USA > Ohio > Darke County > A Biographical history of Darke County, Ohio : compendium of national biography > Part 42
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Joseph Cole, whose name introduces this review, was born in Washington township, December 29, 1823, and spent the first eight- een years of his life upon the old homestead assisting his father through the summer months in the work of the fields, while in the winter season he pursued his education in the schools of the neighborhood. In those days schools were held in any vacant cabin that could be secured and were conducted on
the subscription plan. Mr. Cole's educational privileges were thus somwhat limited, but he improved what chances he had, and at the age of eighteen obtained a teacher's cer- tificate. From 1841 until 1857 he engaged in teaching and his different certificates, with one exception, are still in his posses- sion. In 1846, in company with his brother, Samuel, he erected a saw-mill, which they operated until 1850, when they sold the property. Up to this time Mr. Cole had always made his home with his parents, but on the 6th of April, 1850, he married Miss Sarah Ann Shively, daughter of Daniel and Christina (Heck) Shively. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and on com- ing to Ohio located in Montgomery county, whence they removed to Darke county in 1817. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cole took up their abode in Coleville, which town was laid out by our subject, and there he engaged in merchandising from 1852 until 1855. when he disposed of his interests and turned his attention to farming in Green- ville township, being thus occupied until 1865. In that year he purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Washington township, and in addition to the cultivation of cereals best adapted to this cli- mate. he has engaged in stock dealing, both raising and buying stock for the market. His business affairs have been capably prose- cuted and have brought to him creditable success.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cole have been born seven children, six of whom are living, name- ly : Wallace S., who was born April 6, 1853, was wedded to Nancy Wise, of Darke coun- ty, and now resides in Reno county, Kan- sas, where he is engaged in feeding fine cattle. They have six children : Flora A., who was born March 26, 1855, was married
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September 26, 1878. to B. F. Chenoweth and resides in Greenville. They have one child, Jesse A. William Henry, who was born December 16, 1859. was married De- cember 22, 1881, to Lucy Manuel, by whom he has three children. Their home is in Washington township. Mary C., who was born April 23, 1862, resides with her par- ents. Charles W., who was born October 12, 1866, was married, December 20, 1890, to Lucy Bickel and resides in Washington township. They also have three children : Benjamin F., who was born November 12, 1874, was married on the 12th of Decem- ber, 1896, to Myrtle Jeffries and resides on the old homestead. They have two chil- dren.
Mrs. Cole is a prominent worker in the Christian church and Mr. Cole contributes to its support. In politics he was originally a Whig, casting his first presidential vote for Zachary Taylor, but since the organization of the Republican party he has loyally sup- ported its principles and i, one of its m :t earnest advocates. He has had neither time nor inclination to enter the political arena, yet has filled many township offices and was once candidate for the office of probate judge. Although he has passed the age of three score years and ten, he retains his mental faculties unimpaired and keeps well informed on all the issues and topics of the day. He is blessed with an excellent mem- ory, especially for dates, and can relate many interesting incidents of frontier life in Ohio. His marked characteristics have ever been such as to commend him to the confidence and regard of his fellow towns- men and he enjoys the good will and respect of all with whom he has been brought in con- tact. So long and actively have the Cole family been identified with the interests of
Darke county that no history of the com- munity would be complete without mention of its representatives. From pioneer days down to the present epoch of advancement and progress they have borne their part in the work of public progress and improve- ment and none more actively than he whose name introduces this review.
LEWIS P. WALTERS.
In Darke county are found many repre- sentatives of the fatherland and they form an important element in the citizenship of this locality. The enterprise and industry so characteristic of the Teutonic nations have been an important element in the sub- stantial progress and material development of this section of the state and Mr. Walters is one who has never withheld his support from any movement or measure which he be- lieved would prove of public good. He was born in the little village of Schleterbach. Ger- many, October 23, 1840. His father, Lewis Walters, Sr., was born in the same locality, November 6, 1806, was reared in the land of his nativity and obtained his education in the public schools. By trade he was a stone-mason. He spent the first forty-one years of his life in his native land and ere he emigrated to America he was married and all of his children were born. He sailed from Havre de Grace for New Orleans, and after a voyage of sixty-three days reached his destination. During the long trip across the Atlantic the vessel encountered heavy storms and the passengers frequently thought they would never again see land, but fate was kind and they eventually reached their destination in safety. Mr. Walters can well remember how on one occasion during a terrible storm the father planned to wrap
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all of the children in a sheet that they might go down together into the depths of the sea, but an overruling providence had destined that they should reach the American harbor. After landing in New Orleans they made their way to Pittsburg by steamer and thence came to Ohio. locating in Monroe county. where the father purchased eighty acres of land. He was an industrious man, who ac- quired a comfortable competence by the careful conduct of his business affairs. He added to his estate until he owned one hun- dred and twenty acres and upon the farm he resided until 1883, when he sold his land and with his family came to Darke county. His wife having died he made his home with his son. Lewis, until his death, which oc- curred July 9, 1891. He was a good man, upright and honorable in all things and he aided in the erection of the Evangelical church, in Monroe county, laying the founda- tion of the building. as he was a practical mason. In politics he was a stalwart Dem -
ocrat. He passed away at the advanced age of eighty-four years and six months, and his remains were interred in Brown town- ship. His wife, who was born in the prov- ince of Dimbach, in 1805. died in Monroe county, Ohio. February 6, 1876. She was an estimable lady, who possessed many ex- cellent characteristics. and before her chil- dren she set an example well worthy of emu- lation. She had two sons and two daugh- ters, namely: Barbara, wife of Christian Kliner, a resident of Virginia; Jacob. who served throughout the civil war, participat- ing in many engagements, and is now resid- ing in the Soldiers' Home, in Sandusky ; Louisa, widow of Damel Lutevig, of Vir- ginia ; and Lewis P.
The last named was a lad of seven sum- mers, when, with his parents, he crossed 20
the Atlantic to the new world. He is a typical German-American farmer, of social disposition and kindly nature and of marked industry. He obtained his education in the common schools and was reared to the work of the farm. On the 14th of December, 1862, he married Miss Rachel Peters, whose birth occurred in Monroe county, Ohio, June 10. 1844. Her parents were Jacob and Elizabethı (McKalla) Peters. Her father was born in Germany and came to America with his wife and children, the latter all hay- ing been born in that country, with the ex- ception of Mrs. Walters. He was a farmer by occupation and followed that pursuit throughout his business career. In his family were fourteen children, of six are yet living, namely: Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Detling. of Brown township; Sarah, widow of Harmon Hess, of St. Louis, Missouri; Magdalene, wife of Henry Sheets, an agri- culturist living in Angola, Steuben county. Indiana; Jacob, who follows farming in Brown township; Michael, who is living in Monroe county, Ohio: and Mrs. Walters. Unto our subject and his wife have been eleven children, ten sons and one daughter, and eight of this number yet survive : Will- iam, who was educated in the common schools, is now married and has four chil- dren. He is section foreman on the Cin- cinnati & Northern Railroad, resides at Lewisburg. Preble county, and is a Demo- crat in his political affiliations. Harmon is married and lives in Lewisburg, where he follows the stone-mason's trade. He. too, votes with the Democracy. Jacob, a prosper- ous farmer, married Miss Ida Lephart and has three children. Like his brothers. he gives his political support to the Democratic party. Charlie married Miss Newbower. and is a farmer living in Greenville. Theo-
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dore, who lives with his parents in Green - ville, desires to be a telegraph operator, Clarence, Leonard and Ray are still under the parental roof. The parents, realizing the importance of educational privileges, have allowed their children to attend school and have also instructed them in habits of in- dustry and lionesty.
Mr. and Mrs. Walters began their do- mestic life upon the old home farm, and as he was the eldest in his father's family the responsibility of caring for his parents de- volved upon him. In 1880 he removed with his wife and children to Brown township and is now accounted one of the successful farm - ers of Darke county. He owns sixty-three acres of valuable land under a high state of cultivation and raises the various crops best adapted to the climate. He proudly cast his first presidential vote for General George B. McClellan and has since been a Demo- crat in his political affiliations. In 1896 he was elected trustee of Brown township and served the people faithfully while in that office. He has also been school director for nine years and has done all in his power to promote the cause of education. He and his wife are consistent members of the Luther- an church and their lives are in harmony with their professions.
HENRY WARNER.
Henry Warner, who is living on section 5, Greenville township, was born in Ran- dolph township, Montgomery county, Ohio, March 12, 1835. His father, Jolin Warner, was a native of Pennsylvania and came to the Buckeye state in 1811, taking up his residence in Montgomery county the follow- ing year. The unsettled condition of the state is indicated by the fact that there were
only two cabins in Dayton at that time. Henry Warner, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Maryland, and during the war of 1812 was drafted for service, but his brother went to the front as his substitute. He was a farmer by occupation and died in Miami county, Ohio. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Charity Hill, and her death occurred when her son, Henry, was only seven years of age. She had six children, all of whom reached years of maturity. After the death of his first wife, the father married Polly Booker, and they had nine children.
Henry Warner is the third child and second son of the first marriage. He was reared in Montgomery county, Ohio, and the common schools of the neighborhood af- forded him his educational privileges. He remained with his parents until his marriage, which was celebrated in Miami county, Oc- tober 28, 1858, Miss Elizabeth Stager be- coming his wife. She was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, July 16, 1836, a daughter of William and Katie ( Ensell) Stager. Her father was born in the Key- stone state, was a tailor by trade and in 18.46 came to Miami county, where he died, at the age of eighty-four years. His first wife died when Mrs. Warner was only six years old. They had five children, two daughters and three sons. The father was again married, his second union being with Caroline Walters, by whom he had seven children. Mrs. Warner was the second child and eldest daughter of the first marriage, and was ten years of age when, with her parents, she removed to Mi- ami county. After their marriage, our sub- ject and his wife located on the old home- stead farm of the Warners in Montgomery county, Ohio, and in 1864 removed to
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Huntington county, Indiana, where he was engaged in general farming until 1869. They then came to Darke county, locating at Baker, in Neave township, on the Jacob Baker farm, where they remained for two years. On the expiration of that period Mr. Warner purchased the farm upon which he now resides, then a tract of eighty- eight acres, which at that time was poorly improved, but is now under a high state of cultivation. Upon it are found excellent buildings, good fences, drainage and all the accessories and modern conveniences found upon the best farms of this period. The land being well cultivated, the harvests re- turn a good income to the owner.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Warner has been blessed with the following children : William H., the eldest, married Frances Ar- nett and they have two children-Elsworth and Gertie. Vallandingham married Laura Westfall, and they had three children- Ollie M., Estella E. and Alva. But the mother is now deceased. Samuel A. mar- ried Jennie Kefover, by whom he has four children-Melvin, Isaac, Nellie and Holly. German, the present surveyor of Darke county and a resident of Greenville, mar- ried Sallie Huffman. Katie is the wife of Burr Evans, a grocer of Greenville, and they have one child, Dorothea. Mr. and Mrs. Warner also have an adopted daughter, Emma, who has been a member of the fam- ily since three years of age.
Our subject and his wife are members of the German Baptist church and he is a Dem- ocrat in politics. He has served as super- visor of roads and as school director. He and his wife are people of genial nature and kindly disposition and are very hospitable to friends and strangers. Their lives have at all times been commendable and worthy
of emulation and they command the good will and esteem of all with whom they have been associated.
WILLIAM SHIELDS.
Among the honored veterans of the Civil war and the prosperous farmers of Van Buren township, none stand higher in pub- lic esteem than William Shields, a native of that township, who was born on the old homestead. November 9. 1840. His early educational advantages were meager as the nearest school house was four miles from his home and the path thither was mainly through swamps. The school house was built of logs, contained slab seats and other primitive furniture, and few branches were taught. His first teacher was Joseph Drew, a very able instructor for those times. When not in school he tended stock in winter and worked on the farm during the summer months, using the old-fashioned sickle and scythe. At the age of sixteen he assisted thirteen grown men in mowing a field and held his own with any of them.
When the Civil war broke out Mr. Shields enlisted at Greenville, in August, 1861. in Company G, Forty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Newkirk. Colonel Wood, and later under Colonel Gil- bert. They went into camp at Camp Clarke, Springfield, Clark county, where they spent two months, and from there proceeded to Camp Piatt. West Virginia. After drilling six months they were ordered to the front and took part in the battle of Louisburg. where parts of the Thirty-sixth and Forty- fourth Ohio Infantry and the One Hun- dredth New York Cavalry, numbering nine hundred in all, met thirty-five hundred rebels with eight pieces of artillery, but captured
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seven hundred prisoners, wounded five hun- dred and killed a great many. After one year spent in West Virginia, they went to Kentucky, where they served as mounted in- fantry for six months. taking part in many skirmishes in that state and Tennessee. After being dismounted they were in the breastworks siege of Knoxville for twenty days and were fed on crushed corn. After the battle of Lookout Mountain resulted vic- toriously for the Union troops, Thomas went to the assistance of the besieged at Knoxville. The rebels made a fierce on- slaughit but were repulsed and moved back to Smoky Camp, followed by the Union troops. This was the last engagement in which Mr. Shields participated before re- enlisting at Strawberry Plains, in the Eighth Ohio Cavalry. Being granted a forty days' furlough he returned home, and at the end of that time rejoined his command at Camp Dennison. From there they proceeded to Camp Piatt, West Virginia, and were under the command of General Sheridan in the Shenandoah valley. taking part in the battle of Cedar Creek. Mr. Shields wit- nessed General Sheridan's famous ride, and saw him pull off his hat and shout to his retreating men, "Boys, come back and we'll have everything on wheels till four o'clock." In the engagement at Winchester many of our subject's schoolmates fell. After the battle of Cedar Creek the Eighth Ohio moved back to Martinsburg and was en- gaged in skirmishing through the valley for over a week. About this time Mr. Shields was driving a team, and was at Wier's Cave, Brown's Gap, when it was shelled by the rebels. His command was scattered, but after getting together again proceeded to Stockland, setting fire to farm houses as they went, rescuing the inmates and with
wagons conveying them to the railroad sta- tion when desired. They next went to Beverly, West Virginia, where many of the regiment were captured, but Mr. Shields es- caped, as he had been sent that morning for a load of rations. On his return he got as far as Phillippi, when he heard the news and remained at that place one month. He then secured a horse and entered the ranks but his command took part in no other en- gagements. He was mustered out at Clarks- burg. Virginia, at the close of the war, and was discharged at Springheld, Ohio, July 14, 1865.
Mr. Shields reached home July 15, and the following day resumed work on the farm. He remained under the parental roof until he was married, June 27, 1867, to Miss Maria Hathaway, who was born in Green- ville township, a daughter of William and Lena (Amole) Hathaway, and ten children blessed this union, namely: Edward, at home ; Della, wife of Lewis Binkley ; Wiley, who married Elizabeth McNutt and lives in Van Buren township; Deo, who died April I, 1891. at the age of sixteen years; Lucy, wife of Melvin Miller. of Van Buren town- ship; Lewis, 'Maud, Orpha, Jennie and Treva. at home.
After his marriage Mr. Shields located 011 a farm of eighty acres in Van Buren township. which he had purchased, but two years later returned to the old homestead, where he spent three years. In the mean- time lie bought sixty acres of land in Van Buren township, adjoining his present farm, on which he located in August, 1869, and two years later removed to his present farm, consisting of two hundred acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good and substantial buildings. On his return from the war he
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had twelve hundred dollars, which he in- vested in land, and being industrious, enter- prising and progressive lie has succeeded in accumulating a handsome property. For a tract of ninety-six acres he gave over nine thousand dollars, paying over four thousand dollars in cash. He always affiliates with the Republican party and gives his support to everp enterprise which he believes calculated to prove of public benefit.
THOMAS J. SHELLEY.
While memory remains to the Ameri- can people the nation will ever feel a debt of gratitude to the boys in blue who fought for the preservaton of the Union and made possible the perpetuation of the glorious na- tion over which the stars and stripes now proudly float. Among the veterans of the Civil war is Thomas J. Shelley, who, with the Ohio troops, went to the front and braved danger and death in support of his native land. He was born in Preble county. Ohio. December 19. 1844. and is a son of Ebenezer and Julia ( House) Shelley. His father was a native of North Carolina, born about thirty miles from Fayetteville. in 1812. He was educated in the common schools, learned the mason's trade and also followed farming. Emigrating westward, he took up his abode in Indiana, and joined a company for service in the Black Hawk war, under command of Captain A. E. Burnsides, but the company was not called out. In his politica. senti- ments in an early day he was an Abolition - ist, and when the Republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery he joined its ranks and was one of its stanch advocates. From Indiana he re- moved to Preble county. Ohio, about 1836, and died in that county sixty years later.
, He was a member of the United Brethren church and a man of sterling worth. The Shelley family was of English lineage. The father of our subject married Julia House, who was born in Fairfax county, Virginia, and belonged to one of the "F. F. V.'s" Her birth occurred in 1813. and she died at the age of eighty years. In the family of this worthy couple were nine children, six sons and three daughters, of whom five are living. as follows: Amanda, wife of Robert Banta. a farmer of Preble county : Richard, who served in the Fifth Ohio Cavalry in the Army of the Tennessee during the Civil war. and is now married and resides in Powers, Indiana ; Thomas J., of this review ; William, a farmer, who is married and lives in Powers; and James M., who is an em- ploye of a railroad and resides in Baltimore, Preble county.
Thomas J. Shelley, whose name intro- duces this record, spent his boyhood days in Preble county and acquired his education in the public schools, but his privileges were somewhat meager. as his services were need- ed on the home farm. During the Civil war he responded to the country's call for aid, en- listing in Company D, Eighty-first Ohio In- fantry. under Captain P. A. Tyler and Col- onel Thomas Morton, on the 20th of Au- gust, 1862. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, under command of General Grant, and he participated in the battles of Corinth, Iuka, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain. Peach Tree Creek and the siege of Atlanta. He was also in the battles of New Hope Church, Flint River and Jones- boro. and went with Sherman on his cele- brated march to the sea and through the Carolinas, participating in the engagement at Bentonville. the last regular battle of the war. At the battle of Atlanta, where the
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gallant McPherson fell, Mr. Shelley's com- rades immediately on the right and on the left were both killed, and at the same place he had four minie balls shot through his coat, while in another engagement a ball pierced his cap, and in the siege of Atlanta the nail from the third finger of his left hand was shot away. At Kenesaw Moun- tain, when he was on the firing line, a rebel bullet struck the edge of the United States plate on his belt and split it into two parts, one of which he still has in his possession. When the army was near Raleigh, North Carolina the joyful news reached them of the surrender of General Lee, and it was received amidst great excitement and en- thusiasm. for the boys at the front knew that it meant the end of the war and the pos- sibility of their return to home, family and friends, but about the same time there also came the sad news of the assassination of President Lincoln. With his command Mr. Shelley marched through the Carolinas and Virginia to Washington, D. C., and there participated in the grand review, the most brilliant military pageant ever seen on the western hemisphere. He received an hon- orable discharge June 13, 1865, and with a most creditable military record, of which he has every reason to be proud, he returned to his home. When his company began the Atlanta campaign it numbered fifty-eight men, and at the battle of Jonesboro only seven were left to engage in active service, some being on detail duty, while others were prisoners, others were wounded and others were dead.
On the 12th of March, 1868, Mr. Shelley was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Higgins, and unto them were born seven children, two sons and five daughters. name- ly : Lillian, who is successfully teaching in
the schools of Tippecanoe City, Ohio; Myr- tle, wife of Daniel Hinderer, of Greenville; Tillie, wife of Arthur Moore, a railroad man on the Pennsylvania system, residing in In- dianapolis; Josie and Bessie, at home; Ar- thur and Wilbur. Mr. Shelley was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife April 27, 1886. She was a faithful companion and helpmate to her husband, a loving mother and an active and consistent member of the Methodist church.
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