USA > Ohio > Champaign County > A centennial biographical history of Champaign county, Ohio > Part 2
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Joseph Kizer was a representative and progressive citizen and a very prominent man in his locality. For many years he hekdl the office of justice of the peace, and in the latter part of his life became a member of the Baptist church, dying in that faith at the age of eighty-nine years. His wife was called to her final rest when she had reached the eightieth milestone on the journey of life.
Benjamin Kizer, the father of him whose name introduces this re- view, was born on the old Kizer homestead near Millerstown, Champaign county, in 1813. and was there early inured to the labors of fiekl and meadow. He was a very studious youth, and largely through his own efforts succeeded in fitting himself for the teacher's profession, proving himself an able instructor along the lines of mental advancement. On the 21st of November, 1844. he was united in marriage to Mary, a daugh- ter of Isaac and Catherine ( Wiant ) Pence, and three children were born of that union, -- Isaiah I' .. Sarah C., who married Samuel McMorran, and Ira, deceased. The wife and mother was called to the home be- yond on the 2d of December. 1853, and on the 4th of February. 1855, the father married Matilda Guss, by whom he had three children,- Frank, Charles O. and Elmer Grant, but the eldest is now deceased. For twenty-one years Mr. Kizer served as a justice of the peace in Johnson township, and also held many other township offices. He was a prac- tical and successful farmer, and at his death left to his family about three hundred acres of land. Up to the time of the Civil war he gave his po- litical support to the Democracy, but from that time until his death voted for the men and measures of the Republican party. He was a man of deep religious convictions, and from early life a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, having been active in the organization of that denomination in Saint Paris and also in the erection of its house of worship. He filled every office within the gift of that church with
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the exception of Sunday-school superintendent, and in its faith he passed away on the 6th of December, 1884, but is still survived by his widow.
Isaiah P. Kizer, of this review, supplemented the knowledge gained in the common schools by a year's course in the Wittenberg College, of Springfield, Ohio. On the 2d of May, 1864, while serving as a member of the Ohio National Guard, Governor Brough called for troops to serve one hundred days and his command was organized into the government service, becoming the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and Mr. Kizer became a member of Company I. With his regiment Mr. Kizer was on duty principally in Virginia, in the vicinity of Richmond and Petersburg, and, on the expiration of his term of en- listment received an honorable discharge and returned to his home. On again taking up the duties of civil life he resumed the teacher's pro- fession, which he followed until his marriage. On the 27th of Feb- ruary, 1868, he came to Saint Paris, where he embarked in the lumber business with H. H. Long, which relationship has continued through thirty-four years. For twenty years Mr. Kizer has also been a director in the First National Bank of Saint Paris. Few men have become more prominent or widely known in this enterprising little city than he. In business circles he has long been an important factor and his popularity is well deserved, for in him are embraced the characteristics of an un- bending integrity, unabating energy and industry that has never flagged.
On the 14th of November, 1867, he was united in marriage to Asenath Carey, a daughter of Isaac and Rosana Carey, and six chil- dren have blessed the union, namely : Alta, now Mrs. J. E. Kite ; Elma, wife of W. L. Hunt : Della, at home; and Mary, Benjamin and Grace, who have passed away. Since their early youth Mr. and Mrs. Kizer have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has filled all of the offices and for ten years was superintendent of the Sun- day-school. He has ever been loyal to the duties of citizenship and has
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given an unwavering support to the principles of the Republican party. while for nine years he served as a member of the school board and for a time was the efficient city clerk. Socially he is a member of Pharos Lodge, No. 355. F. & A. M., and of H. C. Scott Post, No. III. G. A. R.
LEWIS BRITTIN.
Lewis Brittin is one of the pioneer farmers of Champaign county, his home being pleasantly and conveniently located a mile east of Me- chanicsburg on the Milford and Mechanicsburg pike. For four score years he has been a witness of the growth and progress of this portion of the state, for he was born in Goshen township. Champaign county, May 12, 1820. His father, John Brittin, was a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania. When a young man he went to Virginia and subse- quently came to Ohio, settling on the Scioto river in Ross county, nine miles south of Chillicothe. About 1804 he arrived in Champaign county and was one of the first men to take up his abode in what is now Goshen township. He settled in the midst of the green woods and built a log cabin, in which he lived in true pioneer style. The Indians in motley garb still stalked through the forests, claiming dominion over this por- ton of the country and wild animals were numerous, but gradually the accessories of civilization were introduced and the animals and red men were driven further westward. He was quite prominent in an early day and gave the land which was used as a burying ground. His death occurred in May, 1846. He gave his political support to the Democracy, served as a justice of the peace and was a very prominent and influential man of his day. In the Baptist church he held membership. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Parker, was of German lineage,
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her parents having come from the fatherland to the new world, making a settlement in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Brittin lived to be about eighty years of age and by her marriage became the mother of three children.
Lewis Brittin is the eldest and only one now living. He was reared in Goshen township and when a boy pursued his education in an old log school house, into which light was admitted through greased paper windows. The seats were made of slabs and the floor of puncheons, and the large fireplace occupied almost one entire end of the building. It was so large that a log five feet long could be placed therein. Mr. Brittin spent about three months each year in school during a period of five years and each winter was under the instruction of a different teacher. When eleven years of age he began to plow corn and from that time forward was an active factor in the work of the fields. He remained at home, assisting in the farm work until his marriage and for one year thereafter.
It was on the 22d of March, 1840, that Mr. Brittin was united in marriage to Elizabeth Brittin, who was born in Franklin county, Ohio, ten miles northwest of Columbus, in a place called Dublin, her natal day being March 17, 1815. Her father, Benjamin Brittin, was born in Vir- ginia and her mother, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Grace. was also a native of the Old Dominion, in which state they were mar- ried, removing thence to Franklin county about 1812. In their family were eleven children, Mrs. Brittin being the seventh in order of birth. James Smith Brittin, who resides in Columbus, is her brother. She was reared in her native township and she. too, pursued her education in a log school house. The young couple began their domestic life upon his father's farm, but after a year removed elsewhere. Soon, however, they returned to the old homestead in order to take care of the aged father and mother, with whom they lived until John Brittin and his wife passed away. Our subject and his wife are now the oldest couple
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of the county, having lived together for more than sixty-two years. Four children came to bless their union, but only one is now living. Eda, a (laughter married James Sceva and had one daughter, Dollie, who is the wife of Dell Gross. Margaret is the deceased wife of Jacob Chid- ester and they have had three children, Walter, Eda and Emma. Walter, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Brittin, married Lizzie Clark. The only surviv- ing member is Wilson Shannon, who resides upon a farm in Goshen township and is an enterprising agriculturist. He served for three years as a Union soldier in the Civil war. He married Elizabeth Laferty and they have three children-Clark. Alice and Lewis. There are also three great-grandchildren, namely: Dorothy Guy, Brice Brittin and Isabell Brittin.
Mr. Brittin, of this review, gave his political support to the Democ- racy until Franklin Pierce became a candidate of the party. He then joined the ranks of the new Republican party, casting his vote for Abra- ham Lincoln in 1860 and again in 1864. Since that time he has never failed to vote for the Republican presidential candidates with the ex- ception of one time when he voted the Prohibition ticket. For ten years he served as township trustee, at one time was justice of the peace and in all positions of public trust has been most faithful and loyal. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Christian church. He was a mem- her of the Methodist Protestant church for some years and burned the brick to build the first church in Mechanicsburg. He is one of the pioneer settlers of Champaign county and one of its most honored and respected men. He to-day owns a valuable farm of one hundred and eighteen acres, upon which he has long resided. He has now reached the age of eighty-two years and because of his upright, useful and hen- orable life, he can look back over the past without regret and forward to the future without fear.
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FRANKLIN PRINTZ.
From a very early period in the history of the Buckeye state Frank- lin Printz has been prominently identified with this section, and now in his declining years he is practically living retired. crowned with the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded to honorable old age. His paternal grandfather, Frederick P. Printz, was born in Ger- many, but in a very early day he came to this country, taking up his abode in Pennsylvania. During the Revolutionary war he served for eight years as a brave and loyal soldier, and his death occurred in the Keystone state when he had reached the age of seventy years.
Daniel P .. Printz, the father of him whose name introduces this review, also claimed Pennsylvania as the state of his nativity, and as a life occupation he chose that of a farmer. In 1825 he left his Pennsyl- vania home for Clark county, Ohio, where for three years he farmed on rented land, and then purchased a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Miami county. Later he became the owner of a farm, which is now included in the corporate limits of the. city of Springfield, and there he passed away in death at the age of sixty-eight years. His life was most honorable and upright, and commanded the respect of all who knew him. For his wife Mr. Printz chose Lizzie Heaton, a native of Penn- sylvania, whose parents also came to this country from the fatherland. U'nto this union were born twelve children, namely : Angeline, deceased ; Franklin; Elizabeth, deceased; Sarah; Daniel, deceased: Susan: Mary; John, deceased; Rebecca, deceased : Catherine. deceased : Henry; and James K.
Franklin Printz, of this review, was but five years of age when he was taken by his parents to Clark county, Ohio, and in the common schools of his locality received the educational advantages which he enjoyed in his youth. On taking up his abode in Champaign county he
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located on the farm which is still his home, and as an early pioneer and successful agriculturist is well and favorably known throughout the com- munity. He has been twice married. His first wife bore the maiden name of Catherine Gordan, and she was born in Clark county, Ohio. On the 14th of March. 1877, she was called to her final rest, leaving one son, Scott, who is now a prominent resident of Champaign county. September 4, 1879, Mr. Printz was united in marriage to Emma Brus- man, a native of the city of Dayton, where she was also reared and edu- cated, and at the age of sixteen years she accompanied her parents on their removal to Urbana. Her parents were both natives of Pennsyl- vania, but were among the early pioneers of Clark county, Ohio. In their family were five children, as follows: Charles, deceased; Mrs. Printz; Elda and Elizabeth, deceased; and Horace. Mr. Printz gives his political support to the Democracy, and religiously he is an active worker and leading member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Urbana.
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ADAM NEER.
Adam Neer, living in Saint Paris. Champaign county, was born in Logan county, Ohio, May 7, 18.43. His father. George Neer, was born in Licking county, Ohio, in 18!7, and his death occurred at his home in Bellefontaine, on the 18th of November, 1901. He was of German descent. his father, Adam Neer, having been born in that coun- try. For his wife he chose Anna Karnes, their wedding having been celebrated on the 4th of August, 1842, and she was called to the home beyond March 18, 1804. She was the eldest of eight children, six sons and two daughters, born unto Michael and Rhoda Karnes, and during her early life she lived among the Indians near Cherokee, Logan county.
ADAM NEER.
MRS. ADAM NEER.
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Adam Neer, the eldest son of his parents' ten children, six dangh- ters and four sons, received his elementary education in the district schools of Logan county and later became a student in the school in Bellefontaine, while during the summer months he assisted his father in the work of the farm. In early life he evinced a talent for mechanics, and as he grew in stature and years his bent in that direction was cor- respondingly developed and when yet in his "teens" he conceived a number of original mechanical ideas which later on took practical and definite form. On the 30th of April, 1867, he was granted a patent on a dumping device for unloading wagons, and with this he traveled for a number of years, selling territorial rights. In 1872 he was allowed a patent on a pitman connection for reapers and mowers, a device of unquestionable merit, and in 1882 he perfected and had patented an anti-rattling buggy coupling. On the 7th of June, 1898, he was allowed a patent on a corn harvester, a machine which easily takes precedence over any other of its kind in use. It is of one-horse draft, cuts two rows at a time and with it two men can easily cut and set up two hundred shocks in a day. It works equally well in large or small corn, and Mr. Neer has testimonials from farmers over the entire country who speak in words of highest praise of this invention. In 1897 he arranged with a manufacturing company to introduce his machine on a royalty contract, but this company succeeded in defrauding him of the royalty on several hundred machines, they having put out the harvesters under their own name and rendered no account whatever to Mr. Neer. In December, 190!, he brought suit against this company under the original contract, and although he was successful in the suit he only obtained a settle- ment for fourteen machines, and now has a suit pending in the federal court for forty thousand dollars damages against H. L. Bennett & Com- pany, one-half of which is in favor of the United States for violation of the patent laws.
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After his marriage, in 1873, Mr. Neer moved to a farm three miles east of Saint Paris, but in 1877 sold this place to George W. Kite and purchased a tract of fifty acres just west of his first farm, purchasing the land of William Kite. Disposing of this farm to Simon Snapp in the spring of 1880, he bought ninety-five and a quarter acres two miles southwest of Bellefontaine, on which he took up his abode on the Ist of March of that year. On the 16th of August, 1883. he again disposed of his possessions, after which he bought sixty-five acres of land three and a half miles southeast of Saint Paris, purchasing the property of his father-in-law, William Kite, and on which he erected an attractive and commodious residence in 1884, while later, in 1888, he further im- proved the place by building a substantial barn. In the spring of 1887, however, he left his farm and moved to Urbana, where for a short time he was engaged in the restaurant business, but again desiring to take up the quiet duties of the farm he disposed of his restaurant and returned to his country home. From August, 1893. until the Ist of November, 1893, he was employed by the Milsom Rendering and Fer- tilizer Company, of Buffalo, New York, whom he represented in western Ohio and Indiana, his work being to establish agencies and to look after collections. On the roth of February, 1896, he removed to Saint Paris, where he is now living. Mr. Neer is now extensively engaged in the manufacture of the corn harvester in the Neer Manufacturing Com- pany, of Saint Paris, Ohio, of which G. P. Shidler is president ; A. C. Brow, secretary: Grant MeMorran, treasurer, and Adam Neer, super- intendent and general manager.
On the Ist of October, 1873. Mr. Neer was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Kite, a daughter of William and Catherine Kite, who reside in Champaign county. Unto this union three children have been born, two sons and a daughter. Warren, the eldest son, was born July 6. 1875, and now resides on his father's farm southeast of Saint Paris.
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He was married to Miss Anna Wiant, and they have one daughter, Lois. Catherine was born November 28. 1880, and William Alonzo was born March 10, 1885. In his social relations Mr. Neer is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 344, of Saint Paris, and is also a charter member of the United Commercial Travelers, Urbana Council No. 139. in which he is junior counsellor. lle exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democ- racy, has held the office of road supervisor of Mad River township, Champaign county, and while residing in Logan county was a member of the school board. His religious preference is indicated by his men- bership in the Myrtle Tree Baptist church.
JOSEPH COFFEY.
Joseph Coffey, who carries on agricultural pursuits in Goshen town- ship, was born in this township on the IIth of November, 1838. His father. Tatom Coffey, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Lancaster county, whence he came with his parents to Ohio, settling in Clark county. .After the family located there a daughter-a sister of Tatom Coffey- was born. being the first while child born in Pleasant township. The grandfather of our subject was Joseph Coffey, an honored pioneer settler of Clark county, who developed a farm there in the midst of the forest. It was upon that place that Tatom Coffey was reared, and in 1821 he came to Champaign county, locating in Goshen township. where he spent his remaining days, passing away at the age of seventy- seven. In politics he was a Whig and a stanch Republican, becoming identified with the latter party after the dissolution of the former. In religious faith he was a Baptist and took an active and helpful interest
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in the work of the church to which he belonged. He married Rebecca Roberts, who was born in Clark county, Ohio, where her parents had located in pioneer times, her father being William Roberts. Mrs. Cof- fey died in 1842. She had become the mother of eight children, six sons and two daughters, of whom seven reached mature years, while five of the number were married.
Joseph Coffey was the youngest and was only five years of age at the time of his mother's death. He remained with his father, however, until the fall of 1861, when, prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he responded to his country's call for aid, enlisting in Company I, Sixty- sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private. He was promoted to the rank of corporal, however, and served for three years, two months and eight days, participating in fifteen of the most hotly contested battles of the war, including Port Republic, Cedar Mountain, Antietam, Gettys- burg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold, Kenesaw Moun- tain and the siege of Atlanta. He also went with Sherman in the cele- brated march to the sea, and received an honorable discharge at Savan- nah, Georgia, December 22, 1864, returning to his home with a most creditable military record.
Mr. Coffey then resumed farming upon the old homestead, where he remained until his marriage, which important event in his life occurred in 1865, the lady of his choice being Lydia A. Moody, a daughter of Moses and Maria (Guy) Moody. She was born in Madison county, Ohio, and there remained until twelve years of age, when she came to Champaign county with her parents. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Coffey have been born seven children : William S., born January 3, 1866; John V., born August 2, 1867; Guy U., born July 17, 1869; Sarah E., born Sep- tember 12, 1873; Martha A., born August 21, 1877; Mary E., born November 17, 1881; and Joseph M., born September 17, 1885. Of this number Mary E. died on the 27th of August, 1896.
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After his marriage Mr. Coffey remained on the old family home- stead for about four years and then located on a claim in Goshen town- ship, but after a year took up his abode on another farm, which was his home for two years. He next removed to a place east of Mechanics- burg. where he continued for four years and then settled upon the farm which is yet his place of residence. He here owns one hundred and seventy acres of well improved land, upon which is a pleasant dwelling, which he erected in 1894. He carried on general farming until within recent years, but is now largely living retired. He belongs to Baxter Post. No. 88, G. A. R., and is a stanch Republican in politics.
SAMUEL K. SOWERS.
In section 12, Mad River township, is found one of the fine farm- steads for which Champaign county is justly celebrated. and this is the property of Mr. Sowers, who is known as one of the progressive agri- culturists and representative citizens of this section of the state.
Samuel Kosier Sowers claims the old Keystone state as the place of his nativity, having been born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, near the city of Harrisburg, on the 28th of November. 1834. His father. Henry Sowers, was born in Maryland and was about six months of age when his parents removed thence to Perry county. Pennsylvania, where he was reared to maturity. He became a potter by trade, but devoted the greater portion of his life to agricultural pursuits, con- tinuing his residence in Pennsylvania until his death, at the age of four score years. He was a son of William Sowers, who likewise was born in Maryland. whence he removed to Pennsylvania in 1804. being a farmer by occupation, and there he and his wife, who was also born
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in Maryland. of German lineage, continued to make their home until their life labors were ended in death. The maiden name of our sub- ject's mother was Elizabeth Kosier, and she was born in York county, Pennsylvania. the daughter of Jacob Kosier, who was born in Adams county, that state, of German descent. Mrs. Elizabeth ( Kosier) Sowers died in her eighty-second year, having passed her entire life in the Keystone state. Her two sons and three daughters all grew to years of maturity, and of them we give the following epitomized record : Isabel is the wife of George Bernheisel, of Cumberland county, Pennsyl- vania ; Samuel K. is the immediate subject of this review; Jacob is a resident of Perry county, Pennsylvania, as is also Amanda, who has never married ; and Mary Ann is deceased.
Samuel K. Sowers was reared in his native county and there received a common-school education. attending the district schools dur- ing the winter months and assisting in the work of the farm during the summer seasons. At the age of nineteen he gave inception to his independent career by securing employment in a gristmill, and he was thus engaged for a period of about three years, after which he secured a clerkship in a mercantile establishment at Oxford, Pennsylvania. where he remained about one year. In the spring of 1859 he came to Champaign county and became a clerk in the general merchandise estab- lishment of Jacob Aulabaugh in Westville, being thus employed about a year, when he entered into partnership with his employer, the associa- tion continuing about two years, at the expiration of which time. in 1861. Mr. Sowers was married, and soon afterward located on his present farm, where he has ever since maintained his home, having been energetic, progressive and far-sighted in his methods and having attained a high degree of success in his farming and stock-raising, while the improvements on his place are those characteristic of a model farm of the twentieth century epoch. Mr. Sowers has a fine farm of one
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