USA > Ohio > Logan County > The historical review of Logan County, Ohio > Part 81
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94
.
HUGH PRICE RUNYON.
Ilugh Price Runyon is a leading repre- sentative of the business interests of De Graff. being a dealer in buggies and pro- prietor of a harness shop. Of excellent business ability and broad resources, he has attained a prominent place among the substantial citizens of the village and is a recognized leader in public affairs. He has won success by his well directed. en- ergetic efforts, and the prosperity that has come to him is certainly well deserved.
A native of Ohio, Mr. Runyon was born in Union township, Champaign
40
716
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
county, June 18, 1847, and is a worthy rep- years the Harrison family removed to Il- resentative of an honored pioneer family linois, where her father died. and her mother subsequently went to Dubuque. Iowa, in which state her death occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Runyon began their married life on Treacles creek in Champaign county, where the father purchased and improved a farm of one hundred acres. erecting thereon a rude log house with a mud and stick chimney, and in that home our subject was born. of this section of the state, being a son of Elias and Martha C. (Harrison) Run- yon. His father was also a native of Union township and a son of John Run- yon, one of the early settlers of Cham- paign county, having located on Buck creek when Urbana contained but two houses. Although John Runyon had re- ceived but ordinary educational advan- tages, he was a man of rare ability and sound judgment and served as judge of the court of common pleas throughout the greater part of his life. He continued to make his home on. Buck creek and lived to an advanced age, being so old that he often lost his way if he strayed far from home either on the farm or in town. He was born, reared and married in New Jer- sey and had some family on coming to this state. In those early days Judge Runyon entertained Rev. John Britch, a pioneer preacher, who used to travel across the country from Ohio to Illinois and our sub- ject now has in his possession a letter written by the latter to Judge Runyon. dated Morgan county, Illinois, June 14. 1831. This letter is as easily read as any print. Mr. Runyon also has another letter. dated Morristown, New Jersey. October. 1788, written by Stephen Conklin, his ma- ternal great-grandfather.
On reaching manhood Elias Runyon, the father of our subject, was married in Union township. Champaign county, to Miss Martha Crockett Harrison, who was a relative of the noted Davy Crockett and also of President William H. Harrison. She was born in Kentucky and during her girlhood came to Ohio with her parents, settling in Champaign county. In latter
During his boyhood Hugh P. Runyon received a good common school education. On leaving home at the age of seventeen years he began work at the carpenter's trade, his first wages being fifty cents per day, and it was not long before he became a finished workman. The following Mon- day after the great cyclone in DeGraff in 1872, he came to this village and com- menced work at his trade, being success- fully engaged in contracting and building until 1879. when he accepted a position with the firm of .I. D. & W. A. Graffort to sell agricultural implements. Two years later he bought out his employers and continued in that line of trade until 1899. In the meantime he had also become in- terested in the hardware business and in the sale of buggies and other vehicles, but after conducting the hardware store for several years he disposed of the same in 1893. continuing the implement business thereafter. On finally selling out in 1900. he opened the harness shop which he still conducts. Mr. Runyon had long thought he could do the work of an auctioneer and after the death of Daniel S. Spellman in 1892, he began crying sales. He has met with the same success in this enterprise that has characterized his business career. and in the spring of 1902 cried more than
717
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
forty sales. He has invested to some ex- and is numbered among its most valued tent in real estate and in partnership with and useful citizens whose commendable public spirit has led to many improvements. His genial, pleasant manner has made him popular in business, social and political circles. B. F. Hudson has erected a number of buildings, including the town hall and city jail and the Weller block. They also had charge of the construction of the Methodist Episcopal church and numerous dwellings in DeGraff.
Throughout life Mr. Runyon has sup- ported the Republican party. His father. who died when our subject was only four- teen years of age, was a Whig in politics and his mother advocated Democratic doctrines. Our subject took an active in- terest in the Lincoln campaigns of 1860 and 1864. and he cast his first presidential ballot for General Grant in 1868. He has exerted considerable influence in local politics and was the organizer of the For- aker faction in this county. His fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability. have honored him with office, and he has been called upon to serve as a member of the city council several terms and as mayor of DeGraff two terms. He advocated the purchase of the electric light plant and was on the committee that had charge of the same. DeGraff being the first town in the county to put in electric light. Mr. Runyon was made a Mason in Boggs Lodge. No. 292. F. & A. M .; took the chapter degree in Bellefontaine and the Knight Templar degrees in Sidney. being one of the first to join the commandery at that place. although he was not a charter member. He has served as standard bear- er and junior warden in the same. He also belongs to the Eastern Star. the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the Golde 1 Eagle. He is deeply interested in the public welfare and the good of the community where he has so long resided
JOHN A. GRAY.
The subject of this sketch is one of the most progressive and successful agricul- turists of Harrison township. where he owns a well improved and valuable farm of one hundred and sixty-three acres just outside the corporation limits of Bellefon- taine. A native of Logan county, he was born in Union township on the 14th of August. 1838, his parents being Eli and Susan (Zigler) Gray. The father was born in Clark county, Ohio. September 12. 1809. but the mother's birth occurred in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. August 23. 1802. During her girlhood she came to Ohio with a sister. Mrs. Elizabeth Weis- ley and lived for a time near Dayton. It was there that she was first married to John Andrews, by whom she had five chil- dren who are now living in Kendall county. Illinois. . Eli Gray came to Logan county with his parents before Bellefontaine had sprung into existence and in Union town- ship he afterward married Mrs. Andrews. Unto them were born three children. of whom our subject is the eldest. His sis- ter Mary is now the widow of Jacob Phen- eger and lives in Bellefontaine, and Ange- line also makes her home in that city.
Mr. Gray's early life was quietly passed upon his father's farm and to the commo.i schools of the neighborhood he is in- debted for his educational advantages. On
TIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
attaining his majority he began life for linois. She has also successfully engaged himself but remained at home and took in teaching school. charge of the farm. Later his father pur- chased a farm of eighty acres for him and when that was sold our subject bought seventy-five acres, which he improved by the erection of good buildings. He after- ward disposed of that place and bought his present fine farm just outside the city lim- its of Bellefontaine. locating thereon Sep- tember 20. 1882. As his father's prop- erty is still undivided he also has a share in the old homestead and looks after the operation of that place as well as his own farm. He has made his special field of industry an eminent success and is justly regarded as one of the most thorough and skillful farmers of his community.
On the 16th of January, 1862, in Washington, Mr. Gray was united in mar- riage to Miss Nancy J. Heffner, who was born in Pittsburg. Pennsylvania. Novem- ber 11. 1836. and when a child removed to Huntingdon county, that state, with her parents, Daniel and Mary ( Hileman) Heff- ner. When she was about fourteen or fif- teen years of age the family came to Logan county, Ohio, making the journey from Pittsburg to Cincinnati by steamer and thenee by train to this county. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have three children, namely: Rollin, born July 17. 1864. received a good education and for several years engaged in teaching school. which profession his father had also followed for one year ; Franklin I., born August 15. 1868, was married in June. 1889. to Laura Culp and they have one child. Gertrude, born Feb- ruary 4, 1892: Forest Ivy, born Deeen- ber 2, 1875. in Union township, is a gradu- ate of the Bellefontaine high school and for two years was a student at Dixon, Il-
The Democratic party finds in Mr. Gray a stalwart supporter of its principles though it is known that he will support no measure that he believes will prove detri- mental to the welfare of the country, even in opposition to his party. He believes, however, that the interests of the country will be best conserved by the Democratic party. He has most efficiently filled the office of justice of the peace, serving for two terms in Union township and one term in Harrison township. His decisions were all so fair and impartial that no appeals were ever taken to the higher courts. In early life he was made a Mason in Mad River Lodge, No. 161. of West Liberty. but later transferred his membership to the lodge in Bellefontaine, No. 209. F. & .A. MI., and is also a member of the chap- ter and council at that place and the com- mandery at Urbana. He is believed to have been connected with the order longer than any other man now living in Logan county, and his sons are also Masons. Rollin having taken the council and chap- ter degrees and Frank the Knight Tem- plar degrees. Mr. Gray is known as a worthy citizen, interested in all that per- tains to the general welfare, and he stands deservedly high in the esteem of his fel- low men.
BLANCHARD CHAMBERLAIN. .
Blanchard Chamberlain has had a most eventful career. Three times before he attained his majority had he traveled around the world, visiting many ports. He has also aided in the naval service of the
719
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
country, has visited the gold fields of Cali- fornia and since 1869 he has been actively identified with industrial interests in Ohio, making his home in Bellefontaine.
A native of Cleveland. this state. he post. Mr. Chamberlain landed at Charles- was born on the 12th of March, 1841. and pursued his education in the public schools of that city until fifteen years of age when he went to the sea board and at New Bedford. shipped on a whaler and visited all the whaling waters of the world. He sailed with Captain .A. Chase on the whal- ing ship Hector and was about four years on his first voyage. Entering the Mediter- ranean, the vessel hove to off the coast of Palestine for repairs and during the six weeks' delay Mr. Chamberlain made many interesting trips through that historic land. At the end of this trip in 1858 he left New Bedford in October of that year and shipped on the Mary Wilder. bound' for a whaling voyage. but the vessel be- came becalmed and stranded at Juan Fer- nandez, going to pieces on the rocks. In a week the crew were taken to the coast of Chili by a seal hunting vessel and landed at Talkalınana. They were then sent north to Panama by the American minister. crossed the isthmus and went aboard the steamer Central America bound for New York, this vessel making a return trip from the California gold mines and had on board many miners with several millions in gold, both individual and government treasure. When they were five hundred miles east of Cape Hatteras they ran into a gale which the ship breasted for three days and then went down, one-half of the passengers on board being lost. to the number of six hundred. Mr. Chamberlain and others were picked up by an American schooner and a Swedish vessel. He had been in the
water all night. Captain Herndon. the father-in-law of President Arthur, was in command of the vessel and went down with his ship because he would not leave his ton and made his way to New York by rail.
He was in that city at the time Fort Sumter was fired upon. His patriotism aroused. he and a comrade entered the navy yards and spent about eighteen months at Norfolk. Virginia, and Ports- mouth. New Hampshire. At the latter place they assisted in building the Kear- sarge to outdo the famous Alabama con- trolled by the Confederate forces, and Mrs. Chamberlain now has a wooden vase made from the wreckage of the Kearsarge which was presented her by Lieutenant Colonel Henry C. Corbin in 1895. and Mr. Cham- berlain also has a cane made from the same ship. Our subject was also one of the number sent to San Francisco to set up the monitor to protect the San Fran- cisco coast. The vessel on which he sailed proceeded by way of Cape Horn, and after reaching its destination Mr. Chamber- lain aided in placing the monitor in serv- ice. He then went to Sacramento and to Placerville to engage in a search for gold, which was the predominant element in the state. He remained in California until 1866, being variously employed during that time, after which he returned to his home in Cleveland.
In that city in 1868 Mr. Chamberlain was united in marriage to Miss Francis L. Mills and maintained his home in Cleve- land until coming to Bellefontaine in 1869. He removed to this city at the request of the Bee Line Railroad Company and took a position in their employ, remaining with
720
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
them for twelve years. He was foreman Mr. Chamberlain did not realize as he of the wreck crew and after a time was should have done from his work. From 1881 until 1896 he was variously employed in painting, decorating and paperhanging, and he also did carpenter and bridge work. He likewise invented a windmill, organized a company for its manufacture and built a factory for this purpose, but after a year he sold out. In 1886 he went to work for Logan county. repairing and building bridges, and was thus employed until 1898, when he became associated with the Buchanan Bridge Company, now the Bellefontaine Bridge and Iron Company. and has since been in the iron bridge business. Recently he has perfected the device for taking and delivering mail from moving trains, a final government test of which was held on the Sandusky division of the Big Four five miles north of Spring- field. November 20. 1902, by a committee appointed by the government for that pur- pose, who took their report to Washing- ton and submitted same to the department on whose decision they are now waiting. made master of the present Indianapolis division of the Big Four Railroad Company, acting in the capacity from 1869 to 1881. In 1872 the officers of the Bee Line Railroad asked him to devise some method of safe- ly taking mail from a post to a moving train, and he was then relieved of other duties in order to give his entire time to the work. The loose methods that had been used prior to this time caused many fatalities and the Bee Line wanted him to invent something that would take the mail with absolute safety to human life. He perfected and patented the device now in use all over the country by various rail- roads, a few of which paid him his just claims, including the Bee Line, but many simply equipped their trains and roads with his improvement and utterly refused him any compensation under the patent. The device is not only used on the rail- roads in the United States, but in Canada and Mexico as well. In 1881 Mr. Cham- berlain conceived an idea of building a Unto Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain have been born five children, Ernest: Jessie, now Mrs. William Smith; Charles, of Belle- fontaine: Harry, of Chicago: and Hattie, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain hold membership in the Lutheran church. and in his political views he is a stalwart Re- publican, never wavering in his allegiance to the party and its principles. He was a candidate for county commissioner at one time. but he has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to devote his ener- gies to his business affairs. Socially he is identified with the Masonic Lodge. be- longs to Lafayette Chapter, R. A. M., to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, to the Knights of the Golden Eagle and has grain binder. He possessed much me- chanical ingenuity and ability and his study of this question 'ed to experiment- ing which resulted in the production of an excellent grain binder which he invented and built. it being the first twine binder in the country. He built a half size machine and took it to Springfield in order to ·have a regulation size constructed. en- tering into an agreement with a manti- facturer to build the machine for which he was to receive two thousand under roy- alty. This machine was made and shipped widely and an enormous business was co .- ducted, but the manufacturer. through dis- honorable means, obtained possession and
721
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
passed all of the chairs in the local organi- man, one whose success is the direct result zation of the Tribe of Ben Hur. They of his labor, energy and strong determina- have a pleasant home at No. 404 West Garfield avenue and are widely known in this city, which has been their place of residence for more than one-third of a century. tion, and his life record contains many ele- ments that may well serve as an example to those who wish to progress in the busi- ness world. His honesty has ever been proverbial, and his business career is one which is darkened by no taint of dishon- orable dealing.
If the life history of Mr. Chamberlain were written in detail it would furnish many an exciting chapter. Few men can boast of having made three trips around the world before reaching the age of twenty-one. but Mr. Chamberlain visited many points prior to the time he attained his majority, and in the waters of the At- lantie and Pacific hunted whales, with its excitement and dangers. He is also famil- iar with the mining conditions of Califor- nia in the early days, and several times has he been in shipwrecks when death seemed to stare hini in the face. However, he has lived to the age of sixty-two years, an hon- ored and respected citizen of Bellefon- taine, whose work in the industrial inter- ests of this locality has been of an impor- tant character. He is widely known for his sterling worth, and in business circles he sustains a reputation which would be a credit to any man. It is with pleasure that we present to our readers the record of his career.
BENJAMIN ELLIOTT.
Benjamin Elliott was for many years prominently identified with the business interests of Logan county, but is now liv- ing retired in West Liberty, in the enjoy- ment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. Ile is a self-made
Mr. Elliott is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred near Coatesville. in Chester county, February 4. 1825. his parents being John and Mary (Brogan) Elliott. At the usual age he entered the common schools and when he had gained some familiarity with the branches of learning usually taught in such institutions he went to live with a man named George Hoopes, with whom he remained until six- teen years of age, when he began learning the carpenter's trade. continuing to follow that occupation in Pennsylvania until he attained his majority. Coming to Ohio. he worked for an uncle who was a carpen- ter at Mingo Valley. Champaign county, and remained there two years. In 1848 he went south and spent two years work- ing' at his trade in Mississippi and Texas. and on his return to Ohio again took up his residence in Mingo Valley, where he made his home until coming to West Lib- erty in the fall of 1859. Here he engaged in contracting and building for some years and put up a number of the better carly business blocks and residences of this sec- tion.
In 1868 Mr. Elliott became connected with mercantile interests, forming a part- nership with Enos Baldwin in the grocery and hardware business. This relation was maintained between them with mutual pleasure and profit for twenty years, at
722
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the end of which time the partnership was severed by the death of Mr. Baldwin. who was succeeded by Mr. Elliott's son. Wil- lis, who was his father's partner for eleven years, the firm being known as Elliott & Son. Willis Elliott then sold out to his brother-in-law. J. L. Mast, who was in partnership with our subject for four years, after which Mr. Elliott disposed of his interest to M. S. Yoder and after set- tling up the books. retired permanently from mercantile life. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers' Banking Com- pany, was one of its first directors and has continued as such ever since. He was also one of the pioneer members of the early building and loan association. Besides his town property he owns three farms in the vicinity of West Liberty, but has never given his attention to farming.
On the 27th of May. 1852. at New Hampshire, Ohio. Mr. Elliott was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Wierman. who was born in Adams county. Pennsyl- vania. December 31. 1831, a daughter of John and Jane ( Morehead) Wierman, who removed to Champaign county, Ohio. when she was about four years old. Unto our subject and his wife were born eight children, of whom two. Jennie and How- ard, are deceased. Those living are : Ade- laide F .; Willis L .. who married Minnie Anstine, and resides in West Liberty ; Eva R .. the wife of J. L. Mast. of West Lib- erty, by whom she has three children, Bes- sie, Truman and Joseph: Nellie N .: Mand G .. the wife of Dr. G. B. Hale. of Bellefon- taine, by whom she has one daughter. Jo- sephine ; and Benjamin F. The mother of these children was called to her final rest February 15. 1895, and her death was deeply deplored by her many friends.
At the time of Mr. Baldwin's death Mr. Elliott was appointed to succeed him as township treasurer, and since that time he has been continuously re-elected to the same office. He is also interested in edu- cational matters, having for twenty years served as school director, though he has never been an office-seeker. His political support is given the Republican party, and during the Civil war he went with the Squirrel Hunters to Cincinnati at the time of Morgan's raid, returning to his home after all danger was passed. For many years Mr. Elliott has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belonged, and he has held various offices in the same. He is one of the most prominent and highly respected citizens of West Liberty, has a wide ac- quaintance throughout the county, and wherever he has gone he has won the con- fidence and regard of those with whom he has been brought in contact. His well directed business affairs have brought to him a good financial return and he is now resting in the enjoyments of the fruits of his former toil.
SAMUEL MILLER.
Samuel Miller, deceased, spent his en- tire life in Logan county and was regarded as one of the most highly respected and honored citizens of his community. He was born December 1. 1840. on the farm in Harrison township, where his widow now lives, five miles southwest of Belle- fontaine, and was a son of Jacob B. and Catharine ( Neer) Miller. His father was also a native of Ohio, born in Clermont
723
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
county. October 7, 1804. and on the 3Ist of August. 1828, married Catharine Neer. who was born in Rockingham county. Vir- ginia. August 25. 1835. and died June 16, 1872. Unto them were born the follow- ing children: Anna. born in Clark county. August 24. 1829: Stephen, born in the same county, Angust 14. 1831: Mary, born in Logan county, February 14. 1835. and died in childhood ; John N., born October 26. 1838: Samuel, of this review : Noah, who was born September 28. 1844. and is still living in Logan county: and Daniel, who was born February 3. 1847. and died in infancy. On coming to Logan county the father purchased over two hundred and twenty-five acres of land, but subsequently sokl fifty acres, retaining the remainder as a homestead, on which he erected a one-story brick house. There he died on the Ist of January, 1885, and was laid to rest by the side of his wife in the Miller cemetery on his farm. He voted the Republican ticket. but never cared for office. and was an active and consistent member of the German Baptist church.
Samuel Miller spent his boyhood upon the home farm, assisting in the labors of the fields and attending the district schools of the neighborhood. but was rather in poor health. . At the age of twenty-one he started out in life for himself. He joined the militia. which was called out during the Civil war, but on reaching Urbana he was sent home on account of physical dis- ability.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.