USA > Ohio > Champaign County > History of Champaign County, Ohio, its people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 59
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MR. AND MRS. JOHN POWELL.
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and Jane, all of whom are now dead. After the death of the mother of these children Mr. Powell married Mrs. Eliza Bales, a widow, and also a native of Kentucky, and to that union two children were born, Charles, of Lima, Ohio, and Margaret, now Mrs. Nugent, of Toledo, Ohio.
John Powell was reared on the farm and received a common-school education. After his marriage, in the spring of 1862, he continued to live on the home place for a year, at the end of which time he moved to the Rose place, near Urbana, and some time afterward bought the place of one hundred and eight acres in Salem township on which he spent the rest of his life and where his widow is still living. He was a good farmer and did well in his farming operations, a steady, sturdy, home-loving citizen, who did well his part in the upbuilding of the community. Though a stanch Republican, ever taking a good citizen's part in local political affairs, he was not an office-seeker, preferring the comfort of his home to the more active affairs outside. He was an earnest member of the Kings Creek Methodist church, as is his widow, and was ever interested in local good works, helpful in promoting any agency designed to advance the common welfare. His death occurred in 1894, he then being seventy-one years old, and there was sincere mourning on the part of his many friends in this county.
On April 9, 1862, John Powell was united in marriage to Mary Jane Dawson, who was born in Wayne township, this county, March 20, 1839, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Kidd) Dawson, natives of Virginia, who were born and reared in Berkeley county, now in West Virginia, where they were married, shortly afterward coming to Ohio and settling in this county. Upon coming here John Dawson and his wife first located in Wayne town- ship, later moving to Salem township, where they lived on a farm for some time, later taking up their residence at Kings Creek, at which place they lived until their removal to a farm on Dungan road, later moving to Pretty Prairie. John Dawson was a farmer and teamster and met death in a runaway accident in 1858. His widow survived him many years, her death occurring at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Powell, in 1883. She was a member of the Baptist church. John Dawson and wife were the parents of six children, of whom Mrs. Powell was the third in order of birth and the only one now living, the others having been William, who lived at Day- ton; Samuel, who lived in Indiana; David, who lived in Urbana; Margaret, who also lived in Urbana, and John, who lived at Dayton.
To John and Mary Jane (Dawson) Powell were born two children, a son and a daughter, Grant, who died at the age of sixteen years, and Effie
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May, who died at the age of eighteen years. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Powell has continued to reside on her farm, where she has a very comfortable home and where she is very pleasantly situated. She is a member of the Methodist church at Kings Creek and has ever taken an interested part in the various beneficences of that church, as well as in other neighborhood good works. Despite the fact that she is now nearing the eightieth milestone on the journey of life, she retains an active interest in current affairs. She has witnessed the development of her home county from the days of the pioneers and her memory of early events is clear and accurate, her reminiscences concerning events of the days now long gone being full of information most interesting to her young friends of the present generation.
JOHN H. ABBOTT.
John H. Abbot, farmer of Concord township, was born near where he now lives, June 26, 1863. He is a son of W. J. and Emily V. (Comp- ton) Abbott. The father was born in Johnson township, Champaign county, Ohio, January 13, 1836, his parents being pioneer settlers in this locality. He grew upon the farm in his native township and after his marriage settled in Concord township, where he developed a good farm and made his home until 1911, when he retired from active life, moved to Urbana, where he has since resided. His wife died on February 11, 1917. They were parents of ten children, two of whom died in infancy; those living are, Charles M., of Chicago; John H., of this sketch; Annie M., is the wife of Walter S. Wilson and they live in Concord township; Minnie is the wife of Dr. W. H. Hinkle of DeGraff, Ohio; Emma Maude is the wife of D. H. Taylor of Urbana, Ohio; Oma J., is the wife of Dr. C. E. Stadler, of Lima, Ohio; Mrs. Ora M. Barger lives in Urbana township, this county; and Chester P. makes his home in Concord township.
Politically, W. J. Abbott, father of the above named children, is a Republican and he has long been active and influential in local public affairs. He was formerly a member of the Concord Methodist Episcopal church, but now belongs to Grace Methodist Episcopal church in Urbana. His wife was also a member of these churches.
John H. Abbot was reared on the home farm in Concord township. He received his education in the district schools. He assisted his father with the work on the home farm until his marriage, which took place on
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June II, 19II, to Cleo V. Hanna, a daughter of William H. and Margaret Hanna, of Concord township, in which they were born, reared, educated, and in fact, have always made their home.
Mr. Abbott has devoted his life to general farming. He owns a well kept and productive farm of eighty acres five and one-half miles northwest of Urbana. He devotes a great deal of time and attention to raising and feeding hogs, preparing large numbers for the market annually. He handles an excellent grade of hogs. He also raises cattle and is now preparing to devote more attention to cattle raising in the future than formerly.
Politically, Mr. Abbott is a Republican and is more or less active in township politics. His wife is a member of the Concord Methodist Epis- copal church.
JAMES A. BECK.
James A. Beck, a well-to-do farmer of St. Paris, Champaign county, owner of a compact farm of one hundred and five acres of prime land, was born seven miles south of St. Paris, Jackson township, on September 24, 1871. He is the son of James and Elizabeth (Smith) Beck, the former of whom was born in England in 1820 and the latter in the same country in 1833.
James Beck, the grandfather of James A., the subject of this sketch, came with his family to the United States from England. On the voyage across the Atlantic he was injured and died from the effects of his injuries in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His widow came with her two children to Springfield, Ohio, and after a short stay in that city she moved to Jackson township, Champaign county. Here James Beck, the father of James A., grew to manhood and some time later he was married to Elizabeth Smith, who was born in Yorkshire, England.
After his marriage James Beck settled on a farm of eighty acres in Jackson township, at that time having the sum of sixteen hundred dollars to his credit, and following his mother's death he bought out the interests of his sister, Prudence. He started his farming operations on the eighty- acre tract and as he prospered in his agricultural labors he increased his land holdings from time to time, until he finally acquired six hundred acres, thus becoming one of the largest and most substantial farmers of Jackson township. Apart from the value of his land he was worth in money about ninety-five thousand dollars. In addition to his farming operations, he also dealt in cattle and met with considerable success in that line. James Beck
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was a stanch supporter of the Republican party and had always been active in public affairs. He served one term as assessor of Jackson township. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was a liberal benefactor to its support and to the building of the church erected by the congregation. To James Beck and wife twelve children were born, seven of whom are living in 1917: Mary J., who married Ed Ontoon; Maria; Prudence, wife of Maxwell Stephens, of Jackson township; Charles R., of Jackson town- ship; Anna, wife of William Jenkins; John W., of Jackson township, and James 'A.
James A. Beck was reared on his father's farm and attended the district schools until he was nineteen years old. He remained working on his father's farm up to the age of twenty-three. On February 15, 1893, he was united in marriage to Millie Stone, who was born in Cumberland, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1874. She is the daughter of George and Emma (Arnold) Stone, both of whom came from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, to Champaign county. Mr. and Mrs. Beck are the parents of one child, a daughter, Mamie A., born on February 6, 1895, living with her parents. The Beck family are members of the Mewson chapel, Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Beck is one of the trustees and also active in the work of the Sunday school, and in the general affairs of the township he takes an earnest and prominent part, ever ready to help all good causes. He is a strong supporter of the Republican party, but has never been a seeker after public office.
CLEMENT V. MILLER.
Clement V. Miller, who lives in Concord township, is one of the enter- prising farmers of Champaign county. He was born near where he now lives, on what is known as the old John Miller place, which at that time belonged to John C. Miller, January 10, 1868. He is a son of John C. and Sarah (Idle) Miller. The father was born in Page county, Virginia. When twelve years old he left there, with his parents, the family removing to Champaign county, Ohio, locating on a farm in Concord township, being among the early pioneers here. They established their future home in the wilderness, cleared and developed a farmi through long years of hard work. Here John C. Miller grew to manhood, on the home farm, and here he married Sarah Idle, who was born in Concord township, this county.
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Her parents came from Virginia in an early day and located on a farm here, where she grew to womanhood. These parents attended the local rural schools of the early days. After their marriage they began house- keeping on his father's place. He continued to reside there the rest of his life. He kept the place well improved and well cultivated and was a suc- cessful general farmer, in fact, became one of the substantial citizens of his township. He accumulated about four hundred acres of good farming land and farmed on an extensive scale. He was always active in public affairs and one of the leading Democrats of his vicinity.
Eight children were born to John C. Miller and wife, namely: Clara A. is the wife of Charles M. Huntoon of Jackson county, Alabama; Mary Jane, married William Reed, both dead; Lizzie M., married Will Lecount, she deceased; Laura, dead, married Van Scott; Nettie, dead, married Alfred Poorman; William, deceased: Clement V., of this sketch, and May, deceased, married Elmer Magart.
Clement V. Miller grew to manhood on the home farm in Concord township and there he attended the common schools. He lived at home until his marriage, which occurred on December 26, 1890, to Mary Elizabeth Irvin, a daughter of Allen and Mary A. (Zimmerman) Irvin, he a native of Pennsylvania, and she of Concord township, Champaign county, Ohio. Allen Irvin's parents died when he was a little boy. He grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania and when grown came to Champaign county, Ohio, and worked as a farm hand in Concord township. Finally bought a farm of his own in the south part of the township, where he lived until his death. His wife's parents were Isaac and Delilah (Loudenback) Zimmerman, na- tives of Virginia and among the first settlers in Champaign county.
After his marriage Mr. Miller located on his present farm, which con- sists of one hundred and five acres in Concord township, on the Concord pike. He has made a number of important improvements on the place and is carrying on general farming and stock raising successfully. His first home was a half mile north of the road, but in 1912 they moved to their present home.
Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller, namely: Law- rence, married Stella Pence and they live on a farm in Johnson township; Clara lives at home; John died when twelve years old; Ola and Fern are in school.
Politically, Mr. Miller is a Democrat, but he is inclined to vote in- dependently in local affairs.
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LAWRENCE KOHLMEIER.
Lawrence Kohlmeier, a well-known and substantial retired retail dealer in meats, living at Urbana, which has been his place of residence since the year 1873, is of European birth, a native of the kingdom of Bavaria, but has been a resident of this country since he was sixteen years of age. He was born on June 3, 1853, son of Anton and Eva (Nagle) Kohlmeier, also natives of Bavaria, the former a cooper by trade, who spent all their lives in their native country and who were the parents of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch, the last-born, and his sister, Elizabeth, the first-born, were the only ones to come to this country, the others, Dora, Kate and John, remaining in their native land. Elizabeth Kohlmeier came to the United States in 1853 and located at Pottsville, Pennsylvania, where she married John Gehring.
Upon completing the elementary course in the schools of his native Ba- varia, Lawrence Kohlmeier was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker and spent three years, without wages, learning that trade. When seventeen years of age, in 1869, he came to this country and proceeded on to Ohio, locating at Piqua, where he obtained employment in a butcher shop. There in the spring of 1873 he married and in that same year moved to Piqua, where he became employed in the retail meat establishment of Happersett & Hovey, remaining thus connected for ten years and five months, at the end of which time he opened a retail meat shop of his own in South Main street, that city. Mr. Kohlmeier in the meantime had become an expert in his line and his venture into business on his own account was a success from the very start. Upon beginning business he killed all of his own meat, but later used cold-storage meat and his place always made a point of supplying the best the market could afford. During his long connection with the meat trade in Urbana Mr. Kohl- meier occupied several different stands in South Main street and remained in business until 1915, when he retired, turning the business over to his sons, and is now taking things "easy." Mr. Kohlmeier came to this country, a poor boy in a strange land, and by habits of thrift and industry, together with good man- agement, succeeded in building up a profitable business, earning a competence upon which he is able to retire from active labor in the pleasant "evening time" of his life.
It was in April, 1873, at Piqua, this state, that Lawrence Kohlmeier was united in marriage to Caroline Mattmiller, also of European birth, born in the grand duchy of Baden on July 4, 1848, daughter of George and Theresa (Klein) Wegarnd, natives of Baden, the former a stone-cutter by trade, who spent their lives in their native land. Mrs. Kohlmeier had a sister, Josephine,
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who also came to this country and who married Frank Bergemeier, but who, as well as her husband, is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Kohlmeier have four children, namely: Bertha, who married Edward Galloway, of Springfield, this state, and has four children, Nina, Lawrence, Dwight and Lucile; Otto, a retired meat dealer, of Urbana, who married Marie Dahill and has one child, a daughter, Marcella, and William and Anna, twins, the former of whom, a meat dealer at Urbana, married Amelia C. Burk, and the latter of whom mar- ried Bert LeNear, of Springfield, and died, leaving one child, a son, Harold Lawrence, who has been adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Kohlmeier, the lad's grand- parents. The Kohlmeiers are members of St. Mary's Catholic church at Ur- bana and have ever given proper attention to parish affairs and to other community good works, helpful in advancing all worthy causes in their home town.
CHRISTIAN H. BYLER.
The old Keystone state has furnished many good farmers for Champaign county, among whom may be mentioned Christian H. Byler, of Salem township, He was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1855. He is a son of John and Elizabeth ( Hartzler) Byler, both natives of Mifflin county, where they grew up and were married, and there they devoted their lives to agri- cultural pursuits, dying on their farm there many years ago, the father in 1866 at an early age, the mother in 1915, age eighty-nine years. To these parents seven children were born, namely: Eli, Joseph, Eri, Christian, Mary, Hannah and John. The subject of this sketch is the only member of the family now living in Champaign county. He grew up on the home farm in his native state, where he worked with his father when a boy, and he attended the district schools during the winter months, but only for a few years. He worked on farms by the month after his father's death in 1866 in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, when a young man, remaining there until 1876, when he came to Champaign county and worked out as a farm hand until 1881, when he went to Missouri and worked in that state a few years, then went to Kansas, where he farmed rented land for five years, after which he returned to Missouri and continued farming there until 1897, in which year he returned to Champaign county, Ohio, and took up farming in Salem town- ship on the place where he is now living, which he first rented, later pur- chasing it, buying only forty acres at first, but he has added to the same until he now has one hundred and eleven acres, which is all under culti-
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vation, and he carries on general farming and stock raising. He has a good dwelling, a fifty-five ton silo and convenient outbuildings.
Mr. Byler was married in 1887 to Sadie Zook, who was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, but she went West with her parents when young. She attended the common schools. She is a daughter of David J. and Lydia Zook, who spent their earlier years in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, later moving from that county to Kansas, but they did not remain long in the latter state, returning to Pennsylvania soon after the marriage of their daughter Sadie to Mr. Byler, and they spent the rest of their lives in the Keystone state, dying there some time ago.
Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Byler, namely: Oliver, who married Rosa Stoltzfus; Maude, John (died age three years), Mayme, Nellie, Paul, Mark, Earl, Milford, and Mildred.
The subject of this sketch is a well-known and popular minister in the Mennonite church and preaches regularly in the church of this denomination at West Liberty, Ohio. He was ordained in the year 1899 at West Liberty, Ohio. He is well versed in the scriptures, besides being a well-read man generally, and is an earnest, forceful and interesting speaker and he has greatly strengthened the church of which he is pastor.
JACOB H. SNARR.
Jacob H. Snarr, farmer, of Concord township, was born in Hardy county, West Virginia, June 18, 1862. He is a son of Philip H. and Eliza- beth (Keller) Snarr, both natives of Shenandoah county, Virginia, the former, of German parentage and the latter, of English. They grew to maturity in Shenandoah county and were married there, later removing to what is now Hardy county, West Virginia, where they spent the rest of their lives. They were the parents of nine children, named as follows: James L. lives in Hampshire county, West Virginia; John W. lives in Hardy county, that state Jacob H., of this sketch; Calvin died in infancy; Alice, who remained unmarried, died in Hardy county, West Virginia, in October, 1915; Martin S. lives in Champaign county, Ohio; Minnie B. is the wife of Charles Robin- son, of Hampshire, county, West Virginia ; Annie C. lives in Hardy county, that state; and Mary E., who married A. W. Russell, of Concord township, Champaign county.
Jacob H. Snarr grew to manhood in his native county and there he
MR. AND MRS. JACOB H. SNARR
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attended the public schools. When a young man he went to Shenandoah county, Virginia, where he spent three years, working for an uncle. In 1884, when twenty-one years old, he came to Champaign county, locating in Concord township, where he hired out to H. P. Wilson, remaining in his employ five years. On January 9, 1889, he married Mary C. Packer, a daughter of Stephen J. and Mary E. (Miller) Packer. After his marriage he rented the farm he now owns, for fifteen years, then his wife inherited part and he bought the rest of it. He has since lived here and has made a very comfortable living as a general farmer. His place consists of seventy- six acres. He also owns forty-five acres in another part of Concord town- ship. He has placed modern improvements on his land and has a cosy home.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Snarr, namely: Mary E., the wife of Clinton Hanger ; Helen is the wife of Waldo Zerkel; Dorothy and Donald, twins, are both in school.
Politically, Mr. Snarr is a Democrat and served as township trustee and as assessor. He was a member of the township board of education until in January, 1916, having been a member of the same for a period of twenty years. He is now (Junc, 1917) president of the county board of education. He takes a great interest in local educational affairs and has done much toward giving the county better schools. As a public servant he has discharged his duties in an able, faithful and highly commendable manner. He and his wife are members of the Concord Methodist Episcopal church. He is a steward in the church and has been superintendent of the Sunday school for many years. He is a useful and highly esteemed citizen in his home locality, where he is well known.
CHARLES L. CAREY.
Charles L. Carey, a farmer living in Harrison township, near West Liberty, Ohio, was born just west of his present home, August 26, 1864. He is a son of Jacob and Mary J. (Sill) Carey. The father was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, November 5, 1813, and the mother was born in Cumberland county, Maryland, on February 11, 1823. They grew to maturity and were married on February 10, 1842, in Gettysburg, Adams county, Pennsylvania, and shortly thereafter removed to Champaign county, Ohio, migrating in a wagon, locating in Concord township in 1853, renting land there for a few years, then moved to Harrison township and bought (38a)
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the home place of eighty acres on which they spent the rest of their lives, her death occurring on May 23, 1908, aged eighty-five; he died April 28, 1903, aged eighty-nine years. They were parents of twelve children, all surviving but two in 1917, namely: Emeline is the widow of Thomas Hunter and she lives in Harrison township; Daniel S. also lives in Harri- son township; John is deceased; Eliza is the wife of Dennis Gray and they live in Missouri; Ellen is the widow of William Danner and she lives at West Liberty, Ohio; Alice C., widow of William Wren, lives in Michigan; Jacob E. is farming in Liberty township, Logan county; James W. lives in Con- cord township, this county; B. L. lives in Harrison township, Champaign county ; Charles L., subject of this sketch; Mattie is the widow of Doctor Crampton of Shawnee, Oklahoma; one child died in infancy.
Jacob Carey, the father, was a Democrat. He and his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, but late in life they trans- ferred their church letters to the Glady Creek Christian church.
Charles L. Carey grew to manhood on the home farm in Harrison township and he was educated in the district schools. After his graduation from the common schools he continued to work on the home farm until he was nineteen years old; then began working at the carpenter's trade, but remained at home. He was married on January 3, 1903, to Amanda Louise Carr, who was born February 9, 1864, in Missouri. She was a daughter of Frederick and Mary (Hoffman) Carr, who were farmers in Logan county, Ohio, both now long deceased.
Mr. Carey became a highly skilled workman and his services as a carpenter were in good demand. He has continued his trade in connection with farming. He owns thirty-eight acres in Harrison township, two miles west of West Liberty, to which place he moved on January 13, 1913. He has lived in this township and at Spring Hill ever since his marriage.
Politically, Mr. Carey is a Democrat. He has served as township clerk for eleven years and as road superintendent for the past four years. He was clerk of the board of education for three years. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of the Golden Eagle, Lodge No. 110, also to the True Knights of Bethel, Post of the Noble Chief at West Liberty. He is also a member of Tecumseh Tribe No. 70, Improved Order of Red Men at West Liberty, of which he is past sachem. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church at Salem, Harrison township. For thirty-five years he operated a threshing machine and is well known in that capacity Mr. Carey is influential in fraternal and other circles in his community, and is always ready to help in movements for the general good.
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