USA > Ohio > Darke County > A Biographical history of Darke County, Ohio : compendium of national biography > Part 43
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In his political views Mr. Shelley is a stalwart Republican, supporting the party since he cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He was a deÎ- egate to the state convention that nom- inated J. B. Foraker for governor of Olio, for the first time. He has been a resident of Darke county since 1870, and was engaged in the manufacture of lumber for eleven years at Dawn, where he is still re- siding and where he is well known as a rep- resentative and reliable citizen. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend, and for fourteen years he has been officially con- nected with the school system of the county. He was strongly in favor of the erection of the beautiful brick schoolhouse in his district and has done all in his power to promote ed- ucational interests. Socially he is connected with the Masonic lodge of Ansonia. Ohio, and has contributed toward the erection of the Methodist church in Dawn. His record is that of a man who has ever been true to his duty to his neighbor, himself and his coun- try, and he enjoys the well merited regard of all with whom he has been brought in con- tact.
On the 17th day of May, 1879. he met with a severe accident by getting liis right foot caught in a circular saw while the mill was running. The big toe was cut off
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and a part of the inside of the foot, which made him a cripple for life. He has been en- gaged in the manufacture and sale of medi- cine since 1880. He was census enumerator in 1890 and was postmaster under Benjamin Harrison's administration.
WILLIAM L. ROBERTSON.
A retired blacksmith of Hollansburg, Darke county, and an honored veteran of the war of the Rebellion, is William Lane Rob- ertson, whose life has been one of signal usefulness, entitling him to consideration in a work of this nature. He was born in Monroe township, Preble county, this state, on the 25th of May, 1833, the son of Isaac VanDoran Robertson, who was born in the same township, on June 28, 1809, his death occurring on the 4th of July, 1845. The latter's father was Ephraim Robertson, a farmer of Virginia. Isaac V. Robertson was a teacher and preacher, and his zeal and determination may be understood when we revert to the fact that he secured his education through his own efforts, poring over his books by the light of a pine-knot torch, and being indefatigable in his efforts to advance himself intellectually. He de- voted himself to teaching when a young man and eventually became an able clergyman of the United Brethren church, in which he labored earnestly and effectively for the Master's cause. He was an excellent singer, and this ability gave added power to his ministerial work. He was one of a large family, and his mother survived her hus- band by many years, her death occurring in 1868, at Castine, this county, where she sleeps her last sleep, having passed away at a very venerable age. The father of our
subject lies buried in the Baptist church- yard in Monroe township, Preble county.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Harriet Brown, and she was the daughter of Michael Brown, who was of German lineage and an early pioneer of Ohio, having settled on Twin creek, in Preble county. The marriage of Isaac V. Robertson and Harriet Brown was solem- nized on the 3d of June, 1830, and they be- came the parents of four children: Marv Jane, born March 1, 1831, became the wife of John Coblentz, of New Paris, Preble county, and they have two sons and two daughters ; William L. is the subject of this sketch; Sarah Elizabeth, widow of C. B. Tillson, is a resident of Greensburg, Indiana, and has three children ; Rhoda Ann became the wife of John S. Starbuck, by whom she had three children, and died in Union City, Indiana. The father owned a part of the old farm of one hundred and sixty acres, but he devoted himself to the work of the church and was also a marble cutter by trade, personally chiseling the inscriptions on the tombstones for his parishioners. He was a man of distinctive genius, being ex- tremely versatile, and it is recalled that he would often do a hard day's work and then preach at night.
William L. Robertson, to whom this re- view is specially dedicated, had but limited educational advantages in his youth, but was favored in having grown up under the benign influences of a home in which refine- ment and purity of life were ever in evidence. His opportunities were lessened by reason of the fact that his father died when he was but a lad of twelve years, and thereafter our sub- ject found his services in constant demand upon the home farm. He left home at the age of sixteen and apprenticed himself at
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the blacksmith's trade, serving three years and becoming an expert artisan in his line. His mother in the meantime consummated a second marriage, being united to James J. Alexander, who survived her and who was again married. The mother of our subject died March 2. 1865. her birth having oc- curred November 12, 1810.
Loyal and patriotic in his attitude, our subject was ready to go forth to protect his country when her integrity was menaced by armed rebellion, and in April. 1861, he re- sponded to the first call for seventy-five thou- sand men, deserting his forge and anvil for the stern duties of warfare. He enlisted in Company K. Eleventh Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, for the three-months service, and at the expiration of his term he veteranized and in 1862 responded to the call for three hundred thousand men for "three years or during the war." becoming a member of Company H. One Hundred and Tenth Ohio i Volunteer Infantry, and being mustered in as first sergeant. He served two years, and was promoted second lieutenant of Com- pany D. Mr. Robertson was constantly on duty, participating in all the engagements and marches of his regiment, and among the more important battles in which he took part may be mentioned the following: Win- chester. the Wilderness. the twenty-one days' fighting in the Wilderness. Spottsyl- vania, and Cold Harbor, where he was wounded on the 3d of June, 1864, receiving a grapeshot in the left breast. He was taken by transport to the Armory Square hospital at Washington, D. C., and here his life was threatened by reason of gan- grene having settled in his wound. £ He
rallied, however, and in December, 1864. he was honorably discharged by reason of his disabilities, and returned to his home,
with health seriously impaired. In recog- nition of his services and the sufferings he has endured the government grants him a pension of fifteen dollars per monthi.
Soon after his return home, on the 29th of December, 1864, Mr. Robertson was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Hor- ney, who was born July 10. 1835. in Fay- ette county, Ohio, the daughter of Anderson and Mary Horney. Our subject and his devoted wife have no children of their own, but their home is brightened by the pres- ence of the little daughter of their adopted daughter, who died at her birth. Mrs. Robertson's mother was born in Frederick county, Virginia, in 1803, and was brought by her parents to Ohio in 1810. She was the daughter of Reese and Lydia Baldwin, who were farmers in Greene county, Ohio, and who became the parents of ten children, of whom five are living, namely: Caroline, a resident of Yellow Springs, Ohio; Mary A. : Eliza, widow of James Gist, and a resi- dent of Hollansburg; Hester Hamilton, of Yellow Springs: and David, of Goes Sta- tion, Greene county, Ohio.
Mr. Robertson is fraternally identified with the Grand Army of the Republic, the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a stanch Republi- can in politics. He was engaged in the mercantile business for a quarter of a centu- ry-from 1865 to 1890, and has been since retired from active business, owning and at- tractive home in Hollansburg. and also a house which he rents. He and his wife are consistent members of the Christian church.
In concluson we may revert to the fact that Mrs. Robertson's mother lived to the venerable age of ninety-three years, her death occurring at the home of our subject on the 25th of February. 1900. She came
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to Ohio when this section was a veritable wilderness, and her memory linked the primitive past with the latter-day prosper- ity and advancement. In her religious be- lief she was a Methodist, and her years were a blessing to all who came in touch with her gentle and kindly life.
HENRY J. ROYER.
Henry J. Royer, who is farming on sec- tion 1, Harrison township, is numbered among the native sons of German township, Darke county, his birth having occurred there on the 6th of November, 1845. His father, Henry Royer, was born in Mont- gomery county, Ohio, near Germantown, in 1815, and died in German township, in 1892. The grandfather, George Royer, was a na- tive of Germany and became the founder of the family in America. He spent his last days in Montgomery county, Ohio, and at his death left six children, of whom Henry Royer was the fifth in order of birth. All were married, and with one exception all had children, but none of the sons or daugh- ters of that family are now living. Henry Royer was reared in the Buckeye state, and as a companion and helpmeet on life's jour- ney he chose Miss Caserine Kunkle, of German township, Darke county, whose par- ents were born in Pennsylvania, and were of German lineage. Mr. and Mrs. Royer were married about the year 1836, and the chil- dren born to them were: Fanny, who be- came the wife of Eli Bollinger, and died in Page county, Iowa, leaving a family; John, a representative farmer of Harrison township; Jacob, who follows farming in Iowa; David, who is living in Washington township; Henry J .; Michael, whose home is at Camden, Illinois; George, who resides
in Iowa; and Samuel, who is living in Darke county, Ohio. The mother died in 1854, and the father afterward married Nancy Bollinger, by whom he had ten children, of whom eight reached years of maturity and are still living. Five of the number had families, and the descendants of Henry Royer are now numerous. His second wife is still a resident of German township. He was a self-made man, who entered upon his business career empty-handed, but at his death each of his children received eleven hundred dollars and his widow was well pro- vided for. He accumulated his large prop- erty by unceasing endeavor and his example was well worthy of emulation.
Mr. Royer, of this review, received but limited educational privileges, but his train- ing at farm labor was not meager and he assisted in the cultivation of his father's land until he was twenty-one years of age, when he was married. On the 3d of Janu- ary, 1867, he married Miss Malinda Hamil- ton, who was born in German township in 1845, twelve days after her father's death, her parents being David and Caroline Ham- ilton. Both are now deceased. The chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Royer are: Josiah, a grain dealer of Greenville, who is married and has one son ; David, who is also living in Greenville: Ida, the wife of William Eli, of Butler township, by whom she has one son and daughter; Sylvester, at home; Luella, the wife of Michael McCabe, of Neave township, by whom she has two daughters ; Fanny, the wife of George Eli, by whom she has one son; an infant, who was the twin sister of Fannie, but died unnamed ; Isaac Omar, at home; and Herschel M., who died at the age of four years. The mother of these children was called to her final rest on the 6th of November, 1884, and on the
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6th of September, 1890, Mr. Royer was again married, his second union being with Miss Dinah Bollinger, who was born.in Washington township and is a daughter of John Bollinger. The children of this union are: Glenmore, born August 10, 1891 : Gracie Marie, born September 24, 1892; Nellie Elma, born May 16, 1894; and Oscar Leroy, born May 5. 1896.
In 1878 Mr. Rover took up his abode upon his present farm, which comprises eighty-two acres of land. He also owns a fifty-acre tract on section 12, Harrison township. He superintends the operation of his land, the active work being done by his sons, who carry on farming on the shares. Wheat, corn and clover are the principal crops, and hogs and cattle are also raised. Much of the farm is of a black loam bottom land, and corn crops can be raised for many consecutive years. He feeds nearly all of the farm products, with the exception of wheat, to his live stock. With the exception of the eleven hundred dollars which he in- herited from his father's estate, all that he possesses has been acquired through his own efforts, and he is today the owner of a very valuable property. Upon the home place he has erected a large, pleasant resi- dence and a large barn. All the improve- mients are modern and are kept in good re- pair, showing the owner to be an enterpris- ing, practical and progressive man. He votes with the Democracy and is a Dunk- ard in religious faith, but his wife holds membership in the Christian church. They have a wide acquaintance in Darke county, and their many excellent qualities have in- sured to them the friendship of all with whom they come in contact. The energy and keen discrimination of Mr. Royer have made him very prosperous in his business
undertakings, and he is now accounted one of the substantial farmers of his commu- nity.
DANIEL SNYDER.
The fitting reward of a well-spent life is an honored retirement and a period of rest in which to enjoy the fruits of former toil. This has come to Mr. Snyder, who has put aside the more arduous duties of life and is living quietly at his pleasant home in Rose Hill. He was born in Mississinawa township, Darke county, January 20, 1842. His father, John K. Snyder, was a native of New Jersey, and when a young man came to Ohio, locating in Butler county, where, in 1835, he married Amy Hideley, whose birth occurred February 10, 1818. They had seven sons and one daughter, the latter being Sarah, the wife of F. A. Lehigh, of Illinois. They were married at her uncle's home in that state, and she died in Illinois, when about thirty-eight years of age, leaving a family. The sons are : . Asa, a resident of Rockford, Ohio: George, who is living in Springfield, Ohio; William V., a farmer of Butler county, this state; David; James A., who carries on farming near 'Rose Hill; Cyrus, who died in 1888, at the age of forty-six years ; and John W., a painter of Darke county. In April, 1839, the par- ents came with their children to Darke county, where the father soon afterward purchased six hundred acres of land from the government, for one dollar and a quar- ter per acre. This was divided into five tracts of forty acres, three tracts of eighty acres and a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. The father was a drover and drove his stock to Cincinnati, and was also the proprietor of a country store, and hauled
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his goods from Cincinnati by way of Cas- tine, Darke county.
For six generations the Snyder family, of which our subject is a representative, has been connected with American interests, but many of the sterling characteristics of their Scotch ancestry are shown in their lives. On the maternal side our subject is descended from one of the old families of Pennsylva- nia, and the grandfather, Henry Hideley, re- moved from the Keystone state to Ohio, where he spent his remaining days, pass- ing away at the age of seventy-nine years.
Mr. Snyder of this review is familiar with the story of pioneer life, having ex- perienced the usual hardships. trials and pleasures which fall to the lot of the fron- tier settlers. When the family came to this portion of the state, everything was wild and the forests stood in their primeval strength ; many kinds of wild animals were found, and the cattle and hogs of the pioneer settlers quickly lost the traits of domestic ani- mals by running wild in the woods, and it required considerable strategy to capture them; but they resorted to the plan of cap- turing the leaders of the cattle and tying a handspike some eight feet long across their horns, so that they could not run through the brush, thus preventing the cattle from straying away. The parents were not in a good financial condition, and the privileges which the sons enjoyed were rather limited, but they were early trained to. habits of in- dustry, economy and honesty, and thus be- came practical business men, winning suc- cess in later life. The father, too, by the aid of his sons, accumulated a comfortable property, although he died in the prime of life. His widow afterward married Hugli McKibbon, who proved a kind husband and considerate stepfather.
In his early youth Daniel Snyder learned the harnessmaker's trade, at Greenville, en- tering upon the business in 1858. He had before attended school to a limited extent, but in the practical affairs of life he has gained a good knowledge and is now a well informed man. He continued working at his trade until after the inauguration of the civil war, when he enlisted in the One Hun- dred and Eighty-seventh Ohio Infantry, as a member of Company C. For a year lie was at the front, and returned as a non- commissioned officer. He then resumed work as a harness maker, and carried on the business for a number of years, winning an excellent trade and thereby securing a de- sirable competence. He owns two small farms in Mississinawa township, improved with good buildings and other substantial accessories of the model farm. He has in Rose Hill a four-acre lot, adorned with a comfortable residence, and there he is now making his home and living retired from the active duties of life.
His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, frequently call Mr. Sny- der to public office. He served as the town- ship treasurer for seven years, resigning that position when elected county recorder in the fall of 1886. The following January he entered upon the duties of the office, which he discharged in a most satisfactory man- ner for six years. He served for two terms as postmaster and for a long period has been a member of the school board, doing all in his power to promote the growth of the schools and make them most effective.
On the 31st of October, 1869. occurred the marriage of Mr. Snyder and Miss Lydia I. Winterrowd, who was born in Mercer county, Ohio, July 8, 1850, a daughter of David and Sarah Jane ( Murphy ) Winter-
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rowd. Her parents are both now deceased. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Snyder has been blessed wthi eight children: R. W., who is living at Redkey, Indiana, and has a wife and two daughters ; J. H., who lives on the home farm with his wife and daughter ; Amy, who is married, lives at Germantown, Ohio, and has one son and one daughter ; Sally, the wife of Lee Williamson; Cliff C., a cigar manufacturer of Burkettsville, Ohio; Daniel E., a cigar manufacturer, working for his brother; a son who died in infancy; and Ralph, a manly little lad of seven sum- mers, who completes the family. The daughters display considerable musical tal- ent, and the family is one of prominence in the community, its members occupying en- viable positions in social circles. Mr. Sny- der labored earnestly and untiringly in for- mer years, acquiring a comfortable compe- tence, and throughout his career his honor- able business methods commended him to tlie respect and unqualified confidence of his fellow men.
CHARLES H. MAYER.
Rev. Charles Henry Mayer, the pastor of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church, two and one-half miles northeast of Green- ville, Ohio, is the subject of this biograph- ical outline. In the various callings of men in the activities of life none wield a higher influence in the elevation of their fellows in1 ethical, and Christian culture than min- isters of the gospel. That this is so is evi- denced by the tender bond that unites preacher and parishioner in the insoluble relations of love. He who administers to a spiritual need has performed the highest service one is capable of rendering to a fel- low being, and by its rendition the recipient
almost unconsciously is led to shape his life to meet the requirements of that ever calling "small voice" that prompts men to strive for the attainment of higher aims and nobler purposes in life. The preacher's work must be but poorly done if by his teachings he did not inspire his people to form ideals that are higher than ordinarily emanate from minds not inculcated with highest religious truths. In this connection it may be said of Mr. Mayer that he happily is the pos- sessor of those requisites of natural endow- ment which constitute him an efficient worker in his Master's vineyard.
Mr. Mayer's birth occurred in the his- toric city of Strasburg, province of Alsace, France, now a German state, one of the fruits of victory accruing to German arms It in the Franco-German war of 1871. £ was on the 14th day of February, 1854, that he was born, his parents being Charles Henry and Anna ( Duerringer) Mayer, na- tives of Strasburg, the former born Sep- tember 6, 1829; and the latter November 3, 1826. While yet young in years, the elder Mayer attached himself to the army of France, and, having an aptitude for mili- tary life, he quickly became informed on military tactics, and for his efficiency as a drill-master he was promoted to official po- sition. He was also an expert swordsman, an accomplishment in a European soldier that never fails to obtain recognition from his superiors. He was married in the fa- therland, and in 1858, with his wife and two children, sailed for America and set- tled in Cincinnati, where, for several years, he was engaged in manufacturing brushes. During that time he organized two compa- nies of militia, one German, the other French, of both of which he served as the captain. £ He now resides at Covington,
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Ohio, where he carries on a brush-making business. To him and his wife were given three children, the youngest of whom, Louis, died in France; Charles Henry, and Caro- line, now Mrs. Peter Willman, of Hartford City, Indiana. The elder Mr. Mayer and his estimable wife are members of the Evan- gelical Lutheran church, and are active workers in the same.
The Rev. Mr. Mayer was four years old when his parents crossed the ocean in quest of opportunities which they believed ex- isted in the new world that would lead to higher fortune for themselves and children than would ever be enjoyed in their beloved France.
When he had arrived at a proper age he was put to study in the public schools of Cincinnati, where he made rapid progress in the elementary branches, and when suffi- ciently advanced a private tutor gave him supplementary instruction in German and music. After removing to Covington, Ohio, he attended the high school, where his final preparation for college was made. He then entered the Capital University at Col- umbus, Ohio, where he took the full course, minus mathematics, which he found expe- dient to do to accommodate his slender means, saving by so doing a whole year of time. Subsequently he took the theolog- ical course in the seminary of the same in- stitution, at which he graduated in 1876.
In June, 1876, he assumed his first charge at Hartford City, Indiana, a small congregation which had been split into fac- tions by dissensions. He at once courage- ously set about restoring harmony between the discordant elements in the congregation ; established a parochial school into which he gathered the children of his warring flock, making them largely the medium through
which to accomplish his purpose of restor- ing tranquil relations. In the various de- partments of his work he applied himself vigorously, giving much time and labor to the preparation of sermons that would in- terest and instruct his parishioners. A Sunday school was organized, which became a powerful factor for good, and at the end of a few years his labors were rewarded by the complete restoration of peace and the church being placed in easy financial condi- tion.
December 14, 1876, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Clemmens) Paff, of Columbus, Ohio. The wife's health fail- ing in 1880, at the advice of her physician to make a change of location, he tendered his resignation, which the trustees were loath to accept, and offered him a hand- some increase of salary to induce him to remain. This he declined, that Mrs. Mayer might be given a much-needed change.
In 1880 he received a joint call from the Evangelical Lutheran (St. John's) congre- gation, two and a half miles northeast of Greenville, and the Dininger congregation, four miles west of Greenville. At that time St. John's congregation was small and the seeds of discord had taken deep root, caus- ing much dissension among the members. There was also a heavy church debt hang- ing over them. Manfully putting his "hands to the plow again and never looking hack," Mr. Mayer proved himself capable of his calling by again triumphing over warring discord in a church organization, and paying off a church debt, both of which were accomplished at the end of the first year. In 1882 he organized a congrega- tion at Versailles, Ohio, the effort at first being directed toward restoring a society
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