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 55
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111
The Greenville Board of Education consists of six members. L. E. Cheno- weth, the President, is a young attorney of marked ability. His father is a res- ident of Washington Township, this county ; is one of its pioneer settlers and has been a Justice of the Peace for many years. At the breaking-out of the rebellion in the spring of 1861, Mr. Chenoweth, though attending school at the time, resolved in his own mind that his first duty was to his country, and, with fourteen students of the same school, offered his services to the Government. He enlisted as a pri- vate in Company E, Sixty-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and, by mer- itorious conduct, was promoted to First Lieutenant. and to Captain of Company I, Sixty-ninth Regiment, after which promotion he was appointed Assistant Acting Quartermaster of the Second Brigade, First Division of the Fourteenth Army Corps, on the staff of Brig. Gen. George P. Buell. and, at the close of the war, was honorably discharged from the service. He married Miss Effy, second daughter of Noah Arnold. Esq., a wealthy farmer of the county, who has also been men- tioned as one of the first teachers in the county. Mr. Chenoweth acted as agent for a school-furniture company, knows the wants of the schoolroom, for he, also, has followed the profession of teaching, and supplies the same so far as it is practicable.
Daniel Henne, Clerk of the Board, is a native of Germany, and emigrated to this country in 1857, locating near Hamilton, Ohio. At that time he had little of this world's goods, but he was not ashamed to work, and engaged himself to a farmer at monthly wages. By diligence and economy he had saved $867 in six years. In 1863, he returned to Germany, and stayed there two years, at the end of which time he returned to his employer near Hamilton. engaging to work for him at $26 per month, when other hands were getting only $13. In 1867, he came to Greenville. married Miss Anna Weitbrecht, and went into business in the fall of the same year. By close attention to business, he has accumulated property which places him in easy circumstances, and. as a grain merchant, during the past year, has been remarkably successful in applying the changes of the markets to his own advantage. He buys and sells about four hundred car loads of grain annually ; loading 800 bushels of oats to the car : 470 bushels of wheat. and 500 bushels of corn. He is a practical business man, and has a good education in German. He has been Clerk of the School Board five years ; has been Township Treasurer three years, being re-elected to both offices by increased majorities, and as an officer his acts give general satisfaction.
431
HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
Jahugh Compton, Treasurer of the Board, was born in Greene County, and is one of the first business men of Greenville. He has been a member of the School Board since 1862, and has a thorough knowledge of the practical workings of the school. Under his official notice, he has seen the school grow from four to fourteen grades : assisted officially in condemning the present school lot, and was active in taking the initiatory steps which resulted in the erection of the present commodious school building. He has always favored those enterprises which inure to the public benefit. He is a practical business man, acts from a sense of duty, and is always found advocating those measures that tend to advance the interests of the school and community. D. S. Heim is one of our practical business men, is sys- tematic in his work, prudent and sound in judgment, and a warm friend of educa- tion. He has lived in Darke County since 1839, and has been a resident of Green- ville twelve years, ten years of that time being spent in public business. As a member of the School Board, he is careful, prudent and consistent. His acts met with public approval, and he was re-elected by a largely increased majority. W. J. Todd has been a member of the Board of Education for four years, and has been in public business during the greater part of the time he has resided in Green- ville. During the late war, he was one of those who heeded the call of his country, and enlisted in the Eighth Ohio Battery, in 1862. He became Quartermaster of this battery, and remained in the service three years and three months. More than one year of this time was spent at Vicksburg, and he was also stationed at Natchez and Yazoo City. Mr. Todd was attentive to his duties while in the service. and was honorably discharged. He is a successful business man, appreciates educa- tion, is in favor of furnishing those facilities necessary to conduct the school suc- cessfully, and his views relative to educational matters secured his last election by a vote five times as great as his competitor. M. T. Allen is the youngest member of the Board of Education, and was elected by a handsome majority. He was born in Darke County, received a common-school education, but having a desire for a more extended education, he repaired to Otterbein University, at Westerville, Ohio, where he remained as a student for one and a half years ; he then attended a school at Dayton for one term, after which he taught school for several years, and read law during this time. In 1869, he commenced the practice of law in Win- chester, Ind. He finally came to Greenville in the spring of 1872, commenced the practice of law, and has continued in the profession to the present time. Mr. Allen is a man of fine personal appearance, easy address, and fluent in speech. He has a good knowledge of law, is attentive and persistent in protecting the interests of his client, and is a successful practitioner. Having been a teacher himself, he has a practical knowledge of the wants of the schoolroom, and seems to compre- hend what is necessary in order that the school may move along harmoniously. He is a practical business man, favors all those enterprises that will result bene- ficially to the public, and his election was secured by cause of the interest he has manifested in the successful carrying-on of the school here. He acts in complete harmony with the other members of the board, and this cannot but result bene- ficially.
In addition to the high school mentioned, the Preparatory High School Grade is taught by James H. Woodbury. In this grade, some of the high school branches are begun, and the pupils prepared, by thorough drill and examination, for the higher grade. Mr. Woodbury is a practical teacher, a thorough disciplin- arian, and his pupils make that progress in their studies that is commendable to both teacher and pupil. Frank M. White has charge of the " A" Grammar Grade. He has had five years' employment in the school. He labors under a great disadvantage, in having lost both of his arms, and using artificial substi- tutes ; but his teaching is thorough, his government is mild but firm, and his pupils soon learn to respect and love him. He is also a member of the County Board of School Examiners, having served in that capacity about eight months. Estevan Lawrence is teacher of the " B " Grammar Grade ; this is his first year's experience
432
HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
as a teacher in the Greenville School. He is a eripple, being injured in one of his limbs, and walks at a great disadvantage, but his pupils respect him ; he is thor- ough in his explanations, an experienced teacher of vocal music, and a graduate in bookkeeping and commercial arithmetic. In addition to his grade, he has charge of the commercial department of the high school, and pupils receive a thorough drill in this department. James B. Robinson has charge of the "C " Grammar Grade, and this is his second year's experience as teacher in the Greenville School. and was a student at Otterbein University, Westerville. He also teaches a class in physiology, from the high school, and has taken special pains to illustrate the subject practically by a skeleton and chart. His teachings in this department. as well as in his own proper grade, have been quite successful. He makes his teach- ing plain, nothing is passed until it is thoroughly understood, and pupils need not, in a higher grade, review the studies passed over here. Mr. Robinson is a practi- eal chemist, having had charge of a drug store for a number of years. He thoroughly understands vocal music, and is a practical business man. Miss Maggie C. Mead has charge of the " A" Grade, Intermediate Department, and has been a teacher in the school nine successive years. She is a good disciplinarian, thor- ough and systematic in her teaching ; her pupils are orderly and respectful, and her room is governed with seemingly little effort on her part. She is quiet in the schoolroom, and her pupils imitate her in this respect. Her motto is, " A quiet teacher insures a quiet school." She requires thoroughness on the part of her pupils, and will not recommend promotion to a higher grade without being satis- fied that the pupil can sustain himself in that grade. Mrs. Sarah K. Hetzler has charge of the "B" Intermediate Grade, and is teaching her seventh successive year in the school. She is a widow, and supports herself and three children by her own industry. As a teacher, she has given general satisfaction, and her pupils are required to understand a subject well before an advance is made. The "C" Intermediate Grade is taught by Miss Kate Schmermund, who has been employed for eight successive years. She has sustained herself well in her grade, is a good disciplinarian, and order and system prevail in her room. The study of geography is begun in this grade ; it is taught by topic, and, while the study is new to the pupils, they soon become interested in all their studies. Miss Lizzie McKennan has charge of the " A " Primary Grade, this being her first year. She is a member of the graduating class of 1880, received her education in the Greenville School, is a good scholar, and, as a teacher, has given entire satisfaction. She has not only taught her grade this year, but has also kept along in her studies, reciting in the morning and evening, and thus. by industry and perseverance, has completed the high school course of study with her class. Miss Sarah White has had charge of the "B" Primary Grade for five successive years. This grade is necessarily large, but the best of order prevails in the room. She is prompt and systematic in her methods of instruction, teaching her pupils the necessity and importance of being quiet and orderly in the schoolroom. The pupils in this grade make very commendable progress. Miss Mary E. Allen has charge of the "C" Primary Grade. She has been a teacher in the Greenville School for eight successive years. She had charge of the Primary Grade before it was divided. She is kind and attentive to small children, careful in her methods of instruction, requiring her pupils to give the elementary sounds of letters, speak the words correctly, and observe the rules of reading taught to primary pupils. Mrs. Lucinda Ratliff has charge of the " D" Primary Grade. Here the pupils receive their first lessons in schoolroom duties. Writing, lettering, figures, letters and words on the slate and blackboard is required of the pupil ; object lessons are taught, together with the first principles of reading. New pupils are con- stantly being introduced in this room, and the grade is difficult to teach suc- cessfully. Mrs. Ratliff is particularly adapted to this kind of work, and has given general satisfaction as teacher. She has been employed for five successive years. and is doing a good work in her department. Miss Anna Stallman has charge of
433
HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
the German Primary Department. She is a graduate from the Greenville High School, and during the first year of her teaching, she continued her studies and graduated with her class at the close of the year. She teaches the English classes in the German and English department, alternating with the teacher in the charge of the two rooms. She has good executive ability, is mild but firm in her govern- ment, and, as teacher, gives general satisfaction. Louis Hoffman is the teaeher of the German and English Department, and teaches the classes in German from the high school. He has taught ten years in the Greenville School, and under- stands voeal music, which he teaches to his pupils successfully. Mr. Hoffman is versed in several languages, and teaches the German in two grades. Vocal music is taught in all grades daily. This department is in charge of J. A. Porter, for- merly employed in the schools of Galion, Ohio. He is also a teacher of instru- mental music. In May, 1873, thirteen teachers were employed. and in June, 1878, seventeen. The enrollment for the latter year was 894. Of these, 465 were males and 429 females. The enrollment in the high school was 156. The average monthly enrollment was a total of 684; of these, 95 were enrolled in the high school. The average daily attendance was 621 ; of these, 88 were enrolled in the high school. The per cent of attendance was 93 in the high school, and 91 in the other grades. Tuition received from non-residents is an item of reve- nue to the district. Five commencements have been held since the high school was organized. The names of graduates are as follows :
Class of 1873-A. C. Lindermuth, George Gunder. E. L. Matchett and Flor- ence Lansdowne (Matchett died August 5, 1877, and Lansdowne November 30. 1874), Amelia Sorber, Allie Smith, Mary E. Roland, Lizzie McAlpine, Kate Hicks and May Lynch. Class of 1875-Emma Kelin, Vietoria Lindermuth and Mollie Mitchell (since died). Class of 1876-Charles Roland, Allie McNeal, Ida Lynch and Sadie McCune. Class of 1877-Ella Ault, Flora Meeker, Minnie Garber, A. (. Robeson, Delia Klinger, Clara Roland, Anna Stallmann, C. E. Porterfield. Class of 1878-Rollin F. Crider, Frank D. Meeker. Sadie Meeker, Henry T. Miller. Dema Martin, Estella Dunlap, and the graduating class of 1880 are Leona Shade, Ada Lindsey, Callie Bettimer, Lizzie McKeman, Ammon Mider, Allie Judy, D. L. Gaskill and J. H. Martz.
The ecclesiastical history of Greenville is really to a great extent that of the county, since from the city have gone forth the elements of outside organization. The Presbyterians seem to have perfected an organization as early as February 14, 1821, when the following-named persons signed a call for the formation of a corporate body : L. Bascom, James Craig, William L. Wilson, John Craig, Will- iam McKhann, Jesse McGinnis, John Armstrong, John Devor, Benjamin Murphy. David Fisher. John McFarland, William Clark, John Beers, Robert Hood. James Buchanan, Heman L. Aiken, Stephen Perrine. William Martin, David Irwin, James Devor, A. Scribner, Eastin Norris. James Stevenson (senior and junior), H. MeCune, George I. Isham, Erastus Putnam, John Miller, William Lipe. Thomas Stokeley, Charles Steward, George W. Hight and John Briggs. Agreeably to legal notice, the above-named met at the house of Linus Bascom on March 10. 1821. and elected Eastin Norris Clerk, and for Trustees Benjamin Murphy, William Martin and Linus Bascom. and they also placed the organization on record as the " Greenville Presbyterian Society." September 9, 1825. a congregation collected at the house of Benjamin Murphy for the purpose of being organized into a church. The Rev. John Ross officiated, and, having concluded religious exer- cises, he set apart Benjamin Murphy and Linus Bascom as Elders, and Robert Robinson was re-elected as Elder. John Ross commenced preaching in 1825. and remained with the congregation till 1831. In 1833. the society, at a called meet- ing, detached a portion of their number living in Adams Township to form the Mount Pleasant Church, now the Gettysburg Presbyterian. whose first Pastor was Rev. Isaac Ogden. The society at Greenville did not have regular preaching for some time previous to October, 1841. when Alexander Gulick was installed Pastor.
434
HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
and divided his time between the two societies named, remaining two years. November 31, 1844, Rev. Badean was engaged, and served four years. May 12. 1849, Rev. John A. Weeks commenced preaching. and was succeeded in 1853 by Rev. R. M. Mccullough, who was Pastor but one year. Rev. Orlando Clark was secured for the year 1857. Two years later, D. B. Wycoff served six months. previous to departure for India as a missionary. In June, 1860, Rev. C. B. H. Martin became Pastor, and served a year very acceptably. Next came John W. Drake. from 1862 to August, 1865. H. A. Newell to 1868. an excellent speaker. easy of bearing and portly in person. The society received its greatest stimulus during his pastorate, either before or since. John S. Gourlay, a talented man, preached for a year or so. then. on April 7. 1872, J. C. Eastman was invited to occupy the pulpit as a temporary supply. and remained from that time until April, 1880.
The Second Presbyterian Church was formed June 21, 1843, and continued its existence until the year 1865, when. February 21, the elders of this and the other church met. and, after a full consultation, passed the following resolution, to be presented to their respective congregations : Resolved, 1, That we unite with the Old School Presbytery, and take the First Church for a house of worship, the united church to make a call for a Pastor.
Both congregations unanimously acceded to these propositions, and the united societies met February 28, and formally agreed upon the union of their interests. On May 8, 1865, an election of a Board of Trustees was held. and James B. Avery was Chairman and William Kerr. Clerk. The election resulted in the choice of James B. Avery, A. Gaskill, M. Creager, Stephen Baird, Charles Tate and David B. John. April 6, 1877, the membership actual was 182 ; the Sabbath school mem- bership was 166 ; amount contributed for Pastor's salary, parsonage and other objects, was $2,914. A year later, there were 210 members. The statistical report for the year ending April 12, 1880, is in part as follows : Whole membership, 185 ; contributions, $1,416.83 ; number in school, 169.
St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church dates from the year 1832. In that year, Rev. Alva Guion, recently located at Piqua, visited Greenville to address the people on the importance of sustaining a Sunday school, and of establishing a library of religious books for children. This was done, although at this time, there was not an Episcopalian in the village. In the spring of 1833, Rev. Guion, on visit, was pleased to find a convert in the person of Mrs. Eliza A. Briggs. In 1835, an article of association was drawn up and circulated in Greenville, twelve persons subscribed their names to it, and in 1836, nine more were added, and the next spring the number was increased to twenty-five. The following is a copy of the article, and of the names attached, May 29, 1837 : " We, whose names are herewith affixed, do herchy associate ourselves together under the name of the Parish of St. Paul's Church : John and Eliza A. Briggs, W. B. and Mary A. Beall, Jane E. Ross, Evaline Dorsey, Margaret Kilbourne, Daniel R. and Ann B. Davis, Margaret Baird, Joseph Ross, Thomas F. Kilbourne. Stephen Perrine. W. M Wilson. Eliza Duncan, Elisha Dawes, Hiram Potter, Francis Waring, William M. Crane, William McKhann. A. L. Northrop, John Wharry, H. Arnold, H. D. Williams and Chloe Herkeiner."
Pursuant to canonical notice, members assembled May 29, 1837, at the dwell- ing of Dr. John Briggs, to organize a parish, and the following names were elected to the Vestry : John Briggs, W. B. Beall, Thomas F. Kilbourne, Joseph Ross and A. L. Northrop. A building committee was chosen January 13. 1840, which con- sisted of William M. Wilson, W. B. Beall and Hiram Potter. In due time, the building was erected, completed and properly furnished. Upon its site, on the northwest corner of Third and Walnut streets, on the site of the present new chapel. the pioneer church stood until 1879 or 1880, a period of forty years. From 1840 to 1852, N. Badger. of Troy. J. J. Okill, J. W. Talford. William Miller and Rev. Wiggins officiated at regular intervals. In 1846, nine persons were
435
HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
confirmed by Rt. Rev. C. P. MeIlvaine. In 1851. Daniel E. Brown became Rector, and maintained that relation to St. Paul's Parish until 1860. May, 17, 1859, four- teen persons were confirmed. Up to March 23, 1868, confirmations were forty-three, J. N. Lee became Rector, November 17, 1860, and served until November 30, 1862. From this date until 1866, there was no regular minister. Rev. J. H. McElray then served a year, when there was an interval until January, 1871, when Richard Wainwright was installed Rector, succeeded by George B. Sturgis, who closed con- nection with the church July. 1874. The present incumbent is Rev. David W. Cox. in charge since 1877. The new church is of recent construction, and as said, occupies the old site of the pioneer structure. The membership is about forty. The Sabbath School Superintendents between 1832 and 1853 were Mrs. E. Briggs and Evaline Dorsey. Later, the school was conducted several years by B. Hubbard, until 1859. Mr. Webb is now in charge. The school attendance is sixty.
The Methodist Episcopal Church began the construction of a house in 1835, and its location was determined by the following circumstance ; Isaac Jay. a Quaker, identified himself with the Methodists, and himself determined to buy the present church lot, the northwest half of No. 5, in Greenville, and upon it to erect a suitable building. He was induced to make the purchase from impressions made by a dream, in which he saw sheep encompassed by wolves make a success- ful stand at this site-then a thicket of thorn bushes. He paid $40 for the site, then owned by Hiram and John C. Potter, and received a deed February 22. 1835. In 1836, the meeting-house was completed, under the supervision as building com- mittee, of Mr. Jay, William Oliver, C. Martin, William Folkerth, William W. Jor- dan, Jacob Chenoweth and Hiram Bell, at a cost of $600. There was a debt of $70, which was discharged by each member of the committee paying $10. A revival, adding thirty-seven to the church, followed the completion of the house. The Methodist Episcopal parsonage of Fourth street was purchased in the fall of 1848 ; Rev. Harmount being its first occupant. In 1852, the frame church was sold to William J. Bireley, for $50, and subscriptions were taken for the purpose of building a brick church, estimated to cost $5,000. The sum of $2,000, only part of which was paid, having been subscribed. work began but was greatly retarded by lack of means. Finally, $1.500 was borrowed, and the work completed. In 1860, Greenville was made a station with one appointment. Isaac Newton, Pastor, drew large congregations, and much interest was shown. James H. Alderman was in charge next; then Jacob Feghtby, sometimes called the "quiet brother." During his stay the organ was first introduced into the church, with strong oppo- sition from aged members. In 1864, Fielding L. Harper began work, but in con- sequence of ill-health, discontinued work, and soon after died. Charles Reynolds was in charge in 1865, followed next year by Henry E. Pilcher. The parsonage was sold for $800, and another on the same street purchased for $2.500. Rev. L. C. Webster preached in 1867-68, and Joseph Avers, whose term of service expired with the latter year, was the Presiding Elder. The new parsonage was exchanged for another on the same street, the Trustees receiving $700 in addition to the same. The Sabbath-school was prosperous ; monthly concerts were held, and 200 children attended. During 1868, 1869 and 1870, Amos Wilson was preacher in charge. and Joseph Wyoks, Presiding Elder. Next came H. S. Bradley, and, in 1871, Rev. A. Berry was appointed to this charge, and remained three years. From the fall of 1874 to that of 1877, Rev. A. J. Fish was Pastor, during whose time the church was dedicated by Rev. A. Marine, now of Fort Wayne, Ind. The church member- ship reached 161. There was not a death during the year. Rev. M. L. Albright came in the fall of 1877, and remained two years. The present Pastor, Rev. J. A. Ferguson, is in charge. Since the dedication in 1875, considerable improvements have been made at a cost of $6,900. The bell donated by William Allen, has a weight of 1.525 pounds. The building stands on the east side of Sycamore street. between Third and Fourth streets. The present actual membership is 200.
436
HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
The Christian Church was organized January 3, 1841, by Elders Elijah Williamson, John B. Robertson, Hallet Barber and Elisha Ashley. At a regular meeting held July 31, various matters were adduced, among which was a resolu- tion to attach the church to the Western (Bluffton) Conference. It seems that in October 15, 1833, Lot No. 23 was deeded by Solomon Riffle and wife to William Martin. John Swisher, Alexander Craig, David Potter and John N. Parcell, for the use and benefit of the first Christian Church that might be organized in the town of Greenville, for the purpose of erecting thereon a meeting-house. A house was erected and at the time whereof we write the society by right took into possession house and lot. The members increased in seven months from ten to eighty-eight, and the Pastors in order up to August, 1841, were Elders J. B. Robertson, H. Barber, D. Purviance, L. Purviance, E. Ashley, I. Trenton and E. Williamson. The first Christian Church was incorporated January 21, 1842. In 1857, there were sixty-one additions, and August 25. 1859, there were 114 members. John Stephenson and John Van Meter were appointed Deacons August 1. 1846; Elder Williamson was chosen Pastor for one year from July 31, 1847. In April follow- ing, steps were taken toward the erection of a brick meeting-house. The old house was sold March 7, 1849, for $105. The Episcopalians allowed the society the temporary use of their house till their own could be built. August 10, 1854, Elder Marvin was Pastor, who, having resigned in 1856. Elder H. K. McConnell was invited to the pastorate, and was employed for 1857 and 1858. From this time a decadence set in, and in time but few members remained. On April 6, 1874, it was stated that besides Rev. McConnell. M. Palmer and Elder MeWhin- ney were the only ministers to that date who had preached and labored for the society.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.