History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II, Part 30

Author: Wilson, Frazer Ells, 1871- [from old catalog]; Hobart publishing company. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Milford, Ohio, The Hobart publishing company
Number of Pages: 611


USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 30


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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At the death of his father, Martin B. Trainor was taken into the home of his uncle, Morgan Johnson, who owned a store in LePaz and one in Tyner, in company with his brother, LeRoy Johnson. Mr. Trainor began his education in the country schools and the public schools at Tyner and at the age of fourteen years taught one term in what was known as the "Trowbridge" School,, about two miles from Tyner. He had already been working as clerk in the stores for his uncles and they were interested in his education. He taught two terms near Tyner and two more terms in LePaz, then entered Plymouth high school, of which Professor Chase was superintendent, and there made an exceptional record as an apt and bright student, ranking at the head of his class, with a general average of 98.6 per cent. His uncle Morgan then decided to send him to the University at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and there he made a brilliant showing, graduating a half year ahead of his class in the classical course.


On March 19, 1884, Mr. Trainor was united in marriage with Miss Katherine May Lecklider, a native of Darke county, born March 19, 1861, daughter of Dr. Lewis G. and Nancy (Otwell) Lecklider, having made her acquaintance when she was a


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student at the University of Michigan. Dr. Lecklider was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, and for many years was a successful and prominent physician in Greenville and vicinity.


Shortly after his marriage Mr. Trainor established himself in business, in partnership with his uncle, owning a small elevator and buying grain on the Pan Handle Railroad un- der the firm name of Johnson & Trainor. This arrange- ment lasted some two years; then he built a grain elevator along the line of the' D. & U. Railroad, where he carried on a good business and during this time was spending his evenings in the study of law. He studied to such good ad- vantage and so diligently that he was admitted to the Bar in 1886, since which time he has practiced his profession in Greenville and won high standing as a lawyer. He is active in the councils of the Democratic party, having cast his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland. He is a member in good standing of the Benovelent Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.


On July 11, 1910, Mr. Trainor purchased the Greenville Democrat, one of Greenville's leading weeklies, from Roland Brothers, and in 1914 erected the substantial two-story brick building, known as the Trainor Building, occupying a part of the lower floor for his paper and having his law offices on the second floor. The remainder of this building is rented out to a restaurant and for offices.


He owns many house lots, several farms and the Trainor Opera House. He is director and vice-president of the Banner Lumber Co. and its chief stockholder. He has many other in- vestments. It can truly be said of him that he is an able lawyer, a distinguished editor, a great writer and a prominent and successful business man. No man in Darke county has excelled so well in so many different vocations in life.


He has one of the handsomest homes in the city, which is located at 200 Pine street. This home of Mr. Trainor and family shows many evidences of refinement and good taste, being furnished rather luxuriously and presided over by a woman who shares much of the popularity and esteem of her husband and is known for her own virtues and kindly hos- pitality. They have a library of good books and are progres- sive 'in their views of public affairs, keeping well up to the events and issues of the times, but finding time for social duties and pleasures. Mr. Trainor is very well read and has


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a comprehensive understanding of a diversified number of subjects, having an analytical mind and a desire for knowledge of anything which might add to his liberal education and enlarge his powers of usefulness. He and his wife have three children: Morgan Lewis, an attorney at law, a bril- liant young man with a future; Mabel and Agnes, both ac- complished and educated ladies, at home.


J. C. WEAVER.


J. C. Weaver, proprietor of a modern and well-stocked drug store in Greenville, is highly respected as an upright and useful citizen and an able business man. His success is due to his own efforts and he well remembers his early efforts to gain a good education and get a start in the business world. He was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, July 18, 1849, son of Abraham and Sarah (Flory) Weaver. The father was born near Dayton, Ohio, in 1806 and died near his birthplace on May 12, 1896. He. spent his entire active life in farming and milling in Montgomery county. His wife was born in Pennsylvania in 1820 and died in 1861. Their seven children were born in Montgomery county, namely : Abraham, of Greenville; J. C., who is the youngest of the fam- ily ; five are deceased.


In boyhood J. C. Weaver attended the common schools in Montgomery county. He early formed a desire to gain a higher education and made his other desires subservient to this ambition, undergoing many privations in order to accom- plish what he had set out to do. He attended a normal school at Lebanon, Ohio, and later graduated from the Uni- versity of Michigan. He later took a position with a phar- maceutical establishment, selling to the wholesale trade and doing retail work among many physicians thruoghout the country. Since May 24, 1876, he has been identified with the · drug business in Greenville. He has made a reputation for the best kind of drugs and supplies and for honorable dealings. He owns the property where he conducts his business and some years ago bought the pretty home at 401 Gray avenue which the family occupy. He owns some property in the south. He has a fine physique and an impressive personality, pol- ished and easy manners. He has won success by energy and


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close application to work and is naturally of a modest and re- tiring disposition. For many years he had little time for so- cial matters, as his study and work engrossed his whole at- tention. He made teaching the stepping-stone to his higher education and never lost sight of his main object, making the best use of his time and making the most of his opportunities for advancement. He is much esteemed by his many friends for his manly qualities, has an unusual command of the Eng- lish language and his pleasant voice is noticed at once by any one who meets him for the first time. He is a Republican in politics, with liberal views and his first presidential vote was cast for James A. Garfield. He was appointed a member of the board of control and served in that capacity during the construction of the Greenville City Water Works. Later he served nine years as trustee of the Water Works Department. He is a Royal Arch Mason.


On September 27, 1878, Mr. Weaver married Miss Flora Tomlinson, born in Greenville, Ohio, in 1855, daughter of Henry and Ellen (Creagher) Tomlinson. Her father was born in Darke county and served as a lieutenant in the civil war. Later he served as bandmaster in a military company. He was a saddler by trade and a Democrat in politics. He died in Greenville about 1878. Mrs. Tomlinson was born at Ithaca, Darke county, and now resides at Dayton, being about sev- enty-eight years of age. They had two children : Minnie, wife of Joseph Fischer, of Dayton; Mrs. Weaver, who died in July, 1889, and is buried in Greenville. She left one child, Bonnie, born in 1881, wife of J. C. Coppock, of Red Bank, New Jersey, has one child, J. Carlton Coppock.


Mr. Weaver married (second) September 28, 1893, Miss Anna R. Cunningham, born at Pendleton, Indiana, January 7, 1870, daughter of Dr. Henry and Emma Rebecca (Mills) Cun- ningham. Dr. Cunningham, whose ancestors came from Ger- many to America, was born in Pennsylvania, and for many years lived in Indianapolis, where he practiced his profession and for sixteen years held a chair in one of the colleges there. He died at the age of seventy-one years and wasburied in In- dianapolis. His wife was descendant of a relative of the well- known Scotch poet, Robert Burns, and was born in' Pennsyl- vania. She died at about the same age as her husband. They had three children, all born at Pendleton, namely: Mrs. Weaver; E. M. Cunningham, M. D., of Chicago; Elizabeth, wife of Charles Reeves, of St. Paul, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs.


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Weaver have two children, both born in Greenville, Howard E., born in 1895, and Esther, born March 30, 1898. The son is a graduate of Greenville high school and is now taking a spe- cial course in chemistry and biology in Michigan University, standing near the head of his classes and making an excellent record. The daughter is a student in Greenville high school. Mrs. Weaver is a member of the Methodist church.


WILLIAM V. STEINMETZ.


William V. Steinmetz is one of the most prominent business men of Greenville, Ohio, and has built up a large establish- ment from a very modest beginning. He has spent all his life in the tailoring business and has built up a reputation for fair dealing and honesty that is one of his best business assets. He is known as a public-spirited citizen and is held in high regard by all who know him. He has helped many others to get a start in life, and has never forgotten his early struggles to gain a foothold in the business world. Mr. Steinmetz has a first-class business at 440 Broadway, and there employs from five to eight tailors all the year. He has one of the finest homes in the city, and all his success has been won by hard work and good management. He is a native of Darke county, born at Fort Jefferson, November 11, 1867, son of Adam B. and Susan (Gottschall) Steinmetz. His father was born in Lan- caster, Pennsylvania, in 1832, and died in 1904, and was a tai- lor by trade, as were his father and grandfather before him, in Germany. The great-grandfather came to America before the revolution, with his three brothers. His name was Jacob Steinmetz, and he located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, while his brothers were: Israel, who located in Arcanum, Ohio, also a tailor, and Adam B. Steinmetz worked for him; Henry lo- cated in Indiana; Isaac, who went west and was never heard from afterward.


Adam B. Steinmetz came to Darke county, Ohio, as a young man and became known as a tailor and merchant throughout the region, making suits for a large number of his fellow- citizens. He enlisted for one hundred days in the 152nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. His wife was born at Fort Jefferson, Ohio, in 1843 and died in 1907. Both were (21)


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buried at Palestine, Darke county. They were parents of eight children, all born in Darke county, and of these six now survive, namely : Agnes, wife of Reason Ketring, living south of Palestine; Sadie, wife of Newton Wilcox, also living south of Palestine; Leota, of San Francisco; William V., of this sketch; Trixy, wife of Dr. A. M. Snyder, of Bloomington, In- diana ; James, a merchant tailor of Bloomington. The parents of these children were members of the Church of Palestine. The mother was reared in the Dunkard faith.


William V. Steinmetz was educated in Greenville public schools, with a finishing course at West Manchester. He graduated from the John J. Mitchell Cutting School of New York in 1890, and in 1900 from the Rude Cutting School, then in Cleveland but now in New York city. Also of the Croen- burg School of Chicago, Ill. He had learned the trade trom his father, but had an ambition to become expert in modern methods. For eight years he had a tailor shop in Ansonia, then moved to Greenville, which has since been the scene of his operations, and where he now operates the largest tailor- ing establishment in Darke county. He makes clothes tor most of the leading men in the county and for people outside the state as well, and sends his product to Sidney, Winchester, Union City, Dayton, Piqua and many other cities. He fol- lows the most modern methods of workmanship and it is an ad- vantage to a tailor to work under him, for he turns out none but the best of work. He has one employe who has been with him over twenty years, and all who work under him recog- nize and respect his ability in the line of work he has followed all his life. He started out in life with a capital of ten dollars and by good management soon made his ability recognized, steadily progressing in prosperity, until he is one of the wealthy men of his county. He was dutiful to his parents in their old age, giving them every care and assistance in his power, and at their death paid the expenses of fitting funerals, erecting a suitable monument at their last restingplace. He has always been very faithful to his family in every possible way. Mr. Steinmetz is interested in all that makes for progress and betterment in the community and has held various public offices. He is a Republican in politics and in 1908 was a dele- gate to the national convention. From 1906 to 1908 he served in Greenville city council, and in 1911 was appointed deputy state supervisor of elections, which will hold good until 1916. His first presidential vote was cast for William Mckinley.


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He is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Woodmen.


On June 27, 1891, Mr. Steinmetz married Miss Effie Banta, who was born at West Manchester, Ohio, August 20, 1869, daughter of Henry and Mollie (Brower) Banta. Her father was born on a farm in Preble county, Ohio, in 1842, and re- sides in Dayton, being retired from active life. He was a nurseryman by occupation and enlisted as a Squirrel. Hunter during the Civil War, but never went farther than Cincinnati. His wife was born near Euphemia, Preble county, in 1844. They have four children : Asa is a wholesale nurseryman and lives at Indianapolis, Indiana; Charles lives in Lewisburg, Preble county ; Mrs. Steinmeth ; Mazie, unmarried, living with her parents.


Mr. and Mrs. Steinmetz have two children: Henry Vier, born at Ansonia, August 26, 1895, and Kathryn Louise, born in Greenville, August 3, 1905. Henry V. is a graduate of Green- ville high school and is attending a dental college of In- dianapolis.


Mr. and Mrs. Steinmetz are members of the M. E. Church and help in its support. They have a modern home at 519 Central avenue, and it is fitted up in a manner that shows the good taste and refinement of the owners.


DAVID A. NETZLEY. :


During the pioneer epoch in the history of Ohio the Netzley family was founded within its borders, and its representa- tives have since figured prominently in promoting its de- velopment and substantial improvement. For years men bear- ing this name have been identified with agricultural pursuits, and in Darke county the family is worthily represented by David A. Netzley, the owner of eighty acres of fine land on the Fort Recovery turnpike, about two and one-half miles northwest of Greenville, in Greenville township. Mr. Netz- ley was born on the old family homestead in Darke county, Ohio, near Laura, August 30, 1871, and is a son of George and Catherine Coffman Netzley.


George Netzley, the grandfather of David A. Netzley, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., and in 1836 migrated to Ohio, bringing with him his wife and four children, the latter being :


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David, now deceased, whose family resides in the vicinity of Union City, Ind .; John, deceased, whose family lives near Gettysburg, Ohio; George, the father of David A., and Nancy, who is deceased. George Netzley was also born in Lancaster county, Pa., and was but a lad when he accompanied his parents to Ohio, where the greater part of his education was secured in the common schools. He was reared amid pio- neer surroundings, lived in a log cabin, and assisted materially in clearing the timber from his father's land. Later he entered agricultural pursuits on his own account and was in the main part successful in his operations, although he passed away when still in the prime of life. He married Catherine Coffman, and they became the parents of eight children : Mary, who married a Mr. Lowry; Uriah; Joseph, who is deceased; Eli, Allen and Jesse, all agriculturalists of Darke county; Rose Etta, who married a Mr. Litten; and David A.


David A. Netzley received his education in the district schools of Darke county, but early gave up his studies to en- gage in work, as he was but eight years of age when his father died, and he considered it but fair that he should con- tribute his share to the family support. He remained on the home farm with his mother and the other members of the family until 1892, in which year he went to Muncie, Ind., where he spent several years in a manufacturing plant. There is no yearning in man so strong, however, as the yearning for the soil, and Mr. Netzley soon answered the call and again em- barked in agricultural work, remaining in the vicinity of the old homestead until 1900. At that time he removed to a farm about two and one-half miles from Greenville, to the south, in Darke county, but after a short stay removed to his present property on the Fort Recovery turnpike, which he has developed into a valuable and productive farm. Here he has erected one of the nicest residences in Darke county, and has surrounded it with buildings of modern architecture and substantial character. He gives his attention to general farming almost entirely and there are few who have greater reason to be proud of the results attending their efforts. Mr. Netzley's life is that of a thoroughgoing business man; he is particularly prompt in keeping his business engagements and he expects the same consideration from others. He is at all times reliable and his business career and private life are alike above reproach.


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Mr. Netzley was married in 1891 to Miss Rachel Brum- baugh, daughter of J. R. and Mary A. (Erbaugh) Brumbaugh, prominent farming people of Monroe township, and four chil- dren have been born to this union: Clyde, connected with the Goodrich Rubber Company; Claude, also a resident of Dayton; Della, residing with her parents; and Otho. Mr. and Mrs. Netzley are consistent members of the Christian church. In politics he is a Republican, with progressive ideas, and always endeavors to support those measures which will make for the advancement of his community.


ALFRED ROBESON.


The record of Alfred Robeson is that of a man who has by his own unaided efforts worked his way upward to a position of affluence. His life has been one of industry and persever- ance, and the systematic and honorable business methods which he has followed have won him the support and con- fidence of many. He not only occupies a leading position among the agriculturists of Neave township, where he has a fine farm of two hundred acres, but is also prominent in pub- lic and political circles, and has served in various official po- sitions within the gift of his fellow citizens.


Mr. Robeson was born in section one, Butler Township, on the old Robeson homestead, in 1841, and is a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Reed) Robeson.


Andrew Robeson was born in Pennsylvania in 1811, and as a lad he accompanied his parents to.Ohio, the family first set- tling near Dayton, in 1819, and about a year later moving to Butler township, Darke county. There he was educated and reared to manhood, his choice of occupation being farming, in which he was engaged during a long and useful career in which he became known as one of his community's leading citizens. He married Miss Elizabeth Reed, who was born and brought up near Palestine, Ohio, and they became the parents of six children, who grew to majority and are yet living.


Alfred Robeson was granted the educational advantages to be secured in District School No. 1, at Beech Grove, and the "select schools" at Greenville, and elsewhere in the county,. and one term at Dayton. Subsequent study, experience and ob- servation have made him a man well informed on numerous im-


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portant and worth-while subjects. Like the sons of neighbor- ing farmers, he assisted his father in the fields, thus securing experience which has been of great value to him in later years. Afterward, he taught school and spent a short time clerking in a grocery store.


Constant and prudent industry has been characteristic of the man throughout his life. During the nine winters that he taught in Darke county, Mr. Robeson became one of this section's best-known and most popular educators. A good manager in all his pursuits, Mr. Robeson has prospered ac- cordingly, his industrious hands having produced a comfort- able living, and his honorable dealings establishing a good reputation. As the years have passed, he has added to his acreage from time to time, as well as to the improvements, stock and equipment on his property. As a result this is one of the most valuable country homesteads in this part of the county.


On October 22, 1868, Mr. Robeson was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Clark, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Parkhill) Clark, of Darke county.


He is an attendant at the Reformed church, in the move- ments of which he and his wife have taken an active and help- ful part. In political matters a Democrat, Mr. Robeson has taken a keen and intelligent interest in the success of his party in this section, and his fitness for office has been recognized by his fellow citizens on numerous occasions, he having served as a member of the County Agricultural Board, land ap- praiser, and filled the various other school and township offices.


WILLIAM SELLMAN.


Individuals of ability and integrity constitute a prosperous community, particularly if public sentiment is such that that class of men can give a voice in the community's government. It is invariably found that those who have made a success of their private affairs may be relied upon to best govern the affairs of the people, and this fact is exemplified in the per- son of William Sellman, a successful farmer and stockraiser, who has been elevated to the position of president of the board of trustees of Richland township, an office in which he has been able to do much to forward the interests of his lo-


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cality. A native of Greenville township, Darke county, Mr. Sellman was born February 18, 1869, and is a son of Fred and Charlotte (Rehmert) Sellman, and a grandson of Fred Sell- man, of Germany. His father, who was also born in the Fatherland, came to the United States with his parents as a lad of fourteen years, and was reared and educated in Greenville township, where he has continued to reside to the present time, now being the owner of 200 acres of good land. During the Civil War Mr. Sellman fought as a soldier in a Missouri regiment of volunteers, and his record, whether in war or peace, has been a highly honorable one. He and his wife, also a native of Germany, had six children: William; Callie, who married a Mr. Wm. Steffen; Minnie, who mar- ried a Mr. C. F. Meyer; Henry, a farmer of German town- ship; Edward, of Greenville township, and Fred, of Rich- land township.


William Sellman grew up on the homestead farm, where, as his father's eldest son, he assisted materially in developing and cultivating the land. In the meantime, he received his literary training in district school No. 7, where he proved an industrious and earnest student, and thus grew to manhood, strong in body and alert in mind. When he reached the age of twenty-nine years, he accepted the opportunity offered to embark upon a career of his own, commencing to rent land from his father, and since that time his advancement has been steady and continuous. At this time he is cultivating a hand- some property of 100 acres, located in Richland township, where he carries on general agricultural operations and raises good stock. Upon his property are located a commodious and modern residence, a large and substantial barn, the latest improved machinery and all the accessories and conveniences of the model farm. He may truly be called a self-made man, for success comes to the busy toilers of the world, of whom he is one, and in the acquirement of his property his methods have ever been honorable and commendable, winning him the respect and confidence of all with whom he has been brought in contact.


For some years Mr. Sellman has been interested in matters of a public nature, and his activities in behalf of his township have brought him favorably before the people of this section. As president of the board of trustees of Richland township, he is giving to his duties the same close and conscientious attention that has gained him success in his agricultural


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