USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 38
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for the wife of a minister, a true helpmeet and one whose fine character and lovely disposition endeared her to all. Her high instincts and womanliness were radiated from her fea- tures and general bearing, so that she was the sunshine in the home and hearts of her husband and children, as well as of other circles which felt her influene, always ready to per- form little acts of kindness which were long afterward re- membered with gratitude. Elder Stutsman has become well known for his inspiring funeral sermons, which have num- bered some fifteen hundred, and have extended over a radius of some twenty miles, including fourteen suicides and three persons who died from railroad accidents, two of the vic- tims dying instantly and one the day following the accident. His words at such times have come from his heart and soul and have been of great comfort to the sorrowing families, so that he has often heard words of gratitude and commenda- tion years after the occasion from those who had been im- pressed at the time. He has solemnized nearly two hundred wedding ceremonies and, in fact, has been intimately asso- ciated with the home life of people of all denominations, aside from the especial affection and trust shown by people of his own church. His own home life was ideal and his children have been a great comfort to him, all ready to call him blessed.
JOHN E. DETAMORE, M. D.
The techincal education of the doctor of medicine avails him but little unless he has laid a foundation for it of broad general knowledge and made a careful study of human nature. When he took up the practice of medicine, Dr. John E. Deta- more brought to the profession a mental equipment such as is acquired by the majority of men only in a lifetime. For years he was a teacher of the common branches in various public schools, and his subsequent study in commercial and medical colleges so prepared him that the mysteries of medicine and surgery were quickly mastered and success was his almost from the beginning of his professional career. At Hillgrove, his present field of endeavor, he has won the universal con- fidence of the public through his intimate and accurate knowl- edge of the principles of his calling, and his broad study and research keep him fully abreast of the many advancements
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constantly being made. Dr. Detamore was born January 2, 1868, near West Alexandria, Preble county, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Hildreth) Detamore. His father, also a native of that county, was a farmer by occupation and a successful man of affairs. When he came to Darke county, in 1871, he settled on a farm of 40 acres and five years after this on 80 acres, located six miles northeast of Union City, and there continued to pass the remaining years of his life in tilling the soil. He and his wife were the parents of two sons, Amos, who is engaged in farming and stockraising in New Madison, and John E.
John E. Detamore was a child of three years when brought to Darke county. by his parents, and here his preliminary educa- tional training was secured in Tobin school in Jackson town- ship. After finishing the common branches, he went to Wester- ville, Franklin county, where he attended a preparatory school, and later to Lebanon, Warren county, eventually going to a commercial college under the supervision of A. D. Welt of Dayton, Ohio. At this time he found himself out of funds, but, nothing daunted, he soon secured a position as teacher, and during the time he was thus employed continued to assidu- ously devote himself to his medical studies, he having firmly decided to become a physician. At the end of three years the young man found himself in possession of sufficient means to warrant his giving up his position as educator, and he at once entered a medical school at Lebanon, after leaving which, he became a student in the Ohio Medical College, now Starling (Ohio) Medical College, from which well known institution he was graduated with his degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1898. Thus thoroughly equipped, Doctor Detamore engaged in practice for a short time in the city of Columbus, but dur- ing the same year went to Union City, and from that place came to Hillgrove in 1906. In a calling where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit, intellectual force and correct application of scientific principles to the practical needs of the sick room, he has made steady progress, and by his close conformity to a high standard of professional ethics, combined with his ability, has won the unqualified respect and admira- tion of his fellow practitioners as well as of the general pub- lic. Socially, the Doctor is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, and along professional lines he holds membership in the vari- ous societies of medicine. A leading and active member of the
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United Brethren church, he has taken an earnest interest in its work, in which he is aiding materially as superintendent of the Sunday school. He is without political aspirations, but gives his hearty support to the Prohibition party, of which his views upon the temperance question have made him a member. Al- though he has long since given up the duties of the school room he continues to be well known in educational circles, and at this time is superintendent of the teachers' training depart- ment of Darke county.
In 1901 Doctor Detamore was married to Miss Acha Roe, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, daughter of Eli and Acha (Parent) Roe, and to this union there have been born two bright and interesting children : Kenneth and Sarah Ann.
CHARLES CLIFFORD TAYLOR.
As a community grows in importance so do its men and institutions. In some cases the business in which a man is engaged, his environment as it were, becomes the dominant feature in his development. In other cases his own inherent strength of character forms the mainspring that leads him from one field of activity to that of others in which nearly all the people of a community in one way or another must place great confidence. Undoubtedly such is the case of Charles Clifford Taylor, the present cashier of the First National Bank of Arcanum.
Coming to that place in 1896 as station agent for the Big Four railway, in the short time of two years he had won the confidence of the people to such an extent that his services were sought to fill the position to which he was then elected and has since held.
A bank cashier fills a peculiar position. He must be faith- ful to the stockholders of the bank, guarding well their inter- ests, and at the same time he must be a man of great genial good nature, so that those to whom he feels compelled to refuse financial accommodation will not go away offended, but that they will go away feeling that he has really their wel- fare at heart and will long to come to the bank time and again with their deposits when fortune shall smile upon them in the future. While not a man of great fortune financially, Mr. Taylor has great wealth of character, and has the gratification
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of seeing the result of his efforts and those with whom he has been so happily associated cause the First National Bank of Arcanum to become an influential factor in the affairs not only of Arcanum, but of the wealthy country with which it is surrounded. The whole community has reason to be grate- ful to the influences that brought Mr. Taylor into its midst.
He is a native of the Buckeye state, having been born at New Carlisle, Ohio, September 10, 1870, a son of Horace N. and Clara (Garver) Taylor, and grandson of Ezra and Eleanor (Neeley) Taylor, and John and Catharine (Fuller) Garver.
Ezra G. Taylor was born in Virginia. His parents, follow- ing the example of many of the neighbors, decided to strike out for the then undeveloped regions in Ohio, locating in New Carlisle, where they found opportunities, as he owned and conducted the first bank of that place, known as the Exchange Bank of New Carlisle, and also developed an excellent general merchandise business, conducting it for a long period. After many years of useful endeavor, during which he gave a health- ful impetus to many movements looking towards progress, he retired, and died a few years later. He married Eleanor Neeley, daughter of Major Neeley. His wife died in young womanhood, having borne him two children: Horace N. and Milton Corwin. John Garver came from Maryland, his native state, to Ohio, and married Catharine Fuller, becoming an early settler on a farm three miles east of New Carlisle. They died at the latter place, he when ninety-two years old, and she when eighty-two years old. Their children were as fol- lows: Ezra; Ella, who married D. O. Myers; Sarah, who married John Fenner; Susan, who married James Harr; Mary, who married J. N. Cory; Clara and Laura.
Horace N. Taylor, father of Charles Clifford Taylor, was born in New Carlisle, Clarke county, as was his wife. He was reared in the vicinty of New Carlisle, and during his younger years was a merchant of New Carlisle, later becoming its postmaster, which position he held for some years. Failing health compelled him to retire, and he died in November, 1904, aged fifty-eight years. His widow survives, making her home at Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Taylor was reared a Quaker, and his wife was a Methodist. During the civil war, he served faith- fully and gallantly as a soldier, enlisting three times, as his periods of enlistment expired, his longest service being with the Sixteenth Ohio Battery. A man of stable character, he
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was chosen upon many occasions to hold public office, serv- ing for twenty-five years as township clerk, was city clerk a number of times, and for years was a justice of the peace and a notary public. He and his wife had four children, namely : Charles C .; Mary G., who married C. K. McConnaughey, of Dayton, Ohio; J. Garver Taylor, who resides at Dayton, and Bert C., who also resides at Dayton, Ohio.
It is so often found that the men who achieve much, grow to manhood amid. natural surroundings, passing their boy- hood as normal human beings. Such was the case with Charles Clifford Taylor. Nothing exciting occurred during the years that he attended the public schools of New Carlisle, but during that period he was learning the lessons of honest endeavor and adherence to duty which were to be of so much assistance to him in his later life. After leaving school, he became a telegrapher for the Big Four Railroad Company, being stationed at different points, developing into station agent for the same company. In 1896 he was sent to Arcanum, Ohio, as station agent for the company, but in September, 1898, severed his connection with his old concern to become cashier of the First National Bank of Arcanum. This bank was organized in 1893 with a capital stock of $50,000 and Daniel Francis as president and C. F. Parks as cashier, who served until September, 1898, when Mr. Taylor succeeded him. The man who is now president is M. M. Smith. Needless to say that this bank stands high in financial circles, for it is a self-evident fact that its strength is admitted over the wide territory in which it operates. It now has a capital stock of $50,000, surplus and profits $35,000 and assets over $400,000. It has just completed a handsome three-story bank building of gray pressed brick on the corner of George and High streets.
On October 16, 1905, Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Lovella Gilbert, a daughter of Reuben and Viola (Zuck) Gil- bert. Mrs. Taylor was born in the vicinity of Arcanum, and was one of six children, namely: Edward, Lovella, Sarepta, Opal, Harry and Chalmer. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert were born in Maryland and Ohio, respectively, but they now reside in Twin township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor became the parents of three children : Howard E., Florence and Catherine. Mrs. Taylor belongs to the Methodist church. Fraternally Mr. Taylor is affiliated with Ithaca Lodge No. 295, F. & A. M., and Juniata Lodge No. 162, K. of P., in which he has held all the chairs, and enjoys his associations with these orders. A
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Republican, he has not only given his support to the candi- dates of his party, but has served it as city clerk for fifteen years. As a banker and citizen, Mr. Taylor has lived up to high ideals, and is one whose interests are directed towards securing a betterment of existing conditions and a continu- ance of those worthy of preservation.
HUGH L. MARTIN.
A residence of more than sixty years and a life character- ized by business activity and honor well entitle Hugh Martin to more than passing mention in this work as an honored rep- resentative citizen of Darke county. His career has been one of constant industry and well-applied effort ever since young manhood and his activities have placed him among the sub- stantial men of his community as the owner of a farm of forty- three acres, located on the Armstrong road in Washington township, about five miles from Greenville, formerly known as the old Dwyer farm. Mr. Martin was born on a farm on sec- tion 14, Washington township, Darke county, Ohio, Sep- tember 28, 1852, and is a son of J. C. and Cynthia Ann (Weis- ner) Martin.
The martin family has been known in Washington town- ship for many years, where its members have always been of substantiality and general worth. J. C. Martin was born on the same farm on section 14, on which his son first saw the light of day, and in young manhood followed farming for some years, but subsequently became connected with the wholesale establishment of Henry St. Clair, and was identified therewith in various capacities for a period covering thirty years. Through a life of industry and energetic effort he gained material independence and as a citizen he well merited the respect in which he was universally held. Mr. Martin married Cynthia Ann Weisner, and they became the parents of nine children : Hugh L., Alice, Mrs. Amanda Rush, Sallie, Isaac, John, Luella, Otto and Henry, of whom John, Luella, Otto and Henry are now deceased.
Hugh Martin commenced his education in the Cole school in district No. 2, Washington township, subsequently attended school No. 3. and completed his studies in the Coletown school. During all of this time he had spent his summers in
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working at farming and at whatever honorable employment offered itself, and thriftily saved his earnings. At the age of twenty years he established himself in a home of his own when he began renting land from Samuel Cole, and resided thereon until he acquired his present property, the old Dwyer farm, by purchase at a sheriff's sale. Mr. Martin has -made an excellent record in his agricultural operations and his life shows what may be accomplished by firm and earnest purpose guided by sound business judgment and keen discrimination. In politics Mr. Martin is a Democrat but without aspiration for office. He has not been indifferent to the duties of citi- zenship, however, and has served very efficiently as a mem- ber of the school board, being in hearty sympathy with the cause of education. Having succeeded in life himself, he has at all times been ready to assist others to succeed, and has been liberal in his donations to religious movements.
In 1875 Mr. Martin was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Mergler, daughter of Andrew and Mary (Harbarger) Mergler, and to this union there have been born six children, as fol- lows: Laura, who became the wife of William Hipple, and is the mother of two children, Hugh H., Jr., and Fay; Marga- ret, who married Mack Mckay and has one daughter, An- netta; H. A., who is single and assists his father in the man- agement of the home place; Clarissa, who married C. A. Hufnale and has six children, Paul, Evelyn, Catherine, Muriel, William and Irene; H. H., who married Lorinda Seers and resides in Washington township; and Florence, who mar- ried Lea Rupp.
ROY H. STOCKER.
Agricultural conditions in Darke county have changed to such an extent during the past several decades that the enter- prising farmer who would achieve a full measure of success from his labors has been compelled to revolutionize his meth- ods of treating the soil. Science has made numerous discov- eries, powerful machinery has been invented, innovations of various natures have been introduced, and modern methods are so distantly different from those of the older geenrations as to make the two almost different callings. To the men of the younger generation, in large degree, are these changes due. It has been their progressive ideas which have furthered the
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development of agricultural work, and to them the nation will look for a continuance of this advancement until they, in turn, are supplanted by the generations who come after. One of the progressive, energetic and thoroughly business-like young farmers of Darke county, now the manager of one hundred and seventy acres of fine land in Greenville township, located on the Stocker gravel road, about one mile from Greenville, is Roy H. Stocker. He was born March 22, 1884, on his father's farm near Lightsville, Darke county, Ohio, and is a son of Jacob and Rhoda (Coppess) Stocker. His father was a life- long farmer, and came to Ohio from his native State of Penn- sylvania as a young man, and still continues to make his home in Darke county, although at this time he is living retired from the activities of life. He and his wife have been the parents of seven children, as follows : Alva, Ora, Edward, Roy H., Bessie, who is the wife of Carl Wheeler; Orval and Clifford.
Roy H. Stocker received his education in the schools of the various localities in which his father made the family home during his boyhood, attending first in Van Buren township, later in Greenville township, and finally the Studebaker schools. With this good mental equipment, and a thorough knowledge of agricultural work gained while helping his father in the operation of the home place during the summer months, he was well prepared to begin work on his own account when he reached manhood, at which time he commenced working land on shares. He now rents land from his father and has entire management of this valuable tract, which he is working at its highest rate of production. He is wideawake, progres- sive and energetic and has shown that he possesses more than the average amount of business ability, so that, if the past may be taken as a criterion, he is assured of a full measure of suc- cess, as is predicted by his numerous friends.
On July 8, 1904, Mr. Stocker was united in marriage with Miss Echo Stoner, of Darke county, the estimable daughter of Denton H. and Minerva (Stingley) Stoner, honored resi- dents of this locality. Two children have been born to this union : Helen, who is deceased, and Pauline Bessie. Mr. Stocker has been interested to some extent in fraternal work, and is a popular member of the local lodge of the Improved Order of Red Men. He supports Democratic policies and candidates, but has had neither time nor inclination for public office.
Jacob Stocker, father of Roy H., was for six years county clerk of Darke county.
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CLEMENT E. WADE.
On the Winchester turnpike, in Greenville township, not far from the city of Greenville, is located the handsomely culti- vated one hundred acre farm now managed by Clement E. Wade. Mr. Wade's contribution to the agricultural interests of Darke county is one which distinguishes him as a man of good business judgment and ability, and the public-spirited citizenship which he has displayed on all occasions entitles him to the esteem and respect of his fellow-townsmen. Al- though not a native of Darke county, he has spent his entire business career within its borders, and the interests of his adopted community have continued during this time to be close to his heart. Mr. Wade was born in 1874, in Adams county, Indiana, and was a child when brought to Darke county by his parents, Joseph and Mary (Stover) Wade. His father was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, from whence he removed in young manhood to Adams county, In- diana, and subsequently went to Randolph county, where he was engaged in farming in the vicinity of Deerfield.
Clement E. Wade was reared to an agricultural life, and his whole career has been devoted to tilling the soil. He was the only son of the family, although there were two daughters, Maggie and Stella, both of whom are now married, and it was necessary that he assist his father in the work of the home place, although his education was not neglected, he acquiring his literary training in the public schools of Deerfield, Indiana. Reared to traits of industry and thrift, he carefully saved his earnings, made the most of his opportunities. He has a com- fortable home, fitted with modern conveniences, commodious barns for the shelter of his livestock and grain and substantial outbuildings. He is a firm believer in the use of the most highly improved machinery, and through good management and skilled methods makes his land produce full measure for the labor which he expends upon it. Reliable in his transac- tions, he has won and retained the confidence of those with whom he has had business engagements, and, although he has been alive to each opportunity that has presented itself, has never been one to take advantage of another's misfortune.
On April 19, 1898, Mr. Wade was united in marriage with Miss Clara Grote, a native of Darke county and a member of a well-known family. They have been the parents of two chil- dren : Mary, aged thirteen years. and Elmer aged nine. Mr.
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and Mrs. Wade are consistent members of the Lutheran church, in the work of which they have taken a more or less active part. Mr. Wade's political views make him a Democrat, but it has been no part of his nature to seek public preferment. His acquaintance is wide and his friends many.
FRANK G. HELMAN.
Even in an age in which youth is recognized and in a com- munity where young men are vital forces in business and pub- lic life, few have so early attained such distinction as has come to F. G. Helman of Hillgrove, Ohio. Still under his thirtieth year, he has not only gained an enviable position in com- mercial circles of his community as the proprietor of a flourish- ing general merchandise business, but has also been brought before the public in positions of responsibility and trust, and at this time is serving both as postmaster of Hillgrove and as treasurer of Washington township. A brief review of the salient points of this young man's career should prove in- structive and beneficial to those youths who without capital or influential friends are struggling for a foothold upon the ladder of success.
Mr. Helman was born June 14, 1884, near Union City, Darke county, Ohio, on the farm of his father, J. Q. Helman. The family was founded in Darke county at an early period in its history by Adam Helman of Indiana county, Pennsylvania, who came to this locality. and entered government land. J. Q. Helman was born near the town of Indiana, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, and was a child when brought to Darke county. Following his father's example, he engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, in which he became successful by reason of his industry, energy and perseverance, and left to his family not alone a comfortable competent, but the heritage of an hon- orable and honored name. He married Miss Maggie Coblentz, and they became the parents of six children, namely : Roland; F. G .; Gaius; Mildred, now Mrs. Hindsley; Russell and Em- mett, who are living at home.
F. G. Helman was given excellent educational advantages in his youth, attending the independent and Jackson township district schools, the Union City high school and the North Manchester College. At that time he took up the vocation of
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educator, but after two years decided that commercial life was more adapted to his abilities and inclinations, and accordingly went to Brookville, Ohio, where for three years he was engaged in the grocery business. Following this, he returned to the home farm for five years, and then, in 1909, came to Hillgrove, where he recognized an opportunity for business advancement. Here he bought out an established grocery business, to which he has since added a full line of general merchandise, and from that time to the present the venture has been growing in volume and importance. He is well qualified for the successful conduct of the enterprise which he is now carrying on, and has wrought along modern business lines, recognizing opportunity and utilizing the means at hand toward the acquirement of desirable success.
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