USA > Ohio > Champaign County > A centennial biographical history of Champaign county, Ohio > Part 27
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was a devoted member of the Baptist church. They became the par- ents of eleven children, of whom seven attained maturity, while only three are living at the present time, namely : Samuel, who is a resident of Lincoln, Logan county, Illinois ; Adell, who resides in Kansas; and John G., the subject of this sketch and now the only member of the family in the county.
Mr. Logan was reared on the old homestead and his early educa- tional advantages were such as were afforded in the district schools. With the exception of two years, which he passed in Kentucky, he has passed his entire life in this county and has been consecutively identi- fied with agricultural pursuits. In 1862 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary A. ( Rohrer) Blose, who was born in Mad River town- ship. this county. the daughter of Daniel and Sarah ( Loudenback) Rohrer, who were representatives of two of the early pioneer families of the county, the father having come from Pennsylvania and the Lou- denback family from Virginia. Our subject and his wife have four children, namely: Emma Edith, who is the wife of John L. Wood- burn, of Urbana; Ethelbert R., who married Annette Bailey and re- sides in this township; Edna Esther, who remains at the parental home ; and John Earl, who married Clara Obers and lives in this township.
Our subject has resided on his present homestead from his youth up. and is now one of the most extensive land-holders in the county, having at the present time a landed estate of one thousand acres and being one of the most influential and successful farmers of this section of the state. He has one of the finest residences in the county. the dwelling having been remodeled in 1887, while other additions were made at a later date, so that it is specially spacious and attractive. In politics Mr. Logan is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party and is held in the highest confidence and esteem in the county where he has passed practically his entire life.
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JAMES L. CRAIN.
Of one of the honored pioneer families of Champaign county is the subject of this sketch a representative, and here he has passed the entire span of his life. now holding prestige as one of the successful farmers and horsemen of Union township and standing as one of the leading citizens of that section of his native county.
James Lewis Crain was born in Pretty Prairie, this county, on the 24th of l'ebruary, 1830, being the son of Lewis F. Crain, who was born in the state of Kentucky, where he was reared to maturity, and whence, as a young man, he came to Champaign county, and here engaged in the raising of and dealing in horses and hogs. He located a large tract of land on Pretty Prairie, Urbana township, being one of the first settlers in that locality. He was a son of Lewis Crain, who likewise was born in Kentucky, where he devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, having been a Whig in his political views. Lewis F. Crain was married, in Clark county, Ohio, to Miss Clara Phifer, who was born in Virginia, in the district of the Greenbrier river, her parents having been of German descent. From Virginia they came to Ohio when their daughter Clara was a child, and located first in Franklin county, whence they later removed to Clark county, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Lewis F. and Clara Crain became the parents of three children .- James L., the subject of this sketch : Lucinda J., the wi low of Henry Espey, formerly a prominent banker of Urbana ; and Louise Caroline, the widow of John D. Fligger, who was a rail- "had man.
Our subject received his educational training in the public schools at Springfieldl, this county, but left school at the early age of fifteen years, and thereafter remained with his step-father (his own father having died when our subject was only three years of age). William
MRS. MARTHA A. CRAIN.
JAMES L. CRAIN
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Vance, a brother of ex-Governor Vance of Ohio, and thus he continued until the death of Mr. Vance, in 1866. He was but seven years of age when the farm upon which be now resides became his home, and early began to aid in the work of clearing and improving the place. In 1856 he and his step-father erected a gristmill in this township, and the building is still standing. The farm owned by Mr. Crain was pur- chased in the early '6os by R. E. Robinson, who secured the property at a public auction, and in 1868 our subject purchased the place of the gentleman named and now has an estate of nearly five hundred acres, upon which he has made the best of improvements. In connection with his diversified farming Mr. Crain devotes special attention to the raising of live stock, particularly horses of the best type, and at the time of this writing has on his farm fifty head of very highly bred animals, and also keeps a stable in Urbana. He has attained a high reputation as a breeder of fine horses, and takes an enthusiastic interest in this branch of his business.
On the 26th of March, 1856. Mr. Crain was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. Todd, who was born in Pennsylvania, and who is a sister of Mrs. Mary H. Runyon, widow of J. H. Runyon, of whom a memoir appears on another page of this volume. Of this union five children have been born, namely : Clara .A., who remains at the parental home: Caroline J., the wife of Elmer Powell, a successful farmer of Union township, who helps our subject in the training of his horses : William L. and Florence, who are deceased; and a daughter who died in infancy.
Mr. Crain is one of the honored veterans of the war of the Rebel- iion, in which he served with marked loyalty, participating in many of the important battles of that greatest of all civil conflicts. On the 2d of March. 1864. he enhsted as a private in Company E. One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer infantry, being made second sergeant
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of his company, with which he served until the close of the war, receiv- ing his honorable discharge in Urbana. In politics Mr. Crain gives a stanch allegiance to the Republican party, and has been an active worker in the ranks of the same, his first presidential vote having been cast in support of John C. Fremont. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, and he has been for many years a member of the church at Buck Creek, having contributed liberally to the erection of the church building. He is held in the highest esteem in the community and is known as a progressive and public-spirited citizen.
CYRUS MILLER.
Cyrus Miller was born in Mad River township, Champaign county. Ohio, August 7. 1855. Ilis father, David Miller, was a native of Shen- andoah county, Virginia, born August 5, 1813, and came to Ohio when about fifteen years of age making the journey alone. He made his way direct to Champaign county, settling in Mad River township. He was a wagonmaker by trade and began work along that line soon after his arrival, carrying on business at Terrehaute for many years. By his well directed efforts he accumulated a handsome competence and at length was enabled to retire from active business life, passing away at the age of seventy-five years. He gave his political support to the Democracy and was at one time township trustee. He also belonged to the Lutheran church. His record was one commendable and worthy, for he started out in life empty-handed at the early age of fourteen years and steadily worked his way upward until his enterprise and industry had made him a successful and prominent man. He was united in mar- riage to Keziah Jones, a native of German township. Clark county, Ohio,
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where their marriage was celebrated. Her parents were David and Margaret ( Bruner ) Jones, who were early settlers of Clark county, tak- ing up their abode there when the Indians were still residents of that district. Mrs. Miller still survives her husband. She was born August 5, 1816, and has therefore passed the eighty-fifth milestone on life's journey. By her marriage she became the mother of five children, of whom Cyrus Miller is the fourth in order of birth and the third son. He is also the only survivor, for the others died in infancy.
In his native township Mr. Miller of this review was reared and began his education in the common schools of the district, while later he pursued a high school course for four years. Ile devoted his en- ergies to educational work, spending three years in Mad River township and one in Clark county, Ohio, as a representative of educational in terests there. He remained at home until his marriage, which occurred November 2. 1879. the lady of his choice being Nella Sifers, a native of Mad River township. Champaign county, and a daughter of William and Hester ( Hullinger ) Sifers, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Champaign county, Ohio. Mrs. Miller was their third child and youngest daughter. She was reared and educated in Mad River town- ship and to her husband she has proved an able assistant on life's jour- ney. Immediately after his marriage Mr. Miller located in Terrehaute. where he has since resided. After abandoning the work of an edu- cator he engaged in the operation of a sawmill at this place, continuing in that line for five years. In 1886 he was elected township clerk and served continuously in that office until the 1st of September, I&8. Since 1886 he has been notary public, having been appointed by Governor Joseph Foraker. He is also interested in the real estate business, own- ing a number of farms, including forty-four acres which adjoins Terre- hante. Most of his land is in Mad River township, and in all aggre- gates four hundred and thirty-eight acres. Mr. Miller has been called
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upon to settle a number of estates, a fact which indicates his well known honesty and proverbial trustworthiness. He also carries on an insur- ance business and the policies which he writes each year amount to a considerable sum.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Miller is a Mason, belonging to the lodge and chapter at Saint Paris and the commandery at Urbana. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and in his political views is a stalwart Democrat, taking an active part in everything tend- ing to advance his party's success. He is also actively interested in all movements for the general welfare and as a citizen is known as one who is ever loyal to the public good. In business circles he . sustains an unassailable business reputation and his sterling worth is widely acknowledged by many friends who have long known him.
To Mr. and Mrs. Miller were born three children: The oldest. David William, was born November 19. 1880, and died September 13. 1881 : Mabel, born August 7. 1883. is taking a high school course ; Ben- jamin Franklin, born January 5. 1886, is still at home.
SHERMAN S. DEATON.
Among the practitioners at the Champaign county bar who have won distinction is Sherman S. Deaton. If honor and success could be won by purchase, many a man who goes through life upon a common plane would rise to a position of eminence, but in a learned profession only unremitting diligence, zeal and strong mentality avail and it has been as the result of these alone that Sherman S. Deaton has become known as a most capable attorney-at-law. lle was born in Kosciusko county, Inchiana, on the 23rd of February, 1865. his parents being George
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W. and Frances C. ( Forthey) Deaton, both of whom were natives of Clark county, Ohio. In the year 1893 they removed to Indiana and set- tled on a farm in Kosciusko county. They had eight children, seven sons and one daughter, but the eldest son and the daughter are now deceased. Mr. Deaton of this review was the fifth in order of birth. Ilis father died when the son was thirteen years of age and the mother survived for thirteen years, thereafter passing away in death December 12. 1894.
Sherman S. Deaton was reared on the home farm and has always retained a deep interest in the people who cultivate the soil and carry on that branch of activity known as agriculture. In the common schools he obtained his early education and being of a studious nature he advanced rapidly in his studies, so that at the early age of seven- teen years he secured a certificate and became a teacher. For twelve years thereafter he followed that profession. having been employed during the first five years in the public schools of Indiana, while for seven years he was a teacher in the graded schools of Honey Creek. Jackson township. Champaign county, being principal of the grammar schools and during the last three years of that period also filling the position of superintendent of the schools of Jackson township, being one of the first township superintendents in the county. His early educa- tion acquired in the country schools was supplemented by a brief term of study in the Warsaw ( Indiana ) high school and the Fort Wayne College of the Methodist Episcopal church at Fort Wayne. Indiana. During the summers of 1887. 1888, 1889 and 18go he also attended the Northwestern Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio.
While engaged in teaching school Mr. Deaton sindied law and continued his task of mastering the principles of jurisprudence while at Ada. He completed his law studies in the office of the Ion. E. P. Middleton, a prominent attorney of Urbana and now judge of the
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court of common pleas, and was admitted to the bar December 7. 1893. In June, 1894. he opened a law office in Saint Paris, Ohio. On the 6thi of October, of the same year, he was nominated by the Republicans as their candidate for the office of prosecuting attorney for Champaign county, receiving the nomination over five other candidates, and was elected on the 6th of November, following, receiving a plurality of twenty hundred and twenty-five votes over his competitors. On the 2nd of November. 189 ;. he was re-elected without opposition, receiving more votes than any other candidate on either county or state ticket. Ile made a good record in the office, vigorously prosecuting felonious and malicious criminals, but discouraging a waste of public funds in cases where there was no probability of securing conviction. In June. 1901. Governor George K. Nash appointed Mr. Deaton a member of the state board of pardons, commissioning him for a term of four years. Since January, 1895. he has been associated in the practice of law as a partner of George Waite and this firm has gained a large and desirable clientage, being regarded as one of the strongest law firms in the county. As a lawyer Mr. Deaton has won a most enviable reputation. A student by nature, thorough and painstaking in all litigation, he is also pos- sessed of superior gifts of oratory and is a formidable adversary in the court room.
In 1808 Mr. Deaton wedded Miss Mabel West, an accomplished lady, who was reared in Champaign county, and their home is celebrated for its generous hospitality. Fraternally Mr. Deaton is connected with Champaign Lodge, F. & A. M., and the Junior Order of American Me- . chanics. Politically he has always been an enthusiastic Republican and his campaign addresses have been received with interest and in many places have often carried conviction to the minds of his auditors. For six years he served as treasurer of the Champaign county Republican executive committee and was its chairman during the political campaign
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of 1901 and 1902. He has been the architect of his own fortunes. In early life he taught school and with the compensation thus received was enabled to further continue his own education and make preparation for entering the profession of law. With energy and determination he has steadily advanced and for the gratifying success he has achieved de- serves no little praise. Of a generous nature, genial and agreeable he makes friends readily and is a most popular and honored resident of Urbana.
CALEB JONES, M. D.
For many years an active factor in the professional life of Saint Paris and Champaign county. Dr. Jones has gained a wide reputation as a physician of skill and ability. He was born in Piqua, Ohio, June 2, 1851, and on the paternal side is of Welsh descent. His grandfather. Caleb Jones, was a blacksmith by trade, as was also his son, William 1. The latter was a native of Ohio, and for many years was employed in making the irons for the locks on the Miami canal. He married Delilah Coats, whose father, David Coats, was a millwright and a mem- ber of the Quaker faith. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jones was celebrated in 1850, and they became the parents of two children, and the daughter. Mary Ellen, is now the wife of Wallace Williams and resides in Ohio City, Ohio.
Caleb Jones, whose name introduces this review, received his early education in the common schools of his native county, while later he enjoyed superior advantages in the Piqua high school and afterward received the Chautauqua course, in which he now holds a diploma. De- siring to enter the practice of medicine as a life occupation. he accord- ingly began study under the preceptorship of Dr. William Goodlove,
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of Montra. Shelby county, Ohio, who continued as his instructor for three years, on the expiration of which period he attended lectures in the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, graduating therein in the class of 1876. He began the practice of his chosen profession at Harper, Logan county, and on the 13th of February. 1877. he came to Saint Paris, where, in partnership with A. Musselman, he embarked in the drug business. the firm of Jones & Musselman succeeding that of Brown & Henderson. This relationship continued for a period of twelve years, after which Mr. Jones became associated with Dr. W. S. Cox, now deceased, in the drug business and the practice of medicine for five years, since which time the business has been carried on under the firm name of Jones & Hunt. In the year 1900 Dr. Jones was appointed United States pension examiner for Champaign county, and he is now president of the board. In October of the same year he was made president and medical director of Parkhurst Willow Bank Institute, of Saint Paris. This institution was established December 1. 1900, by J. E. MeMorran. M. L. Bull. M. W. Thomas, C. H. Darnell and C. Jones. the latter being the medical director in charge and president of the asso- ciation. He abandoned a lucrative practice to give his undivided atten- tion to those seeking relief from alcoholic drinks. The sanitarium is a modern and commodious structure, well adapted to the purpose for which it was designed, and its appointments are all that could be de- sired In the building are large reception rooms, a reading room, labora- tory and offices, in fact everything for the comfort of the patients, repro- ducing in a large measure the conveniences of home.
On the 25th of January. 1872. Dr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Sadie Morris, and they became the parents of three children,- Mamie, Xerxes and Foster. The wife and mother was called to the home beyond in October, 1879, and in October, 1880. the Doctor mar- ried Miss Julia .\. Goodin, the eldest of four daughters born unto David
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and Hattie A. Goodin. Six children have blessed the union of Dr. and Mrs. Jones, namely : Cecil V., Oasis G., Caleb, Tracy, Inita and Lowell. The Republican party receives the Doctor's support and co-operation. and he has been elected president of all the Republican clubs organized in Saint Paris. He is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In his social relations he is past district deputy grand master of Saint Paris Lodge, No. 246, 1. O. O. F .: also past district deputy grand chancellor and past representative of Saint Paris Lodge. No. 344. K. of P .: past master of Pharos Lodge, No. 355, F. & A. M .: and past patriarch of Russell Encampment. No. 141. Throughout the years which mark the period of Dr. Jones' professional career he has met with gratifying success and is recognized as one of the talented members of the profession in the state. He has always stood boldly forth as the champion of progress, and his influence has been exerted at all times on the side of right and truth.
Dr. Jones is the author of a volume entitled "Drunkenness or Modern Ideas on the Liquor Habit." which has recently been issued. The volume consists of one hundred and sixty-four pages and has al- ready attracted a liberal sale.
AZRO SMITH.
The ancestors of Azro Smith as far back as their history can be traced are noted for their sterling traits of character. Thomas Smith, his paternal great-grandfather, was born in England, but between 1730 and 1740 crossed the Atlantic to the new world, locating in Hadley, Massachusetts. His son, Sylvanus Smith, was a native of Connecticut, as was also the latter's second wife, whose maiden name was Amy
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Sprague, and they became the grandparents of our subject. Both passed away in their native state. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. probably serving with the Connecticut troops, in which he held the office of ensign.
Sylvanus Smith, Jr., the father of our subject, was one of the two original settlers in Champaign county, the journey from Vermont to this state having been made in a one-horse wagon, and they arrived here in October, 1816, after two months spent upon the road. Hle was accompanied by his brother Samuel and family. In the fall of 1810 they took up land on the present site of Woodstock, where they erected cabins and there made their home until the following April. Sylvanus Smith proved himself a very useful man in that early day. and creditably filled the office of justice of the peace for thirty years, while for a longer period he filled the position of township treasurer, also holding other local offices. Ile was a well educated man for that day, was an excellent mathematician and grammarian and always kept in touch with progressive movements. On first coming to the county he purchased one hundred acres of land, the purchase price being three hundred dollars, and later became the owner of one hundred acres ad- joining, for which he paid six hundred dollars, while still later a third tract of one hundred acres was added to the homestead, the latter cost- ing twelve hundred dollars. Both he and his wife were members of the Universalist church, they having assisted in the organization of the church of that denomination in this county in 1840, but it was not until 1844 that the first church edifice was built. In his early life he gave his political support to the Whig party, and after the organization of the new Republican party became a supporter of its principles. During the war of 1812 he served with the minute men from Vermont, partici- pating in the battle of Plattsburg, on Lake Champlain, and for his serv-
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ices received a month's pay forty years afterward, while later he was given a land warrant for Kansas land.
On the 2d of April. 1812, Mr. Smith married Thankful Kelsey, and one child. Hiram, was born to them before their journey to the. Buckeye state, his birth occurring on the 2d of January, 1814. Mrs. Smith was a daughter of Giles and Elizabeth ( Post) Kelsey, formerly of New Hampshire and later of Vermont. The father, who was a Revo- lutionary hero, subsequently made his way to Ohio and for a time made his home with his son-in-law. He now lies buried in the Trieles Creek burying ground. His three son, Josiah, Nathan and Stephen. came to Champaign county in an early day, and here they made their home for many years. Nathan and Josiah both died in Union county, Ohio, and Stephen was a soldier in the war of 1812, participating in the battle of Plattsburg. His death occurred in this county. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith after their arrival in the Buckeye state .- Myron G., Richard S., Lorena E., Samuel G., Azro and Andrew J., but with the exception of Azro the family are all now deceased. Sylvanus Smith was called to his final rest on the 12th of July. 1872. at the age of eighty-four years, eight months and twenty days. His wife, who was born June 29, 1701, at Newport, Connecticut, passed away December 24. 18-6.
Azro Smith was born in Champaign county, Ohio, August 20, 1828, and was reared amid the wild scenes of pioneer life. The education which he received in the common schools of the neighborhood was sup- plemented by a course of study in a select school at Woodstock, and later for one year he was a student in Antioch College, but illness compelled him to abandon further study. In 1849, at the age of twenty years, he again entered the school room as an instructor, his first work along that line being in the public schools of De Witt and McLean counties, Illinois, where he taught for three winter terms. Returning to his old home in
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