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Wm. C. Pangborn	WILLIAM C. PANGBORN.    A career whose many-sided usefulness is recalled with pride and gratitude by the citizens of Mechanicsburg is that of William C. Pangborn, a native of the town where he was known in educational, business and professional circles, and where his birth occurred Dec. 4, 1825.  His father, Freeman Pangborn, was one of the very early settlers of Champaign county, whither he had removed in his young manhood from his native state of Pennsylvania. and to the development of which he devoted the best energies of his remaining years.      In Mechanicsburg William C. Pangborn acquired his education at the public schools, and while still young in years evinced habits of thrift and industry.  His acquirements were put to the practical test in his native city, where for a number of years he engaged in educational work, the high character of which gained him a reputation among the chief promoters of knowledge of his time and place.  After the death of his mother he undertook to learn the trade of tanning, an occupation not sufficiently congenial to warrant long continuance, and which was abandoned entirely for the more ambitious project of law.  In the office of Judge John Corwin, of Urbana, he gained the first insight into the profession to which he devoted himself up to the time of his death, Feb. 14, 1897.  He became renowned for his lucid exposition of the principles of law, and for his devotion to its highest and most lasting tenets.  Interspersed with his professional duties were numerous business ventures of more or less importance, and for seven or eight years of the best part of his life he engaged in farming and stock-raising in the vicinity of Mechanicsburg.  In whatsoever line of activity chosen, he wielded an influence for progress and substantiality, the more so because his accomplishments were due rather to his own efforts and wise acceptance of surrounding opportunities, than to any special favor bestowed by a prejudiced fortune.  Through his marriage with Martha Spry, in 1851, Mr. Pangborn had yet another incentive for continued success, for his wife proved a helpmate indeed, and a never failing source of sympathy and appreciation.  Mrs. Pangborn comes of a family long associated with New York, from which state her father, William Spry, removed to Ohio at an early day.  To Mr. and Mrs. Pangborn were born three children, two of whom are deceased.  Charles, the only survivor, is now living in Mexico, while his mother continues to reside among the familiar scenes of her youth, marriage, and later life in. Mechanicsburg.  Mr. Pangborn was politically affiliated with the Republican party, but his conservative nature never lent itself to the feverish uncertainties of office-seeking and general politics.  He was a Mason fraternally, and was connected with innumerable efforts for the general upbuilding of his native town. Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 296
	DR. A. B. PEARCE, whose success as a medical practitioner is indicated by his large patronage, resides in section 15, Salem township, Champaign county.  He was born in Goshen township, of this county, on the 8th of October, 1836.  His father, Henry C. Pearce, was the first white child born in Urbana, his natal day being Jan. 20, 1805.  His father was Thomas Pearce, a native of Virginia, who came to Champaign county in pioneer days and aided in the early development and progress of the county.  He owned a section of land adjoining Urbana, securing his farm from the government.  His labors resulted in reclaiming the lands for the purpose of civilization.  As the years passed his field became very productive.  He lived to be more than eighty years of age.  His son, Harvey C. Pearce, was reared in this county, pursuing his education in a log school house, such as were common at that day.  After arriving at years of maturity he married  Beulah Barrette, who was born in Union township, Champaign county, in 1807, and was there reared.  Her father, Abner Barrette, was born in Kentucky and came to this county at a very early period in its development.  After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Pearce located in Union township, where they remained until about 1863.  The father died in his eighty-seventh year and the mother passed away in her seventy-sixth year.  In their family were seven children, six sons and one daughter, as follows: H. C., who is a practicing physician of Urbana; L. E., who was also a member of the medical fraternity and died in Onarga, Illinois; A. B., of this review; John W., a business man of Chicago, Illinois; Richard S., of Urbana; Mary E., now deceased; and one who died in infancy.      Dr. Pearce of this review is the third child and was reared in Union township, his early education being acquired in the district schools near his home.   Later he attended the Urbana high school, in which he was graduated when about twenty-two years of age.  He afterward engaged in teaching school for four years and during the summer months devoted his time to the mastery of the principles of medical science.  He then entered the Starling Medical College at Columbus, and was graduated in 1863, locating for practice at Kings Creek, where he remained for fourteen years.  He was also engaged in practice for six years in Urbana, and spent a similar period in Vincennes, Indiana, whence he came to his present home in Salem township in 1891.  Here he has remained continuously since and his attention is given to his professional duties, which make heavy demands upon his time.      On the 17th of September, 1867, Dr. Pearce was united in marriage to Miss Ella Sheperd, a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, whence she removed to Clark county.  Her parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Grimes) Sheperd, had a family of four daughters: Effie C., the wife of M. S. Seaton, of Salem township; Minnie M., the wife of Rufus Detwiller, of Urbana; Mattie L., who is engaged in teaching in Nineceheltcer; and Jessie, who is also a teacher.  They also lost one son, who died in infancy.      Dr. Pearce is a member of the Champaign County Medical Society and always keeps abreast with the progress of the times, especially along the line of his profession.  Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Kings Creek Lodge, and is also identified with W. A. Brand Post, G. A. R., of Urbana, being entitled to membership therein because of his military service in the Civil war.  In May, 1864, he enlisted for one hundred days, entering the army as a private, but being made surgeon of his regiment.  In politics he is a stanch Republican, unswerving in his allegiance to the party and its principles and in religious faith is a Methodist, serving as trustee of the church to which he belongs and in the work of which he takes an active part.  He is a valued representative of an honored pioneer family of Champaign county, which through an entire century has been represented in this portion of the state, its members taking a very active and creditable part in the work of improvement, progress and upbuilding. Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 383
H. C. Pearce, MD	HENRY C. PEARCE, A. M., M. D., PH. D.     Henry Clay Pearce, who for a number of years has been actively engaged in medical practice in Ohio, is one of the representative members of the profession in this section of the state.  He has ever stood as the champion of progress, and his influence has been exerted at all times on the side of right and truth.  The Doctor was born in Union township, Champaign county, Apr. 10, 1833, a son of Harvey C. and Beulah (Barrett) Pearce, also natives of this county.  The father, who was born in 1805, was called to his final rest in 1891, and the mother passed away in death in 1885, at the age of seventy-six years.  The  former was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Collins) Pearce, and Thomas Pearce was a hero of the American Revolution.  He removed from New York to Maryland, and in a very early day came to Ohio.  The mother of our subject was a daughter of Captain Abner Barrett, a soldier in the war of 1812, and he, too, was among the very early settlers in Champaign county.  In his early life Harvey C. Pearce followed agricultural pursuits, but for many years thereafter was a prominent shoe merchant of Urbana. In political matters he was a Whig, and for several years while residing in Union township he served as a justice of the peace.  Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and they lived consistent, Christian lives, while for many years he was a local minister and did effective work in the cause of his Master.  This worthy couple became the parents of eight children, namely: Henry Clay, of this review; Lucas E., deceased; Abner B., a resident of Champaign county; John W., of Chicago; William Raper and Mary E., both deceased; Richard S., of Urbana; and Harvey C., deceased.      Dr. Henry C. Pearce received his elementary education in the common schools of the neighborhood.  At the age of twenty years he began. the study of medicine, first under the preceptorship of Dr. Carter, of Urbana, and afterward with Dr. Dawson, while still later he became a student in the Starling Medical College, in which institution he was graduated in 1863.  For five years previous to his graduation he had practiced his chosen professor-at Mutual, Champaign county, and since 1864 he has been numbered among the leading medical practitioners of Urbana.  From 1866 until 1874 he served as professor of physiology and microscopic histology in the Starling Medical College, of Columbus, Ohio, was the founder and trustee of the Columbus Medical College, and from 1874 for a period of seventeen years was professor of obstetrics and surgical diseases of women in the Columbus Medical College, retiring from the latter position on account of failing health.  He has long been a member of the Ohio State Medical Society and of the American Medical Association, and in 1866 was made surgeon by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, a position which he has since continuously held, covering a period of longer service with the company in that capacity than any other surgeon.  For nineteen years the Doctor was a member of the school board of Urbana, the cause of education ever finding in him a warm friend, and for over fifty years he has been a worthy member of the Methodist church.      In 1854 Dr. Pearce was united in marriage to Sarah Jane Morgan, but she was called to the home beyond in 1872, leaving four children, - Laura Etta, the wife of C. E.. Macher, of Piqua, Ohio; Ella, who became the wife of George E. Lee, and is now deceased; Charles W., of Urbana; and Henry M.  A daughter also died in infancy.  In 1873 the Doctor was a second time married, Binnie A. Keller becoming his wife.  She is a daughter of William Keller, an old and prominent resident of Urbana, who at one time served as mayor of the city.  Unto this union were born two children, - Frank C., a physician of Edith, Tennessee, and a graduate of the Tennessee Medical College, of Knoxville; and William K., a promising young man who died at the age of twenty-two years.  The Doctor is both a Knight Templar and Scottish Rite Mason.      HENRY M. PEARCE, a son of Dr. Henry Clay Pearce, was born and reared in Urbana, the date of his birth being Dec. 20, 1868.  His early education was received in the public schools of this city, and after completing his studies therein he began preparation for the medical profession under his father's direction.  In 1867 he entered the Starling Medical College, of Columbus, in which he was graduated on the 4th of March, 1890, and, associated with his father, he has since followed the practice of his chosen profession in Urbana.  He is a member of the Ohio State Medical Society, of the Champaign County Medical Society, of the American Medical Association, and since the beginning of his professional career has served as surgeon for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.  For eleven years he served his county as its physician and is now the city health officer.  He is a Republican in politics, a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.  In 1890 Dr. Henry M. Pearce was united in marriage to Anna M. Sleffel, a native of Australia, and they have two children, - Linda Etta and Edwin Clay. Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 172
	HENRY M. PEARCE - See HENRY C. PEARCE Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 176
	ELIJAH PENCE.    This well known and honored' citizen of Champaign county has passed practically his entire life in Mad River township, and is a representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of the county.  That the name became identified with the annals of Champaign county at an early period in its history is evident from the very fact that our subject was born here nearly eighty years ago, and he is particularly entitled to representation in this work, which has to do with those who have been the founders and builders of the county.      Mr. Pence was born in Mad River township on the 9th of May, 1823, being the son ,of Henry Pence, who was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, where he was reared to maturity and where occurred his marriage to Elizabeth Mouser, who was likewise born in the Old Dominion state.  Henry Pence was the son of Lewis Pence, who was one of the first settlers in Champaign county, as was also John Pence, who was his cousin.  Both settled in Mad River township, taking up government land and reclaiming farms in the heavily timbered region.  Both the father, and the grandfather of our subject died on the farm which is now his home, the same being located in section 8.  The mother lived to attain the age of sixty-one years.  She was a daughter of John Mouser, who likewise was one of the pioneer settlers of this county.  Henry and Elizabeth Pence became the parents of two sons and three daughters, the subject of this sketch having been the third child and the elder of the two sons.  All the children were born on the old homestead farm where he now lives and all attained years of maturity and were married.      Elijah Pence grew up under the discipline of the pioneer farmstead, early beginning to contribute his quota to the strenuous toil demanded in the reclamation and cultivation of the land, and receiving such educational discipline as was afforded in the primitive schools of the early days.  He remained at the parental home until his marriage, in 1849, and he then located on a tract of land which he had purchased in this township, there retaining his residence for about two years, at the expiration of which he disposed of his property and removed to Fayette coutny, Iowa, where he purchased a tract land and there engaged in agricultural pursuits for a period of about fifteen years.  He then removed to Audrain  county, Missouri, where he purchased a farm, but he disposed of the same about eighteen months later and returned to Iowa, locating in Washington county, where he purchased a farm and  there continued to reside for fifteen years, at the expiration of which he came to Champaign county once more, here effecting the purchase of his present fine homestead, which was the place of his birth, the land having been taken up by John Pence.  Our subject has made the best of improvements on the old homestead, including a residence which is one of the best farm dwellings in the county.  Mr. Pence now rents his farm and has practically retired from active labor, enjoying, in his venerable age, that quiet and dignified repose which is the just reward of years of earnest toil and endeavor.  In politics he gives a stanch support to the principles and policies of the Republican party, and both he and his wife have long been devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church.      On the 8th of June, 1849, Mr. Pence was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth J. Markley, who was born in Maryland, whence her parents emigrated to Champaign county when she was about three years of age.  Her father, Andrew Markley, was born in Maryland in the year 1800, and he died when about thirty years of age.  His wife,  whose maiden name was Elizabeth Garloch, was likewise born in Maryland, and she survived him many years, passing away at the age of sixty-eight.  Mrs. Pence was the youngest in a family of four sons and two daughters and is the only survivor of the family.  Our subject and his wife are the oldest couple in Mad River township, and they have been companions on the pathway of life for more than half a century.  They are held in the highest esteem in the community, where their friends are in number as their acquaintances.  They have no children. Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 72
James D. Powell Mrs. James D. Powell	JAMES D. POWELL.    When it is stated that with the lapse of but one more decade a full century will have fallen into the cycle of the ages since the time when the Powell family became identified with the annals of Champaign county, it will be readily understood that in touching upon the life record of James Dunlap Powell, the writer is dealing with a worthy representative of one of the earliest pioneer families of this section of the Buckeye state.  Within all these long years what has been the character, what the accomplishment of those who have borne the name?  The answer comes in most grateful measures when we scan the record, for in the line have been men of sterling character and women of gentle refinement, men who have played well their parts on the stage of life’s activities; women whose influence has been ever potent for good.  What a wealth of incident and variety of experience is summed up in tracing back over the period of ninety years which marks the identification of this family with the interests of Champaign county, and still farther may we go to find the ancestry maintaining an unblotted scutcheon from that early epoch when it first was planted on American soil, in the early colonial days.  Thus it may be seen that the biographer may well feel a distinctive respect and satisfaction when he essays the task of rendering, even in epitomized form, a tribute to him whose name introduces this paragraph and to those who have gone before him and likewise exemplified true virtue and true usefulness in all the relations of life.  In the mad rush of this electrical and almost turbulent twentieth century, we may well stop for a moment and give retrospective study and appreciation to those who have wrought so nobly in the past and the measure of whose influence can not be understood by superficial analysis.      James Dunlap Powell is a native son of Champaign county, which has been the scene of his labors during the entire period of his long and signally useful life.  He was born on the pioneer homestead farm, in Urbana township, on the 3d of March, 1819, being a son of Elijah and Mary (Dunlap) Powell.  Elijah Powell was born in the state of Virginia, on the 20th of August, 1789, being the fifth in order of birth of the eleven children of Abraham P. and Ann (Smith) Powell, both of whom were likewise natives of the Old Dominion, which figures as the cradle of so much of our national history, the former having been born on the 20th of October, 1754, and the latter on the 12th of September, 1762, while their marriage was solemnized in their native state, in August, 1780.  Abraham P. Powell rendered valiant service as a soldier in the Continental line during the war of the Revolution, and it may well be said that the family name has been from the beginning identified with the founding and building of the republic.  When Elijah Powell was a child his parents emigrated from Virginia to the wilds of Kentucky, of which state they became pioneer settlers, and there he was reared to manhood, while his knowledge of pioneer life was to be still farther extended, since he accompanied his parents on their removal to Champaign county, Ohio, in the year 1812, - a decade after the admission of the state to the Union.  The family settled on a tract of heavily timbered land one mile west of the present city of Urbana, which was at that time a mere hamlet of a few primitive dwellings, and on this farm, whose improvement was at once instituted, Abraham P. Powell passed the residue of his life, passing away on the 3d of January, 1817, at the age of sixty-two years, while his widow long survived him, being summoned into eternal rest on the 19th of September, 1845, at the venerable age of eighty-three years.      In this county, on the 27th of January, 1818, Elijah Powell was united in marriage to Miss Mary Dunlap, who was born in Kentucky, on the 26th of October, 1800, being a daughter of Rev. James and Emily (Johnson) Dunlap, both of whom were born .in Virginia, the respective dates of nativity being July 10, 1773, and Oct. 15, 1777, and when they were young they accompanied their respective families on their removal to Kentucky, in which state their marriage was solemnized, on the 29th of August, 1794.  In 1812 Rev. James Dunlap came with his family to Champaign county, and he became one of the pioneer clergymen of this section of Ohio, becoming well known to the settlers far and wide and laboring zealously in the vineyard of the divine Master, his faith in whom he exemplified in precept and example, ever laboring to uplift his fellow men and to scatter the precious seed of the gospel on fertile soil.  He moved to Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1844, and remained there until his death in 1866.  Of the eleven children born to Elijah and Mary (Dunlap) Powell, only three are living at the time of this writing, namely: James D., the immediate subject of this sketch; Jeptha, a resident of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and Edward, who makes his home in Urbana.      James D. Powell was reared on the old homestead farm in Urbana township, early becoming inured to the work involved in the reclamation and cultivation of the farm, while his educational advantages were such as came to the average youth of the locality and period, being confined to a desultory attendence in the primitive log schoolhouse, with its puncheon floor and slab benches.  In short, he had to contend against the same disadvantages that hedged in all of the pioneer families in what was then a veritable frontier region, but few were so fortunate in fertility of natural resources and in meeting the exigencies and overcoming the difficulties which compassed the average youth thus placed.  He gave his father able assistance in the management of the farm and became familiar with all details of the great basic industry which has ever figured as the bulwark of our nation's prosperity, and to the same he has consecutively devoted his attention during the long years of his singularly active and prolific life.  His father died on the old homestead, on the 11th of June, 1866, at the age of seventy-six years and ten months.  His religions faith was that of the Baptist church, of which his wife also became a member in her youth, and his loyalty and patriotism found as definite manifestation as in the case of his father, the Revolutionary veteran, since it was his lot to have been an active participant in the war of 1812.  His wife, Mary Powell, died July 30, 1881.      On the farm which is now his home, on the 9th of September, 1845, James D. Powell was united in marriage to Miss Minerva Hill, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Purcell) Hill, both of whom were born in Virginia.  Joseph Hill was twice married.  In Kentucky he wedded Miss Mary Oliver and they became the parents of eight children.  In 1802 they came to Ohio and became the first white settlers in what is now Concord township, their location being the farm now owned and occupied by our subject, and here Mrs. Hill's death occurred.  Some time afterward Mr. Hill returned to Kentucky for a visit, and while there he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Purcell, daughter of George and Margaret Purcell, who had removed thither from their native state of Virginia.  Of the second marriage five children were born, Mrs. Powell having been the third.  She was born in Concord township, Champaign county, on the 26th of August, 1822, and was here reared to womanhood, her educational privileges being such as were afforded in the primitive schools of the pioneer epoch.  To Mr. and Mrs. Powell were born six children, their names, in order of birth, being as follows:  Mary, Amanda J., Emma E., Elijah H., Sallie A. and Annie M.  Of these Mary and Anna are deceased.  Joseph and Margaret (Purcell) Hill both died on the old homestead, the former in September, 1861, and the latter on the 3d of July, 1869, both having been devoted and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal  church, secure in whose faith they passed to their reward.  Mr. Hill was in active service during the war of 1812, and, although a poor man when he settled in the virgin forests of Concord township, he accumulated a comfortable estate.      The great loss and bereavement of Mr. Powell's life was that entailed by the death of his cherished and devoted wife, on the 9th of February, 1902.  Their wedded life had been protracted over more than half a century, marked by mutual love and confidence and helpfulness, and how idyllic that life was none can know save those who were of the immediate family circle, whose sacred precinct we would not wish to violate by lifting the veil.  None but the venerable and bereft husband of her youth and her declining years can appreciate to the full the deprivation which has come, and yet there is a tender chalice of consolation from which he may ever drink, in the memory of a life of so signal beauty and devotion, in the memory of a loving companionship which was so long vouchsafed him.  One who knew her long and well paid the following tribute at the time of her death, the same having been published in a local paper: “She joined the Methodist Episcopal church at Concord sixty-five years ago and was happily converted by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and for all these years she proved a faithful member of the church.  Though not in any way dominated by extreme emotionalism, in the walks of Christian life she showed herself to be a true and faithful follower of our divine Lord, and in all these years I never heard her say one word or saw her do one act unbecoming a Christian woman.  True and faithful as a wife, kind and loving as a mother, if she could speak to-day she would say to her husband and children, follow me as I have followed Christ, and meet me in heaven. where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest.  She will be missed by all her neighbors and friends, for her kind and benevolent acts of life were many; she ever remembered the poor by acts of charity and the distressed by a word of comfort, and their hearts have been made better thereby, so that they would to-day rise up and call her blessed."      James D. Powell may be justly styled a self-made man, for he began life at the foot of the ladder and by his industry and definite purpose, his integrity and discretion he has attained a high degree of prosperity, being now the owner of a landed estate of more than eight hundred acres and being known as one of the representative farmers of the county in which his entire life has been passed.  This success is the result of determined and consecutive application in his youth and of the judicious investment of his earnings, which he saved with provident discrimination.  In all his labors his wife stood ever ready to lend a helping hand and to cheer him in his efforts, being a true help meet and coadjutor.  He now has one of the finest homes in Champaign county, and there a gracious and sincere hospitality has ever been in evidence.  Mr. Powell is a man of temperate habits and in favor of temperance laws, and his political support is given to the Republican party, while his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.  In his business affairs he has ever shown marked sagacity and discrimination and no man could be more honest and up right in every transaction.  He is a man of broad information and strong individuality, is genial and courteous in all the relations of life, and has ever commanded the confidence and high esteem of all good citizens.  Though he has passed the age of four score years Mr. Powell retains marked physical vigor and gives his personal supervision to his large and important business interests.  It is signally consistent that this record be perpetuated for coming generations, and the accompanying portraits of Mr. Powell and his devoted wife, now passed into the life eternal, most properly find place in the connection. Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 510