< BACK TO 1902 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX >
< BACK TO BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES >
 

Hamilton McGrew Elizabeth McGrew	HAMILTON McGREW.   Within the pages of this work will be found specific mention of many worthy and representative citizens who have passed their entire lives in Champaign county and whose memories link the present-day in the county, buying and shipping extensively, while he also owned other valuable real estate in Urbana, including the building now utilized by Charles Ganson as a livery.  In politics he was a Democrat and he served for a number of years as justice of the peace. while fraternally he was identified with the Masonic order.  The maiden name of our subject's mother was Mary Taylor, and she was born in Virginia, whence, as a child, she accompanied her parents on their removal to Champaign county.  Her father, John Taylor, was likewise a native of the Old Dominion state, and he became one of the early settlers in Champaign county, where he erected what was known as the Taylor mill, in what was then called Taylortown, in Salem township, the village now being known as Kingston.  He carried on a successful gristmilling business there for many years and was succeeded by his son.  The family is of German extraction.  The father of our subject died at the age of sixty eight years, his wife long surviving him and passing away at the age of eighty-three years.  They became the parents of five sons and five daughters, and six of the number grew to years of maturity, while only two of the family are now living, - Caroline, who is the widow of Milton Fithian and who now maintains her home in Chicago, Illinois; and Hamilton, who was the youngest of the children and is the immediate subject of this sketch.      Mr. Magrew was reared on the farm where he now resides, and his early educational privileges were such as were afforded in the primitive log school house of the pioneer epoch, the same being equipped with slab seats, while the desks utilized were of slabs supported by pins driven into the log walls.  Later he supplemented this training by a course of study in the academy at Urbana.  After his school days he returned to the old homestead and continued to assist his father in carrying on the work pertaining thereto, and after his marriage, in 185,. he still continued his residence in the house where he was born and which he still occupies, the same having been the home of four generations of the family, including his children.  Here he has ever since continued to devote his attention to general farming and stock-raising, having made a specialty of the latter department of his industrial enterprise and having attained a high degree of success through his energetic efforts and marked business discrimination.  He has made excellent improvements on. his farm, which comprises one hundred and ninety-one acres, and has placed the major portion of the farm under a high state of cultivation.  The old homestead has been consecutively in the possession of the family from the time when the grandfather secured the land from the government in the early pioneer days, and in the three generations the representatives of the Magrew family have worthily contributed to the work of development and progress and have stood for the most sterling integrity of character, retaining the unqualified esteem of the community in which they have lived and labored to so goodly ends.  Mr. Magrew is a stockholder in the Citizens’ National Bank of Urbana, and is also a member of its directorate.  He at one time owned property in Fargo, North Dakota, and has traveled quite extensively through the northwest.  In politics he has been an uncompromising Democrat from the time of attaining his legal majority, and for fifteen years served as trustee of Mad River township.  Fraternally he is one of the most prominent members of Magrew Lodge, No. 433, Knights of Pythias, which was named in honor of himself and his brother, the late Lemuel Magrew, said lodge having its headquarters in the village of Westville.      On the 1st of November, 1858, Mr. Magrew was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Snyder, who was born in this township Apr. 16, 1838, being the daughter of Daniel and Anna (Kizer) Snyder, who were early settlers in the county, Mrs. Magrew's grandparents, on the paternal side, having located in Champaign county as early as 1806.      She received her educational training in the schools of Urbana and Springfield, this state, and is a woman of refinement and gracious presence.  Our subject and his wife became the parents of three children, namely: Luella, the wife of William F. Ring, a prominent attorney of Urbana and who is individually mentioned on an-other page of this.  work; Cyrus H. died at the age of fifteen years; and Elizabeth H. remains at the parental home.  The father of Mrs. Magrew died in Mad River township July 9, 1870, at sixty-two years of age and the mother of Mrs. Magrew died in the same township Mar. 22, 1881, having been born in 1810.  The father was born in Virginia, as was also the mother.  Daniel Snyder, Sr., the grandfather, was born in Virginia in 1785, and died in Mad River township in 1849.  The grandmother was Barbara (Pence) Snyder, born in Virginia in 1788, and died in 1866 in this township.  Her maternal grandfather, Philip Kizer, was born in Virginia, came to Ohio in 1805, was a soldier in the war of 1812, in which he was a captain, and died in 1817.  His wife lived until 1837. Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 208
Jacob McMorran Mrs. Jacob McMorran	JACOB McMORRAN.    That Jacob McMorran is one of the leading and influential citizens of Champaign county and that he enjoys in a high degree the confidence of his fellow townsmen is indicated by the fact that he has been called to serve in many public offices in this locality.  He was for six years county commissioner and proved most capable in that position, exercising his franchise prerogatives in support of all measures which he believed would contribute to the general good.  He is now living retired in Saint Paris, having formerly been connected with the grain trade there.      Mr. McMorran was born in Jackson township, Champaign county, on the 15th of June, 1833.  His father, Samuel McMorran, was a native of Rockingham, Pennsylvania, while the paternal grandfather, James McMorran, was a native of Scotland.  Taking up his abode in Pennsylvania, he there died when his son Samuel was about eight years of age.  His wife was a native of Ireland and was of Scotch-Irish descent.  Samuel McMorran was reared in Pennsylvania, and New York, and when a young man came to Champaign county.  He started out to earn his own living when about twelve years of age and nine years, later took up his abode in Ohio, locating first in Dayton.  He was employed as a farm hand in that locality or working at anything that he could get to do that would yield to him an honest living.  He was married in Dayton and then came to Champaign county, settling in Millerstown.  As the years passed he prospered in his business undertakings and became a leading and active citizen of his community.  He was honored with a number of local offices and gave his political support first to the Whig party and afterward to the Republican party.  He voted in Johnston township when there were about thirty Whig votes and two hundred Democratic votes.  He held membership in the Missionary Baptist church, taking an active interest in its work, and his support was ever given to every measure which he believed would promote the progress and welfare of his community.  He lived to the age of eighty-seven years.  His wife, who in her maidenhood was Barbara Heaston, was born in Virginia, and when about twelve years of age came with her parents to Ohio, the family settling near Hamilton.  Her father was a native of Germany and when a young man crossed the Atlantic to the new world.  Mrs. McMorran died when about seventy four years of age.  By her marriage she had become the mother of the following named; John, James, Christopher, Samuel, Jacob and Eliza.      Jacob McMorran was the youngest son and is the only survivor of the family.  He was reared within one mile of Saint Paris and at the usual age entered the district schools where he became familiar with those branches of learning which serve as a foundation of all success in life.  As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Mahala Boswell, the wedding being celebrated on the 6th of November, 1853.  The lady is a native of this county and a daughter of David and Nancy (Colbert) Boswell, who were early and honored pioneer settlers of Champaign county.  The former came from Kentucky and the latter from Virginia.      For three years after his marriage Mr. McMorran resided upon the old farm homestead and then located in Saint Paris.  Subsequently he spent six years in Woodford county, Illinois, where he was engaged in farming and on the expiration of that period returned to Ohio, settling in Saint Paris, where he engaged in the grain trade for many years, handling a large quantity of grain annually, his sales bringing to him a comfortable competence.  When elected county commissioner in 1884 he turned the grain business over to his sons, John and Grant, who have since continued it with good success.  Mr. McMorran served so capably in the office that he was re-elected in 1887 and continued in the position for six years a most worthy and faithful incumbent.  He has also been treasurer of Johnson township and a member of the council of the village of Saint Paris.  In politics he has ever been a stanch Republican from the organization of the party.  He voted for Fremont, its first candidate. and in 1900 his support was given to William McKinley.  Socially he is connected with the Masonic fraternity and is a member of the Baptist church, of which Mrs. McMorran has also been a member for more than fifty years.  His life has ever been as an open book, which all may read.  His entire career will bear investigation and throughout the years of his manhood he has been found an earnest champion of improvement and progress along social, intellectual and moral lines. Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 188
	CLITUS H. MARVIN - See William H. Marvin Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 230
W. H. Marvin	WILLIAM H. MARVIN.     Death often removes from our midst those whom we can ill afford to lose and when William H. Marvin was called from the scene of earthly activities Urbana felt that it had lost one of its most valued and honored citizens, for during his life he had accomplished much for himself and for his fellow men and for the community with which he was associated.  As the day with its morning of hope and promise, its noontide of activity and its evening of accomplished effort. ending in the rest and quiet of the night, so was the life of this honored man.      Mr. Marvin was born in Le Roy, Genesee county, New York, Dec. 15, 1829, and when a small boy accompanied his father on his removal to Morrow county, Ohio, the former settling at Sparta.  His business career commenced when he was fifteen years of age, at which time he began clerking for J. S. Trimble, of Mount Gilead, for whom he worked for three years.  In that time by strict economy he saved eighty dollars and then engaged in business for himself at Sparta, carrying on operations there for several years.  He then removed to Cardington, where he engaged in the dry goods business, which he conducted with great success.  In 1876 he became an organizer of the First National Bank of Cardington, Ohio, and for ten years thereafter was engaged in the banking business, being interested in and a director of banks in Shelby, Galion and Columbus.  He was also the president of the First National Bank of Cardington, and his control of these financial institutions placed them upon a good paying basis and made them important elements in the business life of the cities in which they are located.      In 1886 Mr. Marvin came to Urbana and in company with J. F. Brand established a wholesale grocery under the firm name of W. H. Marvin & Company, beginning business in 1887.  This was attended with gratifying success, but in 1896 the firm discontinued the wholesale grocery trade on account of the large increase of the business which they had instituted in the meantime.  About 1892 they began cleaning fruit and manufacturing mince meat, and this proved extremely profitable from the commencement.  Currants were imported from Greece and cleaned by the process originated by the firm, after which they were packed in cartons and sent to all parts of the United States, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, for the excellent quality of the goods and the reliability of the house secured them a growing patronage, which made their business eventually one of mammoth importance.  The firm. also cleans and packs California raisins, and on an extensive scale manufactures condensed and wet mince meat.  The firm was incorporated on the 13th of October, 1897, under the name of W. H. Marvin Company.  The business has had a wonderful growth and the factory presents a scene of great activity, seventy-five employes being there found.  Mr. Marvin was the central and controlling figure of this industry until his death. serving as president of the company.      Sept. 10, 1855, occurred the marriage of William H. Marvin and Miss Loretta F. Wolcott. a native of Oakville, Genesee county, New York, who died in 1892.  In their family were the following children:  Anna M., the wife of James N. Johnson, of Urbana: Clitus Harry and William B.  Mr. Marvin gave his political support to the Republican party and always kept well informed on the issues of the day, although he never sought office.  He was a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Episcopal church.  His death occurred May 11, 1898, and thus closed a useful and honorable career. His reputation was unassailable, for from the beginning of his connection with commercial interests he exemplified in his career the old adage that honesty is the best policy.  He belonged also to that class of representative American citizens, who, while promoting individual success also advance the general welfare.  The social qualities of his nature endeared him to many friends. and he was no less honored in business circles than esteemed and liked in private life.      CLITUS HARRY MARVIN, the elder son, was born in Cardington, Ohio, Sept. 11, 1860, and after pursuing his preliminary education in the public schools, entered Kenyon College.  Later he became teller in the First National Bank at Cardington and afterward of the Morrow County Bank at Mount Gilead.  With his father he came to Urbana in 1886 and has since been the secretary and treasurer of the W. H. Marvin Company. Although he entered upon a business already established he has proved his ability by carrying forward the work to still greater perfection and has manifested keen sagacity, resolution and enterprise, which have classed him among the .representatives of industrial and commercial interests of his adopted city.  He is president of the Urbana Telephone Company. one of the best systems in the state.  He votes with the Republican party and for three years served as a member of the school board.  He and his wife are members of the Episcopal church.  In 1888 he married Miss Amelia Talbott, a daughter of J. G. Talbott, and they now have two interesting children: Clitus and Katherine.      WILLIAM B. MARVIN, the younger son of William H. Marvin, was born in Cardington, Ohio, May 30, 1865, and obtained a liberal education.  He has made Urbana his home since 1886 and is now the president of the W. H. Marvin Company, also acting as manager of the manufacturing department.  Both sons are men of good ability, who fear not, the laborious attention to details which insures success.  The straightforward business policy inaugurated by their father is maintained hy them and the house has a reputation which is most creditable. Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 226
	WILLIAM B. MARVIN  - See William H. Marvin
J. M. Mosgrove	JAMES M. MOSGROVE, M. D.     Fortunate is the man who has back of him an ancestry honorable and distinguished, and happy is be if his lines of life are cast in harmony therewith.   In person, in talents and in character, Dr. Mosgrove is a worthy representative of his race, and in his life he is carrying on the noble work begun by his father.  Dr. Adam Mosgrove, so long and honored and prominent a physician of Urbana.  The subject of this review was born in Urbana in 1825 and acquired his early training in the common schools of this city, subsequently studying medicine with his father, and was graduated in the Ohio Medical College in the spring of 1846.  Immediately afterward he began the practice of his profession in connection with his father and for many years took an active part in the work of the alleviation of human suffering.  Of late years, however, he has gradually withdrawn from active practice and now attends only to the professional duties in the homes where people are loath to give him up, on account of his long service as a family physician.  He gained high rank in his profession and now belongs to the Champaign county and Ohio State Medical Societies. also the American Medical Association.       Like his father, Dr. Mosgrove, of this review, is an exemplary Mason, who in his life closely follows the tenets and teachings of the order. In his political views he is a Democrat, believing firmly in the principles of the party.  He has done much to advance the prosperity and stable upbuilding of his native city and is deservedly popular.  In 1890 he erected the Mosgrove building of Urbana, a large structure. and has otherwise contributed to the development here.  For over twenty years he has been connected with the Perpetual Savings and Building Association, and for five or six years has been its president.  In 1900 he was elected president of the Citizens' National Bank and has since continued in that capacity.  He is also the vice-president of the Ohio State Strawboard Association.  The Doctor is a man of resourceful business ability, with keen insight and sagacity, and is notably prompt, energetic and reliable and brooks no obstacles that can be overcome by earnest and persistent effort.  While his labors have brought to him creditable and desirable success he is a typical American citizen, who, while working for his own advancement, has contributed in no small degree to the general prosperity.  His manner is pleasant and he is genial in disposition. Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 276
	SAMUEL M. MOSGROVE.    As a successful practitioner Dr. Samuel M. Mosgrove has gained advancement in the prosecution of his chosen profession and has a large clientage, which is an indication of his superior skill and ability.  He was born in Urbana, Ohio, Aug. 4, 1851, his parents being John A. and Elizabeth (Miller) Mosgrove, who were also natives of Urbana, the father's birth having occurred here in 1818.  He was a son of Adam Mosgrove, a pioneer physician of the city and thus through many years the family has been closely associated with this line of business. contributing to the general welfare.  The father of our subject was a commission merchant, carrying on business here for a long period and in his undertakings he prospered, owing to his keen sagacity, marked enterprise and unflagging industry.  He bought and handled grain on an extensive scale and also dealt largely in wool, becoming widely known as a prosperous and enterprising business man.  His political support was given the Republican party, but he never sought the rewards of office in recognition of party fealty.  Prior to his marriage he spent several years in Illinois.  Michigan and other western states, where he purchased cattle, driving them east to the Pittsburg markets.  His business reputation was unassailable and it was known that his integrity made his word as good as any bond that was ever solemnized by signature or seal.  He wedded Elizabeth Miller, who was born in Urbana, July 30, 1825, and is still residing in this city, having here made her home not only through her entire married life, but also since her husband's death, which occurred in 1888, a pioneer merchant of Urbana, and a most successful business man.  He died, however, at a comparatively early age of about forty-seven.  By her marriage Mrs. Mosgrove became the mother of six children, but three of the number died in childhood.  Those still living are Mrs. Fannie Bacon, of Indianapolis; Samuel M.; and Emma, who resides with her mother.      The Doctor was educated in the public schools and in the Swedenborgian College in Urbana and with a broad literary knowledge to serve as the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional learning, he took up the study of medicine when eighteen years of age under the direction of Dr. James M. Mosgrove, his uncle, a practicing physician of Urbana.  Later he entered the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati, in which he was graduated with the class of 1872 and after practicing for a few months in Urbana, he matriculated in the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, of New York City, where he was graduated in 1873.  Since then he has been actively connected with the profession here.  He is a member of the Ohio State Medical Society and the National American Medical Association.  He has strict regard for the ethics of his profession and anything that tends to bring to mind the key to that complex mystery which we call life elicits the deep interest and cooperation of Dr. Mosgrove.      In his political views the Doctor is a Republican and has been honored with public offices, serving as health officer, also as county coroner for three terms, while for eight years he was a member of the pension board.  Still higher official honors awaited him, for in 1893 he was elected to the state senate, where he served for one term, representing Champaign, Clark and Madison counties.  He is the author of Mosgrove’s Medical Bill, requiring the registration of physicians.  Socially he is a Mason and he also belongs to Mosgrove Lodge, I. O. O. F, which was named in honor of his father.  He served as surgeon of the Seventh Regiment, Ohio National Guards, and holds membership in the Episcopal church.  In the year 1891 the Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Nannie Fisher, of Cincinnati, and they have two children, Louise and John.  The Doctor is not so abnormally developed in any direction as to be called a genius, but has manifested deep interest in the various departments of activity, which go to make up the sum of life.  He is devoted to his family and friends and is a valued factor in fraternal circles.  His political activity has reflected honor upon the party of his choice and in his profession he has won distinction.  Honored and respected in every class of society he has for some time been a leader in thought and action on the public life of county and state and his career adds lustre to the history of this portion of Ohio. Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 372
R. H. Murphey	ROGER H. MURPHEY.     In viewing the mass of mankind in the varied occupations of life, the conclusion is forced upon the observer that in the vast majority of cases men have sought employment not in the line of their peculiar fitness, but in those fields where caprice or circumstances have placed them, thus explaining the reason of the failure of ninety-five per cent, of those who enter commercial and professional circles.  In a few cases it seems that men with a peculiar fitness for a certain line have taken it up and marked success has followed.  Such is the fact in the case of the subject of this biography.  He is now serving as postmaster of Urbana.      Mr. Murphey was born in this city, Dec. 23, 1852, and is a son of Charles H. and Sophia B. (Long) Murphey.  His father was born in Scotland, Jan. 12, 1817, and died in Urbana, Jan. 12, 1891.  He was of Scotch-Irish lineage and his birthplace was within two miles of where Robert Burns was born.  In the year, 1843, he came to America, taking up his abode in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Shortly afterward, however, he removed to Peoria, Illinois, where he remained for several years, being employed in distillery, having previously learned that business in his native country.  The same line of occupation claimed his attention on Mad River, Ohio, for a number of years.  In 1852 he was married in Cincinnati to Miss Sophia B. Long, who was born in Germany and came to the United States when a little maiden of six summers with her father.  They landed at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and afterward removed to Cincinnati, where she remained until her marriage.  Mr. Murphey brought his bride to Urbana and here spent his remaining days.  For several years he was superintendent of the James cemetery, subsequently purchased the cemetery property and for several years was engaged in the nursery and greenhouse business, which he followed until about a year prior to his death, when he sold out to his son, the subject of this review.  His careful management and keen discernment in business affairs had made him successful and his honorable methods had gained for him the respect and confidence of those with whom he was associated.  His death occurred in this city, Jan. 12, 1891.  His widow still survives him and is living in Urbana at the age of seventy years.  In their family were five sons and one daughter: Roger H., Charles H., Ella C., Walter T., George C. and Thomas L.  The father was a member of the United Brethren church, while his widow belong to the Lutheran church.      Robert H. Murphey, whose name introduces this record, was born and reared in the city of Urbana, and pursued his education in the public schools.  In his youth he assisted his father in the greenhouse and in the conduct of the nursery.  At one time he spent five years away from home, visiting France in 1874.  He spent some time in the best greenhouses of that country, in order to familiarize himself with the methods of carrying on business there.  He is now the owner of one of the three greenhouses of Urbana, having become his father's successor in June, 1890, at which time his brother, W. T. Murphey, also owned an interest in the business, but the following year our subject became sole proprietor.  Since that time the volume of trade has largely increased and the facilities he has enlarged to meet the present demands.  He now has fifteen thousand feet under glass and the prosperity of the undertaking is continually growing.  He raises all kinds of plants and has distributed these through operating florists in Canada and throughout this country from Main to California.  He makes a specialty of raising roses for the wholesale trade.  At the present day he is associated with his son under the firm name of R. H. Murphey & Son.      In 1878 ocurred the marriage of our subject and Miss Anna C. Keller, of Urbana.  They have four children.  Charles R., who is his father's partner; Mary E.; E. Frank; and William M.  In his political views Mr. Murphey is a pronounced Republican, for two years served as chairman of the executive committee of the county and was a member of the state central committee.  His opinions carry weight in the councils of his party and for thirteen years he served as treasurer of the state central committee.  He was appointed by President McKinley a special agent of the rural free delivery service and acted in that capacity for eighteen months when in April, 1899, he was appointed postmaster of Urbana.  He is now discharging the duties of that office in a most commendable manner, his administration being prompt and business-like.  He is connected with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. and the Junior Order of American Mechanics.  His connection with any undertaking insures a prosperous out come of the same, for it is in his nature to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.  He has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business, and in his dealings is known for prompt and honorable methods which have won him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellow-men. Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 266