USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 20
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JOHN M. ANDERSON, M. D.
To what an old and honorable profession the medical man of the Twentieth century belongs and how infinitely better equipped is he than any of the great army of practitioners of the past to recognize diseases and to apply proper remedies. A qualified physician of the present day must, of necessity, be a learned man to have standing with his associates in the pro- fession and to assume the responsibilities of often holding the balance between life and death for those who trust him. In his high profession he is a man justly held in honor and re- garded with gratitude, but it must be through knowledge and acquired skill. No forward movement in any scientific line has been equal to that in medicine and the physician must keep abreast of the tide. Those who have approached emi- ·nence in medicine have recognized this and, in turn, the pub- lic has recognized them. Among the well qualified and experi- enced physicians and surgeons of Greenville, Ohio, is Dr. John M. Anderson, with office at No. 118 Washington avenue. Doctor Anderson was born at Ansonia, Ohio, June 21, 1876, the only child of Dr. L. C. and Ollie (Tullis) Anderson.
The great-grandparents of Doctor Anderson were James and Ruth (McCahan) Anderson, the former of whom was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in April, 1792, a son of Irish parents who lived about twenty miles from Dublin, Ire- land, where all their children, except James, were born. They emigrated to America in 1791. James Anderson married Ruth
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McCahan, who was born in January, 1800, a daughter of Pat- rick and Sarah (Greene) McCahan. He was born in Ireland and his wife in America, she belonging to the same family from which came Gen. Nathaniel Greene, of Revolutionary war fame, who was considered a military officer second only to General Washington.
John Anderson, the paternal grandfather of Doctor Ander- son, was a native of Pennsylvania. He married Mary Hulse, who was born in Ohio and died in Darke county, in 1864. After marriage they settled in Montgomery county, Ohio, where they remained until 1863, removing then to a farm in Darke county, where John Anderson died in 1869. Industrious men and virtuous women have marked the generations of this family.
Dr. Lewis C. Anderson, father of Dr. John M. Anderson, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, January 15, 1850, a son of John and Mary (Hulse) Anderson, and was reared on his father's farm. His early manhood was spent in farming and in teaching school, the latter effort providing in part for his medical education which he secured at the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, where he was graduated in the class of 1874. He entered immediately upon the practice of his pro- fession at Ansonia, in Darke county, where he remained until 1888, when he removed to Greenville, having been elected to the office of probate judge, on the Democratic ticket. After serving two terms on the bench he completed a post graduate course in the New York Post-Graduate Medical School. Re- turning to Greenville he entered into partnership with Dr. D. Robeson, under the firm name of Robeson & Anderson, en- gaging in general practice. He became known as one of the ablest physicians and surgeons of his day in Ohio and his son is proud to bear his professional mantle. He was a member of all the local medical organizations and of the National Medi- cal Association. For years he was a Free Mason and belonged to Ansonia Lodge No. 488, A. F. & A. M., and to Greenville Chapter R. A. M. He was a member also of the Knights of Pythias and of Ansonia Lodge No. 605, Odd Fellows. Dr. Lewis C. Anderson married Ollie Tullis, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, and they had one child, John M.
John M. Anderson grew to the age of thirteen years at An- sonia, Ohio, where he attended the public schools. His father moved then to Greenville and here he was a student in the high school, afterward attending St. Mary's Institute at Day-
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ton, Ohio. Having determined on a medical career, he took a preparatory course of three years at the Ohio State Medical College, Columbus, and from there entered Rush Medical Col- lege, Chicago, Ill., from which great medical school he was graduated June 8, 1902. He entered into practice at Green- ville and this has continued to be his field, although, at times, he has visited other cities in order to study new developments in his science. In the Polyclinic Institute, Chicago, he took post graduate work with this end in view, and also took a post graduate course in the Post-Graduate School, New York city, and not yet satisfied, went abroad and attended lectures and clinics at Berlin and in the University of Heidelberg. He values his membership in the county and State medical so- cieties and in the American Medical Association.
Doctor Anderson was married July 15, 1903, to Miss Isabel Turner, who was born at Greenville, Ohio, and is a daughter of Joseph R. and Hattie (Macy) Turner, both of whom were born in Dayton, Ohio. Joseph R. Turner served three years as a soldier in the Civil war. Mrs. Anderson is one of a family of three children: Mabel, who is deceased, was the wife of Carl Jones; Isabel, and Maude, who is the wife of Frank Schwable. Mrs. Anderson is a member of the Presbyterian church. In his political sentiment Doctor Anderson has al- ways been a Democrat, as was his father, and on several oc- casions he has consented to become a member of the Darke county Democratic executive committee and also of the State central committee. Fraternally, he is identified with the Red Men and the Elks.
WILLIAM H. IVESTER.
A man's character is oftentimes displayed in the use he makes of his talents and years, and when he can, as in the case of William H. Ivester of Arcanum, point to substantial prosperity and a solid position in his community, he knows that he has not lived in vain. With Mr. Ivester, however, material success is not all that he has accomplished, for he has cultivated those qualities which make for good citizen- ship, and since his retirement from the cares incident to farm life, he has found that his experiences and knowledge of men and events, are valuable to those who are just setting forth on their road of life, and he gladly gives advice when called upon
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for his opinions and ideas. He was born at Arcanum, Ohio, August 5, 1855, a son of George and Rebecca (Davis) Ivester, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively.
The paternal grandfather, William Ivester, was born at Phoenixville, Pa. His wife bore the maiden name of Alowisa, and they had two children : George and Mary. After her death, William Ivester married a second time and had one child, Leida. The Ivester family comes of Scotch descent. The ma- ternal grandparents were William and Katie (Burgess) Davis, and they were natives of Virginia. Coming from the Old Do- minion, to Logan county, Ohio, they became early settlers of that locality. Their children were: Rebecca, Mary, Miller, William and Nathan. The grandmother was the second wife of William Davis, his first wife having been a Miss Burns of Miami county, Ohio. She bore him the following children: Hiram, Sarah, Jesse and John.
George Ivester was brought up at Phoenixville, Pa., where he learned the trade of blacksmithing, and while still a young man, he moved to Miami county, Ohio, working in that neigh- borhood for a short period. In 1849, he made an overland trip to California, in a company of other gold seekers, and was more fortunate than some, for he had a horse, so that he was able to ride. Although he did some mining, he found plenty of work at his trade, as he did upon his return, about a year later, to Miami county, Ohio. There he married and soon aft- erwards moved to Darke county, where at Arcanum, he estab- lished himself in a blacksmithing business. As occasion de- manded, he handled land, buying and selling, and also operated a sawmill. His life was very interesting, for he earned for him- "self every cent he possessed. Owing to family poverty he was bound out and never was given any advantages. His native ability and willingness to work hard and save thriftily soon placed him in a position where he was able to make his exer- tions tell. With his entrance into the sawmill business came prosperity and he continued in it for many years, doing a large amount of business. In his later years, he came to Arcanum where he built a beautiful residence and died there in 1888, aged sixty-six years. His widow survived him until 1903, when she passed away, aged seventy-eight years. She was a Meth- odist in religious faith. Fraternally he was an Odd Fellow. During his residence in Darke county he served as one of its early commissioners, and was township treasurer for a number ber of years. The children born to this couple were as follows:
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Mattie J., who lives at the homestead; William H., whose name heads this review; Josie, who is deceased, married Har- rison A. Kepner, and left a daughter, Helen B. Kepner, who makes her home with her uncle, William H. and her aunt, Mat- tie J., of Arcanum; Olive, deceased, left two sons, George I. and Robert J. She was the wife of Stephen G. Helm; Onda, who is deceased, was the wife of Ed Ogborn; Bernice, who died in young womanhood.
William H. Ivester was reared on the home farm now oc- cupied by him and his sister, Mattie J. He attended the schools of Arcanum, and at the same time assisted in caring for the farm and sawmill, and was in a flour mill business for a short period. With his sister, he inherited the homestead. His fraternal relations are pleasant, he belonging to Ithaca Lodge No. 295, F. & A. M .; Greenville Chapter No. 77, R. A. M .; Coleman Commandery No. 17, K. T .; Valley of Dayton Consistory, and Antioch Temple of the Mystic Shrine, as he is not only a Knight Templar, but also a thirty-second degree Mason. In addition he belongs to Arcanum Lodge No. 341, I. O. O. F., and Arcanum Encampment No. 206. In politics he is a Democrat, but does not seek office, preferring to devote himself to his private affairs.
JAMES F. HECK.
Those who meet the oncoming years with dignified capa- bility, backed by the realization that they have spent their time wisely and successfully, and strengthened by the knowl- edge of men and conditions gained through many aggressive movements as well as the calm performance of duties, are the most useful members of any community. James F. Heck, justice of the peace of Twin township, a resident of Arcanum, Ohio, is just such a man whose words and actions ring true whenever circumstances strike against the metal of his per- sonality. A man of high moral courage, he has been unafraid in the pursuit of his goal, and in his office has wielded the power invested in him, wisely and judiciously, his verdicts not only being according to law, but also are meted out with a due sense of the equity of the case in hand. He is a man of whom Darke county is justly proud, although he is not a na- tive of it, as he was born in Jackson township, Montgomery
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county, Ohio, November 23, 1845, a son of Samuel M. and Catherine (Warner) Heck, natives of Virginia.
David Heck, the paternal grandfather of James F. Heck, was born in Virginia, as was his wife, who bore the maiden name of Magdalena Spitler, both coming of German descent. Like many of their day and locality, they became pioneers of Ohio, settling in Montgomery county, where the grandfather en- tered land eight miles west of Dayton, upon which he and his wife resided until death claimed them, when well advanced in years. Their seven children were as follows: Samuel M., Da- vid L., John, Catherine, Susanna, Elizabeth and Polly. During the war of 1812, David Heck proved his sturdy Americanism by enlisting and serving his country as a soldier. The maternal grandfather was Abraham Warner and his wife was named Sarah. Both were born in Germany, but became early settlers of a farm near Liberty, eight miles southwest of Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Warner cleared off and improved a farm, upon which he and his wife died when past middle age. Their children were: Daniel, David, Catherine, Elizabeth and Sarah.
Growing up in Montgomery county, Ohio, Samuel M. Heck developed into a school teacher and civil engineer, although he later became the owner of land in Jackson township, that county, upon which he reared his family, believing that rural surroundings were healthier and better in every way for growing young people. His death occurred upon his property when he was seventy-six years old, his wife having passed away several years prior to his demise, at the age of sixty-five years. They were sincere members of the German Reformed church. At one time he was elected county surveyor and proved himself so expert in this kind of work, owing to his civil engineering training, that his decisions were accepted by order of the court in all disputes which arose relative to land surveys in Montgomery county. Six children were born to Samuel M. Heck and wife, as follows: Mary, who died un- married; James F., whose name heads this review; Amanda, who is unmarried, resides at Germantown, Montgomery coun- ty, Ohio; David B., who resides near Abbottsville, Darke county, Ohio, and one who died in infancy.
Until he was sixteen years old James F. Heck had the ad- vantages offered by a residence at home, during which time he assisted his father and attended the schools of his district. Being an ambitious lad, at that age he began working in saw- mills in Montgomery county, and later pursued the same call-
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ing in Johnson county, Mo., where he went in 1865. Two years later he returned to Ohio, and located near Gettysburg, Darke county, where he erected a sawmill, and spent several years at this point, during which time he was married. His next change was when he moved to a farm four miles east of Arcanum, and conducted a sawmill. Still later he located at Arcanum and operated a saw and hoop mill for a number of years, or until his plant was destroyed by fire in 1902. Sub- sequently he purchased a small farm of fifty-four acres, one and one-half miles west of Arcanum, which he still owns. In 1887 he built his beautiful home place at Arcanum, which has continued his place of residence ever since. A consistent Democrat, it was but natural that he should have been called upon to hold numerous offices, never failing to live up to the expectations of those who elected him. For two terms he oc- cupied the executive chair of Arcanum, being, perhaps, one of the best mayors the city has ever had, and he has also filled many of the lesser offices. However, it is as justice of the peace that he is best known, for he has served as such for a great many years. In fraternal circles he affiliates with Arcanum Lodge No. 341, I. O. O. F., and the encampment of the same order, No. 206.
On January 3, 1868, Mr. Heck was married to Miss Laura A. Puls, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Worley) Puls, born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in the town of Farmers- ville. Her father was a native of Ohio, but her mother was born in Pennsylvania. They became pioneers of Montgomery county, Ohio, where both died. Their five children were: George Sylvester, Oliver, Laura, Ada and Samuel. The pa- ternal grandfather of Mrs. Heck married a Miss Fishburn, and both were natives of Pennsylvania. They had seven children, namely : Jacob, Samuel, George, Solomon, Daniel, Mary and Catherine. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Heck, Jacob Worley, married a Miss Mellinger, and their children were: Michael, Jacob, Margaret, Susanna, Diana, Elizabeth, Caroline, Rebecca and Mary Ann. Mrs. Heck is a consistent member of the United Brethren church.
Mr. and Mrs. James F. Heck became the parents of children as follows: Franklin V., Ada, Margaret, Alonzo, Omar, Ros- coe, Fern and one who died in infancy. Of these above men- tioned children, Franklin V. is in the hoop mill business at Columbus, Ohio, and doing well, although it is doubtful if he will equal his father who has the distinction of having handled
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more timber than any man in Darke county. Franklin V. married Catherine Sissel, now deceased, by whom he had one child, Dale. He married for his second wife Clara Schaar, and they have one living child, Kenneth. Ada married Harry De Lapp and they live at Urbana, Ill. Their children, four in num- ber, are as follows: Paul, Margaret, Robert and Lucile. Mar- garet married J. B. Wider and they live at Fremont, Ohio, having had two children, Madonna and Fred. Alonzo was a railroad engineer when he died unmarried at the age of twenty- four years. Omar is a telegrapher at Emporium, Pa. He mar- ried Christina McDonald, and they have one daughter, Helen. Roscoe is a civil engineer, who is unmarried and lives at Great Falls, Mont. Fern married Stanley Frizzell, and they live at Greenville, Ohio. They have no children. Mr. Heck is and has been for at least fifteen years notary public of Darke county.
JACOB MILLER, JR.
The real artist works toward high ideals whether he trans- fers his ideas to canvass or carves them in imperishable stone. No mere mechanic can produce masterpieces no matter how well he may know his trade; it takes a genius to create what will live after human dust has returned to its source, and the cunning hands that wrought have been stilled forever. With the growth of proper appreciation of artistic creation, has come a demand for high ideals, and those who understand set a standard others less well informed, follow. In nothing is this more true than in the furnishing of beautiful and ap- propriate monuments to mark the last resting place of the dead. In former times any kind of a tombstone was ac- cepted without a thought as to its artistic value, but condi- tions have changed; people are becoming better educated, and demand that the man who designs and executes their orders must be one who has in his soul a love of the beautiful and the talent to reproduce in marble or granite his concep- tion of true art. One of the men who measures up well to such requirements in every respect is Jacob Miller, Jr., pro- prietor of the Arcanum Marble and Granite Works of Arcanum, Ohio, who is conveniently located at Nos. 356 and 357 South Main street. Mr. Miller was born at Evansville, Indiana, in the county of Vanderberg, May 11, 1864. He is a
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son of Jacob and Hulda (Pickhardt) Miller, natives of Wurt- emburg and Rein-Preussen, Germany, respectively.
The paternal grandfather, Heinrich Miller (who spelled his name Mueller) died in Germany when his son Jacob was an infant, and as his wife died in young womanhood, their son was left an orphan at a tender age. The maternal grand- parents were also natives of Germany, who became early settlers of Evansville, Indiana. The grandfather was a cab- inetmaker and conducted a furniture factory at Evansville, where both died, he when seventy-five years old, and she when about seventy. Their children were: Hulda, Adeline, August, Amelia and several whose names are not known.
Growing up in his native country, Jacob Miller learned to be a cooper, but after coming to the United States, he became a minister of the Evangelical Association, and was stationed at Evansville, but was later transferred to points in Indiana, Ohio and Illinois, but finally located at Dayton, Ohio, where he spent the remaining years of his life, being on the super- anuated list. His death occurred there in 1892, when he was sixty-eight years old. His widow survived him until she was sixty-two years old, dying in 1900. Jacob Miller, Sr., served his country as a soldier for three months during the Civil war. He and his wife had the following children: William E., who resides at Chicago, Ill .; Amelia, who is deceased, was the wife of William Bibberstain; Jacob, whose name heads this list; Sarah, who is the wife of John Schafer, of Dayton, Ohio; John, who resides at Springfield, Ohio; Emma, who is deceased, was married; and seven who died in infancy.
Jacob Miller, Jr., attended school in the various places where his father's ministerial duties called him, passing through the grammar and high schools, and then took a short collegiate course at Toledo, Iowa. Learning the carpenter trade, he thought of following it, but found that his inclina- tions turned in another direction, so fitted himself for his life work by learning the marble cutting trade, and has fol- lowed it ever since. In 1898 he came to Arcanum, Ohio, opening a shop on a capital of $100, ninety dollars of which was borrowed. From the start he prospered, for he demon- strated not only his skill, but his artistic talent, and now he conducts a business that necessitates the carrying of several thousand dollars' worth of stock, and has won recognition as a business man that is shown by his commercial rating.
On June 16, 1885, Mr. Miller was united in marriage with
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Miss Ella Norris, a daughter of Robert and Clarissa (Van- Lue) Norris, who died in June, 1900. On April 6, 1902, Mr. Miller was married (second) to Bertha Mae Morrison, a daughter of Willis Morrison and they became the parents of five children : Sheldon W., Iona Fern, Frances Willard, Nor- man A., and one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison were natives of Darke county, Ohio.
Mr. Miller is a member of the United Brethren church and his association with this organization has been close and inti- mate. Influenced by his father's example, he took a course in the Union Biblical Theological Seminary of Dayton, Ohio, now known as the Bonebrake Theological Seminary, and preached one year at Decatur, Ind., after which he studied for missionary work and spent two and one-half years at Serra Leone on the west coast of Africa. Returning to the United States he went to Iowa, where he had charge of a congrega- tion at Garwin for eighteen months, following which he was located at Dunkirk, Ind., from whence he went to Geneva, Ind., but resigned to come to Arcanum to found his present busi- ness. His religious experiences make him all the more pro- ficient in his work, and all of it is tinged with a reverent ap- preciation of the dignity of his calling, and the sacred duty the living owe to the dead.
SOLOMON EDGAR MINNICH.
For more than a decade Solomon Edgar Minnich, dealer in buggies, harness and tobacco at Arcanum, Ohio, has been ac- counted one of the responsible, solid and reliable men of this community. He is progressive and always ready to lend his aid in promoting those movements which look toward a bet- terment of existing conditions. Mr. Minnich was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, near Union, April 5, 1859, a son of Adam and Catherine (Ziegler) Minnich, natives of Mont- gomery county. Jacob Minnich, paternal grandfather of Solo- mon Edgar Minnich, was a native of Pennsylvania, where his wife also was born. They came to Ohio at an early day, making the trip in a one-horse wagon, the contents of which with the horse and wagon, comprised all their possessions. Settling in Montgomery county they began developing a farm, experienced many hardships and passed through all the ex-
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periences incident to the times in that locality. The grand- father built for his family a house without nails, fastening it together with wooden pins. The life of these two most ex- cellent people was passed upon the farm which they made from the wilderness, and here the grandfather died, when about seventy years old. His wife long survived him, living to be ninety-three years old. They had five children : Abraham, Lydia, Adam, Jacob and Anna. The maternal grandfather was a native of Pennsylvania, and a minister of the gospel. After his marriage with a Pennsylvanian, he and his wife moved to Ohio, where they battled with pioneer conditions. Both died in middle life, having had the following children : Elizabeth, Catherine, Mary Ann and John.
Adam Minnich spent all of his active years in farming, but is now living retired at Trotwood, Ohio. His wife died in 1901. Both were consistent members of the Dunkard faith, now known as The Brethren. Their children were as follows. Granville Webster, who resides at Greenville, Ohio; Solomon E., who resides at Arcanum, Ohio; Harvey C., who is dean of Miami Univeristy, and Ira C., who resides at West Milton, Ohio.
Solomon Edgar Minnich was reared in Darke county, Ohio, from the time he was about six years old, and there learned to farm, following that line of work until October, 1893, when he moved to Arcanum and embarked in a buggy, horse and livery business, later confining himself to handling buggies, harness and tobacco. In the last named commodity, he buys for Lewis Peters, an old Detroit house.
November 10, 1881, Mr. Minnich was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Sigerfoose, a daughter of George W., and Nancy (Shank) Sigerfoose, and they had four daughters, namely : Daisy, who married R. H. Burke, lives at Oxford, Ohio, and has one son Robert McNair; Mamie, who married Edgar C. Bussert, lives at Forsythe, Mont .; Nancy, who mar- ried Dr. J. D. Eichelbarger, lives at Swayzee, Ind., and has a daughter, Ruth Ellen; and Catherine, who married Harley H. Senseman, lives in Ann Arbor, Mich., and has two children, Wilford and Robert. Mrs. Minnich belongs to the United Brethren church. In fraternal matters, Mr. Minnich is a thirty- second degree Mason, belonging in jurisdiction of the Valley of Dayton Consistory. Politically, he is a Republican and is now a member of the city council, and for several terms was on the school board.
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