USA > Ohio > Champaign County > A centennial biographical history of Champaign county, Ohio > Part 36
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47
560
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
odious institution of human slavery, and in the crucial period culminat- ing the war of the Rebellion he was known as an uncompromising and fearless abolitionist. Because of his unwavering position and opposition to slavery he met with no little persecution, but his courage never faltered, though he was compelled to go armed on many of his professional trips in order to protect his life. He tendered his services to the Union when the war finally began, acting as surgeon in an Ohio regiment and doing all in his power to further the cause in whose justice he so firmly believed. He was summoned into eternal rest some years ago, honored by all who knew him, and he will long be remembered as a man who was signally true and faithful in all the relations of life.
Dr. John C. Butcher received his early educational discipline in the public schools of North Lewisburg and thereafter continued his literary studies for one year in the Ohio Wesleyan University, in the city of Delaware. He returned to his home and for a time was engaged in the dry-goods business in North Lewisburg, disposing of his interests in this enterprise by reason of impaired health, which rendered it neces- sary for him to seek less sedentary employment. He finally began the technical study of medicine, under the able direction of his honored father, and then entered the Eclectic Medical College, in Cincinnati, where he was graduated in 1871. Thereafter he was engaged in practice at North Lewisburg for two years, at the expiration of which. in 1873. he came to Urbana, where he has now continuously followed the work of his profession for nearly thirty years, holding marked precedence as a thor- oughly skilled physician and surgeon, retaining a representative patron- age and being known and honored as one of the leading medical prac- titioners of the county. He is prominent in the councils of the school of practice to which he belongs, being a prominent member of the Ohio State Eclectic Medical Society, of which he was president for one year. having been elected to this office by a unanimous vote, while he served
561
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
two terms as vice-president of the National Eclectic Medical Association. The Doctor is an assiduous student, keeping in close touch with the ad- vances made in the sciences of medicine and surgery and, without intoler- ance, utilizing such remedial agents, methods, accessories, etc., as appeal to his judgment. Dr. Butcher is prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in the local lodge, chapter and council of the order. In 1873 he was united in marriage to Miss Vetura A. Pratt. and of this union three sons have been born,-Frank E., Harry G. and Cleland P.
JOHN W. TOOMIRE.
The Toomire family is one of the oldest in Champaign county. It was founded on American soil by the grandfather of our subject. Will- iam Toomire, who was born in Germany, but when fourteen years of age left his little home across the sea and came to the United States, tak- ing up his abode in West Virginia. On the 25th of August, 1814. with his family. he came by way of the Ohio river to Brown county, Ohio, and in 1820 located in Jackson township, Champaign county, where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in the spring of 1850. In political matters he upheld the principles of the Democracy, and he was a soldier in the war of 1812. Ere leaving his southern home he was united in marriage to Sarah Moody, a native also of Virginia, and they became the parents of thirteen children,-Henry, William, Rachel, Mary. Bryant, J. Wesley, Sarah, Malinda, Moses, Aaron, Mar- guerite Daniel and Emeline. With the exception of the two eldest all were born in Champaign county, and two are still living .- J. Wesley and Aaron.
William Toomire, Jr., the father of our subject, was a native of
562
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
western Virginia, and was only six months old when brought by his parents to Ohio. When six years old he accompanied them on their removal to Champaign county, where he received his education in the district schools, and during the summer months assisted in the work of the home farm. When a young man he began work at the cooper's trade, thus continuing until his thirtieth year, and then began agricult- ural pursuits on a rented farm in Mad River township. In 1870 he purchased one hundred acres of land in Concord township, to which he added from time to time until at his death he was the owner of one hundred and sixty-two acres, all of which he placed under a fine state of cultivation. He, too, was a stanch supporter of the principles of Democracy, and for a time served as the trustee of his township. His fraternal relations connected him wth the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and religiously he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In Champaign county, in 1835, Mr. Toomire was united in marriage to Rebecca Decios, a native of Virginia. Her father died in that commonwealth, and when thirteen years of age she came with her mother to Champaign county. The latter was born in Virginia, and her death occurred in this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Toomire were born eight children, namely: Joseph, who served as a soldier in the Civil war for nearly four years, and was killed at the battle of Mission- ary Ridge: Henry also was a soldier and served his country nearly four years, helping to close up that hard struggle: Sarah Ann, de- ceased : Mary Jane : Emily E. : Elmanda, deceased ; and Cora Olive, de- ceased. All were born in Champaign county, and here they all grew to years of maturity with the exception of the youngest.
John W. Toomire. the immediate subject of this review, was born in Westville, Ohio, September 26, 1840, and in the schools of Mad River and Concord townships received his early education. At the age of seventeen years he put aside his text-books and began work on his
563
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
father's farm, and after the latter's death, in 1885, located on the farm on which he now resides, the land having been purchased by his fa- ther in 1870. Success has crowned the well directed and enterprising efforts of Mr. Toomire, and he has long been numbered among the leading and substantial agriculturists of Champaign county. In poli- tics he is a stalwart Democrat, taking an active interest in the party work, and he is a member of Magrew Lodge, No. 433, Knights of Pythias, of Westville, being the second member to join this lodge, and has taken special interest in the same since its organization ten years ago. For ten years he was also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and with the family, who are members, supports the Methodist Episcopal church at Westville. He is popular and respected in all circles.
THOMAS B. OWEN. 1
A native son whose promising legal career is viewed with justifiable pride by the residents of Mechanicsburg. is Thomas B. Owen, repre- sentative of a family long identified with Champaign county. He was born July 14. 1867, and is a son of William and Sarah P. (Bond) Owen, natives respectively of Indiana and Virginia. William B. Owen came to this county when a young man, and for many years engaged in the mercantile business in Mechanicsburg, where his reputation for progress and integrity strengthened with the passing years. Is became one vitally interested in surounding undertakings, politics played no small part in his calculations, and as a stanch supporter of Republican principles and issues he filled several important offices, among them that of justice of the peace for many years. With his wife he was devoted to the Methodist Episcopal church, and died in the faith of that de-
564
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
nomination in 1897. at the age of eighty-one. His wife, who still lives in this town, is the mother of seven children.
Having qualified as a teacher in the public schools of Mechanics- burg, Thomas B. Owen engaged in educational work from the time that he was eighteen years old up to 1897. However, the law had long been the Mecca towards which his most ardent ambitions turned, and in connection with his last years of teaching he studied in the office of Judge E. P. Middleton, of Urbana, and was admitted to the bar in 1898. Since that time he has forged his way to the front professionally and generally, and has shown pronounced administrative ability as mayor of the city for one term, and as township clerk for three terms. Fraternally he is associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and with the Mechanicsburg Lodge, No. 113. F. & A. M. He was married in 1888 to Dollie McAdams, and has an interesting family of five children. In April, 1902. Mr. Owen was nominated for probate judge of Champaign county on the Republican ticket.
JOHN E. TODD.
One of the honored pioneer citizens and representative farmers of Champaign county is John Eli Todd, whose residence is on section 7, Urbana township, and who has maintained his home in this county for more than half a century, having been energetic and progressive in his methods and having accumulated a valuable property through his well directed efforts. It is with pleasure that we incorporate in this volume a brief review of his personal and ancestral history.
Mr. Todd is a native of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, where he was born on the 20th of December, 1828, being the son of David Todd.
565
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
born and reared in the same county, being a son of James Todd, who likewise was a native of Pennsylvania and of Scotch-Irish lineage. the family having been established in the old Keystone state in the early colonial epoch of our national history. David Todd was married in Pennsylvania, whence he came to Ohio in the year 1846, locating in Warren county, where he remained until the following year. when he came to Champaign county and took up his abode on the farm now occupied by his son, the subject of this sketch. In 1859 he removed to another farm in this county, and there maintained his home until his death. in 1867, at the age of seventy-seven years. He originally gave his support to the Whig party, but identified himself with the Repub- lican party at the time of its organization and remained one of the stanch advocates of its principles. Ile was a devoted member of the Presbyterian church, in which he held the office of elder for many years, being a man of inflexible integrity and sterling character. He married Sarah McCormick, who likewise was born in Dauphin county. Pennsyl- vania, the date of her nativity having been November 6, 1795. while she died on the 23d of March, 1884, in her eighty-ninth year. She was a daughter of Henry McCormick, a native of Pennsylvania and of Scotch-Irish descent. David and Sarah Todd became the parents of seven sons and five daughters, and four sons are living at the present time. namely : Thomas M., John E., David and James S., the last men- tioned being a clergyman of the Presbyterian church and being a resi- dent of California.
John E. Todd was about eighteen years of age when the family came to Champaign county, and he had received his educational train- ing in the public schools of Pennsylvania, having also attended a dis- triet school in Warren county, Ohio, during one winter. He remained at the parental home until his marriage. in 1859, and thereafter con- tinued in agricultural pursuits on the old homestead. of which he event-
566
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ually became the owner, and here he has ever since made his home. having been successful in his efforts and carrying on diversified farming and stock-raising. He now has a fine estate of two hundred and fifty acres, and upon the same he has made extensive improvements, so that the place is one of the best in this section of the county. In politics Mr. Todd is one of the leading members of the Prohibition party in the county and has been an active worker in its cause, having been a dele- gate to its local conventions and also to the state convention. For forty years he has been a member of the school board of his district. his tenure of this office having been longer than of any other man in the county, and at all times his influence has been given to the support of all measures tending to advance the general welfare of the com- munity. He is well known in the county and is honored as one of its sterling pioneer citizens.
In the year 1859 Mr. Todd was united in marriage to Miss Jane MI. Mumper, who was born in Pennsylvania, whence she accompanied her parents on their removal to Champaign county when she was a child. She was summoned into eternal rest on the 11th of January. 1900, having been the mother of eight children, of whom we enter the follow- ing brief record: Scott married Cozette Calvert and is a resident of Cincinnati, being vice-president of the William Resor Company, the oldest stove manufacturing concern in the city ; Clarence M. is deceased ; Sarah M., unmarried, remains at the paternal home ; John H., who is a graduate of the University of Michigan, is a member of the Chicago News Bureau of the New York Herald; Annie M. is deceased : Marion R. married Miss Laura Pence, and is a resident of West Liberty. Logan county, Ohio: Percy C. is a jeweler of Hamilton, this state ; and Jennie M. remains at the old home. Mr. Todd removed from the farm to the city of U'rbana in March, 1902.
567
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
JOHN H. HODGE.
John H. Hodge is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Ohio which throughout the nineteenth century in different generations have been factors in the upbuilding and substantial development in the central portion of the state. Mr. Hodge, of this review, is now num- bered among the leading, progressive and intelligent agriculturists of Champaign county, his home being on the Springfield pike. Goshen township. He was born in Pleasant township. Clark county, Ohio, Jan- uary 2. 1835. His father, James H. Hodge, was a native of Kentucky. his birth having occurred in Mount Sterling, Montgomery county. whence he came to Ohio at the early age of eight years in company with his parents, Andrew and Isabell ( McTeer ) Hodge, who located in Clark county, Ohio. The father secured a tract of land in Pleasant township and there developed and improved a farm. He aided in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present prosperity and progress of his portion of the state and was an honored and respected pioneer. His son. James H. Hodge, was born in 1800 and was reared in Clark county, from the age of eight years becoming familiar with all the (luties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He married Elizabeth Sayler, who was born in Claremont, Brown county, Ohio. At an early age she was left an orphan and was reared by an uncle, William Curl, in Clark county. Mr. Hodge, the father of our subject, gave his attention to agricultural pursuits throughout his active business life. He died in his seventy-eighth year and his wife passed away in her eighty-first year. His political support was given to the Democracy and he filled a number of local offices in his township. In the family were six children, but two of the number died in infancy. Two are still living- John Il. and Sarah J .- the latter residing with our subject. John H. Hodge was reared in the county of his nativity, and the
568
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
schools of the neighborhood afforded him his educational privileges. During the summer months he worked in the fields and in the winter months mastered the branches of learning taught in the educational in- stitution near his home. After starting out in life on his own account he sought as a companion and helpmate for the journey. Miss Miranda Hunter, their wedding taking place on the 17th of January. 1861. She, too, was born in Pleasant township. Clark county, a daugh- ter of John W. and Mary A. ( Ingle) Hunter, who were early residents of the county and highly respected people. Mrs. Hodge was born March 11, 1839, and after a long married life of almost forty years passed away on the 15th of April, 1901. Of her three children, two "had died in infancy. Their surviving son. Willes A., is a prominent grain dealer of Mechanicsburg. He was born in Union township, Champaign county, October 23. 1876, and has become a leading busi- ness man of his portion of the state. He has an elevator in Mechanics- burg and also one at Calaba Station, and is well known for his marked business ability and keen discernment.
It was in the year 1861 that John HI. Hodge came to Champaign county, taking up his abode in Union township, where he followed agricultural pursuits for over forty years. He built his present residence near the corporation line of Mechanicsburg and has since made his home at this place. Ile carries on agricultural pursuits on a very extensive scale, owning and operating about five hundred and seventy-five acres of rich and well improved land in Union township. Much of this, how- ever. is rented, but to the supervision of his property he gives his atten- tion. He is likewise one of the stockholders of the Farmers Elevator Company of Mechanicsburg and one of the stockholders and directors of the Farmers Bank. A strong temperance man, he takes a deep and active interest in promoting that cause and at state and national elections votes for the Prohibition candidates, while at local elections he casts an
569.
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
independent ballot. For a quarter of a century he was a member of the school board and the cause of education found in him a warm friend. He is also a leading and prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, is one of its earnest workers and is serving as steward. His business interests have been so capably conducted that he has won cred- itable success and is to-day accounted one of the most substantial citi- zens of Champaign county. His life has ever been true to manly prin- ciples and loyalty in citizenship and is well worthy of emulation.
SAMUEL BARNETT.
In section 34. Union township, is located the fine farm of Mr. Barnett, who is one of the representative members of the agricultural community of Champaign county, where he is held in the highest esteem by all who know him. Mr. Barnett is a native son of the old Buck- eye state, having been born in Butler county, on the 4th of October, 1831, the son of Samuel Barnett, who was born in Huntingdon county. Pennsylvania, whence he emigrated to Ohio in an early day, locating in Butler county. In the spring of 1841 he located in Springfield, Clark county, making this change in order to afford his children better edu- cational advantages. and there he erected the Barnett mills, known throughout the state. He continued in the milling business for many years and was succeeded by his son William A., who continued the enter- prise under the firm name of Warder & Barnett. He died in the city of Springfield at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. He was a devoted member of the United Presbyterian church, in which he was. an active worker and liberal supporter, while his political support was given to the Republican party from the time of its organization. The
-
570
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
maiden name of his wife was Mary Mitchell, and she was born in the same county as was he, her death occurring at the age of sixty-two years. They became the parents of ten children, six sons and four daughters. all of whom attained years of maturity and of whom five are living at the present time, -- three sons and two daughters,-the subject of this review having been the youngest child. At a family reunion held in Bellefontaine, Logan county, in January, 1901. each of the ten chil- dren was represented with the exception of one.
Samuel Barnett, the subject of this sketch, was but nine years of age at the time when the family removed to Springfield, and there he was reared to maturity, receiving his education in the public schools of that place. After leaving school he was employed in his father's mills until his marriage, in 1855. and he then located on his present homestead farm, having purchased a portion of the same prior to his marriage. Here, with the exception of two years, he has consecutively maintained his home from the early days, and has developed a fine property, the farm having the best improvements and being under a high state of cultivation. He passed one year in Springfield and one in Urbana. In the homestead are comprised one hundred and sixty acres. and here our subject devotes his attention to diversified agriculture and to the dairy business, having been particularly successful in both depart- ments of his farming enterprise. Mr. Barnett is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Urbana, having been for many years an elder in the same and taking a deep interest in the church work.
On the 11th of October, 1855. Mr. Barnett was united in marriage to Miss Mary Campbell, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, on the 26th of October. 1831. being the daughter of Jesse Campbell, who be- came one of the pioneer farmers of Champaign county, where Mrs. Bar- nett was reared and educated. Our subject and his wife have one son and three daughters, namely: John C., who was born in 1856: Carrie
57
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
B., who is a graduate of the Cook County Hospital Training School. of Chicago, and is now head nurse of the Mitchell-Thomas Hospital, at Springfield : Mary L., who remains at the parental home, as does also Laura 1. One daughter, Fannie, died at the age of eight months.
John C. Barnett, the only son, was married about nine years ago to Essie Christian, born in Pennsylvania, and has one son, Allen Bar- nett, who is his only child. For fourteen years he held the position as associate editor and chief editor of Farm and Fireside, a semi-monthly paper published at Springfield, Ohio, by the Crowl Publishing Com- pany, and has kept a copy of each issue, which he has had bound each year until the volumes amount to fourteen in number. Our subject voted with the Whig party until the organization of the Republican party in 1856, when he became a member of the latter and has continuously sup- ported its policies to the present time.
BENJAMIN F. HULL.
Though himself a native of the state of Illinois, the subject of this sketch, who is one of the progressive and representative farmers of U'nion township. Champaign county, is a member of one of the pioneer families of the old Buckeye commonwealth, as will be noted further on in this context.
Benjamin Franklin Hull was born in DeWitt county, Illinois, on the 22d of February, 1848, and thus he has the distinction of having been ushered into the world on the anniversary of the birth of the im- mortal Washington, while the further distinction is his of having been namel in honor of his grandfather and Uncle Franklin. Alfred Au- gustiis Hull, the father of our subject, was born in Madison county,
572
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Ohio, on the 18th of January, 1821, from which fact it is evident that the family was here located in the early pioneer epoch. He was reared and educated in his native county, where he remained until some time in the '4os, when he removed to DeWitt county, Illinois, where he was engaged in teaching until 1849. when he returned to Madison county, Ohio, and in 1855 took up his abode in Champaign county, Ohio. locating on a tract of land at the head waters of Buck creek, in Union township, where he maintained his home until his death, which occurred February 2, 1886. He was a man of distinct individuality, noble character and high intellectuality, having been for a quarter of a century a successful teacher in the district schools, while for nine years he was a member of the school board of Union township. He was a zealous advocate of the principles of the Democratic party and was influential in public affairs of a local nature. For three years he was incumbent of the office of justice of the peace, and also served several years as township trustee, commanding the unqualified confidence and respect of all with whom he came in contact in the various relations of life.
On the 9th of March, 1843, Alfred A. Hull was united in mar- riage to Margaret Kirkley, who was born in Madison county Ohio, on September 5, 1818, the daughter of William and Mary Kirkley, natives respectively of Virginia and Maryland and honored pioneers of Madison county. Mr. Kirkley assisted in raising the first log house erected in what is now the city of Urbana, Champaign county. The cherished and devoted wife and mother was summoned into eternal rest on the 26th of December, 1886, and three of her children yet survive, the subject of this review having been the second in order of birth.
Benjamin F. I'ull was but one year of age when his parents re- turned from Illinois to Madison county, and was eight years old when, in 1855, they came to Champaign county, as has already been men- tioned, so that he has here passed practically his entire life. receiving
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.