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 78
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WILLIAM D. KNIGHT, retired farmer; P. O. Urbana. This gentleman is a native of Ohio, and was born and reared in Hamilton Co. His father, Jonathan, and Catharine, his wife, were married in Ohio, Jonathan being a native of Pennsylvania. The grandparents were Pennsylvanians, and lived a number of years in Gerard's Fort, on the Little Miami. His grandmother's half-sister, Delilah Corbly, was one who was
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so foully murdered and scalped by the Indians many years ago. His grandparents were among the earliest settlers in Ohio, living on the frontier in Pennsylvania a num- ber of years previous to coming here. Jonathan died in Hamilton Co., and his wife and children-William, Stephen, Paul, Mary A., Elizabeth, Priscilla and Corbly- moved to Miami Co., near Casstown, on a tract of land owned by her husband. William was the eldest son, and, with the help of neighbors, erected a log cabin, having one door and a window with six lights, which was a pretty good house in those times. The clear- ing progressed slowly, as the children were young, but the energetic spirits of those who had undertaken to make a home in the West was equal to their needs, and, as the for- ests melted away, and growing crops took their place, the hopes of our family increased in proportion. Paul was married in 1835 or 1836 to Charlotte Enseminger. Soon after, Mary A. wedded John Green, and William was married the 13th of March,
1837, to Elizabeth Palmer. The outlook was bright for the young people, and pros- perity came in many ways. Elizabeth married Isaac Cline, now the County Commis- sioner of Elizabeth Township, Miami Co. George Cloyd married Priscilla. Corbly ยท married Catharine Babb. All of these lived in Miami Co. William sold his land in that county in 1853, and purchased land in Champaign Co. He has been eminently successful in life, and has amassed a competency. He is the father of seven children ; five are living-John, Catharine, Sidney, Wilford and Stephen. The latter is a rising young lawyer of Chicago, Ill. The mother of Mr. Knight died in Miami Co. in her 80th year. The family sketch will probably appear in the history of that county. Mr. Knight still superintends his farm, but this season is the first one in more than a half- century that he has sown no wheat. His income is sufficient to meet every want, and his family are well settled in life. He was Director of the Infirmary a few years ago, and from the organization of the party has been an ardent Republican. He was one of the five that cast the first vote in the township in support of its principles.
CHARLES KULENCAMP, confectioner and baker, Urbana. Among the busi- ness men of the city the name of Charles Kulencamp deserves mention in this work. He was born in Germany May 25, 1828, and lost his father when but a child. In 1842, he, the only child, with his mother and her brother, boarded a vessel and came to America, locating in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he grew to maturity and received his edu- cation through his own exertions. In 1862, when the late war was raging, he enlisted in Co. C, 108th O. V. I., serving till the close of his enlisted term, participating in the battles of Hartsville, Tenn., Tomkinsville, Ky., and Resaca, where he was wounded and placed on detached service. Returned to Cincinnati in 1864. One year later, he located in La Fayette, Ind., in the employ of Rugar & Roger, confectioners, and after- ward for Hamlin, in the same city. In 1875, he removed to Urbana, Ohio, purchased a stand, and. opened a similar business to that which he is now conducting. He did a very favorable business for two years, when the devouring flames swept away the build- ing and its entire contents. In a short time, he had another room fitted for business, and is now conducting it with favorable success. He carries all articles kept in a first- class confectionery. His business is located opposite the Weaver House, on Miami street. His nuptials were celebrated in 1849 with Catharine Cook, born in Germany in 1830. The issue of this union is four children-two sons and two daughters. His mother now resides with him at an advanced age.
JOHN S. LEEDOM. Among the offispring of the hardy pioneers of the West- ern wilds, we find notable examples of men of vigorous thought and forcible character- men who have been competent of filling the highest stations with honor and distinction. The subject of this sketch is a fair representative of this class of men, who, without the aid of advantageous circumstances, such as fortune or influential friends, has risen from the humble walks of life to be classed as the leading attorney at the bar of Champaign County. John S. Leedom was born in Bucks Co., Penn., Aug. 1, 1826, and is the son of Thomas G. and Ann (Stockton) Leedom, natives of the Keystone State, of English and Irish ancestry. In 1831, his parents came to Miami Co., Ohio, and, about 1835,
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removed to Champaign Co., settling in Johnson Township, where his father resided until his death, and where his mother is now living, at St. Paris, in her 87th year. John S. was raised on a farm, receiving a good common-school education, and, in early man- hood, taught school for the purpose of getting money to prosecute his studies. He at- tended the Springfield Academy three full school terms, running over a period of three years, which completed his literary education. In 1849, he entered the law office of John H. Young, and afterward the Law Department of the Indiana State University, located at Bloomington, Ind., from which he graduated Feb. 26, 1851, and in the spring of the latter year was admitted to the bar at Cincinnati. He immediately located at Urbana, where he entered into partnership with John H. Young, which continued until 1865, since which time he has been associated with James Taylor. He was married in Miami Co., Ohio, Oct. 26, 1852, to Miss Louisa J. Furrow, daughter of Jacob G. Fur- row, deceased. Mrs. Leedom is a native of Piqua, Ohio, is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and has had four children, only two of whom are living-Loui and Lizzie. Politically, Mr. Leedom has always been one of the leaders of the Democracy in Cham- paign Co., is popular and capable as a party leader, and has ever lent a powerful influ- ence toward making politics honorable and reputable. His political opponents have always held him in high esteem, and give him credit for fair dealing and entertaining honest convictions in his political conduct. They find him a high-souled gentleman, who fights party battles on party principles. In his early legal career, he was Prose- cutor for Champaign Co. for six years, and, in 1868, he was nominated by the Democ- racy as their Congressional candidate for his district, made a vigorous canvass, but, owing to the district being largely Republican, was defeated. As a lawyer, John S. Leedom is ready, versatile and well informed, and has no superior at the bar of Cham- paign Co. He is apt, terse and forcible in argument, ready and confident in debate, and always faithfully identifies himself with the interests of his clients. He is quick to seize upon the solution of the legal problem presented to him, and to discover the salient points of an argument, as well as to grasp and combine the guiding principles underly- ing the mass of legal rubbish of a case that is sometimes heaped up by crafty counsel. Mr. Leedom is not an orator in the popular acceptation of that term, but as a speaker he is clear, analytical, impassioned and convincing, making effective use of all favorable points, no matter how insignificant they may appear to others, and skillfully turning or ignoring unfavorable ones. Thoroughly conversant with the law, careful and judicious in preparation, ready and trenchant in debate, an expert in the analysis of human mo- tives and passions, he has peculiar qualifications for a successful advocate, and his abil- ity to sway jurors renders him a dangerous foe in a legal conflict. He is at all times courteous in his bearing, and, with the above eminent qualifications as a lawyer added to his well-known character for integrity and energy, he can safely be placed among the lead- ing attorneys of this portion of Ohio.
BENJAMIN F. LEONARD, Urbana ; foreman United States Rolling-Stock Company. Mr. Leonard is a native of the State of New York, born at Tarrytown, Westchester Co., in 1828. On attaining his majority, he went to New York City and was employed in a sash, door and blind factory, where he continued several years. In 1856, he came West and entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road at their shops in Aurora, Ill., where he remained until the fall of 1876. The master mechanic of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad becoming connected with the United States Rolling-Stock Company, Mr. Leonard was induced to take a position under him as foreman of the wood-working department. He first went to Mansfield, where he superintended the repairing of a large number of cars, and, in 1877, came to Urbana in charge of the extensive works here, a description of which will be found in the chapters relating to Urbana. While at Aurora, he enlisted in the 72d Ill. V. I., mustered into the service in August, 1862. He received a severe wound, being shot in both thighs, at the charge on Vicksburg, May 22, 1863, after which he was discharged for disability, his life being almost despaired of. He was married, in 1857, to Angeline Smith, of New York. She died in 1859. In 1861, he married Mrs. Mary Neville, widow of
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Harry Neville, and sister of his first wife. They have one child-Anna W. He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and is prominent in the Masonic fraternity.
JOHN G. LOGAN, farmer ; P. O. Urbana. We are pleased to give a place in the front rank of pioneers to the honorable name of Logan, representing, as it does, a family ever noted for their courtesy and correct business principles. The original stock came from Kentucky in 1812. Samuel Logan and his wife, Phoebe Richards, were born in Mason Co., Ky., and their two sons, Elijah R. and Benjamin Logan, were also born in that State. Samuel entered a large tract, a part of which is now the farm of our subject. There were also four daughters-Ruth, Elizabeth, Ann and Phoebe. Samuel died in 1813, the next year after coming to this county. Elijah was married to Miss Roxaline Powell, by whom he had eleven children ; only five survive-Benjamin F., John G., Samuel P., Fanny A. and Sarah Adella. Benjamin, Sr., went to Illinois, and afterward married, reared a family and died in that State. Ruth married Henry Powell and became the mother of nine daughters-Martha, Nancy, Melinda, Electa, Catharine, Sarah, Fanny, Phebe and Amanda. Elizabeth married Jacob Claypole ; they afterward moved to Hardin Co. Their children were named Samuel, Jonathan, Jesse, William, Isabel and Martha. Ann was the wife of Henry Staymate. They had sev- eral children -- La Fayette, Benjamin, Bonaparte and one other son and several daughters. Phoebe married Matthias McComsey. Their children living are named Eliza, David- son, Harrison and Cyrus, and live in the county. Of Elijah's family, Benjamin has no children ; Samuel wedded Elizabeth Richards, of Illinois ; Fanny is the wife of A. P. Rohrer ; Adella lives with her brothers, and John G. Logan, our subject, married Miss Mary A. Rohrer March 19, 1862. Mr. Logan has purchased the interest of all the heirs in the old farm, and now has one of the nicest homes in the county. He is a man of much energy and enterprise, and their home is a model of neatness and comfort. Their children are two daughters and two sons-Emma E., Edna E., Ethelbert R. and John Earle. They will never know the privations of their ancestry while their home is made with their parents. Music, books and works of art are highly appreciated, and their parents lavish a wealth of love and care upon them.
THOMAS McCONNELL, farmer and livery ; P. O. Urbana ; was born in War- ren Co., Ohio, Jan. 18, 1839 ; is a son of James and Eleanor (Murray) McConnell ; he is a native of Pennsylvania and she of Ireland, emigrating to this country with her parents when about 8 years of age. The grandfather, David McConnell, was also a native of Ireland. James and family became residents of Ohio in quite an early day, locating in Warren Co., where they resided for several years ; but over thirty years ago he removed with his family to Champaign Co., where they have since resided on a farm about two and one-half miles southeast of Urbana, on "Pretty Prairie." Of an issue of eight children, seven now survive-Harriet A., Eliza J., Thomas, John W., David T., Henry C. and Smith. The father is now quite old and feeble, being about 75 years of age. Our subject remained with his father until about 20 years of age, when, on the breaking-out of the rebellion, in April, 1861, he (nlisted in the 13th O. V. I., in which he served through the three months' service ; thence enlisted in the 66th O. V. I., in which he entered as a private ; was elected First Lieutenant at the organiza- tion of the regiment, and, in June following, was promoted to Captain, and, on August 1, 1863, to Major to date of July, 1862, and served till Oct. 22, 1864, when he resigned on account of ill health and returned home. He was in some twenty or more hard-fought battles. In the history of the war, the 66th Regiment has the record of performing some of the most active service, and were placed in some of the most critical positions, and suffered as great hardships and losses as any regiment in the army. Mr. McConnell was married, June 28, 1866, to Margaret, daughter of Colin and Nancy McDonald, natives of Ohio; issue, two children, one surviving-George. After his marriage, he located in Urbana, and entered upon the lumber trade, which he followed about one year; thence was elected Sheriff of the county, serving four years; thence
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bought and located upon his present farm, situated about one and one-half miles south of Urbana, consisting of 120 acres, all in a high state of cultivation, with good build- ings and improvements, constituting a pleasant farmer's residence. Mr. McConnell, in connection with his farming, is also engaged in the livery business in Urbana, having, in 1872, formed a partnership with C. H. Ganson, which firm and business have been continued to the present time, and they have had a very flourishing and prosperous business from the start, and stand to-day as one of the first firms in this line of busi- ness in Urbana.
DUNCAN McDONALD, JR., Urbana. This gentleman, the prosecuting attorney of Champaign Co., was born at West Liberty, Logan Co. He was a pupil in the union school of that village, under the tuition of those accomplished scholars and efficient educators, Luther Smith, Esq., and Rev. John Fulton. He graduated at Miami Uni- versity, Oxford, Ohio, and was one among the youngest students who have ever gradu- ated from that institution. During the war of the rebellion, he served as a clerk in the Subsistence Department for his father, Capt. James McDonald, during the time he was Com- missary of Subsistence for the 1st Division, 21st Army Corps, then commanded by Gen. Thomas J. Wood, and afterward had charge and control of the office business in the Subsistence Department at the important depot at Kelly's Ferry, on the Tennessee River, during the winter following the battle of Mission Ridge, when the whole army at Chattanooga was supplied from that point; and at Alworth, Ga., in the field on the Atlanta campaign, during the time that the 14th, 20th and part of the 23d Army Corps and Gens. Stoneman's and McCook's cavalry divisions were supplied from that depot, and afterward at Marietta, Ga., when Sherman's whole army were supplied from that depot, and afterward at Eastport, Miss., where the cavalry command of Maj. Gen. J. H. Wilson and the infantry command of Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith were supplied from that point. He also was Chief Clerk in the Subsistence Department during the time his father was Chief Commissary of the Department of Georgia, which included the State of Georgia, and, after Johnston's surrender, assisted in the work of closing up the commissary depots in that State, and mustering out the officers on duty in the Sub- sistence Department in that State. He was principal of the High School Department of the West Liberty Union Schools, for two years. Having been engaged in the study of the law for some time, and a favorable opportunity for entering upon the practice of his profession in Kansas offering itself, he removed to that State, and in April, 1871, was admitted to the bar by the District Court of Morris County, and was afterward, by the Supreme Court of the State, admitted to practice in that court. In May, 1872, he was appointed by Hon. William H. Canfield Judge of the Eighth Judicial District of Kansas, County Attorney for Morris County to fill a vacancy occasioned by the death of the incumbent of that office, and was afterward, although the county was almost evenly divided in political sentiment, elected County Attorney for a full term without opposition. Returning to Ohio, in 1877, he entered into partnership in the practice of law with Col. D. W. Todd, now Probate Judge of the county, and, in 1879, was elected Prosecuting Attorney of the county.
HUGH McDONALD, retired, Urbana ; was born at Chillicothe, the seat of gov- ernment of the Northwest Territory, October 29, 1800. There he spent his early life and received his education. In April, 1819, he engaged in surveying the district of country now known as Northwestern Ohio, which occupation he followed three years. Afterward he was engaged in flat-boating produce to New Orleans, and then engaged in the agricultural trade, associating with Gen. McArthur, in Pickaway Co., Ohio; continued in business until 1831, and in the meantime, April, 1829, married Sarah, daughter of Hon. James Smith, of Urbana. The same year he went out of bus- iness, came to Champaign Co., located on his farmi, where he resided and cultivated the same for years. Early in the year 1863, his wife died, having had born to her eight children, of whom three daughters now survive and one (the only) son, a Presbyterian minister. Mr. McDonald married for his second wife, Mrs. Elizabeth (Wolfley) Lutz,
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a native of Pennsylvania. Their companionship continued until 1877, when death seized her, severed the union, and she was consigned to the silent tomb. Mr. McDonald has been for many years a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and raised his family accordingly. He now lives retired on East Scioto street, Urbana, with his daughter.
EDMOND B. McGARRY, farmer and County Commissioner; P. O. Urbana. One of the important personages in Urbana Township is the genial gentleman who is the subject of our sketch. He was reared on the farm, and has from boyhood been one of the popular men of the neighborhood. He is the youngest of his father's family, and has, since doing business for himself, made a specialty of agriculture. J. R. McGarry, the elder brother, chose law as a profession, and is now living in Cincinnati. Edmond was married in 1862, to Miss Eugenia L. McCreary, of Clark Co. Their children, David H. and Mary B., were born in Champaign Co., on the home farm of his father, William McGarry. In 1869, Edmond was elected Justice of the Peace, and was re-elected in 1872, but declined the position. In 1876, he was elected Infirmary Director, and, in 1877, County Commissioner. He resigned the office of Director of the Infirmary soon after. He is also a leading local politician, true to the principles of the Republican party, with whom he has always voted. The whole family have been enterprising people, and, having received good educations, they have turned them to advantage. J. R. McGarry was elected Mayor of Springfield in 1869, where he was then engaged in the practice of law. His wife was Miss Mary Pearson, to whom he was married in 1863. They have two children, Amy and William. J. R. McGarry enlisted in Co. F, 2d O. V. I., and was engaged in the battle of Bull Run. His collegiate course was finished in 1862, and he graduated with honor. The family have always enjoyed a high degree of pros- perity. The father of our subject, William McGarry, had seven children, the daughter acting as housekeeper since her mother's death. Mr. McGarry has been a resident of this township more than forty years. and is greatly endeared to all who know him by his many kindly acts and Christian virtues. His wife, Catharine, died March 28, 1870, aged 69 years.
JOSEPH M. MAITLAND, County Clerk, Urbana ; is a native of Champaign County, born in 1838, and a son of James M. and Anna (Mast) Maitland, who re- moved from Pennsylvania to this county about 1836; they settled in Salem Township. His father was a man of execllent education, having been a teacher, and at one time represented this county in the Legislature. He died in 1864, a highly respected citizen and 'a Christian man. Joseph M. received a liberal education, and began teaching when 16 years of age, working at farm labor during the summer. He enlisted in 1862, in the 95th O. V. I., and served a term of three years. On returning from the army he resided with his mother, following the occupation of a farmer and teacher. He served seven years as Township Clerk of Salem Township. In October, 1878, he was elected Clerk of the Courts of this county, and has since filled that office with great credit, and with satisfaction to the people. He married, in 1856, Arabella, daughter of William Wharton, who is a native of England and a resident of Urbana Township. They have two children-Earl W. and Rena Grace. Mr. and Mrs. Maitland and their son are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. M. is also connected with the Masonic Order.
CHARLES W. MARSHALL, State agent of Home Insurance Company of New York, Urbana ; is a native of Massachusetts, and was born in Belchertown in 1823. He has been engaged in insurance the past twenty-five years. In 1865, he was prof- fered and accepted his present position, he then being a resident of Columbus, and superintends the business in this State for that company, having his residence and office in Urbana since 1866. He has 120 agencies under his supervision, and not a dollar has been lost by the company in consequence of either the defalcation or death of one of these agents during the fifteen years in which he has had charge. Mr. M. made himself very popular in Champaign County as an insurance agent by his prompt
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and generous action after the " Chicago fire." That disaster carried down sixty com- panies, two of whom were represented by Mr. M. who immediately re-insured all his policy-holders in other companies, at an expense to himself of over $600. From the tax reports, it appears his office received three-fourths of all the money received in Urbana for insurance in 1879. Mr. M. is a member of the Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, and also of the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic Fraternity. He married, in 1849, Miss Loruhamah Simpson, of New York State. They have one daughter- Mrs. J. R. McDonald.
CHRISTOPHER METT, farmer; P. O. Urbana. The parents of this gentle- man came to this county in 1833 from Page Co., Va. His father, David Mett, died eight days after landing in Mad River Township. The maiden name of Mrs. Mett was Catharine Ayleshire, and she was left a widow at an early age. Three children- Christopher (our subject), Gideon and Margaret-were born in Page Co. Mrs. Mett was left alone with her three small children, in a new country, without friends, and the day seemed dark for her. Being a good weaver, she picked up a few dollars, and man- aged to provide for her children for a time. Christopher was an industrious lad, and worked at any kind of a job that offered, until he was 13 or 14 years old. His mother, about that time, received $300 from her father's estate. She gave Christopher $30 of this, to be invested in clothes. Instead of doing this, he purchased a colt, and again went to work for another horse. Before this was paid for, it died, and this left him again behind. Nothing daunted, he continued working, and in two or three years he found himself the owner of two horses and a wagon. He commenced farming, and in a year or two he had four horses, and was farming extensively. In 1853, he had $1,000 in cash and a span of horses. This was judiciously invested in land, and in a few years he found himself with a fine farm, all paid for, earned by his own industry, and in 1865 he sold his farm in Mad River Township for $8,000, and purchased his present farm at $10,500. He has ever been one of the most successful business men, and has bon- estly earned every dollar he is worth. His marriage to Mrs. Sarah Smith was cel- ebrated in 1847. They had no children, and her death occurred in 1850. Mr. Mett has reared two girls, one of whom, Miss Pernette Mett, married John Enilsizer, and they keep house for him. Mr. Mett is one of our best citizens, and has worked hard all his life, but to-day he can see the fruits of his labors in his large bank account and comfortable home.
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