A Biographical history of Darke County, Ohio : compendium of national biography, Part 32

Author:
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 806

USA > Ohio > Darke County > A Biographical history of Darke County, Ohio : compendium of national biography > Part 32

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On the 19th of November, 1863, Mr. Lephart was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Moyer. She was born in Darke county, November 2, 1843, and is the sixth in a family of ten children, three sons and seven daughters, the parents being Michael and Margaret (Etter) Moyer. Of their family four daughters are yet living, three being residents of Darke county, while one sister, Margaret, is the wife of Jackson Stump, an agriculturist of Oklahoma. The parents are both deceased. The father was born in Virginia, in 1812, and died in the fall of 1865. He was of German lineage and was reared as an agriculturist. His parents entered one hundred and twenty acres from the government during Martin Van Buren's administration. His family

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came to Ohio in an early day, when the In- dians were still very numerous in this sec- tion of the country, and deer and other kind of wild game could be had in abundance. Mr. Moyer was a typical Virginian, dis- playing old-time courtesy and hospitality so common in that state. He held member- ship in the German Lutheran church. His wife was born near Germantown, Ohio, about 1817, and died about 1874. She was educated in the common schools, and was a consistent Christian woman, who reared her children in the faith of the church. Mrs. Lephart, a daughter of this worthy couple. has been to her husband a faithful counselor and helpmate. She has a kind disposition and affable manner, and is highly esteemed by a large circle of friends.

Mr. and Mrs. Lephart began their do- mestic life in Washington township upon a rented farm, for they had little of this world's goods to aid them in making a start. They removed to Brown township, where they again rented land, and after spending four years upon property belonging to others Mr. Lephart was able to purchase, in connec- tion with his sister, an eighty-acre tract that had formerly belonged to their father. Dur- ing the four years in which he rented he had saved four hundred dollars, but in order to make his purchase of land he had to in- cur an indebtedness of four hundred dol- lars. His first eighty-acre tract was forest land, upon which not a ditch had been dug nor an improvement made, save that there was a little log cabin and a log barn. With characteristic energy he began the further development of the property, and soon trans- formed the wild land into rich and fertile fields. As his financial resources have in- creased he has added to his property until he is now, in 1900, the owner of three hun-

dred acres of valuable land in Brown town- ship. His farm is supplied with all mod- ern improvements and conveniences, includ- ing splendid buildings, high-class machin- ery and everything found upon a model farm. His property stands as a monument to his thrift and enterprise, and to the as- sistance of his estimable wife. There are two good residences upon the place, and the land is in a good state of cultivation.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lephart has been blessed with thirteen children, eight sons and five daughters, and of this large family eleven are yet living : Margaret A., who was educated in the common schools and received instructions in music, is now the wife of Henry Foreman, a farmer of Allen township; Sarah Jane is the wife of Finley Riffle, an agriculturist of Brown township: William H. is married and lives in Greenville, Ohio: John W., who possesses much natural mechanical ability and is a practical carpenter and joiner, is also a pros- perous farmer of Darke county; Charles . 1. is married and is employed as a mechanic by the Panhandle Railroad Company ; Peter I. is married and follows blacksmithing in Arcanum, Ohio: Catherine Estella, who has been instructed in music, is now the wife of Hugh Westfall, the proprietor of a restau- rant in Ansonia, Ohio; Augustus C. is mar- ried, and follows farming in Brown town- ship; Elizabeth A .. who has also been in- structed in music, has successfully passed the Boxwell examination and is now at home with her parents; Fred N., who possesses considerable musical talent, passed the Boxwell examination in 1900; and James M., the youngest living mem- ber of the family, is

110W a stu- dent in the eighth grade in the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Lephart have given their chil-

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dren excellent educational privileges, realiz- ing the importance of learning in the prac- tical affairs of life. In his political senti- ments our subject is a Democrat, and has loyally supported the party of his choice since casting his first presidential vote for General George B. McClellan. He has fre- quently been chosen as a delegate to sena- torial and county conventions, and has ever been firm in support of his honest convic- tions. He is a public-spirited and progress- ive citizen, giving his aid and influence to all measures calculated to prove of public benefit. For six years he has served as school director, and his efforts in support of the cause of education have been very ef- fective. He and his family are all mem- hers of the Christian church-certainly a most creditable record and one well worthy of emulation. They have aided financially in the erection of seven different churches in this vicinity, which indicates their deep interest in all, that pertains to the uplifting of the human race. Socially Mr. Lephart is connected with the Masonic order, Lodge No. 488, at Ansonia, and he is a worthy representative of the craft. He and his family enjoy the high regard of all who know them, and he is truly a self-made man whose advancement in life is creditable, showing what may be accomplished by de- termined purpose and unflagging industry.

CYRUS BIGLER.

This well-known and representative cit- izen of Darke county, Ohio,-Cyrus Bigler, whose home and farm are on section 36, Wayne township-is a native of the coun- ty and dates his birth in Adams township, August 13, 1844.

Mr. Bigler traces his ancestry along the

WRONG

agnatic line for a hundred years back to Den-SWITZER mark. Three brothers of the name of Big- LAND - E45 ler came together to America and here they 2 BERNE soon separated, one settling in New York, one in Pennsylvania and one in Virginia, and from these three have sprung all the Biglers in this country. Moses Bigler, the father of Cyrus, was a native of Maryland, born in 1818, and his father, David Bigler, was also born in that state. The former came to Ohio at an early day, about 1828, and was one of the first settlers of Darke county. Through his mother Mr. Bigler is related to the Millers, one of the largest and a much- respected family of Darke county, they hav- ing removed here from Kentucky about the time it was admitted as a slave state. Mrs. Bigler, the mother of our subject, was form- erly Miss Mary Miller. She was born in Adams township, this county, a daughter of Jacob Miller, and is still living, at the age of seventy-four. To Moses and Mary Big- ler were born five children, two sons and three daughters, Cyrus being the eldest. The others are as follows: Jacob, who is mar- ried and living on a farm in Michigan; Nancy, wife of John Long, of Adamis town- ship, Darke county; Mary, wife of David Martin, also of Adams township; and Lyd- ia, wife of Charles Jackson, of Pleasant Hill, Ohio.

In his youth Mr. Bigler had good edu- cational advantages, attending school in his native township, later being a student in the Greenville schools, and still later entering what was then known as Whitewater Col- lege, at Centerville, Indiana. It was at the last named institution that Henry U. John- son was educated, and they were in school at the same time. At the age of seventeen years Mr. Bigler began teaching school, which occupation he followed in his native

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county during the winter season for several years, or up to the time of his marriage, af- ter which he located on the farm where he now resides, and where he has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. His home place comprises one hundred acres and he has seventy acres in another tract, all of which he operates.

Mr. Bigler married Miss Lydia A. Lowe, a native of Palestine, German township, Darke county, Ohio, who died in 1887 leav- ing a family of eight children, namely : Lulu, who is now; the wife of Noah Grove, and has four children-Mary, Estella, Mil- lard and Carl; Charles, who married Mary Wade and has one child, Ivan; Earl, who married Ollie Brewer and has one daughter, Bernice: Jacob, who married Ida Farmer ; Clyde, who married Carrie Robinson; Es- tella Mabel and Bessie, at home. For his second wife Mr. Bigler married Miss Ida Seifert, and by her has one son, Herman.

Politically Mr. Bigler has always given his support to the Democratic party, and has at different times filled local office. In 1880 he was assessor. At this writing he is a director in the German Baptist Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Covington. Miami county, Ohio. Ile is a member of the German Baptist church.

JOHN L. BAILEY.

While memory remains to the American citizens the "boys in blue" who fought for the defense of the Union will ever be held in grateful remembrance, and well do they deserve all the love that can be bestowed upon them. A man does not lightly risk life, but when in the face of great danger he bravely stands for his country and his principles he awakens the highest admira-

tion of all who know aught of his gallantry. With the splendid army that marched to the south to aid in crushing the rebellion went John L. Bailey, and today he is num- bered among the veterans of the civil war, and is also regarded as one of the leading and substantial citizens of Darke county, Ohio.

It was in Brown township, this county, that he was born, August 26, 1841. His father, Henry Bailey, was also a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Perry county, on the 19th of December, 18II. He was reared as a farmer and obtained his edu- cation in the primitive subscription schools of the early part of the nineteenth century. During his boyhood he accompanied his par- ents on their removal to Preble county, Ohio, at which time that section of the state was an unbroken wilderness. He was mar- ried in that county to Miss Nancy Runyon, whose birth occurred in Kentucky, on the 20th of February, 1818. In 1833 he came to Darke county and located in Brown town- ship, upon a tract of one hundred and twen- ty acres of dense forest land. No house had as yet been builded, and his first home was a little log cabin. Bears, wolves and deer were still killed in the neighborhood, and venison was a dish often found upon the board of the early settlers. Everything was wild and gave little promise of the wonder- ful development and progress which was soon to work a splendid transformation here. Our subject can remember when deer traveled over his father's farm as a drove of sheep passes through a field. In the midst of the forest the father hewed out a homestead.

He was a man of strong decision of char- acter, well known for his reliability and trustworthiness. His fellow townsmen,

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recognizing his ability, called him to office, and he served as trustee and in other local positions, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. He was a warm friend of the cause of education and of all measures calculated to contribute toward the general good .. In politics he was first an old-line Whig, supporting the party until the organization of the new Republican party, when he joined its ranks, becoming a warm advocate of the "rail-splitter" who was raised to the presidential chair. He aided in the first Christian church of the lo- cality, known as the Teegarden church, and also contributed toward the building of two other churches in this vicinity. Ile was a man of kind and benevolent purpose and made the Golden Rule the motto of his life. On the 6th of July, 1887, he was called to his final rest, and his remains were interred in the Teegarden cemetery. His wife still survives him, at the age of eighty-two years, and her mental faculties are still unimpaired. She makes her home with her children and is a consistent Christian woman, holding membership in the Christian church. In the family were five sons and four daugh- ters, of whom seven are yet living, namely : Mary A .; John L., of this review ; Samuel, a resident of Darke county ; Stephen, who is married and lives in Ansonia, from which place he travels as a commercial agent ; Re- becca, the wife of David Bennett, who is also a veteran of the civil war, and is now living in Woodington, Ohio; Hannah, the wife of Wesley Mckay, who served as a soldier in the Union army, and is now an agriculturist of Brown township; and Adda. the wife of Oscar Strait, also a farmer of Brown township. She is the youngest member of the family. One son, William Bailey, served for three years in the civil

war and was wounded at the battle of Look- out Mountain.

John L. Bailey, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared in Darke county and received such educational privileges as the common schools of the neighborhood af- forded. His time, however, was largely oc- cupied with the work of clearing and devel- oping the home farm, and thus hie early be- came familiar with the work of field and meadow. He was only twenty-one years of age when, at the president's call for troops, lie enlisted, at Greenville, Ohio, on the 8th of August, 1862, as a member of Company G, Fortieth Ohio Infantry, under Captain Charles Gordon Matchett. They rendez- voused at Columbus, Ohio, and the regi- ment was ordered to report at Big Sandy river, but Mr. Bailey was taken ill with ty- phoid fever and forced to remain in the hos- pital for three months. On the expiration of that period he rejoined his command at Big Sandy, the forces being there encamped under General James A. Garfield. From that place they went up the Ohio and Cum- berland rivers to Nashville, Tennessee, by steamer, and at the latter place the Fortiethi Ohio was assigned to the Army of the Cum- berland. The Union troops proceeded to Franklin, Tennessee, and participated in the hotly-contested engagement against Gen- eral Hood. Mr. Bailey served as provost- guard in the city of Franklin, and was so close to the rebels that they could easily have shot him, but he managed to make his escape. The next battle in which he took part was the three days' engagement at Chickamauga. He was in the front of the action where the rebel lead fell thick and fast. Many of his company were killed or wounded, and a pine tree near him was cut down by the shot and shell of the enemy

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and fell among the boys who were there fighting to preserve the Union. At that battle Mr. Bailey was struck by a piece of spent shell, but was not injured. The next engagement in which he participated was at Lookout mountain, known as "the battle above the clouds." and there it was that his brother William was wounded. It was one of the most picturesque engagements of the entire war, for the field lay upon the mountain crest, and commanded a magnifi- cent view of the surrounding country. Mr. Bailey also took part in the battle of Mis- sionary Ridge, where with his regiment he was on the extreme right of the Union army. The Confederates were there signally de- feated and the Union troops were jubilant over the splendid victory. They suffered many hardships, however, often having nothing to eat save the corn which had been dropped by the mules and which they picked up and parched, eating it with relish. Mr. Bailey also followed the stars and stripes on the battlefields of Chickamauga, Jones- boro, Lovejoy Station and through the cele- brated Atlanta campaign from the 3d of May until the 9th of September, during which time the troops were almost daily under fire. So constant was the action that they had scarcely any rest, and on more than one occasion he sat leaning against a tree in order to get a few moments' sleep. At other times he and his comrades would lie down between two rails and in the morn- ing would find that their bed was sur - rounded by water. so constantly did it rain during that campaign. He was present at the battles of Peach Tree Creek, Kenesaw Mountain and Resaca .- all hotly contested engagements,-Buzzards' Roost and Ring- gold. At Kenesaw Mountain while his company was marching toward the rebel

works, he narrowly escaped being killed, and a ball struck his comrade next to him. During the first day's battle at Chickamau- ga he had a narrow escape from capture. He endured all the hardships and trials of war save imprisonment, and loyally fol- lowed the okl flag where it led. After the Atlanta campaign his division of the army was ordered to pursue General Hood, and at Franklin, Tennessee, they encountered the rebel commander and participated in one of the fiercest battles that raged during the four years of warfare. Later the battle of Nashville occurred, in which General Hood was hopelessly defeated. The Union troops then followed the rebel commander to Huntsville, Alabama, and thence returned to join Grant's army, making repairs on the railroad lines as they were on the march. When in the vicinity of Greenville. Tennes- see, the joyful news reached them of the surrender of Lee and his army. The Fourth Corps, to which Mr. Bailey belonged, was sent back to Nashville, Tennessee, and thence to Texas, but as his time had almost expired, he received an honorable discharge on the 27th of June. 1865, and with a happy heart returned to home and friends, having for almost three years faithfully served his country upon the battlefields of the south.

Mr. Bailey has been twice married. He first wedded Elizabeth E. Teegarden, a rep- resentative of one of the well known pioneer families of the county. Their marriage oc- curred September 2, 1869, and was blessed with three children, two sons and a daugh- ter, of whom two are living. Harvey, the elder, was educated in the common schools, wedded Miss Catherine Harp, and is a farmer of Greenville township, while Henry A. is a resident of Woodington, Ohio, where he is engaged in merchandising and grain

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dealing in partnership with Bert Teegarden. The firm are doing a large business and en- joy a creditable reputation in commercial circles. Henry A. Bailey married Miss Minnie Cox. One daughter, Nancy Laura, was born April 24, 1874, and was married December 24. 1892, to William H. Slick, and died of consumption May 31, 1896. She was an earnest Christian woman, great- ly beloved for her many excellencies of char- acter, and the memory of an upright life she left to her husband and her two motherless little children. The mother of these chil- dren was born on the old Teegarden farm in Brown township, in 1847. and died Au- gust 19, 1875. For his second wife Mr. Bailey chose Sarah M. Strader, the wedding taking place October 19. 1877. She was born in Darke county, December 11, 1854, a daughter of Jolm A. and Margaret L. (Weber) Strader. Her father was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, October 11, 1818, and died October 12. 1899, at the age of eighty-one years and one day. He was a farmer and a devoted Christian man, es- teemed by all who knew him. His wife, who is a consistent member of the Christian church, was born October 11, 1823, and is still living. In their family were fifteen children, seven sons and eight daughters, eleven of whom yet survive. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have been born two sons and two daughters, but their son Howard died on the Ist of September. 1884, at the age of seven months. The following stanzas were written by a friend :

"We loved him : yes, we loved him : But angels loved him more,

And they have sweetly called him To yonder shining shore.

"The golden gates were opened, A gentle voice said Come,

And with farewells unspoken He calmly entered home."

Ida, the eldest child, is now the wife of George Andrews, a farmer of Union City, Indiana, and they have one child living. a daughter. Their little son, John William, was born April 14, 1897, and died August 24, 1898. He was a sweet, lovable child, and his death was a great blow to the par- ents : but the Master said, "Suffer little chil- dren to come unto Me and forbid them not. for of such is the kingdom of heaven," and the little one passed to the home above. Lemuel H. is living at home with his par- ents, and assists in the work of the farm. Mattie completes the family and is a stu- dent in the public schools, and is also a stu- dent of music.

At the time of his marriage Mr. Bailey had a capital of about one thousand dollars, which he had accumulated through hard work. Year by year he has added to his property, and is today the owner of one hundred acres of valuable land, which is in a good state of cultivation. He has a good residence, substantial outbuildings and all the modern accessories and conveniences of a model farm. He follows progressive and practical methods, and is widely known as a leading agriculturist of his community. He votes with the Republican party, and has been a stanch advocate of its principles since casting his first presidential vote for Abra- ham Lincoln. He has served for a number of years as a school director, and his labors have been effective in promoting the cause of education. Otherwise, however, he has never held office, preferring to devote his

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time and energies to his business affairs, in which he has met with signal success. So- cially he is connected with Fifer Post, G. A. R., of Ansonia, and he and his family are consistent members of the Christian church in Woodington. He has contributed largely toward the erection of the house of worship, and has also given material assistance to other churches and to many benevolences worthy of consideration. He and his wife enjoy the warm regard of many friends and the hospitality of many of the best homes in this section of the state. Their lives have ever been upright and honorable, and their many excellencies of character have en- deared them to a large circle of acquaint- ances.

NATHAN S. WARVEL.

One of the gallant defenders of the Union during the dark days of the civil war and now a prominent farmer residing on section I, Greenville township, Darke county, is Nathan S. Warvel, who was born in Rich- land township, the same county, April 18, 1839, and is a son of John H. and Mary (Souders) Warvel, natives of Warren and Montgomery counties, Ohio, respectively, and the founders of the family in Darke county, their home being near Beamsville, where they located in 1838. In 1839 the paternal grandparents, Christopher and Charlotta (Lilly) Warvel, natives of Rock- ingham, Virginia, also came to Darke coun- ty and located on a farm near Beamsville, in Richland township. They were members of the United Brethren church, and the grand- father donated the logs to construct the first church erected in Beamsville. He also gave to the town the land comprising the original cemetery at that place. The first to be

buried there was Enos Hathaway, a son of Thomas Hathaway, who died in 1847. The grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812, under the command of Colonel Methias. He died March 15, 1851, aged fifty-five years, and his wife departed this life March 14, 1855, aged fifty-six. Of their nine children five are still living, namely: George, a United Brethren preacher of Butler county, Ohio; Daniel, a resident of Richland town- ship, Darke county; Mrs. Elizabeth Beam, of Ansonia, Ohio; Mary, the widow of Daniel Hartzell, of Pikeville, Darke county; and Mrs. Margaret Hathaway, of Washington, D. C. Those deceased were : John H., William, Sarah Ann and AAdeline.

After residing in this county for three years, John H. Warvel, the father of our sub- ject, returned to Montgomery county, owing to his wife's ill health, and there she died, May 15, 1842. He then located on his father's farm in Richland town- ship, Darke county, where he resided until 1847, when he removed to the farm now owned and occupied by our subject. He died here February 27, 1898, at the age of seventy-nine years, hon- Gred and respected by all who knew him. He served as infirmary director of the coun- ty two terms. He was a man of good busi- ness ability and was particularly well quali- fied for the settlement of estates and as an executor he settled many during his life time. He was one of the original members of the United Brethren church at Beamsville, and later assisted in organizing the church at Pikeville, being a man of strong religious convictions and an active worker, whose life was in accordance with the teachings of the Golden Rule. In politics he was independ- ent, voting for the man rather than the party. He was four times married, his first wife

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being the mother of our subject, and to them two children were born: Nathan and Mary, the latter of whom died in infancy. His second wife was Barbara Ann Holloway, by whom he had two sons : Allen C., of Bradford, Miami county, Ohio; and Irvin, cleceased. The third wife was Phoebe Hor- ney, and Phœbe, the only child of this union, died at the age of one year. For his fourth wife he married Elizabeth Beenblossom, who bore him five children: Charlotte, now the widow of Calvin Garver, of Greenville; Sa- rah Adaline, wife of Adam Johnson, of Darke county; Elizabeth, the wife of O. J. Hager, of Muncie, Indiana; and Emeline, the wife of George Garbig, of Darke county.

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A Biographical history of Darke County, Ohio : compendium of national biography, Part 32

Author: Publication date: 1900 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 806

Author:
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 806