USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 3
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
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the usual time of waiting for clients he began to get a little practice so that on August 1, 1883, he felt justified in taking a better half to aid him in the remaining battles of life. The lady accepting this important position was Miss Emma S. Roland. She is the daughter of Charles and Amelia (Hill) Roland. Her father for many years was editor and proprietor of the Greenville Democrat. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Allread have been born children as follows: Marie A., who was partly edu- cated in the schools of Greenville, and was graduated from the North high school in Columbus. Later she attended Wells College, Aurora, N. Y., and then spent two years at the Con- servatory of Music in Boston. She now resides with her parents in Columbus, Ohio, where she takes an active part in the work of the Episcopal church.
The second child of Mr. and Mrs. Allread is Charles Harold, who was born in Greenville, Ohio, August 13, 1889. He at- tended the Greenville public schools and was graduated from the Greenville high school. Entered the law department of the Ohio State University and was graduated with class of 1911, and was admitted to the bar the same year. In 1912 opened office in Columbus in partnership with Orla E. Harri- son under firm name of Harrison & Allread. He is single and makes his home with his parents.
Recognizing the beneficial effects of a restful nature upon a weary mind of social relaxation and being favorably im- pressed with the high moral teachings of the Masonic fra- ternity, in the year 1882, he became a member of Greenville Lodge No. 145, F. and A. M., in which he worthily filled Worshipful Master for several years. In due time he was permitted to become a member of Greenville chapter No. 77, R. A. M., in which he served as High Priest for many years, and later a member of Coleman Commandery No. 17. Knight Templar, of Troy, O.
In 1899 Judge Allread was selected by the local lodge to represent it in the Grand Lodge of the state. Here he re- ceived the honor of being appointed to serve as Junior Deacon of the Grand Lodge.
Born and reared a republican, the judge, after due delibera- tion, saw no cause for changing his political belief and so identified himself with that party. He became an earnest defender of its principles and at many meetings showed that the battles he had fought as a lad in school were a good prep- aration for the political contests. In 1898 he was chosen as
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a member of the republican state committee and his services secured recognition from his co-workers.
When Judge Shauck was elected as a member of the Su- preme Court of the state, Gov. Mckinley appointed Judge Allread to fill out the unexpired term, which he did with great satisfaction to the people of the constituents of the judicial district which comprise the counties of Franklin, Montgomery, Madison, Champaign, Fayette, Clark, Miami, Shelby, Greene, Preble and Darke. No one has ever accused the judge of rendering biased decisions on account of social, political or religious prejudice.
Judge Allread was chosen as delegate to the national re- publican convention held at Minneapolis, Minn., in 1892, which nominated Benjamin Harrison for president, and again in 1896 to the one held in St. Louis, which nominated William Mckinley. He took an active part in both campaigns. From January, 1901, to May, 1903, he served as assistant secretary of state, and was then elected judge of the Court of Common Pleas for a term of five years, beginning May, 1903. The judicial district included counties of Darke, Preble, Miami, Champaign and Clark. An act of the legislature extended the term from May to January so that the Judge served nearly six years. In 1908 he was elected judge of the Circuit Court in the same district for a term of six years. Amendment to the constitution changed name to Court of Appeals.
Mr. and Mrs. Allread are members of the Presbyterian church at Greenville, Ohio.
A prominent citizen of Greenville, who is also prominent in the democratic party, said the best evidence of the popular- ity of Judge Allread can be seen in the act of the democrats of Darke connty who formed an organization among them- selves to aid in his election and that he led the ticket in Darke county by a large majority. The writer of this article thinks it was a mistake that the vote in Darke county was not unanimous.
LEO. E. KERLIN.
In no profession is there a career more open to talent than is that of the law, and in no field of endeavor is there demanded a more careful preparation, a more thorough appreciation of the absolute ethics of life or of the underlying principles which
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form the basis of all human rights and privileges. Unflagging application and intuitive wisdom and determination fully to utilize the means at hand, are the concomitants which insure personal success and prestige in this great profession, which stands as the stern conservator of justice, and it is one into which none should enter without a recognition of the obstacles to be encountered and overcome and the battles to be won, for success does not perch on the banner of every one who enters the competitive fray, but comes only as the legitimate result of capability. Possessing all the requisites of the able lawyer, Leo E. Kerlin stands today among the eminent prac- titioners of Darke county, Ohio.
Leo E. Kerlin was born in Greenville, Oiho, on the 15th of September, 1877, and is the son of William K. and Hannah B. (Jeffries) Kerlin, both of whom were natives of Indiana. William K. Kerlin was reared on a farm in Wayne county, Indiana, but eventually moved to Darke county, Ohio, settling near New Madison, Harrison township, where he bought and improved a farm. While living there he was elected treasurer of Darke county, and was elected to succeed him- self, thus serving two terms. After retiring from that office, he organized the Second National Bank of Greenville, and thereafter remained identified with that institution until his death, which occurred in May, 1903, at the age of seventy-one years. His wife died in April, 1909, at the age of seventy- eight years. She was a Quaker in her religious belief. Her parents, who were descended from sterling old Pennsylvania Quaker stock, were early pioneers in Indiana, where they reared a large family, and there they spent the remainder of their lives and died. The subject's / paternal grandfather, Elijah Iles Kerlin, was an early pioneer of Wayne county, Indiana, and lived to the advanced age of nearly ninety-five years. He was a native of Tennessee and was a man of strong character and active in the development of the community where he spent his active years. To him and his wife were born ten children, namely: James, William K., Joseph, John, Polk, Mrs. Rachel Hart, Mrs. Belle Pickett, Mrs. Mattie Alexander, and two who died in their youth. To William K. and Hannah B. Kerlin were born eleven children, as follows: Oscar C., of Greenville ; John D., of Stelvideo, Ohio; William L., of Greenville; Edward J., of Houston, Texas; James R., of Iowa; Leo E., the immediate subject of this sketch; Anna E., the widow of Enoch B. Seitz, of Greenville; Emma, of
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Greenville, Ohio; Ellen, who died in young womanhood; Belle, the wife of D. W. Bowman, of Greenville; Carrie, wife of Melville M. Hunt, of Chicago, Ill.
Leo E. Kerlin was reared in Greenville, and received his education in the public schools, graduating from the high school in 1898. He then entered the law department of the University of Cincinnati, where he was graduated in 1902, and in June of the same year he was admitted to the bar. He immediately entered upon the practice of his profession at Greenville and has continued here since. Bringing to the practice a mind naturally adapted for its multitudinous de- tails, and thorough training in the fundamentals of jurispru- dence, he also possessed that enthusiasm without which one's work is always futile. Years of conscientious work have brought with them not only increase of practice and reputa- tion, but also that growth in legal knowledge and that wide and accurate judgment the possession of which constitutes marked excellence in the profession, and today he is the peer of any member of the local bar. Mr. Kerlin served two terms as city attorney, and from 1906 to 1910 was city so- licitor, his performance of his official duties being entirely satisfactory to his fellow citizens. In 1912 Mr. Kerlin was elected to the office of prosecuting attorney, which office he now holds. He has successfully represented the State in a number of important cases, in all of which he has displayed an ability and energy that has reflected credit upon himself and honor on the position which he holds.
On the 7th of July, 1906, Mr. Kerlin was united in marriage with Mollie Wurlitzer, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of Constantine and Phillipine (Kirsch) Wurlit- zer, both of whom were natives of Germany, the father born in Schoenick, Saxony, and the mother in Rheim Phlatz, Bavaria. They now reside in Cincinnati, They are the parents of seven children, namely: Oscar, of Chicago, Ill .; Tecla, wife of William Sandberg; Eugene; Mollie, Mrs. Ker- lin; Arthur; Hugo C .; Erna, deceased, who was the wife of John Dreher. To Mr. and Mrs. Kerlin have been born three children, Constance, John L. and Phillis.
Politically, Mr. Kerlin has always given his support to the Democratic party and has been actively interested in the success of the party. Fraternally, he is a member of Green- ville Lodge No. 161, Knights of Pythias. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Kerlin are identified with the Presbyterian Church.
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They move in the best social circles of Greenville, enjoy a wide acquaintance and are popular with all who know them. Mr. Kerlin is a symmetrically developed, broad minded and public spirited man, who takes a commendable interest in everything affecting the general welfare of the community and gives his support to every worthy enterprise. Because of his large professional success and genuine personal worth he merits the high position he holds in the community.
GEORGE A. JOBES.
George A. Jobes was born in Palestine, Darke county, Ohio, on January 8, 1864, and is the son of Dr. John A. and Almena (Hecker) Jobes, natives, respectively, of Union, Montgomery county, Ohio, and Allentown, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. He is descended from a line of sterling progenitors, his pa- ternal grandparents having been John and Mary (Reeder) Jobes, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Virginia. They became pioneer settlers of Darke county, and resided in Greenville, where he followed the trade of hatter. He held at one time the office of postmaster at Greenville, and also held some minor local offices there. To them were born the following children: John A., Daniel H. R., a promi- nent lawyer of Greenville, and at one time probate judge of Darke county; George P., Allen L., who was killed in the battle of Jonesboro, near Atlanta, during the Civil war; Ade- line E., Charles C., Lavinia J. Bevans, who resides in Iowa; Frances E. and Wm. A., all of whom, with the exception of Lavinia J., are deceased.
The subject's maternal grandparents were Jacob and Mary (Nagel) Hecker, natives of Pennsylvania, who came from that State with their family by wagon, were early settlers in Neave township, Darke county, Ohio, where the father and mother developed a fine farm and spent the remainder of their days, and both died there at an advanced age. To them were born twelve children, all of whom grew to maturity, namely : Mary, Benjamin F., Caroline, Almena, Charles Henry. Willoughby J., Sarah A., Maria, Albert M., Dr. Edwin A., Amanda and Clarence L.
Dr. John A. Jobes, father of the subject, was reared from early childhood in Darke county; taught school many years,
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and secured a good medical education, graduating from the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, and also later at New York. He began practicing in Indiana in 1852, and afterwards located in Darke county in 1858, and followed the practice of his profession until 1875, when he was elected pro- bate judge of Darke county, and re-elected to that office in 1878, retiring from said office in 1881. He was U. S. Pension Examiner for many years, and held that position at the time of his death, which occurred May 16, 1903, at the age of seventy-five years. His widow, who still survives, is now past seventy-seven years of age, and resides in Greenville. During the Civil war Doctor Jobes served as assistant surgeon of the One Hundred and Fifty-second regiment, Ohio volun- teer infantry, but the major part of his service as an army surgeon was performed at Pittsburg Landing and other places before his enlistment. Doctor Jobes was twice married. By his first marriage he had one child, Alonzo V., now residing in Greenville, Ohio. By his second union seven children were born, of whom five are still living, namely: Frank H., of Greenville; George A., the immediate subject of this sketch; Lawrence U. and Eugene C., twins, and Almena, wife of Harry J. Brenneman, of Dayton, Ohio, and two who died in infancy.
George A. Jobes was reared at Palestine, this county, until twelve years of age, when he came to Greenville and attended the public schools, graduating from the Greenville High School on June 2, 1882. He became a student of law at the office of Devor & Allread, in Greenville; afterwards entered the University of Cincinnati, and graduated from the law de- partment in 1887, and was admitted to the bar that year. He at once opened a law office at Greenville, and has since con- tinued in the active practice of his profession, giving especial attention to practice in the probate court. Politically, Mr. Jobes has been a lifelong Republican. In 1891 he was elected city solcitor of Greenville, Ohio, and re-elected in 1893. He was elected probate judge of Darke county in 1899, and served in that office until 1903, when he resumed the practice of law in Greenville.
Fraternally, he is a member of Greenville Lodge No. 143, Free and Accepted Masons; Greenville Chapter No. 77, Royal Arch Masons; Matchette Council No. 91, Royal and Select Master ; and is also a Thirty-second Degree Mason, a member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Dayton, and a member of
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Antioch Temple, Nobles of Mystic Shrine of Dayton. He was a member of the building committee of the Masonic Temple of Greenville, and actively participated in the erec- tion of the Masonic Temple.
On January 8, 1890, Mr. Jobes was married to Josephine Wilson, of Richmond, Ind. To them were born four children, namely : Robert W., John C., deceased; James A. and Rich- ard A. Mr. Jobes is desirous of giving to his sons a good education, and they are now at Oxford, Ohio, the location of five good educational institutions, attending school, near which village he owns a nice country home.
JOHN C. BURNS.
Few men of Darke county, Ohio, are as widely and familiarly known as John C. Burns, of Greenville, Ohio, who is efficiently and satisfactorily discharging his duties as sheriff of the county. He is one of the strong and influential citizens whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this locality and for years his name has been synonymous for all that constitutes honorable and upright manhood. Tireless energy, keen perception and honesty of purpose, combined with every-day common sense, are among his chief charac- teristics and, while advancing individual success, he has also largely promoted the moral and material welfare of his com- munity.
John C. Burns is a native of the county which is now hon- ored by his citizenship, having been born in Richland town- ship on the 25th of September, 1842, and he is the son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Farmer) Burns, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Darke county, Ohio. The Burns family name is an old and honored one and was originally spelled Born, being later changed to Burn, and finally to Burns, the form in which it is now universally used. The paternal grandparents of the subject were natives of Pennsylvania and became pioneer settlers of Miami and Darke counties, Ohio. Mr. Burns was a farmer, but after beginning to clear one of his farms he went West, and lost his life by an explosion on a boat on the Mississippi river. His wife survived him some years and married again. By her first marriage she became the mother of seven children,
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namely: George, Abraham, Daniel, Jacob, Julia, Susan and Eliza. The subject's maternal grandfather was William Farmer, a native of North Carolina, as was his wife. They were among the early settlers of Darke county, Ohio, locating on a farm in Richland township, where they lived to advanced ages and died. They had three children, Solomon, Elizabeth and Daniel.
Abraham Burns, father of the subject of this sketch, was reared in Miami and Darke counties, Ohio, having been but six years of age when the family removed to this State. He was reared to the life of a farmer, a vocation which he fol- lowed during his active life, developing a fine farm in Rich- land township, where he reared his children. He owned eighty acres of land and was numbered among the enterpris- ing and successful agriculturists of the community. He died at Greenville in 1894, in the eighty-fourth year of his age, having outlived his wife nearly thirty years, her death oc- curring in 1865, aged forty-seven years. They were members of the Newlight Christian Church, while, politically, he was a strong supporter of the Democratic party and served as town- ship trustee for several years. To Abraham and Elizabeth Burns were born four children, namely: Susan, deceased, who was the wife of Samuel Hollinger; Henry, of Patterson town- ship, this county; John C., the immediate subject of this sketch, and one who died in infancy.
John C. Burns was reared on the paternal homestead in Richland township, this county, and his education was se- cured in the common schools of that neighborhood. He then engaged in teaching school for eighteen winters, his summer vacations being spent in farm work. His first agricultural efforts were put forth on the home farm, but he eventually bought eighty acres of land in Wabash township, Darke county, Ohio, to which he devoted his attention for a time and which he developed into a fine modern farmstead. He sold that place in 1891 and for two and a half years he rented a farm six miles west of Greenville. At the end of that period he purchased a transfer line and feed barn in Greenville, to which he devoted his attention during the following ten years. He was successful and during that time he bought sixty- two acres of land in Wayne township, this county, which, however, he never lived upon himself, and sold it two years later. Under Sheriff Smith, Mr. Burns served nearly four years as deputy sheriff, and after retiring from that position
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lived pactically retired for ten years, or until 1910, when he was elected sheriff, assuming the duties of his office in Jan- uary, 1911. So eminently satisfactory was his administration of the office that in 1912 he was re-elected, and is now serving his second term.
John C. Burns married Sarah E. Frampton, the daughter of Hugh and Mary (Coppess) Frampton, and five children have been born to that union-Atta, Lulu, Cary F., James H. and Otto A. Atta became the wife of Ad Fields and they reside in Stoy, Ill. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, namely : Rollo B., Kersey (deceased), Ermo, Hershel, Blanche (deceased), Leona, Ray, Russell and Glenn. Lulu is the wife of E. E. Brown, of Auburn, Ind., and nine children were born to that union, namely : Oreda, Agnes, Guy, Harold, Robert, Eugene, Gerald, Claude and Everett. Cary F., who married Ocie Reck, lives on the farm in Richland township, where his father was born and reared. They have four chil- dren, Orvael E., Virgil, Herbert and Treva. James, whose home is in Greenville, spends much of his time in Canada, being engaged in the real estate business. He married a Miss Armacost, who is now deceased, leaving one child, Gladys. Otto A. remains unmarried.
During the war of the Rebellion Mr. Burns signified his patriotism by enlisting in defense of the Union in the one- hundred-day service as a private in Company I, One Hundred and Fifty-second regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, and gave faithful service to his country in the Army of the Potomac. Politically, he is a Democrat and has always taken an active interest in the success of that party. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Christian church, of which he is a trustee.
Mrs. Burns is a native of Darke county, having been born in Richland township. When quite young, she suffered the loss of her mother, her father dying at the age of about sixty years. They were the parents of five children, Martha, Mary Jane, Sarah E., William and Adam C.
Mr. Burns has by a life of integrity and honor won a high place in the esteem of his fellows and enjoys a well deserved popularity throughout Darke county. Indolence and idleness have ever been foreign to his nature, and, although he started out in life on his own account practically empty-handed, he placed his dependence in the substantial qualities of perse- verance and energy.
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DAVID WELLER BOWMAN.
It is with marked satisfaction that the biographer adverts to the life of one who has attained success in any vocation requiring definiteness of purpose and determined action. Such a life, whether it be one of calm, consecutive endeavor or of sudden meteoric accomplishments, must abound in both lesson and incentive and prove a guide to young men whose for- tunes and destinies are still matters for the future to de- termine. The subject of this sketch is distinctively one of the representative lawyers of Darke county, Ohio. For a number of years he has directed his efforts towards the goal of success and today he stands in the front rank of his pro- fession.
David W. Bowman is a native son of Darke county, having first seen the light of day in Butler township, about two miles east of New Madison, on the 20th day of January, 1860. He is one of five children born to his parents, George W. and Phoebe Jane (Noggle) Bowman, as follows: Addison M., who died in 1890; David W., of Greenville; Herschell V., of Danville, Ill., general freight agent of the Frisco railroad lines; Ella Dora, who died at the age of fifteen years; Mary Elva, the wife of William Hageman, a merchant in New Madi- son, this county. George W. Bowman, who was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, came to Darke county, Ohio, with his parents in 1838. He was reared on a farm, but learned the carpenter's trade, building many of the large barns and substantial houses in that neighborhood. He took an active part in local affairs and held several minor town- ship offices. In 1867 he left his Butler township farm and moved onto a farm of one hundred acres in Harrison town- ship, where his death occurred in 1884, in the forty-ninth year of his age. His wife, who had been born in Darke county, Ohio, on April 26, 1841, died on September 19, 1872, aged thirty-one years. In Pennsylvania, the subject's father had been identified with the Lutheran Church, but after coming to Ohio he joined the Reformed Church. After the death of his first wife, George W. Bowman married Rachel A. Nei- bert, and they became the parents of two children, namely : Jacob, who now fills the chair of medieval history in the University of Washington, at Seattle, and George W., of Dayton, Ohio. For his third wife George W. Bowman mar-
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ried Sarah Roberts, who is now deceased, no children being born to that union.
The paternal grandparents of the subject were Abraham and Mary (Bowman) Bowman, the former born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1805, and the latter born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania. Though of the same family name, they were not related. Abraham Bowman, who was a farmer, came to Ohio in 1838 and bought a tract of land in German township. In 1851 he moved to Harrison township, this county, where his death occurred on October 8, 1877, aged about seventy-two years. He was survived nearly a score of years by his widow, who died in 1896, aged eighty-four years. They were the parents of eleven children, briefly men- tioned as follows: Sarah, deceased; George W., father of the subject of this sketch; John, of Paulding county, Ohio; Mrs. Mary Arthur, of Union City, Ind .; David P., deceased; Martin, deceased; Levi, deceased; Jacob, of Covington, Ohio; Abraham deceased; Mrs. Elizabeth Lindamood, of Greenville township, this county; and Augustus, also a resident of Green- ville township.
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