JOHN L. BAILEY.  While memory remains to the American citizens the "boys in blue" who fought for the defense of the Union will ever be held in grateful remembrance, and well do they deserve all the love that can be bestowed upon them.  A man does not lightly risk life, but when in the face of great danger he bravely stands for his country and his principles he awakens the highest admiration of all who know aught of his gallantry.  With the splendid army that marched to the south to aid in crushing the rebellion went John L. Bailey, and today he is numbered among the veterans of the civil war, and his also regarded as one of the leading and substantial citizens of Darke county, Ohio.
     It was in Brown township, this county, that he was born, Aug. 26, 1841.  His father, Henry Bailey, was also a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Perry county, on the 19th of December, 1811.  He was reared as a farmer and obtained his education in the primitive subscription schools of the early part of the nineteenth century.  During his boyhood he accompanied his parents on their removal to Preble county, Ohio, at which time that section of the state was an unbroken wilderness.  He was married in that county to Miss Nancy Runyon, whose birth occurred in Kentucky, on the 20th of February, 1818.  In 1833 he came to Darke county and located in Brown township, upon a tract of one hundred and twenty acres of dense forest land.  No house had as yet been builded, and his first home was a little log cabin.  Bears, wolves and deer were still killed in the neighborhood, and venison was a dish often fund upon the board of the early settlers.  Everything was wild and gave little promise of the wonderful development and progress which was soon to work a splendid transformation here.  Our subject can remember when deer traveled over his father's farm as a drove of sheep passes through a field.  In the midst of the forest the father hewed out a homestead.
     He was a man of strong decision of character, well known for his reliability and trustworthiness.  His fellow townsmen, recognizing his ability, called him to office, and he served as trustee and in other local positions, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity.  He was a warm friend of the cause of education and of all measures calculated to contribute toward the general good.  In politics he was first an old line Whig, supporting the party until the organization of the new Republican party, when he joined its ranks, becoming a warm advocate of the "rail-splitter" who was raised to the presidential chair.  He aided in the first Christian church of the locality, known as the Teegarden church, and also contributed toward the building of two other churches in this vicinity.  He was a man of kind and benevolent purpose and made the Golden Rule the motto of his life.  On the 6th of July, 1887, he was called to his final rest, and his remains were interred in the Teegarden cemetery.  His wife still survives him, at the age of eighty-two years, and her mental faculties are still unimpaired.  She makes her home with her children and is a consistent Christian woman, holding membership in the Christian church.  In the family were five sons and four daughters, of whom seven are yet living, namely:  Mary A.; John L., of this review; Samuel, a resident of Darke county; Stephen, who is married and lives in Ansonia, from which place he travels as a commercial agent; Rebecca, the wife of David Bennett, who is also a veteran of the civil war, and is now living in Woodington, Ohio; Hannah, the wife of Wesley McKay, who served as a soldier in the Union army, and is now an agriculturist of Brown  township; and Adda, the wife of Oscar Strait, also a farmer of Brown township.  She is the youngest member of the family.  One son, William Bailey, served for three years in the civil war and was wounded at the  battle of Lookout Mountain.
     John L. Bailey, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared in Darke county and received such educational privileges as the common schools of the neighborhood afforded.  His time, however, was largely occupied with the work of clearing and developing the home farm, and thus he early became familiar with the work of field and meadow.  He was only twenty-one years of age when, at the president's call for troops, he enlisted, at Greenville, Ohio, on the 8th of August, 1862, as a member of Company G, Fortieth Ohio Infantry, under Captain Charles Gordon Matchett.  They rendezvoused at Columbus, Ohio, and the regiment was ordered to report at Big Sandy river, but Mr. Bailey was taken ill with typhoid fever and forced to remain in the hospital for three months.  On the expiration of that period he rejoined his command at Big Sandy, the forces being there encamped under General James A. Garfield.  From that place they went up the Ohio and Cumberland rivers to Nashville, Tennessee, by steamer, and at the latter place the Fortieth Ohio was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland.  The Union troops proceeded to Franklin, Tennessee, and participated in the hotly-contested engagement against General Hood.  Mr. Bailey served as provost-guard in the city of Franklin, and was so close to the rebels that they could easily have shot him, but he managed to make his escape.  The next battle in which he took part was the three days' engagement at Chickamauga.  He was in the front of the action where the rebel lead fell thick and fast.  Many of his company were killed or wounded, and a pine tree near him was cut down by the shot and shell of the enemy and fell among the boys who were there fighting to preserve the Union.  At the battle Mr. Bailey was struck by a piece of spent shell, but was not injured.  The next engagement in which he participated was at Lookout mountain, known as "the battle above the clouds," and there it was that his brother William was wounded.  It was one of the most picturesque engagements of the entire war, for the field lay upon the mountain crest, and commanded a magnificent view of the surrounding country.  Mr. Bailey also took part in the battle of Missionary Ridge, where with his regiment he was on the extreme right of the Union army.  The Confederates were there signally defeated and the Union troops were jubilant over the splendid victory.  They suffered many hardships, however, often having nothing to eat save the corn which had been dropped by the mules and which they picked up and parched, eating it with relish.  Mr. Bailey also followed the stars and stripes on the battlefields of Chickamauga, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station and through the celebrated Atlanta campaign from the 3d of May until the 9th of September, during which time the troops were almost daily under fire.  So constant was the action that they had scarcely any rest, and on more than one occasion he sat leaning against a tree in order to get a few moments' sleep.  At other times he and his comrades would lie down between two rails and in the morning would find that their bed was surrounded by water, so constantly did it rain during that campaign.  He was present at the battles of Peach Tree Creek, Kenesaw Mountain and Resaca, - all hotly contested engagements, - Buzzards' Roost and Ringgold.  At Kenesaw Mountain while his company was marching toward the rebel works, he narrowly escaped being killed, and a ball struck his comrade next to him.  During the first day's battle at Chickamauga he had a narrow escape from capture.  He endured all the hardships and trials of war save imprisonment, and loyally followed the old flag where it led.  After the Atlanta campaign his division of the army was ordered to pursue General Hood, and at Franklin, Tennessee, they encountered the rebel commander and participated in one of the fiercest battles that raged during the four years of warfare.  Later the battle of Nashville occurred, in which General Hood was hopelessly defeated.  The Union troops then followed the rebel commander to Huntsville, Alabama, and thence returned to join Grant's army, making repairs on  the railroad lines as they were on the march.  When in the vicinity of Greenville, Tennessee, the joyful news reached them of the surrender of Lee and his army.  The fourth corps, to which Mr. Bailey belonged, was sent back to Nashville, Tennessee, and thence to Texas, but as his time had almost expired, he received an honorable discharge on the 27th of June, 1865, and with a happy heart returned to home and friends, having for almost three years faithfully served his country upon the battlefields of the south.
     Mr. Bailey has been twice married.  He first wedded Elizabeth E. Teegarden, a representative of one of the well known pioneer families of the county.  Their marriage occurred Sept. 2, 1869, and was blessed with three children, two sons and a daughter, of whom two are living.  Harvey, the elder, was educated in the common schools, wedded Miss Catherine Harp, and is a farmer of Greenville township, while Henry A. is a resident of Woodington, Ohio, where he is engaged in merchandising and grain dealing in partnership with Bert Teegarden.  The firm are doing a large business and enjoy a creditable reputation in commercial circles.  Henry A. Bailey married Miss Minnie Cox.  One daughter, Nancy Laura, was born Apr. 24, 1874, and was married Dec. 24, 1892, to William H. Slick, and died of consumption May 31, 1896.  She was an earnest Christian woman, greatly beloved for her many excellencies of character, and the memory of an upright life she left to her husband and her two motherless little children.  The mother of these children was born on the old Teegarden farm in Brown township, in 1847, and died Aug. 19, 1875.  For his second wife Mr. Bailey chose Sarah M. Strader, the wedding taking place Oct. 19, 1877.  She was born in Darke county, Dec. 11, 1854, a daughter of John A. and Margaret L. (Weber) Strader.  Her father was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, Oct. 11, 1818, and died Oct. 12, 1899, at the age of eighty-one years and one day.  He was a farmer and a devoted Christian man, esteemed by all who knew him.  His wife, who is a consistent member of the Christian church, was born Oct. 11, 1823, and is still living.  In their family were fifteen children, seven sons and eight daughters, eleven of whom yet survive.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have been born two sons and two daughters, but their son, Howard died on the 1st of September, 1884, at the age of seven months.  The following stanzas were written by a friend.:

"We loved him; yes, we loved him;
But angels loved him more,
And they have sweetly called him
To yonder shining shore.

"The golden gates were opened,
A gentle voice said Come,
And with farewells unspoken
He calmly entered home."

     Ida, the eldest child, is now the wife of George Andrews, a farmer of Union City, Indiana, and they have one child living, a daughter.  Their little son, John William, was born Apr. 14, 1897, and died Aug. 24, 1898.  He was a sweet, lovable child, and his death was a great blow to the parents; but the Master said, "Suffer little children to come unto Me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven," and the little one passed to the home above.  Lemuel H. is living at home with his parents, and assists in the work of the farm.  Mattie completes the family and is a student in the public schools, and is also a student of music.
     At the time of his marriage Mr. Bailey had a capital of about one thousand dollars, which he had accumulated through hard work.  Year by year he has added to his property, and is today the owner of one hundred acres of valuable land, which is in a good state of cultivation.  He has a good residence, substantial outbuildings and all the modern accessories and conveniences of a model farm.  He follows progressive and practical methods, and is widely known as a leading agriculturist of his community.  He votes with the Republican party, and has been a stanch advocate of its principles since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln.  He has served for a number of years as a school director, and his labors have been effective in promoting the cause of education.  Otherwise, however, he has never held office, preferring  to devote his time and energies to  his business affairs, in which he has met with signal success.  Socially he is connected with Fifer Post, G. A. R., of Ansonia, and he and his family are consistent members of the Christian church in Woodington.  He has contributed largely toward the erection of the house of worship, and has also given material assistance to other churches and to many benevolences worthy of consideration.  He and his wife enjoy the warm regard of many friends and the hospitality of many of the best homes in this section of the state.  Their lives have ever been upright and honorable, and their many excellencies of character have endeared them to a large circle of acquaintances.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - PageS 262 - 266

MRS. SAMUEL BAILEY.  Mrs. Bailey is a native of Darke county, Ohio, where she was born on the 22d of October, 1852, being the second in order of birth of the eight children of Moses and Hannah D. (Mendenhall) Teegarden.  Of the four sons and four daughters only two are now living - Mrs. Bailey, the immediate subject of this review, and her brother, William W. Teegarden, who is a prominent attorney of Greenville, this county.
     MOSES TEEGARDEN was a representative of one of the pioneer families of Darke county, and here his birth occurred on the 9th of December, 1827.  He died in the prime of his useful manhood, his demise having taken place on May 19, 1875.  He was educated in the common schools of his native county and was reared under the invigorating discipline of the pioneer farm, devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits until the end of his life.  He was a man who gained and retained the uniform respect and confidence of all who knew him.  In the paternal line he was of Holland Dutch lineage, as the name indicates.  He commenced his life work with only his physical strength, his industrious habits and his upright character as stock in trade, but this proved adequate capital, and success attended his earnest and well directed efforts.  His life's labors ended, he left to those near and dear to him the priceless heritage of a good name - a name sufficient of good thoughts and kindly deeds.  In his political proclivities Mr. Teegarden was a stanch Democrat, being a great admirer of Andrew Jackson.  He was endowed with a strong mentality, and through his personal application and his contact with men had gained a broad fund of information, and was known as a man of discrimination and sound judgment.  He was a devoted member of the Christian church, and was one of the founders of what is known as the Teegarden church.  It was through the efforts of his father that the cemetery was laid out in this township (Brown), and the land for the same was donated by this honored pioneer, William Teegarden, for whom also the church above mentioned received its title.
     Moses Teegarden was truly a God-fearing man, was imbued with those deep religious convictions and principles which indicate the true Christian gentleman, and he was, indeed one of the pillars of the church.  He presided many times as the preacher in this vicinity, being regularly ordained as a minister of the Eastern Indiana conference, and was well known for his wisdom, integrity of purpose and deep piety.  He was always known as the friend of the poor and distressed, never turning the needy empty-handed from his door.
     Hannah D. Mendenhall, who became the wife of Moses Teegarden, was a native of Preble county, Ohio, where she was born Mar. 8 1831, and her death occurred on the 5th of November, 1863.  She was a woman of gentle character and deep religious convictions, and the careful and conscientious training which she gave to her children had a perpetual influence upon their lives, and will ever been held in fond and grateful remembrance by the two who survive.  Mr. and Mrs. Teegarden are both interred in the cemetery which bears their name, and they will be long remembered in the community where they lived and labored to goodly ends, their lives being consecrated to all that was true and beautiful.
     Mrs. Bailey, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in this county, and here she was for some time engaged in teaching, meeting with success in her pedagogic work.  On the 19th of March, 1873, she was united in marriage to Samuel Bailey, and of this union three sons and three daughters were born, three of the number surviving, namely: Oliver Clinton, who is a successful farmer of Greenville township, married Miss Sadie Puterbaugh; Tracey Lerton is at home, having passed the Boxwell examination, which entitles him to admission to any high school in the county; and Cora Ethel, who is at home, and who has likewise passed the examination mentioned.
     Samuel Bailey is a native of Darke county, where he was born Feb. 8, 1847, a son of Henry and Nancy (Runyon) Bailey, who were the parents of five sons and four daughters.  The father died in July, 1876, having been an honored and successful farmer of the county.  His venerable widow, who was born in the state of Kentucky, is now eighty-three years of age.  Samuel Bailey was reared to agricultural pursuits and has always devoted his attention to this basic line of industry.  In politics he is a Republican, having cast his first presidential vote for General Grant.  As a man and as a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the county, he is held in the highest esteem, both he and his wife having a distinctive popularity in the social circles of this community, where practically their entire lives have been passed.  They are charter members of the Christian church at Woodington, Ohio, and are active and zealous workers in the same.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 554

HENRY BEACHLER.  For many years this gentleman was one of the prominent farmers and highly respected citizens of Neave township, Darke county, Ohio, his home being on section 18. He was a native of this state, born Dec. 20, 1819, in Montgomery county, where he grew to manhood and married Miss Mary Weaver, who was born in the same county, about two miles from Miamisburg, June 10, 1823. The birth of her father, Henry Weaver, occurred four miles from that city, his parents being among the first settlers of Montgomery county from Pennsylvania. All were farmers. Mrs. Beachler is the youngest in a family of seven children. Her oldest brother, Henry Weaver, is living with her at the age of eighty-six years, they being now the only survivors of the family.
     To our subject and his wife were born six children, of whom the oldest, Louisa, and the fifth, Ambrose, are deceased. Melina, the second in order of birth, is now the wife of George Barnhart, and they have two children, Ambrose and Ella. Sarah Jane is the wife of Samuel Kerst, and they have six children, Henry N., Herman, Flora, Mamie, Grace and Vanda. Mary Ann is the wife of Hartman Plock, but they have no children. Henry is married, and has two children, Ward and May. He lives in Missouri.
     On the 26th of February, 1846, Mr. and Mrs. Beachler came to Darke county, and located on the farm on section 18, Neave township, where she still resides. To its further improvement and cultivation he devoted his energies throughout life, and died there in November, 1891, at the age of seventy-two years, leaving behind him an honorable record well worthy of perpetuation. He was a man of the highest respectability, was faithful to his church, to his country and to his friends, and in his home was a most exemplary husband and father. His death occasioned the deepest regret throughout the community. He was an active and prominent member of the Reformed church, in which he served both as deacon and elder, and his remains were interred in the Reformed church cemetery.
     Mrs. Beachler is still living on the farm which has now been her home for fifty-four years, but she rents the land. To her other business interests she gives her personal attention, and has met with success in the management of her affairs. She is a lady of many sterling qualities, and she and her family have a large circle of friends in the community where they reside.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 583

WILLIAM J. BIRELEY, retired, Greenville; was born in Frederick Co., Md., in 1812; was the son of John and Barbara Bireley; John was born in the same county, and Barbara was born in Hagerstown, Md.; her maiden name was Brindle; the grandfather, John Bireley, was born in Saxony, and emigrated to this country before the Revolutionary war.  The grandmother was from Wurtemburg, Germany, and also came to this country prior to the Revolutionary war.  The grandmother was from Wurtemburg, Germany, and also came to this country prior to the Revolutionary war.  Mr. Bireley's father came to Lancaster, Ohio, in the spring of 1822, and in the fall following came to Montgomery Co., where he lived till his death, which occurred in 1827.  Mr. Bireley, the subject of this sketch, came to Darke Co. Oct. 15, 1830, and located in Greenville; he carried on the boot and shoe business for William Martin, Sr., and continued with him about five months, when he returned to his mother, in Montgomery Co., where he remained till 1833, when, on Jan. 24, of the same year, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Martin, daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth Martin, Sr.; they were both born at Sewickley, Penn., and came to Ohio in 1814; they settled in Butler Co., and then  moved to Darke Co., in 1815, and settled about five miles east of Greenville; after raising a large family of children, they moved to Greenville, where they lived and died.   Mr. Bireley, in the next May after his marriage, in 1833, came back to Greenville and entered upon the manufacture of earthenware, which business he followed for twenty-eight years, doing an extensive business; he then bought a farm of 150 acres, one mile out of the corporation of Greenville; he then took his family and moved on to the farm, which was in 1851; in 1858, he sold this farm and bought another, five miles east of Greenville, upon which were several quarries of limestone, and went into the manufacture of lime, and continued at this business till Jan., 1880, when he rented in to Martin Smith, and Emanuel Hershey for five years, receiving $400 yearly, or $2,000 for the five years; Mr. Bireley moved from the farm into Greenville in 1870, where he has since resided.  Mr. Bireley is the father of ten children, seven of whom are living, viz., Henry P., Elizabeth E., William W., Barbara C., Harvey H., Wade G. and Mary R., all married and settled in life except the youngest, who is still single, and remains at home.  At the commencement of the rebellion, his three oldest sons enlisted in the 44th O. V. I., and, after being out eighteen months, they went into the 8th O. V. C., and in this they served through the war till honorably discharged, and all returned safely home.  Mr. Bireley was one of the pioneers, coming here when all was a wilderness, and but few houses constituted Greenville; he has lived to see the wilderness pass away, and now a flourishing town of 4,000 inhabitants occupies the spot where then all was woods and wild animals; even the citizens who lived here then have all passed away, with but few exceptions, viz., Henry Arnold and wife, Dr. I. N. Gard and wife, John Wharry, Esq., Allen La Mott and Mrs. Farrer.  Mr. Bireley and wife are active members of the M. E. Church, having united in 1834.  Mr. Bireley started in life upon sound principles, having resolved never to take the wine cup or waste his time and means in attending sows and theaters, which resolution he has firmly kept; he is one of the few whose life is filled up with usefulness, and whose business interests in his various undertakings have met with remarkable success, and we may trust that from his Christian life he will enter that, "life beyond the vale" is due time with the same assurance of success and happiness unalloyed with the cares and conflicts which attend this life, and that the record he has here left upon the pages of time will be a worthy example for all future generations.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 238

HENRY J. BISH.  Prominent among the prosperous and influential farmers of Darke county who have been the architects of their own fortunes and have builded wisely and well, is the subject of this sketch, whose home is on section 20, Neave township,—a man honored, respected and esteemed wherever known, and most of all where he is best known.
     Mr. Bish was born Sept. 8, 1832, in Carroll county, Maryland, about thirty miles from Baltimore, and is a son of William and Catherine (Bixler) Bish, also natives of Carroll county, and of German descent, though their respective fathers, Adam Bish and Peter Bixler, were both born in Maryland, where they spent their entire lives as farmers. William Bish was a tailor by trade, but he also engaged in agricultural pursuits, and in politics was a Democrat, taking an active interest in political affairs. He died in his native county about 1874, at the age of seventy-four years, his wife Dec. 30, 1875, at the age of seventy-three. In their family were twelve children, of whom eleven grew to, adult age and seven are still living.
     Of this family Henry J. Bish is the fifth in order of birth and the fourth son. He was reared and educated in his native place, where he remained until twenty years of age and then came to Ohio, arriving in Montgomery county with only one dollar and a half with which to begin life for himself. Having previously learned the miller's trade, he soon found employment in a mill at Dayton, where he remained about two years.  At the end of that time he located on a farm thirteen miles west of that city and. engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account.
     In November, 1855, Mr. Bish was married there to Catherine Clemmer, a native of Montgomery county, and five children were born to them: Phoebe died at the age of twelve years. Mary Frances married Johnson Warner and they had two children,— Herman and Harry. She died Dec. 12, 1892.  Eva Jane is the wife of James Lamberton, of Greenville township, Darke county.  Emma is at home. Ward C. is a resident of Union City, Indiana.
     Mr. Bish continued his residence in Montgomery county until 1873, when he came to Darke county and located on the farm where he still makes his home. He has always engaged in general farming and that he thoroughly understands his chosen vocation is evidenced by the remarkable success that he has achieved. As his financial resources have increased he has added to his landed possessions from time to time and now owns four valuable farms in Darke county, one of two hundred and thirty-six acres on section 20, Neave township, where he now resides; one of one hundred and sixty-four acres in Butler township; one of one hundred and sixty-eight acres in York township; and the other of one hundred and twenty acres in Greenville township, making six hundred and eighty-eight acres in. all. He has ever made the most of his opportunities, and being a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment has been unusually fortunate in his investments. He is a trustee of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Darke county and a member of the board of the Children's Home. He has also filled the office of school director and by his ballot supports the men and measures of the Republican party.  He is a member of Champion Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Greenville, in which he has filled all the chairs, and is a member of the encampment, having filled all the chairs in that organization. He also belongs to the Horse Thief Detective Association.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 594

T. L. BISHOP.  In the history of those men who are ac­corded recognition as leading and repre­sentative. citizens of Darke county T. L. Bishop is mentioned.   He was born in Butler county, Ohio, Nov. 8, 1829, and is a son of William F. Bishop, deceased, who came to this county in 1842, locating in Greenville township near Mud creek, and was born near Burlington, New Jersey, in the year 1800, and was a son of Frazee Bishop, who was descended from one of the old. colonial families.
     William F. Bishop was reared in the state of his nativity until five years of age, when he was taken by his parents to Ohio, a settlement being made at Middletown, Butler ¦county, in 1805. Cincinnati was at that time only a small village and Ohio was thought to be upon the very border of western civilization. .There William Bishop was reared to manhood and acquired a common school education. When still a lad he began the butchering business, although he had familiarized himself with the tanner's trade. He followed butchering until 1842, when he made preparation to come to Darke county. Three days were consumed in making the trip and they had a wagon train of thirteen teams. Mr. Bishop was accompanied by his wife and eight children. The former bore the maiden name of Maria Bogas and their marriage was celebrated in Butler county in 1825. Their children were Ezra, Thompson L., Peter W., Joseph L., Elizabeth, Mary, Frances and Valeria F. After coming to this county Theodore, their youngest child, was born. On the land on which he located the father made his home until his declining years when he removed to Greenville, his death occurring there in 1887. His wife passed away in 1880 at the age of seventy-five years. She was of Virginian parentage. Mr. Bishop was a prominent and influential citizen and was frequently called upon to serve in township offices. His wife was a prominent member of the Baptist church and an exemplary woman, and their home was often the meeting place for people of the Baptist denomination, services being held whenever a preacher was in the neighborhood. Mr. Bishop gave his political support of the Whig party until the organization of the Republican party, when he joined its ranks. He was a stanch advocate of Abraham Lincoln's administration during the civil war and was a radical Union man. He held membership in the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges of Greenville and in his daily conduct exemplified the benevolent and enobling principles of those fraternities. He began life a poor young man, but by his enterprise and energy he gained success and acquired a good property. He was very progressive and at one time was the owner of shops in three different places, at least fifteen miles apart, all three of which were carried on under his personal supervision. He never speculated, but depended upon the more substantial elements of success,—honest labor and capable management. He modeled his life according to the Golden Rule and by his adherence to its principles he won many friends throughout the county, being highly respected by all who knew him. He was familiarly known as "Uncle Billy."  When called to his final rest he was laid to rest beside his wife in Greenville cemetery and thus two of the most highly esteemed pioneers of Darke county passed to the home beyond.
     On his father's farm in his native county T. L. Bishop spent his boyhood and in that locality he obtained a common and high school education. With his parents he came to Darke county in 1842, when fifteen years of age.  His education was quite thorough for that day, for he learned something of Latin and the higher branches of science.  He continued with his father until he had attained his majority, when he started out in life on his own account, continuing to engage in the pursuit to which he had been reared. He married Miss Cynthia A. Dunham for a companion and helpmeet on life's journey. She resided in Warren county, Ohio, and their wedding took place in December, 1856. Subsequently Mr. Bishop engaged in the operation of a sawmill at Gordon, Darke county, where he resided until 1861, when he purchased ninety acres of land, on which he now lives.  This he bought and operated in partnership with his brother, Peter W. Bishop, the business relationship between them existing for eight years.  In May, 1864, Mr. Bishop enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio Infantry, for one hundred day' service, and spent that time in Virginia. With his command he went to Martinsburg, thence on the Hunter raid through the Shenandoah valley, penetrating through the country as far as Lynchburg.  He participated in several skirmishes and at White Sulphur Springs his comrade, Mr. Thomas, of Arcanum, was killed by his side. Mr. Bishop served his term of enlistment and was then honorably discharged at Camp Dennison on the 2d of September, 1864.
     He has added to his original purchase and is now the owner of one hundred and thirty-seven acres of good land, all under a high state of cultivation and improved with the various modern accessories which go to make up the model farm, many of these having been placed on his land by himself, and his property is a monument to his thrift and enterprise.  While his life has been a busy one he has yet found time to faithfully discharge public duties and has held several minor offices.  For over twelve years he was-supervisor and for eighteen years has been a school director.  In educational matters he has always taken a deep interest, doing all in his power to promote the efficiency of the schools.  He was at one time actively connected with the Masonic fraternity, but is not now associated therewith. At the age of twenty-nine he was converted and has since been a prominent and useful member of the Baptist church.  He was one of the first members of the first Missionary Baptist church of Greenville, has long been one of its officers, served as its first clerk, has for many years been a deacon and has likewise filled the position of church trustee.
     The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bishop has been blessed with three children,—Sylvan E., Cora B. and William L., all yet living.  The mother died in 1884, at the age of fifty-six years.  She was a member of the Baptist church and an exemplary Christian woman.  Mr. Bishop was again married in 1896, when Mary F. Sayers, of Troy, Ohio, became his wife. Mr. Bishop affiliates with the Republican party, casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856.  His efforts in business life were attended with the success which never fails to reward honest and continued labor when directed by sound judgment. He is one of the widely known and highly esteemed citizens of Darke county. His life has ever been an honorable and useful one, his word is as good as his bond and his example is indeed in many respects worthy of emulation.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 614

CHARLES H. BOLLES.  Among the professional men of Greenville, Ohio, none are more deserving of rep­resentation in this volume than Dr. Bolles, who has been one of the leading dentists of that place for almost thirty years.  He has that true love for his work without which there can be no success, and his skill and ability are attested by the liberal patronage he enjoys.
     The Doctor was born near the city of Cleveland in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, Dec. 27, 1834, and is a son of Gurdon and Louise (Carior) Bolles, natives of Hartford, Connecticut, while the former was of English and the latter of Scotch descent.  The father was born in 1790, and in early life learned the tanner and currier's trade, together with shoemaking, which he followed for a number of years, but later turned his attention to diversified farming.  In 1816, some time after his marriage, he and his wife started for Ohio in a wagon drawn by oxen and were seven weeks in making the trip.  They experienced all the discomforts of such a journey, as well as all the hardships and privations incident to frontier life after settling in Lake county, this state.  In 1827 they removed to Cuyahoga county, where the father developed and improved a farm, upon which they spent their remaining days, living in a very modest way.  During his residence there he devoted his entire time and attention to agricultural pursuits.  He died about the close of the Civil war, in 1865.
     Dr. Bolles was reared upon the home farm in Cuyahoga county, and began his education in the district schools of the neighborhood, but for a time he attended school in Medina, the homestead being near the county line.  From the common schools he entered the Richfield Academy, where he completed his literary education, and then took up the study of dentistry with Drs. Pollock & Finch, of Cleveland, in 1859.  He commenced the practice of his chosen profession in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1859, and remained at that place for four years.  In 1871 he came to Greenville, where he opened an office and has since successfully engaged in practice, being one of the oldest dentists of Darke county in point of continuous service.  He keeps well abreast with the times, is progressive in his methods and justly merits the liberal patronage which he receives. Socially as well as professionally he is a man of prominence in the community, and is well liked by all who know him.  He is a member of Ithaca Lodge, No. 245, F. & A. M., of Arcanum, Darke county.
     Dec. 1, 1857, Dr. Bolles was united in marriage with Miss Arabella Finch, of Medina county, Ohio, a daughter of Lewis and Mary (Garrett) Finch. By this union were born two daughters, namely: Clara, May 21, 1858, wife of James Helm, by whom she has a little daughter Adda Bell; and Ina May, born May 8, 1878, now a successful teacher in the public schools of Greenville.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 595

ISAAC NEWTON BOOKER.  Darke county has many enterprising and energetic business men whose success is due to their industry, perseverance and sound judgment, and to this class belongs the subject of this sketch, who is at the head of the hardware trade in North Star.  He was born in Huntington county, Indiana, Oct. 25, 1863, a son of Jacob and Rebecca. (Detrich) Booker, the former born in Pennsylvania, Dec. 17, 1833, the latter in Virginia, Nov. 3, 1839. Our subject never remembers seeing his paternal grandfather, Emanuel Booker, as he died in Montgomery county, this state, about 1866.  Throughout life the father engaged in farming. He began for himself in a humble way, had a hard struggle, and never accumulated much, though he lived well. He died Sept. 24, 1896, and his wife departed this life Sept. 3, 1893, both being laid to rest in Gilbert cemetery, Darke county.  They were active members of the German Baptist church and most estimable people.  In their family, were ten children, six sons and four daughters, and with one exception all grew up, were married and are still living, namely: Mrs. Mahala Elizabeth King, who was born Oct. 27, 1860, and has been three times married; John Henry, a farmer of Miami county, Ohio,. born Apr. 5, 1862; Isaac N., our subject; Benjamin Franklin, a farmer of Darke county, born June 13, 1865; Mrs. Sarah Jane Young, of Delaware county, Indiana, born Jan. 31, 1867; Jacob Albert, a farmer of Darke county, Ohio, born July 2, 1869; Mrs. Harriet Ann Trissell, born July 22, 1871; Samuel Theodore, a resident of Miami county, born Mar. 9, 1873; Chloe Ellen, deceased, born Nov. 21, 1874; and Abraham, of Darke county, born Sept. 28, 1876.
     During his boyhood Isaac N. Booker received a good common-school education, and remained at home until he attained his majority. On the 22d of January, 1888, he was united in marriage with Miss Lillian Roselle Hartzell, of Greenville township, who belongs to a most, worthy and intellectual family.  Her maternal grandfather, John S. Shepperd, was a native of this state, while his wife, Susan Hartpence, was born in New Jersey and in early life came to Ohio.  After their marriage, in 1838, they settled in Greenville, and Mr. Shepperd became one of its most prominent citizens, serving as postmaster and in other important official positions connected with the court house.  His son, W. W. Shepperd, was recorder and held nearly every county office.  He was born Oct. 12, 1841, and died Feb. 3, 1887.  He was a man of unswerving integrity and irreproachable habits, and he had the entire confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. His mother, who was a most noble woman, died Nov. 10, 1883.  Mrs. Booker's father, Charles W. Hartzell, was born in 1839, and has spent his entire life on a farm in Greenville township, engaged in agricultural pursuits.  He was married, Mar. 7, 1866, to Emma Shepperd a native of this county, and to them were born four children, namely: Elmer Sanford, who was born Apr. 14, 1867, assists in the operation of the home farm; Lillian Rozell, born Dec. 15, 1870, is the wife of our subject; John Homer, who was born Sept. 22, 1873, is a graduate of Delaware College, was professor in an educational institution in Pike county, Ohio, and is now a med­ical student in Cleveland; and Olive May, born May 30, 1875, died Dec. 19, 1878, at the age of three years. Mr. and Mrs. Booker have four children: Ethel Leonora, born in 1889; Florence Belle, in 1890; Sanford Charles, in 1892; and Wallace Hartzell, in 1895.
     In early life Mr. Booker engaged in farming in Wabash township, but in November, 1898, he sold his farm and removed to North Star, buying the hardware stock and trade of R. Mendenhall. He is now doing a large and profitable business, and is the owner of his store building and home in North Star.  As a Democrat he takes quite an influential part in local politics, and in 1894 he was elected town clerk, which office he has filled for six years in a most creditable and satisfactory manner.  Religiously both he and his wife are members of the Christian church.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 649

DAVID WELLER BOWMAN.  Among the leading and prominent attorneys of Greenville, Ohio, hone are meeting with better success than the subject of this review.  He is a native of Darke county, born on a farm two miles east of New Madison, Jan. 20, 1860, and is the second son of George W. and Phebe (Noggle) Bowman.  The father was a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and came to Darke county, Ohio, with his parents in 1838.  On the maternal side our subject's grandfather, Michael Noggle, was also of Pennsylvania stock, his ancestors being residents of Franklin county, that state, but early in the nineteenth century the family came to Ohio.  Our subject's maternal grandmother was of English descent and her people made their home in Georgia and the Carolinas before coming to this state.
     The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm and received his education in the common schools of the neighborhood and in the high school at Greenville.  At the age of eighteen he commenced teaching school and taught eighteen months before attaining his majority.  On the 4th of April, 1881, he entered the office of Allen, Riffle & Otwell, attorneys of Greenville, and began the study of law.  In October following he entered the office of Hon. J. W. Sater, with whom he pursued his legal studies until May 1, 1883, on which date he was admitted to the bar by the supreme court at Columbus.  He at once began the practice of law at Greenville and on the 4th of February, 1884, formed a partnership with Hon. D. L. Meeker, a connection which continued until May 14, 1888, when the firm dissolved partnership on account of the election of Mr. Meeker to the office of common pleas judge.  On the 1st of July, 1888, Mr. Bowman entered into partnership with Hon. C. M. Anderson, with whom he is still associated, and they enjoy a large and lucrative practice.  They rank among the ablest attorneys of Darke county, and, as prominence at the bar comes through merit alone, their skill and ability are attested by the liberal patronage they receive.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page 637

MORRIS BRYSON, deceased, the eldest son and child of James Bryson, was born on the old Bryson farm on Mud creek, Greenville township, Darke county, Ohio, May 13, 1818.  Here he grew to manhood, obtaining only a limited education in the schools of the district, but continuing his studies at home and thus fitting himself to teach.  He then taught school for a number of terms.  He was married Apr. 8, 1846, to Miss Mary Annie Cole, a daughter of Joseph and Annie (Sweet) Cole, both representatives of pioneer families of the Western Reserve. Mrs. Cole was born in 1800, and came to Ohio at the age of eighteen.  She was living near Oswego, New York, during the war of 1812, and from her home could see the smoke of battle.  After the marriage of Morris Bryson and Miss Cole they began housekeeping on a rented farm, on which they resided two years.  In 1848 he bought eighty acres of improved land in Greenville township, to which they moved and where he passed the rest of his life and died, his death occurring Dec. 17, 1896.
     Of Morris Bryson it may be said that he was a representative man in his locality.  He was one of the founders of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and for a number of years, up to the time of his death, was a director of the company.  In educational matters he always manifested particular interest.  For many years, off and on, he was a school director and always gave his support to whatever he believed was for the advancement and best interest of the schools of his district.  A man of recognized, business qualities, he was sought for by the administrators of estates, and thus had charge of the interests of numerous heirs.  Politically he was originally a Whig, which party he continued to support until 1856, when he joined the Republican ranks.  During the civil war he championed the administration's policy, and his generosity in caring. for soldiers' widows and families during that period is yet well remembered; and not only during that period but throughout his life he was noted for his generous hospitality.  The needy were never turned empty handed from his door.  By honest toil and careful management he worked his way up to a position of financial independence, and at his death he left to his family a fine farm comprising two hundred and eighty-seven acres.  Mrs. Bryson died in 1885, at the age of sixty-three years.  She was a most estimable woman, a devoted member of the Disciples' church, and was much beloved by all who knew her.
     The children of this worthy couple were ten in number, seven of whom are still living, namely: James W., Rachel, Joseph C., Newton, Clarissa, Volney and David. The deceased were William, an unnamed infant and Mary Alice.  Those living are all residents of Darke county.  James lives in Brown township, and Newton in Washington township, and the others at the old homestead.  Joseph married Eva Bennett in 1881.  She died Aug. 28, 1884, leaving one child, Mary C. Volney married Mollie Vail, by whom he has four children—Cloe, Elmer, Belle and an infant. David married Cora Harris, and they have five children—William Ray, Roscoe, Guy, James and Caroline.
     The Bryson brothers operate the home farm in partnership. They are enterprising, representative citizens arid enjoy the respect of the people of the community in which they live.
Source: A Biographical History of Darke County, Ohio, Compendium of National Biography - Illustrated - Publ. Evansville, Ind. - 1900 - Page  619