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 87

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 87

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MAD RIVER TOWNSHIP.

WILLIAM V. LEE, farmer ; P. O. Terre Haute. Our subject is a grandson of one of the pioneers of Champaign Co., who came here when a boy, when wild deer and Indians were plenty in the dense woods, that were untouched by the settler's ax ; his grandfather came here in 1810, and settled on Dugan Prairie, which is a beautiful tract of land in the center of the county; his grandfather is said to have seen the soldiers of Gen. Hull, who lay at Urbana during the war of 1812-15 ; his grandfather was one of those men who wagoned from Springfield to Bellefontaine and West Liberty before there were any railroads in this country ; he is esteemed in the best of society, and counted an honest, industrious and intelligent man ; he has forty-nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The father of our subject, Philander Lee, was married, in 1858, to Miss Maria Evilsizor, of Champaign Co .; they have four children living, of whom William, our subject, is the eldest ; four children-Elmore W., Sarah J., Woda N. and Loda L. (twins) are deceased ; William V., Effie J., Amos R. and Nancy E. live with their par- ents.

DAVID LOUDENBACK, real estate and loans ; P. O. Westville. There is, per- haps, no man in Mad River Township so well known as Squire Loudenback. For many years he has served the public, and now takes front rank among the pioneers of the town- ship. His age is 72 years ; he was born March 20, 1808, in Page Co., Va., and came to this township, together with his parents, David and Susannah Loudenback, Nov. 1, 1817. They were parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters-Benjamin, Ann, David, the subject of this biography, Rebecca, Emanuel, Barbara, John and Martin. They were well known to all the older people living in the township, and it is presumed that they are all living. Squire David Loudenback was wedded to Miss Charlotte M. Hebbard, in 1838, by whom he had ten children, of whom Eugene F. and Hylas D. are living. Those that are now deceased were named Noah, Eliza, David H., Henri- etta, Charles G., Lucy A. and Devilla O. Mrs. Loudenback died June 26, 1857. Her married life extended over a period of nineteen years. Mr. Loudenback was again mar- ried to Mrs. Elizabeth A. Smith (nee Custar), July 22, 1858. Three children were the result of this union -Rienzi, the eldest, was born May 10, 1859, and died May 7, 1863 ; Rolla, Feb. 24, 1862, and Glendora, who was born at the same time, but died in infancy. The early life of Squire Loudenback was similar to that of all young men who have helped in the development of a new country, until June 1, 1829, when, from the advantages derived from close application to study, he commenced teaching school, and for fourteen consecutive terms taught in this and the adjoining district. He then formed an engagement as clerk in a grocery store at Westville, which was continued for three years. During this time he began loaning money, which has been continued until this time, the success of which has made him the wealthiest man in Champaign county. He was also Deputy County Surveyor, and paid attention to the selling and settling up of estates ; for ten years he acted as Township Clerk; in 1842, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and his re-election was continued for thirty-six years, and during this long term of office never had one of his decisions reversed. No man can show a better record than this. He has also been Township Treasurer for twenty-six years, which office he still holds. He has settled more large estates, and is guardian of more children, than any man in the township. He is also the largest land-owner, having now 1,200 acres, all under cultivation. His present residence is a handsome frame house, near the village of Westville, and here Mr. Loudenback passes his time when not engaged in business cares. Much of the township history has been obtained from him. Squire Loudenback commenced teaching school June 1, 1829, for $10.50 per month, and out of this had to pay his board. At this time he was $6.25 in debt, which was paid out of his first quarter's salary, and from this small beginning has grown, by energy and fair dealing, to the position of one of the most prominent as well as the wealthiest man in the county. In addition to all his other business, he is connected with the Third National Bank of Urbana, of which he owns one-tenth interest. He has, since 1830, been an ardent Universalist, and made a princely donation of between $5,000 and $6,000, for the purpose of building the church of that order in Westville.

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He also pays a yearly dividend of $300 toward the support of the ministry. He takes a great pride in having been from boyhood a Jacksonian Democrat, casting his first vote for Andrew Jackson, and has helped elect every Democratic President since that time. As a man of correct business habits and unswerving integrity, he is, without doubt, the equal of any man in the State of Ohio. We are proud of his bio- graphical sketch, and know it will be read with interest by every supporter of this history, which will be the authoritative one to this date and for all time to come.

ALLEN LOUDENBACK, farmer ; P. O. Urbana. The gentleman of whom we write is not only one of the prominent men, but also one of the first children born in the county. He was born Aug. 11, 1813, in a cabin, at a time when there were a number of Indians living in this vicinity. The last of the Miami tribe left in 1821 or 1822. During their stay they were quite peaceable, and were engaged in the manufac- ture of baskets, etc. Allen frequently made visits to their wigwams, and can now point out the places where their lodges stood. He was personally acquainted with all the Kentons, Pences, Powells, Hallers, McGrews, McShenys, Mullans and Baggs. These men were the first settlers of this township, and numerous descendants of some of these families still remain. The Mad River Valley was a favorite hunting ground of the Indians, and they left with much reluctance. Squirrels and deer were very numer- ous, and the squirrels were especially destructive to corn. Mr. Loudenback killed the last wild deer ever seen in Champaign Co. in the fall of 1837. The farm now owned by him was entered by Arnold Custar, one of the first men coming here. Every part of it was covered with woods, and now it seems almost incredible to believe that the fields covered with waving grain were the home of the savage and the wild deer. His father, Daniel Loudenback was a native of Shenandoah Co., Va., and was married in 1812 to Mary Pence, a representative of one of the first families. They had four children-our subject, Jonas Loudenback, Elizabeth and Sarah who died in 1874. Allen Loudenback was married, in 1837, to Elizabeth Kiblinger, of Clark Co. They had eleven children, six of whom are living-Martha, Louis, Abram, Mary, Isabel and William (twins). Daniel Loudenback died May 3, 1876. His widow makes her home with her son Allen, and has now reached the ripe old age of 89 years. The wife of Allen died on June 3, 1874. Allen was two years Township Trustee, and has the ability to fill official positions, but refuses to have any further business in that capacity. His first vote was polled for Van Buren, and he has voted the Democratic ticket ever since.

JOHN LUTZ, retired ; P. O. Terre Haute. For more than a half-century, this worthy gentleman and his wife, Hannah, have been residents of this township. They came from Virginia in 1825, and have lived long enough in this country to see the beautiful fields of waving grain take the place of the mighty forest, and the log cabin replaced by the magnificent farmhouse; the freight carried to and from market by the steam engine instead of the cumbersome wagon; and the country developed into more than they, in their fondest dreams, could at that time imagine possible. They came to this county the next year after their marriage, their possessions consisting of one horse, a wagon and $200 in money, each possessing a pair of strong and willing arms. Soon after settling here, Mr. Lutz purchased a piece of land, cleared it up, and afterward sold it, and purchased the land that he now owns. Part of this he improved, and has since built a nice brick house, large barns and commodious outbuildings, and has made this a very desirable farm indeed. He has been one of the men that has prospered by his own industry, and, in all his business relations, he has ever been honest, and has the entire confidence of those with whom he has done business. Of their children one is dead ; those living are Ananias, Josiah, William, John G., Elizabeth M. and Mary E. All these are well married and prosperous. The aged couple still enjoy each other's society, and, as they journey down the hillside of life, hand-in-hand, loving and trusting each other, happy in the peace that passeth all understanding, and waiting for the time when they shall be called to a higher life, with their children and grandchil- dren near them, they may surely think their work has been well done. Of their

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parents the children may ever feel a just pride, and their memory should ever be sacred. The life-time of toil undergone by our energetic pioneers, is what has made this beauti- ful county the pride of Ohio. We are glad to have thus an opportunity of perpetuating their names in the history of their county, which they have beautified and enriched with their labor and their purse. To each of their children, Mr. Lutz and wife make a present of a copy of the history of Champaign Co. In this they can know of the growth, prosperity and advancement since the first settlement to the present time, and this sketch of their parents will serve to remind them of their goodness and upright lives.

R. R. MCLAUGHLIN, physician and surgeon, Westville. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is known far and wide, being the only physician in the pleasant little village of Westville, and has for the past nineteen years been engaged in business in this neighborhood. He was born in Clark Co., Ohio, Oct. 31, 1832 ; his father, William W. Mclaughlin, was a native of Ohio, and was born in Concord Township; he was married to Miss Sarah Robinson, probably in 1829 ; she was a daughter of Richard and Sarah Robinson, a native of Pennsylvania. They were parents of four children, our subject being the second child; the others being named, respectively, Annie M. (the eldest), James B. (the second son), and Clarissa B. In 1844, they moved to Madison, Wis., and, in 1849, Mr. McLaughlin was elected a member of the Legisla- ture, and, for a long term of years, was re-elected to that office, the duties of which he faithfully performed. His death occurred in April, 1877; his wife died in 1840, and he married Miss Emmeline Hazelton in 1843, by whom he had three daughters-Har- riet, Louisa G. and Eliza E. Dr. Mclaughlin, of whom we write, commenced the study of medicine under the tutelage of Dr. A. C. Mclaughlin, of Tremont, Ohio, when 19 years of age, and commenced practice in 1855, at Atlanta, Ill. Afterward, he located in McLean, Ill., and from there went to Muscoda, Wis. He removed to Cham- paign Co., where he continues business, and is one of the prominent men of Mad River Township. His marriage to Miss Charlotte S. Wilson was celebrated Dec. 25, 1856, in Union Township. Her father, Reason C., was a native of Virginia, and Jane Wil- son, his wife, of Maryland. Dr. McLaughlin and his wife are parents of four children- Minnetta B., Ira W., Clarence M. and Lottie J .; Minnetta is the wife of Charles Ogden ; they were married May 20, 1880, and reside in Westville. Dr. Mclaughlin was elected Colonel of the 1st O. S. M., that were discharged in October, 1863. He was also Postmaster of Westville several years. All the family are worthy members of the Universalist Church. The residence is a neat one, and is cordially presided over by the worthy couple of whom we write, and a more hospitable pair will be hard to find. The Doctor is a substantial Democrat, and has a good record as such. We predict for him a long and happy future. He is one of the most prominent among the members of his church, a strict Prohibitionist, and a prince of good fellows.

HAMILTON W. MAGREW, farmer ; P. O. Westville. The Magrew family date back in the early history of this county to 1810; Archibald, and Ruth Miller, his wife, were natives of Pennsylvania, and from them are descended all those who bear their name in this county ; they settled on the land that is now the property of Lemuel Magrew, and made substantial improvements, clearing up and otherwise developing one of the most beautiful tracts of land between Westville and Urbana ; they were parents of five children-Archibald, John, William, Matthew, and one daughter, Mary ; Arch- ibald, William and Matthew lived to see a half-century pass, and the great improvements made in their native county were almost incredible. Archibald was married to Miss Mary Taylor Feb. 25, 1813, by whom he had ten children ; five are living-Margaret, Mary J., Caroline, Lemuel and Hamilton; Margaret married Amos Rupert; Mary is the wife of Jacob Aulabaugh ; Caroline wedded Milton Fithian ; Lemuel married Linda Miller ; and Hamilton married Miss Elizabeth Snyder. Matthew married Margaret Dodds, of Dayton, and reared a family, of whom one son, Lemuel H., is the only one to perpetuate the family name on their family tree. Of William and his family but little

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is known ; one of his children, Caroline, married John Snyder, and resides near Ur- bana. The death of the grandparents occurred-Archibald, Jan. 6, 1855, and the wife and mother probably in 1830 ; he was born Dec. 21, 1763, and his wife, March 11, 1757. Lemuel Magrew's marriage to Miss Linda Miller was celebrated Feb. 28, 1854 ; they are parents of Archie M., Lemuel W., Mary L., Minnie F. and Clara M. Hamilton Magrew married Elizabeth Snyder in 1858; they are parents of Cyrus H. (who died in 1875) and Lula; there are only four sons belonging to these different branches of the Magrew family, who will transmit to posterity their name, that has ever been associated with the highest attributes of honor, justice and prosperity. Arch- ibald Magrew was a soldier in the war of 1812, under the command of Capt. Joseph Vance, afterward Governor ; he was also Justice of the Peace for nine consecutive terms. Matthew Magrew was County Recorder for a number of years, and was one of the best officials the county ever had ; he was also County Treasurer for two or more terms ; afterward, he was in the grain business until his death.

LEMUEL W. MAGREW, farmer; P. O. Westville. It is eminently proper that every descendant of the pioneers should be made mention of in the history of the county in which they were born and reared. Representing, as they do, the names of those whose memories shall live as long as time shall last, we take pleasure in present- ing the name that heads this sketch for consideration. His grandparents, Archibald and Mary Magrew, were among the earliest settlers of this township; Archibald's father was a native of Pennsylvania, and his name cannot here be obtained ; they were a worthy couple, and settled first upon the hill where Lemuel Magrew, Sr., now resides ; they reared several children, one of whom is the father of the subject of this sketch. He has always been engaged in the stock and agricultural business; he has ever been anenergetic business man, and has lately removed to Delaware, Ohio, for the purpose of completing the education of his children. He was wedded to Miss Linda Miller, of Union Co., in 1854; they have five children living and one dead ; those that are living are Archie M., Lemuel, Jr. (our subject), Mary, Minnie and Clara ; Archie M. wedded Miss Eva Pence May 20, 1880, and the wedding of Miss Mary Harwood and Lemuel W. Magrew was celebrated Sept. 26, 1877 ; they have one daughter, whose joyous smile gladdens their early married life, and still further the bonds of affection be- tween them ; and, as they together, hand in hand, toil up life's rugged pathway, they should ever feel proud of the distinction of being descendants of those determined pioneers, whose hardships and privations enabled them to cast their lot in this beautiful county, that equals, in grandeur and wealth of soil, any in the State; they are comfortably lo- cated on what is known as the John Beckham farm, and, by his energy and economy, Mr. Magrew will surely become one of our wealthy and popular men.

GEORGE W. MINNICK, blacksmith, Westville. Among the business men or Westville whom we are pleased to notice, is one of the pioneer smiths, who has lived in Mad River Township for many years, and is the oldest man doing business in this line in the neighborhood. He is a native of Virginia, and came to Ohio in 1831. He was born Nov. 14, 1808. His first location was in Springfield, where he worked at his trade, and he came to Westville in 1835. He knew well Thomas Kenton, Ezekiel Ar- rowsmith, Elisha Harbor, William Harbor, William McGinnis, John Whitmore, George Zimmerman, Christian Norman, Henry Gideon, Valentine Miller, and many others who did a grand work in the development of this county. He purchased the shop and tools of Daniel Long, and at once commenced business. He was married to Miss Susannah Buroker Aug. 28, 1834. Business was good, and young Minnick, being an excel- lent workman, prospered well. His wife was a daughter of Adam Buroker, a native of Virginia, and he was also one of the first settlers. George and his wife were parents of eight children, of whom only Israel, Sylvester and Noah are living. Mrs. Minnick died in 1848. Aug. 28, of same year, he was married to Miss Nancy Wells, of West- ville. They had six children, two of whom, Piatt and Glendora, still survive. All the children of the first marriage have married and are living in the town of Westville.

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George has worked at the forge for fifty-three consecutive years, and two sons, Israel and Sylvester, still do business at the old stand. Mr. Minnick takes life rather easy, and only works at the trade when business is pushing. He has voted the Democratic ticket all his life, and his first vote was polled for Andrew Jackson ; he has reared a family of sons who are of the same political opinion. He is known far and wide as a master workman, and his cordiality has made him a host of friends. He is now gently going down the hillside of life, but is withal the same jolly fellow that the pioneers knew, and whose name will live in the history of their county for all time.

ISAAC NEFF, Justice of the Peace, Terra Haute. We take great pleasure in giving Isaac Neff a front rank among the prominent men of this township, especially as we are indebted to him for much of the valuable information received, that has helped complete this history. His memory has retained all that has ever been said or written about the first settlements, and he is able to give the dates, etc., from memory, that well agree with authority, both verbal and recorded. Squire Neff was born in Shenandoah Co., Va., in 1823, and his parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Strickler) Neff, emigrated in 1830, to Mad River Township, and purchased his first farm one mile east of Terre Haute. Five children-Isaac (our subject), Mary, Peter, David and Abram Neff- were born in Virginia. Isaac, the eldest, went to school three years, between the ages of 4 and 7, and could read, write, and had progressed some in mathematics ; this was the basis of his education. His father's family was composed of eighteen children, he hav- ing had three wives and three families of children. By the first wife, the five previously mentioned were born in Virginia, and John, Henry G., Joseph and Jacob in Ohio. The death of Mrs. Neff occurred March 23, 1840, aged 39 years. His marriage to Rachel Romick was celebrated in October, 1840, by whom he had four children-Michael, Barbara A., Samuel R. and Daniel W. Their married life was of rather short duration, the death of Mrs. Rachel Neff occurring in 1845. With his large family of small chil- dren, Mr. Neff was obliged to have a mother to care for them, and he was married the third time, to Rachel Landaher. They were parents of Aaron, Caroline (infant daugh- ter), Jonas and Emma. The most surprising circumstance is that, of this large family · of eighteen children, whose circumstances in life have been so varied, only three are dead. Mrs. Neff died December, 1863, and his death occurred in 1865. He had lived to see a family reared, the number of which exceeded any other in the township, and the vast change in the topographical character of the country was beyond his most san- guine expectations. He was an honest, industrious man, respected by all ; for twenty years a member of the M. E. Church, Township Trustee for twenty years, and was elected Justice of the Peace, but declined and would not receive his commission. Isaac, our subject, commenced attending school, in the winter season only, in 1833, and con- tinued until he was 17 years of age, at which time his right ankle was injured by a fall from a colt. Luckily for him, he had education enough to conduct a common school, and, in 1842, he began teaching in his home district, and for twenty consecutive years he was one of our practical teachers. During this time, he became engaged to and married Miss Hester A. Darnall, in 1848. She was born on the spot where Mr. Neff now resides. They were the parents of Melville M., Emma E., Mary M., John J. and Samuel S. Of these, there were three teachers, while both the wife and husband were also practical teachers. Mr. Neff was elected Township Clerk in 1851, and has served for thirty consecutive years ; has not, during that time, missed an election, a meeting of the Board of Trustees, or other meeting, when required by law to be present. In 1853, he was elected Township Assessor ; in 1854, Justice of the Peace, in which capacity he has served nine terms. Squire Neff has settled more estates in Clark and Champaign Coun- ties than any other man in them, and the satisfactory manner in which this has been done, has given him a record for honor and fairness that will ever be a source of pride to his descendants. He was elected District Land Assessor in 1859, 1870 and 1880. His capacity for business is equal to that of any man in the township, and everything undertaken has proved his. correctness. His wife died Dec. 13, 1875, aged 49 years. His marriage to his second wife, Miss Amanda Darnall, occurred June 4, 1876. The

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first wife was a daughter of Nathan Darnall, and the second, of James Darnall, cousins- They both were daughters of prominent men. Squire Neff prides himself upon his record as a man, an official and an exponent of Democratic principles. His residence is one mile west of Terre Haute, near which he has seen three schoolhouses built, the first a log, the second a frame, and the last a brick, thus showing the progressive age in which he lives.

AUGUSTUS NICHOLS, boots and shoes, Westville. Mr. Nichols is well and favorably known in Champaign County, having commenced the manufacture of boots and shoes in the fall of 1843, soon after his landing at Westville. He is a native of Virginia, but was married to Miss Mary A. Hoak, of this place, April 1, 1844. Her parents were among the first settlers of this county, and they are still living in West- ville. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols have three children living-Maggie (the wife of C. B. Hanna), Mary L. and Elmer E. E., who is quite a mechanic, and is engaged in the manufacture of rustic frames, chairs, etc .; two children-Laura L. and John H .- died in infancy. When Mr. Nichols first came to Westville, it was a good business point. There were four dry goods and grocery stores, two good hotels, blacksmith and wagon shops, and it presented a business air quite superior to what it wears to-day. The county was then being rapidly developed, and the accessions to the community were principally from Virginia. He has added recently to the business in which he has so long engaged (and been so deservedly popular) a stock of custom-made boots and shoes, which has proven satisfactory. Politically, he is strictly Democratic, and is always ready to elucidate the virtues or defend the honor of his party. Both himself and wife are members of the M. E. Church, to which faith they have strictly adhered for forty long years, and to-day have a higher love for its precepts and doctrine than ever before. They are a worthy family, highly respected, and enjoy the confidence of all who know them. The most important item of this biography is the manner in which Mr. Nichols obtained a start in this place. Being a good mechanic when he came here, he could, however, get nothing to do, and, after vainly trying for some time without success, thought of returning to Virginia, but, being short of cash (having only fifty cents in his pocket), it was easier thought of than done. One day, while pondering over his condition, Frederick Baker, one of the whole-souled pioneers (who has long since been laid to rest), came up to him and asked if he would go to his farm and do some work for him. Having no tools, or other material, young Nichols told him that he would gladly do so if he had the necessary implements. This was speedily overcome by Mr. Baker telling him to get in the wagon, and they drove to Urbana, and necessary supplies were laid in. After this job was finished, Daniel Rhorer, another "old set- tler," gave him employment for two months, as he had a large number of hands. From this time fortune smiled on him, and the shops in Westville were glad to employ him. After his marriage he built a shop, the business men "taking stock " in its erection, the man heading the list being " William Ward," one of the best men of his day. John Dishes was the second man, and John Niswonger, who still lives, doing the carpenter work. From a capital stock of 50 cents, Mr. Nichols' business increased until he employed six workmen. He was also very energetic, and frequently worked all night. He accumulated a nice sum of money, which was judiciously invested in land, and he owns, besides his business, a nice farm of 41} acres, with an income sufficient to enable him to live at his ease. The parents of his wife are the oldest married couple in the township.

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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 87

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