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 113
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and our subject ; the deceased, Cyrus (whose sketch appears in this work) and Jesse. In August, 1862, Stephen enlisted in Co. G, 95th O. V. I .; was immediately trans- ferred to the front, and, twenty days after, participated in the battle of Richmond, Ky., where he was taken prisoner; was shortly afterward paroled, and returned home ; five months after he was exchanged and returned to the front, and took part in the Vicks- burg campaign. His regiment was sent to Missouri, and, on account of sickness, he remained in Memphis until the regiment returned, then went into the ranks, after which the regiment raided through Tennessee and Mississippi, watching the enemy. He was in the battles of Guntown, Tupelo, and a number of skirmishes which happened almost every day, and, during the time, got several scratches which drew blood but did no bodily injury. At the above first-named place, he was cut off from his command, and, the rebs coming in on him in open ground, he made for cover 200 yards distant, and after him came the volleys of the " Johnnies," which greatly accelerated his speed, but did him no farther harm than merely giving him a few scratches. After these engagements, he was plunged into the battle of Franklin, Tenn., after which he went down to Mobile, and, while on the way, was in the siege of Spanish Fort, and, after rambling around, finally brought up at Montgomery, Ala., where they were apprised of Lee's surrender. They were mustered out at Columbus, Aug. 19, 1865, just three years to a day after enlistment. His son, John M., served during the war, in the same regiment and company as his father. After his return home, he lived on his farm until 1878, at which time he came to North Lewisburg and put up a tile factory, which is now operated by his son, Frank W. In 1842, he was married to Rebecca Baldwin, and has seven children, six living-John M., Lora E., Timothy D., Emma O., Velma R. and Frank M .; Elizabeth, deceased. He owns 74} acres of land in this township. He is a member of Woodstock Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 167.
C. C. SMITH, Postmaster and dealer in boots and shoes, custom work a specialty, Woodstock ; was born in Massachusetts in the year 1828, and is a son of Levi and Lucy Smith, who were born in the same State, in which they were married, and where he lived till his death, which occurred in 1851, aged 65 years. His mother moved to El Paso, Ill., where she departed this life in 1878, aged 90 years. They were parents of ten children, of whom seven are living, viz., Philo, Lucy, Angeline, Levi, Larkin, Benjamin F., Courtland C. The deceased were Courtland, Jonas H., and one in in- fancy. Our subject was reared in his native State, his time being occupied on the bench and farm. At the age of 21, he began business for himself. In June, 1849, he was married to Adelia E. Smith, by whom he has had two children-Jennie E. and Lucy M. After his marriage, he followed his trade in Holden, Mass., until his removal here in 1854. He located in Woodstock and has since given his attention to his business. In July of the first year of Lincoln's administration he was appointed Postmaster of Woodstock, a position he has since held, to the entire satisfaction of the patrons of the office. He and his wife are members of the Universalist Church, with which they have been connected for fifteen years, he having been Deacon of the same for ten or twelve years. Their church has a membership of about 125, and is presided over by the Rev. W. J. Crossley, an able and efficient minister of the Gospel.
STEPHEN A. SMITH, proprietor of the Buckeye House, Woodstock ; was born in the above place in the year 1840, and is a son of Cyrus and Lydia Smith. His father was born in Stowe, Vt., Feb. 24, 1813. With his parents, Samuel and Phœbe Smith, Cyrus moved to Champaign Co. in 1816. At the age of 9 years his father died, after which he lived with Anson Howard on the farm until 18 years old; then learned the carpenter trade, which he followed as long as he was able to do manual labor, and was a fine workman. He was twice married; first with Lydia Hall, in 1836, by whom he had six children, all living-George W., Stephen A., Sarah L., Willard H., Elisha D. and Howard. Mrs. Smith died in 1854, aged 39 years. His second marriage was celebrated with Mrs. Fannie A. (Smith) Harrington, April 6, 1856. He was a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows' Lodge of Woodstock, and a member of the Universalist Church.
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He was a member of Co. D, 134th O. N. G., 100-day men; served his time and was honorably discharged. He departed this life, after a long and painful illness, June 25, 1880. Our subject's boyhood was passed in the village, and, when old enough, he worked on the farm for John McDonald for four years. In April, 1861, he enlisted for the three months service, in Co. K, 2d O. N. G., and was in the first battle at Bull Run. After his discharge he returned home, and on Oct. 15, 1862, enlisted in Co. F, 54th O. V. I., 2d Brigade, 2d Division and 15th Army Corps. He was in the battles of Shiloh, Arkansas Post, siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Champion Hill, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesborough, and many other lighter engagements ; was with Sherman on his march to the sea. He veteranized Jan. 1, 1864, at Belle- fonte, Ala., and was mustered in at Larkinsville, Ala., Jan. 22, 1864. After his re- enlistment he did active service till he was discharged, July 25, 1865, having served four years. July 25, 1867, he was married to Susan Epps, by whom he has two chil- dren-Harvey J. H. and Laura E. In the fall of 1870, he became proprietor of the Buckeye House, and is an accommodating and genial landlord, always attending to the wants and comforts of his guests.
ERASTUS M. SMITH, farmer; P. O. Woodstock; was born on the place on which he now resides in the year 1842, and is a son of Elias and Huldah (Swift) Smith. His father was born in Stowe, Vt., in the year 1811. Huldah, mother of Erastus, was born in Rochester, Mass., in the same year as her husband. They were married in Vermont, and, in 1836, removed to Champaign Co., locating three-quarters of a mile west of Woodstock, where Erastus now resides. He purchased 340 acres of land, on which he lived till his decease, which occurred Feb. 28, 1871. His mother is yet living and resides with him. They were parents of four children, two of whom are living, viz., Philip and Erastus M. The deceased are Curtis B., died in 1863, aged 28 years, leaving a wife and two children, viz., Frederick B. and Orvis E. ; one dying in infancy. His grandparents, Philip and Rosina Smith, came the same year (1836), living here till their death. He died in 1866, aged 80 years ; she departed this life in 1858, aged 73 years. They were parents of three children ; all deceased, viz., Susan, Elias and Abel. His parents and grandparents were members of the Christian Church, and exemplary people, taking much interest in the cause and development of religion. Our subject's boyhood was passed on the farm, and he received his education in the district schools. He remained with his parents till he was 21 years old, then began life for himself. May 2, 1864, he enlisted in Co. D, 134th O. N. G .; served his time and was discharged Sept. 1 of the same year. In 1877, he was married to Mrs. Laura (Cranston) Marsh, daughter of Edwards Cranston, whose sketch appears in this work. To them one child has been born, viz., Nina H., born June 14, 1880. He owns 147 acres of land, which makes a delightful home. By his wife's previous marriage with Charles W. Marsh, she had four children ; three living, viz., Mattie, Charles D. and Lucy ; Hattie, deceased. Mr. M. died in February, 1869.
ABRAHAM SPAIN, farmer; P. O. North Lewisburg; is another of the old settlers in this township, and was born near North Lewisburg in 1808, and is a son of John P. and Nancy M. Spain, who were born in Dinwiddie Co., Va. In 1805, they removed to, and settled in, Champaign Co. on 106 acres of wild land, which he cleared up and improved, and where they lived till their decease. They have the honor of be- ing among the first settlers who contended with Indian, beast and wilderness, to obtain a foothold. In 1850, at the age of 70 years, his father died; his mother died in 1845, aged 65 years. They were parents of fourteen children; five living-Abraham, Paschal, Job, William A. and Matilda E. Abraham was reared to farm labor, his edu- cation being received in the subscription schools before 12 years old. At the age of 21, he began life for himself and located where he now resides. Through his energy the forest has disappeared, and in its stead large cleared fields mark the fastnesses of nature's stronghold. The home farm contains 100 acres, and he owns 113 acres more, which is located in Union Co. In 1830, he was married to Martha Spain, by whom he had six
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children ; all deceased-Robert M., Aaron W., Wilmuth, Job S., John and Lucy. Mrs. S. died in 1852, aged 44 years. His second marriage was celebrated with Susannah Leonard in 1871. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church, with which he has been connected more than half a century, a length of time few labor in the church.
LEMUEL SPAIN, farmer; P. O. North Lewisburg; is the eldest son of Willis and Nancy Spain, the oldest living settlers in this township. He was born on the place where his father resides, in 1816, and was reared as pioneers' boys usually were, having plenty of work to do and little schooling. He is another who has had a full share of the hardships to endure, and, being young and strong, naturally became a valuable help in log-rollings and felling timber; hunting and fishing gave them recreation. He re- mained with his parents till he attained his majority, when he began life for himself on the land (100 acres) on which he now lives. It was all in its natural state, and, after completing the log cabin which had been partially built, he moved in and immediately began applying the ax. On this land (with the exception of five years spent on an ad- joining farm) has resided where he first settled. In 1836, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Christopher and Magdalene Millice, early settlers in this county ; nine sons have been born to them, eight of whom are living, viz., Abraham M., John F., Chris- topher W., David S., George, Lemuel R., Benjamin K. and Luther Grant; Amos K., deceased. He and wife have been members of the M. E. Church for half a century ; are exemplary Christian people and very zealous workers in religion. Three of their children are members of the same church. Mrs. Spain was born in Goshen Township, near Mechanicsburg, in 1819.
H. WRIGHT SPAIN, farmer; P. O. North Lewisburg ; is a son of Willis and Nancy Spain, the oldest living settlers in this township, of whom mention is made in this work. He was born on the old home farm in 1828, and his boyhood was passed on the farm, assisting, when old enough, in its labors. His education was received in the subscription schools, and, at the age of 21, he began life for himself. In 1849, he was married to Lucy J., daughter of William and Sallie Crowder, natives of the South, who came to this county soon after Willis Spain and family. William C. died in the home of our subject in October, 1863, aged 65 years. He was born in Virginia Sept. 5, 1798. He was married to Sarah Spain, of Virginia, Oct. 22, 1824 ; she was born Nov. 22, 1806 ; died in 1835, aged 29 years. They were parents of seven children, of whom Lucy J. alone survives. The deceased are Martha A., Joseph, Leonard M., Sarah, Elizabeth and John. By his second marriage with Elizabeth Spain, nee Ohaver, he had four children, two living-Mary C. and Esther M. The deceased are Eliza and Margaret. Nancy, grandmother of Mrs. H. W. Spain, came to Ohio with her family in 1820, and died in North Lewisburg Oct. 23, 1868, in the 87th year of her age. To Mr. and Mrs. H. Wright Spain five children have been born, four of whom are living- Levi, Joseph W., Elmer E. and Estella C. Willis deceased April 15, 1860. Mr. S. owns 185 acres of land, all improved. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church, with which they have been connected thirty-nine years. He has been Steward and leader in the class meeting for twenty-nine years.
RICHARD SWISHER, farmer; P. O. Woodstock ; was born in this township in the year 1835, and is a son of Abraham and Rebecca Swisher, who were born in Washington Co., Penn. They removed to Champaign Co. and located in Union Town- ship in 1833, on land now owned by Simon Rock. Soon after, they came to Rush Township, and afterward removed to Goshen Township, where they made a permanent home. He died in 1842 or 1843, aged 43 years. His wife continued on the farm till 1854, when she removed to Mechanicsburg, where she died in the spring of 1865, aged 57 years. They were parents of nine children, viz., John, Joseph, Henry, Temperance, Abraham, Keturah, Melinda, Rebecca and Richard, the latter being the fourth son. Our subject was reared on the farm, and received his education in the district school, in which he fitted himself to teach, a profession he has followed four winter terms of four months each. At the age of 16, he began his struggle with the world, since when he
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has battled with the ordinary ups and downs which beset human experience. In 1858, Mr. Swisher was married to Artemesia Dix, daughter of John Dix, by whom he has had seven children, five living, viz., John, Abraham, Link, Margaret R. and Fred. The deceased are Thomas and one in infancy. He owns 98 acres of land, on which he located after his marriage. He farms largely to grain, and gives much attention to breeding pure Berkshire hogs. In 1864, he enlisted in Co. D., 134th O. N. G., 100-day men ; served his time and was honorably discharged. He is a pub- lic-spirited gentleman, and has taken an interest in educating his children, having qual- ified them for teaching. Heis a member of the I. O. O. F. of Woodstock. His broth- ers are members of the same order.
AMOS UNDERWOOD, general variety store, North Lewisburg; was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, in 1823. He is a son of Joseph and Frances Underwood, who were probably born in New Jersey, and in an early day settled in Pennsylvania, and, still later, located in the above county in Ohio, where they lived many years. They removed to Stark Co., Ohio, where they now reside at advanced ages. Our subject labored in the mill till 15 years of age, at which time he went on the farm and remained three years ; he then learned the gunsmith trade, which he did not follow long. He next learned the mason's trade in West Liberty, and afterward became partner to his boss, with whom he remained nine years, and then went to Whiteside Co., Ill., and ran a ferry on Rock River for eight months. He returned to Quincy, Ohio, and again resumed his trade (mason), but afterward came to North Lewisburg, and erected many of the fine brick structures which stand as monuments to his skill. After several years' labor in North Lewisburg, he went to Michigan, where he enjoyed himself in hunting and recruiting his strength for several months, then returned to North Lewis- burg, and engaged in his present business. He carries a full stock, consisting of most everything usually found in any retail house. In 1840, he was married to Sarah Ros- sell. They have three children-Frances S. J., Joseph R. C. and John R. A. Mrs. Underwood was born the same day, month and year as her husband, viz., April 5, 1823. He is a member of the Disciple Church, his wife of the Christians, though both were reared Quakers. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, belonging to the Chapter and Blue Lodge. He is one of the charter members in the home lodge.
THOMAS WADE, farmer ; P. O. North Lewisburg ; was born in Virginia in 1810, and is a son of Garland and Rebecca (Williams) Wade. His father was born in the State of Virginia, and his mother in South Carolina. They were married in Vir- ginia, and in 1812 removed to Ohio and located one mile south of the present village of Mingo. He purchased the land on which Dr. Koyle now lives, where they lived for a number of years, then removed to Union Co., where they ended their days. He died at the age of 100 years, his mother departed this life when upward of 70. They were parents of eight children, seven of whom are living, viz., Lavina, Elvira, Delilah, Mary, Rebecca, David and Thomas. Beulah, deceased. Our subject was reared on the farm, on which he found plenty to do in helping to clear up the vast growth of timber that covered the entire face of the country. He remained with his parents until past 21 years old, when, in 1831, he was married to Huldah Dillons, who bore him eight chil- dren, seven living, viz., Mary J., John, Cynthia A., Thomas C., Lewis, Sarah E. and Alonzo ; Semantha ( Mrs. Wade), deceased. He was again married, to Jane Little, who bore him three children, two living, viz., Casper and Richard ; one deceased. His third marriage was with Delilah Vaughn, by whom he had five children, four living, viz., Ralph, Delilah, Frank and James ; one dying in infancy. His fourth and last marriage was with Lydia Chapman, by whom he has had one child-Maggie. After his first marriage, he lived nine years on the old homestead in Mingo Valley, then went to Logan Co., where he lived twenty-four years, after which he returned to this county, in which he has since resided. He is a member of the Quaker Church, which he joined in the spring of 1880. Lewis F. enlisted in 1864, in Co. F, 31st O. V. I., and served eighteen months with Sherman in his great campaign. Thomas was a member of Co.
MM
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K, 54th O. V. V. I. ; he enlisted in 1862 ; saw much active service and was discharged in 1865.
WILLIAM H. WAGSTAFF, physician, North Lewisburg ; was born in Adams Co., Ohio Nov. 27, 1828, and removed with his parents to Licking Co., Ohio, in 1832. He secured a limited education at the district school, and at the age of 17, entered Gran- ville College, where he pursued his studies till 1849, when he commenced the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Price, of Newark, Ohio. While there, the glowing accounts of the newly found treasure in the " Golden State " infatuated him with the idea of becoming wealthy, and he was induced to abandon all other plans and join a com- pany of adventurers who crossed the plains in the summer of 1851, arriving in Hang- town, Cal., the following September, amid the exciting discussion over the admission of negroes into that Territory. About this time he was employed as United States Express Agent for "Page, Bacon & Co.," carrying mail matter and gold-dust through the mountains to different points, and returning to Sacramento with coin, etc. Ponies were used as a means of transportation, making a trip once a month, for which he received $140. Late in the fall of 1852, he started home, taking passage on the steamer Yankee Blade, which was wrecked in seventy-two hours ; he, with a few other survivors, was rescued. He traveled on foot through a portion of New Mexico and Lower California, endured many privations, and at the end of two months arrived in San Francisco. After a short time, he went to Benicia, where he procured a clerkship at a salary of $200 per month. Sacramento, then a mere village, composed of tents, offered greater inducements, which he availed himself of, and again embarked in business, only to become the victim of disappointed hopes. It was during the spring of 1854, when the inhabitants suf- fered great loss of life and property from inundation. After having charge of a " trad- ing-post " for a few months, he again started for New York by way of Panama, crossed the Isthmus to Aspinwall in December, stopped off for a time at Havana, visiting many places of interest, among which was the tomb of Columbus. He arrived in New York January, 1856, after an absence of five years, and was unrecognized by friends. The following two years were spent on the Wabash in Indiana ; thence to the steamer Bon Pluel, as physician of the boat, plying between Cairo and New Orleans. In the win- ter of 1858, he located in Nashville, Tenn., and was engaged in business there until the beginning of the rebellion. Motives of policy induced him to return to the North, where he enlisted in the 54th Ind. V. I. After serving his country for three years, filling almost every position in the regiment, was mustered out of the service and returned to Nashville, Tenn., where he practiced his profession until some time after the close of the war. He then returned to Ohio with a view of completing his medical education, which was done in the spring of 1866, graduating with the honors of two different medical colleges. Circumstances now favored his location in the village of North Lewisburg, where he has since remained, having in the meantime acquired an extensive and lucra- tive practice, ranking among the most successful and popular practitioners of the county. He has taken all the degrees of Masonry, and has been a prominent member of the organization for thirty years. He is of English origin, his father, grandfather and mother being natives of England. His paternal grandfather was an officer of the Gov- erment during the Revolutionary war, and was present at the signing of the " Declara- tion of Independence," and his birth and death occurred on the 4th of July. Dr. Wagstaff was married to the daughter of Dr. Butcher, of Urbana, in 1865. She was a native of Belmont Co., Ohio. His family consists of three children, natives of Cham- paign Co., whose ages range from eight to fourteen years. After accumulating a hand- some fortune, and contributing largely to the promotion of public interests, and laboring for the relief of suffering humanity in this and other places, the Doctor finds himself at this late hour enjoying only the ordinary comforts of life.
JAMES WELSH, blacksmith, Woodstock, was born in London, Eng., in 1852 and is a son of Marcus and Kate Welsh. His father was born in England, his mother in Wales. They emigrated to America when James was yet a child, and located in
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Chester Co., Penn., till his mother's death, which occurred five months after their ar- rival. James was reared in a family of Hennessys, with whom he remained till 16 years of age, when he began learning his trade. His father in the meantime had gone South, where he lived until the breaking-out of the war, when he was forced into the Southern army, in which he served one year. Was taken prisoner, and immediately enlisted on the side of the Union, where he served till the end of the war, when he returned to his former home in Pennsylvania, and one year after went to Baltimore, where he re- mained another year, when he went further South, since when nothing has been heard of him. After completing his trade, James worked for awhile in Baltimore and Phila- delphia. From there he went to Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and worked at various places in Ohio, eventually landing in Hagerstown, Ind., where he was alto- gether three years. Here, in 1875, he was married to Clara A., daughter of Samuel Bell, by whom he has had one child, viz., Kate B. . After leaving the above place, he went to Centerville, Ind., thence to Cable, this county, and finally to Woodstock, where he has since held forth. He is the leading smith in the town, which commands for him a large percentage of the public patronage. He is engaged with N. P. Hewitt in the manufacture of carriages and buggies, giving his attention to the supervision of all iron work. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge.
A. L. WILLIAMS, physician and surgeon, North Lewisburg, was born in Dela- ware Co., Ohio, Sept. 30, 1836, and is a son of James and Lydia (Martin) Williams. His father was born in Virginia in 1810, and, in 1833, settled in the above county, in which his death occurred in 1876. His mother was born in Ohio in 1817, and was married to James, father of A. L., in 1834, by whom she had eight children ; six liv- ing, viz., Charles B., Rufus J., Eliza J., Mary L., John C. and our subject ; Benjamin and David, deceased. The former was a member of Co. F, 96th O. V. I., dying from disease in December, 1862, while aboard the steamer J. C. Swain. The Doctor's boy- hood was passed on the farm, receiving the rudiments of an education in the district schools, which was afterward developed in the Ohio Wesleyan University, in which he fitted himself to teach-a profession he followed for a year and a half-the proceeds of which service he devoted to acquiring a knowledge of medicine. He studied under Dr. T. B. Williams, a prominent physician of Delaware, who was his preceptor for three years, after which he entered the Starling Medical College of Columbus, Ohio, which institution conferred on him their diploma of graduation. After practicing about four years in Unionville, he became Assistant Surgeon in the 74th O. V. I., with which he was identified two years. He afterward, in 1864, located in North Lewisburg, and has since devoted himself to the duties of a large and increasing practice. In 1864, he was married to Martha T., daughter of Andrew and Martha H. Beard, by whom he has had two children-Zoe F. and Ava L. He is a member of the Order of Masonry and the Knights of Honor.
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