USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume II > Part 6
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Mr. Conkling's largest interests were in the bank, but he extended to various other enterprises the benefit of his talents and ability and in so doing helped build up the city and the region, adding prestige to the bank especially. He was a stockholder with Irwin Brothers, sewer contractors, and with Ross Supply Co., being a director of the latter. He was also a director with the Greenville Home Telepohene Com- pany, a stockholder and director in the Tennessee Lumber Company, and assisted in the management and control of vari- ous other enterprises. He was a charter member of Commer- cial Club and was one of its most active workers. He served fifteen years as a member of the school board and was its president two terms, bringing to these duties the same con- scientious zeal that he displayed in his business affairs. Pub- lic money was several times held in trust by him and the city's funds were often in his hands, notably during the time of the erection of the Carnegie library. Fraternally, Mr. Conkling
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was connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. For eighteen years he served as vestryman of St. Paul's Episcopal church.
On April 30, 1885, Mr. Conkling was united in marriage with Miss Lillian V. Breaden, of Greenville, daughter of John E. and Anjumila (Huffnagle) Breaden, and born on a farm in Brown township, Darke county. John E. Breaden was born at Springdale, Hamilton county, June 19, 1830, was reared on a farm there and received a common school educa- tion. In young manhood he came to Darke county and there met and married Anjumila Huffnagle, who was born in Penn- sylvania, May 19, 1832, daughter of John and Barbara (Bord- ner) Huffnagle, of Pennsylvania-German stock, who came to Greenville in 1836. Mr. Huffnagle had a general merchandise store on the corner of Broadway and Public Square on the lot upon which the Breaden and Conkling's beautiful residence was erected in 1900.
Upon coming to Greenville, Mr. Breaden interested himself in the drug business for a time, then sold out and began farm- ing and stock raising in Richland township. When he retired from active life he located in Greenville, where his death oc- curred in 1904. His widow still resides in Greenville. They had three children : John E., who passed away at the age of forty-five years; a daughter who died in infancy, and Lillian V., Mrs. Conkling. Mrs. Conkling received her early educa- tion in the public schools of Greenville and later entered St. Mary's of the Springs, a convent at Columbus, Ohio, from which she graduated in 1881. Her parents then located in Greenville and she lived with them there until her marriage to Mr. Conkling four years later.
One son blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Conkling, Breaden P., born June 19, 1887, at Greenville. After attend- ing the public schools and Kenyon College he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Upon leaving college he returned to Greenville and there became a successful wholesale dealer in tobacco. He was married at Martins- burg, West Virginia, to Miss Inez Boyer, and one son has been born to them, Frank T., October 12, 1913.
On May 12, 1912, while attending to his duties at the bank as usual, Mr. Conkling was suddenly stricken with an attack of adhesion of the bowels and was removed to his home at No. 220 Broadway. By the sixteenth of the month the
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disease had developed such a serious aspect that he was taken to the Jewish hospital at Cincinnati, where an operation was performed with the hope of saving his life. Although he ral- lied from the operation and was apparently recovering satis- factorily, kidney trouble developed and in his weakened con- dition he was unable to withstand this ailment. On the morning of June 27, 1913, he passed away. The funeral ser- vices were held in St. Paul's Episcopal church, which was completely filled with sorrowing relatives and friends gath- ered to pay their last tribute to one of Greenville's best be- loved citizens. He was laid to rest in Greenville cemetery.
The foregoing is only a brief review of the life of one who in a remarkable manner impressed his personality upon those who knew him. It is merely a cursory outline of his life and activities, for his real biography is found in the sets of resolutions passed by various institutions after his death, in which his real nature and the qualities which attracted the friendship of all classes stand forth.
The resolutions passed by the Greenville National Bank were in part as follows: "In the wisdom of Providence our cashier, Frank T. Conkling, having been called from his earthly labors, it is meet and fitting that some memento of his efficient service and worth to this institution and our appreciation thereof, be made of record. *
"To him, more than any other, whatever of prestige, attain- ment and success the bank now has in the community is due. He gave the best years of his life to its service, always faith- ful to his trust, diligent, untiring, energetic, zealous; unswerv- ing in his honesty, impregnable in his integrity.
"His was a life essentially given to the community; he served the city in its council a number of years, and while such, upon his position in the matter rested the question whether the city should have a municipal water system, or be supplied with water by private corporation ; the wisdom of his decision is now beyond question ; he has been a member of the board of education for years; in 1898 he assisted in the or- ganization of the Citizens' Loan & Savings Association and became its first treasurer, which position he filled continu- ously since; he has assisted all civic enterprises, giving both time and funds.
"He was quiet, dignified and unassuming, and by his judi- cious advice and counsel to those who sought it, he has been of incalcuable benefit to the business interests.
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Frank was a true and loyal friend; a kind, loving and indul- gent husband and father."
We cannot close this article in a more fitting manner than by quoting from an issue of the "Greenville Weekly Tribune," of Wednesday, July 2, 1913, entitled :
"TRIBUTE OF A FRIEND.
"In the passing of Frank T. Conkling, Greenville loses one of its most prominent and distinctive characters of the past three decades. His strong character has been felt in every movement of public interest or general good of the community.
"His distinctive character was shown in his every act. He was no man's man, but everybody's friend. Whether in pri- vate or public affairs it was always the same with him. He'd have his say-have his way-if it was manifestly right, and if in doubt he was always open to conviction. He was strong, but never unreasonable. He wanted his way when he knew he was right and made mighty few mistakes. In private af- fairs his judgment was the best to be had and in public affairs he was just as strong a figure. His handling of finances in his every day life was no comparison with his handling of the larger affairs of men in convention or conference. More than once with the great majority against him, he has swayed the throng to his will.
"From humble beginnings he grew to a man of might-not by any chance-not by the good graces of any other man or set of men, but by his own distinctive merits-and so great has been his influence on the affairs of men in his own com- munity that today in many of the business houses of the city it seems a partner, or member of the firm is dead.
"Frank Conkling is dead !
"It cannot seem possible. Such a man, with so much yet to do in this life's work, must be sorely missed. He has been so badly needed, he was always so reliable when called upon that it seems almost improbable that his place can ever be filled.
"His success in life can be attributed to his one strongest talent-he knew men. No matter what the financial rating might be, no matter what others thought of a particular in- dividual, it was always sure Frank Conkling knew. He knew and he acted always on his own best judgment and in the grand total-now that his life's story is being written-he
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never erred. Sometimes, of course, men failed to meet his expectations, but it was they who failed, not he. His judg- ment was right at the time, but later if there was any change it was because the other fellow changed-changed from right to wrong or was a victim of circumstances that could not be helped.
"In the big affairs of life Frank Conkling was a well posted man. He had views on public policy that would have done credit to any statesman of the higher class. He trod no beaten path in his thoughts. He reasoned out things for the better- ment of the people and, although of a retiring disposition, would express his views freely if the occasion demanded.
"He was broad minded, conscientious, liberal to every worthy cause, true to every trust, and true to his friends. He was a man among men. He will be missed."
JAMES A. RIES.
Clearly defined purpose and consecutive effort in the affairs of life will inevitably result in the attaining of a due measure of success, but in following out the career of one who has at- tained success by his own efforts there comes into view the intrinsic individuality which made such accomplishment pos- sible, and thus there is granted an objective incentive and in- spiration, while at the same time there is enkindled a feeling of respect and admiration. The qualities which have made James A. Ries one of the prominent and successful men of Greenville, Ohio, have also brought him the esteem of his fellow townsmen, for his career has been one of well-directed energy, strong determination and honorable methods.
James A. Ries is a native son of the city in which he now lives and in which he spent his entire life. He is a son of Jeremiah and Catherine (Gilbert) Ries, both of whom were born and reared in Pennsylvania. Jeremiah Ries was early in life left an orphan and in Pennsylvania was bound out for three years to learn the blacksmith's trade. In young man- hood he came to Darke county, Ohio, being among the early settlers in this locality, and here he established a blacksmith shop, which he conducted with success up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1863, at the age of forty-eight years. He was survived many years by his widow, who died in 1900,
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at the advanced age of eighty-five years. In religion, he was a Lutheran and she belonged to the Newlight Christian church. Mrs. Catherine Ries was the daughter of Henry Gilbert, whose other children were George, Jonathan, Susan and others. To Jeremiah and Catherine Ries were born four chil- dren, namely: David, deceased; James, the subject of this sketch; John, deceased, and Leslie of Greenville, Ohio.
James A. Ries was reared under the parental roof in Green- ville, and is indebted to the public schools for his educational training, which, however, he has liberally supplemented through the years by much reading and habits of close obser- vation. In his boyhood he began working in his father's black- smith shop, and after the latter's death he continued the busi- ness, being associated with his brother John for many years and being very successful in the enterprise. John died in 1906, and the subject still continues the business, which has long been one of the best known and most popular blacksmith shops in this locality. Mr. Ries has also been engaged for some time in the grain and elevator business, being associated in the former business with H. C. Helm, under the firm name of Helm & Ries. Mr. Ries has given his support to a number of local enterprises for the upbuilding and development of Green- ville, being a stockholder and president of the Greenville Home Telephone Company, of which he was one of the organizers. He is also financially interested in the Union City Telephone Company, and owns valuable farm lands in Greenville and German township, this county. As president of the Second National Bank of Greenville, Mr. Ries has been a most in- fluential factor in advancing the commercial interests of Greenville and much of the splendid success which has char- acterized this well-known institution has been due directly to his splendid efforts and personal influence. All in all, few men in Greenville are so closely allied with the public interests of the people as Mr. Ries, and his record here as a citizen and business man has been fully appreciated by his fellow citizens.
On the 11th day of December, 1890, James A. Ries was married to Luella Paris, who was born in Wapello, Iowa, the daughter of Samuel J. and Eliza (Gray) Paris. Her father was a native of New Jersey and her mother of Cincinnati, Ohio. They went west and were among the early settlers of Wapello, where their deaths occurred, the father dying in 1907 and the mother in 1913. They were the parents of six children. To Mr. and Mrs. Ries has been born one child, Helen.
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Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Ries are earnest members of the Presbyterian church, while his political views are in harmony with the platform of the Republican party. Fraternally, he is an enthusiastic Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge, the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and the commandery of Knights Templar. Mrs. Ries's paternal grandfather, Paris, came to America from France with a man by the name of Joseph Bonaparte, locating in Bridgeton, N. J., where he engaged in farming and where his death occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Ries move in the best social circles of Greenville and because of their high character and genuine worth they are deservedly popular. Mr. Ries has long been numbered among the solid and substantial citizens of the community where he has spent his life and in whose prosperity he is deeply interested.
HON. JAMES BUCHANAN KOLP.
This name is one known throughout Darke county, for here James B. Kolp has passed practically his entire life and here his parents resided for many years. He has long been recog- nized as one of the leading citizens of his locality, and for many years has held a prominent place in the public affairs of the county. He has been faithful to his conceptions of the duties of citizenship, ever striving to advance the interests of his fellow men, while in the responsible position of judge of the probate court he has rendered valued and appreciated serv- ice to his fellow citizens.
James Buchanan Kolp was born at Yellow Springs, Greene county, Ohio, on September 3, 1857, and is a son of Samuel L. and Mary A. (Strayer) Kolp, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Samuel L. Kolp was reared in his native state and, after completing his education, learned the trade of a tailor. In young manhood he came to Ohio, settling first in Greene county, where, for a time, he followed his trade, later moving to Miami county, and finally to Darke county. Here he located on a fine little farm of forty acres in Butler town- ship, to the cultivation of which he devoted his attention until 1867 when he moved to Greenville. Here he again applied him- self to the tailor's trade until 1870, when he accepted the office of deputy probate clerk, serving as such until 1882, when he was elected judge of the probate court, serving six years in
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that position, when he retired. He died in Union City, Indiana, at the age of eighty-two years. Samuel L. Kolp was the son of Samuel and Fanny (Lipe) Kolp, who were natives of the state of Pennsylvania and descended from good old German stock. Samuel Kolp died at a comparatively early age, being survived many years by his widow, who was past ninety-one years old at the time of her death. During his active years Samuel Kolp followed farming and also kept a tavern. To him and his wife were born ten children, Elizabeth, Susan, Matilda, Martha, Levi, Abraham, Charlotte, Samuel, Sarah and Catharine. Mary A., the wife of Samuel L. Kolp, was the daughter of Samuel and Lydia Strayer, natives of Pennsyl- vania, where the father followed agricultural pursuits. They became early settlers in Clarke county, Ohio, and died there at advanced ages, he when eighty-six years old, and she at the age of eighty-two. They had four children who lived to ma- turity, Alexander, Edward, Frederick and Mary A.
To Samuel L. and Mary A. Kolp were born ten children, an equal number of boys and girls, namely: Alvin A., who is editor of the Ft. Recovery Journal; Charlotte A., the wife of Frank Denison, of Union City, Ind .; Judge James B., the im- mediate subject of this review; Howard S., assistant cashier of the Farmers' Bank of Greenville; Mary Ella, deceased, who was the wife of William H. Grapes; Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas H. O'Brien of Columbus, Ohio; Charles G., deceased; Frances Belle, wife of Charles H. Beedle of Providence, Rhode Island; Lucy Estelle, wife of Morton Grinnell of Yellow Springs, Ohio; Herbert S. of Union City, Ind.
James B. Kolp was reared to manhood in Greenville, re- ceiving his education in the public schools. At the age of six- ceen years he began teaching school and followed that voca- tion for ten years. He then went into the probate office as deputy probate clerk under his father and also for a time served in a similar capacity under Judge L. C. Anderson. The subject then moved to Toledo, Ohio, where he lived about ten years, being employed as credit man for a large wholesale house. He then returned to Greenville and again served as deputy probate clerk under Judge Donavan Robeson. He had thus become thoroughly familiar with the duties of the probate court and had won an enviable reputation through the county as a man of ability and inflexible integrity, and in 1908 he was elected judge of the probate court and in 1912 was elected to succeed himself, being the present incumbent of that office.
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The duties of the judge of the probate court are numerous and responsible and require a high sense of fairness and justice to administer equitably to all parties. Judge Kolp has so handled the affairs of his court as to win the universal appro- bation of all who have had dealings with him or in his court and his standing in the community has been greatly enhanced since assuming his present position.
On the 20th of October, 1887, Judge Kolp was united in marriage with Ida A. Emrick, the daughter of David L. and Mary A. (Roberts) Emrick, the former of whom was born in Ohio, while her mother was a native of Kentucky. They lived in Greenville for many years, Mr. Emrick following the busi- ness of a druggist. He died when sixty-two years old, being survived by his widow, who still lives in Greenville. Of the four children born to them, Mrs. Kolp is the only one now living. She was born in Cincinnati and received a good prac- tical public school education. To Judge and Mrs. Kolp have been born the following children, twins: Robert Emrick, who died at the age of thirteen months, and Mary Virginia, who is a graduate of St. Mary's College, at Shepard, Ohio.
Politically, Judge Kolp gives his support to the Democratic party and is deeply interested in public affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Religiously, the judge and his wife are earnest members of the Episcopal church, of which he is a vestryman. The Judge's career has been characterized by an inflexible integrity of purpose and he has ever commanded . the fullest measure of esteem in the community which has been honored by his citizenship. Personally, he is a genial and companionable gentleman, whose characteristics are such as readily win friendship, and she is deservedly popular in the circles in which he moves.
COL. WILLIAM D. RUSH.
The record of Colonel Rush is that of a man who by his own unaided efforts has worked his way from a modest be- ginning to a position of prominence and influence in the busi- ness world. His life has been characterized by unceasing in- dustry and perseverance and the systematic and honorable methods which he has followed have won for him the un-
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bounded confidence of his fellow citizens of Greenville and Darke county.
William D. Rush is a native of Darke county, Ohio, having first seen the light of day in Greenville township. He is the son of Lemuel and Evelyn (Devor) Rush, both of whom also were born in Darke county. Of their three children, the sub- ject of this sketch is the only one now living. William D. Rush is descended from a long line of paternal ancestors, his pater- nal great-grandfather having been William Henry Rush. Among the latter's children was William, the subject's grand- father, who married Sarah Thompson. They were both natives of Pennsylvania and became pioneer settlers of Darke county, Ohio, William Rush was prospered in his material affairs and became the owner of several valuable farms. His permanent home was in Greenville township, where he became a promi- nent factor in the growth and development of the early settle- ment. He died at the age of sixty-six years and his wife was sixty-three years old at the time of her death. They became the parents of ten children, an equal number of sons and daughters, namely: Thompson, Henry, Lemuel, Catharine, Rachel, Sarah, Eliza, Mary and two sons who died early in life. Of these, Lemuel was reared in Darke county and be- came a successful farmer in Greenville township. At the out- break of the war of the Rebellion he enlisted in Company I, Ninety-fourth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, with which he served nearly two years, attaining to the rank of a corporal. He died in the service in a hospital at Nashville, Tenn., in 1863, at the early age of twenty-three years. His wife died the week following, at the age of twenty-one years. Both were members of the Christian church. Colonel Rush's maternal grand- father, James Devor, married Patience Dean, and they became the parents of ten children.
William D. Rush was reared in his native county, which has always been his home. His education was received in the district schools and in the public schools of Greenville. Owing to the untimely deaths of both his parents he was left an orphan at a tender age, and was then reared by his grand- parents until ten or twelve years of age, when, owing to their deaths, he went to live with A. Harless and Sarah Harless, an uncle and aunt, on a farm. There, as soon as old enough, he assisted in the farm work and there imbibed those lessons of industry and perseverance which have characterized his subsequent life. About 1878 Mr. Rush came to Greenville and
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embarked in the real estate and life insurance business, in which he met with pronounced success and to which he de- voted his attention until 1900, when he became one of the or- ganizers of the Greenville Home Telephone Company, which is generally recognized as one of the best telephone companies in the State, and of which he was made secretary and general manager. That the choice was a wise one has been abundantly verified in the subsequent history of this company, which has been a most successful one in every respect, much of this suc- cess being due to the energy, sound judgment and business ability of Mr. Rush. He is also general manager, secretary and treasurer of the Union City Telephone Company, another suc- cessful and popular concern. In everything affecting the civic and commercial prosperity of Greenville, Mr. Rush has taken a deep interest and his support is unreservedly given to every beneficent movement for the public welfare. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Children's Home, and is now president of the board.
In 1890 Colonel Rush was united in marriage with Mary Lynch, who was born in Greenville, the daughter of Dr. Elijah and Mary (O'Brien) Lynch, who were natives, re- spectively, of Waynesville, Ohio, and Vermont. Dr. Elijah Lynch was numbered among the early settlers of Darke county and became a prominent and well-known citizen of the county. He and his wife are both dead. Mrs. Rush's pater- nal grandparents, Isaiah and Charity (Hasket) Lynch, were natives of England. Her maternal grandparents were John and Mary (Holmes) O'Brien, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of England.
To Colonel and Mrs. Rush was born a son, Hasket L. He took a three years' course in the Miami Valley Military Insti- tute of Ohio, and was also a student in the University of Florida, at Gainesville. He married a Miss Richardson and they now live in Gainesville, Florida.
Fraternally, Colonel Rush is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to the Greenville blue lodge and to the chapter of Royal Arch Masons. He is also a member of Green- ville Lodge No. 1139, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Politically, he is aligned with the Republican party, in the interest of which he has taken a prominent and active part, having been a delegate to State conventions of his party and having served several years as a member of the Republic- an State Executive Committee. At Greenville he is a member
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