USA > Ohio > Champaign County > A centennial biographical history of Champaign county, Ohio > Part 15
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September 10. 1855, occurred the marriage of William 11. Marvin 12
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and Miss Loretta F. Wolcott, a native of Oakville. Genesee county. New York, who died in 1892. In their family were the following children : Anna M .. the wife of James N. Johnson, of Urbana : Clitus Harry and William B. Mr. Marvin gave his political support to the Republican party and always kept well informed on the issues of the day, although he never sought office. He was a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Episcopal church. His death occurred May 11, 1898. and thus closed a useful and honorable career. His reputation was unassailable. for from the beginning of his connection with commercial interests he exemplified in his career the old adage that honesty is the best policy. He belonged also to that class of representative American citizens, who, while promoting individual success also advance the general welfare. The social qualities of his nature endeared him to many friends. and he was no less honored in business circles than esteemed and liked in private life.
Clitus Harry Marvin, the elder son, was born in Cardington. Ohio, September 11. 1860, and after pursuing his preliminary education in the public schools, entered Kenyon College. Later he became teller in the First National Bank at Cardington and afterward of the Morrow County Bank at Mount Gilead. With his father he came to Urbana in 1886 and has since been the secretary and treasurer of the W. H. Marvin Company. Although he entered upon a business already estab- lished he has proved his ability by carrying forward the work to still greater pertection and has manifested keen sagacity, resolution and enterprise, which have classed him among the representatives of indus- trial and commercial interests of his adopted city. He is president of the Urbana Telephone Company, one of the best systems in the state. lle votes with the Republican party and for three years served as a member of the school board. He and his wife are members of the Epis- copal church. In 1888 he married Miss Amelia Talbott, a daughter of
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J. G. Talbott, and they now have two interesting children : Clitus and Katherine.
William B. Marvin, the younger son of William H. Marvin, was born in Cardington, Ohio, May 30, 1865, and obtained a liberal educa- tion. He has made Urbana his home since 1886 and is now the presi- dent of the W. H. Marvin Company. also acting as manager of the manufacturing department. Both sons are men of good ability, who fear not the laborious attention to details which insures success. The straightforward business policy inaugurated by their father is main- tained by them and the house has a reputation which is most creditable.
AUGUST T. GROSS.
Born among the peasantry of Wurtemberg. Germany. September 4. 1849. August T. Gross, son of Charles Frederick and Pauline ( Reuther ) Gross, has found in America a field of opportunity which, faithfully em- ployed, has won for him a prominent place among the hotel men of Ohio.
Although left an orphan when eight years of age Mr. Gross experi- enced some compensations in his childhood, one of which was more than ordinary educational advantages, culminating in a two years' course at the agricultural college of the principality. Equipped also with the inherited and fostered traits of thrift and economy, he migrated to America in 1865, and though but sixteen years of age hopefully and even enthusiastically viewed the future among the altogether strange surroundings. In Cincinnati, Ohio, he found employment in the New Engiand Bakery, and after learning the trade during his two years of service repaired to Carlyle. Brown county, this state, where he worked for an uncle in his general merchandise store. Two years later found
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him performing various duties on a farm in the neighborhood. and while thus engaged he met and married, in 1870. Elmina Hughes, who Fore him five children, two sons and three daughters. After his mar- riage Mr. Gross moved and tenanted another farm until 1883. which year witnessed his initiation into the hotel business as manager of a hotel at Jamestown. While in this town he became prominent in gen- eral affairs and especially in Republican politics, and not only served for six years as township clerk, but was for three years the municipal head of the city. AAlthough convinced of his special aptitude for managing the traveling public, he yielded to one of those impulses ever afterward unaccountable, and for a time engaged in the show business with trained animals. This combination proved a losing venture, and after parting with alacrity from his well meaning but expensive brute friends he returned to his former occupation, and became manager of the hotel Portsmouth. \ still later charge was the Hotel Sailor, at Massillon. Ohio, where he remained for nine months, and then went to Mount Sterling in a similar capacity. At Mechanicsburg Mr. Gross managed the Hotel Taylor for four years, and during this time entered into partnership for a year and a half in the management of the Reese House, at Kenton, Ohio. In October of 1899 he assumed control of the Douglass Inn. at Urbana, and has since been with this popular and well kept hotel. He is well known in several avenues of activity in the town and county, and is fraternally prominent, being connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Chapter Masons and the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks.
The particular forte of Mr. Gross lies in his ability to straighten out the affairs of temporarily disabled or run down hotels, whose particular ailment he is quick to discern, and the reliable and warranted remedy is equally ready and forthcoming. Needless to say that he lays par- ticular stress upon proper provision for the inner man: upon absolute
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cleanliness in all departments of the hotels which he manages, and upon exactitude in the discharge of the innumerable little aids to success, known only to the manager who is born and not made. Personally Mr. Gross is aided by a thorough knowledge of migrating and stationary human nature; by a tact which is unfailing in dealing with applicants swung from the accustomed moorings of their own fireside, and by that rare attribute. memory of faces and names.
FRANK B. PATRICK.
In this age of colossal enterprise and marked intellectual energy the prominent and successful men are those whose abilities, persistence and courage lead them into large undertaking's and assume the respon- sibilities and labors of leaders in their respective vocations. Success is methodical and consecutive. and however much we may indulge in fan- tastic theorizing as to its elements and causation in any isolated instance yet in the light of sober investigation we will find it to be but a result of the determined application of one's abilities and powers along the rigidly defined line of labor. America owes much of hier progress and advancement to a position foremost among the nations of the world to her newspapers, and in no line has the incidental broadening out of the sphere of usefulness been more marked than in this same line of journalism. The subject of this review has been closely and prominently associated with journalistic interests for many years and his influence in this regard has been of no restricted order. The younger son of William R. and Isabella (Given ) Patrick, was born in Urbana, Ohio, March 12, 1869.
He was reared in Urbana and when seventeen years of age was
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graduated in the high school. He afterward spent two years in the Ohio Wesleyan University and after leaving college was engaged in teaching for two years. On the expiration of that period he went to Florida, where he remained for a year as stenograper for a well known law firm in Bartow. In 1891 he returned to the north to become the official stenographer for the finance committee of the lower house of the Ohio state legislature, a position which he held for two terms, and later was official stenographer in the Ohio state senate. For eight years he was identified with the Urbana Citizen as city editor. In June, 1900, hie became manager of the Urbana edition of the Springfield ( Ohio) Press- Republic, which position he has since held with credit and success. He has had other newspaper experience, for during three years he was on the editorial staff of the Columbus Press and the Ohio State Journal. Mr. Patrick is an accomplished and capable newspaper man, having a genius for descriptive and humorous writing, as well as good business and executive ability.
In 1895 was celebrated the marriage of Frank B. Patrick and Miss Mayme G. Craig, a daughter of Harrison Craig, of Urbana. Their home is brightened by the presence of a little son, Robert Craig Patrick. Politically Mr. Patrick is a Republican, ardent and unfaltering in sup- port of the principles of the party. Fraternally he is a member of Har- mony Lodge, No. 8, F. & A. M., of Urbana, and also of the Juni ir Order of American Mechanics.
SHEPHERD B. GROVE.
Champaign county, Ohio, is favored in having represented in the list of its officials and executives individuals whose endowments fully capacitate them for the discharge of the responsible duties which devolve
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upon them, and in this connection we may now advert to the more salient points in the life history of Mr. Grove, who is incumbent of the office of county auditor, in which he has rendered most efficient service, and who has passed the greater portion of his life in this county, identi- fied with various business enterprises and enjoying marked esteem and popularity in his home city of Urbana.
Shepherd Brown Grove is a native of Fayette county, Pennsyl- vania, where he was born on the 16th of February, 1847, the son of John W. B. and Jane (Gettys) Grove, both of whom were natives of that same county in the old Keystone state and to whom nine children were born, all of whom are living. In the year 1855 the parents of our subject removed to Champaign county, he being a lad of about eight years at the time, and they located on a farm two and one-half miles west of Urbana, retaining their residence in this county until 1864, in which year they removed to Illinois, settling in Coles county, where they passed the residue of their lives, secure in the confidence and esteem of all who knew them. Our subject received his early educational discipline in the public schools of Urbana, and here resided for a num- ber of years in the home of his paternal grandfather. In 1864 he made a trip through the middle west, locating in the same year in Charleston, Coles county, Illinois, where for four years he was engaged in clerking and then returned to Urbana, where he held the position of clerk and bookkeeper in the clothing establishment of Herman Fisher. remaining about five years and then going to Evansville, Indiana, where he was employed about eighteen months in the mercantile establishment of M. Lyon. At the expiration of the period noted Mr. Grove returned to Urbana, where he associated himself with Joseph Fisher in the opening of a hat and men's furnishing-goods store, under the firm name of Fisher & Grove. At the expiration of one year our subject purchased his partner's interest in the enterprise, which he thereafter conducted
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individually for a term of sixteen years, building up a large and repre- sentative business and being known as one of the progressive and reliable merchants of the city. After disposing of this business Mr. Grove was employed for three years as traveling salesman for A. G. Woodruff. manufacturer of hats, in New York city, and he then purchased a grocery business in Urbana, successfully continuing the same for three years and then selling out, shortly afterward. in 1899, being elected to his present responsible office as county auditor, giving so capable and satisfactory an administration that he was re-elected to the office in 1901. Ile accords a stanch allegiance to the Republican party, and has shown a lively interest in political affairs of a local nature. Fraternally he is one of the prominent and popular members of the time-honored order of Freemasons, in which he has rounded the circle of the York rite bodies, being identified with the lodge, chapter, council and com- mandery of Urbana, and having passed the official chairs in each. He was for several years consecutively incumbent of the office of captain general of his commandery of Knights Templar. He and his wife are members of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Urbana.
In the year 1877 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Grove to Miss Kate West, the daughter of Enoch G. West, who was a well known citizen of Champaign county, and of this union three children have been born, -- Nellie, who is the wife of Frank A. Zimmer, of Urbana; and Angie and Marie, who remain at the parental home. .
CHARLES B. BLACK.
This well known resident of Champaign county is one of Ohio's native sons, his birth having occurred in Wayne township on the 10th of March, 1868. His grandfather. Peter Black, was a native of Penn-
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Charles. B Black, Myitle & Block
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sylvania. but became one of the early pioneers of Wayne township. Champaign county, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in death when his son Peter was but four years of age. The lat- ter was born in this county on the 14th of May, 1828. and when twenty- two years of age moved to Henry county, Iowa, but later returned to this state and located on a farm in Wayne township. After a time he again made the journey to Iowa, but a second time returned to this state. and his death here occurred on the 26th of December, 1899. In po- litical matters he was first a Whig and afterward a Republican, and his first vote was cast in favor of the free school system. As the years passed. prosperity abundantly rewarded his well directed efforts and he became the owner of one thousand acres of rich and fertile land. He started in life a poor boy, but steadily worked his way upward, gaining success and winning the public confidence. His wife bore the maiden name of Catherine Felgar, and she was a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent. She is still living in Wayne township, where she lo- cated in a very early day. Five sons and three daughters blessed this union, namely : Samuel F. ; Isaac F. : Henry E. : Granville P. ; Lucretia. the wife of William Berry; Emma E .. deceased : Charles B., of this re- view ; and Cora B., deceased.
C. B. Black received his elementary education in the common schools of Wayne township, and was afterward a student in the normal scliool at Urbana. After completing his education he engaged in farming and reading law with Judge Middleton, of Urbana, but on account of failing health was obliged to abandon the latter occupation, and since that time has given his entire time and attention to his farming operations. He is now the owner of one hundred and eighteen acres of land adjoining the village of Cable, which is valued at one hundred dollars an acre. and this land is under an excellent state of cultivation and improved with commodious and substantial buildings. He has always taken an
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active part in the public life of the county, and on the Republican ticket, of which he is a stanch supporter, he has been elected to many positions of trust and responsibility. At one time he was the candidate for the office of prosecuting attorney in a fieldl with six candidates, and came within a few votes of winning the election. He has represented his district in all the county, state and judicial conventions of his party, and has served his second term as justice of the peace and member of the school board. His fraternal relations connect him with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, Cable Lodge. No. 395, in which he has served as a delegate to many of its encampments. He passed through the chairs and is also a member of the Encampment.
In 1887 Mr. Black was united in marriage to Minnie Guyton, and of their four children only one is now living. Zella, who is thirteen years of age and attending school. For his second wife he chose Myrtle Schertzer. She is of German descent, her grandfather having been born in that country, and her parents are Emanuel and Amanda ( Spring) Schertzer. This union has been blessed with two children .- Dewey, born November 8, 1898, and Helen M., born March 30, 1001. Mr. Black has led a busy and useful life, and in addition to his valuable homestead he is a stockholder in many enterprises. By his progressive and honorable methods and capable management he has gained a place among the substantial citizens and most highly esteemed business men of his county.
JUDGE WILLIAM PATRICK.
Conspicuous among the pioneers who helped to lay the foundation upon which the prosperity and progress of Urbana now rests was Judge William Patrick, and no compendium such as is defined in the essential
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limitations of this volume would be complete without mention of his career. He was born in New Jersey in 1796. and in 1806 removed to Ohio with his father, Anthony Patrick. The father purchased a small tract of wild land in Brookfield township, two miles west of the boundary line of this state and Pennsylvania. During the years of 1806-7 and 8 the family endured many hardships, trials and discourage- ments. They needed teams with which to cultivate and clear the land. and farming implements in order to till the fields. Cows and oxen were used instead of horses and the family had little means to procure the Aour and feed which could only be purchased at almost fabulous prices, and could be procured no nearer than Pittsburg. Spice-wood and sassa- fras were used for tea and rye for coffee. The family remained at Brookfield until the spring of 1811, when the father united with five neighbors in building a boat of sufficient capacity to contain their fam- ilies and goods. They waited for a rise in the Chenango river and when it came the current carried them to the Big Beaver. where the crew disembarked and were conveyed in wagons to the foot of the falls. where they renewed their journey to the confluence of the Ohio river. proceeding down that stream to Cincinnati, where the families dispersed.
Anthony Patrick removed his family to Lebanon. Warren county. where he remained until August, 1811, at which time he took up his abode in Urbana. The same year William Patrick entered school. which was conducted on the subscription plan. As regularly as opportunity would afford he attended until the war of 1812, when his father was drafted for service and William offered to go as a substitute and was accepted. When his company was ordered to Fort Meigs he carried with him his English grammar, devoting every leisure moment to its study in order to complete his knowledge of that branch of learning. In May, 1813, he belonged to the corps that relieved the beleaguered
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garrison of Fort Meigs, and at the close of the war he was the second in command of that fort.
When hostilities had ceased Judge Patrick returned to Urbana, where he learned the trade of cabinet making, which was also his father's occupation and which he followed actively and successfully until 1857. In that year he retired from business and was succeeded by his two sons, Evan B. and William R., who were engaged in the furniture busi- ness until a few years ago, when the latter died and the business was closed out. Judge Patrick was an active factor in industrial circles, and his business ability was supplemented by integrity and straightfor- ward dealing above question.
The Judge was married, April 30. 1820, in Urbana, to Miss Rachel Kirkpatrick, a native of Pennsylvania, born in December. 1795. She died August 21. 1865. In their family were seven children.
Well fitted for leadership, Judge Patrick was often called to posi- tions of public trust, and during the greater part of his life was engaged in official service. He was appointed township clerk of Urbana town- ship as early as 1819, and was elected to the same position for thirty- two consecutive years. From 1824 until 1830 he was commissioner of insolvents. In 1831 he was elected justice of the peace in Urbana town- ship and was five times re-elected, holding that position until it was superseded in 1848 by the associate judgeship, in which capacity he served until 1852. In 1841 he was elected mayor of Urbana and after serving for one term declined re-election, but in 1859 was again chosen by popular suffrage for that office and for six consecutive terms was re-elected and at last declined to again become a candidate. In 1897. although not soliciting the honor, he was elected justice of the peace and was several times re-elected. He held minor offices, such as assessor and recorder, and for several years was a member of the city council. Over the record of his public career and his private life there falls no
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shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. His course was ever marked by the utmost fidelity to duty and he ever placed the national welfare before partisanship and the general good before self-aggrandizement.
Largely through his efforts Oakdale cemetery was purchased in 1854, and in 1859 a strip of land comprising a half acre was purchased for a driveway to the cemetery and called Patrick avenue. This thor- oughfare was laid out and trees were planted through his superintend- ency and the beautiful willow driveway on Patrick avenue is a living monument to his memory. Judge Patrick was an intimate friend of the historic Indian fighter, Simon Kenton, who spent many years of his life in Urbana, and it was largely through Judge Patrick's efforts that the body of the noted warrior was brought to Oak Dale cemetery, where. a beautiful monument now stands to mark the last resting place of this sturdy pioneer. Judge Patrick was a talented and forceful writer. He wrote the part of the first "History of Champaign and Logan Coun- ties" relating to this county, and was the author of many interesting sketches of the early history of the city which were published at intervals in the local papers during his long and honored life. He died in 1891, at the age of ninety-five years.
LEWIS C. LOUDENBACK.
For many years Lewis C. Loudenback occupied a very conspicuous place among the leading business men of Champaign county. He was prominently connected with the industrial interests of the locality, and through the channels of trade contributed not alone to his individual . prosperity but to the welfare of the county as well. His career was that of an honorable, enterprising and progressive business man, whose well
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rounded character also enabled him to take an active interest in educa- tional, social and moral affairs, and to keep well informed concerning the momentous questions affecting the welfare of the nation. In all life's relations he commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he came in contact, and the memory of his upright life is an inspiration to the many friends who knew him well and were familiar with his virtues.
Mr. Loudenback was born in Mad River township. Champaign county, September 15, 1843, the third child and second son of Allen and Elizabeth ( Kiblinger ) Londenback and a grandson of Daniel Louden- back, one of the early pioneers of the county. In his family were four children, and the youngest had reached the age of fifty years ere the family circle was broken by the hand of death. Allen Loudenback, the father of our subject, was born in 1814, and lived to a good old age.
Lewis C. Loudenback, of this review, was reared and educated in his native locality, attending the common schools of the neighborhood during his youth, and remained under the parental roof until his mar- riage, when he was twenty-two years of age. He then located with his bride on a farm in Concord township, Champaign county, where he made a specialty of the raising of hogs and short horn cattle, which products annually returned to him handsome financial profits. . As the years passed by and prosperity rewarded his well directed efforts he constantly enlarged his business, and at the time of his death was recog- nized as one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers of Champaign county, raising principally Short-horn cattle. He placed his fields under an excellent state of cultivation and in his pastures could be seen a fine grade of stock. His efforts, however, were not confined to the work of the farm, and he carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. For many years he was interested in the Citizens National Bank of Urbana, in which he held an important office, and was a director
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