USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 24
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In December, 1880, James R. Marley was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Koons, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Robison) Koons. One daughter, Anna, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Marley, and she is residing with her parents. Mrs. Marley and her daughter belong to the Methodist church. Mr. Marley is a member of Ansonia Lodge No. 408, F. & A. M Politically he is a Democrat, but he has not desired to enter into public life, preferring to exercise his influence in favor of civic advancement as a private citizen. Possessing in marked degree those qualities which indicate a genial, sympa- thetic nature, Mr. Marley has won and retains warm personal friendships, and is one of the most popular men of Ansonia.
Mrs. Marley was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, and her parents were born in the same State, where they died. Their children, seven in number, were as follows: Edward, Thomas, Charles, Jennie, Elizabeth, Anna and Grace.
GEORGE HENRY REHMERT.
While every right thinking man desires to leave to his children a proper inheritance so that their lives may be less filled with discouragements than his own, still it is much more necessary that he transmit those qualities which make for good citizenship and high moral character than to place them among the wealthy class. Perhaps the Germans pass on to their de- scendants more sturdiness of character and perseverance of effort than any other nation, and the men who can trace back
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to this stock, oftentimes find in the lives of those gone before the partial reason for their own ability to conquer circum- stances and rise from small beginnings to a worthwhile emi- nence in the business world. This is the belief of G. Henry Rehmert, a lumber dealer of Ansonia, whose progress has been steady and always upward from the time when a lad of fourteen years he began battling with the world until to- day when he is at the head of a flourishing concern and a leader in the business life of his community, for he recognizes in himself the same characteristics owned by his German fore- bears. His birth occurred at Pikeville, Darke county, Ohio, October 11, 1869, he being a son of the German born Henry Rehmert and his wife who bore the maiden name of Mary Huber. While she was born in Ohio, she too, was of German parentage, her father George Huber having located in Darke county, Ohio, about 1847, coming to this locality from his na- tive land. His widow, who survives him, until November 9, 1913, was also a German by birth. The death of George Huber occurred in Greenville township when he was seventy-eight years old. He and his wife had thirteen children : Helen, Mary, Fred, Daniel, Andrew, Millie, Philip, George, Nannie, Caro- line, Sophia, Matilda, and one who died in infancy. The pater- nal grandparents of G. Henry Rehmert were William and Charlotte (Dahme) Rehmert, who died in Greenville township, he passing away when about seventy-eight years old, and she when eighty three years old. They had seven .children : Will- iam, Henry, Charlotte, Caroline, Louis, Sophia and Charles.
Henry Rehmert, the father of G. Henry Rehmert, was only two and one-half years old when brought to the United States by his parents from Germany, who located in Richland township, Darke county, O., and there he was reared, being taught during the formative period farming in all its details. However, the first work of his mature years was connected with railroading, but he subsequently returned to farming and is now one of the prosperous agriculturalists of Richland township, where he owns sixty-two acres of land. This prop- erty is the same one on which his children were reared. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Lutheran Church of their locality. Their children were ten in number, and nine grew to maturity, namely: G. Henry; Caroline, who is the wife of Ira Hollinger of Stelvideo, O .; Daniel, who is of Columbus, O .; William, who died in 1906; Sophia, who is the wife of H. M. Byrd of Versailles, Ohio; Nannie, who died in
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infancy, having been a twin sister of Sophia; Charlotte, who is the wife of J. O. Winters of Greenville, O .; Emma, who is the wife of J. W. Strader; Mayme, who is the wife of Fred Thomas of Pikeville, O .; and Luella, who is unmarried, lives with her parents.
G. Henry Rehmert attended the schools of his district until he was fourteen years old and at the same time rendered effi- cient service to his father on the farm. When he left school at fourteen, he began working by the month among neigh- bors, thus continuing for several years, and then was employed at the Children's Home for some time. Being ambitious, he began learning the carpenter trade, for he wanted to have a calling upon which he could always fall back in time of need, and followed it very profitably for eight years. During that period he had formed many acquaintances and learned conditions so that he was able to branch out as a contractor. For the next eleven years he secured and executed contracts in his line at Ansonia and in its vicinity, and all this time kept on perfecting his connections until on January 31, 1909, he embarked in a lumber business at Ansonia. This latter venture has proven a success in every way and he has built up a large and steadily increasing trade.
On June 24, 1890, G. Henry Rehmert married Miss Dora Sprowl, a daughter of John and Margaret (Siep) Sprowl. One daughter, Helen, was born of this marriage. Mrs. Rehmert died May 26, 1911, aged forty-seven years. She had been born near Greenville, Darke county, O., where her parents, native Ohioans, had located early in its history. There were five children in the Sprowl family, namely: Ella, Samuel, Dora, William and Maude. Mr. and Mrs. Rehmert early united with the Lutheran Church. Mr. Remert belongs to Ansonia Lodge No. 356, K. of P. He was a member of the village council for several terms, and is an independent Democrat. While not a public man in any sense of the word, Mr. Rehmert has always endeavored to spare sufficient time from his business cares to study carefully any civic problems presented to the people for their consideration so that he has cast his vote intelligently and helpfully. In the office to which his fellow citizens elected him, he showed conscientious appreciation of the responsibili- ties devolving upon him and left his village the better for his efforts in its behalf. As a business man, Mr. Rehmert's record is unsullied and his church and fraternal connections are desir- able. The success which has been his would have been im-
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possible had he not used correctly and intelligently the quali- ties which he inherited and aimed high, keeping in mind all the while the fact that his ambitions could be carried out were he willingly to labor hard and save thrifttily, denying himself today's luxuries to provide for tomorrow's needs.
JOHN AUGUST ARMBRUSTER.
John A. Armbruster, owner and proprietor of an up-to-date bakery and store at 131 Martin street, Greenville, Ohio, is well known for his business enterprise and good citizenship. He is a native of Ludington, Mason county, Michigan, born January 4, 1875, son of Matthew and Stephanie (Bertsch) Armbruster, natives of Germany, who in early life came to the United States and identified their interests with their adopted country. The father was born April 13, 1846, at Wurtemberg, Oberndorf, and the mother, December 24, 1846, at Unterhausen, Rutlingen. In 1866 he located in Wisconsin, and in 1869 removed to Butler county, Ohio, having in the meantime learned the trade of butcher in the former state. In 1879 he removed from Hamilton to Darke county, Ohio, and is now a resident of Greenville, being retired from active life. Mrs. Armbruster departed this life on April 3, 1913, and is buried in Greenville cemetery. They had three children : John August, whose name stands at the head of this sketch ; Lula, wife of William C. Motzer, of Hamilton, Ohio, was born there; Anna Marie, born in Greenville, is the wife of Charles Bereis, of that place.
John A. Armbruster was about four years of age when his parents came to Darke county, and it was in Greenville schools that he was educated. At the age of fifteen years he went to Hamilton to learn the trade of baker, continuing at Cincinnati, where he completed his knowledge of the tech- nical and practical phases of the work. For some time after- words he was employed in a baking establishment at Ver- sailles, where he was foreman and manager, and while living there was married, August 18, 1896, to Miss Sarah C. Miller, of Sidney, Ohio, who was born in Ansonia, Darke county, June 3, 1875, and is the daughter of Isaac and Martha J. (Knieriem) Miller. Mr. Miller was born at Savona, Darke
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county, January 13, 1853, is a baker by trade and works in the shop of Mr. Armbruster. Mrs. Miller was born in An- sonia, Darke county, June 15, 1857. Her father, William Knieriem, was one of the pioneer settlers, having come to Ansonia in 1830, when the region was a wilderness. Like the other early comers he had to clear his land and break the virgin soil to put in his crops. He and his wife bravely bore the hardships and toils of pioneer life and established a family that has been identified with the best interests of Darke county. William Knieriem served in the Civil War with valor and distinction. Isaac Miller and wife had two children : Mrs. Armbruster and another daughter, Cora, wife of Arthur Seeley, who died March 12, 1914, and is buried in Greenville cemetery.
Mr. Armbruster remained one year at Versailles after his marriage and came to Greenville, December 14, 1897. He purchased his present place and has made additions and im- provements from time to time, until he has the largest es- tablishment of the kind in the county, and ships his products to some thirty-five different points in the vicinity of Green- ville. He turns out only first-class goods, made in strict accordance with the rules for sanitation and high quality, and buys the best of supplies for use in his plant. He started in a small way and has built up a large business through his upright dealings and good business qualities, as well as the merit of his products. He is thorough master of his trade and takes great pride in his well-deserved success. His wife has been of great assistance to him in conducting the busi- ness. They live in the second story of the building con- taining the store. Mr. Armbuster is a Democrat in politics and always ready to help along any cause for the public good. He and his wife are members of St. Paul Lutheran church, of which he has been a deacon, trustee and treasurer. He is a rep- resentative citizen, has a large number of friends and enjoys the respect of his fellow-citizens. He is very fond of reading ; keeps abreast of the times in general affairs and they are able to enjoy many of the comforts that add to the joy of existence.
Two promising children brighten the home of the Arm- brusters: John M., Jr., born November 23, 1899, a student in high school, and Amba Katherine, born November 20, 1901, also attending school.
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HENRY COLLETT.
When the great struggle between the North and South was ended in 1865, and the men who had served their country or fought according to their principles were sent back home, many embraced an agricultural life and in the years that have elapsed have developed into successful farmers whose pros- perity warrants their retirement when the shadows of declin- ing years begin to gather about them. The requirements of farm work are of such a nature that those who have devoted themselves during mature years to such activities, feel that they have given enough of themselves to increasing their worldly holdings, and desire more leisure to devote to civic matters and consideration of problems wihch interest them. From boyhood Henry Collett, of Ansonia, has proven his worth as an efficient worker and become one of the most re- spected and honored of the retired farmers of his locality. Never shirking a duty, however onerous, he has fairly earned his material success as well as the respect of his fellow citi- zens and his progress in life demonstrates that honesty of purpose and uprightness of living are valuable assets for any man.
Henry Collett comes of excellent stock tracing back on his father's side to Judge Jonathan Collett, a judge of the courts at Xenia, Ohio. Judge Collett married a Miss Berry and they came from Greene county to Darke county, where they were numbered among the pioneers. On the maternal side of the house, Henry Collett's grandparents were Henry Boyce and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Lee. Born in New York State, these two came to Darke county, Ohio, during its pioneer days and here he found ready employment at his trade of cabinet making. Mrs. Boyce died some years before her husband, who passed away in 1863. They had a large family, among the children being : Frances M., Marietta, Caro- line, John, Cyrus and Edward.
The father of Henry Collett was also named Jonathan Col- lett, and he was born in Greene county, Ohio, but in young manhood came to Darke county, Ohio, settling below Green- ville, where he engaged in farming, operating the old Arnold property. Later he moved to the old Gard farm, and there he died. May 2, 1852, when over forty years of age. He had mar- ried Frances Boyce, a native of New York State, and they had the following children: Henry, who lives at Ansonia,
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Ohio; Miranda, who is the wife of Andrew Baird of Green- ville, connected with Baker's store; Jane, deceased, who was the wife of Francis Gregg, and (second) of Charles Bartling; Susan, who died unmarried, and Adaline, who also died un- married. The mother of this family survived her husband for many years, passing away April 21, 1902, when she was seventy-one years old. Both she and her husband were con- sistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, which Jonathan Collett served as class leader and steward. While residing in Greenville township he was called upon to serve as tax collector and proved himself a man of worth in public matters, as he had in private life.
Henry Collett was born on the old Boyce farm two miles south of Greenville, Ohio, September 11, 1841, and was reared in Greenville township, being taught the duties pertaining to an agricultural life, while at the same time he received the educational training afforded by the schools of his district. When he was only twelve years old he had the misfortune to lose his father, and as he was the eldest, his mother naturally looked to him for support and heavy responsibilities were laid upon his young shoulders. His grandfather took the little fam- ily to his own property and Henry found plenty of oppor- tunity to make himself useful in farm work. At the time of the outbreak of the Civil war, he was twenty years old and resid- ing with his mother and sisters. Although he was a widow's only son, he felt that his country demanded his first thought, and his patriotic mother seconded his desire to enlist so that he became a private in Company I, Fortieth Ohio volunteer in- fantry, his period of service extending over three years and twenty days. During this time he participated in some of the hardest fought battles of the war, including those of Lookout Mountain and Chickamauga and the Atlanta campaign, from which he was sent back to Nashville, Tenn. During the battle of Chickamauga, he was wounded by a gunshot in the left hand, but not so as to incapacitate him.
With the close of hostilities, he returned to Darke county and resumed his peaceful occupation of farming, for the seven succeeding years renting land for his operations. Having by then saved some money, he invested it in fifty-two acres of land, upon which he erected a comfortable brick residence, large barn and made many other improvements, so that when he sold this property, he received an excellent figure for it. In 1890 he retired from the farm, and moving to Ansonia has
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since been one of its substantial residents. A Republican, he has given his party faithful service but not cared to enter public life as an office holder. For many years he has taken pleasure in meeting his old comrades in J. M. Fifer Post, G. A. R., No. 632, of which he is the present commander.
On March 26, 1867, Henry Collett married (first) Miss Sarah Ann Deardoff, a daughter of Peter and Deborah Ann (Hank- erson) Deardoff. Seven children were born of this marriage, as follows: Jonathan P., Anna J., Martha, William, Charles and two who died in infancy. Jonathan P. was a school teacher in early life, but later became a dentist and is now building mausoleums, residing at Greenville, Ohio. He is married and has two children, George and Ethel. Anna J. married David Johnson. They live in Illinois and have two children, Laverne and Edward. Martha married William Minton, they live at Dayton, Ohio, and have one living child, Margaret. William married a Miss Baker, they live at Dayton, Ohio, and have one daughter, Fausta B. Mrs. William Collett died in April, 1909. He married (second) Miss Cora Ridgeway of Dayton in 1911. Charles married Beryl Tullis, they live at New York City and have a son, Marion. The first Mrs. Collett died De- cember 13, 1906, and was laid to rest in the Greenville ceme- tary on November 21, 1912. whch is her final resting place, and will be the resting place of Mr. Collett and his family.
On April 18, 1908, Henry Collett married Miss Lavina Sieg, a daughter of Paul K. and Rebecca (Van Meter) Sieg. Mr. and Mrs. Collett belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Collett is a trustee. Mrs. Collett was born in Hardin county, Ohio, August 20, 1850. When her father was ten years of age he was brought from Virginia to Hardin county, Ohio, by his parents, and grew to mature years in the latter locality. His wife was born in Pickaway county Ohio, in the vicinity of Circleville. Paul K. Sieg died at the age of sixty- five years, but his wife passed away many years prior to that. She was born June 13, 1816, and died May 22, 1852, so that she was only thirty-six years old at he time of her demise. She had borne her husband four children who survived to grow to maturity, they being: Lydia C., Adelia, Rosa Belle and La- vina. After the death of his first wife, Paul K. Sieg married (second) Margaret Evans, and they had nine children, all of whom grew to maturity, they being Henry Casey, Robert E., Lovina, Jacob, David, Mary, Paul, Jonathan B. and Darius M.
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ROLL MANN MILLER.
A native son of Ansonia, Ohio, Roll Mann Miller has spent his entire career here, and has directed his activities so well that today he stands in the forefront among the younger gen- eration of business men of the city. As the proprietor of one of Ansonia's leading mercantile establishments, he has proven his business worth and stability and at all times has well merited the confidence which has been placed in him. Mr. Miller was born in Ansonia, February 10, 1883, and is a son of Mann H. and Josephine (Williams) Miller, natives of Darke county. Their sketch appears on another page of this work. His paternal grandparents were Riley B. and Phoebe (Chambers) Miller, the former of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio, early residents of Darke county, while on the maternal side his grandparents were Samuel and Mary Jane (Linken- hoker) Williams, who were also pioneers of Darke county.
Roll Mann Miller received his education in the public schools and was graduated from the high school with the class of 1901. In the meantime, at the age of seventeen years, he proved his industry and ambition by working as a clerk in the mornings and evenings, and after completing his schooling took up clerking as a steady occupation. After three years he resigned his position to become a rural mail carrier, and for six years was thus engaged, but in March, 1909, again en- tered mercantile life when he purchased the store of Ed Schmidt. He handles a full and up-to-date line of dry goods, clothing, shoes, groceries, novelties, etc. By industry, per- severance and up-to-date methods he has built up an excellent business, receiving a full share of the people of his community. Mr. Miller is a popular member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Ansonia Lodge No. 605, and he and his wife hold membership in the Rebekahs. They are consist- ent attendants of the Christian church, and both are widely and favorably known in the younger social set, their handsome modern home being the scene of many festivities of a social nature. A Republican in his political views, Mr. Miller takes a keen interest in matters that affect the welfare of his com- munity, and has served one term as township treasurer.
On September 6, 1903, occurred the marriage of Mr. Miller and Miss Minnie Winterroud, daughter of Albert and Florence (Kester) Winterroud. One daughter, Louise, has been born to this union. Mrs. Miller was born three miles west of An-
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sonia, her parents being natives of Darke county. Her mother has passed away, but Mr. Winterroud still survives. There were six children in the family, of whom four survive: Minnie, Hazel, and Ernst and Earl, twins. Mrs. Miller's grandparents were Sylvester and Elizabeth (Riegle) Winterroud, natives of Pennsylvania.
GEORGE W. BAUGHMAN.
The combination of human endowments which makes for 'success in varied fields, though a rare one, is embodied in the person of George W. Baughman of Ansonia, Ohio. For forty years a resident of this city, he has been engaged in agricul- ture, the ice business and dealing in agricultural implements, and whatever he has given his attention to has yielded a satis- factory measure of success, so close has been his application and so well directed his efforts. In the meantime, in spite of the great demands made upon him by his business enterprises, he has found time to devote to the needs of his city, and for more than thirteen years has been an active and public-spirited member of the city council .. Mr. Baughman was born in Brown township, Darke county, Ohio, October 28, 1869, and is a son of William and Catherine E. (Bertz) Baughman.
John H. Baughman, the paternal grandfather of George W. Baughman, was a native of Germany, where he was educated, reared and married, and where he served for several years in the German army. Desiring to better his condition and to make a home for his growing family, he emigrated to the United States and located in Darke county, Ohio, where he took up government land in Brown township, and there de- veloped a valuable farm. He lived to advanced years, passing away on his eighty-eighth birthday at the home of his son William. The grandmother passed away some years before. They were the parents of seven children : Simon, Casper, John, William, Fred, Eliza and Catherine. John Bertz, the maternal grandfather of George W. Baughman, was also born in the Fatherland, where he followed the trade of shoemaker until his death. Following this his widow brought her children to the United States and settled at Beamsville, in Richland town- ship, Darke county, Ohio, where she died when just past mid- dle life. Five children were born to Mr .and Mrs. Bertz : Enos, George, Mary M., Catherine E. and Sophia.
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William Baughman was eight years of age when he ac- companied his parents to America, and his youth was spent in Brown township, where he attended the district schools and subsequently engaged in agricultural pursuits. Later he turned his attention to mercantile lines, moving to Ansonia and embarking in the hardware and implement business. A man of industry and thrift, he was successful in his opera- tions, and when he died in 1888, at the age of sixty-five years, he was accounted one of the substantial men of his commun- ity. The mother's death occurred in 1903, when she had reached the age of seventy-six years. Both were originally Lutherans, but in Ansonia united with the Christian church. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Baughman were as fol- lows: Solomon, residing near Bradford, in Adams township, Darke county ; Mary Jane, the wife of Moses A. Hansehalder of Columbus, Kans .; George W., of this review ; William A., of Brown township; Lucy B., who is the wife of Edward Schmidt of Brown township; Charles B., also of Brown township; Au- gustus, who is residing on the old home place, and three chil- dren who died young.
George W. Baughman was given ordinary educational ad- vantages in the public schools of Ansonia, and received his introduction to business life and methods in his father's hard- ware store, in which he worked for seven years. Following this he took up draying and farming, and was thus engaged for twenty years, and is still the owner of a property of seventy-five acres, located just east of Ansonia. In 1900 Mr. Baughman entered the mercantile field as the proprietor of an agricultural implement business, and this he has conducted to the present time with a full measure of success, also having been engaged in the ice business during the summer seasons for some years. He is not affiliated with any of the regularly established political parties, but prefers to give his support to men and measures rather than to any political party, and con- sequently casts his vote independently. He has taken, how- ever, a keen and active interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of Ansonia, and for eighteen years has served faithfully as a member of the village council.
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