USA > Ohio > Champaign County > A centennial biographical history of Champaign county, Ohio > Part 18
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W. Wasgrand
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Mason, who in his life closely follows the tenets and teachings of the order. In his political views he is a Democrat, believing firmly in the principles of the party. He has done much to advance the prosperity and stable upbuilding of his native city and is deservedly popular. In 1890 he erected the Mosgrove building of Urbana, a large structure, and has otherwise contributed to the development here. For over twenty years he has been connected with the Perpetual Savings and Buikling As- sociation, and for five or six years has been its president. In 1900 he was elected president of the Citizens' National Bank and has since con- tinued in that capacity. He is also the vice-president of the Ohio State Strawboard Association. The Doctor is a man of resourceful business ability, with keen insight and sagacity, and is notably prompt, energetic and reliable and brooks no obstacles that can be overcome by earnest and persistent effort. While his labors have brought to him creditable and desirable success he is a typical American citizen, who, while working for his own advancement, has contributed in no small degree to the gen- eral prosperity. His manner is pleasant and he is genial in disposition.
ALEXANDER F. VANCE.
In the history of Urbana, its upbuilding and its progress, the name of Alexander F. Vance figures conspicuously and honorably. Ile was born August 25. ISHI. and died on the 13th of February, 1889. when in the seventy-eighth year of his age. His parents were Governor Jo- seph and Mary (Lemon) Vance. His birthplace was what has been known through long years as the Governor Vance Farm. In the usual manner of farm lads of the period the boy was reared and in the district schools of the neighborhood began the education which he continued in
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the old Miami University. After his marriage he lived on what is known as the Eichotz farmi for several years and then removed to Saratoga, Ohio, where he took charge of a mill, conducting its operation until a short time before his father's death. His share of his father's estate was the old farm homestead, and thereon Alexander F. Vance remained until 1859. He removed to Urbana after having sold the farm. From that time until his death he was a well known figure in the city, respected by all for his genuine worth.
Mr. Vance took in trade for his farm a hat store which was then located in a frame building which stood in the southeast corner of the public square. He only retained possession of this, however, until the stock was sold out. Called to public office he was long a prominent representative of the county's interests along judicial lines. It was in 1861 that he was elected probate judge of Champaign county and his service in that office is almost unparalleled in the history of the state. for he continued in the position through six consecutive terms, leaving the office in 1879. He was the second probate judge elected under the new constitution, but that he proved a most capable, faithful and just official is indicated by his long continuance in the position. No higher testimonial of his ability could be giver and he left office as he had en- tered it, with the confidence and good will of all concerned. After his retirement from the bench he was engaged in no active or professional business but enjoyed a well earned rest throughout the remainder of his earthly pilgrimage.
On the 6th of August. 1835. Judge Vance was united in marriage to Miss Mary R. Ward, a daughter of Colonel William Ward, who resided upon a neighboring farm. Their marriage relation was an ideal one, their mutual love and confidence increasing as the years passed. They celebrated their golden wedding marking the close of a half century of happy married life. The children of this union were William W.,
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now deceased: Joseph C., of Chattanooga; A. F., who is represented on another page of this book; John, also a resident of Chattanooga ; 11. Colwell, who is living in Urbana ; Mrs. Rev. John Woods, of Lud- ington, Michigan : Mrs. Thomas C. Berry and Ella P. Five other chil- dren have departed this life. One child died in infancy and another at the age of seven, while Ed was accidentally shot about the beginning of the late war. Major D. M. Vance died in March, 1887, and Elizabeth in April of the following year. The relation between father and children was a most happy one, for he was not only their guide and counsellor. but their friend.
Judge Vance took a deep and active interest in every movement and measure calculated to benefit his community and advance its upbuilding. He was very prominent in military affairs at an early date and under the old military organization of the state served as adjutant general of militia for his district. When the war broke out he raised a company for serv- ice at the front and was elected its captain. This command was mus- tered in at Camp McArthur and offered its services to the government at once, but as the quota was already filled the offer was not accepted and circumstances forbade Judge Vance from again enlisting, but he was ably and nobly represented in the great conflict by four of his sons. His loyalty all through the years of his active and useful life was above question and his devotion to his country furnished an example well worthy of emulation. The Judge was a very prominent Mason, hav- ing become a member of the order in Harmony Lodge, May 15, 1845. Steadily he advanced through the various degrees and in his life ex- emplified the beneficent teachings of the fraternity. He also took the degrees of the Chapter, and in that organization filled many offices in a most capable manner. He also received the three degrees of Cryptic Masonry and became a templar in 1869. Again official honors and duties were conferred upon him. He believed most firmly in the teach-
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ings of the craft, which are based upon the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God, and while he was well informed concerning the work of the lodge room he also exemplified in his daily life the true spirit of Masonry. In September, 1850, he became a member of the First Meth- odist church of Urbana, but later united with the First presbyterian church and his life was that of a faithful, constant Christian. In 1865 he was chosen a ruling elder and remained continually in that office until 1880, when, at his own request, he was omitted from the board. As long as his health remained he was a regular attendant on the church services, but for five months prior to his demise he was not able to leave his home. Ile had firm and unbounded faith in a future life and wel- comed his release from pain not as one who enters upon the unknown. but as one who goes to his old home. Devoted in his attachment to his wife and children. faithful to his friends, loyal in citizenship. honorable in business and conscientious in his church life, his was a noble ex- ample which made the world better for his having lived.
BENJAMIN F. HARRIS.
In the early settlement and subsequent history of Champaign county the ancestors of Benjamin F. Harris were prominent. His grandfa- ther, George Harris, was a native of Virginia, but as early as 1806 came to the Buckeye state, locating in what is now Champaign county. He established his home on Darby creek, in Rush township, five miles above Milford Center, and the family were among the first to locate in the county. Daniel Harris, the father of our subject, was also a native of Virginia, his birth there occurring in 1800, and he was but six years of age when he was brought by his parents to this state. lle
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was reared and married in Champaign county, and his last days were spent in Salem township, where he died at the age of eighty-four years. His father was a birth-right member of the Friends church. but he united with the Christian church, and both were lifelong farmers. Daniel Harris married Sibyl B. Lathrop, a native of Connecticut, as was also her father. Benjamin Lathrop, and when she was thirteen years of age her parents located in Union county, Ohio. Her death occurred when she was seventy-six years of age. Of their nine children, six sons and three daughters, six grew to years of maturity, and our subject was the fourth son and seventh child in order of birth.
Benjamin F. Harris, the only representative of his family in Cham- paign county, enlisted for service in the Civil war in 1864, joining Com- pany F, Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until his discharge, in July, 1805. He entered the ranks as a corporal. but for meritorious service was promoted to first sergeant and was later made a second lieutenant. During his military career he took part in many of the hard-fought battles of the war, was with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea and participated in the grand review at Washington. On his return from the army he located in Union town- ship, Union county, Ohio, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for a number of years, and in 1882 came with his family to his present location, purchasing a portion of the John Encch farm. His landed possessions now consist of four hundred and six and a half acres. He has improved his farm. and has long been numbered among the prac- tical and thrifty farmers of his locality.
On the 6th of April. 1866, Mr. Harris was united in marriage to Laura Webb, a native of Clark county, Ohio, and a daughter of W. R. and Harriet ( Clark ) Webb, natives of Connecticut. Their mar- riage was celebrated in Clark county, and they became the parents of seven children, of whom Mrs. Harris was the thir l in order of birth.
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She was but three years of age when she was taken by her parents to Union county, Ohio, and in its public schools received her early educa- tion, while later she became a student in the Marysville high school. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ilarris have been born three sons. The eldest. Emmitt, married Maud Dixon and resides in Seattle, Washington, where he is general manager of an agency for the National Cash Register Company, of Dayton, Ohio. William R. married Leona Black, and they have two daughters, Ina and Ruby. He is also employed with the National Cash Register Company. Charles P. has also left his home and works in connection with his brothers. In his political preference Mr. Harris is a stanch Republican, and is always loyal in his support of all measures calculated to benefit the community or the general pub- lic. For a long period he served as a member of the township school board, and while a resident of Union county served as the trustee of Union township. In his fraternal relations he is a member of Poysell Post, No. 103, G. A. R., in which he has filled many of the offices.
DANIEL JAMES.
Champaign county is fortunate in the personnel of her farming com- munity and those who here follow the great art of husbandry are alike fortunate in the possession of fine landed estates, where the earth yields forth its increase and where peace and contentment come as the natural sequel, so that there is no occasion to envy the lot of the busy toilers in the thronging marts of trade and commerce. Among the successful and honored farmers of Urbana township is numbered Mr. James, who is a native son of the old Buckeye state, having been born in Pike county, Ohio, on the 14th day of May, 1835. His father, Perry James, was likewise born in the state. Ross county having been the place of his
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nativity, while the year thereof was 1812, clearly demonstrating the fact that our subject is a representative of one of the early pioneer families of this great commonwealth. Perry James, who devoted his life to ag- ricultural pursuits, became one of the pioneers of Champaign county, as had he also been of both Pike and Scioto counties. He was four times married. there being two children by the first union, one by the second, five by the third and none by the last. the subject of this review having been the elder of the two children born of the first marriage. His mother, whose maiden name was Mildred Daily, was born in Pike county, Ohio, and died when he was a mere child.
Daniel James was reared in his native county, where he received his educational discipline in the district schools and so supplemented this by personal application that he became eligible for pedagogic work, having successfully taught three terms of school in Pike county. At the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion the young man's intrinsic patriotism and loyalty led him to tender his services in support of the Union, and in 1861 he enlisted as a private in the Fifty-third Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, which was in command of Colonel Wells S. Jones, while the captain of the company of which our subject was a member. was James R. Percy. Mr. James proceeded to the front with his regiment and was in active service until May 24, 1865. when he received his honorable dis- charge. He participated in many of the most memorable battles of the great civil conflict, including those of Shiloh, Vicksburg, Jacksonville and Chattanooga, and accompanied Sherman in the Atlanta campaign and the famous march to the sea. llis last battle was that of Resaca, Georgia, where he was wounded, and after partially recovering from his injury was sent to Cincinnati, where he was assigned to light duty and there remained until he was mustered out. He then returned to his home 111 l'ike county, where he deve ted his attention to farming until the fol- lowing year. when he came to Champaign county and took up his abode
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on his present farm, where he has ever since maintained his home. He has made excellent improvements on the place and it is maintained under a high state of cultivation, the area of the farm being ninety-six acres.
The same year that he came to this county Mr. James was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Pence, who was born in Champaign county, where her parents were numbered among the early settlers. Mr. and Mrs. James have had eight children, all of whom were born in this county, their names, in order of birth, being as follows: Charles P., Carrie, Augusta, Estella, Orville, Lulu. Margaret and Jacob H. In politics Mr. James is a stanch Republican, having east his vote for John C. Fremont, in 1856. the first presidential candidate of this grand old party. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
JOSEPH V. LONGFELLOW, M. D.
The profession of medicine, while a very inviting field for the stu- dent and the humanitarian, is one that demands much self-abnegation. the exercise of repression and the sacrificing of the ordinary methods of securing personal advancement. It is one of the noblest of all voca- tions, one of the most responsible and exacting and is the one, above all others, which, while it must needs be prosecuted for legitimate gain, is in its very nature nearest to beneficent charity. One of the prominent rep- resentatives of this noble calling in Champaign county is Dr. Joseph V. Longfellow, of Urbana, who is a member of a family that has been iden- tified with the annals of Ohio history from the early pioneer epoch. Thus there is peculiar propriety in making definite record concerning this honored citizen and able physician, who is a native son of Champaign county.
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- سيبسبب
I.V. Longfellow
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Joseph Valentine Longfellow was born on a farm in Concord town- ship, this county, on the 21st of March, 1858, being the eldest of the four children of Silas N. and Minerva .A. ( Russell) Longfellow. The other three children are Mary E., now the wife of H. H. Brower, of Dayton, Ohio: Margaret W., wife of S. M. Green, of Urbana, Ohio; Victor O., who is completing his medical studies with his brother, the subject of this sketch. and who will graduate at the coming session of college. Silas N. Longfellow was born in Concord township, Champaign county, on the 5th of June, 1834, being the son of Joseph and Martha ( Hull ) Longfellow. Joseph Longfellow was born in the state of Delaware, on the 9th of November, 1766, and was there reared to maturity. In May, 1805. he became a resident of Ohio, coming to Champaign county and entering claim to one hundred and sixty acres of government land in section 15. Concord township, reclaiming the same from the sylvan wilds and there improving a good farm, which continued to be his home during the residue of his life. Ile attained a patriarchal age, his death occur- ring in the year 1805, at the age of nearly one hundred years. His first presidential vote was cast for General Washington, and thereafter he exercised his franchise at each successive presidential election, his last vote being cast in support of Abraham Lincoln, at the time of his second election to the presidency. Joseph Longfellow was thrice married, his first union having been with Miss Teresa Merida, who passed away less than a year after her marriage. About seven years later he weddled Miss Mary Fowler, who bore him thirteen children. her death occurring in the year 1822. In 1826 he consummated his third marriage, being then united to Mrs. Martha ( Hull) Crow, the widow of Joseph Cron, to whom she bore six children, one dying in infancy. She was a native of Virginia, whence she accompanied her parents on their removal to Ohio in the early pioneer days, the family settling near Chillicothe. By her marriage to Joseph Long fellow she became the mother of six chikiren.
15
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of whom five survived her, and at present three are living. Lemuel U .. David and Silas N. She passed away in 1864, at the age of sixty-eight years. Silas N. Longfellow has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits, and now resides on his homestead farm, of sixty-five acres, in Concord township. In politics he is a Republican and one of the. honored and influential citizens of his native county. Possessed of high musical talent he has been a successful instructor in this art, to which he has long been devoted. In 1857 was solemnized his marriage to Miss Minerva A. Russell, who was born in Champaign county, Ohio, on the 27th of May, 1830, the daughter of Valentine Russell, one of the pio- neers of this section of the Buckeye state.
Dr. Joseph V. Longfellow was reared under the sturdy discipline of the old home farm, and is indebted to the public schools for his early educational training. Later he was for five years a student in the Ohio Wesleyan University, in the city of Delaware, where he practically con- pleted his prescribed course, though failing health prevented him from fully completing his work and thus graduating in the institution. After recuperating his energies he entered vigorously and enthusiastically upon the study of medicine, and in order to thoroughly fortify himself for his chosen profession he finally was matriculated in the Miami Medical Col- lege, in Cincinnati, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1886. He soon afterward entered upon the active practice of medicine at Eris, Champaign county, where he continued for four years, at the ex- piration of which he located in Urbana, where he has ever since been in active practice, having been very successful and holding a supporting patronage of representative order, while he is held in the highest esteem in both professional and social circles, his popularity being based upon his integrity of character. his genial and sympathetic temperament, his professional ability and his power of looking on the bright side of life. The Doctor is a member of the Champaign County Medical Society and
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the American Medical Association, and keeps in close touch with the ad- vances made in his profession through careful study and investigation and through courteous and appreciative association with his professional confreres. In politics he exercises his franchise in support of the Repub- lican party, and his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.
J. E. DAVIS.
The farming interests of Champaign county are well represented by J. E. Davis. He was born in Goshen township, on the old farm home- stead, August 31. 1844. His father. S. C. Davis, was a native of Greene county, Ohio, but when nine years of age was brought to Goshen town- ship. Champaign county, by his parents. Jonathan and Piety ( Maxim) Davis, natives of Virginia, who on immigrating to the Buckeye state took up their abode in Greene county. The year 1824 witnessed their ar- rival in Champaign county, where they were numbered among the pio- neer settlers. The father was reared, educated and married in Goshen township and located on the old farm homestead, where he remained until his death, which occurred when he was about sixty-five years of age. His political support was given to the Whig party and later he became a stanch Republican, being recognized as one of the leaders in its ranks. He was also an active and helpful member of the Baptist church and for twenty years served as superintendent of the Sunday-school, his life ever being in consistent harmony with his professions. He married Jane Brittin, a native of Goshen township, Champaign county, and a daughter of Nathan and Mary ( Jones) Brittin. She was reared in Goshen township and belonged to one of the old pioneer families of the county. Her death occurred when she was eighty-one years of age. In the family of this worthy couple were nine children, three sons and six
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daughters, of whom one son and four daughters are vet living. AAll are married and are residents of Mechanicsburg. They are: Edrianah, the wife of Mathin Comestack ; Emily, the wife of W. W. Legge: Etta, the wife of J. W. Tway : and Callie, the wife of Joseph Mumma.
Mr. Davis of this review was the fourth child and eldest son of the family. He was reared in his native township on the old farm home- stead and during his boyhood attended the district schools. In 1803 he enlisted in Company K. One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, as a private and served until the close of the war. being the last man, with one exception, to be mustered out of the regiment. He was wounded at Kenesaw Mountain on the 27th of June. 1864. re- ceiving a gunshot wound in the shoulder, in the hand and in the finger. He was then taken to the hospital at Columbus and after he had re- covered from his injuries was in the mustering-out office at Chicago. Ile was one of the fifty men who took the United States mail through the Escanaba and Marquette district of Michigan in 1865 and was sta- tioned at Negaunee in the northern peninsula for thirty days, after which he returned to Chicago and was mustered out in September. 1865.
Mr. Davis then came back to his home in Goshen township and en- gaged in farming with excellent success, following that pursuit until 1898, when he built his present residence in Mechanicsburg, and is now living a retired life. He still owns the old place, however, which has been in the family for three generations. He was a progressive agricult- urist, keeping in touch with modern methods and his system of farming was one which brought to him a good return for his labors. His busi- ness methods were ever such as would bear the closest investigation and his responsibility and integrity were above question.
On the 30th of January, 1868, Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Sylvia Fox, a daughter of Isaac and Permilla ( Resebery ) Fox. The lady was born in Madison county. Ohio, where her people had located
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in pioneer days. Mr. and Mrs. Davis had two daughters, but Lulu died at the age of three and a half years. Ella D. is the wife of John T. Brown and they reside on the old Davis homestead, being the fourth generation of the family to occupy this place, which comprises two hun- dred acres of rich land.
Mr. Davis was superintendent of the Maple Grove Cemetery for several years and was a member of its board and the treasurer. In politics he is a stanch Republican and has never failed to vote at an elec- tion since casting his first presidential vote. He also attends the pri- maries and takes an active part in every measure and movement that he believes will secure Republican success. He is always a leader in the demonstrations of the party, often acting as marshal in its parades. He is a prominent member of Stephen Baxter Post. No. 88. G. A. R .. in which he has filled all the offices. He also belongs to Myrtle Lodge. No. 113. F. & A. M., Caroline Chapter. No. 38. O. E. S .. and of the latter is the present worthy patron. He holds membership relations with the Methodist Episcopal church and is serving as its steward and as one of its board of deacons. His life has ever been commendable, for he has lived in accordance with upright principles. He was a loyal soldier of his country upon southern battle fields, has ever been known as an honest business man and as a worthy friend, husband and father.
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