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 119
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JACOB CONKLYN (deceased). The subject of this memoir was a native of Jefferson Co., Va, born July 14, 1810. He was a son of Henry and Mary Conklyn. His father died in Virginia when Jacob was only 15 years old ; he then learned the trade of blacksmith, and in 1834 came to this State in company with his mother and eight brothers and sisters, finally locating, in 1838, in this county, where they remained till the time of his death, his mother living near him until her death, which occurred in 1847. Mr. C. followed the profession of blacksmith and carried on a farm at the same time till within the last ten years, when his health became so poor that he was obliged to abandon the trade as a business, and devoted his entire attention to the farm. He was a class leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church for more than thirty years, and was a consistent and exemplary Christian gen- tleman, always interested in the general welfare of the community. He was sober and upright, open-hearted and fondly attached to his family and friends. He was called from this life Feb. 8, 1880. Mrs. Conklyn remains on the farm with her son Jacob H. H. Mr. Conklyn was the father of eight children, four of whom are living. His mar- riage was celebrated with Miss Emily Hedges, Oct. 25, 1838.
JAMES L. CRAIN, farmer ; P. O. Urbana ; is a native of this county ; born on the Pretty Prairie Feb. 24, 1830. He is a son of Louis F. and Clara Phifer Crain. He (Louis F.) came to this State from Fleming Co., Ky., in 1822 or 1823. She came from Greenbrier, Va., a few years earlier. They were parents of three children-Lu- cinda J., James L. and Louise C. They are all living in this section, one in Spring- field and one in Urbana. Louis F. owned a large tract of land on the Pretty Prairie, where he followed farming till his death, in 1833. His widow married William Vance, in 1837, and removed to the farm where James L. now lives. Our subject spent his boyhood on the farm and received his education in the common schools and with Prof. Robinson, at Springfield. After attaining his majority, he began farming, which he has followed ever since, in connection with the mill of Baldwin & Crain, of which he is a partner, and the Olive Mills, which he and his stepfather, Mr. Vance, built. He was also engaged in the mercantile business for a few years. In 1856, he was joined in
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wedlock to Martha A. Todd. They are the parents of two children-Clara A. and Caro- line J .; both are living at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Crain and one daughter are members of the Presbyterian Church, and are all zealous advocates of the cause of temperance. Mr. Crain has done much to build up the commercial wealth of this section by using his means in mills and other industries, furnishing a home market for the immense wheat crops, and giving employment to men in the manufacture of flour and lumber.
LEONARD W. DEYO, blacksmith, Urbana; is a native of Pickaway Co., Ohio ; born May 15, 1837. He is a son of Joseph and Eliza Henderson Deyo. The family was originally from Virginia. Joseph Deyo was a farmer, and the father of ten children, seven of whom are now living. He died when Leonard W. was quite young. Our subject wa ; raised on the farm and educated in the common schools. At the age of 14 or 15, he began work at the blacksmith's trade, which he followed about eighteen months, af er which he farmed till 1861, when the call of his country aroused his patri- otism and he enlisted in the 30th O. V. I., under Col. Hugh Ewing. He took part in the battles of Cross Lanes, Va., Antietam, second Bull Run, Vicksburg and Jackson, fighting for several days in routing Jo Johnston at Mission Ridge, the Peach Tree Creek stampede and other lesser battles and skirmishes, winding up at Atlanta, where he was prostrated with sickness and remained unfit for duty for a year. He was dis- charged in December, 1864. On returning home, he again engaged in farming till 1869, at which time he removed to Missouri and traded in stock for a period of two years, when he returned to Pickaway Co. and opened a blacksmith-shop. He remained there till January, 1874 ; he then came to this county, where he has remained ever since; three years of the time at Catawba Station. In 1865, he was joined in wedlock to Mary Jan. Matlock. They are parents of seven children-Charlie W., David, George, Maggie, Mary, Effie and Harry, all of whom are living.
WESLEY DILTZ, farmer; P. O. Cable ; is a native of Kentucky. He was born April 22, 1801. At the age of 3 years, he came with his parents to Warren Co., and at the age of 8 or 9 to this county, where he has remained ever since. He is a son of Joseph and Mary Jarrard Diltz-Joseph was a native of New Jersey, of German descent; Mary Jarrard was of English parentage. They were parents of twelve chil- dren, six boys and six girls-Susan, John, Joseph, Sallie, Samuel, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Wesley, Cynthia, Jarrard, Wilkinson and Mary-all of whom lived to maturity except Joseph and Mary, he dying of croup at the age of 4, and she dying at 7, probably of king's evil. Joseph Diltz came to this county in 1808 or 1809, and located where he lived to the time of his death, which occurred June 7, 1824, in the 72d year of his age. He was one of the first settlers of this county, coming here when the timid deer and turkey went almost unmolested through the deep forests and dense thickets. Bears were also in abundance, and game of every description easily obtained. Our subject was joined in matrimony to Cynthia Kennard Nov. 22, 1825. They were parents of nine children, three boys and six girls, seven of whom are still living, two little girls-Lavina and Sarah Jane-having died of whooping-cough. Although Mr. Diltz received his education in the old log schoolhouse of his time and was obliged to go three miles to attend, he is an intelligent and interesting old gentleman, and furnishes facts with readiness and ease. He has been a farmer all his life, but has now retired from active pursuits, and is enjoying the fruits of his early labors. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which they have labored for half a century in the cause of the Master.
SAMUEL M. DUNLAP, farmer; P. O. Mutual ; was born in this township April 26, 1829. He is a son of John and Ann (Paull) Dunlap, both natives of Vir- ginia, though John came from Kentucky, where he had lived for several years, to this State. They were parents of ten children, eight boys and two girls, one of whom died quite young. Our subject spent his boyhood on a farm in a manner incident to youth, and was educated in the common schools of that day. His father died when he was
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only 15. He was then hired out by his mother until he attained his majority, after which he worked six or seven years on the farm at the enormous price of $8 per month, and, by frugality, saved money even at that. July 14, 1859, he was united in wedlock to Nancy M. Johnson, and began life in earnest, following the profession of farmer. They are parents of five children-Annie E., born May 4, 1860; Mary E., April 15, 1862; John W., Aug. 18, 1864; Charles R., Sept. 16, 1871, and Emma N., March 12, 1880. All are at home with their parents, and enjoying the society of those who are near and dear to them by the ties of nature and affection. His home consists of 51 acres. They are social and kind-hearted people, and generous in their treatment of every one.
LOUIS A. GANSON, farmer and small-fruit grower ; P. O. Urbana ; is a native of this township, born Feb. 26, 1839. He is a son of Francis and Mary A. (Allen) Ganson. Francis was a native of Chester Co., Penn. He emigrated to this State, in company with his father, in 1833. He is a farmer, living in this township. Our sub- ject spent his boyhood on the farm, and was educated in the common schools. At the age of 21, he began farming for himself in connection with the small-fruit business, which he has followed ever since, except while in the army, being one of the largest grape-growers in the county. Aug. 11, 1862, when the flag of our country was in dan- ger and patriotic hearts went out in sympathy, he left home and family and everything that makes life desirable, feeling that he owed his first duty to his country, and enlisted in the 95th O. V. I., with which he served eighteen months, performing duty at Rich- mond, Ky., at Vicksburg, at Memphis, guarding the city at the first taking of Jackson, and other points on the river. He was discharged on account of disabilities Dec. 9, 1863. Oct. 18, 1860, he was married to Louisa R., daughter of John Harper. They are parents of seven children, all living. His place consists of 522 acres, all under cul- tivation. There is a small lake covering about 3 acres on the east side, which furnishes good stock water the year round. Mr. G. is at present one of the Trustees of the town- ship, holding the office for the second year.
WILLIAM J. GIVEN, farmer; P. O. Mechanicsburg; is a native of Pennsyl- vania, born in Berks Co., Dec. 6, 1821 ; he is a son of Tatty and Mary Ann (Stewart) Given, both natives of Pennsylvania. They came to this State in the fall of 1837, locating on a farm in this county, on the State road, below Urbana, where he remained seven years. He continued farming till the death of his wife, in October, 1846, after which he quit farming and lived with his children. William J. was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools. He has followed farming all his life, and is com- fortably situated for the business, having teams and tools sufficient for the purpose. Jan. 2, 1845, he was united in wedlock to Matilda Vinyard; they are parents of seven children -Sarah J., Mary Ann, John, Samuel and George, who are living, and William and Eliza- beth, deceased. George is the only one at home, the others being married. They have also a niece, Mary Vinyard, who has been living with them as one of the family from infancy. Mr. and Mrs. G. are both active members of the M. E. Church, with which they have been connected twenty-one years. His farm consists of 139 acres, and he makes a specialty of the cultivation of grain.
JOHN HARPER, farmer; P. O. Urbana. The subject of this sketch is a native of Berkeley Co., Va., born March 3, 1798 ; he is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Cun- ningham) Harper ; he was a Virginian by birth, she a Pennsylvanian, of Scotch origin. They emigrated to this State in 1802, and settled in Fairfield Co., where they remained for fourteen years, settling in this county in 1816. They were parents of twelve children-six boys and six girls-six of whom are still living-one in Dayton, one in Allen Co., and the remaining four in Champaign. Samuel Harper followed the pro- fession of farmer all his life. When he came to this county, there were no improve- ments, with the exception of an occasional house, there being only two houses between Urbana and Mechanicsburg. They lived to a green old age in this county, he dying in his 91st year, and she in her 78th. John Harper, in connection with his brothers,
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did most of the work of clearing the farm and improving their adopted home. He has been thrice married -- first, sixty-two years ago, to Rebecca Woods, by whom he had two children ; his second marriage was with Elizabeth Wilson, of Fairfield Co., formerly of Pennsylvania ; she bore him five children ; being again left a widower, he celebrated his third marriage with Sarah C. Bailey, forty years ago; two children were the result of this union. Six of his children are living, all married ; his wife's daughter, Mary Ann Clark, was reared in the same family. Mr. and Mrs. Harper are quite well and active for people of their age, being able to do light work and attend to affairs generally on the farm. They have lived together and shared each other's joys and sorrows for twoscore years. They are both members of the M. E. Church, with which he has been connected nearly sixty years, and are trying to live consistent Christian lives, both for their own satisfaction and the cause of the Master.
MARTHA HAYS, farmer; P. O. Mechanicsburg; is a native of Knox Co., Ohio ; born Dec. 25, 1803. She is a daughter of James Pollock, and has been twice married ; first, to Joseph Coe, in Knox Co. They removed to Richland Co., where they lived twenty-one years and had eight children. Her second marriage was with Samuel Hays, after coming to this county. Two children were the result of this mar- riage. None of her children are living. She survives alone, and has borne much trouble in the loss of her family. She still owns the farm, and her grand-daughter and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Owen, are living on the place, and take charge of affairs, repaying the debt of gratitude which Mrs. Owen owes. Her mother died when she was only 18 months old, and her grandmother reared her as her own. Mrs. Hays and the entire family, including both husbands, were church members. She has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for many years.
SAMUEL M. HODGE, farmer ; P. O. Mechanicsburg ; is a native of Clark Co .; born March 2, 1832. He is a son of James H. and Elizabeth Sailor, Hodge. He (James H.) was a native of Montgomery Co., Ky., and came to this State with his- father, Andrew, one of the oldest settlers of Clark, in 1808, when only 8 years old. Elizabeth Sailor was a native of Virginia. James Hodge was a farmer, owning a large tract of land lying in this and Clark Counties. Samuel M. was reared on the farm, and educated in the common schools. After attaining his majority, he drove cattle for a couple of years, and then engaged in farming for himself, which he has fol- lowed ever since. He has served the people in the capacity of Trustee for three years. In 1862, he was elected Captain of the militia. Oct. 25, 1855, he was joined in wed- lock to Amanda M. Roberts. They are parents of ten children, eight of whom are living. Mr. Hodge has something over 600 acres of land, which he farms, being one of the most extensive farmers in the township. He raises stock of all kinds largely, but makes a specialty of hogs.
JOHN H. HODGE, farmer ; P. O. Horr's; is a native of Clark Co .; born Jan. 1, 1835. He is a son of James H. and Elizabeth Sailor Hodge. Mr. Hodge was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools. He has followed the profes- sion of farmer all his life. His farms consist of 489 acres. The one where he lives is devoted to the cultivation of grain. The farm of 197 acres, in Clark, is a stock farm. He was united in wedlock, Jan. 17, 1861, to Miranda Hunter. They are parents of three children ; one only-Willis-is living; two infants deceased. Mr. Hodge came to this county in 1861, and has been an active and respected citizen. He has served as a member of the School Board for several years.
ALFRED A. HULL, farmer ; P. O. Mechanicsburg ; is a native of Ohio, born at. the head of Beaver Creek Jan. 18, 1821. He is a son of Benjamin and Louisa Monson Hull. He was a native of Kentucky ; she of New York. They came to this State in their youth, and located in Clark Co., where they remained till about the year 1830, when they removed to Madison Co. where they lived till the fall of 1846, at which time they emi- grated to Illinois, where he still lives. Alfred A. Hull was reared on the farm, and educat- ed first in the common schools, afterward at the London Academy, under J. M. Christian,
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and the best schools of the section. At the age of 20, he began teaching, which pro- fession he followed twenty-five years. He has had a personal acquaintance with Mr. Pin- neo, author of the English Grammar, also Dr. Ray, Dr. Lord, of Columbus, Prof. Robert Wilson and Mr. Hinkle and other prominent educators of Ohio. He removed to this county in 1855, and located on Sugar Hill farm, where he still resides. Mr. Hull has served the people of his township in the capacity of Trustee for several years, and as Justice of the Peace for three years. He was also a member of the Board of Education for nine years, and was instrumental in having the comfortable and stable schoolhouse of the township erected. Nov. 9, 1843, he was joined in wedlock to Margaret A. Kirkley, a native of Madison Co. They are parents of three children-M. Louisa, born March 10, 1846; Benjamin, F., Feb. 22, 1848, and Wm. B., July 20, 1852, all of whom are living in this county and one in Clark. Mr. Hull is enjoying very good health for a man of his age, and his door is always open for the hospitable entertain- ment of strangers. His estimable wife is afflicted with asthma, making it necessary to exercise great care with her health. They have traveled considerably through this and other States, hoping that a change of atmosphere might prove beneficial, which seems to have been the result. Mr. Hull has a taste for literature, and some talent in that direction. While traveling, he corresponded for the Central Ohio News. His farm consists of 178 acres, pleasantly located, with one of the finest springs in the section, supplying it with good running water.
ZENAS B. JONES, farmer ; P. O. Urbana ; is a native of this county, born June 23, 1834. He is a son of John and Mary Lafferty Jones, both natives of this county. Their parents were Virginians, but came to this State in 1804, and located in this county at a time when it was one vast, uncultivated wilderness. John Jones spent his entire life in this county, helping to build up its interests and wealth as a farmer, living quietly at home, but taking an active interest in the affairs of the community. He was the father of seven children-Zenas B., John W., Thomas O., Levi M., Sarah C., Charles C. and Edward E., all are still living. He died within sight of his birthplace, at the age of 72. Zenas B. was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools. He remained at home with his father till the fall of 1861, when, at the call of his country, he left home to protect the flag which we all love, and enlisted in the 66th O. V. I. He served about one year, being wounded in the first fight, Port Republic, and left on the field. He fell into the hands of the rebels, where he remained three months. He was then exchanged and discharged ; he still leaves the marks of his wounds, from which he is lame in the hip. After returning from the service, he again went to farm- ing for himself, which he has continued ever since. In 1865, he was joined in wedlock to Eliza J. McConnell. They have no children, though they have two nieces who are living with them. They are both active members of the M. E. Church. His farm con- sists of 140 acres.
SAMUEL MCADAMS, farmer ; P. O. Mechanicsburg ; is a native of this county ; born on the farm where he now lives, June 16, 1834. He is a son of John and Rachel Graham McAdams. He, John was a native of this county, born Oct. 30, 1808. She was also a native of this State, born Feb. 28, 1811. John McAdams was the son of John, one of the earliest settlers of this part of the State, coming here prior to 1800, when the country was entirely wild, and the principal inhabitants were Indians. John McAdams, father of Samuel, reared a large family of children, viz., Ellen, Eliza Jane, Samuel, Melona, Francis, Marion, Mary Ann, Harriet and Ruth, all of whom are living but Ellen and Melona. Eliza lives in Iowa, and. Mary Ann in Indiana. The remainder of the family live in this county. Mr. M. was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools. He has been a farmer all his life, in connection with which he has run a threshing machine for twelve years. April 6, 1854, he married Nancy Jane Doak, by whom he had six children. She died in 1865. His second marriage was celebrated April 12, 1866, with Winnie Thompson. They are parents of seven children, all of whom are living ; one of the children by his first wife is dead. His farm consists of 182 acres in a body, and in a good state of cultivation.
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JAMES A. McLAIN, farmer ; P. O. Urbana ; is a native of this county, and was born on the place where he now resides, July 29, 1804. His parents, Joseph and Eliza- beth Runyon McLain, came to this county in the fall of 1801 or 1802. Joseph was a native of Loudoun Co., Va., and Elizabeth Runyon a native of Elizabethtown, N. J. They came down the Ohio River in a flat-boat to Cincinnati, and stopped at Monroe, where they raised a crop of corn, then came to Champaign and located near what is now Mutual, where they remained to the time of their death ; he dying in 1834, and she in 1839. They were parents of seven children, of whom James A. is the third son. Our subject was reared upon the farm, and received his education in the common schools with his brothers and sisters, except William, who was a graduate of Oxford, and after- ward a prominent divine in Washington City. Mr. McLain has followed the profession of farmer all his life, and has applied his ax to the sturdy oaks that once covered the fine farm which he now owns. In 1836, he married Jane M. Wilson, with whom he lived seven years. They had no children. In 1844, he celebrated his second marriage with Martha Ann Porter, who has born him eleven children, uine of whom are still liv- ing and have grown to manhood and womanhood. Mr. McLain has held different town- ship offices, and was Justice of the Peace for six years. Although of a naturally reticent disposition, he has taken a lively interest in the welfare of the community, and has done much to build up the wealth of Union Township. He and his entire family are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has been an Elder for forty years, and has had the greater part of the management of the finances of the church, and assisted largely in building three different churches in that time. They are exemplary and con- sistent Christians, laboring faithfully in the cause of the Master, with the hope of the reward of the just. Squire McLain is spending the latter years of his life in the enjoy- ment of the society of his wife and family, and has accumulated wealth. Although now seventy-six years of age, he is hearty and active, attending to the thousand little chores about the farm.
WILLIAM S. MADDEN, farmer; P. O. Urbana ; is a native of this county, born Sept. 10, 1844; he is a son of Perry G. and Mary Stewart Madden. Perry Madden was a native of Virginia, born in 1809; he came to this State about fifty years ago and located in this county ; he followed farming in connection with stock and real-estate trading, and owned large tracts of land at different times ; was one of the most successful business men of the community, and was well beloved by the people ; he died in March, 1879. William S. was reared on the farm and educated in the dis- trict schools ; he, like his father, followed farming and the raising of stock; his farm consists of 232 acres, all in a good state of cultivation but about fifty acres of timber. He was married to Louisa Dickinson in 1865; they are parents of three children- Frederick W., Nathaniel C. and Mary M .; all are living well. Mr. M. is one of the leading young farmers of this section, taking an active interest in anything for the public good and the advancement of the interests of the community of which he is a member.
JOHN F. MICHAEL (deceased) ; was a native of Frederick Co., Md., born May 7, 1811 ; he was a son of Christopher and Ann Catharine Michael, both natives of Maryland ; Christopher was born May 4, 1775; Ann Catharine was of German parentage, and was born April 12, 1774; he died in Maryland March 8, 1846 ; she came to this State with her son John F., with whom she remained till her death, Dec. 14, 1858. John F. Michael came to this State in 1853 and located on a farm in this county, where he remained the rest of his life ; he followed the profession of farmer all his life. He was a member of the German Reformed Church. He was married, March 16, 1837, to Mary Ann Hyatt; they were parents of eight children, six of whom-William F., born March 6, 1838; Eli H., Feb. 27, 1842; James K. P., Nov. 20, 1844; John F., Dec. 18, 1846; Margaret Ann C., Sept. 23, 1852; Samuel M., Nov. 11, 1855-are living; Christopher, born Dec. 10, 1839, and Charles E., Sept. 9, 1849, deceased. Mrs. Michael is still living on the old homestead ; her son, John F.,
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is living with her, and takes charge of the farm in connection with his brother William F. William F. is married, and the father of seven children, five of whom are living- Effie J., James W., Franklin P., Charlotte and Bertha E .; William F. and Emma Grace deceased ; his wife was Emily D., daughter of Samuel Harper, deceased. The two brothers, William F. and John F., have lived on the farm where they now reside ever since they came to the State, twenty-seven years ago. William F. is a member of the Buck Creek Presbyterian Church.
THOMAS NEELD, farmer; P. O. Urbana ; is a native of Warren Co., Ohio, born May 16, 1840. He is a son of Joseph and Ellen (Halloway) Neeld. He (Joseph) was originally from Pennsylvania ; she was a native of this State. The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood on the farm in a manner incident to youth, and received his education in the common schools. In 1861, having just attained his majority, when the flag of our country was in danger and the boom of rebel cannon was heard near the national capital, he left his home and enlisted in the 6th O. V. I., with which he served faithfully for more than four years, though part of the time in the marine service. He was in the battles of Pittsburg Landing and other points along the river while in the marine service, also at the siege of Vicksburg and the Red River campaign, and other points in that section of the South. Jan. 19, 1865, he was mustered out at Vicksburg. On returning home, he located in Highland Co., where he engaged in farming, which he has followed ever since. In 1861, he was united in wedlock to Martha Ann Knotts. They are parents of six children-Walter, Charles, Mary Ellen, Louis, Mertie and Ar- thur. All are living and hearty, and at home with their parents. He removed to this county in March, 1876.
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