USA > Ohio > Champaign County > History of Champaign County, Ohio, its people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 65
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FRANK D. BRUBAKER.
Frank D. Brubaker, an enterprising and leading citizen of St. Paris, and one of the largest landowners in Champaign county, was born in St. Paris, Ohio, November 23, 1880, the son of Daniel J. and Mary A. (Wibel) Bru- baker, natives of Johnson township, this county.
Daniel J. Brubaker was born on a farm in Champaign county, the son of Jacob Brubaker, who came in an early day from Virginia, being one of the early pioneers of this section. He was of German ancestry and traced his family back to the Fatherland. He was a comparatively poor man, and lived and died here in this county. Daniel J. Brubaker started out in life for him- self on a small tract of land, but by diligent effort and far sighted manage- ment, he gradually acquired a large amount of good farming land in this county, and in 1869 moved to St. Paris, where he engaged in the elevator busi- ness, establishing the firm of Welcanmode & Brubaker, which was later merged into that of Brubaker & McMorran, and this firm was afterwards changed to S. & D. Brubaker, which continued until the death of Daniel Brubaker. He was a well-known and influential citizen, being always interested in the welfare of his community, a Baptist in faith, and always loyal to the church, being for years an officer in the local congregation. Besides the subject of this sketch, Daniel J. Brubaker had four sons by a previous marriage, these being as follow : Charles, living in Missouri ; Samuel W., of Urbana, Ohio ; Monroe, of Osborne, Ohio, and Gifford, also living in Missouri.
Frank D. Brubaker was educated in the public schools of St. Paris, and
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at an early age entered his father's employ in the elevator business, learning the business from all angles. Prior to his father's death, for a period of three years, he had full charge of the business, and continued in this line after his father's death, to 1912, taking over the entire business after purchasing the interests of the other heirs, and since that time he has devoted his time ex- clusively to his many business interests. His father owned about eleven hun- dred acres of land at the time of his death, part of which was located in Mis- souri, and Mr. Brubaker devotes much time and attention to his farm holdings. Besides his elevator business and land interests, he is also a stockholder, and at one time a director of the First National Bank, of St. Paris, of which his father was for years a stockholder and director, the elder Brubaker having served as president of this financial institution several years.
Frank D. Brubaker was united in marriage to Myrtle Musselman on July 3, 1912. She is a daughter of Anderson A. and Harriet (Williams) Musselman, who were former citizens of Logan county, this state. In later years, however, they moved to Champaign county, where Mr. Musselman's death occurred, his widow now living in St. Paris.
He is independent in politics, preferring to vote for measures rather than for men, and whatever makes for the betterment of his community has his warm and ardent support.
JASPER N. DAVIS.
Among the enterprising and progressive farmers of Jackson township, Champaign county, is Jasper N. Davis, owner of a well-kept and compact farm of seventy-five acres situated on rural route No. 3 out of St. Paris. Mr. Davis was born in Shelby county, Ohio, on July 10, 1851, the son of Ananiah and Phoebe (Sutton) Davis, the former of whom was born in Virginia in 1818 and the latter in Pike township, Clark county, Ohio, in 1819.
Ananiah Davis came with his parents to the state of Ohio in an early lay, they being farming people. The son, Ananiah, settled on a farm in Shelby county and proceeded to engage in farming operations. Some time after he married Phoebe Sutton they came to Jackson township, this county, in 1854 and located near where Jasper N. Davis now lives. The land was all in woods and they commenced the task of breaking and preparing it for the cultivation of crops, living the while in a log cabin and battling cheer- fully with the disadvantages of pioneer life and the absence of neighbors. His efforts to extract a living from the soil were successful and as the children
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grew up they helped in the labors of the farm. He later built a substantial frame house to supplant the log cabin which had done service for a residence for some years, and on this land he spent the remainder of his life. In his later years he and his wife became members of the Mt. Zion Baptist church and were earnest supporters of all its good works. They were the parents of eleven children, four of whom are living in 1917: Charity, the widow of David Beatty, who was a soldier in the Civil War and died from the effects of the wounds he received in that struggle; J. N. Davis, the subject of this sketch; Albert Davis, a farmer living in Indiana, and Jerry Davis, of Casstown, Ohio.
J. N. Davis was reared in Jackson township and educated in the dis- trict schools of Honey Creek, working on the farm during the summers and attending school during the winters until he was seventeen years old. At the age of eighteen he started to make his own way. He worked on farms and at other occupations. When he was nineteen he went to Grant county, Indiana, and bought forty acres of land, one and one-half miles south of Sims, for seven hundred dollars. The land was in a wilderness state. He paid down three hundred dollars of the purchase money and worked by the day and month to wipe out the balance of the debt. He then com- menced to clear the land of the timber and brought it into a state suitable for the planting of crops.
On August 2, 1874, Jasper N. Davis was united in marriage to Elsie G. Talbert and remained in Jackson township for about two years. In October, 1876, he went to his farm in Grant county, Indiana, and lived there about three years. He improved his land, ditched it and planted it to crops, and at the end of three years he returned to Jackson township. On his return he became a renter and worked on the farm, continuing on rented land for six years. He is now the owner of seventy-five acres of prime land and is successfully engaged in general farming. They were the parents of one child, a son, Osie Elliott, who died at the early age of four years.
Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members of the Mt. Zion Baptist church, he being affiliated with that church since he was seventeen years of age. He is one of the trustees and also acts as treasurer of the church, he and his wife being ever active in promoting all good works in connection with the organization and the community at large. Mr. Davis has always been a consistent supporter of the Democratic party and has filled the office of town- ship ditch commissioner for some years and in other ways he has given freely of his time and energy in the interests of the common good, ever being regarded as a progressive citizen.
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RALPH W. JOHNSON.
Ralph W. Johnson, a farmer living in Concord township, Champaign county, was born July 14, 1888, on the farm he now owns. He is a son of Silas and Sarah E. (Wiedman) Johnson. The mother was born at Kings Creek, Champaign county, August 2, 1845, and died May 26, 1915. The father was born April 17, 1845, and his death occurred on April 12, 1909. They were both members of the Methodist church in which they were active workers. He was also identified with local politics, being a strong Democrat. They spent their lives on a farm in Concord township, and they were parents of seven children, five of whom are living in 1917, namely: Fred N. is farming in Harrison township, this county; Lella is the wife of Fred Herst and they live in this county; Charles A. is farming in Salem township; Emma is the wife of Charles Bear and they live on a farm west of Urbana; Anna, now deceased, was the wife of Joseph Hewling and they had two children; Frank died when eighteen years old, and Ralph W., of this sketch.
Ralph W. Johnson was reared on the home farm in Concord town- ship and there he attended the public schools, also Kings Creek high school. On December 25, 1908, he married Lula E. Robinson. She was born in Adams county, Ohio, July 24, 1888. She received a good education in the public schools and Kings Creek high school. Before her marriage she taught school for some time. She is a daughter of Jesse E. and Anna B. (Ather- ton) Robinson, both natives of Ohio, he of Adams county and she of Brown county. They came to Champaign county on December 13, 1902, and here established their future home on a farm, but are now farming in Miami county, this state.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, namely: Merrill R., born November 30, 1909; and Esther, born October 14, 1915.
After his marriage Mr. Johnson moved to Logan county, Ohio, where he purchased a farm. Two years later he sold out, returned to Champaign county and bought the old home farm in Concord township, which con- sists of two hundred acres of excellent land. He has kept it well improved and under a fine state of cultivation. In connection with general farming he carries on stock raising and is a breeder of high grade stock of all kinds. He finds a very ready market for his stock whenever offered for sale owing to their high quality.
Politically, he is an independent. He and his family attend the Metho- dist Episcopal church at Kings Creek.
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DAVID FULWIDER.
Among the successful farmers and highly respected citizens of Salem township, Champaign county, of a generation ago, whose names are worthy of perpetuation on the pages of local history, was David Fulwider, who, like many other pioneer settlers of the county, hailed originally from the Old Dominion. He was born in Greenbrier county, Virginia, August 5, 1803, and his death occurred on March 3, 1886. He was a son of Henry and Ann (Klein) Fulwider, natives of Pennsylvania, from which state they finally moved to Virginia where they were married, and there devoted their lives to farming. The father was also an extensive stock raiser for those early times. The only member of the family who ever came to Cham- paign county, Ohio, was David of this memoir. He came here when a young man and settled in Urbana, where he was married on April 29, 1830. In 1833 he moved to Salem township, buying one hundred acres of land, where his son, George, and two daughters, Nancy Ann and Mary E., are now living. He cleared and developed the place from the wilderness, later adding eighty acres to his original tract, and here he established a com- fortable home, in which he reared his entire family. His wife, known as Elizabeth P. Mayse prior to her marriage, was born January 4, 1812, and her death occurred on August 21, 1900. She was a daughter of William and Nancy (Burgiss) Mayse. To David Fulwider and wife ten children were born, namely: Henry, William M., George, John R., David A., Nancy Ann, Mary E., Vashti, Dr. Robert M. and James. The mother of these children was an infant when her parents brought her to Champaign county, in 1812, the family making the long journey on horseback, being thus among the early pioneers of this section of Ohio. The Mayses first settled in the Kings creek valley, where they spent two years, then sold out and bought a farm on the Ludlow line, remaining there until 1817, when they moved to town, where Mr. Mayse followed his trade of tanner and also conducted a butcher shop, continuing in these pursuits until his death. His family con- sisted of ten children, Elizabeth P., who married the subject of this sketch, being the eldest child.
George, Nancy Ann and Mary E. Fulwider, who are now living on the old home place, where they were born, are the oldest natives in Salem town- ship. They were born in a log cabin and they have lived on the same farm all their lives, keeping the place well improved and well cultivated. During the Civil War George enlisted in Company G. One Hundred and Thirty-
OLD FULWIDER HOMESTEAD, SALEM TOWNSHIP.
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second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Henry Patterson, serving four and one-half months. The home farm now contains two hundred and forty- four acres, all under cultivation except twenty-five acres. George, Nancy Ann and Mary E. are now growing old, but they are well preserved and active, although not now actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, merely looking after the place in a general way. Everybody knows them and es- teems them highly, for they have lived quiet, honorable and helpful lives, doing what they could for the betterment of their locality in any way. None of the three have ever married. In religious belief, Mary E. is a Methodist and Nancy Ann is a Lutheran.
JOHN M. MADDEX.
John M. Maddex, former mayor of Mechanicsburg, former president of the school board there, a former member of the town council, former trustee of Goshen township and formerly justice of the peace in and for that same township, formerly and for years engaged in the grain business at Mechanicsburg, later serving for some years as assistant cashier of the Farmers Bank of Mechanicsburg, but who since 1912 has been engaged in farming on the F. M. Clemans farm, on the Mechanicsburg and London pike, four miles southeast of Mechanicsburg, in Goshen township, is a native of the Old Dominion state, was reared in Virginia and has been a resident of Champaign county since he was twenty-two years of age. He was born in Clark county, Virginia, September 25, 1857, son of James S. and Amanda (Melvin) Maddex, whose last days were spent at Uvilla, West Virginia.
James S. Maddex was a cooper by trade and followed that trade all his life. He was married in Clark county, Virginia, and some years later, in 1858, moved to Uvilla, in Jefferson county, same state, and was living there when the Civil War broke out. He threw in his allegiance to the forces of the South and for three years served as drum-major in the famous brigade of "Stonewall" Jackson. He was a Democrat and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church South, in the faith of which their children were reared. There were twelve of these children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fifth in order of birth, the others being as follow: Joseph H., of Goshen township, this county; Butler L., of Union township, this county; James J., of Richwood, Ohio; L. Dowell, who died in Maryland; Mary E., deceased; Catherine, who died in Jefferson
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county, West Virginia; Lee, who also died in that county; Amanda, who died at the same place; Jennie, wife of Thomas Link, of that same county ; Rose, wife of Byrn Maddex, of that same county, and Ewell, now a resi- dent of Maryland.
John M. Maddex was less than a year old when his parents moved from his birthplace in Clark county, Virginia, to Jefferson county, same state, which county became comprised within the boundaries of West Vir- ginia when that state was created in 1863, and in that latter county he grew to manhood, received his schooling in the schools of Uvilla, in the neigh- borhood of Duffields. When twenty-two years of age, in 1879, he came to Ohio and began working on the farm of Henry Wood, in Goshen township, this county, and on November 29, 1882, was united in marriage to Ella Wood, daughter of Henry and Catherine Wood. After his marriage he began working in the Hunter elevator at Mechanicsburg and was thus engaged until Mr. Hunter's death in 1884, when he became a partner in the management of the grain business at that elevator, continuing thus engaged until the elevator was sold in 1909. Upon retiring from the grain business in 1909, Mr. Maddex became the assistant cashier of the Farmers Bank at Mechanicsburg and served in that capacity until his retirement from the bank in 1912 and removal to the farm on which he is now living and where he since has made his residence. Mr. Maddex is a Democrat and has for years given his close attention to local political affairs. He served for one term as a member of the town council while living at Mechanicsburg and later a term as mayor. He also served two terms as president of the city school board and in other ways gave of his time and energies to the public service. He has also served one term as trustee of Goshen township and a term as justice of the peace in and for that township and in consequence of his long continued public service is one of the best-known men in that part of the county.
Mr. and Mrs. Maddex have three children, two sons and a daughter, Walter O., who is farming four miles north of Mechanicsburg; H. Carl, who is now living at Jackson Center, in the adjoining county of Shelby, and Almeda, wife of Harry Fitzgiven, of Goshen township. They are members of the Methodist Protestant church at Mechanicsburg and take an active interest in church work, Mr. Maddex having served on the official board of the church. He is a Mason, as was his father and as are his two sons, and has for years taken an active interest in Masonic affairs, having attained to the Royal Arch and the York Rite, past master of the local lodge of the
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Free and Accepted Masons at Mechanicsburg, a member of the chapter, Royal Arch Masons, at that place, and of Raper Commandery No. 19, Knights Templar, at Urbana.
CHARLES A. HILL.
Charles A. Hill, the enterprising shoe merchant of Christiansburg, who for many years has been actively identified with the business life of the village, was born in this county, December 27, 1853, the son of Henry and Mary (Benton) Hill, both of whom were natives of Cambridgeshire, England.
Henry Hill was born in the town of March, England, and was reared to manhood in Cambridgeshire, and there he learned the trade of boot and shoe- maker, and worked at this business while still living in his native land. Mary Benton, his wife, was also a native of Cambridgeshire, and their oldest child was born in England. In 1851, or thereabouts, they came to America, locating first in Piqua, Ohio, where Mr. Hill entered the employ of a manufacturer of hand-made shoes, and with whom he remained for about two years. In Octo- ber, 1853, he came with his family to Christiansburg, this county, where he engaged in the business of shoemaking on his own account, in which he con- tinued until 1876. when he took his son, Charles A., into partnership in the business, the latter taking active charge of the store, while his father engaged in the fruit tree and nursery business, in which he continued the remainder of his life, his death occurring in April, 1887. His widow survived him for some years, passing away in April, 1899. They were the parents of seven children, six of whom grew to maturity and are still living: Eliza, the wife of Charles Garver, of DeGraff, Ohio; Jennie, deceased; Charles A., the immediate sub- ject of this review : William H., of Christiansburg; John, also a resident of Christiansburg : Harry, of Christiansburg, and Frank, of Spring Hills, Ohio. Henry Hill and wife were earnest and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, always taking a warm interest in all church affairs. Mr. Hill was a Democrat in politics, and strong in his belief and support of the principles of that party.
Charles A. Hill was reared in the village of Christiansburg, receiving his education in the public schools of the village. From his boyhood he was em- ployed in his father's shoe business, and is thoroughly well acquainted and experienced in all the details of the shoe business, and has made a success in his line, having a large patronage in the village and surrounding country.
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On April 3, 1879, Charles A. Hill was married to Clara Robinson, who was born in Miami county, Ohio, near Lena, but came to Champaign county as a girl with her parents. To this union were born three children: Zaidee, who died in May, 1899, at the age of nineteen years; Charles Otto, who is employed with his father in his store, and Mary Cora Bright. The mother of these children died January 21, 1899. She was a faithful and loving wife and mother.
Mr. Hill is a Democrat in politics, and takes a warm interest in all local public matters. He served as postmaster of Christiansburg from 1888 to 1890, and was also township treasurer for four successive terms. Fraternally, he is a member of Mt. Olivet Lodge No. 226, Free and Accepted Masons, and served as treasurer of this lodge for a period of twenty years. He also holds membership in St. Paris Chapter No. 85, Royal Arch Masons.
CHESTER P. ABBOTT.
Chester P. Abbott, a farmer and stock raiser of Concord township, Champaign county, was born March 12, 1882, in the locality where he still resides. He is the owner of "Cedar Lawn Farm," his place consisting of sixty-three and one-half acres. He is a son of William J. and Emily V. (Compton) Abbott, whose history is given in full in another part of this volume, is residing in Urbana.
The family of William J. and Emily V. (Compton) Abbott numbered ten children, eight of whom are still living, namely: Charles is living in Chicago, where he is engaged in the real-estate business; Anna is the wife of Walter Wilson, of Concord township, Champaign county; John H. lives in Concord township; Minnie is the wife of Dr. William Hinkle lives in Degraff, Ohio; Maude is the wife of D. H. Taylor, of Urbana, Ohio; Ona is the wife of Dr. C. E. Stadler, of Lima, Ohio; Ora is the wife of Dr. F. F. Barger, of Urbana township, this county ; and Chester P. of this sketch ; the other two children died in early life.
Chester P. Abbott was reared on the home farm in Concord town- ship, and he received his education in the local rural schools. He worked on the home farm with his father until he was twenty-one years old when he started out in life for himself.
Mr. Abbott was married on March 12, 1902, to Zola M. Coleman, who was born in Concord township, the date of her birth being June 3, 1882. She
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is a daughter of James and Ida ( Bruner ) Coleman. She was reared in Missouri, Kansas and Ohio and attended school in all those states, and was graduated from the common schools. She attended the high school in Eris for a while.
After his marriage Mr. Abbott located on a farm in Concord town- ship, Champaign county, living on the Taylor place until 1910, when he moved to his present farm of sixty-three and one-half acres, six miles north- west of Urbana. He is carrying on general farming and stock raising. He also buys and feeds stock by the carload. He is an excellent judge of all kinds of live stock.
To Mr. and Mrs. Abbott one daughter has been born, Clara L., whose birth occurred on April 24, 1903. She is in school at Eris.
Politically, Mr. Abbott is a Republican. He attends the Methodist church at Concord of which his wife is a member.
CHARLES E. FAULKNER.
Charles E. Faulkner, former sheriff of Champaign county, a farmer living on rural route No. 4, Urbana, Ohio, was born in Mad River town- ship, this county, August 2, 1866, a son of George W. and Mary (West) Faulkner, both natives of Jackson township, Champaign county, Ohio. The father was born in 1844.
George W. Faulkner, father of our subject, was a leading politician in the county, affiliating with the Republican party and actively interested in the promotion of his party principles. He was the father of six children, five of whom are now (1917) living: Charles E., our subject; John E., of Mad River township; Lottie, wife of Clinton Neese, of Mad River town- ship; Willie G., a farmer of Mad River township; Ellen, widow of George Davis.
Charles E. Faulkner, subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm in Mad River township, receiving his education in the district schools which he attended during the winter season. He remained at home working on the farm until he was twenty-three years of age. December 25, 1889, he was married to Joanna Jenkins, who was born in Terre Haute, Mad River town- ship, October 1, 1872. After marriage Mr. Faulkner worked by the day at ditching for a few years, and at such other farm work as was afforded in the neighborhood. He afterward bought a small tract of ground which,
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with other rented ground he cultivated, farming in Concord township. He was appointed deputy sheriff under Floyd Powell and served in this capacity for about two years, and, on account of the death of the sheriff Mr. Faulkner was appointed to that office and served the unexpired time. In 1914 he was elected sheriff and served in that office from June 1, 1915, to January I, 1917. In 1914 he purchased a farm of ninety acres in Mad River township and after retiring from the sheriff's office, in 1917, he removed to this farm, where his home now is. It is known as the Henry Runyan farm and is a fine body of land.
There were twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner, nine of whom are now living: Wilbur L., who married Gladys Lee; Alpha C., mar- ried Edith Enlsizor, and lives in Mad River township; Russell P., single, living at home; Theresa F., single, living at home; Goldie B., of Urbana, Ohio; Mary M., single, living at home; George W., at home; Howard C. and Nellie E., living at home. Three children died in infancy.
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