In 1872 he was elected prosecuting attorney for Champaign county and in 1876 was elected to represent this district in the state Senate. In the fall of 1879 he was elected judge of the court of common pleas and by successive re-elections was kept on the bench for ten years, or until 1889. In the fall of 1900 Judge Warnock was elected to represent this district in Congress and two years later he was re-elected, thus serving as congressman from this district from March 4, 1901, to March 4, 1905 ; in the meantime, while not engaged in the performance of his official duties, continuing the practice of his profession. Since retiring from Congress, however, Judge Warnock has been living practically retired from professional life, though still often consulted in an advisory capacity by his younger confreres of the bar. During the many years of his active practice Judge Warnock was connected with many of the important cases tried in the courts of this district and the reputation he won at the bar entitled him to recognition as one of the ablest lawyers Champaign county has produced during its history of more than a hundred years. Politically, Judge Warnock is a Republican; by religious persuasion, a Methodist; and, fraternally, is a member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, and is a Scottish Rite Mason, one of the few thirty-second degree Masons in Urbana. On August 20, 1868, Judge Warnock was united in marriage to Kate Murray, of the neighboring county of Clark, and to this union were born three children, Clifford, Ann Catherine and Elizabeth. He represented the Methodist Episcopal conference at Cincinnati, at Chicago, Baltimore, Los CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 53 Angeles and Minneapolis. He is commander of the Loyal Legion, com-mander of the department of the Ohio, Grand Army of the Republic, for many years, and trustee of the Ohio Wesleyan University for twenty-five years. JOHN S. LEEDOM. In the historical section of this work there is set out at length an account of the services rendered to this community by the late John S. Leedom, who has been referred to as probably the most brilliant lawyer Champaign county has ever produced and whose participation in the public affairs of this county, including his service during the period of the Civil War, for many years exercised a potent and a wholesome influence upon all phases of local activity which his talents touched; so that at the time of his death, in the spring of 1899, there was general and sincere mourning throughout this entire section of the state. John S. Leedom was a native of the old Keystone state, born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, August 1, 1825, son of Thomas and Ann (Stockton) Leedom, both also natives of Pennsylvania, Who were married in that state and continued to make their home there until 1828, when they came over into Ohio and located on a farm in the neighborhood of St. Paris, in this county, where they established their home and where and at St. Paris they spent the remainder of their lives, useful and influential .pioneers of that section. Thomas Leedom and wife were the parents of seven children. Upon his retirement from the farm Thomas Leedom moved to the village of St. Paris, where his last days were spent. John S. Leedom was but two or three years of age when his parents came to Champaign county and he therefore was a resident of this county all of his active life. Reared on a farm in the vicinity of St. Paris, he received his early schooling in that village and upon completing the course there beg-an teaching school and was -thus engaged for several years, mean-while pursuing- the course of study in the old Springfield Academy; after which he entered Indiana State University at Bloomington, Indiana, for the purpose of completing his law studies, which he had begun under Gen. John H. Young at Urbana, and was graduated from the university in the early fifties, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Upon receiving hi diploma Mr. Leedom returned to Urbana, where he was admitted to the bar and where he engaged in the practice of his profession, in association 54 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. with General Young; later forming a partnership with James Taylor and upon the dissolution of that partnership became a partner of Jesse Lewis, which latter mutually agreeable arrangement continued unbroken until his death on April 19, 1899. The story of John S. Leedom's connection with the bar of Champaign county and of his services as county attorney and in other capacities of a public character is given elsewhere in this work, and the same therefore need not be enlarged on here, only to say that in all his service to the public and his practice in the courts, this brilliant lawyer ever had the common good at heart and his influence ever was exerted on the side of the right. During the progress of the Civil War, Mr. Leedom was a member of the Home Guard, popularly known at that time as the "Squirrel Hunters," and from the very beginning of the struggle between the states took an active part in the work of recruiting, influencing many young men to go to the front in behalf of the Union cause. Politically, he was a Democrat and for many years was regarded as one of the leaders of that party, not only in Champaign county and throughout this immediate section, but throughout the state, and his voice in the councils of his party was not without weight. In October, 1852, at Piqua, this state, John S. Leedom was united in marriage to Louisa J. Furrow, born on February 9, 1831, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Furrow, and to this union four children were born, Anna Lawrence, Elizabeth, Louisa and Charles, of whom Miss Louisa Leedom, of Urbana, is now the only survivor. Anna Lawrence Leedom died in infancy and Charles Leedom ,died at the age of five years. Elizabeth Leedom (deceased), who was the wi fe of Joseph Perkins, had two children, Leedom Perkins and one who died in infancy. JOSEPH A. HOOLEY. Joseph A. Hooley, one of Champaign county's progressive farmers and the proprietor of a fine farm in Salem township, where he and his family are comfortably situated, has been a resident of this county for the past fourteen years and during that time has made many friends here. He was born on a farm in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, September 2, 1854, a son of John C. and Elizabeth (Hartzler) Hooley, both natives of that county, who spent all their lives there, earnest and industrious members of the large Mennonite connection in that place. John C. Hooley was a substantial CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 55 farmer and a great lover of fine horses, for many years making a specialty of raising Percherons. He and his wife were members of the Mennonite church and their children were reared in that faith. Mr. and Mrs. Hooley, after more than fifty years of married life, died in the same month in 1893, Mrs. Hooley dying on April 8, of that year and her husband on April 26. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the tenth in order of birth, the others being as follow : Leah, who married Jacob Kauffman and spent her last days in Indiana; Mary, who married Jacob Zook and who, as well as her husband, died in Mifflin county; Catherine, who is still living in that county, widow of Peter King; David H., a farmer, who died in Indiana; Lizzie, who is still living in Mifflin county, widow of D. H. Zook ; Rachael, who married E. A. Zook and who, as well as her husband, is now deceased; Levi, a retired farmer, now living at Fairview, Michigan; Sarah, unmarried, who is still living on the old home place in Mifflin county ; S. M., who is now managing that place, and Fannie, unmarried, who also continues to make her home there. Until his marriage, at the age of twenty-six years, to Kate Hooley, daughter of David K. and Fannie (Hartzler) Hooley, both deceased, who was also born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, Joseph A. Hooley made his home on the old home farm, a valuable aid to his father in the labors of the same, and after his marriage he set up housekeeping and began farming in that county on his own account, remaining there until 1904, when he came over into Ohio and settled in this county, buying the Jacob A. Yoder farm of one hundred acres in Salem township and there establishing his home. Since taking possession of that place he has made numerous important improvements to the same and now has one of the best-kept farms and pleasantest homes in that neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Hooley have ten children, namely : U. S., who is now farming at Elverton, Oregon; Christ C., who finished his schooling at Goshen, Indiana, married Mrs. Laura Williams and is now farming in the neighboring county of Clark; Minnie, who is at home; Bessie, who completed her schooling at Goshen, Indiana, and married Milton King, of Logan county, this state ; Mary, a teacher, who attended school at Goshen, Indiana, for two years after her graduation from the; local high school ; John, at home; Mabel, who was graduated from the Kings Creek high school, took a supplementary course at Goshen, Indiana, and taught school for a couple of years: Sarah, at home; Andrew, who was graduated from the Kings Creek high school and is now attending college at Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Timothy, who is at home, engaged in operating the farm for his 56 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. father. Mr. and Mrs. Hooley have ever been warm advocates of higher education and their children have been given excellent opportunities in that direction. The family have taken a proper interest in the general social activities of their home community since taking up their residence in this county and have done their part in promoting movements designed to advance the common welfare throughout that part of the county. They are members of the Oak Grove Mennonite church and take an earnest interest in the various beneficences of the same. JOHN FRANCIS BRAND. John F. Brand, a native and life-long- resident of Champaign county, belongs to that group of citizens who do not hold themselves so close to the daily round of their- duties that they cannot see what is going on around them. Man does not live unto himself alone, and the man who sees in his fellow citizens something of interest, something which they do for the good of the community as well as himself, is the man who makes for a better citizenship. Such a man is John F. Brand. Born in Union township on June 18, 1848, the son of Major Joseph C. and Lavinia (Talbott) Brand, he has made his home in Urbana since he was three years of age. He has been a witness to the city's growth for more than half a century and in this growth he has borne a prominent part. &ginning with a year's service in the Civil War when he was sixteen years of age, he has been active in business down to the present time, a period of fifty-four years. His education was secured in the public schools of Urbana and Urbana University. In 1863—and he was only fifteen years of age at the time—he became assistant engineer in the construction of the Atlantic & Great Western railroad, now known as the Erie railroad. The following year he became clerk the commissary department of the United States army and served in this capacity until July, 1865. During this time he saw service in Virginia and Georgia and in a number of other states. After resigning he returned home and began clerking in a dry goods store, but soon became associated with his father and brother in the grocery business. But he was not satisfied to settle down to the humdrum career of a grocer at the early age of nineteen. The year 1868 found him in Indianapolis, where he was private secre- CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 57 tare to the superintendent of the Merchants' Union Express Company. A year later he returned to his home in Urbana and became connected with the Citizen and Gazette in the capacity of bookkeeper and compositor. For ten years he remained with the paper and during this decade he arose from one position to another until he became local editor and, eventually, business manager of the paper. In 1879 he retired from the newspaper and for a few years engaged in the retail grocery trade, with stores at Urbana and Bellefontaine. When W. H. Marvin came to Urbana Mr. Brand became associated with him in the establishment of a wholesale grocery company. The business was later incorporated as the W. H. Marvin Company and Mr. Brand maintained his connection with the company until 1905. He still retains a substantial financial interest in the firm and serves on the board of directors. For many years Mr. Brand had been a stockholder and director in the Western Mutual Fire Insurance Company and upon his retirement from active service with the Marvin company he became general agent for the insurance company. Later he was elected treasurer of the company and in 1915 was elevated to the presidency. The company has made substantial progress since he became connected with it in an official capacity in 1905. Mr. Brand has been and still is identified with other commercial enterprises of the city. Ile is a director in the Champaign National Bank and the Urbana Telephone Company. In all his business connections, from his boyhood days to the present. he has never failed to bear his part in the life Of the community about him. He could always be counted on to assist in everything which was advanced with the idea of bettering his city and his county. In all things he has been a public-spirited citizen, never forgetting that we are an interdependent society, not neglecting to give of his time and ability to the general welfare of those about him. In his desire to live up to the highest standards of modern society he has not neglected the fraternal, social or religious factors of our life. He is a member of the Masonic order, a past master of the local lodge, past eminent commander of the commandery, and a member of the Scottish kite of the thirty-second degree. He is a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal church and has been a member of its official board for more than thirty years. Mr. Brand was married on December 1, 1870, to Fannie E. Patrick, a daughter of Evan B. Patrick. To this union have been born four children, Charles, Elizabeth, Ella and Joseph E. Charles, the eldest son, was born November 1, 1871, and was educated 58 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. in the local schools and later attended Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. While attending high school he managed a fruit business of his own during the summer time and evinced unusual business qualifications for a boy of his age. After leaving college he engaged in the grocery busi-ness at Richwood, Ohio, for a time and later became connected with the W. H. Marvin Company as a buyer and salesman. He has now retired from active service with the company, but still retains a financial interest in it. For a number of years he has engaged in farming in the county on an extensive scale, and now owns and controls one thousand acres of land in the county. He is one of the largest farmers in the county and gives his personal 'attention to all of the details connected with hi's extensive agricultural interests. He was married on November 28, 1894, to Louisa J. Vance, daughter of Major A. F. Vance. Joseph E., the youngest son, was born July 5, 1888, and educated in the public schools and Urbana University. In 1905 he went to New York City and engaged in a wholesale grocery and brokerage business for a short time and later located in Chicago, where he was similarly engaged until 1909. He then returned to Urbana and became secretary of the W. H. Marvin Company, in which capacity he is still serving. He was married on May 22. 1913, to Helen Bucher, daughter of John E. Bucher. L. E. BROWN. L. E. Brown, familiarly known to his friends by his middle name, Eugene, one of the editors and proprietors of the St. Paris News-Dispatch and a partner with W. W. Wiant in the publication of that newspaper, is a native son of Champaign county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in Johnson township, a little more than two miles northwest of St. Paris, October 1, 1874, a son of A. J. and Alice (Jackson) Brown, the former of whom was born on that same farm and the latter in the state of Indiana, whose last days were spent on the old home place in Johnson township that had been settled by Eugene Brown's grandfather back in the early thirties and which is still in the possession of the family. A. J. Brown was born on that pioneer farm on November 21, 1837, and was the son of John and Nancy Brown, of German stock, who came up into this county from Montgomery county, they having previously been located for awhile in the Dayton neighborhood, and established their home CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 59 in Johnson township, not far from the Miami county line, in the early thirties. They were of the Lutheran faith and their children were instructed in the tenets of the same. There were fifteen of these children, of whom the father of the subject of this sketch was the tenth in order of birth. A. J. Brown grew up on the paternal farm in Johnson township and after his marriage established his home there and there he and his wife spent their last days. His wife was Alice Jackson, who was born in Benton county, Indiana, July 8, 1846, (laughter of Abraham and Susanna Jackson, both of English stock, who had moved from New Jersey to Indiana and in the latter state (lied when their daughter, Alice, was but a child. The latter, thus orphaned, came to Ohio to join kinsfolk in this county and grew to womanhood in Jackson township, where she was living at the time of her marriage to Mr. Brown, February 25, 1869. After their marriage they took up their residence on the Brown farm and there established a fine home, for many years being regarded as among the leaders in all good works in that part of the county. Mr. Brown was a Democrat and took an active part in local political affairs and became an influential citizen. He died on May 20, 1916, in the seventy-ninth year of his age. His wife had preceded him a little more than five years, her death having occurred on January 22, 1911, she then being in the sixty-fifth year of her age. They were the parents of seven children, five of whom are living, namely : Frank, of St. Paris; Eugene, the subject of this sketch; Clement, who is engaged in the seed and grain business at St. Paris ; Ross, who is living on and operating the old home place in Johnson township, and Zella, who is living at Indianapolis, Indiana. Eugene Brown was reared on the home farm, receiving his elementary education in the district school in the nieghborhood of that place and supplemented the same by a course in the St. Paris high school from which he was graduated in 1893. He prepared himself for teaching, but did not follow that vocation : instead, taking a position as a clerk in a grocery and drug store at St. Paris and was thus engaged until the year 1901, when he and W. W. Wiant formed a partnership and engaged in the job-printing business at St. Louis. After the consolidation of the News and the Dispatch Messrs. Brown and Wiant felt that there would be room for another paper at St. Paris and in 1906 they established the Press. Two years later, in 1909, they took over the News-Dispatch and have since conducted that newspaper, which is widely circulated throughout the eastern part of the county and in those sections of the neighboring counties of Miami and Clark, within a trading radius of St. Paris. They have made important additions to the 60 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. equipment of the printing plant since purchasing the newspaper and have one of the best-equipped newspapers and job-printing establishments in this part of the state. Mr. Brown is a Democrat and has served as a member of the St. Paris school board. On September 17, 1902, Eugene Brown was united in marriage to Anna Jones, daughter of William and Mary (McMorran) Jones, and to this union has been born one child, a daughter, Genevieve A. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the Baptist church and take a proper part in church work, as well as in the general social activities of their home town, helpful in advancing all worthy causes there. Mr. Brown is a member of St. Paris Lodge No. 344, Knights of Pythias, and is past chancellor commander of the same. GWYN T. GORDON. Gwyn T. Gordon, of Urbana, one of Champaign county's most substantial landowners, was born at Chillicothe, this state, March 17, 1855, son and only child of Rufus Hartley and Nancy (Tompkins) Gordon, the former of whom was born in Ross county, this state, not far from Chillicothe, and the latter in Lexington, Kentucky, and the former of whom is still living, now a resident of the state of Texas. Rufus Hartley Gordon grew to manhood in his home county, receiving his schooling there, and early entered upon a mercantile career, beginning as a clerk in a hardware store, but shortly becoming interested in the firm and after some years of business activity in this state moved to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he became engaged in business in that same line, as a member of the W. AI. Wyatt Hardware Company, and was thus engaged until his retirement from business some years ago. He is now making his home at Palestine, Texas, at a ripe old age. Gwyn T. Gordon was but a child when his father moved from this state to St. Joseph, Missouri, and in the latter city he grew to manhood, receiving his schooling in the schools of that city, and early became familiar with the details of the hardware business in his father's store and after awhile engaged in the hardware business on his own account in Nebraska, later moving to Kansas and after some years of business activity in the latter state went East and was engaged in business in Connecticut until 1894, in which year he returned to his native state and located at Urbana, where he has since resided, engaged in the management of several fine pieces CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 61 of farm property he has acquired in the neighboring counties of Union and Logan. On October 26, 1881, Gwyn T. Gordon was united in marriage to Mary Blickensderfer, who was born near Erie, Pennsylvania, daughter of Nathan and Mary Catherine (Canfield). Blickensderfer, and to this union one child was born, a daughter, Elizabeth, who married Foster Twichell and died in 1914, leaving one child, a (laughter, Mary, who is now living with her maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon. The Gordons have a very pleasant home at Urbana and take a proper interest in the general social activities of that city. They are members of the Episcopal church and take a warm interest in church work and in other local good works. F. A. PENCE. B. F. A. Pence, one of Champaign county's best-known and most substantial farmers and stockmen and the proprietor of the celebrated "Shade-land Stock Farm” in Jackson township, two and one-half miles southwest of St. Paris, on the Carlisle and Quincy road, is a native son of Champaign county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a pioneer farm in Johnson township, in the house in which his father also was born, July 17, 1845, son of Allen and Sarah R. (Riker) Pence, who were for years regarded as among the leaders in that part of the county. Allen Pence was born on a pioneer farm, the place now owned by B. F. Pence, three miles east of St. Paris, January 29, 1819, a son of Isaac Pence and wife, the latter of whom was a Wiant, who came to this county from Virginia in the early days of the settlement of this section of Ohio and here spent their last days, useful and influential pioneers of Johnson township. Isaac Pence was twice married and by his first wife had six children, Alexander, Allen, Isaiah, Emanuel, Eliza and Mary, all now deceased. After the death of the mother of these children he married Martha Brown and to that union were born seven children, B. F., James E., John E., Isaac, Charles, Jason and Jennie. Reared on the farm on which he was born, Allen Pence was from the days of his boyhood well trained in the ways of farming, and after his marriage to Sarah R. Riker continued to make his home on the old home place for several years, at the end of which time he moved to a farm one-half mile south of St. Paris, established his home there and there spent the remainder of his life, coming to be regarded as the fore- 62 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. most citizen of that neighborhood, the owner of seven hundred acres of land and a leader in all public movements. He was one of the first agitators in behalf of better roads in that part of Champaign county and the early gravel-road movement had a powerful champion in him. For nine years he was a member of the County Fair board, vice-president of the association for some time, and did much to promote the interests of agriculture in this county. Politically, he was a Democrat and for some time served as treasurer of his home township. He died on October 29, 1895, and is buried in the Spring Grove cemetery, the beautiful burial ground, the location of which was first proposed by his wife, who died in 1885, and is also buried there. Allen Pence and wife were the parents of eight children, six of whom are still living, those besides the subject of this sketch being George W., a farmer in Jackson township ; Winfield S., now a resident of Virginia; Elizabeth, wife of J. C. Martin, of Dayton, Ohio ; Amanda, widow of J. G. Lear Smith, of St. Paris, and Lottie, wife of Wilson Baker, of Urbana. The two deceased members of this family were Mary, who married James Wiant, and Elnora, who was the wife of T. P. Kite. B. F. A. Pence was about three years of age when his parents moved from the old Pence place in Johnson township to the farm on the outskirts of St. Paris, and on this latter place he grew to manhood, receiving his schooling in the village schools. From the days of his boyhood he was an active assistant in the labors of the farm and early became not only a good farmer, but an excellent judge of live stock and an intelligent fancier of good horses. He remained on the home farm until after his marriage in the summer of 1867, he then being somewhat under twenty-two years of age, and on March 10, 1868, moved onto the farm on which he is now living—beautiful "Shadeland Stock Farm," southwest of St. Paris, and has ever since made his home there, he and his family being pleasantly and comfortably situated. Mr. Pence is the owner of three hundred and twenty-eight acres of splendid land and has one of the best farm plants in the southwestern part of the county. He has long given his particular attention to the raising of fine live stock, with particular reference to fine horses and made two trips to Europe for stock to import to his farm, English Shires and Cleveland Bays being his specialty. As was his father, Mr. Pence ever has been an ardent champion of public improvements and has done much to help promote the material development of the county. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of St. Paris and is also a stockholder in the Central National Bank of that place. Politically, Mr. Pence is a Democrat and is now serving as trustee of his home township. CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 63 On June 12, 1867, B. F. A. Pence was united in marriage to Josephine R. Hill, who was born in Brown township, in the neighboring county of Miami, July 12, 1848, daughter of John and Hannah Hill, and to this union four children have been born, two of whom died in infancy, the others being Georgia M., who studied art in the Ohio Wesleyan College at Delaware, and is now the wife of George Cox, of Oberlin, this state, and Blanche E., also an artist, who has (lone some fine wood carving and who is at home with her parents. The Pences have a very pleasant home at "Shadeland" and have ever given their proper attention to the general social and cultural activities of the community in which they live, helpful in many ways in promoting movements having to do with the advancement of the common welfare thereabout. WILLIAM W. LOVETT. William W. Lovett, a well-known farmer and the owner of eighty acres of prime land, living in Adams township, Champaign county, was born in that township on May 24, 1871. Re is the son of Joshua and Mary A. (Calland) Lovett, the former of whom was born in Adams township and his wife, who is the (laughter of Joseph Calland, was also born in Adams township. Joshua Lovett was a son of Isaac Lovett. Joshua Lovett and his wife settled on a farm in Adams township, where he farmed in a general way for many years and there they spent the rest of their lives, worthy citizens, respected by all who knew them. They were active members of the United Brethren church and earnestly interested in all its good works. He was a Republican in politics, but had never been a seeker after office. Joshua Lovett was the father of the following children : William W., the subject of this sketch; Samuel K., a farmer living in Logan county, Ohio; Watson, also of Logan county; Joseph, of Logan county; Jennie, wife of Charles Rosier, living in Shelby county, Ohio, and Minnie, wife of Charles Reeder, of this township. William W. Lovett attended the district schools of his home neighborhood and worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years old. Two years later, on October 4, 1894, he was united in marriage to Laura Miller, who was born in Adams township in 1876; she is the daughter of John and Eliza Miller and was educated in the district schools and in Jackson Center schools. Mr. and Mrs. Lovett are the parents of two children, Atta, who was graduated from the Rosewood high school, and Jessie. The 64 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. Lovett family are members of the Christian church at Careysville, Ohio, Mr. Lovett being one of the trustee members of the official board, and he and his wife and children are warmly interested in all good works of the church and neighborhood. Mr. Lovett is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. His party elected him justice of the peace in and for Adams township, in which office he served for four years. He is interested in the cause of education and served as a member of the school board for some time. He is a member of Rosewood Lodge No. 253, Independent Order of Foresters, and takes much interest in the affairs of that organization. He has a business interest in the feed mill and store at Careysville, Ohio, and was actively connected with the store at Careysville, Ohio, for six years, and in all these interests, as well as in the general affairs of the community, he gives of his time and energy without stint. DENNIS J. SWEENENY. One of the most promising of the skilled artisans and mechanics of Urbana during the past generation was the late Dennis J. Sweeney, a plumber by trade. He was born at Covington, Ohio, October 8, 1872. He was a son of John and Julia Sweeney, both natives of Ireland, from which country they immigrated to the United States when young and they were married in this country. They subsequently moved to Darke county, Ohio, where they established the family home and lived until 1881, when they removed to Piqua, this state, spending the rest of their lives there. They had a large family, Dennis J. of this memoir, being the second in order of birth. Dennis J. Sweeney grew to manhood in Piqua and there attended the public schools, and when a young man he took up the plumber's trade, at which he became an expert. When twenty-one years old he located at Greenville. Ohio, where he followed the plumbing business three years with success. Seeking a larger field for the exercise of his talents, he came to Urbana in 1896 and was employed in the plumbing trade by a Mr. Steinbarger until 1902, giving his employer loyal, prompt and satisfactory service in every respect. He saved his earnings and upon severing his connection with Mr. Steinbarger he engaged in the plumbing business for himself, which was successful from the start. He built up one of the largest plumbing establishments ever known in Urbana. He carried a full line of up-to- CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 65 date plumbing material and equipment and maintained a large and modern shop. where all kinds of repair work in this line were promptly and skillfully done. He took many large contracts and turned out some big jobs, doing the plumbing work on many of the best modern homes and business blocks and public buildings in Urbana and other parts of Champaign county. Mr. Sweeney was married in 1893 to Flora Conrad, a daughter of Silas S. and Kesiah (Barns) Conrad. To this union five children were born, namely : Rhea, Margaret, Harold, Owen, and Denise. They are all single and live at home with their mother. Mr. Sweeney was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He was an independent voter. He belonged to the Catholic church at Urbana. in which he was a trustee and active in church affairs. J. T. MIDDLETON. J. T. Middleton. a former teacher in the schools of St. Paris and since 1914 assistant cashier of the First National Bank of that city, is a native of Champaign county and has lived here all his life. He was born in the city of Urbana on December 1, 1884, son of Arthur N. and Allie L. (Taylor) Middleton, the latter of whom is still living at St. Paris. Arthur N. Middleton was born on a pioneer farm near the village of Cable, in Wayne township, this county, son of John and Mary (Macomber) Middleton, who came to this state from Kentucky and were among the pioneers of the eastern part of this county. He grew to manhood on the farm there and as a young man was for some years engaged in teaching school, in the meantime giving his leisure to the reading of law and after his marriage began the practice of law in Urbana and was thus engaged at that place until his death on December 23, 1889. His widow, who still sur-vives him, was Allie L. Taylor, born on a farm in Mad River township, this county, June 2, 4861, daughter of Darius and Barbara (Zimmerman) Taylor, the former of whom was born on that same farm, son of Benjamin and Sarah Taylor, who came to this county from Virginia, driving through in a covered wagon, and settled on the farm in Mad River township, where Mrs. Middleton was born. She later married D. E. Kite, of St. Paris. Her mother, Barbara Zimmerman, also was born in that township, a daughter of John and Barbara (Costenborder) Zimmerman, the former of whom also (5a) 66 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. was born in Mad River township, the son of German parents, and the latter of whom was but three years of age when she came to this county from Germany with her parents, the family coming to this county and settling in Mad River township. To Arthur N. Middleton and wife four children were born, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth, the others being as follow : Lulu, who died at the age of six years; Blanche M., wife of L. D. Ward, of Mad River township, this county, and Henry A. Middleton, the latter of whom is now a student in the School of Theology of the Boston University. Henry A. Middleton was graduated from the Cable high school, in the meantime having given his serious attention to the study of law, and then entered the Ohio State University, where he continued his law studies and was afterward engaged in the practice of his profession at Columbus for three years, at the end of which time he decided to take up the gospel ministry and with that end in view entered the School of Theology of the Boston University, where he is now pursuing his studies to that end. He married Myrtle Johnson, of Wayne township, this county. J. T. Middleton was but five years of age when his father died and he was reared on a farm in Mad River township, completing his studies in the high school at Westville. When little more than a boy he began teaching school in the district schools of Johnson township and was thus engaged there for four years. He then, when twenty-one years of age, was engaged as a teacher in the graded schools of St. Paris and has since made his home in that city. After teaching there for five years and six months his services. were engaged as a bookkeeper in the First National Bank of St. Paris, and lie began his connection with that bank in December, 1913. A year later he-was made assistant cashier of the bank and has since been serving in that. capacity. Mr. Middleton is a Republican and takes an active interest in political affairs. On March 31, 1906, J. T. Middleton was united in marriage to Hazel. A. Adlard, who was born at Bellefontaine, this state, daughter of William and Clara (Stinson) Adlard, but who spent her girlhood in Mad River township, this county, where her father was engaged in the milling business. To this union five children have been born, namely : William A., John, George E., Clara Elizabeth and Richard H. Mr. and Mrs. Middleton are members of the First Baptist church and take a proper part in church work, as well as in the general social activities of their home town. Mr. Middleton is past chancellor commander of St. Paris Lodge No. 344, Knights of Pythias, and has also served as county deputy and as lodge. CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 67 deputy in that order. He is also past noble grand of St. Paris Lodge No. 246, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a member of the Knights of Khorassan, and in the affairs of these several organizations takes a warm interest. CHARLES H. GANSON. The history of Urbana would not be complete without mention of the late Charles H. Ganson, whose life was closely connected with many phases of the county's life for a long period of years. He was honored and respected by everyone who knew him, and was recognized as a leader in every enterprise to which he directed his attention. His every effort was in the direction of better citizenship and whatever he did was done with a view to the improvement of the general welfare of the county honored by his residence. Charles H. Ganson was born at Urbana on October 19, 1836, and died in that city on October 9, 1916, he then lacking but ten days of being eighty years of age. He was a son of William H. and Amulette F. (Toxey) Ganson, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, he of Chester county and she of Lancaster county. William H. Ganson was married in Pennsylvania and a year later he and his wife made the long overland journey to Urbana, where they spent the remainder of their lives, with the exception of four years spent on a farm in this county. William H. Ganson for a time after coining to this county was engaged in farming, but later turned his attention to carriage building in Urbana. During the Civil War he was a Democrat, but afterward he aligned himself with the Republican party. He and his wife were members of the Reformed Presbyterian church. Her death occurred in 1847 and he survived her more than thirty years, his death occurring in 1881. They were the parents of five children, namely: Charles I f., the subject of this review ; William M., a resident of the state of Illinois; Benjamin, living in Urbana; Anna E., also a resident of Urbana, widow of Horace IIappersett, and Emma, also a resident of Urbana, widow of Mathew Weaver. Charles H. Ganson was reared in Urbana and on the farm where his parents lived for four years. He was given the best education the local schools afforded and remained at home until he moved to Mason county, Illinois, at the age of twenty. A year later he was elected justice of the peace and became a leader in the life of the community in which he located. 68 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. He remained in the West for ten years, being engaged in farming most of that time. In 1866 he returned to the city of his birth and joined his father in business, Major Thomas McConnell being his partner for thirty years. He was also associated with his brother, B. F. Ganson, at different times and was a member of the firm of C. H. Ganson & Company at the time of his death in 1916. Mr. Ganson's most absorbing interest was agriculture and he gradually acquired extensive land holdings in Ohio and Illinois; but to whatever enterprise he gave his attention, he always gave it his individual attention. Thus he became known as one of the leaders in financial circles in the county, not only because of his keen discernment and indefatigable industry, but also because of his honorable methods of handling wide interests. He proved his deep interest in agricultural affairs by freely giving his services ; for forty years as president of the Champaign County Agricultural Society, for ten years as president of the Mad River and Miami Fair Circuit and as vice-president and later as president of the Ohio State Board of Agriculture. In his official position as the head of these organizations, Mr. Ganson did everything in his power to stimulate agricultural affairs. Nor was Mr. Ganson's life solely devoted to his private affairs. He took an interested and active part in the public life of the city of his birth. Politically, he was a Republican and served his party and his city as a member of the city council for a number of years. While he made an enviable record during his five years on the city council, it was as mayor of the city of Urbana that he left a reputation for service that has never been excelled in the city. For sixteen years he was at the head of the city's affairs. He served for a number of years and then, after an interval of two years, was re-elected and continued in office until 1898, retiring from office with the confidence and good will of the entire community. On October 8, 1856, Charles H. Ganson was united in marriage to Jane Rewalt, of Canton, Illinois, a daughter of Major Jonas and Dieda (Robins) Rewalt, natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and of Indiana, who were married in Indiana while it still was under a territorial form of goveinment and later moved to Illinois. Majbr Rewalt served in the Black Hawk War during the forties and during the Civil War served with the Seventh Illinois Cavalry. He came of fighting stock, his ancestors having fought in the Revolutionary War and in the War of 1812. Major Rewalt served in the Legislature of Illinois during the time Abraham Lincoln was a member of that body and was otherwise active in county and state affairs in that state. Originally a Whig, after the formation of the Republican CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 69 party, he gave his allegiance to the new party. He died on December 22, 1882. His wife had preceded him to the grave, her death occurring in October, '878. To Charles H. and Jane (Rewalt) Ganson two children were born, Emma Amulette and Jonas Randolph, both of whom are living, the former the wife of Theodore W. Cook, a retired banker, who for thirty years was connected with the Society for Savings at Cleveland, Ohio. Theodore W. Cook was born and educated in Cleveland, a son of Rev. Charles A. Cook. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have three sons, Charles Ganson, Theodore Kenyon and Robert, all of whom are now (1917) in college. Charles Ganson Cook is a student at Harvard, where he is finishing the work preparatory to taking a doctor's degree. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree at Western Reserve University, while Robert Cook is taking his first-year work at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. Jonas Randolph Ganson, only son of Charles H. Ganson and wife, was educated at the University of Urbana and for nineteen years has been connected with the Society for Savings at Cleve-land. He married Clara Shumway, which union has been without issue. In closing this sketch of Charles H. Ganson, it should be added that he was an ardent Swedenborgian and gave as generously of his time to his church service :is to civic affairs, and also was for fourteen years a trustee and treasurer of the Urbana University schools. SAMUEL CLEM. Samuel Clem, one of Salem township's best-known and most substantial farmers, is a native son of Champaign county and has lived here all his life. He was born on the farm one-half mile south of where Ile now lives, a part of the large estate his father accumulated there, January 24, 1879, son of David and Romelia (Peery) Clem, the former of whom was born in this county and the latter in the state of Virginia, who are now living retired in Urbana. David Clem was born on a pioneer farm in Johnson township, this county, September 30, 1836, son of Isaac and Rebecca (Crabill) Clem, who came to this county from Virginia in 1829 and settled on a farm in Johnson township, where they remained until 1853, when they moved to a farm west of St. Paris, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Isaac Clem was a son of David Clem, who was born in Virginia, son of a German immi- 70 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. grant who came to this country in the latter part of the eighteenth century. The second David Clem grew up in Johnson township, receiving his schooling in the local schools and after farming for awhile took up the shoemaker's trade and for six years was engaged in that trade in St. Paris. He then bought a farm near Millerstown, in Johnson township and about a year later bought a hundred-acre farm lying in Johnson and Adams townships, where he remained for four years, at the end of which time he sold out and moved to Missouri and bought a farm in Davis county, that state. Not finding conditions to his liking there he sold out and returned to Champaign county and bought a farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres in Urbana township, five years later buying a farm of three hundred acres in Salem township, where he established his home. As he prospered in his affairs he added to his land holdings until he became the owner of over one thousand acres of land, continuing his active operations until his retirement and removal to Urbana, where he and his wife are now living. In 1876 David Clem was united in marriage to Romelia Peery, who was born in Virginia, daughter of George and Margaret (Hensley) Peery, and to this union six children were born, those besides the subject of this sketch being Joseph, Pearl, Ivan, Blanche and Grace, the latter of whom died in infancy. Reared on the home farm in Salem township, Samuel Clem was educated in the public schools and supplemented the same by a course in the Lima Business College, after which he returned home and renewed his farming operations in association with his father. After his marriage in 1911 his father set off to him one hundred and sixty-six acres of the home place and there he established his home and has continued to reside, being the proprietor of one of the best-kept and most profitably cultivated farms in that neighborhood. In addition to his general farming Mr. Clem feeds about fifty head of hogs annually and is doing very well in his operations. His farming is carried on along modern lines and his place is equipped with up-to-date appliances for the most successful agriculture. Mr. Clem is a Democrat and takes a proper interest in local political affairs, but has not been a seeker after public office. In 1911 Samuel Clem was united in marriage to Florence Lackey, who was born in Virginia, daughter of Horatio Lackey and wife, who came from that state to this county and settled on a farm, and to this union three children have been born, Lucile, Melvin H. and a baby boy. Mr. and Mrs. Clem have a pleasant home and take an interested part in the general social activities of the community in which they reside. CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 71 W. L. HUNT. W. L. Hunt, cashier and a member of the board of directors of the First National Bank of St. Paris, this county, is a native son of Champaign county and has here all his life, with the exception of about two years spent in Chicago, where he gained his initial experience in the banking business. He was born in the village of Carysville, in Adams township, this county, September 11, 1877, son of Dr. H. B. and Mary J. (Leedom) Hunt, both of whom were horn in the neighboring county of Shelby and who are now living at St. Paris, which has been their place of residence since 1892. Dr. H. B. Hunt, one of the best-known physicians in the western part of this county, was born on a farm south of the village of Palestine, in Shelby county, this state, November 18, 1846, son of Justus T. Hunt and wife, who had come to Ohio from Connecticut in pioneer days, first locating in Butler county and coming thence on up into this part of the state and settling in the Palestine neighborhood in Shelby county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. There H. B. Hunt grew to manhood. He early turned his attention to the reading of medicine and in due time entered the Cincinnati Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1874. In that same year he married Mary J. Leedom, who was born at Palestine on April 19. 185o, daughter of Dr. J. J. and Mary Jane (Johnson) Leedom, who had come to this state from Bucks county, Pennsylvania, settling at Palestine, where for years Doctor Leedom was engaged in the practice of his profession, a typical practitioner of the "old school," and the first of the Leedoms of that line to settle in this part of Ohio. Upon receiving- his diploma, Doctor Hunt came over into Champaign county and opened an office for the practice of his profession at Carysville, in which village he established his home and where he remained until 1892, in which. year he moved to St. Paris, where he and his wife are now living. The Doctor is a Republican, and ever since he came to this county has taken an earnest interest in local political affairs. He is past noble grand of the Odd Fellow lodge at St. Paris and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that organization. Doctor and Mrs. Hunt have two sons, the subject of this sketch having a brother, Dr. V. W. Hunt, a dentist, of Piqua, this state. Upon completing the course in the schools at Carysville, W. L. Hunt entered the Ohio State University and was there two years. He taught school in this county for three years and then went to Chicago, where he 72 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. worked as a clerk in the Continental and Commercial National Bank of that city and was thus engaged there for eighteen months, at the end of which time he returned to St. Paris and became a clerk in the First National Bank of that city, with which institution he ever since has been connected. Some time after entering that bank he was promoted to the position of assistant cashier and held that position for ten years, or until in January, 1914, when he was elected cashier of the bank and has since then been serving in that capacity. Mr. Hunt is also a member of the board of directors of the bank and has for years given his attention to the affairs of the same. The First National Bank of St. Paris was organized in 1880 and renewed its charter in 1900. Its present officers are as follow : President, I. P. Kiser ; vice-president, Frederk Black ; cashier, W. L. Hunt ; assistant cashier, J. T. Middleton, and the board of directors, in addition to the above-named officers, include Miles Bodey, of St. Paris ; J. M. Birkhold, of Rosewood, and J. W. Kiser, Jr., of Chicago. On November 28, 1901, W. L. Hunt was united in marriage to Elma Kizer, daughter of I. P. and Asenath (Cary) Kizer, and to this union one child has been born, a daughter, Pauline L. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have a very pleasant home at St. Paris and take an interested part in the social activities of the city, helpful in promoting all worthy causes. Mr. Hunt is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to local political affairs, but has not been a seeker after public office. MRS. SARAH A. BOWERS. Mrs. Sarah A. Bowers, one of Urbana's oldest and best-known residents and widow of George W. Bowers, was born in that city on July 20, 1840, a daughter of James M. and Christina (German) Steward, natives of Pennsylvania, who located at Urbana in 1838 or 1839 and there spent their last days. James M. Steward was a saddler and harness-maker by trade and upon locating at Urbana worked at that trade for some time, later becoming employed as a carriage-trimmer in the carriage shop of Warren & Gaumer and was thus engaged until his death, one of the best-known residents of that city. He was a member of the Lutheran church and his wife was a Methodist. They were the parents of seven children, of whom Mrs. Bowers was the third in order of birth, the others being as follow : James G., now deceased, who was a building contractor at Urbana CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 73 and was later engaged in the same line in Colorado and Kansas; Mary J., also now deceased, who married Conrad Marshall and moved from Urbana to Illinois and thence to Kansas; Daniel W. Steward, a well-known veteran of the Civil War and a carpenter at Urbana, who married Susan Skyles; Kate E., widow of John Wood, of Kansas, she being now a resident of Chicago; William Steward, a veteran of the Civil War, now living retired at Urbana. Who married Martha Taylor, and Charles Steward, a carriage-trimmer, now living at Cleveland, this state. Sarah A. Steward received her schooling in the schools of Urbana and for four years after completing her schooling was engaged in teaching school. In the meantime. her eldest brother, James G. Steward, had gone to Colorado and upon the death of his wife there he sent for his sister Sarah to come out and take care of his children. It was while she was living there that she met George W. Bowers. a veteran of the Civil War, whom she married in that state, March 28, 1882. George AV. Bowers was born at Lewisburg, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, September 25, 1836, a son of William and Hester Bowers, both natives of that same county. William Bowers was a hotel-keeper at Lewisburg and also conducted a meat market there. I-le died there When his son George was fifteen years of age, leaving his widow and three children. The widow afterward married William Freeman, an Englishman, and moved with the latter to Waukegan, Illinois. where she spent the remainder of her life. George .W. Bowers accompanied his mother to her new home, having, at Waukegan, learned the trade of cabinet-maker and carpenter. During the Civil War he re-turned to Pennsvlvania and served for ninety days as a member of the Two Hundred and Eighth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. After awhile he went West, working at his trade, and was presently sent to Colorado by a Chicago bridge company to build bridges in that state, and while thus engaged worked in many places in the West. For six years alter his marriage to Sarah A. Steward, Mr. Bowers continued to make his home in Colorado and then returned to Waukegan, where his mother was still living, and in the vicinity of that city became successfully engaged in farming. being thus engaged at that place until his death, on October 28, 19̊2, he then lacking one month of being sixty-six years of age. Mr. 'towers was an active member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Waukegan, in the affairs of which patriotic organization he took a warm interest. and was also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Not long after the death of her husband Mrs. Bowers disposed of her 74 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. interests in Illinois and returned to her old home at Urbana, where she since has made her home and where she is very comfortably situated, having a very pleasant home at No. 324 East Church street. Mrs. Bowers is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the various beneficences of which she takes a warm interest, as well as in the .general good works of the community at large, and her gentle influence ever is exerted in behalf of community betterment. Her memory is excellent and her recollection of events covering the period of her girlhood in Urbana and particularly of some of the stirring incidents of ante-bellum days there and of her service as a school teacher in this community many years ago throw some most interesting sidelights on that period in the development of Urbana and Of Champaign county. ALVIN J. BRIGHT. Alvin J. Bright, one of the best-known lawyers in Champaign county, is a native son of this county and has lived here all his life, with the exception of six years spent in the practice of his profession at Dayton, this state. He was born on a farm in Jackson township, August 6, 1868, son of Henry and Susan (Deaton) Bright, the former of whom was born on that same farm and there spent all his life and the latter is still living, now a resident of Christiansburg. Henry Bright was born on February 2, 1832, son of pioneer parents and was reared on the farm on which he was born and after his marriage established his home there, later buying from the other heirs of his father's estate one hundred and four acres of the home place, to which he afterward added an adjoining tract of forty-three acres and became one of the substantial farmers of his neighborhood. On that place he spent his last days, his death occurring on September 9, 1902. He and his wife were the parents of two sons, Alvin J. Bright having a brother, Dr. William E. Bright, a well-known physician and surgeon at North Hampton, down in Clark county. Reared on the home farm in Jackson township, Alvin J. Bright received his early schooling in the local schools of that neighborhood and later took a course in the scientific department of the State Normal School at Ada, after which for five years he was engaged in teaching school. Meanwhile he was giving much of his leisure time to the study of law and presently entered the law department of the State Normal at Ada and was graduated from the same in 1900, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. For some CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 75 time he maintained his law office at Christiansburg and then, in 1901, went to Dayton. where he opened an office for the practice of his profession and where lie remained for six years, at the end of which time he returned to Christiansburg and has since resided there, he and his mother making their bottle together. In addition to his law practice and his official duties Mayor Bright looks after the interests of his late father's estate' and finds himself a pretty busy man. He is a Republican and has for years given his close attention to the civic affairs of his home town and township and of the county at large. For some time he served as justice of the peace in and for Jackson township and is now the mayor of Christiansburg, to the duties of which important office he is giving his most intelligent attention. He is a Royal Arch and York Rite Mason, a member of Mt. Olivet Lodge No. 226, Free and Accepted Masons, at Christiansburg, of which he is past worshipful master, and of the chapter at St. Paris and the commandery at Troy, and takes a warm and active interest in Masonic affairs. Adam Bright, cousin of Alvin j., of Christiansburg, came here about the time the railroad was built in the county ; he was a large farmer, owning one thousand acres of land near here. He built the elevator and was one of the prominent men of these parts. CLAUDE C. BATDORF. Claude C. Batdorf, a prominent and successful farmer and stockman, stockholder in several commercial enterprises, living on route 3, St. Paris, Champaign county, was born in Jackson township on February 15, 1871, a son of David and Amelia (Walborn) Batdorf, the former of whom was born in Johnson township, this county, on September 20, 1841, and the latter in the same township on May 22, 1843, both of whom were farming people. David Batdorf was a son of Samuel and Susanna (Neff) Batdorf. David Batdorf and his future wife, Amelia Walborn, were reared in Johnson township and attended the public schools. They were married in 1857 and shortly afterward settled on a farm lying south and east of St. Paris, and arc living there at the present time, practically retired from the labor of the farm. During his active life David Batdorf was an industrious and progressive farmer and was generally regarded throughout this part of Champaign county as a successful agriculturist. Mr. and Mrs. Batdorf are 76 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. members of the Methodist Episcopal church at St. Paris and are warmly interested in all its good works, and have always given their support to every worthy purpose in the community in which they have been residents so long and where they are esteemed as good citizens and sincere friends. They were the parents of three children, two of whom are living in 1917. Iola M. and Claude C. Iola M. is a graduate of the St. Paris high school and later attended a normal school, after which she taught school for one year. She married Grant Kizer and they are living two and one-half miles north of St. Paris. They are the parents of two children, Tillie and Alta, both of whom are graduates of the St. Paris high school. The elder is a teacher in high school and the other is a teacher in the schools of Concord township. Claude C. Batdorf was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools, which he attended up to the age of fifteen, at the end of which time he went to the high school at St. Paris for two years. At the age of twenty-five he was united in marriage to Mattie Pence, who was born on August 1, 1868. Their marriage took place on September 23, 1896. Mrs. Batdorf is the daughter of Amos and Clarinda (Browning) Pence, the former of whom was born in Mad River township on May 24, 1822, and died on January 23, 1904, and the latter was born in Union township on March 20, 1838, and is now in her eightieth year, vigorous mentally and enjoying good health. They were the parents of eight children, two, an infant and Lizzie, being dead ; the others are Ella, wife of Scott Kite, of Mad River township; Joseph M., a farmer in the same township; Emma, the wife of Fernando Ward; Victoria, who married Albert Berry, of Mad River township; Jennie. who married W. H. Batford, of Columbus, Ohio, and Mattie, the wife of Claude C. Batdorf. Mrs. Batdorf was reared on a farm in Mad River township and was educated in the Myrtle Tree school, which she attended until she was seventeen years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Batdorf two children were born, Clara, A., born May 2, 1902, and died January 23, 1904, and Geneva A., born on November 23, 1906. The Batdorfs are members of the Baptist church at St. Paris and are earnest and active participants in all church work. He served as trustee of the Myrtle Tree church for several years. Mr. Batdorf is a supporter of the Democratic party and served in the offices of trustee and treasurer. He was elected treasurer of Jackson township and served from 1898 to 1904. He was then elected a trustee and served four years in that office, and his last candidacy resulted in being again chosen in 1915 as treasurer of the township, which office he still holds. In all these offices and in a CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 77 great many other ways, Mr. Batdorf has given evidence of his practical interest in township and county affairs. He is a member of the Champaign county agricultural board, haying been elected in 1915, and to that board and also to the affairs of the farmers institutes he gives freely of his time, energy and advice, being among the most prominent supporters of these valuable institutions, established for the benefit of the farmers of the community. On his farm in Jackson township Mr. Batdorf has his eighty-acre tract given over to general farming and stock raising. He breeds registered Percheron horses and all his stock is of high grade, and he is regarded as one of the most successful farmers of the township. In addition to his agricultural interests, he is a stockholder in the Central National Bank at St. Paris: a stockholder in the Telephone Company of St. Paris, and a stockholder in the National Fire Insurance Company of Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Batdorf's ability as a farmer and a business man is recognized throughout the county. and his worth as a progressive citizen is appreciated to the full. GEORGE H. PRINTZ. George H. Printz, junior member of the firm of T. E. Printz R. Son, dealers in coal at St. Paris and one of the most active and enterprising business men in that city, is a native son of Champaign county and has lived here all his life. He was born at Steinberger in I ad River township, July 11. 1885. son and only child of Jacob E. and Catherine E. (Hannan) Printz the former a native of Virginia and the latter of New Jersey, who came to this county in the days of their youth, were married at Urbana and have ever since been residents of this county, having made their home at St. Paris since 1899. Jacob E. Printz was born in Page county, Virginia, June 22, 1845, son of Isaac and Eliza (Printz) Printz. both of whom were born in that same state, where they spent their lives, Isaac Printz being a miller, as also was his father. Jacob E. Printz grew up in Virginia thoroughly familiar with the details of the milling business and when a young man came to Ohio and at Urbana married Catherine E. Hannan, who was born at Elmer, New Jersey, March 9, 1857, and who had come to this county with her parents in her youth. She is a member of the Eastern Star and past noble grand of the Rebekah lodge. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Printz located 78 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. on a farm in the vicinity-of Lippincott Station, in Salem township, this county, where they remained three years, at the end of which time they moved to Alai River township, where Mr. Printz took charge of the Steinberger mill and operated the same until 1886, when he transferred his services to the Arrowsmith mill in Salem township, where he remained engaged in milling until 1899, when he moved to St. Pads to take charge of the flour-mill at that place and became owner of the same. In 1907 he sold the mill to Baldwin & Son and bought the Walburn & Riker coal yards at St. Paris and has since been engaged in the coal business at that place, long having been regarded as one of the leading business men of that city. Not long after taking over the coal business, Mr. Printz admitted his son to partnership in the business, which since has been conducted under the firm name of J. E. Printz & Son. Mr. Printz came to this county in 1874, a poor young man and by dint of persevering efforts and good management has become one of the well circumstanced men of the county. In addition to his coal interests he is vice-president of the Central National Bank of St. Paris and has other interests there, which place him well up in the list of the men of affairs in that part of the county. Mr. Printz is a Democrat and for years has taken an active part- in local public affairs, having been a member of the board of public works at St. Paris ever since the electric-light plant was built there. He is a Knight Templar and Royal Arch Mason, a member of the blue lodge at St. Paris and of the chapter, council and commandery at Urbana, and is also an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having attained to the encampment in that order. George H. Printz was about thirteen years of age when his parents took up their residence in St. Paris and he completed his schooling in the high school there, after which he became engaged- in the coal business as a partner of his father in the firm of J. E. Printz & Son and has ever since been thus engaged. He also is a stockholder in the Central National Bank of St. Paris and is otherwise interested in the general business affairs of his home town, being regarded as one of the "live wires" of that place, active in all movements haying to do with the advancement of the common interests of the city ; he is manager of the Farmers and Merchants Telephone Company. Mr. Printz is a Democrat and takes an active interest in local political affairs. He is the only thirty-second degree Mason in St. Paris and takes a warm interest in Masonic affairs. He became a member of Pharos Lodge. Free and Accepted Masons, at St. Paris, when twenty-one years of age, and at twenty-four was high priest of the local chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and a member of the council, Royal and Select Masters, at Urbana, and of CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 79 Raper Commandery, Knights Templar, in that city. His affiliation with the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite is through the consistory at Dayton. On June 22, 1908, George H. Printz was united in marriage to Stella Woolcott. who was born near Lena, in Johnson township, this county, May 4. 1886, and to this union one child has been born, a daughter, Evelyn W., born on February 26, 1912. Mrs. Printz is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Printz have a very pleasant home at St. Paris and take an interested and helpful part in the general social activities of their home town. Mrs. Stella Printz is past noble grand of the Rebekah lodge, St. Paris, and is an officer and member of Diamond Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. JOHN D. ROBERTS. John D. Roberts, Civil War veteran, well-known farmer and general stockman, hying on rural route 1 out of St. Paris, is a native Virginian, born in Page county, Virginia. July 29, 1844. He is the son. of John and Harriet (Good) Roberts, the former of whom was born and died in Page county, that state. and whose wife, Harriet Good, was also born in the same county and state: she also died there. John Roberts and his wife were the parents of eleven children, of whom two are now living. the subject of this sketch having a sister, Rebecca, who became the wife of Benjamin Wood and. who are residents of Page county, Virginia. John Roberts and his wife were members of the Lutheran church and ever active in its good works throughout their lives. He was affiliated with the old Whig party and on the formation of the Republican 'party, became one of its stanchest supporters. John D. Roberts was reared on his father's farm and was educated the excellent schools of Page county, Virginia. He worked for a time on the farm and when the Civil War broke out he enlisted in Company C, of White's Battalion and Ross's Brigade: he furnished his own horses and bridles. On May 6. 1863, he was struck by a shell in the left knee at the battle of the Wilderness and he suffered for sixteen months from the effects of his injuries. In the winter of 1864 he rejoined his command and after a short period of service was discharged, the command with which he had been serving being disbanded. On the conclusion of his war service John D. Roberts returned to. his home and went to work on the farm. He was united in marriage to Martha 80 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. Kiser, who was a distant relative of the late John W. Kiser. Mr. Roberts lived in Virginia until March 5, 1883, when he came to this state and located in Champaign county on the farm on which he now lives. He is the owner of one hundred acres of prime land, which is in an excellent state of cultivation. in addition to his work on the farm he is also extensively engaged in breeding a fine strain of Jersey cattle, Duroc-Jersey hogs and Plymouth chickens, his produce in all these various lines netting good prices at market. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are parents of one son, Ernest C. Roberts, born in September. 1879. He married Nora Batdorf and they are the parents of two children. Irene and John D. John D. Roberts has been a lifelong supporter of the Republican party, but has never been a seeker after public office. He and his wife have a pleasant home in Jackson township, where they reside on the place known as the "West Farm." Mr. Roberts is held in warm regard by his many friends in St. Paris and he is admired for his upright character and general sense of justice in the affairs of life. JUDGE JOSEPH P. NORTHCUTT. judge Joseph P. Northcutt, pension attorney, justice of the peace in and for Urbana township, former judge of probate for Champaign county. an honored veteran of the Civil War and for years one of the best-known residents- of Urbana, is a native son of Champaign county and has lived here all his life. He was born in the hamlet of Westville, in Mad River township, August 23, 1841, son of Runyan and Lucinda (Pence) Northcutt, the former a native of the state of Kentucky and the latter of this county. Runyan Northcutt was but a child when his parents, Shadrick and Ruth (Taylor) Northcutt, came to Ohio from Kentucky, about the year 1810, and settled on a farm southwest of Westville. near Terre Haute, in this county, where they spent the remainder of their lives, Shadrack Northcutt becoming- 'one of the substantial pioneer settlers of that part of the county. On that pioneer farm Runyan Northcutt grew to manhood, receiving his schooling in a little old log school house in Mad River township, and early became a saddler and harness-maker, following that vocation at Westville the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1844. He had married Lucinda Pence, who was born in Urbana township, this county, CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 81 and to that union five children were born, of whom but two are now living, the subject of this sketch having a brother, Edmond Northcutt, living at South Omaha, Nebraska. The other children of that union were John, Emily, who married Hugh Gibbs, and William. Joseph P. Northcutt was but three years of age when his father died and a fter the death of his mother, some years later, he made his home with his maternal uncle, Jacob Pence. He completed his schooling in the schools of Westville and later entered a harness shop and saddlery at St. Paris, where he learned the trade that had been his father's and was working at that trade when the Civil War broke out. On September 9, 1861, he then being but twenty years of age, Mr. Northcutt enlisted for service in the Union army, as a member of Company G. Third Ohio Cavalary, and served with that command, attached to the Army of the Cumberland, for more than eighteen months. At the battle of Woodville Station, Alabama, April 3, 1862, he was wounded six times and his horse was shot from under him. Three of the bullets he received on that bloody day Mr. Northcutt still carries in his body, the army surgeons having been unable to reach them. On February 20, 1863, he then having been fairly convalescent from his wounds, Mr. Northcutt received an honorable discharge from service, on a phvsician's certificate of physical disability, and returned home. He resumed his work as a saddler and harness-maker, but a short time later became engaged as a clerk in a dry-goods store at St. Paris and remained thus connected for seventeen years. or until his health began to fail, requiring a more out-door mode of living. For five years thereafter Mr. Northcutt was engaged in buying cattle, mostly sheep, and was thus engaged at the time of his election to the office of judge of probate for Champaign county. Following his election Judge Northcutt moved to Urbana, entering upon his (unties of his office on February 9, 1891, and has ever since made that city his home. For six years he served as judge of probate and for a short time thereafter gave his personal attention to a farm he had acquired years before and which he still owns. Not long afterward he became engaged in the insurance business at Urbana and also became active as a pension attorney and is still acting in the latter capacity. In 1911 Judge Northcutt was elected justice of the peace in and for Urbana township and is now serving in that important public capacity. He is a Republican and for years has been looked upon as one of the leaders of that party in this county, ever giving his most thoughtful attention to local civic affairs. On November 14. 1866, Joseph P. Northcutt was united in marriage to (6a) 82 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. Augusta Richeson, a daughter of Samuel and Mary Ann Richeson, and to this union one child has been born, a daughter, Carrie, wife of J. H. Cody, of Urbana. Judge arid Mrs. Northcutt are Members of the Presbyterian church and take a proper interest in church affairs. The Judge is a charter member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic at St. Paris and served that post as quartermaster. and as treasurer. He also was a charter member of the Masonic lodge at St. Paris, but is not now actively connected with that order. SOLOMON APPLE. Solomon Apple, one of. the well-known and substantial farmers of Jackson township, this county, and the proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and thirty acres one mile south and a half mile east of St. Paris, was born on a pioneer farm one mile south of where he now lives and has lived in that neighborhood all his life. He was born on June II, 1835, son of Sol-omon and Catherine (Snapp) Apple, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Montgomery county, this state, who became pioneers of Jackson township and there spent the remainder of their lives. The elder Solomon Apple came to Ohio from Pennsylvania in the days of his young manhood and in Montgomery county was married to Catherine Snapp, shortly afterward coming up into Champaign county. He entered a tract of eighty acres of "Congress land" in Jackson township and there established his home and proceeded to develop and improve his farm, a part of which at that time was swamp land. The Snapps settled in that neigh.- borhood about the same time and the two families thus became counted as among the first settlers of that part of the county and were influential in the early work of development thereabout. Pioneer Solomon Apple prospered in his farming operations and added to his home farm until he had there two hundred and forty acres. He also had a farm of one hundred acres in Johnson township. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church and took an active part in church work. They were the parents of eight children, of whom the subject of this sketch is now the sole sur-vivor. Of the others, William, Sarah, Mary, Noah and Simon grew to maturity and two died in infancy. Reared on the pioneer home farm in Jackson township, the younger Solomon Apple received his schooling in the little old log school house in CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 83 that neighborhood and from the days of his youth was a helpful factor in the development of the home farm, remaining there until his marriage in 1861, when he established his home on the place where he is now living- and has ever since.made that his residence, long having been regarded as one of the substantial farmers of that community. Mr. Apple is a Democrat and has ever given a good citizen's attention to local political affairs, but has never held public office. He is a member of the Lutheran church at St. Paris and has for many years taken a proper part in church work. Despite the weight of his four-score years and more, he retains much of his former vigor and continues to take a warm interest in current affairs. On September 25, 1861, Solomon Apple was united in marriage to Frances Kessler, who was born in Johnson township, this county, and to that union was born one child, a son, Perry Franklin Apple, born on October 12, 1862, who married Rosa Prince, daughter of Abraham Prince, and has one child, a daughter, Ota, who makes her home with her grandfather on the old place. Mrs. Frances Apple died on April 18, 1914. Perry F. Apple was educated in the common schools and lived at home always. He is building his own home in Jackson township, where he will reside. He has served as president of the school board, and is a member of the Lutheran church. JOHN B. HOLLIS. John B. Hollis. a well-known retired merchant, of Christiansburg, former clerk and former trustee of Jackson township, is a native son of Ohio and has lived in this state all his life. He was born in the city of Piqua on August 1848, son of Benoni and I.ydia (Duffy) Hollis, natives of Pennsylvania. His father died before he was born and his mother later married Cyrus Borden. By her marriage to Benoni Hollis she was the mother Of four children, of whom the subject of this sketch is now the only survivor. Thrown upon his own resources in his youth, John B. Hollis had quite a struggle getting a foothold on the path to fortune and at the age of twenty-one was practically without means save a stout heart and willing hands. At twenty-six years of age he became engaged in the meat business and for thirty-five years was thus engaged, doing a general meat business, and did quite well. He formerly owned a valuable farm, but since his re-tirement has sold the same and is now living undisturbed by business cares. Mr. Hollis is a Democrat and has long given close attention to local polit- 84 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. ical affairs, having for several years served as clerk of Jackson township and as trustee of the township, giving to the performance of the duties of these offices his intelligent attention. In April, 1875, John B. Hollis was united in marriage to Minnie Spence, who was born in the neighboring county of Clark, but who was reared in Champaign county. Mr. and Mrs. Hollis have a very pleasant home at Christiansburg and have ever given their thoughtful attention to the general affairs of their home town. Mr. Hollis is a Scottish Rite (thirty-second degree) Mason and both he and his wife are members of the local chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, which Mrs. Hollis has served in numerous official capacities. For twelve years Mr. Hollis was worshipful master of. Mt. Olivet Lodge No. 226. Free and Accepted Masons, at Christiansburg, and his affiliation with the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite is through the consistory at Dayton. He also is a Knight Templar (York Rite), affiliated with the commandery at Troy, and is a Royal Arch Mason, affiliated with the chapter (No. 132) at St. Paris, and is also affiliated with the council, Royal and Select Masters, at Troy, for many years having given hi's earnest attention to Masonic affairs. GEORGE D. NAGLE. George D. Nagle, a well-known cement contractor at Christiansburg and former assessor of Jackson township, is a native of the great Empire state, but has been a resident of this county since he was about seven years of age. He was born in the city of Brooklyn, New York, June 25, 1862, son of George and Caroline (Duffern) Nagle, natives of Germany, the former born in Hamburg and the latter in Baden, who later became residents of Champaign county and here spent their last days. George Nagle was about fourteen years of age when Ile came to this county with his parents, the family settling in Brooklyn and there he grew to manhood. For a time he worked in a grocery store and then learned the plumber's trade and was engaged in that business when the Civil War broke out. He enlisted his services in behalf of the Union and went to the front as a member of Company H, New York Heavy Artillery, and with that command served for three years and nine months. He had married before the war broke out and upon the completion of his military service moved with his family to Canada, where he remained for about three years, or CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 85 until 1869, when he came to Ohio and located at Urbana. In the meantime he had become a stone mason and upon coming to this county engaged as a contractor in masonry and continued thus engaged until his retirement at the age of seventy years, making his home on a farm which he had bought in the neighborhood of Urbana. George Nagle and wife were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are still living, those besides the subject of this sketch being as follow : Charles, a contractor in Jackson township, this county: Carrie, wife of Frank Hubert, of Detroit, Michigan; Mattie, wife of William King, also of Detroit; Maggie, wife of William McDonald, of Urbana; Willis, a contractor of cement work at Piqua, and Fred, a contractor at Urbana. George D. Nagle was about nine years of age when he came to this county with his parents and he completed his schooling in the Urbana schools. He early learned under the direction of his father the details of stone masonry and when twenty-one years of age began working along that line on his own account, locating at Christiansburg, where he presently developed a business as a stone contractor, eventually taking up cement work and in the latter line has since been engaged and has been successful. Mr. Nagle is a Republican and has served as a member of the Champaign county Republican central committee and as assessor of Jackson township. He has acquired considerable real estate interests and is quite well circumstanced. In 1898 George D. Nagle was united in marriage to Emma L. Warner, who was born in Christiansburg, Champaign county. Mr. and Mrs. Nagle are members of the Lutheran church and take an interested part in church work. Mr. Nagle is past noble grand of Social Lodge No. 339, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Christiansburg, and is past chief patriarch of the local encampment, Patriarchs Militant, for years having taken an active and earnest interest in Odd Fellowship. SILAS M. STRADLING. Silas M. Stradling, one of Jackson township's well-known and substantial farmers and the proprietor of a fine farm .of eighty acres one arid one-half miles south of St. Paris, was born on the farm on which lie is now living and has lived there all his life. n all, he owns one hundred and fifteen acres. He was born on December 1, 1847, son of Henry and Emily (Mitchell) Stradling, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter 86 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. of Ohio, who came to this county from Warren county, this state, and established their home here about 1845, spending the rest of their lives here. Henry Stradling was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1813, and was married, about the year 1845, in Warren county, this state, to Emily Mitchell, who was born in that county in 1823. Shortly after their marriage he and his wife came to Champaign county and settled on a farm in Jackson township, malittletheir first home in a littM log house that had been built by J. Zuhle, a pioneer of that neighborhood. Ten years later, Henry Stradling bought a tract of eighty acres adjoining the place on which he had been living and in 1866 erected on that farm the house in which his son, the subject of this sketch, is now living. He did not long remain to enjoy his new home, however, for he died in 1868, a little more than a year after moving into his new home. His widow survived him for many years, her last days being spent in St. Paris. Henry Stradling was a member of Social Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Lena, and took an active interest in the affairs of that order. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, four of whom are still living, the subject of this sketch having a brother, Timothy Stradling, a Jackson township farmer, and two sisters, Mary, widow of Valander Ward, of Mad River township, and Effie, a spinster, living at St. Paris. Reared on the farm on which he was born, Silas M. Stradling has lived there all his life. He received his schooling in the little old log school house in that neighborhood and from the days of his boyhood was a valuable factor in the development of the home place. He was not yet twenty-one years of age when his father died and afterward much of the responsibility of farm management fell upon his shoulders. After his marriage he bought eighty acres of the home place from his mother, established his home there and has ever since continued to make that his place of residence, long having been regarded as one of the substantial and well-established farmers of that neighborhood. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Stradling has given considerable attention to the raising of Duroc-Jersey hogs and has done very well. He is a Republican, but has not held public office. In 1874 Silas M. Stradling was united in marriage to Elizabeth Bidelstter, who was born on an adjoining farm on April 13, 1852, daughter of George and Mary A. (Costenborder) Bidelstter, the former of whom was born in France and the latter in Greene county, this state, who were married in that county and later came to Champaign county, establishing their home in Jackson township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Stradling have eight children, four sons and four CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 87 daughters, namely: Bertha M., wife of John Clapp, of St. Paris; Cory, who is at home; Don, who married Mary Heaston; Henry, who is unmarried and remains at home, helping with the management of the farm; Mary, also at home: George, who married Carrie Wheaton, and Nellie and Helen, at home. The Stradlings have a very pleasant home and have ever taken an interested part in the general social activities of the community in which they live. SAMUEL S. DAVIS. Samuel S. Davis, a substantial retired farmer and landowner of Champaign county, now living at Mechanicsburg, is a native of the Old Dominion state. but has been a resident of this county since he was twenty years of age, having come here with his widowed mother in 1876. He was born in Warren county, Virginia, September 22, 1855, son of Fenix and Adaline (Cattlett) Davis. both also natives of the Old Dominion, the former born in that section now comprised within West Virginia, who located in Warren county after their marriage and there Fenix Davis spent the rest of his life, following the vocation of bridge builder. He died there, leaving a widow and three children, the subject of this sketch having two sisters, Alma, wife of Charles Layton, a farmer living near Urbana, this county, and Sarah, wife of Percy Horr, a farmer of Union township,. this county. For Item years before her marriage Mrs. Horr was a school teacher in this county. In 1876, some time after the: death of her husband, Mrs. Adaline Davis and her children came to Champaign county from Virginia and here she spent the remainder of her life, her death occurring on May 8, 1909. As the only son of the family much of the responsibility for the maintenance of the family fell upon the shoulders of Samuel S. Davis after his father's death, the father having been a poor man and unable to leave much patrimony, and Samuel thereafter took care of his mother the rest of her life. Upon coming here the family settled in Mad River township and for three years thereafter Samuel S. Davis was engaged at farm labor there. He then rented a farm from Simeon Taylor and his operations as a farmer on his own account prospered so that he presently was able to buy a farm of his own. That first farm that he owned was in Pike township, Madison county, and he paid for it eighty dollars an acre. When he later was made an offer of one hundred and twenty-five dollars an acre for the place he 88 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. let it go and with the proceeds of the sale bought the Marquis Crain farm of one hundred and sixty acres, paying for the same seventeen thousand dollars. This farm he later sold for eighteen thousand dollars and then-bought a farm of one hundred and ninety-six acres in Union township, this county, paying for the same one hundred dollars, and this farm he still owns. After taking possession of his Union township farm Mr. Davis made his home there for three years, at the end of which time, in 1916, he retired and moved to Mechanicsburg, where he is now living. Mr. Davis is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Homer Lodge, Knights of Pythias, at Mechanicsburg, and takes a warm interest in the affairs of the lodge. LOU B. BERRY. Lou B. Berry, treasurer of Champaign county and for years actively engaged in the insurance business at Urbana, was born in that city and has lived there all his life. He was born on October 25, 1866, son of Thomas H. and Luxima (Hughes) Berry, representatives of two of the most prominent and influential families in this part of Ohio. Thomas H. Berry also was born at Urbana and lived there all his life, with the exception of three years spent at Chicago and at Danville, Illinois. He was born on January 5, 1820, son of Judge E. C. Berry, one of the most prominent and influential men of his generation in this county and further and fitting mention of whom is made in the historical section of this work. Thomas H. Berry took a prominent part in the political, social and religious life of his home town and county. He was an active Republican and he and his wife were earnest members of the Presbyterian church. On May 1, 1846, Thomas H. Berry married Luxima Hughes, who was born on June 28, 1826, daughter of the Rev. James R. Hughes, of Oxford, Ohio, who was the first Presbyterian minister in Champaign county and the first principal of Miami University. To that union seven children were born, Mary Lamme, Thomas C., James H., Charles J., William E., Harry M., and Lou B. Thomas H. Berry died on November 9, 1879. Lou B. Berry received his schooling in the schools of Urbana and upon completing his studies engaged in the insurance business at Urbana as a clerk in the office of C. W. Marshall, who at that time was the state agent for the Home Insurance Company of New York. In 1891 Mr. Berry was appointed local agent for that company and has since been thus en- CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 89 gaged, also representing several other fire and life insurance companies, long having been recognized as one of the leading insurance men in this part of the state. Air. Berry is an ardent Republican and from the days of his boyhood has taken an active part in local political affairs. In the campaign of 1916 he was made the nominee of his party for the office of treasurer of Champaign county and was elected in the fall of that year by a large majority and is now serving as treasurer of this county, one of the most popular officials in the court house. Mr. Berry is also a member of the local school board and has long given his close attention to the affairs of the schools, helpful in many ways in extending the cause of education in his home town. On February 23. 1893, Lou II. Berry was united in marriage to Carrie Hubbell, daughter of John H. and Mary Hubbell, and to this union two children have been born, Philip (deceased) and Richard. Mr. and Mrs. Berry are members of the Presbyterian church and take a proper interest in church work, as well as in the general social activities of the city and are helpful in promoting all worthy causes. Mr. Berry is a Mason and a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and in the affairs of these two organizations takes a warm interest. GLENN WEIKERT. Glenn Weikert. of Christiansburg, assessor of Jackson township and one of the best-known auctioneers in Champaign county, is a native son. of Ohio and has lived in this state all his life. He was born on a farm in the vicinity of Troy, in the neighboring county of Miami, December 8, 1880, son of John and Frances F. (Robbins) Weikert, both of whom were born in that same county. and who are now living retired at Troy. To John Weikert and wife five children were born, four of whom are still living, those besides the subject of this sketch being Emmet E., a Miami county farmer; Gertrude, wife of Eugene Reasor, of Troy, and Nellie M., wife of William Swails, also of Miami county. Reared on the home farm. Glenn Weikert completed his schooling in the public schools of Troy and at the age of seventeen years learned the barber trade and for eleven years was engaged in the barber business at Troy. at the same time acting as an agent for the sale of fruit trees in that vicinity. About 1909 Mr. Weikert took up auctioneering as a vocation and 90 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. has since been thus engaged, the calls for his services in that connection coming from far and near throughout this part of the state. Mr. Weikert moved from Troy to Christiansburg and he and his family are comfortably situated in that village. He is a Democrat and is now serving as assessor of Jackson township and of the village of Christiansburg. On September 8, 1903, Glenn Weikert was united in marriage to Harriet E. Hoover. N\ ho also was horn in Miami county, and to this union have been born four children, Roswell, Paul, Wilson and Dorothy M. Mr. and Mrs. Weikert are members of the Christian church and Mr. Weikert is clerk of the same, both taking an earnest interest in church work. J. C. BRAGUNIER. J. C. Bragunier, a well-known traveling salesman and a resident of Christiansburg, this. county, is a native of the Hoosier state, but has lived in Ohio since the days of his boyhood. He was born on a farm in the vicinity of Delphi, in Carroll county, Indiana, January 1, 1878, son of Samuel and Melvina (Ross) Bragunier, both now deceased, the former of whom was born in Lancaster county, in the state of Maryland, and the latter of Ohio, a native of Champaign county, born on the old Ross farm in Jackson township. Samuel Bragunier was but two years of age when his parents moved from Maryland to Carroll county, Indiana, and there he grew to manhood on a farm near Delphi. There he met and married Mel-villa E. Ross, of this county, who had gone to Carroll county on a visit to friends, and after his marriage continued to make his home in Indiana until 1884, when he came with his family to Champaign county and settled on the old. Ross farm in Jackson township, he and his wife spending the remainder of their lives in this county, her death occurring on March 14, 1913, and his, May 22, 1913. They were the parents of five children, the subject of this sketch having four sisters, namely : Kittie, wife of Frank Vandeveer ; Mary E., a stenographer at Columbus, this state; Estella M., wife of J. H. Swisher, and Addie M., wife of C. W. Proctor. Having been but six years of age when he came to this county with his parents in 1884, J. C. Bragunier grew to manhood here and received his schooling in the schools of this county. For several years he worked on the farm and then became engaged in the butcher business at Christians-burg and was thus engaged for six years, at the end of which time he be- CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 91 came employed as a trayeling salesman for the Moorman Manufacturing Company of Quincy, Illinois, representing that company throughout western Ohio, and has ever since been thus engaged, one of the best-known salesmen traveling out of Champaign county. Since becoming thus engaged Mr. Bragunier has continued to make his headquarters at Christiansburg and takes an active interest in the general affairs of that 'thriving village. He is a member of Mt. Olivet Lodge No. 226, Free and Accepted Masons, at Christiansburg, and is the present worshipful master of the same. Politically, he is a Republican and has ever taken a good citizen's part in the political affairs of his home county. JAMES T. JOURNELL. James T. Journell. a well-known general farmer, living three miles south of Quincy, Champaign county, was born in Adams township on May 10, 1859, a son of Anderson and Elizabeth (Heath) Journell. Anderson Journell was born in the state of Virginia and Elizabeth Heath was born in the state of Ohio. He came from Virginia and settled in Ohio and there he met and married Elizabeth Heath; after their marriage they settled on a farm in Concord township and lived there for several years. In 1860 they went to Illinois and located in Cumberland county, that state, and in that place they spent the remainder of their lives. They were industrious farming. people and were ever interested in the good works of the communities in which they lived. James T. Journell, when he had reached the age of ten years, started out to work for himself, being employed by the month in Illinois. After a lapse of a few years he returned to Ohio, locating in Logan county, where he also worked by the month on farms. Having saved a little money out of his earnings, he rented a farm for three years. At that time he was married to Elizabeth Curl, a daughter of farming people: In 1882 Mr. Journell settled on the old Curl farm, which contains sixty-eight acres of prime land. He has since been carrying on general farming, his compact holding being in an excellent state of cultivation, and his labors have been rewarded with a marked degree of success. Since coming into possession of the farm Mr. Journell and his wife have continued to reside on the holding and are there comfortably circumstanced. They are the parents of two children, namely': Orville, a graduate of the common schools, who 92 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. married Mabel Wilson and lives in Adam; township, and they are the parents of three children, Wilson, Agnes J. and Rachel E.; the other child is Loren, who attended the common and high schools of the township. The Journell family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Journell is one of the trustees, and he and his wife are earnest supporters of the church and its good works. They also take. a warm interest in all social matters having for their object the welfare of the community and they are held in high esteem by a wide circle of friends. Mr. Journell is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, but has never held any political offices. He is well known throughout the township in which lie has so long been residing, as a progressive and industrious farmer. DON McMORRAN. Don McMorran ranks among the well-known young farmers and stockmen of St. Paris, Champaign county.. He was born in Johnson township, this county, on December 20, 1883, a son of David and Susan (Norman) McMorran. David McMorran is a descendant of Christian McMorran, who was among the early settlers of Champaign county. David McMorran and wife were the parents of three children, one of whom died in infancy and the others still living being Dolla, who became the wife of Charles Wiant, liying in Johnson township, and Don, the subject of this sketch. Don McMorran was reared on the farm three miles northeast of St. Paris. He was educated in the district schools and on the completion of his school course he worked on his father's farm up to the time of his marriage. On April 2, 1912, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Pearl Perfect, who was the widow of Bert E. Perfect, her name before her first marriage being Pearl Parke. She was born in Union county, Ohio, in 1879, and to her first marriage one (laughter was born, Marguerete Perfect, now a student in the St. Paris schools. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McMorran two daughters have been born, Moree, on August 13, 1913, and Marcella, on August 21, 1915. Mr. McMorran and the members of his family are affiliated with the Baptist church at St. Paris. Mr. McMorran, in addition to his farming operations. is a moderate feeder of cattle and hogs, and in this branch of his agricultural activities he has had some success. He is a supporter of the Republican party, but has never been a seeker after public office. CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 93 ORVA D. LITTLEJOHN. Orva D. Littlejohn, a prominent and successful farmer and stockman of Jackson township and proprietor of the "Fair View Stock Farm," consisting of sixty-seven acres of prime land situated one-half mile south of Christiansburg, at the end of the cow-path pike, was born in Clark county, Ohio, on September 12, 1867. He is the son of Edward and Eliza (Wagoner ) Littlejohn, the former of whom was born in Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, and the latter was born in Logan county, Ohio. Edward Littlejohn, father of the subject of this sketch, came from his home in Virginia, accompanied by his mother, to Clark county, Ohio. The long journey was made in wagons and on reaching this state they settled near Springield, where they engaged in farming. Edward Littlejohn was twice married. To his first marriage three children were born, George, Maticia and M an-. who is deceased. Of his second marriage the following children were born : Isaac, Josie, William, John, Jacob, David, Ann, Edward E., Lou and another, twins ; Othelina and Roseline, twins. Orva D. Littlejohn was reared on a farm in Jackson township and attended the district schools, his opportunities for receiving a thorough education being limited. He started working for himself at farm labor at an early age and when he had reached the age of twenty-one, he had got together the sum of two hundred dollars. as the result of his labor and thrifty habits. He commenced fanning on his own account by renting a farm in Clark county and after spending some time there he rented for a while in Miami county. In 1906 he bought his present farm of sixty-seven acres in Jackson .township. known as "Fair View Stock Farm." Mr. Littlejohn, on becoming the owner of this holding, started immediately to improve it and it is now in excellent condition as the result of his efforts; the dwelling house and outbuildings are likewise in an admirable state, all indicating earnest attention on the part of the owner. Mr. Littlejohn is engaged in general farming and stock raising; he breeds the big type of Poland China hogs and has high-grad stock of all kinds, his success in this line being no less marked than in his farm work, and he is generally regarded in the district as a progressive and skillful husbandman. In December, 1891. Orva D. Littlejohn was united in marriage to Clara D. Munford, who was born in Clark county and educated in the common schools. She was a daughter of William H. and Nancy Munford; he was a native of Maryland and she of Ohio. They lived in Clark and 94 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.  Miami counties. Both are dead ; he was a farmer. To this union two children have been born, Harry C., born on October 21, 1892, was educated in the public schools and spent two years in high school. He married Stella Wheaton and is now farming in Clark county, this state. The other child is Emerson L. Littlejohn, born on March 3, 1896 ; he attended the public schools and the high schools at Christiansburg and Troy. The Littlejohn family are members of the Christian church at Lower Honey creek and are warm supporters of all its good works. Mr. Littlejohn is a, member of Social Lodge No. 136, Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Christians-burg. He is an ardent Democrat and served as superintendent of the gravel roads in Jackson township for two years, and in other ways has given of his time and energy to the public interest. MINARD L. SESSIONS. Minard L. Sessions, an honored veteran of the Civil War and for years custodian of the public school building at Woodstock, is a native son of Champaign county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in the immediate vicinity of Woodstock, in Rush township, August 14, 1842, son of Darius and Analine (Meacham) Sessions, the former of whom was a native of the state of Rhode Island and the latter of Massachusetts, who were married after they came to this county and here spent the remainder of their lives. Darius Sessions was trained as a carpenter in the days of his youth and was a skilled builder. He came to Ohio and located in this county when twenty-eight years of age, having married not long before coming here, and he and his wife established their home at Woodstock, where Mr. Sessions engaged in housebuilding and in trading the rest of his life, his death occurring a few years later, in 1844, he then being thirty-one years of age. His widow survived him many years, her death occurring in 1895, she then being eighty years of age. She was a member of the Universalist church. Darius Sessions and wife were the parents of three children, of whom the subject of this sketch now is the only survivor, his two sisters, Mrs. Mary Hoisington and Cynthia, wife of Newton Ellsworth, being deceased. Minard L. Sessions was but two years of age when his father died and he remained with his mother until her death, a thoughtful and loving provider after he had reached the age of self-support. He received but limited CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 95 schooling, there never being more than three months of school during the year in his neighborhood in the days of his youth, and in his youth he worked on farms and at various tasks. In September, .1861, he then being- but nineteen years of age, Mr. Sessions enlisted for service in the Union army during the continuance of the Civil War and went to the front as a priyate in Company A, Second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer nfantry. His regiment was attached to the Army of the Cumberland and he thus saw much active service, having been a participant in thirteen battles and skirmishes, including the battles of Stone's River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain and others. At the battle of Chickamauga he received a seyere gunshot wound in the right thigh and was sent to the military hospital at New Albany, Indiana, where he was confined from September, 1862, to January. 1863. He then rejoined his regiment and was with the same until he received his final honorable discharge on November 10, 1864, at Columbus. Upon the completion of his military service Mr. Sessions returned to Woodstock and a year thereafter became engaged as a clerk in the store of Joseph Chamberlain, in that village, and was thus engaged for seven years. He then for two years was engaged with Newton Chamberlain and then for fifteen years he was engaged in manufacturing tile. After that he was variously engaged until 1893, in which year he was made the custodian of the Woodstock public school buildings and he has since then continued thus engaged, one of the best-known men in that yillage. In 1867 Minard L. Sessions was united in marriage to Mary A. Reynolds, who was born in Urbana. this county, daughter of Harrison and Elizabeth Reynolds, of that city, and to this union six children have been born, namely: Charles H., Lenora, Harriet, Alline, Perry and Blanche. Charles H. Sessions receiyed his schooling- in the Woodstock schools and later took up newspaper work, in which he has been yery successful, now being one of the leading staff writers on the Kansas City Journal. It was years ago that Charles I. Sessions went to Kansas City, Missouri, where he became employed on one of the newspapers of that city and has eyer since been thus engaged, haying giyen service to several of the papers of that city before becoming employed on the Journal. During the incumbency of Governor Hoke. of Kansas, he for two years served as private secretary to that executive. Charles H. was secretary of state of Kansas for four years and is now secretary to Governor Cappen, of Kansas. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and in his political affiliation is a Republican. Charles H. Sessions married Mary Barker, of Kansas City, and has one child, a son, 96 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. Charles B. Lenora Sessions married A. E. Van Doozer, now living at San Francisco, California, and has two sons, Wallace and Harold. Harriet Sessions married Ellis Drake, of Chicago, and has two children, Marjorie and Frances. Alline Sessions married Malcolm McNeal and also lives in Chicago. She has one child, a son, Minard. Perry Sessions also went West and has done very well in Kansas. He served as a soldier during the Spanish-American War and afterward located in Kansas, where he took a prominent part in political affairs and is now in the secretary of state's office of the Sunflower state. He married Rosa West and has one child, a son, Minard. Blanche Sessions married Manning Stoner and is living in San Francisco. Mr. Sessions is an active member of Davis Post No. 612, Grand Army of the Republic, at Woodstock, and for years has been adjutant and quartermaster of the same, ever taking an earnest interest in the affairs of that patriotic organization. He also is a member of Woodstock Lodge No. 167, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that popular organization. He and his wife have a pleasant home at Woodstock and have always given their best thought to doing what they can to advance the general interests of their home town. A. W. RUSSELL. A. W. Russell, farmer of Concord township, was born in this township, near the Methodist church at Eris, April 4, 1859. He is a son of Valentine and Margaret (Hill) Russell, who were married in 1836. In 1842 they moved overland to Iowa, being among the early pioneers in that state, where they spent two years, returning to Champaign county, Ohio, in 1844, and spent the rest of their lives on a farm in Concord township. They were members of the Concord Methodist church. He was a Republican and held local offices, including that of land appraiser. He took an active interest in township affairs. His family consisted of eight children, namely : Robert H., who lived in Luray, Virginia, is deceased ; J. E. and John F. both make their home on a farm in Concord township, Champaign county ; Lorin V. died when sixteen years old; Minerva A. is the widow of Nelson Longfellow and she lives in Concord township ; Mrs. Eliza J. Vance lived in Urbana, but is now deceased; A. W., of this sketch ; one child died in infancy. CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 97 A. W. Russell lived at home with his parents until early manhood and attended the district schools; later he studied at the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware for two years, then took a business course in a Columbus commercial college. After finishing his education; he returned home and farmed with his father until he inherited part of the homestead, and later bought more of it. There he has continued to reside, the place consisting of eighty acres, which he has kept well improved and well cultivated and the buildings well repaired. He has been successful as a general farmer and makes a specialty of raising cattle, hogs and horses, preparing large numbers annually for the market. On December 6, 1900, Mr. Russell married Mary E. Snarr, a daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Keller) Snarr, both natives of Shenandoah county, Virginia, where they grew up and married, but about a year later they moved to Hardy county, West Virginia, where they bought a farm and spent the rest of their lives. Nine children were born to them, eight of whom grew to maturity and seven of them are still living, namely : James and John are both residing in Hardy county, West Virginia; Calvin died when about five years old; Jacob H. lives in Concord township, Champaign county; Alice died in Hampshire county, West Virginia; Martin S. lives in Salem township, Champaign county; Minnie is the wife of C. N. Robertson, of Hampshire county. \West Virginia Annie is the wife of P. L. Walker, of Hampshire county, that state : and Mary E., wife of Mr. Russell of this sketch. The children of A. NW. Russell and wife are: Philip B., born March 19, 1902; Richard H.. born February 19, 1906, and Maryin K., horn November 9, 1907. Politically, Mr. Russell is a Republican. His wife and son, Philip B., belong to the Concord Methodist Episcopal church. J. T. R. WILSON. J. T. R. Wilson, a well-known substantial farther and president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank at Christiansburg, this county, was born near Lexington, Rockbridge county, Virginia, on August 31, 1845. He was the son of Hugh and Mary (Robinson) Wilson, the former of whom was born in the state of Virginia in June, '1815, and the latter in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1819. (7a) 98 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. Hugh and Mary (Robinson) Wilson grew up together on neighboring farms in the state of Virginia, where Mrs. Wilson's parrots had taken her when she was one year old. The Robinson and Wilson families lived on adjoining farms and the friendship formed between the young couple culminated in marriage, which took place in 1840. Hugh and Mary Wilson, following their marriage, continued to live in Virginia until 1855, in which year they arrived in Ohio and located in Miami county, west of Christians-burg, where they lived until his death. Mrs. Mary Wilson, following the death of her husband, moved to Troy, Ohio, where she died. When Hugh Wilson came to Ohio he settled in Miami county where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of fine land on which he carried on general farming for several years. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, three of whom are living at the present time : J. T. R., the subject of this sketch; H. M., of St. Louis, Missouri, where he is engaged as an optician, and Frank, an insurance man, of Troy, this state. Hugh Wilson was a member of the Presbyterian church, in the good works of which he was warmly interested and in which lie served as a deacon for several years. He was a Democrat, but never sought public office. J. T. R. Wilson was reared on the farm in Miami county and went to the district schools. After finishing school he remained at home working on the farm until he was twenty-one years old. Some time later he went to the state of Nevada and to the Pacific coast, where he remained for about three years, at the end of which time he returned to Champaign county. In August, 1873, he was married to Nancy J. Furrow, who was born in Miami county. They had been playmates from early childhood and attended the same schools; the acquaintanceship thus formed later terminating in marriage. After their marriage they settled on a farm in Miami county, on which they continued to reside until 1900. Mr. Wilson was one of the organizers of the Farmers and Merchants Bank at Christiansburg and was elected its first president, which office he still holds. The other officers are J. R. Marshall, yice-president, and R. L. Powers, cashier. In addition to his banking interests Mr. Wilson is the owner of one hundred and twenty-five acres of prime land in Jackson township. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Presbyterian church and also attends the services of the Christian church. His wife died on April 21, 1916. They were the parents of five children as follow : Blanch, who married O. S. Walker, of Dayton, Ohio ; Eya, deceased; Osie, the wife of W. H. Coble, of Christiansburg; Grace, a graduate of the Troy high school, who married Howard Ellis, of Lancaster, Ohio, and Josie, a high school graduate, wife CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 99 of Frank Grove, and lives with her father. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Addison Lodge No. 139, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Addison Encampment No. 75. He is a past noble grand and past chief patriarch. In politics he is a Democrat, but has never sought public office. OLIVER C. LOFFER. Oliver C. Loffer, a well-known and progressive farmer, living on rural route 2 out of St. Paris, Champaign county, was born on a farm in Logan county. Ohio, October 16, MI. He is the son of Henry D. and Elora M. (Apple) Loffer. Henry D. Loffer was born on a farm in Shelby county, Ohio, and his wife, Elora M. Apple. was born in Champaign county. They married and settled on a farm in Logan county and operated it up to the time of his death, in 1898. He was unable to purchase any land and that which he worked was held under rent. He was known throughout his life as an honest and hard-working farmer and he and his wife were held in much respect in the district where they resided. M. Loffer was an active worker in the church and ever took a warm interest in the affairs of the Methodist Episcopal church and community. Mr. and Mrs. Loffer were the parents of seven children, ive of whom are living in 1917, these being Alice, the wife of Rev. Howard Watkins, liying in Athens, Ohio; Viola, who married Harold Fuller, who is now in the army; Winona, the wife of Henry Muth, of Columbus, Ohio: Mary. unmarried, lives with her mother in Columbus, Ohio, and Oliver C., the subject of this sketch. Oliver C. Loffer was reared on the farm held by his. father in Logan county and was educated in the district and high schools at Quincy, this state. and was graduated from the high school with the class of 1902. He then commenced farming for himself and he is now the owner of seventy-five acres of prime land located in sections 14 and 20, Jackson township. On his farm he has been using up-to-date methods in operating and his efforts have net with a large measure of success. On February 22, 1906, Oliver C. Loffer was united in marriage to Maude V. Wilkins. who was born near Kenard, Ohio, on August 27, 1880, a daughter of W. G. Wilkins, and was reared on the parental farm. She was educated in the district schools of the neighborhood in which she lived and later spent one year in West Liberty high school. Her parents settled