USA > Ohio > Champaign County > A centennial biographical history of Champaign county, Ohio > Part 25
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Since age gave to him the right of franchise Mr. Gehman has been a stalwart Republican and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his fitness for leadership and his patriotic allegiance to the county. elected him as their representative in the state legislature in 1895. He served for one term, filling the position most acceptably. To every question which came up for settlement he gave his earnest consideration and left the impress of his individuality upon the legislation enacted during his term. He has also been trustee of Salem township for several years and has been president of the Kings Creek Farmers' Institute, which was or- ganized in 1892. He assisted in its organization and filled the position of presiding officer for six years. He has always been on the side of improvement. reform and progress and has been especially helpful in political, educational and church circles. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church of Kings Creek ; is an active worker in the church and Sunday-school and his wife is also a worthy helper in the latter. Mr. Gehman is a man of more than ordinary ability, is a gentleman of schol- arly attainments and broad general knowledge and is well fitted for leadership, honored and respected by all, has much influence over public thought and feeling and is most untiring in his efforts in behalf of the general public.
JOHN C. SCEVA1.
Mechanicsburg is fortunate in the possession of citizens who are themselves not only creditable acquisitions to their respective financial. professional, industrial or commercial environment. but who have the added incentive of nativity, and are stimulated to precedents established by pioneer fathers who, with splendid zeal, worked out their destinies in the self-same surroundings. Such a one is John C. Sceva, president of the Farmers' Bank, and born in this city November 21. 1838.
JOHN C SCEVA.
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His parents, Nathaniel and Rosalin ( Woodard) Sceva, were born near New London, New Hampshire, the latter being a daughter of James and Dollie ( Dale) Woodard. After the marriage of the parents they determined to seek the supposed larger opportunities in Ohio, and, accompanied by the Woodards, settled on a farm in Goshen township. Champaign county, where the latter lived for a few years, but passed , their last days in Mechanicsburg. Nathaniel Seeva was a carpenter by trade. and was thus employed up to his fortieth year, thereafter turning his attention in various directions. He possessed marked execu- tive ability, and was a man of progressive thought and action. As a stanch upholder of Democratic principles he left his impress upon several political offices, among them that of county commissioner, which he held for one term. During the presidential administration of Bu- chanan he served as postmaster of this eity. He died in 1872, at the age of sixty-two years, and was survived by his wife until 1896, at the age of a little over eighty. Both were members of the Baptist church, and they were the parents of several children. One of the sons, Benjamin F., was a graduate of Union College, and served for four years in the Civil war as a soldier in the Tenth New York Cavalry, rising from the rank of private to that of colonel of his regiment. After the war he engaged in the practice of law in Washington, D. C .. in which city he died in 1876. John C. is the second chill in his father's family; James H. is a farmer of Madison county, Ohio; Jennie is the wife of Dr. A. L. Sidner, of Mechanicsburg: Horace M. is a resident of Mechanicsburg and is engaged in dairy farming: and Lewis C. is a lawyer of this town.
After completing his education in the public schools of Mechanics- burg John C. Seeva spent two years at the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. Ilis first business experience was acquired as a elerk in his father's general store, and later in a dry-goods store. after
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which a partnership was formed with his brother-in-law, C. W. Will- iams, in a dry-goods business, which was amicably continued from 1865 until 1875. He was elected a director in the Farmers' Bank of Me- chaniesburg, which position he held for some years. Mr. Sceva was made vice-president, and in 1901 succeeded to the presidency. Through his marriage, in 1865, with Ella J. Williams, who died in 1804, two children were born: Anna, wife of F. M. Clements, of Mechanics- burg; and Hattie, wife of E. A. Roberts, of Cleveland, Ohio. In 1899 Mr. Secva married Mrs. Lida S. Hinckle, nee Sanford. Politically a Democrat. he is yet liberal enough to vote for the best man, but it cannot be said that he has to any extent identified himself with general political matters. He was postmaster under Cleveland's first adminis- tration and held the office nearly five years. Since 1857 he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is an official, and for eight years was superintendent of the Sunday-school. He was a member of the building committee of the church and has been treasurer of the church a number of years. Mr. Sceva is one of the substantial men of the city, and for his pronounced business ability and many fine personal attributes deserves and receives the appreciation of his community.
PHILIP L. STICKLEY.
One of the representative farmers of Mad River township is Mr. Stickley, whose fine homestead is located in section 18. He is a native of the Old Dominion state. having been born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, on the toth of October, 1844, being the son of Joseph Stickley, who was born in the same county, to which his father emigrated from Germany, his native land. The maiden name of our subject's mother
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was Mary C. Setzer, who likewise was born in Shenandoah county. being of Irish lineage. Joseph and Mary C. Stickley became the parent. of three sons and five daughters. all of whom are living with the ex- ception of two of the daughters. Philip L., the subject of this sketch. is the eldest of the children: Anna is the wife of Martin Lineburg: John H. is a successful farmer of Urbana township, this county : Joseph B. resides near Pittsburg. Pennsylvania: Mollie is the wife of William Parker, of Virginia: Irena is the wife of Noah Minnch, of Westville. this county: and the other one of the eight children died in childhood.
Philip L. Stickley was reared in his native county up to the age of about eighteen years, when the outbreak of the Civil war occurred and he tendered his services in support of the cause of the Confederacy. enlisting as a member of Chew's battery, which was a part of Ashby's cavalry. He continued in active service until the close of the war. having participated in many of the most memorable battles, including the engagements at Antietam, Gettysburg. Richmond. Kernstown, New- market and the Wilderness. In the last mentioned battle he received a severe scalp wound from a piece of shell. while previously he had been wounded in the left arm. He served for a time as a non-commis- sioned officer and was ever to be found at the post of duty, earnestly battling for the cause of the south. After the close of the war Mr. Stickley returned to his home in Virginia, where he devoted his time to such work as he could find to do. the support of his parents devolving upon him to a very large extent. In 1868 he came to Champaign county. Ohio, and here secured employment by the month on the farm of S. K. Sowers, with whom he remained about nine months, while he was similarly employed for the following three years by Daniel Blose. . After this a few months were passed in the employ of another farmer of this locality, and then Mr. Stickley began agricultural operations on his own responsibility. He was married in the year 1873. and forthwith located
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on the farm which he now owns and which he has brought under the most effective cultivation, while he has attained independence and marked success entirely through his own well directed efforts, so that he is to be considered as essentially a type of the self-made man, while he has so directed his course as to ever retain the confidence and esteem of those with whom he has come in contact in the various relations of life. Mr. Stickley has added to his original purchase as prosperity attended his efforts until he now has a fine landed estate of two hun- dred acres in the home place and a good farm of sixty-four acres in Madison county. In politics our subject has ever given a zealous allegi- ance to the Democratic party, and served two terms in the office of township treasurer, giving an able administration of the fiscal affairs of Mad River township. Fraternally he is a member of the lodge, chap- ter and commandery of the Masonic order at Urbana and of the Knights of Pythias at Westville.
On the 25th of February. 1873. Mr. Stickley was united in mar- riage to Miss Fannie Harr. the daughter of Newton H. Harr, one of the pioneers of this county. Of this union six children were born, namely: Ada V. (the wife of Elijah Stickley ), Edgar H., Cara M .. Blair M., Omer B. and Smith F. The devoted wife and mother was summoned into eternal rest on the 3d of August, 1806, and on the 30th of August, 1898, our subject was united in marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth ( Huffman ) Caldwell, the widow of Thomas B. Caldwell. She was born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Samuel and Margaret ( Elkins) Huffman, who removed to Champaign county, Ohio, when she was a child, and here she was reared and educated. Her father was born in Philadelphia but eventually removed to South Charleston, Clark county, Ohio, where he conducted a successful dairy business. Our subject has an attractive home, and the family enjoy marked popularity in the community, where Mr. Stickley is held in the
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highest esteem by those who have witnessed his earnest endeavors which have been crowned with so high a degree of success. Mr. Stickley is a member of Raper Commandery, No. 19. Knights Templar, and Westville Lodge, No. 433, Knights of Pythias.
SAMUEL COWGILL.
The family of which Samuel Cowgill is & most honored representa- tive is a pioneer one in Salem township, Champaign county. He has taken a patriotic part in everything bearing upon the upbuilding and progress of the community. and has aided in many enterprises which have greatly benefited his county and state. A native son of the town- ship. his birth here occurred on the ist of July, 1831. and he is the eldest son of Henry and Anna Cowgill, whose history will be found on another page of this volume. When twenty-eight years of age their son Samue! left the home of his birth and removed to Nemaha county. Kansas, where he entered a section of land from the government, and there made his home until 1863. In 1860 he returned to Ohio, and was here married to Caroline Buffington, a native daughter of Champaign county, her father having located here some time in the '305. Return- ing with his bride to his Kansas home, Mr. Cowgill there remained until just before the death of his wife, which occurred in 1863. when he again returned to the Buckeye state. In company with his sister, he now owns two hundred acres of rich and productive land in Salem township, and has prospered in his financial undertakings. As a citizen his course has been worthy of commendation, for he has given his means and influence to the maintenance of law, order and good government. Firm in his conviction that the principles of the Republican party have
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brought to this country its present wonderful prosperity, he is never absent from the polls and manfully strives to promote its welfare. For a period of six years he served as the trustee of Salem township, for twenty years was the efficient school director and has served as trustee for several large estates.
In 1865 Mr. Cowgill was united in marriage to Mary Linville, a native of Wayne township. Champaign county. He is a birth-right member of the Society of Friends and has always loved the church and labored for its growth and upbuilding. Mr. Cowgill is now and has been for three years president of the Champaign and Logan County Pioneer Association, which was organized about thirty-five years ago.
RANDOLPH TRITT.
Randolph Tritt is now living retired in King's Creek, Salem town- ship, his rest coming as a reward of many years of faithful activity in agricultural circles. He was born in Frederick county, Maryland, Janu- ary 20, 1829, and has therefore passed the seventy-third milestone on life's journey. The family is of German lineage and the parents of our subject spoke the German language. His father, Joseph Tritt. was also born in Frederick county, Maryland, and there remained until after his marriage, when with his family he came to Ohio about 1835. When thirty years had passed he left the Buckeye state and in 1865 took up his abode in Jasper county, Illinois, where he died at the age of seventy- four years. He was an active and helpful member in the Baptist church, and the Republican party received his earnest political support. He served as a trustee in Salem township and was also known in military circles, serving as a major in the war of 1812. Throughout Champaign
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county he was known by the title of Major Tritt. By trade he was a carpenter and erected many buildings in Champaign county and also in Greene county. . He located in the latter when he came to Ohio, but in 1847 took up his abode in this county, which was his place of resi- dence until his removal to Minois in 1865. with the exception of a short period passed in Greene county, Ohio. He married Elizabeth Arnold, also a native of Maryland, and her death occurred in that state at the age of forty-one years. She was a daughter of Daniel Arnold. who was born in Maryland or Pennsylvania and was of German lineage. Joseph Tritt twice married and by the first union had five sons and a daughter. After the death of his first wife he married Sarah Snyder ind they became the parents of two sons and two daughters.
Randolph Tritt was the fifth in order of birth in the first family. HIe has but one surviving brother, Ezra, who resides in King's Creek. Randolph Tritt spent the years of his boyhood in the place of his nativ- ity until he attained the age of twelve, when he became a resident of Greene county, Ohio. When a youth of fifteen he began learning the carpenter's trade under the direction of his father and became quite expert. He was thus employed until 1851, having in the meantime come to Champaign county with his father in 1847. They erected many residences in this county and in 1847 built what is known as the Regular Baptist church in King's Creek. This edifice is still one of the old land- marks of the community and is used by the people of the same denomi- nation for which it was built. In the year 1851 Mr. Tritt, of this re- view, went west to Illinois, where he became connected with the opera- tion of a sawmill, following that pursuit in Sangamon county. When two years had passed, however, he returned to Ohio and again took up his abode in Champaign county.
On the 3d of October, 1853. Mr. Tritt was joined in wedlock to Sarah Jane Stewart, a daughter of Archibald and Elizabeth ( Mason)
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Stewart. She was born in Salem township, where her parents located in pioneer days. Her father was a captain in the war of 1812 and served as county commissioner for twelve years. He came to this state from Pennsylvania and was known as a prominent and influential citi- ze11. lle took an active and earnest part in the work of the Baptist church at King's Creek, to which his wife also belonged. His death occurred when he was about seventy-four years of age and his wife was eighty-one years old at the time of her death.
Mr. and Mrs. Tritt began their domestic life in Urbana in 1853. our subject entering the employ of the firm of Brown, Willey & Pat- rick, proprietors of the flouring mill. In the spring of the succeeding year he removed to a farm in Salem township. renting the land for about three years. He then purchased what is known as the N. A. Adams farm and conducted it until 1865. when he sold that property and purchased what is known as the Henry Haganbauch farm in Salem township. This he still owns and to its cultivation and development he devoted his energies until 1884, when he removed to his present home at King's Creek. He has one hundred and seventy-one and one-half acres of land in Salem township, constituting a well improved farm. and he also owns sixty and one-half acres in Clark county, Ohio. Ile has been quite successful in stock-raising, as well as in the cultivation of the fields, and his business interests have brought to him very creditable sticcess.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tritt have been born two children : S. Eliza- beth is the wife of Alfred Miller, of Columbus, Ohio, a real estate dealer, by whom she has two sons, Edward R. and James S. William A. mar- ried Ida A. Rule and resides in Springfield, Ohio, where he is engaged in manufacturing. They have three children : Harry R .. Sarah E. and Merrel M. Mr. Tritt united with the Baptist church in Greene county, Ohio, in 1844. and has since taken an active part in its work, doing
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his duty to promote its growth and extend its influence. In politics he is a stanch Republican, having cast his ballot for J. C. Fremont and Abe Lincoln and for each presidential candidate of the party since that time. He has twice been elected county infirmary director. receiving a unanimous nomination on the second occasion. He served in that capacity for six years and his record in office and his course in business are alike creditable. His diligence and unflagging enterprise have brought to him a handsome competence and he is living in retirement from labor.
MARION TALBOT.
As a representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of Cham- paign county and one that has figured prominently in its industrial life from the early days when was inaugurated the work of reclaiming the forest wilds, there is particular propriety in according recognition to Mr. Talbot in this compilation, even were his personal prestige and honorable accomplishment less pronounced than they are. For nearly a decade he has been incumbent of the position of deputy county clerk, and in this office he has rendered signally able and discriminating serv- ice in the handling of the manifold and important details of this portion of the county government.
Mr. Talbot was born on the ancestral homestead in Jackson town- ship. Champaign county, Ohio, on the 28th of July, 1862, being the son of George W. Talbot, who is still engaged in agricultural pursuits on the old farm. The latter is a son of Harvey Talbot, who came to this county in the year 1802 with his father, Sampson Talbot, who was one of the first settlers of Concord township and for many years was a justice of the peace for that township. Harvey Talbot established his home in the sylvan wilds of Jackson township, where he cleared and
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improved the farm how owned by his son, the same being one of the valuable places of this favored section of the Buckeye state. Our sub- ject received his preliminary educational discipline in the public schools and was thereafter matriculated in Oberlin College, where he continued his studies for a time and then entered Dennison University; where he completed his scholastic training. He left the home farm when seven- teen years of age and thereafter was a successful and popular teacher in the county for a term of six years. In 1891 he was appointed to his present position as deputy county clerk and his tenure of the office has been consecutive from that time, his thorough knowledge of the affairs of the office and his capable management and executive ability having led to his retention by the successive incumbents of the office of county clerk.
In politics Mr. Talbot has given an unequivocal support to the Re- publican party and its principles, and fraternally is identified with the time-honored order of Freemasonry, being a member of Champaign Lodge, No. 525. F. & A. M .: Urbana Chapter, No. 34. R. A. M. : and Urbana Council, No. 59. R. & S. M. He and his wife are members of the First Baptist church of Urbana.
On the 3d of December, 1885, Mr. Talbot was united in marriage to Miss Lillie M. Zerkel, who was born in Champaign county, Ohio, the daughter of Solon Zerkel. In April, 1902, Mr. Talbot was nomi- nated to the office of county clerk of Champaign county.
EDWARD A. GUY.
For many years the subject of this memoir has been classed among the prominent and influential citizens of Champaign county, where he is well known as an agriculturist and as a tile manufacturer. Ilis birth
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occurred in Madison county, Ohio, on the 17th of November. 1829. 11e is descended from a prominent old Vermont family, his paternal grand- father, James Guy, having been born in that commonwealth, but he became one of the early pioneers of Madison county, Ohio. In the Green Mountain state the father of our subject, William Guy, was also born, and when ten years of age was brought by his parents to Madison county. lle was there married to Adelaide Fullington, who came from Vermont, the state of her nativity, to Ohio at the age of ten years, and her father, George Fullington, was also one of the early pioneers of Madison county. She was called to her final rest at the age of eighty years, and her husband reached the good old age of ninety-three years. . They became the parents of eight children, five sons and three daugh- ters, all of whom grew to years of maturity with the exception of one son, who died at the age of three years.
Edward A. Guy, the first born of the eight children, was reared to years of maturity in Pike township. Madison county, Ohio. After his marriage he took up his abode in Champaign county and on the farm on which he first located he has ever since continued to make his home. At one time his landed possessions consisted of three hundred and ninety acres, but he has since sold a part of that tract and at the pres- ent time his homestead consists of only eighteen acres. In 1882, in con- nection with his farming and stock-raising interests, he embarked in tile manufacturing, and in both lines of trade has been eminently suc- cessful. He is a man of uprightness in word and deed, and all who know him or have had business dealings with him speak in the highest terms of his justice and honor.
In the year 1854. in Union county. Ohio, Mr. Guy was united in marriage to Adelaide McMullan. a native of Madison county, Illinois, where her father, John McMullan, was among the early pioneers, and Mrs. Guy is the fifth in order of birth of her parents' eight children.
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This union has been blessed with the following children: Lucy, the deceased wife of Ed Hodge; Ida, the wife of James Hanson, of Galli- polis ; Clara, the wife of Clark Britton, of Mechanicsburg; Edwin, who is married, and both he and his wife are employed in the Boys' Indus- trial School at Lancaster, Ohio; Mary, the wife of Thomas Baker, of Mechanicsburg; and Margaret, who is in the Episcopal Hospital at Gallipolis, Ohio. Throughout the years of his manhood Mr. Guy has given a loyal support to the Republican party, and on its ticket he was elected to the office of trustee of Goshen township, in which he was the incumbent for twelve consecutive years. For a period of fifteen years he was a director of the County Fair Association, and for a long period was a member of the Central Fair Association, which included the counties of Champaign. Clark, Union and Madison. His sterling worth commands the respect and confidence of all, and he is one of the valued citizens of Champaign county.
ELIAS P. BLACK.
Elias P. Black, who has been identified with the interests of Rush township, Champaign county, throughout his entire life, was born on the farm on which he now resides on the 3d of September, 1839. His father, Peter Black, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1786, and in 1809 he came with his parents, Samuel and Sarah Black, to Rush township, the journey being made with ox teams. In this township the son Peter was reared, and he was here married to Maria A. Hilliard, who was born in Vermont, but when quite young she was brought to Champaign county.
Mr. and Mrs. Black began their domestic life on a farm in Rush township, the work of which was carried on in partnership with a neighbor, and one team, consisting of a bull and a horse, performed the
Preter Black
FRANCIS M. BLACK.
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labor for both parties for two years. Mr. Black went into Union county, near Byhalia, where he was engaged in making maple sugar, which he hauled to Cincinnati and sold, using the proceeds to pay for his farm of one hundred and six acres which he had purchased in this township. Dur- ing a part of this time he was associated in business with Samuel Hanes and a Mr. Coom. After paying for his land he purchased another tract of one hundred acres, which he paid for by making "Black Salts" from the ashes of the timber which had been cut from his land, and later he became the owner of an adjoining tract of fifty acres. He subsequently went to Kansas and purchased seventeen hundred and sixty acres on the Osage river. in Anderson county, which is now owned by his son. Judge F. M. Black. of Kansas City. His life's labors were ended in death when he had reached the age of seventy-three years. His was a remarkable record, and it illustrates in no uncertain manner what it is possible to accomplish when perseverance and determination form the keynote to a man's life. Depending upon his own resources, he arose from comparative obscurity to a place of prominence in the business world. Mrs. Black reached the age of seventy-five years. This worthy couple became the parents of seven children, four of whom grew to years of maturity, namely: Lydia .\. Archer, of Woodstock ; Frank M., a judge of Kansas City, Missouri ; and Harriet IL .. deceased.
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