A Biographical history of Darke County, Ohio : compendium of national biography, Part 77

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

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After his marriage Mr. Foureman lo- cated on eighty acres of land, one mile north of the homestead, which was given him by his father, and for fifteen years he success- fully operated that tract which he cleared and improved by the erection of good build .. ings. He then traded it for the old home- stead; upon which he also made many im- provements, but in March, 1894, he removed to his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he erected a barn 72×46 feet, in the spring of 1900. Besides this prop- erty owns an adjoining farm of one hun- dred and twenty-three acres. He is wide- awake and energetic and usually carries for- ward to successful completion whatever lie undertakes. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Republican party. He has served as township trustee three years, and is now serving his second terni as township treasurer.

WILLIAM E. GUNTRUM, M. D.

A man's reputation is the property of the world. The laws of nature have for- bidden isolation. Every human being sub- mits to the controlling influence of others, or as a master wields a power for good or evil on the masses of mankind. There can be no impropriety in justly scanning the acts of any man as they affect his public, social and business relations. If he be honest and successful in his chosen field of endeavor, in- vestigation will brighten his fame and point the path along which others may follow with like success. Dr. Guntrum is one who has attained enviable prestige as a representative of the medical profession and his prominence is accorded him by reason of his superior

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ability, for in the science of medicine ad- vancement comes only through individual merit.

Dr. Guntrum not only deserves represen- tation in this volume as one of the leading physicians of Greenville, but also because of his connection with one of the honored pio- neer families of Darke county. His paternal grandfather settled in Greenville township, Darke county, in the green woods, and clear- ing away the trees developed a good farm, which he placed under a high state of culti- vation, continuing to make his home thereon until his life's labors were ended in death 111 1865. He was born in Pennsylvania and married Martha Gingrich. One of their chil- dren was John Guntrum, the Doctor's fa- ther. His birth occurred in Darke county on the 15th of December, 1839, and after arriving at years of maturity he married Miss Rebecca Jamison, also a native of this county, where she grew to womanhood and was married. Her father, John Jamison, was also one of the early settlers of the lo- cality, having located in Greenville town- ship when it was a frontier region. John Guntrum followed farming for many years and later in life conducted a meat market in Greenville, where he was well known as a reliable and industrious business man.

The Doctor was reared upon his father's farm, where he remained until eighteen years of age. The district schools afforded him his early educational privileges and his busi- ness training was received in the fields, where he assisted in planting and harvesting the crops. Not wishing to make agriculture his life work, however, he resolved to devote his energies to the alleviation of human suffer- ing, fitting himself for the practice of medi- cine as a student in the office of Dr. A. F. Markwith. He began his studies in 1887

and subsequently took a course of lectures in the Ohio Medical College, of Cincinnati. He took his second course at the Starling Medical College, at Columbus, and was grad- uated in the Ohio Medical College in the class of 1893. He began practice in Stel- video, Darke county, where he met with grat- ifying success, remaining in that town for seven years. He then removed to Green- ville, where he is now well established in general practice. He is a member of the Darke County Medical Society and is a reader and student of current medical jour- nals as well as the text books, thus keeping abreast with the progress which is contin- ually being made in the science of medicine.

The Doctor was inarried on the Ist of May, 1894, the lady of his choice being Miss Maud Rupe, a daughter of Martin Rupe, who belonged to one of the old fam- ilies of the county. Both Dr. and Mrs. Guntrum enjoy the warm regard of a large circle of friends in Greenville and have a wide acquaintance in Darke county, within whose borders they have spent their entire lives. Socially the Doctor is connected with the Improved Order of Red Men. His man- ner is genial, his deportment courteous and kindly, and these qualities, added to profes- sional skill, have made him a popular physi- cian of his native county.

CHRISTIAN D. GROFF.

This worthy citizen of Painter Creek, Franklin township, is of German descent, his great-grandfather having come to this country from Germany in company with two brothers and settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he spent the remainder of his life. Our subject's father, Abraham Groff. was born in that county in 1801 and

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in early life learned the trade of a fuller with his father. He married Nancy Dunkle and in 1849, with his wife and family, came to Ohio in wagons, landing near Covington, Newberry township, Miami county, after twenty-eight days spent upon the road. Soon afterward he purchased eighty acres of land in Newton township, the same county, for which he paid six hundred and fifty dollars. At that time it was mostly wild land and the few buildings standing thereon were of logs. To the further improvement and cultivation of that place he devoted his energies through- out the remainder of his life, dying there about 1870. He took no active part in pub- lic affairs, was a God-fearing man, a devout Christian and a faithful member of the Ger- man Baptist church. His wife died some years later at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mary Dunkle, of North Star, Darke county.

To this worthy couple were born sixteen children, as follows: Daniel, born in 1826, came to Ohio prior to 1849 and died of typhoid fever a short time after his arrival; Abraham, born in 1828, died in 1833 ; Annie, born in 1830, died in 1833; Elizabeth, born in 1831, married David Murray and died in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1850; Martha, born in 1833, married Daniel Groff and died in Newton township, Miami county, in 1853 ; Christian D., our subject, is the next in order of birth; Joseph, born in 1836, is a farmer of Newberry township, Miami county ; Nancy, born in 1838, is the wife of Emory Jenkins, of North Star, Darke county ; Samuel, born in 1839, married Sarah Smith and moved to Ionia county, Michigan, where he was ac- cidentally killed ; John, born in 1841, died in 1859; Jacob, born in 1842, died in 1843; Mary, born in 1844, is now the wife of John Dunkle, of Piqua, Ohio; Nathaniel, born in 1846, married Emma Patterson and lives in

North Star; George, born in 1848, is a quartz-mill builder in the state of Colorado; Henry, born in 1851, died in 1856; and Susanah, born in 1853, died in 1855.

Christian D. Groff was born January 20, 1835, near Lisbon, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in which state he was reared as a farmer boy and attended school until his fifteenth year, when he accompanied his par- ents on their removal to Ohio. He was an industrious lad, willing to work and was of great assistance to his father in clearing the land and tilling the soil. When the farm work was done he attended school during the . winter months and partly learned the carpen- ter's trade.

On the 5th of December, 1858, Mr. Groff was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Smith, who died July 25, 1868. By that union he had four children, namely : Sarah, now the wife of William Sellers, of Paulding county, Ohio; Ellen, wife of Moses Fry, of Perry county, Michigan; Henry, who married Eva Fox; and Abner, who died in infancy. In 1869 Mr. Groff married Miss Margaret, daughter of John Spade, of Franklin township, Darke county. She died in October, 1894. The children born to them were: Amos, who married Mattie Rupert and lives in Missouri, near the Kan- sas line; Mary, wife of William Collins; Martha, Emma and Jesse, who all died in in- fancy; Clara, wife of Walter Pifer, of Get- tysburg, Ohio; Nancy, who died in infancy ; Cora and Dora, twins, the latter deceased ; and Susie, at home.

After his first marriage Mr. Groff lo- cated on a tract of twenty acres near his father's farm and continued to work at his trade until 1860. In 1863 he removed to the farm of his father-in-law, Henry Smith, south of Bradford, in Newberry township,

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Miami county, which he rented for three years. He then sold his twenty-acre tract and purchased a farm of forty acres on Painter creek, Franklin township, and the following spring bought eighteen and a half acres adjoining, with the buildings thereon, into which he moved. At the end of four years he sold that property and purchased his present farm of one hundred and thirty- eight acres of land, a part of which is now within the corporate limits of Painter Creek and which has been divided into town lots. Mr. Groff has always been a hard working man, of known reliability, and is entirely self- made, his success in life being due to his in- dustry, perseverance and good management. He cast his first presidential vote for Lincoln and has since been a stalwart supporter of the Republican party. Religiously he is a de- vout member of the old order of Dunkards, and commands the confidence and respect of all with whom he comes in contact, either in business or social life.

HENRY J. BISH.

Prominent among the prosperous and in- fluential farmers of Darke county who have been the architects of their own fortunes and have builded wisely and well, is the subject of this sketch, whose home is on section 20. Neave township,-a man honored. respected and esteemed wherever known, and most of all where he is best known.

Mr. Bish was born September 8, 1832, in Carroll county, Maryland, about thirty miles from Baltimore, and is a son of Will- iam and Catherine (Bixler) Bish, also na- tives of Carroll county, and of German de- scent. though their respective fathers, Adam Bish and Peter Bixler, were both born in Maryland, where they spent their entire lives

as farmers. William Bish was a tailor by trade, but he also engaged in agricultural pursuits and in politics was a Democrat, tak- ing an active interest in political affairs. He died in his native county about 1874, at the age of seventy-four years, his wife Decem- ber 30, 1875. ,at the age of seventy-three. In their family were twelve children, of whom eleven grew to adult age and seven are still living.

Of this family Henry J. Bish is the fifth in order of birth and the fourth son. He was reared and educated in his native place, where he remained until twenty years of age and then came to Ohio, arriving in Montgomery county with only one dollar and a half with which to begin life for him- self. Having previously learned the miller's trade, he soon found employment in a mill at Dayton, where he remained about two years. At the end of that time he located on a farm thirteen miles west of that city and engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account.

In November, 1855, Mr. Bish was mar- ried there to Catherine Clemmer, a native of Montgomery county, and five children were born to them: Phœbe died at the age of twelve years. Mary Frances married John- son Warner and they had two children,- Herman and Harry. She died December 12, 1892. Eva Jane is the wife of James Lam- berton, of Greenville township, Darke coun- ty. Emma is at home. Ward C. is a resi- dent of Union City, Indiana.

Mr. Bish continued his residence in Montgomery county until 1873, when he came to Darke county and located on the farm where he still makes his home. He has always engaged in general farming, and that hie thoroughly understands his chosen vo- cation is evidenced by the remarkable suc-

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cess that he has achieved. As his financial resources have increased he has added to his landed possessions from time to time and now owns four valuable farms in Darke county, one of two hundred and thirty-six acres on section 20, Neave township, where he now resides ; one of one hundred and six- ty-four acres in Butler township; one of one hundred and sixty-eight acres in York town- ship; and the other of one hundred and twenty acres in Greenville township, making six hundred and eighty-eight acres in all. He has ever made the most of his opportuni- ties, and being a man of keen discrimina- tion and sound judgment has been unusually fortunate in his investments. He is a trustee of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Darke county and a member of the board of the Children's Home. He has also filled the office of school director and by his ballot supports the men and measures of the Repub- lican party. He is a member of Champion Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Greenville, in which he has filled all the chairs, and is a member of the encampment, having filled all the chairs in that organization. He also belongs to the Horse Thief Detective Association.

CHARLES H. BOLLES.

Among the professional men of Green- ville, Ohio, none are more deserving of rep- resentation in this volume than Dr. Bolles, who has been one of the leading dentists of that place for almost thirty years. He has that true love for his work without which there can be no success, and his skill and ability are attested by the liberal patronage he enjoys.

The Doctor was born near the city of Cleveland in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, De- cember 27, 1834, and is a son of Gurdon

and Louise (Carior) Bolles, natives of Hart- ford, Connecticut, while the former was of English and the latter of Scotch descent. The father was born in 1790, and in early life learned the tanner and currier's trade, together with shoemaking, which he fol- lowed for a number of years, but later turned his attention to diversified farming. In 1816, some time after his marriage, he and his wife started for Ohio in a wagon drawn by oxen and were seven weeks in making the trip. They experienced all the discom- forts of such a journey, as well as all the hardships and privations incident to fron- tier life after settling in Lake county, this state. In 1827 they removed to Cuyahoga county, where the father developed and im- proved a farm, upon which they spent their remaining days, living in a very modest way. During his residence there he de- voted his entire time and attention to agri- cultural pursuits. He died about the close of the Civil war, in 1865.

Dr. Bolles was reared upon the home farm in Cuyahoga county, and began his education in the district schools of the neigh- borhood, but for a time he attended school in Medina, the homestead being near the county line. From the common schools he entered the Richfield Academy, where he completed his literary education, and then took up the study of dentistry with Drs. Pollock & Finch, of Cleveland, in 1859. He commenced the practice of his chosen pro- fession in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1859, and re- mained at that place for four years. In 1871 he came to Greenville, where he opened an office and has since successfully engaged in practice, being one of the oldest dentists of Darke county in point of continuous serv- ice. Ile keeps well abreast with the times, is progressive in his methods and justly

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merits the liberal patronage which he re- ceives. Socially as well as professionally he is a man of prominence in the community, and is well liked by all who know him. He is a member of Ithaca Lodge, No. 245, F. & A. M., of Arcanum, Darke county.

December 1, 1857, Dr. Bolles was united in marriage with Miss Arabella Finch, of Medina county, Ohio, a daughter of Lewis and Mary (Garrett) Finch. By this union were born two daughters, namely: Clara, May 21, 1858, wife of James Helm, by whom she has a little daughter, Adda Bell; and Ina May, born May 8, 1878, now a success- ful teacher in the public schools of Green- ville.

\V. A. LAYER, M. D.

Careful preparation for the practice of medicine and marked devotion to the duties of his profession have gained Dr. Layer en- viable prestige in the ranks of the medical fraternity in Darke county. He is now prac- ticing in Hillgrove and his patronage is large and lucrative. He was born in this county October 28, 1868. his parents being George and Elizabeth ( Niswinger) Layer. His fa- ther was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Lancaster county April 1, 1837, and was a son of Peter Layer, whose birth also oc- curred in the Keystone state. In 1840 the grandfather came to Ohio with his family. locating where the town of Painter now stands. He followed farming and made liis home in Darke county for a few years, but long before the town of Bradford was laid out he removed to Miami county, where he spent his remaining days, passing away in June, 1883. He married Hannah Miller, who died in March, 1893, and they were the

parents of seven sons and two daughters, who reached years of maturity, while all are still living with the exception of the eldest son.

George Layer, the father of the Doc- tor, was the fifth son and was three years of age when brought by his parents to Darke county. He acquired his education in the common schools and remained at home until he had reached the age of twenty-six, when he was married. Until 1870 he continued to live in Darke county, operating rented land. In that year he lost his wife and with his eldest son he went to Miami county, spend- ing two and a half years in his father's home. On the expiration of that period he returned to this county, but after four years again went to Miami county, where he has since maintained his abode. His first wife was Elizabeth, the daughter of John and Susan Niswinger, of Darke county. Her father came to the Buckeye state from Virginia and her mother was a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, her maiden name being War- ner. By the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Layer three children were born : Harvey J., whose birth occurred October 17, 1864, is now a general merchant at Bradford, Miami coun- ty ; Susella, who was born October 15. 1866, and resides at Arcanum, Darke county ; and W. A., who is the subject of this review. The mother died in August, 1870, and in 1873 Mr. Layer, the father, married Mrs. Stauffer, whose maiden name was Landis. She was born in Montgomery county and by hier second marriage has one child. Lydia, who was born January 1, 1875, and is now the wife of William Brown, of Miami coun- ty. Mr. Layer votes with the Democracy, but has never been active in political affairs, and is a member of the German Baptist church.

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After the death of his mother Dr. Layer made his home with Henry Swank, an uncle, with whom he remained until his father re- turned from Miami county, at which time he went back to his home. He attended the district schools until sixteen years of age. when he went to Kansas, where he continued for two and a half years. On reaching home he became a student in the Bradford high school, where he pursued his studies until 1891, when he was graduated, having com- pleted the course. He next went to Lebanon, Chio, and entered the National Normal Uni- versity, pursuing a preparatory course of eighteen months with the intention of taking up the study of medicine. On the expira- tion of that period he went to Baltimore, Maryland, and matriculated in the Baltimore Medical College, completing a full three- years course in that institution, being grad- uated in April, 1895. His studies had been directed by Professor Holbrook at Lebanon and in Baltimore by Professor Jolinson, teacher of surgery, and Professor Street, teacher of medicine. Among his other in- structors were Professor Rhenling, teacher of surgery of the eye; Professor Brinton; Professor Merrick, who lectured on diseases and treatment of the nose, throat and chest ; Professor Sammuel T. Earl, who lectured on intestinal obstruction; and Professor Perni- men, who was a teacher of chemistry. His studies were also directed by Professor Ames ; Professor John Blake, teacher of sur- gery ; A. C. Pole, teacher of anatomy ; Pro- fessor H. P. Ellis, teacher of materia medica ; and Professor Charles G. Hill, whose in- struction concerned nervous and mental dis- eases. In June, 1895, after being thus care- fully prepared for practice, Dr. Layer lo- cated at Macedon, Mercer county, Ohio, and after eight months took up his abode at Hill-

grove, where he has since engaged in prac- tice, meeting with creditable success.

On the 20th of October, 1897, the Doc- tor was united in marriage to Miss Estella White, a daughter of Ernest and Mollie White. Her father was born in Preble coun- ty, Ohio, and for thirty years has been a resi- cient of Darke county. His wife is a daugh- ter of Jesse Cox. Dr. and Mrs. Layer reside in a beautiful home, which is noted for its hospitality and good cheer. The Doctor is a Democrat and belongs to Invincible Lodge, No. 84. K. of P., of Union City, Indiana. His wife is a member of the German Re- formed church of Hillgrove.

Dr. Layer finds in the faithful discharge of each day's duties inspiration and encour- agement for the labors of the next, and has already gained in his profession a standing that many an older practitioner might well cnvy.

WILLIAM H. SHERRY. :

William H. Sherry was born in York township, Darke county, December 12, 1864, and has always been connected with the ag- ricultural interests of his community. His father, Lewis Sherry, was a native of Mont- gomery county, Ohio, born near German- town, and throughout his active life was connected with farming, save for two years passed in Versailles as a grain merchant. He obtained a good education and met suc- cess in his business endeavors. About 1850 he canie to Darke county and per- formed a prominent part in the work of re- claiming its wild lands. His life was well spent and honorable, and commended him to the uniform regard of those with whom he was associated. His political support was given the Democracy, and upon its ticket

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he was frequently elected justice of the peace, holding the position for many years. So- cially he was connected with the Masonic fraternity at Versailles and was buried with Masonic honors. He was long a devoted member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and when his life's labors were ended on the 20th of January, 1898, when he was fifty- nine years of age, his remains were interred in the Lutheran cemetery in York township. There a beautiful monument has been erect- ed to his memory. His widow still sur- vives him, and is living in this county with her daughter, Mrs. Oliver. She is a lady of high Christian character, and in the minds of her children instilled lessons of upright- ness, honesty and industry. In her family were three children: Alwilda. the wife of Frank Oliver, a farmer of York township; William; and Samuel, who is a merchant of Versailles. He married Minerva Wilson, and resides in that city.

William H. Sherry remained with his parents until he had attained his majority, and the public school system afforded him his educational privileges. He has always been a tiller of the soil, and is a practical and enterprising agriculturist, whose well-di- rected efforts have brought to him good financial returns. He now owns eighty acres of land, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation. The soil is rich and is especially adapted to the rais- ing of corn, wheat and tobacco, of which Mr. Sherry obtains good crops and thus an- nually adds to his income. Hle has excel- lent buildings and other improvements upon his place, and everything about the farm is neat and thrifty in appearance.

On the 29th of August. 1886, Mr. Sherry was married to Miss Ellen L. Longcreek, whose birth occurred in Germantown, Mont-

gomery county, November 13, 1864, her par- ents being Lewis and Susan ( Zechar ) Long- creek, and during her early girlhood she came with them to Darke county, where she has spent the greater part of her life. By her marriage she became the mother of five children, four sons and one daughter, name- ly: Rilla May, Russell R., Homer, Law- rence and Chelcie O. It is the intention of the parents to give their children good edu- cational privileges and thus lay the founda- tion for successful careers in later life. Po- litically Mr. Sherry is a Democrat, and has warmly advocated the party principles since casting his first vote for President Cleveland. Ile has been elected a delegate to the county conventions, and has served as township treasurer of York township, filling the posi- tion in an acceptable and creditable manner. He has also served for seven years as school director and does all in his power to pro- mote the educational interests of his com- munity. He and his wife hold member- ship in the Christian church at Brock, and have contributed liberally to its support, also aiding largely in the erection of the house of worship. Well known in Darke county, they have a large circle of friends and are classed among the representative farming people of their locality.

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A Biographical history of Darke County, Ohio : compendium of national biography, Part 77

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