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From: LeaAnn <>
Subject: JOHN NEWTON CHAMPION
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 01:10:23 -0600

History of Franklin and Pickaway Counties, Ohio
Pub by Williams Bros., 1880

JOHN NEWTON CHAMPION,

was born near West Springfield, Massachusetts, May 29, 1797. After
completing his education, he taught school for some time in the State
of New Jersey. He afterward removed to Savannah, Georgia, and entered
into mercantile business with his elder brother. He was married,
December 29, 1831, to Sarah Ann Chadbourne, daughter of Captain Jacob
Chadbourne, of Newburyport, Massachusetts. He emigrated to Ohio in
1835, making the long voyage by sea from Savannah to New York, and
thence to Columbus by stage and canal. Here he opened a large dry goods
store, under the firm name of Champion & Lathrop. He was a large
stockholder in the Buckeye and Exchange blocks, which were built in
1838, and were indeed, "enterprises of great pith and moment" in that
day. He also built a large and elegant brick residence on the southeast
corner of High and Long streets, the present site of the Commercial
bank.

He and his young wife were soon looked up to as among the first in
social circles; and such was his political influence, that his house
became almost the headquarters of the Whig leaders. His business was
prosperous, and enabled him to make investments in large tracts of real
estate, which ultimately became very valuable. He died at Columbus,
August 23, 1845, respected by all who knew him.

His wife was a leading member of the charitable societies of the city,
and during the war of the rebellion, acted as a ward visitor in
relieving the wants of soldiers families. She died in the same city
where most of her life was spent, August 30, 1873, aged sixty-one
years, lamented by a large circle of friends, and by many of the poor
and lowly whom her benefactions had relieved.

Mr. and Mrs. Champion left three sons and one daughter, all yet
living, as follows: Reuben Ely and Aaron Burt, residing in
Cincinnati; and John Newton and Isabella C. (now Mrs. Godman),
residing in Columbus.

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