USA > Ohio > Champaign County > A centennial biographical history of Champaign county, Ohio > Part 42
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CHRISTIAN SHANELY.
Among the early settlers and representative farmers of Harrison township, and a veteran of the great Civil war, is Christian Shanely, who was born in the southeastern part of Indiana, about thirty miles west
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6. Shevely John, Sheonly Isevero shamely Jacole Shanley David Shanely
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of Cincinnati, November 5, 1826, the third son and fifth child of John and Catherine ( Haisch) Shanely, whose history will be found in the sketch of their eldest son. Jacob Shanley, in this volume. When a small boy our subject was taken by his parents to Shelby county, Ohio, and a short time afterward the family came to Champaign county. He received his education in the old-time log school houses of the locality, with their greased paper windows and slab seats and desks. After putting aside itis text-books he assisted his father in the work of the home farm until 1850, when he made the journey to the Golden state, going direct to Sacramento City, and about six months were spent on the road from St. Joe across the plains with an ox team. After seven months spent on the Pacific slope as a miner he returned by the water route to New York City, whence he went to Albany and Buffalo and finally reached his old home in Champaign county, where he resumed the quiet pursuits of the farm. After his marriage he located on a farm in Adams township, where he was engaged in general farming and stock-raising until the Civil war prompted his enlistment in the Union cause. In 1864 he became a mem- ber of Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, entering the ranks as a private, but was soon afterward pro- moted to the position of sergeant, and for four months he served in the National Guards, under Colonel Armstrong. They went to Cumberland, Missouri, thence to Washington, thence to Petersburg and remained there until discharged in the last part of . August.
Returning to his home with a creditable military record, Mr. Shanely again took up the quiet duties of a farm life, and since that time has given his undivided attention to the work of the fields. About 1800 he took up his abode in Harrison township, where he now owns three hundred acres of land, ali of which he has placed under a fine state of cultivation, and on this valuable homestead he has erected a com- modious and attractive residence. In addition to the farm which he now
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owns he has also given two hundred and forty acres to his sons and son-in-law.
In 1853 Mr. Shanely was united in marriage to Susanna S. Calland, a daughter of William and Mary (Armstrong) Calland, who came from Scotland to America in 1817, and they became prominent early settlers of Adams township, Champaign county. In that locality Mrs. Shanely was reared and educated, being the youngest in a family of nine chil- dren, four sons and five daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Shanely became the parents of three children,-Mary C., the wife of L. A. Kumler ; John W .. who married Miss Lucy Alice Pierce; and Edwin, who married .Anna Sager. The loving wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1879, and she was buried at Spring Hill cemetery. In politics Mr. Shanely is a Republican, he having cast his first presidential vote for Lincoln in 1860, and he has continued to vote that ticket at every presiden- tial election since. He is a prominent and worthy member of the United Brethren church, has always clung to whatever is of "good repute." and his name is a synonym for all that is honorable and straightforward.
JACOB SHANLEY.
Many years have passed since this gentleman arrived in Champaign county, and he is justly numbered among her honored pioneers and lead- ing citizens. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, April 27, 1822, a son of John and Catherine ( Haisch) Shanley, natives of Wittenberg, Ger- many. The father was a soldier under Napoleon Bonaparte and was with him on his march to Moscow. Opt of the twenty who enlisted with him from the same town he is the only one who returned from the fatal march. In 1816 they left their little home across the sea and came to America, locating in Cincinnati, Ohio, and on their arrival they were in
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debt to the amount of sixty dollars. For the following five years the father worked as a laborer in Cincinnati, after which he removed to Indi- ana, but two years later came again to this state, and from that time until 1830 farmed on rented land near the town of Miami. In that year they took up their abode on a rented farm in Shelby county, but a short time afterward came to Adams township, Champaign county, where Mr. Shanley had previously purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. and here they spent the remainder of their lives, the father passing away in his sixty-seventh year, while the mother reached the good old age of seventy-nine years, both passing away in the faith of the United Brethren church, of which they were worthy and active members. The church in which they worshipped was built on their land. A little log cabin first served as their meeting place, but this was later replaced by a more pre- tentious frame structure, and the latter was succeeded by a brick church, all built on the same site. This worthy couple became the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters, namely: Catherine, de- ceased; Sophia, also deceased: Jacob, of this review ; John, a resident of Adams township. Champaign county; Christian, who makes his home in both Adams and Harrison townships ; David, of the former place ; and Isaac, also of Adams township. Four of the sons were loyal defenders of the Union cause during the war of the Rebellion, and as a partial com- pensation for the trials which they were called upon to undergo in that terrible struggle they are now drawing pensions.
Jacob Shanley, of this review, was about ten years of age when he was brought by his parents to Champaign county, and in a primitive log school house in this neighborhood he received his early mental train- ing. The teachers at that time were paid the munificent sum of ten dol- lars a month. In 1846, in company with a friend, he drove to the present site of Dubuque, Iowa, but at that time this now flourishing city had ine t been organized, and during the following summer he was there employed
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at farm labor. Returning thence to his home in Champaign county, he spent the winter in attending the district school, and in the spring made the journey to Iowa, where he remained but a few months and then re- turned to his Ohio home. In 1849 he started on the long and arduous trip to the Golden state, the journey being made with ox teams, and on his arrival at Salt Lake City a halt was made of one week. While there he had the pleasure of hearing Brigham Young preach, and also saw all of his wives in a group. he having been invited to the July celebration, the second anniversary of the arrival of Brigham Young in Salt Lake City. Continuing his journey to the Pacific coast, he mined for a time on the Yuba river, and after two years spent in California he returned by the water route to New York City. Ile crossed the isthmus of Panama on foot. From New York City he made his way to Pittsburg and thence to Philadelphia, where he disposed of his gold dust for three thousand dollars. Resuming his journey to the Buckeye state, he remained for a time in Cincinnati and Piqua, and on his return to Champaign county he purchased the farm on which he now resides, which at that time con- sisted of one hundred and twenty-five acres. In addition to his valuable homestead Mr. Shanley also owns two farms in Shelby county, one of one hundred and seven acres and the other of one hundred and sixty-five acres, thus making his landed possessions to consist of nine hundred acres.
On the 24th of February, 1853, Mr. Shanley was united in marriage to Caroline Dormire, who was born in France December 20, 1833. a daughter of Christian and Magdalena ( Baron ) Dormire, also natives of that country. They came to America about 1840, and after their arrival in New York they made their way to Shelby county, Ohio. They, too. were very poor when they arrived in Ohio, and they were twenty dollars in debt. They succeeded in borrowing seventy dollars, and with this amount purchased twenty acres of land in Shelby county. They were the parents of six children, but two of the mimber died in infancy and
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the remaining four accompanied them on their journey to AAmerica. The mother was called to her final rest at the age of seventy-four years, but the father survived until his eighty-first year. Mrs. Shanley is their third child in order of birth and is the oldest now living, her brothers and sisters being : Margaret, the wife of Lewis Bailar, who resides in Glen- wood Springs, Colorado; John, of Portland, Indiana; and David, of Shelby county, Ohio. Mrs. Shanley was about seven years of age when she came with her parents to America and she was reared in Shelby county, this state, receiving her education in its district schools. Two children have blessed the marriage of our subject and wife,-David, who was born in 1854, and is still at home ; and Laura E., the wife of Emer- son E. Gard, of Clark county. He is a prominent grain dealer near Tre- mont City, where he also owns an elevator and is engaged in the coal, oil, lumber and hardware business. They have two children,-Frank J. and Mary C. At the present time Mr. and Mrs. Shanley are residing on their oldi homestead in Adams township and are one of the oldest couples in the township. They are active members and liberal sup- porters of the United Brethren church, and Mr. Shanley is a lifelong Democrat. although he has been the only one of his father's family to vote that ticket. Highly esteemed by all who know them, the uniform regard in which they are held is a tribute to upright lives,-well worthy of emulation.
JOHN SHANLEY.
This honored veteran of the Civil war, who has now reached the seventy-eighth milestone on the journey of life, is one of the honored pioneers of Champaign county. He was born in the southeastern part of Indiana, near Cincinnati, August 4. 1824. and is the second son and
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fourth child of John and Catherine ( Haisch) Shanley, whose history will be found in the sketch of Jacob Shanley in this volume. Our subject was about six years of age when he was brought by his parents to Adams township. Champaign county, and the educational advantages which he enjoyed in his youth were received in its public schools. He remained at home until his marriage, and soon afterward. in December. 1861, he offered his services in defense of the Union cause. entering Company I. Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Intantry, in which he served for three years. During his military career he participated in eleven of the important bat- tles of the war, including those of Middle Creek, Vicksburg. Grand Gulf. Thompson's Hill, Cumberland Gap and Pain's Gap. During the en- gagement at Vicksburg he was struck in the cheek by a spent ball. In 1864 he received his disebarge, and with an honorable military record he returned to his home.
Previous to entering the army Mr. Shanley had followed the wagon- making business, and after his return home he resumed that occupation. but soon afterward sold out and purchased the farm which he now owns. His landed possessions now consist of one hundred and sixty acres of well improved and productive land, where he is engaged in general farin- ing and stock-raising. From a very early period he has been promi- nently identified with the history of this section of the state. Wild was the region into which he came when a boy of six years; its forests stood in their primeval strength, and the prairie land was still unbroken, and throughout the years which have since come and gone he has nobly borne his share in its progress and upbuilding. Throughout the years of his manhood he has given an unwavering support to the principles of the Republican party, and religiously he is a member of the United Brethren church.
In 1861 Mr. Shanley was united in marriage to Fatima Henry, who was born and reared in Shelby county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Rich-
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ard and Barbara Henry, prominent early settlers of Shelby county. Four children have blessed this union, namely: R. Mark, who is engaged in the oil business at Jennings. Lonisiana: David D., a grain dealer of Mendon, Ohio; Lola, the wife of George Wirick, of Adams township, Champaign county, and Estella, the wife of Harvey Princehouse, who follows the teacher's profession in Shelby county. Mr. and Mrs. Shan- ley also have four grandchildren,-Laura. Ethel and R. Emmitt Wirick and Jessie Princehouse. The family are among the best known citizens of Champaign county, and their friends are legion.
DAVID SHANELY.
In an enumeration of the prominent and successful farmers of Champaign county a place of due relative priority must be given to the gentleman whose name appears above and who is one of the sterling citizens of the county, where he has passed his long and useful life, being a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of the county. He has a weil improved and valuable farm, which is located on section 2, Adams township, and he has here devoted his attention to the great art of husbandry from his childhood days, when he began to assist in the work of clearing and cultivating the paternal homestead.
Mr. Shanely was born in Adams township on the 20th of June, 1830, being a son of John and Catherine ( llaisch) Shanely, to whom more specific reference is made in the sketch of our subject's eldest brother, Jacob Shanely, on another page of this work, so that a recapitula- tion is not demanded at this point. . Our subject was reared on the old homestead and there continued to devote his attention to its work until his marriage, in 1860, when he began operations in the same line on his
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own responsibility. When the integrity of the nation was menaced by armed rebellion Mr. Shanely abandoned the plow for the sword. and in 18Ca enlisted as a private in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty- fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he was in active service for a period of about four months. At the expiration of his term he re- turned to his home and resumed farming, and to this industry he has ever since continued to give his attention, also raising a high grade of live stock, and has been very successful in his efforts, his landed estate now comprising two hundred and twenty-seven acres, the greater portion being under a high state of cultivation, while the permanent improve- inents are of the best order, including a commodious and attractive brick residence, which was erected by Mr. Shanely in 1876. Ile has prac- tically retired from the active duties pertaining to the farm, but still main- tains a general supervision of his fine estate. He has taken a lively in- terest in all that concerns the progress and material and civic welfare of his native county, and is one of the honored pioneer citizens, the family having been one of prominence in the county from an early epoch in its history. Mr. Shanely's first presidential vote was cast for Pierce in 1852; his next for Buchanan and the third for Lincoln in 1860, since which time he has remained a stalwart supporter of the Republican party. having voted for every one of its presidential candidates from the time of its organization. His religious faith is that of the United Brethren church, and he has been an active worker in the same, as has also his wife.
Mi. Shanely's first marriage was solemnized in the year 1860, when he was united to Miss Sarah J. Henry, and they became the parents of four children, namely : John W., a farmer of Adams township, married Cora Scoby: Alice is the wife of William Long; Charles, who is a promi- nent physician and surgeon at Sedgwood, North Dakota, and where he is also largely engaged in agricultural pursuits. stock-raising and min- ing, married Capsola Shopsher ; and Lydia A. is the wife of W. E. Pard-
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ington. vi Shelby county, and a member of the Ohio legislature. Mrs. Shanely was summoned into eternal rest in 1872, and our subject subse- quently married Miss Lydia A. Wright, who was born in Henry county, Indiana They have two children,-Trina, who is the wife of John Domire: and Barbara C., who remains at the parental home. Mr. Shanely has many times been offered official positions, but he has steadily declined. as the emoluments of office have had little attraction for him.
ISAAC SHANELY.
The subject of this review is an honored hero of the Civil war and a man who for many years has held a leading place among the agri- culturists of Champaign county. He was born on the farm on which he now lives, October 20, 1832, the youngest child of John and Catherine (Haisch) Shanely, whose history will be found in the sketch of Jacob Shanley in this volume. When the country became involved in civil war Isaac Shanely left his home and went to the front as a defender of the Union cause, enlisting November 21, 1801, as a member of Com- pany I, Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Entering the ranks as a private, he was soon promoted to the position of quartermaster, and in that capacity participated in many of the hard-fought battles of the war. In the engagement at Port Gibson he received a Rebel bullet in the neck and shoulder, and for a time thereafter was confined in the hospital at Grand Gulf, but on the 21st of June following he rejoined his company and was present at the siege of Vicksburg. On the 2d of December, 1864. he received an honorable discharge and returned to his home. He now receives a pension of six dollars in compensation for his services.
Throughout his entire life he has resided on the old Shanely home- stead, which was entered by his father in 1820, and he still has in his
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possession the original patent from the government. In 1874 he erected one of the finest residences in the county, at a cost of five thousand dol- lars. His farm contains three hundred and twenty acres of rich and fertile land. He has always followed advanced and progressive meth- ods of agriculture, and his place is neat and thrifty in appearance, owing to his consecutive labors and careful supervision. In 1868 he was united in marriage to Barbara A. Shaffer, a daughter of John and Catherine (Howard ) Shaffer, natives of Germany. Mrs. Shanely was also born in that country, but when four years of age was brought by her parents to America, the family locating first in Logan county, Ohio, and afterward came to Champaign county. She is the eldest child of her mother's first marriage, and she was reared and educated in this county. By her marriage to Mr. Shanely she has become the mother of five children, namely: L. Grant, who married Josephine C. Staley ; Callie C., deceased ; Elizabeth Jane, also deceased; George C., who was born in 18,5 and is still at home; and Isaac N., also at home. The family are members of the United Brethren church, in which Mr. Shanely has served as a trustee for forty years and is an active worker for the cause of Christianity. Since returning from the war he has given a stanch support to the Repub- lican party, and in his social relations he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. In the growth and upbuilding of Champaign county he has ever borne his part, has been honorable in business, loyal in friend- ship, faithful in citizenship, and now in his declining years he can look back over the past with little occasion for regret.
GEORGE G. McCRE.1.
Captain George G. McCrea, one of the well known and progressive citizens of Champaign county, is a member of an old and distinguished family. He is a son of Wallace and Jane ( Stapleton ) McCrea. The
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former was born in Catskill, New York, July 11, 1810, and was a son of John and Elizabeth ( Bell) McCrea. John was a son of Thomas Mc- Crea, who was a native of Scotland, coming from Kintail, the town of McCreas. He was born in 1724. In 1759 he was married to Elizabeth Montgomery, daughter of a Scotch lord. Subsequently they came to Ire- land, living in County Tyrone, and from there they came in 1787, to America, settling in Kortright. Delaware county, New York, where they lived until passing away. Thomas McCrea died in 1822. John McCrea, born in Scotland or after the removal of the family to Ireland, was the third child of Thomas and Elizabeth McCrea. When a youth of eighteen years he became imbued with the desire to emigrate to America, and gain- ing the consent of his parents, acted upon this impetious impulse and made the voyage to the new world alone, landing in New York City in 1775. In Kortright, New York, on February 5, 1803, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Bell, who was born in New York in 1767. In 1817, accom- panied by his wife and children, Mr. McCrea removed from the Empire state to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he followed his trade of a mason and his efficiency in his line is attested by the fact that he superintended the con- struction of the first city water-works there. In the following year, 1818. he came to Champaign county, securing three hundred and twenty acres of government land, and on this farm his grandson, Captain George G. McCrea. now resides. After securing his land he returned to Cincinnati, where he worked at his trade until the spring of 1820, and then came with his family to his former purchase. This section was then new and wild, its forests stood in their primeval strength and the Indians still roamed through the dense woods, seeking the game which could be had in abund- ance. Here he took up his permanent abode, erecting a log cabin and developing his land. He was possessed of small means and during the panic of 1821-22 was obliged to sell a part of his purchase, but as the years passed by he became prosperous and eventually accumulated a competence.
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For many years he was the only competent mason of this locality. Both he and his wife led earnest Christian lives and both were members of the Salem Presbyterian church, located near Christiansburg. Champaign county. He was also a member of Mount Olivet Lodge, F. & A. M., and was a Whig in his political views. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McCrea were born four children: Eliza, who married Frederick Johnston: William B .. John and Wallace, all now deceased. Mr. McCrea was called to his final rest on the 14th of April. 1837, and his wife survived until July 15, 1852, when she joined him in the spirit world.
Wallace McCrea, the father of our subject was educated in the primitive schools of his day. On the 22d of March, 1832, he was united in marriage to Jane Stapleton, and they began their domestic life in this neighborhood but subsequently located on the old homestead, where the remainder of their lives was spent. During the trying period of the Civil war he manifested his loyality to the government by raising both money and inen to preserve the Union. He was first a Whig in his politi- cal views, but in 1856 joined the new Republican party. ever afterward remaining a stanch supporter of its principles. Throughout his life he de- voted his energies to farming and stock-raising, and in both lines he was successful. He was at all times a public-spirited and progressive citizen, and although never an office-seeker he held many local positions. The union of Mr. and Mrs. McCrea was blessed with five children, namely : john who died in 1852 at the age of nineteen years: George G., of this review : Eliza J., who married Charles L. Rogers, of Champaign county, being born September 23, 1838, and died June 26, 1876, at the age of thirty-eight years; Calvin, who died in 1843 at the age of one year and seven months; and Sarah, who died in 1852, at the age of seven years and eight months. The mother of this family closed her eyes in death on the 15th of July, 1871, at the age of sixty-three years, her birth having occurred on the 8th of July, 1808, in Ohio, but she was of Virginia parent-
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age. Mr. McCrea was called to his final rest in 1893. aged eighty-three years.
Captain George McCrea, was born in a log cabin in the village of Christiansburg. July 17, 1836, and was early inured to the labors of field and meadow, his educational advantages having been secured in the primi- tive schools then in'vogue. He remained at home until his enlistment for the Civil war, in August, 1862, entering Company E. One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being mustered in as a private. His regiment was a part of the Army of the Cumberland, and with it he took part in the many hotly contested battles in which that gallant army en- gaged. His regiment was made a part of the Second Brigade, Second Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, and was commanded by General Thomas, the "Rock of Chickamauga." The two principal battles in which he participated were those of Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. At Louisville, Kentucky, the Captain was mnstered out of service, and was discharged at Columbus, Ohio, July 5. 1805. Captain McCrea entered the ranks as a private but for meritorious services on the field of battle he received the following promotions: Second sergeant, first sergeant, orderly sergeant, second lieutenant. first lieutenant, and during the spring of 1864 was in command of Company D. He was relieved from that com- mand on the 27th of June, 1800, and returned to his old company, and on the death of Captain John Bowersock, who was killed at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, our subject was placed in command of Company E. his own company, serving in that capacity until he was mustered out of service. At Kenesaw Mountain, during a fall in the engagement. he re- ceived a sun stroke, and was carried off the field by four comrades of Company D, but after ten days he had sufficiently recovered to rejoin his regiment. In the same engagement, while leading his men, sword in hand, the weapon was struck by a minie ball near its point and was nearly wrenched from his hand. He still has this weapon in his possession and
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