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 108

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 108

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S. C. MOORE, M. D., physician, Cable. Among the medical profession of Wayne Township, and the oldest practitioner now in the township is Dr. S. C. Moore, who was born in Logan Co. Sept. 21, 1844. He is a son of Edmund and Rachel S. Moore ; he a native of New Jersey, and she of Ohio. The grandfather, Henry, was a carpenter by trade, and was cotemporary with George Washington, whose pew he repaired and relined in the church at Philadelphia. In 1829, he and his family came to Ohio and located in Logan Co., where he lived and died. Edmund was 21 years of age when he came to Logan Co. with his father. Here he was married and has resided to the present time. Has always followed farming as an occupation. Is now 72 years, and his wife 67 years, of age. They are parents of ten children, four now survive-Samuel C., Mary, Henry R. and Caroline. Edward C. lived to maturity and enlisted in the army, and while there died with the measles. Dr. Moore was raised to farm labor till 18 years of age, and on Oct. 4, 1863, he enlisted in the 17th O. V. I. and served two years till the close of the war ; he was engaged in thirteen hard-fought battles, marching to the sea and performing the entire raid with Sherman through the South. After his return from the

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army, he at once entered upon a literary course of study at North Lewisburg, prepara- tory to the study of medicine. In 1866, he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Vail, with whom he continued one year; was under Dr. Williams for three years, during which time he attended two courses of lectures of four months each, at the Cin- cinnati College of Medicine and Surgery ; graduated and received his diploma. Then entered into partnership with his preceptor, Dr. Williams, and continued eighteen months. He located in Cable March 6, 1872, where he has been engaged in practice eight years ; has built up a good business, having all the practice he desires to attend to, Dr. Moore was married March 10, 1875, to Emma F., daughter of James H. and Emma (Downs) Flarida, natives of Virginia.

JOHN MORECRAFT, farmer ; P. O. Cable; born in this township Sept. 30, 1839 ; is a son of Simeon and Elizabeth (Rice) Morecraft ; he a native of New York, and she of Pennsylvania. The grandparents Morecraft were born in New York, and the grandparents Rice were natives of Ireland. Simeon removed from New York with his mother in 1806, and located in this county, south of Cable, lived there two years, then removed to a piece of land now owned by Joseph Stone, and resided there till March. 1828, when he was married. He removed to Allen Co., and lived there four years, then came back to this county and bought out the heirs of his brother Jonathan, who then owned the place where J. Stone now lives ; here he resided till 1850, when he traded his farm for the one where John now lives, where he located and lived till his death. He died March 26, 1876, his wife died Jan. 1, 1875. They were parents of four children, one only now survives, viz., John. Simeon was one of the early pioneers, starting in life with no capital, but by his own energy, industry and economy, accumulated a large amount of property, owning at his death 540 acres of land, and $6,000 in money. Our subject remained with his father till his death, and was married March 20, 1861, to Mary Eliza- beth, daughter of George and Julia Ann Barley, natives of Virginia. They have had four children, three now survive-Noah Marshall, John Summer and Esther. Mr. Morecraft still resides on the home farm in the King's Creek Valley, with good build- ings and improvements, where he has a pleasant residence within a few minutes' walk of Cable. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church at Mingo, he having been such for two years and she for fifteen years. Mr. Morecraft and family, with the surviving children of his brother James, are the only persons in the county bearing the name of Morecraft.

JOHN NINCEHELSER, farmer ; P. O. Cable; born in Pennsylvania Oct. 16, 1822 ; is a son of Jacob and Hester (Hart) Nincehelser, also natives of Pennsylvania. They removed to Ohio, and located in Salem Township, this county, where he lived nine years ; then went to Wayne Township, where they resided till their death ; she dying in the fall of 1862, and he Oct. 4, 1878. From a family of eight children, seven now survive-Catharine, John, Reuben, Henry, Absalom, Mary and Elizabeth. Our sub- ject was brought up to farm labor till 18 years of age; then learned the wagon manu- facturing business, and when of age went into the car-shops at Reading, Penn. After eighteen months' work as assistant foreman, he was advanced to Foreman, remaining such for seven years. He then went to Scranton, Penn., to take charge of the car works there, which he did for nearly seven years ; then went to Dubuque, Iowa, occu- pying the same position there two years. He finally settled in his present location, where he now gives his entire attention to farming. He has a good farm of 112 acres, with excellent buildings and improvements, having a pleasant home and residence. March 5, 1846, he was married to Miss Hannah, daughter of George and Mary Longabough, natives of Pennsylvania. As the issue of this union, they have had four children, three now surviving-George, Mary and Oram A. They have been members of the M. E. Church for thirty-five years.

SAMUEL ORGAN, farmer; P. O. Cable ; born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, Nov. 3, 1806; is a son of William and Grace (McBride) Organ, natives of Pennsylvania. The grandfather, Matthew Organ, was a native of Ireland, and was one of those strug-

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gling for the liberty of his countrymen ; he was compelled to flee to America to save his life, arriving about the time of the Revolutionary war. He enlisted as a soldier, fighting for the independence of the Colonists, and lost his life at Yorktown, Penn. William was a very early settler of Ohio, and in 1823. became a resident of Champaign Co., where he lived till 1843, when he was accidentally killed by the falling of a tree. Of his thirteen children, eight now survive-James, Andrew, Samuel, Jane, Rebecca, Benjamin Sloan, Walter and Lydia Ann. Samuel was married in 1833, to Miss Lydia E., daughter of Capt. Thomas and Nancy Baldwin, natives of Virginia. By this union they have had five children, three now living-Nancy, Thomas W. and Charles Frank- lin ; Marion and John R., two sons (deceased), were in the war of the rebellion. John R. was killed at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, near Atlanta, Ga. Marion, who was in McClellan's army, broke down from fatigue and over-work, and was taken home from Harper's Ferry, where he lingered about two years and died. These were two of the brave lives sacrificed for their country's liberty. Mr. Organ's wife died July 4, 1863. In 1868, he was married to Caroline M., daughter of Jacob Snyder, a native of West Vir- ginia. Mr. Organ has been a resident of this township since 1823, and has lived on his present location for forty-five years. He has a fine farm of 148 acres in the valley near Cable Town, with good improvements. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church, with which he has been connected for forty-one years. Mr. Organ ranks among the early settlers ; is cherished and beloved by all, and, notwithstanding his long residence, does not know of having a single enemy. His record is one of love and friendship, and his life and good works will ever be remembered and honored.

SAMUEL PENNINGTON, retired farmer ; P. O. Cable ; was born in Pennsyl- vania Dec. 1, 1803. Is a son of Robert and Jane Pennington, natives of Pennsylvania, the grandparents also being born in Pennsylvania. Robert and wife removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio and located in this county, about 1837, and lived and died here. They were parents of thirteen children, three now living-Samuel, Hannah and Robert. Our subject was married, Aug. 12, 1835, to Mrs. Mary Anna Moore, daughter of Jer- emiah and Anna Starr, natives of Pennsylvania. They had six children ; four now survive-Anna Louisa, S. Edwin, Charles B. and Mary E. Mr. Pennington and wife resided in Pennsylvania until 1865, then came to Ohio and located upon the farm where he now resides. He and his son own 122 acres of land, with good buildings and im- provements. His wife died Feb. 14, 1877, since which he lives with his son, Edwin, and family-who manage the farm-on the home place. Edwin married Miss Maria, daughter of Thomas and Hannah Winder. Mr. Pennington and family are all mem-

bers of the Society of Friends.

WILLIAM RIPPETOE, farmer; P. O. Cable; was born in Virginia Jan. 1, 1821. Is a son of John and Abby (Strickland) Rippetoe, natives of Virginia. The parents removed from Virginia to Ohio, and located in this county in 1844, where they lived and died ; she died in 1845 ; he died in 1863. They had ten children, five liv- ing to maturity-Sarah, Peter, Joseph, Nancy and William. All are now dead, except William, who was married Aug. 2, 1843, to Miss Martha Farmer, of Kentucky. They had three children-Mary, Zeppa and George. His wife died in September, 1871. In May, 1872, he married Mrs. Sarah S. Benedict, daughter of Henry and Emily Amelia Reynolds, natives of Pennsylvania. They have one child-Charles. Mr. Rippetoe lived one year in Kentucky after his first marriage, then went to Champaign Co., where he has since resided. He has lived on his present farm thirty-two years, and has 147 acres of land in good cultivation, with fine buildings and improvements, constituting a pleasant farmer's residence. Mr. Rippetoe is a member of the Society of Friends.

W. S. RUNKLE, M. D .; Mingo ; is the only practitioner in Mingo. He was born in Salem Township Jan. 11, 1851, and is a son of Lewis and Janetta (Parke) Runkle; natives of New Jersey, the ancestry being of German and Irish descent. In November, 1844, Lewis removed from New Jersey to Ohio, and settled in Salem Town-

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ship and followed his trade-that of a blacksmith-three or four years, then entered upon farming, which he has followed to the present. They have six children-Harry, Darius T., Winfield S., Don P., Ida and Ada. Our subject, at ten years of age, had never attended school a day in his life, but had attained an ordinary acquirement in reading and writing at home. He then entered the common school of his neighbor- hood, which he attended three years ; he made great progress, and then entered a select school at West Liberty, Ohio, and remained one year ; then attended a similar school in North Lewisburg for one and a half years. He determined to enter the medical profes- sion and commenced the study of medicine, under Dr. Sullivan, in Mingo, teaching school and prosecuting his studies for two years ; then entered the Miami Medical Col- lege at Cincinnati, took a three-years' course, graduated and received his diploma. In the spring of 1873, he bought out Dr. Sullivan, his former preceptor, in Mingo, enter- ing at once upon the practice of medicine and surgery ; has now been in successful prac- tice seven years. His thorough preparation and qualifications, and his natural taste and ability for his profession will, no doubt, win him abundant popularity and success as a skillful physician and surgeon. Dec. 31, 1874, he married Miss Mezzie, daughter of Thomas and Nancy Evans. They have one child-Ralph E.

SYLVESTER SPAIN, farmer ; P. O. Mingo ; born in this county Aug. 25, 1837, on the farm upon which he now lives ; is a son of Joshua and Mary (Inskeep) Spain, who were natives of Virginia, the Spain ancestry being originally from Germany. Stephen Spain, the grandfather, came from Virginia, and located in Rush Township, about 1805, where he was one of the earliest settlers, opening out right in the native forests to make a farm and a home; here he lived and died. Joshua located upon the farm where Sylvester now lives, about 1835, clearing up most of the farm right from the woods; here he died in September, 1877, the mother having died in April, 1864. They were parents of four children, three now living-Martha Ann (now Widow Bishop), Sylvester and Coleman ; Sylvester married Abby Downs, who was born in this. county Feb. 24, 1838 ; they have three children-William H., Frederick J. and Ilva J. Mr. Spain has always resided upon the home place, where he was born ; has a good farm of 75 acres, with excellent buildings, making a very pleasant home. In 1864, he enlisted in the 100-day service in the war, serving out the full period for which he en- listed. Mr. Spain and wife are members of the M. E. Church, having united with them in March, 1880.

JOSEPH F. STONE, farmer ; P. O. Cable ; born in Virginia May 11, 1827 ; is- a son of Thomas and Mary Ann (Hair) Stone, also natives of Virginia, as were also the grandparents. Thomas removed from Virginia to Ohio in November, 1827, and located in Perry Co., where he lived one and a half years ; then went to Fairfield Co., and lived there till 1842 ; he finally removed to Champaign Co., Wayne Township, where he lived till his death, a period of thirty-seven years ; he died Nov. 19, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Stone were married fifty-four years. Four years before his death, was celebrated their "golden wedding," at which time they had a very enjoyable occasion, in which the relatives came together from far and near, numbering over 100. His wife is still living on the home place, now in her 78th year. They have six children-Joseph F., Ann Elizabeth, Margaret M., Mary J., Thomas B. and Wilson S. Our subject lived with his parents till Jan. 9, 1853, when he was married to Miss Mary, daughter of Simeon and Elizabeth Morecraft; his wife died June 3, 1857; on March 20, 1859, he was married to Mrs. Margaret J. Bailey, daughter of Frederick and Jane Ambrose, natives of Virginia, two of the earliest pioneers of Champaign Co., locating in Urbana in 1804. Mr. Ambrose helped to raise the first house in Urbana, and was Sheriff of the county for eight years, and Treasurer several years. Mr. Stone and wife by this union have had three children ; two now survive-Mary A. and Thomas F. After his first marriage, he lived on his father-in-law's farm till the death of his wife ; after his second marriage, he located on a farm he had bought, now owned by James McCarty, where he resided till 1864, then sold, and bought the farm upon which he now resides.

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He has a fine farm of 62 acres, in good cultivation ; has built a new house, and has other buildings and improvements, constituting a pleasant home and residence. Him- self, wife and daughter are members of the M. E. Church, he having been such for thirty-one years, and she for forty years.

THOMAS B. STONE, farmer; P. O. Mingo; born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, March 18, 1838; is a son of Thomas and Mary Ann (Hair) Stone, who were natives of Virginia and parents of six children-Joseph F., Ann Elizabeth, Margaret, Mary Jane, Thomas B. and Wilson S. The parents emigrated from Virginia to Ohio about 1841, and located in Wayne Township, where he followed agricultural pursuits till his death, which occurred Nov. 19, 1879; the mother is still living on the home place, and is in her 78th year. Our subject lived with his father till his majority, after which which he went to farming for himself, and has followed agricultural pursuits through his life, and all within this county, except two years, during which he made a tour through the West, viewing several different States, and then returned home, where he has since resided. On Sept. 2, 1869, he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth A. Miller, daughter of Moses Devore, the father of nine children, eight now living-Newton, Hester Ann, Nelson, John M., Margaret, Elizabeth A., Aaron and Hopie. As the issue of this marriage they have three children-Addie H., Hattie M. and Ella B. ; his wife had one child by her first husband-Jennie May. Mr. Stone and wife are mem- bers of the M. E. Church, to which they attached themselves in 1878.

BENJAMIN R. TALLMAN, farmer; P. O. Mingo; born in Logan Co., Ohio, Aug. 14, 1834; is a son of Benjamin and Ruth (Taylor) Tallman, natives of New Jer- sey, the ancestry coming from England. They removed from New Jersey to Ohio, and located in Logan Co. about 1830, where he died in 1842, and she in 1861. They were parents of nine children-Thomas W., Franklin, William, Ruth Ann (now Mrs. Pratt), Mary (now Mrs. Hollingsworth), Alexander, Benjamin R., George W. and Sallie (now Mrs. Reed). Mr. Tallman's father dying when he was only 8 years of age, he was thrown upon the world and tossed about here and there till his majority, and from this time till 1866 he passed some time in Logan Co. and spent some time in the West, . engaged mainly as a dealer in horses and stock. In January, 1866, he was married to Janet Downs, by whom he has one child-Gela May. In the spring of 1865, Mr. Tallman bought the farm upon which he now resides, and in the spring of 1866, after his marriage, located upon the farm where he has made a continued residence since. He has an excellent farm of 100 acres on the south side of the Mingo Valley, with good buildings, constituting a pleasant farmer's residence. Mr. Tallman and wife are members of the M. E. Church, of Mingo.

JOSEPH TOWNSEND, farmer ; P. O. Cable; born in Belmont Co., Ohio Aug. 11, 1827 ; is a son of Levi and Mary (Watson) Townsend, natives of Pennsyl- vania, as were also the grandparents. They removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio about 1813, and located in Harrison Co., where the grandparents died. Levi and wife, after their marriage, remained a few years in Harrison Co., then removed to Belmont Co., residing there till 1834, when he went to Logan Co., when, after a residence of fifteen years, he returned to Harrison Co. and resided about twenty-two years; then went to Iowa, where he is still living at the advanced age of 81 years. His wife died in the spring of 1848. They had five children. Three now survive-Elizabeth, Joseph and Abner. The two deceased are Eli and William. Our subject was brought up to farm labor till 19 years of age, when he left home to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed about eighteen years. He was married Feb. 1, 1849, to Mary, daughter of Benjamin and Ann Linvill. The issue of this marriage has been eight children. Six now sur- vive-Sarah Fidelia, Ann Josephine, Adelia M., Emma F., Ernest H. and Effie. The two deceased were Benjamin and Lida M. After their marriage, they lived in Clark Co. one year, then went into Champaign Co. In 1866, he bought and located upon the farm where they have since resided. He has a fine farm of 220 acres in good cultivation, with fine buildings and improvements, constituting a pleasant farmer's resi- dence. Mr. Townsend and family, except Fidelia, are members of the Society of Friends.

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TOWNENDS WALKER, farmer ; P. O. North Lewisburg; born in Chester Co., Penn., April 24, 1835; is a son of Allison and Catharine (Carson) Walker, natives of Pennsylvania, the ancestry being from England and Wales. The parents settled in this county in 1837, locating in Rush Township, where they lived about three years, then went to Wayne Township, where he died Nov. 23, 1858. They were parents of three children, two now survive-Townends and Anna Mary. Our subject lived with his father till his death, then continued with his mother till April, 1861, when, at the first call for men in the war of the rebellion, for the three-months service, he was the first man in Wayne Township to enroll his name; he served his three months, and, on Nov. 4, 1861, re-enlisted for three years in Co. A, 66th O. V. I., and served till Aug. 9, 1862, when he was shot through the body and carried from the field, and was in the hospital for seventy-two days, then discharged, being unfitted for further military duties, and was placed on a pension of $8 per month, till May 2, 1864, he forfeited his pension by enlisting in the 100-day service. Since the war, however, he has obtained a pension of $12 per month, but he is disabled for life, being another example of those noble patriots who, to save their country, sacrificed all the pleasures and comforts of home. Although his life was spared, his strength and activity are lost, and his body is a living record of his service for his country. He was married May 10, 1868, to Miss Rebecca, daugh- ter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Glendening) Black. They have had five children ; three now survive-Bertha, born July 4, 1869; Kittie, born May 14, 1871, and Allison, born Nov. 7, 1873; Howard, born Nov. 26, 1875, and died Aug. 7, 1876; True, born Nov. 14, 1877, and died Feb. 20, 1878. His wife died Aug. 6, 1878. Mr. Walker lived on a rented farm after his marriage, one summer, then went to Middle- town and lived till 1870, when he rented the farm on which he now lives. In 1873, he bought the farm, where he has since resided. Since his wife's death, his mother remains with him as housekeeper. She is now 71 years of age.

JAMES W. WELLS, farmer; P. O. Cable; born in Virginia Sept. 11, 1825 ; is a son of Abraham and Mercy (Chidester) Wells, he being of Welsh and she of German descent. The father died when James was only 2 years of age, leaving him in the care of his mother, who, with her family, removed from Virginia to Ohio about 1835, and located in this county, where they lived till her death, she dying when James was about 12 years of age. They were parents of nine children, three now survive-Phineas, Mary and James. Our subject, in 1839, went to Illinois and lived with William Davis, an old friend of his father, till 1847, when he went to Virginia, and remained one year, thence to this county, where he has lived the greater portion of his life. He was married Sept. 22, 1855, to Miss Margaret M., daughter of Thomas and Mary Ann Stone. By this union they have had six children ; three now survive-Thomas, Edgar, Mary, Emma and James Marley ; the deceased are Joseph F., Isaac M. and Charles S. Since his marriage, he has been a resident of Wayne Township, and has resided on the farm where he now lives eleven years; has always followed farming as an occupation. Mr. Wells has been a man of popularity, and pub- lic spirit, holding many township offices; has been Township Assessor fourteen terms, and was Justice of the Peace six years. He has been a member of the Baptist Church for thirty years, and his wife a member of the M. E. Church for twenty years.

DANIEL W. WHITE, farmer; P. O. North Lewisburg; born in this county May 4, 1849 ; is a son of James H. and Harriet White, natives of Virginia ; the grand- parents are also natives of Virginia. James H. and wife came to this county and located about thirty-seven years ago ; he has followed farming as an occupation. He is now 62 years of age. They have had twelve children, ten now living-Ann, Vir- ginia, Daniel W., Mary E., Lavinia, Emory L., Isabel, Orlena, John and Ida. Our subject lived with his father till 22 years of age. He was married Aug. 9, 1870, to Cynthia, daughter of James and Elizabeth Sheward, natives of Ohio. They have four children-Harriet E., James E., John W. and Mary Bell. After their marriage, he

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lived on rented farms till 1879, when he bought and located upon the farm where he now resides. He has 50 acres of good land, and has erected a new house and other buildings and improvements.

WILLIAM H. WINDER, farmer; P. O. Mingo; born in Clark Co., Ohio, Jan. 24, 1837 ; is a son of Thomas and Hannah (Wildman) Winder; he a native of Ohio, and she of Virginia, the ancestry being originally from England. Thomas and wife removed from Clark Co. to their present place of residence in Logan Co., near North Lewis- burg in 1848, where they have since resided ; he has followed farming as a business during his life. They have had ten children, eight now surviving-John, Edward, Aaron, Elizabeth (now Mrs. Young), Abner, William H., Maria (now Mrs. Penning- ton) and Seth S. His wife died in the winter of 1876. Mr. Winder remained with his father till his marriage, which event was celebrated Jan. 1, 1868, when he was united with Martha, daugliter of Lewis and Lavinia Seaman, by which union they have had one child-Florence L. Mr. Winder lived about two and one-half years on rented farms; then bought and located upon the farm where he now lives and has since resided. Here he has a fine farm of 75 acres in the beautiful Mingo Valley, just bordering on the village of Mingo, with good buildings and improvements, constituting a pleasant home and residence. He is a member of the Society of Friends, his wife being a member of the M. E. Church.

EPHRAIM WOODWARD, farmer; P. O. Woodstock ; born in Pennsylvania Aug. 17, 1815 ; is a son of George and Alice (Buffington) Woodward, natives of Penn- sylvania. The grandparents were also natives of Pennsylvania, the ancestry being from England and Wales. George and family removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and located in this county in 1833, and lived and died here. He died in 1846. They were parents of ten children ; nine now survive-Lydia, Jonathan, John, Ann, Eliza, Washington, Ephraim, William and George. Our subject lived with his parents till 24 years of age. He was married, April 3, 1841, to Miss Margaretta, daughter of Ezra and Elizabeth Lamborn, natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers in this county. As the issue of this union, they had five children-Elizabeth, George, Alice, Ezra and Eliza. His wife died Oct. 26, 1868, and he was married the second time Oct. 28, 1869, to Mrs. Harriet Ellsworth, daughter of Truman M. and Mary Kimball, he a native of Vermont, and she of Ohio. The issue of his last marriage is one child-Jane. After his first marriage, he located in Logan Co., where he lived about one and one- half years ; then bought and located upon the farm where he now lives, having made a continued residence here of thirty-eight years. He has a fine farm of 127 acres, with good brick house and other buildings and improvements.

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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 108

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