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 79

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 79

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JOHN P. MILLER, retired, Urbana; is a son of John, Sr., and Elizabeth (Pierson) Miller, both supposed to be natives of New Jersey, where they matured, but married in Pennsylvania, where they settled. John, Sr., died in 1803, in Washington Co., Penn., leaving a wife and six children, who, in the spring of 1804, emigrated to Warren Co., Ohio. Elizabeth, after becoming a resident of Ohio, married twice. While residing with her third husband at Enon, Clark Co., she was seized by death. Our subject was born at Washington Co., Penn., Aug. 14, 1799, and since a child has been a resident of Champaign Co., Olio. One among, if not the oldest in the county, he has endured many privations and hardships in the early days of Champaign Co. Considerable is due him for the progress and general improvement of the county. He was raised to farm life, but, in the spring of 1815, came to Urbana, where he engaged at the trade of cabinet-making, which he followed in connection with house carpenter- ing nearly half a century, with honored success. After abandoning the trade, he engaged in farming, which he followed until the fall of 1868, since which time he has been retired on Scioto street, Urbana. The gentleman is a man now fourscore years and five ; has been identified in many of the public interests of the county, and a much- respected citizen. He married, in the fall of 1822, Miss Eliza Cora, to whom ten chil- dren have been born, of whom one, Samuel W., has a biography in this history. Five of the number are now living. Mrs. Miller was born in Clark Co., Ohio, Jan. 30, 1804, where she was raised, and endured many of the now unknown pioneer duties, a few of which we think here proper to record. She assisted in raising their own flax,

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which was pulled, broke, scutched, spun and wove ; also took the wool from the sheep's. back to the state of cloth at home. She is the daughter of Elnathan and Hannah (Jennings) Cora. Elnathan was a native of Pennsylvania, and Hannah of New Jersey. They both came in single life to Ohio, and in 1800 married near Cincinnati. Soon after, he settled in the territory of which Clark Co. now is composed. On Aug. 30, 1832, Hannah was stricken down with cholera, from which, of course, she never recov- ered. Elnathan died at Marion, Ohio, July 8, 1844. Their children were ten in num- ber, of whom seven reached maturity, and four now survive. Mr. Miller, the subject of our memoir, is the only survivor to relate the untold history of the Miller family, which is here recorded, and will perpetuate throughout all time. He and wife have trod the happy path of life for nearly three-score years, during which time each added to the other's pleasure.

SAM W. MILLER, wood and coal dealer, Urbana; of the firm of Miller & Thomas. Among the leading men engaged in this pursuit we mention the above firm, who located here in 1878, on Russell street, opposite the railroad depot, and are now conducting a favorable business ; Mr. Miller is also connected with the firm of Miller, Thomas & Co., sole manufacturers of Stewart's patent dumping wagon. The subject of this memoir is a son of J. P. Miller, whose biography appears in this volume; he was born in Salem Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, Feb. 3, 1846; was raised to farm life, and acquired a medium education ; at the age of 18 years, he rented his father's farm, which he conducted until the spring of 1868, at which time he went West, to Topeka, Kan .; the following fall, he returned to Cincinnati, Ohio. He married, Nov. 3, Miss C. Helena Stokes, of that city; she was born Nov. 3, 1846; in 1870, they went to Butler Co., Kan., spending one year on their farm; thence returned to Ohio; he engaged as traveling salesman for the Domestic Sewing Machine Company, and, in 1874, engaged to Kelly & Co., nurserymen, Dayton, Ohio, continuing in their employ until entering his present business, which bids fair for future success. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have had five children, viz., Hannah Ethelyn (deceased), Eliza C., Willie S. (deceased), Helena Ray (deceased) and Sam W., Jr.

JOHN T. MITCHELL, merchant, Urbana, of the firm of Hitt, White & Mitchell, dry goods merchants of Urbana. He was born in Mt. Morris, Ill., in 1843, and when but 1 year old, the family located in Cincinnati, Ohio; eight years later, in Urbana, where they remained until 1859; here he acquired his elementary education ; thence in the schools of Cincinnati, having until October, 1861, reached the Woodward High School, which he left and enlisted in Co. A, 66th O. V. I .; at the organization of Co. A, was elected 1st Sergeant; in the summer of 1862, was commissioned 2d Lieu- tenant; while engaged in the battle of Cedar Mountain, Aug. 9 of the same year, he was severely wounded by a rifle ball passing through his body ; it was supposed to be a mortal wound, but in ninety days he rejoined his regiment ; early in the year of 1863, he was commissioned 1st Lieutenant, subsequently to Captain of the same company ; afterward promoted to Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel of the same regiment, serving until the close of the war, when he was mustered out, brought to Columbus, Ohio, where he was honorably discharged, and participated in the grand review at Wash- ington with Sherman's army. Soon after his return, he associated with Mr. Hitt, one of the present partners ; in this firm he now fills an important place, as his time is devoted mostly to the buying of stock and management of the same ; he also has general charge of the branch store at Bellefontaine, Ohio. In addition, he is editor and publisher of the Urbana Monthly Visitor, which has been in progress for eight years. His nuptials were celebrated Aug. 14, 1866, with Miss Annie R., daughter of S. W. Hitt. They have three children, viz., Nellie, Sallie H. and John. Rev. John T. Mitchell, Sr., the father of our subject, was born Aug. 20, 1810, near Salem, Va. His parents soon after settled in Illinois, and in 1829 located near Belleville. He was converted and united with the M. E. Church, and in 1830 commenced teaching; two years later was admitted into the Illinois Conference. He was a close student, and acquired a general knowledge of science,

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as well of Latin and Greek languages. He filled various important charges, in circuits, stations, and in a district among which he was as a pioneer minister in Wisconsin, and at Chicago, when the first brick M. E. Church was erected. In 1844, he moved to Cin- cinnati, Ohio, where he was elected as assistant book agent ; at the close of his term, was transferred to Ohio Conference, and stationed for a number of years in Cincinnati and its vicinity. In the same year that he located in Cincinnati, he was a delegate to the Gen- eral Assembly from the Rock River Conference, and in 1856, from the Cincinnati Con- ference. During his ministerial life, served the first M. E. Church of Urbana two years, when ill-health befell him. He was then appointed Presiding Elder of this district, and returned to Cincinnati the fall of 1859, serving different churches, and finally was appointed as Presiding Elder of the Cincinnati Conference, and from its organization in 1851, he was annually chosen as Secretary, which official duty he performed until his death, May, 1863. He was an earnest and useful minister, a careful and able adminis- trator and wise counselor. His wife, Catharine Rice, was a native of Maryland, and died in Cincinnati, Ohio, February, 1863. Their only daughter, Nellie, was buried the same day, and about the same hour that our subject was wounded in the late war. The surviving members of the family are the ones to whom this sketch is dedicated, and one brother, Rev. Frank G. Mitchell, of the Cincinnati Conference.

GEORGE MOORE, deceased. He was born in Enniskillen, County Tyrone, Ireland, Oct. 12, 1793 ; was a son of William Moore, of Irish birth, but Scotch-English descent. He married Mary Nevelle, of North England. They lived and died in Ire- land. Of their family, George was the youngest. He grew to the age of 16 years and acquired his education in his country. In 1849, he departed bis native land, leaving father, mother and family, and emigrated to America, being on the vessel a period of ninety days. When reaching Philadelphia, he engaged to learn the shoemaker's trade, but saw by the expiration of his three years' apprenticeship that that was not the place for a man without capital, hence pressed on Westward; pedestrian-like, came to Harris- burg, Penn., which at that time was very small. There he was drafted in the war of 1812, but, owing to the defective organs of hearing, was exempted. Soon after was re- quested by a brother of his, who had previously come to America and located in Steuben- ville, Ohio, to come there. This request was fulfilled, walking alone from Harrisburg. Not being favorably impressed with Steubenville, he remained but a short time, when he came to Circleville, Ohio, and, in 1817, at the request of his cousin, Henry Nevelle, came to Urbana, being one of the early pioneer shoemakers of .Champaign Co., Ohio. Here he, April 22 of the same year, married Jossey Luce. Three years later she died, having had two children. . One died in infancy and the other, now Eliza White, re- sides at Terre Haute, Ind. George, Sept. 27, 1821, married Christina Bennett, born in Virginia, Oct. 13, 1797. When but a child her parents emigrated to Ohio, locating in Warren Co. On their way, they saw but one white person from Chillicothe to their destination, that being a lady taking her dead husband, in a one-horse wagon, from Harri- son, Hamilton Co., where he had died, back to Virginia. The Bennett family pressed on to their destination. After a stay of four years in Warren Co., Christina's father died, leav- ing a widow with twelve children. They soon after removed to Clark Co., near where Catawba now is located. While residing there, the widow married William Hendricks, after which the children matured on his farm in Union Township, Champaign Co. At the age of 11 years, Christina came to Urbana and resided with Daniel Harr, where she married as above given. After the marriage of George and Christina, they journeyed the path of life many years, he devoting several years to his trade, when ill health necessitated him to flee from the bench. Soon after, he engaged in the grocery trade, which he conducted successfully until within three years of his death, Nov. 24, 1866; his wife died Nov. 14, 1876. Their children were seven in number, of whom two only are now living, viz., William B., now Chief Clerk in the Fourth Auditor's office in Washington, D. C., and George N., who was born in Urbana Oct. 11, 1828. Here he was raised, educated and assisted his father in the grocery ; is now conducting

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a business for himself on Miami street. His family consists of wife and one child, now Ellen Fischel, born Sept. 13, 1855.

THOMAS F. MOSES, Professor of Natural Science in the Urbana University, Urbana. Was born at Bath, Maine, June 8, 1836. His early education was completed in the public schools of that city. He entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me., in the year 1853, and was graduated with honor in 1857. The following year, began the study of medicine with Dr. A. J. Fuller, at Bath, and pursued his studies in the medi- cal schools of New York and Philadelphia ; received his diploma from the Jefferson Medical School of Philadelphia in the spring of 1861. Spent the following year in the clinic schools and hospitals of Paris and London. On returning, he entered the Hospital Department at Washington, D. C., as Surgeon, and was engaged in hospital and transport duty until the summer of 1864. During this summer, he was engaged in the transportation of wounded men from the battle-fields of Eastern Virginia, in Gen. Grant's campaign with the Army of the Potomac, and as executive officer of the hospi- tal steamer Connecticut; superintended the removal of 14,000 wounded men to the hospitals at Washington and Alexandria during a period of six weeks. The severe la- bor and exposure attending this work having brought on entire nervous prostration, he left the service and, on recovery, settled as a practitioner in Hamilton Co., Ohio, in the year 1866. In the following year, was married to Hannah Appleton Cranch, daughter of John and Charlotte (Appleton) Cranch, and grand-daughter of Judge William Cranch, of Washington, D. C. In the year 1870, while still engaged in the successful practice of medicine, he was elected to the Professorship of Natural Science in the Ur- bana University. In 1874, with Rev. Theo. N. Glover, he was one of the founders of the " Ohio Scientific Association." His published works are an essay on the " Spir- itual Nature of Force," a translation from the French of Emile Saigey's " Unity of Natural Phenomena," with notes, and a number of scientific papers in the proceedings of the Central Ohio Scientific Association.

DR. ADAM MOSGROVE (deceased). The progress, growth, development and present prosperity of Champaign County are unquestionably due to the enterprise, energy and foresight of her pioneers, and few of this class are more kindly remembered than the old physician whose name stands at the head of this sketch. He was born at Enniskillen, in the County Tyrone, Ireland, Aug. 12, 1790, and at a proper age was entrusted to a private tutor, who gave him a good English education, and prepared him to attend a regular course of studies in the medical college at Edinburgh, Scotland, from whence he entered the Royal College of Surgeons at Dublin, Ireland, graduating on the 7th day of April, 1814, and was immediately commissioned as a Surgeon in the British navy. While in his native land he passed the various degrees of Masonry, and at 26 years of age had attained the rank of Royal Arch Mason ; throughout his life he was an active, devoted and consistent member of this fraternity, and held high rank in the order; he left his home in Ireland on Easter Monday, 1816, being Surgeon on board the ship Charlotte, which sailed for the United States; when off the American coast the Charlotte became disabled in a storm and put into the Philadelphia harbor for repairs, but, a dispute having arisen between the ship's officers and the British Govern- ment, the officers resigned their commissions and left the vessel in the harbor, where it remained until decay gave it completely to destruction. Dr. Mosgrove was then in a strange land, one that was new, rough and semi-barbarous; but, with a fortune of seventy guineas, which was premium money given him at the beginning of the cruise, he started West to begin the battle of life; he first located at Lancaster, Penn., removing thence to Elizabethtown, in the same State, in both of which he practiced medicine. In 1817, he was married at the latter place to Mary Miller, a sister of the late Lawrence Miller, of Urbana, Ohio. In some way, Dr. Mosgrove heard of George Moore, for- merly a well-known citizen of Urbana, now deceased, who was born in the Doctor's native town, and had settled in this county at an early day. The ties of nativity were sufficiently strong to attract Dr. Mosgrove to the home of his old friend, and, in 1818,

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he packed his possessions in a wagon, and, with his wife, trudged away to the far West, arriving at Urbana in the latter part of June. There are, perhaps, not a half-dozen persons now living in Urbana who were here at that time, and but two who were then over 18 years of age, the balance having long since been laid in their last earthly home ; and in a few short years at most all will have passed away, leaving none to tell of the trials and hardships cheerfully endured that their posterity might reap the blessings which they now enjoy. Soon after arriving at Urbana, Dr. Mosgrove invested the few hundred dollars which then constituted his wealth, in land, and this was the nucleus around which the fortune possessed at the time of his death was slowly accumulated. The little old frame house still standing west of the Weaver House was purchased, with the tier of lots west to Walnut and south to Market streets ; that small frame was his residence and office until the new residence was built on the northwest corner of the same property where he resided until his death. Politically, he was a strict Democrat all his life, and was nominated by his party several times for Congress and State Senate, but, the opposition having an overwhelming majority in the township, county and dis- trict, it was never anticipated that an election was possible. The only political office he ever held was Deputy United States Marshal in 1830, in which year he took the census of Champaign County. His wife died in March, 1833, and, in 1834, he was married to Frances A. Foley, a daughter of John Foley, a prominent citizen of Clark County, Ohio. Of his children now living are John A. Mosgrove, the eldest son, and Dr. James M. Mosgrove, the youngest son, the latter a leading physician of Urbana; Col. W. F. Mosgrove, the second son, died here in 1869, and all were the children of his first wife. Dr. Mosgrove was well known in a circuit of 100 miles in diameter, while his professional services were frequently demanded beyond that limit. For a number of years he practiced alone, but afterward became associated with Dr. J. S. Carter, Sr., who died in 1852, and their extensive practice was continued for many years. In those early days, physicians made their calls on horseback, and the Doctor, being noted as a splendid horseman, rather enjoyed the long, rough trips over the country, and sometimes he would hitch his horse in the woods at night rather than unduly tire his favored animal, taking his own needed sleep on the ground. Strong and robust, a picture of perfect health, and possessed of a kind, affectionate disposition, his coming was hailed with delight by the sick, who confided in his professional ability, and by those in health, to whom he imparted a share of his own good humor. He was temperate in all things, and never given to the drinking of ardent spirits even at a day when custom almost demanded it. Indomitable courage and industry were remarkable traits of his character, and whatever he undertook to accomplish he perseveringly pursued with all the energy of a strong nature, and he was generally successful in his undertakings; no storm, no event, nothing, ever prevented his regular visitation of patients, and no obstacle could successfully intervene between him and his professional duty. His charity to the afflicted poor is well known throughout the county, as he was ever ready and willing to do as much for his poorest patient, where there could be no expectation of pay for his services, as for the wealthiest patient in his circuit, and this noble generosity in his pro- fession endeared him to the poorer classes, and won him hosts of the warmest friends, who still kindly cherish his memory. A strongly defined sense of honor and the excel- lencies of old-style manners were features of character that marked him clearly as a courteous gentleman, a hearty friend and boon companion. Dr. Mosgrove was a hale, hearty and well-preserved old gentleman, and looked much younger than his actual age, until some ten years previous to his death, at which time he met with an accident, by which one of his limbs was broken, and from that day he began to decline. He lived an active, steady and consistent life, and died quietly and peacefully at his home Wednesday, March 10, 1875, in his 85th year, his wife surviving him and dying Sep- tember 1, 1879, aged 60. Dr. Mosgrove had long been a worthy member of the Epis- copal Church, and the funeral sermon was delivered by the Pastor of that denomination in this city, the Rev. J. B. Britton, the interment being conducted by Raper Com- mandery, Knights Templar, in the presence of a large concourse of people who had

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assembled to pay the last tribute of respect to their old and worthy friend and physi- cian. In the death of Dr. Adam Mosgrove, the medical profession of Champaign County lost one of its oldest and most energetic members, having been actively engaged in the duties of his profession for more than half a century. As a physician, he was kind and sympathetic, diligent in his attention to the sick and solicitous for their recovery, inspiring them with hope, and a confidence in his ability to effect a speedy cure. He enjoyed the unlimited confidence and respect of a large patronage; and, as a man and citizen, was without reproach in all the relations of life. In reviewing the life and character of Dr. Mosgrove, we find in his constant devotion to his profession, in his high-toned morality, sterling integrity and unpretending simplicity, a bright example for the imitation of those who survive him. We feel that not only did the profession lose an old and useful member, but the community a worthy citizen, the poor a kind and generous friend, and the family an affectionate and loving protector.

JAMES M. MOSGROVE, physician, Urbana. Dr. Mosgrove was born in Urbana in 1825, and is a son of Adam Mosgrove, M. D. He received his early training in the common schools of that day, and subsequently read medicine with his father and gradu- ated from the Ohio Medical College in the spring of 1846. He immediately commenced the practice of his profession with his father, and has ever since been actively engaged in practice here in Urbana, where he has secured a deserved reputation and extensive practice ; has never been married; is a member of the Masonic Order, a popular physi- cian and esteemed citizen.

SAMUEL M. MOSGROVE, M. D., physician, Urbana. Dr. Mosgrove is one of the young professional men of Urbana. His ancestors were among the early settlers of this county, and the family have been identified with the interests of this county since 1818. He is the son of John A. Mosgrove, and was born in Urbana Aug. 4, 1851; he was educated at the Urbana school, and when 18 years of age he commenced reading medicine with his uncle and grandfather, and subsequently graduated at the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati, and also graduated at Bellevue Hospital Medical Col- lege. He commenced the practice of his profession in Urbana, in 1873, and has already earned a reputation as a first-class physician. He is Coroner of Champaign County and Surgeon of the 7th O. N. G. He is a member of the Masonic Order and also of the Independent Order of Red Men.

CHARLES H. MURPHEY, nurseryman and florist, Urbana ; was born in Kirk- cudbrightshire, Scotland, Jan. 12, 1818, and is a son of Peter and Ellen (Harris) Murphey ; both died in Scotland, he in the year 1870, and she in 1875. Charles grew to manhood in his native land, and received some education. When about 20 years of age, he went to England ; after spending one year, took passage for the " Western Con- tinent," landing in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained nearly ten years, when he re- moved to Urbana, where he still resides. Charles and his brother Roger came to America to start in life among strangers and in a strange land, and the one to whom this sketch is dedicated has by economy and close application to hard labor saved suf- ficient means to purchase his present beautiful home. When he arrived in Cincinnati, he was compelled to pawn his watch in order to pay his board until employment was obtained. He therefore started from the bottom of the ladder and feels that there is a chance for all who make the attempt, to rise above want. His dealings have been such as to gain the confidence of the people, and now does a favorable business. His mar- riage was celebrated March 24, 1852, with Sophia B., daughter of George C. and Eve .Lang, who was born Dec. 13, 1832, in Germany, and came to America with her parents in 1844. Their children were five boys and one daughter.

JAMES R. NELSON, deceased. As we well know, generations are rising and passing unmarked away. We here place upon record the following of James R. Nelson : He was born in Baltimore, Md., Aug. 8, 1815, where he was raised and educated to the age of 14 years, when he entered the drug store of his uncle, Jacob Kauffman, at Canton, Ohio. There he applied himself closely in business and soon understood what

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duties rested upon him, and how to fill them successfully. In 1836, he and his uncle located in Urbana and associated in business, starting the second drug store in the place ; this soon became the standard one, and during the late war erected the block on the northeast corner of Public Square and Main street, opening out their complete stock of drugs and druggists' sundries. Through their upright and honest business. habits they enjoyed a liberal patronage throughout their business career. Jacob Kauff- man died in April, 1874 ; his interest was then purchased by W. H. Colwell, the firm being Nelson & Colwell, who conducted the business until the death of Mr. Nelson, May 13, 1879. He was a man, as well as his partner, identified in many of the public interests of the city, and died a much-respected citizen, leaving a wife, one child (a son) and many warm friends. His marriage was celebrated Dec. 31, 1857, with Miss Mary B. Sisson, a native of Columbus, Ohio.

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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 79

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