USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 45
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Mr. Lickel was married in October, 1877, to Miss Jane Beam, and to this union there have been born eight children : Maud, who married Herman Shinacry, and has two children; Elta and Charles; Ed, who married Clara Yohen; Margaret, who married William White, and has had two children, Nevin and Roxey, the latter deceased; Pearl, who married Harry Gilbert; Jesse, who married Frank Searl, and has had three children, Caroline, Ruby and Alice, the first-named now de- ceased, and Thomas, Orphie and Nora, all at home.
Mr. Lickel's friend and advisor, William Gephart, born June 6, 1835, was one of the early settlers of Darke county. He was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, and moved to Preble county with his parents when a lad of six years. There he was educated and reared to young manhood, but after his marriage came to Darke county, where resided a sister, Mrs. Maria Wilson. Purchasing the present farm of Mr. Lickel, he continued to be engaged in tilling the soil all of the re- mainder of his life, and became known as one of his com- munity's substantial and public-spirited men. In politics, he was a Democrat, although he was not an office seeker. He supported all religious creeds liberally. Mr. Gephart died March 5, 1903, while his widow, who was Isabella Rex, born April 15, 1836, the daughter of Daniel Rex, died October 5, 1913.
C. G. WERT.
The entire career of the late C. G. Wert, of Twin township, was one of unflagging industry and well-merited accomplish- ment, and although he died when still in the prime of life he left his family not alone a handsome competence, but also the priceless heritage of an honorable and honored name. In all his business transactions his methods were so honorable and his principles so straightforward that he commanded the con- fidence and esteem of all, and in business, as well as in social relations, he won many friends. Mr. Wert was born at Ithaca,
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Darke county, Ohio, March 19, 1867, and was a son of Watson and Jeanette (Unger) Wert, prominent people of Darke coun- ty, where the father was widely known as a stock buyer and shipper.
After attending the common schools of his native locality, C. G. Wert turned his attention to dealing in stock, and at the time of his father's death was made manager of the Wert estate. When the affairs of this important transaction were properly settled, he became the owner of a tract of thirty- nine acres, just across the road, but disposed of this to buy a farm of forty acres in Twin township, where he spent the re- mainder of his life. Aside from business; he was widely and favorably known in the county of his nativity as a man of genuine personal worth, highly esteemed by many friends, while in his family he was a most devoted husband. He en- joyed the companionship of his fellows, belonging to the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and the Junior Order United American Mechanics.
On August 14, 1910, Mr. Wert was married to Miss Onda Crider, daughter of John and Mary (Williams) Crider. Mr. Crider, who came from Lewisburg to Darke county, was a prominent farmer and elevator owner, and also for some years a widely known educator. He and his wife were the parents of four children : Onda, Thomas, who married Edna Brown; Nellie, a professional nurse of Cleveland, Ohio, and Florence, a resident of Ithaca.
W. H. GANGER.
The life record of W. H. Ganger, the subject of our present sketch, is that of a self-made man; a man who, through his unflagging industry and undaunted perseverance, has achieved for himself not only a comfortable competence, but an enviable reputation for unswerving integrity and uncompromising honor. When secession reared its gory head and threatened the solidity of our nation, Mr. Ganger was one of the brave youths who fared forth to defend the flag and his gallant serv- ices as a soldier were only equalled by those which he rend- ered in after life as a citizen. A number of occupations have attracted his attention, and at this time he is engaged in the sale of agricultural implements at Woodington, although now somewhat retired from business activities. Mr. Ganger was
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born July 22, 1842, near Greenville, in Greenville township, Darke county, Ohio, and is a son of Daniel and Rebecca (Zech) Ganger.
George Ganger, the grandfather of W. H. Ganger, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and as a young man came to Montgomery county, Ohio, where he passed the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits. His son, Daniel Ganger, became a pioneer of Darke county, where he also followed farming and met with some success, although he died in 1848, when still in the prime of life. He married Rebecca Zach, and they became the parents of three children : W. H., Catherine, who married Arthur Swartz, and Sophia, who is deceased.
The early educational training of W. H. Ganger was secured under the tuition of John Devor, at the Armstrong school, in Jackson township, and later he attended the Brown Run school in Montgomery county, near Germantown, Ohio. His school- ing was largely received in the schools of hard work and ex- perience, as his father died when he was but six years old and it was necessary for the lad to contribute to the family's sup- port. He early adopted the vocation of farming as his life work, and was employed as a farm hand, working by the month, when the Civil war broke across the country in all its fury, and volunteers were asked to preserve the Union. Put- ting aside the implements of his peaceful occupation, Mr. Gan- ger shouldered a musket as a member of Company G, Forty- fourth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, under Captain New- kirk, and went to Springfield in Colonel Gilbert's regiment, which was sent to West Virginia and joined the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Ganger was a soldier for four years. When his original enlistment expired he veteranized in the Eighth Ohio cavalry, and his entire service was one of intense ac- tivity. The commands with which he was connected partici- pated in some of the heaviest and most sanguinary fighting of the war, including the battles in the Shenandoah Valley, and the various encounters in which Generals Rosecranz, Potter, Porter and Burnside engaged. At the battle of Beverly, Mr. Ganger was captured by the Confederates and for thirty days was confined in the notorious and loathsome Libby prison. He won the regard of his comrades and the respect of his officers, and when he received his honorable discharge none had a bet- ter record. It was exceedingly difficult, when these four stormy years had passed to settle down to the dull routine of every- day life, yet Mr. Ganger accepted conditions as he found them
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and turned his attention to the pursuits of peace. He became engaged in the general merchandise business and as a shoe dealer at Woodington, later became the owner of a sawmill, subsequently engaged in the manufacture of cigars, and finally returned to the tilling of the soil. At this time he is the owner of a well-tilled tract of fifty-three acres, lying in Brown town- ship and twenty-six acres at Woodington, where he resides. He is not engaged actively in farming now, however, owing to his advanced years, but carries on a thriving business in the sale of farm implements. In his various business enterprises, Mr. Ganger was able to succeed through industry, perseverance and well-directed effort, and his record as a business man, like that of a soldier, was a highly honorable one.
On December 31, 1865, Mr. Ganger was married to Miss Rebecca A. Mendenhall, daughter of W. B. and Mary (Bailey) Mendenhall, and to this union there were born four children : W. B., who is deceased; Mary Z., also deceased; A. M., who married Minola A. Bailey and has two children, John K. and Julia, and Ora L., who married Della M. Cox and has two children, Foster F. and Robert M.
Mr. Ganger is popular with his comrades in the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a stalwart Republican in his political views, and his religious belief is that of the Christian church, in which he is serving as deacon.
HARRY C. MYERS.
It is said that the legal profession is one of the most difficult in which to achieve success. It is doubtless true that to be a highly successful attorney requires ability of an exceptional order, and this must be backed by practical experience and thorough training. Harry C. Myers is well known both as an able lawyer and as being one of the most progressive and satisfactory mayors who ever presided over the affairs of Gettysburg, Ohio. He is a man of firm convictions, settled purpose, practical in his aim, whether as an attorney or a man, and has, therefore, advanced steadily to a high and sub- stantial professional position, having been effective also in the realization of those projects which are advanced by good citi- zens of modern tendencies. Mr. Myers was born April 14, 1886, on the old Myers homestead farm, located one-half mile
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east of Greenville, in Adams township, Darke county, and is a son of Z. T. and Lucy O. (Dershem) Myers, and a grandson of Scipio and Mary (Campbell) Myers.
John Myers, the great-grandfather of Harry Myers, fought as a soldier during the War of 1812, and following the closing of that struggle migrated to Ohio, where he became one of the first settlers of Darke county. Here he entered a farm in Adams township, and passed the remainder of his life in agri- cultural pursuits, which also commanded the attention of his son Scipio and his grandson Z. T. Myers. The latter was reared and educated in the country, where he lived an in- dustrious and active life, and was well rewarded for his faith- ful labors. When his children began to grow up around him, he came to Gettysburg in order that they might receive better educational advantages than the country afforded, and here he is still making his home with his son. There are four children in the family : Aaron L., who married Dora Neth and has two children, Emmet and Robert T .; Hugh A., who married Miss O. Cole, and Harry and Ina, who make their home with their parents.
Harry Myers was graduated from the town schools when he was sixteen years of age, following which he took special work to prepare him for college. After taking a scientific course at Ada, he began the study of law, and was graduated with his degree in 1908, at which time he settled down to practice in Gettysburg. Although still a young man, he has gained something more than a local reputation, and his con- nection with a number of prominent cases has made him a familiar figure in the courts of Darke county. True success, such as he has won, does not come to a man possessed of ability and perseverance alone. Back of these necessary qual- ifications must be devotion to clients and honesty of purpose which looks beyond the mere winning of one case to the client's future. Counsel and advice which money cannot pay for, and which never appear in the attorney's bill for services, must be ever present.
A Republican in his political views, Mr. Myers has served Gettysburg two terms in the capacity of mayor, and in that office gained a reputation as a man who could get results. He chose his assistants and advisers purely from the standpoint of practical efficiency, which primarily implied industry, faith- fulness, honesty and experience. The result was that he was able to achieve much for his city's benefit and he has continued
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to hold its interests closely at heart. He is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church. The following are names, dates of birth and of the deaths of some of Mr. Meyers's ancestors : Jane Hart Campbell, born October 7, 1816, died August 11, 1822; Rebecca Campbell, born July 10, 1818, died November 23, 1840; Mary Campbell (Myers), born May 27, 1820, died September 24, 1892; Elizabeth Stewart Campbell, born Feb- ruary 26, 1822, died May, 1861; Jane Hart Campbell, born May 10, 1824, died April, 1896; Hugh Alexander Campbell, born August 7, 1826, died January 22, 1909; Nancy Bell Camp- bell (Stoltz), born August 14, 1828; died April 1, 1906; David M. Campbell, born April 13, 1831, died October, 1902; Florence McClain Campbell, born Sept. 4, 1833, died Nov. 12, 1833; infant sister, born September 4, 1833, died September 4, 1833; James Armstrong Campbell, born September 13, 1834, died February 16, 1888; Armstrong Campbell, born April 30, 1784, died May 16, 1865; Margaret J. Campbell, born May 4, 1792, died December 23, 1867.
Stewart Family : Margaret Stewart, born May 4, 1792, died December 23, 1867; James Stewart, born December 5, 1756, died March 5, 1819; Jane Stewart, born June, 1755 (first wife), died February 19, 1798; Elizabeth Stewart, born July 4, 1763 (second wife), died December 12, 1821; William Stewart, born February 25, 1781, died April 24, 1808; David Stewart, born May 24, 1784; John Stewart, born January 4, 1786; James Stewart, born February 4, 1788; Andrew Stewart, born Jan- uary 29, 1790; Jane Stewart, born August 17, 1794.
WILLIAM H. HORNER.
Seventeen continuous years in the office of postmaster is the record of William H. Horner of Gettysburg, Ohio, who is also prominently identified with the commercial interests of this city. Both as public official and business man his record has been above reproach, and the high esteem in which he is universally held by his fellow citizens has been gained through honorable and straightforward dealing. Mr. Horner is a native son of Darke county, having been born on a farm in Adams township. about one and one-half miles southwest of Green- ville, and is a son of Alexander and Mary (Reck) Horner. (31)
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Alexander Horner, the paternal grandfather of William H. Horner, was a farmer of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, but felt that he could better his condition in the new State of Ohio, and accordingly drove through to Darke county in pioneer style, bringing with him his wife, Elizabeth (Agnew) Horner, and their children. At the time of this migration his son Alexander, who had been born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, was a lad, and in the home locality received his education in the subscription schools. He adopted farming for his life work, and became one of his community's sub- stantial and successful citizens. He married Mary Reck, whose father came from near Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, en- tered land from the government, but made three trips back to the Keystone State before finally deciding to settle perma- nently in Adams township. Seven children were born to Alexander and Mary Horner, namely: Nancy, who is de- ceased; Sarah J., who married a Mr. Harmon and has nine children; James A., who married Jane VanLue and has one child ; William H., born August 1, 1856; Silas I., who mar- ried Dollie Welsh and has five children; Mary, who married Mr. Seaman, and Clair, who married H. Dershem.
William H. Horner began his education in Black Top school district No. 8, when he was seven years of age, and there se- cured excellent advantages this being one of Adams township's best schools and always employing learned educators, among whom was Martha Keeform. At the age of twenty-one years he entered upon a career of his own. He had been reared to agricultural pursuits, and at this time became a renter, sub- sequently purchasing about forty acres of good land in Adams township. He farmed for about five years and then came to Gettysburg to take up bridge contracts, as well as those for gravel pikes, and eventually turned his attention to the grocery business in 1886. He has been successfully conduct- ing a store ever since, and now handles all kinds of general merchandise. In 1897 he received from president Mckinley the appointment to the office of postmaster, and through all these years he has faithfully discharged the duties of his of- fice. Mr. Horner is a man universally liked. Although at all times a busy man he is easily approachable. He is one of Gettysburg's most public spirited and progressive citizens, and no movement for the real advancement of the city is launched that does not receive his active and hearty co-operation, and where the project is one that requires financial subscription
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his gift is always a liberal one. While he belongs to no par- ticular church, he has ever been ready to aid worthy religious and charitable movements. His political faith is that of the Republican party.
Mr. Horner was united in marriage with Miss Mary L. Willis, daughter of Lemuel L. and Abigail (Martin) Willis, and to this union there have been born five children: Ruby M., who is deceased; Daisy, who married Ira Boyer, and has one daughter, Gertrude; Mack; Hazel, who married Mose Etter, and Helen, who married Harry L. Kent.
N .. R. BAYMAN.
For a quarter of a century N. R. Bayman has been carrying on agricultural pursuits in Brown township, and at this time he is the owner of a well-tilled tract of eighty acres, located on the Bayman road, about two miles northeast of Ansonia, Ohio, in addition to which he owns land in York township. In the management of his property he has displayed discern- ment and unfaltering energy, and his land has always brought him goodly, returns in the shape of bounteous harvests. Mr. Bayman was born in York township, Darke county, Ohio, April 8, 1862, and is a son of Washington and Sarah Jane (York) Bayman. His father was born on a farm in Wayne township, near Versailles, Ohio, there received a common school education, and was reared to farming, which occupied his attention throughout his life. He and his wife were the parents of ten children, as follows : Mrs. Martha Berry, who is deceased; Irvin of Beamsville, Ohio; N. R., Thomas, Frank, and Charles of Larue, Ohio; John; Pearl, who is unmarried, and Idella and an infant, both deceased.
N. R. Bayman received his education in the country schools of York township, and, as was the custom with farmers' sons of his day, helped his father with the farm work when not en- gaged in prosecuting his studies. At the time of his marriage, he became a renter in York township and later was similarly engaged on a property in Richland township, but he was al- ways ambitious to own a farm of his own, and saved his earn- ings carefully with this end in view. In 1890 he found himself possessed of sufficient capital to secure his present farm, and this he has continued to cultivate to the present time. He has
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good buildings, modern machinery, first-class improvements of every kind, and makes every acre of his land pay him hand- somely for the work expended upon it. Among his associates Mr. Bayman is known as a man of strict integrity and his record entitles him to recognition as one of the representative men of his township. Mr. Bayman is a Democrat in politics and for some years has served capably as a member of the board of school directors. He is a member of the Christian church, the movements of which he supports liberally, and no worthy charity appeals to him in vain.
On December 29, 1887, Mr. Bayman was married to Miss Ella Coppess, daughter of Jacob and Clara (Plessinger) Cop- pess, and to this union there have been born three children, namely : Harold, Lowell and Claire.
GEORGE W. TEEGARDEN.
The rich agricultural resources of Darke county have af- forded to George W. Teegarden the opportunities for success in life, and for the past forty-five years he has been engaged in cultivating the Teegarden farm, a tract of one hundred acres of fine land in Brown township, on the Fort Recovery road, about three miles west of Ansonia and about nine miles north of Greenville. He was born on this property, January 23, 1849, and is a son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Stephenson) Teegarden.
In 1688, in Prussia, was born Abraham Teegarden, Sr., and to him was born a son who was also named Abraham Tee- garden, Jr. He was born in 1718. These two came to the United States in 1736 and located in Philadelphia, Pa., where they "qualified," or, as we would now say, became naturalized citizens. Later in life both did military duty and it has been said in Revolutionary war, but it would seem that Abraham Teegarden, Sr., would have been almost too old to have seen active service at that time.
In that State was born Moses Teegarden in 1762, a son of Abraham, Jr. As his father and grandfather had been the founders of the family in America so he became the founder of the family in Butler county, Ohio. He settled near Oxford. He was grandfather of our subject, George W. Teegarden and to him was born a son Abraham in Butler
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county, September 5, 1797. His mother's maiden name was Mary Huston. This was the father of George W. and was reared in Butler county and in young manhood moved to Darke county in 1819 being about twenty-two years of age. On October 4, 1827, he was married to Elizabeth K. Stephen- son, who was born in Boone county, Kentucky, March 4, 1808. She came to Darke county, Ohio, with her parents in 1816. These two spent the remainder of their lives in agricultural pursuits in Brown township. They were both members in the Presbyterian church and as followers of the meek and lowly Jesus they were always ready to help the poor and needy and to lend a helping hand to those who were sick. They became the owners of nine hundred and twenty acres of land in Brown and Jackson townships. They were the parents of the follow- ing children : David H., born December 7, 1828, now deceased; Mary Ellen, deceased; James M., who served as a Union sol- dier, in Company K, Ninety-fourth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry during the war and died in the service; Moses, born April 9, 1836, and died January 22, 1914; Andrew P., born Sep- tember 13, 1838, served in the Civil war and is now deceased ; Matilda, born March 11, 1841, now deceased; John W., born January 5, 1844, served as a Union soldier during the war and died August 9, 1904; Elizabeth Ellen, born September 7, 1846, now deceased; George W., of this review, and Jasper, born March 23, 1852, now deceased.
George W. Teegarden received his education in Brown township school district No. 3 in winter and on the home farm during the summer months, where the lessons he learned while assisting the father and brothers in cultivating the farm were of no less importance than the ones he learned at school. When about nineteen years of age he spent a year in the west in the two States of Illinois and Iowa. He then returned to the home farm and has since then made his home and has met with a fair degree of success cultivating the farm where he now lives.
On March 19, 1885, he was married to Miss Rhoda Rants, daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Knapp) Rants. Her father was born April 30, 1815. He served in Union army and died June 12, 1895. Her mother was born January 23, 1820, and died No- vember 25, 1878. Mr. Rants was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and when a youth of eighteen years came to Fort Recovery, Ohio, and there learned the trade of tailor. At the time of his death he was one of the honored citizens and
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successful business men of Collett, Indiana. He and his wife were the parents of nine children : Marietta, Babe and John, all deceased; Emaline married James Macy; David married Margaret Cunningham; Sarah married Rev. Thomas Beaber; Rhoda married George W. Teegarden; Lorinda married Jack- son Adkins, and Susan married Joel Pickard. Mr. and Mrs. George W. Teegarden have one daughter, Zona, born on home farm on August 11, 1887. She first attended the school where her father had attended in his boyhood days after she took the Patterson examination she received a diploma June 10, 1905. Later she took a one-year course at the Ansonia, Ohio, high school. On August 10, 1912, she was married to George H. Jenkinson, a farmer, who is managing the Teegarden farm. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkinson have one son, Abraham Teegarden Jenkinson, born June 26, 1913, on the Teegarden farm, which his great grandfather, Abraham Teegarden, entered from United States government in 1819. In politics Mr. Teegarden is a Republican and in all of life's relations he stands for those things which work for upright manhood, for loyalty in citizen- ship and for fidelity in friendship.
JOYCE W. VANLUE, M. D.
Although but a recent acquisition to the ranks of the medi- cal fraternity of Darke county, Dr. Joyce W. VanLue has already attracted attention to himself by reason of his profes- sional skill and inherent talents, and as a result his practice is steadily increasing. Dr. VanLue's entire professional career has been passed in Gettysburg, where he is known as a pro- gressive and public-spirited citizen. He is a native son of Darke county, having been born October 5, 1891, on a farm in Adams township, and is a son of F. M. and Mary Ann (Reck) VanLue. His father was born in Butler county, went to the country school, and as a young man adopted farming as his life work. He and his wife were the parents of six children : Noble and Vinnie, who are deceased; Viola, Ge- nevieve, Lottie and Joyce W.
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