USA > Ohio > Champaign County > A centennial biographical history of Champaign county, Ohio > Part 31
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careor won a measure of popularity, confidence and respect in Urbana that is second to that of no other member of the commercial circles of this progressive city." He has other important local interests aside from that already mentioned, being a member of the directorate of the Citi- zens' National Bank : treasurer of the Perpetual Building & Loan Asso- ciation, of which he was one of the organizers ; and is treasurer of the Urbana Art Ice Company.
Ever alive to the duties of citizenship, and maintaining a distinctive interest in all that concerns the progress and material prosperity of his home city, Mr. Stone is known as a thoroughly generous and public- spirited citizen. Hle gives an uncompromising allegiance to the Dem- ocratic party and has been an active advocate of its cause. He was appointed postmaster of Urbana during Cleveland's first administration and served in that capacity for nearly five years, doing much to promote the efficiency of service and giving an able administration of the affairs of the office. In the spring of 1902 Mr. Stone received the Democratic nomination for mayor of Urbana and was elected by a majority of sixty- three votes, and when we revert to the fact that the average Republican majority in the city is about four hundred votes, the significance of Mr. Stone's election becomes the more pronounced and indicates the strong hold he has upon popular confidence and esteem in his home city.
During the war of the Rebellion Mr. Stone was a member of Com- pany A, of the Ohio Home Guards, with which he continued to be iden- tified for a period of five years, his company having been in active service at the time of Morgan's memorable raid. Fraternally he is prominently identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, holding member- ship in both the lodge and encampment and having represented the same in the respective grand bodies of the order in the state, while he is also a member of the lodge and uniform rank of the Knights of Pythias.
On the 27th of September, 1871, Mr. Stone was united in marriage
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to Miss Julia F. Geiger, daughter of the late Judge Levi Geiger, one of Urbana's distinguished citizens, and they have four children living : Ida May. the wife of George McConnell, of Urbana: Levi G. and Ferdinand F., who remain at the parental home, being able assistants in the store of their father ; and S. L. P., Jr.
WILLIAM CROWL.
Prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Champaign county is William Crow1, who was born in Washington, D. C., July 19, 1819. His father, Jacob Crowl, was a native of the same city, and there spent his entire life. He was married in the capital city to Miss Mary Paine, who was born and reared in Maryland, and about 1853 she came to Champaign county, Ohio, where she spent the remainder of her life. This union was blessed with three children,-William, de- ceased : William, of this review; and Lizzy, also deceased. All were born in Maryland.
William Crowl became a resident of this county in 1848, when twenty-eight years of age, spending the first year here in Urbana, on the expiration of which period he purchased seventy-nine acres of land in Harrison township, where he cleared and improved a good farm. Four years later he sold his possessions there and in 1854 purchased the place which he now owns. He has followed the tilling of the soil as a life occupation, and in this line of endeavor has met with a high and well merited degree of success. He has been identified with the interest of this locality since early pioneer days, and throughout his long and active career has enjoyed the confidence and high regard of all with whom his business dealings have brought him in contact. The Republican
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party receives his active support and co-operation, and for a number of years he served his township in the capacity of trustee.
Mr. Crowl was first married in Virginia, to Miss Barbara Bare. who was born in that state, and for his second wife he chose Ruth Chue. She, too, was born and reared in that state. He was afterward married to Elizabeth Twadell, a native daughter of Champaign county, and for his fourth wife he chose Ann McCoy. She was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and was there reared and educated. His present wife bore the maiden name of Margaret Jane Pitz. She, too, was born in Champaign county, and in its district schools she received her educa- tion. Her father. Andrew Fitz, was a native of Lancaster county. Pennsylvania. About 1831 he came to Champaign county, Ohio, locat- ing on a farm in Harrison township. Prior to his removal to this state he was married to Mary Ann Yancey, a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. They became the parents of seven children, two sons and five daughters, and Mrs. Crowl was their sixth child in order of birth. The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with ten children, but the first born died in infancy. The others are: Ann Heland, John W., Denton. Joe. Joseph, Samuel, Mary E., Elizabeth M. and Allen D. Two of the sons, Joe and Jashwa, are also deceased. The family are members of the Presbyterian church at Spring Hill. Mrs. Crowl has been a member about fifty years, while Mr. Crowl is not a member, he has always lent his support to the church since its organization. Mrs. Crowl's youngest brother, Andrew J., enlisted in December, 1861, at the age of eighteen years, in the Sixty-sixth Regi- ment. Company G. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and gallantly served his country unto the end of the war. He participated with his regiment in the following engagements: Port Republic, June 9. 1862: Cedar Mountain, August 9. 1862 : Antietam, September 7. 1862 : Dumpries, De- cember 27. 1862: Kelley's Ford, July 20. 1863: Lookout Mountain, No-
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vember 24. 1863: Mission Ridge, Georgia, November 25, 1863: Rin- gold. Georgia, November 27, 1863: Mill Creek Gap. May 4, 1864: Re- saca, May 15, 1864: Cassville, May 20, 1864 ; Dallas, May 24 to June 2, 1864; Pine Hill, June 15 to 17, 1864; Noon Day Creek, June 19, 1864; Bald Knob, June 27, 1864; Mannette Pike, June 30. 1864: Peach Tree Creek, July 20, 1861; siege of Atlanta, July 27 to September 4, 1864; siege and capture of Savanna, December 11 to 21, 1864: then Raleigh, North Carolina, January 27 to April 14. 1865. He was wounded at Cedar Mountain August 9. 1862, and on this account did not participate in the battle of Chancellorsville. Mrs. Crowl's brother John also enlisted under the last call for one hundred days and served out his term of enlistment.
WILLIAM THOMAS.
The name of William Thomas has been inscribed high on the roll of Champaign county's honored pioneers, and the part which he has taken in the development of the county well entitles him to prominent mention in this volume. He is one of Ohio's native sons, his birth hav- ing occurred in Salem township, Champaign county, March 21, 1821, and on the paternal side he is descended from a prominent family of Maryland, his grandfather having been born in that state. His father, Colonel John Thomas, was born in Washington county, that state, near Hancock, and in 1803 came to Pickaway county, Ohio, where he was among the early pioneers. Three years later, in 1806, he took up his abode in Salem township, Champaign county, where he secured about seven hundred acres of land near Kings Creek, and there his death oc- curred when he had passed the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten. He was numbered among the early pioneers and leading citizens
MRS. HULDAH THOMAS.
WILLIAM THOMAS.
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of Champaign county. In an early day he gave his political support to the Whig party and after the organization of the Republican party became an active worker in its ranks, for thirty-five years holding the position of justice of the peace. He was a brave and loyal soldier in the war of IS12. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Mary Morris, was born, reared and educated in Pickaway county, Ohio, and hier death occurred in Salem township, Champaign county. The mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas was blessed with twelve children, six of whom grew to mature years, but only two of the number are now living, our subject and his brother Josephus. William V. died in West Liberty, Logan county, Ohio, when over ninety years of age; Ezekiel died in Fillmore county, Minnesota, when past his eighty-fourth year ; Samuel (lied when forty-five years of age; Nancy Stokes, reached the age of forty-five years; and Susan died at the age of thirty years. The father of these children was twice married, and for his second wife he chose Polly ( Johnson ) Blair, who bore him six children, but three of the num- ber died when young and only one is now living, 1. B., whose sketch will be found on another page of this volume.
William Thomas, whose name introduces this review, was reared near the head waters of Kings creek, in Salem township, and he received his education in the log school-house of the neighborhood. Assisting his father in the work of the home farm until his marriage, he then located on the place on which he now lives in Wayne township, and here has made his home for fifty-two years, during which time he has devoted his time to farming and stockraising with success. His homestead now contains one hundred and forty acres of rich and fertile land. all of which he has placed under a fine state of cultivation. As the years passed by prosperity has rewarded his efforts and he is now enabled to live in quiet retirement, in the enjoyment of the fruits of former toil. Since attaining to years of maturity he has been active in the ranks of the Republican
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party, and the first office which he ever held was that of justice of the peace, remaining therein for twenty-one years, while for six years he was a notary public. During the Civil war he was an incumbent of the office of township trustee, was county commissioner for one term, and during the earlier years was often solicited to settle estates. He is a charter member of Cable Lodge. No. 395. I. O. O. F., with which he has been identified since 1872, and is very active in the work of the order.
In March, 1841. was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Thomas and Miss Huldah Downs. She is a native of Salem township. Champaign county, and a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth ( Thomas ) Downs, early pioneers of this county. Mrs. Thomas was called to her final rest in 1893, when she had reached the age of seventy-two years, and their only child died in infancy. For fifty-two years Mr. and Mrs. Thomas traveled life's journey together, their mutual love and confidence increas- ing as the years passed by. For eighty-one years Mr. Thomas has lived and labored among the people of Champaign county, and throughout this long period has been closely connected with the progress and advance- ment of this section.
JOHN H. THOMAS.
One of the best known and most generally loved citizens of Cham- paign county was John H. Thomas, whose life was almost entirely passed in this section. Though he has passed to his reward, the influence of his conscientious, just career, his kindly, generous heart and sym- pathetic manner abides. He was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, August 6, 1823, but when a lad of six or seven years came with his par- ents to Ohio, the family locating four miles east of Addison, in Jackson township. He was a son of John and Barbara ( Harnest ) Thomas, also
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natives of the Old Dominion, where they were married, and on the land on which they located after coming to the Buckeye state they spent the remainder of their lives. Both were earnest Christian people, the father a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and the mother of the Baptist church.
John H. Thomas, of this review, received but a common-school edu- cation, and until his twentieth year remained at home and assisted his father in the farm work. At that time he removed to Christiansburg. where he learned the tanner's trade, carrying on that occupation for a number of years in connection with stock dealing. He was also suc- cessfully engaged in the manufacture of tile for a long period, and in these various occupations his weil directed efforts were abundantly re- warded. Early recognizing the fact that industry is the key which unlocks the portals of success, he found the reward of earnest labor and liis prosperity was well merited. Ile was also recognized as a progres- sive, public-spirited citizen, true to every duty devolving upon him, and his political support was given to the Republican party, but he was never a seeker after public preferment.
Mr. Thomas was twice married, first in 1847, to Elizabeth Grafton. and she hore him two children,-Virginia, now Mrs. Ruffuer, of Illi- nois, and William, deceased. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1851. and two years later the father was again married, Miss Minerva J. Ross becoming his wife. Her father, Levi Ross, was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, in 1792, was a soldier of the war of 1812, stationed at Harper's Ferry, and was there married to Miss Mary Ruffner. In 1827 they came to Champaign county, Ohio, locat- ing on the present site of Addison, and there they spent the remainder of their lives. In early life the father was a mechanic, but after his marriage gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ross were born nine children, as follows: Martha .A., Minerva J ..
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Mary C., Marion A., Melvina E., Marine R., Morgan L., Margaret E. and Maria L. In 1861 the son Marion A. enlisted' for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company A, Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private from Antioch College. On one occasion he was made a member of a squad of twenty-three, known as the celebrated Mitchell raiders, who, under Captain Andrews, were detailed to capture a train at Big Shanty, Georgia. The detachment, however, was taken by the enemy, and late in the following April was confined in the Chat- tanooga prison for a time, after which they were taken to Atlanta, and there, with six others, he was executed on the 21st of June. He was a young man of exceptional promise, brave as a lion and a true and noble soldier. The last words which he sent to his people were: "I did it for my country, and regret it not." Levi Ross was a charter member of Mount Olivet Lodge, F. & A. M., of which he was the first master. His death occurred in 1865, and his wife passed away in 1863.
By his second marriage Mr. Thomas became the father of two chil- dren .- John M .. who is connected with the Columbus Buggy Company, and makes his home in Columbus, and Estella, who became Mrs. Means, and is now deceased. Mr. Thomas was also a charter member of Mount Qlivet Lodge, F. & A. M., which he joined more than fifty years ago, and attained to the Royal Arch degree. For many years he was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but withdrew his membership from that fraternity. On the 18th of January, 1866, he was converted to the Christian faith and joined the Missionary Baptist church, and from that time until the close of his earthly career he im- proved every opportunity to better the spiritual and moral conditions of his fellow men. His enthusiasm for the cause of his Master never flagged, although at times the way appeared dark and uncertain, and he made the Golden Rule the text of his life, thus becoming a tower of strength in his community. For some years he served as superintendent
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of the Sunday-school, and was active in whatever line of work fell to his lot. He was a good citizen, a loyal neighbor, an affectionate and devoted husband and father and throughout his entire Christian life was unsur- passed in his free distribution of the "good seed" which when springing up grows into everlasting life. He passed away January 25, 1902, but in the hearts of his friends are enshrined many pleasant memories of him, and his influence for good remains with those who knew him.
SILAS JOHNSON.
Success has been worthily attained by Silas Johnson, who is to-day accounted one of the prosperous farmers of Champaign county. To his energy, enterprise, careful management and keen discrimination this is attributable. He was born in Goshen township, this county, on the 17th of April. 1846. His father. John Johnson, settled in Champaign county when a young man, but subsequently removed to Madison county. Ohio, where he was married to Martha Rafferty, a native of Kentucky. and she was there reared and educated, coming to this county in middle life. Her parents were also natives of that commonwealth, and her grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were born five children,-Silas, Molly, Virginia, Clinton and john, all of whom were born in Champaign county, but all but the two eldest are now deceased. The father gave his political support to the Whig party, and his death occurred in 1855.
Silas Johnson, of this review, removed to Madison county, Ohio, when about five years of age, and there attended school for one term. returning thence with his father to Champaign county. He completed his education in the schools of Northville, putting aside his text-books
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at the age of fifteen years, and enlisted in Company B. One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment, National Guards, on the 18th day of Jan- mary, 1863, being discharged April 29. 1864. Returning to the old home farm, he was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1873, when he removed to the farm on which he now resides, the place then consisting of one hundred and seventy-two acres of timber land. He immediately began the arduous task of clearing and improving his farm, and as time passed not only improved the place but has added to its boundaries until he is now the owner of a valuable home- stead of two hundred and eighty-five acres, all of which is under culti- vation. He has given special attention to the raising of cattle, horses and hogs, and in former years was also engaged in the raising of sheep. Energy is one of his most marked characteristics, and he prosecutes his labors with a zeal that has brought him rich returns. Substantial build- ings, the latest improved machinery, well kept fences and good grades of stock,-these are among the accessories of the Johnson farm.
On the 11th of June. 1867. in Champaign county, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Johnson and Miss Sarah Weidman, who was born in this county and has here spent her entire life with the exception of a short period when she was a resident of Marshall county, Illinois. Her father, Abram Weidman, was a native of Virginia, but when about twenty years of age came to Champaign county, where he was numbered among the early pioneers. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Emily Dewey, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was there reared and educated. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Weidman was celebrated in Champaign county, and they became the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters: Janies, William, Mary, Sarah, Martha, Sam- uel. Fannie and Frank, all born in this county. Mr. Weidman gave his political support to the Democracy, and was an active worker for his party. Unto the union of our subject and wife have been born seven
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children, namely: Anna, who became the wife of Joseph Hewlings. and both are now deceased: Frank, also deceased: Frederick, a farmer of Harrison township. Champaign county; and Lella, Charles, Emma and Ralph, at home. In his political views Mr. Johnson is an independ- ent Democrat, and on that ticket has been elected to many public posi- tions, for several years holding the office of township trustee, and is uow occupying the position of ditch superintendent. He is a member of the Wesley Chapei Methodist church, of which he has served as a (leacon for some time. Almost his entire life has been passed in Cham- paign county, and he has a wide acquaintance among her best citizens, many of whom are included within the circle of his friends.
CHARLES LAUPPE.
From the biography of every man may be gleaned lessons of genuine value, and the life of Charles Lauppe has been marked by all that goes to make up useful and upright manhood, while he has attained success through legitimate and well directed effort, being now numbered among the representative business men of the thriving city of Urbana, where he has passed the greater portion of his life and where he is engaged in the saddlery and horse-collar business, as a manufacturer and retail dealer.
Mr. Lauppe traces his lineage back to stanch old German stock, and from this source has been derived an element of the best citizenship in our great American republic, - one ever appreciative of practical values and one which stands for unswerving integrity, industry, enterprise and sterling worth. Mr. Lauppe is a native of the city of Newark, New Jersey, where he was born on the 2d of September. 1838, being the son of Charles and Sarah Lauppe, both of whom were born in Germany.
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In the spring of 1854 they came to Dayton, Ohio, where they remained three and one-fourth years, and then came to Urbana, Ohio, where they passed the remainder of their lives, honored for their intrinsic worth of character and for their unvarying kindliness. The mother of our sub- ject entered into eternal rest in 1874, at the age of sixty-nine years, being survived by her husband, who passed away in 1892, at the age of seventy-eight. He was a collarmaker by trade, and to this vocation devoted the greater part of his active business life.
The subject of this sketch was nineteen years of age at the time of the family's removal to Urbana, and his early educational discipline was such as was afforded in the public schools of his native city, where also he learned the trade of manufacturing horse collars, under the careful direction of his honored father. His intrinsic patriotism and loyalty prompted him to tender his services to the Union at the time when its integrity was threatened by armed rebellion, and on May 2, 1804. he enlisted for a term of one hundred days as a corporal in Company A. One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He con- tinned in active service for a period of four months, three of which were passed at Petersburg Virginia, then received his honorable dis- charge and was duly mustered out. His continued interest in his old comrades of the Rebellion is shown by the fact that he retains member- ship in that ever honored organization, the Grand Army of the Republic. being one of the popular members of W. A. Brand Post. No. 98. in which he has long held official positions.
In August, 1860. Mr. Lauppe purchased a collar business in Urbana. and here he has since continued, during a period of more than a quarter of a century, in the manufacturing of horse collars and in the general saddlery business. He now conducts a retail enterprise, but formerly manufactured for the wholesale trade, while he has also dealt largely in hides, tallow and leather. He began operations on a modest scale. but
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by well directed effort. high-grade workmanship and honorable dealing has attained success and definite prosperity. In politics Mr. Lauppe is a stalwart supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and fraternally is identified with Harmony Lodge, No. 8. F. & AA. M. For a period of six years he served as a member of the board of directors of Oakdale cemetery, was re-elected as director for a term of three years. and has ever taken a deep interest in all that concerns the welfare of his home city, where he is well known and highly esteemed.
JOSEPH S. MOSES.
The subject of this review is one of the native sons of the Buckeye state and is entrusted with official duties of importance in connection with the govermental affairs of Champaign county, where he has passed practically his entire life, owing his advancement to his own efforts and ever commanding the confidence and high regard of those with whom he has been thrown in contact in the various relations of life. In a work of this character he is clearly entitled to representation among others of the able officials of the county.
Joseph S. Moses was born in Miami county, Ohio, on the 26th of August, 1856, was reared in Jackson township, Champaign county. carly beginning to contribute his quota to farm work and receiving such educational advantages as were afforded in the public schools in the vicinity of his home. He continued to be identified with the great basic art of agriculture in an active way until his election to the office of which he is now the incumbent, and he still owns his excellent farm in Jackson township. In political matters Mr. Moses has always had well defined and amply fortified views and has given an active and stal-
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