USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 39
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In 1901 Mr. Helman was married to Miss Emma Stoner, of Darke county, and they are now the parents of four bright and intelligent children : James E., Robert, Miriam and Daniel W. In political opinions a Republican, Mr. Helman has been in- terested in public matters since attaining his majority. During the administration of President Taft he was appointed post- master at Hillgrove, a position which he still retains, and he has since been elected treasurer of Washington township. In both capacities he has shown marked executive ability, and the conscientious manner in which he is discharging his official duties leaves no doubt in the minds of his fellow citizens as to his public spirit and high ideals of citizenship.
HON. HARVEY C. GARBER.
"Poets are born, not made."
What is said of poets is true also, in a measure at least, of statesmen. We read much of the "self-made man," but, in an absolute sense the appellation is a misnomer. Every man has inherited powers and characteristics as well as weak tendencies which may be largely instrumental either in his making or undoing. In a large sense, however, we are what we make ourselves.
It is with these reflections that we review the life of Harvey C. Garber, who was born in a humble home in the village of Hill Grove, Darke county, Ohio, on July 6, 1865. His father, although not a professional man, was well read and took a
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keen interest in the public affairs of his day. In 1867 his parents moved to Greenville, the county seat, which was to be the place of his education and the scene of his early career. Here he entered the public school and attended regularly until about thirteen years of age, when he secured a position as messenger boy with the local office of the Western Union Telegraph Company. This was the modest beginning of a remarkable career, and the boy soon showed his talent and met- tle by mastering the art of telegraphy in his spare moments when not delivering messages or doing chores. During the Hancock presidential campaign, although only fifteen years of age, he manifested a keen interest in politics, and dates his entry into political life from this time, no doubt being stimu- lated by the receiving and posting of bulletins during the campaign.
When sixteen years of age he secured a position as opera- tor at one of the stations of the P., C., C. & St. L. railway and continued to serve this company until 1884, when he was appointed manager of the Western Union Telegraph office at Greenville, a place of considerable trust and responsibility. In this office he became acquainted with many of the influential men of the town and community, and got some insight into the working of state and national affairs.
Being a Democrat by birth and training, Mr. Garber early manifested much interest in the local affairs of that party, and on September 16, 1889, went before the Democratic convention and was nominated for representative to the Ohio general as- sembly. He was successful at the polls in the following No- vember, and entered the sixty-ninth assembly as its youngest member, being then in the twenty-fifth year of his age. His zeal and activity in the affairs of his party won for him a second nomination and election in the fall of 1891. While in the Ohio legislature Mr. Garber put through the county offi- cial salary law, which has since been repealed and re-enacted. He also introduced the bill providing that a railway trainman after serving continuously for twenty-four hours should have eight hours' rest before going on duty again, and another bill compelling the railways to raise all bridges crossing their right-of-way to a sufficient height to insure the safety of freight crews.
On May 21, 1890, Mr. Garber married Miss Daisy Curtis, of Logan, Ohio. This union proved a most fortunate one, as Mrs. Garber is a woman of unusual tact, refinement and abil-
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ity, and has assisted her husband very materially both in a social and political way, taking a keen interest in his various campaigns and helping him with advice as well as with sym- pathy.
In 1896 Mr. Garber became manager of the Central Union Telephone Company for the Dayton district; in 1897 was ad- vanced to the position of assistant superintendent for Ohio, with offices at Columbus, Ohio; and in 1898 he became assist- ant general solicitor for the same company with headquarters at Chicago, which position he held until 1902.
During this period he kept up his interest in politics, and in 1900 was a member of both the state central and executive committees, being vice-chairman of the former. In these im- portant positions he formed the acquaintance and won the support of many Democrats high in state and national poli- tics and laid the foundation for a larger career.
In 1902 he was elected a member of the national house of representatives for his district with a majority of about 4,500. In 1904, during the Roosevelt campaign, he was re-elected with a majority of about 1,700, being the only Democratic congressman elected from Ohio at that time. While in con- gress he served on the naval committee and introduced some important measures. He also was largely instrumental in securing a government building for Greenville, which is said to have been the smallest city in the United States getting an appropriation for such a purpose up to that time.
At the expiration of his second term in congress he returned to the service of the Central Union as assistant to the presi- dent. Upon the suggestion of Robert B. Jamison, of Green- ville, it is said, Garber, then chairman of the state committee, picked John H. Pattison, president of the Union Central Life Insurance Company, to run for governor of Ohio in 1905, and was largely responsible for his election. From that time to the present the state has regularly gone Democratic, and Garber is credited with formulating the plan that broke up the old Republican state organization.
He was elected a member of the national committee from Ohio in 1908 and served until 1912, acting also as vice-chair- man of the congressional executive committee.
In 1912 he was chosen manager of the Wilson presidential campaign in Ohio and helped to break Governor Harmon's hold on the Ohio delegation.
About this time he became a stockholder in the Ralston
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Steel Car Company at Columbus, Ohio, of which he was made vice-president in 1912. .
Among his striking traits of character to which is attributed his remarkable political success are: indefatigable industry during a campaign, at which time it is a common practice for him to work sixteen hours a day; relentless prosecution of the workers of the opposite party, following the real or reputed enemy to his lair and crushing out opposition; exact- ing attention to minor details, following up the suggestion of subordinate workers and leaving no stone unturned until he has satisfied the complaints of the disgruntled and aligned every possible worker for the fray. With him political suc- cess is no mere matter of chance, but comes largely as the result of careful planning, perseverance and hard work.
Mr. Garber is still in the prime of life and may add many trophies to his long list of accomplishments before his life force is spent.
JAMES H. PASSON.
While Darke county's commercial and industrial interests are large and well represented, it is essentially a farming com- munity, and its most substantial citizens are connected in one way or another with agriculture. Its soil and climatic condi- tions are of a nature nearly ideal for the raising of large crops of grain, its pasture lands afford excellent opportunities for the raising of stock, and its railroad facilities are such as to encourage the tiller of land. Nevertheless, here as elsewhere, success does not come for the mere asking. In the brisk com- petition of modern times, the man who gains a full measure of prosperity from his operations must be possessed of more than the ordinary business ability, must be alive to opportunity and must study closely the advancements which mark the progress of his chosen calling. An excellent example of scien- tific farming is found at the Midway farm, a tract of one hun- dred and thirteen acres, located on the Union City turnpike, about six miles from Greenville, in Washington township, the owner of which, James H. Passon, is conceded to be one of his locality's premier agriculturists.
Mr. Passon's career has been one of unflagging industry from early manhood. He was born October 28, 1853, near Pikeville. Darke county, Ohio, and is a son of William and
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Margaret (McKee) Passon. His father was a native of Miami county, Ohio, and was twelve years of age when he came to Darke county, and here completed his education, learned the trade of plasterer, which he followed for some years, and finally engaged in farming, in which he spent the greater part of his active life. He was a man of industry and enterprise and through well-directed effort was able to amass a competency for his declining years. He and his wife were the parents of two children, James H. and Mary, who is now the wife of Benjamon Deavor.
The early education of James H. Passon was secured in the subscription schools near Brock, later went to the Avery school in Greenville township, and completed his studies in the Coletown school. During this period, in the summer months, he worked for his father, but the first money he earned on his own account was in cutting wood, which he sold to a railroad company, the D. & U. railroad, in 1870, with which money he bought a young horse. With his father, he learned the trade of plasterer, but this did not claim his attention for any protracted period, as his inclination was for farming, and he found more profit therein. For five years he was a renter of land, and he then heard the call of the west, but did not long remain away from his native county. He remained at home with his mother at Coletown and worked at his trade for one year, but in 1881 located on the Benjamin Deavor farm, which he operated for one year. His next venture, and one which proved very profitable, was the renting of the John Fox farm, on which he continued agricultural operations until he was able to purchase his present property. This he has developed into one of the finest country places in Washington township, and the general air of prosperity which hovers about the land evidences forcibly the presence of his able management and thrift. Modern ideas have always found in Mr. Passon a stanch supporter. While he is practical and conservative, he is ever ready to experiment with something that promises to aid his work, and in this way has discovered many useful devices and accessories. His buildings, stanchly built, are handsome and commodious and tend to make the Midway farm still more valuable. In addition to his general farming operations, Mr. Passon makes a hobby of raising livestock, and each year sells a number of cattle and hogs to the shippers.
Mr. Passon was married in 1880 to Miss Mary Trostle, who (27)
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died in 1892 and was buried at Coletown cemetery. Two chil- dren were born to this union : Myrtle L., who is now deceased, and Elva P., who is the wife of Russell Stump. Mr. Passon's second marriage was to Mary C. Lane, the daughter of Ben- jamin and Sarah (Vanderveer) Lane, the former born near Carlisle, Montgomery county, Ohio, and the latter in Warren county, this State. There were seven children in the Lane family : Elinor, James, Gilbert P., Margaret, Mary C., who married Mr. Passon, and Benjamin D. and Jennie, who are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Passon there have been born five children : S. Loure, Ray, Bessie J., James E. and Robert E.
Mr. Passon has ever been liberal in his donations to religious and worthy charitable movements, as, having succeeded him- self, he is ready to assist others to success. His political views make him a Republican, and he has long been accounted one of the stalwart supporters of the grand old party in Darke county. The high esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens has been frequently expressed by his election to places of responsibility and trust, he having served for many years as a member of the school board and for five years as trustee of Washington township, and on one occasion was his party's candidate for a position on the board of county commissioners, but met with defeat by reason of political conditions here in Darke county at that time. His public service has ever been characterized by faithful performance of duty and high ideals of the responsibilities attending office, and has only served to further him in the confidence of those among whom he has lived so long.
HON. ELMER ELLSWORTH CALDERWOOD.
It would be difficult to name an essential element in the progress and development of Greenville, Ohio, that does not bear the impress of the strong individuality of Elmer Ells- worth Calderwood. An important factor in the field of law, a prominent figure in finance as the head of a prosperous loan business, a public-spirited citizen striving always for his com- munity's educational and moral interests, he gained the ap- proval of the people in such a degree that in 1913 they elected him Greenville's mayor. A worthy son of a worthy and hon- ored father, he steadfastly endeavored to maintain the repu- tation built up by the elder man, and Greenville had every reason to name him as one of its most representative sons.
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Mr. Calderwood was born in Greenville December 19, 1860, and was a son of Judge Andrew Robinson and Mary (Thorp) Calderwood, a complete review of the father being given on another page of this work.
Elmer E. Calderwood had the usual public school experi- ence, and proved himself an industrious pupil. On leaving school he entered the office of the Greenville Courier, where he learned the trade of printer, and in 1887 became manager of the Braddock (Pa.) Daily News, but in the following sum- mer returned to Greenville and took up the study of law. He had excellent benefits under the preceptorship of his father, and soon after his admission to the bar, October 5, 1893, opened offices in Greenville, where he continued to the time of his death. His practice was confined to the larger financial matters and handling of estates, and in each direc- tion he showed his profound knowledge of his calling, his devotion to its best ethics and his conscientious attention to the interests of his clients. Mr. Calderwood, however, was probably better known in the money loaning business. Hav- ing paid considerable attention to property values, he added the real estate and loan business to his practice soon after his admission to the bar. This brought him into correspondence with capitalists and financial institutions throughout the coun- try, who engaged him to make loans for them in the middle west. His career in this line was an extensive one and was marked by an unequalled success.
Mr. Calderwood cast his first presidential vote in 1884 for James G. Blaine, and he never ceased to be a stalwart ad- herent of Republican principles. He became his party's can- didate for mayor in 1913, and although Greenville usually gives a Democrat at least 300 plurality, Mr. Calderwood car- ried the election by the comfortable margin of 108 votes. His business and official duties, with his law practice, demanded the greater part of Mr. Calderwood's time. What remained was usually spent in his home, although he enjoyed the com- panionship of his fellow men and was a popular and valued member of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias.
On July 31, 1901, Mr. Calderwood was united in marriage with Miss Ida Gilbert, who was born and reared in Green- ville, a daughter of C. Wesley and Cora B. (Van Tilburg) Gilbert. Four children blessed this union, as follows: Mary Ann, born September 24, 1903; Andrew Robinson, born De- cember 13, 1904; Kathryn Louise, born March 3, 1907, and Frances Belle, born December 28, 1911.
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J. A. McGRIFF.
With supreme faith in the future of Darke county, with the ability to profit by present conditions, and possessing a desire to assist others in doing so, J. A. McGriff, of Neave township, is considered one of the most progressive and enter- prising men of his community. Mr. McGriff has been an ex- tensive traveler and has visited many states, so that his judg- ment in regard to the desirability of conditions in the section in which he lives may be taken as an experienced and reliable. one. At this time he is the owner of ninety-seven acres of well-cultivated land, situated about one mile west of Weavers Station. Mr. McGriff is a native son of Darke county, hav- ing been born on the old McGriff farm in Twin township, April 29, 1849, a son of Price and Jane (Mulnix) McGriff.
Thomas McGriff, the great-grandfather of J. A. McGriff, was born in the north of Ireland, and came to America during colonial days, settling in Virginia. There he took part in much of the Indian warfare that took place in that colony, and on one occasion he and two brothers were captured by the hostiles and until they made their escape experienced a great deal of suffering. Thomas McGriff was married in Vir- ginia, had a family of eleven children, and spent his days in agricultural pursuits. Patrick McGriff, the grandfather of J. A. McGriff, was born in Virginia in 1786, grew to manhood as a farmer, and purhcased his father's claim. During the war of 1812 he fought valiantly as a soldier from the Old Do- minion, and some time after the close of that struggle joined the tide of emigration westward and settled in Preble county, Ohio, where he died in 1854, burial being made at West Man- chester. He married Elizabeth Price, who was also a native of Virginia, and they became the parents of several children.
Price McGriff was born in Preble county, Ohio, August 18, 1820, was educated in the common schools near his father's farm, and discharged the duties that fell to the lot of the farmers' sons of his day. At the age of twenty-three years he became a pioneer of Twin township. Darke county, and for about three years was employed in clearing land, then becom- ing a renter on a Twin township farm, on which he remained for some seven years. At this time he purchased land in Butler township and established a home, having one-half sec- tion in that locality as well as some land in Twin township.
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He was known as one of the substantial farmers of his 'time, and at his death left his family in possession of a valuable property, as well as the'priceless heritage of an honored name. Mr. McGriff married Miss Jane Mulnix, and they became the parents of seven children, namely : John B., who is deceased; Mary E., who married Mr. Melling, and is deceased; J. A., of this review; W. P .; Phoebe J., who married Mr. Wolverton and is deceased; Samantha, who married Mr. McLear, and Cordelia, who married Mr. Broderick.
J. A. McGriff was about four years of age when taken by his parents to Butler township, and there he began his edu- cation in the district schools, this being subsequently supple- mented by attendance in the public schools of Castine. Dur- ing all of his school period he assisted his father with the work of the home farm, and by the time he reached his ma- jority he was thoroughly capable of handling a property of his own. Accordingly he began renting land from his father, and several years later, in partnership with his brother-in-law, Jacob Wolverton, he purchased 175 acres of land, which, after three years of this association, was evenly divided. Not long thereafter Mr. McGriff sold his share back and for a short time traveled through various southern states, but finally located in Illinois, where he also remained a short time. After the death of his first wife, he returned to Darke county and entered the implement business, but after some experience in this line again took up farming, which he has followed with a full measure of success to the present. At this time he has ninety-seven acres of good land, all under cultivation, which he is making produce abundantly for the labor expended upon it. His methods are modern and progressive, and in every branch of his vocation he has had the satisfaction of "making good." Mr. McGriff has been a member of the Christian church since his boyhood days. In political matters a progressive Democrat he has been prominent in the ranks of his party, serving as treasurer of Butler township for eleven years and as a member of the school board, and on one occasion being a candidate for the state legislature. Mr. McGriff, although having reached advanced years, is wide-awake and progressive, and he and his family have a wide circle of friends, to whom the hospitality of their own pleasant home is freely and graciously accorded.
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Mr. McGriff was (first) married to Martha Jane Holesapple, . daughter of David and Ann (Crawford) Holesapple, and to
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this union there were born two children: Levi, who married Carrie Krickenbarger and had one daughter, Cora, who mar- ried Mr. Neff, and O. P., who married and had two children, Roland and Grace. Mr. McGriff was married (second) in Darke county, Ohio, to Miss Lizzie Emrick, daughter of Daniel and Frances (Micksell) Emrick, and five children were born to this union : Walter, who married Jennie Long and has seven children, Ruth, Opal, Harry, Jay, Mary, Gertrude and Dorothy ; Granville, who married Mary Rodgers and has two children, Wealthy and Hazel; Perry, who married Pearl Fleet and has three children, Doris, Muriel and Kenneth; Gertrude, who lives at home with her parents, and Herbert, also at home.
FRAZER E. WILSON.
The compiler and editor of the historical volume of this work is the son of Augustus N. and Sarah C. (Niswonger) Wil- son, whose biographies appear in this book. He is the third of a family of seven living children and was born in Dallas (now Ansonia), Ohio, on Sunday, September 10, 1871. In the spring of 1873 the Wilson family moved to Greenville, Ohio, and it was here that the subject of this sketch spent his boy- hood days, and received his early education. On May 23, 1890, he was graduated from the Greenville high school and later attended the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, and Oberlin College. In 1892 he became a member of the firm of A. N. Wilson & Sons, in the dry goods and carpet business, in which business he has been engaged most of the time since. The pursuit of a mercantile career, however, has never completely engrossed his attention, and he has devoted much of his spare time to the cultivation of his natural talents and peculiar inclinations. In his high school days he manifested much interest in natural science, espe- cially in geology, but later turned his attention to the study of local history, archeology, ethnology and kindred subjects. Desiring to reconstruct a brief, reliable and readable account of the early campaigns of St. Clair and Wayne and the peace which followed he published "The Treaty of Greenville" in 1894 on the eve of the centennial of that important event. This work he later rewrote and published it in 1909, under the title "The Peace of Mad Anthony," placing it in some of the largest
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and best libraries in the United States. He was instrumental in founding the public museum in 1901, and has served as one of its curators ever since. He was also a charter member of the Greenville Historical Society, serving as its first president and now holding the office of secretary in that organization. This society placed the memorial bronze tablet commemorat- ing the Treaty of Greenville, in 1906, erected the Fort Jeffer- son boulder monument at Fort Jefferson in 1907, and has as- sisted materially in building up the museum. For his contri- butions to the publications of the Ohio Archeological and His- torical Society and the promotion of its work he was made a life member of that society July 5, 1907. He is also a member of the Fort Recovery Monumental Association.
On Tuesday, June 7, 1904, Mr. Wilson was married to Miss Pearle Larimer, eldest daughter of John Wright and Caroline (Mowen) Larimer.
The Larimer family was of Scotch-Irish descent and settled at an early date in Pennsylvania. Isaac Larimer, the grand- father of John W., settled in Fairfield county, Ohio, with the pioneer families. He enlisted as a volunteer from Fairfield county in the war of 1812, serving as ensign in Captain George Saunderson's company, Ohio Militia, from April 16, 1812, to April 16, 1813, was taken prisoner at the capture of Detroit, and is said to have been the only officer in his regiment who was allowed to retain his sword, which now hangs in the public museum in Greenville.
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