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 84
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S. H. WALLACE, school teacher, Urbana. S. H. Wallace was born in Cham- paign Co., Ohio, Feb. 28, 1825, of Scotch parentage on the paternal and German on the maternal side. He received a very limited education at the pay and district schools of that early day, which were none of the best. In the year 1840, he was indentured to W. H. McFarland, of Westville, Ohio, and served a period of six years' apprenticeship to the saddle, harness and collar making trade. July 5, 1846, he married Mary, eldest daughter of the Hon. John Taylor, of Defiance Co., Ohio. Mrs. Wallace was born in this county June 15, 1827. Seven children blessed this union, viz., Anna, Mary (died young), Emna G., John T., Ida May, Edward L. and Charles L. Mr. Wallace, while serving his term of apprenticeship, did not neglect every favorable opportunity of improving his mind, and, at the close of his term of service, was considered a fair scholar. Commenced teaching in the fall of 1847, and has followed that profession almost uninterruptedly for a period of thirty-three years. ' Having been his own teacher, and actuated by a laudable ambition to stand at the head of the profession, he has, by hard study, risen step by step from the little log schoolhouse in the woods to occupy a responsible position in the people's col- lege-the Urbana High School-and it is universally admitted that he possesses three important elements to successful teaching, in an eminent degree, viz., educational qualifi- cation, power to govern, and the ability to secure the love and respect of his pupils.
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Mr. Wallace was appointed and served as Postmaster at Tremont a number of years. Was one of the census-takers in 1860 ; also, during his residence in Urbana, from the year 1854 to 1860, was a student of medicine, and took a full and thorough course of reading with Dr. Edward P. Fyffe as preceptor. In conclusion, Mr. Wallace's physi- cal culture was remarkable. He succeeded, by constant practice at athletic sports and feats of strength, in lifting the enormous weight of one thousand one hundred and twenty pounds ; could hold at arm's length sixty pounds, and could straighten his arm above his head holding in his hand one hundred pounds, and now, at the age of 56, turns hand-springs, runs foot-races, and says that he has no knowledge of what it means to be old.
HON. W. R. WARNOCK, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, is a native of Urbana, and belongs to one of the pioneer families of the city. He is the son of Rev. David and Sarah A. Warnock, and the grandson of Rev. Samuel Hitt, who, in the year 1809, settled on a farm which is now within the corporate limits of Urbana. Judge Warnock was born at Urbana, Aug. 29, 1838. By teaching and other employ- ments, he secured an education at the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, where he graduated in July, 1861. He then commenced the study of law with Judge Icha- bod Corwin, and continued in his office a few months, when, feeling the claims of his country to be supreme, he recruited a company, and was commissioned as Captain in July, 1862, and assigned to the 95th O. V. I. After one year's service he was made Major of the regiment, and, for gallant and meritorious services at the battle of Nash- ville, in December, 1864, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and as- signed to duty as Chief of Staff for the Eastern District of the Mississippi, in which position he served until August, 1865, when he was mustered out of the service. Dur- ing his army service he was slightly wounded in the right ear, and, at another time, while making a charge with his regiment on a rebel battery, he had a horse killed under him. During the three years and two months of his service, he was never absent from his regiment, except on one short leave of twenty days, and participated in every march, skirmish and battle in which his regiment was engaged. At the close of the war he returned to Urbana and resumed his law studies with Judge Corwin, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1866. He opened an office and began the practice of law in Ur- bana, forming a partnership with George M. Eichelberger, Esq. They soon built up a large and profitable practice, and continued as partners until Mr. Warnock was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1879. He held the office of Prosecuting At- torney from 1868 to 1872, during which time there were an unusually large number of very important criminal cases, in all of which he successfully and acceptably represented the State. In the fall of 1875, he was elected to represent this district in the Ohio Senate and served in that body during the years 1876 and 1877. While there, he was a member of the two most important committees-those on the Judiciary and Corpo- rations-and took an active part in molding and shaping the legislation of those two years. When Gov. Hayes was about to leave Columbus to go to Washington to be in- augurated as President of the United States, the General Assembly of Ohio tendered the President elect a farewell reception, and to Mr. Warnock was unanimously accorded the high honor of making the farewell address on that occasion, on behalf of the Sen- ate. He married, Aug. 20, 1868, Miss Kate Murray, of Clark Co. They have three children. Mr. and Mrs. Warnock are both members of the M. E. Church. Mr. War- nock was a delegate from the Cincinnati Conference to the General Conference of the M. E. Church held at Baltimore in 1876. Judge Warnock is a Republican, and pre- vious to his being on the bench, was an active and influential politician. He is re- garded as an able lawyer, well versed in the intricacies of the law, and, as a jury advo- cate, is one of the most successful members of the Urbana bar. Being a man of fine presence and an earnest, clear, fluent and logical speaker, he has great weight with a jury, carrying conviction to the minds of his hearers, and convincing them that his con- clusions are correct and unassailable. He is at all times courteous in debate, cogent and logical in argument, and always fearless and faithful in the trial of a case. Since
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donning the judicial ermine, he has demonstrated that he is a wise aud impartial jurist, and his decisions have given general satisfaction, being always founded on the law, and the evidence in each case is carefully weighed, and his deductions logically arrived at, making his charge to the jury plain and easily understood. He is well liked by the bar of his circuit, and when off the bench is an affable gentleman whom to know is to admire, and he is respected wherever known.
REV. DAVID WARNOCK, of Urbana, was born Feb. 14, 1810, in Ireland, and came to the United States when 18 years of age; he was educated at the Strongs- ville Academy, near Cleveland, and became a member of the Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1832. At that time Ohio was comparatively a new State, and he shared, with others, the privations and hardships which are incident to the life of a pioneer Methodist minister. During his ac ive ministry, he has supplied many important charges, among which were Urbana, Bellefontaine, Sidney, Delaware, Circleville, Zanesville, Columbus and Cincinnati. He has resided in Urbana for the past twenty-five years, having been Presiding Elder of the district, and having served two different terms as Pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, remaining each time the full period allowed by the rules of the church. He is now much sought after to hold special meetings, and, although he has retired from the active ministry. he is seldom without an appointment on the Sabbath. He is remarkably active and vigorous for one of his age, and is spending a peaceful and happy old age, surrounded by his family and a host of friends. He was married in October, 1837, to Miss Sarah A. Hitt, sister of Samuel Hitt, a woman well qualified by natural and acquired abilities to fill the difficult position of a minister's wife. They have had nine children, of whom eight are still living.
WILLIAM WARREN, manufacturer, Urbana. Mr. Warren is a native of England, where he was born, in 1828, and came to America when a lad, living in New York State until 1853. In the spring of 1854, he came to this county, in company with Mr. Gaumer, with whom he had been associated in trade, and they engaged in the manufacture of carriages. They first rented property in the east part of town ; about 1860, they purchased the ground on Court street which they now occupy, and have since built their commodious shops. The long experience and reputation they have established, secured a large trade, as their work is favorably known throughout this region. They employ about twenty-five hands constantly, and their salesroom presents a creditable display of carriages and light spring wagons. Mr. Warren, the senior member of the firm, is a bachelor, a thorough and competent mechanic, and, withal, a very genial and pleasant gentleman.
LEMUEL WEAVER, capitalist, Urbana. The Weaver family have been prom- inently identified with the history of Urbana from its earliest days. Henry Weaver was a native of Virginia, born in 1788, and a son of Christopher Weaver, a soldier in the Revolution. Henry early removed to Lexington, Ky., and from there to Cham- paign County, in 1802, settling in Mad River Township. His wife was Nancy, a daughter of William Chapman, also a pioneer, residing in the same township. They raised a family of four children, three of whom survived the father. Samuel is the eldest son, and only member of the family now living; he was born on the old farm, in Mad River Township, in 1808 ; his father removed, in 1813, to Urbana, and conducted a boot and shoe store, and was a prominent and successful business man. He died, March 3, 1872, leaving a very large estate. Lemuel was trained to business, and sub- sequently, with his two brothers, succeeded his father in the business of general mer chan- dise. About 1855, the brothers divided the stock, Lemuel taking the hardware and groceries, and continued that business a few years, then sold out, and, retiring until 1860, when he again purchased the hardware stock, and became established at the old corner, and has ever since continued business there, in addition dealing largely in real est ate and money investments. He married Eliza G. Hoit, in 1841, who was a native of Belfast, Me. They have had four children, of whom George A. is the only one
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now living. George A. studied law and practiced his profession a short time, but for several years has been associated with his father. He married, in 1875, Eleanor E. Thomas, at Newburg, N. Y. They have one child-Beatrice. The Weaver House, the principal hotel of Urbana, was rebuilt by Mr. Lemuel Weaver, in 1870, but has since been greatly improved. He is probably the wealthiest and most extensive business man in Champaign County.
W. H. WHARTON, teacher, Urbana; is a son of William (deceased) and Mar- garet Wharton ; was born Oct. 2, 1846, in Powhatan, Champaign Co., Ohio. He lived at home until 21 years of age, working in the woolen-factory during the summers, and in winters attending the district schools. When 17 years old, he served with the 100-day men in the late war ; also in the State service four years, holding honorable discharges from both. In 1867, he commenced teaching, in which profession he is still engaged, having taught in different district schools, and, the winter of 1879-80, taught in the high school of Urbana. His nuptials were celebrated Sept. 25, 1872, with Miss Emma, daughter of Stephen V. and Mary A. Barr. Stephen was killed in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, and Mary A. died March 12, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Wharton have one child, Frank B., born in Mechanicsburg, this county, Aug. 1, 1876.
J. H. WHITE, of the firm of Hitt, White & Mitchell, dry goods merchants, Urbana ; is a son of Joseph and Rebecca (Smith) White. They were married in 1812; she was a native of Pennsylvania and he of Hamilton Co., Ohio. After a companion- ship of nearly half a century, the silent messenger of death called Joseph hence, Nov. 23, 1855, aged 66 years. Twelve years later, Nov. 30, Rebecca, too, was called hence, aged 77 years. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born July 17, 1834, in Urbana, and is the youngest of a family of eight children. He was raised in his native place, and enjoyed the schools of the town. In the year 1852, he engaged as a clerk with Ross, Hitt & Co., in the house where he now has an interest. After a clerkship of seven years, he engaged in the boot and shoe trade ; thus he continued until 1872, when he and Mitchell associated with Hitt, and formed the present firm. They at pres- ent, as well as in the past, enjoy a fine patronage and carry a full line of the best dry and fancy goods, and conduct it on a systemized plan. In the business, Mr. White has charge of the financial department and detail matters. His membership with the First M. E. Church has passed over a period of twenty years. His marriage was solemnized with Miss Anna Hitt, Oct. 15, 1858. She is a native of this city and two years his junior. They have two children-Lin C. and Fannie W.
WILLIAM WILEY, capitalist, Urbana. He was born in Mad River Township, Champaign Co., in 1807. His father, John Wiley, was a native of New Jersey, but removed with a colony to Kentucky at an early day, and there married Hattie Rouse. They came to Champaign Co. in 1804, and settled in Mad River Township. In 1811, they removed to Urbana Township, and owned the farm upon which the County In- firmary now stands. They had a family of five daughters and three sons, all of whom, except one son, are still living. William was the third child and second son. He had but little opportunity for education, and most of his time, when old enough, was spent working as a carpenter with his father, which he continued until 1837. He then be- gan operating as a broker, and, from 1849 to 1872, was engaged in pork-packing and grain-dealing. He was one of the stockholders and directors in the Citizens' Bank, organized in 1864, but sold his interest in 1872. Since then he has been a stockholder and Director in the Third National Bank. He married, in 1829, Margaret, daughter of William Glenn, a prominent citizen of Urbana. Her family was also from Ken- tucky. They have three children-Nancy G., now the widow of W. F. Mosgrove ; E. G., Cashier of the Third National Bank ; one son who died in infancy.
E. G. WILEY, Cashier Third National Bank, Urbana; is the son of William Wiley ; he was born Sept. 11, 1832, in this city, where he was raised and had the ben- efit of the schools, and two years in Springfield under Rev. Chandler Robbins' instruc- tion. In 1851, when the old Champaign County Bank was organized, he was employed
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as teller of the same a period of ten years ; then engaged as Cashier in the Armstrong Bank until 1866, when the Citizens' National Bank was organized, in which he was elected as Cashier. There he continued until the organization of the Third National Bank in 1873, and was elected to the position he now holds. He has a life-long experi- ence in the banking business, accompanied with honorable credits. His marriage with Miss L. Magrew was celebrated March 13, 1856. Mrs. Wiley was a native of Urbana, born in 1837, and died in April, 1878, leaving two daughters-Maggie and Nannie.
THOMAS F. WOODS, Deputy County Recorder; St. Paris. Among the old residents of this county who deserve a more than passing notice, is Mr. Woods. He is a son of Joseph H. and Sarah H. (Heaverine) Woods. Joseph H. was a native of North Carolina ; his father, who was a soldier with Marion in the Revolution, removed to Kentucky while Joseph was a boy, and afterward removed to the vicinity of Chilli- cothe, Ohio, but soon returned to Kentucky. He was a Dunkard preacher and a man of more than ordinary education and talent. Joseph H. came to Urbana in 1813, with William Dunlap, with whom he worked and learned the trade of millwright. After remaining here about three years and establishing himself in business as a manufacturer of spinning-wheels, he returned to Kentucky and married Sarah Heaverine. In 1819, he returned to Champaign Co. and settled on a tract of land in Jackson Township, where he followed his business of spinning-wheel maker for many years, and where, in 1871, both he and his wife died within three days of each other. They had a family of five chil- dren, all of whom are still living. Thomas F. was the second child and first son, and is now the only member of the family residing in this county. He was born in Jackson Town- ship in 1822, and grew to manhood there in the days of subscription schools and lim- ited facilities. He attended the first school taught in their neighborhood ; James West was teacher, followed, the next summer, by Miss Eliza McCrea. Mr. Woods learned wheel-making of his father, but, as that business gave out about the time he attained his majority, he turned his attention 10 farming. He married, in 1844, Anna, daughter of John Merritt, Jr., who, with his father, John Merritt, Sr., were very early residents of Jackson Township. Soon after his marriage, he built a cabin on 80 acres of forest land which his father had given him, and which he subsequently cleared and improved, and to which he added 20 acres. He taught seven terms of district school in his younger days, and was Township Clerk twenty-eight years. In 1861, the Auditor being sick, he was appointed Deputy Auditor, and discharged the duties of the office for two years with great satisfaction. In 1865, he was elected Commissioner, and was re-elected in 1868. In 1873, he was again called to the Commissioner's office, and was re-elected in 1876. In 1877, he purchased a residence in St. Paris, to which he removed, leaving his farm to the care of his son, Van Orlando. Mr. Woods is now Deputy Re- corder. He has been a member of the M. E. Church since 1843, and is a useful, respected Christian citizen. He has had six children, four of whom died in youth, and two survive-Samuel M. and Van Orlando.
JOHN H. YOUNG. Few men have the good fortune to win the honest regard and kindly sympathy of the community in which they live as has John H. Young among the people of Champaign Co. He was born at Franklin, Warren Co., Ohio, Sept. 15, 1813. His father was Gen. Robert Young, a native of Dauphin Co., Penn., who settled in what is now Warren Co., Ohio, in 1796. He was an officer in the American army in the war of 1812, and, subsequently, an early resident, promi- nent citizen and attorney of Piqua, Miami Co., Ohio, filling many important public trusts, among others that of State Senator. John H., when about 15 years of age, began life in a printing office, but afterward received a collegiate course, completing his studies at Oxford, in 1835. He read law in Urbana, with Gen. Israel Hamilton, and was admitted to the bar in 1837, since which time he has continued in the successful practice of his profession. He was married in 1838, to Elizabeth J., daughter of Joseph White, a pioneer of the Miami Valley, and afterward a resident of Urbana. They have three children living, viz .: Frances, the wife of Frank Chance, a leading
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attorney of Urbana; Carrie, the wife of M. E. Barber, of New Haven, Conn., and Robert, who resides in Urbana. In July, 1844, he was admitted to practice in the United States Courts for Ohio, and, the same fall, was the Democratic candidate for Congress in this district, his opponent being Ex-Gov. Joseph Vance. Some years afterward he was again a candidate for Congress, Moses B. Corwin being his opponent. The popularity of Mr. Young can be judged from the fact that he always ran far ahead of his party ticket. He was a member of the Ohio Constitutional Convention of 1873, and bore a promi- nent and important part in its debates and deliberations, being a member of the three most important committees, and Chairman of the Committee on Amendments. He has been a Presidential Elector several times, and has filled many local offices devolving on men of known character and ability. During the rebellion, he was an active supporter of the Government, and favored all measures for the vigorous prosecution of the war. He has been the honored and trusted President of the Third National Bank since its organization. Mr. Young is a member of the Presbyterian Church, but, while giving his active support and sympathy to that denomination, is a generous supporter of all organizations and efforts for advancing the public welfare. He is a man of modest, unassuming character, urbane and pleasant in his social relations, slow to arrive at a conclusion, but firm as a rock in adhering to the result of his deliberations. As a law- yer, he stands deservedly high, and, being well versed in legal lore, his law points are always well taken, and his advice can be safely relied upon by his clients. He is an impressive speaker, a successful advocate and safe counselor, and has a well-merited reputation for skill and integrity in his profession.
MAD RIVER TOWNSHIP.
JOSEPH ANDERSON, farmer; P. O. Urbana. The father of Mr. Anderson emigrated to this county in 1825 ; his name was John, and he was born in Page Co., Va .; his wife's maiden name was Nancy Lower; they were married in Virginia, and their bridal tour was taken, Mrs. Anderson riding a horse and John walking by its side, until their arrival in Clark Co., in 1825; their beginning in life was one of the hard- est; having no money, they were obliged to shift as best they could; John frequently worked for 122 cents per day ; this manner of living was continued for eight years, when they concluded to look for a better location; he had saved a small sum during this time, and, being of an energetic sort, he determined to have a home ; his little cash was invested as part payment for 160 acres of land, upon which was a little cabin, with perhaps an acre cleared; the first work was in building a comfortable log house, after which, clearing up the land was continued, until a large portion was, in a few years, un- der cultivation ; children grew up around them, and the eldest were able to aid very much in the work ; Maria and William were born in Clark Co .; Betsy, James, Albert, Joseph, Mary, Angeline, Susan and Louisa were born on the farm now owned by Jo- seph, our subject; eight of these children are living. Prosperity seemed to dawn on John and his wife from the date of their coming to this county ; their stock throve wonderfully, and their crops were good, and he was always ready to meet the payments ' on his land as they came due; his energy was remarkable, and his success was such that, at one time, he owned 1,500 acres of land, and was possessor of 260 acres at the time of his death, which occurred in 1877; his widow resides in Urbana. Mr. Ander- son dealt largely in stock, and made much of his wealth in this way; he served, during the war of 1812, fourteen months; we are not able to state under whose command. Joseph was married to Mary Overhulser in 1865; they have, by their marriage, three children-Annie, Harvey A. and Charles; by his first wife, he was the father of Isaac, Erastus, George, Wiley, Jasper and Elmer ; Mary and Elizabeth are not living. Mr. Anderson purchased the old home farm in 1877, and is very comfortably situated, hav.
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ing a productive farm, and is one of our enterprising men ; his wife also represents a family who were pioneers of Ohio, but they died during her girlhood. Mr. Anderson devotes his time to agricultural pursuits, the rearing of stock, etc .; he owns 190 acres of land, on which are several of the finest springs in the township; he is a Republican of the substantial sort-a rarity among residents of this township.
SIMON BAKER, Terre Haute. Simon Baker was born Nov. 17, 1791, in Fred- erick, Md., and emigrated with his parents, Elizabeth and Peter Baker, to Virginia, in 1796; in 1816, they again moved, this time to Champaign Co., and entered land in 1816, President James Monroe's signature being affixed to their patent ; their chil- dren, Frederick, Simon and Peter, were born in Maryland; Rebecca, Betsey, Polly, John and Jacob were born in Virginia; six of these are still living. Mr. Baker can lay just claim to being the oldest man in the county, and is now 89 years of age; he has seen the entire development of this country from its infancy, and the most sanguine dreams of his youth are more than realized; he has seen the heavy forests that were inhabited by the wild deer and Indian, disappear, and in their stead stand fields of wav- ing grain; the little frontier towns have grown to be prosperous cities, and the log cabins have given way to the aristocratic farm residence. His parents were among the most industrious pioneers, and left their children a legacy of honor and uprightness; they have long since passed away, and their representatives take their places. Simon was married to Catharine Darnell in 1823; they were parents of eleven children, all of whom were reared except two. He now resides on the old home, that was cleared by his own labor, and rendered doubly dear by the birth of his children and the death of his wife; he worked by the month for money to pay for his land, and is now owner of 100 acres; his son Nathan takes care of the farm, and Mr. Baker makes his home with them. He was always noted for his honor and fair dealing with his fellow-men, and will leave behind a name of which his children should ever feel proud.
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