USA > Ohio > Darke County > A pictorial outline history of Darke County, Ohio with portraits and biography of prominent citizens of the county, county and ex-county officials, attorneys at law, city officials, bankers, capitalists, business men, teachers, ministers, agriculturalists and notable citizens of the county > Part 11
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263-264
Levi E. Chenoweth.
205-266
LEVI E. CHENOWETH,
ON of Thomas F. and Christena Chenoweth was born Dec. 3, 1840, in Washington township. Darke county, O. Mr. Chenoweth was brought up on the farm, but, with three brothers, learned the trade of bricklaying. He received a good common- school education, and at the age of sixteen taught his first district school. On May 13, 1861, he enlisted as a private in company K, IIth Reg't., O. V. I., for three months' service and was honorably discharged August 17, 1861. He re-enlisted October 25, 1861, for three years in company E, 69th Reg't., O. V. I. Was appointed Commissary Sergeant of his regiment February 1, 1863, at Murfreysboro, Tenn., and soon after was promoted to Quarter- master Sergeant. He re-enlisted as Veteran Volunteer February 26, 1864, at Chattanooga, Tenn., and received a Commission as First Lieutenant, 69th Reg't., O. V. V. I., February 1, 1865, at Sisters' Ferry, Ga., and on same day was appointed as R. Q. M. of the regiment. March 27, 1865, he was appointed Brigade Quartermaster of the Second Brigade, First Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, on the staff of Brig. Gen. George P. Buell at Goldsboro, N. C., in which capacity he served until the close of the war. Mr. Chenoweth wascommissioned Captain of the 69th Reg't., O. V. V. I., June 16, 1865, and was mustered out of service with his regiment at Camp Dennison, July 17, 1865. He was present at the following battles :
Stone River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Ringold, Snake Creek Gap, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Marietta, Chattahoochie River, Peach Tree Creek, Siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Savannah and Goldsboro, N. C. Our subject was married to Effie A. Arnold, daughter of Noah Arnold, on July 3, 1867. Two children, Millie and James, were the issue of this union. He was admitted to the bar as an attorney at law in January, 1876, since which time he has been actively engaged in his profession. Mr. Chenoweth is said to be the original mover to the introduction of natural gas in the city of Greenville.
4
267-268
John C. Clark.
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259-270
JOHN C. CLARK
R EAD law with Calderwood & Cole and was admitted to the bar in May, 1877. Is a native of Darke county, O., and in 1880 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney and served in this capacity for five consecutive years. He is now engaged in the active practice of the law in the firm of Clark, Chenowteh & Meeker. Mr Clark is one of the most able attorneys in Greenville and no one in his community is more highly respected.
271-272
Adam Hatzler Meeker.
273
ADAM HATZLER MEEKER,
LDEST son of James F. and Keziah Meeker was born in Darke county, O. He graduated from the University of Michigan in June, 1885, and was admitted to the practice of the law in Ohio the same year, and has been engaged in active practice at Greenville ever since. He was married to Jessie G. Bates, of Cincinnati, O., February 15, 1888.
F
Oscar A. Baker.
1
275
OSCAR A. BAKER.
TAT Marion, O., the subject of this sketch was born February 17, 1850. He completed a course in the High school of that place in May, 1867, and afterwards attended the Baptist college at Ridgeville, Ind., for three years, teaching winters, and teaching penmanship and other work during vacations, and read Blackstone and Kent while teaching. Mr. Baker. was married to Emma R. Reitenour at Ridgeville, Ind., November 6, 1870, and has four children: Lulu, Mabel, Virgie and Chester A. A., aged respectively 17, 15, 12 and 9 years. He removed to Union City, Ind., in August, 1872, and engaged in photography until driven to abandon that profession on account of ill health, and again engaged in the study of law, and was admitted to the bar September 2, 1878. Removing to Greenville, O., he entered practice in April. 1882. He is a Republican in politics, and stumped his county in in the campaigns of 1884-88 in the interests of his party.
John Reily Knox.
277
JOHN REILY KNOX.
ATIVE of Butler' county, O., is a graduate of Miami University, class of 1830 of which university he is one of the trustees. He studied iam in Greenville in the office of Judge Wilson and was admitted to the bar in 1843, and has practiced law here since with exception of one year in Hamilton and four years in Dayton, O. Mr. Knox was President of the Greenville Law Library association from its formation until January, 1889, when he became President of the Darke County Bar association, which position he still holds. Mr. Knox was married November 25, 1845, to Miss Isabel S., daughter of Dr. John Briggs of Greenville. They have two children living: Harry Knox, Lieut. Commander U. S. Navy, and Elizabeth K., wife of James M. Lansdowne, Cashier of the Farmers' National Bank of Greenville.
George W. Studabaker.
Mrs. Lenora Stephan, daughter of Geo. W. Studabaker.
Residence of George W. Studabaker, (freenville, Ohio.
281
THE PRESS OF GREENVILLE.
THE GREENVILLE COURIER
TSS one of the fixed institutions of Greenville. The longer it lives the firmer its basis, It has never played the hypocrite with sinner or saint. All know its colors. In living up to its motto some severity has been shown, but never a lick a-miss. Its generous patronage by business men of the community is plain and simple evidence of its benefits to them as a medium. Its reading matter is of the kind that "takes," and the people do take it extensively. The Courier is a Republican paper in the cleverest sense. It expresses its own opinion freely and boldly and gives due credit to the opinions it "clips" from exchanges. Come in and get a sample copy of the Courier, read it, and then judge of it for yourself. It is the paper for the people in every sense. There is no better family paper in the state. The Courier is printed every Friday evening, consequently reaches all its county readers for Sunday reading. At the office all kinds of job printing is done neatly and promptly and always at reasonable rates. Subscribe for the Courier. One dollar per year in advance; out of the county $1. 15.
THE GREENVILLE DEMOCRAT,
HARLES ROLAND, editor and proprietor, was established in 1855, and has been the acknowledged organ of the Darke county Democracy continuously. It ranks among the able and influential journals in the western part of Ohio, and has a large circulation. Its editor is meeting with success in his efforts to make it a first-class family journal. He also deserves much credit for uniting and holding the Democratic hosts in perfect organization in Darke county. His journalistic efforts are approved by his large and increasing circulation. Mr. Roland is one of the prominent financial men of the county and is highly respected by all who know him.
282
THE GREENVILLE JOURNAL,
ONTINUATION of The Western Statesman and Greenville Courier, was first issued June 25, 1832, and is, therefore the pioneer newspaper of Darke county. After a number of changes in owners, subscribers and editors, the Journal, on March 14, 1860, was purchased of E. B. Taylor by E. W. Otwell and J. M. Craig and published under the firm name of E. W. Otwell & Co., until December 14, 1869, when E. W. Otwell became the sole proprietor, by the purchase of Mr. Craig's interest therein, since which last named date E. W. Otwell has been proprietor and editor, and under whose management and supervision the Journal has increased in circulation from but one hundred and fifty per week to nineteen hundred and twenty. In August, 1873, the Journal was enlarged to a nine-column folio, making it the largest newspaper published in the county. On August 28, 1879, Mr. Otwell made another and important change in the form of the Journal, the change being from a nine-column folio to a seven- column quarto. In this form it has continued to the present time and is to-day the largest and contains the greatest quantity and variety of reading matter of any newspaper published in the county. In politics the Journal is a staunch and reliable Republican paper, never swerving from the advocacy of the principles of that party, and enjoys the confidence and support of the Republican party of Darke county. On the first day of September, 1879, E. W. Otwell resumed the practice of the law, forming a partnership with the late William Allen, deceased, and turned over the publication and business management of the Journal to his son, E. C. Otwell, who has since been local editor, publisher and manager. E. C. Otwell was born in Greenville, O., July 19, 1860, and was married to Lizzie E. Routson on October 22, 1883. At this date, Februry, 1890, the Journal is daily increasing in circulation and gaining in popularity and influence among the people of the county, and enjoys the highest state of prosperity, financially attained, since the date of the issue of its first number.
GREENVILLE BANKS.
GREENVILLE BANK COMPANY.
HE Greenville Bank company was organized in 1885 under the state law, and received its charter in July of that year. Stock was subscribed, a board of directors elected, and the company commenced the transaction of business on the tenth of August following, at which time the business of the "Old Greenville Bank" was turned over to it. This bank, unlike other kindred institutions that take years of hard, persistent labor to get started in successful business, began with over $100,000 of deposits and has steadily increased its business. The state law allowing a bank but five directors, which has been the case with this company, has not given to this organization as large a working force as banks usually have, yet it has continued to do its share of the business of Greenville and the surrounding country, and gives general satisfaction. The first board of directors elected was William S. Turpen, John C. Clark, R. B. Jamison, E. W. Otwell and George H. Martz. This board organized by electing William S. Turpen, president; R. B. Jamison, vice- president; George H. Martz, secretary of the board and cashier, and F. T. Conkling, teller. These officers were re-elected annually up to January, 1890, when George H. Martz gave place on the board to Nate Iddings, Esq., one of the largest stockholders, bat continuing however as cashier. The board as it now stands January 10, 1890), is Nate Iddings, president; R. B. Jamison, vice-president ; Geo. H. Martz, secretary and cashier. The Greenville
284
Bank company began business with a capital of $31,500 which was soon increased to $102,500, at which amount it still remains. Ever since its organization in 1885 the Greenville Bank company has been able to furnish its depositors and customers every accommodation expected of such an organization. It is ready at all times to purchase good negotiable paper and to make loans to responsible borrowers; and we may say this: if you will give acceptable security you can always get a loan from the Greenville Bank company, as it is allowed by its charter to make loans upon real estate as well as upon personal security. It is located on the north-west corner of Fourth street and Broadway. Greenville, O.
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285-286
Nate Iddings.
287
NATE IDDINGS, PRESIDENT,
ESTAS born March 17, 184I. He was the son of Davis
Iddings, grandson of Joseph Iddings and a great-grandson of Benjamin Iddings, the first white settler of Miami county, O., who located at Little York in 1796. He graduated at the
Friends' Seminary, spent portion of time at College Hill,
Cincinnati, and was a successful school teacher at the age of
seventeen. He studied law under Alexander Long of Cincinnati, and was admitted to the bar as an attorney at the April term of the District Court in Cincinnati in 1862, being at the time the youngest person upon whom the honor had been conferred. In 1863 he located at Fort Jefferson and engaged in the mercantile business, and was elected as a Justice of the Peace in Neave township. May 13, 1866, he married Nannie Patty and resided
in Pleasant Hill until the fall of 1869, when they removed to
Bradford where they have since resided.
Their son Frank was
born May 16, 1878. He is a member of the International Association of Short-hand Writers, where the requirements of membership are, to be able to write two hundred and fifty words per minute ; also a member of the Ohio association. In May, 1881, he was called upon to report the Quadrennial Conference of the United Brethren Church which was in session at Lisbon, Ia., for three weeks, and furnished over thirteen hundred pages of debates. In June. 1884, he reported the proceedings of the Dunker Annual Meeting held at Dayton, O., and wrote the book of two hundred pages of debates to the entire satisfaction of the committee. He reported Judge Hoadly's speech at Piqua in the campaign of 1885, where three other stenograpers (who were sent there for that purpose, ) failed. and received the highest compliments of the Governor for its accuracy; over a million copies of the speech were circulated. He also reported Judge West's able argument in the Supreme Court in favor of the constitutionality of the Scott law, and is considered one of the best short-hand writers in the State of Ohio, having reached . the top of the ladder in his profession. Mr. [dings, Sr., has been very successful in his business transactions, and was elected President of the Greenville Banking company in January, ISgo. He has always been a Democrat.
288
GEORGE H. MARTZ, CASHIER.
PRIL 19, 1831, the subject of this sketch was born in
Darke county, O. He is the oldest son of John Martz, who was born in Somerset county, Pa., June 1, 1798; came to to this county in 1829 and in the same year settled upon the tract of land on which our subject was born. George's mother died when he was quite young and he recollects but - little of a mother's influence and care. His father died January 5, 1883, having reached the age of eighty-four years, seven months and four days. Our subject received a common-school education, and was raised upon a farm ; he is specially distinguished for his unassum- ing manners, strict integrity and upright life. After teaching a
common school for two consecutive winters he determined to
obtain a collegiate education and in the spring of IS ;: be repaired to the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, O., where he com- pleted the Sophomore year in the classical course. The last
year he attended college he had a severe attack of sickness which brought him to the verge of the grave, and for a long time his health was so impaired that he was compelled to leave school with his course of study unfinished. He returned to his native county and on April 15, 1857, was united in marriage with Angeline E., eldest daughter of James M. and Elizabeth Jamison of Delaware county, O. Four children are the result of this union: two sons and two daughters, (two of whom are dead) ; a son and daughter now grown to years of maturity, are living. The daughter is at the present time prostrated on a bed of sick- ness with but little hopes of recovery; the son graduated from the Greenville High school, and having taught school one year, is now attending medical lectures at Cincinnati. After his. marriage Mr. Martz followed farming about one year, and in the fall of 1859 he was elected County Treasurer of Darke county, and again re-elected to the same position in 1861 with a largely increased majority. As Treasurer he gave entire satisfaction and was retained as deputy in the office for a number of years thereafter. He was a member of the Board of County-school Examiners for a number of years and served as President of the County Teachers' association for the same length of time. In these positions he was ever seeking to elevate the standard of qualification tor teaching in the county, and was noted for the care and thorough- ness of his work in this respect. The exercises resulting in the
289-290
George H. Martz.
291-292
dedication of the large school-building in Greenville were arranged under his direction as President of the Teachers' association. In March, 1871, he removed with his family to Greenwood county, Kan., and engaged for a while as contractor and builder, but was soon appointed County Superintendent of the Public schools, and by election and re-election he held that position for eight years. During this time, among other duties, he furnished plans and drawings for the new school-houses to be erected all over the county ; and as his powers were mandatory, as well as advisory, soon the school-house, built in modern style with all the modern facilities for convenience and utility, was ready to receive pupils who were to be taught by the preceptor well acquainted with all methods of modern teaching. From Kansas he removed to Shannon county, Mo., but remained there only a short time when he was called back to his native city and county to take charge of the Greenville bank as its Cashier. This he did in February, 1885, and in August folllowing the bank was organized under the state law with the name of "The Greenville Bank Company," he continuing its Cashier .to this date. When it was determined to pipe natural gas to Greenville for fuel he was chosen as one of five Trustees, under whose direction the line of pipe was completed. This Board unanimously elected Mr. Martz Superin- tendent of the works, a position which he now holds.
293-294
Frank T. Conkling.
295-296
F T. CONKLING. ASSISTANT CASHIER.
EBRUARY 27, 1858, the subject of this sketch was born in Hamilton county, O., and became a resident of Greenville in November, 1875: entered the bank of Hufnagle, Allen & Co., in 1876, and has been in the same bank through its different organizations ever since, and is the Assistant Cashier of the Greenville Bank company. He was married April 30, 1885, to Miss Lillian F. Breaden. They have one child, Pierson Breaden Conkling.
297-298
William S. Turpen.
299
WILLIAM S. TURPEN, BANKER.
EBRUARV 21, 1818, Mr. Turpen was born in New York city, and removed with his parents to Warren county, O., in the year 1819, and from thence to Darke county in IS28, where his father purchased a tract of land (all woods), in Greenville township, and there resided until he became through industry and hard labor the sole owner of the old homestead. His marriage with Margaret M. Hunter was celebrated in 1846; she was born in Warren county, O., May 20, 1823, and died Sep- tember 13, 1867, upon the old Turpen homestead. He remained there until 1871 when he removed to Greenville, where he has resided up to this time. Mr. Turpen is one of the solid financial men of the county, and has a large circle of friends who are warm admirers.
300
E. W. Otwell.
301-302
William Thompson.
303-304
John C. Clark.
.
305
SECOND NATIONAL BANK.
I N writing the history of such an important and creditable financial institution as this, the Second National bank of Greenville, we are at a loss to find sentences of sufficient praise. All its officers and stockholders are numbered among the most prominent, respected and wealthy citizens of Darke county. The bank was organized May 14, 1883, and was granted a charter by the Comptroller of Currency July 3d, 1883, and commenced business July 31, of that year. The charter members were: William K. Kerlin, Augustus F. Koop, John H. Martin, Daniel L. Meeker, John Devor and Robert A. Shuffleton. The first officers were: William K. Kerlin, president; Robert A. Shuffleton, cashier ; David L. Meeker, John Devor, John H. Martin, Henry St. Clair and Augustus F. Koop, directors. Portraits of the officers and directors at this date are given elsewhere. There are thirty-two stockholders in the institution whose aggregate wealth will reach more than a million dollars, thereby making it one of the most substantial banks in the western portion of Ohio. They have been able to pay a dividend of 10 per cent. annually, since their organization, and have accumulated a surplus of twenty thousand dollars. The capital stock is one hundred thousand dollars, The bank is located on the corner of Broadway and Fourth streets.
2
ST. CLAIR
DEVOR
ELSTON 1
KOOP.
KERLIN
MARTIN.
REIS.
HENNE.
307
WILLIAM K. KERLIN, PRESIDENT,
B ORN and raised on a farm in Wayne county, Ind., near Richmond, and located in Darke county, O., in 1865, and moved to Greenville in 1870. Mr. Kerlin was appointed Deputy County Treasurer in 1871 and elected. County Treasurer in 1874, and re-elected in 1876, serving two full terms with great credit to himself and satisfaction to the people.
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308
AUGUSTUS F. KOOP, CASHIER.
EW BREMEN, Auglaize county, O., was the birthplace of Mr. Koop, which occurred August 3, 1838. He was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Miesse, daughter of Dr. G. Miesse, of Greenville, February 22, 1860. Mr. Koop opened an extensive hardware store in Greenville in 1871, which business he still continues.
300
DANIEL HENNE, DIRECTOR.
XTENSIVE dealer in grain and seeds, was born in Wurtem- burg, Germany, in 1839, and immigrated to America in 1857. Mr. Henne makes a specialty of buying and shipping grain, his shipments reaching as high as two hundred thousand bushels in a single year. He was united in marriage to Miss Anna" M. Weithbrecht, February 17, 1867. The fruits of this union have been two children, viz. : Rosenia Gertrude, and Jacob Frederick. He is one of the wealthiest men in Darke county and none have more fast friends than he.
310
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WILLIAM C. ELSTON,
AS born in Darke county, O., May 19, 1839, on a farm in Washington township, and moved to Greenville in September, 1889. During the most of his life he has followed agricultural pursuits and buying and selling live stock. Mr. Elston was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Griffis, of Randolph county, Ind., March 29, 1860, and the fruits of this marriage have been three daughters, viz. : Ida, wife of D. W. Shiveley; Loretta, wife of Byron Eidson, and Miss Maggie. Mr. Elston has made a success in life, both morally and financially, and no one in the county is more widely or favorably known.
311
HENRY ST. CLAIR, DIRECTOR,
OW is and has been for a number of years a large whole- sale grocery dealer of Greenville, and is one of, if not the wealthiest man in Darke county. See portrait and more exhaustive biography elsewhere in this volume.
312
JOHH H. MARTIN, DIRECTOR,
ERCHANT and Ex-County Clerk of Greenvile, was born in Adams township, Darke county, November 29, 1844. In September, 1871, he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy O. Robinson, in Kenton, Hardin county. Mr. Martin is one of the solid, financial men of Darke county and highly respected.
313
FARMERS' NATIONAL BANK,
REENVILLE, Ohio, was organized in March, 1865 with a capital stock of eighty-four thousand dollars, and now has a surplus fund of fifty-four thousand dollars. The charter was extended in March, 1885. Present officers are: George W. Studabaker, president; James M. Lansdowne, cashier; Howard S. Kolp, teller; William Kipp, Daniel Henne, Noah Arnold and Martin V. Emerson, directors; Robert D. Waring, assistant book- keeper. It does a general banking business and enjoys the confidence of the business public because of its careful and conserv- ative management.
i.
314
Farmers' National Bank, Greenville, Ohio.
315-316
Henry St. Clair.
317-318
Mrs. Henry St. Clair.
GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS.
MR. AND MRS. HENRY ST. CLAIR.
IN presenting the biography of so many citizens of Darke county to our readers we are pleased to give special attention to the subject of this sketch. We frankly admit that we can not say a word of praise but will fall far below the estimation of his high character and success in life. An entire volume as large as this could be devoted to the biography of such a person. We regret that our space to present the many interesting characteristics of our subject is so limited, but will endeavor to mention a few words that will interest and we hope prove instructive. He was born in Seneca county, N. Y., May 7, 1852, and his parents removed to Ohio when he was a child. Mr. St. Clair was educated in the public schools of Cincinnati and Reading, O., and in Nelson's Commercial college at Cincinnati. He commenced business as a clerk in the office of the wholesale hardware firm of Howell, Gano & Co., in Cincinnati when seventeen years of age. In 1872, when twenty years of age he came to Greenville with his uncle, Henry St. Clair, Sr., and established the wholesale and retail grocery and produce business of Henry St. Clair & Co. Henry St. Clair, Sr. died the following winter when the subject of our sketch succeeded to the entire business and conducted the same with marked success until 1881, when he disposed of the retail department and established the first exclusive wholesale grocery in Darke county. In 1885 he reorganized the business under the laws of the State of Ohio, into a joint stock company under the firm name of The Henry St. Clair Company. The officers of the company are: Henry St. Clair, President; Wilson A. Hopkins, Vice President, and C. C. Stoltz, Secretary and Treasurer. The company carry one the heaviest and best assorted stocks of goods in Western Ohio, and do an annual
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