A Biographical history of Darke County, Ohio : compendium of national biography, Part 61

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

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Joseph M. Bickel, of this review, is the eight in order or birth in the family. He- spent his early days upon the home farm, pursuing his education in the district schools of the neighborhood through the winter sea- son. . At the time of early spring plowing and planting he took his place in the fields and assisted in their cultivation until after the erops were garnered in the autumn. Later he attended the normal school at /Ada, Ohio, where he prepared for teaching. In his eighteenth year he had charge of his first school and for twelve years he con- tinued to follow that profession in Darke county. This was but a stepping stone to higher professional labors, however.

Ile came to Greenville and read law in the office of Hon. David L. Meeker, being admitted to the bar in June. 1885. He began the practice of law in Greenville and soon after entered into partnership with Hon. M. T. Allen and Judge James 1. Allread, which connection was continued until Mr. Allen's removal to California, when the firm name was changed to Allread & Biekel. That partnership was continued until the junior member was elected probate judge, in the fall of 1893, having been nominated on the Democratie ticket. He took charge of the office February 9, 1894. He was re- elected in 1896, his term of office expiring in February, 1900. He proved a very com- petent and reliable official and at the latter (late left the position to be succeeded by

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George .\. Jobes. He then resumed the pri- vate practice of law in Greenville and has a large patronage whereby he is connected with much of the important litigation there in the courts of the district. In February, 1900, he entered into partnership with Guy C. Baker, under the firm name of Bickel & Baker, and they enjoy a liberal share of the public patronage. Mr. Bickel owns a good farm in Greenville township and also lias valuable city property.

On the Ist of October, 1883, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Bickel and Miss Mertie Clark, of Wood county. Ohio, a daughter of Silas and Mariah Clark: By their marriage were born two children : Lucile, born October 11, 1885, and Paul C., who was born September 30. 1887. Judge Bickel is a member of Fort Black Lodge. No. 413. F. & A. M., at New Madison, Ohio. For four years he has served as a school ex- aminer by appointment, and he is recognized as one of the most valuable citizens of Green- ville.

As a lawyer he possesses excellent ability, is a close and discriminating student and his devotion to his clients' interests in proverbial. He throws himself easily and naturally into the argument with a self-possession and de- liberation that indicates no straining after effect, but a precision and clearness is found in his statement, an accurateness and strength in his argument which speak a mind trained in the severest school of investiga- tion and to which the closest reasoning is habitual and easy.

JESSE WOODS.

Jesse Woods, deceased, was for many years prominently identified with the agri- cultural interests of German township, Darke

county, Ohio. where his widow still owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which she rents. He was born in Tyler county, Virginia, March 25, 1819, and was a son of James Woods, a native of London, England. The father was a silk weaver by trade, but for about twenty-two years fol- lowed the sea. He was married at the age of forty and died at the extreme old age of one hundred and two years, two months and twenty-six days. His death occurred at the home of our subject in German town- ship and at that time he was the oldest man in Darke county, where he located in 1821.

Jesse Woods was about three years old when brought to this county by his parents and here he was reared to manhood. Throughout life he followed agricultural pursuits and continued to reside on the old homestead in German township, where he died September 3, 1896. He was widely and favorably known and at one time served as a county commissioner in a most credit- able and satisfactory manner. In his po- litical views he was a Democrat.

January 19, 1844, Mr. Woods married Miss Anna Stephens, who was born in Ger- man township July 21, 1822, a daughter of David and Lydia ( Wagner) Stephens, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in Washington county, the latter near Har- risburg. The father enlisted in the war of 1812 when about nineteen years of age, but had to run away to enter the army, as his parents were Dunkards and opposed to war. He was one of the boys employed in carry- ing provisions to the Kentuckians. As a young man he located in Preble county, Ohio, and after his marriage came to Darke coun- ty, making his home in German township throughout the remainder of his life. He died when past the age of eighty-eight years,

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his wife at the age of seventy-five years. In his political views he was a Democrat. Mrs. Woods is the eldest in a family of ten children. seven sons and three daughters, but only four are now living. She has traveled extensively over the United States, visiting Washington, the centennial in 1876 and other places of interest, but is now liv- ing quietly at her pleasant home in Pales- tine, Darke county. She is well preserved for one of her age and is highly respected and esteemed by all who know her. Re- ligiously she is an earnest and consistent member of the Reformed church.

To Mr. and Mrs. Woods were born thir- teen children three sons and ten daughters, namely : Jennie, now the wife of Dr. Squire Dickey, of German township, this county; Ella W., the wife of Thomas J. Perry; Sarah the wife of Charles Harp; Levi, a resident of German township; Rebecca, the wife of John A. Lease, of Greenville; Ada, the wife of James Wilcox, of Palestine; Laura the wife of J. C. Turner, of Neave township; Milton, who died at the age of five years ; Malinda, who died at the age of four years; Cordelia, who died at the age of three years ; Louisa, who died at the age of nineteen years; James, who died in infancy ; and Alice, who died at the age of two years.

JAMES M. LANSDOWNE.

No compendium such as the province of this work defines in its essential limitations u ill serve to offer fit memorial to the life and accomplishment of the honored subject of this memoir, a man remarkable in the breadth of his wisdom. in his indomitable persever- ance, his strong individuality, and yet one whose entire life had not one esoteric phase, being an open seroll, inviting the closest

scrutiny. True, he accomplished much in life, and yet his entire accomplishments but represented the result of the fit utilization of the innate talent which was his, and the di- recting of his efforts along those lines where mature judgment and rare discrimination lead the way. He was indeed an important factor in the business and moral life of the community with which he was connected, and in his death Greenville and Darke county lost one of its most valued citizens.

James Moreton Lansdowne was a native of Clermont county, Ohio, born on the 24th of December, 1846, his parents being Dr. Zachariah M. and Mary Gray ( Hoover) Lansdowne. His father was a native of Kentucky, and in childhood removed to Clermont county, Ohio, where he was reared and married Miss Hoover, a native of that county. This worthy couple became the parents of eight children, James MI. being the only son and second child. About the year 1850 his parents took their family to Cincinnati, and in 1855 came to Greenville, where Mr. Lansdowne, of this review, made his home until his life's labors were ended. In the public schools he acquired his pre- liminary education, which was supplemented by one's years study in Antioch College ; but in 1864, when not yet eighteen years of age, he put aside all personal considerations, and responded to his country's call for troops. Prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he en- listed as a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of hostilities, taking part in the short but active engagements of his regiment, and remaining faithfully at his post until the starry banner of the nation was planted in the capital of the southern Con- federacy.

After his return to Greenville Mr. Lans-

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downe was connected with the business in- terests of the city in various clerical capaci- ties until 1869, when he accepted the posi- tion of cashier in the Greenville Exchange Bank, which position he acceptably filled un- til 1880, when the bank was closed. He ac- cepted a position with the Philadelphia Provident Life & Trust Company, which po- sition he held until the 27th of September, 1889, when he resigned in order to become the cashier of the Farmers' National Bank. in which capacity he served until his death. He contributed in no small measure to the success of both institutions. He possessed excellent business and executive ability, a discriminating mind, sound judgment and never-failing courtesy-qualities which se- cured to the banks many of their patrons. He was justly regarded as one of the ablest financiers and reliable men in western Ohio, and in business circles his reputation was un- assailable.

In private life he was equally respected and honored, for he held friendship inviola- ble, was quick to note and appreciate true worth in the individual, and in his home he could not do too much to enhance the wel- fare and promote the happiness of his wife and children.

On the 26th of September, 1876, in Greenville, Mr. Lansdowne was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Knox, who was born in this city, December 21, 1851. She was educated in Cooper Seminary, in Day- ton, Ohio, and is the only daughter of John Riley Knox, a prominent lawyer of Green- ville, now deceased. She now resides with her mother, and the two ladies enjoy the warm regard of a large circle of friends in Darke county. Mrs. Lansdowne has three children-John Knox, Harry and Zachariah.

As a citizen Mr. Lansdowne was public-

spirited and progressive, and gave a gener- ous and earnest support to all measures which he believed would prove of public benefit. His judgment of such matters was practical and reliable, and his co-operation with any movement was an indication of its worth. For many years he was a leading and active member of the Episcopal church, and a member of its vestry. For some years prior to his death his health grad- ually failed, and for a few months he was confined to his home by tuberculosis until the end came on the 30th of October, 1899.

At a meeting of the board of directors of the Farmers' National Bank, held on the Ist of November, 1899, the following resolu- tions were adopted :

Whereas, Our honored associate, James Ni. Lansdowne, has passed away; be it

Resolved. That by his death this board has lost a wise and attentive adviser and the community a trusted and public-spirited citi- zen. To us, as individuals, the loss is that of a companion and friend, and our sincere sympathy is extended to his widow and fam- ily in this affliction.

Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of the bank as a mark of our esteem and respect for his mem- ory, and as an expression of our apprecia- tion of his many years of valuable service as director and cashier of this bank, and that a copy hereof, signed by each member of this board, be presented to his widow, and that the Greenville papers be requested to publish the same.

G. W. STUDABAKER. WILLIAM KIPP. HENRY ST. CLAIR. J. F. HENNE.

At a special meeting of the vestry of St. Paul's Episcopal church, of Greenville, Ohio. called together on October 31, 1899. to take suitable action in regard to the death of

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our honored and beloved brother vestryman. James M. Lansdowne, upon motion a com- miittee was appointed to prepare suitable resolutions expressive of our loss. The committee reported as follows :

Whereas, In the providence of God our dear friend, James M. Lansdowne, has been called home from the sphere of his earthly labors;

Resolved, That we desire to express in this public way our appreciation of his worth and our sense of the loss which his death has broughit to us.

As a Christian he was loyal and sincere, ever responsive to duty's call and ready to answer the Master whom he followed. As a member of this vestry, his interest was shown by a self-sacrificing expenditure of time and means and effort to promote the welfare of the church in our midst. As a . citizen, in public and private, he made true ! manhood honored in his person.

Resolved, That in the death of Mr. Lans- downe this church and this community alike have suffered a great loss. We extend our sincere sympathy to his family whose sor- row is our sorrow, and we rejoice with them in the name and example he has left behind.

Resolved, That these resolutions be signed by every member of this body and spread upon the minutes; that a copy be sent to Mrs. Lansdowne and copies to our daily papers for publication.

CHARLES H. LEE, Rector. H. A. WEBB, JOHN C. TURPEN, IL'ardens.

These resolutions indicate in unmistak- able terms Mr. Lansdowne's high position in the community, in business circles, in his ; church and in the private walks of life. The veil was lifted to gain the new glory of a true and beautiful life when death set the 1 seal upon his mortal lips. His was the faith that makes faithful. Any monument erected

to his memory will have become dim and tar- nished by time ere the remembrance of his noble example shall cease to exercise an in- fluence upon the community in which he lived and labored to such goodly ends.

WILLIAM CALVIN MOTE.

Numbered among the enterprising and energetie business men of German town- ship is the well-known assistant postmaster of Noggle, who is now successfully engaged in the grain business and in general mer- chandising. He was born n Laura, Miami county, Ohio. April 3, 1841, and on both sides is of good old English Quaker stock. The Mote family was founded in this coun- try by two brothers, who first settled on Penn's reservation, but afterward moved to North Carolina. On account of the insti- tution of slavery then existing in the south the paternal grandparents of our subject. Joseph and Mary Mote, came from North Carolina to Ohio in 1805 and located on the banks of Stillwater river in Union town- ship, Miami county. Later they removed to Darke county and entered land in Van Buren township, the place being still known as the old Mote farm.

Ezekiel Mote, our subject's father, was born in Union township, Miami county, in 1808, and there spent his entire life. He married Grace Vernon, also a native of that county. Her father, Nathaniel Vernon, was one of three brothers who came to this coun- try from England when young men. He settled in Ohio and was the only one of the three to marry. To Ezekiel Mote and wife were born seven children, three sons and four daughters, of whom one son died in infancy, and two daughters are now de- ceased.

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Of this family William C. Mote is the youngest. He was only four years old when his mother died and he was then reared by his grandmother Mote in Burlington, How- ard county, Indiana, until about ten years of age. Returning to Miami county, Ohio, he lived with a sister for a time, and was bound out for four years to work on a farm. At the age of eighteen he began life for himself by working as a farm hand by the month and was thus employed until his mar- riage.

On the 25th of October, 1860, Mr. Mote wedded Miss Rebecca Elleman, also a native of Miami county, where she was reared. Her parents were Enos and Margaret Elle- man, early settlers of Darke county, and the latter a daughter of David Ward, of this county. Of the seven children born to our subject and his wife only two are now liv- ing, namely: David L., who is in partner- ship with his father in the grain business. married Susie Jones, of Laura, Miami coun- ty, and they have two children .- William Clark and Charles Harvey; and Olive C. iş the wife of Harvey Clemm, of Troy, Ohio, and they have two children,-Merrill W. and Herbert. The other children of our subject all died young with the exception of Margaret, the wife of Lewis Hale, who died at the age of twenty-one years.

After his marriage Mr. Mote located on a 'rented farm .in his native county and worked for a man for two bushels of corn per day, when corn was only worth sixteen cents per bushel, though when he contracted to work for that amount it was worth thirty- two cents. He continued to operate rented land until 1880, when he purchased a farm in Union township, Miami county, and in connection with his farming operations lie followed carpentering and contracting for

a time. In 1894 he came to Clark's Sta- tion, Darke county, and purchased a grain house and elevator, and the following sum- mer, when appointed assistant postmaster of that place, he established a general store there, which he has successfully carried on in connection with his grain business. He owns seventy-one acres of land north of the railroad and five acres south of it. His property has all been acquired through his own efforts, perseverance and good manage- ment, for he started out in life for himself empty-handed and has received no aid.

Mr. Mote supported the Republican party until after the election of James A. Garfield and then voted the Prohibition ticket until 1896, when he cast in his lot with the Liberty party, and in June, 1898, helped organize the Union Reform party. He takes an active part in political affairs, was a delegate to the state convention held in Columbus and the national convention held in Cincinnati in 1899. Religiously he is a member of the New Light Christian church and at one time was an active mem- ber of the Grange.

EDMUND CULBERTSON.

Edmund Culbertson, one of the extensive farmers and stock raisers of Greenville town- ship, was born on the old farm August 24, 1861, a son of T. W. and Elizabeth ( Har- per) Culbertson. Samuel Culbertson, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in June, 1801, and emigrated with his family to Van Buren township, Darke county, Ohio, at an early day. He married Miss Rebecca Westfall in 1823 and six children were born of their union, namely : Orin, Mary J., John. T. W .. Elizabeth and James. The privations and

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hardships of pioneer life soon told upon the try schools in the winter. He studied three father's health and he died in 1837. His wife remained upon the homestead and sur- vived him about sixteen years, dying in 1853.

His son. T. W., the father of our sub- ject, was born in Darke county, Ohio, Oc- tober 25, 1828. His educational advantages were necessarily very limited, as a pioneer's life is one of constant exertion for subsist- ence, but such opportunities as did offer in this direction were well improved. Ile learned the brick mason's trade when very young and afterward engaged in farming and stock raising. When a mere lad his father died and from that time until hier death he was the main support of his widowed mother. After her death he went to live with his sister, Mrs. Studebaker, with whom he remained until his marriage, which was celebrated November 26, 1857, his bride being Elizabeth Harper, a daughter of Will- iam S. Harper, a native of Pennsylvania. who then lived in Darke county. Im- mediately after their marriage they removed to a piece of land in section 7 which he had previously purchased. This was timber land and he was obliged to clear off a spot on which to erect a cabin. This constituted the first home of his own and here in the midst of the dense forest they began their domestic life. By their own exertions they soon caused the golden grain to wave where once stood the mighty forest, the rich har- vests bountifully rewarding them for their industry and frugality. They became the parents of seven children : Frank, Edmund, Charlie, William H., Harry, Cora B. and Purley.

Edmund Culbertson, the subject of this review, was reared upon his father's farm. assisting in the labors of field and meadow in the summer time and attending the coun-

years in the Greenville high school and later took a commercial course in the Greenville Business College. After completing his edu- cation he engaged in farming, which occupa- tion he has since followed and is now, in connection with his brother, Charlie, operat- ing their father's farm of two hundred and forty acres. He is also extensively engaged in stock raising. He was united in marriage July 24, 1884. to Elnora Baer, a daughter of Frederick and Mary Baer. at present resi- dents of Springfield, Missouri. Their union has been blessed with five children, namely: Muriel E., Rolla W., Hazel E., Lloyd A. and Mary E.

In his political affiliations Mr. Culbertson is a Democrat and since reaching his ma- jority has been prominent in politics, being often a delegate to county and congressional conventions, and in the spring of 1900 he re- ceived the nomination at the hands of his party for county auditor, having a majority of four hundred and four over four com- petitors. Fraternally he is a member of Greenville Lodge. No. 195. I. O. O. F. He is a rising and popular young man, who counts his friends by the hundreds. His business integrity is established on a sound foundation and he is prosperous, capable and influential.

CHRISTIAN KNODERER.

A native of Germany, Christian Kno- derer was born in Baden on the 5th of Au- gust, 1820, and is a son of Samuel and Frederica (Gerber ) Knoderer. The father was born at Ammenbengen, the county seat of that county, and became the proprietor of a hotel. Both he and his wife spent their entire lives in the land of their nativity.

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the former passing away at the age of sev- enty-four years, the latter in her fifty-eightlı year. In the schools of his native land Christian Knoderer acquired his education and was well fitted for life's practical duties by a thorough intellectual training. He studied German, French and Latin in addi- tion to the elementary branches that are al- ways taught in the schools, and at the age of eighteen years lie was apprenticed to learn the butcher's trade, serving a two-years term. On the expiration of that period he was employed as a journeyman for four years in different countries, after which he embarked in business on his own account in Emendingers, Germany, conducting his market until 1848. He then joined the rev- olutionists and served in the war of 1848-9, being taken prisoner by the forces opposing the revolution. After two months' im- prisonment he emigrated to America, land- ing at New York on the 4th of July, 1850. It was quite fitting that he should reach the home of the free on the anniversary of the day on which the nation's independence was proclaimed, for he was a great lover of liberty, and this element in his character prompted him to join the revolutionists in their opposition to certain features of mon- archical rule in Germany.

From New York city Mr. Knoderer made his way to Reading, Pennsylvania, where he had a brother living. He followed farming for two years in the Keystone state and thence emigrated westward to Illinois. where he remained for nine months. He was also employed in butcher shops in In- diana and in 1856 took up his abode in Darke county, Ohio. For six years he en- gaged in farming in Wayne township. meet- ing with a fair degree of success in his 1111- dertakings, and in 1862 he came to Green-

ville, where he opened a butcher shop, which he has since conducted. Before removing to the farm he was engaged in the grocery business at Piqua. In the conduct of his market he met with prosperity, securing a large and liberal patronage, whereby he won a very desirable income.

In 1854 Mr. Knoderer married Miss Catherine Kern, a native of Baden, Ger- many, born in 1826. For forty-five years she was to him a faithful companion and helpmeet on life's journey, but on the 9th of March. 1899, they were separated by (leatlı, Mrs. Knoderer being called to the home beyond. She was a devoted and con- sistent member of the Lutheran church and a lady whose many estimable characteristics won her the regard of all with whom she came in contact. Socially Mr. Knoderer is connected with Champion Lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he has been a member since 1863, and in his life he exemplifies the benevolent principles of that fraternity. He was the township treasurer of Greenville township in the year 1876, but has never taken a very active part in political affairs, preferring to give his time and energies to his business interests. He has accumulated considerable property and is now the pos- sessor of a handsome competence, which indicates his wisdom in seeking a home in America, where ambition and enterprise are . not hampered by caste or class.

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A Biographical history of Darke County, Ohio : compendium of national biography, Part 61

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