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 99

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 99

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MASON ARROWSMITH (deceased). The history of Champaign Co. would be incomplete without a sketch of this old pioneer, who is now "sleeping the sleep of the just." His parents, Ezekiel and Elizabeth Arrowsmith, natives of Virginia, settled in Mason Co., Ky., where they were married in April, 1797. Of this marriage were born the following children : John, Wesley, Sarah, Ann, Mason, Miller, Cassandra, Jane, Samuel and William. In December, 1801, Ezekiel and wife came to Champaign Co., Ohio, where they spent the balance of their days. Here Mason was born, Jan. 16, 1806, and here he grew to manhood, receiving a good education for those early days. He was married, Oct. 25, 1832, to Margaret Rock, the daughter of Felix Rock, one of the early settlers of Concord Township. Two children were the fruits of this union-Will- iam R. and Mary. The former enlisted in the 45th O. V. I .; was taken prisoner at Knoxville, Tenn., and died at Andersonville Prison in April, 1864; the latter is the wife of Elijah Hanna, of Mad River Township. Before marriage he had built and operated a saw-mill on the site of the present mills, and was afterward interested in a woolen-mill at the same place. His wife died in 1836, and, May 21, 1840, he was again married, in Shelby Co., Ohio, to Mary Pool, who was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Sept. 17, 1815. She was the daughter of George and Mercy Pool, natives of Virginia, who came to this county at an early day, where they were married and lived for some time afterward, moving to Shelby Co., where they remained until death. Both

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were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Arrowsmith has had five children-Holly, who is engaged in farming; Margaret, the wife of Aaron Aten ; George P., who now operates the Arrowsmith Mills, and Minerva and Maria, twins, who died in infancy. Immediately after his first marriage, Mason Arrowsmith settled at the place where he died, and lived all his life in sight of his birthplace. His mother was a niece of the noted Simon Kenton, and inherited many of the traits of character for which the Kenton family were distinguished. In 1844, Mr. Arrowsmith erected a flouring-mill, which was operated successfully by him until 1875, when, on account of failing health, he retired from active business, and his son-in-law, Aaron Aten, took charge of it and remodeled it in 1877, making it a very desirable property. It is now operated by George P. Arrowsmith, and is doing a good business and turning out first- class flour. In 1826, he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was ever faithful to his early choice. He was always charitable to the poor and afflicted, and generous with his means in building and helping along churches, schools and public institutions of every sort. He was quite successful in life and accumulated a comfortable property, helping all his children generously as far as his means would go. Those who knew Mason Arrowsmith for nearly half a century say that he was a noble, good man, whom every one trusted and revered ; a man of upright, spotless honesty ; kind to the sick or needy, an obliging neighbor, a firm friend, a watchful father and loving husband. Such was the character of the old pioneer who died April 9, 1880, leaving an unblemished reputation as an inheritance to his descendants, the richest legacy that Providence can bestow on earth. His widow became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1830, and still fondly clings to that faith, and, while mourning the deep loss of her partner through life's joys and sorrows, still patiently awaits the day when she shall join him in " that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens," and hear the wel- come " Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Mr. Arrowsmith's portrait will be found in this book, having been inserted by his children, who still honor and love his memory, and who believe it to be their duty to show him this last mark of love and respect, in placing him among the leading citizens of a county which he helped to build.

PETER BAKER, farmer; P. O. Crayon. To the above-named gentleman we are pleased to grant a space in the biographical album of this work. He is a son of Peter and Mary Rosanna Baker, both natives of Maryland ; she was born March 5, 1779, a daughter of John Ortman, who was brought to this country from Germany, and served two years in the Revolutionary war as cook. Peter Baker was born about 1773, but the exact date is not known. In early life, he learned the milling business, but his principal occupation through life was farming. He married in his native State, and, in 1811, moved to Ohio and lived in Ross Co., near Chillicothe, until 1816, when he moved to Madison Co., where he resided till 1848, when, on the 6th of April, death seized him and called him hence. Thus ended the life of a zealous Christian and con- sistent member of the M. E. Church. His wife had espoused the cause of Christ at the same time, and their house was for twenty years a place of preaching. She sur- vived till March 4, 1862, residing at the time with her son, Peter, in Champaign Co. She had been identified with the church for over forty years, and was the mother of ten children, eight of whom survived their infancy and grew to maturity-John, Sarah, Samuel, Anna, William, Eli, Eliza and Peter; four of these have since passed away. Peter was born in Madison Co., March 15, 1822, and was raised to agricultural pur- suits, which he still follows ; he also deals in stock, with sales ranging from $2,000 to $3,000 annually. He is comfortably situated for life on 70 acres of land, after having given to his children $6,000 in land and money. On the 16th of November, 1843, he married Martha Ann Johnson, a daughter of Thomas and Anna Johnson, who settled here in 1822, and were also prominent members of the M. E. Church. Martha Ann was born Aug. 14, 1823. Eight children have been given to this union-Emily J., Ann P., Wilson M., Mary M., Levi J., Edwin M., Thomas A. and Martha R ; the last two died in infancy. Mr. Baker and family are all members of the church.

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FREDERIC N. BARGER, farmer and gunsmith; P. O. Urbana ; is a son of Adam Barger, who settled in Concord Township, Champaign Co., about 1835. He was born Dec. 22, 1784. He married in Virginia, where his wife also died March 9, 1833, at the age of 45 ; his decease occurred Nov. 23, 1869. The subject of this sketch was born in Rockbridge Co., Va., near the Natural Bridge, Feb. 27, 1813, and came to this State in 1836, and located in Concord Township, one and a half miles west of Concord Chapel. He is a natural-born mechanic, but never served an apprenticeship at any trade; his occupation, principally, after his arrival here, was working at the car- penter trade through the summer, and at blacksmithing through the winter. He has also cleared up and improved a small farm. By the assistance of Valentine Russell, he made nearly all the coffins needed in the neighborhood for about twenty years. For the last ten or twelve years, not being able to do much at the carpenter trade, he has been engaged chiefly at gunsmithing. In this time, he has made 145 new rifles and repaired some over 1,000 pieces of different kinds. He now owns 103 acres of land in this township, which is in a good state of cultivation. He was always fond of sport, and, even now, plays the fiddle for pioneer meetings, and for the closing exercises of schools. Notwithstanding his love for hunting and amusements of different kinds, he never neglects his business in the least. We are safe in saying that very few men have ever been as successful in all their undertakings as he has been. The secret of it is, he went at everything with a determination, and has demonstrated " Where there is a will, there is a way." Let the young remember that there is a time for amusement and a time for work and to do each at the proper time is a duty. Mr. Barger has been Township Trustee thirteen years, and Township Treasurer four years, by election. He is also Township Librarian, and has been for the last fourteen years. He was united in marriage with Sarah Ann Strayer, Nov. 10, 1840 ; she was born in Berkeley Co., Va., Jan. 11, 1818, and is a daughter of Nicholas Strayer, who came to this State in 1832, and settled in Logan Co. Frederic N. and Sarah A. Barger are the parents of six children; four of these they raised, and they are still living-Maggie, Fannie and John S. (twins), and Jennie.

DANIEL BRUNER, farmer ; P. O. Urbana; was born in Mad River Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, Nov. 30, 1834; he is a son of John and Catharine Bruner, both natives of Virginia ; she was born in 1804, and came to this State with her parents in 1817 ; he was born Sept. 15, 1803, and came to Ohio in 1812, with his parents, Peter and Catharine Bruner, who settled in Clark Co .; for a few years after his marriage, he resided in Champaign Co., but then went to Clark Co., where about forty years of his life were spent; he was the father of eight sons, six of whom survived their infancy, and five are still living, viz., Jacob, Daniel, Lewis, John and Elias. Catharine Bruner died in November of 1857 ; he survived till November of 1879. Our subject was bred a farmer, and worked on the home farm, in Clark Co., till 1862, when he moved to Champaign Co., where he has since resided ; he owns 80 acres in Sec. 16 in Concord Township, but lives on the farm of John R. Wilson, which he farms in connection with his own. On the 23d of February, 1856, he married Margaret Penton, a native of Fairfield Co., born Oct. 23, 1838; by this union they have had nine children-John W., Laura B. (deceased), Ida C., Smith W., Sarah A., Charlotte B., Emma R., Amanda A. and Claude A.

PHILIP COMER, farmer; P. O. Millerstown; is a son of David and Lucy Comer, both natives of Virginia; she was born Feb. 4, 1801, and was of English de- scent on her mother's side, and Irish on her father's side; he was of German descent, born May 6, 1789, and came to Ohio about 1804, with his father, Philip Comer, who entered a very large tract of land in Johnson Township, Champaign Co .; David remained at home and assisted in the improvement of the farm until 1812; he served in the war, and in time received a land-warrant. Shortly after the war, he married Lucy Moody, with whom he had five children; four grew to years of maturity, but only two-the eldest, Philip, and the youngest, Phoebe-are still living. Lucy Comer de-

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parted this life April 16, 1857, and he Jan. 8, 1859. The subject of this sketch was born in Johnson Township Aug. 30, 1820; he was raised on a farm, and did a great deal toward the improvement of his father's farm; he got such an education as the times afforded; at the age of 19, he commenced teaching, but was soon obliged to de- sist on account of his health; he finally improved in health sufficiently to resume his labors as a pedagogue, and followed that business about fifteen years in all ; he also gave instructions in vocal music, by which means he was enabled to have his farm im- proved. He has held nearly all of the different township offices; was Justice of the Peace about eighteen years, County Commissioner three years, and is Notary Public at the present time .. On the 28th of May, 1837, he married Dicy Jenkins; she was born in this township April 28, 1817, and is a daughter of Russell Jenkins, one of the very early settlers of this township; Philip and Dicy Comer were the parents of nine chil- dren-Darius, Mary C., David J., Russell S., Sarah A., Patience C., Martha E., Re- becca J. and William J .; five of these are dead; Darius died in the service of his country, in the civil war, and David J. of disease contracted in the service. Dicy Comer died Nov. 16, 1875, a member of the Baptist Church. In 1876, Sept. 28, he married Julia A. Sturm; she was born in Shelby Co., Ohio, Sept. 5, 1842; one child -John D .- is the fruit of their marriage. Mr. Comer and daughter, Mary C., are members of the Baptist Church; his daughter Rebecca J., a member of the M. E. Church ; and his wife of the Christian Church.

WALLACE DOWNS, farmer; P. O. Urbana; was born in Clark Co., Ohio, Oct. 26, 1846, and is a son of William and Catharine Downs, and a grandson of William Downs, a native of New Jersey, who came here at a very early date and located in Ur- bana, where he carried on blacksmithing for a number of years. William Downs, the father of our subject, was raised on a farm from the time he was about 15 years of age ; he has always followed agricultural pursuits, and now owns something over a half-section of land in this county ; he is the father of nine children, seven of whom are living. Catharine Downs departed this life June 28, 1875 ; she was a daughter of Adam San- ders, a native of Pennsylvania, who settled here very early. Wallace Downs has al- ways been engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1874, Sept. 24, he married Tamzon Miller ; she was born in Mad River Township of this county Jan. 13, 1850, and is a daughter of Samuel and Ruth Miller. He was born in Virginia Aug. 7, 1808, and departed this life Feb. 11, 1878; his wife is still living; she was born Sept. 20, 1810, and is a daughter of Joseph Hill, who is mentioned in the biography of J. D. Powell.

THOMAS H. FORD, farmer ; P. O. Crayon ; was born in Urbana Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, Oct. 16, 1833, and, in 1834, removed, with his parents, Thomas and Rebecca Ford, to Allen County, where they remained till 1846, when he returned to Champaign County, and lived at different places in Concord Township, till the time of his death, June 12, 1854. His wife is still living, and resides in Adams Township. She was born Feb. 26, 1801, and is the mother of fifteen children ; fourteen survived their infancy, and grew to years of maturity ; nine are still living-Joseph, Maria, Christopher, Thomas H., Harrison, Lorinda, Maley, Edith and Rebecca. Our subject was raised a farmer, and has always followed that occupation. He now owns 135 acres of land in Concord Township, which is under good cultivation. On the 28th of Octo- ber, 1858, he married Polly Ann Hall. She is a native of this county, born Oct. 12, 1835. The fruits of this marriage are seven children-John Harrison, Sallie F. (de- ceased), Etna, Franklin W., Miriam V., James J. and Nellie.

GEORGE GOSLEE, farmer; P. O. Urbana; was born, July 30, 1820, on the head-waters of Makachack Creek, one of the tributaries of Mad River, near the line of this and Logan County. He is a son of Job and Elizabeth (Messic) Goslee, who, in 1826, moved to Harrison Township, Champaign Co., and purchased 100 acres of land. At the time of their location there, there were but few and very small openings in the forest. Their home consisted of a log cabin and small field in the woods. By perseverance and economy, a characteristic of the pioneers, they succeeded in making a

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comfortable home, and added 104 acres to the amount first purchased. They were the parents of ten children, who all grew to the age of maturity, except one son (William), who fell from a tree and was killed, at the age of 9 years. The others were-John, George, James, Nathan, Job, Maria, Elizabeth, Margaret and Mary. Four are living in Nodaway Co., Mo., and three in this State. Maria and Elizabeth and their parents are deceased. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm, and principally in Har- rison Township, this county. His advantages of school were limited, but he got such an education as the times afforded. At the age of 22 he started in life for himself, and worked by the month at $9 per month, till he saved enough to buy 80 acres of land in Indiana. This he afterward sold for double what he paid, and then went to Harding Co., Ohio, and purchased 247 acres, which he took from the green and made a com- fortable home, with good buildings and 100 acres under cultivation. Since leaving Harding Co., he has resided at different places in Champaign Co., first, in Urbana, and then on the home farm, which he bought after the death of his parents. In 1872, he came to Concord Township, and now owns 186 acres of land. He was united in marriage with Julia Ann Kenton, Aug. 4, 1845. She was born March 25, 1820, and is a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Thomas) Kenton. Elizabeth was a grand- daughter of Arthur Thomas, who, with his son John, was murdered at the Big Spring, by the Indians, on their return from Hull's surrender. The Kentons came to this State from Kentucky, about 1810. James was a nephew of Gen. Simon Kenton, and was killed Nov, 27, 1862, in felling a tree. Mr. and Mrs. Goslee are living a very quiet and happy life, but have no children to comfort them in declining years.

JOSEPH GROVES, farmer ; P. O. Millerstown. Was born in what is now Page Co., Va., Feb. 17, 1821, and came to this county with his mother, Catharine Groves, in 1826. They located in Jackson Township, and remained there till 1837, when he went to learn wagon-making with John Turner, of Mad River Township. He moved to Millerstown in 1838, where Joseph completed his trade in 1841, and then for two years worked at carpentering and cabinet-making. In 1843, he resumed his former trade, which he followed at Millerstown till 1870, when he moved on his farm in Sec. 33, of Concord Township, and has since been engaged at various kinds of work, clearing, building, and working some at his trade. He was Postmaster at Millerstown about twenty years, was Treasurer of Johnson Township several terms, has been Trustee of Concord Township three or four years, and was elected Justice of the Peace last spring for his third term. In August of 1845, he married Polly Houser, by whom he had two children-Lydia A. (now Mrs. John Hits, of Indiana), is the surviving one. Polly Groves departed this life March 11, 1848. In 1850, March 24, he married Mary Strickler, born March 7, 1828, a native of this county, who was raised in Allen Co., Ohio. Joseph and Mary Groves are the parents of four children, three of whom are still living-Rebecca J. (now Mrs. W. F. Kizer), Laura M. E. and Minerva C.

ANDREW HANNA (deceased) ; he was born in Nicholas Co., Va., June 5, 1817. He came to this State in 1837, and worked by the month at different places in Champaign Co., first for Rev. Haller. In 1840, May 28, he married Rachel Harbor, a native of this county, born July 31, 1824. She is a daughter of William Harbor, an early settler of Concord Township, who entered the land on which they lived, and which Mr. Hanna owned at the time of his death. They were the parents of three children-Alice A, born Sept. 26, 1841 (now Mrs. Nathan Hinkle, of Illinois), Will- iam H., Sept. 26, 1848, and Penninah, Oct. 18, 1850. The latter died in infancy. Andrew Hanna departed this life May 20, 1873. He was a member of the M. E. Church, which he joined in his 19th year. His wife also has been identified with the church since 1843.

JOSEPH HARBOR, farmer ; P. O. Urbana ; was born in Concord Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, Sept. 8, 1842, and is a son of Hardin and Sarah (Newcomb) Harbor. She is a native of New York, born Nov. 9, 1816, and was brought to Ohio by her parents in the following year. They located at Yellow Springs, Clark Co., Ohio,

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where they remained two years, when they removed to Adams Township, Champaign Co. Hardin Harbor was born in Concord Township of the last-named county Feb. 7, 1813, and is a son of Jesse Harbor, who is known to have raised the largest family in this township, and one of the largest, if not the largest, in the county. Hardin received 80 acres of land from his parents. This he improved, and on it spent the remainder of his days, departing this life Sept. 15, 1862. He was the father of two children-Harvey and Joseph. The latter survives, and resides on the farm of his nativity, which he now owns. He also owns 40 acres in a separate tract, and does a thriving business. His farm is well improved and under good cultivation. He served in the civil war. Was a member of Co. B, 134th O. N. G., and was Sergeant the entire time. In 1865, March 2, he married Sarah E. Davis, a daughter of James and Leah Davis, both natives of this State. Sarah E. was born March 23, 1845. This union has been blessed with two children-Minneola M. and Oro C. Mrs. Harbor has been a member of the M. E. Church for the last fifteen years.

THOMAS J. B. HOUGH, farmer ; P. O. Urbana ; was born in Concord Town- ship, Champaign Co., Nov. 15, 1834, and is a son of Joseph and Rachel (Russell) Hough, both natives of Loudoun Co., Va. She was born Dec. 13, 1800, and he April 11, 1798. They came to Ohio about 1830, and settled in the above-named place, where they entered 60 acres of land. This they improved, and afterward added 20 acres to it. They were the parents of seven children-William R., deceased ; Mary J., Matilda A., now the widow of O. P. Russell; Lydia C., now Mrs. Robert Russell ; Sarah E., now Mrs. A. Taylor; Thomas J. B., and John H. M., deceased. Joseph Hough de- parted this life March 28, 1875, and she May 6, 1878. Our subject was bred a farmer, and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He owns 55 acres of land in this township, but resides on a rented farm, which he cultivates in connection with his own. On the 24th of February, 1861, he married Jane Neer, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah Neer, who came from Virginia in 1834, and located in Concord Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, where their last days were spent. They were the parents of twelve children. Nine grew to years of maturity, viz., James, Elizabeth, Ann, Jesse, Sarah, Samuel, Hannah, Joseph and Jane. The last three and Elizabeth are the only ones living at present. Jane was born March 31, 1836. Seven children are the fruits of their marriage, six of whom survived their infancy and are still living-Samuel J., William N., Mary A., Amanda L., James D. and Sarah M. Mr. and Mrs. Hough are members of the M. E. Church.

SHERMAN HUSTON, lumber dealer, Urbana ; was born in Richland Co., Ohio, Oct. 16, 1840. He is a son of William and Letitia (Robinson) Huston, both natives of Pennsylvania. She was born Sept. 5, 1814, and he May 2, 1812. He came to Ohio with his parents, William and Elizabeth (Jemison ) Huston, in 1825. They located in Richland Co., where he grew up and married. He followed various occupations, but worked principally in flouring and saw mills. In 1863, he and his family moved to Urbana, where he carried on coopering for several years. In 1868, he and son, Sher- man purchased the Ward & Loudenback saw-mill, in Concord Township, which they ran till the time of his death. His wife, Letitia, died Oct. 6, 1867, and was the mother of eleven children, eight of whom survived their infancy, viz., William S., Cynthia A., Sherman, John J. (deceased), Franklin, Hamilton, Mary E. and George W. He then, in 1869, married Mrs. Hester A. Heath, with whom he had two children-Viola and Eugene. William Huston departed this life May 6, 1880. The subject of this sketch has been engaged in milling most of his life, except three years that were spent in the civil war. He was a member of Co. E, 102d O. V. I .; was captured while on Sher- man's raid, before the fall of Atlanta, and imprisoned at Cahaba, Ala., then at Ander- sonville, where he remained five months, till the close of the war. He now owns the undivided half of the above-named saw-mill, also one-half of 99 acres of land. He has been a member of the Board of Education for the last three years, and has been Town- ship Trustee two terms. On the 2d of November, 1865, he married Letitia Andrews, a

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native of Richland Co., Ohio, born July 26, 1847. She is a daughter of Thomas B. and Marila Andrews, who are residents of the county just mentioned. She is a native of Vermont, born Aug. 10, 1810, and he of Ohio, born May 7, 1807. Sherman and Letitia Huston are the parents of seven children-Thomas D., Marila A., Charles H., Letitia C., Lovina A., Harriet I. and Ida E.

DAVID F. JOHNSON, farmer ; P. O. Urbana ; was born in Concord Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, Nov. 27, 1843, and is a son of Levi and Elizabeth Johnson. He was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, July 20, 1819, and left an orphan at the age of 10 or 11 years. He started in life under very embarrassing circumstances, being in debt for a necessary wedding outfit. But by energy and frugality, he has succeeded in obtaining a sufficient amount of this world's goods to sustain himself and family, and leave an inheritance for his children. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in January of 1838, was licensed to exhort in 1841, and as local minister in 1861. His marriage with Elizabeth Russell was solemnized Jan. 19, 1843. She was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, July 22, 1822, and is a daughter of Robert Russell, who is mentioned in the sketch of Valentine Russell. On the 19th of October, 1844, they started for Iowa, taking what personal effects they then possessed with them in their wagon. They arrived at Muscatine Nov. 6, 1844. Becoming dissatisfied, they moved back, arriving on the 29th of June, 1845. Elizabeth Johnson departed this life June 16, 1846, the mother of two children, the younger followed her in August of the same year. David F. is the survivor. Onthe 23d of February, 1847, Levi Johnson married Ellen Leach, residing at the time in the vicinity of Quincy, Logan Co., Ohio. She was born March 1, 1826. The fruits of this marriage were five children, four of whom are living- Ellen Naomi Etna, Thomas K., Cyrena E. M. and Sarah Avarilla A. Our subject was brought up on a farm, and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits, except about three years spent in the civil war. He enlisted July 30, 1862, in Co. H, 45th O. V. I., and was mustered into service August 19, at Camp Chase. Was in every battle in which his regiment was engaged. He was with Sherman through his campaign, except his march to the sea; was in many hard-fought battles, and made many hair-breadth escapes, one of the most miraculous of which we will record: In the early part of the history of the war, when Col. McCluke was invading Kentucky, he was one of the number who drove him back. Having been in their saddles for nearly forty-eight hours when McCluke crossed the Cumberland River, they were much fatigued and very hun- gry. A company of four, Lieut. H. Grier, Lieut. B. R. Miller, Solomon G. Brecount and David F. Johnson, proposed to ford the river and hunt something to eat. After con- siderable of a search, they got a very good supper at a farmhouse among the hills, and after supper started back to camp. It was then well on toward midnight and very dark ; doubly so, on account of the deep gorges and high cliffs peculiar to that country. Being very sleepy and tired, he gave his horse the rein and let him select his own course, but presently his little black pony went on a fly over a precipice into the gorge below. He landed probably fifteen feet beyond where the pony did, among some decayed logs, which made a very soft landing. Neither his horse nor himself was seriously injured, but the remainder of the night was consumed in getting righted up. His comrades estimated the distance he fell at from fifty to seventy-five feet, but he thinks it was between thirty- five and fifty. On the 18th of November, the first day of the investment of Knoxville, he fired 365 shots by actual count. He served till the close of the war, and received an honorable discharge. In 1866, October 9, he married Mary A. Neer, a daughter of James and Penninah Neer, born March 18, 1846. They have never been blessed with children of their own, but are raising two orphans. Mr. Johnson and wife are also members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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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 99

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