USA > Ohio > Champaign County > A centennial biographical history of Champaign county, Ohio > Part 16
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of the Ohio Strawboard Company. In his political views Mr. Louden- back: was a lifelong Democrat, and for a time served as the trustee of Mad River township, discharging his official duties to the satisfaction of all concerned. He was also a prominent member of the Nettle Creek Baptist church, in which he long served as a trustee.
In 1866 occurred the marriage of Mr. Loudenback and Miss Saralı V. Nighswander. She is a native daughter of the county, her birth having occurred in Mad River township November 4. 1843. Her father, Levi Nighiswander, was one of the early settlers to locate in this section of the county, coming here as early as 1830, where he followed the car- penter's trade, and many of the finest homes of the locality stand as monuments to his industry and ability : For his wife he chose Elizabeth Neff, and they became the parents of seven children, five daughters and two sons, namely: James M., a resident of Idaho: F. M., a prominent contractor and builder of pikes and bridges in Oregon: Keziah Ann, at home: Lydia, wife of Lorain Hoak and a resident of the old home- stead in Mad River township: Mrs. Loudenback : Malinda Kiblinger, of Hardin county, Ohio; and Louisa, who died in 1863. Mrs. Londen- back was reared in her native locality, and to the public schools of Mad River township and Urbana she is indebted for the educational priv- ileges which she received in her youth. At the early age of fourteen years she began teaching, following that profession for about seven years or until her marriage. She now owns and carries on the work of two farmis, one in Concord township which consists of one hundred and fifty-nine acres, and the other, a fifty-two-acre tract, in Mad River town- ship. She also has an interest in the Citizens National Bank, of Urbana, and in the Ohio Strawboard Company, and she was the only repre- semative of her estate at the business meeting of the Ohio Strawboard Company in 1902, where she cast a vote for the directors. After her husband's death she purchased property in Westville, Champaign county,
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where she now has a pleasant and attractive home. She is a prominent and worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in the social circles of her locality occupies a prominent place, as did also her husband during his life time. In business circles he was also respected and honored for his industry, energy, punctuality and honorable and systematic methods, -- all of which contributed to a large success, which he richly deserved. His last days were spent at his beautiful country home, and there he closed his eyes in death July 9, 1900. The entire community mourned his loss, for he was a man of worth to Champaign county. Mr. and Mrs. Loudenback had no children of their own, but they have leared three,-Elijah Hazlett, Clyde Swisher and Grace Stover.
MAJOR ALEXANDER F. VANCE. JR.
Honored and respected by all, there is no man in Urbana who oc- cupies a more enviable position in commercial and financial circles than Major Alexander Franklin Vance. Not alone because of his splendid success, but also by reason of the straightforward, honorable course he has ever followed. He forms his plans readily, is determined in their execu- tion and is notably prompt, energetic and reliable. His business ability has been an important factor in the successful conduct of more than one enterprise which has contributed to the general prosperity and wel- fare of Urbana and his career proves that success is not a matter of genius, but is the outcome of persistent and earnest effort guided by strong judgment.
Major Vance is a native of Salem township, his birth having oc- curred on the 20th of January, 1840. He is descended from Revolu- tionary ancestors in both the paternal and maternal lines and has back
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of him an ancestry honored and distinguished. For eighteen years his father served as judge of the probate court of Champaign county, while his grandfather. Joseph Vance, represented this district in congress for twenty years and was the eleventh governor of Ohio. In the militia he advanced until he became major general and high political honors were conferred upon him. He served in the state militia in 1812, rep- resented his district in congress from 1820 until 1836, and again was chosen to that office in 1843, while in the meantime he had been called to the highest office within the gift of the people of the state, serving for one term in the executive chair. In 1839 he was a member of the Ohio senate and in 1851 served in the constitutional convention. His death occurred in 1852 but he left the impress of his individuality upon the public life and policy of the state. The history of Judge Vance, the father of our subject, is given on another page of this work.
Major Vance, whose name introduces this record, spent his youth as a farmer boy until eighteen years of age and after putting aside the work of field and meadow he accepted a clerkship in a dry goods store owned by Simeon Weaver, subsequently he became bookkeeper in con- nection with the Stoney Point Mills conducted by his uncle. and as an accountant served in that establishment until after the inauguration of the Civil war. No longer could he content himself to remain in the quiet pursuits of civil life when, the country needing the aid of her loyal sons, he assisted the government by becoming paymaster clerk in 1862. Toward the close of the time he was appointed paymaster with the rank of major of cavalry.
Immediately afterward Major Vance went to New York City, where for five years he was engaged in the wholesale boot and shoe business and upon returning to Urbana he took up his abode on the old farm. devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits, but his services were needed in other fields of labor and public enterprise - ught his assistance.
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In 1875. while he was still serving upon a farm, he was elected as- sistant cashier of the Third National Bank of Urbana and in March, 1881, he succeeded to the office of cashier. Soon afterward he left the farm and has since resided on Scioto street in Urbana. He served the Third National Bank and its successor, the National Bank, with fidelity and ability and the prosperity of both institutions has been largely due to his capable management and untiring vigilance. A man of resource- bul business ability his efforts have not been limited to one line alone, for he has been for some years president of the Natural Gas Commis- sion and has been an active and influential factor in public affairs, serv- ing as a member of the board of education of Urbana for three terms. as infirmary director for one term and was elected for another term, but resigned shortly afterward.
In February. 1868, Major Vance was united in marriage to Miss Mary Glenn Jamieson, a representative of one of the well known and honored families of Urbana. Their union has been blessed with one child. Louise, now the wife of Charles Brand. The Major is connected with the Masonic fraternity and is one of the most prominent representa- tives of the craft in the state. He has held the office of master, high priest, thrice illustrious master and eminent commander in all the le cal organizations. In Harmony Lodge, No. 8, F. & A. M., the Major, his father and grandfather have all served as masters. He has also been grand commander of the Grand Commandery of the Knights Templar of Ohio, and on the 18th of February, 1873. obtained the thirty second degree of the Scottish Rite, while in 1885 he received the thirty-third degree in Boston, Massachusetts, being one of the very few who have attained te that rank in the United States. As a citizen he is public spirited and progressive, local advancement and national progress beth being dear te his heart. He has never allowed the accumulation of wealth te warp his kindly nature, but has a hearty hand clasp and ready
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smile for all of the old-time friends, as well as those whom he has won in later years. He is indeed an honored and valued native son of Cham- paign county and his efforts have contributed to the general good as well as to his own individual success.
BENJAMIN SNAPP.
One of the prominent old pioneer families of Champaign county is that of the Snapps. They have ever borne their part in the upbuilding and development of this region, and have invariably been exponents of progress and liberal ideas upon all subjects. The grandfather of our subject. Rhynard Snapp, was born and reared in Pennsylvania. As early as 1806 he came to the Buckeye state, taking up his abode on a farm in Montgomery county, and shortly afterward came to Champaign county, where he spent the remainder of his life. Daniel Snapp, his son and the father of our subject, was born in the Keystone state in 1804, and when only two years of age was brought by his parents to Ohio. He was reared and received his education in Montgomery county, and when twenty-one years of age located in the wilds of Jackson town- ship. Champaign county, where he secured eighty acres of congress land.
While residing in Montgomery county Mr. Snapp was united in marriage to Marguerite Barnhardt, a native also of Pennsylvania, and there she was reared and educated. In that commonwealth her parents also had their nativity, and they subsequently became numbered among the early pioneers of Montgomery county, Ohio. Ten children were born unto this union, nine sons and a daughter, namely: Solomon : Rhynard, deceased ; Daniel : William, deceased : Leonard, deccased : Ben- jamin : Simon : Catherine Schumm : Philip, deceased ; and Frank. With the exception of one all were born in Champaign county and all were
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reared in this locality. Throughout the years of his majority Mr. Suapp upheld the principles of the Democracy, and was a member of the Ger- man Lutheran church at Saint Paris. He assisted in the erection of the house of worship there, and was one of the founders of the Spring Grove Cemetery Association in Johnson township. He passed away at the old homestead in 1890, after a long and useful career.
Benjamin Snapp, whose name introduces this review, is a native son of Jackson township, Champaign county, his birth having here occurred on the 6th of May. 1836. When the old home farm was divided he located on his portion in Johnson township, and as the years have passed by he has cleared and improved his land and has added thereto until the family is now the owner of two hundred and sixty-four acres. The place is fertile and productive and is considered one of the most valuable homesteads in the county. In the year 1863 he was tuited in marriage to Barbara Pence, a native of Concord township. Champaign county, and a daughter of Simeon and Elizabeth ( McMoran) Pence. They also claimed this locality as the place of their nativity, and here they spent their entire lives. Of their two children Mrs. Snapp is the eldest in order of birth, and her brother Russell was killed in a runaway in 1861. By her marriage to Mr. Snapp she has become the mother of one son, Cary, who was born on the 7th of May, 1864. In political affiliations Mr. Snapp inclines to the principles of the Republican party.
JAMES W. FULTON.
The honored subject of this memoir became a resident of Cham- paign county in the early pioneer epoch and here he passed the greater portion of his long and useful life, engaged in agricultural pursuits, and
JAMES W. FULTON.
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honored for his sterling character. It is fitting that in this publication be given a brief tribute to the memory of this worthy pioneer, who has now passed to his reward.
James William Fulton was born in Loudoun county. Virginia, in the year 1823, being the son of David Fulton, who came from the Old Dominion state to Champaign county, Ohio, in an early day, locat- ing on the farm where Mrs. Fulton, the widow of our subject, now main- tains her home, the same being situated on section 4, Urbana township. Here he continued to devote his attention to agricultural pursuits until his death, having been one of the sterling pioneers of the county. He was originally a Whig in politics, and later a Republican, and his re- iigious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church. James W. Fulton was nineteen years of age at the time of the family's removal to this county, and he drove a team of horses through from Virginia to the new home in the county where he was to pass the remainder of his life. He assisted his father in reclaiming the land, putting in a crop the first year. continued to abide in the paternal home until his marriage, and eventually became the owner of the old homestead, which is now one of the well improved and valuable places of this section. Here he con- tinued to be successfully engaged in farming for a long term of years, winning the respect of all by his integrity of purpose and straightfor- ward course. and being one of the substantial farmers of the county. In politics he gave a loyal support to the Republican party, and was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as is also his widow. who still maintains her residence on the old homestead, so endeared to her by the associations of years. Mr. Fulton passed away in the month of April. 1893, having attained the age of three score years and ten and having made his life prolific in good.
In the year 1849 Mr. Fulton was united in marriage to Miss Anna Flick, who was born near Northampton, Ohio, in 1828, being the daugh-
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ter of Jacob Flick, who was born in Jefferson county, Virginia, whence his parents removed to Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, when he was but four months of age. He died near Northampton, Ohio, in his eighty-sixth year. His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Harshbarger, was likewise born in Virginia, and died at the age of seventy-two years and six months, having been the mother of two chil- dren. Mr. and Mrs. Fulton became the parents of three children, namely . Catherine Jane, Mary Ann and Frances Elen, the last men- tioned being deceased.
JAMES K. CHEETHAM.
James K. Cheetham is a well known and prominent representative of business interests in Urbana, and his efforts have been effective in promoting commercial activity here. At the same time he has won success in his undertakings and has ever been honored by reason of his reliable methods. He was born in West Liberty, Ohio, March 5, 1845. a son of Richard H. and Mary II. (McCord) Cheetham. The father was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1819, and was of Scotch descent. the ancestors of the family coming, however, from England to America many years ago. In 1839 Richard H. Cheetham took up his abode in Champaign county and here he was married to Mary H. McCord, a daughter of John McCord, also of Pittsburg, and a soldier of the war of 18!2. Iler mother was Sally Kenton, a daughter of Simon Kenton, the celebrated explorer.
In 1844, two years after his marriage, Richard H. Cheetham settled in West Liberty, Ohio, where he resided for nineteen years successfully engaged in general merchandising. Ile then returned to Urbana and was an honord and respected resident of this city. In his family were. 1
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the following children: John A., deceased: James K., of this review ; Samuel O., a farmer residing near Urbana: Mrs. Robert Young. of Urbana : Richard H., who has passed away ; and George H. and Mary Catherine, also deceased.
In taking up the personal history of James K. Cheetham we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Champaign county. He was reared and educated in West Liberty and his business training was received in his father's store. When his parents came to Urbana he was eighteen years of age. His father then purchased a bakery and confectionery, doing a wholesale and retail busi- ness. He purchased an establishment which had been founded in 1838 by Samnel K. McCord, bis brother-in-law. Mr. Cheetham. Sr., had learned the baker's trade in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and here con- ducted his new enterprise Irom 1863 until 1882. During that time our subject remained in his father's service and at the latter date became owner of the bakery which he has now conducted for twenty years. He is most proficient in all the details of the trade. His bakery, which is twenty by seventy feet in dimensions, is a model of neatness and con- venience and is supplied with the best ovens made. He has a weekly capacity of more than ten thousand loaves of bread, besides cakes and crackers. He manufactures all kinds of breadstuffs, crackers, cakes and pies, and the excellence of his products, together with his splendid busi- ness ability and honorable dealing, has secured to him a most liberal patronage. He is also a director in the Ohio Strawboard Company, the Home Loan Company, and is interested in farming. It will thus be seen that his efforts have never been limited to one line, but have been directed along those channels of industry whereby he has won success and has also contributed to the public prosperity.
In 1868 Mr. Cheetham was married to Miss Laura J. Coulson, a daughter of Joseph Coulson, and their children are Mrs. Ada L. Downey
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and Joseph K. At the time of the Civil war Mr. Cheetham was con- nected with the famous "Squirrel Hunters" in 1862, and in 1864 he became a member of Company A. One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Vol- unteer Infantry, which went to the front for one hundred days service and remained for four months. He is identified with W. A. Brand Post, G. A. R., in which he formerly served as commander, and for twenty-three years has been an active member of the Royal Arcanum. He takes a deep and earnest interest in political affairs, supporting the Republican party, and for one term was a member of the council. and is now serving as president of the cemetery board. To him there has come the attainment of a distinguished position in connection with the great material industries of the county, and his efforts have been so discerningly directed along well defined lines that he seems to have realized at any one point of progress the full measure of his possibilities for accomplishment at that point. A man of distinct and forceful indi- viduality, of broad mentality and most mature judgment. he has left and is leaving his impress upon the industrial world. For years he has been an important factor in the development of the natural resources of the state, in the upbuilding of Urbana and in the promotion of the enterprises which add not alone to his individual prosperity, but also advance the general welfare and prosperity of the city in which he makes his home.
JOHN P. HANCE.
In the attractive city of Urbana resides John Perry Hance, who is a representative of pioneer families of the Buckeye state and who is numbered among the successful and influential citizens of the county. He has been engaged in business in Urbana for a period of twenty
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years, and by his own efforts has attained a success worthy the name and a high place in the confidence and esteem of the community. Mr. Hance is a native son of Ohio, having been born in a pioneer log cabin in Elizabeth township, Miami county, on the 8th of December, 1854. the son of Alfred and Elizabeth ( Miller) Hance, of whose family of ten children only one is deceased. The paternal grandfather, Benjamin Hance, was born in Kentucky. whence he came to Ohio in an early day, being one of the pioneer settlers in Miami county, where his son Alfred was born, and where he entered the military service of his country dur- ing the war of r$12. Jonathan Miller, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was numbered among the early settlers of Clark county, and there occurred the birth of his daughter Elizabeth, so that both fam- ilies have been long identified with the annais of Ohio history. . Alfred Hance devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, having individually cleared a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in the early days, and hav- ing been successful in his efforts, accumulating a good property and being known as an upright man and sterling citizen. Both he and his wife are now deceased. He manifested his patriotism by enlisting for service during the war of the Rebellion, and after its close disposed of his original farm and purchased another, near Fletcher, Miami county, where he passed the residne of his life.
John Perry Hance, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared under the sturdy and invigorating discipline of the farm, and his educa- tional advantages were such as were afforded in the district schools of the place and period. In 1876 he left the homestead farm and came to Urbana. having not a penny of capital but being well fortified with energy, self-reliance and determinate purpose. Upon thus coming to Champaign county he secured employment in a country grocery, where he remained for a few weeks. The Centennial exposition, in Phila- delphia, was then in progress, and the young man became imbued with
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the desire of seeing the same and learning somewhat more of the world, and he valiantly set forth for the "City of Brotherly Love," having 110 money but being successful in working his way through to his destina- tion. He visited Philadelphia and other eastern cities and after an absence of one month returned to Urbana, where he devoted his atten- tion during the ensuing winter to acting as a salesman of sewing machines, while the next year he did effective service in selling agri- cultural implements. Finally he entered the employ of J. C. Coulson. dealer in groceries and queensware, remaining thus engaged for a period of six years, within which he became thoroughly familiar with all details of the business and thus laid the foundations for his future success. His marriage occurred in the year 1882, and shortly afterward he engaged in the grocery business on his own responsibility. By careful and dis- criminating management and correct business methods he made the enter- prise a profitable one from the time of its inception, and he has ever since continued operations in the line, controlling a fine trade and having a finely equipped establishment, with a select and comprehensive stock. As his resources were augmented Mr. Hance made judicious invest- ments in real estate, and through the same he has realized excellent returns. At the present time he is the owner of an excellent farin in this county, is a stockholder in local banking institutions and is known as one of the progressive and public-spirited citizens and business men of his home city. He is distinctively the architect of his own fortunes, and is deserving of credit for'the able and upright manner in which he has forged his way forward to the goal of determinate success. In politics Mr. Hance gives his allegiance to the Republican party, and fraternally he is identified with Champaign Lodge, No. 525. A. F. & A. M. He and his wife are members of the First Baptist church and he is trustee of the same at the present time, taking a deep and abiding interest in its work.
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On the 19th of June. 1882, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Hance to Miss Clara Downer, daughter of Rev. John R. Downer, pastor of the First Baptist church in Urbana at that time. She was born in Zanesville, Ohio, but was reared in the state of New York and completed her education in Philadelphia. Mr. and Mrs. Ilance have two children, -Perry and Lillian.
GEORGE S. KLAPP. DECEASED.
.A life of signal usefulness and honor has been that of the subject of this review, who passed the greater portion of his life in Champaign county engaged in agricultural pursuits, and who became the owner of a valuable farmstead in Johnson township.
Mr. Klapp was a native of the state of Maryland, having been born in Washington county on the 7th of May, 1826, so that he had passed the psalmist's span of three score years and ten, though he retained up to the last marked vigor in both mind and body and was a type of that virile strength which is begotten of the sturdy and invigorating dis- cipline incidental to the art of husbandry. He was a son of Rev. George Klapp, who was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania. in the year 1801, and was there reared and educated, learning the trade of tailoring. After his marriage he removed to Maryland, where he remained until about 1832, when he emigrated to Ohio, locating at Dayton, where he continued to follow his trade. Finally he went to Miamisburg, Mont- gomery county, where he studied theology and .prepared himself for the ministry of the Lutheran church, of which he had long been a devoted member. He preached his first sermon in Saint Paris, Champaign county, about the year 1839. and thereafter continued in the active work of the ministry, in connection with farming. until his death, in 1842 ..
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