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 90

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 90

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GEORGE W. DEATON, farmer ; P. O. Christiansburg ; was born in Virginia April 3, 1815. Is a son of George and Susannah Deaton, of whom mention is made in the sketch of Samuel Deaton. George W. was left an orphan at the age of 12, and from that time he made a living as best he could. His mother being poor, he worked by the month till he was married. He then rented farms till he was able to buy one of his own. His first purchase was a piece of wild land in Indiana, which he sold, and, in the fall of 1850, he purchased his present home. In the spring following, he moved on his farm and completed the improvements. He now has a comfortable home of 117 acres under good cultivation. On Oct. 26, 1837, he was united in marriage with Hannah Leffel. She was born in Clark Co., Ohio, Dec. 13, 1818. Her parents, Thomas and Margaret Leffel, were natives of Virginia, but were early settlers in Clark Co. George W. and Hannah Deaton are the parents of nine children-Mary Ann (deceased wife of

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Jonathan Verity, and mother of two children), Susan (now Mrs. John Tullis), Jennie (now Mrs. John Marrett), Levi (deceased), Ezra, John, Milton, Willis and Maggie. Mr. and Mrs. Deaton and several of the children are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church.

JOHN A. DEATON, farmer; P. O. Christiansburg; was born in Pike Town- ship, Clark Co., Ohio, Nov. 5, 1835, and is a son of William and Catharine Deaton. She was a native of Clark County ; born about 1813. He was born in Virginia in the early part of 1812; a son of George and Susannah Deaton, of whom mention is made in the sketch of Samuel Deaton. William's principal occupation was saw-milling. In later life he also engaged in farming, and owned 153 acres of land. He died Dec. 15, 1855, the father of eight children-George W. (deceased), John A., Mary, Elizabeth, Susan, Calvin B. (deceased), James L. and Eliza. John A. worked on the farm with his mother until 22 years of age, when he commenced life for himself, renting farms in Clark, Miami and Champaign Counties. He now owns about eighty-seven acres of land in Sec. 30 of Jackson Township. In 1857, Feb. 7, he married Lucinda Fuller. She was born in Clark Co., Feb. 10, 1837. Seven children are the fruits of this union- Dora, William L., George W., Levi Morley, Maggie C., Granville M. and Frances. Mr. and Mrs. Deaton are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

L. C. C. GILLE (deceased), physician. To the writer it is a pleasant task to record the history of a noble person, and posterity will long hence be gratified to peruse the biography of an honored ancestor. Lewis C. C. Gille was born in Germany, Feb. 22, 1807. He was a descendant of families of rank on both sides. His father's people were ministers, and his mother's officers in the army. He was named and educated by the King. He graduated at the medical college at Hesse-Cassel, and in 1834 came to America. He practiced in the hospital at Washington in 1836, when the cholera was raging. In 1837, he married Catherine Dorshimer; ten children were the fruits of this union ; six grew to maturity and are still living-Elizabeth A., Cath- arine A., Lewis A., Maria, Mary M. and Edward F. Dr. Gille is still remembered by the people of this county, especially those of Westville and vicinity, where he lived. His death occurred March 12, 1857. Catharine, his wife, was born in Harrisburg, Penn., May 6, 1813, and is a daughter of Andrew Dorshimer. He was born in Amsterdam about the year 1766. Hearing so much said of America, he concluded it was the coun- try for him. At the age of 16, with only $16, which had been given him for spending money while at school, and without saying anything to his parents, he started. He was soon missed, and his parents, suspecting his designs, made search for him. His father and friends overtook him at Liverpool just as they were about ready to set sail. He pleaded to be allowed to go on. His father yielded, and gave him money to defray his expenses. After landing at Philadelphia, he engaged in the mint until old enough to go to a trade. He won the confidence and esteem of all around him; was an especial friend of Lady Washington, who generally bade him adieu by presenting him with a $5 bill. He afterward learned the blacksmith's trade, which he carried on very exten- sively and successfully in Harrisburg, where at one time he owned a square of brick buildings, besides other property. At the time of the building of the bridge across the Susquehanna, he indorsed for the contractors to the amount of $40,000, which he had to pay. He then went to Mechanicsburg, Penn., where he again accumulated consid- erable wealth. His first wife died in Philadelphia, leaving one child, Ann. He then married Mrs. Elizabeth Sidle (formerly Miss Elizabeth Ebright), by whom he had four children-Andrew, Jacob, Maria and Catharine. She was the mother of nine children in all, five by her first husband and four by her last ; all grew up together as if but one family. He died in 1842.

ARTHUR GUTHRIE, blacksmith and manufacturer of wagons and buggies, Christiansburg ; was born in Clark Co., Jan. 15, 1850. He is a son of Albert and Margaret Guthrie. Margaret is a native of this State, born in 1827. Albert Guthrie was born in Virginia, about 1823, and came to Ohio with his parents when about a

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year old. His occupation was farming ; he located in Champaign Co., in 1860, but re- sides in Shelby Co. at present. He is the father of three children-Cornelius, Arthur and Louise, deceased. Arthur commenced an apprenticeship at blacksmithing in Mil- lerstown, in this county, with Asa Brelsford, who soon after moved to Addison, where Arthur completed his trade. He then worked in Sidney, Shelby Co., one year ; then went to Tennessee for a short time, and then back to Sidney; finally, he returned to Addison, purchased the shops of Mr. Brelsford, and has since been doing a thriving business at blacksmithing and manufacturing wagons and buggies. In 1878, Feb. 19, he was united in marriage with Sarah J. Shimer. She died in January following, and her daughter, Earnest, died in August of the same year. On the 2d of November, 1876, Mr. Guthrie married Miss Ida S. Roberts. One child, Charlie, is the fruit of this union. Mrs. Guthrie is a daughter of G. W. Roberts, one of the Commissioners of this county. Oct. 31, 1859, is the date of her birth. Charlie was born March 17, 1879.

E. C. HOLLIS, butcher, Christiansburg, the senior member of the firm of Hollis & Bro., was born north of Piqua, Miami Co., Ohio, Oct. 16, 1840; is the son of Benoni and Lydia Hollis. She is a native of Virginia, born May 22, 1822, and came to Ohio with her parents, who settled in Miami Co. Benoni Hollis was born in En- gland, July 13, 1814. He emigrated to America in early life, and, in 1839, married Lydia Duffey. He was a wheelwright, or wagon-maker, and followed his trade in Piqua, where he died July 10, 1848, leaving his wife and three children to mourn his depart- ure ; one daughter, Elizabeth A., preceded him in death. The survivors are Edmund C., Mercy E. and John B. Mrs. Lydia Hollis afterward married Mr. C. D. Boyden. They were the parents of four children-Harry, George, Harriet J. and Cyrus D. Mr. C. D. Boyden departed this life Oct. 24, 1857. His widow is still living, and resides in Addison. E. C. Hollis, the subject of this sketch, learned shoe-making with his step-father, and afterward worked as journeyman at the trade about six years in all, but in the meantime spent about three years in the civil war, a member of Co. A, 2d O. V. I. He participated in the battles of Perryville, Resaca, Buzzard's Roost, Stone River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, and many others, in the At- lantic campaign. He received an honorable discharge and returned to his home at Addison, bearing the mark of one slight flesh wound. In 1871, he commenced butch- ering on a small scale, learning the business as he progressed. In 1875, he took his brother John B. in as an equal partner. They are now doing an extensive business in fresh and salt meats, furnishing three villages beside Addison and the surrounding coun- try with meat. Their annual sales amount to over $5,000. They pack about 110 head of hogs each year. In short, they are straightforward, thorough business men. On the 13th of November, 1864, E. C. Hollis was united in marriage with Emily J. Overton. Two children are the fruits of this union-Herman and Anson G. Mrs. Hollis was born in Addison Oct. 17, 1839. She is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church.

JOHN B. HOLLIS, butcher, Christiansburg; was born in Piqua, Miami Co., Ohio, Aug. 17, 1848. He is a son of Benoni and Lydia Hollis, of whom proper men- tion is made in the sketch of E. C. Hollis. John B. was born an orphan, and started out in the world when quite young to make his own fortune. He was a day laborer until five years ago, when he became a partner with his brother in the butchering busi- ness. He is a self-made, enterprising young man, and has won the respect and confi- dence of the people, as they have shown by electing him to the office of Township Clerk at the last spring election. His marriage to Minnie Spence was celebrated April 6, 1875. She is the only daughter of William and Eliza Spence, born in Clark Co., June 14, 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Spence were also natives of Clark Co. He departed this life in 1859.

L. R. HOWELL, dry goods merchant, Christiansburg; was born in Addison, Champaign Co., Dec. 23, 1839. He is a son of Manoah and Ann Howell, both

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natives of Virginia. Daniel Howell, the father of Manoah, came to Champaign Co. about 1810, and entered eighty acres of land just west of Addison, on the line of Champaign and Miami. Here Manoah spent his boyhood days, and got such an edu- cation as the schools then afforded. He afterward, by a practical business life, acquired a good business education. On reaching his years of majority, he went into business in Addison, keeping a general store. This was his principal occupation through life. He also owned several farms, of which he had the control. Manoah and Ann Howell were the parents of seven children; five grew to maturity-Louisa C. (wife of J. L. Long), Zilpah A. (now Mrs. E. F. Warner), Rebecca (now Mrs. L. D. Marshall), Levi R. and Mary S. (deceased wife of R. R. Marshall). Manoah Howell departed this life Aug. 18, 1878, aged 70 years, lacking two months. His widow is still living, and is in her 75th year. The subject of this sketch was brought up in the store, and has always been engaged in mercantile pursuits, except three years spent in the service during the civil war. He was a member of Co. A, 2d O. V. I .; enlisted Aug. 27, 1861, and participated in the battles of Perryville, Ky., Stone River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, besides several others of less importance. He passed through safely and received an honorable discharge. Mr. Howell is an enter- prising business man, commanding the respect of the people of the community. He has served his township one term as Treasurer. In 1865, May 4, he was united in mar- riage with Ellen N. Codding. Two children are the fruits of this union-Bertha, May and Roma Maud. Mrs. Howell was born in Summit Co., Ohio, March 1, 1843. She is a member of the Baptist Church.

JOSEPH KELLEY, retired farmer ; P. O. St. Paris. Among the pioneers of Jackson Township, our subject deserves place in the front rank. He is the oldest native of the township now living, and said to be the first white male child born in it, although he doubts it himself. He is a son of Sampson and Margaret Kelley, whose history is noted in the sketch of William Kelley. Joseph was born Dec. 14, 1808. He remembers seeing Hull's army as it passed through this country. His mother died when quite young, and his father when he was about 18 years of age. He learned brick-laying in early life, which he followed till health and strength failed. He entered eighty acres of land, and began right in the woods, working at his trade during the summer season, and clearing after night and through the winter. He worked for 25 cents per day, when they had to pay 372 cents per yard for calico. Although times were very hard, by honest industry and economy they kept themselves above want, and never suffered for the necessaries of life. They still occupy their first home, and are comfortably situated for old age. For over fifty years they have enjoyed each other's society in wedded life, having married May 11, 1830, Mrs. Susan Kelley, formerly Miss Susan Downey, was born in Virginia Aug. 4, 1806. This union has been blessed with four children-Tabitha A., Sampson E., Frances M. and Mary E. Tabitha and Frances M. both died of scarlet fever when young. Mrs. Kelley is a member of the M. E. Church.

WILLIAM KELLEY, retired tanner and harness-maker; P. O. Christiansburg. Among the pioneers of Champaign Co., the gentleman whose name heads this sketch deserves mention in this work. He was born April 18, 1810. His parents, Sampson and Margaret (Brown) Kelley, came to Jackson Township, Champaign Co., from Vir- ginia, about 1806. According to the best information we can get, they have the honor of being the parents of the first white male child born in Jackson Township. Sampson was a weaver by trade; he entered eighty acres of land, and set to work to subdue the forest and secure a comfortable home. During the fall and winter seasons he worked at his trade. Mrs. Margaret Kelley departed this life in 1814, and he in 1829, but had married for his second wife Mrs. Rebecca Pence (formerly Miss Rebecca Davis), by whom he had four children ; one only survives at present. Eight children were the issue of the first marriage. One died in infancy, one about 45, and another upward of 50. Five are still living, the youngest being past 69 years of age. At the

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age of 15, William commenced an apprenticeship at tanning, which trade he followed for about twenty-five years where he resides, in Addison. In 1847, he commenced harness-making, which he followed till about twelve years ago; he quit his trade and bought a farm, and has since lived rather retired. He has served his township as Trustee four years, and has been Postmaster for about eleven years. His marriage with Nancy Strain was celebrated Aug. 11, 1831. For almost half a century this union has lasted, and has been blessed with eleven children; eight survived their infancy and grew to maturity, viz. : Edwin, Semantha A., Margaret E., Angeline, Isabel, Louise and Emma (both deceased), and Oliver H. Mrs. Nancy Kelley is a native of Virginia, but the date of her birth is not known. It is supposed to be in the year 1813.

WILLIAM B. McCREA, retired farmer and merchant ; P. O. Christiansburg. To the gentleman whose name appears above, we are pleased to allot a space in the biographical album of this work. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Belle) McCrea ; she was of Irish parentage, born on the ocean about 1770; he was born in Ireland, but the date of his birth is not known exactly ; the first definite account we have of him after his arrival in America is that he was residing in Catskill, N. Y., where he carried on plastering and mason- ing; he afterward moved to Cayuga Co., in the same State, where he assisted in erect- ing some of the public buildings. In 1817, he emigrated to Ohio and located at Cin- cinnati; he was the overseer of the masonry for the original part of the water-works of that city. He entered a half-section of land in Jackson Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, and settled on it in 1820; during the panic which followed, he forfeited the east quarter, and made his improvements on the west quarter; in connection with his clear- ing and farm labor, he continued to work at his trade a portion of the time; his death occurred in 1838, being about 67 years old; Elizabeth, his wife, survived till 1856. William B. McCrea, the subject of this sketch, was born in the State of New York, Sept. 6, 1806; he received a common-school education, and learned the mason's trade with his father ; while living in Cincinnati, he assisted his father at the trade during the summer seasons, and worked in the glass works, white-lead factory or woolen factory in the winter ; for four years after their arrival in Champaign Co., he assisted in clearing and working at the trade, when he returned to Cincinnati and engaged as clerk in a store ; at the end of six years, he purchased a stock of goods and started a general store at Addison, Champaign Co .; he was engaged in the mercantile business for twenty years, at different places ; shortly after commencing business at Addison, he purchased a piece of land adjoining town, a part of which is now his summer residence; for the last twenty years, he has been spending his winters in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio. In 1830, he built the first frame house erected in Jackson Township. He has served as Magistrate, and has represented his county in the Legislature two terms. Mr. McCrea is one of our self-made men, and, although his form is bending with the weight of years, his intellect seems to be unimpaired. On the 31st of May, 1831, he was united in marriage with Sarah Hall; seven children are the issue of this marriage-Charles T., Rollin H., W. W., Frank, Julia C., Bell H. and Emma. Mrs. Sarah McCrea was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sept. 30, 1809; she and four of the children are members fo the Presbyterian Church.

WALLACE McCREA, retired farmer; P. O. St. Paris. To another of the early settlers of Jackson Township, Champaign Co., we are pleased to allot a space in the biographical album of this work. He was born in Catskill, N. Y., July 11, 1810; he is a son of John and Elizabeth McCrea, of whom proper mention is made in the sketch of W. B. McCrea. With the exception of about six years, Wallace has made his home on the farm that his father entered, and which he now owns; his occu- pation through life has been farming and dealing in stock ; for the last seven years, he has given the charge of the farm to his son, but has continued to deal in stock till within the last year; he never aspired to office, but has served his township as Trustee for twelve years. In 1832, March 22, he married Jane Steapleton ; to this union five

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children were given; three grew to maturity; one only-George G .- survives to the present. Mrs. Jane McCrea was born July 8, 1808, and died in the latter part of June, 1871. George G. McCrea was born July 17, 1836; he served three years in the civil war, a member of Co. E, 113th O. V. I., entering as a private, but mustered out as Captain. He married Ellen Richards Jan. 1, 1872; one child-John W .- is the fruit of this union; Mrs. McCrea died in less than four years after their marriage.

X GEORGE MCCULLOUGH, farmer and dealer in fruit-trees; P. O. Christiansburg ; was born in Greene Co., Penn., June 5, 1817, and is a son of William and Susan (Shid- ler) McCullough, both natives of Pennsylvania. She was born May 7, 1797, and he Aug. 19, 1793. In 1823, they came to Ohio and settled in Lost Creek Township, Mi- ami Co., where the remainder of their lives was spent. He was a well-to-do farmer and had been identified with most of the offices of his township. Seven children were the issue of their marriage ; all grew to maturity, and five are still living-George, Catharine (now Mrs. Aaron Lane, of Missouri), Mary (now Mrs. David Puterbaugh, of Indiana), Peter (now a prominent minister in the Christian Church, entering the ministerial office at the age of 18), and Susan, wife of Rev. T. A. Branden, a prominent minister of the Christian Church, of Union City, Ind. Susan Mccullough departed this life, Jan. 15, 1849 ; he survived till Jan. 11, of the following year. They had been zealous, ex- emplary Christian people, and brought their children up in the Christian Church. George worked at home for his parents until 28 years of age, and assisted in clearing up 200 acres of land. He remembers how the deer used to take their little crop al- most entirely. Wild turkeys were also numerous and destructive to crops. In 1849, George moved to Addison, and engaged in the mercantile business, handling a general line of goods. For some time he has been a dealer in fruit-trees. He also owns 121 acres of land, in two separate tracts, all in a high state of cultivation. He served as Revenue Assessor about five years, and was Postmaster several years. On the 18th of November, 1849, he was united in marriage with Amanda S. Warner. She was born at Springfield, Clark Co., May 5, 1830. Four children have been born to them, viz., Derostus M., Emma C., Lillia F. and George W. They are all members of the church. D. M. is a prominent grocer, of Troy, Ohio; Emma C. is now the wife of Rev. H. E. Smith, of Blanchester, Ohio.

JOHN McMORRAN, farmer ; P. O. St. Paris. To the gentleman whose name appears above we are pleased to give more than a passing notice. He is the son of Samuel and Barbara (Heaston) McMorran, who were among the pioneers of this county. She was a native of Virginia, born in 1789; he was born in 1785, in Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood. About ten years of his life were spent in the State of New York, where he was engaged in clearing up a farm. In 1811 or 1812, he emi- grated to Ohio, and settled near Dayton, Montgomery Co., then went to Champaign Co. three years later. In 1815, he entered a quarter-section of land in Johnson Town- ship, and set about clearing up a farm ; and, of course, had to contend with the hard- ships and inconveniences of the times. Cincinnati was their principal market. Thither, over roads that to-day would be considered impassable, they took their produce, flour and bacon, and there procured their salt and iron-about the only two articles they were compelled to buy. Time works mighty changes. The pioneers lived on plain food and enjoyed life ; their descendants gormandize and die premature deaths from the effects. Mr. McMorran has served as Township Trustee in both Johnson and Jackson Townships, and was a juror in the Common Pleas Court for many years. He was the father of eight children, six of whom survived their infancy and grew to maturity- John, Christian, Eliza (now Mrs. Simeon Pence), Samuel, Jacob and James. The lat- ter died at the age of 22, shortly after marriage. John, the subject of this sketch, was born in Johnson Township, Champaign Co., Oct. 5, 1815 ; was raised to agricult- ural pursuits, which has been his occupation through life. He has divided something near 500 acres of land among his children, and still owns about 118 acres. He married Sidney Wiant in 1838. She was born in December, 1819, and departed this life Aug.

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25, 1849, the mother of three children-Sarah Jane, now Mrs. T. Schooler ; Samuel, and Elizabeth, now Mrs. Strock. In 1852, he married Amy Riker. She was born in October, 1824. The issue of this marriage were three children, two of whom grew to years of maturity-Mary, now Mrs. William H. Jones, and Eliza, now Mrs. Garehart. Mr. McMorran and wife and three children are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

WILLIAM MARSHALL, dealer in stock and real estate; P. O. Christiansburg. Lemon Marshall, his father, was born in Virginia June 28, 1801. He attended medi- cal lectures in Cincinnati, where, in 1825, he married Amy Johnson ; she is a native of Kentucky, born Nov. 4, 1805. They located in Springboro, Warren Co., Ohio, where he practiced medicine till 1834, when they moved to Addison, Champaign Co. Becoming afflicted with rheumatism, he was obliged to decline riding, and then followed school-teaching as his principal occupation. He also served as Justice of the Peace several years. Five children were the issue of his marriage; one preceded him in death ; the other four are still living, viz .: Lindsey A., Nancy (now Mrs. Robert Wood), William and Lemon D. Lemon Marshall departed this life June 7, 1841. His widow is hale and sprightly, and apparently not more than 50 years old ; she still bears the name of her departed husband. William, the subject of this sketch, was born in Warren Co., Ohio, April 11, 1832. When but 9 years old, he commenced an apprenticeship at the tailor trade, but, before his trade was learned, and, when about 12 years old, he commenced trading ; this has been his chief occupation through life- dealing in stock of all kinds, and in real estate. His home consists of 6 acres adjoining Addison, with good buildings, especially the house, which is very commodious and comely, and which is surrounded by forest trees ; he also owns 220 acres of land in two. other tracts, in Jackson Township. On the 25th of July, 1851, he was united in mar- riage with Savannah Gorsuch ; she was born in Dayton, Ohio, Sept. 3, 1835, and died Aug. 25, 1867 ; three children were the fruits of this union ; one died in infancy ; the living are Lemon E. and William C. Mr. Marshall celebrated his second marriage Oct .. 1, 1868, with Mary M. Gille (a daughter of Dr. L. C. C. Gille, who is mentioned in, this work). July 14, 1849, is the date of her birth. One child-Savannah-is the fruit of this union.

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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 90

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