USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 42
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HOMER BROWN.
Nearly two decades have passed since Homer Brown cast in his fortuntes with the inhabitants of Darke county, and dur- ing all these years his name has been a synonym for sterling citizenship and strict integrity. The architect of his own for- tunes, Mr. Brown has builded well, and at this time is the owner of a handsome eighty-acre property, in Twin town- ship, which has been developed under his care and supervision into one of the most valuable of its size here, but while he has been thus busily engaged, he has not neglected the needs of his community, and his public-spirited support of all that tends to make for advancement well merits him notice in a review of his community's representative citizens. Mr. Brown is a native Ohioan, having been born in Preble county, in 1867, a son of Nelson and Louisa (Diller) Brown. His father was born at West Manchester, Ohio, was a farmer throughout his life and owned valuable property in Harrison township. He was a man of industry, demonstrated his good citizenship in many ways, and by his pleasant personality surrounded him- self with a number of sincere friends. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were the parents of seven children, as follows: Rillie, Homer, Jennie, who married D. Howell; Ira, Levi, who is deceased; Katharine and Bessie.
Mr. Brown's boyhood was spent much the same as that of other farmers' lads of his day and vicinity, the winter terms finding him an earnest student in the public schools of the
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various localities in which the family resided, while during the rest of each year he helped his father to plow, sow and reap, and in this way secured the training which has made him a successful farmer. His early years were for the greater part passed in Preble county, where he accepted such hon- orable employment as came his way, chiefly in Harrison town- ship, and at all times made the most of his opportunities, so that when he came to Darke county, in 1895, he was possessed of some small capital. At first he engaged in farming as a renter, continuing to practice thrift and industry, but later bought his present farm and has since continued as one of the progressive men of his section. He has good buildings, made improvements of a modern and substantial character, and in the cultivation of his fields has used the most up-to-date methods. He has made a thorough study of the calling to which he has devoted his life, and continues to keep abreast of the various advancements which modern agriculture is making.
Mr. Brown was married in Preble county to Miss Clara Pundt, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Ryder) Pundt, and they have two children: Victor and Ralph, both of whom re- side with their parents. In his political views Mr. Brown is a Democrat, but the arduous duties of his agricultural work have precluded the idea of his entering actively in political affairs even had he any desire for preferment, and he contents himself with merely acting the part of a good citizen. His re- ligious connection is with the Lutheran church.
HARRY A. FELLERS.
A member of the younger generation of agriculturists of Darke county, reared to agricultural pursuits and possessed of a thorough knowledge of the value of modern methods, Harry A. Fellers is making his twenty-five-acre farm, known as Ce- dar Crest, pay him a full measure of profit for the labor ex- pended upon it. It is true that the pioneers of this section claimed and developed the ground here from the wilderness of nature, but it is likewise a fact that were it not for the earnest and industrious efforts of such men as Mr. Fellers, Darke county would not be in the prosperous and flourishing condi- tion it now is, and which makes it one of the leading farming communities of the Buckeye State.
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Mr. Fellers is familiar with soil and climatic conditions of Twin township, as he has resided here all of his life, having been born on the farm which he now occupies, September 30, 1881. He is a son of John and Sarah J. (Cain) Fellers, the former of whom was born in Augusta county, Virginia, and came to Darke county as a baby with his parents, John and Susannah (Fauber) Fellers. The father spent the active years of his career as a farmer, met with a satisfactory measure of success in his operations, and won the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens because of his industry and strict integrity. He and his wife were he parents of eleven children, of whom the following grew to maturity : Ella, who married Mr. John Richmond; Lizzie, who married Mr. S. H. Cloyd; Jeannetta, who married Robert C. Howell of Butler township; Anna, who married Mr. Calvin Wolf; Jocie, who married William Robbins; Iva, who married Mr. S. Morley; Cora, who became the wife of John Eyer of Butler township, and Jesse, who mar- ried Orville Howell of Butler township, and Harry A.
Harry A. Fellers received his early education in the Sochium school, and this was subsequently supplemented by attendance at the public schools of Arcanum. While a student, he spent his spare time in working on the home farm, but also learned the vocation of telegrapher, which he followed for a short time. The greater part of his energies have been concentrated upon farm work, and through good management he has been able to make the most of his opportunities and to win a recognized place among the substantial men of his locality. Although general farming has received the greater part of his attention, he has also had some experience in raising stock, and each year ships a number of cattle and hogs to the markets.
On November 1, 1905, Mr. Fellers was married to Miss Nellie Lynch, daughter of John and Ida (Fourman) Lynch, and one child has been born to this union, Hettie Juanita, who is deceased. Mr. Fellers is a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, in which he has many friends. He is a consistent member of the United Brethren church, supports its movements and in every way endeavors to con- tribute to the progress of good citizenship and morality in his community.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Fellers are quite influential Sunday school workers, being teachers in the Ithaca United Brethren school. Mr. Fellers has been teaching a class for fifteen years, and has done much toward winning souls to Christ.
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FRANK FELLERS.
Frank Fellers belongs to an old and honored family of Darke county, the members of which have won merited place in the confidence of the community because of their industry and probity. For the greater part they have been connected with agricultural pursuits, and in this field of endeavor Mr. Fellers has concentrated his entire energies. He was born on a farm known as the old Kemp farm, and lived there one year. He has passed his entire life upon the farm which he now occupies, a tract of fifty-eight acres, located on the Ithaca turnpike, about two miles northwest of Ithaca, in Twin town- ship, and his management of his affairs has been so well di- rected that he is now accounted a man of substance and re- liability. Mr. Fellers was born on the farm which he is now cultivating, in 1874, and is a son of George and Jane (Crom- well) Fellers. His father was born in Butler county, Ohio, and was a lad when he accompanied the grandparents, John and Susan Fellers, natives of Pennsylvania, to Darke county. The father completed his education in the public schools of Twin township, early adopted farming as his vocation, and continued to center his interests in that field throughout the active years of a long and useful life. He and his wife were the parents of five children: Josie and James, both of whom are deceased; Martha, who married Mr. McCowen; Frank, and Effie, who became the wife of William Pyles.
The country schools of Twin township furnished Frank Fellers with his educational advantages, and his business training was secured upon the home farm. He was early made his father's assistant and taught lessons of practical usefulness, learned the value of integrity and honorable dealing and adopted the methods of the modern school of agriculture. Thus he was well prepared when he entered upon a career of his own, and the community which has known him for more than thirty-nine years now numbers him among its most substantial men. Like many of the progressive men of his community, Mr. Fellers devotes a part of his attention to the raising of cat- tle, and also has a number of valuable Belgian horses. His attention, however, is chiefly devoted to general farming and to making improvements on his already valuable property. His buildings are substantial and of handsome architecture, fitted with modern conveniences and appurtenances, his machinery is of the most improved character, and his stock is sleek and
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content. In his political belief Mr. Fellers has always sup- ported the principles and candidates of the Republican party, but has not cared to enter the field as a candidate for public favors, being satisfied to prove his good citizenship in other ways. With his family, he attends the United Brethren church.
In 1898 Mr. Fellers was united in marriage with Miss Chloe Rose, daughter of Taylor Rose, an old resident of Twin town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Fellers are the parents of six children, as follows : Nellie, Carl, Merlin, Blanche, Glenn and Sherill. The children are being given good educational advantages and pre- pared to honorably fill the positions to which they may be called in life.
JOSEPH STUTZ.
The owner of a fine tract of forty-seven acres of tobacco land, situated one and one-half miles southeast of Arcanum, Joseph Stutz is known as one of the substantial agriculturists of Darke county, Ohio, and has also made a decided success of his building operations, many fine structures in the county evidencing his skill and good workmanship. Mr. Stutz has resided on his present property for more than fifteen years and is well known to the people of Twin township, having gained widespread confidence and respect by his honorable dealing and public-spirited citizenship. He is a native of the Buckeye State, having been born in Henry county, December 17, 1863, and is a son of John and Amanda (Shell) Stutz. His father was born in Warren county and his mother in Butler county, Ohio, and both were young people when they moved to Henry county. Some time after their marriage they took up their residence in Twin township, and here passed the remainder of their lives in agricultural pursuits. They were the parents of twelve children, as follows: Mary Smith, who is now deceased; George, a resident of Preble county, Ohio; Joseph; Lewis, who is engaged in farming in Twin township, south, and one-half mile west of his brother Joseph's farm; Irene, who married Eli Howell, of Preble county ; Alice, who is deceased; Arthur, who is engaged in farming in Twin township, west of Ithaca; Jacob O., living at Findlay, Ohio; Bertha C .; Ray, who is deceased; Mrs. Elizabeth Baker; and Omar.
Joseph Stutz was but a child when he accompanied his
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parents from the vicinity of Defiance to Twin township, and here he secured his educational advantages in school district No. 8. This he attended during the short winter terms, but his summer months were not idle, as his services were constantly in demand upon the old home place. He grew to sturdy man- hood and gained a thorough knowledge of farming, so that at the age of twenty years he was well qualified to enter upon a career of his own as a day laborer, continuing as such for some time. Later, however, he returned to the homestead and engaged in raising tobacco, subsequently learning the trade of carpenter, which he followed for some thirteen years. In 1898 he purchased a tract of forty-seven acre, located one and one-half miles southeast of Arcanum, and here he has de- veloped an excellent farm for the raising of tobacco, although he still engages more or less in carpenter work, and travels extensively all over the county in raising buildings. He is thoroughly progressive, enterprising and energetic, and through his own efforts has made a place for himself among the substantial men of his community.
On January 13, 1893, Mr. Stutz was married to Miss Cal- lie Sarver, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, a daugh- ter of Peter Sarver, and to this union there have been born five children, as follows: Charles, who is deceased; Herbert; Howard; Mabel and Roscoe. Mr. and Mrs. Stutz are members of the Lutheran church, in the work of which both have been active.
JOHN EYER.
Progress has gripped every field; the live, energetic men in each line have grasped opportunity and with it have brought forth gratifying results. Every vocation is developing, the world-old occupations which for centuries have seemed to have been brought to their highest degree of efficiency, have, in these modern years, been shown to have been but in their in- fancy. The land that a few years ago produced but a mininum per cent. of profit for the labor expended upon it now yields an hundred-fold for the sturdy men who till its soil intelli- gently. It matters little how large or how small a man's tract of land may be; the acreage is the last thing to take into con- (29)
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sideration when one is seeking for the reason of achievement attained. In this latter connection we may cite the example of John Eyer, of Butler township, whose sixty acres, properly developed, have given him firm footing among the men to whom Darke county owes its indebtedness for its well-won title of "up-to-date."
John Eyer was born in Warren county, Ohio, and is a son of Robert and Melissa (Drayer) Eyer, and a grandson of John R. Eyer. His father, a farmer, spent the greater part of his active life in Warren county, where, through industry, enter- prise and thrift he accumulated a competence. Robert and Me- lissa Eyer were the parents of the following children: Mary; Valentine; John, of this review; Frank, a resident of Preble county, Ohio; Clarence and Fred, residents of Butler town- ship, and Claire.
Like most of the farmers' sons of his day and locality, John Eyer divided his time between attending the district schools in the winter months and assisting his father on the home farm during the rest of the year. He eagerly grasped the opportuni- ties offered him in the line of education, proving himself an earnest scholar, and was no less earnest and industrious in as- similating the knowledge given him by his father in the line of agriculture. He considered his farm work part of his edu- cation, and his father came to rely upon him absolutely, so that he was given responsibilities granted to few youths of his years. Thus thoroughly prepared, he entered upon a career of his own when he had reached years of maturity, with the added self-reliance that he had gained by working among strangers, and the contented feeling that he had assisted ma- terially in supporting his parents. For six years he worked as a renter, but after his marriage, in 1900, located upon his present property, in Butler township, which he has since brought up to the highest state of cultivation. Mr. Eyer is progressive in his ideas, in his operations and in his methods. He firmly believes that so much work should produce just so much profit-and, what is better, he makes his belief count for something. In proof of this statement his well-tilled fields, his substantial buildings and the general air of prosperity which hovers about his homestead, will amply testify. In political matters a Democrat, he has been too busily engaged in work- ing out his own affairs to attempt to work out those of the party as an officeseeker, although he at all times takes a deep interest in those things which democracy promotes for the
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betterment of the community. He enjoys the companionship of his fellows and is popular among the members of the Knights of Pythias, being a member of the lodge at Castine. His religious belief is that of the United Brethren church.
Mr. Eyer was married in 1900 to Miss Cora Fellers, and to this union there have been born two children: Robert, at- tending school No. 5, and Harry.
WILLIAM A. LAYER, M. D.
Holding in high esteem the duties and responsibilities which his position involves, and more than ordinarily succeeding as a medical practitioner and surgeon, Dr. W. A. Layer is widely known in professional circles of Darke county, Ohio, and more especially in the city of Castine, which has been his field of practice for some years. Doctor Layer is one whom it may be said has been wise in his choice of vocations, possessing the broad and thorough knowledge that years of experience bring, an inherent love for medicine and surgery, and a kind and sympathetic nature without which the practitioner cannot hope for a full measure of success. He is a native of the Buck- eye State, having been born on the old Daniel Fournier farm in Darke county, in the vicinity of Arcanum, October 28, 1868, and is a son of George and Elizabeth ( Niswonger) Layer.
George Layer early adopted the occupation of farming as the medium through which to gain competence and position, and through a life of industry, energy and well-directed effort rose to the foremost ranks among the agriculturists of Darke county. During his latter years he lived a retired life and made his home at Covington, where he was buried. He was married (first) to Elizabeth Niswonger, who died after the birth of three children : Dr. W. A .; Susella, who married a Mr. Burnett ; and Harvey J., who married Bridget Kehoe and had five children, John, Margaret, Elizabeth, George and Kath- rine. Harvey was killed in an accident on the Panhandle rail- road at Piqua, Ohio. George Layer was married (second) to Mrs. Catherine (Landis) Stauffer, who had three children by a former marriage, and they became the parents of one child.
When he was seven years of age, W. A. Layer was taken by his father to Miami county, Ohio, and there his education
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commenced in the public schools. Subsequently he attended the Bradford high school, and secured a teacher's certificate, although he never exercised his privilege as an educator. For his preparatory course, he attended a school in Lebanon, Ohio, after leaving which he became a student in the Balti- more, Md., Medical College, from which institution he was graduated in 1895, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. After six months spent as an interne, Doctor Layer entered Mercer county, and one year later returned to Darke county and opened offices at Hillgrove. In 1896 and 1897 the Doctor went to Chicago and took the post-graduate course at the Chicago Polyclinic College. Subsequently he came to Castine. which has since been his field of endeavor, and here he has built up a fine practice. No vocation offers opportunity for greater genuine service to mankind than that of the doctor of medicine, and the physician who fully appreciates his re- sponsibilities and conscientiously responds to every call made upon him is a public benefactor in the highest sense of the term. Such a man Doctor Layer has shown himself to be. Purity of mind, lofty ideals and unselfish devotion to the welfare of others have been manifested strikingly throughout the time he has been practicing at Castine, and in turn he is esteemed and respected by those with whom he comes into contact. He keeps fully abreast of the progress made in his profession by maintaining membership in the Darke county and Ohio State medical societies, and by subscription to the leading journals of medicine and surgery. He enjoys fra- ternal work, and is popular with his fellow members in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Ithaca, the Knights of Pythias, at Castine, and the Knights of the Golden Eagles. His support is freely given to all religious and charitable movements. The Doctor has been active in those affairs which have had to do with the advancement of Castine's in- terests, and at the present time is serving efficiently as a member of the city council.
On October 20, 1897, Doctor Layer was married to Miss Estella White, daughter of E. C. and Mary (Cox) White, and to this union there has been adopted one daughter, Edna May.
Mrs. Layer was born in Darke county near Greenville and her ancestors on maternal side were pioneers of Darke county, coming when Darke county was settled by the Indians. His grandfather, Jesse Cox, was one of the first, if not the first, white child born in Washington township.
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NORMAN TILLSON IRELAN.
Norman T. Irelan belongs to one of Darke county's older families and is one of the largest landowners in Harrison town- ship. He lives on the outskirts of Hollansburg, in the house built by his father in 1882, and has retired from active farm- ing. He was a teacher in early life and has been interested in the cause of education and every movement which would work for the good of the community, all his life. He has always been one of the more substantial and prominent citi- zens, as was his father before him, and has been influential among his fellow-townsmen. He is president of the People's Banking Company of Hollansburg and his name stands for business integrity wherever found. He has been associated with Hollansburg all his life and was born there December 14, 1851, son of Aaron Abel and Phoebe (Tillson) Irelan. The father, more familiarly known as "A. A." was born in Preble county, Ohio, September 12, 1818, and died July 26, 1910, having spent all his active life farming in Harrison township. He also run a huckster wagon to Cincinnati for a few years and had a general store at Stewartsville a little town below the present site of Hollansburg, but when the latter town was started he moved his store and stock to that town and kept his business there until 1856. He was prominent in local af- fairs and served as justice of the peace for some ten years and as township trustee for several years. His wife, who was born in Harrison township April 15, 1830, died May 5, 1913, and both were buried in Hollansburg cemetery. They had nine children, all born in Harrison township, five of whom died in childhood, and of the other four two now survive: Norman T. was the fourth child in order of birth; William T., who was a teacher in the Greenville schools and resided in Hollansburg, died some eight or ten years ago; Clara Leona, wife of O. L. Downing, of German township, died in August, 1912; Cora Williams lives in Omaha, Nebraska, with her son Guy. The mother of these children was a member of the Christian church.
After completing the course in the Hollansburg school and during 1870-71 attending school in Greenville two terms, Mr. Irelan took up teaching as a profession, and since that time has continued his education by reading and observation. From the age of eighteen years he taught six years and then on account of poor health decided to take up some other occupa-
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tion. He was of great assistance to his father in the man- agement of his business affairs. He spent four years farming in German township and in 1882 returned to Harrison town- ship, since his home. He carried on a farm one mile south . of Hollansburg from 1882 to 1906, then located at Hollans- burg to be able to care for his aged parents, and still lives on his father's farm. He was of much comfort to his parents during their last days and was always a dutiful son. He owns 214 acres of choice farming land, with the house he occupies and another one across the road. He feeds many head of stock and carries on a line of diversified farming. He is a Democrat in politics and cast his first presidential ballot for Winfield Hancock. He has served in various local offices : Was township trustee fifteen years, town clerk four years, and for ten years was president of the school board during which time Hollansburg high school and schools Nos. 11 and 12 were erected. He has been president of the bank since it was or- ganized in 1902. He and his wife are members of the Chris- tian church and he is clerk of same. He became a chorister of the church at the age of eighteen years and continues in this position at the present time. In teaching he interested his pupils in music, taught them to read it and have a taste for good music. He is one of the best vocal and instrumental music teachers in the town and inherited his taste in this direction. His first teacher in music was the wife of Dr. Book- walter, of Greenville, whom he succeeded in later years. Mr. Irelan is a leader in the community by reason of his upright life and his career is one any young man might follow with interest and profit, hoping to win as good a standing in his locality.
Mr. Irelan was married March 18, 1875, to Miss Clara Medora Turner, born January 15, 1855, daughter of L. G. and Sarah (Endsley) Turner, both deceased. Mr. Turner was born in Wayne county, Indiana, July 19, 1831, and died Octo- ber 16, 1909, and Mrs. Turner was born March 3, 1835. Mr. Turner was a farmer and came to Darke county in the spring of 1864. He is buried in Hollansburg cemetery. They had two sons and two daughters: Mrs. Irelan; Percy LaRue, of Greenville; Charles B. died at the age of two years; Rose A., wife of Henry Wolfal, of Darke county. Mr. Turner served as justice of the peace several years before his death, for some years was mayor of Hollansburg, and was highly respected.
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