USA > Ohio > Champaign County > The history of Champaign county, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the Northwest territory etc > Part 102
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JOHN T. ADAMS, farmer; P. O. Urbana; was born in this county Feb. 29, 1832. Is a son of Thomas and Mary (Long) Adams-he probably a native of Virginia and she of Kentucky-becoming citizens of Ohio when very young and residents of this county at a very day, being numbered among its early settlers. After his marriage, he lived a few years in this county, then went to Allen Co., where he lived till his death. He was killed in the fall of 1836 by a falling tree, while he, with several others, were cutting out a new road through a piece of timber land. His wife died in January, 1873. They were the parents of five children ; two now survive-John T. and James. Our subject being only about 4 or 5 years of age when his father died, the mother had the care of her children, whom she raised till John was 15 years of age, when she married Benjamin P. Gaines, of Clark Co., Ohio. Our subject then lived with his step-father until 22 years of age. In 1855, he went to Allen Co. Was married March 2, 1867, to Miss Violetta, daughter of Joseph and Celia Russell, he a native of Virginia and she of this county. As the issue they have one child-Charles. Mr. Adams resided in Allen Co. until 1874, then returned to Champaign Co., where he has since resided. He has always followed farming as an occupation, and is now located on the William Long, Sr., farm, on Sec 2. Politically, Mr. Adams is a Republican.
JAMES BLACK, farmer ; P. O. West Liberty ; born Feb. 8, 1798; a native of Kentucky ; is a son of Alexander and Jane (Crocket) Black, natives of Virginia. He emigrated to Kentucky in a very early day; was one of the pioneers of that State, and took quite a part in the defense of the settlers against the hostile Indians, who were at that time very troublesome. He married in Kentucky ; in 1809, removed to Ohio, and located in Salem Township, Champaign Co., where he arrived May 12. The settlers were " few and far between," and with difficulty they obtained help enough to raise their log cabins; but, by the assistance of friendly Indians, they succeeded. He was with Gen. Wayne in his march against the Indians, and, in the battle of the Maumee, fought Aug. 20, 1794, he was wounded. A treaty of peace was finally concluded in 1796. He was also in the war of 1812, and held a commission as Captain. He expe- rienced the many trials and hardships of pioneer life, and bore his share in the conflicts with the Indians and in the war of 1812. After peace was declared, he once more en- tered upon the work upon his farm, and here remained in peace the balance of his life. He died in June, 1854, nearly 90 years of age. His wife, who died in August, 1849, was 80 years of age. They had eight children, all now deceased but our subject, who was the third child of his father's family. He was married, March 6, 1832, to Miss Caroline, daughter of John and Susan (Douglass) Culbertson, natives of Pennsylvania. They have had eight children; six now survive-Lucy A., Alexander C., Caroline, John R., Elizabeth and James W. Mr. Black has always followed farming, and since his marriage has never resided outside of Salem Township, but has always lived within two miles of the old home place, and has been a resident of his present place twenty- four years. He has never held nor sought office, but is a quiet, unassuming man, at- tending closely to his business; a kind husband and father, a good neighbor and gener- ally respected by. all who know him.
STEPHEN F. CONREY, retired minister; P. O. King's Creek; born in Butler Co., Ohio, Aug. 28, 1815; son of Jonathan and Mary (Ford) Conrey, he a native of New York, and she of Maryland, the ancestry being from Ireland. Jonathan became a resident of Kentucky about 1798, and of Ohio about 1809, where he lived and died. He was first married in Kentucky Oct. 6, 1789, to Nancy Downing, by whom he had nine children, all now deceased; his wife died Jan. 16, 1809. He was married to his sec- ond wife, Mrs. Mary Parish, May 4, 1809; they had seven children, three now living -Stephen F., Mary and Jacob. The father died Oct. 16, 1841; the mother died
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Aug. 28, 1851. Our subject was raised to farm labor ; received a good common-school education, with some additional advantages of the academy. Became a member of the Methodist Church at 18 years of age. Feeling a call to the ministry, he commenced to preach at 20 years of age, and has been faithfully engaged in ministerial duties for forty-one years, in various parts of the State. During this long ministerial work, he has been permitted to extend the hand of fellowship to hundreds of converted souls, and bid them Godspeed in their journey heavenward. He has had a long and faith- ful life, and has worn out his physical strength in behalf of the Church and the salva- tion of souls. His health failing, he was made a Superannuate in 1877. In speaking of the proceedings of the Conference after the above action, the Christian Advocate contained the following touching his great life-work : " At the Saturday morning ses- sion, Stephen F. Conrey, after a successful and beloved ministry of forty-one years, was placed on the list of Superannuates. The blessings and prayers of thousands will accom- pany him." In 1877, he bought the farm upon which he now lives, and located upon the same in 1878, where he now lives, retired from active labor, his farm being carried on by his son. He has 70 acres of excellent land, good buildings and improvements, constituting a pleasant home and residence. Mr. Conrey was married, May 22, 1839, to Miss Margaret, daughter of Jacob and Mary Hunsaker, natives of Pennsylvania. They had two children, one now surviving-Wilbur F.
AMOS N. COUCHMAN, farmer and tile-manufacturer, Urbana ; a native of this county, born Feb. 26, 1843; is a son of Michael and Elizabeth (Neer) Couchman, natives of Virginia, who were early settlers of this county, locating first on the Dugan Prairie, thence about two miles south of West Liberty, where he lived some eight or ten years ; thence removed into Harrison Township, where he resided till his death, in the spring of 1863. His wife still lives on the home place. They had seven children- Jacob, Amos N., Amanda, James, Nancy, Lewis and Emma. Mr. Couchman was twice married ; by his first wife he had five children-Mary, Henry, Rebecca, Sarah and Rachel. His last wife, Elizabeth, was first married to Mr. Demory, by whom she had four children-John, Sarah, Susan and Matilda (deceased). Mr. Couchman followed farming as the main business of his life, and was a very active Christian worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church ; a class leader and a leading man in the church. He was one who had the confidence of the community, and a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Our subject remained with his father till his death. He was married April 18, 1870, to Miss Fidelia, daughter of William and Anna (Lewis) Rose. They had four children-Wilbur (deceased), Vernon, Clyde and Emma. Mr. Couchman located in Harrison Township, and followed farming till May, 1876, when he located at his present place of residence. He has a good farm, but is giving his main attention to the manufacture of tile. He has the only steam-power crusher for preparing the clay, in the county, which performs the work much more thoroughly and rapidly, and without doubt, makes better tile than can be made by horse-power, and we have no doubt that he will take the lead in this branch of business in the county. Mr. Couchman and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is occupying the same positions in the church which his father filled so long and faithfully.
SAMUEL COWGILL, farmer ; P. O. King's Creek ; born in this county July 31, 1831 ; is a son of Henry and Anna Cowgill. Our subject lived at home with his parents till April 5, 1860, when he was united in marriage with Miss Carrie E., daugh- ter of Joshua and Eliza Buffington, natives of Pennsylvania, but who became quite early settlers of Champaign Co. His wife died June 2, 1863. He was again married April 6, 1865, to Mary E., daughter of Haines and Ann Linville. They had one child, dying in infancy. Mr. Cowgill after his first marriage, emigrated West, and located in Kan- sas, where he lived some four years, but, on account of the ill health of his wife, returned to Ohio in the fall of 1862. After his second marriage he located upon the farm where he now lives and has since resided. The farm consists of 200 acres of land, mostly in cultivation and pasturage, with good improvements. He also owns 500 acres of land in
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Kansas, and has always followed agricultural pursuits, giving considerable attention to raising and dealing in stock. Politically, Mr. Cowgill is a Republican, though not a seeker of office, yet the people have placed their confidence in him, and he has held some offices of the township ; is at present Township Trustee, serving on his fourth year. He and family belong to the Society of Friends, to whose faith he has been warmly attached.
THOMAS A. COWGILL, farmer ; P. O. Kennard; was born on the farm where he now resides July 21, 1840, and is a son of Henry and Anna (Marmon) Cowgill. He is a native of Ohio and she of North Carolina. The paternal grandfather, Thomas, was a native of Virginia, and emigrated to the then Northwest Territory and located in what is now Ohio about 1800. He became a resident of Champaign Co. in 1817. The maternal grandfather, Martin Marmon, became an early settler of Logan Co., taking an active part in the organization of that county, and for many years in its civil adminis- tration. Henry Cowgill followed agricultural pursuits during his life, and was among the most prominent and successful farmers of this county, acquiring a large amount of real estate and a good competency of this world's goods. He was not a man who sought or desired office, preferring a quiet farmer's life and the enjoyment of his home and family. He, however, served in some of the minor offices of his neighborhood and township; was Township Treasurer some thirty-three years. He was the father of nine children-Angeline, Eliza, Electa, Sarah, Samuel, Susan, Martha, Thomas A. and Cyn- thia. He died Sept. 12, 1869. His wife is still living with our subject on the old home place, aged 75 years, enjoying good health physically and mentally, and has been a continued resident here for fifty-four years. Our subject lived with his father and engaged in agricultural pursuits until his manhood, enjoying merely the ad- vantages of a common-school education. Under the manual labor upon the farm, he grew up to maturity, physically and intellectually strong, and possessing a natural strength of mind and great force and energy of character. Notwithstanding the limited advantages for acquiring an education, he became a more than ordinarily accomplished gentleman, and is really " a self-made man." In early manhood, the war period dawned upon our country, and he, catching the martial spirit, enlisted with many of his com- panions in the defense of his country, and was made Captain of Co. E, 95th O. V. I., with which he served in the Army of the Mississippi, participating in many of the san- guinary encounters in which that corps was engaged with the enemy. Being mustered out of the service upon the restoration of peace, he returned to his home and the quiet pursuits of his farm, engaging extensively in stock-raising, to which he has given his main attention to the present time. Mr. Cowgill has given some attention to the study of law, but has never been admitted to the bar, his other employments being enough to render his life an active and busy one. He has filled many minor offices of the township, and was elected as a Republican to the House of Representatives in 1875, serving with credit to himself in the 62d General Assembly. He was Chairman of the Com- mittee on Agriculture. His acquaintance with the practical part of that science rendered him the right man in the right place. He was re-elected to the General Assem- bly in 1877, and again in 1879, being the first person ever elected to represent the county for three consecutive terms. He was chosen Speaker of the House of Repre- sentatives at the organization of the General Assembly Jan. 4, 1880, which position he now holds. Mr. Cowgill is possessed of a well-proportioned, manly frame, and has a commanding appearance ; is a social gentleman, easy of approach, and possessing great ease and affableness of manner. He has formed, during his residence at the capital, friendships that will endure for life.
JACOB DAELHOUSEN, farmer ; P. O. Urbana ; was born in Pennsylvania, Nov. 11, 1825; is a son of Daniel and Barbara (North) Daelhousen, natives of Penn- sylvania. The grandfather, Henry D., was a native of Germany, emigrating to this country shortly after the Revolutionary war, during Adams' administration. The grand- mother, Catharine, was a native of Pennsylvania. Daniel was born, lived and died
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upon the old homestead farm in Pennsylvania; he died Feb. 4, 1880 ; his wife died some five or six years previous to his death. They were parents of eleven children ; eight now survive-Jacob, Andrew, David, Elizabeth, William, Sarah, Daniel and John Allen. Our subject remained at home until his majority ; he then worked on various farms for wages, for several years, and was married May 18, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and Catharine Weaver, natives of Pennsylvania. They were parents of seven children, five now living-Rosanna, Elizabeth, Margaret, Catharine and Samuel H. Mr. Daelhousen and wife have had three children, two now living-John Warren and Laura Belle. Mr. Daelhousen left Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio, locating in Clark Co. in 1847. He has always followed the honorable occupation of farming, and has lived since the above date in Clark and Champaign Cos. He bought and located upon his present farm in 1872, where he has since resided. He owns 93 acres of good land, mostly in cultivation, with good buildings and improvements, making a very pleasant home and residence, situated about three and one-half miles from Urbana. He has, by his own labor and industry, made a success of life, and is now possessed of a good property and home, with all necessary comforts and conveniences. He and wife are members of the German Reformed Church.
MARTIN M. DICKINSON, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O.Urbana ; born in Logan Co., Ohio, Feb. 20, 1820 ; is a son of Thomas and Maria (Lowe) Dickinson ; he is a native of Pennsylvania, and she of Virginia. They emigrated from Virginia, and located in Logan Co., in 1812, where they resided till their death. She died in October, 1870, and he in May, 1879. They were the parents of fourteen childron ; ten now survive-Eliza, Robert, Nelson, Margaret, Hannah, Martin, Duncan M., Joshua, Lewis and Samuel. As early pioneers of that county, they experienced the hardships of those days; he was engaged in the war of 1812, and drew a pension. About two or three years after locating, his log cabin was burnt, with everything they possessed, which in that day was a great calamity. To replace his household goods, he journeyed to Virginia and obtained a feather-bed and other goods, which he brought through on horseback, and then started anew in life again. These troubles "tried their souls;" but, being a man of energy and industry, he made progress and became possessed of a good home and a large estate before his death. Our subject, at 16 years of age, went to Zanesfield and learned the blacksmith trade, which business he followed with success for twenty years, accum- ulating several thousand dollars. Then he turned his attention to farming and stock- raising, following this business in Logan Co. about seven years, finally locating in Champaign Co., where he has continued the same business. In business Mr. Dickinson has been very successful, and now owns seven to eight hundred acres of land. He has built a fine residence on his farm on Sec. 8, in Salem Township, where he has fine im- provements and a beautiful home ; has never held or sought office, but has given his attention strictly to business; being a man of energy and quick perceptions, he has been successful and accumulated a large competency. He was united in marriage Nov. 6, 1842, to Miss Margaret, daughter of Robert and Mary Rea, natives of Virginia. They have six children, five living-Semantha, Louisa, Adelia, Rea and Cora.
JAMES DUNCAN, farmer ; P. O. Urbana ; born in Scotland, in February, 1818. Is a son of James and Elsbet Duncan, who lived and died in Scotland. They were par- ents of ten children, four now living-John, James, Ebenezer and Elsbet. Mr. Dun- can emigrated to America in 1854, and located in Champaign Co., where he has since resided, and always followed farming as an occupation. He has cultivated several·dif- ferent farms in the county, and is now living upon the farm of John Gordon, where he has resided for eight years. He was married in Scotland, Dec. 1, 1843, to Isabel, daughter of Alexander and Margaret (Lumsden) Stewart, natives of Scotland. She was born Sept. 1, 1818. Her mother, Margaret Lumsden, then 75 years of age, came across the ocean with them to this country and lived here ten years, dying at the ripe old age of 85 years. Mr. Duncan and wife have had nine children, all living, six born in Scotland-Janet, Charles, James, John, Alexandrina and Alexander ; three born in
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this county-Margaret Elsbet, Isabel Jane and David Ebenezer. Mr. Duncan, after his marriage, lived in Scotland about eleven years, then came to America, and located in this county. He worked by the month for James A. McLain, with whom he con- tinued ten years ; then he rented a farm, and has since continued on rented farms to this date. Mr. Duncan has never held nor sought office, but has devoted himself exclu- sively to farm labor, and the raising and educating of his interesting family of children, all of whom have lived to grow to maturity and can now be a great help and blessing to their parents in their old age. Mr. Duncan and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, having been such for forty-six years. They have also had the pleasure to see all their children become members of the same church.
JOSEPH K. FUNK, farmer; P. O. Urbana; was born in Pennsylvania Jan. 22, 1815. Is a son of Daniel and Frances (Kenaga) Funk, natives of Pennsylvania ; also the grandparents were natives of the same State. Daniel and wife became resi- dents of Ohio, locating in Salem Township, this county, about 1837, where they resided on their farm until 1875, then retired from the farm and located in Urbana, where they spent the remainder of their lives. He died April 14, 1879 ; his wife died April 21, 1857. After the death of his wife, he was married again to Mrs. Harriet Reed ; she is still living and resides in Urbana. As the issue of his first marriage they had three children ; two now survive-Elizabeth Ann (now Mrs. Byers) and Joseph K. Our subject was raised on the farm, remaining with his father until of age. He was married Dec. 1, 1840, to Miss Maria, daughter of Nathaniel and Mary Hunter, of Virginia. They had eight children, four now living-Mary Frances, Em- ma Annette, Charles E. and Effie May. Mr. Funk, after his marriage, located upon the farm where he now lives, and has here made a continued residence of forty- four years. He has a fine farm of 280 acres, with good buildings and improvements, and everything in order, constituting a pleasant home and residence. His wife died March 13, 1874. Mr. Funk is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; politi- cally, he is a Republican.
JACOB S. FUNK, farmer ; P. O. West Liberty, Logan Co. Born Feb. 1, 1815; is a native of Maryland; son of Joel and Elizabeth (Kanaga) Funk; he is a native of York Co., Penn., and she of Lancaster County. They became residents of Champaign Co., Salem Township, in 1829, and always remained here and followed the occupation of a farmer till his death, which occurred Jan. 5, 1864; his wife died March 22, 1877. Of eight children, four now survive-Jacob S., Emily A., Caroline E. and Aaron B. Mr. Funk was born June 16, 1790, hence at his death was about 74 years of age. He was raised under pious parents of the Dunkard persuasion, and, although somewhat wild in his youth, and a lover of fun, yet he was kind and thoughtful in his nature, and, under the careful teaching of his parents, early became religiously inclined. In 1811, he joined the M. E. Church, in which he continued a most ardent worker during his entire life, filling the most important positions in the church, being a very earnest and successful class-leader, and an energetic Sabbath-school worker; in his death the people lost a faithful and kind neighbor, and the church one of its most devoted and earnest workers. His wife was a true helpmeet and companion through life, and a most devoted Christian woman, having joined the church at the early age of 13 years ; hence at her death had been a Christian worker for threescore and ten years. Such was the work and Christian example of these faithful pioneers. Our subject was mar- ried, June 13, 1844, to Miss Sarah G., daughter of James and Martha (Turner) Long, he a native of Kentucky, and she of Pennsylvania, her grandfather, Jonathan Long, being one of the early settlers, whose history will enter largely into the history of this county. Mr. Funk and wife, by their union, have had five children-Leander W. (an attorney, now in the Treasury Department at Washington, where he has been for four- teen years), Theodore K. (a graduate of Delaware in a classical course, and now prac- ticing law in Portsmouth, Ohio), Rovilla A. (also educated in a scientific course at Del- aware), Eugene T. (a graduate of Commercial College at Cincinnati), and James L. (a
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graduate of the high school at Urbana). Mr. Funk has followed agricultural pursuits through his life; has been a very successful farmer, and an earnest Christian man in the M. E. Church, following the footsteps of his honored and faithful father. The work he has done for his children is a noble one, giving them all a thorough education to prepare them well for honorable and useful positions in life, and thus far they have taken high positions and are doing well. Politically, Mr. Funk is an earnest and stanch Republican, and usually a delegate to most of their conventions.
JOHN R. GARARD, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Urbana ; born in Virginia Feb. 19, 1824 ; is a son of John and Elizabeth (Robinson) Garard, natives of Virginia. The grandfather and two or three generations of their ancestors are all natives of Vir- ginia, the ancestors being very early settlers of that State, their line of descent being from France. The father lived and died in Virginia, but the wife, after his death, came to this county and resided with her daughter, where she died April 8, 1877. They were parents of eight children; six now survive-Thomas, John R., Ruth E., Sim- mons, Sarah E. and Susan Jane. Our subject left Virginia and located in Greene Co. in the fall of 1845; then in the spring of 1846 removed to this county and resided till 1854. He went to Wisconsin and lived there two and a half years, then returned to Champaign Co. and located near Kennard, residing there till April, 1864. He bought and located, where he now lives, sixteen years ago. Has 250 acres of excellent land, all under fine cultivation, with good buildings and improvements, con- stituting a very beautiful home and residence. He was married, June 15, 1848, to Miss Mary Jane, daughter of John and Rebecca Osborn, natives of Kentucky. They have nine children, all living-Rebecca, Mattie, Adeline, Irvin, Ora, Sarah Elizabeth, Sidney, Fannie and Frank (twins). In 1845, when Mr. Garard came to this county, he was possessed of a horse, saddle and bridle, and a suit of clothes. Now he is worth many thousand dollars, all made and accumulated by his own labor, industry and good management. He has the entire confidence of the community in which he lives; has held the office of Township Trustee for several years, and has been asked to run for many of the offices of his township and county, but refuses, preferring to quietly attend to his own business and enjoy the pleasures of his home and family. His life is an example of unselfishness, uprightness and prosperity.
BENJAMIN W. GEHMAN, farmer and minister ; P. O. King's Creek. Among the prominent farmers and citizens of Salem Township, we here record the name of Benjamin W. Gehman, who was born in Berks Co., Penn., Jan. 9, 1820 ; is a son of Benjamin and Magdaline (Weaver) Gehman, natives of Lancaster Co., Penn. The grandfather, Benjamin Gehman, was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1741, and, when about 9 years of age, or in 1750, came to America, locating in Lancaster Co., Penn., where he resided till his death. Benjamin, the father of our subject, was raised to farm labor, remaining with his father till he grew to maturity ; in 1809, was married to Magdaline Weaver, and, in 1813, located in Berks Co., having bought a farm which, in its geographical position, lay in three counties-Lancaster, Chester and Berks-the residence being in the latter county. The house was built in 1774, and occupied as a kind of block-house and fortification during the wars and Indian troubles. The stone walls were three feet thick ; very small windows, and doors made of two thicknesses of inch oak plank, and barred and bolted together in such manner as to constitute them almost impregnable from without; and in this house our subject was born and passed his childhood days, till about 14 years of age, when his father sold the homestead part of the farm, reserving that portion located in Lancaster Co., where he erected buildings and spent the remainder of his life, in the quiet enjoyment of the comforts and con- veniences which his own labor and industry had acquired ; and, in honor to him, we may add, that when he bought this farm, which was during the war troubles of 1812, many of his friends and neighbors predicted he could never pay for it, but his energy, industry and good management were sufficient for the occasion and he went safely through, and his last days were passed in comfort and plenty. They were parents of
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