History of Champaign County, Ohio, its people, industries and institutions, Volume II, Part 35

Author: Middleton, Evan P., ed
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1338

USA > Ohio > Champaign County > History of Champaign County, Ohio, its people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 35

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).

344

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OIIIO.

January 21, 1909; Loretta E., born April 10, 1911; Robert M., born Feb- ruary 2, 1913.

Mr. Ward is a member of Magrew Lodge, No. 433, Knights of Pythias. Westville, Ohio. He is a Democrat in politics and is trustee of the town- ship. He owns one hundred and eight acres of land, a well improved farm and well adapted for general farming and stock raising, a line of industry in which he is extensively engaged.

WILLIAM M. RITCHIE.

The farm of William M. Ritchie lies in Goshen township, in the south- eastern corner of Champaign county, being known as "Goshen Fruit Farm." Mr. Ritchie was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, February 1, 1845. He is a scion of one of the sterling families of the Old Dominion, being a son of Solomon and Eliza A. (Ropp) Ritchie, both natives of Loudoun county, Virginia, where their ancestors settled in an early day. There they grew to maturity and were married, then moved to Clark county, Ohio, locating on a farm in Pleasant township and spent the rest of their lives there. The father was also a carpenter by trade, which he followed in connection with farming. His family consisted of six children, three of whom are living in 1917, namely : William M., of this sketch; Charles N .. who is farming in Pleasant township, Clark county; Edward H. is also engaged in farming in that township and county; one died in childhood; John S. was a soldier in the Civil War and gave his life for his country: Mary E., who married Oliver Young, is deceased.

William M. Ritchie was reared on the home farm in Clark county, Ohio, and was educated in the district schools. He worked on the home farm and also learned the carpenter's trade with his father, remaining at home until he was twenty years old. He is a mechanic of unusual ability. In 1879 he started a fruit farm in Goshen township and here he has since made his home. He owns sixty-one and one-half acres, which he has placed under excellent improvements and it is one of the most desirable fruit farms in the county. He has made a close study of all phases of horticulture, and is an authority in this line. In connection with fruit growing, he is a breeder of registered Duroc hogs. He finds a very ready market for his fine stock whenever he offers them for sale, owing to their superior quali- ties. He bought his farm in 1875.

Mr. Ritchie was married on November 4, 1869, to Mary A. Brown.

WILLIAM M. RITCHIE

345

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.

who was born on the farm where she now lives, June 10, 1850. She was reared in Goshen township and attended the district schools. To this union three children have been born, namely: Celia O., is single and lives at home; John E. married Josephine Lowe and they live in Dayton, Ohio; Anna L. is the wife of A. J. Wilson and they live in Pleasant township, Clark county.

Politically, Mr. Ritchie is a Republican. He has served as a member of the local school board for many years, and was for some time chairman of the board. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant church at Mechanicsburg and have long been active in church work. He served as superintendent of the Sunday school for a number of years and has also been a deacon of that church.

DAVID BLUE.

David Blue lives on his farm located six miles southeast of St. Paris, Mad River township. It is known as the "Sugar Grove Farm" and consists of sixty-four acres, on rural route number five, St. Paris, Ohio. David Blue was born on a farm south of where he now lives, July 29, 1862, a son of Nelson R. and Mary (Shaffer) Blue.

Nelson R. Blue was also born in Mad River township, Champaign county. His wife was born in Virginia and came with her parents in early life to Champaign county, Ohio, where she grew to womanhood and was married. After marriage Nelson R. Blue and wife began housekeeping on a farm adjoining the one on which David Blue now lives. He owned a farm of one hundred and sixty acres here and made this his home during life. Mr. Blue was a good farmer and a good citizen. He was an advo- cate of the principles of the Republican party.

To Mr. and Mrs. Nelson R. Blue six children were born, one of whom died in infancy. They are: J. F. Blue, a farmer in Mad River township: David, Rosa, wife of Wilson Leonard, living in Mad River township; Mary E., widow of Ezra Lutz, Westville; Nancy, deceased, wife of Silas Jenkins.

David Blue was reared and educated in the old home, attending the dis- trict schools. He remained at home until he was twenty-three years of age. working on the farm. December 20, 1885, he was married to Ella Gabriel. a daughter of Samuel Gabriel. Mr. and Mrs. David Blue began housekeep- ing on a farm and this has been his occupation all his life. He bought the

346

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.

farm which he at present owns. He made the purchase without any means to make a payment, going in debt for the whole amount of purchase. Sam- ttel Deibert endorsed his notes and backed him in getting a start. Mr. Blue made good, clearing the farm mortgage and getting himself free from debt. He has made all the improvements on the farm. He built a comfortable residence in 1904, and a good barn in 1912. The house in which he lives is a modern home of eight rooms, and all conveniences.

Mr. and Mrs. Blue have two children : Edna L., wife of O. C. Bishop, of Springfield, Ohio; Mamie C., at home. Mr. Blue is a Republican in politics and takes an active part in party affairs. He is a member of the Junior Order of Mechanics, of Terre Haute, Ohio.

GEORGE W. STEPHAN.

George W. Stephan, a well-known millman and dealer in hardwood lumber at Urbana, is a native son of Ohio and has lived in this state all his life. He was born at Upper Sandusky, in Wyandot county, son of Henry and Mary (Weingard) Stephan, who were the parents of seven children, two of whom died in infancy. Henry Stephan was born in the kingdom of Bavaria and upon coming to this country proceeded on out to Ohio and located at Springfield, where he became employed at his trade, that of a cabinet-maker, and where he married, later moving to Upper San- dusky, but after a sometime residence there returned to Springfield, where he spent the rest of his life and where for thirty years he had charge of the plant of the O. S. Kelly Company. He died in December, 1885.

Upon completing his schooling in the Springfield high school, George W. Stephan entered the factory with his father and after his father's death took the latter's place in the same. For a time he and his brothers, Henry and Charles, were engaged in the lumber business and they then moved to Urbana, where they engaged in the lumber business and later started the Desmond-Stephan Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of injectors, brass goods, emerywheel dressing and certain other supplies of a kindred character. Charles Stephan later sold his stock in the concern and returned to Springfield, where he is now engaged in the manufacturing business, and Henry Stephan died in 1912. Upon coming to Urbana in 1899 George WV. Stephan continued his connection with the lumber business and has since been very successfully engaged in that line, operating several mills in this

347

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.

part of the state, where the hardwood timber is still accessible. He has ever taken an active part in the general business affairs of his home town, is connected with the Citizens National Bank of Urbana, and was for some time engaged in the automobile business there.

George W. Stephan was united in marriage to Mary Miller, of Spring- field. Mr. and Mrs. Stephan have a very pleasant home at Urbana and take a proper part in the general social activities of their home town. Mrs. Stephan is an active member of the Episcopal church and takes an earnest part in the affairs of the local congregation of that church, interested in all local good works. Mr. Stephan is independent in his political views, but takes a good citizen's interest in local civic affairs and is ever helpful in promoting movements having to do with the general advancement of the business interests of the city.

FOREST E. JENKINS.

Forest E. Jenkins, subject of this sketch, was born in Jackson township, October 11, 1860, and is living on his farm on rural route number one, North- hampton, Ohio. He is a son of Joseph and Abigail (Zirkle) Jenkins.

Joseph Jenkins was born near St. Paris, Jackson township, Ohio, in 1831, and died in 1875. Abigail (Zirkle) Jenkins was born in Mad River township, in 1833, and died in 1915. Joseph Jenkins was one of the early settlers of the township and contributed a large share in the development of the country. He was an honest, upright citizen, a man of influence and highly respected by the people of the community in which he spent his life. Their two living children, Forest and Nettie, live together and they cared for their mother during her widowhood. One child, Edward L., died in 1868, aged two years.

Forest E. Jenkins was born and reared on the farm in Jackson town- ship, and was educated in the district schools of the township. He married Tena Neese, in 1888, who was born in Mad River township, daughter of Elias and Sarah Foltz (both deceased), who lived in Mad River township. She died March 14, 1906, and left no children. They were members of the Lutheran church in which Mr. Jenkins was a deacon for several years. He is a member of Thackery Lodge · No. 874, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and is a past noble grand in that order. Nettie Jenkins was a meni- ber of the Rebekah lodge, of Thackery, and is past noble grand of the lodge.

348

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.

In his political affiliation Mr. Jenkins is a Republican. He served on the school board many years.

Forest E. Jenkins and his sister are the owners of two hundred and ninety acres of land. Two hundred and eight acres of this land is the part on which they have their residence. Mr. Jenkins is engaged in general farm- ing and is also a breeder of fine graded stock. He raises French horses, Shropshire sheep and Chester White hogs. The land which he owns is well adapted to this line of industry and profitable returns are realized.

JOHN P. GOOD.

A public-spirited, industrious and honored citizen of Salem township, Champaign county, during the generation that has just passed, was the late John P. Good, whose name is deserving of a place in this biographical and historical compendium. He was born in the above named county, October 14, 1859. He is a son of Jonas and Julia Good, early settlers in this sec- tion of Ohio, establishing the family home on a farm, and there the subject of this memoir grew to manhood and assisted with the general work on the place during the crop season. In the winter time he attended the district schools.

John P. Good continued working with his father on the homestead until his marriage, February 29, 1888, to Eveline Kavenaugh, of Salem town- ship, this county, where she was reared and educated in the common schools. She is a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Hauger) Kavenaugh, the mother a native of Virginia and the father of Champaign county. Mr. Kavenaugh's parents were born in Ireland, his father, Matthew Kavenaugh, immigrating from that country to America when a young man, before his marriage, and settled in Champaign county, on a farm, among the early settlers. His family consisted of six children, namely: John, Francis, James, William, Samuel ( father of Mrs. Good), and Anna. Peter Hauger, maternal grandfather of Mrs. Good, married Susan Groves. He was a native of Virginia, from which state he came to Champaign county, many years ago, and here he still resides. His wife was born in Holland. Ten children were born to Peter Hauger and wife, namely: Fred, Adam, Peter. Jr., David, James, Elizabeth, Mary, Margaret, Susan and Eveline.

To Samuel and Margaret Kavenaugh the following children were born : Lizzie, the wife of Hezekiah Miller, and they reside in Illinois; Matthew, who

349

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OIIIO.

lives in Union county, Ohio; Mary Jane married James Blaycock and they live near West Liberty, Ohio; Eveline, widow of Mr. Good, of this sketch : Myra and Marjorie are twins; Myra is single and lives on the home place ; Marjorie is the wife of Jerry Shelton and they live in Springfield, Ohio; Annie is the wife of Robert Sidder and they live in Salem township, Cham- paign county, and William makes his home with his sister, Mrs. Good.

After his marriage John P. Good located on the old Kavenaugh farm in Salem township, where he engaged in general farming and stock raising until his death. He took a good deal of interest in public affairs and was influential in the general upbuilding of his community. He was a stanchi Democrat and served for some time as a member of the local school board. Fraternally, he belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at West Liberty ; he held membership in the Christian church and took an abiding interest in the affairs of the same.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Good resulted in the birth of one child, John'Denton Good, who farms the home place; he married Lela Fidler, of Quincy, Ohio, and they have one child, John Franklin Good. The death of John P. Good occurred on March 26, 1915. He was good to his family. a good neighbor and citizen and had a host of friends.

WILLIAM T. MILLARD.

Among the farmers of Salem township, Champaign county, who believe in employing advanced methods of tilling the soil, so far as they apply to this latitude, is William T. Millard. He was born in Cumberland county. Pennsylvania, August 29, 1877. He is a son of Thomas and Ivy (Johnson) Millard. The mother was born in Champaign county, Ohio, and the father was a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, where he grew to man- hood and attended school, and from there he migrated to Champaign county. in the latter seventies. He worked at different places, principally at Urbana. His death occurred in 1905. His family consisted of seven children, named as follows: Robert and Lizzie, who both live in Springfield, Ohio; Henry, in Warren county, Ohio; Ella, Lou and Nettie, all three reside in Spring- field, this state, and William T., of this sketch, who was third in order of birth.

William T. Millard was a small child when his parents brought him to Champaign county, and here he grew to manhood and received his educa-

350

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.

tion in the Urbana public schools, but he left school when only eleven years old and began to work out at whatever he could find to do and until he was twenty years old he followed various occupations. At that age he married Nora McGuire, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Shafer ) McGuire, who lived on a farm in Champaign county. The father is now deceased, but the mother makes her home in Salem township. They were parents of nine children, namely : Sallie, living at home in Salem township; Nora, wife of Mr. Millard, of this sketch; James, in Los Angeles, California ; Lessie, in Kennard, Champaign county; Maggie, in Dayton, Ohio; Lizzie, who makes her home at Urbana, and Nicholas, Ollie and Theresa, all three reside in Salem township. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Millard, named as follows: Harley, Blanche, Edna and Edgar are twins, and Glenna.

After his marriage Mr. Millard lived in Springfield, Ohio, for about four years, where he was employed at the Kelly foundry. He then engaged in farming in Harrison township, Champaign county, for about nine years. Since 1910 he has resided at Lippencott, farming a two-hundred-acre place and he has made a success as a general farmer and stock raiser. Mr. Millard votes independently-for the best man. He has never aspired to office for himself.

JOSEPH B. SMITH.

Joseph B. Smith, an honored veteran of the Civil War, and a well- known farmer and substantial citizen of Johnson township, living on his well- improved farm of twenty-five acres located on rural route No. 4 out of St. Paris, was born in Page county, Virginia, June 15, 1845, the son of James and Catherine (Deeds) Smith, both of whom were natives of the Old Domin- ion State, and who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume in connection with the sketches of their sons, Henry and George Smith.

Joseph B. Smith was the fifth child in order of birth born to his parents. and was but a small boy when brought to Champaign county, Ohio, by his parents, who emigrated in 1857 from Virginia to this state. He received his education in the district schools of Johnson township, and grew to man- hood here. . Following the example of his two brothers, he enlisted for service in the Union army on October 21, 1863, when he joined Company C, Twelfth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He saw much hard service and was twice wounded, receiving a shot in the right limb, and also receiving severe blow over the head from

351

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. OHIO.

a revolver. After the close of the war he returned to Johnson township. this county, after being mustered out on November 14, 1865, at Nashville. Tennessee, and engaged in farming, in which vocation he has continued since that time. He has an attractive little place of twenty-five acres near the village of Millerstown, where he is very comfortably located.

Soon after his return from the army at the close of the Civil War. Joseph B. Smith was united in marriage to Eliza Jane Nicholas, and to this union five children were born, namely Cary, of Quincy, Ohio: Laura. the wife of David Moody, of Urbana; Nevada, unmarried, the youngest daughter living, and Wilber, who married Hazel Applegate, and George L., living at home with his father. The mother of these children died, Janu- ary 26, 1912. The family are earnest and devoted members of the Baptist church, in which they take an active and warm interest. Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics, and while taking a good citizenship's interest in the civic affairs of his community, yet is not active in political affairs. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Post No. III, St. Paris. Ohio.

WILLIAM N. NEESE.

William N. Neese, a farmer living on rural route number four, Urbana, Ohio, was born in Auglaize county, Ohio, February 9, 1858, a son of Josiah and Mary A. (Weaver) Neese. The father was born in Rockingham, Vir- ginia, July 21, 1829. He was a son of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Bowman) Neese.

Jacob Neese was married in Virginia and came with his family to Ohio. He found a location in the south part of Mad River township, and made that his home for a number of years. Then he sold that farm and bought a farm which William Deibert now owns, and there they spent the remainder of their days. He was the father of ten children: Josiah, Josephus. John. Johanna, Jorem B., Jerome, Jacob, Jeremiah. Jesse, Sarah. Three of these are now living : Jorem, Jesse and Jeremiah.

Josiah Neese, father of our subject was a carpenter by trade. He mar- ried Mary A. Weaver. November 27, 1855. She was born near Terre Haute. Ohio, January 13, 1835, a daughter of William and Rebecca Weaver. She was reared on the farm and after marriage lived for a time in Mad River township, then removed to Auglaize county, Ohio. They lived there until 1864, when they returned to this county and settled in Mad River town-

353

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.

ship, where they spent the rest of their days. They were the parents of two children : William N., our subject : James A., who is a farmer and agent for a fertilizer company.

William N. Neese was reared on a farm and received his education in the district schools, in which he qualified himself for teaching. He began teaching, October 4, 1877, and continued in that business until April 21, 1916, a period of more than thirty-nine years. He taught nineteen years in Mad River township, seventeen years in Urbana township, and three years in Jackson township, all in Champaign county. With the many changes and innovations in methods of teaching during this period it goes without saying, that, in order for a teacher to keep abreast of the times and meet the requirements of the modern educational methods, it must be necessary to continually apply himself to a study of the new methods. This Mr. Neese did, by attending the normal school at Ada, Ohio, in 1881 and 1883, and by study and attention to all other educational advantages. He has always been active in educational matters and ardently devoted to the cause.

Mr. and Mother Neese are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Terre Haute, Ohio, and active workers in the church. He is a member of the St. Paris Lodge, No. 246, Independent. Order of Odd Fellows, and a past grand in that order. He is also a member of Pharos Lodge No. 355. Free and Accepted Masons, and St. Paris Chapter No. 132, Royal Arch Masons; Urbana Council No. 59, R. and S. M., and Raper Commandery No. 19, Knights Templar, at Urbana, Ohio. He is a Republican in politics.

DAVID R. KIMBALL.

David R. Kimball, of Woodstock, well-known and substantial farmer and banker, proprietor of beautiful "Maple Hill Farm," two miles or more south of Woodstock, in Rush township; former president of the Woodstock Bank and, since the organization of the Peoples Bank of Woodstock, presi- dent of that latter institution, former member of the Champaign county council and for years actively identified with the affairs of his home county, is a native son of this county and has lived here all of his life. He was born on a farm in Rush township, July 2, 1848, son of Truman M. and Mary Jane (Tullington) Kimball, the former a native of the state of Ver- mont and the latter, of this state.

353

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.

Truman M. Kimball was born at Stowe, Vermont, April 1, 1803, and was but a child when his parents, Ira Kimball and wife, came to Ohio and settled in this county, making their home on a farm in the neighborhood of Woodstock, in Rush township. There Truman M. Kimball grew to manhood and became a large landowner, substantial farmer and man of affairs. He was a Republican and for some years served as trustee of his home township, doing much to develop the general interests of the same and being helpful in many ways in advancing the common welfare in the eastern part of the county. In addition to his general farming, he was widely known as a stockman and did very well in his operations, for years being regarded as one of the most substantial citizens in that part of the county. His death occurred on December 19, 1894.

Truman M. Kimball was twice married. His first wife, who was Mary Jane Tullington and who was born in Madison county, this state, June 18, 1813, died on February 27, 1858. To that union twelve chil- dren were born, of whom the subject of this sketch was the eighth in order of birth, the others being as follow: Claretta A., born on November 24, 1835, who married John McIlroy and died on July 20, 1868; Harriet E., January 29, 1837, who married William Ellsworth and died in 1915: Lucy R., October 13, 1838, who married Erastus Guy and is now deceased; Truman M., Jr., August 28, 1840, who died in his youth; Susan. February II, 1842, who is now living at Irwin, in the neighboring county of Union, widow of James McIlroy ; Martha J., May 15, 1843, now deceased, who married David Chatfield and after his death married Thomas Mccarthy; Marcia M., August II, 1845, now living at Woodstock, widow of George Lincoln; Samuel P., September 6, 1850, now living near Salem, Oregon, where he has a large fruit orchard; Jefferson F., October 6, 1852, a retired farmer and banker, now living at Mechanicsburg, this county; Charles P., February 6, 1855, who married Grace Cushman and is engaged in the hard- ware business at Woodstock, and James G., February 13, 1858, who died on August 10, 1858. After the death of the mother of these children Mr. Kim- ball married Mary Jane Hunter, whose last days were spent in Kansas, and to that union two children were born, Rometta, who married Gail Howard and now lives at Colorado Springs, Colorado, and William C., who married Lucy Marsh and is now living at Woodstock, a retired farmer.

Reared on the home farm in Rush township, David R. Kimball received his early schooling in the schools of that township and supplemented the same by a course in Oberlin College. After his marriage he established his home (23a)

354

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.

on beautiful "Maple Hill Farm", two and one-half miles south of Woodstock and there became extensively engaged in general farming and stock raising, coming to be regarded as one of the most progressive and substantial farm- ers in the eastern part of the county. On that farm Mr. Kimball made his home until 1907, when he retired from the active labors of the farmi and moved to Woodstock, where he built his present handsome residence and where he since has made his home. Even before leaving the farm Mr. Kim- ball had long been giving his active attention to the general business affairs of the community and was the president of the old Woodstock Bank of Wood- stock. In 1906, the year before his removal to the village, he became one of the organizers of the Peoples Bank of Woodstock and was elected presi- dent of the same, which position he since has occupied, and in that same year erected the substantial building in which the bank has since been housed. In other ways he has also done much for the growth and development of his home town and has long been regarded as one of the leading men of affairs of that pleasant and flourishing village. Mr. Kimball is a Republican and for six years served as a member of the county council, during that incum- bency giving the affairs of the county his most earnest and thoughtful atten- tion.

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.

History of Champaign County, Ohio, its people, industries and institutions, Volume II, Part 35

Author: Middleton, Evan P., ed Publication date: 1917 Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1338

Author: Middleton, Evan P., ed
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1338