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 41
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345
HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
olden times," the membership fee was remitted. At a semi-annual session, New Year's Day, 1874, the constitution was amended to require five in place of three Vice Presidents, whereupon William Arnold and Lemuel Rush were unanimously chosen. Death was busy before the assembly on July 4, 1874, and H. Arnold, Mrs. Jane Arnold and Mrs. Nancy Gilbert were appointed a committee to draft and report suitable resolutions of condolence on the death of Mrs. Delilalı A. Harper. The record at this point contains the following
ROLL OF PIONEERS.
Henry Arnold,
Allen La Mott, Mary Ann La Mott,
John G. Horner,
Aaron Ililler,
Israel Cox,
John Ketring,
Daniel Drill, John Mark,
John S. Hiller,
Jane Hart,
Noah Arnold,
David Studabaker,
Sarah Jane Scribner,
Mrs. Sarah Hall,
John Wharry,
J. W. Frizzell,
William Lecklider,
Josiah D. Elston, James Cloyd,
Adamı Beam,
Reynolds Morton, S. T. Mendenhall,
Robert Martin,
Dilman Mote,
J. W. Hall,
John Martin,
C. M. Sharp,
John V. Hiller,
Samuel Hine,
David Craig,
H. R. Calderwood, Ezra Lecklider,
J. G. Gilbert, John King,
S. H. Robison,
Mary Lynch,
Harry House, Henry Tillman, John R. Knox,
James Garver,
O. C. Perry,
Chas. G. Matchett,
Judson Jaqua, Mrs. Jaqua,
John Westfall,
D. D. Hunter,
Lucy L. Ladd,
Franklin Scribner, David Riffle,
Asa Brady,
Wesley Jay, Laurinda Jay,
Samuel Bechtolt,
Mrs. Mary Riffle,
George Arnold,
H. J. Sturgley, John L. Winner,
A. T. Bodle,
Mrs. Robert Martin,
John C. Arnold,
Mrs. C. M. H. Bodle,
Mrs. Dilman Mote,
Dennis Hart,
Harrod Mills,
James R. Brandon, S. C. Baker, Hannah Baker, Nancy Gilbert, Samuel Hahn,
Jane Wintermote,
H. C. Kerr,
Catharine B. Mark,
Martha Larrimore,
J. M. Brady, A. L. Wortley,
Joseph Phillips,
William Martin,
W. H. Morningstar,
John L. Johns,
Lydia Brown,
Charles Calkins,
John Hagerman,
David F. Harter,
Jane Studabaker,
John McClure,
T. H. Hamer,
George Arnold,
Rebecca McClure,
Philip Albright,
Mary Arnold,
Morris Bryson,
Henry Snell,
William l'arent,
Mary A. C. Bryson,
Mary Snell,
Hannah Parent,
Delilah A. Harper,
Mrs. Ellen Hiller, 2d,
Aaron Fleming,
Phobe Brady,
Margaret B. Pixler,
Mrs. Sarah Stokely,
Rachel Fleming, Aaron Clawson,
W. H. Matchett,
Dr. I. N. Gard, H. Zimmerman, F. T. Hamilton, Enos C. Shade,
William R. Young, Jane House Maria Bishop,
Elizabeth Fisher, Sarah Seribner,
Lydia A. Reigel,
T. H. McCune,
Ruhamer Craig,
R. M. Brown,
Mahlon Martin,
John Stephenson,
Phoebe Ilamilton,
Jeremiah John,
Philip Froebe,
Eliza S. Stephenson,
Alice House,
Maria Lecklider,
Christena Chenoweth, Josiah Harter,
Elizabeth Froebe, Jesse Woods -211.
Tracy House,
David Harter,
Peter Weaver,
Louisa S. Mills,
Win. Scott Piqua,
Elias Ross,
Lonis B. Lott,
Robert S. Ross,
Isaac Funk,
David P. Judy,
Lewis Byram,
Lucinda M. Young, David Brown,
Joseph Bryson, John Bruce, Nancy Starn,
Elizabeth Miller,
Wash. G. McGee,
Mary Jane Craig,
J. R. Calderwood, Catharine Funk, Mrs. E. A. Funk, Sarah Culbertson, Alanson Brown, Cyrus Boyer, Turnice Denice,
Joseph Cole, Jr.,
Asa Rush,
Lemuel Rush,
G. W. Earhart,
Dr. E. Lynch,
Gideon Martin,
Geo. C. Lecklider,
T. F. Chenoweth,
T. H. McCune,
Hannah Hunter,
John M. McNeil,
William Allen,
Jane Kush,
G. W. Beam,
Rebecca Harter, William S. Turpen, T. P. Turpen, Michael Ritenour, Catharine Ritenour, Christopher Briney, Mrs. Rebecca Ross, Tabitha Oliver, Eleanor Bechtolt, Lewis Wintermote,
On January 1. 1875. the association met in the jury-rooms of the new court house. President in the chair. Meeting was opened with prayer by L. B. Lott. The roll was completed as just given. Mr. Lott was elected Assistant Secretary. D. D. Hunter, N. Arnold and David Craig, appointed as a committee to secure a speaker, recommended the Hon. William Allen, of Greenville.
James Marquith,
Thomas Stokely,
Rachel Clawson,
Jason Downing, Daniel Reigel,
H. W. Emerson, John Stahl, William F. Bishop, William Arnold, W. S. Harper,
Geo. D. Miller,
346
HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
In consequence of recent rains, the place of the next meeting, on July 5. 1875, was changed from the new fair grounds to the court house, Vice President Emerson in the chair. The thanks of the association were tendered the Hon. Allen for his anniversary address.
It was ascertained that Jane Hart, Lemuel Rush, Aaron Hiller and Lewis Byram had resided in the county sixty years ; and H. W. Emerson, J. M. Brady, David Craig, Mrs. House, R. L. Ross, Peter Weaver. George Arnold and James R. Brandon each not less than fifty-five years.
HI. W. Emmerson was advanced to the presidency to fill vacancy caused by death of John S. Hiller. Two Vice Presidents, William Arnold and Asa Rush. having also died, there were three vacancies in the office of Vice President, which were filled by the appointment of Dennis Hart, David Studabaker and James R. Brandon.
On motion, Rev. T. A. Brandon was appointed to prepare a paper for the next meeting, on "Recollections of Early Life in Darke County."
August 3, 1876, the association met on the fair grounds, President in the chair. Prayer by Elder C. M. Sharp. Reports of committees received. At the afternoon session. W. S. Harper presented the " Constitution of the Darke County Library Association," which was accepted and filed. W. S. Harper read a poem entitled, " A Hundred Years Ago." George Arnold was elected Vice President. vice J. R. Brandon, deceased.
The association met in the Probate Court room July 11, 1877, and listened to an address by Emerson, relative to early settlement, and others spoke of the same subject, among them David Brown. eighty-six years of age.
A session was held August 3, 1877, at the city hall, Greenville. Speeches were made, and the committee on deceased members reported the demise of James R. Brandon, Hannah Hunter, L. N. Byram, Sarah Stokely, Aaron Fleming, John MeClure, Adam Beam, Isaac Cox. D. P. Judy and J. Mendenhall, a heavy mor- tality calling away so many.
The session of July 5, 1879, was held in the Probate Court room. with Pres- ident F. L. Hamilton in the chair. Following prayer, by Chaplain C. M. Sharp, Samnel Hahn and William F. Bishop were elected Vice Presidents, and Joseph Cole, Jr., Secretary. An address was delivered by G. V. Dorsey, of Piqua. Thanks were tendered and the meeting adjourned.
On June 2, 1879, the pioneers, headed by the silver cornet band. met at the city hall in Greenville, whence they proceeded with. C. G. Matchett as Marshal, to the fair ground. The association was called to order by the President, Lemuel Rush. The exercises began by reading the thirtieth Psalm and prayer by Elder T. A. Brandon, of Union City. The death of F. L. Hamilton was reported. and the election of Thomas P. Turpen to fill vacancy caused by promotion of Mr. Rush to the presidency. A speech was made in the afternoon by A. R. Calderwood : he was followed by Norman Sumner, of Atlanta. Ill. Mr. Sumner had settled in Darke in 1817, and had moved away about 1850. Other speeches were made, when the society adjourned.
The following are present officers : Lemuel Rush. President ; David Studa- baker, First Vice President; George Arnold. Second Vice President ; Samuel Hahn. Third Vice President ; W. F. Bishop, Fourth Vice President : Thomas B. Turpen, Fifth Vice President ; Henry Arnold. Treasurer ; W. S. Harper, Corre- sponding Secretary ; JJoseph Cole, Jr., Secretary : L. B. Scott. Assistant Secretary.
On October 28, 1879. Mr. Cole tendered his resignation as Secretary of the association. It is hoped that the future of the society may be marked by care in securing and filing reminiscences and addresses for the benefit of coming generations.
The Darke County Medical Society supplies a part of an interesting chapter. It could do more were it to have engrossed the story of labors performed. fatigue endured and unselfish efforts made to relieve suffering. Too often sacrifices were
347
HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
coupled with slight prospect of remuneration, but to the honor of the profession be it said that humanitarian considerations have ever outweighed the thoughts of personal profit. Even in the fee bill of 1867, exceptions were made "in cases where charity may induce a departure therefrom." At a meeting held July 15. 1848, the physicians of Darke County assembled, called Dr. I. N. Gard to the Chair, and Dr. J. E. Matchett was chosen Secretary. It was made known that the organization of a County Medical Society was the object of the meeting and Drs. Otwell, Baskerville, Koogler, Stiles and Dorwin were appointed a committee to draft constitution and by-laws. Drs. Hostetter. Ayres, Harter, Larrimore and Matchett were chosen to draft and report a bill of prices ; and Drs. Gilpatrick, Potts, Howe and Evans a committee to report a code of laws and medical ethics. The consti- tution was adopted by articles seriatim., following which the constitutions and by-laws were agreed to by a unanimous vote. I. N. Gard was chosen President for the ensuing year ; R. Gilpatrick, Vice President ; A. Koogler, Recording Secre- tary ; O. G. Potts, Corresponding Secretary, and Alfred Ayers, Treasurer. Drs. C. Otwell, J. M. Baskerville and R. Gilpatrick were chosen Censors. Other reports were referred back to their committees. They assembled next at Temperance Hall. Greenville, July 29, 1848, disposed of sundry matters and ordered 200 copies of the constitution printed. Twelve physicians were present. A regular meeting was held October 7, at which President Gard read his "inaugural address." Dr. Otwell read a dissertation on quackery, following which he offered the following : " Resolved, That the members of this Society discountenance the making and vend- ing or recommending the use of any patent medicines for curing intermittent fevers." It was referred to a special committee.
Dissertations were read on April 9, 1849, by different members and placed on file. Dr. Harter was received as a member, and essayists appointed for the next session. Meetings were held at intervals and, finally, discontinued to be renewed May 16, 1855, when Dr. Gard, President. A. Ayres, Treasurer, W. H. Matchett, Secretary pro tem., and J. E. Matchett. E. Lynch, Hostetter, S. D. Hager and I. I. Larrimore were present. An election was held resulting in the choice of J. E. Matchett for President ; Hostetter. Vice President ; A. Ayres, Treasurer ; E. Lynch, Recording Secretary, and I. N. Gard, Corresponding Secretary. Drs. Hager and Matchett were presented and recorded as members. Two months later, twelve members were present at a session, at which Dr. Jobes, Blunt, McCandless. Carey, Williamson and Lecklider were unanimously received into the society. A break occurring here extended to April 16, 1863, when the society convened at the office of Dr. J. E. Matchett for re-organization. Drs. John Ford, Francis Kus- wick. S. K. Sour. J. P. Gordon and A. Koogler were received as members, and an election held with the result following : E. Otwell, President ; J. C. Williamson. Vice President ; E. Lynch, Secretary ; J. A. Jobes, Corresponding Secretary, and A. Koogler, Treasurer. At the next meeting, held in Smith & Ullery's Hall, May 14. 1863, nineteen members were present. An address was read by the President. entitled "Union. in its application to the Medical Profession." Drs. C. T. Evans. W. E. Hoover, James Ruby and H. W. Dorwin were received as members. Vari- ous meetings were held at which the experience of members was given, unusual cases noted, and, on July 7. 1864, Dr. Theo Luff was admitted a member. Feb- ruary, 9, 1865, J. E. Fackler and O. E. Lucas became members, and Dr. Otwell resigned. From this period forward, the sessions were profitable to members. affording opportunity for comparing modes and illustrating cases. Meetings con- tinued regularly until 1880. On May 20, 1869, E. Lynch, President, read an inaugural address. On October 6, an interesting meeting was held at which twenty-two members were present.
Personal of the Profession .- Among the early pioneers in the practice, were two men of culture and refinement-Drs. Briggs and Perrine. The former was a Vermonter ; came to Darke in 1817 ; settled in Greenville, where, in 1847, he died. The latter practiced in Greenville, and the range of his professional calls extended
348
HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
from the Whitewater to remote parts of the county, and even into Jay and Ran- dolph, in Indiana. There were no county infirmaries, in many cases not even Township Trustees, to provide for the poor, and the Doctor had often a labor of love. Dr. Baskerville was an ornament to his profession. Among veterans, are Drs. Gard, Otwell, Lynch and the Drs. Matchett. From 1848 to 1869. fifty-four physicians were enrolled as members of the association, and seventeen of these fell before the enemy whose advance they might retard but not prevent.
The Darke County Bar Association was established in 1854, principally for the purpose of constructing and adopting a fee bill. Judge John Beers was Pres- ident. The association did not continne long in existence, but the fee bill has been substantially adhered to up to this time, being recognized by the courts and the profession in the county. The spirit that led to the scale of prices was much to protect clients, as is proved by the unvaried scale of remuneration during the inflation of war times.
The Greenville Bar .- Greenville is the home of a number of good lawyers. men generally good in intention, pleadings and ability. To write the history of the bar would require a knowledge of the days of Judges Beers and Crane, Will- iam Crane, Luther Montfort. Dempsey and the like, but the brief sketches which follow will inform the reader who and what compose the bar of to-day.
In the spring of 1868, Charles Anderson, of Pennsylvania, came to Green- ville. He had served during the war, taught school, read law, and being admitted to practice, demonstrated fine ability, promises well. and has one of the finest libraries in town.
William Allen was born in Butler County August 13, 1827, admitted 1849. and commenced practice in Greenville. He served two terms as Prosecuting Attorney. and published a newspaper ; was a member of Thirty-sixth and Thirty- seventh Congresses, and was, by appointment, Judge of Common Pleas Court ; declined a nomination for Congress, from ill health, in 1878; controls a large practice, and is peer to any member of the bar. He is impressive in speech at the forum, and sociable at private life.
Matthew T. Allen, of Butler County, attended Otterbein University : began study of law in 1866, was admitted in 1869, and appointed Prosecuting Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Indiana. He removed to this city in 1872.
Theodore Beers was born in Darke County in 1826 ; began practice at the age of twenty-six ; has of late years acted as Justice of the Peace, and is well read in law. valuable in council. and quite popular.
David Beers, also a native of the county. has practiced since 1843. At the age of sixty-three, he has the esteem of the entire bar, and is faithful to elients. litigating ouly from good canse shown.
Ifenry Calkins, now filling the office of Prosecuting Attorney for a second term. was born in Bradford County, Penn., in 1832 ; was Captain of Company C. Eighty-seventh Indiana Volunteers. He read law in JJersey County, Ill .. in 1868 : came to Greenville in 1871.
Judge A. T. Bodle came to Darke in 1843. and for some years was a school teacher ; he was appointed Probate Judge, resumed practice of law on retiring from office, and is precise. scholarly, and a good reasoner.
M. C. Benham, of Warren County, was admitted February 1. 1876 ; his pre- vions life having been in commercial pursuits, he makes that branch a specialty.
L. E. Chenoweth. of Darke. served in the Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was admitted December, 1876.
J. E. Braden was born in June, 1852; common education, attended law school at Cincinnati, and, having read law, was admitted in January, 1879.
Jacob Baker was born in 1840 ; was student at Salem College, was admitted in January. 1864 ; was elected to the Legislature ; returning, he resumed practice.
John C. Clark. Henry M. Cole, J. C. Elliott. Charles Frizzell, R. S. Frizzell, D. P. Irwin and S. Judy are all of them lawyers who have practiced. or are in practice. the bar of this county.
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HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
Charles Calkins, native of Pennsylvania, where he was born February 11. 1827 ; was in the lumber trade nine years ; went to California in 1849, returned. read law, and is in practice.
John and Elijah Devor are natives of Greenville-sons of one of the original proprietors of the town. The former was admitted at Troy, in 1853 ; has served as Register in Bankruptcy, and is a man of means and enterprise. The latter has been practicing since 1871 ; has been City Solicitor; is Secretary of the Gas Company, and partner in practice with Judge Bodle.
Richard S. Dills is thirty-two years of age; is a linguist, and has given much attention to scientific investigation ; began practice in Greenville in 1876, as part- ner of D. P. Bowman, deceased ; since officed with Hon. J. Baker.
Barnabas Collins was born in Preble County May 26, 1836; his father, Will- iam Collins, was a lawyer and clergyman of good standing. His early life was an example of industry ; he was an indefatigable student. When fifteen years of age, Mr. Kirkham, author of a once well-known Grammar, visited Williamsport, selling his work, and, noticing Collins, sold him a book at half price. He con- tinued as he had begun, and ultimately became one of the best-educated men of ·his day ; he was well informed in theology, as well as law, and was acquainted with other subjects outside of these professions. He settled in Randolph County, Ind., in 1831, when he married. About 1845, he located at Euphemia, Preble County. In the spring of 1849, he moved to Greenville, and .while officiating in the pulpit, built up an extensive law practice. His death was September 5, 1855. Barnabas was the second son in a family of six children ; he passed his youth as practical printer ; supplemented a brief common-school education by a tutelage under Calvin Parker, a term at Delaware College, and an extended course in sci- ence and literature ; was admitted in 1858. In the spring of 1862, he was nomi- nated State Senator on the Union ticket, but entered the army as First Lieutenant in the Eighty-sixth Indiana ; returned, settled in Greenville, and, later, moved to California.
A. R. Calderwood was born in Montgomery County September 4, 1818 ; he removed, with his parents to Darke in 1832 ; was carpenter, teacher, student at law, and admitted in 1851 ; elected Probate Judge in 1854; Captain of Company I, Fortieth Ohio Volunteers ; a recruiting officer at home, and has been three times elected Mayor of Greenville, besides holding a number of local offices of trust.
Ira Lecklider, L. F. Limbert and M. F. Myers are members recently admitted. L. B. Lott is about fifty years of age ; represented Darke County one term in the Legislature ; finally engaged in farming, in which pursuit he continues.
J. T. Martz was born in Darke County September 14, 1833, and has an early experience of hard work. When a boy, he chopped and hauled cordwood to earn money to pay his school tuition. When of age, he had saved from his labor and by teaching $250. He graduated in the scientific course, at Delaware, in 1856, and had $2.50 remaining. From this time till 1861 he taught school and read law, was admitted, had brief practice, when elected Superintendent of Union Schools. which position he filled till 1865, when he was appointed receiver of the Mack- inaw Railroad. Was again chosen Superintendent of Public Schools in Green- ville, in 1871, and continues to hold and to fill the position. In Mr. Martz are combined the essential elements of tact, ability, energy, honesty and true man- hood, qualities certain to win their possessors success, whatever their vocation.
C. G. Matchett was born in Darke County May 6, 1832. He began the study of law in May, 1853, graduated in the class of 1855-66 at the Cincinnati Law College, from which he received the degree of LL. B. April 15, 1856. he was admitted to the bar and began practice a few months later. In 1860, his health fail- ing, he sought by travel to find a more congenial location, but finding a warlike spirit prevailing in the South while there, returned home November 1, 1860, and devoted his time to military studies. He entered the service immediately after the firing on
350
HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
Sumter, and remained till the elose of the war. In 1865, he resumed practice in Greenville, and stands prominent in the profession.
J. T. Meeker was born in Darke in 1831 : was a school teacher ; was admitted in 1873 ; was Probate Judge seven years. Retiring, he entered upon practice, and is connected with other interests.
E. W. Otwell was born in North Carolina in 1831 : graduated at Delaware, Ohio ; read law, and was admitted in 1856. Entered upon profession of journalist in 1860, and continues in that work as proprietor of the Greenville Journal.
Temperance efforts were made by individuals at an early date, but it was not till 1837 or 1838 that our record shows anything like an organized or co-operative effort. About the time stated. Samuel Cole, Peter Kimber and Father Murphy, all residents near Coleville, agreed that intemperance was a dangerous evil where- ever prevalent, and set themselves not to supply intoxicating liquors thereafter in harvest, at raisings and other occasions. They experienced some trouble in securing help, but held to their compact.
In 1842, the Washingtonians sprang up in Greenville and all the adjacent country. A temperance revival was effected at Fort Jefferson by Porter, a shoe- maker by trade, and a hard drinker, from Cincinnati. After a prolonged debauch. this man's life had been saved by Dr. Muzzey. who. finding him more than ordi- narily intelligent and resolved on reform. encouraged him to enter the lecture field, and in a tour that embraced a large part of the State. he came to Darke County. Prominent men, such as Dr. I. N. Gard. Gen. Hiram Bell, Judge Beers and Dr. Gilpatrick lent their co-operation, and the Washingtonians not only increased rapidly in numbers in Greenville, but organizations sprang up in every village in the county. The three last-named persons systematically canvassed the county, and held frequent discussions. Abstinence was a novel idea, and it met earnest opposition by some very good, well-meaning men. Judge Beers treated the subject ironically, and attracted large audiences. He argued that " if no one became drunk, all would become respectable and there would be none to do menial service; that the doctors would soon starve, the lawyers would have to share the same fate, and the ministers would gather all the sinners into the fold and find their occupation gone." Sometimes a drunken man was sent in to break up the meeting. The temperance men held on well. did much good, but gradually gave way to other organizations.
From 1855 to 1858 inclusive. the Sons of Temperance flourished, and the membership in Greenville was over two hundred. A decadence finally took place after the society had established a footing in every village and wrought marked and beneficial changes in public sentiment touching this great topic.
In January. 1868. under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of the State, Greenville Lodge. No. 524, 1. O. G. T., was organized. Mr. Macomber, then Prin- cipal of the Greenville schools. was the first Worthy Chief Templar: Mrs. D. R. Adams. W. V., and Dr. E. Lynd, W. C. The order has ceased to exist. and its records are inaccessible. The organization was effected over the store of George W. Moore, in his hall. on the corner of Third street and Broadway. After a few meetings, the order removed to the hall over what was then the store of Nathaniel Webb (now Mr. Leer's). Meetings were held at the residence of Mrs. Deborah Gerard, and finally in the present Masonic Hall. At the close of the first year. the order numbered sixty-five; its maximum strength was reached in 1869-70. when there were nearly two hundred members. From this time, interest declined. The Young Templars were organized August 17, 1870, under the title, Greenville Commandery, No. 3. They met in Hart's Hall. Among the leaders were Dr. Sharp, E. Matchett, Mrs. Keen and Mrs. D. Adams. There was at one time forty members. It had an existence of but two years.
The Women's Christian Temperance Union was formed at Greenville February 19, 1880, and numbers about forty members. The officers are Mrs. May Ferguson. President : Mesdames Martin. Adams. Webb, Eastman, Frances Clark, Gross. Vice
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HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
Presidents ; Mrs. Ella Matchett, Secretary, and Mrs. Bowman, Corresponding Secretary.
The Crusade began in Greenville in February, 1874. About seventy ladies met at a previously designated place to begin the work. Rain required the use of umbrellas, and the novel procession, as it moved along from one saloon to another, presented a somewhat grotesque appearance. But the work was resolutely continued until the July following. At one time, all saloons were closed and remained so until after spring elections.
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