JOHNSON K. ALBRIGHT.  After years of active labor as an agriculturist, this worthy citizen of Twin township, Darke county, is now living a retired life.  He belongs to an honored pioneer family of this state, and traces his ancestry back to three brothers who came to America from Germany prior to the Revolutionary war.  One settled in North Carolina and one in Pennsylvania, but all trace of the third has been lost.  It was from the first that our subject is descended.  He served all through the Revolutionary war.  His son, Philip Albright, the grandfather of our subject, was born and reared in Orange county, North Carolina, and in early life learned the tailor's trade.  Some time previous to 1804 he and his wife Christina came to Preble county, Ohio, and he entered land one the present site of Lewisburg, where he erected a primitive log cabin and followed farming throughout the remainder of his life.  He died Nov. 20, 1820, his wife, Dec.  29, 1817, and both were buried at Lewisburg.  Of their children John died in Arkansas; Catherine, the wife of John Thomas, died in Preble county, this state; Elizabeth, the wife of Daniel Sharp, died in Twin township, Darke county; Barbara, the wife of Lewis Thomas, died in Preble county; Philip died in Twin township, Darke county; Adam died in the same township Mary, the wife of Philip Nation, died in Eaton, Ohio; Jonas also died in Eaton; and Simpson, the father of our subject, died in Arcanum.
     Simpson Albright was born in Lewisburg, Nov. 2, 1804, and received only a limited education.  He was an excellent reader but had little knowledge of other branches of study.  As his father was lame and in limited circumstances most of the farm work fell to his sons, and when he died the family were left poor.  Simpson was only thirteen years of age at that time and was forced to earn his own livelihood by working as a farm hand, being thus employed until his marriage.  He drifted to Anderson county, Tennessee, where he met Miss Mary Snoderly, who became his wife Nov. 9, 1828.  She was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, Nov. 1, 1808, and was a daughter of Philip and Mary (Thomas) Snoderly, who moved to Tennessee about 1816.
     After his marriage, Mr. Albright continued to make his home in that state until August, 1832, when he returned to Ohio and located in the northeast corner of Preble county.  The following spring he rented a farm in Preble county, where he resided two years, and during that time bought eighty acres of wild land in Twin township, this county.  At that time no improvements had been made and there were but few families in the neighborhood.  Philip Mullenix had squatted near the Albright farm and built a house, but William Nealeigh, of Lewisburg, had paid him a small sum for his right to the tract and entered the land.  The property Mr. Albright rented until he could clear a small tract of his own land and erect a cabin thereon, which was accomplished in April, 1836.  The house, which was sixteen by twenty feet, was built of round logs and contained but one room.  He cleared his land and transformed it into a beautiful farm, finally selling it, after his children were grown, for one hundred dollars per acre.  He then moved to Arcanum and lived retired until his death, which occurred May 17, 1886.  His wife died Nov. 7, 1883.  They were leading members of the United Brethren church of Arcanum, and were very charitably disposed, their home being a refuge for the poor and needy.  In early life the father was a Democrat, but in 1854 severed his connection with that party and later became an ardent Republican.
     Our subject is the oldest in a family of eleven children, the others being as follows:  Henry M., born in Anderson county, Tennessee, Dec.  29, 1830, married Elizabeth Eichelberger.  He was a member of Company A, One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the one-hundred day service during the civil war, and was a farmer of Van Buren township, Darke county, Ohio, where he died Aug. 24, 1878.  Henderson L. born in Tennessee, Feb. 19, 1832, married Catherine Leedy.  He was a member of the same regiment as his brother, and now resides on a farm in Neave township, this county.  Daniel S., who was born in Preble county, this state, Oct. 6, 1834, married Elizabeth Leedy.  He, too, was a member of Company A, One Hundred and Fifty-second Regiment, and is now living in Arcanum.  Philip S., born in Twin township, Darke county, in 1836, married first Malinda Raines and secondly Nancy ____, and is now a farmer of Greenville township, this county.  He served for three years in the One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and then veteranized, remaining in the service until hostilities ceased.  William K., born in Twin township, Mar. 22, 1838, married Nancy Clark, and resides in Greenville.  He enlisted first for nine months in the Eighty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and after being discharged joined Company B, One Hundred and Tenth Regiment, serving until the close of the war.  Adam C., born in Twin township, Nov. 21, 1842, married Nancy Robeson and now lives in Adams county, Nebraska.  He served through the war as a member of the Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  Catherine S., born in Twin township, Nov. 24, 1843, married Anderson Tillman, and died in Arcanum.  Sarah Ann, born in Twin township, Feb. 13, 1845, married George F. Hapner and resides in Arcanum.  Elizabeth, born in Twin township, Aug. 13, 1848, married Dr. Royalston Ford, of Greenville, Ohio, and died in Arcanum.  Margaret Minerva, born in Twin township, Jan. 21, 1856, died in infancy.
     Johnson K. Albright was born in Anderson county, Tennessee, June 13, 1829, and was only three years old when brought by his parents to Ohio.  He received his education, as he says, "in the woods."  He attended school when he was not needed at home; was fond of study and spent much time with his books.  He qualified himself for a teacher, received a certificate from the county examiners and taught one year.  He passed through all the different phases of pioneer life.  Being the oldest son the responsibilities of the farm work fell upon him at an early age, as his father was not strong, and he did much of his father's business until leaving home.
     On the 11th of September, 1851, at Phillipsburg, Montgomery county, Ohio, Mr. Albright was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann Reichard, who was born in Pyrmont, that county, Dec.  8, 1834, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Winicke) Reichard.  Two children were born to them, but Edward Henry, born Sept. 28, 1853, died Apr. 6, 1854; and Granville Moorey, born May 15, 1859, died May 3, 1870.  Mrs. Albright died Sept. 21, 1897, and was laid to rest in Abbottsville cemetery.  She was a devout member of the United Brethren church, possessed a beautiful disposition and was a loving wife and mother.
     After his marriage, Mr. Albright remained with his father until the following December and then moved to his present farm of eighty acres, which he purchased Nov. 3, 1851.  His first home here was a hewed-log house, 18x20 feet, but he and his wife were very happy in their humble abode, and in 1876 he built his present beautiful home of red brick.  When the civil war broke out he was operating a saw-mill, and was engaged in that business for three yeas.  He also owned and operated a threshing machine for the same length of time.  The first school house erected in the north precinct of Twin township was built on a corner of his farm, it being of round logs and about 12x20 feet in dimension.  The first teacher was William McGriff, who taught the first year in an old log cabin which was built by Alfred Ayers and stood on what is now the Aaron Wellbau place.
     Mr. Albright was also one of the "boys in blue" during the war of the Rebellion, enlisting May 2, 1864, in the one-hundred-day service, as a private in Company A, One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  The regiment was continually on the march, and participated in Hunter's raid.  Mr. Albright was discharged at Camp Dennison, Ohio, Sept. 2, 1864, and is now an honored member of Rosser Post, G. A. R., at Arcanum, of which he has been the commander two years.  He cast his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce, in 1852, and is now a stanch supporter of the Republican party.  Quiet and unassuming, he has the confidence and respect of all who know him, and justly merits the high regard in which he is held.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 421

PETER ALBRIGHT, one of the leading citizens of Van Buren township, Darke county, Ohio, owns and operates a fine farm of one hundred and eleven acres, which he has placed in a high state of cultivation and improved with good buildings.  His possessions have all been acquired through his own efforts, and as the result of his long sustained endeavor he has won a place among the well-to-do citizens of his community.
     The first of the Albright family to come to America was our subject's great-grand-father, George Albright, a native of Germany, who settled in Berks county, Pennsylvania.  The grandfather, Jacob Albright, spent his entire life in that county, as a farmer, and died about 1842, when over eighty years of age.  The father, Peter Albright, was born in the old homestead in Berks county, and on reaching manhood married Catherine Heffner, a native of the same county.  Later they moved to Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, locating eighteen miles west of Harrisburg, where the father bought a farm of eighty acres, which he operated until his death in 1885.  He was twice married, his first wife being Catherine Heffner, by whom he had several children.  There were two children by the second marriage:  Peter, our subject; and Lucy.  The mother died in 1841.  She, too; twice married, her first husband being Mr. Cline, and she had children by that union.
     Our subject was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, Aug. 1, 1836, and was quite small when the family moved to Cumberland county, where he made his home until sixteen years of age, his education being obtained in the country schools.  At the age of fourteen he commenced learning the cabinet maker's trade, and was to receive thirty-five dollars for three years' work, three weeks of rest and three years' work, three weeks of rest and three months of schooling in winter; but he was not given the educational advantages.  At the age of sixteen he came to Ohio, having just enough money to bring him to Greenville, where he found work at his trade.  After his marriage he rented a farm near that place, but did not remain thereon a year.  The following year was spent upon a farm west of Greenville, in Van Buren township, and for seven years he rented Dr. Gard's farm.  At the end of that time he purchased fifty acres of land in Van Buren township, erected a house and other buildings, and continued the improvement and cultivation of that farm for twenty years.  Since then his home has been on his present farm, and he has built thereon a good barn and made many other improvements, which add to the value and attractive appearance of this place.
     While a resident of Greenville, Mr. Albright married Miss Maria Pearson, who was born in Van Buren township, Sept. 15, 1837, a daughter of Allen and Mary (Arnold) Pearson.  Of the five children born of the union, Monta L. and Mary Estelle died young; Allan married Anne Weaver, and has two children, Opal and a son not named; William, at home, married Mary Rainbarger, and has one child, Ruby; and Pearl is also at home.  The family are members of the Caylor Chapel, United Brethren church, and in his political views Mr. Albright is a stanch Democrat.  He is strictly a self-made man, whose success in life is due to industry, enterprise and perseverance, and he has the respect and confidence of all who know him.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 454

PHILIP ALBRIGHT was born in North Carolina, in the year 1797, and emigrated to the state of Ohio in 1818, settling on Twin creek, in Harrison Township, Preble county.  He remained here until the year 1822, when he removed to east Tennessee, settled in Anderson county, and cleared a farm.  He remained there following the occupation of a farmer, until the year 1835, when he returned to Ohio, and settled in Twin township in Darke County, in what is now known as the fertile "Painter Creek" valley, not far from the town of Arcanum.  He was one of the early settlers in this locality, and having a large family of eight boys and four girls, soon had a fine farm in a good state of cultivation.  Mr. Albright was a good mechanic and led all other as a builder of houses and barns, both frame and stone.  He was one of the leading stone masons of Darke and Preble counties, and lived to witness the wonderful change of the dense forests to the fertile fields, and the mud roads to the finely graveled and macadamized pikes, and he saw the building of the railroad, and the thriving village of Arcanum, Gordon and Pittsburg spring up in his locality as if by magic.  He was universally respected, and died in his eighty-fourth year.  He was an extraordinary man, physically large and strong, and strictly temperate in his habits, liberal to the needy, foremost in all public gatherings where physical strength and endurance were in requisition, and by his influence and example he induced many to live sober and exemplary lives.  Notwithstanding the fact that schools were poor and continued in session only a few months of the year, he had in his family among his sons three regularly ordained ministers of the gospel, and seven of his children followed, successfully, the occupation of teaching.  One of his sons, mentioned elsewhere, was killed in the late Civil war.  Mr. Albright was not only an advocate of temperance, but he lived a consistent Christian life, and died in the full hope of a blessed immortality.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 242

BENJAMIN M. ALLEN.  This gentleman, the only son of William Allen, was born in the village of Greenville, Ohio, July 3, 1868, and his boyhood was spent there. He obtained his education in its public schools, was an apt student and was graduated in the high school in the year 1888, passing through a five-years course of study with credit to himself. He then took a commercial course at Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York.  Returning to Greenville he turned his attention to farming and stock raising until 1899 and had one of the finest herds of blooded cattle in the state of Ohio. He afterward discontinued his farming operations and is now successfully engaged in the real estate and fire insurance business in Greenville.
     On the 14th of August, 1889, Benjamin M. Allen was united in marriage with Miss Jennie E. Gaskill, a daughter of Abram and Sarah A, (Youart) Gaskill. Her mother was an own cousin of Lord Gladstone, of England. Mrs. Allen died Feb. 12, 1899, leaving one daughter, Alcie, born Feb. 12, 1891.
     On the 5th day of June, 1900, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Laura Telma Shearer, daughter of Samuel and Sarah A. Shearer, of Somerset, Perry county, Ohio, the former now deceased.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 654

WILLIAM ALLEN, the prominent lawyer, judge and legislator of Greenville, Ohio, was born in Butler county, this state, Aug. 13, 1827, and died July 6, 1881, in Greenville.  His father, John Allen, was a native of Ireland, born Jan. 26, 1800, and came to America in 1812.  After residing six years in New York, he located in Butler county, Ohio, in 1818, and in February, 1838, moved his family into the sparsely settled forests of Darke county, where he erected a log cabin, having a split-log floor and mud and stick chimney.  He died on the 2d of October, 1858, a very much respected citizen.  He possessed fine conversational powers, and in the latter part of his life was a preacher of the United Brethren church.
     Our subject was favored with the advantages of the common schools only, yet by earnest personal application he qualified himself to teach the English branches at the age of fifteen and in this way for several years employed his winters.  At the age of nineteen he began reading law under the late Felix Marsh, of Eaton, Ohio, was admitted to the bar in June, 1849, and the following October began practice at Greenville.  He met with success in his chosen calling and became one of the most prominent and successful lawyers of Darke county.  On the 30th of September, 1851, Mr. Allen married Miss Priscilla, daughter of John Wallace, a native of Pennsylvania, and an early pioneer of Butler county, Ohio, who settled in Darke county in 1834, and died in the summer of 1863, at the age of about eighty years. He was always recognized as an upright man and an excellent citizen.  The children born of this marriage were five sons and three daughters, of whom only one son is now living.  (His sketch is given next).  Four of the children died of diphtheria under the most afflicting circumstances, and within the brief, space of two months.  This was in the winter of 1861, when Mr. Allen was summoned home from Washington city to the scene of bereavement.
     Early in life Mr. Allen became prominently identified with public affairs, and has been called upon to fill several important official positions.  In the fall of 1856 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Darke county, and re-elected in 1852.  In the fall of 1858 he was elected representative to congress from the fourth district of Ohio, comprising the counties of Miami, Darke, Shelby, Mercer, Allen and Auglaize, and re-elected in, 1860, thus serving in the thirty-sixth and thirty-seventh congresses. In the winter of 1865 he was appointed by Governor Cox as judge of the court of common pleas of the first subdivision of the second judicial district of Ohio, composed of the counties of Butler, Darke and Preble, to fill an unexpired term in the place of Judge David L. Meeker, resigned.  In 1872 he was a member of the Grant electoral college, and also an elector for Garfield in 1880.  The electors of Ohio, after casting their vote for the latter, paid him a visit of congratulation at his home in Mentor, Ohio.  Mr. Allen was again nominated for congress on the Republican ticket from the fifth congressional district of Ohio in the summer of 1878, but declined the honor on account of ill health.  Of local positions, it may be mentioned that he was president of the Greenville Bank, then a private enterprise, conducted under the firm name of Hufnagle, Allen & Company; Mr. Allen began the world in poverty, was reared in a rough log cabin, and enjoyed none of the golden opportunities for social and educational improvement which are lavishly, bestowed on the youth of today, but he always made the most of his advantages, and without the aid of influence or wealth rose to a position among the most prominent men of his county, his native genius and acquired ability being the stepping stones on which he mounted.  As a lawyer his career was successful, while his record as a statesman was creditable to himself and satisfactory to his constituents.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 653

JAMES I. ALLREAD.  The name of this gentleman figures prominently in connection with political and professional interests in Darke County and his reputation and acquaintance are by no means limited by the confines of the county.  He is now practicing law in Greenville, with excellent success, and his analytical power, executive ability and thorough understanding of the principles of jurisprudence have gained him a leading position in the ranks of the legal fraternity of this community.
     He was born upon his father's farm in Twin township, Sept. 29, 1858, and is the eldest son of Isaac and Hannah C. (Houk) Allread.  The paternal great-grand-father was William Allread, one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war, who, under command of General Wayne, aided the colonists in their struggle for independence.  The grandfather, Henry Allread, became one of the early settlers of Butler county, Ohio, where he located about 1820, entering one hundred and sixty acres of land in the midst of the forest.  Isaac Allread, the father of our subject, was born in Butler county, in 1826, and became a farmer by occupation.  He married Hannah C. Houk, daughter of James and Abigail Houk, who removed to Darke county about 1820.  The latter lived to the advanced age of eighty-nine years.  The mother of our subject was born in Darke county about 1830, and by her marriage had three children:  James I., Stephen W. and Mary.  The parents held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and the father, a stanch Republican in politics, was often found in the councils of his party, where his opinions carried considerable weight.  He died July 2, 1876, and his wife passed away in 1866.
     James I. Allread spent his boyhood days upon the home farm in Twin township, and in the winter months he mastered the common English branches of learning taught in the district schools.  He afterward continued his education in Greenville under the instruction of Professor J. T. Martz and Professor Seitz.  He then returned to the farm where he remained until nineteen years of age, when he began reading law in the office and under the direction of William Allen, of Greenville, being admitted to the bar before the supreme court, on the 6th of October, 1880.  He then established an office in this city, where he has since engaged in practice up to the present time - a period of twenty consecutive years - with the exception of a short interval when he served as judge of the circuit court, to which position he was appointed by Governor McKinley to fill out the unexpired term of Judge Shauck, who was advanced to a seat on the supreme bench of the state.  When the term was extended Mr. Allread resumed the private practice of law and has been connected with important litigation in all of the courts, local, state and federal.  He has tried many cases involving large interests in intricate legal problems and has been very successful in winning verdicts favorable to his clients, for he gives careful preparation and marshals strong points in evidence with the skill of a general in the field of battle.
     On the 1st of August, 1883, Mr. Allread was united in marriage to Miss Emma S. Roland, of Greenville, the third daughter of Charles Roland, editor and proprietor of the Greenville Democrat.  Unto the Judge and his wife have been born two children:  Marie A., born July 1, 1886, and Charles Harold, born Aug. 13, 1889.  They have a pleasant home in Greenville, and their many friends speak in high terms of its hospitality.
     A well-known Mason, Judge Allread holds membership with Greenville Lodge, No. 143, F. & A. M.; Coleman Commandery, No. 17, K. T., of Troy, Ohio.  He was for several years a high priest of the chapter, and in 1899 he was representative to the grand lodge and served as grand junior deacon.  As every true American citizen should do, he takes a deep interest in the political questions of the day, studies closely the political aspect of the country and as the result of his mature deliberations gives his support to the Republican party.  In 1898 he was a member of the Republican state executive committee, and his labors have been effective in promoting the success of his party.  His arguments in its defense are strong and decisive and the same earnestness marks his support of everything which tends toward the public wealth.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 382

S. WILLIAM ALLREAD.  This well-known citizen of Greenville, Ohio, now holds the responsible position of manager for the firm of J. P. Wolf & Son, extensive dealers in leaf tobacco at Dayton.  He was born in the village of Arcanum, Darke County, in 1863, and is a son of Isaac and Christina (Honk) Allread, both natives of  this state, the former born near Hamilton, in Butler county, and the latter in Warren county.  The father was an early settler of Darke county, as were also our subject's maternal grandparents, Jacob and Abigail (Shepperd) Honk.
     The boyhood of S. William Allread was passed in his native village, where he attended the public schools, but after losing his father, when thirteen years of age, he went to live with his uncle, Stephen Allread, in De Lisle, Darke county, and remained with him until attaining his thirtieth year.  For the following three years he was variously employed, but at the end of that time became interested in the tobacco business as an employe of George W. Whation, a dealer in leaf tobacco, with whom he remained for two years.  Subsequently he was similarly employed by A. L. Jones, now the postmaster of Greenville, and was with him five years.  He has since continued his connection with the leaf tobacco trade, working for William Breno, now a member of congress, for five years, and at the end of that time accepted his present position in the employ of J. P. Wolf & Son, of Dayton, having charge of their business in Greenville, where they own a warehouse.  His extensive acquaintance throughout the country, and his large practical experience in handling leaf tobacco, make him well qualified for the responsible position he is now filling to the entire satisfaction of the company.  He is a most competent manager and a good business man. 
     In 1887 Mr. Allread was united in marriage with Miss Mary Graham, of Greenville, a daughter of John W. Graham, and to them have been born three children, namely: Merley C., Roy and William.  Socially Mr. Allread is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and politically is a stanch Republican, now serving as a committeeman for the third ward.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 730

LEWIS C. ANDERSON, M. D.  Darke county has been signally favored in the personnel and character of her professional men, and. in that most exacting of all professions, medicine and surgery, a notable representative is he whose name appears above.  Dr. Anderson, who holds distinctive prestige as a physician and surgeon of marked ability in. his profession and as a man of sterling characteristics in all the relations of life, maintains his residence and office in Greenville, from which headquarters his practice ramifies throughout the county, while he is frequently called into consultation by his professional confreres at points more or less distantly located.  He is a native of the Buckeye state, having been born in Montgomery county on the 15th of January, 1850, the son of John and Mary (Hulse) Anderson. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Ohio. After their marriage they settled in Montgomery county, this state, where they remained until 1863, when the family removed to Darke county and settled upon a farm, which continued to be the home of the honored parents until death released them from their labors,—the father passing away in November, 1869, in the forty-eighth year of his age, while the mother survived but a short time after their removal to this county, her demise taking place in 1864.
     The paternal grandparents of the Doctor were James and Ruth (McCahan) Anderson, the former born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in April, 1792, the latter in January, 1800. His paternal great-grand­parents were Irish and lived about twenty miles from Dublin, where all of their children but James were born. They emigrated to the new world in 1791.  The maternal great-grandfather of our subject was Patrick McCahan, also a native of the Emerald Isle, and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Green, was a near relative of General Nathaniel Greene, of Revolutionary fame.
     Dr. Anderson passed the first twelve years of. his life in Montgomery county, accompanying his parents upon their removal to Darke county in 1863.  Thus he spent part of his youth upon the farm, growing strong in mind and body under this sturdy discipline, supplemented by his attendance at the district schools, in the vicinity of his home.  His father was appreciative of the advantages of broader education and the young man was encouraged in his aspirations to seek a wider field of endeavor in preparing for the battle of life.  He matriculated as a student in the Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, where he prepared himself for pedagogic work, which has served as the stepping stone for so many of our leading professional men, and after being duly fortified in this line he devoted himself to teaching for one winter in the district schools and for two winters in the village of Ansonia.  In the meanwhile he had formulated specific plans for his future life work, and, having decided to prepare himself for the medical profession, began a course of reading under the preceptorage of Dr. Hooven, a well-known physician of Dayton, Ohio, later prosecuting his studies and clinical work in the Miami Medical College, at Cincinnati, where he graduated as a member of the class of 1874.  He immediately entered upon the practice of his profession at Ansonia, Darke county, where he remained until 1888, when he removed to Greenville, the county seat, having been elected to the office of probate judge, as the nominee of the Democratic party.  He assumed the duties of this important and exacting office Feb. 9, 1888, and after serving with signal ability and impartiality for his term of three years was chosen as his own successor and continued his effective administration of the office for a further three years.  At the expiration of his second term the Doctor prepared to again devote himself to his regular professional work, which he had but held in temporary abeyance.  In order to thoroughly reinforce himself for his duties he went to New York city, where he completed a post­graduate course at the New York Post Graduate Medical School.  Returning to Greenville he entered into a professional alliance with Dr. D. Robeson, under the firm name of Robeson & Anderson, engaging in general practice.  His success has been the diametrical result of his ability and personal popularity and he is known as one of the able physicians and surgeons of the state, being a close and indefatigable student and ever keeping abreast of the advances made in his profession.  The Doctor is a member of the Darke County Medical Society and also of the State and National Medical Associations, in whose work he maintains an active interest.  He served two years as a physician to the Darke County Children's Home and is a member of the soldiers' relief committee of the county and a member of the Greenville city school board.
     In politics the Doctor is a stanch Democrat and has been an active worker in the cause.  Fraternally his allegiance is given to the time-honored order of Freemasons, in which he holds membership in Ansonia Lodge, No. 488, A. F. & A. M., and Greenville Chapter, R. A. M., while he is also identified with Ansonia Lodge, No. 605, I. O. O. F., and the Knights of Pythias, being distinctly popular in each of these organizations, to which he gives as much of his time as is possible in the midst of the exactions of his professional work.
     On the 29th of September, 1875. Dr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Ollie Tullis, daughter of Milton and Sarah Tullis, of Ansonia, and of this union one son has been born, John M., a young man of much intellectuality and strength of character, who is now a student in the celebrated Rush Medical College, in Chicago, where he is preparing to follow the profession to I so marked success.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 702

CHRISTOPHER M. ARMACOST, deceased, was for many years one of the respected citizens of Darke county, Ohio. He was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, Nov. 2, 1807, and was descended from German and English ancestors.  The Armacosts were of German origin, but at what time the first representatives of the family landed in this country is not now known. Christopher Armacost, the father of Christopher M., was born, reared, passed his life and died in Baltimore county, Maryland.  His wife, whose maiden name was Malinda Murray, was also a native of that place, where both her father and grandfather settled on landing in this country from England, where both were born. Christopher and Malinda Armacost. were the parents of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, Christopher M. being the fourth son and seventh child.
     In his native county Christopher M. Armacost was reared and married.  Thinking to better his fortunes by seeking a home in what was then called "the west," he came in the fall of 1837 to Darke county, Ohio, bringing with him his wife, whom he had married in the spring of that year.  They first located on a rented farm, where they spent the winter, and in the spring of 1838 moved to the farm on which Mrs. Armacost still lives, on section 29, German township.  Their first home .here was a little log cabin, 16x14 feet situated in a small clearing with heavy timber all around them.  On this farm he lived and labored for more than a quarter of a century, and as a result of his industry the primitive log house was replaced by a better home, the forest was cleared away, and the well cultivated fields gave evidence of prosperity.  Here he lived until 1885, when he moved to Hollansburg, where he died the following year.  His life was a useful, active one, and there were few, if any, of the early pioneers of this locality better known or more highly respected than he.  He helped to raise many of the log houses and barns in the county.  He served as a township trustee and constable; and he was ever ready to give his influence and support to whatever he believed to be for the best interest of the county.  Politically he was a Democrat, being the only one of the large family of which he was a member that voted with the Democratic party.
     The date of Mr. Armacost's marriage has already been given.  Mrs. Armacost was before her marriage Miss Sarah Hoover, and is of German origin, her great­grandfather having been born in Germany.  The German for Hoover is Huber, and the name was changed after the settlement of the family in this country.  Both Ulrich and Henry Hoover, the grandfather and father of Mrs. Armacost, were born in Pennsylvania, near Hanover, and from there Henry Hoover, after his marriage, moved to Baltimore county, Maryland, where the rest of his life was spent on a farm, and where he died at the age of seventy-three years.  His wife, nee Susannah Dubbs, was a native of Pennsylvania, as also was her father, Oswalt Dubbs, and the Dubbs family also was of German origin. Henry and Susannah Hoover were the parents of ten children, namely: David, deceased; Mrs. Lydia Cooper, lives in Rutland, Illinois; Mary, deceased; Sarah, now Mrs. Armacost; Henry, deceased; Catharine, deceased; John, deceased; and Margaret, Peter and Susannah. Sarah, the fourth born and third daughter in the family, was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, Jan. 17, 1813, and is the only member of her family in Darke county, Ohio.  She is the mother of ten children, as follows: Eli, living; Henry, Amanda, Louisa, John and Elizabeth, all deceased; Lydia, wife of John Harnish, of Washington township, Darke county; Mary P., wife of J. B. Jones, of Randolph county, Indiana; Margaret C, wife of George Mikesell, of Republican county, Kansas; and James B.
     James B. Armacost, the youngest of the above named family resides with his aged mother on the home farm. He was born here, Apr. 8, 1857, and in May, 1881, was married to Miss Emma R. Heironimus, a native of Darke county, Ohio.  She died in 1889, leaving him with four little children: Eva Gertrude, born Mar. 9, 1882; Herbert E., Oct. 23, 1883; Henry Glen, Sept. 3, 1887; and Justin Ray, Oct. 18, 1889.  Mrs. Armacost has other grand­children, numbering in all thirty, and her great-grandchildren at this writing number twelve.  Her son, James B., has charge of the home farm and is ranked with the representative citizens of the community.  Like his father before him he affiliates with the Democratic party.  He served three years as a township trustee, and at this writing is a school director. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, having his membership in Lodge No. 476, at Hollansburg.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 620

Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 414

JAMES B. AVERY.  The subject of this sketch needs no special introduction to the readers of this volume, but the work would be incomplete without, the record of his life.  He has ever cheerfully given his support to those enterprises that tend to public development and has done all in his power to advance the moral, educational and social welfare of his township and county.
     This worthy citizen of Greenville township, whose home is on section 3, traces his ancestry back to Christopher Avery, who was born in Wiltshire, England, in 1590, and who, tradition states, came to America in 1630 or 1631 and landed in Salem, Massachusetts, though his home was for the most part in Boston.  He had one son, James, who subsequently settled in Connecticut and from whom all the Averys in New England are descended.  He left four sons, one of whom was an ancestor of our subject.  The family has always been well represented in the wars of this country.  Some have been noted in professional life and have distinguished themselves in letters and politics, but it has been in manufacturing circles that they have been most prominent.  Elroy M. Avery, of Cleveland, Ohio, is the author of a series of school text books and has represented his district in the state senate, and in ministerial work members of the family are scattered through the various Protestant denominations.
     Our subject was born in New London county, Connecticut, Aug. 27, 1826, a son of Billings and Prudence Avery, in whose family were four children, three of whom reached years of maturity, namely: James B., Theopolis and Amos G. Theopolis is now deceased.  The father died in Connecticut July 15, 1833, at the age of thirty years, and the mother Mar. 23, 1833, at the same age.
     In the county of his nativity James B. Avery grew to manhood, aiding in the work of the home farm and attending the local schools.  In 1847, on attaining his majority, he came west alone, and after looking the country over stopped in Greenville township, Darke county, where he taught a district school during the winter.  In the spring of 1848 he returned to Connecticut, but the following fall he located permanently here, buying eighty acres of the land in Greenville township where he now resides.  To this he has added until he now has one hundred and thirty, acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation.  Only a few acres had been cleared when he took up his residence thereon.
     In the fall of 1848 Mr. Avery married Miss Marcella Earhart, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Scribner) Earhart, early settlers of this county.  By this union were born five children: Prudence M., now the wife of David Hartle, Jr., of Darke county; Franklin, deceased; Emily, the wife of Orin Hartle, also of this county; Lizzie, the wife of Frank Townsend; and Ira J., who lives with his parents.
     Samuel Earhart, the father of Mrs. Avery, was a son of George and Mary M. (Smith) Earhart, who were among the first settlers of Warren county, Ohio, and about 1818 came to Darke county, entering land in Greenville township. George Earhart was a Virginian by birth and of German descent.  He died in Greenville township in 1852, his wife in 1858.  They had ten children, namely: Martin, Samuel and Elizabeth, all deceased; Mary; Washington; Mahala; William; Nancy; Julia and Henry J.  They were earnest Christian people, the grandfather being a member of the Christian church, his wife of the Presbyterian.  Mrs. Avery's parents were life-long residents of Darke county and her father was an elder in the Presbyterian church, to which both belonged.  He died in 1854, aged fifty-three years, Mrs. Earhart in 1873, aged sixty-seven.  Their children were Marcella, the wife of our subject; Anna M., Mary Jane and William Henry, all deceased; George F., a resident of Oregon; Samuel M. and Mrs. Elizabeth Sarah Warnfelt, both of Darke county; Stephen James, of Oregon; Isaac S., of Oklahoma; David, of Florida; and Mrs. Lucinna Mergler, of this county.  Azor Scribner, Mrs. Avery's maternal grandfather, came from New York to Darke county, Ohio, in 1806 or 1807 and traded with the Indians.   Both he and his brother, Abraham, were soldiers of the war of 1812.  He died in 1822, leaving the following children: Mrs. Sarah McCann, Mrs. Elizabeth Earhart, Mrs. Rhoda Clare, Mrs. Emily Kidder, Mrs. Maria Gates, Mrs. Nancy Stacy, Mrs. Julia Lee and Mrs. Mary Hool.  The mother of these children was three times married, her third husband being a Mr. Davis.  She died about 1849.
     Mr. Avery is a well informed, enterprising man who has taken an active interest in educational affairs, and has efficiently served as a school director many years.  He votes the Republican ticket, and both he and his wife are active and consistent members of the Presbyterian church of Greenville, in which he has served as an elder.  He is a man of exemplary habits, of strong religious convictions and has endeavored to live up to the teachings of the Golden Rule.  He has always been charitably disposed to all worthy enterprises, is well informed on current topics, possesses a retentive memory and is incisive and clear in speech.  In fact he is one of Darke county's best and most valued citizens, a kind husband and father and a good neighbor.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page  645