USA > Ohio > Champaign County > A centennial biographical history of Champaign county, Ohio > Part 47
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
708
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
tinned until his death, having built up a successful enterprise and having been one of the able business men of the city. In politics Major McConnell gave a stalwart support to the Republican party, in w hose cause he was an active worker for many years, having been at one time a member of the state central committee. Fraternally he was one of the popular members of the Grand Army of the Republic, having held the various offices of his post, and he was also identified with the Loyal Legion, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Ilis religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church, and he was a member of the building committee which had control of the erection of the present church edifice in Urbana. He was very public-spirited and liberal and ever ready to give his aid and influence in support of all measures ad- vanced for the general good of the community. He was a member of the soldiers' relief committee from the time of its organization, and knew every soldier in the county, his death being sincerely mourned by his old comrades.
On the 28th of June. 1866. Major McConnell was united in marriage to Miss Margaret MeDonald, who was born in Urbana, on the 20th of January, 1843 the daughter of Colin and Nancy ( McColloch ) MeDon- ald, the former of whom was born in Ross county, Ohio, and the latter in Zanesfield, Logan county. Mr. MeDonald came to Urbana in an early day and was here for many years engaged in the general merchandise business, being one of the influential citizens of the county. He and his wife became the parents of five daughters and five sons, and it is a rather singular fact that the five daughters were born in succession and then the
. live sons, Mrs. McConnell having been the fifth child and fifth daughter. Three of her brothers and two of her sisters attained years of maturity. and of these all are still living save one.
Mrs. McConnell was reared in Urbana, in whose public schools she received her educational discipline, and here she has a wide circle of
709
CENTENNI.IL BIOGRAPHIICAL HISTORY.
friends many of whom she has known from her childhood days. She is a zealous worker in the Presbyterian church, of which she is a devoted member. By her marriage one son was born, George, who is a native son of Urbana, where he was born on the ist of January. 1875. Hle com- pleted a course of study in the high school and then entered the Eastman Business College, at Poughkeepsie. New York, where he completed a com- mercial course. In July. 1808, he became secretary and superintendent of the Urbana water-works, and has served in this position for nearly four years, while he also has the management of his mother's business interests. In politics he is a Republican and fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order and the Loyal Legion, being one of the popular and able young business men of Urbana.
In May, 1900, George McConnell was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Stone. the daughter of S. L. P. and Julia (Geiger ) Stone, of Urbana, where she was born, completing her education in the Urbana University.
ISAAC B. HAPPERSETT.
One of the representative citizens and capable officials of Champaign county is Isaac B. Happersett, who has been a resident of the county from his childhood days. Mr. Happersett is of stanch old Pennsylvania German stock and was the son of William and Elizabeth ( Bruner ) Hap- persett, who came from Lancaster county to Champaign county, Ohio, in the year 1836. locating in Urbana, where the father was a pioneer physician, here continuing in the successful practice of his profession until his death, which occurred in 1854. His widow is still living and maintains her home in Urbana. They became the parents of seven chil- dren. of whom only one is deceased.
710
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Isaac B. Happersett secured his early educational training in the public schools of Urbana and here he learned the trade of carriage mak- ing, to which he devoted his attention for a period of about nine years, after which he entered into partnership with II. C. Hovey and was there- after engaged in the grocery and meat business in this city for the long period of twenty-seven years, retiring from the same in the year 1887. He thereafter was in other business here for a short time and later de- voted his attention to agricultural pursuits for a brief interval.
Mr. Happersett has ever been a stanch and uncompromising advo- cate of the principles of the Republican party and has been an active and efficient worker in the cause. In September, 1898, he was elected to the office of county commissioner and re-elected at the expiration of his terin. Ilis religions faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he has been for many years a member of Grace church, in Urbana, of which Mrs. Ilappersett also is a member. Fraternally he is identified with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows.
In the year 1855 Mr. Happersett was united in marriage to Miss Martha F. Sampson, daughter of William Sampson, one of the early residents of Urbana.
ORAA FAIRCHILD.
Among the loyal sons of Champaign county who went forth to battle for the Union in the war of the Rebellion was Ora Fairchild, and throughout his life he has manifested in the discharge of his duties of citizenship the same zeal that he displayed when on southern battlefields he followed the stars and stripes to victory. He well deserves mention in this volume among the representative men of this section, and it is with pleasure we present his life record to our readers.
Mr. Fairchild was born in Rush township, Champaign county. on
711
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
the 2d of July. 1834, and is a member of a prominent old Vermont family. His grandfather, Henry Fairchild, was born in that commonwealth, but about 1814. in company with two brothers, he came to Champaign county, Ohio, where he was among the early pioneers. He improved a farm in this county, and here resided for about forty years, after which he removed to Linn county, Iowa. Oris Fairchild, his son and the father of our subject, was also a native of the Green Mountain state, but when only six years of age he was brought by his parents to Ohio, the family locating in Rush township, and in its primitive log school house he received his early educational advantages. He was here married to Sarah Fish, a native also of Vermont, and she was about fifteen years of age when she accompanied her parents on their removal to Champaign coun- ty. This worthy couple became the parents of eight children, two sons and six daughters, of whom our subject is the eldest in order of birth, and his only brother. Simeon, died at sea, while returning from France. whither he had gone to purchase horses. The daughters of the family were: Susan, the wife of C. L. Winget : Percis, deceased : Laura. the widow of Lewis Funk: Elizabeth, the wife of S. Stickle: Cornelia, the wife of Dor Martin ; and Fannie, who died at the age of sixteen years. The father of this family was called to the home beyond at the age of sixty-two years, but his wife survived until her eighty-second year.
Ora Fairfield of this review spent the days of his boyhood and youth youth in the place of his nativity, and he soon became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. At the age of nineteen years he began work in a mill owned by his father, where he continued to labor for the following seven years. His labors, however. were interrupted at the outbreak of the Civil war, when he offered his services to his country. He became a member of Company II. Sixty- sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served from October, 1861. until July 19. 1865. when he received an honorable discharge, but he im-
712 CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
mediately re-enlisted in the same company and regiment and was pro- moted to the position of orderly sergeant. He was wounded in the back by a piece of shell at the battle of Chancellorsville in 1863. During his army career he participated in a number of important engagements, in- cluding the hard-fought battles of Port Republic, Cedar Mountain, Chan- cellorsville, Dumfries, Antietam and Gettysburg. At the last named engagement he fought for three days and nights, after which he was sent with his regiment to the defense of New York City, returning thence to Raccoon Ford and was next at Chattanooga. He was then sent with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea, participating in the battle of Atlanta, and was at the grand review at Washington, at which time the starry banner floated over the capital of the southern confederacy and the preservation of the Union was an established fact. Throughout his entire service he was always found at his post of duty as a faithful defender of the Union cause.
In 1876 Mr. Fairchild was united in marriage to Lazetta McDonald, a native of Rush township, Champaign county, and a daughter of John and Philomel ( Milier ) MeDonald, prominent early settlers of this lo- cality. Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild are now living in quiet retirement at their pleasant home in Woodstock, our subject having laid aside the active cares of a business life and is now living in the enjoyment of the fruits of former toil. He is an active member of Harry Davis Post, No. 612. G. A. R., and in an earlier day was a constant attendant at its reunions. In his political views he is a Republican, standing firmly on the platform of his party, whose banner he has loyally upheld since attaining his ma- jority. Ilis first presidential vote was cast for Fremont, and he has never since missed an opportunity to support the principles of this grand old party. Ile well merits the friendship which is so freely accorded him, and his name is found on the roll of Champaign county's representative citizens.
.
713
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
MARCUS H. CRANE.
The stove foundry owned and operated by Morris & Crane has for years contributed to the industrial well being of Urbana, and is appre- ciated not only because of the excellence of its wares, but because of its extensive opportunity as an employment resource. Marcus 11. Cranc. the partner longest identified with the concern. and one of the progressive men of the community. was born in Caldwell, New Jersey. October 10, 1842. The family of which he is a member has long been associated with New Jersey, in which state the first representatives settled after emigrat- ing from England to America, and where the parents of Mr. Crane, Venus and Mary ( Harrison ) Crane, were born, married, and where they spent their entire lives.
As companions in his youth Mr. Crane had one brother and one sister, and the children were reared and educated in the public schools of Caldwell. During the progress of the Civil war he left the familiar sur- roundings of New Jersey and settled in Urbana, at the time being about twenty years of age. Of an ambitious and capable nature, he soon made his influence felt in business circles, and in time was enabled to purchase the stove foundry which has since been his absorbing care. For the first two years the enterprise was conducted under the firm name of Moore & Crane. but since then the success of the business has been right- fully credited to M. H. Crane & Co., the present proprietors.
The marriage of Mr. Crane and Effie Muzzy occurred in 1869. Mrs. Crane being a native of Springfield, Ohio. Of this union there have been born two children, Edgar M. and Frances, the former of whom is asso- ciated with his father in business. and is one of the promising young men of the town. Mr. Crane is politically a Republican, and has for eighteen years promoted the most intelligent educational projects. as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is associated with the Royal Arcanum, National Union. Independent Order of Odd Fellows. and the Junior Order
714
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Knights Templar. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Crane enjoys to an exceptional degree the confidence and good-will of the community of which he is a notable acquisition, and his success is re- garded as the natural result of well applied industry and fair dealing with the public.
CHARLES F. ORGAN.
Champaign county has been signally favored in the class of men who have been enlisted in her service in official capacity, and the subject of this sketch is one of the native sons of the county who is now incumbent of the position of clerk of the courts, in which he has handled the multi- farious Juties devolving upon him with signal ability and discrimination. As a representative of two of the pioneer families of the county, as well as by reason of his own standing as one of its honored citizens and officials, it is signally consistent that he be accorded specific mention in a work of the province assigned to this publication.
Charles F. Organ was born on a farm in Wayne township. this county, on the 12th of March, 1851, being a son of Samuel and Elizabeth ( Baldwin) Organ, the former of whom was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, the son of William and Grace ( McBride) Organ, who were pio- neers of the state. Samuel Organ came to Champaign county in an early day, and here reclaimed a fine farm property in Wayne township, being. known as one of the sterling citizens of this section and commanding un- equivocal confidence and esteem in the community. He died on the old homestead after having attained the venerable age of seventy-nine years. Ilis wife was born in Virginia, whence her parents came to Champaign county in an early day, and here she ended her days. Samuel and Eliza- beth Organ became the parents of five children, our subject having been the youngest in the family. Ile was reared on the old homestead, and after availing himself of such advantages as were afforded in the public
715
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
schools he became a student in the National Normal School, at Lebanon, Ohio, where he completed his scholastic discipline.
In the year 1880 Mr. Organ was united in marriage to Miss Mattie Weirman, who was born in this county, and he immediately afterward settled on a farm in Wayne township, where he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits and stock raising until 1894, when he was com- belled to give up active labors in this line as the result of an unfortunate accident. He was thrown from a horse and received injuries which neces- sitated the amputation of his right leg. In 1896, as the candidate of the Republican party, of which he is a stanch supporter. Mr. Organ was elected to the office of elerk of courts for Champaign county, and was chosen as his own successor in this office in 1899, for a second term of three years, so that he is still in tenure of the office and is certain to so continue in case efficient and faithful service signify anything and he consents to appear as a candidate in the next election.
JOHN W. HITT.
The passing of many intervening years has not obliterated the in- pression of worth and stability lent by the career of John W. Hitt, one of the pioneers of Champaign county, and extensively identified with its agricultural and milling interests. Of southern ancestry, he was born in Kentucky in 1801, and died in Urbana in 1877. His childhood was passed in a home atmosphere calculated to develop the best traits of his character, for industry and morality were among the watch-words of the humble Kentucky fireside. His father. Rev. Samuel Ilitt, was also a na- tive of the Bourbon state, and combined. during his active life, farming and preaching.
Mr. Ilitt studied in the schools of Kentucky and after removing to the vicinity of Urbana acquired large landed possessions, at one time
716
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
owning a thousand acres. About 1857 he embarked upon a milling busi- ness which proved a dire failure and swallowed up about all that he had in the world, after which he ran a mill at the water-works station for several years, with much more gratifying results. This mill was subse- ¿quently traded for farm property near Washington, Indiana, and after a two years' residence thereon he located in Urbana, where the remainder of his life was spent in comparative retirement. He married Elizabeth Clark. a native of either Virginia or Maryland, and who bore him the following children : William, Anna, Elizabeth, John W., Rebecca. Dan- iel, Thomas, and James B. Of these, William, Anna and John W. are deceased. Mr. litt was a Republican in political affiliations, and he was always interested in the spread of the teachings of the Methodist Epis- copal church. In fact his zeal in that direction constituted one of his chief interests during his lifetime, his eloquence as a local preacher being both convincing and logical. He led a consistent life and one worthy of emulition from many standpoints.
James B. Hitt the youngest of the children of John W., was born on the paternal farm, which is now in the city limits of Urbana, in 1848. His youth was uneventfully passed in performing his share of the home duties, and in attendance at the district schools. AAn opening into broader fields was presented during the presidential administration of Grant, at which time he acted as deputy postmaster, his brother, Daniel. having been appointed postmaster. For a time also he was employed as clerk for Hitt & Fuller, and in 1879 was again associated with his brother Daniel. this time in the tobacco business. This arrangement was ami- cably continued for many years, and in 1886 the business was carried on under the name of the Indian Cigar Company, with a branch at Indi- anapolis, Indiana. A liberal patronage rewarded the untiring offorts of the brothers, and an increasing demand for their wares warranted con- tinual enlargements of their business. In 1901 Daniel Hitt removed per- :nanently to Indianapolis to assume charge of the plant at that end of
717
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
the line, while James B. Hlitt took as his partner William E. Kidder. The enterprise has assumed most gratifying proportions, and the firm here do a large manufacturing business, and sell to jobbers, dealing extensively in leaf tobacco and first-class cigars.
In 1886 Mr. Hitt married Elizabeth Valentine, daughter of Joseph T. Valentine, of Reading. Pennsylvania. Of this union there are two children, Morris and Elenore. Mr. Hitt is a stanch Republican, and has done his best to advance the most liberal and praiseworthy tenets of his party. For two terms he served as city councilman, and has held other offices of trust and responsibility. Fraternally he is a Knight Templar. and a charter member of Champaign Lodge No. 3.
MAJOR GEORGE W. HUPP.
Of fire Old Dominion ancestry. Major George W. Hupp, whose tank was gained through connection with the Ohio state militia, and who for years has been one of the prime developers of Champaign county. was born near Newmarket. in the historic Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. February 22. 1833. When eighteen years of age, after the death of his father, he emigrated with his mother to Ohio and settled on Mad River in Champaign county, where the family engaged in farming for fifteen years. On the maternal side of the house a remarkable strain of longe- vity has been evinced. for the mother lived to be one hundred and five years old. and Mr. Hupp himself bids fair to retain his health and mental vigor far beyond the allotted or even expected time.
Upon leaving the well developed farm on Mad River Mr. Hupp learned the cabinet-makers trade in Urbana, having completed which he located in Mechanicsburg as a possibly more desirable field for the exer- cise of his trade, and with the exception of a few years spent on his farm just west of the town, has made this his permanent abiding place. As a furniture manufacturer he worked up a large and remunerative
718
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
trade, and the work in that line accomplished under his capable super- vision gained a reputation for strength, durability and all-around utility. Several years ago he availed himself of a favorable opportunity to retire from active participation in business affairs, and at the time his son, Otway C., succeeded to the management of the substantially erected enterprise. Three years ago the elder man withdrew entirely and left his son in absolute control of the cabinet interests.
May 21, 1835. Major Hupp married Margaret Millice, who died December 30, 1843. July 15. 1844. he married Mary J. Guthridge, who died January 12, 1889. Of the first marriage there were two children, George W. and Abner C., and of the second marriage there were born five children, Llewellyn J., Albert G., Otway C., Oscar B. and Nettie. Mr. Ilupp is a Republican in national politics, and he has been con- nected with the Masonic fraternity for many years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and during his long life has sub- stantially contributed towards its charities and general support. Of un- swerving integrity and great good sense, he has been an important factor in many avenues of development. and the esteem created during the earlier part of his business career has increased in strength with the passing of years.
Otway C. Hupp, successor to his father in the cabinet-making busi- ness, was born in Mechanicsburg. September 16, 1851, and was edu- cated in the public schools, eventually graduating from the Marysville high-school. His earlier life was spent amid the practical surroundings of the paternal farm, and in 1881 he married Lulu, daughter of Ancel Bates, a native of Champaign county. Of this union there have been born two children, Walter F. and Dollie R. Mr. Hupp, like his fore- fathers, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is an official, and in the cause of which he is an earnest worker. Politi- cally he is a Republican, and is fraternally connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
719
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ROBERT B. DIBBLE.
One of the younger business men of the city of North Lewisburg is Robert B. Dibble, whose energy, sagacity and industry enable him to fill a very important position, while his integrity of character com- mands the respect of all. . As the mayor of the city he is also active in administering its affairs and is widely recognized as a Republican leader who has labored earnestly for the success of the party.
In the early settlement of this country, before the Revolution, England had made several grants of land to parties, one of which was to William Penn, as history gives it, and these were recognized by the government when peace was declared and have never been taxable. William Penn in turn gave a deed of sixty acres of land to one of our subject's ancestors, who was the father of three sons, one of whom (lied unmarried and one of the remaining became the great-great-grand- father of our subject and heir to one-half of the sixty acre tract. This now lies in the heart of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and during the grandfather's lifetime was valued at seventy million dollars. There has never been a legal deed of the property since the one issued by William Penn to the Richardson ancestors. The paternal great- great-grandfather of our subject was given the ancestral name of Levi, and he was killed in the state of New York. While assisting in the building of an abutment for a bridge across a gulley a stone became unmanageable and fell upon him, killing him instantly. His son and the grandfather of Robert B. also bore the name of Levi, and was born January 2. 1781, and his death occurred in November, 1855. By his first marriage he became the father of the following children : Lyman, Luman. Levi. Calvin, Alsina and Melissa. Alsina died when young. and after the death of the mother of these children the father married Elizabeth Hammon, by whom he had four children,-Julia. Bela, Am- son and Bosworth.
720
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Bosworth Dibble, the father of our subject, was a native of Essex county, New York, born April 14, 1828, died June 22, 1900, but when two years of age, in 1830, was brought by his parents to Granville, Ohio. He married Vestalina Richardson, a sister of Dr. Richardson, of Summerville, Ohio. On the maternal side our subject traces his ancestry back to three brothers who came from England to America on the Mayflower, one locating in New York, one in Virginia and one in Pennsylvania, and from the Pennsylvania branch he is descended. His great-grandfather Conent answered the general call for volunteers to defend the city of Buffalo against the English and Indians, who threatened its destruction. He was then an old, gray-haired man and with others of the same age they formed the company known as the "Silver Grays." The British and their allies, however, won the day, and Mr. Conent was taken as a prisoner into Canada, where he re- inained for three months, and during that time his family knew not whether he was dead or alive. During an engagement a rifle ball struck him about the center of the forehead, and, glancing over, made a severe scalp wound which never afterward healed. Our subject's great-grand- father. James Richardson, married Margaret Bell. The grandfather, Richard S. Richardson, was born on the fith of May, 1794, and his death occurred November 24, 1863. In 1815 he was united in marriage to Susan Conent, who was born October 2, 1798, and died on the 12th of February, 1871. They became the parents of eleven children, nine of whom grew to years of maturity, namely : Robert B., William, John. Jackson _A., R. Lafe, Margaret, Liza. Louisa and Vestalina, the last named being the mother of our subject. Richard S. Richardson served as a fifer during the war of 1812.
Robert B. Dibble, the immediate subject of this review, is the sixth in order of birth of his parents' seven children and was born where he is now located, in Ohio City, June 11, 1869. His elementary edu- cation was received in the common schools of Van Wert county, and
721
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHIICAL HISTORY.
after completing his studies therein he was for a time engaged in the profession of teaching. Later he entered the Ohio Normal University, at Ada, in which he was graduated in the pharmacy department on the 3d of May. 1892, and for two years thereafter was engaged in the drug business at Van Buren, Indiana, after which he returned to the Buckeye state. Since 1898 he has been engaged in the drug business at North Lewisburg, and in trade circles he is esteemed for his ability and genu- ine worth. Ile was recently appointed mayor of North Lewisburg. to fill a vacancy caused by the removal of Mayor Hawkins, and on the 7th of April. 1902. he was elected to that office. Every trust reposed in him. whether of a public or private nature, has been fully discharged and he has proved himself in all the relations of life an earnest, honest, upright man and a citizen of whom any community might be justly proud.
On the Ist of January, 1893. Mr. Dibble was united in marriage to Mattie Mapes, one of the six daughters of S. R. Mapes, who is now a resident of Ohio City, Ohio. Two sons have been born unto this union,-Gallard R. and Dewey M. In his political relations Mr. Dibble is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and politically he is a stanch Re- publican. He has served as a member of the school board, and is active in all works for the betterment of his fellow men.
GEORGE W. POLAND.
George W. Poland has been a practitioner at the Champaign county bar since 1877. and makes his home in Urbana. He was born in Shelby county, Ohio, in 1852. His father. R. C. Poland, was a native of Vir- ginia and of English lineage, and died when our subject was twelve or fourteen years of age. By profession he was an attorney and became
722
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
very successful, having a large clientage. He was also prominent and active in public affairs and was a member of the Ohio legislature in 1850 and 1851, representing Shelby county. The mother of our subject was of Pennsylvania Dutch descent and bore the name of Eleanor McCon- nell. The subject of this review was reared in Greene county, Ohio, and pursued his elementary education in the public schools and later attended Xenia College. His literary course having been completed, he then began preparation for the profession which he determined to make his life work, and matriculated in the law school of Ann Arbor Uni- versity, in which he was graduated in the fall of 1876. The following year he was admitted to the Ohio bar and has since been engaged in general practice, opening an office in Urbana, where he has gradually advanced to a position prominent in the ranks of the legal fraternity. Ilis mind is analytical and inductive. and in reasoning he is strong. in argument forceful and in the presentation of his cases shows a thorough mastery of the subject. Auch important litigation has been entrusted to him and he has won a large majority of decisions favorable to his clients. Since 1898 he has served as referee in bankruptcy for the district of Champaign county, Ohio.
Mr. Poland was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Purtlebaugh, a daughter of W. . A. Purtlebaugh, an attorney, and they have three chil- dren : Will, who is a job printer: Sarah E., the wife of Howard B. Donaldson, of Sherin, Pennsylvania; and Bessie M. Mr. Poland gives his political support to the Republican party, being a stanch advocate of its principles. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias fra- ternity and for twenty years has been master of exchequer. All of the offices of the lodge have been filled by him and he has been a repre- sentative to the grand lodge. Fle and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and the members of the family occupy an enviable position in social circles.
723
CENTENNI.IL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
JOSEPH COULSON.
Joseph Coulson was for many years a distinguished and representa- tive citizen of Urbana. He was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 25. 1817, and died in this city AAugust 4. 1891. His parents were Patrick and Elizabeth ( LeCompte ) Coulson. The latter was of French (lescent, while the former was born in Ireland and served as an officer in the British army before coming to America. About 1822 Mr. and Mrs. Coulson removed to Ohio, settling in Greene county, and when their son was thirteen years of age they went to Fairfield county. There Joseph Coulson in his boyhood days formed the acquaintance of a maiden who later was to become his wife. Her name was Maria Comp- ton and she was born in Fairfield, May 25, 1818, her parents being Aaron and Sarah ( Casad) Compton, of New Jersey. The wedding was celebrated March 1, 1814. and for five years after their marriage they resided in Fairfield, coming thence to Urbana. Here Mr. Coulson en- gaged in carpentering for a short time, but in 1847 established a gro- cery store, which he conducted with signal success until 1884. being one of the leading, honored and prosperous merchants of the city. In late years he was president of the Perpetual Savings and Building Asso- ciation. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Coulson were born the following children : Sarah Elizabeth, the wife of .Albert Slagel, of Springfield. Ohio; Laura J., the wife of James Cheetham, of Urbana; Amanda C., who married Colin McDonald, of Urbana : and Carrie, who died at the age of thirty- four years. In his political views Mr. Couslon was first a Whig and on the dissolution of the party became a Republican. Eventually, how- ever, he severed his allegiance with that political organization and became a Prohibitionist. He held membership in the Wesleyan Methodist church, 39
724
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
to which his wife also belongs. His life was busy, useful and honorable, and throughout his career he commanded the respect of his fellowmen by his firm allegiance to manly principles.
-
1
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 0 014 573 453 8
-
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.