Adams Twp. -
AARON HAHN; P. O. Gettysburg.  The subject of this sketch was born in Mahoning Co., Ohio, Mar. 26, 1816; he is a son of Samuel and Hannah (Pauline) Hahn, who were natives of Maryland; Mr. H. was born about the year 1790 or 1791, his wife in 1795; they came to Darke Co. in 1831 and located in Franklin Township; Mrs. H. departed this life in 1861; Mr. H. is still living, and resides in Greenville, with his son Amos.  Our subject came to this county with his parents when 15 years of age, where he assisted his father on the farm during the summer season and attended the district school through the winter, thereby obtaining a good common-school education; he remained at home till 21 years of age, when his father gave him 93 acres of land, all under heavy timber; he then commenced the task of clearing and preparing the land for cultivation.  On the 21st of March, 1839, he was united in marriage with Mary A. Reck, and located upon his farm, to which he had added until possessed of 184 acres in all; Mr. H. departed this life May 11, 1853; their children were five in numbe4r by this union, of whom four are living, viz.:  Mary E., born May 18, 1844; Jeremiah, Oct. 15, 1846; John E., May 21, 1850; Joseph, Apr. 30, 1853; Mr. H. carried on his farm and cared for his children till Jan. 26, 1854, when he was united in marriage with Catherine Feeser;  she was born in Frederick Co., Maryland, July 7, 1834; they remained on the farm in Franklin Township till 1868, when he sold, and bought 127 acres in Adams Township, which he traded for 84 acres in Sec. 25, locating there in 1873, where he still resides; his residence is situated in the corporation of Gettysburg; he has been afflicted with palsy for several years, which has confined him to his room a greater part of the time; Mr. H. has in no way been an office-seeker, yet he has been identified with the township offices since his residence here; he has served as Trustee of Franklin Township for a period of six years, and has been Clerk and School Director; the children of Aaron and Catherine (Feeser) Hahn were ten in number, of whom nine are living, viz:  Emeline, born Apr. 15, 1857; William, Oct. 16, 1858; Martha E., May 5, 1860; Susanna C., Sept. 10, 1861; Laura B., May 16, 1863; Ansenora, Oct. 24, 1865; Samuel N., May 15, 1868; Sarah J., May 1, 1869, and Benjamin F., May 15, 1871.  Mr. H. has passed through the many hard struggles, trials and incidents of frontier life, and has accumulated a good property, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good wife.  Mr. and Mrs. H. are memers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are good, consistent Christian people.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880 - Page 549

Greenville Twp. -
AMOS HAHN, Treasurer of Darke County, Greenville. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is the present efficient Treasurer of Darke Co.; he was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, Feb. 1, 1818; his parents, Samuel and Hannah Hahn, are natives of Frederick Co., Md.; his father was born March 9, 1791, his mother in 1795, and departed this life in 1861; Mr. Hahn, Sr. is still living, and resides with his son Amos; they were the parents of ten children, of whom sis are now living. Our subject was reared on the farm, but followed carpentering for a number of years, when he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, and for sixteen years did business in Gettysburg; his long and active business career has eminently fitted him for the responsible position of honor and trust he holds, as a gift from the people of the county. His marriage with Catherine Finfrock was consummated Oct. 3. 1843; she was the daughter of Peter and Mary Finfrock. who were natives of Pennsylvania, now deceased; Mr. and Mrs. Hahn are the parents of three children, viz., Clement C., born Nov. 16, 1845; Albert J., April 23, 1847; Luella M., in September, 1857; Clement was united in marriage with Nannie Compton Oct. 7, 1868; Albert J. consummated his marriage with Virginia Johnson Dec. 22, 1874; Luella celebrated her marriage with W. D. Johns March 28, 1877
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 496

Greenville Twp. -
JACOB HALDERMAN, farmer; P. O. Greenville. The subject of this memoir may be classed among the self-made men of Darke Co.; he was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Oct. 25, 1837; he was a son of John Halderman, who was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., and came to Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1836, where his death occurred in 1840. He married Hannah Cook, a native of Pennsylvania; she died in Illinois, in December, 1875. Jacob Halderman was thrown upon his resources when 6 years of age, and made his home among friends and strangers, until old enough to work and receive wages; at 18 years of age. he learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed seven years; in 1860, he located upon his present place, where he has since lived; he has 220 acres, with good farm buildings, which he has secured by his own hard labor and correct business habits, and has by the above means placed himself among the large landholders and successful farmers of Darke Co.; the perseverance and energy displayed by Mr. H. to accomplish what he has attained are well worthy of example by the young men of the present day. He has been twice married; his first wife was Mary Baker, to whom he was married Dec. 22, 1859; she was born in Darke Co. in 1841 and died December, 1875, leaving six children, having lost one by death; the living are Leoti, born Aug. 22, 1861; Alice, Feb. 10, 1863; Herschel V. Feb. 2, 1865; Idabird, Jan. 6, 1868; Elnora, July 2, 1870; Pearl, Dec. 30, 1872. Upon the 11th of October, 1877, he was united in marriage with Francis Helm, who was born in Darke Co., Sept. 13, 1845; they have one child— Roily, born Sept. 4. 1878. Mrs. Halderman was a daughter of Eli Helm, one of our early pioneers of 1834 or 1835; he was born in Pennsylvania, and died in Darke Co., in October, 1874. He married Catherine Zimmerman, who is now living in Greenville. Mr. Halderman is Democratic in politics, and labors for the success of his party; has been Township Trustee two years, which office he filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to the people.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 497

Greenville Twp. -
JOHN W. HALL, firm of Hime & Hall, livery, feed and sale stable, northeast of public square, also, of firm of Hall & Co., importers and breeders of French, Norman and Clydesdale horses. The above gentlemen is another of the old settlers, being born in Greenville Township May 4, 1834, and is a son of James Hall, who at a very early day came from South Carolina to Miami Co.; thence to Darke Co., among the early settlers; he was engaged in contracting and building to a certain extent; he built the first letter boxes for the post office of Greenville, selecting at that time box Number 96, which box has always been retained in the family, and is now the box of John W. Our subject continued farming in Darke Co. until 1855, when he went to Logan Co., Ill., and followed farming and stock-raising until 1861, at which date he returned to Darke Co. and continued the same business until 1875, when he was elected Sheriff of Darke Co., re-elected in 1877, serving until January, 1880, when, upon the expiration of his office, he associated with Mr. Hime in the above business; in 1874, he associated with Harrod Mills and James Esty in the stock business, under the firm name of Hall & Co., which firm still exists. His marriage with Frances D. Carnahan was celebrated Aug. 29, 1854; she is a native of Darke Co.; they have eight children — James M. Isaac W., Sarah C., Elias M., Idela May, Charles C., Julia E., Rollie S.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 497

Twin Twp. -
JOHN C. HAMILTON, physician and surgeon; Ithaca; the subject of this memoir was born in Monroe County, Ohio, in 1852, and is a son of Jacob and Maria Hamilton, old residents of Monroe County; he received a good common school education and afterward entered the Mt. Union College, in Stark County where he prosecuted his studies with great energy for two years; he then read medicine, under the instructions of a very prominent physi8cian of Louisville, Ohio, and afterward attended the full course of lectures at the Cincinnati Medical Institute, and finished his entire course of study, after much hard labor, in 1875, having gained his M. D., the goal of his ambition, and commenced the practice of medicine in Ithaca; he is a successful practitioner and a gentleman of ability and refinement.  He was united in marriage with Miss Allie Dresher, of Cincinnati, Jan. 27, 1879.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880 - Page 651

Monroe Twp. -
CHRISTIAN HANGEN, farmer, Sec. 28; P. O. Center, Montgomery Co.  The subject of this sketch was born in Brissin, Germany, Mar. 15, 1850, and is a son of Philip Hangen, whose sketch appears in this work; he emigrated from Germany, with his parents, when he was but 3 years old, and followed the fortunes of his parents till he was 26 years of age, giving his labor entire to the benefit of the family.  He was united in marriage with Miss Sarah, daughter of J. and Margaret Myers, No. 23, 1876. Mr. Myers was born in Enshaem Bavaria, Germany, Apr. 8, 1807, and departed this life in Miami Co., aged 63 years 11 months and 15 days.  Mrs. Myers was born in the same place, April 29, 1808, and is a daughter of Nicholas Hale; she is still living, and resides with her daughter, Mrs. Hagen; her parents first settled in Cincinnati, and kept a boarding-house for nine months, then removed to Miami Co. and purchased 143 acres of land that is still in possession of the family.  Mrs. Hangen was born in Miami Co. Apr. 8, 1855; she and her husband are members of the Lutheran Church, and, like their parents, are consistent Christian people, and are interested in the church.  They are the parents of two children, viz.: Charles P., born Nov. 9, 1878; Lillian W., born Sept. 11, 1879.  Mr. and Mrs. Myers were the parents of nine children, of whom seven are living, viz.: John, who resides in Michigan; Daniel, who lives in Miami Co.; Charles, who resides in Montgomery Co.; Michael, who lives in Montgomery Co.; Margaret, now Mrs. Schauer, who lives in Union City, Ind.; Jacob, who resides in Sedgwick City, Kan., and Sarah, wife of the subject of our sketch.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 630

Greenville Twp. -
WILLIAM SANFORD HARPER, the subject of this sketch, was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio. July 11. 1810; moved with his mother to Butler Co., Ohio, in the spring of 1815, and from there to Darke Co., Ohio, in 1823, with his step-father, B. Koll, and settled on a small farm on the Greenville & West Milton road, four miles southeast of Greenville, there being no house southeast on said road for nine miles; wolves, deer and smaller animals were numerous in the unoccupied forests at that time; schools were few and far between. The subject of this sketch acquired, in addition to a common school education, practical surveying. He was married, in 1832, to Delila daughter of William Arnold, and in 1833 moved into the green forest to open up a farm; for about twenty years, taught school in the winter and cleared ground and farmed in the warm season. In 1852, he was elected County Surveyor, and filled that office as principal and deputy for about ten years, and unofficially for about the same length of time, and yet at his advanced age works at civil engineering, when called on. From a youth, he was of a sober, pious turn of mind, and made a profession of Christianity in 1833, and became a member of the Christian Church; his zeal for the cause of Christ has steadily increased as he has become better acquainted with the sacred Scriptures; he sometimes amuses himself by writing articles for our secular journals, signing them W. S. H.; he is also an ardent advocate of temperance, of the prohibition class. His sons, William Marion and John Harper, are prominent business men in Greenville; in the year 1860 they erected a business house on Broadway, where they are still engaged in business; the former in the jewelry trade, and the latter in the photographic art. Their uniform courteous, honorable, obliging habits have made for them many friends.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 497

Greenville Twp. -
MANNING F. HART, retired, contractor and merchant. Greenville. Among the early pioneers of Darke Co., the gentleman whose name heads this sketch is accorded a place in the front ranks; he was born in Hampshire Co., W. Va. April 7, 1821, and is a son of Dr. William Hart, a native of Berks Co., Penn. He was married, in Pennsylvania, to Elizabeth Pettit, also a native of the same State; they were also among the early settlers of Darke Co., locating in Adams Township in 1839, with three sons and three daughters; about the year 1846, he, with his family, located in Greenville; he was a physician, and followed his profession until his decease, which occurred after, a short residence in Greenville. Our subject came to this county with the family in 1839, and the following ten years his residence was divided between Darke and Montgomery Cos.; in 1849, he located permanently here, and followed the occupation of contractor and builder for several years; he then engaged in the grocery and provision trade until 1879, since which time he has been retired from active business. He has been twice married; his first wife was Mary Hoover; their marriage was celebrated in 1844; one son and two daughters were the fruits of this union, all deceased; she died in 1849; his marriage nuptials with Rebecca A. Knoop were celebrated in 1850; she was born in Miami Co.; they were the parents of five children, of whom two are deceased; the living are Ralph B., Abraham Lincoln and Carrie K., all residing in Greenville.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 498

Greenville Twp. -
GEORGE HARTZELL, farmer; P. O. Greenville; the subject of this sketch is another of our old settlers; he was born in Adams Co., Penn., Oct. 3, 1835 and was the oldest son of Philip Hartzell, who was born in the year 1811, in the above county and State; in 1836. he came to Darke Co. and in 1838, purchased several lots in Beamsville, and erected the second house of the place; here he followed carpentering, wagon-making, cabinet-making and school-teaching for ten years; he was the first Postmaster of the town, which office he held for ten years, as well as Justice of the Peace two terms; he was a great champion of the cause of temperance — is probably entitled to the honor of putting up the first building ever erected in Darke Co. without the use of intoxicating liquor; he died upon his farm two miles north of Greenville, in April, 1873. He married Julia Harman, who was born in 1810 or 1811, who is now residing in Greenville. George Hartzell assisted his father, until May 12, 1859, when he was united in marriage with Lucy A. Fettery; she was born in Darke Co. June 8, 1838; they were the parents of ten children — Hollis, Clarinda M., Luella M., P. Harman, Viola E., George F., Julia and John C., twins (John C. died Oct. 12, 1872), Henrietta and Mamie. Mrs. Hartzell was a daughter of John Fettery, who came from Lebanon Co., Penn., to Darke Co. in 1836; he died February, 1874. He married Catherine Bowman, also a native of Pennsylvania; she died in Darke Co., in July. 1862. Since the marriage of Mr. Hartzell, he has been engaged in carpentering, milling and farming, and has a small farm, one mile from Greenville. His father was one of six brothers, who came to Darke Co. — Henry. George and Jeremiah came in 1833; Philip and Jonas in 1836, and Daniel probably in 1837 or 1838; of the above, Jonas and Daniel now survive.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 499

Greenville Twp. -
JONAS HARTZELL, retired farmer; P. O. Greenville; another of the old settlers of Darke Co., born in Adams Co., Penn., May 10, 1803; he was one of six brothers, who came to Darke Co. between the periods of 1833 and 1836; Jonas located upon Sec. 8, Greenville Township, where he has since lived — a period of nearly half a century; he purchased 120 acres, and afterward added until he had accumulated 400 acres; he devoted his attention to farming until about the year 1865 when he retired from active labor; during the past three years, he has been confined to the house by sickness, and has been kindly cared for by his sons Charles and Jonas, who are managing the home farm. Jonas Hartzell, Sr., and Elizabeth Welty were united in marriage, in Pennsylvania. Feb. 12, 1829; she was born in Pennsylvania Aug. 9. 1807; they had twelve children, of whom ten are now living, viz.: Louisa J. born March 11. 1830; William, born March 3. 1832, died in infancy; Elizabeth and Catherine (twins), born Feb. 9. 1834; Sarah Ann, born Nov. 20, 1836; Charles Wesley and Edward Spencer (twins), born Sept. 1, 1831; Jonas W., born May 2, 1841; Hannah M., born March 18, 1843; Lauretta D. born Feb. 23, 1845; James, born April 28, 1847, and one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Hartzell have been members of the Methodist Church for a period of thirty years. Of the above children, Charles Wesley may be considered one of the old settlers, having always lived upon the home farm, upon which he was born in 1839; he was married, March 7, 1867, to Sarah E. Shephard; she was born in Twin Township, Darke Co., March 20, 1846; they had four children by this union — Jonas Elmer. Lillian R., John H. and Olive M; the latter is deceased.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 498

Greenville Twp. -
P. H. HARTZELL, teacher, Greenville; is a son of Philip Hartzell, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to this county in the early pioneer days, and lived in the county until his decease, which occurred in April, 1878; the subject of this sketch was born in this county Nov. 6, 1846, and lived with his parents until several years after his majority; he then taught school during the winter seasons and worked at carpentering during the summer for ten years. He married Miss Alice M. Butt, a daughter of John K. Butt, whose biography appears in this work; she was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, in February, 1852; they were married Dec. 22, 1872, and have four children, two boys and two girls, viz., John Ollie, Forest Herbert, Cordie May and Alice Lanessa.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 500

Richland Twp. -
PHILIP HARTZELL, farmer, stock-raiser, steam thrasher and corn-sheller, Sec. 36; P. O. Beamsville; was born in Adams Township, this County, May 23, 1843; his father, John J. Hartzell, was born in Pennsylvania Dec. 1, 1815, and married Nancy Westfall; he died in September, 1852, and she died in 1865, in Richland Township; they were among the earliest settlers of Darke Co.  The subject of this sketch was raised a farmer; in 1864, he traveled West, and followed teaming between Omaha, Neb., and Denver City, for about a year and a half; then returned to where he resides, on the homestead of his father; last year, he erected for himself a fine residence; has only one brother, David, who lives in Rossville, Kan.  Phillip Hartzell married Caroline Dill in October, 1868; she was born in Beamsville Sept. 14, 1851; her father, John H. C. Dill, was born in Germany, and came to this country in 1832; he married Martha C. Siegmunt, in 1834, in Butler Co., Ohio; she died Mar. 7, 1858, in this county.  In Germany he learned harness-making, and followed it awhile in Trenton, Ohio; afterward in Beamsville, where at the same time he kept a hotel, also engaged in merchandising; he moved to Dallas and engaged in merchandising, but at the decease of his wife, was farming, but was in the mercantile business at the time of his death, in April, 1865.  Mr. and Mrs. Hartzell have two children, viz., Rosetta, born Aug. 23, 1869, and Charles D., born May 22, 1875; he owns a fine farm of 115 acres, part of which was the homestead.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 745

Greenville Twp. -
PHILIP S. HARTZELL, Sec. 12; P. 0. Pikeville; one of the old settlers of this county; born in Greenville Township June 6, 1847; he was a son of George Hartzell, who was born in Adams Co., Penn., July 4, 1813; he was one of the early settlers of Darke Co., locating upon Sec. 12, Greenville Township in 1833; he entered eighty acres of Government land, and purchased
the same amount, and afterward added by purchase, until he owned 240 acres in his home farm, and here he lived until his death, which occurred Oct. 22. 1857. He married Rachel Schriver in 1840; she was born in Pennsylvania, Jan. 31. 1813; they were the parents of six children, of whom five lived to grow up; Mrs. Hartzell is now living with Philip S., and at 67 years of age is in possession of all her faculties, with the exception of failing eyesight. After the death of Mr. Hartzell, Philip S. lived with his mother on the old homestead, until 26 years of age when he associated with his brother, William Hartzell, in 1870, and followed farming together until 1875, upon the old farm, and in 1877 Philip S. purchased the shares of his brother upon the homestead, where he has continued farming, having 105 acres. He has given his attention to the raising of corn and wheat; he is one of the industrious, persevering and hard-working citizens, and during the past two years has paid off indebtedness on his place to the amount of $2,400; had previously paid upward of $5,500. His marriage with Susan R. Baumbaugh was celebrated June, 1870; she was born April 29,
1847, in Maryland, and emigrated to Ohio with her parents, in 1862. They were the parents of four children, all of whom died in infancy.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 499

Greenville Twp. -
SAMUEL HEFFNER, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 32; P. O. Greenville; another of the old settlers of Darke Co.; born in Berks Co., Penn., Oct. 30, 1818; he was a son of Jacob Heffner, who was born in the above county, and came to Darke Co. in 1857, and located in Neave Township; he died in Greenville Township. Darke Co., about the year 1867; our subject was brought up to agricultural pursuits in Pennsylvania until 18 years of age, when he learned and worked at the carpenter trade in Pennsylvania until 1848; he then emigrated to Ohio and located in Butler Co., and, in 1849, came to Darke Co., and. after n residence of two years in German Township, removed upon his present place where he has lived for a period of thirty years; upon locating here, there were but 40 acres cleared; he has since cleared 80 acres and brought it to a good state of cultivation by his own hard labor, and now owns 122 acres of good land, with good farm buildings; he has also three acres in Hill Grove, the whole being valued at upward of $10,000. Mr. Heffner commenced here with no capital save a strong arm and willing hand, and has accumulated all the above property by his energy and industry, and has, by the above means, placed himself among the large land-holders and successful farmers of Darke Co. In October, 1850, he was united in marriage with Dorotha Dininger; she was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Jan. 25., 1838; they were the parents of six children, viz.: Sarah E., born Nov. 6. 1851; Lewis C., Jan. 11. 1854, died Jan. 22. 1854; Mary S., born July 19, 1855; Amanda L., Dec. 28, 1859; Samuel, Oct. 15, 1862 and Jacob, born Dec. 20, 1866; Mrs. Heffner is a daughter of .Jacob Dininger, one of the early pioneers of Darke Co., who located here in the spring of 1834. Mr. and Mrs. H., with four of their children, are members of the Lutheran Church.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 500

Greenville Twp. -
WILLIAM HEFFNER, farmer; P. 0. Greenville; the subject of this memoir was born in Berks Co., Penn., in the year 1824, and is a son of Jacob and Eliza Heffner, who came to Darke Co. in 1853. and settled in Greenville Township; William Heffner's early life was that of a farmer's son, being raised to agricultural pursuits, his education being mostly confined to the
common schools. In the year 1840, his marriage with Eliza M. Hinkle was celebrated in Cumberland Co., Penn.; they have three children by this union, viz., Jacob, William and Nason. Mr. Heffner resides upon Sec. 9. this township, where he is engaged in agricultural pursuits; he came to this county in 1853 and has been a resident for upward of a quarter of a century.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 500

Greenville Twp. -
CLARK HENKLE, farmer, Sec. 16; P. O. Greenville; born in Springfield, Clarke Co., Ohio, Nov. 6. 1837; his father, Silas Henkle, was born in Virginia and came to Clarke Co. at an early day; he died in August, 1840. He married Margaret Milholland, who was born in Ohio, and died in Clark Co. June 13. 1860; after the death of his father, he lived with his mother until 10 years of age, and the following seven years lived with an uncle, after which he removed upon the home farm with his mother, and remained there some two years after her death.  Aug. 14, 1862, he enlisted as private in the 94th O. V. I.; he was in many severe battles, among which we mention Perryville, Stone River, Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge. Buzzard's Roost, Resaca. Pumpkin Vine Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, siege and capture of Atlanta; the following winter was on detailed duty at Chattanooga, buying up supply trains, and, in the spring of 1865, joined the main army of Sherman in North Carolina, and was with the above army at the surrender of Johnson; he then marched through Richmond to Washington, and after the grand review of the army he was mustered out of service and received his discharge at Camp Chase June 14, 1865, having served in the Union army nearly three years; he took part in every battle in which the regiment was engaged excepting two, when he was on detailed duty; after receiving his discharge, he returned to Clarke Co., and, in the spring of 1869, came to Darke Co., and located upon his present place, where he has since lived; he has a nice farm of 100 acres, with good farm buildings.  His marriage with Mary S. Forgy was celebrated March 31, 1869; she was born in Clark Co., Ohio, July 4, 1837; they were the parents of three children — Cora M., Willie Otho and Mary Elsie; all died in infancy.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 500

Greenville Twp. -
DANIEL HENNE, dealer in grain and seeds, Greenville. The subject of this sketch was born in Mindersback Oberamt Nagold Kmigreich,Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1839, where he attended school until 14 years of age, obtaining a good education in German; he then learned the milling trade, which he followed four years, when he emigrated to America, landing in New York in 1857; coming directly West, he located in Hamilton, Ohio, and remained until 1863, at which date he made a two- years visit to his native country; returning in 1865. he again located in Hamilton, and was employed as farm laborer by the month, for one year; and in the latter part of 1866, came to Greenville, and associated in the milling and grain business under the firm name of Poak & Henne, and has since successfully followed the above business, the past ten years doing business alone; he makes a specialty of buying and shipping grain to the Eastern market; his shipments reaching 200,000 bushels in a singe season. His marriage with Anna M. Weithbrecht was celebrated in Greenville Feb. 17, 1867; she was born in Germany, and emigrated with her parents to America, when but 1 year of age; they have three children by this union — Rosenia Gertrude, Jacob Frederick and Daniel. In 1878, he was elected Township Treasurer, which office he now holds, being re-elected in 1879; he is also Secretary of the Board of Education, of Greenville. A business card will be found in the business directory of Greenville in this work.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 501

Monroe Twp. -
JOHN M. HENNINGER, retired farmer; P. O. Gordon.  The subject of this memoir was born in Wittemburg, Germany, No. 19, 1804, and is a son of Christian and Mary Henninger, natives of Germany, who lived and died in the place of their nativity at advanced ages; his father was a school teacher by profession, and was one of the leading educators in Germany.  Our subject lived with his father till he was 16 years of age, when he learned the baker's trade, which he followed for five years, and then turned his attention to farming, which he followed for ten years; he emigrated from his native home in August, 1847, to America, and landed in New York, in September of the same year - his voyage occupying twenty-eight days; he came directly to Ohio and settled in Darke County; he purchased 120 acres of land in this township, mostly in the woods; went to work at it with a will and energy that is characteristic of our German citizens, and, after years of toil and privations, succeeded in getting his land in a good state of cultivation, and had good average improvements thereon; this he sold  at the expiration of seven years and purchased 160 acres, where he now resides; this was all in the woods but by his accustomed skill and industry he soon cleared it of its heavy growth of timber, and his land is now in the high state of cultivation, and has fair improvements erected thereon; he began life in America with only a capital of $700, and, by industry and good management, he has a pretty home in which to end his declining years; he informs us that his good wife has bravely assisted him in all the arduous duties of life and has borne her full share of the trials in the struggle since their pathways were united.  He was united in marriage with Barbara, daughter of Michael and Barbara (Schiller) Creeb, Nov. 22, 1829, and by this union have had twelve children, viz.: Barbara, born June 1, 1830, now Mrs. Daller, and resides in Dayton; John born Sept. 23, 1832, and died Nov. 15, 1856; John F., born Aug. 22, 1834, died Jan. 16, 1857; John H., Feb. 29, 1836.  John F., born Aug. 22, 1834, died Jan. 16, 1857; John H., born Feb. 29, 1836, died Nov. 20, 1857; Margaret, born Apr. 21, 1837, now Mrs. Scheiding; Sophia C., born Aug. 31, 1838, died Nov. 23, 1858; Rosanna C., born Apr. 2, 1831, died Sept. 20, 1856; Catharine, born Nov. 22, 1839, died Sept. 22, 1858; Charles, born June 6, 1841; Frederick W., born Mar. 7, 1843, died Mar. 24, 1843; John, born Sept. 23, 1848; Frederick, born Apr. 17, 1851, died in August, 1858; Mrs. Henninger was born Aug. 29, 1808.  Mr. and Mrs. Henninger, with his children, are members of the Lutheran Church, and are earnest Christian people.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880 - Page 631

Wayne Twp. -
JOHN HESS, Agent C., C., C. & I. R. R., and Manager of Western Union Telegraph Company, Versailles, Ohio.  Mathias, the father of John, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Fayette Co. in about 1818.  Hester, his wife, whose maiden name was Stevenson, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Fayette Co., in about 1828; they reside near Brownsville, Penn., and are the parents of fourteen children of whom thirteen are living, viz.: Elizabeth, Willialm, John, Nancy J., Rosanah, Enoch, Caroline, Aaron, Freeman, Eliza, George, Mary and Isabell.  John, the subject of this memoir, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Fayette Co. on the 12th of November, 1848; lived at home till he was 21 years old, assisting his father in the cultivation of the soil during the summer, and attending the district school in the winter months, thereby obtaining a good common-school education.  In February, 1869, he came to Darke Co., Ohio, locating in Greenville, where he obtained a position as clerk in the post office, where he remained about sixteen months, after which he entered the office of the D. & U. R. R., at Union City, Ind., with R. T. Johnson, but only remained there three months, when he obtained a position as night-operator in Versailles, Ohio, which office he filled for two and a half months, when he was appointed ticket and freight agent, also manager of the Western Union Telegraphy, which gave him control of the station.  Mr. Hess is a young man, and is well qualified for the position he fills, and is held in high esteem by the officials of the C., C., C. & I. Ry. Co.  He celebrated his marriage on the 14th of October, 1873, with Miss Laura A. Wentworth, daughter of Egbert N. and Cynthia A. Wentworth, who was born in Darke Co. Mar. 3, 1854.  Three children have been born to this union, viz.:  Emma Pearle, born Aug. 3, 1874; Harry Gordon, Nov. 15, 1875; Bessie L., Jan. 5, 1880.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880 - Page 608

Mississinawa Twp. -
HARVEY HILL, Justice of the Peace and township Clerk; P. O. Rose Hill; son of Nathan and Mary Ann Hill, was born near Batavia, Clermont Co., Ohio.  June 15, 1838; he came to this township with his parents Oct. 1, 1854, and settled on Sec. 20, on land that his father occupied during his life, and now owned and occupied by our subject; at the time this family settled here, the township was almost an unbroken wilderness, the woods abounding in nearly all kinds of game; deer and the wild turkey abounded on every hand; these early settlers were subject to the privations and hardships of pioneer life; but the intervening years have brought about a happy change, and to-day this portion of the county is as promising as any in Western Ohio.  Mr. Hill was united in marriage with Martha E. Matthews, of this county, Nov. 17, 1873; they have two children, to wit: William Jesse and Amy Grace.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 762

Harrison Twp. -
OBADIAH HILL, retired, New Madson; was born in what was then Baltimore Co., Md., Mar. 17, 1790; when about 9 years old, was bound out to a weaver; his master, as he was termed, died when he was about 19 years of age, and he was free, but voluntarily bound himself at the same trade for three years more, after which he wagoned ten years; he then resumed his trade, continuing ten years, after which he came to the West, first stopping near the ground upon which the Ohio Soldier's Home is now situated and lived in Montgomery Co. nearly one-quarter of a century, renting one farm of one man for eighteen successive years; then removed to Preble Co. and purchased 160 acres of land, which he improved, and sold six years later at a handsome profit; he then removed to Darke Co., where he has resided ever since, owning and cultivating different tracts of land; in the fall of 1876, he purchased a handsome residence property in New Madison, in which he and his wife now live.  Mr. Hill was married to Eliza Fisher, who was also a native of Maryland, in 1821; they were the parents of ten children, seven of whom are now living—William, Jonathan, Jacob, Mary A., now Mrs. John Ullery, of Kan.; Eliza A., now Mrs. Stephen Ullery, of South Bend, Ind.; Jemima, now Mrs. Hickathorn, of Dayton, and Jenny, now Mrs. Henry Bougher, of Butler Co.; the names of the three deceased are Margaret, George W. and James; Mrs. Hill's death occurred near New Madison Sept. 9, 1875, being 74 years old; Mr. Hill and Mrs. Missouri (Shannon) Ullery, a native of Pennsylvania, were married Sept. 19, 1876.  Mr. Hill, although in his 90th year, is in good health, and walks as though only 50.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 695

Greenville Twp. -
D. S. HIME, firm of Hime & Snyder, livery, feed and sale stable; another old settler of Darke Co., Ohio; born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1835; he is a son of Daniel Hime, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Montgomery o., Ohio, in 1838, and located in the northwest part of Greenville Township; he died in Washington Township in 1875. The subject of this sketch was raised to agricultural pursuits until 11 years of age, when he was apprenticed to learn the shoemaker's trade for seven years, after which, he remained upon the home farm, and in 1858, was united in marriage with Amelia D. Martin, of Greenville; she was born in Miami Co.; they have two children — Adelia Bell and Sarah Catherine. He purchased his home farm in 1864, and disposed of the same about the year 1870; he then came to Greenville, where he has since lived.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 501

Harrison Twp. -
WILLIAM W. HINDSLEY.  The subject of this review is now a leading grocer and prominent citizen of Greenville, Ohio.  He was born in Randolph county, Indiana, June 1, 1850, and is a son of Joseph and Nancy (McGuire) Hindsley, both natives of North Carolina.  His paternal grandfather was John Hindsley, a seafaring man, who spent many years on the Atlantic, sailing principally between New York and the West Indies, engaged in the fruit and coffee trade.  In early manhood the father of our subject removed with his parents to Randolph county, Indiana, where he spent the remainder of his life as a farmer, dying there in 1888, at the age of seventy-three years.  His wife is still living in the same county, in her seventy-ninth year.  To them were born nine children, six of whom lived to be grown, and five are still living.
     Of this family William W. Hindsley, our subject, is the seventh in order of birth.  He spent his boyhood and youth on the home farm in Randolph county, Indiana, assisting his father in its cultivation, and attending the district schools of the neighborhood.  In 1879 he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Denniston, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, in 1859, and at the time of her birth had six grandmothers.  Her parents were Joseph and Anna (Money) Denniston.  Her father was born in Hill Grove, Washington township, this county, in September, 1830, a son of Samuel and Susan (Wasson) Denniston, and died January 1, 1894.  Her mother was born in Jay county Indiana, in 1837, and died August 8, 1893.  Mr. and Mrs. Hindsley have one son living, Joseph Chelsey, born November 3, 1883, who is now a student in the high school of Greenville.
     After his marriage, Mr. Hindsley settled in Mississinawa township, where he engaged in farming for some time.  Subsequently he conducted a grocery store in Rose Hill for two years, and in December, 1895, came to Greenville, where he soon afterward erected a good store building on Fort Jefferson avenue and stocked it with a good grade of fancy and staple groceries.  He now enjoys a well established trade, having by fair and honorable dealings secured a liberal share of the public patronage.  While a resident of Greenville a comparatively short time, he has become thoroughly identified with its interests, and is well known as an enterprising and reliable business man, one who keeps abreast with the times.  He and his wife are members of the Church of Christ, and all who known them hold them in the highest esteem.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 675

Greenville Twp. -
ABSALOM HOFFERT, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 36; P. O. Greenville.  The subject of this memoir was born in Rush Creek Township, Fairfield Co., Ohio, Jan. 25, 1827; he was a son of Solomon Hoffert, who was probably born in Pennsylvania in 1795, and came to Ohio when quite young and located in Fairfield Co., where his death occurred April 4, 1876, at the advanced age of 91 years. He married Margaret Hendricks, who was born in 1790, and died in 1861, aged 71 years; they were the parents of ten children, of whom eight are now living. Our subject obtained a common-school education in his youth, and was raised to agricultural pursuits until June 5, 1851, when he was united in marriage with Nancy Fantz; she was born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, Nov. 20, 1832; they were the parents of five children, viz.: Elizabeth, now Mrs. James Westfall, of Brown Township, born June 4, 1852; Matilda, born May 8. 1855, died April 23, 1858; Ellen, born April 25, 1857, now Mrs. Wesley Slade, Neave Township; Margaret, born March 20, 1859, now Mrs. Charles Fletcher, of Miami Co.; Emma P., born Feb. 8. 1862, now Mrs. George Hathway, living upon the home farm. Mrs. Hoffert was a daughter of Michael Fantz, who was born in Baden, Germany, in 1792, and came to America in 1819; he died in Hocking Co., Ohio, May 23. 1863, aged 71 years 8 months and 19 days. He married Elizabeth Stacer; she was also born in Baden, Germany, in 1791.' and died in Fairfield Co., Ohio, Sept. 10, 1860, aged 69 years 4 months and 28 days. Upon the marriage of Mr. Hoffert, he commenced farming for himself, which business he followed in Hocking and Fairfield Cos. until April,
1 864, when he disposed of his property in Fairfield Co., and purchased 40 acres in Darke Co., and located upon his present place where he has since lived; he now owns 47 acres upon his home place, located less than a mile and a half from Greenville. He with his wife and two children are members of the Reformed Church, and one daughter a member of the Church of the United Brethren; Mr. and Mrs. Hoffert having been members for the past ten years.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 501

Wayne Twp. -
G. W. HOLLIS, Postmaster, Versailles; son of J. J. and Sarah Hollis; was born in Virginia 1824; settled in this county, 1857.  Was married to Lucinda Osgood, of Frankfort, Hampshire Co., Va., 1850; one child, Charles J.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 716

Washington Twp. -
FREDERICK HOUPT, retired farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Darke, Ohio; was born in Lebanon Co., Penn., Aug. 10, 1814; his father, Fredrick Houpt, was born in Schuylkill Co., Penn.  The subject of this sketch, at the age of 12, went to work on a farm and worked five years for his board and clothes; he then learned the cooper's trade; moved to Dayton, Ohio, in 1833, worked at farming in summer and in winter at his trade; in the spring of 1846, he moved to where he now resides; the first land he owned was 25 acres, which he bought in the wilderness in the eastern part of Darke County, for $275; he sold it for $1,000 in 1856.  He married Sarah Wilds Apr. 2, 1844; she was born in Ohio, Aug. 16, 1815, and died Feb. 7, 1879; they have had four children, viz.: a little boy, died unnamed; John, born Feb. 16, 1849, died Nov. 5, 1869; David, born Nov. 4, 1`851, and Sarah Ann, Dec. 27, 1854; she married Calvin Young; David resides at home; he married Almira Heck, Apr. 10, 1873; she was born in German Township, Darke Co., Mar. 28, 1855, and died Mar. 30, 1876; they had one boy, William F., born Nov. 19, 1873, died Feb. 6, 1875.  His second marriage was with Phoebe Rodgers, Dec. 26, 1878; she was born in Washington Township Apr. 21, 1858.  Fredrick Houpt owns a good home and 623 acres of land, and other good houses and buildings.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 755

Washington Twp. -
SAMUEL HUFFER, farmer, Sec. 2; P. O. Hill Grove, Ohio; who is a son of Jacob and Barbara (Bechtel) Huffer; was born in Maryland, Sept. 24, 1799; the father moved to Montgomery Co., Ohio, in the fall of 1830, and to Darke County in 1838, to Harrison Township; in 1844, they moved to where a portion of the family now reside, in Sec. 2, Washington  Twp.; he died Feb. 15, 1872; his widow, Catherine, died Feb. 16, 1879; they had seven children, viz: Aaron, born Apr. 19, 1830; Jacob, Jan. 6, 1832, deceased; Elizabeth, born Dec. 19, 1834, deceased; Samuel (the subject of this sketch), born Mar. 31, 1836; Reuben, Apr. 13, 1839; Magdalena, July 13, 1844; she married Jonathan Hart; and Malinda, born June 7, 1846; he followed farming during his lifetime; two of his sons, Aaron and Samuel, and son-in-law, J. Hart, established a tile factory on the old homestead in 1874, where they are turning out large quantities of tile of excellent quality.  Aaron and Samuel remain unmarried and live in their paternal residence with Howard and Rebecca Hart, and own 200 acres of land which their father and his sons have converted from a wilderness to fine productive meadows and fields; their first residence here cost, erected and covered $6, which exhausted their exchequer; in this they resided four years; in 1852, the present home was built; all the privations and hardships of pioneer life have been experienced by this family.  Elizabeth Huffer married Ambrose Green, whose daughter, Rebecca A. (born June 19, 1858), married Charles H. Hart, born in Berks Co., Penn., July 11, 1855; they have one child, Mary Myrtle Hart, born July 1, 1879.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 755

Greenville Twp. -
MOSES HUHN, clothier and merchant tailor, was born in Grand Duchy Saxony, Germany, May 13, 1835, and is a son of L. and Hannah Huhn, natives of the same place; his father was born in 1784, and departed this life in 1853, aged 67 years; his mother was born in 1800, and is still living in Germany, aged 80 years. Our subject emigrated to America in 1851, and landed in New York, his voyage occupying sixty -three days; he repaired to St. Joseph, Mo., immediately, and remained there for seven years, engaged as salesman, and then came to Greenville, where he was employed as salesman for Warring Bros., which position he held for four years; he then embarked in business for himself, and is one of Greenville's successful business men; he carries a full and complete stock in his line, consisting of men's, boys' and children's clothing, and does a general merchant tailoring business. He is an honorable member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows' organizations, and his motto is "onward and upward."
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 502

Greenville Twp. -
WILLIAM HUNTER, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Ansonia; another of the old residents of Darke Co.; born in Greenville Township April 26, 1831; he was the oldest son of William F. Hunter, who was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Jan. 2, 1801; he was one of the early settlers of Darke Co., locating here about the year 1825; he was married in Darke Co. to Elizabeth Earheart; she was born in Virginia April 14, 1804, and came to Darke Co. with her parents when quite young, making the journey on horseback. They were the parents of three sons and tour daughters, of whom all are living but one son. Mr. Hunter died Sept. 26, 1840. Mrs. Hunter died May 11, 1853, upon the old homestead; William Hunter has lived upon the homestead and upon the place where he was born for nearly half a century, his mother making her home with him until her decease; the log house in which all the family was born is now standing upon the place where it has stood for a period of fifty years. The nuptials of William Hunter and Mary Shultz were celebrated June 15. 1854; she was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., July 1, 1834; she was a daughter of George Shultz, who emigrated from Pennsylvania to Warren Co., and then to Darke Co., about the year 1846; the children of William and Mary (Shultz) Hunter were nine in number, of whom eight are now living, viz., Thomas H., William S., Charles E., Edmond A., Mary E., John L, Prudence O., David D.; the deceased, Ada, died April 22, 1877.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1880. - Page 502