USA > Ohio > Champaign County > History of Champaign County, Ohio, its people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 73
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Samuel P. Hamilton was a lad of fourteen years when his parents moved to Miami county, and here he grew to manhood on the home farm. Answer- ing the call of his country for service in the Civil War, he enlisted in Com- pany E, One Hundred and Tenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in September, 1862, and served until the close of the war, being discharged in 1865. His regiment was with the Army of the Potomac under Generals
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Meade and Grant, and participated in many of the hard-fought battles of that great struggle. At the close of the war, he returned to his home in Miami county, remaining on the home farm until 1868, at which time he began operating saw-mills in different parts of Johnson township, in which business he was engaged until 1893, when he purchased his present farm, on which he has been living ever since.
On February 27, 1868, S. P. Hamilton was married to Hannah Bunker, the daughter of Henry and Jane (Chapman) Bunker, and to this union four children have been born: Elliott, living on the home place; Flora, the wife of William Pence, a farmer of Johnson township; Lewis, deceased, and Bessie J., the wife of Frank Ludrick, of Johnson township. Henry Bunker, Mrs. Hamilton's father, was of Scotch descent ; his parents, who were natives of Scotland, came to the United States in an early day, locating at Piqua, Ohio, and here Mr. Bunker grew to maturity. Mrs. Bunker was born in Miami county, her parents being old settlers in that vicinity. They were the parents of one child, Mrs. S. P. Hamilton.
Mr. Hamilton and his family are earnest members of the United Breth- ren church at Rosewood, and take an active interest in the affairs of the local congregation, Mr. Hamilton having served as class leader at this place for several years. He is a Republican in politics, and is actively interested in all local political matters. He is also warmly interested in the affairs of the Grand Army of the Republic, being a member of H. C. Scott Post, at St. Paris, Ohio.
GEORGE W. RHYNARD.
One of the enterprising and progressive farmers of Johnson township, the owner and proprietor of a fine farm of eighty acres two miles west of St. Paris, on the Piqua and Urbana pike, is George W. Rhynard, who was born on an adjoining farm March II, 1860, the son of Samuel and Mary A. ( McKinley) Rhynard, both of whom were natives of Ohio.
Samuel Rhynard was born in Darke county, Ohio, near Stelvideo, and was a son of Peter and Mary (Martindale) Rhynard, both of whom were natives of Maryland. Peter Rhynard was of German ancestry, and came as a young man to Miami county, Ohio, settling near Troy. There he met and married Mary Martindale, who was of Scotch descent, coming from Maryland with her parents in an early day to Miami county, Ohio. After
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their marriage, Peter Rhynard and wife located in Darke county, Ohio, where they lived the remainder of their lives, and there their son, Samuel, was born, and reared to manhood. As a young man, Samuel Rhynard learned the saddler's trade at Dayton, Ohio, coming from there to St. Paris, where he engaged in the harness business for three or four years. At the end of that time he moved to Iowa and entered land from the government near Cedar Rapids of that state. Later the family returned to Ohio, and purchased the old Mckinley farm in Johnson township, this county, where he and his wife lived until her death, when he moved to the farm where his son, George, now lives. Later he moved to St. Paris, where his death occurred. Mary A. Mckinley was born on the Mckinley farm just south of the one where George W. Rhynard now lives, the daughter of William and Mary Mckinley. Will- iam Mckinley was a native of Georgetown, Kentucky, coming from that state to Ohio in an early day, where he entered land from the government in John- son township, this county. Here he married and lived the remainder of his life. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, serving under Gen. Andrew Jack- son. Samuel Rhynard and wife were the parents of six children: William A., deceased; Sarah E., the widow of William Mills, who was a resident of Pike county, Ohio; Peter, a farmer in the north part of Johnson township; George W., the immediate subject of this review ; Albert, of Cleveland, Ohio; and Ira Elmer, living in east New York state. The family were earnest and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church at St. Paris, and actively interested in church work. Samuel Rhynard was a Republican in politics, and was always much interested in the school work of his township, serving on the township school board for many years.
George W. Rhynard was reared on his father's farm. He received his education in the district schools of his home neighborhood, living at home until his marriage. Then he started farming on his own account, renting the farm where he now lives for six years, at the end of which time he pur- chased the farm, and has continued to live here ever since. He has been very successful in his farming operations, breeding and selling a great deal of live stock for the markets.
George W. Rhynard was united in marriage on October 8, 1884, to Hattie A. Apple, who was born in Johnson township, the daughter of Abra- ham and Phoebe Jane (Sise) Apple, and to this union three children were born, of whom are living: Nellie, born in 1885, married Edward Lemman, a farmer of Johnson township; one who died in infancy ; and Adal Eva Lucile, born in 1903, now a student in school. The family, with the exception of
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Mr. Rhynard, are members of the Lutheran church at St. Paris, Ohio, tak- ing an active part in church affairs. He is a member of the Republican party, and takes a proper interest in all public affairs, always supporting all measures which have for their object the betterment of his community.
JONATHAN SCHUMM.
One of the substantial citizens and enterprising farmers of the county is Jonathan Schumm, the owner and proprietor of a fine farm of two hundred and fifteen acres located one and one-half miles east of St. Paris in Johnson township. Mr. Schumm was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, August 29, 1836, a son of Jacob and Catherine (Walburn) Schumm, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania.
Jacob Schumm and his wife grew up and were married in Pennsylvania, and lived in that state all their lives, his death occurring in 1842, his widow surviving him many years. They were the parents of six children, three of whom are living: Mary, the wife of Samuel Seibert, residents of Lebanon county, Pennsylvania ; Priscilla, wife of John Parsons, also living in Penn- sylvania, and Jonathan.
Jonathan Schumm was left an orphan by the death of his father when he was but a lad of six years, and lived in the home of his maternal grand- parents until he reached the age of sixteen years, at which time he came to St. Paris, Ohio, with fifty cents in his pocket. He went to work with a will doing anything he could find to do to make an honest living. He hired out to cut cord wood at thirty-five cents a cord, and part of the money which he earned at this job is still owing to him. However, he was not discouraged, having youth and health on his side, but continued to work with vigor at different vocations, being employed for two years on a farm at one hundred and ten dollars a year, receiving for his third year's labor the sum of one hundred and forty-four dollars. He also worked in the saw-mills in the early days, and learned the plasterer's trade, at which he worked four years. In 1860 he began farming on the place where he now lives, and that he has been successful in his calling is evidenced by the fact that he owns two hundred and fifteen acres of fine land, well improved and cultivated. He is also a stock- holder in the Central National Bank of St. Paris, and has long been ranked among the influential and substantial citizens of his community.
On August 25, 1859, Jonathan Schumm was married to Catherine Snapp,
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a daughter of Daniel and Margaret Snapp. Mrs. Schumm was born April 3, 1840, and was reared on the farm where she is now living, and has always been a resident of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Schumm are the parents of one child, Maude E., born on March 26, 1867. She is the wife of C. S. Bolinger, of St. Paris, Ohio, and to this union have been born four children : Walter, a graduate of the high school at St. Paris; C. S. Bolinger, Jr .; Mamie, a graduate of the high school at St. Paris, and Fannie, also a graduate of the St. Paris high school, is now a student in the State University at Columbus, Ohio, graduating with the class of 1917.
Mr. Schumm is a Democrat in politics, and takes an active part in the councils of his party in local public affairs, having served as township trustee and assessor. He is treasurer of what is known as the Spring Grove Ceme- tery Association, which is incorporated with the following officers: H. D. Pyle, president; Frank Snapp, vice-president; H. E. Harmon, secretary, and Jonathan Schumm, treasurer. Two citizens of the township, Daniel Snapp, the father of Mrs. Schumm, and Allen Pence, bought the land, which is used as a cemetery, and donated it to the people of this community, the association taking hold of the project in a business-like way, laying the land out in lots for sale, and thus they have succeeded in making a beautiful place of this "city of the dead."
JAMES W. MAGGERT.
James W. Maggert, a well-known farmer and enterprising citizen of Johnson township, and a life-long resident of this county, the owner and proprietor of "Cabauba Farm," located about three and one-half miles north- west of St. Paris, on rural route No. I out of St. Paris, was born on this farm April II, 1858, the son of Henry and Emmeline (Baker) Maggert, both of whom were natives of Ohio.
Henry Maggert was the son of Abraham Maggert, who was a native of Virginia, coming from that state to Ohio in an early day, and locating on a farm about two miles east of St. Paris, where he lived the remainder of his life. Henry Maggert grew up and was married in this county, coming to the farm where James W. Maggert now lives in 1842. This land at that time was in timber and largely swamp, but with indomitable energy the elder Maggert set to work and ditched, drained and cleared eighty acres, which has been cultivated and improved until it is one of the best-producing farms in the township. Henry Maggert and wife were the parents of
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eight children, six of whom are living: Mary, wife of Alexander Snyder ; Nancy, the wife of James Campbell; Rosa, wife of Jesse Jenkins; Alice, wife of Harvey Harding; Jane, wife of William Genett, and James W.
James W. Maggert was reared on the farm where he now lives, receiving his education in the district schools of his home neighborhood. He remained at home assisting his father with the work on the farm until he reached the age of twenty-two years, when he married and started farming for him- self. For the first four years he rented land in the neighborhood, after which, for two years, he rented the home farm. In the meantime, his father having died, he bought the interests of the other heirs in the home place, where he has since continued to live. Here he is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and is very successful in his chosen calling.
On January 22, 1880, James W. Maggert was married to Mary E. Prince, who was born on a farm in Johnson township, on May 18, 1857. To this union was born one child, Nellie B., who died at the age of eleven years.
Mr. Maggert is a Democrat in politics, and while taking a good citi- zen's interest in civic affairs, yet is not a partisan or seeker after public office.
JOHN R. ROSS.
The late John R. Ross, formerly assistant cashier of the Champaign National Bank of Urbana and later and for years secretary of the Urbana Egg Case Company and one of the best-known and most progressive busi- ness men in Urbana, who died at Phoenix, Arizona, in the fall of 1908, and whose widow is still living in Urbana, was born in Urbana and there spent all his active life, remaining there until ill health prompted him to move to Arizona, where it was hoped the more equable climate of that region would have a beneficial effect upon his condition. He was born on April 22, 1868. son and only child of William R. and Belle (Brand) Ross, both members of old families in Champaign county.
William Reynolds Ross, who was an honored veteran of the Civil War and who for years served as vice-president and also cashier of the Cham- paign National Bank, a position he was holding at the time of his death on December 23, 1915, also was born in Urbana and lived there all his life, for many years one of the most active and influential business men in that
JOHN R. ROSS.
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city. In a memorial sketch presented elsewhere in this volume there is set out at some length the history of William Reynolds Ross and of the Ross family in this county, and the reader is respectfully referred to the same in this connection, it being sufficient to set out here that William R. Ross was a son of Philander Ross, one of the early merchants of Urbana and for years president of the Champaign National Bank of that city. William R. Ross was clerking in his father's store at Urbana at the time of the breaking out of the Civil War and he enlisted for service as a member of Company K, Sixty-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which command he served for two years, or until his discharge on a physician's certificate of disability. Not long afterward he became connected with his father's bank at Urbana, the Champaign National, and with that institution re- mained connected the rest of his life, rising from a clerkship to the position of vice-president, and this latter position he was occupying at the time of his death.
John R. Ross grew to manhood in Urbana, receiving his schooling in the schools of that city, and early became connected with the Champaign National Bank, of which his grandfather had been president and of which his father was vice-president for many years, and after a while was made assistant cashier of that institution, a position he resigned to become sec- retary of the Urbana Egg Case Company, with which company he remained connected in an executive capacity until failing health compelled his retire- ment from business. Entertaining the hope that a change of climate might prove beneficial Mr. Ross moved to Phoenix, Arizona, but the hope was vain and he died there on October 5, 1908, he then being in the forty-first year of his age.
In 1893 John R. Ross was united in marriage to Lydia Spain, daughter of J. Fletcher and Ella R. Spain and a member of one of the oldest families in Champaign county, the Spains having come over here from Virginia in 1805, establishing their home here. as set out elsewhere in this volume, where further and fitting mention is made of the Spain family and their connection with the pioneer history of this county. To this union one child was born, a son, Reynolds Spain Ross, who is now (1917) a student at Urbana University. John R. Ross was an active member of the Episcopal church, as is his widow, and was serving as a member of the vestry at the time of his death. He was a Scottish Rite Mason (thirty-second degree) and a noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, affiliated with Antioch Temple at Dayton, and took a warm interest in
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Masonic affairs. In his political allegiance he was a Republican and ever gave a good citizen's attention to local civic affairs, helpful in many ways in promoting movements having to do with the cause of good government and the general advancement of the common welfare.
SOLOMON WALBORN.
Solomon Walborn, a well-known and progressive farmer of Johnson township, this county, living two miles northwest of St. Paris, where he is very successfully operating one hundred and eighty-two acres of land, was born in Van Wert county, Ohio, on March 9, 1875. He is a son of John H. and Elizabeth (Parker) Walborn, both of whom were natives of Ohio.
John H. Walborn was a native of Champaign county, having been born on a farm in Jackson township, the son of Abraham Walborn, the latter of whom came at an early date to this county from Pennsylvania, and here lived the remainder of his life. John H. Walborn and Elizabeth Parker were married in this county near Terre Haute, and after their marriage, lived for some time in Jackson township on the home place of his father. Later, they moved to Van Wert county, Ohio, where they located on land of their own, and it was in that county that Mrs. Walborn died. To them were born seven children, five of whom are now living: George W., a farmer of Johnson township, represented elsewhere in this work; T. E., also farming in Johnson township; Minnie, the wife of William Betz, of Bluffton, Indiana; Anna Jane, deceased; one child, who died in infancy unnamed; Solomon, the immediate subject of this review, and Emma, the wife of Charles Staple- ton, of St. Paris, Ohio.
Solomon Walborn was reared to the life of a farmer, receiving his education in the district schools. When but six years of age, he moved with his father's family to Jay county, Indiana, where they lived eleven years after leaving their home in Van Wert county, Ohio. At the end of this time the family returned to Champaign county, Ohio, where the father spent the remaining years of his life. It was in 1892 that Solomon Walborn returned to Champaign county, and for three years after coming here, he worked as a farm hand in Jackson township, after which he was employed by W. I. Kite, of Jackson township, where he remained for four years. At the end of that time he came into the neighborhood where he is now living, where he farmed nine years for himself, and on September II,
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1901, he, with his family moved to the farm where he is now living in Jackson township. Here he is very successfully engaged in farming and stock raising, in which line of endeavor he has met with a very com- mendable success.
On December 23, 1894, Solomon Walborn was united in marriage to Minnie Tullis, who was born in Jackson township, the daughter of William and Elizabeth Tullis. To this union have been born six children: Harry, a farmer of Johnson township, married Leota Slusser; Grace, a graduate of the St. Paris high school, now a student in her first year at the Uni- versity of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio; Earl, a student in the high school at St. Paris; Herman, attending the neighborhood district school, an infant, deceased, and Edith, living at home with her parents. Mr. Walborn is a member of the Baptist church, while the family is affiliated with the Reformed church, both of St. Paris, Ohio.
Mr. Walborn is a Democrat in politics, and is now serving his fourth year as trustee of Johnson township, and is senior member and president of the township board.
S. H. DEATON.
One of the substantial citizens and leading farmers of this county is S. H. Deaton, the owner and proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Jackson township, located on what is locally known as the cowpath pike, one-half mile south and one mile east of Addison. Mr. Deaton was born on a farm south of his present home in the edge of Clark county, Ohio, on April 5, 1846, the son of Samuel and Nancy (Carmin) Deaton, the former being a native of old Virginia, and the latter of Ohio.
Samuel Deaton came to Ohio with his parents when a lad of twelve years of age, the family locating on a farm in Clark county, near North- hampton, just south of the Champaign county line. There he grew to man- hood and married Nancy Carmin, who was born and reared in Clark county. After his marriage he engaged in farming for himself on rented land for a time, after which he purchased a small tract of land in Clark county, where he lived for a short time. He then came with his family to Champaign county, where he purchased eighty acres of land in Jackson township, which at that time was new land, all in timber ; and here the family lived for several years in the rude log cabin of the pioneers. Later a new house was erected,
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where S. H. Deaton now lives. Samuel Deaton was a hardworking and industrious farmer, and successful in his chosen work, gradually adding to his land holdings until he was the owner of one hundred and thirty acres of good farming land in this county. He and his wife were earnest and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and always took an active inter- est in church affairs. He was a well educated man for the period, and had been a school teacher before coming to this county. He and his wife were the parents of five children : William, who died at the age of twenty-eight years; S. H., the immediate subject of this review ; Charlotte, widow of George Hel- vie, of Addison, Ohio; Martha, widow of Charles Howell, of Addison; and A. B. C. D., of Jackson township. Samuel Deaton was a Republican in politics, and firm in his belief in the principles of that party. He served his township as trustee for a number of years, and was a prominent and influential man in the community.
S. H. Deaton was reared to manhood on the farm where he is now liv- ing, coming with his parents when butt a small boy from Clark county, Ohio; and received his education in the district schools of Jackson township. After reaching manhood, he started life for himself by engaging in farming on land lying close to the home farm, which he rented and here he lived for one year. He then moved to a farm in Miami county, about three miles west of his present farm, and he remained three years. At the end of that time he returned to Champaign county and purchased eighty acres of land in Jackson township adjoining his present home, and here he remained for a period of ten years. He then moved to Clark county, Ohio, where he lived on a farm belonging to his wife's father for fourteen years, after which he returned to Champaign county and purchased the old home farm, where he has since lived.
In 1869 S. H. Deaton was married to Elizabeth Jenkins, the daughter of Wiley Jenkins, a resident of Clark county, Ohio; and to this minion were born six children, five of whom grew to maturity : Samuel, deceased ; Wiley J., a farmer of Jackson township; Ola, the wife of Walter Leonard, of this county; Ellen, the wife of Charles Warner, of Addison, Ohio; William, a resident of Jackson township, and C. O., a farmer, also of Jackson town- ship. The mother of these children died on September 20, 1913, loved and mourned by all who knew her.
Mr. Deaton is a Republican in politics, and an ardent supporter of the doctrines and principles of this party. He has always been actively interested in the civic welfare of his community, and served his township as supervisor for some years.
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ARTHUR G. HANGER.
Arthur G. Hanger, farmer of Harrison township, Champaign county, was born on the Spring Hill and West Liberty pike, in Harrison township, August 27, 1881, a son of Henry H. and Sarah Hanger. The father was born on a farm northwest of West Liberty, Logan county, Ohio, in 1841. He is a son of Adam Hanger, who was a son of Peter Hanger. The last named and two brothers, immigrated from England to America in Colonial days. Peter Hanger settled in Virginia, where he married, and in later life he moved to Champaign county, locating among the pioneer settlers in Salem township, but he spent the last of his life in Harrison township, dying there.
After his marriage Adam Hanger settled in Logan county, but, when his son Henry H. was a small boy, he moved with his family to Harrison township and here Adam Hanger spent the rest of his life on a farm. Sarah Gerard, was a native of New Jersey, from which state she came to Cham- paign county, when young, with her parents, Jonas and Armina (Flem- ming) Gerard, who were of Scotch-Irish descent. After his marriage Henry H. Hanger lived many years on a farm in Harrison township, locating on his father's old farm and there he spent the rest of his life. Five chil- dren were born to Henry H. Hanger and wife, namely: Carrie, the wife of William Scarborough, of West Liberty, Ohio; Loretta, who died at the age of four years; Edna, the wife of Charles Circle, and they live on the old home place in Harrison township; Arthur G., of this sketch, and Millie, living in West Liberty, Ohio.
Henry H. Hanger was a soldier in the Civil War, first a private, later a corporal, and finally was promoted to the rank of sergeant. He served three years and two months in Company G, Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, taking part in seven important battles and was wounded five times. According to his superior officers and the men under him he was a brave and efficient officer. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war and became a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was a Republi- can and always took an active interest in the affairs of his party. He was a member of the Glady Crook Christian church, in which he was a pillar and active worker for many years. His wife also belonged to that church. His death occurred on December 15, 191I.
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