USA > Ohio > Champaign County > A centennial biographical history of Champaign county, Ohio > Part 35
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I.P. David 2
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betray a confidence either of his employers or the bank's customers. All three of the presidents under whom he served appreciated his sterling worth and loved him as a son. He enjoyed his work and never shirked or complained, no matter how great the provocation. It can truly be said that he never spoke an unkind word to any officer in the bank. He was loved by all,-so much so that the thought of electing his suc- cessor was not considered until hope of his recovery could be no longer entertained. We gladly took on his work for several months, with the hope that rest and change would see him well again. He came back from his trip to the east in excellent spirits, but it soon became apparent that he was getting through with his work only by the greatest effort. Realizing his condition finally, he manfully faced the situation and asked us to elect his successor. In contemplating the loss of Rob from the bank and from our circle of true friends the final words of the Rev. Dr. Marley at the funeral of Uncle Dick Williams came forcibly to our minds, 'We will never see his like again.'" We can not refrain from quoting farther from.a memoir contributed to the Mechanicsburg News by J. M. Mulford : "Robert Davis' life fully carried out Cardinal New- man's idea of a gentleman, le 'never inflicted pain,' but he was more than that, he was a Christian gentleman,- the noblest type of man- hood.' His activity in church work began in Urbana, when he united with the Presbyterian church. He remained a communicant of the faith for several years. Upon returning to this city ( Mechanicsburg ) he became an attendant of the Church of Our Savior, and when the Christ- mastide of 1900 was approaching he felt it to be his duty to be con- firmed. From that time he was happy in all his relations to the church, at home making it the subject of much conversation, and spending much time with the prayer book. It was in the family circle that the warmth of Rob's love was most manifest. Ilis father says, 'Rob never gave me an unkind word,' and though he loved dearly all the family his devotion
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to his mother was ideal. His life was quiet, yet it did not limit the circle of his friends. All who knew him knew him but to love. . 1 merchant said to me yesterday, 'Rob needs 110 eulogy; his life was almost Christlike,' and his brother-in-law, Mr. Ridge, spoke volumes when he said, 'To be in Rob's presence for ten minutes made one a better man.' Such tributes as these are bright gems in the casket of jewels made up of the precious memories of his life. Robert Davis is gone. His life was a blessing; may his death be a benediction to us all." Of the estimate placed upon this noble young man by those who knew him best the foregoing words are significant, and the infinite life gained a new glory when death placed its seal upon his mortal lips.
HARTLAND D. GOWEY.
Respected by all who know him, Mr. Gowey well deserves repre- sentation in this work and with pleasure we present his life record to our readers. Ile resides in North Lewisburg and is a native of New York, his birth having occurred in Nelson, Madison county, on the 20th of November, 1821. His paternal grandfather was of Holland lineage, the family being founded in America in 1630 by ancestors who came to New York. The Judson family, from whom our subject is de- scended in the maternal line, is of English lineage and was established in Connecticut on the Connecticut river above Hartford. Her father, Jolin Gowey, was a native of Vermont, born in Arlington, December 29, 1791, and married Fannie Judson in his native place on the 7th of October, 1811. In 1821 they removed to New York, there making their home until 1837. in which year they became residents of Ohio, but in 1852 went to Iowa and located upon a farm, where they spent their
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remaining days. The father's death occurred in his ninety-eighth year. He had ten children, all of whom reached adult age, were married and reared families. The mother was about eighty-six years of age at the time of her death. She was a relative of the first Indian missionary who went into the wilds of the west. This worthy couple traveied life's journey together for sixty-four years, their mutual love and confidence increasing as time passed. Their children were: Galesey, born in 1819; Hartland D., born in 1821 ; Arvilla, in 1823: Rolland, in 1825 ; Florian, in 1827; Ossian J .. in 1829; Lovancia, in 1831; John F., in 1833; and Floretta HI., in 1835. Of this family only two are now deceased. Flor- ian died at Millikens Bend while serving in the Civil war and Rolland died in 1896.
Mr. Gowey, of this review, was the second child and eldest son of his father's family. His early education was obtained in a cabin in the pine woods of Allegany county, New York, and the methods of instruc- tion were somewhat primitive. In 1837 he accompanied his parents to Ohio. the family locating in Licking county. When he was but sixteen years of age he began teaching school in that county and followed the profession continuously for twenty years. In 1844 he came to Cham- paign county and was identified with educational work in this portion of the state until two decades had passed. In 1853 he was appointed postmaster of North Lewisburg and held the office continuously until 1886. covering a period of thirty-three years. For ten years he was mayor of the town, being elected to that office first in 1853 and again in 1893. He was justice of the peace for six years and was recorder and clerk of the town for thirty years. He has also been school exam- iner. and for thirty-three years was notary public. He filled many other local offices, discharging his duties with a promptness and fidelity above question.
Mr. Gowey was married in 1846 to Miss Eliza A. Willey, and
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unto them were born two sons. John Franklin Gowey. the eldest of these, was born in North Lewisburg. December 7, 1846, and pursued his education in the Ohio Wesleyan University. On the 10th of May. 1869, he was admitted to the bar and attained prominence in his pro- fession. From 1873 until 1875 he was a member of the Ohio legisla- ture and from 1876 until 1880 was prosecuting attorney of Champaign county. Later he was appointed registrar of the United States Land Office at Olympia, Washington, acting in that capacity from 1882 until 1886, and from 1887 until 1888 was a member of the territorial legis- lature. He attained prominence not only in political circles there but also in business life and in 1888 was chosen president of the First Na- tional Bank of Olympia. On the 25th of April, 1867, he married Clara McDonald, a daughter of James and Rachel McDonald, of Woodstock, Champaign county, Ohio. They had one son. Franklin McDonald, born June 4, 1869. Mr. Gowey was married the second time. November 3, 1886, to Georgiana Stevens, who was born at Lowell, Massachusetts. September 23, 1852, a daughter of Dearborn and Olive B. (James) Stevens. Mr. Gowey died at Yokohama, Japan, while serving as consul- general, in 1900. He was a prominent thirty-third degree Mason and had attained a position of distinction in national affairs and in business life.
Marcus C. Gowey, the younger son of our subject, was born in 1848, became a prominent attorney and is now living in North Lewis- burg. He was married January 3, 1872, to Marando L. Mumford, daughter of M. H. and Lydia ( Bennett ) Mumford, and they are now living in their beautiful home on Townsend street which they have occupied for the last ten years. Mr. Gowey is still practicing law in this village. He has been a member of Masonic Blazing Star Lodge, No. 268, of Lewisburg, for thirty years, of Chapter Star, No. 126, R. . I. M.,
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Raper Commandery. No. 19. of Urbana, and also a member of Launce- lot Lodge. Knights of Pythias, of Urbana.
.At the present time our subject is filling the position of observer for the government weather bureau, making reports each week. He is a very prominent Mason, served as master of his lodge for eight ears and for two years was high priest of Star Chapter, R. A. M. He is one of the best known men of the county and his labors have contributed in a large measure to the public progress and improvement. His worth is widely acknowledged, for in public office he was ever a faithful cus- todian of the affairs of the town and county, so that over the record of his career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.
OLIVER P. JENKINS.
Oliver Perry Jenkins, one of the best known and most highly esteemed pioneers of Wayne township. Champaign county, was born in what is now Cable, in this county, December 16, 1816. His paternal grandfather, Richard Jenkins, was born in Virginia, but in a very early day took up his abode in the Buckeye state, and his death here occurred in Fayette county. His son and the father of our subject, William Jenkins, was born, reared and married in the Old Dominion, and in . 1810 came to Wayne township. Champaign county, where for a time he rented a farm of a Mr. Taylor. In 1818 he located on the place on which our subject now resides, but the land was then covered with dense woods, and its only improvements consisted of a small log cabin. On this old homestead he spent the remainder of his life, being called to his final rest at the age of seventy-two years. He was a life-long farmer, and a few years before his death united with the Christian church.
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In the early days he gave his political support to the Whig party and after the organization of the new Republican party he joined its ranks and ever afterward remained a true and loyal supporter of its principles. Mr. Jenkins was twice married, choosing for his first wife a Miss Will- iams, by whom he had two daughters and three sons, but all are now deceased. After her death he married Miss Anna Spillers, a native also of the Old Dominion, and there her death occurred at the age of fifty years. Unto this union were born three children, two sons and a daughter.
Oliver P. Jenkins, the only son and the second child of the above family, was but two years of age when the family located on the farm on which he now resides, and during his youth he attended the old log school house in the neighborhood. On this old homestead he has lived for eighty-three years, and he, too, has been a life-long farmer. his labors in his chosen calling having brought to him a handsome competence. Mr. Jenkins was first married in August, 1838. when Miss Julia Elsworth became his wife, and they had four children, namely : William, de- ceased : Mary, the wife of Jasper Hess, of Iowa; Susan, also deceased; and Julia Ann, who is yet unmarried and makes her home in Cham- paign county. On the 28th of June, 1846. Mr. Jenkins was united in marriage to Catherine Sallie, a native of Clark county, Ohio. Six children have blessed this union: Richard, James, John W., Lorana, Etta and Charlie. All of the children were born in the old family home where the Jenkinses have so long resided. Our subject united with the Methodist Protestant church in 1839, and is still an honored member of that denomination, in which he has long held the office of steward. He donated the land on which the present church now stands, and in the churchyard he has a family vault. In political matters he has been a life-long Republican, and prior to the organization of that party he voted with the Whigs. His first presidential vote was cast for General
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Harrison in 1840. He is one of the most honored and highly esteemed citizens of his community, and it is safe to say that no man in Wayne township has a wider circle of friends and acquaintances than Oliver Perry Jenkins.
CHARLES DAGGER.
Charles Dagger, a well known farmer residing in Concord town -- ship, is one of Champaign county's native sons, born in Concord town- ship May 7, 1823. His paternal grandfather, Peter Dagger, was a native of Pennsylvania, but his death occurred in Virginia. He was a Revolutionary hero, having served for about three years under General Washington. John Dagger, the father of our subject, was a native of Botetourt county, Virginia, and when about twenty years of age removed to Miami county, Ohio, where he made his home with his ma- ternal grandparents for about one years. In the spring of 1816 he came to Champaign county, taking up his abode in Concord township, on An- derson's creek, where he cleared and improved a farm of one hundred and eight acres. About 1830 he entered another tract, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres, which he also cleared and improved, except four acres of woodland. In Miami county, Ohio, Mr. Dagger was united in marriage to Elizabeth Bousman, a native of Rockbridge county, Virginia. In a very early day, however, she came with her parents to the Buckeye state, they being among the earliest settlers of the county. The union was blessed with nine children, as follows : Mary, Phebe and Peter, deceased ; Charles, of this review; Lawrence, also deceased; Sarah: Angeline: Jane, deceased : Armenta. Mr. Dag- ger passed away in death in Urbana in 1871. at the ripe old age of sev- enty-six. He was born in 1795. He was a Whig in his political belief" and was a supporter of John Fremont.
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Charles Dagger, whose name introduces this review, attended the schools of his native township until his twenty-second year, but during that time had also served as an instructor, and after putting aside his text-bocks he assisted in the work of the home farm. In 1844 he drove a team to Virginia, where he remained for about three weeks, and after his return home again gave his father the benefit of his services. When about twenty-five years of age he left the parental roof, purchasing and removing to a farm of seventy acres in Concord township, on which he made his home from 1849 until 1858, after which he sold that place and purchased a farm in Shelby county, Ohio. In addition to his farm- ing property he also owned an interest in a warehouse in that county, but after a residence there of one year he returned to the old Dagger homestead, where he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits for the following four years. On the expiration of that period he located on one hundred and fifty-seven acres of his present farm, to which he has since added until its boundaries now contain two hundred and thirty- seven acres of excellent land, on which he has erected many substantial and valuable improvements.
Mr. Dagger was married in 1848, when Miss Barbara Whitmore became his wife. She was born in Mad River township, Champaign county, June 8, 1828, and in the county of her birth her entire life has been passed. Her parents were both natives of the Old Dominion, but in a very early day they came to this county. They were the parents of six children, four of whom are now living, and all were born in Cham- paign. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dagger have been born ten children, namely : John. deceased : Katherine, who is the wife of .A. W. Grumurman, a farm- er of Mad River township; Elizabeth, deceased; Jacob ; Frank: Emma, Jane and Simon, also deceased : Charles : and Anna, deceased. All were born in Champaign county with the exception of Emma, who had her nativity in Shelby county, Ohio. The family are members of the Method-
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ist Episcopal church. The Republican party has always found in Mr. Dagger a stalwart supporter of its principles and his aid has never been withheld from any enterprise which he believed calculated to advance the moral, intellectual or material welfare of his township or county.
WILLIAM CALLAND.
From an early period in the history of the development of Cham- paign county the name of Calland has been prominently connected with the agricultural interests of this locality. The subject of this review is one of the county's adopted sons, his birth having occurred in Noble county on the 25th of August, 1819. His father, William Calland, was a native of the far-off country of Scotland, and was there reared and educated. After his marriage he came to the United States, in about 1800. and upon his arrival in this country made his way to Monroe county, Ohio, where he made his home for about fifteen years. For the following year he made his home in Bellefontaine, this state. com- ing thence to Champaign county in 1832, where he followed the tilling of the soil until his life's labors were ended in death, at the age of ser- enty-eight years. During his residence here he cleared and drained much valuable land, and in many ways assisted in the development and prog- ress of the county. In his native land he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Armstrong, who was there born and reared, and her death also occurred in Champaign county. Ohio. Nine children were born to bless this union, four sons and five daughters, and the three eldest were born in Scotland. During the journey to this country the mother car- ried her babe in her arms for five hundred miles. Mr. Calland was a stanch Republican in his political views. He was a worthy member
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of the Presbyterian church, in which he long held the office of deacon, and he assisted in the erection of the house of worship at Spring Hill.
William Calland, whose name introduces this review, was eleven years of age when with his parents he located in Adams township, Champaign county, and to its public school system he is indebted for the educational privileges which he received in his youth. After his marriage he brought his bride to Harrison township, and on the farm on which they first located after their arrival here they continued to make their home until 1898, when they came to their present place. His homestead now consists of two hundred and sixty acres of rich and well improved land, and from his well tilled fields he annually reaps golden harvests. Throughout his entire life he has been identified with the history of the Buckeye state, and now in his declining years is living in retirement at his pleasant home in Harrison township, crowned with the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded an honorable old age.
When twenty-five years of age Mr. Calland was united in mar- riage to Eleanor Robinson, a native of Harrison township, Champaign county. Iler father, Ralph Robinson, was born in Kentucky, and he was the second man to locate in Harrison township, where he cleared and improved a farm of two hundred acres. Wild was the region into which he came. Its forests stood in their primeval strength, the prairie land was still unbroken and the Indians roamed through the dense woods. Ile was here married to Hannah Concland, who was born and reared in Virginia. Of their eight children Mrs. Calland was the fourth in order of birth and only three are now living. Five children have been born unto our subject and wife, but two are now deceased, Samuel and Edna, and those now living are,-Joseph, Sarah and William. All were born in Champaign county. The family are members of the Pres-
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byterian church at Spring Hill, and Mr. Calland assisted materially in the erection of its house of worship. He gives his political support to the Republican party.
WILLIAM ROUSE.
It is our privilege to pay a brief tribute to the memory of Will- iam Rouse. An honorable, broad-minded. Christian gentleman in the best sense of the term, he commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he came in contact, and the memory of his upright life is an inspiration to the many friends who knew him well and were familiar with his virtues. He was a native son of Champaign county, his birth having here occurred on the 14th of January, 1821. His father, James M. Rouse, was also a native of this county, who in 1830 came to Con- cord township and located on the present Rouse homestead. He cleared a part of his land and place many improvements thereon, and at his death left an excellent farm of two hundred acres. Here his death oc- curred in 1849. In the county of his nativity he was married to Mary Weaver, also a native of this locality, and they became the parents of eight children, seven sons and a daughter.
William Rouse, the eldest of the children, assisted his father in the work of the home farm until the latter's death, after which he took charge of the old home farm and added many substantial improvements. At his death he left to his family a valuable estate of one hundred and twenty acres. Both he and his father gave their political support to the Republican party, and both took an active and commendable interest in the public life of the county. In 1849 our subject was united in marriage to Christiana Keller. She was born in Pennsylvania, but when an in- fant was taken by her parents to Maryland, where she was reared and 29
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received her education. At the age of sixteen years she accompanied her parents on their removal to Urbana, Ohio, and later moved with them to a farm in Concord township, which is still in the possession of the family as their homestead. Her father, George Keller, was born in Pennsylvania, and was there reared and educated. In his early life he gave his political support to the Whig party and after the organiza- tion of the new Republican party joined its ranks. When this section of the country was yet new and wild he took up his abode in Cham- paign county, and here spent the remainder of his life, passing away in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church. While yet a resident of Pennsylvania, in 1813, he was married to Mary Long, and she, too, was a native of that commonwealth. Six children blessed that union, Mrs. Rouse being the fourth in order of birth. By her marriage to Mr. Rouse she also became the mother of six children, namely: Mary, the wife of Smith Bell, who is engaged in business in Urbana: Ella, at home: Francis and Harriett. deceased: Emma. wife of Charles Herr, a farmer of Concord township; and William, who married Elizabeth Crowl, and is a farmer in Harrison township. All were born on the old Rouse homestead in Champaign county. Of the eight grandchildren of Mrs. Rouse, Harry Bell. Ethel Herr, Edthis and Harold Rouse were also born on the old homestead. The family are members of the Meth- cadist Episcopal church at Northville, of which Mr. Rouse was one of the organizers and for many years an officer therein. In his fraternal relations he was a member of the Masonic order at West Lib- erty. Ilis last days were spent at his pleasant home in Concord town. ship, and there he closed his eyes in death on the 13th of September, 1870. Through the period of early development he was an important factor in the improvement and advancement of this section of the state, and in his death the community mourned the loss of one of its truest and best citizens.
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JOIIN C. BUTCHER, M. D.
The atmosphere of Champaign county, Ohio, seems fitted for the production of a cultivated and progressive body of physicians, the spirit of the people being in harmony with the aspirations of the constituent members of the profession for the highest possible attainment in the noble science of healing. Among the urbane and thoroughly skilled physicians and surgeons of this section of the Buckeye state Dr. Butcher holds a prominent position, having a representative practice and enjoy- ing marked popularity. Additional interest attaches to his career from the fact that his father was one of the pioneer physicians of the state. a man of strong character and noble impulses and one whose life was one of signal self-abnegation and distinctive usefulness, his memory being revered by hundreds to whom he ministered so unreservedly and kindly during the long years of his active practice.
John C. Butcher is a native son of Ohio, having been born in Bel- mont county on the 4th of April. 1846. the son of Dr. J. M. S. and Nancy Jane ( Brock ) Butcher. Dr. J. M. S. Butcher in early life learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed for some time. finally abandon- ing the same to devote his energies and abilities to the practice of med- icine, for which he thoroughly prepared himself. He was one of the pioneer physicians of Ohio, coming here in an early day and locating in Belmont county, whence he later removed to Champaign county, locat- ing at North Lewisburg, where he was actively engaged in practice for many years, traversing a wide radius of country in his professional work and endearing himself to the community by his unvarying kindness and sterling rectitude of character. He was one of the first representa- tives of the Eclectic school of practice, was a close student and was emi- uently successful in his professional work. A man of strong convic- tions and noble attributes, it was but natural that he should abhor the
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