USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 41
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
William A. Chenoweth attended the rural schools in boy- hood and later studied at Whitewater and Lynn, Indiana, and (28)
Digitized by Google
-
434
DARKE COUNTY
took a course at the Union Christian College at Marion, In- diana, after which he taught school five years, with gratify- ing success, in Randolph and Wayne counties, Indiana, also in Darke county, Ohio. He then took up farming and carried on this occupation for five years in German township, and one year taught school in connection with his farming. Dur- ing this time he worked three years for his father and two . years on his own account, and has a natural aptitude for this kind of work. He was married January 25, 1877, to Miss . Rosa Thomas, born on the farm in Glen Karn, German town- ship, which is now the family home of Mr. Chenoweth, Jan- uary 5, 1858, daughter of Harrison and Sarah (Miller) Thomas. Mr. Thomas was born in Greene county, Ohio, in 1821, and died in 1890, esteemed and respected by all who knew him. He was one of those rare men who are able to go through life without forming enemies and who inspire interest and friendship wherever they go. He was a farmer . and carpenter by occupation, also a local preacher for the Methodist church and always a generous contributor towards its support. Such men are the salt of the earth, and it is a great privilege to know and associate with them. He was buried at Hollansburg. Mrs. Thomas, born in Kentucky in 1823, died in February, 1910, and was buried beside her hus- band. She was a true helpmeet and left many friends to mourn her loss. They had six children and five are now living, namely : Emily, who died at the age of one year; Mary, wife of John Hartzell, of Greenville; Enos, of Harrison town- ship; W. I., of Darke county ; Mrs. Chenoweth; Jennie, widow of Monroe Albright, of Glen Karn.
The Thomas farm is well known by that name and was first owned by George Thomas, father of Harrison Thomas, who bought a large tract of land from the government, then in the wilderness and covered with trees. He had to clear and lay out his fields, and in those early days there were Indians roaming about these woods, hunting the wild deer, which were plentiful. There were also wild turkeys and other game in plenty. The settlers were more or less afraid of the Indians, but grew accustomed to seeing them pass their homes. Ac- cording to pioneer custom, they established a graveyard in one corner of the farm. The house which now stands on the Thomas farm was erected by Harrison Thomas.
For five years after his marriage Mr. Chenoweth remained on his father's farm in German township, then spent two years
Digitized by Google
i
:
435
DARKE COUNTY
at Hollansburg, during which he opened a grocery store in Glen Karn in 1882. He also had a grain business, which he dropped after carrying it on a couple of years, but enlarged the store and still conducts it. Mr. Chenoweth put up the first residence in Glen Karn, occupied the first business house, shipped out the first carload of grain, and shipped in the first goods, which arrived before his building was finished. He began to sell goods before the store was finished. During the first year he did a $6,000 business with a $500 stock, the room in which it was conducted being the present parlor and the stockroom the present sitting room. In 1890, however, his father built an appropriate building for his business and he moved into it. This building was burned in August, 1894, and Mr. Chenoweth then purchased the lot where his busi- ness now stands, and built a more modern store building, so that he was able to increase his stock. He then carried some $10,000 worth of goods and his yearly sales aggregated from $18,000 to $20,000 annually. He has steadily progressed in his business and in 1902 added two or three more rooms and added to his stock, so that he carries about $15,000 worth of stock and his yearly sales amount to $50,000 to $60,000. He has taken a prominent part in all the affairs of the town and he it was who chose the name of Glen Karn, prefixing the word Glen to the name of Karn, Mr. Karn then owning land there which is now the property of Mr. Chenoweth. In 1910 he bought the farm where the town was started, formerly owned by Mr. Thomas, and now owns ninety-seven acres of land, three acres having been taken off this farm for the rail- road. He was largely instrumental in having a postoffice established there and in securing a good school. He has been active in bringing about many needed improvements in the community, such as good roads and proper ditching and drain- age. He has been ambitious to secure all the good things possible for Glen Karn, and works with such enthusi- asm and to such good purpose that he is wonderfully suc- cessful in his undertakings. He stands high in business and financial circles and is known to have high principles in his dealings with others. He is a Republican in politics and has served in many offices locally. He was an assessor of Ger- man township, for many years a member of the school board and at present is a member of the special district school board, being much interested in the cause of education. This is partly because he was a teacher in early life and remembers
Digitized by Google
436
DARKE COUNTY
his own ambition to gain the best education possible, and also because he is the friend of progress in everything. His first presidential vote was cast for Rutherford B. Hayes (whom he had met personally), in 1876. He is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Hollansburg, and is popular in all circles.
Six sons and two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Chenoweth, all in Darke county: Vernon E., born Jan- uary 22, 1878, married Lelah Downing, lives at Glen Karn, and their only child, a daughter Norma, who is a graduate of Hollansburg high school and of Greenville high school, will attend college the following winter, being now seventeen years of age; Oral O., born September 11, 1880, married Cora ' Skinner, lives at Owens, Ohio, and they have one son, Harold Chenoweth, six years old; Shirley D., born July 26, 1882, a resident of Glen Karn, married Lessie Pittenger, and they have a daughter, Helen, born in May, 1909; Nettie May, born December 11, 1884, married William I. Harrison, of Union City, Indiana, who is a railway mail clerk, running on the Big Four Railway from Cleveland to St. Louis; Clarence R., born October 2, 1886, of Glen Karn, married Della Foutz, and they have two sons, Howard and Lester; Harry Wesley, of Glen Karn, born June 17, 1888, married Mary Smith; Harley E., born October 5, 1893, at home, is a graduate of Ohio Wes- leyan University, took the scholarship in Jatel College with honors, and will attend college in Cleveland during the com- ing year, studying law; Sarah Idris, born January 8, 1901, has taken and passed the Patterson examination and is attending high school in Hollansburg. The wives of Vernon E. and Harry W. Chenoweth were teachers at the time of their mar- riage and are still engaged in their profession, the former hav- ing completed her twentieth year as a teacher and the latter having taught about eight years, and both are very successful in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Chenoweth are devout members of the Methodist church, and he has been a trustee many years and one of the principal supporters, and chorister for a period of thirty-five years, while she was organist for many years. Both are gifted in music, of which they are very fond, and he took a two-year course in music in college. Their daugh- ters are well known for their musical gifts. Mr. Chenoweth is regarded as the most public spirited man in his neighborhood, and is one of the best known and most poplar men of Darke county, liberal in his opinions, kind-hearted and courteous at
.
Digitized by Google
437
DARKE COUNTY
all times, and always ready to support any measure for the good of the public. He has reason to be proud of the work done by his family in the early days of the county and is much interested in the early history of the region where his entire life has been spent.
SAMUEL DULL.
Prominent among the leading factors in the upbuilding and development of Darke county's agriculural interests is found Samuel Dull, who, in addition to being the owner of Fair View farm, a handsome tract of one hundred and seventy-four acres located in Twin township, is widely engaged in the con- tracting business. A man of versatile business talents, he has won financial independence and a leading position through the exercise of good business management, judgment and foresight while as a citizen he is honored by those who have recognized in him a stanch friend of progress. Mr. Dull is a native of Darke county, having been born on a farm in Van Buren township, November 18, 1874, and is a son of W. J. and Mary (Fourman) Dull, a review of whose lives will be found in the sketch of the father on another page of this work.
Reared to agricultural pursuits, Samuel Dull was given edu- cational advantages in the public schools of Van Buren town- ship and Franklin, and received also an excellent training in the schools of experience and hard work. When not devoted to his studies, he applied himself to the tasks which fall to the lot of the farmer's son, and early showed himself to be in- dustrious and energetic, performing faithfully the duties de- volving upon him and making the most of his opportunities. When still a youth he accepted his first contract for ditching, and the successful carrying out of his agreement and the profits which accrued therefrom led him to make this work a part of his regular business. As the years have passed he has taken and fulfilled many contracts, principally of a ditching nature, and those who have had business dealings with him have every cause to place confidence in his ability and word. It was but natural that Mr. Dull should take up farming, upon which he has concentrated the major portion of his energies. For some years he was a renter, but he was finally able to purchase a small tract of land in Twin township, which formed
Digitized by Google
438
DARKE COUNTY
the nucleus for his present handsome property. At this time he has one hundred and seventy-four acres under cultivation, having been a resident of his community for seven years, and in addition to carrying on general farming does an extensive business in raising and shipping live stock. He has a hand- some set of substantial buildings, uses modern methods in his work, and is succeeding therein because of his well-applied industry.
In 1895 Mr. Dull was married to Miss Emma May Shelly, daughter of Abraham and Nancy (Lodge) Shelly, who died April 29, 1913, in the faith of the United Brethren church, of which she had long been a member. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dull, namely : Vernon S., Olive P., M. H., Hu- bert, Nancy Pauline and Martin. Mr. Dull enjoys fraternal work, and is a popular and valued member of the local lodges of the Knights of Pythias and the Masons. A Republican in politics, he has not sought public office, being contented to ex- press his good citizenship by supporting good men and meas- ures.
ELI NISWONGER.
Eli Niswonger, a highly respected citizen of Pitsburg, is a retired farmer and has a comfortable home at the corner of Madison and Harrison streets. He was born on a farm in Clay township, Montgomery county, Ohio, August 31, 1836, son of George and Elizabeth ( Warner) Niswonger. The father was born on the same farm in 1809 and was a son of John and Elizabeth (Circle) Niswonger. John Niswonger and his wife came to Darke county from Virginia in 1808 and located in the woods in Clay township, and his father, also named John, was a native of Germany. The second John was a farmer and spent the remainder of his days in Clay township. He became owner of a large tract and one of the largest landholders in Monroe township, Darke county, including the land where the town of Pitsburg now stands. He was the father of nine children who reached maturity. He died comparatively young, being in the sixties. Of his five daughters three married men of the name of Baker, two of them being brothers.
George Niswonger and his wife died in Montgomery county. Of their six children five reached maturity: David died when about sixty-five years of age; Eli is the second child; Cath-
1
Digitized by Google
1
439
DARKE COUNTY
erine married John Peffly, lived in Darke county many years and then removed to Montgomery county, where both passed away; Mary married Joseph Wenger and they live in Mont- gomery county ; Moses is a retired farmer and resides in Ore- gun. The parents of Mrs. George Niswonger were reared and married in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and there she was born and was a babe in arms when her parents came to Mont- gomery county, Ohio, with a one-horse wagon, her mother walking most of the way and carrying the young child in her arms.
Eli Niswonger received a common school education and worked for his father until attaining his majority, then at- tended school one year. He rented land of his father, who allowed him every fourth bushel of his crop of grain. On February 3, 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Coffman, a native of Montgomery county, born July 29, 1838, daughter of Jesse and Eliza (McCord) Coffman. Her parents were born, reared and married in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in 1836, driving from Pennsyl- vania with a horse and wagon. Her father worked at his trade of cooper in West Milton, Miami county, where he located when his daughter Mary was ten years old. Her great- grandfather, William McCord, was a native of North Ireland, but of Scotch ancestry, and on her father's side was of German ancestry. She is not positive, but believes his given name was George and that the family then spelled the name Kaufmann.
About five years after his marriage Mr. Niswonger located on a farm about one mile east and a half mile south of where Pitsburg now stands, in Monroe township. His father gave him eighty acres of land in the woods, where he cut and hewed logs for a house. Later he weather-boarded his house and added to it, making this his home until 1889, and adding ten acres to his land. He and his wife became parents of nine children, three of whom were born in Montgomery county, and there were two sets of twins. The first child died in in- fancy ; Ella and Bella, twins, never looked much alike, and while Ella has never weighed over ninety-seven pounds, Belle weighed one hundred sixty-five pounds; James O., a mer- chant of Columbus, is married and has three children ; George E. lives in Arcanum; Jesse and Ira, twins, who looked very much alike, the latter of whom died in infancy, and the former married and has three children and is a resident of
Digitized by Google
440
DARKE COUNTY
Pitsburg; Willie Roy is a stock dealer of Pitsburg; Granville W. died at the age of two years. Belle, mentioned above, mar- ried Arodine Isenberger, and died, leaving two children, and her twin sister, Ella, married Charles Delk, whose sketch . appears in another part of this volume.
Mr. Niswonger made a success at farming and in the man- agement of his affairs showed the effects of his excellent training in early youth. His ancestors have been thrifty and industrious and he inherited a strong desire to conduct his affairs with care and forethought. He was a Democrat in early life but has now espoused the cause of the Prohibitionists. He has served as township trustee and school director. His grandfather and father were members of the German Baptist church and his wife was reared in the Methodist Episcopal church, but feeling she was not wholly in sympathy with that belief, she began reading the Scriptures for guidance, and she and her husband, through her influence, eventually joined what was then known as the Ludlow church, now in Pits- burg. He gives his wife great credit for having the courage of her convictions and for her influence upon him in this con- nection. They have a host of friends and enjoy the respect and honor of their children and all others who know them. They worked hard in early life and now enjoy the fruits of their toil. Mr. Niswonger, though nearly seventy-eight years of age, is still able to do a man's full day's work and both he and Mrs. Niswonger are hale and hearty.
EDMOND T. BRANDENBURG.
The growth and development of Darke county has been swift and sure, and its present wealth and prosperity have re- sulted from the efforts of citizens who have been steadfast and earnest in furthering progress and advancement. One of these men, Edmond T. Brandenburg, furnishes in his career an ex- ample of tireless industry, unflagging perseverance and strict fidelity, which, when combined with good judgment and busi- ness acumen, have brought him a full measure of success. He was given no advantages in youth, outside of those to be ob- tained in the country schools, and when he entered upon his career possessed little capital save a willing pair of hands and a sturdy heart. With these and a rugged determination, he has
Digitized by Google
1
441
.
DARKE COUNTY
wrought steadily, until today he finds himself not alone the owner of a handsome farming property, but also a citizen high in the esteem of the people of Twin township, who elected him a member of the township board of trustees. Mr. Brandenburg was born January 3, 1856, in Clear Creek township, Warren county, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph and Lydia (Throck- mortin) Brandenburg. The family was founded in the Buckeye State by the grandfather of Mr. Brandenburg, Jacob Branden- burg, who came from Virginia and settled in the vicinity of Lebanon, Ohio, there continuing to be engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of a long and useful life. Joseph Brandenburg was born in Warren county and as a young man learned the trade of shoemaker, but after a number of years spent at the cobbler's bench turned his attention to agricultural pursuits on rented land. He was highly regarded for his good citizenship and was known as a man who at all times held the welfare of his community close at heart. Mr. Brandenburg married Miss Lydia Throckmortin, and they be- came the parents of four sons and three daughters: Edmond T., Hugh D., Anna, who is deceased; May, Howard, Harry, a resident of Greenville, and Leah, of Greenville township.
Edmond T. Brandenburg's boyhood experiences were much the same as those of other farmers' sons, for, when he was not attending the district schools he was employed in helping his father on the homestead. When he entered upon a career of his own he chose to accept employment by the month until he could accumulate enough capital to purchase a propery of his own. Since then, with the assistance of his capable wife, he has developed one of the handsome homes of Twin township. with a comfortable dwelling, large barns, substantial outbuild- ings and modern appurtenances and conveniences of every na- ture. His forty-acre tract is situated about two and one-half miles southwest of Arcanum, and its prosperous appearance notifies the visitor at once of the presence of careful and ca- pable management. Progress continues to mark his enter- prises, and few men have more right to the proud American title of "self-made man."
On December 16, 1877, Mr. Brandenburg was united in mar- riage with Miss Laura Judy, the estimable daughter of John and Maria (Fall) Judy. John Judy was born near German- town, Ohio, and early in life went to Preble county, where he became a farmer and land owner near New Paris. He and his wife had six children : Samuel, deceased; Catherine, Wesley,
Digitized by Google
442
DARKE COUNTY
Eliza, deceased; Laura and Ida. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brandenburg: Leroy and Sylvan, the former of whom married Alice Whitney, and the latter Lena Rose, Sylvan being the father of one child, Kenneth. Mr. Branden- burg is interested in fraternal work, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he has filled all the chairs and has represented them in great council; the Junior Order United American Mechanics and the Improved . Order of Red Men. Mr. Brandenburg and wife are members of the United Brethren church.
WILLIAM K. YOUNG.
Among the most public-spirited citizens of Pitsburg, Ohio, may be mentioned William K. Young, general merchant. He was born in Dayton, Ohio, October 8, 1865, son of Jacob B. and Martha (Kentner) Young, the father born near Reading, Berks county, Pennsylvania, September 26, 1838, and the mother a native of Montgomery county, Ohio. Jacob B. Young was reared on a farm, received a common school edu- cation, and at the age of eighteen years came to Dayton. He found employment on a farm at fifteen dollars per month, and continued this occupation until he reached his majority. He was married in June, 1860, and rented a large farm, which he operated a number of years. In 1875 the crops were a failure on account of excessive rainfall, soon after which he sold his farm and the following spring located in Twin township, Darke county, Ohio, where he operated a rented farm nine . years, and in 1882 purchased an eighty acre farm in Monroe township at a price of $6,500.00. He remained three years . longer on the rented farm and in 1885 moved to his own . home, located near the present town of Pittsburg, then merely a railway station. In the fall of 1888 he purchased a lot, 120 by 60 feet in Pitsburg, containing a residence and store build- ing, and soon afterwards put in a stock of goods. His son William K., worked in the store for a number of years and he himself continued farming. In March, 1890, the father moved. into town and William K., who in the meantime had married, moved to the farm.
While engaged in mercantile business, Jacob B. Young saw the need of a hotel in Pitsburg, also a livery, and started both .
Digitized by Google
443
DARKE COUNTY
in connection with his mercantile business, this being the first hotel there. After spending twelve years in mercantile busi- ness he sold his interest in this branch, but continued the hotel and livery business. About five years after he had sold the store it was destroyed by fire, sweeping away the hotel as well and the following spring (1906) he erected the present beauti- ful and commodious two-story and basement white pressed brick hotel, 60 by 40 feet, equipped with a water system. He continued in the hotel business until his demise, July 11, 1910, and his widow conducted the hotel until her death, November 29. 1913. Both are buried in Abbottsville cemetery. Mr. Young was a lifelong Democrat and much interested in public affairs but never sought public office. He and his wife were parents of ten children, eight sons and two daughters, viz .: Charles, a farmer by occupation, died December 20, 1904, leav- ing a widow and two children; William K., the second child, subject of this sketch; Cora, of Pitsburg, wife of Allen Spitler, has no children; John is married and is a book-keeper em- ployed in Kansas City ; Jacob C., unmarried, who lost his eye- sight in a mine explosion in Colorado, and is now a business man in Pitsburg, Ohio; Mary, wife of William North, of Pitsburg, has one child; Joseph B., a farmer of Monroe town- ship, married and to him were born six children; Levi died in childhood; Jesse died at the age of nineteen years; Ira O., of Greenville, is married and has one child.
William K. Young worked with his father until his mar- riage. February 9, 1890, to Miss Mary Katherine Tobias, of Twin township, born on a farm near Salem, Montgomery county, Ohio, October 16, 1868, daughter of Frederic and Esther (Arnold) Tobias. She was six weeks old when her parents located in Darke county. After marriage Mr. Young remained four years on the home farm, and later returned to work in his father's store in Pitsburg. eventually starting in mercantile business for himself. In 1907 he erected his pres- ent commodious and convenient two-story pressed brick com- bined residence and store, with a basement under the entire building, and having 52 feet on the principal street and 60 feet extending east and west on Harrison street. He has a com- plete water works outfit. He has taken great interest in the progress of Pitsburg and has helped every worthy enterprise there. He became a stockholder in the First National Bank which was promoted in 1909, and is always ready to give his aid in anything that he thinks will tend to better conditions in
Digitized by Google
444
DARKE COUNTY
general in his vicinity. He has never cared for public office but takes great interest in local affairs. Like his father before him, he is a Democrat in principle. He does a large business and is one of the best known and most popular men in his part of the county.
Mr. and Mrs. Young have one son, Ray E., born on the Young farm March 1, 1892. He has a good common school education and at the age of sixteen years, on first trial, passed the Paterson examination. From boyhood he has helped his father in the store and now drives the wagon four days a week, which is an important part of the business. He has inherited his father's business instinct and is of valuable assistance to his father. The family have a large number of friends.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.