Champaign County OH
Biography of Austin McCreary Keene
Austin McCreary Keene, born in Ohio in 1865, emerged as a distinguished attorney in Southeastern Kansas. After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1887, he settled in Fort Scott, forming notable law partnerships and earning a reputation for legal acumen and oratory. A Republican, Keene served multiple terms in the Kansas Legislature, championing tax reforms and education oversight. He was active in various civic organizations and married Mamie Chenault, with whom he had two daughters. Keene’s legacy reflects his dedication to law, politics, and community service.
Biography of Willard Volney Church
Willard Volney Church, born February 16, 1853, in Fort Ann, New York, was a notable figure in Marion County, Kansas, where he lived for over forty years. As a lawyer, public official, and businessman, he contributed significantly to the community. His lineage included a Revolutionary War soldier, and his father served as both a physician and a Baptist minister. Church began his legal career in Detroit before becoming a pioneer member of Marion County’s bar. He was later appointed state superintendent of insurance and eventually shifted focus to real estate.
Biography of Francis M. Spencer
Francis M. Spencer, born in Ohio in 1856, became a prominent figure in Kansas’s building and contracting sector, based in Topeka. Over his 25-year career, he successfully managed numerous significant projects, including educational institutions and hospitals. Spencer began as a carpenter before transitioning to contracting in 1888, ultimately establishing F. M. Spencer & Son. A committed Mason and active community member, he resided in Topeka with his wife, Catherine, and they had three children. Spencer’s legacy includes numerous completed buildings and a reputation for excellence in his field.
Biographical Sketch of Henry R. Cool
Henry R. Cool was born on October 22, 1878, in Urbanna, Ohio. He attended Urbanna University and Ohio State University, graduating in 1899. He married Helen Ranney Adams in 1904 and had two children. Initially a manager in New York for Eastern Sash, Door & Glass Co., he later joined his father’s lumber business as a junior partner. Cool also held positions as secretary of Service Recorder Co. and director at Adams Bag Co., while actively engaging in community and professional organizations.
Biographical Sketch of George Hamilton Eichelberger
George Hamilton Eichelberger, born January 24, 1877, in Urbana, Ohio, was a prominent lawyer educated at Ohio Wesleyan University. He married Frances Staunton Dodge in New York City in 1908 and had one daughter. Eichelberger served as United States Marshal in Shanghai from 1897 to 1900 and connected with the 5th Ohio Infantry upon moving to Cleveland. He practiced law in Cleveland from 1901, was a Mason, and participated in various clubs, enjoying golf as a leisure activity.
Biography of I. F. Sarver
I. F. Sarver, born January 24, 1869, in Ohio, moved to Kansas at age two. His significant popularity and business acumen led to his election as sheriff of Sedgwick County in 1914, a position he held until 1916. Sarver’s early life on a farm and his education at Washburn College shaped his self-reliance. Before his sheriff tenure, he worked in the hotel and livestock commission businesses. Sarver married Mary R. Guyer in 1898, and they had one daughter, Josephine, actively participating in their community and church.
Rouse, Levi J. – Obituary
Levi J. Rouse, a venerable pioneer and educator, passed away on February 3 at St. Vincent Hospital in Portland after a prolonged illness. Born in Ohio in 1835, Rouse dedicated his life to education, beginning his teaching career at seventeen and ultimately becoming the first superintendent of schools in his county. He held various significant roles, including County Clerk and Postmaster, and was instrumental in advancing local industries, particularly fruit raising. His commitment to community service and integrity made him a respected figure in Union and Wallowa counties.
Biography of Winfield Freeman
Winfield Freeman, born January 3, 1848, in Ohio, emerged as a key figure in Kansas law and politics. Admitted to the bar in 1869, he held various roles including prosecuting attorney and mayor of Minneapolis, Kansas. A prominent Republican speaker, he served on the city council and as county attorney of Wyandotte County. His extensive travels included a global trip in 1907-08, during which he lectured on Eastern cultures. Freeman’s notable historical contributions include writings on Indian history in Kansas. He married Reba Silver in 1876.
Biography of Amos S. Lapham
Amos S. Lapham, a distinguished attorney in Chanute, Kansas, has had a remarkable legal career, marked by dedication to ethical practice and significant cases. Born on April 6, 1845, in Ohio, he hailed from a prominent family with roots tracing back to 17th-century England. Lapham graduated from the University of Michigan and was admitted to practice law in 1869. He held various civic roles, including treasurer of Neosho County and judge of the District Court. Married in 1875, he fathered seven children, while also engaging in business and community endeavors.
Biographical Sketch of Elias Anderson
Elias Anderson, born on June 16, 1807, in Champaign County, Ohio, was a farmer who settled in his current county in 1839 after marrying Hannah Place in 1835. They had five children, four of whom survived. After Hannah’s death in 1851, he remarried twice more, first to the widow of Isaac Clark and later to Margaret Tombs, with whom he had four additional children. Anderson faced many family losses, including the early death of one son and his subsequent wives.
Biography of John T. Taylor
John T. Taylor was born on December 24, 1843, in Champaign County, Ohio, and moved to Illinois in 1853. He began his own farming career in 1864 on a 714½-acre farm he developed near Morgan Township. Married to Mary Elizabeth Ross in 1864, they had seven children, with five surviving. Taylor’s family roots in the area stretch back to his father, Peter, who settled there in 1853. The Taylors have contributed significantly to local agriculture and community life.
Biographical Sketch of Peter Taylor
Peter Taylor, born on April 25, 1820, in Champaign County, Ohio, became a farmer after managing his family’s farm following his father’s death. In 1853, he moved to Illinois, where he rented the A. B. Florer farm for twelve years before purchasing his own sixty acres in 1865. He married Elizabeth Moody in 1843, who died in 1860, leaving five children. He later married Mary Housel in 1862, with whom he had five children, three of whom have passed away.
Roll Of Capt. Thomas Stretch’s Company
The post details the roll of Capt. Thomas Stretch’s Company, likely from Champaign County, which served from November 27 to December 27, 1812. The company included key officers such as Lieut. Ezekial Arrowsmith and Ensign Walker Johnston, alongside several sergeants and corporals. A list of privates in the company features names like Marcus Clark, Jesse Colbert, and John Long, Jr. This account reflects the composition and service of the unit during a specific period in early 19th-century military history.
Roll Of Capt. Gabriel Cox’s Company
Capt. Gabriel Cox’s Company, likely from Champaign County, served from September 14 to October 16, 1812. The unit included Lieutenant Nicholas Sturm, Ensign Nicholas Van Densan, and several sergeants and corporals, alongside a diverse group of privates. This roll reflects the composition of the company during this brief engagement in the War of 1812, highlighting the range of personnel involved in this local military effort.
Roll Of Capt. James Gates’ Company
Capt. James Gates’ Company served during the War of 1812, with enlistments from August 18 to September 23, 1812, and again from July 30 to August 13, 1813. The roster includes Lieut. James Munire, Ensign John Best, and several sergeants and corporals, along with numerous privates from the region, likely Champaign County. This company was involved in military duties during a crucial period, contributing to the broader efforts of the United States against British forces.
Roll Of Capt. Abner Barrett’s Company
The roll of Capt. Abner Barrett’s Company, likely from Champaign County, details service from August 9 to September 9, 1813. The roster includes Captain Barrett and Lieutenant Edward Jones, along with several sergeants and corporals. A total of 60 privates are named, highlighting the diverse group of individuals who served during this period. This document serves as a record of those who participated in military action, reflecting the local commitment to service in the early 19th century.
Roll Of Capt. John Lingle’s Company
Capt. John Lingle’s company, likely from Champaign County, served from October 15 to November 15, 1812. The roster included Lieutenant Cyrus Ward, Ensign James Humphreys, multiple sergeants and corporals, a fifer named John Richards, and a drummer, Newton Bourroughs, alongside numerous privates. This diverse group contributed to the military efforts during that period, reflecting the collective commitment of local men to their service in the early 19th century.
Roll Of Capt. John McCord’s Company
This roll details the service of Capt. John McCord’s company from Champaign County, who served from September 6 to September 22, 1812. Key members include Sergeants Joseph Low and Alexander Allen, Corporal Joseph O. Lemon, and 18 privates such as Thomas Armstrong, David Byars, and Edward Evans. The company reflects a diverse group of soldiers committed to service during this early period of the War of 1812.
Roll Of Capt. Phillip Riser’s Company
Capt. Phillip Riser’s Company, likely from Champaign County, served during the War of 1812 in two distinct periods: from September 19 to October 19, 1812, and from August 12 to September 21, 1813. The company included a range of ranks, from Lieutenants William Rumple, John Rhodes, and James Toomer to multiple Sergeants and Corporals, alongside privates such as Isaac Bacer, William Bags, and John Baker, among others. This roll showcases the diverse individuals who contributed to the military efforts during this time.