ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 801 attracted by the discovery of gold in California, crossed the plains, making his way from St. Joseph, Missouri, by way of Salt Lake City, to the El Dorado of the West. He traveled with mule teams and accomplished the journey from the Missouri river to Sacramento in ninety days. While en route he passed no town or habitation of white people except at Forts Bridger and Kearney. Dr. Edwards first located at Sacramento, but afterward resided at different times at Michigan Bar, 'Stockton and Angels. He became interested in mining, but also conducted a drug store and practiced his profession. He there won a large clientage and his services were in almost constant demand. Prospering in his work he was enabled to purchase a .quartz mine which had some very rich pockets. For about nine years he remained 'upon the Pacific coast and in 1859 again came to Ohio, intending, however, to spend only a short period here, but changed his mind and made a permanent location. It was about this time that he received his diploma from the medical college and was married to Mrs. Ruth McFarland, a daughter of Robert and Margie (Mylie). Chapman. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and removed from that state to Ohio. The marriage of the Doctor and his wife was celebrated in Greene county, February 2, 1860. He had previously married Dorcas Edenfield, but she died leaving one son, Frank. In the year 1860 Dr. Edwards located for practice in Xenia and for a quarter of a century was an active, influential and successful member of the profession here. As he demonstrated his skill and ability to successfully cope with the intricate problems presented by disease, his patronage grew until his business has assumed extensive proportions, his professional services having been sought at many distant points as well as in Greene county, and during seasons when illness was very prevalent, there have been weeks at a time when he was unable to obtain a complete night's rest. The first enterprise with which he became connected in Xenia outside of the strict path of his profession was the Citizens' National Bank, which he aided in organizing. It opened its doors for business on the 15th of November, 1881, with J. W. King as president and Dr. Edwards as vice president, and upon the death of Mr. King, in July, 1883, the Doctor was elected as his successor and served continuously as the president of that reliable institution until his own death, which occurred on the 19th of November, 1896. As the years passed the Doctor made investments in mining stock and through his professional labors and through his ownership of mining property, he. accumulated a handsome competence. He was honored with the, vice presidency of the medical society and for many years was president of the Greene County Medical Society and the Xenia Academy of Medicine. He was deeply interested in everything which tended to bring to man the key to that mystery which we call life, and by constant, reading and investigation, he always kept abreast with the advanced thought of the times. From his youth he oelonged to the Republican party and was one of its active and earnest workers, although he was never an aspirant for political honors. Much. against his desire he was made a member of the city council and for two years represented the second ward. The Doctor possessed an artistic nature and had a decided talent for reproducing in different forms his ideals. His skill in manip- 802 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY, OF GREENE COUNTY. ulating clay is demonstrated in a very fine bust which he modeled from, clay- taken out of his cellar and which shows in a marked degree his artistic ability. Perhaps the most wonderful work which he accomplished in this direction is a little study three-fourths inches high and weighing six grains. It was cut from the pith of a cornstalk and is called the Catholic Missionary Presenting the Cross to the Heathen. It represents a man in priestly garments holding out a cross. Every detail of the work is perfect and the pose of the figure as viewed from every side is easy, natural and graceful. This wonderful little work of art received very favorable mention from artists at the Ohio Centennial in Cincinnati and was pronounced by all to be nearly perfect. When the Ohio law was inaugurated compelling the practicing physicians to register, Dr. Edwards took this opportunity to retire from the profession and spend his remaining days in quiet and in the enjoyment of his well earned rest. Throughout the long years of his residence here he had gained a very wide acquaintance and his sterling characteristics were such as to commend him to the confidence and respect of all. His aged widow is now spending her declining years in a very handsome home on Main street, living with her niece. Like her husband she has shared in the esteem of many friends and is widely known in Xenia. JACOB LEWIS PETERSON In a history of the agricultural interests of Greene county Jacob Lewis Peterson well deserves mention, for he is an enterprising farmer, his home being on the Peterson road in Caesarscreek township. He was born in Xenia township May 12, 1836, his parents being Felix and Mary (Weaver) Peterson. The father was born May 18, 1809, in Virginia, and was only four years of age when brought to Ohio in 1813 by his father, Jacob Peterson, who located temporarily in Ross county, whence he removed to Greene county, settling in Xenia township. Here he purchased a large tract of land, and the farm upon which 0ur subject now resides, comprising two hundred and ten acres, was a part of the original tract. Mr. Peterson had learned the wagon-maker's trade, but subsequently gave his attention to farming. The father of our subject was reared to manhood on the old home place and acquired but a limited education. His training in the work of the fields, however, was not meager. He was married, December II, 1833, in this county, to Miss Mary Weaver, and then took up his abode upon his father's land, having inherited one hundred acres. Subsequently he became the owner of about seven hundred acres owing to judicious investment and careful management. Unto him and his wife were born nine children, seven of whom reached years of maturity, while five are yet living: Martha, born September 13, 1834, became the wife of David Boots, and unt0 them were born three children, while later she married William Smith, by whom she also had three children. Jacob Lewis is the next member of the family. Catherine J., born October 24, 1838, became the wife of S. M. Fudge and died leaving three children. James S., born January 30, 1841, is residing in New Burlington and has seven children. John W., born March 22, 1843, is living in Xenia township. Felix Harper, ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 803 born February 14, 1845, resides in Kansas and has three children. Ezra M., born October 26, 1848, is now deceased. Isaac C., born October 23, 1850, died in childhood. William M. also passed away in childhood. The father of this family died on the 9th of April, 1874, and his wife passed away April 8, 1900, their remains being interred in Woodland cemetery. He was a Whig in early life and later became a Republican, while his religious faith connected him with the German Reformed church. The boyhood days of our subject formed a period of hard toil. He worked on the farm, receiving but limited educational privileges, but he was very fond of reading, and in this way and through experience he greatly broadened his knowledge. He was married December 4, 1879, to Miss Lizzie Whitson, of Arcanum, Darke county, Ohio, whose birth occurred in Butler county, November 5, 1856. Her parents were Israel and Mary (Barger) Whitson, the former a native of Schuylkill county. Pennsylvania, while the latter was horn in the Buckeye state. During childhood they came with their respective parents to Ohio and were married in Butler county. Mrs. Peterson was only twelve years of age when her parents removed to Darke county. Three years later she formed the acquaintance of the gentleman who afterward became her husband. They, have one son, Calvin, who was born December 15, 1880, and is at home. At the time of the Civil war our subject manifested his loyalty to the Union cause by enlisting in Company D, one Hundred and Tenth Ohio Infantry, and was sent to the camp at Piqua, Ohio. In October he was sent to the front and soon afterward became so afflicted with rheumatism that he was forced to return home,. where he remained through the winter. In 1863, however, he rejoined his regiment: and took part in the battle at Locust Grove.. He was afterward in the battle of the Wilderness and in the engagements at Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and Monocacy. At the last named he was wounded in the left ankle and the w0und has never healed. He received an honorable discharge. February 9, 1865, after having been in several hospitals, first at Baltimore and then in Westchester, near Philadelphia. He was a brave and loyal. soldier, never faltering in the performance of his duty. Mr. Peterson is a Republican and since voting for Lincoln in 186o has supported the men and measures of the party. He is a member of the German Reformed church at Maple Corner. He inherited some land from his father and has since purchased one hundred and fourteen acres, so that he now has a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty-four acres, which is well improved with modern equipments that he has placed there himself. As a citizen he is as true to-day to the duties which devolve upon him as when he followed the old flag on southern battle-fields. ELIAS QUINN. Elias Quinn belonged to the little group of distinctively representative men who, have been the pioneers in inaugurating and building up the chief industries of this section of the country. Everywhere known 804 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. He commanded the respect and confidence of his fellow men. He was born in Greene .county on the 8th of January, 1827, being one of the three children 0f Amos and Jane (Goe) Quinn. The father was called upon to serve as sheriff of Greene county and also represented his district in the state legislature, where he gave to every question which came up for consideration his earnest 'thought, and when once he had determined -upon a course as right, neither fear nor favor could swerve him from it. During his early boyhood our subject was left an orphan, but throughout life he made the most of his opportunities and advanced to a prominent position, not only in business circles, but also in the regard of all who knew him. For many years he was identified with industrial and commercial interests in Xenia as one of its leading lumber dealers. At an early date he established his lumber yard there and through many years enjoyed a large patronage, which brought to him an excellent financial return. His business methods were such as would bear the closest investigation. He was ever honorable and straightforward and all who knew him respected him for his genuine worth. His reliability in trade transactions was proverbial, and he continued to successfully conduct his lumber yard until about eight or ten years prior to his death. He then retired from business cares to enjoy a well merited rest. On the 26th of April, 1859, Mr. Quinn was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Andrews, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Scott) Andrews. Her father was born in South Carolina and was later a well known farmer of this county. Of this marriage the following children were born: Leila E., who is now a teacher in public schools of Xenia; Elizabeth J., the wife of John A. Cooper, of Xenia; Willa M. and Ralph. The family are members of the United Presbyterian church, both Mr. and Mrs. Quinn being connected with that church from the time of the union of the Seceder and, Associate Reformed churches. Mrs. Quinn survives her husband and with two daughters is residing in a pleasant home at No. 102 East Market street, Xenia. In his political views Mr. Quinn was a Republican, and was interested in the growth and success of his party, but he never held or aspired. to office: In May, 1864, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Volunteer- Infantry and served throughout the term of his enlistment, afterward becoming a member of Lewis Post, G. A. R. On the 15th of April, 1900, he was called to his final rest when seventy-three years of age, and his remains were interred in Woodland cemetery. Mr. Quinn was widely and favorably known, though in character he was of a very mild and unassuming nature, and though shrinking from public life he was at all times actuated by a fidelity to his country and her welfare. GEORGE DODDS. Often do we hear it said of those who have attained distinguished success that they were men who rose to eminence through advantageous circumstances, and yet to such carping criticisms and lack of appreciation there needs be made but the one statement, that fortunate environments encompass ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 807 nearly every man at some stage in his career, but the strong man and the successful man is he who realizes the intrinsic value 0f minor as well as great opportunities, who stands ready to take advantage of circumstances and who even molds adverse conditions until they serve his ends. George Dodds is a man who has known when the opportunity for accomplishment was presented and has improved it. Although he came from Scotland to America when a young man without capital, he to-day stands among the successful and prominent men of central Ohio, being successfully engaged in the marble business in Xenia. He was born in Roxboroughshire, Scotland, on the 19th of February, 1837, his parents being George and Isabel (Taylor) Dodds, who were also natives of the same locality. In that country they spent their entire lives. The father was a farmer by occupation and by following that pursuit provided for his family, numbering his wife and seven children. George Dodds, who was the fifth in order of birth, obtained a common school education and remained in his native land until seventeen years of age. In the meantime, his br0ther Andrew had come to America and was foreman in a marble shop in Madison, Indiana. He sent for his brother George to join him and learn the trade, so taking passage upon the steamship Glasgow July 11, 1854, and after a rough voyage of sixteen days, George Dodds landed at New York. He made his way direct to Madison, by way of Cincinnati, proceeding by boat from the latter point. In the shop where his brother was foreman, he learned the trade of marble carver and letterer, being employed there for four years. In the meantime, his brother had left Madison and removed to Yellow Springs, Ohio. Here George Dodds joined him in 1859 and going to Antioch they conducted a small marble shop, carrying on business there until 1864, when Andrew Dodds joined the Union army for four months service. The business was growing rapidly and upon his return the brothers concluded to remove to Xenia, so that the firm of A. & G. Dodds became an active-factor in the industrial and commercial life of this city. In the spring of 1866, the elder partner went to Scotland, where he purchased a large amount of ,Scotch granite,. shipping it to Xenia so that the firm of A. & G. Dodds became the first importers of Scotch granite west of New York city. The, partnership was continued until 1867, but in the meantime they had established a house at St. Louis, and Andrew Dodds took charge of the business there, while George-Dodds remained as proprietor of the Xenia business. The partnership was thus dis solved and our subject continued alone until 1871 when he admitted Alexander Caskey. After two years, however, this relation was discontinued, Mr. Caskey becoming owner. of the Pittsburg branch of their business which they had established in 1872. From 1873 until 1897 Mr. Dodds was alone, but in the latter year he admitted his son J. C. to a partnership. The firm of George Dodds & Son makes a specialty of granite monuments and ornamental stone verandas. They also do a large business in preparing and selling cut stone and they put in the large stone veranda at the Dayton State. Hospital, at Dayton, Ohio. They formerly conducted a large wholesale business in granite throughout the western states and they are now doing a very large retail busi- 808 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. ness in this portion of Ohio, their patronage having reached extensive proportions which brings them annually a splendid income. On the 11th of October, 1861, Mr. Dodds was married to Elizabeth I. Ferguson, of Madison, Indiana, who died August 20, 1865, leaving two children. George Fremont, the elder, is carrying on the marble business in London, Ohio, and married Stella Corns, by whom he has a daughter, Dorothy Day. The other child died in infancy. On the 16th of October, 1866, Mr. Dodds wedded Mary E. Brown, of Xenia, a daughter of Hiram and Rebecca Brown. Her father was an architect and builder who had come to Xenia to erect the old courthouse of Greene county. His son, William R. Brown, is widely known as a designer 0f fine churches and has gained considerable renown as an architect, having headquarters in Chicago and Cincinnati. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dodds were born eight children : Carrie B. is the widow of Rev. George H. Geyer, who, during his college course, was minister of Hope chapel, Boston, for three years. He was a pastor for three years at Ironton, Ohio, and died while in charge of the King Avenue Methodist Episcopal church of Columbus, June 25, 1900, and his widow, who has three children, is now making her home with her father and mother. Frank W., who for eleven years was connected with B. F. Jacobs, the well known real-estate man 0f Chicago, is now located at Columbus, having graduated from the law department of the Ohio State University in 1902 as class orator. He married Clara C. Elliott and has one child. Leslie J., who is connected with the firm of Wilson Brothers, of Chicago, makes two trips each year to Europe in order to buy goods for that house. He married Miss Lulu Frame and has one child. J. Charles is associated with his father in business. Earl C., who wedded Mary Hutchison, is now connected with the wholesale house of the Columbus Shirt Company, in .Chicago. Ralph is a resident of Chicago, with Charles A. Stevens & Brothers. Mary Alice died at the age of one year. Jessie K., the youngest, is at home with her parents.. For a number of years Mr. Dodds was a member of the Good Templars Society, has always been a recognized leader in temperance work in this section of Ohio, and is a stanch Prohibitionist in politics. He is now president of the board 0f visitors appointed to visit the various reformatories and c0rrection institutions of the county. Like him, his wife is an active temperance worker and is now president of the Women's Christian Temperance Union of Xenia. They hold membership in the First Methodist Episcopal church here and for twenty years Mr. Dodds has been its recording steward. As a business man he has ever been conspicuous among his associates, not only for his success, but for his probity, firmness and honorable methods. His life has been one of continuous activity in which has been accorded due recognition of labor, and to-day he is numbered among the substantial citizens of his county. GEORGE TALBERT. George Talbert, a well known farmer of Spring Valley township, was born August 8, 1837, in Sugarcreek township, of the marriage of Addison and Elizabeth (Schnel- ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 809 bleg) Talbert, the father a native of Fauquier county, Virginia, born in August, 811. He was about eighteen years of age when he came to Greene county. A few years previously his parents, John and Lucy (Bowen) Talbert, had emigrated to this state and the former had become owner of about six hundred acres of land on the Little Miami river, just east of Bellbrook. There he remained until his death, which occurred in 1873, when he was eighty-eight years of age. The father of our subject attended school in Xenia after coming to Ohio and became a well educated man. For a number of years he engaged in teaching school and was thus connected with educational interests in Bellbrook at the time of his death, which occurred in .1848. He had been married in 1836, mid of this union four sons and a (laughter had been born, the latter dying in 1859. After her husband's death Mrs. Talbert kept the family together until her own demise in 1858, when the home was broken up. To the common schools of the neighborhood George Talbert is indebted for the educational privileges he enjoyed. When eighteen years of age he began to learn the carriage-maker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years, during which time, he received thirty-six dollars the first year together with his board ; sixty dollars the second year, and one hundred dollars the third year. He afterward worked as a journeyman and in 1862 he engaged in teaching school in Sugarcreek and Beavercreek townships. In 1864 his patriotic spirit was aroused and he became a member of Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Infantry, with which he was at the front for about four months, during which time he participated in the battle of New Creek. His younger brother, John, had enlisted in 1861 as a member of the Twenty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was taken prisoner in Missouri, near Kansas City. Later he was paroled and sent home to Ohio, and after that he never returned to his regiment. In 1864 he became a member of the Ohio National Guard, raising a company of which he was made captain. He was also 0ut with the one-hundred-day men, being connected with the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Regiment, during which time he participated in the battle of Monocacy. He was there taken prisoner, but after an hour was released, and is now living in Jackson county, Kansas, where he has made his home since 1868. He was married in Clinton county, Ohio, to Margaret Terry, and they have three children, two born in Ohio and one in Kansas. James, another brother of our subject, was also in the one hundred olays' service, and he died near Glasgow, Missouri, in 1866. Addison, who enlisted in March, 1864, in the Seventy-f0urth Regiment, was killed at Peach Tree Creek, July 20, 1864, being shot in the forehead while on the skirmish line; thus all four of the sons were in the service in the year 1864. After the close of his military career George Talbert engaged in the lumber business at Wilmington. He was married in the home in which he now lives, June 4, 1874, to Miss Martha Stump, a daughter of Jonas and Prudence (Smalley) Stump, the latter a daughter of William Smalley, who was captured by the Indians and held as a prisoner for five years. His captors were members of the Delaware tribe, and by them he was taken to Upper Sandusky. 810 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. After his marriage Mr. Talbert resided in Wilmington until 1884, when he removed to his present place of residence in Spring Valley township, and has since devoted his energies to the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to this climate. The farm comprises two hundred and twenty acres of land and is under a high state of cultivation, owing to the industrious and persevering efforts of Mr. Talbert. In his political views our subject was a Republican for some years from the time he cast his first presidential vote for Lincoln until 1884, when he gave his support to Cleveland. At one time he was identified with the Masonic fraternity of Xenia and later with the lodge in Wilmington. Whether in mercantile or agricultural life he has ever been found to be a reliable business man who possesses the enterprising spirit so characteristic of America. He has made the most of his opportunities and as the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well. BENJAMIN W. ARNETT, D. D., LL. D. "Earn thy reward ; the gods give naught to sloth," said the sage Epicharmus, and the truth of this admonition has been verified throughout the ages which have rolled their course since his day. There are few men in America that have more truly earned the position to which they have attained than has Bishop Arnett. He has been designated as "churchman, statesman and orator," and he stands to-clay as one of the most distinguished divines of this land, and yet few men have a more accurate or comprehensive knowledge of the political and social conditions of the country, or have a broader outlook upon the world's work and the trend of events. There has hardly been an idle moment in his entire career from the time when with earnest purpose he set to work to master the daily tasks assigned him in the schoolroom. Since then he has labored to ameliorate the conditions of his own race, to uphold his nation's honor and promote her usefulness and to extend the influence of Christianity until its mighty principles shall find exemplification in every walk of life. Although the following is but the briefest outline of his work, he who will read between the lines will gain recognition of the unending activity which has made Bishop Arnett distinguished in church, in state and in society, although distinction would be the last thing for which such a man would seek, his entire career having been permeated with the one idea of helping his fellow men. Benjamin William Arnett, D. D., LL. D., was born March 6, 1838, in Brownsville,. Fayette county, Pennsylvania. When six months old he was baptized by Rev. Samuel G. Clingman, of the Ohio Annual conference. He was convicted under the preaching of Rev. Jeremiah Lewis, February 10, 1856, and converted February 14th. He was received into the African Methodist Episcopal church February 17th, by Rev.. Leven Cross of the Ohio Annual conference. He was licensed to preach March 30, 1865, by Rev. J. D. S. Hall, of the Baltimore Annual conference, at Washington, D. C., and recommended to the traveling connection by Rev. William B. Lewis, of the Ohio Annual conference, at Lexington, Kentucky, receiving his first appointment at Walnut Hills, in Cincinnati, Ohio, April 19, 1867. ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 813 He was ordained a deacon April 30, 1868, by Bishop William Paul Quinn, at Columbus, Ohio, and as an elder by Bishop Daniel A. Payne, May 12, 1870, at Xenia, Ohio. In addition to his pastoral work Bishop Arnett received a license to teach school December 19, 1869, and taught at different times until December, 1871. During his ministerial work he has filled the following appointments : 1867-8-9, Walnut Hills, Ohio; 1870-1-2, Toledo, Ohio ; 1873-4-5, Allen Temple, Cincinnati, Ohio ; 1876-7, St Paul African Methodist Episcopal church, Urbana, Ohio ; 1878-9, St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal church, at Columbus, Ohio. He was elected as ministerial delegate from the Ohio Annual conference to the general conferences of 1872, 1876 and 1880, and served as assistant secretary in 1872 and as general secretary in 1876 and 1880. At the general conference of 1880, held in St. Louis, Missouri, he was elected the financial secretary of the general conference and reelected in 1884 at the session held at Baltimore, Maryland. The Bishop was a mem¬ ber of the National Equal Rights League, of Syracuse, New York, October 4, 1864, Frederick Douglas, president ; a member of the Equal Rights Convention, held at Cleveland, Ohio, Hon. John M. Langston, president ; secretary of the National Convention, at Washington, D. C., December, 1866, Hon. John M. Langston, president ; chaplain of the National Convention of Colored Men, September 2, 1882, held at Louisville, Kentucky, Frederick Douglas, president ; a delegate to the national Young Men's Christian Association convention, at Washington, D. C., in 1871, Hon. John Wanamaker, president; foreman of a jury, where all were white, at Toledo, Ohio, in 1872 ; he was foreman of a jury composed of all colored men, in the spring of 1872, at Toledo, Ohio ; he was chairman of the committee on resolutions of the congressional convention in 1872 held at Toledo, Ohio, composed of five counties, having been nominated by I. R. Sherwood ; appointed recruiting agent by special order No. 178 of the war department, August 24, 1863, by General L. Stearns, major and assistant adjutant general of the United States Volunteers ; he was fraternal delegate to the Miami convention of United Brothers, held August 12, 1872, at Pleasant Ridge, Ohio. Bishop Arnett's connection with societies began wth the organization of the Sons of Hannibal, at Brownsville, Pennsylvania, in 1859. He organized the Sisters of Protection in June, 1859, at Brownsville, Pennsyl vania. In August, 1859, he organized the Mutual Aid Society, composed of men. In 1863 he organized the Brothers and Sisters of Love and Charity, at Brownsville, Pennsylvania. He was a delegate to the National Guard tabernacle, in 1863, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1864 he organized the Faith and Hope League of Equal Rights, at Brownsville, Pennsylvania, and one at Uniontown, Washington, Mononga hela City, Allegheny and Pittsburg, Penn-sylvania, respecively. In 1865 he was a. member of the State Equal Rights League,, of Pennsylvania, acting as western solicitor of the same, having charge of twenty-one counties. In 1865 he organized a joint stock company and started a store, preparing the charter which passed through the legislature. In June, 1865, he organized the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, at Brownsville, Pennsylvania, and he has organized lodges of this order at Toledo, Cincinnati,. 814 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. Walnut Hills, Urbana, Ohio; Covington and Harrodsburg, Kentucky. He was a member of the Committee of Submanagement, in 1876, of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows. In 1874 he was grand orator of the Good Samaritan, and the Daughters of Samaria, for the states of Ohio and Indiana, and a life member of the same. He was a member of the Corinthian Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, at Cincinnati, Ohio, being raised to the degree of Sublime Master Mason, August 13, 1875. He was arched in December, 1877, in Gustava Chapter, of Urbana, Ohio ; he was grand orator at the Biennial Movable Committee of Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, of Cincinnati, Ohio, October, 15, 1884; he was grand orator of the Grand Lodge in 1879; grand chaplain of the Royal Arch Chapter of the state of Ohio in 1879 ; a member of the Knights of Wise Men of the World, at Nashville, Tennessee, in 1882, and grand lecturer of the same; also grand lecturer of the councils of the Independent Order of Immaculates, at Nashville, Tennessee, in 1883; a member of the Independent Order of Good Templars in 1884; he was district master of the Sons of Temperance, in 1872, at Toledo, Ohio ; and a member of the -United Brothers of Friendship. The Golden Gate Lodge of San Francisco and the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows gave him a reception in October, 1886. The Central Republican Club, of San Francisco, gave him a farewell meeting at the Wigwam, October 19, 1886; he was vice-president of the Republican State Convention in 1878; delivered one of the ratification speeches in Music Hall, Cincinnati ; he was a member of the Ohio State Sunday-school convention, at Norwalk, Ohio, in 1878, and was elected vice-president of the same; he was also elected a delegate to the International Sunday-school Union, at Atlanta, Georgia, in 1878, and at Toronto, Canada, in 1881 ; was elected by the Sunday-school Union of Ohio to represent them at the Robert Raikes' Centennial in London, England, in 188o; elected to represent the Inter-Denominational Sunday-school Union of South Carolina at the World's Convention, London, July 2, 1889 ; was a member of the reception committee which welcomed Hon. J. G. Blaine to Greene county in 1886-7; he was the author of the bill abolishing the "Black Laws" of the state of Ohio, and to provide for teaching scientific temperance in all the schools. The literary work of Bishop Arnett is mainly statistical and historical. He has furnished his race and church more historical data and statistics than any man in the United States. He and Bishop J. C. Hartzell, of the Methodist Episcopal church, are alike in this respect. For ten years he compiled and edited the Budget. The combined editions of this publication aggregated thirty-nine thousand volumes, with a total number of thirteen million, four hundred and thirty thousand pages. Bishop Arnett is now engaged on a history of the race and the African Methodist Episcopal church, which will doubtless surpass all others in accuracy and interest, for he is eminently qualified to so prepare it. The church and race will not be disappointed with his labors. Bishop Arnett was united in marriage May 25, 1858, to Mary Louisa Gordon, at Brownsville, Pennsylvania, and their chil- ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 815 dren are as follows : Alonza, Benjamin W., Jr., Henry Y., Anna L., Alphonso T., Flossie G. and Daniel A. May 25, 1890, Bishop Arnett responded to the address of welcome of Hon. James A. Beaver, governor of Pennsylvania, at the International Sunday-school convention at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He was elected and was one of the vice-presidents of the International Sunday-school convention, filling that office until 1893. He delivered an address by invitation before the Republican: state convention, of Denver, Colorado, September 28, 1886. He was one of the invited guests and delivered several addresses at the Centennial Celebration of the First Settlement of the Northwest Territory, April 7, 1888, at Marietta, Ohio. He delivered the oration at the Jubilee of Freedom, held September 22, 1888, at the Centennial Exposition, of Columbus, Ohio. He delivered an address in the House of Representatives, in the state of Georgia, before the Colored Teachers' Association, December 11, 1883. He was a member of the Centennial conference of Methodists, held at Baltimore, Maryland, December 24, 1884, at which time he delivered an address entitled : "The Mission of Methodism to the Extremes of Society." He delivered the annual address before the college societies of Wilberforce University, June 19, 1877. He delivered the annual address before the college faculty, students and friends of Claflin University and the Claflin College of Agriculture and Mechanical Institution, May 22, 1889, at Orangeburg, South Carolina. He delivered the address of welcome at the Sub-Tropical Exposition, at Jacksonville, Florida, to Hon. Frederick Douglas, in behalf of the board of directors and citizens, on April 4, 1889. He was chaplain of the National Republican convention, in 1896, at St. Louis, Missouri, with J. M. Thurston, president, that nominated Hon. William McKinley as candidate" for president of the United States. He presented President McKinley with the Bible upon which he took his 0ath of office, in behalf of the African Methodist Episcopal church. He was a member of the World's Parliament of Religions, delivered six addresses and received a gold medal from the African Methodist Episcopal church for the part he took in behalf of his church. He has been one of the speakers at the International Christian Endeavor meetings since 1895. He was present at the laying of the cornerstone of the government building in Chicago and was one of the guests of the city, October 9, 1899. In August, 1906, he was a guest of the Grand Army of the Republic, in Chicago, and delivered an address before the veterans. He was a delegate to the Ecumenical conference of London, in 1901, and was chairman of the Statistical committee and reported the statistics for the Western Hemisphere, and on the 7th of September of the same year presided in the Wesley chapel, at City Roads, London, England. At the present date he holds the following offices : Secretary of the bishop's council, African Methodist Episcopal church; historian of the African Methodist Episcopal church ; trustee of the Archaeological and Historical Society of Ohio ; vice-president of the Anti-Saloon League of America ; vice-president of Educators of Colored Youth ; trustee of Wilberforce University ; director of Payne Theological Seminary, at Wilberforce, Ohio ; trustee of the United Society of Christian Endeavors; trustee and vice-president of the Normal and 816 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. industrial Board ; secretary of Ecumenical conference for the western section from 1891 to 1901. Since his election as bishop of the African Methodist, Episcopal church he has had charge of the following Episcopal districts : 1888-1892 he had charge of Florida, East Florida, Columbia, South Carolina, and South Carolina conferences ; in 1892 he had charge. of Mississippi, middle Mississippi, Arkansas, South Arkansas and West Arkansas. In November, 1893, Bishop Daniel A. Payne died, and December last, 1893, he took charge of the Third Episcopal district, consisting of Ohio, north Ohio and Pittsburg conferences, and held it until the German conference of 1896: In 1894 Bishop Wayman died, and he was appointed to Indiana, Illinois and Michigan until the general conference of 1896 when he was returned to Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Iowa conferences. At the general conference of 1900 he was appointed to the third Episcopal district, consisting of Ohio, north Ohio, Pittsburg and California conferences. At. the time of his appointment to the third Episcopal district the upper part of the University at Wilberforce was not plaster(' .1, and as chairman of the building and grounds he had the upper part of the building finished. He was chairman of the building and ground when the new State Department was established, also in founding Payne Theological Seminary. He drew the plan of O'Neill Hall, of the combined Normal and Industrial departments. When the new dormitory was built he was also chairman of the building and grounds, and in a great measure superintended the new building, named by the committee as Arnett Hall, which was built at a cost of forty thousand dollars. It will be interesting in this connection to note many of the characteristics of the man, and of his power as a speaker—a power that has swayed hundreds and thousands of people throughout the country and ranked him with the orators of the land. The Boston Herald, in speaking of his address delivered before the Christian Endeavor con vention, at Boston, Massachusetts, said ; first speaking of the man and then of his oration : "His head is as fine and as strongly modelled as that of a typical Roman emperor. In countries like France, where the-black complexion is a real recommendation to popular interest and admiration, Bish op Arnett would cut a noble figure. He would be an ideal bishop of s0me ancient and powerful diocese. He would be no less ideal in the ivory chair of some historic senate. Bishop Arnett opened slowly, gravely, elaborately. He sways his audience, he knew its temper instinctively down to its least significant elements, and he was sure of- his. ability to interest and command it. From oratorical stateliness he passed to a more passionate utterance with liberty and the hopes and aspirations of his race for his theme, an element of humor being constantly on the alert to guard against any descent into pathos. His gestures were perhaps the most graceful used by any of the convention orators, his figures of speech were sometimes. of great aptness, and even beauty, indeed, no one during the whole week achieved a greater triumph than Bishop Arnett, if one takes into consideration the inevitable difficulties of his position." Another comment comes from the New Orleans Picayune : "Possibly nothing more marvelous would. ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 817 have occurred to the thoughtful student, a more wonderful freak of nature, of inspiration, of native melody of speech—it is hard to classify the occurrence or to explain it—than a speaker, very manifestly speaking extemporaneously, with only the outline of what he wanted to say in his mind when he rose, speaking unconsciously for five or six paragraphs at the close of his speech in blank verse, and the most precise, euphonious blank verse. This occurred when Bishop Arnett was bringing his talk to a close, and it is entirely likely, in fact it is positive, he himself did not know it. It was as much the swinging melody of his speech as its substance which brought his auditors to their feet, their handkerchiefs in the air, their canes upon the floor in wildest demonstration. The occurrence was simply marvelous. The lordly master of English, Ingersoll, often had recourse to this trick of combined oratory and imagination, but with him it was premeditated and the result of ripened scholarship in addition to his marvelous genius. But in this instance it was simply the music of speech welling up in the colored man, and the severest critic could not have failed to feel his power of analysis slipping from under him and his wonder possessing his faculties to see the very vehemence and yearning for fullness of expression in this colored man falling into precipitate and inspired blank verse, as the easiest, completest vehicle of his thought and feelings. And so natural was it that it was only when the peroration was closed that one remembered the rythm of the speech and perceived the secret of its subtle force and music." Has there been any movement in thought or action bearing upon the world's history in the nineteenth century which has not elicited the attention and thoughtful consideration of Bishop Arnett ? From the foregoing it would seem not. He seems to have studied—and studied closely—every subject having a close connection with humanity and with the uplifting of the standard of the human race. His life has proved that mind and character rise above all environment, 411 traces of prejudice, and command the attention and respect which is their due. GEORGE H. WOLF. The name of Wolf is closely linked with the history of Greene county and has figured prominently on the pages of those annals in connection with the work of development and substantial improvement. George H. Wolf, now deceased, was a worthy representative of this worthy pioneer family. He was born in Beavercreek township about two miles north of the place on which his widow is living, his natal day being October T0, 1832. His parents were David \V. and Catherine (Hamer) Wolf. The father was born in Bath township, Greene county, in 1804. Prior to this time the grandparents of our subject had taken up their abode within the borders of this county, casting in their lot with the early pioneers. From that time to the present representatives of the name have been prominent in business and public affairs in this section of the state. The father of our subject died June 1, 1879, at the ripe old age of seventy-five years. George H. Wolf pursued his education in the schools of his township and lived 818 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. with his father until he was twenty-two years of age, when he Made preparation for a home of his own by his marriage on the 1st of February, 1855, to Miss Hannah Fry, who was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, a daughter of Michael and Catherine (Lindamood) Fry. Her father was born May 14, 1800, and her mother on the 30th of September, 1794, in Shenandoah county, Virginia, where they resided until after their marriage.. Mr. Fry followed the occupation of farming. He was a son c f Jacob Fry, who was also a native of the United States, the family having been established in the new world in early colonial days. When the colonists could no longer endure the yoke of oppression and resolved to throw off allegiance to the mother country Jacob Fry joined the colonial forces and was a valiant soldier in the war of the .Revolution. It was in May, 1838, that Michael Fry, the father of Mrs. Wolf, left Virginia with his family and came to Greene county, Ohio. The daughter spent her girlhood days under the parental roof, living at home until she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Wolf, who at that time rented a tract of land. In 1869 he removed with his family, to what is now known as the old Wolf homestead, from Missouri, where he had lived for three years prior, having removed to the western portion of that state in 1866. The Wolf homestead in Greene county was a rich tract of land, comprising one hundred and fifty-six acres, and upon this he spent the remainder of his days, clearing the greater part of the farm. This land was once the property of his father, who owned four hundred acres in Greene county and two hundred acres in Missouri. From the time he took up his abode here until his death Mr. Wolf gave his attention undividedly to the work of cultivating the crops that brought to him a. good financial return and his diligence and unfaltering perseverance resulted in gaining for him very creditable prosperity. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wolf were born eleven children, but three of the number are now deceased. William R., the eldest, is. residing in Beavercreek township. He married Ollie Ferguson, now deceased, and they had six children—Sylvia, Roy, Grover, George, Samuel and one who died in infancy. Daniel Webster died at the age of two years. Jacob A. married Emma Canada, and their children were—Jessie, Bertha, Fred, Mary, Blanche and two others who are now deceased. The mother passed away and Jacob afterward married Betty Smith, their home being' now in Dayton.. Charles E.; who resides near the old homestead, wedded Minnie Harner. Their children are—Daniel ; Minnie, deceased; Lora; and Marie. Joseph married Lizzie Groober, who resides in Dayton, but he was accidentally killed. Adeline is the wife of Michael Trout, who lives in Xenia township, and they had four children—Joseph, Pearl, Ethel, and William, deceased. Melinda A. is the wife of William Strawsburg, and resides in Champaign county, Ohio, and they have three children—Goldie, Josephine-and William. By a former marriage to John Simmons she had three children, Fred' crick, Carrie and John. Walter, who is living in Beavercreek township, married Elsie Shambles, and they have three children—Curtis, George and Clara. Mary is the wife-of William Kyter, of Dayton, Ohio, and they have two children—Benjamin and Charles. Nana Elizabeth is the deceased. ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 819 wife of Leota Shepp and at her death left one child, Orlo, who resides with Mrs. Wolf, the grandmother. Michael, a resident of Beavercreek township, married Ola Linkhart, and they had four children—Hazel, now deceased, Ada, William, and Raymond, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Wolf also had an adopted daughter, Florence Brown, whose parents, Charles and Ada Brown, were deceased. She grew to womanhood in the home of Mrs. Wolf, and is now the wife of James McCune, of Dayton, by whom she has one child, Charles Clifford. Mr. Wolf's death resulted from accident. He was killed by a discharge of dynamite used in blowing 'out stumps, passing away on the 21st of October, 1901. His remains were interred in the Union cemetery and the community thereby lost one of its valued citizens, his neighbors a faithful friend and his family a devoted husband and father. In political views he was a Democrat and was long a member of the Reformed church, joining the Union church near Byron in 1857. Mrs. Wolf still resides upon the old homestead, which is now operated under her supervision, and she possesses excellent business and executive ability. She is a lady of sterling worth, enjoying in a high degree the confidence and esteem of her loving friends. JOHN W. FUDGE. Greene county figures as one of the most attractive, progressive and prosperous divisions of the state of Ohio, justly claiming a high order of citizenship and a spirit of enterprise which is certain to conserve consecutive development and marked advancement in the material upbuilding of the section. The county has been and is signally favored in the class of men who have controlled its affairs in official capacity, and in this connection the subject of this review has served the county faithfully and well in positions of trust and responsibility. He is now chairman of the board of county commissioners, a position which his grandfather filled a half century ago—the family having been established in this county many years ago. His paternal grandparents were John Katherine Fudge, farming people and early settlers of the community. A leader in public thought and action in his neighborhood Mr. Fudge was chosen a member of the board of county commissioners in 1850 and during his services the old courthouse was built. Joseph H. Fudge, the father of our subject, was born February 15, 1824, in Greene county, and after arriving at years of maturity married Cinderella Sutton, who was born in this county, August 17, 1826, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Sutton. Joseph H. Fudge began to devote his energies to agricultural pursuits in early manhood and in that way always provided for the support of his family. He passed away April 26, 1888, and his wife died on the 16th of February, 1891. Upon his grandfather's farm in New Jasper township, on the 23d of March, 1846, Mr. Fudge was born and in the same township was reared and educated. He early became familiar with the work of improving the fields and throughout his business career has carried on general farming. He still owns land to the extent of two hun- 820 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. Bred and sixty-three acres and through the cultivation of his fields he has won a handsome competence, numbering him among the substantial citizens of the community. On the 26th of June, 1866, Mr. Fudge was united in marriage to Miss Amanda J. Smith, a (laughter of Nelson Smith, who was also a farmer of New Jasper township. Their union has been blessed with five children, of whom four are still living : William J., James R., Charles N. and Ray S. Fraternally Mr. Fudge is connected with the Improved Order of Red Men and also belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a stanch Republican and has long been accounted one of the active, leading and influential Members of the party. He served as a trustee of New Jasper township for fourteen years and in 1890 was elected real estate appraiser, while in 1891 he was elected infirmary director, serving in that office for three years. In 1895 he was chosen by popular ballot to the office of county commissioner and discharged his duties so capably that he was re-elected in 1898 and became president of the board which built the new courthouse in Xenia, tearing down the old one which his grandfather had aided in building while on the board of commissioners more than a half century before. The new structure was erected at a cost of two hundred thousand dollars and Mr. Fudge made several trips to New York city and other places in search of information and knowledge that would prove beneficial in the erection of the new temple of justice. His political record has ever. been commendable. In office he is prompt, reliable and accurate in the discharge of his duties and he has won the approval of not only his own party but many of the opposition as well. He still has farming interests in the county and is accounted one of the progressive and representative farmers and citizens of Greene county as well as a worthy member of an honored pioneer family. GEORGE F. ROBINSON. BY PROF. GEORGE S. ORMSBY. Had the history of Greene county been written sixty years ago, the writer of it could have talked with the men who came here when the country was an unbroken wilderness, and when the Indian was the most numerous inhabitant. In the year 1846 Henry Howe wrote a brief history of this county for his Historical Collections of Ohio. At that time some of the earliest pioneers were yet living and related some of the stories of the earlier days. In 1880 another history of Greene county was compiled. in which the writer of this brief notice prepared the history of the Virginia Military Di strict of which this county formed a part.—the courts, court-houses and jails; also, quite a full political and financial history of the county. At that time there were a few men living who in their younger years had listened to the stories of the earliest pioneers and who could give much oral history of the earliest times. But when Mr. Robinson began his history, the most voluminous and most complete yet written, all the old men of the olden time had passed away and 'he found his index facts on tombstones and in official records that had been buried in the dust of almost a century. The history of a quiet individual, born ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 823 and reared in a quiet neighborhood, unconnected with any great state or county affair, must necessarily be brief, and such is the history of George F. Robinson. He was born in Xenia, Greene county, Ohio, on the 8th of May, 1838. He was the only son of William C. and Sarah (Foglesong) Robinson, who came to Xenia from Lebanon, Ohio, prior to 1830. George F., with four sisters, constituted the entire family of Mr. and Mrs. William C. Robinson. In the year 1838 Martin Van Buren had been in the presidential chair two years, and hard times were becoming harder every month. The country was full of useless bank paper ; and shin-plasters, so-called, were about the only fractional currency, and no one knew at night whether or not his shinplaster currency would be current in the morning. The year 1840 ushered in what was called the hard cider and log cabin campaign, the most remarkable presidential campaign that has ever occurred in this country, at the close of which William Henry Harrison was elected to the presidency of the United States. William C. Robinson, the father of George, was a prominent Whig, and in this year was elected sheriff of the county, an office which he held until his death, in 1842. In 1840 George was old enough to see and to be de lighted with the log cabins on wheels, drawn sometimes by ten and twelve yokes of oxen, the hard cider barrel with gourd hanging by it, the coon skins, and the coons themselves climbing over it, but scarcely old enough to wonder at or appreciate the wonderful pageant. How much his childhood, his youth and early manhood were influenced by these scenes we do not know ; how much the twig is bent none can tell; but we do know that when twenty-one years later the husband of a young wife and the father of his first child. now the wife of C. E. Arbogust, of Xenia, he heard the echoes of the guns at Fort Sumter; saw the cities and homes of the north as part of one great military camp; saw the starry flag unfurled over every pa triot hamlet; when he saw this great dramatic pageant and saw the real peril of his native land he counted personal comfort, safety, social and domestic ties as light, when weighed in the balance with duty. He at once gave himself and his life to the government. He enlisted in the Seventy-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, October 10, 1861, and was appointed corporal in Company D, December 30, of the same year. Austin McDowell was his captain and Granville Moody, the celebrated Methodist clergyman, was his colonel. The late autumn and early winter were passed at Camp Lowe, in Xenia. Subsequently the regiment was ordered to Camp Chase, at Columbus. In the early spring of 1862 it was ordered to the front and moved from Camp Chase to Nashville, Tennessee. During the time of Mr. Robinson's service in the regiment there were neither battles nor skirmishes, but there were such severe marches and drills as intensified a natural weakness in one of his limbs and rendered him unable to perform the duty required. He was, therefore, on the surgeon's certificate, discharged from the service July TO, 1862, nine months after his enlistment. There are those .whose enlistment to real military service is simply an entrance to a grand frolic. They conceive of no danger till they hear the booming of cannon and the shriek of shell. Not so with a man of Mr. Robinson's temperament. When he entered in the service and gave his life for 824 - ROBINSON'S' HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. the time being to the government, lie saw clearly all the possibilities of that act. He saw the carnage of battle, "garments rolled in blood," possibly a desolate home, a widowed wife and fatherless child. The man who neither turns back nor hesitates at the view of such a picture is a hero. Such was George F. Robinson,—a hero though he saw neither a real .skirmish ncr a battle. At all times and under all circumstances he took a great deal of interest in everything that appertained to the soldier. He was at the time of his death; which occurred May 17, 1901, and had been for fifteen years, chaplain in Lewis Post, G. A. R. Mr. Robinson's school education was obtained in the public schools of Xenia. He passed through the lower grades and spent two years in the high school. A schoolmate and life-long friend was the millionaire lumber dealer, Mr. Thomas B. Walker, now of Minneapolis, Minnesota. So far as property is concerned, the two boys were about equal during their school life; but that finished, Mr. Walker found abundance of gold in the pine trees. of the northwest and Mr. Robinson found silver in small quantities at the carpenter's bench until about a year before the war, when he engaged in farming. He left the farm to join the army, and after his discharge from the army be worked again at his trade, and continued this until he began compiling the work, "Roster of Greene County Soldiers." In order to make this roster complete he made a diligent search: in the cemeteries for names of forgotten people. It was while thus searching that he conceived the idea of compiling that which has proved to be a monumental work, "The History of 'Greene County." No sooner did he conceive the thought than the thought possessed him. No more firmly, constantly or rigorously did taskmaster ever hold slave to his work than this thought held Mr. Robinson to his, with this simple difference, that Mr. Robinson's work was to him a great delight. His daughter says of him: "He had a genius for this work; plodding day. by day, patiently, silently, earnestly, he worked, diving deep into the old rubbish left by time, to obtain his precious treasure. With great fondness and pride would he survey his work when finished, relating to us how he obtained the smallest details. He simply would never give up. He would walk miles and hunt for days for a single fact. He sacrificed everything, even his health and life to obtain the facts belonging to this history. He was intensely interested, and his energies were kept at their highest tension from. the beginning to the end. Often he could not sleep until he had obtained the information desired. Often he -would get up in the night and make a note of some thought that had occurred to him and frequently on such occasions he would write for two or three hours." The Writer, as before stated, having written a chapter in Greene county history, had on that account many interesting conversations with Mr. Robinson. He found him always so full of his subject, and so intensely interested in it, that it was very difficult for him to find any place to put a period to the conversation. In the chapter of history referred to the writer had occasion to describe the original northern 'boundary of Hamilton county, which then contained all the territory of Greene county, as extending from "Standing Stone Forks," or branch of the Big Miami to the Little Miami. But he was unable to locate "Standing Stone Forks."