150 - DARKE COUNTY men in his company from captain down to the rank and file which is proof that the descendants are eligible to the Sons of American Revolution and Daughters of American Revolution. HEZEKIAH WOODS. Fostering a local spirit, striving to make his associates proud of his locality and to awaken in them a realization that they are responsible for its condition, thus starting them on the road to good citizenship, this has been the aim of Hezekiah Woods, of No. 123 West Main street, Greenville, Ohio, especially since he retired from his life work of farming. He was born in Brown township, Darke county, Ohio, December 9, 1849, and is intensely proud of his section. His parents were William and Lucretia (Nevious) Woods, while his grandparents were James and Rebecca (Oliver) Woods, and Albert and Hettie (Bellus) Nevious. James Woods and his wife were both born at Newark, Pa., but became pioneers of Darke county, Ohio, making the trip from the old home to the new in wagons, locating in the timber, on the John North place south of Greenville. The Woods family did not come alone, but were accompanied by two other families, those of Jesse Woods and John Woods, the three being cousins. These three families brought with them forty head of cattle and sixteen horses. James Woods died in Darke county, at Hill Grove, after he had rounded out a long and useful life, in which there was recorded nothing of which he or his descendants need to have been ashamed. His widow survived him many years, passing away at Mingo, Iowa, at the extraordinary age of 104 years. They had a large family, among their children being the following: Hezekiah, Oliver, William, Rebecca, Jane, Washington and Rachel. The maternal grandfather, Albert Nevious, was born in New York State, as was his wife, and they moved to Darke county during its pioneer history, settling first at Fort Jefferson, Ohio, coming to that point from Ligonier, Ind. They died at Fort Jefferson in middle life, having had five children, namely: Joseph, William, David, Lucretia and Pearlina. William Woods and his wife were born in Darke county, Ohio, he being reared at points in Neave and Jackson townships, but the greater portion of his married life was spent DARKE COUNTY - 151 in Brown township, where he owned and operated 240 acres of land upon which he reared his family. His first wife, mother of Hezekiah Woods, died on that farm in 1873, aged fifty-two years, having borne her husband six children: Christopher F., who resides at Union City, Ind.; Enos, who is deceased; Hezekiah, who is of Greenville, Ohio; Benjamin F., who is deceased; Francis Marion, who is deceased; Pearlina, who married John Graham, of Des Moines, Iowa. His second wife was Martha Frazier and they had no children. For years William Woods was a consistent member of the Methodist church, dying in its faith October 26, 1906, aged eighty-two years. His widow survives him. During his active years he held the offices of township trustee and treasurer for several terms and was a man of unblemished character, and highest efficiency whose influence was felt in his community, even after death had removed him. Hezekiah Woods grew to manhood's estate in Brown township, learning how to perform agricultural work while attending the district schools, and so well had he been prepared, and so rapid was his work that he was graduated therefrom in twenty-seven days. After he attained his majority he began working out by the day, although prior to that he had remained at home with his father, but as soon as he was able he bought land in Brown township, to which he added until he owned 140 acres, and lived upon his property until the death of his first wife, when he rented it, and for the following fourteen years was a commercial traveler. He then married a second time, and resumed his agricultural operations, continuing them until in March, 1911, when feeling that he had earned a rest, he once more rented his farm, moved to Greenville, Ohio, and since then has lived in comfort at his pleasant home which he owns. He still owns his farm, and is in very comfortable circumstances, the result of a well-spent, industrious life. The Woods residence is on the identical spot of ground where the treaty of peace was signed between General Wayne and the Indians in 1795, so that it is an interesting point at Greenville. Mr. Woods has always been a practical farmer, and embodied in his work some of the more advanced ideas regarding the performing of agricultural duties, although he does not advocate theoretical farming. A Democrat, he has always taken an active interest in the welfare of his party, but has never sought for public preferment, as he has believed he 152 - DARKE COUNTY could accomplish more by exerting his influence as a private citizen, although he did serve as trustee of Brown township. On October 24, 1872, Mr. Woods was married (first) to Miss Nancy M. Wagner, a daughter of John and Rebecca (Jones) Wagner, who bore him two children: Charles Jefferson, and Mabel Claire. The former is a physician at Darien, Ga., and he married Kate Johnston. Mabel Claire married Frank Eatwell, they live at Mingo, Ia., and have two children, Margaret and Carroll. Mrs. Woods died April 11, 1890, aged forty-four years. On July 25, 1896, Mr. Woods married Miss Mary Lee Sprigg, a daughter of James and Jane (Jordan) Sprigg. Mrs. Woods is a member of the Episcopal church. She was born at Huntsville, Ala., her mother being a native of that State, although her father was born in Maryland, but came to Alabama, where he married. He was a soldier in the Confederate army and was wounded, dying at Camp Chase in 1864. His widow died the following year, having had three children: John, who is deceased; James, who is deceased; and Mary. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Woods, Joseph Sprigg, married Jane Duncan and both died in Maryland, where he was a farmer, having had ten children: Richard, William, James, Joseph, John, Ross, Horace, Joshua, Mary, and Van Lear. STANLEY E. MOTE. Perhaps no profession to which intelligent men devote themselves demands a greater diversity of natural gifts than does the law and those who embrace it as a life work are generally found to be men of ambition whose technical training has made them the peers of their fellow men in intellectual and very often in the most practical paths of usefulness. Stanley E. Mote, who is a member of the bar of Darke county, Ohio, is professionally established in Suite 2, Anderson Block, Broadway, Greenville, with residence at No. 336 Switzer street. He was born at Weaver Station, in Neave township, Darke couny, Ohio, February 12, 1878, and is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth A. (Leas) Mote, and a grandson of Enoch and Catherine (Burkett) Mote. Enoch Mote was born in North Carolina and was brought from there to Darke county in 1804, a child four years old. His parents located near West Milton, securing land in Monroe DARKE COUNTY - 153 township, and there he spent all his active life, in advanced age moving into the village of West Milton, where he subsequently died. His wife, Catherine (Burkett) Mote, was born in Georgia. They were parents of the following children: Mary, who married John Crick; Dilly, who married Abraham Baker and after his death married Levi Burkett; John, Philip, Epsie, who died in infancy; Joseph; Margaret, who married Samuel Giant; and Noah, who died as a soldier in the Civil war. William Leas, the maternal grandfather, with his first wife, was an early settler in Fort Jefferson. He was a man of considerable business enterprise, a farmer, a tanner and a shoemaker. To this manage William Leas had two children born to him: Elizabeth A. and Melissa, the former of whom married Joseph Mote and the latter A. M. Hecker. For his second wife William Leas married a Miss Crane and they had two children: William E. and Mary Ann, the latter of whom married John Hofferbert. Joseph Mote, father of Stanley E. Mote, was born in Darke county, Ohio. During early manhood he taught school when not assisting his father. Early in the progress of the Civil war he enlisted in Company E, 48th Ohio volunteer infantry, and served three years, although he had been reared a Quaker. After his long period of military service he returned to Darke county and resumed school teaching, in which he continued until prepared to engage in merchandising. For a few years he conducted a store at Fort Jefferson and then removed to Weaver Station, where he was a merchant for over thirty years. In 1907 he moved to Greenville and lived retired, stir-rounded by the comforts of life until his death in 1911, at the age of seventy-three years. He occupied a leading place in his community and during almost the entire time that he lived at Weaver Staion, was postmaster as well as express, freight and ticket agent. He married Elizabeth A. Leas, who survives, being now in her seventieth year. She is a member of the Christian Church. Eight children were born to them: Elmer E., who is in business in San Francisco, Cal.; Alvin J., who is a resident of East St. Louis, Ill.; Walter H., who makes his home in Kansas City, Mo.; William E. and John H., both of whom are in business in San Francisco; and Stanley E. and Mabel E., both of whom are residents of Greenville. This widely separated family has -always been noted for its recognition of the ties of kindred and no one member is ever forgotten by brother or sister. 154 - DARKE COUNTY Stanley E. Mote was reared at Weaver Station and was a student in the public schools, afterward taking both a literary and a law course in Ohio Northern University at Ada, from which he was graduated in 1904. In the following year he was admitted to the Ohio bar and immediately entered upon the practice of his profession at Greenville, where he has continued until the present. His practice is general in its character and he has had the satisfaction of being successfully and honorably connected with some very important litigation. His political convictions have caused him to give loyal support to the Republican party but he has been very backward about accepting political recognition, at present serving, however, as clerk of the board of elections. He finds needed relaxation in his fraternal association with the Improved Order of Red Men. Before being admitted to the bar, Stanley E. Mote taught school for five years. All his brothers, as well as his sisters, taught school. Thus one will see that Stanley E. Mote's father and mother, as well as the children, were teachers. Mrs. Stanley E. Mote also was a teacher. On April 26, 1907, Mr. Mote was married to Miss Bessie E. Swadener, who is a daughter of Albert and Jennie (Fields) Swadener, and they have two children, Joseph S. and Alberta. Mrs. Mote is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Mote were Jesse and Wilmuth (Browder) Fields, who were early settlers in this section of Ohio, as were her paternal grandparents. Her father and mother were born in Ohio and at the time of her birth were residents of Darke county. The mother died, but the father survives and now lives at Yellow Springs, Ohio. They had a family of seven children: Frank, Ophus, Viola, Ralph, Bessie E., Nellie, and one who died in infancy. Viola is the wife of Theodore Kuehn. Enoch Mote, grandfather of our subject, came to Darke county about 1824 and developed a farm in Monroe township. The deed for the first land he purchased was signed by John Quincy Adams and the second by Andrew Jackson. Joseph Mote, son of Enoch and father of Stanley E., the subject of our sketch, enlisted for service in the Civil war September 15, 1861, in Company E, 48th Ohio volunteer infantry, as a private, but later was promoted corporal. After three years and two months of faithful and arduous service he was honorably discharged in December, 1864. As a Republican he took an active part in local politics. In 1900 he was a delegate to DARKE COUNTY - 155 the State convention at Columbus and was a delegate when McKinley was nominated for Governor of Ohio. He was assistant sergeant-at-arms of the National Convention at St. Louis in 1896. ROBERT A. SHUFFELTON. Since 1870 Robert A. Shuffelton has been an exceedingly important factor in the commercial life of Greenville, Ohio, during that period displaying remarkable business capacity that called for a wonderfully sysematic mind and great quickness of perception, and now although somewhat retired from his former activities, his advice is sought and acted upon by those who appreciate the value of his experiences and the keenness of his judgment. Mr. Shuffelton was born at Bellefontaine, Logan county, Ohio, November 9, 1844, a son of Josiah and Nancy M. (Shepherd) Shuffelton, and grandson of George and Elizabeth (Hulse) Shuffelton, and John and Nancy (Merrill) Shepherd. George Shuffelton was a native of Pennsylvania, and his wife was also born in the Keystone State, but they came to Bellefontaine, Logan county, Ohio, at a period when it was still under pioneer conditions, and they had to contend with them. A carpenter, he found plenty of work, and built the first jail, going into the timber and cutting the wood for the jail door from one tree, the single slab proving an effective closing for the opening into the small building. In time he became a boss carpenter and was engaged upon many of the buildings at Bellefontaine and nearby points. Both he and his wife lived into an honorable old age, and died highly respected by all who knew him. Their children, ten in number, were: John, George, Josiah, Clay, William, Price, Sicha, Matilda, Emerilla and Druscilla. John Shepherd, the maternal grandfather of Robert A. Shuffelton, was born in North Carolina, but his wife was born in Virginia. He was a Methodist preacher and exhorter, and very eloquent. His ministerial work took them to Bellefontaine early in its history and he passed away at that place in middle life, his widow surviving him until she was ninety-seven years old. They had a large family, among the children being: James, Slith Meade, William, Mary, Arpatia, Martha, Nancy and Lucinda. Josiah Shuffelton was born in Ohio, but his wife was a Vir- 156 - DARKE COUNTY ginian. He first learned the cabinetmaker's trade and followed it for some years, when feeling that he had a better chance as a wagon builder, he learned that calling and followed it and plow maker until his death, being an expert mechanic. When still a small boy, he went to Bellefontaine, where he later met and married his wife and their wedded life extended over a period of sixty-three years, both dying when over eighty-seven years old, this family being a very long-lived one. They were Methodists in religious faith. Robert A. Shuffelton was brought up at Bellefontaine, where he attended the public and high schools, and was about to be graduated from the latter when theCivil war broke out and he left school and enlisted in Company D, 85th Ohio volunteer infantry, serving for four months. At the expiration of his period of enlistment, he re-enlisted in the Second Ohio heavy artillery and served until the close of the war, having participated in a number of important engagements and won promotion to the rank of sergeant. After the close of hostilities, he embarked in the hardware business at Bellefontaine, continuing in it for four years, when he came, in 1870, to Greenville, which has since continued his home. Upon coming to Greenville he established himself in the hardware business on the corner of Broadway and Third street, in the building now occupied by the Oak Restaurant, and was at that location for thirteen years. With the organization of the Second National Bank, Mr. Shuffelton, who was one of the heaviest stockholders, was made its cashier and held that position for five years, when his private interests became so important that he resigned to look after them, he being the owner of a number of business and residence properties at Greenville, his confidence in the city having led him to invest heavily in its realty. Mr. Shuffelton was married (first) to Miss Matilda Allen. a daughter of Dr. James Allen, of London, Ohio. She died in 1876, leaving one daughter, Luella, who married John P. Lucas, superintendent of the city water works of Greenville. Mr. and Mrs. Lucas have a daughter, Mary. On August 23, 1877, Mr. Shuffelton was married (second) to Mrs. Viola E. Palmer, the widow of William Palmer and a daughter of John U. Eyer and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Esty. Mr. and Mrs. Shuffelton are members of the Episcopal Church, of which he was a vestryman and junior warden for years. Fraternally, he belongs to Greenville Lodge No. 143, F. & A. M.; Greenville Chapter No. 77, R. A. M.; Matchett Council No. DARKE COUNTY - 157 91, R. & S. M.; Reed Commandery No. 6, K. T., of Dayton, Ohio; Miami Valley Consistory; and Antioch Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, being a 32d degree Mason. Staunch in his adherence to Republican principles, Mr. Shuffelton has endeavored to do his full duty as a citizen, his intelligence and public spirit bringing him into active co-operation with his fellow townsmen in various movements of the day from the time he came to Greenville, and he can always be relied upon to take an advanced stand, his influence ever being cast on the side of progress. Since he located here, many changes have taken place. His residence at the corner of Fifth and Sycamore streets was built before Fifth street was laid out, and he set out the trees which adorn his property. As an old soldier he takes great pleasure in being a comrade of Jobes Post, G.A.R. Mrs. Shuffelton was born at Dayton, Ohio, but her father was born in Pennsylvania, coming to Dayton when a child. Mrs. Eyer died at Dayton, but Mr. Eyer died at the home of Mrs. Shuffelton at Greenville when he was eighty-one years old. Mr. and Mrs. Eyer had five children: Viola, Cecelia, Albert M., Charles H., and Frank L. The wife of Frank L. Eyer died leaving a son, John Robert, and the infant was taken by Mr. and Mrs. Shuffelton and reared as their own, he now being 19 years old and attending college at Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y., where he hopes to gain proficiency in the particular line of his chosen profession—entomology. WILLIAM JOSEPH IRWIN. Shrewd, alert, careful in looking after his own interests, William Joseph Irwin, a merchant of Greenville, is still a man of whom no one could speak except in terms of the highest praise. Many of his kind and generous acts are hidden from the public for he is modest in disposition and does not care to emblazon his charities to the world. His business, which is located at Nos. 117 to 121 East Fifth street, is one of the leading ones of its kind in Darke county, and his connection with it insures fair dealing and prompt service. He was born at Coberg, Ontario, Canada, February 22, 1859, a son of Stephen and Bridget (Rooney) Irwin, and grandson of William Irwin, and Felix and Celia (Mulligan) Rooney. William Irwin was 158 - DARKE COUNTY a native of Ireland, who came to America in 1844, being shortly followed by his wife, whose first name was Mary, who came as soon as the husband decided upon a permanent place of residence. They located in the vicinity of Dayton, Ohio, where he engaged in farming, and also worked upon the railroad which was in process of construction at that point. There he died at the age of eighty-five years, having lost his wife in middle life. Their children were: Mary, who became a sister at Mount St. Joseph's; Stephen; William; and Bridget. Felix Rooney and his wife died in Canada, having had the following family: William, Daniel, Patrick, Felix, John, Bridget, Rosa, Celia and one unnamed. Stephen Irwin and wife were born in Inniskillen county, Fermanagh, Ireland, he coming to America when sixteen years old, and grew to manhood at Dayton, where he found employment as a brickmaker. From that city he went to Canada and spent some years in the Dominion, marrying there and remaining until three of his children were born, May, Anna, and William J. Once more he located at Dayton, Ohio, and when the Civil war devastated his adopted land, he was not found backward in its defense, for he served it for one year and ten months, in a cavalry regiment. After the war, he moved to West Baltimore, Ohio, and continued brickmaking throughout Montgomery county. His wife died at this point in 1875, being then thirty-eight years old. In 1879 he went to Silver Lake, Minn., and married a Miss Black. Still later, he went to Iowa with his son, W. J. Irwin, assisting him in contract work, but died in a hospital at Dayton, .Ohio, in December, 1906, aged seventy-six years. He and his first wife were Roman Catholics, and in politics he was a Democrat. By his first marriage he had the following children: Mary, who married Carey McNeely, of Greenville, Ohio; Annie, who is the wife of Ed McKee, of Dayton, Ohio; William J., who resides at Greenville, Ohio; Felix, who is a contractor of Greenville, Ohio; John, who was drowned in childhood; James, who is deceased; Rosa, who is deceased; and S. Edward, who was also drowned. By his second marriage Stephen Irwin had one daughter, Louisa. William J. Irwin lived at Dayton, Ohio, until he was nine years old, at which time removal was made by his parents to West Baltimore, Ohio, and he resided there until he was nineteen years old. He then embarked in a business of his own, taking contracts for farm ditching, tiling and other country DARKE COUNTY - 159 work, and planted the first tiling in Muscatine county, Iowa. He also built levees along the Mississippi river, being engaged in some of the most important reclamation work of that day. Returning to Ohio, he settled in Darke county and was engaged in drainage work all over western Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Subsequently he became interested in municipal work and took and executed contracts for the construction of sewers, waterworks and streets for twenty years, operating all the way from New York to Mexico. In 1908 he retired from that line of work, and returned to Greenville, which he has considered his home since 1885, and built a large block in which he opened a furniture store. In connection with this, he has a branch store at Bradford, Ohio, doing an immense business and carrying a full and varied stock of all kinds of furniture. Among some of the important contracts held by him in the past may be mentioned the 247 miles of sewerage put in at New Orleans, and the fifty miles put in at San Antonio, Tex. He has built and owned several excellent properties at Greenville, Ohio, including the Palace store, which he erected in 1901, and his own store, erected in 1906, the latter being a three-story brick structure, reinforced with concrete and steel. In 1894 Mr. Irwin built his residence at No. 451 East Fourth street, and since then has built three more residences. His Bradford store occupies a large building, and he carries a heavy stock at that point as well as at Greenville, all of his goods being first class, as he caters to the very best trade. In addition to his furniture store, Mr. Irwin is further interested at Bradford, as he owns the Dewey Hotel there. A man who received but limited educational advantages, he has made his own way in the world and stands today as one of the best examples of self-made manhood Darke county has ever known. On January 18, 1885, William J. Irwin was unitea in marriage with Miss Catherine Dwyer, a daughter of Martin and Mary Dwyer, and they have had five children: William Joseph, Mary Beatrice, Helen Celia, Catherine A. and Irene. William J., Jr., is in the employ of his father. He married Annie Maher and they have three children, Mary Catherine, Elizabeth Ann, and Jane Frances. The other children of William J. Irwin, Sr., are living with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Irwin are consistent and devout members of the Roman Catholic Church. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Columbus and Elks. Politically, he is a Democrat, but has never sought 160 - DARKE COUNTY public notice, his time being fully occupied with his extensive operations. Mrs. Irwin was born in Darke county, Ohio, but comes of Irish stock, as her parents were born in County Tipperary, Ireland. Her mother died in 1896, and her father the following year, they having had the following family: Thomas, Daniel, William, Frank, Emma, and Catherine, the first three of whom are deceased. Mr. Irwin built the first system of sewers ever built in the Republic of Mexico, while Don Ahuamada was Governor of the State of Chihauhau. JOHN H. FELTMAN. In reviewing the career of any successful man the biographer finds that each one has had some objective point towards which to work for human destiny, like a vessel, if left to float aimlessly, seldom arrives at any desirable harbor, but usually runs aground. With a definite object in view and the will power and ability to direct him, any man, no matter how discouraging his beginning, can achieve something in the world and make his name stand for a fulfilled purpose. John H. Feltman, dealer in flour, feed, grain and agricultural implements at Ansonia, has proven the truth of the above statements in his life, and many times when circumstances have seemed disadvantageous, has encouraged himself with the thought that eventually he would succeed because he was working along strictly honorable lines, owing no man and giving to each one a fair deal. His present prosperity does not come from any inherited wealth of fostering" parental care, for he was left an orphan before he had passed his first milestone, but this lack of family influence has given him self-reliance, sturdiness of character and a determination to win no matter what the odds against him. John H. Feltman was born in Mississinawa township, Darke county, Ohio, June 6, 1866, a son of William Feltman, or as he spelled his name, "Feldermann" according to the German method for he was a native of Hamburg, Germany, where his wife was also born. Coming to the United States in young manhood, William Feltman located in Greenville, Ohio, taking unto himself a wife, and there became one of the prosperous DARKE COUNTY - 161 early merchants of that place. Later he went on a farm in Mississinawa township, and was living there when he was drafted for service as a soldier during the Civil war. He reached Camp Chase but was there stricken with pneumonia, for he was not used to exposure, and died from it, aged about fifty-four years. His wife died about six weeks later, being then about forty-nine years of age. Both were German Lutherans in religious faith. They had had six children, as follows: William, who resides in Wabash township, Darke county; Amelia, deceased, who was the wife of Daniel Thompson; Fred, who resides at Springfield, Ill.; Mary, who is unmarried; Lena L., who married a Mr. Leeleg, now resides at San Francisco, California; and John H. As he was only six months old when left an orphan, John H. Feltman was naturally thrown upon the world, but was fortunate for he was taken by Joseph Zerby, who with his excellent wife, cared for the child as though he had been connected with them by ties of blood, and in time his pleasing characteristics won their love. These foster parents gave the lad educational advantages, Sending him to the schools of Beamsville, where Joseph Zerby conducted a grocery store. As John H. Feltman grew old enough, he assisted in this store, but early developed business ability of no usual order. Recognizing this, Mr. Zerby soon called upon his young charge to make trades for him, and later he went out through the country to buy furs, which were shipped to Fort Wayne and Greencastle. Later John H. Feltman drove a huckster's wagon and traveled about buying poultry. Seeing an opportunity for a good investment, he bought a vacant lot at Beamsville and there fed some stock and poultry to get them into a better shape for the market. He also raised several crops of tobacco upon his land, for this ambitious young fellow was experimenting to find out which line he had better follow. Finally he decided to devote himself to stock buying, and carried on a heavy business in that line for a few years when he married and located on a farm owned by Enos Woods. Two years were spent upon this property, when he felt that he could do better in an urban community, and began shipping stock once more, although at the same time he attended to his father-in-law's farm in Jackson township. His business interests then becoming so heavy, he came to Ansonia, where he continued shipping stock from 1900 to 1901. In the latter year he built an elevator at St. Henry, and operated it for eight months. Re- (11) 162 - DARKE COUNTY ceiving an excellent offer for the property he disposed of it to Fox Hess of Cold Water, Ohio, and returning to Ansonia, Mr. Feltman bought a fourth interest in the elevator and mill owned by W. J. Ross & Company, in 1903. Later Mr. Feltman sold the elevator to C. E. Harmony and a Mr. Marshall, and in 1908, the partnership was dissolved. For the following year Mr. Feltman carried on the milling business, but then discontinued manufacturing flour and embarked in the agricultural implement and grain business which he has since carried on so profitably, having now two places, and buying and selling hay and grain, and dealing in flour, feed, and agricultural implements, as well as gravel, sand, coal, sewer and flue lining, and manufacturing cement blocks. In these various changes it can be readily seen that John H. Feltman has accommodated himself and his business to the changes in public demand, and his far-sighted outlook has often enabled him to grasp opportunities other men have neglected to observe. On October 18, 1893, John H. Feltman was married to Miss Alera B. Rahn, a daughter of George W. and Pauline (Bailey) Rahn. Mr. and Mrs. Feltman became the parents of three children: Lucile L., who was graduated from the Ansonia high schools, class of 1912; George R. and Charles E., who are both attending school at Ansonia. Mr. and Mrs. Feltman connected themselves with the Christian church of Teegarden, Brown township. He belongs to Ansonia Lodge No. 605, I. O. O. F., and also to the Encampment No. 285. Both he and his wife are members of the Rebekahs. Mr. Feltman also belongs to Ansonia Lodge No. 356, K. P. Politically, Mr. Felt-man held to the principles of the Republican party until the candidacy of Mr. McKinley, when he felt that those of the Democratic party more nearly represented his ideas and he has since held to the latter, and is now serving as corporation treasurer and treasurer of the school board, in both offices displaying the same faithful adherence to what he believes is right, as characterizes his private dealings. In addition to his other interests, Mr. Feltman has invested in Ansonia property, now owning three pieces of realty in that community, and his faith in its growth and development is being justified by their advance in value. Mrs. Feltman was born in Brown township, Darke county, Ohio, as were her parents. The latter now reside at Greenville, Ohio. The, children born to George W. Rahn and wife were eight in number and as follows: Alera B., J. Clifford (de- DARKE COUNTY - 163 ceased), Emma, Vermille, Harriet, Opal, Georgiana (deceased), Charles R. George W. Rahn was a son of Levi Rahn. John H. Feltman is proud of the fact that he is essentially a self-made man, although he gives due credit to the training of his foster parents with whom he remained until he was twenty-seven years old, repaying them many times in affection, as well as loyal assistance for their care of him in his helpless infancy. His success in life is not confined to his material prosperity, for he has laid up a richer treasure for himself and his children in the esteem and confidence he has awakened and maintains among those with whom he was brought into contact, both in a business and a social way. Mrs. Feltman is equally popular and through her the children trace back to two of the old families of Darke county, the Rahns and Baileys. THOMAS A. LECKLIDER. The really useful men of a community are those in whom their fellow citizens can rely in affairs of public importance; to whom they can come for assistance in seasons of financial distress; men who have won this confidence by the wisdom of their own investments and by the honorable lives they have led on every field of effort and as neighbors and as friends. Very often, in prosperous towns, these men are retired farmers, frequently they are bankers and in not a few cases it will be found that they are former officials of the county in which they reside. Such a one in every particular is Thomas A. Lecklider, vice-president of the Greenville National Bank, a retired farmer, and a man possessed of a mind fertile in resources, means and expedients. He was born three miles north of Greenville, Ohio, April 14, 1838, and is a son of George C. and Sarah (Ader) Lecklider, and grandson of. Daniel and Sarah Lecklider. Daniel Lecklider was born in Montgomery county, Ohio. He and his wife had the following children: Betsy, George C., Daniel, Louis, Samuel and Josiah. The maternal grandfather of Thomas A. Lecklider was born in Pennsylvania, and he had the following children: Samuel, Jacob, Louis, Thomas and Sarah. George C. Lecklider and his wife were born in Pennsylvania, but he moved from his native state to Dayton, Ohio, and for a time was engaged in agricultural pursuits, operating in the vi- 164 - DARKE COUNTY cinity of that city. Later he moved to Darke county, arriving in this locality as early as 1825, at a time when very little of the land had been cleared, the major portion being covered with dense forests. He located three miles north of Greenville, where he cleared off and developed a fine farm, and reared his family upon it. There he died in 1875, aged about eighty-one years. During the War of 1812, he served as a soldier. His wife died about 1852, firm in the faith of the Reformed Church, to which her husband also belonged. They had the following children: Louisa, deceased, who married Washington Ehrhart; William, deceased, who was a prominent man; Lydia Ann, deceased, who married Squire Passon; Eliza, who is deceased; Mary Jane, deceased, who married Jacob Schultz; and Thomas A., whose name heads this review. Thomas A. Lecklider was reared upon his father's homestead and learned farming in its every detail, being able to do a man's work while attending the schools of his district. Until he had passed his fiftieth milestone, he lived upon this homestead of 160 acres of as fine land as can be found in Greenville township, and still owns it, it having come into his possession. To the original holdings, he added 100 acres, and so now has 260 acres. Upon this property he has made many important improvements, for he takes a pride in its condition, and seeks to keep it up and maintain the high standard he set long ago. However, he resides at Greenville, owning his comfortable residence at No. 303 Washington avenue, that city. A Democrat by conviction, he was on the school board for many years, and in 1884 was elected sheriff of Darke county, at which time he moved to Greenville, and held that office for four years. Another native of Ohio once held the same office, and was promoted to increase responsibilities until he not only reached the gubernatorial chair of Ohio, but that of the chief executive of the United States. Mr. Lecklider is now vice-president of the Greenville National Bank, and the oldest stockholder of that institution. On December 25, 1867, Mr. Lecklider married Miss Nancy Wright, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Price) Wright, and they became the parents of one son, Harry T., who is assistant cashier of the bank of which his father is vice-president. He was graduated from the Greenville High School and Jacobs Business College of Dayton, Ohio. Mrs. Lecklider is a member of the Reformed Church. Mr. Lecklider has belonged to the Odd Fellows for over forty-five years and is a member DARKE COUNTY - 165 of Champion Lodge No. 742, of Greenville, of which he is a charter member. Although he is seventy-five years old, his clean, wholesome living, and vigorous constitution make him appear much younger. His association with the affairs of Darke county during all of his mature years, has made him conversant with existing conditions, and he is justly regarded as one of its best informed and responsible citizens, a man in whom implicit trust can be placed on all occasions. Mrs. Lecklider was born in Xenia, Greene county, Ohio, and resided there until 1865, when she was brought by her parents to Darke county, they passing away at Greenville, having had six children, as follows: Clinton, Theodore, George, Lee, Nancy and Mary Jane. S. HOWARD SWOPE. It is difficult to define genius or to circumscribe its direction. In some the divine fire lights the way that leads to letters; in others it urges its possessor to become a disciple of the brush and palette, while again it makes of him a musician. True art cannot be learned; genius is not taught but is a gift from on high. Study will enable a man to properly express his genius, but the torch has to be lighted from within. Those who possess the temperament of a true artist experience many rebuffs, their spirits grow weary for lack of real appreciation, but they are ever sustained by a realization of what their art means to them, and even if during life true recognition is denied them, posterity will acknowledge the debt owed to one who bore witness to the genius which inspired him. S. Howard Swope is one of Greenville's talented musicians whose compositions prove his right to belong to those destined from the beginning to make sacrifices on the altar of harmony. He was born at Richmond, Ind., September 30, 1869, a son of Samuel and Lotta (Aichberg) Swope. Samuel Swope and his wife were born in Bavaria, Germany, and became the parents of two sons, namely: James, who died October 23, 1904, aged thirty-nine years; and S. Howard, whose name heads this sketch. Jaynes was in the theatrical business for some years, the brothers being in partnership, operating under the stage name of the Whitney Brothers, and he, like S. Howard, composed music. Growing up in his native land, 166 - DARKE COUNTY Samuel Swope was engaged in manufacturing and wholesaling silk fabrics at Munich. Coming to America at the age of twenty-five years, he located for a time in Tennessee, where he became interested in handling cotton, but with the outbreak of the Civil war, his business relations were interrupted, and because he would not throw his influence with the Confederacy, he lost all he possessed. Refusing to join his neighbors, he enlisted in the Union army and was made a quartermaster, but when he was taken sick within a few months he was discharged on account of disability. Subsequently he established himself at Cincinnati, Ohio, as a manufacturer of boys clothing, and there he married and moved to Richmond, Ind., to become a merchant tailor, continuing as such for a long period. When his health failed, necessitating a change, he went into a millinery business at Camden, Ohio, operating it with the assistance of his wife. They came to Greenville, Ohio, in 1885, continuing their millinery business in this city, where Mrs. Swope died in 1897, being then sixty-seven years old. Mr. Swope survived her until 1906, when he passed away in May of that year, aged eighty years, lacking twenty days. S. Howard Swope was eleven years old when the family moved front Richmond, Ind., and he began his educational training in that city, continuing it at Camden, where he went to the public schools. Before leaving Richmond he commenced studying music under Prof. NaVere when he was only seven years old, and for two years, between the ages of twelve and fourteen years, he attended the Cincinnati College of Music, being graduated therefrom under Prof. Schmidt. Alhough he never relinquished his ambitious desire to devote himself exclusively to music, Mr. Swope, like many another genius, was forced to allow his talent to lie dormant while for a period he gave attention to the practical things of life, going into a mercantile business at Portsmouth, Ohio, where he handled gent's furnishing goods and clothing for a year. In 1886 he came to Greenville and learned the photographing business under the instruction of Mader Brothers and R. D. Been. Although then only seventeen years old, Mr. Swope was made a traveling salesman for Lyon & Healy of Chicago, and represented that firm on the road for several months, when he resigned to accept the management of the Academy of Music and directorship of the Concordia Orchestra and Choral Society of Lynchburg, Va. For the following two years he filled these positions, discharging the onerous duties with distinction, notwith- DARKE COUNTY - 167 standing his youth, and could have remained there as long as he liked, but he then organized the first musician's organization in the South, with headquarters at Birmingham, Ala., and at the age of twenty-one years was made musical director of Henderson's production of the "Crystal Slipper," which company opened the new Duquesne Theatre at Pittsburg, Pa. Mr. Swope was never a man to rest upon laurels already gained, and in 1903 he formed a partnership with his brother, James, and they played in all the principal cities of the country, being billed as the Whitney Brothers, and, completing their tour of the United States went to Canada, Great Britain, Germany, France and Austria, their successful career as entertainers being only terminated by the death of James Swope. In the meanwhile the brothers had opened a musical house at Greenville, Ohio, under their own name, and published musical productions and sold musical instruments, in their absence the affairs being under the direction of R. W. Mann. Mr. Swope is also an artist with the violin and taught it during his earlier years. With the death of his brother, he formed a partnership in the musical business with E. C. Jobes and they continued together for two years, but since then Mr. Swope has been alone. His energies were directed for four years, from 1909 to July 15, 1913, toward selling automobiles, he doing a flourishing business along that line in addition to his other affairs, but on the latter date he disposed of his automobile business to E. R. Swenger. This remarkable young man has accomplished still more, for he is a successful composer and producer of musical productions, among them being a musical comedy, `(Flo Flo," "Lower Berth 13," which he has played in the leading cities of the country, and at present he is at work on a musical comedy entitled "The Bewitching Maid." Mr. Swope is also the composer of several pretentious instrumental sketches, among which may be mentioned "Mosquito Parade," of which over 1,000,000 copies have already been sold; "The Mouse in the Clock," "Frog Puddles." "Sunman," and others. His latest composition is "The Frolic of the Sheets." Mr. Swope is proud of the fact that he and his brother were commanded to play before the Queen of England and Edward, the Prince of Wales, who was later King Edward, in 1900, for none but those of highest merit are so honored. On September 3, 1906, Mr. Swope was married to Miss Lucy E. Payne, a daughter of Henry H. and Lucy E. (Eidson) Payne, and they have one child, who is named Lotta Eleanor. 168 - DARKE COUNTY Mr. Swope belongs to the Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the U. C. T. and the Junior Order of the United American Mechanics, the Lambs and the Anchor Society. He is also one of the charter members of the White Rats. In politics he is a Republican. Mrs. Swope was born at Somerville, Ohio, and her parents were born in the same State as she. On March 12, 1913, her father passed away, dying at Camden, Ohio, but her mother survives, making her home at Camden. They had two children, Lucy E. and Cora G. Mr. Swope is a musician with great gifts which he has never degraded, although he believes in turning them to account so as to afford high-grade amusement for the masses. For the work which he is still laboring to accomplish, he is admirably fitted and well equipped, bringing to it profound musicaI scholarship, exceptional technical skill and inherent qualities of leadership, and although he has already added much to the music of his country, there is every probability, if not certainty, that what has gone before is but faint indication of what the future holds for him and his followers. THOMAS A. BILLINGSLEY. To properly interpret the law in all its complexities and unerringly apply its provisions to establish human rights and defeat injustice, demands such a comprehensive knowledge not only of books but of life itself, that he who reaches a high plane in this profession must command more than negative consideration in the minds of his fellow men. It is told in both history and romance that a kind of law is upheld among savages, but when explained it resolves itself into the old axiom that "might makes right," and in modern, civilized life it becomes the task of the exponent of the law to overcome this only too prevalent idea. Hence, on a solid educational foundation must be built up a thorough knowledge of what law means to the present day man and how it can be applied to circumvent evil, protect the helpless and bring happiness and safety to the deserving. Holding as he does such high principles as embodied in the above, it is no wonder that Thomas A. Billingsley, attorney-at-law, of Greenville, Ohio, has risen so high in his profession, for contrary to the opinion which pre- DARKE COUNTY - 169 vails among some, right thinking and high living do advance a man, while chicanery of any kind will in the end pull him down to the level of unwholesome thoughts and deeds. Mr. Billingsley was born in Miami county, Ohio, in the vicinity of Covington, April 4, 1880, a son of John E. and Emma (Harwood) Billingsley, and grandson of Thomas and Mary (Lucky) Billingsley, and John and Frances Harwood. The paternal grandfather of Thomas A. Billingsley, Thomas Billingsley, and his wife were born in Ohio, and were farming people who died on the homestead in Miami county, he at the age of sixty-three years, and she when eighty-six years old. Their only child was John E. John Harwood and his wife were natives of Nottinghamshire, England, but came to the United States, first settling in New York State, and later came to southern Ohio and lived at various places, he being an old circuit rider of the Methodist Church. His wife died in middle life, having borne him seven children: John, Thomas, Kate, Hattie, Mary, Emma and Robert. John E. Billingsley was born in Miami county, Ohio, while his wife was born in New York State. He spent his life upon the farm still his home, which was taken from the government by his grandfather. This property contains eighty acres, all finely improved, and upon it his children were reared. His wife passed away in 1909, aged fifty-eight years, firm in the faith of the Methodist Church, of which she was a conscientious member. Their children were as follows: Thomas A., whose name heads this review; Roy, who resides in Miami county, Ohio; and Albert, who also resides in Miami county. Thomas A. Billingsley spent his boyhood as any normal farmer's son, assisting his parents with the farm work and attending the district schools, but within his breast glowed a spark of ambition, which he fanned into a flame by taking private instruction and then entering the Ohio Wesleyan University spent two years in that institution. In pursuance of his plans, he then began to study law, and completed his legal course in the Ohio State University, being admitted to the bar in June, 1902, following which he practiced his profession at Versailles, Ohio, until 1910, when he located at Greenville and now has offices in the Allen building on West Fourth street, while his residence is at No. 408 North Broadway. On September 21, 1905, Mr. Billingsley was married to Miss Ottie Mae Hartle, a daughter of Andrew J. and Kate (Ingle) Hartle. They have two children, Richard T. and J. Rene. Mr. 170 - DARKE COUNTY and Mrs. Billingsley are earnest members of the Presbyterian Church. In his fraternal relations he is an Elk. Politically, he is a Democrat, and while residing at Versailles was city solicitor and a member and secretary of the municipal board of that place. Mrs. Billingsley was born near Covington, Miami county, Ohio, and her parents, both natives of the same county, are now living at Covington. Her father was a farmer and is a veteran of the Civil war, having served in both the infantry and cavalry. PROF. JOSEPH LEROY SELBY. Convinced that learning is not only the handmaid of religion but also is essential to the highest type of citizenship, many young men starting out in life bend every effort to secure educational advantages and many, also, turn these advantages to account by becoming instructors themselves. Although Prof. Joseph LeRoy Selby, a well-known resident of Greenville, Ohio, no longer devotes his time to the class room, for many years he was numbered with the educational leaders in Darke county. He was born March 30, 1866, in Butler county, Ohio, and is a son of William and Lydia (Huffman) Selby. The paternal grandparents of Prof. Selby settled in Butler county at a very early date, probably in the pioneer period, and there their quiet, useful lives were passed. Like other pioneers they were courageous and resourceful and they left descendants who recall them with pride and deep respect. Farming has been a family occupation for several genera tions. Of the large family born to the paternal grandparents the record of six sons and one sister has been preserved. William Selby, father of Joseph Leroy, was born in Butler county, Ohio, and there grew to manhood and engaged in farming near Middletown. In 1883 he moved to Darke county and settled three and one-half miles northeast of Ansonia, purchasing a farm of 117 acres, on which he lived until 1900, when he moved to Ansonia and there lived retired until his death in 1910, when aged about seventy-eight years. He was a man of sterling character, an excellent representative of the best class of citizenship. He married Lydia Huffman, whose people also settled early in Butler county, Ohio. Mrs. Selby resides at Ansonia, Ohio, being now in her seventy-sixth year. DARKE COUNTY - 171 To William Selby and wife three children were born: Charles, who is deceased; Joseph L.; and Mary, who is the wife of Harmon Coppess, of Ansonia, Ohio. Joseph LeRoy Selby spent his early years on his father's farm in Butler county, receiving the physical training that he has found beneficial through life. He attended the district schools and afterward National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, from which institution he was graduated. Having decided to enter the educational field, in 1884 he became a teacher in the country schools of Darke county, and in 1890 came to Greenville, where he found immediate recognition, and for three years taught the eighth grade in the public schools here. He then became assistant principal of the high school, and subsequently principal, an honorable and responsible position, one that he held for eleven years. Mr. Selby became widely known in educational circles, affiliating with the Darke County Teachers' Association, the Western Ohio Superintendents' Round Table, the State Association of County School Examiners, the State Teachers' Association, and the National Educational Association. He served two terms as a member of the executive committee of the Darke County Teachers' Association, two as vice-president and two as president. He was also secretary of the State Association of County School Examiners. He served several years as city school examiner and about five years as county school examiner. He also holds a high school life certificate. Since retiring from the teaching field he has been devoting his attention to agriculture in the management of operations on 197 acres of Darke county's fertile soil. He resides at No. 411 Central avenue, Greenville, Ohio, in the home which he erected in 1900. On August 31, 1899, Mr. Selby was married to Miss Mabel Hershey, who was horn at Greenville, Ohio, and is a daughter of John T. and Celia (Hoover) Hershey, the eldest in a family of three children: Mabel, Gertrude and Wilbur. John T. Hershey was a soldier during the Civil War, was a member of the Forty-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, and of the Eighth Ohio cavalry, and suffered incarceration in Libby Prison. He died in 1900, at the age of fifty-five years. The mother of Mrs. Selby survives. Mr. and Mrs. Selby are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is one of the trustees. In his political views he has always been a Democrat, but has never accepted public office except in relation to educational 172 - DARKE COUNTY matters and is now city school examiner and for five years previously served as county school examiner. If Mr. Selby has noted a wonderful advance made in the efficiency of the public schools since he first came to Darke county, he may take much credit to himself, for he has contributed largely to it and continues to be deeply interested in all educational affairs. Mrs. Selby is a member of the 'Columbian and Sorosis clubs. MICHAEL A. MAHER. There may be a feeling of family pride when an individual points to lands and posessions and says, "see what my ancestors secured and gave to me," but how much more gratifying it must be to realize that one is the builder of his own fortune and that the credit belongs to himself for obstacles overcome and successful results reached. In this connection may be mentioned Michael A. Maher, one of the substantial business men of Greenville, Ohio, who is president of the Banner Lumber Company, a director in the Greenville National Bank and an extensive dealer in coal and building material at No. 139 North Broadway. Mr. Maher was born in Champaign county, Ohio, six miles north of Urbana, on May 16, 1858, and is a son of James and Catherine (Fannan) Maher. The paternal grandparents of Michael A. Maher lived and died in Ireland, the grandfather not surviving middle life, while the grandmother, on the other hand, survived to the unusual age of ninety-six years. They had five children: James, Michael, Dennis, -Catherine and Mary. The maternal grandfather was Patrick Fannan and he and wife came from Ireland to the United States in 1850 and died in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. They had but two children: James, who died before the family reached Cincinnati, and Catherine, the wife of James Maher, and the mother of our subject. James and Catherine Maher, parents of Michael A. Maher, were born, reared and married in Ireland. James Maher had been previously married and his first wife died leaving two children, a son and daughter. The son was named Martin, and after coming to the United States he served four years as a soldier during the Civil war. James Maher desired to be a farmer, but he found little chance or encouragement in County Tipperary, his home, and therefore decided to emigrate to DARKE COUNTY - 173 America where many of his countrymen had found easier industrial conditions. Late in 1849 or early in 1850 he secured passage for himself, wife and their five children with the two older children of his first marriage. After a tiresome voyage the family was safely landed at New Orleans and from there went to Springfield, Ohio, this being in 1850. James Maher found work for a time at day labor, afterward became a farmer and after coming to Darke county, in September, 1864, bought a farm of eighty acres situated in Greenville township, three miles north of Greenville, where he continued through life, his death occurring there in 1872, when aged fifty-five years. His widow lived until 1907, passing away when aged eighty-seven years. They were members of the Roman Catholic church. They had fifteen children, twelve of whom lived to maturity: James, who is deceased; Patrick H., who is a resident of Greenville; William, who lives at Dayton, Ohio; Dennis, who is deceased; Mary, who is the wife of John Hunt, of Greenville; Johanna, who is the widow of John J. Kelly, of Greenville; Michael A., Thomas C., who is of Greenville; Catherine, who is the wife of John Lynch, of Greenville; Sarah, who is the wife of Thomas Hannagan, of Dayton; John B., who lives at Greenville, and Francis A., whose home is Oklahoma City, Okla. Michael A. Maher was six years old when his parents moved to Darke county and he grew up on his father's farm, attended the public schools in the neighborhood and took a course in a commercial college. He earned his first salary as driver of a coal wagon for his brother Patrick, for whom he worked for eighteen months and with his savings was able to buy a small grocery store, one that he still owns. In September, 1882, he started in the coal and building material business, one that he has developed into a very large enterprise. For seven years lie also engaged in contracting for the building of sewers. As indicated above he has other important interests of a substantial character, all indicating excellent judgment, constant industry and rare business foresight. On March 23, 1884, Mr. Maher was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Jane Maher, who was born in Jay county, Indiana, and is a daughter of Michael and Bridget (Carter) Maher. They were born in Ireland, where their parents lived and died. As early settlers they came to Darke county, Ohio, and both died here. Of their children four survive: James, Mary, John and Catherine Jane. The following children were 174 - DARKE COUNTY born to Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Maher: Leo, Robert, Bernard, Arcadius, Leona, Henry, Raymond and Lawrence, twins, Andrew, Mary and Joseph, twins; Alfred, Mark and Catherine. Of this family, Leo died at the age of eighteen months; Robert died at the age of twelve years and Lawrence died at the age of six months. Bernard is in the employ of his father; Henry lives in Oklahoma City, and Arcadius married Miss Henry lives in Oklahoma City; Arcadius married Miss Roberts; Eugene and Margaret. The others live at home. The whole family belong to the Roman Catholic church and Mr. Maher has membership with the Knights of Columbus and the Brotherhood of St. Anthony. Mr. Maher has never cared for political office, but never shirks the duties of citizenship when a call is made for a display of public spirit. He votes with the Democratic party. The family residence is at No. 145 North Broadway, Greenville. JOHN H. DUNHAM. With the rapid introduction of automobiles and the increased demand for high-class machines of all kinds not only by city men, but the farming contingent as well, has developed an immense business in handling these vehicles. Darke county is a rich community and its citizens, realizing the benefits accruing from a rapid and independent means of locomotion, are investing heavily in automobiles. They look to Greenville as a source of supply for this as other demands, and a concern that is doing big business in selling automobiles is the Dunham Automobile Company, under the direct charge of John H. Dunham, with offices and garage at Nos. 123-125 Martin street, Greenville, although he resides on his farming property near Woodington. Mr. Dunham was born in Greenville townsriip, Darke county, Ohio, three miles east of Greenville, October 17, 1859, a son of Henry and Sarah Jane (Martin) Dunham, and grandson of James Dunham, and John Martin. James Dunham and his wife became early settlers of Darke county, and at the time of his death he was conducting a tavern at Ansonia. He had several children, and was married twice. John Martin, the maternal grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania, but came of German stock. He and his wife, who was also a Pennsylvanian, came to Darke county, Ohio, at DARKE COUNTY - 175 a day when settlers were few, and developed a fine farm in Greenville township. The grandmother died in middle life, but he lived to an advanced age. Their children were: Jackson, Harvey, Sarah Jane, Mary Ann, John and Alanson. Henry Dunham was born in Darke county, Ohio, but his wife was born on the same farm as her son. He was a carpenter and millwright, and operated a sawmill and water-mill on the old Miller farm. During the Civil war he enlisted for service, but contracted disease from which he never recovered and died. His widow survived him for a number of years. They had four children: Alice A., who is the wife of Harry A. Clawson of Brown township; John H., whose name heads this review; Jennie R., who is deceased, was the wife of Harry A. Clawson, he marrying her sister Alice A., after her demise, and one who died in infancy. The mother moved to Greenville, after the father's death, and later married John Westfall. Following her second marriage, she went to a farm on the Requerth pike, and from there to one of eighty acres in Greenville township. Still later she went to a farm in Brown township, near Woodington, where she died, in 1886, aged about fifty-five years. By her second marriage she had three children: Frank, Bertha and one who died in infancy. Frank died when sixteen years old. John H. Dunham attended school but a couple of years, as he began earning his own living when about eleven years old, working on a farm for four dollars per month. He continued to work for farmers until his marriage, when he rented property which comprised forty acres of the Miller homestead, but a year later rented eighty acres and conducted it for two years. Having been frugal, he was then able to buy forty acres in Brown township, and a little later opened a general store at Woodington, continuing it for two years. Although he was engaged in a mercantile business during this time, he continued to reside on his farm. Selling his store, he bought eighty acres which continues to be his place of residence, it being located in Greenville township, and he also owns sixty-five acres in Franklin county. Both as a farmer an business man Mr. Dunham has proven his worth and is a man who enjoys the highest respect of all with whom he is brought into contact. On August 14, 1883, Mr. Dunham was married to Miss Mary C. Mendenhall, a daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Teeter) Mendenhall. Thirteen children were born of this marriage: 176 - DARKE COUNTY Jennie X., who married Bert Galbreath, bore her husband two children, Velna and one who died in infancy, and is now deceased; Berman, who is in the employ of the New York Central Railroad Company at Detroit, Mich., and Myrtle, Alanson, Gladys, Alice, Bertie, Lucile, Blanche, James, Aline, who are all at home with their parents; and two who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Dunham are earnest members of the Christian church. He belongs to Ansonia Lodge No. 285, F. & A. M.; Ansonia Lodge No. 605, I. O. O. F., and the Encampment of that order. A Republican, he has appeared on his party ticket, being elected to the office of school director many times in both Brown and Greenville townships. He is a member of the Darke County Fair Association, and is a director of the Children's Orphans' Home. Mrs. Dunham was born in Woodington, one-half mile from her present home, her parents having been early settlers of Darke county, Ohio, although now both are deceased. They had seven children: Hannah, Frank, Susan, William, Milton, Alvin and Calvin, the last two having been twins. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Dunham was Marmaduke Mendenhall. WELCOME JEFFERSON DULL. The banking interests of a community are necessarily among the most important, for financial stability must be the foundation stone upon which all great enterprises are erected. The men who control and conserve the money of corporation or country, must possess many qualities not requisite in the ordinary citizen and among these high commercial integrity, exceptional financial ability, poise, judgment and foresight may be mentioned. Public confidence must be with them, and this fact has been again and again demonstrated in the United States, when panics that even threatened the stability of the government have been averted by the wisdom, sagacity and foresight of the men in whose hands have rested the great lines of finance. A citizen of Arcanum who is president of the Farmers' National Bank of that place, and has done much in the effective upbuilding of his community along additional lines, is Welcome Jefferson Dull. He was born in Randolph county, Indiana, March 19, 1854, a son of John and Delilah (Baker) Dull. DARKE COUNTY - 177 The paternal grandparents had the following children: Nicholas, Martin, John and a daughter. Henry Baker, the maternal grandfather, married a Miss Poe. Both were born in Pennsylvania, coming of German descent. These grandparents came to Darke county; Ohio, at a very early day, locating in Monroe township where they improved several farms. Both died in this township after reaching an advanced age. Their children were: Elias, Joshua, Josiah, Henry, George, Julia B., Delilah, Betsy, Lydia and Mollie. Both John Dull and his wife were born in Pennsylvania, the former being reared in Lancaster county, that State, After his marriage, he moved to Randolph county, Indiana, where he followed his trades of blacksmithing and shoemaking for several years, when he devoted all of his time to farming. His death occurred when he was sixty-six years old, his wife having died at the age of forty-six years. Both were pious members of the German Reformed church. Their children were as follows: Henry, who is now deceased; Martin, who resides at Red Key, Indiana; Elias, who died as a soldier during the Civil war; Joshua, who died in infancy; George, who lives in Michigan; Julia Ann, who is the wife of William Bear of Jay county, Indiana; Solomon, who resides at Rock Lodge, Florida; Lydia M., who is the wife of Samuel Hinsey of Jay county, Indiana, and Harvey of Randolph county, Indiana, in addition to Welcome Jefferson, whose name heads this review. Welcome Jefferson Dull lived in his native county until he was thirteen years old, when removal was made to Jay county, Indiana, and when he was sixteen years old he came to Darke county, Ohio, to work on a farm for his brother who hired him by the month. Soon after his arrival, his brother moved back to Randolph county, Indiana, and Welcome J. accompanied him, continuing in his employ for one summer and two winters. Returning to Darke county, Mr. Dull worked for his uncle, Josiah Baker, for a summer and winter, and then began doing contract work on his own account, digging ditches, building streets, excavating and carrying out contracts for similar jobs, thus continuing until he had, built up an immense business which paid him excellent returns. Eventually he retired, and for the past nine years has been making his home at Arcanum and with Charles Williams is interested in operating four large tobacco warehouses. He is president of the Farmers' National Bank, and owns several large farms in (12) 178 - DARKE COUNTY Darke county, and others in Jay and Randolph counties, Indiana, so that his interests are many and varied. He is prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to Ithaca Lodge, F. & A. M. ; Greenville Lodge No. 77, R. A. M.; Troy Commandery, and is a thirty-second degree Mason, according to the Scottish Rite. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. A Republican, he is active in the support of the principles of that party, and has demonstrated his public spirit by serving for eighteen years on the school board. On May 7, 1874, Mr. Dull was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Fourman, a daughter of Joseph and Layer (Root) Fourman. Mr. and Mrs. Dull became the parents of nine children: Samuel H., who is a farmer, married Emma Shelly, and they have the following children: Vernie, Olive, Merl, Hubert, Pauline and Martin Van Buren; William, who married Cora Netzley, has one child, Byron; Sarah Ann, who married Frank Layer, has three children, Viola, Roy and Henry; Amzi, who married Mina North, has two children, Clayton and Ira; Jesse E., who married Alva Kindle, has four children, Mildred, Mary, Merrit R. and Robert J.; Joseph, who married Mollie Klinger, has two children; Pharon, who has been married twice, has one child, Albert, by his second wife, whose maiden name was Willoughby; Clarence S., who married Mamie Buchanan, has two children, Catherine and Edith, and Emma, who died at the age of seventeen years. Mrs. Dull was born in Van Buren township, Darke county, Ohio, her parents, both of whom are now deceased, having been early settlers of that township. They had five children who grew to maturity, namely: Noah, Joseph, Mary, Susanna and Sarah. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Dull was John Fourman, while her maternal grandfather was Samuel Root. Mrs. Dull is consistent in her membership with the Methodist church of Arcanum. DAVID LEWIS GASKILL. The exponents of the law in Darke county are without exception men of broad training, keen judgment, and resolute bearing, and among them none stands higher than David Lewis Gaskill of the firm of Meeker & Gaskill, with offices in the Electric building on West Fourth street, Greenville, and residence at No. 303 East Third street this same city. His DARKE COUNTY - 179 rise in his profession has been steady, and within late years he has been connected with some of the most important jurisprudence of this part of the State. He was born at Troy, Ohio, December 11, 1862, a son of Abram and Sarah A. (Youart) Gaskill, and grandson of Abram and Elizabeth Gas-kill, and John and Jane (Youart) Youart. Abram Gaskill and his wife were both born in New Jersey, but became pioneers of Warren county, Ohio, and died in 1819, and she at an advanced age, being interred at Quincy, Ohio. Abram Gaskill was the only son of his mother's first marriage, but by her second union with a Mr. Stiles, she had four children. John Youart was born at Balameda, County Antrim, Ireland, and his wife was a native of the same place. They were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians. Leaving their own country, they came to the United States, locating in Miami county, Ohio, being among its early settlers, and there he died. After his demise, his widow came to Greenville and resided in this city for fourteen years, dying when ninety-two years old. She and her husband had a large family, but Mrs. Abram Gaskill was the only one who married. Abram Gaskill grew up in Warren county, Ohio, where he learned the wagon making trade. In 1844, he sought better opportunities at Troy, Miami county, Ohio, there embarking in the manufacture of carriages, selling this business in 1853, to engage in the production of plows. In 1864 he found a purchaser for this business, and coming to Darke county, purchased the old King farm in Greenville township, and busied himself in conducting it, living upon this property until 1888, when he retired, and moving to Greenville, died at that city in 1910, aged ninety-one years. He was twice married, his first wife being Margaret Irwin, a daughter of the Judge Advocate, William Irwin, who was one of the officers in St. Clair's defeat. William H. Gaskill was the only child born of this marriage, and he died in November, 1912, aged sixty-eight years. The first Mrs. Gaskill died in 1854. In 1860 Abram Gaskill married Sarah A. Youart, of Troy, Ohio. They had three children: Charles, who died in infancy; David Lewis, whose name heads this article, and Jennie E., deceased, who was the wife of Benjamin M. Allen. Growing up on his father's farm east of Greenville, David L. Gaskill had the advantages of both rural and urban surroundings, and attended the country schools, and later the Greenville high school, from which he was graduated in 1880. 180 - DARKE COUNTY Subsequently he entered the Ohio State University at Columbus, Ohio, class of 1884. In 1890 he moved to Greenville and began the study of law, and the following year was admitted to the bar, and since then has carried on a general practice. In addition to his legal business, Mr. Gaskill is interested in several commercial ventures, having been the organizer of the Greenville Electric Light Company in 1895, which he has served ever since as president. He is a director in the Ross Supply Company; was president of the Ohio Electrical Association during 1900, and has been secretary of that organization ever since. Elected secretary of the National District Heating Association in 1909, he has held that position to this day. On June 27, 1883, Mr. Gaskill married Miss Sarah E. Meeker, eldest daughter of Judge D. L. and Mary (Deardorff) Meeker, and they have four children: Helen, Mary A. Esther A. and David, all of whom are living with their father. At the time of his marriage, Mr. Gaskill established a home on a farm one mile east of Greenville, which continued his place of residence until 1890, and he still owns it. Mrs. Gaskill was a member of the Presbyterian church of Greenville, and valued for her efficient work in its behalf. Mr. Gas-kill is quite prominent fraternally, finding relaxation as a member of Greenville Lodge No. 143, F. & A. M.; Greenville Chapter No. 77, R. A. M.; Matchett Council, R. & S. M. In politics he is a Republican, and was appointed by Governor Harris a trustee of Miami University, to fill the unexpired term of Judge Samuel G. Hunt in 1907, and still holds that office, having been reappointed for a term that expires in 1917. He was elected a member of the electoral college in 1896, from the Fourth district; was a member of the board of education for the city of Greenville for thirteen years; procured the Carnegie donation for the Carnegie library at Greenville, and had charge of that building and also the erecting of the north school building, and is ever found ready to do more than his part to forward any measures he believes will work out for the good of his city. Mrs. Gaskill was born at Greenville,. Ohio. She is a member of the prominent clubs and societies of Greenville and member of the Presbyterian church. Her sisters are Mrs. Anna Lecklider, Mrs. E. Lawrence and Miss Mary Stallman, of Greenville. Her parents were born in Darke county, Ohio, and lived at Greenville for many years, there dying. Their DARKE COUNTY - 181 children were: Frank D., Walter S., Mary C., Nan E., Virginia G., Alice M., Harry W. and Sarah E. Mrs. Sarah E. Gaskill died in 1905. On January 20, 1913, David L. Gaskill was married to Minnie M. Stallman, of Greenville, Ohio. Their home is at 303 East Third. street. ANANIAS H. BAUSMAN. Education and special training often bring success in life to those who industriously seek it, but there are a few certain lines in which a natural talent proves of still more value. Auctioneering is one of these and the field is not crowded. Residing at Greenville, Ohio, Ananias H. Bausman, is not only well known in this profession locally, but all over Darke county his services are in demand and in many sections the announcement of his presence will draw a crowd of possible purchasers, who might not be otherwise attracted. Mr. Bausman was born in Greenville township, Darke county, Ohio, March 18, 1880, and is a son of Daniel and Susanna (Fry) Bausman, and grandson of John Bausman and of George Fry. John Bausman, the paternal grandfather, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, from there came to Darke county, Ohio, and became a successful farmer in Neave township, where he died at the age of seventy-five years. He married Esther Wenerich, who was born in Miami county, Ohio, and died in Darke county at the age of seventy-three years. They had the following children: Eli, Thomas, David, Daniel, Harriet, Elizabeth, Fanny and Susanna. George Fry, the maternal grandfather, was born in Miami county, Ohio, where he married Catherine Ditmer. In 1890 they moved to Darke county and settled near Arcanum and both he and wife died there, aged seventy-five and seventy-two years respectively. He was a merchant. They had children as follows: Granville, William, Charles, Lawrence, Susanna, Nancy, Ella, Cora and Ida. Daniel Bausman, father of Ananias H. Bausman, was born in Darke county, Ohio, and was reared in Greenville township, where he subsequently owned 116 acres of land, on which he reared his family. He continued to live on his farm until 1906, when he retired and removed to Weiner's Mill, where he now lives. He married Susanna Fry, who died in 1911, aged forty-nine years, a member of the Church of the Brethren, to 182 - DARKE COUNTY which religious body Daniel Bausman also belongs. They had two sons: Ananias H., of Greenville, and Earl, of Greenville township. Ananias H. Bausman was reared on his father's farm and in boyhood attended the public schools, later taking a course in North Manchester College, at North Manchester, Indiana. After returning to Darke county he began auctioneering, developing much talent along this line, and he has found it very profitable, during seven years of residence at New Madison first becoming prominent and has added to his reputation since establishing' himself at Greenville. He has additional interests here, being in the life and fire insurance business, with offices at Suite 5, Anderson Block, 507-509 Broadway, and is general agent for the Ohio State Life Insurance Company. On October 27, 1900, Mr. Bausman was married to Miss Lina Keener, who was born near Palestine, Darke county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Milton and Rachel (Dickey) Keener, and a granddaughter of David Keener and Abraham and Polly Dickey. The parents of Mrs. Bausman were born in Darke county, where the mother died October 19, 1912, aged sixty-three years. The father was a soldier in the Civil war and yet survives. Six children were born to Milton Keener and wife: David, Nora, Laura, Hattie, Lina and Fern. Mr. and Mrs. Bausman have two children, both sons: Frederick D. and Robert E. Mr. Bausman is a wide awake, earnest citizen of his city, county and State, but has no political aspirations. He casts his vote with the Republican party. The only fraternal organization with which he is identified is the Elks. The family residence is at No. 432 Washington avenue, Greenville. ANDREW J. KLINGER. What a privilege it must be to be able to look back over a successful and honorable career of eighty-four years. How much has happened in that span of life to those who have survived into the twentieth century—what changes, discoveries. inventions in the great outside world, and what equal progress has been made in the individual life of each one. In the hurry and stress of business, when every thought must be directed to the carrying on of necessary undertakings in order to sustain life and provide for the welfare of others, a man often DARKE COUNTY - 183 has few opportunities to pause and remember the good gifts and compensations that line his way. In the natural course of events the time comes when these cares may be put aside, but in the comfortable retirement then entered upon he may find his happiest and most useful days. Who so well fitted to give advice and instruction as he, who so well able to point out the danger spot to others on the mountain he has already climbed, and, with the ripened judgment of years, who so well qualified to encourage as well as warn the younger generation. Thus the retired citizens of a community occupies an important place in its daily life. In this connection may be considered one of Greenville, Ohio's, most respected retired residents, Andrew J. Klinger, who, for many years, was connected with the milling industry. He was born in Preble county, Ohio, March 19, 1830, and is a son of Jesse and Elizabeth (Cassel) Klinger, and a grandson of Philip Klinger and of Henry Cassel. Philip Klinger was born in Virginia, November 10, 1754, and was not only an industrious farmer, but was a patriot as well and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was married in Virginia to Barbara Ekes, who was born June 26, 1759. In 1811 they came to Ohio and settled at Alexandria, in Preble county, and died there. They had twelve sons: John, Jacob, Henry, Philip, George, Samuel, Jesse, William, Peter, Michael, Nicholas and Isaac. Three of the sons married into the same .family. Henry Cassel, the maternal grandfather, was also a native of Virginia and a farmer. He married in his own neighborhood and he and wife came to Ohio and were among the pioneers in Preble county. They had the following children: Daniel, Elizabeth, Catherine, Sarah, Rachel, Eliza, Rhoda, Allen and Samuel. Jesse Klinger, father of Andrew J., was born July 12, 1791, in Virginia, and was a boy when his parents came to Ohio and settled in Preble county. There he grew to manhood and followed farming. Some years after his marriage he moved to Indiana and located near Fort Wayne on a farm of one hundred acres, where he resided until death. He married Elizabeth Cassel, who was born July 4, 1799, and died in 1859. They were members of the Lutheran Church. They had six children: Daniel, Joseph, Peter, Elizabeth, Andrew J., and Samuel. There is but one survivor, Andrew J., the subject of this review. Andrew J. Klinger was seven years and six months old 184 - DARKE COUNTY when his father died and after this calamity the mother returned with her children to Preble county, Ohio, and in 1838 moved across the line into Darke county, her farm being located near Verona. There Andrew grew up, an industrious farmer boy, attending the schools of his district during the winter sessions. When eighteen years of age he exhibited signs of the business enterprise, which later led him into large undertakings, becoming his brother Daniel's partner in the butter and egg trade, continuing in the same for some years at West Baltimore, Gordon and Ithaca, Ohio, living at Gordon for five years, afterward moving to Ithaca. There he engaged in farming for two years and then bought a grist mill which he operated for five years. He then left Ithaca and bought a mill at Winchester, Ind., which he conducted for fourteen montris. In the fall of 1867 he sold out anti moved to Arcanum, where he ran a mill until 1871, in March of that year coming to Greenville. At this time he was interested in a mill at Dawn, Ohio, and also in a farm near Arcanum. In 1876 he purchased the Turner warehouses and built a mill in Greenville, which he operated for many years on Martin street, just north of the D. & U. Railroad. In 1885 he erected his handsome brick residence at No. 322 Devor street, where he has lived ever since. He retired from active business life in 1912. On June 13, 1856, Mr. Klinger was married to Miss Caroline Wert, who was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, July 18, 1835, and is a daughter of Peter and Sarah (Hartpence) Wert, and on the paternal side her grandparents were Godfrey and Sarah (Slater) Wert, and her great-grandfather was George Wert. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Klinger were George and Sophia (VanKirk) Hartpence, who had fourteen children: Peter V., John, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, Enoch, Esther, Sarah, Mary T., Susan, Sophia, Hannah, Elizabeth and Nancy. The father of Mrs. Klinger was born in New Jersey, July 24, 1810, and died November 6, 1897. Her mother was born in Stokes county, New Jersey, October 4, 1812, and died December 25, 1882. They came to Ohio in 1838 and located at Ithaca, where the father followed farming and shoemaking They had three children: Caroline, W. Watson and Sophia Adelia. To Andrew J. Klinger and wife eight children were born: Sarah E., Frances, Laura, Alma, Cora, D. O., Watson, J. and Peter Wert. Frances married E. C. Porterfield and they live at Greenville and have one daughter, Lois, educated in the DARKE COUNTY - 185 schools of Greenville and college at Granville. Laura married William Thomas and they live at Ithaca, Ohio, and have one daughter, Marie. She married Percy Hamilton of Ithaca and has a son Jasper W. W. Hamilton. Alma married H. M. Walsh of Dayton, Ohio, and they have three children: Robert K., Agnes C. and Kenneth. Cora, who is now deceased, was the wife of Alva Harless. D. O. is a resident of Greenville. He married Onda Peffly and they have two children, Katherine and Kenneth. Watson J. lives at Dayton. He married Cora Burch and they have two children, Ralph and Richard. Peter W. has his home in Dayton. He was married first to Harriet Sater, who died leaving two daughters, Mildred and Helen. His second marriage was to Susan Dills. Andrew J. Klinger has, always been identified with the Republican party since its organization, believing in the principles it has stood for. Both he and wife are members of the First Baptist church at Greenville and is one of the oldest of its board of trustees. Watson J. and Peter W. were educated in the schools of Greenville and later graduated from the Polytechnic school of Terre Haute, Indiana. Mr. Klinger cast his first ballot for President for Gen. Winfield Scott, in 1852. Then, in 1856, for Fremont. In 1860 for Lincoln and has supported the Republican nominee at every national election since. WILLIAM ELMER GUNTRUM, M. D. While the claims of medicine to the gratitude of mankind have never been fully recognized, yet medical practitioners in every age and every country, have been regarded with the respect and esteem that has set them in a niche a little above their fellow citizens and that they have not been accorded all that is their due, must, in large measure be attributed to ignorance and selfishness. There is no profession in which such absolute accuracy of knowledge must be possessed, and none in which its practitioners must be so courageous, so persistent and so disinterested as to personality. Greenville, Ohio, has men of this noble type and in this connection is noted Dr. William Elmer Guntrum. Dr. Guntrum was born in Greenville township, just north of Greenville, Ohio, his father's fer- 186 - DARKE COUNTY tile farm lying on the Versailles turnpike road, October 13, 1863, and is a son of John and Rebecca (Jamison) Guntrum. The paternal grandfather of Dr. Guntrum was born and reared in Pennsylvania and there married Martha Gingrich. They came to Darke county, Ohio, when this section was emerging from its wilderness days, and made their first home amid the great trees of a forest that stretched for many miles beyond. Grandfather Guntrum developed a productive farm and was a valuable man in his community. Both he and wife died on the scene of their labors, about 1865. The maternal grandfather of Dr. Guntrum was another early settler of Darke county, John Jamison by name. With his first wife, the grandmother of Dr. Guntrum, he came to Greenville township when Indians still lived on its frontier. John Guntrum, father of Dr. Guntrum, was born and reared in Darke county, Ohio.. During his earlier years he followed farming and later, in Greenville township, he was engaged in the meat business for a number of years, but continued to reside on his farm near Greenville. Still later he removed to Piqua, Ohio, where his death occurred October 6, 1903, his age being sixty-three years. He married Rebecca Jamison, who still survives, and the following children were born to them: William Elmer; Barbara, who is the wife of Luther Skeggs, of Piqua, Ohio; Mary Elizabeth, who is the wife of Levi Rodabaugh, of Piqua; Laura Jane and Flora A., twins, the former of whom is the wife of George A. Wolaver, residing near Piqua, and the latter of whom is the wife of Enos Creakbaum, of Dayton, Ohio; and Hester R., who is the wife of Jesse Carr, of Piqua. The mother of the above family is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. William Elmer Guntrum spent his boyhood on his father's farm, a privilege he now appreciates on account of the healthful activities it called into play, and after attending the district school, became a student in the Greenville high school. After some preparation he then entered the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati, in 1889, where he completed his first course in medicine, subsequently taking a second course in the Starling Medical College at Columbus, returning to the Medical College of Ohio in 1893 to graduate. He entered into medical practice in the village of Stelvideo, where there was a favorable opening at the time and remained there for seven years, in 1900 coming to Greenville, finding in this wider field more opportunity to exercise his skill and to add to his profes- DARKE COUNTY - 187 sional usefulness. Dr. Guntrum has accomplished much, but still remains a student, taking an enthusiastic interest in everything pertaining to his science, a subscriber and occasional contributor to all the leading medical publications, and is a member of the county and State medical bodies and of the American Medical Association. Dr. Guntrum was married May 1, 1904, to Miss Maud Rupe, who was born near Palestine, in Darke county, Ohio, a daughter of Martin and Susan (Brooks) Rupe, both of whom are deceased. In the well-known fraternal body, the Improved Order of Red Men, Dr. Guntrum is prominent, being one of the charter members of the organization at Greenville. He belongs also to the Knights of Pythias. He is a man of professional bearing but of genial, courteous manner, and he is pleasant and companionable with all his fellow citizens. In large measure he is a self-made man and takes justifiable pride in this fact and has often given encouragement to young men desiring an education by telling them of his own struggles in young manhood. Politically, Doctor Guntrum is a Democrat. CHARLES R. MUSSON Charles R. Musson is a man whose colleagues upon newspaper work admit that he possesses industry, zeal, a real love of his work, clever wit, and an individual style, combined with a high ideal of journalism to which he subordinates any desire for material advancement which may conflict with his principles. These qualities have placed him in the editorial chair of the Arcanum Enterprise of Arcanum, Ohio. He was born at St. Paris, Champaign county, Ohio, October 31, 1855, a son of Dr. John J. and Caroline (Rogers) Musson, and grandson of John Musson, and Charles and Jane (Chambers) Rogers. John Musson and his wife were born in Virginia, but became pioneers of Highland county, Ohio, where he died when still a comparatively young man. His widow survived him for nine years, when she, too, passed away. John J. Musson was their only child. The reason for the family migration from Virginia to Ohio was the feeling entertained by James Musson towards the slavery question. Although his people had been slave owners for many years, and he inherited some, he 188 - DARKE COUNTY could not feel that the practice was right, and freed those who had come to him, and made his way to another State where he would not be compelled to go against his conscientious scruples. Charles Rogers, the maternal grandfather of Charles R. Musson was a native of New Jersey, where his wife was also born. By trade he was a carriage builder, but when he and his wife came to Champaign county, Ohio, he did some farming. His death occurred in his new home when he was eighty-four years old, his wife having died at the age of fifty years. They had three children: Caroline, Charles L. and John S. Dr. John J. Musson was a native of Ohio, but his wife was born in New Jersey. Early deciding upon a medical career, he took a course at Starling Medical College of Columbus, Ohio, from which he was graduated, and then practiced at St. Paris, Ohio, for half a century, dying there in 1899, aged over seventy years. His wife died at the same place January 13, 1873, aged forty-one years, firm in the faith of the Methodist church, of which she was an earnest member. Doctor Musson was a Mason. At one time he represented his district in which Champaign county was included, in the State Legislature, held various local offices, and had charge of the inspection of the internal revenue office, department of Ohio. He and his wife, who had come to Ohio in young girlhood, had five children: Ada B., who resides at Washburn, N. D., having been one of the early teachers at that point; Charles R., whose name heads this review; Mary, who is the widow of D. L. Glendenning of Flint, Mich.; John L., who resides at Washburn, N. D., and Callie, who resides at Los Angeles, Cal. Charles R. Musson was reared at St. Paris, Ohio, and educated in its public schools. Following his leaving school, he began learning to be a printer with the St. Paris Erie Dispatch, later having charge of it from 1874 to 1889. In the latter year he came to Arcanum, Ohio, buying the Arcanum Enterprise, which he has issued continuously ever since. Prior to locating at Arcanum he studied law for two years, but has never practiced, but his knowledge gained in his reading along this line has broadened his outlook and his range of information. His newspaper occupies a recognized place among those devoted to the support and spread of democratic principles, for Mr. Musson is a stanch Democrat. He was post-office inspector under President Cleveland for two years, and superintendent of printing at the Soldiers and Sailors' Home DARKE COUNTY - 189 at Xenia, Ohio. Locally he has held some of the municipal offices, and is a man whose devotion to his party and his desire to secure the progressive improvement of his community, is genuine and, forceful. On April 29, 1880, Charles R. Musson was married to Miss Gertrude Snyder, a daughter of John and Caroline (McGrew) Snyder, and they had five children: Samuel J., who is in the treasurer's office of the National Cash Register at Dayton, Ohio, married Ida Klugel, and they have a son, Robert; Florence A. married A. C. Crossman, they live at Detroit, Mich., and have a daughter, Gertrude; Marie J., Ruth A. and Mabel C., the last three of whom live at home. Mrs. Musson was born at Westville, Champaign county, Ohio, March 16, 1858. Her father was born in Ohio, and her mother in Indiana, and both are now deceased. They had seven children, as follows: Annie, Gertrude, Emma, Rosa, Charles, Harry and Frank. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Musson was Daniel Snyder and he and his wife had a large family. The maternal grandparents died so long ago that a record of their lives is lost. Mrs. Musson died June 24, 1911, aged fifty-three years. She was a fervent member of the Universalist church. CHARLES O. HOFFMAN. During the more than twelve years that Charles O. Hoffman has served Arcanum as one of its reliable and conscientious druggists, he has proved his worth as a citizen, and his skill as a pharmacist. The druggist of today has to be a carefully trained man, his course extending over a longer period even than that of the physician, and Mr. Hoffman measures up to every standard for he appreciates the responsibility resting upon him, and his duty to the city where he has lived during the greater part of his business career. He was born at West Manchester, Preble county, Ohio, October 9, 1875, a son of John W. and Julia (Banfill) Hoffman, and grandson of John P. and Mary Ann Banfill. The paternal grandfather was born in Indiana, where he married Julia Richards, also a native of that State, and they came to Preble county, Ohio, at an early day, where he died. The grandmother died quite recently at Gordon, Ohio. During his lifetime they were farming people and so brought up their children who were as follows: John W., William, Alice and Emma. John P. Banfill and his wife 190 - DARKE COUNTY were natives of Ohio, who lived during their married life in Preble county this same State, devoting their energies to farming. The grandfather died during middle life, but the grandmother survives, living at West Manchester, Ohio, being now nearly eighty years old. These grandparents had the following children: Julia, Clara, Albert, Austin, Flora, Della, Alma, Ernest, Elsie and Harvey. Both John W. Hoffman and his wife were born in Preble county, Ohio, where they were farming people. At present he resides at Eaton, Ohio, his wife having died in 1905, aged forty-eight years. In religious belief she was a Universalist. For eight years John W. Hoffman served Preble county as sheriff and was a fearless and conscientious official. The children born to him and his wife were as follows: Charles O. and Major C. of Dayton, Ohio, who lived to maturity, and five who died in childhood. Charles O. Hoffman was reared on his father's farming property in Preble county, Ohio, until he was thirteen years old, and from then on resided at West Manchester until he attained to years of discretion, and during this period he enjoyed the advantages offered first by the district schools, and later the public schools, being the first graduate of the West Manchester high school, leaving that institution in 1893. For the following three years he taught school, and then entered the school of pharmacy of Purdue University, from which he was graduated in 1899. For the next year he was connected with a drug store at Dayton, Ohio, and for one year was a member of a co-partnership in a drug store at Eaton., Ohio. In 1901, seeing an excellent opening at Arcanum, he came to this city, and bought the drug store then owned by Hamiel & Johnson, since which time he has been conducting it in a manner that makes for successful business. During the time he has been the proprietor of this store, he has made many improvements, and now has his fittings and appointments of a character to command admiration, as well as facilitate the handling of business. On May 16, 1900, Mr. Hoffman was married to Inez Hawes, a daughter of Lycurgus and Hester Hawes, and they have one son, Robert. Mrs. Hoffman was born near Castine, Darke county, Ohio. Mr. Hoffman belongs to Ithaca Lodge, No. 295, F. & A. M., Antioch Shrine and Scottish Rite, Dayton, Ohio; Commandery, Troy, Ohio. A Republican, he is at present serving capably as town treasurer. Since the organization of the DARKE COUNTY - 191 Chatauqua Association, he has been president of the local branch. Professionally he belongs to the State board of pharmacy. FREDERICK LAMPE. The industrial and commercial life of any community is of necessity in the hands of its competent business men to. whose knowledge and foresight it owes its progress and stand among its sister municipalities. Arcanum, Ohio, is fortunate, indeed, to have a man of the calibre of Frederick Lampe, senior member of the hardware firm of Lampe & Brawley, located in its midst; one who makes the interests of the place his own; one who strives to conduct the affairs of public office entrusted to him, upon the same general lines that he would follow in his private business; in fact a real American to the backbone, hearty and earnest, successful and willing to help others to succeed. He was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, so he is a product of the Buckeye State, his birth occurring January 28, 1866. He is a son of Conrad and Louisa (Myers) Lampe. Conrad Lampe and his wife were born in Germany, where they were reared and married. Feeling the need of wider fields, they immigrated to America, settling at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he found employment at his trade as a miller. Later on he moved to Moore's Hill, Ind., to engage in farming a property of seventy acres, and died upon it in 1908, at the age of eighty-three years, his wife having passed away about 1871. Both were Lutherans in religious belief. They had two children, namely: Minnie, who married Walter Davis of Xenia, Ohio, and Frederick, whose name heads this review. Frederick Lampe had the misfortune to lose his mother when he was five or six years old, and he was reared by his sister, being sent to the public schools of Cincinnati. When about sixteen years old he began learning the coopering trade, but after a short period, he went to Dayton, Ohio, arriving there in 1881, and began clerking in a . grocery store. After two years devoted to this kind of work, Mr. Lampe became connected with the Standard Oil Company, and this association continued for twelve years, during which period he was sent to Greenville, Ohio, and continued at that point as their agent for a decade. Leaving this company, Mr. Lampe engaged in a grocery business with Frank Maher and so con- 192 - DARKE COUNTY tinued for eight years. He moved to Arcanum in 1907, forming a partnership with Thomas G. Brawley, and embarked in his present business which has developed large porportions, the firm controlling an extensive trade. On May 25, 1887, Mr. Lampe was married to Miss Cora Paullus, a daughter of Peter and Julia Frances (Potter) Paullus, and they have two children, namely: Howard, who is in the employ of his father, married Lucile Weaver, and Helen who is attending Wilt College at Dayton, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Lampe are members of the Lutheran church and active in promoting its good works. Fraternally he belongs to Greenville Lodge No. 143, F. & A. M.; Greenville Chapter No. 77, R. A. M.; Matchett Council, R. S. M.; Dayton Valley Consistory, and he is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason. Mr. Lampe is also a Knight of Pythias, belonging to Greenville Lodge of that order. He is a Democrat, and was a member of the Greenville school Board. Since coming to Arcanum he has been a member of the city council, and is also a member of the board of public affairs. Mrs. Lampe was born at Huntington, Ind., but her parents were natives of West Alexandria, Ohio, and now reside at Chicago, Ill. They have had three children: Bert, Cora and Lona. Both the paternal and maternal grandparents of Mrs. Lampe came to western States from Pennsylvania. LEONARD MARKER. While never neglecting his business, Leonard Marker has found time and opportunity to follow his inclination toward collecting relics of his family, and historical facts relative to it and the town of Versailles, Ohio, where he is conducting a furniture and undertaking establishment. He is without a doubt one of the greatest and most enthusiastic collectors of relics and curios in the State. His store contains many valuable curios and is a museum that will well pay any one to visit. The guns, some of which are relics of the Revolutionary war (over forty in the collection) and the revolvers, about seventy-five in the collection, are certainly worth studying along the line of development. The totems, tribal emblems, and other interesting articles from Alaska were secured through a teacher who now lives in DARKE COUNTY - 193 Versailles. He was sent to Alaska by the United States government during President Harrison's administration. Here one can also see Indian peace pipes, opium pipes, bones from the northern mammoth, ivory implements, drills, bows and arrows from Alaska, game drags, harpoons and articles representing different kinds of stones from tribes of the Stone Age, old surgical instruments showing old spring lances which were in use over one hundred years ago for bleeding people. There are old German swords with ivory handles, some of the blades inlaid with gold, finely engraved wine glass once owned by maternal ancestors, which have been in the family since 1760, old German Bible bound in leather published in 1711, which has been in the Marker family for at least four generations, over five thousand fraternal and other badges, a Iarge collection of old wild cat currency and other ancient specimens of money now very valuable. The building in which his store is situated is of brick, new, large and commodious, two stories with basement, elevator and electric lights, modern and up to date in every respect, filled with the finest furniture, rugs, carpets, pictures and paintings of all kinds that one would expect to find in a first-class furniture store in a large city. All is a credit, not only to Mr. Marker, but to Versailles and to all of Darke county. He is a man whose studies have not only proven of interest to him, but will benefit posterity when the results are given to the world. He was born June 9, 1846, at the old Six Mile House west of Dayton, Ohio, but was brought to Darke county when four years old, in 1850, by his parents Raymon J. and Eliza (Bachman) Marker. The former was born in 1824, and, died in 1855. The father of the Marker family came to Ohio as early as 1823, and Raymon J. Marker was born in the same house as his son. He 'vas given a common school education, and devoted himself to farming all his life. At one time he was township clerk, and when he died was a justice of the peace, while in religious faith he was a Lutheran. His wife was born south of Dayton, Ohio. near Miamisburg, in 1827. Her parents were Christian and Catherine (Hiller) Bachman, who were both born in Pennsylvania, where her father learned cabinet making, later becoming a painter and paper hanger. When he moved to Versailles, he built the second brick house at this point. The mother of Leonard Marker died in the spring of 1855, firm in the faith of the Lutheran church. She and her husband were married in 1845, at Getter's (13) 194 - DARKE COUNTY Crossroads, near Miamisburg, by the Rev. Rosen Miller, a Lutheran minister, and they had a family as follows: Leonard, who was the eldest; Allen, who lives at Versailles; Hiram, who died in 1867, aged eighteen years, and Margaret, who married George Burns, now resides at Cleveland, Ohio, having been a widow for a quarter of a century. With the death of his father in 1855, Leonard Marker left the Marker homestead in the vicinity of Versailles, then called Jacksonville, near the old Bowers saw and grist mill, being taken to Liberty, Ohio, near Dayton, by his uncle Perry Marker, who died in 1869. When he was fifteen years old, Leonard Marker left school. Returning to Versailles, Ohio, in 1864, he learned the cabinet making trade from Bartholdt Engelken, a native of Germany, being apprenticed to him under articles, and during the years he remained with this skilled workman he learned everything pertaining to the making of high-grade furniture. When he was twenty-one years old, he began business for himself, making furniture to order, and very recently was called upon to refinish some furniture he had made for Elias Bashore forty years ago. During that period this furniture had required no repairing, so solid was it. His present business dates from 1867, when he established himself one-half a block from his present location, but in 1880 moved to three blocks east until 1884. When this was destroyed by fire he went to the old J. C. Reed block on Main Cross street, but in 1907 built his present building on Main and West streets, a frame structure, which replaced the old D. R. Barley building he had been occupying, and to which he had made additions. In that year he added the handling of carpets to his business. Mr. Marker has a record of the funerals he has conducted, as he went into the undertaking business when he founded his furniture house. In earlier times he made the coffins himself, they being what was known as sharp tops, the lumber was sawed on a sash saw mill, each coffin being built to order. His first funeral was that of the daughter of Richard Brown, and took place November 24, 1867, the entire outfit costing the father eight dollars. Mr. Marker also has in his possession the book in which his father kept his records as township clerk in 1853 and 1854. As a collector of curios Mr. Marker has gained considerable reputation. Some of them he has bought, but those which he prizes most highly are the ones which have been presented to him by friends and relatives, the history of which is known to him. He is also col- DARKE COUNTY - 195 lecting data relative to his family, and among other things has discovered that the eighty-six Marker voters in Darke county are all Democrats, as are all he can trace in Maryland, and he lives up to family traditions by adhering to the principles of the same party. About twelve years ago he inaugurated a Marker family reunion which has taken place annually ever since. On April 1, 1869, Leonard Marker was married at Versailles, Ohio, by the Rev. Charles Farnsworth, pastor of the Methodist church, to Miss E. Gertie Reed, daughter of the late Jas. C. and Rhoda Reed, who were among the first settlers of Versailles, then Jacksonville. Jas. C. Reed was a general merchant and grain merchant at this point, and held some township offices, such as that of township treasurer, while he was a councilman of Versailles. Mrs. Reed was a member of the Christian church. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Reed were as follows: Rachel, who is a widow, lives at Union City, Ohio; William C.; Jerusha, who is a widow, lives at Cleveland, Ohio; Allen L., who lives at Anderson, Ohio; James F., who is deceased; Jesse lives at Chicago, Ill.; Isabel, who is deceased; Gertie, and two who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Marker have had four children: E. Grace; James R., who lives at Columbus, Ohio, is state highway commissioner, superintendent of the State board of public works, county surveyor for five years, is a graduated civil engineer from the Ohio State University, and was appointed chief engineer on the board of public works by Governor Judson Harmon, and he has been a member of the good roads movement of the State and Nation, and is one of the organizers of the National Good Roads Association; Maude F. is at home, and Raymon J., who is a student at State University, is taking an agricultural and arts course. The entire Marker family belongs to the Christian church, as does Mary J. Herbert, who has been reared by Mr. and Mrs. Marker as a daughter, she being an orphan niece. For about fifteen years Mr. Marker served his church as a trustee, and is now one of the five trustees of the Miami conference, which covers a wide territory. He has held a number of offices, such as those of township clerk, councilman, and others of similar importance, and can always be depended upon to do all in his power to aid in civic advancement and moral uplift. Although he is now in comfortable circumstances, he has had to work hard for his success, and in the early days often worked all night to complete an order. 196 - DARKE COUNTY JOHN E. HUNTER, M. D. The medical profession of Darke county is represented by some of the most skilled and learned men of this calling to be found in Ohio, and among them one who has won a well-merited standing is Dr. John E. Hunter, eye, ear, nose and throat specialist, who is located at 201 Ohio block, Greenville, while his residence is at 206 Central avenue. He has devoted himself, his time, energy and life to the preservation of public health and the alleviation of human ills. His is no easy task nor have his services received proper remuneration, no physician is ever adequately recompensed, but he cheerfully accepts his disadvantages, makes countless sacrifices, being content in well doing. He was born in Kent county, Michigan, near Lowell and Grand Rapids, August 14, 1861, a son of Matthew and Mary (Farmer) Hunter, and grandson of Robert and Mary (Greene) Hunter, and Peter and Polly (DuBois) Farmer. Robert Hunter and his wife were born in Yorkshire, Eng- land, but immigrated to the United States, locating in Kent county, Michigan, where they died, he lacking but two months of being ninety-nine years old, and she when about eighty-five years old. They had a large family, among whom were: Elizabeth, who is still living at the age of nearly one hundred years, making her home at Kalamazoo, Mich.; Charlotte, Mary, Matthew, James, John, Grant and Robert. The maternal grandparents of Doctor Hunter moved at an early day to Coburg, Ontario, Canada, where the grandfather died in 1841, his widow surviving him. She married (second) John Tanner. By her first marriage she had the following children: Mary, Sarah, Peter and David. There were two children by her second marriage, namely: Arthalinda and Julietta. Matthew Hunter was born at Cottonworth, ten miles east of York, England, March 8, 1821; while his wife was born at Coburg, Ontario, Canada, March 7, 1829. When he was seven years old, Matthew Hunter was brought to the United States, he celebrating his seventh birthday on the Atlantic ocean during the five weeks' voyage on a sailing vessel, which plied from Hull to Quebec. The first settlement of the family was made near Geneva, N. Y., but three years later, they moved to Wayne county. There they remained until Matthew was nineteen years old, and in that year they went to Ontario, and were on the lake, Matthew remaining at home until DARKE COUNTY - 197 he was twenty-four years old, devoting his time and earnings to his parents. He then embarked in a sawmill business and conducted it for seven years. Saving his money, he was able at the expiration of the seven years, to buy a farm in Ontario, and one year later sold it at a profit, and moved to Kent county, Michigan, locating on an agricultural property that was in a wild condition. This he cleared and improved, ridding it of the original heavy timber and lived upon it for forty-three years. This farm comprised 104 acres, and for some years he devoted it to general farming, but later on specialized in fruit growing to his entire satisfaction, having forty acres in peaches, three acres in plums, and good pear and quince orchards, supplying the State Horticultural Society and South Haven, Mich., with peaches for which he received $4 per bu. As was but natural, he became a recognized authority upon fruit culture and gave much valuable advice to others in the same line, or purposing entering the field. During the latter part of his life, he served as a justice of the peace in his township. In 1885, Mr. Hunter erected a fine, two-story brick residence upon his property, one of the finest in the county. He was united in marriage at Whitby, Ontario, Canada, October 6, 1849, to Miss Mary Farmer, and they lived to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary with his wife's mother, when the fatter was eighty-five years old. Five generations were present at the celebration, namely: Mrs. Farmer, Mrs. Hunter, their daughter, granddaughter and great-grandson. Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Hunter had the following children: Robert C. who is a farmer and fruit grower of Colton, Ore.; William G., deceased, who was an agriculturalist of Lowell township, Kent county, Michigan; Sarah Alice, who is the wife of Charles Gibson of Racine, Wis.; James Peter, who died at the age of two years; Ida Caroline, who died December 26, 1890, at Cincinnati, Ohio, the wife of Eugene Sprague; John Emerson Hunter, whose name heads this review, and a twin brother, who died in infancy; Willard M., who is operating the home-stead; Walter A., who is the twin brother of Willard M., died at the age of nineteen years, February 23, 1884, and Ulysses, who is a farmer of Browne township, Kent county, Michigan. Doctor Hunter was reared in Kent county, Michigan, where he attended the district schools and Lowell high school, being graduated from the latter institution. Following that event he clerked in a drug store for a period covered by five years, and then, entering the Cincinnati, Ohio, College of Medicine 198 - DARKE COUNTY and Surgery, was graduated therefrom March 6, 1891. For the next four years Doctor Hunter was engaged in a general practice at Alto, Kent county, Michigan, when he moved to Lake City, Mich., and remained in that community until 1901, when he went to Chicago to take a post graduate course in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, and spent a year following this on the Pacific coast. Returning to Michigan he practiced at Traverse City until 1907, when, in July of that year, he moved to Greenville to take advantage of an opening in this city, and since then has made his skill and training count, for he has built up a large parctice and is recognized as an authority upon those diseases to which he has devoted so much time and study. The marriage of Doctor Hunter occurred in 1888 when he was united with Miss Carolina Wedekind, a daughter of Charles Frederick and Caroline (Worthheimer) Wedekind. Doctor and Mrs. Hunter became the parents of two children: Matthew Charles, who is a student of the Starling, Ohio, State Medical College, and John Edward, who died in August, 1909, aged seventeen years. The Methodist church holds the membership of Doctor and Mrs. Hunter and they are active in promulgating its good work. He is a Mason and belongs to Greenville Chapter No. 77, R. A. M., Matchett Council, R. & S. M., and is a member of the Knights of Pythias. The city of Greenville benefits from his professional skill, as he is now president of the board of health. For the past three years Doctor Hunter has been secretary of the Darke County Medical Society, to which he belongs, and to the Ohio State Medical Society and of the American Medical Association. Mrs. Hunter was born at London, England, in 1866. Her parents, however, were natives of Germany, her father being engaged in the Queen's service as private interpreter of languages. After his death, his widow came to the United States. Daniel Werthheimer and family (maternal grandparent) of Mrs. J. E. Hunter, were born in Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany. They were highly cultured and religious. For many generations were rabbis, musicians, and artists. This branch of the family trace their ancestry back to the House of David. Before the Revolution they were considered one of the wealthiest families throughout Germany. He was a wine and grain merchant and agriculturist. A man who loved and lived his religion and respected all mankind. Grandmother Ger- DARKE COUNTY - 199 trude Werthheimer lived to be ninety-eight years three months and twelve days. Mrs. C. Jessop; maiden name Zerlina Werthheimer (changed to Caroline), born in Stockheim "Hesse Darm Stadt" March 3, 1839. Married in London England February 25, 1862, at the age of twenty-two years, to Charles F. Henry Wedekind. To this union two children were born: Emma Sophia and Caroline F. Hermena. (The latter being born three months after her father's death). After the settlement of the estate of Mr. Wedekind his widow sailed for America. After several years she was married to John Walter Jessop of Boston, Mass., at Jersey City, N. J. They came to Cincinnati, Ohio, where three sons were born. Daniel Jessop, deceased; Joseph J. Jessop and Charles W. Jessop, now of Connersville, Ind. Mrs. C. Jessop (now retired) lives in Connersville, Ind., and is known throughout the State as the lady confectioner. John W. Jessop died in Cincinnati, Ohio, May 29, 1888. Mrs. Hunter's father, Charles Frederick Henry Wedekind, was born in Niemburg "on der Wieser" in the state of Hanover, Germany, December 3, 1829. Married Zerlina Werthheimer February 25, 1862. He was a highly educated man, a linguist, and conversed in twelve languages. Was a composer of music and a fine musician. At the time of his death he was private secretary in Queen Victoria's service. Previous to his coming to England he was teacher and instructor of music and languages in a royal family of Russia. Mr. Wedekind was the first person to receive the sad news of Lincoln's assassination by cable at Queenstown, England. He died in London, England, December 3, 1865, at the age of thirty-six years. William Wedekind, a brother of Charles F. H. Wedekind, was private secretary and counsel to the old blind King of Hanover. Grandfather Wedekind was a teacher and preacher of the Protestant religion. Emma Sophia Wedekind, oldest daughter of Charles F. H. Wedekind, was born in London, England, Middle street, Hoxton. Date of birth December 23, 1862. Under the signature, George Pearce. Registered under Vaccination Law. Copy Register No. 20. Entry 473. Received her education in Cincinnati, Ohio. Was married in 1888 to Norman D. Conniers of Covington, Ky., and is now living with her mother, Mrs. C. Jessop, at Connersville, Ind. Caroline Frederica Hermina Wedekind was born in London, England, March 11, 1866, at Middlesex, near Victoria park. Under sig-