BIOGRAPHIES
A CENTENNIAL
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
OF
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO
Illustrated
New York and Chicago
The Lewis Publishing Company
1902
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|
E. ERWOOD CHENEY.
Judge Cheney is a native of Champaign county, his
birth having occurred in Goshen township, July 2, 1861, his
parents being James Henry and Beatrice S. (Tullis) Cheney.
His father, also a native of this county, is now residing in
Mechanicsburg. and was a son of Jonathan Cheney, one of
the honored pioneer settlers of this portion of the
state. The family name is of French origin and was
originally spelled Chene, meaning “oak." The mother
of our subject was born in this county, and her father, Ezra
Carter Tullis, was also a native of Champaign county, while
his grandfather, Ezra Tullis, was born in
Virginia. The father of our subject was a farmer,
following that pursuit until his retirement from active
business. Thus upon the home farm our subject spent the
first fourteen years of his life and then accompanied his
parents on their removal to Mechanicsburg. He is the
eldest of four children, the others being Brooke, who
died July 2, 1890, leaving a widow, who is now deceased, and one
child; Lizzie Rachel, who, is the wife of
Marion L. Burnham, of London, Ohio; and William
Henry, at home.
Judge Cheney is indebted to the public
school system of this state for the early educational privileges
which he enjoyed. He is a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan
University at Delaware, having completed the classical course in
1833, while in 1885 he was graduated in the Cincinnati Law
School and was admitted to the bar on the 25th of May of that
year. He began practicing in Urbana in 1888, having
previous to this time been engaged in settling up the business
of the Mechanicsburg Machine Company, while for fifteen months
he acted as manager for its successor. W. C. Downey
& Company, who have since removed to Springfield, Ohio.
After entering upon the practice of law Judge Cheney
became a partner of C. B. Heiseman, the relation between
them being maintained for five years. In the fall of 1896
our subject was
elected probate judge, entering upon the duties of the office
Feb. 9, 1397. When two years had passed he was re-elected,
so that he is the present incumbent. His legal learning,
his analytical mind, the readiness with which he grasps the
points in an argument, all combine to make him one of the most
capable jurists of this court. and the public and the profession
acknowledge him the peer of any mind that has ever sat upon this
bench.
In 1888 Judge Cheney was married to Miss Cora
M. Burnham, of Madison county, Ohio Wesleyan University in
1884. They have two daughters, Helen and Ruth.
Fraternally the Judge is a Knight Templar Mason and also belongs
to the Mystic Shrine at Dayton. He has passed all of the
chairs in the chapter, lodge and commandery, and his life
exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft. He holds
membership in the First Methodist Episcopal church and is
serving as one of its trustees. Honored and respected in
every class of society, he has for some time been a leader in
thought and action in the public life of Champaign county, and
his name is inscribed high on the roll of its leading citizens.
Source: A Centennial Biographical
History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and
Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 342 |
|
JAMES HENRY CHENEY.
Collectively the farmer in whose hands has rested the
fundamental development of communities, however great their
ultimate commercial inclination, needs no epitaph to sound his
praises in the ears of posterity.
His accomplishments are an ever present blessing, and
it is sufficient that the acres wrested from primeval inactivity
yield of their abundance with the coming of every summer, and
that while factories burn and industries are crowded out of
existence by the progress of science or the amalgamation of
interests, the husbandman comes into his own with the sole
hindrance of his own incapacity or the inclemency of the
weather. And because of his inestimable services in all
lands it may be said that the monument .of the agriculturist is
the luxury and opulence of the world, no matter how remote this
happy state from his own fireside, and his enduring fame is the
dignity of labor and the nobility of collaborating with nature.
Individually his sphere is enlarged or narrowed by his ability
to cope with the political and governmental elements by which he
is surrounded, and his personality is reflected in the condition
of his fences and barns, his sanitation and cattle, his
appreciation of modern improvements, and his tact and enterprise
in bringing within the borders of his possession the pleasures
and conveniences of present day existence. But the stable
prosperity of this or any other section of the country cannot be
noted solely from the standpoint of generalization. In the
early days more than ordinarily astute and progressive minds
came to Champaign county, and with splendid faith in its
possibilities not only guided the plow, but raised their voices
in the legislature in behalf of the most intelligent welfare of
the community. A name associated with agricultural and
political advancement through all the succeeding years since
1808 is that of Cheney, a family of pioneer and present
distinction, and of which James Henry Cheney,
one of the large land-owners of Champaign county, is a typical
representative. His accomplishments are an ever present
blessing, and it is sufficient that the acres wrested from
primeval inactivity yield of their abundance with the coming of
every summer, and that while factories burn and industries are
crowded out of existence by the progress of science or the
amalgamation of interests, the husbandman comes into his own
with the sole hindrance of his own incapacity or the inclemency
of the weather. And because of his inestimable services in
all lands it may be said that the monument of the agriculturist
is the luxury and opulence of the world, no matter how remote
this happy state from his own fireside, and his enduring fame is
the dignity of labor and the nobility of collaborating with
nature. Individually his sphere is enlarged or narrowed by
his ability to cope with the political and governmental elements
by which he is surrounded, and his personality is reflected in
the condition of his fences and barns, his sanitation and
cattle, his appreciation of modern improvements, and his tact
and enterprise in bringing within the borders of his possession
the pleasures and conveniences of present day existence.
But the stable prosperity of this or any other section of the
country cannot be noted solely from the standpoint of
generalization. In the early days more than ordinarily
astute and progressive minds came to Champaign county, and with
splendid faith in its possibilities not only guided the plow,
but raised their voices in the legislature in behalf of the most
intelligent welfare of the community. A name associated
with agricultural and political advancement through all the
succeeding years since 1808 is that of Cheney, a family
of pioneer and present distinction, and of which James
Henry Cheney, one of the large land-owners of
Champaign county, is a typical representative.
In Union township, first pioneered by the Cheneys,
James Henry Cheney was born in this county, Dec.
1, 1839, a son of Jonathan and Rachel (Willlams)
Cheney, and grandson of Benjamin and Sarah (Cochran)
Cheney. Accompanied by his wife, Benjamin
Cheney left his native state of Virginia in 1808, and on the
backs of horses made the journey to his future home in Union
township. He inherited no wealth, his best possessions
being an honest name, good business ability, strong intellect
and nobility of purpose. The unsettled conditions had need
of just such material for the furtherance of general activities,
and Mr. Cheney soon made his influence felt to a
conspicuous extent. His unsurpassed thrift and sagacity
resulted in the accumulation of an estate comprising nearly two
thousand acres, but up to the time of his death, in 1834, he
never moved from his first location. As a politician he
entered into all the important county undertakings, and was not
only a justice of the peace for many years, but was a member of
the lower house of the Ohio legislature for twelve years.
His political career was characterized by incorruptible
integrity, and his duties were discharged with rare discretion
and fidelity and commendable zeal. The wife, whose life
terminated soon after his own, was the mother of seven sons and
one daughter, and of these Jonathan, the father of
James Henry Cheney, possessed many of the
admirable traits of his father. Jonathan Cheney
was born on the paternal farm in Union township in August of
1816, and in 1836 married Rachel, daughter of John W.
and Eleanor (Duval) Williams. Of this union there were
eight sons and three daughters. The life occupation of
Mr. Cheney was stock-raising, and, like his sire, his
interests extended beyond his fertile fields to the general
improvement of the county. He also was a justice of the
peace for many years, and for two years he represented his
county in the state legislature. He had the faculty of
recognizing and improving opportunities, and his death, Mar. 6,
1864, removed one of the honored, progressive and popular
members of the community.
At the present time James Henry Cheney
controls nearly a thousand acres of fine farm land in Champaign
county, and his operations are on an extensive scale, both as to
general farming and stock-raising. His life has contained
many elements of interest, and his many capabilities have
connected him intimately with the latter day advancement of his
locality. During the Civil war he served for a short time
in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, and is now a member of the Stephen Baxter Post, No.
88, Department of Ohio, Grand Army of the Republic. In
1860 he married Beatrice S. Tullis, daughter of Ezra
C. and Sarah Elizabeth (Edmtondston) Tullis, natives
respectively of Champaign county, Ohio, and Maryland. The
paternal grandfather, Ezra Tullis, was a Virginian
who removed to Ohio in the early days, and after living a few
years 'in Warren county settled in Champaign county, which
remained his home until his death. The parents of Mrs.
Cheney were married in Champaign county, thereafter
settling in Goshen township, where she was born, and where her
early days were spent. Her father was a very successful
farmer and large land-owner, and he was an influential man in
the county up to the time of his death, in 1869, at the age of
fifty-four years. His wife, who is now living with her
daughter, Mrs. James Henry Cheney, still retains the
mental alertness which rendered her such an invaluable aid to
her husband in his early struggles, and a large share of his
energy is devoted to work in the Methodist Protestant church, of
which she has been a member for many years. She is
seventy-four years old, and is the mother of one son and one
daughter, of whom the former, William E. Tullis, died in
the service of his country, July 9, 1864, while a soldier in
Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer
Infantry. To Mr. and Mrs. Cheney have been born the
following children: E. E., of whom a personal sketch
appears elsewhere in this work; Brooke E., who died at
the age of twenty-seven; Lizzie R., who is the wife of
Marion L. Burnham; and William H., who is living with
his parents.
In 1875 Mr. and Mrs. Cheney left the farm near
Mutual, upon which they had settled after their marriage, and
took up their residence in Mechanicsburg that their children
might receive better educational training. Both were
fortunate in inheriting landed possessions, which, however, have
been increased by wise management. and a scientific study of
agricultural methods. For many years the Cheney
home has been the center of gracious hospitality, the
chatelaine thereof being a woman of sterling traits of character
and much tact. and who for years sang in the choir of the
Methodist church. Mr. Cheney has maintained
and even exalted the prestige established by earlier members. of
his family, yet he is withal an unassuming gentleman of the old
school, and modestly bears his honors as one of the most public
spirited and substantial citizens of the town and county.
He is a Republican in national politics.
Source: A Centennial Biographical
History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and
Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 42 |
John H. Clark |
JOHN H. CLARK, M. D.
A name inseparably associated with the highest development of
medical science in Champaign county is that of John H. Clark,
who was born on a farm in Union township, this county, Sept. 28,
1829, and died in Mechanicsburg, the city for whose all around
well being he had so faithfully labored, in 1901.
Stephen Clark, the father of John H.,
was one of the very first white children born in Champaign
county, whither his parents, John and Phœbe
(Mintern) Clark, had removed from New Jersey at a very early
day. The family is of English descent, and the emigrating
ancestor came to America long before the Revolutionary war.
Stephen Clark was a farmer by occupation, and spent his
early life in Ohio, although he eventually removed to Illinois,
and died there at the age of sixty-two years. He married
Hannah Jones, also a native of Champaign county, and a
daughter of Abraham and Mrs. (Howard) Jones, Quakers from
Pennsylvania, and pioneers of this county. Of the children
born to Stephen Clark and his wife, John H. was
perhaps the most ambitious, his natural energy and
aggressiveness being evinced on the home farm when he was yet a
boy. He attended the public schools of his neighborhood,
and later the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, and
his professional training was received at the Starling Medical
College, at Columbus, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1853.
His first practice was undertaken at Mutual, in his native
county, and in 1859 he located in Decatur, Illinois, removing
two years later to his permanent home in Mechanicsburg.
During the Civil war the Doctor served for three months on the
United States Sanitary Commission, and from Mar. 1, 1874, until
May of 1876, he was medical superintendent of the Asylum for the
Insane at Dayton, Ohio. With the exception of these two
absences Dr. Clark had been continuously associated with
professional work in Mechanicsburg, and he arose to a truly
enviable position as a physician as a physician and surgeon.
He was a member of the Champaign County and Ohio State Medical
Societies, as well as the American Medical Association, and was
an occasional contributor to medical journals. In 1870 he
was president of the County Medical Society. In political
affiliation he was a Democrat, and he was a member of the
Episcopal church. Fraternally he was associated with the
Masons.
In 1852 Dr. Clark married Elenor,
daughter of William Williams, a most estimable pioneer of
Champaign county. Mr. Williams was born in Maryland
Mar. 30, 18m, a son of John W. and Eleanor (DeVall) Williams,
natives of Maryland, and of Welsh and French descent
Respectively. In 1931 Mr. Williams married
Ann Clegett, born in Maryland in 1811, and soon
after their marriage the parents came to Champaign county, where
the father engaged in mercantile business in Mechanicsburg with
considerable success. His wife died in 1862, and his
second wife was formerly Elizabeth Boswell. Mr.
Williams died in 1887, and his wife died a few years
after. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and a stanch believer in Republican principles. The county
contained no more honored or respected citizen. Mrs.
Clark, who survives her husband, has one son living,
William by name, who is now operating in the lead and zinc mines
of Missouri. Dr. Clark was president of the
Farmers‘ Bank at Mechanicsburg for many years.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History
of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago -
The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 453 |
Residence and Barn
of David Clem |
DAVID CLEM.
There is no element which has entered into our composite
national fabric which has been of more practical strength, value
and utility than that furnished by the sturdy, persevering and
honorable sons of Germany, and from that nationality our subject
is descended. His paternal great-grandfather was born in
the fatherland, but when a young man left his home across the
sea and came to America, taking up his abode in the Old
Dominion, and in that commonwealth his son David was
born. The latter became the grandfather of our subject,
and his son Isaac was also a native of Virginia, born in
Shenandoah county, where he was reared and married. In
1829 he came to Champaign county. Ohio, locating on a farm in
Johnson township, but in 1853 he sold that tract and bought a
farm west of Saint Paris, where he died at the age of
seventy-five years. His political support was given to the
Democracy. For his wife he chose Rebecca Crabill,
also a native of Virginia, as was her father, John
Crabill. She reached the age of seventy-nine years,
and by her marriage to Mr. Clem became the mother
of nine children, six sons and three daughters, all of whom,
with the exception of one, who died at the age of four years,
grew to maturity, and five sons and two daughters are still
living, our subject being the third child and second son in
order of birth.
David Clem, of this review, was born on
the home farm in Johnson township, Champaign county, on the 30th
of September, 1836. During his youth he attended the
primitive school of the neighbor hood during the winter months,
while the summer seasons were spent in assisting his father in
the work of the farm, thus continuing until he reached his
majority. He then started out to make his own way in the
world, and for a time thereafter worked for neighboring farmers
by the day or month. For about six years he was also
employed at the shoemaker's trade in Saint Paris, after which he
purchased a farm in Johnson township, near Millerstown, on which
he made his home for about one year, on the expiration of which
period he sold that tract and purchased one hundred acres in
Adams and Johnson townships. Four years later he again
sold his farm, after which he removed to Caldwell county,
Missouri, and in Davis county, that state, purchased a farm.
Returning after a time to Champaign county, he became the owner
of one hundred and thirty-five acres in Urbana township, but
after a residence there-of five years he sold that tract and
purchased his present homestead, consisting of three hundred
acres, in Salem township. and in addition he also owns one
hundred and sixty-seven acres in the same township, two hundred
and seven acres southeast of of West Liberty and one hundred
acres in Johnson township, thus making his landed possessions
consist of seven hundred and seventy-four acres. Starting
out in life a poor boy, he has steadily worked his way upward,
gaining success and winning public confidence.
Mr. Clem was married in 1876, when
Miss Romelia Perry became his wife. She
was born in Virginia, but when ten years of age accompanied her
parents to the Buckeye state, the family locating in Clark
county. Her grandfather, Abram Perry, was a
native of Pennsylvania and was of Dutch descent, while her
maternal grandfather. Henry F. Hensley, was a
native of Virginia and was a member of a prominent old southern
family. Mrs. Clem’s parents, George and Margaret
(Hensley) Perry, were also natives of the Old Dominion, but
in 1865 they came to Clark county, Ohio, where the father died
in 1868, and he is still survived by his widow. They were
the parents of nine children, five daughters and four sons and
seven of the number grew to years of maturity. The union
of Mr. and Mrs. Clem has been blessed with six children,
- five of whom are living: Joseph, born Oct. 20, 1877;
Samuel, born Jan. 24, 1879; Pearl, Oct. 16, 1881;
Ivan, Oct. 17, 1883; and Blanch, born Mar. 15, 1891.
One daughter, Grace, died in infancy. Since
attaining to mature years Mr. Clem has given his
political support to the Democracy. He stands on the side
of progress, advancement and civilization, favoring education,
religion, law and order, and whatever makes for the good of the
people as individuals and as communities.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History
of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago -
The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 156 |
|
HARRY COOK,
M. D. Champaign county is
fortunate in retaining within its borders a high class of
physicians and surgeons, who honor themselves, their noble
profession and the community through their able services and
sterling characters. Among the younger practitioners of
the county is Dr. Cook, of Urbana, a representative of
the homeopathic school of practice and known as a thoroughly
skilled physician and surgeon and as a gentleman, well worthy
the esteem and respect in which he is so uniformly held in the
community. He is associated in practice with Dr. C. C.
Craig, to whom individual reference is made on another page
of this work, and to them is due the credit of establishing and
maintaining that noble and finely equipped institution, the
Urbana Sanitarium, whose value in the community can scarcely be
overestimated. In the sketch of the life of Dr.
Craig will be found more complete data concerning this
institution, and to the same the reader is referred.
Dr. Cook is a native of the city of
Springfield, Ohio, where he was born on the 10th of February,
1873, the son of Dr. William A. and Anna (Bechtel) Cook. Dr.
William A. Cook was likewise born in Springfield, and he
passed his entire life in his native state, being one of the
representative homeopathic physicians of this section of the
Union. He died at Tippecanoe City, Miami county, in 1890,
at the age of fifty-two years. He was graduated in the
Cleveland Homeopathic Medical College and was engaged in the
practice of his profession in Cleveland, and Tippecanoe City,
Ohio, and for a time in the city of Muncie, Indiana. His
widow now maintains her home in Fremont, Sandusky county.
They became the parents of three children, of whom but one
survives the father. When our subject was about six months
of age his parents removed to Muncie, Indiana, where they
resided about eight years and then removed to Cleveland, where
Dr. Cook was engaged in the practice of his
profession about seven years, after which he located in
Tippecanoe City, where he passed the remainder of his life.
Our subject received his early education in the public schools
of the three cities mentioned and then began reading medicine
under the effective and careful preceptorship of his honored
father. In 1890 he was matriculated in the Chicago
Homeopatbic Medical College, where he was graduated with the
coveted degree of Doctor of Medicine in the spring of 1894, his
last year having been principally devoted to clinical work in
the hospitals, so that he was thoroughly fortified for the
practical duties of his profession when his degree was
conferred.
In May, 1891, Dr. Cook located in Urbana,
and here he soon became known as a thoroughly skilled and
discriminating physician, the confidence begotten leading to his
securing a practice of representative character. In June,
1899, he entered into a professional alliance with Dr.
Craig, and this association has ever since continued, while
they also conduct the sanitarium, which receives an excellent
supporting patronage and which affords the best of accommodation
and the most efficacious treatment for those suffering from the
various ills to which human flesh is heir. Dr.
Cook is a member of the Miami Valley Homeopathic Medical
Society, in whose affairs he takes a deep interest. His
political support is given to the Republican party, and both he
and his wife hold membership in the Lutheran church, enjoying
distinctive popularity in both church and social circles.
On the 21st of October, 1899, occurred the marriage of Dr.
Cook to Miss Grace. daughter of
Christian Emrick, one of Urbana's representative
citizens, and they are prominent in the social activities of the
community.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History
of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago -
The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 623 |
Thos. A. Cowgill |
THOMAS A. COWGILL
Source: A Centennial Biographical History
of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago -
The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 182 |
James L. Crain
Mrs. Martha A. Crain |
JAMES L. CRAIN.
Of one of the honored pioneer families of
Champaign county is the subject of this sketch a representative,
and here he has passed the entire span of his life, now holding
prestige as one of the successful farmers and horsemen of Union
township and standing as one of the leading citizens of that
section of his native county.
James Lewis Crain was born in
Pretty Prairie, this county, on the 24th of February, 1830,
being the son of Lewis F. Crain, who was born in the
state of Kentucky, where he was reared to maturity, and whence,
as a young man, he came to Champaign county, and here engaged in
the raising of and dealing in horses and hogs. He located
a large tract of land on Pretty Prairie. Urbana township,
being one of the first settlers in that locality. He was a
son of Lewis Crain, who likewise was born in
Kentucky. where he devoted his life to agricultural pursuits,
having been a Whig in his political views. Lewis F.
Crain was married, in Clark county, Ohio. to Miss
Clara Phifer, who was born in Virginia. in the
district of the Greenbrier river, her parents having been of
German descent. From Virginia they came to Ohio when their
daughter Clara was a child, and located first in Franklin
county, whence they later removed to Clark county, where they
passed the remainder of their lives. Lewis F. and Clara
Crain became the parents of three children, - James L.,
the subject of this sketch; Lucinda J., the widow of
Henry Espey, formerly a prominent banker of Urbana;
and Louise Caroline. the widow of John D.
Fligger, who was a railroad man.
Our subject received his educational training in the
public Schools at Springfield, this county, but left school at
the early age of fifteen years, and thereafter remained with his
step-father (his own father having died when our subject was
only three years of age), William Vance, a brother of
ex-Governor Vance of Ohio, and thus he continued until the death
of Mr. Vance, in 1866. He was but seven years of
age when the farm upon which he now resides became his home, and
early began to aid in the work of clearing and improving the
place. In 1856 he and his step-father erected a gristmill
in this township, and the building is still standing. The
farm owned by Mr. Crain was purchased in the early '60s
by R. E. Robinson, who secured the property at a public
auction, and in 1869 our subject purchased the place of the
gentleman named and now has an estate of nearly five hundred
acres, upon which he has made the best of improvements. In
connection with his diversified farming Mr. Crain
devotes special attention to the raising of live stock,
particularly horses of the best type, and at the time of this
writing has on his farm fifty head of very highly bred animals,
and also keeps a stable in Urbana. He has attained a high
reputation as a breeder of tine horses, and takes an
enthusiastic interest in this branch of his business.
On the 26th of March, 1856, Mr. Crain was
united in marriage to Miss Martha A. Todd, who was born
in Pennsylvania, and who is a sister of Mrs. Mary H. Runyon,
widow of H. Runyon, of whom a memoir appears on another
page of this volume. Of this union five children have been
born. namely: Clara A., who remains at the parental home;
Caroline J., the wife of Elmer Powell, a
successful farmer of Union township, who helps our subject in
the training of his horses; William L. and Florence,
who are deceased; and a daughter who died in infancy.
Mr. Crain is one of the honored veterans
of the war of the Rebellion, in which he served with marked
loyalty, participating in many of the important battles of that
greatest of all civil conflicts. On the 2d of March, 1804,
he enlisted as a private in Company E, One Hundred and
Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being made second
sergeant of his company, with which he served until the close of
the war, receiving his honorable discharge in Urbana. In
politics Mr. Crain gives a stanch allegiance to the
Republican party, and has been an active worker in the ranks of
the same, his first presidential vote having been cast in
support of John C. Fremont. His religious faith is
that of the Presbyterian church, and he has been for many years
a member of the church at Buck Creek, having contributed
liberally to the erection of the church building. He is
held in the highest esteem in the community and is known as a
progressive and public-spirited citizen.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History
of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago -
The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 422 |
|
MARCUS H. CRANE.
The stove foundry owned and operated by Morris & Crane
has for years contributed to the industrial well being of
Urbana, and is appreciated not only because of the excellence of
its wares, but because of its extensive opportunity as an
employment resource. Marcus H. Crane, the partner
longest identified with the concern, and one of the progressive
men of the community, was born in Caldwell, New Jersey, Oct. 10,
1842. The family of which he is a member has long been
associated with New Jersey, in which state the first
representatives settled after emigrating from England to
America, and where the parents of Mr. Crane,
Xenns and Mary (Harrison) Crane, were
born, married, and where they spent their entire lives.
As companions in his youth Mr. Crane had
one brother and one sister, and the children were reared and
educated in the public schools of Caldwell. During
the progress of the Civil War he left the familiar surroundings
of New Jersey and settled in Urbana, at the time being about
twenty years of age. Of an ambitious and capable nature,
he soon made his influence felt in business circles, and in time
was enabled to purchase the stove foundry which has since been
his absorbing care. For the first two years the enterprise
was conducted under the firm name of Moore & Crane, but since then the success of the
business has been rightfully credited to M. H. Crane &
Co.. the present proprietors.
The marriage of Mr. Crane and Effie
Muzzy occurred in 1869, Mrs. Crane being a
native of Springfield. Ohio. Of this union there have been
born two children, Edgar M. and Frances, the
former of whom is associated with his father in business, and is
one of the promising young men of the town. Mr.
Crane is politically a Republican, and has for eighteen
years promoted the most intelligent educational projects, as a
member of the school board. Fraternally he is
associated with the Royal Arcanum, National Union, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, and the Junior Order Knights Templar.
He is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr.
Crane enjoys to an exceptional degree the confidence and
good-will of the community of which he is a notable acquisition,
and his success is regarded as the natural result of well
applied industry and fair dealing with the public.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History
of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago -
The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 713 |
Frank J. Crawford |
FRANK JAMES CRAWFORD.
Deeds of bravery have been the theme of song and story from the
earliest days, and the world pays a tribute of respect and
admiration to the man who fights for his country and his
principles. One of the distinguished officers of the Civil
war was Frank James Crawford, who was born
in Birmingham, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, July 12, 1834.
He was educated in Alleghany College, in Meadville,
Pennsylvania, where he won the degree of M. A. A
short time after his graduation he engaged in teaching school in
Maryland and in Pennsylvania, but predilection for the law led
him to prepare for the bar. Going to La Salle county,
Illinois, in 1855, he studied law in Ottawa and was admitted to
practice in 1858. He then opened an office there and
steadily rose to prominence. No bitter novitiate awaited
him. Nature bountifully endowed him with the peculiar
qualifications that combine to make a successful lawyer.
Patiently persevering, possessed of an analytical mind, and one
that is readily receptive and retentive of the fundamental
principles and intricacies of the law; gifted with a spirit of
devotion to wearisome details; quick to comprehend the most
subtle problems and logical in his conclusions; fearless in the
advocacy of any cause he may espouse, and the soul of honor and
integrity, few men have been more richly gifted for the
achievement of success in the arduous and difficult profession
of the law.
At the time of the Civil war, however, Mr.
Crawford entered his country's service, enlisting as a
private of Company E, Fifty-third Illinois Infantry, on the 28th
of December, 1861. The same day he was appointed
quartermaster sergeant of the regiment. On the second day
of the battle of Pittsburg Landing, he displayed marked
gallantry as well as knowledge of military tactics, and for this
reason was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. On
the 10th of November, 1862, he was appointed by President
Lincoln, commissary of subsistance with the rank of
captain, in which position he served throughout the Tennessee
and Vicksburg campaigns with marked distinction. Later he
was on duty at Port Hudson, Louisiana, where he was stationed
until the close of the war, having served for three years and
eight months. When hostilities were ended he was brevetted
major of the United States Volunteer Infantry for meritorious
service in the field.
Returning to Ottawa, Illinois, in December, 1865, Mr.
Crawford there resumed the practice of law, but in 1872
sought a broader field of labor in the growing metropolis of the
west, and became a distinguished, prominent and honored member
of the Chicago bar, where be practiced successfully, enjoying a
large and distinctively representative clientage until his
death, which occurred in Urbana, Oct. 14, 1898.
Major Crawford had married in Urbana,
Ohio, in 1865, the lady of his choice being Miss Max F. Fyffe,
a daughter of Brigadier-General Edward P. Fyffe.
She now resides in Urbana and has one daughter, Mrs. Annie
Crawford Merritt, of Highland Park, Illinois.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History
of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago -
The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 15 |
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Source:
A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio -
Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing
Company - 1902 - Page |
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