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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO
CHICAGO:
W. H. BEERS & CO.,
1881
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Johnson Twp. -
C. W. REED
Source: History of
Champaign County, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881
- Page 763 |
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Adams Twp. -
J. C. REMLEY,
farmer; P. O. Spring
Hill. Was born Feb. 10, 1835, upon
the farm where he now lives, located in Sec. 2, Adams Township, Champaign Co.,
Ohio.
He is a son of Solomon Remley, a native of Pennsylvania, who came with
his parents to Ohio in the year 1802, and
located in Warren Co.; lived there till 1831, when he moved into Champaign Co.,
and purchased 80 acres in Adams Township, a part
of the farm above mentioned. He
opened and improved the farm. He was
born May 16, 1794, and died Oct. 12, 1868.
J. C.
was raised and educated a farmer, and has
always been engaged in that business.
His marriage was celebrated Mar. 22, 1860, with
Miss Mary E., daughter of Samuel Lambert, of
Logan Co. They had three children,
of whom two are living – Ella M. and
L. S.
Mr. Remley served in the
hundred-day service during the late rebellion.
He and family are members of the Old School Presbyterian Church.
Source: History of Champaign County,
Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881 - Page 775
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Urbana Twp. -
JOSEPH A. REYNOLDS, retired, Urbana; is a
native of Virginia, and was born in 1802. His father,
Judge John Reynolds, removed with his family to Champaign
County about the year 1807, and settled first in Mad River
Township, but afterward became a resident of Urbana, and the
most extensive merchant and stock-dealer of his day. He
was a man of wonderful business capacity, remarkable for a
strict sense of honor and integrity. Judge Reynolds
was married, Nov. 9, 1797, to Jane Leman, and they had a
family of eight children, of whom Joseph A. is the only
surviving member. His ancestors were originally fro Wales
and Ireland, and at an early day settled in Pennsylvania,
removing later to Maryland, on the Potomac near the now famous
Antietam. Judge Reynolds died Dec. 21, 1855, and
his wife followed him Mar. 5, 1857. The subject of this
sketch received rudimentary education in the common schools, and
afterward attended college at Cincinnati. On the 12th of
July, 1825, he married Mary P. Tiffin, a most excellent
lady, and daughter of Edward Tiffin, the first Governor
of Ohio. Mr. Reynolds was trained to mercantile
business, but afterward turned his attention to agriculture.
HE at one time lived in Chillicothe, but for a number of years
has been a retired citizen of Urbana. His amiable wife
died July 1, 1862. They had but one child, also deceased.
Mr. Reynolds still resides at the southwest corner of
High and Reynolds streets.
Source: History of Champaign County,
Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881 - Page 684 |
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Johnson Twp. -
EMMET V. RHOADS, County Treasurer, St.
Paris. Was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Feb. 2, 1847, and
when but 5 years old his parents located in Champaign Co., Ohio,
where he was mostly raised and acquired a common education.
In 1865, he commenced teaching; this remained his pursuit until
1869, in which year he engaged as clerk in a hardware store in
St. Paris, which received his attention until 1875. In the
meantime, Feb. 24, 1870, he married Serena, daughter of
George W. and Peninah Kite. She was born in
Champaign Co., Ohio, Aug. 17, 1843, and has had born to her
three children - Allie V., Oliver W. and Grace
A. When Mr. Rhoads was 28 years of age, he was
appointed as Internal Revenue Store-keeper, which position he
filled with honor and success until Mar. 8, 1879, when he was
appointed by the County Commissioners to the office of County
Treasurer (which term expired Sept. 1, 1880). During his
official duty, he filled the position with honor to himself, and
is now prominently identified in the county, and is one who
manifests great interest in the welfare of the town in which he
resides (St. Paris) in the educational and general elevation and
progress, and at present is a member of the School Board and
Council. Since May 16, 1868, he has been a member of the
I. O. O. F., in which he within two years thereafter rose to
“Past Grand,” being prominently identified in its duties since,
and has filled the office of D. D. G. M. three years, and at
present represents his district in the Grand Lodge of Ohio.
In April, 1869, he became a member of the Champaign Encampment,
No. 29, Urbana, Ohio, in which he remained until July, 1871,
when, through his effort and management, the Russell Encampment,
No. 141, was organized at St. Paris. In this organization
he was first elected Senior Warden, and later Chief Patriarch,”
thence Scribe, in which capacity he served seven years.
During this time, served as Trustee, two years as D. D. G. P.,
and two years as representative to the Grand Encampment of Ohio.
In May, 1872, became a member of Minneola Tribe, No. 37, I. O.
R. M. at Urbana, Ohio, and now, after receiving all its degrees,
is still a member. In January, 1875, he joined Columbus
Lodge, No. 3, K. P., Columbus, O., and has taken all its
degrees, and remained a member until 1879, when he withdrew and
united with Lauacelot Lodge, No. 107, K. P., Urbana, Ohio, where
he now holds his membership. In 1872, was made a Master
Mason in Pharos Lodge, No. 355, F. & A. M.; was that year
elected Secretary, and filled that position several years, since
which he has filled the offices of S. W. and W. M. In
1873, was made a Royal Arch Mason in St. Paris Chapter, No. 132,
R. A. M., and, on the night of his exaltation, was elected
Secretary, in which he served one year; thence elected Principal
Sojourner. One year later, Dec. 7, was elected as H. P.,
in which office he has since served. He represented the
Chapter in the Grand Chapter of Ohio seven years, and is a
member of the Council, Royal and Select Masters of Urbana, Ohio.
The enterprise of the First National Bank of St. Paris was
organized in June, 1880, at which time he was elected its
Cashier.
Source: History of
Champaign County, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881
- Page 763 |
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Mad River Twp. -
JOSEPH RHODES came
from Virginia with his uncle, John Craybill, in 1835,
performing most of the journey on foot. He located in this
township, and pursued his trade of shoemaking. A few years
later, he removed to Urbana Township, and there erected a mill,
which was afterward destroyed by fire. Growing restless,
he again left, and this time settled in the State of Indiana.
In 1853, he settled on a portion of Section 26, where he resides
at present. His brother, Noah, came here in 1856,
and purchased a part of the farm. Mr. Rhodes is
seventy-one years of age, and never left the state of single
blessedness.
Source: History of Champaign County, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881 - Page 411 |
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Mad River
Twp. -
JOSEPH RHODES, mechanic, Terre Haute.
Among the many good men represented in the Champaign County
History, Joseph and Noah Rhodes may be classed.
Joseph came from Shenandoah Co., Va., in 1835. He
had for an objective point Harrison Co., Ind., but, after
passing one winter there, and being much dissatisfied, started
on his return to Virginia; he was out of money when he reached
this county, and engaged with John Reynolds for a year;
in the fall of 1836, he visited his old home, and, in the spring
of 1837, he returned, accompanied by his brother Noah and
two other men; they commenced working by the month, and
Joseph worked five years in this way, when he commenced the
manufacture of boots and shoes in Judge Runkle's store;
Noah worked four years and went back to Virginia, living
there until 1856, when he returned to Champaign Co., bringing
with him a wife and three children; Joseph had, in the
meantime, saved money enough to enter a quarter-section of land
in Indiana; in 1845, he traded this for a tract west of John
Bryan's farm, and again traded this for 160 acres on Mad
River; on this he built a mill, and afterward sold it to
Abram Powell and purchased the farm upon which he now
resides; Noah purchased 75 acres of his brother Joseph,
and another tract adjoining; they farmed in partnership for
fourteen years, dividing the profits; during this time, Noah
purchased 60 acres more land, and his oldest son, Jacob,
lives on the tract; one son was born after coming to this
county, and the death of one of the others occurred. They
are ranked among our best men, and are a credit to the township;
they are both Greenback men, and think their party should
triumph. Joseph makes his home with his brother
Noah, and is one of our confirmed bachelors. They are
both exemplary men, and enjoy a high degree of prosperity.
Source: History of Champaign County,
Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881 - Page 725 |
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Johnson Twp. -
SAMUEL RHYNARD
Source: History of
Champaign County, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881
- Page 764 |
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Wayne Twp. -
BOYD RICHARDSON was a native
of Grayson County, Va. He came to Ohio in 1814, and bought
and cleared a farm in the southern part of the township.
He was a staid Baptist, and was noted as a man who attended to
his own business. He took the world easy; ate, drank,
slept and enjoyed himself more than one in a thousand. He
was a great hunter in his youth, and in his older days he
enjoyed telling of his youthful exploits, hair-breadth escapes
and deeds of daring. He died in 1862.
Source: History of Champaign County,
Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881 -
Page 543 |
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Mad River Twp. -
JOHN RICHARDSON, general dealer in
groceries, etc., Westville. The gentleman whose name
heads this sketch keeps the only general store in Westville.
He has a substantial business, and his store is a great
accommodation to the people in this neighborhood. He
is also Postmaster, and has the office located in this place
of business. This adds something to his trade.
Mr. Richardson was born in Crawford Co., Ohio, in
1845, and his parents, George and Eve (Slifer) Richardson,
came to hits county in 1846. They were parents of
Amos and John, our subject. Mr. R. died in
the fall of 1846, and Mrs. Richardson was married to
Daniel Parrott in 1849. They had six children,
three sons and three daughters - Aaron, Mary, Franklin
C., Reuben W., Ruth E. and Eve Lettie. All
the children of the second marriage are living, except
Ruth E. and Amos. The eldest son of the
first marriage was killed at the battle of Petersburg July
30, 1864. He was First Lieutenant of Co. __, 27th U.
S. Colored Troops. John Richardson acquired a
good education during his boyhood, being a graduate of Miami
Commercial College, Class of 1865. He commenced
teaching Sept. 14, 1863, and taught fourteen years in
Champaign County, and two years in Johnson Co., Mo.
His marriage to Miss Alice Smith, a daughter of the
last wife of David Loudenback, was celebrated Oct. 8,
1874. They have had two children - Annie was
born Aug. 26, 1875, and is still living; and Mima,
born Sept. 7, 1879, who died Mar. 9, 1880. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Richardson are members of the Nettle Creek
Baptist Church. He is an enterprising business man,
and has the confidence of the community in which he does
business.
Source: History of Champaign County,
Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881 - Page 726 |
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Johnson Twp. -
J. F. RIKER, gardener; P.
O. St. Paris. Another of the noteworthy enterprises of
St. Paris is the fruit and vegetable garden of J. F.
Riker, which is a new and only feature of its kind in
Johnson Township. He commenced in 1878, on a small
scale, and since then great changes in style and size have
taken place in his garden, to which he closely devotes his
time. He was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, in 1828, and
for the last half-century he has been a resident of
Champaign County, where he was raised and educated.
A portion of his life has been devoted to teaching.
In the spring of 1852, he went to California, by the
overland route; his object was moneymaking, in which he was
unsuccessful, but the trip greatly improved his delicate
health. He returned in the fall of 1853; the following
year he married Eliza LICHLITER, born in
Virginia, in 1832; they have three children - one son, F.
E., and two daughters, Carrie B. and Emma.
In 1862, he enlisted in Co. E, 113th O. V. I., serving two
years, during which time he was remarkably fortunate, never
participated in any battles, therefore returned home
uninjured. Since his return he has been elected as
Mayor of St. Paris a number of terms, which office he
was the first to hold after the incorporation
of the town.
History of
Champaign County, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881
- Page 764 |
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Adams Twp. -
HENRY RITTER was a Kentuckian by
birth. In the younger days of this century, he left
the scenes of his childhood days for the then unsettled
wilds of Ohio. Locating at Chillicothe, he remained in
its immediate vicinity for several years. At the
outbreak of the Indian war (1812) he took up arms against
the enemies of his land, and, at its close, was appointed
Captain, and stationed between Dayton and Cincinnati.
He settled on the farm now owned by his son William (Section
6), in 1813. Originally he had intended to "Go West,"
but was struck by the many advantages offered by this
county, and made it his permanent home. Shortly after,
he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Harbor, who
came to near Westville, this county, with the Halls -
all hailing from Virginia. They occupied a small log
cabin until 1835, when they erected the first brick in the
township, the present resident. Nine children were
born to them; the following are still living: Harvey,
who went to Missouri in 1856, and is now an extensive
land-holder in that State; he is also the owner of several
large flouring-mills. Jesse occupied a part of
the home farm. William lives on the old
homestead. Sarah resides in the State of
Indiana.
Mr. Ritter held the position of
Township Trustee for many years. His life was devoted
to agriculture, and many farm implements were made by his
own hand. He died in 1860, carrying with him the
sorrow and regret of all who new him.
Source: History of Champaign County,
Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881 - Page 459 |
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Adams Twp. -
JOHN ROBINSON, farmer; P. O. Quincy. Is a son of
Samuel Robinson, a native of
Pennsylvania, who was born Mar. 3, 1780, in Philadelphia.
He emigrated to Ohio
in a very early day, and located first near Spring Hills,
Harrison Township,
this county. In the year 1817, he
entered land six miles southeast of Sibley, Shelby Co. He at first had only two neighbors,
and they lived three miles distant.
He opened and improved this farm, and lived there until death, which occurred in
1876, in his 97th year.
He served as a soldier in the war of 1812.
John Robinson was born Sept.
29, 1819, in Shelby Co., Ohio,
upon his father’s farm above mentioned; he was raised and educated there,
receiving a very limited education.
Mr. Robinson
was united in marriage Dec. 7, 1847, to
Miss Elizabeth, a daughter of William and
sister of Samuel Calland, whose biography
appears in this work. They had eight
children, of whom four are living – Samuel C., Mary E., Thomas J. and John W. He has also a grand-daughter whom they
have had bound to them – Leolah May Yohn. Mr. Robinson has a splendid farm
of 240 acres, with good improvements and under a high state of cultivation. He has been a faithful member of M.
E. Church for fifty-one years.
Source: History of Champaign County,
Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881 - Page 775
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Mad River Twp. -
A. P. ROHRER, farmer; P. O. Urbana.
Is one of the popular men of the township, and represents an
honorable name in this county. His father, Daniel
Rohrer, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to this
State a comparatively poor man. He walked from his
home in Pennsylvania to this county, then back to
Pennsylvania, and again returned on foot to keep from
spending his money. He invested his money in a mill
and stillhouse that is located on the Westville Pike, on Mad
River. His capital of $2,000 was all gone before his
work was completed, and he would have utterly failed, but a
loan was effected which completed his mill, and in the short
space of fifteen years he had paid all indebtedness and had
amassed the snug sum of $45,000. He was a hard worker,
and a man whom every one trusted, and their faith was never
betrayed. He married Sarah Loudenback April 5,
1834, and reared four children; one son died in infancy;
Marin is the eldest; A. P. Rohrer, Mary A. and
Christian F. These are all married, and, with the
exception of our subject, have been twice married.
Mrs. Rohrer died Apr. 1, 1874, and she lies by the side
of her husband, in Nettle Creek graveyard. An elegant
monument marks their resting-place. Abram P. Rohrer,
of whom we now write, was married to Miss Francis A.
Logan, of this county, in 1858. He has since this
time made agriculture and rearing of fine stock his
business. He has some young horses as highly bred as
any in the State of Ohio. His farm is one of the
splendid ones in the Mad River Valley, and very productive.
He is a good financier, and is a wealthy man, and intends
soon to have a nice residence of the modern style. As
his father was one of the prominent men of this township,
his memory, as well as the family history, should be
perpetuated. Abram has been for a number of
years connected with the public schools, and is democratic
in politics.
Source: History of Champaign County,
Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881 - Page 726 |
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Urbana Twp. -
RUSSELL BROTHERS, Urbana, Champaign
Co. The dry goods house of Russell Brothers
dates its origin back to January, 1871, at which time it
succeeded to the business of Cundiff & Russell,
Oliver T. Cundiff, of the latter firm, having founded
the mercantile business on the present site more than fifty
years since. The legitimate outgrowth of the trade
then begun is the popular and enterprising firm of
Russell Bros. By careful, prudent and
thoughtful attention to the best interests of their trade,
it has risen gradually to the most gratifying proportions,
and now occupies a conspicuous place among the attractions
of Urbana. The history of a firm like this, which from
a small trade has grown into a large and prosperous
business, is both interesting and instructive. It
shows our young business men what energy, perseverance and
pluck will accomplish in the world. George M.
Russell, the senior member of the above firm, embarked
in the dry goods trade in 1854. Two years subsequently
went to Sidney, Ohio, accompanied by his brother, James M.,
and continued in the same business for eight years,
returning to Urbana in 1865, where he has resided ever
since. James M. Russell, of the above firm, in
the year 1862, entered the 118th O. V. I. as a private
soldier, enduring all the hardships and privations
incidental to an active and aggressive campaign, his
regiment accompanying Sherman to the sea. In
September, 1862, he was appointed Sergeant Major of his
regiment, and, on the 3d of January, 1863, he was
commissioned 2d Lieutenant, and was promoted to 1st
Lieutenant Apr. 24, 1873, and made Adjutant of the regiment.
Commissioned Captain in October, 1864, retaining that
position until he resigned. The rapid promotion
conferred upon him indicating his efficiency and competency
in war as well as in peace. William M. Russell,
junior member of the firm, was appointed, in 1868, United
States Internal Revenue Inspector, and was sent to an
important post, where the most trusty men were needed in
those days of fraud and corruption. Later, he was connected
with the United States mail service, on the Pittsburgh,
Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad, which positions afforded
him an excellent opportunity for development in the rapid
and accurate transaction of business, and enabling him to
act efficiently and promptly, and especially fitting him for
a business that brings him in contact with the masses.
It is a rare thing to find a trio of men possessing more
business experience, and better calculated to conduct a
large and profitable business.
Source: History of Champaign County, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881 - Page 687 |
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Urbana Twp. -
GEORGE M. RUSSELL, of the firm of Russell Bros.,
dry goods, Urbana. Mr. Russell is a
native of Virginia, born in Loudoun Co. in 1830; his
parents, Aaron and Tamzon (Underwood) Russell,
removed from Virginia to Ohio in 1833, and settled in
Concord Township, this county, where the subject of this
sketch grew to manhood. In the spring of 1854, he
entered the store of A. Brown & Co. as clerk, and,
one year later, he purchased an interest, and the firm
became Brown & Russell; in the fall of 1856, he went
to Sidney, where, in connection with his brother, James
M., he did business about eight years; he returned to
Urbana in the spring of 1865, and became a partner with
O. T. Cundiff, who had established a store in 1830, on
the site of Russell Bros.’ present
establishment; this partnership lasted until 1871, when
Mr. Cundiff retired, and the present firm,
composed of George M., James M. and William M. Russell,
was formed; the success of this firm is noteworthy, as all
were country boys, who began as clerks. George M.
is the senior member, and a business man of energy, wisdom
and experience, and the firm now ranks with the best in
Urbana. Mr. Russell is a member of the
First M. E. Church, of which he has been Treasurer and
Secretary several years; he is also a member of the Masonic
fraternity, and one of Urbana’s most respected citizens.
He married, in 1855, Miss Eliza J., daughter of O.
T. Cundiff; their children are Fanny V. (now
Mrs. T. J. Price), Clifford M., Floy B.
and George C.
Source: History of Champaign County, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881 - Page 685 |
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Urbana Twp. -
HON. JOHN RUSSELL, deceased; the
subject of this memoir, was born in Concord Township,
Champaign Co., Ohio, Sept. 22, 1827. He was the fourth
son of Robert and Mary Russell, who emigrated to this
county from Loudoun Co., Va., about the year 1818, and
settled near the farm where John was born.
During boyhood, John Russell worked on his
father’s farm, assisting his parents, to whom he was very
much attached, with his older brothers. When quite
young, he exhibited a breadth of intellect and of good
common sense which marked him for future usefulness.
He acquired a common-school education at the district school
near his home. After arriving at sufficient age, he
taught school in winter time, and, by industry and economy,
saved means, so that, in the fall of 1849, he was enabled to
enter the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, where he
remained for two years, graduating in the scientific course;
then returned to his home, and soon after married
Margaret M. Russell (who survives him), the daughter of
Aaron and Tamzon Russell, and
sister to Messrs. George M., James M. and
William M. Russell, now prominent merchants of Urbana,
and John M. Russell, attorney, and a prominent
business man of that city. The two families, though of
the same name, were not related. John
Russell was a Christian boy, and at an early age united
with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he remained an
efficient and worthy member until his death, exemplifying
all the Christian graces in an eminent degree in all his
relations of life. In 1854, without his solicitation,
he was nominated and elected Clerk of the Court in his
native county by the largest majority ever given to any
candidate in the county. His ability, courtesy and
integrity so commended him to the court, the bar and the
people, that he was continued in this office for nine years.
Soon after the expiration of his last term as Clerk, he was
appointed Chief Clerk to the Secretary of State, and, upon
the resignation of Hon. William Henry Smith as
Secretary of State, Gov. Hayes appointed Mr.
Russell to fill the vacancy. At the expiration
of his term of office, he returned to Urbana, and was
occupied in the office of W. W. Wilson, Esq.,
Collector of Internal Revenue for that district. In
the fall of 1869, he was nominated by acclamation and
elected Senator for the district, composed of the counties
of Champaign, Clark and Madison, but before the meeting of
the Legislature he was suddenly cut down by a stroke of
paralysis, and died on the 16th of December, 1869, in the
43d year of his age. Mr. Russell was a
man of the most abstemious habits. He was active in
the support of the Government in the prosecution of the war
to suppress the rebellion, and in him many a wounded soldier
found a sympathizing friend and a liberal heart and hand.
He was active and diligent in every good word and work.
His rare capacity, unbounded integrity, uniform courtesy,
coupled with his firm convictions of duty and his adherence
to the right, caused him to be beloved in an eminent degree
by all who knew him. At his death, the whole community
joined in mourning his loss, and all the officers of the
State met at Columbus and passed resolutions of deepest
regret and highest eulogy upon his life and character, at
which meeting Gov. Hayes, now President of the
United States, presided. The officers of the State
attended his funeral in a body, with Gov. Hayes
at their head, who, on that occasion, united with the
ministers of all the Christian Churches in giving his
testimony to the many virtues and rare character of John
Russell. Champaign County has produced many men
of talent and distinction, but it has produced but few who
equaled and none who excelled, in all the qualities of a
truly useful Christian gentleman, the lamented subject of
this brief sketch. His aged mother and his esteemed
widow are yet living at and near Urbana, his mother being
now over 90 years of age, having for a long life impressed
her Christian character and noble womanhood upon her entire
family and the neighborhood in which she lived.
Source: History of Champaign County, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881 - Page 686 |
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Urbana Twp. -
JOHN M. RUSSELL, lawyer, son of
Aaron and Tamzon Russell; was born in Concord Township,
Champaign Co., Ohio, on the 31st day of October, A. D. 1839.
Attended the schools in the neighborhood until the year
1856, when he entered the Urbana High School, where he
remained about two years. In the month of September,
A. D. 1858, he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, at
Delaware, Ohio. He remained at college about two years.
During the years 1861 and 1862, he was employed as teacher
in the Urbana Union Schools, and, while thus engaged, he
commenced the study of the law with Levi Gerger, Esq.
On the 27th day of May, 1862, he resigned his position as
teacher and volunteered as a private in Company H, 86th O.
V. I. Was appointed Orderly Sergeant of his company,
and accompanied his regiment into Western Virginia about the
1st of June. 1862, where he shared the exposures, privations
and hardships incident to the life of a soldier, until Sept.
15, 1862, when the regiment was ordered back to Delaware,
Ohio, where the entire command was mustered out by reason of
the expiration of the term of service. He then
returned to Urbana and resumed the study of the law until
Nov. 26, 1863, when he was appointed an acting Master’s Mate
in the United States Navy, and assigned to duty on board the
United States steamer Gazelle, attached to the Mississippi
squadron, under command of Admiral Porter.
He participated in several naval engagements on the Lower
Mississippi, and accompanied the naval expedition up Red
River, in the spring of 1864. On the 27th day of
January, A. D. 1865, he resigned his position in the navy
and returned to Urbana, and continued the study of the law
until the 24th day of March, 1865, when he was admitted to
practice law in the Supreme Court of Ohio. On the 24th
day of October, 1867, at Urbana, Ohio, he was married to
Frances M. Cramer, granddaughter of the late Joel
Read, of Champaign Co,, being at that time engaged in
the book trade, which he continued until the year 1872, when
he sold out his mercantile interest and entered upon the
practice of the law, which he has continued to the present
time. He has an interesting family of four children—Josephine,
aged 12 years; Grace, aged 9 years; Pauline
Matilda, aged 6, and John Weldin, aged 3
years, respectively.
Source: History of Champaign County, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881 - Page 687 |
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Concord Twp. -
ROBERT RUSSELL, farmer; P. O. Urbana;
was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, Feb. 17, 1818. He is a
son of Robert and Mary Russell, who are mentioned in
the sketch of Valentine Russell. He has been a
farmer all his life, and was raised principally on the farm
where he resides. This has been his home since about 1
year old, except eighteen months that were spent in Iowa.
Besides the homestead farm, he owns the old Christian
Miller farm of 150 acres, and does a thriving business.
On the 24th of October, 1848, he married Mary Sweet,
by whom he had one child - Mary M., born Sept. 9,
1849. Mrs. Mary Russell departed this life May
23, 1854, in the 28th year of her age. In 1852, August
28, he married Lydia C. Hough, a native of Loudoun
Co., Va., born Oct. 15, 1828. She came to this State
with her parents about 1830. Robert and Lydia C.
Russell are the parents of one child - Clinton E.,
born July 10, 1867. Mr. Russell and family are
all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Source: History of Champaign County,
Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881
- Page 802 |
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Concord Twp. -
VALENTINE RUSSELL, farmer and
carpenter; P. O. Urbana; was born in Virginia, May 24, 1814,
and is a son of Robert and Mary (Miller) Russell,
both natives of Loudoun Co., Va. She was born May 1,
1788, and he Nov. 18, 1783. They migrated to Ohio in
1818, and soon after located in Concord Township, Champaign
Co. He entered 160 acres of land, and his
father-in-law, Valentine Miller, entered 160 acres,
and gave it to him, making a half-section. He cleared
and improved the last-named quarter and also a small part of
the other. He departed this life March 28, 1873.
His wife is still living on the old farm, and is a pensioner
of the war of 1812, in which her husband served. She
is the oldest of a family of ten children, all of whom lived
to be over 60 years of age, except one, who died at the age
of 50. The subject of this biography was raised on a
farm until 15 years old, when he went to learn the carpenter
trade, which he followed principally for forty years.
In 1865, he purchased 160 acres of land in Sec. 9, of
Concord Township, where he has since resided, and managed
the farm in connection with his work at the trade. He
has been Township Trustee two terms and Township Treasurer
five years. On the 26th of July, 1836, he married
Margaret Hill, a daughter of Joseph Hill, of whom
mention is made in the biography of J. D. Powell.
She was born in Concord Township, Champaign Co., July 6,
1818. They had nine children, of whom six are living -
Robert H. Minerva A., Elizabeth J., James E., John F.
and Albert Willie. Mr. Russell and family,
except the youngest child, are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
Source: History of Champaign County,
Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881
- Page 802 |
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