USA > Ohio > Champaign County > History of Champaign County, Ohio, its people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 10
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A. W. RUSSELL AND FAMILY
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A. W. Russell lived at home with his parents until early manhood and attended the district schools: later he studied at the Ohio Wesleyan Univer- sity at Delaware for two years, then took a business course in a Columbus commercial college. After finishing his education, he returned home and farmed with his father until he inherited part of the homestead, and later bought more of it. There he has continued to reside, the place consisting of eighty acres, which he has kept well improved and well cultivated and the buildings well repaired. He has been successful as a general farmer and makes a specialty of raising cattle, hogs and horses, preparing large numbers annually for the market.
On December 6, 1900, Mr. Russell married Mary E. Snarr, a daughter of Philip and Elizabeth ( Keller) Snarr, both natives of Shenandoah county, Virginia, where they grew up and married, but about a year later they moved to Hardy county, West Virginia, where they bought a farm and spent the rest of their lives. Nine children were born to them, eight of whom grew to maturity and seven of them are still living. namely: James and John are both residing in Hardy county, West Virginia; Calvin died when about five years old; Jacob H. lives in Concord township, Champaign county ; Alice died in Hampshire county, West Virginia; Martin S. lives in Salem township, Champaign county; Minnie is the wife of C. N. Robertson, of Hampshire county, West Virginia; Annie is the wife of P. L. Walker, of Hampshire county, that state; and Mary E., wife of Mr. Russell of this sketch. The children of A. W. Russell and wife are: Philip B., born March 19, 1902; Richard H., born February 19, 1906, and Marvin K., born November 9, 1907.
Politically, Mr. Russell is a Republican. His wife and son, Philip B., belong to the Concord Methodist Episcopal church.
J. T. R. WILSON.
J. T. R. Wilson, a well-known substantial farmer and president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank at Christiansburg, this county, was born near Lexington, Rockbridge county, Virginia, on August 31, 1845. He was the son of Hugh and Mary ( Robinson) Wilson, the former of whom was born in the state of Virginia in June, 1815, and the latter in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1819. (7a)
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Hugh and Mary (Robinson) Wilson grew up together on neighboring farms in the state of Virginia, where Mrs. Wilson's parents had taken her when she was one year old. The Robinson and Wilson families lived on adjoining farms and the friendship formed between the young couple cul- minated in marriage, which took place in 1840. Hugh and Mary Wilson, following their marriage, continued to live in Virginia until 1855, in which year they arrived in Ohio and located in Miami county, west of Christians- burg, where they lived until his death. Mrs. Mary Wilson, following the death of her husband, moved to Troy, Ohio, where she died.
When Hugh Wilson came to Ohio he settled in Miami county where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of fine land on which he carried on general farming for several years. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, three of whom are living at the present time: J. T. R., the subject of this sketch; H. M., of St. Louis, Missouri, where he is engaged as an optician, and Frank, an insurance man, of Troy, this state. Hugh Wilson was a member of the Presbyterian church, in the good works of which he was warmly interested and in which he served as a deacon for several years. He was a Democrat, but never sought public office.
J. T. R. Wilson was reared on the farm in Miami county and went to the district schools. After finishing school he remained at home working on the farm until he was twenty-one years old. Some time later he went to the state of Nevada and to the Pacific coast, where he remained for about three years, at the end of which time he returned to Champaign county. In August, 1873, he was married to Nancy J. Furrow, who was born in Miami county. They had been playmates from early childhood and attended the same schools, the acquaintanceship thus formed later terminating in mar- riage. After their marriage they settled on a farm in Miami county, on which they continued to reside until 1900.
Mr. Wilson was one of the organizers of the Farmers and Merchants Bank at Christiansburg and was elected its first president, which office he still holds. The other officers are J. R. Marshall, vice-president, and R. L. Powers, cashier. In addition to his banking interests Mr. Wilson is the owner of one hundred and twenty-five acres of prime land in Jackson town- ship. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Presbyterian church and also attends the services of the Christian church. His wife died on April 21, 1916. They were the parents of five children as follow : Blanch, who married O. S. Walker, of Dayton, Ohio; Eva, deceased; Osie, the wife of W. H. Coble. of Christiansburg; Grace, a graduate of the Troy high school, who married Howard Ellis, of Lancaster, Ohio, and Josie, a high school graduate, wife
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of Frank Grove, and lives with her father. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Addison Lodge No. 139, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Addi- son Encampment No. 75. He is a past noble grand and past chief patriarch. In politics he is a Democrat. but has never sought public office.
OLIVER C. LOFFER.
Oliver C. Loffer, a well-known and progressive farmer, living on rural route 2 out of St. Paris, Champaign county, was born on a farm in Logan county, Ohio, October 16, 1881. He is the son of Henry D. and Elora M. (Apple ) Loffer.
Henry D. Loffer was born on a farm in Shelby county, Ohio, and his wife, Elora M. Apple, was born in Champaign county. They married and settled on a farm in Logan county and operated it up to the time of his death. in 1898. He was unable to purchase any land and that which he worked was held under rent. He was known throughout his life as an honest and hard-working farmer and he and his wife were held in much respect in the district where they resided. Mr. Loffer was an active worker in the church and ever took a warm interest in the affairs of the Methodist Episcopal church and community. Mr. and Mrs. Loffer were the parents of seven children, five of whom are living in 1917, these being Alice, the wife of Rev. Howard Watkins, living in Athens, Ohio; Viola, who married Harold Fuller, who is now in the army; Winona, the wife of Henry Muth, of Columbus, Ohio: Mary, unmarried, lives with her mother in Columbus, Ohio, and Oliver C., the subject of this sketch.
Oliver C. Loffer was reared on the farm held by his father in Logan county and was educated in the district and high schools at Quincy, this state, and was graduated from the high school with the class of 1902. He then commenced farming for himself and he is now the owner of seventy- five acres of prime land located in sections 14 and 20, Jackson township. On his farm he has been using up-to-date methods in operating and his efforts have met with a large measure of success.
On February 22, 1906, Oliver C. Loffer was united in marriage to Maude V. Wilkins, who was born near Kenard, Ohio, on August 27, 1880, a daughter of W. G. Wilkins, and was reared on the parental farm. She was educated in the district schools of the neighborhood in which she lived and later spent one year in West Liberty high school. Her parents settled
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on a farm in Salem township and lived on that place for seven years. In March, 1914, O. C. Loffer moved to Jackson township and has lived there ever since. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Loffer three children have been born, namely: Phyllis K., born March 15, 1907; Rheba E., September II, 1009, and William R., December 27, 1913.
Mr. Loffer and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Grafton chapel, Ohio, and are active in all church work, Mr. Loffer being assistant superintendent of the church. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Quincy, Ohio. He is a supporter of the Repub- lican party, but never been a seeker after public office. He is vice- president of the Jackson rural district school board and in other ways has given evidence of his practical interest in all matters tending toward the welfare of the public at large.
OTTO F. APPLE.
Otto F. Apple, a progressive and well-known farmer, whose land is located in section 3, Jackson township, was born on April 27, 1876, a son of Simon and Elizabeth (Loudenback) Apple, who were farming people. One of the two children born to this union, Otto F. Apple was reared on the farm and, in consequence of weakness in his eyesight, which prevented him from attending the public schools, he was educated at home.
Otto F. Apple learned the rudiments of farming work on his father's farm and continued to work there up to the time of his marriage. On December 24, 1900, he was united in marriage to Susan D. Bishop, who was born in Mad River township on November 16, 1882. She was a daughter of Joseph and Allie (Overholzer ) Bishop. Following his marriage Mr. Apple settled on a farm in Jackson township and worked at farming in that place for nine years, at the end of that period coming into his own neighborhood. He also spent two years in Clark county, this state, and since September, 1912, he has been living on the tract of sixty-nine and one-quarter acres, which forms part of the old home farm. Here he is actively engaged in general farming and has met with much success, being recognized as one of the progressive farmers in that part of Jackson town- ship.
To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Apple the following children, all daughters, have been born, namely: Ruth E., Naomi A., Clara M., Ethel I ..
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Opal L., Mildred C. and Ida May, all of whom are living with their parents. Two children died in infancy. The Apple family are earnest members of the Lutheran church at St. Paris, and are actively interested in all the good works of the congregation, Mr. Apple serving as one of the elders of the church. He is a supporter of the Democratic party, but has never held any public office. His efforts have always been directed to the cause of good local government and he is recognized throughout the township as a citizen of sound judgment and dependable views on matters appertaining to the general welfare of the public. He and his wife take an active part in the work of helping to make the social conditions better.
MELVIN ALLISON.
Melvin Allison, proprietor of "Diamond Rock Farm," a well-kept and profitably cultivated place of one hundred and eighty-six acres, two miles west of Mechanicsburg, in Goshen township, this county, was born on a farm nearby and has been a resident of that community all his life, making his home in this county and in the neighboring county of Clark. He was born in Goshen township on August 28, 1862, son of Wilford and Ann C. (Melvin) Allison, the former of whom died in 1865, leaving his widow and three children, the subject of this sketch having a sister, Flora, wife of Alf. Jacobs, of Clark county, and Frank, who married Wilbur Black, of near Dayton, Ohio.
Mrs. Ann C. Allison was a native of the state of Virginia, born at Har- per's Ferry, and was but six years of age when she came with her parents to this part of Ohio, where she grew to womanhood and was married. After the death of her husband she moved down into Clark county and there Mel- vin Allison spent his boyhood and received his schooling. He was but three years of age when his father died and he early began working for himself, at the age of thirteen taking employment on a farm at a wage of twenty-five cents a day, later receiving eight dollars a month, and until he was seven- teen years of age worked on the farm he now owns. Upon reaching his majority he inherited twenty-eight hundred dollars, but lost the same through an unfortunate investment and had to begin "at the bottom." He presently rented a farm and by the time of his marriage in 1890 had a home estab- lished. Upon buying his present farm he made a payment of eight hundred dollars on the same and as his affairs continued to prosper it was not long
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until he had it all paid for and well improved. In 1915 he erected his present modern house and he and his family are now very comfortably situated. Mr. Allison has an excellent farm plant, "Diamond Rock Farm" being regarded as one of the model farms in that neighborhood, and his operations are carried on in accordance with modern methods. In addition to his gen- eral farming, he has given considerable attention to the raising of live stock and has done very well. Politically, he is a Democrat, but has never given particular attention to politics, contenting himself with rendering to the state his duty as a good citizen and a voter.
On March 23, 1890, Melvin Allison was united in marriage to Alice Morris, who was born in the neighboring county of Madison on October 5, 1866, and to this union four children have been born, Edna and Letha, graduates of the common school; Catherine, a graduate of the Mechanicsburg high school with the class of 1917, and Walter, who was garduated from the common school in 1917. The Allisons have a very pleasant home and have ever taken an interested part in the general social activities of their home community, helpful in promoting all movements having to do with the advancement of the common welfare. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Mechanicsburg, Ohio.
EUGENE H. GRUBB.
Eugene H. Grubb, proprietor of a well-kept farm of one hundred and seventy acres in Goshen township, this county, is a native of the Old Dominion state, but has been a resident of this county since the days of his young manhood, having come here shortly after reaching his majority. He was born in Virginia on December 24, 1875, son of William H. and Matilda (Everharts) Grubb, also natives of the old Dominion, who spent all their lives there, her death occurring in 1914 and his in 1915. They were the parents of seven sons, of whom the subject of this sketch was the sixth in order of birth, the others being Oscar, Wilbert. Robert, Daise, John and Harry.
Reared on the old home farm in Virginia, Eugene H. Grubb received his schooling in the local schools of that neighborhood, going to school until he was eighteen years of age, and from the days of his boyhood was a valued assistant in the labors of the home farm, remaining there until he was past twenty-one years of age, when he came to Ohio and began working on a
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farm in Champaign county. A year later he rented a farm and began farm- ing on his own account and two years later rented a tract on the J. J. Ware farm and operated that place for seven years, at the end of which time he bought his present farm of one hundred and thirty-three acres in Goshen township and has ever since made his home there, he and his family being very comfortably situated. Mr. Grubb has made all the present substantial improvements on that place and now has an admirably equipped farm plant. In addition to his general farming he has given considerable attention to the raising of live stock and is doing very well. Mr. Grubb is a Democrat, but has never given any particularly active attention to political affairs, other than performing a good citizen's duty of voting.
On April 4, 1901, Eugene H. Grubb was united in marriage to Anna Neer, who was born on a farm in Mechanicsburg, this county, daughter of N. O. Neer, and who was educated in the common schools of that township, from which she was graduated, and to this union four daughters have been born, Evaline, Mildred, Virginia and Marian. Mr. and Mrs. Grubb are members of the Methodist Protestant church and take a proper interest in church work and in the general good works of their community. Mr. Grubb is a member of the Masonic lodge at Mechanicsburg and takes a warm interest in Masonic affairs.
CHARLES F. FINSTERWALD, M. D.
Dr. Charles F. Finsterwald, physician and surgeon at North Lewisburg, was born on a farm in the immediate vicinity of Athens, in the county of that name, this state, May 2. 1884, son of J. H. and Addie Finsterwald, who are still living there. Reared on the farm, he received his early schooling in the schools of Athens, the county seat, continuing the same in the high school at Hamden, and was graduated from the latter in 1903. He then attended Ohio University for three years, at the end of which time he was made prin- cipal of the schools at Hamden and after serving in that capacity for two years was made superintendent of schools at Jacksonville, in his home county and served in that capacity for four years. In the meantime he had been giving his attention to the study of medicine with a view to becoming a physician, and he then entered the medical department of the Ohio State University, from which he was graduated four years later, in 1916, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. During this course Doctor Finsterwald was
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an interne in the state hospital for two years, there securing the advantage of a practical training in his profession that has proved of incalculable bene- fit to him.
Thus admiarbly qualified for the practice of his profession, Doctor Finsterwald located at Athens, Ohio, for a short time, then to North Lewis- burg, August 14, 1916, where he opened offices and where he has since been engaged in practice, his acquaintance being rapidly extended throughout that part of the county and the nearby sections of the neighboring counties of Logan and Union. In his political views. Doctor Finsterwald is an "inde- pendent" and gives his close and thoughtful attention to political issues. He was vice-president of his class in the university during his senior year and during his college days was an active member of the literary fraternity, Delta Tau, and the medical fraternity, Phi Chi, in the affairs of both of which lively associations he continues to take a warm interest.
On May 6. 1909. Dr. C. F. Finsterwald was united in marriage to Maude Mullay, daughter of J. B. Mullay and wife, of Portland, Oregon, and to this union one child has been born, a son. James Frederick. Doctor and Mrs. Finsterwaldare members of the Presbyterian church and take a proper interest in church affairs, as well as in other local good works, and are helpful in pro- moting all agencies having to do with the advancement of the common wel- fare. They have a pleasant home at North Lewisburg and take an interested part in the general social activities of their home town.
FORRY WILSON.
Forry Wilson, farmer of Concord township, Champaign county, was born just west of where he now resides, January 1, 1860. He is a son of John D. and Sarah (Forry) Wilson. The father was born on the same farm where the subject of this sketch first saw the light of day, and he was a son of John and Miah (Dickey) Wilson. John Wilson was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he spent his boyhood, but when a young man, in 1817, he threaded the wilderness trails in Champaign county, Ohio, and entered the land from the government on which John D. and Forry Wilson were born, in what is now Concord township. The country was at that time very sparsely settled and vast woods prevailed, but the elder Wilson, like all the pioneers, was a man of grit and courage, and he carved out a home in the midst of the forest, where he spent the rest of his
JOHN D. WILSON
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life. He married a Miss Runyan, by whom two children were born. She died in early life and he then married Miah Dickey, a native of Fayette county, Ohio, and to their union three children were born, of whom John D. Wilson was the youngest. John Wilson became one of the leading farmers and influential citizens of Champaign county in his day.
John D. Wilson grew to manhood on the home farm in Concord town- ship and there he married Sarah Forry, who was born in Logan county, Ohio. She was a daughter of Rudolph and Sarah Forry and of Pennsyl- vania stock. He. enlisted during the Civil War in the one-hundred-day service in the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. under Capt. Miles Wilson. They saw active service in Virginia and around Cincinnati, Ohio ( where they were known as the "Squirrel Hunters"), to stop Morgan on his famous raid. He contracted typhoid fever and never was strong thereafter. After his marriage John D. Wilson remained on the homestead, following general farming the rest of his life there. He was a Republican, and he and his wife belonged to the Presbyterian church at Spring Hills, in which he was an elder for many years and active in church work all his life. His family consisted of six children, two of whom died in infancy ; those who grew up were named as follow : Emma, now deceased, was the wife of William Daniels; Forry, subject of this sketch; Walter S. lives on the home farm in Concord township: Miah Jane, now deceased. was the wife of James MeCroskey.
Forry Wilson grew up on the home farm and received his education in the district schools. He lived at home until his marriage, on March 9, 1886, to Flora V. Journell, a daughter of Crocket and Margaret (Taylor) Journell. After his marriage he located in Harrison township, but remained there only a short time, then returned to the home place, where he con- tinved to reside until 1907. when he bought his present farm, nine miles northwest of Urbana, Concord township. He owns two hundred and seventy acres in his home farm and ninety-seven acres in Salem township. His land is well improved and well cultivated and he has been very success- ful in general agricultural pursuits. He makes a specialty of feeding cattle and hogs, preparing large numbers annually for the market. He has a modern home and substantial outbuildings, everything about his place de- noting good management and thrift.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, namely: Alta Fern, died aged one month: Otto M., married Lenora Colbert and they live on the home farm, which he helps his father operate; Leo B. is also at
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home and helping with the farm work. The mother of these children died on May 4, 19IL.
Politically, Mr. Wilson is a Republican. He is active in local public affairs and has served two terms as township assessor. He is a member of the Presbyterian church at Spring Hills and has been an elder in the same for a number of years. His wife also belonged to that church.
HARRY O. BAKER.
Harry O. Baker is one of the younger and among the more progressive farmers of Jackson township, Champaign county, his farm being located in section 7, that township. He was born in a log cabin on the farm which he now owns, and which is still standing, on January 18, 1878, a son of Obadiah and Eliza ( Bowers ) Baker.
Obadiah Baker was born in Clark county, Ohio, on the farm owned by his father, Jacob Baker. He was reared on the farm in Clark county, which was occupied by his father, and was educated in the public schools of the district. Eliza Bowers, his wife, was also born in the state of Ohio, educated in the public schools and grew to womanhood in Champaign county. Obadiah Baker and Eliza Bowers were married in this county and went to live in a log cabin on the farm now owned by their son, Harry O. Baker. After a few years of married life they built a substantial house on the farm of eighty acres owned by Obadiah Baker and on which he was engaged in general farming for the remainder of his life. He died in 1885 and his widow died in 1896, their deaths being regretted throughout the community in which they had lived for many years and where they were held in high regard for their qualities as good citizens and good neighbors. They were earnest members of the Lutheran church, in the good works of which they were warmly interested. Obadiah Baker and wife were the parents of seven children, six of whom are living in 1917: William D., a farmer living in Jackson township; Alma, wife of J. C. Richardson, of Christiansburg: Jacob, a farmer living in Mad River township; Sarah, wife of Charles Pence, of Miami county, this state; Irvin, who lives in Christians- burg, and Harry, who lives on the old home place.
Harry O. Baker was reared on his father's farm and was educated in the district schools of Jackson township, attending school during the winter months and working on the farm during the summer seasons. His father
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having died when he was about six years of age, he started early in life to help in the upkeep of the home. Harry O. Baker was married, when he had reached his twentieth year, to Edna M. Baker, the marriage taking place on February 24, 1898. His wife was born in Jackson township, this county, on September 3, 1877, a daughter of William and Abigail ( Robbins) Baker. Mrs. Baker was educated in the public schools of Jackson township.
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