USA > Ohio > Darke County > A Biographical history of Darke County, Ohio : compendium of national biography > Part 71
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ADDISON J. WOODS.
Among the highly respected and well- known citizens of German township, Darke county, Ohio, is Addison J. Woods, who has spent nearly the whole of his life on his farm.
Moses Woods, the father of Addison J., was one of the pioneers of Darke county, where he spent a long and useful life, ac- tively identified with the affairs of his lo- cality. He was of Virginia birth, born June 26, 1793, and when a young man, as early as 1814. came out to what was then called the Western Reserve, stopping first at Cin- cinnati. Then he came north to Darke coun- ty and became a resident of Harrison town- ship. He taught the first school in that township at Yankeetown, in 1819, in a log school house, with paper windows, and for several years taught in winter and farmed in summer. He also worked some at house building. Politically he was a Democrat.
took an active interest in the campaigns and in 1839 was elected county commissioner of Darke county, receiving as compensation for his services the sum of fifteen dollars per year. In 1832 he moved to the farm on which the subject of this sketch now lives, and there Moses Woods lived until 1856, when he moved to Hollansburg. In 1858 he moved to Palestine, where he passed the rest of his life and died, being about eighty- three years of age at the time of his death.
The mother of Addison J. Woods was before marriage Miss Hannah Moore, the date of their marriage being June 27. 1822. She was born March 26, 1794. in Pennsyl- vania, a daughter of Matthew Moore, a native of Ireland. He served seven years in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Woods has in his possession a cone-shaped bottle which his grandfather Moore carried with him during his service in the army. Mrs. Woods outlived her worthy husband several years, passing away May 24, 1891, her age at death being ninety-eight years. They were the parents of six children that reached adult age, and three of that number are now liv- ing, namely: Addison J., Lewis and their sister, Mrs. Caroline McGrew.
Addison Woods was the fourth in his father's family, born in Harrison township June 20, 1830, and was eighteen months old at the time they settled in German township, on the farm where he was reared and where he has ever since resided. This farm com- prises one hundred and sixty acres, is located on section 29 and is devoted to stockraising and the usual crops of the vicinity.
Mr. Woods was married, February 28, 1856, to Miss Hannah Steele, who was born in Butler county Ohio, March 18, 1830, and reared in Darke county. She died July I, 1889. The children of this union were four
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in number, as follows: Alice, born May 14. 1857. now the wife of Theodore Gist, who is engaged in the real-estate business in Indian- apolis, Indiana : they have one son, Addison, born March 9. 1879. Lillie, born December 27, 1870, who died in infancy; William, born January 29, 1874, who also died in infancy; Caldwell, born September 16, 1863, on the home farm with his father, married Ella Chenoweth, a native of this county and a daughter of Wesley Chenoweth, of Hollans- burg.
In his political affiliations Mr. Woods is Democratic. His father was a member of the Christian church, but he has never identi- fied himself with any church, nor is he a member of any secret societies. He has always been known as an honorable, upright citizen, and is justly entitled to the esteem in which he is held by all who know him.
A. L. EIKENBERRY.
The records of the lives of our fore- fathers are of interest to modern citizens not alone for their historical value. but also for the inspiration and example they afford. Yet we need not look to the past ; although surroundings may differ, the essential con- ditions of human life are ever the same and man can learn from those around him if he will heed the obvious lessons contained in their history. Turning to the life record of A. L. Eikenberry, studying carefully the plans and methods he has followed, he will learn of splendid business and executive ability. He is a man of keen perception, of great sagacity and unbounded enterprise. and in addition is an excellent manager. He is today the senior partner of the firm of Eikenberry & Christopher, the proprietors of the Mozart department store at Greenville, Chio.
A native of Darke county, he was born in the vicinity of Palestine, April 1I, 1857, and is a son of Dr. R. L. Eikenberry, whose birth occurred in Preble county, Ohio, in 1837. The paternal grandfather, David Eikenberry, was a native of Virginia, and became one of the early settlers of the Buckeye state. He married Miss Hannalı Cloyd. a representative of one of the pioneer families of Ohio. Dr. Eikenberry was reared to manhood under the parental roof, prepared for professional life and for many years was engaged in the practice of medi- cine in Preble county and western Ohio. He also practiced in Indiana for several years. In 1850 he married Catherine Gever, a na- tive of Preble county and a daughter of George Geyer, who was born in Pennsylva- nia. To this union four children were born: Oscar B., of Eaton, Ohio; William H., of Greenville : Albert L., of this review, and Ida MI., the wife of D. O. Christopher. of Greenville.
A. L. Eikenberry, whose name introduces this record, spent his early boyhood days in Randolph county, Indiana, to which place his parents removed during his early boy- hood. He acquired the rudiments of a com- mon school education in the schools near his home, and completed his literary course in a select school. He then started out to make his own way in the world, and entered upon his business career in the capacity of clerk in a store in West Alexandria, Preble count- ty, belonging to 'his brother, O. B. Eiken- berry. There he remained in the capacity of salesman for eight years, at the end of which time he and David O. Christopher purchased the interest in his brother's store, which was then conducted under the firm name of Eikenberry & Christopher. This relationship was maintained for five years,
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on the expiration of which time they sold their interest, removing to Greenville in 1894, where they built a fine brick block, which was totally destroyed by fire June 16, 1895. They immediately built in its place a large and substantial brick block, 66x165 feet, and three stories in height, which is known as the Mozart store. The three floors and basement are all occupied by their goods, thus securing to them thirty thou- sand square feet of floor space. Their trade has steadily increased and they have con- stantly enlarged their facilities in order to meet the growing demand. They now em- ploy from twenty -- five to thirty-five persons, and not only enjoy a large local patronage but also ship their goods into all the coun- ties in this part of the state. The stock is varied and well selected, including every- thing found in a first-class department store.
In 1885 occurred the marriage of Mr. Eikenberry to Miss Alice Black, of , West Alexandria, Ohio, a daughter of Joseph Black. She was born and reared in Preble county, and by her marriage has become the mother of five children, three daughters and two sons, namely: Joseph, Harley, Lorine, Juneita and Heldred. The family occupy an elegant residence, which is celebrated for its hospitality. The members of the house- hold occupy a very enviable position in social circles, and have many friends in the com- munity. Mr. Eikenberry belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and as a citizen is public-spirited and progressive, withholding his support from no measure or movement which he believes will prove of public good.
He is very practical in his business meth- ods, systematical and methodical, and at all times is perfectly reliable in his business transactions. For some years he has de-
voted his entire time, and concentrated all his energies, to the supervision of the active details of his business, and his has been the will to resolve, the understanding to direct and the hand to execute all of the various transactions. His worth as a man and citi- zen is widely acknowledged and he has con- tributed in a large measure to the commer- cial prosperity of Greenville.
ISAAC F. DEARDOFF.
The subject of this genealogical record is so well known throughout Darke county that he needs no introduction to the readers of this volume. He is the efficient township trustee of Brown township, having held this important office for the past two years. . \s the name implies, Mr. Deardoff is of pure German extraction in the agnatic line, and individually he gives full indication of those sterling traits which have made the Teu- tonic race such a power in the economies of the world. He is a native of Warren county, Ohio, having been born in the vicinity of Franklin, July 17, 1837, being the fourth in order of birth of the four sons and one daughter of John and Saralı ( Rush) Dear- (loff, and being now the only survivor of the family, though all of the children lived to attain maturity. It is presumed that the fa- ther was born in New Jersey, the date of his nativity being .August 23, 1804, and he died October 6, 1861. He accompanied his parents on the long and monotonous over- land trip to the wilds of the western frontier, their destination being Warren county, where the Indians were far more in evidence than the white settlers, who were just be- ginning to open up the way for civilization. The only pathway through the forest was the Indian trail indicated by blazed trees,
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and at this time a colony of people came in company and all aided in erecting the prim- itive log cabin home for each family in turn. The father of our subject was a cabinet- maker by trade and also a carpenter, and his services were in ready requisition at all times. He remained with his parents until he attained his majority. beginning life on his own responsibility as a poor man, but strong in courage and in capacity for con- secutive endeavor. His father showed his wisdom by entering from the government a large tract of land between Greenville and Ansonia, and it was on this tract the family located as pioneers of Darke county. The father of our subject came to Greenville and worked at his trade, and here he met and married Miss Rush. after which he returned with his wife to Warren county. In 1840 he located permanently in Darke county and liere he resided until his death. He was a man of great industry and unswerving in- tegrity, being firm in his convictions and having the courage to maintain them. He was a Jacksonian Democrat, stanchily sup- porting the principles of the party through- out his life. He never aspired to official preferment, but was a valued counselor in matters of public polity in the community. bing a strenuous advocate of the cause of popular education and of all legitimate im- provements in the locality. Mr. Deardoff. of this sketch, has in his possession one of the oldest family bibles the biographer lias thus far found in the county, the entries dating back as far as 1828 and being made with the old quill pen of the early day. This volume is cherished as a valuable relic in the family.
The mother of our subject was born near Chillicothe, Pickaway county, Ohio, March 1, 1810, and she entered into-eternal
rest June 3, 1892. She accompanied her parents to Darke county when a mere child, and the settlers erected palisades about the primitive cabins for th protection of the families from the depredations of the In- dians. It is a matter of record that the mother of our subject, when a small child, was nearly enticed from her home by an In- dian squaw, who made offers of bright orna- ments to attract the child through the palisade, but she was fortunately rescued by old "Uncle Thomas" McGinnis, who thwarted the plans of the would-be abductor. Mrs. Deardoff was reared in the Baptist faith and both she and her husband are sleeping their last sleep in the Greenville cemetery, where rest many others of the honored pio- neers of the county.
Isaac F. Deardoff was about three years of age when his parents removed to Darke county, and here he has maintained his home ever since, having received his education in the common schools. His educational ad- vantages were meager as compared with those afforded the youth of to-day, but he made the most of the few months which he could devote to his school work each year. and his natural predilection for study and the reading of good literature has made him a man of broad and exact information. So often has the pioneer school, with its pun- cheon floor, slab desk and benches and other primitive equipments, been described in this compilation that we deem it supererogatory to more than mention the fact that our sub- ject's first scholastic training was received in one of these little log school houses. He re- mained with his parents until his marriage, which was solemnized on the 12th of No- vember. 1865, when Miss Amanda F. Davi- son became his wife. To them were born tliree sons and three daughters, and in the
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succeeding paragraphi we give a brief record concerning the children, all of whom are living
Hattie is a professional modiste and is ; schools of the early days. Her father was born April 8, 1798, and his death occurred February 23, 1881. Her mother was born May 23, 1807. and died March 22, 1847, having been a Quaker in her religious views.
located in the city of Chicago, where she conducts a successful business. She was educated in the Greenville high school, after which she learned the millinery and dress- making business, in which she was engaged for five years in Ansonia. Mary A. is the wife of George Barron, of Dayton, Ohio, and they have three sons,-Louis, Earl and Roy. Robert J., a professional miller by trade, is located at Arcanum, Ohio, and is a young man of marked business ability. He married Miss Ada Stafford. In politics he is a Democrat and fraternally is identi- fied with the I. O. O. F. Frank is at home with his parents and takes special interest in all details of the farm work, for which he seems to have a natural inclination and taste. He was educated in the Greenville public schools, as were the other children, being especially strong in mathematics and penmanship. He is a member of Ansonia Lodge, No. 605, I. O. O. F. Augustus has shown a marked talent as a musician, hav- ing prosecuted his studies in the Cincinnati Musical College. and he intends to devote himself to the musical art as his profession in life. Nellie E., the youngest of the chil- dren, is attending school and is making ex- cellent progress in her studies.
Mrs. Deardoff was born in Richland township, this county, December 16, 1841, being the seventh of the eight children- three sons and five daughters-born to Rob- ert and Mary (Stratton) Davison, and four of the children are yet living. The full genealogy of the Davison family is given in the record of Oscar Davison, ex-treasurer of Darke county. entered on other pages of
this work. Mrs. Deardoff spent her girl- hood days in Richland township, and, like : her husband, she attended the primitive
Mr. Deardoff is a stanch Democrat in his political allegiance, having cast his first presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas. He has served as delegate to county. congres- sional and senatorial conventions of his party and has been an active worker in the party ranks. He was elected land appraiser in 1889 and in 1898 was chosen township trus- tee of Brown township, which office he still holds, administering its affairs to the satis- faction of his constituents and ever aiming to advance the general welfare of the county. He is conscientious in every action and his honesty and integrity have never been brought into question in any of the relations of life. He has been a strong advocate of the cause of education and has served as a school official in his district and township. Socially he is a member of Greenville Lodge, No. 195. I. O. O. F., in which he has passed all the chairs, as has he also in the encamp- ment of the order. Mrs. Deardoff is a mem- ber of the adjunct organization the Daugh- ters of Rebekah, Lodge No. 396. at An- sonia. Our subject and his wife are kind, benevolent and God-fearing people. believ- ing in the golden rule as a guide in the walks of life and being charitable and liberal in their views and judgment. They have aided in the erection of the Lutheran. the Meth- odist and the Christian church edifices in this township, realizing the value of all Chris- tian work. Their estate comprises eighty acres of good land. well adapted to the cul-
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tivation of the cereals and other products raised in this locality, and the family are held in the highest esteem by all who know them.
MRS. ANNA W. STAHL.
The fair ladies of our state and nation play a most conspicuous part in the true record which makes the aggregate of our history, and they are becoming an important factor in all avenues of business and pro- fessional life. The lady whose name ini- tiates this review comes from one of the well-known and highly honored families of Richland township, and she conducts her OWn estate with thorough business acumen. Mrs. Stahl was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, near Dillsborough, on the 29th of July, 1860, being the fourth in order of birth of the six children of Andrew and Mary ( Whiteford ) Whiteford. Of the three sons and three daughters the only survivors are Mrs. Stahl and her younger brother, James C., who is a commercial traveler for the Plano Manufacturing Company, having his territorial assignment in the state of Ohio. He was educated in the common schools and in the public schools at Gettysburg, being a young man of fine mind and exemplary hab- its and standing high in the estimation of all who know him. He is honorable and in- dustrious, and has business faculties of a high order. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, at Greenville, this county, and he is a devoted member of the Presbyterian church in that place.
Andrew Whiteford, father of Mrs. Stahl, was born near the famed old city of Glas- gow, Scotland, and in the land of heather and shaggy wood he remained until he had attained hs legal majority. He wedded his bonnie lassie in his native land, and, leaving
her to the tender care of those near and dear, bade farewell to his native land and came across the Atlantic to lay the foundation of his fortunes in America. He sailed from Liverpool in a sailing vessel, and the voy- age was of seven weeks' duration. He came direct to Aurora, Indiana, where he was a stranger in a strange land and among strange people, being fortified with but little of this world's goods. He remained here about one year, as a wage earner in a saw-mill, and then sent for his wife, who came across the ocean in a steamer and joined her husband. They began as renters and it was about 1870 that they came to Greenville township, this county, where they rented land. Tlie first purchase of land was the present estate of ninety acres, in Richland township, and licre they settled and lived until the death of Mr. Whiteford, October 23, 1893. The first home erected was a primitive log cabin, and at this time there were few improve- ments to be found in the county. There was not a mile of pike road, and quite a number of the railroads were built after they emigrated to Darke county.
The devoted mother of our subject died September 7, 1877, in Brown township. Both she and her husband were strict Pres- byterians in their religious belief, and Mr. Whiteford aided financially in erecting the beautiful brick church in Greenville, and all benevolences were sure of the hearty interest and support of this worthy man and his gentle wife. Mr. Whiteford was a man who stood firm in all his convictions, was animated by the most inflexible integrity, and his word was as good as his bond. He and his wife lived lives that were exemplary in character, and this is a rich and valued heritage to hand down to their children- far better than riches and gold. In politics.
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Mr. Whiteford was a stanch Republican, and always upheld the principles of his party. The parents of our subject sleep their last sleep in the beautiful cemetery at Greenville, and their resting place is indicated by a beat- tiful stone which was there erected by their children and which stands sacred to their inemory.
Mrs. Stahl was reared in her native state of Indiana till she was a maiden of ten sim- mers, having spent about three years in the schools there. The major part of her edu- cation, however, was received in the Anso- nia public schools, of which she was one of the first graduates, being a member of the class of 1877. She passed the teachers' ex- amination, after which she devoted herself to pedagogic work for two years in the An- sonia schools. She was successful in her work, but at this time her dear mother died, and she relinquished all her previous plans, giving up her chosen profession, to come home and act as her father's compail- ion and housekeeper. She made his last years as pleasant as she could, ably fulfill- ing her filial mission. She is possessed of that kind and affectionate nature which al- ways wins lasting friendships, and the poor and needy never need go empty-hande.1 from her door.
The marriage of our subject to H. J. Stahl was celebrated May 4, 1893, and one little son graces this union, Whiteford J., who was born October 19, 1894. the sunbeam of his mother's home. Mr. Stahl was born in Adams township, Darke county, January 7. 1853. and was reared and educated here. His lineage traces back to German extrac- tion, being of the old Pennsylvania stock. He was successful in life, and all he had was accumulated through his own industry and careful methods. He was held in the
highest esteem by the citizens of Darke county, living a noble and upright life, well worthy of emulation. He was first mar- ried to Miss Lottie Long, who bore him one son, Walter E., who is a young man of high standing in Richland township. He re- sides with his stepmother, and their mutual love and devotion could scarcely be greater were they, indeed, mother and son. He is a young man of marked intellectuality, being a fine mathematician, and he is bound to make for himself a place of honor and usefulness in connection with the active du- ties of life. Mrs. Lottie ( Long) Stahl died February 13. 1891, when her son was a lad of twelve years. She was a member of the Christian church at Beamsville, and was a representative of one of the pioneer fami- lies of the county.
Mr. Stahl had two brothers in the civil war, and one died from wounds received in the battle of Chattanooga. He was buried on the battlefield. Mr. Stahl was a Repub- lican in politics, and his first presidential vote was cast for Rutherford B. Hayes, in the centennial year. Ile was an ardent sup- porter of his party, and locally his influence was always cast on the side of all that made for the general welfare and the advance- ment of the interests of his fellow men. He was a stanch friend of the cause of educa- tion, and he served effectively as a director of the home schools. His life was as an open volume to the people of the commu- nity, and his memory is held in lasting honor by all who knew him. He believed in the Golden Rule, and lived to it day by day, and his daily admonitions to his children were ever creditable to him as a father. His was a pure and noble life, and the death of such a man leaves a void which cannot be filled. Mr. Stahl was summoned into eter-
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nal rest November 20, 1898, loved and es- teemed by all, and his widow now resides Of her estate with her loving children. The sacred memory of the husband and father will ever cling about the home. We are pleased to perpetuate this brief record of Mrs. Stahl and her family in this genealog- ical history of Darke county, and in all the days to come such a compilation will have a place of distinct and unmistakable value.
MRS. SAMUEL BAILEY.
Mrs. Bailey is a native of Darke county. Ohio, where she was born on the 22d of Oc- tober, 1852, being the second in order of birth of the eight children of Moses and Hannah D. ( Mendenhall) Teegarden. Of the four sons and four daughters only two are now living-Mrs. Bailey, the immediate subject of this review, and her brother. William W. Teegarden, who is a promi- nent attorney of Greenville, this county.
Moses Teegarden was a representative of one of the pioneer families of Darke county, and here his birth occurred on the 9th of December, 1827. He died in the prime of his useful manhood, his demise having taken place on May 19. 1875. He was educated in the common schools of his native county and was reared under the in- vigorating discipline of the pioneer farm, devoting his attention to agricultural pur- suits until the end of his life. He was a man who gained and retained the uniform respect and confidence of all who knew him. In the paternal line he was of Holland Dutch lineage, as the name indicates. He com- menced his life work with only his physical strength, his industrious habits and his up- right character as stock in trade, but this proved adequate capital. and success at-
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