USA > Ohio > Champaign County > History of Champaign County, Ohio, its people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 53
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JOHN F. BANE.
John F. Bane, proprietor of "Cedarhurst Stock Farm." a well-kept place of one hundred and fifty acres one mile south of Mechanicsburg. in Goshen township, this county, his place being situated on the London and Mechanicsburg pike, on rural mail route No. 3, out of Mechanics- burg, is a native of Jefferson county. Virginia, but has been a resident of Ohio since he was eighteen years of age. He was born in that part of the Old Dominion now comprised in West Virginia on November 11, 1855. son of Garrett W. and Virginia ( Melvin) Bane, who were born in that same region and there spent all their lives. Garrett W. Bane saw service during the Civil War and for damage done his property during the progress of the war was afterward reimbursed by the federal government. He was twice married.
Reared on the home farm, John F. Bane retains distinct childish mem- ories of the progress of armies thereabout during the period of the Civil War. He received his schooling in the schools of his home neighborhood and remained at home, helping with the labors of the farm, until he was eighteen years of age, when he struck out for himself and came to Ohio. coming over here without a dollar in his pocket. In 1874 he found employ- ment on a farm in Clark county at a wage of twenty dollars a month and was thus employed until his marriage there in 1879. when he rented a
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farm and began farming on his own account. About ten years later he moved to a farm in the neighboring county of Madison and after a residence of nine years in that county came over into Champaign county, in 1899. and bought the farm on which he is now living, the Wren farm, in Goshen township, and has ever since resided there, having things very comfortably settled about him now, a pleasant home and a well-kept farm plant. In addition to his general farming Mr. Bane gives considerable attention to the raising of live stock, with particular reference to registered Duroc-Jersey hogs, Rambouillet sheep and Percheron horses, and is doing very well. He has other interests besides those connected with his farm.
In 1879 John F. Bane was united in marriage, in Clark county, to Laura J. Palmer, who was born in the state of Iowa, but who was reared in Clark county, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Bane are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church and Mr. Bane is a member of the official board of the same. Politically, he is a Republican, but has never taken a particularly active part in politics. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of Mechan- icsburg Lodge No. 113, Free and Accepted Masons, at Mechanicsburg, and of the chapter, Royal Arch Masons, at Mechanicsburg, and has for years taken an earnest interest in Masonic affairs, having served in different capacities as an office bearer in his local lodge.
WILLIAM FRANK TARBUTTON.
One of the thrifty farmers of Goshen township, Champaign county. is William Frank Tarbutton, who was born in Union township, this county, October 26, 1866. He is a son of James H. and Sarah (Given) Tarbutton, both now deceased. The father was born in Clark county, Ohio, and the mother in Salem township, Champaign county. James H. Tarbutton came to this county when young and here learned the blacksmith's trade and mar- ried, after which event he located at New Moorefield, Clark county, where he worked at his trade for several years, then located at Catawba Station. that county, where he continued at his trade until his death. He owned a shop and a dwelling in that town. During the Civil War he served for three years in the One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry in a faithful and gallant manner. He was honorably discharged, after which he returned home and resumed his trade. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. His family consisted of eleven children, nine of
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whom are living in 1917, named as follows: William Frank, of this sketch ; John is a supervisor on a railroad; Laura is the wife of George Willitt, of Goshen township; Charles, a railroader, lives at Catawba Station, Clark county ; Lewis is also a railroad man; Mary is the widow of Abner Van Skiver, of Goshen township; Nora is single; Harry is a railroader; Willard is also in railroad service.
William F. Tarbutton was reared in Champaign county and he attended the public schools; his education, however, was limited, for he began making his own way in the world when eleven years old, working out by the month for some time. On November 23, 1898, he married Mary Rupert, a native of Illinois. He had saved his earnings and when he married he rented a farm for several years, then bought his present place of eighty-five acres in Goshen township, in 1913, and here he has carried on general farming ever since. He is a breeder of a good grade of live stock of all kinds.
Four children, two of whom died in infancy, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Tarbutton. The survivors are, Ralph, whose birth occurred on September 26, 1910; and Philip, born June 3, 1914.
Politically, Mr. Tarbutton is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to Lodge No. 474, Knights of Pythias. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Protestant church at Mechanicsburg, Ohio.
ELMER MORRIS.
Elmer Morris, farmer living in Goshen township, Champaign county. was born in Madison county, Ohio, December 16, 1863. He is a son of James and Elizabeth (Everett) Morris. The mother was born near Urbana, Ohio, and her death occurred in 1905. The father, who is now living in retirement, spent his active life on a farm in this county, and made a com- fortable living by his industry and perseverance. To James Morris and wife six children were born, four of whom are still living, namely: Elmer. of this sketch; Sherman is living in Mechanicsburg; Allie is the wife of Melvin Allison, a farmer of Goshen township: Minnie is the wife of Marion Arbagast, of Springfield, Ohio.
Elmer Morris was about sixteen years old when he came with the rest of the family from Madison county, Ohio, to Champaign county. He grew up on the farm where he worked during the crop seasons and in the winter time he attended the district schools. However, his education was somewhat
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neglected, since he was compelled to work hard when a boy helping to sup- port the family. He remained on the home farm until he was thirty-five years old. In October, 1893, he married Emma Engle, who was born in Union township, Champaign county, where she grew to womanhood and attended school, the date of her birth being July 25, 1871.
To Mr. and Mrs. Morris one child has been born, Ethel Morris, whose birth occurred on April 19, 1898. She was graduated from the local public schools, and she is now attending high school at Mechanicsburg, being a member of the graduating class of 1918.
Mr. Morris has always engaged in farming. He now owns thirty acres of good land on which he is making a comfortable living. Politically. he is a Republican. He has served as a member of the school board in his district. He belongs to Homer Lodge No. 474, Knights of Pythias. His wife is a member of the Pythian Sisters, and has been an officer in the local lodge. She is a member of the Presbyterian church. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
JOSEPH O. PENCE. .
Joseph O. Pence, a farmer living in Concord township, Champaign county, was born on a farm near where he now lives on July 12, 1858. He is a son of George and Mary (Barger) Pence. The mother was a native of Virginia. George Pence was born in 1820 in Champaign county, Ohio. After his marriage he lived in Concord township and several years later he went to Indiana and established the future home of the family. His children were named as follows: Catherine is the wife of R. S. Comer: John lives in Chicago; George W., of Concord township; Adam is farming near Wood- ville, Ohio; Jennie is the widow of James Heath of California; Andrew J. is farming in Johnson township, this county; Joseph O., of this sketch : Emma is the wife of Pete Wilson and they live in Rosewood, Ohio.
Joseph O. Pence was reared on the home farm. He attended the dis- trict schools until he was thirteen years old, when he started working out. working in a brickyard for some time. He was employed by James Heath awhile. later returned home and lived with his mother until her death.
Mr. Pence married Sarah Woodard. on October 6. 1885. She was born November 12, 1848. To their union one daughter was born, Bertha F. Pence, whose birth occurred on February 4, 1890, she was graduated
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from the high school at Eris, Champaign county, and she is now the wife of Charles Chester and they live in Salem township, this county ; they have two children, namely: Wendall V., and Boneta F.
Mr. Pence owns forty-one and one-half acres in Concord township, where he is making a very comfortable living. Politically, he is a Demo- crat. His wife is a member of the Concord Methodist church.
JONATHAN T. HARTZLER.
Jonathan T. Hartzler, one of Champaign county's substantial and pro- gressive farmers and the proprietor of a fine place in Salem township, is a native son of this county, born on a farm in Salem township, and has lived in that neighborhood all his life. He was born on February 10, 1867, son of Joel and Lydia ( Plank) Hartzler, natives of Pennsylvania, who grew up and were married in that state and later came to Ohio, locating on a farm in Logan county, where they remained for two years, at the end of which time they came down into Champaign county and settled on a farm on the state road in Salem township, where the remainder of their lives were spent, influential and useful residents of that community.
Upon coming to this county Joel Hartzler bought a farm of eighty acres, on which there was an old log cabin and some tumbledown improve- ments. He put up a better house and made other improvements to the place and soon had a comfortable home, remaining there, actively engaged in farming the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1902, he then being seventy-seven years of age. His widow survived him for about nine years, her death occurring in 1911, she then being eighty-one years of age. They were earnest members of the Oak Grove Mennonite church and their children were reared in the simple faith of that church. There were seven of these children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the last-born, the others being as follow: Isaac, now deceased, who was for years engaged in the saw-mill business and who was twice married, his first wife having been Emma Yoder and his second, Ann Slonacer; David K .. a farmer and mill man at West Liberty and who has been three times married, his first wife having been Nancy Yoder and his second was Susan Smucker and the third, Lizzie Zook; Rebecca, wife of Levi Yoder, a retired farmer, now living at North Lewisburg, this county; Samuel, now deceased, who married Eliz- abeth Yoder and lived in the adjoining county of Logan; Benjamin F ..
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also now deceased, who married Selina Kauffman and was engaged in farm- ing and milling in this and in Logan counties, and John, now living at West Liberty, who has been twice married, his first wife having been Elizabeth Hirshberger and his second, Sarah Stauffer.
Reared on the home farm, where he was born, in Salem township, Jonathan T. Hartzler received his schooling in the neighborhood schools, and from the days of his boyhood was a valued assistant in the labors of improving the home place, being carefully trained as a farmer and mill man, and also early began operating a threshing-machine, in which latter busi- ness he continued for thirty years. After his marriage in 1891 he farmed his father's place for four years and then moved to the place on which he now resides in that same township and where he and his family are very comfortably situated. Upon taking possession of that place he remodeled the house and barn and made other valuable improvements and now has a very well equipped farm plant there. Besides his home farm of one hundred and eighty-six acres he is the owner of a farm of eighty-eight acres, the old Humphreys place. in Salem township, and has made extensive improvements also to that place, having remodeled the house and put the farm buildings in good shape. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Hartzler has given considerable attention to the raising of high-grade live stock and has done very well. For years he also operated a saw-mill and during the many years he was operating a threshing-rig throughout Salem and adjoining town- ships he became one of the best-known men thereabout.
On February 12. 1891, Jonathan T. Hartzler was united in marriage to Martha Hooley, who was born in Logan county, this state, daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Yoder) Hooley, who years ago moved down from Logan county into Salem township. this county, and there spent their last days, and to this union eight children have been born. all of whom are living save the first-born, who died in infancy, and Elmer T., the sixth in order of birth, the others being Mary, Emmet J., Boyd C., Fern H., Roy A. and Amelia Blackwood, a little girl who makes her home with the family, all of whom are at home save Mary, who in 1916 married Ira D. Hostetler, who was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, but who had been living in Logan county, this state, since 1800 and since his marriage living on a farm in Salem township, this county. The Hartzlers are members of the Oak Grove Mennonite church and take a proper part in church affairs, as well as in other neighborhood good works and in the general social activities of their home neighborhood. Mr. Hartzler helped to remodel the church not long ago and has ever given considerable attention to church work.
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FRED E. GANNON.
Fred E. Gannon, a well-known grocer of Mechanicsburg, is a native of the state of West Virginia, but has been a resident of Champaign county since the days of his boyhood. He was born on a farm in Hampshire county, West Virginia, August 31, 1872, son of James and Elizabeth (Huffman) Gannon, both natives of that same county and both of whom are now deceased, all their lives having been spent in their native county. James Gannon, who was a shipper of live stock, was an active Republican. He and his wife were the parents of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth, the others being, John, of Roachdale, this state; Daniel, of Keokuk, Iowa; Laura, wife of John Rogers, and Chris- topher, a member of the Piedmont Grocery Company of Piedmont, West Virginia.
Reared in his native county in West Virginia, Fred E. Gannon re- mained there until he was sixteen years of age, when he came to Ohio. and his schooling was completed in Ohio Northern University at Ada, in which institution he took the commercial course. In April, 1890, he went to Mechanicsburg, arriving there with two dollars in his pocket, and for five years thereafter was engaged in the gardens of John F. Mumma. He later worked in the celery gardens of J. B. Mahan and afterward began working in the factory of the Central Ohio Whip Company and was thus engaged for four years, at the end of which time. meanwhile having saved his money. he engaged in the retail oil business at Mechanicsburg and was thus engaged until the spring of 1903, when he engaged in the grocery business at that place and has since been thus engaged, one of the best- known dealers in that line in the eastern part of the county. When Mr. Gannon opened his grocery store he had a stock of the value of about eight hundred dollars, but he has built up his store until he now has a well-stocked and well-established place of business and is doing very well. In addition to his store he owns a pleasant home in Mechanicsburg and he and his family are very comfortably situated. Mr. Gannon formerly had two hundred acres of land in Oklahoma, but his partner "did" him out of the same.
On May 8, 1892, Fred E. Gannon was united in marriage to Lucy Harr, who was born at Mechanicsburg. Ohio, in 1872, a daughter of Pierce and Laura Harr, and to this union four children have been born, Ruth, who was graduated from the local high school: James, who was graduated
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from Bliss Business College at Columbus; Pierce B., who was graduated from the local high school in 1917, and Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Gannon are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Gannon is a Repub- lican and is a member from his precinct of the county central committee. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the local lodges of the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen and in the affairs of all of these organizations takes a warm interest.
CLINTON A. HUNTER.
Clinton A. Hunter, a farmer of Goshen township, Champaign county. was born near Catawba, Clark county, Ohio, August 14, 1871. He is a son of Levi and Artemisha (Bushnell) Hunter. The father was born in Clark county, Ohio, and the mother in Adams county, Indiana. His death occurred in 1902, but she is still living at this writing at Mechanicsburg, Ohio. After their marriage they located on a farm in Clark county, this state, but a year later moved to Champaign county, where Levi Hunter rented a farm and followed general agricultural pursuits until his death. also operated a threshing machine many years. He owned one hundred and seventeen acres of good land. He was very successful, accumulating a comfortable competency through his own efforts.
To Levi Hunter and wife ten children were born, namely: Clinton A., of this sketch; Edward C., who is farming in Goshen township; Lulu is the wife of Charles A. Brown, of Plain City, Ohio: Carrie is the wife of Dr. P. D. Longbrake of Marysville, Ohio; Harry, deceased; Bessie and Mary are both single; the rest of the children died in early life.
Clinton A. Hunter was reared on the home farm, and he attended the district schools and the Mechanicsburg high school. He worked on the home farmn with his father until he was thirty-two years old. On Decem- ber 25, 1903, he married Maude Neer, a daughter of Joseph and Dortha Neer. She was born, reared and educated in this county.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hunter two children have been born: Dorothy A., born in 1904. she was graduated from the eighth grade of the local public schools; Robert, born in 1903.
Mr. Hunter has devoted his life to general farming near Mechanics- burg, where he has a good home and a well improved farm of thirty- seven acres. He has also followed threshing in Champaign county for the
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past thirty years, being one of the best known threshers in the county. He has owned several machines. He is of a mechanical turn of mind and has many varieties of modern machinery commonly found on the best farms.
Politically, Mr. Hunter is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is a member of Homer Lodge No. 474, Knights of Pythias, in which he has held several offices. He is also a member of the Grange. His wife belongs to the Methodist Protestant church at Mechanicsburg, Ohio.
FRANK EARL WILSON.
Frank Earl Wilson, farmer of Salem township, Champaign county, was born in Concord township, this county, January 28. 1879, and while yet a young man he has won definite success at his chosen life work. He is a son of Henry Page Wilson and Emma (Couchman) Wilson, who established their home on a farm in Concord township. A history of this family is found on another page of this work.
The subject of this sketch, known to his acquaintances as Earl Wilson, was reared on the home farm in Concord township, and there he received a common school education, then attended high school at Urbana. After leaving school he continued farming on the home place with his father for four years, then began farming for himself on the place where he still lives. He first farmed one hundred and ten acres belonging to his father, which he added to by a purchase later until the farm now contains one hundred and ninety acres. His land is well cultivated and well improved and he is making a success as a general farmer and stock raiser. He feeds most of his grain to live stock, preparing large numbers annually for the markets. He has a silo with a capacity of one hundred and forty tons. He feeds about one hundred head of hogs and forty head of cattle each year.
Mr. Wilson was married in 1900 to Edna Craig, a daughter of E. Clay and Louise Craig, and to their union two children have been born, namely: Elizabeth and Robert, both of whom are attending school in Salem township.
Politically, Mr. Wilson is a Republican. He belongs to the Masonic order, also the Salem Grange. He was a member of the local school board for a period of eight years. He belongs to the Concord Methodist Epis- copal church in which he was formerly deacon. He is active in the affairs of the church.
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CORY E. BAILAR.
Cory E. Bailar, a prosperous and progressive farmer and owner of two hundred and twenty-seven acres of prime farming land, now living on the old Bailar farm located four miles west of Rosewood, Adams township, was born on that farm on January 16. 1861. He is the son of George W. and Julia (Licklider) Bailar.
George W. Bailar was the son of Jonathan and Catherine ( Pence ) Bailar, early settlers of Champaign conuty. Jonathan Bailar entered about one hundred acres of land and as he succeeded in his farming operations he made further purchases, finally becoming well-to-do. He and his wife spent the remainder of their lives on the farm. George W. Bailar grew up on his father's farm and was educated in the common schools of the neighborhood. After his school days were over he worked on the farm for some years and later he was united in marriage to Julia Licklider. He then settled on the the old Bailar farm and bought out the other heirs. the land ever since having remained in the possession of a member of the family. He carried on general farming with considerable success and he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives on the farm. They were the parents of six children, three of whom are living at the present time. namely: William F., a farmer living in Adams township; George R., of Sidney, Ohio, and Cory E., the subject of this sketch. Two children died in infancy and Charles, who also died after he had grown to maturity.
Cory E. Bailar was reared on his father's farm in Adams township and attended the public schools of the district until he was sixteen years old. He then worked on the home farm until he was twenty-four. On December 24, 1884, he was united in marriage to Jennie Putnam, who is a sister of J. B. Putnam. Mr. and Mrs. Bailar are the parents of three children who are living and one, a girl, who died in young womanhood, as follow : Franklin E., who married Bonnie Espy and lives east of Rosewood; Lola F., born in July, 1888, who married Ray Moore and lives on the old farm; Waldo E., born in 1893, who married Nellie Smith and also lives on the old farm, and Pearl E., who died at the early age of twenty-two. Mrs. Bailar died on August 25, 1902. and was sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends throughout the township and county.
Mr. Bailar is engaged in general farming on his holding which consists of two hundred and twenty-seven acres of choice land and has been suc- cessful in all his operations. His land is of the best quality and in an excel-
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lent state of cultivation, everything about the place showing the result of diligence and energy. He is a member of the Christian church at Carysville, in which he holds the positions of deacon and trustee and he is warmly interested in all church affairs. He is a member of the Rosewood Lodge No. 253, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and takes an active interest in the affairs of that organization. Mr. Bailar is a supporter of the Demo- cratic party and has always given a good citizen's attention to public affairs. He has been a member of the district school board for several terms and at this time is the vice-president of the board. His interest in the cause of education is of long standing and he is an earnest advocate of all proper movements to advance the efficiency of the schools of his township and county.
JOHN E. PENCE.
An enterprising and progressive farmer and life-long resident of this county is John E. Pence, the owner and proprietor of a fine farm of eighty acres one and one-fourth miles northeast of St. Paris, in Johnson township. on rural route No. 5 out of that village. Mr. Pence was born on this farm on May 6, 1852, the son of Andrew and Eliza (Garringer) Pence, both of whom were natives of Ohio.
Andrew Pence was born on the same farm as his son, John E., on March 22, 1830, and was a son of Jacob and Sarah (Nepperd) Pence. Jacob was a son of Frederick Pence, who came in an early day from Virginia to Ohio, locating in Champaign county, among the first settlers in these parts. Frederick Pence was a gunsmith and wagonmaker by trade, and followed that occupation after coming to Ohio, living here the re- mainder of his life. Besides John E., there were six other children born to the family of Andrew Pence, being as follow: Samuel, a farmer of Johnson township: Simon, also living in Johnson township; Allen, of Millerstown, Ohio; Mary, the wife of John Norman, of St. Paris; Sarah, the wife of Steven Corwin, of Xenia, Ohio, and Ellen, wife of Clarence Pressler, a farmer of Johnson township.
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