350 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. being at the time in his eighteenth year, and it is worthy of note in this connection that he has ever since devoted himself to this, his chosen line of work, having taught each winter consecutively from the start, while his labors in the later years have covered the full school year. He passed the county examination for a teacher's certificate on the 4th of February, 1882, receiving a twelve months certificate. He has taught nine years in four different district schools and his work has been invariably attended with success, so that it was but a natural sequence that when he assumed the ,position as principal of the New Madison schools he should make his influence felt for good from the beginning. He his now held the principalship for eight years, which fact is in itself significant, showing conclusively that the public have an appreciation of his ability as a teacher and an executive. He is thoroughly interested in his profession, and his ambition prompts him to study ways and means and to secure in every detail of the work the best results possible. He now holds a life state common-school certificate. When he took charge of the New Madison schools three teachers were employed and one hundred and eight pupils -enrolled ; at the present time four teachers are demanded in the work, and one hundred and sixty pu pils are enrolled. The class of 1900 is the fifth to graduate, but when Mr. Brown assumed the principalship there had never been a graduate. The alumni now number fifteen gentlemen and five ladies. On the l0th of November, 1890, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Elizabeth Teaford, of German township, this county, she being the daughter of Jonathan and Sophia (Smelker) Tea-ford, well known residents f that town ship. Mrs. Brown has three brothers and one sister living. Mr. Brown erected a tasteful and attractive residence in New Madison, taking up his abode therein November 3; 1892, and this proves the center of a refined social circle, including the best people of the community, Mrs. Brown presiding over the home with grace and dignity and proving to her husband an able coadjutor in his work. He has won the reputation of being one of the successful and competent teachers of the county. JOHN C. CLARK. The subject of this review is actively connected with a profession which has important bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of any section or community, and one which has long been considered as conserving the public welfare by furthering the ends of justice and maintaining individual rights. He seems to realize in superior measure the importance and value of the profession and the fact that justice and the higher attribute of mercy he often holds in his hands. His professional career has therefore been one most commendable and has won for him prestige among the leading members of the legal fraternity in the western section of Ohio. Mr. Clark was born in a log house in Washington township, Darke county, on the 17th of January, 1849, a son of Benjamin H. and Mary (Martin) Clark. English, German and Irish blood is commingled in his veins, and many of the sterling traits of those nationalities find exemplification in his career. His father was of English and German extraction and his mother was of German and Irish lineage. The former was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 351 in September, 1821, and removed to Ohio in 1831, when ten years of age, in company with his parents. After reaching man's estate he devoted his attention to farming in Ohio. He was married in Darke county to Miss Mary Martin, whose birth occurred in Washington township, in 1830. When our subject was eight years of age his parents removed to what is known as the old Clark homestead, four miles north of Greenville. At that time the land was practically untilled, and the father, with the aid of his young sons, cut away the trees, fenced the property, made ditches and erected substantial buildings, making the farm one of the best in the county. Thus upon the family homestead John C. Clark was reared, working in the fields through the summer months, while in the winter, until eighteen years of age, he pursued such studies as formed the curriculum in the district schools of the neighborhood. He afterward attended the high school of Greenville. for three years and was thus enabled to secure a teacher's certificate. He had no opportunity to pursue a college course, but while engaged in teaching he added largely to his fund of knowledge by private study in leisure hours, mastering Latin, higher mathematics and other sciences, also studying history and English literature Early becoming imbued with a desire to make the practice of law his life Work, he began reading law with Judge A. R. Calderwood and H. M. Cole, on the 6th of October, 1875, and when he had largely mastered the principles of jurisprudence he successfully passed an examination and was admitted to the bar by the district court at Greenville, in May, 1877. It is said that he answered correctly every question put to him in that examination. Since that time Mr. Clark has engaged in practice, and his clientage has steadily increased in volume and importance until his connection with important litigated interests is extensive. His success in a professional way affords the best evidence of his capabilities in this line. He is a strong advocate with the jury and concise in his appeals before the court. Much of the success which has attended him in his professional career is undoubtedly due to the fact that in no instance will he permit himself to go into. court with a case unless he has absolute confidence in the justice of his client's cause. Basing his efforts on this principle, from which there are too many lapses in professional ranks, it naturally follows that he seldom loses a case in whose support he is enlisted. He is always painstaking and thorough in the preparation of a case, and when he enters the courtroom his position, as regards the law and its application to the principles involved in his suit is well nigh. incontrovertible. At the time that Mr, Clark was a student Ed Breaden was also reading law in the same office, and on the 19th of February, 1878, these two young men commenced the practice of law together, under the firm name of Breaden & Clark. The partnership was dissolved three years later, but they remained close friend until the death of Mr. Breaden. In the fall of 1885 Mr. Clark formed a law partnership with General Anderson and Mr. Chenowith, and their practice was varied and remunerative. He also held several offices in the line of his profession, having been elected prosecuting attorney for Darke county, serving from the 1st, of January, 1881, to the 1st of January, 1886. In the discharge of his duties he manifested marked prominence and fidelity .and won the high commenda- 352 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. tion of all interested in law and order. In May, 1893, he became one of the judges of the court of common pleas for the second judicial district. The term of Judge Meeker was at that time nearing. its end and he was given, the nomination and elected for a term of five years. On the bench Judge Clark was most fair and impartial in his rulings and his decisions were models of judicial soundness. He seemed to readily grasp every point presented, to know the law applicable thereto, and his decisions were framed with due regard to precedent and to the equity of the case. In the summer of 1896 Judge Clark was nominated, in Colum, bus, for judge of the circuit court of the second judicial district of Ohio, competing therefor with some of the ablest lawyers of the circuit, and in the November election he carried his home county by the largest majority ever given to any candidate with a competitor, but was not elected on account of the unprecedented majorities given against his party in Franklin and Montgomery counties. On the 27th of September, 1888, the Judge was united in marriage to Miss Ada J. Greene, a highly educated and cultured lady of Franklin, and their home in Greenville is celebrated for its gracious hospitality. In his political views the Judge has always been a Democrat and has taken a deep and active interest in the success of his party. However, when on the bench. he never allowed party politics to influence in any way his official ads. In the campaign of 1880 he displayed such ability that he at once became one of the leaders of his party, and with the exception of the time of his judicial service has since continued to exert a marked influence in its councils. He has always likened public leadership to that of the duties of a general in command of an army, and has held that the only way to win success is to make good all promises and to inspire confidence in the desirable outcome of the cause in question. These qualities, combined with an excellent knowledge of humane nature and unflagging prosecution of a campaign, will nearly always bring the desired result in a just cause. As a citizen lie is public-spirited and progressive, as a friend is true and faithful and as a man is moral and upright. In manner the Judge is very modest and unpretentious, but commands that uniform regard which is every where given to true worth of character. He has always resided in Darke county, and the fact that many who have known him from boyhood are numbered among his warmest friends is an indication that his life has ever been honorable and upright. WILLIAM LUDY. Success is determined by one's ability, to recognize opportunity and to pursue this with a resolute and unflagging energy. It results from continued labor, and the man who thus accomplishes his purpose becomes an important factor in business circles. Mr. Ludy, through such means, has attained a leading place among the representative business men of Greenville township, and is now the proprietor and manager of a brickyard near the city of Greenville. He was born May 3, 1858, in a log cabin. in Greenville township, which is still standing, and is a son of Samuel Ludy, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. He obtained a good business education in the public and high schools of Greenville, and at the age of twenty-one he began his business career by taking charge GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 353 of his father's brickyard, which he has since successfully operated. It was established ly his father in 1875, and has since been in successful operation, turning out from one to one and a half million bricks annually at the present time. The product, being of a superior quality, finds a ready sale in the local markets, and is also Shipped extensively. Many of the principal buildings of Greenville have been constructed of these bricks, including the school houses, electric light plant and water works. Twenty men are furnished employment in the yards. In addition to the manufacture of brick Mr. Ludy is also engaged in getting out railroad ties, hard wood lumber, etc., during the winter months, and in this way manages to give his employes work all the year round. Besides his business property, he owns one hundred and forty-five acres of good land in Greenville township, and his entire possessions evidence the success that has attended his well-directed efforts. On the 20th of April, 1880, Mr. Ludy was united in marriage with Miss Alice M. Reck, of Gettysburg, a daughter of Levi Reck, and to them have been born four children : John, now nineteen years of age ; Maude, seventeen; Grace Alice, twelve; and Laverna, one year. The parents are both active members of the Christian church, and the family is one f prominence in the community where they reside. LEWIS C. MILLER. Lewis C. Miller, one of the representative and prominent agriculturists of Darke county, owns and operates a fine farm of one hundred and twenty-six acres on section 9. Greenville township. Its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the careful supervision of the owner and shows him to be not only a skillful farmer, but also a man of good business and executive ability. He located where he now resides in 1873, at that time purchasing eighty acres of partially improved land, to which he subsequently added another eighty-acre tract, but has since given a part of this to two of his sons. Mr. Miller was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, March 6, 1834, and is a son of Christian and Martha (Stronn) Miller, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. Our subject's maternal grandfather was Enos Stronn, an early settler of Ohio. In 1801, When only a year old, the father was taken to Fairfield county, this state, by his parents, Christian and Elizabeth Miller, also natives of the Old Dominion. This was some time before Ohio was admitted to the Union, and near where the Miller family settled was an Indian village. Upon the farm where they first located the grandparents of our subject spent their remaining years, and his parents were also lifelong residents of Fairfield county. The father lived to the advanced age of eighty-two years. He was a farmer and also a mechanic, manufacturing wagons, plows, etc., and making the first left handed plow constructed in Ohio, designing the molds himself. Both he and his wife were members of the United Brethren church, taking an active interest in religious work, while their home was always the stopping place for the ministers visiting their locality.. Lewis C. Miller was reared and educated in Fairfield, and remained there until after his marriage, operating his father's farm and taking care of his parents until their death. As previously stated, he came to Darke county in 1873, and has since re- 354 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. sided upon his present farm. He was united marriage to Miss Elizabeth Sites, and to them were born nine children, namely : Cletus, Laura, James, Charles, Fannie; Emma, deceased; Mollie, Mannel and Maude. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Miller are active and influential members of the Grand View. Union Brethren church. They have always taken a very prominent part in all church work, and assisted in organizing the churches of their denomination at Hill. Grove, Coalville and Grand View. Mr. Miller has also been officially connected with his home church for .many years, and has led a most exemplary life. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, but takes only a nominal interest in political affairs, such as is exercised by our best citizens. He well deserves the high regard in in which he is uniformly held. SAMUEL LUDY This gentleman, who was for a number of years a leading brick manufacturer of Darke county, is now living a retired life in the enjoyment of a rest which lie has truly earned and greatly deserves by reason of his industrious efforts of former years. He was born in Frederick county, Maryland, May 30, 1833, but was only four years old when brought by his parents, David and Mary (Burns) Ludy, to Ohio. His father was also a native of Maryland, the mother of Pennsylvania, and their marriage was celebrated in the former state. On corning to Ohio they located in Miami county, and here they made their permanent home on a farm, where both died. When they took up their residence there their family numbered seven children—Daniel, Sarah, Eliza beth, John, Mahala, David and Samuel ; and in this state three others were added to the family—Eliza, Mary Ann . and William. The last named was a member of the Tenth. Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the civil war, and died from disease soon after the battle of Stone river. Since coming to Darke county, in 1856, Samuel Ludy has resided upon his present place. Being in limited circumstances, he worked at day labor for a time, and eventually bought seven acres in Greenville township, for which he paid fifty dollars per acre. For some years he followed farming, but. about 1875 he embarked in the manufacture of brick, to which he devoted his time and attention throughout the remainder of his active business life. In Greenville, in 1856, Mr. Ludy mar ried Miss Christina Guntrum, a daughter of John Guntrum, whose family came from Pennsylvania to Ohio about 1844. By this union were born four children : who now has charge of the brick business,. and is represented on another page of this volume; David; Rebecca, the wife of peter Roher ; and Samuel, who is engaged in ship ping stock. Mr. Ludy has always taken an active interest in educational. matters, and. has provided his children with good advantages along that line. His son David successfully taught in the schools of Darke. county for twelve or more years. In 1864 Mr. Ludy enlisted in Company D, Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was one f two men chosen from ten thousand to carry returns from the regiment to headquarters: In that capacity he frequently visited the headquarters of Grant, Sheridan, Sherman and other noted generals, and remained in the service until May 12, 1865, when honorably discharged. He GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 355 participated in some engagements and was wounded at the battle f Bowling Green, Kentucky, being knocked senseless by a bullet in the forehead. At another time he was accidentally wounded by the discharge of a comrade's gun, the ball striking his right band and disabling it. Though not strictly partisan, Mr. Ludy usually supports the Democratic party, and he takes an active interest in public affairs, having served as the trustee of Greenville township eight consecutive terms, and as infirmary director six years. He is a man of broad and liberal views, and is willing to give the hand of Christian fellowship to all. He is widely and favorably known and it is safe to say that no man in his community is held in higher regard. For a half century he has been a consistent member of the Christian church, and socially belongs to Greenville Lodge, No. 195, I. O. O. F. HENRY ALTER. Henry Alter is well and favorably known in Darke county and the history of his life therefore cannot fail to prove of interest to our readers, many of whom are numbered among his friends. He was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, March 16, 1837, and is a son of Jacob and Eliza (Tice) Alter. The former was a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and was a son of William Alter, who was born in the Keystone state and belonged to an old colonial family. The grandfather of our subject was a farmer, miller and distiller and was a man of influence in his community. During the war of 1812, he was captain of a company, raised in his vicinity, that participated in the battle of North Point, Baltimore, Maryland. His brother-in-law, Joseph Ritener, was then governor of the state. William Alter held a number of official positions of Prominence and for one or more terms was a member of the state senate. In his family were the following children: William, John, David, Ben-jamin, Simon, Jacob, Eliza, Mary and Susan. The parents died in the Keystone state, the grandfather passing away in May, 1840. Jacob Alter, the father of our subject, was reared to manhood in the county of his nativity, became a farmer and later conducted the Shakespeare House, then the most prominent hotel in Harrisburg. He had the honor of entertaining Charles Dickens at the time of his visit to the United States. He also entertained General W. H. Harrison at a banquet given him during the presidential campaign of 1840. The late Thaddeus Stevens also made his home at the Shakespeare House. Jacob Alter was married in Washington county, Maryland, to Miss Eliza Tice, a native of that state. They began their domestic life in Pennsylvania, where they re-mained for ten or more years, and then removed to Preston county, West Virginia, where Jacob Alter purchased a farm, making his home there for some time. He afterward spent several years in western Maryland and then returned to Washington county, that state, where he remained for a number of years. With his family he emigrated to Ohio, taking up his abode in Clark county, upon a farm which he made his place of residence for twelve years, after which he came to Darke county, Ohio, here remaining until his death which occurred May 24, 1875. His wife also passed away in Darke county, surviving him for some time, and both were well advanced in age when called to the home beyond. They had a family of five children, two of whom are living, Frank, 356 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. who resides in Cincinnati, where he is recognized as a prominent citizen, and Henry, f this review. The daughters who have passed away are Mary, Laura and Lucy. The first two died in childhood and the last named is the deceased wife of William McCaughey. Henry Alter, whose name forms the caption of this article, spent his early boyhood days on the home farm in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and attended the "pay schools." His educational advantages how. ever, were somewhat limited. He walked from three to five miles each night and morning in order to acquire an education,: but as his services were needed on the home farm; he found little opportunity to remain in the school room. He assisted in the cultivation of his father's fields until twenty-one years of age, when he began life on his own account and followed farming in the Keystone state until 1854, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Clark county, Ohio. In 1866 he came to Darke county, taking up his abode in Greenville township upon the place where he now resides. He was married in Clark county to Elizabeth Ilges, a daughter of Martin Ilges, of that locality. Their wedding was celebrated in April, 1864, and from 1866 until 1887 they resided upon the old homestead in Darke county. In the latter year, however, Mr. Alter and his wife went to Tennessee, in order that he might obtain relief from asthmatic troubles, and there he remained until December, 1889, when he returned to the farm, which has since been his place of abode. By his first wife he had two children : Mary, now the wife of Harmon Hartzell, of Greenville, and Florence, who died at the age of two years. The mother passed away in 1870, and Mr. Alter was again married. His second marriage was consummated December 18, 1874, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary M. Clew, a daughter f D. B. and Rachel (Thompson) Clew, then residents of Darke county. Her father, however, was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother was born in Ohio. Her maternal grandparents were Moses and Christine (Ireland) Thompson, the former a native of New York. and the latter of Ohio. She was probably born in Clermont county, where her people settled at a very early epoch in the development of the state. Moses Thompson and his wife had ten children, namely : Rachel, Isaac, Annie, Daniel, Rhoda, Lydia, Samuel, Ephraim, Malinda, and Azenia. The grandfather of Mrs. Alter came to Darke county at an early date, entered land from the government near New Madison, and there made his home until his death, which occurred about 1856. His wife survived him until 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Clew, the parents of Mrs. Alter, were married in Cincinnati, December 4, 1842, and located in Darke county in 1848, here spending their remaining days. Her father, who was born in Philadelphia, April 6, 1813, died April 21, 1867. His wife who was born in Clermont county, Ohio, May 22, 1814, was called to her final rest December 8, 1844. They had four children, of whom three are living namely : Christine Elizabeth, who was born in Cincinnati, February 18, 1844, and died August 29, 1849; Henry D., born in the same city, May 1, 1846; Mary M., born September 4, 1849; and William M., born December 24, 1851. The father was auditor of Darke county for four years, and previous. to that service had been deputy auditor for four years. He took an active interest in politics, and was a stanch advocate of the Democracy, yet enjoyed the respect and confidence of people of both parties. He discharged his public duties with marked fidel- GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 357 ity and his books were the best kept of any in the county. Mr. Alter is also an advocate of Democratic principles and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, yet has never sought or desired office. He and his wife are most highly respected and their circle of friends is very extensive, embracing many of the best people of the community. OSCAR F. DAVISON. One of the well known citizens of Greenville, Oscar F. Davison, is numbered among the native sons of Darke county, for his birth occurred on a farm in Richland township, on the 16th of October, 1837. His grandfather, Edward .R. Davison, was one of the pioneer settlers of Ohio, locating in Pickaway county, in 1810, and taking up his abode in Darke county in 1822. The name of Davison has since been inseparably connected with the substantial growth and development of the county. The father of our subject, Robert Davison, was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, April 8, 1798, and having attained man's estate he wedded Miss Mary Stratton, the wedding taking place March 26, 1829. She was born May 23, 1807. Soon after their marriage they came to Darke county, locating in Richland township where Mr. Davison hewed out a farm in the midst of the forest. There he engaged in raising rain and stock and was the owner of a valuable property, comprising two hundred and fifty acres in Brown township, and was an enterprising agriculturist whose well directed labors brought to him merited success. His wife died March 22, 1847, and he was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Mary Brown, nee White. She died on the old homestead in 1867. Oscar F. Davison was the second son of the first marriage. The other children of the family were : Edward A., who died in 1877 ; Louise Olover, who is a widow and resides in Salem, Indiana; Sarah Ann, wife of Adam Coppess, of Darke county ; and Amanda, wife of Isaac Deardoff, of Brown township. Under the parental roof Oscar F. Davison was reared, remaining with his parents until he had attained his twenty-third year, when he was married. It was in 1861 that this important event in his life occurred, Miss Serena Plessinger, of Richland township, becoming his wife. She is a daughter of David and Louise ( Johnson) Plessinger. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs.. Davison took up their abode in Richland township, upon a farm, where they made their home for two years, on the expiration of which period our subject entered into partnership with C. L. Pecken, under the firm name of Pecken & Davison. They opened a general store. which they conducted for a year, when they sold out. During that time Mr. Davison lost his first wife and was again married, the lady of his choice being Sarah J. Plessinger, a second cousin of his former wife. Her parents were George and Mary (Harmon) Plessinger. They took up their abode upon a farm, which Mr. Davison operated from 1877 until 1894, and during that time he also dealt quite extensively in live stock. In the fall of the latter year he was. elected treasurer of Darke county, taking charge of the finances in September, 1895, for a term of two years. On the expiration of that period he was re-elected, serving in all four years. His duties were discharged in a most prompt and commendable manner and every cent was faithfully accounted for, so that he retired from office as he entered it-- with the good will and confidence of the peo- GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 358 ple. Since his retirement he has devoted his attention to the supervision of his farming interests, being owner of two hundred and forty acres of valuable land in Allen township, which he rents. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Davison has been blessed with four children, namely Tessa H., wife. of Elijah York, of York township; Mary G., wife of Charlie Baman, of York township; Claude E., who married Anna Medford and is now telegraph operator at Ansonia ; and Cora May, wife of John Armstrong, a resident of Allen township. Mr. Davison is a member of Ansonia Lodge, No. 4, F.. & A. M., and enjoys the regard of his brethren of the fraternity. In his political views he is a Democrat; is recognized as tone of the leading members of the party in his locality and keeps well informed on the issues of the day. His home is a fine residence located. at No. 216 Harrison avenue, and there he is enabled to surround his family with all the necessities and many of the luxuries of life, as the result of his well directed and enterprising efforts. JAMES YOUNG McCOOL. The subject of this personal narrative is one of the most successful and progressive farmers Within the borders of Franklin township, Darke. county, Ohio. He has made his special field 'of industry an eminent success, .and is highly esteemed and respected by all who know him. Mr. McCool's paternal grandparents were Tames and Charity (Chapman) McCool, who were born, reared and married in South Carolina, whence they removed to North Carolina and later to Virginia. In 1814 they came to Ohio and located west of Milton in Miami county, where the grandfa ther died shortly after, in 1816. His wife survived him several years, dying in Frederick, Miami county, about 1839. Their children were William C., father f our subject; Young Gabriel, who married Margaret Cloyd and died in Frederick.; Elizabeth, who married Alexander Hoover, and died in Lockport, Indiana ; and Sally, who married. Michael Roderick and died near Jonesboro. Indiana. William C. McCool, our subject's father, was born in South Carolina, December 3, 1803, and accompanied his parents on their various removals, coming to this state in 1814, the journey being made by wagon. After his father's death he learned the shoemaker's trade and became the main support of his widowed mother, with whom he remained until his marriage. Walter D. Jay, a friend and relative, took a great interest in the boy and gave him work until his marriage. It was in 1825 that Mr. McCool wedded Miss Mary, daughter of William and Jane Cloyd, natives of Tennessee. They made their home for a time on the James Jay farm near Tippecanoe and on leaving there Mr. McCool bought eighty acres of land in Union township Miami county, for which he went in debt, the cost of the place being four hundred and fifty dollars. Only fifteen acres of the land had been cleared and an old log house and barn constituted the only improvements. Being industrious and persevering, he soon paid off the debt and bought another farm of eighty acres near Frederick for one thousand dollars. After paying for the latter he purchased eighty acres of W. D. Jay, for which he paid thirty-three dollars per acre. In 1850 he bought two hundred and eighty acres of land. south of Milton, for which he paid five thousand dollars, and made his home thereon GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 359 until 1864, when he rented the farm and with our subject as a partner engaged in general merchandising and in the grain business at De Lisle, Darke county. At the end of four years he purchased our subject's interest in the business and continued alone until 1872, when he sold to his son John and bought a seventy-eight-acre farm in Neave township, paying for it thirty-six hundred dollars. There he lived retired for some time, but finally removed to Jaysville, where he died in 1888, honored and respected by all who knew him. Politically he was first a Whig aand later a Republican, and religiously was a member the Society of Friends. His estimable wife, who was born in Tennessee, in 1808, died April 20, 1853. In their family were ten children, namely: Albert married Susan Smith and died in Union township, March 16, 1856; James Y., our subject, is next in order of birth ; Charity married Ahiga Shearer, of West Milton; Isaac married Elizabeth Siler and died in Union township, Miami county, March 16, 1862; John married Elizabeth Daniels and died in Arcanum; Harriet us the wife of D. Yount, of Union township, Miami county; Esther married William Cress. and they moved to Morris county, Kansas, in 1884; William Henry Harrison married Ellen Arnold, and lives in Jaysville, Ohio ; Elizabeth married first Harrison Voer, and secondly, Titus Shearer and lives near Spring Valley, Tennessee and Mat Township in infancy. James Y. McCool was born October 24, 1828 and being Charles Stoltzather's farm he early became familiar with all the duties wWhiCil fall to the lot of the agriculturist. As a boy he wIvas not over fond of study, but was hard working and industrious: He attended country schools until eighteen years. of age and was quick to learn, easily keeping up with the other scholars in his studies. For fourteen months he attended Eli Jay's select school and then passed the teachers examination at Troy. He taught school for about fourteen months in Miami and Darke counties, but his early life was mostly devoted to farming until 1864, when he and his father embarked in business at De Lisle. During the war they paid as high as three dollars and five cents per bushel for wheat. After withdrawing from the business Mr. McCool located on his farm in Union township, Miami county, which he operated until 1871, and then moved to another farm which he owned in Franklin township, Darke county, consisting of two hundred and forty acres of well improved land. In 1874 he bought the farm of sixty-three acres on which he now resides, and took up his residence there on the following year though he still retains the two-hundred and forty-acre tract which was entered by Samuel Horn. His commodious and pleasant residence was built in 1880, and all of the other improvements upon the place in the way of buildings have been made by him. On the 1ist of April, 1858, Mr. McCool was united in marriage to Miss Mary Long, who was born in Miami county, Ohio, a daughter of William and Elizabeth Long. By this union were born six children, namely: Amanda C., who died in infancy ; Emma Jane, Who married Frank Reed and both dn in Franklin township; Sarah A., wife of T. W. Stoltz, of Gettysburg; Rosie B.., wife of Charles.Stoltz, of Franklin township; Minor, school a teacher residing at home; and Mary E., who wedded George Myers, Franklin township. and has one child, Mary A. Mr. McCool is strictly a self-made man, as he began life without a dollar, and every thing he owns is the fruit of his own labor, 360 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. enterprise and good management. He is today one of the largest land-owners of Franklin township, and is one of its most successful business men. He is intelligent and well informed, is kind, hospitable and generous. and a good friend and neighbor. He is a devout Christian and prominent member of Union Chapel Christian church, in which he has served as deacon for several years. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, and on his party ticket was elected justice of the peace, in 1895, for a term of three years. GEORGE W. HARLEY, NI. D. There is no profession that demands of its votaries a more careful preliminary training than does that of the physician, and as the destinies of life and death, the alpha and omega of our human existence, rest often in his hands, it is but natural that he should feel the grave responsibilities placed upon him and should gird himself well for the stern duties of his noble calling. Among those who lend dignity to the profession of medicine in Darke county is he whose name initiates this paragraph, and we are pleased to incorporate in this work the following brief review of his personal and ancestral history. Dr. Harley is a native son of the Buckeye state, having been born in Clark county, Ohio, on the 9th of January, 1860. His father, a man of sterling worth of character, is a retired blacksmith at North Hampton, Clark county. This honored citizen, John A. Harley. is of German nativity, having been born in the province of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, about the year 1832. At the age of seventeen years, in 1849, the young man determined to seek his fortune in the new world and fortified only by his sterling integrity and his capacity for productive effort, he was confident of making his way, though far from home and friends. He made the voyage by sailing vessel, forty-nine days elapsing ere he disembarked in New York city, where the boat finally dropped anchor. He had at the time no knowledge. of the English language and was not even familiar with a trade but he was equal to the exigencies of the hour, and by indus try and honest enterprise soon gained a foothold in his adopted country. Within a short time he came to Clark county, Ohio, and here he apprenticed himself to learn the blacksmith trade, in which he eventually became. an adept workman, continuing to devote his attention to the same for many years and gaining the confidence and esteem of all with whom lie came in contact. In Clark county he was united in marriage to Miss. Martha Meranda, a daughter of George Meranda, this union being consummated about the year 1859, and to the same seven children being born, of which number five are now living, namely : George Washington, the immediate subject of this review ; Hettie Harley, who is a successful teacher ; Emma Harley, a maiden lady ; Eliza, who is the widow of John Brandenburg and resides in Clark county ; and Charles Irvin, a prominent farmer of Clark county, who is married and has one daughter. The parents of the Doctor are both in excellent health and in temporal. affairs are very comfortably situated, this being the reward f the well directed efforts. of the father, to whom his cherished wife has ever proved a true helpmeet. Doctor Harley secured his Preliminary educational discipline in the district schools and in the normal school at Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio, after which he secured more purely technical training or professional training by matriculating in the well GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 361 known Eclectic Medical Institute, at Cincinnati. where he was graduated with the de gree of Doctor of Medicine on the 7th of June, 1892, having proved a most careful and discriminating student and having shown a peculiar fitness for the work to which he had determined to devote his life. Immediately after his graduation he located in Hollansburg, entering upon the active practice of his profession here on the 6th of July, 1892. He has firmly established himself in the confidence and esteem of the people and his patronage is of a representative order. The Doctor is an enthusiast in his profession, is a close student and keeps fully abreast of the discoveries and developments in the science of medicine, while his personality is that which infuses confidence and begets cheerfulness in the sick room—attributes essential to the successful physician. On the 12th of August, 1885, Doctor Harley was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Rust, daughter of Simon and Rebecca (Myers) Rust, of Clark county. Of this union four children were born, Mabel E. Harley, who was born May 10, 1886, and died April 5, 1898, of meningitis; Russell, who was born August 12, 1887, and died at the age of twenty-eight days ; Howard, who was born April 25, 1889; and Norene, a little daughter, born May 11, 1891. The family occupy an attractive residence, which was erected by the Doctor in the fall of 1898, and here he finds his solace from the cares and perplexities of his active professional career; here he may usually be found when not in his office or attending his patients, and here a generous hospitality is dispensed to a large circle of loyal friends. Professionally Doctor Harley is identified with both the state and county organizations of the Eclectic Medical Society ; polit ically he renders allegiance to the Democratic party, and fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias. The Doctor is widely known and distinctly popular in the community, both as a physician and as a. man among men. THOMAS H. MONGER. This gentleman is well known as the superintendent of the Darke County Orphans' Horne, and is well qualified for the important. position which he is filling. He is not only a man of excellent business ability,. capable of directing the business affairs of the institution, but is also a gentleman of broad humanitarian principles, of deep human sympathy, and his interest in children and their welfare is earnest and sincere. He does all in his power to make the institution not only a home in name but in reality, and labors to prepare the little ones for life's practical and responsible duties. Mr. Monger was born in Fayette county,. Indiana, November 18, 1854. His parents were George H. and Catherine (Holland) Monger, both natives f Fayette county, Indiana, and representatives of pioneer famlies of that state, but both are now deceased. T. H. Monger's boyhood days were spent in that locality, upon a farm. During the: winter months he pursued his education in the common schools and to his parents he gave the benefit of his services until after he attained his Majority, living with them until his removal to Darke county, on the 7th. of November, 1888. At that time he took up, his abode in Greenville and entered the employ of L. D. Dally, a dealer in implements, with whom he remained from March, 1889, until February, 1892, at which time he was appointed superintendent of the Home. He 362 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. has since remained in charge of this splendid institution of Darke county, and under his :supervision its object has been carried forward in spirit, winning the approval of prac-tical business men as well as of those of a more emotional nature. Mr. Monger is a member of Champion Lodge, No. 742, I. O. O. F., and Greenville Camp, No. 90, f the encampment, and. also of the Patriarchs Militant, the highest order of Odd Fellowship. This order inculcates among its members the spirit of helpfulness, .charity and benevolence, and Mr. Monger exemplifies in his conduct of the Orphans' Home the fraternal, spirit of the order. He affiliates with the Democracy in politics, and is a prominent and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was married December 21, 1876, to Estella M. Woods, and having no children of their own, they have reared his brother's son, John E. Monger. This nephew came to them when six years of age and is now a student in the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. Mr. Monger is a well informed man, courteous to strangers, kindly in his dealings with those with whom he is daily thrown in contact and is possessed of excellent executive ability. The term of superintendent lasts but one year and that he has been re-elected each February for the past eight years is a high testimonial to his ability and fidelity. THE DARKE COUNTY CHILDREN'S HOME. The Darke County Children's Home is situated three miles north of Greenville, Ohio. The erection of the building was begun in 1888 and it was occupied on the 13th of August, 1889. The building is of brick and is fitted throughout. in modern style, the approximate cost of the improvement being about forty thousand dollars. The grounds comprise fifty-two and a half acres of land and are well improved. Children are re-ceived into the home between infancy and sixteen years. The girls are taught house-work of all kinds, while the boys are instructed in various outdoor duties. of the farm. School is held nine months in the year in a model building erected especially for the purpose. There are now fifty-three inmates f the home, thirty-six boys and twenty-seven girls. As it is deemed advisable and requests are made, the children are put into families for thirty days' trial and the institution demands that the adopting parties should give the children good school and church privileges and kind treatment, and, if a boy, at the age of twenty-one he should receive one hundred dollars. The boys are also to receive one hundred dollars in five payments of twenty dollars each, the first payment to be made at the age of sixteen, the Home remaining the custodian of the money until his. majority is reached. The girls are to receive fifty dollars at the age of eighteen years, payment to be made in three equal installments. The school is conducted in the usual manner of public schools. The home is under the control of a board of trustees appointed by the county commissioners. There is a visiting board appointed by the common pleas judge and the superintendent and matron 'appointed by the board of' trustees. The first board meeting was held July 7, 1885, the members being Samuel Wilson, H. Corwin and William Andrews, all county commissioners. These men appointed the board of trustees as follows.: S. A. Hostetter, J. H. Martin and Thomas McCowan. At the first meeting an appropriation f fifteen thousand dollars was made. Some time GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 363 subsequently an additional appropriation was made and still later this was again increased. After the appropriations were made the commissioners made a levy of seven-tenths of a mill, which continued until the debt was paid, or until 1894, when there was a balance of twelve hundred dollars to the credit of the school. Since that time there have been erected a school building, ice house and other improvements. During the winter of 1899-1900 an annex was built. The building is heated by steam, and gas is used as fuel. At the opening of the institution there were thirty- five children, and the number has since increased to fifty-six. On the 2d of February, 1889, at a meeting of the board of trustees of the Orphan Childrens' Home, Thomas E. Teal was chosen superintendent and Mrs. Teal, his wife, was made matron, serving until March 1, 1892. On the 10th of February, of that year, the successor, Thomas H. Monger, was chosen superintendent and Mrs. Monger became managing matron. For nine years only one death has occurred in the Home, a record probably without a parallel in similar institutions of the state. The institution is creditable to the county and its superintendent should ever have the patronage and support of the worthy people of this locality. ANDREW WILSON RUSH, M. D. Dr. Rush was born in Harrison township, Darke county, upon his father's farm, May 12, 1860, and on both the paternal and maternal sides is descended from honored pioneer families of this locality. Harvey Rush, his father, was born in Harrison township, January 3o, 1827, and was a son of Asa Rush, whose birth occurred in Pennsyl vania, April 25, 1799. In 1808, however, the latter removed with his parents, Peter and Mary Rush, to Darke county, taking up his. abode in Greenville township while the Indians were still very numerous in this section of the state and the forests stood in their primeval strength. He cleared and developed. a farm, reared his family and was known as a citizen of great energy and force f character, whose influence was very marked . in public affairs, and did much to promote the substantial development and improvement of the county. Peter Rush died on what is now known as the Albright farm in Neave township in 1817. His political support was given the Democracy and he was one of the first members of the Universalist church in Darke county. In 1817 Asa Rush with his mother,. brothers and sisters, moved to the farm in Harrison township. that had been entered from the government by his father gust prior to his death. Asa Rush married Margaret Hill, a native of South Carolina, and they were the parents of six children that reached adult age, three boys and three girls. Margaret Rush died in 1856, while Asa Rush passed away in 1874. Their son, Harvey Rush, was reared to farm life and throughout his active business career carried on agricultural pursuits. He married Miss Lillie Porter Wilson, a daughter of Andrew Porter Wilson, a native of Kentucky, born July 2, 1801. He married Sarah Allen, whose birth occurred in Wayne county, Indiana, near the Ohio line, August. 10, 1808. From Butler county, Ohio, he removed to Darke county in 1834 and settied upon a farm which is still known as the Wilson farm and is owned by the Doctor's mother, who is still residing in Greenville. Her great-grandfather, Andrew Wilson, a. native of Ireland, who was brought to Vir- 364 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ginia when young, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and valiantly aided the colonies in their struggle for independence. The children of Harvey and Lillie Rush are as follows : Olive is a teacher in Wyoming, Ohio; Alice S. is a teacher in the high school of Rock Island, Illinois ; Carrie is a teacher in the Greenville schools ; William Harvey, who is a graduate of the State University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and was graduated in Harvard College in 1894, has for the past five years been a member of the faculty of the Washington University at St. Louis, Missouri ; one son died in infancy ; and Ella, the eldest f the family, married Thomas J. Leinbach, of Rossville, Georgia, and died February 13, 1891. Prior to her marriage she engaged in teaching for several terms. Doctor Rush, whose name introduces this record, spent his youth upon the home farm and attended. the district schools of Harrison township during the winter months until nineteen years of age, when he began teaching school: In the summer season, while a student and teacher, he devoted his energies to the cultivation of the fields, but he did not find agricultural pursuits to his taste and resolved to prepare for professional life. To this end he read medicine under the direction of Dr. C. W. Otwell, of New Madison, Ohio. He pursued his first course of lectures in the Columbus Medical College and graduated in the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati in the class of 1884. Immediately afterward he began practicing in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he remained until October, 1886, when he located at Greenville, where he has secured a large and constantly increasing patronage. His marked devotion to his profession, his thorough preparation and his ability in successfully solving the intricate problems which come to the physician, have gained him marked prestige and he has long since left the ranks of the many to stand among the successful few. On the 28th of June, 1892, Dr. Rush married Miss Ora Porter, of Greenville, a daughter of John and Anna (Spade) Porter. She died May 18, 1893, and her remains were interred in the Greenville cemetery. The Doctor is a member of Darke County Medical Society and is its honored and esteemed president. He also belongs to the Miami Valley Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical Society and is physician to the Darke county infirmary and surgeon for the Dayton & Union Railroad. Socially he is connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity. Re is a social, genial gentleman, interested in everything that pertains to the welfare of Greenville and Darke county and has a large circle of warm friends, his friendship being best prized by those who know him best. MRS. MARY J. PLOWMAN. Mrs. Plowman, whose home is on section 21, Neave township, is a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Darke county, and none of its citizens are better entitled to a place in its annals. She was born in Harrison township, April 5, 1840, and is a daughter of Andrew Porter and Sarah (Allen) Wilson, supposed to have been natives of Kentucky and Indiana, respectively, the latter born in 1808. Her maternal grandfather, Jacob Allen, however, was born in Ohio, while her paternal grandfather, Andrew Wilson, was a native of Ireland, but was only a year old when brought to America by his parents. He was reared in Virginia. Mrs. Plowman's father was born July 2, 1801, and during his boyhood GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 365 removed with his family to Butler county, Ohio, being reared on a farm near Hamilton. Throughout his business life he followed agricultural pursuits, and died in Darke county, in 1852, honored and respected by all who knew him. He held local offices in his township, and was an active worker and influential member of the Presbyterian church, in which he served as elder. His estimable wife lived until November 19, 1885, passing away at the age of seventy-seven years. To them were born ten children, five sons and five daughters, eight of whom reached years of maturity. They were as follows : Lily, now the widow of Harvey Rush, of Greenville, Darke county ; Eleanor, who died at the aye of fourteen months; Nathaniel M., a resident of California; Augustus, who died in Kansas; Elihu C., who died in California ; Mary J., our subject; Sarah Alice, wife of Milton Brown, of Spiceland, Indiana; Andrew P., who died in California ; one who died in infancy ; and Julia W., wife of Mathias Early, of Indiana. The early life of Mrs. Plowman was passed upon her father's farm in this county, and having acquired a good, practical education in its common schools, she successfully engaged in teaching for one term. On the 14th of January, 1860, she gave her hand in marriage to Amon Plowman, who was born and reared in Carroll county, Maryland,. and came to Darke county, Ohio, in 1858. He, too, was a farmer by occupation, and in politics was first a Whig and later a Democrat. During his residence here he served as school director, and was one of the highly esteemed men of his township. He was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and died in that faith September 6, 1881, his remains being interred in the Fort Jefferson cemetery. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Plowman were as follows : Helen A., a successful teacher, is a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, this state, and is now attending the Normal School, at Valparaiso, Indiana. Arra M. is a graduate of the Greenville high school and has also engaged in teaching, but is now giving her attention to the poultry business on the home farm. Alvar D. E., a teacher and farmer, now deceased, married Flora Kerst, and their only child died at the age of six months. Eddie P. died at the age of two months. George Wilson, who died at the age of twenty years, was also a teacher and was a student at the university in Delaware, Ohio, for three years. Amon Benton is a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, and is now instructor in physics in that institution. Mrs. Plowman rents her farm of one hundred acres. She has displayed excellent business and executive ability in the management of her affairs since her husband's death, and has carefully reared her children, providing them with good educational advantages. With the exception of one year spent in Missouri and six years in Indiana, her entire life has been passed in Darke county, and she is highly respected and esteemed by all who know her. MRS. MARY E. DETLING. This esteemed resident of Darke county is one of the oldest citizens of Brown township, having attained the advanced age of eighty-one years. She receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded those who are upon the declivity of life, and her influence has ever wrought for good. 366 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. She was born within sight of the grand and beautiful cathedral in Strasburg, Ger-many, February 5, 1820, and was. the oldest in a family -of fourteen children, four sons and ten daughters, whose parents were Jacob and Mary E. (Michella) Peters. Six of these children are yet living, the eldest being Mrs. Detling of this review. The others are : Sarah, the widow of Mr. Hess, and a resident of St. Louis, Missouri ; Lena, the wife of Henry' Sheets, of Indiana ; Jacob, a successful agriculturist living in Brown township, Darke county ; Michael, who is 'living in Monroe county, Ohio; and Rachel, the wife of Louis Walters, a resident farmer of Brown township. The father of these children was born in the province of Alsace, near Strasburg, and was reared as a farmer. He not only followed agricultural pursuits but also engaged extensively in the cultivation of grapes. and the manufacture of Rhenish wine, for which he found a good market in Strasburg. He was prosperous in his business career and acquired a comfortable competence. Well educated, he added to the knowledge acquired in school by extensive reading, experience and observation, and was known throughout the community as a man of scholarly tastes and acquirements. He was especially anxious to provide his. children with good educational privileges, and thus they were well fitted for life's responsible duties. When his daughter Mary E. was a young lady of nineteen years, she joined two of her friends who were coming to America. She had mastered the English language and they desired that she should act as interpreter for them. Obtaining her father's consent to the trip, he sold a little Piece of land and gave her three hundred guilders, telling her that if she did not like the country he would send for her to come back. The little party sailed from Havre, France, and after a voyage of thirty-two days, during which heavy storms. prevailed and drove them from their course, they finally reached the harbor of New York, and form the eastern metropolis Mary E. Peters made her way to Monroe county, Ohio, where she arrived in the year 1839. in 1840, in Monroe county, she gave her hand in marriage to Jacob Detling. Her interests therefore centered in her adopted country, and though she still loves the land of her birth she has never wished to make it again her home. Mr. and Mrs. Detling began their domestic life in Monroe county, upon rented land, and when they had acquired sufficient capital purchased sixty acres of timber land. Their first home was a cabin built of round logs. Mr. Detling cut the timber from the forests, shaped the logs and erected his primitive residence. The floor was made of puncheons and the furnishings were also crude, but happiness and contentment took up their abode in that little home and the owners thereof strove to improve their financial condition. They had gone in debt for a part of their land, but they possessed great energy and unfaltering determination which qualities enabled them to overcome all difficulties and to work their way steadily upward. Selling their first farm, they removed to Brown township, Darke county, in the spring of 1847 and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of virgin soil in this locality. The town of Ansonia was then known as Dallas. Not a tree had been cut nor a furrow turned upon their place, but soon they erected another cabin home, and by the light of the old-fashioned fire-place they passed many a pleasant hour. It is such pioneer. settlers as Mr. and Mrs. Detling that have laid the foun- GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 367 dation for the present prosperity of the county. They made the "wilderness blossom as the rose," and in the midst of the wild forest they developed a valuable property, which yielded to the owners a golden tribute in return for the care and labor bestowed upon it. Thirteen children—seven sons and six daughters—came to bless the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Detling, and seven of the number are yet living : Jacob, a successful farmer who is married and lives in Brown township; Katie, the wife of James Earhart, of Brown township; Mary, the widow of Enos Baughman and a resident of Brown township; Herman, who is married and is a prosperous agriculturist of the same township; John, who is living in Brown township ; Jefferson, who resides upon the old family homestead and superintends the farm for his mother ; and Charles, who also lives in the same locality. The children have all become honored and upright citizens owing to the tender care and wise teachings of the mother, whose instructions will never be forgotten. Mrs. Detling is one of the grand old ladies who have carefully moulded the characters of their children. At the time of the husband's death Mr. and Mrs. Detling had accumulated four hundred acres of valuable land, which was a merited reward of their labor. They were kind and benevolent people, had aided in the erection of different churches in this locality, have supported the different schools and have done much to promote various measures calculated to prove of public good. Mr. Detling died March 14, 1896, and his remains were interred in the Ansonia cemetery, where a beautiful monument has been erected sacred to his memory by his wife. He was a kind and affectionate husband and father, a faithful. friend and a considerate neighbor and enjoyed the warm regard of all who knew him. Like his wife, he held membership in the Christian church at Ansonia. Mrs. Detling's beautiful Christian character has endeared her to many friends and she is loved and esteemed by young and old, rich and poor. Her interest in life is yet active, and, although she has advanced far on earth's pilgrimage, she keeps in touch with the progress of the times. The love and veneration in which she is held was shown on her eightieth birthday, when her children and many friends gathered on her beautiful lawn to celebrate the day and wish her many happy returns thereof. She has always been a friend to the poor and needy, assisting those to whom fate had been unkind and sympathizes with those in distress. She is now passing the evening of life in a beautiful home which was gained through the united efforts of her husband and herself. Her children rise tip and call her blessed, and when she shall have passed from this life her memory will remain as a grateful benediction to all who knew her. JOHN J. STENTZEL. The gentleman whose name introduces this record is so well known that he needs no special introduction to the citizens of Brown township. He is not only regarded as one of the prosperous agriculturists of his community, but is well known as a reliable and trustworthy official of his township—a citizen both loyal and patriotic, who in the faithful discharge of his duties has largely promoted the public. welfare. Mr. Stentzel is of French and German lineage. He was born in Monroe county, Ohio, August 30, 1853, and is the sixth in order of birth in a family of ten' children, four sons and six daughters, whose parents 368 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD: were George F. and Barbara (Peters) Stentzel. The father was born near the boundary line between France and Germany on the 28th day of July, 1812, and died on the 4th of March, 1878, when in his sixty-sixth year. He possessed much natural mechanical ability and was a cooper by trade. He acquired a liberal education, being familiar with the German, French and English languages. After attaining his majority he determined to seek a home and fortune in America, and, in .1839, bidding adieu to the land of his birth, he sailed for the new world, landing in the United States with little capital, but possessed of strong determination to make the most of his opportunities. Not long after his arrival he took up his abode in Monroe county, Ohio, where he was married. He followed his chosen vocation of coopering and was also a successful brewer and landlord. As his financial interests increased lie extended his business to other lines and was quite successful in his various dealings. He was a man of strong determination, of decided character and resolute purpose, and these qualities largely insured him success. For a fourth of a century he owned property in Miltonsburg and its rental added largely to his income. He was a stanch advocate of Democratic principles, firm in his. advocacy of the measures of the .party. He and his wife were both members of the German Lutheran church and he was very charitable, always aiding in the various benevolent organizations. His wife was born August 26, 1821, in the same neighborhood as her husband, and died July 19, 1888. Hers was an earnest Christian life. and in the belief of Christianity she reared her family. Of the children six are yet living, namely : Elizabeth, the wife of Philip Wengert, a merchant residing in Miltonsburg, Monroe county, Ohio; Callie, the wife of Henry Miller, a dairyman and capitalist of Wheeling; West Virginia ; John J., of this review ; Emma, the wife. of Charles Gramlich, a dairyman of Wheeling; Lusetta, the. wife of John Battmann, a capitalist and real estate dealer of Wheeling; and Jennie, the wife of Lewis Baumann, of Canton, Ohio. John J. Stentzel remained with his parents until seventeen years of age, during which time he pursued his education in the public schools. He then entered upon his business career, working for ten dollars a month, and came to Darke county, where he remained for three years. He had been reared as an agriculturist, but while residing in Virginia learned the butcher's trade. However, he has given his attention largely to his farm throughout his entire. life and is now accounted one of the leading agriculturists of his community. On the 13th of February, 1876, Mr. Stentzel was united in marriage to Miss Alice Baughman, who was born in Darke county June 23, 1857, a daughter of John and Maria (Riffle) Baughman. Her parents had five sons and four daughters and of this number five yet survive, all being residents of Darke county with the exception of John, who makes his home in Van Wert, Ohio. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Stentzel has been blessed with four children, all sons, and three are yet living. John F., the eldest, acquired a good education, completing his course in the Ansonia high school. Preferring commercial to agricultural life. he entered that department of the world's work, and for six years has been connected with commercial affairs. He was for six months employed as a salesman in Wheeling, West Virginia, and in 1880 he entered GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 369 into partnership with H. Mendenhall in the Loot and shoe business at Ansonia. He then bought his partner's interest and conducted the enterprise alone. He carries a stock valued at two thousand dollars, which includes goods 0f both eastern and western manufacture, and in this enterprise he is meeting with creditable and gratifying success. John Stentzel is an enterprising young man of marked ability, and his future will no doubt be a prosperous one. In politics he is a Democrat. He successfully passed the teacher's examination in Darke county and is a well informed young man. Herman; the second son, is now in the eighth grade in the public school, and Frank, the youngest, is also a student. Mr. and Mrs. Stentzel have given their children good educational privileges, believing that there can be no better preparation for life's practical work. At the time of their marriage Mr. Stentzel was .the owner of one horse and had a capital of about one hundred dollars. To-day he is the owner of a valuable farm of eighty acres, and all the improvements upon the place stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. He is a practical and progressive farmer who follows advanced methods, and his well tilled fields indicate to the passerby his careful supervision. His labors have been ably supplemented by the capable management and economical methods of his wife, who is a lady of kindly disposition, having many warm friends in the community. In politics Mr. Stentzel has been a stanch Democrat since casting his first presidential vote for Samuel J. Tilden, and has frequently been chosen as a delegate to senatorial and county conventions. In 1894 he was elected township trustee and for nine years he has served as school director, his labors being very efficient in promoting the standard of the schools in this community. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Ansonia and is a charter member of the encampment, of which he is serving as senior warden, while in the lodge he is one of the trustees. He is also a member of the Ansonia Horse Thief Detective Association and is serving as the president of the organization, which was formed for the apprehension of criminals, especially those given to stealing horses. He is a member of the Lutheran church, while his wife belongs to the Christian church, and both are people of sterling worth, whose many excellent qualities commend them to the confidence and regard of all with whom they are associated. HON HARVEY C. GARBER. Success is never a matter of easy achievement, and he who attains a success worthy the name must have devoted his best energies and given clear definition to the course he would pursue. Success so earned by honest endeavor and marked discrimination is that which has attended the career of him whose name forms the caption of this article, and in reviewing the lives of the representative citizens of Darke county it is well that we grant due recognition to one who has wrought well in the affairs of life and gained a position of distinguished honor, our subject being a resident of the thriving little city Greenville. In Hill Grove, Darke county, Ohio, on the 6th of July, 1865, occurred the birth of Harvey C. Garber, and two years later his parents removed to Greenville, which has been the scene of his well directed efforts and his worthy success. He received his 370 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL 1?ECORD. preliminary educational discipline in the public schools, which he attended regularly until 1878; when he began to assume the responsibilities of life, securing a position as messenger boy for the Western Union Telegraph Company. Here the lad manifested Much interest in the art of telegraphy, to which lie gave his attention when his time was not otherwise required in the duties of his position, and when he was but fourteen years of age he was a first-class operator and was practically eligible for taking charge of an office, though he was not permitted to do this until he had attained the age of sixteen, when he secured a position with the Panhandle Railroad, working at Some of their most important stations and proving equal to the duties and responsibilities assigned to him, though he was still a mere boy. In 1884 Mr. Garber resigned his position with the Panhandle Company and was appointed manager of the Western Union telegraph office at Greenville, giving to his important duties the same discriminating care and supervision which insured his advancement to. the important trust. In 1896 Mr. Garber was appointed the manager of the Central Union Telephone Company for Dayton, Ohio, and surrounding towns; resigning his position with the, Telephone Company and was promoted as assistant superintendent of Ohio for the same company, with headquarters at Columbus, in 1897; was advanced again in 1898 to the position of assistant general solicitor for the same company, with headquarters at Chicago, which position he still holds. Mr. Garber has been an enthusiastic worker in the cause of the Democratic party and September 16, 1889, he was nominated in the county convention of his party for rep- resentative in the general assembly of the state, being successful at the polls in the ensuing November election. His election to this important and honorable office was a tribute to the ability and sterling character of the young man and amply attested his popularity in the county. He was renominated in 1891 and elected in November. As a member of the legislature he was assigned to membership on several important committees and his record as a legislator shows that he has ably represented his. constituency and has used every means to promote the best interests of the public. Mr. Garber had the distinction of being the youngest member of the sixty-ninth general assembly of the state. He is at the present time ( 1900) a member of both the state Democratic central and the state 'executive committees, being selected as vice-chairman of the former committee by acclamation. He has won his way to a position of prominence and honor and is a type of that self-reliant manhood and broad mentality which have made the American nation the most progressive in the world. Mr. Garber has probably the most extensive personal acquaintance, compared with that of any man, young or old, in Ohio, being gifted with a remarkable memory for calling his acquaintances by name almost invariably. RUSSELL SEARL. The name of Searl is of Scotch origin and the ancestry of the family can be traced back to the year 1640. In the early period of the colonial settlement of Massachusetts one or more representatives of the name left bonnie Scotland for the new world. It is certainly known that the time when John Alden, Miles Standish and other good Puritans were GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 371 founding the colony of Massachusetts John Searl lived in what was later to become the old Bay state. Among his descendants are found the strong and sterling characteristics of the Scotch race, people renowned for their morality, fidelity to principle, their industry and their thrift. In August, 1881, there assembled about two hundred and fifty representatives of the Searl family at a reunion, and the following account of the same was given in the Hampshire Gazette, published at Northampton, Massachusetts. "The gathering of the descendants of John Searl at the Mount Tom picnic grounds last Wednesday was attended by about two hundred and fifty, and it proved a very pleasant and interesting occasion. Dr. C. S. Hulburt, of Springfield, presided. The historical address was given by Rev. H. L. Edwards, of Northampton. The materials for Mr. Edwards' address were obtained largely from the town and church records of Northampton and Southampton and must have required much time and research. The address it was voted to have published. John Searl was one of the early settlers of Springfield, and in 1640 moved to Northampton and from him it is supposed all the Searls in Northampton, Southampton and Easthampton sprung, as well as the Huntington Searls. Indeed, nearly all of that name in all this region are, doubtless, descendants from him. About half a mile from where the picnic was held a little settlement was begun somewhere about 1700, known in history as Pascommuck. On Sunday morning, May 24, 1704, this hamlet was destroyed by the Indians, who killed nineteen or twenty of the inhabitants, nine of them by the name of Jaes. The wife of John Searl, a descendant of John, the progenitor, was taken captive and carried to the top of Pomeroy's mountain, where she was knocked on the head and scalped, when the Indians found they were pursued and left her for dead. But when the cavalry that came from Northhampton in pursuit reached her they found her alive and carried her on a stretcher to Northampton, and she lived many years. One of her descendants had a silver hairpin which was in her head at the time she was scalped. One 0f the family characteristics is that they are rather short in stature. They are generally industrious and frugal and consequently have homes as well as families. Very few are found in prisons or poor houses, but few are drunkards and as a family they are not given to using tobacco. Speeches were made by quite a number, and after a good time generally they made arrangements f0r the next reunion •and adjourned." Among the addresses delivered on the occasion of the family reunion was one by Rev. H. E. Edwards, and from a printed copy the following account of the ancestry has been taken. Nothing authentic has been learned concerning the history of the family in the old world. Its origin is left in doubt, but it is known that John Searl was a resident of Massachusetts in 1630. From him is descended the numerous progeny. 'Many changes have occurred in the spelling of the name, which is found as Serl, Serle, Serlo, Searl, Searle, Searls, Searles, Serrells, Serleson and Serelson, but the most common spelling is Searl. The Christian names borne by the family were mostly of Biblical origin, and through many generations most of the members of the family have been devoted to agricultural pursuits and have been noted for their industry and thrift. John Sead, the original ancestor, married Sarah Baldwin, the wedding taking 372 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. place in Springfield, Massachusetts, March 19, 1639. They were separated by death. August 1, 1641, and John Searl was laid to rest in Springfield, his being the first interment in the town. They had one child, John Searl, who was born March 30, 1641. In April following her husband's death Mrs. Searl became the wife of Alexander Edwards, and soon afterward the family removed to .Northampton. Her son, John Searl, the second, was married in Northampton, July 31, 1667, to Ruth Jones, and about thirty-three years later, in 1700, when he was fifty-nine years of age, he removed from Northampton Center, then called Nonotuck Plantation, to Pascommuck. He was one of five to receive by vote of the Nonotuck Plantation four acres of land each in Pascommuck.. He died there October 3, 1718, in his eightieth year. He had a son, John, who went with his family to Pascommuck and four years later, with three of his children, was massacred by the Indians. John Searl (second) had another son, Nathaniel, who was born May 3, 1686, and in 1732 removed to what is now Southampton. It is recorded that Nathaniel. Searl drew a home lot, as did thirty others, and also a ten-acre lot in the south precinct, and two years later he occupied the place, there making a clearing. Ruins of his cellar are yet to be seen. He lived to be ninety-two years of age, dying in 1777. He had two wives,. Priscilla and Sarah, but their family names are not remembered. His children numbered nine sons and three daughters, and all of the sons, like the father, followed agricultural pursuits. Nathaniel. Searl was the most important character in his community. He prospered in his business and was greatly respected and in the church compact his name stands next to that of the pastor, while that of his wife, Priscilla, heads the names of the women. He served on many committees, was moderator f their meetings and selectman and counselor in religious affairs. For ten or fifteen years his was the only house in the town that contained more than one room, and his had two. From records it is found that the family was loyally represented in the colonial army during the Revolution, and two members of the name died. While most of them followed agricultural pursuits, some have attained prominence in professional circles, having been graduates of our universities and colleges, and have won distinction along many lines. Mr. Searl, whose name introduces this review, was born in the old Bay state, at Southampton, on the 6th of June, 1848, and is the youngest of three children, two sons and a daughter, whose parents were Moses and Tirzah N. (Hannum) Searl. The brother of our subject, Ozro M., is now living a retired life in Ansonia. He served as a soldier in the Civil war. The father was born in Southampton, amidst the verdant hills of Massachusetts, November 22, 1813, and died May 18, 1895. His strong characteristics were those which in every land and in every clime command respect and admiration. His education was acquired largely through his own efforts outside of the school room, for he was early forced to earn his own livelihood, and thus his school privileges were limited. He possessed considerable natural mechanical ability, and during the greater part of his life followed mechanical pursuits. He worked in a smithy during his younger years and later engaged in business as a contractor and builder of highways through the mountainous and hilly districts of his native state. At Southampton he wedded Miss Hannum, GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 373 and two of their children were born there. He was a kind and loving husband and father, a true-hearted friend who would do anything possible to accommodate a neighbor. This trait le him to going security, and through this he lost considerable amounts of money. His honesty was proverbial and his business reputation at all times unassailable. In 1854 he emigrated westward, locating at Sidney, Ohio, where, under contract, he was engaged on the construction of railroad bridges for the. Big Four Road. In March, 1855, he came to Darke county and purchased fifty-five acres of swamp and forest land in Brown township. The prosperous village of Ansonia now stands upon a part of his original farm. He first lived in a gel's residence, later he built a frame house on his farm and with characteristic energy began transforming the virgin soil into richly cultivated fields. While residing in this primitive home the daughter of the family, Hattie N. Searl, died, at the age of fifteen years, eleven months and eight clays, her death being a great blow to her parents and brothers. Later .Mr. Searl sold his farm and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land southwest of Greenville. There he lived until the fall of 1869, when he disposal of that property and in the spring of 1870 he and his wife made a visit to their old home in Massachusetts, returning in the autumn of that year. The father then purchased the farm now belonging to his son, Russell. He died in Brown township, respected by all who knew him, for his life was ever honorable and upright. In politics he was an old line Whig, and took an active part in the hard-cider campaign, often joining in the rallying cry of "Tippecanoe and Tyler too," when log cabins with coon skins about the doors formed an important feature in the campaign. On the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks, for he had been a stanch advocate of abolition principles and was anxious to support any movement calculated to curb slavery. Fearless in the support of his honest convictions, he never failed to uphold the principles in which he believed. He lived in Brown township during the pioneer epoch in its history, when the village of Ansonia was known as the hamlet of Dallas and contained only about eight houses, part of which were built of logs. There was also a conductedg hotel and a combination store conducted by Allen Reed and George Turpen, occupying the present site of the Ansonia Bank building. Mr. Searl took an active interest in everything pertaining to the upbuilding and development of the community and bore his part in the work of progress and advancement. He was one of the graders and constructors of the old Mackinaw Railroad, now known as the Cincinnati & Northern Road, was elected one of the directors and afterward lost considerable money in that venture. However, success crowned his efforts in business during the greater part of his career and he accumulated a valuable estate of two hundred and ninety-three acres, which he left to his two sons, who also received from him the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. His wife was born in Southampton, Massachusetts, April 12, 1818, was reared in that state and died December 3, 1872. Her many womanly qualities and Christian character won her the love ana esteem of all, and her admonitions have had a marked effect upon hr sons, who tenderly cherish her memory. Mr. Searl, of this review, was a lad of seven summers when he came with his par- 374 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ents to Ohio. He acquired a good practical education and by close application mastered the elementary branches of learning, which formed the foundation for all our knowledge and fitted him for life's practical duties. He has carried on farming as a life work, and remained upon the old homestead until his parents were called to their final rest. On the 14th of September, 1871, he wedded Miss Jennie Freel, whose birth occurred in Darke county, July 31, 1850. She is the eldest of thirteen children, five sons and eight daughters, whose parents were Jesse and Elizabeth (Mills) Freel. Her father was born near 'Warren county, May 12, 1825, and the mother in Butler county, on the 25th of August, 1830. She is Still living, spending her declining years with her children. Her husband died June 9, 1879, after having devoted his time and energies to farm Work through an active business career. He loyally served his country during the Civil war, enlisting in the Twenty-ninth Ohio Infantry, participating in many important engagements and the celebrated march to the sea under Sherman. In politics he was a stanch Republican. Twelve of the children of this worthy couple are yet living, namely : Mrs. Searl; Sylvania, wife of Dennis McTicker, of Apland, who was formerly a teacher, but is now a farmer; Martha E., the wife of Dr. Aaron Bates, a successful medical practitioner at Kokomo, Indiana; Hannah, the wife of Preston Shields, a farmer living at Roseburg., Indiana; John L., who married Miss Nellie Hunt and is a successful druggist of Marion, Indiana; :Ella, the wife of Orvis 'Wilsey, a machinist and inventor of Marion, Indiana; Alma, the widow of Jacob Druky Miller and a resident of Marion, Indiana; William, who married Miss Bessie Smitson, and as a surveyor of Marion, Indiana, Who formerly served as county surveyor of Grant county; Rachel, the wife of Frank Dilling, a wholesale manufacturer of confectionery, employing seventy-five or one hundred hands at Marion, Indiana; Alvin N., who wedded Miss Mita Mann and is the manager of a hotel in St. Louis, Missouri; Asa, a printer of Marion, Indiana, who wedded Miss Josephine MaLott; and Lucy, the wife of Edward Cullers, of Marion, Indiana. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Searl has been graced by six children, and the family circle yet remains unbroken. Hattie N., the eldest, is the wife of George A. Lephart; both were graduated in the Ansonia high school in the class of 1894. Both have been successful teachers of Darke county and Mrs. Lephart is also proficient in music, and. has been a teacher in instrumental music. She belongs to the Christian church. Orpha A. is the wife of Rev. C. B. Kershner, of New Carlisle, Ohio, a graduate of the An-sonia high school, and is now a well known minister of the Christian church, having charge of two pastorates. His wife is a graduate of the Ansonia schools of the class of 1897, and possesses considerable musical ability. Wilbur, the third child of the family, was educated in the public schools, possesses considerable mechanical talent and now resides in Ansonia. He married Miss Ollie A. Lyons, and a little son, Ralph, graces their union. Ozro F., who was educated in the public schools of Ansonia, is a practical farmer and stock raiser living with his parents. Nellie E. is now a student in the Ansonia high school, a member of the class of 1902, and is specially proficient in mathematics and Latin. Chester M. is also a student in the public schools. The parents are warm friends of the cause of edu- GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 375 cation and have given their children excellent opportunities in that direction. In 1871 Mr. and Mrs. Searl began their domestic life upon the old family homestead. He has always followed the plow and is an enterprising agriculturist, successful in his methods, yet practical at all times. His business dealings have ever been characterized by the strictest integrity and his work has brought to him a good financial return. In politics he has always been a stanch Republican since casting his first presidential vote for General U. S. Grant, and since that time he has supported each man whose name has headed the national Republican ticket. At local elections, however, where no issue is involved, he frequently votes without. regard to party lines. He withholds his cooperation from no measure which he believes will prove of public good, believes in maintaining good schools and does all in his power t0 assist public advancement. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Ansonia, has filled, all of the chairs in Lodge No. 605 and is a member of the encampment No. 285, while his daughters Orpha and Hattie are members of the Rebekah lodge at Ansonia. He and his wife belong to the. Christian church at that place and have aided financially in the erection of seven different churches in their neighborhood. They are benevolent and Christian people, whose belief is exemplified in their lives. Mr. Searl attended the first church in Ansonia, a log structure that stood on the site of his brother Ozro's home. He has been an eye witness to the wonderful growth and development of the country, has seen the great transformation that has been wrought, the forests being replaced by rich and fertile fields, in the midst of which stand fine country homes with all. of the im provements of a model farm. Here and there are found thriving towns and villages, containing all the comforts and civilization known to the older east. Mr. Searl has at all times been a public-spirited citizen, true to the bests interests of the community and his life, guided by high Christian principles, has gained for him the respect and confidence of his fellow men. JOHN REILY KNOX. John Reily Knox was born in Butler county, Ohio, May 20, 1820, and died at his home in Greenville February 7, 1898. His father, John Knox, was born April 20, 1 786. He married Jane Martin Wilson December 5, 1815, at the Indian Hill farm, in Butler county, Ohio. She was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, April 23, 1788. James Knox, father of John Knox, was born in county Down, Ireland, April 17, 1753, and came to America with the British army. He .married Sarah Stewart, who was born March 26, 1768. John Reily Knox, the immediate subject of this sketch, was graduated with honors in Miami University in the class of 1839, and has been a member of the board of trustees of this university since 1869. After leaving college he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1843. While studying law he had a great reputation as a speaker and was greatly in demand during the exciting Harrison campaign of 1840. He was elected in 1860 one of the presidential electors in Ohio, and as such cast his official ballot to Make Abraham Lincoln president of the United States. During the war of the Rebellion he supported the government openly by his public addresses and his personal influence in carrying out every 376 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. effort made to obtain volunteers or to secure aid and supplies to relieve the sufferings of the soldiers or the wants f their families at home. He was president of the Greenville Law Library Association from its foundation until January. 1889, when he became president of the Darke County Bar Association, which position he held until his death. L. O. Landis, for the Miami Chapter, the Alpha of Beta Theta Pi, writes : "Never were the members of Alpha Chapter more surprised than when a telegram was received by J. K. Lansdowne, a grandson of 'Pater Knox,' telling of the death of his grandfather, our beloved founder and brother. Death came suddenly, entered his home unseen, touched the fine machinery of his brain and stopped it forever, liberating the soul into the leisure of heavenly rest. As is well known to every Beta, he was one of the founders of Beta Theta Pi and, in fact, the idea of the fraternity was first suggested by him. His death conies as a great blow to the thousands of Betas all over the United States, and particularly is it felt by the members of Alpha Chapter, at whose initiations he was often present and where he was always a very welcome guest. He seemed to have never grown old in respect to fraternity matters, but always was a pleasant and entertaining speaker at the banquets and seemed to lie never more at home than when surrounded by the boys of the fraternity. He lived long enough to. see his two grandsons, J. K. Lansdowne and H. M. Lansdowne, become members of Alpha Chapter. The latter was initiated on the Saturday night just preceding his grandfather's death. We had hoped that he would be present at the initiation, but the letter inviting him was miscarried and he did not get it in time to arrange to be present. A letter expressing his regret was received after the telegram announcing his sudden death. This letter will be framed and preserved by the chapter. "His funeral occurred on Thursday, February 10, at the Methodist church in Greenville. At his funeral resolutions adopted by the vestry of the Episcopal church and the resolutions adopted by the Darke County Bar Association were read. Both sets of resolutions spoke very highly of his many virtues, as did also the paper read by J. T. Martz, his partner for a number of years in law. No one could feel, as he heard. these different resolutions and this paper read, but that he was better for having known John Reily Knox, and that lie had lived in a way worthy of imitation by all Betas. "He has gone from us, but he has left an example of a noble and upright life. He seemed, in an eminent degree, to have lived up to the principles of the fraternity which he helped to establish, and especially had he developed those talents with which God had so beneficently endowed him,' until he became a man of great power and influence among men. He lived to enjoy the gratitude, respect and confidence of all. He died at peace with men and, doubtless, in favor with God." In a published article appeared the following under the heading, GLOWING TRIBUTE FROM THE DARKE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION. "The following resolutions were prepared by Hon. C. M. Anderson on behalf of the committee appointed by the Darke County Bar Association and read by him at the meeting, and unanimously adopted by a rising vote : GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 377 "To the Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and the Members of the Darke. County Bar : Your committee appointed by the court to prepare resolutions on the occasion of the death of the Hon. John Reily Knox beg leave to submit the following : "It has been the long established custom of the bar, upon the death of one of its members, to take suitable and proper action to express its appreciation of the history and merits of the departed. In our sorrow for the death of Brother Knox and as a feeble tribute to his memory we may note some facts and deeds out of the many connected with the. life and professional career of him who was so unexpectedly and suddenly called from the activities of his profession by the hand of death. "John Reily Knox was born May 20, 1820, and died February 7, 1898. He graduated with honors at the Miami University in the class of 1839. He was connected with the management of that institution of learning as one of its officers for twenty-nine years and was holding the position of trustee thereof, by appointment of the governor of Ohio, at the time of his death. In the spring of 1839 he founded that great college fraternity known all over the United States as the Beta Theta Pi. He organized the fraternity, wrote its constitution and was the last survivor of its charter members. He was married, November 27, 1845, to Isabel S. Briggs. Four children were born of this union,—a son, Harry, an officer in the United States navy and at present holding the rank of commander; a daughter, Elizabeth, the esteemed wife of our fellow townsman, James Lansdowne, cashier of the Farmers' National Bank, survive him to comfort and console his widow in her bitter bereavement and irreparable loss. "After graduating at college he commenced preparing for the bar and was ad mitted to practice law in the year 1843, and from that time up until the hour of his death, about fifty-five years, he actively followed the profession of his choice. He labored ardu0usly in the organization of the County Bar Association and was made its first president, continuing in such office until the time of his death. In organizing the Greenville Law Library the labors of Mr. Knox and his liberal donations assisted most materially in its creation. His eff0rts in this regard were appreciated by his associates, and he was selected as its first president, which office he held for two years, and has been a trustee of the association for the past eight years. "Although a consistent Republican in politics, he disliked the scramble for office and was but once a candidate before his party for nomination. He was elected in 1860 one of the presidential electors in Ohio and as such cast his official ballot to, make. Abraham Lincoln president of the United States. "As a lawyer he was noted for his devotion to the interests of his clients and his ability, and the careful pains with which he prepared his cases and his vigor in presenting them to court and jury were recognized all through his life. In his intercourse with his brethren at the bar he was always generous, polite and courteous. As a lawyer he sought no advantage through favoritism, and never tried to win his battles by doubtful methods. He relied solely upon his knowledge of the law and the merits of his case. He despised a court or jury that was not unsullied. His fidelity to his clients was never open to suspicion. To the poor he gave counsel and advice without 378 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. fee or reward. For the last quarter of a century he Was the "recognized leader at the bar. There was. no. malice in his heart and no tyranny in his nature. Refilled in his tastes, he was always, in and out of court, cultured and polite gentleman. Trained in the schools, a lover of books. a great reader, a ripe scholar, he was by nature most kind and courteous. unostentatious and unpretentious. In his feelings he was as tender as a woman. He lived a life above reproach, and was universally esteemed when died. He left the world better for "his having lived therein. His upright life and noble virtues will survive him for the emulation of all Who knew him. "What more need be said of him? That higher tribute can be paid to the memory of any man than to say, as we do of Mr. Knox, that he was true to every trust, loyal to every obligation, faithful in the performance of every duty, generous and kindly in every impulse, sincere in his friendship, esteemed by his associates and beloved by his family. "He lived to enjoy the gratitude, respect and confidence of all. He died after the sun of life was well set in the west, but like the great law giver. of old, his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. He died at peace with men and, doubtless, in favor with God. "Be it therefore resolved by the members of the bar of Darke county that we join with the family and immediate friends of John Reily Knox in their mourning for his death, and with the general public and all who knew him in the regret. that our city has lost one of its most useful citizens. "Resolved, that we extend to the bereaved widow and sorrowing son and daughter of the deceased our deepest sympathy in this time of their great distress over the death of husband and father. "Resolved, that we will attend the funeral in a body, and that we wear the usual badge of mourning while engaged professionally in the court room and that the judge's bench be draped for thirty days. "Resolved, that the judge of the court of common pleas be requested to spread these resolutions on the journals. of the court, and that the clerk of this court furnish a copy of the same, duly certified under the seal of the court, to the family of the deceased. "Resolved, that the editors of the several newspapers of the county be respectfully requested to publish these resolutions it. their respective journals. And as a further mark of respect be it resolved that this court adjourn. "C. M. ANDERSON, Chairman. "J. T. MARTZ, "A. C. ROBESON, "HENRY M. COLE, "MARTIN B. TRAINOR. "Judge James. A. Gilmore, of Eaton, Ohio, was present and made an address eulogizing the deceased. "Mr. J. T. Martz, of the firm of Knox. Martz & Rupe, read a paper, in which he spoke very highly of his late associate in the practice f law. "Short addresses were also made by Hon. John Devor, now the oldest surviving member of the Darke county bar Judge H. M. Cole, Judge J. I. Allread, D. L. Gaskill, L. E. Chenowith, D. W. Bowman, A. C. Robeson, Probate Judge Bickel, J. C. Elliott, Judge Clark, Hon. C. M. Anderson, M. B. Trainor and Rev. C. H. Lee, pastor of the Episcopal church of this. city." GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 379 WILLIAM LESLIE RIES. William Leslie Ries was born in Greenville township, Darke county, August 24, 1844, and is one of the four sons of Jeremiah and Catherine (Gilbert) Ries. His paternal grandfather was William Ries and his Maternal grandfather was John H. Gilbert. The latter married Miss Morningstar, who belonged to an old family of the Buckeye state. The parents of our subject were both natives of Berks county, Pennsylvania, and his mother was born in 1808, removing with her parents to Darke county in her early girlhood. After her marriage she took up her abode in Greenville, her husband being a blacksmith, which trade he followed continuously almost to the time of his death, which occurred in 1863, when he was in his fifty-second year. His wife long survived him and passed away in 1897, in her eighty-seventh year. The children of this. worthy couple were : David, now deceased; James A., a blacksmith who is also connected with farming and banking interests; and John H., who is engaged in blacksmithing and is chief of the fire department of Greenville. William L. Ries, the fourth member of his father's family, acquired his education in the schools of Greenville and was graduated in the high school of this city. On puffing aside his text books he learned the machinist's trade under the direction of Jacob Taylor, of Greenville, serving a regular apprenticeship. On completing his term of service he responded to the country's call for aid, joining the One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio Infantry, under command of Colonel David Putman. The regiment was sent to the front and took part in the Hunter raid and in many of the skirmishes in and around Lynchburg, Virginia, and in the Shenandoah valley. On the expiration of his four-months term Mr. Ries was honorably discharged in September, 1864, and returned to his home. His brother, John H., was also one of the Union soldiers during the civil war, having joined the Ninety—fourth Ohio Infantry. He took part in the battles of Stone River, Perryville, and other important engagements, and was honorably discharged in April, 1863. In September of the same year he re-enlisted as a member of the Eighth Ohio Battery and served until the close of the war. David Ries joined the army for three years! service, but was discharged for disability after six months spent on the field. He died June 8, 1868. On his return from the war William L. Ries resumed work at his trade and afterward became interested in farming in connection with his two br0thers, operating two hundred and forty acres of choice land in Greenville township, pleasantly located two and a half miles from the city of that name. He has since devoted his energies to its cub.. tivation and the well tilled fields indicate his careful supervision and give promise of rich harvests. His farm is also well stocked with cattle and hogs of a high grade and in both branches of the business Mr. Ries is. meeting with creditable success. He does not reside upon the farm, but makes his home with his brother in Greenville. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have. several times called him to. public office and for two years he served as street commissioner, while for four years he was a member of the city council, exercising his official prerogatives in support of all measures which he believes will prove 0f public benefit. He takes an active interest in local and county politics, affiliating 380 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. with the Republican party, for he believes that the platform of that party contains the best elements of good government. As a business man he is energetic, diligence being one of his chief characteristics. His farming interests therefore are earnestly and systematically conducted and are bringing to him good financial returns. In all of his transactions he is reliable and honorable and he is enjoying the unqualified confidence of his fellow men in a high degree. MOSES S. TEEGARDEN. No student can carry his investigations far into the history of. Darke county without finding the name of Teegarden figuring conspicuously on its pages in connection wit' the account of its development along material, moral and intellectual lines. For more than half a .century Mr. Teegarden has been a resident of that .county and is numbered among the honored pioneers who have laid broad and deep the foundation for the present prosperity and advancement of this section of the state. Mr. Teegarden was born on the homestead. where he now resides April 9, 1836, and is the third in a family of eight children, six sons and two daughters, whose parents were Abram and Elizabeth (Stevenson) Teegarden. Of these children six are yet living. One sister is a resident of Kansas and two brothers are living in Indiana, but the others make their home in Ohio. The father was born in Butler county, this state, and died on the old homestead in Darke county November 15, 1868, at the age of seventy-two years. He was reared as an agriculturist and obtained his education in the primitive schools of the day. He started out in life for himself without capital working first by the day or month as he found opportunity, saving his money which he earned and thus acquired a sum sufficient to secure a claim and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government, the deed bearing the signature of Martin Van Buren, then the president of the United States. The first home which he erected upon the place was a log cabin and in that primitive residence occurred the birth of our subject. Many Indians still roamed through the forests and to them Mr. Teegarden frequently sold corn meal. He killed deer -upon his own place and venison was a frequent article of diet on the family board. The old-fashioned cradle, sickle and scythe were used in harvesting their crops and farming was done without any of the improved machinery which both lightens and hastens labor at the present day. In his business affairs, however, Mr. Teegarden was very successful and at the time of his death owned a thousand acres of land in Jackson and Brown townships. He started out in life a poor boy, but by industry and frugality he worked his way steadily upward, overcoming all difficulties and obstacles in his path and attained a proud position among the substantial residents of his adopted county. His descendants are now in possession of two deeds from the government, one executed August 1, 1838, for one hundred and sixty acres, and the other on July 11, 1837, for eighty acres, and both are signed by Martin Van Buren. Mr. Teegarden was originally an old-line Whig and at the organization of the Republican party he became one of its stanch supporters and a great admirer of Abraham Lincoln. His fellow townsmen, realizing his worth and ability, called him to public of- GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 381 fice, and he served as trustee and as school director at various times. He was himself particularly expert as a mathematician and always stood firm in support of his honest convictions, and his word was as good as his bond. He and his wife were consistent members of the Presbyterian church and he was one of the foremost builders of the first house of worship erected by that denomination in Brown township, the building standing upon a part of his farm. His connection with Darke county extended back to the time when his voting place was at Beamsville, underneath an apple tree. He took a deep interest in the development and progress of the county and his name should be inscribed on the pages f its pioneer history. His wife was born in Virginia and died March 27, 1864, at the age of forty-two years. She was a kind and loving mother, strict in her religious belief, and her Christian teaching have borne fruit in the upright lives of her children. Moses S. Teegarden, whose name begins this article, has spent his entire life in Darke county. He was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads of that period and received but limited educational privileges, for the schools of that day were not of the best class and his labors were needed upon the home farm. He early became familiar with the arduous task of developing new land and his life has ever been one of marked industry and enterprise. He married Miss Nancy J. Hetsler, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, March 22, 1840, a daughter of Peter and Mary M. (Wagner) Hetsler. Her parents had four children—two sons and two daughters,—and all are yet living in Darke county with the exception of Katurah A., the wife of Jacob Kilmer, a carpenter and contractor. Mrs. Teegarden spent the first thirteen years of her life in Butler county and has since been a resident of Darke county. She has been to her husband a faithful companion and helpmeet and to her children a kind and loving mother. Mr. and Mrs. Teegarden have one son and one daughter, the former being J. P. Teegarden, who resides in Woodington, Ohio, where he is engaged in general merchandising and grain dealing. He was educated in the common schools and married Miss Lura Belle Mendenhall. In politics he is a Republican, is now serving as justice of the peace and is a young man who merits and receives the respect of all who know him. The daughter, Telitha A., is the wife of William Hopper; a farmer residing in Jackson township. In his political views Mr: Teegarden, of this review, was a stanch Republican aid has supported the party since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He is unwavering in his advocacy of the party principles and does all in his power to secure their adoption. He and his wife are faithful and consistent members of the Teegarden Christian church. He contributed most liberally to the erection of the house of worship and was a member of the building committee. Both he and his wife are kind and generous people and have won that good name which is rather to be chosen than great riches. They now occupy a pleasant home, which was erected in 1887. It is a tasteful brick residence and stands upon a farm of one hundred acres in Brown township, where are found all of the improvements and accessories of the model farm. The respect so freely accorded them results from their upright lives, and throughout the community Mr. and Mrs. Teegarden are widely and favorably known. 382 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. JOHN H. RIES. John H. Ries is chief of the fire depart-ment of Greenville, which is his native city, his birth having here occurred on the 15th of April, 1843. He is a son of Jeremiah and Catherine (Gilbert) Ries. In Greenville he spent the greater part of his boyhood and youth, enjoying such educational advantages as the public schools afforded, and thus becoming well prepared for life's practical duties. In 1862, prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he responded to his country's call for aid and joined. the Union army as a member of Company F, Ninety-fourth, Ohio, Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel J. W. Frizell. After spending some time in camp at Columbus. the. regiment was ordered to the front and was assigned to General Rosecrans' army. Mr. Ries took part in the battles 0f Perryville and Stone River, where he was severely wounded by a gunshot in the left leg. He was then taken to the hospital at Nashville, Tennessee, and his wounds necessitated his remaining there for three months. On the expiration of that period he was. discharged on account of his disability, but when his health was. restored he re-enlisted in the Eighth Ohio Independent Battery and was sent to Vicksburg, Mississippi. In the spring of 1864 he was put on detached duty as a blacksmith, having learned the trade before entering the army. He continued to act in that capacity until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged in July, 1865. His loyal service commended him to all who believe in the Union cause, and with patriotic ardor he did what he could for his country. Returning to Greenville Mr. Ries resumed work at his trade, which he has since followed to the present time in connection with his brother, James A. Ries, under the firm name of Ries Brothers: They have a general blacksmith and repair shop and receive a liberal patronage in their line. In May, 1900, Mr. Ries. was appointed chief of the fire department and is now acceptably filling that position. Socially he is connected with Greenville Lodge, No. 195, I. O. O. F. He is also a member of Jobes Post, No. 157, G. A. R., of which he formerly served as commander. He receives a pension in recognition of his services and is possessed of good property interests: His life has been one of honorable and useful activity, and he is well known among Greenville's citizens. JAMES I. ALLREAD. The name of this gentleman figures prominently in connection with political and professional interests in Darke county and his reputation 4nd acquaintance are by no means limited by the confines of the county. He is now practicing law in Greenville, with excellent success, and his analytical power, executive ability and thorough understanding of the principles of jurisprudence have gained him a leading position in the ranks of the legal fraternity of this community. He was born upon his father's farm in Twin township, September 29, 1858, and is the eldest son of Isaac and Hannah C. (Houk) Allread. The paternal great-grandfather was William Allread, one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war, who, under command of General Wayne, aided the colonists in their struggle for independence. The grandfather, Henry Allread, became one of the early settlers of Butler county, Ohio, where he located about 1820, entering one hundred and sixty acres of land in GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 383 the midst of the forest. Isaac Allread, the father of our subject, was born in Butler county, in 186, and became a farmer by occupation. He married Hannah C. Houk, daughter of James and Abigail Houk, who removed to Darke county about 1820. The latter lived to the advanced age of eighty-nine years. The mother of our subject was born in Darke county about 1830, and, by her marriage had three children : James I., Stephen W. and Mary. The parents held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and the father, a stanch Republican in politics, was often found in the councils of his party, where his opinions carried considerable weight. He died July 2, 1876, and his wife passed away in 1866. James I. Allread spent his boyhood days Upon the home farm in Twin township, and in the winter months he mastered the common English branches of learning taught in the district schools. He afterward continued his education in Greenville under the instruction of Professor J. T. Martz and Professor Seitz. He then returned to the farm where he remained until nineteen years of age, when he began reading law in the office and under the direction of William Allen, of Greenville, being admitted to the bar before the supreme court, on the 6th of October, 1880. He then established an office in this city, where he has since engaged in practice up to the present time—a period of twenty consecutive years—with the exception of a short interval when he served as judge of the circuit court, to which position he was appointed by Governor McKinley to fill. out the unexpired term of Judge Shauck, who was advanced to a seat on the supreme bench of the state. When the term was ended Mr. Allread resumed the private practice of law and has been connected with important litigation in all of the courts, local, state and federal. He has tried many cases involving large interests and intricate legal problems and has been very successful in winning verdicts favorable to his clients, for he gives careful, preparation and marshals the strong points in evidence with the skill of a general in the field of battle. On the 1st of August, 1883, Mr. Allread was united in marriage to Miss Emma S. Roland, of Greenville, the third daughter of Charles Roland, editor and proprietor of the Greenville Democrat. Unto the Judge and his wife have been born two children : Marie A., born July 1, 1886, and Charles Harold, born August 13, 1889. They have a pleasant home in Greenville, and their many friends speak in high terms of its hospitality. A well-known Mason, Judge Allread holds membership with Greenville Lodge, No. 143, F. & A. M.; Greenville Chapter, No. 77, R. A. M. ; Coleman Commandery, No. 17, K. T., of Troy, Ohio. He was for several years a high priest of the chapter, and in 1899 he was representative to the grand lodge and served as. grand junior deacon. As every true American citizen should do, he takes a deep interest in the political questions of the day, studies closely the political aspect of the country and as the result of his mature deliberations gives his support to the Republican party. In 1898 he was a member of the Republican state executive committee, and his labors have been effective in promoting the success of his party. His arguments in its defense are strong and decisive and the same earnestness marks his support of everything which tends toward the public weal. 384 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. JACOB B. MARTIN. In the records of York township, Darke county, the history of Jacob B. Martin well deserves a place, for he is a leading agriculturist of the community and is now acceptably serving for his third term as township trustee. He is both widely and favorably known in this locality, the circle of his friends being extensive. He was born in Adams township, Darke county, July 30, 1848, and is the second in a family of thirteen children, nine sons and four daughters, whose parents were David and Eliza (Burns) Martin. Of this family two daughters and seven sons are yet living and are residents of Darke county, the sons all being farmers. One sister is the wife of a farmer, but Flora is the wife of John Kniseley, a teacher of Gettysburg. David Martin was born near the city of Dayton, in Montgomery county, in 1822, and died in October, 1844. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and pursued his studies in the common schools, but his education was somewhat limited, as he was compelled to aid in the development of the home farm. He was a lad of only five years when his parents came to Darke county, where his father entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Adams township from the government. Their first home was a typical, primitive log cabin, with its puncheon floor and mud-and-stick chimney. This pioneer structure made a deep impression upon the mind of our subject. who can also remember many incidents of pioneer life, including the friendly visits of the Indians. Deer were frequently killed on the prairies and other wild game was to be had in abundance. The farming implements of those days were the old-fashioned cradles, sickles and scythes, and with such farm machinery Mr. Martin has spent many a day in the harvest fields, working from early morn until the setting of the sun. His father was a successful agriculturist and became the owner f a good property. In his political sentiments he was a Democrat, firm and inflexible in support of its principles. He was also a friend of the "little red school house" and advocated the education of the masses. He cared nothing for the honors and emoluments of public office, preferring to give his energies to his business interests. He held membership, in the German Baptist church, aided in the erection of a number of churches in this locality and was charitable and benevolent, withholding not the hand of assistance from the needy. His grandmother was a native of Germany and his grandfather Martin was born in Pennsylvania. His great-grandfather Martin was born in Germany and took up his abode in the Keystone state. The mother of our subject was born in Darke county about the year 1832 and is yet living in Adams township. She is a good Christian woman and her teachings have had a marked influence on the characters developed in her children. Jacob B. Martin was reared in Adams township and became a citizen of York township about 1883. He worked in the fields from an early age, and, as his school privileges were necessarily somewhat limited, he devoted much of his leisure time to reading and study and later had the advantage of instruction in the public schools of Greenville and in the Normal Training School. He began his study, however, in the little log school house which his father had frequently attended. The building was about 30x24 feet and was heated by an old-time fireplace, while the writing desk for the GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 385 big boys and girls was formed of a rough .board resting upon wooden pins driven into: the wall. The puncheon seats were without backs and the master dextrously used the birch rod in maintaining discipline. The windows were formed by sawing out a section of a log from the side of the building and inserting in the aperture panes of glass 8x10 inches. The first teacher which Mr. Martin had was Dr. Lewis Lecklider, who is now deceased. Those old-time school houses are in marked contrast with the substantial structures of the present day in which the youth now receives his educational privileges. When twenty-one years of age Mr. Martin successfully passed a teachers' examination and for thirteen years followed the profession for which he was prepared, giving satisfaction to all in the localities where he taught. For his first school he received one hundred dollars in cash and with this capital he began life on his own account. On the 9th of March, 1882, Mr. Martin was married to Miss Malinda Puterbaugh, who was born in Darke county March 3, 1858, a daughter of David and Annie (Parent) Puterbaugh, who were early settlers of the county and were familiar with its pioneer development and progress. Her father entered his farm from the government and on his land on more than one occasion has killed deer. In his family were twelve children and all became identified with the agricultural interests of the county. Mrs. Martin acquired her education in the common schools and was a lady of genial nature and kindly disposition, who in her every day life won friends by her many estimable characteristics. Mr. and Mrs. Martin began their domestic life upon a rented farm in Richland township, where they lived for one year, and in 1883 they purchased their present farm of eighty acres on section 16, York township, going in debt for a portion f the property. In his business affairs our subject has been prosperous, and the many improvements which he has placed upon his land indicates that he has successfully carried on his business. He. has built a new barn and good sheds and fences and now has one f the most desirable farming properties in York township. Honesty and integrity have characterized his entire business 'career and have gained him the respect and confidence of his fellow men. In his political views Mr. Martin is a Democrat, having supported the party since casting his first presidential vote for Hon. Samuel J. Tilden. He is unflinching in his advocacy of Democratic principles and has been called upon to serve as a delegate to the county conventions, which indicates his standing in the party ranks. In 1891 he was elected township trustee and after serving for a full term was appointed to fill out an unexpired term. In 1897 he was reelected and in 1900 he was again chosen,—a fact which well indicates his personal popularity and his fidelity to duty. He advocated every measure which would advance the welfare and prosperity of his township and county along material, intellectual and moral lines, and he and his wife are classed among the best citizens of York township, and as such we present them to the readers of this volume. HERMAN F. KRUCKEBERG. Among the native sons of Darke county is numbered Herman F. Kruckeberg, who is also classified among the most enterprising and progressive representatives of agricult- 386 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ural interests in this section of the state. Washington, said more than a century ago that "agriculture is the most useful as well as the most honorable occupation to which man can devote his energies," and the saying remains as true to-day as when uttered. The past aggregate of business along all lines depends in greater measure upon the farming interests of the world than upon any other pursuit. Continually commercial and professional ranks are recruited by those who come from the farm, and it is no longer considered that such men occupy a higher plane of life. The farmer is a business man, actively identified. with the affairs of life, the equal of his city brother in education and his associate in business affairs. He has recognized the fact that scientific principles underlie his labors and takes due cognizance of this in the operation of his land, as is shown by rotating crops, the use of fertilizers and the adoption of many improvements which facilitates his work and produces better results. Mr. Kruckeberg is one of the wide-awake and enterprising farmers of Darke county, possessing many of the sterling characteristics of his German ancestry. As his name indicates, his forefathers lived in Germany, and came to America to seek a home and fortune in the land of the free: Our subject was born in Brown township, on the l0th of December, 1868, and is the fifth in a family of twelve children, six sons and six daughters, whose parents were Karl Frederick Ludwig and Hermina Charlotte (Bartling) Kruckeberg. The father was born in the little province of Chaimburg [Schaumburg ?], near the beautiful river Rhine, whose vine-clad hills are adorned by many an ancient castle erected in baronial days. The date of his birth was April 17, 1832, and he died on the 13th of May, 1895. He belonged to one of the old and prominent families of the fatherland and acquired an excellent education in his native tongue. He was reared as an agriculturist and spent the first twenty years of his life in the country of his nativity, after which he determined to take up his abode in the new world, hoping to better his financial condition in this country. In company with his parents and four of their children he sailed from Bremen in a sailing vessel, the voyage continuing through seven weeks. A landing was effected at New York, in June, 1852, and the family made. their way westward to Darke county, where three hundred and fifty acres of land in Brown township was purchased. The first home of the family was an old frame building lined with brick. In this regon, then largely wild and unimproved, the grandfather of our subject laid the foundation of his future prosperity and in the primitive home Karl Kruckeberg began life as an American citizen. He acquired a knowledge of the English language through contact with the people of his adopted country. He was a man of firm decision of character and possessed all the cardinal virtues of an upright, honorable citizen. He was highly respected, was a consistent member of the St. John's Lutheran church, of Greenville township, and contributed liberally toward the erection of the church and toward maintaining its work along its various lines Of activity. He was a good man, and his liberality was well known by all. The poor and needy found in him a friend and were never turned away from his door empty-handed. He gave freely in support of all benevolent measures which he believed would benefit his fellow men and lived a life well GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 387 worthy of emulation, leaving to his family the priceless heritage of a good name. He was fond of travel and enjoyed studying the different manners and customs of different parts of the country. He did not believe that any one should live the life of a hermit should have accurate knowledge of his fellow men and be in close touch with them. Accompanied by his estimable wife, he made a number of journeys to distant parts of his adopted land and gained that knowledge and culture which only travel can bring. In politics he was an ardent supporter of the Democracy, believing firmly in its policy and earnestly advocating, its doctrines. He was, however, not bitterly partisan and granted to others the right which he reserved for himself, of forming their own opinions. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, frequently called him to public office and he. sered for tvvo terms as township trustee of Brown township, discharging his duties in a very prompt and capable manner. His co-operation was given to all movements calculated to prove of general good, and he was especially earnest in his advocacy of maintaining an excellent public school system. He devoted in the German idea of educating the masses and making it compulsory that all children should attend school, for he realized fully the value and importance of education as a. preparation for life's responsible duties. He served as school director for a number of years and his labors in behalf of the schools were practical and effective. In his private business affairs he was successful, becoming the owner of four hundred acres of fine land in Brown and Richland townships. In 1880 he erected upon his farm a fine two-story barn, with a basement 40x76 feet. He also built one of the best brick residences in the county, and these structures stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. The home is a two-story house with an attic and basement, and is built of stone and brick, in the English style of architecture, and adorned with a slate roof. Nearly all of the interior finishings of this residence have been made from wood taken from the farm. The place commands a splendid view of the surrounding country and is one of the most attractive homes in Dark county. Everything about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance, outbuildings and fences being kept in good repair and the well tilled fields give promise of golden harvests. When Mr. Kruckeberg died his township lost one of its most valued citizens, his neighbors a faithful friend and his children a kind and devoted father. His remains were interred in the St. John’s cemetery, where a beautiful Scotch granite monument has been erected to his memory by his loving children. His wife, who was born in Fredericksburg, in the province of Oldendorf, Germany, September 15, 1839, died January 8, 1899., when in her sixtieth year. She was a devoted Christian woman, a loving and faithful wife and mother, and her teachings are treasured by her children, upon whom her influence was most marked. Her kind deeds will long be remembered by those who knew her, and her memory is enshrined in the hearts of all with whom she was brought in contact. In the family of this worthy couple were twelve children, of whom eleven are yet living, namely: Amelia, the widow of William Requarth, a resident of Greenville, Ohio.; Charles, a farmer, who is married and lives in Edinburg, Illinois; Caroline, the wife of W. F. Ostemeier, an agriculturist of Wood- 388 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. side, Illinois ; Herman F., of this review; Sophia, the wife of H. E. Ostemeier, who follows farming .near Chatham, Illinois; Charlotte, the wife of F. J. Ostemeier, an agriculturist "dying near Springfield, Illinois; John, who is living on the old homestead in Brown township; Mary, who makes her home with her brothers, Herman and John; Oddie, an agriculturist living in Springfield, Illinois; Emma, who is living on the old homestead; and Willie, the youngest of the family, who is yet in school. Herman F. Kruckeberg has spent his entire life in Darke county, his boyhood days being passed in the usual manner of farmer lads. He enjoyed the. educational privileges afforded by the common schools of the neighborhood, and through the summer months he assisted in the tabors f field and meadow, so that he gained a practical knowledge of the work to which he now devotes his energies. The sturdy independence, perseverance and industry characteristic .of the German people are manifest in his life. Indolence an idleness are utterly foreign to his nature and the labors on the home farm have resulted in securing good crops, which annually augment his income. He resides with his brothers upon the old family homestead, his time being given almost exclusively to the work of the farm. His methods are progressive and he and his brothers keep up in first-class condition the fine farm which their father. developed. In his political views Herman F. Kruckeberg is a Democrat and cast his first presidential vote in 1896, for 'William Jennings Bryan. At the age of fourteen years he was confirmed in the German Lutheran church, with which he has since been identified. His life has been an honorable and upright one, which has cast no blot upon the untarnished family name. He commands the respect and confidence of all with whom he is .brought in contact and is known as a reliable business man and loyal citizen, who. gives a public support to all measures which he believes will prove of general benefit. No history of Darke county would be complete without the record of the Kruckeberg family, and it is therefore with pleasure that we present their history to the readers of this volume. DANIEL LAKEN DRILL This well-known citizen of Darke county, who departed this life in 1883, was for many years actively identified with the development and upbuilding of Greenville township, where he made his home. He was born on the 14th of August, 1814, in Frederick comity, Maryland, where the family was founded at an early day by two brothers, Jacob and George Drill, natives of Germany. Jacob afterward removed to Virginia. So far as known all the Drills in America are descendants of these two. The first fourteen years of his life our subject spent in his native state and then came to Ohio with his parents, George and Jemima (Laken) Drill, also natives of Maryland, who settled on Stillwater river, north of Dayton, in Montgomery county, where the. father cleared and improved a farm and where both he and his wife died. Our subject was reared and educated in the usual manner of boys of his clay and on reaching manhood he married Miss Ann Kiler, daughter of Daniel and Ellen (Lowe) Kiler, also natives f Maryland. By this union were born six children, namely.: Ellen and Urith, both deceased; Daniel K., who is mentioned below ; John H. and George M., GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 389 both deceased; and Rebecca, who resides on the old homestead with her brother, Daniel K. Mr. Drill continued his residence in Montgomery county until 1853, when he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Greenville township, Darke county, to which he moved his family on the 17th of March of that year. There was a small log cabin standing on the place, but only three acres of the land had been cleared, the remainder being timber and swamp land. It seemed a herculean task to clear and improve this place, but perseverance and energy won, and the land was transformed into a highly cultivated and productive farm. Mr. Drill began life here with a small capital, but he met with success in his farming operations, and became one of the prosperous and substantial men of his community, as well as one of its highly respected and honored citizens. He was somewhat reserved in manner, always attending strictly to his own business. He was conservative in his judgment and his decisions were all the result of a careful process of reasoning. Religiously he was a member of the Episcopal church, his father being one of the founders of that church in Montgomery county, and always an active worker in the same. Mrs. Drill died in 1873, at the age of fifty-nine years. Like her husband, she had many warm friends in the community where they made their home, and was held in high regard by all who knew her. Daniel K. Drill, son of our subject, was born in Montgomery county, April 2, 1843, and was educated in the public schools. He assisted his father in the arduous task of clearing and improving the farm, and is still living on the old homestead, successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. He married Miss Margaret E. Kilbourn, a daughter f Thomas F. and Margaret (Martin) Kilbourn, who came to Darke county about 1830 and settled on. a farm in Greenville township adjoining the Drill homestead. Her father was born in Marietta, Ohio, in 1801, but was reared in Vermont. He died in January, 1882, his wife in June, 1890. Both were active members of the Episcopal church of Greenville, of which Mr. Kilbourn was one of the founders, and his picture, in honor of his virtues, has always adorned the walls of the parsonage at that place. Of his three children, Clarissa and Martin are both deceased, so that Mrs. Drill, the youngest of the family, is the only one now living. She is a most estimable lady, and is a member of the Universalist church of Greenville. Mr. and Mrs. Drill were married, May 29, 1873, and have become the parents of five children, namely : Anna M., Frank K.-, William .E., Daniel C. and Hazel, all of whom are living. WILLIAM REICHARD. The subject of this review was one of the honored and highly esteemed citizens of Twin township, Darke county, Ohio, where for several years he was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. His father, Joseph Reichard, a native of Pennsylvania, came to this state in early manhood, accompanied by his wife and their eldest child, Elizabeth, and settled near Pyrmont, Montgomery county, close to the Preble county line, where he developed a farm and spent the remainder f his life. His children were Elizabeth; William, our subject; Joseph, who married Susan Sepp and died in Illinois; and Mary, who married Andrew House and died in Brookville, Ohio. 390 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. William Reichard was born October II, 1820, on the homestead farm in Montgomery county, where he grew to manhood and, married Elizabeth Huffman. They began their domestic life upon a tract of eighty acres of land in Twin township, Darke county, given him by his father, who had entered the land from the government. Later his wife was taken ill and returned to her parents' home in Preble county, where she died, leaving one child, Levi, who was born March 7, 1848, married Martha Deisher and died near Louisburg, Ohio. Mr. Reichard was again married, April 22, 1852, his second union being with Miss Nancy C. Fritz, who was born in Perry township, Montgoment county, April 19, 1834, a daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Horner) Fritz, and granddaughter of John Horner, whose family came to Ohio from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. By this union were born the following children : Elizabeth, born March 17, 1853, married Pharas. Baker, of Twin township, this county; Mary, born September 2, 1854, died in infancy; Sarah, born March 9, 1856, married Levi Foreman, of Van Buren township; Amzi, born October 19, 1857, married Mary Catherine Baker and resides in Monroe township ; Susan, born February 22, 1859, died at the age of six years; Ira, born October 17, 1860, married Emma Niswonger and lives in Twin township; Emma, born October 9, 1862, is the wife of Harvey Baker, of Monroe township; Ella, born September 5, 1864, is the wife of George W. Fryman, of Monroe township; and Joseph, born January 1, 1861, married Malinda Shumaker and died on the home farm in 1893. Mr. Reichard followed farming in Twin township until called from this life May 28, 1868, his remains being interred in Ithaca cemetery. He was a well informed man, was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and a loyal citizen who gave his support to every enterprise which he believed calculated to prove of public benefit. He was a good husband and a kind father, and was held in high regard by a large circle of friends and acquaintances on account of his strict integrity and sterling worth. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Reichard has successfully managed her business affairs, and has proven herself to be a thorough and capable business woman. She now resides in Arcanum, where she owns a comfortable home and is surrounded by many friends. Michael Fritz, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Reichard, was a native of Germany, and was a young man when he came to the United States. He was one of the earliest settlers of Preble county, Ohio, where lie entered land and engaged in farming. There he married Nancy Repe, and both died in that county. Their children were : Mary., who wedded Michael Horner, a son of John Horner, and died in Perry township, Mont-gomery county, Ohio; Jacob, the father of Mrs. Reichard; Mrs. Lavina Kearns, of West Alexandria, Ohio ; Lewis, who lives near Denver, Colorado; Sarah, the wife of George Wikel, of Darke county; John, who married' Elizabeth Siler and died near West Alexandria; Michael, who married, first, Annie Stibbs, and, secondly, Sarah Guntle, and, thirdly, Eliza Bixler, and died in Miami county, Ohio; Daniel, who married, first, Sarah Loy, and, secondly, Sarah Orebaugh and is now married to Lavina Magee; Nancy, who died in childhood ; Katy, who married John Gentner and resides on a part of the homestead farm; and Maria, who married George Loy and both are deceased. GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 391 Jacob Fritz, the father of Mrs. Reichard, was born in Preble county, in 1809, and in 1846 located in Twin township, Darke county, on a tract of land which be had entered. He married twice, his first wife being Lydia Homer, who was born in 1816 and died in 1870, leaving three children : Elizabeth, Mrs. John Sharp; Nancy C., Mrs. Reichard ; and Michael, who married Nancy Brock. For his second wife the father married Saloma Holsapple. He died June 12, 1892, honored and respected by all who knew him. W. J. WILSON. When the greater part of the land of Darke county was still wild and unimproved, when the few homes of the early settlers were log cabins situated on little clearings in the midst f dense forests, the Wilson family was founded in this section of the state, and since that early time representatives of the name have been prominent and active in promoting the welfare of the county. The subject of this review was born in Wayne township, March 20, 1856, and is the only living son in a family of eleven children, whose parents were Samuel and Mary C. (Eyler) Wilson. His father was born in Greenville township, Darke county, February 21, 1829, and in the common schools obtained his education. His mother died when he was two years old and his father's death occurred previous to that time, so that he was early left an orphan. In his youth, as he missed the care and protection of a home, he met many adversities and hardships, but these developed in him a strong character and resolute purpose, and throughout an active business career he commanded the respect and confidence of his fellow men. He had considerable mechanical ability and early entered upon an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade under Oren Culberson, of Greenville. At the time when he attained his majority he had no capital save the little he had accumulated through his own industry. He spent his entire life in Darke county and became quite successful in his undertakings. Locating in York township, about 1830. he there secured large landed interests and was also the owner 0f property in Richland, Wayne and York townships. He likewise engaged extensively in stock raising, which proved a profitable source of income. At his death, which occurred June 12, 1897, he was the possessor of six hundred and forty acres of valuable land, all of which was in York township, with the exception of a tract of seventy-one acres in Richland township. All of the improvements upon his farm were placed there by him and the property became one of the most attractive, desirable and valuable in his section of the county. As a citizen Mr. Wilson was public spirited and progressive and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, frequently called him to public office. He served as township treasurer and trustee and in the year 1877 was elected to the important office of county commissioner for a three-years term. He discharged his duties so acceptably that in 1880 he was re-elected, and he gave his support to many marked and valuable improvements in the county. He appreciated the value of good roads and supported all measures in the establishment of the fine pike system, and also believed in draining by ditching. Many of the bridges in the county were built during his service in office and he co-operated in every measure for the public g0od. He was an extremely 392 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. successful and methodical man, both in his private and public interests, and his integrity was proverbial. At his death the community lost one of its valuable citizens and the poor and needy a faithful friend, for he never withheld his support from those who were in need of aid. He contributed toward the erection of churches and did what he could to promote the material, intellectual and moral welfare of his community. Called to the home beyond, his remains were interred in the Versailles cemetery, where a beautiful Scotch granite monument now stands sacred to his memory. His estimable wife, who was born in 1836, is still living on the old homestead. In their family were two sons and nine daughters, and of this number eight are yet living, namely : Cynthia A., who is living with her mother in York township ; W. J., of this review; Jennie, the wife of Samuel Sherry, a shoe dealer in Versailles, Ohio; Belle, the wife of Charles Ewry, who was formerly a successful. teacher but .is now engaged. in the hardware business in Portland, Indiana, as a member of the firm of Yount & Ewry; May, the wife of Harry Gilbert a prosperous agriculturist of York township; Mary, the wife of William Yount, of the hardware firm of Yount & Ewry, of Portland ; Edith, the wife of Samuel Overholzer, a prosperous farmer of Richland township ; and Minnie B., the wife of William Hill, a farmer residing in Wayne township. Mr. Wilson, whose name introduces this record, has spent his entire life in Darke county, and as he was the only son in his father's family that reached mature years the duties and labors of the farm largely devolved upon him. He began his education in the schools of Wayne township and later pursued his education in the Lyons school in York township. This was held in a log school house 24x32 feet, f typical style in its furnishings and structure. Great changes have occurred since that time in the educational privileges which are now afforded the children of the present generation, for substantial brick or frame school houses dot the country here and there, well qualified teachers are employed and excellent preparation is made that the children may be well prepared for life's practical and responsible duties. Mr. Wilson continued upon the home farm until 1884, when he bought eighty acres in York township. Subsequently he disposed of this property and purchased the farm of one hundred and sixty-six acres where he now resides. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss Lucy Warvel a daughter of Daniel Warvel, a prominent citizen of Richland township. She was born May 9, 1860, her parents being Daniel and Sarah (Powell) Warvel. Their marriage occurred September 5, 1880, and four sons and three daughters graced the union, but of this number only four are now living—Mary Belle, Samuel C., Eliza May and Ernest Ray. The parents are giving to their children good educational privileges so that they may be well fitted to meet life's active duties. Mrs. Wilson has been to her husband a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey, and her labors and counsel have proved important factors as he has endeavored to gain a competence. When they began their domestic life they had forty acres of land, upon which rested an indebtedness, but as the years have passed they have become the owner of one of the model farms of York township. The soil is especially adapted for the raising of corn, wheat and tobacco. The last named is a very profit: GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 393 able crop and has added not a little to Mr. Wilson's income. He is also a natural mechanic and built and equipped a blacksmith shop, in which he does his own work, making all repairs on harness and farm machinery. as well as shoeing his own horses. He has a four-horse-power engine and his mechanical ability is supplemented by his modern tools, enabling him to save much time and money. Politically Mr. Wilson is a Democrat and cast his first presidential vote for Samuel J. Tilden. He has twice been selected as a delegate to congressional conventions and was a delegate to the state convention in Dayton, in 1898. In 1899 he was elected the land appraiser of York township, and though he takes a deep interest in political affairs he has never been an officeseeker, preferring to devote his time and energies to his business interests, in which he has met with very creditable success. His marked energy, diligence and capable management have enabled him to advance step by step until he now stands upon the plane of affluence, and throughout his long and 'active business career he has ever commanded the respect, confidence and good will of those with whom he has been associated. JOHN J. PETERS. The German element in this national commonwealth has been an important one in promoting the material progress and prosperity of the community; . the enterprise, economy, thrift and perseverance so characteristic of the race are manifest in the subject of this review, who has been a resident of Brown township, Darke county, for almost half a century. He has been an eye witness of the remarkable development of this section of the state, for be came here when the county was almost an unbroken wilderness and has not only seen the transformation that has been wrought, but has. also borne his part in the work that has produced this great change. Mr. Peters was born in the little province. of Alsace, Germany, near the hank of the. beautiful Rhine, far famed in story and song. His native place was also near the city of Strasburg, Germany, which contains the. most beautiful and splendid cathedral in Europe. His natal day was March 31, 1837, and he is the tenth child and eldest son in. a family of fourteen children, the last four children all being sons. His parents were John Jacob and Mary Elizabeth (Machale) Peters. His father was born in the province of Alsace and died at the advanced age of eighty-three years, eight months and thirteen days. He was reared to the life of an agriculturist and became an expert pomologist, making a specialty of the cultivation of grapes and the manufacture of a favorite. brand of Rhenish wine. He found a good. market for his products in the city of Strasburg and conducted a profitable business. At one time he served his country in the German army as a guard and his brother did military duty under Napoleon in Spain. He with eleven others of his company was poisoned by drinking water in which poison had been placed by the Spaniards. Mr. Peters, the father of our subject, was a man of sterling character, strict in his adherence to principle and an intelligent German citizen who met success in his business career. Ever honorable and upright in his dealings he left to his family the priceless heritage of a good name. He was widely known in his community and among his acquaintances- 394 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. his word was considered as good as his bond. It was about 1839 when he concluded to bid adieu to the fatherland and seek a home in free America, believing that he could thus afford his children better advantages. Accordingly, in the spring of that year at Havre, France, they took passage on a sailing vessel, which, after a voyage of thirty-seven days, dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. They experienced storms which occasioned great delay and broke the main mast, rendering it unfit for use. So great was the violence of the wind and waves that many times the passengers thought that they would never see land again, but Providence intended otherwise and at length they reached New York harbor in safety. The Peters family at once made their way eastward to Cleveland, Ohio, by way of the Erie canal, Wheeling, West Virginia, to Monroe county on the Ohio river, where the father purchased eighty acres of improved land, making his home there until his death, In religious belief he was a Lutheran and never failed to perform his christian duty. He had acquired an excellent education in his native town, was charitable and benevolent, aiding in the erection of a number. of Lutheran churches. At one time he gave one hundred and fifty dollars toward the erection. of one of the houses of worship of that denomination. His life day :by day was upright and honorable; the poor and needy found in him a friend and those who sought his assistance were never turned empty away. His wife was born in the province of Alsace and died at the. age of seventy-seven years. She, too, led a faithful and consistent Christian life and reared her children in the faith of the Lutheran church. Both parents were laid to rest in one of the cemeteries of Monroe county, where a beautiful monument marked their place f interment, erected by their children. They have six living children, the eldest being Mrs. Detlinger, and the others are Sarah the widow of Harmon Hirs, who was a butcher; Lena, the wife of Henry Sheets, a retired farmer living in Angola, Steuben county, Indiana; John, f this review; Michael, a retired farmer, who is living in Monroe county, Ohio; and Rachel, the wife of Louis Walters, of Brown township. John Peters, of this review, was only about three or four years of age when he became the adopted son of America. He was brought by his parents to the new world and remained in Monroe county until he attained his majority. At the age of sixteen years he began to earn his own livelihood, work-ing for seventy-five dollars per year, driving a four horse team for a Methodist exhorter. The following year his employer raised his wages to eighty-five dollars per year. The third year he was given one hundred dollars, the fourth year one hundred and ten dollars and for the fifth year's service he was offered one hundred and forty dollars, but by that time he had attained his majority and he concluded to engage in other service. He had given every dollar of his wages to his father and when he was twenty-one years of age his sole capital was a ten-dollar bill which his father gave him when he came to Darke county. He carried with him an ax and on the 15th of February, 1855, arrived in Brown township, having made the journey hither by train and on foot. Ansonia was then known as Dallas and was the first place of his location. He started in life here at the very bottom of the ladder and steadily worked his way upward, at first working for fifty cents per day. He afterward pumped GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 395. water for the Big Four Railroad for two months and sawed wood for the same company. He afterward engaged in cutting, wood and making rails for others and scorning no employment which brought to him an honorable living. He was very industrious and worked hard. He cut- one. hundred cords of wood for thirty-three dollars and he cut and in one day split three hundred rails. In Brown township he has swung an old-fashioned four-fingered cradle from early morn until dewy eve and has cut four acres of wheat in a single day. He has also cut three acres of grass in a single day with an old-time scythe. He is a man of fine physique, of large frame, strong and vigorous and thus was enabled to perform much work. His perseverance and energy have enabled him to steadily work his way upward and his strict integrity has been one of, his sterling characteristics. All these qualities have gained for him the confidence and respect of his fellow men and made him well worthy of the warm regard reposed in him. On the 2d of April, 1861, Mr. Peters was married to Miss Eliza Jane Baughman, a member of one of the well known families of Brown township. She was born in Brown township, December 5, 1842, a daughter of John and Maria (Riffle) Baughman. Her father was born in Prussia, Germany, and when a little boy came to America. He was one of the early pioneer settlers of Brown township and his wife also lived here in an early day and has often seen bands of Indians in Darke county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Baughman were born nine children, of whom two sons and ,three daughters are yet living, namely : Mrs. Peters; Mary Ellen, who is the widow of Chris Peterson, of Brown township, and has three children liv ing; Alice, the wife of Jake Stentzel, ex-trustee of Brown township and a well known resident of the community; William, who is married and living in Union City, Indiana; and John, who is married and living in Van Wert, Ohio. Eight children grace the: union of Mr. and Mrs. Peters, two sons and six daughters, of whom four are yet living. Mary Elizabeth, the eldest, received a good. education in the Ansonia high school and married Frederick Prachter, a farmer of Brown township, by whom she has three children; Florence B. is the wife of Henry Detling, a telegraph operator, and both are intelligent and well informed people. Rachel Lucinda, who completed her education in the high school of Ansonia, is the wife of Frederick Singer, who operates a part of her father's farm in Brown township. They have two children, Carl J. and Forrest F. Charles J, the youngest child living, is a young man of more than ordinary ability and in his studies is particularly 'proficient in mathematics, drawing and history. The children have all been provided with excellent educational advantages, well fitting them for life's practical and responsible duties. Mr. and Mrs. Peters began their domestic life upon a rented farm, where they remained for two years. The first land which he owned was a tract of eighty acres covered with dense forests. He had no money to make payment upon his property, but it was not long before he had met the indebtedness. Their first home was a log cabin, which is still standing. The logs were cut from trees which were felled upon his own land and the house therefore stands as a monument of his own handiwork. The forest was so dense that he had to clear a space before he could erect his primitive home. Wild game, including deer and tur- 396 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. keys, were to be had in abundance and Mr. Peters has killed many wild turkeys, thus supplying his larder. He, however, never indulged in hunting as a sport, for his time was fully occupied by the work of the farm and through his well directed and untiring labors he has developed one of the most beautiful and highly productive farms in this section of the county. The forest has disappeared and in its place are beautiful, fertile fields, fenced and tiled. The cabin home has long since been replaced by a commodious brick residence and there are large barns and 0ther outbuildings. The boundaries of the farm have also been extended until now it comprises one hundred and sixty .acres, divided into two portions and conveniently situated within three-quarters of a mile from Ansonia. All of the splendid pike roads of the county have been built since Mr. Peters' arrival here, and he and his neighbors blazed saplings in order to indicate his ownership in his eighty acres of land. He has paid out toward the construction of the pike system one thousand dollars, and gave one hundred and fifty dollars toward the construction of the Mackinaw .Railroad, now known as the Cincinnati & Northern Railroad. Today he has not a dollar of mortgage upon his property, and enjoys an unlimited credit at the banks of the city. He is widely known for his honesty and reliability in business affairs, and his word is as good as any bond that was ever solemnized by signature or seal. His example is indeed well worthy of emulation in many respects, showing what can be accomplished by determined purpose and unflagging energy. All his father ever gave him was this parting admonition : "Good-bye, Jake; you are married now. Be up-Tight and honest before God and man and you will get along." Not a dollar in money did he receive, yet today he stands among the substantial citizens of the community. In politics Mr. Peters has been a stanch Democrat since casting his first presidential vote, for the "Little Giant of the West," Stephen A. Douglas. He has always been firm in support of the principles of the party, and has frequently been sent as a delegate to county conventions. He has served as township trustee for eight years, a fact which indicates his popularity among his fellow townsmen, and the confidence they repose in him. He is a strong: advocate of education and has done much to advance the cause of the schools in his community, believing in securing good teachers and paying them sufficient wages to secure valuable instruction for the children. Socially he belongs to the Masonic order, Lodge No. 488, of Ansonia, in which he is serving as treasurer, a position he has filled for eight consecutive years. He has also passed all of the chairs of the Ansonia Lodge, No. 605, I. O. O. F., is its treasurer, and is a member and treasurer of Encampment No. 285, of Ansonia. He is also a charter member of the Patriarchs Militant of Greenville, and is a charter member of the Darke County Horse Thief Detective Association, which organization was formed for the purpose of apprehending horse thieves or other robbers, and the connection of this association with similar organizations throughout Ohio and Indiana has enabled them to accomplish much go0d in this community. There are fifty-seven members f the Darke county society, and Mr. Peters is also its treasurer. The fact that he is treasurer of four different organizations shows how faithful he is to the trust. He als0 belongs to the Eastern Star Lodge, of Ansonia, of GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 397 which his wife is the treasurer, and she, too, is a member of Rebekah Lodge, in which she holds the office of right supporter of . the vice grand. He and his wife and family are members of the Christian church, and Mr. and Mrs. Peters have aided financially in the erection of the Christian, Methodist and Lutheran churches of Ansonia ; Teegarden Chapel, the German Reformed church near Woodington; Grandview Chapel, the Pikeville Reformed church, the Christian church at Beamsville and the Berry church in Richland township. He is very benevolent and contributes liberally to many charitable interests. The poor and needy found in him a friend, and Mrs. Peters shares with him in all of his good work. They have the warm friendship of all with whom they have been brought in contact, and no history of Darke County would be complete without the record of their lives. JOHN F. HEETER. John F. Heeter, now a prominent merchant of Arcanum, Darke county, Ohio, is a worthy representative of an old colonial family, being of the fifth generation in descent from Isaac Heeter, a farmer, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to America about 1750, with his wife and two children, landing at Boston. He undoubtedly died in Pennsylvania, as he took up his residence in that state soon after his arrival in this country. Sebastian Heeter, a son of Isaac, was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in 1760, and enlisted from that state under General Compton at the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, although only fifteen years of age. He was captured by Indian allies of the British, compelled to run the gauntlet and received a severe wound in the shoulder from a tomahawk thrown by one of the Indians, but made his escape and rejoined his command, fighting valiantly until hostilities ceased. After the war he settled down to the peaceful life of a farmer in Huntingdon county. When a boy he and his brother, George, would set a fish basket in the Juniata river, and one evening when George went to the river to look after the catch for the day he was waylaid by the Indians while returning home and killed. He was sixteen years old at the time. Sebastian Heeter married Elizabeth Compton, a relative of General Compton. She died in Huntingdon county leaving four children : John, who married Ruth Bryan and died in Jackson township, Montgomery county, Ohio ; George, who married Elizabeth Heck and died at his home on Wolf creek, Perry township, Montgomery county, Ohio ; Barbara, who married John Rarick and lived for a time in Perry township, Montgomery county, Ohio, but spent her last days in Elkhart county, Indiana ; and Elizabeth, who died in Pennsylvania unmarried. For his second wife Sebastian Heeter married Elizabeth Rarick, by whom he had the following children : Henry, who married Hannah Bernamon and died in North Manchester, Indiana ; Frederick, the grandfather of our subject; Abraham, who married Catherine Kreitzer and died in Montgomery county, Ohio ; Mary, who married John Keener and died in the same county ; David, who married Elizabeth Hay and died in North Manchester, Indiana; Catherine; who married John Shank; Daniel, who married Mary Earnest and died in Clay township, Montgomery county, Ohio ; Sarah, who married James Thompson and lives in Huntingdon county, Indiana ; Jacob, who 398 - GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. married Susan Keener and lives near Louisburg, Montgomery county, Ohio; Samuel, who married Ruhami Nation and died. on his father's old homestead in Montgomery county ; and Sebastian, who married Catherine Earnest and died on his farm adjoining the old homestead. The father of these children came to Montgomery county, Ohio. in 1814, traveling by wagons. to Wheeling, West Virginia, and from there drifted down the Ohio river to Cincinnati on flatboats. He located eight miles west of Dayton on a one-hundred-and-sixty-acre tract of land on what is n0w the Dayton and Eaton pike, and in the midst of the forest built a rude log cabin, which was the home of the family until a hewed-log house could be erected. He. died on that farm June 7, 1840. Frederick Heeter, the grandfather of our subject, was. born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in 1798, and was sixteen years of age when the family removed to Ohio, where he passed through all the hardships incident to pioneer life. In 1821 he married Elizabeth Kreitzer, who was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1803, a daughter of Andrew and Catherine (Gebhart) Kreitzer and granddaughter of Daniel Gebhart. Her family came to this state in 1811, and her father entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Montgomery county, upon which he spent the remainder of his life. After his marriage Frederick Heeter lived on a rented farm north of Trotwood, Montgomery county, for a time, and then bought sixty acres of land on Bear Creek, Perry township, upon which farm he died in 1861. His wife survived him many years, dying in 1891. Their children were Diana, the wife of Daniel Imler, of Perry township, Montgomery county ; Elizabeth, the wife of David Earnest, of Johnsville, the same county ; David, who married Elizabeth Clayton and lives in Dayton, Ohio ; Catherine, wife of George Earnst, of Brookville, Montgomery county ; Absalom, who married, first, Elizabeth Cotterman and, secondly, Fanny Brant and lives in Johnsville; Daniel, the father of our subject; Hannah, who married David Rough, and died in Montgomery county ; Mary, the wife of Daniel Smith, of Preble county, Ohio ; Sarah, the wife of Levi McNally, of Louisburg, Ohio ; John, who married Elizabeth Shock and lives in Johnsville; Lucinda, the wife of David Clemmer, of Johnsville; and Eli, who married Lavina Stauffer and lives in Darke county. Daniel Heeter, our subject's father, was born on the Higgins farm, Madison township Montgomery county, June 9, 1830, and grew to manhood on the old homestead. When his services were not needed on that farm, and that was seldom he attended the subscription and public schools until nineteen years of age, but the greater' part of his education was gained by subsequent reading and. observation. He remained at home until his marriage, at the age of twenty-four years, and then lived on one of his father's farms for . a time, after which he lived on the Daniel Schneck farm, owned by his mother-in-law. At the end of five years he returned to the farm he had previously occupied and remained there until 1861 the following two years being passed on his uncle Abraham Heeter's farm near Liberty, Montgomery county. He then purchased thirty acres of land of William Dikler, and after residing there for seven years exchanged it for a forty-acre tract in Franklin township. Darke county, to which he subsequently added twenty acres, but in 1878 he sold it and moved to Arcanum; being- GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 399 employed for a time as foreman .f bridges on the Big Four Railroad. Afterward he followed contracting, house building, etc., until 1892, when he retired from active life. He is a highly esteemed citizen of Arcanum, a consistent member of the Lutheran church, with which he united at the age of seventeen years, and a stanch Democrat in politics. On the 6th of April, 1854, he married Catherine Schneck, who was born near Pine Grove, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, December 2, 1835, and is a daughter of Daniel and Magdalena (Stine) Schneck. Her father also was a native of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and a son of Peter and Catherine Schneck. In 1839 his family came to Montgomery county, Ohio, and settled on the farm in Perry township purchased for him by his father. Owing to illness he remained with his father in Pennsylvania until 1848, when he joined his family in this state. He died upon his farm in 1853, his wife in 1869. Our subject is the eldest in a family of seven children, the others being as follows : Mary, born November 25, 1856, died young; Amanda Magdalene, born February 18, 1859, is the wife of George Steck, living near Brookville, Montgomery county ; Laura Alice, born July 12, 1862, died at the age of twenty-two years; William Allen, born April 24, 1867, died young; Ida Eliza: beth, born March 10, 1870, died in infancy; and David Orville, born April 28, 1876, is a school teacher of Arcanum. John F. Heeter, our subject, was born near Pyrmont, in Perry township, Montgomery county, Ohio, February 19, 1855, and was eight years old when his parents located near Liberty, but two years later they removed to Perry township. He was reared in about the usual manner of farmer boys and attended the country schools until seventeen years of age, the last year being spent in Franklin township, Darke county. He remained with his father until twenty-two years of age, and then returned to Perry township, Montgomery county, for a short time. Later he worked by the day in Arcanum, and then had a rented farm in Franklin township, this county, for a time. He next rented the Tillman farm in Van Buren township for two years, and at the end of that time returned to Arcanum, where he was engaged in teaming for five years. Subsequently he followed farming on the old Swinger homestead near Painter, and while engaged in agricultural pursuits devoted considerable attention to stock-raising. In April, 1899, he opened his present store in Arcanum, and although in business at that place but a short time he has reason to be proud of his success, for he has already built up a large and constantly increasing trade, and by fair and honorable dealing has gained the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come in contact. He is a faithful member of the Dunkard church and a stanch Democrat in politics. In the fall of 1876 he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Maria Stauffer, who was born on the Samuel Bean farm in Franklin township, this county, in 1857, a daughter of David and Sarah (Swinger) Stauffer. By this union have been born three children, namely : Viola Catherine, now the wife of George Wine, of Adams township, Darke county ; Della Alice, wife of Jesse Rhodes, of Franklin township ; and Charles Albert, at home. HENRY H. McEOWEN. There is in the life of every individual a period free from care—happy childhood days; then comes the period of labor and re-