USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume I > Part 31
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In 1893 she built a handsome residence in Nutley, New Jersey, not far from New York City, where she spent several enjoyable vacation seasons.
On October 30, 1901, the Wild West show suffered a dis- astrous wreck in which Annie Oakley was severely wound- ed, having to undergo five operations in order to save her life. This ended her engagement with the big show and in the fall and winter of 1902 she starred in a play written es- pecially for herself, and, if possible, made a greater artistic success than she had in the shooting field. Then came the great libel suit against her in which fifty-seven newspapers participated. Two of these made immediate apology, but the other fifty-five were sued with the result that fifty-five ver- dicts were rendered in favor of Annie Oakley. Most of these cases were settled soon in a manner satisfactory to the plain-
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tiff, but one suit dragged on for nearly seven years. This closed probably the greatest chain of suits on record in the history of the world, costing the plaintiff about $90,000.00 and the defendants about half a million dollars. Thus one little frail woman with a few thousand dollars that she had earned by her skill put up a wonderful fight against several of the most prominent newspapers in the United States rep- resenting a capital of several million of dollars, and manned by some of the brainy men of the country, and won prac- tically a unanimous verdict in justification of her character.
Annie Oakley joined the "Young Buffalo Wild West" in April. 1910, continuing with them three years during the summer seasons, and spending the winters with her husband in central Florida, shooting game and riding after the hounds.
Having sold their former home at Nutley, N. J., they are now in Cambridge, Md., where they are erecting a new home on Hambrooks Bay, near the Great Choptauk river. They are planning to spend their summer fishing and boating over this beautiful river and the Chesapeake Bay-going occa- sionally to Florida or returning to Annie's former home in Darke county, Ohio, where is the resting place of her be- loved little mother and the homes of her sisters, Mrs. Hulda Haines and Mrs. Emily Patterson.
Henry Black.
Henry Black was born in Harrison township, Preble coun- ty, Ohio, August 25, 1832, and was the son of Joseph and Sarah Black. On October 6, 1853, he married Catherine Weaver, of Lewisburg, Ohio, who died August 3, 1891. In 1880 Mr. Black came to Darke county and located on the Old Sam Cable farm in section six, Western Greenville town- ship, along the township road. His education was very lim- ited but he was of a practical turn of mind and used his meager schooling to good advantage. He early manifested a strong inclination toward mechanics and did much original experimenting which eventuated in various practical inven- tions. Probably his first patent was for a flax scutching ma- chine which was registered June 5, 1866. One of his most useful inventions was a railroad switch which he patented February 25, 1873, and from which he received very little financial remuneration. It is said that the principle of this switch was seized upon by other mechanics, who by slight
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adaptations made it one of the best ever produced, with the result that it was adopted by some of the large railways and part of it incorporated in the most successful switches now in use on nearly all railways.
While living in Darke county, Mr. Black devoted much of his time to experimenting on a mower and binder that would cit the grain close to the ground with the result that he se- cured a patent for a low down binder in 1885. This inven- tion attracted wide attention and promised to be a decided improvement on the ordinary binder. Mr. Black moved to Greenville where he equipped a machine shop in 1893 with- ont outside financial aid. Although advanced in age he strove against large odds to introduce his promising inven- tion, but met with much discouragement and the machine never reached a degree of perfection to justify its general adoption. However, the drive chain used extensively today was a part of this invention. Undaunted by age and great obstacles Henry Black continued his labors and was ex- perimenting with an improved electric and gasoline engine when called from the scene of his earthly labors on August 19. 1901. He was a man of tender heart, great patience and forbearance, and attained much of his success by following the homely old rule, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try, again." By unselfish devotion to his ideals he helped others with their inventions, left the world richer in useful mechan- ical appliances, and, no doubt, indirectly saved many lives by his improved switch. He left a son, Horace C., and three grandchildren, one of whom, Elsie, has for several years been a successful teacher in the Greenville public schools.
Other Notables.
These are the names of only a few of the residents of Darke county who have wrought out exceptional careers at home or attained wide fame for their accomplishments. The legal profession has furnished several men of note whose names and accomplishments are recorded in the chapter on the "Bench and Bar" in this volume. Others appear among the family biographical sketches in volume two, including John T. Lecklider, the poet ; Jacob T. Martz, the educator; Frank Conklin, the financier; Harvey C. Garber, the politician; L. C. Anderson, the physician ; Howard W. Swope, Frank and Carl Wilson, the musical composers; Judge James I. Allread, (23)
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the jurist; Orla Harrison and Clement Brumbaugh, the leg- islators; Guy C. Baker, the writer of short stories, besides Lohmann brothers, the telescope makers and Frances Katzen- berger Ratliff, the author of "He Would Have Me Be Brave" and "The Three Verdicts." Besides all these might be men- tioned a host of painters, readers, educators and musicians, who have helped to place Darke county in the front rank for native talent and worthy accomplishments.
CHAPTER XV.
POLITICS AND POLITICAL OFFICES.
The people of Ohio have been noted for their genius for politics ever since their organization as a state in 1803. Probably the most stirring activity in early days was that caused by the "Tippecanoe and Tyler too" log cabin cam- paign in 1840, as previously noted.
In earlier days the people of Darke county were isolated and mostly interested in clearing the land and laying the foundation for future prosperity. After the middle of the nineteenth century interest increased and politics became an important theme in public and private life. Political dis- cussion often waxed warm in the taverns and public places and many brawls ensued.
The "Darke County Boy" pictures the political condition at that period in the following vivid words:
"I never hear of a Republican or a Democratic pole raising in Darke county any more. Those were great events in their day. The Republicans always raised ash poles, while the Democrats raised hickory poles. Noted speakers were had by both parties. The higher the pole, the greater the event. These poles were always spliced once or twice, and a flag and streamer were always hoisted to the top. While this was going on the band would play, the crowd would cheer, and everybody would feel good.
"After the flag raising the speaker would talk about the 'great fundamental principles' of the party to which he be- longed, when there would be more yelling and handclapping, 'to beat the band.'
"There would sometimes be a fist fight or two before the day was over, but that was to be expected. Whiskey was good and cheap and plentiful, and consequently it always had its innings on such occasions.
"If it was a Democratic pole raising, the old faithfuls of the party would drive into town good and early. As they drove in one would see David Edwards and his family, Wm. Jenkinson, William Marshall, David Thompson. John Town-
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send, 'Big' John Coppess, Joe Brush, Mike and Andy Zeek, George Dively, Sam Love, and Christian Schlechty, ,Uncle Jimmy' McCoy, Johnathan Matchette, Alfred Wolf, Wm. Lecklider, and hundreds of others, with their families.
"I never saw a load of Democrats in my life that didn't look to have twice as many in the wagon as there actually were. They were so discouraging for Republicans to look at that it gave them the shivers-and sometimes worse.
"On such occasions the speakers would be either Sam Medary, Frank McKinney, Frank Le Blond, C. L. Valland- ingham, Geo. E. Pugh, Geo. H. Pendleton, Wm. Allen, Thomas Ewing, or local talent, such as D. L. Meeker, Evan Baker, Valentine Whitmore, John L. Winner, Thos. D. Stiles and Joseph McCord. These were 'before the war' days. At night there would be speaking up town in front of the court house, where a bonfire as large as a logheap would make light enough to read a newspaper across the public square.
"Whence came the fuel for the bonfire? Every merchant in town knew-for the next morning they would discover that all empty barrels and boxes had suddenly disappeared. Who 'nipped' them? We boys, of course-sons of Democrats and sons of Republicans, and every one of us a 'son of a gun,' according to the merchant's opinion of us.
"Pole raising day for Republicans fetched into town the families of David Craig, John and Aaron Hiller, Lemuel Rush. Henry McEowen, J. J. Markwith, Sipio Myers, Joseph and Samuel Cole. A. L. Northrop, Wm. Leas, Harrod Mills, Wm. Bishop, Morris and Joe Bryson, James McCabe, David Putnam, Jacob Shiveley, Reuben Lowery, and 100 other stal- warts and their families.
"After the pole raising, speeches would be made by either Thomas Corwin, Salmon P. Chase, Louis D. Campbell (then a Republican). Robt. Schenck, Samuel Galloway, Samuel Cary, William Gibson, James Hart. Samuel Craighead, Thos. M. Browne, or other distinguished non-residents of the coun- ty. At night the local speakers would be one or more of the following: J. R. Knox, Dr. I. N. Gard, Charles Calkins, E. B. Putnam. A. R. Calderwood, E. B. Taylor, Joseph Frizell. The usual bonfire would be blazing as brightly as at any Democratic meeting.
"But pole raising is no longer fashionable. Perhaps the scarcity of ash and hickory trees may be the fault of it."
Feeling ran high during the Buchanan campaign and
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throughout the Civil War, when the epithets of "Butternut" and "Copperhead" were contemptuously applied to those who sympathized with the south, while the Republicans in turn were called "Woolyheads." It was the delight of the Democrats to aggravate the Republicans by wearing "butter- nut" clothing similar to that worn in the Confederacy. Such conditions often resulted in severe fist fights. Vallanding- ham and Prugh, who were running on the state ticket, were stigmatized as "Vomit and Puke." Fire-eating and backbit- ing were the order of the day. Stump speakers and editors vied with each other in the use of caustic and vile adjec- tives, and the public mind was highly inflamed. At this period the office of the "Democrat" was raided, and the type thrown into the street.
"The Dayton Rounders," a band of rowdies, participated in a Democratic meeting held in Greenville at the close of the war. Their presence inflamed the returned soldier boys, who drubbed several of them severely and drove them out of town after frightening them by the discharge of firearms. This escapade brought down on them the derision of their friends at home and broke up their organization.
After the war a calmer and more sensible spirit prevailed and enthusiasm was expressed by barbecues, mass meetings and torchlight processions. This condition prevailed dur- ing the campaign of. Hayes and Tilden, Garfield and Han- cock. In recent years a calmer and more deliberate spirit has prevailed and more enlightened methods are used. To day the appeal is to the reason rather than the emotions.
From 1836 to 1846, the congressional district was com- posed of Darke, Preble and Butler counties, with the result that Democrats were elected each term. In 1846 the district was changed to comprise Darke, Montgomery, Greene and Preble and continued so until 1852, during which time all the successful candidates were Whigs, including Hiram Bell of Greenville, elected in 1850. In 1852 the district was again changed to include Darke, Miami, Shelby, Auglaize, Allen and Mercer, with the result that a Democrat was elected in 1852; a bolter in 1854; a Republican in 1856; William Allen, of Greenville, a Democrat, in 1858 by 78 majority. In 1862 the district was composed of Darke, Warren, Shelby, Logan and Champaign and elected a Democrat that year, a Repub- lican in 1864, 1866 and 1868; and a Democrat in 1870. In 1872 the district was composed of Darke, Preble, Greene and
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Montgomery counties, and elected a Republican in that year ; a Democrat in 1874 and 1876. In 1878 the district was com- posed.of Darke, Shelby, Warren, Preble, Auglaize and Mercer and elected B. S. Lesser, of Sidney.
State Senators.
Before the separation of Darke county from Miami the sen- atorial district included Miami and Preble counties, and was known as Champaign District. David Purviance represented these counties from 1812 to 1815 inclusive; Thos. Furnas from 1816 to 1819; Wm. K. Henderson in 1820, and W. Buell in 1821.
In 1822 Darke county was included in the Preble District with Mercer, Van Wert, Paulding and Williams. John Alex- ander represented this district at the special session in 1821. It seems that there was no representative at the regular ses- sions of 1822 and 1823. David F. Heaton was the represen- tative in 1825: John G. Jamison in 1826 and 1827. Van Wert and Paulding counties were dropped from the district in 1828, and David F. Heaton again represented the district in 1828 to June, 1832, inclusive, and John M. W. McNutt in December, 1832.
In 1833 the district comprised Allen, Miami, Darke, Shel- by, Wood, Mercer. Williams, Lucas, Van Wert, Paulding, Putnam and Henry counties and was represented from 1833 to June, 1835, by Jas. Johnson; in the regular sessions of 1835 and 1836 by John E. Hunt, and in 1837 by Curtis Bates.
In 1838 the district included Miami, Darke and Mercer counties. In 1840 Shelby was added and in 1844 Mercer was detached, making the district decidedly Whig. Wm. I. Thomas represented the district from 1838 to July, 1842, in- clusive ; Jos. S. Updegraff in 1842 and 1843; John O'Ferral in 1844 and 1845; Wm. W. Wilson in 1846 and 1847; Jacob S. Conklin in 1848 and 1849; Jas. H. Hart in 1850.
The constitution of 1851 made the sessions biennial in- stead of annual. Darke county was then included in the Twelfth District with Miami and Shelby, and was repre- sented by Rankin Walkup, in 1852; John McClure, in 1854; Wm. H. Lowder, in 1856; Isaac N. Gard, in 1858; Hardesty Walker, in 1860; Wm. B. McLung, in 1862; L. B. Gunckel, in 1864; J. E. Cummins, in 1866; John L. Winner, in 1868 and 1870; John W. Morris, in 1872; Jno. D. Morris, in 1874; Nathan P. Burress, in 1876; J. M. Carson, in 1878; Geo. W.
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Moore, in 1880; Jennison Hall, in 1882; A. C. Cable, in 1884- 1886; A. J. Robertson, in 1888-1890; Thos. A. Burns, in 1892; McPherson Brown, 1894-1896; Geo. S. Long, 1898-1900; Orla E. Harrison, H. L. Yount.
Edward T. Wagner, represented Darke county in the Con- stitutional Convention of 1912, which drafted the new Con- stitution.
Representatives.
The members of the Ohio House of Representatives since 1820, have been: Jas. Mills, Jacob Miller, Jas. Riley, Joll Wood, Mark T. Mills, Justin Hamilton, P. G. Goode, Stacy Taylor. These persons represented the various districts of which Darke county was a part up to and including 1836. In 1837, Darke, Mercer and Miami were included in a district which was represented by Hiram Bell, Justin Hamilton, Jno. Briggs, Thos. Shidler. M. Purviance and I. N. Gard during the period from that time to 1841 inclusive. Darke alone was represented by Jacob Counts and John McClure in 1842, and by D. Alexander. Jas. Bryson and Jas. W. Riley in 1843 ; D. J. Hostetter, in 1844; Ezek. Thomas, in 1845; J. S. Pur- viance, in 1846; Jacob S. Conklin, in 1847 ; Luther Monfort, 1848; Geo. Ward, 1849: Jno. Lenox, 1850; Peter V. Banta, 1852; Evan Baker, 1854; J. C. Williamson, 1856; J. L. Winner, 1856-1860; Louis B. Lott, 1862-1864; Scipio Myers, 1866; Jacob Baker, 1868: E. M. Walker, 1870; Thos. D. Stiles, 1872; E. M. Walker, 1874; S. A. Hostetter, 1876-1878; Chas. Negley and WV. Long, 1880; Chas. Negley, 1882: David Baker, 1884-1886. Harvey C. Garber was the representative in the sessions of 1890 and 1892: C. W. Hoeffer, in 1894; W. E. Ludwick, in 1896 and 1898: Clement L. Brumbaugh, in 1900- 1902; A. H. Judy, Chris Appenzeller.
The County Commissioners.
are now elected for a term of three years, beginning Sep- tember 15. They are three in number, one being elected each year, and their salary is $1,704.24 with an allowance of $3.00 per diem on ditches up to $500.00.
The first Commissioners elected in 1817 were Archibald Bryson, Abraham Studabaker and Silas Atchison. Those who have served in this capacity since the above mentioned during the entire history of the county are Jacob Miller, Wm. Curry, John McNeill, Joshua Howell, Dennis Hart, James
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Bryson, Robert Robeson, David Briggs, Jacob Harter, Solo- mon Riffle, John Swisher, Richard Lucas, Moses Woods, Wm. B. Ludd, George Ward, John McGriff, Jr., John Col- ville, Henry Lipp, Wm. Arnold, John Miller, Christian Har- shey, Adam Baker, Samuel C. Baker, Isaac Reed, Daniel Rie- gel, David Studabaker, Abel Slonaker, Stephen A. Greer, Wm. Kerr, Michael Zeek, William Wright, Riley Gard, John Stoltz, George Ivester, Samuel Alexander, David Oliver, Jesse Woods, Jas. Auld, J. R. Holland, Elisha Berry, John Antonides, Geo. D. Miller, Wm. Archard, Samuel Wilson, John Frederick, Jno. G. Deubner, John H. Corwin, Wm. Archard, R. K. Beem, S. J. Stapleton, Chris Appenzeller, A. Kercher, Jacob Eberwine, P. J. Plessinger, John H. Noggle, Jacob Zacharias, Geo. E. Niswonger, Jos. Alexander, Thos. L. Brewer, N. D. Sipple, W. H. Townsend. D. F. Amspaugh, Oscar Moist, A. B. Craig, Reuben Hannah, John Coblentz and John Wondle.
The following is the first report of the County Commission- ers filed in 1818, for the year commencing on the first Mon- day in June, 1817, and ending on the first Monday in June, 1818:
Expenditures.
Cash for orders redeemed $456.44֏
Paid the Treasurer's commission 18.24
$474.69₺
Receipts.
In full of the county tax for the year 1817 $171.00
Store and tavern license and permits 76.57
On account sale of county lots 177.00 Fines 36.00
On roads not established 2.25
$462.82
Leaving a balance due the Treasurer on the first Monday in June, 1818, of $11.77.
The first commissioners received a total of $40.50 for their services.
The three Associate Judges drew $25.00 for their labor, and less than fifty dollars was paid for all the expenses of the court.
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The grand jury was the most expensive item, drawing $57.00.
The cost of road improvement for that year was $20.00.
It is intensely interesting to note that of the amount re- ceived $47.75 was for six of the lots comprising the original plat of the city of Greenville, out of the thirty-two, which had been conveyed to the County Commissioners by the pro- prietors of the plat for such public uses as might be deemed desirable. The lots were mostly 99 feet by 165 feet, and comprised the present very valuable sites of the Sellman and Hopkin homes on West Third street; the Dorman and King properties on West Main street ; Spidel feed and sale barn on East Third street ; the Opera House and saloon property adjoining on Third street; the Kipp corner on the public square, extending probably to Laurimore's restaurant on Broadway, and the Cole property on the southwest corner of East Main and Walnut streets. At that time a tax of thirty cents a head was levied on horses and ten cents a head on cattle. Tavern keepers paid a license of $8.00 and storekeep- ers $10.00. John Devor was the tax collector.
The County Auditor
transacts a large amount of important business, including the issuing of Commissioners' and other warrants on the County Treasurer, making out the tax duplicate, auditing the ac- counts of all the district and village and city schools, etc. He is now elected for a term of three years, beginning in October, and his salary is $3,135.00 per year.
Those who have filled this important position since the establishment of the office in 1821, were Jas. Devor, H. D. Williams, John Craig, John Beers, David Cole. Hiram Bell, David Angel, C. C. Craig, Wm. M. Wilson, David Stamm, John S. Winner. A. R. Doty, A. L. Northrop, Geo. W. Coo- ver, Joseph C. Shepherd, John E. Matchett, D. B. Clews, E. H. Wright, O. C. Perry, John D. Matchett, W. J. Kelly, John C. Turpen, Cyrus Minnich, L. C. Klipstine, George Sigafoos, J. W. Ditman, Ed. Culbertson, Frank Snyder and the present incumbent, John L. Morgan.
The County Treasurer
is elected for a period of three years beginning in September. His salary at present is $3,135.00. John Devor was the first
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Treasurer, being appointed in 1818. Others who served since him were: David Briggs, Linus Bascom, John Beers, A. Scribner, Loring R. Brownell, Henry D. Williams, Jas. M. Dorsey, Daniel Irwin, James Devor, Chas. Hutchins, Jas. Irwin, Wm. Schmidt, Jas. McKhann, Geo. H. Martz, Thos. P. Turpen, Eli Helm, John Simon, - Bickel, H. C. Helm. J. P. Meeker, T. F. Rogers, John C. Burns. John Suter is the present incumbent.
The County Recorder
is elected for a term of three years, beginning in September. His salary is now $2,130.00. Abraham Scribner was appoint- ed the first County Recorder in 1817, and was succeeded by Easton Morris. Those serving since were: Joseph D. Far- rar. Thomas Rush, John Wharry, Elias Brumminger, John S. Shepherd, S. C. Eddington, Daniel Stevenson, A. F. Med- ford, Benj. Beers, P. H. Maher, Richard Hunt, Daniel Sny- der, James W. Martin, Wm. Townsend, Louis Gruber. The present incumbent is Alva Binkley.
The County Surveyor or Engineer
is elected for a period of three years, his term beginning in September. His salary is five dollars per working day. Those elected in recent years to this office, where accuracy of detail and mathematical precision are prime requisites, were: Eli Armacost, W. D. Brumbaugh, German Warner, Jas. R. Marker, Chas. Slade. The present incumbent is Harry Miller, who assumed office this year.
The first surveyor was probably John Devor, who made the original plat of Greenville in 1808.
The Infirmary Superintendent
has a difficult and responsible position in caring for the de- ficient, aged and infirm members of the county house, and in taking care of the large farm attached thereto. This officer was formerly appointed yearly by the Infirmary Directors, who in turn were appointed by the Commissioners. Recent- ly they have been appointed by the Commissioners direct, thus eliminating a superfluous office.
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Court Officials.
The Probate Judge is elected for a term of four years, which begins in February. His salary is $3,135.00 per year.
The Prosecuting Attorney is elected for a period of two years, beginning in January. His salary is $2,370.00 per year.
The Clerk of the Courts is elected for a term of three years beginning in August with a salary of $2,785.00 yearly.
The Sheriff holds for a period of two years, beginning January 1, and receives a salary of $2,300.00 per year.
In Chapter XXII, entitled "Bench and Bar," will be found a complete list of those serving in the above court offices since the organization of the county, with biographical sketches of all Probate and Common Pleas Judges.
Darke county is now in the Fourth Congressional District, which includes also the counties of Allen, Auglaize, Shelby and Mercer. Since 1891, the following Democrats have rep- resented this district at Washington: F. C. Layton (Au- glaize), 1891-1896; - Marshall (Shelby), 1897-1898; Robert Gordon (Auglaize), 1899-1902; Harvey C. Garber (Darke), 1903-1906; W. E. Touvelle (Mercer), 1907-1910; J. H. Goeke (Anglaize), 1911 -.
The county has uniformly gone Democratic on presidential elections for several years, except that it gave Theodore Roosevelt (Republican) a majority.
CHAPTER XVI.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
The County Infirmary.
Probably no public institution better illustrates the pro- gressive and philanthropic disposition of the people of Darke county than the beautiful new infirmary building, situated on a commanding hillside some two miles south of Greenville on the Eaton pike. Before the middle of the last century it was customary in Darke and other Ohio counties to place their weak, unfortunate and incompetent citizens in the homes of residents who hoped to profit by their keeping. It can read- ily be imagined that many abuses attended this pernicious custom and that the growing spirit of charity and humanity demanded a home maintained by a county tax where these poor people might have proper care and attention.
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