USA > Ohio > Champaign County > A centennial biographical history of Champaign county, Ohio > Part 12
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On the 11th of August, 1870, Dr. Offenbacher was united in mar- riage to Miss Sarah C. Sinoot, a native of Shelby county, and they have four children, namely : Minnie, who is the wife of Franklin Clem ; and James V., Charles F. and William E. The family are prominent in the
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social life of the community and the Doctor is held in the highest esteem by all who know him, while recognized as one of the representative physicians and surgeons of the state.
THOMAS A. COWGILL.
The name of Captain Thomas A. Cowgill stands conspicuously forth on the pages of Ohio's political history. He was born near Ken- nard, Champaign county, July 31, 1840. The Cowgills came from Eng- land to America on the ship with William Penn, locating first in Dela- ware and afterward made their way to Virginia. In the latter com- monwealth, Thomas Cowgill, the grandfather of our subject, was born and there reared and married. In 1800 he took up his abode in Column- biana county, Ohio, where he followed farming and blacksmithing until 1817 and in that year came to Champaign county. He was a Quaker in his religious belief, and in that faith died in 1846. He donated the ground on which the Mount Carmel church was built ..
Henry Cowgill, the father of our subject, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1801, and in 1817 came with his parents to Cham- paign county. His death here occurred in 1870, at the age of sixty-nine years. He, too, was a member of the Friends' church. For his wife he chose Anna Marmon, who was born in North Carolina in 1801. Her father, Martin Marmon, was also a native of North Carolina and was a farmer by occupation. In 1805 he took up his abode in Logan county. Ohio, locating near what is now Zanesfield, where he improved a large farm. He took an active part in the organization of the county, and for many years served as its treasurer. The Marmon family were originally Huguenots. and they left their southern. home on account
Hos A Cowgill
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of the slavery question. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cowgill were born eleven children, nine daughters and two sons, and all but two of the daughters grew to years of maturity, while six of the number are still living : Eliza, the wife of Edwin L. Carrol, of Adell, Iowa ; Susan M., the widow of William M. Mead, of Salina, Kansas; Samuel, of Salem township, Champaign county; Electa and Cynthia, who are still unmarried; and Thomas A., the subject of this review. Those who have passed away are Angelina, Martha A. Morgan, Sarah Pellett and two who died in child- hood.
Thomas A. Cowgill was born on the farm on which he still re- . sides. His youth was spent as a student in the primitive log school houses of the period and in assisting his father in the work of the home farm. In 1862 he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a men- ber of Company E, Ninety-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which he became captain, and with his command he served as a brave and loyal soldier for two years, on the expiration of which period he was dis- charged on account of ill health. During his military career he served in many of the principal battles of the war, including that of Vicks- burg. Receiving an honorable discharge in 1864, he then returned to the old home farm, where he remained until 1867, and in that year, in company with J. B. Thomas, he erected an elevator at Kennard and engaged in the grain business. In 1875 he was first elected to the house of representatives, becoming a member of the sixty-second gen- eral assembly, in which he served as chairman of the committee on agriculture and also on other important committees. His services were so satisfactory to his constituents that they secured for him a renomina- tion without any opposition. Re-elected in 1877, he became a member of the sixty-third general assembly, which proved to be the most un- savory in the history of the state, mainly by reason of the fact that the house of representatives contained but thirty-nine Republicans to seventy-
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one Democrats. Realizing their helplessness in the face of this powerful majority, at the beginning of the term the Republican members held a consultation, which resulted in a unanimous agreement to commit the en- tire political and parliamentary management of the minority to the judg- ment and discretion of Hon. Peter Hitchcock, the veteran member from Geauga, and Mr. Cowgill. It is safe to say that no minority ever did such effective work, not only for the party but for sound legislation also, as did that of the sixty-third. So well were Mr. Cowgill's judgment, tact and parliamentary skill appreciated by his political brethren that be- " fore the clase of that session he was assured that in the event of his return and the house being Republican, he would be their candidate for speaker. The Republicans of this county were swift to recognize the excellent record, and he was accordingly renominated, with sub- stantially no opposition, for a third term, an unprecedented proceed- ing in old Champaign county, two terms in succession having been awarded to but three of his predecessors. Elected in 1879 by an in- creased majority, upon the organization of the sixty-fourth general as- sembly, January 3, 1880, he was elected its speaker, his competitor being General John S. Jones, of Delaware, formerly a member of congress from the ninth district. Of Mr. Cowgill's administration of the duties of the high office of speaker. the first member ever elevated to that sta- tion from his section of the state, it is necessary only to say that it was eminently satisfactory, as the unanimous vote of thanks tendered him at the close of each session abundantly testified. No appeal was ever uttered against his decisions, nor were his rulings ever seriously ques- tioned.
In 1885 Mr. Cowgill was requested to be again a candidate for the legislature, and was accordingly nominated and elected for the fourth time by the largest majority ever given for that office in the county. Soon after the organization of the sixty-seventh general assembly
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charges of bribery and corruption in connection with the election of the United States senator were alleged against three members of the house. Mr. Cowgill was strongly urged by the leading Republicans to offer a resolution of inquiry as to their truthfulness. He did so, and was made chairman of what became known as the "Payne Investiga- tion," in many respects the most celebrated in the history of the state. In 1887 Mr. Cowgill was nominated for senator by the Republican senatorial convention which convened at Springfield for the eleventh district, and at the election received the highest plurality ever given a nominee for that office in this now widely known senatorial district. His services in the Ohio senate were laborious and conspicuous. He was an active member of the joint legislative committee on "constitu- tional revision," which formulated the proposed amendments to the con- stitution voted upon at the last election, and was also chairman of the committee on penitentiaries, universities and colleges. As will be seen he served ten years in the general assembly of Ohio, and it is worthy of remark that this length of service has been equalled by but two men now living. ex-Senator Ford, of Geauga, and ex-Senator Reed. of Ross, neither of whom was ever speaker of the house. For eleven years he has served as a trustee of the Ohio State University, for four years of which time ex-President R. B. Hayes was a member of the university board, and for a few years has been president of its board of trustees. He was made a delegate to the Republican state convention at Colum- bus, which nominated the state delegates for the election of Abraham Lincoln, and this was the beginning of his political career. While Captain Cowgill does not desire further conferment of office he is as much alive to-day to the best interests and work of the party in the state as he has ever been. It is safe to say, that as long as life continues the Captain will be politically alive and abreast of the times in state politics.
Since 1892 Mr. Cowgill has lived in quiet retirement at his pleas-
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ant home near Kennard, where he owns a fine homestead of three hun- dred and fifty acres. In former years he was largely engaged in the stock business, and has also served as a trustee for many large estates. He is a man of strong mentality, keen discernment, great tact and reso- lute purpose, and was therefore well fitted for the political honors con- ferred upon him. His business interests have also been capably man- aged and have brought to him the handsome competence which to-day enables him to live retired. He commands the respect of his fellow men by his sterling worth, and Ohio numbers him among her honored soins.
JACOB McMORRAN.
That Jacob McMorran is one of the leading and influential citizens of Champaign county and that he enjoys in a high degree the confi- dence of his fellow townsmen is indicated by the fact that he has been called to serve in many public offices in this locality. He was for six years county commissioner and proved most capable in that position, exercising his franchise prerogatives in support of all measures which he believed would contribute to the general good. He is now living retired in Saint Paris, having formerly been connected with the grain trade there.
Mr. McMorran was born in Jackson township, Champaign county, on the 15th of June, 1833. His father, Samuel McMorran, was a na- tive of Rockingham, Pennsylvania, while the paternal grandfather, James McMorran, was a native of Scotland. Taking up his abode in Pennsylvania, he there died when his son Samuel was about eight years of age. His wife was a native of Ireland and was of Scotch-Irish de- scent. Samuel McMorran was reared in Pennsylvania, and New York, and when a young man came to Champaign county. He started out to earn his own living when about twelve years of age and nine years.
JACOB MOMORRAN.
MRS. JACOB McMORRAN.
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later took up his abode in Ohio, locating first in Dayton. Ile was employed as a farm hand in that locality or working at anything that he could get to do that would yield to him an honest living. He was married in Dayton and then came to Champaign county, settling in Millerstown. As the years passed he prospered in his business under- takings and became a leading and active citizen of his community. He was honored with a number of local offices and gave his political sup- port first to the Whig party and afterward to the Republican party. He voted in Johnston township when there were about thirty Whig votes and two hundred Democratic votes. He held membership in the Mis- sionary Baptist church, taking an active interest in its work, and his support was ever given to every measure which he believed would pro- mote the progress and welfare of his community. He lived to the age of eighty-seven years. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Barbara Heaston, was born in Virginia, and when about twelve years of age came with her parents to Ohio, the family settling near Hamilton. Her father was a native of Germany and when a young man crossed the. Atlantic to the new world. Mrs. McMorran died when about seventy- four years of age. By her marriage she had become the mother of the following named : John, James, Christopher, Samuel, Jacob and Eliza.
Jacob McMorran was the youngest son and is the only survivor- of the family. He was reared within one mile of Saint Paris and at the usual age entered the district schools where he became familiar with those branches of learning which serve as a foundation of all suc- cess in life. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Mahala Boswell, the wedding being celebrated on the 6th of No- vember. 1853. The lady is a native of this county and a daughter of David and Nancy ( Colbert) Boswell, who were early and honored
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pioneer settlers of Champaign county. The former came from Ken- tticky and the latter from Virginia.
For three years after his marriage Mr. McMorran resided upon the old farm homestead and then located in Saint Paris. Subsequently he spent six years in Woodford county, Illinois, where he was engaged in farming and on the expiration of that period returned to Ohio, set- tling in Saint Paris, where he engaged in the grain trade for many years, handling a large quantity of grain annually, his sales bringing to him a comfortable competence. When elected county commissioner in 1884 he turned the grain business over to his sons, John and Grant. who have since continued it with good success. Mr. McMorran served so capably in the office that he was re-elected in 1887 and continued in the position for six years, a most worthy and faithful incumbent. He has also been treasurer of Johnson township and a member of the council of the village of Saint Paris. In politics he has ever been a stanch Republican from the organization of the party. Hle voted for Fremont, its first candidate, and in 1900 his support was given to William Alc- Kinley. Socially he is connected with the Masonic fraternity and is a member of the Baptist church, of which Mrs. McMorran has also been a member for more than fifty years. His life has ever been as an open book, which all may read. His entire career will bear investi- gation and throughout the years of his manhood he has been found an carnest champion of improvement and progress along social, intel- lectual and moral lines.
ENOCH MCCARTY.
Throughout his entire life Enoch McCarty has been a resident of Champaign county and for many years was accounted one of her leading, influential and progressive business men, but he is now living in quiet re-
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tirement, his labor in former years having enabled him to lay aside active cares. He was born on the farm on which he now resides, on the 11th of January, 1833. His father, Stephen McCarty, was a native of Vir- ginia, and in Loudoun county of that state was united in marriage to Deborah Thompson, who also claimed the Old Dominion as the state of her nativity, and after the birth of two of their children they came to Ohio, locating near Zanesville. Later they took up their abode in Goshen township, Champaign county, and two years afterward bought the farm on which cur subject now resides, their first residence here being a little log cabin, which during the first summer contained but a dirt floor. The land was then in its primitive condition, not a stick of timber having been cut, and everything was new and wild. As the years passed by, however, Mr. McCarty succeeded in placing his land under a fine state of cultivation, and on this farm both he and his wife spent their remain- ing days, the former passing away at the age of eighty-six years, while the latter was called to her final rest at the age of seventy-six years. They became the parents of six children, namely: Elizabeth Ann, dle- cease.1; Jaines, who prior to his death was one of the representative citi- zens of Champaign county ; John, also deceased; Daniel, a resident of Auglaize county, Ohio: Enoch, of this review; and Thomas, who died when young. In an early day Mr. McCarty voted with the Whig party, and after the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks and afterward remained loyal to its principles. Ile was a public-spirited and progressive citizen, manifesting a commendable interest in everything pertaining to the public welfare, and his honorable record won him the confidence and respect of the entire community.
Enoch McCarthy, of this review, has spent his entire life on the farm on which he now resides, and in his youth was a student in the primitive log school house of the neighborhood, which he attended about three months during the year, the remainder of his time having been spent
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in assisting his father in the work of the home farm. In 1864 he enlisted for service in the Civil war, entering Company D. One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for one hundred days, and on the expiration of that period received an honorable discharge at Colum- bus. Ere leaving for the war, in 1864, Mr. McCarty was united in mar- riage to Miss Rebecca Jane Morgan, a native of Wayne township, Cham- paign county, Ohio, and a daughter of Abel Morgan, one of the prom- inent pioneers of that township. Two children have graced this marriage, -- Louisa, the wife of J. W. Ratchford, a railroad employe in Saint Paris, Ohio, and John S .. who married Susan Cushman and resides on the old homestead. Throughout his entire business career our subject has devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, and the community has long numbered him among its representative citizens. His homestead con- tains three hundred and twenty-four acres of rich and fertile land, and all of the improvements thereon stand as monuments to his thrift and ability. Since the organization of the Republican party he has given a stanch sup- port to its principles, his first presidential vote having been cast in 1850. and he supported Lincoln at both elections. He continues his old army associations through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, Harry Davis Post, No. - , at Woodstock, and is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of that city. He is a man of integrity. of firm convictions and marked fidelity to the duties of life, and Cham- paign county numbers him among her worthy sons.
GEORGE A. TALBOTT.
America owes much of her progress and advancement to a posi- tion foremost among the nations of the world to her newspapers, and in no line has the incidental broadening out of the sphere of usefulness.
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been more marked than in this same line of journalism. In many of the smaller cities of the Union there have been enlisted in the newspaper field men of broad mental grasp, cosmopolitan ideas and notable business sagacity, and the hour has not yet arrived when it can be said that "country journalism" is ineffective or that its functions are exercised without vigor and marked influence.
For more than a quarter of a century the subject of this review has been identified with newspaper work in Urbana. Champaign county. Ohio, rising from the lowest position through all grades of mechanical, editorial and managerial duty and proving himself a valuable factor in each position occupied. It is interesting to note that he has during this long period been concerned in a single journalistic enterprise, though the scope of the same has been broadened from time to time to meet normal business exigencies and popular demands, and that his identification has been consecutive save for an interval when he withdrew to render service in an office of distinctive public trust and responsibility. He is now business manager of the Daily Citizen and Weekly Gazette, in the office of which he began his apprenticeship as a devotee of the "art preservative of all arts" in the year 1874. The propriety of incorpor- ating a review of his career in this work is manifest, since he is recog- nized as one of the representative citizens and business men of the thriving city of Urbana.
George A. Talbott is a native son of the Buckeye state, having been born in Barnesville, Belmont county, on the 8th of January. 1854. being the son of William .A. and Rebecca C. Talbott, representatives of pioneer families of the state. He is indebted to the public schools of his native town for his early educational discipline, there continuing his studies until he had attained the age of sixteen years, when he entered the office of the Barnesville Enterprise, to learn the printer's trade. It has been well said that a newspaper office offers a liberal education, and in the
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case of our subject it is evident that through this source he most effect- ively supplemented the training received in the schoolroom. In Oc- tober, 1874, Mr. Talbott came to Urbana and secured a position in the office of the old Citizen and Gazette, which was then a hebdomidal pub- lication, under the control of the venerable Joshua Saxton and William .1. Brand. Of his rise an article previously published speaks as follows : "For twenty-two years he followed his chosen vocation, filling every position from the bottom to the top. When the Daily Citizen was founded he was called from the case and made city editor, a position which he filled until a year ago ( 1895), when he retired to enter upon his duties as a public official." The office mentioned was that of county treasurer, to whch he was elected in the year noted, giving a most capable and discriminating administration of the finances of the county and being chosen as his own successor in 1897, thus serving continuously for four years. Economy was brought about through his well directed efforts and he retired from the office in 1900 with an enviable record. Mr. Talbott then became identified once more with the newspaper enter- prise to which he had given many years of service, and he is now busi- ness manager of the concern, being a stockholder of the company and handling its affairs with distinctive ability, making the success of the enterprise cumulative in character.
In his political proclivities Mr. Talbott is a stalwart Republican, and he has been an enthusiastic and effective worker in the cause of his party for many years. He was chairman of the Champaign county executive committee of the party from 1891 to 1894, both dates in- clusive, while in 1893 and 1894 he was a member of the Republican state central committee. His influence in the local political field has been marked, and he has ever taken an active interest in public affairs, aiding in every possible way all projects and enterprises advanced for the good of his city and county. Fraternally he is identified with the
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Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Royal Arcanum, and his re- ligious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, both he and his wife being members of Grace church in their home city.
On the 12th of April, 1877, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Talbott to Miss Julia C. Ross, who was born in Urbana, the daughter of the late Philander B. Ross, one of the representative citizens of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Talbott have three children,-Frank, Stella and Bert.
BARNET AA. AUGHINBAUGH.
There is an obscurity in the game of life that, to the robust mind, is always attractive. The uncertainty which must, perforce, ever exist augments rather than minifies individual incentive. To push forward to the goal of definite success is the one common impulse and ambition of humanity. But in this vast concourse of struggling competitors the number who achieve success is comparatively small, and the man who makes his life prolific and useful and who becomes independent and suc- cessful through the exercise of indomitable will, untiring energy and honesty of purpose, is assuredly deserving of a due measure of credit and the unqualified esteem of his fellow men. The subject of this re- view is numbered among the representative citizens and progressive business men of the city of Urbana, with whose industrial activities he lia: been identified for nearly two score years, building up an enterprise of no inconsiderable scope and importance, winning success by his own efforts and gaining the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been thrown in contact. The records of such lives justify the com- pilation of works of this nature.
From records extant it is evident that the Aughinbaugh family has
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been identified with the annals of American history from the colonial epoch, the original American ancestor having come hither from Germany and located in Pennsylvania, where several generations of the line have been born. Barnet Asbury Aughinbaugh, the immediate subject of this review, is a native of the old Keystone state of the Union, having been born in the city of Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, on the 19th of Oc- tober. 1837, the son of William and Lydia Ann ( Deal) Aughinbaugh. both of whom were born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, the former being a son of Barnet Aughinbaugh, who was likewise born in the Keystone state, becoming one of the prominent and influential citi- zens of Cumberland county, where he held various positions of public trust and responsibility, retaining his residence in Carlisle for many years and there conducting a hotel. William Aughinbaugh was reared and educated in the city of Carlisle and there learned the tinner's trade, to which he devoted his attention for a number of years. He was one of the California argonauts of 1849, making the long and perilous jour- ney to the new Eldorado in that memorable year and there devoting his attention to the mining of gold for nearly twenty years. He then re- turned to the east and joined his family, who had removed to Cincin- nati, Ohio, about the year 1859, and later they removed thence to Illinois, where the husband and father died in the year 1867, at the age of fifty-six years. Ilis widow eventually came to Urbana and was thereafter cared for with true filial solicitude in the home of her son, the subject of this sketch, until her death, in 1892, at the age of seventy-five years. Of her seven children five survive.
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