USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 36
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For five years after locating in Greenville Mr. Shafer was employed as a traveling salesman for the firm of A. G. Keigh- ley, wholesale dealers in confectionery. In August, 1909, Mr. Shafer was appointed deputy clerk of the courts, serving until August, 1913, when, having been elected the preceding November to his present office of clerk of the courts, he began filling that position, which continues to August 1, 1915. He is a Democrat in politics and cast his first presidential vote for William J. Bryan in 1904. He is well known fraternally, being affiliated with the Blue Lodge of Masons at Greenville. He is Past Chancellor Commander in the Knights of Pythias, be- longs to the Knights of Karrassons of Sidney, Ohio, and' for three years served as secretary of the United Commercial Travellers of America, Royal Council No. 270, and has also served as Page of this society. He is well liked and popular- and makes friends easily, wherever he goes. He is fond of reading and good literature and is well informed on the ques- tions of the day. He is looked upon as a representative citizen who may be counted upon to do his share for the good of the community.
DAVID ROSS.
David Ross is one of the self-made men of Darke county. No fortunate family or pecuniary advantages aided him at the out- set of his career. On the contrary herstarted out to earn his own living when still but a boy and has since been. dependent: entirely upon his own resources. Obstacles. and difficulties: have confronted him, but these he has overcome.by determined effort, and, as the years have passed, he has worked: his way steadily upward until today he finds himself in:an independent ' position, the owner of one hundred. and twenty acres of fine land located on the Ross gravel road; about one and one-half
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miles northwest of Palestine, and an influential and widely known citizen of German township. A native of Darke county, having been born on the farm which he now occupies, August 2, 1852, Mr. Ross is a son of Elias and Rebecca (Furry) Ross.
The Ross family originated in Scotland, from which country in young manhood came Henry Ross, the grandfather of David Ross. The progenitor settled first in Pennsylvania, from whence he subsequently moved to Franklin county, Ohio, and finally to Darke county, where he passed the remaining years of his life on a farm. Elias Ross was born in Franklin county, Ohio, on Darby Creek, in the vicinity of the city of Columbus, in 1811, and was six years of age when brought to Darke county by his parents. Here he was reared amid pioneer sur- roundings, experiencing all of the hardships and privations of early life in the uncultivated country and obtaining an indif- ferent education in the local subscription school held in log cabins. He was engaged in farming during all the years of his active life and accumulated means, being known as an industri- ous and thrifty citizen. He was married (first) to Miss Lucy Chapman, and they became the parents of four children: Francis, Van Enoch, Solomon and Rachael, of whom Solomon is the only survivor. Mr. Ross married (second) Miss Rebecca Furry, she was born in Berks county Pennsylvania, August 24, 1822, moved to Dayton, Ohio when eight years old and shortly after to Germantown, Ohio, where she worked in a hotel until eighteen years of age, when she married John Souders. Three children were born of the union. Mr. Souders died and she married Elias Ross in October, 1851, who was then living on his farm in German township, now owned by the subject of this sketch. Six children were born of this union, three of whom died in infancy; David Wesley, who is deceased; Della, who married Mr. Harter; Benjamin, Jona- than and Maria.
David Ross was furnished his literary training in the pub- lic schools of Palestine, upon leaving which he began to be self-supporting as a laborer in the woods of German township, and continued to be thus engaged . until he; was able to acquire some land, when he concentrated all of his energies upon tilling the soil. Determined purpose and unfaltering perseverance have characterized his entire, life, and he stands today a strong man, strong in his honor, in his name and in his success. His farm shows the beneficial results to be obtained from intelligent treatment of the land and good management,
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and his improvements are of substantial character and mod- ern design. Mr. Ross is known in fraternal circles as a popu- lar member of Palestine Lodge No. 652, Knights of Pythias, where he is highly esteemed as one whose sterling qualities are in harmony with the principles of the order. He is a stalwart Republican in his political views, and while his busi- ness interests leave him but little time for political work, he nevertheless stanchly supports the principles which consti- tute the platform of the organization. His religious connec- tion is with the United Brethren church, in the work of which he has been active.
In 1884 occurred the marriage of Mr. Ross and Miss Phoebe Wilson, daughter of Eli Wilson, and a cousin of the editor of this work. A review of the Wilson family may be found in the sketch of Frazier Wilson, on another page of this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Ross have two children: Jesse A., who mar- ried Belle Perry and has two children, Louise and Charles; and Hazel, who married Riley Dininger.
Mrs. Ross, the faithful and devoted wife, died December 17, 1913, and her remains were buried in the village cemetery at Palestine, Ohio.
RUFUS MOORE.
The utilization of the splendid soil and desirable climatic conditions of this section of the State has brought Darke to the forefront among the agricultural counties and among its most successful men are those who have devoted their lives to farm- ing. To this class undoubtedly belongs Rufus Moore, of Ger- man township, a business man of marked enterprise and keen discernment, who in the careful control of his interests has gained a place among the substantial residents of his locality. His energies have at all times been concentrated on the tilling of the soil, and today he finds himself the owner of one hun- dred acres of highly-cultivated land, located on the Weavers Station and Arley turnpike.
Mr. Moore is a native of the Buckeye State, having been born October 2, 1843, in the vicinity of Richmond, Wayne county, and is a son of Alfred and Rebecca (Druley) Moore, and a grandson of John Moore, a South Carolinian by birth, who migrated to Ohio among the pioneers of the State. Alfred Moore was also born in Wayne county, where his life was
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passed in agricultural pursuits, his labors being rewarded by marked success. He was also a Dunkard minister of the old order, and a man of far-reaching influence in the community in which he resided. For a number of years he made his home at Hollansburg, Darke county, and there both he and his wife passed away, in the faith of the church of which they had been members for so many years. They were the parents of ten children, as follows: Rufus, of this review; Albert, Em- mett, a resident of Hagerstown, Ind .; Jennie, Etta, John, who is now deceased; Charles, Lizzie, who is also deceased; Wal- ter, and Emma, who is the widow of Mr. Witter.
Following the usual custom of farmers' boys of his day and locality, Rufus Moore divided his boyhood between attending the public schools in the vicinity of his home in the winter months and assisting his father with the farm work during the rest of the year. As a youth he chose farming for his life's vocation, and when he came of age entered upon a career of his own, which has since been marked by steady advancement and worthy achievement. His present farm is conceded to be one of the most valuable and highly cultivated of the township, its high development being due to Mr. Moore's constant in- dustry, and his strict adherence to the highest ideals of busi- ness has given him an enviable reputation for integrity and probity among those with whom he has had transactions. While private interests have claimed much of his time and . attention, he has also found opportunity for the advancement of public interests, and no citizen has the welfare of his com- munity more deeply at heart.
Mr. Moore was married December 24. 1876, to Miss Mary E. Ensley, daughter of James Ensley of Wayne county, In- diana, and to this union there have been born six. children .: Jesse, who married Orlie Ketring, had two children, Aletria and Roy, is deceased; Etta, who married William. Rush, and has two children, Eugene and Bert; Walter, who married Esther Brown, and has three children, Guy, Mildred and Irene; Carl who was married December 17, 1913, to Miss Mary White of Whitewater, Ind., is at home and assists in the manage- ment of the homestead, and Clarence and Bertha, who are de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are consistent members of the Christian church, and have always taken a deep interest in its- work. In political matters he is a democrat, but has never sought preferment of a public character.
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JAMES NEISWONGER.
James Neiswonger belongs to one of Greenville's old and honored families and is financially a self-made man. He was born in Greenville, September 21, 1861, son of Daniel and Rebecca (Gorsech) Neiswonger, natives of Maryland. The father died about 1904. He came to Darke county as a young man and for many years was engaged in business in Green- ville as a dealer in second-hand goods. He served in the Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. His widow now lives in Greenville, aged seventy-six. They had several children, all born in Darke county: Albert, of Greenville; Clara, wife of Joseph Whiteley, of Greenville; Jennie, wife of Arthur Avis, of Alabama; James, of this sketch.
After completing the course in the common schools of Greenville, James Neiswonger began learning the trade of carpenter, in Greenville, and when he became expert in the trade he and his brother Albert entered into partnership and they have since continued in this line. They began taking contracts on their own account and have been very success- ful in every undertaking. They have built many business buildings and a number of fine residences, including build- ings for Charles Herr, Guy Baker, John Whiteley, and many others. They have also put up buildings in other parts of the county. James Neiswonger erected his present beautiful resi- dence at 301 Gray avenue, which is a good sample of the high class of work turned out by the firm. They are among the leading contractors of the county and their work testifies to their ability in planning and executing their work.
Mr. Neiswonger was married, April 30, 1909, to Mrs. Grace (Yost) Pearce, who was born near Arcanum, Darke county, February 13, 1877, daughter of Peter and Mary Ann (Downing) Yost. Mr. Yost was born in Darke county in November, 1845, and his wife was born near New Madison, Ohio, 1851, and died at the age of forty-three years. Mr. Yost is a farmer by occupation and lives near Arcanum. He served as 100-day man in the Ohio Volunteer Regiment in the Civil War. He and his wife had three children, all living: Nora, wife of Russell Corwin, living near Arcanum; Eliza- beth, wife of Frank Beedle, of Norwalk, Ohio; Mrs. Neis- wonger. Mrs Neiswonger is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church at Fort Jefferson. Her mother was a member (25)
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of the Mennonite church of the same place. Mr. and Mrs. Neiswonger have friends by the score, with whom both are popular. Their home is one of refinement; both are fond of reading, and they are pleasant and courteous in manner. They have the welfare of the community at heart and are always ready to help along any worthy cause. Mr. Neiswon- ger is a Democrat in politics. His business associations are very pleasant, for he is progressive and enterprising in his methods and upright in all his dealings.
Three children have come to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Neiswonger : Ralph, born April 1, 1909; James and Janet, twins, børn December 5, 1912.
ED L. BOLI.
Mr. Boli is a native son of Darke county and was born at Ithaca July 9, 1852, a son of Lewis and Julia (Trager) Boli. His father, a native of Gaugrehueiler, Bavaria, Germany, emi- grated to the United States as a lad of sixteen years, landing at New York alone. Traveling by way of the Hudson river and Erie canal to Buffalo, N. Y., steamer to Cleveland then canal to Navaree, Stark county, as at that day there was no other mode of travel; where for a short time he was employed by his elder brother. Subsequently he went to Cincinnati and was employed by Mitchel & Rammelsburg Furniture Com- pany as cabinet maker. On June 11, 1848, he was married to Miss Julia Trager. In the spring of 1852 they moved to Ithaca, Darke county, Ohio, traveling as far as West Baltimore by train, and the rest of the way by wagon, as train only came that far. At Ithaca, Ohio, he established himself in the furni- ture and undertaking business, being one of the earliest funer- al directors of that place. He was a man of good business ability and made the most of the opportunities offered him and became a substantial and highly respected citizen, holding many offices of public trust. To their union was born six children : Ed L. and Charles Theodore, who survive. They re- ceived their education in the public schools of Ithaca. Ed L., when but ten years of age, secured employment on a farm. Later he was for sometime associated with his father in the furniture and undertaking business and also accepted what- ever other honorable employment presented itself in the mean-
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time carefully saving his earnings with the idea of becoming his own employer. On February 6, 1879, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Jennie Hunt, daughter of James and Eliza (Sey- bold) Hunt, who lived at different times in both Montgomery and Preble counties. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Boli: Virgil T., Pearl B., Opha and Clara, the two latter are deceased. Virgil T. Boli was married to Ulree L. Broderick, daughter of Lem and Lutisea Broderick of Harrison township, January 27, 1909. Two children, Velma and Eugene, bless this union. Mr. Boli now resides in Greenville and is a mail clerk on the P., C., C. & St. L. railroad, between Pittsburgh, Pa., and Indianapolis, Ind.
On May 24, 1909, Mrs. Ed Boli was laid to rest in the cemetery at New Madison. She was well known, industrious and respected and was mourned for by a wide circle of friends, being a devoted mother to her family and a woman of influence in the neighborhood in which she lived.
Ed L., since marriage, has always followed the occupa- tion of farming and moved but three times, always living in Darke county, now residing on the Boli homestead in German township with his brother C. T., and daughter Pearl.
ELI ARMACOST.
The name of Armacost has long been an honored one in agricultural circles of Darke county, the family having re- sided here since 1837, covering a period of more than three- quarters of a century, and since that time its representatives have been numbered among the leading and influential resi .. dents of this part of the State. Among those bearing this name, one who for years was engaged actively in farming and stockraising operations, but who, in the evening of life, is living quietly in his comfortable home, surrounded by family and friends and by the comforts which his early years of labor brought him, is Eli Armacost, of Washington township, the owner of 217 acres, included in two farms. Mr. Armacost is a native son of Darke county, having been born on his father's farm in Harrison township, February 1, 1838, a son of Christo- pher and Sarah (Hoover) Armacost.
Christopher Armacost was born in Baltimore, Md., and was there reared and educated. Having decided to try his
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fortune in the rapidly growing West, he acquired a property in Randolph county, Indiana, and it was while on a visit of in- spection to this land that he passed through Darke county, Ohio, as a young man of twenty-one years, and became favor- ably impressed with the possibilities opening up here. Upon his return to his native city he prepared himself for another journey, and in 1837 drove across the mountains in a two-horse wagon. camping on the way in true pioneer style and finally reaching Harrison township, where he took up land. Here he continued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his life and became known as one of the substantial and highly esteemed men of this part of the county. Mr. Armacost married Miss Sarah Hoover, and they became the parents of ten children, of whom five are still living : Mrs. Lydia Harnish, Mrs. Mary Mikesell, Mrs. Millie Jones, James and Eli.
During short winter terms of the early days, Eli Armacost attended the district school at Dobson Cross Roads, and in the summer months, as was customary at that time, helped his father with the farm work. When he had concluded his studies he applied himself to the work which he had chosen for his field of endeavor, and upon attaining his majority entered upon the struggle of life self-reliant and thoroughly equipped with knowledge. His subsequent.success has been attained through no adventitious chance or circumstance. He has labored faithfully, has been the architect of his own fortunes, and has builded well. He is a public-spirited man, loyal to the best interests of his community, and may always be relied upon to support movements which his judgment tells him will be to its advantage. He is not a member of any particular religious denomination but gives liberally of his means to worthy enterprises of a religious or charitable na- ture. He also taught school for twenty years. He served the township and county in various official capacities-justice of peace, township trustee for two years, township assessor for two terms, assistant land appraiser for his county, deputy county surveyor under W. S. Harper, county surveyor for two terms, 1876-1882, and served on the board of land equali- zation in 1880 and 1881. He was re-elected county surveyor for a fourth term, from 1892 to 1895, and as justice of the peace from 1896 to 1899. Eli Armacost died January 15, 1914, aged 76 years 11 months and 14 days.
Mr. Armacost was married in 1856 to Miss Catherine
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Stephens, who died in 1898, and to this union there were born eight children, of whom five survive: Mrs. Eva Craig and Mrs. Sarah L. Swank, Mr. James H. Armacost, W. J. Armacost and Mrs. Blanche Piatt. Mr. Armacost's agricultural interests are at present under the careful and capable supervsion of Virgil Piatt.
EDWIN C. WRIGHT. 1
Edwin C. Wright is well-known as an upright and progres- sive citizen of Greenville and has for several years heen prominent in Darke county's affairs. He is a practicing at- torney at law, with offices on south Broadway, and stands well in his profession. He was born near Xenia, Greene county, Ohio, September 18, 1866, only son of Edward H. and Allettah V. (Dunn) Wright. The father was also born in Greene county, April 24, 1841, and the mother in Maryland, Janu- ary, 1844, and they now reside in Greenville township, Darke county, Ohio. The father enlisted in the Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served four years with honor and credit. Of their six children five survive: Edwin C., of this sketch ; Kate, wife of Harry Lamb, of Darke county ; Ida Ellen, wife of C. J. Riegel, of Darke county ; Jennie, wife of Edward Reck, living near Nashville, Tennessee; Stella, wife of Charles Porter, of Henderson, Kentucky. The parents are devout members of St. Paul Reformed church, in which the father has held various offices. They are held in respect and esteem by all who know them as worthy and estimable members of the community.
After finishing the course in the rural school, Edwin at- tended Greenville High School and later read law with the late Judge John C. Clark and with L. E. Chenoweth, with which firm he remained three years and studied to such good ad- vantage that he was admitted to the bar December 4, 1891, and during the next month opened an office at Greenville with J. C. Elliott, former prosecuting attorney of Darke county, as his partner. This arrangement lasted one year and since then Mr. Wright has conducted his practice alone, always in Greenville. His worth and ability have been recog- nized from the beginning of his practice and he has been very successful. His fellow-citizen showed their appreciation of his merit and ability when they elected him mayor of Greenville,
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which office he filled creditably from 1905 to 1909. By suc- cessive elections he also served as city solicitor during 1912 and 1913, but has not cared for office during the last few years on account of his growing practice. He is a Republican in politics but has been well supported by all parties in local elections. He was the Republican candidate for Congress in 1900, but as Darke county is Democratic in sentiment, he was defeated. He served as a member of the Republican State Central Committee during 1904 and 1905 and has many times served as a member of the county Republican Committee. For two years he served as clerk of the election board of Darke county. His first presidential vote was cast for Ben- jamin Harrison in 1888.
Mr. Wright is well known in fraternal circles and has held many offices of honor in various organizations to which he be- longs. He has been a trustee of the Champion lodge of In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows for the past twenty years; served six years as representative to the Grand Lodge of Ohio and is the only Odd Fellow of Darke county ever elected to any office in the Grand Lodge and is deputy grand master of the Grand Lodge of the State at this time. He also be- longs to the Foresters and to the Little Turtle Tribe of Red Men, as well as the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He has served as secretary of Greenville Commercial Club. He attends the Methodist church.
On August 28, 1890, Mr. Wright was united in marriage with Miss Mary Elizabeth Schultz, who was born in Green- ville township, Darke county, March 1, 1869, daughter of W. H. and Martha A. (Noggle) Schultz. Mr. Schultz was born in Maryland, August 7, 1843, and came to Darke county as a young man, in the early 60's, becoming a prosperous farm- er and spending the rest of his life there. He died August 22, 1910. Mrs. Schultz was born in Darke county, January 18, 1846, and now resides at Greenville. They had five children, all born in Darke county, namely : Mrs. Wright; Maggie, wife of Carl H. Craig, of Greenville; Julia Pearl, wife of Jacob Menke, president of city council of Greenville; John William, of Muncie, Indiana; R. R., living with his mother in Green- ville.
Mr. and Mrs. Wright had three children, all born in Green- ville: Martha Helen, born October 20, 1891, attended Green- ville High School, later attended Ohio Wesleyan University and the Conservatory of Music at Cincinnati, became a gifted
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pianist, and is the wife of Algy R. Murphy, a clothing mer- chant of Versailles, Ohio; Edwin Henry, born December 1, 1893, also attended Greenville High School, is in the second year of his course at Culver (Indiana) Military Academy ; Robert, born in 1899, lived but one day. Mrs. Wright and the children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Greenville. In 1897 Mr. Wright built the present com- fortable home on Washington avenue, Greenville, and he is also the owner of other city property and several farms in the county. He did not inherite his start in life but made it himself and is truly a self-made man. He is a representative American, interested in the welfare and progress of his com- munity and ready and able to serve the best interests of the people as opportunity offers. He has a number of sincere friends and is one of the most popular men in Greenville.
JEREMIAH JOSEPH O'BRIEN.
Jeremiah Joseph O'Brien, familiarly known to his friends and associates as "Joe," is a city letter-carrier in Greenville and belongs to an old family of Darke county. He was born in Greenville township, March 25, 1874, and is a son of Cor- nelius and Louisa (Bryant) O'Brien. His great-grandfather, Michael O'Brien, was born and died in Ireland. He had a son Cornelius, who married Margaret Ryan, and their son Cornelius is the one mentioned as the father of the subject of this sketch. Two children of Cornelius and Margaret O'Brien now survive: Ellen, widow of Simon Bisgood, a resident of St. Marys Home at Hartford, Connecticut, and whose husband was serving in the United States Navy at the time of his death, and James O'Brien, retired farmer and stock-raiser, now lives in Des Moines, Iowa. These are the only ones sur- viving of nine children.
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