Notes |
- There is also a biography and picture of John G. Oldham in this publication .
SOURCE: "History of Champaign County, Illinois with Illustrations," 1878
SURNAMES: COCKAYNE, DEAN, DOWNS, LUKENS, MCDONALD, STEPHENS, WARNER, WILLIAMS
JAMES G. OLDHAM, real estate and loan operator, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, near Washington Court House, October 2, 1847, a son of John G. and Anna (Warner) Oldham, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Ohio; both descendants of old Quaker stock. The elder Oldham who was a large land owner and stock raiser in Ohio, died there in 1852. His widow survived her husband thirty-three years, her death occurring near Urbana, Ill. in 1885. They were the parents of ten children namely; Levi W., deceased; Mrs. Jane Downs; Mrs. Margaret Cockayne, deceased; John E. deceased; Mrs. Massey Willaims; Simon W.; Mrs. Elizabeth W. Lukens; Abner W.; Joseph W. and James G.
Edward Oldham, father of John G., was a native of Virginia, and married Miss Jane Gardner, whose family were of English descent. Mrs. Anna Oldham was a daughter of Levi Warner, a Quaker, whose grandparents emigrated from England to Ohio at an early period, and engaged in farming.
James G. Oldham was trained to agricultural pursuits. He at first worked on a farm for seven dollars a month, but before the end of the year the amount was increased to $15, and the following year, to $17. He educated himself in the public schools, and was engaged as a teacher at the age of seventeen years, near Pendleton, Ind. He came from Madison County, Ind., to Illinois in 1864, and began farming on his own account, having rented a farm three miles east of Urbana. He laid the foundation of his successful career as a farmer and stock-raiser, on rented lands, operating in this way for eleven years.
In 1875 he purchased a farm in Urbana Township, which he conducted until 1882. In the meantime, and as early as 1871, he engaged in the live stock trade, and became widely known throughout his region as a buyer and shipper. He continued to be identified with this trade to a great extent until 1887. and was especially prominent as an owner and breeder of imported and standard-bred horses. He is the owner of the famous Kentucky standard-bred trotter, "Sonticus" (by Belmont '64), which has a record of 2:17.
Mr. Oldham is still identified with agricultural interests. In 1883 he came to Urbana, which has since been his home. Immediately after coming here, he engaged in the real estate and loan business, and at once became a leader in improving the city. He has not only subdivided, and as an agent brought about the improvements of various additions to the city, but has, himself, erected many buildings. At present (1905), he is the owner of more than a dozen dwellings. He has been a large operator in farm lands, and his transactions in recent years have extended far beyond Illinois, covering nearly all the Western, Northwestern and Southwestern States, and several Southern States.
While acting with the Republican party and taking a good citizen's part in public affairs, at times participating actively in the conduct of the political campaigns, he has persistently refused to hold office of any kind, concentrating his energies on the enterprises which have given him a commanding position among business men in this portion of Illinois. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been active in building up the First Methodist Church of Urbana, with which he has been officially identified as trustee.
On March 9, 1871, Mr. Oldham married Miss Belle L. McDonald, a daughter of John and Maria (Roe) McDonald, who were born in Indiana. Their only children are Mrs. Ora (Oldham) Craig, of Champaign, and Miss Ada Pearl Oldham.
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JOHN E. OLDHAM was born in Ross county, Ohio, May 24th, 1834. His father, John G. OLDHAM, removed to that part of Ohio at an early day, where he engaged in stock raising, shipping his cattle to New York and other eastern cities, and continued in that business until the time of his death, which occurred in 1855. In the year ___ he married Miss Annie WARNER, of the same place, by whom he had ten children, six boys and four girls; eight of whom are still living.
The father belonged to the old Whig party. He was an abolitionist of the deepest dye. He was connected with the management of the under-ground railroad, giving aid and comfort to the slave in his flight from servitude, and the cruel lash wielded by the hand of a still more cruel taskmaster. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Oldham married Caleb Williams, of Madison county, Indiana, in the year ___ and in the year 1864 removed, to this county, and settled about two miles east of Urbana, where she still resides, a hale and hearty old lady at the advanced age of.three-score and ten years.
John E., the subject of this sketch, assisted his father in the stock business until 1852, when as clerk, he entered the mercantile business in C. Selma, Clark county, Ohio, and continued in that capacity until 1856, when he embarked in the dry goods business for himself in Fishersburg, Madison county, Indiana, and in which he continued until the year 1864, when he sold out and removed to this county, where he went into the same business with John Gere. He afterwards embarked in the mercantile business for himself, which he carried on in connection with other enterprises until 1874, when he received the appointment of deputy sheriff, under J. D. Johnson which position he has held until the present time.
The Republican party, of which he has been a member ever since its organization, and with which he is most heartily in sympathy, in recognition of his long, and tried fidelity to its principles, and of his fitness for the offices whose duties as deputy he has so well, and acceptably for the past four years assisted to discharge, nominated him at their county convention, held a few months since, by acclamation as candidate for the office of Sheriff of this county. He cast his first vote for Fremont, in 1856.
During his life, from the age of thirteen to that of eighteen, he enjoyed all the advantages afforded by the common school system of Ohio, and in addition attended Green Mount College, Richmond, Indiana, from which institution he graduated after a four years' term, at the age of eighteen years.
Levi OLDHAM, the eldest son, died in Green county, Ohio, in 1866. Jane, eldest daughter, married Isaac DOWNS, and now resides a few miles east of Urbana, in this county. Massy, the second daughter, married Stephen G. WILLIAMS of Madison county, Indiana, and now resides near Urbana, this county. Margaret, the third daughter, married COCKAYNE, of Madison county, Indiana. Abner W., the third son, married Barbers STEPHENS, of the same county, Indiana, and resides at the same place, farming. Joseph W., married a Miss Georgia McDONALD, of this city; as also did James G. and Bell McDONAL
The parents of Mr. Oldham, were quakers or friends, and as such took a deep interest and active part in the affairs of the church.
Simon W., the fifth child, married a Miss DEAN, of Xenia, Ohio, and still lives there engaged in farming. Elizabeth, the sixth child, married Robt. LUKENS, of Madison county, and still Mr. Oldham is yet comparatively a young man in the prime of life, and vigor of manhood, whose sun has n ot yet reached its zenith. A man of exemplary life, and temperate habits, a warm friend, a genial companion, a worthy citizen and one who has won the esteem, and confidence of his fellow-citizens. There is one trait in connection with other qualities that he possesses, that points to a successful life as unerringly as the needle to the North pole, and that as a magnet, has attached to him a host of warm and faithful friends. We refer to his social qualities.
Encyclopedia of Quaker Genealogy, Vol V, Green Plain Monthly Meeting, Pa ge 957
1833, 7, 31 - John Oldham recqr (H) 1833, 9, 18 - Anna Oldham recqr (H) 1833, 11, 13 - Levi W., Jane G. & Margaret W., ch John & Anna , recqr (H) 1854, 11, 15 - Lydia Ellen recqr (H) - could this be a sister or sister in law, possibly a daughter not mentioned in previous minutes.
It appears that John died prior to 1858, Anna married an Unknown Williams and left for Fall Creek MM in Indiana with the younger children. The older girls Jane G. and Mary A. were already married. Massie and Margaret W. also applied to go to Fall Creek MM, Indiana.
Ohio, Wills and Probate Records, 1786-1998 for John G Oldham
Page 239 - 240
John G. Oldham's Admin. Bond.
Know all men by these presents, that we John G. Odlham, Wiliam Pinkerton & Alexander M. McCoy of the county of Fayette and State of Ohi8o, are held and firmly bound unto the State of Ohio in the sum of two hundred dollars, current money of the United States, for the payment of which we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors & adminstrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these presentss. Sealed with our seal and dated this 10 day of October A. D. 1845.
Whereas letter of administration were this day by the Court of Common Please for Fayette County, Ohio, granted unto the above bondsmen John G. Oldham on the estate of Edward C. Oldham, late of this county deceased. Now the condition of the above obligation is such that if the above bondmen John G. Oldham shall make and return into Court on oath within three months from date hereof, a true inventory of all the moneys, goods, chattels, rights and credits of the said Edward C. Oldham deceased, which have or shall come to his possession or knowledge; and also if required by the Court, an inventory of the real estate of the said Edward C. Oldham deceased, and administer according to law, all the moneys, goods, chattels rights and credits of the said deceased and the proceeds of all his real estate that may be sold for the payment of his (deceased) debts which shall at any time come to the possession of him the said John G. Oldham administrator of the said Edward C. Oldham deceased, or to the possession of any other person for him, and render upon oath a true account of administration within eighteen months from date hereof. At any other times when request by the Court or the law, and pay any balance remaining in his hands, upon settlement of his accounts, to such persons as the court or the law shall direct and deliver his letter of administration into Court in case any will of the said deceased shall be hereafter duly proved and allowed; that then and in that case the above obligation to be -----, also to be and remain in full force and written in law.
Signed sealed and acknowledged John G. Oldham (Seal)
in presence of Wm. Pinkerton (Seal)
Samuel Millikan Alex. M. McCoy (Seal)
1840 Federal Census, Madison, Fayette, Ohio
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 6
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3
Total Free White Persons: 9
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 9
1850 Federal Census, Madison Twp., Fayette County, Ohio, USA
John G Oldham 45
Mella Oldham 43
Levi N Oldham 20
Jane Oldham 19
Margaret Oldham 19
Massey Oldham 14
Simeon Oldham 11
John E Oldham 10
Elizabeth Oldham 9
Abner Oldham 7
Joseph Oldham 5
James G Oldham 2
1860 Federal Census, Madison Twp., Fayette County, Ohio, USA
M C Knowles 44
Elizabeth Knowles 81
Elizth Chaffon 17
Allen M Chaffon 17
Jas G Oldham 53
Davis Sharr 25
1870 Federal Census, Madison, Fayette County, Ohio, USA
Knowles Martha M 32
Minix Elizabeth 11
Knoles Sarah J. 6
Oldham Joseph 62 VA
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