USA > Ohio > Champaign County > A centennial biographical history of Champaign county, Ohio > Part 39
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In Champaign county, on the 23d of October, 1893. Dr. Houser was united in marriage to Miss Florence M. Huntoon, a native daughter of this county, where she was born on the 20th of July, 1869. She was a successful teacher in the schools of this locality prior to her marriage. ller father, Martin True Huntoon, was born in New Hampshire, but in a very early day came to Champaign county, and in Union township was
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united in marriage to Abigail Minturn, a native of Columbus, Ohio. They became the parents of six children,-Charles, Edward, Susan, Anna, William and Florence. The third son, William, is now deceased. All were born and reared in Champaign county. Mr. and Mrs. Houser have had two children, --- Lester, born in Millerstown, September 6, 1894. and Lela, born March 13, 1898. The Doctor gives his political support to the Democratic party, and in his fraternal relations is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Crayon. He is a valued mem- ber of the Baptist church at Millerstown, in which he has served as a deacon for a number of years. Both as a physician and citizen he enjoys the high esteem of the residents of Champaign county.
ELWOOD S. MCCLELLAN.
For a number of years Elwood S. McClellan has been an honored resident of Champaign county. He has won an excellent reputation in business circles, and whatever tends to elevate and improve the condition of his fellow men is certain to receive his earnest support and influence. He was born in Tiffin, Seneca county, Ohio, September 27, 1854. His father, Hiram Mcclellan, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and after his marriage removed to Tiffin, Ohio, removing thence, in 1868, to Cable, Champaign county, where he is now a retired farmer. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Eliza Swisher, and she, too, was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. She now re- sides with her husband in their pleasant home in Cable. Of their six children three are now living, two sons and one daughter, and two daugh- ters and a son are deceased.
Elwood S. McClellan, the second child and second son in the above
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family was fourteen years of age when he came with his parents to Wayne township, Champaign county. Prior to his removal here he at- tended the schools of Seneca county, later became a student in the Heidel- berg College, at Tiffin, and after completing his education he taught for three terms in Wayne and Rush townships. Champaign county. For the following six years he was engaged in farming near Mingo. In 1886 he left his Ohio home for Kansas, and in Gray county, that state, took up government land and followed agricultural pursuits there for two years, during which time he was active in public affairs, having served as county commissioner and being also elected to the legislature from Gray county. He still owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in that state. His homestead in Wayne township, Champaign county, consists of two hundred and ten acres, and he also owns one hundred and eighty- eight acres in Logan county, Ohio. In addition to the raising of the cereals he also makes a specialty of the raising of standard bred trotting horses, and in this line of endeavor has met with a high degree of suc- cess. His home place is known as the "Kings Creek Valley Stock Farm," and there he raises annually about thirty head of horses and cattle. He now has "Strong Boy," 2:11 ;, and " Metus." 2:171/2. His political sup- port is given to the Republican party, and for a long period he served as chairman of the school board in Wayne township.
In 1877 occurred the marriage of Mr. MeClellan and Miss Maria T. Johnson, and they have four children, two sons and two daughters, --- Maud. Hiram, Margaret and Ivan Boggs, all at home. The family are members of the Friends church. Mrs. McClellan was born January 2. 1854, in Wayne township, this county, daughter of Hiram and Margaret Johnson. He was born in Wayne township and lived there for ninety- two years, being a very successful farmer and cattle raiser, who owned nineteen hundred acres of land free of all incumbrance when he died in 1905. in his ninety-second year. His wife was born in Virginia January
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14. 1817, daughter of David and Esther Brown. The former was born in Frederick county, Virginia, was a successful farmer and died at the age of eighty-two, while his wife, Esther, after raising eight children. died about middle life. Hiram Johnson had two sons, Nelson and Alfred. Neison died leaving a large estate, while .Alfred is still living.
RICHARD DU VAL WILLIAMS.
From the beginning of his active connection with Mechanicsburg, in IS39. Richard Du Val Williams strove to maintain conditions con- mercially and industrially substantial, and morally and intellectually high. That he was eminently successful in the consummation of his desires is vouched for by those permitted to associate with him in what- soever capacity and by the banking and mercantile concerns which owe their origin and subsequent success to his appreciation of their utility.
From forefathers long connected with the south Mr. Williams in- herited not only thrift and industry but a nature at once devout and humanitarian. He was born in Pleasant Grove. Maryland, June 27, 1815. and his death occurred in this town. December 4. 1894. In the early subscription schools of Maryland he acquired such education as a busy childhood around the home farm permitted, and when about sixteen years of age, in 1831, he accompanied his parents to the supposed larger opportunities in the vicinity of Mechanicsburg. Eight years later, in 1839. he entered mercantile ranks in the town, and from the humble position of clerk worked his way up to a general knowledge of the busi- ness. He possessed shrewd common sense, and had a keen knowledge of human nature. and these attributes, allied with tact and a desire to
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please. won for him in time a really unusual success. The business established by him so many years ago is still one of the landmarks of the city, and is owned and managed by his son, C. W. Williams, who con- ducts his affairs under the firm name of C. W. Williams & Company.
In 1865 Mr. Williams, with the able assistance of Thomas Davis, organized the Farmers Bank, of Mechanicsburg, of which he was presi- dent up to the time of his death. Scarcely an effort to further the wel- fare of the town but that bore the impress of his wise enthusiasm and often practical assistance, and he was looked upon as one of those con- servative forces which are as rudders in any growing community. In his adopted town he was a power in the Methodist Episcopal church, which denomination he had joined when thirteen years of age. For forty-two years he was recording steward of the church, and for twenty- five years was superintendent of the Sunday-school. He earnestly be- lieved in the tenets of his church, and through his influence many were brought within the fold thereof. In his effort to uplift humanity he was ably seconded by his wife, whom he married in 1829, and who was form- erly Jane Claggett, of Annapolis. Marylund. Of the children reared in the Williams home but three are now living, and of these, C. W. Williams bears an honored reputation in the community, and inherits to a large degree his father's business discretion and ability.
A native of Mechanicsburg, C. W. Williams was born May 4, 1841, and was educated in the public schools of the town. Under his sire's example and instruction he developed into a practical business man, and since 1865 has had control of a large and lucrative business. In 1865 he married Rebecca Guy, who died in 1877, leaving three children, Charles Edwin, Alta Rebecca and Frances. In 1878 Mr. Williams mar- ried Mary Horr, and of this union there are also three children, Anna May. Helen Jane and Howard Horr. Mr. Williams is a Republican in political affiliation, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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HIRAM MCCLELLAN.
For many years the subject of this review, Hiram Mcclellan, has been engaged in agricultural pursuits in Champaign county, and in the locality where he has so long resided he is loved and honored for his many noble characteristics. A native son of the Keystone state, his birth there occurred in Lancaster county, June 28, 1829. His father, Joseph McClellan. was a native of Philadelphia, that state, while the paternal grandparents of our subject were born in either Ireland or Scotland. In a very early day they located in Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania. where they followed the tilling of the soil. There the son Joseph was reared to years of maturity, but in 1853 he left the home of his youth for the Buckeye state, where he resided from that time until 1865, and in the latter year he took up his abode in Brown county, Illinois, his death there occurring in Galesburg. In political matters he gave a stanch support to Republican principles, and his last presidential vote was cast for Lincoln at his second election. He was then in a very feeble condition, but such was his enthusiasm and public spirit that he was carried to the polls, entirely against his physician's advice. His death occurred when he had reached his sixty-ninth year. As a com- panion on the journey of life he chose Clarisa Souder, a native of Mary- land, but when sixteen years of age she accompanied her parents on their removal to Pennsylvania. Her father, David Souder, was a me- chanic and also a carpenter and builder, and he lived to the ripe old age of ninety-four years. Late in life he removed to Tiffin, Ohio, and when he was ninety-three years of age he walked a mile and a quarter to the polls to vote for Lincoln at his second election. The town of Souders- burg, Pennsylvania, was named in his honor. His wife reached the age of seventy-five years. She was a sister of Senator P'effer's mother. Mr. and Mrs. McClellan became the parents of five children who grew to
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years of maturity. namely : Hiram, the subject of this review : Nancy .. the wife of Dr. William Kaull, of Princeton, Illinois : Emma, the wife of John Bailey, editor of the Bureau County Republican, of Princeton, Illinois ; Captain Joseph Simpson, who served as a soldier in the Civil war and is now identified with the Horticultural Society of Colorado; Lavenia, the wife of Samuel Osborn, also a soldier in the Civil war in an Indiana regiment, and he is now employed as an attorney and in the real-estate business in Mankato, Minnesota.
Hiram McClellan received his elementary education in the public schools of his native place and later he attended Whitesborough Acad- emy. New York. After completing his education he again entered the schoc! room as an instructor and for twenty-two terms taught in both Pennsylvania and Ohio. On the 24th of December, 1850. he was united in marriage to Eliza Swisher, who was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in October. 1827. a daughter of Jeremiah and Mary ( Pen- nington ) Swisher. On the maternal side she is descended from English. Quakers who came to this country with William Penn, while on the paternal side she is of Swiss descent. Mrs. McClellan, the third in order of birth of her parents' ten children, was reared and educated in Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, where she attended the common and select schools, and was afterward employed as an instructor for three terms. In 1851 Mr. and Mrs. McClellan made the journey to Ohio. spending the first eighteen years in Tiffin, Seneca county, where they were engaged in farming and teaching. Since 1868 they have resided in Cable, and adjoining this village they own ninety-two acres of rich and valuable land. He has ever taken an active interest in the public affairs of his locality, where for fifteen years he has served as a notary public, and his political support is given to the Prohibition party. He is a mem- ber of the Methe dist Episcopal church.
The union of our subject and his wife has been blessed with six
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children, namely: Leander S .. a farmer and manufacturer in Wayne township. Champaign county; Elwood S., whose sketch appears on another page of this volume: Mary, the wife of Philander P. Lindill, of Wayne township; Clarence, who died while attending Delaware College, June 19. 1883, the year of his graduation: Abbie, who became the wife of Alexander Crisman and died in 1893: and Cora, who became the wife of R. P. Blackburn and died in 1901. Mr. and Mrs. McClellan also have thirteen grandchildren. They have been very active in the cause of temperance. Mr. McClellan took the pledge at eight years of age and since has done many acts substantially good for the cause, while his wife has worked in the cause of temperance almost all her life, joining the Woman's Christian Temperance Union in 1874, and has been very act- ive on these lines since, holding the principal offices of that organization for several years. Mr. McClellan has been a representative to the Grand Lodge of the Good Templars.
HORACE M. CROW.
The emulator but by no means imitator of his distinguished and capable father. Horace M. Crow, one of the most erudite of the legal practitioners of Champaign county, and a resident of Urbana for the greater part of his life, was born in Cincinnati, this state, April 4. 1855. His parents, Thomas D. and Henrietta (Downs) Crow, were married in 1847, and the latter died in 1858, when her son was but a toddling child. The father came to Urbana when fourteen years of age, after completing a bound-boy's service, and while learning the tailor's trade began to make amends for a hitherto neglected education. Because of his untiring industry and application he in time gained exceptional gen-
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eral and legal knowledge, and like a sturdy oak pushed his way and stood erect in the midst of disturbing and conflicting elements. His subsequent association with the professional and educational under- takings of the county is dwelt upon at length in another part of this work, yet none but the universal record is needed to enroll his name among the men of all climes who have not only found but have created opportunities.
From about his fifth year Horace M. Crow received his early train- ing in Urbana, and after completing the course at the public schools studied during 1870-71-72 at the Ohio Wesleyan University. He after- ward taught school in Franklin and Champaign counties, and was thuis employed for about three years, and in the meantime had come to regard law as a science whose mastery would be not only congenial but emi- nently fitting. Not possessing the available means to devote his entire time to professional research he secured employment as a clerk in a mer- cantile establishment, and at the same time studied law in the office of his father and brother. He was admitted to the bar in December of 1878, and in January of the following year began to practice in Urbana. In the spring of 1881 he changed his field of activity to Van Wert, in which town he lived for four years, and where he served as deputy clerk for one term. In December of 1884 Mr. Crow resumed practice in Ur- bana, and in February of 1887 removed to Columbus, as deputy clerk of the supreme court, an office maintained until September of 1893. His stanch support of the Republican party resulted in still further appreci- ation on the part of his former fellow townsmen of Urbana, for in 1895 he was elected city solicitor of the town, and discharged the duties of the office for two terms, or until the spring of 1899. In partnership with his brother Mr. Crow continued to add to his already large clientele. but since the departure of the brother for the west he has proceeded on independent professional lines. An additional responsibility satisfac-
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torily assumed by Mr. Crow has been the secretaryship of the Industry Loan & Building Company, with which he became connected in 1893.
The marriage of Mr. Crow and Frances Kenaga, daughter of W. F. Kenaga, a retired farmer of Urbana, occurred in October of 1882. Mr. Crow is variously associated with the social, professional and fraternal organizations in which Urbana abounds, and is especially well known as a Mason, being past master of Champaign Lodge and past high priest of Urbana Chapter. This is his third year as thrice illustrious master of the Urbana Council, R. & S. M. With his wife he is a member of, and liberal contributor towards, the Methodist Episcopal church. In his relation to all phases of life in Urbana Mr. Crow bears an enviable reputation, and his intelligent determination, clear and incisive mind, loyalty to interests confided to his care, as well as his natural and ac- quired ability combined with a genius for hard work. make him a lawyer in whom his clients may have implicit confidence, and for whom may safely be predicted a continuation of his present success.
W. W. WILSON.
Whether as cashier of the Citizens National Bank since 1878. as a soldier strenuously employed in the service of his country during the Civil war, or as a promoter of peaceful and substantial conditions in his adopted town of Urbana, W. W. Wilson has made faithfulness to duty his unchanging watchword, and thoroughness and stability his rule of life. \ native of Concord township, this county, to which his paternal grandfather came many years ago from Washington county, Pennsyl- vania, he was born May 1. 1842, and is a son of Elias R. and Mary ( Russell ) Wilson, the former also born in Concord township.
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When four years of age W. W. Wilson was left fatherless, his brother, John R. Wilson, now of Oklahoma territory, being the other son in the family. . Although the mother afterwards re-married, the fact did not materially change the prospects of the boys, and when eight or nine years of age W. W. found himself face to face with the serious and responsible side of life. However, he managed in the midst of his arduous farm duties to acquire a fair education in the district schools, and even at a later day succeeded in graduating from the high-school at Urbana. A variation in a somewhat monotonous agricultural existence was brought about with the culmination of smouldering hostilities be- tween the north and south, and in April of 1861 he endeavored to become a member of a home company of which A. F. Vance, Sr., was captain. The quota being full he was not mustered in, but in September of the opening year of the war he enlisted in Company G, Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three years, and upon the organization of the company was appointed sergeant. Little dreaming of the permanent re- minder of grim-visaged war which fate had in store for him. he de- parted with the company for the front in January of 1862, and the fol- lowing June, at the battle of Port Republic, Virginia, sustained a severe injury to his leg. Totally disabled, the injured member proved a source of great suffering and inconvenience, and was subjected to three differ- ent stages of amputation in the effort to save a part of its usefulness. In addition to this trying ordeal, Mr. Wilson fell into the hands of the enemy, and for four months was permitted to familiarize himself with the interiors of the prisons at Waynesboro. Lynchburg and Libby. Eventually exchanged, he was discharged in December of 1862, his brief but terrible military experience having contained about all the trials to which soldiers are heir. Since peace was restored he has been a member of the W. A. Brand Post. No. 98. Grand Army of the Republic.
During 1866 and 1867 Mr. Wilson was journal clerk of the Ohio
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house of representatives, and the latter part of 1867 was appointed revenue collector of his district, a position creditably maintained for eleven years, or until the assumption in 1878 of his present responsibility as cashier of the Citizens Bank. In 1868 Mr. Wilson was united in marriage with Anna Virginia Russell, who died in 1898, leaving three children, Will- iam R., Carrie Virginia and Frank C. In 1900 Mr. Wilson married Mrs. Mary B. Murry, widow of James Murry. The Methodist Episco- pal church has a stanch worker and supporter in Mr. Wilson, who has been a steward of the church for forty years, superintendent of the Sun- day-school for ten or twelve years, and also a teacher in the Sunday- school. As one of the best known, most thoroughly enterprising and most helpful of the citizens of Urbana, Mr. Wilson receives a deserved measure of appreciation, and his tact and agreeable personality have won him many friends.
ELIJAH T. WOODCOCK.
1
Among those activity in normal channels of business enterprise have accelerated the current of industrial progress in Champaign county. Ohio, is Mr. Woodcock, who for more than a quarter of a century has been one of the leading grain and produce dealers in this section of the Buckeye state. He has attained in business a prominence that is due entirely to honorable and systematic methods, indefatigable industry and resolute purpose, and thus his success has been worthily won, while its natural concomitant is the unreserved confidence and esteem accorded by his fellow men.
The name borne by our subject has been identified with the annals of American history from the time of its practical inception and is one which has been prominent in the business, civic and public affairs of
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various sections of the Union, throughout which representatives of the family have been disseminated, as one generation has followed another upon the stage of life's activities. It is an established fact that the original American progenitor was an Englishman who was numbered among the pilgrims who sailed for the new world on the historic May- flower, probably coming on the second voyage of this stanch but primi- tive craft. He finally settled in Brattleboro, Vermont, where he became one of the prominent and influential men of the colony. His descend- ants are now to be found in the most diverse section of the Union. Our subject's maternal ancestors became early and prominently identified with the history of New Hampshire, and the maternal grandfather was numbered among the early settlers in western New York.
Elijah T. Woodcock was born in Allegany county, New York, on the 15th of January, 1833, being a son of David and Martha ( Osgood) Woodcock, both of whom were born in Swansey, New Hampshire, where their marriage was solemnized and whence they emigrated to New York, where the father was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. They became the parents of ten children, of whom seven lived to attain years of maturity, while five of the number are living at the present time. The subject of this sketch was reared under the sturdy and invigorating discipline of the farm, and it is interesting to note the fact that during the long years of his active and useful life he has con- tinued to be identified, in a direct or collateral way. with the great basic art of husbandry. He remained on the old homestead until he had at- tained his legal majority, attending the common schools of the vicinity and later prosecuting his studies for a time in the Alfred Academy, in his native county, this being a popular institution and one of high repu- tation. He left this school in 1855 and made his way to the west, lo- cating for a time in Iowa and thence removing to Minnesota, where he had the distinction of being the first settler in Kandiyohi county. this
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being in the year 1856. He soon returned to his native state, locating in Wellsville, where, under the firm name of Woodcock & Crittenden, he was associated in the conducting of an extensive produce business until 1876, in which year he came to Urbana, Ohio, being joined by his fan- ily two years later, and here they have ever since maintained their home. Here he forthwith established himself in the grain and produce business and is now the pioneer operator in this very important line of industry, with which he has been here consecutively identified for more than twenty-five years. In this connection we cannot, perhaps, do better than to quote from an article appearing in the Champaign Democrat of March 30, 1899, since the statements remain pertinent at the present time: "The pioneer business in nearly every town situated in an agri- cultural district is that involved in the establishment of a grain elevator, and no one factor is more important in insuring the success of the farmer. With live, enterprising men of ample capital and good business connec- tions in the leading grain centers prosperity is assured. In the elevator of Mr. E. T. Woodcock we have such a factor. Handling of grain of all kinds, and also seeds and wool, for which the highest ruling prices are paid, this concern has become a favorite one in this vicinity. The facilities are unexcelled and bear evidence of careful planning. no ex- pense being spared to render the service first-class in every respect. Here, on the Big Four tracks, Mr. Woodcock has an elevator with a capacity of fifty thousand bushels, and in conjunction with Mr. . 1. Beatley he has a fifteen thousand bushel warehouse at King's Creek, on the rail- road, and another of eight thousand bushel capacity at Lippincott, and he also has arrangements for loading cars on the Erie road at Dallis' switch. In Mr. Woodcock we find a man thoroughly conversant with every feature and detail of the business, a discriminating and careful buyer, a sharp seller and one who is universally respected." At one time Mr. Woodcock was largely interested in the manufacture of phos-
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