Darke County, Ohio - The whole text, 1880 (part 26 of 31)

JOHN D. CLARK, of the firm of Kraus & Clark. Arcanum. To the subject of this sketch we are pleased to accord a place in the advance lines of the early pioneers of Darke County ; he was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Aug. 12, 1814, and is a son of Barzilla and Mary (Davis) Clark ; his father was born in Virginia Oct. 3, 1788, and died in Darke Co. in March, 1874, and his remains are interred in the cemetery at Ithaca ; his mother was born in Maryland Sept. 1, 1780, and died Aug. 13, 1871, and lies beside her husband in Ithaca Cemetery ; the}' settled in Twin Township in 1848, one mile southwest of Ithaca. Mr. Clark, Sr., was a volunteer in the war of 1812, and was in the army that was surrendered bj" Hull, and was on the pension rolls of the old veterans of that war. The subject of this sketch has been a continuous resident of Darke Co. since 1840 ; he had purchased 255 acres of land in its wild state, and, by his untiring industry and determination, in which he has been most nobly assisted by his industrious and amiable wife, succeeded in removing all the obstructions and thoroughly fitted it for the implements of agriculture ; he still owns the same tract of land, with an additional 40 acres that he has cleared, improved and spent the greater part of his life upon ; in 1872, he came to Arcanum and engaged in the drug business, which he followed for three years, then selling out to his son and embarked with Mr. Kraus in a general mercantile business, in which he is still engaged. He was united in marriage with Miss Sarah, daughter of John and Jane Bow}*er, Aug. 15, 1838, near Foster's Crossing, in Warren Co.; her parents were born in Pennsylvania in the latter part of the eighteenth century, and settled in Warren Co. in 1800, and were among the first settlers in that county ; both died in the county of their adoption, her father at the age of 76, and her mother at the age of 68 years. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are the parents of eight children, viz.: Mary J., born in Warren Dec. 29, 1839 ; Sarepta, born in Darke Co., June 21, 1842 ; Nancy, July 3. 1845 ; John W., Sept. 15, 1848 ; Bowyer, July 12, 1852 ; Sarah E., July 6, 1856 ; Laura J., April 5. 1859, and one dying in infancy April 20, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. < 'lark have been members of the M. E. Church for upward of forty years, ami have faithfully performed the duties incident to a fervent Christian life. Mr. Clark is a Prohibitionist and a good worker in the temperance cause. Mr. Clark. assisted by Mr. Ivester, whose sketch appears in this work, was the first to agitate the question of free pikes, and under his supervision three miles were constructed in the fall of L867.

MICHAEL ("LINE, cooper. Arcanum ; was born Jan. 20, 1811, in Hampshire County, Va., where he remained until March, 1836, when he came to Montgomery County. Ohio, and commenced coopering, which occupation he has followed through life. dan. 1-4, 1844, he was united in marriage with Martha A. Miller, and by this union they have five children, viz., Mollie E., Henry M.. Charles ('., Edward A. and William; .Mollie has been a teacher of the public school for a number of years. Mr. (Mine came to Arcanum, Darke Co., in 1866, where he has since resided, and since then has filled the office of Township Trustee five successive terms. Town Councilman one term. The sum of the ages of our subject, father nrvRr>n>>r q PLOYD farmer Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Arcanum. ^TcOoX-SLanum.. The subject of thi* sk jtohwborn in Fairfield Co., Ohio, Sept. 17, 1839, and is a son of William W. and Elizabeth J^oElSwtato of Fairfield Co. but now residents of Arcanum ; Mr. Coons only S ^advantages of a common-school education, as he assisted his fa her in the dtL^flrS ; but by hard labor, which -mbined bo^ene^and mdu^y he succeeded in acquiring a good average education ; he "P^J^^^S nlar* to Arcanum in the fall of 1867 and engaged m manufactming and handling funeral stoT'f boots and shoes, which business he followed for two years, when heDclos"d out his stock and purchased a farm of 60 acres in winTc^b^W he carried on for two years, when he disposed of this property, m 1871, and pui ^Lsed 120 aefes in Butler Township of Levi Slechty for $54 sold at the expiration of six months, realizing a fair profit ; n 1872, he opened a sSre of -4^1 merchandise in Arcanum, where he still continues to do business , he has large double salerooms, with storerooms back, and carries a complete and p'fSock of clothing, dry goods, hats, caps, boots, fact everything found in a first-class retail business house. He celebrated Ins max Se wit h Miss Almira, daughter of Benjamin and Susan Fount a Maj o 1 86 ^parents being old residents of Darke County Mrs. (Founts) Coons was boin in March, 1840 ; six children have been given to this union viz.. Flo ".Join Nov. 22 1862; Elizabeth S, born Nov. 9, 1865 ; Luanna bom April 27 1868 Leroj W bom August 23, 1871 ; Harry P., born Dec. 9, 1874 ; Cleo W, born Aug 25 187c S In MaJch, 1879, the death messenger entered this quiet and happy h tie familv and. removed two of its members from earth to heaven ; little Harry on the S^rMaXand his baby brother Cleo on the I8tb , foUowmg. Mr to father William W., was born in Harrison Co., West Va Sept. 9 18Ub, and rfmovedwEn infancy, with his parents, to Ross Co., Ohio ; here he attended school ami assisted his father in the labors on the farm during vacations ; Mr. X'Ser of the subject of this sketch, was united in marnag. , wdb Miss Elizabeth daughter of William and Sarah Schooley, Sept. 20 1826 who weie oia SSSTofSS- Co., Ohio ; they are the parents of ten ^ ^rP living viz Marv A., now Mrs. Robinson, who resides m Pieble Co.. umo , Z'SenrfCamden, Ohio ; Philip, the subject of this sketch ; Ellen now Mrs FoM who lives in Arcanum ; Salem S, residing in Butler Co, Ohio ; John who also lives in Camden ; Samuel, a minister of the U. resides in Lewisburg, Ohio; the deceased are Sallie, Mrs. Giffoid , Lena, Mrs. Francis ami one dying in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Coons Sr., have been members of the U B Church 'in Christ for forty-six years, and Mr. Coons has labored ni the Ministry for forty-three years, and, although his frame is bent with the weight of years, his mind is still vigorous and his memory unimpaired

PHILEMON CROMWELL, retired farmer, Sec. 19 ; P. O Ithaca, lne sud iect of Tl is keteh is entitled to aplace in the advance lines of the early pioneers of Darke Co he was born March 23, 1803, and is a son of Philemon and Mary CnrnweU.' natives of Maryland, both dying in their native Sta te-his father -* the iSTSt and his mother at the advanced age of 92 years ; he removed to Ohio and settlecU Darke Co. in March, 1838, and purchased 156 acres of land in its w d state a cl ly his energy and unflinching wiU, combined with the assistance ^ered byln ii hi trious and amiable wife, overcame all the obstacles incident to SonterlSfe and they have as a reward of their toil and privations, a beaut to Lome surroimded by every comfort and convenience, in which to enjoy then Sin" 4ar ffis marriage with Miss Rebecca, daughter ot Henry and SSC was celebrated March 12, 1835 nine children have bee u given to this union, viz, William W., born Feb. 21, 1836 ; Catherine V Nov. 14. 1840 , Henry H.. Sept. 4, 1843; Josiah 0, Nov. 14, 1845; Sarah J., Nov. », 184< ,

Philemon, Feb. 14, 1850 ; John W., Nov. 30, 1852 ; Alverdo, Dec. 13, 1857 . Catherine, wife of Francis Huffen, died Feb. 22, 1874 ; Henry H. was a member of Co. D, 110th O. V. I., and at his country's call went nobly forth in defense of his country, and to help save the honor of his flag ; on the 5th of May, the first day of the great and ever-memorable and disastrous battle of the Wilderness in Virginia, he fell, pierced by the enemy's bullets, while charging on a rebel stronghold, and. like many of his brave comrades in arms, his body lay for days between the contending lines of vast armies, amid the clash and turmoil of incessant battle, and to-day his remains are peacefully at rest on the ground where he fought to win. Mr. and Mrs. Cromwell have been members of the United Brethren Church for forty years, and their large family of children are co-workers with their parents in the cause and advancement of the Christian religion.

JOHN FASIG-, merchant tailor and Justice of the Peace, Ithaca ; the subject of this sketch was born in Sprendlingen, Grossherzogthum, Darmstadt. Germany, March 14, 1831 ; he is a son of John and Susan Fasig. Mr. Fasig emigrated to America in 1855. landing in New York in October, and made his way to Euphemia, Preble Co., Ohio, where he engaged in tailoring for upward of one year, when he removed to Ithaca and engaged in the same business which he is still engaged in. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Franz and Doratha Croell, May 28, 1854 ; twelve children have been given to this union, viz.: Luzetta, born April 27, 185G, died April 13, 1860 ; John, born Sept. !'. 1857, died Sept. 12, 1859 ; Mary, born Feb. 18, 1859, died March 25, 1801 ; Minnie L., born Aug. 15, I860 ; Margaret L., born Sept. 5, 1861, died Oct. 3, 1862 ; Eliza, born Oct. 27, 1862 ; Catherine, born June 4, 1864 ; Charles A., born Oct. 31, 1866 ; Amanda S., born Aug. 23, 1868 ; Sarah J., born April 28, 1870. died April 29, 1872 ; William H., born March 22, 1873 ; Leah C. born Jan. 20, 1876. Truly, Mr. and Mrs. Fasig have a large and very interesting family ; their charming daughters, with their various accomplishments, tend to make home a pleasant place. Mr. Fasig carries a fine stock of custom-made clothing, dry goods, notions, tobaccos and cigars, and if you want a perfect-fitting suit of clothes. give him a call. Politically, he is Democratic, and has been prominently identified in all the township offices, and has alwa3's carried the unanimous support of his constituents, which is ample proof of his official business capacity. Mrs. Fasig was born June 24, 1834, in Phaffenshabenneim, Germany ; she had two 1 uothers and eight sisters ; four came to this country, and two have since died ; her elder brother was killed in the Mexican war.

A. M. FLORY, of the firm of Wallace & Flory, dealers in hardware and agricultural implements, Arcanum. The subject of this sketch was born May 12, 1851, and is a son of Henry and Catherine Flory, old residents of Montgomery Co.. Ohio; his father followed coopering the greater part of his life, and was engaged in farming a short time previous to his death ; his father dying when he was but 10 years of age, he went out into the world to take care of himself and battle with life, and, by energy and persevering industry, has overcome all obstacles. and so far has made life a success ; at the age of 16 years, he learned the carpenter trade, which he followed till he removed to Arcanum, the last day of December. 1873, and on the 1st day of March, 1874, he opened a general hardware store, in partnership with Mr. Wallace, in which business they are still engaged ; he w:iunited in marriage with Miss Catherine E., daughter of Henry Burns. March 19. 1S74. her parents being residents of Preble County ; Mr. Flory has been identified with the offices of his village, having been a member of the City Council, and has had the honor of Mayor conferred upon him by his fellow towns men.

MICHAEL FLORY, farmer: P. (). Cordon : the subject of this sketch was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, Dee. 22, 1811, being a son of Joseph and Elizabeth Florj- ; he resided in the county of his nativity till 1861, when he removed to Darke County, and settled on Sec. 26 of Twin Township, where he now resides. He was united in marriage with Hannah Wagerman in 1853, and by this

"anion they have had three children, of whom two are living, viz., John W., Elizabeth, and Joseph, deceased ; his farm is all in a good state of cultivation and has good improvements erected thereon.

JOHN C. HAMILTON, physician and surgeon ; Ithaca ; the subject of this memoir was born in Monroe County, Ohio, in 1852, and is a son of Jacob and Maria Hamilton, old residents of Monroe County ; he received a good common-school education, and afterward entered the Mt. Union College in Stark County, where he prosecuted his studies with great energy for two years ; he then read medicine, under the instructions of a very prominent physician of Louisville, Ohio, and afterward attended the full course of lectures at the Cincinnati Medical Institute, and finished his entire course of stud}', after much hard labor, in 1875, having gained his M. D., the goal of his ambition, and commenced the practice of medicine in Ithaca ; he is a successful practitioner and a gentleman of ability and refinement. He was united in marriage with Miss Allie Dresher, of Cincinnati, Jan. 27, 1879.

DAVID A. HARSH, merchant, Arcanum. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born in Preble Co., Ohio, Dec. 25, 1838. His boyhood days were spent on his father's farm till his 16th year, at which time he began his struggle in life alone and unaided, save by his indomitable will and energy. He was engaged in Indiana as teamster for about eight months, then abandoned the business and engaged in carpentering, which he followed for five years. In the beginning of the war, he volunteered in the 11th 0. V. I., and served four months, when he was honorably discharged from the service. In 1861, he engaged in storekeeping in Hill Grove, Darke Co., but, on account of failing health, he was obliged to relinquish his business and seek the out-door employment of the farm, and for two years carried on a farm in Preble Co. ; thence he went to Lewisburg, where he remained for six years ; thence to Arcanum, and followed butchering for two years ; he then followed various pursuits till July 4, 1877, when he again engaged in the mercantile business, and, by judicious management, has built up a good trade, receiving his full share of the public patronage. He married Susanna Studebaker, daughter of D. and Elizabeth Studebaker, of Darke Co. Mr. and Mrs. Harsh are members of the Reformed Church and are zealous workers in the cause of religion. He is a member of the Libanius Lodge, No. 80, is in good standing, and his motto is onward and upward in the order.

FRANCIS M. HUFFER, farmer ; P. 0. Ithaca. Born in Greene Co., Ohio, June 29, 1837, and, in 1839, he, with his parents, came to Darke Co., where he remained at home until 1858. At that time, he united in marriage with Catherine V. Cromwell, and by this union they have three sons and two daughters ; in the year 1874, Mrs. Hurler departed this life. During life she was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Hurler has since united in marriage with Louisa Reidenhour, and they are living on his farm, in Sec. 28, Twin Township ; he has one among the best stock and grain farms in the township, beautifully located north of Ithaca, with a good gravel l'oad on the east and west, and several good fountains on the east side of it, the land being worth probably $100 per acre.

GEORGE IVESTER, farmer and miller, Sec. 4 ; P. O. Arcanum. The subject of this memoir was born in Chester Co., Penn., Aug. 10, 1821 ; he only had the advantage of a common-school education, such as the country afforded upwards of fifty years ago, and when out of school assisted his father in a nail factor}' ; at the age of 13 years, he commenced his career in the world alone and unaided, save his own willing hands, and inflexible will ; in 1834, he removed to Miami Co., Ohio, where he worked on a farm for three years, and then entered a blacksmith-shop and soon became a proficient in his trade, which he prosecuted for twenty years ; in the spring of 1849, he was seized with the gold fever that raged so at that time, and made an overland trip to the Pacific Coast, which occupied 130 days ; in the fall of 1854, he settled in Dai'ke Co., in Twin Township, where he purchased 148 acres of land where, he now lives, all of which is in a high state of cultivation ; in the summer of 1^7"). he erected a large and magnificent dwelling in the pleasant little village of Arcanum, and its pleasant grounds and beautiful surroundings make it the most desirable place in the village. He celebrated his marriage with Miss Rebecca, daughter of William and Catherine Davis, Feb. 24. 1851. Six children have been given to this union, viz.: Martha J., born Jan. 11, 1853 ; William EL, born Aug. 5, 1855 ; Emma J., born May 13, 1858 ; Olive V., born 2\pril 1 1. 1862 : Allie 0., born March 27, 1864 ; Mina B., born Dec. 23, 1868. The parents of Mr. lvester were residents of Chester Co., Penn.; his father was born in 1 784, and died at the age of 58 years, in the county of his nativity ; his mother was born in the latter part of the eighteenth century, and departed this life about 1839. Mr. lvester has had his full share of petty offices, and informs us that he has never been a political aspirant. Mrs. lvester was born in Logan Co. Jan. 18, 1825.

BENJAMIN C. JACKSON, farmer and teacher ; P. 0. Arcanum. Born in New .Jersey July 4, 1828 ; his parents being dead, he lived with his grandfather until 1845, when he entered the Mt. Retirement Seminary. Sussex Co., Vt, where he remained until 1848, then engaged in teaching till 1851. at which time he entered upon duty with the N.Y. & E.R.R Co. as telegraph, freight and ticket agent at Chester, Orange Co., N, Y., where he remained until 1856 ; he then engaged as book-keeper in a wholesale cigar and liquor store in New York City until 1857, and since has been principally engaged in teaching. In 1861, he united in marriage in Montgomery Co.. Ohio, with Mary A. Kimmel, and by this union has two children, viz.. Carrie Y. and George E. In 1872, he came to Darke Co. and bought the farm of 57 acres where he now lives, in Sec. 7, valued at $3,500.

HARRISON A. KEPNER, hardware and grocer, Arcanum. The subject of this sketch was born in Perry Co., Penn., May 14, 1836 ; he was the son of a family of eleven children, whose father, Jacob Kepner, was born in Juniata Co.. Penn", July 21, 1806, and whose mother, Catharine (Kanawell) Kepner, was born in Berks County, same State, Nov. 11, 1808. Having resided in his native county until the age of 21, he left the parental roof, and, wholly dependent upon his own resources and energy, began the struggle of life. Subsequently, he emigrated to Allen Co.. Ohio, where he remained about one year, then finally settled in Darke Co. in the spring of 1858 ; on the 4th day of September in the following year, he married Miss Sarah, daughter of George and Lydia Brumbaugh, who were then old residents of the county ; the fruits of this marriage were four children, three of whom are now living, viz.: Clara C, born in 1862 ; Harry V., born in 1867. and Bertha N., born in 1877. Mr. Kepner's political sympathies are with the Democratic party, and his influence has been lent to the advancement of the principles which he advocates. The party has recognized and reciprocated by bestowing upon him various offices of trust and responsibility, which he has in every case most creditably filled, and by his genial manners and uprightness of character has won friends among all with whom he has been brought in contact.

J. H. KRAUS, of the firm of Kraus & (Mark. Arcanum. The subject of this sketch was born in Butler Co., Ohio, in 1840, and is a son of Benjamin and Nancy Kraus, both natives of Lancaster Co., Penn., and removed to New York State, in 1835. and to Butler Co.. in 1836, and to Montgomery Co.. Ohio, in 1846, where they still continue to reside ; they are the parents of two children, viz.: Amanda C.now Mrs. I). II. Wilson, who resides in Montgomery Co.. Ohio, and J. II.. the subject of this sketch; his grandparents were natives of Pennsylvania : his grandfather, Kraus. was horn in 1778,and died at the age of 82 years ; his grandmother, Kraus, was born in 1 780, and died at the agcof 84 years ; his grandparents on his mother's side were Jacob and Elizabeth (Keeler) Shell, also natives of Pennsylvania; Mr. Shell dying at the age of 77. and Mrs. Shell at the advanced age of 80 years. Mr. Kraus was engaged in the mercantile business for a period of five years, and removed to Arcanum in October. 1870, and engaged in the business he still continues to follow. I le was united in marriage with Miss C. E.. daughter of Jacob and

Nellie (Niswonger) Swank June 22, 1871, her parents being residents of Montgomery Co. ; two children have been given to this union, viz.: Harry B., born Aug. 10. 1876 - Waldo J., born April 2, 1879 ; he has, by his own exertions and studious habits, succeeded in making himself well versed in educational matters, and as a reward for his persevering industry and popular business ways, has made life a success, and is literally one of the self-made men of Darke Co.; though Mr. Kraus is no political aspirant, his fellow-townsmen have voted him a full share of local offices. Mrs. Kraus has been a lifelong member of the U. B. Church, and is a hard-working, consistent, Christian woman, and greatly interested in the emulation of the Christian religion.

THOMAS McCOWEN, farmer and stock-dealer ; P. 0. Arcanum ; was born in Darke Co., Ohio, Nov. 7, 1828, and is a son of John McCowen, a native of Bellbrook Ireland, who came to North America when but 3 years old, and was one of the patriots of 1812 ; came to Darke Co. in 1826, being one of the pioneers of this county, where he died in 1850. Our subject spent his boyhood days on a farm in summer, and in winter devoted his time to school, as much as time and convenience would admit, which at that time were limited. In 1850, he united in marriage with Sarah J. Mears, and by this union they have three children, viz.: Mary A., now Mrs. 0. B. Pierce; Catherine and Irvin. When Mr McCowen commenced for himself, he had no money by which to assist him in life ; he has since, by industry and economy, become the possessor of 233 acres of valuable land in Sees. 17. 19 and 20, twin Township ; is located on the Ithaca and Ft. Jefferson free turnpike. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch, has been a member of the Masonic Fraternity for thirty-two years ; the oldest member of the Ithaca Lodge, also a member of the I. 0. 0. F. for a number of years ; has been an active member of the Darke Co. Agricultural Association ; at present is President of the same ; has held the office of Twin Township Trustee four years. ANNA M. MARSHALL, retired, Gordon. The lady whose name heads this sketch was born in the State of New York Dec. 2, 1813, and removed in infancy with her parents to Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1815 ; her father, Lewis Mundhenk. was born in Wittenberg. Germany, in 1784 ; her mother, Mary A. Feit, was born in Botterburn, Germany, in 1789 ; they were married in New York June 4, 1811 : Mr. Mundhenk departed this life at the age of 74 years ; Mrs. Mundhenk is living at the advanced age of 90 years, and is still hale and hearty. Our subject was united in marriage with Philip Marshall, April 17, 1834 ; he was a son of Henry and Mary Marshall, who were natives of New Jersey, afterward residents of Montgomery Co., Ohio ; Mr. Marshall departed this life March 10, 1838, aged 26 years : she still bears the name of her departed husband, and was 67 years of age the day this sketch was written. Two children were given to this short but happy union, of whom only one survives, viz. : Mary A., born Jan. 12, 1835 ; Philip L., March 28, 1838, died May 19, 1838 ; Mary A.'s first marriage was consummated with John Mills ; her second marriage was celebrated with Mr. Troxall, Nov. 3, 1864 ; to their union three children have been given, viz. : Watson E., born Sept. 5, 1865 ; John D., Oct. 18, 1868 ; Letta N., Dec. 11, 1870. Mr. Troxall had been previously married to Susan Heater; four children were the fruits of their union, viz. : Emma B., born July 27, 1858 ; Martha A., Jan. 25, 1860 ; Mary E., July 3, 1861 ; Mrs. Troxall departed this life April 15, 1864, aged 29 years 6 months and 25 days : he was a son of David Troxall, a native of Pennsylvania, who departed this life in 1840 - his wife removed to Ohio in 1847, and died in July, 1861.

DAVID E. MUNDHENK, farmer ; P. 0. Gordon. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1831 ; he is a son of Lewis and Mary Mundhenk, and a brother to Mrs. Anna Marshall, whose sketch, with that of her parents, appeared in this work. Our subject's boyhood days were spent on his father's farm, where he assisted in agricultural pursuits until his 21st year, when he began life for himself, and for three years faithfully labored in Montgomery Co., and then removed to Darke Co., where he now resides. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth Reed, who is a daughter of John and Barbara Heed ; they were natives of Westmoreland Co., Penn., and removed to Montgomery Co. in 1836, where they resided until Mr. Reed's death, which occurred in February, 1840 ; then his wife removed to this count}', where she resided until her death, Feb. 17,1870, aged about 70 years Mr. Mundhenkisoneof Darke Co.'s self-made men, having begun life empty-handed, and by hard work and o-ood management, coupled with frugality, he and his amiable wife have accomplished the great object in life - made a good home, being now in possession of 160 acres of as good land as is to be found in the county ; the improvements are No. 1 in every particular ; his large house, which has recently been built, and its pleasant surroundings, make his premises a ver}r attractive place. Six children are the fruits of their union, viz., Clement V., born March 29, 1864 ; Charles J., born July 14, 1866 ; Eddie M., born Nov. 7, 1868 ; three dying in infancy. Politically, Mr. Mundhenk is a Democrat of the old Jacksonian school, but has never been a political aspirant.

PHILIP MUNDHENK, farmer ; P. 0. Arcanum ; was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, July 19, 1816 ; he is a son of Lewis and Mar}' Mundhenk, and a brother of Daniel, whose sketch appears here ; also a brother of Mrs. Marshall, in whose sketch proper mention is made of his parents ; he resided in his native county with his parents until his marriage, which was celebrated with Mary A. King May 11, 1848 ; she was a daughter of John and Elizabeth King, who were among the early settlers of Darke Co.; he settled in Darke Co. in 1848, and on the place where he now resides in 1853 ; he first purchased 160 acres of land, covered with a dense forest, which has entirely disappeared from view, and in its stead highly cultivated fields, rich and productive ; a fine barn and a large brick residence which he has erected, at a cost of $3,000, mark the place where a few years ago the handiwork of nature reposed in all its grandeur ; he has since added to the original purchase, and now owns 260 acres of fine land, all in a high state of cultivation. In August, 1878, he was rendered houseless by the devouring flames. Eight children have been given to their union, viz.: Lewis R., born Feb. 28, 1849 ; John. March 9, 1851 ; Elizabeth R., Feb. 16, 1853 ; Martha J., Jan. 28, 1855 ; Dora C, March 22, 1857 ; Philip A., July 6, 1861 ; Charles F., Jan. 12, 1867 ; Albert D., Jan. 30, 1870, and departed this life March 15, 1872.

WILLIAM NE ALEIGH, farmer and minister of the Gospel ; P.O. Arcauum ; was born in Preble Co., Ohio, Sept. 28, 1811 ; his parents were Henry and Elizabeth Nealeigh. He married Rachael Shields, of Preble Co., Nov. 17, 1831, and settled in Darke Co. in January 1837, on Sec. 3, Twin Township, Of his experience, Mr. Nealeigh writes as follows : " We were married in 1831, and commenced life with $30 ; in January, 1837, we emigrated to Darke County and settled on the land where we have since lived ; in five years, we had earned and paid for our 163 acres of land, $555. The forest looked wild ; there were wolves and deer in abundance, and the mosquitoes were so numerous that, when I went out of an evening to shoot squirrels, they'would alight so thick on my gun barrel that I could not see the sights, unless I fired very quickly, but now, the wilderness has become a fruitful field, thank God ! The first spring, we made a flour barrel full of sugar, ami twenty gallons of molasses ; in 1840, we were both converted to God. and in 1843, a Christian Church, called the Panther Creek Christian Church, and a meeting-house was built one mile south of Arcanum ; we were two of the charter members, and the only two now living ; I there commenced preaching. The church was two miles from our home, and we often traveled tliat distance six times in one day and night, carrying a child in our arms ; I traveled and preached whereever I could, and worked on my farm the balance of uiy time ; I have preached forty years, and during my ministiy have delivered 3,029 sermons. 1,586 exhortations, attended 304 funerals, solemnized 213 marriages, prayed with the sick 470 times, received into the church 422 members, baptized 212, made 153 speeches of various kinds, and traveled 40,324 miles, for which I have received about $50 per year. I was once young, and now I am old, and I never saw the righteous forsaken or their seed begging bread, thank God ! Mr. Nealeigh, has, in addition to the labors he has enumerated, raised a family of ten children.

GEORGE NISONGER, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Gordon, Ohio. The subject of this sketch is one of the old residents of Darke Co.; he was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Oct. 16, 1823, and is a son of George and Fanny Nisonger, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Nisonger resided in the county of his nativity until he removed to Twin Township, Darke Co., in 1849. He was united in marriage, in 1853, to Miss Louisa, daughter of John and LydiaSt. Clair, natives of Pennsylvania, who removed to Ohio at an early day ; four children have been given to this union, viz. : Catherine, born Dec. 25, 1854 ; John W., born June 20, 1859 ; Henry, born March 12, 1862 ; Silas, born Jan 5, 1867. Catherine was married in the fall of 1872, to George Mathews, and resides on an adjoining farm ; John W. died Jan. 7, 1863. Both Mr. and Mrs. Nisonger are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are zealous, energetic Christians. Mr. and Mrs. Mathews are also members of the same church. Mr. Nisonger has 40 acres in his home farm, which is in a good state of cultivation.

DANIEL B. OLWINE, livery and exchange, Arcanum ; the subject of this sketch we are pleased to place in the foremost ranks of the early pioneers of Darke Co., he was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1835, and is a son of David and Nancy Olwine, and removed with his parents to Van Buren Township in the spring of 1839. Mr. Olwine, the subject of this sketch, was only 4 years old at the time, but has many vivid recollections of the early pioneer life ; he assisted his father in the duties of farming, and, as a matter of course, young David had his part to perform in the many log rollings that were necessary before the dense forest of Darke Co., could be subjected to the use of the plow ; he labored on his fathers farm till 18 years of age, or in 1858, when he commenced his career without a dollar in his pocket or a second suit of clothes ; he served an apprenticeship as carpenter for one year, for which he received $8 per month, when he hired to another party for better wages and labored for three years, for which he received $18 per month. His marriage was celebrated on Oct. 1, 1857, with Miss Amanda Jones, daughter of Henry and Susan Jones, old residents of Darke Co., Ohio ; after his marriage, he was without funds to procure the necessary furniture for housekeeping ; but by negotiating a small loan from his father-in-law, he procured a little lumber and manufactured his own furniture for housekeeping, renting a farm in Adams Township, near Gettysburg, on which he lived for one year ; selling out again, he embarked in the carpenter business in Harrison and Adams Townships, which he prosecuted till 1860, when he again engaged in farming till 1864 ; he then engaged in the cabinet business and followed cabinet-making till 1869, and then handled walnut lumber for two years; in the fall of 1871, he again resumed the cabinet-making business ; in the spring of 1872, he removed to Arcanum and engaged in his previous business for two years ; during that time he erected a very fine residence, then kept hotel and dealt in real estate till 1875 ; selling out the hotel business, he purchased a large liverj' and barn and contents, which business he still continues to follow. Mr. Olwine has had a checkered career, and in all of his ups and downs he has been nobly assisted by his amiable and estimable wife. His barn contains many fine turnouts, and we would advise any who wants a drive to call on Dan. Eleven children have been given to this union, of whom all are living except three, two having died in infancy - Franklin T., was born Aug. 21, 1858 ; Susan B., May 8, 1860 ; Nancy J., Sept. 4, 1862 ; Ida L., Sept. 9, 1864 ; Essie G., Aug. 11, 1868 ; Gladis M., Dec 20, 1870 ; Adda F., June 21, 1873 ; Parlie M., April 15, 1876 ; Nancy J., died April 15, 1869, aged 7 years 7 months and 11 days.

B. F. OZIAS, freight, ticket and telegraph agent, Arcanum ; on the D. & U. R. R. To the above-named gentleman we are pleased to record a space in this work; he was born in Preble County, Ohio, Nov. 17, 1837, where he was brought up on the farm until 1855, and received a common-school education, after which he took a short course in the Seven-Mile Academy ; after returning from the seminary, was engaged in various pursuits until 1867, when he opened a drug store in Galveston, Ind., which business he followed until 1869 ; at this time sold out and came to Arcanum. Darke Co., where he has since resided, and up to 1872 was variously engaged ; at this time, he was appointed to the office he now holds, and duly tills ; our subject, since a resident of Twin Township, has been elected as Township Clerk two terms. Township Trustee one term, and Trustee of the Arcanum School Committee while erecting their new school building in 1876.

JOHN W. PARKS, farmer and teacher ; P. 0. Arcanum ; born in Preble County, Ohio, Oct. 22, 1839 ; is a son of Samuel Parks, a native of Preble County, born Feb. 22, 1818, and who, in 1839, united in marriage with Lydia McDonald ; seven children are the fruits of this union, who are all living, are married, and have families. Our subject remained at home at his birthplace until 1860, when he united in marriage with Minerva J. Gates, and by this union have one son, Clinton F. ; from the date of his marriage to 1870, he made several changes, at which time he came to Darke Count}T and purchased a farm near Arcanum. Mr. Parks has, since the age of 18, been a live and energetic teacher of Sunday school, and, since a resident of this county, held the office of Justice of the Peace three years ; he has recently bought and improved a small farm in Sec. 4, where he is comfortably situated for life.

JOHN R. RATLIFF, harness-maker ; P. 0. Arcanum. The subject of this memoir was born near Oxford, Ohio, Dec. 9, 1842, and is a son of Robert and Lucinda (Lee) Ratliff, old settlers of Butler County. Our subject resided with his father till he was 21 years of age and assisted in the labors of the farm ; he then began life for himself, and engaged in farming for about ten 3*ears ; then selling' the implements of the farm, he engaged in harness-making, which occupation he still follows. He was united in marriage. Dec. 22, 1864, with Miss Minerva, daughter of David and Catherine Conners, residents of Butler Co. Mr. and Mrs. Ratliff are the parents of four children, namely : Ellsworth, born Dec. 27, 1865, deceased ; Charles E., born Feb. 25, 1867; Stella K., born Dec. 10, 1870; Thomas C, born Nov. 8, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Ratliff are members of the Presbyterian Church and are zealous workers in the cause of religion, and exemplary Christian people.

JOHN Y. ROBBINS, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 29 ; P. O. Ithaca, Is one of the oldest continuous residents of Darke Co. that we have had the pleasure of meeting with ; he was born in Ithaca Sept. 28, 1 820, and has lived within one mile of his birth place for nearly threescore years ; he has seen the dense forests of Darke County melt away before the woodman's ax and the onward march of improvement and civilization ; he has seen the dismal and gloomy swamps, which bred malaria and death, robbed of their deadly poisons, subdued, renovated and improved, and to-day, owing to the vast quantities of decayed vegetable matter, these quagmires are the most productive lands to be found in Darke County. His parents emigrated from North Carolina to the Stillwater, in Miami County, in 1800, afterward to Darke County in 1815, and to Richard and Rebecca Robbins belong the honor of being the first actual settlers in Twin Township. The subject of our sketch celebrated his marriage witli Susan, daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Rhidenour, June 11, 1840, and were natives of Maryland, and removed to Darke County in 1836 or 1837 ; children - Martha A.. Adam. Sarah. Ellen. Malinda. Daniel. Melzena, Ella, William and Alberta; Martha and Ellen, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bobbins are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and bearers of the Cross for many 3'ears.

ABRAM RYNEARSON, farmer; P. 0. Ithaca. Born in Warren Co., Ohio, April 27. 1812. and is a son of Nicholas Rvnearson, born in New Jersey in 1769r and about 1792, married 3Iiss Jane Elison, who was born in New Jersey Aug. 25,

1769 ; I)}- this union they had ten children ; in 1806, they emigrated to Warren Co., Ohio ; Mr. Nicholas Rynearson came from New Jersey to Ohio in a large wagon ; he died in Warren Co. Feb. 24, 1822. The subject of this sketch remained at home with his parents till 1829, at which time he entered upon the apprenticeship of wagon-making. On Dec. 18, 1834, he was united in marriage with Rachel Ball, who was born in Deerfield Township, Warren Co., Ohio, Aug. 12, 1817 ; her father Luther Ball, was born in New Jersey in 1777, and Miss Elizabeth Fry, his wife, was bom in Maryland in 1793; they had four children ; the children of Abram and Rachel (Ball) Rynearson were nine in number, six daughters and three sons, of whom there are two daughters deceased ; Abram. after marriage, lived in Warren Co. until 1836, at which time he moved to Twin Township, and, when he came, found plenty of deer and turkej-s ; on moving to his farm in Sec. 29. where he now lives, he found it densely covered with huge oaks, beech, and a heavy growth of underbrush, which he and his family have, through industry, opened, so that it makes a beautiful farm home, where he and his companions are comfortably situated for life. Mr. and Mrs. R. have for many years been consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Ithaca, thereby lighting up the path of Christianity, that their children ma}* not stray from it.

Gr. W. SIGERFOOS, deceased. The subject of this sketch was born in the State of Maryland Dec. 13, 1825 ; he emigrated to Montgomery, Ohio, when 9 years of age, his early life being devoted to farming and teaching^ Upon the 28th of July, 1850, he was united in marriage with Nancy Shanck, a daughter of Peter Shanck, whose biography appears among the sketches of Monroe Township, in another part of this work ; she was born in Montgomery Co. Oct. 2, 1830 ; upon the marriage of Mr. S., he followed brickmaking and school-teaching some five years in Phillipsburg ; in 1855, he engaged in the dry -goods trade at Georgetown, Miami Co., continuing the same ten years ; he then devoted six years to farming, then came to Gordon and again engaged in the dry-goods trade, and in 1872 came to Arcanum and engaged in the dry-goods trade, continuing the same until his death, which occurred Oct. 16, 1875. The children of G. W. and Nancy (Shanck) Singerfoos were six in number, viz.: Lorin, born Aug. 25, 1851, died Nov. 28, 1870 ; Orrin, born March 22, 1853. died Aug. 12, 1870 ; Arrabella, born Oct. 22, 1856 ; Ella B., Jan. 26, 1863 ; Charles P., May 4, 1865, and Edward, Dec. 14, 1868. It will be seen by the above that the family circle remained unbroken until Aug. 12, 1870, when the death messenger entered and claimed Orrin as its first victim, and the November following again made his appearance, this time laying his cold, icy hands upon the first-born : thus within the short space of about three months two of the members of this happy family were removed from earth to Heaven, followed five years later by the death of a kind husband and father.

JOHN SMITH, merchant ; P. 0. Arcanum ; one of the old settlers of Darke Co. ; he was born in Adams Co.. Penn., in 1828, and removed, with his parents, to Preble Co., Ohio, in 1835 or 1836, and resided there till 1850, when he removed to Sampson, in Darke Co., where he remained about one year, thence to Arcanum, in 1851, and opened a store of general merchandise, it being the first store ever opened in Arcanum. The dimensions of this building were only 16x24 feet, and would present a striking contrast in comparison with his large, elegant and commodious store of the present day - the latter being 90x32 feet. Mr. Smith is one of the pioneer merchants of Darke Co., and has for thirty years been passing through the different phases of mercantile life, and by his strict business integrity and popular business habits, built up a trade that is second to none in Darke Co. He was united in marriage with Sophia McNutt in 1851 ; they were the parents of three children, viz.. Milton W., Leonidas H, Theophilus D. Mrs. Smith departed this life Feb. 7, 1859, leaving a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn her loss ; his marriage with Delia V. Bittle was celebrated in 1863 ; the children by this union were Edwin S., Bertelle L., Roy C, Maude C. and Mamie. W. ; the above are all living. The deceased. Elmer E., was born Dec. 4, 1864, and died Sept. 9, 1866. Mr. Smith is a son of Jesse and Christina (Dietrick) Smith, natives of Adams Co., Perm., both deceased ; Mr. Smith died at the age of 69 years ; Mrs. Smith at the age of 40.

A. F. SMITH, druggist, Arcanum ; one of the old settlers of Darke Co., and is a son of Jesse and Christina Smith, natives of Pennsylvania. He removed with his parents from Pennsylvania, to Preble Co., Ohio, in 1836, and remained there for a period of sixteen years, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits till 1852, when he abandoned that occupation, and removed to Arcanum the same year, and assisted his brothers in their business for two years, when he again resumed farming in Twin Township for a period of five years ; and thirsting for a more active life, he returned to Arcanum and entered in a general mercantile business, which he followed for twelve years, with fair success ; then embarked in the drug business, which he is still engaged in, and carries a full and perfect stock of drugs, paints, oils, and everything found in a first-class retail house. He was united in marriage with Miss Jane M., daughter of Herman and Margaret Conners, residents of Darke Co., in September, 1854. Two children have been given to this union, viz., Margaret E. and Eberle S. Mr. and Mrs. Conners departed this life within a few hours of each other, and their bodies were interred in the same grave.

WILLIAM M. SMITH, miller, grain and tobacco dealer, also dealer and shipper of live stock, Arcanum, Ohio. We could hardly do justice to the business interest of Arcanum without devoting a brief space of this work to the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, as we consider that the local interests of the town as well as the surrounding country owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Smith as conducting his many branches of business in a highly honorable manner, and supplying a market for the productions of the surrounding countiy. He was born in Adams Co., Penn., Nov. 16, 1829, and in the sketch of his brother, John Smith, will be found a more extended genealogy of the family. The subject of our sketch came to Ohio about the year 1836, and located in Preble Co.; here he was raised to and followed agricultural pursuits until 1858, when he came to this place and clerked in the store of his brother one year. For the next ten years he was engaged in the general merchandise and grain trade, disposing of the same in 1869 ; he then devoted one year to the real-estate business, the three years succeeding being agent of the D. & U. R. R. ; about the year 1872, he erected his present warehouse, since which time he has successfully followed the above business, his shipments of grain in a season to the Eastern markets being upward of 200,000 bushels, his purchases of tobacco being disposed of for export ; his mill has a capacity of from 400 to 500 bushels a day, the production of which is shipped largely in car-load lots to the New England States ; his shipments of live stock will exceed fifty car-loads yearly ; and, as stated above, we consider the business as conducted by the above gentleman of great importance to the interests of Arcanum and the surrounding country. Upon the 16th of February, 1852, he was united in marriage with Maria Keltner ; she was a native of Indiana, but came to Montgomery Co. with her parents when quite young. They are the parents of four sons and two daughters, viz., John W., Seges, Jesse C, Charles E., Daisy and William R.

JAMES STEELE, farmer ; P. 0. Arcanum, Ohio. To the subject of this sketch we are pleased to accord a place in the front rank of the early pioneers of Darke Co. ; he was born in Maryland in 1802 ; in 1812, he removed with his mother to Butler Co., Ohio, and labored faithfully for the maintenance of his widowed mother and the support of the family ; his father died when he was only S years old, and the responsibility of providing for the family tested exclusively on our subject ; young as he was, he fully understood the situation, and labored faithfully for the support and comfort of the family till he attained his 21st year, at which time he learned the blacksmith's trade, which, combined with farming, made life very successful ; in 1868, on account of failing health and rapid advancement of old age, he abandoned the anvil and forge, and his attentions have been exclusively directed to the farm ; Mr. Steele has lived on the farm he purchased at Government price, for forty-five years ; he has .lived to see the monarchs of the forest laid low by the onward march of civilization, the wilderness robbed of its verdure, the desolate and pestilential swamps deprived of their poisons and converted into productive fields ; truly, the change has been great - a howling wilderness has been conquered and subjected to the use of a great industrial people within half a century, and still the resources of Darke Co. are not more than half developed. He united in marriage with Jemima Johns, March 6, 1825 ; twelve children have been given to this union, of whom ten are living, viz., Elizabeth and Hannah (twins), Uriah Stephen, Thomas, Martha, Asher, Ellen, Eliza and Mary (twins), William and Catherine having died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Steele have lived to see their children all married and comfortably situated in life ; they have, taken great pains in educating them, five of whom are successful educators.

ELIJAH THATCHER, farmer ; P. 0. Arcanum ; was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., Aug. 31, 1828, and is the fourth son of Moses and Mary (Wert) Thatcher, the former born in New York Oct. 6, 1804, the latter in New Jersey Nov. 10, 1807 ; ten children are the fruits of this union, viz.: George R., born March 30. 1832 ; Nathaniel, born Feb. 2, 1834 : Godfrey, March 10. 1836 ; Moses, Dec. 28, 1840 ; Mary A.. March 21. 1843 ; Loraine, Aug. 30, 1846 ; Sarah E., Feb. 3, 1849 ; Charlotte, June 8, 1850 ; John P., July 7, 1854. The parents and five children are deceased. Elijah remained at home principally through life, and in the year 1844 came with the family to Darke Co., where he has since resided; he is the only child living that has not united in marriage. In the year 1860, he commenced life for himself, and since then has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. Having started with nothing, he has since, by industry and econonry, become the possessor of 40 acres of land in Sec. 22, Twin Township, which is well improved and under good cultivation ; it is valued at about $3,000. During the last da}-s of his parents, he performed a child's duty by caring for them. In the late rebellion, he did his share in the field of war, and now lives a quiet life on the home farm of his sister.

JOHN L. THOMAS, retired ; P. O. Arcanum ; to the subject of this sketch we are pleased to accord a place in the advance guard of the early pioneers of Darke Co. ; he was born in Greene Co., Ohio, Feb. 16, 1827, and removed with his parents when in infancy to German Township, in Darke Co.. where his parents settled in 1827 ; his early boyhood days were spent at home, and, at the age of 16, he began life for himself and did carpenter work for fifteen years, when he commenced the stud}7 of medicine at the Allopathic College in Cincinnati, where he prosecuted his studies with much energy ; he was engaged in money-loaning and doing a general brokerage business for a number of years, and in 1878, he with his son opened a bank in Arcanum. He celebrated his marriage with Sarah A. Emerson, in June, 1849 ; she was a daughter of Gen. Henry Emerson. President of the Farmers' National Bank of Greenville ; four children were given to this union, viz.: Francis V., deceased ; Alonzo S., Joseph E., Sarah J. ; Mrs. Thomas departed this life Jan. 30, 1867. leaving a large circle of friends to mourn her departure ; a kind wife, an affectionate mother, are the tablets erected to her memory by her husband and children. He was again united in marriage with Nannevine Ballard, Nov. 29, 1871 ; one child has been given to this union, viz.. John Volney.

THEODORE O. WARNER, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Arcanum. The subject of this sketch was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Nov. 24, 1842 ; he was reared on a farm and assisted his father in agricultural pursuits till his 21st year ; he, by hard labor, succeeded in obtaining a fair education in the common district schools ; at the age of 21. he commenced life for himself and worked at various pursuits for three years, when he was united in marriage with Miss Celestia E. Yeasel in 1866. The parents of Mr. Warner were born in Maryland, and removed to Montgomery County. Ohio, in 1828: his father died Sept, 3, 1874, aged 71 years ; his mother still continues to reside on the old home farm, and is now 72 years of age. The subject of our sketch was engaged in farming in Montgomery County till the spring of 1875. and then removed to Darke County, in Twin Township, where he still resides. Both Mr. and Mrs. Warner have been members of the Reformed Church upward of ten years, and are both zealous workers in the cause of religion. The father of Mrs. Warner, John Yeasel, was born in Virginia Oct. 15, 1804, and her mother, Susannah, was horn in Warren Co., Ohio, Nov. 1. 1820 ; they were united in marriage Sept. 1-1, 1842, her maiden name being Susannah Aughe.

JOHN WEIKLE, retired farmer ; P. O. Arcanum. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1804, and removed with his parents to Butler Co., Ohio, in 1814 ; here he assisted his father in agricultural pursuits until 1837. He has been thrice married, first with Sarah Shaffer, who bore him four children ; she departed this life in 1853. In 1855, he was married to Mrs. Mary Knox, by whom he had one child, Mrs. Weikle dying soon after. His third and last marriage was celebrated with Christiana Williams, two children being the result of this union ; Mr. Weikle has. by his own hard labor, skill and industry, succeeded in making a comfortable home in which to enjoy his declining years. He has been a member of the Reformed Dutch Church upward of fifty years, and a continuous resident of Darke Co. twentv-eight years.

JEREMIAH WHITENACK, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Arcanum. To the subject of this sketch we are pleased to accord a place in the front ranks of the early pioneers of Darke Co.; he was born in Somerset Co., N. J., Oct. 19, 1802 ; he assisted his father in the labors of the farm, and removed with his parents to Warren Co., Ohio, in 1823, and still continued to assist his father in farming and weaving till 1828. He was united in marriage, June 26 of the same year, to Miss Lavina, daughter of George and Elenore Camblin, residents of Pennsylvania ; one child has been given to this union, viz., John C, whose sketch appears in this work. Mr. Whitenack settled in Darke Co. in 1837, upon 68 acres of land, where he still resides. He and his wife are members of the Reformed Church, and are greatly interested in the advancement of the Christian religion, and have borne the cross for upward of fifty years ; his house has been the house of Cod, where his neighbors congregated to worship their Maker in their wilderness home. In the year 1858, the parents of Mrs. Whitenack. becoming old and infirm, came to her home and lived with her until their death ; Mr. Camblin died at the age of 81 years, and Mrs. Camblin at the age of 73.

MARTIN WILD, Twin Township Clerk; P. 0. Arcanum; born in Scotland, near Glasgow, May 15, 1850 ; his father was born in Liverpool, and mother in Germany, and died in Scotland. Our subject, in 1856, with his father, brother and sister, emigrated to Germany, where he attained a German education: in the spring of 1860, they traversed the countries of France, Prussia, and the Rhenish part of Germany ; and on the 10th of May following, they boarded a sailvessel, at Havre de Grace, France, for the United States, and landed in New York city in the following month ; soon after, it is supposed, their father enlisted in the late rebellion ; nothing has been heard of him since. Martin W.. though but a boy, engaged in various pursuits whereby he supported himself until 1868, at which time he emigrated to Darke Co.. where he now resides. In 1870, commenced the plastering trade, which has since been his occupation, and during the time (10 years) of his life in Twin Township he has held the office of Constable one year. Township Clerk four years, and is now a candidate for County Recorder, sub ject to the Democratic Primary election, for 1880. On May 11, 1872, he united in marriage witli Susan Siler, and by this union they have four children, of whom one is deceased, and three living viz.: Gertie, Eddie C and Ethel.

THOMAS H. WILLIAMS, farmer and stock-raiser. Sec. 32 ; P. O. Ithaca. The subject of this memoir is another among the many old settlers to be found in Twin Township; lie was born in Washington Co., Penn., July 5. 1806, an 1 is a son of John and Margaret Williams ; his father was a native of Maryland, his mother being born in Washington Co., Penn. ; he was reared on the farm, and assisted his father in agricultural pursuits till his 18th year, when he began life for himself, and engaged in ship-carpentering for three years, when, havinggained his majority, he emigrated West, and traveled through the States of Indiana. Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and. on his way up the Mississippi River to Wisconsin, he erected the first building in Keokuk, and also the first fine frame building in Madison. Iowa. This Western tour occupied about twelve 3'ears, when he removed to Pennsylvania, in 1839, and operated a saw-mill for two years, when he returned to Warren Co., Ohio, and was united in marriage with Miss Nancy, daughter of Barzilla and Mary Clark, Dec. 13, 18415. Her parents being residents of Warren Co., he remained in Warren Co. till the next year, and then removed to Darke Co., in Twin Township ; he first purchased 40 acres of land, on which he erected a frame dwelling, and moved his family into their new quarters in September, 1847 ; his land being in a wild state, Mr. Williams commenced his almost herculean task of removing the vast growth of timber and underbrush from the land, to prepare it for the implements of agriculture, and by dint of hard labor and perseverance, he succeeded in removing these obstructions ; in 1871, he purchased 80 acres more land, and in addition to the other, he now owns 120 acres of as fine land as is to be found in Darke Co. ; all in a good state of cultivation. Politically, Mr. Williams is a sound Republican, and has been identified with the most of the township offices ; he, with his estimable wife, are leading members in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have labored long and earnestly in their Master's vineyard. Mr. Williams is greatly interested in educational matters, and has spared neither pains nor expense in giving his children good educations, his 3011 Thornton being a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University, and a proficient and successful educator. Mr. Williams informs us that James G. Blaine. America's greatest orator and statesman, was once a pupil in his brother's school, who was a very prominent educator in Pennsylvania. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Williams are nine in number, viz. : Clark L., born Dec. 7, 1848 ; Thornton R.. born July 21, 1850 : Frank M. born Nov. 3, 1852 ; Mary Belle, born May 31, 1854 : Martha J., born March 31. 1856 ; Melissa A., born April 5, 1858 ; their first child died in infancy ; Clark departed this life Feb. 9, 1871 ; Frank died Aug. 30, 1868.

EVIN BAKER, deceased ; was born in Rockingham Co.. Va., in 1808 ; died in 1863 ; a resident of this county nearby all his life ; was identified with most of the public improvements of the county ; was elected to the Legislature in 1854, and was the author of the Ohio ditch laws, and at the time of his death had a large law practice. He was President of the Richmond & Covington Railroad, for the location of which through Greenville he had labored long and earnestly.

BENJAMIN BOBENMOYER. retired farmer ; P. O. Arcanum ; a native of Pennsylvania, and a resident of Ohio for the past fifty years, and of Darke Co. nearly one-fourth of a century ; is a brother to Charles Bobenmoyer, whose biography also appears in the Butler Township list. The subject of this sketch was born in Berks Co., Penn., in 1805 ; was brought up on a farm, and received but little education and that in Grerman : was married in 1826 to Sarah Rhinesmith ; they removed from Pennsylvania to Butler Co. Ohio, about the year 1833 ; came to Darke Co. in 1853, and purchased the farm in Sec. 11. Butler Township, where they now reside ; his farm then had an " opening" and a cabin on it, but was mostly woods and very wet and swampy ; since then, he, with the other settlers, have, by means of clearing and ditching, made this to rank with the best lands in Darke Co.; lie now has a pike in every direction from his place, good buildings, and in every way pleasantly situated and prepared to enjoy the remainder of his days, the fruit of his early toils and sacrifices. Mr. and Mrs. Bobenmoyer are substantial, respected people ; are the parents of thirteen children, ten of whom are living, five sons and five daughters - Eliza, now Mrs. William Banois, of Cincinnati ; Mary, now Mrs. Clarke Robinson, of Neave Township ; William, a resident of Middletown. Ohio ; Christena, now Mrs. Fred. Wagner; Frederick, now a resident of Allentown, Penn. ; Sophia, now Mrs. John Bridenstine, of Hamilton. Ohio ; John, now a resident of California ; Nathan, a resident of Port Jefferson ; Kate, now Mrs. A I tram Baker, of Twin Township, and Benjamin, Jr., now married, and residing on and farming the homestead.

CHARLES BOBENMOYER, farmer ; P. 0. Arcanum ; a Pennsylvanian by birth and an old resident of Darke Co. ; is the son of Frederick and Christena Ann Bobenmoyer ; was born in Berks Co., Penn., March 4, 1817 ; when about 14 years of age, his father came to Butler Co., Ohio, where Charles grew to manhood and was married to Caroline Burkholder April 20, 1847 ; she is a daughter of Joseph and Barbara (Meyers) Burkholder, both of whom were natives of Lehigh Co., Penn.; Caroline was one of a family of ten children, all but one of whom grew to manhood or womanhood ; she was born in Lehigh County Dec. 20, 1824 ; her parents emigrated to Butler Co., Ohio, when she was an infant ; Mr. and Mrs. Bobenmoyer began domestic life on his father's farm, in Butler County, and continued there six years ; then purchased and removed to the farm in Sec. 3, Butler Township, l>a ike County, where they now reside, having lived in the same house for more than a quarter of a century, most of the fine improvements and all the gravel roads and public ditches have been made during their residence here. Mr. Bobenmoyer commenced life a renter, and, by persevering labor and economy, saved enough to get a start in Darke County when Butler Township was yet new, and has grown with the growing country, and is now retired from the field of labor. having accumulated sufficient to keep himself and family comfortably and have something left. Mr. and Mrs. Bobenmoyer are worthy members of the German Reformed Church and useful, respected people ; they have never had any children, but have raised two - Charles F. Bell, now a dentist in Arcanum, and Emma J. Harp, who still lives with them.

ASARIAH BRUSS, farmer ; P. 0. Arcanum ; son of John and Mary (Sherman ) Bruss : John was a native of Pennsylvania ; his father, whose name was also John, came to Preble Co., Ohio, in 1819, the son being then 3 years old. and afterward removed to Marion Co., Lid., where his death occurred. Mary is the daughter of John and Susannah Sherman, natives of Maryland ; the father had sold off his loose propert}' to be in readiness to move West, but sickened and died about the time he had intended to start, and the widow came soon after to Preble Co., Ohio ; Mary was born in Maryland in 1815 ; John Bruss, Jr., and Mary Sherman were married in Preble Co., in 1837 ; they first began domestic life in Preble Co.; he worked by the day or job as he could, mostly making shingles and rooting barns, for several years ; then farmed a year or two in Preble Co., and in 1850 came to Darke Co.. and purchased a farm near Matchetts Corners, where Asariah grew to manhood ; in 1872, they traded for and removed to the farm in Sec. 11, where the widow now resides, his decease having occurred Oct. 26, 1878. A sariah was born in Preble Co., Jan. 1 8, 1843, grew to manhood here in Butler Township before the era of good schools, good roads, and easy farming ; he was married Jan. 22, 1807, to Miss Mary E., daughter of Joseph Hittle, and they lived with his parents several years, he having charge of his father's farm ; the same year in which his father traded farms. Asariah purchased 33 acres in the same section, and built a small house just across the road from his father's, where they first began housekeeping by themselves, and are still residing, he here having charge of the old homestead, where his widowed mother now resides. In 1 862, Azariah enlisted in the 94th Ohio V. I., and faithfully served his country three years, enduring the hardships and privations, as well as the dangers of the service, willingly, in defense of the flag of our country ; he passed unharmed through several severe engagements, was taken prisoner while under Sherman, at Goldsboro, N. C, but was only held seven days, then paroled ; the capture of Richmond and surrender of Lee soon followed, and he. with the other remaining brave defenders of their country, was mustered out of service and joyfully returned home, receiving glad and grateful welcome from friends and neighbors. Mr. and Mrs. Bruss have six children.

GEORGE BYERS, Sr. (deceased) ; the subject of this sketch was a native of Maryland ; was married to Susan Hetzler ; they came to Darke Co. in 1832, and located in Sec. 36, and are prominently mentioned in connection with the township history ; they raised a family of four children, three of whom are living, viz.. Catherine E.. George H. and Joseph ; Catherine is now the wife of Peter Fowble. of Preble Co. ; George H. resided with his parents until his marriage with Kezia Fowble, daughter of Peter Fowble, of Preble Co., which occurred March 26, 1863 : they first began domestic life at his father's ; about two years later he purchased and removed to his present place, but his mother's decease, which occurred March 26, 1872, made it necessary for him to remove to the old homestead ; about two years later. Joseph married, and he returned to his own place in Sec. 25. where they now reside. They are both members of the United Brethren Church, and respected members of the community ; they have six children - Peter W., Emma C.j John H., Theodore, Bertie W. and Clara E. ; Joseph was the youngest child ; he was married March 11, 1875, to Sarah Ann, daughter of John W. Smith, a resident of Butler Township, and they immediately took charge of the old homestead and the care of his aged father, his brother older removing to his own farm in the adjoining section ; after their father's decease, which occurred Sept. 5, 1875. Joseph bought the other shares, and thus retains the old homestead, around which cling the memories of the struggles, toils and achievements of his parents during their forty years' residence, in which the wilderness and swamp which first covered this township were converted, by toil and perseverance, amid unfavorable circumstances, into one of the most fertile portions of the county ; in this struggle, Mr. and Mrs. Byers bore their full share, and have handed down their legacies to their children, who, it will be seen by this sketch, are carrying forward the work of improvement and beautifying, and making pleasant and profitable, the legacy of

HARRISON COBLENTZ, farmer and Justice of the Peace, Sec. 21 ; P. O. New Madison ; a life resident of Butler Township ; was born June 2, 1840 : remained at home until after his marriage, Sept. 18. 1860 ; he was united in mar- " riage with Caroline Hittle ; she is the daughter of Nicholas Hittle, an early settler of Butler Township ; she is also a life resident of Butler Township ; was born Dec. 25, 1843. After his marriage, Mr. Coblentz built a small frame house on his farm, which then consisted of 80 acres, the gift, in part, of his father, and. in the April following, they began the duties of domestic life upon the farm upon which they now reside. In the }Tear 1875, he remodeled and enlarged his house, making a very neat, commodious home ; he also added to the original 80 acres, as he had means and opportunity, and now has 334 acres in a good state of cultivation ; 229 in the home farm, in Sec. 21. and 105 in Sec. 16. Mr. and Mrs. Coblentz are the parents of four children, viz.: John C, born Oct. 15, 1862; Lizzie, born Dec. 3. 1865; Kate, born April 29, 1871, and Frank L., born Oct. 24, 1873. Mr. Coblentz, though a young man, is ahead}' one of the substantial citizens of Butler Township ; has been Trustee, and is now Justice of the Peace, and an intelligent, agreeable gentleman. Both he, and his amiable wife, are members of the United Brethren Church, and useful members of society.

oldest residents of Butler Township now living; was born in Frederiek Co., Md., Nov. 26, 1812 : when he was a young man. his parents came West and settled in Montgomery Co.. Ohio, where he remained until his marriage with Miss Eva Foutz, which was solemnized March 16. 1834 ; she was the daughter ef Frederick Foutz, a native of North Carolina ; she was horn in Montgomery Co., Ohio. Dec. 22. 1813; after their marriage, they remained in Montgomeiy County about two years, then came to Darke County ; his father had entered a piece of land in Sec. 21 for him. and they put up a cabin on it and lived there about one year, but, feeling that this was too slow a way to get a start, he bought 55 acres in Sec. 2!>. upon which thei'e were about 10 acres cleared, a log cabin, and a young orchard started : they removed to this place in February. 1837, and have since resided here, improving and adding to the original 55 acres, until he had about 600 acres, all of which he has divided out among his children ; Mr. and Mrs. Coblentz, now quite advanced in years, have seen the forest, once the home of the roving savage, cleared by the woodman's ax, the swamps, foul with decaying vegetable matter, drained and renovated, and all made beautiful by the advance of civilization and the improvements and embellishments they helped to make, creating fertile fields and pleasant homes for themselves and the generations to follow ; Mr. Coblentz has been a quiet, industrious citizen ; both he and his devoted wife have been worthy members of the U. B. Church for more than fort}' years ; they are kind neighbors and useful members of society ; they are the parents of nine children - Catherine, Mary, Ezra. William Henry Harrison. Susanna, Elizabeth, John, Rebecca J. and Eliza E. ; Ezra is deceased ; the rest are all married, and are substantial citizens of Darke County ; John is the youngest son, and has the old homestead, and his parents reside with him ; he was married to Mary C. Garrison May 26 1870 ; she is a daughter of Simeon Garrison, and was born in Butler Co., Ohio, March 5, 1852 ; they have two children - Charles H. and William R,

GEORGE EMRICK, retired farmer and blacksmith, Sec. 34 ; P. 0. New Castine ; was born in Germantown, Montgomery Co., Ohio, Nov. 2. 1818 ; he learned the blacksmith's trade while a boy and worked at it for a number of years. He was married to Frances Arnold June 16, 1842 ; they first commenced the duties of domestic life in Montgomery Co., and removed to Darke Co. in 1852, and carried on a shop at Versailles and afterward at Hill Grove, and still later farmed in the vicinity of Hill Grove two or three years, then returned to Montgomery Co. and purchased a farm there upon which they remained until 1863, when he purchased and removed to the farm in Sec. 33, Butler Township, Darke Co.. where Samuel Emrick now resides ; four years later, he purchased and removed to the farm on Sec. 34, where he now resides ; Mr. Emrick now has 159 acres of wellimproved land, with neat, commodious buildings, suggestive of industry and economy, and is a substantial, respected citizen : both he and his wife are members of the German Baptist Church, and useful members of society. They are the parents of fourteen children, eleven of whom are living, viz., Josiah, Silas, Zachariah, Barbara A.. Matilda. Uriah, Benjamin P., Samuel, George W., Solomon and Sarah E. The first seven named are married and all residents of Darke Co. but one, who resides just over the line in Indiana.

SAMUEL EMRICK, retired farmer. See. 31 ; P. O. New Castine ; was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Jan. 17, 1818, and lived in Preble Co. during his minority ; he is the son of Jacob Emrick. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of t'oonrod Emrick. April 1!). 1845; after their marriage, they remained in Preble Co. until August. 1867, when he purchased and they removed to the farm in See. 33, Butler Township, where they now reside ; the spring following his removal, he was elected Township Treasurer, and has continued to hold that office ever since ; he is now a member of the Board of Directors of the County Infirmary ; his home consists of 180 acres of well-improved land, with good buildings, and. although not an old resident, he is a substantial and respected citizen. Mr. and

Mrs. Emrick are worthy members of the Lutheran Church, of forty years' standing, and useful members of society. They are the parents of eight children, only two -of whom are living, viz.: Matilda, now Mrs. Geo. Bidlow, and Ananias, both residents of Butler Township.

PETER FARST, farmer, Sec. 22 ; P. 0. New Castine ; an old resident of Darke County; was born in New York Oct. 7, 1818, and came to Ohio when 28 years of age.* Was married in Pickaway Co., in 1844, to Matilda Stout ; in the year 1850, they removed to Darke Co. and settled on the farm where they now reside, which consists of 200 acres of well-improved land, with good, substantial buildings. Mr. Farst is a quiet, substantial, respected citizen ; has raised a family of seven children, viz.: Catharine (now Mrs. Martin Bowman), John, Amos, Susan (now Mrs. Joseph Elliker, of Neave Township), Lavina (now Mrs. Geo. Schlecty). Geo. W. a resident of Indiana, and Lida.

BENJAMIN FOUTS, farmer ; P. 0. and residence El Dorado, Preble Co. A Buckeye by birth, and an early resident of Butler Township ; was born in Montgomery Co. May 18, 1813 ; he is a son of Jacob Fouts, who was a native of North Carolina, and settled in Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1803, entering land upon which he lived all the remainder of his days ; his decease occurred in 1864, he being in his 83d year. Benjamin was married Sept. 21, 1834. to Susannah Coblentz, sister to George Coblentz, whose biography appears in this work ; soon after their marriage, they came to Darke Co.; settled first in Sec. 14, Butler Township, his father having entered the southwest quarter of that section ; here he remained about seven years ; afterward lived near New Madison, and later, a short time, in Preble Co.; he removed to the farm in Sees. 32 and 33, which he now owns, in 1848. Mr. Fouts is one of the pioneers of Butler Township ; came when Butler was a wilderness, in the days of log-rolling and other social enterprises common to new settlements ; he remembers attending rollings twenty-one days in succession one spring; Mr. Fouts has contributed a full share toward the development and improvement of the county, morally as well as physically. Both he and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church. They had six children - Enos, now married, has a family of five children, and resides on and farms his father's place ; Wilson B., married, and a resident of German Township ; Almira, now Mrs. Philip Coons, of Arcanum ; Julia, deceased, was married, and resided in Twin Township, and left a family of four children ; Jacob K., was a single man of about 24 years age at his decease, and Uriah, also deceased. In 1871, Mr. Fouts removed to Dallas, and Mrs. Fouts' decease occurred there, Aug. 15, 1867 ; he then lived with his married sons, part of the time at Dallas, and part of the time at the farm in Butler Township, until his second marriage, which occurred Dec. 7, 1879, the bride being Sarah Marshall ; since his last marriage, he has resided in El Dorado.

JOHN P. FREDRICK, farmer ; P. 0. Castine ; is the son of Peter Fredrick, who came from Germany to America in 1842 ; there were ten in the family when they crossed the ocean, and it required sixty-three days to make the trip ; they landed in New York City in August, and came on West to Montgomery Co., Ohio, coming by water to Columbus, and then by wagon to Dayton, where they arrived after a three-weeks journey ; the same season, they came to Darke County and settled in Harrison Township, near the lake : the subject of this sketch remained on the farm with his parents until he had attained his majority ; then went to Indiana and worked at the carpenter trade. Was married there Jan. 25, 1852, to Rebecca, daughter of Wm. McFarland, who was an early settler of Butler Township and made the first clearing on the George Coblentz farm ; afterward he removed to Randolph Co., Ind. ; Rebecca was born in Butler Township, Darke County, March 18, 1833, and was about 3 years old when her parents moved to Indiana ; after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Fredrick began housekeeping in Randolph County, he working at the carpenter trade there several years ; also dealt in merchandise a short time. In 1861, he enlisted in the 40th O. V. I., and was -elected 1st Lieutenant of Co. F ; after about eighteen months' service he resigned and returned home, and in 1863 purchased a farm, and has followed farming ever since ; in October, 1870, they removed to Darke County, and he purchased a farm in Sec. I where they resided until the spring of 1875, when they removed to their present farm, known as the Aaron De Camp farm, which he had purchased the previous December. Mr. Fredrick is a substantial, respected citizen, a member of the order of F. & A. M., and both he and his amiable wife are respected members of society. They are the parents of five children, two of whom died in infancy, and three are now living - Flora E., now Mrs. C. F. Bell, of Arcanum ; George W. and John E., both at home ; a little orphan niece. Iva Murray, also lives with them.

ROBERT GILFILLAN, farmer and Justiceof the Peace, Sec. 25; P. 0. Castine; a native of Ireland, and was born on Nov. 12, 1833, and came, when a child, with his parents, to the United States ; they settled in Chester Co.. Penn., where Robert grew to manhood ; he learned the tanner trade, and when 17 years of age struck out to see the world and make a start in life for himself ; he first visited Baltimore. then Washington, and while there went to the White House and had the pleasure of shaking hands with President Fillmore ; from there he came West, having to stage it from the mountains to the Ohio River, thence by steamer to Cincinnati ; from there he came to Dayton, and found he had just $5 left ; he then began to look around to find work, which he soon found in a tannery at West Milton. Miami Co.; afterward came to Ithaca, Darke Co., where he remained a little more than a year : went to Preble Co. in the fall of 1852 and remained until 1859 ; he cast his first vote in Preble Co., when Know-Nothingism was at its height. He was married March 1, 1859, to Margaret C. Miller, daughter of Jacob F. Miller, a native of Tennessee, and an early resident of Preble Co. They removed to Darke Co. in the April following their marriage ; first settled on a tract of land south of Castine. which he had purchased in partnership with Lewis Howell. In 1862. Mr. Gilfillan purchased his partner's interest and became sole owner of the quarter section ; in 1867. he sold that tract and purchased 160 acres in Sec. 25. a part of which is his present homestead; he was elected Justice of the Peace in 1862, which office he held until 1867; he resigned, and in 1870 was again elected, and has held the office ever since. Mr. Gilfillan's life is an illustration of what can be accomplished by industry, integrity and economy. He started from Chester Co.. Penn., a lad of 17, without means, and is now a substantial and important citizen. He has a family, three laughters and two sons living, and three daughters are deceased, one of whom, an unusually bright and promising girl, of about 10 years of age, was burned to death in 1874, by the accidental explosion of a can of coal oil.

JOSEPH W. HAMIEL, merchant, Castine ; a Buckeye by birth, and an old resident of Darke Co.; was born in Montgomery Co., Feb. 15, 1828 ; when he was about 5 years of age, his father removed to Darke Co. and rented a farm north of Greenville ; after about two years ' residence, he started on horseback to look up a location for a permanent residence, but never returned, nor was anything learned of him except that a man answering to his description was drowned while attempting to cross the Wabash River in Indiana ; this sad event made it necessary for the family to return to Montgomery Co.. where the subject of this sketch grew up, being bound to an uncle ; the terms made it necessary for his uncle to see that he was educated until competent to cipher in -'the rule ot three," and the contract was scrupulously adhered to in not educating him beyond that point ; in the spring of 1 847, he came to Castine ; first worked by the month for Mr. - Minich, and afterward became a partner in the lumber business ; in 1859. he changed from the lumber to a general merchandising business, and has continued to conduct a general merchandise store here ever since. His marriage with Miss Rachel, daughter of John Bettelon, an early settler of Butler Township, occurred April 3. 1852 ; they have resided in Castine all their married life ; the} have six children - John R., Joseph W., Jr., William H, Elmore E. E., James P. and Kmma Nettie. John R, is now married, and resides in Castine ; Joseph W. is a traveling salesman, with C. W. Darst & Co., wholesale dealers in hats, caps, furs

WILLIAM B. HARTER, farmer ; P. 0. New Madison ; a descendant of Francis Harter, and a life resident of Darke Co. ; is the only child of Silas and Lydia (Michaels) Harter ; Silas was the son of David and brother to Elias Harter, whose biography appears in this work ; his decease occurred Dec. 1, 1861. Lydia Michaels is the daughter of John Michaels, an early settler of Butler Township ; she is now Mrs. James Clarke, of German Township. The subject of this sketch was born in 1846 ; he grew up on the farm upon which he now resides ; at his father's decease, he took charge of the farin ; afterward rented it, and learned the wagon-maker's trade, but returned to the farm in 1867, and has resided here ever since. His father first had 40 acres, and had increased them to 80, before his death, and had a barn partly built ; the son finished the barn, remodeled the house, and has also made other improvements, besides paying over $700 pike tax and has lately purchased an additional 40 acres, with buildings. Mr. Harter. though a young man, is already one of the substantial citizens of Butler Township ; is an economical, industrious, useful citizen. He was married to Eliza J. Zimmerman Nov. 29, 1868 ; she is the daughter of Reuben Zimmerman ; her mother was a Brubacker, and is now Mrs. John Jamison, of Greenville. Mrs. Harter is a member of the United Brethren Church, and an intelligent and agreeable woman. They have three children - George A., Elizabeth Iola and Mary Rosetta.

ELIAS HARTER, blacksmith ; P. 0. New Madison. He is one of the few men who were born here in the early days of Darke Co., that now reside here ; he was born in Butler Township in 1821 ; is the son of David and Sarah (Boone) Harter. David was one of the married sons of Francis Harter, and was among the first settlers of Butler Township. David was a blacksmith, and Elias partially learned the trade, while at home, and after his marriage finished his apprenticeship, and has continued to follow this trade most of his time since. Was a leading and active citizen of New Madison for many years, during which he erected several of the best buildings in town, but the crisis following the close of the war occasioned heavy loss, and he, with others, was bankrupted. When the war was raging and the Government called for more help, he, though above 40, enlisted in the one-hundred-day service, and traveled over a considerable portion of Virginia, where his father and grandfather had lived. The past season he has relaid more plows, perhaps, than any other man in Darke Co., and is still a vigorous, active workman and a respected citizen. He was married in 1844, to Miss Gertrude J., daughter of William Biddle, a native of New Jersey, and an early settler of Butler Township. She was born in New Jersey in 1826, and was 8 years old when her parents came to Darke Co. Mr. and Mrs. Harter are worthy members of the Reformed Church, at New Madison, and useful, respected members of society ; the}7 have raised a large family - five sons and three daughters, viz., George S., John O., William B., Millroy E., Charles S., Sarah K., Allie J. and Gertrude E. George S. volunteered in 1862, when only 16 years of age, and served three years, enduring many hardships and participating in many battles ; was a prisoner in the infamous " Andersonviile," and came home from there in December, 1864, looking more like a corpse than a living being, but recovered, and is now the teacher of the Dayton (Ohio) High School ; Sarah K., now the widow of William Hetzler, deceased, is a teacher in the public school at Greenville ; John O., formerly a teacher at the high schools at Ashtabula and Hudson. Ohio, is now retired, on account of his health, and resides in Summit Co. ; Alice J. is now Mrs. David Wheeler, of Greenville ; Gertrude, now a young lady of unusual intelligence and culture, is also a teacher, and all the above-mentioned are members of the Presbyterian Church, thanks to the holy influences of a pious and intelligent mother. William B. is a medical student, while the two younger are schoolboys.

ELAM HARTER, farmer ; P. O. New Madison ; a life resident of Darke Co., grandson of the pioneer Francis Harter, and son of Solomon Harter, whose biography appears in this work ; his youth was spent on a farm in Harrison Township ; when 20 years of age, he began to work at the earpenter's trade, and has followed that business ever since, with the exception of about three years of army service ; he worked in the vicinity of Terre Haute, and resided there in 1857 and 1858, part of the time in Indiana and part of the time over the line in Illinois j in 1859, he returned to Darke Co., built a house on his father's place near New .Madison, which house he removed after the war, on to the little tract he then purchased and has since resided on ; in 1862, he with others enlisted a company and went into the United States service, being mustered into the 110th Regiment ( ) V. 1. as Co. II, at Piqua, October 3, and in the same month joined the army in West Virginia, and was actively engaged in field service from that time to the surrender -of Lee at Appomattox. We cannot follow them in the long and weary marches, nor mention the almost numberless deeds of endurance and valor in which Mr. Harter alwa}Ts shared, but will mention some of the more noted battles in which he with his regiment took a part - Winchester in 1863, and later the Wilderness, under Grant, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Cedar Creek, and the final siege of Richmond ; during the latter, Capt. Harter was wounded ; he entered the service as Second Sergeant, and, by bravery and persevering endurance, always being with his company, was promoted through the regular order to Captain ; at home he is a Past Grand in the I. 0. 0. F., and an intelligent, respected citizen. He was married in 1853 to Christina Ray, who is also a life-resident of Darke Co., having been born in Rutler Township May 20, 1834, and is an intelligent, sociable lady. They have two children - Junietta, a young lady of unusual intelligence and culture, and a son, Eyevin V.