USA > Ohio > Champaign County > A centennial biographical history of Champaign county, Ohio > Part 46
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Pleasant township. J. C. Neer's mother, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Coffey, was the first white female child born in Pleasant township, Clark county, the date of her nativity being May 29, 1808. Her death occurred on the 16th of August, 1887. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Neer were born eight children, five sons and three daughters, namely : Jonathan S., the subject of this review; Maggie, who is still unmarried : Charles, de- ceased ; Frank, deceased : Albert K., who resides in Mechanicsburg ; Fred. also of Champaign county ; Maud, at home; and Mettie, the wife of J. E. Whitemore, of Tawas City, Michigan.
Jonathan S. Neer was but seventeen years of age when he came with his parents to Champaign county, and in addition to attending the district schools of Clark and Champaign counties he was also a student in the Lebanon Normal School for a time. After putting aside his text-books to engage in the active duties of life he chose the occupation to which he had been reared, and throughout his life has followed the tilling of the soil. After farming for a time on rented land he accumulated sufficient means to purchase a tract of one hundred and seventy acres in Goshen township and as the years passed by he has added to his original pur- chase until he is now the owner of a valuable homestead of two hundred acres, located in the eastern part of Goshen township. In addition to the raising of cereals best adapted to this soil and climate he is also exten- sively engaged in the dairy business, usually keeping about thirty cows. and he makes a specialty of this branch of industry.
Mr. Neer was married on the 28th of October, 1875, to Emma Dar- ling, of Mechanicsburg. She is a daughter of 1. S. and Sarah ( Riddle ) Darling, respected old settlers of Champaign county. Prior to her mar- riage she was a prominent and successful school teacher in Mechanics- burg for four years. Six children have come to brighten and bless their home, namely: Ethel, who was born October 14, 18;7, and Dorothy, born May 25, 1879, are both preparing for the nurse's profession in a
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training school in Cincinnati : Frank, born July 19, 1882, died May 24, 1890; Charles, born April 3, 1884, is a member of the Mechanicsburg high school; Alice F., born June 25, 18or, is at home; and Dorris, the youngest of the family, was born November 8, 1894. Mr. Neer gives his political support to the Prohibition party and is very active in its work. He is also an active worker for the cause of education, having served as president of the school board for many years, and he has served also as president of the Farmers Institute at Mechanicsburg. Ilis social relations connect him with the Knights of Honor, and religiously he is a member of the Methodist Protestant church.
DAVID O'BRINE, M. D.
Dr. ()'Brine, one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Urban', was born in the southwest of Ireland, November 17. 1849, his parents being Michael and Mary ( Dillon ) O'Brine, who emigrated to the United States when the Doctor was only a young child. For fifteen or twenty years the father was engaged in superintending the construction of public works, mainly of railroad Fridges, and finally he located not far from: Lansing, Michigan, upon a farm. The Doctor was then about sixteen or seventeen years of age. Prior to this time he had received fair educa- tional advantages, m Troy, New York, and in Bellevue, Huron county, Ohio. After the removal to the farm he assisted in its care and cultivation until about twenty-four years of age, devoting his time through the winter months to the teaching of country schools of Michigan. At the age of twenty-four he came to Ohio and taught one term of school near Lon'en. Mason county. He then went to the Ohio Central Normal schol at Worthington, where he was graduated in 1876. He afterward
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accepted a position of professor of natural science, remaining in that insti- tution for a year and then resigned. He was superintendent of the schools at Canal Winchester for one year and then entered the state university ci Ohio in the fall of 1877. After the first year he managed to make his expenses for his collegiate course by teaching in the university and was graduated there in 1881 with the degree of bachelor of science. In 1882 he took a post-graduate course in the university receiving the degree of E. M. The following year, upon examination, he was made master of science by Adrain College, Michigan. For ten years he occupied the posi- Hon of assistant professor of chemistry in the Ohio State University and won the degree of M. D. from the Columbus, now the Starling, Medical College of Columbus, Ohio. This was in 1885. On examination and the presentation of a thesis, the University of Wooster conferred upon him the degree of doctor of science. On leaving the Ohio State University he accepted the position of professor of chemistry and geology in the Agricultural College of Colorado, but later resigned for the purpose of spending a year in the study of medicine and chemistry in Europe, being in Berlin the greater part of that time. He is the author of a valuable work on chemistry entitled "\ Laboratory Guide in Chemical Analysis." which was published by Wiley & Son of New York in 1888. This work is now being used as a text book in some of the best educational institu- tions of the country.
While in Colorado Dr. O'Brine made a valuable analysis of soils. referred to in a recent bulletin from the Agricultural Experiment Station of the Agricultural College of Colorado. While abroad the Doctor visited many hospitals in the cities of Europe and entere I the Berlin University, where he took a course in surgery under Von Bergerman, a very noted physician and surgeon of that country. To some extent he had practiced medicine in Colorado, being frequently called in consultation. His study abroad made him especially well prepared for the profession and
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locating in Urbana in 1894 he opened an office and has since risen to a position of distinction. As a medical and surgical practitioner of this state he now has a large and lucrative practice which is an indication of his superior skill.
In 1888 the Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Cinda Weaver, of Columbus, who at that time was a teacher of Latin and algebra in the high school of the capital city. The Doctor is a prominent Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. It would be almost tautological in this connection to enter into any series of statements as showing the Doctor to be a man of broad and general culture, information and public spirit, for these have been shadowed forth between the lines of this review. The acquirement of his education largely through his own efforts indicated the elemental strength of his character. As an educator he steadily advanced until he ranks among those whose fame is not of a local character. In the medical fraternity he has won distinction which cannot be gained through purchase, influence or inheritance but comes as a direct result of superior knowledge, skill and zealous devotion to the calling.
SIMEON D. FAIRCHILD.
Simcon D. Fairchild, who for many years occupied a very con- spicuous place among the leading business men of Champaign county. was born near Woodstock, on the farm on which his widow now resides, on the 8th of August, 1837. His boyhood days were passed in the usual manner of farmer lads of that period, and he obtained a good practical education in the public schools of the locality. After his marriage he located on a farm near Woodstock and there spent the remainder of his life. Throughout his active career he was prominently connected with
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the industrial interests of the county, and his course was that of an hon- orable, enterprising and progressive business man, whose well rounded character also enabled him to take an active interest in educational, social and moral affairs and to keep well informed concerning the momentous questions affecting the welfare of the nation. He was honored with many prominent official positions, among which may be mentioned those of vice-president of the Central Ohio Fair Association, president of the Woodstock Building & Loan Association and also president of the Li- brary Association of the same city. In 1874. in company with another gentleman, he went abroad to purchase horses, but on the return trip, the voyage being extremely rough for days and he having a weak heart, the action of the vessel intensified the weakness, and seven days after leaving port his life's labors were ended in death. He passed away on the 27th of September, 1874, and his remains were buried at sea. A prominent repre- sentative of industrial interests, a popular factor in social life, a faithful friend, a kind husband and a consistent Christian, he left behind him an untarnished record.
On the 24th of February, 1859, Mr. Fairchild was united in mar- riage to Eliza A. Burnham, a daughter of Jacob Burnham and a grand- daughter of Eliphas Burnham. The family is of English descent and was founded in this country by three brothers, who after their arrival on American soil located in New England. Eliphas Burnham was born in Connecticut, and was there married. November 25. 1793. to Lydia Smith. Prior to 1820 he came with his wife and children to Ohio, locating in Union county, near the Champaign county line, and the journey to this state was made with teams and wagons. He here purchased a new and unimproved farm, and on the homestead which he improved he passed away in death in 1821, at the age of fifty-seven years, while his wife was called to her final rest in the following year, 1822, at the age of forty- nine years. Of their eight children, two sons and six daughters, all were
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probably born in Connecticut, and were named as follows: Jacob : Zalenda, who became the wife of James Miller: Lorinda, who married Elba Burnham; Orilla, who became the wife of Summer Payne; Juliette, who was married to John Reed : Lydia Ann, who was first married to Elias Hathaway and afterward to Samuel Woods ; and Nancy M., who fever married. All are now deceased.
Jacob Burnham, the eldest son in the above family, married Eliza Meachem, and afterward located on the old homestead farm with his brother Eliphas, where he remained until his death. The brothers carried on the work of the farm together during their life time. They were prom- mently and widely known throughout the county, and in business they sustained an enviable reputation, for in them were embraced the char- acteristic- of unbending integrity. unabating energy and industry that never flagged. Unto Jacob and Eliza ( Meachem) Burnham, were born four children, -- Nicholas H. : Albert, deceased; Hiram G., deceased ; and Eliza .A., widow of Simeon D. Fairchild. Jacob Burnham, who was born on the 27th of October, 1794. diel on the 23d of April, 1866. while his wife survived until August 30, 1886, passing away at the age of eighty-four years and three months. Both were members of the Woodstock Universalist church, in which they were active workers, and they exemplified its helpful teachings in their everyday lives. The father was a close Bible student, and during his life he read that sacred book through many times. He was a Whig in political matters until the forma- tion of the Republican party, after which he gave a loyal support to its principles.
Eliphas Burnham married Lydia Meachem, a sister of Mrs. Jacob Burnham, their wedding being celebrated on the 34 of July, 1820, and their union was blessed with eight children, as follows: Betsey, who be- came the wife of George Thomas, Harvey: Andrew ; Marcia, who mar- ried George Morse : Ralph : Dorcas ; Lucas ; and Jared. . All are now de-
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ceased with the exception of Andrew and Marcia. Mr. and Mrs. Burn- hamn were also exemplary members of the Universalist church. The mother, who was born on the 14th of June, 1796, was called to the home beyond April 8. 1807, and the father died April 14, 1881. The same root sheltered these brothers throughout nearly their entire lives, and through the passing years they gained the unqualified confidence and re- spect of their fellow men.
GEORGE A. WEAVER.
George A. Weaver is a representative of one of the old and pioneer families of Champaign county. He is a son of Lemuel W., who was born eight miles from Urbana, July 17, 1808, and died in this city on the 27th of January, 1890. The family is of German lineage and Henry W., the grandfather of our subject, was born in Berkeley county, Virginia. Later he became a resident of Lexington, Kentucky, and then removed to Ohio in 1802. In the latter part of 1813 the family came to Urbana, the city having been founded eight years before. Here Henry Weaver en- gaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes until 1825. and then ex- tended the field of his operations by dealing in general merchandise. He was tax collector for several years and was a prominent and influential man, whose efforts along commercial lines and in the up-building and progress of Urbana were most beneficial to the community. He died in 1872, after seventy years residence in Champaign county. His wife bore the maiden name of Nancy Chapman and was of English descent. She was born in New Jersey and was a daughter of William Chapman for whom Chapman's Creek in Champaign county was named. he having Eved along that stream.
When twelve years of age Lemuel Weaver was a student in the
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school conducted by Calvin Fletcher, afterwards a prominent and wealthy citizen of Indianapolis. Indiana. The last school which he attended was taught by Aquila Bolton, who later joined the Quaker community near Lebanon. In his youth Mr. Weaver became a clerk in his father's store and when the father withdrew in 1843 Mr. Weaver and his brothers. Jason and Simeon, continued the business with which he was connected for many years. In 1855 the partnership was dissolved and the follow- ing year Lemuel Weaver entered into business relations with his brother Simeon as a general merchant. When three or four years had passed he went to Concord, New Hampshire, but at the expiration of two years re- turned to Urbana and opened a hardware store, however, disposing of his interests in this enterprise several years prior to his death. His poli- tical support was given to the Whig party in early life, while later he be- came a Republican. In 1832 he was a delegate to the Whig convention which met at Washington, D. C., and nominated Henry Clay as a candi- date for the presidency. In 1840 he gave his support to William Henry Harrison. Ile took an active interest in everything pertaining to the int- provement and progress of his community and at one time was secretary and treasurer of the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad, which is now part of the Big Four railroad system. On the 21st of August, 1841, Lemuel Weaver married Elizabeth G. Hoyt, of Urbana, who was born in Maine, in the year 1816, and died on the 3rd of May, 1874. Both Mr. and Mrs. Weaver were members of the Presbyterian church and were people of the highest respectability. Their influence was marked as pro- moters of general progress along intellectual and moral lines and Mr. Weaver contributed in a large measure to the material up-building of his community.
Of the five children born unto this worthy couple George A. Weaver of Urbana is the only one now living. His birth occurred in this city, May 22. 1842, and here he pursued his preliminary education, which was
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supplemented by a course in Dartmouth College, in which he was grad- nated in 1863. He entered upon his business career in connection with his father. as a representative of merchandising interests, and afterward studied law, being admitted to the bar in 1869. He has not engaged in practice regularly, his attention being largely occupied by supervision of his real estate interests, which are extensive. He has also been identified with several extensive enterprises and is a man of resourceful business ability, who carries forward to successful completion whatever he under- takes.
In 1875 Mr. Weaver married Miss Eleanor E. Thomas of New York, and they have two children, both of whom are in college. Mrs. Weaver is a leader in social circles and their attractive home is celebrated for its cordial hospitality. Mr. Weaver is a Presbyterian in religious faith and in politics he is a Republican. Notably prompt, energetic and re- liable in business matters, he has had marked influence upon the com- mercial progress of Urbana. In manner he is modest and unassuming, but from his friends he receives the recognition which is ever accorded to sterling worth and honor.
JOSEPH G. RUSSELL.
In glancing at the more salient points in the genealogical history of this able young member of the bar of Champaign county, we find that in the agnatic line he is descended from stanch English stock and that rep- resentatives of the name became identified with the annals of American history in the carly colonial epoch, the original ancestors locating in the colony of Massachusetts early in the seventeenth century, while the name later became prominently identified with the history of the states of Pen- sylvania and Virginia, our subject tracing his lineage back to Robert
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. Russell, who located in the Old Dominion in the year 1776. The name has ever stood for strong intellectuality, marked probity and intrinsic patriotism, and it is a matter of record that several members of the family rendered yeoman service in the Continental line during the war of the Revolution.
Joseph G. Russell, who is successfully engaged in the general prac- tice of law in the city of Urbana, is a native of this place, where he was born on the 15th of September, 1875. the son of James M. and Elizabeth J. ( AcClellan ) Russell. James M. Russell was born likewise in Cham- paign county, Ohio, the son of Aaron and Tamzon Russell, the former of whom was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, a son of William Russell, who also was a native of the Old Dominion and the son of James and Ann (Ileatlı) Russell, the former of whom was a son of the Robert Rus- sell, who located in Virginia in 1776. There are records extant which in- dicate that the first representative of the family in America came hither from England, settling in Salem. Later several members of the family took up their abode in Concord, that colony, and in one of the old cemeter- ies there may be found ancient tombs on which may still be deciphered the names of fineal and collateral branches of the family of which our subject is a member. From Massachusetts went forth representatives of the fam- ily into New York City and Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, from which county Robert Russell removed to Virginia, as has already been noted. laron Russell, the grandfather of our subject, came to Champaign county, Ohio, and settled in Concord township, where he devoted the re- mainder of his life to agricultural pursuits, developing a valuable farm and being recognized as one of the representative citizens of the county. His son James M. was reared on the homestead farm, and received his educational discipline in his native county. He was concerned in agri- culture in his early manhood, but eventually took up his residence in Urbana, where he engaged in the dry-goods business, in which line he
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continued operations for many years, being one of the leading merchants of the city and one of its most honored citizens. He is now living re- tired. after years of well directed and prolific effort as a business man. Ile went forth in defense of the Union during the war of the Rebellion, serving three years, as a member of the One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and having been lieutenant and adjutant in his company. He and his wife still maintain their home in Urbana, where their friends are in number as their acquaintances. Mrs. Russell was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, being the daughter of Joseph and Inn ( (unningham ) Mcclellan, who removed from Reading to Harris- burg, Pennsylvania, where they lived for many years. The Mcclellan family is of Scotch extraction and was founded in Pennsylvania prior to the war of the Revolution. The subject of this review is one of two children, his sister, Ruth, being the wife of Charles E. Kennedy, of Urbana.
Joseph G. Russell was reared in his native city, and was graduated in the Urbana high school as a member of the class of 1893. Hle then began his technical reading of law, continuing his studies for one year in Urbana and then taking a course of one year in the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, following this by attending the Cincinnati Law School for an equal period. He was admitted to the bar in 1897, and was thereafter associated in practice with John J. Lee- dom, now deceased, for several years in Michigan. He has been en- gaged in practice at Urbana since his return and is known as one of the well qualified and successful young members of the bar of this section of the state. In politics Mr. Russell is a stalwart advocate of the prin- ciples of the Republican party, and he has been an active worker in its ranks. In December, 1900. he was elected president of the Young Men's Republican Club. of Urbana, and is still incumbent of this position. He is a member of no fraternal organizations, but is prominently identified
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with the National Guard of Ohio, having been appointed sergeant-major of the Third Battalion of the Third Regiment, in April, 1901. He is a stockholder of the Urbana Baking Powder Company, of which he is vice-president.
MAJOR THOMAS MCCONNELL.
All who have a just regard for the memory of those who have departed this life must cherish the details which go to make up the history of those whose careers have been marked by uprightedness and truth and whose lives have been filled with usefulness. In a work which has to do with those who have lived and wrought to goodly ends in Champaign county, it is incumbent that a memoir be entered to Major McConnell, who was a valiant and loyal soldier during the war of the Rebellion and who was known and honored as one of the representative business men of Urbana, where he maintained his home until his death, on the 30th of September, 1901. When he thus passed to his reward the community mourned the loss of one of its noble-hearted, public- spirited and loyal citizens, for he was held in the highest regard by all who knew him, and his acquaintanceship was wide in this section of the state, where he had maintained his home for so many years.
Major McConnell was born near Lebanon, Ohio, on the 18th of January, 1839, being a son of James McConnell, who was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, being of stanch Scotch-Irish lineage. There he was married to Eleanor Murray, who was born in that county, being likewise of Scotch-Irish extraction, and they came to Ohio in an early day, locating in Warren county, and thence removing to Champaign county, where the father devoted the residue of his life to agricultural pursuits, passing away at the age of about seventy years, while his wife
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was about sixty-eight at the time of her demise. Both were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church and were folks of the most sterling character. They became the parents of five sons and three daughters, all of whom attained years of maturity, the subject of this re- view having been the second in order of birth and the eldest son. He was a lad of seven years at the time when his parents came to Champaign county, and his early educational privileges were such as were afforded in the district schools of the early days. He continued at the parental home until the dark cloud of civil war obscured the national horizon, when he was among the first to show his intrinsic patriotism and loyalty, by tendering his services in support of the Union.
Upon the first call for troops, in 1861, Major McConnell enlisted as a private in Company K. Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of his term of enlistment. when he veter- anized, in 1862, promptly re-enlisting and becoming a private in Company -1, Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he was made a first lieutenant, later promoted to the office of captain and finally major of his regiment. He participated in many of the most notable battles of the war, having been in command of his regiment at the battle of Lookout Mountain and many other engagements, and having been identified with the entire Atlanta campaign. He was wounded at Chancellorsville, and for a time was confined in the hospitals at Lookout Mountain and Cin- cinnati, Ohio, and had it not been for the resultant disability he would have been made colonel of his regiment. Major McConnell served valiantly and honorably during practically the entire period of the war. and he received his honorable discharge on the 15th of July, 1865, after which he returned to Urbana, where he ever afterward maintained his home. In 1868 he was elected sheriff of Champaign county, and was in cumbent of this office for a period of four years, at the expiration of which he 38 engaged in the livery business in which he con-
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