550 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. tion of Herman, who is a member of the Wesley Chapel Methodist Episcopal church. The Wilsons have a very pleasant home and have ever given their interested attention to the community's general social activities. THOMAS T. BRAND. Major Thomas T. Brand, United States Army, retired, an honored veteran of the Civil War, vice-president of the Urbana National Bank and one of the best-known and most substantial capitalists and real-estate investors in this part of Ohio, is a native son of Champaign county and has lived here all his life, a resident of Urbana practically all the time since the completion of his military service in i868. Major Brand is a member of one of the oldest families in Champaign county. He was born at Mechanicsburg, January 28, 1835, son of Joseph C. and Lavinia (Talbott) Brand, early settlers there and further and fitting mention of whom is made in the historical section of this volume. He received his schooling at Urbana and in Springfield, and was living there when the Civil War broke out. He was one of the first to respond to President Lincoln's call for volunteers, and on April 17, 1861, the day after the fall of Ft. Sumter, enlisted as a private in Company K, Second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and on the day following was elected first lieutenant of that company. On the 19th the company started for Washington with instructions to rendezvous at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where it was mustered into service as a part of the Second Ohio, on the 29th of the same month. On May 2nd the company arrived in Washington, where it was assigned to Schenck's Brigade, Tyler's Division of McDowell's Army of Northeastern Virginia. The Second Ohio remained on duty at Washington in defense of the capital until June, and on the 22nd of that month Lieutenant Brand resigned his commission in the volunteer service to accept an appointment as first lieutenant in the regular army, being attached to the Eighteenth Regiment, United States Infantry ; and from that time until the following December was engaged in recruiting service in behalf of that regiment. In December, 1861, Lieutenant Brand joined his regiment at Columbus, Ohio, and in the following January, that command was ordered to Kentucky, where it was assigned, to the Third Brigade of the Army of the Ohio ; and was thus a portion of the Third Army Corps until September of that same year. In November, 1861, the regiment became a part of the Fourth Brigade, First CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 551 (Center) Division of the Fourth Army Corps in the Army of the Cumberland, and in the following January was assigned to the Third Brigade. In February, 1862, the command moved to Nashville, and from that city marched to Savannah, Tennessee, to re-enforce the Army of the Tennessee. From March 20, to April 6, while the movements leading up to the battle of Shiloh were taking place, his command was engaged in an advance on Corinth, Mississippi; later taking part in the siege of that city, which culminated on May 30 in the fall of that city, He then took part in the pursuit of the enemy to Boonville and Iuka, Mississippi. Later, he marched to Tuscumbia, Alabama, arriving at this place on June 22. He remained on duty there until July 27, and was then stationed at Deckard, Tennessee, until August 21, when his regiment was transferred to Louisville, Kentucky. There he was in the command of General Buell. At this time General Bragg, in concert with General Lee, in the same year, made his dash into Tennessee and Kentucky, aided by Kirby Smith. General Buell moved out from Louisville to meet him. On October 8, 1862, the two met at Perrysville, Kentucky, where Lieutenant Brand's command took part in the battle. Later, he marched to Nashville, where he joined the Regular Brigade, First Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, December 25. On December 31, 1862, and January 1-2-3, 1863, the command took a very active part in the battle of Stone's River. This engagement continued until January 3, and afterward the regiment was on duty at Murfreesborough, Tennessee, until June. On the 23rd of that month it began its service in connection with the Tallahoma, or Middle Tennessee campaign, being in action at Hoover's Gap on June 25 and 26, and taking part in the occupation of Tallahoma on July 1; thereafter was in the Chattanooga campaign, participating in the battle of Chickamauga, September 19 and 20. A few days before that battle, on September z 1, 1863, Lieutenant Brand was promoted to the rank of captain. On the first day of the battle of Chickamauga, he received a severe wound in his left arm, which incapacitated him for further service in the field, and he thereafter served on special detail in the mustering and disbursing department of the army. On March 13, 1865, for conspicuous bravery displayed on the field during the battle of Stone's River and the battle of Chickamauga, he was honored with the rank of brevet major. After being assigned to mustering and disbursing duty, Major Brand was stationed at Madison, Wisconsin, until in February, 1864, when he was transferred to Columbus, Ohio, and was there engaged in similar service until December, 1865. He was then stationed at Indianapolis as chief mustering and disbursing officer of Indiana, where he remained until June 1, 1867, when he 552 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. was appointed chief mustering officer of Ohio and West Virginia, and so continued until his retirement from service on December 11, 1868. On April 23, 1904, by act of Congress, Brevet-Major Brand was raised to the rank of major in the United States army, for services rendered during the Civil War. Upon the completion of his military service Major .Brand returned to his home at Urbana, where he since has made his home, for many years one of the most active and influential business men in this part of the state. The Major's investments have proved quite profitable and he is accounted one of the well-to-do citizens of his home town. He is vice-president and a director of the Urbana National Bank and has other important holdings, his various connections along these lines making him one of the most important figures in the financial life of this section. He is also a director of the Urbana Telephone Company. The Major is an ardent Republican and has ever taken an active interest in local political affairs, one of the leaders of his party in this county. On December 28, 1864, Major Thomas T. Brand was united in marriage to Eliza C. Warnock, daughter of the Rev. David Warnock, and to this union were born two sons, Dr. Frank W. Brand, a physician at Urbana, and Dr. Thomas T. Brand, Jr., a dentist at. Urbana. GEORGE W. HOUX. Among the pioneers of the northern part of Champaign county, few have left a better memory than did George W. Houx and his wife, for many years proprietors of "Mt. Tabor Farm," now occupied by their son and daughter, in Salem township. Mr. Houx had been a resident of this county since 1845 and was eighty years of age at the time of his death in 1892. He was born at Cumberland, Maryland, October 29, 1812, son of John Houx and wife, whose last days were spent there and who were the parents of three sons, the subject of this sketch having had two brothers, John, who died in Maryland, and William, who located in Iowa. George W. Houx was reared at Cumberland and there received his schooling. For five years he served in the United States standing army and in 1844 came to Ohio and in the spring of the next year located in this county, where he presently married Mrs. Susan P. (Turner) Houk, a widow, who was born in Jefferson county, Virginia, July 29, 1809, a daughter of CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 553 Anthony and Fannie Turner, and who was the owner of "Mt. Tabor Farm" in Salem township, this county. Mrs. Houk was the mother of four children, namely : Eliza, born in 1831, wife of H. Hovey, of Urbana, this county ; George W. Houk, who died in his youth; Anna Frances, who died in 1852, and Alexander P. Houk, who moved to Greene county, Missouri. After his marriage Mr. Houx settled at "Mt. Tabor Farm" and there he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives, active in all good works in that neighborhood and useful and influential members of the community. Mrs. Roux died on November 18, 1884, and Mr. Houx survived until December 28, 1892, he being past eighty years of age at the time of his death. To him and his wife three children were born, Mary Ellen, born on December 30, 1847, who died at the old home place on September 15, 1905 ; Martha A., August 1, 1849, who has always lived on the old home place, and John H., December 14, 1852, who also has always made his home there, actively engaged in farming since the days of his boyhood. John H. Houx has continued the development and improvement of "Mt. Tabor Farm" and he and his sister Martha have a very fine piece of property there, one of the best-improved farm plants in that neighborhood. They are members of the Mt. Tabor church and have ever given proper attention to neighborhood good works, being favorably known throughout that community. Mr. Houx is a Democrat and has ever given a good citizen's attention to local political affairs, but has not been a seeker after public office. He is a good farmer and he and his sister have done well with their inheritance. CHARLES E. WERTZ. Charles E. Wertz, a well-known farmer and civil engineer living on the Carysville pike on rural mail route No. 1 out of St. Paris, five miles north of St. Paris, where he has a very pleasant home and where he and his family are very comfortably situated, is a native of Ohio and has lived in this state all his life, a resident of Champaign county since the days of his childhood. He was born on a farm in Brown township, Miami county, April 17, 1866, a son of Daniel and Eliza A. (Pence) Wertz, who later became residents of this county, still later moving to Indiana, where their last days were spent. Daniel Wertz was born on a sailing vessel on the Atlantic ocean while his parents were on their way to this country to make a new home. They 554 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. settled in New Jersey, where the father died some years later and where Daniel Wertz lived until he was eleven years of age when he came to Ohio with two brothers and after a sometime residence in Champaign county moved over into Miami county, where he learned the cooper's trade and where he later established a cooper shop. He married Eliza A. Pence and some time later came back into Champaign county and started a cooper shop on Lynn street in St. Paris. When sixty years of age he returned to Miami county, but not long afterward moved to Wabash county, Indiana, where he spent his last days. His widow survived him for some years. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are still living, the subject of this sketch having four sisters, Minerva, wife of Seymour Shanks, of North Dakota ; Mary, deceased, was the wife of Al. Riley, a farmer living near Lena, this state, she died in April, 1917; Martha, wife of Daniel Young, of Lena; and Alice, wife of Charles Doss, who lives near Conover, this state. Charles E. Wertz grew to manhood in this county and after his marriage in 1889 began farming on his own account and has ever since been thus engaged, at present farming a little more than one hundred and seventy-five acres in Johnson township, where he has his home. He owns -le tract surrounding his home and farms additional land adjoining the same and is doing very well. In addition to his farming Mr. Wertz has long given considerable attention to problems involving civil engineering and is regarded as quite a "genius" in that line. He holds a government license as a civil engineer and is often called into consultation in engineering matters. Mr. Wertz's son, Leo Wertz, is also a competent civil engineer and has become the patentee of several workable devices of a mechanical character, including an aerial device, in behalf of the development of which he is now in the employ of the government, working the device out into a more practicable form. He enlisted on June 5, 1917, in Company D, Third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Others of Leo Wertz's patents also have gained for him wide recognition as an inventor of more than usual ability and his friends are predicting for him a brilliant future in the field of applied science. On August 25, 1889, Charles E. Wertz was united in marriage to Belle Neher, who was born and reared near St. Paris in this county, receiving her schooling in the schools of district No. 9. She was born on July 11, 1869, daughter of Martin and Mary J. (Groves) Neher, the former a native of Logan county, this state, and the latter of Newark, Ohio, and the former of whom is still living, now a resident of St. Paris. To Mr. and CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 555 Mrs. Wertz ten children have been born, six of whom are still living, namely : Herby Leo, the inventor, mentioned above; Mary, wife of Jesse Shank; Marie, wife of Lloyd Curtner; Jennings, of Piqua, and Madaline and Allegra, who are at home. Mrs. Wertz is a member of the Baptist church and Mr. Wertz is a member of the Christian church at Palestine. He is a Republican and has ever taken a good citizen's part in local political affairs, but has not been included in the office-seeking class. JOHN C. SCEVA. John C. Sceva, president of the Farmers Bank of Mechanicsburg and one of the best-known and most substantial figures in banking and general business circles in Champaign county, was born at Mechanicsburg and has lived there and in that immediate vicinity all his life, a part of his boyhood having been spent on a farm in that neighborhood. He was born on November 21, 1838, son of Nathaniel and Rosaline (Woodward) Sceva, natives of New Hampshire, both born in the town of New London, that state, who became early settlers of Champaign county and here spent their last days, useful and influential residents of Mechanicsburg. Nathaniel Sceva was born at New London, New Hampshire, in the year 1808, son of Henry and Joanna. Sceva, also natives of that state and both of English descent. As a young man Nathaniel Sceva learned the carpenter trade, serving a seven-year apprenticeship at the same. On April 3, 1835, at New London, he married Rosaline Woodward, who also was born at that place, a daughter of James and Dolly (Dole) Woodward, and almost immediately after his marriage came with his bride to Ohio and settled in this county, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. Their journey was made by lake and canal to Cleveland and thence to this county by wagon, driving through With a party of thirteen persons. Not long after his arrival in Champaign county Nathaniel Sceva bought land in the vicinity of Mechanicsburg and there established his home. In addition to the general direction of his farming operations he also pursued the vocation of building contractor and became a well-to-do man. He later engaged in the mercantile business at Mechanicsburg and was thus successfully engaged at the time of his death on December 14, 1870. He was a Democrat and from the very beginning of his residence in this county took an active part in ,local political affairs, his influence ever being exerted in behalf of good government. He 556 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. served for one term as a member of the board of county commissioners and in other ways gave of his time and his energies to the public service. He and his wife were members of the Baptist church. They were the parents of seven children, of whom four are still living, the subject of this sketch having a sister, Jennie, widow of Dr. Albert Sidener, of Mechanicsburg, and two brothers, Horace M. Sceva, of Tacoma, Washington, and Lewis C. Sceva, of New York City. Reared at Mechanicsburg and on the farm nearby the village, John C. Sceva received his early schooling in the schools of his home village and supplemented the same by a two-years course in Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. He early identified himself with his father in business at Mechanicsburg and in the management of the farm and after his father's death continued in business for himself. Previous to that, in 1865, he had married a daughter of R. D. Williams, organizer and for many years president of the Farmers Bank of Mechanicsburg, and not long afterward became connected with that bank, later becoming vice-president of the same. In 1900 Mr. Sceva was elected president of the Farmers Bank and has since occupied that position. Mr. Sceva has been twice married. In January, 1865, he was united in marriage to Ella Williams, daughter of R. D. Williams and wife, who had come to this county from Maryland. Mr. Williams organized the first bank at Mechanicsburg, originally a private bank, which later was incorporated as the Farmers Bank of Mechanicsburg and which he served as president from the date of its incorporation in 1865 until his death in 1894. To that union two daughters were born, Anna, wife of F. M. Clemans, cashier of the bank, and Harriet, wife of E. A. Roberts, of Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. Ella Sceva died in. September, 1896, and Mr. Sceva later married Mrs. Lide Sanford. Hinkle, daughter of William and Caroline Sanford. Mr. and Mrs. Sceva are members of the Methodist church and take an interested part in church work, as well as in the general good works of their home community. Mr. Sceva has been a member of that church since the days of his boyhood and has for years been a member of the officiary of the same, formerly a member of the board of trustees and now one of the stewards. He was a member of the building committee of the congregation at the time the new church edifice was erected and has in many ways contributed to the progress and the upbuilding of the church. He is a Democrat, with "independent" leaning on local issues, and has served the public in several official capacities, having been for nine years a member of the school board, for six CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 557 years a member of the town council and for six years trustee of Goshen township, ever giving his most thoughtful and intelligent service in behalf of the needs of the public. JOHN B. OUTRAM. John B. Outram, farmer and elevator man of Salem township, Champaign county, was born on December i8, 1871, in Urbana, Ohio. He is a son of John M. Outram, who was also born in Urbana, in September, 1848, and his death occurred in December, 1877. He was a son of Robert Outram, who was born in Newark, England, from which place he immigrated to America while yet a young man and single, locating in Urbana, Ohio, in pioneer days. He was twice married, first, to Mary Huffard, and secondly to Elizabeth (Downs) White, a widow. His family consisted of three sons, namely : Timothy, a soldier in the Union army, died during the Civil War ; James, who married Mary Nincehelser, established his home in Cable, Ohio ; and John M., father of the subject of this sketch. John M. Outram was educated in the common schools and in Lebanon, Ohio. He was a school teacher, and at one time was principal of the school at Woodstock, Ohio. He was also a printer. He was a worker in the Methodist Episcopal church, and a loyal Republican, and was assessor in Woodstock. He married on January 26, 1870, to Della Russell, who was born at Northville, Ohio. She is a daughter of James and Julia (Mitchell) Russell. Mr. Russell was a native of Harper's Ferry, Virginia, but his wife was born at Northville, Ohio. He came with his parents to Salem township, Champaign county, when a boy. He was a son of Robert and Mary Russell. He devoted his life to farming. He and his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church in Concord township. They were parents of eight children, namely : James, Valentine, Sarah, Robert, Elizabeth, Ann, Mary, and John B. The following children were born to James and Julia Russell : Amanda died when twenty-one years old; Sarah E. married A. B. Funk, a farmer of Salem township, but he is now deceased ; Mary Malissa died at the age of thirteen years; John Wesley, who was a soldier in the Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War, was wounded at the battle of Antietam; after the war he located on a farm in Concord township, Champaign county ; he married Clara Zimmerman; later in life he moved to Dan- 558 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO ville, Illinois, where his death occurred. Asenath S. died when twenty years old; Julia D., mother of the subject of this sketch; Emma Helen died in infancy; James Finley White Russell died when ten years old. Two children were born to John M. Outram and wife, John B., subject of this sketch; and Lilly, who died at the age of two and one-half years. John B. Outram was educated in the common schools in his community, later was graduated from the Urbana high school in 1891. The two following years he attended school in Delaware, Ohio. He then traveled for three years, selling machinery. He then took a business course in a school at Kingston, Pennsylvania. He has been engaged in the grain and elevator business at Lippincott, Ohio, during the past seventeen years. In his earlier career he ran a threshing machine many years. He has been very success- ful as a grain dealer. He is owner of one hundred and ten acres in Salem township. His land is well improved and he has a pleasant home. Politically, Mr. Outram is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order at West Liberty, Ohio, and the Commandery at Urbana. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias at Mechanicsburg. His mother, who makes her home with him, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Urbana. He has never married. ORLANDO PENCE. Orlando Pence, one of the best-known farmers in Johnson township, this county, and the proprietor of a fine place on rural mail route No. out of St. Paris, was born in that same 'township and has lived there all his life. He was born on December 26, 1866, son of Eli and Rachel (Shipp) Pence, both also natives of this county, the latter on the farm on which they are still living, and to whom six children have been born, three of whom are still living, the subject of this sketch having a brother, William F. Pence, a farmer of Johnson township, and a sister, Ellen, wife of Perry Apple, of Jackson township, this county. Of the deceased members of this 'family, Samuel Pence married Clara Maxim and had one child; Thursa was the wife of Frank Robbins, of Johnson township, and Emma died unmarried. Reared on the farm on which he was born and where his parents are still living, Orlando Pence received his schooling in the schools of that neighborhood and remained at home, a valued assistant in the labors of the farm, CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 559 until his marriage in the fall of 1888. For four years thereafter he and his wife made their home on one of his father's farms and then they moved to the farm on which they are now living, in that same township, and where they are very comfortably situated. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Pence has given considerable attention to stock raising and has done very well. He is a Democrat, but has not been a seeker after public office. In October, 1888, Orlando Pence was united in marriage to Dora E. Apple, who also was born in this county, daughter of Abram and Jane (Sice) Apple, both of whom are still living. Abraham Apple, long recognized as one of the most substantial farmers of the western part of Champaign county, began his farming operations on forty acres of land and as he prospered added to his holdings until he had enough land to give each of his six children one hundred acres and still retained one hundred and eighty acres for himself. Mr. and Mrs. Pence have two children, Abraham Eli Pence, who married Della Everingham, and Romie, who is unmarried and still living on the home place. Mrs. Pence is a member of the Lutheran church at St. Paris and Mr. Pence is a member of the Mt. Pleasant Baptist church. DANIEL C. HOUSER, M. D. Dr. Daniel C. Houser, one of the widely known and successful general physicians of Champaign county, was born in Johnson township, this county, April 1, 1867. He is a son of William Houser, who was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, March 9, 1830. He followed the carpenter's trade for the first thirty years of his life, then engaged in farming until his death. In 1852 he removed to Champaign county, Ohio, locating in Johnson township, where he followed his trade for some time, later taking up general farming. He married first in 1854 Mary Ann Merica, who died in 1863. He later married Henrietta Idle, who was born in Concord township, Champaign county, January 28, 1839. His father, Henry Idle, was an early settler in that township, coming to this county from Virginia. To William Houser six children were born, namely : John W., Daniel C., Louis H., J. P., Jerry and Taylor. Dr. Daniel C. Houser grew to manhood on the farm and there he assisted his father with the general work until he was twenty-six years old. He received his early education in the common schools, and at the age 560 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. of eighteen began teaching in the public schools of Champaign county, teaching with success for a period of eight years. For five years of that period he read medicine during his spare hours, under Doctor Longfellow, and later he entered Starling Medical College at Columbus, where he made an excellent record and was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine on March 25, 1897. Soon thereafter he located at Millerstown, Champaign county, where he practiced his profession until in 1906, enjoying a very satisfactory patronage. He then moved to Urbana, where he is still residing. He has maintained a position in the front ranks of his professional brethren since coming here and is well known throughout the county. Doctor Houser was married on October 23, 1893, to Florence M. Huntoon, who was born in Champaign county, July 20, 1869. She is a daughter of Martin True Huntoon, a native of New Hampshire, from which state he came to Champaign county, Ohio, in an early day and here he married Abigail Minturn, a native of Columbus, Ohio. Two children have been born to the Doctor and wife, namely : Lester and Leah. Doctor Houser is a member of the Champaign County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society and the 'American Medical Association. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Baptist church. Politically, he is a Democrat and has long been prominent in the affairs of his party. Doctor Houser is also a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Masons at Urbana. JAMES McBETH. The late James McBeth, for many years regarded as one of the leading dealers in live stock and who died at his home in Urbana in 1911, was a native son of Ohio and spent all his life in this state, a resident of Champaign county since the days of his childhood. He was born on a farm in the neighboring county of Lucas on November 24, 1834, and was but a child when his parents, Andrew and Susan (Taylor) McBeth, the latter of whom was born in Virginia, came down into Champaign county and settled on a farm north of Urbana, where they spent the remainder of their lives, useful and influential residents of that community. Andrew McBeth was a good farmer and became the owner of a fine farm of three hundred acres, which he brought to a high state of cultivation. He and his wife were the CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 561 parents of three sons, the subject of this memorial sketch having had two brothers, Alexander and Robert. As noted above, James McBeth was but a child when his parents came to this county in the thirties and he grew to manhood on the home farm north of Urbana, a valuable assistant to his father and brothers in the labors of improving and developing the home place. He supplemented the course in the common schools by a course in college and upon his return from college resumed his place on the farm and there continued assisting his father until his marriage in the spring of 1872, when he established his home on that same place and there remained for about eight years, at the end of which time he moved to Urbana in order to give closer personal attention to the growing interests of the extensive live-stock business he meanwhile had been developing, and there spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring at his home there on November 27, 1911, he then being three clays past seventy-seven years of age. Not only was Mr. McBeth one of the most extensive buyers and shippers of livestock in this part of the state, widely known among stockmen throughout this whole section, but he also was one of Champaign county's large landowners, the owner of two farms of a half section each and another farm of a quarter of a section, all of which he brought to a high state of cultivation, improving and developing them in fine shape, and gave the management of these farms his close personal attention. In addition to buying stock for the market, he raised large herds of his own and did very well in his operations. Mr. McBeth was a stanch Republican and ever gave a good citizen's attention to local political affairs, but was not included in the office-seeking class. He was a man of fine public spirit and was ever a warm supporter of such movements as were designed to benefit his home town and the county at large, long having been regarded as one of the leading citizens of Champaign county. On March 13, 1872, James McBeth was united in marriage to Sarah Corner, who was born on a farm in Concord township, this county, daughter of Philip and Dicy (Jenkins) Corner, both of whom also were born in this state and who were married in this county and here spent their last days, honored and useful residents of Concord township. Philip Corner, better known during the later period of his life as 'Squire Corner, was a considerable landowner in Concord township and was justice of the peace in and for that township for eighteen years. He also served for some time as a member of the board of commissioners of Champaign county and was one of the best-known men in the county, ever giving his best thought and most (36a) 562 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. intelligent attention to the public service, in many ways helpful in promoting the advancement of the common welfare hereabout. 'Squire Comer and wife were the parents of nine children, of whom but two are now living, Mrs. McBeth having a sister, Mary, also a resident of this county. To James and Sarah (Comer) McBeth one child was born, a son, Edgar McBeth, one of Urbana's best-known citizens. Since the death of her husband Mrs. McBeth has continued to make her home at Urbana, where she is very pleasantly and very comfortably situated. JOSEPH FRANK MAST. Elsewhere in this volume tinder the head of "The Mast Family" there is set out at considerable length something of the genealogy of the Mast family, together with the history of John Mast, a pioneer of Champaign county, and of his descendants. John Mast was a grandson of Bishop Jacob Mast, a native of Switzerland and a pioneer of Berks county, Pennsylvania, who became bishop of the Mennonite church and was a man of large influence throughout the Conestoga valley in the early days of the settlement of that region. He married and reared a numerous family and the descendants of that family are now found doing well their respective parts in all parts of the United States. John Mast was a son of Jacob and Barbara (Kenege) Mast, the former of whom was the fourth child and second son of the Bishop and his wife, Magdalene Holly. John Mast married Elizabeth Trego, also a native of Pennsylvania, and in 1830 came to Ohio and settled in the Kings Creek neighborhood, in Salem township, this county, becoming a large landowner and an influential resident of that community, living there until his retirement from the farm. He was the father of eight children, of whom Joseph Kenege Mast was the sixth in order of birth. Joseph Kenege Mast, who is still living in Clark county, Ohio, being now in the eighty-fourth year of his age, remained on the old homestead farm, which he bought in 1868 and on which, nine years later, he erected a fine new brick house, one of the handsomest and most substantial country residences in the county at that time. He was a successful farmer and during the active years of his life a man of wide influence in the community in which he was born. He has been twice married. By his first wife, Catherine Eichholtz, of Urbana, he had nine children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth, the others being as follow : John Wesley, who was CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 563 killed by a fall from the barn when nine years of age ; Charles Henry, who married Mary L. Swisher and lives at Kings Creek ; Emma, wife of John M. Strasser, now living at Joliet, Illinois; Clara, unmarried, who is now employed as librarian in the city library at Grand Rapids, Michigan; Alta, now living at Los Angeles, California; Elizabeth, wife of Clark A. Mclnturff, of Streeter, Illinois; Cicero Phineas, who married Caroline Schroeder and is now living at Ottawa, Illinois, and Ivy, wife of the Rev. J. Ernest Balmer, a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church, now stationed at Fillmore, New York. The mother of these children died on August 26, 1883, and the father later married Josephine Anderson, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Reared on the home farm in the Kings Creek neighborhood, where he was born on July 15, 1860, J. F. Mast, better known among his friends as Frank, received his schooling in the schools of that district and from boyhood was a valued aid to his father and brothers in the labors of the home farm. During the days of his young manhood he made a trip to eastern Kansas, with a view to a possible location in that part of the country, but after nine months spent in looking around there came to the' conclusion that there was no place quite so good as Ohio and he came back to Champaign county. Early in 1886 he married and for twelve years thereafter he made his home on the farm of his grandfather, John Eichholtz, in Salem township, and did lots of hard work in the further development and improvement of the place. He then left the farm and moved to West Liberty, where for two years he was engaged in the agricultural-implement business, under the firm name of Yoder & Mast, and then bought his present fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, the old Instine place, in Salem township, where he since has made his home. That place is the scene of the old Instine tavern, notable in the early history of this part of the state, and for years was one of the central points of interest in that part of the county. In 1903 Mr. Mast tore down the old tavern and on the site of the same erected his present handsome residence, at a cost of twenty-six hundred dollars, and at the same time made other permanent and valuable improvements on the place, including buildings for his son, at the further cost of forty-five hundred dollars, and now has one of the best-improved places in that section. Since 1910, on account of failing health, Mr. Mast has been living practically retired from the active labors of the farm and the operations of the same are being carried on very successfully by his youngest son, Harry W. Mast. Mr. Mast is a Democrat and has ever given a good citizen's attention to local political affairs, but has not been a seeker after public office. It was on February 17, 1886, that J. F. Mast was united in marriage to 564 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. Melinda Instine, who also was born in Salem township, this county, daughter of Henry and Melinda (Benjamin) Instine, the former of whom was born in that same township, son of Michael Instine and wife, who kept the pioneer tavern above referred to on the place where the Masts are now making their home. Henry Instine was a successful farmer and he and his wife died on that place. They were the parents of seven children, of whom Mrs. Mast was the last-born, the others being as follow : Samuel, now living at Urbana.; Joseph, a farmer, of. Salem township; Mary, wife of Benjamin Connelly, a farmer of the West Liberty neighborhood; Kate, wife of William Goss, of Urbana, and Henry and William, twins, the former of whom is a farmer in Urbana township and the latter of whom is living at Kings Creek: To J. F. and Melinda (Instine) Mast two sons have been born, Burleigh Frank, who married Florence Otto. and is now living at Cleveland, this state, and Harry Wright, who is farming the home place. Harry Wright Mast married Guytana Mays and has one child, a son, Arthur Frederick. The Masts have a very pleasant home and have ever taken a proper part in the general social activities of the community in which they live, helpful in many ways in helping to promote the best interests of that community. RUFUS DETWEILER. Rufus Detweiler, one of Salem township's best-known and most progressive farmers and stockmen, is a native of the old Keystone state, but has been a resident of this state since he was a boy. He was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, October 25, 1870, son of Eli B. and Rachel S. (Greer) Detweiler, both natives of that same state, the former born in Mifflin county, a son of Jonathan Detweiler, a substantial farmer. Eli B. Detweiler was early trained as a carpenter and bridge builder and at these vocations worked in Pennsylvania until in the middle eighties, when he came over into Ohio and began farming. For a couple of years after coming to this state he was located on the Benjamin Harris farm in the vicinity of West Liberty, and then came over into Champaign county and began farming in the neighborhood of Kennard, in Salem township. He later moved to another farm in that same township and remained there until his retirement from the farm and removal to Kings Creek. His wife died in that village on. June 26, 1909, and he later made a trip back to his old home in Pennsylvania and while visiting there was taken ill and died on October 3 of that same year. To him and his wife CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 565 were born fourteen children, of whom nine grew to maturity, those besides the subject of this sketch being as follow : John, a Salem township farmer ; William, who lives at Marysville, this state; David, a Salem township farmer ; Oran E., a farmer and horseman, of Salem township; George, who died in 1915; Anna, wife of Harry Cooper, a Salem township farmer ; Margaret, wife of Clinton Boyer, also of Salem township, and Ella May, wife of Marion Goul, of that same township. Rufus Detweiler was about fifteen years of age when he came from Pennsylvania to this state with his parents and his schooling was completed here. He early began working on his own account and was thus engaged, at farm labor, until his marriage in 1896, when he rented the Carson farm, south of Urbana, and for seven years made his home there, a quarter-section farm, on which he did very well. He then bought the Clinton Black place of one hundred acres and after farming that place for a couple of years traded for the Samuel Black farm of ninety-two and one-half acres, on which he is now living. Since taking possession of that place Mr. Detweiler has increased his land holdings until now he is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and thirty-two and one-half acres, all of which is under cultivation and well improved. He has made numerous improvements on the place and has a fine looking place, well kept and up-to-date in its equipment. In addition to his general farming Mr. Detweiler has for years given considerable attention to the raising of high-grade hogs and annually feeds from eighty to ninety head, and has done very well in his operations. He is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to local political affairs, but has not been a seeker after public office. In 1896 Rufus Detweiler was united in marriage to Minnie Pearce, who was born in this county, daughter of Dr. A. B. and Ella (Shepard) Pearce, for years prominent residents of Kings Creek. Dr. A. B. Pearce was born in Goshen township, this county, son of Henry C. and Beulah (Barrett) Pearce, pioneers of that section of the county. He was born on October 8, 1836, and was graduated from the Urbana high school, after which he began teaching school and was for four years thus engaged. In the meantime he had been giving his leisure to the study of medicine and presently entered Sterling Medical College at Columbus, from which he was graduated in 1863. For fourteen years Doctor Pearce was engaged in the practice of his profession at Kings Creek and he then moved to Urbana, where he remained in practice for six years, at the end of which time he moved to Vincennes, Indiana, where he remained for six years. He then retired from practice and returned to this county, in 1891, and settled on his farm in Salem township, where he lived 566 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. five years and died at South Bend, Indiana, in 1911. On. September 17, 1867, Doctor Pearce was united in marriage to Ella Shepard, who still survives him. Mr. and Mrs. Detweiler have four children, Helen, Beulah, Howard and Lawrence. They have a very pleasant home and take a proper interest in the general social activities of the community in which they live, helpful in all good works thereabout. FRANK CLEMENT BOWERS. Frank Clement Bowers, of Urbana, deputy county treasurer, former superintendent of the Urbana township rural centralized schools, former justice of the peace in and for Jackson township, a member of the board of county school examiners, president of the Champaign County Teachers Association, past president of the Addison Pioneer Association, and for years one of the best-known and most influential teachers in Champaign county, is a native of this county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm one mile east of Christiansburg, in Jackson township, July 19, 1886, son of Andrew and Susan L. (Richeson) Bowers, both of whom also, were born in the vicinity of Christiansburg and the latter of whom is still living. Andrew Bowers was born on a pioneer farm in Jackson township in 1844, a son of Jacob and Susan (Zerkle) Bowers, natives of Pennsylvania, who became early residents of this county and spent their last days, substantial and influential residents of the Christiansburg neighborhood. On the home farm in Jackson township Andrew Bowers grew to manhood and in turn established his home there. He married Susan L. Richeson, who also was born in the vicinity of Christiansburg, in 1854, daughter of John J. and Martha (Deaton) Richeson, Virginians, who had settled in that neighborhood and had become substantial residents of the same. Andrew Bowers was. a well-to-do farmer and for several years served as trustee of Jackson township, taking an active and helpful part in the general public affairs of his community. For more than thirty-two years he was an active member of the local lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons and took a warm interest in Masonic affairs. He died at his home near Christiansburg in 1904 and his widow is still living there. They were the parents of three children, Harry L. Bowers, a wholesale shoe merchant at Cleveland, Ohio; one who died in infancy, and the subject of this biographical sketch. Frank C. Bowers was reared on the home farm in Jackson township and was graduated from the Addison high school. His latter schooling has CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 567 been received in Wittenberg College at Springfield, where he has taken academic and collegiate work. When seventeen years of age Mr. Bowers began his career as a teacher, his first term of school having been taught in the Lutz district school in Mad River township, this county, in the winter of 1903-4. He then for three Years was engaged in teaching district school in Jackson township and then was called back to Addison as a teacher in the grammar department of the schools of that place and served in that capacity for two years, at the end of which time he was promoted to the position of principal of the Addison high school and served in that capacity for a year. After that time Mr. Bowers became connected with the schools at Thackery and after a year in the grammar department there was promoted to the high school and for two years supervised the Jackson township schools. He then for three years served as superintendent of the Concord township schools and acting in that capacity established the centralized school in that township. He then was elected superintendent of the Urbana township rural centralized schools for a term of two years, but after serving for one year in that position resigned the same in order to accept the position of deputy county treasurer and in that capacity served during the incumbencies of W. W. Rock and L. B. Berry. Mr. Bowers is a holder of a life elementary-teacher's certificate. In 1915 he was appointed a member of the Champaign county board of school examiners and still holds that position. He is the present (1917) president of the Champaign County Teachers Association, in the affairs of which he for years has taken an active interest, and is also affiliated with the Central Ohio Teachers Association and with the Ohio State Teachers Association. He was the first president of the Addison Alumni Association and for three years served as president of the Addison Pioneers Association. Mr. Bowers is a Republican and in 1911-13 served as justice of the peace in and for Jackson township. During the time of the taking of the census of 1910 he served as enumerator for the Addison precinct, including Christiansburg. On February 10, 1907, at St. Paris, by the Rev. J. W. Gibson, Frank Clement Bowers was united in marriage to Grace Mae Dibert, who also was born in this county, in the neighborhood of Terre Haute, November 5, 1885, daughter of Isaac and Jennie (Towler) Dibert, the former of whom, born on May 14, 1851, is still living, and the latter of whom, born on April 1, 1858, died on December 28, 1906. Isaac Dibert and wife were the parents of four children, of whom Mrs. Bowers was the third, the others being an infant who died in 1878; Minnie Estella, wife of Harry V. Jenkins, and Harry Emmet Dibert, telegraph operator at Thackery. Mr. and Mrs. 568 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. Bowers have one child, a daughter, Zeipha I., born on December 18, 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Bowers are members of the Christian church at Addison. He is a member of the men's Bible class of the Grace Methodist Episcopal Sunday school at Urbana and a singer in the choir of that church. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of Harmony Lodge No. 8, at Urbana, and of the chapter at that place and in the latter is now serving as master of the first veil and in the former as junior steward. He also is a member of Social Lodge No. 139, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in 1908 served as noble grand of the same, and for some time was a member of Addison Encampment, Patriarchs Militant. He formerly was a member of the local lodge of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics at Christiansburg and in 1904 was past councillor of the same, but demitted his membership when the lodge at that place was discontinued. Mr. and Mrs. Bowers have a very pleasant home at 610 South Main street, Urbana, and take a proper interest in the city's general social activities. WILLIAM WALLACE DOWNS. The late William Wallace Downs, for years one of the best-known citizens of Urbana, an honored veteran of the Civil War, a retired farmer and saw-mill man, who also conducted a feed store in Urbana, in which city he died in the summer of 1912, was a native son of Ohio and lived in this state all his life. He was born on a farm near Springfield, in the neighboring county of Clark, October 20, 1846, son of William and Catherine (Sanders) Downs, the latter of whom was born in Concord township, this county. William Downs was a substantial farmer and he and his wife were the parents of seven children, of whom the subject of this memorial sketch was the second in order of birth, the others being as follow : Eliza, now deceased, who was the wife of Levi Williams, of Lima, this state; Samuel, who spent his last days in South Dakota ; Emma, widow of Charles A. Taylor, of Urbana ; Frank, a salesman, now living at Denver, Colorado : Harry, a hotel man, of New York City, and Elmer, who died at Urbana. William W. Downs was reared on the home farm, going to school at the neighborhood school, and from the days of his boyhood was a valuable help in the work of the farm. Though but a boy when the Civil War broke out, his patriotic impulses were deeply stirred and he enlisted at Northville for service as a member of Company G, Sixty-sixth Regiment, Ohio Vol- CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 569 unteer Infantry, with which command he served for three years and four months, a portion of which time was spent as a prisoner of war in Libby prison. During the latter part of that service he participated with his regiment in the Atlanta campaign and was with Sherman on the march thence to the sea. Upon receiving his final discharge at the close of the war Mr. Downs returned home and resumed the pursuits of peace on the farm, helping on the home place until after his marriage in the fall of 1874, when he began farming on his own hook on a part of the home place and not long afterward bought a farm of one hundred and thirty acres, which he proceeded to improve and to develop and on which he was quite successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising until his retirement from the active labors of the farm in 1888 and removal to Urbana, where he spent the remainder of his life. Upon locating in Urbana Mr. Downs, in partnership with Charles O. Taylor, bought a saw-mill in that city and was engaged in the milling business for a number of years. He also conducted a feed store for some time. Mr. Downs was a Republican and ever took a good citizen's interest in local political affairs, but was not a seeker after public office. He was an active member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic and after his death at his home in Urbana, in June, 1912, his comrades of that patriotic organization accompanied his remains to their last resting place in Oakdale cemetery. On September 24, 1874, William Wallace Downs was united in marriage to Tamzon H. Miller, who was born on a farm in Mad River township, this county, a daughter of Samuel and Ruth (Hill) Miller, the former of whom was born in the state of Virginia and the latter in Concord town ship, this county. Samuel Miller was but ten years of age when he came to this county with his parents from Virginia and he grew to manhood on a pioneer farm in Mad River township, later, after his marriage, establishing his home on a farm in that some township. He and his wife died in Concord township, having been influential and useful residents of that community. Mr. Miller was a Democrat and for years was looked upon as one of the leaders of that party in his section of the county. He died in 1878, at the age of sixty-nine years, and his widow survived him but two years, her death occurring in 1880, she also being sixty-nine years of age at the time of her death. They were earnest members of the Baptist church and their children were reared in that faith. There were nine of these children, of whom Mrs. Downs was the eighth in order of birth, the others being as follow : Joseph, who died in early youth; Amanda Jane, who married John M. Miles and after a sometime continued residence in this county moved 570 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. to Missouri; Mary Elizabeth, wife of Stephen J. Packer, of Concord townthip, this county ; James Marion, who died in his youth; Mildred, who married Samuel J. Bosler and who, as well as her husband, is now deceased; John, who died in the days of his childhood; Margaret S., wife of Llewellyn Miles, of Urbana, an honored veteran of the Civil War, who went to the front from his farm home in Concord township, when a boy of fifteen years, as a member of Company G. Sixty-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which command he served for more than three years, during which time he participated in the Atlanta campaign and was with Sherman to the sea. Upon completing his military service he returned home, completed his schooling and then engaged in school teaching, ever since making his home in Urbana ; Samuel L., who died in infancy, and Samuel W., who also is now deceased. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Downs has continued to reside in Urbana, where she has a very comfortable home. She is a member of the Baptist church and has for many years taken an earnest interest in church affairs as well as in other local good works. WILLIAM A. McDANIEL. Among the hard-working farmers of Salem township, Champaign county, is William A. McDaniel, who was born in West Virginia, April 5, i868. He is a son of Presley and Malissa McDaniel, both natives of West Virginia, where they grew up, were married and established their home, spending their lives there on a farm. They have been deceased a number of years. Their family consisted of seven children, namely : E. E., C. A., A. J., H. C., W. A., Anna and Margaret. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on the home farm in his native state and there he attended the neighborhood schools. When a young man he took up farming for himself for a short time, then began working in the mines and in 1897 took a position with the Consolidated Coal Company as a clerk in one of their mining stores at Enterprise, West Virginia, remaining there three years, then, having performed his duties promptly, faithfully and in a courteous manner, he was promoted to manager of one of the company's stores at Meadow Brook, and remained there three years, then took charge of a large store at Berryburg, which he managed six years. He was then transferred to Kentucky, locating near Vanlear, taking charge of the CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 571 company's stores in that vicinity, remaining there five years. During this protracted period he served his company ably and in a highly satisfactory manner. Upon severing his connection with the Consolidated Coal Company he came to Champaign county, Ohio, locating on the old Hooley farm, which he purchased a number of years ago. It consists of ninety-three acres and is well improved. He has just finished a fine new home and his outbuildings are in good repair. In connection with general farming he raises about one hundred and twenty-five head of a good grade of hogs for the market annually, also a small herd of cattle. Mr. McDaniel was married in 1898, at Enterprize, West Virginia, to Emma Rittenhouse, a daughter of Justin and Margaret Rittenhouse, natives of West Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. McDaniel the following children were born : Zalpha, Robert, Joseph, Thomas, James. Politically, Mr. McDaniel is a Republican. He belongs to the blue lodge of Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Kennard and has been steward of the same a number of times and is now a trustee. SAMUEL WAYRE. Another of the representative farmers of Salem township, Champaign county, who has been contented to spend his live in his native locality is Samuel Wayre, who was born on a farm three miles north of where he now lives on January 9, 1854. He is a son of John and Rebecca (Lantz) Wayre. The father was born in Hessel Darmstadt, Germany, and the mother was born in Mefflin county, Pennsylvania. John Wayre was a year old when his parents brought him to America, the family locating in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, and there he grew to manhood and resided until 1851. After his marriage he came to Champaign county, renting land which he farmed until 1859, when he bought eighty acres, in Salem township. He followed farming there until about ten years prior to his death, when he retired from active life. He was born March 31, 1824, and died in 1905. His wife was born February 1, 1826, and died in 1905. He was among the first Mennonites to settle in Champaign county, and was the first ordained minister in the local church of this denomination, which is now the Oak 572 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. Grove Mennonite church. His family consisted of five children, namely ; Samuel, Jonathan, Joseph, Solomon and Nattie. Samuel Wayre grew up on the home farm and he received his education in the common schools. He engaged in farming with his father until he was twenty-six years old, then married and began farming for himself, renting land for four years, then bought ninety acres, which he operated two and one-half years, then sold out and bought seventy acres which he operated twelve years, then sold out and rented for six years, then bought the sixty-acre farm on which he now resides. It is all under cultivation and he and his .son Edwin carry on general farming on the same. It is well improved and on it are to be seen two sets of buildings. They also rent sixty-five acres additional, which they operate. They raise all kinds of grain and live stock and feed about one hundred head of hogs annually for the market. Mr. Wayre was married in 1880 to Emma Kauffman, a daughter of Chris Kauffman and wife, and to their union three children were born, namely : Maude, who married Harry Goode, has two children, Dorothy and Alice; Edwin married Lola Johnson ; John is single and at this writing is attending college at Goshen, Indiana. Mr. Wayre is an independent voter. He is a member of the Mennonite church, and has been deacon in the church since 1890. ELI PENCE. Eli Pence, a farmer of Johnson township, Champaign county, was born two miles north of St. Paris, Ohio, January 20, 1842. He is a representative of one of the old families of this county, where he has spent practically all of his life of seventy-five years during which he has seen many important changes in a material way. He is a veteran of the Civil War in which he fought gallantly for the Union. Mr. Pence is a son of Samuel and Mary A. (Howard) Pence, and a grandson of Daniel and Elizabeth Pence, who came to Champaign county from Virginia in early pioneer times, settling in Jackson township, where they carved a home from the wilderness and spent the rest of their lives. They were parents of the following children : Elizabeth, who married Jacob Ribbinger ; Susan, who married David Gump; William, who married Zenella McDaniel; Amos, who married Clarinda Browning; Eli, who married Mary CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 573 Grove; Sarah, who married William Rusk; Samuel, father of the subject of this sketch. Samuel Pence devoted his active life to farming in Champaign county. His family consisted of the following children : B. F. died in childhood; Isaiah was a soldier in the Civil War ; Sarah J. married John Apple; Susan married Daniel Poorman ; Elizabeth married Samuel Heck ; Samuel, Jr., died when a boy. Eli Pence spent his boyhood days on the home farm in Johnson township, and there he attended the rural schools, but only for .a short time, in fact, he had little opportunity to obtain an education. On August 5, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Forty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and he saw considerable hard service in the Fourth Army Corps, later being transferred to the Twenty-third Army Corps. He was in the Atlanta campaign and under General Sherman on his march to the sea. He was wounded in the right shoulder at the battle of Resaca, Georgia, and was away from his regiment three months thereafter, and he still carries the bullet. He rejoined his regiment at Nashville, Tennessee, and was under General Thomas until the close of the war. Although wounded he was never in the hospital. He was mustered out and honorably discharged in June, 1865. He had been a very faithful and loyal soldier according to his officers and comrades. After his army career Mr. Pence returned to Champaign county and has since resided on a farm in Johnson township. He has lived on his present farm, five miles northwest of St. Paris, since 1867. He has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser. He is now living in retirement. Mr. Pence was married on March 4, 1866, to Rachel Srofe, who was born on the farm where they now live, her parents being early settlers in Johnson township, and here she has spent her life. She is a daughter of George W. and Isabelle (Grimes) Srofe. Her maternal grandfather, Benjamin Grimes, was a soldier in the War of 1812. He lived to the advanced age of one hundred and thirteen years. To Mr. and Mrs. Pence six children have been born, named as follow : Orlando married Dora Apple and they live in Johnson township ; William F. married Flora Hamilton ; Samuel, now deceased, married Clara Maxin; Mary is the wife of Perry E. Apple ; Emma E. is deceased ; Mrs. Thursa Hobbins is deceased. There are six grandchildren. Politically, Mr. Pence is a Democrat. He has served as school director and supervisor. He has been a member of the Baptist church at Mt. Pleasant since 1868, and is a deacon and trustee in the same, and at one time served 574 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. as treasurer, and was a member of the building committee. He has always been active in the church, in fact, has been one of the pillars of the same for nearly fifty years. For a period of eleven years he was treasurer of the Mad River Association. EDWARD B. THOMAS. Edward B. Thomas, a farmer of Salem township, Champaign county, was born November 25, 1875, in the locality where he still resides. He is a son of Ivan B. and Lucretia (Burnett) Thomas. The father was also born in the above named township and county, but the mother was a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio. Ivan B. Thomas was born in 1832. He was a son of early pioneers in this section of the Buckeye state, and he grew to manhood here on the farm, amid pioneer conditions. He received g limited education in the early-day schools, and when a young man took up farming on his father's place, later starting in life for himself as a farmer here, buying forty acres. He was a man of rare industry and good judgment and, prospering with advancing years, he added to his original holdings until he became owner of six hundred acres of valuable land and ranked among the leading general farmers and stock raisers of his county. He also owned nine hundred and thirty-eight acres in the state of Florida. He devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and was also interested in the .grain business. He, with two other men, William Gest and T. A. Cowgill, built the elevator at Kennard, which he later bought for himself and operated successfully for over forty years, in connection with farming. His father, John Thomas, came to Champaign county in 1809, locating in Salem township, where he developed a good farm and became one of the prominent. men of the county in his day. He was one of the earliest settlers. The family of Ivan B. Thomas consisted of four children, namely : Edward B. of this sketch; Robert was next in order ; Marie married L. E. Baldwin; Roy was the youngest. The father of these children died in 1912 at the age of eighty years. The mother, who was a school teacher in her younger years, died in 1908. She was a daughter of Edward Burnett and wife, who were natives of Connecticut. The parents of the subject of this sketch first met while she was teaching school at Kennard, Ohio. Edward B. Thomas grew to manhood on the home farm in Salem township, and he attended the common schools. When a young man he began in the grain business, assisting in the management of the elevator at Kennard, CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 575 continuing successfully in that line for a period of fourteen years, then took up farming on his present place, which consists of ninety-five acres, in Salem township. He has a well-kept farm and is raising considerable grain which he feeds to large numbers of live stock annually. Mr. Thomas was married in 1903 to Anna Wilkins, a daughter of Howard Wilkins, and to their union four children have been born, namely : Harold, Dorothy, Mildred and Ruth. Politically, Mr. Thomas is a Republican. He was road supervisor for four years, and township' assessor for fourteen years, and was for three and one-half years postmaster at Kennard, Ohio, until the rural free mail delivery was established. WILLIAM B. HILL. William B. Hill, manager of the Furnas Ice Cream Company's establishment at St. Paris, is a native of the Hoosier state and has been a resident of St. Paris since 1913. He was born on a farm in the Westfield neighborhood, in Hamilton county, Indiana, December 4, 1873, a son of Henry B. and Lu-• cinda H. (Bond) Hill, both also natives of Indiana, born in the neighborhood of Newcastle, in Henry county, where they grew up together .and were married, later settling on a farm in the old Quaker. settlement about Westfield, in Hamilton county, where they reared their family and spent the remainder of their lives, substantial and useful members of that community. Henry B. Hill was a practical farmer and became quite well-to-do. He was for years active in the work of farmers institutes in Hamilton and neighboring counties and did much to advance the movement toward better rural conditions in that part of the state. He was a Republican and, fraternally, was a member of the Knights of Honor. Henry B. Hill died at his home in Hamilton county on March 30, 1892, and his widow survived him for more than ten years, her death occurring on June 25, 1903. They were the parents of five children, of whom four are still living, those besides the subject of this sketch being Charles Hill, of Indianapolis, a graduate of the old Union High Academy at Westfield; Alice, who was graduated from the same academy and married Charles Pruitt and now lives in Boone county, Indiana, and Robert J. Hill, who is now living at Columbus, Indiana, foreman of the plant of Hege & Company at that place. Reared on a farm, William B. Hill received his schooling in the district school in the neighborhood of his home and remained on the farm until he 576 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. was fifteen years of age, when he turned his attention to mechanical work. In 1897 he engaged in the milk business at Westfield and in 1899 formed a connection with the Furnas Ice Cream Company and was agent for that concern's interests at Westfield until 1912. He then represented the company at Noblesville, Indiana, for about a year and in 1913 was made manager of the company's establishment at St. Paris and has ever since been thus engaged in that city, doing much to add to the popularity of the Furnas products there and throughout this part of the state. Mr. Hill is a Democrat and is now serving as a member of the St. Paris town council, helpful in all ways in promoting the general interests of his home town. On February 14, 1898, William B. Hill was united in marriage to Clora E. Cook, of Hortonville, Indiana, who was born and reared in Hamilton county, that state, and is a graduate of the old Union High Academy, and to this union two sons have been born, Merrill E. and Harold H. Mr. and Mrs. Hill are members of the Friends church at Westfield. Fraternally, Mr. Hill is a member of Westfield Lodge No. 800, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in 1912 was a representative from that lodge to the grand lodge of the independent Order of Odd Fellows in the state of Indiana. JAMES SWISHER. James Swisher, an honored veteran of the Civil War, former county surveyor of Champaign county, former city civil engineer of Urbana, a member of the state engineering corps, resident engineer on the Mechanicsburg pike, and one of the best known citizens of Champaign county, is a native son of this county and has lived here all his life With the exception of the period he spent in the army during the Civil War and a later period, during the days of his young manhood, spent in Mexico and the West, where for some years he followed an adventurous career and during which time he achieved the honor of having a county in Texas named after him. He was born on a farm a short distance south of Cable, in Wayne township, June 6, 1849, a son of Joseph. and Mary (Hess) Swisher, well-to-do farming people of that neighborhood, whose last days were spent there. Joseph Swisher was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, October 7, 1827, and was but a child when his parents, James H. Swisher and wife, came to this county in 1832 and settled on a pioneer farm in Wayne township, becoming influential and useful pioneers of that neighborhood. CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 577 James H. Swisher was born on November 25, 1800, and grew up as a farmer in his native Pennsylvania, remaining there until he came with his family to this county, becoming one of the early settlers of Wayne township, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. On that pioneer farm Joseph Swisher grew to manhood, learning the practical ways of farming. He married Mary Hess, who was born at Martinsburg, Virginia, and who had come to this county with her parents in the days of her youth, and after his marriage established his 'home on a farm in Wayne township and there spent the rest 0f his life farming, his death occurring on- May 28, 1889. He and his wife were the parents of six children, those besides the subject of this sketch being Perry, Elizabeth, Jane, Jacob and Warren. Reared 0n the home farm in Wayne township, James: Swisher received his education in the schools of that neighborhood and was living there when the Civil War broke out. He was a big, husky boy and the call to arms so fired his zeal for service in behalf of his country that before he was fourteen years of age he ran away from home and proceeded to Columbus, where he succeeded in having himself enrolled as a member of Company A, Sixty-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Two days later his father appeared on the scene, having got trace of the runaway lad, and took him home. There he remained until in March, 1863, when he again made his way to a recruiting station and on the 23rd of that month, under the assumed name of James Jackson, enlisted as a private in C0mpany E, Fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and with that command achieved his desire to get to the front, serving with the same for two years and eleven months, or until after the close of the war, and was mustered out with the rank of first lieutenant, which rank he had borne during the last eleven months of his service, having steadily risen from the ranks. Mr. Swisher's command was attached to the Army of the Tennessee and with that army he saw some of the most active service of the war, having participated in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Chickamaugua, the Atlanta campaign and then on with Sherman's army to the sea, taking part in the reduction of Savannah and on up through the Carolinas, upon the cessation of hostilities being sent to Camp Dennison at Cincinnati, where he was mustered 0ut. Upon the completion of his military service Mr. Swisher, who was then under seventeen years of age, returned to the home farm and that same fall entered Delaware College, now known as Ohio Wesleyan University. After (37a) 578 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. a term of schooling there he taught a term of school in this county and then went to Mexico to join his uncle, Jacob Hess, who was engaged in mining there, but eleven months later was compelled to leave that country, the Mexican government having refused to renew his uncle's mining concession, thus closing the mines. Thus thrown out of employment, Mr. Swisher started with several others to walk to Stockton, Calif0rnia, fifteen hundred miles away. After an adventurous and perilous trip Mr. Swisher arrived. at Stockton and after a brief stay there joined the rush for Carson City, Nevada, where he worked in a saw-mill for three years, at the end of which time he was appointed assistant surveyor under James E. Oliver, of the government survey, and was thus engaged for three years running lines throughout that part of the country. He then took service under United States Surveyor Wheeler and helped to lay out counties in Utah and Texas, one of the counties in northwestern Texas being named in his honor while he was thus engaged. The last census report gave Swisher county, Texas, a population of more than four thousand and since then it has developed rapidly ; hence Mr. Swisher has no reason to feel other than proud of the distinction accorded his name by the pioneers who named the county in his honor. After six years of government service, in the surveying department, Mr. Swisher located in Bullion City, Utah, and was shortly afterward appointed surveyor of Piute county. Other civic honors were quickly thrust upon him and during the three years he lived there he served not only as county surveyor, but as county clerk, assistant county recorder and as assistant postmaster, a record of office-holding to make the average Ohio office-seeker turn green with envy. Along in the early eighties Mr. Swisher began to permit his thoughts to turn back to the scenes of his childhood and he presently returned to this county, resuming the work here as a school teacher that had been interrupted years before by his departure for Mexico. For two years he taught school in Salem township and for three years. in Wayne township. In the fall of 1886 Mr. Swisher was elected surveyor 0f Champaign county, taking office in the following January and serving until November 24, 1902, at the same time serving also as city engineer from 1889 to 1901. He was re-elected to the office of county surveyor and continued to serve in that capacity until September 4, 1911, later, being appointed resident engineer on the Mechanicsburg pike, as a member of the state engineering corps, a position he ever since has held, and in connection with which he has rendered admirable service, since his appointment to that corps having supervised the construction of seven or eight important bits of road work CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 579 throughout this district. Mr. Swisher is a Republican and has ever taken an active part in local political affairs. He has business interests in Urbana, was one of the organizers of the Urbana Packing Company, of which he is one of the directors, and is treasurer of that company. On September 6, 1891, James Swisher was united in marriage to Ella G. Smith, daughter of John B. and MaHilda (Wilson) Smith, he a native of Vermont and she being born at Marietta, Ohio. To this union three children have been born, Mark, who married Clara Loomis and is now engaged as an engineer in the maintenance of way department of the New York Central Railroad Company, between Cleveland and Toledo, and Mary and Ruth, who are at home with their parents. The Swishers are members Of the Baptist church and Mr. Swisher is an office-bearer in the same. He is an active member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic and is now quarter-master of the post. Mr. Swisher is a thirty-second degree. Mason and a noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles 0f the Mystic Shrine, affiliated with the blue lodge at Urbana, the consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, at. Dayton, and with Syrian Temple of the Shrine at Cincinnati. He also is an Odd Fellow, a member of the Patriarchs Militant, affiliated with the subordinate lodge at Cable and with the encampment at Urbana. He likewise is affiliated with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and in the affairs of all of these fraternal organizations takes a warm interest. GRANT S. HUNT. An enterprising and progressive farmer of Harrison township is Grant S. Hunt, living on his fine farm of eighty acres located in section 6 of this township on rural route No. I out of West Liberty, Ohio. Mr. Hunt is a native of the county, his birth having occurred on a farm in Adams township known as the old Woolley farm, where the Rosewood centralized school now stands, on July 23, 1865. He is a son of Isaac W. and Emmeline (Woolley) Hunt, the former a native of New York state, and the latter .of Warren county, Ohio. Isaac W. Hunt. came from New York to Butler county, Ohio, when a mere boy, where his parents lived a number of years: later removing to Shelby county, Ohio, and from there to Adams township, Champaign county, near Rosewood, where the father's death occurred. The mother's death occurred 580 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. at the same place some years later. The Hunt family were of English descent, locating in New York state in an early day. Emmeline Woolley was a daughter of Tiley Woolley, who came from New Jersey to Warren county, Ohio, in an early day, later removing to Champaign county, and being among the pioneers of this part of the state. Both the Hunt and Woolley families are of good 0ld Colonial stock, the Woolleys being of Quaker descent, while the Hunt history has been traced back many generations to 0ne of the famous "Minute Men" of Revolutionary War fame in the battle of Lexington. After his marriage to Emmeline Woolley, Isaac W. Hunt and his wife lived on the Woolley farm in Adams township for a period of fifteen years, when they removed to a farm located just north of that in the same township, and lived on this farm the remainder of their lives, with the exception of five years which they spent in the village of DeGraff, Ohio-: They were the parents of six children, three of whom are still living : Mrs. Nancy A. Street, of Quincy, Ohio; Mrs. Hannah A. Hines, living in Salem township, this county, and Grant S., of this review. By a previous marriage, Isaac W. Hunt was the father of three children, none of whom survive. The family were charter members of the Christian church at Careysville, Ohio. Isaac W. Hunt was a Republican in politics, having belonged to the old-time Whig party while it was in existence, afterward voting the Republican ticket, and always took an interested part in local public affairs. He was a member of the Masonic order, being identified with Quincy lodge. Grant S. Hunt was reared to manhood on the farm in Adams township, receiving his education in the district school of his home neighborhood, afterwards graduating from the high school at DeGraff in 1884. He taught school from 1885-1891. He lived at home with his parents until his marriage, when he started to farm for himself, and has since been engaged in that occupation on the farm where he is now living, with the exception of two years, when he lived on a farm in Adams township. On August 24, 1887, Grant S. Hunt was married to Hattie B. Craig, a daughter of India Craig, of Harrison township. Mrs. Hunt was born and reared on the farm where she now lives, and has lived here all her life with the exception of two years, 1887-89, when the family lived on a farm in Adams township. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt are the parents of three children : Samuel C., a graduate of the West Liberty high school, married Ruth Post, of Salem township, Champaign county, Ohio ; Samuel C. was a student for two years at Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio ; John E., also a graduate of the West Liberty high school, is now a student in his third year in the Ohio State University at Columbus, Ohio, where he is taking a course in mechanical CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 581 engineering; Laura M., the wife of Harry Harrington, living on the home farm. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Wesley Chapel, in which church Mr. Hunt is serving as steward and trustee. Politically, Mr. Hunt is a Republican, and takes a good citizen's interest in all public affairs, especially those pertaining to the welfare of his home community. He has served as a member of the township school board, and in the fall of 1914 was elected to fill the office of county c0mmissioner. Fraternally, he is a member of Gauntlet Lodge, No. 322, Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor commander ; also a member of Mad River Lodge, No. 161, Free and Aecepted Masons, at West Liberty, Ohio. EDWARD CONNOLLY. Edward Connolly, one of Salem township's well-known farmers and the proprietor of a well-kept farm of sixty acres there, the old Gest farm, was born in Allen township, Union county, and moved to Logan county, where he was reared, until 1909, when he came to this county, where he has established a very comfortable home. In additi0n to farming his own place he farms other land in that vicinity and Is doing very well. His father, Thomas Connolly, is still living in Logan county, on his old home farm, at a ripe old age, the place being operated by two of his sons. Thomas Connolly was born in Madison county, this state, a son of Edward Connolly and wife, the latter of whom was a Wilson, both natives of Ireland, wh0 were married in this state and settled on a farm in the neighborhood of Marysville, in Union county, where they reared their family. They were the parents of ten children, Thomas, Edward, John,. Benjamin, George, Mary Ann, Charlotte, Maria, Catherine, and Alice, all of whom lived to maturity. Thomas Connolly was reared in Union county and there married Martha Agnes Michael, who was born in Pennsylvania and who died in August, 1913, at the age of sixty-three years. Thomas Connolly was reared a farmer and has always been engaged in that vocation, for more than thirty years a resident of Monroe township, over in the neighboring county of Logan. To him and his wife were born four sons, the subject of this sketch having three brothers, Frank, who is at home; Harry, who is employed in the steam-shovel works at Marion, and Fred, who is assisting his brother, Frank, in operating the home farm. Edward Connolly was reared on the farm and received his schooling in 582 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. the district schools. From the days of his boyhood he was a valued assistant to his father in the labors of the home farm and after his marriage at the age of twenty-three continued farming the home place for seven years, at the end of which time he became manager of the creamery at Mingo, Champaign county, and continued thus engaged for three years. Then he rented a farm in Salem township for six years, then b0ught his present farm in Salem township, where he since has made his home. Since taking possession of that place he has made extensive improvements on the place and now has a very well-equipped farm plant and is doing quite well. On February 1, 1899, Edward Connolly was united in marriage to Adella May Adams, who was born in Putnam county, this state, and to this union three sons have been born, Merrill Edward, Clair Adams and Paul, the latter of whom died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Connolly are members of the Union Chapel Methodist Episcopal church in Logan county and take a proper part in church work as well as in other local good works. Mr. Connolly is a member of the local Grange at Kings Creek and takes a warm interest in the affairs 0f the same. Politically, he is "independent," but is usually a Democrat. WALTER S. WILSON. Walter S. Wilson, farmer of Concord township, Champaign county, was born on the farm where he now lives., September 23, 1864. He has been contented to spend his life at home, rather than seeking uncertain fortune in some remote county or city. He is a son of John D. and Sarah D. (Forry) Wilson. The father was born on the same farm as his son, the subject of this sketch. He was a son of John Wilson, who came to Ohio, from Pennsylvania, entering the land from the government, where Walter S." Wilson now lives. He was one of the pioneer settlers here, and he carved out a home from the wilderness and spent the rest of his file here. His son, John D. Wilson, remained on the home place all his life. The latter kept the land well improved and was a successful general farmer. He was a Republican. He was a member of the Presbyterian church at Spring Hill, in fact, was for many years an elder and a pillar in the same. He was always active in church affairs. His family consisted of four children, namely : Emma, deceased, was the wife of William Daniels of Harrison township, this county ; Forry lives in Concord township ;. Walter S., CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 583 of this sketch; Jennie, deceased, was the wife of James McCoskey, of Urbana. Walter S. Wilson grew to manhood on the homestead. He attended the public schools in his district. He assisted with the work on the farm until his marriage on November 20, 1885, to Emma Abbott, a daughter of W. J. Abbott and wife, who formerly lived in Concord township, but are now residing in Urbana. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, namely : Marie is the wife of George Russell and they live in Harrison township, this county, and have three children, Lloyd Russell, Raymond and Ruth ; Adrie is at home. Mr. Wilson owns a well improved and well managed farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Concord township, near the line of Harrison township. In connection with general farming, he raises hogs on an extensive scale, preparing large numbers annually for the market, selling about two hundred head annually. He built the present barn and other improvements on the place. Politically, he is a Republican. He and his wife belong to the Methodist church at Concord. E. E. ALLISON. E. E. Allison, farmer of Concord township, Champaign county, was born in Mad River township, this county, February 8, 1874, 0n a farm near the village of Terre Haute. He is a son of N. J. and Sarah E. (Allen) Allis0n. The father was born also near Terre Haute, Ohio, on the old Allis0n homestead. His wife, Sarah E. Allen, was also a native of Mad River township. Their parents located in that locality in an early day and there they grew to maturity, attended the pioneer schools and were married. In 1878 the Allison family moved to Concord township, living on a farm there nine years, then moved to Urbana township, where they spent the rest of their lives, the mother dying on March 17, 1916. The father still lives in Urbana township. To N. J. Allison and wife eleven children were b0rn, eight of whom survive at this writing, namely : Miles lives in Concord township; Elnora is the wife of Gus Malling, and they live in Urbana, Ohio; Mrs. Ida Fritz lives in Urbana; E. E., of this sketch; Mrs. Cecelia Jurkins lives in Urbana ; Marion lives in Springfield, Ohio; Mrs. Rachael 584 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. Pence is deceased; Homer lives in Topeka, Kansas; William lives in Springfield, Ohio; Walter and Alma died in infancy. E. E. Allison left home when a small boy and he grew to manhood in Mad River township, on a farm in the northern part of the township. He worked out both by the day and by the month, saving his earnings until he could get a start in life. On February 20, 1892, he married May Jenkins, a daughter of Isaac and Malinda Jenkins of Concord township, where she was reared on a farm and attended scho0l. After his marriage Mr. Allison continued to work out by the month for a period of eighteen years, being in the employ of A. Q. McBeth. In 1910 he purchased the farm on which he now resides, which place consisted of seventy-six acres. He has since added twelve acres, making him a farm of eighty-eight acres of excellent land, and here he is successfully engaging in general farming and stock raising. He has worked hard and persevered until he has finally come into possession of a good farm and a comfortable home, through his own efforts. Politically, he is a Republican. He belongs to Garnet Lodge, Knights of Pythias, at West Liberty, Ohio. JOHN POWELL. The late John Powell, for years one of the best-known and most substantial farmers of Salem township, whose widow is still living on the home farm there, was a native son of Champaign county and lived here all his life. He was born on a farm west of Urbana in 1823, a son of Timothy and Margaret (Taylor) Powell, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia, both of whom had come to this county with their respective parents in the days of their childhood, and whose last days were spent here. Timothy Powell was a substantial farmer and in his day took an active part in local affairs. He was twice married. His first wife, Margaret Taylor, was a daughter of John and Catherine (Osborne) Taylor, who came to this county in 1804 with their family from Virginia and settled at what is now Kings Creek, where John Taylor established a grist- and sawmill and tannery and also became a large landowner, one of the most influential pioneers of that part of the county. To that union were born nine children, John, Timothy, Benjamin, Samuel, Elijah, Madison, Sarah, Emory CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 585 and Jane, all of whom are now dead. After the death of the m0ther of these children Mr. Powell married, Mrs. Eliza Bales, a; widow, and also a native of Kentucky, and to that union two children were born, Charles, of Lima, Ohio, and Margaret, now Mrs. Nugent, of Toledo, Ohio. John Powell was reared on the farm and received a common-school education. After his marriage, in the spring of 1862, he continued to live on the home place for a year, at the end of which time he moved to the Rose place, near Urbana, and some time afterward bought the place of one hundred and eight acres in Salem township on which he spent the rest of his life and where his widow is still living. He was a good farmer and did well in his farming operations, a steady, sturdy, home-loving citizen, who did well his part in the upbuilding of the community. Though a stanch Republican, ever taking a good citizen's part in local political affairs, he was not an office-seeker, preferring the comfort of his home to the more active affairs outside.. He was an earnest member of the Kings Creek Methodist church, as is his widow, and was ever interested in local good works, helpful in promoting any agency designed to advance the common welfare. His death occurred in 1894, he then being seventy-one years old, and there was sincere mourning on the part of his many friends in this county. On April 9, 1862, John Powell was united in marriage to Mary Jane Dawson, who was born in Wayne township, this county, March 20, 1839, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Kidd). Dawson, natives of Virginia,- who were born and reared in Berkeley county, now in West Virginia, where they were married, shortly afterward coming to Ohio and settling in this county. Upon coming here John Dawson and his wife first located in Wayne township, later moving to Salem township, where they lived on a farm for some time, later taking up their residence at Kings Creek, at which place they lived until their removal to a farm on Dungan road, later moving to Pretty Prairie. John Dawson was a farmer and teamster and met death in a runaway accident in 1858. His widow survived him many years, her death occurring at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Powell, in 1883. She was a member of the Baptist church. John Dawson and wife were the parents of six children, of whom Mrs. Powell was the third in order of birth and the only one now living, the others having been William, who lived at Dayton ; Samuel, who lived in Indiana ; David, who lived in Urbana; Margaret, who also lived in Urbana, and John, who lived at Dayton. To John and Mary Jane (Dawson) Powell were born two children, a son and a daughter, Grant, who died at the age of sixteen years, and Effie 586 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. May, who died at the age of eighteen years. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Powell has continued to reside on her farm, where she has a, very comfortable home and where she is very pleasantly situated. She is a member of the Methodist church at Kings Creek and has ever taken an interested part in the various beneficences of that church, as well as in other neighborhood good works. Despite the fact that she is now nearing the eightieth milestone on the journey of life, she retains an active interest in current affairs. She has witnessed the development of her home county from 'the days of the pioneers and her memory of early events is clear and accurate, her reminiscences concerning events of the days now long gone being full of information most interesting to her young friends of the present generation. JOHN H. ABBOTT. John H. Abbot, farmer of Concord township, was born near where he now lives, June 26, 1863. He is a son of W. J. and Emily V. (Compton) Abbott. The father was born in Johnson township, Champaign county, Ohio, January 13, 1836, his parents being pioneer settlers in this locality. He grew upon the farm in his native township and after his marriage settled in Concord township, where he developed a good farm and made his home until 1911, when he retired from active life, moved to Urbana, where he has since resided. His wife died on February 11, 1917. They were parents of ten children, two of whom died in infancy; those living are, Charles M., of Chicago; John H., of this sketch; Annie M., is the wife of Walter S. Wilson and they live in Concord township; Minnie is the wife of Dr. W. H. Hinkle of DeGraff, Ohi0; Emma Maude is the wife of D. H. Taylor of Urbana, Ohio; Oma J., is the wife of Dr. C. E. Stadler, of Lima, Ohio; Mrs. Ora M. Barger lives in Urbana township, this c0unty; and Chester P. makes his home in Concord township. Politically, W. J. Abbott, father of the above named children, is a Republican and he has long been active and influential in l0cal public affairs. He was formerly a member of the Concord Methodist Episcopal church, but now belongs to Grace Methodist Episcopal church in Urbana. His wife was also a .member of these churches. John H. Abbot was reared on the home. farm in Concord township. He received his education in the district schools. He assisted his father with the work on the home farm until his marriage, which took place on CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 587 June 11, 1911, to Cleo V. Hanna, a daughter of William H. and Margaret Hanna, of Concord township, in which they were born, reared, educated, and in fact, have always made their home. Mr. Abbott has devoted his life to general farming. He owns a well kept and productive farm of eighty acres five and one-half miles northwest of Urbana. He devotes a great deal of time and attention to raising and feeding hogs, preparing large numbers for the market annually. He handles an excellent grade of hogs. He also raises cattle and is now preparing to devote more attention to cattle raising in the future than formerly. Politically, Mr. Abbott is a Republican and is more or less active in township politics. His wife is a member of the Concord Methodist Episcopal church. JAMES A. BECK. James A. Beck, a well-to-do farmer of St. Paris, Champaign county, owner of a compact farm of one hundred and five acres of prime land, was born seven miles south of St. Paris, Jackson township, on September 24, 1871. He is the son of James and Elizabeth (Smith) Beck, the former of whom was born in England in 1820 and the latter in the same country in 1833. James Beck, the grandfather of James A., the subject of this sketch, came with his family to the United States from England. On the voyage across the Atlantic he was injured and died from the effects of his injuries in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His widow came with her two children to Springfield, Ohio, and after a short stay in that city she moved to Jackson township, Champaign county. Here James Beck, the father of James A., grew to manhood and some time later he was married to Elizabeth Smith, who was born in Yorkshire, England. After his marriage James Beck settled on a farm of eighty acres in Jackson township, at that time having the sum of sixteen hundred dollars to his credit, and following his mother's death he bought out the interests of his sister, Prudence. He started his farming operations on the eighty-acre tract and as he prospered in his agricultural labors he increased his land holdings from time to time, until he finally acquired six hundred acres, thus becoming one of the largest and most substantial farmers of Jackson township. Apart from the value of his land he was worth in money about ninety-five thousand dollars. In addition to his farming operations, he also dealt in cattle and met with considerable success in that line. James Beck 588 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. was a stanch supporter of the Republican party and had always been active in public affairs. He served one term as assessor of Jackson township. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was a liberal benefactor to its support and to the building of the church erected by the congregation. To James Beck and wife twelve children were b0rn, seven of whom are living in 1917: Mary J., who married Ed Ontoon; Maria; Prudence, wife of Maxwell Stephens, of Jackson township; Charles R., of Jackson township; Anna, wife of William Jenkins; John W., of Jackson township, and James A. James A. Beck was reared on his father's farm and attended the district schools until he was nineteen years old. He remained working on his father's farm up to the age of twenty-three. On February 15, 1893, he was united in marriage to Millie Stone, who was born in Cumberland, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1874. She is the daughter of George and Emma (Arnold) Stone, both of whom came from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, to Champaign county. Mr. and Mrs. Beck are the parents of one child, a daughter, Mamie A., born on February 6, 1895, living with her parents. The Beck family are members of the Mewson chapel, Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Beck is one of the trustees and also active in the work of the Sunday school, and in the general affairs of the township he takes an earnest and prominent part, ever ready to help all good causes. He is a strong supporter of the Republican party, but has never been a seeker after public office. CLEMENT V. MILLER. Clement V. Miller, who lives in Concord township, is. one of the enterprising farmers of Champaign county. He was born, near where he now lives, 0n what is known as the old John Miller place, which at that time belonged to John C. Miller, January 10, 1868. He is a son of John C. and Sarah (Idle) Miller. The father was born in Page county, Virginia. When twelve years old he left there, with his parents, the family removing to Champaign county, Ohio, locating on a farm in Concord township, being among the early pioneers here. They established their future home in the wilderness, cleared and developed a farm through long years of hard work. Here John C. Miller grew to manhood, on the home farm, and here he married Sarah Idle, who was born in Concord township, this county. CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 589 Her parents came from Virginia in an early day and located on a farm here, where she grew to womanhood. These parents attended the local rural schools of the. early days. After their marriage they began housekeeping on his father's place. He continued to reside there the rest of his life. He kept the place well improved and well cultivated and was a successful general farmer, in fact, became one of the substantial citizens of his township. He accumulated about four hundred acres of good farming land and farmed on an extensive scale. He was always active in public affairs and one of the leading Democrats of his vicinity. Eight children were born to John C. Miller and wife, namely : Clara A. is the wife of Charles M. Huntoon of Jackson county, Alabama; Mary Jane,. married William Reed, both dead; Lizzie M., married Will Lecount, she deceased; Laura, dead, married Van Scott;. Nettie, dead, married Alfred Poorman; William, deceased; Clement V., of this sketch, and May, deceased, married Elmer Magart. Clement V. Miller grew to manhood on the home farm in Concord township and there he attended the common schools. He lived at home until his marriage, which occurred on December 26, 1890, to Mary Elizabeth Irvin, a daughter of Allen and Mary A. (Zimmerman) Irvin, he a native of Pennsylvania, and she of Concord township, Champaign county, Ohio. Allen Irvin's parents died when he was a little boy. He grew up on 'a farm in Pennsylvania and when grown came to Champaign county, Ohio, and worked as a farm hand in Concord township. Finally bought a farm Of his own in the south part of the township, where he lived until his death. His wife's parents were Isaac and Delilah (Loudenback) Zimmerman, natives of Virginia and among the first settlers in Champaign county. After his marriage Mr. Miller located on his present farm, which consists of one hundred and five acres in Concord township, on the Concord pike. He has made a number of important improvements on the place and is carrying on general farming and stock raising successfully. His first home was a half mile north of the road, but in 1912 they moved. to their present home. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller, namely : Lawrence, married Stella Pence and they live on a farm in Johnson township; Clara lives at home; John died when twelve years old; Ola and Fern are in school. Politically, Mr. Miller is a Democrat, but he is inclined to vote independently in local affairs. 590 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. LAWRENCE KOHLMEIER. Lawrence Kohlmeier, a well-known and substantial retired retail dealer in meats, living at Urbana, which has been his place of residence since the year 1873, is of European birth, a native of the kingdom of Bavaria, but has been a resident of this, country since he was sixteen years of age. He was born on June 3, 1853, son of Anton and Eva (Nagle) Kohlmeier, also natives of Bavaria, the former a cooper by trade, who spent all their lives in their native country and who were the parents of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch, the last-born, and his sister, Elizabeth, the first-born, were the only ones to come to this country, the others, Dora, Kate and Jo' remaining in their native land. Elizabeth Kohlmeier came to the United States in 1853 and located at Pottsville, Pennsylvania, where she married John Gehring. Upon completing the elementary course in the schools of his native Bavaria, Lawrence Kohlmeier was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker and spent three years, without wages, learning that trade. When seventeen years of age, in 1869, he came to this country and proceeded on to Ohio, locating at Piqua, where he obtained employment in a butcher sh0p. There in the spring of 1873 he married and in that same year moved to Piqua, where he became employed in the retail meat establishment of Happersett & Hovey, remaining thus connected for ten years and five months, at the end of which time he opened a retail meat shop of his own in South Main street, that city. Mr. Kohlmeier in the meantime. had become an expert in his line and his venture into business on his own account was a success from the very start. Upon beginning business he killer all of his own meat, but later used cold-storage meat and his place always made a point of supplying the best the market could afford. During his long connection with the meat trade in Urbana Mr. Kohlmeier occupied several different stands in South Main street and remained in business until 1915, when he retired, turning the business over to his sons, and is now taking things "easy." Mr. Kohlmeier came to this country, a poor boy in a strange land, and by habits of thrift and industry, together with good management, succeeded in building up a profitable business, earning a competence upon which he is able to retire from active labor in the pleasant "evening time" of his life.. It was in April, 1873, at Piqua, this state, that Lawrence Kohlmeier was united in marriage to Caroline Mattmiller, also of European birth, born in the grand duchy of Baden on July 4, 1848, daughter of George and Theresa (Klein) Wegarnd, natives of Baden, the former a stone-cutter by trade, who spent their lives in their native land. Mrs. Kohlmeier had a sister, Josephine, CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 591 who also came to this country and who married Frank Bergemeier, but who, as well as her husband, is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Kohlmeier have four children, namely : Bertha, who married Edward Galloway, of Springfield, this state, and has four children, Nina, Lawrence, Dwight and Lucile; Otto, a retired meat dealer, of Urbana, who married Marie Dahill and has one child, a daughter, Marcella, and William and Anna, twins, the former of whom, a meat dealer at Urbana, married Amelia C. Burk, and the latter of whom married Bert LeNear, of Springfield, and died, leaving one child, a son, Harold Lawrence, who has been adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Kohlmeier, the lad's grandparents. The Kohlmeiers are members of St. Mary's Catholic church at Urbana and have ever given proper attention to parish affairs and to other community good works, helpful in advancing all worthy causes in their home town. CHRISTIAN H. BYLER. The old Keystone state has furnished many good farmers for Champaign county, among whom may be mentioned Christian H. Byler, of Salem township, He was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1855. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Hartzler) Byler, both natives of Mifflin county, where they grew up and were married, and there they devoted their lives to agricultural pursuits, dying on their farm there many years ago, the father in 1866 at an early age, the mother in 1915, age eighty-nine years. To these parents seven children were born, namely : Eli, Joseph, Eri, Christian, Mary, Hannah and John. The subject of this sketch is the only member of the family now living in Champaign county. He grew up on the home farm in his native state, where he worked with his father when a boy, and he attended the district schools during the winter months, but 0nly for a few years. He w0rked on farms by the month after his father's death in 1866 in. Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, when a young man, remaining there until 1876, when he came to Champaign county and worked out as a farm hand until 1881, when he went to Missouri and worked in that state a few years, then went to Kansas, where he farmed rented land for five years, after which he returned to Missouri and continued farming there until 1897, in which year he returned to Champaign county, Ohio, and took up farming in Salem .township on the place where he is now living, which he first rented, later purchasing it, buying only forty acres at first, but he has added to the same until he now has one hundred and eleven acres, which is all under culti- 592 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. vation, and he carries on general farming and stock raising. He has a good dwelling, a fifty-five ton silo and convenient outbuildings. Mr. Byler was married in 1887 t0 Sadie Zook, who was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, but she went West with her parents when young. She attended the common schools. She is a daughter of David J. and Lydia Zook, who spent their earlier years in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, later moving from that county to Kansas, but they did not remain long in the latter state, returning to Pennsylvania soon after the marriage of their daughter Sadie to Mr. Byler, and they spent the rest of. their lives in the Keystone state, dying there some time ago. Ten children have been b0rn to Mr. and Mrs. Byler, namely : Oliver, who married Rosa Stoltzfus ; Maude, John (died age three years), Mayme, Nellie, Paul, Mark, Earl, Milford, and Mildred. The subject of this sketch is a well-known and popular minister in the Mennonite church and preaches regularly in the church of this denomination at West Liberty, Ohio. He was ordained in the year 1899 at West Liberty, Ohio. He is well versed in the scriptures, besides being a well-read man generally, and is an earnest, forceful and interesting speaker and he has greatly strengthened the church of which he is pastor. JACOB H. SNARR. Jakob H. Snarr, farmer, of Concord township, was born in Hardy county, West Virginia, June 18, 1862. He is a son of Philip H. and Elizabeth (Keller) Snarr, both natives of Shenandoah county, Virginia, the former, of German parentage and the latter, of English. They grew to maturity in Shenandoah county and were married there, later removing to what is now Hardy county, West Virginia, where they spent the rest 0f their lives. They were the parents 0f nine children, named as follows : James L. lives in Hampshire county, West Virginia; John W. lives in Hardy county, that state Jacob H., of this sketch; Calvin died in infancy; Alice, who remained unmarried, died in Hardy county, West Virginia, in October, 1915; Martin S. lives in Champaign county, Ohio ; Minnie B. is the wife of Charles Robinson, of Hampshire county, West Virginia; Annie C. lives in Hardy county, that state; and Mary E., who married A. W. Russell, of Concord township, Champaign county. Jacob H. Snarr grew to manhood in his native county and there he CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 593 attended the public schools. When a young man he went to Shenandoah county, Virginia, where he spent three years, working for an uncle. In 1884, when twenty-one years old, he came to Champaign county, locating in Concord township, where he hired out to H. P. Wilson, remaining in his employ five years. On January 9, 1889, he married Mary C. Packer, a daughter of Stephen J. and Mary E. (Miller) Packer. After his marriage he rented the farm he now owns, for fifteen years, then his wife inherited part and he bought the rest of it. He has since lived here and has made a very comfortable living as a general farmer. His place consists of seventy-six acres. He also owns forty-five acres in another part of Concord township. He has placed modern improvements on his land and has a cosy home. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Snarr, namely : Mary E., the wife of Clinton Hanger; Helen is the wife of Waldo Zerkel; Dorothy and Donald, twins, are both in school. Politically, Mr. Snarr is a Democrat and served as township trustee and as assessor. He was a member of the township board of education until in January, 1916, having been a member of the same for a period of twenty years. He is now ( June, 1917) president of the county board of education. He takes a great interest in local educational affairs and has done much toward giving the county better schools. As a public servant he has discharged his duties in an able, faithful and highly commendable manner. He and his wife are members of the Concord Methodist Episcopal church. He is a steward in the church and has been superintendent of the Sunday school for many. years. He is a useful and highly esteemed citizen in his home locality, where he is well known. CHARLES L. CAREY. Charles L. Carey, a farmer living in Harrison township, near West Liberty, Ohio, was born just west of his present home, August 26, 1864. He is a son of Jacob and Mary J. (Sill) Carey. The father was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, November 5, 1813, and the mother was born in Cumberland county, Maryland, on February 11, 1823. They grew to maturity and were married on February 10, 1842, in Gettysburg, Adams county, Pennsylvania, and shortly thereafter removed to Champaign county, Ohio, migrating in a wagon, locating in Concord township in 1853, renting land there for a few years, then moved to Harrison township and bought (38a) 594 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. the home place of eighty acres on which they spent the rest of their lives, her death occurring on May 23, 1908, aged eighty-five; he died April 28, 1903, aged eighty-nine years. They were parents of twelve children, all surviving but two in 1917, namely : Emeline is the widow of Thomas Hunter and she lives in Harrison township; Daniel S. also lives in Harrison. township; John is deceased; Eliza is the wife of Dennis Gray and they live in Miss0uri; Ellen is the widow of William Danner and she lives at West Liberty, Ohio; Alice C., widow of William Wren, lives in Michigan; Jacob E. is farming in Liberty township, Logan county; James W. lives in Concord township, this county ; B. L. lives in Harrison township, Champaign county; Charles L., subject of this sketch; Mattie is the widow of Doctor Crampton of. Shawnee, Oklahoma; one child died in infancy. Jacob Carey, the father, was a Democrat. He and his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, but late in life they transferred their church letters to the Glady Creek Christian church. Charles L. Carey grew to manhood on the home farm in Harrison township and he was educated in the district schools. After his graduation from the common schools he continued to work on the home farm until he was nineteen years old; then began working at the carpenter's trade, but remained at home. He was married on January 3, 1903, to Amanda Louise Carr, who was born February 9, 1864, in Missouri. She was a daughter of Frederick and Mary (Hoffman) Carr, who were farmers in Logan county, Ohio, both now long deceased. Mr. Carey became a highly skilled workman and his services as a carpenter were in good demand. He has continued his trade in connection with farming. He owns thirty-eight acres in Harrison township, two miles west of West Liberty, to which place he moved on January 13, 1913. He has lived in this township and at Spring Hill ever since his marriage. Politically, Mr. Carey is a Democrat. He has served as township clerk for eleven years and as road superintendent for the past four years. He was clerk of the board of education for three years. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of the Golden Eagle, Lodge No. 10, also to the True Knights of Bethel, Post of the Noble Chief at West Liberty. He is also a member of Tecumseh Tribe No. 70, Improved Order of Red Men at West Liberty, of which he is past sachem. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church at Salem, Harrison township. For thirty-five years he operated a threshing machine and is well known in that capacity Mr. Carey is influential in fraternal and other circles in his community, and is always ready to help in movements for the general good. CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 595 IVAN CLEM. A farmer of progressive ideas is Ivan Clem of Salem township, Champaign county, in which township he was born, October 17, 1883. He is a son of David and Romelia (Peery) Clem, the father a native of this county and the mother a native of Virginia. David Clem was b0rn in Johnson township, September 30, 1836. He and his wife are both of German descent. His great-grandfather emigrated from Germany to America the latter part of the seventeenth century. He was the father of David Clem, the grandfather of David Clem, father of the subject of this sketch. Isaac Clem was the father of David Clem, father of Ivan Clem. Isaac Clem came to Champaign county, Ohio, in 1829, among the earliest pioneers, and located on land in Johnson township where, by hard work and close application he developed a farm from the wilderness. He continued to reside here until in 1853, when he s0ld out and bought a place west of St. Paris on which he spent the rest of his life. He married Rebecca Crabill, a native of Virginia. David Clem, father of the subject of this sketch, received his education in the early-day schools of Johnson township. After leaving school he worked out by the month for some time, then learned the shoemaker's trade in St. Paris, Ohio, at which he worked for about six years, then bought a farm in Johnson township, near Millerstown, where he lived about nine years, then bought one hundred acres in Johnson and Adams townships which he farmed for four years, then sold out and moved to Caldwell county, Missouri. He later bought a farm in Daviess county, that state, but after remaining there only a short time, sold out and returned to Champaign county, Ohio, buying one hundred and thirty-five acres in Urbana township, which le operated five years, then moved to Salem township and bought three hundred acres, where he farmed on an extensive scale until he retired from active life, moving to Urbana where he has since made his home. He was very successful in a business way and at one time owned over one thousand acres of valuable land. He started out as a poor boy and forged to the front unaided and through his own perseverance and good management. In 1876 he married Romelia Peery, a daughter of George and Margaret (Hensley) Peery, and to their union six children were born, namely : Joseph, Samuel, Pearl, Ivan, Blanche and Grace, who died in infancy. Ivan Clem grew up on the home farm where he worked hard when a boy, and he received his education in the public schools of Salem township, mostly at the Lippincott school. After leaving school he took up farming with his father with whom he remained until his marriage, then rented a farm in Con- 596 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. cord township, but a year later moved to the farm where he is now residing and where he is successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising, owning a productive and well improved place of two hundred acres. There is no more up-to-date farmer in his township. Ivan Clem was married, June 2, 1912, to Madrid Bates, a daughter of Theodore and Clara Bates, and to their union two children have been born—Beatrice and Ruby. Politically, he is a Democrat. JUDSON JENKINS. Judson Jenkins, the owner and proprietor of a garage at Thackery, Ohio, is a native of this county, his birth having occurred on a farm in Jackson township, January 15, 1879. He is a son of John and Martha (Furrow) Jenkins, the former of whom was a native of Clark county, Ohio., and the latter of Champaign county. John Jenkins was born on a farm in Pike township, Clark county, Ohio, his parents being of old Virginia stock, who came as pioneers to Clark county, Ohio, in an early day. Martha Furrow was born in Jackson township, this county, but moved with her parents to Clark county as a. young girl, where she met and married John Jenkins. After their marriage they located on a farm in Pike township, that county, and lived there three years, after which they came to Jackson township, this county, locating on a farm north of Christiansburg, where they lived a number of. years, after which they moved to the city of Piqua, where they lived for eight years, when they returned to their farm in Pike township, Clark county, where they now reside. They were the parents of seven children, five of whom grew to maturity : Alice, the wife of Arch McKinney, of Piqua, Ohio ; Frank, who died in January, 1916 ; Effie, the wife of Charles Berkshire, of Piqua, Ohio ; Oscar, of Piqua; Judson, of this review, and Elva, the wife of Guy Shipley, a farmer of Pike township, Clark county. The family are members of the Emanuel Reformed church, in which they take an active interest. John Jenkins is a Democrat in politics, and while interested in public affairs, yet takes no active part in political matters. Fraternally, he is identified with the township grange. Judson Jenkins was reared on the farm in Jackson township, receiving his education in the district schools of his home neighborhood. He continued to live at home until his marriage, assisting his father with the farm work. Upon starting out in life for himself, he decided to leave the farm, and engaged CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 597 in the grocery business for two years in Pike township, Clark county, Ohio, after which he farmed for two yers in that county, when he came to Thackery, this county, where he was employed in an implement store for three years, after which he engaged in the implement business for himself for three years, when he disposed of this business and opened a garage, which he has been very successfully conducting for the past two years. On August 20, 1907, Judson Jenkins was married to Julia Shell, the daughter of Frederick and Rosie Miller, of this county, and to this union four children have been born, Harold M., Martha E., Thelma and Lois R., the two eldest being now in school. Mrs. Jenkins is a member of the Lutheran church in Thackery, and takes an active part in church and Sunday school work: Mr. Jenkins is a member of Lodge No. 878, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which organization he takes a warm interest, and is past noble grand of the local lodge. Like his father, he is a Democrat in politics. JACOB S. HILL. One of the leading farmers of Mad River township, this county, is Jacob S. Hill, the owner and proprietor of a fine farm located 0n the Urbana and Northampton pike, one-half mile southwest of Terre Haute, Ohio. He is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Shaffer) Hill, and was born on October 4, 1874. Jacob Hill was born in Donnelsville, Clark county, Ohio, in 1831, the son of Jacob and Nellie (Robinson) Hill, both of whom were born during Washington's administration as president of the United States, the latter born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. Jacob Hill, Sr., came to Cincinnati, Ohio, from LuBeck, West Virginia, where he was born and reared, in 1820, and from there came on to Clark county, Ohio, and still later to Champaign county, locating in Mad River township on a farm located on the Valley pike, where he lived until 1847, when he moved to Allen c0unty, where his death occurred. This family of Hills are descended from a son of the Irish aristocracy, who was shipped to Massachusetts from his native land and sold there for his passage to America during the Revolutionary War. Catherine Shaffer, the mother of our subject, was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, and came as a young girl with her father, Solomon Shaffer, to Champaign county, Ohio, in 1832, locating in Mad River township, on a farm near where the village of Terre Haute now stands. Jacob Hill and Catherine Shaffer were married in 1873, locating at once on the farm where their son, J. S., now lives, and on 598 - CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO. this place Jacob Hill's death occurred in 1911. His widow still survives him, making her home with her son, the subject of this brief review, who was the only child of his parents. Jacob Hill was a good man in all senses of that term, and highly respected in his community, a Republican in politics, but never a partisan, being liberal in his view of men and affairs. He was a member of the famous "Squirrel Hunters" band, who did splendid service in going after the noted Morgan raiders in 1864. Jacob S. Hill was reared on the home farm, receiving his education in the district schools of his home neighborhood. After reaching manhood, he married and decided to make farming his life work, settling at once on the old home farm, where he has since lived. He is engaged in general farming and st0ck raising, and ranks among the progressive and enterprising farmers of his township. On December 28, 1899, J. S. Hill was united in marriage to Ursula Kreitzer, a daughter of Samuel and Hannah Kreitzer, residents of Kansas, and to this union four children have been born : Ralph L., a graduate of the Terre Haute high school in 1917; Mildred B., now a student in the first year of high school ; Kathryn, attending school at Terre Haute, in the sixth grade, and Wayne Theodore. Mrs. Hill is an earnest and consistent member of the German Baptist Brethren church, and actively interested in church and Sunday school work. Like his father before him, Mr. Hill is a Republican in politics, but is not active in political affairs, although always warmly supporting all public measures having for their object the betterment of his community. EDWIN M. BAKER. Edwin M. Baker, one of the most progressive farmers of Concord township, Champaign county, was born in Madison county; Ohio, October 6, 1852. He is a son of Peter and Martha Ann (Johnson) Baker. The father was also a native of Madison county, this state. He was a son of Peter Baker, Sr., who was probably of German birth, as was also his wife. They both came from Germany to Virginia, and later made the overland journey to Madison county, Ohio, in an early day. Four Baker brothers immigrated to the United States at the time of the French revolution. In 1856 Peter Baker, Jr., who had grown to manhood and married in Madison county, moved to Champaign county, locating on a farm in CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO - 599 Concord township, buying the farm where the subject of this sketch now lives, and where the old home still stands, and here Peter Baker, Jr., and wife spent the rest of their lives, with the exception of a few years in Urbana. He was one of the successful farmers and stockmen of his day in this township. He was a strong Republican and in later years was an ardent advocate of prohibition. He was very religious and always practiced family worship. He and his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, holding their membership at Neer's Chapel, in C0ncord township. Their -family consisted of eight children, six of whom grew to maturity, namely : Emily Jane is n0w deceased; Anna P.,- widow of Charles Harbour and lives in Quincy, Ohio ; Wilson M. makes his home in Urbana, this county; Mary M. is the wife of Harrison Craig of Urbana; John is farming in Concord township ; and Edwin M., of this sketch. Edwin M. Baker was reared on the home farm in Concord township, and educated in the district schools there and the high school at Urbana, then studied one year in Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. He then began teaching, which he continued with much success for a period of seven years in Urbana, Adams and Concord townships, Champaign county, being regarded as one of the leading instructors in the public schools of this county and he gave eminent satisfaction to both pupils and patrons everywhere. He continued to live at home until his marriage on September 2, 1874, to Lucinda Pence, a daughter of Jacob and Sarah Pence. After his marriage he continued to teach for awhile, then went to college at Delaware, Ohio, one year, after which he located on the home farm in Concord township, where he has since resided. He has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser, farming on an extensive scale and employing modern methods. He owns one hundred and fifty-five acres in the home place, also two hundred and forty acres in another farm in C0ncord township and eighty-eight acres in Harrison township. His land is all well improved and under a fine state of cultivation. He has a modernly appointed home and everything about his place denotes go0d management and prosperity. He raises large numbers of cattle and hogs annually, which he fattens for the market, feeding most of the grain he raises. To Mr. and Mrs. Baker five children have been born, namely : Laura May, widow of Harry Howard, lives at home; Leonard Watson and John C. are farming in partnership in Concord township; Clarence C. and Paul E. are living at home. Politically, Mr. Baker is independent, but he is an ardent advocate of