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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO
CHICAGO:
W. H. BEERS & CO.,
1881
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Rush Twp. -
WILLIAM H. WAGSTAFF,
physician, North Lewisburg; was born in Adams Co., Ohio Nov. 27,
1828, and removed with his parents to Licking Co., Ohio, in
1832. He secured a limited education at the district
school, and at the age of 17, entered Granville College, where
he pursued his studies till 1849, when he commenced the study of
medicine under the direction of Dr. Price, of
Newark, Ohio. While there, the glowing accounts of the
newly found treasure in the “Golden State” infatuated him with
the idea of becoming wealthy, and he was induced to abandon all
other plans and join a company of adventurers who crossed the
plains in the summer of 1851, arriving in Hangtown, Cal., the
following September, amid the exciting discussion over the
admission of negroes into that Territory. About this time
he was employed as United States Express Agent for “Page, Bacon
& Co.,” carrying mail matter and gold-dust through the mountains
to different points, and returning to Sacramento with coin, etc.
Ponies were used as a means of transportation, making a trip
once a month, for which he received $140. Late in the fall
of 1852, he started home, taking passage on the steamer Yankee
Blade, which was wrecked in seventy-two hours; he, with a few
other survivors, was rescued. He traveled on foot through
a portion of New Mexico and Lower California, endured many
privations, and at the end of two months arrived in San
Francisco. After a short time, he went to Benicia, where
he procured a clerkship at a salary of $200 per month.
Sacramento, then a mere village, composed of tents, offered
greater inducements, which he availed himself of, and again
embarked in business, only to become the victim of disappointed
hopes. It was during the spring of 1854, when the
inhabitants suffered great loss of life and property from
inundation. After having charge of a “trading-post” for a
few months, he again started for New York by way of Panama,
crossed the Isthmus to Aspinwall in December, stopped off for a
time at Havana, visiting many places of interest, among which
was the tomb of Columbus. He arrived in New York January,
1856, after an absence of five years, and was unrecognized by
friends. The following two years were spent on the Wabash
in Indiana; thence to the steamer Bon Pluel, as physician of the
boat, plying between Cairo and New Orleans. In the winter
of 1858, he located in Nashville, Tenn., and was engaged in
business there until the beginning of the rebellion.
Motives of policy induced him to return to the North, where he
enlisted in the 54th Ind. V. I. After serving his country
for three years, filling almost every position in the regiment,
was mustered out of the service and returned to Nashville,
Tenn., where he practiced his profession until some time after
the close of the war. He then returned to Ohio with a view
of completing his medical education, which was done in the
spring of 1866, graduating with the honors of two different
medical colleges. Circumstances now favored his
location in the village of North Lewisburg, where he has since
remained, having in the meantime acquired an extensive and
lucrative practice, ranking among the most successful and
popular practitioners of the county. He has taken all the
degrees of Masonry, and has been a prominent member of the
organization for thirty years. He is of English origin,
his father, grandfather and mother being natives of England.
His paternal grandfather was an officer of the Goverment
during the Revolutionary war, and was present at the signing of
the “Declaration of Independence,” and his birth and death
occurred on the 4th of July. Dr. Wagstaff
was married to the daughter of Dr. Butcher, of Urbana, in
1865. She was a native of Belmont Co., Ohio. His
family consists of three children, natives of Champaign Co.,
whose ages range from eight to fourteen years. After
accumulating a handsome fortune, and contributing largely to the
promotion of public interests, and laboring for the relief of
suffering humanity in this and other places, the Doctor finds
himself at this late hour enjoying only the ordinary comforts of
life.
Source: History of Champaign County, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881 - Page 874 |
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Wayne
Twp. -
TOWNENDS WALKER, farmer; P. O. North
Lewisburg; born in Chester Co., Penn., Apr. 24, 1835; is a son
of Allison and Catharine (Carson) Walker, natives of
Pennsylvania, the ancestry being from England and Wales.
The parents settled in this county in 1837, locating in Rush
Township, where they lived about three years, then went to Wayne
Township, where he died Nov. 23, 1858. They were parents
of three children, two now survive - Townends and Anna
Mary. Our subject lived with his father till his
death, then continued with his mother till April, 1861, when, at
the first call for men in the war of the rebellion, for the
three-months service, he was the first man in Wayne Township to
enroll his name; he served his three months, and, on Nov. 4,
1861, re-enlisted for three years in Co. a, 66th O. V. I., and
served till Aug. 9, 1862, when he was shot through the body and
carried from the field, and was in the hospital for seventy-two
days, then discharged, being unfitted for further military
duties, and was placed on a pension of $8 per month, till May 2,
1864, he forfeited his pension by enlisting in the 100-day
service. Since the war, however, he has obtained a pension of
$12 per month, but he is disabled for life, being another
example of those noble patriots who, to save their country,
sacrificed all the pleasures and comforts of home.
Although his life was spared, his strength and activity are
lost, and his body is a living record of his service for
his country. He was married May 10, 1868 to Miss
Rebecca, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Glendening)
Black. They have had five children; three now survive-
Bertha, born July 4, 1869; Kittie, born May 14,
1871, and Allison, born Nov.7, 1873; Howard, born
Nov. 26, 1875, and died Aug. 7, 1876; True, born Nov. 14,
1877, and died Feb. 20, 1878. His wife died Aug. 6, 1878.
Mr. Walker lived on a rented farm after his marriage, one
summer, then went to Middletown and lived till 1870, when he
rented the farm on which he now lives. In 1873, he bought
the farm, where he has since resided. Since his wife's
death, his mother remains with him as housekeeper. She is
now 71 years of age.
Source: History of Champaign County,
Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881 - Page 845 |
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Mad
River Twp. -
SYLVANUS S. WARD, farmer; P. O. Westville.
One of the pioneers of this county was George Ward, who
came here about 1815 and settled near the farm that is now owned
by his son, whose name heads this sketch. George,
and his wife, Catharine Strickler, were both born in
Shenandoah Co., Va. They were married and had three
children before coming to Ohio - Barbara, Maria and
Noah. The land was then open for entry, and, although
the beautiful Mad River Valley was unclaimed as yet, he
preferred the upland, which to him seemed most desirable, as
(coming from the mountainous regions of Virginia) it seemed
level enough for farming purposes. The people then thought
that springs afforded the only water fit to be used, and as
there were plenty along the ravines, they preferred a home in
close proximity to such conveniences as they were accustomed to.
There were still Indians in the neighborhood, who frequently
came in for something to eat; they were always friendly and well
disposed. George entered a tract of land and
erected a small cabin, that was succeeded by a hewed-log house.
Clearing was the general occupation of the settlers, except
those that preferred hunting and trapping, of whom we have
already several accounts. The family of George
increased from three to eleven children, among them were twins;
they were of much service in helping to clear up the land and
get it ready for the plough. The names of the children
were Ambrose, Jerusha, Gideon, Joseph, Sylvanus and
Sylvester (twins), Ededemon and Sabra.
Noah and Ambrose are the only children now
deceased. Their descendants are numerous, and mostly live
in this county. The death of the father occurred in 1867,
and that of the wife and mother two years later; they were a
highly estimable couple, and lived to see the dream of their
youthful days realized. Sylvanus was married to
Priscilla Smith, whose grandfather was one of the first
settlers of this township; the wedding was celebrated in 1849,
since which time they have followed in the foot-steps of their
ancestors, beginning where they left off, and to-day, the log
cabin first erected, is replaced by a stately residence.
They are the parents of eleven children, ten sons and one
daughter; they were named Franklin, Edwin, Eusebia, Theodore,
Noah, Clement V., Smith, Thompson P., Charles H., Oren H.
and Sylvan O.; Edwin was married to Miss Isabel B.
Loudenback, Eusebia wedded Thomas W. Jenkins; there
are sons enough to perpetuate the family name for centuries to
came. This is one of the first families in the
neighborhood, social, refined and highly respected. Mr.
Ward is a Democratic bred and born, and is always at the
polls on election day; both himself and wife are members of the
Old-School Baptist Church, and are rearing their family in
accordance with its teaching.
Source: History of Champaign County,
Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881 - Page 730 |
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Mad
River Twp. -
SYLVESTER WARD, farmer, P. O. Westville.
We are proud of the representatives of so large a number of the
pioneer families of this township. Although many of the
early pioneers are gone, their children still live, and can give
much valuable information in regard to the first settlements and
the style and manner of living. The parents of Mr. Ward,
our subject, were of the old Virginia stock; they were not the
first settlers in this township, but came here about 1815.
They settled on the farm now the property of Mr. Ward,
and built a cabin in the dense woods. He probably entered
the land, as there was considerable Government land. Most
of the settlers were natives of Shenandoah Co., Va., as were the
parents of Sylvester Ward. The neighbors helped
each other roll the logs together, as they had to be burned to
make room for the crops. There were numerous Indian camps
in the neighborhood when George Ward and his wife came, but
during the next few years all went further West. The
children were ten in number, and they were able to do much
toward helping to clear up the land. The old structure
called "Gurd's Mill" was the first one erected in this
neighborhood; this was long since pulled down. Game was
plenty, but very few of the early settlers took much time to
hunt. They carried their produce to Cincinnati on wagons;
corn was then carted from this place to that city and sold for
20 to 25 cents per bushel. In all this work, women as well
as men did their share. They could chop and grub, and some
of them could reap wheat equal to any of the men. Wages
were low, harvest hands getting 50 cents per day. The
first church was built on the site now occupied by the Nettle
Creek Baptist Church, and the Baptists formed the first
congregation. Harrison Faulkner was the first
teacher Sylvester had, and the log schoolhouse was
furnished with seats made by splitting logs and putting in
wooden pins for legs, without backs. Order was the subject
most thoroughly taught, and the education of most of the
children at that time was limited. Sylvester was
born in 1826, and, after helping his father clear and otherwise
improve his land until the age of 25, was married to Miss
Louisa A. Smith, in 1851; they commenced housekeeping in a
little house in his father's yard; this structure is still
standing. Their life was passed as those of most people
engaged in agricultural pursuits, steadily increasing their
possessions, and daily becoming by energy and economy, more
wealthy, until they now rank among the rich people of the
township. They have four children - Philander, Loretta,
Fernando and Runetta; Philander married the wife of James
M. Frank, also living in this county; and Runetta
married Elijah Heck, of Champaign Co., and resides near
St. Paris. The old homestead is in possession of Mr.
Ward, who has added a number of acres since commencing
business. He is a solid Democrat, and is also one of the
most highly respected men of his neighborhood. His
residence is a nice one; he is a genial host, and his lady one
of the neatest housewives to be found.
Source: History of Champaign County,
Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881 - Page 729 |
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Goshen Twp. -
J. K. WARE, retired farmer; P.
O. Mechanicsburg; one of the early settlers and prominent citizens of the
county; was born near Salem, N. J., Oct. 8, 1806;
he comes of Quaker parentage, his ancestry emigrating from England
in an early day. His father,
Jacob, was a farmer by occupation,
and was married three times. His third
marriage was with Sarah Reed, of
New Jersey; by this union he had a son and
daughter, having two sons and two daughters by the previous marriages. His demise occurred in 1806, a few months
before the birth of our subject, caused, it is supposed, from fright, occasioned
by the burning of his house. Our subject
was taken to Delaware when about 3 years old, where he remained till 1818, when
he came with his mother to this county, locating first about two miles west of
Urbana, and the following year near King’s Creek.
In 1823, he went to Urbana and entered the store of
Thomas Gwynne as clerk; here he
remained a short time and then went to Springfield, Ohio, where his step-father
had just opened a store, and clerked for him there until Jan. 20, 1825 when they
came to Mechanicsburg, where he has since resided. He acted as clerk in the store till 1834,
when he embarked in Mechanicsburg on his own account, purchasing nearly all his
first stock on credit; this he continued till 1846 with eminent success, due to
him careful business habits, honesty and economy.
He then went to land dealing and raising sheep and wool. In this his usual energy and business
sagacity won him signal success. He now
owns nearly 2,000 acres of land lying in Champaign,
Madison and Union Cos., mainly in
this county.
Mr. Ware
is self-made man; beginning with nothing
but an indomitable will, he has by the assistance of his devoted wife and his
own perseverance and economy, surrounded himself with a neat competency. He has been identified with the Whig,
Liberty, Free-Soil and Republican parties,
and now, recognizing the enormity of the evil of intemperance, is a strong
Prohibitionist. He has led a life
strictly of temperance, having never used intoxicating drinks or tobacco in any
form; he has always been active and earnest in the temperance work. He is a public-spirited man and always
found interested in matters pertaining to the welfare of the community. He was an early and earnest advocate of
the free-school system, and was mainly instrumental in establishing the union
schools of this place. He is a man of
principle and firm in his convictions of right.
He with his wife has been a member of the M. E. Church for over one-half
century, and during nearly all this time has occupied important positions in the
church. He married
Amisa Wallace, who was born Feb. 6,
1804, near Brownsville,
Penn. Aug.
20, 1829, and sine his marriage has lived on the same identical spot. Of the four sons and two daughters born to
this union, two sons, the oldest, died in infancy.
Source: History of Champaign County, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881
- Page 900 |
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Johnson Twp. -
MARTIN WELLS
Source: History of
Champaign County, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881
- Page 769 |
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Jackson Twp. -
WILLIAM WEST, farmer; P. O. St. Paris.
To the gentleman whose name heads this sketch we are pleased
to yield a space in this work; he is a son of Stocket,
and a grandson of Basil West. Basil was a
slaveholder, and lived successively in South Carolina,
Georgia, North Carolina, Kentucky, and, finally Ohio.
They located in Mad River Township, Champaign Co., about
1808, but soon entered land in Jackson Township, and settled
on it. Strocket was born in South Carolina
about 1790; he was raised a farmer, but was a good
blacksmith and carpenter, and could spin and weave. In
April, 1816, he married Elizabeth Merritt. She
was born in Virginia July 13, 1792, a daughter of John
and Margaret Merritt, who came to Ohio about 1818, and
settled in Jackson Township. Strocket and Elizabeth
West were the parents of nine children - John,
William, David, Sarah, James, Henry, Jerry, Mary and Jane.
William, Henry, Jerry and Jane are the only
survivors; the others died of lung disease. Stocket
was identified with the principal offices of the township -
Trustee, Treasurer, etc. - for a number of years; he owned
210 acres of land, which he and his family cleared up and
improved, except about 10 acres. His death occurred in
July, 1852; his wife survived till October, 1876. Both
had been members of the Honey Creek Baptist Church, for a
number of years. William, the subject of this
sketch, was born in Jackson Township, July 13, 1818; he
formerly dealt in stock considerably, and made a stat in the
world by dealing in horses. He now devotes his time to
farming almost entirely. He owns 160 acres of land in
a high state of cultivation, with excellent buildings and
other improvements. On the 3d of February, 1848, he
married Hester B. Grafton, a native of this township,
born Nov. 18, 1822. Three children have been born to
them - John, born Jan. 18, 1849, and died at the age
of four years; George W., born Jan. 16, 1855; and
Henry C., born July 17, 1857. Mrs. West is
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. On the
17th of October, 1878, George W. was united in
marriage with Ellen A. Breslin; she was born in St.
Paris, Mar. 21, 1856.
Source: History of Champaign County, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881
- Page 743 |
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Goshen Twp. -
OLIVER C. WHEELER, Mechanicsburg; publisher of the Mechanicsburg
Herald, an eight-page quarto
weekly, devoted to local interests, and neutral in politics, established in
1879. HE was also the founder of the
Central Ohio News, another weekly paper
published in the same place, established in 1873, severing his connection in
1878.
Mr. Wheeler is a practical printer,
and has been identified with the newspaper interests and the “art preservative”
in Ohio for twenty-five years. He is a native of
Maryland, and emigrated with his parents to Ohio when a lad.
Source: History of Champaign County, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881
- Page 900
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Wayne Twp. -
DANIEL W. WHITE, farmer;
P. O. North Lewisburg; born in this county May 4, 1849; is a
son of James H. and Harriet White, natives of
Virginia; the grandparents are also natives of Virginia.
James H. and wife came to this county and located
about thirty-seven years ago; he has followed farming as an
occupation. He is now 62 years of age. They have
had twelve children, ten now living - Ann, Virginia,
Daniel W., Mary E., Lavinia, Emory L., Isabel, Orlena, John
and Ida. Our subject lived with his father till
22 years of age. He was married Aug. 9, 1870, to
Cynthia, daughter of James and Elizabeth Sherwood,
natives of Ohio. They have four children -
Harriet E., James E., John W. and Mary Bell.
after their marriage, he lived on rented farms till 1879,
when he bought and located upon the farm where he now
resides. He has 50 acres of good land, and has erected
a new house and other buildings and improvements.
Source: History of
Champaign County, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881
- Page
845 |
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Urbana Twp. -
J. H. WHITE, of the firm
of Hitt, White & Mitchell, dry goods
merchants, Urbana; is a son of Joseph and Rebecca (Smith)
White. They were married in 1812; she was a native
of Pennsylvania and he of Hamilton Co., Ohio. After a
companionship of nearly half a century, the silent messenger
of death called Joseph hence, Nov. 23, 1855, aged 66
years. Twelve years later, Nov. 30, Rebecca,
too, was called hence, aged 77 years. The gentleman
whose name heads this sketch was born July 17, 1834, in
Urbana, and is the youngest of a family of eight children.
He was raised in. his native place, and enjoyed the schools
of the town. In the year 1852, he engaged as a clerk
with Ross, Hitt & Co., in the house where he
now has an interest. After a clerkship of seven years,
he engaged in the boot and shoe trade; thus he continued
until 1872, when he and Mitchell associated with
Hitt, and formed the present firm. They at
present, as well as in the past, enjoy a fine patronage and
carry a full line of the best dry and fancy goods, and
conduct it on a systemized plan. In the business,
Mr. White has charge of the financial department
and detail matters. His membership with the First M.
E. Church has passed over a period of twenty years.
His marriage was solemnized with Miss Anna Hitt, Oct.
15, 1858. She is a native of this city and two years
his junior. They have two children - Lin C. and
Fannie W.
Source: History of
Champaign County, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881
- Page
702 |
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Johnson Twp. -
D. M. WHITMER
Source: History of
Champaign County, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881
- Page 769 |
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Adams Twp. -
ASAHEL WILKINSON
was born in Harrison
County, Va., on Sept. 16, 1776. Nature had destined
him for the hunter, as was soon by his constant trips to the
woods in search of game. When quite Young he was
married to Charity Ragen. Up to the year
1811, their union had been blessed with four children -
William, Mary, Thomas and Joseph. Making a
living in Virginia at that time a difficult task, and the
outlook for the future was darn and gloomy. "Go to
Ohio," was the favorite cry of the Virginians, and a number
did go. Our friend Wilkinson had discussed the
advisability of leaving his native soil for a new home in
the Northwest, with his better-half. Visions of a home
and luxury in the beautiful Ohio forests flitted before him,
while the barren hills of Virginia promised only poverty and
desolation for the future. In 1811, he came to a
decision, and, accompanied by his family and several
neighboring families, started on his journey.
A few days before they commenced their journey, one of
their neighbors, who, with his family, intended to accompany
them, became deranged with the thought that they would come
to want in their new home. His insanity became
violent, and, in the dead of the night, he murdered his wife
and nine children. This did not deter the others, and,
on the appointed day, they started, riding on pack-horses.
Several of the saddles used on this occasion are still in
the possession of Wilkinson's descendants.
When they came to Ohio the families separated,
Wilkinson coming to this county. He entered 260
acres of Section 14, in what is now called Adams Township,
paying for the land with the proceeds obtained through the
sale of furs. Of the four whence no traveler returns.
Joseph, the only surviving one, lives at
Mechanicsburg, in this county. Henry H., born
Apr. 2, 1813, was the first white child born in the
township.
Mrs. Wilkinson died in 1819, and, in 1821,
Wilkinson married Nancy James. Of the
first marriage, but two children, Joseph and Betsey
(now Mrs. Cisco), are living, the latter just north
of Careysville. From the second union, Asahel
and James remain, both owning extensive farms
in the townships. During the first years of the
township organization, Wilkinson was elected
Constable. This position he held for fourteen years.
By his death, which occurred Feb. 23, 1861, Adams Township
was bereft of her first settler and one of her most
influential citizens.
Source: History of Champaign County, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881 - Page 458 |
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Rush Twp. -
A. L. WILLIAMS, physician and surgeon,
North Lewisburg, was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, Sept. 30,
1836, and is a son of James and Lydia (Martin) Williams.
His father was born in Virginia in 1810, and, in 1833,
settled in the above county, in which his death occurred in
1876. His mother was born in Ohio in 1817, and was
married to James, father of A. L., in 1834, by
whom she had eight children; six living, viz., Charles
B., Rufus J., Eliza J., Mary L., John C. and our
subject; Benjamin and David, deceased.
The former was a member of Co. F, 96th O. V. I., dying from
disease in December, 1862, while aboard the steamer J. C.
Swain. The Doctor's boyhood was passed on the farm,
receiving the rudiments of an education in the district
schools, which was afterward developed in the Ohio Wesleyan
University, in which he fitted himself to teach - a
profession he followed for a year and a half - the proceeds
of which service he devoted to acquiring a knowledge of
medicine. He studied under Dr. T. B. Williams,
a prominent physician of Delaware, who was his preceptor for
three years, after which he entered the Starling Medical
College of Columbus, Ohio, which institution conferred on
him their diploma of graduation. After practicing
about four years in Unionville, he became Assistant Surgeon
in the 74th O. V. I., with which he was identified two
years. He afterward, in 1864, located in North
Lewisburg, and has since devoted himself to the duties of a
large and increasing practice. In 1864, he was married
to Martha T., daughter of Andrew and Martha H.
Beard, by whom he has had two children - Zoe F.
and Ava L. He is a member of the Order of
Masonry and the Knights of Honor.
Source: History of Champaign County, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881 - Page 875 |
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Goshen Twp. -
R. D. WILLIAMS, banker, Mechanicsburg; is one of the oldest business men of
Mechanicsburg, and has been for a number of years prominently identified it to
its present enterprising condition.
He was born in Maryland June 27, 1815, and is of English descent on his paternal,
and of French on his maternal, side.
His parents, John W. and Eleanor (Du Val) Williams, were both of Maryland.
John W. was a farmer by
occupation, and immigrated to Ohio in 1831, locating in the vicinity of Mechanicsburg. Here he purchased a large tract of
land, and passed the few remaining years of life, his death occurring in 1838. His wife,
Eleanor Du Val, was born of French Huguenot parentage, and comes from an ancient and
honorable family. After the
revocation of the “edict of Nantes” by
Louis XIV, two Huguenot brothers
escaped from France to America, one locating in Maryland, and
the other in Virginia. These have left a numerous progeny
scattered throughout the North and West, and of those
Mrs. W. was a lineal descendant. Of this same
family was William Pope Du Val, of
historic fame, and one of the Territorial Governors of Florida, a sketch of
whose life is given by Irving
in “Wolfert’s Roost,” under the title
of “Adventures of Ralph Ringwood.” Gen. John Pope Du Val was his
brother, and obtained a large tract of land in the Virginia military district of Ohio, and many of his heirs now
reside on it. The family has been
prominently identified in military and official positions for many generations.
John Williams left at his death four sons and four daughters. All were located in the vicinity of
Mechanicsburg but one daughter, who was married to
Dr. William Hammond, of Annapolis,
Md., who is the only member of the family deceased. One brother lives in Chicago, one in
Mechanicsburg, and another has been for a number of years prominently connected
with the offices of the State, serving two terms of Auditor. Our subject is the third of the
family, and was in his early manhood when he came to this place with his
parents. His early education was
received in the district school in his native State, and, till he attained
majority, he lived on a farm. In
1836, he embarked in the mercantile business in Mechanicsburg, which he
continued with success for thirty years, the business now being carried on by
his sons. He then engaged in the
banking business with Thomas Davis,
the bank being styled the “Farmers’ Bank,” and was organized subsequently into
the “Farmers’ National Bank.” He has
held the position of President of this bank since its organization. Thus, nearly one-half a century has
elapsed since Mr. Williams identified
himself with the business interests in Mechanicsburg, and we still find him
enrolled with the foremost business men of the place. He is a man of many sterling
qualities, and his life has been marked with industry, integrity and beneficent
acts. He is a Republican in politics
and a Methodist in religion. He
married Jane, daughter of
Samuel W. Claggett, of Annapolis,
Md., in 1836.
Two sons and three daughters are the issue of this union, all of whom
reside in their native place but one daughter, who resides in
Toledo.
Source: History of Champaign County, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881
- Page 901
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Harrison
Twp. -
ANDREW WILSON, farmer; P. O. Spring Hills;
is a son of William and Rebecca Wilson, and a brother of
James Wilson whose biography proper mention is made of
their ancestry. He was born about six miles south of
Urbana, Dec. 3, 1813. He now owns 157 acres of land in
Harrison Township, and does a thriving business as a farmer.
In 1846, March 12, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth
Jane Wright, a daughter of Benjamin and Margaret Jane
Wright, who came from Virginia in 1837. She was born
Apr. 4, 1829. This union has been blessed with ten children—Sarah
Jane, Rebecca V., William H., Margaret S., Martha I., Mary Ann,
Benjamin W., Harrison A., Ellen E. and Charles F.
The latter died in infancy. Mrs. Wilson and two daughters are
members of the Presbyterian Church, one daughter of the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
Source: History of Champaign County, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881 - Page 785 |
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Wayne
DAVID WILSON was born in
Pennsylvania in 1803. He came to Wayne Township in 1832.
By his first wife (Owens) he had no children. By
his second wife, whom he married in 1844, he had seven daughters
- Sarah, married William Corbet; Rebecca, married
Marion Corbet; Nancy J., married Amassa Corbet;
Christina married Aaron W. Devore; Margaret,,
unmarried; Nettie, married Coleman Spain; Emma,
married Oliver Haines; Laura Alice, died
aged eleven. These two brothers, Thomas and
David, were for nearly half a century the substantial
citizens of their neighborhood, and their influence for good did
much to mold the society about them David died in
March, 1876, aged seventy-three years.
Source: History of Champaign County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co.
- 1881
- Page 844 |
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Hamilton Twp. -
JAMES WILSON, farmer; P. O. Crayon; is a
son of William and Rebecca Wilson, and a grandson of James and
Rebecca Wilson, who emigrated from Ireland in 1794, landing at
Philadelphia in the time of the "Plague." They located in
greenbrier Co., Va., where they remained till 1807, when they
moved to Ohio and settled on the Ward farm, about two and
a half miles from Springfield. In the following spring
they moved further north, within six miles of Urbana, where the
remainder of their lives was spent. William Wilson,
the father of our subject, was born Sept. 25, 1780.
Shortly before the war of 1812, he moved to Harrison Township,
Champaign Co., but on account of difficulty with the Indians,
returned to his former residence till 1814, when he entered a
quarter-section of land in Sec. 19, and, in the following year,
purchased the quarter-section joining him on the east. He
cleared up and improved his land, and made it his home till Nov.
11, 1836, when his eyes were closed in death. He had long
been a member of the Associate Reform Church (now called the
United Presbyterian). Rebecca, his wife, was also a
native of Ireland, born June 3, 1787, a daughter of James and
Mary Humphreys, who came to America in 1789. She
survived till Sept. 27, 1847, and was also a member of the
church. Eight children were the fruits of their marriage -
Mary, James, Andrew, William, Margaret, Rebecca, John H.
(deceased), and Adams. James, the subject of this
sketch, was born June 5, 1811. He has always been engaged
in agricultural pursuits. In 1839, he located on his
present farm of 160 acres. He has been Township Assessor
five years, Township Trustee eight years, six years in
succession. He married Mary Zimmerman, Oct. 22,
1835; she is a native of Virginia, born Nov. 25, 1814, and came
to this State with her parents, Andrew and Rosannah Zimmerman,
in 1830. James and Mary Wilson are the parents of
seven children, six grew to maturity and are still living -
William A., Thomas J., Andrew J., Mary M., James G. and
George.
Source:
History of
Champaign County, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881
- Page 786 |
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Harrison
Twp. -
MILES WILSON, farmer; P. O. Spring Hills;
was born in Washington Co., Penn., Apr. 11, 1817, and is a son
of Joseph and Eleanor (Fullerton) Wilson, both natives of
Pennsylvania. He was born Feb. 24,
1792; and she some time in the year 1796. They came to
Ohio in the fall of 1817, and settled amid the forests of
Harrison Township, Champaign Co, where he entered 160 acres of
land, which he reduced to a state of cultivation. Indians
were numerous, but not troublesome. They were the parents
of eight children. She died July 30, 1832. He
afterward married Amanda Spencer, with whom he had eight
children. As the general history of this township will
show, he was a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church.
His decease occurred Aug. 22, 1866. Amanda departed
this life Jan. 2, 1862. The subject of thsi sketch was
raised to agricultural pursuits on the farm where he resides.
At the age of 21, he left home and worked by the month on farms
at different places for about five years, when he rented a farm
and began the business for himself. IN 1838, he purchased
80 acres of land in Adams Township. This was in a wild,
but, by his indomitable energy, he has brought it under a good
state of cultivation with good improvements, when he disposed of
it in 1857 and bought the old homestead. He has also made
considerable improvement in various ways, but principally in
building a house. IN 1847, Apr. 6, he married Amanda
Taylor, with whom he had two children - Jane V. and
Joseph F.; the latter deceased. Amanda was born
in 1825, and died June 27, 1850. She was a member of the
Presbyterian Church. His marriage with Elizabeth
Rumley was solemnized Sept. 2, 1851. April 28, 1825,
is the date of her birth. The fruits of their marriage are
four children - Sarah Bell now Mrs. J. Calland; James
H., Solomon D. and E. N. Mr. Wilson and famil yare
all members of the Presbyterian.
Source: History of Champaign County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co.
- 1881
- Page
785 |
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Wayne Twp. -
THOMAS WILSON was born in the State of New York.
He came to this township from Clark County, in the year 1832,
and settled on the farm on which he lived and died, nearly a
mile southeast of Middletown. He bought the land of
Gallaway, the original proprietor, for $1.25 per acre.
He married Lockie Pemberton, in the year 1827. She
was born in Clark County. His children were James,
Hiram, William, Isaac, David K., Margaret, Catherine, Hannah
and Cinderella. Three daughters and two sons
survive the father. Mr. Wilson died about 1875.
Source: History of Champaign County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co.
- 1881
- Page 544 |
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Goshen Twp. -
NATHAN WOLF, farmer; P. O. Mechanicsburg; was born in Logan Co., Ohio, in 1845, and is the son of
George and Olive (Hendricks) Wolf,
the former a native of Virginia, born near Harper’s Ferry in 1803, and the
latter a native of Clark Co., Ohio.
George emigrated to Clark Co. with
his parents when quite young; thence to Logan Co., where he lived till about
thirty years ago, engaged at the life occupation, farming. At the above time he sold out with
the intention of going West but the death of his wife,
Olive, defeated this plan. He soon married
Miss Laferty, and located in this county, Union Township, where
he still resides. About twelve years
ago, he was called to mourn the loss of his second wife, and has sine been
married to Rebecca J. Minturn. He has two sons by his first and
three by his second marriage. Our
subject is the oldest living, and has had his residence in the county since 6
years old. He made his first
location from home on his present place in about 1870. In his use of the elective franchise,
he uses his own judgment, and votes for the man he thinks best fitted for
office, regardless of party. He is a
member of A., F. & A. M. fraternity and the M. E. Church. He married, in 1870,
Mrs. Louisa M. Smith,
nee Hull, by whom he has two sons – Alfred C., born Feb.
17, 1874; Milton B., born July 28,
1876.
Mrs. Wolf has one son by her first marriage – Claude F. Smith, born June 11, 1866.
Source: History of Champaign County, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881
- Page 902
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Adams Twp. -
CHARLES C. WOOLLEY, retired farmer; P. O. Tawawa, Shelby Co.; born Dec. 12, 1812, in New
Jersey; is a son of Elihu Woolley, a
native of that State, who came to Ohio with his parents in 1814, locating in
Butler Co.; lived there twenty-two years; sold his property there and moved to
Shelby Co., purchasing a farm south of Palestine, where he lived until his
death; he was a weaver by trade.
Charles C. was raised principally as
a farmer, but worked some at the carpenter’s trade. June 30, 1839, he married
Miss Barbara, daughter of
Nicholas Speece, a native of
Virginia; they have five children, of whom two
are living – William E. and
Josie.
Mr. Woolley has served as
Township Trustee for eighteen years.
He lives retired from hard labor.
His farm is located in the west part of Adams Township,
this county. He is one of Champaign
Co’s best and most highly respected citizens.
Source: History of Champaign County,
Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881
- Page 777
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Adams Twp. -
ELIHU WOOLLEY was born in New Jersey,
in 1789. Left in 1814, and settled in Butler County,
this State. He left the latter place in 1836, settling
in this township. He took unto himself, "for better or
worse," Miss Ellen Conover in 1810 or 1811.
He died in 1855; his wife in 1871. Of eight children,
but one resides in the township, at present, Charles C.
This gentleman has been township Trustee for twenty years,
is an active member of the United Brethren Church, and his
hospitality is unbounded. He resides on part of
Section 36, in the western part of the township.
Source: History of Champaign County,
Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881 - Page 461 |
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Goshen Twp. -
THOMAS WREN, farmer; P. O. Mechanicsburg; one of the early settlers of Goshen Township; was born in Clark
Co., Ohio, Dec. 1808, and is the son of
David Wren, of Berkeley Co., Va.
David was married to
Elizabeth Bishop, of Loudoun Co.,
Va., and moved to Fleming Co.,
Ky., where they remained five years, and then pioneered their way into
Ohio, in 1801
or 1802, locating in Pleasant Township, Clark Co., thru making one of the first
families of Clark Co. In June, 1832,
he moved with his family to Goshen Township, Champaign Co., locating about one
mile south of Mechanicsburg. Here he
lived till in August, 1847, when his death occurred; his wife died in 1852. They had six sons and four daughters;
all grew up and were married; two sons only survive. Our subject was the seventh child; he
was reared on a farm, and early became inured to farm labor; his life has been
devoted to farming and stock-raising, and at this he has been signally
successful. At his advent into Goshen Township,
he was 22 years old, and has since resided here, a period of nearly half a
century. He lived with his parents
till he moved to his present place, forty years ago. Then he began in the woods and log
cabin; now he has a farm of nearly 400 acres under good improvement, and a fine,
large, brick residence, the result of his industry and economy. He married, in 1837,
Mary Jones, who was born in Logan
Co., Ohio, and
raised in this, Champaign Co.; she died in June, 1871. One son and five daughters were born
to this union.
Mr. Wren, formerly an “Old-Line Whig,” now embraces the principles of the Republican
party.
Source: History of
Champaign County,
Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co. – 1881 - Page
902
PLEASE NOTE: Per email received from Jim Wren at
wrenjanet@sc.rr.com
the birth of Thomas Wren was engraved on Thomas'
tombstone as Dec. 5, 1809. It is located in the
Maple Grove Cemetery at Mechanicsburg, Champaign Co.,
Ohio. Anymore information on this family would be
appreciated. It is also believed that his father may
have another name in addition to David (possibly Daniel.
~ S.Wick
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