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 12
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business of over three hundred thousand dollars. Under able management the business has been very successful. Since the organization of the company in 1885, with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars the concern has not only paid all expenses and a handsome dividend each year, but has accumulated a surplus fund up to 1890, of thirty thousand dollars. Mr. St. Clair was united in marriage to Miss Ella Van Dyke, daughter of Ex-Sheriff A. H. Van Dyke, on February 4, 1875. He was one of the organizers of the Second National bank of Greenville, and has been a director in that institution since its organization. He has no desire for political honors. Mr. St. Clair served for two years as member of the City Council of Greenville during which time he never missed a meeting of that body. Was interested in the proceedings advancing the village of Greenville to the grade of city, and dividing the same into wards. He is a firm believer in the Christian religion, and the principles of true Democracy. It is needless for us to add to this brief sketch that he has a large circle of warm friends. He is very pleasant in business and social circles. By industry, perseverance, correct habits, fair dealing and unquestioned integrity he has succeeded in accumulating a handsome fortune.
Mrs. St Clair was born January 23, 1853, at Glendale, O. She is President of The Ladies' Aid Society of the First Presbyterian Church, of Greenville, of which church she is an active member, and, like her husband, is at all times holding an open purse to all deserving charity. She is also a director in The Henry St. Clair Company. Mrs. St. Clair is a devoted wife, with good judgment and business tact, prepossesing in appearance and has a large circle of warm friends.
خطا مطاط شماله مالاء
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Residence of Henry St. Clair, Greenville, Ohio.
Residence of Mr. Frank McWhinney, Greenville, O.
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Frank McWhinney.
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FRANK M'WHINNEY
AS born on a farm in Preble county, O., where were spent the happy days of childhood and youth. There he received in the schools of that district, the foundation of an education which served as a stepping stone to success in life. When quite a young man the occupation of merchandising and the buying and selling of grain and lands seemed to so infatuate him that he left the farm and located at El Dorado, Preble county, O., where he engaged in an extensive grain, land and mercantile business and gained the worthy reputation as a financier. In 1865 he moved from El Dorado to New Madison, then to Greenville, where he has since resided, still working with untiring zeal and energy to succeed in life. He has been for the past thirty-five years the trusted agent of the Pan Handle Railroad company, which responsible position he
resigned on September 1, 1889. His career in this city has been a most remarkable one. He has ever lent a helping hand and expended large sums of money toward all enterprises which might benefit the city and its citizens. Many costly and substantial
business buildings and residences have been erected by him. In 1875 he purchased the Greenville Opera House, one of the finest in the state, on which he has expended about five thousand dollars in remodeling and refurnishing. It has all the modern improvements that go to make a first-class Opera House. (See illustration of building). His present residence, illustrated in this work, is located on the corner of Broadway and Fifth streets. It
is a beautiful edifice, costing the owner twenty thousand dollars. Mr. McWhinney organized the Exchange bank, located on the corner of Broadway and Public square, and for six years was sole proprietor of the same. The bank has since been re-organized and is now known as the Farmers' National bank, in which Mr. McWhinney has a large interest. He is also a large real-estate owner in Ohio, Indiana, Iowa and Illinois. He has accumulated his wealth by strict and prompt attention to business. His transactions have been fair and unquestioned; his good judgment and unflinching integrity leading him on to success. He is just now in the vigor of life and development of ripe manhood and with his good health and untiring energy, combined with his vast possessions and the prospect of a number of years yet to be allotted to his life, will rank him among millionaires. Mr. McWhinney is sociable and unassuming; is a person of fine physique and carries with him a
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Mc Whinney's Opera-House, Third Street, Greenville,"Ohio.
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pleasant, sociable countenance; is generous and public spirited, always willing to help worthy persons in any honest undertaking. He was a member of the Electoral College at the time of the first election of President Lincoln. He is a first-rank Republican in politics. but politically inoffensive, and has hosts of friends in all parties. Was one of the projectors and earnest workers to bring natural gas to Greenville and upon the organization of the Board of Gas Trustees was elected its President, which position he still fills. His family consists of a wife and one daughter. Mr. McWhinney is strictly temperate and is a character worthy of imitation.
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C. W. Brandon.
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C. W. BRANDON,
INSURANCE and Real-Estate Agent, residence corner of Avenue and Armstrong street; office opposite post-office, Greenville, O., was born December II, 1858, in Marion, Ind. He is the second son of Rev. Thomas A. Brandon, of the Christian Church. Before the subject of this sketch was two years of age, his parents removed to Ohio, where his father filled the pulpits - of various charges for the Christian denomination. The family resided at Lebanon, Troy, Williamsport, Bellefontaine, Dayton and James- town. In 1875, when seventeen years of age his parents removed to Union City, Ind., at which place he met and afterward married Miss Josie S. Archard, daughter of Ex. Commissioner William Archard, of Darke county. After marriage he removed to Belle- fontaine, where he engaged in the book and stationery business. Having sold his business early in 1884, he located in Greenville, Darke county, and took the local agency for the Union Central Life Insurance company of Cincinnati, and in 1885 the company gave him the agency of Darke county, and in 1886 added Mercer county, O., and Randolph county, Ind. During 1887, he traveled as special agent, over twenty-six counties, (the district of J. F. Heffelfinger of Springfield). In 1888 he again took charge of the Greenville district to which the company had added the counties of Preble. O., and Wayne, Ind. Early in 1889, the company added to his territory the counties of Montgomery and Butler, O., and Jay, Ind. He has an able corps of assistants: one in each county. He is writing, annually in his district, over $500,000 insurance upon the lives of wide awake, progressive merchants, business men and farmers. When Mr. Brandon took the agency for Darke county the company had less than $50,000 insurance upon the lives of its people, and it now has over $500,000. The Union Central Life Insurance company has paid in death losses and endowments in Darke county, over $20,000 and a large per cent. of premiums paid by policy holders in this company has been and is being loaned upon farms in Darke county. The laws of Ohio require the Union Central (Ohio's only life insurance company). to so invest its assets. He is therefore prepared at any time to place money for long time at low interest on good, improved farms. Mr. Brandon is one of Darke county's live, wide awake young business men, and is fast making a record that will rank him among the foremost men in western Ohio.
William S. Fry.
Mrs. William S. Fry.
Melvin J. Fry.
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WILLIAM S. FRY,
ALDORN in Miami county, O., June 28, 1855, and located in Greenville township, Darke county, about 1873, removing to Greenville in 1885, where he built the pleasant and sub tantial residence he now occupies on South Washington avenue. He is the third son of George and Catharine Fry, now living in the vicinity of Arcanum, this county. April 1, 1877, he was united in marriage to Miss Susannah Bausman, eighth child of John and Esther Bausman, both deceased. The fruit of this marriage is one son (Melvin J.), born January 8, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Fry are among the representative families of this county and by their industry, good management and economy, have succeeded in accumulating sufficient of this world's goods to live quite com- fortably. We can speak of no family in the county in higher terms than of this one; and their son, (illustrated in the family group), is one of the very brightest boys for his years, and we look for his development into manhood with more than the ordinary outlook. See residence following.
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Residence of William S. Fry, Greenville, O.
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R. D. Beem.
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R. D. BEEM,
HOTOGRAPHER, Greenville, O., was born July 29, 1860, at Hartford, Licking county, O. In his early life he learned the printing trade: from bis youth he was quite a pen artist, and taught peumanship for two years in Private and Public schools. He learned the art of photography from the eminent photo artist, Prof. J. H. Copeland of Cleveland, O., and in 1888 he located in Greenville, and began doing business for himself. Mr. Beem is an artist of the highest rank, and his work needs only to be seen to be appreciated. He is located on East Third street.
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AUGUSTUS N. WILSON,
ON of Thomas and Elizabeth Wilson, was born in Harrison township, Preble county, O., on May 10, 1842. He lived and worked on a farm until sixteen years of age. Having received a common-school education he began teaching school in the fall of 1861, and only taught about two months when he enlisted in company E, 69th Reg't., O. V. I. After serving almost three years he and his regiment re-enlisted for the war. He was appointed Hospital Steward for his regiment soon after re-enlisting and remained in that position until the regiment was mustered out of service, which was not done until nearly four months after the close of the war. During the entire service he was with his regiment with the exception of about two weeks. After the close of the war he taught school during the first winter, and in the spring, having saved about seven hundred dollars during the war, he formed a partnership with his uncle, Jesse Tillman, and conducted a small dry goods and grocery store at Jaysville, Darke county. Remaining there about one year he went into the same business with his brother William, at Winchester, Preble county, O., where he remained about one year and then went to Ansonia, Darke county, engaging in the same business in the spring of 1867. He remained in Ansonia in the merchandise business a little over five years, serving as postmaster during nearly all that time. On September 19, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Sallie C. Nisonger of Winchester, O. He located in Greenville in February, 1873, forming a partnership with W. J. Kelly which continued about two years, when Mr. Kelly was elected Auditor of Darke county and retired from the firm. Mr. Wilson conducted the business alone for about two years when he formed a partnership with Mr. William H. Hart, which partnership existed for about twelve years without ever having an unpleasant word pass between them. Mr. Hart's health beginning to fail he was compelled to quit business, and in 1886 he sold his interest to Mr. Wilson who has continued to conduct the business. He is now just in the prime of life and manhood and ranks among the foremost men socially and financially in the county. His mammoth dry goods and carpet store is in his own building, which is the best business building in Darke county. It is located on Broadway.
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Augustus N. Wilson.
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C. C. Walker.
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CHRISTOPHER C. WALKER,
TOCK-RAISER and farmer, resides on Section 23, post-office, New Madison, O. Of the successful farmers of Darke county, Mr. C. C. Walker is probably the most extensive; he makes a specialty of fine Short-Horn cattle and Poland-China hogs. He was born in Baltimore county, Md., August 23, 1829, and brought to Darke county by his parents, Christopher and Hannah (Marshall) Walker. They first settled in Butler township, he remaining at home until after he became twenty-one years of age, receiving such an education as an attendance of two to three months in the year at the common schools of that day would
afford. In 1851 he entered as equal partner in a store at Braffettsville, and soon afterward his brother Daniel purchased the other half and they remained in business about seven years. He was united in marriage January 27, 1854, with Miss Mary C., daughter of Thomas C. and Nancy Brawley, natives of Virginia, and pioneers of Darke county. Miss Mary was born in Harrison township October 20, 1834, and they first kept house in Braffetts-
ville. In 1858 Mr. Walker became dissatisfied with his store experience, sold out, and they removed to a farm near Brafietts- ville; in 1862 he purchased and they removed to the farm upon which they now reside. From 1862 to 1866 he was engaged with his brothers Edwin and Daniel in buying and shipping hogs, but the decline in prices caused them to lose heavily and they abandoned it, and he has since devoted himself to farming and raising stock, the latter being a specialty.' During the year 1879 he erected a fine barn 60x48 feet, with an L 54x40 feet, the whole conveniently arranged for the accommodation of stock, and in 1884 erected a fine brick-house equally corresponding to the barn; these fine buildings need only to be seen to be appreciated, as they are the best the writer ever saw on a farm. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are the parents of nine children, viz: Nellie, born April 29, 1855; Lon C., born February 27, 1857; Minnie, born October 28, 1858; Douglas, born May 21, 1860; Thomas C., born January 20, 1862, died August 7, 1862; Harry G., born June 29, 1863; Nancy B., born April 17, 1865; a daughter, born December 7, and died December 29, 1867, and Mary, born December 6,
1868: (yes, and all are good Democrats). Their family with tin exceptions are grown to manhood and womanhood, and all but two are still under the parental roof. Mr. Walker now owns
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one hundred and eighty-five acres in Preble county and two hundred and fifty in Harrison township, besides the home farin of four hundred and sixty-one acres. His residence is situated on an eminence bordering the beautiful little valley of East Fork, a branch of the Whitewater river; this branch runs through a portion of the farm and affords excellent and abundant water for his stock. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are sociable, agreeable people, and
highly respected citizens. We would especially mention Mr. Walker's excellent breed of Short-Horn cattle. He has the reputation of being one of the most successful breeders in the United States, having bred and sold some of the finest and most successful speci- mens of the Short-Horn stock. Following are a few of the fine animals: First, the (Profitable) family, tracing to the imported Beauty: Profitable 16th, Profitable 2ist, and Profitable of New Madison 2d; Mayflower family, tracing to the imported cow Matilda: Red Rose family. tracing to imported Rosemary; Rose of Sharon family, tracing to the imported Rose of Sharon.
As early as 1811 this breed of cattle was looked after and bred by the most practical and skillful breeders, and have been improved every year since that time until they are recognized the world over among cattle men as the finest of all the breeds. It should be looked upon with great pride by the citizens of Ohio, and more especially by the citizens of Darke county, that Mr. Walker is an Ohio man. The Rose of Sharon Short-Horn stock, (of which he is a breeder of American fame, ) are beauties to look upon. Some of this stock bred by him have been exhibited at all the famous stock shows and fairs in the United States, and he has won more first and sweepstake prizes than any other Ohio breeder of the Short-Horn family. The bulls at the head of the herd now in his possession, are as follows: Adam Sharon 3d and Sycamore Thorndale, both pure Rose of Sharon. Please notice in the accompanying engraving the following: Red Rose of Sharon 9th. Red Rose of Sharon of New Madison, Red. Rose of Sharon of New Madison 2d, Minnie's 19th Duchess of Geneva, and Rosebud 48th': all pure Rose of Sharon Short-Horns. If you are interested or desire to become interested in cattle breeding, you should see this herd.
Mr. Walker is also an extensive breeder of Poland-China hogs, having bred and sold and now owns some of the most famous stock of that family in the United States. The stock now owned by him are the productions of the boar World
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Short-Horn Cattle, Property of C. C. Walker.
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Beater, one of the most famous hogs ever bred, and the world- famous sow Duchess Ist, sired by World Beater. This sow, bred and owned by Mr. Walker, was the most famous sow the world has ever known, she having bred him nine litters of pigs, reaching the number of sixty nine; the sales of sixty-two head of these. realizing $2960. If you are interested in hog breeding you should not fail to see Mr. Walker's famous herd.
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J. T. HARTZELL & SON,
ARM wagons and hard wood lumber. This is by far the most extensive enterprise in this line in Darke county, and this firm places their products in every direction throughout the United States. They also have an agency for the sale of their lumber in Europe, which was established by a personal visit of Mr. George W. Hartzell during the summer of 1889. The Hartzell Wagon Works has a large saw-mill and factory which run every day and part of the time day and night. They furnish all kinds of hard wood building lumber very cheap, and you can get board lumber at one dollar per hundred feet, they also furnish fence pickets, tobacco lath, and tobacco-box lumber at very low prices. They do custom sawing, and farmers can bring their logs in and take the lumber back with them the same day. They are characteristic as straightforward, enterprising business men, and employ in the various departments of their works more men than any other one concern in the county; their capacity is from seven hundred and fifty to eight hundred wagons per year. They do all kinds of repair work on wagons, buggies, etc., on short notice and at greatly reduced prices. Every one of their wagons are warranted for two years, and where they are once introduced into actual service no other make is ever substituted; for ease of draft and durability their wagons are especially noted. If you are unacquainted with the merits of the "Hartzell Wagon," it will pay you to inquire of your neighbors using them before purchasing a new wagon. The firm is centrally located at the crossing of the D. & U. and C., St. L. & P. railways, and will take pleasure in showing any of their many friends through the works, exhibiting the quality of material . and manner of construction of the famous " Hartzell Wagon."
jag
CITY ROLLERM
AJKLINGER
عة مشرم
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A. J. KLINGER,
ROPRIETOR of the Greenville City Flouring mill, was born in Preble county in 1830. He began his early years in the merchandise business and later turned his attention to the milling and grain business, having owned flouring mill property in different places, and in 1876 he purchased this substantial warehouse building on Martin street near D. & U. R. R., and converted the same into a flouring mill by remodeling and building to. He has one of the best flouring-mill plants in this section of the state, having all the latest improved machinery for making flour by the roller
process. He not only does a large and satisfactory flouring and milling business, but buys and sells grain on a large scale. Mr. Klinger is one of the most successful and pleasant business men in this county and his large business continues to grow. In 1857, he was united in marriage to Miss Caroline West, a daughter of Peter West, one of the early pioneers of Dirke county. They have had born to them eight children, viz. : Sarah E., Delia F., Laura, Almy S., D. O., Watson J. and Peter W.
SHIELDS.
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MANOR & KECK.
RANITE and marble monuments. You can travei all over the State of Ohio and you will not be able to find another firm in this industry that can excel them. They are fine mechanics and artists, and a visit to their works will convince you that they are leaders in their business; they never imitate nor follow, but always lead. They are a pleasant firm to deal with and are extremely moderate in price, and if you need anything in their line a visit to their works will satisfy you that it is the place to deal. They are located near the Dayton & Union depot, on Martin street, Greenville, O. Their work is illustrated on the preceding page.
George W. Moore.
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GEORGE W. MOORE,
ERCHANT and Ex-State Senator, of Greenville, was born in Warren county, O., January 20, 1825. His father, Findley Moore, was a well known teacher, whose field of service was principally in the counties of Warren, Montgomery, Butler and Preble. From him many prominent men in these counties received their early education. His wife was Elizabeth Dunlap, born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Moore's youth was spent at the cabinet maker's trade; he had no school privileges after he was eleven years old. The first three years of his majority were employed in the huxtering business. In the fall of 1849 he went to California, where for eight years he was engaged in mining and "packing mules," transporting merchandise to the mines, and in the summer of 1857 he crossed the plains from Los Angelos to St. Joseph with a drove of wild horses and traded them for cattle which he fed through the winter of 1857-58, and in the spring of 1858 sold them to the government for the Utah expedition against the Mormons. On his way from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City he encamped for several days on the site of the memorable "Mountain Meadow Massacre," and east of the Rocky Mountains, met and conversed with the ill-fated party respecting their hazardous journey. In September, 1858, he located in Greenville, and in company with his brother-in-law, Michael Miller, embarked in the dry goods
business. This arrangement lasted five years, In August, 1863, he entered into partnership with the Hon. John L. Winner. In December, 1861, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Porter, daughter of John W. Porter, of Greenville. Mr. Moore has filled many positions of local honor during his life, and in 1879 the Democratic Senatorial convention, comprising the counties of Darke. Miami and Shelby, unanimously nominated him for the State Senate and he was triumphantly elected. He was re-nominated unanimously for a second term, but owing to his independence, being free from party restraint in his advocacy of the Pond law, which provided for taxing the liquor traffic, was defeated. Mr. Moore is well informed on many state and national questions; has been a contributor to some of our leading journals; is a pleasant, fair talker, zealous in all he undertakes, and has thereby made a success in life, financially, intellectually and morally.
J. W. Rubey.
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J. W. RUBEY,
HE subject of this sketch, was born February 24, 1847. at Spartansburg, Randolph county, Ind., and removed to Darke county, O., in the year 1879. He was married February 21, 1878, to Annie E. Glunt, and as a result of said marriage two children were born to them, viz: Ada Belle and David H. Rubey. Mr. Rubey is a farmer by occupation, being the owner of three hundred and six acres of good farming land. He retired from the farm and removed to the city of Greenville September 4, 1888, to educate his children. Mr. Rubey was the candidate for State Senator in this the Twelfth Senatorial district during the canvass of 1885.
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J. R. PREZINGER, M. D.
RITING the many biographies of Darke county's numerous representative citizens we are more than pleased to find
such a person as the subject of our sketch, and to hear the almost marvellous things that can be truthfully said of him. Among the many diseases he successfully treats are tumors and cancers. In treating these two dreaded diseases he uses a medicine of his own invention and guarantees a cure in all cases. In the treatment of piles he guarantees a permanent cure and almost painless. Diseases of the rectum, kidneys and all cases of hemorrhoids are speedily and permanently cured. We have met many physicians in our business, but never before one that is deserving of so much praise, and who has permanently cured so many cases in the above category of fearful maladies which the human family is heir to. He has traveled the length and breadth of the United States many times, successfully treating all the different diseases
of humanity. The doctor is a pleasant and agreeable conversationalist and always sociably inclined. If you are suffering with any of the dreaded diseases of the human flesh, it is your own fault if vou are not cured, for the doctor can and will cure you to a certainty. The doctor has a permanent office on Broadway, opposite the Farmer's National bank in Greenville, where he may be addressed or called upon. The doctor has thousands of testimonial letters from patients that have been permanently and entirely cured of all these dreadful diseases that we might publish here, but let it suffice to give you just a few that have been cured, that you may call upon or address for full satisfaction to yourself. We have spent many hours in the doctor's office and have seen the photographs and letters of testimony from . thousands of persons that he has cured. Following will suffice to convince the most skeptical :
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