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 104
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JAMES KENTON, farmer ; P. O. Urbana; born in Champaign Co. Sept. 13, 1818 ; he is a son of William and Sarah (Covington) Kenton. He is a native of Mary- land, and she probably of Kentucky, the paternal ancestry, as far as known, being natives of Maryland. William was left without a father when very young. His mother married again, and they became residents of Ohio, settling in Clark Co. among the early pioneers. He was a distant connection of Simon Kenton, of early pioneer fame, and what little education he obtained was through Simon's help. He spent his life in Clark, Champaign and Logan Cos., the greater portion in the latter county ; there he died near West Liberty in 1840 ; his wife died several year previous, about 1824. They had four children, two now survive-James and Edward. Our subject left his home when only 10 years of age and commenced to seek his own way through life ; he worked by the month here and there, as he could find opportunity ; was for a time at a hotel, attending the stable ; then in a grocery and saloon, where he remained till 15 years of age. He went into a dry goods store as clerk, and remained till about 27 years of age ; his father receiving all his earnings, except enough to clothe him, till 18 years of age, when he-
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bought of his father the balance of his time till his majority, paying his father $80 for the same. Up to this date, he had received very little education ; after this date, he obtained three months' schooling, and then devoted himself to business. At 27 years of age, he entered upon the mercantile trade on his own account in Zanesfield, Logan Co., where he continued till 1858, then located in Urbana and opened trade in partnership with Oliver T. Cundiff, and thus continued till after the close of the war, when the firm was changed to Kenton & Rock. In about two years, Mr. Kenton sold out and came to his present location on the farm where he has resided most of the time since. During this career of business, Mr. Kenton, with no capital to commence with, has worked his own way, and by industry, economy and good management, accumulated a com- petency, and is now well situated to enjoy the balance of his life comfortably. He was married Sept. 25, 1844, to Bridget Jane, daughter of John and Jane (Vance) Taylor. They had five children, two now survive-Joseph T. and Oliver C. Mr. Kenton was Commissioner in Logan Co., and Postmaster in Zanesfield for several years ; has been Township Trustee of this township one term. He is an example of industry and suc- cess, worthy of imitation by all young men. He has never since his marriage passed one day in idleness, but always finds something to do, something to give his attention to, which shall tell for the promotion of some worthy work or object of life. And thus has he won the confidence and respect of all who know him, and made his success in life.
EDWARD F. LEMEN, farmer ; P. O. Urbana; born in this county Nov. 20, 1840; is a son of Thornton and Sarah (Hendricks) Lemen. He is a native of Vir- ginia, and she of Kentucky. The paternal ancestry came from Ireland, and the mater- nal ancestry from Scotland. Thornton Lemen came to this county with his parents when about 6 years of age; was raised and brought up, lived and died, here in this county, being among the early settlers, locating probably about 1812. They had eight children, six now survive-John, Joseph, Caroline, Edward F., Orlando and Cyrus B. Our sub- ject was with his father till 20 years of age; this brought him to the war period of our country, and he enlisted in the 66th O. V. I .; served about sixteen months, and was discharged and returned home, being disabled for military duty, by a wound from an accidental shot. He was married Dec. 31, 1868, to Miss Mary Frances, daughter of Joseph K. and Maria Funk. By this union they have had two children-Bertha May (deceased) and Charles Orlando. Mr. Lemen first located in Harrison Township, where he resided till the spring of 1879, when he came to his present location. He has 21 acres of excellent land, with good buildings and improvements. He was Trustee of Harrison Township four years. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and his wife of the Methodist. Politically, he is a Republican.
WILLIAM C. LONG, farmer ; P. O. Urbana; born Jan. 17, 1834, on the farm where he now resides ; is a son of James and Susannah (Cheney) Long, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Virginia, the grandfather also being a native of Pennsylvania, but removing to Kentucky when his son James was about 1 year old, where they lived about nine years. They went to Champaign Co. about 1805, locating on the northeast quarter of Sec. 2, now owned by John Garard, constituting him one of the early pio- neers of this county. He resided on this farm a few years, then located upon the farm where our subject now lives. He was married Feb. 23, 1826, and had seven children ; five now survive-Martha, Jonathan, William C., Temperance and Eliza. Mr. Long was first married to Martha Turner, by whom he had two children-Sarah and Mary (twins), Mary deceased. His first wife died about 1820. Mr. Long did a large amount of pioneer work in clearing up the farm, erecting buildings and making a home right from the wilderness. He never held or sought office to any extent, but was an energetic, hard-working pioneer farmer. He remained on this farm till his death, which occurred Sept. 17, 1862. His wife is still living with our subject upon the home place, and is now 77 years of age. She and her husband were active Methodists. Our subject has always resided upon the old home place. They have 500 acres of excellent land, of which 225 acres are in cultivation, with good buildings and improvements.
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Mr. Long is Township Trustee, which office he has held for six years. Politically, he is a stanch Republican.
JOHN MAST, retired farmer; P. O. Urbana; born in Pennsylvania Oct. 29, 1793; is a son of Jacob and Barbara (Kenaga) Mast, natives of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather was a native of Switzerland, coming to America when about 10 years of age. He lived and died in Pennsylvania. Jacob and Barbara also lived and died in Pennsylvania, and were parents of seven children; three now survive-John, Isaac and Leah. Our subject, living with his father till his majority, was raised to farm labors, and married, Dec. 4, 1823, to Elizabeth, daughter of Eli and Mary Trego, natives of Pennsylvania. They had nine children; seven now survive-Phineas.P., Miriam, Ann, Elizabeth, Joseph K., John Emery and Ephraim M. After their mar- riage, they resided in Pennsylvania about seven years, then went to Ohio, locating on the farm where he has since resided, having now made a residence here of half a cent- ury. When Mr. Mast came to this county, he had but little capital, but bought a quarter-section of land at $10 per acre, and went in debt to quite an extent for his land, farm implements and stock to begin farming. This was in the days when wheat, by hauling it over the mud roads to Dayton, would bring 33 cents per bushel. It took hard labor and close economy to get along, but he faithfully labored, and brought his land into good cultivation. The country improved, grain and produce brought better prices, and Mr. Mast prospered. He purchased more land, and his wealth increased till he became owner of 320 acres of land as good as can be found. His children grew to maturity, and he has apportioned to them the most of his land, reserving 65 acres for himself. He erected a fine, comfortable house, and is now residing there, retired from active labor to spend the balance of his life in quiet and rest. His children are' all settled in life and doing well. The eldest son, P. P. Mast, of the firm of P. P. Mast & Co., of Springfield, Ohio, has built up an extensive business in the manufacture of agricultural implements, being known all over the country, and their machines and implements sold in nearly every State in the Union and many parts of Europe. This family is one of the early settlers of this county, and one whose life and labors stand prominent in the history and improvements of the county. Mr. Mast has been a pop- ular man and a good neighbor; a kind of peacemaker, having been the means of com- promising many difficulties between neighbors, and has always taken an active interest in churches and schools. He was School Director for forty-three years, a Class-leader in the M. E. Church fifty-four years, and Steward and Trustee for forty-eight years. His life has been one of labor and usefulness, and, when his labors are ended, the church and people will lose a faithful man.
JOSEPH K. MAST, farmer ; P. O. Urbana ; was born in this township and county March 30, 1834. Is a son of John and Elizabeth Mast. Mr. Mast has always remained upon the home place. He was married, Nov. 13, 1856, to Miss Catharine, daughter of John and Mary Eichholtz, natives of Pennsylvania, and early settlers of this county. Mr. Eichholtz is a prominent and extensive farmer. Mr. Mast and wife are parents of ten children ; eight now survive-Charles H., Joseph Frank, Emma, Altha, Lizzie, Cicero, Clara and Ivy. Mr. Mast owns a fine farm of ninety-six acres, in good cultivation, upon which he has erected a fine house, costing $6,500. It is ele- gantly finished, and contains steam apparatus for heating the whole house. The sur- roundings are all well improved, constituting a very beautiful home and residence. Mr. Mast is not a holder or seeker of office, but devotes himself exclusively to his farm bus- iness. He and wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for twenty- six years ; politically, he has been a Democrat.
J. EMERY MAST, farmer ; P. O. King's Creek ; was born in this township and county. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Trego) Mast, natives of Pennsylvania. Our subject remained with his father until his majority, when he was married, April 13, 1869, to Minerva J., daughter of Arnold and Sophia Stonebraker, natives of Maryland, settling in Ohio in 1832, and in Champaign Co. in 1840.
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They were parents of three children-William T., Charles R. and Minerva Jane. Mr. and Mrs. Mast have had seven children ; five now survive-Ellis Heber, Maria May, Lulu Grace, John Arnold and Clarence; the deceased were Willie E. and an in- fant without name. Mr. Mast, after his marriage, located upon his present farm, hav- ing bought seventy-eight acres from his father. He erected good buildings, and has excellent improvements and a very pleasant home, situated half a mile from the vil- lage of Kingston. Mr. Mast, although comparatively a young man, has a very fine situation and a good start in life. He has never held or sought office, preferring to quietly attend to his own business affairs and family, which he considers of more im- portance than office-seeking. Politically, he is a Democrat; religiously, a Methodist.
SIMON E. MORGAN, farmer, one and a half miles east of Kingston ; P. O. King's Creek. The earlier family records having been lost or passed into the hands of other branches of the Morgan family, the first tangible record we have is that of Ed- ward Morgan, who was born Dec. 16, 1736, in Wales. His mother's name was Lloyd. He emigrated to America (date unknown), and settled in Berkeley Co., Va .. In 1762, he married Susannah Taylor. The date of his death is unknown, but he was probably living at the time of the Revolutionary war, as his youngest child was born in August, 1775. He was a member of the Society of Friends, whose principles would forbid his taking an active part in that contest, and many of his descendants still adhere to those principles, opposed to war and slavery. Though living in the midst of slavery, neither he nor any of his family ever held property rights in a human being. He was the father of Elizabeth, Joseph, Mary, Mordecai, Rachel and Alsie. Of these, John was born Dec. 15, 1764. In 1780, when about 16 years of age, he left his home and set- tled in Ohio Co., near Wheeling, Va., where he passed through all the dangers and hardships of pioneer life. In 1789, he married Sarah Ewing, who was born May 9, 1769. He served for a time as Captain of a company of militia, but saw little service. He served eight consecutive years in the Virginia State Legislature, and was elected for the ninth. His seat was contested, and late in the session decided in his favor. The journey having to be made on horseback from Wheeling to Richmond in midwinter, he remained at home. By his marriage, they had ten children - Ruth, John M., Edward Lloyd, Maskell E., George V., Rachel, Susannah, Sarah A., Elizabeth G. and Lelina J. In 1813, by the representations of John Taylor, who had, some years previously, settled on King's Creek, in Salem Township, he determined to emigrate to Ohio, and in the fall of that year his son, Edward L., was sent out to examine the country, with in- structions, if he thought proper, to locate a farm as the future home of the family. He was well pleased with the country, but found most of the best lands already en- tered. He finally selected fractional Sec. 3, Township 5, Range 12, and started for Cincinnati to make entry. On the way, he fell in with two travelers also bound for Cincinnati, and, in conversation, he ascertained one of them intended to enter the same tract. At night, they put up at the same inn, and, while his comrades were asleep, he quietly mounted his horse and pushed on night and day till he reached Cin- cinnati, and secured the papers entitling him to the land, and, as he stepped out of the office, met the two men, who, having become apprised of his departure at the inn, gave chase, arriving as above stated. Edward returned to Virginia and spent the winter. In the spring of 1814, he and his brother, M. E., came out to Ohio and raised a crop of corn in preparation for the coming of the family. These trips were made on horse- back, fording every stream between the Ohio and King's Creek. About the 10th of September, John Morgan and family started for their new home in Ohio. A single wagon conveyed the family and effects, and one spare horse, upon which the women rode alternately. They were much delayed by high waters, and ran many risks in fording swollen streams. They arrived here Oct. 1, 1814, and settled temporarily a half-mile east of Kingston, in a house on the banks of King's Creek, near the present railroad bridge. Resided here two years, thence to their house previously erected upon their own land. This house stood on the hill south of the south branch of the creek, and about half a mile east of the residence of M. Stewart. This house was destroyed by
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fire many years since. About seven years later, he built a house at the south side of the section, and moved into it, where he resided till his death, July 16, 1833. During his residence in this township, he served in various township offices. Was Justice of the Peace for many years. In this capacity, he used his great influence to discourage and prevent litigation, and many differences among neighbors, threatening long and vex- atious lawsuits and bitterness of feeling, were, by his advice and efforts, amicably ad- justed. His son, Edward Lloyd Morgan, was born Feb. 10, 1794, and came to Ohio, as above related. He married Susan Earsom, whose father had, in 1824, removed from Hampshire Co., Va., and settled on the northeast edge of Dugan Prairie, near the stone quarry. Soon after, Mr. Morgan moved to a log house which occupied the present site of the house erected by his son Simon E. in 1874, and here he resided during the re- mainder of his long and useful life. He died Feb. 23, 1875, aged 81 years, his wife having died Oct. 9, 1850. Without attempting an extended eulogy on his character, it may be proper to say that, among all the early settlers in this township, no one took a more active interest in the affairs of the township and county or excelled him in un- selfish efforts to promote the best interests of his community, and perhaps no one held the confidence, respect and esteem of his fellow-pioneers to so great an extent as he. He was mainly a self-educated man. After coming to Ohio, he engaged in teaching school, his first being taught in a schoolhouse just west of the warehouse east of Kingston. This was about 1815 or 1816. He also did a great deal of surveying, with which science he was familiar, serving as County Surveyor for twelve years. In 1824, he was elected Representative to the Legislature, and again in 1832 and 1837. Served several years as Township Clerk, his first term being in 1817 ; also as Treasurer, and, later in life, many years as Justice, in which office he adopted the policy of his father, endeavoring to secure a peaceable and equitable adjustment of cases brought before him. It is said that his acceptance of the office was mainly that he might discourage litigation. His motto was " on earth peace, good will to men." He became a member of Harmony Lodge, No. 8, A., F. & A. M., early in its existence, and served as Master, and was always proud of his connection with that society. At the organization of King's Creek Lodge, No. 389, in 1866, he became its first Worshipful Master, continuing as such, by the united consent of his brethren, until, on account of age and infirmity, he asked to be relieved of its labors. Was also a member of Urbana Chapter, No. 34, R. A. M., but, being advanced in years, took no active part in its work. His life was an exempli- fication of the great principles he taught as a Mason-temperance, prudence, justice, etc., faith, hope and charity, the greatest of which is charity-all in the broad sense and meaning which Masonry attaches to them. Of a family of eight children (five sons and three daughters), only two survived him-Maskell E. and Simon E. The lat- ter, the third child, was born Jan. 29, 1832. Though the primeval pioneer days were past before his birth, yet he has a distinct recollection of many hardships and depriva- tions of even those later days. He assisted in clearing and breaking up the greater part of the farm where he now lives. On Sept. 17, 1863, he married Martha A. Cowgill, born April 2, 1837, daughter of Henry and Anna (Marmon) Cowgill. Two years later, they located at their present place of residence. From the fall of 1852 to the fall of 1865, he was engaged principally in teaching in the common and graded schools of the county. He has always taken a leading interest in the educational affairs of his town- ship. Was for many years a member of the Township Board of Education, and served several years as Township Clerk. In the spring of 1868, he was appointed Township Treasurer on the retirement of Henry Cowgill, who had held the office for more than thirty years, which office he still holds, having been elected each successive year. He has never sought nor asked for any office, believing that no office can confer honor on the possessor if obtained by self-seeking or otherwise than as a free gift of his constituents. Politically, Mr. Morgan has always been a Republican since the organization of that party. Is alive to the agricultural interests of the country, and zealous in the advocacy of all measures to promote the interests and welfare of the farming community. Has represented his township on the Board of Managers of the County Agricultural Society
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several years. Took a leading part in the organization of the Ohio Swine Breeders' As- sociation, and has been for many years a contributor to one or the other of the leading agricultural journals of the country. He, as his father was, is a member of the Ma- sonic Fraternity, and proud of his connection with it. Received the Blue Lodge de- grees in Harmony Lodge, No. 8, in 1857, and the Chapter Degrees in Urbana Chapter, No. 34, the same year, and, later, the degrees of Royal and Select Master in the Council at Springfield. Has served one or the other of the Masonic bodies in official capacity continuously, except one year, since the fall of 1857. In the fall of 1865, was elected High Priest of Urbana Chapter, and served two terms. On Oct. 13, 1866, was anointed the " Holy Order of High Priesthood " at Toledo, Ohio, by Grand H. P. George, Rex. Is now a member and Secretary of King's Creek Lodge, No. 389, which office he has held a greater part of the time since its organization, in 1866. Of his six children, but one is now living-Arthur L., born Sept. 19, 1867.
EDWARD M. MORGAN, farmer ; P. O. King's Creek ; born on the farm where he now resides, June 19, 1839 ; is a son of George V. and Christenia (Earsom) Morgan, natives of Virginia. George V. became a resident of Champaign Co. about 1814, locating on the farm where Edward now lives, being a part of the section orig- inally entered by the grandfather, as described in the sketch of Simon Morgan, in this work. Here he spent his life. He was married May 15, 1831, and had four children, one only, our subject, now surviving. Mr. Morgan, being one of the early pioneers and a prominent man, took an active part in the organization and administration of the affairs of his township and county. He died Feb. 5, 1849 ; his wife died Feb. 5, 1863. Our subject was only 10 years of age at the time of his father's death, but remained with his mother on the home farm till he grew to maturity. He was married, Aug. 28, 1862, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Michael and Catharine Walters, natives of Vir- ginia. They have had two children-Charles Forest, living, and Albert Hugh, de- ceased. Mr. Morgan has always resided upon the homestead place, where he has 120 acres of excellent land, with fine buildings and improvements, constituting a beautiful home and farmer's residence. This place has now been in possession of the Morgan family for sixty-six years. Mr. Morgan is P. M. of King's Creek Lodge of A., F. & A. M., and a member of Urbana Chapter, No. 39, R. A. M., and Rapier Commandery No. 19, K. T. Politically, he is a Democrat, and is now a candidate for County Com- missioner, and is spoken of in the following commendable manner by the Champaign Democrat : "There is no better man in Champaign County than E. M. Morgan. A man of good judgment, strict integrity, capable for any position where decision of character is required, he would make a first-class Commissioner. We know we speak the mind of every individual who knows him when we say that the affairs of the county would be carefully and judiciously looked after, in the election of Mr. Morgan as a member of the Board of Commissioners."
ABEL NORTH, farmer; P. O. Kennard ; born in Champaign Co., July 26, 1832; is a son of Lyman and Lucy (Cowle) North, natives of Connecticut. The pa- ternal grandfather, Abel, is supposed to have been from England; both he and the maternal grandfather were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. Lyman came West to Ohio and located at Cincinnati in 1815, and worked at his trade-that of a cabinet and furniture maker-one year. He returned to Connecticut, and, with his family, came back to Ohio and located in Greene Co. He entered the employ of Read & Watson, and superintended their manufactory one year. In 1817, he moved into Champaign Co., and bought and located upon the farm upon which our subject was born. He opened his farm right from the woods, lived in his log cabin four years, and then erected a brick house, which is still standing on the farm and in quite good condition. He lived, and died on this farm Dec. 21, 1860; his wife died Aug. 25, 1876. They had twelve children ; eight now survive-Sallie W., John, Lucy Ann, William, Orrin, Abel, Mary Jane and Edward. Mr. North, in connection with opening out his farm and making a home, carried on his trade, manufacturing most of the furniture used in that day in
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the several counties near him, and made most of the coffins for the dead. The coffin which inclosed the remains of Simon Kenton, of pioneer fame, was made by Mr. North. He continued his trade some twenty years. As an early pioneer, he saw many hard- ships, but prospered well and became the owner of some 300 acres of land and was very comfortably situated at the time of his death. Our subject, who had remained with his father till maturity, was married, Aug. 24, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham and Fanny Herr, by whom he has had ten children; seven now living -- Mary Frances, Lucy Jane, Adelaide, Charles L., Cora Barbara, William Franklin and Birdie Muzett. After his marriage he rented the farm upon which he now lives, also some adjoining land, and went to farming in earnest ; he has continued farming all his life, and, in connection, has dealt extensively in stock. His life and labors have been crowned with success ; he owns 340 acres of excellent land, constituting three different farms, and has erected good buildings on his home place, with fine improvements, hav- ing a beautiful home and residence. He has never held or sought office, preferring to attend strictly to his own business. He is a man highly honored and respected by all who know him. He is a strong Baptist in faith, and has been an active member of the church for nearly thirty years.
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