USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 33
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In February, 1893, Mr. Albright was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Morris, who died November 25, 1904, and was buried at the Greenville cemetery. She was a direct descendant of William Morris, one of the signers of the Ameri- can Declaration of Independence. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Albright, namely : Paul M., born April 30, 1894, and Catherine Ruth, born April 20,1896.
Henderson Albright passed away October 27, 1908, and was buried at Greenville. His wife is now living with William D. Albright.
WILLIAM P. CUNNINGHAM.
Through a long period of more than a quarter of a century William P. Cunningham was numbered among the leading and enterprising farmers of Darke county, Ohio. His life was well spent and commanded the confidence of all with whom he came into contact in business circles, and although he is now living retired he is still widely and favorably known, for his career continues to be characterized by strict fidelity to all the duties of home and of citizenship. He started out in the world empty handed, but by his perseverance and energy has ac- cumulated a handsome confidence, and is still the owner of one hundred and thirty-two acres of land in Neave township, where his fellow citizens have expressed their confidence in his ability and honor by electing him to the board of township
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trustees. Mr. Cunningham was born September 17, 1860, in Sugar Creek township, Greene county, Ohio, and is a son of James and Sarah (Stratton) Cunningham.
Mr. Cunningham's father was also a native of Greene county, where he was reared, educated and spent his entire life. He was a cooper by trade, an occupation which he fol- lowed for some years, but during the greater part of his career devoted his attention to tilling the soil, a vocation in which he met with a satisfactory measure of success. He died in 1883, at Bellbrook, Ohio, and was buried there. William P. Cunningham received his education in the common schools of Bellbrook, and during all of his school period assisted his father on the home farm. He acquired a thorough knowledge of farming, and when he was graduated from school adopted that vocation as his life work. Upon attaining his majority he rented land from his uncle, and after some years spent as a renter was able to purchase a small tract of land of his own. To this he added from time to time, until he had accumulated one hundred and thirty-two acres in Neave township, and this property he still owns. Mr. Cunningham continued to carry on operations until several years ago, when, feeling that he had earned a rest from his labors, he turned his business cares over to younger shoulders and since then has been living quietly, enjoying the fruits of his years of industrious toil. Mr. Cunningham has done all in his power to promote the agriculturists' interests in Darke county and to stimulate am- bition and progressiveness among them, and his own energetic efforts inspired many others. He is entirely a self-made man and the success he has achieved is the result of his own well- directed efforts. He has been very industrious and his prompt execution of any task that has devolved upon him has been one of the secrets of his prosperity.
One year after coming to Neave township he was elected a member of the board of township trustees, the people only needing that length of time to recognize and appreciate his general worth and ability. He is a faithful member of the Presbyterian church at Bellbrook, and there also is connected with the J. A. M. O. U. Lodge.
On March 3, 1886, Mr. Cunningham was married to Miss Jeannette Thorp, whose parents were residents of Gordon, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham have had no children of their own, but have an adopted daughter, Nellie Fryermood, who became the wife of Joseph Zay and now lives in Indiana.
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FRANK GORDON LONGFELLOW.
Devoting his energies to general farming and stock raising, Frank G. Longfellow still makes his home in Darke county, which was the place of his birth and which will probably be his home until he is gathered to his fathers. He is a member of the younger generation of agriculturists here, but has already made a place for himself among the substantial and progres- sive men of the community in which he resides, and is a renter of sixty acres under a high state of cultivation, and pleasantly situated on the Jaysville road, about five and one- half miles south of Greenville, in Neave township. Mr. Long- fellow was born at Fort Jefferson, Darke county, Ohio, and is a son of Stephen A. D. and Rachel C. (North) Longfellow.
S. A. D. Longfellow was born at Hamilton, Ohio, a member of an old and honored family of Butler county, members of which had distinguished themselves in various fields of en- deavor. He received the greater part of his education in his na- tive place, and was a youth of sixteen when he accompanied his parents to Darke county, here being married five years later. His early training had all been along agricultural lines, and upon attaining his majority he embarked in farming, a vocation which he continued to follow throughout the re- mainder of his life. He was justly accounted one of the sub- stantial men of his community, who could be depended upon to further the best interests of his locality in matters of im- portance. Mr. Longfellow married Miss Rachel C. North, a native of Darke county, Ohio, and they became the parents of ten children, as follows: Frank G., of this review; R. G., a resident of Northwest Canada; William C., living at German- town, Ohio; A. H., Leonard, Margaret, Lawrence, Edna, Helen and Marjorie.
Frank G. Longfellow received his primary schooling in the public institutions of Fort Jefferson, and when his family moved to the farm in Neave township he became a student in the country schools. From earliest boyhood he has been en- gaged in farm work, for he was the oldest of his father's sons, and it was necessary that he devote all his spare time to as- sisting in the operation of the home tract. He was carefully and thoroughly trained in all the subjects of which it is desir- able for the successful agriculturist to have a knowledge, and proved himself a bright and zealous scholar, so that when he reached man's estate he was equipped to carry on a win-
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ning fight in his battles with the world. When twenty-six years of age he was married, and at that time embarked upon a career of his own, and has since continued to successfully compete with the agriculturists of his section. The property is well improved, the fields well tilled and the neat and thrifty appearance of the whole tract well indicates his careful super- vision and thrifty spirit.
Mr. Longfellow was married in 1907 to Miss Pearl Hepner, daughter of Emanuel and Mary A. (Harp) Hepner, and two this union there has been born two sons, Robert, who died at the age of two years, and Ralph now three. Mr. Longfellow is a Democrat in his political belief. With his family, he attends the Methodist Episcopal church.
ORVILLE A. McNUTT.
The numerous friends of this rising young agriculturist of Neave township, Darke county, are safe in their predictions for him of success in his chosen field of endeavor. Energy, con- stant perseverance in whatever he undertakes, and many other strong traits of character are noticeable qualities in his nature and are the basis of his friends' belief in his future prosperity. The same will power and determination which he has mani- fested in the past, if it may be taken as a criterion of the future, will enable him to reach high places in the esteem of the com- munity and in his struggles for material success. Mr. McNutt is now the manager of more than two hundred acres of finely cultivated land located on the old Ithaca road, which he has developed into one of the most productive farms in Neave township. He has been a lifelong resident of this community, having been born on the farm he now occupies, August 18, 1880, and is a son of John and Eliza L. (Brumbaugh) McNutt.
Members of the McNutt family have long been identified with the agricultural interests of Darke county, where the name has ever been a synonym for straightforward dealing and business supremacy. Mr. McNutt's father was a farmer all of his life, and when he retired from the heavier activities of life was the owner of much land, accumulated through well- directed effort. He was not known to political life, but as an industrious, hard-working citizen, doing his share in the im- provement of the land, he rendered his community signal
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service. John McNutt married Eliza L. Brumbaugh, and they became the parents of three children, as follows: Orville A., of this review; Susan, who became the wife of Mr. Diller Baker, and John, who is deceased.
The education of Orville A. McNutt was secured in the schools of his native vicinity, and he completed in district school No. 4, which was located near the old homestead. Dur- ing his school period he spent his summers and a large part of each spring and fall in helping his father on the homestead, and thus gained excellent experience for the work in which he had determined to spend his best efforts. At the age of twenty-one years he had shown himself so capable in farm work, that his father turned the management of the place over to him, and he has continued to operate the homestead to the present time. Under his charge the land has been made to pro- duce abundantly, the buildings are in fine repair and the ma- chinery new and practical. He has met with success in general farming, and has also done a great deal in the way of stock raising, raising a number of cattle and hogs for the market each year. His business transactions have ever been carried on in a strictly legitimate and honorable manner, and he has gained in this way the confidence and esteem of those with whom he has had transactions.
Mr. McNutt was married February 8, 1902, to Miss Ger- trude Reigle, also a native of Darke county. They have no children. In politics a democrat, Mr. McNutt has served ef- ficiently in the capacity of clerk of Neave township, rendering his fellow citizens excellent service. At present he is assessor for Neave township. His support is given to worthy move- ments of religious and charitable organizations, although he is not a professed member of any church.
WINFIELD SCOTT ALBRIGHT.
Darke county is celebrated for its fine farms and among those who aid in sustaining the reputation of this section at the present day is Winfield Scott Albright, an enterprising, pro- gressive agriculturist of Neave township, who operates one hundred and five acres on the old Palestine road, about four and one-half miles south of Greenville. This is a valuable
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property, owing to the well-directed efforts of the owner, who has placed the fields under a high state of cultivation and made many excellent improvements in the buildings and accessories of the farm. His business methods are above question, and in- dustry and energy are his predominant characteristics, so that in business circles he occupies an enviable position, having the confidence and good will of all with whom he comes into con- tact.
Mr. Albright is a native son of Darke county, having been born May 18, 1859, on the old home farm near Arcanum, Twin township, a son of Henderson and Catherine (Leedy) Al- bright. His father, a native of the State of North Carolina, grew up at the old family home in Darke county and was there married. He was the owner of a farm and sawmill there and had large business interests and a growing family to look after, but when his country called for volunteers he laid aside his private affairs, shouldered a musket and marched to the front in the early sixties with a musket on his shoulder as a member of Company A, One Hundred and Ffty-second regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry. At close of the war, he returned to civic life with an excellent record for bravery and efficiency. All of his children were born in Twin township, and there he had an es- tablished home, but after the close of his military career he brought his family to Greenville township, which was the sub- sequent scene of his endeavors as a farmer and stockgrower. Mr. Albright became well and favorably known as a man of integrity and substantiality and his friends were many throughout this section. He and his wife were the parents of five children : First died in infancy ; John C. Fremont ,also de- ceased; William Dayton, who is engaged in farming in Green- ville township; Winfield Scott, the subject of this sketch, and Charles Simpson, who is an undertaker in Greenville.
Winfield Scott Albright pursued his education in the public schools of Greenville township and high school of Greenville, After attending high school two years he taught two winters, then returned and attended another term of high school and then taught another winter, all in same district. He was reared to agricultural pursuits on the home farm, upon which he spent his summer months. He was an industrious, ambitious youth and grew up a determined and energetic man, zealous to make a place for himself in the community. This ambition has been realized, for today he is numbered among the substantial agriculturists of his section. Mr. Albright has shown himself
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to be a man true to every principle in which he believes, earnest in support of his honest convictions, industrious and energetic in the practical affairs of life, cordial and genial among his many friends, and at all times a gentleman whom to know is to respect.
Mr. Albright was married (first) to Amanda Miller, and to their union there was born one child. Mrs. Amanda Albright died soon after the death of Fern Amanda, but the daughter lived to be eight months and fifteen days old. He was married (second) to Miss Esther Morris, daughter of T. B. and Ange- line (Harrod) Morris, and five children were born to this union : Henderson M., Wilbur Scott, Jr., George F. and Elbert and Edith, twins. In political matters Mr. Albright is a pro- gressive Republican, although he is not a politician in the generally accepted meaning of the word. With his family he is a member of and attends the Methodist Episcopal church, and supports its movements liberally.
JOHN H. LUTZ.
John H. Lutz is accounted a progressive, enterprising citi- zen, and has always given his influence toward securing the betterment and progress of his community. He has carried on farming for many years with gratifying success and now con- templates retiring from active life and enjoying the rest he has so well earned. He has won a competence through hard work and good management and is the owner of a nice residence property in Pitsburg which he will probably make his future home. Mr. Lutz now lives on Section 9, Monroe township, which has been his home for some thirteen years. He was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, December 8, 1860, and is a son of Jacob and Rebecca (Ditmer) Lutz, who are mentioned at some length in connection with the sketch of their son F. B. Lutz, which appears on another page of this work. They came to Darke county about 1860, and made their home on a farm in Monroe township. They were parents of eight children.
In boyhood John H. Lutz attended the country school in District No. 3, Monroe township, and early began to help with the work on his father's farm. He early developed an ability as a farmer and was an enterprising worker at home. He re- mained with his father until he was twenty-four years of age,
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and on November 9, 1884, married Miss Catherine Binkley, who was born in Montgomery county, January 13, 1861, and was a daughter of Jacob and Mattie (Weller) Binkley. Both her parents were born in Pennsylvania and they were early set- tlers of Montgomery county, where they were buried. They had ten children, namely : Mattie, wife of Benjamin Frantz, of Clarke county, Pennsylvania; Mrs. John Lutz; Anna, who died about 1908, was the wife of Noah Spitler; one child died in early childhood; Christian, deceased; Jacob, of Miami coun- ty; Samuel and Fred, of Montgomery county; Harvey, of Idaho, and Jesse, of Montgomery county. Mrs. Lutz died May 20, 1911, aged fifty years and seven months, being buried in Mote cemetery. She was a faithful member of the Church of the Brethren, and was sincerely mourned by her many friends. She bore her husband four children: Edith Estella, born August 19, 1885, wife of Arch Fetters, of Montgomery county, has five children-Harvey, Hazel, Leonard, John and Lowell; Jesse Earl, born April 27, 1887, at home with his father; Minnie May, born May 2, 1889, at home with her father; Delbert Claude, born December 23, 1897, also at home.
After marriage Mr. Lutz for sixteen years operated a rented farm one and a half miles south of Pitsburg, where he was most successful, and in 1901 he purchased his present farm of 117 acres, moving thereto and putting up all the improvements except the house. The land is in two tracts, one of eighty acres and one of thirty-seven acres, with a house on each place, as well as other necessary buildings to make two homes, but they cultivate it as one farm. They have some fine stock on the place and raise considerable tobacco. Mr. Lutz is a Republican in politics and his first presidential vote was cast for James G. Blaine. He has been an industrious worker and has helped every worthy cause for the betterment of local conditions, numbering his friends by the score. He is well read and keeps abreast of the times in every way. He has given his children a fair education and interested himself in their welfare and training for useful citizens.
Mr. Lutz was married on August 2, 1913, to Miss Dora V. Cool, a native of Darke county, born October 8, 1882, daughter of Samuel and Maggie B. (Wright) Cool, natives of Rock- ingham county, Virginia, and now deceased. Mr. Cool was born July 14, 1844, and died September 11, 1911, and his wife was born July 12, 1851, and died September 14, 1883, and both are buried in Mote cemetery. He served in the Civil
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War for three years. After the death of Mrs. Cool her chil- dren and husband kept up the home, and Miss Dora kept house for her aged father until the time of his demise, caring for him with daughterly solicitude. There were six children in the family: William H., born October 10, 1869, died at the age of eighteen years, in 1887; John E., born February 10, 1871, a resident of Miami county, Ohio; Mary L. died July 31, 1887, aged sixteen years; David L., born August 13, 1875, died September 20, 1887; Samuel B., born December 29, 1877, a resident of Pitsburg ; Mrs. Lutz. All except Mrs. Lutz were born in Virginia. Mrs. Lutz is a member of the Brethren Church. She is a charming woman and the home over which she presides is one of refinement and true hospitality.
CHARLES SELLMAN.
Darke county is honored by the life and career of this hon- ored farmer of Neave township. He is a native of Germany, from whence a large number of our thrifty and industrious citizens come, especially those engaged in agricultural pur- suits. There seems to be something in the nature of the Teu- ton that allows the German to adapt himself to conditions in the United States, and rare, indeed, is it found that the natives of the Fatherland do not meet with success. At any rate, Charles Sellman is today one of the substantial men of his community, being the owner of one hundred acres of well- cultivated land located on the Weavers Station road, about seven miles from Greenville. He was born in Germany, Oc- tober 26, 1847, and is a son of Fred and Minnie Sellman, who came to the United States with their five children, who were as follows: Frederick, Minnie, Louisa, Henry and Charles.
After landing at New York City, the little family migrated to Dayton, Ohio, and thence to Greenville, and in the schools of Greenville township Charles Sellman secured his educa- tional training. The youngest of his father's children, he was brought up to farming, was early taught the lesson that suc- cess depends upon industry and steadily applied effort, and that the surest way to a position in public esteem lay over the paths of honesty and honorable dealing. He remained un- der the parental roof and continued as his father's assistant until reaching the age of twenty years, at which time he em-
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barked upon a career of his own, spending three years in agri- cultural pursuits in Illinois, then worked for a time at the carpenter trade, and spent one year in California, but event- ually decided that Darke county offered him better induce- ments and opportunities than any other section which he had visited.
After returning from California and after being married, Mr. Sellman purchased a farm of forty acres in Brown town- ship, near Ansonia, on which farm he lived for seventeen years.
After clearing and improving this land and putting it under a good state of cultivation, and erecting good buildings, he sold this farm. During these years, through perseverance and industrious labor, he had accumulated enough capital to in- vest in his present farm in Neave township. This he has brought to a high state of development, using modern methods and most highly improved machinery, and has added materi- ally to the value of the farm by the erection of substantial buildings. He produces excellent crops, and each year sells a number of cattle and hogs to the markets, his livestock always commanding top-notch prices.
Mr. Sellman was married in Greenville township to Miss Sophia Rehmert, daughter of William and Charlotta Reh- mert, residents of Darke county, and to this union there have been born seven children, five of whom are living: John, who is a Burroughs Adding Machine inspector for the State of Kentucky, married Adelaide Ross of Louisville, Ky., and has three children, Ross, Charles and Eugene; Elmer, who is a plumber, married Cora Hill of Palestine, Ohio, and has one child, Harvey ; Lottie married Harley G. Monks, a prosperous farmer, of Palestine, Ohio, and has two children, Charles and Pauline; Reuben, a telegraph operator for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and Paul, the youngest, who intends, and promises, to be an up-to-date farmer.
NOAH BAKER.
It is always interesting to watch from the beginning the growth and development of a locality; to note the lines along which marked progress has been made and to take cognizance of those whose leadership in the work of advancement and improvement have made possible the present prosperity of the locality under consideration. Noah Baker is one of those
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who have seen the greater part of the growth of Neave town- ship, for fifty-five years have passed since he first saw the light of day here, and the history of the township has been the same as his own since that time. In the line of agricultural work, Mr. Baker has achieved marked success, and today he is ac- counted one of the substantial men of his community, being the owner of one hundred and seven acres of fine land on the Greenville and Palestine 10ad, about five miles southwest of Greenville. Mr. Baker was born in Neave township, Darke county, Ohio, December 25, 1858, and is a son of George and Susannah (Pitinsberger) Baker. His father, born near Salem, Montgomery county, Ohio, came to Darke county at an early period, here married, established a home, and engaged in farm- ing, which he followed with marked success throughout the re- mainder of his career. He was a public-spirited citizen who did much to advance the interests of his community, and bore a high reputation in business circles because of the straight- forward and honorable manner in which he carried on his transactions. At his death he left a wide circle of friends to mourn him. Mr. Baker married Susannah Pitinsberger, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, and they became the parents of eight children, as follows: Mary, who is now deceased; Henry, Noah, of this review; Emma, Ellen, Willard, who is now deceased; Samuel, also deceased, and one child who died in infancy.
Noah Baker was given ordinary educational advantages, his entire training in this direction being secured in what was known as the Baker school, located in his home vicinity. This has since been supplemented by keen observation of men and affairs and he is today a very well-informed man. While still attending school he received his introduction to farm work during the summer months and almost as soon as he was large enough to reach the handles he was initiated into the secrets of plowing. It was but natural, then, that he should adopt the occupation of agriculturist on growing to manhood, and when he was twenty-one years of age he commenced renting from his father. Soon, through thrift and industry, he was able to save enough to make his original purchase, and from that time on his success was assured. Today he is known as one of the representative farmers and stockraisers of his community, able to hold his own with all. Mr. Baker follows general farming in all of its varied branches, and uses the most approved modern methods in handling each. He makes a specialty of breeding
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