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BIOGRAPHIES
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RICHARD BALDWIN was
born in Virginia in 1795, and came to Ohio in 1805. His
wife was Elenor Williams. He became a citizen of
Champaign County in 1824, living in Salem Township up to 1839,
when he purchased land in Wayne Township and settled thereon.
He bought the farm now known as the Wright farm, near
Mason's Mill, paying for a part of it $1.25 per acre, and
for the rest about $12 per acre. He owned six hundred and
twenty-seven acres. In 1848 or 1850, he built the mansion
now occupied by the relict of M. A. Wright. This
house cost $4,000, besides the labor not estimated. Mr.
Baldwin engaged extensively in farming and
stock-dealing, and at one time was the leading live-stock trader
in the King's Creek Valley. He died in 1870.
Wilson, his oldest son, married Mary Ann Johnson; Sophia,
the oldest daughter, married William R. Clark; John
died at the age of five years; Isaac Newton lives in
Cincinnati and is unmarried; Mary Ann
married Amos M. Wilson; Luretha married Joseph W.
Johnson; Hannah E. resides in Cincinnati; Richard Watson
died in the service of the country (see his record elsewhere);
Eliza E. married George W. Cable, and now lives in
Iowa; Sallie O. married John M. Hunter, and lives
in West Liberty, Ohio; Clara M. married Moses Taylor;
she died in 1878. |
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ANDREW BELTZ, proprietor of
grist-mill; P O. North Lewisburg; was born in Pennsylvania in
1815; is a son of Henry and Susanna Beltz, who were born
in Loudoun Co., Va.; they removed to Pennsylvania, where they
lived till their decease. Our subject was reared in
Pennsylvania, receiving his education in the subscription
schools. His father was a miller, as was his brother, with
whom he learned his trade. In 1840, he came to Ohio,
living for awhile in Middleburg, after which he came to this
place, and purchased a mill, which he operated for sixteen
years, then purchased his present mill seat, which at the time
was a factory, but he remodeled it, and converted it into a
flouring mill. The building is three stories in height,
30x50 feet, and constructed of brick. The power is derived
from water brought through a race from Spring Creek, giving
motion to three sets of buhrs. The mill is fitted up with
the best and most approved patterns of machinery; this in
conjunction with his superior knowledge of the business,
commands for him the confidence of his patrons, to whom he gives
satisfaction. He is a gentleman well versed in his
business, having had the experience of half a century, and is
undoubtedly the oldest miller in the county. He has been
twice married; first with Nancy McClung, who bore him two
children, both deceased. His second marriage was
celebrated with Margaret Hutchinson, by whom he has had
five children, all living - Emma V., James H., Ella, Otto
and Ella Belle. |
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ELIAS P. BLACK, farmer; P. O.
North Lewisburg; was born on the place where he now lives, in
the year 1839, and is a son of Peter and Maria Black; his
father was born in Pennsylvania; his mother in the State of New
Hampshire. They, with their parents, came to Ohio, and
settled in this township in the year 1809. Maria,
with their parents, came to Ohio, and settled in this township
in the year 1809. Maria, mother of Elias, is
a daughter of Richmond and Lydia Hilliard. Peter
Black's first location was on 106 acres of land of a
wilderness, he erected a small log cabin, into which he moved
his family, and began the work of clearing and improving his
land. He and his wife had the full brunt of the laborious
work to perform, but by perseverance, they overcame the
hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, and, after
years of toil, succeeded in getting their land in shape to
receive the improved implements of agriculture. They lived
many years together, and enjoyed the fruits of their hard-earned
labor before the hand of death separated them. He died
in1869, aged 73 years; his wife is living, aged 75 years.
They were parents of seven children, four living, viz.,
Francis M., Lydia A., Harriet B. and Elias P.
The deceased are Benjamin, Elias and Delilah.
Mr. B., Sr., was a very energetic man, and, as he had no
money to buy land, when he came, he conceived the idea of going
to the Scioto Valley to make sugar. He was in great peril,
for the blood-thirsty red men at that time were very plenty, yet
in their midst he labored three seasons, having many adventures
with Indians and wolves. Their sugar was conveyed to
Dayton through a wilderness, and sold for 2 1/2 and 3 cents per
pound, which money paid for his first 106 acres of land.
They were members of the P. M. Church, in which he was a
prominent member. Our subject was raised where he resides,
and owns 196 acres of fine land, all in cultivation and
well-improved. Dec. 28, 1871, he was married to Leah,
daughter of Samuel White, of Delaware Co., Ohio. He
and his estimable wife are members of the P. M. Church, with
which they have been connected fifteen years, and take much
interest in religious matters. He is also a very prominent
member of the church, having served in many official capacities. |
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Jackson Twp. -
ADAM BODEY, retired;
P. O. St. Paris; is a son of
Fredrick Bodey, born Jan. 18, 1756,
in Germany, where he grew to maturity; and, during the war of Independence he
emigrated to America, engaging as a patriot in that struggle, participating to
its close, after which he settled in Virginia and married
Barbara Libin. She was born in Rockingham Co., Va., June 28, 1784. They remained in her native State
until their death.
Fredrick died in 1818, and Barbara one year
later. They were the parents of four
children, of whom two now survive.
Our subject was born in Virginia in 1808, and
raised there to the age of 13, at which time he came to Ohio and endured many pioneer difficulties in
Champaign Co. At the date of his
first settlement in this county, Indians were numerous, and wild animals roamed
the deep, unbroken forest. The
educational privileges were very much limited, hence
Adam received but little schooling. In 1830, he married
Mary Brubaker. She was born in
Virginia Sept. 15, 1814, and died Nov. 20, 1875. She was the mother of eight children,
of whom six are now living. All save
Mary are now married, she yet remains
at home and dutifully cares for her aged father.
Mr. Bodey has during life
accumulated considerable land through his own exertions.
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Jackson Twp. -
H. C. BODEY, farmer;
P. O. St. Paris; was born in
Putnam Co., Ohio,
in 1840, and is a son of Adam Bodey. Our subject was raised to farm life
in Johnson Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, and
received a common-school education; he remained at home until 25 years of age,
when he married Sarah E. Vincent,
born in Dayton,
Ohio, in 1845 after which he engaged in farming for himself, and is
now successfully cultivating the old home farm in Sec. 9, Johnson Townshp. In 1875, he purchased a part of the
property, and his prospects appear favorable for the future.
Mr. and Mrs. Bodey are the parents of five children, viz.,
Henrietta, Charlotte A.,
Carlton V., Emmet A. and Annie V.
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Johnson Twp. -
HARRISON BODEY, retired farmer; P. O.
Millerstown; is a grandson of Frederick
Bodey, who came with his father from their native country, Germany, during the war of Independence, in which they participated. The eldest
Mr. Bodey, being seriously wounded in
the head, returned to his native country,
Frederick continuing through the war to its close, after which he settled in
the Shenandoah Valley, in Virginia, where he lived and died, at about threescore
years of age. During life he was
twice married, the second wife surviving at his death, but she has long sine
passed away.
Christian Bodey, the father of our subject was born in Virginia in 1796, where he passed through many difficulties in the pioneer days
of his native State, and enduredmany hardships as a patriot in the war of 1812,
after which he married Elizabeth Frisinger, of Virginia,
born in 1800. In 1816, they
emigrated West, entering what is now the old farm, in Sec. 3, Johnson Township,
Champaign Co., Ohio. After a stay of three years in the
deep, unsettled wilds, the severe illness of
Frederick, his father, called them to
their native State, where he died.
While Christian and family remained,
to settle up the estate, and, in 1821, again came West, taking up their abode on
the previously entered farm. This
they took from its wilds to a good degree of improvement and cultivation. Their first neighbors were Indians,
who were at times troublesome; many wild animals at that time roamed the woods,
but these have long since disappeared.
He lived through the rise and progress of Champaign Co., until his death
in 1868; one year later his wife, too, passed away. They were the parents of twelve
children, of whom five are now living,
Harrison being the
eldest; he was raised during the early days of the county, and endured many
things that only those who have passed through can describe. He married
Nancy A. Long in 1839, after which he engaged in cultivating his father’s farm, where he
remained until after the death of Christian (above given). Soon after, he
received his heirship, on which he has erected a comfortable farm residence and
is well situated for life.
Mr. Bodey is a man of social feeling,
and a much respected citizen.
Mr. and Mrs. Bodey are the parents of
ten children – Agnes, Elizabeth, Christian, Harriet, Benjamin, Margaret A., Harrison, Jr., Eliza E., Thomas
J. and Vallandingham.
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L. BODEY (Adams Township), merchant, Carysville.
John L. Bodey was born May 27, 1853, in Johnson Township,
Champaign County; his early life was spent assisting his father
and attending school. When 16 years of age he began
teaching school; taught eleven years. He owned a farm of
60 acres in Johnson Township; sold it in April, 1880; purchased
a stock of general merchandise and began doing business in
Carysville. He purchased his goods of John Mouk, a
former merchant of this place. Mr. Bodey is an
accommodating and obliging merchant, and has a great many warm
friends who patronize him; his annual sales are over $5,000; he
is also partner in the furniture and undertaking business with
Mr. Hensler. Mr. Bodey is Justice of the Peace of
Adams Township. His father, Levi Body, is a native
of Champaign County, now living in the southern part of the
Adams Township. John L. was married Aug. 17, 1879,
to Miss Temperance L., daughter of Ephraim Halterman. |
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Jackson Twp. -
LEWIS BODEY, farmer; P. O. Millerstown; is
a grandson of Fredrick Bodey, and a
son of Lewis Bodey, who was born in
Virginia where he grew to majority and married.
His wife died, and he married for his second wife
Margaret Frisinger, also of
Virginia.
They emigrated West about 1816, locating in Champaign Co., and were among
the first white settlers, enduring many things that only those who passed
through can describe. He entered 160
acres of land, which he greatly improved.
He died in September, 1839, but his wife now survives at nearly fourscore
years of age. Their children were
eight in number, of whom four are now living, our subject being the seventh. He was born in
Johnson Township
in 1830, and raised to farm life.
His education was obtained in the subscription schools. When but a boy he commenced life for
himself by engaging as farm laborer and in 1857 he married
Martha A. Bradley, a native of Virginia, but raised in Champaign Co. They have resided on their present
farm of 86 acres Sec. 3, Johnson
Township, since marriage, except four years.
Mr. Bodey is a man of public spirit and feeling.
Mr. and Mrs. Bodey are the
parents of eleven children, of whom three are now deceased.
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ELIJAH BREEDLOVE came from
Ross County, Ohio, and settled in the west end of the township,
in 1832, on the farm now owned by his son, Lewis I.
He was born in Virginia. Was a man of great business
energy, and contributed largely to the business prosperity of
Wayne and Salem Townships. He had four sons - William,
Lewis I., David C. and Thomas H., who became citizens
of the township. His youngest son, Thomas H., made
a creditable record as a soldier in the sixty-sixth Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, and bears honorable scars that attest his
devotion to his country. One daughter, Mary Ann, is
the wife of E. W. Stafford of Urbana. Mr.
Breedlove died in1861. |
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Johnson Twp. -
ISAAC BRUBAKER, retired banker, St. Paris; is one of the pioneers of Champaign Co.; is a son of
Samuel Brubaker, who was born in
Shenandoah Co., Va., about 1790, and emigrated with his parents to Ohio in a
very early day, locating in Lawrence Co., where they remained seven years. They came to Champaign Co. soon after
the war of 1812, locating near Millerstown, where
Samuel’s death occurred, about 1845. Our subject was born in Lawrence Co.,
Ohio in 1814;
was raised to farm life in the pioneer days of Champaign Co. He nobly assisted his father is
opening out a farm from the unbroken wilderness.
In 1835, he married Barbara A.
Pence, who was born in Virginia
in 1816, and died in St. Paris in 1875, leaving one daughter. Soon after the above marriage,
Isaac engaged in farming for himself,
in Johnson
Township, which he continued until the spring of 1864, at which
time he located in St. Paris. One
year later he sold his farm and engaged in the bank of
Brubaker & McMorran, which
partnership lasted until 1877. In
the same year he married Miss Harriet M.
Manning, born near Zanesville,
Ohio. She is
a daughter of Rev. James Manning, who was an active clergyman of the Lutheran denomination for
fifty-three years, when he was stricken with a final and fatal disease. His last act was his resignation from
the ministerial service.
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GEORGE G. BURDITT, (Adams
Twp.), farmer; P. O. Quincy, Logan Co. Mr. Burditt
was born Jan. 16, 1833, in Shelby Co., Ohio, near Pemberton is a
son of Booth Burditt, a native of Greenbrier Co.,
Va., who same with his parents to Ohio in a very early day,
locating on Muddy Creek in Champaign County, near Urbana, and
lived there until 1821, when he entered land in Shelby County,
near where Pemberton is situated; he opened and improved the
farm and lived upon it until his death. He was a man of
importance; was Justice of the Peace more than sixteen years;
taught school, and was a local preacher in the Methodist
Episcopal Church; and, what is remarkable about him and never
received but three months' schooling; he educated himself by
night study, and was said to be the best historian in the county
in his time. George G. Branditt's early life was
spent assisting his father; he was 14 years old at the time of
his father's death, when he began doing for himself; he worked
for an uncle six years and before he was 21 years of age he
purchased twenty acres of land; he afterward sold this and
purchased the farm where he resides, which is located in the
north part of the Adams Township, Champaign County, containing
eighty acres. He was united in marriage, Nov. 29, 1853,
with Miss Rebecca, daughter of Jacob and Mary A.
Kress, of Logan Co., Ohio. They had three children
Annie E., Martin E. and Frank. |
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HEZEKIAH M. BURNS, farmer;
P. O. Spring Hills; born in Virginia May 22, 18i30; is a son of
Peter and Elizabeth Burns, both natives of the
above-named State. She was born in April, 1798, and he
March 31, 1797. They were the parents of eleven children,
ten of whom survived their infancy and grew to maturity; seven
are still living, three sons and four daughters. Peter
Burns departed this life June 17, 1877. She survived
till Feb. 18, 1880. H. M. was raised to
agricultural pursuits, and is still engaged in that business.
He emigrated to Ohio in November, 1859, and located in Champaign
Co., where he has since resided. He has recently purchased
a farm in Sec. 30, of Harrison Township, Champaign Co., Ohio, on
which he will soon locate. Mr. Burns participated
in suppressing the rebellion. He was a member of the 134th
O. N. G., Co. B, served four months, and received an honorable
discharge. On May 26, 1853, he married Mary L.
Bradshaw, also a native of Virginia. She was born Oct.
25, 1836. Three children are the fruits of their marriage
- Ida B., Charles V. and Bertha B.
Mrs. Burns is a member of the M. E. Church. |
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