USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, Ohio > Part 88
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felter now have two children: Jessie, the lic-spirited. and at all times has been faith- wife of R. L. Gowdy ; and Martha, who was ful to every obligation of private and public life. educated in the Beavercreek high school, after which she pursued a two years' course in the Columbus University and spent one year in Antioch College. She is now suc- FRANK E. KNISLEY. cessfully engaged in teaching.
The Captain is one of the prominent Re- publicans in this county, and in 1871 he was elected county sheriff, which position he has filled for two terms, covering four years. In 1889 he was elected county commissioner and filled that office for six years and nine months. He has been a trustee of Beaver- creek township and in that office, as in all others he has filled, he discharged his duties in a faithful manner that has won for him the highest commendation not only of the men of his own party, but also of the oppo- sition as well. He belongs to Lewis Post. G. A. R .. of Xenia, and the Masonic lodge, also to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Union Veteran Legion, all of Xenia. His wife is identified with the Re- formed church and both are held in the high- est regard. having many friends. Captain Glotfelter comes of an honored pioneer fam- ily of Ohio, his record is one which has add- ed luster to the untarnished family name. His grandfather began the work of progress and improvement here, which in turn car- ried on by his father and has been continued by him. The old homestead in its splendid development is an indication of the active lives of the members of the Glotfelter fam- ilv. There was no more loyal soldier upon the battlefields of the south than he whose name introduces this review, who, by rea- son of gallant and meritorious conduct won promotion from the ranks until he was com- missioned captain of the company. In po- litical office he has been true, loyal and pub-
Frank E. Knisley has not always resided in Greene county, but is a native son of Ohio and represents one of the honored pio- neer families of the state. His paternal grandfather, Reuben Knisley, became one of the first settlers of Ross county and is now living-almost a centenarian. James Knis- ley, the father of our subject, was born in Ross county, and became a wagon-maker by trade, but after the inauguration of the Civil war he put aside business considera- tions that he might aid in preserving the Union, enlisting in 1861, as a member of the Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He joined the army as a private but was promoted to the rank of first sergeant. His brother-in-law was captain of the company and there were sixteen cousins in that com- pany. Mr. Knisley participated in many .important battles, including the engage- ments of Madrid. Iuka, Corinth, and "Sher- man's March to the Sea." He married Nancy McCord, a native of Pike county, Ohio. Mr. Knisley is now residing in Bain- bridge, Ohio, but his wife has passed away, having died in August, 1882, at the age of forty-four years, at which time her remains were interred in the cemetery at Cynthiana. Ohio. In the family were seven sons, of whom four are now living: Frank E., of this review: Charles, who makes his home in Xenia, where he follows the carpenter's trade : Dode, also a carpenter and contractor of Xenia : and Edward, a resident of Bain- bridge. Ohio.
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Frank E. Knisley, whose name intro- duces this review, was born in Pike county. October 12, 1860, and in the public schools of Rainsboro and Hillsboro, Ohio, he pur- sued his education. He afterward engaged in teaching school and has followed that profession continuously since, gaining a wide reputation as an educator of ability. In 1885 he came to Xenia, where for seven years he served as a teacher in the public schools and as a truant officer. He then re- signed his position, removing to Lancaster, Ohio, where for two years he was a teacher in the reform school. On the expiration of that period he went to Plankinton, South Dakota, and accepted the position of assist- ant superintendent of the South Dakota Re- form School, where he remained until re- signing in the early part of 1901. In March of that year he again became a resident of Nenia and accepted the position of superin- tendent of the County Children's Home, in which capacity he has since served. His la- bors have proved highly satisfactory to the board of control. He is a gentleman of broad humanitarian principles, deeply inter- ested in his fellow men and in the progress of the race. He has broad sympathy and therefore is well qualified to fill his present position because of his interest in the chil- dren from a physical, moral and intellectual standpoint.
In 1884 Mr. Knisley was united in mar- r'age to Miss Flora Canfield, a native of Xenia, and a daughter of George C. and Anna ( Pierce) Canfield, the former one of the pioneer settlers of Springfield, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Knisley now have two chil- dren: Pierce, who is studying pharmacy : and Bessie, who is attending school in Xenia. The parents are consistent Christian people. Mr. Knisley belonging to the Methodist
church, his wife to the Baptist church. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge, the Knights of Pythias order, and the Sons of Veterans, and has filled all of the chairs in the last two. His political sup- port is given the Republican party and he has never wavered in his allegiance to its principles.
THOMAS H. HESS.
Thomas H. Hess, who is engaged in the cultivation of the H. B. Stewart farm in Sugarcreek township, was born in Monon- galia county, West Virginia, on the 21st of January, 1852. He is a son of James T. and Sarah .A. (Ilite) Hess. His father was a farmer by occupation and died in West Virginia in the year 1878. His family were strong Union people at the time of the Civil war. Although they did not live in the part of West Virginia where there was any fight- ing. their farms were raided and they lost some property. They also had to go to the mountains with their horses in order to keep them from being stolen, sometimes it being necessary for them to be away from home for weeks. Two of the sons of the family were soldiers of the Union army. Joseph Steenrod Hess joined the army in April, 1861, at President Lincoln's first call for troops and remained at the front until Aug- ust, 1865. He was in many battles and was wounded at the engagement at Wytheville, where his horse was shot and fell upon him. After the starry banner of the nation was planted in the capital of the Southern Con- federacy he received an honorable discharge and returned to his home. He still resides in West Virginia. William Hess joined the Union army in September, 1862, and was at
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ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
the front until the close of hostilities, being wounded at the battle of Cedar Creek. His occupation was a carpenter but he now re- sides in Warren county, Iowa, where he is the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of land, and is engaged in the insurance Imsiness. During the period of the war be- tween the north and the south the father was assistant provost marshal under a Mr. Craft from Ohio, and had many exciting experiences. He was a man without fear and was found in his saddle night and day for about two years. He was a sutler at New Creek and there were people in Greene county who knew him there.
Thomas 11. Hess remained at home until sixteen years of age when he came to Greene county and began earning his living by working as a farm hand by the month. Later hc removed to Delaware county. Indiana, and it was during his residence there that he was married on the 19th of October, 1876, to Miss Julia A. Gentis. Two children were born of this marriage. Soon after their marriage the young couple removed to his native state, there renting land for three years. On the expiration of that period, after the death of his father Mr. Hess re- turned to Greene county, taking up his abode in Sugarcreek township, where he is connected with the cultivation of rented land. His elder son, Charles T .. was born in West Virginia on the 18th of May, 1878. He now resides in Sugarcreek township with his little family, having married Anna Thomas of that township, by whom he has one daughter-Hattie Belle. The second son, Walter, was born October 8, 1880, and is now employed upon a fruit farm in Clark county, Ohio. The mother died on the 24th of Nevember, 1883. At that time Mr. Iless sold his interest in Greene county and re-
turned to his native state, but not liking it there he persuaded his mother to come to Ohio and keep house for him. His second marriage occurred in West Virginia on the 11th of December. 1884, the lady of his choice being Miss Carrie E. Baker, who was born in that state, a daughter of John and Mary ( Reed) Baker. She was reared in West Virginia and by her marriage became the mother of five children: Jessie, who was born in Sugarcreek township, March 18. 1886; Frank Zell, born April 17. 1888; Cora Fay. born September 21, 1890: Hazel Gladys, born January 22, 1893: and Flor- ence. born July 13, 1897.
Since 1881 our subject has resided upon the farm upon which he now makes his home with the exception of a period of our years. This property has been owned by four dif- ferent people during that time but all have found in Mr. Hess an excellent tenant, reli- able, trustworthy, and earnest. In politics he is a Republican and has endorsed the principles of that party since his boyhood days and has given it his ballot since he be- came of age. He was reared in the Baptist faith but is now a member of the Methodist Protestant church at Bellbrook.
NELSON A. FULTON.
Prominent among the energetic, far-see- ing and successful business men of Xenia, Greene county, Ohio, is the subject of this sketch. His life history most happily illus- trates what may be attained by faithful and continued effort in carrying out an honest purpose. Integrity, activity and energy have been the crowning points of his suc- cess, and his connection with various busi-
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ness enterprises and industries has been a contact. His wife, who bore the maiden decided advantage to this section of Ohio, promoting its material welfare in no uncer- tain manner.
Nelson A. Fulton was born in Warren county, Ohio, November 15, 1839. His fa- ther. Dr. Robert Fulton, was a native of Baltimore, Maryland, where his birth oc- curred December 31. 1810. During his boyhood he accompanied his parents to Chil- licothe. Ohio, where he was reared to man- hood and obtained a good literary educa- tion, which served as an excellent founda- tion upon which to erect the superstructure of his professional learning. He took up the study of medicine in Warren county under the direction of Dr. Thacker and began practice in Clinton county, Ohio, where he also engaged in merchandising. Subse- quently he abandoned the commercial pur- suit and opened an office in Lynchburg, where for thirty years he devoted his time and energies to the practice of his profes- sion. For more than sixty years he was a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and thus he devoted his life to two of the most important calling's to which man can give his attention. He was quite noted as a pulpit orator and filled various official positions in his church. He also attained prominence as a political speaker, acquiring a wide reputation during the struggle caused through the admission of Kansas into the Union. He belonged to the Odd Fellow fra- ternity and at one time was grand chaplain of the grand lodge of the state of Ohio. His death occurred on the Ist of October. 1898. in Highland county, Ohio, when he had at- tained the very advanced age of eighty- seven years. His influence was most marked and the impress of his individuality was left on the lives of many with whom he came in
name of Mary Morgan, was a resident of Warren county, Ohio, prior to her marriage. She passed away in 1888 at the age of sev- enty-four. In their family were eight chil- dren who reached mature years and are still living, namely: Theodore, who is en- gaged in business at Cincinnati and resides at Lynchburg : Adelia. the widow of John 1 .. West. of Hillsboro, Ohio: Nelson A .; Theo- dosia, who became the wife of W. L. West, of Clinton Valley, Ohio, and died December 31, 1901: Mary E., the wife of W. Miller, of Martinsville, Ohio: S. Q., who resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is manager of the Northwestern AAdamant Manufacturing Company : Laura, the wife of Samuel Peale, of Lynchburg: and Robert S., who resides in Germantown, Ohio.
Nelson A. Fulton of this review spent the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof and in 1860, when he had attained his majority, became connected with the business interests of Cincinnati, where he remained until the breaking out of the Civil war. In response to President Lincoln's first call for seventy-five thousand men to serve for three months, he enlisted as a member of Company C. Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under the command of Captain Don Piatt. Later he re-enlisted for three years in Company D. Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and during the first year he was in West Virginia, participating in the battles of Cotton Mountain and Hawk's Nest. In 1862 the regiment went with Gen- eral Cox to eastern Virginia and participated in the second battle of Bull Run. Monocacy, South Mountain and Antietam. On the lat- ter field of battle the Eleventh stormed the bridge, their colonel being killed during the charge. The regiment was then ordered
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back to West Virginia and went into winter quarters at Somerville. While there they were sent one night on a thirty-mile scout and succeeded in their attempt to capture a rebel outpost. The weather turned cold very suddenly, the mercury falling to twen- ty-four below zero and a deep snow covering the ground, many of the Union soldiers were badly frozen and they obliged the rebels to run in order to keep them from freezing as they were poorly clothed. Both victors and vanquished endured great suffering on that occasion. . AAfter the battle of Stone River the command in West Virginia was ordered out of winter quarters and sent to Tennes- see in January. 1863. They went by river from Kenewa Falls to Carthage, Tennessee, on Rosecrans' extreme left. General Crook 11: command of the division. While there they had to forage for themselves and horses and fight for their supplies every day with Wheeler's Cavalry. On April 14, General Crook took the entire brigade across the river to give Wheeler battle. . \ detachment of the Eleventh and Eighty-ninth regiments were mounted, and under the command of Captain Spears, of the First Tennessee Cav- alry, were ordered to skirmish with Wheel- er. While on this mission Mr. Fulton was captured by the Eleventh Texas Cavalry, and after being confined at Chattanooga. Knoxville and Lynchburg, was finally sent to Libby Prison, where he was detained forty days. Seven hundred prisoners were then taken to City Point and paroled. There they were paid off and sent to their respec- tive states. Mr. Fulton came to Columbus on parole and, his term of service having nearly expired, he was discharged June 20. 1864. From hard service and the poor fare which he had while in prison he contracted
chronic rheumatism which permanently crippled him in both feet.
Mr. Fulton made a most creditable mili- tary record as a brave and loyal soldier, who was always found at his post of duty. After being mustered out he at once returned home and acted as chief clerk under Major Starr in a mustering and disbursing office in Col- umbus where he remained for eight months. Ile then went to Cincinnati and engaged as a salesman in a wholesale dry goods house, where he remained for twelve years. In 1876 he removed to Xenia and engaged in merchandising on his own account. being numbered among the prosperous merchants of this place for thirteen years. He enjoyed a liberal patronage for his business methods were honorable and straightforward, his prices reasonable, and his desire to please his customers manifested in all that he did. At length he was appointed postmaster and then sold his store to George A. Thompson, who had long been in his employ as a sales- man.
In his political views Mr. Fulton has al- ways been a stanch Republican but has never sought office as the reward for party fealty. At length, however, he received the ap- pointment to the position of postmaster on the 6th of September. 1889. and was a most capable official. his administration winning him high commendation. The office is a free delivery one, employing twelve clerks. Be- lieving firmly in the principles of the Re- publican party Mr. Fulton has been very active in promoting its welfare and for five years he served as chairman of the Repul- liean executive committee. On his retire- ment from the postoffice he engaged in the real estate and loan business in which he continued until February, 1898. He was
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then appointed superintendent of the Sol- (liers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home and filled the position most satisfactorily until May, 1900, when he resigned to resume his former business and is still in the real estate, loan and insurance business, having a very large clientage along these lines.
In Highland county, Ohio, in Septem- ber. 1863, Mr. Fulton wedded Hannah Gra- ham, a daughter of Robinson and Elizabeth (Strain ) Graham, who owned and operated a large farm upon which Mrs. Fulton lived until her marriage. Unto our subject and his wife was born a son, who died in in- fancy. Mr. Fulton is an active and valued representative of the Masonic fraternity, the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Union Veterans' Legion. He is also, with Mrs. Fulton, a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church. He has made an untarnished record and unspotted reputation as a busi- ness man. In all places and under all cir- cumstances he is loyal to truth, honor and the right, justly valuing his own self-respect as infinitely more preferable than wealth, fame and position. In those finer traits of character which combine to form that which we term friendship, which endear and at- tach man to man in bonds which nothing but the stain of dishonor can sever, which triumph and shine brightest in the hour of adversity,-in those qualities he is royally endowed.
HENRY C. DARST.
Upon a good farm of one hundred and ninety-five acres, Henry C. Darst is now living and has made his home there through- out his entire life with the exception of the period of his early boyhood. He was born in Dayton. November 16, 1830, and is a son
of Jacob and Ruhamah ( Moler ) Darst. The father was born in Frederick county, Vir- ginia, while the mother's birth occurred at Ilarper's Ferry, that state. Mr. Darst was a farmer by occupation and on coming to Ohio purchased land in Greene county, but subsequently sold his farm and removed to Dayton. Ile remained but a few years in the city, however, and then removed to a farm which he purchased adjoining his old place in Beavercreek township. Greene coun- ty, making his home thereon until his death. which occurred May 28, 1852, when he was sixty-six years of age. His wife died Feb- ruary 13. 1878, at the age of eighty-one, and both were laid to rest in the Beavertown cemetery. After the death of her husband Mrs. Darst resided with our subject for ser- cial years. Both were consistent members of the Christian church and frequently in the early days religious services were held in their home. The old Darst residence is one of the landmarks of the community. It was erected in 1832 by the father of our sub- ject, and is built of brick. It was one of the largest and best homes in that part of Ohio at the time of its building and through almost two-thirds of a century it has looked forth upon the county, a silent witness of its progress and improvement, its substantial up-building and its advancement along so- cial, intellectual and moral lines. Mr. Darst gave his political support to the Whig party and though he never sought office was ever a public-spirited and progressive man. Unto him and his wife were born six children : Roleigh, who died in April, 1902. in Beaver- creek township: Abraham, a resident of Dayton: Henry C .: Martha, the widow of John Kennedy, a resident of Montgomery county. Ohio; and two who died in early childhood.
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Henry C. Darst pursued his education in a little log schoolhouse and after he was able to assist in the work of the farm he had the opportunity of attending school for only three months a year and that during the win- ter season when the work upon the farm was practically over. He remained upon the old homestead with his father until the lat- ter's death and has never left the old place which is endeared to him through the asso- ciations of his boyhood as well as those of mature years.
On October 11. 1855. he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Glotfelter, a na- tive of Beavercreek township, and a dauglı- ter of George and Harriet (Smith) Glot- felter, both of whom were natives of Som- erset county, Pennsylvania, but were mar- ried in this county. The Glotfelter family , were of Swiss origin, while the Darst fam- ily is of German descent. The father of Mrs. Darst was twenty-three years of age at the time of his marriage and his wife was twenty-four. The former was a son of John Adam Glotfelter, who married a Miss Newman. Unto the parents of Mrs. Darst were born eight children: Sarah, the widow of Lewis Maxwell, and a resident of Grant county, Kansas : Margaret, the wife of our subject : Captain W. H., who is living in Beavercreek township: Martha, the widow of Henry Ridenour, and a resident of Green- ville, Ohio : John A., who died in childhood : Mary Ellen, the deceased wife of Perry Sny- . der : Harriet F., who married Josiah A. Aul- abaugh, and resides in Omaha, Nebraska: Eliza Jane, who died in childhood. The fa- ther of this family was a farmer by occupa- tion, following that pursuit until the time of his death. He served as a captain in the old state militia and was always afterward known by that title. In the old days the
militia used to muster upon his farm and there drill. Mr. Glotfelter was the owner of considerable property and in addition to his farming land he at one time owned and oper- ated a grist mill in connection with his brother. His political support was given the Whig party until its dissolution when he joined the ranks of the Republican party. Both he and his wife were members of the Reformed church and his death occurred in 1865, while the wife passed away June 25. 1859.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Darst has been blessed with five children. Edward W., who is living in Texas, is engaged as a minister of the Christian church. He married Miss Minnie Souders, a daughter of Doctor Souders of Beavertown, and they have one child, Margaret. William H., who is living in Beavercreek township. married Miss Sarah Sourbray, and they have two children, Mary and Louise. Mattie died in childhood. Mary is the wife of James E. Andrew, a resident of Sugarcreek town- ship, and they have three living children, Herbert, Alma and Ralph, and have lost one son, William. Emma R., the youngest member of the family, is at home.
Mr. Darst has devoted his attention to farming and stock-raising throughout his entire life and is to-day the owner of the old homestead place, comprising one hundred and ninety-five acres of rich land. He still lives in the old brick residence which was erected by his father, and little change has been made in it save that a porch has been added. There is a good barn on the place, eighty by forty-five feet, and everything upon the farm is in a good state of improve- ment and repair, indicating the thrifty and enterprising spirit of the owner. Both Mr. and Mrs. Darst hold membership in the
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Church of Christ and are people of sterling worth, widely known and honored through- out the community in which they so long resided. They have traveled life's journey together for almost half a century and re- ccive the warm regard of all with whom they have come in contact. Mr. Darst is a stanch Republican but has not held office.
LEANDER SPAHR.
Leander Spahr, who follows agricultural pursuits on the Burlington pike, four miles south of Xenia, was born in Spring Valley township, January 22, 1852, his parents be- ing Elijah and Ann (Mckay) Spahr. His father was born in Hardy county. Virginia, in February, 1816. and died in August, 1801. He was twelve years of age when he came to Ohio, the family settling in Greene county, where he learned the wood-worker's trade and aided in manufacturing plows and fanning mills in the employ of a Mr. Pag- ette. After arriving at years of maturity he married Mrs. Ann McKnight, nee McKay, a widow of James McKnight. She was a daughter of Jesse Mckay, and by her first marriage she had four children, of whom two are living, Elizabeth and Maria. The former became the wife of Benjamin Jones, by whom she had two children. Her sec- ond husband was Noah Tremble, and her third husband was Alonzo Cronkhite. with whom she is now living in Indiana. Robert McKnight was a soldier in the Civil war who served throughout the period of hos- tilities and died in November, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Spahr resided upon the McKnight farm and it was there that our subject was born. Later this place was sold and Mr.
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