USA > Ohio > Champaign County > History of Champaign County, Ohio, its people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 46
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Like his father before him, Mr. Kite is a Democrat in politics, and a firm believer in the doctrines and principles of that party, and for the past eight years he has served as a member of the board of education of Mad River township, serving as president of the board since 1912. He has always been deeply interested in the cause of education, and since the organ- ization of the county board of education, he has served as vice-president of that board. Mr. Kite has also served as trustee of his township, holding this office continuously for seven years. He is a member of the Champaign county fair board, representing Mad River township. Besides his farm- ing interests, Mr. Kite is a director of the Central National Bank of St. Paris. Fraternally, he is identified with Magrew Lodge No. 433, Knights of Pythias.
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FLOYD C. GARRETTE.
Among the younger generation of farmers of Champaign county is Floyd C. Garrette. who has been a life-long resident of the county, his birth having occurred on the farm where he now lives, two miles southeast of Westville, on March 28, 1880. He is a son of Waite and Margaret ( Pence ) Garette, the former of whom was a native of Connecticut, and the latter of Ohio.
Waite Garrette was born on a farm near New Haven, Connecticut, and was there reared to young manhood, receiving his education in the public schools of his native county. After reaching manhood he learned the car- penter trade, and at the age of twenty-four years, came to Ohio, locating in Champaign county, where he followed his trade for some years, forming a partnership with Levi Haukman, the firm engaging in general contracting and building. After his marriage he turned his attention to farming, renting land for a few years, after which he purchased the farm he had been renting, but after living on this place several more years, he traded it for the farm where his son, Floyd C., is now living, and lived on this farm until his death on June 29, 1899. His widow continued to live on the farm for about four years after his death, when she moved to Youngstown, Ohio, where her death occurred in July, 1916. They were the parents of three children, all living: Edna, who was a student in the University of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio; Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana, and Oxford College, Oxford, Ohio, is now a teacher in the public schools of Youngstown, Ohio; Floyd, the immediate subject of this review, and Ralph D., a graduate of the University of Wooster, now a teacher in the schools of Chicago, Illinois, married Mabel Tilson, a native of that city. Waite Garrette and his wife were prominent and influential members of the Presbyterian church at Urbana, in which they took an active part for many years, Mr. Garrette serving as deacon. He was a Democrat in politics.
Floyd C. Garrette was reared on his father's farm in Mad River town- ship, receiving his elementary education in the district schools of the town- ship, and he also attended the schools at Westville. Upon the death of his father in 1899, he took over the management of the home farm, where he has since made his home, being engaged in general farming and stock raising.
On June 16, 1902, Floyd C. Garrette was married to Floy Taylor, the daughter of Simeon and Susan ( Ward) Taylor, and to this union three
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children have been born: Kenneth T., a student in the schools at Westville; Robert W., also in school, and Herman D. Mrs. Garrette is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Westville, Ohio, and takes an active interest in the religious and social life of the community.
Mr. Garrette is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Lodge No. 8, Free and Accepted Masons ; the Urbana Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Urbana Council, Royal and Select Masons, and Raper Commandery No. 19, at Urbana. He is also a member of Magrew Lodge No. 433, Knights of Pythias, holding the office of past chancellor of Magrew Lodge. Mr. Garrette is a Democrat in politics, as was his father before him, but while warmly supporting all public measures for the welfare and benefit of his community, yet he takes no active part in political matters.
SMITH F. STICKLEY.
Smith F. Stickley, an auctioneer and farmer, of Mad River township. was born near Westville, Champaign county, Ohio, February 14, 1884. He is a son of P. L. and Fannie (Harr) Stickley. The father of our subject was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia; the mother was born in Spring- field, Ohio. She died, August 3, 1906. The father is now a resident of Mad River township. There were six children born to this union; Add V., wife of E. C. Stickley, living in Mad River township; E. H. Stickley, of Mad River township; Carrie, wife of A. G. Stickley, of Strausburg, Vir- ginia ; B. M. Stickley, of Mad River township: O. B. Stickley, of Concord township; and S. F. Stickley, our subject.
Smith F. Stickley spent his boyhood days on a farm in Mad River township, and received his education in the Westville schools, which he attended until he was nineteen years old. He then engaged in farming on the home place for a few years. On February 14, 1906, he was united in marriage with Bertha M. Kite, a daughter of R. M. and Arminda (Norman) Kite. To this union two children were born: Kenneth K., born March IO, 1909; Lowell L., born September 13, 19II. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, at Westville. Mr. Stickley is a member of Magrew Lodge No. 433, Knights of Pythias, and a past chancellor of this order. Mrs. Stickley is a member of the Pythian Sisters, of St. Paris, Ohio.
Mr. Stickley is an auctioneer of some note in this part of Champaign
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county and his services are in great demand at public sales in all parts of the county. He is the owner of seventy-five acres of good land in this town- ship and devotes his time and attention to modern methods of farming. In addition to general farming he is a successful stock raiser, handling some of the best grades of fine stock. The energy and industry which he applies to the lines of business in which he is engaged, bring commensurate re- turns and puts him in the class of. one of the prosperous citizens of the township.
W. A. LOWRY.
W. A. Lowry, postmaster at Urbana and formerly and for years one of the best-known school teachers in Champaign county and later connected with the building and loan department of Ohio at Columbus, is a native son of this county and has lived here practically all his life. He was born in Union township on August 6, 1864, son of William D. and Jane (Jenkins) Lowry, the former of whom was born in Berkley county, Virginia (now West Vir- ginia), and who was but eight years of age when his parents moved to Ohio and settled on Buck creek in Champaign county, about 1830. Here William D. Lowry grew to manhood, receiving his schooling in the schools of this county and later read law in the office of Gen. J. H. Young and was admitted to the bar. For some time he practiced his profession at Urbana and later at Mutual, where he spent his last days.
Upon completing the course in the schools of his home township, W. A. Lowry supplemented that course by a course in the schools at Lebanon and then began teaching school and was for twenty years thus engaged in this county, becoming one of the best-known teachers in the county. For four years he taught school at Mutual and then for six years was engaged in the rural schools in that neighborhood, in the eastern part of the county. He then was made principal of the schools at McCrea and superintendent of the schools of Jackson township and in that capacity served for three years, at the end of which time he was made principal of the schools at Springhill and was thus engaged at that place for six years. Upon the completion of his long service at Springhill Mr. Lowry traveled for awhile and then for five years was connected with T. E. Dye in the insurance business. He then received an appointment as examiner in the building and loan department at Columbus, Ohio, and was thus engaged for eighteen months, at the end of which time, on August 5, 1913, he received his commission as postmaster
W. A. LOWRY
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of Urbana, under appointment from President Wilson and has since been serving in that important public capacity.
On January 10, 1892, W. A. Lowry was united in marriage to Emma Thompson, daughter of A. B. and Ella (Ogborn) Thompson, residents of Wayne township, Champaign county, and to this union has been born one child, a son, Ralph T. Lowry. Mr. Lowry is a Democrat and for years has been looked upon as one of the leaders of that party in Champaign county. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Masonic order and takes a warm interest in the affairs of the same.
A. B. Thompson is a prominent farmer of Wayne township and has always been active in politics since twenty-one years of age. His wife died about 1895.
JASON P. KITE.
Jason P. Kite, a farmer living on his farm two miles east of St. Paris, on the Piqua and Urbana pike, is a native-born son of this county, his birth having occurred in Mad River township, November 9, 1842. He is a son of Alvin and Margaret E. (Jones) Kite, both of whom were also natives of this county.
Alvin Kite is a son of William Kite, who was born in this county, his parents coming here from Virginia in an early day. William Kite's father operated the old roller mills in Champaign county, which was one of the first mills in this section. Margaret E. Jones, the wife of Alvin Kite, was born in Mad River township. The Jones family were also early pioneers in the county, coming here from Virginia. Alvin and Margaret E. (Jones) Kite settled on a farm in Mad River township after their marriage, where they remained for three years, when they removed to Miami county, Indiana. where they lived for about nine years, after which they returned to Cham- paign county, locating on a farm in Mad River township. Alvin Kite received an injury falling from a barn, from the effects of which he died in 1858.
Jason P. Kite was reared to the life of a farmer, receiving his educa- tion in the district schools. At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. he enlisted for service in the Union army by becoming a member of Com- pany I, Forty-second Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which regiment was under the leadership of Col. James A. Garfield. Mr. Kite saw three years of hard service under his enlistment, at the end of which time he
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returned to his home in Champaign county and resumed farming. He began life for himself in 1866 by renting land in Johnson township, which he operated for several years, when he bought his present farm of forty- seven and one-half acres in this township, which he has improved and culti- vated until he has one of the best farms in the township.
On March 22, 1866, Jason P. Kite was married to Anna M. Wirick, who was born at St. Paris, Ohio, the daughter of Jacob and Catherine Wirick, and to this union have been born five sons: Charles, a builder and contractor who has worked in nineteen states as a creamery and canning factory builder ; Carey S., living at home; J. E., of St. Paris; Emmett W., of Urbana, who was formerly clerk of Champaign county, and Albert A., a farmer living in Concord township. Mr. and Mrs. Kite are earnest and faithful members of the Myrtle Creek Baptist church, and take an active interest in the affairs of the local congregation. Mr. Kite is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, holding his membership with Lodge No. 246, at St. Paris. He has passed all the chairs in the local lodge and is deeply interested in the work of this organization. He also takes a promi- nent part in all of the branches of Odd Fellowship, and is a member of the encampment, being a past chief patriarch of that body. In politics, he is a Republican, and is interested in all public matters having for their object the betterment of local civic affairs.
Mr. Kite's great-great-great-grandfather, John Hamist, was a Revolu- tionary soldier and is buried at Myrtle Tree Cemetery, being the first person buried there. Mr. Kite has decorated his grave for many years; also all other soldiers' graves.
JAMES B. WIANT.
James B. Wiant is a prosperous farmer in Mad River township, living one and one-half miles east of Terre Haute, Ohio, on the Strome creek road, rural route No. I, Tremont City, Ohio. He was born west of Westville, Ohio, on the Bradbury Wiant farm, in Mad River township, June 17, 1856. He is a son of Bradbury and Jerusha (Ward) Wiant.
Bradbury Wiant, father of our subject, was born at the old home near the Myrtle Tree Baptist church, in Mad River township. He was the son of John Wiant, who came to Champaign county from Virginia. and was among the early settlers of the county. He was a tanner by trade and the first to engage in that business in this section. His tannery was
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located near the Myrtle Tree Baptist church, where he operated the business for several years. His wife, whose maiden name was Jerusha Ward, was born in Mad River township, and is a daughter of George Ward, who was also one of the early settlers in this township, coming from Virginia ยท at an early day. She was born at the home place, two and a half iniles southwest of Westville. After marriage they settled on the old home place and lived there for a number of years. Then they went to South Dakota, where the husband died, and then the wife returned to her old home in Mad River township, where she spent the remainder of her days. To them eleven children were born, five of whom are now living: Elizabeth, wife of Simon Whitmore, Mad River township; Jasper, a farmer living near Topeka. Kansas; John B., Sidney, Ohio, and James B., our subject ; Tulley, Urbana. Ohio.
They were members of the Myrtle Tree Baptist church and active workers in the church. Mr. Wiant was a Democrat in politics, and a man of strong convictions and the courage to stand for what he believed was right.
James B. Wiant, our subject, was reared on the old home farm where he grew to manhood. He received his education in the district school at the Myrtle Tree school house. In April, 1882, he left home and went to North Dakota, where he remained for about one year. He then returned to his old home in Mad River township, and found employment, working by the day, which he followed for three or four years. May 25, 1890, he was married to Hannah Neff, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Neff, of Mad River township. Michael Neff was born and reared in Mad River township. His parents were from Virginia. Mr. Neff is dead; his widow still lives, making her home with her children.
After marriage Mr. and Mrs. James B. Wiant lived for a time in Mad River township; then in German township, Clark county, and after- ward at Eagle City, where they lived for four years. They then returned to Mad River township, where Mr. Wiant found employment working by the month for nine or ten years. Following this for several years he rented farms in this and Jackson township, and in 1914 he bought eighty-one acres of land, known as the Willow Dale farm. Here he has lived since engaged in general farming, and is also interested in the breeding of a fine grade of Holstein cattle.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wiant seven children have been born, five of whom are living. They are: Wilbur C., and Walter C., living in Jackson town- ship; Helen, wife of Clement Baker, Jackson township; Adoll and Ruth,
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in school; Hazel, died at the age of four years. Donald, died at the age of six months.
Mr. Wiant is a member of Magrew Lodge No. 433, Knights of Pythias, Westville, being a charter member of that order. In politics he is a Democrat; served for two years as superintendent of roads of Mad River township. He is a member of the Myrtle Tree church.
LEWIS A. STADLER.
One of the substantial citizens and leading farmers of this county is Lewis A. Stadler, farming a fine farm of eighty-six and one-half acres located on the Piqua and Urbana pike, four and one-half miles east of St. Paris, about half way between Urbana and the latter village. In the early days the old farm house on this place was used as a tavern, known as the Blue Bell Tavern, situated half-way between the two towns, and did a most flourishing business as a hostelry in pioneer times.
Mr. Stadler is a native of this county, his birth having occurred on a farm in Salem township, on Kings creek, August 20, 1868. He is a son of Lewis and Caradens (Klickow) Stadler, both of whom were natives of Germany, born near Hanover. Lewis Stadler and his wife both grew to maturity in their native land, and were married in Champaign county, Ohio, after coming to this country with their respective parents. After their mar- riage they rented land in Salem township, this county, on which they lived for a number of years. By means of untiring industry and effort, they were finally enabled to purchase a farm in Concord township, where they lived for five years, after which they purchased another farm in Concord town- ship, and here they lived the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of six children, five of whom are now living: George, a traveling salesman of Urbana, Ohio; Emma, living on the old home farm in Concord township, this county; Charles, a graduate of Cincinnati Medical College, now prac- ticing his profession at Lima, Ohio; William, living on the home farm: Lewis A., of this review, and Edward, who died in infancy. Lewis Stadler and his wife were both earnest and devoted members of the Lutheran church, and Mr. Stadler was a Democrat in politics, firm in the principles and doc- trines of that party.
When L. A. Stadler was eight years of age he accompanied his parents to the farm in Concord township, where he grew to manhood, receiving
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his education in the public schools of the township. After reaching manhood he decided to follow farming as a vocation, and started out for himself by renting land in Concord township, where he remained twelve years, after which he moved to the farm where he is now living, and here he has since lived, being engaged in general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of good grade Shorthorn and Jersey cattle, in which line he has been very successful.
On January 14, 1900, L. A. Stadler was united in marriage to Darleta Comer, the daughter of Thomas and Zarah (Zimmerman) Comer, both of whom were natives of this county, the former born in Johnson township, and the latter in Mad River township. Mr. and Mrs. Stadler are the parents of six children, all of whom are living: Robert, in high school at West- ville; Lee, a student in the seventh grade; Paul, in the fifth grade; Walter. in the fourth grade; Caradena, in the first grade, and Howard, three years of age. The family have all been reared in the faith of the Lutheran church, and take an active interest in church work. Mr. Stadler is a Democrat in politics, and while taking an active interest in all local public matters, yet is not an office seeker, or prominent in political matters. He is a warm sup- porter of all measures having for their object the betterment of his com- munity.
ERESTES O. BLOSE.
A well-known farmer and life-long resident of Champaign county is Erestes O. Blose, the owner and proprietor of a fine farm of eighty-eight acres one and one-half miles south of Westville on the valley pike in Mad River township, on rural route No. 9 out of Urbana. Mr. Blose was born on a farm lying just east of his present place, now owned by J. I. Blose, on April 15, 1855, and is a son of Henry C. and Sarah ( Hess) Blose, the former of whom was a native of this county, and the latter of Virginia.
Henry C. Blose was born in Champaign county, the son of John and Amelia Blose, both of whom were natives of Virginia, being among the early pioneers of this county. Sarah Hess was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, coming to Champaign county in an early day with her mother, her father having died in Virginia. After his marriage Henry C. Blose rented land for two years, after which he bought the farm which is now owned by Mrs. William Kiser, of Urbana, where he lived for some years. after which he purchased one hundred and forty-seven acres of land. a part
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of which is now owned by the subject of this sketch. On this farm he lived the remainder of his life, his wife surviving him several years, her death occurring in Westville. Henry C. Blose and wife were the parents of three children besides E. O .: Virdie O., deceased, was the wife of Harry Talbot, a farmer of Jackson township; Odos M., of Columbus, Ohio, and Lydia B., deceased, was the wife of William Berry, of this county. Starting out in life with nothing, Henry C. Blose managed to accumulate a good farm and became a well-to-do citizen by his own efforts. He was a Demo- crat in politics, and strong in his belief of the doctrines and principles advo- cated by that party. He served as township trustee for several terms, and also as a member of the township school board. His wife was a member of the Nettle Creek Baptist church, in the affairs of which she took an active and interested part for many years.
Erestes O. Blose was five years of age when his father moved to the farm on which he is now living, and he was reared to manhood on this place, receiving his education in the district schools of his home township. He assisted with the work of the home farm, and took up the management of this farm after his marriage, and has always lived here. He is a very successful farmer, and besides raising all the crops common to this section, is engaged in breeding and raising live stock, handling pure-bred Jersey cat- tle, and thoroughbred horses and hogs.
Mr. Blose has been twice married, his first wife being Rosella Ward, to whom he was married on January 8, 1878. She was a daughter of Gideon and Malinda Ward, both of whom were natives of this county, descendants of old Virginia stock. To Mr. Blose's first marriage four children were born: Vernon M., living on the home place; Evaline W., the wife of Gerald Colbert, a farmer of Mad River township; Grace L., the wife of Waldo Steinbarger, also a farmer in Mad River township, and Florence J., the wife of J. Burton Williams, of this county. The mother of these children died April 9, 1899, and on June 27, 1907, Mr. Blose was married to Dora Myrtle Brunk, who was born on a farm in Salem township, this county, the daughter of Joseph Brunk. Mr. Blose is a member of the Uni- versalist church at Westville, Ohio, while his family are identified with the Nettle Creek Baptist church.
Mr. Blose is a Democrat in politics, and has served his township as trustee, and also as a member of the school board. Fraternally, he is identi- fied with Lodge No. 46. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also of the Patrons of Husbandry in Mad River township, having passed several of the chairs in the latter lodge.
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THOMAS MORRIS.
Thomas Morris, who for many years was engaged in the blacksmith business in Westville, is of Irish nativity and knows of no reason why he should offer any apology for an incident in his life over which he had no control, nor is there any reason that he should be ashamed of the fact that real, genuine Irish blood courses through his veins. It is the Irish blood, brawn and muscle; it is the Irish industry and energy that have con- tributed so much to the development of this country and to the establish- ment of a good citizenship in any community of which they form a part.
Thomas Morris was born in County Wexford, Ireland, November 9. 1845. He was a son of William and Bridget Morris, who were both born and reared in Ireland, and where they were married. In 1848 they came to the United States, landing in New Orleans, where the wife died soon after reaching that place. With a brother and sister the husband came to Hamilton, Ohio, and, while working in the harvest field near that place. William Morris suffered a sun stroke, from the effects of which he died. At this time Thomas Morris, our subject, was about six years old, the only son of the three children born to the family. Thus deprived of both father and mother he was dependent upon the care of others, a mere waif in a strange land and among strangers. But he found some kind-hearted people who offered him a home and a place to work on a farm in Butler county, Ohio. He worked on the farm and at whatever he could find to do until he was twenty- one years old, when he went to Brown county, Ohio, and later to Highland county, Ohio. For sometime he was engaged as section hand on the Penn- sylvania railroad at Piqua, and then went to Urbana. Ohio, where he found opportunity to learn the blacksmith trade. He worked at this place for two years and then was employed by J. H. Baker, wagon maker, in West- ville, where he worked for eight years. He then started a shop of his own in this village, associating with himself a partner and operating under the name of Ryman & Morris. Later he bought his partner's interest and bought a livery stable which he converted into a blacksmith shop. He con- tinued in business here until 1904, when he sold out and. in 1914. retired from business.
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