USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 11
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death occurred on March 6, 1913, at the age of seventy-seven years and four months. He is survived by his widow, who is past seventy years of age. Mr. Slade was an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic and had served as a mem- ber of the city council with credit.
The subject's paternal grandfather was John Slade, a suc- cessful and well-known farmer in this county, of which he was an early settler. He married Eliza Weaver and they had thirteen children, Alfred, Lark, Isaac, Hamilton, Susanna, Lu- cinda, William Allen, who died in the army during the war; Wesley and George, Jane, Eliza and Harvey. One died in infancy.
Mary Jane Slade, mother of the subject of this sketch, was a daughter of James and Sarah (Culberson) Hall, and she lived to the remarkable age of ninety-three years, having borne the following children : John W., Samuel, Frances, Mary Jane, Margaret and Amos.
Charles S. Slade was reared under the parental roof in Greenville, and secured his elementary education in the pub- lic schools of this city. He then pursued a technical course of study in Vandernaillen's School of Engineering, in San Fran- cisco, Cal., where he completed his studies in 1893. He then returned to his home city and has since followed his profes- sion here with most pronounced success. His ability in his line has been widely recognized throughout this locality and he has commanded his full share of work. He served one full term as city engineer of Greenville, following a special term, and is now serving his second term as county surveyor. By careful and painstaking attention to every piece of work en- trusted to him, Mr. Slade has demonstrated in an unmistak- able manner his fitness for the profession which now claims his attention, and he is held in high regard by all who are fa- miliar with his record as a civil engineer.
On December 24, 1900, Mr. Slade was married to Nancy P. Cunningham, who was born in Huron, Erie county, Ohio, the daughter of Lewis E. and Adelia (Cleveland) Cunningham, and to this union has been born one son, Allan Cunningham Slade. Mrs. Slade's parents were natives of Ohio, and her father died at Port Clinton, this state, in November, 1908, aged sixty-three years. His widow still survives him, at the age of sixty-four years. Both were Episcopalians in their religious faith. During the Civil war Lewis Cunningham was a member of Company B, One Hundred and Fiftieth regiment, Ohio vol-
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unteer infantry, serving in response to the last call for vol- unteers. Prior to that he had been a member of the Cleve- land Home Guards. He was a railroad man and for a number of years was employed by the Lake Shore Railroad Company. He was the son of Archibald and Nancy (Taylor) Cunning- ham, who were natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers of Cuyahoga county, Ohio. Archibald C. died at the age of eighty-three years and his wife died when fifty-six years old. Their children were George, Lewis, Elsie, Andrew and Will- iam. Mrs. Slade's maternal grandparents were Josiah W. and Phoebe (Hatch) Cleveland, the father born in New York and the mother in Portland, Maine. They came to Ohio in an early day and both died when about eighty years of age. They had three children, Josephine, Isabel and Adelia, the two first dying in infancy. Josiah Cleveland was a son of John Cleve- land, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, as was also Mrs. Slade's great-grandfather Hatch. The children of Lewis and Adelia (Cleveland) Cunningham were Josephine, Josiah, Nancy, Samuel, George and Elsie, all of whom are still living but Josiah, who died at the age of four years.
Fraternally, Mr. Slade is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and is also a valued and appreciative member of the Greenville Historical Society and the National Geographical Society. Mrs. Slade is a member of the Episco- pal church, of which she is a regular attendant. Mr. Slade's career has been characterized by an inflexible integrity of pur- pose and he has ever commanded the fullest measure of es- teem in the community. Genial and companionable in his re- lations with his fellow men, he possesses to a marked degree those qualities which beget and retain friendships and his po- sition in the city where he lives is an enviable one.
JOHN LINUS BASCOM.
One of the most important branches of public service in any municipality is that of the department of public safety, es- pecially as relating to the policing of the city and the preserva- tion of law and order. When the annals of the city of Green- ville are written years hence, a high place will be given in them to the services rendered to his community by him whose name appears at the head of this sketch, and who for many
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years has been a terror to evil-doers and a guarantee of safety to our citizens. Not only has he been guardian of the public safety in days of peace, but during the dark and ominous days of the early sixties, when the national integrity was threatened by armed treason, he gallantly gave what assistance he could in defense of Old Glory and all that it represents. For these and other reasons, Mr. Bascom is eminently entitled to repre- sentation in a work of the character of the one in hand.
John L. Bascom was born on the present site of the fire department building in the city of Greenville, Ohio, on De- cember 25, 1841, and is a son of John Sanford Bascom and Susanna (Sprecher) Bascom. His father was born near Day- ton, Ohio, and his mother near Harrisburg, Pa., and they be- came the parents of two cihldren, James, who died in infancy, and John L. John S. Bascom came to Darke county with his parents when a small boy, the family settling near what is now called Weimer Mill. From there, about 1840, they moved into Greenville, and settled on the Public Square on what for many years was known as the Bascom corner. There he grew to manhood, received his education in the city schools, eventually became a lawyer and practiced his profession here. He died June 3, 1844, when still a comparatively young man. At the time of his death he was deputy county treasurer and post- master, holding a high position in the estimation of his fellow citizens.
The subject's paternal grandfather, Linus Bascom, was a native of Vermont and a farmer until his removal to Green- ville, when he became an Indian trader, opening a grocery and trading store, which he conducted for a number of years. He died July 26, 1861, on the Bascom corner, where he settled, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. His first wife was Mary Armstrong, who died in middle life. They had four children, John S., Erastus, Linus, Jr., and Mary A. For his second wife he married Jane Devors, and they had one child who died in infancy. Linus Bascom was a soldier of the war of 1812.
The subject's maternal grandparents were John and Sarah A. (Renshaw) Sprecher, who were natives of Ohio. The father was a bricklayer in his early days, and later a farmer, living retired during his later years. To him and his wife were born five children, John, Philip, Mary, Sarah and Henry.
John L. Bascom was reared in Greenville, which has been his home during practically his entire life. After completing his education in the public schools, he learned the painter's trade,
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at which he was employed at the outbreak of the Civil war. When Fort Sumter's surrender fired the patriotic spirit of the loyal men of the north, Mr. Bascom was among the first to offer his services to his country, enlisting, on April 26, 1861, in the First regiment, Missouri volunteer infantry, under Col. Frank P. Blair. He was first in camp at Jefferson barracks, St. Louis, after which he was sent to the front and took part in battles of Wilson's Creek, Shiloh, at which place he received a flesh wound, but was too plucky to pay any attention to it at the time, and kept on fighting; Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Corinth, Miss., Iuka, siege of Vicksburg, then came back to Lookout Mountain and participated with Sherman in all bat- tles from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and from Atlanta to the sea, the last battle fought under Sherman was at Bentonville, N. C. In the battle in which McPherson was killed, Sergt. Bascom had a horse shot under him, but he was unharmed, he soon secured another mount and was soon again in the thick of the fighting when his second horse was shot and killed. For gal- lantry on that day while yet on the battle field he was pro- moted from orderly sergeant to rank of second lieutenant. After the last battle he took part in the grand review at Wash- ington and on June 20, 1865, was mustered out and honorably discharged as second lieutenant of Company H, First Missouri light artillery, the commanding officer of which was Capt. C. M. Callahan. In a publication entitled "A Review of the Ohio Police Association," the following tribute was paid to him : "John L. Bascom was one of the bravest, most gallant and most efficient officers in the United States army."
At the conclusion of hostilities, Lieutenant Bascom returned to Greenville and was, in the spring of 1866, elected marshal of the city, in which position he served three years. In February, 1877, he was appointed on the police force of Greenville, on which he has served continuously since, a period of thirty-six years, and in 1902 he was honored by appointment as the head of the department, both on account of his demonstrated ef- ficiency as an officer and also in testimony and appreciation of his high character as a man. His record has been a most hon- orable one and has been characterized by a strict and faithful performance of his official duties and a wise and judicious con- duct of the department under his direction.
On December 5, 1869, Mr. Bascom married Mary A. Hamil- ton, who was born in Greenville, Ohio, the daughter of Thomas W. and Mary A. (Meeks) Hamilton, who were natives
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of Fredericksburg, Md. They came from there to Greenville in an early day, and here spent the rest of their days, both dy- ing when well advanced in years. They had seven children, Nancy, John, Phoebe, Caroline, Mary, Eunice and Alice. To Mr .and Mrs. Bascom have been born two children, Lona B., who is the wife of George T. Foltz, of Dayton, and Susanah who married Ulysses McCoy, but is now living at home with her father. Mrs. Bascom and daughters are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Bascom was reared in the Presbyterian faith, but is not identified with any religious society. Fraternally, he is a member of Champion Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and to Jobes's Post, Grand Army of the Repubic. Politically, he is an ardent supporter of the Republican party and at one time was elected mayor of Greenville, in which position he gave general satis- faction. Personally, Mr. Bascom is genial and companionable and, because of his splendid character and genuine personal worth, he has earned and enjoys to an eminent degree the confidence and good will of the people of his community.
WILLIAM H. WILLIAMS.
The task of providing work for many bread winners natur- ally assumes a position of prime importance, a fact that is recognized by William H. Williams of the William H. Will- iams Company of Greenville, Ohio, who realizes his responsi- bilities as the head of a large importing firm, and in the con- duct of his business he demonstrates that he is a capable, en- ergetic, likable and efficient man. He was born in Randolph county, Indiana, January 27, 1867, a son of James and Rebecca J. (Arthur) Williams. The paternal grandfather of William H. Williams married a Miss Ross and they had five children, namely : Joseph, James, Ready, who died as a soldier during the Civil war; Hetty, Maria, and a son who died in infancy. The parents of these children survived to an advanced age. The maternal grandfather was John Arthur and he married Sarah Baird, both being natives of Darke county, Ohio, and farming people. She died when about sixty years old, while he lived to be over eighty years. They had a large family, among the children being Rebecca J., Abner, who resides at
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Union City, Ohio; Millie, William, Joseph and Elizabeth. The Williams family is of Welsh stock and the Arthurs, Scotch.
James Williams was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, while his wife was a native of Darke county the same state. He came to Darke county, Ohio, with his parents in childhood and grew to manhood within its confines, becoming a farmer who operated in Butler township. Later he moved to Ran- dolph county, Indiana, where he died in 1867, aged forty- seven years. His widow lived to be seventy-nine years old, dying June 28, 1903. They were devout members of the Christian church, in which he held numerous offices. Their children were: John B., who is deceased; Joel S., who resides at Greenville, Ohio; Jason D., who resides in Randolph county, Indiana; James M., who resides at Greenville, Ohio, where Emma J., who is the wife of L. D). Yeaton of Indianapolis, Ind., and William H., whose name heads this review. There were three others who died in infancy.
William H. Williams was fourteen years old when he came from Randolph county, Indiana, to Greenville, Ohio, where he has continued to reside ever since. His scholastic training was secured in Wayne township, Randolph county, Indiana, during which period he was performing a man's work on his father's farm. When he located at Greenville, in 1881, he began clerking in a grocery store, and also worked for the first telephone exchange at Greenville in the room he now oc- cupies, thus early learning habits of thrift and industry which have remained with him. Still later he went into the restau- rant business, and conducted it for ten years, when in 1901 he was made manager for the long distance telephones in the house of representatives at Columbus, Ohio, holding this po- sition until 1912. A number of years ago he recognized the demand for novelties suitable for use in the advertising busi- ness and traveled at first for the Spottswood Specialty Com- pany of Lexington, Ky., but after a couple of years, founded his present company, now handling a high grade of calendars, fans and similar novelties, importing manufacturing and job- bing specialties used for advertising purposes, being con- veniently located at No. 440 South Broadway, Greenville. His residence is at No. 311 East Main street.
On September 10, 1895, Mr. Williams married Miss Frances B. Troxell, a daughter of John W. and Nancy M. (Ander- son) Troxell. Two children have been born of this union: Paul James and Robert Harvey Garber Williams. Mrs. Will-
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iams belongs to the Christian church. Mr. Williams is a member of the United Commercial Travelers' Association. Politically, he is a Democrat and has been an enthusiastic ad- mirer of William Jennings Bryan, as well as a stalwart worker in the ranks of his party.
Mr. Williams had the distinction of not only being a very pronounced progressive Democrat, but the honor of perfecting and managing a winning campaign for the two candidates for delegates to the Democratic national convention at Baltimore, 1912, from the Fourth congressional district, in direct oppo- sition to the wishes of the State administration. The delegates, Mr. Browne, Sr., and Mr. Fox, having cast their every vote for Woodrow Wilson.
Mrs. Williams was born in Preble county, Ohio. Both her parents reside at Fitzgeralds, Ga. They had six children, namely : Mayme, Frances B., Ethel, Daisy, Jesse and Hazel.
CHARLES ROLAND.
In no avenue of business do men become so widely known as in journalism, not always as personalities, but as influences, their printed thoughts reaching thousands where their spoken ones would be heard perhaps by only a score. Hence the re- sponsibility of a journalist is of exceeding weight, and there have been times when a newspaper has forced reformatory legislation-even been instrumental in changing public policies. Although he is now retired from his journalistic work, Charles Roland of Greenville, Ohio, can look back upon a career filled with usefulness and power, for in his day of activity, he be- longed to the class defined above. He was born in Washing- ton county, Ohio, August 6, 1831, a son of Edward Roland.
Edward Roland was born on the Isle of Wight, and came from thence with two brothers and three sisters, locating in Washington county, Ohio, at a period when all of that section was in a pioneer state. Subsequently Edward Roland made a trip to Europe, and probably died on his journey, as he never returned and no traces could be found of him. He left three sons : Charles, Edward and Perry, of whom Edward resided near French Lick, Ind., up to the time of his death in 1912, and Perry lives near Hutchinson, Kas.
Charles Roland was left an orphan in childhood, but was
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taken by Harry Hill and reared in his family, being adopted by his foster parents. Until he was fourteen years old, he made himself useful on a farm, and attended whenever he could, the schools of his district, but having attained to that age, he be- gan learning the printer's trade at Lancaster, Ohio, in the office of the Ohio Eagle. He continued in the employ of this paper until the death of the editor, when he purchased the plant, in 1856, and continued to issue the Eagle until 1866. At that time he came to Greenville, Ohio, and bought the Greenville Demo- crat, of which he continued editor and publisher for thirty-two years, or until 1899, when he retired in order to have more time to attend to his private interests.
In 1900 he relaxed and took a trip to Europe in company with a party of ninety-six, visiting Italy, Germany, France, England, Holland, Belgium and Ireland, spending three months. The itinerary embraced the leading points of interest in the countries visited, and was not only productive of pleas- ure, but instruction as well. The party was in charge of com- petent guides, who were able to speak the language of each country, and looked after the baggage so that many of the annoyances incident to such a trip, were eliminated.
In 1852 Mr. Roland married Miss Amelia Clark, a daughter of Lewis Clark, and they had nine children born to them: Arthur A., who is a practicing physician of osteopathy at Greenville, Ohio; Mary E., who married James H. McAlpin, a train dispatcher on the Pennsylvania lines for forty-eight years, now resides at Columbus, Ohio, having two children- Maude and Vera, both of whom are married; Charles W., who was in the Democrat printing office with his father for some years continued the business for nine years in partnership with his brother Edward, and married a Miss Davis, who bore him four children : Ernest, Gertrude, Virgil and Gladys; Clara J., who married Harry Rhotchamel, has one child, Roland; Emma S., who married Judge James I. Allread, lives at Colum- bus, Ohio, and has two children, Harold R. and Marie; Edward H., who is a printer at Winchester, Ind., is unmarried; Horace G., who died in infancy; Ida A., who married Sherman Dor- man, now deceased, as is his wife, leaving no issue; Grace V., who married J. A. Spencer, a broker, at Greenville, and all are highly respected in the several communities in which they live. Mr. Roland has three great-grandchildren. Mrs. Roland died September 19, 1905, aged seventy-two years. She was born in Scioto county, Ohio, her mother being a native of that State, although her father was born in New York State.
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While he has always been a Democrat, Mr. Roland has never been willing to go upon his party ticket for office. He owns a beautiful brick residence at No. 423 West Fourth street, which he built in 1876-7, and he also built his office building in 1870. At present he owns, in addition to his home, the corner of Fourth and Broadway, occupied by Horn's grocery, and the Second National Bank building at Greenville. The postoffice occupied Horn's corner for twenty years, or from 1890 to 1910. A resident of Greenville for forty-seven years, Mr. Roland has witnessed some of the most important changes in it, and is a recognized authority upon matters per- taining to its earlier history.
To show Mr. Roland's fearlessness and independence of ac- tion at all times and without regard to the possible effect his action might have upon him financially or physically we must relate something that took place in 1862 while he was editing and publishing the Eagle at Lancaster, Ohio. He had pub- lished an article in which he took exceptions to the manner in which the war was being conducted. Governor Todd requested him to come to Columbus. He did so, taking the prosecuting attorney of Fairfield county with him as witness. The Gov- ernor charged a tone of disloyalty and threatened suppression of the paper and imprisonment of Mr. Roland at Fort Warren. Mr. Roland took the ground that he was justified in all he did by the Constitution and the laws of the land. Governor Todd again threatened him. "Constitution or no Constitution, laws or no laws unless he should change the tone of the paper." Mr. Roland published an attested account of the interview in the next issue of his paper and continued to publish his views as before, but was never again molested.
GUY C. BAKER.
Although numbered among the younger members of the bar of Darke county, Guy C. Baker is recognized as one who is guided by high purpose and sincerity, and in him the law has a stern, inflexible and learned exponent, although personally he possesses deep sympathies and wide interests. He is the junior member of the legal firm of Bickel, Baker & Murphy, of No. 531 Broadway, Greenville, Ohio, and possessed of a large prac- tice. Mr. Baker was born in Neave township, Darke county,
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Ohio, December 11, 1876, a son of David and Lucy A. (Shu- ber) Baker, and grandson of David and Rebecca (Breiden- stein) Baker, and Titus and Deborah (Brumbaugh) Shuber. David Baker and his wife were born in Pennsylvania, but be- became early settlers of Darke county, Ohio, where they be- came substantial farmers in Neave township. Both lived to an advanced age. Among their fourteen children were: George, Henry, Jacob, David, Nannie Noll, Barbara Calderwood, Esther Bookwalter, Mrs. Betsy Phillippi and Mrs. Catherine Wagner. Titus Shuler was also a native of Pennsylvania, and his wife, too, was born in that State. Like the Baker family, they became pioneers of Darke county, Ohio, but they settled in Butler township, where they died, having been engaged in farming all their lives. Among their many children were: Amandus, Samuel, Wilson, Frank, Jennie Clark and Lucy A. Baker.
David Baker, Jr., father of Guy C. Baker, was brought up in Darke county, Ohio, and in young manhood taught school. A man of more than average ability, he was chosen to repre- sent his district in the State assembly and acquitted himself so capably that he was re-elected to serve a second term. Fol- lowing this he embarked in an insurance business at Green- ville, continuing in it up to his death in 1899, when he was forty-eight years old, by drowning. His widow survives him, and both early joined the Reformed church. Their children were: Ril T., who resides at Dayton, Ohio; Guy C., who re- sides at Greenville, Ohio; Don D., who resides at Greenville, Ohio, and Nellie S., who is the wife of Carl P. Metz of Los Angeles, Cal. All these children were born in Ohio, as were their parents.
Guy C. Baker grew to manhood at Greenville, where he profited by the excellent public schools, being graduated from the high school of this city in 1894, following which he was made deputy probate under Judge J. M. Bickel. In the mean- while he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1897, re- maining in the probate office until 1900, when he formed a partnership with Judge Bickel which continues to this day, the firm enjoying a large and lucrative practice. The extent of Mr. Baker's learning and the rapidity and thoroughness of his research are marvelous, and as he is possessed of natural ability of a high order, his success in his practice has been steady and healthy.
On September 14, 1899, Mr. Baker was united in marriage
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with Miss Maude Ditman, a daughter of John and Sarah (Schlaggenhaupt) Ditman, and one son has been born of this union: Joe W. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are earnest members of the Reformed church. He belongs to Greenville Lodge No. 243, F. & A. M .; Greenville Chapter No. 77, R. A. M., and Matchett Commandery No. 91, R. & S. M. In addition he is a member of Greenville Lodge No. 161, Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a democrat, and his value to his party was evinced by his place on its ticket for city solicitor for two terms, while his popularity was proved by his election both times by a large majority. At present he is secretary of the Greenville Com- mercial, club for he has ever been a most conscientious public servant, alive to the needs of his city.
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