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L. C. ANDERSON, physician and surgeon, Dallas ; P. 0. Ansonia ; born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Jan. 15, 1850 ; he was the oldest son of John Anderson, who was born in Pennsylvania Sept. 10, 1821, and emigrated to Montgomery Co., then to Preble Co.. and in 1863, he came to Darke Co., and located in Twin Township, and in 1865, he came to Ansonia : he died in Sydney May 30, 1869 ; he was married to Mary A. Hulse Feb. 15, 1849 ; she was a native of Montgomery Co. ; was born June 15,1830. and died Aug. 22, 1864. The subject of this memoir obtained a good common-school education, and in the spring of 1871, he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. W. E. Hooven, and after a study of three years, including two terms of lectures at the Miami Medical College, he graduated from the above place in the spring of 1874, and, upon the 23d of March, he formed a partnership under the firm name of Hooven & Anderson, which partnership continues the same, with a yearly increase of practice. His marriage with Olive Tullis was celebrated April 29, 1875 ; she was born in Darke Co. Feb. 15, 1851 ; they have one child, John Milton. born June 21, 1876.

HENRY BAUGHMAN, retired farmer ; P. 0. Ansonia ; one of the early pioneers of Darke County ; born in Germany Dec. 20, 1822 ; he emigrated with his parents to America, landing in Baltimore in the fall of 1832 ; after living in Virginia three years. they came to Ohio and located in Richland Township in the fall of 1835 ; his father, John H. Baughman, was born in Germany, and, upon locating here, entered Government land, upon which he lived some thirty years ; he died in Brown Township, in September, 1875 ; Mrs. Baughman died about the year 1858 ; they were the parents of eight children, of whom three sons and two daughters are now living. Henry remained with his father until 15 years of age, when he started in life for himself by hiring out as farm-laborer, the first year at $4 per month and the second year at $8, and the following seven years he cropped with his former employer, Jacob Studebaker ; he entered first 160 acres of canal land. for which he paid $300 ; after farming the same a few years, he disposed of 40 acres for $1,000, and now has the balance left ; he has refused $800 for 8 acres of the same land : he now owns nearly 300 acres, with good buildings, aside from his residence and lots in Dallas. Mr. Baughman commenced in life without means, and, after years of toil, has placed himself among. the large landholders and successful farmers of Darke County, and accumulated a handsome fortune ; in 1865, he rented his farm and purchased a residence in Dallas, where he has since lived, retired from active labor. His marriage with Mary Studabaker was celebrated in Darke County in 1846 ; nine children were born to them, of whom two sons and six daughters are now living, viz., Emily (now Mrs. Walter Reed), Caroline (now Mrs. Joseph Reed), Juliette (now Mrs. Jefferson Hostetter, of Dallas), Mary Ann, Franklin, Ida, May and Lawrance ; the deceased died in infancy. Mr. Baughman has been a member of the Presbyterian Church since childhood ; his wife and nearly all the family are also church members. When Mr. Baughman first located here, the place where Dallas now stands was a wilderness. and he assisted to erect the first building in the town.

WILLIAM BAUGHMAN, retired farmer ; one of the early pioneers of Darke Co. ; born in Germany March 24, 1827 ; when 5 years of age, he emigrated with his parents to America, landing in Baltimore in 1832 ; they went to Wheeling, Va., where they arrived without means, and remained three years ;

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they came to Darke Co. in 1835 ; here his father, John H., died, September, 1875 ; his wife having died about the year 1858. In October, 1848. William Baughman was united in marriage with Catherine Bertz ; she was born in Germany, and is a sister of George Bert; whose sketch also appears in this work ; ten children was the fruit of this union, of whom five sons and two daughters now survive, viz., Solomon, Mary J., George W., William, Lucy B., Charlie and Augusta. Upon the marriage of Mr. B., he farmed upon rented land four years ; he then bought 40 acres, upon which he lived nine years ; he now owns 256 acres in Brown and Richland Townships, with good farm buildings, also his residence and some improved business property in town. Mr. Baughman commenced life without means, and has by his own hard labor, energy and industry, placed himself among the large landholders and successful business men of Brown Township. being a partner in the popular hardware firm of Bert; Schlemmer & Co.

GEORGE BERTZ, hardware dealer, firm of Bertz. Schlemmer & Co.. Ansonia, Ohio. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is another of the self-made men of Darke County ; he was born in Saxony, Germany, April 6, 1835, and was a son of John Bertz, who was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1803, and died in 1844. He was married in Germany to Anna Magdalena Doud ; she, with five children, emigrated to America in 1847 ; she died in Richland Township Sept. 13, 1848. The subject of this sketch emigrated to America with his mother, and, upon her death, was taken by William Baughman, by whom he was kindly cared for and raised until he attained his majority, and for compensation to this date received $100 ; the following seven years his wages ranged from $75 to $100 yearly ; in 1864, he went to Nebraska and purchased 160 acres of land in Otoe Coutny, and for four years was engaged in the restaurant and baker business in Nebraska City ; his brother now resides upon the above farm, which he has under a good state of cultivation ; in 1869, Mr. Bertz returned to Ansonia and engaged in the dry-goods trade, and in 1873 he engaged with William Baughman in the agricultural trade, and in the fall of 1874 they erected their brick store and added their present business, which they have since successfully followed ; a card of their business appears among the business cards of Ansonia ; in 1875, he was elected Township Trustee, which office he has since held. and is also serving his second year as Councilman of Ansonia ; has been a member of the church since 12 years of age, and a member of Lodge 605 I. O. O. F. since 1875 ; has never made use of tobacco in any form, and is a strong champion of the cause of temperance.

HEZEKIAH W. FRY, Sec. 21, Ansonia ; one of the old settlers of Darke County ; born in what is now Neave Township, near old Fort Jefferson, Jan. 26, 1835 ; he was a son of Andrew Fry, who was born in Pennsylvania and emigrated to Darke County somewhere from 1820 to 1825, and settled in the woods, where he was engaged in farming in connection with his trade, which was a wheelwright ; he was also local preacher of the Methodist Church, was Justice of the Peace for many years, and held other township offices ; he died about the year 1871 ; he married Rachel Wilson ; she was born in Hamilton County ; she died a few years after the death of her husband. The subject of this sketch received a common-school education and assisted his father on the farm until March 19, 1857, when he was united in marriage with Ellen J. Guy ; she was a native of Pennsylvania, born April 10, 1836 ; they have three sons and two daughters living, having lost two daughters by death ; the living are Agnes, Albertice, Benjamin F., Alonzo M. and Grace A. Upon the marriage of Mr. Fry, he farmed upon rented land four years, and in 1861 he purchased 160 acres of his present place, where he has since lived ; he has now 210 acres, with good farm buildings, under a fair state of cultivation. He has taken a deep interest in the cause of religion, having been a member of the M. E. Church for a period of a quarter If a century ; his wife and eldest daughter members of the same church.

DANIEL GARRISON, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 29 ; P. O. Woodington ; another of our old settlers ; born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Feb. 17, 1836. His

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father. Leonard. was born in Pennsylvania in 1803: came to Ohio. and, after a residence of several years in Montgomery and Butler Co.'s. came to Darke Co. in 1844, where he died in July. 1871 : he married Maria Bake : she was born in Butler Co. and died when the subject of this sketch was an infant. Daniel Garrison came to Darke. Co. with his father in 1844. and was raised to agricultural pursuits. and employed as farm laborer until about 21 years of age. when, upon the 20th of September. 1860. he was united in marriage with Mary Niswonger ; she was born in Montgomery Co. Jan. 344. 1840: they have four children now living. viz. : Elmer E.. born Oct. 7. 1861 : Joseph N., born Sept. 23. 1864,; Viola May, born July 9. 1870. and Ada B.. born Nov. 15. 1877 : Leonard A. was born July 21. 1867, and wed Jan. 6. 1870. After the marriage of Mr. G.: he farmed upon rented land twelve years. and in 1872 he purchased his present place of 63 acres, where he has since lived : he is one of our self-made men commencing in life without means. he has secured all of the above property by his own hard labor, energy and industry : he. with his wife. have been members of the Christian Church for a period of about thirty years. Mrs. Garrison was a daughter of Joseph Niswonger. who was born in Montgomery Co.. where he now resides ; her mother was Anna W. Henderson she was born in Ohio. and died some twenty-six years ago upon the 3d of June. 1877. Mrs. Garrison was stricken with paralysis. depriving her of the use of her left side ; since which time she has been unable to perform only her light household duties she has, however. borne her afflictions with that fortitude which is characteristic of her true Christian life.

L. C. GARVER. dealer in groceries and provisions, Ansonia ; born in Washington Co.. Md., Oct. 21. 1842 : in 1848, he came to Columbus, Ohio, .and in 1831 to Montgomery Co. : in August. 1852. came to Darke Co. and located in Richland Township : here his father. Isaac Garver. met his death by an accident at a barn raising, one of the timbers falling upon him late in the day, causing his death, after a few hours' suffering. upon May 3. 1854. The subject of our sketch was then thrown upon his own resources. and labored at such employment as he could obtain until Sept. 7. 1861. when he enlisted as a private in Co. K, 34th 0. V. I. (Ohio Zouaves). tOr three years : he was in many severe battles, among which we mention the battle of Winchester, both battles of Fayetteville, Raleigh and Charlestown. Va.. the whole campaign of the Shenandoah Valley, Martinsburg and the Lynchburg raid. and many others ; he was one of the 1,200 who were detailed to make a raid to destroy the V. & T. R. R. ; they made the trip of upward ot' 400 miles in six days, traveling over mountains and valleys, through a dangerous country. traveling by day and night ; they encountered many dangers ; 'at one time found themselves in the rebll camp ; often, while riding at night, some of the poor soldiers. with. their horses, were thrown over precipices ; they arrived at Wytheville on Saturday, July 18, 1863. and immediately attacked the town, which was garrisoned by a force of rebels, lodged in the buildings, equally as large as the Union force; after severe fighting, in which the Union forces lost heavily in killed and wounded. the place was captured ; in this engagement Mr. Garver was severely wounded : being the chief target for many rebels, he received eight bullets upon his person at one volley ; he managed to crawl to some secluded place. was taken prisoner and remained in rebel prisons until March 24, 1864, when he was paroled. having served in rebel prisons eight months, suffering all the cruel treatment and starvation extended to our Union soldiers ; after receiving his parole. he lay in the Hospital until the September following, when, his term of enlistment having expired. he returned home, and the following spring engaged in farming, continuing the same until 1874, when, on account of failing health from the cruel treatment received while in rebel prisons, and suffering from his wounds, he abandoned farming, came to Ansonia. and engaged in the above business, which he has since successfully followed. In politics, he is a strong Republican, and always votes as he fought. Upon the 23d of May, 1865, he was united in marriage with Charlotte Warvel ; she was born in

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Darke Co. Dec. 13, 1847 ; they have four children by this union—John H. W., born June 13, 1866 ; Cordelia M.. April 10, 1869 ; Leonard M. and Lizzie M. (twins), Nov. 8, 1873. The business card of Mr. Garver will be found in the directory of Ansonia, in another part of this work.

ORLANDO J. HAGER, contractor and builder, of the firm Riffle & Hager. P. O. Ansonia : residence. Dallas ; another of our old settlers ; born in Montgomery County upon the 12th of November. 1847 ; he is a son of James W. Hager. who was born in the same county, and came to Darke County in 1851, and now resides in Richland Township. The subject of this sketch came to this county with his parents when only 3 years of age, and located. in Richland Township, where he was raised to agricultural pursuits until 19 years of age. when he started out in the world to seek his fortune, and, upon the 13th of August. 1867, commenced to learn the carpenter s trade, and for one year received wages of $1 per day. and the second year his wages were $1.25, the third, $1.50. and the remainder of the time he received $1.75 ; he worked for the same party for nearly five years. when he returned to Darke County, and for two years was employed by .John Longnecker, at his trade, at Pikesville ; he then engaged one year in agricultural pursuits. and, upon the 17th of February, 1874, he located in Dallas and started in the carpenter business, and the following year, associated with Silas Riffle, under the above firm name, which business he has since followed. Upon May 1, 1873, he was married to Elizabeth Warvel ; she was born in Darke County Sept. 25, 1853 ; they have one child, viz., Pearl I., born Nov. 11. 1876 ; Mrs. Hager is a daughter of John H. Warvel, one of the early pioneers of Darke County, whose sketch appears among the biographies of Greenville Township. in another part of this work.

J. R. HOLLAND, retired farmer. Sec. 31 ; P. O. Woodington ; one of the old settlers ; born in Montgomery Co., Penn., Jan. 19, 1807 ; his father died when he was about 2 years old ; he then lived with his mother until 16 years of age, when he was apprenticed to learn the printer's trade, which he followed in Philadelphia until 21 years of age, when he went to New Orleans, then to Cincinnati, Ohio, and followed his trade some fifteen years ; the last work at his trade was on the Cincinnati Enquirer; he was then appointed Deputy Marshal, which office he filled two years ; he devoted one year to running a power-press at Indianapolis. which was the first power-press run in Indiana. under the revised statistics, the printing office being located opposite Browning's Hotel ; he then followed the grocery trade some three years in Cincinnati, and in 1858, disposed of his store and stock and came to Darke County, and purchased 260 acres in Brown and Greenville Townships, upon which he then located, and where he has since lived ; he now owns 360 acres, under a good state of improvement ; of township and school offices he has had his full share, having been County Commissioner six years, Township Trustee five years, and also held some other petty offices ; upon the location of Mr. Holland here, he followed farming and stock-raising until 1877, when he retired from active labor, his son managing the farm. His marriage with Harriet M. Ricketts was celebrated in Philadelphia ; she was born in Pennsylvania, and died upon the old homestead in May, 1877 ; they were the parents of five children—Laura (now Mrs. Crosson, of Union City), Mary Ann (now Mrs. John Atchinson, of Paris, Ky.), Ada (now Mrs. George Lindermond), Charlotte (now Mrs. Ginther) and Charles S. living at home).

DR. ISAAC HOSTETTER. deceased, one of the early pioneers of Darke Co., Ohio ; born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Nov. 30, 1810 ; he received his preparatory education at Lancaster. Penn., and graduated from the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in the year 1834 ; he emigrated from Pennsylvania to Montgomery Co., Ohio, and, about the year 1835, commenced the practice of medicine, and. in 1836, came to Darke County and located in Richland Township, where he followed his profession, in connection with farming, until 1849, when he. left his farm and removed to Beamsville, erected a good residence and continued to practice until within a short time of his death : he was elected to

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represent the counties of Miami, Shelby and Darke in the General Assembly of Ohio during the session of 1844-45 ; the above counties, at that time, constituted one district : he was also Major General of the Ohio State Militia, his uniform and sword now being held by his son. Dr. Samuel A. Hostetter. and valued very highly by him as an heirloom ; the Doctor was one of the first practitioners of the county. the practice of medicine at that early day being attended with difficulty and hardships. extending over one-half a degree of latitude and longitude, traveling on horseback and dispensing his medicine from his saddle-bags ; he was married in Montgomery County. to Hannah Hager ; she was born in Hagerstown, Md., Nov. 5. 1813. the above town being named in honor of her grandfather ; they were the parents of four sons and three daughters. viz., Hiram H., Salinda A., Elizabeth C.. Samuel A., Thomas J.. :Nancy E. (deceased) and Franklin P. In 1859, the Doctor received a stroke of paralysis, which was followed, in February, 1861, by a second stroke, and the following month. March 2, he passed down the dark valley, respected and beloved by all who knew him. and one of whom his contemporaries could truly say. His life was not a failure, nor did he live in vain. Of their children, the eldest son. Hiram, lost his life while serving his country during the late rebellion ; being taken prisoner. he was taken to Libby Prison, where he died after seven months ; the oldest sister. Salinda. is married, and lives in Missouri : Elizabeth C. is also married, and lives in Missouri ; Dr. Samuel has been a member, for four years past, of the Ohio Legislature, and is now, with Thomas J., engaged in the drug trade at Ansonia ; Frank P. is engaged in the stock business, in Kansas.

G. C. HULSE. farmer and grain-dealer ; residence Dallas ; P. 0. Ansonia ; born in Montgomery Co.. Ohio. April 16, 1832. and was raised to agricultural pursuits upon the home farm. until 25 years of age, when he removed to Preble Co. Oct. 1. 1857 ; he followed farming here until Nov. 20, 1872, when he came to Darke Co. and settled at Ansonia. and purchased a farm of 46 acres, and laid out the west part of the town : he then engaged in purchasing and shipping grain to Cleveland and Eastern markets until 1875, at which time he retired from the above business. He then gave his attention to farming, and in the fall of 1879 he again commenced the purchase of grain, which business he intends to follow ; his ware house is situated on Plum street, where he has a switch of 400 feet connecting his warehouse with the railroad ; he owns 100 acres in Brown Township. besides his brick residence, warehouse, storehouse, and some lots in town. His marriage with Sarah Bonham was celebrated June 1. 1860 ; she was born in Darke Co. June 29, 1844 ; they were the parents of eight children, viz. : Wilbur. born July 27. 1861 ; Ida. born Aug. 11. 1863, died June 18, 1864 ; David, born Jan. 2, 1866 ; Charles, born March 5. 1868: Anna, born Aug. 2. 1871 ; Russel, born Nov. 28, 1873 Edwin, born May 4. 1875: Earl. born Oct. 8. 1878. Mr. Hulse was a son of David Hulse, who was born in New Jersey Aug. 13. 1794, and came to Ohio about the year 1820, and followed farming and weaving until his death, which occurred Nov. 24, 1844. He was married in Butler Co.. Ohio, to Rebecca Russell, Jan. 22. 1824 ; she was born in 1807, in Butler Co.. and is now living with her son at Ansonia, at the age of 72 years, enjoying good health, and in possession of all her faculties, and able to assist in light household duties. Mrs. Hulse is the daughter of Wm. Bonham. one of the old settlers of Darke Co. ; he was born in New Jersey in 1815, and came here about the year 1836. He married Rebecca Rittenhouse, who was also a native of New Jersey; they are both now living.

D. F. HUNTER, blacksmith and wagon-maker, Ansonia ; born in Darke Co., Ohio, Sept. 29. 1835 ; he was a son of Wm. Hunter, who was born in Warren Co., Ohio. and came here about the year 1825 and located in Greenville Township. He died about the year 1841 ; he was a member of Warren Lodge, No. 24, of Piqua, Ohio, for a period of one-fourth of a century. D. F. experienced a farmer's boyhood, and at 18 years of age he went to Warren Co., Ohio, and learned and worked at the blacksmith's trade some four years, and in 1858 he came to

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Ansonia and started the above business, which he has since followed. He was married to Mary A. Dill May 6, 1859 ; she was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Sept. 25. 1837 ; they were the parents of three children, of whom two now survive—Martha L. and Cora M. Mrs. Hunter's lather was .John H. C. Dill, who was born in Germany March 16, 1805, and emigrated to America when quite young. He married Martha C. Liegment Nov. 17. 1834 ; she was born in Germany Oct. 23. 1815. and died March 7, 1858. Mr. Dill died April 2. 1865.

WM. B. MENDENHALL. retired tanner, merchant and farmer. Sec. 32 ; P. 0, Woodington ; born in Preble Co. June 22. 1S20 : he learned and worked at the tanner's trade until 20 years of age. when he mime to Darke Co.. in 1840. and located upon Sec. 32. Brown Township. where he purchased 4 acres of land for $20. and in the purchase of the same incurred a debt of above his capital ; he then followed the tanning business until 1853 ; upon July 4. 1847, he. with his brother, started the first store at Woodington. and continued his merchandise trade with different partners until 1876. when he disposed of his interest and retired from active business. Mr. 31endenhall came to Darke Co. with a capital of 815-- he now owns 400 acres of land. with four sets of farm buildings also the warehouse at Woodington, all of which he has accumulated by his own energies. To him was given the honor of naming the station at Woodington : he was its first merchant and Postmaster, first Justice of the Peace, and Township Trustee one year. He was married in 1839 to Mary Bailey : she was born in Preble Co. in 1820 ; they were the parents of eight children. of whom four are now living. viz. : Rebecca A., now Mrs. W. H. Ganger ; Hannah E., now Mrs. H. T. Martiu : Thomas A. and Aleria B.

ISAAC E. MILLER, farmer and Justice of Peace, Sec. 30 : P. O. Hetslerville ; one of the old settlers of Darke Co., Ohio; was born in Adams Township April 8, 1840 ; he was a son of John P. Miller, one of the early pioneers of Adams Township, where he lived until his decease, March 4, 1841 ; he married Elizabeth Martin ; she was born July 23. 1819. and is now living in Adams Township. at the advanced age of 60 years ; her parents were among the early pioneers of the same township. Isaac E. Miller received his early education in an old log schoolhouse ; the writing-desks consisted of boards laid upon pins, inserted in holes bored in logs ; their benches were also of a very rude nature ; his father died when he was 1 year of age, after which he was raised by his grandfather, and lived with him until he was 21 years of age, when he started in life for himself ; he attended select school at Jaysville and Gettysburg, and followed teaching in the winter. Upon the 9th day of October, 1862, he was united in marriage with Sarah J. Sword, born in Miami Co., Ohio, Jan. 26, 1841 ; they have four children, viz.: Hannah E., born July 22, 1863 ; John W., born Feb. 11, 1866, ; Jonathan D., born March 7. 1869 ; George C., born April 15, 1874 ; after his marriage, Mr. Miller followed school- teaching in winter, and farming in summer, until April 12, 1864, at which date he came to Brown Township and located upon his present place, which he had purchased the year previous at Sheriff's sale, for which he paid $1,610, and where he has since lived ; he now owns 117 acres, with good farm buildings. He is a Democrat in politics, and, while he has not aspired for office, he has held the office of Justice of the Peace twelve years during his residence here, also a Notary Public for six years.

J. J. PETERS, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 28 ; P. O. Ansonia. One of the old settlers ; born in Germany March 31, 1836 ; at 3 years of age, he emigrated with his parents to America and to Ohio ; his father, J. J. Peters, Sr., was born in France in 1795, and was a soldier under Napoleon several years ; his youngest son now has the gun and sword carried by his father during his service ; he was the father of fourteen children, and raised and brought them all to America ; he purchased a farm in Ohio, upon which he lived until his death, which occurred Dec. 15, 1878, aged 83 years 8 months and 13 days ; his physician's bills during his life amounted to $250 ; he married, in France, Mary E. McKala; she died upon the

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old home farm in the spring of 1871. The subject of this memoir remained with his father until 21 years of age, when he started in life for himself and farmed upon rented land for four years in Darke Co., and in 1862 he purchased 80 acres of his present place. to which he has since added until he now has 160 acres of land. well improved, all of which he has secured by his own hard labor, energy and industry, and has, by the above means. placed himself among the large landholders and successful farmers of Brown Township ; he is now serving his second term as Township Trustee, is a member of Ansonia Lodge. No. 488, A., F. & A. M., and has held an office in the lodge for two years he is also a member of Ansonia Lodge. No. 605. I. 0. 0. F.. and Past Grand of the same. His marriage with Eliza J. Baughman was celebrated April 1. 1861 ; she was born in Brown Township. and is the daughter of .J. Baughman, who emigrated from Prussia; he was a a brother of William and Henry Baughman. whose sketch appears among the biographies of Brown Township : her mother was Maria Riffle, a sister of David and Silas Riffle. whose biographies also appear among the sketches of Brown Township : they have three children living, having lost four by death ; the living are Mary E.. Florence B. and Rachel L.

NOAH D. POLING. farmer and stock-raiser. Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Ansonia ; born in Perry Co.. Ohio. Dee. 31. 1931 ; he was the second son of Daniel Poling. who was also a native of Perry Co.. Ohio. born in 1809. and has lived in the same township for a period of seventy years. He married Maria Spoon ; she was born in 1914. and died in July. 1878. and upward of 63 years ; they were the parents of thirteen children. nine now living—Noah D.. remained with his father until he attained his majority. when he started in life for himself. and for four years worked for one man. most of the time running a saw-mill in Fairfield Co. Upon the 16th of December. 1955. he was united in marriage with Louisa E. Burstler. of Fairfield. Co.. born July 20. 1934 : they were the parents of thirteen children. of whom eleven are now livinv, viz.. Isaac. George W., William T., Anna M., Harriet A.. Louisa E., Frank. Jacob. James H.. Gertrude M. and an infant ; the deceased were infants upon the marriage of Mr. Poling, he worked as farm laborer one year, after which he farmed upon rented land until 1861. when he came to Darke Co.. and. after farming upon rented land two years. purchased 63 acres of his present place. and. in the tall of 1864. removed upon the same, where he has since lived ; he now owns 120 acres of well-improved land, and his brick residence, erected in 1876. is admitted to be the best in the township ; Mr. Poling commenced life with no capital save a strong arm and willing hand. and has, by his own hard labor and correct business habits. placed himself among the large property-holders and successful farmers of Brown Township. He is a Republican in politics, and has held the office of Constable for several years ; in the spring of 1864, he enlisted in the 152d 0. N. G.. took part in several engagements in Virginia and Maryland, and was mustered out of service at Camp Dennison at the expiration of his enlistment.

SILAS RIFFLE. contractor and builder (firm of Riffle & Hager, Dallas), Ansonia ; one of the old settlers of Darke Co. ; born in Richland Township, April 27. 1828 ; he was a son of Jacob Riffle, who was born in Randolph Co., Va., in 1793 ; came to Montgomery Co., Ohio, with his parents in 1796. He married Mary Van Scoyk, and followed farming until 1818. when he came to Darke Co., and located in Richland Township. and was the second white family of the township ; his father came from Virginia to Ohio with two children upon a pack-horse, Jacob being one of them. then 3 years of age ; upon the above land Jacob Riffle died in the fall of 1853 ; Mrs. Riffle died in February, 1852. At 20 years of age, Silas commenced to learn the trade of a carpenter. and has since followed the same, with the exception of foUr years in the saw-mill business ; he has assisted largely in the building of Dallas. and by his superintendence and labor half of the town has been constructed. In 1875. he associated with Orlander Hager, since which time he has conducted the business under the above firm name. He is a strong Republican, and

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has been Assessor four years, Township Trustee one year. and held some other petty office. His marriage with limeline Foo.ger was celebrated in : she Weil in 1854 ; in 1859, he married Leah Schultz. a native of Dauphin Co.. Penn.. born March 23. 1832 ; they have two daughters and one son by this union—Florence M.. born Nov. 5, 1860 (now teaching in the public schools of Dallas) : Elmer O.. born Dec. 27. 1862 ; Grace. born Nov. 18. 1863.

DAVID RIFFLE, retired farmer. Dallas ; P. 0. Ansonia ; one of the early pioneers, and among the oldest continuous residents of Darke Co. : born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Nov. 2, 1811; : he was a son of Jacob Riffle. a native of Randolph Co., Va.. born in 1793, and emigrated with his parents to Montgomery Co.. Ohio, in 1796. and in the year 1818. came to Darke Co.. and located in Richland Township (this was the second white family of that township), and here he lived until his decease, which occurred in the fall of1853, his wife havin!, died in February. 1852. David Riffle was raised to agricultural pursuits. and followed school-teaching until 1841, when he came to Ansonia and purchased a farm and engaged in farming in summer, and school-teaching during the winter : he taught the first school in District No. 1 for three years : he has been almost continually in office for a period of forty years, having held the office of Justice of the Peace or Notary Public for that length of time, and has held all the township offices in Brown Township ; his advantages for obtaining a school education were very limited, but. by devoting his spare time to study, he has been able to obtain a good education. and became master of the common branches of study, as well as surveying, and for several years did surveying in Brown Township ; he has a recollection of his early playmates, who were little Indian children, with whom he passed many- pleasant hours. Upon March S. 1841, he was united in marriage with Mary Beeler, a native of Butler Co., Ohio ; they were the parents of ten children. of whom five are now living, viz., Emma. James K.. Sephrene, Mary J. and William E.

J. H. ROUSH, grain-dealer and manufacturer of staves, hubs, headings. etc.. Dallas ; P. O. Ansonia ; another of our old settlers ; born in Juniata Co., Penn.. May 6, 1829 ; he received a common-school education. and was raised to agricultural pursuits until 22 years of age, when he came to Ohio, and located in Allen Co. in 1851, and was engaged in different pursuits until 1854 ; he then moved to Montgomery Co., and followed merchandising at West Baltimore until January, 1858, when he came to Darke Co., and engaged in the merchandise business some two years, after which he followed different branches of business until the fall of 1872, when he commenced buying grain, which business he has since followed, his shipments for the year 1878 amounting to upward of 120,000 bushels of corn, and about 50,000 bushels of wheat ; when he located here there were some eighteen buildings of all kinds, no streets, no sidewalks and no turnpikes he has represented nearly every branch of business known in Ansonia : he was Postmaster several years, his highest salary amounting to the enormous sum of $84 per year ; he was agent of the C.. C., C. & I. R. R. for eighteen years. and received for his service a salary of from $15 to $85 per month ; in 1876. he associated with two of his sons, and purchased the stave manufactory, which is now carried on under the name of the Ansonia Stave Co., the firm being composed of J. H. Roush, William A. Roush and Charles A. Roush, and they are extensively engaged in the manufacture of the above articles ; the style of the firm as gra in- dealers being, J. H. Roush & Son, John A. being the partner. The marriage of J. H. Roush with Mary J. Anderson. was celebrated Dee. 30. 1851 : she was born in Juniata Co., Penn., Dec. 13, 1830 ; they have five sons—James H.. Charles A William A., John A. and Frank ; all live at home, with the exception of Charles A., who is married, and resides in Ansonia.

JOHN S. ROYER, Dallas. P. O. Ansonia ; Principal of the Dallas School ; born in Union Co., Penn., Jan. 31, 1845 ; here he received a good common-school education, and at 15 years of age commenced teaching at 80 cents per day, for a

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term of four months : until about 19 years of age. he followed teaching during the winter, and assisted his father upon the farm the remainder of the year ; in 1864, he emigrated to Ohio. and located at Pleasant Hill. Miami Co.. teaching the graded school at the above place one year : in 1865. he came to Darke Co.. and taught the Graded School No. 9. in Adams Township. for seven years ; in 1874, he came to Dallas. and accepted the position as Principal of the Dallas School, since which time it has increased from 100 to upward of 180 scholars ; he has been the Principal for five years. and now has a contract for three years. He has been twice married ; his first wife was Lutie Mitchell ; they were married April 18. 1867 ; she was born in Iowa ; she died is Darke Co., in 1869. leaving one child, Minnie A.. born April 9. 1868: his marriage with Malinda G. Wenriek was celebrated Jan. 30. 1873: she was born in Darke Co. May 5.1852 : they have two children. Estella M.. born July 24. 1876 ; Isaac R., born July 6. 1879: in December, 1878, he was appointed one of the examiners of the public schools for Darke Co., which position he now holds.

HENRY SCHLEMMER. firm of Bertz. Schlemmer & Co.. hardware merchants. Ansonia ; born in Hesse. Germany. March 23, 1842, where he received a good education in German. and in 1860. emigrated to America, landing in Baltimore : coming directly West, he followed blacksmithing two years in Cincinnati. and in October. 1862. enlisted in the 47th 0. V. I. ; he was in many hard-fought battles. among which was the siege and capture of Vicksburg and Atlanta, battle of Chattanooga. and with Sherman's army on hiS march through Georgia to the sea. arriving at Savannah to spend the Christmas of 1864 ; he then marched north. through the Carolinas. and was with Sherman's army at the surrender of Johnson, after which. he marched through Richmond to Washington, where, after the grand review of the army. he returned to Columbus. and received his discharge. having served in the Union army nearly three years he was wounded at the battle of Jonesboro. but kept at his post he then followed blacksmithing in Cincinnati until 1867. when he came to Ansonia and followed his trade until 1879, when he became a partner in the above firm. Mr. Schlemmer arrived in this country with a capital of only $7 : he has made one trip to his native country, upon a visit to his parents. with whom he remained three months ; his father. John Schlemmer. was born in Hesse. in 1804 he married Martha Disher : they are the parents of six children, three of whom are now living in Germany, and three in America. In 1868, George Schlemmer was united in marriage to Mary Baughman, a native of Darke Co., and a daughter of Simeon Baughman, one of the early pioneers ; they have five children, viz., John, George, Frank, Augustus and Elizabeth.

FRANCIS M. TULLIS. resides in Dallas ; manufacturer of tile, Ansonia ; born in Brown Township, DarkeCo., Ohio, Sept. 26, 1854 ; he was the youngest son of Milton Tullis, who was born in Miami Co., Ohio, March 29,1813. He married, in Ohio, Sarah Marshall. Sept. 5, 1848. who was born in Pennsylvania Feb. 20, 1816 ; they came to Darke County about the year 1849, and located in Brown Township, near Dallas ; followed farming and merchandise till his death, which occurred Aug. 26, 1863. Mrs. Tullis died Jan. 12, 1870 ; they were the parents of five children, of whom three are living—Francis M., Cordelia A. (now Mrs. Dr. Samuel Hostetter), and Olive D. (now Dr. L. C. Anderson), all living in Dallas '; Francis M. obtained a common-school education. and followed clerking in Dallas until the spring of 1877, when he engaged in farming, and in the fall of 1878, purchased the tile factory of Reed & White. at Dallas, and has since devoted his attention to the above business, manufacturing tile of the best quality ; his sales the first year amounted to some $3.000 ; his business card will be found in the business directory of Ansonia. in another part of this work ; he has, aside from his factory, a farm of 42 acres joining the corporation of Dallas. and his lots and residence in town. His marriage with Margaret A. Burket was celebrated May 29, 1877 ; she was born in Darke Co.. Ohio, May 15. 1857.

726 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

JAMES S. WEBSTER. merchant, Ansonia. resides in Dallas. The subject of this memoir. a native of Fayette Co.. Ohio. was born Jan. 1, 1820 : he was a son of Dr. James Webster. who was born in Pennsylvania. and emigrated to Ohio and Fayette County in 1804, two years after its admission into the Union as a State he was consequently one of the early pioneers of the State ; he followed the practice of medicine a short time in Fayette County. and in 1815 he was elected Sheriff of the county, and about the rear 1829. was Associate Judge. which office he held several years. after which he was Treasurer of the county for four years. The latter part of his life he devoted to the carding and fulling of wool at his factory at Washington ; his death occurred January. l8:;7 he was married in Kentucky, to Amelia Dauson she died previous to her husband. J. S. Webster worked in the woolen-mill of his father. until the decease of the latter. after which he followed farming some two years. when he engaged in the trade of harness-maker at Mt. Sterling until 1S66. when he came to Darke County. and. after following his trade one year in Greenville. purchased a farm of 114 acres in Greenville Township, three miles south of Dallas. and followed farming until the spring of 1879. when he rented his farm and purchased a residence in Dallas. and engaged in the general merchandise with T. B. White. His marriage with Pamelia Loofbourrow was celebrated June 18, 1845 ; she was born in Fayette Co.. Ohio. in 1827; eight children were born to them ; five are now living—Nathan A.. produce merchant, of Greenville : William, living at home Hannah. now Mrs. T. B. White ; Linden. clerk in his father's store ; Laura. living at home. Mr. Webster has been a member of the Baptist Church for a period of fifteen years ; Mrs. W. also a member of the same church.

THOMAS B. WHITE. firm of T. B. White & Co.. general merchant, Ansonia another of the old settlers of Darke Co.; born in Brown Township. Darke Co., upon the 23d of July, 1842 ; he was a son of William White, of the State of New York, who came to Darke Co. in 1822 ; the maiden name of his wife was Esther Stahl ; she came to Richland Township with her parents about the year 1820. and is now living upon the old homestead. a little north of Ansonia ; Mr. White died in 1864 ; Thomas B. White was raised to agricultural pursuits until 19 years of age. when. upon the 6th of August 1862. he enlisted in the 94th O. V. I.. and went forward to hat- tie for the Union; in his first severe engagement. he, with a large part of his regiment. were captured, but he, with many others. escaped and again joined the Union army; he was then engaged in the battle of Perryville. and at the fight of Stone River Dec. 31, 1862 ; he was severely wounded, and lay in hospital until May. 1863, when he received his discharge on account of disability ; he then returned home, and, on account of his wounds, lay idle midi the fall of 1864, when he engaged in school-teaching for three years, and in the fall of 1868. he engaged in the general merchandise trade at Ansonia, which he has since successfully followed in 1878. he associated with J. S. Webster, under the above firm name, carrying a large and complete stock ; a card of their business will be found in the business directory of Ansonia, in this work. His marriage nuptials with Hannah Webster were celebrated in 1875 ; she was born in Madison Co., Ohio, and is a daughter of J. S. Webster, whose sketch also appears in this work ; they have one child, Lucy F.. born Dec. 15. 1876.