200 - DARKE COUNTY nature Thomas F. Bethnal Green. Registered under Vaccination Law. Entry 134 (Book not mentioned). Came to America in 1867. Received her education in Cincinnati, Ohio, schools. Married to J. E. Hunter February 20, 1888. Mrs. Hunter is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and is interested in all movements for the upbuilding of mankind. Caroline Jessop Hunter, legally adopted daughter of Doctor and Mrs. J. E. Hunter, was born in Ashley, Mich., December 5, 1904. Her mother (Mrs. Charles W. Jessop), died January 14, 1904. Charles W. Jessop and Mrs. Zona McCormack were married March 11, 1902, at Charleston, S. C. ORTON OSBORNE SMITH. Real merit has received proper recognition in the case of Orton Osborne Smith, cashier of the Farmers' National Bank of Arcanum, for he has been promoted to his present responsible position because of his natural ability and conscientious training for the duties pertaining to such work. A man of careful habits and one who has always given close attention to detail, he manifestly is the right man in the right place. The cashier of a financial institution of the size of the Farmers' National Bank must be a good judge of men; he able to estimate fairly and justly the value of securities and to handle wisely and sagaciously the interests placed in his hands. That he measures up to the high standards necessarily set for work of this class, his standing in the community and with the .business men of Darke county, prove conclusively. He was born at West Baltimore, Ohio, April 1, 1878, a son of Nathan and Anna (Thomas) Smith, and grandson of Reason Smith, and John and Ruth (Dinwiddie) Thomas. Reason Smith and his wife were born in Maryland, east of Frederic, but came to Ohio in the latter part of the forties, settling in Preble county that State, where he carried on farming. Both died in Preble county, when a little over middle age. Their children were as follows: Nathan, William, Monroe, Elijah, Joel, Emma and Jane. John Thomas and his wife were also natives of Maryland, and coming to Ohio at an early day, located on a farm that lay between Sonora and Lewisburg and was in Preble county. Later they moved, during the late sixties, to a farm in the vicinity of West Baltimore, bul DARKE COUNTY - 201 rounded out their old age in Harrison township. Their children were as follows: Anna M., Rachel, Jacob, Izora and one who died in childhood. Nathan Smith and his wife were both born in Preble county, Ohio, the former being reared in the neighborhood of Lewisburg, that county, where he developed into a public school teacher. His professional duties led him to various points in Preble, Darke and Montgomery counties, he teaching in all twenty terms. At one time he was one of the educators connected with the Greenville schools, and was very popular with his pupils, as well as with their parents, who recognized his ability to train their children. At present he is residing at West Baltimore, Ohio, his wife also surviving. In religious faith he is a Lutheran, but she believes according to the teachings of the. United Brethren church. In his life work, Nathan Smith has displayed some very admirable qualities. Losing his father when a lad of twelve years, at that tender age he took upon his shoulders the responsibilities of the family, and worked diligently while studying at night to perfect himself for what afterwards became his life work. In thus training his faculties, he developed a fine character, and his worth has always been recognized by his associates who testified to their appreciation by making him justice of peace for several terms, and by coming to him for advice and instruction when in need of direction. Needless to say no one ever applied to him in vain for counsel, and many problems of his neighborhood were wisely and quietly solved by him. He and his wife had eight children: Alton, who resides at Dayton, Ohio; Clarence, who is deceased; Orton O., whose name heads this review; Homer B., who resides at Greenville, Ohio; Raymond E., who resides at West Baltimore, Ohio; Blake S., who resides at West Baltimore, Ohio, and Dale, who is a resident of the same place as Blake S. Growing up at West Baltimore, Orton Osborne Smith not only attended the grammar schools of Harrison township, but the high school of West Baltimore, from which he was graduated in 1898. Desiring to supplement his schooling with a business training, he took a course at Miami Commercial College at Dayton, Ohio, in 1899, and for a period following the completion of it, was bookkeeper for a Dayton concern. In 1903, he came to Arcanum, Ohio, to become assistant cashier of the bank with which he still continues. This bank was organized as a State bank May 22, 1902, with a capital stock of 202 - DARKE COUNTY $30,000, paid in. In 1908, Mr. Smith was made its cashier, and with characteristic energy he began to inaugurate changes, making the bank a national one, and increasing the capital stock to $50,000, which action increased the number of stockholders from forty-three to sixty-seven. These stockholders are nearly all either prominent farmers or representative business men, and the stability of the institution is unquestioned. The work Mr. Smith has accomplished with regard to this bank has made him a well-known man all over Darke and surrounding counties, and his knowledge of financial matters is recognized and his judgment commended. On March 29, 1904, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Inez Overholser of Brookville, Ohio, a daughter of Jesse and Catherine (Bausman) Overholser, who was born near Brookville, her parents being natives of Ohio, who still reside in the place of her birth. They have had eight children, namely: Daisy, Frank, Charles, Otto, Inez (Mrs. Smith), Ray, Ross and Florence. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had three children as follows: Reva L., Freda L. and Melvin Woodrow. The United Brethren church holds the membership of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and receives their earnest support. He belongs to Arcanum Lodge No. 341, I. O. O. F., and Ochlawaha Tribe No. 78, I. O. R. M. In political faith he is a democrat and served very acceptably as township clerk for a period extending over two terms. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Sunset club. PETER W. BYERS, M. D. In these days of eager and learned scientific investigation that daily brings forth wonderful discoveries or improvements upon ordinary methods, the members of the medical profession cannot be said to have ceased their educational work until their retirement from practice. Men like Dr. Peter Wesley Byers of Arcanum, Ohio, who take a pride in keeping abreast of the work done in their profession, are constantly adding to their knowledge and broadening their fund of experience so that every year increases their skill and adds to their usefulness as a physician and citizen. Dr. Byers is a product of Ohio, for he was born in Butler township, Darke county, January 30, 1864, a son of George H. and Keziah (Fowble) Byers, DARKE COUNTY - 203 and grandson of George and Susan (Hetzler) Byers, and Peter Fowble. George Byers and his wife were born in Ohio and developed into farming people, becoming pioneers of Butler township where they lived to be old people. They had three children: Catherine, who married William Fowble; George H., and Joseph. Peter Fowble married a Miss Banta and settled with her upon a farm. Their children were: Nancy, who married Joseph Gruver; John, who resides in Preble county, Ohio; Keziah, who became the mother of Dr. Byers; Rachel, who married Henry Steffy, died at Dayton, Ohio, where her husband also passed away. George H. Byers, the father of Doctor Byers, was born in Darke county, Ohio, while his wife was a native of Preble county, this same State. He was a farmer and learned that calling in his native country, where he was reared and educated. Becoming the owner of one hundred acres in Butler township, he partially cleared it and put it under a high state of cultivation. His death occurred in 1906, when he was sixty-six years old. His widow survives him and is now sixty-nine years old. Both belonged to the United Brethren church, of which they were consistent members and efficient workers. Their children, six in number, were as follows: Dr. Peter WV., whose name heads this review; Emma, who is the wife of W. H. Burke of Twin township, this county; John H., who also resides in Twin township; Theodore, who died at the age of thirty-three years; Bert W., who resides in Butler township; Clara, who is deceased, was the wife of Clement Crawford. Dr. Peter W. Byers was brought up on his father's farm and while attending the schools of his district learned the homely virtues which he has carried with him through life. Being an ambitious lad, he decided upon a professional career and proceeded to fit himself for it by first entering the Northwestern Normal at Ada, Ohio, and later by teaching school for twelve years at the expiration of which period he entered upon the study of medicine, and was graduated from the Medical College of Ohio in 1900. During that year he established himself in a general practice at Arcanum, where he has since continued, having firmly substantiated his claims. A man of learning, steadfast and earnest, he inspires confidence and wins friends as the man as well as the physician. Doctor Byers was married in May, 1891, to Miss Laura Gilfillan, a daughter of Robert and Margaret (Miller), Gilfillan, 204 - DARKE COUNTY and three children have been born of this union, namely: Guy E., Fay and one who died in infancy. Of these Guy is attending the Ohio State University at Columbus, Ohio, and Fay is attending the public schools of Arcanum. Doctor and Mrs. Byers are consistent members of the United Brethren church. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias. In his political views he is a Democrat, and for some years served as a member of the school board, his former experiences as an educator making him a valued addition to the deliberations of his colleagues. At present he is serving as township treasurer. Professionally, Doctor Byers belongs to the Darke County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association, and benefits from the meetings of these organizations just as others profit from his contributions. Mrs. Byers was born in Darke county, Ohio. Her father was born in Ireland, while her mother was born in Ohio, the latter surviving, although the former died at Castine, Ohio. They had five children who grew to maturity, namely: John, Laura, Lottie, Cora and Clarence. THOMAS G. BRAWLEY. Substantial rewards come to those who labor for the ultimate good of a community. Some go about this in one way, others adopt an entirely different course, but they are all moving in the same direction. Perhaps there is no better way to assist in the upbuilding of a community and prove good citizenship, than that adopted by a sound business man when he establishes a reliable house and conducts it upon broad-gauged lines, for not only does he give the people the worth of their money, but he attracts outside capital to the town, and also offers opportunity to those seeking honest labor. Such a man is Thomas G. Brawley, junior member of the well-known hardware house of Lampe & Brawley of Arcanum, Ohio. He was born at Warren, Huntington county, Indiana, April 13, 1864, a son of Milton and Almira (Thurston) Brawley, natives of Ohio, although the father came of Virginia stock. Thomas C. Brawley, the paternal grandfather of Thomas G. Brawley, was a native of Virginia, and he married in Ohio, Nancy Elizabeth Mitchell, who was born in Ohio. How- DARKE COUNTY - 205 ever, he was brought to Darke county, Ohio, when seven years old and became a farmer in Harrison township, where he died in his fifty-ninth year. His widow survived him many years, passing away in old age. They had seven children, as follows: Lewis J., Eli, Leander, Milton, Hiram, George and Nancy. The maternal grandparents of Thomas G. Brawley, Caleb and Hannah Thurston, were natives of Ohio, he being one of the prosperous farmers of Harrison township. There he rounded out a long and useful life, but she died in her prime. They had the following children: Edward, Newton, Lyman, Joshua, Perry, William, George, Almira, Armina and Frances. Milton Brawley was born in Darke county, Ohio, where his boyhood days were pleasantly spent, alternating between attendance upon the schools of his district and chores on his father's farm. After he attained to his majority he began farming in Harrison township, but following his marriage, he moved to Indiana and, locating in Huntington county, carried on agricultural operations quite extensively upon his two hundred acre farm. Subsequently selling, he returned to Darke county, Ohio, and lived near New Madison, and in the town itself until within three years of his death, at which time he moved to Greenville, and there died in 1906, aged sixty-nine years. His widow survived him and is still living, being now seventy-three years old. She belongs to the Christian church, and is a most excellent lady. The children of Milton Brawley and wife were as follows: Charles C., who resides at Greenville, Ohio; Thomas G., whose name heads this review, and Anna M., who is deceased, passed away in her nineteenth year. Thomas G. Brawley was thirteen years old when the family migration back to Darke county occurred, and he continued to reside within its confines, upon his father's farm until his maturity. Attending the district schools, he fitted himself for teaching and followed that calling for two years before he took a business course in the Eastman Commercial College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Having prepared himself for a business life, he embarked in the hardware trade, and for ten years carried on his house at New Madison. Too close application to business resulted in the loss of health, and for a period he was forced to abandon a commercial life. Subsequently he was appointed postmaster at New Madison and held that office for three years. He then moved to Rossville, now Rossburg, 206 - DARKE COUNTY Ohio, and thence to Greenville, spending a year at the latter point as a member of the Greenville Grain Company. In 1907 he became a resident of Arcanum, forming his present partnership with Mr. Lampe, in the same line of business that had engrossed him for a decade at New Madison. This profitable and pleasant association continues, and the firm carries a large and varied stock of general hardware and controls a big trade. On February 17, 1889, Mr. Brawley married Miss May Bowen, a daughter of James C. and Angeline (Flemming) Bowen, and they have two children: Grace L. and Thomas G., Jr. Mr. Brawley belongs to the Knights of Pythias and is one of the most valued members of that order. His political views find expression in the principles and platform of the Republican party, and he served as clerk of Harrison township for one term, and corporation treasurer while living at New Madison. Mrs. Brawley was born at New Madison, Ohio. The parents of Mrs. Brawley are both deceased. The subject's great-grandfather, Levi Brawley, came from Virginia to Darke county, Ohio, in 1811, being among the pioneers of this county, arriving here at a time when the Indians were still in large numbers. He cleared and improved a farm which is still in the family. FRED CLINE. Whenever a new firm is organized, the people of a community in which it proposes to do business, are interested, but this is intensified when the members of the new association are well known men in that locality. Fred Cline and his partner, O. S. Simpson, members of the drug and jewelry firm of Simpson & Cline of Arcanum, Ohio, are native sons of Arcanum, where the major portions of their lives have been spent, and their success is a matter of graduation to those who have watched these young men develop from boyhood into responsible business activities. Fred Cline was born at Arcanum, Ohio, January 22, 1884, a son of Charles and Isola (Harris) Cline, natives of Ohio. Michael Cline, the paternal grandfather of Fred Cline, married a Miss Miller, and both were natives of Virginia. They became early settlers of Salem, Ohio, where he became a trader of cattle, although a cooper by trade. They died at Arcanum, he after passing into the DARKE COUNTY - 207 seventies, and she when sixty-eight years old. They had six children, namely: Granville, who died when a child; Mary, Henry, Charles, Edward and William. The maternal grandfather married Martha Conner, both of them being natives of Tennessee, who moved to Hamilton, Ohio, at an early day. By profession the grandfather was a lawyer who practiced at Cincinnati, and was killed in a railroad accident when thirty-four years old. His widow survives and has been married twice. The only child by her first marriage was Isola. The second husband of Mrs. Harris was a Mr. Brown and they had one child, G. L. Brown. By her third husband, a Mr. Ludlum, she had a daughter, Myrtle. Charles Cline was a tobacco merchant, who operated at Arcanum when the tobacco business was in its infancy. He first started as a commission man, handling tobacco for a New York house, and remained in this line for twenty years. His death occurred at Arcanum in August, 1900, when he was forty-six years old. His widow survives him. In fraternal matters, he was an Odd Fellow. Charles Cline and wife had two children, namely: Fred and Charles, the latter being a resident of Dayton, Ohio. Fred Cline grew to manhood's estate at Arcanum, where he attended both the grammar and high schools. When his father died he was forced to earn his own living, and his first employment was with a tobacco house. Later he was on the road as a commercial salesman for two years, but returning to Arcanum, he began his connection with the jewelry business in the store of L. T. Grubbs, and within two years, or in 1907, purchased the business from his employer, and has continued it ever since. Mr. Cline learned the watchmaking and jewelry trade partly under the tuition of Mr. Grubbs, but took a practical course in it at Detroit, Michigan, so that he is an expert in his line. When he associated himself with Mr. Simpson in 1912, he felt that he was broadening his field of operation, and gaining from the experience of Mr. Simpson, as the latter would profit from his own knowledge. Fraternally, Mr. Cline belongs to Ithaca Lodge No. 295, F. & A. M., and he is a thirty-second degree Mason, according to the Scottish Rite. He also belongs to International Archaeological Association, and the American Indian Association. These connections have been formed as the outcome of a taste he formed in boyhood for collecting Indian relics to which he has added until be now has one of the finest collections in 208 - DARKE COUNTY the State, if not in this country. Keeping in close touch with the authorities at Washington, he receives the literature along the lines in which he is interested, that is issued by the government, and is much thought of by those who appreciate the value of his research work. As is only natural, Mr. Cline is a great reader, finding his enjoyment among his hooks, of which he has an excellent library. He and his mother live on East George street, Arcanum, where they have a pleasant home. SAMUEL HARNISH. In early life, accustomed to the hard work which develops the mind and hardens the body, Samuel Harnish grew up in an agricultural neighborhood, and when he came to the time to make a decision regarding his choice of an occupation, finally selected that of farming. In the years that followed he not only proved his worth as a man, but his ability as an agriculturalist, and his valuable one hundred acre farm just outside of Greenville testifies to his success, and he has been able to retire from its conduct, now living in comfort and ease at No. 107 North Main street, Greenville. He was born in Greenville township, this county, October 30, 1840, a son of Michael and Lydia (Wise) Harnish. Michael Harnish was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, which he left in young manhood for the more undeveloped regions of Montgomery county, Ohio, where he became acquainted with the lady he later married. She had come to that county from her native State of Pennsylvania, with her parents. The young couple were married during the holidays of 1837, and the following spring started forth to make a new home in Darke county. There Michael Harnish bought two hundred and fifty acres of wild land, and bent all his energies to clear and develop it. This property is in the southern part of Greenville township, and one hundred and fifty-five acres of it are still in the family. On it he and his excellent wife rounded out their days, devoting themselves to its improvement and the proper rearing of their children, of whom there were eight. Seven of these grew to maturity, and five survive. Of them all, Samuel Harnish was the eldest. In early life, Michael Harnish was a Whig, but with the organization of the Republican party, he espoused its principles, but was never DARKE COUNTY - 209 willing to accept office. In 1865, he joined the German Reformed church, and died firm in its faith the next year. His widow survived him many years, dying October 7, 1897. After a boyhood spent in heavy labor, felling trees, grubbing stumps and cultivating the acres thus cleared, during which he found but little time or opportunity to attend school, in May, 1864, Samuel Harnish enlisted in defense of his country for service during the Civil war, for a period of one hundred days, although he was in the service one hundred and twenty days, in Company H, One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio volunteer infantry. He saw duty in West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland and Tennessee, and was under fire for the first time in the campaign against Lynchburg. His command meeting defeat, retreated and on Greenbriar creek Mr. Harnish was wounded in the right hand, but not enough to necessitate his leaving for the hospital, and he remained on duty. At the expiration of the one hundred and twenty days he was mustered out at Camp Dennison. Coming home, he married and for the following couple of years rented one of his father's farms and then bought thirty-eight and one-half acres in Neave township from his father's estate. Within a few years he sold this first purchase at a profit, and then bought one hundred acres of land on Section 27, Greenville township, which from 1875 until 1898, continued to be his home. In the latter year he moved to Greenville, taking possession of the new residence he had erected in this city. When he moved on his farm, he had but little developing to do, for the property was improved, but the buildings were so poor that he had to replace them all with new ones. This farm is now one of the finest in the township, and he takes pride in it. In addition to his farm holdings, Mr. Harnish has interests at Greenville. The first year of the life of the Electric Light Company of Greenville, Mr. Harnish expressed his confidence in its growth by buying stock, and later increased his investment, being placed upon the board of directors, and he is now a member of its executive committee, and has held that office for some years, and is a trustee of a fund of this association. The growth of this company can be seen by the remarkable increase in its capital stock, which has advanced from the initial figures of $30,000, to $125,000, the amount of stock now outstanding. For the past eighteen years, Mr. Harnish has been treasurer of Darke county Mutual Fire Insurance Com- (14) 210 - DARKE COUNTY pany, and at one time he was on the board of directors of the Cyclone Insurance Company and was adjustor for twelve years of this company. On April 4, 1865, Samuel Harnish was united in marriage with Miss Frances M. Bishop, who was born and reared in Greenville township, a daughter of William F. and Maria (Bogus) Bishop. She was given the advantages offered by the common schools of her native place. Mr. Bishop was a native of New Jersey, while his wife was born in Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Harnish became the parents of one child, Martha. She married Charles F. Beanblossom and died February 20, 1903, having borne her husband five children, as follows: Ira, who died in infancy; Lawrence Dale, who died at the age of seventeen years; Linda Belle, who attended common and high schools, spending two years in the latter; Cena, who was graduated from the Greenville high school in the class of 1913; and Ina Maude, who is now in the eighth grade at school. All these children make their home with their grandfather, who took them when the mother died. They are intelligent, promising young people, and the pride of their grandfather's heart. Having cast his first pre: idential vote for Abraham Lincoln during his second campaign in 1864, Mr. Harnish naturally is a Republican, but he does not permit himself to be bound by party ties too strongly in local matters, as he believes it is better to put in desirable men, rather than those on the straight ticket simply because of their politics. He has never been willing to accept office, although eminently fitted for a number. A charter member of the Church of Christ, he has its welfare at heart, and his wife, when living was also a charter member. She passed away November 30, 1911, mourned by a large circle of admiring friends. She is laid to rest in Greenville cemetery. His grandchildren belong to the same religious organization. For many years he has performed the duties of an elder, although he never accepted the title, nor was ever ordained, humbly declaring that he did not believe himself qualified according to the scriptures. However, he has taught a class in the Sunday school for many years. His connections with Jobes Post No. 157, G. A. R., are very pleasant, and he enjoys meeting his old comrades. He has served his post in various positions. A man of quiet, unassuming character, inclined to hold his own ability lower than his associates because of his humility, he wins and retains friends because of his Christian life and high moral tone. His interest in promoting DARKE COUNTY - 211 those measures he believes will work for a betterment of his community is always deep and sincere. The influence of the life of such a man must be a strong factor for good in any community, and Greenville profits by his location in it. Mr. Harnish's younger brother, William H., was born in 1844 and died in 1870. Was in the Civil war and in the same company and service with his brother Samuel, and was mustered out the same time on September 2, 1864. Almost since the time of the death of Mr. Harnish's father; in fact, since he began his business career to the present time, he has had charge of settling estates and guardianships, showing the high esteem in which he is held by the judges and those who have known him all his life. JOHN M. ANDERSON, M. D. To what an old and honorable profession the medical man of the Twentieth century belongs and how infinitely better equipped is he than any of the great army of practitioners of the past to recognize diseases and to apply proper remedies. A qualified physician of the present day must, of necessity, be a learned man, to have standing with his associates in the profession and to assume the responsibilities of often holding the balance between life and death for those who trust him. In his high profession he is a man justly held in honor and regarded with gratitude, but it must be through knowledge and acquired skill. No forward movement in any scientific line has been equal to that in medicine and the physician must keep abreast of the tide. Those who have approached eminence in medicine have recognized this and, in turn, the public has recognized them. Among the well qualified and experienced physicians and surgeons of Greenville, Ohio, is Dr. John M. Anderson, with office at No. 118 Washington avenue. Doctor Anderson was born at Ansonia, Ohio, June 21, 1876, the only child of Dr. L. C. and0lliee (Tullis) Anderson. The great-grandparents of Doctor Anderson were James and Ruth (McCahan) Anderson, the former of whom was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in April, 1792, a son of Irish parents who lived about twenty miles from Dublin, Ireland, where all their children, except James, were born. They emigrated to America in 1791. James Anderson married Ruth 212 - DARKS COUNTY McCahan, who was born in January, 1800, a daughter of Patrick and Sarah (Greene) McCahan. He was born in Ireland and his wife in America, she belonging to the same family from which came Gen. Nathaniel Greene, of Revolutionary war fame, who was considered a military officer second only to General Washington. John Anderson, the paternal grandfather of Doctor Anderson, was a native of Pennsylvania. He married Mary Hulse, who was born in Ohio and died in Darke county, in 1864. After marriage they settled in Montgomery county, Ohio, where they remained until 1863, removing then to a farm in Darke county, where John Anderson died in 1869. Industrious men and virtuous women have marked the generations of this family. Dr. Lewis C. Anderson, father of Dr. John M. Anderson, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, January 15, 1850, a son of John and Mary (Hulse) Anderson, and was reared on his father's farm. His early manhood was spent in farming and in teaching school, the latter effort providing in part for his medical education which he secured at the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, where he was graduated in the class of 1874. He entered immediately upon the practice of his profession at Ansonia, in Darke county, where he remained until 1888, when he removed to Greenville, having been elected to the office of probate judge, on the Democratic ticket. After serving two terms on the bench he completed a post graduate course in the New York Post-Graduate Medical School. Returning to Greenville he entered into partnership with Dr. D. Robeson, under the firm name of Robeson & Anderson, engaging in general practice. He became known as one of the ablest physicians and surgeons of his day in Ohio and his son is proud to bear his professional mantle. He was a member of all the local medical organizations and of the National Medical Association. For years he was a Free Mason and belonged to Ansonia Lodge No. 488, A. F. & A. M., and to Greenville Chapter R. A. M. He was a member also of the Knights of Pythias and of Ansonia Lodge No. 605, Odd Fellows. Dr. Lewis C. Anderson married Ollie Tullis, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, and they had one child, John M. John M. Anderson grew to the age of thirteen years at Ansonia, Ohio, where he attended the public schools. His father moved then to Greenville and here he was a student in the high school, afterward attending St. Mary's Institute at Day- DARKE COUNTY - 213 ton, Ohio. Having determined on a medical career, he took a preparatory course of three years at the Ohio State Medicar College, Columbus, and from there entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, Ill., from which great medical school he was graduated June 8, 1902. He entered into practice at Greenville and this has continued to be his field, although, at times, he has visited other cities in order to study new developments in his science. In the Polyclinic Institute, Chicago, he took post graduate work with this end in view, and also took a post graduate course in the Post-Graduate School, New York city, and not yet satisfied, went abroad and attended lectures and clinics at Berlin and in the University of Heidelberg. He values his membership in the county and State medical societies and in the American Medical Association. Doctor Anderson was married July 15, 1903, to Miss Isabel Turner, who was born at Greenville, Ohio, and is a daughter of Joseph R. and Hattie (Macy) Turner, both of whom were born in Dayton, Ohio. Joseph R. Turner served three years as a soldier in the Civil war. Mrs. Anderson is one of a family of three children: Mabel, who is deceased, was the wife of Carl Jones; Isabel, and Maude, who is the wife of Frank Schwable. Mrs. Anderson is a member of the Presbyterian church. In his political sentiment Doctor Anderson has always been a Democrat, as was his father, and on several occasions he has consented to become a member of the Darke county Democratic executive committee and also of the State central committee. Fraternally, he is identified with the Red Men and the Elks. WILLIAM H. IVESTER. A man's character is oftentimes displayed in the use he makes of his talents and years, and when he can, as in the case of William H. Ivester of Arcanum, point to substantial prosperity and a solid position in his community, he knows that he has not lived in vain. With Mr. Ivester, however, material success is not all that he has accomplished, for he has cultivated those qualities which make for good citizenship, and since his retirement from the cares incident to farm life, he has found that his experiences and knowledge of men and events, are valuable to those who are just setting forth on their road of life, and he gladly gives advice when called upon 214 - DARKE COUNTY for his opinions and ideas. He was born at Arcanum, Ohio, August 5, 1855, a son of George and Rebecca (Davis) Ivester, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. The paternal grandfather, William Ivester, was born at Phoenixville, Pa. His wife bore the maiden name of Alowisa, and they had two children: George and Mary. After her death, William Ivester married a second time and had one child, Leida. The Ivester family comes of Scotch descent. The maternal grandparents were William and Katie (Burgess) Davis, and they were natives of Virginia. Coming from the Old Dominion, to Logan county, Ohio, they became early settlers of that locality. Their children were: Rebecca, Mary, Miller, William and Nathan. The grandmother was the second wife of William Davis, his first wife having been a Miss Burns of Miami county, Ohio. She bore him the following children: Hiram, Sarah, Jesse and John. George Ivester was brought up at Phoenixville, Pa., where he learned the trade of blacksmithing, and while still a young man, he moved to Miami county, Ohio, working in that neighborhood for a short period. In 1849, he made an overland trip to California, in a company of other gold, seekers, and was more fortunate than some, for he had a horse, so that he was able to ride. Although he did some mining, he found plenty of work at his trade, as he did upon his return, about a year later, to Miami county, Ohio. There he married and soon afterwards moved to Darke county, where at Arcanum, he established himself in a blacksmithing business. As occasion demanded, he handled land, buying and selling, and also operated a sawmill. His life was very interesting, for he earned for himself every cent he possessed. Owing to family poverty he was bound out and never was given any advantages. His native ability and willingness to work hard and save thriftily soon placed him in a position where he was able to make his exertions tell. With his entrance into the sawmill business came prosperity and he continued in it for many years, doing a large amount of business. In his later years, he came to Arcanum where he built a beautiful residence and died there in 1888, aged sixty-six years. His widow survived him until 1903, when she passed away, aged seventy-eight years. She was a Methodist in religious faith. Fraternally he was an Odd Fellow. During his residence in Darke county he served as one of its early commissioners, and was township treasurer for a number ber of years. The children horn to this couple were as follows: DARKE COUNTY - 215 Mattie J., who lives at the homestead; William H., whose name heads this review; Josie, who is deceased, married Harrison A. Kepner, and left a daughter, Helen B. Kepner, who makes her home with her uncle, William H. and her aunt, Mattie J., of Arcanum; Olive, deceased, left two sons, George I. and Robert J. She was the wife of Stephen G. Helm; Onda, who is deceased, was the wife of Ed Ogborn; Bernice, who died in young womanhood. William H. Ivester was reared on the home farm now occupied by him and his sister, Mattie J. He attended the schools of Arcanum, and at the same time assisted in caring for the farm and sawmill, and was in a flour mill business for a short period. With his sister, he inherited the homestead. His fraternal relations are pleasant, he belonging to Ithaca Lodge No. 295, F. & A. M.; Greenville Chapter No. 77, R. A. M.; Coleman Commandery No. 17, K. T.; Valley of Dayton Consistory, and Antioch Temple of the Mystic Shrine, as he is not only a Knight Templar, but also a thirty-second degree Mason. In addition he belongs to Arcanum Lodge No. 341, I. O. O. F., and Arcanum Encampment No. 206. In politics he is a Democrat, but does not seek office, preferring to devote himself to his private affairs. JAMES F. HECK. Those who meet the oncoming years with dignified capability, backed by the realization that they have spent their time wisely and successfully, and strengthened by the knowledge of men and conditions gained through many aggressive movements as well as the calm performance of duties, are the most useful members of any community. James F. Heck, justice of the peace of Twin township, a resident of Arcanum, Ohio, is just such a man whose words and actions ring true whenever circumstances strike against the metal of his personality. A man of high moral courage, he has been unafraid in the pursuit of his goal, and in his office has wielded the power invested in him, wisely and judiciously, his verdicts not only being according to law, but also are meted out with a due sense of the equity of the case in hand. He is a man of whom Darke county is justly proud, although he is not a native of it, as he was born in Jackson township, Montgomery 216 - DARKE COUNTY county, Ohio, November 23, 1845, a son of Samuel M. and Catherine (Warner) Heck, natives of Virginia. David Heck, the paternal grandfather of James F. Heck, was born in Virginia, as was his wife, who bore the maiden name of Magdalena Spitler, both coming of German descent. Like many of their day and locality, they became pioneers of Ohio, settling in Montgomery county, where the grandfather entered land eight miles west of Dayton, upon which he and his wife resided until death claimed them, when well advanced in years. Their seven children were as follows: Samuel M., David L., John, Catherine, Susanna, Elizabeth and Polly. During the war of 1812, David Heck proved his sturdy Americanism by enlisting and serving his country as a soldier. The maternal grandfather was Abraham Warner and his wife was named Sarah. Both were born in Germany, but became early settlers of a farm near Liberty, eight miles southwest of Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Warner cleared off and improved a farm, upon which he and his wife died when past middle age. Their children were: Daniel, David, Catherine, Elizabeth and Sarah. Growing up in Montgomery county, Ohio, Samuel M. Heck developed into a school teacher and civil engineer, although he later became the owner of land in Jackson township, that county, upon which he reared his family, believing that rural surroundings were healthier and better in every way for growing young people. His death occurred upon his property when he was seventy-six years old, his wife having passed away several years prior to his demise, at the age of sixty-five years. They were sincere members of the German Reformed church. At one time he was elected county surveyor and proved himself so expert in this kind of work, owing to his civil engineering training, that his decisions were accepted by order of the court in all disputes which arose relative to land surveys in Montgomery county. Six children were born to Samuel M. Heck and wife, as follows: Mary, who died unmarried; James F., whose name heads this review; Amanda, who is unmarried, resides at Germantown, Montgomery county, Ohio; David B., who resides near Abbottsville, Darke county, Ohio, and one who died in infancy. Until he was sixteen years old James F. Heck had the advantages offered by a residence at home, during which time he assisted his father and attended the schools of his district. Being an ambitious lad, at that age he began working in sawmills in Montgomery county, and later pursued the same call- DARKE COUNTY - 217 ing in Johnson county, Mo., where he went in 1865. Two years later he returned to Ohio, and located near Gettysburg, Darke county, where he erected a sawmill, and spent several years at this point, during which time he was married. His next change was when he moved to a farm four miles east of Arcanum, and conducted a sawmill. Still later he located at Arcanum and operated a saw and hoop mill for a number of years, or until his plant was destroyed by fire in 1902. Subsequently he purchased a small farm of fifty-four acres, one and one-half miles west of Arcanum, which he still owns. In 1887 he built his beautiful home place at Arcanum, which has continued his place of residence ever since. A consistent Democrat, it was but natural that he should have been called upon to hold numerous offices, never failing to live up to the expectations of those who elected him. For two terms he occupied the executive chair of Arcanum, being, perhaps, one of the best mayors the city has ever had, and he has also filled many of the lesser offices. However, it is as justice of the peace that he is best known, for he has served as such for a great many years. In fraternal circles he affiliates with Arcanum Lodge No. 341, I. O. O. F., and the encampment of the same order, No. 206. On January 3, 1868, Mr. Heck was married to Miss Laura A. Puls, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Worley) Puls, born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in the town of Farmersville. Her father was a native of Ohio, but her mother was born in Pennsylvania. They became pioneers of Montgomery county, Ohio, where both died. Their five children were: George Sylvester, Oliver, Laura, Ada and Samuel. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Heck married a Miss Fishburn, and both were natives of Pennsylvania. They had seven children, namely: Jacob, Samuel, George, Solomon, Daniel, Mary and Catherine. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Heck, Jacob Worley, married a Miss Mellinger, and their children were: Michael, Jacob, Margaret, Susanna, Diana, Elizabeth, Caroline, Rebecca and Mary Ann. Mrs. Heck is a consistent member of the United Brethren church. Mr. and Mrs. James F. Heck became the parents of children as follows: Franklin V., Ada, Margaret, Alonzo, Omar, Roscoe, Fern and one who died in infancy. Of these above mentioned children, Franklin V. is in the hoop mill business at Columbus, Ohio, and doing well, although it is doubtful if he will equal his father who has the distinction of having handled 218 - DARKE COUNTY more timber than any man in Darke county. Franklin V. married Catherine Sissel, now deceased, by whom he had one child, Dale. He married for his second wife Clara Schaar, and they have one living child, Kenneth. Ada married Harry De Lapp and they live at Urbana, Ill. Their children, four in number, are as follows: Paul, Margaret, Robert and Lucile. Margaret married J. B. Wider and they live at Fremont, Ohio, having had two children, Madonna and Fred. Alonzo was a railroad engineer when he died unmarried at the age of twenty- four years. Omar is a telegrapher at Emporium, Pa. He married Christina McDonald, and they have one daughter, Helen. Roscoe is a civil engineer, who is unmarried and lives at Great Falls, Mont. Fern married Stanley Frizzell, and they live at Greenville, Ohio. They have no children. Mr. Fleck is and has been for at least fifteen years notary public of Darke county. JACOB MILLER, JR. The real artist works toward high ideals whether he transfers his ideas to canvass or carves them in imperishable stone. No mere mechanic can produce masterpieces no matter how well he may know his trade; it takes a genius to create what will live after human dust has returned to its source, and the cunning hands that wrought have been stilled forever. With the growth of proper appreciation of artistic creation, has come a demand for high ideals, and those who understand set a standard others less well informed, follow. In nothing is this more true than in the furnishing of beautiful and appropriate monuments to mark the last resting place of the dead. In former times any kind of a tombstone was accepted without a thought as to its artistic value, but conditions have changed; people are becoming better educated, and demand that the man who designs and executes their orders must be one who has in his soul a love of the beautiful and the talent to reproduce in marble or granite his conception of true art. One of the men who measures up well to such requirements in every respect is Jacob Miller, Jr., proprietor of the Arcanum Marble and Granite Works of Arcanum, Ohio, who is conveniently located at Nos. 356 and 357 South Main street. Mr. Miller was born at Evansville, Indiana, in the county of Vanderberg, May 11, 1864. He is a DARKE COUNTY - 219 son of Jacob and Hulda (Pickhardt) Miller, natives of Wurtemburg and Rein-Preussen, Germany, respectively. The paternal grandfather, Heinrich Miller (who spelled his name Mueller) died in Germany when his son Jacob was an infant, and as his wife died in young womanhood, their son was left an orphan at a tender age. The maternal grandparents were also natives of Germany, who became early settlers of Evansville, Indiana. The grandfather was a cabinetmaker and conducted a furniture factory at Evansville, where both died, he when seventy-five years old, and she when about seventy. Their children were: Hulda, Adeline, August, Amelia and several whose names are not known. Growing up in his native country, Jacob Miller learned to be a cooper, but after coming to the United States, he became a minister of the Evangelical Association, and was stationed at Evansville, but was later transferred to points in Indiana, Ohio and Illinois, but finally located at Dayton, Ohio, where he spent the remaining years of his life, being on the superanuated list. His death occurred there in 1892, when he was sixty-eight years old. His widow survived him until she was sixty-two years old, dying in 1900. Jacob Miller, Sr., served his country as a soldier for three months during the Civil war. He and his wife had the following children: William E., who resides at Chicago, Ill.; Amelia, who is deceased, was the wife of William Bibberstain; Jacob, whose name heads this list; Sarah, who is the wife of John Schafer, of Dayton, Ohio; John, who resides at Springfield, Ohio; Enema, who is deceased, was married; and seven who died in infancy. Jacob Miller, Jr., attended school in the various places where his father's ministerial duties called him, passing through the grammar and high schools, and then took a short collegiate course at Toledo, Iowa. Learning the carpenter trade, he thought of following it, but found that his inclinations turned in another direction, so fitted himself for his life work by learning the marble cutting trade, and has followed it ever since.. In 1898 he came to Arcanum, Ohio, opening a shop on a capital of $100, ninety dollars of which was borrowed. From the start he prospered, for he demonstrated not only his skill, but his artistic talent, and now he conducts a business that necessitates the carrying of several thousand dollars' worth of stock, and has won recognition as a business man that is shown by his commercial rating. On June 16, 1885, Mr. Miller was united in marriage with 220 - DARKE COUNTY Miss Ella Norris, a daughter of Robert and Clarissa (VanLue) Norris, who died in June, 1900. On April 6, 1902, Mr. Miller was married (second) to Bertha Mae Morrison, a daughter of Willis Morrison and they became the parents of five children: Sheldon W., Iona Fern, Frances Willard, Norman A., and one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison were natives of Darke county, Ohio. Mr. Miller is a member of the United Brethren church and his association with this organization has been close and intimate. Influenced by his father's example, he took a course in the Union Biblical Theological Seminary of Dayton, Ohio, now known as the Bonebrake Theological Seminary, and preached one year at Decatur, Ind., after which he studied for missionary work and spent two and one-half years at Serra Leone on the west coast of Africa. Returning to the United States he went to Iowa, where he had charge of a congregation at Garwin for eighteen months, following which he was located at Dunkirk, Ind., from whence he went to Geneva, Ind., but resigned to come to Arcanum to found his present business. His religious experiences make him all the more proficient in his work, and all of it is tinged with a reverent appreciation of the dignity of his calling, and the sacred duty the living owe to the dead. SOLOMON EDGAR MINNICH. For more than a decade Solomon Edgar Minnich, dealer in buggies, harness and tobacco at Arcanum, Ohio, has been accounted one of the responsible, solid and reliable men of this community. He is progressive and always ready to lend his aid in promoting those movements which look toward a betterment of existing conditions. Mr. Minnich was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, near Union, April 5, 1859, a son of Adam and Catherine (Ziegler) Minnich, natives of Montgomery county. Jacob Minnich, paternal grandfather of Solomon Edgar Minnich, was a native of Pennsylvania, where his wife also was born. They came to Ohio at an early day, making the trip in a one-horse wagon, the contents of which with the horse and wagon, comprised all their possessions. Settling in Montgomery county they began developing a farm, experienced many hardships and passed through all the ex- DARKE COUNTY - 221 periences incident to the times in that locality. The grandfather built for his family a house without nails, fastening it together with wooden pins. The life of these two most ex-cellent people was passed upon the farm which they made from the wilderness, and here the grandfather died, when about seventy years old. His wife long survived him, living to be ninety-three years old. They had five children: Abraham, Lydia, Adam, Jacob and Anna. The maternal grandfather was a native of Pennsylvania, and a minister of the gospel. After his marriage with a Pennsylvanian, he and his wife moved to Ohio, where they battled with pioneer conditions. Both died in middle life, having had the following children: Elizabeth, Catherine, Mary Ann and John. Adam Minnich spent all of his active years in farming, but is now living retired at Trotwood, Ohio. His wife died in 1901. Both were consistent members of the Dunkard faith, now known as The Brethren. Their children were as follows. Granville Webster, who resides at Greenville, Ohio; Solomon E., who resides at Arcanum, Ohio; Harvey C., who is dean of Miami Univeristy, and Ira C., who resides at West Milton, Ohio. Solomon Edgar Minnich was reared in Darke county, Ohio, from the time he was about six years old, and there learned to farm, following that line of work until October, 1893, when he moved to Arcanum and embarked in a buggy, horse and livery business, later confining himself to handling buggies, harness and tobacco. In the last named commodity, he buys for Lewis Peters, an old Detroit house. November 10, 1881, Mr. Minnich was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Sigerfoose, a daughter of George W., and Nancy (Shank) Sigerfoose, and they had four daughters, namely: Daisy, who married R. H. Burke, lives at Oxford, Ohio, and has one son Robert McNair; Mamie, who married Edgar C. Bussert, lives at Forsythe, Mont.; Nancy, who married Dr. J. D. Eichelbarger, lives at Swayzee, Ind., and has a daughter, Ruth Ellen; and Catherine, who married Harley H. Senseman, lives in Ann Arbor, Mich., and has two children, Wilford and Robert. Mrs. Minnich belongs to the United Brethren church. In fraternal matters, Mr. Minnich is a thirty-second degree Mason, belonging in jurisdiction of the Valley of Dayton Consistory. Politically, he is a Republican and is now a member of the city council, and for several terms was on the school board. 222 - DARKE COUNTY Mrs. Minnich was born at Gordon, Darke county, Ohio, but her parents were natives of Montgomery county, Ohio. Her father died many years ago, but her mother survives, now being eighty-four years old. Their children were: Belle, Ellen, Charles P. and Edward, who are living, and two who are deceased. Charles P. is a member of the faculty of Minneapolis University, and Edward is a major in the regular army. HARRISON B. HOLE. If it were not for the acumen and business experience of the wholesale produce dealers of the country, the farmers would have difficulty in finding a profitable market for their products, and thus it is that men like Harrison B. Hole of Versailles, Ohio, are public benefactors. Throughout his long experience along this and kindred lines, Mr. Hole has proven his worth as a business man and his desirability as a citizen. He was born one mile north of Versailles, in Wayne township, Parke county, Ohio, June 13, 1864, a son of Harvey and Eliza J. (Brandon) Hole, natives of Ohio. Charles Hole, the paternal grandfather of Harrison B. Hole, married Phoebe Baker, and they became pioneers of Darke county, entering the farm now owned by H. B. Hole. At that time this property was all covered with heavy timber, so it was no light task to clear it, or to place the ground under cultivation, but the grandfather accomplished these tasks, paying the penalty, however, of a shortened life, for he passed away in middle life, as did so many of those who endured the hardships of frontier life. His widow survived him many years. They had nine children: Jonathan, William, Adam, Lewis, Harvey, Benjamin, Lark, Abner and Mart. The maternal grandfather, John Brandon, and his wife were born in Ohio, and became pioneers of Wayne township, Darke county. They had the following children: Mary, Louise, Lucinda, Eliza J., Joel, John, Lewis, Lot and one who was unnamed. During the boyhood of Harvey Hole he learned to be a brick molder, while he worked on the farm and attended school as occasion offered. Later on in life, however, he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, becoming the owner of the eighty acres in Wayne township, formerly entered by his father, upon which he reared his family, and which is now in DARKE COUNTY - 223 the possession of his son, H. B. Hole. He also owned 160 acres in Patterson township, and forty additional acres in Wayne township, all of which was divided among his children. In 1885, he moved to Versailles, Ohio, and there he died in 1900, being seventy-five years old. His wife died in 1895, aged sixty-nine years. He was born September 3, 1825, while she was born June 18, 1826. They were earnest and devout members of the Christian church. An energetic man, although he retired from farming in 1885, Harvey Hole was not content to live inactive, so devoted some years to operating a sawmill. He and his wife had the following children: Marinda, who died at the age of five years; Lucinda, who is deceased, married William H. Stover, and have children, Margaret A., Harvey G., Isaiah K., Thomas B., Hettie (deceased), Clement H., Bryson and Eliza H.; Isaiah F., who resides at Versailles, Ohio, married Sarah Murphy and they have nine children, as follows: Harrison W., Charles H., Caroline L., George C., Mary F., Irma F., James C.., Grace M. and Margaret S.; Margaret Ann, who married Milton E. Stover of Greenville, Ohio, and has two children, Ethel and Kell (deceased) ; Mary Isabel, who married Newton Beal of Versailles, Ohio, and has two children, Milton E. and Grace A.; J. B. Weller, of Versailles, Ohio, who is a prominent man of that place,. married Lydia Mast and they have three children, Carrie, Bertha and Marie, and Harrison B., whose name heads this review. Harrison B. Hole attended the schools of his district and found employment on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years old. He then began conducting a sawmill at Versailles, and in 1888 embarked in a poultry business which he has continued ever since. For thirteen years Milton E. Stover was associated with him, but he then bought out his partner and has continued alone ever since. Mr. Hole has several large plants, as follows: One at Versailles, one at Greenville, one at Arcanum, one at Dayton, one at Springfield, and one at Sidney, all in Ohio. He is one of the largest produce merchants that ships to New York city in this part of the State, his operations aggregating $1,000,000 annually. On December 18, 1890, Mr. Hole was married to Miss Otillie Engleken, born at Versailles, Ohio, a daughter of Barthold and Susanna (Kleinschmidt) Engleken, natives of Germany, the former of whom died in 1891, the latter surviving. Mr. and Mrs. Engleken had four children, namely: Anna Marie, Otillie, 224 - DARKE COUNTY Amelia and John Edward. Mr. and Mrs. Hole became the parents of the following children: Robert M., Homer M., Harvey B., William E., Norman W., Dorothy O., Mildred L., and Richard E., who are all at home, except Norman W., who died at the age of four months. The Christian church holds the membership of Mr. and Mrs. Hole. He belongs to Versailles Lodge No. 290, F. & A. M., and the Knights of Pythias. Strong in his support of the Republican party and its principles, he spent seven years as a member of the board of public affairs at Versailles and two terms on the school board. In November 1913, Mr. Hole was elected mayor of Versailles, receiving 286 out of a possible 376 votes cast. Mrs. Hole is prominent in church and social work, being a member of theT. E. O. Altruian. GEORGE A. KATZENBERGER. For the high rank of her bench and bar Ohio has ever been distinguished, and it is gratifying to note that in no section of the commonwealth has the standard been lowered at any epoch in its history. To the subject of this review we may refer with propriety and satisfaction as being one of the able and representative members of the legal profession in Darke county, and that he is a native son of this county lends somewhat to the significance of the prestige which he has here attained. George A. Katzenberger was born in Greenville, Darke county, Ohio, on December 11, 1867, and is the only son of Charles L. and Elizabeth (Ashman) Katzenberger. The mother, who was a daughter of the pioneer, Peter Ashman, departed this life in 1868, being followed a few years later by her only daughter, Mary. The subject's early life was spent in Greenville, where he was reared under the direction of Mrs. Rosina Rehfuss. His elementary education was received in the public sch000ls of Greenville, completing the preparatory high school course in May, 1884. He then pursued a course of study in Nelson's Business College, at Cincinnati, upon the completion of which he accepted a position as head bookkeeper for the banking firm of Gilmore & Company, of Cincinnati. From July, 1885, to January 1, 1886, Mr. Katzenberger was the business manager for the firm, owing to the absence abroad of the DARKE COUNTY - 225 principal partner, Virgil Gilmore. The continued illness of Mr. Gilmore made the dissolution of the firm a necessity and on the date last mentioned Mr. Katzenberger entered the service of the Cincinnati News Company as bookkeeper. In the fall of 1886, desiring to resume his studies, he resigned his position and entered the Ann Arbor high school, where he was graduated in June, 1888, three weeks after his class at Greenville. Having determined to make the practice of law his life work, Mr. Katzenberger commenced reading law in the office of Hon. John Reiley Knox, but shortly afterward began a course in the law department of the University of Michigan, where he was graduated in June, 1890, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Subsequently he was admitted to the bars of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. During his collegiate term Mr. Katzenberger was honored by being admitted to the Greek-letter society, Phi Delta Phi, a leading fraternity which had been founded in the law department of the University of Michigan in 1869 by Judge Thomas M. Cooley, the eminent jurist, who subsequently became the chairman of the interstate commerce commission. During his college career, Mr. Katzenberger was actively interested in various organizations, among which were the Shakespeare Club, Hobart Guild, Choral Union, Knowlton Nine, and was also an associate editor of the Michigan Argonaut and a correspondent in Michigan of the Columbia Law Times. In July, 1890, Mr. Katzenberger, for the second time, accompanied his father to Europe, where he spent a year and a half, chiefly in the grand duchy of Baden, Germany. Arriving in Bremen in August, he enjoyed a Rhine tour and was at Bingen and Ruedesheim, enjoying their famous "Laetitia Deorum." He also visited the castles and palaces of the late King Ludwig II of Bavaria, and attended the "Passion Play" at Oberammergau. In October he entered the famed University of Heidelberg, where he spent two most enjoyable semesters, being a member of various musical, dueling and social organizations. Here, while attending the lectures on Grecian and modern philosophy by Kuno Fischer, he improved his knowledge of the German language, and, collaterally, acquainted himself with the literature of the land of his ancestors. However enjoyable those months were, Mr. Katzenberger yearned for his home land, where he desired to enter upon the active practice of his profession. He therefore, with his indulgent father, made a tour through Switzerland to (15) 226 - DARKE COUNTY Milan and the northern lakes of Italy, and then, in November, 1891, returned to the United States. In December, 1891, Mr. Katzenberger went to Chicago and established an office opposite the court house, where he soon attained to moderate success and a standing in his profession worthy of his years. During the Columbian Exposition of 1893 he was the secretary of one of the educational committees of the World's Congress Auxiliary, and during 1903-4 he served as an assistant attorney of the bureau of justice. After the death of his uncle, G. Anthony Katzenberger, the subject returned to Greenville and for awhile assisted his father in business, but afterwards resumed the practice of law as the junior partner in the firm of Elliott & Katzenberger. In the law, his chief work is in the line of probate practice, civil cases, and the collection of foreign estates, in which latter work he has had uniform success. Besides being a member of the Darke County Bar Association, he has for many years been a member of the Ohio Bar Association. He always has been careful and systematic in the preparation of his cases and has been connected with some of the most important litigation tried in the local courts. He always commands the strict attention of courts and juries and of his fellow practitioners, and has never been known to fail in that strict courtesy and regard for professional ethics which should ever characterize the members of the bar. His life has been one of activity and has won for him the respect and confidence of his fellows to a notable degree. At the national convention of the Phi Delta Phi fraternity in 1893 Mr. Katzenberger was elected the secretary and treasurer of the governing council, to which position he has been elected eight times successively, in conventions in Washington, Chicago, Ann Arbor, Iowa City, Columbus and New York City. During his administration twenty-two additional chapters of the society have been placed in the leading law schools of this country and Canada, and the fraternity now has forty-four chapters in as many law schools. In his capacity as secretary, Mr. Katzenberger, in 1897-8, compiled a catalogue containing five hundred and seventy-five pages, and in 1908 he published a second directory of members, with illustrations, containing three hundred and twenty pages. The amount of work involved in the compilation of these two volumes was stupendous, requiring accurate and painstaking care and countless hours of preparation of manuscript and reading of DARKE COUNTY - 227 proof. Several thousand volumes of each edition were pur chased by members located in various parts of the world. In the autumn of 1897 Mr. Katzenberger was nominated on the Republican ticket for representative to the General As sembly, and made a fair race in a county overwhelmingly Democratic. Subsequently he refused several nominations for public offices, preferring to participate only in conventions and on the stump. For a period of ten years or more, he has serve,- as treasurer of the vestry of St. Paul's Episcopal church of Greenville; is one of the directors and since 1900 secretary of the Greenville Building Company; for about ten successive years a councilor of the American Institute of Civics; a life member of the Harvard Germanic Museum and of the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society. Since its organization, he has been a member of the Greenville Historical Society; and for several years was its president, during which time boulder, with bronze tablet inscription, commemorating the: treaty of Greenville, was placed in a suitable site, and also a large granite shaft, with bronze tablet, commemorating the erection of a fort by Gen. Arthur St. Clair at Fort Jefferson. Mr. Katzenberger has spent considerable time and money enlarging a varied collection of relics and curios acquired during a period of thirty years by his father and uncle Anthony and which was for many years kept in rooms above the oh Katzenberger grocery. This collection was removed to the basement of the Carnegie Library and placed in the custody of the school board, who appointed Charles L. Katzenberger honorary curator, and Frazer Wilson, A. C. Robeson and the subject of this sketch curators. The museum now contain: about forty cases of objects of general and historical interest carefully arranged and catalogued by Charles L. I berger. Fraternally, Mr. Katzenberger, soon after attaining his majority, became a member of the Masonic order, and was for many years an officer of the blue lodge. He also served as treasurer and now is secretary of the chapter of Royal Arch Masons and also recorder of the council of Royal and Select Masters, while in the Scottish Rite of the order he has attained to the thirty-second degree, belonging to the consistory at Cincinnati. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Improved Order of Red Men and Unted Commercial Travelers. At the acre of ten years. while on a visit to Germany. Mr. 228 - DARKE COUNTY Katzenberger was an interested observer of the fall maneuvers of the army, witnessing a grand parade which passed in review before Emperor William I, and from that time he has taken a deep interest in military affairs. In 1907, on his return from a ten weeks' business trip to Europe, he entered the National Guard of Ohio, to which he was impelled by a sense of duty after reflecting on the military superiority of the countries of Europe. He was first appointed a staff officer, with the rank of second lieutenant, but was afterwardspromotedd to adjutant of the First battalion, Third regiment infantry, in which capacity he participated in the war maneuvers at Fort Benjamin Harrison, near Indianapolis, in 1908, and at the national shoot at Camp Perry, Ohio, in 1909. In 1910 he was made first lieutenant of Company M, of the Third regiment and assumed command on the resignation of its captain, being subsequently elected and commissioned to that position. While in command, his company was ordered to Columbus during the strike riots there, being on duty in various parts of the city and patrolling extensive lines of suburban railways whose tracks had been damaged by explosives and by the removal of rails. His company also participated in the maneuvers at Fort Benjamin Harrison in 1910 and at other events, such as the Preble county centennial, Wright brothers' celebration at Dayton, and the like. At the Camp Perry rifle range he has won two bronze medals for markmanship with rifle and one for excellency in revolver shooting. He has contributed a number of articles of a military nature to local newspapers, and under his command the company's strength was increased from thirty-nine men to sixty-two. Eventually, however, finding that his military duties were interfering too much with other and more remunerative occupations, he reluctantly resigned in 1911. He is now a member of the Military Service Institution of the United States, the American Red Cross, the United States Infantry Association and the Society of American Officers. In 1894 Mr. Katzenberger wrote a review of the life and works of David Dudley Field for the Chicago Law Journal. At odd times he has written much for the local press, but his most interesting biographical work is a fifty-page account of Major David Ziegler, the first mayor of Cincinnati. His collection of Wayniana and his variety of engravings of Joan of Arc are not equalled in this country. In his youth Mr. Katzenberger was interested in collecting coins and postage stamps, DARKE COUNTY - 229 but in later years he has, as diversions, turned his attention toward history, the writing of articles for the local press, criticisms and reviews of concerts and lectures, collections of engravings, rare books, etc. In June, 1899, Mr. Katzenberger married Grace Miesse, a young lady of solid merit and varied accomplishments, and who is a popuar member of the circles in which she moves. She is a talented musician, an ideal matron, and possesses to a notable degree those graces of head and heart which have won for her the love of all who know her. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, to which she is eligible through her descent from Daniel Miesse, who served in a Pennsylvania regiment in the war for independence. In 1901 Mrs. Katzenberger made a trip to Germany, remaining there for several months. To Mr. and Mrs. Katzenberger have been born four children, two sons, Charles and George, and two daughters, Catherine and Martha. Personally, Mr. Katzenberger is a genial and unassuming gentleman, whose social disposition and clean character have commended him to the good opinion of all who know him. In every avenue of activity in which he has engaged he has faithfully performed every duty incumbent upon him and is deserving of the high standing which he enjoys in the community where practically his entire life has been spent. Mrs. Katzenberger is a charter member of the Altrurian club, Is also an active member of St. Paul's Episcopal church. Is a granddaughter of Dr. Gabriel Miesse, pioneer physician and surgeon of Greenville. OTHNEIL SMITH SIMPSON. The nceessity for skilled professional men in the druggist business is universally recognized, and has brought into it some of the most alert minds of the country. Othneil Smith Simpson of Arcanum, Ohio, a member of the firm of Simpson & Cline, is one of the best pharmacists of Darke county, and a man who thoroughly appreciates the responsibilities resting upon them. He was born at Arcanum, Ohio, September 28, 1887, a son of Jesse W. and Lydia Luella (Schlecty) Simpson, natives of Ohio. The paternal grandparents were John Wesley and Elizabeth (Fourman) Simpson, natives of Pennsylvania. The grandfather was a farmer who brought his family to 230 - DARKE COUNTY Darke county, Ohio, at a reasonably early day, and locating in Twin township, there developed a farm and reared his ,children. Both he and his wife died on this property when well along in years. Their children were: Mary, Opher, Susanna, Jesse, William, Jennie and several who died in infancy. The maternal grandfather, Samuel Schlecty, married a Miss Arnold, and they became early settlers of Twin township, Darke county, Ohio, where they located on a farm. She died in middle age, but he survived her many years. Their children were as follows: Mary, Joseph, Lydia, Lucella, John and two other sons. The grandmother was the first wife of Samuel Schlecty, and after her death he married and had two children, Lota and a son. Following the death of his second wife he married a third time. Jesse W. Simpson, father of O. S. Simpson, was born at Arcanum, where he was reared and educated. Here he learned the trade of a carpenter and developed into being a contractor, loth he and his wife were earnest members of the United brethren church and lived up to their religious belief. Their children were: Othneil, Annie, Warren, Earl and Grace. Othneil Smith Simpson had a boyhood that was very like that of his schoolmates, for he grew up at Arcanum amid normal surroundings, and after he had finished his course in the grammar schools, he entered the high school of Arcanum, and was graduated therefrom in 1908. Having decided upon his career, he entered Starling, Ohio, Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, and was graduated therefrom in pharmacy in 1910. Following this he clerked for B. F. Carter at Arcanum, until August 9, 1912, when he and Fred Cline formed a partnership and bought the business owned by Mr. Carter, the new firm becoming Simpson & Cline and continuing as such to the present day. The young men have a finely appointed store and control an excellent trade, their patrons appreciating first-class service and skilled attention. Mr. Simpson was married August 21, 1910, to Elizabeth Greene, a daughter of Martin and Fanny Greene, natives of Ohio, the former of whom died in 1909, but the latter survives, Mrs. Simpson having been their only child. Mrs. Simpson makes her influence felt in the Methodist church of Arcanum, of which she is a valued member. Ithaca Lodge No. 295, F. & A. M., holds Mr. Simpson's membership. He is a Democrat in political faith, but has not had either the time or inclination to enter politics actively. DARKE COUNTY - 231 WILLIAM R. HAGEMAN. As the poet has truly said, "Breathes there a man with soul so dead who never to himself hath said, this is my own, my native land?" for each and everyone cherishes in his heart a love for his native place that nothing can eradicate. No matter where he goes; what sights he sees; what honors other countries or cities bestow upon him, deep down in his heart lingers that desire for the place that gave him birth. History proves this; men are constantly giving practical demonstrations of their love not only by costly gifts in the days of their wealth, but by years of steady and persistent efforts along business lines to forward the prosperity of their birthplaces. William R. Hageman of New Madison, Ohio, is one of the men who believes that there is no place better for a man to succeed than the one in which he was born, and he is proving it every day of his life in the conduct of his department store, and his public-spirited actions as a citizen. He was born at New Madison, Ohio, September 3, 1856, a son of James F. S. and Anna (Pearce) Hageman, a full sketch of whom is in this volume and will be found interesting reading. William R. Hageman was brought up in his native city and learned to love it in his home, for his parents were loyal to it. Its schools educated him until the age of fifteen years, when he began working by the month for a time, when he engaged with his father and continued with him for two years, learning the carpenter trade. His energies were next directed toward operating a restaurant, which he conducted in partnership with his brother Thomas O. for six months, at which time he purchased his interest, and remained alone for over a year. At that time he sold and, buying a team, alternated teaming and farming for another year. For the subsequent two years he worked at his trade, and then clerked for N. Townsend in his general store for two and one-half years. Liking the mercantile business, he engaged with Washington Warren for six months, when feeling that he had mastered the details of this line, he bought, in the fall of 1883, a bankrupt stock of groceries, and thus founded a business that he carried on for five years. In 1888, he bought a corner lot and he and his father built his present large department store building, in which he has carried a full and varied line of goods ever since. About 1910 Mr. Hageman took as a partner his chief clerk, Ezra Price, changing the firm name to Hageman 232 - DARKE COUNTY & Price. In the spring of 1913 extensive changes were made in the store building, the main structure now being a two-story building 44x85 feet, to which a wareroom gives added floor space of 15x24 feet. In addition to his mercantile business, Mr. Hageman is interested in the New Paris Telephone Company and on its board of directors. He is president of the New Madison Electric Light Company; president of the New Madison Building and Loan Association; vice-president of the Farmers' Banking Company, and owns an elegant residence which he built in 1899. A man of keen business instincts, he has carried on his operations honorably and above hoard, and has developed into a broad-gauged, progressive, farsighted man whose connection with a concern insures its -access. In addition to maintaining his prestige as one of the leading business men of New Madison, Mr. Hageman has found time to give the city his services in the council for several years, and has been its treasurer, while for many years he was a valued addition to the school board of New Madison. On June 4, 1885, Mr. Hageman was united in marriage with Miss Mary Elva Bowman, a daughter of George W. and Phoebe Jane (Noggle) Bowman. Mr. and Mrs. Hageman have had three children, namely: Cloda Lorella, who married Warren M. Duffield, a farmer of Harrison township, has one slaughter, Mary Elizabeth; Edgar Franklin, who died at the age of nineteen years, was a graduate of the New Madison high school, and having taken a year's course at Oberlin College, was preparing to return to that institution, when he was stricken with acute Bright's Disease, and died September 12, 1912; and Lucile Idella, who is at home. The death of young Mr. Hageman was not only a sad blow to his family, but it to ok from New Madison one of its rising young men, who, if he had lived, would doubtless have proven himself worthy of his family and native place. Mr. and Mrs. Hageman and two children belong to the Universalist church. He is a member if Fort Black Lodge No. 546, Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a Democrat, and stanch in his support of party measures and principles. Mrs. Hageman was born in Harrison township. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Abraham Bowman, married Mary Bowman, both being natives of Pennsylvania. A history of the Bowman family is given under the name of D. W. Bowman, which will be found elsewhere in this work. The maternal grandfather of DARKE COUNTY - 233 Mrs. Hageman was Michael Noggle and he married Mary Mote. He was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, while she was born in Harrison township, Darke county, Ohio. George Noggle, the maternal great-grandfather, came to Darke county in 1812. JAMES FINLEY STOUT HAGEMAN. True greatness does not always consist in the taking of cities or the conquest of new lands. By far is it greater for a man to make a place in his community for him and his family; to uphold by precept and example, law and order; to give of his strength and ability toward a betterment of civic conditions, and to endeavor at all times to live up to his convictions, than to try and command the applause of the multitudes by spectacular achievements. Fame may be gained in an hour; the confidence and respect of life-long association is of long growth, but it lives, while the hero of today may be forgotten tomorrow. J. F. S. Hageman of New Madison, Ohio, is one of the best examples of a solid, reliable, steadfast man Darke county has known. His life has been filled with earnest efforts and quiet accomplishments, and now in his declining years he is crowned, not with the laurel leaves of victory, but with the true friendship of those who know that in him his community has a good citizen, a solid business man and honorable gentleman. He was born December 15, 1834, at Sharonville, Hamilton county, Ohio, a son of Adron and Elizabeth (Pittman) Hageman, natives of Ohio. But little is known of the paternal grandfather of J. F. S. Hageman, although it is known that he was born of German parentage in the State of Pennsylvania, and followed farming as a calling. Among his children were: Simon, George, William, Jonathan, Squire and several daughters. The sons moved to Miami county, Ohio, settling on adjoining farming properties. The maternal grandfather was Joshua Pittman, who became an early settler of Hamilton county, Ohio, and there farmed and died. He had three children, namely: Elizabeth, Rebecca and William. Adron Hageman grew to manhood in Hamilton county, Ohio, and learned the chairmaking trade, but only lived to be thirty-five years old, dying at that age at Sharonville, Ohio, in 1839. His widow survived him many years, aged seventy- 234 - DARKE COUNTY five years. After his death she married William Biddle. By her first marriage there were five children: Julia, who married Daniel Wilt of New Madison, is now a widow; Priscilla, who is the wife of William Ulm, was formerly married to Isaac Ault, and she is now residing with her second husband at New Madison; James F. S., Randolph Foster, who is deceased, and one who died in childhood. By her second marriage, Mrs. Biddle had two children, namely: Rebecca, who lives at New Madison, and Cecelia, who is the widow of Wilson Broderick, who died in 1913. Adron Hageman was a Methodist in religious faith, but his wife belonged to the United Brethren church. J. F. S. Hageman came to Darke county, Ohio, in 1839, immediately following his father's death, being then but five years old, and for the next ten years lived on a farm two and one-half miles southeast of New Madison in Butler township. During this period he attended the schools of his district. Teachers were allowed to qualify in those days at a much earlier age than now, and Hr. Hageman was a mere lad when he began teaching, but after presiding over a school for two terms, he began learning the carpenter trade, and followed it for about a quarter of a century. In 1856 he came to New Madison, and for the past thirty-seven years has been a druggist of this city, and has the distinction of being the oldest living merchant of New Madison. During the Civil war he belonged to the Home Guards, and although he could not go into the field himself, he provided a substitute. In the fall of 1855, Mr. Hageman married Miss Anna Pearce, a daughter of Greenbrier and Elizabeth (Curtis) Pearce, and they became the parents of nine children, namely: William R., who is one of the leading merchants of New Madison; Thomas O., who died unmarried, was a druggist; Sarah Elizabeth, who married Thomas Banks, lives at Muncie, Ind., and has two children, Ethel and Inez; Ida, who died in girlhood; Charles, who is railroad agent at Cambridge City, Ind., married Ida McClair, and has one child, Ganelle; Adron, who is employed on the Big Four railroad at Delaware, Ohio, married May Thuyer, and has one child by that marriage, but none by his second marriage with Fanny Darwood; Mabel, who married George Young, died, leaving six children, Beatrice, Edna, Jasper, George, John and William (twins) ; Marry, who is a railroad man of Chicago, Ill., married and has five children, Edgert, Edna, Frances, Marion and one un- DARKE COUNTY - 235 named; and Richard, who is agent for the Panhandle railroad at Milford Center, Ohio, married Ella Coates, and has four children, Ralph, Goldie, Harry and Hazel. Mrs. Hageman died September 20, 1911, aged nearly seventy-five years. Ai one time she was a member of the United Brethren church. Her parents were natives of Maryland, where. she was also born, but became early settlers of Darke county, Ohio, where they died, having had nine children as follows: William, Mary Charles, Elizabeth, Thomas, Wilson, Marion, Jane and on who died in childhood. Mr. Hageman is a Democrat in his political views, and was mayor of New Madison, but resigned. For nine years lie served on the school board of New Madison, and was a member of the city council for six years. For two terms he administered the finances of the city as treasurer; was a justice of the peace for fifteen years, and is now serving in his thirty- second year as a notary public. JOHN C. COBLENTZ The best men for public are those who have made a success of their private affairs, for a municipality is only a huge commercial concern of divergent interests. So many fail to get the proper perspective of civic duties, and imagine that they can be performed without any special fitness for the job. That this is not true, many disastrous administrations prove conclusively. However, John C. Coblentz of New Madison is a man who understands the business of conducting public offices, and in him his community has had the best kind of a mayor, councilman and clerk, and Darke county is now profiting from his sage advice, and keen judgment, as he is a member of its county board. As a private citizen he conducts a livery and deals in agricultural implements, and as business man and public official he lives up to his ideas of what is right. He was born in Butler township, Darke county, Ohio, October 15, 1862, a son of Harrison and Caroline (Hittle) Coblentz, natives of Darke county, Ohio. George and Eva (Fouts) Coblentz, the paternal grandparents of John C. Coblentz, were early settlers of Darke county, Ohio, although he was born in Frederick county, Maryland, in 1812, and she in North Carolina. Locating in 236 - DARKE COUNTY Butler township upon their migration, these grandparents cleared and improved a farm near Otterbim church, and died upon it at the age of eighty-one years. His wife died at New Madison, Ohio, aged sixty-five years. They had ten children a follows: Kate, Mary, Ezra, Harrison, Susan, Elizabeth, George, John, Jane and Ellen. Nicholas and Elizabeth (Terischman) Hittle, the maternal grandparents, were natives of Wurtenburg, Germany, who came to Dayton, Ohio, in either 1820 or 1822, becoming later early settlers of Darke county. They had two children—Caroline and Celia A. Mrs. Hittle was the widow of a Mr. Schmidt when she married Mr. Hittle, and had had three children by her first marriage, namely: William, Jesse and Elizabeth. After the death of Mr. Hittle, he married a third time, being united with William Miller. Harrison Coblentz was reared within half a mile of his present farm, and has been a farmer and stockman all his life. In addition to making a success of his agricultural ventures, he mound time to hold the majority of the township offices, having been township treasurer for twenty-seven years; a member of the school board for many years, and for twenty years was a member of Darke County Agricultural Society. For a numher of years he was one of the pillars of the old Otterbein United Brethren church, of which he and his wife have been members since childhood. They have had four children, namely: John C., Elizabeth, who is the wife of A. H. Judy of Fredericksburg, Va.; Kate, who is the wife of C. C. Brawley of Greenville, Ohio, and Frank, who resides at Dogue, Va. John C. Coblentz grew up on his father's farm and attended the old school No. 5. Until he was married, he remained at home, but upon that occasion, he moved on a farm of his own comprising one hundred and five acres in Butler township, one-half of which was given him by his father, and conducted it from 1884 until 1899, a period of fifteen years. In the latter year he moved to New Madison and purchased the business if C. C. Brawley, at which time he formed a partnership with Albert Harter for the purpose of handling agricultural implements and stock. This association continued until 1906, when Mr. Coblentz took sole charge of the implement and livery business and his partner assumed charge of the stock business, the firm having been heavy shippers of live stock, and they are conducting separate concerns. On January 17, 1884, Mr. Coblentz was married to Miss Isalinea E. Wilt, a daughter of Daniel M. and Julia A. (Hage- DARKE COUNTY - 237 man) Wilt, and they became the parents of three children: Estella P., who married Walter Thomas, lives at New Madison, and has one son, Dyer C.; J. Warren, who works for his father in the implement business, married Grace Welbaum, and has two children, Maxine and John, and Edgar, who conducts the livery department, married Merlie Shumaker, and has one child, Clay. Mrs. Coblentz is a member of the Universalist church. Fraternally, Mr. Coblentz belongs to the Fort Black Lodge No. 413, F. & A. M.; Fort Black Lodge No. 546, Knights of Pythias, and to Big Foot Lodge No. 14, Improved Order of Red Men. In political faith he is a Democrat and is the present acting mayor of New Madison, having served previously during two terms in the same office. He is in his third term as a member of the village council, being its president, and was clerk of Butler township for four years. In November, 1912, he was elected commissioner of Darke county. Mrs. Coblentz was born in Butler township, Darke county, Ohio, where her father was born in 1822, and died in 1909. Her mother was born at Darrtown, Ohio, in 1829, and is still living, making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Coblentz. The children born to Daniel M. and Julia A. Wilt were: Elizabeth, Mary, Lafayette, Theodore, Weller J., Adrian H., Irvin, Isalina E. and Elmer. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Coblentz was John Wilt, who married Margaret Manier, natives of Pennsylvania and Ireland, respectively. They became early settlers of Darke county, Ohio, coming here and making their home in the midst of dense woods. The maternal grandfather was Adrian Hageman, and he married Elizabeth Pittman, both being natives of Ohio. THOMAS JEFFERSON HOSTETTER. Honored and respected by all, there is no man in Ansonia who occupies a more enviable position than Thomas Jefferson Hostetter in financial and business circles, not alone on account of the brilliant success which he has achieved, but also because of the honorable, straightforward policy he has ever followed. Mr. Hostetter possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution, and his close application to business and his excel- 238 - DARKE COUNTY cent management have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which is today his. For more than a quarter of a century he was connected with one of the leading business establishments of the city, an enterprise which he assisted to organize and build up, and his financial affairs have also been extensive, he being at this time vice-president of the Citizens' yank. Aside from his personal interests, he is a man who constantly has the welfare of his community at heart, and whose signal services have aided materially in progress and advancement. Mr. Hostetter was born in Richland township, Darke county, Ohio, November 14, 1849, and is a son of Isaac and Hannah (Hager) Hostetter. The paternal grandparents of Thomas J. Hostetter were natives of Switzerland, who, on emigrating to the United states, settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where they engaged in agricultural operations until they died at advanced ages. The Hager family was intimately associated with the early history of Maryland, and Hagerstown, in that State derives its name from one of the early progenitors. The maternal grandparents were farming people and passed away in Maryland, when well advanced in years, having been the parents of a number of children, among whom were Hiram, Samuel, Michael, Hannah and Caroline. Isaac Hostetter was reared in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and in young manhood adopted the profession of medicine. He came to Ohio and settled in Darke county among the pioneers, being one of the first physicians in the county, and practiced while living on his farm, two and one-half miles east of Beam sville, and later in Beamsville during the latter years of his life. He died in the spring of 1861, aged fifty years, while his wife survived him some time and died in 1866, when she was fifty-one year old. They belonged to the German Reformed church and were kindly Christian people. In 1845 Doctor Hostetter was made a major general in the State militia, and also about that time was a member of the State Legislature. There were six children in the family: Hiram H., who is deceased; Selinda A., deceased, who was the wife of William H. Stahl; Elizabeth, the wife of Harry Alton of Monegaw Springs, Mo.; Samuel A. of Greenville, Ohio; Thomas J., Franklin P. of Osceola, Mo., and one who died in infancy. Thomas Jefferson Hostetter was reared in Darke county, and this has always been his home. He was about two years old when his parents left the farm and moved to Beamsville, DARKE COUNTY - 239 and here he grew to manhood, attending the public scho there and also spending one winter in the schools of Greenville. Securing a teacher's certificate, he taught school for on term, but gave up educational work when he and his brother Samuel A. Hostetter, formed a partnership and engaged in the drug business at Ansonia, this connection lasting for upwards of twenty-five years. At the end of that period his broth retired from the business to accept the cashiership of the Second National Bank of Greenville. Mr. Hostetter continue to conduct the business alone until 1903, when he turned over to his sons, Roy E. and Earl, the latter of whom still carries on the establishment. In 1898 Mr. Hostetter was o of the organizers of the Citizens' Bank of Ansonia, and its first president. It was organized as a private bank with capital of $10,000, but in 1905 was reorganized under the State banking laws and with a capital stock of $25,000. Its press; officers are: C. W. Wolf, president; T. J. Hostetter, vice-president, and F. S. Kiser, cashier. The well established and unassailable reputation of the vice-president for integrity sound judgment and financiering ability have brought deposits from all sources. He is familiar with the theory and practice of banking, a broad-minded, far-seeing financier with mental grasp and remarkable penetration. On December 5, 1874, Mr. Hostetter was married to Miss Juliette Baughman, who was born in Brown township, Darke county, Ohio, daughter of Henry and Mary (Studebaker): Baughman, and granddaughter of William Baughman. 1:i father was a native of Germany and her mother of Dar county, Ohio, and both are now deceased. Their children were as follows: Emeline, Caroline, Juliette, Mary A., Franklin, Ida Irene, May and Lawrence E. To Mr. and Mrs. Hostetter there have been born four children: Estella, who married H. E. Rall and has two children, Estelle LeVon a I Harland E.; Roy, who served in the United States army dc ing the war with Spain and also participated in the Boer w: now physical director in the schools of Pasadena, Cal., married in August, 1913, to Miss Hilda Hanson; Earl, st l l engaged in the drug business at Ansonia, married Bertha Bryson, and U. G., a traveling salesman who makes his horn: in Chicago. Mr. Hostetter belongs to the German Reformed church amnd his wife to the Christian church, and both have been active and liberal in supporting religious and charitable movements. DARKE COUNTY - 239 A sociable, genial man, Mr. Hostetter enjoys thecompanionshipp of his fellows, and is popular among his fellow members in Ansonia Lodge No. 488, F. & A. M., of which he served for two terms as master. In political matters a Democrat, he has been township treasurer on several occasions, has served also as corporation treasurer, was a member of the school board for a long period and for more than six years has been a member of the county board of visitors. His official service has been characterized by a consistent adherence to high ideals of public service and a conscientious effort to givetot his services the same attention which has made him so successful in the business and financial world. Few men have done more for their community; none hold greater respect and confidence. EDWIN ELLMORE MEYERS, M. D. The services of professional men are being enlisted in cicvic platters all over the country, for the people are beginning to realize that the trained mind is better capable of properly solving municipal problems than those who have never had to bring to bear upon their work concentrated effort. None of the learned professions, however, have contributed so many earnest and public-spirited men as that of medicine, and in Dr. Edwin Ellmore Meyers of New Madison, Ohio, Darke county finds one of its most useful and efficient citizens. As as physician and as a man Doctor Meyers measures up well according to the standards of wholesome living and high thinking, and his practice shows that he has not been found wanting when weighed in the balance of public opinion with regard to his professional skill and capability. Doctor Meyers was born in Neave township, Darke county, Ohio, March 27, 1866, a son of William and Lydia (Tillman) Meyers, natives of Butler county and Darke county, Ohio, respectively. Joseph and Lavina (Shafer) Meyers, the paternal grandparents of Doctor Meyers, were born in Pennsylvania, but became early settlers of Twin township, Darke county, Ohio, where they located on a farm in the immediate vicinity of Arcanum, and there they rounded out useful lives, dying in old age. They had the following children: William, Mary, Maria, Louisa, David, Susan, Joseph and Hannah. Henry Tillman was the maternal grandfather, and he married Rachel DARKE COUNTY - 241 Townsend. The Tillman family came from North Carolina,. but Rachel Townsend was horn in Ohio. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Tillman located in Preble county, but later went to Darke county, where he became a heavy landowner, devoting his active life to farming, although in his declining years he moved to Greenville, Ohio, and there died a few years ago when nearly ninety years old. His wife passed away in young womanhood, having borne him two children, Noah and Lydia. Darke county, Ohio, was the home of William Meyers, the father of Doctor Meyers, from the time he was eight years old, and here he grew to manhood, devoting himself to attendance upon the district school and acquisition of the rudiments of farming. The latter calling appealed to him, and he devoted his life to it, becoming the owner of eighty-seven acres of land in Neave township. This property he improved until it was very valuable, and he died upon it in 1877, aged thirty-three years. His widow survives him, being now sixty-nine years old. She is a member of the Methodist church which he attended in company with her. While not a politician in any sense of the word, William Meyers held a number of township offices and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. He and his wife were the parents of two children, namely Doctor Meyers, and his brother, Sylvester A., who is operating the homestead in Neave township. Doctor Meyers was not content with attending the schools of his district in Neave township, but took the high school course at Greenville, the normal course at Lebanon, Ohio, and then entered the University of Illinois at Champaign, ,ll., Having thus made ample provision for competent work, he taught school for four years, when he decided to expand still further, and taking up the study of medicine, was graduated from the Electic Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1889, beginning his practice at Painter Creek, Ohio. In 1895, he left there for New Madison, and has been in an active practice here since 1896. On May 1, 1889, Doctor Meyers was united in marriage with Olive Opdyke, a daughter of Francis and Elizabeth (Hagar) Opdyke, and they have one daughter, Hazel. Mrs. Meyers belongs to the United Brethrenchurchh. Doctor Meyers is a member of Fort Black Lodge, F. & A. M., and to Laura Lodge No. 594, Knights of Pythias. Professionally (61) he is a member of the Ohio State Electic Medical Association, and the Electic Medical Association. Mrs. Meyers was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, which state also gave her parents birth. Her mother died in 1911, but her father resides on a farm in Montgomery county, Ohio. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Opdyke were: Anna, Olive, Albert, William, Clara, Edith, Sylvia, Elmer and Ethel. MILTON R. MILLETTE. Recognizing the fact that on the journalistic field there is plenty of room for men with brains and vim, the young man whoes name appears at the beginning of this review has chosen for his vocation the newspaper profession, with what degree of success is shown in his present well-kept establishment and the large business which he has built up. The editor and publisher of a newspaper occupies a vantage ground from which he may make or mar reputations or build up or tear down causes worthy of public approval and support. Not only the city of Ansonia, but the surrounding country in Darke c unty has reason for congratulation that the Ansonia Herald is in such safe, clean and thoroughly reliable hands. Mr. \l illette is a native son of Ansonia, and was born January 16, 1890, a son of William K. and Frances (Arbaugh) Millette. The paternal great-grandparents of Milton R. Millette were John and Sybil (Potter) Millette, the former born in Connecticut and the latter a native of New York, where they were married. They came to Darke county, Ohio. among the earliest settlers, when Indians still frequented the community. This John Millette named the village of Ithaca, Darke county, Ohio. Later they moved to the vicinity of Portland, Ind., where Mr. Millette purchased a farm, in the cultivation of which he spent the remainder of his life. While still a resident of Darke county, Mr. Millette served as justice of the peace and postmaster at Ithaca. Wesley Millette, the grandfather of Milton R. Millette, was born September 29, 1836, at Ithaca, Darke county, Ohio, and was married to Sarah Wilson, who was horn south of Greenville, in this State. He was a wagon maker by trade, and worked at that occupation at Greenville, Rose Hill and Ansonia, and still resides at the last named place. He and his wife were the parents of four children: DARKE COUNTY - 243 Frank E., William K., Charles C. and a daughter who died in infancy. The maternal great-grandparents of Mr. Millette were Samuel and Jane (Gibson) Arbaugh, who had a large family of children, among them Valentine, William, Perry George, Joseph, Samuel, Jennie, Lizzie, Ella and Peggy. Valentine Arbaugh married Margaret Hanlin, both being natives of Jay county, Indiana, where Mrs. Arbaugh died. They had a small family, including Frances and several who died as children. William K. Millette was born at Greenville, Ohio, November 6, 1864, and as a lad of two years accompanied his parents to Jay county, Indiana, where for two years he lived on a farm. He then came back to Darke county, Ohio, and spent three years in Greenville and a year and a half in Rose Hill before settling permanently in Ansonia, which is now his home. After completing his education in the public schools of Ansonia, he learned the trade of barber, which he has followed for over thirty years, and has also been well known in musical circles as instructor of the Ansonia Concert Band, with which organization he has been connected for twenty years. On January 3, 1889, Mr. Millette married Miss Frances Arbaugh, daughter of Valentine and Margaret (Hanlin) Arbaugh and they had one child, Milton R. Milton R. Millette was reared in Ansonia, and here attended the public schools until he was twelve years of age, at which time he learned the trade of printer, and has made this his life work. He entered the employ of the Ansonia Herald in the capacity of "devil," but has advanced rapidly, and on April 1, 1909, became proprietor of this paper. On January 5, 1909, Mr. Millette was married to Miss Pearl Woods. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Flo (Moore) Woods. She is a graduate of the Ansonia high school. Her paternal and maternal ancestors were early settlers of Darke and Miami counties, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Millette are the parents of two sons, Richard H., now three years of age, and James Thomas, one and one-half years old. It is a progressive Democratic weekly, enjoying the support of a wide circle of readers and advertisers and under the capable management of Mr. MiIlette has grown to become a distinct influence in the community. In no avenue of business do men become so widely known as journalism, not always as personalities, perhaps, but as influ. ences, their printed thoughts speaking to thousands where their spoken ones could reach perhaps but a score. Hen:: 244 - DARKE COUNTY the grave responsibility of the journalist. The power of the press has many times brought reformatory legislation and more than once has changed public policies. Mr. Millette is endeavoring to give his readers a clean, live newspaper, printing the news fully and accurately. His efforts are doing much to advance his community's interests. He also conducts a well-equipped job printing establishment, where first-class work of all kinds is done. Mr. Millette is a member of the Christian church, while his wife is a Methodist. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Castle Hall Lodge No. 356, of Ansonia, and in politics is a progressive Democrat. CHARLES COPPESS. The prestige of the old families of Darke county is unquestioned and members of these representative families have every reason to be proud of their inheritance. Coming to Darke county during its formative period, at a time when Ohio was emerging from the wilderness, members of what are now old families,. had to possess qualities of an unusual nature or they did not survive the discouragements and hardships indissoluably connected with pioneer life. Conquering the foes of civilization, these sturdy pioneers from more eastern States, engrafted upon the new communities many of the desirable customs of their old homes and brought up their children to honor and obey organized authority and strive for moral perfection. To them is due the credit for sowing the seed of Ohio's present high standing and prosperity; their sons and grandsons garnered the harvest and protected it from destruction. One of the men of this portion of the commonwealth who is exceedingly proud of his connection through his ancestors, with the early history of Darke county, is Charles Coppess, dealer in hardware, stoves and implements at Ansonia. He is a native son of the county, having been born in York township, December 15, 1863, a son of John and Fanny (Longenecker) Coppess, and grandson of John and Rhoda (Homey) Coppess and Samuel and Annie (Schwanck) Longenecker. The paternal great-grandfather was Adam Coppess. Adam Coppess, the great-grandfather of Charles Coppess, was born in North Carolina, but being of an adventurous spirit, was willing to brave the dangers of what was then considered DARKE COUNTY - 245 the west, and left his home in the southland for Greene county, Ohio, going from there to Darke county in 1824. With him in his operations, was his son, John Coppess, and they secured government land for which they paid the customary fee of $1.25 per acre. From the property thus secured, they developed and made valuable many acres of land, and on it John Coppess's family was reared. The latter died in Richland township, at an advanced age. He was twice married, his first wife passing away when comparatively young, having borne her husband three children: John, Peter and Paris. After her demise, John Coppess married (second) Mrs. Elizabeth McFarland, whose maiden name had been Stephenson, and she bore him several children, four of whom lived to maturity, namely: Andrew, Adam, Jacob and Franklin, all of whom are now deceased except Adam. By her first marriage, Mrs. Coppess had two children who were named William and James McFarland. While the exact date of the establishment of the Coppess family in the United States is not known, it is a recognized fact that the immigrant ancestor came from Germany. The maternal grandfather of Charles Coppess, Samuel Longenecker, located at an early day in Darke county, on the farm adjoining the elder John Coppess, and upon it Samuel Longenecker died when an old man. He and his wife had the following children: Fanny, Michael, David, John, Daniel, Nancy, Katie and Elizabeth. John Coppess, son of John Coppess, Sr., and father of Charles Coppess, was born in Greene county, Ohio, while his wife was born near Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio. John Coppess was only two years old when his father and grandfather migrated to Darke county, so that practically all his life was spent in this section. Growing up in Richland township, he attended its schools and learned farming with his father. However, when he began operating on his own account he located in York township, there clearing off a farm upon which he resided until he rented it in 1871, and moving back to Richland township, and lived there in retirement until his death in 1888, when he was about sixty-six years old. His widow survived him, passing away on her birthday, July 14, 1895, aged seventy-one years. They had prospered, owning two hundred and ten acres of land which their efforts had made valuable. Both belonged to the Christian church, in which he held various offices, and he was also prominent in the political life of his township, having been for many years a justice of the 246 - DARKE COUNTY peace. John Coppess and wife had three children: Rhoda Ann, deceased, who was the wife of George W Byard; Sarah Emma, who is the widow of J. T. Sproull of Ansonia, and Charles. Charles Coppess grew up as any country lad, alternating attendance on the district schools with healthful work on the farm. After completing his school course, he was a teacher lot a few weeks, but decided that farming was more to his liking, and remained with his parents until his marriage. Following that event he and his bride located on eighty acres of the homestead, which his father had redeemed from the wilderness, and in addition to conducting this property, lie operated the fifty acres on which his parents resided. Both of these properties are now owned by him. Until 1895 he continued to farm them, but in that year moved to Ansonia and embarked in a hardware and implement business with F. M. Tullis, which partnership continued for seven years, when Mr. Coppess purchased the interest of Mr. Tullis and has continued alone ever since. His stock is a complete and varied one and lie enjoys a gratifying patronage from a widespread territory. On October 1, 1885, Charles Coppess married Miss Lydia M. Miller, a daughter of Hiram and Sarah E. (Smith) Miller, and they had the following children: Cora May, who is a graduate of the Ansonia high school, has taught school for two terms; Isaac Russell, who died when nearly nine years old; Minnie Dale, who died at the age of five months, and Cora and Ruth, who are both living with their parents. Mr. Coppess belongs to Ansonia Lodge No. 488, F. & A. M.; to Greenville Chapter No. 77, R. A. M.; to Matchett Council No. 91, R. & S. M.; Coleman Commandery No. 17, K. T.; and was a charter member of Dayton Consistory until he became a member of the Cincinnati Consistory, where he attained to the thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite. He also belongs to Ansonia Lodge No. 605, I. O. O. F. and he and his wife and daughter, Cora, belong to the Eastern Star. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been called upon to discharge the duties of several offices, having been a justice of the peace for sixteen years, nine of them in Richland township, and seven in Ansonia. While residing in Richland township he was also a school director for two terms, and since he was of age he has been a notary public. Upon two occasions he has been sent as a delegate to Democratic congressional conventions and is recognized as one of the leaders of his party in this county. Mrs. Coppers was born in York township, Darke county, DARKE COUNTY - 247 Ohio, where her life has been spent. Her father was also a native of the State, and her mother was born on the David Smith farm in York township. Both are now deceased, but had five children. They too, with the exception of Mrs. Coppess, have passed away. Hiram Miller was a soldier during the Civil war, belonging to the One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio volunteer infantry, and his death occurred while he was home on a sick furlough. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Coppess was William Smith, whose wife was Margaret (Ewry) Smith. They had three children: Sarah Emma, David W. Smith and a daughter who died in childhood. ARTHUR EUGENE SEARLE. The life record of Arthur Eugene Searle, a leading hardware dealer of Ansonia, Ohio, is that of a man who has by his own unaided efforts worked his way upward to a position of affluence. His career has been one of industry and perseverance and the systematic and honorable business methods which he has followed during more than twenty-seven years of commercial life have won him the support and confidence of his fellow citizens. He not only occupies a leading position in the world of trade and commerce, but is also well known among the earnest and public-spirited citizens who are endeavoring to advance the interests of Darke county. Mr. Searle is a New Englander, having been born at East Hampton, Mass., March 12, 184, a son of Samuel A. and Amelia (Gladden) Searle. who were also born in the Bay State. The paternal grandfather of Arthur Eugene Searle, Nathaniel Searle, was born in Massachusetts, as as also his worthy wife, and both died there, the grandmother having attained to the remarkable age of one hundred years, four months and some days. They had a small family: Wiiliam, Aretus, Samuel A., Elizabeth Lawrence and a son who migrated to the west and whose history is lost. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Searle were also natives of Massachusetts,., where they passed their entire lives, the grandfather being eighty-four years old at the time of his demise and the grandmother also passing away when well along in years. In their family of children were included Mary, Thomas and Amelia. Samuel A. Searle was reared in Massachusetts, where he received ordi- 248 - DARKE COUNTY nary educational advantages, and made his home on a farm between Westfield and East Hampton until coming west, when he settled at Sidney, Ohio, and for some time was engaged in contracting. In 1854 he brought his family to Darke county and settled at Dallas (now Ansonia) and there continued to follow contracting until 1863, at which time he made removal to Greenville, in which city he lived until 1871, and while there furnished the brick for the construction of the Turpen hotel. Another contract which shows his skill and good workmanship is the turnpike between Ansonia and Greenville, which he built in company with Moses Hart. Mr. Searle died at Greenville, at the age of fifty-three years, in the faith of the Presbyterian church. During his lifetime he accomplished much, and at all times maintained a high ideal of business fairness and the duties of citizenship. He was married (first) to Amelia Gladden, who died in 1857, at the age of twenty-seven years, and they became the parents of three children: Charles H., a resident of Dayton, Ohio; Samuel D., who died in New York, and Arthur Eugene, of this review. Samuel A. Searle was married (second) to Mrs. Alazanna Smith, the widow of Doctor Smith, and to this union there was born one daughter, Alice A., who is now the wife of Charles A. Watts, a resident of Monticello, Ill. Arthur Eugene Searle was reared in Ansonia, where he was brought as an infant, and attended the public schools of this city and Greenville. An ambitious and industrious youth, he early began assisting his father in his contracting operations, but in 1871 made removal to Iowa City, Ia., and there was engaged in blacksmithing until 1876. At that time he returned to Ansonia, and here for ten years continued to successfully follow his trade. It had always been Mr. Searle's ambition to become the proprietor of a store, and with this end in view he carefully saved his earnings until he had sufficient capital, in 1886, to enter the hardware business, which he has followed continuously for more than a quarter of a century. During this time his excellent business and executive ability, combined with integrity of character, has won him the confidence of his fellow citizens, and public patronage has followed as a logical result. Mr. Searle has justly won the American title of "a self-made man." From early youth he has depended upon his own exertions for a livelihood, and has not only secured a living, but has overcome many obstacles and disadvantages in acquiring a comfortable competence. He is now at the head DARKE COUNTY - 249 of a good business and his success is justly deserved. He is a man of great energy and enterprise, of force of character and resolute purpose, and at all times his business has been conducted along the line of commercial honor and integrity. In his fraternal connection he is affiliated with Ansonia Lodge No. 605, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the encampment of that order, and Ansonia Lodge No. 356, Knights of Pythias. In his political views he is a stalwart Republican, although he has not been an office seeker. With his family, he attends the Methodist Episcopal church and supports its movements. On August 5, 1880, Mr. Searle was united in marriage with Miss Agnes O. Fry, who was born near Fort Jefferson, Ohio, the daughter of Hezekiah and Ellen (Guy) Fry. Her father was also born at Fort Jefferson, but the mother in Pennsylvania, and the latter died at the age of seventy-two years, while Mr. Fry still survives and is making his home with his daughter and son-in-law. Mr. and Mrs. Searle have had five children: Clarence Eugene, sales manager for the Allis-Chalmers Company, at Milwaukee, Wis., married Maude Bourguin and has one son, Bourguin; Thaddeus Guy, a traveling salesman for the Madera Lumber Company, of Madera, Mexico, married Edna Switz; Piatt Fry, a traveling salesman for the Hunefeld Company of Cincinnati, Ohio; Ferrell Gladden, in partnership with his father as junior member of the hardware firm of A. E. Searle & Son, married Charlene Corwin, and Don Aretus, who is attending the Ansonia high school. ELMER ELLSWORTH VANCE. Ansonia has become one of the most thriving and enterprising commercial and industrial centers of Darke county, and its prestige in the business and financial world is due to such men as Elmer Ellsworth Vance, whose efforts toward advancing the material interests of the city are so widely known that they can be considered as no secondary part in his career of signal usefulness. As president of the First National Bank he wields a distinct influence in the field of finance; in the capacity of president of the Electric Light Company he is closely identified with public interests; his contribution to the business life of the city includes a harness making shop and a tobacco store, and in social, political and fraternal circles he is also widely