A Biographical history of Darke County, Ohio : compendium of national biography, Part 59

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 59

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

While careful and conservative, he has always favored projects that would benefit the city without involving unreasonable ex- pense and local indebiedness, and his con- tributions to prospective railroads, diggings for gas, and the like have been liberal. While not connected with any sectarian move- ments, he has respected the views of others and has given bountifully to hospitals, fra- ternal homes and aided needy poor in the matter of house rent and groceries. For the public benefit he has been a voluntary ob- server for the weather bureau of the United States department of agriculture, his rec- ords being accurately kept. With his brother Anthony he collected a room full of aichæological specimens of all kinds, not only displaying them gratis but also endeav- oring to interest the public in matters his- terical. Among the German-Americans Mr. Katzenberger has stood in the foremost ranks because of his intelligence, honesty, affability and kindness. He has willingly given aid and counsel to all. His life is an object lesson of the success attending hard work and plain living.

DANIEL CAUPP.

Daniel Caupp, who owns and operates a valuable farm on section 23. Mississinawa township, was born in Ross county, Ohio, on the 10th of August, 1844, and is of Ger- man lineage. His father, Frederick, Caupp.

was a native of Stuttgart, Germany, born in 1808, and about 1824, when sixteen years of age, he crossed the Atlantic to the new world. He wedded Barbara Zim- mermian, also a native of Germany, and they took up their abode on a farm of forty acres in Ross county, Ohio, where most of their children were born. There were six children by the first marriage : John, who enlisted for the service in the Fortieth Ohio Infantry during the civil war and died of typhoid fever while in service, his remains being interred at Plain City, Ohio; Susan, the wife of AAndrew Horlocker ; Daniel, of this review; David, who died at the age of twenty years, of typhoid fever; Frederick, who died of the same disease and about the same time ; and Gottleib, a farmer residing near the old homestead. The par- ents of this family started out in life in lim- ited circumstances, but their united efforts enabled them to work their way steadily up- ward until they became the owners of a val- uable farm of ninety acres. The father died about 1880, at the age of sixty-five years, and was laid to rest in Pleasant Ridge cem- etery. but the mother still survives him.

Mr. Caupp, of this review, pursued his education in the district schools and remained upon the home farm through the period of his boyhood and youth. No event of special importance occurred during that time, yet his was a busy existence, his time being de- voted to the labors of the fields through the summer months and the mastery of the com- mon English branches of learning during the winter season. He was married October 12, 1873, to Louisa Beal, of this county, a daugh- ter of Isaac and Mary (Miller ) Beal. Their union has been blessed with thirteen children, of whom ten are living, as follows: Lemuel S., who assists in the operation of the home

160

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

farm; David, who is married and lives on a farm in this locality; William: Myrtle, the wife of George Thomas, of Mississinawa township, by whom she has one son : Daniel N., Earl, Florence Iva, Ira and Mabel.

Mr. Caupp votes with the Democracy and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, but has never sought or desired office. He carries on general farming and recently has devoted eight or ten acres to the cultiva- tion of tobacco. His sixty-acre farm was a part of his father's homestead and his rich and fertile tract is under a high state of cul- tivation. He believes it is best to keep his land in good condition and to follow progres- sive methods of farming. He has upon his place a large, fine, frame residence, which he erected in 1858, and near by stand a commo- dions barn and other outbuildings, provid- ing ample shelter for the grain and stock. He has planted many fruit and shade trees around his place, which add much to the comfort and beauty of his rural home. His work has been carried on so systematically and carefully that he is to-day the possessor of a comfortable competence and is regarded as one of the representative citizens of his community-which fact entitles him to men- tion in the history of Darke county.

WILLIAM K. KERLIN.

History and biography for the most part record the lives of those only who have at- tained military, political or literary distinc- tion, or who in any other career have passed through extraordinary vicissitudes of for- tune. The unostentatious routine of private life, although in the aggregate more import- ant to the welfare of the community, cannot from its nature figure in the public annals. But the names of men who have distin-

guished themselves in their day and genera- tion for the possession, in an eminent degree, of those qualities of character which mainly contribute to the success of private life and to the public stability of men who without dazzling talents have been exemplary in all their personal and social relations, and en- joyed the esteem, respect and confidence of those around them, ought not to be allowed to perish. Their example is more valuable to the majority of readers than that of illus- trious heroes, statesmen or writers. Few can draw rules for their own guidance from the pages of Plutarch, but all are benefited by the delineation of those traits of character which find scope and exercise in the common walks of life.

Among the individuals of this class in the state of Ohio none are better entitled to rep- 1 esentation in this work than the subject of this sketch. Hs record is the account of a life, uneventful indeed as far as stirring in- cident of startling adventure is concerned. yet distinguished by the most substantial qualities of character. His life history ex- libits a long and virtuous career of private industry, performed with moderation and crowned with success. It is the record of a well-balanced mental and moral constitu- tion strongly marked by those traits of char- acter which are of especial valne in such a state of society as exists in this country. A community depends upon business activity, its welfare is due to this, and the promoters of legitimate and extensive business enter- prises may well be termed its benefactors.

William K. Kerlin was long prominent in agricultural and financial circles of Darke county, but is now living retired in Green- ville, having recently resigned the presidency of the Second National Bank. He was born in Wayne county, Indiana, March 2,

461

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1832, and is a son of Elijah and Malinda ( Sands ) Kerlin, both natives of Washington county, Tennessee. The paternal grandfa- ther was William Kerlin, a native of Norfolk, Virginia, who loyally served his country as a soldier in the war of the Revolution. He married Miss Elizabeth Iles, who was born in Scotland and during her girlhood emi- grated to America. Her father fought under General Jackson at the battle of New Orleans and located in the south, but after- ward made his way northward to Winches- ter, Pennsylvania. John Kerlin, the great- grandfather of our subject, came from the north of Ireland to the new world, one hun- dred and fifty years ago ; and on the maternal side our subject is descended from one of the old families of Tennessee, his grandfather being Jacob Sands, a native of that state. His wife, however, was born in North Carolina, and bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Brown. Elijalı Kerlin, the father of our subject, was born in Washington county, Tennessee, in 1800, and his wife's birthi oc- curred there in 1808. Leaving the state of their nativity they emigrated to Indiana, in 1831, locating in Wayne county, where Mrs. Kerlin died in September, 1879.

William K. Kerlin, whose name intro- duces this record, was reared in the ustial manner of farmer lads, early becoming an active participant in the work of field and meadow. The district schools afforded him his preliminary education, which was later supplemented by sttidy in a select school at Richmond, Indiana. . On putting aside his text-books he returned to the farm and for a time assisted in its cultivation through the summer months, while in the winter season he engaged in teaching schocl. In 1853 he was married to Miss Hannah Jeffris, of Wayne county, Indiana, and a daughter of

Isaac and Eliza Jeffris, of that county. The parents, however, were natives of Chester county, Pennsylvania.

After his marriage Mr. Kerlin located on a farm in Wayne county, Indiana, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits tintil he was thirty-eight years of age. In 1865 he moved from that county to Harrison town- ship, Darke county, where he continued farm- ing until 1870, when he took up his abode in Greenville. While residing in Harrison township he was elected justice of the peace and was also appointed deputy treasurer, fill- ing the latter position for four years. In 1874 he was elected county treasurer for the regular term of two years and being re- elected served in that position for four con- secutive years, proving a most capable and reliable official. On the expiration of his second term, he gave his attention to live stock dealing and also engaged in loaning money. This proved an introductory work to the banking business and in 1883 he be- came the leading organizer and principal stockholder of the Second National Bank of Greenville. Upon its organization he was chosen its president, which responsible posi- tion he filled until January, 1900, when he re- signed on account of failing health. The success of the institution was due in a large measure to his efforts his known reliability. conservative methods and honorable dealing. which have secured a liberal patronage.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kerlin have been born eleven children, ten of whom reached years of maturity, namely, four daughters and six sons, as follows : Anna E., the wife of Professor Seitz; Emma; Mary W., the wife of D. W. Bowman; Carrie, the wife of Melville Hunt, a clothing merchant in Green- ville : Oscar, who is engaged in the practice of dentistry : John D., a physician of Green-

462

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ville; William L., an undertaker at Fort Wayne, Indiana: Edward J., who is in a freight office in Indianapolis, Indiana : James R., a telegraph operator at Columbus, Ohio; and Leo E., a law student in Cincinnati.

Mr. Kerlin has a good farm of eighty- four acres and also owns considerable city property, including his fine brick residence on West Fourth street. In his political views he is a gold Democrat. In seeking for the causes of his success we find them not so much in their rarity as in their harmonious union, and they may be briefly summed up by saying that he has the tastes of a scholar, the manners of a gentleman and the habits of a man of business,-a combination of qualities that are bound to produce the high- est results. It is no very rare thing for a poor boy in our country to become a pros- perous man and occupy a commanding posi- tion in the business world, but many who have fought their way from poverty to wealth, from obscurity to prominence, retain some marks and scars of the conflict. They are apt to be narrow and grasping, even if not unscrupulous. Mr. Kerlin, however, is an instance of a man who has achieved suc- cess without paying the price at which it is so often bought, for his prosperity has not removed him farther from his fellow men, but has brought him into nearer and more intimate relations to them. The more means he has had, the more he has done for those around him, and numbered among Green- ville's most honored citizens is William K. Kerlin.

JOHN E. BRENDEN, SR.

Among the retired farmers residing in Greenville is John E. Breaden, who is en- joying a rest which he has truly earned and

richly deserves. He has won prominence through honorable business methods, close application, unflagging energy and keen dis- crimination, steadily working his way up- ward until he now occupies a position of affluence. His career has indeed been straightforward and honorable, winning him the respect, confidence and good will of his fellowmen and his example is one well worthy of emulation.

Mr. Breaden is one of Ohio's native sons, his birth having occurred on the 19th of June, 1828, on a farm near Glendale, a small village in Hamilton county, Ohio. His fa- ther, Dr. Jeremiah Breaden, was born on the Emerald Isle, but in early life came to the new world and was married in New Jersey. His wife bore the maiden name of Epenetus Sorter, and was a daughter of Thomas Sorter, a native of New Jersey. With her husband she came to Ohio and they took up their abode upon a farm near Glendale, where they spent the greater part of their lives, Mrs. Breaden dying in Springdale, this state.

John E. Breaden, whose name introduces this review, enjoyed such educational priv- ileges as were afforded in the common schools of Hamilton county, his tutor being Professor Ferman, a most earnest and able educator. On leaving school he entered a drug store belonging to his brother, Will- iam, in Hamilton, where he learned the druggist's business, continuing his connec- tion with that enterprise for three years. In 1850 he came to Greenville, purchased the drug store and stock of J. F. Howell and succeeding to the business he conducted his store there for three years, after which he sold out and removed to Brown township, Darke county, locating on a farm which he made his home for two years. He then re-

463

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

turned to Greenville and became associated in business with John Hufnagle, his father- in-law, conducting a general mercantile es- tablishment until 1865. Once more Mr. Breaden disposed of his mercantile interests in this city and resumed agricultural pur- suits, locating in Richland township, where he engaged in diversified farming. Through a period of nineteen years he devoted his time and energies to the cultivation of field and meadow and to the raising of stock. That period of his life was one of marked in- dustry, guided by sound judgment and char- acterized by careful management, and thus he yearly augmented his capital until lie found himself in the possession of a hand- some competence. When almost two dec- ades had passed he removed from his farm to Greenville, Ohio. His place comprised three hundred and fifty acres of rich and arable land, which was under a high state of cultivation. In addition he raised stock in considerable number, including cattle, hogs and sheep, all of a high grade. He raised sheep for both wool and mutton and his stock brought to him a good income. After his last removal to Greenville he retired from active business, yet superintended his investments.

county bar in 1876 and died June 9. 1897, respected by all who knew him; Marie Eva, born February 8, 1854, and died in infancy ; and Lillian Vincincia, born December 30, 1861, who was educated at St. Mary's of the Springs Convent near Columbus, Ohio, and afterward became the wife of Frank T. Conkling, who is one of the enterprising citizens of Greenville and the capable cashier of the Greenville Bank. They have one son, Pierson Breaden, born June 19, 1887.

Mr. Breaden still owns his fine farm in Richland township and rents it to tenants of whom he requires that it shall be kept in a high state of cultivation. In 1899 he be- gan the erection of one of the finest resi- dences in Darke county, probably unsur- passed by any home in this locality. It is located on North Broadway and is built of stone and brick in a late and beautiful archi- tectural design ; its exterior appearance and internal adornment, together with its splen- did modern improvements, makes it an orna- ment to the city and reflects credit upon the owner. It stands as a monument to his thrift and enterprise in former years and is a fitting abode for one who has led such an active, useful and honorable life, that he may therein spend his last years in quiet re- tirement. Mr. Breaden is a citizen of sterling worth, commanding the esteem of all with whom he has been brought in con- tact and without any special advantages of education in his youth he has advanced. steadily upward step by step to a prominent place among the substantial representatives of Darke county.

On the 29th of May, 1851, Mr. Breaden was married to Miss Anjumila Hufnagle. who was born in Dauphin county, Penn- sylvania, on the 19th of May. 1832, ard is a daughter of John Hufnagle, deceased, who was the president of the Greenville Bank and for many years a leading merchant of the city. U'nto Mr. and Mrs. Breaden have been born three children: John Edward, who was born July 28, 1852, was graduated at Chickering Institute, in Cincinnati. with JOHN D. KERLIN, M. D. the class of 1873, subsequently read law in Careful preparation for the practice of medicine and surgery, together with close the office of the firm of Calderwood & Cole. in Greenville, was admitted to the Darke , attention to the duties of his profession, has 28

464

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

gained for Dr. Kerlin an enviable place in the ranks of the medical fraternity of Darke county, and the record of his life can- not fail to prove of interest to many of our readers, for he is widely and favorably known not only in Greenville, where he makes his home, but also throughout much of the surrounding country. He was born at Whitewater, Wayne county, Indiana, Feb- ruary 27, 1865, and is the second son of W. K. and Hannah (Jeffries) Kerlin. His boyhood days were passed in the county of his nativity, and with his parents he removed to Darke county, living for a time upon a farm, after which the family took up their abode in Greenville. Here he enjoyed the educational advantages afforded by the pub- lic schools, completing the high school course by graduation in the class of 1882. De- termining to devote his life to professional labors, he soon afterward began reading medicine in the office and under the direc- tion of Dr. L. S. Kelsey, of Richmond, In- diana, a noted surgeon of that place. Sub- sequently he entered the Medical College of Ohio, at Cincinnati, and, mastering the regu- larly prescribed course in that institution, was graduated in 1886, with high honors. He won the special prize offered by the col- lege, which was a hospital appointment to the Good Samaritan Hospital, and there he served for one year, supplementing his the- oretical knowledge by practical and varied experience.

On the expiration of that period Dr. Kerlin located in Stelvideo, Darke county, Ohio, where he remained for six years, and i. the fall of 1893 he came to Greenville, where he has since conducted a general prac- tice, giving special attention to surgery, gaining from his faithful performance of each day's duties strength and inspiration

for the labors of the following day. He keeps in close touch with the progress made by the profession through his perusal of medical journals, and carries his investiga- tions far and wide into the realms of med- ical science and research.

In 1893 the Doctor was united in mar- riage with Miss Minnie Martin, a daughter of Eli and Harriet ( Trump) Martin. They have a pleasant home in Greenville and a large circle of friends, and the hospitality of many of the best homes in the city is ex- tended to them. The Doctor is now serv- ing as the health officer of Greenville. So- cially he is connected with Greenville Lodge, F. & A. M .; Greenville Chapter, R. A. M .: the I. O. O. F .; Independent Order of Red Men. and Knights of Pythias, and he finds ample opportunity along professional lines to exemplify the beneficent and helpful prin- ciples which underlie these orders.

PETER ARMSTRONG.

It is with pleasure that the publishers of this volume are able to present the life his- tory of the gentleman whose name appears above and to note the success which he has achieved and the honorable methods he has followed in winning prosperity. His life has been in exemplification of what may be accomplished by determined purpose and un- faltering energy, and in many respects his history is well worthy of emulation. Un- deterred by the difficulties and obstacles in his path he has advanced steadily step by step until he is now found upon the plain of affluence, enjoying the comforts and ad- vantages which have come to him as the re- ward of his well directed labors.

The Armstrong family, of which he is a representative, is of sturdy Scotch origin.

465

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

James Armstrong, the grandfather, was a native of Scotland and emigrated to this country soon after the struggle in which our forefathers secured national independence. He settled in Washington county, Pennsyl- vania, which at that time was an almost un- broken wilderness, and in years of toil cleared a farm, upon which he reared his family and spent his remaining days, an honored and respected citizen of this com- munity. It was upon that farm that John Armstrong first opened his eyes to the light of day, in the year 1793. There he remained until 1818, assisting his father in the work of cultivating and improving the land, and attended the district schools of the neigh- borhood.

In the year mentioned he determined to try his fortune in the more recently devel- oped section of the country, and after a long and tiresome journey through a wild region he arrived in Darke county, Ohio, finding a mere hamlet where now stands the beautiful and thriving city of Greenville. There he sought and found employment at his trade of carpentering, which he had learned in the east. Later he also engaged in the manufacture of brick, carrying on that pursuit in connection with contracting and building for a period of three years. He then disposed of his village interests and en- gaged in farming in Greenville township, but in a short time he again returned to Greenville, where he lived for about two years. In 1833 he purchased eighty acres of land in Jackson township. At that early day the country was covered with heavy forests and it was necessary for this hardy pioneer to cut his own road through the woods. a distance of three miles, in order to reach his land. Such obstacles as these, however, did not discourage him and serve

now to illustrate the sterling character and resolute purpose of the pioneers. What would now seem to be insurmountable ob- stacles seemed but to serve as the impetus for renewed effort on the part of those early settlers, who in the midst of the for- est hewed out their homesteads. Upon his eighty acres of land Mr. Armstrong made a small clearing and erected a

log cabin in which he lived until 1856, when a frame house was built. It is still standing, and in this more modern abode the father passed away July 15. 1864. He was one of the most prominent men in Darke county, who not only ably performed the work of his farm, but also found time to devote to public duties. He was a man of strong mentality and excellent education. Soon after his arrival in Darke county he took up the study of law, which well quali- fied him to discharge the duties of justice of the peace, to which office he was elected. He was afterward chosen associate judge and for a period of six years served in that capacity, filling the position with marked ability and fidelity. On the expiration of his term he was again elected justice and held that office up to the time of his death. He also took a prominent part in town- ship affairs and served his fellow townsmen in all its offices. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican. He was long a faithful and consistent member of the Christian church. contributing liberally to its support and doing all in his power to promote its work, and during its early ex- istence its meetings were held at his home or in a beautiful grove on his land.

Mr. Armstrong was twice married. He first wedded a Miss Vail, and by their union two children were born, one of whom, Mrs. Fanny Douglass, a resident of Jackson

466

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

township, is still living. For his second wife the father chose Miss Elston, a daugh- ter of Levi and Elizabeth Elston. She was born in New Jersey and came to Washing- ton township with her people about 1820. Nine children were born of their union, eight of whom reached years of maturity : Thomas, now deceased; Peter, whose name intro- duces this record: Sarah, deceased; Hugh, who resides in German township; Eliza- beth, who married Silas Hart and is living in Darke county ; John, who met death upon the battlefield March 26, 1865; Mary Jane, widow of Daniel. Dowler and a resident of Washington township; and Catherine, wife of Augustus Stoner, who resides on the old Armstrong homestead in Jackson township. The mother of these children survived her husband several years, passing away in .April. 1884. and thus the lives of two of Darke county's honored pioneer people were ended, but they left behind them the priceless heritage of a good name and the memory of noble deeds.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A Biographical history of Darke County, Ohio : compendium of national biography, Part 59

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