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 112

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 112

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ANDREW M. MCELWAIN, miller and dealer in stock, North Lewisburg; was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., on the 11th day of April, 1827 ; he is a son of James and Alice (Carson) McElwain, who were born and reared in the same county. After their marriage they removed to Montgomery Co., Ohio; soon after, to Clark, and finally, in 1840, located in Greene Co. They were parents of seven children, four of whom are living-Margaret, Andrew M., James R. and Isaac W. The deceased are Jane S., Ellen and William S. The latter was a member of the 110th O. V. I., in which he entered as a private, and, for bravery and meritorious conduct, rose to Captain, and,. finally, to Major. On the night of the 4th of May, 1864, at the close of the first day's. fight in the battle of the Wilderness, he was shot directly in the forehead and instantly killed, aged 35 years. His body was devoured by the flames that swept over the field after the fight. Isaac was in the one-hundred-day service, but saw six months' serv- ice before being discharged. Alice, mother of Andrew, died Jan. 6, 1878, aged 79. years. His father is still living, in the 84th year of his age. Our subject's boyhood was passed in various pursuits, but, principally, in farming and teaming. His education was received in the common schools, and, as his father suffered much from ill health, his education was limited, as he was obliged to assist those who depended on his youth- ful vigor for maintenance. While in Greene Co., he and his brothers operated a stone quarry, from which they shipped large quantities of stone to various points. In 1862,. he came to Champaign Co., and worked leased land until 1872, at which time his accu- mulations enabled him to purchase 285 acres of land near Cable, on which he resided till 1875. After several exchanges and purchases of these lands, in 1878, he came to North Lewisburg and engaged in buying and shipping stock, but has now almost aban- doned the business. He, in partnership with Samuel Everett, operated a steam grist and saw mill, doing all work in their line in a workman-like and skillful manner. Jan. 17, 1850, he was married to Susannah Syphers, by whom he had three children, one. living-Belle, now Mrs. Graham. The deceased are James W. and Albert. Mrs. McElwain died in 1856, aged 24 years. His second marriage was celebrated with Emily Wright Jan. 17, 1860. He is a Christian gentleman, and belongs to the Odd Fellows and Knights of Honor.

JARED MEACHAM, farmer ; P. O. Woodstock ; born in Connecticut in 1819, Nov. 16. He is a son of Joseph and Irene (Kimball) Meacham, who were also born in Connecticut, in which they were married, and afterward removed to this State, in 1821, locating in Union Co., where they lived one year, then purchased where our sub- ject now resides ; they lived there until their decease; he died at the advanced age. of 84 years; his mother, at the advanced age of 95 years. They were parents of six children, of whom four are living-Analine Fuller, Jared, Charles and Nancy. The.

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deceased are Joseph and Ansel. By his first marriage he had five children-Lydia, Sophronia, Eliza, Mary and Lucinda. At the time of settlement, the country was new, and he and his sturdy boys made the place from the very wild. Our subject was reared on the place he now owns, and worked for his father all his life, as he remained with his son and died in his residence. He built up a good property, though he came here with only a few hundred dollars capital. During his life he owned 176 acres of good land, and at present our subject owns 184 acres of fine land, and, as he says, free from incumbrance. He was married to Mary, daughter of Daniel Dick, of Vermont, after- ward residents of Delaware Co., Ohio. Though Mr. Meacham is threescore years of age, we find him in good bodily health, and, for a man of his age, extremely lively, ' and in full possession of all his faculties.

JAMES T. MILLER, farmer ; P. O. North Lewisburg ; was born in Butler Co., Ohio, in 1838. He is a son of John and Hannah Miller. His father was born in Berkeley Co., Va., and with his parents came to the above county when a young man, and in a very early day. They remained in Butler Co. some years, then removed to War- ren Co., Ohio, where he now resides. His mother, Hannah (Green) Miller, was born in New York State, and, with her parents, came to Warren Co. at an early day, in which they lived till their decease, his grandfather having died of cholera the first time that scourge swept over Ohio. His mother died June 19, 1847, aged 33 years. They were parents of five children, three living, viz., William, Maria and our subject. The deceased are Joseph and Mary. The former was scalded to death at the age of 3 years and 8 months. James was reared on the farm, and, at the age of 17, began for himself, laboring as a hand on the farm, then speculated in horses, making enough to get a team ; then went to farming, and labored on rented land till 1864, at which time he came to Champaign Co. and purchased 110 acres of land, on which he now resides. He is one of our self-made men, having begun life empty-handed, and, at the time he purchased his present land, assumed considerable debt, which has been liquidated, and he now lives, enjoying himself under his own vine and fig-tree. Jan. 5, 1863, he was married to Alice, daughter of John L. Fisher, of Montgomery Co., Ohio. To them five children have been born, three living, viz., Eleanor M., Hannah and John M. The deceased, Edna and Elsie, were twins. His wife is a member of the M. E. Church of North Lewisburg, and is an exemplary Christian woman.

ROWLAND C. MOULTON, farmer ; P. O. Woodstock ; is the fourth child and eldest son of Phineas and Maria Moulton. He was born Feb. 5, 1821. His grandmother, Alice Chase, was a daughter of Deacon Dudley Chase and Alice Corbet, his wife. She was born in Cornish, N. H., Oct. 17, 1765; died Nov. 29, 1844. In 1788, she was married to Bibye Lake Cotton, of Cornish, N. H. He was born in 1763 ; moved to Bethel, Vt., in 1790; died March 27, 1846. He was a soldier in the Revo- lutionary war. Maria, third child of Bibye L. and Alice C. Chase, was born Feb. 22, 1792; was married to the Hon. Phineas Moulton, of Randolph, Vt., Sept. 7, 1814, and died at Keene, N. H., Sept. 14, 1875. He (Phineas) was a soldier in the war of 1812, and a native of Massachusetts. He removed to Randolph, Vt., about 1790. Rowland C. Moulton came to Ohio about 1843, and, in 1851, was married to Olive Pearl Howard, of Woodstock, Champaign Co., where they have since resided.

JOAB OVERFIELD, farmer ; P. O. North Lewisburg. The above gentleman was born in Harrison Co., Va., in 1803. He is a son of Samuel and Mary Overfield. His father was born in Loudoun Co., Va .; his mother in the State of Pennsylvania, and during the Revolutionary war, removed with her parents to Virginia, where she was married to Samuel Overfield, by whom she had eleven children. Our subject was reared on the farm in Virginia, and in 1826 came to Champaign Co., and for a few years labored on leased land, after which he purchased 100 acres where he now resides. At the time of purchase, his land was In the green woods. He erected a cabin, into which he moved his family, and, as it increased, added more room. By working almost night and day, he cleared his land and got it in shape to cultivate. Not having much

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means, he informs us that much of the time it was up-hill work, in consequence of which he has had his full share of the privations to endure. They manufactured their own clothes, and their food was what the soil would produce. No work for wages was to be had at any price, yet they lived, paid their debts and were happy. He speaks of the severe test men were put to in the harvest field to try their mettle, and very mod- estly he says none ever led him with the sickle ; and now, though 77 years of age, he likes to recount the scenes of those early days. In 1829, he was married to Beersheba, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca Tucker, by whom he had six children, viz., Samuel, Mary, Rebecca, Diana, John and Susan. Rebecca Tucker came with her family to this county in 1808. No mills had they to grind their corn, in consequence of which much corn was pounded for johnny-cake. Roast pumpkins and the fruits of nature constituted much of their living. Mrs. T. had an aunt killed by the Indians. Mrs. Overfield died Aug. 16, 1875, aged 75 years.

SAMUEL OVERFIELD, farmer ; P. O. North Lewisburg ; is a son of Joab and Beersheba Overfield, and was born in this township in 1830. His early life was passed on the farm, and, when old enough, he helped to carry and pile brush, which was no light task. He remained with his father till nearly 23 years of age, at which time he began life for himself, and for two or three years resided and worked at home. He then purchased 30 acres of land where he resides, which was mostly improved. He has since purchased 442 acres of mostly wild land, which he has nearly cleared up. His land is all in a good state of cultivation and well improved, having just completed a new house. In 1853, he was married to Clarissa A., daughter of Cyrus and Aurilla Stotard, of this county. To them eight children have been born ; seven living-Louisa, Delmer, Cyrus, John, Beersheba, Gould and Joab. Buel died in infancy.

JOHN OWEN, farmer ; P. O. Woodstock ; was born on the old Ellsworth farm May 31, 1813. His early life was passed in a manner incident to pioneer boys, and his education was received in the subscription schools. As he grew older, the sterner du- ties of life met him, and he was " buckled " into the harness, and during his prime of life did his full share of the toil that was borne by those who endured the brunt of the work in those trying times. After attaining his majority, in the year 1834, he was married to Margaret, daughter of Isaac and Nancy Hazel, who came from Pennsylvania and located in Goshen Township in 1807 or 1808. After his marriage, he located on leased land, which afterward proved so wet that he did not remain long, and located on other land, owned by a Mr. Corbet, where he passed four years, then on land owned by Sullivan one year, afterward on other land owned by Thomas Cone, after which he removed to Goshen Township, where he raised a corn crop. In 1844, he purchased land where he now resides. He and his son Thomas own 222 acres of land, all in cul- tivation and well improved. To Mr. and Mrs. Owen six children have been born, four of whom are living, viz., Thomas N., Artemecia, Sarah M. and Nancy A. The de- ceased are Elisha D. L. and John. Thomas was a member of Co. D, 134th O. N. G .; served his time and was discharged. Mrs. Owen was born in Goshen Township in 1814. Mr. O.'s mother, Sarah Tucker, died in 1849, aged about 64 years. By her marriage with Samuel Rogers, she had four children ; two living-Emily and Maria. The deceased are Catharine and Francis.

J. H. PENCE, of the firm of Pence & Hendrickson, manufacturers, and proprie- tors of livery, feed and sale stables, North Lewisburg. J. H. Pence, the senior member of this firm, was born in Clark Co., Ohio, Oct. 25, 1847, and is a son of John and Mar- garet Pence. His father, a Virginian by birth, came when a child with his parents to Warren Co., Ohio, in an early day. Margaret (Jones) Pence, mother of J. H., was born in Pennsylvania, and, with her parents, came to Ohio when a babe, locating in Clark Co., near where she now resides. She was married to John, father of our sub- ject, in Ohio, by whom she had nine children, five of whom are living, viz., Mary J., Martha, Margaret, William and James H. The deceased are David, Catharine, Anna and Keziah. His parents are living at advanced ages, and reside on the place which

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has been their home for many years. Our subject was reared on the farm, receiving his education in the district schools. At the age of 18, he began working at his trade in Urbana, where he labored nine years, completing his trade. In 1875, he located in North Lewisburg, and in partnership with J. D. Marsh, Jr., with whom he carried on an extensive business for thirteen months, when H. S. Hendrickson purchased the above gentleman's interest. In April, 1869, he was married to Miss Lucinda J., daughter of Leonard and Elizabeth Marsh, who has borne him three children, viz., Margaret E., Leonard L. and Mary J. He and his amiable wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church, with which they have been connected eighteen months. He is also Superintendent of the Sabbath school.

GEORGE RIDDLE, Cashier Woodstock Bank, Woodstock. The above gentle- man is one of the prominent settlers in this township, in which he was born in 1845. He is a son of William and Louisa Riddle. His father was probably born in Ohio, and the father of William in Kentucky, but came to Champaign Co. in an early day. William, father of George, made his home in this county while he lived. He was mar- ried to Louisa Hall, of Woodstock, Vt., whose parents came to this county among the first, erecting the first frame building in Woodstock, which yet stands, a decaying mon- ument to their enterprise. William Riddle died in 1850, aged 27 years. Louisa, his wife, departed this life in January, 1875, aged 48 years. They were parents of three children, viz., Ellen Standish, nee Riddle, Dennis and George. Our subject's boyhood was passed in Woodstock, receiving the rudiments of his education in the winter schools of the village, and during the summer was employed on the farm. Aug. 3, 1862, he enlisted in Co. G, 95th O. V. I. Twenty days after he enlisted, was precipi- tated in the battle of Richmond, Ky. Here he received a rifle-ball in his left arm, which passed through and struck him in the left breast in the region of the heart, and made its exit from the center of his back. He also received a wound in his right arm. He fell into the hands of the enemy, and, three weeks after, made his escape, and, in his weak condition, rode eighty-five miles in a wagon to Cincinnati. In December, 1861, he was discharged. In 1864, he again enlisted, in Co. D, 134th O. N. G., one- hundred-day men, and received the appointment of regimental Postmaster, a position he held until discharged. He returned to his home in an emaciated condition, weigh- ing only ninety-five pounds. Upon the return of health, he entered a commercial school in Dayton, in which he took a partial course, which was completed in Bellefon- taine, after which he was employed as book-keeper in the People's Bank of the above place, a position he held for one year. Then returned to Woodstock, and has been engaged in different mercantile pursuits. In 1867, he was appointed cashier of the Woodstock Bank, a position he now holds. He owns 175 acres of improved land and a fine property in the village of Woodstock. In April, 1869, he was married to Ida, daughter of the Rev. S. P. Carleton, of this place ; they have four children, all living, viz., Lumina, Carleton, Abner and Anson, twins. He and his wife are members of the Universalist Church, with which they have been connected some years. He is an honored member and worthy brother of the Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias.

E. SHERRETT, dentist, North Lewisburg. The above gentleman was born in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, in the year 1844, and is a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Eick) Sherrett ; his father was born in Ohio Oct. 18, 1817 ; he was a farmer by occupation, and the above county was made his home till his decease, which occurred March 17, 1851; Elizabeth, mother of Mr. S., was born in New Jersey April 5, 1818, and, when a child of 2 years, came with her parents, Peter and Desire Eick, to Ohio; both are yet living, her father at the age of 96 years, her mother in the 91st year of her age. Adam and Elizabeth Sherrett were parents of five children, two of whom are living, viz., Mary A. and our subject; the deceased are Levi, Milo and Peter. Our subject was reared on the farm, and, in August, 1862, enlisted in Co. G of the 126th O. V. I., and was soon after transferred to the front, where they were used in guarding the B. &

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O. R. R. In July, 1863, their corps (the Sixth) was ordered to intercept Lee, who threatened an invasion of the North. The battle of Gettysburg which followed and Lee's almost disastrous defeat are well remembered by the many. Suffice it to say, the 126th sustained her part. He also passed through the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and, in fact, all the battles which took place in and around that great rebel stronghold. In these battles his regiment lost severely, his company losing all its officers, and, out of fifty-four effective men, only fifteen re- ported for duty. In the engagement at Monocacy Junction, he received a wound in the hand from a piece of shell, which struck his gun-barrel, glanced and struck him, producing a shock from which he yet feels the effects. He was discharged in July, 1865, and returned to his home and attended school for eighteen months, after which he studied dentistry under Dr. W. S. Vail for two years, and completed his studies under C. C. Dills, a prominent dentist of Urbana. He entered upon the practice of his pro- fession in North Lewisburg, where he has since lived, with the exception of four years,. two of which were passed in Wapello Co., Iowa, and two in Union Co., Ohio. In 1870, he was married to Anna, daughter of Aaron Winder, Esq., one of the old and prominent settlers of this place, who died May 6, 1880, aged 72 years. In 1879, his fellow-townsmen elected him Justice of the Peace, the duties of which he is fully competent to discharge. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church, in which. he is Class-leader. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and Knights of Honor.

WARREN D. SIBLEY, farmer, and President of North Lewisburg Bank ; P. O. North Lewisburg; was born in Woodstock Oct. 22, 1823, and is a son of Benjamin Dow and Lydia (Hillard) Sibley, who were born in New Hampshire, his father March 14, 1789, his mother in May, 1798, and, when young, removed with her parents, Richmond and Lydia (Hillard) Sibley to Stowe, Vt., where she was reared, and, in 1817, came to Union Co., Ohio. Benjamin D., father of our subject, came to this State and located in Woodstock in 1818, but had spent two years previous to this time at other points. He was married to Lydia Hillard, in Union Co., by whom he had five children, of whom our subject alone survives. The deceased are Maria A., born March 4, 1823; Richmond H., Sept. 21, 1826; Mary A , Sept. 9, 1829 ; Adelaide E., Aug. 1, 1832. After their marriage, they located on land near the present town of Woodstock, and afterward the town was laid out on a portion of his land, he being one of the original founders of the place. On this land he lived till 1848, at which time he removed to where his son now lives, and here his remaining days were past. He died April 28, 1866. His mother departed this life May 3, 1856. Both were members of the Uni- versalist Church of Woodstock. Mr. Sibley's boyhood was passed on the farm in a manner incident to youth, and received his education in the common schools, which were rather meager in that day. Oct. 29, 1850, he was married to Sarah A., daughter of Jeremiah and Lucretia Clark, of Connecticut. Mr. Clark was born Sept. 22, 1795; Mrs. Clark in the same State Oct. 26, 1803. After his marriage he located where he now lives, and, owing to the wild nature of the ground, Mr. S. has had a broad experi- ence in cutting down and clearing off the dense growth that covered his ground. He well remembers the scenes of fifty years ago, when yet the deer were plenty, and when the low ground in the vicinity of Woodstock was inundated the greater portion of the year. His father brought twenty-three head of cows from Greene Co. for dairy pur- poses, and in three years' time only three were left, having died from disease. Mr. S. owns 400 acres of splendid land, highly cultivated and well improved. He was elected a Commissioner of the county in 1878, a position he now holds, and is well qualified to- guard the best interests of the county. He has belonged to the institution of Odd Fel- lowship for thirty-two years. He and his wife are members of the Universalist Church at Woodstock, with which they have been connected upward of thirty years. They are. parents of seven children, six living-Flora (now Mrs. T. Y. Corkery, Ida, Mary, Beniel, Staley and Stella (twins) ; Glen (deceased).

SAMUEL G. SMITH, surveyor and engineer, Woodstock; was born on the- place where he now lives Sept. 5, 1826, and is a son of Sylvanus and Thankful (Kel-

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sey) Smith. His father was born in Connecticut Oct. 25, 1787; Thankful, mother of Samuel, was born in New Hampshire June 29, 1791. Both were reared in Vermont, in which they were married April 2, 1812. In 1816, they removed to Champaign Co., Ohio, in a one-horse wagon, and with them came his brother Samuel and family, who occupied the same wagon. Their journey was made in about six weeks, and upon their arrival they located on leased land in Union Co., where they remained three years ; after which his father purchased 100 acres, where our subject resides. Woodstock was afterward laid out on a portion of this same land. He erected a cabin just west of the present site of Woodstock, into which he moved his family. On this land he made a permanent home; was successful, and accumulated a good property. He died July 12, 1872, aged 84 years 8 months and 20 days. His mother died Dec. 24, 1876, aged 85 years 5 months and 25 days. They were parents of seven children, six of whom are living-Hiram, Myron G., Richard S., Samuel G., Azrow and Andrew J. Lorana, wife of George Robinson, died March 11, 1850; was born Jan. 14, 1823. Our sub- ject was reared on the farm till 20 years of age, when he was employed as clerk in a Woodstock store, a position he held for twelve years. He afterward embarked in busi- ness in the same place for himself, and, after three years of business, removed to Meta- mora, Ill., where he was employed in a store; afterward went to Claremont, Ill., where he had charge of an extensive mercantile house for four years. In 1866, he returned to his native place, and since has given much of his time to surveying and engineering. His common-school education was developed in a select school taught by Joseph Smith, who was his preceptor three years. He has served fourteen consecutive years as Justice of the Peace, which is ample proof of his executive ability ; also served as Township Clerk a number of years. Dec. 29, 1853, he was married to Hepsie J., daughter of William Inskeep, whose sketch appears in this work. No children have been born to them. They reared True. McIlroy from 8 years, and have now a little girl, Katie, adopted from the Orphan's Home. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Woodstock Lodge, No. 167, having been a member thirty years. He owns 15 acres of land, which makes him a delightful home.

ANDREW J. SMITH, farmer; P. O. Woodstock; was born near Woodstock in the year 1832, and is the youngest son of Sylvanus and Thankful Smith, whose sketch appears in this work. Our subject was reared on the farm, receiving his education in the common schools ; he remained with his parents till he was 23 years of age, at which time, in 1855, he was married to Delilah, daughter of William Inskeep, whose sketch appears in this work. After his marriage, he remained on the old home farm about three years, after which he removed to where he now resides. He owns 310 acres of land, which is all in a good state of cultivation and well improved. At the time of his locating on this land there was very little improvement made, as a portion of the land was contained in Sullivan's survey, the latest made in this section. He has, by his en- ergy and perseverance, cleared up and improved, and now owns, one of the finest farms in this township. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith nine children have been born, all living, viz .: Jessie, Jossie, Lora, Fanny, Hattie and Mattie (twins), Eunice, Dale and Maud. Mrs. S. was born in Union Co., Ohio, Dec. 31, 1836. He is an honored member and worthy brother of the I. O. O. F., of Woodstock Lodge, No. 167, with which he has been con- nected twenty-one years. He and his estimable wife are members of the Universalist Church of Woodstock, with which they have been connected some twenty years.

STEPHEN K. SMITH, farmer and manufacturer of tile; P. O. North Lewis- burg ; was born in Woodstock, this county, Jan. 30, 1822, and is a son of Samuel and Phobe (Mccutcheon) Smith, who were born in the Green Mountain State, in which they were married, and, in about 1815, came to Woodstock, locating where the town is now situated. He purchased 160 acres of land and built a cabin, into which he moved his family ; he, however, did not live there long, as the unhealthy condition of the country carried him to an early grave Aug. 5, 1822, aged 30 years. His mother died in 1878, aged 86 or 87 years. To them five children were born, three living-Lois, Amy

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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 112

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