USA > Ohio > Darke County > A Biographical history of Darke County, Ohio : compendium of national biography > Part 80
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spirit of sympathy and hospitality which al- ways wins and retains friendships. The homestead now comprises seventy acres, im- proved with a commodious and comfortable brick residence and excellent outbuildings, while the entire place gives indication of the care bestowed by an intelligent and thrifty owner.
In politics Mr. Himes has always given his support to the Republican party, having cast his first presidential vote for the mar- tyred Lincoln. He is not an ultra-partisan in his political sentiments, and in local af- fairs often supports men and measures with- out regard to political affiliations. He has in his possession the original deed for eighty acres of land, of which his present place is a part, the same having been executed No- vember 7, 1837, during the administration of President Van Buren. Mrs. Himes has many interesting old relics, including dishes of various sorts, one piece having been handed down from generation to generation and being more than a century old. Mr. and Mr. Himes and their daughter, Inez, are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Dawn, and he has contributed his quota to all worthy benevolences and charities. The family hold an enviable position in the so- cial circles of the community, secure in the esteem of many friends, to whom they al- ways extend the most genial hospitality in their pleasant home.
CHARLES W. ROLAND.
Charles W. Roland is the editor in chief and one of the proprietors of the Greenville Democrat, which paper was purchased in 1866 by his father, Charles Roland, Sr .. after it had passed through several hands. It was made a Democratic paper, placed upon a
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substantial footing and became the leading Democratic official organ of Darke county. It is a large sheet, printing the local and general news, and has an extensive and con- stantly growing circulation in Greenville and Darke county. It is issued on Wednes- day of each week, and its publication was continued by Charles Roland until June 14, 1899, when he retired from the active man- agement, which was then assumed by his sons, Charles W. and Edward H., under the firm name of Roland Brothers. The paper is a nine-column, four-page journal, 32×46 inches. The plant is equipped with a gas en- gine, cylinder power press, three job presses and all the necessary machinery and type for turning out first-class work. The paper is considered an excellent advertising medium and does a large job printing busi- ness in addition to the regular newspaper work. The building occupied was built ex- pressly for the purpose and is a three-story brick structure, the entire third floor being occupied as the printing office, while the sec- ond floor is used for general office purposes and the first floor is used as a store room.
Charles W. Roland, the senior partner, was born in the city of Lancaster, Fairfield county, Ohio, on the 15th of August, 1857, a son of Charles and Amelia (Clark) Ro- land. He came to Greenville, Darke county, Ohio, with his parents when nine years old. He pursued his elementary education in the preliminary schools of Greenville and then entered the high school, in which he was graduated in the class of 1876. In 1871 he began his apprenticeship at the printing trade and after his school days had ended he con- tinued the printing business in all its depart- ments, and assisted his father for a number of years until, on the 14th of June, 1899, in company with his brother, Edward H., he
purchased the business, which is now con- ducted under the firm name of Roland Brothers. The father retired from the ac- tive management and the sons took charge, their practical knowledge and extended ex- perience well qualifying them for the re- sponsibilities which they assumed.
Charles W. Roland was married Sep- tember 6, 1882, to Miss Lizzie Davis, of Aberdeen, Ohio, a daughter of Elijah Davis, who served as the postmaster of that place under Presidents Hayes and Grant. She was born January 26, 1858, at Flemingsburg, Kentucky. They now have four children : Gertrude, born August 22, 1883; Gladys, born January 26, 1897; Charles E., Jan- uary 21, 1888; and Virgil D., October 18, 1894, all born at Greenville, Ohio.
Edward H. Roland was born in Lancas- ter. Ohio, January 9, 1865, was educated in the public schools of Greenville and mas- tered the printer's art in his father's office, becoming familiar with the business both in general principles and detail. He is there- fore a practical printer as well as news- paper man, and the combined labors of the brothers have made the Greenville Democrat a leading journal in this section of the state. As the name implies, its political support :s given the Democracy, and on the Democratic ticket Charles W. Roland was elected to the city council, in which he served for one term. Both brothers are reliable and energetic busi- ness men, of agreeable social qualities and are popular in the community where they have so long resided.
T. L. BISHOP.
In the history of those men who are ac- corded recognition as leading and repre- sentative citizens of Darke county T. L.
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Bishop is mentioned. He was born in But- ler county, Ohio, November 8, 1829, and is a son of William F. Bishop, deceased, who came to this county in 1842, locating in Greenville township near Mud creek, and was born near Burlington, New Jersey, in the year 1800, and was a son of Frazee Bishop, who was descended from one of the old colonial families.
William F. Bishop was reared in the state of his nativity until five years of age, when he was taken by his parents to Ohio, a set- tlement being made at Middletown, Butler county, in 1805. Cincinnati was at that time only a small village and Ohio was thought to be upon the very border of western civili- zation. There William Bishop was reared to manhood and acquired a common-school education. When still a lad he began the butchering business, although he had famil- iarized himself with the tanner's trade. He followed butchering until 1842, when he made preparation to come to Darke county. Three days were consumed in making the trip and they had a wagon train of thirteen teams. Mr. Bishop was accompanied by his wife and eight children. The former bore the maiden name of Maria Bogas and their marriage was celebrated in Butler county in 1825. Their children were Ezra, Thomp- son L., Peter W., Joseph L., Elizabeth, Mary, Frances and Valeria F. After coming to this county Theodore, their youngest child, was born. On the land on which he located the father made his home until his declining years when he removed to Green- ville, his death occurring there in 1887. His wife passed away in 1880 at the age of sev- enty-five years. She was of Virginian par- entage. Mr. Bishop was a prominent and influential citizen and was frequently called upon to serve in township offices. His wife
was a prominent member of the Baptist church and an exemplary woman, and their home was often the meeting place for peo- ple of the Baptist denomination, services being held whenever a preacher was in the neighborhood. Mr. Bishop gave his politi- cal support of the Whig party until the or- ganization of the Republican party, when he joined its ranks. He was a stanch advo- cate of Abraham Lincoln's administration during the civil war and was a radical Union man. He held membership in the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges. of Greenville and in his daily conduct exemplified the benev- olent and enobling principles of those fra- ternities. He began life a poor young man, but by his enterprise and energy he gained success and acquired a good property. He was very progressive and at one time was the owner of shops in three different places, at least fifteen miles apart, all three of which were carried on under his personal super- vision. He never speculated, but depended upon the more substantial elements of suc- cess,-honest labor and capable manage- ment. He modeled his life according to the Golden Rule and by his adherence to its prin- ciples he won many friends throughout the county, being highly respected by all who knew him. He was familiarly known as "Uncle Billy." When called to his final rest he was laid to rest beside his wife in Green- ville cemetery and thus two of the most highly esteemed pioneers of Darke county passed to the home beyond.
On his father's farm in his native county T. L. Bishop spent his boyhood and in that locality he obtained a common and high- school education. With his parents he came to Darke county in 1842, when fifteen years of age. His education was quite thorough for that day, for he learned something of
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Latin and the higher branches of science. He continued with his father until he had at- tained his majority, when he started out in life on his own account, continuing to en- gage in the pursuit to which he had been reared. He married Miss Cynthia A. Dun- ham for a companion and helpmeet on life's journey. She resided in Warren county, Ohio, and their wedding took place in De- cember, 1856. Subsequently Mr. Bishop en- gaged in the operation of a saw-mill at Gordon, Darke county, where he resided un- til 1861, when he purchased ninety acres of land, on which he now lives. This he bought and operated in partnership with his brother, Peter W. Bishop, the business relationship between them existing for eight years. In May, 1864, Mr. Bishop enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio In- fantry, for one hundred days' service, and spent that time in Virginia. With h's com- mand he went to Martinsburg, thence on the Hunter raid through the Shenandoah valley. penetrating through the country as far as Lynchburg. He participated in several skirmishes and at White Sulphur Springs his comrade, Mr. Thomas, of Arcanum, was killed by his side. Mr. Bishop served his term of enlistment and was then honorably discharged at Camp Dennison on the 2d of September, 1864.
He has added to his original purchase and is now the owner of one hundred and thirty-seven acres of good land, all under a high state of cultivation and improved with the various modern accessories which goto make up the model farm, many of these having been placed on his land by himself, and his property is a monument to his thrift and enterprise. While his life has been a busy one he has yet found time to faithfully discharge public duties and has held several
minor offices. For over twelve years he was supervisor and for eighteen years has been a school director. In educational matters he has always taken a deep interest, doing all in his power to promote the efficiency of the schools. He was at one time actively con- nected with the Masonic fraternity, but is not now associated therewith. At the age of twenty-nine he was converted and has since been a prominent and useful member of the Baptist church. He was one of the first members of the first Missionary Baptist church of Greenville, has long been one of its officers, served as its first clerk, has for many years been a deacon and has likewise filled the position of church trustee.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bishop has been blessed with three children,-Sylvan E., Cora B. and William L., all yet living. The mother died in 1884, at the age of fifty- six years. She was a member of the Baptist church and an exemplary Christian woman. Mr. Bishop was again married in 1896, when Mary F. Sayers, of Troy, Ohio, became his wife. Mr. Bishop affiliates with the Repub- lican party, casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856. His efforts in business life were attended with the suc- cess which never fails to reward honest and continued labor when directed by sound judgment. He isone of the widely known and highly esteemed citizens of Darke county. His life has ever been an honorable and use- ful one, his word is as good as his bond and his example is indeed in many respects worthy of emulation.
ADAM FRANKMANN.
Prominent among the leading citizens of the prosperous town of Versailles, Ohio, is the gentleman whose name introduces this.
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sketch, Adam Frankmann, president of the People's Bank.
Mr. Frankmann is a native of Germany and was born April 10, 1829. According to the custom in Germany, he attended school until he was fourteen years of age, and then went to work at a trade. He served an ap- prenticeship of two years at the tailor's trade, after which he spent some time as a journeyman tailor, traveling about from
place to place in the old country. Then, thinking that his chances for getting on in the world would be better in America, he turned his face westward. After a voyage of fifty days in a sailing vessel he landed at New Orleans, May 17, 1853, and in that city remained until June 29 of the follow- ing year. His next move was up the river to Louisville, Kentucky, thence to Cincinnati, and from there to Dayton. At the last named place he secured a position and spent six months in work at his trade. The next six months he worked in West Alexander, Preble county, and from there he went to Lewisburg, same county, where, March I, 1857, he engaged in business for himself.
August 1, 1881, he came to Versailles and established himself in a tailoring and clothing business, with his son, E. G., as partner. This business he conducted suc- cessfully until February, 1897, when he and Manier Brothers organized the People's Bank with a cash capital stock of twenty- four thousand dollars. Mr. Frankmann was elected the president of this company; Joe Manier, vice-president ; Felix Manier, caslı- ier ; and E. C. Manier, assistant cashier. In 1898 Mr. Frankmann built what is known as the Frankmann block, in which the bank is located, which is a valuable additon to the town, and he has also made other valuable improvements. He has accumulated consid-
erable property, all the result of his own en- ergy and wise investment; and in this in- stance we find another one of the many suc- cessful business men who have worked up from poor boyhood to substantial and hon- ored position in the business world.
Mr. Frankmann was married September 14, 1857, to Elizabeth Fasig, and the chil- dren of their union are as follows: Mary T., who died in 1866, at the age of two years ; Flora F., at home; Edward G., a merchant tailor of Versailles ; Irena, the wife 01 F. L. Wallen, a druggist of Nicholasville, Kentucky; and Herman A., who married Jennie O. Burns and resides in Versailles.
Politically, the subject of our sketch affil- iates wth the Democratic party. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church1.
WILLIAM E. G. JEFFERIS.
William E. G. Jefferis is well known as a prominent farmer of German township, living on section II. He was born on the farm where he now resides March 24, 1868, and is the eldest child of Joshua and Sarah J. Jefferis. His great-grandfather, Job J. Jefferis, was born in Chester county, Penn- sylvania, June 9, 1776, and married Barbara Long. Their only child was Darlington Jef- feris, the grandfather of our subject. He was a native of Virginia and when two years old was brought by his parents to Ohio, the family locating in Clinton county, where he was reared. He afterward came to Darke county and entered a farm on section II, German township, where Joshua Jefferis now resides. He there secured one hundred and sixty acres at a dollar and a quarter per acre, and throughout his remaining days carried on agricultural pursuits there, his
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death occurring in 1880, in his eighty-fifth year. He was a member of the Universalist church, of Palestine. He married Mary Potter, who belonged to an old family of New Jersey, and they became the parents of ten children, all of whom were born on the old homestead in German township, namely : Rebecca, Julia Ann and Job D., deceased ; Squire, of German township: John, de- ceased; Milton, of German township; Mary Ann, who has also passed away; Joshua ; William H. H., who died at the age of twen- ty-two at Nashville, Tennessee, while in the service for his country; and Elizabeth, the wife of William H. Mills.
Joshua Jefferis was the eighth child and fifth son in the family and was born Octo- ber 15, 1837. He was reared on the farm where he now resides, pursued his education in a log school house and remained at home until 1864, when he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio Infan- try, with which he served as sergeant. He was at the front for over four months, lo- cated at Cumberland, Maryland. He partic- ipated in the Shenandoah valley raid and the battle of Greenbrier, in which a man was killed by his side. He received an honor- able discharge at Camp Dennison, Ohio, in 1864, and then returned to his home. The following year he went to Iowa and other western points on a visit.
On the Ioth of January, 1867, Joshua Jefferis married Sarah J. Ware, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, June 20, 1849, the youngest daughter of J. F. and Mary (Ritenour) Ware. They began their do- mestic life upon the farm where they now reside. Four children have been born to them : William E. G .; Marvin R., who was born November 5, 1877; Alma, born May 13, 1879 ; and Hallie V., who was born February
17, 1884, and died August 22, 1885. Marvin attended school in Ada, Ohio, and was en gaged in teaching. He is now assisting his father in the work of the farm. Alma is en- gaged in teaching piano and organ music.
Joshua Jefferis is the owner of two hun- dred and fifty acres of land, the greater part of which is under cultivation. He is now practically living retired, his son operating the farm. In politics he is a stalwart Repub- lican and has served as trustee of his town- ship, as a member of the school board for twenty years and has been a director of the Darke County Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany. He is also a member of the German Grange, which he joined on its organization, and in its work he has taken an active part since 1874. He also holds membership in Reed's Post, G. A. R., of Palestine, and the Universalist church at that place, of which his family are also members. He is to-day as true and loyal to his duties of citizenship as when he followed the starry banner upon the battle-fields of the south.
William E. G. Jefferis, whose name be- gins this record, assisted his father in farm- ing until he was twenty-one years of age, at- tending school during the winter months and received a good common-school education. After becoming of age he was hired by his father for nine months' labor on the farm. He was united in marriage on December 24, 1889, with Miss Harriet V. Harding, also a resident of German township. She was born July 10, 1867, and is a daughter of Samuel and Martha (Clay) Harding. Two children have been born to this union. both now living, namely: Mae, born November 5, 1890, and Grace, born April 25, 1894.
After his marriage Mr. Jefferis began farming on the shares on his father's farm, and has since been engaged principally in
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farming and stock-raising. He is also a carpenter by trade and when not otherwise engaged in farming has devoted his time to that trade. He began keeping books of his business affairs when he became of age and has since kept a careful and correct account with day and date of all business transactions and receipts and expenses with yearly state- ments. He has been an active member of the order of Patrons of Husbandry for twelve years, serving for two years as representa- tive from Darke county to the annual state meeting of Ohio. By the great interest taken in the work of this organization he lias be- come a member of national and state orders of Patrons of Husbandry. Politically he is identified with the Republican party and is now serving as a justice of the peace of German township. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jeff- eris were reared in the Christian faith taught by the Universalist church.
MORRIS BRYSON.
Morris Bryson, deceased, the eldest son and child of James Bryson, was born on the old Bryson farm on Mud creek, Green- ville township, Darke county, Ohio, May 13, 1818. Here he grew to manhood, obtaining only a limited education in the schools of the district, but continuing his studies at home and thus fitting himself to teach. He then taught school for a number of terms, He was married April 8, 1846, to Miss Mary Annie Cole, a daughter of Joseph and Annie (Sweet) Cole, both representatives of pio- neer families of the Western Reserve. Mrs. Cole was born in 1800, and came to Ohio at the age of eighteen. She was living near Oswego, New York, during the war of 1812, and from her home could see the smoke of battle. After the marriage of Morris Bry-
son and Miss Cole they began housekeeping on a rented farm, on which they resided two years. In 1848 he bought eighty acres of improved land in Greenville township, to which they moved and where he passed the rest of his life and died, his death occurring December 17, 1896.
Of Morris Bryson it may be said that he was a representative man in his locality. He was one of the founders of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and for a num- ber of years, up to the time of his death, was. a director of the company. In educational matters he always manifested particular in- terest. For many years, off and on, he was a school director and always gave his sup- port to whatever he believed was for the advancement and best interest of the schools of his district. A man of recognized busi- ness qualities, he was sought for by the ad- ministrators of estates, and thus had charge of the interests of numerous heirs. Polit- ically he was originally a Whig, which party he continued to support until 1856, when he joined the Republican ranks. During the civil war he championed the administra- tion's policy, and his generosity in caring for soldiers' widows and families during that period is yet well remembered ; and not only during that period but throughout his life he was noted for his generous hospitality. The needy were never turned empty-handed from his door. By honest toil and careful man- agement he worked his way up to a position of financial independence, and at his death he left to his family a fine farm comprising two hundred and eighty-seven acres. Mrs. Bryson died in 1885, at the age of sixty- three years. She was a most estimable woman, a devoted member of the Disciples' church, and was much beloved by all who knew her.
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The children of this worthy couple were ten in number, seven of whom are still liv- ing, namely: James W., Rachel, Joseph C., Newton, Clarissa, Volney and David. The deceased were William, an unnamed in- fant and Mary Alice. Those living are all residents of Darke county. James lives in Brown township, and Newton in Washing- ton township, and the others at the old home- stead. Joseph married Eva Bennett in ISSI. She died August 28, 1884, leaving one child, Mary C. Volney married Mollie Vail, by whom he has four children-Cloe, Elmer, Belle and an infant. David married Cora Harris, and they have five children-Will- iam Ray, Roscoe, Guy, James and Caroline.
The Bryson brothers operate the home farm in partnership. They are enterpris- ing, representative citizens and enjoy the re- spect of the people of the community in which they live.
CHRISTOPHER M. ARMACOST.
Christopher M. Armacost, deceased, was for many years one of the respected citizens of Darke county, Ohio. He was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, November 2, 1807, and was descended from German and English ancestors. The Armacosts were of German origin, but at what time the first representatives of the family landed in this country is not now known. Christopher Armacost, the father of Christopher M., was born, reared, passed his life and died in Bal- timore county, Maryland. His wife, whose maiden name was Malinda Murray, was also a native of that place, where both her father and grandfather settled on landing in this country from England; where both were born. Christopher and Malinda Armacost were the parents of twelve children, seven
sons and five daughters, Christopher M. being the fourth son and seventh child.
In his native county Christopher M. Armacost was reared and married. Think- ing to better his fortunes by seeking a home in what was then called "the west," he came in the fall of 1837 to Darke county, Ohio, bringing with him his wife, whom he had married in the spring of that year. They first located on a rented farmi, where they spent the winter, and in the spring of 1838 moved to the farm on which Mrs. Armacost still lives, on section 29, German township. Their first home here was a little log cabin, 16x14 feet, situated in a small clearing with heavy timber all around them. On this farm he lived and labored for more than a quarter of a century, and as a result of his industry the primitive log house was re- placed by a better home, the forest was cleared away, and the well-cultivated fields gave evidence of prosperity. Here he lived until 1885, when he moved to Hollansburg, where he died the following year. His life was a useful, active one, and there were few, if any, of the early pioneers of this lo- cality better known or more highly respect- ed than he. He helped to raise many of the log houses and barns in the county. He served as a township trustee and constable ; and he was ever ready to give his influence and support to whatever he believed to be for the best interest of the county. Polit- ically he was a Democrat, being the only one of the large family of which he was a mem- ber that voted wth the Democratic party.
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