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 105

Author: Ogden, J. W. (John W.); Beers (W.H.) & Co., pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : W.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 926

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 105

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A. B. PEARCE, M. D., physician, King's Creek; born in this county Oct. 8, 1836 ; is a son of Harvey and Beulah (Barrett) Pearce, natives of Champaign Co., he being the first white child born in Urbana; born in 1802. The paternal grand- father was a native of Virginia, the maternal grandfather of Kentucky. Harvey and wife were parents of eight children ; five now survive-Henry C., Lucas E., Abner B., John W. and Richard S. Our subject remained with his father, occupied at farm labor till he arrived at maturity, receiving his principal education at the schools of Urbana. In the winter of 1856, he taught his first school; then in the summer attended school and prosecuted his studies. This course he continued for five or six years, teaching school winters, and prosecuting his studies through the summer, during which time he had decided to take as his profession, the practice of medicine, and consequently shaped his course of study accordingly, devoting considerable time to the reading of medicine while teaching. In the winters of 1861 and 1862, he attended a course of lectures at the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery ; then took a course at the Starling Medical College, at Columbus, in the winters of 1862 and 1863, graduating in the spring of 1863; then located in practice with his brother, in Mutual, Union Town- ship, till 1864, when he enlisted in the 100 days' service, filling the position of Assistant Surgeon in the 134th O. V. I. At the expiration of his term of service, he returned and located in Kingston, and there carried on the practice of medicine and surgery, where he has continued to the present time. The Doctor has built up a good practice, and has during his stay here enjoyed the confidence of the people, and received in return a good remuneration. As he is thoroughly qualified by a preparatory course of study and practice in the army, especially in the branch of surgery, there is no reason why he should not be successful and enjoy the confidence of the public. He was married Sept. 17, 1867, to Miss Ella, daughter of Jacob H. and' Elizabeth Shepherd. They have had four children ; three now survive-Carrie Effie, Minnie May and Mattie Leila.

JOHN F. RETTBERG, general merchant, King's Creek ; born in the State of Brunswick, Germany, Feb. 25, 1833 ; is a son of J. Frederick and Angelina Rettberg, who lived and died in Germany. They were parents of five children, three now living -Ernest, Hannah and John F .; two deceased-Henry and William E. The latter came to America in 1859, and at the beginning of the rebellion in 1861, enlisted in the defense of our country in the 1st O. V. Light Artillery, Battery M; was in Rosecrans' army of the Cumberland, and was killed at the battle of Stone River, Tenn., Dec. 31, 1862, his life being thus early sacrificed for the country so recently adopted by him, and in which he had not yet become naturalized. He was certainly a strong example of self-sacrifice for patriotism and love of law and liberty. His remains now rest in the Oakdale Cemetery at Urbana; his brother, his only relative in this country, procured

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his remains and had them properly interred in this beautiful resting-place for the dead. Our subject emigrated to America in the summer of 1854, and located at Urbana, and engaged in gardening for Col. John H. James, with whom he remained most of the time for two years. Then was employed as salesman in F. Houston & Co.'s grocery, where he continued about eighteen months. He opened a store on his own account in Pow- hatan, Urbana Township, and carried on trade some sixteen months, but finally located in Kingston, at his present place of business, and has been in trade here now for more than twenty years. When Mr. Rettberg landed in Urbana, he was possessed of a $5 gold piece ; this was his capital. Now he has a large stock of goods, and a fine prop- erty, owning his store building, and a handsome dwelling house ; also some city property in Olney, Ill. Mr. Rettberg has accumulated this property by his own industry and close attention to business; has built up and established a good trade, and by the improving times and financial condition of our country, his business improves. He has always dealt honestly with the people, which has won their confidence and given him a popularity among his customers. In 1878, Mr. Rettberg was elected Township Clerk, which position he still holds. He was united in marriage, Feb. 17, 1859, to Miss Sarah W., daughter of William and Margaret Wharton, natives of Maryland. As the issue of this union, they have had five children, three now living-Mary B., Laura and Anna ; deceased -- Edward and Ralston.

JAMES SIMPSON, farmer ; P. O. Urbana; born in Pennsylvania April 20, 1808; is a son of David and Mary (Anderson) Simpson, natives of Ireland. David came to America in 1792, resided in Pennsylvania till about 1800, and returned to Ire- land. He was back and forth across the ocean some seven or eight times engaged in trade, shipping merchandise from one country to the other, by which he accumulated quite an amount of money. Some of his trips proved disastrous, and he lost money to some extent. He finally located in Chester Co., Penn., then in Lancaster Co., where he lived till his death, Dec. 8, 1850; his wife died Aug. 31, 1870. They were parents of five children; two now survive-James and John. Our subject, James Simpson, remained mostly with his father till May, 1846, when he became a resident of Champaign Co., and located upon the farm where he now lives. He was married in November, 1845, to Miss Esther, daughter of David and Nancy (Hunter) Robison, natives of Pennsylvania. They had eight children, five now living-Jane, Esther, Eliza, John and Samuel. Their ancestry were also natives of Ireland. Mr. Simpson has a fine farm of 60 acres, with good buildings and improvements, constituting a pleasant home and residence. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and have been such some forty-seven years; the ancestors for three or four generations, all were adherents of the same faith and church.

JAMES C. SMITH, farmer and stock-dealer ; P. O. Urbana; born in Franklin Co., Penn., Jan. 4, 1813; is a son of James and Sarah (Donavan) Smith, natives of Pennsylvania ; the paternal grandfather was a native of Pennsylvania; the maternal grandfather of Ireland. The father and family became residents of Ohio, locating one mile west of Urbana, in 1813, he having previously, in 1811, been here and entered land. He now commenced to make a farm and a home, where he spent the remainder of his life ; he died in 1842; his wife died in 1848. They had a family of seven chil- dren, all being born in Pennsylvania; four now survive-Matilda, Frances Jane, Joseph W. and James C. Mr. Smith was a man of more than ordinary ability, and one who had the confidence of the people. He was Township Trustee many years, and was elected Associate Judge soon after locating here, which position he held many years. Our subject remained upon the home place with his father till his death, after which he kept the home farm, where he resided till 1875, when he located upon his present place, where he has since resided. He was married in April, 1835, to Miss Jane Mary, daughter of John and Elizabeth Thompson. They had seven children ; three now sur- vive-Sarah Elizabeth, Emma Adessa and Merrill. His wife died in December, 1846. Sept. 19, 1849, he married Nancy K. Thompson, a sister of his first wife. Mr. Smith

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has 310 acres of good land, constituting a most beautiful stock farm, and he is giving especial attention to the buying and selling of stock. Mr. Smith, like his father, has the confidence of the public, but endeavors to avoid public office; has, however, been Township Trustee several years. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, he having been such for fifty years, and she for thirty years. He was Trustee of the church for forty years, and member of the Sessions thirty-eight years.

JACOB SNYDER, farmer ; P. O. Urbana; was born in the State of New York Jan. 17, 1811; is a son of John and Elizabeth Snyder, natives of New York. The grandfather came from Germany when only a youth; the grandmother was a native of New York. John and Elizabeth resided in New York till their death ; he died Feb. 14. 1848 ; she died in October, 1864; they were parents of four children-Mary, Ja- cob, Irenia and John. Mr. Snyder lived with his father till 30 years of age, and was married, Jan. 22, 1834, to Miss Catharine, a daughter of John and Hannah Cronkhite, natives of New York, the grandfather being a native of England, but came to this country when a child ; Mr. and Mrs. Cronkhite were parents of one child-Catharine. Mr. Snyder and wife have had twelve children ; six now survive-Orlando, John W., David N., Mary, De Witt C. and Edward C. After their marriage, they resided in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., till the fall of 1856, when they removed to Ohio and located in this township and county, and lived on a rented farm about one and a half years, then bought and located upon the farm where they now reside. They have 60 acres of good land, all in cultivation but 8 acres, and have good buildings and improvements. Two of their sons, John and David, went forth to battle for the defense of their country during the war of the rebellion, serving till honorably discharged. Mr. Snyder has never held or sought office, but has quietly and diligently followed his farm pursuits

MATTHEW STEWART, farmer; P. O. King's Creek; was born in this town- ship and county Aug. 28, 1804; is a son of Matthew and Elizabeth Stewart-he a na- tive of Ireland, emigrating to America when about 12 years of age; she was a native of Pennsylvania. The father landed in America about 1771, and became a settler of Champaign Co. in 1802, locating on the Dugan Prairie ; in the spring of 1805, he lo- cated upon the farm where our subject now lives ; here he resided till his death, May 5, 1850, his wife having died March 15, 1830. Mr. Stewart was one of the early pio- neers of this county, settling here in the wilderness, among the Indians and wild beasts, witnessing and enduring all the dangers and hardships of a pioneer's life; they were parents of eleven children, ten growing up to maturity ; three now survive-Eliza, Matthew and Eleanor. Our subject remained with his father till his death. He was married, March 21, 1830, to Miss Lucinda, daughter of John and Hannah Martin ; they had nine children; eight now survive-Sarah, Samuel, William, Elizabeth, Han- nah, Thomas, Charles and Eliza. Mr. Stewart resides upon the old home place, where he was raised from an infant of 6 months old ; here he has a fine farm of 173 acres, with good improvements ; he also owns other real estate to the amount of 347 acres, making the entire estate 520 acres ; this has all been accumulated by his father and himself, from their own labor and industry. Mr. Stewart has ever been a leading and prominent man in this township; has been Township Trustee for many years, and a Justice of the Peace fifteen years. He lost his wife by death Nov. 5, 1879.

WILLIAM L. STOKES, farmer; P. O. Mingo; was born on the farm where he now resides Nov. 10, 1846; is a son of Samuel and Nancy (Thomas) Stokes-he a na- tive of Virginia, born in 1806, and she a native of this county. Samuel emigrated from Virginia and located in this county about 1829; after his marriage, he lived about two years near Cabletown, then located upon the farm where William now resides ; here he lived till his death, Nov. 21, 1879; his wife died about 1850; they were parents of seven children ; three now survive-John, Mary and William. Mr. Stokes married, for his second wife, Jane Baker, who is still living, residing now in North Lewisburg, this county. Our subject was with his father till his death, and still remains upon the old home place, which has now been in possession of the Stokes family nearly half a

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century. Mr. Stokes was married, Jan. 1, 1869, to Miss Margaret, daughter of Will- iam and Elizabeth Petty, who were natives of this county; they had six children- Fanny, Laura, Samuel, Mary, Sallie and Andrew Jackson. They have a fine farm of 85 acres, with good buildings and improvements, constituting a pleasant home and resi- dence.

ARNOLD T. STONEBRAKER, miller; P. O. King's Creek ; born in Maryland March 6, 1811, is a son of John and Mary (Kellinberger) Stonebraker; he was born in Maryland, and she in Pennsylvania, the grandfathers being natives of Germany. John and Mary were parents of six children, all deceased but our subject. The parents spent their lives in Virginia and Maryland ; he was a miller by trade, which he fol- lowed many years ; also carried on farming a number of years in connection with mill- ing. His wife died in Virginia about 1826; he died in Maryland Dec. 6, 1854, nearly 76 years of age. Our subject lived with his father until 22 years of age, becoming thoroughly acquainted with his father's trade. He emigrated to Ohio, and located in Wayne Co., at Wooster, Dec. 8, 1832, and followed his trade two years ; then went back to Maryland and lived two years; removed to Pickaway Co., Ohio, residing there till 1840, and finally went to Champaign Co., where he has since resided. He followed milling till 1865, when, his health failing, he retired from busi- ness, and lived in Miami and Montgomery Cos. two years, then located in Kingston, this township, where he has since resided. Politically, he is a Democrat. Religiously,

he is of the Catholic faith.

RICHARD C. TALBOTT, farmer ; P. O. Urbana; born in Greene Co., Ohio, Sept. 30, 1818; is a son of Josiah G. and Ann (Forsythe) Talbott; he a native of Kentucky, and she of Michigan, the paternal grandfather being from Maryland. Josiah and his brother Richard were officers in the regular army during the war of 1812, and soon after the war Josiah became a resident of Greene Co., Ohio, locating at Xenia, where he followed the hat manufacturing business some seven or eight years. Thence, went to Urbana in 1823, where he followed the same line of business till his death, about 1858; his wife died Aug. 3, 1875. They were parents of ten children ; six now sur- vive-Richard G., Elizabeth, Amanda, Sarah, Josiah and Mary. Our subject was with his father till 1845 ; he learned the same trade and business as his father, and, after his arrival at manhood, he became manager of the business, and so continued till the above date. He was married, May 21, 1845, to Miss Mary Jane, daughter of David and Mary Vance, he a native of Kentucky, and she of Pennsylvania. They had four children-three survive-Gertrude, James M. (deceased), Clara V. and Richard D. After his marriage, he continued his business in Urbana till January, 1850, when he removed to New York City and united himself with a firm in the wholesale hat, cap and fur trade, where they did business for twenty-two years; the firm name was Jennings, Read & Co., then Read, Bro. & Co., and, lastly, T. B. Read & Co. They did a very large and extensive business, their shipments reaching nearly every State in the Union and Mexico. They accumulated quite a competency. In 1864, they went out of business, and Mr. Talbott bought and located upon a farm of 200 acres, situated two miles northeast of Urbana, where he now resides. The Talbott family have a record of great prominence among the business and official men of the county. Decatur, the oldest brother of our subject, was Recorder of the county for sixteen years; was also Treasurer one term.

THOMAS TAYLOR (deceased) ; born in Virginia March 16, 1804 ; is a son of John and Catharine Taylor, natives of Virginia. They emigrated to Ohio and located in Union Township in 1804. In the spring of 1805, they removed to the place where his widow still resides, being among the early settlers of Salem Township. He bought the land from a Mr. Wood, who is supposed to have purchased it direct from the Gov- ernment. Here they made their improvements, and lived and died. He died in 1825, his wife having died several years previous. They were parents of eleven children, all now deceased, except one, Blanchard, living in Iowa. Thomas Taylor, the subject of

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this sketch, was only an infant 6 weeks old when brought to this county, consequently, he was raised and brought up, lived and died upon the old homestead farm. He was married, May 16, 1825, to Lucy, daughter of Job and Deborah Chamberlin, natives of Connecticut; Lucy was born in New York State July 29, 1804, the parents emigrat- ing to New York State ; thence to Indiana; thence to Ohio, and were among the first settlers of Findlay, Ohio, the town not then being even laid out ; here they lived and died. Mr. Taylor and wife were the parents of nine children ; eight now survive-Julian, Sarah J., Mary E., Rohanna C., Lucy E., Thomas Irvin, Daniel O., Sarepta L. and Job (deceased) ; all are married and settled in life, except Lucy, who is at home with her mother. Mr. Taylor gave his entire attention to farming and dealing in stock ; never held or sought office, but was devoted to the interests of his business and family. He died Sept. 10, 1868. Mrs. Taylor, now 76 years of age, resides upon the old home place, which is carried on by a son and grandson. They have a fine farm of 200 acres, in excellent cultivation, with good buildings and improvements. The place has now been in the family of the Taylors for three-quarters of a century. Mrs. Taylor has been a member of the Baptist Church for twenty years.

WILLIAM V. TAYLOR, farmer; P. O. Urbana ; was born in Harrison Town- ship, Champaign Co., Aug. 12, 1839. Is a son of Joseph C. V. and Lucinda J. (Van- meter) Taylor, natives of this county. The paternal and maternal grandparents were natives of Virginia. John, the grandfather, was one of the early pioneer settlers, and lived and died in this county. Joseph C. V. followed farming as an occupation, and spent his entire life in this county ; he died in June, 1867. His wife is still living in this township, aged 64 years. They had six children, and all are living-William V., Henry V., John, James R., Jennie B. and Jacob S. Our subject remained on the farm with his father till his majority. During the war of the rebellion, in 1862, he enlisted in the 66th O. V. I., and served about three years, being wounded and discharged for disability. We need only to remark that it is well known to all readers of history that this regiment and army corps did much hard fighting, passing through many severely contested battles, sacrificing many lives. Mr. Taylor was married, June 5, 1872, to Miss Jane M., daughter of James C. and Jane Mary Smith. They had two children-Merrill S. and Fred (deceased). His wife died April 23, 1879. After his marriage, Mr. Taylor located in Urbana, where he lived about four years, during which time he was serving as County Treasurer ; he was also Sheriff of the county from 1864 to 1868. At the expiration of his term as Treasurer, he located upon his farm, where he has since resided. He has 170 acres of fine land in good cultivation and pasturage, with good buildings and improvements.

JOSEPHUS THOMAS, farmer; P. O. Mingo; was born in this township Oct. 15, 1825. Is a son of John and Anna (Morris) Thomas. He was born in Maryland June 7, 1779, and she in Ohio Jan. 17, 1784. Josephus remained with his father until his majority, and was married Sept. 30, 1851, to Miss Jane J., daughter of Will- iam and Sarah Downs, natives of Pennsylvania, who were among the early settlers of this county, locating at Urbana about 1812. He was a Captain of the militia and drilled them for the war ; was drafted, but procured a substitute. They were parents of twelve children ; seven now survive -- Eliza, Rachel, Huldah, Margaret, William, Jane and John. Mr. Downs was a blacksmith by trade and a most excellent mechanic ; he built the first foundry, the first manufactory of plows, and the first manufactory of wagons and carriages ever erected in Urbana. He had a partner whose name was Perry ; they carried on an extensive and prosperous business in that early day. Mr. Downs, being celebrated as an ingenious mechanic, received work from far and near from various parts of the State. He died June 10, 1852, 72 years of age. His wife died July 9, 1870, aged 86 years. Mr. Thomas and wife are parents of five children, four now living-Sarah V., Eugenia, Laura G. and Fannie. Mr. Thomas has always fol- lowed farming as an occupation although a carpenter by trade, and planned and framed his own buildings on the place. He bought and located upon a part of the old farm of

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his father's, where he has always resided, to the present time. He owns seventy-nine acres of excellent land, with good buildings and improvements, constituting a fine home and residence.

IVAN B. THOMAS, farmer and grain-dealer; P. O. Kennard ; was born on the farm where he now resides Jan. 30, 1832, and is a son of John and Mary Thomas ; he a native of Maryland, and she of Pennsylvania. John emigrated to the North western Territory, locating in what is now Ross Co., Ohio, about 1800, residing there till about 1809; then removed to this county upon the farm where Ivan now lives; there he lived, and died in 1851. His wife is still living on the old home place, now 81 years of age. They were parents of five children ; two now survive-Ivan B. and F. Marion. Mr. John Thomas was first married to Anna Morris, of Southern Ohio, by whom he had thirteen children ; four now survive-Ezekiel, Volney, William and Josephus. When he located here, he bought 360 acres of land from the original purchaser, with only a log cabin upon it with very little improvements, witnessing and experiencing many dangers and hardships of pioneer life, the Indians being their neighbors and wild beasts thick and plentiful. He was largely engaged in the frontier troubles with the Indians during the war of 1812 ; was a Colonel of the militia, and a prominent, active man in all public affairs of that day, holding many of the offices of the township. He was Justice of the Peace for thirty-three years, being a very energetic and useful man, and foremost among the most prominent of the early pioneers of the county. Our subject was with his father till his death, and was married, in February, 1875, to Miss Lucretia Burnett. They had three children-Edwin B., Robert P. and Mary B. Mr. Thomas has always remained upon the old home place. He and brother are now owners of 610 acres of land, and are also largely engaged in buying and shipping grain and stock, ship- ping last year 40,000 bushels of grain. Mr. Thomas, like his father, has been a promi- nent man in his community ; was a commissioned officer in the militia ; has been Town- ship Trustee many years, and Justice of the Peace for nine years. The Thomas family have now lived upon this homestead place nearly three-quarters of a century.

JOHN K. THOMPSON, farmer ; P. O. Urbana ; born in Pennsylvania Dec. 25, 1818; is a son of John and Elizabeth (King) Thompson, he a native of Pennsylvania, and she a native of Ireland. This family are descendants of the old stock of Thomp- sons, who, when Scotland, Ireland and England were all brought under one government, would not submit to the British rule, and, rather than yield to it, left the country and sought a refuge in America. John and family became residents of Champaign Co. in 1819; bought land here and followed farming in this county during the remainder of his life. They were parents of eight children, seven now survive-Clarissa, Nancy, James K., John K., Thomas K., Samuel A. and Sarah Elizabeth ; the first, third, sixth and seventh all now reside in Illinois; the balance reside in Champaign Co. Mr. Thompson held the office of Justice of the Peace for many years, and was a man of decided principles and character, having the general confidence of the community. He died in 1872 or 1873 ; his wife died in May, 1866. Our subject remained with his father upon the home place till his death. He was married, Jan. 24, 1855, to Eliza- beth Jane, daughter of John and Catharine King ; he a native of Ireland, and she of Maryland. Mr. Thompson has always remained upon the homestead place, and has followed farming and dealing in stock. He owns 133 acres of land, mostly in cultiva- tion, with good improvements.

THOMAS K. THOMPSON, farmer; P. O. Urbana ; is a native of this county, born July 30, 1821 ; is a son of John and Elizabeth (King) Thompson ; he a native of Pennsylvania, and she of Ireland, her parents emigrating to America when she was 12 years of age, the paternal ancestry being originally from Scotland. John became a resident of Ohio, locating in this county, in Salem Township, in 1819, where he lived till his death; he died in 1872 or 1873; she died May, 1866. They had eight chil- dren ; seven now survive-Clarissa, Nancy K., James K., John K., Thomas K., Sam- uel A. and Sarah Elizabeth ; the deceased was Jane Mary. Mr. Thompson was a very

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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 105

Author: Ogden, J. W. (John W.); Beers (W.H.) & Co., pub Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : W.H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 926

Author: Ogden, J. W. (John W.); Beers (W.H.) & Co., pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : W.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 926