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 89
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121
729
MAD RIVER TOWNSHIP.
.
of Westville, and devotes his time to superintending his estates and attending to his official duties ; he is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., and also of the Grange. Mrs. Taylor is a direct descendant of the first settlers of this county, her father, Noah Ward, dying when she was quite young; her grandfather, George Ward, reared a large family, which is well represented in this township. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are both mem- bers of the M. E. Church ; their home is a pleasant one, and a more genial host and hostess will be hard to find.
JAMES E. VINCENT, miller, Urbana. This gentleman is one of the prominent business men of Mad River Township. He came to Westville Nov. 13, 1857, bring- ing with him his young wife Adelaide V., daughter of William and Annie Catlett, of Virginia; she is the youngest of eighteen children, and Mr. Vincent the eldest of twelve. Mr. Vincent was the owner of a team, had a $20 gold piece and 80 cents in silver upon his arrival, and by his own industry and honesty now represents a business of $250,000 per year. His father was a miller, from whom he learned his trade, and their ancestry for almost a century have been connected with this business. Mr. Vincent has for thirty-five years been a master mechanic, and to-day stands at the head of his trade ; his flour is worth from 50 to 75 cents per barrel more than any other mill in the county ; his trade in New York alone averages $1,000 per week, and the custom work also averaging 1,000 bushels per month. As a man, he is the equal of any of our townsmen for veracity and correctness of purpose. His children may always look with pride upon their line of ancestry. He is one of the few Virginians in this locality who is a Republican. His children are six in number, five living-Alton F., William E., Joseph, Emma and Ada. The saw-mill in connection with his flouring establishment annually cuts 2,500,000 feet of lumber. His books are systematically kept and will show a balance in his favor equaling that of any miller in the county. He is full of the old- time cordiality, and is an honor to the community in which he lives.
SYLVESTER WARD, farmer; P. O. Westville. We are proud of the repre- sentatives of so large a number of the pioneer families of this township. Although many of the early pioneers are gone, their children still live, and can give much valua- ble information in regard to the first settlements and the style and manner of living. The parents of Mr. Ward, our subject, were of the old Virginia stock ; they were not the first settlers in this township, but came here about 1815. They settled on the farm now the property of Mr. Ward, and built a cabin in the dense woods. He probably entered the land, as there was considerable Government land. Most of the settlers were natives of Shenandoah Co., Va., as were the parents of Sylvester Ward. The neighbors helped each other roll the logs together, as they had to be burned to make room for the crops. There were numerous Indian camps in the neighborhood when George Ward and his wife came, but during the next few years all went further West. The children were ten in number, and they were able to do much toward help- ing to clear up the land. The old structure called "Gard's Mill" was the first one erected in this neighborhood; this was long since pulled down. Game was plenty, but very few of the early settlers took much time to hunt. They carried their produce to Cincinnati on wagons ; corn was then carted from this place to that city and sold for 20 to 25 cents per bushel. In all this work, women as well as men did their share. They could chop and grub, and some of them could reap wheat equal to any of the men. Wages were low, harvest hands getting 50 cents per day. The first church was built on the site now occupied by the Nettle Creek Baptist Church, and the Baptists formed the first congregation. Harrison Faulkner was the first teacher Sylvester had, and the log schoolhouse was furnished with seats made by splitting logs and putting in wooden pins for legs, without backs. Order was the subject most thoroughly taught, and the education of most of the children at that time was limited. Sylvester was born in 1826, and, after helping his father clear and otherwise improve his land until the age of 25, was married to Miss Louisa A. Smith, in 1851; they commenced house- keeping in a little house in his father's yard ; this structure is still standing. Their life
DD
730
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :
was passed as those of most people engaged in agricultural pursuits, steadily increasing their possessions, and daily becoming, by energy and economy, more wealthy, until they now rank among the rich people of the township. They have four children-Phi- lander, Loretta, Fernando and Runetta ; Philander married Mary Straddling, of this county, and resides near the old farm; Loretta is the wife of James M. Frank, also living in this county ; and Runetta married Elijah Heck, of Champaign Co., and resides near St. Paris. The old homestead is in possession of Mr. Ward, who has added a number of acres since commencing business. He is a solid Democrat, and is also one of the most highly respected men of his neighborhood. His residence is a nice one ; he is a genial host, and his lady one of the neatest housewives to be found.
SYLVANUS S. WARD, farmer; P. O. Westville. One of the pioneers of this county was George Ward, who came here about 1815 and settled near the farm that is now owned by his son, whose name heads this sketch. George and his wife, Catharine Strickler, were both born in Shenandoah Co., Va. They were married and had three children before coming to Ohio-Barbara, Maria and Noah. The land was then open for entry, and, although the beautiful Mad River Valley was unclaimed as yet, he pre- ferred the upland, which to him seemed most desirable, as (coming from the mountain- ous regions of Virginia) it seemed level enough for farming purposes. The people then thought that springs afforded the only water fit to be used, and as there were plenty along the ravines, they preferred a home in close proximity to such conveniences as they were accustomed to. There were still Indians in the neighborhood, who frequently came in for something to eat ; they were always friendly and well disposed. George entered a tract of land and erected a small cabin, that was succeeded by a hewed-log house. Clearing was the general occupation of the settlers, except those that preferred hunting and trapping, of whom we have already several accounts. The settlements were largely increased, mostly by emigrants from Virginia. The family of George in- creased from three to eleven children, among them were twins; they were of much service in helping to clear up the land and get it ready for the plough. The names of the children were Ambrose, Jerusha, Gideon, Joseph, Sylvanus and Sylvester (twins), Ededemon and Sabra. Noah and Ambrose are the only children now deceased. Their de- scendants are numerous, and mostly live in this county. The death of the father occurred in 1867, and that of the wife and mother two years later; they were a highly estimable couple, and lived to see the dream of their youthful days realized. Sylvanus was mar- ried to Priscilla Smith, whose grandfather was one of the first settlers of this township ; the wedding was celebrated in 1849, since which time they have followed in the foot- steps of their ancestors, beginning where they left off, and to-day, the log cabin first erected, is replaced by a stately residence. They are the parents of eleven children, ten sons and one daughter ; they were named Franklin, Edwin, Eusebia, Theodore, Noah, Clement V., Smith, Thompson P., Charles H., Oren H. and Sylvan O .; Edwin was mar- ried to Miss Isabel B. Loudenback, Eusebia wedded Thomas W. Jenkins; there are sons enough to perpetuate the family name for centuries to come. This is one of the first families in the neighborhood, social, refined and highly respected. Mr. Ward is a Democratic bred and born, and is always at the polls on election day ; both himself and wife are members of the Old-School Baptist Church, and are rearing their family in accordance with its teachings.
NELSON WEAVER, farmer ; P. O. Terre Haute. William and Mary E. Weaver, the parents of our subject, came to this county in 1803; they were natives of Virginia, and emigrated from that State to Kentucky, and afterward came to this county at the time previously mentioned ; they entered the land now the farm of our subject, which was from a dense forest transformed into a fertile and beautiful farm. The set- tlers built a block-house on what is called the Ross farm, for the protection of their families from the Indians, which at that time were very numerous; several skirmishes took place between the early settlers and Indians, but no pitched battle. William and Mary Weaver were parents of fourteen children-three of whom, William, Nancy and
ยท
731
MAD RIVER TOWNSHIP.
Nelson, are living ; William married Rebecca Baker; Nancy is the wife of Erastus Wilson, and Nelson is still a bachelor. Nelson owns the old home farm upon which he was born, and takes life easy. He rears a large amount of stock and rents his farm, which brings in a nice income. He is a popular man in his neighborhood and enjoys the reputation of being a man of correct business habits. The Weaver Brothers have always been prosperous men and are well worthy the name they bear.
SIMON W. WHITMORE, farmer ; P. O. Westville. The grandfather of our sub- ject was one of the pioneers in this township, settling where Simon now lives. He was a native of Virginia, and emigrated from that State in 1804. He entered a quarter sec- tion, built a cabin and began clearing up the heavy timber ; there were only a few set- tlers in the neighborhood, and Indians were plenty. Their camps were numerous along Nettle Creek, and they were very friendly. The settlers had built a block house (for the protection of their wives and children should the Indians make demonstrations of hostility) near where Benjamin Gard now lives. Only once did they flee to the fort, and that was a false alarm. He had four children-David, Jacob, Joseph, and Mary, who is still living with Mr. Whitmore. David lived a bachelor during his lifetime, and died in 1870, at the age of 72; Jacob, the father of Simon, was married to Catharine Zimmerman, probably in 1827. He had seven children, four of whom are living- Barbara, the wife of Charles Dagger; Sarah J., the wife of M. W. Barger; Elizabeth, the wife of Leonard Barger, and Simon W., our subject. Jacob died in 1868, his wife still survives, and makes her home with her son. He is an energetic man, and owns an extensive farm. From his residence a commanding view of the country can be obtained, as the elevation above the land is seventy-five feet. It presents the most commanding appearance of any house in the neighborhood. He was wedded to Elizabeth Wiant in 1859. They are the parents of Sylvia, Minnie, Samuel and Dottie Whitmore. The family are an intelligent one, and Mr. Whitmore enjoys an excellent reputation among his neighbors. They are both members of the Myrtle Tree Baptist Church. Representing as they do the old pioneers of this county, we are glad to give them a place in this history.
JASPER WIANT, farmer; P. O. Westville. This gentleman represents the " John Wiant " branch of the family, of whom were two brothers, John and Adam, natives of Page Co., Va., who came here at an early date. Both are long since dead, but their descendants are numerous. Jasperis a son of Bradbury and Jerusha (Ward) Wiant. Bradbury was John's eldest son, and his wife was a native of this township. They settled on a beautiful farm in the Nettle Creek Valley, that is equal, perhaps, to any in the township. For many years he was one of our most successful men, and everything prospered with him. They were parents of Elizabeth, who married Simon W. Whitmore, whose family is represented in this history; Jasper, who married Miss Mary C. Chance; Sarah, who is the wife of Festus Steinberger; Sabra, who wedded Elias Riegle .; James B. and John B., twins (John married Melissa Taylor); and Tul- lie M. Wiant. The old folks reside on the old home farm, which was rendered dear by their lifetime of hard labor and the birth of their children.
Jasper and his wife have six children-Alla, Susan, Edgar T., Lucy, Elmer C. and Laura. The parents were married in 1864, and Mr. Wiant has been a practical farmer all his life. He obtained a common-school education during his boyhood, and has turned it to good account in his business. He is a Democrat, and has never voted any other ticket. Mr. Wiant is a member of Urbana Lodge, No. 8, A. F. and A. M., and is, in all respects, a worthy man and good neighbor.
John Wiant and Elizabeth Metz were married in 1819. John came to Ohio in 1816. They were both natives of Virginia ; he operated a large tannery, and was one of the leading citizens of his day. His farmhouse was built in 1829, and was proba- bly the best house in the county when completed ; he served in the war of 1812, and during one of his engagements partially lost his hearing. His wife was 56 years of age at the time of her death, and he reached the age of 73. He had wonderful phys- ical endurance, and reared a family of ten children, all of them living except two.
732
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
SOLOMON APPLE, farmer ; P. O. St. Paris; born in Jackson Township Cham- paign County June 11, 1835 ; is a son of Solomon and Catharine Apple. He was born in Pennsylvania Sept. 14, 1804, and came to Ohio with his parents when quite young ; they settled in Montgomery County, where he grew to maturity and married Catharine Snapp, a daughter of Rhinard Snapp. Immediately after marriage they came to Cham- paign County and entered 160 acres of land in Jackson Township, on which they located, and which they took from a state of nature and made a comfortable home. They afterward purchased 80 acres joining their quarter-section and 100 acres in John- son Township. Eight children were born to them-David, William, Sarah, Solomon, Mary, Noah, Simon and Daniel; the first and the last are deceased. Solomon Apple, Sr., departed this life Sept. 3, 1861; Catharine, his wife, survived till March 31, 1868, and died at the age of 58 years 6 months and 26 days ; both had been members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church from youth, and were faithful Christian people to the last-rearing their family in the church. Solomon, the subject of this sketch, was raised a farmer and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is an enter- prising farmer and owns 132 acres of land, 55 of which is a part of his father's farm. On Sept. 25, 1861, he married Frances Kesler ; she was born in this township, June 11, 1837. One child is the issue of this marriage-Perry, born Oct. 12, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Apple are consistent members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
NOAH APPLE, farmer ; P. O. St. Paris; was born in Jackson Township, May 20, 1840. He is a son of Solomon and Catharine Apple, who is mentioned in the sketch of Solomon Apple. Noah was also bred a farmer ; he owns 92 acres of the home farm, which is in a high state of cultivation with excellent buildings, erected at a cost of $3,000. On June 22, 1865, he was united in marriage with Catharine Sivert; she was born in Johnson Township Aug. 16, 1842, and is a daughter of Joseph and Mary Sivert, who were early settlers in that township. They were the parents of five chil- dren ; three are still living-Elizabeth, Catharine and John. Mrs. Mary Sivert de- parted this life May 18, 1868, at the age of 51 years 5 months and 19 days ; Joseph, her husband, is still living. Noah and Catharine Apple are the parents of two children -Emanuel, born Dec. 10, 1866, and Ada D., Oct. 13, 1873 ; Emanuel has not been able to walk for about seven years-the result of a hereditary disease, something like spinal affection. Mr. and Mrs. Apple are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
OBADIAH BAKER, farmer; P. O. St. Paris; was born in Clark Co., Ohio, March 1, 1833; his parents, John and Barbara Baker, were both natives of Virginia, but came to Ohio before they were married, and were early settlers in Clark County, where he still resides at the age of 85 ; as nearly as is known, there is no record of his birth; his wife's decease occurred Nov. 6, 1876, at the age of 72 years. They were the parents of nine children ; one died in infancy, the other eight are all living and have families, ex- cept the youngest. Obadiah was raised on the farm; his education consisted mainly in learning to handle the ax, the maul and the plow ; although he has, by his own efforts, succeeded in getting a sufficient knowledge from books to transact business successfully ; he owns 80 acres of land in Jackson Township, which he took from the green woods, and on which he has spent many a hard day's work in the twenty-one years of his occu- pancy. On the 25th of August, 1859, he married Elizabeth Bowers, a native of this county ; she was born Feb. 2, 1842. To this union seven children have been given ; six are still living-William, Alma, Jacob, Sarah, Irvin and Harry. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have been members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church from their youth.
E. E. BAILEY, farmer ; P. O. Christiansburg ; was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Jan. 20, 1838, and is a son of Henry and Rachel Bailey, both natives of Mary- land. She was born Jan 3, 1808, and he about 1794. They were the parents of six
733
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
children-Elizabeth (deceased), Edgar E., Henry C., Isabella, Amanda and Rachel. Mr. Henry Bailey died in 1848. His widow is still living, and resides in Miami Co., where she located in 1856. Edgar E. worked on the farm for his mother till 21 years of age, when for two years he was engaged in the dry-goods business in Southern Illi- nois. He has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. In the spring of 1871, he moved to his present residence, in Jackson Township, Champaign Co., near Addison, having purchased 100 acres the fall previous. In the spring of 1861, he met with a misfortune that will render him a cripple all his days. His left knee is perfectly stiff from a bruise occasioned by a fall. Notwithstanding his lameness, he is an enterprising farmer, and does a thriving business. His farm is well improved and in a high state of cultivation. He has served as Trustee of the township for three years. On the 26th of November, 1870, he married Elizabeth M. Peck. She was born in Miami Co., Ohio, Aug. 1, 1837, a daughter of Joshua and Mary (McCullough) Peck, who were early settlers in Miami Co. Mrs. Bailey is a member of the Christian Church.
BENONI BARNS, retired farmer ; P. O. St. Paris. To the gentleman whose name appears above, we are pleased to give space in the pages of this work. He is one among the oldest natives and continuous residents of the county, now living, having been 75 years old the 25th of March last (1880). His grandfather, Robert Barns, was of Irish descent, and came from Kentucky to this State about 1803. He settled in Champaign Co., near its present southern limit. Benoni was raised a farmer, and lived with an uncle till 21 years of age. His uncle aided him in procuring eighty acres of wild land, which he set to work to improve. He had about thirty acres cleared and a brick house erected, when, in 1834, he traded it for the east eighty of his present farm. He then purchased the eighty west of him, and built a saw-mill on Chapman's Creek, which runs through his land. For about twenty-seven years he ran the mill in connec- tion with his farm. At one time he owned about five hundred acres of land, but distributed all but about one hundred and forty-five among his children. In 1826, April 15, he married Sarah Latta. She was born in the eastern part of this State, June 3, 1809. This union has lasted for more than fifty-four years, and has been blessed with four chil- dren-Margaret I., Levi C., Johnson L. and Isabella O. Mrs. Barns is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
L. C. BARNS, farmer, P. O. St. Paris ; was born in Mad River Township, Dec. 25, 1830. He is a son of Benoni Barns. He was raised a farmer and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits, owning at the present, 230 acres of land. On the 16th of March 1851, he was united in marriage with Paulina Stephenson. She is a native of Greene Co., Ohio, born Oct. 20, 1831. To this union three children have been given-Charles F., born Dec. 8, 1852; Edward L., born Sept. 8, 1854; Sarah E., born Dec. 4, 1856, and departed this life July 1, 1861. Charles F. is a member of the M. E. Church.
SAMUEL BATDORF, deceased. He was born in Berks Co., Penn., Feb. 20, 1811. His early life was spent in various occupations, but principally farming. About 1840, he came to Ohio and settled in Greene Co., where he followed farming for ten years. He then came to Champaign Co. and purchased 159 acres of land in Jack- son Township, near St. Paris. In connection with his farm labor, he carried on butch- ering, furnishing meat for the town for a number of years. On the 12th of January, 1835, he was united in marriage with Susan Neff. She was a native of Lancaster Co., Penn., born April 25, 1811. For over thirty-eight years this union lasted, and was blessed with eight children, viz., Mary, now Mrs. Samuel Bollinger ; John H .; Eliza- beth, deceased; David; Susan, now Mrs. Franklin Snapp; Elmine, now Mrs. Asa Brelsford; Samuel N. and Belle. Samuel Batdorf departed this life Sept. 26, 1873. His widow resides on the farm. She is a member of the Lutheran Church. Several of the children are identified with other churches.
JAMES L. BUTCHER, retired farmer ; P. O. Christiansburg ; born in Cham- paign Co. (the part which now forms Clark Co.) May 20, 1813; is a son of Joseph and
734
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :
Letitia (Lowery) Butcher. She was born in Pennsylvania about 1764, and had been twice married before she became Mrs. Butcher. Joseph Butcher was born in Virginia about 1783, and came to Ohio before his marriage in 1809. They were married in Champaign Co., and settled in the neighborhood of Danielsville, where they lived till the fall of 1816, when they moved near Addison. It then consisted of two houses- one dwelling and one schoolhouse, the style of which, and its school, will be treated in the general history of the township. Here James spent his first school-days. On coming to Addison, Joseph purchased 180 acres of land, which he sold in 1846, and bought 244 acres further east, a part of which James now owns, being the 84 acres on which he made his home. They were the parents of three children -- Sarah, Eliza and James L. Letitia Butcher departed this life Sept. 22, 1854, and Joseph just two years later. James L. began life for himself at the age of 22, but at the same time lived with his father. On the 13th of December, 1835, he married Elizabeth Cayho. She was born in Virginia Jan. 10, 1813, and came to Ohio in 1832. To this union nine children have been given; eight died in early life of lung disease. Joseph, the survivor, was born Oct. 11, 1839. In October, 1867, he married Mary Jane Halvie. She was born in October, 1842. James L. and wife are members of the Christian Church.
SAMUEL DEATON, farmer; P. O. Christiansburg ; was born in Botetourt Co., Va., March 30, 1813, a son of George and Susannah Deaton. She was a native of Lan- caster Co., Penn., born in 1787, a daughter of Andrew and Mary Ream. Andrew was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, enlisting at the age of 15. George Deaton was born in Amelia Co., Va., about 1791. He died at the age of 37, the father of nine children -William (deceased), Samuel, George W., Andrew J., Nathan (deceased), Mary, Mar- tha, Susan and Levi. In the summer of 1828, Mrs. Deaton and family moved to Ohio and located near Northampton, Clark Co. She died in Champaign Co. in 1867. Sam- uel was raised a farmer, but after coming to this county he worked by the month, and, like Abraham Lincoln, got his start in the world by making rails. The first money he ever earned for himself was on Christmas Day, 1830. He made 101 rails before break- fast when the snow was four inches deep. Wages then were 25 cents per hundred. He gradually worked along, saving what he made until he was able to purchase a home. Although severely afflicted with rheumatism for nineteen years, he has succeeded in being comfortably situated for declining years, besides assisting his children. At the age of 16, he was unable to read, but by his own earnest effort he qualified himself for
the business of life, and taught school eighteen or twenty terms. He has served his township as Assessor two years, Trustee seven years and Constable six years. On the 29th of June, 1841, he was united in marriage with Nancy Carmin. She was born June 4, 1814, and died June 21, 1856, the mother of ten children. Six grew to matu- rity-William C. (now deceased), Samuel H., Charlotte L., James M., Martha V. and A. B. C. Mr. Deaton married for his second wife Juretta Priest, a daughter of Jere- miah and Sarah Priest, born in Miami Co. June 11, 1833. Mr. Deaton and wife and three children are members of the M. E. Church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.