Charles R Champion

There are multiple records, including the headstone, which give the year of birth as 1858. However, since his parents did not marry until Mar 6, 1862, it is probably safe to assume this is incorrect. The birth year of 1863, as indicated in other records, appears to be correct.

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C. R. Champion, a progressive and enterprising real estate man of Raymore, Missouri, is a native of Illinois. He was born in Tazewell County in 1863, and is a son of Alfred G. and Emeline R. (Kibby) Champion. The father, Alfred G. Champion, was born in Pennsylvania in 1837 and died in Illinois in 1905. When C. R. Champion was three months old his parents removed from their native state and settled in Illinois. They drove through with ox teams. (These last two sentences must surely apply to Alfred's parents rather than C. R.'s parents as C. R. was born in Illinois) Alfred G. Champion was a son of Abraham Champion, a millwright, who became very well-to-do. At one time he owned over fourteen hundred acres of land in Illinois. He built the first mill in the vicinity of Pekin, Illinois. It was located some distance south of Pekin on the Mackinaw River and known as Champion's Mill. He operated this mill nearly all his life and at the same time had other interests. The piling of this old mill is still standing. All the timbers used in the construction of this mill were hewn by hand. Abraham Champion built a great many other saw and shingle mills in that vicinity later and sold them to other parties. There is still standing a commanding residence of early days, one mile north of Green Valley, Illinois, which was built by Abraham Champion. The framework of this building is all of walnut. Abraham Champion was born in Pennsylvania in 1812 and died in Illinois in 1862. C. R. Champion's mother was a daughter of Charles Kibby and a native of Ohio. She died in 1895. C. R. Champion has one sister living, Mrs. Mary Larimore, who resides in Tazewell County, Illinois.

C. R. Champion was reared in Illinois and educated in the public schools. He remained at home and when sixteen years of age became manager for his father. Later he engaged in farming and in 1901 went to Iowa, where he engaged in farming and selling farm implements. In 1903 he came to Cass County and bought a farm near Raymore where he was engaged in farming and in the hog business. shortly after coming to this county Mr. Champion became interested in the real estate business. From time to time he handled more or less property. In 1915 he moved to Raymore and since that time has devoted most of his attention to real estate. He has put through some important transactions, among which might be mentioned the Allen deal, which involved a cash transaction of one hundred fifty-five thousand dollars, and he has handled a great many farms. Mr. Champion has much valuable Cass County property listed for sale at the present time. Mr. Champion also accommodates the traveling public, keeping a hotel at Raymore.

In 1887 Mr. Champion was united in marriage with Miss Laura A. Hootman, of Illinois, a daughter of Henry and Mary Hootman, natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Champion have three living children, as follows: Alfred Jackson, Mary, and Mrs. Ethel Frantz, all residing at Raymore, Missouri. The Champion family have an extensive acquaintance and are representative people of Cass County. Mr. Champion of of that genial type who readily makes friends and by square business methods has won the public confidence.

History of Cass County Missouri by Allen Glenn * Published by the Historical Publishing Company Topeka & Cleveland 1917 * pg 677-678* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Oct 26 2023, 15:31:50 UTC