USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 48
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
Digitized by Google
508
DANKE COUNTY
forebears passed through the vital drama which turned Ohio into a paradise for the homeseeker, and feels a personal pride in its development, especially that of Darke county. A man of conservative ideas, he carefully considers each matter that comes up for solution, bringing to bear upon it a ripened judg- ment and broad experience gained along several channels of employment, and having decided, he takes action, abiding by his decision for it is based upon what he believes will ulti- mately work out for the best of all concerned. Such a man is a valuable addition to any community. and Greenville, like her sister county capitals, has reason to rejoice because of the location in her of so many of the retired farmers of the sur- rounding country.
The birth of Oscar Moist took place on a farm in Clay township, Montgomery county, Ohio, June 1, 1855, he being a son of John and Elizabeth (Gish) Moist, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania. There he met and married, his wife also being a Pennsylvanian, and soon after the ceremony, they moved to Ohio, arriving in the State in 1833, settling first in Auglaize county, but after a couple of years moved to Mont- gomery county. At this time Indians were still to be found, and pioneer conditions prevailed. The family underwent many hardships before the birth of Oscar, who was next to the . youngest in a family of ten children. By the time he was born, conditions had become somewhat better, and had it not been that he lost his father when he was four years old, he prob- ably would have been given many of the comforts of life in his boyhood. There was such a difference in his age and that of the first born children, that two of them were married be- fore the father passed away. The widowed mother kept her children together as long as she could, but when Oscar was ten years old, she had to let her little son go among strangers. She lived to be sixty-four years old, dying in 1882.
Although only a child, Oscar Moist began earning his own living at the youthful age of ten years, and at the same time managed to secure a fair common school education. When fifteen years old he decided to learn carriage painting, but after a year, in 1868, went to live with one of his brothers. Dr. A. R. Moist, who was located north of Dayton, Ohio, and re- mained with him until 1872. In that year he came to Darke county and secured employment in a tile plant of Butler town- ship. After two years he went to Miami county, Ohio, and spent a year on a farm, but in 1875, returned to Darke county
Digitized by Google
509
DARKE COUNTY
and resumed his work at the tile plant. Still later he bought seventy acres of land one-half a mile from old Fort Jefferson, which is four and one-half miles south of Greenville, Ohio, on which he lived until his removal to Greenville when he re- tired from active participation in agricultural work. First bought eighteen-acre tract in Butler township in 1883, then, in 1898, moved to Adams township and bought sixty-seven acres and resided there two years. Then, in 1900, bought fifty acres in Neave township and resided there seven years. Then sold and bought seventy acres near Fort Jefferson and resided there until 1913, when he came to Greenville.
On January 7, 1877, Oscar Moist was united in marriage with Miss Josephine Rose, who was born and reared in Butler township, this county. She is a daughter of Samuel and Julian (Bobenmyer) Rose. Mr. Rose was born at Bedford, Pennsylvania, while his wife was born in Berks county, Penn- sylvania. They were residents of Butler county, Ohio, when they married, but in 1856, left there for Darke county, becom- ing heavy landowners in this locality. Rose's Corner was named for Mr. Rose, who conducted a general store at the cross-roads, as well as operated his farm, being a man of more than average ability. His death occurred about 1878, but his widow survived him until 1898. Mrs. Moist is next to the youngest in a family of five children, all of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Moist became the parents of the following children : Ella, who married Ira V. McGriff, a farm- er of Twin township, has one child, Dale M .; Russel O., who married Rosie Ratcliff, has one child, Alice, and they live on Mr. Moist's farm in Neave township; and Talba, who married Joshua Delaplane, lives on a farm in Neave township, and has one child, Rosella.
A Republican, Mr. Moist served as road supervisor of Butler township, and for two years was a trustee of Neave township. In 1910 he was appraiser of real estate, and in that fall was elected county commissioner with a majority of 585 votes, serving until September, 1913. In the fall of the latter year he was a candidate for re-election, but as the coun- ty went overwhelmingly democratic, he was defeated by 150 votes, which was in reality a triumph personally, as the party majority was 2,000. It was owing to his individual popularity that he was elected in the first place, for Darke county is es- sentially a democratic stronghold, and those of another poli- tical faith have but little chance save through appreciation of
Digitized by Google
510
DARKE COUNTY
their fitness for the office regardless of party lines. Fraternal- ly, Mr. Moist is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, belonging to Little Turtle Tribe No. 119, and he is also a member of the Knights of Pythias of Arcanum, Ohio. While Mr. Moist has practically retired, turning over much of his work to younger shoulders, he keeps in close touch with the life of his community, and is ready to pass upon measures affecting the welfare of the people.
WILLIAM IRWIN SWARTZ.
A faithful performance of the duty at hand brings its own re- ward, and places the man who holds to this rule among the re- liable people of his community. William Irwin Swartz has made this the rule of his life, and whether upon his widowed mother's farm, assisting her, or in his present position as janitor of the North School building of Greenville, Ohio, he has never failed to live up to what he thought was right, or to try and evade responsibilities resting upon his shoulders. Such a course has gained for him a grateful consideration, and he stands well with his associates. Mr. Swartz was born on a farm just north of Greenville, Ohio, February 10, 1865, a son of Hezekiah and Ann (Irwin) Swartz.
Hezekiah Swartz was born in the vicinity of Harrisburg, Pa., but was brought to Darke county, Ohio, in his boyhood by his parents, George and Catherine (Zellar) Swartz. Ann Irwin was born on the old homestead in Darke county, Ohio, the Irwins having entered land in this county as early as 1817, and become the owners of a considerable portion of govern- ment land. After the marriage of Hezekiah Swartz and Ann Irwin, which occurred in Darke county, they settled on a por- tion of the Irwin estate, and there they spent the remainder of their lives, the former devoting himself to farming, al- though prior to his marriage he had learned and followed the printer's trade, and for a time was the owner of a newspaper at Winchester, Ind. In politics, he was a Democrat, but lim- ited his activity to such duties as would fall to a private citi- zen, as he had no aspirations toward public life. At one time he was a member of the County Agricultural Board of Darke county, Ohio. The death of this most excellent man occurred in 1892, when he was sixty-five years old. His widow survived
Digitized by Google
511
DARKE COUNTY
him until 1894, when she, too, passed away, aged seventy years. They had three children, namely: Albert, who resides on the homestead; Elizabeth, who died at the age of thirty- six years, unmarried, and William Irwin, who was the youngest.
Growing up amid healthy, rural surroundings, William Irwin Swartz attended the schools of his district, and assisted with the farm work. Later he attended the schools at Green- ville, and remained at home until the death of his mother, when he came to Greenville, and now resides at No. 220 West Main street. Ever since coming to Greenville, he has held his present position, and his services are highly valued. Politic- ally he is a Republican, but like his father he does not seek public office, preferring to support his party as a private in- dividual. However, in 1908, when elected treasurer of the His- torical Society of Darke county, of which he became a member in 1905, he administered its affairs so ably as to prove that he has those qualities which go toward the making of efficient officials, and still retains the office. Conscientious in his work, faithful in his support of Darke county measures, Mr. Swartz is a useful member of society, and one whose value is appre- ciated by those who know him.
NORMAN TEAFORD.
Within the limits of German township, probably no name is better known or more suggestive of enterprise and progress than that of Norman Teaford, who has the distinction of hav- ing never lived on soil other than that which belonged to some member of the family, and who is recognized as one of the most substantial men of his community. Mr. Teaford was born March 24, 1861, on the farm known as the Barney Tea- ford homestead, on the Richmond and Greenville turnpike, nine miles southwest of Greenville, and about one mile south- west of Palestine. His parents were Barney and Margaret (Stapleton) Teaford.
George Teaford, the grandfather of Norman Teaford, was born in Augusta county, Virginia, and as a young man came to Fairfield county, Ohio, locating in the vicinity of Lancaster. There he remained several years before coming to Darke county, where, April 6, 1820, he was married to Magdalena
Digitized by Google
512
DARKE COUNTY
Ketring. For many years he was engaged extensively in ag- ricultural pursuits, and after his retirement made his home with his son Barney. Here he died January 29, 1874, his wife having preceded him February 13, 1861. Both were laid to rest in German township.
Barney Teaford was born February 3, 1825, in German township, and grew up to agricultural pursuits, to which he devoted his energies until failing health caused him to be an invalid, yet he outlived all his children excepting Norman. Both he and his wife were buried in German township, where they had lived so long and where they had many warm and appreciative friends. Seven children were born to them : Jon- athan, Norman, one who died in infancy, Oscar, Samuel, Charles and Flora Alice; Norman is the only survivor.
Norman Teaford received his education in district school No. 7, and when he was but nine years of age began to as- sume large responsibilities because of the disability of his father, who was able to do little in the way of operating the home place. Thus the youth grew up strong, self-reliant, 'and thoroughly trained in all manner of agricultural sub- jects, his experience thus gained having since been of inesti- mable value to him in his struggle for position and inde- pendence. So industriously has he labored and so well di- rected have been his efforts, that today he owns 600 acres of land, all under a high state of cultivation, with handsome buildings and modern improvements of every character. En- ergetic and thorough in whatever has engaged his attention, he has been recognized as a leader in various movements for the welfare of the community. Like all the members of his family, he supports democratic principles and candidates.
Besides being a very successful farmer on a large scale Mr. Teaford finds time to be a part of several business enterprises. In 1898, he was a charter member of the Ohio Hardwood Lum- ber Company which operated in Mississippi. The company purchased two sections, 1480 acres, of fine timber which was readily marketed.
In 1905, upon the establishment of the following organiza- tion, he became a director in the Banner Lumber Company at Greenville, Ohio, which, under his excellent management, is proving very remunerative. In 1912 he helped organize the Darke County Farmers' Leaf Tobacco Company, which has for its purpose the protection of the ordinary tobacco raiser.
Digitized by Google
1 1
513
DARKE COUNTY
In all these lines of activity his business capacity is acknowl- edged by his associates and the general public. As evidence of his ability to conserve the interests of the people, he has been continued as member of the Darke County Fire Board since 1898.
In the spring of 1910, through the efforts of Norman, a Tea- ford family reunion was begun and is continued until the pres- ent writing. A permanent organization was established with Norman as president. The meetings are held in his grove. It was discovered at the first meeting that many of the relatives did not know each other. Through his untiring efforts the in- terest in the annual gathering is increasing.
Mr. Teaford was married to Miss Lily I. Brown August 6, 1882; to this union was born, December 24, 1883, one child, Grace, who married Herschel M. Jeffries, December 29, 1900. To this union two children are born, Lowell, September 27, 1903, and Rill, September 13, 1908. On May 23, 1906, occurred Mr. Teaford's marriage to Miss Pearl A. Jeffries, who was born March 6, 1882, daughter of John B. F. and Sarah (Coap- stick) Jeffries. To this union two children are born, Gale Emerson, October 31, 1908, and Dale Kenneth, January 5, 1911.
WASHINGTON HUNT.
Steadfast effort, perseverance in the face of difficulties and reverses, courageous grasping of opportunities as they have presented themselves, and hard, honest toil-these have been the means through which Washington Hunt, of Greenville, has brought himself to the forefront among Darke county's stock- men. He has had no chance to gain false ideas of life or of the way of living; the man who has had to make his own way from boyhood has but little opportunity of so doing. Success is his not because he is one of fortune's favored, but because he has made fortune favor him. A brief resume of the salient points in his career will show how his prosperity and position have been attained.
Washington Hunt was born December 23, 1851, in St. Louis, Mo., and is a son of Washington and Mary Jane (Wilson) Hunt, the former born in Warren county, Ohio, and the latter in the city of Dayton, this State. When he was about three
(33)
Digitized by Google
514
DARKE COUNTY
years of age his parents moved to a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Darke county, and there the father continued to carry on agricultural pursuits until his early death, about the year 1865. The mother survived until 1906 and passed away when eighty-five years of age. Mr. Hunt received a fair com- mon school education, but when he was only fourteen years old he was forced to put aside his books and face the stern realities of life. It may be that this early responsibility taught him self-reliance; at any rate that has been one of his chief characteristics throughout his career. From the beginning of his business life he has been engaged in the stock business. He was but twenty-two years of age when he purchased one hun- dred and twenty acres of land, a property which, including growing crops and some personal effects, was worth $3,500. There he took his young bride and that continued to be their home for several years, Mr. Hunt then selling out and pur- chasing another property of ninety acres near Greenville. At that time he took up his residence in the city, and this has since been his field of endeavor and the scene of his success. He is also the owner of a tract of four hundred acres located in Neave township. Mr. Hunt's operations now extend over several counties, and he also buys feeding cattle in the mar- kets of Chicago and Kansas City. He has the distinction of shipping at one time eleven carloads of cattle, the largest shipment ever unloaded at Greenville. Essentially a business man, Mr. Hunt has found but little time to engage in public matters, although the best interests of his community find in him a warm supporter. He cast his first presidential vote in 1872, when he gave his ballot to General Grant, and since that time has continued to vote with the Republican party.
On December 16, 1873, Mr. Hunt was married to Miss May Snyder, of Dayton, Ohio. daughter of Daniel and Dena (Rich) Snyder. Mrs. Hunt's parents were born in Germany, but came to the United States as young people and met and were mar- ried in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. Her father died when she was a child of four years and her mother when she was four- teen. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hunt, of whom two died in childhood, the others being : Jesse, who died at the age of twenty-eight years; Bert, who is married and is carrying on operations on his father's farm near Greenville; Ralph, who is married and is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Greenville township; Ada, who married Orville McEowen and lives on a farm in Greenville township; Clara, who resides
Digitized by Google
515
DARKE COUNTY
with her parents, and Edward, who is married and lives on the farm. The pleasant family home is located at No. 225 East Main street.
Mr. Hunt has never had time to belong to clubs or lodges. Mr. Hunt sold the first cattle and sheep that were used at the Old Soldiers' Home at Dayton when the Home was estab- lished there. Mr. Hunt's three sons are now in charge of his farm and he is gradually turning over the business to them.
JOHN WILLIAM MILLER.
Although he is a recent addition to the business men of Greenville, having established his present enterprise here in 1910, J. W. Miller, directing head of the Miller Grain and Coal Company, is already accounted one of the substantial men in this city's commercial affairs. Like many of the successful business men of the city, he is a product of the farm, having been born on his father's homestead in Brown township, Darke county, Ohio, February 11, 1866, and is a member of a pioneer family of the county, whence his grandparents, John and Eliza- beth Miller, came at an early day from Pennsylvania. The grandfather died when the father, Isaac E. Miller, was but two years old, but the grandmother survived until reaching the ripe old age of eighty years, passing away in 1899.
Isaac E. Miller was born in Darke county and was reared to the pursuits of the farm. He early adopted the tilling of the soil as his life work, and for many years was a resident of Brown township, where he became the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of good land, which through energy and ear- nest effort he converted into a handsome and valuable farm. About the year 1893 he sold out and moved to a farm east of Horatio, in the same county, and there passed the remainder of his life, dying July 12, 1908. A man of strict integrity and probity, he was a devout member of the Brethren church, and for three years acted in the capacity of superintendent of the Sunday school. He was a stalwart Democrat, served as as- sessor during several years, and for a period of thirty-five years was justice of the peace as well as teacher in the public schools of Darke county for thirty-five years. His record shows that no case judged by him that was appealed to the higher courts
Digitized by Google
516
DARKE COUNTY
was ever reversed. Mr. Miller married Miss Sarah J. Sword, who still survives.
Mrs. Miller, the mother of John W., the subject of this re- view, is living near Horatio with her daughter, Mrs. John Porter. She is now seventy-three years of age and enjoying good health.
Reared to the life of a farmer, and securing a good common school education, John W. Miller grew to sturdy and self-re- liant manhod. When he attained his majority, he embarked upon a career of his own as a tiller of the soil, and was so en- gaged for about eight years. During this time he had come into contact more or less with men engaged in the grain trade, and gradually began operations in this line for himself. He was encouraged by success in several ventures, and eventually, in 1904, started to concentrate his entire energies upon this di- rection. His first enterprise was located at Red Key, Ind., where he continued five years, and then sought a wider field, going to Union City, in that State. Later he built a plant at Elroy, Ohio, and in 1909, came to Greenville, where, in Feb- ruary, 1910, he established his present business on North Broadway, although he still continues the business at Elroy. The volume of trade given to this elevator has rapidly ex- panded, and at this time the firm handles about $125,000 worth of business annually, while the coal handled in 1912 amounted to 3,500 tons. As the directing head of this large enterprise, Mr. Miller has shown himself an alert, progressive and astute business man, practical in all things, yet ever ready to take ad- vantage of a legitimate opportunity. Among his associates he bears the highest reputation for integrity and fair dealing, and since coming to Greenville he has made and retained numerous friends. Politically, he was reared a Democrat and. has always been an ardent supporter of that party's principles, his first presidential vote being cast for President Cleveland. While a resident of Jackson township he served in the capacity of assessor, but he has never been an office seeker, contenting himself with aiding his community merely as a public-spirited citizen.
Mr. Miller was married October 24, 1888, in Jackson town- ship, to Miss Mattie Fryar, who was born in Greenville town- ship, Darke county, but reared and educated in Jackson town- ship. She was a daughter of Daniel and Acha (Peterbaugh) Fryar, early settlers of this county. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Miller resided on a small twenty-acre farm in Brown
Digitized by Google
-
---
517
DARKE COUNTY
township, but after three years moved to Jackson township, which was their home until moving to Indiana. They now oc- cupy a modern residence at No. 600 Wayne avenue, at the corner of Pine avenue.
Mr. Miller has had no time from his business and home to care about lodges or clubs. Mrs. Miller, too, cares more for her home than for the clubs and so has not joined any of them.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Miller are as fol- lows: Elizabeth, wife of John Porter, and has three children : May, Forest and Catherine; Horatio of Darke county, Ohio; John W., the subject of this sketch; Jonathan D., who married and has a son; Archie of Fort Recovery, Ohio; George C., mar- ried and has four children; Vernie, Mabel, Matilda and Arlie and two who died in infancy.
HENRY LAYER.
There is always a reason for success. It matters not if a man's activities be directed along the lines of one of the profes- sions, one of the trades, or along the substantial occu- pation of tilling the soil-there is always the fundamental basis for success. Roughly stated, it may be said that success finds its foundation stone in determination. Granted this, man may accomplish much; but there must also be inherent ability, energy and perseverance, without which the structure of pros- perity may not be built. In his early years Henry Layer showed himself possessed of a keen determination to win a competency ; his ability evidenced itself during the years that he carried on his operations in Darke county, and as the archi- tect of his own fortunes and one who has builded well, he is entitled to the rest that he is now taking at his pleasant home in Franklin township.
Henry Layer was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, about forty-five miles northeast of Harrisburg, about April 6, 1842, and is a son of Peter and Hannah (Miller) Layer, natives of the Keystone State. About the year 1843 the family started on a journey overland in a two-horse wagon, traveling through Harrisburg, across the Allegheny Mountains, touching the cities of Pittsburgh, Columbus and Springfield, and, finally, aft- er a trip consuming six weeks, landed at a point east of Brook- ville, Montgomery county, Ohio. There the father, who had
Digitized by Google
518
DARKE COUNTY
brought his small means with him, rented a tract of land for two years, following which he purchased eighty acres of tim- ber land in Section 30, Franklin township, Darke county. This land was still in its virgin state, and in order to build the lit- tle log cabin which was the first shelter for his family, he was compelled to fell a number of trees. His first purchase cost him five dollars per acre, and subsequently he bought forty acres adjoining for $150. This he cleared also, and in 1863 sold out and moved to Newberry township, Miami county, locating on a property on which the town of Bradford is now located. This was his home until his death in July, 1883, his wife fol- lowing him to the grave in April 1894. Ten children were born to Peter and Hannah Layer, as follows: Elizabeth, who died at the age of six years; Levi, who died in 1866, unmarried; John, who served with the "hundred-day men" in the Civil war, and who is now a retired resident of Ludlow, Miami county, married; William, a former farmer, who died in April, 1908, leaving four children; Peter, who died in 1909, leaving six children; George, who died in Miami county in 1912; Henry, of this review; Sarah, the wife of Simon Murphy, liv- ing near Gettysburg, the mother of two children; Margaret, who married Isaac Hershey and lives in the village of Gettys- burg, and Frederick, unmarried, who lives near that place. The mother of these children was reared a Lutheran, but after her marriage joined the Dunkard church, to which her hus- band belonged. He was a Democrat in politics.
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.