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 111

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 111

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FRED HOISINGTON, dealer in drugs and druggists' sundries, North Lewisb- burg; was born in this county in the year, 1844, and is a son of William W. and Olive (Kimball) Hoisington. His father was born in Vermont, and, when a child, came with his father, Abisha Hoisington, in an early day to this county, in which they lived till their decease. To William W. and Olive, parents of Fred, five children were born, four of whom are living-Fred, Warren, Amy L. and Winn W .; Celia deceased. His father had been previously married to Polly Franklin, who bore him two children -John, living; Frank, deceased. Our subject's boyhood was passed on the farm, receiving the rudiments of his education in the common schools, which was developed in the Woodstock school. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. G of the 95th O. V. I .; was immediately transferred to the front, and, within ten days after enlistment, the regiment was all cut to pieces at Richmond, Ky., he falling into the hands of the enemy ; was paroled and afterward exchanged, and again took his place in the ranks. His regiment was identified in the great Vicksburg campaign, losing a number of men in the engagements which raged in and around this great stronghold, Three bullets pierced the clothes of our subject, but did no bodily harm. After the fall of the above place, the regiment was sent to Memphis, and, soon after, was taking an active part in the great Sturgis raid, in which the regiment suffered severely. Mr. Hoising- ton again fell into the hands of the enemy, and this time was incarcerated in the prison - pens of Andersonville, in which he suffered all the hellish cruelties which could be

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perpetrated by the fiendish Wirz. Seven of his companions were captured at the same time, of whom all survived the terrible ordeal. When the confederacy was struggling in its death throes, and the prisoners were being hurried to other quarters, he was recaptured at Wilmington, and, soon after, under general order of the Govern- ment, was discharged, and returned to his home, a mere skeleton of his former self. Upon the return of health and strength, he went to Elkader, Clayton Co., Iowa, in which, for eighteen months, he was engaged in the drug business. Returning to Ohio, he soon after engaged in his present business in North Lewisburg, where he has since been employed. In 1869, he was married to Miss Angela Kerr, who bore him one child-Maud, deceased, aged 5 months. Mrs. H. died November, 1870, when in the bloom of young womanhood, and universally loved and respected by all who knew her, aged 19 years. Mr. H. is a member of the Masonic Order, Odd Fellows and Knights of Honor, in which orders he is an honorable member and worthy brother.

HON. A. P. HOWARD, farmer; P. O. Woodstock ; residence "Lazy Man's Rest." The above gentleman was born in Windham Co., Conn., Dec. 24, 1820 ; he is a son of Anson and Olive Pearl Howard, who were born in the above county and State ; his father on the 3d of April, 1781; his mother, July 1, 1790. They were married in the place of their nativity, Jan. 2, 1811. William and Phoebe (Fuller) Howard, parents of Anson, were born in Connecticut ; William, Jan. 18, 1749 ; Phoebe, his wife, Dec. 3, 1759. They were the parents of eleven children ; he died in Ohio, July 18, 1822; Phobe, his wife, departed this life July 15, 1806. John and Sarah (Bennett) Howard, parents of William Howard, were born in Ipswich, Mass. ; he Feb. 15, 1715; Sarah, his wife, Oct. 22, 1722. They were married in Hampton, Conn., Jan. 8, 1740; he died June 16, 1789; she died March 19, 1812. The above John Howard was the eldest son of John and Mary (Martin) Howard ; he was born in Ipswich, Mass., in 1683. He married Mary Martin, of Ipswich, Feb. 22, 1713. They settled in Hampton, Conn., in 1733, in what is called Howard's Valley. This latter John was the son of William Howard, of Ipswich, who was born in 1634; died in the same place July 25, 1709; he was the son of Thomas Howard, who emigrated to America from England in 1634 ; he died in Ipswich, April 15, 1686, a very old man, who was born about the year 1600. Anson and Olive Pearl Howard, parents of our subject, emigrated to Ohio and settled in Rush Township, Champaign Co., in the year 1817. In 1820, they returned to Con- necticut on a visit, and during the time A. P. was born. They returned the following spring and located where their son-in-law, R. C. Moulton, now resides ; here they made a permanent home. They were the parents of four children, two of whom are living, viz., Olive Moulton nee Howard, and our subject; the deceased are George P. and Charles P. His father never had any political aspiration, was modest and unassuming, a man whose thoughts, whose deeds and whose actions were from his own heart, formed from the principles of virtue and candor. He was appointed by the Governor one of the Commissioners to locate the county seats of Auglaize and other Northwest counties ; he also held the office of County Commissioner. In his own neighborbood he was much interested in perfecting doubtful titles and establishing honest claims of purchasers of land in the Tom Moore survey. He was a member of the Masonic order, in which he was an honorable and worthy brother. He and his estimable wife were mem- bers of the Christian Church, in which they were leaders and very exemplary Christian people. He died March 28, 1849 ; she departed this life Oct. 6, 1860. Our subject's early boyhood was passed on the farm, and in a manner incident to youth. The rudi- ments of his education were received in the district schools, which was afterward devel- oped by a course of study in a private school in Urbana, after which he studied surveying and algebra, under Amasa Reed, who was his preceptor. In 1847, he was married to Elizabeth J. McDonald. They have five children, viz., Mary, Julian, Anson, George P. and I. Gail. In 1851, he visited the first world's fair in London, England, and, during his stay abroad, visited France, purchasing a number of blooded sheep; he returned the same year. In 1861, he was elected to the House as Representative of Champaign Co., and served during the legislative years of 1862 and 1863, after which

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he was elected to the Senate from the Eleventh Senatorial District, and served in that body during the years 1864 and 1865 ; he was re-elected in 1869, and served during the Senatorial terms of 1870 and 1871, discharging the duties incumbent thereto with credit to himself and with satisfaction to his constituents ; during the latter term, he was Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, and served on Committees on Roads and Highways, Penitentiary, Universities, and Medical Colleges. In the Presidential contest of 1876, he was Elector to the Electoral College. In politics, he is a Repub- lican, always voting with that party upon all questions at issue. In 1862, when our beloved country was struggling in the throes of disruption and secession, he was the first man in Champaign Co. to contribute means to enlarge the volunteer force, placing $500 on deposit to the credit of the first 100 men who enlisted in the 95th O. V. I .; from the precedent thus established, other counties did likewise, thus vastly relieving the wants of families whose husbands and fathers were in the front, doing battle for their flag and country. During these troublesome times, he labored faithfully and un- tiringly in the discharge of weighty duties and responsibilities which devolved on every liberty-loving citizen. From his donations to the soldiers' relief fund, it is understood, from unquestionable authority, that he was the only man in Champaign Co. who was not re-imbursed, and, when making the subscriptions, did not expect re-imbursement, as he afterward notified the Chairman of that committee. Though his life has not been uneventful, in serving in the higher executive departments of his State, he has a real- ization and proper appreciation of the trust which was reposed in him by his fellow- citizens. He is one of the first in improvement, having done much at home toward developing the resources of the county; he has, on his own land, thirty miles of tile- drain, and owns, at present, 1,800 acres of land, which is in cultivation and well im- proved ; he deals quite largely in stock, and is extensively engaged in farming, as his wheat crop of 1880, in the aggregate, amounted to 250 acres.

JOHN HUDSON, farmer; P. O. New Lewisburg ; was born in Hampshire Co., Va., in 1803. He is a son of John and Mary Hudson, who were also born in the same State, his mother in the same county. They were married on the dividing line between Maryland and Virginia, and afterward made their home in the latter State for a number of years, then removed to Alleghany Co., Va., where his mother died. Our subject was reared in Maryland, a bound boy to a tavern-keeper. Not liking his vocation, he ran away to Shenandoah Co., Va., where he found employment for two years as team- ster to one of the foundries in that region, after which he returned to his native county. There he was married to Sarah Lease, in 1824, and the following year, when his accu- mulations enabled him, emigrated to Ohio and settled near King's Creek. Soon after, in partnership with a brother-in-law, he bought 233 acres of wild land, the same on which he now lives. He erected a cabin, into which he moved his family; he was suc- cessful from the start, and purchased other land, which he afterward lost by going security for irresponsible parties. It was in April, 1832, he located here, where nearly half a century has been passed, a portion of the time in the hardest of labor, which has produced cleared fields, and from his frugality and good management has sprung up a plenty, the fruit of toil, and the reward of a bound boy who had no help over the rough places in life. His wife died April 7, 1876, aged 71 years 10 months and 27 days. He was again married to Barbara Weingardner Sept. 4, 1877. By his first marriage he had six childron, four living-William, Martha E., Thomas and Jane. The deceased were John and Jacob. John was a member of Co. D, 134th O. N. G .; enlisted in 1864, and died in the hospital in Portsmouth, Va., June 7, 1864. Jacob was a member of Co. H, 66th O. V. I. ; enlisted in 1861 ; was in the battle of Port Repub- lic and at Cedar Mountain ; was shot and instantly killed Aug. 9, 1862. Thomas was a member of Co. D, 134th O. N. G.

WILLIAM HUNTER, merchant, North Lewisburg; born in Logan Co., Ohio, in the year 1838. He is a son of John and Achsah Hunter, who were born in New Jersey. His father was born in 1800, and, in 1818, came to Champaign Co., and since has resided in

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this and Logan Co .; is a shoemaker by occupation, and at present resides in this place. His mother was born in 1801, and was married to John, father of William, in 1827, by whom she had eight children, six of whom are living-Hudson, Betsey A. (now Mrs. Spain), Mary A. (now Mrs.' Bower), Joseph, Jacob R. and William. The deceased are John and Hannah. Mr. H. was reared on the farm, and at the breaking- out of the late civil war, Aug. 16, 1861, enlisted in Co. C, of the 17th O. V. I. The regiment was assigned to the army of the West, under command of Gen. George H. Thomas. He participated in many of the hard-fought battles of the war, of which we mention Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Jonesboro, and the many battles in and around Atlanta ; he accompanied the intrepid Sherman on his great march to the sea, and was in the grand review in Washington. He held a Sergeant's commission for three years, was ever at the post of duty, and was discharged July 18, 1865, having served three years and eleven months. Upon his return home, he went to Boone Co., Iowa, where he was engaged two years, after which he returned to North Lewisburg and engaged in merchandising. Nov. 8, 1871, he was married to Mollie, daughter of Edmund Moon, of Logan Co., who has borne him three children-Lola, Gracie and Carrie. Mrs. Hunter was born in Logan Co. in 1850; at present he is a member of the Board of Education and City Council. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church, in which they are active members. He is also a member of the Masonic Lodge and Knights of Honor.

WILLIAM INSKEEP, retired minister, North Lewisburg; was born in Cham- paign Co., which portion is now of Logan Co., Ohio, Jan. 29, 1807. He is a son of John and Esther Inskeep, who were born in Virginia, and settled in Champaign Co. in the fall of 1805. His father was a hatter by trade, but paid some attention to agricult- ural pursuits, until his sons relieved him from active farm labor. He served his dis- trict in the Legislature one term, ably discharging the duties pertaining thereto. He was married to Esther Garwood, of Virginia, who bore him thirteen children ; six of whom are living-Delilah, Julietta, Esther, Mary, John F. and our subject. Their deceased children were David, Warner, two named Elizabeth, Edward, Benoni and Jose. His father died in the 80th year of his age; his mother died several years previous to the death of her husband, at an advanced age. Our subject was reared on the farm ; his education being received in subscription schools of that day, which only occupied three months in the year. The scholars were taught in reading, writing, arithmetic and spelling, the latter all became proficients in, as spelling schools were much in vogue in those days. He followed the fortunes of the farm, and in 1830 was married to Keturah Warner, who bore him eight children, of whom six are living-Esther, Epsibah, Delilah, Mary, Octavia and Lorena R. The deceased, Hope M. and Emily. Mrs. I. departed this life during the latter part of May, 1854, aged 42 years. She was a member of the M. P. Church, and died in the triumphs of a Christian faith. His second marriage was celebrated in 1855, with Amanda A. Stone, nee Freet, of Virginia, who bore him two children, one living-Lydia M. William W., deceased. At the age of 34 years, Mr. I. was ordained a minister in the M. P. Church, in which he most zealously worked for more than forty years, laboring almost exclusively in the home church, though he fre- quently relieved a working brother in other pulpits. In the fall of 1860, he removed to Richland Co., Ill., where for nine years he labored in the ministry. In 1870, he abandoned the great work, and has since retired to the privacy of home, rejoicing in hav- ing done a good work, and is now waiting to reap the reward that is promised the faith- ful for doing the bidding of the great Shepherd. In local offices he has been well rep- resented, having served in many of the township offices in this and Union Co.

DAVID KENFIELD, deceased ; was born in Genessee Co., N. Y., Feb. 11, 1829. He was a son of Nehemiah and Sallie A. (Canfield) Kenfield, who were both of New England birth. He moved with his parents to Michigan when 11 years old. At the age of 22, he made an overland trip to California on horseback, where he remained two years, and was successful in the undertaking. Sept. 16, 1849, he was married to Marian Par-

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rish, who bore him five children, three living, viz., Sylvia, Chester and Marian. The deceased, Frances L. and Sallie A. Mrs. Kenfield died Sept. 25, 1862, aged 32 years 3 months and 7 days. He came to Woodstock in 1857, and erected a tile-factory, the first in the vicinity, which he successfully operated until 1872. In 1868, he purchased 150 acres of land, for which he paid $80 per acre. In 1873, he purchased other land adjoining. He was an extensive farmer and a shrewd business man, and at his death left 231 acres of land. His second marriage was celebrated April 24, 1863, with Eusebia R., daughter of Clark Dix, by whom he had nine children, seven living, viz., Clara, Scott, Dora, Ross, John, Mary M. and Melva. He departed this life Feb. 6, 1879. Was a member of the Masonic Lodge of North Lewisburg, and the I. O. O. F., Lodge of Woodstock, No. 167. He was also a member of the Universalist Church of Wood- stock. Mrs. K. was born in this county in 1838.

BELA KIMBALL (deceased). The subject of this memoir was born in the year 1799. He was a son of Andrew and Abigail Kimball, who were among the early settlers in this township, locating in the year 1817. Bela Kimball was married to Electa Franklin, by whom he had nine children, five of whom are living, viz., Olive, Harvey, Clarissa, Milo and Estella. The deceased are Andrew A., Herman, Fanny and Laura. Mr. K. first located on land on the east side of the township, where he lived until 1850, when he erected a dwelling further west from the first place of resi- dence, in which he lived till his decease. He departed this life Sept. 30, 1878, in his 80th year. Electa, his wife, departed this life July 19, 1861, aged 57 years and 1 month. Mrs. Kimball's parents were born in Vermont, where they died when she was quite young. Andrew Kimball died at the age of 70 years ; Abigail, his wife, in the 89th year of her age.

CHARLES LINCOLN (deceased). To the subject of this memoir, whose por- trait will be found in this work, and who was one of the pioneers and prominent citi- zens of Rush Township, we are pleased to accord a place in the biographical album of this history. He was born in Windham Co., Conn., in 1809, probably of English par- entage. His father died from the effects of an accident before he was born, and in his infancy he was bound to Anson Howard, father of A. P. Howard, of this township. When Mr. L. was about 7 years old, Mr. Howard emigrated to Ohio, locating in Rush Township, and his lot became thus early cast among the pioneers of Champaign Co. Here, under the care of Mr. Howard, he learned his first lessons of toil and economy, and formed those habits of industry which made his life a success. With the excep- tion of a two-years residence in Union Co., he had his residence in Rush Township from the time of settling here till his death, a period of over threescore years. He served his minority with Mr. Howard, and then engaged to work for John McDonald. He remained with Mr. McD. till his marriage with Miss Alura Johnson, which oc- curred in 1836. She was a daughter of Joseph Johnson, well known as an early pio- neer of this section of country. After Mr. Lincoln's marriage, he moved to Union Co., Ohio, where he remained about two years and then returned to Rush Township, locating upon the place where he lived till his death, which occurred Feb. 2, 1880. The community recognized in his death the loss of a valuable member of society. Farming was his life occupation. He took a special interest in the breeding and rais- ing of fine cattle, and was among the first to introduce this enterprise in this section of country, an enterprise which has added much wealth to the community. Mr. L. was a self-made man, carving out his own fortune. Inheriting nothing but industrious habits, an honest name and a vigorous intellect, he steadily increased his earthly possessions, till, at his death, he was one of the largest land-owners in the township. His life may be and is regarded as a success, and is worthy of being perpetuated in the annals of Champaign County history. He shared in the privations and hardships incident to the pioneer life of this country, and bore a creditable part in bringing it from the wilder- ness to its present high state of improvement. He had a family of six sons and four daughters, five sons and two daughters of whom still survive, and live in the vicinity of

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their birthplace. They all follow the chosen occupation of their father, that of farm- ing. Mr. L. found expression for his political views in the Republican party, and at various times filled offices of honor and trust in the township.

J. L. LONG (of the firm of Long & Co.), merchant, North Lewisburg. Was born in Miami Co., Ohio, in 1835, and is a son of James and Charlotte C. Long. His father war born in Ohio in 1800; his mother in New Jersey, in 1802. They were married near Cincinnati, and removed to Miami Co. in an early day, where they lived till their decease ; his father died in 1861, aged 62 years ; his mother died in Indiana, at the age of 67 years. They were parents of four children, two living-Susan C. (now Mrs. Ludlow) and our subject. The deceased-Josephine L. and Charlotte C. Our subject's boyhood was passed on the farm, receiving the rudiments of an education in the district schools, which was afterward developed in the Wittenberg College, near Springfield, Ohio. After his return from school, he labored one year on the farm, after which he engaged in merchandising in Addison with a partner, J. E. Phenimore, and to- gether they did business for three years, when his partner withdrew, one Howell taking his place, and, after one year, Mr. L. assumed sole ownership. Jan. 1, 1870, he em- barked in the dry-goods business, in North Lewisburg, and, after one year's experience, changed to the grocery business, to which he has since added a meat market, and is now doing business in large double rooms. In 1856, he was married to Louisa C. Howell, by whom he has had four children, viz., Alonzo N., Charles T., John L. and Mary A. He is a member of the City Council and Vice President of the Ohio Mutual Insurance Association. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church, each tak- ing an interest in the church, of which they are zealous workers. Mrs. Long was born in Champaign Co. May 7, 1835. She is a daughter of Manoah Howell, deceased. To her parents six children were born, four living, viz., Levi R., Zilpha, Rebecca J. and the wife of our subject. The deceased are Mary and one in infancy. Mr. L. is a member of the Masonic Order and the Knights of Honor.

CAPT. WILLIAM McADAMS, North Lewisburg; was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, in 1814; he is a son of John and Catherine (Steward) McAdams ; they were born in Pennsylvania, and were of Scotch descent; they were married in Pennsylvania, and removed to near Kingston, this county, in 1803; his father died June 16, 1839, aged 84 years ; his mother departed this life May 29, 1839, aged 82 years. They were parents of eight children, two living-Nancy (now Mrs. Spain) and our subject. Our subject's boyhood was passed in rural pursuits, a business he was devoted to until he was 35 years of age; he has dealt extensively in stock. Oct. 3, 1861, he enlisted, and, the same night, was commissioned 2d Lieutenant of Co. H, 66th O. V. I .; was soon after promoted to 1st Lieutenant, and, a little later, he became Captain of the company ; Jan. 17 following, the regiment took its departure, and was stationed in Virginia, a State they traversed from center to circumference. About the middle of June follow- ing, he was sent to Washington; from there to Columbus, Ohio, and was engaged in removing drafted men and recruits to the front; he recruited 300 men for the service, a business he was engaged in for ten months; he afterward returned to his command in Virginia, but was soon after obliged to resign his command, from the effects of poi- son ; he returned to his home, and, when well enough, again took the field, and nobly assisted the unfortunate boys to their homes. He has been thrice married ; first, with Harriet McCartney, April 5, 1840, who bore him five children, three living, viz., James, Sarah C. and Margaret E .; the deceased, John and William ; Mrs. McAdams died in 1868, aged 42 years. His second marriage was celebrated with Sarah R. Bowers, in 1870, by whom he had one child, viz., Harriet ; Mrs. McAdams died Oct. 30, 1873. His third and last marriage was celebrated with Rosallia Patten, nee Farnum, in Octo- ber, 1875. In 1857, he removed to North Lewisburg ; he has assessed the chattel property in the township several times, and has just completed an assessment of the real estate ; he is a member of the Masonic Lodge, of which he is an honorable mem- ber and worthy brother. His grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier, entering the

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army when 15 years old ; his father was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. McAdams. has in his possession many relics which have been handed down from father to son for many generations.

ENOCH MCCARTY, farmer ; P. O. North Lewisburg; was born in the year 1833, and is a son of Stephen McCarty, who was born in Virginia about 1792 ; he re- moved to this county with his family about 1820, locating on 130 acres of wild land, where he now lives ; he erected a cabin, into which he moved his family, and, through his own exertions, cleared most of his land; he was a man of strong constitution and great endurance, and the forest gradually disappeared before his strong blows. To him six children were born, four living-Elizabeth A., James, Daniel and Enoch ; the de- ceased were John and Thomas. Deborah (Thompkins) McCarty, mother of Enoch, was born in Culpeper Co., Va., in 1802; she died in 1876, aged 74 years. Enoch was reared on the farm, where he has since lived. In 1861, he was married to Rebecca J. Morgan, of this county, who has borne him two children, viz., Sarah L. and John B .. He owns 233 acres of cultivated land, all well improved ; he was a member of Co. H. 134th O. V. I., O. N. G .; he served four months, and was at the front, doing picket duty.

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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 111

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