USA > Ohio > Champaign County > History of Champaign County, Ohio, its people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 45
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GEORGE L. DODGE.
George L. Dodge, a farmer living on route No. 4. Urbana, Ohio, was born in New York state, July 22, 1839, a son of Daniel and Mary Dodge, both of whom were natives of New York state. Both parents are deceased. There were fourteen children born to this family and George L. is the only one of this number now living.
George L. Dodge was reared on a farm in Scioto county, Ohio, and received his education in the schools of that county. He was engaged for a time in teaching school and was thus engaged when the Civil War came on. Responding to the President's call for volunteers, he enlisted in Company A, Thirty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served in that regiment for three years. During his army service he was always present for duty and was never sick nor wounded. At the close of his service he returned to Scioto county and engaged in farming. July 1, 1866, he was married to Louisa Tibbs, who was born in Virginia, August 2, 1849, and came with her parents to Scioto county at the age of fourteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Dodge settled on a farm after marriage where they remained until April, 1892. when they bought the farm of one hundred and forty acres on which they now live. Of the eleven children born to them eight are now living. Jonathan and Emma live in California; Olive lives at Troy, Ohio; Charles
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at home: Andrew in Nevada: Elizabeth in Westville: Effie is a teacher in Chicago, and Marcella, a daughter, is president of Lake Forest school in Chicago.
George L. Dodge is a Republican and served two terms as auditor of Scioto county. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Charles R. Dodge was born in Scioto county, Ohio, January 14. 1864. and received his education in the common schools of Scioto county. He has always been engaged in farming. He is the owner of forty-four acres of land in Mad River township on which he carries on general farming and is also a breeder of fine stock. He raises thoroughbred Jersey cattle and Poland China hogs. Daniel Dodge was a soldier in the Spanish-American war and died of fever.
JACOB P. BAKER.
Jacob P. Baker is a farmer living on his farm in Mad River township, rural route number four, Urbana, Ohio. He was born in Jackson township, this county, March 8, 1870, a son of Obadiah and Elizabeth ( Bowers ) Baker; the father was born in Clark county, the mother in Jackson town- ship, Champaign county, Ohio. The father was reared on the home farm in Clark county and came to Champaign county about the time of his mar- riage. He bought eighty acres of land now owned by Harry O. Baker, and on this farm he made his home during the remainder of his life.
Obadiah Baker was the father of seven children of whom six are now living: William D., a farmer in Jackson township: Alma. wife of Clem Richardson: Jacob P., subject of this sketch: Sarah, wife of Charles Pence, of Miami, Ohio: Irvin, of Christiansburg, Ohio: Harry O., of Jackson town- ship.
Jacob P. Baker was reared on the old home farm in Jackson town- ship and received his education in the district schools of the township. He remained at home working on the farm until he was twenty-one. June 20, 1895. he was married to Laura B. Conard, who was born in Mad River township and educated in the district schools of that township. She is a daughter of A. R. Conard, an old resident of the township.
For a few years after marriage Mr. Baker rented the old home farm of A. R. Conard and later bought this farm of seventy-five acres. In 1912 he bought the farm of one hundred and six acres on which he now lives. Here he has a good home and a well-improved farm, well adapted to general
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farming and stock raising in which he is engaged. He raises Duroc-Jersey hogs, Jersey cattle, French draft horses and carries on a general farming business.
To Mr. and Mrs. Baker four children have been born : Harry L., a gradu- ate of the common schools; Clarence, at home: Raymond, graduate of the common schools, at home; Sylvia, graduate of the common schools; Ray, graduate of the common schools.
Mrs. Baker is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Baker is a member of Thackery Lodge No. 874, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a Democrat in his political belief. He served two years as township trustee. He is a quiet, unassuming man and an upright citizen, holding the high esteem of the people of the community in which he has lived for all these years, and he has the confidence of everyone with whom he has had dealings.
S. C. MOORE, M. D.
Dr. S. C. Moore, of Urbana, an honored veteran of the Civil War and one of the oldest practicing physicians in Champaign county, is a native of the neighboring county of Logan, but has been a resident of this county since 1867 and is, therefore, very properly accounted one of the real "old settlers" of the county. He was born on a farm in Zane township, Logan county, this state, September 21. 1844. son of Edmond and Rachel Moore. the former of whom was born in the state of New Jersey and the latter in Ohio. Edmond Moore came to this state from New Jersey in the days of his youth, became a well-to-do farmer in Logan county and there spent his last days.
Reared on the paternal farm in Zane township, in the neighboring county of Logan, S. G. Moore received his early schooling in the common schools of that county and when eighteen years of age, in 1863, enlisted for service in the Union army during the continuance of the Civil War and went to the front as a member of Company C. One Hundred and Seventeenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served with that command until the close of the war, participating in the battle of Missionary Ridge, the battle of Jonesboro, all the engagements totaling thirteen different battles, and numerous skirmishes and was with Sherman on the march to the sea at the conclusion of the Atlanta campaign. Upon the completion of his mili- tary service he returned home and in 1867 began the reading of medicine
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under the preceptorship of Doctor Williams at North Lewisburg, this county, and presently entered the Cincinnati Medical College, from which institution he was graduated in 1870. Thus admirably equipped for the practice of his profession, Doctor Moore began practice in association with Doctor Williams at North Lewisburg and two years later, in 1872, opened an office of his own at Cable, over in the adjoining township of Wayne, where he was engaged in practice for twenty-nine years, or until 1901, when he moved to Urbana, where he since has made his home, actively engaged in practice in that city. Doctor Moore is one of the oldest physicians in continuous prac- tice in Champaign county and is widely known throughout this and adjoin- ing counties. For three terms he served as coroner of Champaign county and has in other ways taken an active part in local civic affairs. The Doctor is a member of the Champaign County Medical Society and for years has taken an interested part in the deliberations of that body. He is a Republican and has ever given a good citizen's attention to the political affairs, both of the county and of the state.
On March 10, 1875, Dr. S. C. Moore was united in marriage to Emma F. Flaherty. The Doctor and Mrs. Moore are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and have ever taken an active part in church work, as well as in the general good works of the community, helpful in advancing all worthy causes designed to promote the common welfare.
CLARENCE M. MCLAUGHLIN, M. D.
Dr. Clarence M. Mclaughlin is a native of Champaign county and one of the prominent physicians of Westville, Ohio. He was born in this place, August 19, 1864, a son of Dr. Richard R. and Charlotte ( Wilson ) Mclaughlin, who were among the older residents of Westville.
Dr. Richard R. MeLaughlin was born in Clark county, Ohio, and when a mere boy went with his parents to Wisconsin. The elder Mclaughlins located near Madison, Wisconsin, and engaged in farming. Here Dr. Richard R. was reared, receiving his elementary education in the public schools of that neighborhood. With a view of fitting himself for the profession and practice of medicine he left his Wisconsin home while still a young man and returned to Clark county, Ohio, locating at Tremont City, where he entered the office of his uncle, Dr. . A. C. Mclaughlin. He began the study of medicine here and continued this study for some time. Later he
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entered the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, and took a full course of lectures there. Following his graduation from this institution, he located in Westville, Ohio, and began the practice of his profession. He continued in practice here during the remainder of his life. He died August 17. 1891. He was a man well up in his profession in his day and enjoyed a very extensive practice throughout the county. He was also a man of promi- nence and influence in the community. Politically, he was a radical Demo- crat, and during the Civil War took an active part in the affairs of his party. In religious matters he was of the Universalist belief and was one of the active promoters and organizers of the church of that denomination in Westville. He was a leader and a most active worker in the temperance cause and his recognized ability in the advocacy of temperance brought him in great demand for lectures in behalf of that cause.
Charlotte (Wilson) Mclaughlin, mother of our subject. was born in Champaign county, Ohio, in 1832, and died at her home here in 1903. She was a woman of sound judgment and sterling qualities. She was reared in the Methodist Episcopal church and continued a faithful member of this church during her life. She was the mother of five children, three of whom are now living: Rev. Ira W. Mclaughlin, a graduate of St. Lawrence Uni- versity. Canton. New York, at present a minister in Springfield, Ohio: Dr. Clarence M. Mclaughlin, and Lottie J., the wife of R. K. Fox, of Hastings, Florida.
Dr. Clarence M. Mclaughlin was reared in Westville, Ohio, and received his early education in the public schools of this village. Later he attended the Urbana high school and the university at that place. . \t the age of eighteen he began the study of medicine, and at the age of twenty-one had completed the course of study in the Starling School of Medicine, at Columbus, Ohio, receiving his diploma from that institution in 1886. The same year he began the practice of medicine in Westville. Ohio, and has been here continuously since that time. In 1897 he was united in marriage with Nellie B. Denny, of Logan county, Ohio, who was born in that county in 1873. She was a student of the Bellfontaine high school, and a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio. She is now a teacher of music in Westville. Her church relationship is with the Methodist Episcopal church, of Westville, in which she is an active worker.
Doctor MeLaughlin's fraternal affiliation is with the Magrew Lodge No. 433, Knights of Pythias, in which order he is a past chancellor, and has twice represented the order in the grand lodge. He is also a member of
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Harmony Lodge No. 8, Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Urbana Chapter No. 34, Royal Arch Masons, and the Raper Commandery No. 19. Knights Templar, all of Urbana, Ohio. His political affiliation is with the Democratic party, though he has never taken much part in party affairs.
Doctor MeLaughlin devotes a good deal of time and attention to agri- cultural affairs. He is the owner of three hundred and eighteen acres of fine land in Champaign county, part of this is in Mad River township and part in Concord township. In addition to general farming which he carries on according to the most approved methods, he is largely engaged in the breeding of fine stock, making a specialty of Jersey cattle, of which he has a herd of the highest registered merit. As a member of the American Jersey Cattle Club, Doctor Mclaughlin keeps himself well informed in all matters pertaining to this line of industry. He is also fully abreast of the times in his chosen profession. He is a member of the state, county and American medical associations and is an active worker in these associations. He is also interested in every movement that has for its object the advancement of educational interests and for the promotion of educational advantages. Along this line he was among the first to advocate the consolidation of the smaller district schools with a central graded school, where all could have the advantage of the best facilities for advancement. He carried the first petition in Mad River township for the centralization of the schools in Westville, and the excellent schools conducted here for the benefit of the township are largely due to Doctor Mclaughlin's interest and energy in that behalf.
MRS. ELIZABETH J. STEVENSON.
Mrs. Elizabeth J. Stevenson, of Mingo, widow of Edward O. Stevenson and one of the most extensive landowners in Champaign county, is a native of Kentucky, but has been a resident of this county since 1870, in which year she came here with her son and located at Mingo, in the neighborhood of which place she and her son acquired large farming interests and where she has since made her home, one of the best-known and most influential resi- dents of the northern part of the county.
Elizabeth J. Flournoy was born in Scott county, Kentucky, daughter of the Rev. David John and Elizabeth (Cunningham ) Flournoy, both also natives of Kentucky, the former born in Scott county, that state, and the latter in Clark county. The Rev. David John Flournoy was a minister of
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Elizabeth of Stevenson
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the Baptist church and a well-to-do farmer of Scott county, Kentucky, who later, on account of his health, went to Laconia, Desha county, Arkansas, where he and his wife spent their last days. They were the parents of six children, of whom Mrs. Stevenson was the fourth in order of birth, the others being as follow: Mary C., deceased; Robert C., deceased; Thomas Y., deceased; David John, Jr., deceased, and Letitia, who now lives in Los Angeles, California, widow of Robert Hume.
Reared in Scott county, Kentucky, Elizabeth J. Flournoy completed her schooling in the old Georgetown (Kentucky) Seminary and in 1849 mar- ried Edward O. Stevenson, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, in Novem- ber, 1829, and who was educated in the old Military College at Georgetown. Kentucky, and later read law at Chillicothe, this state. Edward O. Stevenson (lied in 1852, at the age of twenty-three years, leaving his widow and one son, Edward Owings Stevenson, who was born on May 1I, 1850, and who, twenty years later, in 1870, came to this county and located at Mingo. Edward Owings Stevenson had received his schooling at Frankfort, Ken- tucky, and upon coming to Champaign county became engaged in farming in the vicinity of Mingo, but later returned to Kentucky, where he remained for twenty years, at the end of which time he went to Washington, D. C. Later he returned home, where he died on October 2, 1916, and was buried at Lexington, Kentucky. He was an inventor of considerable note and had achieved marked success with some of his inventions. He married Catherine Nash, of West Liberty, Ohio, who is now living at Chicago, and to that union five children were born, namely: Edward O., who died two years ago; John Evans Stevenson, who was graduated from the Virginia Military Institute and is now engaged as a mine assayer in the republic of Costa Rica, Central America; Flournoy D. J. Stevenson, a progressive farmer, who makes his home with his grandmother, Mrs. Stevenson, at Mingo, where he is engaged in looking after her extensive farming interests; John E. Stevenson, who is with his mother in Chicago, and Frederick Paul Stevenson, also of Chicago.
Mrs. Stevenson is the owner of seven hundred and fifteen acres of fine land in Champaign county, besides the owner of valuable land tracts in other states. She is an earnest member of the Christian church and has for many years taken an active interest in church affairs. Despite her advanced years she retains her physical and mental vigor in a remarkable degree and con- tinues to entertain the liveliest interest in current affairs and in the general affairs of the community in which she has lived so long. She has a very pleasant home at Mingo and ever since taking up her residence there in 1870 (29a)
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has given much earnest thought to the general advancement of the welfare of the community and has done much to promote movements designed to that end.
JACOB F. ARNEY.
Jacob F. Arney, one of the well-known farmers in the southwestern part of Champaign county and the proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred acres, the old Hupp farm, in Mad River township, on rural mail route number one out of Tremont City, was born on that farm and has lived there all his life. He was born on October 18, 1860, son of Joseph and Barbara (Hupp) Arney, the former of whom died when the subject of this sketch was but five years of age. Barbara Hupp was born in Virginia and was eight years of age when she came into Ohio with her parents, the family settling on a farm in the Terre Haute neighborhood in Mad River township. this county, where she grew to womanhood and married Joseph Arney. After his marriage Joseph Arney established his home on the Hupp place and there died in 1865, he then being thirty-eight years of age. His widow survived him many years, her death occurring January 24, 1892, and the old home place is now owned by the subject of this sketch. Joseph Arney and wife were the parents of four children, of whom Jacob F. is now the only survivor, his only brother, Charles, having died at the age of eight years; his sister, Florinda J., wife of J. W. Richmond, died in August, 1882, and his sister Mary Virginia died on December 18, 1891.
Reared on the home farm, Jacob F. Arney received his schooling in the Terre Haute schools and early assumed the responsibility of the man- agement of the home place, establishing his home there after his marriage in the spring of 1882, and has ever since made that his place of residence. he and his family being very comfortably situated there. Mr. Arnold has developed a fine farm plant and is doing well in his agricultural operations. Politically, he is a Republican and has ever given a good citizen's attention to local political affairs, but has not been a seeker after public office.
On April 13, 1882, Jacob F. Arney was united in marriage to Artie A. Lutz, who also was born in Mad River township, a daughter of William and Sarah (Neese) Lutz, and to this union have been born two children. Roxie May, who was graduated from the common schools and is now the wife of Walter H. Baker, who is in the insurance business at Dayton, this state, and they have one son, Herbert A., born April 22, 1912, and Alpha J ...
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unmarried, who is also a graduate of the common schools and the high school at Tremont, Ohio Wesleyan University. Wittenberg College and Valparaiso University. He is in Wayne, Michigan, in the real-estate business. Mr. and Mrs. Arney are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Terre Haute and take a proper interest in church work, as well as in other neighborhood good works and the general social activities of the community. Mr. Arney is a Republican and takes an active interest in party affairs.
RALPH W. WIANT.
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Ralph W. Wiant, a farmer living near St. Paris, Champaign county. Ohio, was born on the old Wiant farm, in Mad River township, March 14, 1883. He is a son of John and Barbara A. (Miller) -Wiant. - John Wiant was born in this township, March 13, 1832, and spent his entire life here. He was a son of Adam and Mary (Maggrat) Wiant, who were both natives of Virginia. Each came to this county in early years and were married here, and here they continued to live for the rest of their lives. They were the parents of the following children : David. Julia A., who became the wife of Peter Smith: Amanda, the wife of Isaiah Colbert : Franklin, William A., who died at the age of two years: John, Isaiah, Ira and Asa (twins).
John Wiant, father of our subject, was reared on a farm in Mad River township. He received his education in the Myrtle Tree school, which he attended during the winter season when the work on the farm was not so pressing. He was twice married, his first wife being Elizabeth Prince. There were three children by this marriage: Effie, wife of J. O. Northcraft, of Columbus, Ohio; Emma, wife of John Russell; William A., who lives at Springfield. Ohio. and is pastor of the Central Methodist Episcopal church. of that city.
The second wife of John Wiant was Barbara A. Smith and there were two children by this union: Delmar O., who married Maime Hoak. and lives in Columbus, Ohio: Ralph W., the subject of this sketch. John WViant died June 29, 1916, aged eighty-four years.
Ralph W. Wiant was reared on the old home farm and received his education in the district schools and the Westville school. On reaching manhood years he was united in marriage with Carrie Pine, August 20, 1907. She was born in Harrison township and is a daughter of Joseph
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T. and Clarissa (Halterman ) Pine. She was educated in the public school at Eris, Champaign county, Ohio, graduating from the high school of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Wiant are the parents of two boys: Robert P., born June 20, 1912, and Joseph W., born June 20, 1916. Their church rela- tionship is with the Methodist Episcopal church, of Westville, in which both are active workers. Mr. Wiant is one of the stewards of the church and is also superintendent of the Sunday school.
Mr. Wiant has a fine farm of one hundred and thirty-seven acres all of which is well improved, with a comfortable and convenient home and all necessary farm buildings. In addition to general farming he is largely interested in the breeding of fine stock, making a specialty of Chester white hogs, headed by Frost King.
Joseph and Clarissa Pine, father and mother of Mrs. Ralph Wiant, are both natives of Champaign county, Ohio, and are both still living here. They are the parents of four children: Lavella P., a graduate of Eris high school and the wife of Walter Howard, of St. Paris, this county; Carrie F., wife of our subject; the other two children died in their early years.
ROMANUS M. KITE.
One of the well-to-do farmers and substantial citizens of Mad River township, who has been a life-long resident of Champaign county, is Romanus M. Kite, the owner and proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and forty acres located three miles southeast of St. Paris, on the Runkle pike. Mr. Kite was born in Mad River township, on what is known as the old Zimmer- man farm, November 20, 1866, and is a son of William and Catherine (Miller) Kite, both of whom were also natives of this county.
William Kite was a son of Emanuel Kite, who came in an early day to Champaign county from Virginia, being among the pioneers of Mad River township. Catherine Miller was born on a farm in Concord township, this county, the daughter of Christian Miller and wife, also pioneers of the county. After his marriage William Kite settled on a part of his father's farm. where he lived for several years. Later he traded this land for a farm located a little farther west, where he lived for some years, when he moved to what was known as the Runkle farm, where he and his wife lived the remainder of their days. Starting out in life with practically nothing, by his own efforts, he became a very successful and well-to-do farmer. He was quiet and
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unassuming in his manner, yet a far-sighted and good business man. He and his wife were the parents of eleven children, seven of whom grew to maturity : Mary E., the wife of Adam Neer; Sarah E., wife of James L. Pond; Glendora, wife of James I. Pence; James E., of St. Paris; R. M., the immediate subject of this review; F. E., of St. Paris, and Ada, wife of J. E. Straub. The family were members of the Myrtle Tree Baptist church, and are prominent in the affairs of the church.
Romanus M. Kite was reared on his father's farm in Mad River town- ship. He received his education in the township schools, and lived at home assisting with the work on the farm until his marriage, when he moved to a farm about one mile west of his present home, where he lived two years, when he returned to the old home place, where he has since lived with the exception of a few months spent in Westville. Here he is engaged in general farming and stock raising and ranks among the leading and progressive farmers of Mad River township. He has a fine home, situated in a beautiful grove of maple trees which he planted himself. He helped clear most of his farm, besides many acres on two other farms. On February 17, 1889, Romanus M. Kite was united in marriage to Arminta Norman, the daughter of Christian and Elvira (Pence) Norman, natives of this county living in Johnson township. Mr. and Mrs. Kite are the parents of four- children : Bertha M., wife of S. S. Stickley, a farmer of Mad River township; Don N., living in Jackson township, married Bertha Hecker. who died in November, 1916; Paul W., living at home, is a student in the third year at high school in Westville, and one deceased. The family are members of the St. Paris Baptist church, in the affairs of which they take an active interest.
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