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 80

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 80

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JAMES K. NEWCOMER, the present enterprising editor and proprietor of the Champaign Democrat, was born in Fayette Co., Penn., Aug. 10, 1833, and, in 1837, his parents moved to Ohio, locating in Holmes Co., where they remained until the spring of 1844, when they removed to the western part of Lucas, now Fulton, Co., Ohio, and there James K. aided in clearing up a farm, where the present county seat, Wauseon, was afterward located. With only such advantages as a primitive common school afforded, young Newcomer, at the age of 18, apprenticed himself to the printing business in the office of the Fulton Democrat, then published at Delta, Ohio ; he sub- sequently published the Delta Independent, and, in 1857, was elected Recorder of Ful- ton Co. by a majority of seventeen, while the opposition had a majority on their State ticket of about three hundred. After the expiration of his official term, he purchased the Ottawa Democrat, of Port Clinton, Ohio, which he conducted until the fall of 1864, when he returned to Fulton Co. and engaged in the dry-goods trade at Wauseon, in the meantime joining his father in making an addition to that town. In 1863, he was nominated by the Democratic State Convention for the office of Comptroller of the Treasury, but, with the balance of the ticket, except Hon. William Allen for Governor, was defeated ; in 1864, he was appointed by Gov. Allen a Trustee of the Girls' Indus- trial Home. In 1867, Mr. Newcomer was a candidate for a seat in the State Legisla- ture, but was unsuccessful at the election ; he was one of the Clerks of the Ohio Sen- ate in the sessions of 1868 and 1869, and, at a special election to fill a vacancy in the Senate of that legislative term, was nominated for State Senator in the Toledo District. In the summer of 1869, Mr. Newcomer purchased the Constitution, at Elyria, Ohio, which he published until October, 1870, when he bought the Democratic Mirror, of Marion, Ohio, and built up a good business, and made it a popular paper ; he contin- ued the publication of that paper until the fall of 1878, and, the following spring, came to Urbana and purchased the office of the Democratic sheet of this city, and is now en- gaged in publishing the Champaign Democrat. He was married in 1858; his wife died in 1864, leaving two daughters, and, in 1871, he was again married, of which union two children have been born, one of whom is living. On reaching his majority, Mr. Newcomer was made a Mason, and has ever since been an ardent member of that order ; politically, he is widely known as one of the most uncompromising Democrats in Ohio, and has always been bitterly opposed to every law or measure which he be- lieved to be contrary to the Constitution and the spirit of Democracy, and therefore baneful to the interests and welfare of the nation. In the time of political excitements, he will always be found wherever the fight is the hottest and his services are most needed ; he is a man of stability of character and well-formed views on most subjects ;. an agreeable and pleasant companion, who has won many stanch friends among the cit- izens of " Old Champaign " since locating in Urbana.

ORVILLE NOBLE, retired, Urbana ; was born Jan. 2, 1821, in Hampden Co., Mass., where he was raised and educated. On Nov. 25, 1848, he married Miss Caro- line A. Bates, remaining in his native county, where he continued the profession of teaching a few years. In 1856, they located where we now write (Urbana). In this

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city they have since resided, and his first engagement was the cultivation of garden seeds of all descriptions, which he circulated from the " great northern lakes," south to Alabama. This business he conducted successfully for a period of thirteen years, then engaged in the brokerage business, conducting the same more or less since. Having become favorably known by the citizens of Champaign Co., he was elected to his present office, Director of County Infirmary, in 1877 ; one year later he was elected Director of the Citizens' National Bank of Urbana, of which he is a stockholder. He is located on South Main street, possessing everything that constitutes a neat and comfortable home, which is kept in good style. He has one daughter, Mary B., who is an accomplished young lady. Mrs. Noble was born in Hampshire Co., Mass., in 1821; was mostly raised in Hampden County, where she was educated.

BARTON O'NEAL, of the firm of Colwell & O'Neal, dealers in lumber, shin- gles, lath, etc., Urbana. He was born Jan. 5, 1827, in Ross Co., Ohio, and is a son of Samuel and Martha (Cowgill) O'Neal, both natives of Ross Co., Ohio, where they grew up to maturity and married. In 1851, they moved to Hardin Co., Ohio, and three years later they became residents of McLean Co., Ill., where Martha died, in 1860, and Samuel in 1864. Our subject is the second of a family of eight children ; he was raised to farm life, and in 1846, married Miss Elizabeth Moots. In 1852, they located in West Liberty, Logan Co., Ohio, and December, 1861, in Urbana, where Mrs. O'Neal died, in 1863. She was a native of Ross Co., Ohio, and left five children and a hus- band; the latter married Emma E. Strayer, a native of Logan Co., Ohio. After set- tling in Urbana, he was engaged in saw-milling and lumber dealing until 1867, when he purchased a mill, and since has had a pecuniary interest in the business. In March, 1877, he sold his mill and formed the partnership of Sayman, Colwell & O'Neal, which association conducted business until the death of Mr. Sayman, Sept. 23, 1879, since which the firm has been as already indicated. Mention is made of this firm in the sketch of C. F. Colwell, in this history.

J. S. PARKER, hardware clerk, Urbana; is a son of Thomas Parker, who was born in New Jersey in 1800, where he grew to manhood and learned the blacksmith trade ; served as apprentice seven years, and in 1820, walked through to this county, where he set up shop at what is now Kingston. He married Miss Margaret Stephen- son, a native of Virginia, born in 1802, who came to Ohio with her parents about 1813. Thomas and wife spent most of their life in this county ; a few years were passed in Hardin County, where he died, in 1868. His wife now survives, at nearly four-score years of age. Their children were ten in number, of whom J. S. is one of the only two survivors. He was born in Champaign County Oct. 7, 1835 ; was brought up and educated in this county, where he resided until the late rebellion, when he enlisted in Co. B, 118th O. V. I., August, 1862, serving three years ; passing through all the promotions to Captain of the company in which he enlisted, participating in the battles of Resaca, Lost Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville and others ; was one among a few fortunate ones who returned home uninjured. He mar- ried Mrs. John W. Taylor, of Champaign Co., Ohio, in 1866. Soon after engaged in the hardware store of Lemuel Weaver, where he is now engaged, and has a reputation as a reliable and attentive salesman.

J. HARRIS PATRICK, retired merchant, and President of the Western Mutual Fire Insurance Co., Urbana. Mr. Patrick is a native of Urbana, and one of the most prominent of its old residents. The Patricks were among the early residents of the county seat, and have been identified with i's growth and progress since 1811. The subject of this sketch is the son of Anthony Patrick, who emigrated to this State from Salem, N. J., about 1806. He first settled at Brookfield, Trumbull Co .; subse- quently resided and worked at his trade, cabinet-making, at Cincinnati and elsewhere, until 1811, when he settled at Urbana, and remained until his decease. His wife, nee Mary Briggs, was born at Mount Holly, N. J., her family being of Welsh descent. In consequence of the then new condition of this county, they could give their children

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but little means of education. J. Harris was " bound out" to Dr. Carter for eleven years when 10 years of age, one condition of the indenture being that he should be edu- cated for the medical profession. Having no taste for the practice of medicine, he obtained a release from Dr. Carter when 16 years of age, and subsequently learned the saddler's trade. After working as a journeyman a few years, he became a partner with John Hamilton, his former employer. In 1848, he, with a brother since deceased, opened a hardware store, and he continued as a merchant in that line until 1872, hav- ing in the meantime several different partners, most of whom were his own sons or sons- in-law, and all of whom retired from the business in prosperous circumstances. In 1862, Mr. Patrick was elected to the presidency of the Western Mutual Insurance Co., and is now also Vice President of the Ohio Mutual Relief Association; he is also a stockholder and Director of the Champaign National Bank. Originally a Whig, he became a firm friend of the Republican party, and was a supporter of the war measures ; lost a son in one of the battles for the Union. A descendant of a family of Baptists, he is a member of that communion, and a main stay of that church in his native city. Hav- ing always taken an interest in local improvements, he is justly regarded as a useful, public-spirited citizen, and has been often called to fill public positions of trust and responsibility. Without capital, education or influential friends, he has worked his way to competence and influence by strict attention to business and unswerving integrity. Nov. 12, 1833, he married Miss Maria Atchison, of Madison Co., this State. From this union nine children have been born, only three of whom are now living, viz., Mary Ellen (wife of John S. Kirby), Emily (wife of Joseph C. Vance, grandson of ex-Gov. Vance, deceased, resident of Chattanooga, Tenn.), and Walter K., an office employe of the Ohio Relief Association.

HON. WILLIAM PATRICK .- There are few of Champaign's pioneers who have not long since been laid to rest with their fathers, but on the streets of Urbana may be often seen the venerable form of Judge William Patrick bending under the weight of years, a living link connecting the pioneer days of the county with its present wealth and prosperity. The family are of Irish origin, the great-grandfather of William, viz., John Fitzpatrick, being a native of Ireland, who came to the American colonies about the middle of the seventeenth century, settling in New Jersey, where the grandfather of William, viz., Samuel Fitzpatrick, was born, and in whose generation the Norman- Celtic prefix of " Fitz" was dropped from the name, much against the wishes and pro- test of his father. To Samuel was born a numerous family, Anthony Patrick, the father of the subject of this sketch, being one of the number. Samuel and one of his sons served in the Revolutionary war, risking their lives that freedom might live, and exhib- iting that same devotion for liberty that has characterized the Irish race in every age and clime. Anthony Patrick was born and grew up to manhood in New Jersey, and there married Mary Briggs, to whom were born seven children, William being the eldest in the family. He was born in New Jersey Sept. 22, 1796, and, in 1806, his parents moved with the family to Trumbull Co., Ohio, where they remained about five years, removing to Champaign Co. Aug. 9, 1811, locating at Urbana, which was then a front- ier village, and here his parents remained until death, dying as they had lived, firm ad- herents of the Baptist faith. Shortly after coming to Urbana, William attained his 15th year, and, on the breaking-out of the war of 1812, although but a lad, he volunteered in defense of his country to fight the same old foe of liberty which his ancestors had been battling against for centuries. In May, 1813, he belonged to the corps that relieved the beleaguered garrison of Ft. Meigs, and at the close of the war was second in command in charge of that fort. His father being a cabinet-maker, William learned that trade and went into business with his father, which occupation he followed actively and successfully until 1857, at which time he retired from active business in favor of bis sons, who still continue to carry on the furniture trade in Urbana. His advantages for an education in his boyhood days were very limited, but those that existed he readily embraced, attending the common subscription school as much as circumstances would permit, thereby obtaining a fair English education. He was married April 30, 1820,

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in Urbana, to Rachel Kirkpatrick, a native of Pennsylvania, born in December, 1795. Seven children were the fruits of this union, four of whom are yet living, viz., three sons-E. B., W. R. and Alexander-and one daughter-Mary Ames, who is the wife of John B. Happersett, the boot and shoe merchant of Urbana. For the space of nearly half a century, Judge Patrick enjoyed the companionship of his faithful wife, but on the 21st day of August, 1865, death claimed her as its victim, leaving a void in the household and heart of her companion that has never been filled. Mrs. Patrick was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died with a strong and abid- ing faith in a blissful immortality. Judge Patrick has been in official position nearly all his life, and as early as 1819 was appointed Township Clerk of Urbana Township, and was re-elected to the same position thirty-two consecutive years. From 1824 to 1830, he was Commissioner of Insolvents ; in 1831, was elected Justice of the Peace for Urbana Township, and re-elected five times, holding that office until it was super- seded by the Associate Judgeship in 1848, which he occupied until 1852. In 1841, he was elected Mayor of Urbana ; served one year, and declined a re-election. In 1859, he was again elected Mayor, and re-elected six times consecutively, at last declining to be a candidate for the office. During his mayoralty, he was also Justice of the Peace, which position he held for two years after his term as Mayor expired. In 1875, although not soliciting the honor, he was again elected Justice of the Peace, and re-elected in 1878, which position he now holds. Besides those mentioned, he has held many minor offices, such as Assessor, Recorder, etc., and was a member of the Council one year. Of his father's family, but three are now living, viz., himself, John B. and J. H. Patrick. Judge Patrick has been a life-long member of the Baptist Church, and in his younger days was a Whig and afterward a Republican, but was always independent in his views on political subjects, and never a partisan. During the rebellion, he was an outspoken Unionist, and advocated the vigorous prosecution of the war. We are glad to be able to place before our readers the record of a man who, in every capacity, has exhibited such unswerving rectitude and integrity of character as this old pioneer in his long years of usefulness, and few men of Champaign Co. are more widely known or more uni- versally respected for the many traits of heart and mind which it is his fortune to possess.

H. C. PEARCE, JR., M. D., Urbana. Dr. Pearce was born in Champaign Co., in Union Township, in 1833, and is the son of H. C. Pearce, Sr. He received a common-school education, and then read medicine, first with Dr. Carter, and afterward with Prof. Dawson, and graduated at Starling Medical College in 1857. He commenced practice at Mutual, in this county, but removed to Urbana in 1863, where he has since remained, and has practiced in this county nearly a quarter of a century. He was Pro- fessor of Physiology and Histology in Starling Medical College for eight years, and is now, and has been for the past five years a member of the Faculty of the Columbus Med- ical College, of which he is one of the founders and Trustees. He has been for many years a member of the Urbana School Board. He was married in 1853, to Sarah J. Morgan, of Mt. Vernon; she died April 22, 1872. On the 17th of June, 1873, he married Binnie A., daughter of William Keller, an old resident of Urbana, a Justice of the Peace and Mayor of the city. He had four children by his first marriage-Mrs. George E. Lee, of Piqua, Miss Laura Etta, Charles and Henry, and by his second marriage two sons-Willie and Frank.

JACOB PENCE, farmer ; P. O. Urbana. Jacob Pence, Sr., was married to Miss Maria Coffman, in Shenandoah Co., Va., and came to the farm where our subject now lives, in 1805. This was afterward entered by him, and considerably improved. He built the first cabin near Mad River, and had many Indian neighbors. Jacob, Jr., had for playmates the young Indians, with whom he frequently went hunting. Life was of the free and easy sort, money was scarce, and so was food. The Indians made a great many baskets of ash wood, which was considered legal tender for anything to eat. Corn was frequently sold for 64 cents per bushel, on nine months' time. Money was almost

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impossible to get, and the pioneers had to help each other raise their cabins, cut and roll their logs, and assist in many other things. The Indians were friendly, but if when visiting the settlers they saw anything they wanted, they would give a grunt or two, quietly appropriate it, and walk away. Perhaps in a few days the Indian would come walking in with a fine piece of venison, which would be deposited with the same kind of a grunt. The children of Jacob and Maria were nine in number, only two of whom are now living; our subject and his sister, Ann Albin, who lives in Tremont, Clark Co. The most wonderful thing connected with the Pence family was, that the parents of Jacob, Sr., Henry and Mary Pence, had seventeen children, all of whom lived to adult age, and all but two came to this county. Jacob, Sr., died in June, 1828, and his wife in February, 1815. The land was left to the four children, which was afterward pur- chased by Jacob, Jr. He was married to Miss Sarah Dugan Sept. 15, 1833. They were parents of two sons and nine daughters. The sons, John and Clay, enlisted during the war of the rebellion, and their lives were both offered at their country's shrine. They never again saw their loved home, and the sad hearts of the parents can never feel at ease when thinking of their untimely end. Six of the daughters are married, and live in Ohio. Mr. Pence is a very prosperous farmer, and has a splendid home-like place, with a model house-keeper for a wife. He is one of the quiet, unassuming men, who think deeply and act correctly. The children living are named Mary A., Elizabeth J., Eliza A., Sarah J., Nancy M., Maggie, Emma, Ida and Lucinda.

JOSEPH PENCE, farmer; P. O. Urbana The Pence family are largely repre- sented, as the remote ancestry came to this county at an early date, and their descend- ants have been connected with its interests from its earliest history ; the primeval for- ests have been converted into well-tilled fields, and the log cabins have given way to the modern farmhouses, during the last half-century; this has all been accomplished during the time of the second generation, and still some of the pioneers live to see the won- drous works their hands have wrought. The father of Joseph Pence, Jr., was one of the first pioneers who came to the wild woods of Ohio; he settled here in 1802; he entered a section of land, the homestead being that now owned by Joseph ; his first cabin was erected in the yard south of the substantial brick residence now gracing the farm; he returned to his native State, Virginia, for his wife, Miss Magdalena Coffman, to whom he was married in 1803; their wedding trip was the journey from her father's house to the forest home, that was still the abode of wild animals and the Indian ; his nearest neighbor was a man by the name of Sherry ; their nearest trading-point was Upper Sandusky, where they went for their scant supplies of coffee, sugar, etc .; they toiled early and late, clearing up the land and living on meager fare until the breaking- out of the Indian war of 1812, when Joseph was drafted, and served under Gen. Har- rison a short time ; he hired a substitute, war not being congenial to his nature. Their life was full of hardships, and their children (nine in number) all learned to work, and were of great assistance in clearing up the land ; five of these children are now living -Maria Fleming, Eliza Newell, Matilda Bell, Jane Bull and our subject. The Pence family were an enterprising people, and to this day they enjoy a reputation equal to any in the country ; he gave each of his children a good farm, and left behind an honorable record as a gentleman and upright business man; his death occurred in July, 1855, and his wife's in January, 1874. Joseph, Jr., wedded Miss Jane Sifers in 1858 ; she was a native of Ohio; her parents also represent early settlers, but they are long since dead. Joseph and his wife have been parents of five children, of whom Effie and Harry are living; the old home is still graced by their presence, and a happy family are within its walls. Mr. Pence is a jolly host, and his wife is a fit companion for such a man ; their name will live in the history of this county, as long as time shall last, as being not only pioneers, but reputable and worthy citizens as well.

PHILANDER R. POWELL, farmer; P. O. Urbana. Among the prominent families in this township may be mentioned the Powells, whose arrival dates back early in the history of the county, while an almost unbroken wilderness, when nothing but

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log cabins, with their wooden chimneys, were to be seen, and wild game was plentiful ; the parents of our subject settled near where he now lives, about 1808; they were full of enterprise, and worked with a will to make a home in the new Northwest-and well did they succeed; little did they dream of seeing this country developed as it is to-day, with our beautiful fields stretching far away in the distance, covered with immense har- vests, that was then only a dense forest. Abram Powell and Mary Osborne were mar- ried Oct. 14, 1818, and had eleven children; only four sons are now living-Samuel, James M., Abraham C. and Philander R .; Abram was Wagonmaster during the war of 1812, and did efficient service; he was born March 2, 1789, and is still living, at the ripe old age of 91, and has, until latterly, been characterized by great activity and industry ; his wife died in 1872, aged 73 years; the old gentleman makes his home with his son, Abram C., within sight of the place where he has toiled so many years. Philander was married, Feb. 26, 1861, to Miss Minerva S., daughter of Demovil and Sarah (Snider) Talbert; Mrs. Talbert was carried on horseback all the way from Vir- ginia, when only 6 months old; Demovil was born in Concord Township, and always lived in this county, with the exception of a few months spent in Iowa; they had nine children, five of whom are living-Joseph, Elizabeth, Minerva, Eliza and William B. The husband of Minerva, Philander R. Powell, is one of our prosperous farmers living near Urbana ; one of the coziest homes in the county is the elegant farm residence so ably presided over by Mrs Minerva Powell, who is a model hostess, and her courtesy well defines the Kenton blood that flows through her veins. They have no children, but are happy in each other's love.

SAMUEL S. POWELL, farmer; P. O. Urbana. The entire family bearing the name of Powell are represented in this history, and none, perhaps, in the county can show a better record for honor and gentility than the three sons named. Samuel was born in this township July 4, 1819, and during his long life has lived near his present home. His father was a wonderfully energetic man, and kept his boys at work to the neglect of their education. Correct habits were inculcated, forming the basis of substantial characters, which show prominently in those who now represent the pioneers. Samuel remembers well when the little clearings were tilled with wooden plows, and when there was no market for what little produce was raised. His stories of early times are characteristic of the way in which families who had no money could get along. Pewter dishes were used, to prevent breakage, and the food was of the plainest sort. There were only two stores in Urbana when Samuel was a boy, and the goods were carted from Cincinnati, taking nine days to make the trip. He remem- bers when wheat was sold for 30 cents per bushel. Threshing was done in a very prim- itive manner ; tramping it out on the ground, and afterward cleaning it on a sheet. Improvements were introduced, until now we have our harvesting and threshing done by machinery. Wages were very low, and it is surprising to think how the early set- tlers, with families, could work at wages ranging from 10 to 25 cents per day, and support a family and then save money enough to buy a farm, even at the low price of $2 to $4 per acre. Samuel was married Oct. 22, 1846, and, in the following month, moved to this farm. His wife's maiden name was Eliza A. Showers. Their children were fifteen in number, of whom six are now living, four sons and two daughters, named, respectively, George, W., James A., Lincoln, Charles F., Fanny A. and Amanda J. The three oldest sons are married. Mrs. Powell died Sept. 15, 1878, after living a long and useful life. She was the comforter and an earnest helper in every trial and enter- prise, a loving mother and a wife of whom any man could feel proud. In 1880, May 14, Mr. Powell was again married to Mrs. Elizabeth Houtz, of Urbana. She was the mother of seven children. Of the reputation of Mr. Powell, nothing need be said. His record left to his children will be such as they will feel proud of, and the world will be the better for his having lived in it. His industry has made him wealthy, and he has a model farm.

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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 80

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