USA > Ohio > Champaign County > A centennial biographical history of Champaign county, Ohio > Part 11
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Mrs. Patrick is a native of the old Buckeye state. having been born near the town of London, Madison county, on the 2d of February, 1813. so that her ninetieth birthday anniversary will occur within a few
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months after this work is issued from the press. Her parents were Charles and Mary ( McDougal) Atchison, and in their early life they were residents of Kentucky, where they met with reverses, principally through the burning of their property, which led them to seek a new home in Ohio and to here endeavor to retrieve their fortunes. They became squatters, as the title was familiarly given in the early days, in Madison county, where they passed the residue of their lives, the mother of our subject passing away when Mrs. Patrick was but ten years of age, and her father when she was but fifteen, so that she was orphaned while still a child. Her father had been previously married, and there were three children of the first union and six of the second, Mrs. Patrick being the only survivor at the present time. After the death of her mother she lived for a short interval in the home of one of her half-sisters, and when she was eighteen years of age she came to Urbana to live with another half-sister. She arrived in the city which is now her home on the 30th of November, 1830, and on the 12th of November, 1833, the night made memorable by one of the most notable meteoric showers ever witnessed in this section of the Union, she was united in marriage to Jacob H. Patrick, who was born in Urbana, the son of Anthony Patrick, the date of his nativity having been September 22, 18II, and his death occurring March 12, 1890, so that he lived to attain the patriarchial age of nearly eighty years. Of this union nine children were born, of whom three only are living at the present time, namely : Ellen, the widow of John S. Kirby : Emily, the wife of Joseph C. Vance: and Walter K .. of Urbana.
Owing to the exigencies of time and place, the early advantages of Mrs. Patrick were limited in scope and were of primitive character, but her receptive mind, keen powers of observation and personal appli- cation enabled her to effectively supplement this early and meagre dis- cipline. Her husband, who was a man of sterling integrity and who
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was honored by all who knew him, in early life learned the saddler's trade, but he devoted his attention to the same only for a short time and then engaged in the hardware business, which he followed for many years, being recognized as one of the representative citizens of Urbana, where his entire life was passed. He retired from this enterprise a few years prior to his death, and thereafter devoted his attention to looking after his farming interests, also conducting an insurance business. He was a stanch Republican in his political proclivities, but never sought official preferment, the only office of consequence of which he was in- cumbent having been that of member of the city council. He was a devoted member of the Baptist church, while for more than seventy years his widow has been an active member of the First Methodist Episcopal church in Urbana, where her name and zealous services are held in reverence as the many golden years rest as a crown upon her aged head. In early life Mrs. Patrick purchased and brought to Urbana a sewing machine, and it is worthy of particular mention that this was the first ever brought to this city. Her gentle character and noble attributes have endeared her to a wide circle of friends in the younger generations, as also was true in her own, and the years have rested lightly upon her and have been crowned with love and esteem, as is most justly due.
WILLIAM J. ABBOTT.
William J. Abbott, a farmer and representative citizen of Con- cord township, Champaign county, and one of the leading farmers of the county, is numbered among Ohio's native sons, for his birth occurred in Shelby county, January 13, 1836. His paternal grandfather, Will- iam AAbbott, was a native of Pennsylvania and in pioneer days took up his abode in Shelby county, Ohio, taking an active part in the work
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of improvement and progress there. His political support was given the Whig party. His son, James Abbott, the father of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania, but when a boy left the Keystone state and came with his parents to Ohio, the family settling in Shelby county, where he was reared, acquiring his education in the district schools. He was married there to Susan Schlusser, a native of Shelby county, reared and educated within its borders. Her death occurred about four years after her marriage in 1839 and in 1840 the father was again married, removing thence to Champaign county in 1845, his home being in Johnson township. There he remained until his death, which oc- curred in 1853. Unto the parents of our subject were born two chil- dren, the younger being John, who is now deceased. The second wife was Matilda Beach, a native of Shelby county, while her parents were natives of Virginia. There were six children born of this union, of whom three have passed away. All of the number were born in Cham- paign county with one exception.
William J. Abbott acquired the greater part of his education in this county, completing his studies when twenty-one years of age. He engaged in teaching school for twelve years, first in Shelby county and afterward in Champaign county. He had begun his work as an edu- cator before he completed his own education. At length he turned his attention to farming, renting a tract of land in 1864 and in 1872 removed to the farm of James D. Powell, which was his place of resi- dence until 1877. With the capital he had thus acquired through his in- dustry and economy he purchased a farm of eighty acres and made most of the improvements thereon, ditching, draining and clearing the land of timber. He remained thereon until 1883 and then came to his present home in Concord township. He makes a specialty of stock raising and in his business affairs is meeting with creditable and de- served success.
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Mr. Abbott was married in Champaign county, in 1858, to Emily V. Compton, who was born in Virginia but became a resident of Cham- paign county when twelve years of age. Her father had died in the Old Dominion, after which her mother removed with her children to Ohio. The family are all now deceased with the exception of Mrs. Abbott. Unto our subject and his wife have been born five sons and five daughters. all natives of Champaign county, namely: Charles M., who is engaged in the clothing business in Chicago, Illinois; John H., at home: Anna, who is the wife of Walter S. Wilson, a farmer of Champaign county ; Minnie A., the wife of Dr. W. H. Hinkle: Emma Mande, the wife of D. H. Taylor, a farmer of Champaign county ; Oma J., the wife of Dr. C. E. Stadler of West Cairo, Ohio: Ora M., the wife of Frank J. Barger of Champaign county ; and Chester P., at home. Two of the sons died in infancy.
Mr. Abbott has served as township clerk for a number of years and in his political affiliations is a Republican, taking an active and helpful interest in the work of the party. Both he and his wife are members of the Concord Methodist Episcopal church and their labors have contributed to its upbuilding and growth. Mr. Abbott is a rep- resentative farmer, whose progressive methods, unremitting diligence and resolute purpose have been salient features in his success, enabling him to win a place among the substantial men of his community. He now farins two hundred and seventy-eight acres and is one of the lead- ing farmers of Champaign county. Since 1882 he has, in addition to his own land, been cultivating the Oliver Taylor farm.
HARRISON CRAIG.
The subject of this sketch occupies a position of prominence in connection with the industrial activites of Champaign county, of which he is a native son, and he is recognized as one of the representative
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and progressive business men of the thriving city of Urbana, where he holds the dual office of secretary and manager of the Urbana Egg Case Company, whose enterprise is one of the most extensive of the sort in the Union.
In the agnatic line Mr. Craig is of stanch Scottish lineage. as the name implies, while on the maternal side the genealogy is of German origin. He was born in the city of Urbana on the 23d of August, 1847. being the son of William B. and Indiana ( Hess) Craig, the former of whom was born in Berkeley county. Virginia (now West Virginia), and the latter in Champaign county, Ohio, whither her father. Jacob Hess, removed from Hillsboro, Kentucky, and became one of the pioneer settlers in Champaign county, where he devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. The father of our subject was reared and educated in the Old Dominion state, but when a lad of thirteen years he severed the home ties and came to Zanesville, Ohio, where he remained until he had attained his legal majority, when he came to Champaign county, where he was engaged in farming during the residue of his active and useful lift, being successful in his efforts and being honored as one of the ster- ling citizens of the county. His death occurred in 1886, at the age of sixty-eight years, and his widow still resides on the old homestead farm in Harrison township. Of their union were born six sons and three daughters, of whom all are living, the subject of this review being the eldest of the family.
Though born in Urbana, as has been noted, Harrison Craig was reared to the sturdy discipline of the old farm, while to the public schools of the locality and period he is indebted for the early educational privi- leges which were accorded him. In 1870 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Baker, and they took up their abode on a farm in Har- rison township, where he was successfully engaged in agricultural pur- suits for a score of years.
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In the year 1891 Mr. Craig took up his residence in the city of Urbana, where he was one of the organizers of the Urbana Egg Case Company, of which he became secretary and manager, having ever since retained the incumbency and having been one of the prime factors in the building up of the large and important business of the company, whose operations are now of wide scope, making the enterprise one of marked value in connection with the industrial activities of this section. The other members of the executive corps are W. R. Ross, who is president and treasurer ; and H. N. Kirby, who holds the office of vice- president. In politics Mr. Craig is independent, and while taking proper interest in public affairs of a local nature he has never sought the honors or emoluments of public office. He and his wife are members of the First Methodist Episcopal church. They have six children, namely : Minnie L., Claude C., Mamie G., Ethel A., Grace G. and Chauncy D.
HENRY C. PEARCE, A. M., M. D., PH. D.
Ilenry Clay Pearce, who for a number of years has been actively engaged in medical practice in Ohio, is one of the representative mem- bers of the profession in this section of the state. He has ever stood as the champion of progress, and his influence has been exerted at all times on the side of right and truth. The Doctor was born in Union township, Champaign county, April 10, 1833, a son of Harvey C. and Beulah (Barrett) Pearce, also natives of this county. The father, who was born in 1805, was called to his final rest in 1891, and the mother passed away in death in 1885, at the age of seventy-six years. The former was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Collins) Pearce, and Thomas Pearce was a hero of the American Revolution. He removed
St. Le. Pearce M. D.
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from New York to Maryland, and in a very early day came to Ohio. The mother of our subject was a daughter of Captain Abner Barrett. a soldier in the war of 1812, and he, too, was among the very early settlers in Champaign county. In his early life Harvey C. Pearce fol- lowed agricultural pursuits, but for many years thereafter was a prom- inent shoe merchant of Urbana. In political matters he was a Whig. and for several years while residing in Union township he served as a justice of the peace. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and they lived consistent, Christian lives, while for many years he was a local minister and did effective work in the cause of his Master. This worthy couple became the parents of eight children, namely: Henry Clay, of this review; Lucas E., de- ceased; Abner B .. a resident of Champaign county : John W., of Chi- cago: William Raper and Mary E., both deceased: Richard S., of Ur- bana; and Harvey C., deceased.
Dr. Henry C. Pearce received his elementary education in the com- mon schools of the neighborhood. At the age of twenty years he be- gan the study of medicine, first under the preceptorship of Dr. Carter, of Urbana, and afterward with Dr. Dawson, while still later he became a student in the Starling Medical College, in which institution he was graduated in 1863. For five years previous to his graduation he had practiced his chosen profession at Mutual, Champaign county, and since 1864 he has been numbered among the leading medical practitioners of Urbana. From 1866 until 1874 he served as professor of physiology and microscopic histology in the Starling Medical College, of Columbus, Ohio, was the founder and trustee of the Columbus Medical College, and from 1874 for a period of seventeen years was professor of ob- stetrics and surgical diseases of women in the Columbus Medical Col- lege, retiring from the latter position on account of failing health. He has long been a member of the Ohio State Medical Society and of the
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American Medical Association, and in 1866 was made surgeon by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, a position which he has since contin- uously held, covering a period of longer service with the company in that capacity than any other surgeon. For nineteen years the Doctor was a member of the school board of Urbana, the cause of education ever finding in him a warm friend, and for over fifty years he has been a worthy member of the Methodist church.
In 1854 Dr. Pearce was united in marriage to Sarah Jane Morgan, but she was called to the home beyond in 1872, leaving four children,- Laura Etta, the wife of C. E. Macher, of Piqua, Ohio; Ella, who be- came the wife of George E. Lee, and is now deceased ; Charles W., of Urbana; and Henry M. A daughter also died in infancy. In 1873 the Doctor was a second time married. Binnie A. Keller becoming his wife. She is a daughter of William Keller, an old and prominent resi- dent of Urbana, who at one time served as mayor of the city. Unto this union were born two children, -- Frank C., a physician of Edith, Ten- nessee. and a graduate of the Tennessee Medical College, of Knox- ville ; and William K., a promising young man who died at the age of twenty-two years. The Doctor is both a Knight Templar and Scot- tislı Rite Mason.
Henry M. Pearce, a son of Dr. Henry Clay Pearce, was born and reared in Urbana, the date of his birth being December 20, 1868. Ilis early education was received in the public schools of this city. and after completing his studies therein he began preparation for the med- ical profession under his father's direction. In 1867 he entered the Starling Medical College, of Columbus, in which he was graduated on the 4th of March, 1890, and, associated with his father, he has since followed the practice of his chosen profession in Urbana. He is a mem- ber of the Ohio State Medical Society, of the Champaign County Med- ical Society, of the American Medical Association, and since the begin-
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ning of his professional career has served as surgeon for the Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company. For eleven years he served his county as its physician and is now the city health officer. He is a Republican in politics, a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1890 Dr. Henry M. Pearce was united in marriage to Anna M. Sleffel, a native of Australia, and they have two children,- Linda Etta and Edwin Clay.
EDGAR G. BANTA.
Among the young men of Urbana whose records partake of the remarkable by reason of brilliant successes achieved is Edgar S. Banta, a gentleman of splendid ability. of keen discernment and unfaltering enterprise and yet one whose success has been so worthily achieved that there is not a blot on his record. He was born in Urbana, November 30. 1871, and is a son of John A. and Emma R. (Geiger) Banta His father was a native of New York and in the early 'fifties came to Cham- paign county. Our subject was born and reared in his native city, and acquired his early literary education in the public schools, being grad- uated on the completion of a high school course in 1888. He then pursued a general course in the Urbana University and his law studies were pursued under the direction of his grandfather, Judge Levi Geiger, and Grant V. Fromme. In June. 1893. he was admitted to the bar and at once opened an office. where, by close application to business, by care- ful preparation of his cases and by a thorough understanding of legal principles, he has built up an enviable reputation. He has made a specialty of patent law and is thoroughly informed in this department' of jurisprudence. Prior to his admission to the bar Mr. Banta estab-
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lished what is now one of the largest fire underwriting agencies of the county. His first company was the American Central of St. Louis. A few months after establishing his agency he formed a partnership with his uncle, Charles L. Geiger. which continued until the latter's death in January. 1895. Rapid progress was made along this line of business, the number of companies increasing from one to seven, representing a capital of over eleven million dollars, the following old, reliable and well known companies now comprising the agency: Phenix Insurance Company of New York; St. Paul Fire and Marine, Minnesota : Glens Falls Insurance Company of New York; Girard Fire and Marine In- surance Company of Philadelphia; Reliance Insurance Company of Philadelphia ; German Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburg ; the North German Fire Insurance Company of New York; and the Delaware Insurance Company. Mr. Banta has also addel the life, accident and employers' liability branches to his insurance business and represents the leading companies of America in these lines. He is now the senior member of the firm of Banta & Spahr, Ohio managers for the Illinois Life Insurance Company. Mr. Banta also represents, as attorney and special agent, the Indemnity Savings and Loan Company of Cleveland, the capital stock of which is ten million dollars, and in this connection has done a large amount of business. He also negotiates real estate transfers and his activity in this direction has contributed not a little to business prosperity in Urbana. A man of resourceful business ability, he carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and his efforts have been so persistently directed along well defined lines of labor that he has met with splendid success.
In 1898 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Banta and Miss Alberta A. Spahr, a daughter of the Rev. A. N. Spahr, a former minister of the Grace Methodist Episcopal church. Socially he is identified with the Harmony Lodge, No. 8. F. & A. M. He gives his political support to
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the Republican party and as a citizen is deeply interested in everything pertaining to the public welfare and progress. His business methods are of interest to all. because of the brilliant success he has achieved, and yet his prosperity has been won along the lines of old and time-tried maxims. He has placed his dependence in industrial perseverance and a careful outlook over the future and these qualities have been the im- portant elements in his career.
CHARLES A. OFFENBACHER, M. D.
On the roll of the able and honored members of the medical frater- nity in Champaign county is to be found the name of the subject of this sketch, and he is established in practice in St. Paris, where he has at- tained high prestige in his profession and built up a large and representa- tive business, being a close student of medical and surgical science and having thoroughly fortified himself for the practice of the same. A re- view of his life is consistently incorporated in this volume, and it is the more consonant from the fact that he is a native son of Champaign county.
Dr. Offenbacher, as the name indicates, is of German lineage, though the family has long been identified with the annals of American history. He was born on a farm in Jackson township. Champaign coun- ty. on the 9th of December, 1845, being a son of Aaron and Mary (Alexander ) Offenbacher, his father having been a native of Virginia, whence he emigrated to Ohio in the early '40s, locating in Johnson town- ship. Champaign county, where he devoted the remainder of his life to agricultural pursuits. He was twice married, and his first wife died shortly after the removal to Ohio, having been the mother of eight chil-
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dren, all of whom are now deceased. Mr. Offenbacher subsequently married Miss Mary Alexander and they became the parents of three chil- dren,-the Doctor and Amanda, who is the wife of James Hone, of De- graff, Logan county. Aaron Offenbacher died on the ist of January, 1859, and his second wife was summoned into eternal rest on the 6th of April, 1895.
The subject of this sketch received his preliminary educational dis- cipline in the district schools of his native township, and so applied him- self to his studies and had such distinct powers of assimilation that he became eligible for pedagogic honors, giving inception to his career as a teacher when eighteen years of age and thereafter devoting his attention to this line of work during a period of six years, in Champaign, Miami and Shelby counties, and being very successful in his work. It was but natural that a man of such distinct individuality should early form definite plans for a future career, and thus we find that in the midst of his duties as a teacher he began reading medicine under the direction of Dr. M. V. Speece, of Quincy, Logan county, who was his preceptor dur- ing the entire course of his preliminary technical study. The Doetor was dependent upon his own resources in thus preparing himself for his pro- fession, and had the good judgment to so husband his means as to be able to continue his work under the best of conditions, since he finally was matriculated in the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, where he completed the prescribed course, being duly graduated as a member of the class of 1870 and receiving his coveted degree of Doctor of Medicine. Six months after his gradnation Dr. Offenbacher entered upon the active practice of his profession in the village of Spring Hills, this state, and there he built up a large and lucrative practice, continuing his residenec there for a period of twelve years, within which time he failed to respond to only three ealls, his devotion to his profession having ever been of the most unequivocal order, while his humanitarian spirit has prompted
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him to never refuse to minister to those afflicted, no matter what their station in life. In 1883 the Doctor came to Saint Paris, where he has since devoted himself to the demands of his practice, which has been cumulative in character from the beginning and which is of the most representative order. He keeps in close touch with the advances made in all branches of his profession, and in 1897 took a special post-graduate course in the Chicago Polyclinic, while two years later he took a special course in clinics under Dr. H. H. DePew, a representative specialist residing in Chicago. For the past three years our subject has been giving special attention to the treatment of hemorrhoids and hernia, having made a careful study of these diseases and the most effective methods of treat- mient, and having been particularly successful in the handling of cases of the sort. As a specialist in these lines he has attained a high reputation, and his services are in requisition on the part of many from outside the normal confines of his professional field of labor.
Dr. Offenbacher has always taken a lively interest in local affairs of a public nature, and his political allegiance is given to the Democratic party, minus the whisky element. During a decade of the twelve years of his residence in Spring Hills he served as a member of the board of education, and since locating in St. Paris he has been incumbent of a similar position for seven years, while for two years he has been clerk of the municipal corporation. Fraternally he is identified with the In- «lependent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member of St. Paris Lodge, No. 246, Russell Encampment, No. 141, and having passed all the official chairs in the subordinate body.
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