USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 25
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On February 22, 1902, Mr. Baughman was married to Miss Emma Schmidt, daughter of Gottlieb and Dorothy (Wolf) Schmidt, and to this union there has been born one daughter, Dorothy. Mrs. Baughman was born in Dayton, Ohio, but reared in Brown township. Her parents were natives of Ger-
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many and early settlers of Brown township, where the mother still resides, the father having met his death on the Big Four railroad in 1905, when about seventy years of age. There were eight children in the Schmidt family: Henry, William, Ed- ward, Lizzie, Emma, Catherine, Ella and Clara.
MANN H. MILLER.
For thirty-five years Mann H. Miller has been closely identi- fied with the business life of Ansonia, Ohio, and his activities during this time have given him a prominent position among the men whose energy and progressive spirit have materially aided in making this city one of the leading commercial cen- ters of this part of the State. As directing head of the firm of M. H. Miller & Son, dealer in granite and marble monu- ments, he has built up an industry which has become one of the leaders in its line, while in public and fraternal life his signal services have been no less progressive and helpful. Mr. Miller was born in Richland township, Darke county, Ohio, December 22, 1851, and is a son of Riley B. and Phoebe (Chambers) Miller.
John and Elizabeth (Mann) Miller, the paternal grand- parents of Mann H. Miller, were natives of Pennsylvania and pioneer settlers of Darke county, where they owned the farm on the site of old Fort Brier, in Richland township, there dying in advanced years. They were the parents of nine chil- dren : Riley B., Job, Mann, Michael, Rachel, Ruth, Margaret and Ellen. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Miller were early settlers at Huntsville, Butler county, Ohio, and were the parents of four children : Phoebe, Joshua, Jane and Mary. After the death of Mr. Chambers, his widow married (second) a Mr. Akers, and they had two daughters, Margaret and Martha. Riley B. Miller was born in Pennsylvania, and was a small boy when he accompanied his parents to Richland township. He grew to manhood on the home farm and adopted agricultural work for his life's vocation, accumulating a val- uable tract of one hundred and eighty acres of land. He died November 1, 1855, when aged only thirty-one years, while the mother, a native of Ohio, survived him a long period, and died December 13, 1881, aged fifty-one years, five months, twelve days. They were the parents of four children: Mann H., of
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this review; Joshua, who is deceased; Elizabeth J., the widow of William J. Ross, of Rossburg, Ohio, and one child who died in infancy.
Mann H. Miller was but four years of age when his father died, and at that time he went to make his home with John Hagerman of Allen township, with whom he resided until grown to young manhood. He was given but scant educational advantages, but made the most of his opportunities, and through observation and reading has gained much knowledge concerning the important things of life, so that today he is a very well-informed man. After his marriage, he was en- gaged in farming for two years, and then moved to Ansonia and for several years was engaged in the livery business, sub- sequently operating a gristmill and elevator for a little over twelve months. Eventually he turned his attention to the granite and marble business, and in this line he has continued for thirty-five years. Mr. Miller today is justly accounted one of the substantial men of business of Ansonia. He is building monuments of a high order, embodying beauty, art and per- manency ; he is conducting an honest, straightforward business, relying only on the merit of his product and the integrity of his intentions for success. He believes in good honest work, at a fair living price, and upon this foundation he has built up a business that has few equals in this part of the State.
On March 28, 1872, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Jose- phine Williams, who was born at Phillipsburg, Montgomery county, Ohio. Her father located in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1848, but later moved to Darke county, where he died January 2, 1901, aged eighty-two years. The mother passed away August 2, 1881, aged fifty-six years, eleven months, nine days. Mr. Williams operated sawmills and was a merch- ant, tobacco dealer and farmer and was successful in his various operations. At one time he was mayor of Ansonia, served also as justice of the peace and was a notary public for about fifteen years. He and his wife were the parents of the following children : James M., Marion, Rufus, Sarah Etta, Martha, Josephine, Clara, Lafayette, Elziah and two who died as children.
Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller, as follows: Dell, who died at the age of one month; Russell, who is a traveling salesman for Townsend & Townsend, wholesale granite dealers of New York City, married Lucy McCabe, and makes his home in Ansonia; Capitola, who mar-
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ried S. H. Mendenhall of Greenville, and has one son, Dwight; Maude, who became the wife of Ira Oliver and lives in Dayton; Roll Mann, a general merchant of Ansonia, who married Min- nie Winterroud and has one daughter, Louise; Noble, in partnership with his father in the monument business, who married Hazel Trittschuh and has one son, Rodney Mann, and daughter Josephine, and Loyal, who married Ethel Clabaugh of Ada, Ohio, is a student at the Ohio Northern University at Ada.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Christian church, where he is acting in the capacity of trustee. He has been . prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of Ansonia Lodge No. 605, and the Encampment of the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, of both of which he served in the capacity of treasurer for several years, and he and Mrs. Miller belong to the Rebekahs. In politics a Republican, he has served as councilman for several years, and was a member of the school board for a long period, being treasurer of his district at the time the high school was built.
EDWARD HAMMEL ..
Edward Hammel, active member of the firm of Arnett & Hammel, dealers in grain and flour, and operators of a grain elevator in Pitsburg, Ohio, is a self-made man and his success affords a striking example of what may be accomplished by energy and ambition. Probably no man in the vicinity is better known and his geniality and warm-heartedness are readily apparent, so that every one feels at home in his pres- ence. He has taken a prominent part in the public life and affairs of the village for a number of years and has been honored by his fellow-townsmen by election to honorable pub- lic office. He was born on a farm near Brookville, Mont- gomery county, Ohio, July 18, 1876, and is a son of Samuel and Barbara (Minnich) Hammel, the father also born near Brookville about 1840. Samuel Hammel was always a farmer and spent a busy and honored existence near Brookville. He was a Republican in politics. His wife was born in the same neighborhood April 2, 1843, and died May 6, 1910, being buried in Pitsburg cemetery. She was a member of the Brethern church. Mr. Hammel died in April, 1884, and was buried
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in the cemetery at Piermont, Ohio. They had two sons: Harvey. a painter, and Edward, whose name heads this sketch. Harvey lives with his brother in Pitsburg. The parents of Samuel Hammel came to Ohio in an early day and were among the honored pioneers who did so much for the early prosperity of the state.
Edward Hammel received his education in Pitsburg and at the age of fifteen years began to work in the employ of Edward McCue, proprietor at that time of a grain elevator there, across the street from Mr. Hammel's present quarters. By his ability and strict attention to business Mr. Hammel became a valued employee and thoroughly learned the busi- ness, so that when Mr. McCue sold out Mr. Hammel was able to purchase a half-interest in business with Mr. Abraham Arnett, father of his present partner, Tobias Arnett, whose sketch appears in this work, and who inherited his father's share. After the death of the senior Mr. Arnett the two younger men moved to their present quarters, which ar- rangement was made in 1905, buying the office and elevator building from Mr. McCue, who had erected them. They be- came the leading grain dealers in the community and have a very good business, purchasing much of the grain raised in their part of the county.
Mr. Hammel is a Republican in politics and from 1900 to 1910 served as township clerk of Monroe township; he served two terms as village councilman, and in 1913 was elected Mayor of Pitsburg, to serve two years. Since 1897 he has been agent at Pitsburg for the Big Four Railroad Company. At the present time he is clerk of the village Board of Edu- cation, and has filled all offices with ability and honor. He is a Mason of the thirty-second degree, also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Order of Redmen, as well as the Junior Order. The last named is the only one of these organizations having a branch in Pitsburg, there- fore, he has been unable to take a prominent part in the others, but he is past Counsellor of the Junior Order.
On October 20, 1900, Mr. Hammel was united in marriage with Pearl Katherine Limbert, daughter of Simon P. and Mary E. (Mote) Limbert, both born near Pitsburg. Mr. Limbert was a farmer in early life but has now retired from active life and he and his wife live in Pitsburg, both being about sixty-four or sixty-five years of age. He is a Republi- can in politics and served several terms as Assessor of Darke
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county. He and his wife had five children, one of whom, Nel- son H., died on February, 1913, and the others are: Willis, of Darke county; Lola, wife of L. G. McCluen, of Rock- wood, Tennessee; Noah, of Columbus, Ohio, is unmarried and is in the employ of the Gwinn Milling Company ; Mrs. Ham- mel. Mr. and Mrs. Hammel are parents of two lovely chil- dren: Carl Carlton, born December 14, 1904, a pupil in the public school, and little Mildred Katherine, born June 14, 1907.
Mr. and Mrs. Hammel attend the Methodist church of which she is a member. In youth he attended the Brethern church with his mother. Mrs. Hammel is treasurer of the Sunday school society and secretary of the Ladies' Aid So- ciety. Mr. Hammel is accounted one of the most public-spirit- ed men in his community and is much respected. He has been very successful in his business ventures and his accumula- tion of property and wealth are the result of his own unaided efforts, for he has cared for himself since he was a mere boy and has never been daunted by the prospect of hard work.
ROLL HELM HALDERMAN.
One of the most straightforward, energetic and successful agriculturists of Darke county is R. H. Halderman, whose splendid and well-kept farm is located in Greenville township, about four miles southwest of Greenville. He is public spirited and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of his locality, and for many years he has been numbered among its most valued and honored citizens.
R. H. Halderman was born on September 4, 1875, on the farm on which he now resides, and is the son of Jacob and Frances (Helm) Halderman, his mother having been a mem- ber of a sterling old Pennsylvania family. The subject is the youngest in a family of seven children, the others being Mrs. Lottie Bishop, Mrs. Alice McNeil, Herschel of Texas, Mrs. Bird Wagner, Mrs. Elnora Clapp and Mrs. Pearl Bishop. R. H. Halderman received his education in school No. 12, which was located on the home farm, completing his studies in the public schools of Greenville. He has spent his entire life on the home farm, in the work of which he early took an active part. At the age of twenty-one years he rented the place from
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his father and after the latter's death, December 4, 1908, he bought the interests of the other heirs and is now the sole owner. The place comprises one hundred and eighty acres of as good land as the township affords and in the raising of general crops and the handling of live stock he has met with a very gratifying degree of success. He gives proper attention to the rotation of crops and other features of intelligent farm- ing, while the buildings, fences, implements and other depart- ments of the farm work are all carefully looked after, no phase of his business being neglected.
R. H. Halderman was married, on November 19, 1902, to Laura Henning, of Washington township, this county, and the daughter of Isaac and Mary (Schaffer) Henning. Her father, who was a prominent farmer in his community, is now deceased, being survived by his widow. To Mr. and Mrs. Halderman has been born a daughter, Helen, born May 23, 1910.
Politically, Mr. Halderman has always affiliated with the Democratic party and is at present rendering effective service as a member of the school board. Religiously, he and his wife are earnest members of the Presbyterian church, to which they contribute of their means. In all his methods, Mr. Hal- derman is progressive and enterprising, and he has succeeded in his endeavors, as a result of intelligent, well directed effort. He is held in the highest esteem in his locality, and he not only represents an honorable old family, but also personally stands for all that is best in the life of the community. Mr. Halder- man's father was township trustee for many years.
JONAS DININGER.
The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's mod- est estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his neighbors and fellow citizens. In touching upon the life history of the sub- ject of this sketch the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extravagant praise; yet he desires to hold up for consid- eration those facts which have shown the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life-a life characterized by persever- ance, energy, broad charity and well defined purpose. To do
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this will be but to reiterate the dictum pronounced upon the man by the people who have known him long and well.
Jonas Dininger, who is numbered among the progressive and public-spirited citizens of Greenville township, was born on September 1, 1854, on the old Jonas Dininger farm, about three miles from his present location, and therefore has been a lifelong resident of this locality. He is the son of Jonas and Mary E. (Holtry) Dininger, the former of whom was born near Germantown, Montgomery county, this State, moving to Darke county when about ten years old with his parents. The latter were Jacob and Sevan K. Dininger, the former of whom was a native of Germany, who, after coming to this country, first located at Germantown, where he made his permanent home. To Jonas and Mary Dininger were born two children, the subject of this sketch and George, who now lives in Green- ville.
Jonas Dininger, to a review of whose life the following lines are devoted, spent his boyhood days on his father's farm and his education was secured in the Halderman district school. When about twenty-two years old he began farming operations on his own account, renting a tract of land from his grandfather Holtry, where he remained two years. He then returned to the home farm, devoting himself to its operation during the following six years, at the end of which time he located on his own present farm, on which he has resided con- tinuously since. He has made many permanent and substan- tial improvements since locating here and the place is now considered one of the most productive and best improved farms in Greenville township. The farm, which comprises one hundred and twenty-two acres of land, lies on the Nashville road, about two miles west of Greenville, and is practically all in cultivation. Mr. Dininger raises all the crops common to this locality and also gives special attention to the breeding of pure bred live stock, which are now considered so import- ant an adjunct to a successful farm. About four years ago Mr. Dininger erected a splendid modern and attractive resi- dence, located a short distance from his former home, and has attractively and tastefully furnished and finished it.
Mr. Dininger was married, on October 14, 1875, to Irene Keister, and they are the parents of three children, Mrs. Cora Welker, Mrs. Edna Warner and Earle E. Dininger.
Politically, Mr. Dininger has always been an earnest ad- vocate of the Democratic party and has taken a prominent
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part in local public affairs, having served as a member of the school board and in other ways exhibiting a commendable in- terest in the prosperity and welfare of the community. Re- ligiously, he is a member of St. Paul's Reformed church, in which he has been an elder for many years. He is recognized as a man of executive ability and enterprise and is numbered among the leading and representative citizens of his locality.
Erle E. Dininger was born on November 5, 1884, and re- ceived his elementary education in the Shady Glenn district school No. 11, and was graduated from Greenville high school He then took a commercial course in Jacob's school, in Day -. ton, where he was graduated, following which he became a student in the agricultural course at Cornell University. Thus well equipped for life's battle, he returned home and took charge of his father's farm, and pure bred live stock, in the handling of which he has demonstrated not only the advan- tages of special training, but also the possession of those natural qualities which are absolutely essential to success in any line of effort. He has served as assessor of his township and is one of the active and influential young politicians of his community. On July 3, 1907, he was married to Amy Sollen- barger, and they have two children, Corliss Burdette and Lora Irene.
WILLIAM G. BISHOP.
Industry, perseverance, intelligence and good judgment combine to form the price of success in agricultural work in these modern days of farming, when the hard, unremitting toil of former years has given way to scientific use of modern machinery and a knowledge of the proper treatment of the soil. Darke county has many skilled farmers, who treat their voca- tion more as a profession than as a mere occupation and take a justifiable amount of pride in their accomplishments. Among these may be mentioned W. C. Bishop of Greenville town- ship, whose well-tilled property is located on the Fort Jeffer- son turnpike, about one mile from the city. Mr. Bishop is thoroughly versed in soil and climatic conditions in this sec- tion, as he has lived here all of his life, having been born on the farm he now occupies, in 1870, a son of T. L. and Cynthia (Dunham) Bishop.
Reared in a family of industry and thrift, Mr. Bishop early learned that hard work is the surest road to success, and that
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he was expected to do his full share in contributing to the family income. He was instructed thoroughly in the thousand and one things necessary for the modern farmer to know, and as soon as he was large enough to grasp the plow handles be- gan to be one of his father's best helpers. During the winter terms, he acquired his education in the district schools, but in the remainder of the year gave his service faithfully to his father, remaining under the parental roof until reaching ma- turity. When he was twenty-one years of age, Mr. Bishop embarked upon a career of his own, first starting as a renter. Through hard and intelligent labor he was able to put by enough to purchase a few acres of land, and to this he has subsequently added from time to time, as his finances have permitted, until he is now the owner of one hundred and thirty-seven acres of some of the best land to be found in Darke county, and which includes the old homestead place. Mr. Bishop is progressive and enterprising, and the improve- ments on his land are of a modern and valuable nature. He believes in the use of the best machinery, directs his labors along modern scientific lines, and is able to make his land pro- duce to its fullest extent for the work expended upon it. He has a comfortable home, and the buildings for the housing of his stock, grain and machinery are large and commodious. It is interesting to note that the majority of men in Darke county, especially among the farmers, are possessed of suc- cess because of the force of their own efforts, and Mr. Bishop is no exception to this rule. He is considered one of the best judges of stock in his part of the country, and his judgment is often sought on questions connected with agricultural in- terests.
Mr. Bishop was united in marriage October 24, 1895 with Miss Pearl Halderman, daughter of Jacob H. Halderman, a re- view of whose career will be found on another page of this work. Two children have blessed this union: Mildred, who is now fifteen years of age, and Robert W., six years old. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop and their children are consistent members of the Baptist church, where they have numerous friends. In po- litical matters Mr. Bishop supports the candidates and princi- ples of the Republican party, but has not been an office seeker himself, preferring the honest toil and peaceful life of the farm to any of the doubtful honors of the political arena. However, he is public spirited, and any good movement in his township immediately enlists his stanch and enthusiastic support.
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CLIFFORD O. NISWONGER.
Clifford Niswonger, an honored and respected citizen of Pits- burg, is a leading merchant and successful business man. He is largely a self-made man, for his position is chiefly due to his ambition and enterprise, coupled with his business acumen and sterling qualities. He was born in Monroe township, Darke county, Ohio, December 21, 1887, and is one of the ten children born to David Warner and Elizabeth (Olewine) Niswonger. He has recently added the middle initial "O" to his name, which stands for the name of his mother's family, Olewine.
David Warner Niswonger, now retired from active life, was a carpenter by trade and now lives on a farm in Monroe town- ship, not far from Pitsburg. He was born on the section where he now resides, January 6, 1843, son of John and Su- sannah (Warner) Niswonger, both of well-known Darke county families of pioneer times. John Niswonger was born on a farm near Salem, Montgomery county, Ohio, May 28, 1815, and was a son of John and Elizabeth (Circle) Nis- wonger, both born, reared and also married in Rockingham county, Virginia, the former also son of a Virginian named John Niswonger and a farmer of Rockingham county, Virginia. The American progenitors of the family were three brothers who came from Germany, of whom one located in Canada, one in Maryland and one in Virgina. Susannah Warner was born on a farm near Union, Montgomery county, Ohio, June 2, 1815, daughter of David and Hester (Brumbaugh) Warner, who came from Pennsylvania to Montgomery county, Ohio. It is supposed that this family of Warners were descended from a passenger on the Mayflower.
In 1832 the John Niswonger who married Susannah Warn- er located in Darke county, having purchased 189 acres of land, part of it located in the same section as the one where his son, David W., now resides. This was located in thick woods and was secured from the Government. He erected a log house there and occupied it some forty years. Their first home was a story-and-a-half building of hewed logs, roughly built, with one room above and one below, but this was soon added to and remodeled, and finally replaced. The original house was finally removed to Pitsburg and David Warner Niswonger lived in it a number of years until it was finally (18)
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torn down and used for fuel. John Niswonger and wife be- came parents of five sons and seven daughters, all of whom reached maturity and married and eight of whom now sur- vive. They are: Mary, who married Henry Swank, and all their descendants except two grandchildren, Mrs. Leibbie (Hullinger) Long and Miss Margaret Hullinger, have passed away; Catherine, who married Peter Layer, is deceased and her descendants are scattered in various parts of the county ; George, a resident of Dawn, Darke county, married Keziah Bear; Elizabeth, deceased wife of George Layer, whose descen- dants reside in Darke county; David Warner; Hettie, wife of Harvey Mote, of Chicago, whose descendants are much scattered; Lydia, wife of Josiah Baker, of Pitsburg; Lucinda, wife of Mathias Corwin, of Arcanum; Harriet, wife of John Regan, of Brown county, Indiana; John, of Los Angeles, California, married Emma Giblin; Harvey married Mary Roser and lives in Arcanum; Nicholas, who married Mary Reed, died at Ardmore, Oklahoma.
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