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 103
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nine children, six daughters and three sons, of whom seven now survive-Frances, now Mrs. Mast, living in Pennsylvania ; Nancy, now Mrs. Mast, of Iowa ; Magdaline, now Mrs. Zook, of Olney, Ill .; Catharine, now Mrs. Frescoln, of McLean Co., Ill .; Isaac, unmarried ; Benjamin W., and Joseph, who is married, and residing in Indiana ; two daughters deceased-Elizabeth, who married William Walton, had a large family, thirteen children, eleven now living. Mr. Walton died in 1846, and his wife about two years later ; and Mary, who married Josiah F. Kanaga, who lives in Kansas, and who had six children, now living-she died about six years ago. Our subject was raised to farm labor, obtaining but a limited education under the few facilities presented to him in that early day. There being no railroads in that day, transportations were all made by teams, and our subject, before 11 years of age, was employed as a teamster and fol- lowed this business till 18 years of age ; was then presented with a horse by his father. About this time, a call was made from the United States Government for a company to start from Iowa to explore and lay out an overland route to Oregon, and Mr. Gehman concluded to join the company, and started for Iowa, riding the entire distance on horse- back, but after his arrival the matter fell through, for want of a sufficient number of men to make it safe to proceed with the undertaking. Mr. Gehman then traveled through several of the Western States on a tour of observation, making the entire tour of 4,000 miles on horseback, and returned to Pennsylvania to his father, where he re- mained until 22 years of a age.
In August, 1842, was married to Elizabeth Morris and started for the West, the objective point being Iowa, but on arriving in Champaign Co., at Mr. Zook's, his brother-in-law, his wife was taken very sick, and a consultation of physicians was held, and her life nearly despaired of, but she finally recovered. In the meantime, by the influence of his friends, he was induced to purchase and locate upon the place where he now resides. This farm of 200 acres he purchased of Rev. George W. Walker, a noted itinerant of the Methodist Episcopal Church of that day, paying $11 per acre; here Mr. Gehman has resided ever since, a period of thirty-seven years. To this possession he has at various times added, by purchase, till now he owns over 500 acres of some of the best land of Champaign Co. Mr. Gehman has lived a life of great activity, and his in- dustry and labor have been rewarded by an abundant success, and, in all his business rela- tions with the community, he has maintained the strictest integrity, and, probably, none stand in higher esteem or possessing the respect of the entire community than he. Relig- iously, Mr. Gehman's life is full of interest and usefulness. He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church Jan. 18, 1836; was licensed to exhort, in August, 1840, in Morgan- town, Penn .; and licensed as a preacher in 1848, and ordained in 1856, at Ripley, Ohio, by Bishop Ames, since which time he has continued constantly in the work and service of bis master. He has experienced much joy and comfort in his great Christian work ; has been the means of building and organizing two churches-one at Kennard, called " Forbus Chapel," and the "Local Preacher's Chapel," three and a half miles northeast of Urbana-besides great work done in other places. During his ministry, he has had the pleasure to extend the hand of fellowship to over two hundred persons. One re- markable incident in his work worthy of record here, was the conversion of Mrs. Higbee from the Roman Catholic faith to Protestantism. At the funeral of her first-born child, Mr. Gehman preached from the text: "It cannot come to me, but I can go to it." From this day her mind became awakened and she was converted, and has since been a very active and useful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
We will now close the imperfect sketch of Mr. Gehman's eventful and useful life, desiring that he may at the last great day receive his crown, with "many stars of rejoicing." Mr. Gehman and wife have four children-Ella M., Anna M., Benjamin Franklin and William M .; Ella and Franklin now reside in Kansas. Mrs. Gehman died Jan. 31, 1876. She was a woman of more than ordinary intelligence, with great moral and Christian worth. On May 23, 1878, he was married to Helena Brown, a sister of Dr. J. C. Brown, of Urbana. She is a native of Champaign Co., and was born Jan. 1 1836.
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WILLIAM B. GEST, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Mingo; born in Greene Co., Ohio, Oct. 28, 1825 ; is a son of Jeremiah and Pamelia Gest, natives of New Jer- sey, who were early settlers of Ohio, locating in Greene Co. about 1815. He spent his life here, and was engaged in the mercantile trade for many years, and also in the milling bus- iness. In the latter part of his life he retired to his farm near Bellbrook, where he died in March, 1879. His wife is still living at Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Gest was a very promi- nent and active business man ; carried on an extensive trade, and, although in the panic of 1837, he felt the pressure and suffered some from its effects, yet his tact and energy carried him safely through, and he was very successful through life and accumulated a large amount of property. They were parents of seven children, four of whom now survive-Sarah Ann, Mary Jane, William B. and Truman B. Joseph G., a deceased son, was a thoroughly educated man, a lawyer by profession, and became a very promi- nent man in Greene Co., representing that county in the State Legislature for four years. He was one of the originators and organizers of the State Board of Agriculture, and was its Secretary for many years. Our subject became a resident of Champaign Co. in the fall of 1848, locating upon a piece of land adjoining his present farm on the south, residing there nineteen years. Then bought the farm upon which he now resides, built a fine farm residence, and has a beautiful place, with good improvements. The two farms embrace 200 acres of land. He was married, Nov. 9, 1848, to Miss Matilda, daughter of Abner and Matilda Park, natives of New Jersey. They have had five children ; four now survive-Sarah Augusta, Laura Florence, Truman B. and Isabel. Mr. Gest has never held or sought office, preferring a business life ; he has, in former years, dealt extensively in grain, but is now giving his maia attention to farming and raising and dealing in stock.
JOHN GORDON, capitalist, Urbana ; born in Ireland Nov. 1, 1798 ; is a son of John and Jane (Hall) Gordon, natives of County Tyrone, Ireland. They were parents of seven children, two of whom survive-John and Lillie, now Mrs. John Campbell, of County Tyrone, Ireland. Mr. Gordon emigrated to America in 1819, then 21 years of age, and located in Chester Co., Penn., where he was married, March 16, 1826, to Sarah, daughter of Nathaniel McCaughey. Mr. Gordon was a cotton manufacturer by trade, and followed that business in Chester Co. several years; then entered upon the mercantile trade at Churchtown, Lancaster Co., which he followed twenty-three years ; he lived in Chester Co. for three years, then sold out and located in Champaign Co., Ohio, on the farm where he has since resided. When Mr. Gordon came to America he was a poor man. By diligent work at his trade, he acquired means enough to com- mence in his mercantile career. In this business he accumulated money rapidly, being a shrewd buyer, and, by watching his opportunities, he was able to buy goods low and sell at a great profit. During the many years he was in trade, he amassed quite a fortune. At this time there came into circulation " shin-plaster " money of uncertain value, and Mr. Gordon very wisely concluded to sell out and quit business, which he did ; and, in 1847, came West and bought the farm where he now lives. He has 240 acres of land, 200 acres of which are in cultivation, with good improvements, being one of the best farms in Salem Township, and a beautiful home and residence. His wife died June 2, 1854. On Nov. 13, 1855, he married Mrs. Margaret Jane Withrow, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Park) McClellan. We have here the history of one whose life has been one of very remarkable success and prosperity, and is a striking example of what can be accomplished by industry and a thorough devotion to business, with shrewd, good management.
PHILIP W. GUNCKEL, farmer ; P. O. Urbana ; was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, May 20, 1828 ; is a son of Philip and Mary E. (Locke) Gunckel, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Maryland, the ancestry being originally from Germany. Philip was born in Lebanon Co., Penn., and emigrated to Ohio with his father, the late Judge Philip Gunckel, in 1804, locating in Germantown, Montgomery Co., then a small set- tlement. Judge Gunckel built a mill on Twin Creek, and established a store in the
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village, the mercantile trade being carried on under the firm name of Philip Gunckel & Son. Philip remained in the store as clerk for several years. In 1812, he entered the United States service, enlisting in the company of his brother, Capt. Michael Gunckel; he was chosen Orderly Sergeant, and the company was ordered to Ft. Greenville, and, although not brought into active service against the Indians, yet they saw some rough service on the frontier. After his term of service expired, he resumed his place in the store, where he continued till he started in business for himself. He was married in 1819; issue, thirteen children, nine now survive-William F., Mary Ann, Catharine, Philip W., Elizabeth, Jane, Ella, Charles and Louisa. The mother died March 25, 1876, in the 75th year of her age; the father died some four or five years previous. He was noted for his genial nature and his hospitality. In early days, his house was a welcome home for Methodist preachers, he and wife being members of that denomination. Our subject, at 17 years of age, left home to learn the cabinet- making business, which he followed about five years; then followed the photograph- ing business three years. Was married, Oct. 6, 1853, to Mary Ann, daughter of Dr. Caleb H. and Mary Ann Jones, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Kentucky ; issue, eight children, of whom five now survive-Frank C., Harry W., Addie M., Ida Jane and Pearl L. Mr. Gunckel, after his marriage, followed the mercantile trade in Middleton, Butler Co., Ohio, for six years, doing a very prosperous business ; but, on account of failing health, he sold out, and bought and located upon the place where he now resides, where he has engaged in the more healthy business of farming pursuits. He has 90 acres of fine land, in good cultivation, with excellent buildings and improve- ments, and is beautifully located on an elevation, where he has a fine view of the sur- rounding country. His farm is located two and one-half miles northeast of Urbana. Mr. Gunckel is a champion of free trade and sailors' rights, and, politically, has been claimed by both parties. But, however he may vote from time to time, he claims the privilege to talk and write upon every political question independently, and is often found giving some of the principles of each party the " go by," aiming to brush away the cobwebs of fiction wherever he finds them. Mr. Gunckel, though in early life en- gaged in mercantile trade, has been a practical farmer for twenty years, and, while practical, he is also theoretical, having studied and become conversant with it as a science, for to rightly understand farming requires scientific knowledge. Mr. Gunckel, possessing largely of this knowledge, has tried to impart it to the agricultural commu- nity through the avenues of the various agricultural socities and through his contribu- tions to agricultural and county papers, he having been a regular and extensive con- tributor to such papers for many years. He was a member of the Champaign County Agricultural Society two years, and was a delegate from this county to the S. W. Agri- cultural Society, held first at London, Madison Co., and next at Urbana. Mr. Gunckel is a very sociable gentleman, of pleasing address and manners, an agreeable neighbor and a good citizen.
WILLIAM HALLER, farmer; P. O. King's Creek; was born in Mason Co., Ky., Aug. 5, 1801 ; is a son of John and Mary (Allen) Haller-he a native of Penn- sylvania and she of Virginia ; they removed to Kentucky when quite young, and there became acquainted and married; they had six children, our subject being the only sur- viving child ; the mother died in Kentucky Jan. 10, 1810. In October, 1812, the father, with his children, removed to Champaign Co., and, locating in Urbana ; followed his trade-that of a blacksmith-till March, 1814, when he located upon a farm in Mad River Township. In the same year, he was married to Mrs. Mary Weaver, daugh- ter of Archibald Mckinley, a native of Kentucky, by whom he had seven children, five supposed to be living-Julian, Mary, Lucinda, Milton and Raper. Mr. Haller carried on blacksmithing in connection with farming during his life ; he died in the summer of 1836, aged 64 years. Our subject was brought up to the same trade as his father, and was married, March 31, 1825, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Ken- ton) Arrowsmith, he a native of Maryland, and she of Virginia, and a niece of Simon Kenton, of pioneer fame; by this union they had three children, two now living-John
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and Benjamin ; Mrs. Haller died Aug. 3, 1835. Mr. Haller married, for his second wife, June 15, 1836, Jane Arrowsmith, a sister of his first wife; they had two children -Sarah Ann and Lavinia ; his second wife died Aug. 24, 1851. His third wife, Myr- tilla W., daughter of Aquilla and Susanna Bishop, he married Jan. 18, 1855; they had one child-William A. Mr. Haller resided in Mad River Township till 1851, then bought 200 acres of land in Urbana Township and lived there eleven years, and finally removed to Salem Township, his present locality. Mr. Haller's life has been one of labor, industry and usefulness, and has been crowned with success; he acquired a good competency; has given his children a good start in life, and has an ample sufficiency left for himself. He has been a free supporter of schools and churches, and an active Christian man, having been, for some sixty years, a local preacher in the M. E. Church; he was converted at the age of 9 years, before leaving Kentucky, and, after his emigra- tion to Ohio, at the age of 13 years, he joined the M. E. Church, under the labors of Rev. Robert W. Finley ; at 19 years of age, he was licensed as an exhorter, and, three years later, as a minister. He is now 79 years of age, enjoying good health, and with- out an ache or pain in his body ; his remarkable health he claims to be due to his care- ful and temperate habits, having never allowed himself to get wet by exposure to rain ; has never used intoxicating liquors or tobacco in any form, and never uttered an oath in his life. His record is one of remarkably exemplary habits, and is a worthy example to all future generations, and we feel that its record here will be of value long after he has passed from works to rewards.
ABRAHAM HERR, farmer ; P. O. Urbana; was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., Sept. 21, 1830; is a son of Abraham and Fanny (Rush) Herr, natives of Pennsylva- nia; they removed to Ohio in April, 1840, locating in Clark Co., and, in the fall of the same year, he bought and located upon the farm adjoining the one where our subject resides; here they lived and died; he died in February, 1863; his wife died in Sep- tember, 1877 ; they had seven children grow up to maturity-Jacob, Abraham, Fanny, David, Elizabeth, Barbara and Benjamin ; the latter is now deceased, dying with typhoid fever in the army, on Black River, Mississippi. Mr. Herr was a plain, quiet farmer, never holding or seeking office, but diligent and industrious, attending strictly to his own affairs, a good neighbor, and honored and respected by all who knew him. Our subject, brought up at home to farm labor, was married, March 18, 1852, to Nancy Maria, daughter of Harvey Bates; they had seven children, four now living-Nancy Jane, Charles E., Alma B. and Emma G. Mr. Herr located about four miles north of his present location, on a farm of his father's; he lived there four years, and then on another rented farm, near Lippincott's Station, where he stayed four years ; he then bought and located upon his present excellent farm, owning, in all, 315 acres of land, the home place embracing 156 acres, with good buildings and improvements-consti- tuting a beautiful home and farmer's residence. Mr. Herr has held the office of Town- ship Trustee more than twenty years ; is a popular man in his township, and, like his father before him, is highly respected. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, having been such since 1853.
MARK HIGBEE, farmer; P. O. Urbana; born in New Jersey Sept. 28, 1828; is a son of William and Hannah (Horn) Higbee, also natives of New Jersey. They be- came residents of this county about 1848, where he lived till his death. He died Aug. 8, 1877, aged 82 years. His wife is still living on the home place, aged 78 years. They were parents of twelve children. Nine now survive-John, Sarah Ann, Samuel, Mark, James, David, Hannahrett, Mary Elizabeth and Charles Henry. Our subject remained with his father till his marriage, March 7, 1852, to Miss Mary Ann, daughter of David and Nora (Dwyer) Coleman, natives of Western Europe. By this marriage, they have had seven children. Five now survive-Nora, John W., Edmund E., Welford V. and David Franklin. After their marriage, they located upon the farm where they now live and have since resided. They own 191 acres of land in good cultivation, with fine buildings and improvements, constituting a beautiful home and residence. He and his
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wife are members of the M. E. Church, he having been a member for fifteen years and she for twenty-four years.
JACOB HOOLEY, farmer ; P. O. Kennard; born in Pennsylvania May 30, 1817 ; is a son of David and Catharine (Kaufman) Hooley, natives of Pennsylvania. The grandparents were also of Pennsylvania, but their ancestry were from Germany. David and wife resided in Pennsylvania till their death. They were farmers by occupa- tion, and had seven children. Five now survive-Jacob, Mattie, John, Mary and David K. They were members of the Omish Mennonite Church during life. He died in 1828, aged 37. She died in 1876, aged 86 years. Our subject was only 11 years of age when his father died, and the care of the family devolved upon the mother, who kept the home place and raised her children. Jacob, the eldest son, at 15 years of age, took the principal management of the farm, and so continued till 23 years of age. On Feb. 20, 1840, he was married to Martha, daughter of David and Fanny Kaufman, na- tives of Pennsylvania. They had ten children, six of whom are now living-Levi, David K., Christopher, Samuel, Francis and Jonas. After their marriage, Mr. Hooley remained on the home place with his mother five years. In the spring of 1845, they emigrated to Ohio, locating in Salem Township, Champaign Co. They purchased a farm of 60 acres, which was a part of the Nathaniel Hunter tract of land. This he held three years. Sold it, and bought the Samples farm. This consisted of 147 acres, and, by his own labor and industry, he has, from time to time, added more land by purchase, until he owned 671 acres of land, mostly in good cultivation, with excellent improve- ments. He has been a very industrious man, and, by economy and good management, has prospered and accumulated a competency. Has given his children a good start in life. He has a fine home and residence, and is very comfortably fixed to spend the re- mainder of his days in peace and plenty. They are also members of the Omish Men- nonite Church.
NATHANIEL C. HUNTER, farmer; P. O. West Liberty, Logan Co .; born on the farm, " Forest Home," where he now resides, Nov. 1, 1825 ; is the son of John and Jane P. (Humphrey) Hunter. He is a native of Virginia, and she of Pennsylvania. The grandfather, Nathaniel, was a native of England or the north part of Ireland. The grandmother, Hester Ann (Porter), a native of North Ireland; emigrated to America near the close of the eighteenth century, settling in the State of Virginia. In 1811, they came to Ohio, bringing four sons and four daughters, and located in Madison Co., where they remained till 1814, when they removed to Champaign Co., having previously, or about 1812, bought a large tract of land embracing the same land upon which the grandson, Nathaniel, our subject, now lives. Here they located and spent the remainder of their life ; being among the early pioneers and enduring the many hardships to which they were subject. John, the father of our subject, spent his whole life in this vicinity, and was identified with much of the early history of this settlement, helping build and organize the churches and schools of that early day. He was married in 1822; they had six children, three now survive-Nathaniel C., Washington C. and William H. The latter, during the war, raised a company of men and entered the 12th O. V. C .; was promoted to Major and served through the war. Soon after he went South and en- tered upon the work of raising cotton ; he was very unsuccessful, losing all his property. He was elected Sheriff of the county, then Clerk of Court and Representative to the Legislature, and is now United States Commissioner at Montgomery, Ala. Washington C. is now in Michigan, an extensive fruit-grower. Mr. John Hunter was a man who gave but limited attention to political matters ; was, however, a prominent man among the people, and held many offices of the township with fidelity and trust. He was a great and active worker in the M. E. Church, filling most of the important positions in the church up to the time of his death. He died Feb. 28, 1878; his wife died July 15, 1877. Our subject was married May 17, 1849, to Miss Helen M., daughter of Graham and Hannah (Cochran) Purdy, natives of Vermont. They had three children -John G., Albert L. and William P. Mr. Hunter first located upon the farm where
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he now lives, remaining here about three years ; then went to West Liberty, Logan Co., and entered upon the mercantile business, in which he continued about six years, doing a very successful trade. During this time he was a partner in building the first steam saw-mill and the first foundry ever in West Liberty ; then he returned to his farm, " Forest Home," where he has since resided. He has a beautiful home, well improved, and is a successful farmer ; has several other pieces of land, owning in all 385 acres of land. His wife died April 30, 1880, after a loved companionship of nearly thirty-one years. Mr. Hunter, though a very prominent man and farmer, never desired office, and, though sometimes forced to accept some township offices, yet generally avoids them as much as possible ; but, like his father, he is a very active and prominent man in the M. E. Church, holding all the important positions therein, not for popularity, but from his love for and zeal in the Christian work. He is an earnest Sabbath-school worker, being a prominent pioneer organizer of Sabbath-schools throughout this section. He has also been an active supporter of free schools, and a great worker in promoting edu- cation. We can safely say that when Mr. Hunter's course of life is run, the community and the church will lose an ardent friend, an honored and faithful worker.
CHRISTIAN KAUFMAN, farmer ; P. O. West Liberty, Logan Co .; born in Penn" sylvania Nov. 27, 1821; son of David and Fanny (Yoder) Kaufman, natives of Pennsyl- vania ; the grandparents were also natives of Pennsylvania. David and wife became residents of Champaign Co. in the fall of 1845, locating upon the farm where Christian now lives, and where he has resided ever since, having made a residence of thirty-five years. His wife died June 7, 1861. They had seven children, six now survive- Joseph, Martha, Christian, David, Jonathan and Solomon. Mr. Kaufman, when quite young, became identified with the Omish Mennonite Church, to whose faith and doctrines he has closely adhered all his life, being a substantial member of that denomination, and one of the organizers of their church in Salem Township. He is now 88 years of age, and is yet quite spry and active, enjoying good health. Our subject lived with his father till 22 years of age. He was married Jan. 7, 1844, to Mary, daughter of David and Catha- rine (King) Hooley, natives of Pennsylvania. They had twelve children, ten now sur- vive-Catharine, Fannie, John, Melinda, David, Emma, Lizzie, Levi, Christian and Selina. In March, 1844, after their marriage, they emigrated to Ohio in a two-horse wagon, and located at West Liberty, Logan Co., after a tedious journey of seventeen days. They resided there two years, then bought a farm six miles northwest of West Liberty, where they lived till Feb. 15, 1859, when they located upon the farm where they now live and have since resided. In the home place, he has 76 acres of fine land in good cultivation with excellent improvements. He also owns 20 acres of timber two miles south, and a fine improved farm of 90 acres in Logan Co. Mr. Kaufman and family are members of the same church to which his father belongs, and is, like his father, firm in their faith and doctrines.
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