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 77

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 77

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JOHN M. HELMICK, Urbana; dealer in stoves and house furnishings, .is another native and old resident of Champaign Co., born in Urbana May 21, 1818. He is a son of David and Mary (Miller) Helmick, who came from Hamilton Co., where his father settled in 1802. David was a cabinet-maker, and in those early days was a prominent manufacturer, widely and favorably known. The subject of this sketch was born in an old-style log cabin on Water street. A two-story brick, built by his father, now stands on the site of his birthplace. He learned the tinner's trade in his youth with the late Stephen L. Miller, an uncle. In 1843, he married Miss Roxaline Miller, of Clark Co., and, in 1847, removed to Clark Co., where his wife died in 1848. In 1850, he returned to Champaign Co., and was a prominent dealer in stoves and house- keeper's furnishings until 1859, when he returned to Urbana, and has since conducted the same business here. He is now located at No. 13 N. Main street. Mr. Helmick has been identified with the business and other interests of Champaign Co. from his early manhood, and probably, with the exception of Mr. Hitt, is the oldest native resi- dent merchant now actively engaged in merchandising in the city. He married, Octo- ber, 1849, Miss Sarah W. Baker, who was also a resident of Clark Co., and sister of his first wife. Their parents came from New Jersey, and settled in Clark Co. in 1802. From this marriage have resulted four children-Sar uel, William, Osman and Annie. Samuel is married, and all are grown and residents of this county.

D. C. HITT, Postmaster, Urbana; a son of Rev. John W. Hitt, was born in Bourbon Co., Ky., May 25, 1801. He came to Warren Co., Ohio, a year or two later, and in 1813 came to Champaign Co., residing in and near Urbana until his death, which occurred Oct. 3, 1877, at the advanced age of 76 years. He spent a long life among the people of Urbana, and at its close, it was said of him, " He was a good man." He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at an early age ; was always an ardent supporter of the church through faith, having been a local minister for fifty years, ever active and zealous in good works. Though born in the South, he espoused the cause of freedom, and was for many years an operator in the " underground railroad," and never hesitated to assist a black man seeking his freedom. At one time he owned considerable property, and was classed as one of the wealthy men of this county, but, through misfortune and too great confidence in others, was stripped of his possessions and almost reduced to poverty in his last days. He labored for his support, yet was never know to complain or give expression to bitterness of spirit, but, even to the end, rested his hope on the things of the world to come. Thus ended the earthly career of one of the noble citizens of Urbana. Our subject was born on a farm, now in the corporation of Urbana, Feb. 25, 1844. He was raised to farm life and educated in the schools of the city. In Aug., 1861, he enlisted in Company A, 2d O. V. I., being in service until Nov. 8, of the same fall, when he lost his left eye by a rifle-ball in the battle of Ivy Mountain, in East Ken- tucky. He was discharged April, 1863, and returned home. In March, 1868, he married Laura McDermott-born in Baltimore, Md., Dec. 29, 1842 ; died Aug. 16, 1873, leaving two daughters, Mary and Laura. On Sept. 22, 1875, he married Miss Fannie J. Rhoades, a native of Virginia, where the nuptials were celebrated. Two children, Florence and John W., have been born to them. Mr. Hitt continued farm pursuits until July 1, 1869, when he was appointed Postmaster.

Capt. W. A. Brand was the former Postmaster, and Mr. Hitt was the assistant

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until the death of Capt. Brand, when he was appointed to fill the vacancy, and still holds it with honor and respect.

SAMUEL W. HITT, merchant. Among the present prominent business men of Urbana, Mr. Hitt deserves more than a passing notice. About the year 1814, two brothers, Martin and Samuel Hitt, both Methodist ministers, came from Virginia and purchased a section of land which they divided between them, and most of which now lies within the present bounds of Urbana. Our subject is the son of Samuel Hitt, and the only male representative of these families now residing in this county. He was born in 1817, and has always resided here. At the age of 15, he entered the store of Judge John Reynolds, and, by dint of industry, integrity and remarkable business talent, passed successively through the stages of apprentice and clerk, and in 1852 became a partner in the firm of Ross, Hitt & Co. After the decease of Mr. Reynolds, in 1857, the firm was Ross & Hitt. In 1866, Mr. Ross retired, and the business was conducted solely by Mr. Hitt. Thus had he risen from store-boy to partner and proprietor of the leading and oldest dry goods house of Urbana (it having been established by Mr. Rey- nolds about 1806). Mr. Hitt's success is the best compliment that can be given to his energy and business management. He has always been a generous, public-spirited citizen, and has done more, perhaps, than any other one person in Urbana for the sup- port of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is an honored and worthy mem- ber. He was married, in 1843, to Miss Sallie B., daughter of Joseph White. They have had five children-Joseph, killed in action, as a soldier in the 66th O. V. I .; Anna, now Mrs. John T. Mitchell; George, now in charge of the branch store at Belle- fontaine ; Lizzie and Mary. The present style of the firm is Hitt, White & Mitchell, and their place of business is located on the corner of Main street and Monument Square.

WILLIAM M. HOUSTON, physician, Urbana; is a native of Ohio; his father was a native of Kentucky, but removed to Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio, where he mar- ried Lydia Truitt. The subject of this sketch was born in Lebanon in 1821; studied medicine in Piqua, and graduated at the Ohio Medical College, in 1850, and commenced the practice of his profession in Piqua the same year. In December, 1852, he removed to Urbana, where he soon secured a remunerative practice, in which he is now assisted by his son Henry C. Mr. H. was a Surgeon in the war of the rebellion ; was appointed Assistant Surgeon of the 122d O. V. I. in September, 1862; was promoted to Surgeon in 1863, and became Surgeon-in-Chief of the 2d Brigade, 3d Division, 6th Army Corps, in January, 1864, and at the close of the war was Surgeon-in-Chief of the same; was taken prisoner with a large part of Gen. Millway's force, near Winchester, Va., in 1863, and confined in " Libby" five months. He married, in 1846, Miss Henrietta, daughter of Dr. Henry Chapeze, who was from Kentucky ; he was a medical officer in the war of 1812, and settled in Piqua soon after the close of that struggle. Henry C. was born in Piqua in 1847. He commenced reading medicine there quite young, and graduated at the Cleveland Homoeopathic Hospital College in 1876, and has since as- sisted his father in practice. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and active in the different departments of church-work, especially the Sunday school, in which he organized a young men's class, denominated No. 8, which now numbers thirty-two mem- bers, and forms an important factor in the school.

FRANK HOUSTON, grocer, Urbana; was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, April 22, 1833, and is descended from a long line of Scotch Presbyterians. His father, William Houston, was a farmer who had five sons, three of whom came to Ohio. Frank, with his brother Christopher, left the home of their boyhood in May, 1850, to seek a home in a far-away land, among strangers On the 5th of July of that year, he landed in Columbus, Ohio, a rosy-cheeked, merry-hearted lad of 17 years. The faith- ful teachings of his humble home were with him, and the habits of industry and economy were linked with principles of truth and honesty. He soon found employ- ment in the grocery of J. & W. B. Brooks, where he remained four years. In the sum- mer of 1854, he came to Urbana with a small sum he had saved from his wages and

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opened a very unpretending grocery in an old house on South Main street, on the site of which he has since erected a fine building, opposite the Odd Fellows' Hall. In April, 1864, he married Nancy Tappan, of Steubenville, Ohio, grand-daughter of Hon. Benjamin Tappan, and niece of Hon. E. M. Stanton. They have had three sons and four daughters, all of whom are yet living, except one daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Houston are members of the First Presbyterian Church, and useful, respected members of society.

OBED HORR, City Clerk and Deputy County Clerk, Urbana ; is a native of Cham- paign County, and a grandson of the pioneer Dr. Obed Horr, of Mechanicsburg. The sub- ject of this sketch was born in Mechanicsburg Oct. 5, 1856 ; he attended the local school in his early youth, and later, attended the Urbana University, but his father being unable to attend to the duties of County Clerk, he left school when in the senior class, and has since been employed in fiduciary duties, having occupied the position of Deputy County Clerk the past five years, and was recently elected Clerk of Urbana City.

HENRY CLAY HOVEY, grocer, Urbana; is another native and life resident of Urbana, and was born Dec. 29, 1827, within thirty-five yards of where he now resides, and has never removed. He is a son of Edward and Elizabeth (Hartsom) Hovey ; they came from Willimantic, Conn., and settled near Milford Center, this county, about 1818, and soon after removed to Urbana. His father became connected with the woolen factory, the history of which appears in the history of Urbana. Henry, when 14 years of age, began work at brickmaking with his father and older brother, and fol- lowed this together with building for several years. He burned the brick and laid the walls of the building in which he now does business, as well as many other of the older brick structures of the city. In 1859, the firm of Happersett & Hovey was formed, and opened a meat-market and grocery establishment on the south side of the public square, where they have continued the business ever since with success. Mr. Hovey married, in 1855, Miss Susan Happersett, a sister of his partner, Isaac B. Happersett, he having been previously married in 1850, to Susan Gregory, who died about four months after their marriage. They have two children-Edmund, now assistant in the store, and Bertha, aged 11 years. His residence is on Kenton street, and occupies nearly a square between Factory and Water streets.

G. H. HUMPHREYS, undertaker, Urbana. G. H. Humphreys has been located on North Main street since 1873, and his establishment is supplied with everything needed in the successful business which he superintends. He was born in Clark Co., Ohio, in 1842, where he was raised and partly educated at the Wittenberg College, Springfield. On Aug. 1, 1861, he enlisted in the 16th Ohio Battery for two years ; at the expiration of this period he still saw the need of the suppression of the war, and re-enlisted, serving until the close of the great struggle, when he was honorably dis- charged at Columbus, Ohio ; he participated in the battles of Port Gibson, siege of Vicksburg, Champion Hills, Jackson, Miss., and others, but returned home unin- jured, only having suffered for want of food and endured long and tiresome marches. Upon Dec. 27, 1869, he married Miss Ida Miller, born in Clark Co., Ohio, in 1847. The issue of this union is two sons-R. Earl and Harry F.

REV. A. J. IMHOFF, Urbana, Pastor of the English Evangelical Lutheran Church ; was born July 8, 1823, in Westmoreland Co., Penn. Ten years later his parents located near Ashland, Ohio, where he worked on a farm and received his pri- mary education in the common school and Ashland Academy, which at that time was an important school. He graduated from the Wittenberg College, at Springfield, Ohio, in 1851. The following year he was Superintendent of and taught in the preparatory department. By close application while a student and teacher in college, he acquired a partial knowledge of theology under Dr. Sprecher, the theological professor and, at the time, President of the college. In the fall of 1852, was licensed by the Lutheran Synod to preach, and located at Tarlton, in Pickaway Co., Ohio. The same year, Sept. 9, mar- ried Miss Margaret A. Ruhl, to whom five children have been born, of whom two, Mary

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R. and C. Edward survive at a mature age. In 1855, he removed to Findlay, Ohio, and for ten years preached there and at other points, which are now divided into four pastoral charges. In 1865, was induced to organize a female college at Ottawa, Ohio, which enterprise did not prove a successful one; though he continued teaching eighteen months, at which time he was re-called to the Findlay charge, but declined the call. He was then appointed, by the Board of Home Mission, to the churches of Urbana and St. Paris. After a servitude of six years, he received and accepted a call to Leipsic and Arcadia Churches, which congregations he had served while residing in Findlay. In 1876, through request at Urbana, returned, though very reluctantly, and not with the consent of the Leipsic Church. In a literary way, he never sought much except his preparation for the pulpit, though the Board of Directors of the Wittenberg College conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity, for which he does not claim responsibility and never sought the honor, but accepted it as the only way of mani- festing a decent respect for the judgment of others. In 1876, he published the " Life of Officer," a book of 464 pages, which was well received ; presenting, in an interesting way, the leading facts of an extraordinary man. In 1879, he accepted the position as assistant editor of the Lutheran Evangelist. This position he still holds, in connection with the pastoral work of the Urbana Church.

CHARLES T. JAMIESON. This gentleman was born at Batavia, Clermont Co., Ohio, May 2, 1855, and is the son of M. and Maria T. Jamieson, the former a native of Ohio, of Scotch descent, and the latter of New York, and descended from Quaker stock. His father is one of the most prominent business men of Clermont Co., and reared his son in the Presbyterian faith, of which denomination he and wife have been life-long members. Surrounded by the influences of a Christian home, and under the watchful care of his practical Christian parents, Charley T. passed his boyhood days and began molding the character which is to be his guiding star through life. He attended the city schools of Batavia in childhood, and in 1870 entered Hanover College, which is located in Jefferson Co., Ind., where he remained two years, afterward enter- ing Wooster University, of Ohio, from where he graduated in June, 1875. He returned home and began studying law, and in October, 1877, was admitted to the bar. During his law studies, and until coming to Urbana, he was Superintendent of the Cincinnati & Eastern Telegraph Co., and paymaster on the Cincinnati & Eastern R. R. In Jan- uary, 1879, he purchased the interest of W. A. Brand in the Citizen and Gazette, and in December of the same year bought the remaining half of Joshua Saxton, becoming sole proprietor of the most valuable newspaper property of Champaign Co. In October, 1877, Mr. Jamieson was made a Mason, and is now C. G. of Raper Commandery of Knights Templar. Since coming to Urbana, Mr. Jamieson has identified himself thor- oughly with the interests of Champaign Co., and has never ceased to advocate and uphold every measure which he believed would add to the wealth, enterprise or pros- perity of its citizens. He is as outspoken in condemning wrong through the columns of his paper as in upholding right, and this demonstrates that he possesses the proper qualities of a successful editor, and insures the continued prosperity of the Citizen and Gazette which it has enjoyed in the past. Mr. Jamieson has been actively identified with the welfare of the Presbyterian Church since locating here, and, although an ardent Republican, has won many friends, irrespective of party, and enjoys the confi- dence of all who know him.

A. C. JENNINGS, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Urbana. Among the prom- inent and distinguished farmers of Champaign Co., we mention the name of A. C. Jen- nings, who was born in Clark Co., Ohio, in February, 1815. There he enjoyed the usual common-school advantages until the age of 15 years, at which time he engaged in the harness trade, which he followed until 1844. In the meantime he carried on bus- iness for himself in Marysville, Ohio. At this time he went to New York City, where he was in the employ of J. L. Cochran for a period of two years, then associated with T. B. Read, forming the firm of Jennings, Read & Co., carrying a wholesale stock of

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hats, caps, straw and fancy millinery goods. This they conducted successfully several years, but A. C. becoming tired of business, retired in 1859, and returned to Cham- paign Co., locating on his farm, which he had three years previously purchased. He brought with him a number of fine horses to put on the farm, which he superintends, and it still receives his daily attention, though not residing on it. It is located in Sa- lem Township, adjoining the incorporated city of Urbana, and known as the " Nutwood Farm," which is one of the finest farm in the county. This farm, through the taste and enterprise of the proprietor, is unusually well improved, the architecture of his barn being unequaled in the history of the State. Its dimensions are 100 feet in diam- eter, and the immense circular brick walls stand twenty-four feet high, and fifty-one feet higher is a large circular observatory, which is reached by a circular or winding stairway from the base to the top, where a grand view is afforded. This was erected in 1861 and 1862, at a cost of nearly $23,000, and, as he dealt in fine and fast horses, he had an excellent place to keep them, though now he has but few fine horses, but handles fine cattle. For ten years he had a full mile track on his farm, which was in first-class condition. His farm consists of 450 acres, which, in quality and improvements, is far superior to any in the vicinity or State. From the year 1874 to 1877, he conducted a dry goods trade in Springfield, Ohio, though residing on his farm, since which he has not resided on the farm, and freed from all business cares except those of his stock and farm. His nuptials were celebrated in 1839, with Miss Julia A. McNay, of West Liberty, Logan Co., Ohio, born in 1819. She is a daughter of John and Aroda McNay.

MICHAEL A. JORDAN, County Recorder, Urbana. Mr. Jordan is a native of Virginia, born in Botetourt Co. in 1832. His father, William Jordan, who was a man of great physical strength, removed with his family from Virginia to Gallia Co., Ohio, in 1837. He died soon after settling in this State, and his widow, who was a Miss Mary Gish, a native of Pennsylvania, afterward married John Stevens, a local Methodist preacher, and a descendant of the famous Boone family. They removed to Champaign Co. in 1845. Here the subject of our sketch grew to manhood. He be- gan teaching at 19 years of age, and continued, with some interruptions, until 1866, having taught 132 months in all-two terms being a union school, and one term a select school-and also doing service as local preacher, and serving in the army from 1863 to the close of the war. He was a member of the 66th O. V. I. He entered the service with a crippled hand which would have excused him from military duties. He took part in six severe engagements, was once taken prisoner and confined in the notorious Libby Prison two or three months, and was severely wounded at the battle of Ringgold, Ga. After his return from the army, he engaged in farming, and now has a nice farm of eighty odd acres in Johnston Township. He married, in 1866, Miss Re- becca J., daughter of John Looker, who was the nephew of Prov. Gov. Looker. They have a family of seven children. Mr. Jordan is emphatically a self-made man. His father was well off, and his mother from a wealthy family, but, unfortunately, before his decease his father indorsed heavily for a slave-speculator of Virginia, whose debts swept away all his and his wife's means, and left her penniless, with a family of seven children, when Michael A. was but 5 years of age. Mr. Stevens was a poor but kind- hearted man, and in spite of the adverse circumstances, Michael M. received such edu- cation as enabled him to teach, and notwithstanding he has given largely of his time and talents for public service, he has gradually risen as a man and citizen, filled several local offices of trust, and, in 1878, was elected Recorder, carrying his own precinct, although reliably Democratic, by forty-five majority, and is now administering the duties of the Recorder's office with credit to himself and satisfaction to the people of the county.

JOHN KANAGA, retired, Urbana, is a son of Joseph and Margaret (Shively) Kanaga, both born and raised in Pennsylvania, where they married early in the nine- teenth century. In 1811, they and two children moved near Frederick City, Md., where they buried two children and had two born to them. In 1828, they located in Berks Co., Penn. Eight years later they emigrated to Champaign Co., Ohio, locating

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in Urbana. Here Joseph purchased a farm, but never settled on it, residing in Urbana until his death, Sept. 18, 1846. Our subject was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., April 10, 1809, partly raised there and partly in Maryland, but married in his native State, Jan. 10, 1832, Fannie Bruner, and, in 1836, they, with his parents and only sister, came to Ohio, and John located on the farm which his father had bought for him, and, Dec. 9, 1862, his mother died at his residence, having been, as well as her husband, an attentive member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She prophesied at 6 A. M. the day of her death that at 12 o'clock following she would die, notwithstanding the usual good health she at that moment enjoyed. John has for many years been an identified farmer in the vicinity, labored hard and long, but now lives retired on East Scioto street, Urbana, and, besides liberally dividing with his children, owns 220 acres of fine land. His children were eight in number, of whom five survive. He is one among the representative men of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he has belonged since 1827, and his wife too for many years.

T. G. KELLER, Secretary Agricultural Association, Urbana, is a son of William C. Keller, who was born in Adams Co., Penn., in 1801, where he was raised and edu- cated. His marriage was celebrated at Middletown, Frederick Co., Md., with Mary Grove, a native of that place, born in 1798. In 1828, they and three children emigrated West, temporarily locating in Dayton, Ohio, but one year later removed to Urbana, Champaign Co., where he (though never an office-seeker) became prominently identified with the interests of the same. He died in 1857, a much-respected citizen, leaving a widow (who is still living), six children and many warm friends. Our subject was born in Urbana, Ohio, April 12, 1833, where he was raised and educated. Commenced teaching in 1849, and three years later commenced reading law under Gen. John H. Young. He was admitted to the bar in 1855, but never practiced his profession. In the fall of 1861, he enlisted in Co. H, 66th O. V. I., serving until May, 1865. On going out was a private, but rose through all the degrees to Captain of the same regi- ment, of which he had command at the surrender of Gen. Johnson. He participated in many of the most severe-fought battles, hence has filled an important place in the sup- pression of the late rebellion. Was one among the few fortunate ones who returned home without a wound or being lodged in the rebel prisons. Since his return, he has been engaged in teaching, in which he is favorably known. In January, 1880, he was elected Secretary of the Champaign County Agricultural Association, and still enjoys single blessedness.

CHARLES C. KIEFER, Secretary Urbana Gas Company, Urbana. Mr. Kiefer is a native of Maryland, born in Washington Co. in 1826. His parents removed to Dayton, Ohio, in 1832, where he grew to manhood and engaged in the hardware trade until 1876, at which time he purchased the property and rights of the Urbana Gaslight and Coke Co., and has since resided in Urbana. He married, in 1850, Miss Sarah E. Engle, of Dayton, Ohio. They have two sons-John D., who is associated with his father in the coal business in Urbana, and Charles. Mr. Kiefer was made a Mason in St. John's Lodge, No. 13, Dayton, Ohio, and presided over that lodge as Master for a number of years. Was High Priest of Unity Chapter, No. 16, R. A. M., some years ; E. C. of Reed Commandery, No. 6, two years ; has presided over the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masons. the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Ohio, and is now Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, A., F. & A. M., of Ohio. In the year 1867, he received the thirty-third and last degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, and is now the presiding officer of Dayton Chapter of the A. & A. S. Rite.

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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 77

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