USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume I > Part 47
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"Sorosis" was organized in 1895, federated in 1897, with a membership of twenty-four, and the members are studying India the present year. They meet Thursdays. President, Mrs. Martin Pierson; secretary, Miss Mary Waring ; treas- urer, Mrs. J. L. Selby.
"Altrurian" was organized in 1900, federated in 1901, with a membership of twenty, and is now studying Ireland and
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Wales. President, Mrs. M. W. Westerfield; secretary, Mrs. Margaret Patty ; treasurer, Mrs. Earl Martin.
"Fin de Siecle" was organized in 1900 and has twelve mem- bers. This year they are studying South America republics, Mexico, and are also giving some time to current topics, and seasonable social events. President, Miss Lucille Matchett ; secretary, Mrs. Horace Oglesby; treasurer, Miss Edith Din- inger. They meet Tuesdays.
"Emersonian" was organized in 1908. They meet Wednes- days and have eighteen members. This club is studying France the present year. President, Mrs. Corwin Reigle : sec- retary, Mrs. John Matthews; treasurer, Miss Emma Kerlin. The Up-to-Date, 1910.
These have been instrumental in promoting a love for the better things in literature and thereby tending to raise the ideals of the community.
Civic League.
As an active force for the betterment of the social, sani- tary, and general moral condition of the community the "Civic League" was organized by the women of the city on March 10, 1914, and has already grown to a membership of about eighty. The scope of its work is indicated by the com- mittees appointed to carry on its work, which are as follows: Sanitation, outdoor art, children's auxiliary, streets and alleys, industrial and rest room, charity, public buildings and recrea- tion, membership and press. The present officers are: Presi- dent, Mrs. J. L. Selby ; first vice president, Mrs. Wm. Lynch ; second vice president, Mrs. F. H. Jobes ; third vice president, Mrs. Minor McCool; secretary, Mrs. H. K. Harvey; corres- ponding secretary, Mrs. Jas. G. Reid ; chairmen of committees : Mesdames J. J. Martz, H. K. Schopp, G. W. Mace, E. F. Babb, W. S. Rosser, Z. T. Dorman, J. M. Bickel and Miss A. M. Buchwalter and Mrs. Chas. Matthews.
Already the force of this organization is being manifested in clearing up the streets and alleys of the city and striving to improve social conditions.
Commercial Culb.
The Greenville Commercial Club was organized by the men of the city to promote the business interests of the city, especially by the securing of new factories and industries
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and advertising the advantages of Greenville as a social and industrial center. This organization succeeded the Board of Trade, which was organized several years ago. A. L. Baugh- man (deceased), Charles Minnich, J. P. Duffey have been the successive presidents. This organization has been largely in- strumental in securing the Gem Manufacturing Company and the Union Underwear Mills and laying out a new addition on the east side of the city adjacent to the factory district, thereby providing excellent factory sites and encouraging the building of homes convenient for the employees. It has also booked the Redpath Chautauqua for the reason of 1914 and is endeavoring to secure a good park for the city.
WVm. E. Halley is now president : Ed Cornell, vice-presi- dent : Guy C. Baker, secretary and Adelbert Martz, treasurer of this club. The directors are: W. J. Irwin, W. D. Rush, G. F. Schmermund, Burr Evans, E. A. Grubbs, J. O. Winters, E. C. Wright, Robert Burdge and C. C. Minnich.
Executive committee-W. J. Irwin, W. D. Rush, Charles Minnich, F. G. Schmermund and E. C. Wright.
New Industry Committee-J. H. Martz, D. E. Horn and M. A. Maher.
Present Industry Committee-Horace Ogelsby, D. L. Gas- kill and S. L. Brenner.
Retail Committee-Harry Vance, Roy Mong and George Esplin.
Public Improvement Committee-Dr. A. W. Rush, M. W. Limbert and C. C. Hall.
Civic Committee-Frank Jobes, C. J. Herr and S. M. Rust.
Membership Committee-Robert Burdge, Ed Cornell and Guy C. Baker.
Advertising Committee-R. R. Winters, Stanley Frizell and John H. Mannix.
Entertainment Committee-Charles Biehaut, A. Martz, I. M. Pierson, James Martz and J. O. Winters.
Chautauqua Committee-Charles Minnich, C. C. McKin- ney, John Martz and Guy C. Baker.
Good Roads Club.
The Good Roads Club was organized in December, 1913, for the purpose of improving the condition of the highways of Darke county. This is one of the most active organizations in the county and is succeeding through the instrumentality
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of press and public meetings in educating a strong sentiment in favor of better roads. James R. Marker, the present state highway commissioner, is a son of Darke county and has lent his assistance in forwarding the local work. The present officers are E. R. Fouts, president; Charles York, secretary, and James Knupp, treasurer.
There are two important societies whose field of activity comprehends the entire county, which deserve prominent mention.
The Darke County Horse Thief Detective Association.
This society was organized as early as March, 1845, under the name of the "Darke County Self Protection Association," for the purpose of securing the arrest, conviction and punish- ment of horse thieves and other depredators. At that time property was less secure in the rural districts than it is today and the protective association proved a valuable instrument for deterring and preventing lawless acts. This society or- ganized with about twenty members. James Devor was the first president ; John Wharry, secretary, and David Stamm treasurer. Interest in the work of the society seems to have declined and early in the "seventies" a reorganization was effected with Thomas Lecklider as president, and Arthur Baird secretary. The society now has an active member- ship of about 280, and holds quarterly meetings in March, June, September and December. The present officers are: W. R. Stuck, president ; J. C. White, secretary ; D. L. Gaskill, treasurer.
The Patrons of Husbandry.
This organization was effected at an early date for the pur- pose of promoting the social, financial and agricultural inter- ests of the farmers of the entire county. The Greenville Grange was organized in April, 1874. A Grange store was soon started on Broadway, but closed after a brief struggle for existence. The present policy of the Grange is to buy in wholesale lots and distribute direct such articles as food stuffs, fertilizers, binder-twine, paints, etc., and to sell grains for its members in car-load lots.
There are now seven subordinate granges in Darke county. and two in Preble county organized as "Pomona Grange," which meets bi-monthly for social and business purposes. The present officers are :
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Master-E. T. Wagner.
Overseer-Calvin Marick.
Lecturer-C. L. Jones.
Chaplain-Mrs. E. T. Wagner.
Assistant Steward-W. C. Gauby.
Lady Assistant Steward-Mrs. W. C. Gauby.
Treasurer-W. E. Thompson.
Recording secretary-Mrs. B. M. Allen.
Financial Secretary-Pearl E. Trick.
Pomona-Mrs. D. E. Hoffman.
Flora-Mrs. C. L. Jones.
Ceres-Mrs. Calvin Marick.
Gatekeeper-C. F. Bliss.
The gradual but substantial growth of Greenville is indi- cated by the census statistics as follows :
Year 1860, population 1,650; 1870, 2,520; 1880, 3,535; 1890, 5,473; 1900, 5,501: 1910, 6,237. The population by wards in 1910 was: First, 1,341 ; Second, 1,798: Third, 1,766; Fourth, 1,332. The present population probably approximates 7,000.
The real property of the city was assessed in 1913 at $5,428,480.00 and the personal property at $2,911,744.00. It is expected that the return of chattels in 1914 will increase the latter amount about $500,000.00.
Greenville is classified as a city of the second class under the laws of the state and has the following officials :
Mayor-Benjamin F. Scholl.
Auditor-C. R. Jobes.
Director of Service-D. W. Shively.
Director of Safety-W. D. Rush.
Superintendent of Water Works-John P. Lucas.
Street Commissioner-Smith O'Brien.
City Clerk-Karl Schmermund.
Treasurer-Frank Schreel.
Engineer-Robert H. Horn.
Chief of Police-J. L. Bascom (died June 26, 1914).
Fire Chief-James Boyer.
The board of control is composed of the mayor, director of service, director of safety and clerk.
The patrolmen of the police department are John Lynch, Ernest Bell and Albert Ibaugh.
The members of the board of health are: J. E. Hunter, M. D., president ; G. E. Morningstar, D. D. S .; Frank Payne ; C. S.
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Elliott, veterinary surgeon ; T. H. Monger. Health officer --- S. A. Hawes, M. D. ; clerk, Karl Schmermund.
The members of the city council are: B. F. Scholl, presi- dent ; Wm. Fouts, W'm. Reed and D. E. Horn, members at large : Harry Willson, first ward; Jacob Menke, second ward ; Lincoln Metzcar, third ward; Wm. Kurz, fourth ward.
During recent years the following persons have served as mayor of the city : A. H. Meeker, R. S. Frizell, Hallec Rupe, J. L. Bascom, M. F. Myers, E. C. Wright, L. E. Chenoweth, A. N. Wilson, T. C. Maher, G. F. Schmermund and E. E. Calderwood. On account of the accidental death of Mayor Calderwood, June 24, 1914, Mr. B. F. Scholl, the president of the council, became acting mayor.
The Greenville Cemetery.
Strange as it may seem, there is a subtle relation between the manner of life of a people and the manner in which they inter their dead. The careful embalming practiced by the ancient Egyptians, together with the manner of interment and the artistic character of some of their tombs, indicate that they were a people holding certain ideas of immortality and that they had arrived at a degree of civilization beyond any other people of their era. Likewise the presence of a care- fully platted, artistically planted and well kept cemetery in a city or community in these days is taken to indicate a certain degree of esthetic culture and local pride among the people. In the rough pioneer days, the remains of the dead were buried on the private grounds of the family in a little fenced plot, which too often suffered neglect, and upon the transfer of land was liable to be plowed up by the new owner, and thus left to oblivion. In later years it became customary in the rural districts to bury the bodies of the dead in the little burial ground surrounding the local church, with the result that these grounds were sometimes neglected or abandoned upon the discontinuance of the church. Many of the pioneers were buried in such places and their place of interment is un- known today.
The earliest burial ground of the pioneers on the site of Greenville was probably on the southeast corner of West Third and Chestnut streets, on lots 544 and 545, now owned and occupied by Mr. Ed Grubbs. Mrs. McKhann, the oldest daughter of Azor Scribner, related that she saw numerous
McWHINNEY MEMORIAL GATEWAY, GREENVILLE CEMETERY (Courtesy "Advocate")
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rough slate headstones here in early days with names reputed to be those of officers of Wayne's army, scratched thereon. While grading West Third street and the sidewalk on Chest- nut street at this point, and while putting a sewer in the alley in more recent years, numerous remains were disin- terred. This was an elevated point overlooking the prairie and lay just outside of the southwestern bastion of old Fort Greenville. Remains were also found on the bluff of the creek a few rods east of the Broadway bridge, near the north- east bastion, and on the site of the Ohio block on Broadway, on lot 24, near the southeastern bastion of the fort remains were found with buttons, coins and articles which seemed to indicate that they belonged to soldiers of this period. It is also said that Wayne had a hospital near the southeast corner of Wayne avenue and Armstrong street on lot 763, and a burial ground just to the northwest on lot 806. The butts of pickets were removed when grading Wayne avenue just south of Armstrong street about 1880, and numerous military relics found by the workmen.
The earliest known burial plot of the pioneers proper was on the present site of the Catholic church on lot 32 of the orig- mal town plot, at the southeast corner of West Third and Elm streets. It seems that Mrs. Armstrong, "the Mother of Green- ville." and probably John Devor, who platted the town, and a few others were buried here. This place seems to have been used until 1816 when a burying ground was located on the bluff of Greenville creek on the north side of East Water street just west of the head of Ash street. Mrs. Samuel Boyd, the wife of the earliest farmer, was the first person buried here in 1816. The remains of Abraham Scribner. Linus Bascom, and many other pioneers of the town were interred here, but in less than forty years it was seen that the place was too small to meet the local needs. Accordingly, in 1853. a "Ceme- tery Association" was organized under the state law, and William Collins, George W. Coover and John Tomilson were elected trustees thereof. On November 29, 1853, Dr. Gabriel Miesse. Sr., deeded to these trustees for cemetery purposes, part of the northwest quarter of section thirty-four (34). township twelve (12), range two (2) east, in Darke county, Ohio, containing eight acres of land, for $425.00, but reserving to himself twenty-four lots thereof at two dollars per lot. This land was immediately laid out into lots about twenty feet square, with the necessary streets and alleys, making in all
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370 lots. For many years no grade for these lots was estab- lished, and no system laid down to govern the selection, use and occupancy of them. Each lot owner would fill and grade his lot to suit his fancy, causing confusion and a lack of uni- formity in the appearance of the grounds. Much trouble and confusion was occasioned by the failure to keep proper record of the sale of lots and payments thereon. Lots were pur- chased by persons living in various parts of the county at prices ranging from ten to forty dollars, according to size and location, and the cemetery thus early became a general bury- ing place for the public.
In 1878, under the revised state law, the city and township elected three cemetery trustees, to serve one, two and three years respectively. The first election was held April 1, 1878. and resulted in the choice of G. WV. Moore, J. A. Schmermund and Jahugh Compton as trustees. The board then elected J. T. Martz secretary, he having served eight years previously in that capacity. Seven acres of ground adjoining the original tract on the north were immediately condemned for cemetery purposes, and purchased for $1.050.00. Besides this, the trus- tees purchased an adjoining lot with a commodious brick dwelling house thereon for $1,900.00. This building was used as a home for the superintendent until about 1910 when it was removed across the street. The trustees also purchased 2.09 acres adjoining these grounds for $1,050.00. A strip of five acres was purchased along the northwest side in May. 1900, of John Somers for $500.00, affording a place for a nice driveway and adding materially to the appearance of the grounds. A well-kept hedge now encloses this side.
This cemetery filled rapidly and it became imperative to employ a competent person to take care of the grounds. Ac- cordingly I. N. Smith, of Waynesville, Ohio, was employed for one year from April 1, 1884, at fifty dollars per month, as superintendent, which position he has filled most acceptably ever since-a period of thirty years. Under his supervision the lots have been properly graded, streets and drives im- proved, new additions platted, trees and shrubbery planted and trimmed so that now the place has the appearance of a park. In recent years numerous beautiful shafts and monu- ments have been erected at considerable cost, among the most notable of which are those of Frank McWhinney. Dr. Pretzinger, A. F. Koop, Danicl Henne, Edward Breaden. W'm.
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Turpen, H. K. Schopp, C. M. Anderson, Henry St. Clair and others.
The trustees deeded to the county commissioners for the use of the Grand Army of the Republic twenty-four lots, which have been largely occupied by this time. A wooden monument was built on the soldier's square which stood sev- eral years. Finally in 1902, Mr. and Mrs. Frank McWhin- ney decided to erect a beautiful and substantial granite shaft, in memory of the soldiers of Darke coanty, who had served in the various wars. The material selected was a dark Barre granite quarried in Vermont. From this a monument about twenty-seven feet in height and weighing some sixty tons was erected, under the supervision of Manor and Keck. The base of this memorial is ten feet square and one piece weighs fifteen tons. The second base is seven feet, eight inches square ; the third base six feet, five inches square, surmounted by four fifteen inch columns with carved capitals. Resting on this is a carved cap six feet square surmounted by a die three feet, nine inches square, and having the four emblems of the military service carved thereon, viz .: the coat of arms, the capstan, the artillery and the wreath and swords. This is sur- mounted by a cap four feet, nine inches square upon which stands a seven-foot effigy of a union soldier in full service uni- form at parade rest. This figure stands an immovable sentry, faithfully guarding the graves of departed comrades. The face and eyes of the soldier are fastened on the gateway, as if guarding with jealous care the coming and going of all.
The total height of the monument is twenty-seven feet. In- scribed on the four sides of the lower die are the following:
Front side: "Erected and donated A. D. 1903, by Frank McWhinney and wife in honor and memory of the union sol- diers of Darke county, Ohio, living or dead, who served in the war of 1861-1865. Also of all soldiers of Darke county, Ohio, who served the United States in any of its wars."
West side :
"The muffled drum's sad roll has beat The soldier's last tattoo.
No more on life's parade shall meet The fallen, brave and true. On fame's eternal camping ground Their silent tents are spread,
And glory guards with silent round
The bivouac of the dead."
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North side: "By the services of the Union soldiers, all per- sons of the United States were made free and every star re- tained on the nation's flag."
East side: "How sleep the brave who sink to rest by all their country's wishes blest."
This monument cost about seven thousand dollars and was dedicated on Memorial day (May 30), 1903, with appropriate ceremonies, General G. Warren Keifer, of Springfield, Ohio, being the orator of the day. As an appropriate companion piece, Mr. McWhinney had also erected a beautiful gateway at the Main street entrance of the cemetery, under the super- vision of Mr. Dennis Dwyer at a cost of some three thousand dollars. This structure is in the form of a graceful Gothic arch surmounted by a cross and spanning the roadway, with a smaller arch surmounted by buttressed towers on either side over the sidewalks. The main arch is thirty-seven feet high and sixteen feet wide and the side arches twenty-five feet high and four feet wide with a thickness of four feet. It is constructed of Oolitic stone on a base of blue limestone and makes an impressive approach to the cemetery. About the time of the dedication of the soldiers' monument a committee of Jobes Post, G. A. R., waited upon Congressman Harvey C. Garber with the request that he secure a light cannon to be mounted on the soldiers' lot. Mr. Garber, after much effort, finally secured a list of eleven guns, in March, 1904, from the War Department at Washington from which the committee selected a howitzer. This gun was made by the government foundry at South Boston, Mass., weighs 1.465 pounds and is designed to shoot a 24-pound shot. It was mounted in the foreground of the monument on a neat cut stone pedestal with attached descriptive tablet, and was dedicated with ap- propriate services, about June 30, 1904, adding another to the fitting memorials of the cemetery.
The last and one of the most artistic, substantial and im- pressive structures erected on the grounds was the mausoleum containing 468 crypts. This building is built of hand rubbed Bedford stone on the exterior and is 64 by 106 feet. It has four family groups and four private tombs. The interior is finished in white Colorado yule marble and nicely equipped with electric lights. All the doorways, windows and gratings are made of the best quailty of bronze. It has five thousand feet of sanitary piping and eight carloads of material were used in its construction-it being the third largest Protestant
1
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mausoleum in the state of Ohio. It is largely Egyptian in de- sign with small porch at the west entrance facing the soldiers' monument. It was dedicated with appropriate exercises, Rev. Charles C. Mckinney of the Presbyterian church delivering a masterful dedicatory address, on Sunday, July 13, 1913. At that time Dr. J. P. Collett, the promoter and builder, who was born and raised in Darke county, edelivered to the cemetery board a check for $2,340 to be invested and used as a permanent en- dowment fund. Mr. Charles Minnich was chairman of the dedicatory exercises.
Besides these structures a receiving vault and sheiter house have been constructed on the grounds for the convenience of the public and many other useful improvements made. Within recent years the superintendent has kept a record of burials and it is estimated that some three thousand bodies have been interred to date.
It is now realized that several acres must be purchased ad- joining the grounds on the west and abutting on the Union City pike if the cemetery is to continue to be adequate for the city and township use for many years to come. Since 1854 the following persons have served as trustees: Wm. Collins, George W. Coover, John Tomlinson, D. R. Davis, Moses Hart, Joshua L. Winget, Abram R. Doty, Jahugh Compton, J. A. Schmermund, A. J. Arnold, S. L. Kolp, George W. Perry, Jacob Halderman, Henry Heverling, W. J. Reece, Z. T. Dorman. The following persons have acted as secretary since 1853: Michael Spayd, Wm. M. Wilson, J. R. Knox, George H. Martz, J. T. Martz, W. J. Reece. The present board is con- stituted as follows : Frank Schreel, president ; John Suter, vice- president ; W. S. Meeker, treasurer ; I. N. Smith, secretary and superintendent. The following article by the superintendent, who completed thirty years of service here on April 1, 1914, is not inappropriate here:
"With Tallyrand I can say, 'Show me your cemetery and I will know of the culture and refinement of your people.' Were he permitted to inspect the beautiful cemeteries of our land today his estimate of the refinement and intelligence of our people would run very high. The word cemetery signifies a resting place. Our cemetery is therefore but an exquisitely beautiful dormitory where our loved ones sleep.
"The burial of the dead has ever been one of the acts most touching to the human heart, and the one most tenderly per- formed. At death the body is all that is left to us of the loved
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and lost. The burial of the mortal part has always been ob- served with more or less tenderness and regard as the people were more or less educated, refined and enlightened. From the earliest history which we possess we learn that the dead were tenderly cared for. In the Bible we read of the pur- chas of the Cave of Machpelah by Abraham from the Children oi Heth, for a burial place. This cave became a sacred spot to Abraham and to his descendants. In that Cave were buried Sarah, the wife of Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, Jacob and Abraham himself.
"The duty of giving honorable burial to the dead was recog- mized from the earliest times, and we find this illustrated in the case of Jacob, who died in Egypt. Yet, according to his desire, his remains were taken to the family burial place-thie cave of Machpelah-for interment. And when Joseph was about to die in Egypt, he exacted an oath from his kinsmen that his bones should be transported, at the Exodus, to the Promised Land for final interment and it was as he desired.
"The burial with friends, in their own land, was esteemed a great privilege by the patriarch of old, and the custom largely prevails today of bringing our friends home for burial. To this respect for the dead, widespread as it has ever been, the world has been indebted for some of the grandest specimens of architecture ever erected by men. Among these are the Pyramids of Egypt, the Tomb of Mansolous and the Tombs of the Kings of Golconda, and in our own cemetery there are many beautiful artistic structures. The St. Clair-Van Dyke monument is a magnificent piece of art, the W. S. Turpen monument a massive structure of granite that will endure for centuries, the soldiers' monument, erected and donated by our late comrade, Frank McWhinney and wife, to the memory of all Darke county soldiers, does credit to any of its kind in western Ohio. And the compartment mausoleum, the finest and best built in the state. In its crypts will be placed many a loved one.
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