USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 27
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Warner has gained an enviable reputation as a successful breeder and raiser of live stock, which he has handled in large numbers and which he has shipped to distant parts of the country. He handles none but high-grade animals and his sound business methods and integrity of action have won for him not only a large patronage, but the confidence and re- spect of all with whom he has had dealings.
On October 24, 1895, Mr. Warner was married to Edna E. Dininger, the daughter of Jonas and Irene (Keister) Dininger. Mr. Dininger, who is one of the prominent and successful farmers and stock raisers of this locality, is a native of this part of the country and is the son of Jonas and Mary (Hol- trey) Dininger. To him and his wife were born three chil- dren, Mrs. Warner, Mrs. Cora Welker, and Earl, who is en- gaged in farming in Greenville township. Mr. and Mrs. War- ner are the parents of three children, Paul C., Doyle D. and Freeman D.
Politically, Mr. Warner is a stanch Democrat, but has never entertained any ambition for public office. His religious af- filiation is with the Reformed church, in the various activities of which he is keenly interested. In all affairs affecting the welfare of the community he is found to be a warm supporter. and he enjojys a well deserved popularity in the circles in which he moves.
D. VOLNEY BRYSON.
The farming element is very strong in Greenville township, for this is essentially one of the principal agricultural centers of Darke county, both soil and climate being, extremely favor- able for general farming and stock raising. With the farming interests of this township, D. Volney Bryson has been identi- fied since reaching man's estate, and at this time he is the owner of one hundred and fifty-eight and one-half acres of land on the old Palestine turnpike, about three miles south- west from Greenville. Mr. Bryson has spent his entire career in this locality, having been born. on the old. Bryson home- stead place, located northwest of Greenville, in Darke county, Ohio, March 3, 1861, and is a son of Morris and Mary Ann (Cole) Bryson.
The progenitor of the Bryson family in Ohio was James Bryson, who came from the east, and.settled in Darke county.
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at an early day among the pioneers. He was long connected with agricultural activities here, and was at all times known as an industrious and public-spirited citizen, worthy of the high regard in which he was universally held. He married a Miss Creviston, and among their children was Morris Bry- son, the father of our subject. He was born in 1818 on the farm on which D. Volney Bryson now resides, was educated in this vicinity and for some years was engaged in teaching the district schools of Darke county. Subsequently, however, he returned to the soil, and continued to follow agricultural pur- suits up to the time of his death. Like his father he was a hard working man, reared his children to lives of industry and thrift, and died respected by all with whom he came into con- tact. He married Mary Ann Cole and they became the parents of seven children, as follows: James, Rachael, Joseph, New- ton, Clarissa, D. Volney and David.
D. Volney Bryson received his education in the common school at Rush Station, and, as was customary, worked with his father on the home place when not engaged at his studies. He accepted farming as his field of endeavor when still a youth, and when he reached his majority, embarked upon a career of his own as a renter. He has continued to follow farming to the present time with marked success, and is now the owner of one hundred and fifty-eight and one-half acres, all under a high state of cultivation. The large, old-fashioned home on this property, as well as the commodious barn, are landmarks in this locality, both being nearly one hundred years old. Modern improvements of a substantial nature have been made by Mr. Bryson, and his machinery is of the latest design and manufacture. He has directed his efforts so intelli- gently, and with such a wide range of knowledge of his chosen vocation, that he has been able to make his land produce fully for all labor expended upon it. An acknowledged author- ity on agricultural matters, he is frequently consulted as to matters pertaining thereto, and has ever been ready to assist others in overcoming the obstacles that arise to confront those who till the soil.
In 1885 Mr. Bryson was married to Miss Mollie Vail, daugh- ter of Aaron and Sarah (Katey) Vail. Mr. Vail, who came to Darke county from Butler county, Ohio, became one of the leading farmers and substantial farm owners of this township. To Mr. and Mrs. Bryson there have been four children born, as follows: Chloe, who married John I. White; Elmer, Belle,
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who married Elsey Michael and Olive, at home. With his family, Mr. Bryson attends the Christian church, which he has ever been ready to support liberally. His political faith is that of the Democratic party. Although he has sought no public preferment, Mr. Bryson is known as a good and public-spirited citizen who favors progress and is willing to co-operate with others in advancing the interests of his community.
AARON METZGER.
Among the substantial, industrious farmers of Monroe town- ship, Darke county, Aaron Metzger deserves prominent place. He and his wife have an interesting family of children, to whom they are giving all possible advantages and whom they intend to rear to be useful citizens. Mr. Metzger was born in Wabash county, Indiana, January 4, 1867, and is a son of Solomon and Barbara (Brumbaugh) Metzger. Solomon Metzger belonged to an old Ohio family, was born in Mont- gomery county, west of Dayton, in 1829, and died in 1904. He was buried in Wabash county, Indiana, where he carried on farming for a large part of his life, having located there among the pioneers. He and his wife had twelve children : Sarah and David, residing in Indiana; Jacob, of Montana; Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Blickenstaff, of Indiana; Mary, who died at the age of twenty years; John and Daniel, also de- ceased; Barbara, wife of Wilfred Cook, of Indiana; Joseph, also of Indiana; Aaron, of this sketch; Benjamin, of Darke county ; Lydia, wife of David Garber, of Montgomery county, Ohio. The mother of these children was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, and died several years before her husband.
As a boy Aaron Metzger helped with the work on his father's farm in Indiana and attended the country schools, remaining at home until his marriage, December 13, 1891, to Frances, daughter of Martin and Susan (Flory) Miller, who was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1873. After marriage they settled down on a farm in Montgomery county and six years later removed to a farm in Monroe township, which was the family home until their removal to their present place, in the spring of 1914. Mr. Metzger carries on general farming and stock-raising with a very fair degree of profit and is account- ed one of the more able farmers of the community. He is
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energetic and a fine manager so that his farm shows the results of intelligent operation. While living at Pitsburg he owned an implement store and took an active part in local affairs. He is a Democrat and cast his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland. He has been school director and has also served as a member of the council in Pitsburg. His wife is a mem- ber of the Dunkard church. Her father, Martin Miller, was born in Meyersdale, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1835, and died in Darke county, Ohio, August 3, 1909. His father was John Miller, a native of Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and his mother was Sarah (Beeghley) Miller, died some twenty years ago. Six children were born to John A. Miller and his wife: Samuel J., of Pennsylvania; Daniel J., of Ohio; Mary, wife of Jonathan Moore, of Toledo, Iowa; Martin J., deceased, was a resident of Darke county ; Abraham J., of Darke county, Ohio; and Susannah, deceased. Martin Miller and wife had seven children, all born in Montgomery county, Ohio, namely : Josiah, of Texas; Annie, wife of Isaac Metzger, of Indiana; Susie, deceased wife of Valentine Yost, of Montgomery county; Lizzie, wife of Benjamin Metzger, of Monroe township; Mrs. Frances Metzger, wife of Aaron Metzger, and two who died in infancy.
Six children have blessed the home of Aaron Metzger and wife, namely : Edna, born in Montgomery county, January 13, 1895; Roy, born in Montgomery county, August 11, 1898; Earl, born in Darke county, May 9, 1900; Mildred, born in Darke county, January 13, 1903; Paul, born August 9, 1907, and Helen Frances, born April 20, 1914, also in Darke county.
JOHN A McEOWEN.
It is gratifying to the biographer to find a subject like John A. McEowen, for in his career is given the successful attempts of a man who entered upon his life work without any par- ticular training, or inherited riches, and yet through native ability and earnest perseverance gained the goal he had in view from the beginning. His work has been directed along agricultural lines. He has not tried to accomplish the im- possible, but in doing his duty each day, has become the owner of a large acreage and established himself in the confidence of the people with whom he is constantly associated. Mr. Mc-
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Eowen is conveniently located on the West Milton turnpike and also owns a fine property on the Jaysville road, both farms being in Greenville. township.
John A. McEowen was born in Darke county, January 10, 1855, a son of Henry H. and Melissa (Millett) McEowen. Henry H. McEowen was born in Warren county, Ohio, but came to Darke county in young manhood. A mechanic by trade, he was profitably working at his trade when he re- sponded to the call of his country and enlisted for service during the Civil war in the Forty-fourth Ohio volunteer in- fantry and re-enlisted in the Eighth Ohio cavalry. After a faithful service, Henry H. McEowen received his honorable discharge and returned home to engage in farming within the confines of Allen township, Darke county. A man of more than ordinary intelligence, although his educational opportu- nities were confined to the country schools of Warren county, he developed into one of the prominent men of Darke county, and his influence was felt during his day.
Owing to his father's superior attainments, John A. Mc- Eowen was given better advantages than many of his asso- ciates, for he not only was sent to the local rural schools, but those of Greenville. While he was attending school, he was taught to make himself useful on the farm and in this way gained a knowledge of the work which he was to follow all his life. When he was twenty-three years old, he began farming for himself, for the first three years thereafter conducting his uncle's property. Recognizing the worth and possibilities of this land, he purchased another farm of one hundred and two acres on the Jaysville road, joining his other farm, making three hundred and eighty-four acres in all, at the expiration of the three years, and has since devoted it to general farming and stock raising. His homestead comprises two hundred and twenty-five acres, while his other farm contains one hundred and thirty-five acres, and all of the land is very fertile, while the improvements are strictly modern, carrying out the latest ideas with regard to sanitation and conveniences calculated to assist in the work.
John. A. McEowen married Angeline Emrick, a daughter of Henry Emrick, who came to Darke county from Preble county. Mr. and Mrs. McEowen have had two sons: Hugh E., who married Edna Palmer, has two children, John and Mary; and Orville, who married Ada Hunt, has one child, Roy. Fraternally, Mr. McEowen is a Mason and finds pleas-
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ure in his connections in this direction. While not a member of any religious denomination, he is in sympathy with the work of all churches, and gives them material assistance. Not only is he serving on the public school board, but for the last twelve years he has been acting as a director of the Children's Home, and is a man of public spirit, who discharges his re- sponsibilities ably and conscientiously.
RILEY DININGER.
Riley Dininger is connected with the development of the resource that nature has provided in Darke county, being well known as a representative of the agricultural interests of Greenville township. Although still a young man, he has made a decided success of his operations, and at this writing is meeting with satisfactory results in the cultivation of one hundred and thirty-five acres of fine land, located on the new Palestine turnpike, about five miles southwest of Greenville. He has resided in the community which is now his home throughout his life, having been born on this present farm, December 12, 1888, the oldest son of George and Sophia (Smith) Dininger.
The Dininger family needs no introduction to the people of Darke county, for it has been represented here for many years and its members have always been people of industrious and honorable habits. George Dininger received an ordinary school education, and from boyhood followed the vocation of farming. He was a hard-working and intelligent agriculturist throughout his active period, and although now living retired still takes a keen interest in the affairs of his township. He and his wife were the parents of three children, namely : Riley. Glenn and Mary, who live with their parents.
The boyhood of Riley Dininger was passed much the same as that of other farmers' sons of his day and locality. During the winter months he secured his educational training in the Halderman school, while the remainder of the year was spent in assisting his father to till the soil and make the home farm productive. At the time of his father's retirement, he suc- ceeded to the management of the homestead, which he has continued to conduct in an able and conscientious manner. Benefitting by the teachings of his father's wide experience,
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Mr. Dininger has been able to succeed where many others would have failed. He endeavors to keep fully abreast of the various advancements in his chosen field of endeavor and to take advantage of new discoveries and inventions. His ma- chinery is of the latest manufacture and he is at all times ready to give a trial to innovations which his judgment deems prac- ticable. In addition to general farming he has experimented in stockraising, and has found this an excellent means of add- ing to his income.
On December 6, 1911, Mr. Dininger was united in marriage with Miss Hazel Ross, daughter of David and Phoebe (Wil- son) Ross, farming people of Darke county, where they own a large tract of land.
STEPHEN RHOADES.
The time has long passed when an agriculturalist was re- garded as merely a toiler of the rural regions; a tiller of the soil and a man who laborered simply to provide food and shelter for himself and his family. With the awakening of the country to the importance of the farmer and the dignity of his work has come a realization of what he is accomplishing each day in the development of his community and the con- sequent advancement of the agricultural supremacy of his section. There are a number of intelligent, progressive men of Darke county who have been content to confine their ac- tivities to developing their properties, for they realize what the fertile land in this locality can be made to produce, and among them one who is daily working out practical ideas to his own and his community's benefit, is Stephen Rhoades of Green- ville township. He was born November 29, 1865, upon the same property that is now his home, that at the time of his birth was in the possession of his father, Abraham Rhoades.
Abraham Rhoades was one of the early settlers of Green- ville township, selecting for his homestead one hundred acres of land on the old Palestine turnpike road, about two miles southwest of Greenville. He married Mary Pitsenberger and reared a family. Stephen Rhoades grew up amid conditions that were similar to those surrounding any farmer lad of his time and locality, and while attending school held in the old schoolhouse in district No. 13, he assisted his father on the
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farm in spare moments and during vacations, so that he was thoroughly grounded in this kind of work from childhood. A portion of the labor of clearing the timbered part of the farm fell to his share and he can point with pride to fertile fields which his own hands have redeemed from the forest. When he was twenty-two years old he rented the farm from his father, and after the death of the latter made some improve- ments in order to bring his property up to his ideas of mod- ern convenience and sanitary regulations.
On January 29, 1895, Stephen Rhoades was united in mar- riage with Clara Stephens, a daughter of John and Matilda (Resser) Stephens. Mr. and Mrs. Rhoades have become the parents of children as follows: George H., Ray, Morris H., Mary M. and Charles F. The Lutheran church finds in Mr. Rhoades a consistent member and liberal contributor, and he never fails to take an active and helpful interest in the good work carried on by that congregation. Being a man who takes an intelligent interest in current events, Mr. Rhoades casts his vote and gives his support to the candidates of the Republican party, as he believes that organization the one best calculated to carry the country to prosperous ends. A recognition of his interest in local affairs was shown by his election as a member of the school board to represent his district, and in that office, as in the life of his community, he is proving himself a man in whom full and implicit trust can be placed. Further comment is unnecessary.
FRANKLIN SYLVESTER KARR.
Franklin Sylvester Karr, whose home is on east half of southwest quarter of section 25, Monroe township, belongs to one of the oldest families in his part of the county and is high- ly respected as a substantial and representative citizen. He was born in the pleasant home where he now resides, June 23, 1864, son of John and Mary (Gordon) Karr. His paternal grandparents, James and Elizabeth Karr, removed from New Jersey to Ohio, in 1835, locating on a farm in Preble county, where the city of Baltimore now stands. The parents of Mary Gordon, Philip and Elizabeth Gordon were also from New Jersey, whence they came to Monroe town- ship, Darke county, in 1839, locating near the pres- ent farm of their grandson, Franklin S. Karr, and
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near the village of Gordon, which was named in honor of Philip Gordon. For some forty years Mr. Gordon was the "squire" of Monroe township, and during this time probably performed more marriage ceremonies than any one else who ever held a similar office there. He also laid out the high- way which became known as the Gordon and West Milton Road. He and his wife are buried in the cemetery at Gor- don on land which was a part of his farm when he came to Darke county, before 1840, and which was later donated for cemetery purposes by his son-in-law, David Lair. They were held in high esteem as a family and were respected for their upright, useful lives. Such men have paved the way for a higher idea of life in their descendants and are worthy the reverence with which their names are held in memory.
James Karr, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was an expert farmer and became well acquainted with section and township lines in his and surrounding counties, as well as with the value of the land in that region, and thus became a valuable guide to newcomers from other states who were looking for suitable sites for their pioneer homes. He was always ready to give such men the benefit of his advice and ex- perience and was highly regarded for his good judgment and his kind and courteous treatment of his fellows. He was fair in all his dealings and interested in the development of the country where he had located. He was buried in Tillman cemetery, Harrison township, Preble county. His wife died some years later, while visiting her daughter and was buried near Niles, Michigan.
John Karr was born in New Jersey, May 25, 1815, and died January 15, 1872, and his wife, who was born January 25, 1819, died November 17, 1892. Both are buried in the cemetery at Gordon. She was a member of the Baptist church of the old school beliefs. John Karr and wife had six children, all born in the same house where Franklin S. Karr resides, which was the home place of James Karr in 1835. The latter gave enough of his land to his son, John, on which to build him- self a house but which had to be cleared by the young man. Their children were: Elizabeth Ann, married A. A. Mc- Elwaine and both are deceased, she having passed away February 1, 1875, and is buried beside her parents; Zephaniah Selby, born September 5, 1844, died May 11, 1872; Rachel Jane, who was born September 2, 1852, died the same day as her sister Elizabeth, February 1, 1875; John Iser, born March
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31, 1858, died October 22, 1860; Sarah Emma, born March 16, 1860, died April 13, 1878; Franklin Sylvester, the youngest child, whose name heads this sketch.
Franklin S. Karr received his education in the schools of his home district and after the death of his father (which oc- curred when the boy was eight years old) remained with his mother until he took himself a wife. He was united in mar- riage, March 25, 1883, with Miss Sarah E. Nickle, who was born in Twin township, Darke county, May 16, 1863, daugh- ter of John and Catherine (Dancer) Nickle. Mr. Nickle was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, July 4, 1820. In May, 1852, he started for America, making the voyage in a sailing vessel, which took months to cross; landed in New York in August. He lived for a short time in Hamilton, Ohio, and there married Miss Catherine Dancer, also a native of Wurtemburg, born in 1822. He died June 15, 1899, and his wife November 6, 1898, both being buried in Twin township cemetery. He moved from Hamilton county to Darke county, in 1853, and first built a small house on a half-acre of land in Twin town- ship. He later purchased twenty acres of land in Monroe township, to which he added from time to time, and built another house as his fortunes improved. Three of the chil- dren were born in Twin township and one son in Monroe township, namely: Amelia, born January 17, 1855, wife of David Sutterbeck of Twin township; Mary Ann, born August 13, 1859, wife of David Idle, residing near Gordon; Mrs. Karr; John Henry, born November 1, 1866, died at the age of nine years.
After marriage Franklin S. Karr engaged actively in farm- ing on his own account. He now owns eighty acres of choice land in one of the most fertile parts of the county and has added many conveniences to the house, being the owner of the home, which was his birthplace and which was owned successively by his grandfather and father before him. He came into part of his land by inheritance and purchased the remainder from his sister. He has become well known in the county for the high grade and pure bred Jerseys which he raises and they always have a fine flock of high-grade white leghorn fowls. The home shows the signs of culture and the family are fond of reading and intend to keep up with the events and issues of the day. Mrs. Karr has a fine sense of the meaning of a typical American home, of the best sort, and an appreciation of the things that develop the
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best in family life. Mr. and Mrs. Karr belong to the old- school Predestinarian Baptist church at Gordon. He is a Democrat in politics and cast his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland. He was township assessor in 1889 and 1890 and has served several times on the township school board, having been on the board of education when the school- house was erected in Pitsburg. The family are very well known, being among the oldest residents of the region, and they count their friends by the score.
Nine children have blessed this home: Ibbie Jane, born January 29, 1884, on February 13, 1902, married Charles Baker, of Monroe township, and they have three children, Cora Hazel, Delbert and Orlan Otho; Charles Curtis, born May 29, 1885, lives on a farm adjoining that of his father, married Miss Hazel Corwin, October 9, 1909, and they have two chil- dren Corwin LeRoy and Susie Evelyn; Emma Hazel, born December 18, 1886, on January 1, 1912, married Edward Mattis, of Monroe township; Cora Ann, born July 21, 1888, on October 16, 1912, married Harry B. Falknor, of Monroe township, and they have one child, Richard Karr; Ija Gordon, born March 25, 1890, at home; Maude Belle, born June 6, 1892, on August 9, 1913, married Ralph Aubrey Hart, a teacher in Darke county, and they reside in Monroe township; Ellie May, born February 27, 1894, and John Russell, born April 4, 1896, both at home; Edith Marie, born September 24, 1898, in 1914 graduated from the district school near home and is at home with her parents.
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