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 92
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P. BERRY, saw-miller, contractor and builder, Millerstown. Among the business industries of Millerstown, we mention that of Peter Berry, which was established in 1867, since which he has been favorably known as contractor, builder, and manufacturer of all kinds of sawed lumber; in connection with this, he carries on, or superintends, farming to a large extent, which is done on a systemized plan. Mr. Berry was born in John- son Township, Champaign Co., in 1835, and is a son of Elijah and Mary (Jones) Berry. Peter was raised to agricultural pursuits, and received a common-school education ; he remained at home until 1856, when he went to Missouri, engaging in the stone-mason's trade; but, two years later, he returned to his native county, locating in Millerstown, after which he was variously engaged until the opening of his present business. Mr. Berry is a thorough-going business man of Millerstown. His marriage was celebrated, in 1859, with Elizabeth Jenkins, a native of Muskingum Co., Ohio, born in 1838; she is a worthy companion and mother of eight children-William D., Mary M., George M., Maggie M., Cora A., Joseph P., John (deceased) and Martha S.
ADAM BODEY, retired ; P. O. St. Paris ; is a son of Fredrick Bodey, born Jan. 18, 1756, in Germany, where he grew to maturity ; and, during the war of Independence, he emigrated to America, engaging as a patriot in that struggle, participating to its close, after which he settled in Virginia and married Barbara Libin. She was born in Rock- ingham Co., Va., June 28, 1784. They remained in her native State until their death. Fredrick died in 1818, and Barbara one year later. They were the parents of four
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children, of whom two now survive. Our subject was born in Virginia in 1808, and raised there to the age of 13, at which time he came to Ohio and endured many pioneer difficulties in Champaign Co. At the date of his first settlement in this county, Indians were numerous, and wild animals roamed the deep, unbroken forest. The educational privileges were very much limited, hence Adam received but little schooling. In 1830, he married Mary Brubaker. She was born in Virginia Sept. 15, 1814, and died Nov. 20, 1875. She was the mother of eight children, of whom six are now living. All save Mary are now married, she yet remains at home and dutifully cares for her aged father. Mr. Bodey has during life accumulated considerable land through his own ex- ertions.
LEWIS BODEY, farmer ; P. O. Millerstown ; is a grandson of Fredrick Bodey, and a son of Lewis Bodey, who was born in Virginia where he grew to majority and married. His wife died, and he married for his second wife Margaret Frisinger, also of Virginia. They emigrated West about 1816, locating in Champaign Co., and were among the first white settlers, enduring many things that only those who passed through can describe. He entered 160 acres of land, which he greatly improved. He died in September, 1839, but his wife now survives at nearly fourscore years of age. Their children were eight in number, of whom four are now living, our subject being the seventh. He was born in Johnson Township in 1830, and raised to farm life. His education was obtained in the subscription schools. When but a boy he commenced life for himself by engaging as farm laborer, and, in 1857, he married Martha A. Brad- ley, a native of Virginia, but raised in Champaign Co. They have resided on their pres- ent farm of 86 acres Sec. 3, Johnson Township, since marriage, except four years. Mr. Bodey is a man of public spirit and feeling. Mr. and Mrs. Bodey are the parents of eleven children, of whom three are now deceased.
H. C. BODEY, farmer ; P. O. St. Paris ; was born in Putnam Co., Ohio, in 1840, and is a son of Adam Bodey. Our subject was raised to farm life in Johnson Town- ship, Champaign Co., Ohio, and received a common-school education ; he remained at home until 25 years of age, when he married Sarah E. Vincent, born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1845, after which he engaged in farming for himself, and is now successfully culti- vating the old home farm in Sec. 9, Johnson Township. In 1875, he purchased a part of the property, and his prospects appear favorable for the future. Mr. and Mrs. Bodey are the parents of five children, viz., Henrietta, Charlotte A., Carlton V., Emmet A. and Annie V.
HARRISON BODEY, retired farmer ; P. O. Millerstown ; is a grandson of Frederick Bodey, who came with his father from their native country, Germany, during the war of Independence, in which they participated. The eldest Mr. Bodey, being seriously wounded in the head, returned to his native country, Frederick continuing through the war to its close, after which he settled in the Shenandoah Valley, in Vir- ginia, where he lived and died, at about threescore years of age. During life he was twice married, the second wife surviving at his death, but she has long since passed away. Christian Podey, the father of our subject, was born in Virginia in 1796, where he passed through many difficulties in the pioneer days of his native State, and endured many hardships as a patriot in the war of 1812, after which he married Elizabeth Fri- singer, of Virginia, born in 1800. In 1816, they emigrated West, entering what is now the old farm, in Sec. 3, Johnson Township, Champaign Co., Ohio. After a stay of three years in the deep, unsettled wilds, the severe illness of Frederick, his father, called
them to their native State, where he died. While Christian and his family were in Vir- ginia, our subject was born, Oct. 18, 1819. Christian and family remained, to settle up the estate, and, in 1821, again came West, taking up their abode on the previously entered farm. This they took from its wilds to a good degree of improvement and cul- tivation. Their first neighbors were Indians, who were at times troublesome; many wild animals at that time roamed the woods, but these have long since disappeared. He lived through the rise and progress of Champaign Co., until his death in 1868 ; one year
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later his wife, too, passed away. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom five are now living, Harrison being the eldest ; he was raised during the early days of the county, and endured many things that only those who have passed through can describe. He married Nancy A. Long in 1839, after which he engaged in cultivating his father's farm, where he remained until after the death of Christian (above given). Soon after, he received his heirship, on which he has erected a comfortable farm residence, and is well situated for life. Mr. Bodey is a man of social feeling, and a much-respected citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Bodey are the parents of ten children-Agnes, Elizabeth, Chris- tian, Harriet, Benjamin, Margaret A., Harrison, Jr., Eliza E., Thomas J. and Vallan- dingham.
ISAAC BRUBAKER, retired banker, St. Paris; is one of the pioneers of Cham- paign Co .; is a son of Samuel Brubaker, who was born in Shenandoah Co., Va., about 1790, and emigrated with his parents to Ohio in a very early day, locating in Lawrence Co., where they remained seven years. They came to Champaign Co. soon after the war of 1812, locating near Millerstown, where Samuel's death occurred, about 1845. Our subject was born in Lawrence Co., Ohio, in 1814; was raised to farm life in the pioneer days of Champaign Co. He nobly assisted his father in opening out a farm from the unbroken wilderness. In 1835, he married Barbara A. Pence, who was born in Virginia in 1816, and died in St. Paris in 1875, leaving one daughter. Soon after the above marriage, Isaac engaged in farming for himself, in Johnson Township, which he continued until the spring of 1864, at which time he located in St. Paris. One year later he sold his farm and engaged in the bank of Brubaker & McMorran, which part- nership lasted until 1877. In the same year he married Miss Harriet M. Manning, born near Zanesville, Ohio. She is a daughter of Rev .. James Manning, who was an active clergyman of the Lutheran denomination for fifty-three years, when he was stricken with a final and fatal disease. His last act was his resignation from the ministerial service.
JOSEPH BUROKER, attorney and farmer; P. O. St. Paris; another of the pi- oneers of Champaign Co., was born in Virginia June 12, 1818, and came with his parents to Ohio when but an infant. They settled in Mad River Township, Cham- paign Co., where the father and mother both passed away. Joseph grew to majority on his father's farm, and nobly assisted in opening it out. His primary education was acquired in the common log-hut schools ; but, through his own exertions, he has since greatly improved it. In that early day, the windows in schoolhouses were greased paper, pasted over openings to admit the light, while to-day we have glass, clear as crys- tal. Joseph's boyhood days were often spent in company with the Indians, frequently seeing wild animals of different kinds, but both Indians and animals have long since disappeared from these parts. About 1838, Joseph commenced teaching school, and in March, two years later, he married Catherine Snapp. Afterward he settled on his farm in Johnson Township, which he cultivated in connection with the duties of his office of Justice of the Peace ; thus he continued until the erection of the Columbus, Piqua & Indiana Railroad, the construction of which he was greatly interested in. Shortly before the road was finished, he, in company with his father-in-law, John Snapp, erected the first warehouse at St. Paris. They were the first grain buyers and shippers of that place. In connection with this, Joseph was appointed as ticket, freight and express agent. This position he filled several years, meanwhile turn- ing some attention to law. Then he opened an office in St. Paris, devoting his time totally to the profession a number of years. In the meantime, he purchased his pres- ent farm, Sec. 15, and, for the purpose of raising his sons to farm life, located on it in 1873. Five years later he moved his office to his residence, and is still enjoying a reasonable patronage in the practice of law.
D. J. COMER, physician, Millerstown. Before engaging in any profession, it would be well for one to study his adaptability for the one of his choice, as Dr. Comer did, whose fitness for his profession has been shown by his success. The Doctor was
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born in Johnson Township in 1844, and is a son of Reuben Comer, one of the pioneers of the county. Our subject was raised to farm life, and acquired his elementary educa- tion in the common schools. His medical life began in 1873, after which he was in attendance at the Medical College of Ohio and the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, graduating from the latter in 1876. One year later he located in Millers- town. January 1, 1878, his marriage was celebrated with Miss Anna C. Neer, a native of Concord Township, and one year his junior.
ISAAC COMER, general merchant, Millerstown, is a son of Reuben Comer, one of the pioneers of Johnson Township. He is the senior member of the firm of Nor- man & Comer. A sketch of their business will be found under the name of the asso- ciated partners. The subject of this sketch was born in Johnson Township, and raised to farm life. This was his occupation until the opening of his present business. His education was acquired in the common schools, In 1858 he married Amanda J. Smith, of his native township. They have two children living-Mary E. (now Mrs. Robert Barger), and Emma A., wife of Jesse Jenkins.
C. W. COVALT, livery, St. Paris. In speaking of the business industries of St. Paris, the stable of C. W. Covalt deserves a liberal mention in this work. He is- a native of Miami Co., Ohio ; was raised to farm life, and had all opportunities of becoming acquainted with horses. He has been engaged in the livery trade in St. Paris since 1873, and is located on South Springfield street. Here he has everything neatly and comfortably arranged; he does not aim to keep as large a supply of horses- as city liverymen, but what he has are among the best, as are also his carriages, buggies and funeral hacks. Mr. Covalt is a live young man in his business, and merits a good patronage. His first wife was Nannie Rollfe, to whom he was married in 1860. Twelve years later she died, leaving one son-Lewis F. Mr. Covalt married for his second wife Sarah J. White, a native of Champaign Co., Ohio.
H. B. DAVIS, teacher, St. Paris; was born in Zane Township, Logan Co., Ohio, in December, 1843; was raised to farm life, and acquired his primary education in the common schools, and so deep were his mental interests that he carried his book strapped to his body while plowing. His literary education was mostly acquired in the schools of Urbana and Dayton. In the latter he attended the Babbit & Wilt Commercial Col- lege, from which he bears a written recommendation as a fine penman and understand- ing the rudiments of that art. He commenced the profession of teaching when 22 years of age, to which he has since devoted his time. In 1868, he located in St. Paris, and has been engaged three years in the union schools of the town. Since a resident of St. Paris, he has filled several places of public trust, among which we mention United States Census Taker, and in the spring of 1880 was elected as Township Assessor, in which he had to overcome a large majority of the opposing party. In the winter of 1880, the Nettle Creek Mining Company was organized, in which he was elected as Secretary, and, by report of inspectors. things are now looking favorable in Colorado. He also owns five shares in the Monta Christa Mining Company. The life of Mr. Davis has been marked with many things, through which it was difficult to pass, and it is astonishing that he ever attained his present abilities. In 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Mattie Carlo, born in Champaign Co., of German parentage, the father being a noted German physician.
L. W. FAULKNER, druggist and practitioner, St. Paris. The adaptability of this gentleman for his chosen profession has been shown by his success. He is a native of Jackson Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, born Dec. 15, 1850 ; there he grew to manhood on his father's farm. His elementary education was acquired in the common schools. In 1869, he commenced teaching, which he followed two years; in the mean- time he took up the study of medicine, reading steadily and closely; in the spring of 1873, he graduated from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery. His first location was Casstown, Miami Co., Ohio, where he practiced five years, after which he emigrated to Coffey Co., Kan., locating in Burlington. There he devoted his
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attention to the same line of business as he is now engaged in. In December, 1879, he returned to his native county, locating in St. Paris, where he is a practical physician, and superintends a good drug store, stocked with a full line of drugs and druggists' sundries. Notwithstanding that he is a new man in the business circles of St. Paris, he has established a healthy patronage, which attentiveness and industry have brought him. His marriage with Miss Sallie McAnally was celebrated June 8, 1873. The issue of this union are two children-Stella M. and Harry M.
JOHN M. FRENCH, furniture dealer, St. Paris. St. Paris, like all towns of its size, is represented with one or more furniture dealers, among whom we mention J. M. French. He was born in Addison, Jackson Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, Dec. 6, 1837, and raised to his present trade under his father's instructions, remaining at home until 21 years of age. In the meantime he procured a common education. In 1858, he went to Indianapolis, Ind., working in a first-class furniture factory, and, five years later, he engaged as clerk in the Adams Express Company, which he resigned in 1864. He went to Cincinnati, Ohio, engaging in the leading furniture manufactory, and after- ward in a number of the first-class shops of the United States. In 1869, he returned to his native county and located in St. Paris, starting a shop for himself, in which he has since been duly engaged, and, since a resident here, has been elected as Councilman three terms, and a member of the St. Paris Union School Board two terms, of which body he is Clerk. March 26, 1865, he married Jennie Shellenberger, born in Juniata Co., Penn., in 1836 ; they have three children-Burt L., Annie E. and Earl D.
E. H. FURROW, general merchant, St. Paris. St. Paris, located in the south central part of Johnson Township, is an industrious and enterprising town. It is rep- resented by various branches of business, among which E. H. Furrow's the oldest of its kind in the town (established thirty-five years ago), deserves more than a passing notice on the pages of this history. He has recently erected his present commodious and attractive store building on the corner of Main and Springfield streets, where he carries a complete line of dry goods and fancy goods, clothing and gents' furnishing goods, glass and queens ware, and a full line of fancy groceries, etc. His long experience and taste enables him to superintend it, and keep it in a tasty and attractive style. In connection with his mercantile trade he owns considerable land near St. Paris, which is under his super- vision and receives his attention almost daily. Mr. Furrow was born in Miami Co., Ohio, in 1823, and, from the age of 4 years to 22, the most of his time was spent in his father's store in Piqua. His marriage with Rachel Brown was celebrated in 1852; she was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1833. Their children are Thomas J., Lizzie L. (wife of Dr. F. Baker), Thirza W. and J. Lawrance.
J. K. FURROW, grocer, St. Paris; was born in Miami Co., Ohio, in 1831, and is a son of Mathias Furrow, who was born in Virginia and came to Ohio with his par- ents in a very early day. He mostly led the life of a farmer in Clark and Miami Counties ; but, in 1852 when his death occurred, he resided in Shelby Co., Ohio. Our subject was raised to the life of a farmer's son, and acquired his education in common schools. He remained at home until 1852, when he married Margaret Nichols, born in Shelby Co., Ohio, in 1830. Soon after the marriage, J. K. retired from his previous occupation (pump making), and engaged in farming, which he continued until the fall of 1861, when the great crisis of our country was raging. He enlisted in Co. A, 44th O. V. I., serving over three years, during which time he rose through all the a
degrees from private to Captain of his company. He afterward served as
cavalryman under Gen. Sheridan. While in service, he participated in the bat- tles of Lewisburg, Va .; Summerset, Ky .; siege of Knoxville, and many others. After his return home he associated with Stout, Skillen & Co., in Jackson Center, Shelby Co., Ohio, in general mercantile trade, where he remained until 1868, when he located in St. Paris in the grocery trade, and he now carries in connection a full line of glass and queensware and table cutlery. He is located on South Springfield street, where he has, by industry and good business habits, established a healthy trade. The children of
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Mr. and Mrs. Furrow are six in number-O. F., Laura E., Effa F., Edgar O., Albert D. and John E.
O. F. FURROW, jeweler, St. Paris. Another enterprise of St. Paris which de- serves more than a passing notice is the jewelry store of O. F. Furrow, located on Main street. He is a son of J. K. Furrow, and was born in Miami Co., Ohio, Aug. 6, 1854; since 14 years of age, he has been a resident of St. Paris; the first five years of his time were occupied in the union schools, and odd days and hours in his father's grocery. In 1875, he commenced his trade in St. Paris, and completed it in Piqua, under M. F. Richey, a first-class jeweler ; in 1879, he bought a good stock of jewelry and watches in St. Paris, which he has replenished as often as trade demanded. He, as well as his father, is a thorough business man, and merits a hearty patronage. Nov. 8, 1879, he married Miss L. M. Smith, a native of Shelby Co., Ohio.
ISAAC GOOD, SR., retired farmer; P. O. St. Paris ; is a grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Casper food, who were both natives of Pennsylvania, where they married ; they after- ward settled in Shenandoah, now Page, Co., Va., where they died at advanced ages ; seven children were given to this union, of whom Jonas, the father of our subject, was born in Virginia, where he grew to manhood on the farm, and married Sarah Tanner, a native of the same State; after marriage, he followed farming in connection with black- smithing until his death, which occurred during the war of the late rebellion-having been a patriot in the war of 1812; his second wife followed him to her last resting- place about 1862. Jonas and his first wife were the parents of eight children, Isaac being the oldest; he was born in Shenandoah Co., Va., Aug. 10, 1808, and was raised to agricultural pursuits in his native county ; he enjoyed limited school privileges in subscription schools. In 1834, he emigrated to Ohio, stopping as farm laborer in Cham- paign Co. Nine months later, he married Elizabeth Rinaker, born in Rockingham Co., Va .; he soon after settled on a farm, and, since then, his attention has been directed to farming, having accumulated considerable land ; he assisted his married children, and yet retains 80 acres in Sec. 14, Johnson Township ; for the past few years, he has de- voted his time closely to the raising of fine stock, in which his taste and ability have been plainly shown. Mr. and Mrs. Good are the parents of seven sons, of whom two died in early life ; of the five surviving, two have become practical physicians ; the re- maining three are farmers, in which they show taste and ability.
DR. S. G. GOOD, physician, St. Paris; was born in Johnson Township, Cham- paign Co., Ohio; early in life, he applied himself in the common schools, where he ac- quired his primary education ; he commenced teaching in September, 1861, in which profession he continued until 1874; in 1868, he was elected Township Assessor, to which office he was re-elected nine successive years. He commenced the study of med- icine in 1872, which he continued until 1875, at which time he was elected Mayor of St. Paris, and turned his attention to the study of law ; in the same year, he was elected as Justice of the Peace, and re-elected in 1878; he continued the reading of law until 1877, when he abandoned it, and resumed the study of medicine, in which he gradu- ated in the spring of 1880, and is now a practical physician.
G. D. GRAHAM, book agent, Allen's P. O., Miami County ; is a son of Joseph and Maria Graham, both natives of Bucks Co., Penn. She was born in Lower Makefield Township, in 1800 ; he, in Upper Makefield Township, March 29, 1795. He was bred a farmer, and in youth received a common-school education. At the age of 16 he en- listed as a soldier in the war of 1812. In 1834, he, wife and three children emigrated to Ohio and located in Johnson Township, Champaign Co. They came through in wagons, being twenty-five days in making the journey-somewhat longer than by the present mode of travel. In one of the wagons he had, loose in a sack, 1,800 half-dol- lars in silver, with which he paid for his 80 acres of land. Upon their arrival, they set about to complete the improvement of the farm, which was then very imperfect. The part under cultivation was only partially cleared, and the buildings were a rude log house
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and a log barn. They soon made a comfortable home and had the farm in a good state of cultivation. He fitted his children for the path of life by giving them a common- school education. It was not his ambition to extend his possessions, but he preferred to keep in good repair what he had, and at the time of his death he had about $6,000 and his homestead. He was upright in all his dealings, and, we are informed that he never owed a bill longer than six months. Maria, his wife, died Feb. 3, 1864, and Joseph, Oct. 8, 1872. Six children were born to them-Anna T., in Lower Makefield Township, Bucks Co., Penn., Aug. 31, 1820, now Mrs. John Wolcott, Sr .; James, in the above-named township, where he died in infancy ; Louisa, born in Bucks Co. Jan. 29, 1823, is the wife of William Roberts, of Lena, Miami Co., Ohio; Eleanor J., now Mrs. Isaac C. Short, of Missouri; was born in Johnson Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, May 5, 1835 ; Joseph A., born Nov. 30, 1839, and died Feb. 10, 1879, from the effects of burns received at the burning of his house on the home farm. He was married Oct. 9, 1869, to Esther P., daughter of John and Letitia Reeder. G. D., the subject of this sketch and fourth child, was born March 21, 1829, in Lower Makefield Township, Bucks Co., Penn. He was raised to agricultural pursuits, which have been his principal occupation till within the last year. He took an active part in suppressing the rebellion, enlisting Aug. 5, 1862. Was taken prisoner by Kirby Smith's men at Tate's Ford, Ky., Sept. 1, 1862 ; carried to Richmond and paroled. In the following March he returned to the field, and from that time till he was disabled, in June of that year, he saw a little of all that transpired. From that time till the close he was on guard duty. He is now engaged in the book business, and thus far has chosen to tread life's path alone.
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