USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908, Vol. II > Part 23
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Mr. Leiter chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Miss Lydia A. Stevick, who was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and came to Richland county with her parents at an early date. Here she was married to Mr. Leiter on the 27th day of August, 1867, and their union has been blessed with a daughter and two sons. Eda May, born November 23, 1868, is now the wife of William Bear, a carpenter, of Lucas, Ohio. They are the parents of one son, David C., who at the age of seventeen years is now attending Heidelberg University at Tiffin, Ohio. Arthur W., born September 27, 1872, was graduated from the Lucas school, after which he engaged in teaching for fifteen years, but now owns and operates a farm near Lucas. He wedded Miss Ervenna Hull and they are residing in Monroe township. Collin Garfield, who was born September 17, 1878, and wedded Edna V. Breese, has been engaged in teaching for the past eight years and has been connected with the high school of Tiffin, Ohio, for the last two years.
The political allegiance of Mr. Leiter is given to the men and measures of the republican party and he has been called to fill some public offices, having served as trustee two terms and justice of the peace for one term. His fraternal relations are with P. A. Swigart Post, No. 116, G. A. R., at Lucas, while both he and his wife are identified with the Congregational church, in the work of which they take a very active and helpful interest.
Having spent his entire life in Richland county, no man is more widely known or more highly esteemed. His life is exemplary in all respects, for he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of highest commendation.
JOHN CHAMPION.
For more than three score years and ten John Champion was a resident of Richland county and spent the greater part of his life on the farm on section 36, Plymouth township, where his widow now resides. He was born July 24, 1835, upon this farm, a son of Christian and Jemima (Cole) Champion, who came to Ohio from Pennsylvania and took up their abode on what is now the old homestead property, spending their remaining days here. The father was born March 11, 1802, and the mother's birth occurred Novem- ber 6, 1806. They were married December 16, 1824, and for more than twenty years traveled life's journey together, the death of Mr. Champion oc- curring December 12, 1868, while his wife passed away January 7, 1848. Their family numbered eleven children.
John Champion, whose name introduces this record, was reared here amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life. During his early boyhood the forests were very largely uncut and the fields uncultivated. The
JOHN CHAMPION.
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streams, too, had not yet been bridged save in occasional places and com- paratively few of the roads had been laid out. Mr. Champion, therefore, lived to see much of the growth and progress of the county as it emerged from pioneer conditions to take on all of the evidences of a modern civilization. He always resided upon the old homestead save for a period of about eight years spent on the farm a mile and a quarter from this place. He had eighty acres in the home farm and sixty acres in an adjoining tract and forty-eight in another. There were three sets of good farm buildings on his land and he made many improvements and added all the accessories and equipments of a model farm property. He was practical and energetic in all he undertook and never faltered in the performance of any task until he had successfully completed it.
In 1856 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Champion and Miss Christina Rester, who was born near Canton, Ohio, December 14, 1835. With her parents she removed to Wood county, the family home being established west of Fostoria, and later she came to this county. She is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Lilly) Champion, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Stark county, Ohio, respectively. Her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Rester, were among the first settlers of this locality, establishing their home in the midst of the green woods among the Indians. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Champion were born three children: Lincoln, who resides upon one of the home farms and is married and has two children, Ethel and Otto; Amanda, the wife of Harlan Baldwin; and John, who is living on the home place and is married and has one child.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Champion espoused the Union cause and became one of the famous regiment of "Squirrel Hunters" in 1862. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Pleasant Grove. His life was ever upright and honorable, his actions manly and sincere. Those who knew him enter- tained for him the warmest regard and he had many friends in the com- munity where his entire life was passed. The old homestead was endeared to him through the associations of his boyhood and his connections in man- hood and he found that the care of his property made heavy demands upon his time and attention, so that he always led a busy life and one which brought him a fair measure of success. He died on the 9th of March, 1906, honored and respected by all who knew him.
AMOS DAY.
Amos Day, who is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 3, Washington township, was born in the house where he still lives on the 28th of July, 1875. His parents were Joseph B. and Amanda W. (Smith) Day, the former born in Washington township, April 8, 1842, and the latter in Richland county, January 15, 1847. The father began farming on a tract of sixty-two acres which is now a part of our subject's farm. made many
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improvements thereon and was prosperous in his undertakings. His marriage was celebrated December 12, 1866, and he held membership in the English Lutheran church, while his wife was identified with the Presbyterian denomi- nation. He held most of the township offices, serving as trustee for two terms and faithfully discharging every duty entrusted to his care. His death occurred May 4, 1897, and his wife was called to her final rest on the 29th of May, 1893. Unto this worthy couple were born three children. Robert W., whose birth occurred August 10, 1869, was killed by a horse on the 18th of December, 1881. While leading a span of horses to water the lead rope became tangled around his feet and the horses taking fright ran and dragged him through the timber. He was dead when found and the shock to his mother upon first seeing him, after being brought home, was so great that she lost consciousness and for nine years thereafter was an invalid. Thomas Day, who was born July 29, 1881, married Miss Maud Newlon and resides in Mansfield, Ohio.
Amos Day, the other member of the family, was reared on the farm which he now owns, and acquired his education in the district schools. His father died when he was twenty-one years of age and subsequently he and his brother conducted the home place for four years, after which they divided the property, the brother taking eighty acres and our subject sixty-two acres. Later Amos Day bought out his brother's interest but afterward disposed of forty acres, so that his holdings now comprise one hundred and two acres. He was compelled to borrow four thousand dollars in order to purchase his brother's interest in the old homestead farm but has been remarkably suc- cessful in his agricultural interests and has remodeled and improved the place until it is one of the fine properties of the township. He is widely recognized as a prosperous and enterprising agriculturist of the community, and the neat and thrifty appearance of his farm, with its many modern and substantial improvements, indicates the supervision of a practical and progressive owner.
On the 8th of March, 1899, Mr. Day was united in marriage to Miss Hattie May Alexander, whose birth occurred in Bellville, Ohio, April 14, 1880. Her parents were J. M. and Viola M. (Schuler) Alexander, the former born in Jefferson township, July 19, 1852, and the latter in Troy township. The father was reared on a farm and acquired his education in the district schools and at Bellville. When eighteen years of age he spent six months in Maine, his father's home state, and when he had attained the age of twenty- four years went to Chicago and thence to San Francisco. Returning home on the expiration of a year, he began farming on one of his father's farms south of Bellville, being thus engaged for four years. He then took up his abode in Bellville and for five years conducted a warehouse business, subse- quently becoming connected with a sawmill enterprise. On the 5th of Jan- uary, 1892, he purchased one hundred and forty-eight acres of land where he now resides, his farm at present comprising one hundred and twelve acres. He now makes a specialty of raising potatoes, and is well and favorably known as one of the enterprising and prosperous citizens of his native county. Unto him and his wife were born six children, all of whom are living:
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Loren and Roy, both of Washington township; Mrs. Day; Mertie, at home; and Edith and Ethel, twins. Mr. and Mrs. Day have two children, namely : Mabel D., whose birth occurred July 31, 1902; and Marguerite H., who was born February 9, 1907.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Day has given stalwart allegiance to the men and measures of the republican party and has taken an active part in local politics, being frequently called upon to serve the public in positions of official trust and responsibility. In August, 1907, he was appointed a member of the state election board. Both he and his wife are devoted members of the English Lutheran church, and have gained an extensive circle of friends throughout the county in which they have spent their entire lives.
JACOB LAHMAN.
Jacob Lahman, who was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, June 8, 1842, accompanied his parents, Abraham and Mary (Couter) Lahman, to Richland county, Ohio, in 1845. His maternal grandfather, Jacob Couter, was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving throughout the entire period of hostilities and participating in several battles. The Lahmans were of German descent, while the Couters were of French lineage. Abraham Lahman, the father of our subject, was an agriculturist by occupation and while in this state resided on a farm east of Bellville. He had a family of four children, two of whom died early in life.
Jacob Lahman attended district school No. 1 in Jefferson township and although his educational advantages were limited he has gained a fund of wide general information through reading, experience and observation in later years. When fifteen years of age he lost his father and thus the mother and children were compelled to provide for their own support as best they could. They had a small farm and he and his brother cultivated the place until 1861, when the war of the Rebellion broke out and it was decided that one brother was to enlist and the other to remain at home. Jacob was the one to go to the front but later his brother enlisted also, leaving the mother and two daughters alone on the farm. On the 27th of July, 1861, our subject entered the army as a private of Company E, Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at Mansfield, Ohio. The regiment left Mansfield soon afterward and for two months remained at Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati. They were then transported to Grafton, West Virginia, marching immediately to Philippi and subsequently to Cheat Mountain, where they went into winter quarters. While on picket duty at this place Mr. Lahman had his feet frozen, was taken ill with intermittent fever and sent to the hospital at. Beverly, West Virginia, where he remained but a short time before he was granted a furlough to return home. In the meantime his regiment was captured at Harpers Ferry but immediately paroled and sent to Chicago. where he joined his comrades and went to Cleveland, Ohio. They were
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transported to Memphis, Tennessee, thence to Millikens Bend, Louisiana, and subsequently marched through the state and to the rear of Vicksburg, Mississippi. There Mr. Lahman was with his regiment during the entire siege, participating in the battle of Champion Hill and all the heavy skirmish- ing at that time. After the fall of Vicksburg they went on a week's raid, marching through the state of Louisiana and suffering much for the lack of water. On returning to Vicksburg they again started on a raid, captured the town of Marietta, Mississippi, destroyed the railroad and took up their winter quarters in Vicksburg. In the spring of 1864 they went to Decatur, there remaining for a short time and subsequently, marching toward Atlanta, overtook Sherman's army and engaged in the battle of Atlanta on the 22d of July, 1864. Mr. Lahman took part in all the engagements previous to the fall of Atlanta and then, his term of enlistment having expired, he was sent to Chattanooga, where he was discharged August 26, 1864, having served for three years and one month as a loyal and brave defender of the Union cause. Abraham Lahman, brother of Jacob Lahman, was a member of Company E, One Hundred and Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served for two years and eleven months. His death occurred at Warsaw, Indiana, at the age of twenty-seven years, on the 15th of August, 1868, as the result of brain fever contracted in the army.
After receiving an honorable discharge Jacob Lahman returned home and about two weeks afterward, on the 6th of October, 1864, was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth A. Robinson. Removing to Bellville, he there remained for a year, but on the expiration of that period returned to the old homestead to care for his aged mother and an invalid sister. For twelve years he was connected with the carpenter's trade and in the meantime erected a house on the home place. Subsequently he did light farming until his health failed and he rented the place. In 1882 he was given a pension of six dollars a month besides back pay, and this, together with the proceeds from his little farm, brought him an income sufficient to enable him to live comfortably. On the 28th of March, 1905, having sold the farm, he removed to Bellville, where he lived retired for two years, when in 1907 he took up his abode in Mansfield, where he lived until his death, April 28, 1908. He and his wife had no children of their own but adopted a daughter, Lucy Bridges, on the 19th of May, 1877.
On the 25th of February, 1877, Jacob Lahman joined the church at Mount Olive, Monroe township, and was transferred to the First Lutheran church in Mansfield in 1907. Fraternally he was a member of the Grand Army Post at Mansfield. He was well known and highly respected through- out the entire community as a citizen of worth and value, having for almost two-thirds of a century made his home in this county.
William E. Bridges, who resides with Mrs. Lahman and is a brother of her adopted daughter, enlisted in the regular army at Mansfield, Ohio, May 22, 1901, and was sent to Fort Sheridan, Illinois, being assigned to Company L, Twenty-ninth Infantry. He remained at that post until March 14, 1902, when he was ordered to Presidio, San Francisco, California, to await trans- portation to the Philippine Islands. At Presidio he was taken ill with
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rheumatism and left behind, as the regiment had gone to the Philippines while he was in the hospital. On the 1st of May, however, he was sent on the next transport and in June arrived with his company at Bocolod, Philip- pine Islands. After six months at that place he became ill with dysentery and remained in the hospital for forty-two days. Subsequently he was sent to Guimaras Island, the members of his company being the first white men on the island. They put up tents but cholera broke out among the soldiers and they were sent to Iloilo, Panay Island. When the disease had abated they were again sent to Guimaras, going about four miles inland and there constructing quarters. Being afterward sent to Mindanao Island, they remained there for three months and then returned to Guimaras Island. From Camp Joosman, Guimaras, Mr. Bridges was sent to Iloilo on guard duty for one month, subsequently returning to Camp Joosman. His regi- ment was then mobilized and sent back to the United States, having served for two years in the Philippine Islands. On their trip home they stopped to coal for four days at Nagasaki, Japan, and at Honolulu, Hawaii Islands, they remained for five days, taking on one coast battery. Mr. Bridges arrived in Presidio on the 17th of May and was discharged on the 23d of that month, his term of enlistment having expired. He has since made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Lahman and is employed by the Mansfield Railway, Light & Power Company. He had two brothers, Charles F. and Milton D. Bridges, who served in the Tenth Regular Infantry. William E. Bridges is now a member of the United Spanish War Veterans.
HENRY JOHN BARNES.
Henry John Barnes, who was formerly identified with building interests but is now engaged in general farming in Jackson township, is a native son of Richland county, born January 12, 1854. His parents, Patrick and Katharine (Picking) Barnes, were both natives of Franklin county, Penn- sylvania, where they were reared and married. There one child was added to the household, after which the father removed with his family to Jackson township, Richland county, Ohio, where he passed his remaining days. After removing here nine more children were born, the family record being as follows: Mrs. Susan Laser, deceased; Mrs. Mary Hawk, a resident of Illi- nois; Mrs. Johanna Maley, of Delaware, Ohio; Mrs. Zach Souder, who has passed away; Mrs. Rebecca Laser, who makes her home in Michigan; Mrs. Alice Hill, of Ohio City; Mrs. Nora Crum, of Franklin township; Henry John, of this review; George, who has departed this life; and William, of Michigan.
Henry John Barnes, whose name introduces this review, was reared on a farm to the age of twenty years, during which time he became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. At that age he became apprenticed to Jerry Shetzer to learn the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for eight years. At the expiration of that period, however, he
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resumed farming. On his place was a stone quarry, which he operated for five years, having in his employ seven or eight men. His present property, situated on section 12, Jackson township, comprises one hundred and twenty acres, all of which is well improved and highly cultivated. The residence which he occupies was erected by himself, while he also built many substan- tial outbuildings for the care of his grain and stock. In his earlier years, in connection with his agricultural pursuits, he gave much attention to carpentering, but in his later life he has confined his attention more par- ticularly to agriculture. He ever follows the most straightforward and honorable business methods and his labors have been crowned with success.
In 1882 Mr. Barnes established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Carrie Arminta Pittenger, who was born in Mifflin township, Richland county, November 16, 1862, being at the time of her marriage twenty years of age. She is a daughter of John M. and Arminta (Figley) Pittenger. The father was born in Franklin township, April 1, 1835, and his death was occa- sioned by an accident, November 8, 1905, when he was seventy years of age. He was a son of Isaac and Harriet (Myers) Pittenger, both of whom are natives of Harrison county, Ohio, and came to Richland county in 1833, spending their remaining days here. Mrs. Pittenger was born in Montgomery township, Ashland county, in November, 1835, and came to Richland county when twenty-four years of age. She still survives and makes her home in Jackson township. She became the mother of eight children, of whom five still survive. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Barnes has been blessed with five children, two sons and three daughters: Arthur, Pearl, Carrie, Fred and Ethel.
The political views of Mr. Barnes accord with the principles of democrary. He has been called to fill some local offices, having served as township trustee for six years and as constable for two terms, while for ten years he was a member of the school board. He and his family are members of St. Peter's Lutheran church of London, in which he has filled various offices. Having spent his entire life in Richland county, covering a period of fifty-four years, he is thoroughly familiar with its history. He may well be classed among its prominent pioneer citizens and no man of this section of the state is held in higher esteem.
J. HOWARD CLARK.
The farm of eighty acres, situated on section 12, Plymouth township, Richland county, which is now owned and operated by J. Howard Clark, has been in possession of the family for more than six decades. The gentle- man, whose name introduces this review, was born in the house which is still standing on the place, May 19, 1863, and with the exception of five years spent in Crawford county, this state, he has always resided here.
His paternal grandfather, Eli Clark, was a native of Connecticut, and came to Richland county in 1846, at which time he bought and located on
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this place. He followed farming throughout his entire life and also con- ducted a sawmill. The trip to this state from the east was made by boat from Buffalo to Sandusky, as this was prior to the building of the railroads in this section of the state.
Eli Clark, Jr., the father of our subject, was also born and reared in Connecticut and was married there May 1, 1850, to Miss Caroline Bolles, after which he located on the home farm and there carried on general agri- cultural pursuits throughout his remaining days. He also conducted a sawmill for more than forty years and was known as a straightforward business man. He led a quiet life and passed away on his farm in 1893, when he had reached the age of sixty-eight years, while his wife survived him for only a short period, passing away March 24, 1894, when sixty-seven years of age. Their family numbered three children, namely: Lorenzo, who was born in 1858 and died in 1894, leaving a widow and three sons; J. Howard, of this review; and John A., who is engaged in the grocery business in Shelby, Ohio.
J. Howard Clark was reared in the usual manner of farm lads, assisting in the work of the fields from the time of early spring planting until the crops were harvested in the late autumn. He acquired his education in the district schools near his father's home, attending only in the winter months when his services were not required on the home farm. He has always followed the occupation to which he was reared and is now the owner of the old home property, comprising eighty acres, situated on section 12, Plymouth township, and he also owns fifty acres adjoining and another tract of one hundred and eighty acres in Auburn township, Crawford county, so that his landed possessions now embrace three hundred and ten acres, all of which is well improved and has been placed under a high state of cultiva- tion. He operates all of this property, working earnestly and persistently year by year, so that he has now accumulated quite a handsome competence and is numbered among the substantial agriculturists of Richland county.
Mr. Clark established a home of his own by his marriage on the 21st of October, 1885, to Miss Effie A. Dawson, who was born in Auburn township, Crawford county, June 11, 1865, a daughter of William and Rebecca J. (Doty) Dawson, the former a native of England, while the latter was born in Ashland county, Ohio. Their family numbered four children, of whom Mrs. Clark is the second in order of birth. The others are: Elmer L., a resident of Butler, Indiana; Emma R., the wife of Andrew C. Trowbridge, of Chicago, Illinois; and Ida M., the wife of Louis Clemmons, also of Chicago. Both the parents are now deceased, having passed away in Plymouth town- ship. By her marriage Mrs. Clark has become the mother of one son, Russell D. Clark.
Mr. Clark gives his political support to the men and measures of dem- ocracy but has never been active as an office seeker, his private business interests occupying his full time and attention. He is a member of Auburn Grange, of which he is now serving as secretary. He is also identified with the Odd Fellows' lodge in Plymouth. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Clark has spent his entire life in Richland
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county and is, therefore, well known to our readers. He ever follows the most honorable and straightforward methods in his dealings with his fellow- men and is, therefore, highly esteemed by all with whom he is brought in contact.
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