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RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
JAMES BAILEY, retired farmer and stock-raiser, See. 4 ; P. O. Stelvidio was born in Bedford Co., Penn., June 16, 1814; his father, William Bailey, was born in Pennsylvania June 20, 1776, and married Mary Imel ; she was horn in Maryland June 20, 1782, and now resides in Preble Co., Ohio ; he died April 13, 1861. James, the subject of this sketch, moved to Darke Co. in the fall of 1839, and lived in Brown Township until he moved to where he now resides, in Richland Township, and;has always followed his present avocation. He married Mary Ann Teegarden Sept. 24, 1839, in Greenville she died (?) by this union were ten children, viz.: Julia Ann, born Sept. 16, 1840 ; Catherine. born Dec. 29, 1841 (deceased) William H., born Jan 1, 1844 (deceased) ; John F., born Oct. 6.1845 (deceased) Stephen H., born July 18, 1847 ; Moses E., born July 25,1849 (deceased); Mary, born Nov.1,1851 (deceased); Paulina, born Dec. 25, 1852 ; Ann M.. born March 7, 1855 ; Asberry B., born March 14, 1857. His second marriage was with Mrs. Julia Ann Cop- pees, widow of Daniel Coppess, who died June 10,1858 ; Mr. and Mrs. Coppess were married April 7, 1850, and had five children, viz.: Martin D., born March 3, 1851 ;Erven, born Aug. 17, 1857 (deceased) ; Allen, born June 18, 1854 ; Rhoda A.. born July 20, 1856, and Mary C., Feb. 1, 1859. Mr. Bailey's marriage with Mrs. Coppess occurred April 28, 1862 ; she was a daughter of Sebastian Martin, and was born Feb. 29, 183-; by this union seven children were born, viz.: Isabelle and Presetta M., born Oct. 15, 1863 ; Harvey F., born Sept. 15, 1866 (deceased) ; Cordelia, born Jan. 16, 1868; Minola R. B.. born July 15, 1875; two died unnamed. Mr. Bailey owns a fine farm of 249 acres, and a good home.
ALEXANDER B. BRANDON, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Versailles ; was born in Wayne Township, Darke Co., Dec.14, 1820 ; his father, James R..
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was born in West Virginia April 14, 1792, and married Anna Hole, Sept. 15, 1818 ; she was horn in Butler Co., Ohio, Jan. 22, 1798 ; he came to Darke Co. with his sister Elizabeth in 1818. Mrs. J. R. Brandon's father, Zachariah Hole, moved to this county the same year. Mrs. Anna (Hole) Brandon died near Hill Grove. in 1857, and J. R. Brandon died Feh. 24, 1876, in this township. Alexander, the subject of this sketch, has always worked hard to dig out a home for himself and family ; since 1846. he has cleared. almost lone-handed, upward of 60 acres of heavily timbered land ; by his untiring industry, aided by hisgood wife, he is blessed with a good home. and a favorable promise of comfort in their declining ears. He married Anna Shafer. April 9. 1846. daughter of John Shafer (see Job )1. Shafer's biography in this work) : she was born in Bedford Co., Penn., April 30, 1826 ; they have had ten children. viz.: John T., born March 24, 1847, and died while in the service of his country. at Cumberland, Md., Aug. 22, 1864 ; Riley M., born March 18. 1849 Job S.. horn Aug. 25, 1851, and died Aug. 8, 1866 ; Dorothy A.. born Jan. 29. 1854. and married Nathaniel Kershner ; Eugene, born Nov. 29, 1856 Aaron. April 20. 1859 ; James F., Oct. 9, 1861 ; Noah. Feb. 2, 1864 ; Arthur M.,, born July 12. 1866. and Retha Belle, born April 7. 1852 ; he owns 212 acres of good land and a fine home.
JOHN E. BREADEN. farmer and stock-dealer, Sec. 34 ; P. O. Greenville ; was born near Glendale. Hamilton Co., Ohio, June 17, 1828 ; his father, Jeremiah Breaden, was born in Ireland. and married Epenetns Sorter in New Jersey, where she was horn both died in Springfield, Ohio. John E. Breaden, the subject of this sketch, learned the profession of druggist with his brother William, in Hamilton, Ohio ; their father was an educated physician, and practiced medicine and surgery during his lifetime. John E. came to Greenville in 1850, and engaged in the drug business on his own account for three years, then moved to Brown Township, and engaged in farming ; he returned to Greenville in 1862, and engaged in clerking for John Hufnagle, Esq., in his dry-goods store ; in March, 1865, he removed to the farm where he now resides. He married Anjumila Hufnagle May 29. 1851 : she was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., May 19, 1832, and is a daughter of John Hufnagle, Esq.. President of the Greenville Bank, also merchandising in Greenville. Mr. and Mrs. Breaden have had three children, viz., John Edward. born July 28, 1852 ; he is an attorney at law in Greenville, and obtained his education mainly at the Chickering Institute, in Cincinnati, where he graduated in 1853 ; he read law with Calderwood & Cole, in Greenville, and was admitted to the bar in 1856 : Maria Evie, born Feb. 8, 1854 (deceased); and Lillian Vincincia, born Dec. 30, 1861, now at "St. Mary of the Springs Convent," near Columbus, Ohio, completing her education.
SAMUEL S. COLLINS. wagon-maker and farmer, See. 20 ; P. O. Dawn ; was born in Warren Co., Ohio, June 26, 1819, his father, Levi Collins, was born in Lewis Co., Va., in 1795, and married Elizabeth Snell in Warren Co. Ohio ; they moved to ___ in 1821, and to Shelby Co., Ind., in 1830, where he died in 1852 ; she died in Troy. Miami Co., in 1830. The subject of this sketch served an apprenticeship of two years in Morristown, Ind., then returned to Miami Co., Ohio, and made his first lumber wagon. and sold it for $5, not on account of the beauty of its workmanship ; he followed the business twenty-five years, and has the reputation of doing first-class work ; he settled permanently where he now resides in 1855, and bought land in 1865 ; he erected for himsel‘a good brick residence. Last September. he had the misfortune to lose his left arm by accident. He married Jane M. Cairns March 7, 1844 : she was born in Ireland Aug. 14, 1818, and died in August 1850 ; they had four children, viz., Jennet E., born April 23, 1845, deceased ; Laura L., born Oct. 3. 1846; she married John Lehman ; Albert M., born July 6. 1848, died May 3, 1872, and Geo. A., born July 10, 1850 ; his second marriage was with Mrs. Elizabeth McDowell, Nov. 27, 1851, widow of William McDowell, who died June 10, 1849, in Brown Co., Ohio ; they had one daughter, Lucinda J., born Jan. 7, 1850, and died June 24. 1865 ; by this union they have
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had five children, viz., John W., born Jan. 23, 1853, died Sept. 30, 1854; Charles F., born Oct 11, 1856 ; Jason H., Sept. 12. 1859 ; Franklin E., Sept. 6, 1863. and Joseph C., Dec. 17, 1868. Mrs. Collins' father. Adam Ulery, was born in Prussia, Germany, March 24, 1787. and married Mary C. Witty in 1819 ; she was born in 1798 ; in 1810 he was drafted into the army, and served nine years under Napoleon. I, they came to Baltimore, Md., in 1820, in 1826 the family, consisting of himself wife and four children, and all their earthly effects in a one-horse wagon left Pennsylvania for a new home in Miami Co., Ohio ; his cash assets all told were $13 He died March 7, 1876, and she died March 14, following, and at their decease they had accumulated a handsome fortune worth $15,000. Mr. and Mrs. Collin: are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; he owns 366 acres bordering or the village of Dawn ; in politics, is a Republican.
REBECCA G. DAVISON, widow of Edwin R. Davison. deceased ; Sec. 24 P. 0. Ansonia. Edwin R. Davison was born in Greene Co.. Ohio, Aug. 6, 1830 and died in Richland Township July 30, 1878, after several months of suffering with cancer. His father, Robert Davison, was born in Bourbon Co.. Ky., April 8. 1798, and married Mary Stratton, March 26, 1829 ; she was born May 23, 1805, and died March 22, 1847 ; he now resides in York Township, Darke Co., with his daughter, Louisa Oliver ; he moved to Darke Co., in 1831 ; by trade was a tanner and currier ; he bought land in this township in 1830 and settled here, and engaged in farming, which he has ever since followed ; he now owns 117 acres of his original purchase and other lands in Brown Township. He married the second time, Aug. 8, 1847, *try Brown ; she died Aug. 16, 1865. leaving no issue ; but by his first union were seven children, viz., Edwin R., the subject of this sketch ; Louisa, present wife of David Oliver ; Mary A. and Sarah A., twins ; Mary A. deceased ; she married James Deardoff, Sarah A. married Adam Coppess ; Oscar A., Amanda F., who married Isaac Deardoff ; Emily, married Irvin Warvel, both are deceased ; and Mortimer, deceased ; Edwin Davison, deceased. was raised a farmer, and always followtd it ; he married Rebecca G. Warvel, Jan. 25, 1853 ; she was born in Rockingham Co., Va., May 4, 1832, is a daughter of John Warvel ( See George H. Warvel's biography in this work. ) Mr. and Mrs. Davison have had six children, viz.: Sarah J., born June 28, 1853, she married Riley Brandon ; William H., born Sept 4, 1855 ; Robert, Nov. 4. 1860 ; Iola M., Nov. 7, 1862 ; Luella, Jan. 17, 1866. died Oct 4, 1867 ; Seymour, born Oct. 17, 1868. She owns 146 acres of land and a good home.
OSCAR F. DAVISON, tile manufacturer at Nevada, See. 20 ; P. 0. Dawn , born in Richland Township Oct. 16, 1837 ; his father, Robert, was born in Bourbon Co., Ky., and married Mary Stratton, of Greene Co., Ohio, and moved to Darke Co. in 1829. The subject of this sketch was raised a farmer ; he engaged in merchandising during the year 1866, but sold out before he had been in business a year, and returned to farming and dealing in live stock ; has been Township Assessor of personal property, Supervisor, Trustee, etc. ; in 1877, he erected tile works, and now gives his attention to this business. He married Sirena Plessinger. daughter of David Plessinger, in March, 1861 ; she was born Jan. 28, 1838, and died Nov. 29, 1865, leaving no Lime ; his second marriage was celebrated with Sarah Jane Plessinger, daughter of George Plessinger, whosa biography appears in this work, Feb. 20, 1868 ; she was born Dec. 20, 1847: they have had five children. viz.: George R., born Jan. 4, 1869, died Sept. 19, following ; Tepall., born Oct. 5. 1872; Mary G., July 8, 1874; Claude E., Jan. 6, 1877, and Cora May, Oct. 21. 1878. He owns 113 acres of land, two good houses and his tile works, which are extensive.
JOHN W. DUCKWALL, merchant and grain-dealer, Nevada ; P. 0. Dawn ; was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Sept. 27, 1840 ; his father, Wm. Duckwall, was born in Virginia Aug. 15, 1808, and married Caroline Bruner ; she was born in Virginia Jan. 27, 1820 ; they moved to Montgomery Co., Ohio, where they now reside ; on his 70th birthday, the family had a very gratifying surprise, six sons
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and two daughters with their families. by pre-arrangement, came together under the old roof-tree to congratulate the old people. John W., the subject of this sketch, at the age of 19 commenced teaching school ; this he continued up to 1878, though at times engaging in other business, receiving at Oberlin much of his education. In August, 1862. he enlisted in the 112th O. V. I., which consolidated with the 63d Regiment, and served until the close of the war ; he participated in the battles of Resaca. Atlanta, Kenesaw Mountain, and many others ; on Sherman's march to the sea, he was never captured, or received a wound ; entered as Sergeant, and was Orderly Sergeant at the dose, and was so familiar with the names of his company that he could always call the roll without the " roster ; " he engaged in merchandising in this place in May. 1858, also in the grain business. He married -Jennie Maxwell. July 15. 1869, daughter of Samuel and Jane M. (Furguson) Maxwell, who reside in Frederick Co., 3Id. ; she was born May 25, 1841 ; they have three children. viz.: Carrie J.. born June 10, 1870 ; Samuel W., born Oct 6, 1873, and Francis C., born May 14, 1856.
PHILLIP HARTZELL, farmer, stock-raiser, steam thrasher and corn-sheller, Sec. 36 ; P. 0 Beamsville ; was born in Adams Township, this County, May 23, 1843 ; his father, John J. Hartzell. was born in Pennsylvania Dec. 1, 1815, and married Nancy Westfall ; he died in September, 1852, and she died in 1865, in Richland Township ; they were among the earliest settlers of Darke Co. The subject of this sketch was raised a farmer ; in 1864, he traveled West, and followed teaming between Omaha, Neb., and Denver City, for about a year and a half ; then returned to where he resides, on the homestead of his father ; last year, he erected for himself a fine residence ; has only one brother, David, who lives in Rossville, Kan. Phillip Hartzell married Caroline Dill in October, 1868 ; she was born in Beamsville Sept. 14, 1851 ; her father, John H. C. Dill, was born in Germany. and came to this country in 1832 ; he married Martha C. Siegmunt, in 1834. in Butler Co., Ohio ; she died March 7.1858, in this county. In Germany he learned harness-making, and followed it awhile in Trenton, Ohio ; afterward in Beamsville, where at the same time he kept a hotel, also engaged in merchandising ; he moved to Dallas and engaged in merchandising, but at the decease of his wife. was farming, but was in the mercantile business at the time of his death, in April. 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Hartzell have two children, viz., Rosetta, born Aug. 3. 1869, and Charles D., born May 22, 1875 ; he owns a line farm of 115 acres, part of which was the homestead.
JESSE B. JOHN, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Dawn ; was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, March 2, 1833 ; his father, Jacob B. John, was born in Franklin County, Penn., May 5, 1789, and married/Eleanor Phillips, of the same county ; she was born June 2, 1791 ; in the spring of 1810, moved to Montgomery County, Ohio ; he served in the war of 1812, and was honorably discharged ; afterward served two years as Captain of militia company ; moved to Darke County in 1837 ; there he served two years as Township Trustee, and was Justice of the Peace six years ; he died Feb. 19, 1868, and she died June 28, 1871, in this township ; the following extract from an obituary was published on the demise of Mrs. Elenor John, relict of David John, the grandmother and grandfather of the subject of this sketch, at her decease, June 22, 1848, aged 81 years 4 months and 12 days : " She was the second of a family of eight children of the Rev. Joseph Powell (Baptist). settled in Bedford County, Penn,, being the only clergyman in those parts then ; solemnized 845 marriages up to 1804, the time of his death ; on the 25th of January. 1785, she married David John, of Little Cove, Franklin Co., Penn., and became the mother of thirteen children ; in the spring of 1810, they emigrated to Montgomery County, Ohio, where she died ; her husband died Nov. 10, 1812, leaving her in a new country, with the charge of a large family, to encounter the privations of such a situation as she best could ; but being a woman hale and industrious and with a confiding trust in God, she was enabled to bring up her family respectably and to see them settled in life ; at the time of her death her
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children numbered thirteen, her grandchildren seventy-one, her great-grandchildren thirty-seven, making her descendants 121." Jesse B. John, with his parents, moved to Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1810, and to Darke County in 1837 ; he was raised a farmer and has always followed the business ; he has been Township Trustee, Supervisor, and eight years School Director. He married Abbie J. Kaylor Oct. 4, 1860 ; she was born April 29, 1835, in Logan County. Ohio ; tier father, Reuben Kaylor, was born Oct. 31, 1805, in Rockingham County, Va and married Elizabeth Warvel ; she was born June 19, 1807, and died March 25, 1876, in Bellefontaine, Logan Co., Ohio, where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Jesse B. John have three children, viz., Bowen Wesley, born Aug. 4. 1861 : Lillie Dale, ,June 29, 1864 ; and Willie Barnett, Sept. 3, 1868. Mr. John owns a farm of 80 acres, the old homestead ; his mother died with cancer after long and terrible suffering.
HENRY C. KESTER, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 30 ; P. O. Beamsville ; was born in Hesse Shaumburg, Germany. Oct. 12, 1826 ; his father, Henry F. Kester, was born in the same place June 16, 1800, and married Justina Meyer ; she was born in 1802 ; his father and mother were Frederick and Leonora (Meyer) Kester. Henry C.. the subject of this sketch, landed in New York July 6, 1852, and arrived in Darke County July 14 following, with his parents ; his mother died Aug. 11, 1862, and his father is living with him on the farm, where they moved in the fall of 1852 on the banks of Stillwater Creek, near Beansville ; in 1849, Henry C. was drafted into the German army ; he served three years, but was granted a government passport to leave before his time expired ; he is Township Trustee, has been Supervisor, also School Director ; he had two sisters and one brother, viz. : Willmena, born Jan. 26, 1829 ; she married a Henry Kester ; Caroline married Louis Kuckenberg, and Ferdinand ; the last two are deceased. Henry C. married Christina W. C. Schulte July 16. 1851 ; she was born in the same place as himself Feb. 7, 1826. They have had eight children. viz. : Caroline W. C., born April 25, 1852, deceased ; Charlotte, born Aug. 3. 1855 ; Willmena, May 15, 1857 ; Christian H., Aug. 12, 1859 ; Henry F., March 2. 1861 ; Fredrick
C. L., Oct. 24, 1864 ; Harmon F., June 20, 1869, and a twin to Charlotte died unnamed. He owns a fine farm of 180 acres, where he resides.
ISAAC N. McFARLAND, carriage trimmer, carriage and wagon maker, black-smithing and general repairing, under the firm name of McFarland & Bro., Nevada ; P. O. Dawn ; Sec. 20. Was born in Richland Township, Nov. 7, 1849 ;. is a son of James McFarland, whose biography appears in this work ; he learned his trade in Dayton, Ohio, mostly ; in 1871, engaged in business on his own account, in Versailles, Darke Co.; in 1876, he located where he now resides, and is now copartner with his brother, James A. He married Mary J. Bashia in March, 1872, in Darke Co.; she is a daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann Bashia ; her father was born in France and her mother in Indiana, and now reside near Versailles, in this county ; Mrs. McF. was born July 30, 1854 ; they have three children, viz.: Tracey G., born April 22, 1874 ; Rachel A., born Sept. 7, 1876, and Genevieve, born July 14, 1879. He is the leader of McFarland's Brass Band, of Dawn.
JAMES McFARLAND, blacksmith and wagon-maker, also general repairing ; Sec. 20 ; P. O. Dawn. Was born in Greene Co., Ohio, May 8, 1822 ; his father, Isaac McFarland, married Susanna Stephenson, May 29, 1817 ; she was born in Boone Co., Ky., Nov. 18, 1798 ; he died in Greene Co., and she moved to Darke Co. in 1837 ; they had two sons, viz., William, born in May, 1818. and James, the subject of this sketch ; William was always highly respected and honored for his generous, pious and gentlemanly qualities ;he died in September, 1874 ; be served through the late rebellion in a regimental band. James, the subject of this sketch, was bound apprentice to the blacksmith's trade in Greenville, Darke Co., Ohio, at the age of 13, and served until he attained his majority, getting six months schooling in the mean time ; he then moved to Beamsville and started business on his own amount ; in 1844, he bought 80 acres, and in 1850, 80 more, where he now resides,
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and on which is a part of the village of Dawn (Nevada); he has been honored with all the offices of Richland Township, and is now Assessor of real estate ; Aug. 25. 1863, he was elected Colonel and commissioned by Gov. Tod, of the 3d Regiment O. M.. of Darke Co.; he holds this office, also that of Regimental Drum Major, which he has held thirty-five years ; he has in his possession a cavalry sword, an epaulet, and an English knife, owned and used by his grandfather, James McFarland, during the Revolutionary war of 1776. He married Rachel John Jan 2, 1845; she was born Nov. 25. 1823, in Montgomery Co., Ohio ; they have had Mite children. viz.: William, born,April 6. 1846 ; Isaac N., born Nov. 7, 1849 : Susan E.. born April 22. 1852, she married Charles Beadle ; James A., born July 20, 1554 : one unnamed, born Sept. 9, 1856 : Thomas H., born Jan. 11, 1858 ; John C.. born June 2S. 1360 ; Jacob M.. born Aug. 8, 1865, and Dora Belle, born Sept. 28. 1865. Six of the boys and the father constitute the McFarland Brass Band. Mr. McFarland is a member of the order of A., F. & A. M., and has filled all the subordinate offices of his lodge.
AUGUSTUS W. McNIGHT. farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 19 ; P. O. Dawn. Was born in Bracken Co.. Ky.. March 20, 1817. His father, Alexander McNight, married Sarah Lemon. of Pennsylvania ; he served as a private during the war of 1812 , they moved to Cincinnati in 1330 ; he was a blacksmith and worked at his trade there about a year ; the family. being too poor to hire a conveyance, walked all the way to Connersville. Ind.. where they stayed until 1833, then moved to Butler Co., Ohio. but moved to Darke County and settled in 1835, where he died in 1843 : she died in 1846, in Van Buren Township ; they had managed by the time they came here to save enough money to buy 80 acres in the wilderness, but that was all. and for years they had a hard struggle to gain a livelihood; the first winter they lived in a little log cabin, the door was the earth; the woods were full of wild animals and game. The subject of this sketch killed a noble buck with his ax. one of a drove of twenty-seven ; at the age of 13, he got employment at five bushels of corn per month ; he worked out for wages until he was 22, for his parents; after that for himself; at the age of 26, he learned to make half-bushel measures, and made money enough to buy two lots in Sampson ; he sold them and bought :3 acres. improved, near the town ; he sold this in 1851, for $150 ; he then traded for So acres in Jay Co., Ind.; that he traded for 25 acres in Neave Township, this county ; that he sold, and bought 42 acres in Richland Township ; this he sold for $1,300 ; he then bought 84 acres in Wayne Township; sold this and bought 80 acres improved in the same township ; this he sold for $2,600 in 1863 ; then he bought 70 acres in Neave Township, and paid $1,700 ; sold this the next year for $2,500 ; he then bought 102 acres improved, with a brick house, near Versailles sold that in 1853 for $6 200 ; then he bought 40 acres improved in Adams Township : sold that in 1877, and bought where he now resides and owns 126 acres of as fine farming land as lies in the county, and worth at least $8,000, all this from hard digging ; and he has raised and educated a large family, but he himself never learned to read or write his own name, even, and he don't owe any man a dollar. He married Sarah Shevidecker, of Preble Co., Ohio, Sept. 16, 1841, where she was born in 1823 ; she died in Darke County in 1846 ; by this union were three children, viz.: Alfred, born July 4. 1842, and died Feb. 21, 1862; Sarah. born May 20, 1843-she married Leonard Shoutz ; she died in Illinois, and Catherine A., born Feb. 8, 1345. His second marriage was with Susanna Nysonger, of Greene Co.. Penn., Feb. 3, 1843; she was born Sept. 29, 1826; by this union were twelve children, three of whom died young-James A., born Nov. 12. 1843, deceased ; Margaret E., born Oct. 7, 1850; Anna E., Dec. 4, 1852; Mary J., Sept, 24. 1855; Lydia, March 16,1858 ; Lucinda. Oct 12, 1860; Isabelle, May 20, 1863 ; Evarilla M., Oct. 5, 1866,, and John C., Oct. 11, 1871.
ROBERT A. MORRISON, M. D., Beamsville; was born in Franklin Co., Penn., March 28, 1832 ; his father, Aaron Morrison, married Nancy McClintock ; she resides in Piqua, Miami Co., Ohio ; he died in Darke Co., Dr. R. A. Morrison
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read medicine in Covington, Ohio. and in Gettysburg. Ohio. and graduated in Cincinnati. in the Ohio Medical College. in 1859 ; commenced the practice of medicine in Gettysburg, this county, where he practiced five years: moved U. Laura, Miami Co.; remained there two years he then returned to Gettysburg moved to Horatio, 1866. and to Stelyidio in 1868 on the l1th of June. 1852, hi' was thrown accidentally from his sulky. receiving almost fatal injury. causing paraplegia of his left side, from which he has not, nor will he recover. though in full possession of mind and memory. and good practice. having the confidence of the community and fraternity. and is in full membership in the Darke County Medical Society. He married Sarah A. Shade, March 15. 1859, at New Harrison she was born Jan. 27. 1835 ; by this union were six children. three of whom are deceased the living are Mary Alice, Robert Sheridan and Jim ; his second marriage was with Sarah Hantel, Aug. 21, 1859 ; she was born April 2. 1844 ; her father. Jacob Hartel. Jr., was born in Pennsylvania Aug. 14, 1802, and married Elizabeth Curtner ; she was born June 24. 1802 ; he died Oct. 2, 1853 ; his father, Jacob Bartel. Sr., was born Oct. 5, 1779, and his wife. Elizabeth (Snavely), was horn Oct. 18, 1778 ; his second wife was Catherine Spade ; she was born June 6, 1792 ; his third wife was Susanna Cooley, born April 12,1791. This family was among the earliest settlers of Richland Township. See George Plessnger's biography. which appears in this work.
ELLEN PECK, widow of Charles L. Peck, M. D., deceased ; Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Beamsville; he was born near Brighton, Aug. 25, 1837. and was a son of Lewis and Elects (Kelsey) Peck, who reside in Bloomfield, Conn.; Dr. Charles L. Peck. soon after he graduated, moved to Beamsville. Darke Co., and commenced the practice of medicine, which profession he followed with eminent success, and in all the walks of life, he was loved and esteemed for his gentlemanly deportment_ kind and generous acts and energetic business enterprise, by which, in his short life. he accumulated and left to his devoted family a handsome competency ; he read medicine in Hartford, Comm., where he graduated May 11, 1857: besides his medical practice, he engaged in merchandising and farming ; he died Feb. 10, 1876. leaving for his family 200 acres of fine farming land, with good farm buildings, 40 acres of which are adjoining the village of Beamsville, wherein he also owned two dwellings ; he married Ellen Brown, Aug. 21, 1859 ; she was born in Brownbehn. Loraine Co., Ohio, Sept. 9, 1841 ; her father, Jeremiah Brown, was born in New York State, and married Bridget R. McLaughlin, daughter of Robert and Ellen McLaughlin, who came from Pennsylvania in 1824; Jeremiah Brown died April 13, 1844 ; his widow, Ellen, married William Kelsey ; they reside in Richland Township; Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Peck have had three children by their union, viz.: Clifford Lewis, born Nov. 12, 1860 ; Rachael Edith. born June 19, 1865. and Franklin Orator, Nov. 16, 1871.
GEORGE PLESSINGER. farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 22 : P. 0. Dawn ; was born in Bedford Co., Penn., Dec. 15, 1815; his father, Philip. was born in Maryland, near Harper's Ferry, Feb. 18, 1784, and married Faith Fish ; she was born in New Jersey March 16, 1781 ; they moved to Montgomery Co., Ohio, in the fall of 1817, and to Darke Co. in March, 4820, and settled in Richland Township ; he died July 4, 1861 ; she died in January, 1869. The subject of this sketch came here with his parents ; when they came there were but three white settlers in the township, viz., James Stephenson, David Riffie and Jacob Hartle. Mr. Plessinger's family endured all the privations and hardships of frontier pioneer life for many years ; wild animals and game were numerous and troublesome ; Mr. Plessinger was a successful hunter ; killed but one bear, but hundreds of deer, wild turkeys, etc. He has had his share of township offices. He married Mary Harmon Nov. 1, 1842 ; she was born in May, 1821, in Adams Co., Penn., and came to Darke Co. with her uncle, Philip Hartzell, in 1836 ; they have had twelve children, viz.: Joseph H., born Nov. 19, 1843, and died March 1. 1849 ; Faith, born Sept. 20, 1845, married George H. Winbigler ; Sarah J., born Dec. 20. 1847. married Oscar Davison ; Emma, born Dec. 18, 1849, married Walter Snyder ; Anna M.,
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born Fel, 23, 1851: Lawson. born Feb. 19, 1853, died July, 1854 ; Almeda, born Dec. 28, 1854. died May 12. 1879: Lucy K. born Jan. 18, 1856, died Feb. 22, 1860 ; George A.. born Oct. 15. 1858 ; Phillip E.. born Oct. 8. 1860 ; Ezra, born Feb. 16. 1864 : Clara N.. born July 28. 1866. He owns 200 acres and a good home,
JOB M. SHAFER. farmer and stock-raiser. Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Versailles ; was born in Bedford Co.. Penn.. Sept. 4, 1830 ; his father. John Shafer. was born in the same county. July 15, 1802, and married Dorothy Mann Feb. 24. 1824, of the same county she was born Feb. 20. 1804 ; his father, Sickfrit Shafer, was born in Virginia, and married Mary Hess ; Mrs. John Shafer's father. Jacob Mann, was born July 25, 1563. and married Dorothy Hill June 13, 1586 she was horn May 2. 1761 : Mr. Jacob Mann died Nov. 5. 1830; Dorothy, his wife, died Aug. 6, 1845 ; John Shafer moved to Darke Co. in 1835 ; they had five children, viz.: Anna. born April 30 1826. married Alexander B. Brandon Mary, born June 9. 1828, died June 20, following ; Job M.. the subject of this sketch : Margaret. born Oct. 7. 1833; died Sept 5, 1841, of the milk sickness. and Jacob, born Dec. 10, 1835, died Dec 11. 1845. John, the father. resides where he first settled in Richland Township ; his wife died April 11, 1855. Job M., the subject of this sketch. has always followed farming on the old homestead, where he now resides ; he was elected Justice of the Peace in April. 1856. and served three years, and has been Township Trustee. he married Elizabeth Brandon March 20, 1851 ; she is the daughter of James R. Brandon. and was born in Darke Co. (see Alexander B. Brandon's biography in this work) Oct. 10. 1831: they have six children, viz.: Dennis. born Pee. 24. 1851 ; Margaret A, born March 11, 1855, married Cyrus White :.John C.. born May 13. 1858 ; Allen W., born March 30, 1862 ; Mary, born March 24. 1866, and Bertha. born Jan. 31, 1872. He owns 263 acres of land and a good home.
DAVID J. STAHL. farmer, Sec. 34 P. 0. Versailles ; was horn in Adams Township. Darke Co., Ohio. Nov. 17, 1850, and is a son of Jacob K. and Sarah (Limber) Stahl : he was horn in Pennsylvania in 1812, and died in Greenville Township in November. 1861 : she resides with her daughter, Mrs. John C. Hill, in Newton. Miami Co,. Ohio he came to Darke Co. among the early settlers, with his father. Henry Stahl. therefore the family is identified among the first settlers of the county he was noted for his enterprise and industry ; he accumulated a large property : at his death he owned the grist and saw mills, with 40 acres of land in Coletown. a large landed property in Greenville, 266 acres in Adams Township. and the homestead farm. where the subject of this sketch resides, in Richland Township. David J. has always followed farming, and has resided in this county, except six years. during which he worked his mother's land in Miami Co., Ohio. He married Sarah Curtis Aug. 19. 1852 : she was born near Fredericksburg, Miami Co., Ohio. July 16. 1850 ; her father. William Curtis. married Anna Feece: she was born Jan, 7, 1832: they reside near Troy, Miami Co., Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Stahl have three children, viz.: Leonia Belle, born Oct. 4, 1873; Daisy. born Dec 6. 1855, and William Allen. born Oct. 14, 1855. He owns one- half of the homestead, containing 235 acres—the first land his father settled on in this county of his own.
GEORGE H. WARVEL. farmer. Sec 6; P. O. Beamsville ; was born Rookingham Co.. Va.. July 25,1829 : his father, John Warvel, was born in the same county. May 29. 1598. and married Delilah Lepe, June 14, 1829 ; she also was born in the same place May 13, 1805, and resides with her son, the subject of this sketch ; they moved to this place in the fall of 1844 ; John Warvel died Jan. 31, 1866, and was always a strong. robust farmer up to a year or two before he died. The subject of this sketch has always pursued the avocation of farming, except for a short time he followed carpentering ; has been Trustee in this township, is a member of the order of A.. F. & A. M. He married Mary Nimes Nov. 6, 1856, daughter of Henry P. Sines. site was born Jan. 12, 1838. and died Aug. 15, 1865 ; by this union they
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had three children, viz.: William A., born Sept. 2, 1857; two died in early infancy ; his second marriage was with Lizzie Hartzell, Nov. 22, 1866 : she was daughter of George Hartzell, deceased, and born June 8, 1845, in this county, and died March 16, 1868, leaving no issue living ; his third marriage was with Susan M. Earhart, April 24, 1870 ; she was born Nov. 28. 1840, and was sister of his second wife Lizzie; she died Feb. 10, 1875 ; by this union two children were born. viz.: Lilley Bell, born April 11, 1871, and died March 3, 1878. and John H., born May 4,
1872. Mr. Warvel owns 65 acres of land and a good home bordering Beamsville
DANIEL WARVEL, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 32 : P. 0. Beamsville : was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Sept. 5, 1834 ; his father, Christopher, was born in Rockingham Co., Va., Feb. 27, 1796, and married Charlotte Lilly : she was born in the same county June 4, 1799 ; he died March 18. 1851. and she died March 14. 1855 ; they are buried in the cemetery on the old homestead on See. 13. in this township ; they moved from Virginia to Warren Co.. Ohio, and thence to Montgomery Co., and came to Darke Co. about 1839 ; when they endeavored to buy something to eat, on their arrival in Warren Co., they offered the last $5 they possessed, and found it to be counterfeit, consequently they began life in Ohio with nothing ; when they got to Darke Co. they had sufficient to buy their first 160 acres in the woods ; they had nine children viz.: John H., William L.. Sarah A., George C., Elizabeth, Mary, Adeline, deceased. Daniel and Margaret L. Sarah A. married D. R. Hathaway ; Elizabeth. Solomon Beam : Mary. Daniel Hartzell : Adeline, Andrew Coppess, and Margaret married Linas Hathaway. The subject of this sketch was raised a farmer, and remained at home with his parents until his mother's decease, he then made a trip to Virginia, and worked at fanning and miscellaneous employment, for wages, by the month ; at the age of 21, he bought 40 acres, and began a home for himself ; has been honored with various township offices, was Township Clerk, Trustee, etc., was Justice of the Peace three years, and
retired last spring. He married Catherine Ann Kaylor Jan. 1, 1856 ; she was born in Logan Co., Ohio, May 7,1837 ; she died Feb 3, 1857 they had one child. Joseph C., born Jan. 28, 1857 ; he is still living ; his second marriage was celebrated March 21, 1858, with 3arah Powell ; she was born in Monroe Co., Ohio. Jan. 27, 1836; they have five children, viz.: Mary A., born Dec. 18, 1858, she married Abraham Eley ; Lucy E., born May 9, 1860; Laban, Dec. 10, 1861 ; Amos A.. June 11, 1864, and Clement L., July 20, 1873. Mr. Warvel owns a good home and 227 acres of land.
JOHN B. WERTS, merchant and Postmaster at Dawn, Sec. 20 was born in Preble Co., Ohio, June 20, 1848 ; his father, William Werts, was born in Preble Co.; Ohio, Dec. 25, 1826, and married Lydia Willson, who was born in Darke Co., June 20, 1827 ; he moved to Darke Co. in 1855, and engaged in coopering in this township ; Mrs. Lydia Werts died Nov. 21, 1878. John B., the subject of this sketch, commenced clerking, with Creager Brothers, in Horatio, Darke Co., at the age of 10 years, which he followed until he moved to this place, in April 1873, where he engaged in business on his own account ; he was appointed Postmaster Sept 30, 1875, he is also express agent ; he was Township Clerk six years in York Township. He married Mary J. Winbigler of Brock, this county, Oct 15, 1872 ; they have one child, Minnie Claudia, born Nov. 15, 1874,