USA > Ohio > Champaign County > History of Champaign County, Ohio, its people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 50
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Reared at St. Paris, J. H. Biddle was familiar with the details of his father's store from the days of his boyhood and following his graduation from the high school in 1880 he devoted his time to the business and in 1884 was made a partner of his father, the business thereafter being con- ducted under the firm name of Biddle & Son, and was so continued until the retirement of the elder Biddle in 1900, after which J. H. Biddle operated the store alone until his appointment to the office of postmaster of St. Paris in 1914, since which time he has given his full attention to his official duties. In addition to his commercial interests Mr. Biddle is a stockholder in the Central National Bank of St. Paris and has for years taken an active interest in all movements having to do with the promotion of the material interests of his home town, one of the most persistent and consistent "boosters" of that city. Mr. Biddle is a Democrat and for years has been one of the leaders of that party in this part of the state. For ten years he was township clerk and was also for years state deputy election supervisor for Champaign county, serving in that capacity until 1914. For years he has been an active member of the Champaign county Democratic central committee and during three campaigns served as chairman of the same. Fraternally, Mr. Biddle is a member of Pharos Lodge No. 355. Free and Accepted Masons, and takes a warm interest in local Masonic affairs.
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MRS. HANNAH M. FIELDER.
Mrs. Hannah M. Fielder, widow of the late Thomas P. Fielder, who was a well-known farmer of Adams township, was born in Logan county, this state, a daughter of William and Mary (King) Snapp, farming people, who came to Logan county in an early day.
William Snapp was born in Logan county, Ohio, where his parents had come to settle. His parents were natives of the state of Virginia and on coming to this state settled on a farm, where they spent the remainder of their lives. William Snapp grew up on the farm in Logan county and was there educated in the public schools. He worked on a farm when a young man and was married to Mary M. King, of Logan county. After their marriage they located on a farm in that county and some time later they moved to Pierceton, Indiana, and lived on a rented farm for a few years in that place. They then returned to Logan county and resumed farm- ing, and spent the remainder of their lives in that county. William Snapp and his wife were earnest members of the Dunkard church and were warmly interested in all good works of the church, ever helpful in promoting the common good of the community in which they lived. They were the parents of eight children, five of whom are living in 1917: Samuel, a well-known farmer, of Logan county, Ohio; Hannah M., who became the wife of Thomas P. Fielder ; Isaiah, a farmer, of Adams township, Champaign county; Elsie. who lives in Logan county, and Lydia E., also living in Logan county.
Hannah M. (Snapp) Fielder was reared on her father's farm in Logan county and was educated in the common schools of her home neighborhood. continuing to reside with her parents up to the time of her marriage. On April 13, 1876, Hannah Snapp was united in marriage to Thomas P. Fielder. who was born in Logan county, Ohio, on April 12, 1846, and died on May 28, 1912, deservedly regretted by a large circle of friends in Champaign county and outside it. He was a farmer during his active life and was warmly interested in the progress of all movements having for their purpose the welfare of the community. Mr. Fielder was reared on his father's farm in Logan county and attended the common schools of his home district.
Mr. and Mrs. Fielder commenced farming on the place on which Mrs. Fielder now lives. Mr. Fielder was an expert farmer and met with marked success in his agricultural operations, all of which were carried on according to modern requirements. He was a member of the United Brethren church in Adams township and was active in all departments of church work. His
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life was an exemplary one and as a husband, father and citizen he was regarded throughout the community as a model whose life might be copied with advantage. He was a supporter of the Democratic party, but had never been a seeker after public office. Mr. and Mrs. Fielder were the parents of two children, Albert C., born on April 29, 1879, who married Daisy Friend and they are parents of five children, Audrey M., Robert W., Bernice C., James H., and Helen E .; and Thomas R., who died at the early age of fourteen years. Mrs. Fielder is a member of the Mt. Zion United Brethren church and is a close attendant on all the services and good works of the church and of the community in which she has been so long a resident and where she is held in warm regard by a wide circle of friends.
JAMES E. RUSSELL.
James E. Russell, proprietor of a well-kept farm of sixty-eight acres at Eris, in Concord township, this county, and vice-president of the board of education, Concord central school, until January, 1916, was born on a farm one and one-fourth miles west of Eris and has lived in that neighborhood all his life, being one of the best-known and most progressive residents of that part of the county. He was born on September 6, 1848, son of Val- entine and Margaret ( Hill) Russell, members of pioneer families in that community, whose last days were spent there.
Valentine Russell was born on May 24, 1814, and was four years of age when he came to Champaign county with his parents, Robert and Mary ( Miller) Russell, from Virginia, the family settling in Concord township. Robert Russell was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, November 18, 1783, and was married there in 1811, remaining in that county until 1818, when he came over into Ohio with his family and settled in Concord township, this county, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their days, useful and influential pioneers of that part of the county. Upon settling in Concord township Robert Russell entered a quarter of a section of land and later became the owner of an additional quarter section, being a well-to-do farmer. He and his wife were members of the Methodist church and their children were reared in that faith. There were eight of these children, those besides Valentine, the first in order of birth, being James, who married Julia Mitchell; Sarah, who married David H. Neer: Robert, Jr., who mar- ried Mary Sweet and, after her death, Lydia Huff; Mary, who married
JAMES E. RUSSELL AND FAMILY
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Elias Wilson and, after his death, William Barger; Elizabeth, who married Levi Johnson; Ann, who married Ephraim G. Miller, and John, who mar- ried Margaret Russell.
As noted above, Valentine Russell was but four years of age when he came to this county with his parents from Virginia and he grew to manhood on the pioneer farm in Concord township. On July 26, 1836, he married Margaret Hill and established his home in that same township, becoming a substantial farmer, and there he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. He died on May 23, 1871, and his widow survived him many years, her death occurring in December, 1903. They were the parents of eight children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth, the others being as follow: Robert H., born on June 8, 1837, who married Almira J. Rohrer and died on September 25, 1911; Minerva A., May 27, 1839, wife of Silas N. Longfellow; Eliza J., May 12, 1841, wife of Adam P. Vance; Mary A., who died in infancy ; John F., June 14, 1851, who married Emma Wiant and after her death, Amanda Caldwell; Loren, who died at the age of seventeen years, and Albert W., April 4, 1859, who married May Snarr.
James E. Russell was reared on the home farm in Concord township. receiving his schooling in the local schools, and remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age, after which he began to farm on his own account. He was married in 1871 and with the exception of ten years spent farming in Logan county has lived all his life in this county, long having been a resident on his well-kept farm at Eris, where he is now living and where he and his wife are very comfortably situated. Mr. Russell is a Republican and has for years taken an active part in local civic affairs, par- ticularly with reference to the schools, and is the present vice-president of the board of education, Concord central school, and has done much to advance the interests of education in that section, the Concord central school being one of the best "centralized" schools in this part of the state.
Mr. Russell has been twice married. On December 24, 1871, he was united in marriage to Matilda J. Kizer, who also was born in this county and who died on May 9, 1872. On April 30. 1879, he married Ann C. Kizer, who was born on the old Kizer farm in this county, April 11, 1846, a daughter of Philip Kizer and wife, and to this union two children have been born, Charles E., born on July 26, 1880, and Lillian B., July 4, 1882. Charles E. Russell was educated in the common schools of this county and for some time taught school. On June 6, 1906, he married Zella Offen- (32a)
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bacher and to this union two children have been born, Blanche E., born on February 4, 1908, and Marjorie F., May 31, 1909. Lillian B. Russell was married on November 14, 1905, to John W. Elwell and died on May 6, 1912, leaving her husband and one child, a son, William R. Elwell, born on July 27, 1909. 'Mr. and Mrs. Russell are members of the Concord Metho- dist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Russell is a member of the official board and one of the trustees, both taking an interested part in church work. as well as in the general good works and social activities of their home community.
JAMES S. BLACK.
James S. Black, president and general manager of the Christiansburg Concrete Tile and Supply Company, a member of the Christiansburg com- mon council, a stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants Bank of that place and one of the most active and influential business men of that thriving community, is a native son of Ohio and has lived in this state all his life. He was born on a farm in Pike township, in the neighboring county of Clark, December 31, 1858, son of Matthew and Catherine ( Richardson ) Black, both of whom were born in that same township, members of pioneer families there, and both of whom are now deceased. Matthew Black was one of a family of ten children born to his parents and all of whom are now dead. He became a successful farmer and stockman and had a good farm plant down in Clark county. He and his wife were members of the Presby- terian church and their children were reared in that faith. There were seven of these children, four of whom are still living, the subject of this sketch having three sisters, Emma C., Martha B. and Jennie M. Black.
Reared on the home farm, James S. Black was from the days of his boyhood a valued assistant in the labors of developing and improving the place and remained there after his marriage in 1884 until his retirement from the farm in 1909 and removal to Christiansburg, where he since has made his home. He bought the old home place of one hundred and forty acres and still owns the same, a well-improved and valuable piece of farm property. Mr. Black is a Democrat and for some time during his residence in Clark county served as assessor of Pike township and as a member of his local school board, and is a present member of the common council of the village of Christiansburg. Mr. Black is the president and general manager of the Christiansburg Concrete Tile and Supply Company, which
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was incorporated in 1910 with a capital stock of eight thousand dollars, with the following officers: President, J. S. Black; vice-president, Ralph Foster; secretary, A. J. Bright; treasurer, J. T. R. Wilson, and the above officers and W. J. Drake, O. D. Lamb and Ezra Jankins, directors. This company manufactures drain tile, cement blocks, brick fence posts and the like and also does a general business in plaster and cement. It has a well- equipped plant for the manufacture of its products and is regarded as one of the leading industries in the southwestern part of the county. Mr. Black also is a stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Christiansburg and is in other ways interested in the general business affairs of that thriving village.
On October 8, 1884, James S. Black was united in marriage to Sarah E. Wallace, of Warsaw, Indiana, who died on October 14, 1916. To that union was born one child, a daughter, Elsie M., wife of John W. Stott, of Christiansburg. Mr. Black is a member of the Christian church, one of the trustees of the same, and during his residence in Clark county served for fifteen years as clerk of the Honey Creek church in that county.
HIRAM KNULL.
Hiram Knull, well-known proprietor of a thriving grocery and meat market at St. Paris and a former member of the city council there, is a native son of Champaign county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in Jackson township, not far from St. Paris, September 23. 1859, son of Daniel and Mary E. (Schusser) Knull, both of whom also were born in this state, of German descent, and who were married in this county. Daniel Knull was born at Germantown, but came to this county in his youth and here he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring on his farm in Jackson township in 1897. His widow died April 12, 1917. To Daniel Knull and wife four children were born, those besides the subject of this sketch being Catherine, wife of George Straddling; David, a farmer in Grant county, Indiana, and William, deceased.
Reared on the home farm in the vicinity of St. Paris, Hiram Knull completed his schooling in the St. Paris schools and was engaged at farm- ing and in various other pursuits until after his marriage, when, in 1893. he became engaged in the fish business at St. Paris. As his business grew he gradually enlarged the same by adding a meat market and then a general
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stock of groceries and fruits and has since been very successfully engaged in that line, having done very well, acquiring several bits of property in St. Paris -and a fine farm near that city, long having been regarded as one of the leading business men in his home town. Mr. Knull is a Demo- crat and for four years served as a member of the common council of the city of St. Paris.
It was in the fall of 1892 that Hiram Knull was united in marriage to Frances Baughman, of Columbus, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Knull have a pleasant home at St. Paris and take a proper interest in the general affairs of their home town, helpful in promoting all good works there. Mr. Knull has never actively identified himself with any church organization, but has been a liberal supporter of movements backed by the church and is doing his part as a citizen to advance the general welfare.
W. L. STABLER.
W. L. Stabler, a progressive and substantial farmer and stockman, owner of sixty-five acres of prime land in Adams township, was born in that same township on September 22, 1865. He is the son of C. G. and Catherine (Pencil) Stabler, the former of whom was a native of Germany and the latter a native of Champaign county, Ohio.
C. G. Stabler was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, in March, 1830. While still a young man he decided to chance fortune in the United States. He left his native land and on arriving at port in this country he immediately came along to the state of Ohio, locating in Degraff, and later in Adams township, this county. His first employment was as a hired hand on a farm and he also worked for a cooper, saving all the available money he could command with the view to engaging in farm work on his own account. He was united in marriage in Champaign county to Catherine Pencil, who died on February 28, 1915. Since the death of his wife he has been living by himself. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are still alive, namely: Mary, who became the wife of Seymour Young; Barbara C., deceased; William L., the subject of this sketch; George F., a farmer, living in Adams township, and John E., also a farmer of Adams township. C. G. Stabler, during his active life, was engaged in farming and was suc- cessful in his agricultural operations.
William I. Stabler was reared on the farm and received his educa-
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tion in the public schools of Adams township. At the close of his school course he worked on his father's farm and remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age. He was united in marriage on February 17, 1891, to Anna Staley, who was born in Logan county, Ohio, and was edu- cated in the common schools of that county. Following his marriage Mr. Stabler commenced farming on his own account, becoming a renter of land for some time. Succeeding in this direction, he subsequently bought some land and he is now the owner of a compact and well-kept farm of sixty-five acres of choice land. His farm is situated on route No. 1, Quincy, Adams township, and here he is engaged in general farming and stock raising. in the latter line raising some good grades of all kinds of stock, and in both branches of his agricultural labors he has met with marked success. His farm and buildings are in an excellent state and well cared for.
To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Stabler three children have been born as follow: Nora C., who is at home with her parents; Raymond, a student in the Rosewood high school, and Junieus. During Mr. Stabler's residence in Champaign county he has witnessed many important improvements being carried out and in all matters tending towards the public good he has always taken the part of a progressive citizen. The Stabler family are members of the Lutheran church at Sidney, Ohio, and are warmly interested in all the affairs of the church, ever setting the example of sincere and earnest lives. Mr. Stabler is a supporter of the Democratic party, but has never been a seeker after public office. Nevertheless, he takes a good citizen's part in supporting candidates who are calculated to serve the requirements of the public in the best manner.
EDWIN J. NEAL.
Edwin J. Neal, a well-known and well-to-do farmer. of Adams township, Champaign county, on route No. 5, Sidney, was born on the farm on which he now lives on November 29, 1850. He is the son of Daniel D. and Eliza (Robinson) Neal. His father was born on the same farm and in the same house about 1820. Eliza Robinson was born in Shelby county. Ohio, in 1819.
Daniel Neal, the father of Daniel D. and grandfather of Edwin J. Neal, entered the land now in the possession of his grandson and was among the early pioneers of this part of Champaign county. He cleared the land and planted it to crops, enduring all the hardships of that early day, when neigh- bors were scarce and wild animals numerous. He lived and died on this farm
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and here his son, Daniel D., father of the subject of this sketch, also lived and died. Daniel D. Neal, following his marriage to Eliza Robinson, settled on the farm and continued to develop it as he went along. He and his wife were the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters. as follow : John T., who served nearly four years in the Civil War, is now living in Troy, Ohio; William H., deceased; Edwin J., the subject of this sketch; Reuben H., deceased; Mary J., deceased, and Rebecca, the wife of George Wooley, of Lima, Ohio. Daniel D. Neal was an active member of the United Brethren church and a warm supporter of its good works. He was a stanch Republican, but never was a candidate for public office.
Edwin J. Neal was reared on his father's farm and was educated in the public schools of the district. On finishing the school course he worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-one. He then went to Palestine, Ohio, and spent about two years in the saw-mill business, after which he went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and worked in the lumber business in that state for three years. Following his work in the lumber business he returned to this county and has lived here ever since.
In 1871 Edwin J. Neal was united in marriage to Elizabeth E. Stockton, who was born in Shelby county, Ohio. They became the parents of the following children: Harry S., of Dayton, Ohio; Mabel, wife of Edward Cline, of Memphis, Tennessee ; Wallace, who lives in Lima, Ohio. Mr. Neal's first wife died in 1891. He married Sarah E. Werth, October 16, 1892. She was born in Miami county, Ohio, October 16, 1866. They became the parents of one daughter, Alma Marie, born on July 11, 1895. She attended the common schools and graduated from the St. Paris high school and from the State University in 1916 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. She is now a teacher in the high school of Butler county, Ohio.
The Neal family are members of the United Brethren church. Mr. Neal is a member of the Rosewood Lodge No. 253, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has been past noble grand, and is a member of the encampment in the same place. He and his wife are members of the Rebekalı order, in which his wife is a past noble grand. He was a charter member of Quincy lodge, and he also holds affiliation with the Golden Eagles; and in all these orders he and his wife are earnest members, ever wishful to promote the good of the community in which they reside. In addition to supporting the Republican party he is also an active Prohibitionist, being a consistent opponent of the liquor traffic. Mr. Neal is the owner of ninety- one acres of choice land in Adams township, where he carries on general farming.
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GEORGE F. BUCK.
George F. Buck, a well-known general farmer and extensive stockman, living on route No. 2, Degraff, Adams township, was born in Johnson town- ship, Champaign county, on August 18, 1863, a son of Edward and Irene (Evisazer) Buck, farming people.
Edward Buck, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Johnson township, this county, the son of pioneer parents, on April 4, 1832. His wife was born in Adams township. Edward Buck's parents were Abither and Cynthia (Wilder) Buck, the former of whom was born in the state of Vermont and the latter in the state of New York. After their marriage they came to the state of Ohio and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Johnson township. They were among the early settlers of that part of the county and at the time they settled on the farm there were not many neighbors within reach. Abither Buck built a log cabin on his farm and he and his wife continued to live there to the end of their lives, worthy citizens, who were held in high esteem throughout the countryside. Their labors on the pioneer farm were amply rewarded and at the time of their deaths they were in comfortable circumstances. They were the parents of the following children: David, Edward, Jeremiah, Pierson, Hannah, Mary J. and Cynthia. Hannah was married to Simon Snyder, and both are deceased.
Edward Buck, father of George F. Buck, was reared on his father's farm in Johnson township and attended the district schools of the period. He assisted his father on the farm for some time and later moved to Adams township and farmed there for some years, subsequently going to Urbana, where they spent the rest of their lives. Edward Buck was engaged through- out his active life at general farming and made a success of all his agricul- tural operations. He was the father of seven children, five of whom are still living, as follow: Joseph; Rebecca, who became the wife of Mr. Dur- wester; Phoebe J., who married John Tucker; George T., the subject of this sketch, and Margaret, who married John Roe.
George T. Buck was reared on the farm in Johnson township and was educated in the district schools. He worked on the home farm until he was twenty years of age. He taught school for seven years in Champaign county and has always taken a warm interest in all that appertains to the welfare of the schools. He was united in marriage on May 12, 1886, to Martha E. Preston, who was born in this county. After their marriage they
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settled in Adams township and Mr. Buck commenced farming operations on his own account. In addition to his work on the farm he is also largely engaged in the raising of live stock of all kinds and in this line he has been equally successful. They are the parents of four children as follow: Francis M., at home; Estelle, also at home; Claud R., a graduate of the Rosewood high school, a farmer, who married May Newman, and Mayme L., a student in high school.
Mr. Buck supports the Democratic party, but has never been a seeker after public office. He is a member of the Crayon Lodge No. 297, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and takes a keen interest in all the affairs of that popular organization.
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