A Biographical history of Darke County, Ohio : compendium of national biography, Part 44

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

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that had divided into two factions, each lay- ing claim to the church property. The mat- ter was finally litigated in the courts and was decided against Mr. Mayer. After this he undertook and completed an organiza- tion on a new basis, erected a new church, and preached there every two weeks in the afternoon for twelve years, leaving it in a highly prosperous condition, so much so that the congregation now maintains its own pastor, who, in addition, serves a small charge at Ansonia.

In 1886 he organized another church at Delvin, Ohio, whichi soon after passed to the charge of Rev. John Lautenschlager, who remains its pastor to the present time.

For the last twenty years Mr. Mayer has untiringly devoted himself to building up the St. John's and Dininger congregations. The handsome parsonage at St. John's was erected in 1884, at a cost of twenty-three hundred dollars without the labor, and in the fall of 1899 was erected the parochial school, at the expense of one thousand dollars, not counting the labor. The cemetery ground has been extended and improved, and, tak- ing all things together, St. John's is one of the handsomest church homes in the county. Its communicants number between two hun- dred and fifty and three hundred, while the Dininger congregation has about fifty com- municants. The services at St. John's are in German; at Dininger, in English. Both are practically free from debt.

Mr. Mayer is a member of the Evangeli- cal Lutheran joint synod of Ohio and adja- cent states. He was the secretary of the western district of the joint synod seven years ; secretary of the Auglaize conference thirteen years; president of the Auglaize conference one year; visitor of the western district three years; and secretary of the

board of directors of Wernlee Orphans' Home, Richmond, Indiana, three years.

In addition to regular pastoral work, Mr. Mayer has found time to contribute to both secular and religious periodicals for many years regularly. He is a forceful, trenchant writer and the emanations from his orderly, well-trained mind receive the commendation they justly merit.

In all his labors Mr. Mayer has been ably seconded by his amiable wife, who has ever proven herself a helpmate in the broadest sense of the word as applied to a minister's wife. Her sunny nature, refined culture and pleasing personality have made her a telling adjunct in aiding her hus- band to carry to fruition his well-con- ceived plans.

Three children were born to Mr. and . Mrs. Mayer, one of whom is living, Eliza- beth, a promising young lady of nineteen years. The deceased children were named Carl H. and Theodore F., both of whom died in childhood.

MARSHALL ADELBERT BROWN.

The cause of popular education is rec- ognized as one of paramount importance in every community, and in furthering the same lias enlisted the effective services of many whose co-operation has been product- ive of the maximum of good. ' The New Madison graded schools have reached a standard of excellence and efficiency that reflect credit not only upon the community directly, but upon those to whom particu- larly is due the admirable result attained. In reviewing the life histories of those who have contributed to the worthy annals of the county, we may thus revert with pleas- ure to the career of Mr. Brown, who has

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for the past eight years been the incum- bent as principal of the schools of New Madison.

Mr. Brown is a native of Harrison town- ship, where he was born on the 14th of De- cember, 1865. Here occurred also the birth of his father, George Washington Brown, on the 20th of December, 1839. The latter's father, Lloyd Brown, was born in Baltimore county, Maryland. July 27, 1807, and his death occurred at his son George's homestead, in German township, Darke county, June 5. 1885. He came to Ohio October 30, 1837, driving a team through and transporting by this means his family and their effects. His wife, whose maiden name was Rachel Miller, was born February 15, 1804, in Baltimore county. Maryland, and there their marriage was solemnized on March 7. 1830. Grand- father Brown, the honored pioneer, had sev- eral brothers, one of whom was blind, and of the family two brothers, Lloyd and Bea- son, and one sister, Honor, came to Ohio in the early days. Lloyd and Rachel ( Mil- ler ) Brown reared five sons and three daugli- ters, of whom the three living at the pres- ent time are as follows: . Elizabeth, widow of David Ketring: David M., one of twins, resides on the old homestead ; and Jesse, a resident of Brightwood, Indiana. Grand- father Brown died at the age of about seventy-eight years, his venerable widow having preceded him February 20, 1884. passing away at the age of eighty years and five days. It is not definitely known whether the Brown family is of German or Scotch extraction, though the subject of this review has made careful search for genealogical data of an authentic order. Grandmother Brown had several brothers, the last of whom died February 28, 1897.

The mother of Marshall A. Brown bore the maiden name of Henrietta Heistand, and she was born in Manner township, Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, on the 29th of April, 1844, her marriage to George W. Brown having been celebrated December 3, 1864. The young couple were married in this county and soon after the birth of their son, the subject of this sketch, settled on the old homestead which continued to be their place of abode until death set its seal upon their mortal lips. They became the parents of four sons and two daughters, of whom we offer brief record, as follows: Marshall A. is the direct subject of this review; Alice L. is the wife of Jesse Woods, of Palestine, German township, this county, and has one son; Bertha E. D. is the wife of Vandalia White, of Harrison township, and has two sons and one daughter; C. H. Brown is a resident of Hollansburg, this county, and has two sons; S. V. Brown, unmarried, resides upon the old homestead, of which he is the owner; and the youngest is William H., a youth of seventeen, who is still at home. He is a graduate the present year in the New Madison high school. The father of these children passed to his reward June 29. 1897, and the mother died on the 30th of August, 1898, so that in death they were not long divided.

Marshall A. Brown, whose name initiates this sketch, received his preliminary educa- tional discipline in the public schools of his native county, after which he matriculated at the Ohio Normal University, at Ada, Ohio, where he graduated as a mem- ber of the class of 1892. Prior to this, however, he had put his scholastic acquire- ments to practical test, his pedagogic career having had its inception in the fall of 1883, in sub-district No. 7, German township,

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being at the time in his eighteenth year, and it is worthy of note in this connection that lic has ever since devoted himself to this, his chosen line of work, having taught each winter consecutively from the start, while his labors in the later years have covered the full school year. He passed the county ex- amination for a teacher's certificate on the 4th of February, 1882, receiving a twelve- monthis certificate. He has taught nine years in four different district schools and his work has been invariably attended with success, so that it was but a natural se- quence that when he assumed the position as principal of the New Madison schools lie should make his influence felt for good from the beginning. He has now held the principalship for eight years, which fact is in itself significant, showing conclusively that the public have an appreciation of his ability as a teacher and an executive. He is thoroughly interested in his profession, and his ambition prompts him to study ways and means and to secure in every detail of the work the best results possible. He now holds a life state common-school certificate. When he took charge of the New Madison schools three teachers were employed and one hundred and eight pupils enrolled; at the present time four teachers are demanded in the work, and one hundred and sixty pu- pils are enrolled. The class of 1900 is the fifth to graduate, but when Mr. Brown as- sumed the principalship there had never been a graduate. The alumni now number fifteen gentlemen and five ladies.

On the 20th of November, 1890, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Sa- rah Elizabeth Teaford, of German town- ship, this county, she being the daughter of Jonathan and Sophia (Smelker) Tea- ford, well known residents of that town-

ship. Mrs. Brown has three brothers and one sister living. Mr. Brown erected a tasteful and attractive residence in New Madison, taking up his abode therein No- vember 3, 1892, and this proves the center of a refined social circle, including the best people of the community, Mrs. Brown pre- siding over the home with grace and dignity and proving to her husband an able coadju- tor in his work. He has won the reputa- tion of being one of the successful and com- petent teachers of the county.

JOHN C. CLARK.

The subject of this review is actively connected with a profession which has im- portant bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of any section or community, and one which has long been considered as con- serving the public welfare by furthering the ends of justice and maintaining individual riglits. He seems to realize in superior measure the importance and value of the profession and the fact that justice and the higher attribute of mercy he often holds in his hands. His professional career has there- fore been one most commendable and has won for him prestige among the leading members of the legal fraternity in the west- ern section of Ohio.

Mr. Clark was born in a log house in Washington township, Darke county, on the 17th of January, 1849, a son of Benjamin H. and Mary ( Martin) Clark. English, German and Irish blood is commingled in his veins, and many of the sterling traits of those nationalities find exemplification in his career. His father was of English and German extraction and his mother was of German and Irish lineage. The former was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania,

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in September, 1821, and removed to Ohio in 1831, when ten years of age, in company with his parents. After reaching man's es- tate he devoted his attention to farming in Ohio. He was married in Darke county to Miss Mary Martin, whose birth occurred in Washington township, in 1830. When our subject was eight years of age his par- ents removed to what is known as the old Clark homestead, four miles north of Green- ville. At that time the land was practically untilled, and the father, with the aid of his young sons, cut away the trees, fenced the property, made ditches and erected substan- tial buildings, making the farm one of the best in the county.

Thus upon the family homestead Jolin C. Clark was reared, working in the fields through the summer months, while in the winter, until eighteen years of age, he pur- sued such studies as formed the curriculum in the district schools of the neighborhood. He afterward attended the high school of Greenville for three years and was thus enabled to secure a teacher's certificate. He had nóopportunity to pursue a college course, but while engaged in teaching he added largely to his fund of knowledge by private study in leisure hours, mastering Latin, high- er mathematics and other sciences, also studying history and English literature Early becoming imbued with a desire to make the practice of law his life work, he began reading law with Judge A. R. Caklerwood and H. M. Cole, on the 6th of October, 1875, and when he had largely mastered the prin- ciples of jurisprudence he successfully passed an examination and was admitted to the bar by the district court at Greenville, in May, 1877. It is said that lie answered correctly every question put to him in that examina- tio11.

Since that time Mr. Clark lias engaged in practice, and his clientage has steadily increased in volume and importance until his connection with important litigated interests is extensive. His success in a professional way affords the best evidence of his capa- bilities in this line. He is a strong advocate with the jury and concise in his appeals be- fore the court. Much of the success which has attended him in his professional career is undoubtedly due to the fact that in no instance will he permit himself to go into court with a case unless he lias absolute con- fidence in the justice of his client's cause. Basing his efforts on this principle, from which there are too many lapses in profes - sional ranks, it naturally follows that he seldom loses a case in whose support he is enlisted. He is always painstaking and thorough in the preparation of a case, and when he enters the courtroom his position as regards the law and its application to the principles involved in his suit is well nigh incontrovertible. At the time that Mr. Clark was a student Ed Breaden was also reading law in the same office, and on the 19th of February, 1878, these two young men commenced the practice of law to- gether, under the firm name of Breaden & Clark. The partnership was dissolved three years later, but they remained close friends until the death of Mr. Breaden. In the fall of 1885 Mr. Clark formed a law partner- ship with General Anderson and Mr. Cheno- with, and their practice was varied and re- munerative. He also hield several offices in the line of his profession, having been elected prosecuting attorney for Darke county, serv- ing from the Ist of January, 1881, to the ist of January, 1886. In the discharge of his duties he manifested marked prominence and fidelity and won the high commenda-

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tion of all interested in law and order. In May, 1893, he became one of the judges of the court of common pleas for the second judicial district. The term of Judge Meeker was at that time nearing its end and he was given the nomination and elected for a term of five years. On the bench Judge Clark was most fair and impartial in his rulings and his decisions were models of judicial soundness. He seemed to readily grasp every point presented, to know the law ap- plicable thereto, and his decisions were framed with due regard to precedent and to the equity of the case. In the summer of 1896 Judge Clark was nominated, in Colum- bus, for judge of the circuit court of the second judicial district of Ohio, competing therefor with some of the ablest lawyers of the circuit, and in the November election he carried his home county by the largest major- ity ever given to any candidate with a com- petitor, but was not elected on account of the unprecedented majorities given against luis party in Franklin and Montgomery coun- ties.

On the 27th of September, 1888, the Judge was united in marriage to Miss Ada J. Greene, a highly educated and cultured lady of Franklin, and their home in Green- ville is celebrated for its gracious hospital- ity. In his political views the Judge has always been a Democrat and has taken a deep and active interest in the success of his party. However, when on the bench he never allowed party politics to influence in any way his official acts. In the campaign of 1880 he displayed such ability that he at once became one of the leaders of his party, and with the exception of the time of his judicial service has since continued to exert a marked influence in its councils. He has always likened public leadership to that of

the duties of a general in command of an army, and has held that the only way to win success is to make good all promises and to inspire confidence in the desirable outcome of the cause in question. These qualities, combined with an excellent knowledge of humane nature and unflagging prosecution of a campaign, will nearly always bring the desired result in a just cause. As a citizen he is public-spirited and progressive, as a friend is true and faithful and as a man is moral and upright. In manner the Judge is very modest and unpretentious, but com- mands that uniform regard which is every where given to true worth of character. He has always resided in Darke county, and the fact that many who have known him from boyhood are numbered among his warmest friends is an indication that his life has ever been honorable and upright.

WILLIAM LUDY.

Success is determined by one's ability to recognize opportunity and to pursue . this with a resolute and unflagging energy. It results from continued labor, and the man who thus accomplishes his purpose becomes an important factor in business circles. Mr. Ludy, through such means, has attained a leading place among the representative busi- ness men of Greenville township, and is now the proprietor and manager of a brickyard near the city of Greenville.

He was born May 3, 1858, in a log cabin in Greenville township, which is still stand- ing, and is a son of Samuel Ludy, whose sketch appears on another page of this vol- ume. He obtained a good business edu- cation in the public and high schools of Greenville, and at the age of twenty-one he began his business career by taking charge

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of his father's brickyard, which he has since successfully operated. It was established Ly his father in 1875, and has since been in successful operation, turning out from one to one and a half million bricks annually at the present time. The product, being of a superior quality, finds a ready sale in the local markets, and is also shipped ex- tensively. Many of the principal buildings of Greenville have been constructed of these bricks, including the school houses, electric light plant and water works. Twenty men are furnished employment in the yards. In addition to the manufacture of brick Mr. Ludy is also engaged in getting out railroad ties, hard wood lumber, etc., during the winter months, and in this way manages to give his employes work all the year round. Besides his business property, he owns one hundred and forty-five acres of good land in Greenville township, and his entire pos- sessions evidence the success that has at- tended his well-directed efforts.

On the 20th of April, 1880, Mr. Ludy was united in marriage with Miss Alice M. Reck, of Gettysburg, a daughter of Levi Reck, and to them have been born four children : John, now nineteen years of age; Maude, seventeen; Grace Alice, twelve; and Laverna, one year. The parents are both active members of the Christian church, and the family is one of prominence in the com- munity where they reside.

LEWIS C. MILLER.

Lewis C. Miller, one of the representa- tive and prominent agriculturists of Darke county, owns and operates a fine farm of one hundred and twenty-six acres on section 9. Greenville township. Its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the careftil sit-

pervision of the owner and shows him to be not only a skillful farmer, but also a man of good business and executive ability. He located where he now resides in 1873, at that time purchasing eighty acres of par- tially improved land, to which he subse- quently added another eighty-acre tract, but has since given a part of this to two of his SOIIS.

Mr. Miller was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, March 6, 1834, and is a son of Chris- tian and Martha ( Stronn) Miller, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. Our sub- ject's maternal grandfather was Enos Stronn, an early settler of Ohio. In 1801, when only a year old, the father was taken to Fairfield county, this state, by his par- ents, Christian and Elizabeth Miller, also natives of the Old Dominion. This was some time before Ohio was admitted to the Union, and near where the Miller family settled was an Indian village. Upon the farm where they first located the grand- parents of our subject spent their remain- ing years, and his parents were also life- long residents of Fairfield county. The father lived to the advanced age of eighty- two years. Ile was a farmer and also a mechanic, manufacturing wagons, plows, etc., and making the first left-handed plow constructed in Ohio, designing the molds himself. Both he and his wife were mem- bers of the United Brethren church, taking an active interest in religious work, while their home was always the stopping place for the ministers visiting their locality.

Lewis C. Miller was reared and edu- cated in Fairfield, and remained there until after his marriage, operating his father's farm and taking care of his parents until their death. As previously stated, he came to Darke county in 1873, and has since re-

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sided upon his present farm. He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Sites, and to them were born nine children, namely : Cletus, Laura, James, Charles, Fannie ; Emma, deceased; Mollie, Mannel and Maude.

Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Miller are active and influential members of the Grand View Union Brethren church. They have always taken a very prominent part in all church work, and assisted in organizing the churches of their denomination at Hill Grove, Coalville and Grand View. Mr. Miller has also been officially connected with his home church for many years, and has led a most exemplary life. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, but takes only a nominal interest in political affairs, such as is exercised by our best citi- zens. He well deserves the high regard in in which he is uniformly held.

SAMUEL LUDY.

This gentleman, who was for a number of years a leading brick manufacturer of Darke county, is now living a retired life in the enjoyment of a rest which he has truly earned and greatly deserves by reason of his industrious efforts of former years. He was born in Frederick county, Mary- land, May 30, 1833, but was only four years old when brought by his parents, David and Mary (Burns) Ludy, to Ohio. His father was also a native of Maryland, the mother of Pennsylvania, and their marriage was celebrated in the former state. On coming to Ohio they located in Miami county, and liere they made their permanent home on a farm, where both died. When they took up their residence there their family num- bered seven children-Daniel, Sarah, Eliza-

beth, John, Mahala, David and Samuel : and in this state three others were added to the family-Eliza, Mary Ann and William. The last named was a member of the Tenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the civil war, and died from disease soon after the battle of Stone river.

Since coming to Darke county, in 1856, Samuel Ludy has resided upon his present place. Being in limited circumstances, lie worked at day labor for a time, and event- ually bought seven acres in Greenville town- ship, for which he paid fifty dollars per acre. For some years he followed farming, but about 1875 he embarked in the manufac- ture of brick, to which he devoted his time and attention throughout the remainder of his active business life.

In Greenville, in 1856, Mr. Ludy mar- ried Miss Christina Guntrum, a daughter of John Guntrum, whose family came from Pennsylvania to Ohio about 1844. By this union were born four children: Willian, who now has charge of the brick business, and is represented on another page of this volume: David; Rebecca, the wife of Peter Roher; and Samuel, who is engaged in ship- ping stock. Mr. Ludy has always taken an active interest in educational matters, and has provided his children with good advan- tages along that line. His son David suc- cessfully taught in the schools of Darke county for twelve or more years.

In 1864 Mr. Ludy enlisted in Company D, Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was one of two men chosen from ten thousand to carry returns from the regi- ment to headquarters. In that capacity he frequently visited the headquarters of Grant, Sheridan, Sherman and other noted gener- als, and remained in the service until May 12, 1865, when honorably discharged. He

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participated in some engagements and was wounded at the battle of Bowling Green, Kentucky, being knocked senseless by a bul- let in the forehead. At another time he was accidentally wounded by the discharge of a comrade's gun, the ball striking his right hand and disabling it.

Though not strictly partisan, Mr. Ludy usually supports the Democratic party, and he takes an active interest in public affairs, having served as the trustee of Greenville township eight consecutive terms, and as in- firmary director six years. He is a man of broad and liberal views, and is willing to give the land of Christian fellowship to all. He is widely and favorably known and it is safe to say that no man in his community is held in higher regard. For a half century he has been a consistent member of the Christian church, and socially belongs to Greenville Lodge, No. 195, I. O. O. F.

HENRY ALTER.

Henry Alter is well and favorably known in Darke county and the history of his life therefore cannot fail to prove of interest to our readers, many of whom are numbered among his friends. He was born in Harris- burg, Pennsylvania, March 16, 1837, and is a son of Jacob and Eliza (Tice) Alter. The former was a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and was a son of William Alter, who was born in the Keystone state and belonged to an old colonial family. The grandfather of our subject was a farmer, miller and distiller and was a man of influ- ence in his community. During the war of 1812, he was captain of a company, raised in his vicinity, that participated in the battle of North Point, Baltimore, Maryland. His

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A Biographical history of Darke County, Ohio : compendium of national biography, Part 44

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