History of Darke County Ohio, 1914

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HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY OHIO
From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time
In Two Volumes
by
Frazer E. Wilson
Also Biographical Sketches of Many Representative Citizens of the County
Illustrated
Hobart Publishing Company, Milford, Ohio
1914

Vol I: Foreword, Contents, Notable Persons

Vol II: Preface, Index of Biographical Sketches

Volume I
FOREWORD       A comprehensive county history must, of necessity, be a compilation of materials gleaned from various sources and assembled in the form of a literary mosaic, the design of which is symmetrical -- but not always apparent.
      The first and only exhaustive history of the county heretofore written was published by W. H. Beers & Co., in 1880, from material compiled and arranged largely by Judge John Wharry of Greenville and by one Prof. W. H. Mclntosh. This volume contained about 250 octavo pages of closely printed matter relating to the history of the county, besides about 200 pages of general introductory material and about 300 pages of biographical sketches. On account of its priority and the mass of historical data which it contains, this book must form the basis of any authentic history hereafter written. Perhaps the most apparent fault in this excellent first history is the lack of an adequate index and the irregular arrangement of topics -- a condition which the writer has endeavored to overcome in a measure in this work.
      A second work entitled "A Pictorial Outline History of Darke County," was published by Geo. W. Wolfe in 1890. This work was largely biographical but contained some excellent introductory matter and a few good topical sketches.
      An excellent Biographical History was published in 1900 by the Lewis Publishing Company of Chicago, which contained many well-written biographical sketches, but not much purely historical data. To all of these works the compiler of the present volume freely acknowledges his indebtedness for original material, realizing that without them the task of writing an authentic pioneer history would be practically impossible. Further acknowledgment is made to Attorney Geo. A. Katzenberger, who compiled and wrote the excellent chapters on "Militia Organizations," and "Bench and Bar," and to Geo. W. Calderwood, the "Darke County Boy," whose writings made possible the chapter entitled "Random Sketches."
      Others who have assisted materially in making this work possible are mentioned in the body of this book.
      The military campaigns of St. Clair and Wayne are treated somewhat exhaustively inasmuch as they led up to the great treaty of Greene Ville, which is one of the landmarks of state and national history.
      Much space has also been devoted to the interesting geological and archeological features of the county, which have been given scant treatment in former works. An attempt has been made to give a brief history of every religious denomination having a fair constituency in the county and thereby preserve a permanent record of the founding of each for convenient reference.
      The writing of a county history covering the numerous phases of political, social, religious and material pro"gress is a large btlt interesting task, and it is the hope of the author of this work that the careful perusal of its pages will stimulate greater interest in local history than has been manifested heretofore and be a source of delight to many.
      Probably the greatest difficulty encountered in the present work has been the matter of the arrangement of the vast amount of miscellaneous material collected. This has been overcome, in a measure, by considering the relation of each subject to the history of the county as a whole rather than to a restricted locality.
      An entire chapter is given to "Notable Events" as it is deemed desirable to portray these significant historical happenings for the instruction and entertainment of future generations.
      The recent introduction of the study of local history in our public schools is a commendable step and will, no doubt, result in a widespread interest in and enthtlsiasm for pioneer lore, so that the records of the past will be more eagerly per used and the memory of early events more sacredly cherished by coming generations. Instead of contempt for the past we may expect appreciation, and look for a more vivid realization of the fact that the things of the past play an important part in the life of the present.
      Some one has aptly said: "The average American is content to let history begin with himself," exhibiting thereby an ignorance and indifference unworthy of citizenship in a republic bought with blood and sacrifice. Such persons should read and ponder on these beautiful lines by Cora Greenleaf:
    There is No Past.    "They are not dead, those happy days gone by,     They brought that much of life to us. And I     Know no part of our life can ever die.     We lived them, so each joy or grief fraught day     Is ours, henceforth, forever and for aye,     There is no dead, unknowing yesterday.     Our memory the casket that shall hold     Experiences worth far more than gold     And jewels to the longing soul they mold.     I like to drift and dream of times called past,     Past days are present long as memories last,     Within the brain's firm mold they're poured and cast --     Shaped in an instant by our heedless will,     To last forevermore, for good or ill,     Until this very universe grows chill."

      It will be noticed that this work appears in two volumes, the first of which is historical and is compiled by the author, while the second is biographical and is the work of the publishers to whom credit is due for its excellent and comprehensive character.
FRAZER E. WILSON.
Greenville, Ohio, May 20, 1914.

Volume II
PREFACE       The present age is happily awake to the duty of writing its own records, setting down what is best worth remembering in the lives of the busy toilers of today, noting, not in vain glory, but with an honest pride and sense of fitness, things worthy of emulation, that thus the good, men do, may live after them. The accounts here rendered are not of buried talents, but of used ability and opportunity. The conquests recited are of mind over matter, of cheerful labor directed by thought, of honest, earnest endeavor, which subdues the earth in the divinely appointed way. "The great lesson of biography," it is said, ."is to show what man can be and do at his best." A noble life put fairly on record acts like an inspiration, and no more interesting and instructive matter could be presented to an intelligent public.
      In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the imitation of coming generations. It tells how commencing life in poverty, by industry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited advantages for securing an education, have become learned men and women, with an influence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence, as statesmen, and whose names have become famous. It tells of those in every walk of life who have striven to succeed and records how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of those who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued the "even tenor of their way," content to have it said of them, as Christ said of a woman performing a deed of mercy, they have done what they could. It tells how many, in the pride and strength of young manhood, left all, and at their country's call went forth valiantly "to do or die."
      Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it, as a sacred treasure, from the fact that it contains so much that would never find its way into public record, and which would otherwise be inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work, and every opportunity possible given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written; and the publishers flatter themselves that they give to their readers a work with few errors of importance. For all the good things in volume I, of this work, credit is due to the local historian, Frazer E. Wilson, and those whom he credits as having aided him in various ways. For all the errors that have crept into volume II, unless the people who furnished the facts erred, all blame is to be laid at the door of the "proof readers" who serve, THE HOBART PUBLISHING COMPANY

Greenville 1808

Greenville 1857

Table of Contents
from volume I

CHAPTER I -- PRIMEVAL DARKE COUNTY....................... 17 Early Records--Niagara Limestone--Later Formations--Glacial Invasion--The Laurentide Glacier--Terminal Moraine--Local Glacial Phenomena: (I) Surface Boulders, (2) Glacial Till, (3) Kames-Local Moraines: (1) Miami Moraine, (2) Union Moraine, (3) Mississinawa Moraine-Extinct Animals-Peat Bogs. CHAPTER II -- ARCHEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY.................. 33 The Mound Builders--Local Phenomena--Indian Camp Sites and Villages--Flint Caches--Work Shops--Stone Pipes and Implements. Topography: Forests--Game. CHAPTER III -- THE OHIO COUNTRY.......................... 49 Early Indian Tribes--Early French Explorations--Colonial Expansion--French and Indian War--Anglo-Saxon Ascendency--Clark's Expedition--Retreat of the Tribes--Raids and Retaliations--Ordinance of 1787--Settlements North of the Ohio. CHAPTER IV -- HARMAR AND ST. CLAIR....................... 73 St. Clair Appointed Governor--Government Instituted--Harmar's, Scott's and Wilkinson's Expeditions--Confederation of the Tribes-St. Clair's Expedition and Defeat. CHAPTER V -- MAD ANTHONY WAYNE........................... 93 Overtures of Peace--Council of the Tribes--Wayne Succeeds St. Clair--Army Reorganized--Wayne Advances and Builds Fort Greenville--Fort Recovery Attacked--Army Advances to the Maumee--Battle of "Fallen Timbers." CHAPTER VI -- THE GREAT PEACE........................... 107 British Encourage Indians--Peace Overtures--Tribes Assemble at Greenville--Preliminary Negotiations-Smoking the Pipe of Peace--The treaty of Greene Ville. CHAPTER VII -- TECUMSEH AND THE "PROPHET"............... 121 Settlement at Prophetstown--Teaching and Conniving--Visit of the Shakers--Hanging of Blue Jacket--Departure for Tippecanoe. CHAPTER VIII -- PIONEERS AND PIONEER SETTLEMENTS........ 139 The Herdman Family--The French Trader--Azor Scribner--Samuel C. Boyd--Abraham Studabaker--John Devor and Others--War of 1812--Murder of Andrew Rush, The Wilson Children, Elliott and Stoner--Harrison's Treaty--Early Land Purchases--Renewal of Emigration--Local Settlements. CHAPTER IX -- CREATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTY.... 165 Early Trails and Roads--Early Neighborhood Settlements--Early Business Enterprises--Early Taverns--Early Mills--Early Schools. CHAPTER X -- THE PLANTING OF THE CHURCH................. 197 Jesuit Missionaries--Army Chaplains--Rev. Morgan J. Rhys--The Denominations: Christian, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Baptist, Catholic, United Brethren, Lutheran, German Baptists, Church of the Brethren, Evangelical: Universalist, Reformed, Church of Christ--Other Denominations--County Sunday School Association. CHAPTER XI--RANDOM SKETCHES FROM THE "DARKE COUNTY BOY"..253 Social Life: Winter Sports, Singing School, Dancing, Circus Lore, Rowdyism, Children's Pastimes, Sunday Observance, Games, Drinking, The Old Band, Early Fairs--Domestic Life: Early Mothers, Clothing and Fashions, Household Equipments, Early Notables, Early Superstitions, Obsolete Trades, Etc. Events of 1856--Ancient Landmarks: "Kentucky Point," "Armstrong's Commons," "Spayde's Woods," "Goosepasture and Bunker Hill," "Wayne Avenue and Wayne's Treaty," "Old Court House," "Indian Trail," "Beech Grove" and "Matchett's Corner." CHAPTER XII -- DARKE COUNTY DURING THE CIVIL WAR........ 293 Local Patriotism--Preparation for the Conflict--Early Enlistments--Departure for the Front--Ohio Regiments Represented: 11th Regiment, 34th Regiment, 40th Regiment, 44th Regiment, 8th Ohio Cavalry, 69th Regiment, 94th Regiment, 110th Regiment, 152d Regiment, 187th Regiment, and Others. CHAPTER XIII -- SOME NOTABLE EVENTS..................... 303 Harrison's Treaty 1814--Washington's Centenary Celebration, 1832--Departure of the Tribes, 1832-Hard Cider Campaign of 1840--Burial of Patsey and Anna Wilson, 1871-Dedication of Court House, 1874--Wayne Treaty Centennial, 1895-Unveiling of the Wayne Treaty Memorial, 1906--Dedication of the Fort Jefferson Memorial, 1907.

CHAPTER XIV -- SOME NOTABLE CITIZENS.................... 327 Major George Adams--Azor Scribner--Abraham Studabaker --Edward B. Taylor--Dr. I. N. Gard--D. K. Swisher--Enoch B. Seitz--Barney Collins--"Annie Oakley," and Others. CHAPTER XV -- POLITICS AND POLITICAL OFFICES............ 355 Early Political Conditions--"Ante Bellum" Days--After the War--State Senators--Legislators--County Officials: Commissioners, Treasurer, Recorder, Auditor, Surveyor. CHAPTER XVI -- PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS...................... 365 Infirmary--Children's Home--Carnegie Library--Public Museum--Henry St. Clair Memorial Hall. CHAPTER XVII -- RAILWAYS................................ 383 Early Means of Transportation--Railways in Darke County: The Dayton and Union, The Pennsylvania, The C., C., C. & St. L., The Peoria and Eastern, The Cincinnati Northern, The C., H. & D., The Ohio Electric. CHAPTER XVIII -- THE PRESS.............................. 395 Influence of the Press--Early Illiteracy--First Newspapers--The Journal--The Democrat--The Courier--The Tribune; Daily, Weekly--The Advocate; Daily, Weekly--German Newspaper--Temperance Papers--The Versailles Policy--The Versailles Leader--The Arcanum Enterprise--The Arcanum Times--The Ansonia Herald--The Bradford Sentinel--The New Madison Herald--The Hollansburg News--Others. CHAPTER XIX -- FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS................... 405 Banks--Development of the Banking System--Early Scarcity of Money--Early Money Lenders--The Farmer's National Bank--The Greenville National Bank--The Second National Bank--The Citizens Bank--Banks at Versailles, New Madison, Ansonia, Arcanum, Gettysburg, Pittsburg and Rossburg--Building and Loan Associations: Greenville Building Company, Citizen's Loan and Saving Association, Arcanum, Versailles and New Madison Loan Associations. CHAPTER XX -- DARKE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY......... 415 Agricultural Prominence of Darke County--Demand for a Fair--The First Fair, 1853--Growth of the Fair--Notable Fairs--Purchase and Enlargement of Grounds--Present Equipment--Comprehensive Policy--Present Tendencies--Present Board. CHAPTER XXI -- PATRIOTIC, TEMPERANCE AND OTHER SOCIETIES.425 Jobes Post, G. A. R.--Complete Roster of Jobes Post--W .R. C.--S. of V.--W. C. T. U.--Pioneer Association--Historical Society--Medical Association. CHAPTER XXII -- BENCH AND BAR........................... 449 by George A. Katzenberger, Attorney-at-Law First Courts--Place and Manner of Convening--Early Jurisprudence--First Recorded Trial--First Justices of the Peace--First Jails and Court Houses--First Associate Judges--Constitution of 1851--Development of the Circuit, Common Pleas and Probate Court System--Biographical Sketches of Common Pleas Judges, Probate Judges and Prosecuting Attorneys--List of Sheriffs and Clerks of the Court from the Organization of the County--Biographical Sketches of Early Attorneys--The Present Bar. CHAPTER XXIII ---LOCAL MILITIA ORGANIZATIONS............ 503 by Lieutenant George A. Katzenberger General Remarks--Military System of Ohio--Early Military Officers and Organizations--Maj. George Adams--Brig.-Gen. William Emerson--Maj.-Gen. Hiram Bell--Gen. J. H. Hostetter--Capt. Jonathan Crainor--The Greenville Guards--The Greenville Jaegers--Captain Beers--Company C, 3d Regiment--Detailed History of Company M, 3d Regiment of Military System. CHAPTER XXIV -- THE COUNTY SEAT......................... 513 Advantageous Location--Directory of 1857--Development of the Town in 1857--Development by Decades--Notable Buildings--Public Utilities: Water Works, Electric Light, Home Telephone, Fire Department, Post Office, Cemetery, Public Schools, Lodges, Societies and Clubs--City Officials. BRIEF TOWNSHIP SKETCHES................................. 546 Arrangement of the Townships--Treatment by Tiers in the Following Order: Mississinawa, Jackson, Washington, German Harrison, Allen, Brown, Greenville, Neave, Butler, Wabash; York, Richland, Van Buren, Twin, Patterson, Wayne, Adams, Franklin, Monroe.

Lookups in volume II (the Biographies volumes) are generously offered by Julie Schopieray of Traverse City, Michigan. Julie descends from Frazer Wilson's sister Gertrude who married William H. Mann (see Wilson Family 1911). As time permits, individual biographies will be scanned and transcribed. They will be added to the DCOWeb Biography and Family History Board. Those now available are marked as active links below.

Index of Biographical Sketches
from volume II

A Albright, W. D........... 347 Albright, W. S........... 355 Allread, James I......... 32 Ammon, Edward............ 336 Amspaugh, D. F........... 473 Anderson, J. M........... 211 Appenzeller, C........... 295 Armacost, Eli............ 387 Armbruster, J. A......... 256 Arnett, Tobias........... 562 B Baker, D. H.............. 395 Baker, Ezra.............. 560 Baker, Guy C............. 126 Baker, Noah.............. 358 Bascom, J. Linus......... 119 Baughman, George W....... 262 Bausman, A. H............ 181 Bayman, N. R............. 483 Beam, R. K............... 471 Beanblossom, George...... 302 Beanblossom, J. R........ 297 Beane, Samuel............ 469 Beck, Henry.............. 502 Bickel, I. E............. 396 Bigler, Dr. L. D......... 494 Billingsley, Thomas A.... 168 Bishop, W. G............. 276 Boli, Ed. L.............. 386 Bowman, B. W............. 43 Brandenburg, E. T........ 440 Brandon, A. C............ 84 Brandon, C. W............ 547 Brawley, T. G............ 204 Brown, Homer............. 444 Browne, Wm. A., Sr....... 105 Brumbaugh, C. L.......... 539 Brumbaugh Family......... 536 Brumbaugh, William D..... 542 Bryson, D. V............. 285 Burns, J. C.............. 40 Byers, P. W.............. 202 C Calderwood. A. R......... 496 Calderwood, E. E......... 418 Chenoweth, W. A.......... 432 Cline, Fred.............. 206 Cohlentz, J. C........... 235 Collett, Henry........... 258 Conkling, F. T........... 64 Coppess, Charles......... 244 Coppess, H. M............ 144 Coppock, F. D............ 131 Crawford, G. F........... 28 Culbertson, Charles...... 299 Cunningham, William...... 349 D Davenport, Charles M..... 457 Davis, M. W.............. 367 Delk, Charles I.......... 428 Delaplane, Joshua........ 339 Delaplane, U. G.......... 328 Detamore, J. E........... 403 Dershem, Harvey F........ 505 Dininger, Jonas.......... 269 Dininger, Lewis.......... 279 Dininger, Riley.......... 290 Dull, Samuel............. 437 Dull, W. J............... 176 Dunham, John H........... 174 E Eidson, B. G............. 399 Elliott, J. C............ 24 Eyer, John............... 449 F Farra, Arthur............ 487 Fellers, Frank........... 447 Fellers, George F........ 455 Fellers, Harry A......... 445 Fellers, P. C............ 463 Feltman, J. H............ 160 Finnarn, Theodore........ 524 Fogle, Orlando........... 397 Folkerth, C. D........... 340 Folkerth, L. D........... 342 Foureman, David C........ 363 G Ganger, W. H............. 477 Garber, H. C............. 413 Gaskill, D. L............ 178 Gilbert, A. H............ 329 Gilfilan, J. B........... 464 Groshans, George......... 110 Grubbs, E. A............. 497 Guntrum, W. E............ 185

H Hageman, James F......... 233 Hageman, W. R............ 231 Hall, C. C............... 115 Halderman, R. H.......... 268 Hammel, Edward........... 266 Harnish, Samuel.......... 208 Harper, William M........ 59 Harrison, Orla E......... 80 Hartman, David M......... 362 Heck, J. F............... 215 Helman, F. G............. 412 Hoffman, C. O............ 189 Hole, H. B............... 222 Holland, John R.......... 305 Hollinger, I. K.......... 523 Horner, William H........ 481 Hostetter, S. A.......... 61 Hostetter, T. J.......... 237 Humphreys, R. T.......... 134 Hunt, Bert and Ralph..... 365 Hunt, Washington......... 513 Hunter, J. E............. 196 I Irelan, N. T............. 453 Irwin, W. J.............. 155 Ivester, W. H............ 213 J Jobes, George A.......... 38 K Karr, F. S............... 292 Katzenberger, Charles A.. 22 Katzenberger, George A... 224 Kelley, William V........ 554 Kerlin, L. E............. 35 Kerst, H. B.............. 378 Kipp, Conrad............. 78 Klinger, A. J............ 182 Knupp, J. R.............. 368 Kolp, James B............ 71 Krickenberger, O. R...... 51 L Lampe, Fred.............. 191 Landis, J. Q............. 282 Layer, Henry............. 517 Layer, W. A.............. 451 Lecklider, John T........ 17 Lecklider, Thomas A...... 163 Lickel, A. J............. 475 Longfellow, F. G......... 351 Lutz, F. B............... 303 Lutz, John H............. 355 M Mace, George W........... 46 Maher, Michael A......... 172 Marker, Leonard........... 192 Marley, J. R............. 252 Martin, C. O............. 466 Martin, Hugh L........... 408 Martin, Ira H............ 550 Martin, M. R............. 315 Martz, Adelbert.......... 140 McCabe, Samuel B......... 345 McClellan, Ora O......... 527 McCurdy, William J....... 533 McEowen, J. A............ 288 McGriff, Eli............. 467 McGriff, Ira............. 425 McGriff, J. A............ 420 McGriff, 0. Price........ 531 McKhann, Charles F....... 48 McNutt, O. A............. 352 Meeker, David L.......... 30 Metzcar, S. F............ 376 Metzger, Aaron........... 287 Meyers, E. E............. 240 Meyers, S. A............. 370 Miller, Harry C.......... 546 Miller, Jacob............ 218 Miller, John............. 344 Miller, John W........... 515 Miller, M. H............. 264 Miller, Roll M........... 261 Millette, H. R........... 242 Minnich, Levi............ 565 Minnich, S. E............ 220 Minton, W. A............. 493 Moist, Oscar............. 507 Monger, John E........... 488 Moore, Rufus............. 383 Morgan, John L........... 57 Mote, S. E............... 152 Murphy, John............. 103 Musson, C. R............. 187 Myers, Harry C........... 479 Myers, O. H.............. 492

N Nauss, L. A.............. 520 Netzley, D. A............ 323 Neiswonger, James........ 385 Niswonger, C. O.......... 273 Niswonger, Eli........... 438 O O'Brien, C............... 142 O'Brien, J. J............ 391 P Passon, J. H............. 416 Patty, W. O.............. 138 Perry, W. J.............. 500 Plessinger, Ezra......... 313 Porter, George W......... 91 R Rarick, Charles W........ 128 Rarick, H. G............. 281 Rehmert, G. H............ 253 Rhoades, Stephen......... 291 Ries, J. A............... 69 Rippetoe, Charles L...... 311 Robeson, Alfred.......... 325 Roland, Charles R........ 124 Ross, David.............. 381 Ross, I. M............... 371 Ruh, Dan D............... 312 Rush, W. D............... 73 Rush, A. W............... 87 Ryan, C. F., MD.......... 93 S Schlechty, Charles A..... 333 Scholl, B. F............. 331 Schoop, Mrs. H. K........ 375 Searle, A. E............. 247 Selby, Joseph L.......... 170 Sellman, Charles......... 357 Sellman, William......... 326 Shafer, Ed............... 380 Shuffleton, Robert A..... 155 Simon, John S............ 552 Simpson, O. S............ 229 Slade, Charles S......... 117 Smith, O. O.............. 200 Starr, James O........... 556 Steinmetz, W. V.......... 321 Stocker, H. P............ 108 Stocker, John............ 307 Stocker, R. H............ 408 Stutsman, Jesse.......... 400 Stutz, Joseph............ 448 Swartz, William I........ 510 Swope, S. Howard......... 165 T Taylor, C. C............. 405 Taylor, George F......... 76 Teaford, Ephriam......... 301 Teaford, Norman.......... 511 Teegarden, George W...... 484 Trainor, M. L............ 316 Turpen, J. C............. 147 V Vail, D. B............... 309 Vance, E. E.............. 249 Vance, Harry............. 136 VanLue, J. W............. 486 Vietor, S................ 334 W Wade, C. E............... 411 Wagner H. A.............. 374 Wagner, Madison.......... 360 Wandle, John F........... 427 Warner, A. J............. 284 Warner, Henry............ 298 Weaver, J. C............. 319 Wehrley, W. E............ 461 Weisenberger, M. L....... 112 Wert, C. G............... 476 Williams, J. Ed.......... 55 Williams, W. H........... 122 Wilson, A. N............. 96 Wilson, Frazer E......... 422 Wilson, Thomas B......... 491 Winters, J. Oscar........ 529 Wise, D. J............... 277 Witwer, David F.......... 490 Woods, Hezekiah.......... 150 Wright, E. C............. 389 Y Young, William K......... 442

presentation ©2003-4 Wally Garchow | Sacramento, CA
for Darke County Genealogical Researchers

Vol I:	Foreword, Contents, Notable Persons
Vol II:	Preface, Index of Biographical Sketches