USA > Ohio > Darke County > The history of Darke County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; > Part 103
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WILLIAM BAUGHMAN, retired farmer ; one of the early pioneers of Darke Co. ; born in Germany March 24, 1827 ; when 5 years of age, he emi- grated with his parents to America, landing in Baltimore in 1832 ; they went to Wheeling, Va., where they arrived without means, and remained three years ;
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they came to Darke Co. in 1835 ; here his father, John H., died, September, 1875 ; his wife having died about the year 1858. In October, 1848, William Baughman was united in marriage with Catherine Bertz; she was born in Germany, and is a sister of George Bertz, whose sketch also appears in this work ; ten children was the fruit of this union, of whom five sons and two daughters now survive, viz., Solomon, Mary J., George W., William, Lucy B., Charlie and Augusta. Upon the marriage of Mr. B., he farmed upon rented land four years ; he then bought 40 acres, upon which he lived nine years ; he now owns 256 acres in Brown and Richland Townships, with good farm buildings, also his residence and some im- proved business property in town. Mr. Baughman commenced life without means, and has by his own hard labor, energy and industry, placed himself among the large landholders and successful business men of Brown Township, being a partner in the popular hardware firm of Bertz, Schlemmer & Co.
GEORGE BERTZ, hardware dealer, firm of Bertz, Schlemmer & Co., Anso- nia, Ohio. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is another of the self-made men of Darke County ; he was born in Saxony, Germany, April 6, 1835, and was a son of John Bertz, who was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1803, and died in 1844. He was married, in Germany to Anna Magdalena Doud ; she, with five children, emigrated to America in 1847 ; she died in Richland Township Sept. 13, 1848. The subject of this sketch emigrated to America with his mother, and, upon her death, was taken by William Baughman, by whom he was kindly cared for and raised until he attained his majority, and for compensation to this date received $100 ; the following seven years his wages ranged from $75 to $100 yearly ; in 1864, he went to Nebraska and purchased 160 acres of land in Otoe Coutny, and for four years was engaged in the restaurant and baker business in Nebraska City ; his brother now resides upon the above farm, which he has under a good state of cultivation ; in 1869, Mr. Bertz returned to Ansonia and engaged in the dry-goods trade, and in 1873 he engaged with William Baughman in the agricultural trade, and in the fall of 1874 they erected their brick store and added their present business, which they have since successfully followed ; a card of their business appears among the business cards of Ansonia ; in 1875, he was elected Township Trustee, which office he has since held, and is also serving his second year as Councilman of Ansonia ; has been a member of the church since 12 years of age, and a member of Lodge 605 I. O. O. F. since 1875 ; has never made use of tobacco in any form, and is a strong champion of the cause of temperance.
HEZEKIAH W. FRY, Sec. 21, Ansonia ; one of the oldsettlers of Darke County ; born in what is now Neave Township, near old Fort Jefferson, Jan. 26, 1835 ; he was a son of Andrew Fry, who was born in Pennsylvania and emigrated to Darke County somewhere from 1820 to 1825, and settled in the woods, where he was engaged in farming in connection with his trade, which was a wheelwright ; he was also local preacher of the Methodist Church, was Justice of the Peace for many years, and held other township offices ; he died about the year 1871 ; he married Rachel Wilson ; she was born in Hamilton County ; she died a few years after the death of her husband. The subject of this sketch received a common-school education and assisted his father on the farm until March 19, 1857, when he was united in marriage with Ellen J. Guy ; she was a native of Pennsylvania, born April 10, 1836; they have three sons and two daughters living, having lost two daughters by death; the living are Agnes, Albertice, Benjamin F., Alonzo M. and Grace A. Upon the marriage of Mr. Fry, he farmed upon rented land four years, and in 1861 he purchased 160 acres of his present place, where he has since lived ; he has now 210 acres, with good farm buildings, under a fair state of cultivation. He has taken a deep interest in the cause of religion, having been a member of the M. E. Church for a period of a quarter of a century ; his wife and eldest daughter members of the same church.
DANIEL GARRISON, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 29; P. O. Woodington ; another of our old settlers ; born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Feb. 17, 1836. His
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father, Leonard, was born in Pennsylvania in 1803 ; came to Ohio, and, after a resi- dence of several years in Montgomery and Butler Co.'s, came to Darke Co. in 1844, where he died in July, 1871 ; he married Maria Bake ; she was born in Butler Co. and died when the subject of this sketch was an infant. Daniel Garrison came to Darke Co. with his father in 1844, and was raised to agricultural pursuits, and employed as farm laborer until about 24 years of age, when, upon the 20th of September, 1860, he was united in marriage with Mary Niswonger ; she was born in Montgomery Co. Jan. 30. 1840 ; they have four children now living, viz. : Elmer E., born Oct. 7, 1861 ; Joseph N., born Sept. 23, 1864 ; Viola May, born July 9, 1870, and Ada B., born Nov. 15, 1877 ; Leonard A. was born July 21, 1867, and died Jan. 6, 1870. After the marriage of Mr. G. ; he farmed upon rented land twelve years, and in 1872 he purchased his present place of 65 acres, where he has since lived ; he is one of our self-made men ; commencing in life without means, he has secured all of the above property by his own hard labor, energy and industry ; he, with his wife. have been members of the Christian Church for a period of about thirty years. Mrs. Garrison was a daughter of Joseph Niswonger, who was born in Montgomery Co., where he now resides ; her mother was Anna W. Henderson ; she was born in Ohio, and died some twenty-six years ago ; upon the 3d of June, 1877, Mrs. Garrison was stricken with paralysis, depriving her of the use of her left side ; since which time she has been unable to perform only her light household duties ; she has, however, borne her afflictions with that fortitude which is characteristic of her true Christian life.
L. C. GARVER, dealer in groceries and provisions, Ansonia ; born in Wash- ington Co., Md., Oct. 21, 1842 ; in 1848, he came to Columbus, Ohio, and in 1851 to Montgomery Co. ; in August, 1852, came to Darke Co. and located in Richland Township ; here his father, Isaac Garver, met his death by an accident at a barn raising, one of the timbers falling upon him late in the day, causing his death, after a few hours' suffering, upon May 3, 1854. The subject of our sketch was then thrown upon his own resources, and labored at such employment as he could obtain until Sept. 7, 1861, when he enlisted as a private in Co. K, 34th O. V. I. (1st Ohio Zouaves), for three years ; he was in many severe battles, among which we mention the battle of Winchester, both battles of Fayetteville, Raleigh and Charlestown, Va., the whole campaign of the Shenandoah Valley, Martinsburg and the Lynchburg raid, and many others ; he was one of the 1,200 who were detailed to make a raid to destroy the V. & T. R. R .; they made the trip of upward of 400 miles in six days, traveling over mountains and valleys, through a dangerous country, traveling by day and night ; they encountered many dangers ; at one time found themselves in the rebel camp ; often, while riding at night, some of the poor soldiers, with their horses, were thrown over precipices ; they arrived at Wytheville on Saturday, July 18, 1863, and immediately attacked the town, which was garrisoned by a force of rebels, lodged in the buildings, equally as large as the Union force; after severe fighting, in which the Union forces lost heavily in killed and wounded, the place was captured ; in this engage- ment Mr. Garver was severely wounded ; being the chief target for many rebels. he received eight bullets upon his person at one volley ; he managed to crawl to some secluded place, was taken prisoner and remained in rebel prisons until March 24, 1864, when he was paroled, having served in rebel prisons eight months, suffering all the cruel treatment and starvation extended to our Union soldiers ; after receiving his parole, he lay in the Hospital until the September fol- lowing, when, his term of enlistment having expired, he returned home, and the following spring engaged in farming, continuing the same until 1874, when, on account of failing health from the cruel treatment received while in rebel prisons, and suffering from his wounds, he abandoned farming, came to Ansonia, and engaged in the above business, which he has since successfully followed. In politics, he is a strong Republican, and always votes as he fought. Upon the 23d of May, 1865, he was united in marriage with Charlotte Warvel ; she was born in
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Darke Co. Dec. 13, 1847 ; they have four children by this union-John H. W., born June 13, 1866 ; Cordelia M., April 10, 1869 ; Leonard M. and Lizzie M. (twins), Nov. 8, 1873. The business card of Mr. Garver will be found in the directory of Ansonia, in another part of this work.
ORLANDO J. HAGER, contractor and builder, of the firm Riffle & Hager, P. O. Ansonia : residence. Dallas ; another of our old settlers ; born in Montgomery County upon the 12th of November, 1847 ; he is a son of James W. Hager, who was born in the same county, and came to Darke County in 1851, and now resides in Richland Township. The subject of this sketch came to this county with his parents when only 3 years of age, and located, in Richland Township, where he was raised to agricultural pursuits until 19 years of age, when he started out in the world to seek his fortune, and, upon the 13th of August, 1867, commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, and for one year received wages of $1 per day, and the second year his wages were $1.25, the third, $1.50. and the remainder of the time he received $1.75 ; he worked for the same party for nearly five years, when he returned to Darke County, and for two years was employed by John Longnecker, at his trade, at Pikesville ; he then engaged one year in agricultural pursuits, and, upon the 17th of February, 1874, he located in Dallas and started in the carpenter business, and the following year, associated with Silas Riffle, under the above firm name, which business he has since followed. Upon May 1, 1873, he was married to Elizabeth Warvel ; she was born in Darke County Sept. 25, 1853 ; they have one child, viz., Pearl I., born Nov. 11. 1876 ; Mrs. Hager is a daughter of John H. Warvel, one of the early pioneers of Darke County, whose sketch appears among the biographies of Greenville Township, in another part of this work.
J. R. HOLLAND, retired farmer, Sec. 31 ; P. O. Woodington ; one of the old settlers ; born in Montgomery Co., Penn., Jan. 19. 1807 ; his father died when he was about 2 years old ; he then lived with his mother until 16 years of age, when he was apprenticed to learn the printer's trade, which he followed in Philadelphia until 21 years of age, when he went to New Orleans, then to Cincinnati, Ohio, and followed his trade some fifteen years; the last work at his trade was on the Cincinnati Enquirer; he was then appointed Deputy Marshal, which office he filled two years ; he devoted one year to running a power-press at Indianapolis, which was the first power-press run in Indiana, under the revised statistics, the printing office being located opposite Browning's Hotel ; he then followed the grocery trade some three years in Cincinnati, and in 1858, disposed of his store and stock and came to Darke County, and purchased 260 acres in Brown and Greenville Townships, upon which he then located, and where he has since lived ; he now owns 360 acres, under a good state of improvement ; of township and school offices he has had his full share, having been County Commissioner six years, Township Trustee five years, and also held some other petty offices ; upon the location of Mr. Holland here, he followed farming and stock-raising until 1877, when he retired from active labor, his son managing the farm. His marriage with Harriet M. Ricketts was celebrated in Philadelphia ; she was born in Penn- sylvania, and died upon the old homestead in May, 1877; they were the parents of five children-Laura (now Mrs. Crosson, of Union City), Mary Ann (now Mrs. John Atchinson, of Paris, Ky.), Ada (now Mrs. George Lindermond), Charlotte (now Mrs. Ginther) and Charles S. (living at home).
DR. ISAAC HOSTETTER, deceased, one of the early pioneers of Darke Co., Ohio ; born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Nov. 30, 1810 ; he received his pre- paratory education at Lancaster. Penn., and graduated from the Jefferson Med- ical College, Philadelphia, in the year 1834; he emigrated from Pennsyl- vania to Montgomery Co., Ohio, and, about the year 1835, commenced the prac- tice of medicine, and, in 1836, came to Darke County and located in Richland Township, where he followed his profession, in connection with farming, until 1849, when he left his farm and removed to Beamsville, erected a good residence and continued to practice until within a short time of his death : he was elected to
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represent the counties of Miami, Shelby and Darke in the General Assembly of Ohio during the session of 1844-45 ; the above counties, at that time, constituted one district ; he was also Major General of the Ohio State Militia, his uniform and sword now being held by his son, Dr. Samuel A. Hostetter, and valued very highly by him as an heirloom ; the Doctor was one of the first practitioners of the county, the practice of medicine at that early day being attended with difficulty and hardships, extending over one-half a degree of latitude and longitude, travel- ing on horseback and dispensing his medicine from his saddle-bags ; he was mar- ried in Montgomery County, to Hannah Hager ; she was born in Hagerstown, Md., Nov. 5, 1813, the above town being named in honor of her grandfather ; they were the parents of four sons and three daughters, viz., Hiram H., Salinda A., Elizabeth C., Samuel A., Thomas J., Nancy E. (deceased) and Franklin P. In 1859, the Doctor received a stroke of paralysis, which was followed, in February, 1861, by a second stroke, and the following month, March 2, he passed down the dark valley, respected and beloved by all who knew him, and one of whom his cotem- poraries could truly say, His life was not a failure, nor did he live in vain. Of their children, the eldest son, Hiram, lost his life while serving his country during the late rebellion ; being taken prisoner, he was taken to Libby Prison, where he died after seven months ; the oldest sister, Salinda, is married, and lives in Mis- souri ; Elizabeth C. is also married, and lives in Missouri ; Dr. Samuel has been a member, for four years past, of the Ohio Legislature, and is now, with Thomas J., engaged in the drug trade at Ansonia ; Frank P. is engaged in the stock business, in Kansas.
G. C. HULSE, farmer and grain-dealer ; residence Dallas; P. O. Ansonia ; born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, April 16, 1832, and was raised to agricultural pur- suits upon the home farm, until 25 years of age, when he removed to Preble Co. Oct. 1, 1857 ; he followed farming here until Nov. 20, 1872, when he came to Darke Co. and settled at Ansonia, and purchased a farm of 46 acres, and laid ont the west part of the town ; he then engaged in purchasing and shipping grain to Cleveland and Eastern markets until 1875, at which time he retired from the above business. He then gave his attention to farming, and in the fall of 1879 he again commenced the purchase of grain, which business he intends to follow ; his ware house is situated on Plum street, where he has a switch of 400 feet connecting his warehouse with the railroad ; he owns 100 acres in Brown Township, besides his brick residence, warehouse, storehouse, and some lots in town. His marriage with Sarah Bonham was celebrated June 1, 1860 ; she was born in Darke Co. June 29, 1844 ; they were the parents of eight children, viz. : Wilbur, born July 27, 1861 ; Ida, born Aug. 11, 1863, died June 18, 1864 ; David, born Jan. 2, 1866 ; Charles, born March 5, 1868; Anna, born Aug. 2, 1871; Russel, born Nov. 28, 1873 ; Edwin, born May 4, 1875 ; Earl, born Oct. 8, 1878. Mr. Hulse was a son of David Hulse, who was born in New Jersey Aug. 13, 1794, and came to Ohio about the year 1820, and followed farming and weaving until his death, which occurred Nov. 24, 1844. He was married in Butler Co., Ohio, to Rebecca Russell, Jan. 22, 1824 ; she was born in 1807, in Butler Co., and is now living with her son at Ansonia, at the age of 72 years, enjoying good health, and in possession of all her faculties, and able to assist in light household duties. Mrs. Hulse is the daughter of Wm. Bonham, one of the old settlers of Darke Co. ; he was born in New Jersey in 1815, and came here about the year 1836. He married Rebecca Rittenhouse, who was also a native of New Jersey; they are both now living.
D. F. HUNTER, blacksmith and wagon-maker, Ansonia ; born in Darke Co., Ohio, Sept. 29, 1835 ; he was a son of Wm. Hunter, who was born in Warren Co., Ohio, and came here about the year 1825 and located in Greenville Township. He died about the year 1841 ; he was a member of Warren Lodge, No. 24, of Piqua, Ohio, for a period of one-fourth of a century. D. F. experienced a farm- er's boyhood, and at 18 years of age he went to Warren Co., Ohio, and learned and worked at the blacksmith's trade some four years, and in 1858 he came to
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Ansonia and started the above business, which he has since followed. He was married to Mary A. Dill May 6, 1859 ; she was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Sept. 25, 1837 ; they were the parents of three children, of whom two now survive-Martha L. and Cora M. Mrs. Hunter's father was John H. C. Dill, who was born in Ger- many March 16, 1805, and emigrated to America when quite young. He married Martha C. Liegment Nov. 17, 1834 ; she was born in Germany Oct. 23, 1815, and died March 7, 1858. Mr. Dill died April 2. 1865.
WM. B. MENDENHALL, retired tanner, merchant and farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. O. Woodington ; born in Preble Co. June 22, 1820 ; he learned and worked at the tanner's trade until 20 years of age, when he came to Darke Co., in 1840, and located upon Sec. 32, Brown Township, where he purchased 4 acres of land for $20, and in the purchase of the same incurred a debt of $5 above his capital ; he then followed the tanning business until 1853; upon July 4, 1847. he, with his brother, started the first store at Woodington, and continued his merchandise trade with different partners until 1876, when he disposed of his interest and retired from active business. Mr. Mendenhall came to Darke Co. with a capital of $15 -- he now owns 400 acres of land, with four sets of farm buildings ; also the ware- house at Woodington, all of which he has accumulated by his own energies. To him was given the honor of naming the station at Woodington ; he was its first merchant and Postmaster, first Justice of the Peace, and Township Trustee one year. He was married in 1839 to Mary Bailey ; she was born in Preble Co. in 1820 ; they were the parents of eight children, of whom four are now living, viz. : Rebecca A., now Mrs. W. H. Ganger ; Hannah E., now Mrs. H. T. Martin ; Thomas A. and Aleria B.
ISAAC E. MILLER, farmer and Justice of Peace, Sec. 30 ; P. O. Hetslerville ; one of the old settlers of Darke Co., Ohio; was born in Adams Township April 8, 1840 ; he was a son of John P. Miller, one of the early pioneers of Adams Town- ship, where he lived until his decease, March 4, 1841; he married Elizabeth Martin ; she was born July 23, 1819, and is now living in Adams Township, at the advanced age of 60 years ; her parents were among the early pioneers of the same township. Isaac E. Miller received his early education in an old log schoolhouse ; the writing-desks consisted of boards laid upon pins, inserted in holes bored in logs ; their benches were also of a very rude nature ; his father died when he was 1 year of age, after which he was raised by his grandfather, and lived with him until he was 21 years of age, when he started in life for himself; he attended select school at Jaysville and Gettysburg, and followed teaching in the winter. Upon the 9th day of October, 1862, he was united in marriage with Sarah J. Sword, born in Miami Co., Ohio, Jan. 26, 1841 ; they have four children, viz .: Hannah E., born July 22, 1863; John W., born Feb. 11, 1866, ; Jonathan D., born March 7, 1869 ; George C., born April 15, 1874 ; after his marriage, Mr. Miller followed school- teaching in winter, and farming in summer, until April 12, 1864, at which date he came to Brown Township and located upon his present place, which he had pur- chased the year previous at Sheriff's sale, for which he paid $1,610, and where he has since lived ; he now owns 117 acres, with good farm buildings. He is a Dem- ocrat in politics, and, while he has not aspired for office, he has held the office of Justice of the Peace twelve years during his residence here, also a Notary Public for six years.
J. J. PETERS, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 28; P. O. Ansonia. One of the old settlers ; born in Germany March 31, 1836 ; at 3 years of age, he emigrated with his parents to America and to Ohio; his father, J. J. Peters, Sr., was born in France in 1795, and was a soldier under Napoleon several years ; his youngest son now has the gun and sword carried by his father during his service ; he was the father of fourteen children, and raised and brought them all to America ; he pur- chased a farm in Ohio, upon which he lived until his death, which occurred Dec. 15, 1878, aged 83 years 8 months and 13 days ; his physician's bills during his life amounted to $250 ; he married, in France, Mary E. McKala; she died upon the
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old home farm in the spring of 1871. The subject of this memoir remained with his father until 21 years of age, when he started in life for himself and farmed upon rented land for four years in Darke Co., and in 1862 he purchased 80 acres of his present place, to which he has since added until he now has 160 acres of land, well improved, all of which he has secured by his own hard labor, energy and industry, and has, by the above means, placed himself among the large land- holders and successful farmers of Brown Township ; he is now serving his second term as Township Trustee, is a member of Ansonia Lodge, No. 488, A., F. & A. M., and has held an office in the lodge for two years ; he is also a member of Ansonia Lodge, No. 605. I. O. O. F., and Past Grand of the same. His marriage with Eliza J. Baughman was celebrated April 1, 1861 ; she was born in Brown Town- ship, and is the daughter of J. Baughman, who emigrated from Prussia; he was a brother of William and Henry Baughman. whose sketch appears among the biog. raphies of Brown Township ; her mother was Maria Riffle, a sister of David and Silas Riffle, whose biographies also appear among the sketches of Brown Town- ship ; they have three children living, having lost four by death; the living are Mary E., Florence B. and Rachel L.
NOAH D. POLING, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 1; P. O. Ansonia ; born in Perry Co., Ohio, Dec. 31, 1831 ; he was the second son of Daniel Poling, who was also a native of Perry Co., Ohio, born in 1809, and has lived in the same town- ship for a period of seventy years. He married Maria Spoon ; she was born in 1814, and died in July, 1878, aged upward of 63 years ; they were the parents of thirteen children, nine now living-Noah D., remained with his father until he attained his majority, when he started in life for himself, and for four years worked for one man, most of the time running a saw-mill in Fairfield Co. Upon the 16th of December, 1855, he was united in marriage with Louisa E. Burstler, of Fair- field, Co., born July 20, 1834 ; they were the parents of thirteen children, of whom eleven are now living, viz., Isaac, George W., William T., Anna M., Harriet A .. Louisa E .. Frank, Jacob, James H., Gertrude M. and an infant ; the deceased were infants ; upon the marriage of Mr. Poling, he worked as farm laborer one year, after which he farmed upon rented land until 1861, when he came to Darke Co .. and, after farming upon rented land two years, purchased 63 acres of his present place, and, in the fall of 1864. removed upon the same, where he has since lived ; he now owns 120 acres of well-improved land, and his brick residence, erected in 1876, is admitted to be the best in the township; Mr. Poling commenced life with no capital save a strong arm and willing hand, and has, by his own hard labor and correct business habits, placed himself among the large property-holders and suc- cessful farmers of Brown Township. He is a Republican in politics. and has held the office of Constable for several years ; in the spring of 1864, he enlisted in the 152d O. N. G., took part in several engagements in Virginia and Maryland, and was mustered out of service at Camp Dennison at the expiration of his enlist- ment.
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